A/N - I do not own these characters.
Chapter 16
Rei held Yoshino in her arms, crying in relief. "She's alive! She made it, Rei-chan!"
Smiling, Rei patted Yoshino on the head. "That's right. Yumi-chan is going to be just fine." When she saw Sachiko trembling on the side of the bed, she moved Yoshino to sit on the couch and then made her way to her friend's side. Sachiko was trying to speak into the phone, but couldn't get the words out past her tears. Taking the phone from her hand, Rei spoke into it herself. "Yumi?"
"Rei! Is Sachiko alright?"
"Yes, I think so." Looking at her friend, she saw the relief in her eyes. "She's been so scared for you, Yumi. It's all hitting her now. I don't think she can talk. Are you on your way here now?"
"Well, about that… I want to, but Candace-san is insisting I go to the hospital." By her voice, Rei could tell she was annoyed by this but didn't necessarily feel she should fight it.
"The hospital?" Rei's eyes met Sachiko's, which suddenly filled with fear again. "Are you okay?" She placed a calming hand on Sachiko's shoulder as she waited for the answer.
"Well, yeah, I'm okay. Just a bit beat up is all."
"Beat up?" Rei was about to ask more when Sachiko took the phone back, putting it on speakerphone.
"Yumi, what's wrong? Where are you hurt?" Fear was evident in her voice, so much so that Rei was certain Yumi would be feeling more than a twinge of guilt from the ordeal she had put her love through.
"Oh, Sachiko?"
"Yumi, you're on speaker. We can all hear you now." Rei explained for the younger girl.
"Gotcha. Sachiko? Uh, yeah, I'm okay. Really, it's nothing serious."
Rei watched as Sachiko clenched her hands into fists and closed her eyes. It was obvious she was about to lose her cool.
Seeing it as well, Yoshino took it upon herself to demand an actual response from their reckless friend. "Yumi-chan, stop with the BS! Sachiko-sama has been terrified for you. You owe it to all of us to tell us the truth!
The line was quiet for a moment before Yumi's soft voice responded. "You're right. I'm sorry… Sachiko, I'm sorry." They could hear her take a deep breath before she continued. "I may have a broken wrist, but it doesn't seem too serious. Other than that, I'm a little bruised up and dehydrated."
Sachiko's hands relaxed marginally as she stared at the phone. "Are you in a lot of pain?"
"A little, but it honestly looks worse than it feels." Something in her voice didn't sound quite right. By the look on Sachiko's face, she heard it too.
"Yumi," It was Rei who spoke this time. "Are you sure you're okay?"
It took a moment for her to respond, but when she finally did she sounded almost perky. "Yes, really I am. Just really tired. I didn't get a lot of rest while I was out there."
"Out there?" Yoshino asked. "Out where, exactly?
"Uh," She sounded nervous again. "I can give you the details when I see you guys next."
"Which hospital are you going to?" Sachiko asked, sounding nearly desperate at this point.
"You really don't have to come, love. I'll be o-"
"Yumi!" Sachiko lost it, glaring at the phone. "Give the phone to Candace-san." The order was quick and clipped and left absolutely no room for debate.
A moment later Candace's Scottish lilt sounded from the line. "We'll be at Tokyo General in five minutes."
"Thank you. We will see you there." Sachiko shut the phone, abruptly ending the call and any chance for either Candace or Yumi to argue about her safety. Turning an all too serious glare in Rei's direction she stood. "Are you going to come with me or do I have to fight you on this as well?"
With a chuckle, Rei shrugged and motioned toward the door. "By all means, lead the way." There would be no point trying to hold her back anyway. If she did, she'd only earn her ire, and knowing Sachiko she'd find a way to get there without them regardless.
The trip to the hospital passed without incident but felt like it took forever for the anxious Sachiko. Impatient for a car to arrive, she had insisted on taking the bus and refused to even sit during the trip. All the while she knew both Rei and Yoshino were keeping an eye out for her safety, but it was honestly the furthest thing from her mind. It wasn't until she had nearly made a move to walk into a busy street that Rei grabbed her by the arm and jerked her to a stop.
"Sachiko-chan, stop!" She looked annoyed and actually a bit angry, which Sachiko had never seen before from her friend. So startled was Sachiko, she didn't fight it as Rei pulled her back onto the sidewalk and away from the busy street. Yoshino stood watch as Rei held Sachiko firmly by the shoulders. "I realize you are anxious to get to Yumi, but you're being ridiculous. She did all of this to protect you! Yet you seem to want that effort to be in vain!" Taking a breath to calm herself, Rei continued. "Dying on the way to her side at the hospital would be a waste." She tried to smile, her understanding of Sachiko's situation clear in her kind eyes. "Just take a breath and move slowly, okay? We are only a few streets away now."
Taking a deep breath, Sachiko nodded. She knew she was being reckless; there was no arguing that with her friend. "You're right. I just…"
Wrapping her arm around Sachiko's shoulders, Rei squeezed and turned them toward the street. "I know. Believe me, I do understand." Rei's eyes were on Yoshino as she spoke and Sachiko knew, while their experience had been different, Rei did understand the fear and anxiety she was feeling.
Both the examination and the x-ray were uncomfortable, but Yumi managed to bear it all without a single cry of pain. The only hint to her discomfort had been a grimace when the doctor had twisted her wrist in a, particularly tender direction. She knew Candace noticed, but the older woman didn't comment. In fact, she hadn't said a word to her since she had taken the phone and spoken directly to Sachiko.
It seemed to Yumi that Candace was both relieved that she was safe and irked at her for having gotten injured. Both of them had known her getting hurt was a very real possibility when Candace had asked her to do this, yet she was acting this way now? Finally, when they had been left in the exam room for a few moments on their own, Yumi could no longer take the silence.
"So, because I got injured you're going to sulk and give me the silent treatment?" She glared up at the Scottish woman, despite being happy that she was there with her. Being held captive on a syndicate boat out at sea? No big deal. Being poked and prodded by countless nurses, technicians, and doctors in a sterile seemingly endless hospital? Nothin' doin'! She hated hospitals, so even Candace's irritating silence was not enough for her to wish the older woman away.
Candace blinked as if having to refocus on the world around her and seemed to take a few moments before Yumi's words registered with her. Her face grew red as she lifted a slender finger to point in her direction. "Silent treatment? Oy, you listen to me right, good and proper, Yumi-chan! This isn't me givin' ye the silent treatment. This is me trying to figure out what to say to Sachiko-san when she gets here."
Confused, Yumi tilted her head to the side and cradled her tender wrist in her lap. "Wait, so you aren't upset with me?"
Surprise registered on Candace's angular European face. "Upset? For God's sake, Yumi-chan, ye sacrificed yourself for my young mistress, ye fended off an assault, demolished a group of syndicate thugs (all while injured, I might add!), made an alliance with defectors, and negotiated for vital information that will not only put an end to this whole tiresome escapade but to the syndicate itself. And you think for even a moment that I'm upset with ye?" She shook her head vehemently, awe glimmering in her eyes that switched briefly to regret. "I do wish ye had trusted that I would have found you. After all, that was why I gave you the tracer and the beacon."
Yumi nodded but moved swiftly to explain. "You see, I didn't know how they really worked. It never crossed my mind to ask if they would work at sea. I was worried if I stayed compliant and complacent that my time would run out."
"Aye, I had planned to explain everything to you that night, but the syndicate struck before I could." Bowing to Yumi, she finished with, "I am terribly sorry, Yumi-chan. I honestly failed you in multiple ways, yet here you are." She straightened and smiled. "Alive and impressive as always.
Returning the smile with a slight bow of her own head, Yumi responded, "There is nothing for you to be sorry about. It may not have gone as planned but we made a good team. Feel free to call on me anytime Sachiko-chan needs a bodyguard."
Candace laughed heartily and crossed her arms casually over her chest. "Well, I don't know that'll I'll have the occasion to call on those particular services again, but I'll keep ye in mind."
"Where is she?"
Yumi could hear her long before she could see her. The closer her voice came the faster Yumi's heart beat. The last she had seen her Yumi had left her alone, in the dark, in a garden not knowing whether or not they would ever see each other again. It had only been a few days, but it felt like so much longer than that. Now that she was faced with seeing Sachiko again, it felt surreal.
The nurse who was doing the final check on her bandages smiled at her and patted her arm above the thin cast. "You should be good to go, sweetheart."
Yumi nodded in thanks and hopped down from the table, her body's aching muscles protesting with every motion.
Candace's voice floated to her a moment later. "If you'll be patient, she'll be right out."
"I'll go find her myself."
Yumi couldn't help but smile at the impatient-sounding Sachiko. Shaking her head, she moved to the end of the bed and pushed back the curtain that surrounded the ER bed she had been relegated to. Her eyes fell instantly on Sachiko, who was frantically scanning the ER. "Love, I'm right here." She spoke as she moved toward Sachiko, who turned to her with an odd mix of relief and shock. It wasn't until then that Yumi thought about how she must look. Hair a mussed, knotted mess. One arm in a cast while the other clearly sported a slew of bruises. The doctors had found many more all over her body as well. So many, that Yumi had never been happier to be fully clothed in front of her onee-sama. On top of everything else, she hadn't showered in three days and both looked and smelled like it, complete with soiled clothes that would most likely make their way straight into the trash bin.
Despite the fact she knew she looked like a homeless person straight off the streets, Sachiko moved to Yumi's side in three quick bounds and wrapped her arms around her tightly. It took everything, all the strength Yumi had left in her poor beaten body, to hold in the cry of pain that begged to spring from her lips. Sachiko must have felt Yumi tense in her arms though because a moment later she had her held at arm's length giving her the once over. "Yumi, are you okay?"
Yumi smiled, relieved that the embrace was over for the moment. Once her pain medicine kicked in though she promised herself to enjoy another one of Sachiko's embraces. "Yes, I'm okay."
"Your arm?" She asked, her eyes wide with concern as they gazed at Yumi's cast.
"This? Oh, this is nothing." Knowing the vague answer would not be enough to satisfy Sachiko, she continued before prompting her onee-sama to blow up at her again. "I thought I heard a snap when I hit the ground, but it's actually just a bad sprain. They put a cast on it because Candace-sama told them I'd be rough on it otherwise." Yumi quirked a small grin at the older woman and added, "I don't know where she got that impression."
Candace merely laughed and shrugged while Sachiko reached out to finger the white gauze wrapped in dark green cast material. "Does it hurt?"
Yumi knew better than to lie. "Some, yes, but the case has stabilized it a lot and it feels a lot more comfortable. Plus the pain meds they gave me are starting to kick in which is helping." Still seeing the concern on Sachiko's face, Yumi stepped forward and boldly tucked herself against Sachiko's chest, silently prompting the older girl to wrap her arms around her. Yumi was instantly thankful for the care and tenderness with which Sachiko held her. Staring up into her love's sapphire blue eyes, she whispered so that only she could hear. "I really am okay, Sachiko."
Blue eyes studied brown eyes for any hint of pain. "Are you sure?"
Yumi didn't need to force the smile that came to her lips. Being in Sachiko's arms was just what the doctor ordered for her beat-up body and soul. Even as she opened her mouth to respond, a shot rang out from behind her.
Whipping her head up to see the commotion, Sachiko saw a group of three nurses picking up a tray of instruments that had fallen to the hard tile floor. Cries of apologies rang out from the patient who had knocked it over and in a matter of moments, the opposite corner of the ER was loud with activity.
However, it was the trembling girl in her arms that had Sachiko's attention. As soon as the tray had struck the ground, Yumi had pulled her closer and buried her head into Sachiko's chest. Shaking like a leaf in a windstorm, clutching Sachiko's arms as if they alone anchored her in place - Yumi was terrified! Looking up at Candace, Sachiko let the alarm she felt be seen in her eyes.
Candace must have seen the question in her eyes, because she merely shook her head and motioned to Yumi, indicating she needed to pay attention to her right now. While Sachiko was not entirely deterred from her question, she did realize comforting the girl in her arms was more important at that moment.
Wrapping her arms around Yumi's shoulders, she held her close and chuckled softly. "That was startling, wasn't it? It's too loud here. How about we go home?"
It was obvious that Yumi was trying to ground herself again and hide her overreaction, but what Sachiko couldn't understand was why? After a prolonged moment of clinging to Sachiko, Yumi stepped back and smiled up at Sachiko. The smile though never reached her eyes.
"Home sounds good, Onee-sama. Let's get out of here."
Walking into the lobby, Sachiko planted a soft kiss on Yumi's cheek and motioned for the stairs. "Head on up to your room, Yumi. I'll be up to help you with a bath shortly." Surprisingly, Yumi did not argue. She merely nodded and made her way slowly up the stairs.
Sachiko, Rei, Yoshino, and Candace watched in silence until their young friend disappeared from view. Spinning on her heel, Sachiko pinned Candace with a hard glare. "What the hell happened?!"
Sighing heavily, Candace rubbed the back of her neck a moment before waving off the question. "I donnae know what you mean, Sachiko-sama. Things went… Well, the mission didn't go exactly as planned but still. Yumi-chan was able to accomplish far more than even I anticipated."
Fuming, Sachiko straightened her spine and crossed her arms over her chest. "At this particular moment, I am not inquiring about what was accomplished on this mission of yours. I want to know what happened to Yumi!"
Rei and Yoshino, neither of whom had witnessed Yumi's reaction to the tray falling at the hospital, looked between the two with obvious confusion.
"What do you mean, Sachiko-sama?" Yoshino asked, taking a step closer, her eyes drifting toward the stairs where her friend had just disappeared. "What happened?"
When Candace remained still and silent, Sachiko plowed forward to explain, her words coming out in a frustrated rush. "Someone dropped a tray of instruments at the hospital. Yumi jumped and buried her face in my chest."
Rei shrugged, not seeing the significance of the event. "So? Even Yumi gets startled sometimes. We've seen it many times, actually."
Sachiko was already shaking her head. "No, no, no! This wasn't her normal startled reaction. Rei-chan, she was terrified. No," Her eyes widened in fear as her eyes went once more to Candace. "She was traumatized." Their eyes locked a moment before Candace looked away. "That's it, isn't it? Something happened. Did they… Did they… Hurt her?" She didn't want to imagine the horrors that Yumi could have gone through, yet the scenarios were relentless in their parade through the streets of her consciousness. Each scenario was worse than the last and every single one of them made Sachiko's blood boil.
Lowering her head slightly, Candace shook her head and spoke softly. "No, not in the way you're thinking. They-" She hesitated a moment before continuing. "They tried to, but you know Yumi-chan wouldn't take that kind of treatment. Not while she had strength left."
A moment of relief coursed through Sachiko before realizing what Candace had implied. "If they didn't hurt her that way… How then?"
Just then Sayako stepped gracefully into the foyer. "Oh, Candace-san," Worry creased her forehead as she approached the small group. "Please, tell me you have retrieved Yumi-chan."
"Indeed." Candace bowed low to Sayako, showing her the utmost respect. Candace had always shown her mother respect. It was something Sachiko most appreciated about the Scottish woman; she never failed to acknowledge the strong women being hidden in the shadows of the man in their lives. Straightening, Candace motioned to the stairs. "She just went upstairs to get cleaned up. Don't be alarmed though when you see her, Sayako-sama. Yumi-chan is a tad bit beat up."
Gasping at the news, Sayako turned instantly to Sachiko. "Sachiko-chan, go help your little sister. If she is hurt she may need someone with her."
Despite already planning to do just that, Sachiko merely nodded at her mother's order and turned to the stairs. Before she could reach the top though, her mother called out to her again.
"When you are both done, your father requests that both of you come to his study. We have a few things to discuss."
Sachiko nodded, waved goodbye to Rei and Yoshino, and disappeared up the stairs following her petite soeur.
Every time she heard a loud noise her mind would play tricks on her, forcing her to relive the moments where she pulled the trigger and ended Ajay's existence. At the hospital, when she had closed her eyes from the shock, she could still see the blood-speckled gun in her own hand.
Entering her room, she moved automatically to gather fresh clothes. Once they were set out on the bed, she began to undress. Thanks to the pain meds, her wrist didn't hurt as she lifted her shirt and pulled it over her head.
It wasn't until she held her shirt in her hand that she saw the dark stain on the back. Ajay's blood. In that instant, she could have sworn her hand was speckled in his blood as well. Blinking wiped that image clear though, thankfully. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to drop the shirt on the ground and walk away.
Novia had been shocked when they had told her what had happened, but even she had taken Yumi in her arms and told her she had done nothing wrong. Still, Novia couldn't hide the few tears that crested her eyes. Yes, Ajay had been an evil man, but Yumi doubted he had always been that way. She was almost certain those tears were for the boy who had once been a decent brother. Even as the older woman held her and forgave her, Yumi's guilt mounted. She had taken a brother away from someone else. How would she feel if someone killed Yuki? Drawing the hand of her injured arm into a fist, she flinched at the twinge of pain that struck her. She deserved that pain though. Without a doubt, she deserved it.
Warm hands encompassed her own and she opened eyes she hadn't realized she had closed. Kneeling before her was a concerned-looking Sachiko. Looking around, Yumi found that she was sitting on the arm of the love seat. How long she had been there or how she got there, she couldn't recall.
Without a word, Sachiko lifted a hand and cupped her cheek. Yumi sighed audibly at the warmth that radiated from Sachiko's tender hand. It was like a soothing balm to her raw soul, healing her and putting her broken pieces back together. She didn't fight the tears that began to make trails down her face as she spoke, her voice soft and barely above a whisper. "I missed you, Sachiko."
Standing, Sachiko pulled Yumi to her feet and directly into her arms. Holding her reverently, Sachiko leaned in and kissed away her tears. Closing her eyes to enjoy the sensation all the more, Yumi found herself relaxing into the arms that held her. She had spent so much time protecting, it felt so good in that moment to feel protected and treasured in Sachiko's embrace. Time seemed to stand still as Sachiko held her, kissing her tears and whispering soothing words against her skin.
A whimper unbidden escaped her lips as she felt Sachiko's arms release her. However, Sachiko was right there, taking her by the hand and leading her toward the bathroom. With the push of a button, the bath was filling. Sachiko released her hand only long enough to step out and return mere moments later, a plastic bag in hand. Setting the bag down, she moved back to Yumi's side.
Hesitant blue eyes asked a silent question as Sachiko's hands rested on Yumi's hips, fingers gliding along the waistband of her shorts. With a reassuring nod from Yumi, Sachiko's soft hands went to work helping her undress. There was nothing truly sensual about the act, but Yumi could feel Sachiko's intentions with every glancing caress. While Sachiko had yet to say the words, Yumi could feel it. She felt loved.
They were both blushing furiously when a naked Yumi finally stood before Sachiko. Yumi could see Sachiko swallow hard as she unapologetically surveyed the body before her. Sachiko licked her lips nervously and, oddly enough, the act put Yumi a bit more at ease. With her one good hand, she moved to help Sachiko remove her own clothes, but long slender fingers were there to stop her. "I got it, it's okay." Her onee-sama's voice was heavy as if she were out of breath.
Yumi nodded and lowered her hand, though she itched to help relieve her love of the barriers that lay between the two of them.
Previously, she would have reminded herself why she was holding back. She was waiting to hear those few words that would forever change her relationship with Sachiko. At that moment, however, she no longer cared. So much had happened in those few days. So much… All she knew was that being with Sachiko was healing her and she only wanted to get closer.
Watching Sachiko strip down in front of her was both agonizing and insanely thrilling at the same time. She wanted nothing more than to help the process along, but there was also something captivating about being a spectator in the moment. When Sachiko finally reached behind her and unclasped her bra, letting the garment glide down her flawless arms, Yumi was transfixed. Steam filled the air now, but still, Yumi could see her ample breasts, newly revealed before her. Without thinking, she stepped forward, coming close to Sachiko, and leaned into her chest. At first, she merely wrapped her arms around her waist and rested her head between her breasts. But when she heard the rapid beating of Sachiko's heart and felt her wanting hands glide across her back, she allowed herself a tad bit more rope, hoping all the while that she wouldn't end up hanging herself with it.
Tenderly, she kissed Sachiko's breasts. No sucking or nipping. No, not yet. These were soft kisses, filled with the overwhelming love she had for the older girl before her. When a soft moan rose from Sachiko's lips, Yumi nearly responded with one of her own. Just the fact that she was drawing those sounds from Sachiko was nearly Yumi's undoing.
Before she could escalate further though, Yumi found herself being pushed down onto the shower seat and away from the breasts she had been worshiping. Sachiko, eyes dazed and looking utterly unmade, was struggling to speak. "We-Uh-We-We can't." At first, Yumi thought it was her injury that was holding Sachiko back, but the older girl quickly clarified. "The others are waiting for us in the study."
Yumi swallowed hard at yet another implication being made. If there weren't others waiting, this would be happening. In truth, Yumi was ready to say to hell with the others, but at the same time, she didn't want this moment to be rushed. She bit her lip, trying to settle herself down. This was what she needed though. She needed Sachiko.
"Let's get you cleaned up." Stepping behind Yumi, she leaned in and whispered a promise that had Yumi's heart skipping and dancing. "I'll take care of you, Yumi. And we'll get our time soon." A quick nip to the ear drove Sachiko's point home and drew a groan from the younger girl.
The next few minutes were some of the best in Yumi's life. After covering Yumi's cast in the plastic bag, Sachiko had proceeded to wash her body adoringly, thoroughly. Soft hands traveled all over, occasionally stopping and paying close attention and care to certain areas. There in that bathroom, no one and nothing else existed except for the two of them.
She sat with eyes closed, enjoying the care Sachiko was taking in washing her back. Each time Sachiko came across a bruise, she carefully cleaned it, rinsed it, and finished with a kiss. By the end of it, Yumi was sorry that she didn't have more bruises as the sensation of Sachiko's lips on her body was beyond anything she could have imagined.
Just when she thought Sachiko was done, hands slick with soap rounded her sides and came to rest on her modest breasts. Gasping at the touch, Yumi tensed, though the feeling of Sachiko's bare chest pressing against her back soon relaxed her once more.
Then Sachiko's lips were at her ear. "I've got you." Teeth gently grazed her ear, drawing a gasping moan from Yumi. "I'll take very good care of you."
Sachiko had certainly had her moments where she had been more forward and daring, but this seemed different somehow. It was only then that Yumi noticed it, a slight tremor, nearly imperceptible, in Sachiko's hands. Then there was the dampness at her neck where Sachiko's chin rested. Despite the water from the shower and the steam in the air, Yumi could feel the difference. It was cool as it slowly dripped onto her shoulder.
Bringing her right arm up, she rested her hand on Sachiko's head. "I'm sorry." When Sachiko's hold loosened slightly, Yumi turned in her arms to find that she had been right. Tears fell from Sachiko's eyes. It was Yumi's turn to cup Sachiko's cheek in her hand. Gently, she caressed her cheek with her thumb. "I'm sorry I put you through all of that, Sachiko."
Sachiko choked back a sob and shook her head. "Don't apologize. Just don't do it again, please."
Leaning their foreheads together, Yumi chuckled softly. "I can't promise that, but I will promise that I will ALWAYS return to you. I swear, nothing - absolutely nothing - will keep me from your side."
"You can't promise that."
"Yes, I can." Yumi's eyes flashed with determination. "Listen to me. I promise that nothing and no one will ever keep me from protecting you or returning to your side. I don't care what I have to do, I'll do it."
Sachiko could see the glint in Yumi's eyes, something that told her that Yumi wasn't just speaking of a potential future. Rather, it seemed almost as if she were… confessing? Confessing what, Sachiko had no idea. Bringing her arms up to rest on Yumi's shoulders, Sachiko let her fingers play through Yumi's hair as she replied, "I believe you." She paused for a heartbeat before continuing, "But will you come back the same person as the one that left?"
Yumi's eyes darkened a fraction but lightened again as Sachiko's fingers caressed the nape of her neck. "I don't know." Her eyes flicked down to Sachiko's lips and then back up, almost begging for their touch.
Sachiko found she couldn't deny the girl in her arms. Leaning down, their lips grew closer as she spoke once more. "If you come back injured, will you let me heal you?"
Their lips so close together that a move on either side would have them colliding, Yumi whimpered her pleading response, "Please,"
That was all she needed to hear, as Sachiko closed the distance between them and captured Yumi's lips with her own. Their moans of pleasure mixed together as their lips moved against each other. It took only a few seconds before the kiss deepened and their tongues tangled in a sultry dance.
Neither could say how long the kiss lasted, but when they finally parted they were both breathless with heavy-lidded eyes.
"We-We should"
"Yeah," Yumi nodded, her eyes never leaving Sachiko's. "The others,"
"They're waiting for us." Sachiko finished for her. It took all her willpower, to pull back from the younger girl and stand. "Let's finish and soak in the tub for a few minutes before going down. You look like your body would benefit from the warm water."
A few minutes later they found themselves in the tub, Yumi sitting contentedly between Sachiko's legs, leaning back into the older girl's soft chest. She wasn't surprised in the slightest when long slender arms wrapped around her and Sachiko's head dipped to bring her lips to Yumi's neck.
"Oh, Sach-" Yumi groaned, feeling her teeth graze a tender spot on her shoulder. Her onee-sama was making her melt and she knew it. "More."
"What if someone sees the mark?" Sachiko mumbled against her skin, once more letting her teeth graze her neck with agonizing slowness.
"I'm already covered in bruises." Yumi breathed, hands gripping at Sachiko's thighs beneath the warm water. "Please, love."
That word was Sachiko's undoing. Love. Opening her mouth, she clamped down on Yumi's shoulder, drawing a rapturous cry from the smaller girl. The bite turned softer and Yumi could feel the new bruise forming as Sachiko sucked mercilessly. Yumi welcomed the mix of pain and pleasure, falling into a trance induced by Sachiko's tongue as it played across the newly formed tender spot on her shoulder. She had just been marked, branded by Sachiko. It was as if she were claiming her, body and soul, and Yumi would have had it no other way.
A/N - Sorry for the late posting this week. I've been working a ton of overtime, dealing with stress having to do with my husband's employment, a garden busting at the seams, and cluster migraines on top of it all. :) Oh, such a glorious week! lol Despite that, I truly enjoyed writing this chapter. I promise the teasing is nearly over! This next chapter will be one you won't want to miss. PS - Please review if you like what you're reading so far. :) (Hoping to get Valkyrie updated today as well.)