Author's Note : Sorry for the randomness with the poptarts and all, I couldn't think of anything else. Oh yeah, and sorry for the long hiatus, I wasn't able to catch a spare moment on the computer, and I also got my inspiration back now(lol) from watching Final Plus!

Chapter 8 : When Ends Meet

Lacus looked at her masquerade dress on the mannequin by her bedside, the moonlight illuminating and accenting the way the ends of the dress gracefully fell to the floor. It was Wednesday already, two days before the ball…Time had flown by quickly. Their whole class skipped school this week to prepare for the ball, it was a tradition in all to make this ball as special and stunning as can be, so they needed all the time they could spare.

It had a pearly white mask to match with it, but it wasn't an ordinary mask. It had silk ribbons flowing from the sides, sparkles and sequins decorating empty spots on it, and of course diamonds in the top corners. It was a truly remarkable mask.

But if the mask is beautiful, then the dress was simply indescribably drop-dead gorgeous. The dress was a silk white tube top dress that flowed outwards at the ends, and was studded with diamonds and was basically sparkly all over. A big velvet ribbon tied the back, which would certainly show Lacus' hourglass figure.

Lacus sighed and decided to walk outside a bit for some fresh air, regardless of how late at night it was she still went out. Lacus broke out a small smile at this magnificent outfit, it was perfect. Well, almost. Something was missing. Now more confident from her friends, she thought as she walked out the door…

Next time I'll tell him for sure.

---

Kira took his suit and hung it up in front of his closet. His suit was the standard tuxedo––black pants and a black jacket, a plain white shirt, the works. He had a white rose corsage prepared, and it was sitting in the fridge.

But…why?

Why did he still have things prepared for something he wasn't going to…Ah yes, with the help of his friends, he had made a quick and easy decision to go to the Masquerade Ball, but for who?

Yes, he remembered clearly in his mind now why. For some reason it was the only thing he could think of, the only thing he could picture himself with…Lacus.

Hm? Kira smelled a foul, burnt scent in the air. His jaw dropped, and he darted down the stairs to the kitchen. The pop-tarts he was making for a midnight snack were…gulp…burnt. He picked them out with his fingers.

"Ah, ouch!" He yelled as he felt the searing hot poptart rub against his skin. He left them on the floor, as smoke rose from the toaster and filled the kitchen. He didn't have a smoke alarm, and there was no fire, so he just ran outside quickly to escape the haze.

Coughing and stumbling, he ran into the park. He often came there to think, because the cherry blossoms and peaceful atmosphere of the park soothed him. And plus, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom and the precious, pink petals flowed everywhere. Kira stopped in front of the fountain at the center of the park.

The moonlight reflected off its pristine waters, and all the trees and bushes' reflection showed on it. Kira gazed around the fountain at all the different shapes. Huh?

Just then, a slender figure's reflection appeared on the other end of the fountain, its blue eyes were serene, and beautiful. He looked up. Time slowed down once more. The wind picked up, and pink petals whirled around them.

It was Lacus. For a minute, they stood there, staring into each other's eyes, lost in a daze at what fate had brought them to.

---

Fate… Lacus thought again as she remained gazing into Kira's eyes. He was the first to speak. He smiled, "Hey Lacus." He said as he walked towards her. "Kira." Lacus said with a hint of surprise in her voice.

The two couldn't keep their eyes off each other one bit. Lacus backed up and bumped into the fountain wall, making her plop down on the side of it. They both laughed together at Lacus' clumsiness.

Sitting back on the wall next to her, he left a blank, but seemingly happy face on. "It's a beautiful night tonight, isn't it?" Lacus gently asked, gazing now into the quiet night sky. Kira looked gingerly towards Lacus and smiled, "Yes, it is." And so he began with it. "Hey Lacus...Are you..going to the ball on friday?"

Somewhat surprised, she answered, "Y-Yes." "Then," he took her hand softly and continued, "Will you go with me to the ball?" She knew her immediate answer, "Yes, of course!" He had it all layed out for what he would do now that it was set. He smiled and attempted to hug her in his happiness, but she pulled away.

He was taken aback and withdrew his arms. A tear glittered away in the wind. "What's wrong?" Kira asked. Lacus tried to speak, "I..I'm sorry." She quietly murmured. "For what?" Kira asked again, feeling like they were playing twenty questions. "You know, what happened at school..."

Kira, feeling like she wasn't finished with what she was saying, kept quiet. "I didn't get to tell you...what I..needed to say." Lacus was inching closer to that point again, but hesitation struck again, she fought it though. "What I needed to say was..."

Kira looked down, causing Lacus to stop.

"I love you."