Yumi headed towards the Rose Mansion holding Sackhiko's hand with a shy look. This was the first time she'd be facing her friends since she and Sachiko had declared their love for one another. She was so nervous she could barely keep herself from shaking.

She had no idea how to act around the other girls. Was it okay to hold Sachiko's hand? They'd held hands before. So why not now? What if she couldn't keep her eyes off Sachiko? Would she be able to contain her emotions? Would her friends realise she was in love? Would they see it clearly spelt out on her face?

She knew she could be an open book sometimes and if anyone was able to read her, it was the other Yamayurikai members. How could she hide this from them? Did she actually want to hide it? Would Sachiko mind if they found out? Did Sachiko want to keep this a secret? Why hadn't she discucssed this with Sachiko before they'd left?

The only other person who knew about them was her petite seour. At least Touko would be at the meeting. Hopefully her little sister would let her know if she was revealing to much. Wouldn't she? Was that too much to ask of her?

"Yumi," Sachiko squeezed her hand as they reached the entrance of the Mansion. "Relax. I can't remember the last time I've seen you so nervous."

"I'm sorry," Yumi looked up at Sachiko apologetically. "I'm just not sure how to act. What if they find out..."

Sachiko let go of her hand and placed both hands on her shoulders, steadying her.

"Yumi--"

"Find out what?"

Yumi jumped at Rei's interruption and took a huge step away from Sachiko, fidgeting nervously.

"R-R-Rei-sama! Yoshino-san. G-G-Good day."

Rei and Yoshino shared a quizical look.

"Yumi," Yoshino placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Are you okay? What are you hiding?"

"Hiding...what do you mean hiding?" Yumi could feel the warmth reaching her cheeks and looked away. She couldn't believe it. She hadn't even lasted one second. She was hopeless at keeping a secret.

"I'm not hiding anything," she turned evasively and began climbing the steps. She was afraid to meet her friend's gaze.

"Don't give me that," Yoshino rushed after her and grasped her arm. "I know that look." She grinned at her friend, refusing to let her go.

"I don't know what you mean," Yumi's face redenned as she reached the top of the stairs. She extricated herself from Yoshino's grasp and burst through the door.

"Hi Touko-chan," she greeted her petite seour. "Looks like you've done a good job."

"Thank you Onee-sama," Touko grinned, clearly pleased to officially use the term at the mansion for the first time.

"Now don't change the subject," Yoshino insisted as Yumi took a seat. She sat down next to her and poked her side. "I know you're hiding something. What is it you don't want us to find out?"

"Leave her alone Yoshino," Rei advised as she sat down. "She's clearly embarrased. Give her a few minutes and she'll let us know on her own. Won't you?" She turned to face Yumi and winked. "We know you can't keep a secret from us."

Yumi was mortified, she couldn't look at anyone. She was afraid to look at Sachiko in case her gaze betrayed her feelings and she couldn't very well look at her inquisitors.

"Yumi's keeping a secret?" Noriko questioned as she entered the room with Shimako by her side.

"There's no secret," Yumi spoke quietly, her eyes glued to the floor. "Touko-chan, would you mind pouring us some tea?" She risked a glance at her petite seour, desperately trying to change the subject.

"Of course," Touko agreed readily. "Right away."

"Thank you."

"Onee-sama," Touko paused on her way back from the cupboard. "You might as well tell them."

Yumi's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. She glanced at Sachiko for a quick moment, noting a similar reaction. Had Touko decided to reveal their secret after all? Hadn't she said she would leave it up to them?

"Touko-chan...?"

"Onee-sama, you're hopeless at keeping secrets." Touko busied herself pouring the tea as she spoke.

"My Onee-sama is so absent minded," Touko explained, taking a moment to pour herself some tea as well before taking a seat.

"She's embarrased because she forgot about an important essay due today. Sachiko-sama and I spent all day helping her yesterday."

"That's not so embarrasing," Yoshino questioned, not entirely convinced. "I've left essays to the last minute pleanty of times."

Touko giggled. "I think she's afraid her teacher will find out Sachiko-sama finished the essay for her. She was so tired last night she fell asleep writing it."

Yoshino looked at Rei as they both burst out laughing.

"Yumi-san," Yoshino continued to chuckle. "You didn't?"

Letting out a descrete sigh of relief, Yumi nodded shyly, a reuful look in her eye. She had to remember to thank Touko-chan later. She owed her little sister big time.

"Yumi-san, you're priceless."

"But I'm surprised at you Sachiko," Rei interjected. "I wouldn't pick you as one for doing an underclassman's homework. Even if that person is your petite seour.

Sachiko gave Rei a long look, revealing nothing as she shrugged.

"It's my job as Yumi's Onee-sama to see the girl doesn't fail. It's not like I completed the entire essay for her. Merely the last section. But don't worry, I can handle my family matters just fine. I'll make sure this doesn't happen again."

"Me too," Touko stood and picked up Yumi's satchel. "Yumi, where do you keep your schedule? I'm going to computerise it for you. I'll get you a beeper and have my computer send you a message when you have something due. I won't let you forget about another piece of assessment. It'll be my first job as your petite seour. I'll have everything planned. Don't you worry."

"Ehhh Touko-chan!" Yumi stood up and tried to take her schedule back from her petite seour. "There's no need to go that far."

"Of course there is," Touko insisted, side-stepping Yumi's grasp. "You might not have Sachiko-sama to cover for you next time. She does have university exams to study for you know. It's up to me to see you get organised."

Yumi looked around at the bemused expressions on her friends faces and realised it was hopeless.

"Okay, you win," she sat back down reluctantly. "But I want my schedule back soon."

"Not a problem. I'll give it back once I've copied it. And you have to keep me updated. I'll be interviewing your teachers and classmates otherwise."

"Touko-chaan!"

"That's enough," Sachiko interrupted the exchange. "You can discuss this matter later. Right now we have a meeting to get through."

"Yes Onee-sama."

"Yes Sachiko-sama."

"Good. So, for the first item of business, I'd like to welcome the newest member of the Yamayurikai." Sachiko stood and held up her tea cup, motioning for the other members to follow.

"Congratulations Touko-chan! Welcome to the family."

"To Touko-chan!" The girls cheered, lifting their tea cups in welcome.

Touko smiled and lifted her own cup. "Thank you."

xxx

As she walked to the school gates to wait for Sachiko, Yumi pondered over the day's events. She had survived the morning meeting unscathed, all thanks to Touko-chan and her quick thinking. But the rest of the day had been hopeless.

She'd found herself drifting off at the most inopportune moments. All she could think about was Sachiko. She hadn't even been able to have lunch with her. Like most of the third years, Sachiko was too busy attending a University prep seminar. They would be given useful advice on preparing for University exams.

She'd missed her all day. All she wanted to do was drag her away, find a quiet spot somewhere and hold her close. Maybe even kiss her a little...explore the softness of her skin...find out how long it took before the girl's nipples would harden beneath her fingertips if she dared to touch them.

They'd only spent a few hours apart, but it was killing her.

"Yumi-chaan!"

Yumi looked up in surprise at the sound of Sei's voice.

"Sei-sama!"

She jumped a little as the older girl's hands wrapped themselves around her waist and she felt her chin against her shoulder.

"Yumi-chan! What has you so thoughtful? Is that a blush I see on your cheek?"

Yumi couldn't help but feel the warmth in her cheeks increasing. "Sei-sama," she struggled out of the girl's hold and turned around. "You're seeing things."

"Hmm, I don't think so," Sei gave her a thoughtful look, her gaze dropping to the corner of her neck. "You look different. Has something happened?"

"Different?"

"Yeah, let me check," Sei surprised her by placing a hand against her neck and shifting the collar of her school uniform.

"S-Sei-sama," Yumi took a step backward and brushed away the girl's hand. "What are you doing?"

"I knew it," Sei returned her hand and brushed away her collar again. "I thought I saw it a moment ago."

"Saw what?" Yumi looked down at her own neck but failed to see what Sei was referring to.

She furrowed her brow for a moment and then froze.

No...it couldn't be...could it?

She recalled her overnight date with Sachiko, remembering how the girl's lips had suckled her neck at the movie theatre. There had been a small mark there that night, but it was in a place which was easily covered by her shirt. She hadn't thought it would still be there. It had been almost two days.

"You mean my mosquito bite," Yumi blushed. She hastily stepped away from Sei and put her collar back in place.

Sei laughed and once again shifted aside the material. "A mosquito bite eh? In Autumn? I don't think so. Yumi, you're holding out on me."

"It's a mosquito bite," Yumi insisted, once again pulling away from her friend. "I'm allergic..."

Sei grinned mischeviously and shook her head. "Yumi-chan. You don't think I know the difference between a mosquito bite and a love bite?"

"Love bite?" Yumi glanced away nervously. "Why would I have a l-l-love bite?"

"You tell me Yumi," Sei once again reached for her collar to reveal the offending mark. "Who's the lucky girl?"

"Sei-sama, would you kindly remove your hands from my girlfriend!"

Yumi was relieved when Sei immediately obliged.

She looked back in surprise to find Sachiko walking up behind her with a determined look. Her girlfriend wasted no time in pulling her backwards and wrapping her arms almost possesively around her waist. She was even more surprised when she felt the softness of Sachiko's lips against her cheek. She couldn't help but close her eyes in response, enjoying the contact.

She was so lost in the moment, she missed the territorial look Sachiko sent Sei as her lips remained pressed against Yumi's cheek.

As she opened her eyes, Yumi couldn't help but feel a little surprised by Sachiko's actions. Had she heard correctly? Did Sachiko just call her 'my girlfriend' in public?

It took her a moment to focus her gaze and when she could finally think straight, she was quick to take in the surprised look in Sei's eye.

"I see..." Sei trailed off as her surprise faded to be replaced with a genuine smile. "So that's how it is eh?"

"That's how it is," Sachiko confirmed, tightening her hold on Yumi.

"Well, it's about time," Sei grinned. "It took you long enough."

"Sei-sama?" Yumi questioned. "You knew?"

"It was half obvious," Sei chuckled. "To me anyway. You should thank me Yumi-chan. I can see my service finally paid off."

"Service?" Yumi frowned.

"Her obvious attempts at making me jealous," Sachiko spoke softly against Yumi's ear.

"It worked, didn't it?" Sei grinned.

"For the most part," Sachiko admitted with a smile. "Once I realised what your intent was, the effect wasn't quite the same."

"Oh no?" Sei raised an eyebrow quizically. "I wasn't even trying to make you jealous a moment ago..."

Yumi craned her neck back to look at her girlfriend and smiled at the slight blush on her cheek.

Sachiko was acting possessive...

Yumi couldn't help but find the idea appealing.

"Well, she's got no reason to be," Yumi spoke softly, her words coming out a little hesitant. "I am...hers after all," she confirmed with a blush, shyly lifting her eyes to meet Sei's.

She heard Sachiko gasp at her words and a moment later she could once again feel the girl's lips against her cheek.

"Oh geez, the two of you are just too cute for words," Sei interrupted with a chuckle.

Yumi blushed, but did not step away from Sachiko's embrace.

"Anyway, I've got a seminar to go to," Sei moved her gaze from Yumi over to Sachiko. "Congratulations. I'm happy for you. But Sachiko, a word of advice..." Sei narrowed her gaze, her eyes becoming serious. "Look after Yumi-chan. If you hurt her, you'll have to answer to me. Okay?"

"Sei..."

"I'll see you later," Sei interrupted Sachiko before she could respond. "Have fun you two." And with that, she flashed them a huge grin before heading off.

"I'm sorry Yumi," Sachiko released her hold and moved to capture her hand instead. "I didn't excpect to over-react like that."

"It's okay Sachiko," Yumi smiled warmly at her girlfriend as they headed towards the school gates. "I don't mind. I missed you," she admitted with a blush.

Sachiko rewarded her with a loving gaze. "I missed you too Yumi. Even though it's only been a few hours," she chuckled.

"I'm sorry about Sei-sama," Yumi continued.

"That's not your fault Yumi. That girl obviously cares for you. I can understand that."

"But to think you would hurt me..."

"You know I would never hurt you, right?"

"Of course. That's why I can't believe she would say that. First Touko-chan now Sei-sama."

"They're just looking out for you. Anyway," Sachiko shifted the subject. "What was it that Sei-sama was teasing you about?"

Yumi blushed and turned to face her girlfriend. Somewhat shyly, she shifted her collar to reveal the small love bite.

"Oh..." Sachiko's eyes widened in realisation and an answering blush appeared on her cheeks. "I see...I'm sorry Yumi. I didn't realise it would last so long."

Yumi covered up the mark and squeezed her girlfriend's hand in reassurance as they continued to walk towards the bus stop.

"I don't mind Sachiko. I didn't realise it was still there either. Oh! I hope nobody else saw." She froze at the idea, turning her head towards Sachiko in panic.

Sachiko chuckled. "No, I don't think they would have. Your uniform covers it up well. It would take someone like Sei-sama to notice it. I can't believe that girl. What right does she have to look so closely at your neck anyway?"

Sachiko's tone became a little irratable and Yumi couldn't help but smile.

"Sachiko," she squeezed her girlfriend's hand gently. "It doesn't mean anything to me when Sei-sama acts forward . Your touch is the only one that has an effect on me. It's always been that way."

"Yumi..." Sachiko paused and looked down at her warmly.

Unable to control herself, Yumi reached up and pressed a soft kiss against Sachiko's cheek.

"I meant what I said earlier," she whispered into her girlfriend's ear. "I'm yours Sachiko."

Yumi felt Sachiko's arms wrap around her body in a warm embrace.

"Yumi," Sachiko whispered into her ear huskily, more than a hint of desire in her tone. "You have no idea what those words do to me."

Pulling away with a blush on her cheeks, Yumi tentatively met Sachiko's gaze. "I think I have some idea."

"Oh Yumi," Sachiko closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Lets go somewhere quiet. I need to be alone with you right now."

Yumi felt the warmth in her cheeks increase at the desire she could sense behind her girlfriend's words.

"Where do you want to go?" She replied hoarsely, surprised she could still speak. "We can go back to my house if you like..."

"I want to kiss you right now," Sachiko leaned forward and whispered into her ear, her voice low so that only Yumi could hear the words. "Your house is too far."

"Then where...?"

Sachiko pulled back and grasped her hand as an idea came to her. Without a word, she began to run back towards the school, dragging a surprised Yumi along with her.

Yumi never would have thought she'd live to see the day Ogasawara Sachiko so blatantly ignored a school rule.

No running on the school grounds.

But Yumi didn't care. All she wanted to do was be alone with Sachiko. If doing so meant breaking a dozen school rules, then so be it.