A/N - I do not own these characters.

Chapter 35

The next week was filled with exams and planning meetings for the graduation and farewell events at the school. Each day Yumi arrived on Sachiko's arm and either Shimako, Yoshino, or Tsutako were there to take charge of her care. If Sachiko wasn't available to care for her during lunch, Rei or Toko would escort her to the infirmary for rest. Without fail, Sachiko met Yumi at her classroom to take her to the mansion after classes. Despite her friends telling her not to worry about the planning meetings, Yumi insisted, sometimes silently, that she both needed and wanted to be there.

It was obvious to anyone looking that the chemo treatments were continuing to take their toll on the young woman. Her cheeks seemed oddly hollow and dark circles seemed to be permanently affixed beneath her eyes. After seeing how exhausted Yumi was after testing on Monday, a futon suddenly appeared in the corner of the council room Tuesday afternoon. When her friends had insisted that she take a short nap before assisting with the planning, they were all shocked that she didn't fight back. She had merely smiled, her eyes clueing them into the pain she was in. Her silence though was what seemed to scream her discomfort the most. More and more, her voice seemed to slip away. More and more, they felt they were losing their Yumi.

None felt the loss more than Sachiko. So when Yumi's doctors called on Thursday to inform them that they were moving her Conformal Radiation Therapy up, the young couple both shared in the same relief. It was decided that the treatment would take place in the early afternoon on Friday since her last final was first thing in the morning. Instead of multiple short sessions spaced over a larger span of time, the doctors had opted for one long session due to the aggressive nature of Yumi's tumor.

Hearing that didn't provide Sachiko with any comfort. Aggressive? They've never used that term before…

At lunch on Friday, Sachiko did not escort Yumi to the infirmary but instead made their way to the hospital. Yumi was silent, as was more common for her now. Oh, how Sachiko missed her melodic voice. As they waited outside the gates for the Ogasawara driver to pick them up, Sachiko couldn't stand the distance or the silence any longer.

Wrapping her arms around Yumi from behind, Sachiko whispered into her lover's ear. "It's been too long since I heard your voice, my love." Nibbling on her ear, she continued in a sultry voice. "The least I could do is make you moan for me."

A shiver raced down Yumi's back at the sudden embrace. Despite her pain, she wanted this contact. Leaning back into Sachiko's arms, she instinctively turned her head to the side, proffering her bare neck to the eager Sachiko.

Being careful to be gentle and not leave a mark in such an obvious location, Sachiko left lingering kisses, suckling ever so softly as she went. To her delight, Yumi moaned at every sensation, tightening her grip on Sachiko's arm. When her moans had grown too loud to be considered proper any longer, Sachiko turned her face and captured her lips while instinctively deepening the kiss.

Turning in her arms, Yumi stood on tiptoe and wrapped her arms around Sachiko's neck, effectively holding the older girl in place. When they finally broke the kiss both were out of breath. Face glowing, Yumi placed her hand over Sachiko's heart and spoke in the language only they knew. Tap. Tap. Tap.

With a chuckle, Sachiko smiled. "I love you, too, Yumi."

Curious people walked by, watching their embrace, but neither made a move to separate from the other until the car pulled up alongside them.

It was only due to Rei's, Yoko's, and Toko's stubborn insistence that she rest and eat that Sachiko managed to survive that afternoon relatively unscathed. She had had every intention of staying in the waiting area the full six hours of the procedure, but her friends would not allow it.

"The doctor even told you there would be no updates throughout, so relax." Rei's reassuring smile was enough to put Sachiko somewhat at ease.

"Rei-sama is right, Sachiko-sama." Toko voiced, giving her an understanding smile. "It's a relatively routine treatment. I did some research last night and my grandfather also gave me some information. I don't think we have anything to worry about." Sachiko was happy to see Toko had finally stepped back to Yumi's side. While she hadn't voiced her concern over the younger girl's evident distance, she had been quite worried for both her and Yumi because of it.

"Yumi's procedure was slated to begin at 2 pm, right? That means it'll be probably close to 9 pm before we are even able to see her." Yoko explained, taking Sachiko's hand and forcefully pulling her from her chair.

"Well, yes, but"

Sachiko was cut off by a peeved-looking Yoshino. "It's not like she's being admitted for the night. After an hour in recovery, you'll be able to take her home. Try to chill out, Sachiko-sama."

"Not everyone is as laid back as you are about being in hospitals, Yoshino-san." Shimako responded for Sachiko, an edge of reprimand in her voice.

"Thank you, Shimako-san." Sachiko voiced while glaring at Yoshino herself.

"Okay, okay, put the fangs away. You're as bad as Rei was when I used to be in the hospital all the time." Yoshino backed away and turned for the door. "Come on, Noriko-chan said she's got us all a table at the cafe down the street."

"But-"

Sachiko was once more silenced by a gentle hand on her shoulder. Rei smiled and shook her head. "Don't worry. We gave the attending your contact info so if anything happens while we are gone we'll know immediately and we'll get back here in a flash, okay?"

Reluctantly, Sachiko nodded and followed her friends out of the hospital, Toko taking the opportunity to hold hands with her. Despite all their efforts to keep her spirits up, she just knew the day would drag on relentlessly.

They reached the cafe after only a few minutes of walking to find Noriko waiting with Sei at a long table near the front windows. Within minutes they were all seated with drinks and appetizers ordered.

"So, Shimako, how are you doing with the speech for tomorrow?" Sei asked from the end of the table. Yoko's glare did not dissuade the exuberant woman's decision to bring up such a sensitive topic. It had been decided only a few days ago that Shimako would stand in as backup for Yumi should she not be able to speak at the time of the ceremony.

Shimako, seemingly unphased by the question while everyone else around her looked sick over it, replied, "I really have nothing to prepare, so it's fine."

"So, wait, you're not writing your own speech?" Sei asked curiously. At this point, everyone else turned their curious gazes on the young western looking woman as well.

Shaking her head, Shimako replied, a gripped fist on the table the only indication that she was struggling with the topic. "I may have to give the speech tomorrow, but it'll be Yumi's farewell speech. I am merely going to act as her voice. After reading it, I feel there is nothing else that needs to be said."

There was silence for a time before Sachiko's small voice whispered at Shimako's side. "Thank you." They all hoped for the best, but there really was no telling what would happen that evening or the next day during graduation. Speaking loudly, so the whole group could hear, Sachiko made a single request, "Can we say a prayer?" As one, the group nodded and bowed their heads. In times like this, the familiar could bring the greatest comfort of all.

Sachiko woke the next day to find a note from Yumi placed on top of her pillow.

Good Morning Sweet Love of my Life,

I woke this morning and found I could communicate, so I couldn't let the moment go by without leaving you a message. It's not my voice, but I hope it gives you comfort. Did you know, you're beautiful when you sleep? I noticed it for the first time when we went to your summer home. You looked like an angel sleeping so peacefully. If I had come to realize what my true feelings were for you before that day I probably would have whiled away hours just watching you.

I don't know if I've ever said this aloud to you before, but in my mind, I think of you as my dark-haired goddess. To think that someone as common as I could have the honor and immense pleasure of being your chosen one - It's a dream come true for me.

I know we have an arrangement with your parents and it's been accepted that I am blessed to be your suitor, but to be honest, I still don't see us as engaged. Don't frown at reading that, my love. I only say that because I do still have the desire for the day we officially get engaged to be special and untainted. So while you are mine and I am yours, I still look forward to the day when we can put this all behind us and focus on moving forward in our life together.

It's my truest desire for this to be the first of many love letters you will receive from me. Those love letters could come in many different forms - letters, poems, songs, or even my favorite idea to compose a love letter with my lips as the pen and your body the paper. I hope that you are looking forward to those love letters as much as I am. :)

Forever and always,

Your Yumi

Blushing furiously, Sachiko took the letter and placed it in her pocket. She had read it twice, but could not bear to leave it behind just yet. Exiting her room, she found Yoko and Sei waiting for her. They each smiled as she approached despite Sachiko's returning glare. "If she could speak, why didn't either of you wake me?"

Sei chuckled as she moved toward the door. "She knew you had been up watching over her in the night. So she insisted we let you rest. I tried to warn her you'd be pissed though."

With gritted teeth, Sachiko responded, "Damn right."

It was Yoko's turn to laugh. "Did her letter help dissuade some of that anger?"

Her blush intensified at the mention of it. "Well, she does get points for that I guess."

As their laughter increased in volume, Sei cackled, "Yoko, you were right! There was definitely something erotic in that letter."

Without a word, Sachiko glared through her blush and marched to the door, bag in hand. The other two followed, still laughing, though they couldn't see the hint of a smile playing at Sachiko's lips. Yes. Her hand reached into her pocket and grasped the folded piece of paper there. Erotic, indeed. And she's all mine.