A/N: Because you have been so nice to me, please accept this early posting as a little present for everyone. Thank you all for your comments and emails.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters for MSGM. All such honors belong to Oyuki Konno.
"So, who wants to go first?" Shimako asked the group sitting around the table in the Rose Mansion. It was Monday afternoon and the meeting of the Yamayurikai was just getting started. Shimako looked at her fellow Roses and their boutons seeking their thoughts as to the proposed Lillian/Hanadera Christmas Ball. She looked first towards Yoshino-san.
"Ah, well," Yoshino stammered a bit before she took herself firmly in hand. She was no longer an 'en bouton' but Rosa Foetida and she had to begin acting like it. Sitting up a little straighter she crossed her hands in front of her on the table and took a deep breath. "I have been thinking about the proposal since Yumi-san originally raised it. I apologize for my original outburst. As Rosa Gigantea properly pointed out we are no longer simply our own people but representatives of the entire student body. As such my original reaction was . . . unseemly. I believe that we should take the proposal to the administration and provide our own support for it. I think that the students of Lillian would enjoy the opportunity to attend the event. Not all students have had the opportunity to attend such an affair . . . and I think it would not only be fun but educational; providing everyone a chance to learn how to properly behave at a ball."
It was probably the longest speech she had ever made that had not been given at the top of her lungs, including her election speech from the previous January. She felt utterly exhausted from the experience and her shoulders slumped with fatigue. Within moments, however, she felt firm, strong hands massaging her shoulders. She leaned into the pressure of those fine fingers and palms with a deep sigh of contentment until she heard a soft whisper in her ear, "You did very well, onee-sama."
"Nana-chan, thank you; both for your kind words as well as your hands. That feels wonderful."
"Yes, thank you Nana-chan. Maybe we can use a massage as positive reinforcement to dissuade her from any further 'unseemly' outbursts in the future," Yumi said with her face reflecting a firm and seriousness demeanor. It was a full ten seconds of total shock around the table before she couldn't help a giggle escaping.
"Much better onee-sama," Touko-chan exclaimed clapping her hands, "that sounded almost exactly like Sachiko-oneesama. You are learning faster than I had anticipated."
"Thank you Touko-chan. I have been practicing in front of the mirror as you suggested. I can even fool Yuuki every now and then," Yumi told her petite soeur through her giggles.
"As interesting as that may be, Rosa Chinensis," Shimako said with an icy smile for the brown eyed girl, "we need to complete our meeting and such comments do not move matters forward. Since you have a significant interest in the outcome Touko-chan, instead of encouraging her, why don't you grace us with your thoughts on the matter?"
Every eye in the room turned towards the Angel of Lillian and not a few mouths briefly dropped open.
"What? If Yumi-san can do it why can't I?" the beautiful girl asked with a soft pout. The sound of five people sighing in unison reminded her of the breeze rushing through the gingkoes.
"Onee-sama," Noriko spoke softly, "you are already much better at it than Yumi-sama. You don't need the practice."
"Oh," she gasped quietly and brought her hand to her mouth, but her eyes sparkled with mischief. Noriko simply sighed again but she flashed a secret smile just for Shimako.
Touko took a deep breath to gather herself back together, "As . . . disturbing . . . as it may be to hear Sachiko-oneesama's words coming from the mouth of the Rosa Gigantea, she is correct. As for my thoughts on the matter of the ball, I am for moving forward with the proposal."
"You just want a chance to dance with Yuuki-san," Yoshino snickered.
"I don't need a ball to dance with Yuuki-san," Touko retorted sharply, "I just think that the students would enjoy it. T-that's all!" Despite her words she couldn't keep the slight flush of embarrassment from her cheeks.
"Quit teasing my petite soeur," Yumi chided the Rosa Foetida with a chuckle. Yoshino simply continued to grin.
"What do you think Nana-chan," Shimako asked the youngest of the group.
"Oh, I still want to go," the dark haired girl responded, "I haven't changed my mind."
"Then that just leaves Noriko," Shimako said while turning to her petite soeur.
"I have no problem with it, onee-sama, but I would like to hear your own decision," Noriko said. "You have asked everyone else, but have not provided your own thoughts."
"Well, I actually took a random poll of around thirty different students," she started to explain. "Please, I did not let any of them know that we were considering anything like this. I just told them that I had never personally been to a ball and asked them if they had and, if so, what they thought of the experience. I was quite surprised to find that only about a third of the students I questioned had actually been to a ball. I would have thought a larger number would have attended such an event. Nevertheless, of those that had attended a ball about two-thirds said that they had enjoyed it. Of those that had not attended one, again about two-thirds said that they would like to do so. I can therefore estimate that, if we do go forward with the ball, we can anticipate that between two-thirds and three-quarters of the Lillian students will attend. This assumes that some of those that said they did not enjoy the experience decide to attend anyway or, unfortunately, are forced to do so by their parents."
"I would like to say that it is hard to believe that there are parents like that still in the world today," Touko commented with a sigh, "but then I think about how the Ogasawara's were before Yumi-sama entered their lives . . .".
"Yes, well, whether students are forced to attend or not; that does not mean that we cannot make it an enjoyable evening for them," Shimako smiled at the Rosa Chinensis en Bouton.
"That's true," Nana agreed with the Rosa Gigantea, "I am sure that we won't be able to keep all politics out of the ballroom, but it would be nice if we can do what we can to limit it."
Everyone around the table turned quiet as they tried to envision a way to make sure that the party was fun and not a trial for those attending.
"Making sure that none of the chaperones are parents is probably the best way," Touko-chan said into the ensuing silence. "Without any parents breathing down their necks the students are much more likely to enjoy themselves and let their masks slip; at least for the evening?"
"That's a thought," Yumi piped up. "I know that I said I would not get involved in the decision to move forward with the ball, but it already sounds like you are all in favor of it," she said glancing around the table to see all heads nodding. "Then what if we suggested that the ball be a fancy dress ball? That way everyone could wear some sort of mask and the students would be able to at least claim that they did not know exactly who they danced with."
Nods again surrounded the table.
"Even if it doesn't limit the politics, a fancy dress ball sounds fun," Yoshino grinned.
"Then I guess we have our consensus?" Yumi asked with a smile.
"I would say that we do," Shimako replied with a smile of her own.
"Hiromi-san, did you get a chance to speak to the Director?" Yumi asked the strawberry blonde.
"Yes and it was as I thought. She will leave the decision up to us and the administration, but privately she asked me if she could attend as well," Hiromi chucked. "It seems that she hasn't been to a ball in a long time and, believe it or not, she has someone she wants to invite."
Yumi grinned. "Kasuga Seiko-san." It was a statement; not a question. Hiromi just smiled and nodded. Yoshino smiled as well while Shimako and the others looked confused. Since they had promised not to say anything they had kept the secret of who the real author of Forest of Thorns was even from the other members of the Yamayurikai. Yumi had correctly surmised that Hiromi-san was already aware of his godmother's love for the woman if not all of the details of their history together.
"Then, if you do not mind, I will call Yuuki and let him know our decision and we can decide our next steps," Yumi said as she once again took up the reins of the council that Sachiko had entrusted to her. With everyone's agreement she pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and hit a button. "Yuuki, we can move forward to talk to the administrations." They all could hear the yells of delight coming through the phone even though it was not set for speaker. Yumi pulled the phone away from her ear while the tumult continued. When it seemed to settle down she put the phone back to her ear. "Yuuki, let's schedule a joint meeting to discuss how we want to approach both schools. What's a good day for you? Oh, alright. Let's talk about it later. See you at home." She hung up the phone. "I think they're happy," she grinned.
"Ya think?" Yoshino smirked.
-oo-
As Rosa Foetida en Bouton, Nana Arima was expected to assist with the preparation for the Maria Ceremony as well as the presentation of the medals. Having received her rosary from Yoshino-sama on the same day that the previous Rosa Foetida, Rei Hasekura, had graduated, receipt of the Maria-sama Miracle Medal was of significantly less concern to her. She was still somewhat unbelieving that she was the petite soeur of her onee-sama. Despite the accidental nature of their meeting, she had already been aware that Yoshino had been the petite soeur of Rei-sama, Taisho of the high school kendo team. She had known almost nothing about the girl with long, braided brown hair before Yoshino-sama had literally knocked her over. Within the next few moments, however, she had learned that Hasekura-sama's petite soeur was adventurous, unafraid of pulling a complete stranger into an "act" for Eriko-sama, and a new member of the Lillian Kendo Club. She had found the girl . . . interesting. She had also been surprisingly attracted to the hyperactive bouton. Not in a romantic sense, but there had been . . . something. When she had picked up Yoshino's rosary from where it had fallen after they collided, she had realized that she wanted nothing more than to possess that rosary. Certainly it was beautiful, but it was the person attached to the rosary that she truly found exciting.
She was willing to admit to herself that she had probably pursued Yoshino-sama, albeit less obviously, just as sincerely as Yoshino had pursued her. She had thoroughly enjoyed their date as they had limped along in their search for Rei-sama at her omiai. Watching Yoshino as they had run around the hotel had been fun. They had mostly talked about Rei-sama and Nana's sisters, but she had been able to see how devoted Yoshino was to her cousin. Finding out that the "man" that Rei-sama had a marriage meeting with was actually a boy only ten years old had simply been icing on the cake. The Yamayurikai Christmas party where she had formally met Rei-sama had also been fun. She had enjoyed herself thoroughly and had really liked the girls of the Yamayurikai.
The day that Yoshino-sama had offered her the rosary was almost a comedy of misunderstandings, at least on Yoshino's part since her onee-sama could be a little dense sometimes, but the end result had been more than satisfying for Nana.
She lifted the rosary of dark green stones from her chest and held it gently in her hands as she gazed at it once more as she waited with the others in the Sacristy of the Lillian Chapel. It was certainly beautiful, but once again she smiled more at the fact that this simple piece of jewelry, a symbol of religious devotion, tied her to a girl that had somehow become very important to her.
"Are you alright Nana-chan?" Yoshino asked her quietly.
"I'm fine, onee-sama. I'm very fine."
Yoshino gave her a slightly confused look but let it be. Yoshino-sama still had some difficulties understanding her. They had only known each other a few months after all. The one thing that Nana did understand was how much Yoshino loved her – and that was enough.
-oo-
"May Maria-sama bless you and keep you," Yumi intoned softly with a smile as she placed the Maria medal over the head of a cute first-year student with long brown hair and deep amber eyes. The girl blushed and dipped her head to accept the medal. She then made a short bow before she turned to her right and moved back to her seat. Yumi was acting somewhat on autopilot as she remembered her own Maria Ceremony two years ago. It was the first time she had ever seen Sachiko as the girl with the long, raven black hair and sapphire eyes had been playing Gounod's Ave Maria on the chapel's old electronic organ. Yumi thought she had started falling in love with her onee-sama that very day.
"May Maria-sama bless you and keep you."
Yumi had returned to the chapel later that same day and had sat just where Sachiko had sat. She had turned on the organ and played the same Ave Maria as softly as she could. Even still, the acoustics of the small chapel had caused the song to resound in the small space. Then an angelic voice had joined in on the sacred piece. She glanced to her right to find that Shimako was also glancing in her direction with a smile on her face. Could she also be remembering that same day? Yumi returned the smile as she turned to the next student in line.
"May Maria-sama bless you and keep you."
Yumi turned around to find Touko-chan holding out the next medal for her to present. She smiled her gratefulness to her petite soeur. She had performed the same duty for Sachiko last year as Sachiko had presented the medals to the then first-years. She had been so nervous that she would mess up and drop the medals everywhere or embarrass her onee-sama in some other way. A smile from Sachiko was all it had taken to wipe those worries from her mind. Touko was stronger than Yumi had been last year and was much more used to performing in public. Still Yumi was thankful for the strength that she could borrow from her petite soeur.
"May Maria-sama bless you and keep you."
Noriko was performing the same duty for Shimako just as Nana was handing the medals to Yoshino. The situation with the White Rose sisters was something that Yumi did not want to think about but, with her newfound responsibilities, unfortunately had to consider. Shimako had only reluctantly agreed to run for the position of Rosa Gigantea the year Sei-sama had graduated. Noriko-chan had agreed to run for the position for her senior year, but . . . what about the following year? Yumi knew that the two White Rose sisters were "sisters" only as a convenience; neither really thought of the other as a petite or grande soeur. Yumi had no idea what Noriko's thoughts were regarding finding her own petite soeur to follow in her footsteps as Rosa Gigantea. Certainly there was no rush, but it would be a relief to not have one more thing to worry about this year. Now she knew exactly how Sachiko had felt when she had asked Yumi to start the search for her own petite-soeur. She glanced once again at Touko-chan as she was handed another medal. It had been a long, difficult and painful time, but she would go through it all again if it meant that she could have this wonderous girl at her side. Touko gave her a slightly confused look, but Yumi just smiled at her; a smile that Touko-chan was more than happy to return before Yumi turned back to the next girl in line.
"May Maria-sama bless you and keep you."
-oo—
When Noriko couldn't find her onee-sama in her classroom at the lunch break the next week she knew exactly where the most beautiful girl at Lillian would be found. It was spring and the cherry trees were in bloom, so of course she would be sitting on the stoop behind the education building with her bento. Rounding the corner of the back of the building Noriko was suddenly transported back one year ago by the sight that met her eyes.
Shimako stood in front of the single cherry tree standing among the grove of gingkoes. Her arms were raised as if in prayer, her eyes lightly closed as the pink sun filtered through the cherry blossoms. Noriko once again stood in awe of the girl that looked so much like an angel and, for whatever reason, had chosen her to be her friend, her soeur, and her lover. Shimako's wavy, dark blonde hair floated in a soft breeze that wafted a few cherry petals to be caught in those lovely tresses. Smiling at the vision of her memory Noriko walked slowly to her grande soeur and started to gently remove those bright pink petals from her hair. Shimako never moved or opened her eyes although a smile appeared on her lips acknowledging Noriko's welcome presence.
"You just cannot seem to keep the petals out of your hair Shimako," Noriko laughingly chided her lover as she gently removed another petal.
"If I did then I would miss out on the opportunity for you to remove them, Noriko," she replied with a giggle before her face took on a serious look. "It's dying, Noriko."
"Huh? What's dying?" Noriko asked, confused. Shimako finally opened her eyes to look at her petite soeur.
"The sakura tree," Shimako explained. "The roots from the gingkoes are finally encroaching upon those of the cherry and are stealing its water. If this keeps up the tree will die within the year."
"You met Sei-sama here didn't you?" Noriko asked softly. Shimako nodded her head.
"I met onee-sama here in this spot two years ago. It was also underneath this tree that onee-sama and I became soeurs. Almost exactly one year ago I met you here as well. I also have many other wonderful memories surrounding this tree. For those reasons, among others, I would hate to see this tree suffer and die, but I do not know what we can do."
It never occurred to Noriko how Shimako would know about the plight of the tree. Shimako said the cherry was dying and that was enough for her.
"Can we have some of the gingkoes taken down so that their roots are no longer a problem? Or could we simply remove some of the gingkoes roots?" Noriko asked, pinching the bridge of her nose chin in thought.
"'We' cannot do anything without the permission of the school," Shimako sighed and turned her eyes towards the ground, "and I am afraid that their response may be to take the down the sakura tree rather than the gingkoes. That would obviously defeat the purpose. I would appreciate it if you could try to think of something we could do Noriko-chan."
"Onee-sama, why don't we ask the rest of the Yamayurikai at this afternoon's meeting? Surely between the six or seven of us we can come up with something."
Shimako's eyes brightened at the suggestion and a smile returned to her lips, "Yes, that is a wonderful idea Noriko. Thank you."
Noriko just shook her head. Shimako still too often took heavy burdens upon her own shoulders without asking help from others.
"If you don't mind waiting a day or two," Nana-chan said thoughtfully later that afternoon as she briefly stopped pouring Yoshino another cup of tea and looked up towards the ceiling as if in deep thought, "I may know someone that can help. I have a friend I made in middle school that I can talk to that might have some . . . ideas." All eyes turned to the dark haired girl.
"Uh-oh," Yoshino said tentatively, "I know that look."
"Whatever do you mean onee-sama," Nana quipped, giving Yoshino a slight grin.
"You think that this might be 'interesting' don't you."
"Well, not so much the problem itself. That's not too interesting . . . but the solution," she said and this time she openly smirked, "now that could be very interesting."
"If you would speak to your friend I would be forever grateful," Shimako said excitedly.
"Sure, just let me talk to her in class tomorrow. If she thinks she can help I'll bring her to a meeting."
Yoshino looked deeply into the eyes of her usually stoic petite soeur and saw a spark of fire. Nana-chan got bored very quickly because she could do most everything with perfection. In that way she was very much like Eriko-sama. Unlike her grande onee-sama, however, Nana-chan lived for the opportunity to make things interesting. In that way she was much too much like Sei-sama and, frankly, the combination scared her a bit.
"Yes," Nana muttered to herself with a grin as she walked back to start brewing more tea, "very interesting."
A cold shiver crept down Yoshino's back at the sound of those innocent seeming words.
A/N: Yes, things might tend to get a little "interesting" for the White Rose sisters from this point on. Sorry, but I couldn't help but have a little fun with them.
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