Gah... I apologize greatly for the epic long waiting period I put you all through!

I know it's just an excuse but things aren't great in Rai's world right now, but no worries. Here's chapter 7. :)

Chapter 7

Can we pretend that airplanes
In the night sky
Are like shooting stars?
I could really use a wish right now...

Mio took a deep, calming breath as she gazed up at the stars.

The events of the past few days felt like they occurred a millennium ago, a blurry extent of years. But of course they didn't, they happened so recently that the images were still vivid and colorful in her mind's eye, like flipping through pages in a photo album.

The snow, the fear, the running, the falling, the tears, the guilt, the comfort, the kiss, the happiness. Pure happiness.

Now, she was back to the fear stage.

The raven-haired girl was on Ritsu's back porch, and it was around one a.m. Her parents were away on a trip, not expecting her to be home for another few days, so the Tainakas invited her to stay the night.

Ritsu fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, but Mio, unable to follow the drummer's example, stepped outside for some fresh air.

She felt guilty. Not just because she indirectly broke her best friend's leg, but that she was now something more with that best friend because of it. She'd already fulfilled one of her greatest fears: hurting Ritsu. And now that they were more than friends, the likelihood that she will cause Ritsu more pain has increased tenfold.

The reason was not that Mio was unsure of her feelings, or that her feelings were fickle enough to break Ritsu's heart…. it was her parents.

She knew for a fact that if they found out that their daughter was in a relationship with someone else's daughter, they'd do everything within their power to destroy it. Mio was not abnormal. Mio was perfect.

Perfect children were not gay.

Actually, Mio wasn't even sure she was completely gay. She'd had minor crushes on males in the past; Ritsu was the only exception.

So, correction: Perfect children did not deviate from the norm.

Grey irises scanned the dark sky for a shooting star. She desired to make a wish to any higher power out there. All she wanted was to be with Ritsu without fear. Simply imagining 'coming out' to her parents send shivers of anxiousness down her spine. She could picture their blank stares and long, drawn out silence before awkward chuckles and finally angry shouts and disappointed tears.

She didn't want to hurt them, either.

xXx

The next day was a slow one.

Mio finally fell asleep, but woke up a couple hours later at the smell of breakfast. Ritsu needed help moving around the house, so Mio made sure her crutches were easily accessible at all times.

There was not much the pair could do, as all the roads were iced over and it was beyond frigid outside. Even if they wanted to go anywhere if would have been extremely difficult, as crutches and ice do not get along. So, they resolved to stay in Ritsu's room and watch movies.

Sleep-deprived Mio allowed herself to be wrapped in Ritsu's warm embrace. The brunette was sitting on the floor leaning against the bed, Mio lying back against her. Mio couldn't quite remember how they ended up in that position, but she decided she didn't care. She drifted in and out of consciousness, the sounds from the television screen and Ritsu's occasional chuckles weaving themselves throughout her dreams.

"You're so cute when you're sleeping," a low whisper in her ear made her acknowledge reality. She felt a smile on her neck that made her heart thump, and arms tighten around her waist, making blood rush to her face.

Mio mumbled incoherent words and fought the urge to turn around and kiss. She ran her fingers over the hardened plaster of Ritsu's cast.

She reached over and picked up a permanent marker that was on the floor a few feet away and decided to sign the hard bandage. She felt Ritsu watch with quiet fascination as she doodled all over it. A few moments later, it had "Mio" written in big blue letters surrounded by hearts, music notes, a bass guitar, and a drum set.

"Hehe, it suits us!"

Mio chuckled and leaned back once more into Ritsu. Suddenly, she remembered something.

"W-What would happen if your mom or brother walked in right now?" Mio inquired nervously, the thought of revealing their forbidden relationship to the world still fresh in her mind. Ritsu groaned.

"Good point, but I really can't bring myself to care."

"B-But I care," Mio unclasped Ritsu fingers and scooted away from the shorter girl. Ritsu cocked her head to the side.

"Why? My mom isn't the kind of person to be upset over something like this. In fact, she's actually teased me about us being like a married couple in the past. I don't think she'd be too surprised," She chuckled and let her head fall back onto the mattress.

"Y-Yeah, guess you're right. But what about Satoshi-kun?" Mio needed Ritsu to keep this a secret.

"He'd probably have to get used to the idea, but he'd come around."

Mio sighed and rubbed a hand across her tired eyes. "Ritsu, can we not tell anyone about… us? At least for right now…"

"…Oh, ok," The amber-eyed girl looked surprised for a moment before smiling in understanding. "That's fine with me." She patted the space beside her and the bassist crawled over.

Mio felt eyes on her profile as they settled back down the watch the movie. She glanced at the brunette.

"You have dark circles under your eyes…" Ritsu mumbled, staring at the raven-haired girl with concern.

"Oh, y-yeah, I had a bad dream last night. It's not that big of a deal." She faked a smile, hoping it would appease the curious girl. Ritsu hummed in sympathy.

"You could've woken me up, you know."

"It wasn't bad, I'm fine."

Ritsu rubbed her chin and glanced at Mio up and down, then her eyes widened as she got an idea. Mio watched in confusion as her companion reached up and pulled the blanket from the bed. "Here," she grunted as she wrapped the blanket over both of them, "Sleep."

Mio's expression softened at the thoughtfulness of her… girlfriend. She wasn't all the way comfortable with that term quite yet, but she thought if she practiced using it in her head, it would get easier. However, Ritsu's actions helped to reinforce her confidence.

"You're so sweet," Mio yawned, leaning her head on the drummer's shoulder. She felt Ritsu's laugher vibrate though her body, and an arm wrap around her waist, pulling her closer. Her last thought before drifting off to dreamland was how incredibly safe she felt right then.

When Mio awoke, it was the afternoon. She had a dream she could fly. A large part of her wanted to go back to sleep so she could feel the wind whipping in her hair once again, and enjoy that freedom.

She jerked when she felt movement beside her, but then remembering where she was, she calmed back down. Ritsu was fast asleep. Her face seemed so carefree, blissful even. Despite a broken limb, the drummer seemed exceptionally happy ever since they returned home. Another wave of guilt washed over the bassist.

How could I be so selfish? She's the happiest she's been in a while, yet here I am… being the downer as usual. I shouldn't have to worry about my parents right now, so I should try to enjoy this while I can. Or maybe… we won't even have to tell them at all. Maybe we'll run off as soon as we graduate, avoiding the problem all together!

For once, Mio was thinking idealistically. And for once, she felt a little of the burden lift from her shoulders. Of course the idea was far-fetched and very fairytale-esque, but that was her solution for the time being.

She found Ritsu's hand and intertwined her fingers with hers, causing a faint smile to grace the unconscious girl's soft face. With her other hand, Mio tentatively reached up and pulled the yellow headband from Ritsu's bangs, and watched them cascade across her forehead. She would've never had this much courage if the brunette were awake.

Something about a headband-less Ritsu made Mio's heart skip a beat or two. She really couldn't figure out what it was. The dark-haired girl ran her fingers through the messy bangs, quietly observing the rich tawny hues with mild fascination. Ritsu almost seemed to purr at the contact, murmuring nonsensical phrases in her dream-like state.

Mio suddenly got the urge to take those mumbling lips in her own. Without really thinking, she leant forward and paused inches from the sleeping brunette's face. Her eyes widened as she realized what she was doing and began to feel lightheaded as Ritsu's warm breath caressed her lips. She sat frozen for a while, trying to decide if she should follow through or abort mission.

She was so close…

"Boo."

"Wahhhh!"

Ritsu's chuckles turned into full-blown laughter as Mio leapt backward a few feet onto the carpeted floor.

"Ahahaha!" Ritsu threw her head back, "Mio… you really make it too easy!" Mio clutched her chest, trying to slow her heart rate while Ritsu buried her face in her hands, in a vain attempt to quell the laughter.

Slowly, the shock on the bassist's face evolved into a scowl, and she huffed indignantly. She couldn't really find the words to rebuttal, as anything she said to try to defend herself would only increase her embarrassment. She just took the abuse and silently begged for her deep blush to disappear.

When Ritsu finally calmed down, she glanced sympathetically at the frightened girl who hadn't moved from her spot a few feet away. Mio was not looking at her, trying to conceal the hurt on her face.

It didn't work.

"Aw, Mio… I'm sorry. It was only a joke…" The trickster tried to reason. Mio glared death into amber eyes, and Ritsu jumped slightly at the intensity. "I-I'm sorry, really… please come back?" The brunette outstretched her hands and pouted, trying to convey innocence and harmlessness. Mio sighed in frustration, but returned to the brunette regardless. She still felt bad about Ritsu's lack of mobility.

Mio allowed herself be hugged and settled back next to her girlfriend.

"Oi, were you about to kiss me?" The question sent lightning through her veins.

"Uh… n-no?"

"Hmmm… 'cause it kinda seemed like you were…" Ritsu's words came out playfully, a smirk gracing her lips. "I mean… my headband is mysteriously on the floor, too." She gestured to the item next to her.

"I-I like your hair down."

Amber eyes widened. "Really?"

Mio cocked her head to the side. "Yeah, why don't you like it down?"

"I don't know… I just prefer it up. I can't see very well with my bangs covering my eyes." A faint blush colored her cheeks.

"Well, I-I think it's… cute." Mio smiled, blushing as well. Ritsu looked up, and uncharacteristic serious expression on her face. Mio raised an eyebrow in confusion. The drummer shook her head, and without breaking eye contact, pulled the taller girl closer.

"You really think so?" The tawny-haired girl asked in earnest, examining the grey-eyed girl's face for any hint of a tease.

"Yes," Mio answered without hesitation this time, slightly flushed from their proximity. Ritsu blinked slowly, and pressed her lips against Mio's in a chaste kiss.

"Thanks…" Ritsu whispered with a shy smile. Mio was still reeling from the lip contact when she said, "N-no problem," Which she vaguely recognized as a dumb thing to say and pressed her lips back onto Ritsu's.

Mio suddenly felt like she was back in the dream she had earlier, when she could sprout wings and fly wherever her heart desired. If kissing Ritsu meant she could be free like in her dreams, she never wanted to part from her.

Both were inexperienced kissers, but they were quickly learning the ropes with each other. Mio felt hands on her cheeks as Ritsu tilted her head to the side for better access. Mio wasn't quite sure what to do with her hands, so she just let them lie limp in her lap. She just focused on returning Ritsu's passion and accidentally whimpered from the overload of emotion radiating from their bodies, causing Ritsu's lips to curl up in a slight smile.

Mio didn't pull away because it didn't feel like a teasing smile, but an adoring one, so she let it slide.

They had to part from lack of air, but Ritsu pulled the taller girl onto her lap, much to Mio's surprise, and wrapped her arms around her waist. The dark-haired girl felt very insecure in this position, and was about to voice her concerns when Ritsu simply laid her head on the bassist's shoulder. Confusion once again wormed its way onto Mio's features, but she decided trying to read Ritsu's actions was a fruitless labor.

"I'm just trying to help you get used to it." Was all that the cripple said. Mio felt a grin on her shoulder and she suddenly tears prickled behind her eyes. "I'm not going to hurt you, so please try and relax."

That's not what I'm worried about, it's the other way around. She thought bitterly. A lone tear escaped her eyelids and trickled down her face, helping to cool her heated skin. She fell into the shorter girl's embrace and wrapped her arms around toned shoulders.

"Ritsu, I know you won't hurt me… that's not the problem."

She felt the pair of arms encircling her tighten. "Hm? Then what's wrong? Am I moving too fast?"

"Well, er- maybe… but um… that's not it either. Just listen," Mio removed herself from the drummer's hold and wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeve. "My parents would not be as… accepting as your mom."

Ritsu's amber eyes widened in realization.

"Oh… I get it now…" she whispered, mostly to herself. "That's why you said you were afraid yesterday, right?"

"Yeah."

"That's why you want to keep it a secret, right?"

"Yes."

"So, what would happen if they found out?" It was a valid question, but more tears sprang forth from Mio because of it. Ritsu gawked and leant forward, unsure of how to stop the sobs. "Um…don't answer that, I think I can draw conclusions." The brunette chuckled awkwardly, wiping the dark-haired girl's tears away with her thumb.

"Look Mio, no matter what happens, I'll always be by your side. Beneath all these new things we're still best friends, right?" She paused and Mio nodded. Then, Ritsu smirked and puffed out her chest. "It'll take more than some angry parents to scare me away, anyway. So, no matter what-"

She was cut off by chuckling coming from the bassist. Ritsu looked perplexed. "What!" She threw up her hands incredulously, obviously upset that she was interrupted from her proclamation of loyalty.

"Y-You looked so noble, all puffed up and defiant like that," Mio covered her mouth with her hands and stared down at her companion with shining eyes. "I just imagined you all decked out in knight's armor and it made me laugh."

Ritsu deadpanned. "Well, excuse me for trying to cheer you up!" She crossed her arms and huffed.

"Well, it kind of worked, you big dummy." Mio laughed again and rapped her knuckles on the drummer's forehead. Ritsu gave in and laughed, too.

After their chuckles died down, Mio smiled softly into fiery ambers. "Seriously though, thanks."

Ritsu grabbed the dark-haired girl's hand and kissed her knuckles. "Anything for you, milady." She wagged her eyebrows teasingly and grinned from ear-to-ear, earning a thwack on the head from her "Ojou-sama."

How does she always know just how to make things better? Mio mused to herself as she got off of the shorter girl and sighed a deep sigh of relief. At least now I won't have to worry about my parents for the time being. Ritsu won't leave me even if it turns out bad, so all we have to do now is see how along this secret of ours will last.

.

.

.

Can we pretend that airplanes
In the night sky
Are like shooting stars?

This part was surprisingly easy to write, despite the long wait... which I apologize for again. Hehe...

School's almost over, so I'll update a lot more often then, I promise. :)