A Modern Fairy Tale - Part III (Final)

Early in the morning, Sachiko heard shuffle sounds; yet, she didn't dare to open her eyes due her slumber. Honestly, she was feeling tired, not physically, but mentally and emotionally. These days were being so confusing and tiring for her. When she was turned to a dog, the first thing she wanted was wake up of this crazy nightmare and get her normal life back, but now… she doesn't have sure anymore. Everything was happening so fast and for the first time, she didn't know what to do.

She should be looking for any possible ways to change back, but the fortune which she received from the fairy/genie didn't say too much. Her family and Suguru must be so worried about her… so… why is she hesitating to find a way back to her normal body? Hmph, the answer wasn't difficult at all… there was only one thing that its makes her think wice before change back…

Yumi...

Yes, this can sound ridiculous and funny, but… she can't imagine how she passed all this time without that lazy wolf. They acted like they have known each other for their entire life. At first, they used to discuss all the time, but now… they simply clicked. Well, they still fight for silly things, yet they end up laughing. Yumi was the quiet and loner type, looking like an ice princess, yet she was the opposite. She was very kind, warm, thoughtful and amazing… but in her eyes, Sachiko could see all her sadness, like if she was lost and searching for something very important. She simply knows because she used to have the same feeling. However, after a time with Yumi, Sachiko could see something more hopeful and warm within her eyes these days. It's a pity that doesn't have a clue.

"Sachi , I – I have to solve something so I will be away all day, okay?"

Her smooth voice broke her train of thoughts making her less sleepy. Without opening her eyes, the dog asked in concern:

"Do you need some help? I can go with y—"

"No! I mean… you don't have to; I promise I'll come back as soon I can. Please, just promise one thing…"

Still with her eyes closed, the dog asked reluctantly, having a bad feeling about this:

"What, Yu-chan?"

"Promise me that no matter what happens, you won't leave the woods. I detected an unknown scent this morning… please, be careful. And don't go to dark or far places, okay?"

"But, Yu-chan. What if something happens to yo-" "Just promise me… please?"

The dog could notice the tension and deep concern in her voice. She didn't resist, but opened her eyes slowly only to find a pair of warm eyes looking at her with so much care. This simple action made her heart pound so fast like she never felt before. Gulping deeply, Sachiko finally nodded while looking down. With that, the wolf Yumi sighed in relief as she turned around slowly. Before leave, she looked over her shoulder and with a kind tone, she added softly:

"I left something for you outside the cavern. Take a look whenever you can…"

"But Yu-chan… you didn't have to. I don't like to bother you." The dog whined and 'pouted' to the wolf. The latter chuckled and looked away to hide her 'blush'; shaking her head, she turned to the cute dog and replied sincerely, still staring her caringly:

"You don't bother me at all… it doesn't matter what happens… I want to give you something… just to make you remember of me someday… but I promise that I will give you a best present, just wait a little more, okay?"

"Y-yu-chan… why are you talking like if we won't see each other again? Stop with this joke, you know that I am unable to forget you… y-you are my friend…"

The dog couldn't help to feel her heart ache with her words, just like if this was a goodbye. No, she was thinking too much, of course Yumi wouldn't leave her… right? Her apprehensive eyes locked on her, looking for some assurance, but none… Yumi only stared at her with her eyes showing nothing more than her love, still. However, only her stare was able to make her heart melt and her interior flutter madly. So, the wolf smiled and simply replied before leave:

"Yes… I am your friend, Sachi… and I'll always be with you… I just hope that one day I can be able to return everything you have done for me…"

"Yu-chan, wait-"

It was too late, before she could end her sentence; Yumi kept her sad smile and finally left. Her mind was twirl, everything was a huge blur. Why is she having all this confusing and sudden feelings? Somehow, she didn't like the way she talked to her… like if she was leaving for real… No, she is just imaging things… Now, in other hand, she remembered her remark about leaving something for her outside the cavern. Being a curious 'dog', Sachiko walked out the cavern and as soon her eyes adjusted to the sunlight… She gasped into a pleasant surprise…

Outside the cavern, a beautiful 'forget-me-not' bouquet awaited for her. Her mouth was hanged open as she approached of the flowers and sniffed the perfumed scent. A smile crept in her muzzle, the flowers were fresh, and that means that Yumi got these flowers before she woke up. Unconsciously her whole body got warm pleasantly, she felt something pulsating and fluttering whenever she remembered the familiar wolf… No one did something so deep for her before… What is this suppose to mean? She might not know now, but one thing she is sure… Yumi Fukuzawa certainly is someone that reached her heart and soul… and she didn't want to leave her...

~x~

The sun was settling and Sachiko couldn't help, but feel more worried. It passed hours and still, no signs of Yumi… She should look for her!But… she made her promise that she wouldn't adventure herself in the dark woods and alone. Yet… what if she lost herself or even worst… what even if she is wounded and need help right now?! Only with this thought, all her being shook in fear. It hurts her deeply the idea of a wounded and lost Yumi. The dog watched the sun and breathed hard as she remarked to herself in decision:

"Yumi...you can scold me later… but I can't let you risk yourself alone in the woods… if something happens to you… I won't forgive myself…"

Quickly looking to her surroundings, the dog took a deep breath and ran to the dark forest.

~x~

Once she arrived into a familiar cliff, Sachiko watched the sunset alone, with a heavy weight in her heart. Still, no signs of Yumi. Suddenly, something it hit her…Today was her last chance to back to normal life, yet there was she without any clue about how ato do it. She should be missing and waiting for her fiancée, Suguru. However, each day she passed on this unknown wood, the more she grows closer to a familiar wolf… Yumi. She remembered their first encounter; they couldn't simply bear with each other and now… look at her… her heart ache with her absence.

The wolf acted strange these days, there was time that she was cold and far… but she confused her with her warmth and care. If she ever leaves this place, she would like to help her get her life back to normal and her family again. Yumi made her feel something that never felt before and what frightens her it's that she doesn't know what this feeling means…

The dog Sachiko looked up and realized that it was night already, only the lonely moon brightened the wide sky. Now, she asks to herself… where is Yumi? She was so mysterious before her departure. The dog sighed for the millionth time and kept looking to the dark horizon, hoping to find Yumi...

However… her train of thoughts was abruptly interrupted when she heard a crack behind her; she felt chills in her spine and her heart squeezed in fear. Worriedly, she looked around, and blood was drained by her body as she stared with wide eyes to a dark figure behind an old tree. Distancing herself of the frightening being, Sachiko halted her steps instantaneously when she saw some pebbles rolling by the mortal cliff behind her. She was in a dead alley.

"No no no, this can't be happening. How can I -" "GROWL!"

Her eyes widened again as her heart thumped in fear. Sachiko froze in her spot when she took a better look of her chaser… the wild and dangerous wolf that escaped from the zoo! The animal glared her with his yellow and fierce eyes, and slowly, it crept close to her. His sharp fangs were shining due the moonlight and his expression only showed one thing… kill. The dog Sachiko stepped back and barked:

"Stop! Please!"

But the wolf was deaf to her plead; the latter halted for a second to take a good glare on her and Tiffany momentarily sighed in relief. Seeing that it stopped, she added softly:

"Thank you for-!"

It was too late, the wolf growled with saliva descending by his sharp fangs, eager to taste the dog. Is this her end? She won't see her family, her flowers and… Yumi ever again? Sachiko knew that this time she couldn't escape and the warm wolf wasn't here to save this time… Closing her eyes tightly to wait her fatal end, Sachiko waited… but nothing came. All of the sudden, she heard a loud whimper and growls filling the air. Once she shot her eyes up, a familiar grey wolf pounced on the black one. She immediately recognized the one:

"Yuuuu-cchhhan!"

"Sachi! Get out of here! I will hold it- Arghh!"

Yet, the black wolf managed to flee of Yumi' grasp and scratched right on her muzzle. The wild wolf was even angry than before; Yumi was dizzy due the attack, but recovered herself as she stood in front of the dog Sachiko, shielding her from the beast. The latter saw blood dripping of her muzzle and asked worriedly, more frenetically:

"Yu-chan! Let's get out of here! You are wounded!"

"No! I - *panting* I got this! Now, get out of here! It's not safe! Go, Sachiko!"

"NO! I WONT LEAVE YOU!"

The dog barked back in concern, her eyes already getting moistened in fear of something worst happen to Yumi. She tried to reach the grey wolf; yet it was useless since the latter stood before her in an attempt to protect her of the dangerous animal. All of sudden, the black wolf changed his glare from Yumi to Sachiko. The grey wolf widened his eyes and snarled in fury:

"NO! YOU WONT TOUCH HER!"

Yumi angrily pounced on the black wolf, yet the latter was too strong, but Yumi didn't give up. She was bitten several times and blood was starting to drip of her wounds. The grey wolf was getting weak and tired, she even cursed. Seeing this with an ache in her heart, Sachiko cried out, trying to reach her.

"YUMI PLEASE, LEAVE! I DON'T WANT YOU GET YOURSELF KILLED!"

The latter stood up weakly and stared at her softly as she always did to calm her. Then, she looked to the woods and sighed in relief when she heard loud footsteps coming. To Sachiko surprise, a familiar man came running inside the woods to their destination. She looked at the man and gasped in shock, or rather barked:

"Suguru?!"

The latter was holding a handgun tightly as he aimed on the black wolf. He glanced at the grey wounded wolf and back to the dog while snapping:

"I came to save you, Sachiko. The wolf, I mean… Yumi helped me find you and kinda told me everything. I'll explain everything later. Now, step aside. I have to finish this."

The black and enraged wolf realized that it was surrounded. This only triggered his blinding anger, so even with a threat, the black wolf decided to attack the most fragile aim… the dog. The furious wolf locked his glare on Sachiko and growled angrily again. Yumi felt her heart stop in anticipation. SHe needed to do something and right now… she had only one choice… but she doesn't care… it was worthy enough. Closing her eyes briefly, Yumi used her last strength to run and pounce on the black wolf before it could kill Sachiko. The latter watched the scene in slow motion in shock… she can't escape.

However, all of the sudden, she heard a loud gunshot and then… a deadly silence. Once she looked up, she saw the black wolf lying dead on the ground… Yet… when she looked to her side, she become paralyzed at the scene… It seems that when Suguru pulled the trigger to kill the mad wolf… Yumi jumped in front of Sachiko… and also was shot… The grey wolf whimpered weakly at her and succumbed on the floor.

Once Sachiko noticed, she widened her eyes and yelled with pain in her heart as she rushed to her. The dog tried to push her, passing her muzzle on her while sobbing, already crying:

"Y-yumi! Y-yumi! Y-You can't leave me now! I know you are s-strong! P-please, d-don't do this to me! P-please!"

Suguru fell on his knees in shock about what he had done, it happened so fast. But he didn't have choice, if he didn't pull the trigger, Sachiko would be killed right now. His eyes looked at the scene before her and he only could see sadness and pain. The dog persisted and tried to move the fatally wounded wolf desperately. Her tears touched her muzzle as she whimpered, completely heartbroken:

"Y-yumi...p-please… wake up… w-why did you do that?!"

All of the sudden, she heard a faint cough and whimper. Yumi fluttered her eyes open weakly as she turned to the crying dog. Her eyes now showed all her sincere feelings as a weak, but tender smile was in her mouth:

"Because I – I … love you, Sachiko… I loved you all along."

"What?!"

The dog gasped and felt more tears rolling like a river down to her muzzle. However, her body started to glow into a blinding light which was blinking until lightened the entire place, like a flash, then it ceased instantaneously. Once she opened her eyes, she didn't have paws, but hands and her body wasn't covered by fur, but with her skin. She was wearing the same clothes on the day she was transformed into a dog. Although she was surprised that she finally was turning back into her original form… she didn't felt happy, but heartbroken. She would give up on anything just to save the wolf in her arms. Her tears fell on her fur as she tenderly, yet carefully cradled her on her arms. The blue raven haired girl shook her head and sobbed into a broken tone:

"Y-you can't do this to me, Yumi! You can't confess to me and die! Y-you must live! I-I will help you to change you back an-and you will see your family again! Please… don't leave me…"

Using her last strength, the wolf Yumi managed to raise her head and place her paw on her hand, as if she was comforting her. She coughed and more blood dripped of her mouth. Breathing heavily, Yumi uttered weakly:

"I lose a-all hope when I – I was changed into a wolf… b-because I d-didn't know what I w-would have to do to change back… but… w-when you appeared… everything changed… y-you give me happiness, light and hope… Y-You are really beautiful a-as I imagined…"

"Y-yumi, d-don't talk. Y-you must keep y-your strength, o-okay?"

Sachiko said gently, although her heart was in pieces to see her like this. She caressed her head caringly as the wolf stubbornly carried on:

"I – I want to t-thank you…" "B-but I – I did nothing… Yu-chan, p-please rest… please…"

"Y-you… taught me w-what love means… and l-love… means s-sacrifices… I – I don't have re-regrets… I – I would d-do everything a-again fo-for you… p-please… b-be happy… I love…you…"

The wolf managed to smile weakly with her eyes showing so much warmth and love until… it closed slowly. The body succumbed in her arms and it wasn't breathing anymore, no more heartbeat. The blue raven haired girl widened her eyes and called her in panic:

"Y-yuuchan?!"

Her heart stopped when she saw her lifeless in her arms. Sachiko shook her carefully, still holding her tight, trying to wake her up frenetically:

"yu-chan?yu-chan?!yyyyyuuuuuummmmmiiiiiii!?

Her despaired scream filled the air, but nothing came in return… Yumi… was gone. The latter's body lied on her arms as she caressed her with countless tears soaking her fur. Hugging her body close to her, she muttered in dismay into a sob with her body shaking in despair:

"I didn't deserve it… y-you can't leave… I love you, Yumi… I love you! P-please… wake up… d-don't leave m-me… *sob*"

The heartbroken scenario carried on as Sachiko did not let go on the wolf's body, she didn't care about the time passing… she only wanted to stay with her...even when there wasn't no more life on her. Suguru stared at scene sadly, it seems that the blue raven haired girl really loved Yumi after all. So… there was only one thing to do in the end…

-x-x-

Weeks later…

The florist was seated on her shop while staring a 'forget-me-not' flower in sadness. It was the same one that Yumi gave to her on that day. Still, everyday she would caress the flower's petals and water the flower caringly, most part of time… with her tears. Although some time passed after Yumi's death and her return to her original form… nothing was like before. Her flowers were her life, but now… nothing has meaning. Sachiko was remembering the moments she had as a dog, she had a bad time on the first days… but when Yumi came, even with a bumpy beginning… it was the happiest moments she had in her whole life.

After thinking deeply, she couldn't understand why she returned to her original form… The genie/fairy told her that she would turn back if she finds her true love, yet… why did she turn back to normal when Suguru appeared in the first place on the cliff?

Unconsciously, an image crept in her heart… even smiling sadly, she realized… that she only changed back… because her true love was in front of her all the time. Sachiko looked to a familiar scarf in her hands and slowly, a teardrop fell on the fabric. She wiped the tear slowly, but it can't be helped, more tears rolled by her face. The destiny was very ironic… Everything helped her to find her true love and then… the one she really loved sacrificed her life for her… Even if Yumi did not turn back to her normal form and still was alive… she would stay with her until the end and help her to find her family…

Back to her present, she was rather relieved in some kind of way when one day, Suguru came to her shop and told her that she didn't had to marry him if she didn't want to. It seems the cop realized that she was with a bleeding wound in her heart. How she missed Yumi… if only she could see her again… if only…

*RING*

Sachiko jolted in shock when she heard the ring soaring in the store, this means that a client was in. Not being able to see anyone now, she quickly wiped her tears and started to organize her store. Without looking back, she added politely:

"Please, forgive me, but we are closed. I forgot to put the warning. You can come back tomorrow."

"I am sorry; miss, but I have a delivery for Sachiko Ogasawara."

Yet, she stopped on her tracks almost immediately when she heard the smooth voice. Once she looked around hastily, she was welcomed with a beautiful and big bouquet of 'forget-me-not'. Sachiko blinked a few times in surprise, but she couldn't see the person behind the bouquet. The stranger gently handed her the flowers which she accept doubtfully. She looked the flowers and unconsciously, her heart felt warm, so she uttered softly, still staring the beautiful bouquet:

"T-Thank you, b-but who did send me?"

"I thought you weren't going to ask…"

Sachiko froze when she heard the voice again, unconsciously, her eyes wandered by the stranger's hand, arm, and then to her face. She was stunned, the person before her was undeniably beautiful. Yet, her heart pounded madly when the brown woman was wearing a soldier navy blue uniform flashed an endearing smile. The woman took a step closer to her and whispered softly while looking down to her widened eyes:

"Do you like my flowers?" "I – I –"Sachiko stuttered in nervousness, of course, in a good way. Her heart was beating so loud as if it was going to explode in any second. What is happening? However, the soldier took another step and now, just a few gap separated them. The way she looked to her, Sachiko felt constrained… it showed so much warmth and feelings. SHe dared to hold her hands and gently thumbed as she added truthfully, not hiding her dazzling smile:

"I missed you so much, Sachi…"

"H-How did you know my name?!" The brown laughed heartily as she shook her head, a confused Sachiko was really cute. Her laughter ceased, but there was a knowing grin on her face as she faked a heavy sigh. Once she looked deeply into her eyes, she added bashfully:

"You know… you were really cute as a dog, but… I like this version of Sachiko better. I think I have a thing for brunettes, specially this one in front of me. Did I say before that you are really beautiful?"

Before Sachiko could utter another 'what', her eyes caught something unexpected. On her right hand, there was a small scar and it was very familiar… to a scratch that Yumi had when she saved from the falling tree…! WHAT?! The blue raven haired girl gasped and widened her eyes as she stared the scar. The scarf in her hand fell due her shock, however, the brown gently crouched and grabbed the item. She removed the dirty carefully and wrapped the scarf around her neck as she spoke into her smooth voice:

"Thank you for taking care of my scarf… but it really looks better on you… puppy…"

!

"Y-yumi?!" Sachiko uttered with tremble lips as she stared the face before her. Her heartbeat was incredible fast; she raised her shaking hand to her face and caressed slowly, as she was trying to imprint her face in her mind. She was shocked as she stared at her eyes, it was the same sharp, yet warm ones when she was a wolf, the difference that the yellow eyes were replaced for pair of hazel and melting eyes. Yumi frowned worriedly as she spoke softly:

"Sachi, it's me… Y—" "Yu-chan!"

Before she could even continue, the already crying girl throws herself in her arms and hugged her neck tightly. She was taken back due the sudden hug, but smiled lovingly as she embraced her with all her love. Unable to contain her happiness, she raised her in the air, giving her a twirling – tight hug. The pair ends up laughing and crying at the reencounter. Once the hug ceased, their arms never left each other. Yumi looked down to a crying Sachiko and gingerly wiped her tears:

"Oh Sachi,please don't cry. I am here now, see?"

She cooed her caring as the girl shook her head while clumsy tried to wipe her tears. She rested her arms on her chest and tried to calm herself to speak earnestly:

"B-But I – I saw y-you o-on the cliff, how-how did you?"

"You wouldn't believe it… after the incident on the cliff, I thought it was my end too… but that old hag- I mean, old lady appeared and told me that I was free of the spell… because I finally found someone that I really loved, that was what wrote on my lost fortune, so here I am now. Sorry for making you wait, but since you didn't gave me your address, I look for every single flower shop in Tokyo, hoping to find you. Thank God, I finally found you…Well, I guess my wolf days are over *chuckles*"

yumi managed to laugh, but Sachiko remained serious as she stared her in awe, more a lovestruck expression. Then, she cupped her face and whispered seriously:

"I will tell you now because I don't want to miss another second without you…"

Taking a deep breath, she stared deeply into her eyes and confessed with a beautiful smile:

"…I love you, Yumi. You are the only one for me."

The brown momentarily widened her eyes into a pleasant surprise; it was all that she wanted to know. Her heart was exploding with such great happiness. Before she could answer, a pair of plump lips touched her as Sachiko wrapped her arms possessively around her neck. She fluttered her eyelids closed drowsily as she encircled her slim waist tenderly. The kiss was slow, passionate and burning; how they waited for this moment and it was indescribable. Two hearts pounded so loud as one; the smile crept in their lips as Sachiko caressed her face and Yumi rubbed her back lovingly.

Once the air was necessary, they broke the kiss hesitantly with their foreheads touching. Sachiko was panting, still recovering the breathtaking kiss and Yumi only stared with her eyes full of love. SHe embraced her endearingly and whispered:

"I love you too. I always did… and I always will… my love."

The blue raven haired girl blushed at such cheesy words, but whatever, she loved her caring side. So, the only thing she could do was pull her for another round of passionate kisses, enjoying kiss and nibble these thin lips that she loved. Secretly, she thanked in her heart for having this opportunity and finally found her true love of her life.

-x-

"And The End." The mother sighed in content as she recalled the beautiful story. However, the small being which lied on the comfy bed, smiled widely and asked cutely, showing the lack of two teeth in her mouth:

"No, mommy! You missed the part… And they lived happy ever after!"

The mother chuckled at her daughter's "correction" as she patted the child's head gently. Narrowing her eyes playfully, the mom asked:

"Oh, I am sorry. I thought that you already know it since you heard this story more than one hundred times *chuckles*"

"Yes, but this is important, mommy…"

The mother raised her hands in defeat while giggling at her daughter's actions. All of the sudden, the little girl held her plushy toy and asked softly:

"Mommy, do you think that they live happy ever after?"

The mother smiled tenderly and nodded her head while leaning to kiss her daughter's forehead. So she added in a whisper:

"Of course, honey. Because they were made of each other, now, time to sleep. Sweet dreams, dear." The little girl yawned and rubbed her left eye cutely, whining sleepily:

"But I am not… tired… mom-zzzz…"

However, before the child could even reply, she finally fell asleep. The mother laughed inwardly at her daughter and gingerly covered her with the pink blanket. She caressed her daughter's brown hair gently and walked to the door. Looking at her child for the last time, she whispered amusedly:

"And they were blessed with two adorable angels as they daughters… I love you, Yumiko."

Afterwards, a tired, yet content mother walked to the another room and found a baby girl sleeping silently. Instantaneously, another warm smile crept in her face as she watched her child. She approached from the cradle and caressed the baby's arm gently. The girl didn't even flinched, such a sleepyhead like her mother. The mom chuckled at the thought. So, the latter leaned and kissed the baby's head as she whispered gingerly:

"Mommy loves you, Yuko. Sweet dreams."

With that, the blue raven haired woman looked at her baby girl for the last time as she went to her room. However as soon she entered, she was confused when she saw no one in the bedroom. Before she could call her wife, she saw a beautiful 'forget-me-not' lying in the bed, a breathtaking smile formed in her lips immediately. The woman walked to the bed, reaching the flower and inhaling the refreshing scent. This scent brings so many adorable memories; it always makes her heart flutter.

Nonetheless, while she was enjoying the flower's aroma, the wife jolted in her spot when she felt two strong arms wrapped around her waist, giving her an intimate back-hug. Her smile widened when the person held her tight, yet so caringly. Shivers ran by her spine when she felt a kiss in her neck. It was when the person spoke softly and breathing on her neck:

"Did you like it… honey?"

The woman held the hands above her tummy and thumbed gingerly. The smile never left her face as she answered softly:

"Of course… they are lovely like always… Thank you, Yumi…"

"You are welcome… puppy Sachi…"

Although she couldn't see, Sachiko felt Yumi smiling against her neck. The latter turned her around gently as the couple finally faced each other, instantaneously, a lovingly smile crept in their cheeks. The blue raven haired woman caressed her wife's cheek tenderly as the latter sighed in contentment; in return, she wrapped her arms around her slim waist to bring her closer to her body. Their breaths were touching the other's faces as Yumi nuzzled her wife's neck teasingly as if she was proposing something more… intimate. However, the latter blushed madly as she held her shoulders frenetically:

"You might be a person again, but God… you are always going to be a sly wolf for me."

Unknowingly, Sachiko's 'resistance' only triggered something fiery inside of Yumi. The latter smirked mischievously in her neck and couldn't help, but plant some wet kisses here and there, hoping that this would convince her. Don't get her wrong, Sachiko's body was giving clear signs of her true desire, but her mind brought her to reality and fear of her children wake up. As if her wifey was listening to her thoughts, she dragged her lips to her ear and whispered hotly:

"Honey… the girls are sleeping… don't worry…"

"Nnnggg, Yumi, b-but if they-" Sachiko words clumsily left her mouth along with a delighted moan as her wifey bit gently a sensitive spot in her neck. She even rolled her eyes in enjoyment. Before she could intervene again, pulled from her neck and yumi stared at her passionately, even her pupils were dilated. It was when she whispered just a few millimeters of her dry lips:

"You are right… I am not just a sly wolf… but a very hungry one for you right now…"

Sachiko melted in her spot with such choice of words; her Yumi was way too sexy. Her heartbeat got more unstable than never, much more when all of sudden, Yumi gently lay her down in their bed. A gasp escaped from her lips when her hands were seized a top her head and a very mischievous smile adorned her wife's lips. She tried to 'flail', but seeing that she wasn't going to anywhere, she sighed heavily and added with her eyes narrowed:

"Yumi Fukuzawa…" "Sachiko Fukuzawa…"

That moment, the couple broke their eye contest and end up laughing heartily. Her sly expression was there, but love and caring glowed in her eyes. Once their laughter ceased, she let go of her hands gently, in return, Sachiko cupped her cheeks, thumbing lovingly. SHe closed her eyes to enjoy the moment as she placed her hands on top of hers, holding caringly. They stood like this, into a warm silence, until…

"I love you, Sachiko."

She could listen this sentence one million of times, but it always has the same effect. Her heart pounded madly and a sudden warm would spread in her body. In response, Sachiko stared deeply into her eyes and added sincerely:

"I love you too, Yumi."

The latter smiled brightly, deeply touched with her words. However, her semblance got serious as she opened her eyes to look at the beauty underneath her. She brushed her bangs to her side tenderly and whispered:

"Sachi… you are always going to be my first and only love. But sometimes I ask myself if this is a dream… that one day I'll wake in any second alone in a dark forest without you… t-that you are going to marry Suguru a-and I'll never see you again…"

"Yumi… listen to me because I am going to say this once…"

Sachiko ordered gently once she saw her wife's concerned eyes and sorrowful expression. Her hands brought her face close to hers as she finally added with all her love:

"You and only you are my only love. You gave me everything; you and our daughters filled the emptiness that I felt in my heart… for me…"

A lovingly smile along with a blush crept in her cheeks as she admitted breathlessly:

"For me… even if we have ups and downs… you are my happy ending… and will always be. You are mine and only mine… my love."

This was more than enough to make Yumi flash a breathtaking smile. Soon, she pulled her face and the couple shares a long and passionate kiss. Sachiko squirmed in pleasure when she felt her nibbling her lower lip, much more when their tongues finally met each other in slow and intense brushes. Afterwards, the couple surrenders to each other as they made love and exchanged "I Love you" sentence every time that they would recover their breath of the fervent kisses.

Hours later, the couple fell asleep with Sachiko cuddled on Yumi's embrace as the latter embraced her protectively. They even have smile in their faces while sleeping, glowing after a moment of love. Just while the couple was sleeping peacefully, a figure watched the house from afar with a smile in her face. Nodding to herself, the old lady turned around and walked away holding a basket with fortune cookies until she finally disappeared on the thin air. After all, she has more people to help in the pursuit of the true love… maybe she wasn't just an old hag with crazy cookies in the end.

FIN