(This fiction is based on the characters and settings created by Oyuki Konno)

**** Touko's POV **** Monday Afternoon ****

I smiled inwardly as I watched Kanako run down the pathway crying. What a stroke of luck it was overhearing her emotional confession from outside the news paper clubroom. This is why You never let people know how you feel. People will always use it against you.

Hopefully Kanako is right now running to return Yumi-sama's rosary. By tomorrow Yumi-sama should be soeur-less once again and I will have a second chance to get closer to the vibrant, beautiful, pig-tailed girl that haunts my dreams.

I am in love with her. I have been ever since I sneaked in to watch the Valentine's day card hunt. She was so lively that day, running around looking for Sachiko Onee-sama's red card. She was so graceful and happy running around the school grounds. I followed her for a time and even misdirected some fan girls that were following her.

That night was the night my dreams of Yumi-sama started. I was her petit soeur, always by her side. I dreamed of receiving her loving gaze and affectionate touch. Love and affection that has been denied me for so long. As I thought of her more often, her affection became more intimate and more than once I had awoken in a bothered state.

Then the new school year started and I decided to meet my cousin, Sachiko at the Rose Mansion during lunch one day. Sachiko introduced me to Yumi and I could see her jealousy plainly on her expressive face when I called my cousin 'Sachiko Onee-sama'. I played it up and teased her. At least she noticed me and that was the first step.

I continued worming my way between Sachiko Onee-sama and her petit soeur. When Sachiko's grandmother was ill, I suggested to my cousin that she shouldn't bother Yumi-sama with it. I figured if I turned Yumi-sama's heart away from Sachiko, I'd be able to get in Yumi-sama's good graces by getting them to reconcile.

My plan backfired, badly. I realized it on that rainy day when Yumi-sama ran away from us. I felt crushed when I saw the hate and hurt behind Yumi-sama's brown eyes. I felt even worse when I saw my cousin turn into one of the walking dead. Luckily Sachiko's Onee-sama turned things around by getting both of them together once Sachiko's grandmother passed away. Always one to learn from my mistakes. I resolved never to try and break them apart again.

Then I caught wind of their summer vacation plans. What was my cousin thinking inviting Yumi-sama to the vacation house. Those gossiping wenches will eat Yumi-sama alive. I quickly changed my vacation plans so I could be there to protect my Yumi-sama. My advice fell on deaf ears as she went to that awful party like a lamb to slaughter. That's when I saw how brave my love was. Even though the deck was stacked against her from the start. She went ahead and sang for Aunt Saionji and not only succeeded, but gained some goodwill among the family. I was so proud of Yumi-sama.

And then there came Kanako. It hasn't been easy to keep her away. I tried to poison Kanako's pure and innocent image of Yumi-sama, which caused the original disagreement between them. But now thanks to Yumi-sama's ridiculous bet, she is back and getting in my way again. Hopefully I'll be finished with her once and for all.

I really feel bad about my machinations. My stomach churns each time I try to get closer to my Yumi-sama. However the ends justify the means, and if I can get Yumi-sama to love me, It will all be worth it. Just then my thoughts were interrupted by and angry voice addressing me from behind. "Touko, what the hell has gotten into to you?"

I spun around and out on my innocent face. "What do you mean, Sachiko Onee-sama?" I asked politely.

"You can cut the innocent act right now. I know what you said to Kanako. What I want to know is Why?" My cousin said icily, her cold eyes boring through my mask.

"Well, if she cant stand the harsh truth, maybe she should go home and never come back!" I shot back angrily.

"I don't know what game you are playing at but you put my Yumi in the middle and I will have answers, young lady." Sachiko said venomously.

"Don't you see, that wench is going to take Yumi-sama away from both of us." I whined back.

I was almost knocked over by the force of my cousin's slap to my face. "How little you know, Touko. Yumi hides nothing. She loves me, I can see it in her eyes. She loves Kanako also. Yumi's heard is so big she can love many people at the same time. Am I that special someone? I don't know, but what I do know is that there is a little piece of that heart that is mine and always will be." Sachiko explained.

At that moment, I realized that I've been wrong all this time. By trying to cage that free flying bird that is Yumi-sama, I have only been pushing her further away. I fell to my knees and started weeping over my broken dreams. I looked up at my cousin, tears streaming down my cheeks and asked. "How can I make this right? I can't lose her."

"Honestly, you might not be able to make things right. You might have crossed the point of no return with this scheme of yours. What you did need to do regardless is take responsibility for your actions and apologize to Kanako and Yumi. What happens next will be up to the two of them. Come." She ordered as she grabbed my hand and pulled me up, dragging me with her down the path to the Rose mansion.

When we walked into the meeting room, I saw Yumi-sama serving a sullen Kanako tea. Both their eyes were swollen from crying. I was heartbroken to find out that my actions caused Yumi-sama pain. The both looked yo as Sachiko entered behind me.

Yumi-sama looked at me, then addressed Sachiko. "What is she doing her, hasn't she done enough harm already?"

"Yumi-sama please let me speak." I pleaded. I walked over and knelt in front of Kanako. "I'm sorry I said those hurtful things to you. I was jealous of how close you are to Yumi-sama and I thought that if I could get you to break your bond, I would then have a chance to get closer to her. I was so wrong. Please let me know how I can make things right between us." I said contritely.

Kanako looked down at me and said, "I don't know if I can believe you Touko-san. You are too good an actress, you could be acting now. Telling us what we want to hear only to attack me again when things don't go your way. You will have to prove the worth of your words to me over time."

"I will try my best to redeem myself to you." I responded and turned to face Yumi-sama. " I also beg your forgiveness Yumi-sama, please look kindly on me." I said bowing low.

I was shocked at Yumi-sama's response. " I can't do that Touko, at least, not now. I am very disappointed with your behavior. I once thought you were different from those shallow, gossiping, harpies I met this summer. But your actions today showed me you are exactly like them. Right now you are nothing more than a spoiled, selfish bully who has no feelings toward others. You hurt somebody very dear to me, that I care deeply for. I'm sorry I can not five you the absolution you are looking for." Yumi-sama turned her head away from me as she finished. "You may go, Touko."

I rose and left the Rose Mansion after being dismissed, But I waited until I was far away from there before I let my tears flow freely.

A/N - another quickie; but what is Touko going to do now? (Hopefully I'll figure it out soon)

(I think I might have gone a little OOC for Touko, but she is very conniving in her own way.. so maybe not so far out)