It seemed like they had almost teleported to Ritsu's house for Yui, the long walk had consisted of spacing out and thinking about the fact that for the first time in her life, she had someone to love and be loved back by…romantically. Occasionally she would snap out of it to playfully swing Mio's hand or to lean in and kiss her on the cheek when there was nobody around. Mio would blush and tell her to stop…She seems so preoccupied too. Yui thought, tilting her head sideways and looking up at the taller girl. Mio's raven hair and porcelain skin glistened under a backdrop of beautiful night sky, the moon illuminating and casting shadows over her features. Yui noticed that occasionally she would peek over at her and then turn her head away embarrassed, or drop her chin slightly broodingly. She must be worried about Ritsu…

Truthfully, Yui wasn't sure how long Ritsu had been waiting for them and she felt guilty. If she thought about it, she wasn't technically invited but they were close enough by now to visit each other whenever they felt like it. Often, it was Ritsu who was on "her team" in group debates and she was one of the sweetest girls Yui knew. Mio had said she told Ritsu she would be there around 5:00 PM and it was getting pretty late.

I wonder if Ritsu's had her party by herself…at least I have a present for her Yui thought, cheering up slightly. Her sister had given her money earlier to buy Ritsu a new black and white hair band that had a music note on one end and a black cat on the other end. It was sitting along with Mio's panda alarm clock in her shopping bag.

"Oi, Ritsu! Open up!" Mio called, knocking on the door and ringing it several times. She had let go of Yui's hand several minutes ago and Yui was missing the warmth of her hand.

The guitarist tried calling too, "Ritsu! We're here, open up!"

After several minutes without a response, Mio glanced over at Yui, her expression filled with worry. "Yui, all the lights are off in the house. What if something is wrong?"

Yui looked back at Mio, starting to imagine the possibilities. No doubt Mio was probably imagining much worse than she was. "Maybe she just went to sleep?" suggested Yui, looking over at Mio.

Suddenly the door creaked open and both girls jumped. "Ritsu!" Mio cried, "we were worried because all the lights were off. We thought-." Mio suddenly froze in mid sentence and stared at Ritsu.

Ritsu grinned and gave them peace sign. "Hey guys, glad you could make it. Come in, come in. I was just about to go to sleep but I made a bunch of instant food earlier. I'll go warm it up for y…"

Mio grabbed Ritsu's hand as she turned away and bowed her head. "Gomen, ne. Ritsu. I didn't mean to forget just a lot of things happened…and…I need to talk to you in private."

Ritsu pulled her hand away from Mio, maybe slightly too quickly. Yui finally recognized that something might be wrong with their drummer friend.

As Mio pulled Ritsu away, Ritsu glanced over at Yui and smiled weakly. Were you crying Ritsu? wondered Yui, suddenly feeling another wave of guilt. The drummer's eyes seemed slightly red and puffier than normal and her cheeks were flushed as well. The house was still creepily dark, it didn't seem like a birthday party at all. Yui decided to go look for the lights.

"So my parents bought a cake for us, you should see it Mio. I'm sure Yui would love it too." Ritsu's voice was barely audible because they had walked into a different room but Yui could still hear them talk faintly. She flipped on several of the lights before creeping over and placed her ear against the crack in the door. Curiosity always got the better of her.

"Ritsu, you can't hide it from me. I can't believe you've been drinking!" Mio exclaimed.

There was a slight pause and then, "I thought you weren't going to come…I called you so many times…I was really worried you know." Ritsu's voice was flat.

"I'm sorry Ritsu, I'll make it up to you..." Mio's voice was soft. She probably looks so cute right now thought Yui.

"No, its okay. I'm just glad you guys are here now."

Yui peaked through the crack in the door to see Ritsu leaning against the wall. Mio was standing in front of her, partially blocking Yui's view of her.

Ritsu looked up at Mio and seemed to have cheered up considerably. "Jeez, anyways. Happy Birthday Ritsu." Mio leaned in to hug her friend but Ritsu suddenly shrunk up against the wall, pushing Mio away. A surprised Mio fell down and looked up at her friend in shock.

Ritsu put a hand to her mouth, surprised at herself and ran over to Mio, kneeling by her and placing a hand gently on her shoulder. "Are you okay Mio? I didn't mean to push you that hard. It's just…I don't know what's gotten into me."

Mio opened her eyes slowly. "Owww…No…It's okay" They looked at each other for a few moments and both of them broke out into laughter. "Jeez, you smell like cigarettes Ritsu." Mio complained, wiping a tear from her eyes. "I should have figured that's what you'd end up doing if I wasn't around to stop you."

"It was just one, and I was going to drink more but thankfully you showed up to save me." Ritsu leaned in towards Mio and hugged her tightly. "Thank you for coming Mio…You know…originally I wanted it to just be us two like old times but…I'm glad you brought Yui. Things must have worked out for you two huh?"

Mio blushed and then despite herself, smacked Ritsu in the back of the head. "That reminds me, you found that note and gave it to Yui without asking me... Didn't you?" Ritsu looked down for a couple minutes, rubbing her head. "Ow, you're the same as always Mio. At first it was just a prank but I guess I should have thought about it more. Gomen." Ritsu looked up at Mio apologetically. "It worked though right?"

Mio nodded, blushing slightly and Ritsu smiled.

Ehhh? Mio never meant to give me that letter? Than I must have seemed a little bit crazy. Yui blushed, feeling slightly embarrassed but quickly recovered, remembering Mio's warm moist lips. It doesn't matter, she's worth it…

"Well, come on. Yui probably already ate all of your cake by now." said Mio as the two girls started to head for the door. Ritsu laughed and Yui suddenly backpedaled, tripping and landing on her butt.

Ritsu opened the door and the two fellow band members looked down at Yui in surprise, who quickly jumped back on her feet.

"You have a nice carpet Ritsu, my house has wooden floors." she said abruptly, changing the mood.

"That's just like you Yui." said Ritsu, laughing and affectionately leaning in towards her. "Congratulations, I'm happy for you two."

Yui blushed, it was the first time anyone had called attention to her newfound relationship with Mio and it made her happy. "Thanks Ritsu, come to the living room we got your presents."

Ritsu nodded and then suddenly started to head back into the kitchen. "Hey Ritsu, where are you going?" asked Mio as she paused in mid stride.

"Oh… no where. Just one sec." Ritsu called, disappearing behind the corner of the wall. Mio's eyes widened and she suddenly ran after her. "Ritsu, put that bottle down!"

"It's my birthday Mio! I just want one more sip."

"No, we're too young to be drinking, Ritsu! Come on stop… besides that's from your parents alcohol cabinet. They would kill you if they found out. " Mio pleaded.

"We're going to graduate soon and be adults anyway Mio. Its not a big deal, just one more sip."

Yui heard the faint sound of chugging and Mio yelling Ritsu's name. She peaked over into the kitchen where Ritsu was chugging a bottle of sake as Mio weakly tried to stop her.

Ritsu suddenly coughed, spilling some of the sake onto her clothes and onto the kitchen floor. "Yech, this stuff is so bitter." she complained, stumbling slightly. "I'm a champ though right Mio. Want some?" She offered the bottle to Mio who grabbed it and put it off to the side.

Yui ran into the middle of the kitchen, stopping dramatically. "Ritsu! I want to try some!"

"You stay out of this." Mio said sternly but after several moments her shoulders slumped and she sighed. "Okay, we can drink, it is your birthday after all."

"Yatta!" exclaimed Ritsu. "Ah, I feel nice, come on Yui. I'll pour you some."

Mio followed her helplessly to the living room where Ritsu went with several glasses and her parent's bottle of sake. She stumbled as she sat down but caught herself, barely saving the glasses from breaking on the table.

"Are you okay Ritsu? Here, I'll take care of the pouring." Yui said, leaning over the table to grab the glasses and the sake. Oh…shoot. I forgot to tell Ui where I'm at. She thought about her sister frantically calling the police and running around the neighborhood looking for her and then sighed. "Hey guys, I forgot to tell Ui where I was. You know how she worries about me. Ritsu can I use your house phone? My cell phone is out of batteries."

Ritsu nodded and pointed into the hallway. "Its down that hallway and to the left Yui. You cant miss it."

"Hold on, let me get the cake from the refrigerator." said Ritsu, running back into the kitchen and returning shortly with a small cake. She placed the cake on the table and sat down next to Mio, rubbing her hands together. "Doesn't it look good? Think we should do the whole candle and singing thing?"

Mio laughed. "If you want Ritsu." Ritsu leaned over to grab the bottle of sake, swigging it twice before leaning her head on Mio's shoulder, her eyes lidded.

"…Mio…I'm so glad you're here.…"

Ritsu leaned in closer and nuzzled Mio's neck with her nose, making her blush and lean away. "Hey…Ritsu, what are you doing?"

She smells so good thought Ritsu, her mind hazy as she wrapped her arms around Mio's waist from the side, placing her lips against Mio's neck and blowing on it gently.

She had drunken a lot of sake faster than normal and it was starting to hit her hard. Her head was spinning and Mio's scent and soft warm skin was intoxicating.

"Ritsu!" exclaimed Mio, shaking from the warm breathing on her neck. She started to push her away but as Mio started to resist, Ritsu's hug tightened and she parted her mouth, licking Mio's neck with her tongue and then pressing down to suck on it gently.

Mio's body started shaking as she moaned out loud from the sensation. It caused a strange sense of pleasure to run down her body and caused her skin to flush.

…Yui could come back anytime. I can't let her see this. The thought of Yui seeing this on the same night they started dating made Mio panic and she grabbed Ritsu more forcefully, trying to push her away.

"Ritsu, …stop...please" Mio breathed out shakily, but Ritsu overpowered her, pushing Mio to the ground, kissing a circle on her neck and then slowly kissing and licking down her collar bone. Flashbacks of Ritsu started to pour into Mio's head as she weakly resisted, the skin where Ritsu was nibbling felt like it was burning up.

An image of Ritsu standing in front of her, arms bruised up from a scuffle. "Only I can make fun of you Mio. I'll beat all those other kids up!"

"We're best friends right? I'll always protect you."

"Hahah, and then the car ran over the--never mind."

Ritsu with dirt on her face at eight years old. "I brought you flowers Mio."

"Mio, lets start a band together! I'll play the drums. You'll play the bass."

Mio squirmed, Ritsu's hot breath and warm tongue was on the sensitive skin of her upper breasts. She had pulled down on the fabric of Mio's tank top exposing her bra on her right side. The stretching fabric was putting pressure on Mio's right tank top strap but that feeling was almost nothing compared to the intense pleasure from Ritsu's mouth.

Kami-sama, save me.

Ritsu's right hand had reached under her skirt and was trailing slowly down her sensitive thigh towards her panties. The sensations were starting to make Mio feel light headed and dizzy and she squirmed. "Ritsu!" cried Mio desperately, squeezing her thighs together to prevent Ritsu's hand from reaching its destination. She started to push the ground with her feet, sliding on her back. She must have remembered everything from that porno we watched in middle school…thought Mio in horror. She never imagined it would feel this good and what might happen next scared her. I can't let this happen. Yui's here too.

Ritsu smiled cat like, her eyes clouded from the alcohol and slowly prowled after Mio on all fours. Mio stared at Ritsu dazed, she had never seen her look so predator like. Usually, Ritsu's warm, trusting expression would melt away all of Mio's worries but her look right now was making Mio's body quake in fear and excitement.

I'm so weak. I'm being hunted and I can't even do anything about it…My heart already belongs to Yui.

"Ritsu…" Tears were coming to Mio's eyes as she sat up to face her best friend.

My heart already belongs to her.

Ritsu grabbed Mio's legs, spreading them apart and dipped her head, kissing the insides of her thighs.

You're drunk…No, Ritsu…. My heart already belongs to her.

Mio grabbed Ritsu's head, trying to hold her back and started to breath in short gasps as she felt Ritsu's warm mouth against her inner thigh, her hot tongue making its way closer and closer to her...

"Ritsu stop!"

My heart belongs to…


A/N: uh oh. :D

I'm not going to write any new chapters for a while. I'm going to spend the next couple writing sessions revising the chapters and fixing grammatical and story/plot line mistakes.

It's a pain for everyone else to go back and read things over so I'll keep a change log in future chapters detailing any major story revisions.

any angst would be out of place in the anime but this story imposes some unusual circumstances on these characters anyway so...deal with it :D

Thanks for the reviews, you guys help to keep me going.

edit: Revised :D

~lolsama