A/N: So instead of writing my other fanfiction "The Apocalypse" I've buried myself in this new idea and when I'm not writing… I'm procrastinating, doing assignments, going out… you get the picture. Anyway, I'm sorry for my delay on 'The Apocalypse' but I just had to post this one while I continue to find a way out of the dead end I've reached with my other story. Hope you enjoy it!

Warnings: This story WILL contain sexual content, graphic depictions of sexual acts between two women AND mentions of rape and trauma. You've been warned.

Disclaimer: I, unfortunately, do not own Sasameki Koto and all its characters.

In a cozy, one room apartment along the outskirts of Tokyo city, 2 women were snuggled against each other, completely naked and tangled with the bed sheets of their King sized bed. Brilliant rays of warm sunlight spilled in from between the heavy drapes, landing squarely on a dark-haired woman's face.

She shifted and groaned in her sleep, pulling the other woman closer to her protectively. But as the sun raised higher outside, more glimmers poured in and warmed the chilly morning air.

Sumika mumbled something incoherent as she rose to consciousness. The first thing she became aware of was the soft, familiar body pressed against hers and she buried her face deeper into scented, silky blonde hair with an oversized grin.

The woman in her arms planted her lips against Sumika's collarbones, earning a shiver in response and her lips twitched upwards before mumbling a soft, "Good morning, Sumi-chan."

Sumika reluctantly released her warm grip on the other woman and yawned, "Mornin' Kazama." she said while stretching her arms over her head.

She laid flat on her back with her lover's head resting on her bare chest. Then, she felt something hard touch her skin and looked down to see a sparkling, silver chain around Ushio's neck with 2 pendants dangling from it. One was a heart shaped pendant with the initials M.S. engraved on it and the other was the first ever jewellery Sumika had bought for Ushio. It was a simple, silver plated key that meant more to them than you could ever imagine.

"It's Friday today right?" Ushio whispered against Sumika's skin, her eyes remained closed.

"Yeah. The deadline for my report's today." Sumika sighed, her hand thoughtlessly stroking smooth, blonde tresses as she went through her mental list of things she had to do today when something caught her attention, "We also have a reservation at that seafood restaurant tonight at 7, I almost forgot!"

"Tonight?" Ushio propped herself on an elbow, "But if you're busy with work, we can always postpone it."

Sumika didn't miss the look that passed Ushio's eyes and with lightning fast speed, she turned them both over so that she was hovering over Ushio, her own necklace bearing a similar heart-shaped pendant as Ushio's, dangled between them, just that Sumika's had the initials K.U. carved into it, "I've already promised you a million times, Kazama. I will never let my work interrupt any plans I've made with you. Never again. That one time was a mistake, I was completely focused on earning that promotion that I forgot about our dinner date, and I'm truly sorry."

Ushio smiled, her hand reaching up to stroke Sumika's cheek, "I know, I know. I'm sorry for bringing it up, but I just want you to know that I completely understand if you need to work overtime to finish up your report. I know how hard you've been working on that project, it'll be horrible if you don't make the deadline."

Sumika dove down to capture lips she didn't think she would ever get enough of and felt her entire body's temperature increase rapidly. Her heart pounded in her chest, her mind went blank and as Ushio's lips parted and Sumika's tongue plunged into the cavern of sweetness, she felt electricity jolt down her spine, straight towards the area between her legs.

She trembled when Ushio's fingers danced against the middle of her spine - a very sensitive area Ushio had discovered during their years as a couple.

In response, Sumika's fingers ghosted a trail up and down Ushio's body while her other hand tenderly touched Ushio's breast. Ushio gasped at Sumika's bold touch and broke the kiss to catch her breath.

Sumika chuckled, a deep rumble in her raspy morning voice, and looked at Ushio with eyes full of desire, passion and most importantly, love. She loved Ushio to bits, that much was clear, in fact, for many months now, Sumika has been thinking about taking their relationship to the next stage: marriage.

But as she gazed lovingly into bronze orbs, completely devoting her heart and soul to this woman lying below her, she couldn't help but be reminded of the hesitation she had once seen in Ushio's eyes. And that hesitation, as fleeting as it was, made her feel as if there was some thing between them. Something so small and insignificant, yet capable of destroying every thing they had worked so hard to earn.

Sumika's only seen that look once, but the whole memory was burned into her mind. After all, it was during the very first time they made love to each other.

"Have I ever told you that when you look at me like that, it makes me want to keep you in bed all day long?" Ushio whispered mischievously, her arms draped loosely around Sumika's neck.

"Just about every morning." Sumika grinned, lowering herself to peck Ushio on the lips, feeling the very familiar electric shocks dancing across her spine as if it were their first kiss. Deepening the kiss by stroking Ushio's parted lips with her tongue, Sumika abruptly broke off and leaped off the bed, "Don't even try coming in while I'm showering!"

On the bed, Ushio laughed wholeheartedly. This was their weekday morning ritual.

They'd wake up, some times in their pajamas, other times butt naked, share a few kisses and just as Sumika feels her self-control is about to snap, she'd run to the bathroom to kick start their day.

Ushio used to love teasing Sumika, she still does, but after Sumika lost 2 jobs because of her horrible punctuality and attendance, she had sat Ushio down and, making sure to stay on the other side of the room, told Ushio that she had to earn money to make sure they had an easy life without ever having to worry about financial issues.

Ushio had agreed readily, never having the intention of causing Sumika to get fired twice.

So as Ushio lay in bed, listening to the sound of the rushing water coming from the only bathroom in their home, she thought back to the beginning of their magical life together.

FLASHBACK BEGIN

Ushio at the age of 21, had graduated from a local university nearby her grandmother's house and was still living with her healthy grandmother.

Every day was a routine to her. She did the chores, she went to her part-time work, she went grocery shopping once every week, she went to the market with her grandmother every Sunday, she cleaned up after her grandmother.

It wasn't tough or any thing, but every day, she would think about her beloved best friend and recall the sweet kisses they had shared on their graduation day all those years ago.

"Ushio."

"Yes grandma?" Ushio called from the kitchen.

"You have a guest." came the reply.

"What're you saying, grandma, I didn't hear the doorbell." Ushio said, going back to her cooking.

She could hear muffled voices coming from the other room so she knew there indeed was a guest, but what she didn't expect, was to see the person she had been dreaming of every night since she came to live with her grandmother, standing right behind her.

Ushio's jaw fell, she very nearly dropped the dish she had just finished preparing if not for Sumika's fast reflexes.

"What're you doing here?" Ushio whispered harshly, poking a head into the living room to find her grandmother nowhere to be seen, "Where's my grandma?"

"She went out, said she'd go visit the neighbour and told me to tell you to call her when dinner's ready." Sumika said, both hands were behind her back and her face was completely red.

"What are you doing here?" Ushio turned back to face Sumika, more relaxed now that she knew her grandmother wasn't in the house.

Much to her surprise, Sumika whipped out a bouquet of flowers and a small black jewellery box. The first thing that ran through Ushio's head was, is she proposing to me?

"K-kazama, I came here today to tell you that I've graduated from university and got a job. I understand that you want to look after your grandmother, that's why I want you to have this." Sumika gestured to the black box, "Don't worry, it's not a ring."

Despite Sumika's assurance, Ushio took the box a little fearfully, and when she opened it, she stared curiously at the single key attached to an expensive looking silver chain.

Cautiously, she took the necklace from the box and looked at Sumika who was beaming, her grey eyes twinkling with emotion.

"What is this key for?" Ushio finally asked.

Sumika was expecting that response, "It's a spare house key. I had it made as small as possible and then electroplated it with silver so it won't rust. But it works just as well."

Ushio was even more confused, "A spare house key? Why would you spend so much money plating it with silver?"

Sumika stepped closer, startling Ushio.

Sure they had seen each other quite often during special occasions in the past 4 years and always called each other at least once every 2 days, but they never behaved as anything other than platonic friends, especially around Ushio's grandmother.

So when Sumika warily rested her hands on Ushio's waist, the shorter girl was frozen with shock.

"It's a key that leads to the apartment I just bought on the outskirts of Tokyo. It's not far from the city, a bus ride away, but it is much better than the ever congested and noisy interior of the city." Sumika explained, gazing down at Ushio with shy adoration that the shorter woman found impossibly cute.

Ushio didn't know what to say, "You mean- Sumi-chan, I can't. My grandma, I can't just leave her alone." she tried to push the taller woman away but Sumika resisted and sent her an easy smile.

"I'm not asking you to leave and come live with me right away. I'm giving this to you, partly because I couldn't wait to break the news to you," Sumika chuckled shamelessly, "But mostly because I want you to know that when you're ready, my door will always be open to you, any time, any day."

Ushio's eyes widened in disbelief before a warm and fuzzy feeling overwhelmed her. She hugged Sumika with gusto as tears of joy trailed down her cheeks, "Thank you, Sumi-chan. Thank you!"

A year later, on Ushio's grandma's 77th birthday, they decided to celebrate it and every one attended.

Every one meaning all of Ushio's grandma's old friends, Sumika, Tomoe, Kiyori, Azusa, Miyako, Norio, Kinuta, and even Lotte who was coincidently in town for the weekend. It was a night that was filled with happy memories and lots of fun.

However, 3 days later, Ushio's grandma passed away peacefully in her sleep, an eternal smile gracing her pale lips.

Ushio was devastated and the first person she turned to was Sumika who instantly took the first flight to Umegae and the next train to where Ushio's grandmother stayed.

Sumika did her best to comfort the girl while making all the necessary phone calls to friends, relatives and funeral parlours to prepare for the wake.

By the time the whole procession was over, a week had passed.

"You're leaving?" Ushio asked Sumika who was busy packing her bags.

She looked up and approached the light-haired girl, "If you want me to stay a little longer, I cou-"

"No, you have your work to worry about. I've kept you here for the whole week already, you should go back."

"Actually... I was hoping you'd want to come with me?" Sumika asked hesitantly.

Tired eyes softening with subtle joy as her pale lips formed a small smile, Ushio threw herself into Sumika's arms and stood on her tiptoes to kiss the taller woman, taking them both by surprise.

"I thought you'd never ask." Ushio beamed.

That was the beginning of their life together.

FLASHBACK END

"Your turn." Ushio was brought back to reality at the sound of Sumika's voice. She looked at her lover questioningly who stared back with a raised eyebrow, "Did you fall asleep while I was showering?"

"No, I was just thinking about the time you gave this to me." Ushio touched the silver-plated key resting on her ample chest.

Sumika;s gaze followed Ushio's hand southwards and blushed when she realised that Ushio was still naked, "O-oh. Well, you should freshen up. You don't want to be late for work." Sumika turned her back to the other woman.

"5 years together and you're still blushing every time you see me naked." Ushio giggled, hopping off their shared bed and sashaying her way slowly to the bathroom, knowing full well that Sumika would sneak a few glances her way.

Sighing when Ushio disappeared behind the bathroom door, Sumika turned her attention back to getting dressed. After losing 2 jobs, Sumika finally found a more stable one, even though it was outside her field of expertise: business. It was difficult for her to adapt at first but then she learnt that the company she worked for actually owned many sports centres that helps train athletes, advice them how to prevent sports related injuries, and some even treat such injuries.

For a university graduate with a major in sports medicine, that was exactly what she dreamed of and immediately started pestering the HR department to transfer her. They had agreed to move her after they learned about her university degree in sports science and after they got tired of her constant reminders.

But she didn't treat patients; she was the manager of the several branches her employers' company owned. She had to operate them and make sure they were bringing profits back into the company.

It was still slightly different from what she expected, but she enjoyed the challenge. Besides, it didn't matter to Sumika even if her work gets tough, because she can always look forward to going home to the woman she loves.

Leaving her blazer off, Sumika went to the small kitchen and started preparing the only meal she was capable of making without burning the whole house down - butter on toast with a cup of coffee for herself and tea for Ushio.

She busied herself with the task and when she finished, she sat at their rectangular glass table for 4 and began browsing through her phone, checking her email, latest news and her schedule for the day.

Some where in the corner of her mind, she began wondering about how she could possibly propose to her soul mate and how Ushio would respond.

Would she say yes immediately or is it still too soon? What kind of ring should I get... she never mentioned what kind of jewels she liked so I should start indirectly asking her about that. Sumika thought to herself, her lips curving upwards with each passing second.

She was in the middle of typing a response to her colleague when a pair of smooth arms encircled her neck.

"What're you doing?" Ushio whispered as Sumika placed her phone on the table.

"Trying to tell this idiot how to do his job properly. I swear, all he cares about is his salary at the end of the month. It's as if he thinks he doesn't have to work in order to get his monthly pay!" Sumika growled in frustration but then, Ushio's lips were suddenly on hers and Sumika could taste the minty toothpaste in her mouth, her annoyance evaporating into thin air.

"Don't you worry your pretty head, Sumi-chan. I'm sure if you mention that to your employer, he'll know what to do." Ushio pecked Sumika's lips before sitting opposite Sumika and taking a sip of her tea, "You're getting better, Sumi-chan."

"I don't deserve praise for my non existent culinary skills." Sumika sighed, nibbling on her toast, glad she didn't somehow miraculously burn it.

"You're giving your all to learn, that's all that matters."

"One would think that some one who's been learning how to cook for 5 years would be able to prepare something other than toast in the morning." Sumika sulked.

"Now, now, no need to be so harsh on yourself." Ushio smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. Even after so many years, Sumika was still incapable of doing many house chores properly, and cooking was no exception.

"Anyway, I have to go now." Sumika looked at her wrist watch and stood, taking her black blazer and suitcase with her while pocketing her phone into her black slacks.

Ushio followed Sumika to the door and when Sumika had her shoes on, she leaned forward to kiss Sumika on the cheek, "I'll see you after work?"

"I'll leave work earlier so probably will be back around 5-ish. Change and we'll leave the house before 6:30, don't want to risk getting caught in the jam." Sumika said as she pulled on her blazer over her ironed grey button up.

"It's a date." Ushio grinned cheekily, straightening Sumika's jacket as an excuse to touch the other woman.

"Have a good day at work, Kazama." Sumika blushed and turned to leave.

"You too." Ushio waved and watched as Sumika left, already dreading the next 9 or so hours before she got to see her lover again, "Well, nothing I can do about it! Gotta get ready for work myself!"

While Sumika worked in a big shot company located in the heart of Tokyo, Ushio worked a little closer to home, at a local secondary school where she taught Japanese literature. It hadn't been what she had in mind, but it was close enough.

Her dream is to work in the editing department for a publishing company. She had always loved to read and that's why their cosy little apartment had many shelves neatly packed with books that mostly belonged to the fair-haired woman.

Ushio looked at the clock that read 6 am and sighed, "Why does Sumi-chan have to leave so early every morning."

She obviously knew the answer, of course, it was because Sumika had to beat the traffic and drive to the main office every morning. If she was unlucky, she'd be required to visit the various branches she was in charged of running.

Ushio herself didn't have to get to work until around 7 am, giving her plenty of time every morning to get ready and stroll to the school which was only a 10 minute walk away.

Ushio sighed once more before she remembered their reservation tonight and a bright smile graced her lips and she started rushing around the house, eager to start work so she can end sooner and get ready for her date with Sumika.

A/N: First chapter up! Review please? :D