A/N: I'm sorry I took so long to post a new chapter, due to the virus I ended up working a lot more and was unable to post new chapters. I hope you all enjoy the new chapter. I'd also like to thank my beta Fran for being very patient with me and editing my work. I'd also like to thank the fans of my work for still supporting me . please keep safe out there .

New Year's Break

Shizuma and Makina sat in the restaurant as they ate their seabeam shaped cake. She stretched out her hand to remove the crum from Makina's cheek.

"I hate that we will be apart for New Year's break." Shizuma groaned.

"It's bittersweet because i want to see my family but I hate being apart from you." Makina replied.

After the two finished eating they strolled to Makina's okiya, Shizuma clasp Makina's hand but Makina swiftly removed hers .

" We can't, Shizuma people will notice," she complained.

"Oh come on, Makina people are just going to think we're just two friends out for a walk."

"I know but ... what if someone notices, it could ruin our reputation." Makina whispered.

It annoyed Shizuma how worried Makina was about their relationship and made her feel as if Makina was ashamed of her.

"It's ok. I understand that you just want to be careful." Shizuma retorted.

The two stopped at Makina's okiya and embraced in a hug but was interrupted by Makina's older Sister Ayumi.

"Himeka-san you're Himeyuki's younger sister right?"

"Ah Rikiharu-neesan...Yes I am, I was just walking Rikiha-san home. "

"Please don't go, why don't you come in for tea." Rikiharu smiled.

X-X-X-X

"Mother you wanted to see me?" Nika asked, while nervously stepping into the room.

"Yes Nika, I was worried about you but now I realized I don't have to anymore since a very nice man came over today requesting today be your danna" mother smiled .

A cold sweat ran down Nika's back as mother utter the word "Danna"

"What did he say his name was again Daisuki...oh wait Daisuke! That's it "

Nika could no longer concentrate on her mother's rambling; she slowly got up and walked out of the room shocked and horrified.

This can't be happening why now!

Shizuma sat in the dining room with Makina and her older sister snacking on gelatin sweets. "Makina tells me you've been helping her practice her dances . In fact, she talks about you a lot. I've been so eager to meet you"

"Neechan!"

"Oh come on now, you do talk about her a lot it's always Himeka this and Himeka that" Hearing this made the silver maiden let out a sly smile before sipping her green tea.

Nika pasted back and forth in her room she tried playing her shamisen earlier just to take her mind off things but it was futile. If Daisuke became her danna she would be taken away from Aya never to see her again. Sure, there were pros to becoming a kept woman but it wasn't worth it without Aya.

I can't lose her again

X-X-X-X

Returning late, Shizuma was confronted by a furious Aki.

"Where were you!" she inquired her cheeks were red and arms were folded.

"Aki neesan... I was with a friend"

"Shizu-chan you know the rules you aren't allowed to go anywhere without telling me" "I know but..."

Makina and I just wanted to be alone.

"No buts you understand"

"Yes neesan''

Can't I just spend some alone time with my girlfriend !Aki neesan is being so annoying

Makina sat at the window thinking about the kiss she shared with Shizuma earlier. After tea time, she asked her older sister If she could walk Shizuma home before the two reached Shizuma's house they hid behind a tree and was a kiss Makina would never forget it felt so good kissing Shizuma in that moment of ecstasy they were free from the world's judgement and can let themselves go just for a little while.

X-X-X-X

Everyone was fast asleep,except for Shizuma who was bored out of her mind she sneaked out of her Okiya and headed all the way to Makina's . She gathered a few small stones throwing it at the window in an attempt to wake the girl up . After a couple of throws Makina opened up the window.

"Quit making that noise!" She protested

Until she realized it was Shizuma

"What are you doing here?"

"I missed you. Won't you let me in? Please Maki"

I know I shouldn't but who could resist such a cute face ? -Makina thought

Makina went down stairs to let her girlfriend in

"Make sure you're out of here by the crack of dawn" she lectured

"I got it".

They both creeped up the stairs with each step they took it creaked making the girls more nervous. Makina carefully opened the sliding door trying not to make anymore noise. As the two, inched to make their way to Makina's futon they heard a voice.

"Hold it right there you're not supposed to be here!" Ayumi (Rikiharu) called out.

"Oneesan I'm so ...sorr"

"You know you're not supposed to be in the women's bath". She said flirtatiously

"I forgot to tell you that she talks in her sleep " Makina whispered.

Shizuma quickly got into Makina's futon

"Come on baby don't be shy let's cuddle"

She said stretching her arms out .Makina slid into the covers and let Shizuma embrace her. The silver haired maiden then placed a kiss on Makina's cheek before they both falling asleep.

The next morning, Shizuma sneaked back into her okiya. It was still dark outside and everyone was still asleep. She slipped into her sleeping kimono letting her hair free from its constricting prison. Her hair was so long that it almost touched the ground. She lied in bed thinking about how boring it would be for the new year's holiday. Nothing to do, Makina and Miyuki were going to see their families. It reminded her when she lived in the palace she would stare out of the window all day looking outside the palace walls to kill her boredom. It's amazing how life can change in an instant.

X-X-X-X

Aya embraced a crying Nika

"Daisuke wants to become my Danna, I don't want that to happen " "It won't I'll think of something, don't worry Nika I won't let it happen".