ACT 15

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"Maria-san," Sakura called in a weak voice. Her lips trembled as she uttered the Russian's name.

"S-sakura? What-"

The raven-haired girl didn't allow her to finish. "I'm sorry!" she proclaimed. She closed the door and leaned heavily on it. "I'm sorry," she repeated.

"Sorry?" Maria was confused.

"I know you're angry with me. I just wanted you to forgive me," Sakura said as her eyes squinted, gripping the roses tightly in her hands. Tears that never seemed to run out were flowing down her cheeks. She bowed her head to hide her swollen eyes.

"What are you talking about?" Maria uttered, trying to figure out what she was saying. Speaking was a little hard for her to do since it still hurt to breathe.

Sakura tried to hold back her sobs. "Maria-san, it was I who. . . who. . ."

Maria managed a smile as she quickly interrupted Sakura's words. "About that..." The Russian was again thinking about their last battle. "You did well."

Sakura lifted her gaze and slowly shook her head.

"The Flower Division is proud to have you Sakura," Maria continued as she turned her green eyes on the ceiling.

"No, you don't understand...," Sakura said as she walked silently towards her.

"I understand well enough that you-"

"I did this to you," Sakura interjected as she reached for Maria's arm. "I'm responsible for your. . . suffering . . . for your injuries . . . " Her teardrops fell on Maria's bandaged arm. The Russian felt the warm flow of the liquid running down her covered skin.

'Sakura.'

Maria was silent for a while.

'Why didn't Ayame tell me anything about this?' she asked herself. She recalled how Ayame was trying to say something but she didn't bother to ask why.

'Is it because she thought that I was going to-' She left it at that because seeing Sakura cry was distressing. The Russian felt that she had to do something to make her stop.

"Sakura," Maria said in a weak voice.

"The explosion was my own fault. I did it. I'm the one who inflicted the damage on you."

"Sakura," Maria said again, louder now.

The raven-haired girl turned to the blond with a pained look in her eyes.

"Sakura." Maria's voice was soothing. With all her strength, the Russian touched Sakura's face and wiped away her tears with a finger. "Don't cry. I think I'm the one who should say sorry for standing in your way in the battle. I shouldn't have been there in the first place."

Sakura held the older woman's hand to her face as more tears flowed. "Maria-san."

The Russian finally noticed the red roses in her hand. "Are those for me?" she asked, hoping to divert the topic to something else. Maria didn't like self-pity, even though she herself was often guilty of that sort of thing.

Sakura nodded slowly and placed the flowers in her hand.

'Three roses?' Maria thought. What they signified was clear to her. The Russian silently stared at her present.

"Maria-san," Sakura spoke out again her blessed name. "Do you hate me?"

Maria's eyes moved to hers. "Why would I hate you?"

"I'm the reason why you're stuck in here instead of practicing for the next play. Also, for me being so stubborn, clumsy, sensitive, jealous and. . . and. . . stupid. "

In between those words, Maria can't help but to smile. "Are those reasons enough to hate you? Haven't we had this discussion before?"

"I just want to know... Do you hate me?"

"Is that the reason why you're crying? Are you thinking that I hate you?" Maria said, trying to hold back the pain from her wounds as she talked. "I don't hate you. In fact I-"

Sakura's heart pounded like a drum. This was the answer she'd been waiting for.

OoOoOoO

"Cinderella"

(Sakura) There is one girl that fits the meaning of misfortune

Again, she sits by the window today and watches the ashen town

Let's forget yesterday's love

That was a magical time

(Maria) Hey you, were you all alone with a sad love to yourself?

It's okay to carry happiness and misfortune together

Remember yesterday's love

That was a magical time

(Maria) Now, have some courage

(Sakura) I will change now

(Maria) Slip your feet in this glass shoe

(Sakura) In this place and town, my heart beats

(Maria) Now, believe in me

(Sakura) Yes, I'll believe in you

(Maria) This is love

(Sakura) So this is love

(Both) Always and indefinitely

Let us embrace each other this first night

It was a magical time, a dream for both of us

OoOoOoO

" I . . . like you," Maria said in a monotonous voice. The Russian couldn't believe she said that. She had never admitted anything like that to anyone before.

"You do?"

"Yes, I like you." Maria felt the hesitation in her voice. 'What are you talking about? You sounded like Ohgami,' the Russian scolded herself.

"You're a formidable member of Flower Division." Maria surprised herself more after she said that. "Even though you tend to lose control of your powers."

Sakura felt her body weakening. "I-is that so?" she said almost in whisper. "I understand."

Maria regretted having mentioned it because it sounded more like a formal discussion between an officer and a subordinate. She had to admit that she was a miserable conversationalist when it came to emotional discussions.

The Russian directed her stare on to the bed sheet. 'Sakura, I want to tell you something more. . . I just . . . can't.'

'Maria-san, is that the only way you see me?' Sakura was reflecting over the blond woman's words. Her eyes danced just to avoid Maria's green ones.

Maria realized her mistake with that look Sakura was giving her.

"Ah . . . I think I should go now. . . it is already late. . . " Sakura wiped a tear away. "Sorry for...disturbing you."

'So soon?' The Russian narrowed her eyes. "No, Sakura don't leave yet." Maria didn't realize where she got the energy to grab Sakura's arm.

The younger woman stiffened.

"Please," the Russian pleaded. "Stay."

'What for?' Sakura said to herself while Maria's grip tightened. She turned around and faced Maria. The Russian's eyes were beseeching her.

Never before had Sakura seen the blond woman look that way. She was begging her to stay. A complete contrast to the Maria she knew before.

'Maria-san, I don't know what to think now.'

OoOoOoO

Sakura sat beside the bed, staring at Maria's bedsheet in front of her. She was unusually quiet. The Russian couldn't blame her for that. And for once, Maria hated the silence in the atmosphere.

Again, Maria tried to make eye contact with Sakura. The raven-haired girl caught her stare but quickly looked away.

'She is avoiding me,' Maria narrowed her eyes. And yes, she sensed that familiar feeling crawling on her chest. It was the sensation she called hurt.

"I'm sorry," Maria spoke almost in a whisper.

She felt a reaction from Sakura and saw a slightly distracted look on her face.

"Maria-san, can I asked you anything?" Sakura started still unable to look at her.

"State it, Sakura."

"Do you see me as a responsibility?"

"I have to be honest Sakura. Yes."

Sakura swallowed as she continued asking, "Am I difficult to handle?"

"Sometimes."

"Do you think I'm incapable?"

"No, Sakura. It is all in your mind."

"Can you tell me why you kissed me during the rehearsal?"

"Sakura, you weren't yourself at the time. I needed to."

"You pity me, is that it?"

"No."

"Tell me the truth!"

"NO!" Maria repeated, sounding angry.

"I don't believe you." Sakura clenched her own fists. "You only think of me as an amateur, don't you? A responsibility. A soldier to be honed. A junior member that needs guidance. A warrior. A clumsy actress. And nothing but a mere friend. So what else could that kiss be but an act of pity?"

'An act of pity?' Maria's eyes widened.

Guilt. She felt it.

'So it's true.' Sakura felt needles stinging her heart. However, the raven-haired girl finally looked at Maria and managed to give her a weak smile. "It's good enough that I know."

"Sakura," Maria murmured.

"I know it was foolish of me to even feel this . . ."

Maria was silently staring at her.

Sakura leaned beside Maria as she touched her face. "If you need me. I'll always be here, " she whispered to the Russian's ear. "I will always LOVE you."

With that kiss on her cheek, Maria felt the warm liquid flowing down her eyes.

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Author's note: Translation of song from and uh. . . . forgive me for the song commercial (which doesn't even fit the story).