14AmyChan: I don't own Yumiere Patissiere or Beauty and the Beast. *^_^*

Ichigo: How did you know how to write the title in French?

14AmyChan: A great writer has many resources. *^_^*

Ichigo: Really?

14AmyChan: Yep~! So google is one of your best friends! *^_^*

Ichigo: Okay, so I can use google on my homework?

Kashino: So you'll cheat?

Ichigo: That's cheating?

Kashino: Yes, it is.

Ichigo: Oh… v.v

14AmyChan: Enjoy the chapter. *^_^*

Ichigo and Kashino walked outside to see 'Belle' and the Beast playing a small bout of snowball throwing. 'Belle' often hid behind a tree, because the Beast's snowballs were so big, but he had poor aim. 'Belle's smaller snowballs often hit their mark: the Beast. Both were laughing.

Kashino felt his arm get pulled down suddenly. He looked at Ichigo, who had bent over the snow. "Are you cold?" he asked, then he looked around her head to see she was rolling up snow. "I'm going to make a snowman!" she said, and Kashino could tell that she was smiling even without looking at her. Kashino knelt down to watch Ichigo work. For some reason, he didn't feel the cold of the snow as he watched her make her little snowman.

Ichigo rolled up a small amount of snow and made the body. Then she made the head. Then she placed two little stones in for the eyes and a little twig for the mouth. She looked up at Kashino and smiled for no reason whatsoever. "Isn't it cute?" she asked. She knew he wouldn't answer, so she just turned her attention to 'Belle' and the Beast. They looked happy. She caught a quick glimpse of the Beast's eyes, but he was moving too fast for her to get a real good look. She thought she saw brown… Nah, she dismissed the notion in her head. That's not possible…

Kashino and Ichigo stayed outside along with 'Belle' and the Beast. When they went inside, so did Ichigo and Kashino. Ichigo was very surprised when the Beast offered his arm to 'Belle'. She tugged on Kashino's arm. When he looked over, she asked "Is it me, or is the Beast a little different from the beginning?"

"It's not you" Kashino said. "He has changed." Kashino wondered how this girl could be so dense. It was obvious by now that the Beast loved 'Belle', but weather or not she loved him back was still supposed to be in the air. Kashino and Ichigo just followed 'Belle' and the Beast. Kashino noticed how the Beast seemed to look really nervous. Before he knew it, he found himself rooting for the Beast. Go, man. You can do it. No sooner had he thought it, than the Beast turned to face 'Belle'. He took a deep breath.

"I can't promise I'll be any good at it," the Beast said. "But would you like to go dancing with me tonight?" The Beast asked his question and awaited his answer. Ichigo noticed that 'Belle' looked surprised at first, but her expression softened. "All right" she said.

"After dinner?" the Beast asked, looking hopeful. At least, to Kashino he did. Kashino glanced over at Ichigo and noticed her eyes glued to the storyline. Maybe I should try that…he found himself thinking. But that would make it too easy, not just for her, but for Andoh and the Rose Boy.

"Okay" 'Belle' said. She let go of the Beast's arm, curtsied, and walked off. Ichigo couldn't be sure, but she was sure she saw a serene smile on 'Belle's face. No way! Ichigo thought, alight with happiness. She pulled on Kashino's arm again. Kashino looked over. "Do they like each other?" Ichigo asked. She saw Kashino nod and she felt like jumping for glee. She felt so happy for them, but- "Kashino?" Ichigo asked. "Why was the Beast so nice to 'Belle' and so mean to her dad?"

"Because he was waiting for her" Kashino said, forgetting, for a moment, that Ichigo didn't know about the Beast's curse. "Long story short: Unlesss he falls in love, he's going to stay a beast forever" Kashino summed up as they waited for 'Belle' and Beast to come down for dinner. Kashino tried to just concentrate on the story rather than focus on the fact that he was talking to Ichigo about love of all things.

Ichigo wondered on this for a little bit. The Beast had to fall in love? Then wouldn't that be using 'Belle'? That's so unfair… Ichigo thought. Poor 'Belle'…she's being used! "So, isn't the Beast using her?" Ichigo asked.

Kashino could tell that Ichigo was a little mad at the story now. He heard it in her voice and, when he looked over, saw it in her eyes. "Why would someone write a story like that?" Ichigo puffed. Kashino almost laughed, but he still had a mask to keep on. He didn't want to lose his poker face. Not yet…

"Well, you'll see a little later on" Kashino said. Ichigo raged on in her head. How could this Beast use this poor girl? How evil is this guy? All through dinner she thought like this. 'Belle' and the Beast broke to change into dancing clothes and Kashino brought her to the ballroom. Instantly, all thoughts of the unfair and mean Beast vanished from Ichigo's mind. The ballroom was beautiful! It was huge and had a golden glow around it. On the top, Ichigo could barely make out the little angel babies hiding behind fluffy, white clouds. There was also a beautiful chandelier and the entire chamber was lit up by candle light. The entire place was so gorgeous, Ichigo was taken aback. "Kashino?" Ichigo asked, still in a state of shock. "Are we still in the same castle?"

"Yep" Kashino said, a little amused at Ichigo's reaction. The instant she walked into the room, she stopped and gaped. If he had a tape recorder, recorded her, and stopped at any one frame, she would have about eight heads a frame. She looked around everywhere: up at the ceiling, down at the tile, around the walls, everywhere. Kashino knew the plain girl had probably never seen something like this on television, let alone in real life. Kashino looked in the corner to see some instruments start tuning themselves up. It wasn't real music, but it wasn't horrible either. Kashino started tapping his toe, maybe hoping that Ichigo would pick up on this one hint. If she didn't, well, it's Ichigo, what do you expect…?

Ichigo just looked around and looked. Then, she heard some instruments in the background. She looked for the source of the sound and traced it back to some self-moving instruments. They were in some sort of pit… All of a sudden, Ichigo had an urge to dance. She started swaying around, but then felt a tug on her wrist. She looked up to see Kashino. Without thinking, Ichigo just grinned and said "Can we dance until they get here?" Kashino looked at her. To Ichigo, it looked like he was a little surprised, but she continued, nevertheless. "Please? I really want to dance" Ichigo felt like she was begging, but for some reason, she really wanted to dance with Kashino. To her supreme delight, Kashino sighed, but agreed to dance with her to the on-beat music.

Kashino was internally jumping for joy. Maybe she got the hint…? But she didn't even look at his foot… Oh well… Kashino thought as they danced, a little sloppily, but still, it was a dance. And, over the course of a few minutes, they got better. Maybe it was because they got comfortable dancing, but Kashino felt really happy while he held Ichigo in his arms. He allowed himself to think something he had been holding off on: If it were possible, he would like to be this close to Ichigo forever. But he wouldn't tell her that…not yet…

For some reason, Ichigo loved this dance with Kashino. She didn't know why, but after a few minutes of dancing, she felt comfortable with him. Almost like she was…safe…. When the thought entered her brain, she rethought it out. Why didn't she ever feel like this around Hanabusa or Andoh? She didn't know, but she wanted to savor this feeling. And she wanted to keep it forever. Unexpectedly, Kashino set her up for a twirl, which she took. Does that mean he likes it, too? Ichigo thought. The thought that he would like this dance as much as she did made her happy.

Then, suddenly, 'Belle' and the Beast swept through them in their own dance. Ichigo heard Kashino's voice ring through her head: …be like this forever… was what it said. Ichigo looked up and dismissed the thought. It can't be…

When 'Belle' and the Beast swept through them in their dance, Kashino heard Ichigo's voice rebound in his head: …likes it, too?… was what he heard. Kashino looked down at Ichigo as she shook her head. What's she thinking? Kashino thought as he let the dance end. Ichigo had only asked until 'Belle' and the Beast got there. Kashino did all he could to stop the sigh of disappointment, and it worked. He didn't let any signs show that he absolutely lothed the idea of letting Ichigo go at this point.

Ichigo didn't want to stop dancing, but she had only asked to dance until 'Belle' and the Beast came. And it looked like their dance was ending. How long were Kashino and I dancing? Ichigo wondered. The dance had seemed timless, all worries forgotten. I wish I could do that again she thought wistfully as she forced her eyes and mind onto the story.

The Beast swept 'Belle' out of the ballroom and into the night air. Ichigo and Kashino, now feeling a little awkward, followed them. They were on a small balcony that was a semi-circle. In front of the beautifully carved banister, there was a simple, yet elegant, bench. The Beast set 'Belle' down on the bench and sat down as well. Both looked a little uncomfortable for a minute before the Beast decided to speak. "Belle?" the Beast asked in a tender voice. "Is there anything you want? Is there anything I can do?"

'Belle' looked shocked by the sudden question, but thought about it. Then, she said "I would like to see my father one last time."

14AmyChan: Hope you liked the chapter~! *^_^*

Kashino: That was a pathetic attempt for a cliffhanger.

14AmyChan: You're mean, Kashino!

Ichigo: That's right, can't you be a little nicer to her?

Kashino: no.

14AmyChan: grrrr

Ichigo: ANYWAYS! P-PLEASE REVIEW!

14AmyChan: *^_^*