So I'm back from my 'small' hiatus. Merry Christmas!
~Taiga

Chapter 7: Joy

"CAN YOU NOT!" Misaki grabs Takumi by the arm and kicks the black blob of rags that was about to grab her leg.

The rags pulled back quickly with a rough voice moaning in pain, "Chill, girl!" A hand popped out of the rags and rubbed his shin, "This is my job, for God's sake."
Stifling a laugh, Takumi bobbed his head in apology, "Sorry," He chuckled. "She's just too scared."

The rags let out a soft laugh, "Nice. Don't let this girl go," with a small step back, it was back into its hiding place. "Don't take her to the big (haunted) houses, waayy scarier there."
Misaki tugged on Takumi's sleeves, "t-there are scarier places?"

The blonde pats her lightly on the head, "Yeah. But I won't let you go to scary places."

His girlfriend scrunches her nose, grumbling, "That sure turned out well."

Walking out of the haunted house, Misaki was still holding onto Takumi tightly. "That was fun," Takumi laughed. "Let's go in another one!"

Immediately, Misaki dropped her hand from his and stared at him coldly, "I'll wait for you; on the OUTSIDE."

Laughing, Takumi wrapped his arm around her shoulder, "I'm just kidding."

"I'll kill you if you weren't."

"Hey, let's go on that one," he pointed at the rollercoaster.

A small smile spread across Misaki's face, "sure."

"And after, we're going to the Killer's House!"

"UUSSUUIIII!"

"Ah, that was fun," Takumi smiled, putting a spoonful of ice cream in his mouth.

Misaki nods as she also ate some of the creamy strawberry ice cream, "Yeah, it was nice." After a series of thrilling rides, the sun had already begun to set.

After finishing their shared ice cream in peaceful silence, Takumi held Misaki's hand as they strolled through the lightened park. "Time sure passes quickly," he sighed. "Let's go on one more ride before we leave."

Misaki nodded, "Sure. Which one?"

"That one!" Takumi pointed at the lightened Ferris wheel. He grinned at Misaki like a child who found a new toy.

Unable to fight a smile, the raven-haired girl nodded, "Let's go then!"

As they settled themselves in the small cart, the couple couldn't help but stare at the night view as they were slowly lifted above the ground. "The view's so beautiful," Misaki sighed.

"Not as beautiful as you," Takumi winked.

"And the lights pop out like starts in the night sky," Misaki continued, choosing to ignore the perverted alien.

"You shine brighter," her boyfriend smiled.

"You should stop," she sent him a glare. "Mood-ruiner."

"Mood-ruiner?" Takumi smirked. "How about I bring back that mood." He leaned in closer to Misaki so that their faces were barely an inch apart.

"What're you doing?" Misaki placed her hands on Takumi's chest, hoping to keep him from getting too close to her. Unfortunately, that plan failed and in a blink of an eye, Takumi had his lips on her soft ones.

Unable to resist, Misaki gave up and just sighed into their kiss. After a minute or two, the coupl pulled apart as their lungs screamed for air. With a cherry-red face, Misaki tried to cover her face only to be stopped by a pair of strong hands. "You shouldn't cover up your cute face," Takumi chuckled.

"Usuiii," the raven-haired girl whined as her already red face fell into a deeper shade. "Stop it with your cheesy lines."

He wrapped his arms around the girl and chuckled, "You're way too cute." Misaki buried her face into his chest and hugged him back. "Come to think of it," Takumi rested his head on her shoulder. "did anyone ask you to the Christmas Dance?"

Misaki pulled back and gave him a confused look, "No. Why would they?"
"Why wouldn't ehy?" Takumi gave her an obviously faked confused look.

"Well…" she blushed and stared down at her hands. "I'm kind of… like… I'm dating… you."

A grin spreads across Takumi's face as he interlaces his fingers with hers, "I guess you have no date."

"Obviously," Misaki muttered.

"Then," Takumi took a small box out of his pocket. "will you go to the dance with me?" He opened the small box, revealing a heart-shaped necklace with a pearl in the middle.

Misaki stared at the necklace, then at Takumi, and back at the necklace, "Sorry…" she muttered.

"What?"

"I'm so sorry…" Misaki rubbed her temples lightly.

Takumi threw her a VERY confused look. Did Misaki just… reject him? "M-Misa-"

She held her hand up, stopping Takumi from saying anything else, "I'm sorry, Usui," she stared at him straight in the eyes. "I didn't hear what you said just now. Can you repeat it?"

A small chuckle escaped from Takumi's lips, "Will you go to the Christmas Dance with me?"

Misaki's lips twitched into a small smile, "Of course," she threw her arms around Takumi and laughed, "Just wanted to hear that again."

He clasped the necklace on for her, "You weird little soul."

"Not weirder than you."

"Yes, yes," Takumi smiled, leaning in so that their noses touched. "Since I'm an alien from outer space."

Today was the happiest day that Takumi spent. Smiling, he went through his mail and came upon a letter addressed to him. Slowly, his soft smile dissolved into a frown, "Walker," he read. A letter from the Walker family.