A/N: I came to the realization I'm too old to be chasing any females around, real or ethereal, so I traded in my temperamental muse for a new one. To my eternal delight, my new muse looks and acts a lot like Fujino Shizuru and she has been more than wonderful helping me finish chapter 9.
To apologize for taking this long to get chapter 9 to you all, I left it one LONG chapter, rather than split it up. This is the longest chapter to date.
To my senpai – My former muse told me to tell you muses are NOT piñatas.
When It Rains, It Pours
The dawn found Amane and Hikari lying in Hikari's bed kissing deeply. The sound of Hikari's soft moans, as Amane's hands explored her lover's body, drove Amane crazy with desire. After they talked last night, Amane finally realized she could no longer fight her feelings for the younger woman. The telephone jolted them both out of their kiss.
"Konohana," Hikari answered the telephone, her voice still dusky.
She listened as the person on the other end of the line quickly rattled off their message and hung up.
"Amane, check your messages at home," Hikari cryptically instructed and went into the bathroom.
Amane heard Hikari turn on the shower as she flipped on her mobile telephone to check her messages at home.
Hikari stood dazed under the stream of hot water. She was having a difficult time gathering her jumbled thoughts. Her emotions were also bombarding her, demanding resolution. Hikari was the one who insisted they go to her place to talk, instead of Amane's. In the back of her mind, she knew they would end up spending the night together and the thought of lying in the same bed Amane shared with Sono made Hikari nauseous.
While she was lost in her tornado of thoughts and emotions, Hikari felt two arms snake around her waist. Amane held Hikari tightly and kissed the back of her neck.
"Amane…," Hikari began but Amane cut her off.
"Hikari-chan, I know. Please don't worry about it. I've been called to the set this morning. Apparently, there was a last minute script change and they need me to shoot a few scenes," Amane softly said as she continued to kiss the back of Hikari's neck.
Hikari waited for Amane to continue. When she didn't, Hikari spoke.
"Amane, is that all?" Hikari asked.
"Hai, that was the only message," Amane answered, her curiosity now peaked. She continued, "Hikari-chan is there something you want to tell me?"
"It can wait until after our shower," Hikari answered and leaned into Amane.
Amane sat on the edge of Hikari's bed dressed and in complete shock. She stared up into Hikari's face. The older woman was unable to find her voice and could only stare at her girlfriend who just delivered the shocking news.
"A-ma-ne, are you okay?" Hikari asked as she searched Amane's eyes for some sign of recognition, but Amane's eyes were vacant.
After several agonizing minutes, Amane finally blinked and spoke, startling Hikari.
"How did you find out?" Amane asked.
"That was Nagisa-chan on the telephone," Hikari answered.
"How did Aoi-san know?" Amane asked more confused.
"Hanazono-san was in the club. She called Nagisa-chan last night, because she knows I'm friends with Nagisa-chan," Hikari answered.
"Oh," Amane said, so softly Hikari almost didn't hear it.
"Perhaps you should cancel shooting today?" Hikari tentatively suggested.
"No, working will help," Amane firmly stated and stood.
Amane grabbed her jacket and headed towards Hikari's front door. After taking two steps, she stopped abruptly and spun around. Hikari, who was closely following Amane, was nearly knocked on to her backside. Amane stared into Hikari's caring eyes searching for something, before taking Hikari into her arms and kissing her deeply. Amane broke the kiss and left Hikari gasping.
"Hikari-chan," Amane locked her eyes with Hikari's, "I…I…"
Amane quickly spun around and bolted out Hikari's front door. Hikari stood staring down the hallway at the front door. After several minutes, she finally walked to the front door and locked it. She went into the kitchen and made herself some tea.
As Noriko drove home from Miyuki's, her level of nervousness increased the closer she got to home. She hated leaving Miyuki, but she knew she had to return home.
'I wonder if Chihaya-chan even missed me last night. Knowing her, she probably brought some woman home,' Noriko growled to herself.
Noriko pulled into the driveway and parked her car next to Chihaya's. She didn't get out right away. She sat in the car gathering her courage. She had made a major decision about her future before she left Miyuki.
As she slowly opened the front door, she paused and listened before entering. She didn't hear any sex sounds like she did sometimes, so she entered and slowly walked to the bedroom. The bedroom door was closed, so she tentatively opened it. She expected to find the bed in complete disarray, but it was made and looked like no one slept in it last night.
Noriko searched the rest of the house looking for Chihaya, but she was nowhere to be found. Noriko thought it odd that Chihaya's car was in the driveway, but she was not home. She picked up the telephone and began calling their friends.
Several telephone calls later, Noriko finally located Chihaya. Apparently, when Noriko didn't come home by ten o'clock the night before, Chihaya called Tamao to come pick her up and she spent the night at Tamao's house.
Noriko got in her car and headed to Tamao's house.
On the set, in Kagome's dressing room, Kagome and Chiyo were standing, locked in a passionate embrace and kissing deeply. Chiyo pulled Kagome on to the couch and landed on something soft and lumpy. She broke their kiss, lifted up her hips and reached underneath her. She pulled out a rather large teddy bear.
"Is this for me?" Chiyo asked.
"Ano…no Chiyo-chan. That's my co-star," Kagome answered amused as she took the teddy bear from Chiyo.
"Your WHAT?" Chiyo asked incredulous.
"My co-star…Ohshibaru. Ohshibaru, this is my girlfriend Chiyo-chan," Kagome made the introductions as Chiyo just stared at her girlfriend, thinking Kagome had lost her mind.
When Kagome saw the look her girlfriend was giving her, she tried to maintain a serious demeanor, but broke down into a fit of laughter when Chiyo shot her a 'You've got to be kidding,' sideways look.
"I'm supposed to treat Ohshibaru like a real person," Kagome managed to say through her giggles as she held the teddy bear at arm's length.
"You two make a wonderful couple," Chiyo said sarcastically.
"You really think so?" Kagome asked teasingly.
"Oh yes, you two are a destined couple," Chiyo rolled her eyes, "I can see the red thread."
Kagome sat Ohshibaru between Chiyo and herself. She pretended to untie the imaginary red thread from Ohshibaru's paw and tied it to Chiyo's little finger. Kagome leaned in and kissed Chiyo chastely on the cheek.
"Chiyo-chan…" Kagome whispered in Chiyo's ear and lightly kissed it.
"K-k-kagome…chan," Chiyo softly moaned. She grabbed Kagome and passionately kissed her.
Once again, the two women were lip-locked. Not even a knock on the dressing room door broke their kiss.
"Byakudan-san, please report to the set," Sakoi Masayuki's assistant said through the door.
Unfortunately, unlike most actors, the weather couldn't read a script and deliver the performance requested. The crew hauled in several massive rain machines and set about getting them connected.
Back in Shizuma's dressing room, Shizuma was madly pacing the floor lost deep in thought.
'If I hope to have any chance with Aoi-san, I have to find a way to erase that memory,' Shizuma smiled as she remembered the sense of victory she felt, after she finally convinced Miyuki to give her idea a try.
After weeks of negotiation, cajoling, and several glasses of alcohol, Shizuma finally got Miyuki in the mood to try what she read about in a lesbian magazine. Shizuma knew she couldn't ask any of her many 'bed bunnies' to try this. It had to be someone Shizuma knew intimately, trusted, and who trusted her in return. Their 'booty call buddy' relationship evolved over several years, after a miserable attempt at being more than friends. After a month of dating, they mutually realized they were fantastic lovers, but terrible partners. Shizuma didn't have the commitment and Miyuki didn't have the patience. A knock on her dressing room door brought Shizuma out of her reverie.
"Hanazono-san, please report to the set," Sakoi Masayuki's assistant said through the door.
While Shizuma shot her scene in the greenhouse, she continued her dressing room reverie. She was so caught up in her thoughts, she almost didn't hear Sakoi Masayuki yell "CUT!" to cast and crew.
Kagome stood under the large tree with Ohshibaru in her arms. She felt silly and seeing Chiyo laughing at her off set didn't help any.
Amane's thoughts and emotions tormented her. She thanked Kami for this brief scene with no dialogue. Her torment reflected on her face as she rode her horse hard.
As Kagome delivered her lines to Ohshibaru, Chiyo laughed harder, which made Kagome angry. She looked around for anything to throw at her laughing girlfriend, but couldn't find anything around her. She finally settled on throwing Ohshibaru at Chiyo. Unfortunately for Chiyo, by the time Ohshibaru hit her in the face, the teddy bear was soaking wet.
"CUT!" Sakoi Masayuki yelled to cast and crew.
Kagome was relieved when Sakoi Masayuki ordered Chiyo to go prepare for her upcoming scene.
Chiyo's and Nagisa's scene in the library wrapped quickly, allowing Chiyo to rush back and watch her girlfriend interact with her stuffed co-star.
When Kagome saw Chiyo had returned to watch her shoot the scene with Nagisa and Ohshibaru, she prayed to Kami that Chiyo would be able to maintain her professional demeanor until the scene wrapped. Once again, Kami was listening, because Chiyo was the consummate professional. Kagome and Ohshibaru approached Chiyo, still seated in Kagome's set chair.
"Byakudan-san," Chiyo acknowledged her girlfriend in a professional voice and added in the same voice, "Ohshibaru-san."
Kagome smiled, grabbed her girlfriend by the hand, and pulled her towards the dressing rooms. Kagome closed and locked her dressing room door behind her. She threw Ohshibaru at Chiyo and tackled them both on to the couch.
As Nagisa and Tamao waited in their respective set chairs to shoot their scene, Tamao noticed something was not quite right with her friend.
"Nagisa-chan, is something wrong?" Tamao leaned close to Nagisa and asked.
"Hai, but not with me," Nagisa sadly answered.
"Who?" Tamao asked.
"Hikari-chan…indirectly," Nagisa answered.
"Indirectly?" Tamao asked confused.
"Hai, Hanazono-san called me late last night from outside a gay nightclub. A young man was beaten to death in the alleyway next to the club. The police think the crime was motivated by the young man's sexual orientation, because of where it happened. According to Hanazono-san, the alleyway is frequently used by the club patrons for sexual encounters," Nagisa said.
"What does all that have to do with Hikari-chan indirectly?" Tamao asked even more confused.
"The young man who was beaten to death was Amane's ex-boyfriend," Nagisa said.
As Tamao sat staring at Nagisa in shock, Sakoi Masayuki's assistant called for everyone to take their places. Tamao managed to recover from her shock well enough to shoot her scene in the dorm room.
As she and Nagisa walked to the location of their next scene, Tamao broke down and began crying. Although she didn't know Sono, she hated when anyone in their community lost their lives senselessly. Nagisa did her best to comfort Tamao as they walked. By the time they reached their destination, Tamao had pulled herself together and the scene wrapped with very few problems.
In Kagome's dressing room, Kagome had Chiyo pinned underneath her with Ohshibaru in between them.
"Kagome-chan, I didn't know you were this kinky," Chiyo teased.
"Nani?" Kagome looked at Chiyo confused.
"Ohshibaru," Chiyo answered and laughed.
"ARA!" Kagome yelled and pulled the teddy bear out from between them. She threw it on to the nearest chair. Ohshibaru landed in a sitting position.
"Kagome-chan, you have a really great throwing arm," Chiyo said seriously.
"I was the best fielder on my softball team. I learned A LOT from those girls," Kagome mischievously smiled and kissed Chiyo.
"I just bet you did," Chiyo teased and kissed Kagome back.
In Remon's dressing room, she and Kizuna were running lines for their upcoming scene. Remon's thoughts were a million miles away. After fifteen minutes, Kizuna realized she had been talking to herself.
"Remon-chan?" Kizuna said as she looked into Remon's distant eyes.
"Remon-chan?" Kizuna repeated a bit louder and checked Remon's eyes. They were still distant.
"REMON-CHAN!" Kizuna yelled and poked Remon's cheek hard.
"ITAI! Why did you do that?" Remon yelled and rubbed her cheek.
"I got tired of running lines by myself," Kizuna said.
"Gomen, I was thinking about something," Remon apologized.
"Something?" Kizuna asked waiting for Remon to elaborate.
"Hai, something," Remon responded, but did not elaborate.
A knock on the dressing room door stopped Kizuna from getting any further explanation out of Remon.
"Natsume-san, please report to the set," Sakoi Masayuki's assistant said through the door and added, "If Hyuuga-san is there, please bring her with you."
"Kizuna, why does everyone assume we're a couple?" Remon asked Kizuna.
"Because we are Remon-chan," Kizuna teased as she slipped her arm into Remon's.
Remon rolled her eyes, removed Kizuna's arm, and deeply sighed. Kizuna just smiled mischievously and skipped out of the dressing room door towards the set. Remon followed behind at a bit slower walking pace, shaking her head. When they arrived on the set, they spotted their scene co-stars, Kagome and Ohshibaru, sitting in their respective set chairs. Kagome was intimately chatting with Chiyo.
"Byakudan-san, Tsukidate-san," Kizuna cheerfully said as she approached the two women, who were clearly lost in each other.
"Hyuuga-san," Kagome said startled out of her Chiyo reverie. "Natsume-san," she continued as Remon followed soon after Kizuna.
"Ohshibaru-san," Kizuna jokingly addressed the teddy bear.
The four women chatted and waited for Sakoi Masayuki to arrive on the set. Sakoi Masayuki arrived on the set and his assistant called for cast and crew to take their places. Remon and Kizuna immediately took their places. Kagome looked at Ohshibaru and deeply sighed. She picked up the teddy bear, kissed her girlfriend on the cheek, and took her place. Chiyo quickly sat in Kagome's set chair to watch her girlfriend. The scene wrapped in one take.
As cast and crew walked to the location of the next scene, the four girls chatted further and got to know each other better.
"So you and Tsukidate-san have been dating since you met at the initial cast meeting for this project?" Kizuna asked Kagome.
"Hai!" Kagome cheerfully answered and tightened her arm around Chiyo's waist. "How long have you and Natsume-san been dating?" Kagome followed up.
An audible choke came from Remon as Kizuna giggled.
"Since elementary school," Kizuna giggled and playfully pushed Remon, who was clearly not amused by her friend's antics.
"WOW, really? That's a long time!" Kagome exclaimed.
"Childhood sweethearts…it's so rare, but very sweet," Chiyo said.
"Yes, I fell in love with Remon as soon as I saw her. It was love at first sight for me," Kizuna dramatically stated as she slipped her arm into Remon's.
Remon shot Kizuna an annoyed look and extricated Kizuna's arm. Kagome and Chiyo looked at each other puzzled by Remon's actions.
"Now honey, don't be like that," Kizuna teased her friend. "She's just grumpy," she said to Kagome and Chiyo.
"I AM NOT GRUMPY!" Remon yelled and quickened her pace, leaving the rest of the women to wonder as they watched Remon get further and further away.
"Women…," Kizuna deeply sighed.
When the three women arrived on the set, Remon was chatting with Chikaru and Shion. When Chikaru spotted her longtime friend Kizuna, she let out a yell and ran over to her. The two friends hugged.
"Kizuna-chan! It's SO good to see you!" Chikaru happily said.
"Chikaru-chan! It's been way too long!" Kizuna cheerfully replied.
"Hai, hai, but it's been my fault. Shion-chan and I have been SO busy with the new house and all," Chikaru said.
"Don't worry about it. I understand. Life and work gets in the way," Kizuna teased.
Chikaru laughed and the two friends hugged again.
"Kizuna-chan, what are you doing with my girlfriend?" Shion teased.
"Shion-chan!" Kizuna wrapped her arms around Shion's neck and gave her an exaggerated kiss on the lips.
"Kizuna-chan…," Shion lightly scolded and blushed a deep red.
Sakoi Masayuki arrived on the set and his assistant called for the cast and crew to take their places. Shion and Chiyo sat in their girlfriend's respective set chairs to watch. Unbeknownst to Sakoi Masayuki, Kizuna brought out Chikaru's immaturity in full force. Between giggle fits, cutting up, and just plain silliness, the following scenes did not wrap smoothly. After several breaks and takes, the scenes finally wrapped and Sakoi Masayuki was more than happy to break for lunch.
In Shizuma's dressing room, Shizuma smiled as she readied to put into motion her plans to win over Nagisa.
After Nagisa and Shizuma completed shooting their scene, Nagisa lingered, hoping her and Shizuma could talk further. Shizuma had other plans and retired to her dressing room.
Hikari stood in front of Amane's dressing room door contemplating whether or not she should give Amane space or be with her. As Hikari turned to leave, Amane opened her dressing room door.
"Hikari-chan, I had a feeling you were out here," Amane said tenderly.
"I wasn't sure whether you wanted to be left alone right now or not," Hikari said as she looked down at the floor.
"I'm glad you're here," Amane said and motioned for Hikari to enter the dressing room.
Hikari hesitated for a moment before entering. Amane closed and locked the dressing room door behind her. Hikari turned to say something, but was silenced by Amane taking the younger woman into her arms. As they stood there, Amane buried her face in Hikari's hair. She reveled in Hikari's scent. The pressure in Amane's chest increased with each passing second.
"Amane, are you okay?" Hikari asked, her voice muffled by Amane's chest.
"Hai," Amane said distracted.
"Are you sure? You sound a bit off," Hikari said as she wrapped her arms around Amane's waist.
Amane softly moaned as she tightened her arms around Hikari. Hikari sighed, content in Amane's arms. Amane kissed the top of Hikari's head, which caused Hikari to look up into Amane's eyes. As Amane looked down into Hikari's eyes, the pressure in her chest finally broke free. Amane leaned down and kissed Hikari deeply, hoping to convey all of the emotions she felt for the younger woman.
"Amane…," Hikari softly said as she broke their kiss.
"Hikari-chan…," Amane began, but was cut off by a knock on her dressing room door.
"Ootori-san, please report to the set," Sakoi Masayuki's assistant said through the door.
Amane looked at Hikari, gave her a loving kiss, and left for the set.
Throughout her entire scene in the stable, Amane's thoughts were of Hikari.
As Hikari approached the set, she saw Yaya already seated in her set chair reading her script, but Tsubomi was not with her. Hikari thought this was odd, since Tsubomi seemed to be joined at Yaya's hip.
"Yaya-chan, where's Okuwaka-san?" Hikari asked as she hopped up in her set chair.
"In her dressing room…I assume," Yaya answered rather flatly without looking up.
"Yaya-chan, is something wrong between you and Okuwaka-san?" Hikari asked concerned.
"We had an argument, that's all," Yaya replied curtly, trying to stop Hikari from pressing the matter further.
"Yaya-chan, are you okay?" Hikari asked tentatively.
"I'm fine!" Yaya snapped.
"Oh…okay," Hikari softly replied.
After a minute, Yaya realized what she had just done. She looked at Hikari who was pretending to be engrossed in her script.
"Hikari-chan, gomenasai," Yaya apologized sweetly.
"Yaya-chan, I'm your friend and if you ever need to talk…," Hikari offered.
"Hikari-chan, do you think I'm too young to settle down?" Yaya asked.
"I don't know. Do you think you're too young?" Hikari retorted.
"I'm not sure. I like Tsubomi-chan A LOT, but she's only seventeen and I'm only eighteen," Yaya answered.
"That's pretty young, but I have coupled friends who have been together since junior high school," Hikari said.
"Tsubomi-chan wants a commitment from me, but I don't think I'm ready for that step yet," Yaya said.
"Well, then tell her you're not ready yet," Hikari offered.
"I did and that's what caused our argument," Yaya said sadly.
"Yaya-chan, you can't let anyone rush you or guilt you into a commitment you're not ready for. It will only result in hard feelings on your part," Hikari said.
Yaya hopped out of her set chair, stood in front of Hikari and roughly took the blonde woman into her arms. Yaya hugged Hikari tightly.
'Why do all the women in my life think I'm a stuffed toy?' Hikari wondered as Yaya squeezed her tightly.
"Yaya…chan…can't…breathe," Hikari managed to say with her head buried deeply in Yaya's ample cleavage.
"Gomen Hikari-chan," Yaya profusely apologized as she loosened her hold on Hikari.
Hikari gasped for air and the color returned to her face. Yaya began giggling as she watched Hikari. Hikari looked at Yaya and in a split second, Hikari lost her precarious hold on her repressed lust for Yaya. Their eyes locked and Hikari leaned in closer to Yaya's face. Yaya's eyes widened as Hikari closed the gap between them and kissed Yaya firmly on the lips. Hikari's eyes were closed. Yaya's eyes widened even more as she felt Hikari's tongue brushing against her tightly closed lips. As Hikari's eager tongue pleaded for entrance, Yaya involuntarily parted her lips. Hikari deepened their kiss and moaned her pleasure. Yaya's pleasure bested her better judgment as she returned Hikari's kiss. Hikari wrapped her arm around Yaya's waist and pulled her as close as the set chair would allow.
"YAYA-CHAN!" Tsubomi yelled.
Yaya violently pushed Hikari away from her and spun around just in time to see Tsubomi running towards the dressing rooms. Yaya was torn between running after her girlfriend and confronting Hikari. She looked back and forth from Tsubomi's retreating figure to Hikari.
"Well Yaya-chan?" Hikari asked, almost pleadingly.
Yaya momentarily stared at Hikari before she shook her head and ran off towards the dressing rooms. Hikari hopped back in her set chair and watched Yaya's retreating figure, as a single tear rolled down Hikari's cheek.
Yaya turned Tsubomi's dressing room door knob, expecting it to be locked, but was surprised to find it wasn't. She cautiously opened the door and peered inside the dark room.
"Tsubomi-chan?" Yaya softly called out.
There was no answer, so Yaya called out again. Once again, she received no answer and decided to leave. As she was closing the dressing room door, she heard a soft sob.
"Tsubomi-chan?" Yaya softly said as she entered the dressing room and closed the door behind her.
After her eyes adjusted to the darkness, Yaya could make out a small figure curled up in the corner of the couch with her face buried in her knees. Yaya sat down next to Tsubomi.
"Tsubomi-chan, I…," Yaya began and touched Tsubomi's shoulder.
"Yaya-chan…why?" Tsubomi said through her sobs.
"Tsubomi-chan, it wasn't my fault," was all Yaya could think of to say.
"Nani?" Tsubomi looked up at Yaya.
"Hikari-chan kissed ME. I DIDN'T kiss her," Yaya blurted out in her defense, knowing it was a lame explanation, but it was the truth.
"SHE kissed YOU?" Tsubomi asked incredulous.
"Hai, Tsubomi-chan. SHE kissed ME. WHY would I kiss HER? I'm YOUR girlfriend," Yaya said.
Tsubomi was silent for quite some time and Yaya was beginning to worry. Yaya reflected on their argument earlier today and smirked at the irony of the situation. Amazingly, Yaya was able to resolve the situation with Tsubomi fairly quickly and without having to make the commitment she wasn't ready for yet. Tsubomi chose to remain in her dressing room.
As Yaya headed back to the set, she thought about how she would handle this new situation with Hikari. Yaya was lost deep in thought when Sakoi Masayuki's assistant intercepted her.
"Nanto-san! Where have you been? We've been looking all over for you. You're late for your scene!" Sakoi Masayuki's assistant fumed.
"Gomenasai, I was taking care of some personal business," Yaya apologized.
Upon her arrival, Yaya spotted Hikari seated in her set chair chatting with Amane and headed for them.
"Ootori-san. Hikari-chan," Yaya politely said, trying to keep her temper under control.
"Yaya-chan," Hikari chimed.
"Nanto-san," Amane said.
Since Amane was present, Yaya decided to wait to talk to Hikari. Yaya was extremely uncomfortable throughout the shoot, but Hikari didn't appear bothered at all. Yaya and Hikari were soaked to the bone by the time their scenes wrapped. Yaya headed directly to her dressing room and hoped Tsubomi would be there. Amane wrapped a towel around Hikari and they headed to Hikari's dressing room.
Yaya opened her dressing room door and Tsubomi flew into Yaya's very wet arms.
"You're soaked!" Tsubomi said.
"Really?" Yaya sarcastically answered.
"You need to get out of those wet clothes," Tsubomi rattled as she began stripping Yaya.
"Tsubomi-chan, if you want me this badly, you just have to ask," Yaya teased.
"YAYA-CHAN!" Tsubomi squeaked and her cheeks turned a deep red.
Yaya laughed and lovingly kissed Tsubomi.
"How was Konohana-san?" Tsubomi growled after she broke their kiss.
"Hikari-chan acted like nothing happened," Yaya said as she stripped off her wet clothes.
"Really?" Tsubomi asked incredulous as she hung up Yaya's wet clothes.
"Hai, it was weird," Yaya said as she slipped on a dry thong.
Tsubomi turned around and saw her girlfriend in nothing but a black thong. The look on Tsubomi's face broadcasted everything she was feeling at that moment. When Yaya saw the look on Tsubomi's face, she smiled broadly and sauntered up to Tsubomi.
"Tsubomi-chan, I bet I know what you're thinking," Yaya teasingly whispered in Tsubomi's ear, as she lightly brushed her lips against it.
A loud growling moan broke free from Tsubomi as she tackled Yaya on to the couch.
Yaya walked on to the set with her arm wrapped around Tsubomi's shoulders. She whispered into Tsubomi's ear and they giggled together.
"Tsubomi-chan, please control your temper. Just look at me when you feel yourself losing control," Yaya softly said as they took their places.
Tsubomi found it extremely difficult to control her temper as she delivered her lines with Hikari. She wanted to slap Hikari so bad she could taste it. Yaya felt for her young girlfriend and knew how difficult shooting this scene was, since Tsubomi's eyes rarely left Yaya's. The last bit of physical comedy helped Tsubomi alleviate her pent up frustration.
As Chikaru and Kizuna waited to shoot their next scenes, they thumb wrestled. Shion sat and watched the two, shaking her head, amazed at the level of immaturity Kizuna brought out in Chikaru. She finally had enough when the two started tickling each other.
"Natsume-san," Shion said, startling Remon out of her thoughts.
"Toumori-san," Remon answered.
"So, when are you and Kizuna-chan going to make it official?" Shion teased.
A dark angry look crossed Remon's face and startled Shion.
"Gomen Natsume-san, I didn't mean to offend you," Shion said quickly.
"Gomen Toumori-san, it's not you," Remon apologized.
"Natsume-san, what's wrong?" Shion asked.
"It's Kizuna-chan…and me," Remon said sadly.
"Trouble in paradise?" Shion teased and quickly realized her mistake when Remon glared at her with the same dark angry look from earlier. "Gomenasai," she quickly apologized.
"I've been in love with Kizuna-chan for awhile now, but I haven't had the nerve to tell her," Remon admitted.
"Just tell her. She feels the same way about you," Shion said and smiled.
"Kizuna-chan tells me she loves me all the time, but she's always teasing, so I don't know if she truly feels that way about me," Remon said.
"Trust me, she does feel the same way about you," Shion reassured Remon and placed her hand on the younger woman's shoulder for emphasis.
"Hey, what's going on here? Shion-chan, are you trying to steal my Remon-chan?" Kizuna teased.
"See, I told you," Remon said to Shion.
Shion removed her hand from Remon's shoulder and smiled.
"Tell her," Shion said and left to join Chikaru, who was seated in her set chair reading her script.
"Tell me what?" Kizuna asked.
"Later," Remon smiled and patted Kizuna on the hand.
"Did you wear Kizuna-chan out?" Shion teased.
"More like she wore me out," Chikaru said exasperated.
"To be that young again," Shion said.
"Shion-chan, we are NOT old," Chikaru playfully reprimanded.
"Yes, but married life ages you well beyond your years," Shion teased.
"Are you telling me you don't wish to be married to me anymore?" Chikaru said mockingly indignant.
"Ah…ah…ah…no…no…." Shion sputtered.
"Shion-chan, I'm only teasing," Chikaru laughed.
"Chikaru-chan, that's not nice," Shion huffed.
Sakoi Masayuki's assistant called for the cast to take their places. Chikaru, Remon, and Kizuna looked around for Kagome.
"Where are Byakudan-san and Tsukidate-san?" Sakoi Masayuki yelled.
Sakoi Masayuki's assistant was just about to head to their dressing rooms when Chiyo and Kagome, with Ohshibaru in hand, ran on to the set. This time, their scenes shot smoothly, now that Chikaru and Kizuna had settled down.
Nagisa, Tamao, Hikari, and Yaya sat in their places waiting for shooting to begin. Yaya glared at Hikari. Nagisa and Tamao noticed all the snide remarks Yaya directed at Hikari. Nagisa finally had enough and was about to ask them what was going on when shooting began. After their scene wrapped, Yaya immediately returned to her dressing room.
"Hikari-chan, is there something wrong between you and Yaya-chan?" Nagisa asked.
Before Hikari could answer Nagisa, Amane showed up to escort Hikari back to her dressing room.
"Did Hikari-chan explain what was going on?" Tamao asked Nagisa.
"No. She didn't have a chance. Ootori-san showed up," Nagisa answered.
In Kizuna's dressing room, Kizuna was seated on the couch reading her latest manga, while Remon paced and muttered to herself. After about fifteen minutes, Remon's pacing finally got to Kizuna.
"Remon-chan, will you PLEASE stop pacing!" Kizuna said sternly without looking up from her manga.
Remon either didn't hear Kizuna or ignored her, because she continued pacing and muttering to herself. Kizuna looked up from her manga and watched Remon pace for about a minute, waiting for Remon to stop.
"REMON-CHAN!" Kizuna yelled.
"Huh?" Remon sputtered and stopped.
"Remon-chan, what's wrong? You've been pacing and muttering to yourself since we got here," Kizuna said in a now loving tone.
"I've been thinking," Remon said.
Kizuna waited for Remon to elaborate, but when she didn't, Kizuna pressed Remon for more information.
"Thinking about what?" Kizuna asked.
Remon stood starting at Kizuna. Kizuna watched as Remon's emotions crisscrossed her face.
"Remon-chan, what did Shion-chan want you to tell me?" Kizuna asked.
Remon could feel all the blood drain from her face. The look of shock on Kizuna's face confirmed it. Remon's knees buckled and she started downward. Kizuna caught her friend before Remon hit the floor.
"Remon-chan, what's wrong?" Kizuna asked panicked as she cradled Remon's head in her lap.
Before Remon had a chance to respond, a knock on Kizuna's dressing room door interrupted them.
"Hyuuga-san, please report to the set," Sakoi Masayuki's assistant said through the door and added, "If Natsume-san is there, please bring her with you."
Remon jumped to her feet and bolted out Kizuna's dressing room door, nearly knocking Sakoi Masayuki's assistant over.
Chikaru, Remon, Kizuna, Kagome, and Ohshibaru took their places. Chiyo happily made herself comfortable in Kagome's set chair. Shion, who was already seated in Chikaru's set chair, smiled at Chiyo.
The scene wrapped smoothly in one take. Chiyo bounded out of Kagome's set chair and wrapped her arms around Kagome as she approached with Ohshibaru in hand. Shion smiled as she watched the two young lovers. Chikaru slipped her arm around her partner's waist.
"Kawaii ne?" Chikaru whispered in Shion's ear, in response to Shion's reaction to the two cute young lovers.
"Hai," Shion smiled at her partner and tenderly kissed Chikaru on the cheek.
Shion and Chikaru walked back to Chikaru's dressing room holding hands. Chiyo kissed Kagome on the cheek as she released her captive girlfriend.
"Gotta go, it's my turn now," Chiyo said as she ran towards the location of her scene.
Kagome smiled and watched her girlfriend leave.
"Shall we go watch Chiyo-chan, Ohshibaru?" Kagome asked her stuffed co-star.
Kagome sat in Chiyo's set chair and practically glowed with love as she watched Chiyo deliver her lines with her co-stars. Chiyo wrapped herself around Kagome as they walked to the location of Kagome's scene. Kagome had her left arm wrapped around Chiyo and held Ohshibaru's paw in her right hand.
"Oh my, it's today's modern 'bian couple, complete with child," Yaya giggled to Tsubomi as the happy couple passed by them.
"Yaya-chan, please behave yourself," Tsubomi scolded.
"That's not what you said earlier," Yaya teasingly growled in Tsubomi's ear.
On the Secret Club set, Chikaru, Remon, Kizuna, Kagome, and Ohshibaru were taxing Sakoi Masayuki's ever-dwindling patience. Chikaru and Kizuna resumed their utter silliness, which resulted in several takes of the very brief scene. Sakoi Masayuki snuck back to his trailer for some liquid bracing after the scene finally wrapped.
Yaya and Tsubomi sat in their respective set chairs, glaring at Hikari, seated in her set chair with Amane standing next to her. They were all waiting for Sakoi Masayuki to arrive.
"Hikari-chan, why are Nanto-san and Okuwaka-san glaring at you?" Amane asked Hikari.
"Yaya-chan is upset with me for some reason. Okuwaka-san is just following her girlfriend's lead," Hikari offered without looking up from her script.
"NANI? Upset with you for SOME reason?" Yaya growled and leaped from her set chair. "Did you forget…?"
"YAYA-CHAN!" Hikari yelled, cutting Yaya short. Hikari hopped out of her set chair.
The two women stood glaring at each other with a safe distance separating them. Yaya made the first move to close that distance, but Tsubomi grabbed hold of her girlfriend.
"DON'T YOU YAYA-CHAN ME, YOU PSYCHO BITCH!" Yaya screamed as Tsubomi did her best to hold Yaya back.
"If ANYONE is the psycho bitch around here, it's YOU," Hikari yelled as she started to move towards Yaya, but Amane quickly grabbed hold of her girlfriend.
Sakoi Masayuki's arrival on the set did nothing to stop the argument between the two extremely angry women.
"STOP THIS NOW! Konohana-san! Nanto-san! Both of you go to your dressing rooms and do NOT return until you can behave like professionals!" Sakoi Masayuki ordered.
Unfortunately, neither woman was able to return to the set, so Sakoi Masayuki shot the scenes he could and announced shooting for the day was done.