A/N: As always, I had a hard time writing for this pair. However, I have to finish what I've started in Fighting Temptations so here it is :)

And, thanks to you guys! (You know who you are. I don't have to mention everybody's name or penname ;)

Chapter 2. Fear Came True

"Shimako-san?!"

Nijou Noriko was pleasantly surprised to find out who the person was at her Aunt's doorstep. There standing was none other than Toudou Shimako, her Onee-sama. Her beautiful face was framed by soft curls of brown hair.

She frowned. Didn't they were just talking to the telephone a couple of hours ago?

Wondering, she let Shimako in and led her to the living room.

"Are you doing something? Am I disturbing you, Noriko?" Shimako asked a little worried once they were inside the house.

She shrugged her shoulders as she responded to the question, "No, you are not. I'm just watching the TV."

"I see. I'm glad," Shimako said, a soft smile tugging her lips.

Her heart skipped a beat at the sight. Ignoring the feeling, she turned her attention to the slightly bigger bag that Shimako was carrying. It was way bigger than her school bag or the bag she carried when not in school.

"Are you going somewhere, Shimako-san?"

"Huh? Oh no. Just here. I figured I'll accompany you while your Aunt is gone," Shimako answered with a slight blush on her cheeks.

"Oh," was all she could say as she too, blushed at the answer. Shimako must have decided to come because she mentioned earlier at the telephone that her Aunt was going to visit some of their relatives and that she didn't want to go and thus, would be left alone in the house for a night.

"It's a bit lonely to be alone," Shimako added.

She smiled calmly, though inside she was giddy with excitement. A night with the one she loved near her. Wasn't that wonderful?

"Yes it is. I'm glad you're here."

---o---

Shimako watched the black-haired girl talking animatedly on things about the eccentricity of her Aunt. Noriko was so lovely. The way her eyes twinkled with merriment, the way her lips twisted in a smile, and the way her face glowed with happiness, were intoxicating her. She wanted to tell Noriko how she felt, but for now, she couldn't find any courage.

Hadn't she made a decision already?

Why was it so hard to do it then?

Noriko loved her. She told her so.

So what was she waiting for?

"Noriko…Noriko…" Shimako called twice. She felt sorry when suddenly, the other girl abruptly stopped with her story and gazed at her with questioning eyes.

"Shimako-san?"

"Noriko, you told me before, that you love me, that you're in love with me," she started, her heart beating fast.

"Yes, I did, Shimako-san," Noriko said softly, staring straight into her eyes.

Shimako liked it very much, the way those black eyes gazed at her with tenderness, with protectiveness, with love. Her unwavering gaze had always captivated her.

"I'd like to retract what I said before, Noriko."

Suddenly, Shimako was feeling nervous. Could she say it now? But she already started it. She better finish it or else she would hurt the feelings of the person she cared the most.

"I'm in love with you, too, Noriko," she said softly, not taking her gaze on Noriko's dark eyes, which widened in surprise.

"Shimako-san."

Noriko couldn't say anything more, couldn't do anything but to stare at the beautiful person in front of her.

Shimako was in love with her?

And then suddenly, a brilliant smile broke Noriko's face.

Shimako gasped softly at seeing the happy smile in Noriko's face. It was so lovely. She was so beautiful. She smiled a happy smile, too. She was glad that she finally admitted her feelings to the younger girl. But suddenly, before she could say more or do something, the smile disappeared in Noriko's face and was replaced by a sad expression.

"Noriko, what's wrong?" She asked worriedly.

Noriko was silent for a moment. She was happy, truly happy at Shimako's confession. However, at the back of her mind, there was a question that was nagging her and wouldn't just go away.

"Shimako-san, are you saying that because I told you that I love you?" Noriko asked evenly. She wanted to hear the truth from Shimako. And she desperately wanted her to contradict her fear, to make her fear go away.

Shimako was confused for a moment before her face turned into a slightly annoyed one.

"How could you make such assumption, Noriko?" She asked, hurt.

Noriko reached for Shimako's hands and held them tight in her own.

"You got it all wrong, Shimako-san. I told you before. You don't have to tell me you love me, too. I don't want you to feel obligated. Just let me love you. That's all I ask."

"And I want to give you more than you're asking for, Noriko, not because of an obligation but because I love you. Won't you let me love you, too, now that I accepted your love? I want to be happy, Noriko. And I want it to be with you, to share it with you."

"Really?" Noriko asked in a hoarse voice. She wanted to cry with happiness. Shimako loved her, too. Shimako had accepted her love. Shimako would let her love her.

"Yes, Noriko, yes," Shimako affirmed as tears made their way on her cheeks.

"Shimako-san!"

Noriko threw her arms around Shimako in happiness while the latter held her waist. They stayed in each other arms for a full minute, or more. Suddenly though, she pulled back and gazed at Shimako's eyes intently.

"Yes? Did you forget to say something, Noriko?" Shimako asked in mild amusement.

Noriko grinned guiltily, before turning serious again.

"But how about your dream to become a nun? Didn't you enter Lillian as a step towards that dream?"

Noriko hated to bring it up but she had to. She wanted to know where she stood. She wanted it to be clear before they move to another step. She wanted to hear it now. She needed to hear it now.

"I said that?" Shimako asked with a small smile playing on her lips, teasing Noriko.

"Shimako-san."

Shimako heaved a sigh when Noriko remained serious. She pulled her closer and hugged her tight, enjoying the warmth that she could feel from her.

"I don't want a dream that doesn't include you, Noriko. I want to be with you, always, forever. Would you share that dream with me?"

Noriko thought her heart would burst with happiness as all her worries were washed away by those gentle words of love. She laughed as she cried in Shimako's arms. She was so happy she felt like her feet weren't touching the floor she was standing in.

"Yes, I'd like to share that dream with you, Shimako-san."

Their lips met in a tender kiss to seal the beginning of a new relationship. It was just a simple touching of their lips but it conveyed all the emotions they were feeling, their feeling for each other. After they broke the kiss, Noriko grinned mischievously at Shimako who raised her delicate eyebrows with a questioning look.

"But you know, Shimako-san, if you really wanted to become a nun, then perhaps I should start preparing myself, too. So then, we could still be together at the convent. And probably turn the other nuns as…"

"Noriko!"

Shimako was a little shocked while Noriko gave a happy laugh.

"If you continue like that, I might believe that you're turning to be like my Onee-sama," she added with a smile.

"Your Onee-sama would probably like the idea, Shimako-san," Noriko added with a giggle.

"Indeed," Shimako asserted dryly.

Later that night, when everything was quiet and peaceful, Shimako stared at the girl in her arms. Noriko was so beautiful in her sleep. A beautiful smile was etched in her beautiful face. As she watched her sleep, her heart swelled with happiness. She was so happy and content in here, holding her like this. Her father was right. She didn't mind now that her fear came true. It was such a wonderful feeling to love and be loved in return.

A/N: Told you it was hard :)

Rei and Yoshino next ;)

---Arvendell---

06 April 2008