Yeppo so Happy belated New Year to you guys and, to kick it off I'm continuing my cliffhanger XD I hope you guys enjoy and review, the story depends on it~! I also love feedback from my readers.^^

Strawberry Panic-Episode 9:

Shizuma closed her eyes and her teeth clenched silver-haired woman had never heard Tanya drunk, or even using such profane language; this was just wrong.

"What happened, what did she do?"

Tanya's voice began to shake as she spoke; she sounded as if she was breaking down.

"She was cheating on me with a man."

Shizuma frowned and looked over at Nagisa was biting her lip, she then closed her eyes.

"Tanya..."

"S-she t-told me that she d-didn't mean it and t-that he meant nothing. But it did, because I saw the signs, she was really happy and I didn't know why. It was that bastard, he did what I couldn't..."

Tanya's vice was then consumed by her sobs. Shizuma could only sit there and listen as her best friend broke down.

"Tanya...do you want us to come over there?"

Tanya stopped crying and started to sniffle. "N-NO! Don't let me ruin your time..."

Nagisa leaned over and spoke, "Tanya, we couldn't have a good time knowing that you're in pain."

Tanya's end became silent.

"Okay then, give us a half hour and we'll be at your hotel," Shizuma said.

"You two...don't have to do this."

Shizuma frowned, "you're our friend, why wouldn't we?"

"Thank you."

"Always."

Shizuma said goodbye before hanging up the phone, he eyes slightly dull. She glanced up at Nagisa and the redhead caught a glimpse of the intensity that was within them. Nagisa had found herself flinching away from the silver-haired woman. The action didn't catch Shizuma's attention though, and she quietly strolled into the bathroom.

Nagisa watched her, also silent, flinching as the door slammed shut.

The ride to where Tanya was staying was also full of silence; Shizuma's negative vibe causing Nagisa to feel uneasy.

Shizuma who was finally realizing this spoke,[ "Nagisa, I'm sorry for being so edgy...it's just..."]

Nagisa shook her head and smiled, ["No, no it's okay...I'm fine."]

["Okay..."] Shizuma said relief lining her voice.

The rest of the ride was silent as Nagisa looked out the window and Shizumastared blankly at the road. Before either of them realized it they had both arrived at the hotel. The two of them sighed as the car rolled to a stop.

The two of them got out of th car after the valet employee approached them. After taking the ticket the two of them headed up to Tanya's hotel room; it was on the sixth floor.

While they walked down tha halls Shizuma was repeaing the room number to herself.

"six thirty-eight, six thirty-eight..."

"There it is," Nagisa said as they turned the corner.

Both of them walked up to the door and Shizuma knocked. There was a long silence before they heard any life behind the door. After a a moment or two the door finally opened. Behind it stood the sad appearance of Tanya. The once cheerful woman now stood before them, her usually neat hair now in a wreck and all over her head. Her once glowing eyes now dull and lifeless, the bags that were forming under them not making them any more inviting. The russet-skinned woman smiled weakly as she looked up at Nagisa and Shizuma.

"Hey guys, come on in..."

Shizuma smiled weakly but didn't speak, walking in, Nagisa following. after. Tanya closed the door behind them and sighed. Nagisa was looking around noticing the large amount of empty bottles that littered the sofas and tables. Shizuma noticed also and watched as Tanya strolled over to an open bottle of liquor and tried to take a sip.

Before the bottle could get up to her mouth Shizuma snatched it from her, She then took the bottle over to the sink, poring the contents down the drain. Tanya's eyes widened in surprise.

"Whatcha ya doing Shi, the people just brought that up here!"

Shizuma spoke her head down, watching as the alcohol went down the drain. "Tanya, this isn't you...you can't drink your problems away."

Tanya looked down, "I'm not trying to do that..."

Nagisasat down and exchanged looks with her silver-haired girlfriend. "Hey, Tanya... you want to tell us what happened?"

Tanya sneered, "I told you what happened already, I wasn't good enough for Amber....so she found someone else."

Shizuma's eyes narrowed, "You weren't good enough? What are you saying Tani?"

Tanya fell silent her eyes becoming watery. She bit her lip trying to hold back her sobs bt it didn't work. She buried her face in her hands and began to cry. Shizuma and Nagisa frowned, walking over to her and hugging her.

Shizuma bit her lip and sighed, "Tani, we're here for you...everything is going to be alright."

As Nagisa and Shizumahugged the poor woman, they realized that the rest of their vacation will be spent helping Tanya get through this heartache. And they both knew that it wuld be a while before Tanya could be completely healed.

Ugh, sorry guys, this was a very short chapter compared to the others but I was having a nasty case of writers' block. Also there was the issue of me barely having any time to do any writing T_T I hope the next chapter will make up for this one in length and that you guys won't be so mad at me for giving you a crappy(and supah short) chapter.

-NEKO-