Chapter VII

Ushio sat in the swing, her breath forming a tiny vapor cloud. It was freezing, but she didn't mind it one bit. The party had died down a lot, most of the attendees having returned home. Ushio's parents had joined Akio and Sanae in the back for coffee, much to Akio's chagrin.

Ushio looked up at the sky. The winter stars were beautiful. They twinkled brightly, shimmering slightly through the clouds.

"Hime?" she asked.

"Hm?"

"Um, what's your Christmas wish?" she asked. She adjusted herself to better see him.

"Hm, if I tell you then it won't come true!" he said, waggling a finger teasingly.

"Oh, c'mon! I won't tell anybody! I swear!" Ushio insisted. Hajime chuckled.

"Oh, I suppose I could tell you."

Hajime stopped his swing. There was silence, except for the occasional car and rustle of tree branches. The wind gently rustled the pine needles in the trees. The park light buzzed above them, casting a long, flickering shadow.

"The truth is…" Hajime began. Ushio leaned in. "…my Christmas wish has already come true."

Ushio looked confused. Hajime smiled. It looked… sad.

"I just wanted to spend more time with my sweet Shio before…"

He looked away.

"Hime…"

Hajime cleared his throat and looked back at Ushio.

"Anyway, I told you mine, now you tell me yours!"

Ushio looked at the ground.

"I… wished that yours would come true."

Hajime chuckled and ruffled Ushio's hair.

"You're too sweet, Shio. You'll give me cavities!"

Hajime stood suddenly, taking Ushio by the arm.

"W-what are you doing?" Ushio cried out.

"Let's dance!"

Ushio stared at him dumbly.

"What?"

"Dance with me, Ushio!" he said, smiling broadly. He was serious. Ushio looked away.

"But… there's no music."

Hajime laughed.

"We don't music. The music comes from here." He placed a finger on Ushio's heart. She blushed again.

"God, you are so corny, you know that?" she said. Hajime laughed again, causing Ushio to smile. He really was corny, though that was what Ushio loved about him. He was dorky, and he embraced it, wearing it like a badge of honor. He was loud, carefree, dorky, funny… cute. But most of all, he was honest and gentle. He was oh so gentle, especially with Ushio. Like she was a China doll he feared to break.

In a way, she was. She was his delicate China doll, a lotus that had only just blossomed. All of this ran through her mind as he gently put his hand in hers, wrapping his gloved fingers around her small ones. The size difference was incredible. He pushed nearly 6 feet to her barely 5'3. She blushed again.

They twirled slowly under the spotlight, dancing to the ball with no music, a note-less serenade, an orchestra with no instruments. Somehow, it was more beautiful than any actual ball. Ushio wouldn't trade it for the world.

A white flake appeared on Hajime's nose. Snow. It was snowing! Ushio breathed in wonder and Hajime spun her. She had never been happier. Ushio giggled as Hajime twirled her around in the snowfall. Suddenly, she doubled over, coughing violently. She sank to her knees, her body racked in coughs, Hajime supporting her.

"Ushio, what's wrong?" he inquired, worry etched on his face.

Ushio looked up at him once her coughing fit had subsided.

"I'm alright now. It happens sometimes." She took Hajime's hand and stood. "Let's go back inside."

Hajime looked at her. "Yeah…"

A/N: This will be the last chapter for the next several days to a week. This is as far as I have gotten in terms of finished work. I still have to do rewrites and edits for the next several chapters, so please remain patient. Your support is much appreciated. Please remember to drop reviews for the current chapters!