A/N Alright back with another chapter, thanks to the couple of people that reviewed. I wasn't expecting anything so yay! This chapter ended up being pretty hard because I wasn't entirely sure were I was going with it. Anyway thanks and enjoy!

Chapter 4

That night Minamo couldn't sleep. Laying in bed her body was restless and her mind raced replaying her date over in her mind, and most importantly the kiss that had ended it. She knew she had been the one to instigate it, caught up in the magic of the evening but Yukari had returned it, hadn't she?

Yes, thought Minamo shaking the momentary doubt from her head, she had definitely returned it. But then what now?

Minamo pondered that question for what seemed like hours; perhaps Yukari was just caught up in the moment? That thought saddened Minamo a little, but she decide to think more positive. They had already agreed to meet up the next day, hopefully that was still on, and she would be able to discuss it with Yukari then. For the night Minamo decided to fantasize a little.

Should we go out? What would everyone think? What would my mother think? She felt a little dread at that one but also a bit rebellious, which made her smile beside herself. Would the school allow it? No positive thoughts! Would they end up in bed? Would she find me attractive? Oh god sex!

With that Minamo scrunched up, let out a small squeal and went bright red because of the many images that invaded her mind that second. When did I become such a pervert? She mockingly reprimanded herself. Stretching out on her back and spreading out her arms and legs Minamo let out a long labored sigh. It was then that she realized how warm she was, the tee she had thrown on before collapsing into bed was already sticky with sweat.

Since she didn't seem to be getting any sleep anyway she climbed out of bed and wrinkled her nose slightly as she saw the damp imprint of a body in the mattress. She turned and headed for the shower pulling off her nightwear as she went, letting it fall to the floor, she'd deal with it in the morning.

The shower did calm her; she stood under it focusing on the pit pat of the water droplets as it washed the sweat from her body. After the shower she claimed some new, dry clothes. She had felt refreshed during the shower but as she sat and her body cooled she began to feel drained and sticky again. Minamo looked around for something to occupy her mind, she had opted to leave the lights off after her shower, but her eyes had adjusted to the darkness of the room.

She thought of Yukari's stories that she had hidden earlier that night but while they normally calmed her she knew they would more than likely do the opposite at the moment. Her hands found the remote for the TV, she shrugged, she had never been the biggest TV watcher but maybe it would have something to take her mind off her thoughts.

Seemingly it had because Minamo awoke late into the morning, some inane chat show whispering into her ear. Her body ached slightly thanks to the awkward sleeping position she had woken up in. She slowly brought herself to a seated position and stretched, winching slightly at the sound of her limbs cracking. Her mind still half asleep she went about her morning routine and it wasn't until she sat back down with a cup of coffee in her hand that she thought of Yukari.

She would definitely have to see the woman today but how long should she wait? If she came too early she might seem too eager, besides Yukari was nearly always grumpy in the mornings. Minamo decide to try and leave it till closer to midday. This however left Minamo with the question of what to do in the meantime. She attempted to some schoolwork but she found that she didn't have much to do and even with her mind distracted she finished it quickly. She then busied herself with general housework, changing her bed and picking up the dirty clothes she had left on the floor the night before. After that she looking at her watch and it still seemed too early so she decided to go for a run, realizing she hadn't gone for one earlier in the morning because of her late rising.

Changing into her traditional jersey she grabbed her keys and opened the door, she breathed the morning air, pumping herself up. Once she got to the parking lot she noticed something that shouldn't be there, the Yukarimobile.

Walking over to it slowly Minamo's immediate thought was that Yukari had come to see her and her heart jumped a little. She dismissed this thought as she came closer though, hazily Minamo remembered that this was where Yukari had parked last night, it must have been sat there all night. But then, Minamo asked herself, where was Yukari? Minamo couldn't think, her mind panicked and she ran.

When Minamo got to Yukari's house her knees were shaking, her breathing shallow and sweat was pouring of her. She buzzed the door and was greeted by Yukari's mother who was quite taken aback by Minamo's state.

'Minamo, are you okay? What's wrong?'

'Yukari… Missing… Car…' was all that Minamo could breathe out.

'Yukari? Yes, I don't know what is with that girl, she wondered in last night freezing cold muttering to herself' said Mrs. Tanizaki, her voice tinged with annoyance, 'You don't happen to know where our car is do you?'

'Yukari… here?' Minamo flooded with relief.

'Yes in bed with a cold' stated Mrs. Tanizaki, thumbing behind her to the stairs, 'now why don't you come inside, do you run all the way here?'

'Ah, yes and thank you' said Minamo regaining some composure. As Mrs. Tanizaki led Minamo to the kitchen the P.E. Teachers mind started working again and she realized that she could have gotten there quicker and without nearly collapsing if she'd thought for a moment and taken her car. She berated herself as she sat at the kitchen table, easing into it slowly, her legs feeling heavier as the adrenaline wore off.

'I'm sorry about appearing in this state' apologized Minamo, as Mrs. Tanizaki rooted around for a glass.

'Oh its fine' said Mrs. Tanizaki with a wave of the hand, sitting down next to Minamo and sliding a glass of water over to her.

'Thank you' said Minamo gratefully, realizing how thirsty she was, she drain the glass quickly. She cup the empty glass and they sat in silence for moments, Minamo then remembered that Yukari's mother had mentioned her car, 'about the car Mrs. Tanizaki, it seems that Yukari left it over at my place'

'Really? Well that is a relief, though strange. Does that mean Yukari walked all the way from your house?' she added with curiosity.

'I suppose it must' agreed Minamo, 'though I'm not entirely sure why' that was only a half truth. She truly didn't know why Yukari would walk all the way to her house, especially with her car right there, but Minamo could guess that it probably had something to do with how their date ended. She decided to keep that nugget to herself though, for obvious reasons.

She was shaken from her musing when she heard a stirring from upstairs. Both women looked up at the ceiling.

'She's still alive at least' jested Mrs. Tanizaki.

'I should see how she's doing' said Minamo, rising from her chair before adding, 'I'll make sure either me or Yukari returns the car today, and again I'm sorry'

'It's quite alright and thank you'

Minamo left Mrs. Tanizaki in the kitchen and headed up to Yukari's room. On the way she felt that her muscles had become a touch stiff and when she reached Yukari's door she began a couple of simple leg exercises, pumping herself up a little. With the exercises finished she gave the door a small knock before entering.

Yukari's room was still a mess, much the same as it had been the last time she was there, except now the dandy clothes she was wearing last night were flung messily next to the bed. Yukari on the other hand was wrapped tightly in bed, only her head visible, she looked over and seeing Minamo seemed to relax slightly.

'Oh it's only you Nyamo' she said, before flinging the covers off her, revealing her to be wearing a retro styled gaming tee and shorts. She sat up cross-legged on her bed, making room for Minamo.

'I thought you were ill?' asked Minamo as she crossed the room.

'Only a little' sniffed Yukari, reaching for a box of tissues that was next to her bed. Minamo perched herself on the end of her friend's bed and leaned over to her, putting her hand to her forehead, checking her temperature.

'Let me see' after a couple of moments, 'it's hot but it's not too bad'

'See, I told you' smiled Yukari.

'You should still probably get some rest though' reminded Minamo, 'what I want to know is why you walked home at all?'

Yukari just shrugged until Minamo gave her a look that told her she wouldn't let it go that easily.

'Well I dunno, after… the kiss' she whispered that last, like a secret that dare not be spoken aloud, 'I was just kinda dazed, my mind was all over the place. I remember leaving your place walking towards my car then next thing I'm trying to open my door. I must've just walked here on autopilot I guess'

Throughout the mumbled non story Yukari squirmed, obviously a bit uncomfortable, Minamo thought it was cute and felt her cheeks redden slightly. Minamo leaned back slightly, both women remained silent; they both knew the next subject they needed to talk about but neither knew how to broach the issue. Minamo had hoped that Yukari might say something, she was usually so cocksure, but she look as lost as Minamo felt.

'So we should talk about… the kiss' stated Minamo somewhat woodenly, she even whispered the last part too, what are we teenagers? We should be able to discuss this like adults, she reprimanded herself.

'Yeah… well you go first' said Yukari, chickening out.

'Me first! God grow up Yukari' sighed Minamo, giving her friend a playful punch in the arm. They both sat there pouting slightly, till grins started creeping in and the finally they burst out laughing, releasing the tension.

'How do we even start this, Nyamo?' asked Yukari after they calmed down a little.

'I don't know, well we kiss right? You kissed back right?'

'Yeah, I mean I was surprised at first but yeah I kissed back' this made Minamo feel all warm inside and both woman blushed slightly.

'So where do we go from here, are we lesbians now?'

Yukari had to laugh slightly at the naïvety in which her friend asked the question, 'I don't think we're there just yet, we are just what we are at the moment'

'So what are we?'

'Taking it one step at a time' offered Yukari.

'Oh' Minamo sounded slightly disappointed, what did that mean? It seemed too vague to her. Seeing the slight puzzlement on her friend's face Yukari tried to clarify.

'I'm just saying that maybe we shouldn't rush anything, its new territory for us both but…' Yukari leaned forward, closer to Minamo, until they we're face to face. Both blushed and Minamo closed her eyes lightly, waiting for the kiss. Yukari smiled, playing with the idea of teasing her friend but seeing those lips she scrapped that plan. She leaned in to the kiss slowly; their lips brushed before the kiss started proper, sweet and warm.

Yukari's hand cupped the back of Minamo's head, while the other rested on her friend's stomach. She guided Minamo down till both were lying on the bed, Yukari propped up on one elbow and slightly above.

Minamo let Yukari lead while she lost herself in the kiss, her hands gliding to the curve of Yukari's back, under her shirt. The moment was short-lived though as Mrs. Tanizaki shouted up wondering whether Yukari wanted some breakfast. Leaving the couples embrace and kneeling up Yukari shouted down an annoyed negative, however at that moment her stomach gave a loud growl. She looked down at her stomach, her own body betraying her and then at Minamo who was stifling a giggle.

After a defeated sigh she asked 'Would you like to some breakfast too?'

'Actually that would be nice' said Minamo, realizing she was quite hungry after all. The pair navigated themselves to Yukari's door, 'So are you feeling better Yukari?'

Yukari turned, flashed Minamo a mischievous grin before bring up her hand and stroking Minamo's cheek lightly, 'I persevere for the rewards'

With that she headed for the kitchen, leaving Minamo stand dumbstruck and bright red, Yukari really seemed to know how to push her buttons. Unfortunately for her she didn't know the reason Yukari had left so quickly was that she herself had gone bright red and felt just a bit like fainting. Minamo however came to her senses rather quickly and skipped down the stairs down to the kitchen.

After a quick breakfast Minamo and Yukari headed out to collect Yukari's car, it was shaping up to be a fine day.

'So tell me again why you didn't drive over?' asked Yukari, who had whined about walking almost as soon as they had began the walk to Minamo's apartment.

'I told you, I saw your car and just sort of panicked'

'Well I guess I can't expect much from a stupid P.E. Teacher' Yukari smiled smugly.

'And who was the one who left their car in the first place' reminded Minamo. The smile quickly disappeared from Yukari's face; she had no way to counter the comment.

'Soooo… what now?' trying to change the subject.

'Huh?'

'Our relationship, are we at least officially going out?' asked Yukari her arms behind her head.

'Yeah, girlfriend and err… girlfriend' confirmed Minamo, her heart rate increasing a little.

'Lovers' teased Yukari, seeing her friend blush at the thought.

'Should we tell anyone?' asked Minamo, this was the thought that dogged her some, she wasn't sure how people would take it. Yukari was silent for a while, thinking about the issue carefully.

'I'm not sure, I don't think so, not just yet' she struggled out, 'The school would probably frown upon it, if not them, the parents. You know when you get those people who think being gay automatically makes you a pervert or we'd be trying to brainwash the kids or something'

Minamo nodded along, though she didn't like keeping it a secret, it was probably for the best at the moment. Besides she knew she was dreading that conversation with her mother, who no doubt was probably trying to rustle up another unlucky suitor for her.

'You okay, Nyamo?' asked Yukari, taking Minamo out of her thoughts.

'Huh?'

'You looked troubled'

'Yes, I was just thinking how my mother might take it' Yukari rather unhelpfully just began laughing at the thought. Minamo folded her arms and sighed, waiting for her friend to stop.

'Sorry Nyamo, I was just picturing the look on the old bat's face' apologized Yukari, wiping a tear from her eye. Though Minamo didn't like someone referring to her mother as an 'old bat' she didn't take it personally.

'Well what about your parents?'

'Hmmm, I dunno' pondered Yukari, 'They've never really pushed me to be in relationships'

Or much else thought Minamo, her friends parents being a touch too laid back and often enabling Yukari's eccentricities. The P.E. teacher had to admit that she had been jealous of her friend's situation a few times.

'Do you think they'd freak out?'

'They'd be surprised I'm sure but I think they'd be fine with it after the initial shock. They've never seemed too full on with traditional family values and all that' Minamo nodded in agreement, 'but it'd probably be best to find an alternative place first, just in case' Yukari added with a laugh. Minamo could hear a bit of nervousness in it though, belaying some of Yukari's doubt on the subject.

'So after we've sorted out the Yukarimobile, do you want to grab a coffee or something' asked Minamo.

'Like a lunch date?' smiled Yukari, both at that and the nickname their students had come up with for her car.

'I guess it would be' said Minamo, scratching the back of her head nervously.

'As long as you're paying' grinned Yukari.

'Oh, so it's back to me paying for everything' said Minamo in mock annoyance.

'Well I did go all out yesterday'

'You did' agreed Minamo, 'I'll have to return the favor sometime'

'That's not too hard, since I'm in heaven as long as there's enough crab or meat and the booze is flowing' said Yukari, smiling at the thought, seemingly a little too pleased with herself.

'I guess that's true' giggled Minamo, though it always meant Yukari would be pass out at some point in the evening, not the most romantic of dates, 'So I shouldn't expect another date like last night then?'

'Well I do have an idea' Yukari smiled mischievously. Minamo looked at her friend intrigued but knowing that she seemed to be surprisingly tight-lipped about these things. After a pause Yukari began talking to Minamo about an upcoming game, obviously tired of the relationship talk and Minamo was a little glad for the break, they'd have all of the day to talk.

They pair eventually made it back to Minamo's place, they decided that each would drive to Yukari's house and then once the car had been dropped off Minamo would take the couple into town for their lunch date.

The drive to Yukari's had been quite stressful for Minamo as Yukari had appeared to have reverted to her manic driving. At one stage Minamo found herself praying for her friend's safety as the English teacher swerved through traffic, eventually losing the slower safer driver.

When Minamo came within sight of Yukari's house she saw Yukari standing outside smiling and waving, seemingly oblivious to the worry her antics had caused. Still she sighed with relief on seeing her friend was safe.

The lunch date went pleasantly, both women spent most of the time silently sipping their coffee slowly and basking in the summer sun. They made some small talk but both felt a touch uncomfortable talking about their relationship in such a public setting. When they were about finished Minamo suggested they go back to her apartment where they could be more at ease, Yukari agreed.

Back at Minamo's apartment she rustled up a light lunch as Yukari lazed on the sofa flicking through the channels.

'Move over so I can sit' said Minamo but Yukari wagged her finger before opened her arms, signaling Minamo to cozy up with her friend. Minamo blushed slightly but wasn't going to pass up this opportunity. She climbed onto the sofa, her back to Yukari and her friends arms wrapped round her, pulling her in closer.

Minamo wriggled further into Yukari's body feeling the other woman's warmth at her back. She felt Yukari's legs rub hers slightly and Yukari's chin rest on her shoulder. She craned her neck slightly to see Yukari's face and spied a glow of total satisfaction on it. Leaning in she gave her partner a peck on the cheek.

Brought from her stupor Yukari repositioned slightly to give herself better access to Minamo's lips before the pair engaged in a tender kiss.

'You taste pretty nice' said Yukari cheekily, turning slightly red when she realize corny she sounded. Minamo blushed too and giggled to herself, she couldn't believe how comfortable she felt, sitting there in another woman's arms, let alone her best friends.

'It's weird how not weird this feels' wow, eloquent as ever Minamo.

'Yeah it is' confirmed Yukari after a giggle.

The rest of the day alternated between long and short kissing sessions, talking and then later in the day they watched a couple of movies, tangled up together in a warm sleepy embrace.