Yaya sat staring at the stars shimmering above the tree tops. It was a cool evening and the light breeze gave birth to delicate bumps on her lithe legs as it danced across the smooth skin. 'I really need to kick the habit', she thought to herself as she placed the filter end of a cigarette between her lips. She then glanced about her quickly one more time to make sure no one was around, then swiftly struck her match. She thoughtfully watched the flame flicker for a few seconds, the light dancing in her confused eyes, then finally gave life to the cancer-stick protruding from between her lips. She didn't indulge the habit too often, but tonight there was a distinct need for it that resonated deep down within her.

'It's never been an issue before,'she thought with a furrowed brow, seemingly confused by her own emotions. Truth was, as she knew deep down in that same place that her need for nicotine came from, she was, in fact, lonely. She was never alone in the physical sense, make no mistake. Other than her friends, the sensuous young Spican often also enjoyed the company of an anonymous girl or two. Who ever said that Shizuma had dibs on seducing impressionable girls in the shadows of the forest! But the practice, no matter how entertaining, was wholly unfulfilling and left Yaya feeling not only empty, but abandoned through to the core of her being.

After taking her first deep drag of her glowing friend, she inhaled as deep as her lungs could accommodate and then exhaled the smoke into the cool night sky. Eyes, closed at first to savour the dizzying feeling, slowly opened to observe the shadowy courtyard around her. She was seated on a bench beneath one towering tree, half hidden behind some shrubbery from anyone who would approach. The imposing structure of the dorms wrapped around her on all sides, her back facing the Spican wing where silent as a mouse, a few floors up, a yearning pair of chartreuse eyes were watching the raven- haired beauty.

'I wish she'd kick the habit.' Tsubomi's thoughts seemed to mirror Yaya's as she wrinkled her nose in disapproval. 'It's like licking an ashtray, they say.'No sooner had the thought occurred when the younger girl silently berated herself for pondering the taste of Yaya's kisses. It's been months since Hikari slipped out of Yaya's grasp for good when she became E'toille with her prince, but Tsubomi instinctively knew that the object of her own affection was still working through the loss. Yaya had warmed up to Tsubomi considerably since then, even casually flirting with her younger friend on occasion. Tsubomi, however, always brushed it off, even when it made her heart leap and sometimes even break. She didn't want to be some casual distraction or temporary rebound, yet as she sat watching the older girl illuminated near romantically by the bright moon, she couldn't help but crave her unwavering gaze...her gentle touch...her sensual kisses...

A swift flick from her fingers to get rid of the excess ash that was forming at the end of her cigarette, then Yaya was back to sucking on the little stick as she sank deeper into her reverie. 'I'll be okay, Hikari.' She softly whispered to her mind's projection of her dearest friend, seemingly assuring it that she was doing well in moving past her feelings of unrequited love, even when it was hard at times. 'I'm ready for someone new to capture my imagination. Perhaps even...' her whispers faded into the silent atmosphere and were replaced instead by a crooked smile that spoke volumes to the knowing eye.

Nearly completely swallowed by the cold refrigerator monster, the little red-head battled gallantly against the metal beast, removing its insides and swallowing them whole. What a champion! Just one more bite and it will surely perish, but before Nagisa's hand could deliver the food it held to her mouth, she found herself yanked down to the floor behind the counter, a different hand now covering her mouth. Nagisa squeaked audibly from the fright delivered to her racing heart, but any instinct she had to wriggle free and make a run for it was quelched when she felt soft lips press against her ear and whisper gently, "Don't be afraid." She then felt arms envelop her protectively and a loving kiss press against her cheek. Shizuma. She could recognise her scent and it gave her massive butterflies. She sighed and relaxed into her girlfriend's hold, but apparently there was no time to act leisurely.

The light from a lantern reflected off the white walls of the kitchen and cascaded along the floor, slowly creeping closer to where the two girls were huddling. Nagisa's food dropped to the floor as Shizuma quickly, but silently, closed the fridge and scrambled with her love around the corner of the counter. Footsteps could soon be heard echoing through the larger area of the stark room, Nagisa now visibly panicking at the prospect of getting caught. She listened to the footsteps, each click on the hard tile sending shooting pains through her stomach. Shizuma, however, seemed calm as ever. Perhaps it was all the alcohol, though at that point in time she was rather happy to not be as intoxicated as her two friends, seeing as how she now needed all her witts about her. Before long she had an idea and retrieved a coin from her pocket, listening carefully to the approaching footsteps coming ever closer.

"Rats." Sister Hamasaka's voice made Nagisa's stomach churn, her slate with the old woman anything but clean. If she got caught now, it would surely be the end of her. Carefully peering around the corner, Nagisa watched the sister pick up the piece of food she had dropped and sniff it curiously. What a strange woman, she thought with a befuddled expression that was not lost on a very amused Shizuma, even in the dark corner they were hiding in. Shizuma's attention was soon drawn back to Hamasaka, however, as they watched her drop the discarded food in the trash and make her way to the sink to wash her hands. As she poured herself a glass of water, Shizuma saw her gap and took it immediately, tossing her coin over to the far end of the kitchen where it clanked its way along several metal objects. Her trick had the desired effect as Hamasaka put down her glass of water and rushed to the back of the kitchen with her lantern. Shizuma then quickly and deftly snuck up to where Hamasaka had left her water and just as quickly again made her way back to Nagisa, just in time to watch the old woman return from her search, clearly frustrated by the look on her face. Shizuma casually wiped her hands on her pants and reached for Nagisa again, waiting for the sister to retreat into the darkness of the dorms once more.

"Well now, wasn't that exciting." Shizuma grinned as she finally stood up and stretched out, but her cowering girlfriend was less amused, taking longer to rise to her feet. "What are you doing here?!" Nagisa finally scolded at the older girl once she felt brave enough and less worried about being heard by the patrolling sister. "You've been out drinking again, haven't you?" Shizuma pouted like a hurt puppy at Nagisa's lack of enthusiasm to see her, though she knew it was merely on the surface, and she knew how to illicit the red-head's affections. "Fine, I'll go." It was simply that easy. Nagisa was wrapped around Shizuma's arm even before the beauty could turn around, as she knew would be the case. Not only would Nagisa not let Shizuma leave like that, but she was also deathly afraid of the dark. It was a miracle she made it down to the kitchen by herself in the first place.

It didn't take the goddess of a girl long to take advantage of her loving minion, arms once again wrapping around the shorter girl, pulling her into a fiery embrace. Cool hands sneaking beneath the hem of Nagisa's pyjama top was in stark contrast with the heat radiating from her mouth as she drew her beloved in with a range of hot kisses. Nagisa felt her knees go weak as they always tended to do in this type of situation, but Shizuma picked her up effortlessly and sat her down on the counter, soon positioning the delicious curve of her hips between the smaller girl's thighs. "I've missed you." Shizuma's voice was hoarse with the sudden desire that filled her, and that same desire radiated from within Nagisa as the girl tangled her fingers through the platinum tresses and pulled her lady back to her lips for further kisses.

It seemed like the kitchen would soon be set alight as the lovers continued their affections in the dark, breaking the silence only by gasping their praises into the cool air. Hands slipped through silken tresses that seemed a tangle of red and silver, the two girls melting together by kiss and by touch. Hands roamed cloth that blocked the path to unfettered touching, tugging and pulling out of frustration before coming to a compromise and slipping beneath the flimsy fabrics. Fingertips roamed over warm skin, carefully tracing outlines of bones concealed within. Red tips almost touched the counter as Nagisa threw her head back and arched her spine, teeth clamping down hard on her bottom lip. Soon, however, her goddess soothed over the ensnared lip and eased it back into place with yet another burning kiss. "I think we better go find a bed..." Shizuma purred at her young love when the kiss broke, her forehead coming to rest against Nagisa's as she fought to restrain herself. "Or a couch..." came Nagisa's reply, her own eyes surprisingly dark with lust. "Or a carpet..." Shizuma replied once more as she pulled the younger girl off of the counter and dragged her into the dark of the dorm building.

Amane woke to the faint sound of knocking at her door, confused and somewhat agitated as she spied the time on her alarm clock. It was well after midnight and she had been having a very sweet dream. She looked to the other side of her bed at a sleepy Hikari also waking up slowly when another knock came from the door. 'What's wrong?' she asked drowsily as Amane climbed out of the warm bed and moved to open the door, shrugging in reply. "Finally!" Sister Hamasaka sighed her relief once the door was open, "I could not get hold of Presidents Sizumi, Kenjo or Minamoto. I'm terribly sorry to wake you, E'toille." Amane gave a faint smile and attempted to rub the sleep from her eyes as she leaned against the door frame, making sure to block the sister's view so that she would not spot the younger of the two girls, who had hidden herself beneath the blankets when she heard the all too familiar voice. "How may I be of assistance, sensei?" Amane asked politely, worry creeping up on her as to the cause of such an unexpected visit. "I fear there are girls wandering around, which as you know is completely unacceptable. I was close to catching someone in the kitchen a short while ago, but they escaped. I would continue to search until all the culprits have been caught, but I'm feeling unwell and need to go lay down. Please will you assist me in making sure that all the girls get to bed immediately, or else I'm afraid a mass punishment will be in order." The sister was clearly struggling to stay upright as she spoke to Amane almost pleadingly, her eyes fluttering shut every so often. "Of course, sensei. I'll fetch Hikari-chan and we'll do some rounds. Please return to bed and do not concern yourself with it any further." Hamasaka seemed pleased with Amane's compliance and gave a small bow in thanks, then slowly sauntered off.

"One of the many joys of being the crown couple of Astrea..." Amane sighed as she pulled a pair of jeans over her boy shorts and tossed an oversized t-shirt at her love, who looked positively perplexed at the thought of leaving her warm and cosy bed. But alas, duty calls. "I'm resigning in the morning." she joked half-heartedly as she got out of bed and got dressed. "Whoever it is will have to face the wrath of Hikari-chan, ne?" Amane joked and pulled the younger girl close for a comforting hug and a soft kiss to try and coax her out of the dip in her mood. "We'll just take a moonlight stroll and say we tried our best. No one will know the truth." Hikari nodded, satisfied for the time being, and gripped her blue-haired girlfriend's hand tightly before heading for the door.