Authors Notes: Chapter 6 is up!

Things are starting to pick up and I'm not entirely sure what's going to happen, especially when it comes to Sachiko. Her control is slipping… (in case you haven't noticed I write these Author Notes before or halfway through writing the chapter hehe). I am thinking a bit more 'angst'? I'm not sure hehe.

Please be warned in this chapter that there might be parts that are rather…explicit. I'm not talking like 'zomg they did it!'(that might come later *wink* ) kind of explicit but in the sense of how emotions affect the body. That's all I'm going to say about that hehe. So if such things offend you or make you uncomfortable – I would suggest not reading.

Thanks a million times over for all your kind words and encouragements!

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Thoughts by the characters are italicized and between two of these * little guys.

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I don't own any of the characters, I wish I did because they are amazing, but a girl can dream XD

There had been silence between them ever since they packed up after eating lunch. It didn't surprise Sachiko nor could she feel any blame towards Yumi for keeping silent because she was sure Yumi was doing as she was – thinking. Before they had started out Yumi said there was at least another hour left, so Sachiko decided to figure all the thoughts and feelings out in her head.

Sachiko knew she cared for Yumi very deeply and after the grape incident she realized her feelings had very much morphed into something even deeper that she had previously realized. When? How? Where? Those questions she knew were very important to answer, not for herself, but for Yumi as well if they were to be more. Blue eyes shifted slightly to see the younger girl in front of her. The usual active Yumi was now walking while deep in thought, Sachiko could tell by how she held her hands.

Perhaps she had gone too far while they had eaten lunch with one another? Sachiko had felt so many things when Yumi had offered her the food, the two sides of herself warring inside of her head…and heart. She was an Ogasawara and with that came so many responsibilities and expectations. Being prim and proper was always a must no matter what the situation was. Sachiko knew that she was prone to 'hysterics' when scared or angry but those moments were the only ones she had ever…rebelled.

Yumi had walked into her life, literally, in a moment of rebellion – her temper had gotten the better of her. The next thing she knew she was on top of the younger girl staring into brown eyes full of surprise. Over the following months after that incident she had been determined to make Yumi her petite soeur out of the sheer determination to not lose against a challenge. It was true Sachiko hated to lose and she wasn't about to lose to Sato Sei…especially her. When it finally had happened it was because Sachiko had wanted Yumi as her petite soeur, there had been a personal attachment to the younger girl.

But oh how Sei made her angry! There were days she went home after school silently seething because Sei had done something or said something about Yumi. She had thought that once it was public that Yumi had accepted her Rosary Sei's inappropriate actions would stop but if anything they had gotten worse. A few more months passed until it finally came to Sachiko, in one of the many sleepless nights she was beginning to have, that it went beyond simple possessiveness of her petite soeur but to something more.

Sachiko grinned to herself as she remembered that night very well. She had been rather irritated the whole day but instead of brushing it off like she usually did this particular incident in the day just stuck. She had seen Sei kiss Yumi on the cheek and Sachiko had to fight the urge to cause physical harm to Sei. That urge had disturbed her greatly, she had never been like that, but to see those lips against Yumis' soft skin… it had driven her mad. The more she had thought about it that night the more she realized that her feelings for her petite soeur were becoming more than just soeurs. After realizing that, that's when the dreams began, such dreams adding to the sleepless nights. Dreams of dates holding hands, kisses on cheeks, and then one night…

*I can't forget that dream even if I wanted to.

The dream I finally had to admit my feelings for Yumi.*

For what seemed like the billionth time since that night, a surge of feelings flooded Sachikos' body, especially down there. A constant intense throbbing that on occasions could control every thought process she had. Sachiko knew about "the topics that must never be discussed because they are the most inappropriate" sort of things. She had read anatomy books and sadly heard about the lifestyles of a few 'loose moraled' girls from her class but such reactions she had never experienced until Yumi. The throbbing, the tingles, the aches…

Sachiko shook her head to clear her thoughts to not get distracted, no matter how hard it was as her eyes caught Yumi once more, instantly drawn to the back of her shorts.

…

*What is going on with Onee-sama?

Between the other night and now lunch…*

Yumi was truly beyond confused with her feelings.

She would be lying if she didn't admit she had reactions to Sachikos' kiss and taking the grape from her fingers. Oh what a lie that would be but while the emotions attached to those reactions were strong, the confusion of Sachiko's actions were stronger. There had been many "Sachiko Moments" where Yumi had seen different sides of her Onee-sama ranging from good to bad but she had never seen this kind of moment from her.

Turning her head a bit to take a sideways glance at Sachiko she saw the other girl deep in thought with a slight smile and she felt her face get hot with a blush. She turned back and looked at the fingers that had been in Sachikos' mouth.

*Your lips were so soft.

Your mouth was so warm…so wet.

Your tongue…*

Yumi closed her eyes for a moment as she enjoyed her thoughts, her skin tingling as she remembered, and the intense aching throb in a certain part of her body that only her Onee-sama could cause her to have. She shook her head to not get distracted by those feelings, she had serious things to think about, and she couldn't afford to lose herself.

She had admitted it to herself before and she'd admit it again – she loved Sachiko. No, it went deeper than that, she was IN love with Sachiko. She had never wanted another person more in her life than the older girl, not another girl or a boy, no one. There had never been a person in all of her life that affected her like Sachiko in any or all the ways she did. True there had been…issues…between them from time to time, that was normal, but at the end of the day: Sachiko. The beginning of the day: Sachiko. Eat, dream, school, sleep: Sachiko, Sachiko, Sachiko, Sachiko.

But, what about Sachiko? Her Onee-sama wasn't the woman she was when they first became soeurs, Yumi could see it, Sachiko was changing. The older girl laughed more, smiled more, touched her more, and was a bit more open with her feelings as well. Those could be signs…

*Could they really be signs?

Could Onee-sama really feel that way about me?

The other night and lunch today were very bold…*

Yumi wasn't always as slow to pick up things as others thought, especially when it concerned certain aspects of her Onee-sama, but was this one of those times? Sachiko was acting very different, she couldn't deny that at all – her still tingling finger was proof enough, but…was it like that? Was Sachiko attracted to her? Did Sachiko want her like that? Was Sachiko a Lesbian?

The brown haired girl frowned for a moment at that last thought. She hadn't really thought of that before – Lesbian. Was she herself one? Having romantic feelings for a woman pretty much defined her as such but all she knew was that she loved Sachiko. Whatever anyone wished to call her didn't matter. What did matter was if Sachiko felt the same for her and if the last few days were any indication, it was a sure thing…right?

*Right?*

0o0o0

"Oh Yumi, it's absolutely beautiful." Sachiko said as she looked at the pool of water that could very easily pass off as a bath house.

The rocks and few trees around the pool gave off a sense of privacy that looked like it could shut out the world around them. Sachiko was impressed and excited to get into the water especially after their hike, she felt gritty and dirty, and to relax in the warmer part of the water would do her muscles well.

"Here you go, Onee-sama, your towel and your swimsuit." Yumi handed them over after digging them out of her pack.

"Is there anything you didn't bring?" A smile crossed Sachikos' face as she took what was offered to her.

Yumi shook her head and pointed to the rocks over to their left to show Sachiko where she could change into her swimsuit. It took every ounce Yumi had to not look over to the rock where Sachiko was changing her clothes so she just concentrated in changing her own clothes behind a tree. The new swimsuit she had bought herself was a white two piece that left very little the imagination. Yumi looked down at herself to wonder if she was showing too much skin but the thought passed as she heard splashes in the water. Peeking out from behind her tree she saw Sachiko sink into the deep end of the pool that was naturally heated. Her hair was still up and the black two piece she was wearing looked so good that she just wanted to…

"Yumi, are you coming in? The water feels great." Sachiko called as she turned around to try and find her petite soeur.

"Hai, Onee-sama, I am just getting my towel then I will be right there." Yumi said as she was knocked out of her reverie.

*Just go out there.

It's why you bought the suit you did.

Be brave!*

Sachiko would have turned back to enjoy the water but she was extremely curious to know about Yumis' swimwear. She had heard Yumi tell Yoshino earlier in the month that she had bought a new suit that was…

*What was the word Yoshinio used when Yumi stuttered?*

Sachiko frowned as she tried to remember the word but the minute Yumi stepped out from behind the tree her eyes widened and her mouth opened in a most unlady like fashion. Blue eyes were glued to Yumi as she stared openly, not even trying to hide her looks, while Yumi walked over to the heated end of the pool and stood at the edge – blushing intensely.

"Yumi…" Sachiko whispered.

"Do you like it, Onee-sama? It's the new suit I bought last month." Yumi was thrilled deep inside by the look on her Onee-samas' face when she finished twirling around for the other girl to see the whole suit.

Sachiko didn't know what to do. She was in a near panic if she were to be honest with herself. Her body reacted almost violently to seeing Yumi almost naked as her body fit and filled her swimsuit so wonderfully. She could see more of what working out had done to Yumis' body and it took power and will she didn't know she had to keep her hands in the water instead of tracing the lines and curves of the woman in front of her.

*Why? Why am I feeling this so intensely?

Why do I want to do the things to her I've only done in dreams?

Kami-sama, why are you not giving me the strength I need?*

"You look beautiful in your new suit, Yumi. Why don't you come into the water? Your muscles must be sore from the last few days." Sachiko couldn't believe what was coming out of her mouth.

Yumi slid into the water to instantly unwind at her Onee-samas' suggestion, the heat infusing with her tight muscles from carrying her heavy pack all day hiking, while the natural currents of the heated pool caressing her back. That felt the best as her eyes drifted shut. It amazed her how the water could feel like nimble fingers on her just kneading out every knot she had. She gave into the water and leaned back, sighing all the more at how soft the water felt against her back.

*Soft?*

Her eyes instantly opened and she spun around in the water to see Sachiko behind her, the older girls' hands on her shoulders.

"O..Onee-sama?" Yumi nearly squeaked out and began to move but the fingers on her shoulders tightened.

"Yes, Yumi?"

"Wh..what are you doing?" Yumis' back once again to Sachiko but her head turned to look at her Onee-sama as best she could.

*Yes, Sachiko, what are you doing?

Have you lost your mind?*

"You've been working hard…" she started to say.

*…and I wanted to make you feel good.

I wanted to feel you…

SACHIKO!*

Sachikos' mind screamed at her for once again giving into impulse instead of being calm and controlled. She didn't even know if Yumi wanted her in such a fashion but her hopes had been so high after their amusement park date, with Yumi's reaction to Sugurus' suggestion. Had she misinterpreted? Had she just done something unforgivable?

Yumi could see so much conflict on her Onee-samas' face and feel the hands on her shoulders begin to leave. Quickly Yumi reached up to keep the hands there.

"Thank you, Onee-sama, for trying to make me feel better. Would it be okay if you did it for a bit longer? My one shoulder is extremely sore." Yumi asked, turning her body a bit to look at Sachiko.

"O…of..of course." Sachiko stuttered; her confidence completely shot.

0o0o0

Night descended as Yumi once again found herself awake looking at the door separating her from her Onee-sama though knowing she wasn't the only one awake. She had listened to Sachiko toss and turn in the bed for over an hour, not that she could blame her; Yumi herself was having her own internal battle.

The walk home after being in the water with Sachiko had taken a turn from confused to slightly uncomfortable. Both girls were in turmoil over their thoughts and feelings but when returning to the cabin Yumi began doing a few exercises while Sachiko had locked herself in her bedroom, venturing out to eat dinner. After dinner Yumi did her chores but her mind was full of what had happened in the day but there was another thought that seemed to not disappear, no matter how she tried to ignore it.

"Don't settle for what you've got now, and aspire to attain something on a higher level."

Kashiwagi had told Yumi that on her and Sachikos' amusement park date when her brother and Sachiko had left the room. They had talked about quite a bit before Yuki had returned but it was that one sentence she couldn't push aside. That sentence could mean so many things but then again it could mean nothing at all. Had Kashiwagi been referring to her relationship with Sachiko?

"I'm going to touch her for a bit. Forgive me."

"Saachan wants to do all sorts of things with you, Yumi."

"Defeating me won't give you victory."

More of what Kashiwagi had told her that day filled her mind as she looked out her window. In reality she could never defeat Kashiwagi if he ever seriously decided to chase after Sachiko. He was on a different level than she was and truthfully would be the better choice as a partner; he could provide her with so many things she knew she could never hope to obtain. Yumi frowned for a moment as she digested that and moved on to the next thought about forgiving Kashiwagi for touching Sachiko. It bothered Yumi more than anyone could understand when other people touched Sachiko. If he hadn't of touched her then she didn't know what would have happened to Sachiko during her 'attack' in the crowd but she remembered how she felt – jealous. The more Yumi thought about it the more she realized she had always been jealous of Kashiwagi ever since she knew that he was Sachiko's betrothed. That thought had never sat well with Yumi, even now knowing that the engagement was off, it still cut through her heart.

*But Onee-sama wants to do all sorts of things with me, not anyone else.

What sort of things though…*

That too was another sentence that could have so many meanings because Kashiwagi always seemed to know more than he let on. Could he have known her feelings for his cousin? Her mind went back over the last few months and she realized she had been very public with her feelings concerning Sachiko, being very vocal on their recent date.

Frustration filled Yumi at so many thoughts in her head as well as the last few days with Sachiko. It was almost overwhelming but she had to figure everything out, she had to understand, because she didn't think her heart could take it any longer. Yumi knew her own heart – there was no question in her mind she wanted "a higher level" with Sachiko, she had for nearly a year – but she was unsure about Sachiko.

A frown creased her brows as she thought that because the last few days had now put that into question. Her Onee-sama was acting differently, well differently that normal, since they had been at the cabin. Sachiko always treated everyone the same with her almost cold demeanor but for a handful of months how Sachiko began to treat her when they were alone had begun to change. She was more open, talkative, and her 'normal amount' of affection seemed to double. Sachiko was always touching her hair, her clothing, grabbing her hand, or hugging her close – not that Yumi ever minded – she looked forward to such moments.

*Ugh! WHY is this so hard?

Does she want more to or not?

Am I misunderstanding what she's doing by putting more into it than there really is?*

With a sigh Yumi heard her bed squeak for what seemed like the millionth time and she couldn't take it any longer. Without truly thinking through what she was about to do she got out of bed to open the door between their rooms and sit on the bed in front of a very shocked Sachiko.

…

Toss.

…

Turn.

…

Toss.

…

Turn.

No position in Yumis' bed felt comfortable to Sachiko as her eyes caught the late hour of the night. All she could think about was the hike with Yumi, how she let herself slip so many times. She was Sachiko Ogasawara and this was not how an Ogasawara was supposed to act!

*How many times these last few months have you said that to yourself?

How many times have you given in, just a little, here and there?

How many more times are you going to shame yourself like you did today?*

Today…

Her thoughts once again filled with memories of the day. All of her feelings came rushing back to her as her heart began to pound in her chest and that damned throb seemingly surged such intense heat between her legs. Sachiko nearly growled in frustration at everything. Why? Why was all of this happening now? Why could she not control herself like she did at school or at other places when Yumi was at her side? Before she could finish forming the thought in her mind she already knew the answer – people. People were always around with Yumi and herself – friends, classmates, and the public – always there.

*No one is here but us while we're at her cabin!*

So was that the true reason? The older girl tossed and turned a few more times as her confused thoughts were literally in control of her body. Yes and no were her answers once her body settled a bit. Sachiko craved privacy with her petite soeur any moment she could have it and it was a reason, a main reason, why she agreed to spend her school break with Yumi. That wasn't the only reason because the 'no' part of the answer had to do with the driving force behind wanting that privacy with Yumi.

She felt so different when she was alone with Yumi. She had noticed it months ago and she found that while it frightened her a bit it was refreshing, exhilarating! It felt like she could finally be herself. Sachiko blinked a few times at that thought.

*Aren't I always myself?

Aren't I always the proper lady I should be?*

Today she hadn't acted properly at all but how could that not be true? She was the woman she always had been and she had always acted as was taught to her, there wasn't anyone who could contest that fact. With Yumi…something inside of her woke up, something inside of her was becoming warm and happy. It scared her, the new feelings, feelings she was learning about each and every day she spent with her soeur. Wasn't those new feelings her as well? Hadn't they always been a part of her deep inside?

Whatever it was, past the fear it made her feel every so often, she loved how Yumi made her feel when they were alone together. A smile came to her lips as she finally seemed to figure it out but it didn't stop her from tossing around in the bed a bit more. She sat up and leaned against the head board while the covers were around her legs but mostly on the floor. Sachiko reached over to grab a pillow to put behind her back when suddenly she heard the door that joined her room to the one Yumi was staying in open and there sat on the edge of the bed, the girl that consumed her thoughts.

…

"Y…Y…Yumi?" Sachiko was shocked to see Yumi there and at how she came into the room.

"Onee-sama, I can hear you toss and turn in the bed. Is it really that uncomfortable or is there something on your mind?" Yumi dared to ask unsure as to why she even asked that.

"Gomen, I didn't mean to disturb your sleep. I had a bit on my mind and I didn't realize I was doing it."

There was silence for a moment as Yumi looked down her brain going a mile a minute.

"Did…did you want to talk about it?" she almost whispered.

Sachiko looked at the younger girl sitting on the bed, one of Yumi's legs bent underneath herself while the other was off the side of the bed with a foot almost tangled in the sheets on the floor. Before Sachiko could say anything Yumi began to speak.

"I mean, you don't have to, it's just if something was bothering you I wanted to help. I know you're able to do so much on your own but I wanted you to know that I was there if you needed anything…" Yumi was rambling on as the gusto she had upon entering the room was leaving her body and suddenly she felt very foolish to just barge into the room Sachiko was staying in; but she was unable to finish her sentence when she felt her hand being held.

"I am glad you're here, Yumi." Sachiko said, meaning it, as she held Yumis' hand in her own.

Yumi looked up and smiled happily, giving Sachikos' hand a gentle squeeze to reassure her that she would do her best, but she couldn't help the slight blush that came to her cheeks when she noticed how tight the sleeping tank top Sachiko was wearing. Sachiko noticed the blush and the slight movement of Yumis' eyes. She followed the gaze to see that her sleeping shirt caught Yumis' attention.

*Go for it, Sachiko.

No, show restraint - you are a lady!

Go for it, Sachiko.

No! You are a LADY!*

Yumi felt Sachiko beginning to tighten the hold on her hand and saw, once again, the confusion from the hike all over her Onee-sama's face. A feeling welled up inside of Yumi, a feeling to stop whatever it was that was causing such distressed in the woman she secretly loved, and she reached out with her hand to caress Sachikos' cheek.

Blue eyes widened to Yumi's touch, something that Yumi never did – if anything it was Sachiko who gave such touches, but she couldn't stop herself from leaning into the soft hand as her eyes slipped closed. The feel of Yumi against her skin warmed her heart in ways she wanted to fully experience, in ways she never wanted to lose.

"Yumi, is there anyone you care about deeply?" she asked with her eyes still closed.

Yumi was knocked out of her reverie of how beautiful Sachiko looked by the question she asked. The question caught her off guard.

"I care about everyone in the Council, my family, a few friends…" she began to say but didn't finish when Sachiko opened her eyes, something she hadn't ever seen in them before, something storming inside.

"No. I mean it as someone you l…l..love."

Yumi shivered at feeling Sachikos' breath against her skin as she stuttered.

*Yes, there is someone I love very deeply.

I want to scream for the world to hear that it's you, Onee-sama.*

"There is someone I feel that way for."

Every muscle in Yumi's body went tight as she heard the gentle whisper from Sachiko and she was filled an emotion she couldn't put her finger on. It wasn't jealousy, it wasn't anger, but it sure wasn't happiness. Of course there was someone Sachiko loved, how could she have been so stupid? Yumi's heart screamed so loudly it hurt her chest in the tightness that had seemed to plague her life recently. She had nearly convinced herself that how her Onee-sama was acting recently was because of her, was because she felt something for HER. Oh how stupid she was!

It was Kashiwagi Sachiko was talking about, who else would it be? She knew Sachiko had once loved him and with the engagement off she must finally be ready to talk about how it really made her feel. She remembered that Kashiwagi had told her that day he didn't love Sachiko in such ways but that didn't mean Sachiko felt the same way for him.

*Oh you stupid STUPID girl!*

Sachiko saw so many emotions go through Yumi's open and honest face, emotions that caused a knot to form in her stomach. Suddenly Yumi's hands were gone from her face and her grip, the sudden lack of warmth causing a shiver to go through her.

"Kashiwagi is a very lucky man, Onee-sama, to have your love even after everything you two have gone through." Brown eyes could do nothing but look down, saying the words were like a knife piercing her heart.

The words made Sachiko's jaw drop with shock. She began to reach out to get the younger girl to look at her, to fix this confusion, but Yumi began to pull back.

Yumi didn't want to be touched. Her heart couldn't stand to feel the warmth and softness from the love she knew she could never have. She could barely breathe her heart hurt so much and pushed with her foot that was on the floor to stand up, to get some air, but her foot slipped in the sheets.

Sachiko saw Yumi begin to pull back as if to move off the bed as she reached out but saw the surprise in Yumi's face as Sachiko realized the girl was falling off of the bed. Without thinking she pushed herself to grab at Yumi as she twisted to take the weight of the girls fall when they hit the floor. A very unlady like grunt escaped Sachikos' lips on impact but she held Yumi tightly to her hoping the girl was unharmed. They stayed like that for what seemed like the longest of times with Sachikos' arms holding Yumi close to her.

*Say it.*

"It's…you." Sachiko whispered so softly, wondering for a moment if it had truly left her lips.

Yumi had been about to move but her entire body froze as her mind processed the words she heard. Her heart was beating furiously while adrenaline began dumping itself into her stomach as she began to move, her knees on either side of Sachikos' hips while her hands pushed herself up from the sides of Sachikos' chest, to look down at the woman underneath her whose arms were now stretched out on the floor so Yumi could move. Dark tresses were once again splayed out everywhere while blue eyes looked at her with a blush across her cheeks. Her Onee-sama looked so beautiful in that moment it made her heart beat even faster.

Sachiko saw again so many emotions cross her petite soeurs face and while she knew she should be focusing on that her mind was more focused at Yumi being so close to her. She could see the strength in her arms and she could feel the strength in the thighs around her hips, they were driving her mad. She wanted to feel more – so she began to sit up – forcing Yumi to move with her to end up straddling her lap and noticing the girl loosely wrap her arms around her shoulders. They were so close to one another that Sachiko could feel Yumis' breath against her face but she couldn't break the gaze she held with the woman on her lap.

"It's you, Yumi." Sachiko said louder this time as she could feel the tint in her cheeks intensify at her second confession.

"Onee-sama…"

Tears came to Yumis' eyes as she smashed herself against Sachiko in a tight hug.

A soft smile came to Sachikos' lips as she wrapped her arms around Yumi just as tightly feeling the younger girl softly cry against her while she stroked her hair tenderly. Her heart was pounding so hard in her chest with Yumi being so close to her but it was her turn to freeze when she heard four words whispered softly against her ear.

"I…love you…too."

Authors Notes: This chapter turned out longer than i expected and a bit more angsty as well but yay! I'm sorry it took me so long to write it - things have been rather busy at home but I hope it was well worth the wait.

This chapter could have gone a million ways, especially at the end, but I'm not ready just yet for that one moment to happen to our girls. Soon, I promise, then it will be the journey to their first intimacies with one another. This story is far from over dear readers.

Thank you for your patience and as always your words of encouragement!

Chapter 7 to follow in the days/weeks.