I still feel very guilty for not updating Winter Serenade for god-knows-how-many-months... Enjoy! Now that exams are finally over, I get more time to write! Yippie!

Feathers of an Angel, Chapter 6

With the Special Abilities Class Attraction…

'Hey, I heard that Sakura Mikan is no longer guarding the last station.'

'Really? Man, I was kicked out… like 4 times because I met her. I was so close too! She was the last one and if only I had gotten past her!'

'Well if we got the rope then…'

'But she's quick to dodge. I got it once but she was just so quick and I spent half the time trying to figure out how to use it and by the time I managed to get a hold of it and make one puny attempt, my 30 seconds were up!'

'Hey, hey, I heard the Blind Alice is guarding Sakura's station.'

'Really? Oh boy, I bet I'll get pass this time. What can that blind thing do?'

'Haha!'

Tsubasa glared at the boys under his cap but gave no comment. He glanced at the clock and signaled to his class, 'Hey, Lunch Break is over! Let's get on with the shifts. Everyone back to your original stations, pronto!'

There was a chorus of 'Hai!' as the students rushed back to the maze. Tsubasa took one more glance at the boys in the front of the row. This time, they caught his eye. Tsubasa sent them an icy smirk and left.

Yuki's Station…

'La~ ' Yuki sang to herself as she dangled her feet over the pool from the barrel she was sitting on. Her station was a large baby pool that covered a part of the corridor. It was filled halfway through and reached about the knees when one was standing straight up. Yuki looked up as she heard footsteps and smiled. 'Hello!' She jumped down from one of the barrels lined up at the side and stepped into the pool.

'You're… the last one, right?'

'Yes, Kokoroyome-kun!' Yuki said. 'Well, I'll explain the rules now. If you can touch any part of me in 30 seconds, you pass! And by any part, I mean any part; though try to stay within the decent area.'

'Just touch you…' Koko looked apprehensive. He stepped cautiously into the pool.

'No time to ponder! Your time is ticking,' Yuki pointed to the large clock that Koko suddenly noticed was behind him. The hands were moving swiftly.

With a lunge, Koko stepped into the pool and made a grab for her. Yuki quickly dodged and ran to the other end.

'You can't catch me!' Yuki sang as she danced around Koko's attempts to catch her.

'I can't get her at all! And this water is making my movements sluggish. What's more… she knows where I'm going to lunge for. How can it be… unless…' Koko eyed the water and his eyes widened. 'You're using your Alice?'

'Yup!' Yuki giggled. 'Wasn't that obvious? It is the Alice Festival, after all! Isn't the purpose to use your Alice?' The clock rang and the 30 seconds was up.

'Ah…'

'You're time's up. Sorry, but try again another time,' Yuki stretched out a hand to him. Koko shook hands with her and jumped out of the pool with wet pants.

'Oh darn, I'm all wet…' Koko grumbled.

'There're towels outside. Help yourself to them,' Yuki bowed as Koko left the maze, accompanied by someone else from the class.

And she sneaked the hand that shook Koko's into her hair quickly, and removed it a second later.

Outside the attraction…

'Hey Sakurano, it looks like the SA class finally came up with something substantial,' Yamanouchi Shizune commented as they passed the gym.

Sakurano looked at the long queue and nodded. 'Well, it seems like someone finally came up with a proper attraction this Festival. I suppose we could nominate them for something, don't you think?'

The Student Council behind them murmured but didn't say much. Imai coughed and said, 'Shuichi, you do realize that we have to try out their attraction before we can make any nominations, don't you?'

Sakurano smiled, 'Why, Subaru, I'm shocked. Weren't you aware that I was the one who wrote the criteria and rubrics for the awards? And you're my closest companion too…' He laughed at Imai's glare and said, 'I'll go, if you all are so hesitant.'

'Good luck then,' Imai pushed up his glasses. 'With luck you'll come up in one piece.'

'What concern,' Sakurano said almost sarcastically, shrugged and set off alone to the attraction.

With the SA Class…

Tsubasa yawned as he took a chug of water. They were currently having a 15-minute break after working non-stop for 3 hours. Yuki was sitting at the table, face pressed against the wooden surface and apparently exhausted.

'Hey… is that who I think it is?'

'You're right… Oh my… Tsubasa!!' Misaki yelled for the black-haired teen.

'What is it?' Tsubasa responded lazily.

'It's Sakurano!'

'…WHAT?' He rushed to where the customers were lining up and saw the Student Council President standing there. All the students were giving him a wide breath and were looking at him with either admiration or fear. Tsubasa coughed and tidied his appearance a bit before stepping out and making his way over to the senior.

'Ah… Tsubasa-kouhai, isn't it?' Sakurano nodded his head.

Tsubasa bowed slightly and grinned, 'What can I do for you today, senpai? Are you here to play? If that's so, then I'm afraid that you'll have to go to the back of the line.'

'Ah, no, I'm not here to play. Actually, I'm here to consider nominating your attraction for one of the awards. If possible, could you let me have a chance at this… game of yours,' Sakurano inclined his head and looked at the banner. 'RPG… is it?'

'Oh, yes, it is. Um… I'll explain the rules to you then. The point of this game is to get past the maze and the obstacles, which are manned by your SA Class "genies". In doing so, you will have a choice at the magical lamps at end of the race. In the lamps are the names of our SA Class students and by choosing their lamps… they're instantly yours until the end of the Alice Festival…' Tsubasa gulped slightly as he explained the rules. 'Uh… under no circumstances are you to inflict any harm to the "genies" at their stations… physically, that is. Doing so will result in immediate disqualification.'

'I see,' he nodded. 'Is there anything else?'

'You have an item given to you at the start of the race. It may be of assistance or a burden, but you are to hold onto it until you come out of the maze. If you lose it or fail to return it, you will have to foor the cost of the item as well as a 30 rabbit fine…'

'Reasonable.'

Tsubasa led him to the entrance. He turned to the resting room where Yuki was resting and called, 'Oi, Yuki! We need you in!'

'Hai…'

Turning back, he showed Sakurano the box of items. Sakurano reached in and produced… a necklace. It had an orange stone dangling from it.

'Uh…' Tsubasa eyed the necklace warily. 'Are you ready?'

'Yes, I am,' He smiled.

'Then… please go,' He pushed the curtains blocking the entrance away.

'Thank you.' Sakurano walked in and began the "adventure".

With Yuki…

'Ai… why do I have to do this?' Yuki complained to herself as she sat in the pool with a walkie-talkie. She frowned and said into the walkie-talkie, 'Corridor 67, close up. He's coming your way.'

'Got it!'

'Hey, Corridor 52, you up for Sakurano?'

'S-sakurano? No way!'

'Corridor 78, you?'

'Uh… he is the Student Council President, you know.'

'Tsubasa –senpai.'

'Ok, ok, I got it.'

'Thank you. Everyone, cooperate and lead him to Tsubasa. No, 32, you're leading his the wrong way. Dead end, please. Yes, ok.' Yuki sighed and rested against the edge of the pool. 'Really, why do I have to do this?'

'Uh… Shirogane, he got pass…'

'Really? …What item did he get?'

'…'

'…Is it Mikan's Alice stone?'

'…Yes.'

Yuki gritted her teeth. 'He'll make his way here. Forget about manipulating the corridors already. Lead him here.'

'Oi, Yukiko!'

'Yes?'

'You are one brave one, you know that? We'll prepare your funeral for you, ok?'

Yuki tossed aside the walkie-talkie and stood up. 'Really… cursing me like that. It's not like I'm going to lose, right?' She fingered her thigh and grimaced. 'I'll have to be careful… That man is…'

A few minutes later…

'This thing is good,' Sakurano murmured to himself as he walked to the last corridor. This orange stone had turned a very pale orange and looked as if it was about to drain out very soon. He sighed and turned it over in his hands. 'Nullification, huh. So sensei's daughter was this proficient in her Alice already? Pity it's still weak.'

'So… you used it up already?'

'Yes, it would seem so,' Sakurano smiled slightly at the dark-haired girl. Yuki grinned and jumped down from the barrels.

'So… the last station. You have 30 seconds to touch me physically in this pool. No violence please, and please keep to the decent area,' Yuki said.

'Just… touch you?' Sakurano didn't step into the pool yet.

'Yes. You may use whatever you have at your disposal.'

'I see,' Sakurano stepped in and the clock started ticking. He teleported to her and stretched out a hand to grab her shoulder but she had already ducked under and slid out from under him in the water.

'Yesh! What a surprise attack!' Yuki shuddered and shook water out of her eyes.

'She's fast to react. I see… the water… In that case, she can see what I'm doing… and if my guess on her powers are correct, she can even see the future,' Sakurano thought to himself. 'I have to catch her off guard. The Alice stone…'

The orange stone glowed and robbed Yuki of her Alice temporarily. Yuki smiled to herself. Teleporting again, Sakurano made to grab her but missed by the just a bit. Yuki had rolled to the side quickly.

'It didn't work? No… she heard me…' he frowned at the sloshing of water under his feet, 'Impressive senses. Then… I'll just have to make you senseless then!'

'What…?' Yuki froze on the spot. 'I can't see… or hear. The water's gone. He… he… robbed me of my senses… No… It's…'

Tap. Sakurano's hand made contact with her shoulder as the clock went off. The next instant, Yuki could hear the ring of the clock. Her hands still trembled.

'Ahaha… you got through…' Yuki laughed and stepped out of the pool. She raised a hand to the senior and beckoned him to follow her.

'Shirogane-chan…?' Sakurano tilted his head to the side.

'Hai…?' She paused slightly.

'Are you alright? You're shaking,' Sakurano pointed out gently. Yuki grabbed her trembling arms and smiled at him over her shoulder.

'It's nothing. I'm just cold!'

Outside the maze…

'As expected…' Tsubasa said dejectedly as the two walked out of the maze.

'He IS the Student Council President, after all…' Misaki reasoned.

'And he DID have Mikan's Alice stone… though it appears that he has used it up…' Tsubasa sighed. He turned to Misaki. 'You know what to do. Bring out the table.'

'I got it, I got it,' Misaki went to the back room to retrieve the table that had the lamps.

'As for me…' Tsubasa grabbed a few towels and went over to the drenched girl. He wrapped one over her body and used another to dry her hair. He tossed another to Sakurano, nodding towards his shoes and pants.

'Thank you,' Sakurano nodded.

'Thank you, senpai,' Yuki said from under the towel. She rubbed her hands together. 'Was it always so cold out here?'

'No… You're just imagining things. Go and warm up in the other room,' Tsubasa patted her shoulder. Yuki was more than happy to oblige and escaped into the resting room.

'Your game was very intriguing. I think it stands a good chance at winning at least one award,' Sakurano smiled.

Tsubasa chuckled. He yelled over his shoulder, 'Oi, Misaki! What's taking you so long?'

'Damn you, Tsubasa! You should be damn glad that I have a useful Alice or you're so dead for making me carry this all on my own!' Misaki yelled angrily as she and her doppelgangers carried the table into the open. She let it drop to the floor heavily and said, 'Here!'

'…?'

'Sakurano-senpai, you have to choose a lamp.'

'Ah… I'm sorry; I was just here to try out the game…'

'That's the conditions of the game!'

'But I have no intention of…'

'Senpai, please keep to the conditions of the game,' Tsubasa said. 'It clearly states that if you win the game, you have to keep the person whom you chose for the rest of the Alice Festival.' He shot the senior a look.

'Well then…' Sakurano picked up the lamp closest to him. It revealed to be…

3 Shirogane Yukiko 3

'…'

'Hey, looks like the one guarding the last station got chosen again.'

'No! I'm so not manning that station. It's cursed! I'll be the next to go!'

Tsubasa clapped the senpai's shoulder. 'Ah, you've got good luck. Yukiko-chan can make really good tea. Oi, Yuki! Change out!'

'…He chose me…?'

'Yup! Get ready in 5 minutes, ok?'

'… I got it, Tsubasa-senpai.'

'Good!'

(A short intervention…)

Exactly 5 minutes later…

'And how did it come to this?'

'But, it's protocol!'

'A leash, Tsubasa-senpai?'

'It is not…'

'Then what IS a collar attached to a leather string with a loop?'

'Tsubasa-kouhai, I'm afraid neither Shirogane-chan nor I would appreciate having a leash.'

'Oh darn…'

'Mikan-chan was hardly wearing a leash when she left…'

'Ok, ok. You're free to go. Don't you dare leave his side until 7pm sharp, ok?'

'… The toilet?'

'…'

'…You can go if necessary.'

'…Thank you.'

(End)

Sakurano stepped out exactly half an hour since he had stepped in with Yuki a few steps behind him. He looked around for his companions, who had mysteriously vanished.

'Hn…' Sakurano walked over to a tree and tore out the note that was pinned onto the trunk. He read the note swiftly.

Sakurano:

We're leaving to search for more nominees. Please head back to the meeting room at 4pm to discuss the nominees.

Imai Subaru, Vice president of Student Council

P.S. It seems like you're having some fun. Send my good luck to the one that was unfortunately chosen. It seems like that person will have to be kept by your side for the rest of the Festival, from what I've heard.

Sakurano glanced at his watch. It was only 2.30pm.

'Senpai?' Yuki tugged gently at his blazer.

'Shirogane-chan, we're going to the hospital. Do you mind?' Sakurano asked.

'To be honest, I'm sick of the smell. But if that's what you wish for, then that's fine by me,' Yuki grimaced at the mention of the disinfectant smell that haunted the hospital.

'Sorry, but I think your leg needs to be seen to,' he pointed to her leg. She fingered the new bandages that covered her thigh. 'What did you do to it?'

'I… think I kind of ripped the stitches when I was ducking your… approaches…'

'That must have hurt,' He commented.

'Oh, it's nothing. It just feels like someone ripped apart your muscles with his teeth,' Yuki replied nonchalantly. The senior blinked.

'Masochist. That just confirmed it,' he stated and tapped her shoulder. The next moment, they had teleported to the hospital.

4pm, Student Council Meeting Room…

KNOCK. Sakurano knocked on the door briefly before opening it and gently leading Yuki into the room with him. The occupants in the room looked up and nodded at the pair.

'Thank you for waiting,' he bowed.

Yuki bowed as well. 'Thank you for having me here. I'm sorry for any inconveniences that may have been caused by my presence.'

'It's alright. I heard you're good at preparing tea?' Imai Subaru shuffled the papers on the desk. He watched her nod once and nodded with satisfaction. 'If you'd please, busy yourself with preparing some tea for us while we discuss matters.'

Sakurano frowned slightly but didn't say a thing. Yuki bowed again and put on her necklace before leaving to the pantry in the adjacent room.

Sakurano sat down at the head of the table and waited until the door could be heard clicking shut before beginning. He cleared his throat and said, 'I'm sure you all are aware by now how Shirogane Yukiko's presence in this room came to be. Recently, the principals and higher-ups have been getting impatient in finding out who is the spy in the Academy and have thus decided to track some students' movements until they can be confirmed to be of no threat. Of all the students singled out, Shirogane Yukiko was one of them. When I approached the Special Abilities Class attraction this afternoon, Tsubasa Andou informed me of the impromptu plan to have Shirogane Yukiko followed.'

'He had her chained to you,' Shizune said. Sakurano nodded.

'I must say… Even though the Special Squad was arranged in under 20 hours, the members chosen are really impressive. For someone like Tsubasa Andou to come up with such a plan in a matter of seconds… not only is his Alice effective, he also has a good brain. There's a high chance that he'll be transferred to the DA Class,' Imai commented. There was some clenching of jaws but no one objected. They all knew very well that that was the truth.

'Excuse me…' There was a knock on the door and Yuki peeped in. 'May I come in?'

'Sure,' Sakurano smiled. Yuki smiled in return, the blue stone glittering in the soft light, and walked in with the tray. She set it down on the table and began pouring tea for everyone.

'It smells nice,' Shizune said, taking a sniff from the tea cup.

'Um… I'm only accustomed to preparing English Tea so… I hope it is to your liking,' Yuki bowed.

'It's great,' Sakurano complimented. Yuki bowed her head.

'Do you need me to do anything else? I can always wait in the pantry while you discuss matters,' She said.

Imai pushed up his glasses. 'I think that would be best. If you don't mind…'

'I understand,' she bowed again, turning to leave the room.

'Shirogane-chan!'

Yuki turned. 'Yes, Sakurano-senpai?'

'What do you… think of the Black Halloween's actions?' Sakurano asked, resulting in many glares and looks of confusion from the Student Council members.

'Hm…' She looked thoughtful. 'I don't really understand why they want to do such things… I'm not even sure if the rumors I've heard are true… that people have died… but I think, no matter what, they should not involve the children… because… no one deserves to have their childhood…'

'Stained by the ugly events of the past,' Imai supplied.

'Y…yes,' She said.

'I see…' Sakurano nodded and rested his head on his hands. 'You may go, Shirogane-chan.' Yuki bowed and left the room.

'Sakurano? What was the meaning of that?' Shizune demanded.

'To help make a decision, seeing as she is a student of the Academy,' Sakurano answered. 'Let's accept that meeting then. The meeting with the official from the Black Halloween.'

'Are you sure?'

'Yes. If we meet up, then we'll be able to find out more about their objectives. It'll be beneficial to us,' Sakurano said seriously. 'Any who oppose? Good, I shall report this decision to the High School Principal.'

That night, in Mikan's and Yuki's shared 1-star bedroom…

'Uwaaaah!' Mikan let out a long shout as she collapsed onto the bed. 'That darn Natsume, I'll kill him if he orders me around like a dog again!'

'Don't say things like killing so easily,' Yuki chided.

'Why? We use that term often, don't we?' Mikan said, curling into a ball.

Yuki waited until she untied her hair and removed the objects she had concealed in them before answering. 'We're being watched. By students, especially.'

'Watched?' Mikan's eyes narrowed. 'We're suspected?'

'More than just suspected. We're prime suspects. There is a special committee formed just to track the movements of suspects. Today, at the attraction, getting you and me with Hyuuga-kun and Sakurano-senpai was all part of the plan. They didn't have much of a choice, and neither did we, as all the lamps were filled with yours and my names.'

'They were?' Mikan's eyes widened. 'Then… what are you going to do? You have a plan to prevent us from being suspected? It could put a big stop to all arrangements if we get caught.'

'Yes. I have a plan to get them off my back but I'm not sure about yours,' Yuki fingered the three objects she had taken out of her hair. All were sleek black rectangular objects with a logo carved onto the lower part of the back side. The logo was a pair of black wings in the middle of a bright orange carved pumpkin. On the front side, a number pad and screen laid in sight. Mikan looked at them interestedly.

'Who gave you those?'

'Fellow agents in the Academy. Their identities may surprise you, so I shall refrain from telling you at the moment.'

'Eh, really?' Mikan said with an expression of disbelief.

Yuki smirked. 'Yes, really. There are some that I doubt you would even dream of becoming a secret agent for us. There are a few more in the Academy, I'm sure, but I have yet to receive their confirmation. These three are ones who approached me today in the attraction.'

Mikan looked thoughtful. 'Speaking of which… what of the next target?'

'Ah, that…' Yuki nodded. 'I received word today that someone is coming to the Academy for some meeting. So, to maintain the little peace we have, all missions have been cancelled for now. You're, literally, free to do whatever you please in this period. However, I would suggest that you use it to get the Academy off your back.'

'What are you going to do?'

'Mikan, we are very protective of our own, right?'

'Yes. With only the exception of traitors, we will do anything for the welfare of our own,' Mikan agreed with a smile. 'That's the only rule I like.'

Yuki smiled –a very sinister one that looked wrong on her. 'Then you wouldn't like the rule after I'm done exploiting its loophole.'

'What are you doing to do?'

'If protecting the welfare of the members means stabbing them fatally, would you do it?' Yuki asked.

'…What…?'

'It's simple. In the meeting set up by the higher-ups, they will explain our ideals and practices. Our little rule will be told to the Academy as well. So, if I was attacked by a member of the Black Halloween, then wouldn't they be convinced that I am NOT a member of them?' Yuki tapped her head. 'No, right? After all, we are protective of our own. We wouldn't do anything to outright harm our own. So I'll make use of this rule to get them off my back.'

'That's ingenious…' Mikan murmured. 'But who's going to do it?'

Yuki lifted one of the black rectangles. 'This one right here.'

Phew! I'm focusing more on Feathers of an Angel lately because I'm currently facing a MAJOR writer's block on Winter Serenade. I don't know why but when I'm facing the chapter I'm working on right now, I just draw a blank mind and I'll end up staring at it until I open this chapter and start typing away. So sorry to those who were waiting for an update on that end! I just find it incredibly easier to work on this fanfic at the moment.

Physics is KILLER. I know, and I embrace the fact that I'm using time meant for studying physics to do this chapter.

Special ONMAKE! Whoops!

After the meeting…

'Shirogane…?' Sakurano walked into the pantry and looked around for the girl. He spotted her sitting at a corner, facing the window. He walked up to her and looked outside to see the Academy students milling around and having fun at the Festival. He realized with a pang of guilt that the little girl in front of him had been deprived of enjoying the Festival which her peers were currently at.

'Senpai?'

'I'm sorry, Shirogane-chan, because of me, you are not able to enjoy the festival,' Sakurano said, a tinge of bitterness hanging at his words.

'No… I'm not that fond of Festivals. Even when Mikan-chan asked me to accompany her to the temple festivals, I never really enjoyed them much. I don't see what the big deal about festivals is…' Yuki said.

Sakurano dragged a chair up and sat with her at the window. 'Why?'

'Why?'

'Why don't you like festivals?'

'Why… huh?' Yuki fingered her hair. 'Maybe it's because… I understand that I can never see those pretty lights, the people celebrating so happily… The desire to know and see has turned into an emotion of hate and disgust.'

'I see…' He leaned back and glanced around. That's when he noticed that the pantry shelves were awfully high. He frowned and asked, 'By any chance, Shirogane-chan, how did you get the tea cups?'

'I jumped. Don't worry, nothing was damaged.'

'…What…?'

Yuki sniggered. 'Just joking. Did you think that I could jump and reach for a delicate set of tea cups that were positioned in a shelf more that was twice my height tall? I climbed onto the counter.'

'Oh.'

'I hate being short.'

'Most people do.'

'I don't really like people who are towering over me either.'

'That makes everyone then. Not everyone is a dwarf like you.'

'…That was insulting.'

'Was it? I beg your pardon.'

'Really… Who's the one who's going to graduate in a year or so?'

'…Who?'

'… … …'

'… … …'

'… … …'

'I'll bring you to the festival tomorrow. I've got inspection shift with Subaru.'

'Alright. Have a pleasant evening, Sakurano-senpai.'

'You too, Shirogane-chan.'

'Hey… Sakurano-senpai, why do you call me –chan instead of –kouhai?'

'Why indeed.'

'… … …'

'… … …'

'See you tomorrow, senpai.'

CLICK. The door closed.

End of Onmake…

A really pathetic attempt, in my opinion. I tried to bring back the humor in Yuki's height. It seems like it didn't go that well. Ah… never mind.