21

One week later…

"Tomorrow~!" Tamaki sang out, skipping next to Mira and Haruhi as they walked through the halls, both of them getting increasingly annoyed with the blonde, "Tomorrow, tomorrow! The ball is tomoroooow~!"

"We know!" Mira growled in aggravation, "Could you just shut up about it for five seconds?!" Tamaki pouted, but complied. Mira sighed in relief, "Thank you." She looked over at Haruhi, "By the way," Haruhi looked over at her, "What are you judging the dances on? Presentation? Style?"

"Pretty much both." Haruhi admitted with a shrug, "We're just judging on how well the person followed through with their dance style and how good they are at it. If they get a good reaction from the audience, they get extra points."

"Oh, yeah?" Haruhi nodded in confirmation.

"Why do you ask?" Haruhi asked, Mira shrugged.

"Kazuma wanted to know." She said, "Although, I don't think we can really change the routine at this point." Haruhi nodded.

"Today's the last practice, right?" She asked, Mira nodded, "Well, I can't wait to see how you guys do."

"That kind of depends on you, doesn't it?" Mira asked with a smirk, "Aren't you one of the judges?"

"Oh! I am, aren't I?" Haruhi said, she smiled sheepishly, "I guess I forgot." Mira smiled.

"Don't worry, it happens to the best of us." She said, "By the way, I'm coming over tonight."

"You are?" Haruhi asked, "Why?"
"I have a trigonometry test tomorrow." Mira said, "And I really would like your help studying." This seemed to catch Tamaki's attention.

"Mira-sempai," He said, sticking his head between the two girls' shoulders, "How often do you go to Haruhi's house?"

"Um, about twice a week." Mira said, looking at him curiously, "Why?" Tamaki turned to Haruhi, dramatic tears falling out of his eyes.

"Haruhiiii!" He whined, "How come she gets to come over so often but daddy doesn't get to?"

"Because if my real dad saw you, he'd kill you." Haruhi said bluntly, Mira let a small laugh burst out of her throat, but she quickly covered her mouth with her hand, snickering behind it. Tamaki pouted angrily at her.

"It's not funny, Mira-sempai!" He whined, Mira rolled her eyes, "It's not fair, either!"

"You know, we Americans have a saying back in New York," Mira said, "'Life's not fair.' Tough luck."

"Mira-sempai, you're so mean!" Tamaki whined, Mira and Haruhi rolled their eyes at the same time.

"Once again, tough luck." Mira said, she and Haruhi walked a little bit faster than the blonde, and he noticed this.

"Hey, wait for daddyyyy!" He whined, running after them.

"You're not our father!" Mira and Haruhi cried at the same time.

"Head!" Takahiro shouted as he brought his sword down. He landed a solid hit and Mira fell on her butt, "Ack!" He took off his helmet and went over to her, "I'm so sorry, Marino-sempai! Are you hurt?" He held out his hand to her and she took it.

"Are you kidding?" Mira asked as he pulled her up, "That was exactly what I wanted to see! Do it again!" She held out her shinai, and Takahiro mimicked her, putting his helmet back on again. He performed the same move he had previously and he hit her again, but this time she only stumbled instead of falling, "Yes! You're really improving, Takahiro." He smiled underneath his helmet, happy for the praise.

They both heard the school clock chime, signaling that kendo practice was over. Mira took her helmet off and smiled at her team member, "Maybe one of these days, you'll actually beat me."

"Oh, I know I will." Takahiro said with mock arrogance.

"Oh yeah?" Mira asked, she reached over and mussed his hair, "I'd like to see you try!"

"I will!" Takahiro insisted with a grin, Mira smiled at him.

"I know you will." She said. They both walked over to the showers and Mira went to the one where she found Honey waiting to guard her as she took a shower, but Mori had disappeared, "Where's Mori?" Honey shrugged. Mira shrugged back, certain that whatever Mori was doing, he could handle himself.

"Why do we have to match?" Mira asked Kazuma as he dragged her through the mall to a specific shop where he had placed an order for matching dancing outfits.

"Because it shows that were partners." He said, "They're a decent color, and I think it would be fun to flaunt a little at that fancy-pants school of yours."

"Flaunting is the very last thing I want to do." Mira said, "Look, I already told you that I have a dress at home that's nice and 'flowing' as you would put it." Kazuma shot her a dry look, but she continued, "I don't see why I have to waste my money on a dress I'm never going to wear again."

"You'll wear it at the actual competition." Kazuma said.

"Besides that." Mira said. Kazuma shrugged.

"I don't know." He said, "But I'm sure we'll find some occasion. And you're not the one paying for it, by the way." Mira quirked a curious eyebrow.

"You're paying for it?" She asked in shock. Kazuma scoffed.

"Please, you think I would waste all my cash on you?" He asked, Mira scowled at his tone, but said nothing, "It was my mom's idea. She said it would make it more fun. She's the one who's got the credit card, not me." He held up a blue and white plastic card that read the name of a bank Mira had never heard of.

"Wait, Kazuma, how old are you?" She asked.

"Twenty." Kazuma replied.

"You're twenty and you still live with your parents?" Mira asked with a grin, "And they don't trust you with a credit card?" Kazuma's face flushed slightly and he pulled her along.

"Just shut up and walk." He muttered, Mira laughed aloud, "Be quiet! Don't your twenty four-year-old brothers still live with your dad?"

"Yeah, but they work for him!" Mira laughed, Kazuma scowled, face flushing even more and he pushed her in front of him and into a store. Mira was still giggling as he walked up to one of the store's employees at a counter, "Excuse me, I'm here to pick up my order. It's under the name Itsuki."

"One moment, sir." The woman said, she typed something into her computer and scrolled down the page before she found what she was looking for and smiled friendly at him. "We have your order ready for you, Mr. Itsuki. This way, please." She led them over to a dressing room, "Wait here, please." She left them alone for a moment before returning with a pair of costumes made from the same material.

"Oh, no way…" Mira groaned, looking at them. Mira gave him a dry look, "I'm not wearing this."

"Try it on, first, then decide whether you'll wear it or not." Kazuma said as he turned around and walked into a dressing room. Mira rolled her eyes and walked into the one next to his. She pulled the dress off the hanger and saw that it was made of silk. She took off her clothes and tried it on and was surprised that it was actually her size. She looked over herself in the mirror and was vaguely pleased at how she looked. The silk material made her feel a little glamorous, and the colors went together very well. "Hey, Marino, you dressed?"

"Yeah." Mira said, smoothing out the non-existent wrinkles in the dress.

"Come out here and let me see it." Mira adjusted her strap and stepped out. Kazuma was already out in his suit, which looked very good on him. He grinned at her. "Well, I didn't think it was possible Marino, but you actually look like a lady." She punched him in the shoulder angrily, "Ouch! I was just kidding!"

"I know." Mira said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Then what'd you punch me for?" Kazuma demanded.

"Because I hate your guts." Mira said with an evil grin, Kazuma glared at her.

"You bitch." Mira raised her fist to hit him again, and Kazuma raised his arms to defend himself, "Not the face!"

"Mira-sempai?" Mira paused in her punch and looked to see Haruhi had come into the store.

"Haruhi!" Mira exclaimed in surprise. Kazuma moved his hands away when he realized she wasn't going to hit him. "What are you doing here? You're the last person I'd expect to see in a formal wear store." She quickly swung her fist over into Kazuma's stomach, making him hunch over in pain.

"Ooh… You deceptive bitch." Kazuma groaned, Mira looked over at him.

"Hey, I could've aimed lower." She said, Kazuma glared up at her from his hunched position.

"Actually, I'm not the one shopping here." Haruhi said.

"Then who is?" Mira asked.

"Is that your voice, Mirabella-chan?" Mira looked over when she saw Ranka coming over, "It is you! Oh~! And you look so cute~!"

"Ranka-san!" Mira exclaimed, "I didn't know you shopped here." Kazuma looked up and nearly jumped at the sight of Haruhi's father.

"You know these people?" He asked, looking at the two.

"Yeah, Haruhi goes to my school, and Ranka's her, um…" She paused, unsure of how to categorize him, "Parent." Ranka smiled at Kazuma, "Ranka-san, this is Kazuma, my dance partner."

"I didn't know you danced, Mirabella-chan!" Ranka cooed, "Is this the dress you're going to wear?"

"Um, actually I was going to wear something from home…" Mira said.

"Oh, but why?" Ranka whined with a pout, "You look so cute. Oh, and you know," He took her face in his hands, "I have this new make-up that I bought that would be perfect for you! It's supposed to highlight your specific eye color so it really pops! And it would so go with that outfit!"

"Um…" Mira pulled Ranka's hands away from her face, "I really think I would be better off if I just wore the dress from home…"

"Ohh! But that's such a waste!" Ranka pouted, "Your figure is accentuated so well in that dress! It would be a horrible waste not to wear it."

"Dad, she can make her own decisions." Haruhi said, "She doesn't have to wear the dress, or have you do her make-up."

"But Haruhi!" Ranka whined.

"See that, Marino?" Kazuma said, standing up straight, recovering from the hit, "He- er… She- uh…" He paused, looking over Haruhi's father, "Um, they think you look good in the dress." He gestured to both Haruhi and her father, "Why don't you wear it?"

"Okay," Mira said, turning to him, "You are pushing this way more than any straight man would." Kazuma scowled, "Was this really your mom's idea?"

"Yes, it was my mother's idea!" Kazuma said, sounding offended, "Now, are you gonna wear the thing or not?" Mira looked at him for a minute, then sighed.

"I guess you would feel pretty stupid walking out there in that tux with me in some other outfit." Mira said, "I'll wear the dress."

"Good." Kazuma said, he walked over to the employee to tell her they'd like to buy the outfits.

Mira let out a yelp of surprise when Ranka's arms encased themselves around her, "Oh, Mirabella-chan! I'm so glad you're opening up your feminine side!" He pulled away from Mira and held onto her shoulders, "You have to let me do your hair!"

"Uh, well, actually-" Mira tried to explain that she planned to have her sister do her hair because it would be easiest, but Ranka didn't seem to care.

"No, no, no! I won't hear of it!" He said, "You come to our home an hour before this little event, and I'll do your hair and your make-up. Okay?" It was very hard to say no to that smile.

Mira sighed, "Alright." Ranka squealed girlishly, making Mira's eyes go wide. I didn't think it was possible for a man to squeal…

"Oh, good!" He said, clapping his hands, "Now, when can we expect you?"

"Um… Six-ish?" Mira offered, Ranka nodded.

"Six it is!" He declared, "See you then, Mirabella-chwan~!" He blew her a kiss before he grabbed Haruhi's hand and walked out of the store. Mira turned back to the dressing room the change back into her clothes.

The next day… (A/N: Or, night, if you prefer)

Tamaki paced nervously as he and the other hosts waited for Haruhi and Mira to arrive. All of the hosts were dressed to the nines, each man wearing a fine suit or tuxedo, and every girl wearing an elegant dress. Each girl had chosen a dress that would be good for their particular style of dance for that night. Even Kazuma was already there in a white suit with a blue collared shirt, white tie, and very stylish dancing shoes. Although it was a festive occasion, everyone was a little tense. The ball the hosts had planned was going to start in ten minutes, and neither of the female hosts had shown up yet without a word to any of them.

Needless to say, Tamaki was worried.

"Do you think they got hurt?" Tamaki asked suddenly, "Or in an accident? They said they were going to come here together!"

"Tamaki, I'm sure they're fine." Kyoya assured, "They're both coming from Haruhi's house, and it takes a while for Haruhi to get here on a normal school day." He gestured to the door with a wave of his hand, "I'm sure they'll walk through that door any second now."

Two seconds later, the door was opened by Haruhi, who came dressed in a suit. "Sorry, I'm late, sempai." Haruhi said, she let out a grunt when Tamaki instantly came over to her and pulled her into a tight hug.

"Haruhiii!" He cried, "Daddy was so worried! Where were you?" Haruhi pried him off of her as best she could.

"My dad went a little overboard with Mira-sempai's look," Haruhi explained, "So we had to wash it off and redo her make-up so it wouldn't look too bad." Everyone looked up as another figure entered through the same door.

It was a young woman, with dark brown hair done into a complicated, but elegant bun. A single streak of neon blue hair had been left out of the bun and hung down the side of her face stylishly. She wore a blue, flowing dress with a single shoulder strap underneath a white jacket that went down to her middle and sleeves that went to her forearms. She wore a pair of white pantyhose underneath, and she also wore what could only be described as heeled ballerina shoes. Her curves were very noticeable in the dress, as well as some of her cleavage, but the thing that attracted the club's attention was her face. It was beautifully decorated with make-up, making her appear delicate, but also making her glow.

Mira raised an eyebrow at the host club when she saw them gaping at her, "What?"

"Mira-sempai?" Tamaki asked, still gaping, "Is that you?"

Mira crossed her arms over her chest, giving him a dry look, "Who else would it be, genius?" When they still gaped at her she sighed, "Haruhi's dad insisted on doing my hair and make-up for the occasion."

"You clean-up good!" The twins complimented, giving her two thumbs-up. Mira smirked at them.

"For once, I will accept your compliments." Mira said, "But only because I have no intention of ruining this dress tonight."

"Mira-chan! You look so pretty!" Honey said, coming over to her, "Like a flower!"

"Aw, thanks." Mira said, patting his blonde hair.

"My little daughter looks so grown up now!" Tamaki cooed, he was about to hug her, and Mira held up her fist ready to punch him and he stopped.

"Do. Not. Touch. Me." She growled, "Ranka-san put way too much work into this," She gestured to her bun, "To have you screw it up." Tamaki pouted, and backed away. Mira looked over at Kazuma and smirked, "And look at you, Mr. Fancy Pants." Kazuma grinned and adjusted his suit jacket as she walked over to him, "Don't you look snappy." She pulled a strand of now flat hair, "Did Mommy make your hair all pwetty?" Kazuma scowled and knocked her hand away.

"I did this myself." Kazuma said, "I thought I should look nice for this fancy-shmancy school of yours."

"Although, it didn't help much." Mira said, an angry vein appeared on Kazuma's head.

"Remind me why I'm your partner, again?" He growled out, getting even angrier when Mira cupped his chin with her hand and made his lips purse like a fish's.

"Because you're a very, very sweet boy." She cooed teasingly, Kazuma smacked her hand away.

"You are so lucky you're a girl." Kazuma said, "Otherwise, I'd knock that smug smirk off your face." Mira stuck out her tongue with a smile and moved away.

"Well, now that you have arrived," Kyoya said, stepping towards her, "We can begin the school ball." He and the other hosts started walking towards a pair of double doors with their partners, arms linked.

"Don't expect me to be happy about it." Mira said as she linked her arm with Kazuma's. They followed the hosts out the doors, and walked into a very large and exquisite ballroom. Dozens of girls waited there, all of them dressed in expensive-looking dresses and gowns, smiling eagerly up at the hosts. A small group of Mira's fans had attended as well, all of them dressed in fine suits. Tamaki stepped forward in front of all the other hosts and smiled at the audience.

"Ladies and gentlemen," He said, "Welcome to the Host Club's first ever Dance-type ball!" The crowd applauded him as he and the other hosts and their partners bowed to them.

"'Dance-type'?" Kazuma muttered to Mira as they walked down the stairs to join the crowd, "Couldn't he have come up with a better name?"

"He's playing it off the host-types." Mira explained, "You know, the princely type, the cool type, the natural type, the tomboy type; that kind of stuff."

"Oh." Kazuma said, "Well, it's still a stupid name."

"I completely agree." Mira said, she moved her arm away from his, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go dance with some of my customers before our performance." She walked over to where she saw some of her customers had gathered and began chatting with them. She was completely unaware of a pair of glaring eyes that were watching her every move.

A dark figure gently fingered a knife in their hands. They took a step out of the shadows towards her, ready to strike, but was blocked when a group of girls, most likely Mira's fanclub, came up to her. There are too many people here, They thought, I need to get her alone, then I can take her down without any problems.

Mira giggled lightly as one of her customers couldn't quite the hang of dancing with her.

"S-Sorry…" He said, pulling away, "I-I'm just not used t-to dancing…" His cheeks flushed and he looked away.

"Then may I cut in?" A voice said, Mira turned around and smiled at who it was.

"Takahiro!" She exclaimed, he smiled at her and she smiled back. She turned back to her customer, "You don't mind do you, Kenji-san?"

"No, no." He said, backing away, "Go ahead." Takahiro held out his hand to Mira and she took it, placing her other hand on his shoulder as they slow-danced to the classical music that played.

"I'm surprised you came here, Takahiro." Mira said, "I didn't think balls were your sort of thing."

"Stupid." Takahiro said with a smile, "If one of my friends is involved, then I go." Mira laughed, remembering how she used those very words at the kendo tournament.

"I see that." She said as Takahiro twirled her around. When she went back into his arms, his expression changed.

"Listen, Marino-sempai, there actually is another reason I came here." He said, Mira's smile fell when she saw his concerned face.

"What is it?" She asked.

"It's my sister," He said, "I think she's here somewhere, and I'm a little worried."

"You never told me you had a sister." Mira commented.

"It never came up, now listen." His tone was firm, but also worried, "I never really thought about how my sister would approach you because you're in two separate classes and two separate years, but the other day, I knocked over her backpack, and all these papers fell out. When I looked at them, I saw they were addressed to you, and each one had a razorblade in it. I also found some other stuff that was pretty disturbing. I saw pictures of you coming out of your house, and walking around the school. There was even this one picture of you stepping out of a bathroom in a towel in your bedroom." Mira felt her blood run cold, "When I asked her about it, she didn't say anything, she just took her stuff and ran. I tried to find her to talk about it, but she ran away from home. I think she's here at this party somewhere, and she seriously wants to hurt you." Mira stopped dancing and looked up at Takahiro, her eyes wide in fear.

"Takahiro, if what you're saying is true," She said, "Then your sister is the one who's been stalking me for the past few weeks!" Takahiro nodded grimly.

"Mira-sempai!" Two identical voices called out over the crowd, Mira looked over at the twins as they came running up to her. They hooked their arms underneath both of hers, "Time to get ready for the big dance!" Mira looked at them as if they were crazy.

"Can you just give me five-?" They cut her off.

"Nope, sorry." Kaoru said.

"Kyoya ordered us to bring you in." Hikaru said. They both began to drag her away.

"No, wait!" Mira tried to squirm out of their grip, "I need to talk to him! Just two seconds! Let me go!" Takahiro tried to go after her, but quickly got lost in the crowd. Mira tried to find him, but she couldn't make him out from the many other guests.

The twins tossed her unceremoniously onto a couch in the same room that she had come out of. She glared up at the twins hatefully.

"You idiots!" She shouted, standing up, "What did you do that for?"

"Kyoya told us to." They said, shrugging indifferently.

"Do you realize what you've done?!" Mira demanded, shocking the two of them with how upset she was, "I was this close to-!"

"Hikaru, Kaoru," Kyoya said, coming up to them, "You two are on first, go get Aoi and Ai." The twins nodded and ran off to find their partners.

Mira looked up at Kyoya, "Hey, what's Takahiro's sister's name?" He looked over at her confusedly.

"Which one?" Kyoya asked, "There are very many Takahiros in Ouran Academy, Mira-sempai."

"Takahiro from the kendo club!" Mira said, stomping her foot in frustration. Kyoya looked at her in surprise at her sudden outburst.

"What's gotten you so worked up?" He asked, "What's the big deal about finding his sister?"

"His sister is the one who's been stalking me!" Mira said, Kyoya's expression suddenly went serious, "He thinks she's here, and that she's going to hurt me!"

"I'll see to it that we get to her before she finds you." Kyoya said, "For now, just trust me with that." Mira nodded.

"I do." She said.

Waiting was the worst pastime in the world, Mira decided. She and Kazuma were the last to perform in the host club, and Mira's anxiety got worse with every passing minute. It was unbelievably hard for her to relax in that room, because she kept thinking of her stalker standing out there in the crowd, waiting for her to come out. Some of the hosts who were there tried to comfort her, but it didn't help much. Kyoya assured her that nothing would happen to her while she was in the building, and she believed him, but she still did not relax. When it was almost time for her to dance, she and Kazuma stood behind the double doors leading to the ballroom, arms linked, as they waited for Kyoya to tell them to go out.

Mira gripped onto Kazuma's arm tightly as they waited for their turn to go out and dance for the crowd. Kazuma winced at the feeling of her fingers pressing harshly on his arm through his suit sleeve.

"Marino, if you grip any harder, my arm will go numb." He said, Mira loosened her grip.

"Sorry," She said, "I'm just nervous."

"Well, I hope you won't be this nervous at the actual competition." Kazuma said dryly, "Otherwise, I'll have to make a cast so you don't crush my arm." Mira didn't reply. He looked over at her curiously, "Uh, this is the part where you make a comeback."

"I don't particularly feel like it." Mira said.

"Well, what do you feel like?" Kazuma asked.

"Like throwing up on your shoes." Mira said, Kazuma grimaced.

"I hope you're joking." Mira shook her head, and he sighed, "Okay, it's just pre-show jitters, it'll go away once you're actually dancing."

It's not just pre-show jitters, Mira thought. "If you say so." She said, looking up when the door opened, and Kyoya motioned them forward.

"Up next we have," Renge's voice said over the sound system, "Mirabella Marino performing the swing dance style!" The two of them walked out onto the empty dance floor. The crowd was completely silent as they waited for the music to start. Mira and Kazuma took their place standing beside each other, waiting for the music to start.

When they heard the drums begin to play, they moved their shoulders with the beat, and as the drumming progressed, they did simple, but unique, waves of the arms and hands. When the trumpets started to play, Mira fell back into Kazuma's arms and he caught her, swinging her right back onto her feet. He then turned around and crouched down and she jumped over him as a child would in leap frog, holding out her hand for when he stood up and took it, twirling her in and out of his arms. When she went into his arms, she jumped so her knees landed on his bent one and he held her securely as he swung her legs around him twice before putting her back on the ground. The audience applauded the dance move as the tune began to pick up, and Mira and Kazuma danced accordingly, moving their feet to the beat. After that, they began to perform dance moves similar to the Charleston, and even spun around, holding one hand, and using the other as a jazz hand. Soon, Kazuma quickly picked up Mira by the waist and swung her legs on each side of him before putting her back down and they began to dance side-by-side again. Mira made sure her legs didn't go out too far when she kicked them into the air, and she tried not to kick Kazuma. As the music went on, Mira and Kazuma spun, going to opposite sides of the dance floor, then spinning again to the side their partner had just been on. They spun back to each other, the crowd 'ooh'ing as Kazuma jumped in the air just as Mira twirled toward him and they began to dance side by side again. When the tune changed, the crowd 'ahh'ed when Kazuma spun Mira around and having her feet not touch the floor. The crowd cheered when he cartwheeled away and did the splits on his landing. He and Mira spun around again, and when Kazuma stopped, he crouched down and Mira climbed on his legs and he picked her up, having her legs stick out as they spun around. The audience applauded the move when Mira was put down on the floor again. The tune went back to its original beat, and Mira and Kazuma danced to it, kicking their feet up and moving their shoulders with the beat. As the music began to come to a close, Mira fell back into Kazuma's arms again and he swung her back up, but this time, she went down to the floor, doing the splits, and he stepped over her. He picked her up and they began dancing in each other's arms for a few moments. At one point, he grabbed her by the waist, having her feet drag against the floor as he stepped over her, and then swung her legs around under his own. And when the music finally came to its last trumpet blown, he lifted Mira up and had her sit on his shoulder, with her arms held up high.

The applause was deafening them before Kazuma put her back on the ground and they took a bow. Mira smiled as she listened to the cheers, completely forgetting her previous anxiety. The two of them were surprised when one girl (Mira recognized her from her fanclub) came running up to her, holding out a bouquet of roses. Mira took them with a blushing smile and the girl ran back into the crowd.

When the applause began to die down, everyone turned to the three judges, who seemed to have decided on their scores. Honey was the first to speak.

"You did a really great job, Mira-chan!" He said happily, "A really, really great job! I loved those tricks you did! I give you ten points!" He held up a card with the number ten and the crowd applauded the good first score of the dancers. Haruhi spoke next.

"The music was great, and the work you put into the dance has really shown." She complimented, "I'm giving you nine points." She held up a card with the number nine and the crowd applauded again. Renge was the last to speak.

"What a wonderful dance!" She exclaimed, "You two are total professionals! I had no idea that Mira-sempai could dance so well! And the passion you two put into the dance has been seen by everyone here, and it's wonderful! I award you ten points!" She held up a card with the number ten and the crowd applauded again, "This gives you a total score of twenty-nine, which is the highest score out of everyone's! Congratulations!" The audience cheered loudly and Mira smiled brightly.

"CHEERS!" The host club shouted as they raised their glasses in a toast.

"To Mira-sempai's win!" Tamaki said.

"To Mira-sempai for being Mira-sempai!" The twins said, putting their arms around her shoulders. They drank the punch in the glasses happily, as did Mira.

"I don't need a toast, you know." She said, looking over at Tamaki, not even bothering to remove the twins' arms, "It's not like I won the lottery or anything."

"A dance contest is close enough." The twins said, Mira smiled.

"I guess so…" She said, blushing slightly from the attention.

"Oh, Mira-sempai!" Tamaki cooed, "Daddy's so proud of you!"

"Is my dad here?" Mira asked, looking around her. Everyone but Tamaki laughed at her joke. Tamaki pouted childishly, Mira giggled, "Oh, come on, I was just kidding. No way would my dad ever come to something like this." She removed the twins' arms from her person as she began to take off her jacket. "It's warm in here." She tossed it onto a nearby chair.

"That's probably you." Kyoya said with a smile before he took a sip from his punch. Mira looked at him in mock-surprise.

"Why, Kyoya Ootori!" She exclaimed, "Was that a compliment I just heard?" Kyoya shrugged.

"Why not? You do look rather stunning in that dress." Kyoya said, Mira raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"This night is just full of surprises." She said, giggling when Kyoya scoffed.

"You know," the twins began, putting their arms back around her shoulders, "You should have let us make your dress."

"No thanks." Mira said, "I have no interest in wearing a dress that would show my panties with every step I took." The twins pouted angrily.

"Don't you know? Short skirts are sexy!" Hikaru said.

"We're just trying to make you look good." Kaoru said.

"Well, try something a little more conservative next time." Mira said, "I'd be a lot more comfortable in something like that."

"You're no fun!" The twins said, moving their arms away. Mira shrugged carelessly.

"Whatever." She said, taking a sip from her punch.

Honey came prancing up to the group, holding up a two-decker cake covered in vanilla icing, "Who wants cake?" He asked, a few hands went up and Honey counted each one, "Okay, one for Kao-chan, one for Mira-chan, and one for Tama-chan. The rest is for me!" He said the last part with a happy tone as he went to cut the pieces of the cake.

"How is it that he eats so much cake and doesn't get fat?" Mira asked.

"High metabolism?" Haruhi offered, Mira nodded.

"That makes sense." She said. She smiled at Honey when he gave her a piece of cake and handed another one to Kaoru. Just as she was about to bite into it, her cellphone began to ring. She reached into her dress pocket and pulled it out, seeing Kazuma's caller ID on the screen. She answered it, "Yeah?"

"I'm ready to go." Kazuma said on the other line.

"Already?" Mira asked.

"Yeah! It's almost 10:00. Isn't your curfew 10:30?" Kazuma said.

"Is it?" Mira asked in surprise, "I didn't realize it was so late."

"Well, come on, let's go." Kazuma said, "I'm waiting out front."

"Yeah, I'll be there." She hung up the phone, "I gotta go."

"Aw, now?" Honey whined, "But you haven't even eaten your cake yet!" She handed him her piece.

"Here, you can have it." She said, she put her phone back in her dress pocket, "I have to get going. I'll see you all tomorrow." They waved goodbye as she walked through the crowd in the ballroom, heading for the exit.

When she had gotten out the door, Honey looked over and saw her jacket was still on the chair she had tossed it on.

"Uh-oh!" He said, going over and picking it up, "Mira-chan forgot her jacket!" He turned to Mori, "We should hurry and get this to her before she leaves." Mori nodded and followed his cousin out of the ballroom.

Mira walked down the pathway outside the ballroom, noting how dark it was at the moment. She looked up in surprise when she saw the form of someone sitting alone outside the building. She recognized them and walked over, looking down at their hunched form.

"Hey, what are you doing out here?" She asked them, they didn't respond, "Shouldn't you be inside? The party's still going on, you know." They stood up and she smiled at them, "That's it. Why don't you go inside and…" She trailed off, seeing a knife in their hands, "What are you doing with that?" She got her answer when they gripped it tightly and drove the blade through her chest. She let out a breathy gasp at the sudden pain that filled her body completely. The person holding the knife smiled evilly at her. Mira's eyes filled with pain-filled tears, "Y-You're…" Her voice came out raspy and hoarse as blood began to come out of her throat.

"Mira-chan!" Honey's voice was heard by both of them, and the person saw him and Mori running towards them, Honey holding up Mira's jacket, "You almost left this behind!" The person ran from the scene as fast as their legs would take them. Mira was still standing, the knife still in her chest. Honey looked at her back oddly when he saw her shaking form, "Mira-chan?" Her strength did not last long, for she fell to the ground, her blood beginning to pool around her head from her mouth, and running down her body from the wound, her tears still rolling down her cheeks, "MIRA-CHAN!" Honey abandoned the jacket and he and Mori dashed to her side.

Mira tried to speak, but all that came out was a bloody cough. Honey's eyes filled with tears, "Mira-chan!"

"Mitsukuni," Mori said, "Call an ambulance." Honey nodded and quickly pulled out a cellphone, dialing 911. Mori looked down at Mira and flinched when he saw the knife in her chest. He looked at Mira's shaking hand as it grabbed onto his and put it on the knife. Mori understood what she was telling him, and shed his jacket in preparation. He gripped the handle of the knife tightly, he looked at her, silently asking her if she was ready, and she nodded. He yanked the knife out of her body as quickly as he could, Mira let out a pain-filled cry once it was gone. More tears flowed down her cheeks as Mori pressed his jacket over the wound, putting as much pressure as he could to try and stop the bleeding. They both heard Honey tearfully explaining Mira's emergency over the phone to the person on the other line. Mori's eyes met Mira's and he watched in horror as they began to close. He snapped his fingers in front of her face to get her attention, but it didn't do much good. He patted the side of her face, and her eyelids went up a little. He looked down at her, his face etched in concern, and was surprised when she gave him a smile with her bloody mouth. One of her hands covered his, and Mori felt how much she was shaking.

I'm afraid, She was silently saying, But I'm glad you're here.

"They said they'll be here soon." Honey said, hanging up his cellphone, "I'm going to get more help!" Mori nodded as Honey ran off to where Kazuma was waiting for Mira. Mori looked down and saw her eyes begin to close again. He patted her cheek to get her to stay awake, but her eyelids still fell. Finally, they closed, and Mira let out a small breath. Mori patted her cheek again, and she didn't wake up at all. He tried patting her a little bit harder, but it still didn't do anything. His heart began to pound in fear that she was going to die.

"Mirabella." He said her name, hoping it would wake her up, but it didn't do anything, "Mirabella!" Still no response. He felt tears prick at his eyes, "Mirabella!"

Tears fell from his eyes and fell onto her face. She still didn't move.

"MIRABELLA!"

This was the dance that I got for Mira and Kazuma on [youtube] It's award-winning.

.com/watch?v=zY-sTmzP2sE&feature=feedlik_more