And on to the next section in our story; Tomo/Kagura vs. Yomi! I don't own this Azumanga, but I do own the Daioh...actually, I lied. I don't own either.
Chapter 10, "All's Fair When You're In Love".
Stirring a bit, Kagura slowly opened her eyes. A lance of pain drove down her neck as she moved it, causing her to grunt in frustration, before another sense startled her. It was dark, so all she felt was someone's breath against her neck, and the warm embrace she was being held in. After taking a few moments to register these feelings, it clicked: 'Tomo! I...I...I told her I loved her, and s-she felt the s-s-same way! But...is it this dark already?' she glanced to her clock.
Although her eyes were still a little blurry from sleep, she made out 3:47 A.M. 'Well...early to bed, early to rise...I wonder if she might be a little uncomfortable?' she suddenly thought. Reaching beside her bed, she turned on a small lamp. Upon its light, she blushed; her face was centimeters from Tomo's.
"I...I-I wonder if maybe I could get away with..." she silently contemplated, and then grinned. Taking the risk of waking her girlfriend, she placed a small kiss on her lips for a few seconds before releasing her. She was surprised when Tomo giggled, although apparently still in her sleep.
'She's cute...one of the things I love about Tomo...my Tomo...' she smiled at the thought. It had shocked her at how calculating and decisive the normally insane girl could be. She was so used to Tomo's snap-decisions that she was still sorting it all out herself. And then another thought crossed; she was pleasantly surprised at how affectionate the usually violent girl could be.
"You're sweet, strong-willed, and wild. And that's why I love you." She whispered, and rested her head next to her companion's.
"And you're stubborn, smart, and beautiful, which is why I love you." Tomo responded out of the blue, causing Kagura to jump.
"T-Tomo! H-how long w-w-were you a-awake?" she asked frantically.
"Long enough for you to try and sneak that kiss, so it's only fair if I return the favor!" her energetic girl replied, and planted her own kiss on Kagura's lips. They both blushed brightly, and she released the athlete soon after.
"I love you..." Kagura finally managed to whisper as she re-embraced Tomo and laid her face next to the other girl's. Later that morning they'd need to go to school, but for this brief period, time seemed null and distant. Both of them finally got back to sleep. And so they stayed until the alarm clock woke them to get ready.
Reluctantly, Kagura released Tomo to allow her some space.
"W-well...I've gotta get back to my house and get ready, so...I'll meet you back here, alright?" Tomo suggested.
"Yeah, I'll wait for you!" Kagura agreed. She saw Tomo off, and watched after the girl with her heart swelling. "Yes! Now I don't have to worry about anyth-"she began, but stopped at a realization; "Damnit, we're gonna have to go through Yomi!" she cursed, and got ready so she'd be able to meet Tomo on time.
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Confused, elated, and utterly joyful, Tomo readied faster than she ever had, just at the thought of walking to school with Kagura. 'Wow, I mean...I know I love her, but I'm practically head over heels for her! I wonder if she's as happy?' she suddenly worried. As with a lot of things lately, she began to have a bout of self-consciousness.
"I w-wonder if...if she wants me to change? Or maybe go further...? Damnit, this's just confusing me even more! I'll just have to talk to her about it." She decided. In all truth, all of her thoughts at the moment were keeping a pending, more troubling thought in the back of her mind; what about Yomi?
"If...what if she gets mad...or depressed...or something? She usually does stupid stuff when things like this come up. In any case, I have Kagura to support me!" she abolished her low esteem with the thought that she had a wonderful girlfriend. Running out the door, she zipped back to Kagura's to find the girl standing outside the gate.
"Took you long enough. We'd better hurry, I don't wanna be late." Kagura complained, knowing that they would be either way. On their way there, they would occasionally hold hands while discussing what to do if they had to confront Yomi.
"Well, I really don't have to worry. It's your head she'll want on a pike." Tomo reminded her, and the comment sent a shiver through Kagura.
"What, are you cold?" she asked.
"N-no, I'm fine...say, do you think that...I mean, besides our friends, would anyone else care if we were...together like this?" Kagura wondered. Apparently Tomo interpreted it a different way, taking her hand back. They stopped, and she gave Kagura a sharp but forlorn look.
"Y-you...you're not...ashamed to be with me, are y-you?" she whispered, looking pleadingly at the girl. Realizing what Tomo was thinking, Kagura began to protest, but for an unknown reason she couldn't respond. Tears threatening to gush out, Tomo turned and ran from her.
"T-Tomo! Wait, what're you doing?" Kagura finally called, oblivious to what had just transpired.
'S-so that's how she f-f-feels, eh? Well, fine then! I know one person who wouldn't care what anyone else thought!' Tomo thought dejectedly, running for her planned source of relief. Yomi simply walked forward, her heart drifting between anxiety and angst.
"She must be with Kagura...I'm beginning to think I've lost..." she brooded the thought for quite a while, and didn't notice the wailing figure approaching her.
"Yomi!" Tomo cried, throwing herself into the larger girl's arms, causing them both to topple over.
"T-Tomo? What? What's wrong?" Yomi questioned, concern starting to thicken her voice.
"I-I was...with Kagura, and...and...it's complicated!" Tomo sputtered, fumbling the words as she said them.
"C-care to explain what's been g-going on?" Yomi pried, content with waiting until she felt better.
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At school, Tomo avoided Kagura at all costs, even to the extent of taking shelter behind Yomi. 'W-what did I do? This morning we were perfect, and now she...she doesn't want to have anything to do with me! Did I say something wrong?' she wondered as she approached the two. "Tomo, what did I do? I'm sorry if I did something that hurt your feelings!" she tried to quell the other girl's anger, but it only served to stoke the fire.
"I'm still mad about what you said to me! If you really feel that way, then I'll just hang around with someone who does want me!" Tomo wailed, and wrapped herself around Yomi, who's been silent up till then.
"T-T-Tomo...but...I thought that you..." Kagura faltered, wanting to bawl, but somehow managed to keep her composure long enough to back away. After she hurried away, the small pangs of guilt signaled Tomo's regret. Yomi wasn't complaining, though.
"So...what happened? You still haven't told me." She prodded.
"Nor am I going to tell you." Tomo replied, her fire beginning to fade into a normal attitude.
"Come on, why not?" Yomi tried again.
"Because you're too stupid to understand, that's why! Anyway, it's none of your business, so drop it!" her hyper companion regained her normal, wild side.
"Hey! Don't call me stupid, you idiot! And it is my business, because it had you running and tackling me into the ground!" she absentmindedly rubbed her back in the spot that had landed on the hard cement earlier that morning.
"Well, anyway, I have to go find Kagura! I know she's gonna tell everything to Miss Kurosawa..." Tomo muttered the last part, and darted off before Yomi could intervene any longer. And she was right; Kagura was on her way to her former teacher, having not found her in her homeroom.
"Kagura! Wait, you numbskull!" an unnecessarily loud voice made her cringe and her heart jump at the same time.
"Tomo?" she questioned, turning to see the girl flying at her at full speed. Knowing that attempting to avoid her was futile, she did what came natural; she extended her arm out, which ended up catching Tomo right in the face. Falling in a heap on the ground, Tomo lay motionless after the event.
"H-hey! Tomo, w-wake up!" Kagura cried, slapping her across the face. After several moments of this, Tomo came to, almost unfazed. Unfortunately, Kagura hadn't noticed this, and continued to slap her.
"STOP hitting me!" Tomo yelled in rage, grabbing the other girl's arm and throwing her over her shoulder. After exchanging apologies, Tomo helped Kagura to her feet.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" the swimmer asked, cocking and eyebrow.
"W-well, I wanted to explain that...it's just, that I-I meant to..." Tomo stuttered, but came to an abrupt halt when Kagura hugged her tightly.
"It's all right, I forgive you!" she stated enthusiastically.
"Forgive me? For what? I've got nothing to apologize for! It's you who needs to apologize!" Tomo screeched, and the argument began anew.
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"So, what were you mad at me for in the first place?" Kagura asked, on their way to her house.
"I was mad because of what you said...which I guess I did overreact about...but anyway, I'm over it." Tomo responded, grinning at her girlfriend.
"Umm...what did I say?" the other girl queried, causing Tomo to facefault.
"I-it was nothing important, and I actually agree that we...we should keep this under control. At least for now, anyway." Tomo told her, and hugged her.
"Uh? What was that for?" Kagura asked, confused.
"Just because." Tomo answered, enjoying the blissful moment before breaking contact and walking again.
'She's obviously feeling better. And, she's been touching me a lot more recently...maybe...s-she...' Kagura thought, nervous excitement filling her mind and body. She decided that she'd experiment a little this time. They both entered Kagura's house, which was cozy in its own way; not without one quirk, however. Tomo couldn't help gawking at the display case of trophies and awards, many for Kagura herself, every time she entered the home. Entering her room, Kagura stretched out and sat on the bed. She patted the spot next to her, and Tomo moved to sit with her.
"So, we were able to avoid Yomi today, but-"Kagura began, but then stopped. A realization crept through her, and she suddenly came to a conclusion: "HEY! You ran right into her arms after we fought!" she wailed, and looked to Tomo.
"N-now wait a minute! I wasn't quite t-thinking right. And I-I didn't...I...I'm sorry, I was just being an idiot." Tomo apologized. She hung her head, not noticing the smirk that played across Kagura's lips.
"Idiot, huh? I think I'll hold you to that!" she told her.
"S-SHUT UP!" Tomo squawked.
"But you're my idiot." Kagura continued, pressing her lips to Tomo's. Tomo flushed bright red, but seemed to forget the other girl's comment for the moment as she closed her eyes and savored it.
'T-this is it! My chance to see if she would stop me, or let me...' Kagura thought, mustering all her courage for the next act and waiting for the opportunity. On target, Tomo slightly broke the kiss to yawn, but only a bit. Pushing on, Kagura made her decision; she slipped her tongue into Tomo's mouth. Tomo drew in a sharp gasp, and immediately showed Kagura who was in control of the situation in her own way: she bit the intruding appendage. Hard. Kagura yelped in pain, becoming aware of what was going on and throwing her face under her pillow in fierce embarrassment.
"I-I-I'm s-so s-sorry!" came the muffled, frantic apology from her.
"W-what the hell are you t-trying to pull! That was freaking rude, and unacceptable!" Tomo wailed, jumping up from her position.
"I know! I j-just wanted to show you t-that I...that I care!" Kagura responded. Her body instinctively tensed from the tone in her voice, expecting to be hit, so she was startled when a pair of arms wrapped around her waist. Tomo's chin came to rest in her back.
"You c-could've at least warned me before I did that to you..." she began hesitantly, rubbing Kagura's back. Kagura withdrew her head from the spot. Tomo smiled at her, and she smiled too before Tomo began slapping her.
"AGH! Why are you hitting me?" Kagura cried, shielding herself.
"D-don't EVER do that to me again without my permission!" Tomo responded, and stopped beating on her.
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Again, they snuggled in each other's embrace that night. "So..." Kagura broke the silence, a blush already beginning to appear.
"Yes?" Tomo replied, turning to look at her.
"W-well...you said that I...I...could...kiss you like that if...I had your permission, r-right?" she flushed bright red at asking Tomo such a foolish question. Of course Tomo wouldn't let her! She's already forced herself on her before, so now there was no chance for it!
"I...y-y-you really...want to...I mean, with me...?" Tomo asked self-consciously, truly surprised that she'd want to after she'd beaten her up.
"Y-yeah!" Kagura replied, then clasped a hand over her mouth, knowing how embarrassing that had sounded.
"Uhhh...a-alright." Tomo sat up, as did Kagura. Taking her usual passive stance, Kagura placed her hands on Tomo's shoulders. Placing her arms around Kagura's waist, Tomo waited for her to make the first move. Kagura was surprised at how meek Tomo was in these situations, but then felt a growing feeling of pride at the knowledge that Tomo trusted her so much.
She began by slowly putting her lips on Tomo's, to which the other girl tentatively pressed in. Tomo squealed in delight when Kagura nibbled on her lower lip. As they were about to commence their experiment, there was a knock on her door, scaring them. Luckily it was locked, so they couldn't be walked in on.
"Kagura? One of your other friends is here, honey. I'll send her up!" her mom called to her. They exchanged panicked glances before Kagura reluctantly opened the door. To their dismay, it was Yomi.
"Mind if I come in?" she asked. Kagura would've launched into a string of rather furious swear words, but her mom was still there, so she allowed her in.
"What're you two up to?" she queried, glancing at an adorably embarrassed Tomo.
"N-nothing! Anyway, what are you doing here?" Kagura asked rather vehemently.
"I figured Tomo would be here." She told them simply, prompting Kagura to make a snap-decision, like Tomo would. Kagura sat next to Tomo, placing an arm around her waist and hand on her shoulder, showing a defiant look to the flustered Yomi.
"W-what are you...you can't do that! Tomo, I thought..." she gave a begging look to Tomo, but the smaller girl did the same thing.
"I...I s-see...if that's the case, then...then it's just as well..." Yomi said softly, although in truth her heart and hopes were shattered.
"Well, I-what?" Kagura abruptly asked, totally lost. It left Tomo confused too.
"It obviously means...that she's be happier with you...and not me," she said sadly, "and I want her to be happy..." she finished, and got up to leave. They wanted to say something, anything, but couldn't think at the moment. "Of course, that doesn't mean I'll give up. I'll just have to do more to make sure she loves me more than you." Yomi stated blatantly, a hint of challenge in her voice. She left the pair to head home.
"That was..." Kagura began.
"...totally messed up... but as long as she's being so passive, I'm not worried." Tomo informed her.
"Now...where were we?" Kagura implied as she shut and locked the door.
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End of Chapter 10.
Well, tell me what you guys think! R&R as always, and sorry for the holdup with my other stories!