Disclaimer: I own no ideas for the first three chapters of this story, Black and White Rainbow is the original creator of this fanfic. It has come to my attention that characters seem to be OOC, but this story was started with only first season knowledge by B&WR. It is not my job to edit how she portrays the characters, only to continue on with the story and fix up phrasing errors and the like.
Also, I own none of these characters and do not, nor will I ever, claim that I do.
It was the graduation ceremony at Lillian's Academy, and Yumi was shaking with excitement. The Rosa Chinensis, Rosa Gigantea, and Rosa Foetida from the past two years were coming to visit. This meant that Yumi was going to see Sachiko again! Just the thought made her squeal with excitement. Along with Yumi, Shimako was also awaiting the arrival of her former Grand Soeur, Sei -- though she wasn't going to admit it. This might be the last time that the current and previous Roses would have a chance to see each other with the exception of Rei and Yoshino. And even so, Yoshino had not taken to the idea of seeing Rei again. From what Yumi saw, she didn't want to talk to her cousin anytime soon.
After Rei graduated, she went to compete in a Kendo tournament outside of Tokyo. She defeated Tanaka, her previous rival, and was challenged to another match with the third dan ace. No protection, no referee. The first one to collapse would be the loser. Rei was forced to accept the one-on-one challenge or face Tanaka along with the rest of her team. The former was much safer, but no less dangerous.
Both participants came out of the battle bruised, exhausted, and overall a mess. As it turned out, Rei still won, but at the price of her health. Her left arm was severely bloodied, battered and frankly, a bit numb from the pain. Her legs were unstable and woozy as the lasting sting of Tanaka's attacks took their toll. Rei was able to walk away from the fuming mad girl, only to collapse at the base of a nearby tree. Tanaka fled, both her ego and body heavily injured. Thankfully, a member of Rei's team found her and she was admitted to a hospital. Even after the ordeal, Yoshino was left out of it, only to find out from her aunt after she'd gotten a call from Rei. This left Yoshino feeling very betrayed and Rei to be ignored once she returned home.
"Onee-san!" Touko was standing next to Yumi, her corkscrew pigtails bouncing up and down ever so slightly. "Sachiko-sama is coming!" Yumi turned to wards her petite soeur with a smile on her face and nodded.
"Yeah, it's been almost a year now, hasn't it?" Yumi then faced the school grounds, catching glimpses of friends and acquaintances until she spotted Shimako. "Ne, Touko, have you seen Noriko-chan? She's not with Shimako-sama..."
The younger girl nodded, "Yeah, she was in the greenhouse, crying. She was really upset about Shimako-sama leaving."
"Touko, you don't mind if I go and see Shimako, do you?" She countered her souer's shake of the head with an incline of her own as well as an expression that seemed to say 'Sorry, I'll catch up with you later' and dashed off. "Shimako!"
Upon hearing her name, Rosa Gigantea stopped and offered a smile to the figure quickly approaching. "Gokigenyo, Yumi."
Quickly falling into step with the other, Yumi brought up the news she received from Touko.
When the word 'crying' pierced Shimako's ears, she abruptly stopped. "Crying?" With a sigh, she shook her head. "How could I not realize it? I'm terrible..." The long haired girl began to turn around until Yumi grasped her hand.
"Wait, let her have some time alone. We both know how hard it was to loose our Onee-samas. Besides, knowing Noriko-chan, she wouldn't want you to see her crying." Yumi smiled faintly as they walked to the ginko trees and sat down. "Sei-sama is so close to us, but you two never visit each other. Why is that?" she questioned, easing into a more personal subject that she's been wondering the answer to for a while.
Shimako turned her gaze to the trees before her, mulling over the question in her mind. "I guess it's because it'd be hard on both of us. I know Sei-sama doesn't want to hurt me. One of the reasons I was her petite soeur was because I reminded her of Shiori. It seems horrible at first glance, but I'm okay with it." She sighed "But now, I guess I can't escape the inevitable." Catching a glimpse of her watch, she gasped. "Yumi! They'll be here soon. I have to go talk to Noriko-chan. Oh, and Yumi...arigato." Shimako stood up and dusted off her skirt, leaving Yumi to her thoughts.
Before long Yumi went to find Touko and make sure that she wouldn't pitch a fit if Sei chose to call her 'Mechanical Drill'. And on her way, a flash of blue darting behind a tree caught her eye. Yumi decided that Touko was playing one of her games again, and decided to indulge. Yawning, she stooped down to the ground and grasped a ginkgo nut, pretending to be interested in a rock of some sort. Once she returned to full height, she began walking back to the school. Stopping after no more then a few feet, she turned around and pitched the nut at Touko. Touko went wide-eyed, surprised that her soeur had caught on. They shared a questioning glance, and the two girls burst into laughter upon seeing where the nut landed. Said nut was now curled in an angry Yoshino's hand, who sported small red mark on her cheek. "G-gomen, gomen, gomen Yoshino-sama!" Yumi quickly sputtered. She waited, but Yoshino didn't say anything. Instead her arm flung forward, launching the nut square at Yumi's forehead. "Ow owow!" That was when the kendo club girl began giggling. Yumi made a weird face towards her petite soeur who tried to stifle her laughter behind her hand. "Lets go you guys, or we'll be late when the Roses arrive."
The trio then continued to the school, chattering all the way.
By the time they arrived, the rest of the Yamayurikai and the newspaper club were standing together. They quickly moved to join Shimako, Noriko and Nana on the outside plaza. Amazingly the students were lined up perfectly, and right on time.
The previous Roses entered the grounds just as Yumi finished tugging on her scarf to make sure that it was in order. All of their elders didn't seem much changed as then traded smiles with students and made their way to pray before the statue of the Virgin Mary.
After their silent journey, they paused at the path to the plaza to listen to the choir sing a song in their favour before returning to greet the Yamayurikai.
Sei was the most entheusiastic and swept up Shimako in a hug before politely (and calmly) introducing herself to Noriko. Rei on the other hand hesitantly held her arms open to Yoshino who, after a moment's hesitation, quickly ran to embrace her cousin. "Gomen." This word was spoken by both of them resulting in a few 'Aww's traveling though the students. As soon as Sachiko approached, Yumi began to beam and made haste to wrap her arms around the elder Rose. Then the figures of Youko and Eriko appeared, and once again the path to the statue of the Virgin Mary was followed for the duo to pray. The same song was sung and listened to with as much joy before they returned to the younger Roses. Eriko was pressed into a group hug as she approached her sisters and Youko composedly hugged each Chinensis. The first year students seemed to question why there was no third Rosa Gigantea until the ceremony was called into place.
The head nun of Lillian began to speak, addressing each former Rose and their status. "Former Rosa Chinensis; Mizuno, Youko. Grand soeur to Ogasawara, Sachiko; previous Rosa Chinensis en Buton and grand soeur to Rosa Chinensis Fukuzawa Yumi." This rather monotonous part of the ceremony continued for the Rosa Giganteas and the Rosa Foetidas. Each of them stepped forward when they were called to recieve a new rosary from their youngest soeur, as a form of respect and new communication.
None of the Rosa en Butons had yet to choose a petite soeur, which wasn't surprising considering the bonds they shared with their Onee-samas. After they were introduced, the students clapped and the current Rosas handed out a certificate to each student. When a Rose was called, her former Onee-sama presented her with her certificate.
After the ceremony was over, the soeurs of the third years were frantically discussing the future, some crying when they weren't getting into the same school, and others joyous that they would still see each other. The Yamayurikai dispersed to give well wishes to old friends before returning to the mansion for what would be the last time for a handful of them.
Once they were gathered in the Rose mansion, Sei wrapped an arm around Yumi's neck, causing her to squirm. "Same old Yumi-chan," Sei remarked playfully before letting go and turning to Shimako. Placing a hand on the girl's head and ruffling her brown locks, she smiled. "I've been hearing some pretty good things about you, Shimako-chan!" At this, Shimako smiled.
"One- Sei-sama, why don't you and Noriko get to know each other better?" Shimako sat down next to her Rosa Gigantea en Buton, with Sei plopping herself down on the girl's other side.
Sei twisted her lips in a small frown, slightly disappointed that Shimako switched to her name instead of Onee-sama. She pushed it aside quickly though, and dove right into a story for Noriko. "Well, in the first weeks when Shimako-chan was my petite soeur, she once ran out in the rain stark naked, proclaiming her love of ginkgo nuts!" Hearing this, the Yamayurikai began to laugh -- that is, all but Shimako who flushed furiously.
"No way!" cried Yumi.
"That's not funny, Sei!" She glared at the other, her cheeks burning. "How can you tell lies to my precious petite soeur?!" She demanded, not realizing that Noriko too was laughing. "Ugh..." She mumbled as Noriko's face began to shade pink from her laughter.
"Gomen, Onee-chan, but just the thought of you..." Noriko decided not to finish her sentence in hopes of not causing her Onee-sama further discomfort. With a sigh, Shimako nodded and it was Eriko's turn to gush on about Yamanobe Sensei. All the whilst, Rei was apologizing to Yoshino and vice-versa. Everything was going well in the Rose Mansion until everyone decided to pry into Sachiko's private life...
Hope you enjoy the story, to readers both old and new.
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