Chapter 12: War and Peace

Excited about having another triple axel lesson with Mikhail, Yume headed down to the practice rink about fifteen minutes before nine, the appointed time. Mikhail wasn't there yet, so Yume laced up her skates and did a few laps around the ice to warm up while she waited. Her teacher arrived a few minutes later.

"You're early," he said, taking a seat on the bleachers to switch into his skates.

Yume glided over and came to a stop in front of him. "I thought warming up earlier would give us more time to work on the axel," she explained. "By the way, I want you to know how much I appreciate you doing this for me. I'm guessing giving me triple axel lessons isn't on the top of your list of fun ways to spend your free time."

He shrugged his shoulders. "It's fine. I don't mind." Mikhail took off his skate guards and joined her on the ice. "Do a series of five consecutive double axels around the ice," he ordered Yume. "If you fall, two-foot, or pop a jump, start over from the beginning."

"Double axels?"

"I want to study your technique on the double first. Now, go."

Doing as she was told, Yume did a lap around the rink to build up speed, then launched herself into the double axel series. Although double axels were a relatively consistent jump for her, she had to start over three times before she was able to do all five jumps cleanly in a roll. Yume glanced over at Mikhail once she had finished the fifth double axel and saw him rubbing at his chin. She frowned.

"Did I do something wrong?" she asked, skating over to him. "I didn't under-rotate any of those jumps, did I?"

"No, they were excellent," - that was the first time Mikhail had ever complimented her on her skating, and Yume grinned, pleased with herself - "but you were a little slow in the air again. It's a problem I've noticed with all your individual jumps."

Her smile fell, her pride deflated like an escaped balloon. "But I completed the rotations, right? I didn't cheat any of the landings."

"Well, yes. You do tend to get nice height on your jumps, which usually gives you enough time to finish the rotations before touching the ice despite your slow turns, but if you want to consistently perform a triple axel, you're going to have to increase the speed of your spin in the air. It will help on your twists as well, I think." Recently, they had begun attempting the split triple twist, but Yume usually collided with him on the landing due to not finishing the third rotation in the air.

"I see, but how do I do that?"

Mikhail came up behind her, and to Yume's surprise, grabbed her wrists. "You need to make yourself more compact in the air," he said into her ear, moving her arms to demonstrate what he meant. "Really pull your arms to your chest when you go up into a jump. It will make you more - what's the English word?"

"Um, aerodynamic?" Yume suggested, a light blush coloring her cheeks at Mikhail's proximity. The way he was holding her arms against her breasts was almost like a lover's embrace.

"Yes, right." He let go of her hands and coughed into his fist. "Try it that way."

"The double axels again?"

Mikhail nodded. "But make it ten this time."

She nodded and began performing the ten double axels, taking Mikhail's advice about her arms into account. She noticed an improvement almost immediately in the air, but spinning faster threw off her timing on the landings. It took Yume several attempts before she was able to perform all ten axels in a row without falling or two-footing the landing, and by the time she had completed the challenge, she was utterly exhausted. After the last jump, she collapsed on the ice and rolled over on her back.

Mikhail skated over. "Yume, are you okay?" he asked, actually sounding somewhat concerned.

Yume laughed. "I'm fine," she assured him, throwing an arm over her eyes. If the ice wasn't so cold, she would be tempted to fall asleep right then and there. "Just tired, that's all. Those axels took a lot out of me."

"If that's all, get up." The coldness was back in his voice.

"What?" She brought her arm back down and stared up at Mikhail, who loomed over her, arms crossed over his chest. "You can't be serious."

"Do you want to learn the triple axel or not?"

"Of course I do," she said, standing back up and brushing the ice shards off her clothes. "But it's after ten, and it's been a long day of classes and practices. Haven't we done enough for one night?"

"You haven't even attempted a single triple axel tonight," he pointed out, holding up three fingers. "Three. Land three triple axels, and I'll dismiss practice."

Yume's eyes widened. "In a row?"

"No, just land three of them. They don't even have to be perfect landings. Just stay on your feet."

Well, at least he's not totally unreasonable, Yume thought with a roll of her eyes, skating off. But asking her to land three triple axels after pushing her near the brink of exhaustion was still bordering on the impossible - and the sadistic.

Indeed, she popped her first attempt, not even managing to do a single. The second one wasn't much better. The third she managed to land, just barely. She fell hard on the fourth try and popped again on the fifth. The sixth was a total disaster, followed by a surprisingly good landing on the seventh. It wasn't until the twelfth attempt that she managed to land the third and final triple axel.

"I did it!" Yume shouted triumphantly, pumping her fists in the air as she did a victory lap around the rink.

She even noticed a small smile on Mikhail's lips, though he was quick to make it disappear when he saw her glancing over at him. "Those were adequate," he said, handing Yume her skates guards as they exited the ice. "You still need a lot of work, though."

Yume refused to let him bring her down. They may not have been the prettiest jumps, but she still considered it a victory. "Three out of twelve is a twenty-five percent success rate. I think that's pretty good considering how tired I am."

"If you're satisfied with that, you're never going to master the jump."

"Well, Mr. Big Shot, if you're so cocky, let's see you land twelve triple axels in a row," she said without thinking.

Mikhail, after taking a moment to consider the idea, wordlessly turned around and stepped back out onto the ice.

"Wait, you're actually going to do it? Are you insane?"

"I never could resist a challenge," Mikhail called out as he began skating around the rink. "Watch this!"

Yume shook her head in disbelief, but stood at the boards to watch in absolute awe as Mikhail proceeded to perform the twelve axel sequence. Not all of them were perfect - near the end, she could tell he was losing some energy - yet he landed all twelve of them without fail. The last jump he did right in front of her, and as he skated back over to Yume, he gave a little shrug as if to say it was no big deal.

"Okay, so I still have a long way to go," she admitted, impressed by his athletic feat, "but one day I'm going to be just as good as you are. Just watch me, Mikhail Vladimirov!"

"I'll be looking forward to that," he said, waving back at her over his shoulder as he left the rink. "See you tomorrow."

"Oh, hey, Zoe, Becca."

The next day, Yume was the first of the skaters to arrive at the cafeteria for lunch. A nervous-looking Zoe and Becca were already there, waiting at the skaters' usual table. Becca was sitting in the seat to Zoe's left, so Yume took the one on the right, giving the two newcomers a welcoming smile.

"I'm so glad you guys came," Yume said.

"Are you sure this is okay, Yume?" Becca asked. "The rest of your friends aren't just going to skip lunch to avoid hanging out with me and Zoe, are they?"

"Of course not. They're all really nice girls. I'm sure you'll like them." Spotting Pilar and Elizaveta coming from the lunch line, Yume waved them over. "In fact, here they come now."

"Oh, hey, so you must be Zoe and Rebecca," Pilar said, grinning as she sat down in front of Zoe and offered her hand. "Welcome! We've never officially met, have we? I'm Pilar, and this is Elizaveta, although we usually call her Liza. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, too, Pilar," Zoe said, looking a little more relaxed. "Actually, Becca and I already know Elizaveta a little." She smiled at the blonde. "She's in our aerobics class, right?"

Elizaveta nodded. "Thank you for loaning me that dollar the other day, by the way. I should pay you back…"

She reached for her wallet, but Zoe shook her head. "Don't worry about it. I already told you buying you that bottle of water was my treat. I was happy to help."

Yume glanced around the cafeteria, searching for the last member of their group. "Where's Clarissa?" she asked Pilar. "Wasn't she with you two?"

Pilar shrugged. "She was, but she decided to slip into the bathroom to freshen up on the way here. She said she would catch up with us later. I'm sure she'll be here in a couple of minutes."

Yume frowned. Despite what she had told Becca, she wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Clarissa had planned to skip lunch in order to avoid talking to Zoe. She was about to excuse herself to go look for Clarissa when the redhead exited the lunch line with a tray of food.

Instead of joining the rest of them, Clarissa chose a seat at an empty table about twenty feet away from them. Though her back was turned, Yume knew she had to have seen them. "That girl!" Yume muttered under her breath.

She started to stand, intending to give Clarissa a piece of her mind, but Zoe placed a hand on Yume's arm, stopping her. "Let me talk to her, Yume," Zoe said, standing up and grabbing her tray.

"Wait, I'll go with you," Becca offered.

"No, you stay here, Becca. This is between me and Clarissa. Besides, I'd rather talk to her in private."

"But -"

"I'll be fine."

Zoe walked over to Clarissa's table and took the seat across from her. For a long moment, neither of them said much of anything, but eventually they began to talk.

"Man, I wish we we're sitting closer," Pilar said, turned around in her chair. "I can't hear a thing!"

"Pilar, it's not polite to eavesdrop," Elizaveta said. "Turn around and eat your lunch."

"But aren't you curious?"

"Not really. It's none of our business."

"Oh, you're no fun," Pilar grumbled, though she turned back around. "And here I was, looking forward to some serious fireworks."

"They seem to be getting along fine to me," Yume said, glancing over at the table where they sat. She could only see Zoe's face clearly, but she looked calm and composed.

A sigh of relief escaped Becca's lips. "I'm glad. I hope they can work things out."

"You were really worried about her, weren't you?"

"Well, I've always been kind of Zoe's protector," Becca confessed. "About a year ago, she got on the bad side of one of the most popular girls at our school because apparently the girl's boyfriend had a thing for Zoe. The girl and her clique started spreading around a lot of nasty rumors about her, like that she slept with guys for money and that she was having an affair with one of our teachers. None of it was true, of course, but it made Zoe's life a living hell. That's why when I graduated early, she decided to drop out, earn her GED, and join Kaleido Stage. She hoped by adopting a new name, she would have a fresh start here, but ever since Dominique Fontenot spilled the beans about who Zoe's parents are, she's been just as much an outcast here as she was in high school."

"Wait, it was Dominique who told everybody that Zoe was Kalos' and Sarah's daughter?" Pilar asked. She rolled her eyes. "Why am I not surprised?"

"I have no concrete proof that she was the one who started it, but the rumor did seem to begin right after Dominique overheard Zoe calling the boss 'Daddy'. It seems Dominique really hates those she feel get ahead solely due to family connections." Becca looked over at Yume. "I think that's part of the reason why Zoe sought out your friendship, Yume. She thought you would understand, since you're Sora's little sister."

"I had no idea." Yume tended to avoid Dominique outside of practice. It was clear that they were never going to be friends, so she didn't see the point in aggravating herself by trying to be friendly toward the rude French skater.

"Has she been saying things about Yume, too?" Pilar demanded to know, dark eyes darting around the cafeteria in search of Dominique. "I have half a mind to punch the daylights out of that French bitch!"

"Pilar, no." Elizaveta pulled Pilar back down when she started to rise from her seat. "Do you want Mr. Eido to fire you?"

"Elizaveta's right," Becca agreed, "but I can't say the thought hasn't crossed my mind a couple of times myself. My dad would kill me if I got into a fistfight, though. He's a cop, so he means business."

"So we do nothing?" Pilar asked, arms crossed over her chest. She muttered something in Spanish that Yume couldn't understand, but she got the distinct impression that it wasn't very nice.

"Just ignore her, Pilar," Yume said. "The others are right. It's not worth it to stir up trouble with Dominique."

"But Yume -"

By then, Zoe and Clarissa had finished their talk and came back over to the table. To everybody's surprise, the two of them were actually laughing as they sat down to join them.

"Well, I guess you two worked things out," Pilar said, looking somewhat disappointed. "That was anti-climatic."

Clarissa arched an eyebrow. "Were you expecting us to have a catfight right here in the middle of the cafeteria?"

"Actually, I kind of was."

"Pilar, you watch too many soap operas," Clarissa said, rolling her eyes in exasperation. "We had a nice talk, and I just realized how immature it was to hold a grudge against Zoe when she has absolutely no interest at all in Jason. It's not her fault that he's interested in her."

"That's exactly what I've been telling you!" Yume reminded her.

"I know, but I guess I just needed to hear it from Zoe herself to believe it." Clarissa shrugged. "Anyway, I've already apologized to Zoe, but sorry I ignored you guys earlier. I was being petty and mean."

"It's okay, Clarissa. I probably shouldn't have tried to force you and Zoe together like that anyway when I knew how you felt."

"No, it's good that you did, Yume. Really. I was being totally unfair."

"I'm just happy that we managed to clear the air," Zoe said. "It's also been really nice to meet you all."

"Yeah," Becca agreed. "Thanks for inviting us, Yume."

Yume smiled, pleased that everything had worked out between Zoe and Clarissa. If only things could be so easy to fix with Dominique… But Yume had a feeling that would be asking for too much.

Yume, Clarissa, and Pilar had a ballet lesson after lunch, so the three of them said their goodbyes to the others and headed to the dance studio.

"So are things really okay between you and Zoe now, Clarissa?" Yume asked once they were out of earshot. "You weren't just faking?"

"Yeah, we're fine," Clarissa said. "I don't see us becoming the best of friends or anything like that, but I don't mind hanging out with her and Becca if that's what you want. They seem like nice enough girls, and I really was being silly about the Jason thing. Zoe even agreed to talk me up to Jason whenever she gets the chance."

"I'm glad."

"This thing with Dominique is still pissing me off, though," Pilar said, hands clenched at her side.

"What thing with Dominique? What has she done now?" Clarissa asked, confused.

"Oh, that's right, you weren't there. While you and Zoe were having your little peace summit, Becca told us that Dominique was the one behind everybody finding out who Zoe's parents are. She's also been saying things about Yume, apparently."

"Pilar, just forget about it," Yume told her. "I don't really care if Dominique has been spreading rumors about me. You guys know the truth. That's all that matters to me."

"What about Zoe, then? You heard what Becca said. Because of Dominique, everybody thinks the only reason why Zoe was allowed to join Kaleido Stage is because of her father. She's become an outcast."

Yume frowned. She had to admit that she hated what Dominique had done to Zoe. She could handle the rumors - she'd been preparing herself for the possibility ever since she was named Mikhail's new partner, considering how inexperienced she was - but Zoe had been trying to create a new life for herself at Kaleido Stage until Dominique ruined things for her.

"There has to be something we can do to get back at her," Pilar continued, punching her fist against the palm of her other hand. "Nobody hurts my friends and gets away with it. Besides, I'm still annoyed at how she tried to convince Coach Wong to partner her with Sergei."

"We already told you that punching her will just get you fired," Yume reminded her as they sat down to put on their ballet slippers.

"I'm sure Zoe could put in a good word for me with Kalos. He wouldn't fire me if he knew I was defending his daughter's honor."

"Then Dominique will just start spreading rumors about you," Clarissa pointed out. "I'm with Yume. I think the best course of action is to ignore her. After a while, people will realize Yume's and Zoe's talent and nobody will care who they're related to."

"Maybe so, but I still say she deserves to be put in her place. Who is she to get so uppity about who gets hired here at Kaleido Stage, anyway? It's not like she's some big-time star herself. People like that make me so… Arrgh!"

"We get the picture." Clarissa stood up and held out her hand to Pilar, who had just finished tying her shoes. "Come on, let's go start our barre exercises. Maybe you can work out some of that pent-up aggression. Yume, come join us when you're finished."

The two left, leaving Yume on her own. Yume quickly finished tying her ballet shoes and was about to join her friends at the barre when none other than Dominique herself walked over. She let out a sigh, wondering what the French skater wanted.

"I saw you had some…interesting company today at lunch, Yume," Dominique said, arms crossed over her chest. "I didn't realize you were such good friends with Zoe Alex- I mean, Zoe Eido, although I can't say that I'm surprised. You two have so much in common, after all."

"I don't believe it is any of your business who my friends are," Yume said, retying her shoe to avoid looking up at Dominique.

Dominique flipped her ponytail over her shoulder. "I only mention it out of concern for you, mon amie. You are aware there's been some gossip going around that you were only given a contract with Kaleido Stage due to your sister's connections?"

Gee, I wonder who started that rumor, Yume thought to herself. "So?"

"So, if you ask me, it doesn't help your case any for people to see you acting so chummy with the boss' daughter."

"Well, I wasn't asking you," she said, rising to her feet. "Now, if you will excuse me…"

"Honestly, I try to be nice and offer you some friendly advice, and this is how you react? I knew I shouldn't have bothered."

"What is your problem, Dominique?" Yume demanded to know, eyes narrowed as she turned back around. "What has Zoe ever done to you? Tell me. I can understand you not liking me, but why pick on her? Are you such a pathetic loser that the only way you can feel good about yourself is by putting down others?"

Yume instantly regretted her choice of words upon seeing the flash of hurt that flickered in Dominique's eyes.

"I don't have to listen to this," Dominique said, pivoting on her heel. "Do what you want. It's not like I care about your stupid reputation."

"Dominique, wait -"

But Dominique had already walked away. Deciding it best just to let her be for the moment, Yume sighed and joined Clarissa and Pilar at the barre on the other side of the studio. "What in the world did she want?" Pilar asked the moment Yume came over.

"Nothing important."

"It sure didn't look that way to me. Come on, Dominique's not the type of person to just say a friendly 'hello'. She approached you for a reason."

"Things did look a little tense between you two," Clarissa commented. "Was it something about Zoe again?"

"She warned me against being friends with Zoe," Yume admitted after a pause, knowing that Pilar, at least, wouldn't let up until she knew the whole story. "She told me that being friends with the boss' daughter would just feed into the gossip about me only being contracted at Kaleido Stage because of my connections."

"And who's the one who has been spreading that stupid rumor around?" Pilar scoffed, echoing Yume's earlier thought. "That girl has some gall. I hope you told her where she could stick her 'advice'!"

Well, I tried, but…" Her voice trailed off, remembering the pained look on Dominique's face. Something she had said had definitely hit a nerve with Dominique.

"You're too nice for your own good, Yume. If you keep letting Dominique get away with stunts like this, she's going to keep walking all over you. I'm telling you, something has to be done about her."

"Like what?" Clarissa asked. "Are you going to try to get her fired?"

"Well, I certainly wouldn't mind if Dominique got the boot," Pilar said, "but losing her would be a setback for the show. As much as I hate to admit it, the girl is probably the best female skater here - at least when it comes to her jump ability. I remember competing against her when we were amateurs. She almost never fell. It was her partner's mistakes that always kept them down in the standings, but she skated with her brother, so it wasn't like she could dump him for somebody better without causing a family feud or something."

"But they're not skating together now," Yume pointed out. "If her brother decided to quit skating, then why didn't she try to find another partner to compete with?"

Pilar shrugged. "Yeah, I don't really get it either. Maybe she just couldn't find anybody willing to put up with her rotten personality for another four years until the next Olympics." She burst out laughing. "I could certainly believe that!"

Around them, several of the other girls turned to stare at Pilar, including Dominique, who seemed to sense that she was the topic of their conversation. Upon catching Yume's eye, the French skater quickly looked away, turning her attention back to her barre exercises.

"Mademoiselle Santos, is there something you would like to share with the class?" their instructor asked from the front of the studio. "What is so amusing over there?"

Pilar settled back down, wiping away a few tears of laughter from her cheeks. "Nothing!" she called out. "Sorry, don't mind me. First position, everybody!"

"Thank you, but I'll be giving the instructions around here, if you don't mind," he said, none too amused. "First position, mademoiselles!"

As the rest of the class erupted into giggles, Yume glanced over at a stoic Dominique, wondering if there was more to the unfriendly French skater than met the eye.

DISCLAIMER: Kaleido Star doesn't belong to me.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Sorry it has been a while since I last updated this story. I've been experiencing a severe case of writer's block with this fic which doesn't seem to be letting up any time soon, so updates may continue to be a little sporadic for a while. I will eventually finish this story, though, not to worry. I have no plans to abandon it. In the meantime, I have a couple of new KS story ideas in the works, so I hope you will enjoy those whenever they are published.