A Dark Cloud Under the Mistletoe

by Vampireninja101

She was expecting just another average night in Ōto Country, but Hikaru Saku comes across a lively group when she visits the Cat's Eye café. Surely, this was to be a Christmas she would never forget. KuroganexOC

11. Chapter 11

Disclaimer: I do not own TRC

Mistletoe Trap. Target Captured!

Hikaru's POV

I stood at the foot of the ladder with a smile as I and held a box of lights that Setsuko gradually hung up on the top of the windows inside the café. Christmas music played and everyone helped to decorate the café for its evening customers. We had closed the restaurant during the day as there were a lot of civilians in the streets with their loved ones on this special day. Fai had decided to open late at night, so he could prepare cakes for gifts and for customers to enjoy after their long day. I admit we were pretty late with the lights and such, today was Christmas Eve. But come on, with the hell we've been through within the past few days, you've gotta give us some credit!

The doorbell chimed and we all stopped to smile, "Welcome to the Cat's Eye!"

The hustle and bustle began right away, Mokona put up the last of the decorations and joined Fai's side to clean to glasses like usual. The platinum blond prepared his amazing hot chocolate and cakes as well. "Order up, Setsuko!"

"Coming!" She smiled widely, her brown eyes shining.

"Sakura!" A man called with a smile. "I'm ready to place my order!" Everyone in this country knew her name by now, which I, personally, thought was amazing.

"All right!" The strawberry blond was writing down another table's order and replied with a bright face and shining green eyes. "I'll be right with you! One moment, please!"

"Hikaru!" Syaoran called from the back door, "Could you help me carry these trays?"

"Sure thing!"

I headed to the door and reached for the handle just when it opened and I flinched in surprise. My eyes lifted and my face became beet red. There, right in front of me, looking away and rubbing the back of his neck, was Kurogane. In the café's uniform. "K-Ku . . . ro . . . gane."

He looked up and blushed as well, becoming tense. "U-uh, F-Fai said you guys needed help." He grumbled looking away and rubbing the back of his neck again.

"Y-yeah. Th-thanks." Without saying another word, he brushed past me and I stood there blushing like an idiot. Oh gosh he looked so hot in that waiter's outfit. I was tempted to sneak another peek, but caught myself and shook my head. Ah! No! Bad, Hikaru, bad! You have to help Syaoran! And that's what I did.

I ran to the tiny kitchen across the door leading to the café and set myself to pick up a few trays. "Thanks." Syaoran smiled. "So, how is it seeing Kurogane in uniform for once?" I didn't know if he was just teasing me or not, but, regardless, I tensed and blushed again before lifting the gray platters and quickly walked out in embarrassment, leaving the brunet to blink in slight confusion, then smile.

The whole gang worked hard and happily. We loved our job, though I could tell Kurogane was very awkward about taking orders and such so I quickly rushed to his aid, trying to compose myself. "We'll be right out with that, ma'am." I said the moment I got to the table and quickly wrote down the customer's order. "Thank you."

"What're you doing?"

"Helping you, what's it look like?"

He looked away, "I could have taken care of it by myself."

I laughed a little and rolled my eyes, before patting his broad shoulder, "You stick to kicking ass, Kuropu, that's more your thing."

"Fine, wait, what did you just call me?"

I giggled before skipping to the back to pick up the order.

The bell chimed quite a while later, when most of the customers had left and business was slowing down. "Welcome to the-"

"-Cat's Eye!" Came a bubbly voice and I filled with happiness when we saw little Kirito giggling at his father and mother's side, who smiled as well.

"Kirito!" I cried.

"Hikaru!" He ran to me and I gave him a great big hug. "I'm so glad you guys are okay! I was so scared you got hurt!"

"Don't worry about a thing." I pulled away with a smile. "It's all thanks to Fai for really helping us out."

"Thanks, Fai!"

"You're quite welcome, little man." The platinum blond bowed.

"Oh! It's my knight in shining armor!"

"Hi, Setsuko." Kirito said sheepishly as he shyly bowed his head, but looked up at her with his large eyes, clasped his hands behind his back, and blushed.

"Can I have a hug?" She asked crouching on the carpet and spreading her arms out, which were quickly filled with the small boy she enveloped in a tight hug. I practically died a little inside when she gave him a big kiss on the cheek, which made him giggle, blush, and hide his face in his little hands.

"I ship it so hard! Just like Briori! It has become canon!" I shouted obnoxiously and Setsuko laughed loudly at our little inside joke which had been going on for about a year now.

"What can we do for you?" Syaoran asked after thanking the last of the leaving customers.

"I still haven't gotten my hot chocolate!" Kirito exclaimed, jumping up and down.

"And I do keep my promises." His father said.

"Yet, you can't seem to keep your shield and weapon out of the halls." His wife added which made him chuckle and hold her close, before kissing her on the cheek.

"Aw, so much love!" Mokona beamed as it put is little paws to its red cheeks.

"Speaking of which," Fai placed his hands on his hips, "I bet you'd love to have that hot chocolate now, huh, Kirito?"

"Uh-huh!"

"Well, then, I'll get right on that."

"And I'll make some cakes for you." Sakura added, "Setsuko? Care to help me?"

"Sure!" She nodded and the two disappeared in the back.

A little later, we closed the café and just enjoyed each other's company. What an absolutely perfect way to spend my Christmas Eve with my, basically adoptive family, my best friend in the world who I've finally gotten to meet, and some amazing people I was so blessed to have met. We laughed and joked around and teased Kurogane, who was less than pleased as expected. Finally, it was roughly eleven thirty and Kirito was fast asleep in his mother's arms.

"I think it was time we were on our way." She said softy.

"I agree." I nodded and ran my hand through his hair, "Sleep well, Kirito." I kissed his head and shook his father's hand. "Thank you for everything."

"Why thank me? You're stuck with us!" I giggled and hugged him and his wife.

"Goodnight, my handsome prince." Setsuko said with a warm smile as she bent over the little boy.

"So cute!" I whispered to myself, but she heard me and giggled as did Kirito's mother.

"Merry Christmas, everyone."

"Merry Christmas." We all chorused softly and watched the three walk out.

I sighed and stretched. "Well, now what are we gonna do? I'm too pumped to hit the hay now."

"I've got an idea." Setsuko answered and she walked to piano, someone I actually haven't seen anyone do in my time coming here.

She sat on the bench with closed eyes as she relaxed her body and placed her hands on the keys. Everyone else sat around and watched to see what she would do. She played a chord and I gasped as my hand covered my mouth. No way. I knew this song.

"Have faith in me 'cause there are things
That I've seen I don't believe
So cling to what you know and never let go
You should know things aren't always what they seem

I said I'd never let you go and I never did
I said I'd never let you fall and I always meant it
If you didn't have a chance then I never did.
You'll always find me right there again

I've gone crazy 'cause there are things in the streets
I don't believe
So we'll pretend it's alright and stay in for the night
What a world, I'll keep you safe here with me
(With me)

I said I'd never let you go and I never did
I said I'd never let you fall and I always meant it
If you didn't have a chance then I never did.
You'll always find me right there again

I said I'd never let you go and I never did
I said I'd never let you fall and I always meant it
If you didn't have a chance then I never did.
You'll always find me right there again

They've got me on the outside looking in
But I can't see at all
With the weight of the world on my shoulders
They just want to see me fall

They've got me on the outside looking in
But I can't see at all
With the weight of the world on my shoulders
They just want to see me fall
Have faith in me

I said I'd never let you go and I never did
I said I'd never let you fall and I always meant it
If you didn't have a chance then I never did.
You'll always find me right there again

I said I'd never let you go and I never did
I said I'd never let you fall and I always meant it
If you didn't have a chance then I never did.
You'll always find me right there again

I said I'd never let you go and I never did
I said I'd never let you go and I never did
I said I'd never let you go and I never did
I said I'd never let you go and I never did."

I could not believe my ears that she had played that. After a few moments of holding the last note and siting in silence with her eyes closed, she placed her hands on her lap and smiled at me. I immediately ran to her and hugged her tightly. "Thank you so much." I cried.

She hugged me back. "You're most welcome."

"Feels suck."

She laughed. "Oh, trust, me I know."

"Feels?" Sakura tilted her head and I pulled away so Setsuko and I could look at her.

"Just don't." We said together and began to laugh.

"You don't want to know." I added.

"Trust me, it's for the best that you remain innocent from the toxins." Setsuko held up her hands to help her stress her point and we laughed again.

"Judging by your reactions," Fai said with a feeble smile, "I feel it is best we don't know."

"Yes." We said together, before laughing again.

A little while passed and we just chatted among ourselves, enjoying this Christmas Eve. I sat with Setsuko, Sakura, and Mokona while the guys sat together, separate from us.

Fai's POV

I approached Kurgs and smirked. "So aren't you going to make your move?"

"What the heck are you talking about, magician."

"Aw, come on." I smiled. "You know." He growled as his red eyes glared down at me. "Think about it." I said, all joking aside. "Who knows how much longer we have left in this world. You should tell her how you feel while you have the chance."

He was silent for a while. "Fine." He replied with closed eyes, then he opened them again. "But you should do the same."

"I was already planning on it." I replied with a smile.

He grumbled again before slowly walking over to the girls, and I watched him with a smile of success and satisfaction as to what he was about to do.

Hikaru's POV

I laughed with the girls and didn't even notice Kurogane walking over to me. "Hey, Hikaru?" I looked up to see one of his hands tucked into his pocket and the other rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yeah? What's up?" I asked, still catching my breath from laughing.

"Can I . . . talk to you for a second?" He asked looking away and I became serious.

"Oh, sure." I got up and followed him to the front door, where he stopped. "Is everything okay?" He was still avoiding my gaze and all the while, my heart was racing and my hands were sweating a little. Why was I freaking out so much?

"I . . . have this friend I meant in town and . . . I get this feeling when I'm around her."

I gasped. Setsuko said he had liked me. I looked down. Guess she was wrong. Shaking the thoughts away, I smiled a little. "Oh? What kind of feeling is it?"

"Like . . . I don't know how to act around her and I get really hot. Everyone says I blush when I'm around her."

"Honestly, I think you should just tell her how you feel." I looked down. "Trust me, I made the mistake in not telling the one I like how I feel and I'm nearly one hundred percent certain I lost him forever."

He stared sympathetically at me. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's whatever." I waved my hand and shrugged. "So, tell me about this girl."

"Well." A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "She's strong in more ways than one. From what I've heard she's been through a lot, yet she does not let that kill her fire and I absolutely love that about her. She's totally determined to make sure her friends are safe and will do whatever it takes to accomplish that goal." He pounded his chest with his fist.

"And I think that's what Princess Tomoyo was telling me to discover for myself: that true strength isn't about getting stronger for yourself, it's about getting stronger for others so you can make sure they are always safe."

"Aw, I'm so glad you finally figured it out."

He nodded, a smile clearly on his face. "Thanks." His red eyes drifted to the side, "And there's one more thing about the girl I like."

"What's that?" Then, my breath caught short and my eyes widened when he embraced me.

"It's you." My face became mad hot and my heart accelerated even more. I began to shake as I took in what I had heard.

"Wh-what?"

He pulled away. "You're the girl I like, Hikaru." He lowered a sad gaze. "But I understand that you like someone else, and I apologize if I came on too strong."

I stared at him, then couldn't help but place my hands on his chest, stand on my toes, and kiss him. I felt him take a staggered inhale and I pulled away gently and smiled, my cheeks rosy red. "It's you who I like, Kurogane." He stared down at me for a moment, blinking in surprise, then he smiled and kissed me under the mistletoe a giggling Mokona held over our heads.

Setsuko's POV

Sakura and I watched the adorable scene unfold. "Aw!" I squealed squirming on the couch and placing my fists to my chest, "So adorable I'm going to die!"

Sakura giggled. "Kurogane really does know how to throw on the charm when he needs to." I giggled as well.

"I'm glad he finally confessed." Syaoran smiled. "It was rather obvious." I laughed again as did Mokona who leapt over to us.

"Kuropu and Hikaru are so cute!" Mokona blushed. "The trap was set and a success!"

"Good work, Mokona." The princess laughed and the small creature returned it briefly.

I watched the two, joy coursing through my small body that they finally admitted their feelings to each other. Hikaru deserved to be happy after all she's been through, and I was more than happy that it would be Kurogane who could grant that wish. I was so preoccupied thinking of a possible fanfiction I could write about her and the dark cloud that I failed to notice Fai approaching me.

"Excuse me, Setsuko," I looked up at him and blinked in curiosity as to what he had to say, "May I borrow a moment or two of your time?"

"Uh, sure." I got up, brushed my dress off a little, and followed him outside and to the small backyard. I shivered at the night chill and hugged myself casually so he did not worry about me being cold. "Is something wrong?" I asked staring up at him with concerned brown eyes.

I watched painfully as his countenance became saddened and his hair slightly hung in his face. "I just want to apologize that I wasn't able to protect you better. You ended up hurting yourself just to help me."

"Fai. . ." It absolutely broke my heart to see him this way. "I did that, because I wanted to. . . I care a lot about you, Fai and seeing you hurting like that. . ." I looked down, "I couldn't stand it! Just staying where I was, hearing you scream. And when I saw you in that pain it just broke my heart even more."

He smiled after a moment. "You truly do have one of the biggest hearts ever." I gasped quietly and relaxed, though my blush didn't change. However, it intensified when he brought me close to him. My heart raced and I heard it pounding in my ears. "And it's not that you have such a big heart . . . You're extraordinary . . . not even close to normal as Seishirou called you."

He rested his chin on the top of my head. "And when Hikaru had told us what you had to live with before coming across us, it absolutely broke my heart. I would never expect such a girl like you would have to endure such hardships." I gasped and bit my lip, memories of my mother flooded my mind, and tears came to my eyes.

"I hope you know how extraordinary you are, Setsuko. The way Hikaru has described you when you aren't around, it's easy for me to see how remarkable you are. You're selfless, bubbly, and always want your friends to be safe and happy." He pulled away and smiled down at me. "And that is why," his left hand released my arm and in his clasped fingers appeared a red rose, "I wish to be yours." I gasped, my eyes widened and my face grew even redder as my heart pounded even faster. I was shaking now and put my hands to my mouth as tears slipped from my eyes.

He got on one knee and took one of my hands, before kissing the back. "I am forever loyal to you," he smiled up at me, "my princess."

"F-F-Fai." He stood up and I immediately hugged him with a smile as tears fell. "Thank you." I whispered.

"Anything for you, Setsuko." He replied quietly, hugging me back.

Hikaru's POV

We waited to see what had become of our two friends and, finally, they walked back in. I took a look at them; Fai's arm was around little Setsuko's shoulders. A smile came to my face when I saw happy tears glistening in her large brown eyes and a laugh escaped her mouth. Kurogane put a hand on my shoulder and I smiled up at him to have a grin in return. Syaoran stood behind Sakura, who turned to smile back at him warmly as well.

"Aw, so much love! Mokona's feeling left out." It pouted and I giggled.

"Come here, Mokona. You too, Set. You know what? Everybody, get in on this!" Setsuko giggled as she and Fai came into the group hug.

"Don't you dare think about-!" Kurogane began but growled when Fai hugged him.

"Aw, don't be such a dark cloud, Kuropu."

Sakura giggled and she and Syaoran joined as well. I hugged Mokona to my chest with one arm, and it gave me an embrace in return with its tiny paws, and Setsuko with my other arm. Kurogane hugged me from behind and Fai hugged his right side. Sakura held me as well and Syaoran hugged her left side. Mokona giggled. "Yay for love! Merry Christmas you guys! Even you, Kuropu."

The black-haired swordsman gritted his teeth, but smiled. "Yeah, you too, creampuff." Mokona giggled in reply.

Yep, this was definitely by far the best Christmas ever.

A/N full writes to song go to A Day to Remember

So not gonna lie I was fangirlling writing the ending! Hope you guys enjoyed it, please drop a review! Only one chapter left, so I'll see you guys then! :)