Author's note: When I posted chapter 2, I had meant to thank my readers and reviewers but I forgot! Please accept my humble apology and THANK YOU! Now with that being said, it's really sad how very little stories are being published/updated for this fandom. I actually started writing at all because I was hoping it would inspire our writers to start writing again. Hopefully my story/stories do the trick, enjoy!
While sitting in her last period of the day, time seemed to fly for Yumi when normally it crawled by slowly. She was both eager and nervous about facing her Onee-sama at the end of class. She had boldly stated that she would collect her from her classroom. At the moment she somewhat regretted that decision, if only it would buy her a few minutes to calm her rattled nerves. Though it might not have seemed like it, Yumi was greatly affected by her display of bravado. But the greatest effect came from her Onee-sama's reaction to it all. Never before had she seen such expressions on her. She never thought of her Onee-sama as the famous "ice princess" that she was known for but, she definitely wasn't one to show too much emotion and there was that "needy" look in her eyes after they kissed. Sachiko said one thing but she definitely felt another because she felt it when they kissed. The way Sachiko responded to her told her what she was feeling but refused to acknowledge and confess.
'But that's not enough, I want to hear how she feels. I want to hear it again and again. I, Fukuzawa Yumi, swear this day that I won't rest until I make Ogasawara Sachiko mine! Just you wait Sachiko, I will show you exactly what I'm capable of and we will be together! Gah! I sound so creepy, I'm even scaring myself. Hehehehe! ' Yumi snickered to herself as she imagined trying to kidnap her Onee-sama wearing a Phantom of the Oprah costume as her fellow members of the Yamayurikai chased after her.
"That will be all for the day. Read chapters 10-20 and review your notes. Friday we will have a test. You are all dismissed."
Lost in her daydreams, Yumi didn't hear the bell ring but the mentioning of a test brought her crashing down to earth. Yumi hated tests just as much as she hated Suguru. Well, hate was a strong word and it was a bit much to compare tests to Suguru. Nothing could beat Suguru. But should she really hate him? Wasn't he as much a victim as her Onee-sama was? Wasn't it her Onee-sama's grandfather who arranged the wedding? But then again, Suguru was male and as such he had more pull in ways of decisions making than her Onee-sama did. If anyone would stand a chance of abolishing that farce of a wedding, it would be, Suguru. But that fruit fly obviously cared more about his gaining's than his unfortunate cousin. And even then that still wasn't enough because he had the audacity to turn his nose up at her lady parts and tell her she could share her- 'Stop right there, Yumi. If you continue this train of thought you won't be able to focus on more important things. Ah! Sachicko's waiting!'
Yumi jumped up from her seat, which garnered the attention of her fellow classmates. She hurried to scoop everything into her bag but she dropped a book. Said book was retrieved from the floor by her friend and fellow council member, Yoshino.
"You dropped this."
"Th-thank you Yoshino! I must be going now. I'll see you at the Rose mansion."
"Yumi! Wait!"
"Later Yoshino! I promise!" Yumi's response was shouted as she dashed out the door nearly jogging.
Everyone that was left in the classroom stood staring at the door for a moment before turning their confused and inquisitive gazes to Yoshino, who in turn looked to the last remaining council member that was present.
"Shimako! What could have gotten into Yumi?! She has never been like this before! - Yoshino! Lower your voice!" Shimako all but hissed out as she looked around at the prying eyes and cocked-back ears of her classmates.
"Sorry, sorry! But something is going on and based on Sachiko-sama's reaction this morning, it's something big! We have got to get to the bottom of this!" Yoshino exclaimed enthusiastically with a vigorous fist pump! The fire in her eyes spelt more trouble for Yumi than their unofficially crowned mitigator, Shimako, might be able to handle.
"Yoshino, we must not pry into Sachiko-sama and Yumi's affairs. When they are ready, they will share with us and if they are never ready, then so be it. It isn't our business. We are only to help them when requested."
"What?! No way! You might be willing to twiddle your thumbs until Yumi finally decides to talk but I'm not. I'm going to help Yumi along with sharing. Sharing is caring, isn't it?"
Sighing to herself, Shimako turned to gather her things before replying to Yoshino, "Do what you will Yoshino, but remember, karma is no one's friend and you will reap what you sow 10,000 fold."
"Karma? What Karma? I'm not doing anything wrong!"
"Calm yourself Yoshino; gather your things so that we can head to the Rose Mansion."
Nodding in response, Yoshino gathered her things and they left their classroom, while talking amongst themselves. The remaining occupants of their classroom looked around at each other in puzzlement.
"Something's going on between Rosa Chinensis en bouton and her petite soeur?"
And with that question on the air, the gossip travelled like lightning through the first years, spreading like a virus throughout the student body. Everyone would be aware that something was amiss in the Rose Garden.
After weaving her way carefully through the sea of students all heading to their after school clubs or home, Yumi found herself standing inside the doorway of her Onee-sama's classroom. Looking inside the room, Yumi found her Onee-sama standing talking with Rei-sama.
"Sachiko, what's going on between you and Yumi?'
Sighing softly, Sachiko looked off to the side opting not to respond as she waited for the notes she had asked to borrow. There was no way she would divulge such information to Rei when she herself didn't quite understand what was going on. Her thoughts and emotions were a raging storm inside of her. Never before had she felt like this and there was no one she could go to for advice. 'I know I can talk to Onee-sama about anything but it…it just doesn't feel right. I'm not ready to share this with anyone!'
"Here you go. Just know that if you want to talk, I'm always here."
Looking into Rei's eyes, Sachiko saw the sincerity in the offer. She smiled and nodded once before accepting the notes she would need to catch up on the day's lessons she had missed. Thoughts of Yumi had plagued her mind from morning and their seemed to be no reprieve insight.
"Ah, Gokigenyou Yumi, you've come to collect Sachiko?"
Glancing up from her bag that she was packing, Sachiko caught the light blush that spread across her petite soeurs face at the question. For a moment, there was the Yumi that Sachiko knew and loved but that image was quickly broken by her petite soeur's response.
"Gokigenyou Rei-sama, yes, I have and I plan to do so from now on." Yumi boldly stated, which surprised Rei who looked to Sachiko for confirmation and a bit of an explanation, but neither was forthcoming because Sachiko was just as surprised as she was, if not more so than her. Sachiko stared at Yumi with owlish eyes, dropping all pretense of a lady in that moment as Yumi met her stare unwaveringly. Feeling uncomfortable in the ensuing silence, Rei glanced back and forth between the two before awkwardly excusing herself, but her departure went unnoticed by the room's other two occupants.
Breaking the staring contest, Yumi turned to the classroom door and closed it before turning back to face her frozen Onee-sama. Taking a deep breath to settle her nerves, Yumi calculated each step she took towards her Onee-sama. 'Don't think Yumi, just go with the flow. You're in control. Don't think.' Yumi's inner pep talk seemed to have some affect because each step seemed to come easier than the last and before she knew it, Yumi stood toe to toe with her Onee-sama, staring into each other's eyes. Standing so close she could smell the mixture of her Onee-sama's rose-scented perfume and her sweat. With her new found bravery, the intoxicating smell easily lured her in, because before she knew it, Yumi was leaning forward to nuzzle her nose into her Onee-sama's neck, inhaling deeply.
Gasping deeply, Sachiko tried to push Yumi away, but her body didn't match up with her mind because instead of pushing her away, she pulled her closer, molding their bodies together. One hand went around Yumi's waist and the other went to secure her head.
Getting caught up in the positive reaction, Yumi responded in kind by wrapping her hands around her Onee-sama's back and snuggling deeper into her embrace, pressing her lips to her neck in a kiss. It was as if time stood still to allow them to bask in this moment, but it would be fleeting for it was not long before they heard the voices of passing students that broke the spell that had been casted on them. Sachiko was the first to break the embrace by pushing a much more reluctant Yumi from her person. She could feel the tingling sensation from where Yumi had kissed her neck and she just barely resisted the urge to reach up and touch the spot. The blush creeping onto her cheeks was enough of a testimony to the fact that she had liked what had happened and her actions told even more. She didn't just like it, she wanted more but she wouldn't dare say it. It was one thing to acknowledge something with oneself, but it simply wouldn't due to share it with another. This was another thing to be filed away to think about later, for now they had a meeting to attend.
"Yumi, let us head to the Rose mansion. We must not be late."
Yumi continued to stare at Sachiko before responding, "Yes, but we still need to talk after the meeting."
Straightening her back, Sachiko stood up to her full height as if to intimidate her petite soeur but Yumi quickly defused the bomb that was Sachiko by stepping forward and tiptoeing to peck her on the lips. Coming down, Yumi saw that it was all clear by the growing blush on her Onee-sama's face. She grabbed a hold of her Onee-sama's hand and guided her along out of the classes building to join the stragglers making their way to their respective after school activities.
"Gokigenyou everyone," Rei greeted everyone as she entered, "Gokigenyou" everyone responded.
"Rei-chan, did you see Sachiko and Yumi on your way here?" Rosa Foetida asked her petite soeur. She was more than ready for the entertainment to commence. The morning's meeting promised that there would be more drama and judging by the grin on Rosa Gigantea's face, Eriko knew that she was not alone in her eagerness.
"Yes Onee-sama, I left them alone in our classroom," Rei replied as she took her seat at the table.
"What were they doing when you left them?" Yoshino butted in, who was preparing tea for her fellow council members when Rei entered. She quickly made her way over to place the tea before Rei, "Would you like some biscuits?"
"Yoshino let them have their privacy and yes, please."
"I'm going to have to agree with Yoshino, Rei-chan, what were they doing when you left them?" Rei's Onee-sama pressed with a raised eyebrow; quickly detecting that there was something interesting that her petite soeur was hiding.
Sighing in defeat and slight annoyance, Rei gave her Onee-sama a sideward glance before responding, "Onee-sama you shouldn't condone nor encourage Yoshino's behavior. You're more alike than you think and to answer your question; they were just….staring at each other."
While everyone else pondered over this information, Rei's petite soeur took offense to being compared to her grande soeur and she displayed as much by turning up her nose at her Onee-sama, but she still pressed on to feed her curiosity.
"Whatever! How were they staring at each other? We need more details! How can we figure out what's going on if you're being stingy?"
Jaw hanging in disbelief, Rei could do nothing but stare at her petite soeur before glancing around at the faces of her fellow Roses to see them nodding in agreement with Yoshino. She expected such things from Yoshino but to see the rest of the Roses following along was unsettling for the en bouton. Shaking her head and rolling her eyes, Rei sighed again before responding, "Really you guys; the stare was just…intense. I didn't understand what was going on. I left because I felt out of place and they didn't even notice when I left."
"Whoa! Intense you say?" Sei repeated in excitement.
"And they didn't notice your departure?" Eriko asked with a raised eyebrow. Sei and Eriko looked at each other before looking to their fellow third year. The Rosa Chinensis sat cupping her now warm tea, churning what had happened that morning and now what Rei had divulged in her mind. 'Sachiko I don't know what's going on between you and your petite soeur but whatever it is, it will be found out.' With that thought on her mind Youko cleared her throat loudly to get everyone's attention before speaking.
"Okay everyone, let's all keep an eye on Sachiko and Yumi. Normally I would say for us to leave them alone and give them their space but, something big seems to be happening and I think they might need our help soon enough."
All that was present nodded in understanding except for Rei, who sat back in her seat in total defeat. If it wasn't clear to her before that no one agreed with her preference of "giving them their privacy until otherwise summoned" then it was now, as they had practically been ordered to be spies. She wasn't certain, but Rei felt she had an idea of what was possibly developing between her friend and her petite soeur, because she already had such a relationship with her cousin/soeur. She understood the need for privacy and secrecy all too well. Yoshino and Rei worked hard to keep their relationship from being founded out by anyone, including their friends. They just weren't ready to be an open couple because they were more than just a lesbian couple, they were cousins! Rei wouldn't allow the possibly forming couple to be exposed before they wanted their friends to know. 'Just in case I'm right, after the meeting today I will warn them to be more discreet while they're dealing with whatever it is they're going through.'
Upon entering the Rose Mansion, Yumi looked around to ensure that they were alone before turning to her Onee-sama. Once she was sure that they were alone, she leaned in while tiptoeing to give her a kiss but that time Sachiko seemed to be prepared for it. Sachiko stepped back just in time to avoid the kiss and braced her hands against Yumi's shoulders to prevent any further attempts.
"No! You have done enough. Why do you keep forcing this?"
Straightening her stance, Yumi stepped back from her Onee-sama and turned around to head up to the meeting room, but not before her Onee-sama saw the flash of hurt in her eyes. She paused at the door with her hand on the doorknob. For a minute or two she stood there unmoving before turning her head to the side to speak over her shoulder, "We will discuss this after the meeting." And with having said that, Yumi opened the door and greeted the room's occupants.
Sachiko who still stood at the bottom of the stairs only had a moment to herself before she heard her name being called. She went up the stairs and took a steadying breath before walking into what she deemed to be a cleverly disguised "battlefield." All of the Roses sat gathered except her petite soeur who was busy getting tea for them. Her Onee-sama's stare hit her like lightening with its intensity. When Youko looked at her she always felt naked, it was as if she could see her very soul. She almost gave pause upon entering but she refused to back down. From morning she has been caught in this docile mood. Yumi had free reign over her, dominating her at every chance, but she would put an end to it now. She was an Ogasawara, she was born to lead; though her grandfather and father felt otherwise about that and showed it just as much by deciding to marry her off to Suguru, but aside from that she was a leader. Ogasawaras backed down from no one and so she strode forth in all the elegance and authority she could muster in her stance. Her back was ramrod straight, neck craned and head held high. She was the embodiment of defiance as she met the gaze of her Onee-sama.
Sachiko greeted everyone as she took her seat but she continued to hold her Onee-sama's gaze. She refused to submit to her like she did that morning. It was now the battle of wills and only one would be victorious. Through this exchange of stares, a suffocating silence ensued. The only sounds that dared to intrude upon the "calm before the storm" were the sounds of the ticking clock and the teapot whistling. But in the minds of the spectators of the oncoming fight, the sound of the clock was like the countdown of a bomb and the teapots whistle was a cry of warning. Eyes darted back and forth; two cups of tea were placed on the table.
"Thank you Yumi," Sachiko said as she broke the silence. Her expression of gratitude seemed to get the ball rolling, as before Yumi could reply the unofficial leader of the Roses spoke up, " Sachiko we need to talk about this morning."
"There is nothing to talk about Onee-sama, let's start the meeting," Was Sachiko's cool and evasive response. Eyes flashing in irritation Youko responded in a slightly heated tone, "I will decide when we start this meeting- And I will decide who, what, when and where if, I want to discuss something!" Sachiko near shouted with her narrowed blue eyes darkening with her mood. Youko eyes narrowed in response as she went to respond but she stopped short when she felt a hand suddenly squeeze her thigh. Glancing down and tracing the hand back to its owner, she met the stern gaze of her friend and fellow council member, Rosa Gigantea, who slowly shook her head saying "no more." Closing her eyes and sitting back in her chair, Youko opened and closed her fists as she took calming breaths to center herself. Sitting up in her chair, Youko opened her eyes before speaking.
"Sachiko, I'm just worried about you. I know you can handle matters on your own, but, you're still my petite soeur and sometimes," Shaking her head slowly, Youko sat up straighter in her seat, seeming to shake off the Kodak moment that was taking place, "Just remember that if you need to talk, I'm here and that offer is extended to you too, Yumi." Youko finished with a quick glance at Yumi before gazing once again at her petite soeur's defiant stare. Clearing her throat, Youko quickly fell back into the role of Rosa Chinensis as she glanced around the table before speaking.
"Now, let's start the meeting. This year for Valentine's Day; the newspaper club is organizing a treasure hunt in which the winners of the hunt will be having half-day dates with the en boutons."
"I object!" Yoshino shouted while sweeping her hand through the air in dismissal of the statement.
"It's not up for debate." Youko stated without missing a beat.
"Yoshino! Restrain yourself and allow the meeting to continue."
"Restrain myself?! Rei, how can you be okay with this?!"
"That is enough Yoshino-san!" Youko snapped. It had been a long day and patience wasn't flowing in abundance for Youko. Squaring her shoulders, Youko continued to outline the rules of the event without further interruption.
"Now, any questions?"
Yumi who had been sitting quiet and unmoving for the duration of the meeting, finally spoke up.
"Can anyone participate?"
"Yes, there are no rules or stipulations stating who can and cannot participate within the event."
Taking the information in stride, Yumi just nodded her head to show that she understood, before once again getting lost in her mind. Inside the mind of Yumi, plans were taking form. New ones were being formed and old ones were being reconstructed. The other Roses who were still mindful of Yumi and Sachiko, watched for Sachiko's reaction after Yumi asked her question, but there was nothing to be found. The en bouton calmly sat drinking her tea while eating a cookie, but in reality; Sachiko was trapped in a world wind of emotions, feelings and thoughts. All of which were centered on a certain petite soeur.
"If that's all the questions, this meeting is adjourned." Youko declared while, organizing the various papers on the table as she prepared to head home.
Sei, who had never unpacked, sat watching Yumi as the others gathered their things. She had always held a soft spot for the little dinosaur. It might have been because of the sounds she made when she surprised her or her endless faces. Maybe it was how easy it was to read her or her smile; it was actually quite captivating. Changing her focus to Sachiko, Sei, couldn't help but take in her beauty. Sachiko was very much a Red Rose. She was a rare but classic beauty; nearly perfect in appearance, elegant, delicate but prickly to strangers, bold, passionate, yes; Sachiko was indeed, a Red Rose. Seeing Youko begin to rise, Sei followed suit, grabbing her satchel as she too rose up to leave.
As everyone prepared to leave for the day, Sachiko and Yumi remained seated; only responding when their friends and fellow council members spoke to them as they left. When the door closed behind the last person exiting the meeting room, Yumi sat back in her chair, staring straight ahead at nothing in particular. They both sat in tense silence, not moving or speaking until suddenly the door swung open to reveal Rei.
"I'm sorry if I'm interrupting but, I came back to warn you that everyone is watching you. I don't know what's going on between the two of you, but whatever it is, if you want to keep it to yourself a while longer, you should be a lot more discreet. Maria-sama is watching you and so are we, Gokigenyou."
Finishing her piece, Rei backpedalled out of the door as quickly as she had entered, not spearing a glance to either of the room's occupants. Outside the Rose Mansion, Yoshino stood waiting impatiently for the return of her Onee-sama. The look that adorned her face told Rei, loud and clear that there would be no peace to be had from her younger cousin. The false, sickly sweet smile paired with dark brown gleaming doe eyes, which peered up at her told her as much. Yoshino was after something that she was determined to get and depending on what it was, she was sure to receive it.
"Rei-chan, you're going to tell me where you put your cards right?" Yoshino asked with her most endearingly sweet voice, while bating her eye lashes for added affect.
"No." Was the simple, yet curt, response of Yoshino's beloved Rei-chan.
"What?! Why not?!" Yoshino practically screeched at her Onee-sama.
And so, one of the many battles between the two younger Rosa Foetida soeurs began, as another was still brewing in another location not too far from them in the Rose Mansion.
