A/N: Definition of FanFic: FICTION (a non realistic story) made by a FAN (an ardent follower and admirer) of another person's work, using that person's ideas to make an original story. As such, the only thing that the FAN owns is their respective original story and original characters; NOT the object(s) of their FANdom.
Everyone who knew the Fukuzawa siblings were aware that they were very close to one another, but not even Touko or Sachiko knew exactly how special to one another they were. In truth, there was very, very little about each other that they did not know. They were each others secret keepers and personal diaries. They told each other everything and could read each others emotions by simply being in the same room. That's why, although he had changed into his pajamas, Yuuki didn't go to sleep. Instead, he simply lay on the side of his bed closest to the wall, staring out of his window and into the stormy night, silent and waiting.
The door opened quietly as Yumi entered the room. It was later than she usually did, as she had waited for Touko to fall asleep, but it wasn't a concern. She knew that Yuuki would be awake. Closing the door, she stopped trying to be quiet as she moved over to the bed and crawled under the blankets, snuggling close to her brother as she felt an arm wrap around her protectively. He didn't say anything, simply lay there silently, still looking out into the rain through the window.
"I was rejected. You were right."
Those were the only words that she spoke. And then she cried, cried her heart out into Yuuki's chest as her sibling held her gently. She had told him the moment she had decided to tell Sachiko about her feelings, that she would plead and promise with all of her heart and soul that Sachiko accept her.
Yuuki had known all of this, and more. Just like how Yumi and Sachiko were sisters, he and Kashiwagi were like brothers, except Kashiwagi was much more willing to talk about their family matters than Sachiko was. Yuuki had known for a long time that Yumi had loved Sachiko, but he was almost certain that Sachiko didn't have the inner strength and courage to follow her heart. She would never place Yumi ahead of her 'duty' to marry Kashiwagi. Kashiwagi himself couldn't simply annul the engagement, and he had asked Sachiko a number of times if it was what she truly wanted. However, every time she would give him the same answer. 'It is my duty to the Ogasawara family.'
And so, when Yumi had told him that she was going to confess her soul to Sachiko, Yuuki's heart broke. He knew that Yumi was very serious about the older woman, and that if he tried to talk her out of confessing, it would hurt her soul that he was rejecting her love for her Onee-sama. So he gave her his best wishes and a kiss on the forehead, praying that her hopes would become reality.
However, he also cautioned her.
The absolute rule for Yuuki and Yumi were to guard and protect each other's hearts until they found that special someone they could entrust it to. As such, they never, ever lied to each other. It had gotten to the point where they were almost incapable of even trying (not that they had ever tried.) But most importantly, they let each other know if they felt something could go wrong, as to alleviate the damage that it would do.
Yumi had known that Sachiko had obligations to her home and family. And yet, she also knew that Sachiko loved her. Exactly how much, she was unsure of, but she knew that the love was there. Yuuki didn't deny this. Instead, he cautioned her that Sachiko might be incapable of loving her more than her obligation to the Ogasawara family. He knew a bit more about some of Sachiko's decisions in regards to her family's inner workings than Yumi did, simply because of Kashiwagi and his own investigation. He told Yumi to make absolutely sure that she held nothing back in her confession, because he knew that nothing less would even have a chance at swaying Sachiko from her family. And he prayed and wished with all his might for her dream to come true.
Yet the moment they had gotten the call from Touko saying that she was bringing Yumi home, he knew that both of their wishes were unheard.
It was a long while later when Yumi finally settled down a bit. Her heart hurt, and her face puffy from the tears. She knew that the pain would last for a while. She had poured out her heart and soul, and it would be a while before she had the strength and courage to do it again. Feeling a slight shift on the bed, she looked up to see Yuuki looking at her warmly. Nodding slightly, she sat up and slowly told him the events of that day...
~Key to your heart~
When she was finished, it was as if something inside of her had opened. She felt a lot better than she had before. They had talked about many things, some of them sad, some of them happy, and some of them just funny. As she laughed, she could feel some of the pieces of her heart coming back to place. Laughter truly is the cure for sadness. By the time they were done talking, the sun had risen, birds chirping.
"Thank you, Yuuki. It will be a while before my heart heals, but I feel much better than if we hadn't had our usual talk."
"That's a good start. If you're feeling sleepy, you should get some rest. It's the start of holiday break, so you don't have to worry about getting up for anything."
Yumi shook her head, "That's alright. Now that I'm all cried out, I feel refreshed. Besides, I should make some breakfast. I need to thank Touko-chan for taking care of me last night. Would you like breakfast as well, Yuuki?"
"Mm," Yuuki nodded, "Speaking of which, what are you going to do about Touko-san herself?"
Yumi stopped for a moment, thinking hard about how to answer that question. Both she and Yuuki were very aware of Touko's feelings. It was as clear as day to Yumi that Touko's feelings for her were blossoming more and more everyday. Yumi may be a little naïve, but not that naïve.
Yuuki, had not only seen it, but had actually been told by Touko herself. Over time, the two of them had grown quite close. Most likely do to the fact that he was very similar in both mindset and appearance to Yumi, it was only a matter of time until he became one of Touko's best friends.
After a long while, Yumi finally replied, "It will probably be a while before I can get over Sachiko. I won't dwell on her, but I don't plan to let anyone get as close to me as Sachiko is-was, ever again.. Besides, Touko is my petite-soeur. I don't think I can just suddenly start seeing her in a different way. But wait, Yuuki, how did you know about Touko's feelings? Did she tell you? She did say that you were one of her best friends..."
"I noticed it a while ago," Yuuki replied, "And I can understand your feelings, but I don't think you should close off your heart to people. You would be doing what Touko-san did before she became your sister."
"I know, but I just... I don't know, I just feel like I need to get away. I think I need to distance myself from Sachiko-sama for a while..."
"I see..." Yuuki thought for a moment. "I've got an idea on what we can do for break. I'll make the plans. Is that fine with you?"
"That's fine. Are you going to tell me what the plans are?"
"Nope. It's going to be a surprise. Want me to check if the other girls from the council are available as well?"
"Hmm, I believe that Yoshino-chan is going to be busy with Rei-sama and Nana-chan, However, Shimako-chan might be able to come. I'm really starting to get hungry, Yuuki, so..." She began to walk towards the door however just before she reached it a small ball flew past her, slamming into the door with a decent amount of force, causing Yumi to give out a scream that for some reason seemed to reverberate outside the door as well.
"Yuuki!"
The young man in question simply grinned and stuck out his tongue. Yumi gave out a small huff, but there was a small smile on her face as she left out the room. After a few moments, Yuuki's grin faded. "Eavesdropping is a very bad habit. You should quit before it gets you in a bad situation...Touko."
He flopped back down onto his bed, closing his eyes as the door opened and closed after a moment. He didn't bother to open his eyes as he felt a smaller body lean against him.
"You're right. Thank you for looking out for me."
"If Yumi had caught you listening by the door, it would have just made her close herself off even more. Still, you owe me one."
"I'll get you tickets for the Childish an Hour concert next month. I happened to hear a certain young woman was upset that they had all sold out. Besides, I owe you for when you got us those Cirque de Soleil tickets. The performance was amazing..."
"Mm...so, what are you going to do? And don't try to play clueless, I know exactly how long you were standing out there listening."
Touko noted that his voice was unusually stern, although he didn't tense up. 'I think I really did mess up by listening in. He's almost never really angry...' "I...I...don't really know." "How to go forward from here, I mean!" She added, as Yuuki's eyes snapped open to gaze at her, "I don't want to be forceful in changing our relationship anymore, after hearing all of that. But at the same time, I refuse to just sit idly by as her petite soeur anymore. Ever since she came into it, Onee-sama has been the focus point in my life. She was the one to bring me out of the darkness and show me the light. I love her more than anyone else in the world. I just have no idea how to express it!"
"Hmm, well, whatever you do, don't be forceful with your pursuit. You already know that Yumi's closing herself off from people a bit, and being forceful will just make her withdraw even more so. Try thinking back to what Yumi did to bring you out of your shell. I'm sure that between the two of us, we can come up with a few good ideas."
Touko sat up, and looked Yuuki right in the eyes, "Does this mean that you will support me in my efforts? That you approve?" It was a valid question on her part. Touko knew very well that if there was a single person in the world capable of blocking her potential relationship besides Yumi herself, it was Yuuki. While Yumi always made her own decisions in how she wanted to live her life, she valued her brother's insight and opinions very highly. And while Touko knew that Yuuki would never use that power for his own personal reasons, she was still scared simply because of the possibility.
Yuuki stared at her for a long moment and then finally grinned, "Had you been a guy, I would have thrown you out by now, even if you are my best friend. But since you're Yumi's petite soeur, as well as my best friend, I don't mind helping you out. But just remember; I'm just part of the stage crew in this performance. It's you and Yumi that have center stage."
A/N: Okay. You win. I'll keep writing-so long as you tell me what you think! ^^
