(Haruhi)

'Why is Alan acting like this? When I first saw him he was anything from battle maniac, overall… he wouldn't go berserk just because someone made a mistake…'

I have to stop this.

(Alan)

'Hmph, she's not bad at all…' the fight has been going on for few minutes now, I don't know how I've managed to hang in when I started this out with such a weak stamina, but right now, I feel fine.

"Geeze you are stubborn, just give up! I can feel you tiring down!" Shana yelled while slashing her katana.

"Aren't you the one who started this?!" I replied with throwing more void bombs. Then… I heard Haruhi yell out.

"STOP!"

A giant blue avatar appeared behind Shana and grabbed her with its massive hand. I sensed another avatar appear behind me as well.

However when it attempted to grab me, its hand just melted away.

"What do you think you are doing Haruhi? You know avatars cannot touch me." I saw Shana trying to get herself free of Avatar's hands. "Well… thanks anyways Haruhi, I'll end this."

"No you don't!" Haruhi yelled as she took off her jade necklace. Then,

Haruhi threw the necklace towards my direction.

"…?"

The necklace suddenly increased in length. It whirled itself around me, then started to entangle me.

"What the…" I looked towards Haruhi at disbelief.

"This necklace comes from your world, and is one of the objects that can touch you. All I did was adjusting the sizes." Haruhi gave a slight smirk. Then started talking.

"First of all, Alan! Why are you worked up liked that?! I don't get it; you are not a person to go in the fight craze like that!"

As Haruhi was showering down complaints at me, the anger that was forcing me to fight on was extinguished.

"I wonder why… Sorry Haruhi, I don't know what was wrong with me…"

"Apology isn't enough; you will have to be punished for this, no milk for 10 days! Don't even think about sneaking one in, because I will put a seal near your mouth."

I remembered the dreaded seal… she had placed the seal that will make the milk disappear if any particle of milk came near my mouth. I had to go on without milk for 5 days…

I obeyed at once.

Another person came into the scene. It was a young boy, almost similar height as me, but I was taller by just a bit.

He must be Shana's… backup?

"Shana!!" He yelled.

"Yuji! Get away! Right now!" Shana screamed back at Yuji…

Wait… Oh shit… What is with this atmosphere… it is almost as if we are the bad guys… I'm sure Haruhi noticed it too.

I gave Haruhi a glare, and told her "Since I'm all tied up thanks to you… you should explain it to them."

Haruhi nodded, "Fine, I am the Brigade Chief anyways…" She turned towards Shana and Yuji.

"Ok, I don't know who you people are but we are definitely not these, 'Tomogaras' that you speak of. We are from another dimension, if you give us the chance we will explain."

Haruhi stared at Shana's deathly red gaze. Then spoke again.

"You don't trust us? Here, I'll let you go and keep Alan here tied up. Also Fuko and Konata here won't cause any trouble, isn't that right?"

Of course, Fuko will obey her due to fear and for Konata, Haruhi is her idol… wait, can you please loosen this necklace? It's stifling me.

Avatar that was holding onto Shana disappeared and Shana landed on her feet. Yuji rushed alongside Shana.

"Now, let's talk." Haruhi said.

(Shana)

It was very interesting story indeed; I never knew that any other worlds existed other than Crimson Realm. So they are not Tomogaras after all.

Still, I sense an immense amount of Power of Existence from this girl called Haruhi… in fact; there is so much amount of Power of Existence that it is virtually flowing out of her every moment.

Meanwhile, this Alan that I fought against just now. He did not have any Power of Existence at all. I didn't sense any… but that is impossible, any living being, even torches should have certain amount of Power of Existence.

"Alastor, do you think they are telling the truth?" The deep voice of Alastor answered.

"It is interesting indeed, It has been confirmed that they will not cause any harm to our mission. But the girl called Haruhi... if Tomogara's found out about her, they are bound to come after that massive amount of Power."

I looked at Yuji, he was in a deep thought. Yuji and I have gone through a lot, especially yesterday, the Christmas Eve. We still haven't left the Misaki city yet, but I'm sure one day we will have to leave. … I still haven't told him that I love him yet…

Finally Yuji spoke, "So you guys are looking for thing called ESP flame? I've never heard of it? Shana, do you know?"

… I've never heard of it either but. "They said that it's from another dimension right? Then how should I know?"

I put the Fuzetsu down, then grabbed Yuji's hand and started walking away…

(Alan)

Her hair turned black?

…I stared at them walking away hand to hand… memories of Saki in winter flashed by… this made me feel more at ease…

"So everyone, should we find a place to stay?"

"Yeaahh goodd ideeaa Alaann kun, winter is more colddd heree…" Konata was shivering badly.

"Fuko is cold as well…" Fuko was huddled very close to Konata.

I looked at Haruhi, she was still staring at Shana and Yuji walking away hand to hand… Her expression showed every evidence of grief. I am sure, like me she was recalled of past.

Suddenly Yuji turned around and walked towards Haruhi.

"If you don't mind, you people look like you don't have a place to stay… why won't you all stay at my house? We don't have enough rooms though."

"Yuji!" Shana yelled.

"But, Shana, we can't leave them out here, look at this girl… she's going to freeze to death." Yuji took off her jacket and put it over Fuko.

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! I know." Shana walked over to Fuko, then touched Fuko's shoulders. Her body was consumed in flames.

I stood up instantly. "What are you doing!?"

Shana said indifferently, "Relax, it's just a cleansing flame, it will keep her warm."

When the flames went out Fuko was not shivering anymore… also she was now hugging Shana's arm tightly… in one of her dreamy expressions.

"Hyaaa.."

"Hey! Get off me!" Shana shook her arm violently, but Fuko was not letting go.

Haruhi's smile came back, her eyes glittering more than the snowflakes that are falling down.

"Looks like she has gotten to like you Shana chan." Then she turned towards Yuji, "Sakai kun! I will take you up upon your offer!"

Konata was poking Shana's back to grab her attention. Shana turned around.

"Maayybbeee yooouu couulldd heeelppp me as welll? Att chuu!!"

Konata sneezed right on Shana's face.