A/N: This is a dialog-heavy and extremely choppy chapter. There are flashbacks and the introduction of a few more characters who may not influence Noriko directly, but are influential in a subtle way, nonetheless.

Whatever it was - Chapter II

The buzzing on her chest wouldn't stop. The fact that Noriko had slept on her host-family's doorsteps numerous times with music blaring on the background made Noriko's phone – an early alarm dreadfully set weeks ago – sound just like another memory of some forgotten night on the young woman's mind.

The phone kept jumping up and down Noriko's chest for a long while until it took a leap onto the tiled floor, much like the leap Noriko's heart took when she pleaded Shimako not to join the Cloister, and much like Noriko's heart, the phone came apart, the battery cover hid behind a dresser, the battery itself, hit the wall adjacent to the bed. The owner of sleepy dark orbs slowly crawled off the bed, finding the pieces of her phone and putting them back together, Good as new… Her heart, on the other hand, still had missing pieces from the day Shimako said her goodbyes.

It was around six in the morning when a cotton-mouthed Noriko powered her phone back on, looked at the time and headed to the bathroom. Opening the faucet she shoved her head sideways in the sink, slurping as much water as her stomach could hold.

If Maria-sama is still watching, I'm sure she's not very proud...

As the room started to spin uncontrollably, Noriko found herself sitting on the cold floor. With eyes closed and clammy hands she focused on her breathing, and while trying to avoid a repeat of the previous night she waited until the walls weren't swirling anymore before stumbling into the shower. The 15-minute bath was quite a treat; Noriko was a seven-minute shower girl, after all, the woman was always on the go; she slept little, tried to eat healthy and spent most of her time writing about her findings. She was never bored, never complained of being tired and learned quickly to always say yes to whatever she was invited to, which lead the girl to meet a multitude of people, and develop a fond liking for alcohol.

She stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself then her hair in towels before walking back to the bedroom where she grabbed undergarments, a pair of jeans and a faded gray Hokkaido University t-shirt from her suitcase. Noriko never attended Hokkaido; though she had good memories of visiting Saporo, she decided against the renowned university. When she left Japan and went to America to study, she knew she would miss her shrine visits and Buddhist statue searches, but she knew that her decision to walk away from that culture was the best thing she could have done to help mend her broken heart. Boston – a decision that was heavily influenced by not only Sumireko-san but also Takuya-kun – was a breath of fresh air to the ebony-eyed woman; cold, but she never complained, liberal, and she loved that, but on top of it all, it didn't remind her one bit of Tokyo.

Noriko dressed quickly, standing in front of the mirror that hung in front of her bed, she untwisted the towel from her head and let her hair fall against her back before pumping the leave-in conditioner in her hand three times then working the cream from the ends up. Moving forward, she walked toward the almost empty dresser, grabbing a hold of a brush and retracing her steps until she stood in front to the mirror again. Long gone were the bangs that hid Noriko's glimmery eyes. The side-swept bangs – one of the few things that the woman maintained and made sure to trim on a regular basis – resembled Sachiko's.

Flicking her hair forward, Noriko detangled the long locks that were way past her mid-back, "Yumi, we need to talk," she told her reflection, – in her best Sachiko impersonation, of course – "Meet me in my bed, and you better be naked when I get there," the dark-haired woman chuckled at her own antics. Truth be told, Yumi would have done it. She would have gone to the Ogasawara mansion, said hi to Sayako-obasama, talked to the older woman for a few minutes, then she would have headed upstairs, undressed and waited. Sachiko would have followed Yumi closely, exchanged a few words with her mother like: "Don't let anyone bother us this afternoon. I'm teaching Yumi a few things and we rather not be disturbed." Then, Sachiko would have educated Yumi, to the best of her abilities, even with the little knowledge she herself had.

Noriko chuckled again. I can't believe it took them so long to realize they were in love, she pondered. Sachiko-sama could never keep her hands to herself around Yumi. The girl sat on her bed, still musing about the connection that Sachiko and Yumi had. She clasped her hands and stared at her feet, a smile tugging at her lips, Yumi-sama's self-control was really surprising… Yumi had taken it all with such elegance, calm and dignity: Sachiko's affection, the scoldings, the uncertainties, Touko's crap, Sachiko's distance when she went off to University, – even though it was just Lillian U – the wedding invitation, dress shopping for Sachiko, dress shopping for the bridesmaids, – Yumi included – the wedding rehearsal, the wedding day.

Much like a Mexican soap opera that wraps itself up in the last three minutes of the last episode, Suguru, who was sweating through his white, overpriced tuxedo, grabbed a hold of Sachiko's hand once she reached the altar. He looked into her eyes, to the back of the church, then opened his mouth, although the voice that actually echoed through the pews was someone else's:

"If neither of you have the balls to fight for your own happiness, then you have no business running the Ogasawara Company," Tooru's voice was sharp, a serious tone that made gasps resonated across the church.

"…"

"Ladies and gentlemen, forgive my forwardness but this wedding cannot go on," he bowed deep before continuing, "Please, if you wish, the reception will take place according to what the invitation says; therefore, enjoy yourselves. We will join you shortly."

Tooru stepped up toward Sachiko and Suguru, "You two, follow me."

Once inside the sacristy the older Ogasawara continued, "Sachiko, out of all of the people I know, you were the one I thought would actually do anything to protect the heart of the person you love."

"…"

"What in the world were you thinking? Are you so scared of me that you would give up your own happiness just to agree with what you thought was my wish?"

"But, father. I – "

"You are so lucky, Sachiko… to have someone that would wait for you and stay with you through thick and thin. Through all of these years the girl stood by your side, loving you quietly; making sure she wouldn't disturb you, yet changing you completely. Her love transformed you, my daughter, into this wonderful woman you are today, and yet you chose not to fight for her heart? You better have a really good explanation for her..."

"…"

"Now go! Find her, apologize then if she still loves you after what you did to her all of these years, kiss her, like she deserves to be kissed. And not with fear of being caught this time, Sachiko, kiss her like I know you have been wanting to for so long. Go be happy, my daughter."

"Father…"

"Go!"

Sachiko took off her shoes and ran as quickly as she could, the pleats of her dress danced with every leap she took, and instead of berating herself, she smiled, knowing that she had been given the opportunity to start anew, to openly love the person who had taught her heart how to smile. Stopping before the doors ahead of her, she took a few deep breaths building the courage to walk into the reception hall, though before she could actually open the doors a small hand grabbed the raven-haired woman by the arm.

"Onee-sama!"

"Yumi! I –"

"No! I need to tell you that…Who… whomever this person your dad was talking about is, Onee-sama, I… I'm happy for you."

"Yumi! It's not –"

"I'm serious. I'm glad Tooru-sama helped you and –"

"You…"

"…"

"The one… The one I love…" Sachiko whispered, a dark blush painting her cheeks.

"Sachikooooooo-oneeeee-sama!"

"I was such an idiot to make you wait for so long. I am so sorry…"

"How did you know I…"

"Everyone knows..."

"But…"

"Please, I don't want to make you wait any longer. I don't want to wait any longer."

"Does that mean I can…"

"Yes."

"Here, out in the open, though?"

"Yes!"

Their first kiss was shy and brief, though it carried the weight of two hearts bonded by a love that was unmistakable.

"Suguru, where is he?" Tooru inquired.

"Outside."

"Then, why are you still here?"

"Right! Thank you so much, Tooru-sama."

As Suguru made his way out of the sacristy and through the empty pews, he reached into his pocket to withdraw his phone, swiping the screen a few times he found the contact he wanted then pressed the call button.

"Did you do it?!"

"No."

"Then why are you calling me?"

"Someone else did it."

"Yumi?"

Suguru opened the door leading outside, lifting his head he spotted his car.

"Tooru-sama."

"No way!"

"Yes way!"

Suguru dropped the call before entering the passenger side of the car.

"Your sister was about to say something, though."

"She had promised."

Noriko stood up and gathered the remainder of her possessions that were still scattered in her room, throwing them into the suitcase and zipping it up. She doubled checked the room to make sure she wasn't forgetting anything, then threw her backpack on her back and grabbed a hold of the suitcase's handle so she could wheel it through the path that connected the pool house and the remaining of her host-family's home.

"No-ri-ko!" Doc. sang, "Let me get you a cup of coffee,"

"Thank you," Noriko sat her backpack on top of her suitcase and pulled up a chair, leaning both elbows on the table when she sat down.

"Rough night?"

"Yeah…"

"Here," the American professor handed Noriko a cup of black coffee laced with two spoons full of sugar. He then turned around to give attention to a pan with eggs he was cooking.

She took a sip of the coffee, then heaved a long breath, "I'm going to miss you, you know…"

"Leaving is the easy part, Riko," the older professor said, pointing a wooden spoon toward the girl, "Staying; on the other hand, requires much more adjustments."

After hearing the Professor's remarks, Noriko's eyes drifted toward a window, "I know… I know that feeling quite well."

"I didn't meant to – " He let his sentence drift unfinished, setting a plate of eggs and toast in front of the girl and one across the table where his own mug with steaming coffee sat.

"It's okay, Doc."

"…"

"…I bought a couple jars of that mixed berries jelly you like for your trip…"

Noriko gave Doc. a sincere smile before thanking the older Professor then the kitchen fell into silence until breakfast was over.

Doc. drove Noriko the to the airport after breakfast. The two-hour trip was filled with small talk about Noriko's research, Doc.'s new endeavors as well as long minutes of comfortable silence.

"If you want to, I can send you more jelly once you figure out where you'll settle, Noriko."

"I'll e-mail you my address anywhere I end up, just for that jelly!"

"That's what I like to hear."
"Again, thank you so very much for everything. I will never forget this."

"Take care, Noriko."

Noriko tossed and turned during the ten-hour flight to San Francisco. Unable to find a good spot to comfortably place her long legs, she made a mental note to spent a little more and get a seat with extra leg-room for next time. The dark-haired scholar almost lost her connection and was finally able to doze off once she found her seat in the much smaller domestic flight that took her back to Boston.

Good old Massachusetts! The girl thought, while she sat on a bench and watched people walk by. Once the bus she was waiting on arrived, she loaded her suitcase and hopped in, finding a window seat and stretching her legs. She then watched the cars drive by and people get to and from their own destinations. It didn't take long before Noriko felt her eyes getting heavy and without putting up a fight she closed them only to re-open them when her bus had reached its destination.

Once on campus, Noriko wheeled her suitcase to a friend's apartment and as she had a copy of the key, she didn't hesitate to unlock the door and walk right in.

"Noriko!" A very childish yelp greeted the girl.

"Hi! I thought you'd be in class. I hope I'm not a bother. I'm only here for a couple of weeks before I head home for the summer."

"Oh my gosh, Noriko. Stop being such a good gal and come give me a hug! You should have told me you were coming back. You know I could've picked you up from the airport! Who picked you up?" The girl finally exhaled.

Noriko took a few steps closer to the girl and was quickly embraced by her friend.

"I took the bus," she said almost out of breath as her friend held her on a death grip.

"Noriko! You spent five hours on a bus!?"

"Four and a half, actually."

"So stubborn…"

"…"

And again, all in one breath, the friend squealed, "Let's take your stuff to my room. Do you want to take a bath? I'm sure you're dying to unwind. I'm going to get the top bunk ready for you before I leave for class, and I'll let you catch up on sleep for now."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," Noriko said, a smile reaching her eyes as she opened her suitcase and retrieved a towel and clothes to change into.

Once her friend had fixed the bed, she cracked the door of the bathroom open and through the steam of the hot water and the noise of the shower she spoke, "Get some rest because we're taking you out tonight! I'm so, so happy to see you!"

Noriko finished her shower, blow-dried her hair and climbed atop of the bunk bed. Six hours after she closed her eyes for the last time her friend poked her on the shoulder, waking her.

"Noriko," her friend whispered, "we're leaving in 15."

"Hmm," Noriko moaned before sitting on the bed, "is it time already?"

" You need pants… and definitely a bra….are you cold?"

"Ugh! I've been awake for less than three minutes and you're already - "

"Yes, I am already."

Noriko jumped off the bed, found a pair of pants and the bra her friend insisted she wore, then put her hair up in a ponytail before screaming toward the living room, "I'm ready. What now?"

"Now, we take shots!"

Noriko's phone buzzed on top of her chest yet again for several seconds before she grabbed it and unwilling answered the device,

"Kanako, is everything alright?"

"Everything is fine, Riko… I don't mean to worry you. Touko has been talking about your flight non-stop… complaining she still doesn't have the itinerary from you, she made me call."

"Touko!"

"Please, Riko, don't be mad at her. You know she just wants to help."

"I know, I know. I'll e-mail both of you later today."

"Thank you..."

"You're welcome."
"…"

"Noriko,"

"…"

"Noriko, are you okay?"

"Yeah. It's just... I had a little too much to drink last night, that's all.

"Noriko…"

"I'm fine. I'm fine… Touko worries too much, and you are starting to do the same. She's rubbing off on you, Kanako… "

"…She is."

"Now… I'll see you in a few days ok?"

"It'll probably be just me picking you up. She's been really busy with hospital stuff."

"I figured as much, and I appreciate you taking time off to come get me."

"Don't even start! We're all excited we get to see you!"

"Love you."

"Love you, too!"

Noriko dropped the call and got up from the cold bathroom floor. She had a week and a half to make the last adjustments to her research presentation before heading to Tokyo for summer break – it had been three years, after all.

The Friday before her Saturday flight, Noriko stood in front of the committee to present her findings. Ironically enough, the dark-haired girl was much more worried about traveling to Tokyo than being in front of professors with years of experience in the field.

"Noriko," one of her professors started, "as expected, you have done an exquisite job putting into words what you've learned."

"Thank you so very much," Noriko bowed deeply toward her professors.

"We also wanted to tell you that the Asian grant came through and in conjunction with Tokyo University, we're able to expand our Anthropology program. With that being said, we would like to ask if you'd work with us in order to solidify this venture."

"Venture?"

"You are already familiar with the program, plus you understand both languages, Noriko. We want you to be one of the leaders of our research team. But we also want to add a teaching component to your responsibilities, so you'd be lecturing two lower-level courses."

"For how long?"

"At least a year."

"A whole year?!" Noriko's voice cracked.

"At least a year. Meaning we might have to extend your stay. Look, Noriko, we want to be very clear with you and tell you up front everything we would expect from you in case you accept this proposal."

"Six months. I'll sign a contract for six months. If I can, I'll sign another six-month contract."

"Deal."

"Deal?"

"Deal."

Noriko shook the hands of the three professors as she was given names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of administrators she was to contact once she had settled in Tokyo.