I just posted the first chapter yesterday and here I am today posting the second. Pretty quick, heh?

I hope you like this…

I don't know if you liked the first though… WHERE ARE MY REVIEWS? cries…

Please say something about it! Anything… PLEEASE!

Chapter 2
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"Mikoto…"

This voice brought back memories from the distant past that she kept buried deep inside her. Everything from back then seemed blurred, as if she was trying to remember a dream.

"Mai…" She had whispered without turning around. Without seeing if it was really Mai that had talked behind her. It wasn't necessary anyway.

How much time is required for someone to forget? She had long ago stopped thinking about Mai. Or feeling anything about her. She could think of only one explanation about it: She had forgotten. She wouldn't find it strange if one day she could hardly remember her face, her voice. But she was wrong…

Mai was now standing behind her and spoke her name. It was the same Mai that had gotten out of her life with the same quick speed that had entered it. 'Why?' Why did she have to appear now, after all these years?

'When you think that you've put things in order in your life, a person comes and calls your name… and everything collapses.'

With a slow spin she was face to face with her. Mai looked exactly the same as she could remember her. A little more mature now, but it was to be expected. A lot of years had passed; six since the last time they met, nine since the Festival. Her lips moved against her will and offered a smile to the woman opposite of her. How strange…

Natsuki was watching the whole scene from her table. She had seen Mikoto coming in and she was surprised that Mai recognised her. Mikoto's appearance had changed a lot. Time had transformed the young girl into a beautiful young woman. Her black hair was still short and her eyes had the same spark, but everything else was different.

Natsuki had seen Mikoto a few years ago at school. She had been looking for Shizuru and she saw Mikoto near the council room. She didn't recognise her until the girl ran to her and hugged her. She said that she had missed everyone and she kept asking questions about Mai. Although Natsuki sensed the sadness in Mikoto's voice back then, she said nothing to Mai about meeting her. She thought that everything was over between them, but she wasn't so sure anymore…

She looked again at the women. 'What is she doing?' Mai was standing and staring without speaking anymore. All this energy that she seemed to have only a few seconds ago had disappeared. 'Mai get a grip!' She felt the desire to go there and slap Mai on the face! If she continued like that she would lose Mikoto again.

'What should I do? What should I say?' Mai had lost her words.

In an impulse of the moment she walked to Mikoto and called her. At first she thought that she had mistaken the woman in front of her for Mikoto, because she didn't move or speak. And then she heard her say her name. It was a whisper, but it reached her ears clearly enough to understand that she was right. It was her! She could say anything now. About how much she had missed her, even if the time they spent together was so short, about her meaningless life without her.

Before she had said anything Mikoto turned around and now she was looking into these golden bright eyes. She couldn't speak anymore. She didn't know what to say. She was terrified. The slightest mistake could ruin everything…

The time she got her courage back to speak was the time that a smile appeared on Mikoto's face. 'At least she's happy to see me…'

"Mikoto… how are you?"

"I'm ok. And you?" Mikoto had completely forgotten that she hadn't come alone. Her companions were looking curiously at her speaking with the woman.

"I'm doing well." And after a small pause. "How is Reito?"

"He's all right. He's a lawyer now."

"I know."
Reputation preceded the man, who was now one of the best lawyers in Japan. His name was all over the newspapers and television.

"Mikoto do you want to eat with us?" Mai couldn't let her go. If they were to separate now, she would lose everything. She knew this very well.

"Us?"

"Yes. I'm here with Natsuki."

"Really?" Mikoto's face was lit up with a pleased expression.

Mai remembered well that Mikoto used to like Natsuki. Maybe it was because Natsuki cared a lot about Mikoto, too. Now all these memories were back. Her and Natsuki trying to dress the girl properly, trying to teach her manners… They really had a hard time back then, on their attempt to transform the wild cat into a normal girl. As if it was ever possible…

Mikoto's eyes searched for Natsuki around her and they stopped immediately at the blue haired woman that was looking their way. She waved to Natsuki and she waved back at her. Mikoto was glad that Natsuki was there. She really liked this woman and besides, her presence might prevent Mai from asking questions…

"Ok, let's eat together. Let me order something and tell the others. I'll be there in a minute."

Mai returned to their table with a grin that told Natsuki that she had good news.

"I invited her to eat with us. I thought you wouldn't mind."

"I don't." At last! Mai's life seemed to move on. "How are you?"

"I don't know. I'm a little anxious, but I'm hoping that it will be something good. I want to make things right, you know… in my life. Thank you. If it wasn't for you, I'd be alone at home now and I'd never had the chance to meet her."

"Don't thank me, you can thank Shizuru when you see her. And don't worry; everything is going to be fine. I'm really happy for you, that you've found what you were looking for."

'What I've been looking for.' Yes, she was waiting for Mikoto all this time to show up again. She gathered all the strength she had left to meet again with the girl that was approaching them. Now that the first surprise had passed, she gave a good look at her. She was an amazing woman… She was a cute girl when she was younger but now she showed something more than just cuteness… She was beautiful and… sexy.

Natsuki got up to greet Mikoto. They hugged and smiled to each other. "Wow, Mikoto! You're gorgeous!"

"Thank you!" Mikoto blushed and gave a quick look at Mai. She was smiling too and her face looked calm, but her hands showed the opposite. She was holding a napkin, her trembling fingers tearing it to small pieces.

"Tell us your news! How are things at college?" Natsuki asked Mikoto.

"Do you go to college?" Mai was shocked. Mikoto didn't like school as far as she could recall. 'How did Natsuki know this?' She looked at Natsuki irritated. She was learning news about Mikoto all this time and kept them secret from her. 'That woman!'

"Well, I finished it a year ago and now I work there." A small laugh escaped her lips when she saw Mai's surprise. "Isn't that great? I never believed I would do something like that, but Reito insisted that I should go to college and he was right. I really like it there. It's not as difficult as I believed it would be."

Mai couldn't believe that this speech was coming from Mikoto! And she was working at college… She was proud of Mikoto and sorry for herself. She had tried hard all these years and the best thing that had come out of it was that simple job of a secretary…

"How is Reito? He's quite famous now!" Natsuki was trying hard to break the ice. Mai was silent looking one time at Mikoto and the other at Natsuki. 'Say something damn it!'

"He's overprotective of me, but he's doing it out of concern. He's perfect, always caring and supportive. I love him so much! Lately he's working all the time, which worries me a little. I don't want him to get tired. And if you ask me, I think that it was better when he wasn't that famous. I got to see him more often then… But enough of me! Please tell me how you are doing!"

A wave of jealousy hit Mai. Mikoto loved Reito in a really strange way. Reito… Would Reito still remember her, after all this time? Did he and Mikoto ever talk about her? Her relationship with him hadn't ended well… She was so stupid at that time to believe that Tate was the man that she wanted to be with and she had said it to Reito. He obviously was in love with her and she hurt him. She often wondered what things would be if she had accepted his feelings. She really liked him, maybe she was in love with him, but she had never thought like that, until he started putting distance between them.

"Well, I'm working at a politician's office. It's a bit tiring, because he's so demanding, but I can't blame him. His occupation requires responsibility and as one of his staff members I have to work hard… Anyways, he's kind with me and pays me a good salary. As for the rest, I'm with Shizuru now…" Natsuki blushed. She always did when it came to speak about her relationship with Shizuru. "…but you must know this already."

"Good to hear! I always thought that you were meant for each other. Shizuru loves you very much! And you, Mai? Do you still have that hobby of doing different jobs?"

"There isn't a lot to say. I work for a company as a secretary and this time I'm not going to quit. It's satisfying. My boss is a pain in the ass, but I don't mind."

"Did you get married?"

"No. I'm single." Her tone was low, of a woman disappointed by her life. 'And alone. Alone without you.' What would Mikoto do if she said that? Would she feel sorry for her and come back into her life? And then Natsuki asked a question that left Mai terrified. She wanted to ask Mikoto herself, but she hadn't the courage to wait for the answer.

"What about you? Are you in a relationship?"

The seconds between Natsuki's question and Mikoto's answer seemed to Mai to last a century.

"No. A lot of men approach me but I think that they're all jerks! I'm ok though. Things are just fine the way they are now."

Mai was expecting this kind of answer. Mikoto had Reito and their relationship was far closer than of a brother and sister… Mikoto started to eat and Mai let out a small laugh when she saw that her plate had more food than Natsuki's! The younger girl was the only person she knew that ate so much!

Natsuki saw that everything was ok, and she made the decision to leave them alone. She prayed that Mai could handle the situation and she looked at her cell phone to check the time. 16:30. It was early for her to return home, since Shizuru wouldn't be there, but she had no option left. If she stayed there, some things that needed to be said would be left out of their conversation. They had a lot to say, a lot to explain.

"Well I should get going! Shizuru will be waiting for me at home."

'What! But she said that Shizuru would…' Suddenly everything made sense! 'She's leaving us alone. NO! Don't leave!' How could she do this to her? What would she do when she was alone with Mikoto?

"Mikoto, I was pleased to see you again. Give my greetings to Reito!" Natsuki continued. "Mai, we'll talk soon. Goodbye!"

"And you give mine to Shizuru. It was nice meeting you again." Mikoto smiled to her and Natsuki left.

'Bitch!' Mai was really pissed off. Natsuki had left her when she should be there giving her courage. She looked determined at Mikoto. 'Ok then! I'll do my best!'

Mikoto was resuming her lunch. The old Mikoto was coming back every time the woman took a bite of her food. She had to say something! She couldn't just stay there silently!

"I can see you continue eating so much! You know, I always wondered where all this food was going. You were such a small kid!" She had made the first mistake. She wasn't supposed to talk about the past. She watched terrified as the smile disappeared from Mikoto's face and a serious expression replaced it.

"I guess I have a good metabolism. Do you still make that delicious ramen?"

"I make it once in a while. You see I live alone, so I eat out most of the times."

"I have missed your ramen… and you."

When she saw Mai after all this time she felt irritated. It was the moment that she realised that she did remember everything… She didn't want to remember anymore! It hurt… What could Mai possibly want now? Mikoto prayed that the woman wouldn't ask questions. Questions about why she had left, why she had stopped caring. And now it was her that had said something like this. She had heard herself speaking as if she heard someone else and sadly her words were completely true.

How ironic! Sometimes you don't realise you miss someone until you see her again and everything returns back to the start. She was sitting opposite of Mai and was wondering how it was possible to have lived all these years without her, without her smile, her eyes that looked right into her soul.

All her life until this time seemed so unimportant now! Her happiness was an illusion that she had created, just to free herself from the bitter feelings. She felt responsible for their present situation. After all it was her that decided to live with Reito and left Mai alone.

Mai had become distant after that. And Reito stopped speaking about her. He never explained to Mikoto what had happened between them, but the younger girl was clever enough to understand that it was something that hurt Reito. It was obvious that her brother was in love with Mai…

It was the first time in her whole life that she felt jealousy… She was afraid that if Mai accepted Reito's feelings then Reito would forget about her and live by Mai's side. But things were far worse now… Mai had turned down Reito and he was hurt. Watching Reito in this condition made her heart ache and it was harder than being jealous…

Mikoto felt like being in a dead end. Whatever happened led to unpleasant feelings and pain. Her brother suffered and she couldn't bear it. This was the reason that she had decided to move into Reito's house, hoping that her presence would make him feel better.

Life with Reito was something she always dreamed of. For many years she had been looking for her lost brother and she had found him at last. Living with him, taking care of him gave her pleasure and satisfaction. Sadly, this time when she had what she always wished for, she discovered that something that was equally important was missing. A person that meant the world for her. Mai.

Mai was slowly turning in on herself and their meetings became more and more rare. Until one day she realised that Mai had got once and for all out of her life. She felt the emptiness, but she managed to camouflage it by saying to herself that it was Mai's decision and she had nothing to do with that.

Lies… So many lies that she wanted to believe! Everything was so clear now… Seeing Mai again, being with her made her understand what this woman meant for her. She didn't want to live without her anymore. She knew that things would never be the same again, but she wanted to try. She wouldn't be able to forgive herself if she didn't…

Mikoto had missed Mai after all and she had confessed it. And Mai didn't know what to say… She had missed Mikoto so much! She was dreaming of that moment for years, the moment that Mikoto would accept her back into her life. She wanted more than anything to speak to her, but she was afraid that if she started talking she couldn't be able to stop until she had said everything… And this might scare her away…

"I missed you too…" It was the only thing that she could say without being carried away into a speech that could only do harm.

"Mai… I want to meet you again. And I'm sure that Reito would want to meet you, too."

Mai wasn't so sure about that…

"Are you doing anything after this?" Mikoto asked.

"No, I don't think so." 'Nothing is more important that being with you!'

"Then come home with me! If you want we can cook this incredible ramen that only you can make. Reito will be working until late at night. Please?"

Mikoto always had her way of persuading Mai. The older woman thought about Mikoto's invitation. It was a good excuse to spend some more time with her. The only problem could be Reito being there but after hearing Mikoto saying that he would come back late at night she was relieved. She wasn't sure if she was ready to meet him…

"All right! I'd love to cook with you! We can leave any time you want!"

"Good! I have ingredients for the ramen at home, so we'll go straight home."

Mikoto ate her last bite and waved to her companions at the other side of the room, showing them that she was leaving. Mai saw the people waving 'goodbye' at Mikoto and she stood up. She picked her purse and they got out of the restaurant together.

"I'm sorry but we'll have to take the bus. Reito doesn't allow me to drive a car yet. He says that driving is dangerous, but I'll make him change his mind one of these days!"

Mai smiled. It was obvious that Mikoto's persuasive skills worked on Reito as well…

"I agree with Reito. A lot of accidents happen everyday… I don't have a car either and this is one of the reasons."

They reached the stop. They hadn't been waiting for long when the bus came and after a few minutes they were standing in front of the gate of the mansion.

Mikoto used her keys to open the door. They got inside and Mai looked around her. The house was pleasantly decorated with expensive, tasteful objects. They walked into the living room and Mikoto showed her the couch.

"Please sit. Do you want anything to drink?"

"Do you have any coke?"

"Let me check."

Mikoto disappeared behind the door and came back carrying two glasses of coke. She sat next to Mai and gave her the one glass.

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"Shizuru…"

Natsuki had returned home and found Shizuru in the kitchen having lunch.

"Why didn't you call me? I thought you would come home late. If I'd known you were here I would have returned sooner."

"Natsuki you don't need to worry! I'm a grown woman! I can take care of myself!"

"Yeah, I know." Natsuki's ironic tone brought up Shizuru's giggling. "I was with Mai… We were having lunch together and guess who showed up!"

"Ara, ara I hope it's not a handsome man trying to take my Natsuki away! I would be so hurt!"

"SHIZURU! Be serious for once in your life!"

"But then how would I have the chance to see that adorable angry face of yours?"

"Grrrhh! Ok then! It was a young handsome man that took me into his strong arms and gave me a…"

"NATSUKI STOP!" Shizuru knew well that Natsuki was saying these just to tease her, but even like this she couldn't bear the thought of Natsuki's words really happening…

Natsuki walked to her and wrapped her arms around her.

"Did you think that I would ever do something like that?" And without waiting her lover's answer she kissed her…

When their lips parted she looked into Shizuru's crimson eyes and spoke with a serious expression on her face.

"Shizuru… thank you. Thank you for making me realise what my heart felt but my mind denied accepting."

Natsuki's eyes were strangely glittering and Shizuru could swear that Natsuki was hardly holding herself from crying. Before she had the time to respond to her, Natsuki spoke again.

"You were always by my side supporting me, helping me, loving me… I've never loved anyone more than you Shizuru… and never will." Now Natsuki was crying openly, her tears streaming down her cheeks… "Seeing Mai today made me think about us and what my life would be without you…"

"Natsuki, Natsuki, Natsuki…" Shizuru was looking into her wet emerald eyes when she spoke. "Even if you lived in another country, on another planet, I would always find you… and make you love me. We are destined to be together, the one completing the other… We both don't exist without our other half… How could it be possible for us to be separate?"

Her lips touched Natsuki's cheek, tasting her salty tears that Natsuki had shed for her. Natsuki closed her eyes and felt Shizuru placing soft kisses all over her face. Finally Shizuru's mouth found hers and stayed there until desire filled her and with her lips made Natsuki's open, making their kiss deeper…

They stopped only when it was absolutely necessary and they looked at each other's eyes.

"Sometimes I think that I could love you even after the end of the world…"

"Natsuki…" This was the only thing Shizuru said before sealing again the other woman's lips with her kiss…

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Mai pressed her back on the couch while holding the glass that Mikoto gave her. The girl was sitting beside her, so close and so distant at the same time! None of then was speaking, just sipping their drink, not even looking at each other.

Mikoto was feeling all this time the strong desire to push Mai on the couch and put her face on Mai's soft breasts. She could remember all these numerous nights that her only pillow was the woman's chest and she wanted to feel it again on her cheeks…

There was something more than friendship that connected them. And after all these years, after their long absence from each other's life, she could feel it still there; a strong connection between them not allowing them to forget…

Mai had sensed Mikoto very close to her body. But she wanted her closer… These feelings were so disturbing and confusing! She felt the desperate need to protect the girl, to hold her, to love her… She remembered that she was feeling something similar when they were living together, but also that it wasn't as strong as it was now.

Mikoto had left her glass on the table in front of them, next to Mai's glass and was half lying on the couch without touching her though. Mai moved slowly her body towards Mikoto and stopped when then distance was just an inch. It was Mikoto's turn now. She wondered if she would make a move to touch her… Another half minute passed without any more movement from Mikoto or any sign that she was approving Mai's initiative. 'I'm moving too fast for her. She hadn't seen me for years and now I'm expecting her to touch me… Tokiha Mai, you're a hopeless fool!'

And just then Mikoto's head leaned on her shoulder and Mai stopped breathing, while her heart started beating furiously… She could hear the loud pulse inside her head deafening her and she wondered if Mikoto could hear it too.

They stayed like that for some time, until a growl coming from Mikoto's stomach reminded Mai that she had to cook.

"Sorry! I guess I'm hungry again…" Mikoto laughed.

"But you ate only two hours ago! What do you do with all this food?" Mai was amused, not noticing that the way they were speaking now was just like back then…

They got up and moved into the bright kitchen. She started cooking while Mikoto was silently watching her moving around the kitchen as if she was cooking in this same kitchen for years.

"I always thought that you were born to be a cook… Did you ever choose anything like that as one of your jobs?"

"No."

"Why?"

"I'm trying different jobs just to test them. Usually, I'm quickly bored of them and look for another. I really like cooking and it would be a pity to see it as another job that I'll soon get tired of."

"I've tried many times to cook something. It often turned out to be something eatable, but sadly it never was as good as your food…"

"Well, I think that you can become a great cook if you really want it. Of course a good teacher is required as well."

She was smiling at Mikoto. She had almost forgotten how good it felt to cook for another person. Mai had lied to the girl. The truth was that she had never cooked ramen after the last time that she made it for Mikoto… Only seeing this food reminded her of the girl and thus she never ate it or cooked it again. Until now.

Every now and then Mikoto's stomach made sounds reminding them that it had to be fed. Finally, just as Mikoto had nearly fainted out of hunger, the food was ready and poured inside a large bowl.

Mai felt like offering her soul, her whole existence to Mikoto, when she placed the bowl on the table in front of her.

"Mai's ramen…"

Mikoto looked at the bowl and then at Mai and she spoke in a low tone.

"Itadakimasu."

The chopsticks brought the food to her mouth and her whole face was lighted by the brightest smile, before she continued eating.

Mai was sitting opposite of the girl all the time, watching her eating and her heart felt so light, as a feather… She stayed there until the bowl was empty and Mikoto was satisfied.

"Thank you!" Mikoto's tone was honest and serious. It meant the world for her having Mai there.

"Don't mention it! But it's getting late. I think I should get going." 'Before Reito comes home…'

They walked and she was now behind the main door.

"Please stay a little longer!"

"I'm sorry. I can't."

"Mai… Will I see you again?"

"If you want it…" She took a small paper out of her bag and wrote her address on it. "This is where I live. Come visit me anytime you want."

"I will. Goodbye Mai."

"Goodbye."

For a moment Mai was ready to hug the girl, but then she decided not to… She opened the door and got out of the house. She would have to walk for some long distance, but she didn't want to take the bus either.

Her feet were taking her back home, away from Mikoto. Oddly, even if she had heard Mikoto saying that she wanted to see her again, she felt like losing her one more time. All her previous happiness was replaced by that emptiness that Mikoto's absence had left…

She couldn't tell how much time had passed until she reached her home. The first raindrops fell on her skin just before she entered the house. She closed the door behind her and looked around. This place that offered her consolation every time her heart was filled with sorrow, had lost the power to comfort her anymore.

Tears started pooling in her eyes but she managed to hold them back. She had to think positive about today's events… But even if Mikoto had said that she had missed her, Mai was sure that they were words she didn't really mean. Mikoto seemed satisfied with her life. When she'd meet again with her friends she'd completely forget what had happened. Or when she'd be again with Reito…

Mai was wondering if she had made a mistake. Trying to bring back Mikoto into her life… She had managed all these years to survive without her, but now she thought that she couldn't stand losing her again and she was afraid that this would happen eventually.

A knock on her door made her return to reality and she went to open it. She looked intensively at the person who was waiting behind it. The eyes that looked at her carried pain inside. They stood without talking, without making a single move for quite some time, the one inside the house and the other outside in the rain.

None of them could explain later what happened, who made the first move. Mai felt the lips on her own taking away her pain and bringing the most pure emotions of love that she had ever felt in her whole life. She wrapped her arms around her, holding her tight, kissing her furious. The girl's dripping clothes wetted her, but she didn't notice. They stood by the open door but she couldn't hear the noise of the rain falling on the earth… There was no rain in the world anymore, only the bright sun that shined inside her heart.

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This was the second chapter!

Don't be fooled by the way it finishes. There will be more…

My love to all of you!

KISSES
Irina67