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

**** Noriko's POV ****

I saw the girl running away from the Rose Mansion. Looking closer, seeing the bouncing banana curls I realized it was my friend Touko. Being curious of her actions I decided to follow. She finally cam to a stop at the grove, by the Sakura tree. She threw herself down on the ground and covered her face with her hands. "Are you crying Touko? Whats wrong?" I asked the sobbing girl as I walked over and knelt down beside her

She looked up at me, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I screwed up. I lost Sachiko's respect, and Yumi-sam hates me. I son't have any other friends. My life is over." Touko sobbed.

I placed my arm around my friend to comfort her and said, "Tell me what happened. We'll try and figure this out together. Okay?"

Touko nodded and took the handkerchief I offered and started telling me her story about the events that led her here. She told me of her conversation with Kanako, where she used Kanako's lack of self confidence, manipulating Kanako to return Yumi-sama's rosary. She mentioned her argument with Sachiko-sama where Touko realized that all her plots and schemes were infact pushin Yumi-sama away. She confessed how really sorry she was and that nobody truly believes her.

"You really mad a mess of things, didn't you?" I told her. "When are you going to learn that being honest with people is better than hiding behind a wall. Kanako gave you the key. You have to prove that you have changed for the better." I explained to my friend.

"How do I do that?" touko asked me.

"For a start try being yourself and not some role you made up to hide behind. By acting the way you do with me." I smiled and gave her a hug.

"Thank you Noriko," she said. "I'll try my best."

**** Sachiko's POV ****

I looked over at Yumi, my petit soeur. Touko just left and Yumi seems to be fighting inside herself. I place my hand on her shoulder. "What's going on in ther Yumi?" I ask. Kanako looks over at us worry evident on her face.

Yumi stared into space and answered. "My mind is split. I know I should forgive Touko, but I just can't find it in my heart to. I feel betrayed. I am wondering what else she has meddled in and how much of the angst I've been feeling over the past months is directly related to her scheming."

I took her in my arms and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Let it go for now. I'm confident you will work things out with yourself. Why don't you head home. I'll see to Kanak-chan." I told her.

Yumi collected her school bag, said goodbye to Kanako, and left. I turned to Kanako and said. "I've never seen her like this, usually she is so sure of her heart. It's hard to see her so torn."

"I've seen her like this." Kanako spoke up. "It as during the time when you two were having problems. Then she just seemed to come to a decision and snapped out of it. I wasn't that close to her then, so I don't know the specifics. But I'm sure she'll work it out."

I frowned thinking about the pain I caused Yumi back then. "Come to think of it," I told the younger girl, "Yumi did seem more sure of herself after we worked things out."

"Sachiko-sama," Kanako started. " I hope you know that I don't hold any ill will over our heated words in the greenhouse. In fact, I think they might have helped me to sort our my true feelings for Onee-sama." She finished with a thoughtful smile on her face.

"I was only looking after my little sister." I told her, "Much like Yumi was looking after you today. Speaking of which, are you feeling better?" I asked her.

"Very much so thanks to you and Onee-sama." She answered.

"Never doubt your worth to your onee-sama. If you don't believe in yourself, then believe that she believes in you. After all there has to be something there that drew her to you in the first place. Remember that." I advised the younger girl with a smile. " I am jealous of you though."

"Why would you be jealous, Sachiko-sama?" She asks me.

"You are very luck that Yumi knows how to express her feelings. It was only intil recently and with Yumi's example that I have learned to express mine better. Maybe if I was more like her at the start, we wouldn't have lost as much quality time together." I confessed blushing.

"I'll keep that in mind, Sachiko-sama." She said as she started picking up. Between the two of us we mad quick work of the cleaning and left the mansion.

As we parted at the front gates, I turned to the the younger girl and smiled. "Welcome to the family, Kanako-chan." I said.

Kanako smiled at my words and walked away.

A/N: Okay this is the final chapter of this fiction. I decided to make the Touko arc a separate story. Please check out 'The Redemption of Touko'