Author's note: Thank you for all the reviews! I decided to hurry up and post another chapter just to make up for taking so long last time. I tried to make this chapter a little longer and a little more significant to the relationship.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, sadly. :(

After leaving the club, Chikane had returned to her hotel to pack an overnight bag, and Himeko had left her directions to the dorm room. When they went their separate ways, Makoto flung her arm around Himeko's shoulders. "You…are GETTING SOME!" Himeko blushed furiously and exclaimed, "Mako-chan! You're drunk. That's not proper…and it's not like that." Mako laughed and slurred, "Are you kidding me? I thought—thought you two were going to get it on…when you were on the dance floor. And now—NOW—she's spending the night. You gonna share a bed?"

Himeko shook her head. "Of course not, I'm making a bed on the floor for myself. She's like a really rich princess or something, I'm not going to make her sleep on the floor or share a bed with a stranger."

Makoto burst into hysterics as Himeko hailed a cab. When they got in, Makoto continued, "You don't act like strangers. You've known each other for like, a day, and it's like you've known each other for years. And the way that Chik—Chikane's behaving, she wouldn't mind sharing a bed."

Attempting to ignore Mako-chan's drunk teasing, Himeko kept quiet for the ride back to their dorm. After helping her stumbling friend into the room and to her bed, Himeko searched frantically for her nicest pair of pajamas. Mako watched her from her bed and commented, "You really are trying to impress this girl, aren't you?" Himeko shook her head, then nodded. "I just…she's really well off, Mako-chan. I want to seem like I'm even a little bit worthy to be in her company."

As she got into a pink silk nightgown that had been given to her by Makoto on her eighteenth birthday, Makoto rolled over onto her stomach and whispered, "She's the one, isn't she?" Himeko began brushing the tangles out of her hair and asked, "What do you mean?"

Mako pointed to a picture on Himeko's dresser. It was a photo of only Himeko, standing alone and yet smiling like she felt complete...a photo that Himeko had framed to remind herself that she was waiting for her one special person. "The one you've been waiting for, the one that you turned down the prince of our school for. The one…that…you say you'll find one day, and it'll feel like your whole life is worth something." Himeko pulled her hair back into a low ponytail and contemplated her friend's tipsy—yet oddly sensible—words. "I don't know yet, Mako-chan. All I know is that she makes me feel more alive than I've ever felt in my life. But she also feels dangerous. Risky. That's not something that I'm used to being attracted to." Mako laughed and exclaimed, "That girl oozes danger. In a classy way, of course, but everything about her is fiery and feisty. She's the exactly…exact opposite of you, in every way. But if you think she's the one you've been waiting for…" she trailed off and flopped back on her back. "God, Himeko, I've got a migraine. You're making me think too much! You couldn't have invited her on a night where I'm NOT drunk and probably gonna puke my guts up in fifteen minutes?"

"Well, Mako-chan, you shouldn't have had that third and fourth drink. Now come on, let's get you ready for bed."

Chikane arrived with impeccable timing, right after Himeko got a groaning and complaining Makoto into her pajamas and in her bed with a cup of hot tea, and had made a palette on the floor to sleep on. Himeko opened the door breathlessly. "Come in! It's a little quaint, but it's clean!" Chikane giggled at Himeko's nervous enthusiasm and entered the room. "It's beautiful, Himeko. Hello again, Saotome-san," she greeted Makoto. Mako waved her hand and slurred, "It's Makoto or Makooo-chan. Don't be so formal. And if you're wondering, I'm drunk. I'm really, really drunk. Hime never gets drunk with me, because she always has to be like my mom and take care of me." Himeko blushed and apologized for Makoto, and Chikane just giggled again. "No, Himeko. She's actually a hilarious drunk. My guess is she's the kind that spills secrets. What can we learn about Hime-chan?" She winked at Himeko and smirked at seeing her face turn redder. She made a move to place her bag next to the palette on the floor, and Himeko hurried to say, "Um, no, Chikane, you can have my bed. I wouldn't want you to have to sleep on the floor!" Chikane looked at her coolly and replied, "It's your room, and I'm a guest. It's only natural." Himeko blushed. "Well…would you like to sit on my bed while we watch a movie? I'll let you pick from our collection." She pointed to a shelf of movies next to their television. Chikane bowed slightly and said, "I trust you to choose something. I've never really watched movies before. How about you pick and I will go get changed into my nightwear."

Chikane pulled a black silk nightgown out of her bag and made her way into the bathroom. Himeko picked out four movies, each one a favorite for a different reason, and waited patiently, pouring Chikane a cup of the tea she had made. She checked on Makoto, who had passed out shortly after rambling, and made sure she was tucked in and comfortable. When Chikane came back, Himeko handed the cup of tea to her. Chikane accepted it graciously and perched on the bed next to Himeko. With a glance over at Mako, Chikane pouted. "Great, now I'll have to wait to hear other things about you." They laughed quietly and comfortably. Together, they leaned back against the headboard and Himeko began to hand her movies. "I didn't want to not give you a say, so here are four that are favorites of mine. The first is a romance, the second a comedy, the third an action film, and the last one is horror." Chikane picked up the horror film and eyed Himeko through her ebony bangs. "You like horror movies?" she questioned. Himeko shrugged and replied, "I liked that one. It's not all about monsters and fake stuff. It has to do with questioning the psyche and the drive of human nature."

Chikane seemed to have forgotten the movie in her hands, and she continued to stare at Himeko. "So you're interested in the human mind?" she pressed. Himeko smiled and reached over to grab her photography portfolio off her dresser. "I'm majoring in photography. It's my job to see something that's behind the surface beauty or the surface flaws, and see what's hiding underneath. The best pictures are the ones that have secrets." She allowed Chikane to study the pictures, waiting with bated breath to hear what she thought of them. Chikane stopped at one picture of a ruined church.

"What does this picture mean? What's its secret?" Chikane asked, keeping her gaze steady, her piercing blue eyes boring into Himeko's. Himeko grinned. "What is the picture saying to you? What are your thoughts when you look at it?"

Chikane looked down at the picture and shrugged. "I don't know." Himeko took Chikane's hand in hers and placed it on the picture. Keeping her hand on the other girl's, Himeko leaned over and rested her chin on Chikane's shoulder, so that they could both study the picture at the same angle. "Every picture means something different, depending on the person looking at it. So what do you feel when you look at it?"

Chikane could only see Himeko's hand upon her own. The difference in color and texture fascinated her. While she herself was pale and had soft hands from never having to do daily chores, Himeko's hands were slightly more sun-kissed and slightly rougher. It signified a difference in not only lifestyles and class, but in background and in each girl's past. The contrast both startled and humbled her, and it took all she had to focus on the picture and not the perfect girl that she was slowly becoming obsessed with. "Um," she began, "I feel hopeless. I feel empty, rejected, maybe…and just a sense of loss. It's like nothing that beautiful should ever have been capable of corruption or harm. How can something that was made to give people a drive and a reason to live be something so twisted?" She paused, feeling a strange nostalgic feeling. Like she had felt that way before…empty, rejected, corrupted and twisted. But she'd done nothing in her life to make her feel that way…had she?

Himeko smiled gently. "Now I'll tell you the story behind that ruined church. This was the aftermath of an attack by gang members. It's in a city far away from here, so don't worry. They were men and women who had been turned away from this church because of their gang relations. They had tattoos and piercings on their faces and bodies and the church hadn't wanted to accept 'their kind', for fear that the opinion of their great building and congregation would lessen if they allowed such people to worship where kind, decent people worshiped. A beautiful church, a place that was built to worship a god who is supposed to welcome all who care to listen, had become corrupted by surface values and social status. So all those feelings that the picture makes you feel is a moment in time that was captured so it would never be forgotten. That horror, that anguish, and that terrible lesson will last in a photograph."

Chikane shuddered. "It's too real for me. I've never seen that kind of thing, personally. It must've been hard to stand there and take pictures of that." Himeko nodded, then turned the pages to a picture of a beautiful waterfall surrounded by tropical flowers and foliage. "It's pictures like these that make up for some of the negative feelings. When I saw this waterfall, I was calm and tranquil. I felt nothing but peace here; peace and a great respect for the beauty in this world. Sometimes, with all the bad stuff that happens, we forget that places and views like this even exist. I took a picture of this to capture the beauty and forever remember it."

Chikane flipped through a few more pages, then asked, "What made you so interested in photography?" She then quickly shook her head. "I'm sorry, I sound like I'm interviewing you…"

Himeko smiled calmly and sat back up so that she could look at Chikane again. "I love memories. I never want to forget anything I feel in life. It doesn't matter if it's bad or good. Everything that happens in life happens for a reason, and I take the bad things and make them lessons or reasons to always appreciate the good things. Mako-chan says I'm too positive sometimes, but I don't see how someone can be negative when there's so much you can benefit from." She giggled. "It's my turn to ask questions. What are you majoring in?" Chikane closed the portfolio and answered, "I'm actually majoring in culinary arts." Himeko's eyes widened. "There's no way!" she exclaimed. Then she clamped her hands over her mouth as Mako snorted and rolled over in her sleep. Chikane burst into quiet laughter and soon Himeko joined her. When their giggles died down, Chikane continued, "I know it's strange. My parents weren't thrilled until I proved that there were benefits to being a chef. I'm also getting my degree in business so that I can start my own restaurant. I only have two years left. I specialize in Japanese and French cuisine and delicacies."

Himeko closed her mouth, unaware that she'd been gaping. "It's just so unexpected. Chikane, a kitchen boss." She giggled. "I'm sorry, that was rude." Chikane smiled and said, "It's okay. I laugh at it sometimes too. But if you're driven to do something, you should do it, no matter your class or social status."

Himeko placed her portfolio back on her dresser and got up to put in the horror film. "This is the one you were interested in, right?" When Chikane nodded, Himeko started the movie, turned out the lights, and resumed her position next to Chikane on the bed.

The girls watched quietly, and about a half hour into the movie, Himeko rested her head on Chikane's shoulder. Chikane smiled and linked her fingers with the blonde girl's. It was strangely comforting to be so close to someone who didn't see her as a role model or a public figure only there to impress and look nice. Himeko seemed to truly care for Chikane as a person, in an innocent and devoted kind of way. But…was she interested in Chikane in the way that Chikane was interested in her? She didn't know, and for that reason, she hesitated. Maybe Himeko only wanted a close friend. Maybe a sister figure. Maybe she was too innocent to understand what Chikane felt for her. Chikane suddenly became afraid that she'd misjudged the situation and was already getting too attached only to be rejected.

Himeko squeezed Chikane's hand tightly. Their hands fit perfectly together, like they were made to be linked forever. She looked up at Chikane and saw something she didn't like in her eyes. There was doubt there, and…fear? Was she afraid that Himeko didn't like her? Himeko knew that society frowned upon girls being together, but Himeko felt unlike she'd ever felt before with Chikane. She could openly discuss her photography and her feelings, share things that she couldn't share with anyone else. Chikane was a surprise at every turn, and it made her want to know more. Himeko didn't want to see the doubt that Chikane was feeling, so she reached up and turned Chikane's chin toward her. When their eyes met, Himeko slowly leaned in and brushed her lips against Chikane's soft mouth. Her hand slid to Chikane's chest, and she felt her heartbeat skyrocket. She smiled against Chikane's lips. She had surprised her—good. She kissed her again, and was delighted when Chikane started responding in kind. Chikane's arm wrapped around Himeko's waist and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss.

When Chikane's tongue touched hers, Himeko thought about chickening out. It was one thing to kiss like you were kissing a friend or a sister, but completely different when tongues were involved. There was heat and electricity, a consuming fire that she felt with every stroke of Chikane's mouth against hers. Chikane shivered and whispered, "Your waist…it's so delicate, like it might break if I embrace you…" Himeko pulled back and stared into Chikane's eyes. "I'm tougher than you think," she stated bravely. Chikane's eyes darkened and she kissed Himeko deeply one more time, just to forever store her taste and feel in her mind, and then Himeko pulled away. "Um, we're missing the movie," she said awkwardly. Chikane giggled and held Himeko close as they continued the movie.

When it came to an end, Chikane made a move to get on the palette on the floor, and Himeko stopped her. "The bed's big enough for us both, if you aren't uncomfortable with it." Chikane smiled brightly and they crawled under the covers together. Facing Chikane, Himeko whispered, "You can NOT tell Mako-chan that I kissed you. I'll never live it down." Chikane grinned and mimed zipping her lips. "My lips are sealed, milady," she replied. Himeko smiled shyly and then asked, "Is it weird? To feel attracted to a girl?"

Chikane contemplated it for a moment, then nodded. "I suppose it is, a little bit. But in the end, I don't think gender matters. I believe in soul mates: that in every reincarnation of a soul, they will always find their other half, no matter what form it's in."

"Do you think we've met before, in like, another life?"

Chikane's eyes met hers and she answered, "Absolutely. I have no doubt about it. I definitely know you from somewhere, and I don't think it was from this lifetime."

They lay quietly for a few moments, then Himeko frowned. "I don't think so either. I'd remember meeting you. If we have met before, it would be really neat to find out how, where, and when, wouldn't it?"

"I think it would answer a lot of questions."

With that, the girls interlaced their fingers and finally fell asleep, comforted by each other's presence.

"I didn't come here to play. I came to confirm your truth."

"My truth?"

Eyes tearing up, Himeko explained, "The Chikane-chan I know is strong and kind and wonderful and she's…she's not someone who could do something horrible like this. Do you hate me that much? Or did Orochi do something to you? Please tell me, Chikane-chan!"

Chikane drew her sword in one last desperate attempt to make the woman she loved understand what finally made her snap, to finally make her remember and realize what she was sacrificing by what she was doing. "Sure, I'll tell you. I'll tell your body."

Himeko gasped and cried out Chikane's name as her friend charged her, barely having time to raise her own sword in defense."Chikane-chan, stop! Chikane-chan!"

Almost in a deranged, manic state, Chikane continued to attack as she explained frantically, "I love you. I love your eyes. Those eyes which shine like the universe in spring. I love those kind eyes, like the spring sunlight. I love your hair, those silken strands which wave in the wind." During this speech, Chikane managed to slice a good chunk of Himeko's hair as it waved in the struggle. Himeko gasped and Chikane stopped her attack to press her face close to Himeko's. "I love your lips," she continued. "Lips that drip honey with each kiss. I love the lips that leak the lonely sound of the breaths you breathe."

She resumed swinging her sword, and at Himeko's surprised exclamation she explained further, "I love your voice. I love that high, clear, pure voice of yours that echoes in my heart." With that, she found an opening and hit Himeko square in the gut with the handle of her sword. When Himeko doubled over in pain, Chikane knelt down and said, "I love your body." Her hand wandered down Himeko's slender back, causing her to emit yet another gasp of surprise and fear. "Your narrow waist, which might break under the burden of supporting your beauty." Leaning in closer, she took Himeko's right breast in her hand, her voice almost faltering as she continued, " I love the warmth that I feel when I touch those small perfectly shaped breasts."

Himeko squeezed her eyes shut, both fighting off arousal and remembering the horror of the night Chikane forced herself on her. She remained still as Chikane buried her face in her chest and finished her explanation. "What I love most is your heart. Fragile and easily ruined…but endlessly pure and beautiful. Your soul, which is filled with kindness, and which forgives everything."

She snapped awake. Looking at the girl laying next to her, and as the memories came flooding back, she finally understood. They had been given another chance. As she lay there, she wondered if the latter would wake soon and remember as she did, and worried about what would happen if she never did remember. She decided that she would do all in her power to help her soul mate remember who she was and why they needed one another, no matter how long it took or what obstacles she had to face.

*Author's note*: What is your guess? Which of the two is it that remembered? :P