~*~Chapter Six: Nearing the End~*~

~Silverium~

Disclaimer: Don't own them, do own fic.

Note: I'm really sorry, this is my first year of university, and I can't believe how busy I've been!

            It was time for the concert. Miki stared at her reflection in the mirror and then managed a roguish wink. It looked all right, so she tried a new one, then threw on a radiant smile.

            "Practicing for the fans?" Yu asked as she finished applying eyeliner,

            "Yep," Miki grinned, "Do I look all right?"

            "On fire." The twins replied.

            Miki nodded, pleased, and then left the change room to go back stage. Nikki and her had overcome their tiny fight, but it wasn't really over. Nothing had been said between them which unnerved the dancer to no end. Miki hoped that after the concert they'd deal with everything one topic at a time.

            As the audience filtered in to their seats Miki peeked out at them. The first two rows were reserved for their friends and already she could see Steena in the crowd with Norris. Smiling with excitement she darted away and did a quick routine warm up with her back up dancers.

            The lights flicked on, and the audience hushed. Out of rolling mist that hovered above the glassy floor of the ancient fort a silhouette of a young man could be seen. In the surrounding darkness cut through with beams of light, the first chord sounded and the spotlight hit Miki…

~*~

            "Water…please…"

            "Here,"

            "Thanks,"

            "Nice performance, you two looked lovely,"

            "Miki you were a Goddess!"

            "Oh please, have you seen Norris yet?"

            "Yes, I invited him for a drink later,"

            "Great! Oh, Nikki, those new songs were beautiful,"

            "Thank you, Miki."

            Nikki smiled softly and studied their backstage room. It was a mess at the moment but so full of colours he couldn't help but like it anyways. Yu finished off her water and wiped her mouth daintily, tossing him the bottle and then taking her hair down. The blonde waves crashed down her back from where they had been tied up. Mi echoed her sister's movements and shook out her hair, only to re-tie it in a loose ponytail,

            "I'm going casual," She announced, "See you all later!"

            "Bye!" The other three chorused.

            A silence settled on them until Yu announced her departure as well, and when she left Nikki sat on the bed and ran a hand through his tiger-striped hair.

            "Do you think we did a good job?" Miki asked after a moment,

            "Yes, we touched many people with our words and motions," Nikki mused, "Why don't you go with Yu, Miki?"

            "I-I thought you wanted to me to stay, you didn't want me to leave you," Miki faltered, her blue eyes searching the Bard,

            "I made a mistake, Miki," Nikki confessed softly, "I want to set you free,"

            "But after all we've been through, I mean, all the years and…" Miki choked breathlessly,

            "We're best friends Miki, we'll always have that," Nikki shrugged sadly,

            "Nikki, you…I…I love you," Miki's lip trembled and she hugged her arms unbelieving to his words,

            "I guess you made a mistake too, then."

            Nikki rose up and wrapped his arms around her, his heart breaking as he felt hot tears splash against his skin. The dancer felt frail in his arms as she sobbed, but there was nothing he could do to make her stronger, nor mend her torn love.

~*~Makes me feel awful, it really does. Not everything can have a happy ending though. Review please, I hope you guys aren't too mad ~offers Nikki plush dolls in consolation ~

Maybe I'll write another Chrono Cross fanfic, I'm not sure. What other series/pairings do you all like?~*~

P.S: Had this gone further you would have read how Mi and Norris hooked up and were happy, so there's the good part.