A/N: I'm back in circulation! Did you enjoy your holiday break?! ;)

I just dropped by to post this one ;) I still have to do the work I brought home! I wasn't able to do it because of...err…holiday stuff plus reading some of my book collections all over again :(

Nothing much happened in this chapter. This is just a filler. Even without this chapter, the story won't be affected at all ;)

Chapter 33. Smile

The return of Yumi's memories prompted another gathering for their group of friends. After several days of staying in Osaka, Sachiko and Yumi returned to Tokyo. They arrived at their home with their friends already waiting for them. They decided to enjoy the moment with their friends and reluctantly ignored the little frustration about the fact that they hadn't truly had time alone together since Yumi had her memory back.

Yumi shed more tears as she hugged each one of her friends. The others, too, couldn't help crying at finally having their friend back and for good.

"So, did your precious Rei-chan believe right away when you told her about Yumi's amnesia gone?" Sei asked the excited Yoshino.

"Of course. Rei-chan should learn to trust my words more," Yoshino said cheekily, grinning at Rei who rolled her eyes.

"I could just imagine Rei's reaction at the news," Sei added with a chuckle.

Rei scowled at Sei and Yoshino while the others laugh.

"I took the news better than Yoshino did, you should know that," Rei said, her eyes twinkled when Yoshino pouted.

"Oh really?"

"Yes. She was stupefied. I thought she missed the game she wanted to see badly but I was wrong," Rei continued.

"What game? That soccer game she was fighting over you last time?" Sei asked, grinning widely at Yoshino.

"Oh yes," Rei agreed dryly.

"I wanted to watch it live last time and it's your fault that I missed it!" Yoshino accused Rei.

"That's because you wanted me to cook something and I don't have the ingredients at our house. It's your fault for leaving your keys," Rei explained with patience.

Everyone broke into laughter as Yoshino huffed in annoyance before joining everybody's mirth.

"You haven't changed that much, have you, Yoshino-san?" Yumi commented, watching the display with happiness. She had missed this. She had missed everyone so much.

"That, I can assure you," Rei said with a smile.

"Maybe I'm still a stubborn one, but you're still so soft, Rei-chan," Yoshino said with a grin.

"I was mistaken. You have changed, Yoshino-san," Yumi interrupted when Rei was about to respond to Yoshino's words.

"Of course!" Yoshino said proudly, before her eyes narrowed in suspicion at Yumi's twinkling eyes.

"Yes, you have. You're more stubborn, bull-headed, forceful, bossy and…"

"Hey!"

Yoshino interrupted Yumi's teasing by grabbing her, but was prevented by Sachiko who grabbed Yumi closer to her.

"Yoshino-chan, I wouldn't allow you to shake Yumi here. I'm worried that you'll make her have amnesia again," Sachiko said sternly albeit a smile was plastered in her face.

Yoshino crossed her arms.

"Okay. I'll let you go for now, Yumi-san. I wouldn't want to make Sachiko-sama here cry again because of you," Yoshino retaliated.

"Hey, don't tease Sachiko," Yumi protested with a chuckle, unconsciously pulling Sachiko closer.

"Oh geez, stop it already, Yoshino-sama. My onee-samas are giving me shivers. They are so sweet I could get diabetes at the sight of them," Touko said while rolling her eyes.

Both Sachiko and Yumi flushed while the others laugh. However, they never let go of each other. Sachiko even pulled Yumi closer.

"Aw, my little Touko is jealous. Sachiko, could you let go of me so I could hug my dear baby sister," Yumi said to Sachiko who let her go with a chuckle.

"Don't come near me, Onee-sama!" Touko snapped with a blush, her hands extended forward to prevent Yumi from getting closer.

"Come on, I'm sure you want it, too," Noriko said with a chuckle as she pushed Touko towards Yumi who caught her.

There was another explosion of laughter at the room as Yumi hugged the half-protesting, half-irritated and embarrassed Touko.

"Yumi-chan, I'll hug you, too," Sei said, pulling Yumi away from Touko.

"Who said I want a hug from you?" Yumi asked with a chuckle.

Sei put her hand on her chest on top of her heart and said, "You wound me. How could you be so cruel to the person who helped you be with Sachiko again?"

Yumi's eyes widened as she flushed and started to apologize, but was cut off by Noriko.

"Don't fall on her tricks, Yumi-sama."

"Why you…"

Sei let go of Yumi and pounced on Noriko.

"If you want a hug, just tell me so, and I'll gladly give you a big one," Sei said to the squirming woman in her arms.

"Let go of me!" Noriko protested, trying to break free from the hug.

"Or what?" Sei challenged, tightening her grip on Noriko.

"Are you trying to kill her, Sei?" Eriko asked with a giggle, seeing Noriko almost out of breath already.

"I didn't know you wanted a hug, too, Eriko," Sei said with a wink. She let go of Noriko and turned to Eriko who glared at her.

"Take one more step and you're dead," Eriko threatened.

Grinning, Sei took one step, and then she fell limply on Shimako's unsuspecting arms. Shimako squeaked at the sudden weight.

Everyone was quiet for a while, before they all shook their heads while Youko rolled her eyes.

"That's quite an act. Maybe you should enter the entertainment world, too, Sei-sama," Yoshino commented to the pretending to be dead Sei.

"You know you're heavy so get up already. Have pity on Shimako," Youko told Sei.

Before Sei could retort, she was pulled away from Shimako rather brashly.

"You're no fun at all, Noriko-chan," Sei protested to the glaring woman.

"Serves you right," Noriko commented.

---o---

Smiling, Yumi went to the kitchen to get more food for everyone. She couldn't stop herself from smiling a lot. Everyone was so happy and carefree. Just like the old days.

"Need help?"

Yumi froze in surprise as warm arms enveloped her. She hadn't heard anyone coming towards her.

"Y-youko-sama. You surprised me."

"I just wanted to know if Yumi-chan is still our little Yumi-chan," Youko commented as she let go of Yumi.

"Youko-sama…"

Yumi flushed as she felt warmth from within. Youko had been quiet and distant since she had seen her earlier.

For a while, nothing could be heard except the laughter coming from the poolside and the scuffling of dining utensils.

"Everyone's so lively," Yumi commented, breaking the silence.

"Yes. It's been such a long time since everyone was happy. I had almost forgotten the feeling."

Yumi smiled and said, "Everyone seems the same and yet not."

"Everyone grew up."

There was a pause, which was broken by Yoshino's shriek followed by Sei's laughter.

"Well, almost everyone," Youko said dryly, eliciting a giggle from Yumi.

"From time to time, everyone has to forget everything and just enjoy themselves, stop working a lot and take a break"

"I'm counting on you on that matter, Yumi-chan," Youko said as she started walking away from the kitchen.

"I won't disappoint you, Youko-sama. I'll take care of her and keep her on her toes," Yumi promised.

"You already have, Yumi-chan. Thank you. For everything."

---o---

"Rei, won't you stop her?" Sachiko asked, looking at Yoshino who was in a drinking match with Sei and Noriko after their tedious argument earlier.

"For now, I wouldn't, to quote Yoshino, 'a thorn in the neck' and let her enjoy herself. We haven't had time like this before," Rei said with a smile, watching her beloved cousin fondly.

"I can understand you," Sachiko commented as her eyes drifted to Yumi, Shimako and Touko talking at the pool.

"What are you and Yumi-chan's plan now that her memory is back? Do you still have any problems?"

"A problem here and there, but nothing that we can't take care of."

Sachiko paused as her grandfather's face crossed her mind, before she shook the image away.

"Yumi and I decided that we would live here with Yana."

"Oh, your daughter. We would love to meet her," Rei said, chuckling when Sachiko flushed when she referred Yana as her daughter.

"Yana is with Mother and Father right now. After spending time with Mom and Dad and Yuuki-kun, Mother wanted to have her at the Ogasawara Mansion, too," Sachiko explained. Both her Mother and Father liked Yana the instant they met her. It wasn't surprising though. Who would not like Yana when she was so cute and charming?

Sachiko flushed again as she remembered what happened when her parents met Yana the day after Yumi recalled her memories.

"You're Mommy Love's Mom and Dad?" Yana asked Sayako and Tooru cutely right after Yumi had introduced her.

"Yes, sweetheart," Sayako said with a smile, before she turned a curious look to Yumi who looked away with a tinge of embarrassment, and to Sachiko who met her gaze bravely yet a faint blush marring her cheeks.

"I think I understand," Tooru said with a chuckle. He turned to Yana and said, "Why don't you tell us why it is Mommy Love, little sweetheart?"

A full blush covered Sachiko and Yumi's cheeks as Yana explained while Sachiko's parents wore an amused expression in their faces.

The scene was repeated when they were in Osaka where Yana told the story to Yumi's parents and Yuuki.

"Sachiko?" Rei asked, breaking Sachiko from her thoughts.

"Yes? Oh right. They want to spend time with her. Besides, if she's here, I won't allow anyone getting drunk or arguing loudly. It won't be an ideal example for a child. But you'll see her soon enough."

Rei chuckled again.

"What's so funny Rei?"

Rei didn't need to look at her friend to know that Sachiko was confused at her mirth.

"You're protective of Yana already. That's nice."

"Well, she is my daughter, too," Sachiko said, emphasizing the words 'my daughter'.

"That and more. Anyway, why don't we join the others?" Rei suggested as she saw Eriko and Youko, who had joined Yumi and the others, beckoned them to come. After Sachiko nodded her affirmation, she stood and walked towards Eriko and the others.

Sachiko turned her gaze to the people having a drinking contest then she stood, too, and followed Rei.

"Glad to see you stopped acting like a mother, Rei," Sachiko commented with smiling eyes.

Rei faltered in her steps and flushed while Sachiko giggled.

---o---

"I'm surprised you haven't melted yet, Sachiko-oneesama," Touko commented and had the satisfaction to see Yumi flushing and Sachiko frowning at her.

"What do you mean, Touko-chan?" Sachiko questioned.

Touko giggled.

"I'm not sure. Maybe because someone couldn't get her eyes off you."

Yumi's face darkened some more. She glared at Touko briefly before looking back at Sachiko and smiled sheepishly when she saw the later looking at her with realization.

"Not really. To be honest, I'm very much flattered," Sachiko said, winking at Yumi.

"I'm relieved to know that. At least you will be at ease living with someone whose eyes are glued to you," Touko continued.

"Yes. I think she's quite harmless so there's no need to worry," Sachiko added with smiling eyes.

This time, Yumi found her voice and protested.

"Hey, you two!"

"Yumi-san, you shouldn't feel bad. You'll be with someone who couldn't take her eyes off you, too," Shimako said, joining the conversation. She giggled when a pink hue appeared on Sachiko's cheeks while Yumi's lips broke into a teasing smile.

"Oh, you got that right, Shimako-san. Not only that, she couldn't seem to get her hands off me either when we are alone," Yumi said innocently, trying to keep a straight face when Sachiko scowled at her first before she smiled teasingly, too. She watched Sachiko with curiosity as the later addressed her cousin.

"There's one thing about that harmless creature that I'm worried about, Touko-chan," Sachiko said to Touko.

"Is it really worrisome?"

"Yes. Her lips seemed to have a mind of her own when we're alone," Sachiko said seriously.

Yumi's eyes widened as a darker color covered her cheeks including her ears.

"Sachiko!"

Sachiko looked at Yumi and asked innocently, "Yes, love?"

If possible, Yumi's face further reddened.

"Sachiko!"

"Yes, my love?"

This time, Sachiko couldn't hold her laughter anymore. Touko and Shimako as well as Eriko and Youko who heard them joined in the laughter.

"That's not funny, Sachiko. Shimako-san, you're supposed to be my ally," Yumi said accusingly.

"I'm sorry I couldn't help it, Yumi-san," Shimako apologized when she stopped laughing.

"Hey, what did we miss?" Sei asked as she approached them with unsteady steps. She was about to fall over but Noriko helped her regain her balance.

"You're drunk," Youko commented as she stood to help Noriko steady Sei.

"Stating the obvious, aren't you, Youko baby," Sei said as she put her arms around Youko as the later tried to guide her to sit.

"Quit fooling around, Sei baby, or you'll get what you wanted," Youko warned.

"Ooh, I like that. No. I love that. Can I get it now, Youko baby?" Sei said, grinning from ear to ear.

Youko rolled her eyes and pinched Sei's cheeks who yelped in surprised. Giggling, Youko dropped a kiss on Sei's nose before she let her lean on her shoulders.

"Noriko-chan, weren't you drinking with Sei-sama earlier?" Yumi asked as she watched Noriko walked in steady feet and sat beside Shimako.

"She has high tolerance to alcohol," Shimako explained.

"Though I rarely drink alcohol," Noriko added as she leaned on Shimako's shoulder.

"Really?"

"So unlike Sei here, and Yoshino-chan there," Eriko said looking at Yoshino whose head was sprawled on top of the table while Rei was trying to pull her up.

"I wonder how Yumi-chan is like when she's drunk," Youko commented.

"I'm not sure," Yumi said nervously.

"Why are you nervous?" Touko asked with raised brows.

"Well, you see, I was with Yuuki and we attended a party just before I graduated college. There was so much drinking there and I know I only drank a couple of shots but the next thing I know, my head was pounding hard and I was in my bedroom," Yumi explained with a nervous giggle.

"And?"

"Well, I couldn't remember but Yuuki kept teasing me that I did embarrassing things. I found out later on that I didn't do any of what Yuuki said, that I just couldn't really tolerate alcohol that much. But I've learned my lesson," Yumi continued with a grimace.

"Well, you didn't have to worry here. I'm sure Sachiko won't rape you if you got drunk," Sei interjected with a chuckle that turned into a full blown laughter when Yumi flushed and sputtered her protests.

"Now, that's a thought, Sei-sama," Sachiko said with sparkling eyes, making Yumi flush all the more.

"Sachiko!"

"I was joking, Yumi," Sachiko said with a laugh. The others couldn't help but join her and Sei. It was so nice to see Sachiko laughing freely. After all those years of pain that she had suffered, she deserved being this carefree. She deserved to laugh and smile freely.

"You're happy now?" Sei whispered to Youko, though she didn't need the answer. She knew it already.

"Very," Youko said as she gazed at Sachiko and Yumi smiling happily.

A/N: I will update on my birthday ;) Prepare your gifts ;)

Thanks for the cake, spydergrrl. Do you have a cake with Sachiko and Yumi in it? Haha ;)

Anyway, next chapter is Farewell.

Until then!

---Arvendell---

04 January 2009

2:17 PM