A/N - I do not own these characters.

Chapter 7

After returning to the manor, Yumi informed Sayako that she was tired and would be going to bed early. Therefore, she'd be foregoing dinner. While Sayako had expressed displeasure at first, she relented after seeing her injuries again. Returning to her room she took her time in her nightly shower and bath. When the hot water hit it, her knee stung as if a bottle of alcohol had been poured over it, but soon the pain was numbed to the point she could ignore it.

As she lay in the soothing water, she reclined her head and remembered the day. She remembered the lunch hour and her time in the clearing with Sachiko. It had been fun to show Sachiko her secret place and even more amusing to see Sachiko's face in the weight room. It especially became interesting when Sei showed up.

Yumi felt her face flush, and not from the hot water, when she thought of how many times she felt Sachiko's eyes on her throughout the day. Yes, what happened on the street was troubling, but what captivated Yumi's thoughts were the things that happened before and after that. Especially those kisses. It was true, Sachiko had taken the initiative in the car, but Yumi had followed suit in the maze. Squeezing her eyes closed, she placed wet hands over her eyes, anguished by the memory of her own boldness. "Who knew it would be so difficult to just be myself?!" Growling in frustration, she kicked her legs out of the water. When her knee protested and she noticed the slight swelling of her joint, she decided she had spent enough time in the bath.

Wincing from her stiffening knee, Yumi dried off as quickly as possible and dressed in a pair of lightweight exercise shorts and a loose-fitting tank. Instead of drying her hair, she simply tied it up into a ponytail and clipped it up off her neck. It was warm enough that she doubted she would be at risk for a cold because of it.

Moving a little unsteadily, Yumi made it to the bed. Lying back, she elevated her injured leg on a few pillows and closed her eyes. She knew she should go get ice for her knee and the salve for her arm, but at that moment, despite her pain being minor, she had no desire to move. Just as her eyes were about to close, a soft knock came at the door. Before she could sit up, the door opened to reveal a smiling Sayako.

"Oh, Yumi-chan, please forgive my intrusion. I was worried about you, so wanted to check in before turning in for the night. How are you feeling?" The older woman approached with a smile and sat on the opposite corner of the bed.

Yumi smiled in return. Ever since she had first met Sachiko's mother Yumi had thought the world of the woman. So refined, yet Yumi could feel that hidden flow of resolve and power ebbing below the surface. Despite appearances, this woman was formidable and Yumi admired her immensely. "You are more than welcome, Sayako-sama. Other than being a little sore, I think I'm doing okay. The bath definitely helped."

"How many times do I have to tell you, Yumi? Call me Aunt or Auntie. Do you need any pain relievers?" Yumi could see her concerned gaze glance over her injuries, the older woman's worry more than evident.

"No, I'll have to refuse those. They muddle my thoughts and make the next morning difficult to focus. After today…" Yumi closed her eyes as the image of Sachiko stumbling into the street replayed in her mind. If she had been just a few steps further away… "I need to stay focused to keep her safe, Auntie." Clutching her sheet in her hands, Yumi continued. "I could not forgive myself if something happened to her… to Sachiko."

There was silence for a time before a soft giggle filled the air. Looking up she saw it was Sayako who was giggling. Not only that, but she was smiling with tears in her eyes. "Auntie?"

"Yumi-chan, I've been waiting for you for so long." Sayako bowed her head, looking at her folded hands in her lap.

"Whu? What do you mean?" Yumi sat up a bit straighter in the bed, wincing only slightly as her knee flexed uncomfortably.

Looking off toward the balcony window where the moon shone brightly in the night sky, Sayako allowed her tears to fall. "My beloved daughter not only deserves to be safe, she also deserves to be happy. Sachiko deserves to have the opportunity to…" Looking back to Yumi, Sayako arched an eyebrow as she finished. "to be her own woman, whatever that might entail."

Feeling her pulse quicken at the implication of Sayako's words, Yumi nearly choked on air. "Are you… uh, Auntie, we-"

Sayako raised her hand in a silent command to stop and Yumi fell silent, studying the older woman before her. "Yumi-chan, I'm not here to make any accusations or force a confession of any kind out of you. No, I simply wish to voice my support and extract a promise from you."

"A promise?" The look in Sayako's eyes told Yumi all she needed to know about the love she held for both Sachiko and Yumi. Bowing her head in a show of respect, Yumi welcomed whatever Sayako was about to request. "What promise would you have from me, Auntie?"

"Simply this… Rescue my Sachiko."

Meeting her intense gaze once more, Yumi tried to work out exactly what was being requested of her. Rescue Sachiko? I'm already her bodyguard and after today Sayako-sama knows I'll rescue her from danger, so she can't be talking about that. What then?

As if sensing her confusion, Sayako smiled and stood from the bed. "You know, Yumi-chan, I've often thought about what it would be like after my little girl grew up and moved away. It saddens me to no end, but" She rounded the end of the bed and came to stop directly by Yumi's side. "As long as my Sachiko was happy and content, I would be as well." She leaned down and planted a soft kiss on Yumi's forehead before leaning further to her ear and whispering, "No matter where she was or who she was with. Even if it meant I would be separated from her for a time." Straightening, tears once more glistening in trails on her cheeks, she smiled again. "Rescue her, Yumi-chan. Rescue my Sachiko."

Yumi opened her mouth to say that she would try but stopped. No, she couldn't respond to such an important request with such a hollow promise. This was Sachiko after all. She was the most important person in Yumi's life. No, it was more than that. She was her world. Acknowledging that in her heart brought tears to Yumi's eyes as well. Reaching out, she took Sayako's hand and rested her forehead against the back of it. "I will rescue her. If it takes the rest of my life, so be it. I will sacrifice anything for her."

"Not anything, Yumi-chan." Sayako smiled down at her, a small glint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "Take care of yourself, as well. After all, what would happen to Sachiko if you were not able to be by her side?"

Nodding in understanding, Yumi released Sayako's hand and laid back once more. "I will, but please don't worry about me. These injuries aren't severe at all."

Visibly skeptical, Sayako merely shook her head and made her way to the door. "Well, you'll have to excuse me for worrying regardless. Now, is there anything you need?"

Yumi was about to wave off any assistance but thought better of it. Sayako was trying to show her she cared, so Yumi resisted the urge to reject the help. "I actually could use an ice pack, if it's not too much trouble?"

"No trouble at all." Sayako smiled warmly from her place by the door. No sign of tears was left on her face. No, in fact, she looked flawless. It was obvious where Sachiko got her beauty and grace. "Now, you relax and try to rest."

The night sky only revealed a handful of stars twinkling above, though Sachiko knew millions were hidden by the lights of the city. She could close her eyes and imagine that bountiful sky of stars, a sky one could only see when they escaped the shackles of civilization for a quieter place. How she wished to go there right now. To escape the voices of society and propriety for a place where her own heart's desires could speak the loudest. For right then, she was like a star whose light was hidden by the world around her.

Shaking her head to clear it of such thoughts, Sachiko could only laugh to herself. One kiss from Yumi and I wax poetic about the heavens. I'm truly pathetic. She knew that wasn't entirely true. Yes, she was pathetically dramatic at times, but she knew in her heart that being near Yumi actually only made her stronger, more certain about the things she wanted in life. If I could only be strong enough to take control of my own life.

"Rather optimistic to go stargazing on such a cloudy night, isn't it?" Sachiko jumped at the sound of her mother's voice behind her.

"I guess so." She smiled a moment at her mother before turning her gaze back toward the heavens. "Honestly though I was just thinking."

She felt her mother approach from behind and then a moment passed before she felt the comforting, familiar weight of her mother's shawl spread over her shoulders. Turning to face her mother, who was just a bit shorter than her, she shook her head. "What about you, mother? Won't you get cold?"

"I am not as foolish as my daughter, it seems." Sayako fussed as she tied the end of the shawl over Sachiko's chest. "I will be going to bed. As you should too, my dear."

Looking back toward the house, Sachiko's smile gradually faded, to be replaced by a faint blush. "I am not very tired yet. I think a walk might do me some good."

Sayako's hands paused their fussing as she turned a serious gaze on her stubborn daughter. "Sachiko, you could at least try to make this easier for those trying to protect you. Honestly, walking the estate after dark without any protection? I thought I raised a more logical daughter than that."

"Do I really have reason to be afraid while at home?"

Tired and emotionally drained from what had happened earlier, Sayako took Sachiko's hands in hers and gripped them tightly. "I don't think so, but is it really a risk you have to take? Listen," She sighed heavily as she continued. "Your grandfather and father have made enemies with this business deal of theirs. They are powerful and serious. They assaulted you on a crowded street. Do you really think they would hesitate to hurt you as you walk alone in the dark? I don't want to believe that anyone could get to you here of all places, but I'm not so lax with your life that I would take risks needlessly with it."

And just like that, through her mother's expert use of logic and guilt, Sachiko lost her desire to go for a walk. "Alright, mother, I'll go to bed and read instead."

Smiling in mock surprise, Sayako clapped her hands in relief. "Good, that sounds like an excellent idea." Then, as if suddenly recalling something important, she added, "Oh, on your way to your room you might consider dropping an ice pack off for Yumi-chan."

"Yumi?" Suddenly curious, Sachiko found herself following her mother to the door. "You saw her?"

"Hmmm? Yes. I was worried that she skipped dinner and wanted to make sure she was resting comfortably, so I checked on her a few minutes ago." Opening the veranda door, Sayako quickly ushered her over the threshold.

"Was she okay?" Sachiko had been both relieved and saddened when she had come to the dinner table to find that Yumi would not be joining them.

"She said she was okay, but you know Yumi-chan." Her mother smiled up at her, though worry was evident on her face. "Would she really say if she wasn't?"

Sachiko knew her mother was right. Yumi had a history of playing things off. She had even passed out at school because she pushed herself too hard. No one, including Sachiko, had realized how much she was hurting until it was too late. "You're right; she probably wouldn't. I'll check on her though and give her an ice pack before I go to bed."

When she was just about to turn and walk to the kitchen, she felt her mother's hand on her elbow, silently beckoning for her to stay. Turning back she saw a conflicted look in her mother's eyes. "Mother?"

Sayako took a precious moment to caress Sachiko's cheek and run her fingers through her long black hair. "I don't think I have ever told you this before, but… I am proud of the woman you have become." Taking one of Sachiko's long, slender hands in both of hers, Sayako held her close to her chest. "My truest desire is to see you happy in your life; to see you embrace the truest, purest part of yourself."

"What do you mean, mother?" Confusion was evident on Sachiko's face, though she was curious as well.

"Sachiko, my darling, I wish for you to embrace life with reckless abandon! You are braver than I have ever been. Seize the opportunities before you, regardless of their nature. But most importantly," She stepped closer and whispered her final wish. "Live a life that is wholly yours."

Sachiko stood frozen in place as her mother kissed her cheek and began to walk away. When she was a few steps away, Sachiko finally tried to speak, "But mother, I-"

"You know," Sayako interrupted, glancing back at her over her shoulder. "You could learn a lot from your petite soeur about that." With those words, she left Sachiko in deep thought.

The hedge maze seemed bigger than she remembered. Yumi stood at a crossroads with hedges towering all around her, yet she had no idea which way held the exit. She tried to peer over the hedges in hopes of spotting a landmark, but to no avail. All she could see beyond the hedges were the empty darkness of the sky. Not even the stars or moon was visible in its inky blackness.

"Yumi…"

"Sachiko?" Yumi turned around, trying to identify which path the voice had come from. "Onee-sama, are you there?"

"Yumi, help me…" It was Sachiko, but her voice seemed to be growing more distant.

"Where are you?" Yumi cried out, starting to run down one path, but then stopping out of fear that it was the wrong one. "Speak to me, Onee-sama!"

"Yumi, it's too late." A shiver raced up Yumi's spine as she realized the voice was directly behind her.

Turning, her breath caught in her throat along with a cry of alarm. The hedge maze was gone and Sachiko stood only meters away, on the edge of a cliff. She looked beaten, her face running with blood from a wound Yumi could not see. "Onee-sama!"

A sad smile spread across Sachiko's face as she shook her head. "You can't save me, Yumi." She shifted backward and Yumi knew what she was doing.

"No, Sachiko! Don't give up! I can save you!" She moved as fast her feet would carry her. When Sachiko disappeared over the edge, Yumi was moments behind, diving head first to try and catch her.

Falling through the thick blackness of the abyss, Yumi dove for Sachiko. She called for her, her words getting lost in the torrent of wind that swept around them. Yumi could not see the bottom of this abyss, but if they were going to hit bottom she was determined they would do so together. She could see Sachiko finally open her eyes and then lift her hands, reaching desperately for Yumi. Moments later, Yumi finally grasped her outstretched hands and pulled the flailing Sachiko to her chest. The older girl buried her face into Yumi's chest and wrapped her arms around her while Yumi held fast to Sachiko and twisted them in the air so that Sachiko was on top.

"Yumi," Sachiko's voice sounded distant in the wind as they plummeted.

"Sachiko, I have you! You're not alone!"

"Yumi," Her voice was coming louder, now sounded panicked.

"Sachiko! Sachiko. I-" Everything turned black and ended.

"No!" Yumi sat straight up in bed, wincing as she unwittingly flexed the muscles in her injured arm.

"Yumi!"

Hearing Sachiko's panicked voice, Yumi turned to find her grand soeur sitting in the bed next to her, a look of intense worry on her face. "Sachiko!" Reaching out, Yumi ran her hand along Sachiko's cheek and up through her hair, searching for the wound she had seen before. Thankfully, she seemed to be unharmed. "Oh, thank Maria-sama." Flinging herself back against her pillows in relief, Yumi tried to catch her breath and calm her racing heart.

"Yumi, what's the matter? Are you okay? I came in to find you thrashing around, but you didn't wake up when I called out to you." When Yumi didn't respond fast enough, Sachiko rolled toward her on the bed and leaned over the smaller girl. "Yumi? Answer me or I'll get the doctor."

Opening her eyes, the already flushed Yumi jumped at finding Sachiko so close. "I'm- I'm fine, Sach- Uh, Onee-sama. Just a bad dream."

Worried blue eyes searched hers for a moment longer before she brought her hand up to caress Yumi's cheek. "Yes, it must have been a bad one. You're hot and sweating profusely. Are you okay now?"

Still coming down from her dream panic, Yumi nodded and placed her hand over Sachiko's on her cheek. "Yeah, I'll be okay." Closing her eyes once more, she nuzzled into Sachiko's soft hand, finding comfort in her warm touch, knowing that she was indeed safe.

She stayed like that until she felt Sachiko's cool lips press against her forehead. Instead of stiffening at the contact, Yumi found herself melting into those lips, feeling more relaxed than she had in a long time. Humming contentedly, Yumi absentmindedly ran her fingers along Sachiko's side. The older girl seemed to enjoy the contact, from the way she leaned into it eagerly.

Eyes closed in enjoyment, Yumi spoke softly into Sachiko's exposed neck. "Don't give up on me, Onee-sama. I promise I'll take care of you." Remembering how Sachiko had looked in her dream sent a momentary jolt of fear through her and she found herself holding onto Sachiko with both hands and pulling her closer.

"Yumi? What's wrong?"

"I-I can't." Yumi breathed, gritting her teeth. "I won't lose you. I will protect you, I swear!"

"I don't know what you dreamed about, Yumi, but you've already saved me." Yumi felt Sachiko give in and lean closer, wrapping her arms around Yumi's head that she had buried into her neck. "And I'm not just talking about this evening either."

Holding Sachiko close and taking in her subtle scent of roses, Yumi mumbled, "What do you mean then?"

"When you accepted my rosary." Sachiko's voice was soft, almost as if she were afraid to speak too loudly, else she would shatter the peace of the moment.

"No, it's I who-" Yumi's words were cut short by the tightening of Sachiko's arms.

"I don't want to hear anymore about you not being worthy or any nonsense like that." She ran her fingers through Yumi's hair, relaxing the younger girl further. "There could never be another I would prefer by my side. Only you, Yumi." Leaning back only slightly, Sachiko tilted Yumi's head back away from her neck. Yumi kept her eyes closed, merely enjoying the feel of Sachiko's hands running through her hair. When Sachiko's hands stilled, her cool lips pressed lightly against Yumi's closed eyes, one after the other. "Only my Yumi." She whispered in between kisses. Finally, those cool lips made their way to Yumi's eagerly and they shared their third kiss of the day. It was just as sweet and tender as the first two, though not as timid. This time it was Yumi who pulled Sachiko onto her lap, never breaking contact as they maneuvered.

Yumi allowed her hands to glide up and down Sachiko's sides, enjoying the feel of her body. Finally, they separated from their kiss, each gasping for breath. Resting their foreheads against each other, Yumi took the time to ask a question that was burning in the back of her mind. "What is this, Sachiko?"

"Hmm?"

"This." Yumi motioned between the two of them curiously. "What is this we have? Is this going to… change anything?"

"Do you wish it to?" Sachiko lifted Yumi's hand from her side and began to kiss it, starting with each finger and then moving up the arm.

"Y-Yes, of course." Yumi's breath caught in her throat as Sachiko's lips traveled further up her arm.

"Then it will." Sachiko said simply, having reached Yumi's elbow, just below her bruises.

"But how exactly?"

Sachiko took her time kissing around the intense-looking bruise on Yumi's upper arm before she sat back on Yumi's lap and met her quizzical chocolate brown gaze. "Do you know what you want, Yumi? Because, in all honesty, I'm not sure myself."

"I-I just know that I want to be with you." Yumi admitted, feeling lost in the ambiguity of their current situation.

"We are of the same mind then, because that is the one thing I am certain about myself." Sachiko's intense blue gaze softened into a smile as she tenderly ran her fingers along Yumi's arms until their hands met. Twining their fingers together, Sachiko lifted them between the two of them and squeezed her hands tightly. "We are in no rush, Yumi. We can take our time figuring this out. I don't want you to feel any pressure because I know, I for one, can't handle any additional pressure right now either."

Yumi thought about her words for a moment and then nodded in agreement. She also didn't feel a need to pressure each other in this matter, but she did want to clarify one thing. "I agree, but…" With a little tug on their interwoven hands, she pulled Sachiko back down into her waiting arms. "Just so I am not misunderstanding anything… We are together now, right?"

"Together?" Sachiko's eyes danced with laughter as the anxious look on Yumi's face.

"I'm warning you, Sachiko, don't tease me on this, or else." A mischievous glint that could have rivaled Sei glimmered in Yumi's eyes, drawing an uncontrollable giggle from Sachiko's lips.

"Well, that depends." Sachiko let her fingers trace the well-defined muscles in Yumi's arms that held her so securely.

"On what exactly?"

Turning once more to meet her gaze, Sachiko let her eyes wander to Yumi's lips then back to her eyes. "On whether or not you ask well enough," She swallowed, a faint tint of a blush touching her cheeks as she breathed one last word in a nearly silent whisper, "Sensei."

Without even a moment's hesitation, Yumi pulled her down into another kiss, but this one was brimming with passion unencumbered by timid anxiety. On instinct alone, she deepened their contact, eliciting a deep moan from the older girl. Yumi didn't know how long the kiss lasted, but when they finally separated, their faces were both a deep red and they were breathing hard. As she tried to settle her heart back down to its normal rhythm, Yumi spoke, her voice strong and filled with desire. "Be mine, Sachiko. Only mine."

Sachiko nodded, biting her lip and fighting with her own flaring sense of desire. "I will, Yumi, if you'll be mine as well."

"I've been yours since first we met." Yumi whispered, gifting her a glancing peck to the lips before laying her head back again.

"I mean in more ways than the sisterly bond we had developed." Sachiko clarified, playing with Yumi's loose-flowing hair around her ears.

"I know." Yumi grabbed Sachiko's hand and drew it to her lips with a grin. "I love you. I've loved you for a long time now."

Sachiko stiffened. "You… You have? Truly? As in, romantically?"

"Truly. In all honesty, you are probably the only one who was blind to my feelings." Yumi giggled softly, her eyes closed once more while her hand absently caressed Sachiko's side.

"That can't be." Sachiko voiced, in utter denial over her own blindness.

Yumi didn't try to argue the topic with Sachiko. Instead, she shifted the older girl off her lap until she was laying comfortably next to her with her head on Yumi's chest. "It's late. I think we should both get some rest, don't you?"

"Yes, but…"

"What is it?" Yumi asked, noticing Sachiko's fidgeting.

"Are you okay with me… staying… here?" It amazed Yumi how her confident Onee-sama could turn so timid, so quickly.

"Of course," Yumi tightened her grip around Sachiko's shoulders and held her closer. "I'll rest the best knowing you're safe, by my side."

"Okay, if you're certain, but first…" Sachiko pulled away for a split second and returned with an ice pack in hand. "Mother wanted you to put this on your knee." Without waiting for permission, Sachiko placed the pack on Yumi's injured knee and then reached for the jar of salve on the nightstand. For a few long, enjoyable minutes she rubbed the healing salve into the bruises on Yumi's arm. As she did, they exchanged a few heated glances. Finally, Sachiko had to bite her lip to keep from kissing the younger girl again and intentionally turned to the side as she finished with Yumi's injury. Placing the jar back on the nightstand, Sachiko pulled the covers up over both of them and curled into Yumi's side.

Reaching above her head, Yumi hit the switch and the light turned out. The room was dark, save for the light of the moon shining through the windows. With Sachiko resting comfortably on her chest, Yumi could think of no situation more in line with her heart's desires than this moment. It wasn't long before she felt Sachiko's body relax against her side, signaling that the older girl had lost her battle with sleep. Looking down she marveled at the sight before her. Sachiko asleep and in her arms. It was like a dream turned reality.

She ached to reach out and touch that soft pale cheek, semi-hidden by tousled black hair, if for no other reason than to prove to herself that this all was real. She refrained though, not wanting to disturb Sachiko's sleep. Tears of joy began to flood Yumi's eyes, though she tried desperately to push them back down. It almost didn't matter that she hadn't heard the words she most craved to hear.

A/N - These two are just adorable. They make my heart sing. lol :) Guess it's my turn to wax poetic, huh? Hope you all enjoyed!