ZOMG Guys I am so sorry for the lateness of this chapter! Work at my soul there at Christmas and then the New Year and everything just got crazy! .

But I am here now...with an update! I've actually gotten half of Chapter 8 typed up as well and am going to try and get it out as quickly as I can to make up for the long wait. I'd originally planned to include it in this chapter...but this part turned out longer then I thought it would and I think what I wanna add to it will work better all together in one chapter instead of it being split into two! .

I'd also like to thank everyone whose been so patient and willing to stick with me through this little break! Thank you so, so much to everyone who Reviewed/Faved/Followed even while I wasn't able to update! That seriously means the world to me and I am so greatful to have you guys enjoying this! 8D

That being said...I would like to say that I am hoping to start wrapping this story up...I'm thinking possibly either or 3 more chapters depending on the length and what not. We'll see but I'm thinking right around 9-10 chapters if I can do it. We'll see...ahaha...and then it's on to the sequel!

Thank you all again so much...now on to the story!


Disclaimer: Nope...still don't own Mystic Messenger all it's copyrights go to Cheritz. I do however own Ari and would appreciate you asking before you use her! Thankies.


Chapter 7: On with the Party!

Despite Yoosung's assurances on her appearance, after returning to the ballroom Ari quickly ducked into the restroom to try and at least pull some semblance of order back into her looks.

She blinked as she looked in the mirror and chuckled a little to herself, just as she had figured her mascara had run and she had a terrible case of raccoon eyes. And they wouldn't even discuss the state of her eyes or nose, everything was red and puffy from crying.

She quickly did her best to at least fix the major issues, it might not look great but at least she didn't look like a crying mess anymore.

She let out a small sigh as she removed her contacts and fished out her glasses from her purse. Much as she hated to put them on, but her eyes were to irritated from crying to keep her contacts in.

Looking at her reflection with her glasses on caused her to remember the bandages that covered Yoosung's left eye. She swallowed thickly as she felt her emotions once again getting the better of her.

She blinked her eyes several times to keep the fresh tears at bay. She took a deep breath as she looked once again in the mirror before she gathered up her items and made her way out of the restroom.

Yoosung was waiting for her just outside the door, leaning lightly against one of the wooden pillars that jutted out from the walls.

He didn't notice her right away, and Ari had to give him a small look of sympathy. He probably was trying to hide it but she could see in his body language just how exhausted he really was.

She didn't have long to take in his state however, as soon as he saw her approaching he pushed himself off the pillar his good eye lighting up and his energy seeming to recover in a moment.

"Sorry I took so long..." She said flashing him a bright smile as she came to stand in front of him.

He smiled back at her and looked like he was about to answer when he stopped and stared at her. His head tilting slightly as he did his eye widening slightly.

"W-What?" She asked suddenly afraid she something on her face as she quickly began rubbing at her face to get whatever it was off.

"Hehe...sorry, I just didn't realize you wore glasses." He said laughing at her fumbling.

Ari felt her face heat up at his words as she suddenly felt self conscious she quickly adjusted her frames and ducked her head a little.

"O-Oh yeah, I don't wear them often...I prefer my contacts." She said quietly as she shyly peeked up at him.

"Really? But they make you look adorable!" He said his face quickly flushing as he realized what he'd said.

"You think so?" Ari asked blinking in surprise she'd heard others say the same thing but it coming from Yoosung made her heart skip a beat.

"Of course, though I think you're beautiful no matter what..." He said blushing deeply as his gaze softened as he looked at her.

Ari felt her face heat up and she quickly ducked her head.

"Th-thank you." She managed to squeak out as she felt her heart racing in her chest as she swallowed hard to regain her composure.

Yoosung chuckled at her his happy smile never faltering.

She noticed the sudden bashful expression that crossed his face as he looked at her and then down at her hand.

She giggled a little at him as she gave him a reassuring smile before reaching over and lacing her fingers with his again.

The feeling of his hand around her's making her feel warm and protected as they began walking both looking about for the rest of the group.

They finally spotted Jumin, Jaehee, and Zen standing towards the middle of the hall as several guests stopped to speak with them.

It was Zen who spotted them first a giant smile crossing his handsome face as he began to wave excitedly at them to come over.

"There they are!" They both heard him say as they approached.

"Thank goodness...we were starting to get worried." Jaehee stated as she turned towards them her golden eyes holding both relief and concern as she looked at both Yoosung and Ari.

"Yeah thought we were going to have come check on you two." Zen stated raising an eyebrow at them which caused them both to blush deeply.

Jumin took the opportunity to interject at that moment and save them from any further of Zen's questions.

"Are you feeling better Ari?" He asked as he folded his arms over his chest as he looked at her.

"Oh, yes...much better. Thank you for being concerned." She said flashing them all a grateful smile.

"Very good, glad to hear it. Now...for you..." Jumin stated his gaze turning on Yoosung who Ari felt shrink under his gaze.

"Yeah...where in the hell do you get off scaring us half to death like that?!" Zen asked as he crossed his arms and glared at Yoosung.

"I believe what Zen is trying to say is that you really did give us a scare, Yoosung. Why didn't you tell us before now about what happened last night?" Jaehee stated much more calmly then Zen.

"I'm so sorry...I really didn't intend to make you guys worry. But the last thing I wanted to do was ruin Ari's first party. She had worked so hard for it...I just couldn't do that to her or to the reset of you...this party meant so much to everyone..." He said quietly his gaze shifting down to the floor as he spoke.

"Be as that may, you're health and well being are also important. Letting us know what had happened would have been insightful. We could have worked something out had we known." Jumin stated as he folded his arms over his chest.

"I think what Mr. Han is trying to say...is that telling us would have saved us a lot of worry and shock in the long run. That and we all also care about you Yoosung..." Jaehee stated her voice softening a little bit as she looked at him.

"I think Jaehee summed it up better then this jerk, we're just glad you're safe and at least somewhat in one piece." Zen stated chuckling a little as he flashed him a small smile.

Yoosung chuckled a bit as he placed a hand on the back of his head and gave them a grin.

"Thanks...and I really am sorry for everything. I'm just glad I got the opportunity to protect, Ari." He said as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze as he glanced down at her his eye softening as it did.

"So what the hell exactly happened last night?" Zen asked deciding it was safe to somewhat change the subject.

Yoosung sighed a little bit as seemed to consider what he was about to say.

"It was all so strange...and happened so fast..." He said quietly as he swallowed hard. Ari could feel his hand shaking a little as he was clearly remembering the previous night's events.

She gave his hand a gentle reassuring squeeze to which he gave her a small smile in return.

"Perhaps we should wait for V and Luciel's return before continuing." Jumin stated his eyes flicking across the crowd at the turn of the conversation.

It was then that Ari noticed that both V and Seven weren't present with their group.

"Oh...have they been gone this entire time?" Ari asked glancing around at the others.

"Yeah...I hope whatever their talking about puts Seven back into a good mood. Dude's acting to odd for my liking...never thought he could be odder then before." Zen stated shuddering a little to himself.

The others all nodded their heads in agreement, fully hoping that the Hacker would return to his normal self after his conversation with V.

As if on Que Ari noticed the two heading in their direction through the crowd. Seven helping V to navigate the crowded hall.

Once close enough Seven moved off to the side closer to Zen, his hands going into his pockets. Ari could still see the distant look in his golden eyes.

But it seemed like he was at least trying to not look as emotional as he had been before. Though she noticed the sad look that crossed his features at he gazed over at Yoosung.

V cleared his throat as he let out a sigh as he seemed to be considering his words carefully before speaking.

"I know you all must have questions in regards to what has been going on recently..." He stated quietly.

While Ari couldn't see his eyes from she was sure they would have been tired by the sound of his voice.

"A few. I believe some explanations are well over due." Jumin stated levelly as he crossed his arms and gave his best friend a look.

The others all nodded their heads as they looked at the teal haired man.

"I understand, and I wish I could tell you everything. I really do...but after discussing what took place last night with Luciel..." V stated as he placed a hand on his chin and took a deep breath.

"I'm afraid...that answers are not what I can currently give you all. At least not the ones you deserve...believe me when I say I wish I could..." V said quietly a hint of regret in his voice as he sighed.

Ari felt Yoosung tense up at the answer, she glanced up at him seeing that his good eye was closed as he took a deep breath. She knew that V's answer wasn't what he wanted to hear, after a few seconds he opened his eye and released the breath he'd been holding.

"Is Ari safe now? That's all that I care about..." Yoosung stated quietly breaking the silence that had over come the group.

"Yes, that part I'm sure on." V stated nodding his head in Yoosung's direction.

Ari saw him not his head a little bit that seemed to do for him for the moment. She did notice how Seven seemed to be keeping his gaze locked on his feet.

"So then you really expect us to take recent events at face value and not question what happened? The Hacker, the security system, what's happened to Yoosung, and the simple fact that both Ari and ourselves were put in danger?" Jumin asked his eyes narrowing at V as he glared at him levelly.

V heaved a sigh as he turned to Jumin.

"I'm afraid there are to many things to discuss here. I understand this not being the easiest answer to understand but at the moment it's the best I can give..." V stated quietly.

Jumin looked like he wanted to press the matter further.

"Mr. Han, perhaps this isn't the best conversation to be having right in the middle of the party. We all want answers just as much as you do...but perhaps this should be taken to private..." Jaehee stated quietly glancing around at the guests that were milling around.

"Yes, I suppose you're correct. Though I doubt anymore will come to light from it." Jumin stated as he crossed his arms clearly not happy with the situation and making it clear that he wouldn't be giving up trying to get V to tell him more.

"We'll talk after the party...I can't say I'll give you anything more but we can certainly talk more then." V stated nodding his head at Jumin.

Jumin grunted in response but nodded his head a little.

"So then we're all safe now?" Zen asked as he sighed in relief.

"Thank goodness...I don't know how much more stress my perfect skin could handle." He said shaking his head a little bit.

"And there's the Zen we all know and love..." Ari stated earning several laughs from the others. Even Seven seemed to chuckle a bit at the joke.

Jumin only rolled his eyes but Ari was sure she saw a sparkle of humor in his eyes as he did so.

"I'm just glad we're finally all together once again. It really feels like the RFA has been reborn, thanks you Ari." Yoosung stated grinning down happily at her as he squeezed her hand.

The others all smiled and nodded their heads in agreement.

Ari swallowed hard a soft smile spreading across her lips at his words and the others approval she could feel the tears once again prickling at the corners of her eyes.

"Thanks you guys...I'm just glad I could help..." She said quietly her eyes shining behind her glasses as she looked at her friends...no her family.

"Of course, with out you none of this would be possible." Jaehee stated as she glanced around the room.

"And speaking of this being possible...I hate to interrupt but I believe we have guests that have yet to be properly greeted." She stated as she glanced down at the clipboard she was still carrying and then her watch.

"Yes, we should get on that before the Auction is set to begin." Jumin stated nodding his head a little bit.

"Come on Ari, let's go introduce you to the guests! I'm sure their as excited to meet you as you are them!" Yoosung stated cheerily as he beamed down at her.

She giggled a little at his sudden enthusiasm before she nodded her head.

"Alright, sounds good." She stated returning his grin.

"Well then I should go retrieve Elizabeth the Third...we have time to introduce her to a few guests I believe." Jumin stated nodding his head a little.

"And that would be my Que to go meet the guests on the other side of the hall, damned Trust Fund Kid." Zen grumbled as he shook his head and began to move to the other side of the hall.

Jaehee seemed to follow in his trail probably having the same idea of getting away from her boss and his cat.

Ari giggled a little at his reaction, though it quickly sobered when she noticed Seven still standing forlornly.

"Hey Seven, you want to come with Yoosung and I?" She asked turning to glance at Yoosung who blinked at her and then at Seven before nodding his head.

"Yeah...come on...maybe we can see about getting Christopher Nolam's autograph." Yoosung stated flashing his friend a grin.

Seven seemed to pause for a second giving it some thought before he finally nodded his head and began to follow them around the hall.


And that's it for Chapter 8! 8D

Looks like the party is finally underway! We'll get to see how it goes in the next chapter...ahaha...see what other hiccups might pop up along the way. XDD

Thank you all so much for you're continued following of this story. Please remember to read, review, fave, follow...and most importantly enjoy! I can't wait to hear from you all!

Thankies so much! 8D