As I danced with Mikhail, still worrying about his declaration that he'd even give up music if that was what it took to win my heart, my reverie was suddenly interrupted when a voice behind me said, "May I cut in?" I jumped slightly, startled, and turned to see Kana standing there, scowling at Mikhail.
Mikhail glared back, saying, "No, you may not. I'm sorry, but the lady is with me. Find another partner." Then he turned his back to him and pulled me around and away from him, as Kana stared at him, furious.
He grabbed Mikhail by the shoulder and spun him around, growling, "I think you and I need to have a talk. Now. Outside."
Mikhail gave him a long look, anger darkening his ice blue eyes to steel. He nodded curtly, turned and kissed my hand, saying, "Please wait here, Alice. I'll be back in a moment," and strode out the door, Kana close behind him.
I was dumbstruck for a minute, then looking around in a panic, I spotted Reina's uncle, Mako, deep in conversation with Ina. I ran up to them, crying, "Mako! Please! Kana and Mikhail just went outside—they're furious with each other, and I'm afraid they're going to fight!" Mako and Ina turned startled faces to me, then looked at each other. "Please, Mako! I don't want either of them to get hurt! What if Mikhail injures his hand—it might affect his ability to play!"
I was in tears by this time, and frustrated by his slow response, I grabbed his arm and started to tug and pull on him, trying to get him to follow me out the door. He laid a hand on my arm, saying, "Take it easy, missy. So, you think they're planning to fight? Well, it's what men do sometimes. And sometimes a man has to take a stand to protect what's important to him. So let them be. It might not be as bad as you fear. And besides, I've seen how young Mikhail moves—like a wild cat, he is. I wouldn't be surprised if behind that pretty face of his, he has a surprise or two."
I looked at him in shock, barely comprehending that he was refusing to try to stop them. Then with a sob, I turned and raced out the door, determined to do what I could. "Damn their pride," I thought to myself. "I couldn't bear it if either of them was hurt, especially over something so stupid!"
I burst out into the frosty night air, and looking frantically around, I heard voices coming from somewhere north of the town hall. I ran up the road, following the sound of voices—or what I could hear of them over the pounding of my heart. I found them facing off just outside of the town gates. Kana was shouting something about Mikhail not owning me, while Mikhail just stood calmly and let Kana rant.
Just as I reached the gates, Kana hauled off and punched Mikhail right in the face... except that when his fist arrived, Mikhail was no longer there. With a gasp of surprise, I watched as Mikhail easily slid under Kana's blow, slipped to one side, and so swiftly I could barely see him, he grabbed Kana's arm, twisted it back, and flipped him over and flat onto his face. He stepped back, still wordless, not noticing me standing at the gates as I stared at them in fascinated shock.
After a moment, Kana struggled up, groaning and gasping for air. He knelt there, trying to catch the breath that had been knocked from his body. Then he stood, even angrier than before, and charged at Mikhail, apparently intending to tackle him to the ground. Again, Mikhail eluded him, this time crouching low and sweeping his leg under Kana, knocking his legs out from under him and sending him crashing to the ground on his side. Kana bellowed as he landed, his arm twisting strangely underneath him. I darted over to him, screaming at them to stop it. Mikhail stepped back in surprise at my sudden appearance; Kana lay on the ground, grimacing and swearing profusely, oblivious to my presence at first.
I helped him to sit up, and when I saw his arm hanging at an unnatural angle, I knew he'd broken it, possibly really badly. "But," I thought, tears springing to my eyes, "it could have been so much worse." I turned to Mikhail, saying, "Quick, get Dr. Ayame!" Mikhail nodded and ran back towards the hall to find the doctor. Meanwhile, I held Kana in my arms, trying to keep him still for fear he'd cause more damage by moving. "Oh, Kana," I said in exasperation mingled with relief. "What am I going to do with you?"
