A/N - Hiya Folks! Surprise! And update far sooner than previously expected. I hope you all are doing well and that you are excited about this new story. Since the one-shot got such a warm reception, I'll be continuing and making it a more expansive story. Anyone who read my first story should know to expect this one to follow suit as a longer than a typical story with drama and romance. This one is MOST LIKELY going to be a bit tamer than the first one, but I make no promises that the rating won't change, so keep an eye on that. As always, I do not own these characters. Oh! And please let me know what you think as we continue forward in this story together. I love to hear your thoughts!
Chapter 2
Weeks went by and Yumi was true to her word. No longer did she disappear without explanation. She stayed by Sachiko's side as much as possible and doubled down on her work with the council. Sachiko was overjoyed by the additional time and attention she was getting from her petite soeur, but one thing still troubled her. The first few days everything seemed fine, but more and more it appeared the younger girl was growing restless. Sachiko knew it must be because she was used to the activity and exercise provided by her time at the dojo. To suddenly go from having that consistent outlet to losing it must be difficult for Yumi.
When Sachiko questioned Yumi about it she merely smiled and waved off her concern. "I have the energy to spare, that's for sure, but that just means I'm able to do more for the council. So don't hesitate to ask more of me."
It didn't take long for the other council members to notice the changes in Yumi as well. One day, when Sachiko had sent Yumi on an errand to the newspaper club, Rei decided to question her about her little sister. "Sachiko-san, have you noticed the change in Yumi-chan recently?"
"The change?" Sachiko asked nonchalantly, trying to play off the question as best she could. Yumi had not wanted others to know about her karate, so it wasn't Sachiko's right to say anything on her behalf.
"Yeah," Yoshino chimed in, a look of concern creasing her forehead. "She's been anxious and restless. Even a little moody, if I'm being completely honest. Did something happen that we aren't aware of?"
"Well, yes. The fact is that Yumi has recently made a change in her life. She's used to a bit more… activity than what she is experiencing right now and it's leaving her... frustrated." Sachiko tried to provide them with a clear enough explanation in order to stop the questions, but it soon became clear she had only made things worse.
Yoshino's and Shimako's eyes grew wide as they exchanged shocked glances. "No," Shimako mumbled, covering her mouth as she spoke softly to her friend. "It can't be what we're thinking."
"Can it?" Yoshino looked from Shimako back to Sachiko, her face growing flush from embarrassment and… anger? Springing to her feet, she slammed her hands against the table in typical Yoshino-style. "Sachiko-sama, you can't be implying that… that Yumi of all people would be taking part in something as despicable as compensated dating?!"
"What?!" Sachiko's own shock was more than evident as she jumped to her feet, sending her chair tumbling to the ground.
"Yoshino! Why did your mind go there of all places?!" Rei cried, looking rapidly between her friends at the table.
"Well, Onee-sama didn't exactly explain it in the best way." The voice from the open doorway caught all of them off guard. Yumi stood there leaning against the door frame with arms crossed and a look of gentle amusement on her face. "I do wonder what my friends must think of me though if THAT is the first thing that comes to your mind." Yumi laughed, though the flush to her cheeks clearly indicated her embarrassment at the topic of conversation.
Waving her hands frantically, Yoshino desperately tried to backpedal. "No, Yumi-chan! It's not that we think bad of you at all!"
"Honestly, we don't!" Shimako added, sincere earnestness shining in her gentle eyes. "It's just that Yumi-chan hasn't been herself recently and we were worried someone was… taking advantage of you."
To everyone's surprise, laughter filled the room rising from the most unlikely of their group. Sachiko's shoulders shook with amusement as she wiped tears of merriment from her eyes. "Oh, forgive me, but I found that to be highly amusing."
Yumi, with a look of annoyance, only stood and shook her head at her Onee-sama. "Onee-sama, you could try to be a little more helpful in this matter. After all, it's your words that led to this misunderstanding."
"Oh Yumi, I'm sorry, but how exactly am I supposed to explain this to them? I mean, you have not been yourself at all recently." Having calmed her laughter, Sachiko righted her chair and sat, once more reaching for her tea.
Rubbing her neck anxiously, Yumi conceded her point. "I guess you're right, but could you please refrain from ever describing it that way ever again? I mean, you did make it seem like I was having some illicit affair!"
Sachiko's eyes flashed with amusement and mischief, a sight Yumi had never seen before. "How exactly do I know you aren't?"
Yumi's cheeks burned with shock at the soft accusation, but to everyone's surprise, the usually timid girl didn't back down. Maybe it was the weeks of frustration building, but she was feeling mischievous herself. "I guess you don't have a way of knowing, do you?"
As if they were the only two in the room, their gazes locked, and neither backed down. "No, I'd have to be far more attentive to know that for certain."
"Then I guess you have two choices. Don't you?" Yumi's grin then sent a shiver down Sachiko's spine, but she refused to let it show how it affected her.
"Indeed. To act or not." Sachiko calmly sipped from her teacup before returning her gaze to the young blackbelt. "What shall I do, I wonder?"
All was silent for a time before another voice joined the fray. "Sooooo, not to interrupt… whatever that was, but are either of you gonna explain?" Yoshino stood with arms crossed, waiting expectantly for an explanation.
Pushing off the doorframe, Yumi stepped further into the room. Sachiko noticed the difference immediately. Yumi had tapped into a bit of the confidence she had displayed at the dojo that one day. Sachiko had watched her closely since then, hoping to see that side of her again. However, the younger girl had reverted to her "Lillian" self and her image had not wavered until now.
"If I'm going to tell you then I'd prefer to show you instead. What do you think, Onee-sama?"
"I think that is an excellent idea. Rei-san, the Kendo club doesn't meet tomorrow, correct?" Sachiko asked calmly from across the table.
Rei slowly shook her head, confusion evident on her face. "No, it's a break day for us."
"Then could we borrow the dojo for a small demonstration?" Sachiko smiled as she eyed Yumi from across the room. She had hoped she would get the opportunity to see Yumi practice her karate again. Though, she didn't think the opportunity would present itself so soon. Maria-sama, do I have you to thank for this?
"Yumi?"
"Hmm?" Having been focused on the textbook laid out in front of her, Yumi had to refocus her attention on her Onee-sama. They had retreated to Sachiko's home and room when leaving school, Sachiko having ulterior motives for the destination.
"Are you sure about this?" From her place sitting at her desk, Sachiko turned to find Yumi laying on her stomach across the foot of the bed. Her history textbook was open in front of her, but her eyes were set squarely on Sachiko. Sachiko took a moment to marvel at the sudden change that had come upon Yumi since she had discovered the younger girl's secret. She seemed more relaxed and a bit more confident. The Yumi from before would never have sprawled comfortably across her Onee-sama's bed in such a manner. The thought, though fleeting, made Sachiko want to smile.
"What do you mean?" Sitting up, Yumi drew her legs in and crossed them as she turned to stare at her sister.
"Well, you spoke to me about not wanting people to know about your karate, but now you're wanting to give the council a demonstration?" Sachiko allowed her concern to show fully on her face. "I don't think you should feel forced to reveal anything you're not comfortable with showing."
Yumi's smile wasn't forced, but Sachiko wasn't convinced she was truly at ease with the idea of her friends seeing her secret. "To be honest, it's because of how you reacted that I want to show them instead of telling them."
"My reaction?"
"Well, yeah. You said you thought it was… well" Yumi suddenly stopped and averted her eyes, her face turning red.
Sachiko smiled at her petite soeur's shyness. "It was captivating, Yumi."
Hiding her face in her hands, Yumi fell back onto the bed as if to hide. "Onee-sama! Stop! I can't handle it when you talk like that."
Chuckling, Sachiko rose from her seat and approached her cowering little sister. Having reached the side of the bed, she sat gingerly by her side and gently pried the younger girl's hands from her face. "Why can't you handle compliments?"
Screwing her eyes closed and turning her face away, Yumi still tried to hide. "I'm not used to them, I guess."
Deciding to continue teasing the blushing girl, Sachiko smirked as she poked Yumi's pouty cheek. "So, you want the whole council to be captivated by your karate the way I was, huh?" If it were even possible, Yumi's face grew a deeper shade of red.
In a soft almost imperceptible voice she mumbled, "Maybe not exactly the way you were, Onee-sama."
Butterflies erupted in Sachiko's chest at Yumi's words, but she silently restrained herself, not letting her elation show on her face. "So then, what is your purpose with this exactly? Why the change of heart?"
Turning to face Sachiko, Yumi became contemplative and serious. "Well, you surprised me with your reaction. As I said before, I thought for sure you would hate karate and reject me as a petite soeur if you knew." Regret shown in her eyes. "Now I regret having kept it from you for so long. I should have trusted you. If not from the start, then once we became closer. I realize now that I want to trust that my friends on the council will react in a similar way. I have never liked hiding this part of me."
"Your karate?"
"Not just that… A bigger part of me that I hide." Laying her head back once more, Yumi stared up at the ceiling. "I'm afraid you still don't know the real me, Onee-sama. At least, not the full truth."
"Yumi," Releasing Yumi's arms, Sachiko sat back on the edge of the bed and raised her hand to her lips in shock. "Do you mean to tell me you're not actually clumsy or as clueless as you sometimes act?"
Surprise registered on Yumi's face briefly until she saw the corner of Sachiko's mouth twitch, a smile and giggle trying to force its way to the surface. Turning on her side, facing staunchly away from her Onee-sama, Yumi whimpered her response. "Onee-sama, teasing is mean."
Openly giggling now, Sachiko scooted closer and leaned over her little sister's curled body, trying to get a look at her sweet face. "I can't help it, Yumi. I truly wonder what is real about you and what isn't." She was teasing, while at the same time spoke the worries that were in her heart. Sachiko had grown to care for this young woman, but was the girl she held so dear real or fictional? She wanted to know the answer.
As Sachiko still leaned over Yumi, the younger girl turned onto her back once more and stared intently into her eyes, a mere few inches from her own. "I want to be honest with you, but you'll think it's odd."
Without thinking, Sachiko's hand found its way to Yumi's cheek, gently caressing her flaming skin. "You can tell me anything, Yumi. No matter how odd, you'll always be my petite soeur."
Emboldened by Sachiko's words, Yumi took a deep breath and visibly relaxed. "I told you how my parents decided I would hide my karate when I entered Lillian. At that time, my mother decided I needed to soften my harder edges." Yumi rolled her eyes as she quoted her mother's words from so long ago.
"That's when she started putting your hair in pigtails and ribbons?" Sachiko asked, remembering the brief conversation from before.
"Exactly." Yumi sighed heavily before continuing. "I hated it at first. So many kids who knew me would make fun of me or tease me because the style was so different from what they expected of me. Before long, I found myself becoming anxious and intimidated when my hair was up like that. I lost so much confidence over such a stupid thing." Yumi growled in frustration at herself and hid behind the palms of her hands again.
"For a child so young it's not so stupid. At young ages, personal style choices are part of one's identity. In a school with mandatory uniforms such as Lillian hairstyle is one of the only style choices that we have that would visibly display our own unique styles and identities." Sachiko fingered the pigtails she had always liked seeing on her petite soeur, seeing them suddenly in a new light. "Do you hate these pigtails then? Do they hold you back?"
Yumi hesitated only a moment before responding. "At first, yes. I hated them. It felt… awkward. Before I always had my hair down and loose. Even now, when I was at the dojo I would either wear it down or in a ponytail."
On a whim, Sachiko reached out and pulled the hair tie from one of Yumi's pigtails. The soft brown locks cascaded around the younger girl's head, a slight wave to her hair the only indication that it had been tied up. Eyes met and the two studied each other intently for a time in silence. Finally, Sachiko moved to untie her other pigtail, but Yumi's gentle hand stopped her. Questioning blue eyes searched chocolate brown for answers.
Turning her gaze away, a tremor overtook her voice as Yumi whispered, "That's not me anymore." Sachiko knew she wasn't only talking about her hair. She was talking about her identity. Yumi had never been able to openly be herself. She had been forced to hide a part of herself that she loved. On a level, Sachiko could relate. Even now she hid a part of herself of which she knew no one in her life would approve. It was only Yumi's presence by her side that tempted Sachiko to throw caution to the wind and embrace that hidden side. Though, in the process she might lose the one thing that inspired action in her… She might lose Yumi. That she couldn't risk, but she could help Yumi to take the step that she herself couldn't.
Gently, Sachiko removed Yumi's hand from her wrist which had stayed her actions before. With a tender smile, Sachiko shook her head and slowly removed the last tie from Yumi's hair. Soft hands reverently massaged the tension from Yumi's head and loosened the strands of hair that had been tied back for so long.
Yumi, with eyes closed, hummed in appreciation at the treatment, though Sachiko could tell she was still feeling anxious and shy. Once Sachiko was satisfied, she leaned back and drew Yumi into a sitting position alongside her. Confused, gentle eyes searched hers for answers and Sachiko couldn't help the tint of pink that touched her own cheeks. "You are who you are, Yumi. You've hidden it away for so long, but that doesn't mean you've lost it. Let your hair down and embrace who you are unreservedly and unapologetically."
A single tear trailed down Yumi's smooth cheek. "Onee-sama won't leave me?"
She was worried about that? Oh, Yumi, if only you knew… Tenderly wiping the tear from Yumi's cheek, Sachiko shook her head. "Never, Yumi. I'll be by your side as long as you'll let me stay there."
In response, Yumi leaned forward, resting her forehead against Sachiko's chest. "Forever then." Whispered words tingled in Sachiko's ear, sending her heart into spasms of hope.
Closing her eyes, she bowed her head over Yumi's and held the younger girl closer. "If you wish, Yumi."
Sachiko stood in front of the dojo the next afternoon, waiting for the arrival of the other council members. She had accompanied Yumi to the dojo to help prepare a few things, but the younger girl had been so nervous that Sachiko had excused herself to give her room to breathe. After all, Yumi wasn't used to having her school friends near during things like this and Sachiko knew it would take time for her to adjust.
Lost in thought, Sachiko didn't see their friends approaching until they had nearly reached the steps of the dojo. Rei, Yoshino, Shimako, and Noriko all stopped expectantly at the entrance, curious eyes all on Sachiko. "Well, we're here. What is all this about and where is Yumi-san?" Yoshino asked, crossing her arms over her chest. "Coming out here on a day when we don't have kendo club just seems wrong." She sighed heavily as she shook her head.
Rei merely laughed and patted Yoshino's head roughly. "Says the one who was so eager to join up. Don't mind her, Sachiko-san. Where do you want us?"
"Follow me." Leading the way, Sachiko slid the door to the dojo open and stepped in. The others quickly removed their shoes and followed her.
"Whu- What is this?" Rei breathed, stopping just a pace short of where Sachiko stood staring toward the center of the room.
There knelt Yumi in her white sleeveless gi, her 5th dan black belt secured tightly around her waist and her hair flowing freely around her neck. At first she looked like an entirely different person, her face set as if in stone with her eyes closed. Then her eyes opened and the smile that spread across her face was pure Yumi.
"Yumi-chan?" Shimako was the first to speak, a look of shock and concern on her beautiful face.
"Good afternoon, everyone." With a suddenness that had a few of them taking a step back, Yumi jumped straight to her feet from her kneeling position.
"What is this about?" Rei asked again, eyeing Yumi's gi warily. Looking around the dojo she noticed a row of weapons she had never seen in the building before and a few practice dummies the kendo club rarely if ever, used. Noticing her gaze on the weapons, Yumi didn't respond instead merely smiled and waited.
Noriko, who up to that point had remained quiet, finally spoke. "Yumi-sama, are you a martial artist by chance?"
Artist? Sachiko thought with a grin. That is exactly what she is.
Bowing low toward her friends, Yumi spoke. "Indeed I am, Noriko-chan." Straightening, she met the shocked glances of her friends and felt a momentary stab of guilt at having deceived them for so long.
"So wait, this is why you disappear so much?" Yoshino cried, her face growing flushed as she clenched her fists at her sides.
Before Yumi could respond, Rei set a calming hand on Yoshino's shoulder and turned an intrigued smile toward Yumi. "Why don't we let Yumi-chan proceed with her… demonstration before you lay into her, Yoshino?"
Begrudgingly, Yoshino crossed her arms over her chest and agreed, but not without shooting Yumi a glare that would have stopped her heart had Yumi not already prepared for it.
Once more, Yumi bowed toward her friends and moved to the side where there were dummies set up with thick wooden boards in place of limbs. There were three and Yumi stood in the center as if the dummies were ganging up on her.
Sachiko motioned the others to take a seat on nearby mats while she stood to the side a bit closer to Yumi. She had not seen Yumi do this before and she would be lying if she said she wasn't nervous about the younger girl hurting herself.
As she stood in the center of the dummy targets, Yumi took a stance with feet spread shoulder-width apart and visibly tightened her core. Leaning back slightly into her stand she raised her arms and focused on the target directly in front of her. Sachiko looked on as the tension in the young girl seemed to grow by the second. Time slipped by, yet still Yumi didn't move, her eyes still trained unflinchingly on her target.
Just when Sachiko began to wonder if the younger girl would be able to perform with her friends watching, Yumi sprang into action. As if she were a bullet shot from a pistol, Yumi immediately flew into a roundhouse kick, splintering the panel that was the head of the first target. Landing she immediately crouched low and swept the legs of the next target, effectively shattering both boards. Jumping back to her feet, she instantly sent her right fist straight through the chest panel of the third target followed by a left hook to its face.
Boards fell in splinters at her feet, but she didn't stop. Turning back to the first target, Yumi swiftly balanced on one foot and with three quick, powerful kicks fragmented its chest and legs. Skipping back a step, Yumi twisted at the waist and drove both of her palms straight into the chest panel of the second target. The panel broke down the center with a loud snap. Drawing her arms to her chest, she flung them back out in an X across her chest, effectively shattering the boards that were the target's arms.
Facing the third target, Yumi whipped her arm around and with palm pointed up, slammed the side of her hand into the target's left arm. As the board snapped in two, she smoothly danced to the left and repeated the motion on the right arm. From her place in front of the third target, she jumped and spun toward the first target, shattering the left arm with her foot. Landing at the first target's feet, she leaned back, bracing her body with a hand on the ground, and drove her foot up to demolish the target's last remaining limb.
Reversing direction, she turned back to the third target and jumped, coming down and driving her foot through the target's leg where its knee would have been. Spinning counterclockwise, she drove the side of her foot through the target's remaining leg. Using the momentum of her kick, she followed through and jumped. Angling for the second target's head, she drove her fist home in a flying leap past the dummy's shattered body.
Yumi landed in a crouch, her back toward her friends. Silence was the only thing that greeted her. Instinct told her to hunker down and try to hide, but she swiftly pushed that instinct away. She would no longer run from who she was. She would embrace it and if her friends couldn't accept it… at least she would have Sachiko.
Standing steadily to her feet, Yumi turned her serious gaze on her dumbfounded friends. Rei's eyes were wide with shock, mouth agape and hands braced on the floor. Yoshino was on her knees with one hand reaching out toward Yumi, her mouth opening and closing though no words came out. Shimako sat the same as she had before the demonstration with the only difference being her hands were clamped over her mouth and her eyes were as wide as saucers. Noriko alone smiled, looking more pleased than shocked at this development.
Feeling a renewed wave of nervousness, Yumi hooked her thumbs into her belt and nudged a piece of wood at her feet with her toe. "Sooooo, uh… surprise?"
"What the freakin' hell?! Surprise?!" Yoshino was on her feet and running for Yumi before Rei could restrain her. Sachiko half expected Yumi to react in defense at the girl's sudden approach, but a look of reservation on Yumi's face told her the younger girl would not raise a hand against her friends. No matter what.
However, Sachiko need not have worried as Yoshino's intentions became clear only moments later as she dove at her friend, laughing her head off. Wrapping her arms around a shocked Yumi, Yoshino smiled. "Yumi-chan, you're a badass!"
"Yoshino, could we watch the language while on campus, please?" Rei hid her face in a mixture of humor and shame at Yoshino's outburst.
"Seriously? After what we just saw, is my language really your first concern?" Yoshino now stood hugging Yumi around the neck from behind.
Yumi smiled goofily, a blush once more gracing her smooth cheeks.
"I'm not saying I disagree with your assessment." Rei smiled broadly at Yumi and shook her head. "I can't believe you were hiding in plain sight this entire time. Yumi-chan, that was incredible!"
With a trademark Yumi giggle, the young girl bowed her head in thanks toward Rei. "Rei-sama, do you really think so?"
"Yes! Without a doubt! That demonstration would put many of the instructors at my family dojo to shame!" Rei approached the smaller girl and patted her on the head affectionately. "It's obvious this isn't new for you. How long have you been-"
"She's been at this since she was about four years old." Sachiko offered as she approached the group from the side. Smiling proudly at her petite soeur, she extended a hand beckoning her to her side.
Without hesitation, Yumi separated from Yoshino and Rei, placing her hand in Sachiko's as silently requested. To Yumi's surprise, Sachiko turned her hand over and looked on with concern at the blood smeared on the side of her hand. "Oh, don't worry, Onee-sama. It must be from a splinter or something. It doesn't even hurt."
As if she hadn't heard Yumi, Sachiko withdrew her handkerchief from her pocket and gently wiped the blood away. Yumi protested using such a beautiful handkerchief for such a purpose, but Sachiko ignored her and continued until she spotted the wound. Yumi had been correct, it was a splinter, though a very large one protruding from her palm near her wrist. Turning to Rei, Sachiko asked, "First-aid kit?"
Moments later, Yoshino handed the small kit to Sachiko and they all stood and watched as the older sister tended to the younger.
"Onee-sama, I really am fine." Yumi tried once more to dissuade Sachiko's concern only to be cut off by Shimako.
"Yumi-chan, you should let your Onee-sama care for you without complaint." This was the first Shimako had spoken since the demonstration began and Yumi eyed her warily.
"I - I'm not trying to complain. I just don't want to cause her any more trouble than I already have." Yumi tried to smile at her friend, but the look Shimako was giving her made her uneasy.
"What trouble have you caused her, Yumi-chan?" Shimako asked curiously, tilting her head to the side and studying her friend intently.
"Well, I haven't been honest like a petite soeur should be. I caused her to worry about me all this time." Yumi looked to Sachiko who had just finished pulling the splinter from her hand with tweezers and was applying antiseptic ointment to the wound. "She had to resort to following me and even put herself at risk because I was inconsiderate."
"Enough about that, Yumi." Sachiko interrupted, not meeting her eyes. Having applied the ointment, she put gauze in place and began to gently wrap the hand and wrist. "I could have been honest with you as well instead of underhandedly sneaking around." Looking up to finally meet her eyes, Sachiko added, "One could say I also failed as your Onee-sama. I knew something was going on, but instead of being forward about it I let it continue for far too long and then I didn't trust you enough to ask you directly."
"In short, you both really suck at this sister-thing, don't you?" Yoshino asked in a monotone from the side. "Ouch!" She jumped backwards quickly, trying to avoid the many hands that reached out to smack her, though Rei had been quick to land a chop on her head. "Well, it's not like I'm wrong!" She cried defensively, glaring at Rei, Shimako, and Noriko- All of whom looked like they still wanted to smack her.
"I don't think you're right, though." Shimako spoke thoughtfully, eyeing Sachiko and Yumi carefully. "You see, despite the fact that neither was fully honest with the other, they still stayed by each other's side. They accepted each other even without a full and complete understanding of each other. Isn't that the epitome of sistership?"
Having finished wrapping Yumi's hand, Sachiko contemplated Shimako's words and eyed her sister's delicate-looking hand. She had seen them many times, so why was it only now that she noticed the callouses? The roughness that clearly indicated this person had toughened their skin through physical activity. To herself, she wondered just how many times Yumi had bled for this passion of hers. How many times did she walk away from training bruised and beaten and had to hide it from those who were her friends? She had been alone all this time, sweating and bleeding in silence. No more though. I'll be with her. Leaning down, she kissed Yumi's palm and then looked up, smiling to see Yumi's sweet blush. "There. All better."
Yumi didn't respond, instead merely gazing at her Onee-sama with a mixture of panic and happiness. It was Yoshino who once again broke the silence.
"Uh-huh… So, that's how it- Ouch!" As one, Shimako and Noriko had silenced their outspoken friend in braids.
The ruckus caused by Yoshino quickly drew Yumi back to herself. Sparing a quick smile for her Onee-sama, Yumi squeezed her hand in thanks and stood back to her feet. "Well, I've prepared a few more demonstrations. Would you care to see them?"
"Of course!" Rei responded instantly, clapping Yumi on the back eagerly. "Honestly, I can't tell you how refreshing it is to have a fellow sportswoman on the council with me. You seem to take your karate very seriously."
"I did." Yumi smiled, intentionally using the past tense.
"Hold up! I'm a sportswoman and I'm on the council! What am I to you? Invisible?" Yoshino glared at her cousin, looking ready to pounce in protest.
With a placating smile, Rei patted her cousin on the shoulder. "Of course you are a sportswoman, Yoshino. Why would I ever imply differently?" Seeing her irritation grow, Rei laughed and drew her petite soeur into a bear hug. "I am only teasing you, Yoshino. Settle it down."
"Yeah, yeah. Sure!" Yoshino pulled away from her Onee-sama and stepped to Yumi's side. Gripping the girl by her shoulders, Yoshino grew very serious. "Yumi-chan, I have only one question for you."
"Y-Yes?" Yumi responded nervously.
"What is your exercise regiment?" Her exuberant friend spoke with enthusiasm as she fingered Yumi's biceps and triceps. "You're deceptively strong! How the heck did you manage it?" Falling to her knees she cried in mock desperation, "Teach me your ways, master!"
Laughter filled the dojo as the friends settled in to watch Yumi demonstrate the weapons. Though Yumi promised to train with Yoshino, Sachiko was the only one who noticed that when Yumi spoke about Karate it was always in the past tense. It seemed she really didn't have any intention of returning to her former dojo. It's a shame. This is her element. How can I, as her Onee-sama, let her abandon it? Especially when she's doing it for my sake…
A/N - So, what do you think of this new story so far? I'd love to hear your thoughts.