A/N: Hello again all! I bet you thought I forgot about this little story didn't you? Not a chance! ^_~ Now that the holidays are over, I can refocus on finishing(?) out this story.

As always, I wish to welcome the following people to our band of merry story groupies: Fyrwarrior, celebrina9289, megekev, and Edge Maverick. I would also like to thank Taraemilia for her kind review. (Gracias!) ^_^

Again, my thanks and appreciation to Oyuki Konno-sama for her wonderful characters and tolerance for those of us that continue to come play in the Lillian world.

And now, back to our story...

Confrontation

Chapter 8 - Tooru's Gambit

Yumi: [No rush. Not like there is a deadline is there?]

Sachiko: [My objection could cost us both. I still may have to marry him. I hope you're happy. You're welcome, by the way. Goodnight.]

'Stupid, stupid, stupid Yumi!' She thought to herself. 'Sachiko finally confesses to her parents and all you can do is give her trouble with THAT asinine reply?' Yumi was upset with herself. Sachiko hadn't deserved that comment. She quickly typed in her message and hit send.

Yumi: [Gomenasai love. I appreciate what you did and understand that it was hard for you. Daisuki-desu.]

Yumi waited 10 minutes without getting a reply. She sighed in frustration. 'Great. She's probably mad now and already went to bed. She plugged her phone in to the charger and got ready for bed. Turning out the lights, she crawled into bed. 'Maria-sama.' She prayed. 'Please give Sachiko the wisdom to know how much I love her. And grant her patience with me when I sometimes say stupid things.' Turning her thoughts to herself. 'We really need to work on our communication issues. It's just too hard on the both of us when there is a misunderstanding.' With that she turned over and tried to go to sleep.

-0-0-

Twenty minutes later, Sachiko returned from her bath. As she laid down to sleep, she looked at her phone and saw the message waiting light blinking. Sighing she reached over and opened her phone to retrieve the message. After reading Yumi's text, she smiled. 'Hang in there Yumi.' she thought. 'It won't be long now.' She then sent Yumi a short text before turning out the light.

-0-0-

Yumi's eye's snapped open at the sound of her phone chiming. Excitedly, she grabbed for her phone and pulled up the message.

Sachiko: [ :-P ]

Yumi stared at the emoticon text message for several seconds before shaking her head and replacing her phone in the charger. "And she calls me the immature one..." she muttered to herself before turning over and going back to sleep.

-0-0-

Early the next morning, Sayako called Youko and told her about Sachiko's confession to her father. She then asked Youko to arrange a meeting between Yumi and Tooru as soon as possible. After getting off the phone with Sayako, Youko immediately called Yumi.

After exchanging pleasantries, Youko came straight to the point. "So Yumi-chan, a little bird has informed me that a certain blue-eyed goddess has finally confessed her feelings for you to her family." In the background, Yumi could hear Satou Sei yelling. "Woohoo! Go Yumi-chan!"

Yumi blushed at Youko and Sei's words. 'Thank goodness we are on the phone.' she thought. "Hai, that is what she texted me last night." She told Youko.

"And?" Youko asked.

"And now we wait Youko-sama." Yumi replied.

"Why?" Youko asked her.

"Ano..." Yumi began. "Because that is what Sa-chan said we are supposed to be doing."

Youko fired back. "Yumi, what did I ask you to do?"

Yumi felt a little apprehensive. "You told me to not give up on her and to fight for her. Why?"

"Then why are you waiting? Sa-chan has made her move, now it is your turn. Take the fight to him Yumi. Do not wait for his response. Make your intentions known."

"But I already told Sayako-oba-sama..." Yumi told her.

"That is not the same Yumi-chan." Youko answered. "You need to talk to Tooru-oka-san directly. Preferably someplace neutral. Force him to come to a place of your choosing."

"I know that." Yumi responded. "I want to, really I do. But I would be defying Sa-chan twice in a week. I don't want to drive her away Youko-san."

On her end of the line, Youko was shaking her head in frustration. "Sometimes Yumi-chan, you are too considerate." She told Yumi. "If she was brave enough to face up to her father to be with you, I doubt that she would turn her back on you for a little rebellion now and again." Her response garnered a giggle from Yumi. Sighing, she paused in thought for a minute. The question on her mind was an important one. "Yumi, may I act as an intermediary between you and Tooru-sama?"

Yumi pondered the thought for a brief moment. This would be a huge step. Openly declaring her intentions to be with Sachiko. 'One of us has to do it eventually, don't we?' She asked herself. "Hai, I would be honored Youko-sama. Please set it up."

"My pleasure Yumi-chan!" Youko responded with a smile. The exchanged good-byes and hung up.

-0-0-

Two days later, Yumi sat fidgeting in the front passenger seat of Youko's car. They had arrived 15 minutes early for the meeting with Tooru. They had agreed to meet at a local restaurant just inside Tokyo proper that had catered conference rooms.

Yumi had dressed in one of the outfits that Youko had picked out for her during their mall trip. It consisted of a black jacket over a white button down shirt, black slacks and a pair of high gloss black 2.5 cm. high heels. Her signature pigtails were absent as she had tied her hair back with a single black velvet bow. It was the only accessory she wore except for Sachiko's rosary. It hung in it's customary place, although Yumi had chosen to wear it outside her shirt rather than tucked away as she normally did.

Yumi looked down at her watch and sighed. Five minutes. "Time to go." She said nervously as she reached for the door handle.

"You'll do fine Yumi-chan." Youko told her, as she gave her a reassuring smile. "This is the beginning of your future with Sa-chan."

Yumi returned a small smile and blushed slightly at Youko's comment. She then exited the car and walked into the building. Once inside, the maitre d showed her to a back room and opened the door before showing her inside.

Upon her entry, Tooru had stood from his chair and bowed slightly in greeting to Yumi. He was impressed with the manner in which she was dressed. 'It seems Sa-chan and Youko-chan have had a significant influence on her wardrobe of late.' He surmised. Then to Yumi. "Good afternoon Yumi-chan. Thank you for coming today."

Returning his bow, Yumi replied. "Good afternoon Tooru-oji-sama. Thank you for having me." As she returned upright, Tooru motioned to a chair across the table from his. "Shall we begin?" He asked. Yumi nodded and said. "Let's." as she moved to take the offered seat.

As she sat down, Tooru told her. "Order anything you like Yumi-chan, this is my treat Yumi-chan." Yumi nodded her understanding then perused the menu. After making a decision, she gave her selections to the waitress.

After the waitress left to fill their orders, silence reigned in the room for several moments. Yumi was not sure of she should begin speaking or if she should wait for Tooru to begin the conversation. Much to her relief, Tooru began speaking. They exchanged pleasantries for several minutes before the waitress returned with their orders. Upon her departure, Tooru finally broached the subject of their meeting. "So Yumi-chan, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company today?"

Yumi took a slow drink of water. He wanted her to lead the discussion. She swallowed her nervousness and began speaking. "Tooru-oji-sama, both you and Sayako-oba-sama have been most kind to me since Sachiko chose me to be her petite-soeur at Lillian. I feel blessed to have been able to come to know your family." Yumi stopped to take a shaky breath.

Using her pause, Tooru interjected. "We feel the same about you Yumi-chan." His comment bringing a brief smile to Yumi's face before she continued. "In that time, I have come to care about, and love, Sachiko a great deal." She momentarily paused again. "To be honest Tooru-oji-sama...I am in love with Sachiko." She finished with an intended inflection of the words. She waited for his reaction.

Tooru raised his eyebrows at her declaration. "I see." He said. "Is Sa-chan aware of your feelings towards her?"

"Hai, She is." Yumi replied.

"The you are aware that she shares the same ones for you as well, yes?" He asked solemnly.

Yumi nodded as she replied. "Hai. We have...discussed it at great length."

"Obviously, she has recently made them known to us as well." Tooru began. "I know you are also aware of her current engagement and betrothal to Suguru-chan?" Yumi simply nodded a yes. "I see." He said before pausing in thought. Straightening his posture, he looked to Yumi with a grim expression and asked. "What are your intentions Fukuzawa Yumi-chan?"

'This is it.' Yumi thought before nervously swallowing. "I am asking you to formally annul Sachiko's current betrothal and engagement to Kashiwagi-san. So that I may be allowed my rightful place at her side."

"You wish to marry my daughter then?" He asked her quietly.

"Hai Tooru-oji-sama, I do." Yumi replied firmly as she looked directly at him.

"Even knowing that you cannot legally marry her here in Japan?" He asked.

Yumi nodded. "Hai. We are aware of the restrictions. While we would prefer to marry here, there are other places we can legally do so." Thinking for a moment, she continued. "We know our path is not without it's share of hardships sir. Sachiko and I will face them the same way as any other couple would. Together. As we always have." She finished confidently.

Tooru nodded his understanding. He looked down at the table as he played with his water glass. "And if I refuse?" He asked.

Yumi tilted her head to the side gauging him as she thought of her response. "I would be most disappointed of course." She said. "However, it would not deter us in the slightest. We would continue to be with each other."

Tooru looked at her intently. "So you will pursue a relationship with Sa-chan even against my wishes?"

Refusing to be cowered by his stare, Yumi answered. "Ogasawara-sama, let me be perfectly clear. Sachiko and I will be together. With you, without you, because of you, in spite of you, or; if necessary, even if I have to go through you." The latter said with enough venom in her voice that Tooru knew implicitly that Yumi had every intention of carrying it out.

In spite of himself, Tooru smiled outwardly. His sudden grin making Yumi wary. He had to admit, the more Yumi talked and showed her true nature, the better Tooru liked her. After knowing her for four years, in his estimation, Yumi was very worthy of being the spouse of an Ogasawara. The fact that Yumi was a woman and in love with his daughter had become an entirely irrelevant fact. It was time to drop his own surprise for her. "Tell me Yumi-chan, what of your father's company? What are your thoughts on it?"

Yumi's eyes narrowed to slits in an imitation of her grande-soeur as she answered in a menacing voice. "Your threats will not deter me Ogasawara-sama. If you harm my family in any way. It will only make it worse for you."

If Tooru was surprised at her animosity regarding her family, he gave no sign of it. 'Strong family loyalty. Sa-chan was right.' He noted. Then to Yumi. "No Yumi-chan, you have misunderstood what I meant. Please let me rephrase that." Seeing Yumi relax a little, he continued on. "I meant what are your plans after college? Will you be working for your father's design firm? Oh, and are you currently employed?"

Yumi wasn't sure where Tooru's sudden change in conversation was leading. Still, she chose to answer honestly. "Hai. I intend to work for my father. My brother Yuuki-chan has no interest in doing so. I believe he intends to go into medicine with a friend. As for the other question, no I am not currently employed. Why do you ask?"

"Because I want to hire you." He answered.

"...Eh?!" Yumi replied in confusion. This was not what she had expected. "Mata! How did you come to that decision?" She asked. Suspicion evident in her voice. "What are you starting?"

Tooru chuckled at her response. "If you intend on being in business and becoming a part of the Ogasawara family Yumi-chan, you are going to need some practical experience to go along with your course work at school. What I want to offer to you is an opportunity to get that needed experience in a real world environment." Yumi slowly nodded her understanding before he continued. "For a few hours per week of your non-school time, I will place you in a position to learn all that you need to know to succeed." Shaking his finger at her, he added. "Not theory mind you, actual experience. Something most universities cannot offer." He paused again to let the information sink in. "It would be an intern position. Paid, of course. And not just any intern Yumi-chan. You will be serving as my protege." Tooru sat back and watched for Yumi's reaction.

Yumi sat in shocked silence. She had thought she would have to argue for Sa-chan's freedom. Not to be offered job training. "I...I don't know what to say." She paused to reflect on his words. "What is your purpose in offering this?"

"You come from a middle class back ground correct?" Tooru asked her. Yumi nodded in agreement. "Which means that you have not had much exposure to the society that Sa-chan frequently mingles with. I suspect that you probably feel a little out of place sometimes because your world is so different from hers. Yes?" Yumi again nodded. "What I would like to do is assist you in bringing balance to that equation. To give you not only a business and financial basis to build on, but also a functioning capacity and visibility in those circles that she and our family frequent."

Looking down at her plate, Yumi began to see where he was going and understood his intent. He would not be doing this if he intended to outright refuse her request. Perhaps, she wondered, it was a test of her ability to adapt. Yumi wanted to hear more. "Go on." She told him.

Tooru smiled again. "By personally training and introducing you to our business contacts, in conjunction with your school work, you will not have to seek employment at graduation. They will come to you. Obviously, this will give you an advantage over some of your peers." He paused. "Assuming of course that you do not take over your father's company. And Yumi-chan?" Yumi looked up at him again. "I do mean take over. Between the innate skill in architecture design that I have seen you display in your classwork and learning from our family's business acumen, you can and will build Fukuzawa Designs into a respectable power house. On your own." He emphasized.

Yumi looked at him for a moment. "Without Ogasawara interference?" She asked.

Tooru shook his head. "Nothing beyond what you might ask for in assistance. It will continue to be your family's company. We will not interfere in any other way. You have my personal word." Then with a grin, he added. "Although I cannot vouch for Sa-chan."

Yumi allowed a small smile before she sat in silence for several minutes digesting the conversation with Tooru.

Trying to gain her acceptance, Tooru told her. "As a paid intern, you will have your own money. Something that I think that is very important to you. If you would like, I could also set you up with an investment counselor for either advice or training. So that you could build up a portfolio on your own..."

Yumi chimed in. "So that I may have the same experiences that Sa-chan does and feel like I am her equal?"

Tooru shook his head. "Not feel Yumi-chan. You already are her equal. This will build a better foundation for the two of you to move forward from." He offered her a smile.

Yumi nodded again. "At what cost?" She asked suspiciously.

'Shrewd too.' Tooru thought. He then waved his hand. "None. This is independent of whatever you and Sa-chan have in the future. There are no conditions. I simply wish to see someone who is important to my family succeed Yumi-chan."

Yumi thought about it again for a moment before shaking her head. "This is a lot to take in. May I think about it for a day or two?" She asked.

"Certainly." Tooru answered. "Take as long as you like. There is no time limit except for your graduation." He smiled again.

Yumi smiled back. "Thank you Tooru-oji-sama."

Tooru nodded in satisfaction. "Oh, and Yumi-chan?" Yumi looked back up at him. "Concerning Sa-chan's engagement. Please understand that she surprised Sayako and I with this. There is no telling how my father will take this news or what he will insist on." Yumi nodded her understanding with a smile. "On face value however, I would love to have you as a daughter-in-law. Don't give up hope."

"Arigato Tooru-oji-sama. I have no intention to." Yumi answered as they returned to eating their meal.

They exited the dining room together thirty minutes later. They said their goodbyes and Tooru went to his car. Yumi waited by Youko's car as she was not in it. Unknown to either of them, Youko had been sitting inside the venue out of sight. As soon as they were outside, she had entered the room they had met in and retrieved a small hidden camcorder. Placing it in her pocket, she then exited the restaurant. "Ready to go?" She asked Yumi.

"Yes. Where were you anyway?" Yumi asked in return.

"Sorry." Youko replied. "I was in the ladies room powdering my nose." She then winked at Yumi with a smile. "So I take it that the meeting went well?"

"Better than I expected." Yumi replied as they got into Youko's car. "Now I hope he let's Sachiko follow her own path."

-0-0-