A/N: The muse has finally relented! She is now hard at work churning out some more chapters for you, my wonderful readers, to enjoy. ^_^
As I usually do, I would like to welcome the following people to my humble group of story groupies: TunaFish1997, charis89, and nytestorms. (Again?) Thank you to all of you who have reviewed and commented on the last few chapters. It is always welcome and is very inspirational.
Now back to our story...
Confrontation
Chapter 11 – Checkmate: Part I
Yumi halfheartedly sorted through another rack of dresses that her mother had pointed out. Despite her mother's upbeat mood, Yumi wasn't feeling it. She was still upset about Sachiko's wedding going forward as planned. She had hoped that Tooru would have intervened on her behalf and put a stop to it. However, from Yumi's point of view, it had all been for naught.
Miki stood several meters away watching her daughter's face go through several of her "life's phases". She was worried. None of the moods she saw displayed were good. She felt useless in helping Yumi only because she could not tell her the truth of the matter. She could only standby and pray that her daughter would have the patience and will power to stay the course until Sachiko could end the nightmare for her and Yumi. Picking out a dress that she liked, Miki brought it over to Yumi. "How is this one Yumi-chan?" she asked.
Yumi looked at the dress Miki was holing. It was an ankle-length, off the shoulder dress made of white linen. The dress was reminiscent of a U.S. Southern belle formal that flared slightly at the base. It had five horizontal and evenly-spaced half-centimetre wide sapphire blue ribbons that circled the dress along it's length. As Yumi stood judging the dress, Miki addressed her.
"Yumi-chan," She said. "I know this is hard for you. I cannot imagine that it is any easier for Sachiko-chan either. You just need to remember that Sachiko-chan loves you a great deal. The two of you will always be the best of friends no matter what."
Yumi looked up at her mother as she was speaking. She gave her a small smile as she replied. "Hai, I know that mother. I had hoped for a better outcome is all. I have no intention of deserting her or our friendship. It just...hurts a lot right now." Reaching out to the dress her mother was holding, she stroked the fabric. Her happiness at seeing the dress was tempered by her mood. "I like it." she finished. "At least I will look pretty for her."
-0-0-
At about that same time, Sayako was telephoning Touko. "Touko-chan." She said after her niece came to the phone. "I'm afraid your aunt has made a terrible mistake. I need your help again as I believe your onee-sama will need you." Touko agreed and listened as Sayako outlined her conversation with Yumi. "I don't believe I did that to her. I couldn't even think of a decent cover story either. I do hope that she will forgive me later."
Touko gave a short giggle. "I wouldn't worry about that Aunt Sayako. She is pretty resilient that way. Especially if it turns out to be a good thing. What did you need me to do?"
"I hope so." Sayako replied. "Could you please call her tonight? Also, you should plan on assisting her and Miki on Saturday morning. She may plan on avoiding the ceremony, so you may wish to spend the night as well."
"I will see what I can do." Touko told her. "I have a drama club function Friday night, so I cannot stay over. But I will be there early the next day to help Miki-sama."
"I will leave it to you then." Sayako told her. "Good night Touko-chan."
-0-0-
Sunlight was just beginning to stream in through the window in Yumi's room. 'Today's the day.' she thought as she slowly came awake. 'Today I lose my lovely princess forever.' Not wanting to rise yet, Yumi continued to lie in her bed. After a while, she became aware of the feeling that she was not alone. 'Not again!' she thought. Cracking her eyes just a bit, she was able to make out the shadow of someone close to her bed. That someone also had spiral pigtails in her hair. Smiling inwardly, she prepared to confront her intruder.
Curling her legs up behind her and placing her feet against the wall, she suddenly pushed off and sprang forward as she grabbed Touko's face with both her hands. Before Touko could react, Yumi pulled her in close and kissed her petite-soeur on the lips. She then opened her eyes and exclaimed. "Stop staring Touko!" before lapsing into a fit of giggles.
Touko, caught off guard, blushed furiously as she replied. "Onee-sama!" She then sat back onto her heels with a pout. "Mou, Yumi-chan." she said. "That wasn't fair." Her expression earned her a head rub and an "Aw...and you are so cute when you're surprised." from Yumi as she got up and toddled off to the bathroom. As Touko watched Yumi shut the door, she touched her lips with her right hand. While her face was still flush with embarrassment at being caught, she also held a slight smile.
After Yumi returned, they ate a delicious breakfast prepared by Miki. Touko then helped Yumi dressing. To finish off her look, Yumi chose white strap heels. Touko pulled her hair back into a single pony tail held in place by a matching sapphire blue flower. She then curled a strand of hair left hanging in front of each of Yumi's ears into a spiral. Seeing the effect in the mirror, Yumi smiled and commented. "Now I look like Touko-chan." This, of course, brought another blush to her petite-soeur's face. Yumi then put on Sachiko's rosary before helping Touko dress. When she was ready, they headed downstairs to wait for Yumi's parents.
-0-0-
As they walked through the gates at Lillian High School, Yumi couldn't help but wonder. 'Why here? Why of all the places she could have chosen to get married, did she choose here?' Not that it was a bad place to be married. She was just curious why Sachiko and Kashiwagi-san had to choose the one place she truly felt at peace. A place that would now hold not only her happiest memories, but soon her worst nightmare as well.
She, Touko, and Miki stopped before Maria-sama's statue and offered short prayers as Yuuichiro and Yuuki looked on. 'Please give me strength today...' Yumi asked of her school's matriarch before turning and heading to the chapel with Touko and her family.
Once inside the chapel, Yumi and Touko were greeted by their friends from the Yamayurikai. Youko, Sei, Eriko, Rei, Shimako, Yoshino, Noriko, and Nana gathered around them as they tried to hug them all at once. They were then introduced to the current generation of Roses, and their en boutons. Youko surprised them by also introducing them to her, Eriko and Sei's Onee-sama's. Yumi noted that it seemed like an informal reunion of sorts. All told, there were twenty three Roses and en Boutons representing eight generations of Yamayurikai present. 'Such is to be expected.' Yumi thought. 'Sachiko is the closest thing to Royalty that Lillian has recently had.'
Yumi and Touko then headed for their seats in the second row. The rest of the Yamayurikai were assisting with seating the arriving guests. Touko pointed out to her that Yuuki had several past members of Hanadera's student council helping the Roses as well. Yumi smiled upon seeing her brother directing the others on their duties. Looking back at Touko, she noted that Touko was following his every move. Not being able to resist the opportunity, she said. "Touko-chan, if you keep staring that hard at my brother, he's going to melt." Realizing that she had been caught, Touko immediately snapped her head away from Yuuki and pretended to be admiring the stained glass windows. A blush was very evident upon her face as Yumi giggled at her petite-soeur's embarrassment.
-0-0-
Waiting in the bride's designated room, Sachiko was nervously pacing back and forth. This was going to be a very stressful morning for her and Yumi both. "Yumi." she breathed as she clutched the rosary around her neck. 'Just a few more minutes love, have faith and please hold on.' she thought.
Hearing a door open behind her, she turned around to see her parents, Suguru, and the priest enter the room. Looking to her mother, she asked. "Is she here?" Her mother smiled and nodded as she said "Yes. Yumi-chan and Touko-chan are being seated as we speak." Sachiko took in a deep breath, closed her eyes and silently thanked Maria-sama. Looking back up at the group, she asked. "Is everything ready for our little performance today?" Everyone nodded a yes. "Good. Then let's get this over with." she told them.
-0-0-
Despite the fact that she felt like her heart was breaking, Yumi was managing to keep a positive attitude about the whole affair. That is until she noticed Sachiko's grandfather coming into the chapel. He was all smiles and strutting like a peacock as he greeted those he knew. The sight made Yumi sick. She had never wanted to wish ill will upon someone before that moment. Her thoughts must have been reflected on her face because the old man suddenly looked at her with a large 'I won!' smile before bowing slightly in her direction. Yumi clenched her hands tightly as she turned her head away without acknowledging the gesture. She wanted to gag. From her point of view, the elder Ogasawara was being an arrogant jerk. Touko comforted her by patting her on the shoulder. Yumi noted that Touko had not responded to the man either.
As everyone settled in, Tooru and Sayako came out and sat down in the pew in front of and slightly to the left of Yumi. Sayako gave a quick smile as she said "Gokigenyo Yumi-chan." Yumi smiled in return. She couldn't be mad at Sayako. After all, it wasn't her fault that Sachiko was in this mess. Tooru had avoided looking at her at all. His whole demeanor seemed to indicate that he would rather be somewhere else. He definitely wasn't any happier about this than she or Sachiko were.
Suguru then came out and stood near the altar with the priest. He looked at Yumi and nodded in her direction. While his smile was pleasant, Yumi could read the emotions in the sadness behind those eyes. Like Tooru-sama, he wasn't happy at all. The look he gave Yumi seemed to say. 'I'm sorry I got you into this.' He then turned and nodded to the organist. Oddly, Yumi thought she saw him looking straight at Youko with his eyes as he did.
As the organist started playing, everyone turned to the side of the chapel where Sachiko was to enter from. However, Yumi was confused. The program she held clearly stated that the music was supposed to be Pachelbel's 'Canon in D'. A piece that she knew Sachiko dearly loved. Instead, she was hearing what was clearly Gounod's 'Ave Maria'. Putting the confusion out of he head for the moment, she looked up to watch Sachiko enter.
Being the lady she was, Sachiko moved with a graceful fluidity that bordered on perfection. To Yumi, Sachiko was perfection. Even in her current depressed state, Sachiko was absolutely gorgeous. 'I wish it was us getting married today instead.' Yumi thought. Sachiko did not look in her direction as she approached and stood in front of the altar. Looking at her love, Yumi's confusion increased as she noted that Sachiko's hair was uncharacteristically pulled back into a single pony-tail. A style that she knew Sachiko disliked. It was held in place by a single blue flower. As Yumi looked closer, she became aware that the flower was an exact duplicate of the one she wore in hers. Below it, Yumi could clearly see the chain of the rosary that also matched hers. Yumi began to frown. 'Is this a sign of some sort?' she wondered. 'If so, what does it mean?'
Yumi wasn't sure what to make of it as she was brought back into the moment when the priest started the service. As she sat watching, she could feel her heart wavering back and forth between sadness and anger. While she was sure that she could get through the service, she wasn't sure of was how she would hold up afterwards.
They were about two minutes into the service when the priest spoke directly to the audience. "Is there anyone present who opposes the union of these two? Speak now or forever hold your peace." He then paused as he looked around the chapel for any dissenting guests. Yumi suddenly felt Touko nudge her. Looking to her right, she could see Touko staring at her. With her eyes, Touko indicated towards the altar. Yumi waved her hand at Touko and shook her head no before staring into her lap.
Looking back up to the altar, Touko saw Sachiko looking over her shoulder at her. She glanced briefly at Yumi and then back to Touko. Touko gave an almost imperceptible head shake. Sachiko then tilted her head at Yumi and nodded before turning back around.
Touko nudged Yumi again with a little more force. Without looking up Yumi just shook her head no again. Touko rolled her eyes at her onee-sama's actions. After a few more seconds, Sachiko leaned over towards Suguru and whispered something to him. Suguru nodded and then turned towards the assembled guests along with Sachiko.
Speaking for the first time, Sachiko said. "Excuse us everyone. Please pardon our interruption of the service at this time. It has come to our attention that there are some of you who are opposed to our union. If you are one of those who do, we ask that you please stand and clearly state your reasons as to why." Her request was met by silence as guests started looking around to see who might stand up.
Leaning close to Yumi, Touko whispered to her. "Now is the time onee-sama..." Yumi gave a sigh and said. "If she wants to stop this, she needs to say so." Touko shook her head in disappointment as she said, "So stubborn, just like your onee-sama." Before she could reply to Touko's comment, Yumi suddenly felt a sharp pain in her right buttock. The pain was so intense that she involuntarily jumped up with a loud cry of "Hey!" Everyone in the chapel, Touko included, immediately looked to Yumi in surprise. As they did, the members of the Yamayurikai quietly began to slowly move forward along the sides of the chapel towards the altar. The Hanadera men close behind them.
Yumi looked back at Touko as she rubbed her bottom. It was then that she realized that she was the center of attention. Suddenly feeling the need to say something, anything really. She began with. "Ah...um...I..."
Masking her emotions, Sachiko addressed her petite-soeur. "Yumi-chan? Is there something you wanted to say?"
Yumi glanced around at Sachiko and the other guests before settling back on Touko. She really wanted to sit back down before she could embarrass herself any more. But as she looked at Touko, Yumi could see that she was giving Yumi an evil smirk. A movement then caught Yumi's attention. Looking down, she could see Touko's arms were crossed. In her right hand she held a large hat pin. Looking back up, she noted that Touko had an eyebrow raised as if in challenge. The message from her was clear. 'Try to sit and you'll get poked again.' Unfortunately for Yumi, no one else could see the pin.
The silence dragged on as Yumi and Touko were at an impasse. Finally Sachiko cleared her throat, getting Yumi's attention. "If you have something to say Yumi," She began. "Speak clearly and say it once..."
At her words, Yumi suddenly felt as though she were outside her body watching events unfold. Something inside her mind clicked and everything fell into place. The chapel at Lillian, the flowers, the sapphire blue color, Gounod's Ave Maria, the line she had just spoken, and the rosaries they were wearing. 'These are all things connected to us. Only us.' Yumi thought. As she stared back into Sachiko's steady gaze, the message finally came to her. 'I get it, she's saying; now is the time, now is the time to fight for us, save us!' A small smile graced Yumi's face as she turned fully towards Sachiko.
Seeing the subtle smile cross Yumi's face, Sachiko's heart started to beat faster in anticipation. Yumi had received her message and understood. The charade was over and it was time to end this disgraceful engagement.
Straightening herself, Yumi said loudly, "Hai, Sachiko. I am opposed to this marriage!"
-0-0-
A/N: Touko really does enjoy being the evil one doesn't she? ^_^ I could say I'm sorry for the cliff hanger, but I'm not going to!
05/25/2015