Gravity

by Webdog177

Shimako matured into a woman who could turn you into a puddle you with but a single glance. The fact that she and I always danced around each other as teenagers was just another complication, but now the two of us were drawn to each other like gravity. [Spiritual sequel to Selfish Friendship]

7. Chapter 7

Disclaimer: I do not own Maria-sama Ga Miteru. #Sadface

A/N: Aaaand here we get to the climax *pffft haha* of Gravity!

Oh, and Rated 'M' for sexual content.

Enjoy.

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Gravity

Part 7

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I managed to pull myself away from touching up my mascara and eyeliner in the bathroom and make a final decision about my outfit for the evening – a rose colored button-up blouse that was one size too small to accentuate my chest and a pair of fitted jeans with my nicest pair of black ankle boots – with just enough time to meet Shimako for our second date in just as many days.

But not before trying to win a staring contest with the mirror, trying to desperately convince myself that I could, in fact, do this.

After properly psyching myself up and making sure I was attractive enough for my liking, I left my apartment just as the sun was setting. Shimako never said precisely when she would be meeting me, in fact she had been fairly taciturn about time frames and deadlines the past few days, but for some reason I didn't mind. Spending the majority of my formative years with Sachiko and Touko as Soeurs should have given me a stricter outlook on punctuality, but I had always been something of a free spirit compared to them.

Maybe that was partially why I was in my current 'funk'.

Anyway, I felt secure enough in how Shimako thought to more or less know when she would pick me up. And sure enough, as I found myself approaching my café just as the streetlights flickered on, I spotted Shimako several meters away from me, leaning casually against her car, her typical placid expression firmly in place. I felt my heart speed up a bit as I took the final few steps up to her, and my breath caught in my through as her gray eyes slid upwards to meet mine.

"H-hi." I said softly in greeting.

"Hello." Shimako replied, her voice equally as soft. "You look nice."

I blushed slightly at the praise, "Thanks. You, um, you look really pretty."

Shimako smiled, brushing her hand against her dark blue turtleneck. She too wore jeans – to my pleasant surprise – and looked really great in the open-toed heels that completed her outfit. Her hair was loose as always, and I even saw the tell-tale glint of silver from the earrings she wore. All in all she looked pretty, I didn't lie, but I suddenly wished I had been brave enough to say that she looked gorgeous.

I might have been a free spirit, but I was also not the bravest girl around.

"Thank you. I must admit I wasn't quite sure what to wear in the end. I ended up going for casual. I'm happy you did, as well."

I chuckled, "I was standing in front of the closet for the longest time, trying to decide what to wear."

Shimako gave me an indulgent smile, and then opened the door to her car, gesturing me inside. "Shall we?" I nodded and the two of us slid into the car, beginning our night.

The entire date seemed to fly by. It wasn't as though I wasn't having fun – I was; Shimako was kind, generous and even more intelligent as she had been in school. In fact, with her experiences abroad and living as I had these past few years, even without a college experience like I has, her knowledge was a lot broader than mine was. She knew so much about so many different things, I could have easily sat there and listened to her talk about the culture of native Korean cities as opposed to Japan all night long. She even spoke to me – at my insistence – in a smattering of Mandarin and Vietnamese, which she had picked up through necessity during her stay there and seemed stick.

Although, according to her, her accent was atrocious. I somehow doubted that.

We ate dinner together at a local classical Japanese restaurant; not too expensive and not too cheap, just how I liked it, and ordered a variety of sushi and vegetarian dishes. We talked about different topics such as our families and what they have done since the last time we saw them. Shimako's father was still head of his temple and doing well. Although, he did wish Shimako would make up her mind about what she wanted to do with her life.

I could relate. My own relationship with my family and Soeurs were similar, although they were more polite about it – Sachiko respected my decisions and Touko was too busy to really express her opinion in any meaningful way. But still, I did wish that sometimes my parents and brother would lighten up with the odd comment about why I haven't 'settled down' yet.

Our conversation was light and friendly, but like a door that refused to stay shut, or a window that was left open the barest crack for wind to slip through, the romantic undercurrent between the two of us was far too obvious to leave alone for long. Our flirting was subtle, at first; a coy glance coupled with an offhand compliment, a small touch of the hand with a finger lingering on each other's palm, burning a trail across skin and making my heart skip several beats. Soon I was unable to do anything but focus on Shimako, my eyes tracking her every single movement, every twitch of her lips and every flash of her teeth, as if trying to commit her entire presence to memory.

But, despite the fact that we were openly flirting with each other, we never quite got back to the elephant in the room. I wanted to know why she took me to the club the previous evening. I had my suspicions, of course, and I was pretty sure I was right. But I wanted to hear it from her; only then could I be sure with what I wanted, and what I assumed Shimako wanted. I wanted to bring it up, but never found the best time to.

Dinner finished and we split the check, leaving the restaurant. I shivered slightly as I stepped outside, wishing I had thought to bring a sweater as Shimako had. She must have noticed my sudden chill, because Shimako stepped beside me and wrapped an arm loosely, but possessively around my waist.

I smiled up at her, "Thanks," even as my skin warmed with her proximity.

"Of course." She squeezed her arm around me.

"What's next?" I asked, curiosity winning out over my inability to sound too eager for anything Shimako had planned.

She peered at me for a moment in thought, her lips quirking up slightly. "I thought I could treat you to tea at my apartment." She paused, gauging my reaction. "If that sounds agreeable to you."

If I hadn't been fully aware of both of our backgrounds with the Yamayurikai and how we treated almost every afternoon as an informal 'tea party', I would have almost expected her offer to be a euphemism for something else; something much less tea-related. But coming from Shimako, I could almost believe she sincerely wanted to drink tea with me. Even though, somewhere deep inside me, the part of me that had been steadily growing warmer and warmer with each passing minute of flirting and furtive touches during dinner, desperately hoped Shimako didn't truly mean for us to drink tea together. I would have been very disappointed if that was the case.

Spurred on by the hope and arousal in my belly at the ideas flitting through my mind like an excited child with a new toy, I smiled and nodded, "That sounds lovely." Shimako's eyes flashed with something I couldn't quite pick up on, and led the way back to her car.

The drive to her apartment wasn't very long, and was filled with silence. I couldn't think of anything meaningful to talk about, and Shimako seemed perfectly happy to allow me to look out the window in thought. We pass buildings and pedestrians on their way home, and I recognized the area as one of the middle-class residential and commercial areas in the city as she pulled to a stop just outside of a multi-level apartment complex. She was, surprisingly, on the third floor as well, and we forgoed using the elevator, instead using the stairs. After a short climb and an even shorter trip down a hallway we stopped in front of a doorway, which Shimako produced a key for and unlocked, stepping aside as she opened to door to allow me entry.

Shimako's apartment, on the whole, was very similar to mine. Her kitchen was open to the main room, and had a small dining table separating the two areas. She had a couch and television mounted on the wall, a dark, coffee-colored table between the couch and television, and another doorway leading to what I assumed was another part of the apartment.

I jumped slightly as I felt Shimako's hand on my arm, and I whirled around to find her typical placid expression regard me curiously, "I'm sorry, what?"

"Do you still take Jasmine with milk and three sugars?" She asked simply.

Smiling bashfully, I nodded. "Just two sugars, please." And Shimako went to work, gesturing for me to take a seat wherever I would like. I chose to sit at her dining table, and watched her gather the teabags – not tea leaves, surprisingly – and mugs. I watched as she boiled the water and pour it into the cups, dropping a few spoons of sugar into the tea and giving them a stir. Her work done, Shimako placed a cup in front of me and then sat down on the opposite side, her own cut of tea in hand.

"So, um…" I muttered softly, fingering my cup of tea nervously. It suddenly occurred to me that I was alone with Shimako, in her apartment, drinking tea like normal people. Only, I knew this wasn't normal. Somehow, I knew was this really was. This was just another part of our dance – one that Shimako wanted to see how I would respond to her lead – and the sheer idea that I was playing right into the woman's hands, and her gray eyes, glimmering with amused intent, only served to arouse me even further.

"What are you thinking about, Yumi?" Shimako asked quietly, taking a slow, measured sip from her tea.

"N-nothing." I managed, fidgeting slightly under her stare. I was barely able to keep my voice from raising a few octaves.

The amused look that flashed across Shimako's face told me that she called my bluff, but didn't comment on it. "I see," She instead murmured. "In that case, would you like to know what I am thinking about?"

I nodded, unable to tear my gaze away from her lips as she took another sip from her teacup.

"I am thinking…" Shimako said, carefully setting down her cup and folding her hands together, her eyes never leaving mine. "About how you thought about where I took you last night."

Shit. Of course she wanted to know about that. Why else would she have wanted to bring me there? It was obvious she wanted to tell me something, and see how I would react. And now that I had, she wanted hear it from my own mouth if I liked it or not. And likewise, I also wanted to know a few things…

"Why did you take me to that place?" I deflected the question with one of my own, also setting down my untouched tea.

Her eyes lit up and her smile grew. "You enjoyed it, then?"

Well, it wasn't like I could deny it. I would be lying if I told her I disliked it. And she could probably already read me like a book at this point, anyway… "Yes, I enjoyed it. Can you answer the question?"

She raised an eyebrow at my short tone. "I took you there to see what you would do."

Well, that was pretty much what I thought. I licked my lips slowly. "Okay… And what did you learn?"

"I learned that you were skittish at first, and taken aback that I would visit such a place. But after getting acclimatized you grew less nervous."

I nodded, "Pretty much. I mean, it's not every day you find out that your ex is into BDSM clubs."

Shimako's other eyebrow rose to join its twin. "Your ex?" She echoed, and then chuckled softly. "Yes, I suppose I could count as such. Anyway, there isn't much to tell about that. It grew from a mild interest when I was exploring my sexuality a few years ago, and one visit turned into two, and so on."

"Do you, um, 'perform' there?" I asked, unable to stop myself.

"Occasionally." Came the simple reply.

"Oh."

"I don't very often though, only when their regular employees are sick or busy." Shimako explained, watching me carefully.

"Do you… uh… have you ever…?" I was unable to finish my question; shame being the main reason why I couldn't voice the words. Luckily, Shimako seemed to pick up on it and answered anyway.

"No. I haven't had sex while on the job. A few of the performers don't mind it… but I always thought of it as an interest and a job; nothing more." She chewed her lip, for the first time seemed unsure of herself. "However, since it is such a large part of my life now, I felt it necessary to show you before…"

I blinked, a slight flutter in my chest making itself known. "Before… what?"

Shimako looked away, her face flickering between different emotions, like she couldn't decide which one to settle on. Eventually, she looked back at me, embarrassment dusting at her cheeks. "Before I make a fool of myself."

I couldn't help the slight chuckle that escaped my lips at that. "You? Make a fool of yourself? I doubt anything you do can possibly make you seem bad. You are most collected, self-assured, mature person I know." I paused. "Well, except for Sachiko or Touko… but they are special cases. Anyway," I shook my head. "The point is, I seriously doubt you could do anything to make a fool out of yourself."

The smoldering look that Shimako stared me down with at that moment made my smile die and legs cross. The dark steel in her eyes, instead of the bright silver I was used to, made my thighs clench and the heat in my center climb a few degrees higher.

"Even if what I really wanted was to pull you into the middle of that room last night and have you, right there on that bed?"

I blinked once, twice, a third time, before her words finally worked their way through my brain. Once they did I swallowed, my throat suddenly bone dry. "Oh…" I breathed, my voice barely above a whisper. My mind worked rapidly to form some kind of response – any kind of response – to her declaration. When I finally did, it wasn't quite what I expected to say. "But… you didn't."

The steel in Shimako's eyes lightened only slightly, and the very corners of her lips quirked up in amusement. "No, I did not." She leaned forward the tiniest amount, and something possessive replaced the amusement. "There were too many other people. And I want you all to myself."

My stomach fluttered and my cheeks warmed. My thoughts cycled through a rapid trailer of passion; wandering hands, rough motions, deep kissing, moans and gasps in my ear, panting breath… I clenched my fist in a sudden effort to ground myself in reality, insane though it seemed at the moment. What was I doing, just sitting here? And perhaps more importantly, what was she doing just sitting there?

And then a voice whispered in my ear, 'to see what I would do.'

It was all so glaringly obvious I wanted to slap myself. All this time she had been testing me, seeing to what extent I would follow her lead, how deep my understanding was and how I would react to surprising – if not shocking – revelations. This was all part of our dance, damn it! How had it taken me this long to figure out! I looked at Shimako, studying her eyes for a long moment, noticing the serene, yet somehow possessive and slightly predatory gleam behind them. There was a lot more to this woman, I knew, than the outwardly placid and easy-going attitude she showed everyone; a depth that few would see, or even notice… let alone truly understand. She felt I was worth the risk of revealing this side of herself to. She wanted me to dance for her…

I almost laughed; what I marvelous way to word that understatement. Dance.

Well then, I'd better make it a good show.

Slowly, deliberately, I allowed a small smirk to flicker at the corners of my lips as I gestured around her apartment. "Well, you have me all to yourself now." I stood up from my chair and titled my head to peer down at the still-seated Shimako from behind my bangs. "You might even say… I'm here to dance for you."

Shimako paused, watching my carefully.

Encouraged, I took another step closer with careful slowness. I could almost feel her muscles coil beneath her skin as she watched me draw near; and it thrilled me. Her eyes darkened, her face going blank with focus as I closed the distance between us and stared down at her mere inches away. I grinned widely, exalting in the idea of our positions reversed – usually it had been her teasing me like this – and teasingly slow I tilted my head down towards hers, my lips hovering just out of reach of her jaw. Only my hot breath touched her, and she tensed up even more.

"What are you thinking now, Shimako?" I whispered into her ear.

"The same thing you are, Yumi." Her voice was low, husky, and purred so deliciously that it sent a wave of heat between my legs.

I inhaled shakily, and nearly gasped aloud when her hand snaked around my waist. I looked into her eyes and quietly murmured, "Tell me what I'm thinking—"

Before I could even finished my thought I was pushed back, Shimako rising to her feet with shocking agility, and I found myself shoved up against the wall of her apartment. Shimako's warm body was pressed into me and her lips captured mine in a kiss so needy and urgent, I nearly died on the spot.

Here lies Yumi Fukuzawa. Kissed to death. It was a good death.

Liquid fire flooded into my veins and I moaned when I tongues met; I reached up to tangle my fingers in her long, smooth hair. My other hand wrapped around her back, clutching her to me while she moved against me in a smooth motion that made my pulse quicken. Fuck… yes... She pulled away from the kiss long enough to pinch my bottom lip between her teeth, nibbling softly in contrast to the hand that wrenched my arm above my head and held it there.

I gasped, writhing against the wall as her other hand slipped between my legs and pressed against me through the jeans I suddenly wished I wasn't wearing at that moment. I groaned, arching my back and trying to pull her head closer so our lips could touch again; but she resolutely remained just a hair's width away, smirking softly.

"Right now you are thinking about how much you want to wipe my smile off of my face." Shimako murmured, rubbing he hand against the junction of my legs in long, slow, powerful stroked that were more than welcomed.

I hissed at her in frustration, and her eyes sparkled.

"That is a dangerous sound, Yumi," She leaned in, lowering her head to graze her teeth down my neck, grinding her hips against me. "I like it…"

Her tone made me wetter than I already was, and with a frustrated groan I shoved her back as hard as I could. She stumbled backwards a step, her eyes flashing in challenge; but it was all I needed. I tackled her into the couch nearby, immediately straddling her lap. My hands slipped around the back of her neck and I kissed her deeply, drinking her taste and her smell. She moaned so quietly I barely heard her, but it was enough to cause goosebumps to prickle across my flesh.

Her hands slipped beneath the edge of my blouse and up my back, caressing me, pressing me against her. I ground down into her lap, hungry for more contact. Suddenly she raked her nails down by spine and I shuddered as a strangled sound escaped my throat at the sensation. She broke from the kiss and yanked the blouse over my head in a few quick jerks of her wrists; it fluttered behind the couch to the floor.

I shivered slightly at the cool air on my naked skin. When her warm hands moved across my abdomen I squirmed, my eyes lifting to watch her. Her eyes ran over my skin in a way that made my heart hammer in anticipation. Her fingertips brushed between my breasts, lingering on the soft swells hidden behind the cream-colored material of my bra. They continued upward, tracing my collarbone lightly before moving onto my shoulder and down my arm. The softness of her touch was like fire and it burned; I bit my lip, grinding my hips against her.

Her hand encircled my wrist and a sudden jerk shot through my arm, and quicker than I ever thought possible, I was on my back, lying lengthwise across the couch with Shimako lying on top of me. I writhed, groaning as she pinned both of my wrists above my head with one hand; her other hand cupped my breast as her lips met mine once more.

I'd never been kissed the way Shimako kissed me; not by anyone I met since her, and not even by Shimako herself as a teenager. It was like I could feel her slip beneath my skin and pump through my veins like a drug that took me somewhere new, somewhere exotic and exciting. Her scent filled my lungs; vanilla, warmth and something wholly familiar that was Shimako. She felt so fucking good I could barely stand it. I moved my hips against her in a long, sensual motion that left nothing to the imagination; I needed her inside me, right then and there.

I felt her smile against my lips, and I stilled as she pulled away to look down at me. I squirmed again, tugging at my pinned wrists. Her smile only grew, her index finger flicking up to hover over the hollow of my throat before slowly, agonizingly, making its way down my flesh. I inhaled as she moved over the clenching muscles of my abdomen, involuntarily arching my back into the contact. Lower… go lower… my mind begged. I bucked my hips up into hers and her hand stopped moving just above the hem of my jeans.

I hissed again, jerking my arms in frustration. She – she was teasing me! Hadn't she had enough of teasing me these past few days!

"Tell me what you want, Yumi." Shimako whispered, her voice so low and husky I could have bathed myself in it.

A small sound of desperation escaped my lips and I canted my hips up into hers again – harder, urgently.

"Tell me, Yumi." She repeated, her fingertips tracing just above the waistband of my jeans. The was no demand in her tone, nor was there any anger; just simple patience and calmness that was wholly Shimako. Before, it was endearing and grounding. Now, filled with implications of the situation we found ourselves in, it made my blood boil and my mind race as I realized just how long Shimako could stretch this on for.

"You know what I want," I panted, my tongue flicking out to whet my suddenly dry lips. Shimako tilted her head slightly to the side, her eyes sharp with curiosity and intelligence. "I want you," I grunted, moving my hips against her hand, craning my neck and wishing she was closer. "I want you inside me. Rough. Fast. Right now."

Shimako's eyes flashed a bright, pleased silver before that decidedly predatory expression surged to the surface. She released my wrists and pulled my forward long enough to unsnap my bra and toss it away before shoving me back down on the couch. She unbuttoned my jeans and suddenly, in a matter of breathless seconds, I was completely naked. The fabric of the couch was slightly cool to my heated skin, and I inhaled sharply when Shimako lay back on top of me, wrapping her hand around the back of my neck, and pressed her lips against mine. I then felt her fingertips brush against the wetness between my legs and I jerked, writing and squirming frantically against her.

She thrust two fingers deep inside me, and I moaned loudly into her. She consumed everything eagerly, starting a rhythm of thrusts while her thumb pressed and rubbed against my already sodden folds. I clutched at her, digging my fingers into her back, meeting her thrusts with my own. I broke away from our kiss, gasping for breath as my head tilted back. Just when I'd caught my breath, her thrusting grew harder, faster, deeper. I raked my nailed down her back, clawing at the sweater she wore as her fingers caressed and curved in all the right places inside me. Fuck…

Her lips moved down to my neck and then my shoulder, all teeth and tongue, sending a multitude of sensations through my body, adding to my already painfully aroused state. I gasped when her teeth clamped down on my shoulder in a gentle bite. I knew she could feel there was more potential in that, but she moved on in search of other places to explore.

A single rough thrust changed in her rhythm and I arched my back, moaning through my shallow pants and choked breaths.

Her lips toyed with my earlobes, sending puffs of hot air across the mouth flesh that drove me absolutely insane with desire. I could feel my climax already building inside me, clawing its way through my skin like a living thing, hissing and spitting, aching to be released. A sheen of sweat coated my skin, my motions grew less controlled and more desperate as Shimako's fingers and lips drove me closer to orgasm than I ever thought was possible before.

"You're so close…" Shimako purred into me ear.

I groaned, sliding my hands down to cup Shimako's rear, grinding her against me harder. She tangled her fingers in my hair, nuzzled my cheek, and curved her fingers inside my just so… I suddenly gasped, my breaths coming in rapid succession, erratic pants as my orgasm loomed ever closer. I was so close… so close… Only a few more, Shimako…

Just then, her fingers withdrew from inside me and Shimako stilled, her eyes watching me like a hawk watches its unknowing prey.

A sounds I'd never heard – or thought possible – crawled out from my chest in a deep snarl; my lips peeled back from my teeth and my eyes narrowed to slits, the sound vibrating through my entire being in denial from the release it so desperately craved. I heaved an angry hiss at the woman above me, her tight grip in my hair keeping me millimeters away.

And then her lips curled back up into the most pleased smile I had never seen from her yet, "That's exactly what I wanted to hear from you…" She murmured.

She thrust her fingers back into me so hard and fast my gasp locked in my throat. I shuddered, my motions frenzied and unfocused as I bucked my hips into her, against her fingers that she so perfectly led me with in our dance. My vision blurred and my lips parted as I let out a high pitched whine.

As the sound slipped from my lips, Shimako pulled my head to the side and deftly sunk her teeth into my shoulder.

A cry tore from my lips at the sensation of her bite and I arched my back sharply into Shimako. I clawed at her, the material of the couch, anything I could reach as wave after wave of rapture pulsed through my body as I came. My limbs twitched, my body convulsed, my muscles screaming as release took me. I tasked blood in my mouth but I couldn't care why. I was out of my mind with the feeling of orgasm and all I could do was revel in the way my body responded to the way the Shimako… that Shimako…

Slowly, she released her teeth from my shoulder, licking and sucking and nibbling her way to the shell of my ear. "You feel so good, Yumi…"

A soft sob of bliss tumbled from my lips and I weakly wrapped my arms around her, clutching her to me as tightly as I could manage. Her thrusting continued riding out the orgasm she'd pulled from me all-too willingly, and I lay there, trembling, taking deep, shuddering breaths that just couldn't seem to take in enough air.

Gradually her thrusting slowed, and then ceased, and she pulled out of me, rolling to her side. I buried my face in the crook of her neck, twitching and shuddering softly as every little touch.

"Shh…" She soothed me gently. She caressed the curve of my spine as I finished catching my breath and my mind caught up to me.

"Holy… shit." I muttered, inhaling her scent. I couldn't remember ever – ever – having an orgasm like that before. In fact, at that moment with Shimako's arms around me, I couldn't really remember much of anything. I was mush, a puddle of estrogen, and it was with great reluctance that I was pulled back from bliss and looked up into the woman's eyes.

She smiled softly and bent down to kiss me, her tongue flicking out to sweep the blood on my lip away. Apparently I'd bitten it, but I couldn't remember when.

I don't know how long we stayed like that, laying in each other's arms. I just remember listening to the steady beat of Shimako's heard with my ear against her sweater. It was comforting, grounding, and proof that I hadn't died yet. After a while my breathing had finally returned to normal and I sighed softly, content. And then I looked up to catch Shimako's eyes and I felt my heart skip a beat.

I had every reason to be wary of the smile on her lips. She must had noticed my questioning expression because her eyes darkened slightly.

"You're not quite finished, yet." She murmured.

I swallowed, blinking at her.

"I gave you what you wanted," Shimako said, her tone almost conversational as she unwound herself from me and stood. "And now it's your turn to give me what I want."

My lips curled into a smirk and my eyes ran down her form slowly, more than happy to give the woman what she wanted. I pushed myself up on my elbows, my eyes never leaving hers. "And what is it that you want, Shimako?"

Her eyes flicked towards the doorway across the room. I assumed it was her bedroom, and a shiver ran down my spine. It had very little to do with the cold. She silently extended a hand to me and I took it. She smiled, pleased, and pulled me to my feet, leading me into the depths of her home.

My senses were already on overdrive, and I picked up on everything; the touch of her hand on my skin, the scent of her home and my lingering arousal on her fingers, the sound of our footfalls on the carpeted floor. The ground was cool beneath my bare feet as she led me towards the door, and my suspicions were confirmed when she flicked on the light – it was indeed her bedroom. A large, queen sized bed took up the bulk of the space, along with a desk and dressers here and there, and a walk-in closet in the corner along with another door to what I assumed was a bathroom. All in all it was a normal, everyday room. Quite different than what I expected considering…

Shimako must have read my perplexed expression, because she chuckled dryly. "I keep my personal life and work separate, Yumi."

I felt my cheeks color. "Sorry… I just assumed…" Desperate for anything to add, I cleared my throat. "It's a nice bed, though."

"You think so?" She murmured, walking me over and trialing her fingertips along the grey and white comforter before suddenly pulling it back with a quick jerk.

"I think its missing something…" She said slowly, significantly, as she peered at me from the corner of her eye. She tugged me slightly towards it, and released my hand, gesturing faintly towards the bed.

Oh… naturally she wants me on it. I slowly sat down on the soft, cottony sheets, feeling my arousal begin to stir once again. I watched Shimako as she prowled around the bed to her dresser. She stepped out of her heels and began to slowly pull her sweater over her head. I shifted on the bed as her skin became visible, the indention of her ribs barely able to be seen as she finished pulling off her sweater and dropping it in a used clothes bin beside her dresser. She flicked her eyes to me, smiling slightly as she unbuttoned her jeans, shimmying out of them with tantalizing, mouthwatering slowness. Finally, her bra was discarded and she stepped out of her panties, leaving her gloriously naked and completely unashamed.

I blushed heavily, my eyes unable to look away from the gorgeous creature standing before me. Next to her I must have looked pretty poor in comparison; gangly limbs and pale complexion, I didn't work out as often as I should have, but at least I had the foresight to properly groom myself, I thought, as my eyes raked over her honey-colored curls at the apex of her legs. My tongue fluttered out to sweep across my lips as Shimako pulled out her earrings – almost as an afterthought – and then reached into a dresser drawer to pull out, surprisingly, a length of silky-looking fabric.

My hearth leapt into my throat as I realized what the fabric was, and as she turned towards me I shifted backwards reflexively until I hit the headboard. Somewhere, deep down inside me, I knew exactly what it was that Shimako wanted.

Oh… oh God and Maria-sama…

A flash of amusement trickled into Shimako's steely eyes as I stared at her, my heart hammering in my chest with renewed vigor. "What are you thinking, Yumi?"

I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry and my limbs tingling. My thoughts flickered back to the previous night, with Setsuna and Yoko, and how the two of them interacted with each other, and how it seemed like Shimako and I so similar to them, and yet so different.

"I… I thought you kept your professional and private life separate." I breathed, unable to break my gaze away from the length of fabric, and the woman holding it like a treasured gift in her hand.

"Oh, every now and again there is room for a little of both. Especially when there are special circumstances." She looked squarely at me, her gaze unblinking. "And I would consider this a most special circumstance, indeed, Yumi. Wouldn't you?"

I slowly nodded, the feeling coming back into my body one piece at a time. This was a special circumstance, indeed. The two of us, coming together again for the first time in years; continuing the dance that we started, but never was able to finish. Perhaps it was fitting in a way that our dance would conclude like this. After all, it began with the two of us, fresh-faced and eager, dressed each day in our Lillian uniforms and peering at each other with furtive, embarrassed glances when we thought the other wasn't looking. Why not now, years later, shouldn't we reach the climax of our dance with some semblance of how it started?

After all, it was what made us into who we were.

Slowly, deliberately, I lifted my arms out towards Shimako; or, namely, the fabric in her hands. "Okay," I murmured demurely.

Her eyes sparkled, her lips stretched into a wide smile, and her hands deftly wound the old, but somehow still silky smooth Lillian Academy scarf around my wrists.

"Dance for me, Yumi."

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End of Part 7

A/N: So… it turns out there will be one more chapter/epilogue. The smut kinda stretched out longer than I thought it would, but I don't think anybody really minds.

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***Will work for glomps***