Satsuki woke up first in the next morning. She slowly opened her eyes while the light pierced trought the window near the bed. Howewer it wasn't that strong since the sun wasn't shining directly on it.

Satsuki checked the digital clock that she used to wake up. Seven o' clock AM. Outside the window, the sound of nature already started to rise in the sky and she founded them relaxing and calming. She then looked upon her sister. Ryuuko was still peacefuly asleep.

-This night wasn't enough to recover, isn't it Ryuko?- She thought smiling. Satsuki slowly sneaked out from the bed, carefully not waking up her sister, and went to the bathroom to wash her face. She took her time since the water was unwelcome in the morning, but it was refreshing and she loved it. After drying up her face and fixing up her hair, Satsuki went back to the bedroom and changed from her pajama into a more confortable clothing and went to the dining room for breakfast. There, Soroi was already waiting for her with a cup of hot tea on the table.

-Lady Satsuki, good morning.- He politely said.

-Good morning, Soroi.- she answered.

-Mylady, can i ask you what happened last night? I heard some screams and rumors that worried me.- He asked with his formal manners.

-Don't worry Soroi. Ryuko just had a bad dream... It was so real that she thought i was that damned Ragyo.- She said sadly, slowly drinking her cup of tea. When Ryuko called her "Ragyo" she was hurt, but she can't blame that girl: afterall, it was a bad dream.

-I understand.- Soroi said -Should i prepare another cup of tea for lady Ryuko?- He asked.

-Thanks Soroi, but Ryuko is still sleeping. She had very little time to rest in this week, so it's better to wait that she wake up.- Satsuki answered politely.

-As you wish, lady Satsuki. If there's nothing else, then i will leave. With your permission.- Soroi bowed and then walked out of the room, leaving Satsuki to her thoughts.

-That's true...- Satsuki tought. -Ryuko didn't sleep at all in these days. And still she was so energic and full of joy during the days. You were trying to hide it, weren't you?.- She then smiled sadly for the second time. -Don't push yourself too hard Ryuko. Even if you have life fibers in your body, you still are human.- Satsuki then took her cup of tea and took a sip of it.

In the bedroom, Ryuko was slowly waking up. She still felt tired, but it was the most refreshing night she ever had and she didn't want to pass all the day sleeping. She tiredly got up on her arms, rising her chest and snorted a little. Her hair were a mess, but she didn't care since it was her style. She went to the bathroom and stared at the mirror for a moment. She had a terrible look on her face but she didn't cared about it. She opened the water and for a moment she stared at it without moving. Her mind was far from her body. She washed her face just because it was an automatism that she consolidated in her life.

After washing her face, she slipped in something more confortable too. For a moment, she thought of wearing Senketsu, but then she remembered what happened seven days before. She sadly smirked to her stupidity.

After getting ready, she walked towards the dining room. She kept her gaze low while her mind wandered on its own. When she reached the room, she took a seat near Satsuki. The silence between the two persisted for some minutes: Ryuko wasn't in the mood to talk for what happened the night before and Satsuki wanted to let Ryuko finish her breakfast.

Strangely, Ryuko was eating quite slowly and Satskui saw this. She waited for Ryuko to finish eating and then she tried to break the silence between them.

-Good morning Ryuko.- Satsuki said. Ryuko howewer didn't reply.

-Did you rest well?- Satsuki asked again. Ryuko kept her gaze low grasping her trousers

-Are you still tired? Do you want to sleep some more?- Satsuki pressed on. Ryuko's grasp thightened.

-Satsuki...- She started.-... forgive me.- Satsuki was taken aback by this.-Sorry for what happened last night. Sorry if i thought you were Ragyo. I... I just...- Her voice broke while trying to speak words that were so painful for her.

-Don't worry Ryuko. It's alright.- Satsuki said calmly while turning to face her sister and leaning in front of her. -What happened last night wasn't your fault. You don't have to ask for forgiveness.-

Ryuko couldn't stop the tears that were running on her cheeks. She could bear every type of physical pain. But this was a different type. This was the pain of the heart. And she couldn't bear it. It was just too much for her. She would rather die than suffering this. Senketsu was more than a friend for her. When they fought, their synchronization connected not only their bodies, but their minds too. And when he died, she felt like a part of her own body and mind was teared away from herself.

She let herself go, crying all her saddness while Satsuki embraced her. The only thing Ryuko needed was the embrace and confort that Satsuki gave her. And she was thankful that her older sister was here for her.

Tears called for tears and Ryuko kept crying, screaming for Senketsu. She damned him for sacrifing his life. She cursed him for his last words: "Now you can wear clothes much more beautiful than i would ever be.". She screamed out all her pain.

Satsuki was trying her best to not cry herself. It was awfully hard. Seeing her sister like this was almost killing her. She knew that Ryuko was a strong girl. But to be broken like this... The pain that Ryuko was suffering was greater than anything else. And Satsuki could do almost nothing for her. She used to be an emotionless leader... But the sight of her sister in these conditions was unbearable for her. Howewer she had to be strong, like last night. She started repeating it to herself, like if she wanted to convince herself about it.

Ryuko kept screaming and crying for Senketsu. With each tear, the pain seemed to get less stronger than before, but everytime she screamed his name the pain tightened the grasp on her heart. Ryuko couldn't feel anything else but pain. Pain and saddness. She felt like if all her emotions were confined in a small place and now they were coming out all togheter all of a sudden.

Satsuki pulled Ryuko's head in her chest, slowly caressing her. Ryuko calmed a little bit, but tears were still falling on her cheeks. The older sister took Ryuko's face with one hand and slowly started to wipe away her tears. Her touch was gentle and soft and Ryuko slowly relax under it. When she finally ended crying, Satsuki smiled to her.

-Ryuko... You are stronger than this.- She said slowly. -I know that it's hard but you must stand up again. Come on, you need some rest. Then we will go togheter to visit Mako, alright?- Satsuki then took Ryuko's hand and leaded them to the bedroom again.

-Satsuki...- Ryuko said with a low voice.

-Yes, Ryuko?- Satsuki answered.

-Can... can you... can you stay with me... please?- Ryuko asked hesitantly.

Satsuki nodded. -Yes Ryuko. I will stay with you.- She answered sweetly.

The two of them reached the bedroom and Ryuko immediately climbed on the bed. Satsuki, instead, went to close the window and turned off the light before reaching for her sister. She embraced Ryuko softly while letting Ryuko leaning her head on her chest. Ryuko stood there for little time before falling asleep. Satsuki then caressed her sister.

-I swear, Ryuko, i will find a way...- Satsuki tought before closing her eyes too.