A/N: I just want to say this: I wrote stories for my own enjoyment. Everything was for fun. And then I posted the stories to share the fun, not to make people irritated. The stories were for you who share my opinion and I hope we will continue to share the sadness and fun in the coming chapters/stories. I'm glad that despite my shortcomings, you still enjoy the stories and help me improve :) For you who didn't enjoy/got irritated/hated the stories or the way I write, certainly they were not for you so quit reading already.

Anyway, here's the next chapter for you who was left hanging on the previous one. I revised this in a hurry for you. I've been trying to upload this earlier but our server was down :)

Chapter 22. Reunited?

Sachiko clenched and unclenched her fists as she tried to calm down. Ever since that pleasantly unexpected phone call from Yumi, she was restless more than ever. She could hardly wait to see her. She couldn't think of anything except for this night. She had practically counted the hours and minutes that she would see Yumi. It wouldn't be long. Hopefully Yumi had managed to leave their house unhindered.

When she heard the eagerly awaited knock at the door of her hotel room, her heart beat faster than it had ever been. She took a deep breath and took steps towards the door, stopping when her legs wobbled a bit. She took another deep breath to compose herself. After she had calmed enough, she quickly opened the door.

She maintained a calm and collected countenance as hesitant brown-haired woman met her gaze.

"Good evening. Thank you for heeding my request," Yumi said softly, not breaking her gaze with Sachiko. Why was it that when she looked into those piercing blue eyes, she could feel that she was home, that she belonged there? It was really puzzling.

"Good evening, too, Yumi. It's my pleasure to see you here," Sachiko said softly.

Yumi felt warmth within her at the soft sound of her name coming from Sachiko's lips. It made her smile.

"Please come in."

They sat at the chair opposite each other, a table separating them. Sachiko felt her hands tremble again as she looked at Yumi, her love, sitting in front of her, looking at her with confusion, shyness, curiosity, and…was that longing there? It was taking all her might not to crush Yumi in her arms. She couldn't do it. She wouldn't do something rush for fear that she would scare Yumi away and lose the chance of being with her. If she had waited for several years for this, she could wait a few more time. After all, things had started going her way already. She was one step closer to her heart's wish.

For some time, Sachiko and Yumi had an awkward and somewhat strained conversation, not really sure what they would say to each other.

"Would you continue with your story, please?" Yumi said when Sachiko paused from talking for quite some time.

"Yes. I'm sorry, Yumi."

Yumi eyed the elegant woman in front of her shyly and curiously. She couldn't help but watched every movement that Sachiko made. It was captivating. The flicked of her fingers, her somewhat strained breathing, the fluttering of her eyelids, and the opening and closing of her lips whenever she spoke. She had seen a lot of beautiful person as far as she could remember, but she thought that Sachiko had topped them all.

Why? Was this because she and Sachiko used to be close friends?

Sachiko, too, couldn't take her eyes off Yumi as she spoke. And like Yumi, she watched every move the latter made. The way Yumi smiled shyly, the way she fidgeted with nervousness, the way she spoke with curiosity, the way her eyes shone and widened to the things she said, it was all caught by her yearning eyes.

It was really happening. She was with Yumi right now, talking to her.

Minutes ticked by. The polite conversation continued, which was sometimes broken by nervous laughs. Both Sachiko and Yumi were feeling uncomfortable, but for different reasons.

All Sachiko wanted to do was to tell Yumi how much she loved her, how much she missed her, and that she belonged to her.

Yumi, on the other hand, was confused with the emotions that she could feel for Sachiko. Strongest was the want to be in Sachiko's arms, to feel her comforting embrace, which truly bewildered her. True she found out that Sachiko was her Onee-sama in high school, but did that mean that Sachiko used to hug her then? And the need to burrow her face on Sachiko's neck, it was overwhelming her. Did she really want to feel Sachiko's arms around her? Or was it something else?

The strong need to feel Sachiko's skin in hers, what did that mean? Did she desire Sachiko? Why in the world would she desire her? She's a woman like her, for goodness sake! Was that the real reason why Sachiko's family didn't want her to be associated with Sachiko because she was like that?

Yumi held her head in confusion as flashes of memory wanted to surface in her mind again.

"Yumi, are you alright?" Sachiko asked worriedly. She stood from her seat and went around and touched Yumi's shoulder, which she immediately withdrew when Yumi flinched from her touch. Hurt, she let her hands lay motionless on her sides.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be forward," Sachiko apologized quietly, moving back to her seat.

"No, that's not it," Yumi said in worry as she saw the hurt that crossed Sachiko's eyes. Frantic to make it clear, she reached for Sachiko's hand, only to jerked back at the feel of energy that shot through her body. She gazed at Sachiko with surprised eyes.

"I'm sorry," Yumi muttered, not understanding what she was saying sorry for.

"I understand, Yumi," Sachiko said softly. Yumi may not remember her, but she could tell that in Yumi's heart of hearts, there was a part that had recognized her, and that was confusing Yumi more than ever.

"Sachiko-sama, or is it supposed to be Onee-sama?" Yumi asked uncertainly.

"Neither. Call me Sachiko, Yumi," Sachiko said with difficulty. It was the first time after so many years that she heard her name from Yumi's lips and it made her want to cry both with longing and happiness.

"Sachiko," Yumi said softly. Somehow, it felt and sounded right to call her that rather than Onee-sama or Sachiko-sama.

"Please tell me everything you know about me before."

Sachiko was silent for a moment.

"I will tell you only some of it, Yumi, because some things would be better if you remember them rather than being told to you."

"Okay," Yumi said. She wanted to hear everything, but maybe Sachiko had a point. She wouldn't rush her. For now.

Yumi straightened her back and made sure that she would hear every detail that Sachiko would say.

Sachiko's eyes softened at the sight of an eager yet compose Yumi in front of her. She had missed the way Yumi used to devote all her attention whenever she spoke, the way her eyes would shine and her lips would break into smile or her brows would turn into a frown to the things she said.

Trying not to cry with the memories during their times together at Lillian, Sachiko started her story by describing Lillian Girls Academy and it's tradition. She couldn't help but felt her heart swell with Yumi's reactions, and the agonizing anticipation that what she was saying might make Yumi remember their past.

Yumi's eyes widened, her cheeks turned red, and her hands trembled as she felt embarrassment, happiness, sadness and excitement as Sachiko recalled her times in high school, their times in high school. There was one thing that she didn't believe though. She didn't believe that she was popular in high school. It just couldn't be possible. Somehow, she couldn't imagine it.

"You're teasing me, Sachiko," she protested.

"I'm not," Sachiko said, smiling tenderly when Yumi pouted at her while blushing furiously. She ignored the fact that she suddenly had a strong urge to kiss those pouting lips just like she used to do.

Yumi's eyes widened at the sound of Sachiko's laughter. It warmed her heart. It was a beautiful sound that made her want to hear it more.

"I like the sound of your laugh, Sachiko," she said softly, then flushed at her boldness.

Sachiko stopped laughing as she gazed at Yumi.

"I'm glad, Yumi. Thank you."

Yumi smiled happily. Yes, it certainly felt good to hear Sachiko's laughter. She wanted to hear it often. She closed her eyes as she savored the sound.

"I love your laugh, love."

"Really? For you, I'll laugh often."

"Really? I'm glad!"

Yumi opened her eyes in surprise. Was that her who addressed someone love? If it was her, who was she talking to? It sounded like…

Sachiko frowned at Yumi's bewildered expression. Before she could stop herself, she said, "What's wrong, love?"

"Huh?"

Yumi's surprised eyes turned to Sachiko. Did she just hear Sachiko say love?

"I said what's wrong with your head?" Sachiko asked with a calm expression, covering her slipped. She didn't want to confuse Yumi more than she was right now.

"My head?"

Yumi's brows furrowed.

'Yes."

"Didn't you just call me…" Yumi trailed off, embarrassed to continue the question. Why would Sachiko call her love? Maybe her headache was playing tricks on her.

"Yes?"

"Nothing. Something flashed my mind, but I can't remember it now," she said in half-truth. The confusion in her head was starting to worsen with all this talk but she didn't want to stop talking with Sachiko. Maybe she should ignore those thoughts at the back of her head for a while and ask something else. She smiled at Sachiko in reassurance.

"Do you have a family?" Yumi asked. It was the first thing that entered her mind. She flushed with embarrassment at her question, but still she hoped that Sachiko would answer. Excitement and dread fought within her as she waited for the answer.

"No, I don't."

Yumi smiled a happy smile, before coughing in embarrassment when she realized that Sachiko was looking at her. What was she so happy about? Why did she felt happiness at Sachiko's answer? What if she offended Sachiko with her reaction? Worried, she lifted her eyes to Sachiko, and was relieved when she didn't see irritation in there.

"How about you, Yumi?"

There was a hard edge in Sachiko's tone that made Yumi paused before answering.

"If you're asking me if I'm married, then the answer is no."

"Not in any sort of relationship?" Sachiko continued. She was updated with Yumi's affairs now, but who knows what more information was unknown to her.

"…"

Sachiko tried to be patient as she waited for Yumi's response. If Yumi said yes, she didn't know how she would react. However, one thing was for sure, she would be hurt.

"None at the moment. But…" Yumi hesitated. She dreaded what Sachiko's response would be to her next words, which she thought was ridiculous of her to feel so. "I have a wonderful girl. Her name is Yana."

If she wasn't aware in advance, it would be devastating for Sachiko. As she thought about her response, Yumi spoke again.

"But she isn't really my daughter. I mean I wasn't the one who gave birth to her. "

Yumi didn't know why she disclosed the truth to Sachiko that easily, but she felt that she had to explain immediately for fear that Sachiko would misunderstand her.

Why was she afraid that Sachiko would misunderstand her?

"I know," Sachiko said softly, sensing Yumi's discomfort.

"And we found her in…wait, you know?"

"Yes."

The little girl's presence in the family was intended.

"Sachiko, are you alright?"

"Mmm? Yes, Yumi," Sachiko said as she shook the thoughts away. She had other important matters to attend to at the moment.

"By the way, how did you find out that I'm not Yana's real mother?" Yumi questioned. If Sachiko knew about Yana's existence, what more did she know about her and her family? However, it was understandable. Since according to Sachiko and Yuuki and a few more people, they were friends before so Sachiko may have her investigated.

Did Sachiko really have her investigated?

"Because you didn't strike me as someone who will marry young," Sachiko explained. She decided against telling the truth. She would tell Yumi if she regained her memory.

Wrong. There was no if. Yumi would surely regain her memory. She believed in that.

Yumi laughed softly.

"Really? I'm glad you didn't judge me quickly. Some people thought that I was some kind of a woman with loose morals, getting a baby without a husband."

Sachiko was enthralled. Yumi's laughter was something that she had missed dearly. She couldn't help but let a smile touched her lips. It seemed that Yumi was relaxed and not thinking about other matters anymore.

"It was common nowadays though," Sachiko commented.

Yumi was happy at the sight of Sachiko's smiling face. It seemed that just like her, Sachiko was relaxed already. It was a good change. She couldn't see any trace of loneliness that was present earlier in Sachiko's beautiful face.

"Maybe. But not all people accept that fact. I was thinking, would you like to meet Yana?"

Sachiko's smile widened. Meeting Yumi's daughter ensured that they would see each other again. She needed not to think of reason for asking Yumi to meet her again.

"I'd love to meet her, Yumi."

"Beware though, because she's quite a handful. Prepare your ears for an endless chatter."

"Sounds like someone I know," Sachiko said, looking pointedly at Yumi.

"Like me? I don't think so. I'm the quiet type," Yumi said with a smile.

"I'm not sure about that. When I met you, you're so shy and quiet, too, but once you get started, you're quite excitable and you shriek a lot," Sachiko said with a laugh, but it was cut short when Yumi's face turned serious.

"I wish I could remember it," Yumi said sadly.

Sachiko's heart went out with Yumi. She didn't want to see Yumi sad. She reached out and held Yumi's hand, trying to comfort her, ignoring the warmth she felt at the touching of their skin.

"You will remember it," Sachiko encouraged. 'You have to,' she thought.

At once, Yumi's face brightened. Sachiko's touch and words had some positive effect on her. She felt that if Sachiko said so, then it would really happen. She felt she could trust Sachiko's words.

"I believe you. Thank you, Sachiko."

Later that night, or make it dawn, when Yumi was home, she couldn't stop smiling. She really enjoyed her time with Sachiko. And she wanted to see more of her. Sachiko fascinated her, and also attracted her, though she didn't like to admit that last one. She ignored the fact that there were many loopholes on Sachiko's story, nor the fact that she didn't know yet the real reason why they had an accident. However, she believed that she was a step closer to the answers she was looking for. For now, she was contented with that.

For now.

"Until we meet again, Sachiko."

A/N: Next is "Introduction". Sachiko meets Yana.

What? You want me to hurry on the next chapter again? (sigh) I'll try, okay? ;)

And just so you know, I'm not complaining when you want me to hurry up. It just shows that we share the same interest in the story ;)

As long as the part-time job hasn't pushed through yet, I will devote as much time as I can on this story, so don't worry too much ;)

Until next time!

---Arvendell---

20 November 2008

12:35 PM