SO - Hey guys! Welcome back to Secret of Hope! Sorry for the delay but it's true, even amazing authors like Shadow and Noble need breaks! Anyway, enjoy!

NS - So...we were hibernating (like BEARS)...yeah, but we're back now! Enjoy!


Chapter 4

The snow fell heavily, coating the grounds of Kadic with a thick, white blanket typical of the cool Christmas season. All over campus, students hurried through the winter air, bundled up in their warmest clothing, cheeks red with excitement and anticipation.

Christmas was tomorrow.

Trudging through the snowy courtyard towards the gate, Aelita tightened her scarf around her neck, glancing nervously behind her to make sure she wasn't being followed by her friends. She needed to get some last minute shopping done and was hoping to do it unnoticed, getting back before anyone noticed she was gone. Turning, she set off, her pace fast and strong as she headed towards the town. Suddenly, she heard someone calling her name and, turning, she saw Deane running towards her, waving cheerily in hello.

"Aelita?" he called, still waving. She turned instantly, a smile plastered to her face as she greeted the new addition to her blooming group of friends.

"Hey!" she beamed, letting him catch up to her. It had been three days since she had met Deane, and in those 3 days, he had warmed up to the entire gang, instantly winning their friendship and love.

"Where are you going this early in the morning?" he asked, taking an earphone out of his ear and placing the wires in his pocket.

"I'm ummm… Just going to town to pick up some stuff…" she lied, looking around nervously as though uncomfortable talking about it. Deane laughed at her, easing the tension.

"Even if it's only been three days, I know you well enough to know you're lying Aelita! You're going shopping, aren't you?" he teased, watching as her face heated up.

"I- No! I'm all set!" she shot back confidently, setting off again in a huff. He smirked at her before returning to her side.

"Don't worry, I'm not ready either - we can go together!" he smiled as he offered her his hand. She stopped, smirking, and took it.

"Alright, you caught me," she smiled, nodding knowingly they began half running half skipping out of Kadic. "How embarrassing for you, though, to leave shopping for your new friends until this late.."

"You're one to talk," Deane laughed, enjoying himself as they walked towards town.


Nearby, two people watched the exchange, the only sound between them the soft crinkle of chocolate wrappers being undone and folded. A white haired boy stood beneath the tree that had become his daily haunt, his constant pale-haired companion reclining on a low-hanging branch as she ate. Her breath misted in the frosty air and peeled off of the warm chocolate as it dribbled down one side of her mouth. Folding the most recent chocolaty victim's wrapper in a neat and brightly colored square, she rested her hands on her lap, extending her feet out along the length of the limb, regarding the receding backs of the two whose conversation they had just overheard.

"Interesting…" Anastasia said, her violet eyes regarding them coldly. "I thought she was with Odd or…Jeremie?"

"Don't be so suspicious," Mikhail sighed, resting a hand on her head. Anastasia closed her eyes, nestling into the familiar texture of his warm hand. Laughing softly at her, Mikhail leaned in, cleaning off the chocolate with his mouth and moving into a kiss. When they separated, there was color in the pale girl's cheeks, but she didn't complain.

"He's strange…" she said, continuing her train of thought as though nothing had happened, and Mikhail nodded in agreement.

"The way he walks says he's lonely, but his smile says that he's happy, which is confusing. Girl's find him attractive because of the vibe he gives off and his appearance. What do you think?" he said, leaning back against the tree disinterestedly.

"He…annoys me…" she said, unwrapping a chocolate.

Mikhail laughed again, his soft tones washing over her like warm, tropical waves. "Then he truly is special."


Ulrich and Yumi watched, their mouths agape, as Odd devoured his third helping of lunch, washing it down with a large mug of hot chocolate. Burping, he set his cup down and looked at them innocently…or as innocent as one can muster with a chocolate mustache.

"You know, Odd…" Yumi started, "…that really can't be good for your system…" Odd shrugged, wiping his mustache away with his sleeve.

"It's the trials of life, Yumi. Those who eat survive!" Odd smiled, turning to the scraps on his plate as Ulrich shook his head in both amusement and disgust.

"I have to tell you, good buddy, that was disgusting…but also impressive!" Ulrich grinned, offering his best friend a high five, their hands making a sharp clack as they connected.

"I am special, aren't I?" Odd said, winking at Yumi, who just rolled her eyes. Ulrich raised his eyebrows protectively, and Odd raised his arms in mock surprise, knowing Ulrich understood he was no threat to him and Yumi.

"Hmm, debatable…" Ulrich shrugged, pretending to think about it.

"This is adorable, why don't you two kiss?" Yumi sighed, teasing her best friends.

Odd raised his hands, "As much as I'd love to, I have a feeling Ulrich's saving them for someone very special…for instance, someone sitting right at this very table- OW!" he cut off as Ulrich slammed a hand into him, eyebrow twitching.

"Something you wanted to say, Odd?" he growled.

"Eh…haha, no…oh, yes!" the blonde boy said, squirming out of Ulrich's grip and sprinting over to a message board. "This!" he cried across the room, slapping a piece of paper.

"What are you talking about now, Odd?" a voice sounded behind him. Recognizing it instantly, he spun around in his chair to see Jeremie.

"The Christmas Eve dance of course!" Odd beamed, pulling Ulrich and Jeremie together on either side of him as he gazed at the poster, squeezing them with excitement. "The ultimate chance for every single male in the school!"

"Odd…are you drooling?"

"Has anyone gotten a date yet?" Jeremie asked, pushing up his glasses. Ulrich and Yumi shook their heads, but Odd beamed at Ulrich.

"Well, Ulrich's obviously going to ask Yumi, so they're all set –OW! Yumi…you've got a really good right hook, you know that?" Odd laughed easily, looking into the embarrassed and furious faces of his friends. "I think I might…run, now?"

"I mean…obviously we're going together…" Yumi muttered quietly to herself, blushing.

"Anyway, who are you taking, Odd?" Jeremie asked, steering the topic out of dangerous waters.

"Hmm, well, not yet. I have someone in mind, though!" Odd said excitedly, glancing around the canteen.

"May God have mercy on the poor girl's body and soul," Yumi said, her eyes closed and hands up to ward against evil, Ulrich at her side. "Amen."

"Is it Emily?" Jeremie asked, startling Odd.

"Wha – well, yes, but how did you know?" Odd spluttered.

Yumi rolled her eyes, but Ulrich answered. "Anyone can see the way you look at her in class, Odd."

"Is it that bad?"

"Mhmm."

"Anyway, here's your chance Odd, that's Emily over there, right?" Jeremie said, gesturing over Odd's shoulder with the mug he had rescued from the deteriorating stack near Rosa while the others were talking. Odd's head quickly turned to look, finding her in the lunch line relatively easily, his eyes met hers, and she waved tentatively at him, a weak response all Odd could muster.

"I'll…wait till she sits down, then I'll ask her…" Odd said, nervous. "So, what about you, Jeremie? Are you gonna ask Aelita?" Odd asked, teasing Jeremie relentlessly. Jeremie shook his head, calmly taking a sip of his hot chocolate.

"Actually, Odd, I've been asked already and I said yes," Jeremie said. Yumi pressed closer, eager for the details.

"Really? Who is it?!" she teased, but Jeremie shrugged her off.

" Sarah Greenan from my math class," Jeremie said calmly as Odd's eyes nearly bulged out of his head.

"What?! Gorgeous Greenan? The really smart, beautiful exchange student?"

"Maybe she asked me instead of you," Jeremie said with a smirk, happy to return the teasing for once. "because I don't think that the Mediterranean Sea is a type of sushi!"

"Isn't it?!" Odd asked, looking around his friends, but finding only "no"s, started laughing alongside them, causing them to crack up even more. "Haha, I honestly thought it was."

"Well Odd, good luck," Yumi said, pointing over to where Emily had just sat down. Taking a deep breath, the courageous blonde mustered himself and stepped forward, sliding across the bench to sit opposite Emily. Very smooth.

Taking a deep, breath he smiled.

"Hey."


Meanwhile, Aelita and Deane had walked from shop to shop, looking at gifts, trying on clothes, and just having an all-around fun time. By the time they left the last toy store, they were both laughing.

"Why do we keep going into shops we don't need stuff from?" Aelita said, her giggles subsiding, Deane shrugged, the contents of his bags shifting slightly as he did. Aelita wished she had paid more attention to what he had bought…maybe he had gotten something for her.

She would just have to wait.

As they walked down the street, talking amicably, Aelita stopped in front of a store they had overlooked, peering in the window. Deane looked at Aelita incredulously.

"Really…Dress shopping?" Deane grimaced, but Aelita beamed.

"Yup! The Winter Dance is coming up…and it's on Christmas Eve! Everyone's going!" Aelita smiled, as she looked at Deane. Their eyes met and held, but just as she thought he was going to ask her to the dance, his phone beeped, shattering the moment. Taking it out, he read the text aloud.

"It's from Yumi. Let's see, it says…'Hey Deane - you still out shopping? Aelita's out shopping too…maybe you've met up with her? Anyway! You heard about the dance yet? It's in 3 days. I'm going with Ulrich, Odd's going with Emily, and Jeremie's going with some "Sarah". The guys say to let you know to get a move on before all the pretty ones are gone (I agree).'" Deane read, baffled by the part about Jeremie's new social life. "Einstein's going to a dance?"

"Oh, everyone's going with someone…" Aelita said, turning away from the dress shop and walking away, he head hung slightly. Suddenly, Deane understood, realizing that everyone she had expected to ask her had found other dates, and his mouth suddenly felt very dry. He threw a glance at the dress shop again and grabbed Aelita by the arm.

"Come on! Get in there!" Deane said, smiling as he shoved her towards the shop.

"What? Why?" Aelita said, confused as they neared the shop. "I'm not going with anyone, I can't get a dress."

"Because…" Deane said spinning her around to face him, leaning in he smiled, "we're gonna go together." Aelita's faced heated up.

"Well then! Could you at least ask me like a gentlemen?" she teased, holding out her hand. He rolled his eyes but took her hands in his.

"Aelita Stones, student of Kadic Academy for the Arts, friend of Ulrich, Odd, Yumi, Jeremie, and William, and co-members with Odd of the unofficial Defend Everything Cute Club, will you honor a humble student by allowing me to take you to the Christmas Dance with me?" Deane asked sincerely, his eyes dancing, though. As the words hung in the air, he felt his face go red and watched as Aelita's face somehow turned an even deeper shade.

"Yes! I will, Deane, thank you!" Aelita smiled, placing a small kiss on his cheek before grabbing his hand and dragging him into the dress store.

"Now, let's get a dress!" Aelita smiled, dragging the poor boy by his hand.

"But I-" Deane cried, he struggled in her grip. "You're freakishly strong for a girl of your size!"

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Aelita said, spinning on the spot and grinning, Deane managed to free himself.

"Just that-" he said leaning closer. "I didn't know elves take steriods..." he said stone faced before beaming as bright as day, Aelita just simply rolled her eyes at him.

"Funny funny! Now c'mon! Dresses!" Aelita said dragging him in after her.


The night of the Christmas Dance arrived at last, with much anticipation from all attending. Kadic had gone all-out this year. Huge trees adorned with vibrant hues of scarlet and gold decorated the entry hall to the gym, and fake snow lay in piles along either side of the hallway. Mistletoe hung in every doorway, and the dance floor was dark except for the disco lights from the stage, tables scattered here and there for tired dancers. It was even rumored that the Subsonics were going to make a guest appearance for a brief set sometime later that night.

Outside, in the cool night air, students gathered in their finest, awaiting entry to the object of their eagerness for the past few weeks. The group stood together, all the guys in suits and a flower the same color as the dress of their partner. Odd stood with Emily, she in an emerald green dress; Deane stood with Aelita, who wore a deep scarlet dress that complimented her hair perfectly; Ulrich stood with Yumi, both in black, though Yumi's dress seemed to change colors, from black to purple as the light changed, as mysterious and guarded as she ever was; and, lastly, Jeremie stood with Sarah, who wore a crystal blue dress, light flashing off the patterned designs as Jeremie stood to one side, looking very pleased with himself.

Ulrich took this time to glance around at his group of friends, his eyes met Deane's whose eyes were on the ground, he noticed a twinge of sadness sweep across his face before he shook it off.

Catching Ulrich looking at him, he shot him a wink and leaned over Aelita's shoulder to whisper in her ear.

"What's wrong Ulrich?" Yumi asked, placing her hand on his arm. Turned to face her fully, he smiled reassuring her.

"Nothing, just thinking," Ulrich replied, drawing a confused look from Yumi, but she tilted her head, slipping her hand in his.

A ripple went through the students as Jim appeared; waving what appeared to be a fishing rod. Bending over to whisper in Aelita's ear, Deane whispered what it really was.

"He has mistletoe attached to the part where the hook should be," he laughed.

"Is it also patterned like a candy cane?" Aelita asked back eagerly.

"I'm not sure…possibly…"

"We should ask him."

"Haha, maybe later."

"Now, listen up!" Jim called, strutting in front of the gathering, "I'm sure you're all eager to get inside, but a few ground rules. Number 1, anyone caught disobeying school rules will be expelled from the dance and given up to any amount of hours of detention that I, and Mr. Delmas, consider appropriate. Two, no grinding. Three, no touching my candy cane mistletoe," he whacked his fishing rod.

"Yep, candy cane," Aelita said.

"Candy cane," Deane agreed.

"Now…in you go!" Jim called, stepping to one side as the students swarmed towards the warm doors. It was way too cold outside as it was, not considering the relatively thin dressed that most of the girls were wearing. Suddenly, Aelita was grateful that she had chosen thicker material. Deane slipped his hand into hers, and she turned to look at him. He smiled, and she smiled back as they stepped towards the dance.

"Shall we go?"

The dance raged on inside the building, the music blaring through the usually quiet Kadic woods and disturbing two regulars there, who turned their eyes uncaringly towards the source of commotion.

"Mikhail…" Anastasia said, walking closer to him. He understood her concern, recognizing the concern for the amount of people present she showed. Being frail and confined to the house did have its downfalls after all, he conceded.

"You're not afraid of a few people, are you, M'lady?" he said, pressing his lips to her ear. She shook her head, and he squeezed her hand, stepping a little faster towards the gym. She shook her head again, as if to clear it, and turned back, pulling him with her. Laughing, Mikhail followed her, knowing where they were going.

"Of course. The princess must have her own ball, mustn't she?" he mused, walking by her side as they approached the river. By its banks was a fabric pavilion, constructed for dancing when bands played there, though it was quiet now. It was lit all around by lanterns, and Anastasia dragged him in there. It was quiet, but they started dancing, slowly, elegantly, as if in one of their family's ball rooms at home, undisturbed by anyone.

Once more, alone.

Across the city, another couple had moved out to a quieter place. Aelita and Deane had moved outside.

"Seriously, why is it so hot in there?!" Deane complained fanning his shirt against his chest.

"It's a gym full of students dancing, what did you expect?" Aelita teased, Deane rolled his eyes and stood up straight.

"I suppose you're right! Anyway, I'm thinking of dying my fringe, what do you think?" Deane asked, taking a quick glance up at his fringe.

"Depends, what colour?" Aelita asked, reaching up to touch his hair, he shuddered under her soft touch.

"Thinking of an aqua blue?" he replied, his mind turning blank at her touch.

"I think that'd suit you well!" Aelita beamed, letting her hand fall onto his cheek before slowly falling off his face.

"Your hair is beautiful, by the way," Deane smiled, raising his hand to the side of her head and resting it on her cheek. Blushing, she leaned into his touch.

"I'm having a great night tonight, Deane," Aelita smiled. She felt him take her hands into his.

"Me too Aelita," he replied, wrapping her in a hug, feeling her instantly return it. "and it looks like it's about to get better," he said, smiling, as the sound of a slow dance drifted out of a nearby window. Casually, as though it were the most normal thing in the world, Aelita placed both her hands over his shoulders as he tentatively rested his hands on her waist.

They began - dancing to a particularly soft song as the snow began to fall. She pressed her face into his chest, marveling at how right it felt, and closed her eyes, immersing herself in the magic.

It took all her effort to bring a small part of her back to reality to tell him what she had wanted to all night.

Stopping, she drew back, looking into his eyes happily, whispering her message with all the emotion she felt at the thoughts themselves.

"Merry Christmas, Deane," Aelita blushed.

"Merry Christmas, Aelita," he replied.

Their faces moved closer and closer…

A couple of inches apart…

Even closer…

Only an inch.

As they closed the gap, the door nearby swung open and they instantly jumped apart. It was Yumi, and by the look on her face, she had brought trouble. It didn't look as though she had seen what was about to happen, and Aelita breathed a sigh of relief. Looking behind her friend, she saw that Yumi was followed closely by the rest of the gang, minus Odd and Jeremie's dates.

"Aelita!" Yumi said, running as fast as she could in her dress towards her friend.

"Yumi? What's wrong?" Aelita asked anxiously, looking at Deane nervously out of the corner of her eye, hoping that Yumi hadn't brought the news she thought she had.

"Xana," Yumi said breathless, reaching her. Aelita felt her mouth go dry at the sound of what she had most wanted kept secret, and nodded knowingly.

"Umm, who's Xana?" Deane asked, feeling slightly ignored; after all, he was only a foot away.

"It's umm..." Yumi began, seeming to realize he was there for the first time. She looked back at the others for help.

"I think that the time has finally arrived, Yumi," Jeremie said matter-of-factly, pushing his glasses up his nose.

"Time for what?" Deane questioned, taking a step back.

"Come with us," Ulrich said, putting a hand on his shoulder as he marched past, "and we'll show you." As the group began towards the forest, Aelita stood in front of Deane, watching as the others ran off into the darkness, ready to once again fight the evil lurking there.

"Aelita, what's going on?" Deane questioned, watching as the others disappeared from view.

"Do you trust me?" she asked, holding out her hand. He glanced down at her proffered hand, mulling it over in his mind. Finding his answer, he smiled, placing his hand in hers.

"Yes," he said, and she smiled softly as she leaned up to kiss his cheek.

"Thank you...now, follow me!" Aelita smiled, pulling him after her.


SO - So I hope you liked this chapter, remember to leave reviews to let us know what you think! Anyway, bye!

NS - I love you guys~ Return the favor by leaving your thoughts in the review section and, as always, big thumbs up to ShadowOdd on his profile too. Thanks guys!

Quotes

ShadowOdd - "WOOOOOOO" (excitement)

Noble Scotsman - "HA. I'M DONE." (about finishing the chapter)