A/N:YumiX, ItsBananas, clarec97, Honulicious, Spikesagitta, Ogasawara, Artistia, lilgumba, insomniac1970, Chinensis' Fan, NatsukiNebula, kurakamiandHaku-chan3 – thanks folks! Nice to hear from you again ;) Try to enjoy the story and don't think too much because I did not when I wrote this hahaha ;) Remember, everything is for fun and nothing else.

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Chapter 2

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'CALM down, Yumi. Keep your cool. You don't want to cause a scene here, do you?'

Yumi repeated the words like a mantra as she watched Sachiko, sometimes surreptitiously and sometimes openly, mingle with guests. Of course, Sachiko was also keeping track on her since their eyes had met several times during the course of the night. Whenever their eyes did meet, it was like time stopped as they held each other's gaze, that was until someone got Sachiko's attention and their staring contest ended.

Yumi watched as two young males joined the conversation Sachiko had with three females. Her eyes narrowed, especially when the women giggled. As expected though, Sachiko only smiled, though Yumi recognized it for what it truly meant. Sachiko was not amused. She looked even bored.

'Of course they didn't know that.'

Taking her eyes off Sachiko for a moment, she glanced around and observed the party in full swing. The moment she returned her eyes on her target, however, her fingers tightened on her wine glass.

'He didn't just attempt to brush against Sachiko, did he?'

Yumi's body tensed as she observed more. The focused of her narrowed eyes appeared to be having what seemed a normal conversation, but she saw how Sachiko turned a little to her left, facing two of the females, away from where the males where. It was a furtive move to move farther from the one who had the gall to attempt such thing without being notice, unless the person who saw was someone whom knew Sachiko well.

'That's not going to work, Sachiko.'

When one of the males leaned close to Sachiko to speak, dangerously close to the latter's ear, Yumi's legs automatically moved with determined steps. She schooled her annoyed expression into one of calm, though inside, the storm that had been brewing had intensified.

'Honestly. You're too sexy and beautiful for your own good. And that dress isn't helping. Dangerous. You attract too much attention…Hey buddy, watch where you're looking. That's it!'

Yumi decided that Sachiko had done enough greeting, thanking and accepting people's well wishes. She decided that it was time to finally rescue her partner from other people, especially lecherous ones.

Sachiko excused herself from her audience when she noticed Yumi finally approach her for the first time since they separated that night. Gracefully and elegantly, she met Yumi halfway. When she did, Yumi immediately peeled off her mask and showed her real feelings to the one which she trusted with her heart. In silence and with lips thinned in irritation, she held Sachiko's hand tight, yet still not too tight as to cause pain. No words were exchanged. They were good at reading each other, though there were still times that they surprised each other in reacting in a way different from what was expected. The issue about the dress was one thing that eluded Sachiko's perceptiveness on Yumi's moods. Still, other things remained the same between them, like the silent communication they were using as Yumi persuaded, a little forcefully, Sachiko to rest. They had a silent communication, which mainly consisted eye contact, lip movement without really speaking, and the barely imperceptible movement of their shoulders. They were good at it. Sometimes, only one look would take them to understand each other's feelings, of what each one wanted to convey. Tonight, however, the silent communication lasted a few seconds longer because they had the debate of whether Sachiko should come or not. Yumi won the silent battle. Satisfied, she led Sachiko towards the door that led to the balcony.

"Excuse me. Can you please bring something to eat at the balcony," Yumi asked when she spotted a server.

Finally, Sachiko and Yumi were alone as the latter led the former to one of the tables. The balcony attached to the great hall was thankfully vacant, which suited them just fine. Yumi didn't want to be immediately spotted. She didn't want Sachiko to act as the gracious hostess even if only for just a few minutes. She wanted Sachiko to rest. The latter had just come from a two week-long trip the other day due to business matters, while during those times, Yumi was left at their home due to her work, too. They hadn't leisurely talked yet, mostly because Sachiko had to rest after coming back, which suited Yumi just fine. She didn't want her lover to get sick. If she had her way, they wouldn't have been in this party in the first place. Only because this party was very important to the Ogasawara Group of Companies that they graced it with their presence.

Another reason Yumi brought Sachiko in this vacant place was because she wanted to hide Sachiko from the lecherous eyes of some people present at the gathering. She hadn't gotten over the dress issue yet, especially when she saw many pairs of eyes that looked almost hungrily when Sachiko's leg was exposed every time the beautiful woman walked.

"You should eat something, Sachiko. I'm pretty sure those people will do just fine even if you hadn't greeted them all. You, on the other hand, won't be fine if you don't put anything in your stomach," Yumi said in a mixture of worry and annoyance.

Sachiko smiled appreciatively. Yumi seemed to have forgotten her little tantrums and was back to the caring person that she was. As soon as the server brought food, she ate a bit if only to appease the watchful eyes of Yumi.

AGAINST Yumi's will, her alone time together with Sachiko didn't last long. Surprisingly, someone had the same idea as them as a couple entered the doorway leading to the balcony. Despite the dim light, they were immediately spotted at their secluded spot. Yumi inwardly groaned. Nevertheless, she was thankful that she knew the couple who dared to intrude as genuinely nice people. She had worked with them before when she did the landscape design of their rest house. Yes, Yumi was a landscape architect, and she was good at her job though she had only recently started in her profession. And Yumi had a huge contribution to the success of the newly built Ogasawara resort. She did its landscape design. Slowly, she was making a name and Sachiko was very proud of her lover.

Left with no choice, Yumi invited the couple to their table.

"We didn't know someone's already here. We just wanted to get a fresh breath of air. We're getting old for this kind of parties. Forgive us for intruding," the elderly man commented with a smile.

"Congratulations, Sachiko-chan."

After some pleasantries, the topic of conversation turned to the older couple's plan to change the landscape in their family house and they wanted Yumi to do the job. And so they excitedly discussed it to Yumi. Sachiko only joined the conversation when necessary, but for the most part, she was quietly observed and admired how Yumi handled herself. She was really proud of her. Yumi was in her element, and it seemed that it had chased away her irritation. It seemed that Yumi had dismissed their earlier argument, too. Knowing that, Sachiko was finally able to enjoy the evening with Yumi by her side.

'I can relax now.'

Or so Sachiko thought.

Sachiko hadn't expected that she would take back her words after just a few minutes.

At first, Sachiko thought that what happened was just an accident. Still, the touch made her spine tingle in a pleasant way. She changed her opinion that it was just an accident when she experienced it more than once. Without even looking at the source, she knew that it was intentional, especially when the touch became brazen. She became paralyzed as she held her wine glass so tight that she was worried that it would shatter into pieces. To avoid it from happening, she set the glass back on the table carefully, trying to prevent her trembling hand from being noticed by the two persons in front of her. She was at a loss on how to react first. Her eyes, which thankfully the couple with them didn't notice, had widened a little bit and her nostrils flared.

Slowly, carefully, Sachiko rested her hands on her lap and clenched them tightly. She debated whether to snatch the offending hand or not. She had to consider the fact that she might cause a scene if the offender resisted. She pressed her lips tight to prevent herself from letting out a sound that no doubt would embarrass her. However, she might prevent herself from moaning but not from breathing in sharply. At the corner of her eyes, she saw that the culprit to her predicament wasn't even paying attention to her and instead was still having a nice time chatting with the couple sharing their table. Of course she knew that it was just a front.

'Yumi.'

YUMI smiled inwardly when she felt Sachiko become rigid and breathed in sharply. She knew everything that was happening with Sachiko because she had been watching her from the corner of her eye while she chatted with the couple sitting across their seats. Besides, she was well aware that everything that was happening to Sachiko at the moment was caused by her.

'Blame it to that sexy dress.'

The couple had just joined them in their table when Yumi caught sight of Sachiko's left leg exposed through the slit of her dress. She was admiring the exposed skin when a rather naughty idea crossed her mind. She debated on it first, knowing that it was improper. Nevertheless, the seductive dress made the decision for her. As she did earlier, she was laying the blame on Sachiko's dress. For once, she wanted to try something dangerous and exciting, something that Sachiko would surely disapprove.

'I can take her.'

Knowing that no matter what, Sachiko would never stay mad at her, Yumi's wicked plan commenced. Thankfully, she was sitting at Sachiko's left side, and their location which was away from the great hall coupled with dim lighting was perfect for her idea. She and Sachiko were hidden except of course, the upper part of their bodies which weren't blocked by the table and the table cloth. It was really advantageous for her, she thought victoriously. Unless someone directly stood behind them, no one would see what she intended to do.

And so without a moment's hesitation, Yumi did it.

Her fingers brushed on Sachiko's exposed leg at first, making it look accidental. She noticed the effect when Sachiko paused from bringing the wine glass into her lips. The slight faltering would have gone unnoticed to anyone, unless that someone knew Sachiko pretty well. Satisfied, she repeated the action, before finally settling her hand on Sachiko's left leg and gently drummed her fingers there, much to Sachiko's surprise. She regretted that she couldn't look at the exposed leg at the moment, the delicious-looking leg, so she contented herself in touching it. Sachiko had very smooth and soft legs, very inviting to touch. She loved to pepper them with kisses, and she knew that Sachiko liked it very much when she did.

For now, though, she settled for what she could have, which was to feel. However, she would maximize what she could do. So after a few agonizing minutes in Sachiko's part, her fingers started to move vertically and climbed upwards, venturing on familiar places that only she had access to.

'Only mine to touch.'

SACHIKO couldn't do anything due to shock and in fear that the couple would notice what Yumi was doing if she tried to stop the latter. She had been naïve. She finally understood that Yumi was still annoyed; annoyed that she didn't change into another dress. And now, it seemed that Yumi was extracting the payment by doing this to her, she was extracting revenge in a dangerous way.

She made a hasty survey of their surroundings, relieved that they were the only people at the balcony, with the rest of the large crowd inside and engaged in dancing, eating, drinking, gossiping, or talking about business. Except for the other couple in front of them, no one would notice what was going on if she could keep her composure intact, which was very challenging.

Sachiko bit her lower lip when Yumi's fingers made their way upwards. Despite the cold air around, beads of sweet started to appear in her temples, due to worry, and what more, due to the desire that the touch had awakened. She sat there, frozen as a statue as Yumi's wicked fingers teased her, playing with her senses.

"Yumi…" she hissed, almost whimpering when Yumi's fingers reached the edge of her lacy underwear

"Yes, Sachiko? Do you need something?" Yumi asked, question written all over her innocent face. Sachiko wasn't fooled though. She knew Yumi enough to recognize the teasing underneath the concerned voice.

"Nothing…"

Sachiko couldn't say anything. She couldn't very well say to Yumi that she should stop what she was doing while there was an audience that might discover what was going on. Yumi was well aware of that fact, too.

"Are you sure?" Yumi verified, fighting hard not to giggle. She loved the effect she had on the beautiful woman beside her. She loved even more that only her was allowed to do this kind of thing. Sachiko was powerless against her just as she was powerless against the latter.

"I'm very sure. I apologize for the interruption. Please go on."

As if nothing happened, Yumi went back to where the conversation left off before Sachiko unintentionally interrupted it. Her fingers, too, that had stopped moving for awhile, went back to where they left off. The sneaky fingers returned to their delicious caressing, and Sachiko fought hard not to flinch. Her breathing was getting heavier with every second that passed due to fear at being caught, anticipation on what might happen, and annoyance to Yumi's obvious teasing in an unlikely place and situation. She could hear her heart drumming, almost deafening her. Just a couple of millimeters and…

Sachiko couldn't contain a gasp when the fingers slipped a little inside the lacy piece of clothing. She immediately covered her lapse of control by faking a cough.

"Are you alright, Sachiko-chan?" The couple asked Sachiko with concern.

Heat covered Sachiko's face. Thankfully, the dim lighting saved her pinked face from being noticed.

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for asking," she said. She had to clear her throat twice to make sure that her voice would sound normal, that she would speak clearly instead of letting out a moan.

Sachiko looked at Yumi at the corner of her eye. She wanted to scream at the latter for doing this to her in this place. She thought she would burst any moment, especially since it had been over a week since they were intimate and she was sure that they both missed each other terribly. And to top it all, she could see that Yumi knew her predicament and was quite enjoying herself as shown by the twist of her lips in a hint of a smile.

Her eyes went into her exposed leg and she finally decided to take some action before things became worse…or more pleasurable, which was inappropriate at the moment in this place. She knew she had to act as discreetly as possible. Yumi could be determined if she wanted to, after all. They couldn't make a scene. Definitely not. She knew Yumi didn't like to make a scene, too, but she couldn't predict the latter's next reaction at this moment. When she thought about it, touching her in this situation was something that Yumi hadn't done before. They were always discreet about touching each other. It was something that was very private for them.

She surreptitiously focused her eyes on the slit of her dress and to where the teasing hand had disappeared to.

'I should have listened about this dress. You can be daring when you want, too, Yumi. But this is really dangerous.'

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A/N: There are probably plenty of stories out there with the same theme as this, but I wanted to have a my own version because I thought it would be entertaining ;)

Anyway, classes have started again (cry) and definitely a lot of work again (sigh). Well, as always, I have to do what I must do ;) which right now, is to go back to work haha ;)

Until next time, folks! Take care always! ;)

- - -Arvendell- - -

11 November 2011

10:05 AM