As Yumi walked towards Maria-Sama's statue, she couldn't help but hide the happy grin on her face. The School Festival had gone off without a hitch. Everyone had performed their parts well, and she'd finally acquired Touko-chan as her petite seour. She just wished she'd been able to spend some more time around Sachiko-sama.

It wasn't like they hadn't seen each other all day, in fact, they'd been within waving distance the entire time. But with so many people around and so much to take care of, she hadn't managed to steal her away for a moment like she'd originally intended.

She'd searched for a good while before leaving the grounds, resigning herself to seeing Sachiko tomorrow instead. She would telephone the girl when she got home and ask to meet her for tea the next day, seeing as there was no school tomorrow. Touko-chan wasn't the only one she'd bought a piece of jewelry for and she didn't want the item burning a hole in her pocket for too long, afraid she'd lose her nerve if she did.

"Aaaaieee!" Yumi exclaimed in surprise, jumping as she felt an arm wrap around her shoulders. Turning her head, she half expected to see Sei-sama beside her.

"Onee-sama!?" Yumi's eyes went wide.

"Yumi," Sachiko smiled warmly, making no move to discontinue her embrace. "Sorry to have startled you. I didn't mean to scare you. I called your name a couple of times but you were so deep in thought you didn't hear me."

"I'm sorry Onee-sama," Yumi smiled apologetically, subconsciously moving herself closer towards Sachiko's side, enjoying the casual embrace. "I looked for you before I left. I couldn't find you..."

Sachiko laughed softly. "Oh. I was doing the same."

Yumi's smile widened as she too began to giggle.

"I'm glad you found me Onee-sama. I wanted to talk to you."

Removing her arm, Sachiko dropped her hand down towards Yumi's and laced their fingers together. "Lets go for a walk then," she suggested.

Yumi nodded in agreement and followed her Onee-sama without a word. They made their way down the path, away from the Statue and into the woods adjoining the school campus.

The woods were very peaceful at night, reminding Yumi of her time spent at Sachiko's summer house. She couldn't help but smile fondly at the memory. Sachiko had taken her to a very special place and at that moment she'd felt closer to the girl than she'd ever felt possible.

"Yumi," Sachiko eventually broke the silence, turning to face the younger girl with a smile. "What is it you wanted to talk with me about?"

Suddenly shy, Yumi let go of Sachiko's hand and looked away. She was beginning to have second thoughts. She had no idea what had possesed her to buy the gift in the first place. There was no reason for it, no special occasion, nothing to use as an excuse to give it. She could always wait for Christmas or even Valentines day...yet...when she'd seen it and after she'd bought it, she simply couldn't keep it hidden. She needed her Onee-sama to have it immediately. She felt a sense of urgency in handing it over that she couldn't quite comprehend.

'Pull yourself together Yumi!' she coached herself. 'You have to be strong.'

"I...I bought you something," Yumi stammered, unzipping her satchel.

Sachiko's eyes widened as Yumi pulled out a small neatly wrapped rectangular box covered with a dark red ribbon expertly tied into a small bow.

"A gift? For me?"

Yumi nodded shyly, still unable to meet her Onee-sama's gaze. She clutched tightly at the small present, unwilling to part with it just yet.

"I...I know it's not your birthday or a holiday or anything..."

"Yumi?"

"I...I was shopping for a rosary. I wanted one for Touko-chan. I couldn't give her the one you gave me..."

Yumi glanced down at the gift in her hands and took a deep breath.

"I saw this in the window of one of the shops and thought of you," she lifted her eyes up bravely, forcing herself to meet Sachiko's gaze. The warmth she saw there calmed her and with a sweet smile she continued her explanation.

"I wanted you to have this for no other reason than I thought you would like it."

Yumi glanced away shyly, her nerve faltering.

'Be strong Yumi! Be strong!'

"I don't know what's going to happen in the future," Yumi continued hesitantly. "I don't know how close or how far apart we'll be...but I want to remind you that there's always someone thinking about you. Whether you're right next to me, in another city or in another country...you're always in my thoughts. Please accept my gift Onee-sama. I would like nothing more than to see your smile if you like it."

With that, she thrust out her trembling hands, holding out the small box timidly as she bowed her head respectfully.

Yumi hoped she hadn't crossed a line, but it was very important for her to let Sachiko know how she felt. She'd grown up a lot in the year since they'd first met, and the most important lesson she'd learned was to speak her mind. It was still difficult for her to reveal all her toughts and feelings, but she was getting there with small steps. This being the biggest one to date though.

As she waited patiently for Sachiko to accept her gift, Yumi began to panic. What if she really had gone too far? What if the gift was unwanted? What if Sachiko was right now looking at her with disgust. Or worse...what if the girl had decided to spare her further embarrasment and had walked away.

Yumi jerked her head up at that thought, terrified with the idea.

She let out a sigh of relief when she noticed Sachiko was still there. Her eyes narrowed as she met her Onee-sama's gaze. There were unshed tears in her eyes.

"Onee-sama?" She took a step towards Sachiko, only to pause when the older girl held up her hand.

"I'm fine Yumi. I just..." Blinking her eyes furiously, Sachiko quickly pulled herself together and took a hold of the small box in Yumi's hand. "Thank you Yumi, I'm deeply honoured."

Yumi smiled nervously as she watched Sachiko unwrap the present, unconsciously holding her breath as she gauged the girl's response. She watched Sachiko's eyes widen in surprise as the silver charm bracelet was revealed to her.

The piece was very simple and understated, housing only two small charms on oposite ends. One was a tiny rose, the other a miniature piano. There was room for many more charms, but it was those two that had caught her eye. The bracelet had come with them as a bundle and to Yumi it had almost screamed 'Sachiko-sama'.

"Oh Yumi," Sachiko whispered, tears once again forming in her eyes. "It's beautiful."

"You like it?" Yumi asked timidly, her eyes meeting Sachiko's with hesitation.

Sachiko merely nodded as she took a moment to compose herself. "Yumi," she looked at the younger girl shyly. "Will you...could you..."

Unable to finish the sentence, Sachiko extended her hand slowly, holding out the bracelet expectantly.

Yumi had never seen Sachiko at a loss for words before. She looked down at the bracelet for a moment, furrowing her brow as she tried to comprehend her Onee-sama's request.

"Oh!" Yumi's eyes went wide with realisation. "Of course."

Her cheeks burning with embarrasment, Yumi carefully picked up the bracelet and wrapped it around Sachiko's unadorned wrist. As she closed the clasp, she could feel her heart pounding. She was unprepared for the wealth of emotion running through her.

Without thought, Yumi slowly lifted Sachiko's hand upwards and lightly pressed her lips to the inside of the girl's wrist.

Sachiko gasped in response and Yumi felt her cheeks turning an even deeper shade of red. Mortified, she quickly released Sachiko's hand and took a step back, closing her eyes in terror.

What had possesed her to do that? She'd gone too far now...

A moment later, it was Yumi's turn to gasp. Sachiko's slender arms engulfed her in a warm embrace and she found her face burrowed firmly against the girl's chest. Keeping her eyes closed, Yumi tentatively placed her arms around Sachiko's waist and allowed herself the luxury of enjoying the closeness.

After what seemed like an eternity, Sachiko began to pull away slowly, her hands moving up to cup Yumi's cheeks.

Yumi missed the contact immediately. As her eyes met Sachiko's, she couldn't help but feel as if the world around her had dissapeared.

Sachiko's voice broke the silence, her eyes locked firmly with Yumi's. "I've never been given a gift so precious... Thank you Yumi. I shall treasure it always."

And with those words, Sachiko leaned forward and gently pressed her lips against Yumi's forehead.

As her immediate surprise aleviated, Yumi's eyes closed of their own volition. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe, couldn't do anything but enjoy the sweet sensation of Sachiko's lips against her skin. The kiss was completely innocent. An elder sister pressing her lips to the forehead of her younger sister. There was nothing improper about the kiss...

So why did she feel as if her whole body was burning? What was the reason for the pounding in her chest? Why did her legs feel as if they were about to give way? And what was that sudden longing she could feel below her abdomen? What was happening to her?

Before her thoughts could go any further, Yumi felt Sachiko pull away.

Fluttering her eyes open, Yumi shyly met Sachiko's gaze. Her cheeks were flushed from the contact and she knew her emotions were probably written all over her face. But she couldn't look away.

She wanted to engrave this moment into her very soul. She would never forget a single second of it.

'That's the very image of Sachiko-san.'

Yumi startled and blinked as the memory entered her head. Why had she chosen to remember her conversation with Yuuki? The conversation in which she'd described the type of guy she was intersted in and had been caught describing Sachiko instead...

'That's the very image of Sachiko-san.'

Why were those words coming back to her again?

"I'm glad you like the present Onee-sama," Yumi smiled shyly, forcing the thoughts from her head.

Sachiko lowered her gaze, her eyes narrowing for a moment. "Yumi..."

"Onee-sama?"

"Are you terribly busy this weekend?"

Yumi shook her head. "I haven't made any plans."

Sachiko's eyes gleamed, a warm smile forming at her lips. "How would you like to go away on an overnight date with me?"

"An overnight date?" Yumi's eyes widened in surprise.

"Yes," Sachiko confirmed. "My family owns a hot-spring resort just ouside of Tokyo. It's almost winter so there's not a lot of people. I like to go there around this time of year to relax. The festival is over and it's nice to have a break before going back to the responsibilities of school-life. Would you like to come with me? I'd really like to share that place with you. We could leave early tomorrow and return on Sunday. Would you like that?"

Yumi didn't know what to say, she was speechless. An overnight date with her Onee-sama! She had to be dreaming? Sachiko-sama hadn't just asked her out on an overnight date...

Shaking the thoughts from her head, Yumi allowed a smile to form. Now was not the time to drift off. She didn't want her Onee-sama to think she was refusing the offer.

"I'd love to," she responded with a grin. "I'll get my things ready tonight."

"I'll get the driver to take me to your place by 8:00am. Okay?"

"Sure," Yumi agreed easily. "We can have breakfast together if you like."

Sachiko smiled, her eyes displaying approval at the idea. "I'd like that."

As they left the woods and neared the bus stop, Yumi turned to see Sachiko gazing at her pensively. There was a look in her eye that Yumi couldn't quite understand. A look that unsettled her. Sachiko rarely showed outward emotion on her face and to see such strong affection was overwhelming.

The sound of her bus arriving brought Yumi out of her reverie.

She had no idea how or why her body was moving on its own, but before she could change her mind, Yumi leant over and pressed a quick kiss against Sachiko's cheek.

Almost instantly, Sachiko lifted her hand up to the spot where Yumi had kissed her, surprise evident on her face.

"Yumi..." she spoke the girl's name softly, the tone of her voice breaking slightly.

"I'm sorry Onee-sama," Yumi trembled, embarrasment written all over her face.

Sachiko's gaze softened and a warm smile formed on her lips. "Yumi...it is considered rude to apologise for a kiss. Unless of course such affection is not returned."

Yumi looked up at Sachiko hesitantly, blushing shyly.

"I'll see you tomorrow Onee-sama," she waved, before stepping onto the bus with a silly grin on her face.