A/N: As the story progresses, explanations will come.

Chapter 2. Dreams

"Hey Sachiko, aren't they beautiful?" Fukuzawa Yumi said, smiling beautifully as she held out the flowers she picked that matched her smile. There were blue, red, yellow and white ones.

"Yes, they are," she agreed as she reached for her handkerchief and wiped the sweat in Yumi's brow. They were at the garden where she and Yumi were taking a walk. They hadn't seen each other for quite some time, mostly because they were both busy. Yumi was busy with school and Yamayurikai activities, while she was busy with college and family business matters.

Smiling, Yumi chose a red flower, a Rosa Chinensis, and tucked it behind Sachiko's right ear.

"There, the flower looks more beautiful with you."

She smiled at the compliment as she too, picked a Rosa Chinensis and tucked it behind Yumi's right ear.

"Now we really are the Rosa Chinensis."

They shared a happy laugh as she reached for Yumi's hand and together, they continued their walk at the garden.

Then she and Yumi were in a fancy restaurant, having a quiet romantic dinner. A soft song was playing on the background. She couldn't take her eyes off the blushing Yumi who me her gaze shyly.

"Yumi, you are so beautiful tonight," she whispered softly as she reached for Yumi's hand on top of the table and enclosed it with hers.

Yumi blushed even more at the compliment as she pouted and said, "Only tonight?"

She smiled, her eyes twinkling, and yet inside, butterflies were in riot at her stomach with the urge to kiss the pouting lips in front of her.

"Everyday. And stop pouting before I kiss that pouting lips of yours."

Yumi's eyes widened, then she grinned mischievously.

"I like that. Kiss me then," Yumi teased.

Her eyes widened. She really wanted to kiss Yumi, no doubt about that. But not in this place where there were too many eyes that could see.

It was her turn to pout.

"You're brave only because you know that I can't and I won't do it here," she hissed.

Yumi's grin widened.

"Oh. I would have love to. If it's me, I would have kissed you right away. I won't even ask for permission."

She glared at Yumi who laughed in return. But Yumi's laughter died out when she leaned towards her.

"Sachiko, you aren't serious, are you?" Yumi asked in wide eyes as she backed away a bit.

"Am I not?" She whispered as her face inched closer to Yumi's.

"Alright, alright. I won't tease you anymore," Yumi said and raised her hand in surrender as she looked around the restaurant. She was glad that no one was looking at them at the moment.

It was Sachiko's turn to giggle.

"Coward," she teased, and had the satisfaction to see Yumi's pouting lips again.

And then they were in Sachiko's bedroom, sitting at her bed, facing each other, their hearts racing in their chests.

"Yumi, would you be mad if I kiss you?" She whispered uncertainly. Even if she and Yumi had admitted their feelings to each other already and that they had been going out on dates, still, they hadn't had any real kiss yet. Only on cheeks. And this time, she was asking not to kiss Yumi's cheeks but instead her lips.

Yumi's eyes widened as she swallowed with difficulty.

"I'd like to ask you the same question, Sachiko," Yumi whispered back.

It was all the answer that she needed as she closed her eyes and leaned on to Yumi just as Yumi leaned onto hers, before they pulled back rubbing their noses while giggling.

"Your nose is too pointed, Sachiko," Yumi teased. Instead of lips touching, their noses collided because they moved in the same angle.

"No, it's not Yumi. You just need a lot of practice," she teased back, smiling.

"Okay. Please teach me then, master kisser Sachiko."

Giggling, they once again moved towards each other and this time, their lips met, and they both jolted with the shot of electricity that they felt within.

They pulled away, but only for a while, and this time, they welcome the flow of electricity within their body as their soft, warm lips touched. It was a kiss that more than they could have imagined, a feeling that was more than they were prepared for. They kissed each other softly, tenderly, before their lips found other places to touch. They kissed each other's cheeks, nose, closed eyes, and brow, enjoying the feeling, until Sachiko tasted something salty and felt something wet in Yumi's cheeks. She pulled away and gazed at Yumi's face tenderly, worriedly.

"I'm sorry, Sachiko. It's just that, I'm so happy," Yumi said softly as she wiped away her tears.

"Don't, my Yumi. I don't want to see you crying," she said softly as she held Yumi's hands and with her lips, she kissed Yumi's tears away.

"I want to cry, Sachiko. Please don't take that feeling away," Yumi said softly as she cupped her cheeks and kissed her tenderly.

"Because my tears are signs that I'm awake and is not only dreaming all of this," Yumi added.

She nodded as tears too, filled her eyes. Yes, this wasn't just a dream. This was reality. And Yumi was here with her.

She smiled as she leaned once more and kissed Yumi's smiling lips.

…

"Yumi…Yumi…" Sachiko murmured softly as she tossed to and fro in her bed.

"Yumi…Yumi!"

Sachiko sat up in surprise, blinked a few times, before she gazed around her room.

She's alone. Yumi wasn't here. It was just a dream. And yet it was not. Because what she just dreamed about were exactly what happened before, here good times with Yumi, precious times that she treasured so much.

"Oh Yumi, I miss you, so much. Oh Yumi…" she whispered as tears ran down her cheeks. She didn't bother to wipe them out but instead welcome the tears as she once again lay on her bed.

Once again, she cried herself to sleep.

A/N: Mostly when I write, the italicized text signifies flashbacks or dreams. If the text is in normal font, then it is not a dream/flashback.

Enjoy your day!

----Arvendell----

14 August 2008