Well, since I haven't got any reviews so far that said they didn't like my story, I guess I'm doing a good job…I hope so in any case

Well, since I haven't got any reviews so far that said they didn't like my story, I guess I'm doing a good job…I hope so in any case.

Okay, chapter 10.

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Seeing Shizuma closing her eyes and leaning in alarmed Miyuki, but when she felt those soft lips on hers again she stopped thinking and let her heart take over. She just closed her eyes and let her hands travel to Shizuma's back, not really sure what to do. This experience and sensation was new for her, but that didn't mean it wasn't welcome. Quite the contrary…

After a sweet, lingering kiss, the two broke apart; both in desperate need of oxygen and time. Time to fully understand what just had happened. Their hands traveled down, fell on the bed and rested only inches away from each other. Miyuki locked eyes with Shizuma and saw her friend with flushed cheeks, trying to slow down her breathing and obviously very afraid of Miyuki's reaction.

Oh Shizuma…I guess I wasn't able to hide my need this time…But it seems like the blonde goddess of Astrea hill is as scared and nervous as I am, but that's impossible…she's never scared!

Wanting to comfort her friend, Miyuki looked down at their hands resting so close to each other, took a bold decision and moved her hands forward so she could intertwine their fingers. At this contact Shizuma blushed even more and looked at her with pleading eyes; desperate for a reaction.

"What are you afraid of?"

Miyuki only realized she had said those words out loud when they had already left her mouth. Nevertheless, she tilted her head and waited for Shizuma's response.

Not knowing where to look, Shizuma lifted their united hands, untangled their fingers and pressed Miyuki's hands against her cheek, covered with her own.

"Of you rejecting me…leaving me because I destroyed our friendship. But I want you to know how much I care for you Miyuki. I don't want you to return to your husband; you deserve better then that! You deserve someone that takes care of you, loves you…not someone who neglects you, treats you as his own property and beats you every time something goes bad! I-I…"

Hearing her friend struggling to find her words, Miyuki cupped Shizuma's head with both hands, gently forcing her to look at her. When green eyes met brown, Miyuki looked at her affectionately, encouraging her to go on.

Getting courage simply by looking into Miyuki's friendly eyes; Shizuma cleared her throat and said what she had wanted to say from the moment Miyuki had stepped into her house.

Admit it! The nosy voice interrupted her thoughts; The words you have wanted to say from the moment you laid your eyes on that beautiful little creature in front of you.

Okay, okay, I guess I've always had a special place for her in my heart ever since we met…

A special place?! Shizuma, that girl IS your heart, not just a little tiny spot the size of a bread crumb! Face it; she has filled that entire space all by herself. A lot of girls have tried to take in her place, to throw her out of your heart; but even Kaori or Nagisa couldn't erase her completely now could they?

I guess not…No, you're right! She is my heart, and I'll make sure she understands that…I just hope she doesn't kill me afterwards.

I totally agree with you on that.

Having reached the first compromise with her inner voice in ages, Shizuma smiled and took a deep breath. She was finally ready to say what seemed like the most important words in her life.

While Shizuma was debating with her inner voice, Miyuki patiently waited until the blonde was ready.

Patient…yeah right…on the outside perhaps. On the inside the blunette was desperately trying to calm down her racing heartbeat.

Did we just kiss? For real? I can't believe it happened…it felt…wonderful…Not like that time, not at all, it felt right; like it was the right thing to do. I wonder if she felt the same. Would I finally be able to tell her? I guess it's now or never…

And if this all is a dream, the least I can do is make it worth dreaming.

On her turn, Miyuki took a deep breath and readied herself to say what she considered as the most important words in all the world.

Shizuma…

Miyuki…

"I love you!"

A sudden silence fell over the room letting the simultaneously spoken words hanging in the air, their two owners too surprised to react. They just looked at each other with a flabbergasted look in their eyes; mingled with pleasant surprise and honest confusion.

Shizuma, as usual, was the first to find her speech back.

"Miyuki, did –did you really mean that?" She whispered softly, not sure if she had actually heard Miyuki say those words, or that she'd just heard an echo of her own voice.

Not able to speak since her voice had run off to the other side of the country, Miyuki nodded and bit her lip, suddenly aware of her hands still resting on Shizuma's cheeks.

Hesitating, she pulled back her hands, softly brushing her fingers over slightly reddened skin, enjoying its softness and silky feeling.

Shizuma found herself leaning into the most welcome caresses and purred softly.

Her friend suddenly grinned cheekily, leaned back against her pillows and closed her eyes. After a few seconds, soft and deep breathing could be heard and Shizuma arched her eyebrows in confusion.

Did she fell asleep? You've got to be kidding me! She can't fall asleep now!

"Uhm…Miyuki? Are you asleep?" Shizuma inquired, gently shaking her friend's shoulder. Getting no response, she tried again, shaking a bit harder.

Miyuki moaned but kept her eyes firmly shut.

"Come on Miyuki, wake up! Why are you – Miyuki?"

Noticing her friend had stopped breathing, Shizuma placed her hands on either side of Miyuki's body, leaning in so she could check the girl's breathing.

"Miyuki? Miyuki?! Miyu-"

Suddenly she felt two arms pulling her down and Miyuki's lips pressed on hers. Shocked, Shizuma instinctively melted into the kiss.

Miyuki broke the kiss and whispered huskily in the blonde's ear; "Sleeping beauty wakes up after a kiss from her prince, I just thought it would be interesting if we put that theory to the test."

Shizuma swallowed but realized she had a reputation to maintain.

"Really? Well, the sleeping beauty won't be a problem, but what about the prince?"

Innocent brown eyes locked with sparkling green ones.

"I'm sure you'll figure out something…"

And Shizuma did just that. After all, it was a theory they were dealing with here, and that needed testing…a lot of testing.

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You see? Miyuki can play too :3

I hope you liked it. Please let me know what you think of it!

Can this girl win a Pulitzer or is she better off joining the Maneblussers?

Your call ;)

Disclaimer: If I'd write down 1000 times I Don't own Strawberry Panic I'm just borrowing it! And sent it to all those solicitors…do you think they'd leave me alone?

P.S: If you want to know what "Maneblussers" are, mail me ;)