A/N: The next exciting chapter is here! Warning: A surprise tear jerker near the end of this one! ^_^

As always, I would like to welcome the following members to my merry band of story groupies: karibel, isatis56, Glokis, wickettheewok, and camygon. Thank you for the following, favoriting, and reviewing my humble story!

Confrontation

Chapter 12 – Checkmate: Part II

"Hai, Sachiko. I am opposed to this marriage!"

Sachiko could swear it was the most beautiful thing she had ever heard Yumi say. Second only to the first time she had said "I love you too, Onee-sama!" at her grandmother's house not three years past. After all that they had been through, even the argument at her parents home. Yumi, her Yumi, still wanted to be with her. Taking a moment to steady her heart, she asked seriously. "On what basis?"

"On the basis," Yumi replied. "That this is a fraudulent union. A false pretense. It is a blatant lie. All of this," she said, gesturing to the chapel and everyone in it. "is nothing but an illusion. It is a marriage based solely on someone else's greed and lust for power." At her words, gasps were heard among the assembled guests. Whether it was at her accusation or her audacity to speak, Yumi didn't care. This was her one chance and she wasn't going to mince words now.

Trusting Yumi to say only what was needed to get her point across, Sachiko nodded slowly in understanding. Telling her. "Please explain your reasons fully."

Boldly turning to face those assembled, she said loudly. "Neither one of these two people love each other as a spouse should. Nor do they even wish to be married, at least not to each other." Yumi told them. "It is a marriage solely for the convenience of another's wishes. One that has been forced upon them only to appease the demands of this man!" Without looking at him, she then pointed to the elder Ogasawara. He could be heard muttering to those around him. "What is this madness?"

"In fact," Yumi pressed on. "I know that neither of them intends to be faithful to their vows. The very vows that they will take and profess to abide by today will be ignored in their entirety!" Yumi heard more gasps of surprise from the audience. That this would cause a scandal for both the Ogasawara's and the Kashiwagi's was a given. Yumi hoped that she had not crossed a line with Sachiko or her family. Turning back to Sachiko and Suguru. "Because they are cousins," Yumi let the word hang for a moment. "They do not even intend to consummate the marriage." This was followed by a general murmuring from the seated guests. Looking to them both, Yumi asked. "Do you deny any of this Sachiko? Suguru-san?"

Youko watched Yumi's rant from her position near the organ. It was a truly beautiful sight to see. She would not have believed Yumi doing this four years ago when they had first met. Looking over to her girlfriend Sei, Youko could see a smirk of satisfaction on her face. Sei's rebellious nature was loving every minute of this spectacle. She would be impossible later, Youko knew, as she focused back on the events in front of her.

Suguru had a non-plussed look as he turned to his cousin. Sachiko's face had remained a mask as she had listened to Yumi. She kept her eyes on her petite-soeur as she turned her head towards Suguru. At the last moment, she finally looked at him as she raised her eyebrows as if asking a silent question. After several seconds, they both looked out upon the audience and shrugged their shoulders. "No." they replied in unison. More murmurs erupted from their guests. Sachiko waited until the noise settled again before continuing. "It is the truth of the matter, as such, we can not deny it. We are merely sealing a business deal arranged decades ago by my grandfather. Even though it is not by our choice."

"Then why,' Yumi asked them. "Are you doing this? Why do you continue living the lie?! Sachiko, you know what you mean to me. Why are you placating that self-absorbed idiot's archaic ideas?!"

"Enough!" The elder Ogasawara suddenly interrupted as he stood. "This is nonsense! Your petty arguments are irrelevant. The marriage will commence immediately. Stop prattling on and begone!" He yelled at Yumi.

Yumi did not look at him. Instead, she intently kept her eyes on Sachiko, who met her gaze evenly. Then much to her surprise, she saw Sachiko wink at her. It was followed by a smile that would have been invisible to everyone else except Yumi. Yumi slowly returned the smile, she had seen this side of her onee-sama before. Sachiko was up to something and she was about to make her play.

The mask fell back into place as Sachiko looked over to her grandfather and said. "No, Grandfather. She will stay. Yumi's arguments are neither petty nor irrelevant. She is correct. Suguru and I know that there is no basis for a legitimate marriage between the two of us. Even our friends are aware of that fact. Our engagement and marriage is, as she says, a false pretense." Looking back to Yumi, she finished. "Nothing more than a shallow and cheap imitation of the real thing." Beside her Suguru spoke up, adding. "Both my family and I concur." At Suguru's agreement, Sachiko had given a small nod to Youko near the organ. She and the rest of the assembled Roses immediately began moving from the sides of the chapel towards the altar.

The elder Ogasawara had turned to face Sachiko with a loud. "What did you say?" at her words. If the statement had been meant to intimidate Sachiko, it fell miserably short. By the looks she was giving him, even a stranger would have known that it had no effect on her. As he looked on in astonishment, her grandfather suddenly found the area between him and the couple blocked by eight generations of Roses. "What is this?" he shouted at them. "Get out of my way!" as he made to go through them.

In unison, all twenty Roses interlocked their arms and refused to budge as Hasekura Rei, centered in the front row, firmly answered, "No." with a polite smile. To her right, Sei gave him a wicked smile that dared him to try and pass between them.

As this was happening, Touko had grabbed Yumi's hand and told her. "Onee-sama, come!" Before moving to the outside aisle to go around the blockade of Roses. Yumi followed closely behind her until they stopped in front of the priest and just behind Sachiko and Suguru.

As her grandfather looked on in rage from the center aisle, Sachiko turned to her cousin and said. "Kashiwagi Suguru-san, I do not think we should have to marry to appease this man's desires. As such, I hereby release you from our engagement." Nodding to her, Suguru answered in kind. "Ogasawara Sachiko-san, I agree and accept your proposal and I also hereby release you from our engagement." Sachiko then slightly bowed back to him in acceptance.

"Unacceptable!" Her grandfather roared. "It is not your decision to make!"

This time Suguru spoke out in their defense. "Oh, but it is sir. As much as you may disagree with it, it is our engagement, so it is clearly our decision. Please accept it gracefully." His stare at the elder Ogasawara was without a smile. It obviously meant that no further disagreement would be tolerated.

"Bah!" the elder man said in way of reply. "I have heard enough of this." He then turned and stormed out of the church. Uttering curses as he went. He was shadowed by Yuuki and the Hanadera members.

As the chapel doors closed behind the man, Suguru turned to Sachiko and said. "Now that that is done, I do believe the stage is yours dear cousin." He then bowed and turned away. As he passed Yumi, he whispered to her. "Good luck Cinderella..." Yumi smiled at his statement briefly before she felt herself being gently pushed forward by her petite-soeur. She took several steps forward, stopping in front of Sachiko.

Smiling at her, Yumi said. "Now I suppose I will be scolded for being so impertinent? And for breaking up such a lovely ceremony?"

Returning her own smile, Sachiko replied. "My, you certainly have become quite the troublesome petite-soeur as of late. As your onee-sama, I probably should scold you and make you apologize to all our guests. However, considering the circumstances, I think it can be overlooked. This time."

"Mmm-huh." Yumi replied noncommittally before she retorted. "Certainly, it was clear that someone had to make the first move. One shouldn't have to wait for their princess forever you know."

Sachiko giggled. "Yes, I agree. However, in my defense, I do believe that a girl likes to be pursued by the one she loves now and again."

"Yes." Yumi said before patting her hand to her own chest. "I agree, a girl certainly does like to be pursued by her love." Placing her hands back demurely in front of her. Yumi then looked up at Sachiko with wide innocent eyes as she asked. "So, what do you intend to do about that Ogasawara Sachiko?"

Sachiko grinned at Yumi and whispered, "Such impatience..." as she reached into a pocket hidden in her dress sleeve. Pulling out an object, she began to kneel in front of Yumi. Seeing this, Yumi quickly grabbed her arm and uttered a barely audible "No." Confused, Sachiko looked at Yumi. Leaning in close to her, Yumi whispered with a smile. "A princess never kneels. Especially not my princess." Sachiko returned her smile with and straightened up before taking Yumi's left hand.

Speaking loud enough to be heard by all, she began, "Fukuzawa Yumi, four years ago we were fortunate enough to meet on this very campus under the watchful gaze of Maria-sama. Through her ever vigilant guidance, I have come to know you well. First as a classmate, then as a sister, then as a friend, and ultimately; as my one true love."

As she paused, a collective gasp went up from the guests. More than a few 'what's?' and 'Is she serious? were also heard.

"Yumi, with Maria-sama again as our witness, would you consent to making me the happiest woman alive and marry me?" she asked. In her right hand she held out a one-karat blue diamond ring with a silver band to Yumi.

Yumi's answering smile lit up the entire chapel. "Ogasawara Sachiko, as Maria-sama and our friends can attest." she began, tilting her head, indicating the gathered Yamayurikai. "You have always been my princess, my light, and my one true love. Nothing on God's earth would make me happier than to accept your ring. Hai, I will marry you." she happily told Sachiko as her love slipped the ring onto her hand.

They shared a brief chaste kiss and embrace as Suguru walked out in front of the assembled guests. "And that will conclude today's ceremony." He told them. "Our apologies if we have inconvenienced you or made any of you feel uncomfortable. For those who wish to do so, you may request to have your gifts returned by seeing the charming Touko-chan at the chapel entrance. Any gifts not returned today will be donated in your name to a charity of our choice." He then bowed deeply. "As I am sure many of you are probably famished after today's exhausting events, today's dinner will be held as scheduled in the adjoining reception hall. We ask that you all please do come and join us. Stay as long as you wish." Turning back to the members of the Yamayurikai behind him, he said. "Ladies, I believe it's time to celebrate, yes?" The comment garnered a laugh from them as they all agreed. They proceeded to file out of the chapel towards the reception hall, escorting the newly engaged Chinensis sisters as they went.

-0-0-

Later that afternoon, after a scrumptious meal and numerous congratulations, and also some condolences, most of which were said in jest; Sachiko and Yumi were relaxing in the company of the remaining guests. Owing to the popularity of the Ogasawara heiress, a majority of those invited had stayed afterwards. Only a few of the 'old guard' had departed after Sachiko's grandfather. It was obvious that the times had finally begun to change. Something Sachiko and Yumi could appreciate.

Touko approached them and asked them to follow her. Saying mysteriously, "Aunt Sayako has something to show us." As they stood and began following her, they noted that the other Roses in attendance had also started to file out in the direction Touko was heading. Once outside, they followed the pathways past the Rose mansion heading back towards the main school building. Their pace as slow and deliberate as they had been when they were students.

Once they entered the main building, they were brought to a hallway near the shoe lockers that extended past the school offices towards the classrooms. The hall had recently been remodeled and was now adorned with many similar-sized pictures on both sides. They came to a stop before they reached them and were greeted by the current headmaster of Lillian High School for Girls, Mizuki Seriho.

"Good afternoon ladies." she began. "Thank you for taking a few moments away from your party to come here." She bowed gracefully. "Normally, I would prefer not to intrude like this on such a happy occasion. However, as I had the unexpected opportunity to address such a large number of Yamayurikai all at once, I simply could not pass it up." She smiled appreciatively at them before continuing. "What you see behind me is the completed first phase of remodeling we are undertaking here at Lillian. This section has been dedicated specifically to that group of students who have made the most impact not only upon the students here at Lillian, but upon the world in general: the Rose families." She then indicated the photos along the hall. "What you are seeing is a photographic exhibit made up of the portraits of every Rose and En Bouton that has held office since our school's inception."

The group gave a small round of applause for the exhibit. "This hall," she continued. "is meant to inspire our students onto greater things. There is a compendium added to the display for students to read. It contains the names of all the Roses and En Bouton's along with all their achievements over a lifetime. It also cross reference's those members whose siblings or children have also held office by name and year." More applause was given before she finished with, "I will not delay you any longer. I now present to you; 'Rose Hall'." The headmaster then moved aside and encouraged to Roses to walk down the newly completed hallway.

There were 'oohs' and 'aahs' from the assemblage as they moved along the hall taking in all the photos. Yumi noted that not only were there photo's of the first Yamayurikai members, in kimonos no less, but they had also even found one of Konno Oyuki. She was the Rosa Chinensis responsible not only for saving the Rose Mansion from demolition, but also for permanently acquiring it for the Yamayurikai's exclusive use. This had been accomplished while she was still a second year student! Her negotiating skills were legendary among the school staff. She had been elected to the governing board upon her graduation from Lillian University, a position that she still held.

Being the girls they were, Yumi, Sachiko, and Touko first walked towards the far end of the hall looking for their own photo's. Sayako and Miki followed a short distance behind. Quickly finding themselves among the pictures, they began cooing over each other's portraits. With Touko being the most embarrassed after Yumi's exclamation. "Aw, sooo cute!" as she hugged Touko from behind. After taking a few minutes to also look over their friends photo's, Sachiko turned to Sayako and asked. "Mother, where is yours?"

"Oh," Sayako replied. "It's a few meters back that way." She pointed in the direction that the group had initially come from. The group proceeded back up the hallway. Sachiko held Yumi and Touko back a bit as their mother's lead the way. As she did, Yumi and Touko were handed a red rose by one of the current Yamayurikai. It was then that Yumi noticed that all of the Roses were carrying roses colored according to their families. Seeing the questions on their faces, Sachiko quietly whispered. "There is a surprise," Then looking to Yumi, she said. "For your mother." as an explanation. Yumi's interest was piqued, so she nodded and slowed her pace.

When they reached the area, the Roses all gathered behind Miki and Sayako. "So beautiful..." Miki said as she pointed out Sayako's picture. Sayako blushed at her comment as Miki read the inscription. "Kiyoko Sayako, Rosa Chinensis" she said in admiration. Looking at the photo adjacent to Sayako's that showed her en Bouton, Miki said "I remember her too." She also read the inscription beneath it. "Miya Himeko, Rosa Chinensis en Bouton (A)". She looked puzzled for a moment before turning to Sayako and asking. "I am curious Saako-sama, do you know what is the 'A' for?"

Sayako smiled and replied. "I believe the photo following hers should explain that." Turning back to the wall, Miki looked to the next one. Her eyes widened in surprise upon seeing it as she drew a sharp intake of breath. Tears started to form in her eyes and her hand shook as she reached out and gently touched the portrait.

Not being able to clearly see it from her position, Yumi looked to Sachiko for an explanation. Sachiko leaned into her, whispering. "It's your mother's portrait. The inscription reads: 'Houribe Miki, Rosa Chinensis en Bouton (B)." Yumi also gave a small gasp as she realized the meaning behind the inclusion of her mother's photo in the exhibit. She squeezed Sachiko's hand as she looked on at her mother.

Collecting herself, Miki looked back to Sayako. "But...I wasn't... I don't understand... How?" She asked her friend. Sayako smiled as she put an arm around Miki. "The school called me several weeks ago to verify the information for the exhibit." She explained. "I simply pointed out that there was a minor error in their records." Miki started to cry as she managed to sob out, "Why?" Sayako shrugged her shoulders. "Maria-sama made me do it." she replied. Miki leaned into her and returned Sayako's embrace. "Thank you." she told her before she turned around and faced the assembled Roses.

The current Rosa Chinensis stepped forward and bowed before she handed Miki a single red rose. "Welcome to the Yamiyurikai, Rosa Chinensis En Bouton." she said aloud as the rest of the assembled Roses all raised their flowers as if to toast to her. Miki smiled and managed to get out a "Thank you." as she accepted the rose. She then turned to her daughter.

Yumi gave her mother a smile and hugged her tightly as she said. "Welcome to the Chinensis family, grandmother." Miki giggled at her comment before the rest of the Yamayurikai chimed in and offered their own personal welcomes as well. Before returning to the reception, they took the time to read their compendium entries and posed in front of the exhibition in a group photo for the Lillian Karawaban of the now twenty-five Roses and En Boutons present for the unveiling.

-0-0-

A/N: Miki and Sayako's maiden names used here come from the English translations of the light novel series. They may or may not coincide with what Oyuki-sensei has actually written. (Yes, I just "had" to add Oyuki-sensei's name into the story as a Rosa Chinensis in her own right. It's my story, just deal with it.) The names Miya Himeko and Mizuki Seriho are my own creations and are not part of the established canon. As for promoting Miki Fukuzawa from Saako-sama's 'Fairy' to Rosa Chinensis en Bouton, just like Sayako herself said; Maria-sama made me do it. ^_^

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A/N: Is that the end? Nope! Bwahahahaha! Just wait, there's more!