A/N This chapter is a little later than I had planned, too much time wasted away on the internet. Speaking of internet, I'm not sure how big it was in Azumanga times which was early 2000's I think. Probably just all old school modems and stuff, ahhh the sweet sounds of the modem, brings ya back :D Anyways enjoy!

Chapter 5

The next week went by pretty fast. The two women went about their days professionally, not hinting at their relationship, beyond that of good friends. Well, as professionally as Yukari could ever get, Minamo would still hear Yukari ranting about something or other through the wall of her classroom.

After school Minamo typically had swim class or would visit some of the other athletic clubs, Yukari would often take that time to work a little on her tan or play in the pool with a large inflatable shark, and otherwise annoy or distract her. Minamo found it especially hard to concentrate when her girlfriend was lounging in a bikini while she attempted to teach her swim class. Yukari had even taken to going to the pool during her free periods.

Minamo had tried to reprimand the teacher but had often found her snoozing or otherwise defenseless and instead had to repress the desire to sneak a kiss. After a deep breath she was normally okay and with her heart under control she would often have to give a soft kick or nudge to awaken her clueless friend, who would sleepily return to her classroom.

The two women spent almost every evening together either at Minamo's or Yukari's place. Minamo's was good because they were alone but Yukari's had more entertainment.

Yukari had slept over a couple of times, but the two were still just at the kissing stage, which had developed from the first awkward stages to the stage where they were a lot more combatable.

Conversations on sex had turned from should/would they do it to when and how they would do it. Yukari had said she had an idea when but had kept quiet on any more details when Minamo had pressed.

Neither woman had any real experience in lesbian sex so they had decided to do some research together, Minamo should have realized what a mistake that was beforehand.

One afternoon Minamo had come round to Yukari's and they traversed the internet in hopes of some sort of guide, instead Yukari decide to direct Minamo to different porn sites that ranged from embarrassing to disgusting in an effort to shock Minamo, which it did. So much so that Yukari's mother had to come check and see what the commotion was all about, finding Yukari rolling about the floor, holding her sides and laughing manically and Minamo bright red and clinging to a pillow. Luckily Minamo had enough awareness to turn off the monitor when she had heard Mrs. Tanizaki coming up the stairs.

After the close call and a few smacks with the pillow, Yukari agreed to behave better. Though even after they were looking properly it wasn't that easy to find something useful, apart from suggestions on positions, some of which Minamo wasn't sure were physically possible. In the end they decided that it'd probably just be best to go with the flow, which wasn't something that Minamo found as easy as Yukari but it made sense.

With the 'how' finished or at least purposely left open the conversation turned back to the when and Yukari had to relent from her silence.

'Well, I doubt we're going to the summer-house this year since Chiyo's in America and the rest of the gang is in parts unknown'

'You mean university?' corrected Minamo, feeling a slight tinge of sadness as she remembered the gang but she was sure she'd no doubt see them again. She was certain that they would probably have a reunion at Chiyo's at some point in the future and Yukari would find a way to muscle her way into it. Although she didn't let on Minamo suspected that Yukari missed the kids too.

'Yeah, well whatever' dismissed Yukari, 'The point is me and you should go on a trip together'

'Okay' Minamo liked the idea, 'But where?'

'Well I was thinking how about England?' she smiled.

'What!'

'You don't want to?' losing a little confidence.

'No, I mean yes, I just mean I just thought you were talking about going to the beach or something'

'Oh, no, I was thinking we could go on a proper trip, just the two of us' Yukari's eyes widening in excitement again, 'look' she added before scurrying to her bed. After rummaging under her bed for a few seconds she pulled out dozens of travel magazines, and waved Minamo to join her.

Leaving the computer Minamo came and sat next to Yukari, as Yukari started to flip one open her free hand almost unconsciously found Minamo's, their fingers interlocking together.

'I see you've been busy' joked Minamo, viewing all the magazines, 'but why England'

'Well I kinda wanted somewhere I didn't have to learn another language'

'Ah, that makes sense' thought Minamo aloud, 'but what about me?'

'Well thats the great part' smiled Yukari, 'What am I?'

'My girlfriend?' offered Minamo, not quite getting what Yukari was on about.

'No, well yes but what's my job?'

'English Teach… oh' said Minamo, annoyed that she'd been so slow.

'Aha! Correct my young pupil' said Yukari, smiling wider, 'I, the great Yukari shall teach you' she finished puffing out her chest. Minamo responded by poking Yukari in the stomach, trying to keep her ego in check.

'I don't know, I was never very good at languages'

'Or much else' added Yukari under her breath. Minamo turned and gave Yukari a sharp look, 'what?' said Yukari, looking all innocent but under Minamo's continued gaze her mask began to crack and a smile slipped through.

'Why you…' began Minamo ruefully before she leapt on Yukari and began tickling her without mercy. Eventually Minamo ended up straddled on top of Yukari, pressing her girlfriend's arms against the floor. With no escape Yukari quickly pleaded for mercy.

'Mercy eh?' repeated Minamo softy, before leaning closer to Yukari and whispering in her ear, 'Show me your sorry'

Minamo brought her lips close too Yukari's, teasing her but as Yukari tried to lean into the kiss Minamo moved away slightly. Yukari lost in the moment strained further trying to reach Minamo's lips. At this moment Minamo straightened back into a more seated position and poked the belly between her legs, before climbing of Yukari quickly.

'Ow! That was mean' whined Yukari, sitting up and holding her stomach.

'It'll teach you a lesson' said Minamo, crossing her arms and pouting a little. But she relented when she saw Yukari looking like a wounded puppy. 'Oh, fine' she said as she leaned over and kissed her friend, whose mood instantly brightened, parting she added, 'feeling better?'

Yukari just smiled her goofy smile.

Over the next couple of days the women sorted out the finer details of their trip. They'd decide on London, it was the obvious choice and Yukari railed against it at first because of that, but she agreed that it was probably the best choice. The couple would stay at the 'Velvet Crunch' which Minamo thought was a weird name for a hotel, but it had good reviews, wasn't out of their budget and was close to the Underground.

With the technical details of their trip sorted, that left the more frivolous side, such as what to bring and in Minamo's case her after school English lessons.

The first couple of lessons didn't go too well. Yukari had decide to start by seeing how much Minamo remembered from when they were schoolgirls themselves. It turned out that Minamo had forgotten more that she thought. This forced Yukari to start at quite a low-level, Minamo was so embarrassed that she couldn't even compete with her own students, leading her to have a few stroppy moments.

Minamo had to give credit to Yukari though, the English teacher preserved through Minamo's tantrums and they began to make some progress. She wasn't sure how, but somehow Yukari's often erratic teaching technique seemed to work. Yukari hadn't even attempted to lord her superior knowledge over Minamo like she usually did, much to Minamo's surprise.

Though Minamo suspected Yukari had other things on her mind. Her friend had several times joined her on her morning runs. Had Yukari, who normally had no problems with her body, begun to get a little self-conscious. Minamo had to admit that the two of them seeing each other naked, and all the things that might come after, was making her a little self-conscious too.

Sat on Minamo's living room floor the couple were finishing another exhausting session. Minamo collapsed back onto the floor, stretching her arms above her head.

"No more, I'm done for the night' tossing the English text-book aside.

'Okay' said Yukari, flopping down on her side next to Minamo.

'Why does this tire me more than running laps' complained Minamo, as she turned her head to face Yukari.

'I'd best not answer that' said Yukari cheekily, 'but we're finally making some progress'

'Really?'

'Yeah, I think some of our old school lessons might finally be coming back to you and I am after all the great…'

'Yukari, I know' finished Minamo rolling her eyes.

'Damn right' smiled Yukari, 'anyway since lessons are over for the night, do you want to grab some snacks and watch a movie?'

'Yeah, I really would' answered Minamo, realizing that she was quite hungry.

The couple took a quick trip to a nearby convenience store to pick up some snacks. Yukari had insisted on grabbing a few beers, Minamo agreed but made sure she didn't buy too many. When they returned Minamo prepared the snacks while Yukari pick the movie, trying to resist the urge to pick a horror and try to scare Minamo. With the food prepared and the movie started the two women snuggled up next to each other.

'Hey what did you do last night Yukari?' asked Yukari, talking to herself, 'Ah, nothing much, just chillin' with my girlfriend' she finished, smiling smugly to herself. Minamo giggled to herself.

'Hey Yukari?' asked Minamo, hoping she wasn't about to make a mistake.

'Yeah?'

'You know those stories you used to write?'

'Yeah' repeated Yukari's voice growing a little curious.

'Well I've still got some'

'What! I thought got rid of them all' said Yukari, a bit louder than she had intended.

'Don't be mad, I just always loved them and I was thinking that if you could write some in English that might, you know, help me with my English' stammered Minamo quickly.

Yukari looked into Minamo's innocent eyes and sighed, 'I'm not mad, it's just a surprise, I thought I'd got rid of those things years ago'

'Well I might have rescued some from the bin…' muttered Minamo, fidgeting a little.

'Oh god why? They were so bad'

'No' said Minamo, growing defensive, 'you knew I always liked them'

'Yeah, but you were the only one' whined Yukari.

'Only because I was the only one that ever saw them' countered Minamo.

'Fine, so where are they then' asked Yukari, looking around the apartment.

'Okay but' she added, 'you'd better not mess them up'

'Okay okay, this is so embarrassing' promised Yukari. Leaving her friend on the sofa, Minamo went over to where she hid the stories and collected them, nervously heading them to Yukari. The next couple of minutes were in silence as Yukari flipped through the pages, with Minamo standing in front of her feeling like a child waiting to be punished.

'I can't believe you kept these all this time' said Yukari finally.

'I'm sorry I didn't tell you, it's just I was afraid you make me get rid of them' said Minamo, squirming on the spot. Yukari looked up at Minamo and smiled warmly before carefully placing the pile of papers to the side out of the way.

'Come here' she said, opening her arms out to Minamo, signaling her to come in for a hug. Minamo literally leapt at the chance, jumping into Yukari's arms and burying her head in her friend's shoulder, blinking away a couple of tears.

'I never thought they meant so much to you' said Yukari, a little taken aback. They just sat there in each other's arms. Unfortunately the moment was spoiled when Yukari's stomach gave a low rumble. They parted a little so that they could see each other's faces. Yukari was blushing slightly and gave Minamo an apologetic look before both women started laughing.

When they had both calmed down they returned to their movie and snacks. Minamo didn't mention the stories again that night or the next day and had wondered if Yukari had simply forgotten about them again until their next English lesson. As the we're wrapping up the end of the session Yukari retrieved a scruffy notepad from her bag and handed to Minamo, in a manner that reminded Minamo of a schoolgirl giving a love letter to a boy she liked.

After Yukari had gotten over her initial embarrassment she started to make Minamo write little mini book reports on her stories.

This helped Minamo with her English writing and reading skills and Minamo believed helped Yukari with confidence in her writing, which was something that puzzled Minamo as Yukari was normally such a self-confident person.

It was getting close to the school breaking up for the summer holidays, the days where long, hot and on this particular day even Minamo was lacking energy, as she entered the staff room. She collapsed on her chair welcoming the coolness of her cold table.

'Hey Nyamo' mumbled the figure that noisily lumbered to its seat next to her.

'I think I'll have to cancel our lesson today, Yukari' said Minamo, not even looking up from her desk. 'I don't think I'll be any good today'

'Yeah, neither do I' agreed Yukari with a laugh. She then proceeded to rummage around her desk finding something suitable to fan herself with.

'I want a fan too' whined Minamo childishly. Yukari obliged and began fanning her friend with another book. Minamo half sighed and half moaned in pleasure when the cool breeze hit her.

'You know I'm really starting to spoil you' said Yukari jokingly.

'I don't care as long as I'm getting fanned' smiled Minamo, enjoying the sensation. After a couple of minutes Yukari tapped Minamo on the head with the book'

'Here, you can fan yourself now' handing her book to Minamo before adding, 'My hand was getting tired'

Minamo sat back on her chair and began fanning herself, looking round the office some of the other teachers had taken their idea and were fanning themselves too.

'You know what would be nice?' Yukari asked, more to herself than anyone in particular, 'A nice cool bath' Minamo hummed her agreement before picturing herself having a bath with Yukari. She immediately blushed and sneaked a glance at Yukari, who seemed equally flush.

Could she be thinking the same thing? Or was it just the heat?

'So I was thinking' began Minamo changing the subject, 'How about we go shopping the weekend, get ready for the trip'

'Yeah, that'll be good, we need to get you out of that track suit and into something nice' smiled Yukari.

'I'm not sure how much I trust your fashion advice but yeah' said Minamo, somewhat doubtfully.

'You don't have to be mean about it' laughed Yukari.

The next weekend the pair did go shopping, spending the entire day together. In between taking about what clothes and such they should bring (and Yukari's cheeky digs at Minamo's choices), they talked about all the sights they should go and see. Minamo, much to Yukari annoyance, had made sure to include at least a couple of museums. As the day wound on they stopped and had lunch at a café before shopping again but at a less frantic pace than the mornings, both a little fatigued by the heat.

When they arrived back at Minamo's apartment they tried on the clothes they had bought, creating a little fashion show between the two. Once they had decided what went well together or in Yukari's case got a bit bored, they got cozy on the sofa.

'We're pretty much ready I think' said Minamo with some confidence.

'You think?'

'Well when I say we, I kind of mean me' joked Minamo.

'You wound me' said Yukari with a laugh.

'Well I'm always afraid you'll lose your passport or something'

'What's a passport?'

'Yukari' Minamo said, in a voice that let Yukari know that it wasn't a joking matter.

'Alright, I know my mum has it somewhere' explained Yukari.

'Your mum? How old are you?'

'What?' said Yukari innocently.

'Sometimes I wish you'd grow up a little' mumbled Minamo in annoyance.

'Nah, I know ya love me the way I am' smiled Yukari. Even though it was throw away comment Minamo's heart skipped at the word 'love'. As she snuggled up into Yukari's arms she thought to herself, maybe I do, maybe I do love you, you big idiot. She smiled to herself and dreamed of what was to come.

A/N Oh and as a last note, the next chapter will probably the last with them going on the trip and 'doing it' :P but it'll probably be fade to black for the sex scene cos I doubt I'll be able to write it well, just look at the rest of the story lol :P