Once Upon A Winter

Author's Note: Hamha! So, here it is! The final official chapter! Can you brace yourself for what's coming up? I hope so. Thank you all who encouraged me to finish the story, it took awhile, but finished just in time for the winter season! So here's the final chapter, without further ado!

Chapt. 9: Disaster At The Dance II

Boss had blown it. He ruined it all. He felt like his life was over. Falling to the ground, he began to cry. All that work, all that agony and pain, and suddenly he was a worthless blob to her? He hit his head forcefully on the ground; How powerful love can be. It can even drive one to death.

"Bijou, wait!" Hamtaro cried, running in after her with towels. Boss didn't burn up or attack him this time. All he did was watch Hamtaro run in, a painful expression in his eyes.

"Congratulations Hamtaro." He whispered, ripping his tie off. "You won." He then burst the door open, and ran out as far as he could before collapsing to the ground in a sobbing heap.

"A-All that for nothing!" He moaned, hitting the dirt with his fists. "After all I did for her!" Some of the ham-hams had run out to assist him, But Boss swiped them away. "LEAVE ME ALONE!" He yelled, the tears beginning to stain his fur. Panda and the rest shrugged, and walked back in.

Boss walked out in the moonlight, his heart as heavy as an elephant. "You ruin everything. You're not the best. She never even liked you. Why did you do this? Friendship is better than love, you dolt." He heard his conscience say. He sat on a rock, looking at the stars. "I guess it was never meant to be, Bossman. You'll always be a pathetic, ugly loser." He put his head down, and laid there for what seemed like hours. But back on the other side of Hamtaro and Bijou…

"Bijou?" He called, walking in and shutting the door. She was sobbing, her red fur leaving what looked terribly like blood trails.

"GO AV- Oh, Hamtaro." Her heart seemed to lift a smidgen when she saw him. "I-I did not know it vas you."

"Bijou, I'm sorry about what Boss did to you out there; it was one little slip."

"But vou don't know ze half of it!" She wailed, standing up before sitting on the bed. "He-He's always hanging around like a stalker! He gives me stuff constantly, he even asked to dance! I-I thought he was just being a bit shy to be around a girl alone, but- but then…." She took a deep breath. "H-He tried to kiss me. On the lips. Twice."

Hamtaro went rigid at the last line. Kiss! "Well… I can't really blame him." He whispered, wrapping a blanket around Bijou's shoulders. She looked up at him; Stunned and hurt.

"Vhat do vou mean by zat!" She asked, beginning to tear up again. Hamtaro hushed her, handing her another one.

"W-Well… You're beautiful. You have the silkiest fur, and eyes that draw you into your beauty" He stopped, realizing what he said. Then, he took a deep breath. "B-B-Bijou, there's something I've always wanted to say, but never had the nerve… I-I…" He looked away, then into her eyes. "I love you. And I totally agree if you don't love me, butjustsoyouknow." He said very quickly. He blushed a deep crimson, looking down nervously.

He heard no response.

He looked up slightly, and saw her not looking in aw, or disgust, but smiling. SMILING. He had a confused stare on his face.

"Hamtaro, you do not know how long I've been waiting to hear that." She quickly pulling him in, kissing him on the lips.

The moment seemed to last for minutes.

Even hours.

Months, years, they wished. But they stopped abruptly after looking at each other.

"Sooo… I'm taking you like me too?" Hamtaro asked, smiling. She stroked the back of his head.

"Yes, it means more zhen I could ever put into words." She pulled him in once more, embracing his warm fur.

But Boss trudged in shortly afterwards, his eyes suddenly blank.

"B-Bijou… I can understand you hating me… But… But going for…. You chose….. You chose HIM, over ME!" Bijou looked guiltily down, nodding.

"Boss, ze way I feel for vou is not how I've alvays felt for Hamtaro. You've always been my protector; my guardian. But Hamtaro's kindness and uncompetitieveness cause me to fall in love with him straight away. I-I'm sorry Boss. But there's ozer Fish in ze sea." She stopped, looking away painfully. She knew this would tear the team apart.

But Boss Smiled.

Bijou looked up, beginning to cry. "ARE YOU MOCKING ME!" She yelled, getting frustrated.

"Bijou, Bijou. I know how you feel. I've always been this way, I can't help it. You're wonderful; like a butterfly. You're flawless.

"But now I understand how I've always been acting, how it's torn me farther apart from you. Now all I wish for is for you to be happy." He placed her paw in Hamtaro's. "I'm sorry for how I've acted. Please." And he walked out; His heart lighter, his spirits risen… But his heart was still torn in two.

Hamtaro hugged her once more, before kissing her on the cheek. "I've always been too childish to realize the message you've been sending out to me. I grew up, though." And together the pair walked out onto the dance floor, sharing their first slow dance, their first Kiss, and their first love.

And they almost all, lived happily ever after.

THE END.

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Thank you thank you for reading the final chapter! Please don't abandon the story, there'll be an apologue. Or whatever the ending of a story is called. Please, Review! You can contact me on my e-mail given! Bye-Q for now!

Rei