Hey guys! Sorry for the wait, I got lost in a tide of schoolwork and lack of motivation- but I'm back! You may notice my writing style changed a little since Chapter 1. I guess I just found my rhythm from doing my other Halloween story.

Anyway, I hope you like this one :) Until next time!

Sachiko let out a resigned sigh as she flipped over to the final item on the meeting's agenda. It had been a tiresome day indeed. After arriving to school just in the knick of time she had commenced another day in the spotlight. Her classes had dragged along unusually slowly, as though something was waiting to happen. And now, here she was in the Rose mansion surrounded by her fellow council members as they chattered about this and that.

"Oh! Now this is the best part of these meetings," exclaimed an excited Yoshino, scanning her page.

Rei smiled at her cousin and turned to Eriko. "How did you go about contacting that ice-sculpture place, onee-sama?"

The group launched into a delighted discussion of their plans for the biggest event on the calendar, which was fast approaching. Sachiko repressed a sniff. Ice sculptures? Honestly I do believe that borders on the tasteless. I haven't attended a dignified function with an ice sculpture since I was a child! But I suppose we must all embrace the spirit of the thing. What a magical evening. I suppose we can expect some snow for the festivities at least. The Lillian Christmas Ball, indeed! Marvelous…

Sachiko was pulled from her disdained reverie by her Grande soeur and Rosa Chinensis, Youko Mizuno. "Sachiko, what do think of the proposal to merge with Hanadera for the celebration?"

WHAT? NEVER! Why would they ask my opinion on that? Isn't it obvious what I'd say?

"Why would you ask her opinion on that? Isn't it obvious what she'd say?" Sei Satou chimed in before Sachiko had a chance to vocalize her displeasure. The heiress bristled.

"I am strongly opposed, in case that wasn't already apparent. I don't see why it is necessary! Besides it seems a bit short notice to extend an invitation now."

"That is a valid point, Sachiko," Youko smiled gently, "however it has only just gone December. The Ball is on Christmas Eve, which gives them plenty of time to decide. We merely thought it would be nice to give the Lillian girls an opportunity to invite a male partner. Balls involve dancing and many dances traditionally require a male partner."

"Traditionally, but not always," Sei interjected with a roguish grin, "I don't like to brag but I can really work it in a tux." She winked at Youko.

"Yes, well…ahem, anyway we just thought that the whole night would be very appealing to the students if there was the possibility of 'meeting new people'." Youko phrased this as delicately as she could for her soeur. In all honesty they had already told Hanadera they were invited to the Ball weeks ago. They had only chosen to keep a lid on it so that a Sachiko tantrum could be avoided. If they could somehow get her to agree to the notion, and make her feel like she had an element of agency in the proceedings, it would probably run more smoothly. Sometimes they really had to dance around their spoiled friend, but it was worth it if hysterics were avoided.

Sachiko studied them all with narrowed eyes. Youko was smiling at her encouragingly while Sei waggled her eyebrows suggestively. Opposite her Rei was inspecting her nails, Yoshino was unscrewing and re-screwing her pen and Shimako seemed to have found a spot on the ceiling that was highly fascinating. Eriko wasn't even trying; she just smiled placidly at her junior and met her scrutiny evenly.

"You all knew about this didn't you? What do I think of 'the proposal'? As in the proposal you've no doubt already discussed with them, WITHOUT ME!" Sachiko was on her feet, glaring around the table. Her Grande Soeur rose to placate her.

"Sachiko please, it's going to be okay…we can admit that we didn't tell you but only because we wished for the idea to actually go through consideration. You would have dismissed it at once, and it really is a great way to make the Ball a success. Please try to understand tha-"

"Understand? What is there to understand other than the fact that you clearly don't value my opinion? Am I a member of this council or not!" The tantrum was in full swing now. "We always put our decisions to a vote and I should have had the right to participate in that! How is this fair?"

Rei gulped and said in a quavering voice, "But even if we put it to the vote, and you were the only one to oppose it you would have harangued us until you got your way. That wouldn't have been fair either…please Sachiko we all love you to bits… but you do have the tendency to overreact…" she finished in a mumble.

"Overreact? I've never in all my life- how could you say- I AM NOT OVERREACTING!" Sachiko was certainly 'reacting' all the same. "Do you have any idea why I may not wish to attend a Ball and mingle with the students of Hanadera? Well, do you?"

Youko raised her eyebrows when she caught on to what Sachiko meant. "Kashiwagi-san? But Sachiko, I thought the engagement had been dissolved?"

It was true; Sachiko had been engaged, since early childhood, in a marriage of business convenience. The boy in question, her cousin Kashiwagi Suguru had come to Sachiko earlier in the year and proposed they have the thing annulled together. Sachiko, always more intimidated by their Grandfather had put up a struggle at first. Everyone in the Yamiyurikai new Sachiko desperately wanted to get out the engagement and so with her Onee-sama supporting her she had managed to make it through. The two in question had blatantly refused the marriage and by some miracle their grandfather had agreed. Youko had met the man on a few different occasions and he had seemed quite amicable.

"I do not wish to see him!" Sachiko's fists tightened on the solid wood of the table. "The engagement may be off but you have no idea what it is like for me at home these days! I'm walking on thin ice inside that prison." She was shocked by her own flare-up. Her etiquette training finally caught up with her and she straightened her back, assuming an expression of polite indifference.

"I believe my participation in this afternoon's meeting has reached its end. I apologize for my outburst and we shall speak more upon this matter next time. Gokigenyou." She gathered up her things and swept out the door, leaving the remaining occupants of the room alarmed and silent.

Maybe they have a point Sachiko thought as she rugged herself up in her cloak and scarf for the journey home. She stepped out of the mansion and made her way down the path. After an outburst like that I think its safe to say I have a tendency to become hysterical. They have no idea though! Not even onee-sama can possibly know what it is like for me now.

Sachiko seated herself at the bus stop and continued to ponder her thoughts. Her Grandfather had surprised her when he annulled the engagement so easily. Her grandfather had never really been the problem. The man adored her and always tried to buy her things to make her happy. Her mother hadn't seemed at all upset at the news. She had always said the engagement was formed because they all thought she really loved Suguru and wished to marry him. Sachiko had strongly doubted that they had all thought that, but she was certain her mother had believed it. It was her father who was the issue. To put it mildly, the news of the cancelation had left him furious. He had stormed from his father back to her, Sayako back to her and even Kashiwagi and back to her. Back and forth he went, yelling and raging his displeasure. Perhaps I now know where I get my temper, thought Sachiko dryly.

All in all her home life wasn't the best, and it wasn't normal. Not that my 'normal' is normal anyway. Touru had tried everything to try and bring her back to his way of thinking. He had tried bribing her, threatening her, painting her scenarios of her life as an old maid (I'm seventeen for kami's sake!) and had even tried harassing Kashiwagi with his daughter's desirable qualities like a spruiker selling to an unwilling customer. And it was all in vain, thus leaving the billowing storm clouds of his disappointment hovering over the estate whenever he was there. And not when he's away with his mistresses, thank goodness. Pfft…perhaps I should thank them.

The bus finally pulled up and Sachiko gladly stepped out of the icy wind, into the relative warmth of the vehicle. Taking a seat up against the window she gazed out at the scenery dull, wintry scenery passing by. I just wish I had someone I could talk to about all of this. I want someone who is good at listening and who won't pass me off as a stuck-up, melodramatic rich girl before hearing what's in my heart. I know onee-sama doesn't dismiss me that way but for some reason I just cant talk about these things with her. Oh how I wish I had a petite soeur… a lovely, sweet, caring petite soeur. We could share everything together…. If only such a girl existed.

Tilting her head against the window she watched a few passengers step onto the bus at its next stop. Her eyes swept over the line of people and over to the wall behind. There, against the wall, knees pulled up to her chest for warmth, was the girl from that very morning. She looked to be shivering a little. Sachiko couldn't take her eyes off of her. She had been in such a rush that morning she had forgotten her helper as soon as she arrived at school. But there she was. She looked up at the bus and caught the heiress's eye. She blushed and gave Sachiko a small smile, before burying her chin back in her knees.

Goodness, that poor, sweet girl! Why is she on the street like that, wearing such thin clothing? Why are none of those people helping her? It's like they look straight through her! At least give her something you selfish fools, she looks so cold and hungry…I must do something!

Just as Sachiko had plucked up her resolve, the bus doors closed and she was forced back into her seat as the vehicle pulled away from the curb.

Sachiko's burst of altruism stayed with her as the bus wended its way through the darkening streets, as did her thoughts of that girl. Is she always in that place? That's where she was this morning…tomorrow I'm going to speak to her. I'll bring her food, money…anything! I just can't bear the thought of her all alone, cold and hungry. I may not have much control over my own life, but I can certainly help her in hers.

Hold on just a little longer my little helper, I'm going to help you out this time.