A/N: I found some time during my vacation to give this one a good head start. Beware though I may be updating slowly, based upon how much work ended up on my desk while I was gone. Pray to Maria-sama that it is light and I have time to work this through. This is my first 'official' Sachiko x Yumi Fiction. I hope you like it. Please R & R. PM's welcome also..

(This fiction is based on the characters and settings created by Oyuki Konno)

Fukuzawa Yumi stared down into the teacup the waiter just brought over. It was her second. She had been decidedly early for her meeting, because she couldn't stand the thought of the consequences for being late. While she was waiting, she thought of the busy three years she had after graduating from Lillian Academy.

'I'll be graduating college next week,' she mused while waiting for her party to arrive. 'It was a lot of hard work but it was worth it to be graduating Lillian University with Sachiko. A lot has happened in the last three years.' She smiled remembering that party three years ago.

**** FLASHBACK ****

They were upstairs in the meeting room of the Rose Mansion, celebrating the graduation of the three departing Roses. The past and future Roses were all in attendance. Yumi sidled over to Sachiko. "Hi Onee-sama." she said.

"Congratulations, Yumi." the older girl said smiling. "I'm so proud of you!" Sachiko added putting her arms around the younger girl.

"Thank you onee-sama." Yumi responded smiling. "Can we talk privately for a moment?" the pig-tailed girl asked, taking Sachiko's hand and leading her out into the hallway.

When they got to the hallway, Sachiko, noticing the nervousness of her petit soeur asked "What's wrong, Yumi?"

"Nothing, onee-sama, I just have something to say to you, so please bear with me and be patient until I finish." Yumi started as she took a deep breath preparing to continue. "When I first saw you, in my first year here, I was a Sachiko fan. I admired you, thinking that you would never notice a nobody like me. Then circumstances spiraled out of control, and I was given the opportunity to get to know you, to see a little more of who you were. My feelings changed from admiration to adoration. I was thrilled when I became your petit soeur. I wanted to be the best soeur to you. I watched, and listened, and learned from you. Through all this we became even closer. We laughed, cried and shared ourselves. Over time you became the center of my world. The first person I think about when I wake up in the morning and the the last person I think about when I go to sleep at night. I love you Sachiko, with everything that I have. I'm in love with you." Yumi finished and looked at Sachiko with worry in her eyes.

Sachiko gazed at her petit soeur, with warmth in her sapphire blue eyes. "Yumi, my how you have changed," the older girl said lovingly. "You are no longer the timid little girl I met three years ago. The student has surpassed the master." Sachiko smiled as she approached Yumi, taking the younger girls hands in her own. "You are far braver than I ever could be, by stating the feelings that I never could. I have wanted to, but I've been so afraid that you'd reject my love, and I couldn't bear to lose you. I am in love with you too, my Yumi." The older girl stated as she cupped Yumi's cheek in her hand, and leaned over to plant a kiss on the younger girls lips.

The kiss was returned with passion. Kissing each other deeply the two girls embraced, sharing the love they felt for each other. After what seemed like an eternity to the girls, they broke apart breathless. "We'd better get back before we're missed" Sachiko said as she led Yumi back to the party.

**** END FLASHBACK ****

Yumi was drawn out of her reverie, when she heard her name called. "Yumi-chan."

Yumi looked up to see the person she was waiting for. "Suguru-san, thank you for meeting me. Please have a seat." Yumi said and pointed to the empty seat across the table from her.

The handsome man pulled the chair out and sat himself down. "I am always happy for a chance to see the adorable, cute, Yumi-chan. However I am a bit perplexed as to why Yumi-chan sought out my company." Suguru said in sugared tones.

"Cut the crap, Suguru-san." Yumi shot back. "What else would I have asked you here to discuss."

Suguru calmed down and he became serious. "It's about Sa-chan, what's wrong?"

"Nothing really." Yumi answered, "Except for the fact that a month after she graduates, she is going to be stuck in a loveless marriage."

"Ah, so this is about the wedding." Suguru confirmed.

"Yes, and I am asking you to call of the engagement." Yumi requested.

"But Yumi-chan, this engagement has been set in stone for years. It was arranged by the family since Sa-chan and I were children. If I were to cancel it now, I would be disowned and exiled, without a name or a penny," Suguru responded. "The only person who would have any chance if breaking it would be Sa-chan herself."

"I know you care for her, in your own way." Yumi said. "Wouldn't it be in her best interests to be free, rather than stuck in the prison of an unfulfilling life? Surely you can do something, convince her even"

Suguru sighed, "Even if I could convince her, she would never be brave enough to go against her father or grandfather. If anyone could do that though, you could."

"Eh." Yumi exclaimed, puzzled.

"Yes you, Yumi-chan." Suguru affirmed. "I have seen her do things for you, I never would have thought she'd have the courage to do. You are Sa-chan's strength. Have faith in yourself."

"I'll have to think on that Suguru-san. Thank you for your time." Yumi said as she left bills on the table and left the cafe.