A/N - I do not own these characters.

Chapter 9

"Ow! Ow! Seriously, what about 'ow' don't you understand right now?" Yumi glared daggers at her braid sporting friend. Yoshino, however, didn't spare even a hint of compassion for her as she mercilessly rubbed the healing salve into Yumi's arms and shoulders.

"You deserve every moment of agony you get from that act of sheer stupidity!" Yoshino growled, pressing a bit harder than necessary on Yumi's sore shoulder muscles.

"Gah!" Yumi instinctively bent away from the pain, but Yoshino's hands merely traveled with her. "Shimako, some help please?"

Their western beauty of a friend sitting across from her merely shook her head. "In this, I am in total agreement with Yoshino-chan. You deserve what you get. Honestly, what possessed you to do such a thing?"

Gripping her fists tightly and gritting her teeth, Yumi tried to shrug, which ended in a miserable sounding groan. "Well, Onee-sama was there. I - I couldn't get down."

Yoshino's hands paused their assault on Yumi's poor muscles. "Come again? I think we need a bit more of an explanation than that, Yumi-chan."

Sighing heavily, Yumi mumbled as she tried to stretch her neck out. "Of course you do." Flinching to the side she cried out as Yoshino once more tightened her grip. "Ah! Seriously?!" Shaking her head, she finally relented. "I didn't want to face her, so…"

Shimako spared a confused glance for Yumi. "Yumi-chan, correct me if I'm wrong but… You have feelings for your Onee-sama, don't you?"

Having already decided there was no point in hiding it any longer, Yumi hung her head and nodded.

"That's why you couldn't face her last night? Because something happened?" Shimako inquired further.

Again, Yumi merely nodded.

"So you, the genius that you are, decided doing pull-ups from a tree until you had demolished every muscle in your arms, shoulders, and chest was the solution to this… issue?" Yoshino questions, obvious notes of sarcasm and judgment in her voice.

"Well, I didn't think she would continue standing there the whole time!" Yumi growled in exasperation. "It's not like I consciously decided to do this to myself, Yoshino-chan. I just…"

"You got caught up in Sachiko's presence and didn't think about it." Shimako provided, nodding her head as if she understood the mentality personally.

"Exactly! Ah!"

"Don't jerk around so much, Baka!" Yoshino admonished as she attacked the final area around her still healing bruises.

Breathing through the pain, Yumi continued. "Before I knew it my arms were shaking, my shoulders were screaming, and my chest was on fire. I hadn't even been keeping count of my sets. It wasn't until Onee-sama told me that I realized how much I had done." Yoshino tapped her arm to indicate she was done and Yumi leaned forward, wincing as she rested her face in her hands. "I made a total fool of myself last night and this morning."

"How so?" Shimako inquired, lifting the teapot and pouring Yumi a drink.

"Well…" Yumi's mind drifted back to the night before.

Things were getting pretty intense. They had never shared a more passionate kiss and Yumi had never been so bold as her hands played along Sachiko's tantalizing skin. She had already relieved her Onee-sama of her robe and was inching her way toward the older girl's bra clasp when a fire erupted in Yumi's neck, flaring down through her left shoulder, arm, and upper back. Stiffening mid-kiss, Yumi would have cursed had her mouth not been preoccupied with another more enjoyable task.

Feeling Yumi's body tense beneath her, Sachiko slowly withdrew, eyes clouded with desire and trying to figure out what was wrong. "Yumi, what is it?"

Biting her lip to keep from screaming, Yumi instinctively slouched into the couch in the direction of the spasm.

Seeing Yumi in obvious distress, Sachiko began to panic. "Yumi! Talk to me! What's wrong?"

Through gritted teeth, Yumi managed to mumble a few words. "Neck… spasm."

Understanding, Sachiko gently pulled Yumi back into a sitting position. "Let me help. Don't fight me." With tender hands, she held her shoulder in place and slowly angled her head in the opposite direction.

Unable to hold it back, Yumi cried out but didn't pull away. She knew this needed to happen, but that didn't mean stretching the spasming muscles was going to be enjoyable. Keeping her eyes closed as Sachiko massaged the spasm away, Yumi felt herself slowly relaxing as the pain dwindled.

"Yumi, your shoulders are like rocks. The stress is getting to you, isn't it?"

Yumi would have shaken her head had she not feared a painful reaction to the motion. "No, no. Don't worry. I'm fine."

"Yes, because seizing up from spasms is the typical indicator that someone is 'fine'." Yumi didn't have to look to know that Sachiko had rolled her eyes at her.

Digging her fingers into Sachiko's side, Yumi suddenly tickled her, drawing hectic laughter from the girl's lips. "That's enough outta you," Yumi grumbled in mock irritation.

"No, Yumi, stop!" Desperate for Yumi's tickling to cease, Sachiko, reached out and pinched her arm on the spasming side.

The instant Yumi leaned in the direction of the pinch she knew she had made the wrong move, both in instigating a tickling assault on Sachiko and in the direction she leaned. The muscles that were beginning to ease just a moment ago suddenly flared back into a spasm. "Ah! Sachiko, help!"

"But I thought you were fine," Sachiko stated, crossing her arms over her chest as she gave Yumi a look of bored amusement.

"Gah! I was wrong! Dead wrong! Infinitely wrong! I'm stupid and you are right. No one can compare with your beauty or intelligence!" Yumi tried in vain to straighten her neck, but couldn't force it into the position where the pressure would be released.

"Aaaaaand?" Pointedly, Sachiko teased at the portion of Yumi's neck where she knew the girl was ticklish.

Yumi jerked instinctively away from the touch only to cry in pain again. "Ah! And I swear I'll never, ever tickle you ever again! God, this hurts!"

Nodding in satisfaction, Sachiko helped ease the tension once again. When Yumi was once again relaxed and no longer crying out in pain, Sachiko had leaned in to whisper in her ear. "If you had stopped your infernal exercising sooner, who knows where this night would have ended."

Yumi's face flushed as she remembered those provocative words. She silently cursed herself once more for her idiocy and then realized her friends were still waiting on her explanation. "Oh, uh… I cramped up and Sachiko had to help me… loosen up."

"Well, that doesn't sound too bad. Why would that be embarrassing?" Shimako asked, a curious glint in her eyes.

With a nervous giggle, Yumi merely shrugged fractionally. Yoshino, however, shot her friend a devilish grin. "That all depends, doesn't it? Tell us, Yumi-chan, what exactly were you doing when you cramped up?"

"That's enough, Yoshino." Rei spoke up as she entered the infirmary where the younger girls had been talking and waiting for Yumi's painkillers to kick in. Winking at the obviously relieved Yumi, Rei continued. "It's not right to tease a fellow athlete about occasionally overdoing it in the gym. After all, do I need to remind you of the first time you practiced with the Kendo stick?" Turning to Shimako and Yumi she immediately began to tell the story. "I told her to take her stance and swing the Kendo stick twenty times, but-"

Diving from her seat to try and cover Rei's mouth, Yoshino frantically tried to distract from the story. "No, no, that's okay! We don't need to hear that boring story! I promise I'll be a compassionate angel, just, please! Not that story!"

Shrugging, Rei smiled and laughed giddily. "Sorry, guess storytime is over. Anyway, Yumi-chan, Sachiko-san asked me to bring these to you." She handed over a plastic bag with three bottled drinks in it.

"Huh? What are they?" Yumi asked curiously as she withdrew one.

"They are smoothies, high in vitamins and minerals. This particular flavor is high in potassium and magnesium. Both of those are great for easing sore muscles and cramps." Rei shrugged as she put her hands in her pockets. "Sachiko-san was worried about you this morning and told me what happened, knowing that I know about things like this because of my family's dojo. When I told her about the drinks she asked if I would pick up a few for you."

"Thank you, Rei-sama." Yumi grinned up at the older girl. "You are a lifesaver!"

"Onee-sama, how did you even know we were here?" Yoshino asked curiously.

"Your classmate Tsutako-san took it upon herself to report your trip to the infirmary to Sachiko-san." Rei's look turned curious as a thought hit her. "I'm not sure why she didn't come along."

Knowing that Sachiko was under strict instructions not to leave the classroom without Yumi by her side, Yumi chuckled nervously as she racked her brain to think of a plausible reason. "She must- uh - Onee-sama must have known that I was embarrassed enough after cramping up this morning too."

Three pairs of quizzical eyes bore into her with a sudden intensity, instantly cluing Yumi into her mistake.

"This morning?" Yoshino asked quietly, waggling her eyebrows suggestively as Rei and Shimako traded curious looks.

"Uh, I mean… Well, the thing is-"

Wide-eyed and blushing in realization, Rei immediately spoke up. "Oh, you mean when you were having tea in the council room, right? Sachiko-san told me about it."

"Uh, right! Exactly! My neck spasmed when I went to lift the kettle. So embarrassing!" Yumi played along, mentally sending Rei-sama grateful vibes.

Yoshino though did not look convinced. "Uh-huh…" She looked between Yumi and Rei, suspicion in her eyes.

Shimako merely shook her head, a look of concern in her eyes. "That must have been! And imagine how you could have hurt yourself if you spilled that boiling water on yourself!"

Face flushed more from guilt at having lied to her friends rather than embarrassment at the situation, Yumi once again simply nodded. The motion, however, triggered another spasm in her neck. "Gah!"

Rei immediately jumped into action, helping to maneuver Yumi's neck to ease the tension there. As she worked on Yumi's neck she turned to the two spectators. "You two might as well get back to class. I'll stay with Yumi-chan and get these spasms under control."

Once the two younger girls had left, Rei wasted no time before asking what Yumi had hoped she wouldn't. "Yumi-chan, this morning huh?"

"Rei-sama, thank you for covering for me." Yumi tried to brush the question off with a nervous chuckle, but Rei would have none of it.

"You're welcome, now, explain. Fully. What exactly has gone on between you and Sachiko-san? I mean, you aren't… Are you?" Rei's voice grew timider with every word.

"Ah! Rei-sama?! Honestly! Why would you ask that?" Yumi had a moment of slipping back into her old self, wanting to hide from the embarrassment this topic would open her up to.

As if suddenly realizing her blunder, Rei flushed in her own embarrassment and backed away a step. "I - I'm sorry, Yumi-chan. The way I asked that was extremely rude of me. I'm just worried for you is all." With a shake of her head, Rei found a seat at the end of a bed and looked up at Yumi. "I know you and Sachiko-san care deeply for one another. That is beyond questioning. However, I can't say I'm not worried that things won't go as you hope they will."

Getting a far-off look in her eye, Yumi nodded her understanding. "Believe me, I know. I have had similar thoughts."

"Then you can understand why I would worry about your… virtue? Not so much that it remains intact, mind you, but that you don't regret any action that might change your current status."

Yumi couldn't help but laugh at how the older, more timid girl danced around the topic as if it were taboo. "Rei-sama, rest assured we have not had sex." She paused briefly as her mind was inundated with memories of the previous night. "Yet." Raising her hand to ward off any additional comments, she continued. "Honestly, I don't know exactly where this is headed. I love Sachiko-sama. I have no doubt about where I would like this relationship to go. So, on my part, I don't think I would regret any… escalation in our relationship, now or in the future. If things don't go the way I hope, who knows? I think I might treasure that memory regardless."

"Or it could be a memory that torments you," Rei whispered, searching Yumi's eyes for any doubt or hesitation, but seeing none. "I can see you don't share the same worries as I do, so I'll say this and then drop the topic altogether. Yumi-chan, you are strong, both in body and in spirit. Just remember that you aren't invincible, okay? That goes for your emotional and mental well-being as well. Promise that you'll think about what I've said?"

Bowing her head in thought, Yumi nodded her agreement. "I promise. But, Rei-sama, uh…" Blushing again, she turned her face away. "You'll have to forgive me if I don't rush to tell you about any advancements in Sachiko-sama and my relationship."

Straightening with a jerk, Rei waved her arms frantically in front of her face, as if trying to wipe a mental image clear. "No! Please, Maria-sama, have mercy! No, Yumi-chan, please don't!"

Yumi couldn't hold back her laugh. "You see, that's the difference between you and your cousin. Yoshino-chan would be extracting a promise for me to tell her all about it, while you wanna act as though I'll forever be the pure little Yumi you met not even a year ago."

With a barely perceptible flush of her cheeks, Rei rolled her eyes and looked away. "Don't get me started on Yoshino's sexual antics."

With wide eyes, Yumi found herself leaning forward in intrigued focus. "Sexual antics? Oh, I feel like there is a story here!"

Her gentle blush roaring to vibrant life, Rei jumped to her feet and made a beeline for the door. "That's enough on that topic for… forever, yeah. Forever sounds perfect."

"Oh, no fair!" Yumi laughed hysterically, laying back on the bed.

Stopping in the doorway, Rei looked back over her shoulder. "You know, you never did explain what happened between the two of you last night."

Swallowing hard, Yumi turned her head to meet the older girl's eyes. "I guess I didn't, did I?"

They stared at each other for a time before Rei turned away with a gentle grin of her own. "It's nice to know that you and Sachiko-san have bonded in your sistership the way you have. Knowing that you even go to her home for regular study sessions, some lasting into the evening, warms my heart."

Realizing a moment later that Rei had devised a plausible cover story for her, Yumi smiled in appreciation. "Rei-sama, did anyone ever tell you that you are like a guardian angel?"

Nodding, Rei closed her eyes as if recalling a sweet memory. "Yes, a certain cousin of mine has made that claim many times. Though, Yumi, you should take note that I only act this way about people that are my family or people I consider my family."

Sitting up, Yumi bowed her head to Rei. "I can't tell you what an honor that is, Rei-sama."

There was silence for a span of a few seconds before Rei spoke again. "Just Rei, Yumi. Just Rei."

A knock sounded on the heavy mahogany door, sounded muffled in the hallway beyond. Toru, currently bent over the plans for an update at one of their Okinawa resorts, yelled for whoever it was to enter without even taking his eyes off the documents. "Enter."

Wood scraping softly indicated the door opened and closed immediately, followed by a set of rapid, all too cheerful footsteps. Closing his eyes, Toru inwardly groaned. No matter the assigned task, this woman approached it with the zeal of a university student at their first frat party, with eagerness and confidence unbefitting their experience. However, Toru did have to admit that while at first glance Candace did not look experienced, in reality, she would have been the senior throwing the party in the first place.

Without looking up, he addressed his father's head of security. "Candace-san, to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?"

"Good day to ya, Ogasawara-sama. Need I have a particular reason to grace you with my pleasurable company for a time?" Her Scottish lilt seemed to convey the smile that was undoubtedly on the woman's face.

"Not particularly, no, but you rarely show up without some reason or another."

"Well, I can't deny facts, now can I? I came to update you on our mission status."

Looking up, he could see the perpetual joking had been put on hold and Candace was staring at him intently. "Good, I was hoping that was the case. Please, proceed."

"My team is in place and has 24/7 surveillance running on the target. I head out tomorrow evening at 2300 hours. I will be approaching him personally the following morning at 0900 hours. By my estimates, we should have everything squared away and a plan in action before midday." She spoke succinctly, keeping things factual and to the point. This was the part of Candace even Toru had to admit was impressive. It was in these moments that her military background showed through to the foreground. While her unique personality traits could be troublesome for Toru, he was already planning on offering for Candace to maintain her position as head of security once he took over the company.

Toru nodded. "It sounds like things are going as planned so far." Seeing a peculiar look on her face, Toru inquired, "Is there something else troubling you?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. I can't explain the why or how behind this feeling I have, but something just doesn't feel right. I've always prided myself on following my gut in things like this. This time was no different. It appears the syndicate might be moving into action and stepping up their attempts. That fiasco on the street was them taking advantage of an opportunity, nothing more. My sources say their next attempt will not be as sloppy." Her concern was more than evident as she crossed her slender arms over her chest.

"I see. That is troubling news, to say the least. Do you suspect something will happen while you are away?"

Candace nodded. "With our luck, I'd wager money on it."

"Then what should we do to protect Sachiko-chan?" Toru asked, nervous once more about the safety of his only daughter.

"That's the main reason I wanted to stop by. I've discussed this plan with the chairman and he agrees with it, but I want your permission before executing this plan." Candace hesitated and then sat across from Toru. He knew at once that he would not like this plan, as Candace only ever sat down when she was preparing for a difficult discussion.

"Just tell me already."

Nodded, she dove into explaining the plan, doing her best to dissuade the obvious arguments she knew were coming. After going back and forth for a while about the details, Toru rested his head back and stared up to his ceiling with a knot the size of a small island growing in his stomach. "If this plan of yours fails then the results could be tragic. You realize that, don't you?"

"Believe me, Toru-sama, if I had a better idea I would recommend it to you. Coincidentally, this is the only plan I could devise that the chairman approved." Candace seemed a bit dejected at this fact and Toru could understand why.

"Of course, he did." Toru rolled his eyes and pounded his fist into the desk. "Damn it! Fine, but you know my stipulations."

Candace nodded at once and stood from the chair. "Then I will make arrangements and preparations today. Everything will be in place before I leave tomorrow."

"Thank you, Candace-san," Toru spoke with genuine appreciation. "I see how much effort you put into protecting my family. Please know that I have taken notice and value your service more than words can express."

"Oh, there you go making me blush." Candace grinned a moment before her smile took on a genuine glow. "Family, whether blood or not, is life itself. Nothing could be more important. I am honored to have the opportunity to protect your family, Ogasawara-sama." She bowed and then took her leave.

As the door shut behind the blonde woman, Toru let out a frustrated growl before standing and pacing to the window. Leaning against the glass, he rubbed his temples and mumbled to himself, "If this plan backfires, the women in my life will forever hate me."

Back in the dojo later that afternoon, Yumi marveled at how those drinks had helped her aching muscles. She made a mental note to email her Sensei and let him know that there was, in fact, an alternative to his push through the pain method. While the drinks had not tasted the best, they had acted quickly in easing the aching as well as the spasms. She now wished that she had known about this marvelous concoction years ago. I would have been incredibly helpful during karate training.

Despite her muscles feeling better, she had followed Sachiko's insistence that she take it easy for the day. As a compromise, Yumi stood in the middle of the dojo floor with padded punching mitts, opposite a determined look Yoshino.

Meanwhile, Rei stood to the side, studying Yoshino's stance and making comments as needed. Sachiko, however, sat on a provided chair near the windows reading a book. Every once in a while her eyes would drift up to watch the trio before her. When she did, her eyes almost always landed on Yumi. Today her hair was pulled back into a short ponytail, showing off the soft curve of her neck. Remembering how her own lips had caressed that neck the night before, she forced her eyes back to the pages of her book. This was no place or time for such thoughts.

After about thirty minutes of sparring training, a knock at the dojo doors drew Yoshino's attention long enough for Yumi to swat her on the side of her head.

"Hey! No fair, Yumi-chan!"

"Fights rarely are." Yumi laughed as Rei moved to the dojo entrance.

A few moments later a streak of red practically flew across the dojo and tackled Yumi to the ground. "What the heck?!" Yoshino cried, jumping back from the human traffic accident in front of her.

Coming to her side, Sachiko crossed her arms in front of her and smiled softly. "Ito Mei, long time no see."

The tall redhead looked up with a devilish grin. "Way too long, Ogasawara-sama!"

"Please, you are a dear friend of my little sister. Call me, Sachiko. I insist."

"Okay, Sachiko-sama, since you insist." The girl grinned from her prone position on the floor.

"Not that I'm not enjoying this reunion of ours, but could you possibly get off of me?" Yumi groaned from beneath the rambunctious younger girl.

"Oh! Sorry, Senpai!" Jumping to her feet, Mei offered a helping hand to Yumi with a wide grin. "Have you missed me?"

Accepting her hand, Yumi pulled herself up and immediately tugged the younger, yet slightly taller girl into a hug. "Of course!" After a few moments of enjoying their embrace, Yumi stepped back and asked, "While I am overjoyed to see you, how did you get here, Mei-chan?"

"I'll be takin' both the credit and the blame for that one, Yumi-sama."

Looking toward the doorway, Yumi immediately recognized the blonde hair of the Scottish security chief. "Candace-sama?"

"Candace-san, what exactly are you doing here?" Sachiko asked. Though her voice sounded pleasant enough, Yumi could tell she was struggling to keep the irritation out of her voice.

"Not to worry, Sachiko-sama. I'm here as a favor to Mei-chan." Candace smiled, the excitement reaching her eyes. "Actually, I am quite excited to see her perform in public again too."

"Really?" Yumi asked in a moment of shock.

"Of course! Actually, Yumi-chan, might I have a word in private?" Candace's grin never faltered, but Yumi felt something odd in the air. Dread, maybe?

"Uh, about karate again?" She asked, acting as though this were a regular occurrence for the two of them.

"You know me too well, Yumi-chan!" Waving for her to follow, Candace made her way back toward the entrance of the dojo. "We'll be right back."

Turning to Sachiko, Yumi smiled reassuringly and winked. "Don't worry." With that, she followed the blonde out into the warm afternoon sun.

A/N - Hey there! Hope you enjoyed this newest chapter. Please, feel free to share your thoughts!