A/N: A special thanks to littlemichiru who continues to be my wonderful beta and also continues to encourage me even when we don't always agree. I want you to know I always appreciate and cherish what you say. I also want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read this story, it means a lot and I hope you enjoy this new chapter!

I Don't Know You Anymore

-Sky King Haruka Tenoh

Yaya scanned the sidewalks of the street she was driving on hoping to see some sign of Tsubomi and Minako. Briefly glancing at the indicated intersection in Tsubomi's text message, she slowed down so she wouldn't miss them. Her amber eyes caught sight of Tsubomi sitting next to a sleeping Minako, patiently waiting for her arrival. After pulling over and parking her car, Yaya approached the pair. Upon first inspection they seemed unharmed, but it was clear they had gone out for drinks given the scent of alcohol emanating from them and their present location. She kneeled in front of Minako and reached out to brush some blonde locks away from the beautiful face she knew too well.

"What happened?" she asked, not knowing if she'd really like to hear the answer, but also unable to meet Tsubomi's gaze after their brief conversation earlier.

"Not here, Yaya-chan. Let's get her back to her place and I'll explain." The depth of concern was evident in Tsubomi's voice, something that Yaya knew quite well she held in reserve for very few people.

"You're right." Yaya looked away from Minako and into those familiar golden eyes, "Let's get you both home."

Between both of them they were able to get Minako comfortably situated into the back seat of the car. Yaya held the front passenger door open for Tsubomi, but the younger girl hesitated briefly before finally getting into the car. Once she was back in the driver's side, Yaya started the car, but suddenly felt a bit embarrassed at the logical question that came to mind.

"Where does she live?"

Tsubomi turned to look at her incredulously and Yaya felt herself cower a bit before those irate eyes. This wasn't the same look she was given when she managed to annoy Tsubomi during their bickering. This was definitely different.

"You don't know where she lives?" the pinkette whispered harshly, careful not to wake up the girl sleeping in the back seat. "You two...you have…ugh!" frustrated Tsubomi reached into the backseat and grabbed Minako's purse. Etiquette told her it was improper to go through another woman's purse without her expressed consent, but right now she was beyond propriety. She quickly located Minako's wallet, carefully pulled it out, and searched for her ID. After finding it, she pulled it out to get a good look at the address, but stopped when she saw the faded picture that slipped out. It was a picture of Minako brightly smiling in the arms of a dark-haired woman with stunning amethyst colored eyes. The happiness and love captured in the moment seemed to radiate off of the image. Tsubomi couldn't stop looking at Minako's former fiancée—the exotic face holding a vague familiarity that she couldn't quite decipher.

"Did you find an address?" Yaya asked carefully trying not to upset Tsubomi even more.

"Of course I did. Who do you think you're dealing with?" Tsubomi snapped as she handed her the ID.

Yaya inwardly flinched at Tsubomi's tone as she took the offered card in hand. She eyed the address slightly perplexed, but nevertheless input the stated address into the car's GPS. As she drove, Yaya got the feeling that there was more behind Tsubomi's outburst.

Tsubomi sighed and placed the picture and the ID back into their proper place in Minako's wallet. She was grateful Yaya was too focused on driving that she didn't see the picture. "How do you not know where she lives?" she asked in a deflated tone.

Yaya sighed and looked at the sleeping Minako through the rearview mirror. She realized something must have happened because Minako would have never allowed herself to get so drunk. "Well…we…"

Yaya was struggling to come up with an appropriate answer to Tsubomi's question. It was only natural that Tsubomi would know about her indiscretions with previous lovers, but this time it was different. This wasn't a random affair to satisfy carnal needs. It was different, because it was Minako. She was the woman who was more than an occasional one-night stand. She was her friend but…nothing more than what their arrangement allowed. They had gravitated towards one another in their loneliness, but Minako was the one woman who Yaya had given the reigns to when setting the terms—her only condition anywhere but her home. There was more to this thing that was between them besides sex. Sometimes, Yaya just wanted to go out with someone who shared an understanding and could also bring a smile to her face.

The tense silence broke when the GPS beeped indicating the turn she needed to take. Yaya's eyes drifted from Minako's reflection and back to the road. "When we meet it's usually at my place or elsewhere. It's what we agreed on." Yaya felt the creeping sensation of shame take over her, "Those were her terms. I-I just never felt it necessary to ask questions."

Tsubomi's silence filled her with a sudden dread. She didn't know how to make amends, but she knew the only thing the younger woman would accept was honesty. "I didn't mean to hurt her in anyway or be inconsiderate."

"That's precisely the problem, Yaya." The drop of suffix didn't go unnoticed by the woman being addressed, if the pained expression was any indication that is. Tsubomi's eyes focused on the road as she refused to look at the woman next to her. "You never look further than what you can obtain. Hikari has ruined the part of you that I once found so admirable."

"Tsubomi-chan…" Yaya whispered defeated.

The only sounds for the rest of the drive came from the car's GPS. Yaya didn't know what to say as she found herself trying to process everything. As much as she wanted to defend herself she knew Tsubomi was right. The words stung but they weren't as harsh as the rift she felt growing between her and the girl next to her.

Yaya took a second look at the address on the GPS and then at the house they had arrived at. It was definitely a bit of a drive from here all the way to her office, but she could understand Minako's need to get as far away from work as possible, especially in a bustling metropolis like Tokyo. Yaya got out of the car just to take a moment to really take in the place. It was truly beautiful. The first thing she noticed was the luscious garden and the intoxicating scent of…lilies? She looked at the white lilies in full bloom radiating under the moon's glow. It was as if they were waiting to welcome Minako home with their beauty and sweet scent. Yaya got back into her seat leaving the door open as she shut off the car's engine.

"This is definitely the place."

"You've never been here. How can you be so sure?"

"It's just a feeling." Yaya said feeling a bit hurt. Just because she didn't know Minako's address didn't mean she didn't know anything about the girl. The house was definitely hers. "Besides the GPS doesn't lie. At least, not all the time."

Tsubomi rolled her eyes trying not to smile at her lame joke. "Fine, but let me try the key first, that way we don't carry her all the way for nothing."

Yaya got out of the car again, closed the driver door, and opened the back passenger door to reveal a still sleeping Minako. She undid the seatbelt that safely held her in place and then looked over her shoulder when she heard Tsubomi approach.

"The key worked. I've turned on the lights, we just need to get her inside."

"Okay."

Tsubomi quickly helped Yaya carry Minako into the house even though she felt uneasy about trespassing where uninvited. Once inside she made quick work of guiding Yaya towards what appeared to be the only room with an open door. They settled the sleeping woman on the bed as comfortably as possible and removed her shoes and jewelry. Tsubomi reached for the necklace, but remembered how lovingly Minako held it.

"Can you wait in the living room for a moment, please? I'll be out in a minute." She said without looking at the dark-haired woman standing across from her.

Yaya looked torn, but nevertheless left the room without argument. Tsubomi finished tucking Minako into bed. Sitting on the edge of the bed she looked at her sleeping friend and then saw the picture frame on the nightstand. It was Minako with the same woman from the other picture, but they both looked a bit older than in the previous picture she saw. Curiosity got the better of her and she looked at the picture. The setting was breathtaking. The two girls were looking at each other with a beautiful sunset behind them painting everything in striking shades. White high rising cliffs overlooking the beach were bathed in faded gold by the setting sun. Tsubomi's looked at the loving pair, at how they looked at each other with such love and adoration. It was a love that even in a picture such as this was palpable. Her eyes saw the engagement ring and the necklace Minako wore in the picture. She looked at the sleeping woman and brushed away some of the blonde tresses hiding a golden chain, and compared the image to the necklace Minako wore.

"So, you're the one who gave it to her?" she whispered to the absent individual she still didn't know. "Kami, what happened? Why aren't you here?"

Minako shifted slightly in her sleep and a faint mumble escaped her lips, "I love you too, Rei…"

Rei. The woman's name was Rei. Why did it sound so strangely familiar? Releasing the necklace and placing the picture frame back in its proper place, Tsubomi stood up and turned off the light before leaving the room and closing the door. Hoping that at least for tonight Minako could dream of happier times.

Minako gazed at the stars deep in thought as the day's events brought a blush to her face. Rei had surprised her for their fifth anniversary with a trip to The Cyclades, and to say that Santorini was now one of her favorite places was an understatement. They had left Japan days earlier to arrive just in time to celebrate their anniversary. Minako had always heard that this was one of the most romantic places to see the sunset and sunrise, but she never thought she'd get to experience it in person. Now, here she was with the love of her life. She smiled as she felt this year's gift resting on her breastbone.

"You're so full of surprises, my Reiko."

"Am I?" came the husky whisper as Minako felt Rei's arm's wrap around her waist.

Minako closed her eyes pressing closer into her lover savoring the ecstasy their closeness brought her. Rei's lips trailed light feather kisses down her neck as her devious right hand teased its way up to grasp her new pendant.

"Open your eyes, Mina."

"Tease…"

Rei pulled her a bit closer to her and kissed her neck once more as she continued to hold the gold pendant with the Venus insignia on it. "I lied to you once. Do you remember, love?"

Minako smiled at the fond memory. "Yes, I remember, koibito. You said you'd never fall in love, but you did."

Rei placed another gentle kiss on her skin sending delicious shivers through her body. "I did, but I've kept a secret from you." Rei released her hold on Minako's pendant and pointed at the sky. "I want you to look up there. At that bright star right there."

Minako took a look at the star that stood out from the rest. It was definitely brighter and the way it glimmered was different. "I see it. What's so special about it?"

"Well, it's not a star. That's your sign's planet. It's Venus." Rei smiled lovingly then pointed to the other star that was smaller but still radiant. "That's Mars, which is mine. See how close they are to one another?"

Minako beamed at the sight and kissed Rei's cheek. "It's a beautiful sight to see."

"Yes it is." Rei said softly as she loosened her hold around Minako's waist. "They are not always together like this, but despite their travels and the obstacles they encounter along the way, their journey always leads them back to each other. Maybe it's because of my upbringing at the temple, but sometimes I like to think that we were lucky to be born under their lights and that it means we will always find our way to each other no matter what we face in life."

Minako heard the shift in Rei's voice and felt the nervousness vibrating through her as Rei loosened her hold around her waist even more. Minako took Rei's left hand and brought it to her lips kissing it for reassurance. "I wouldn't have it any other way, Reiko."

Rei blushed as she slipped her right hand in her pocket, "Mina, you have honored me by giving me the privilege to love you and show you that you're the only goddess I wish to love. We've shared so many things in these five years, made so many memories, and I hope that I have made you as happy and fulfilled as you have made me."

"You have, koibito. More than I could ever dream of."

Rei presented a jewelry box to Minako and opened it revealing a beautiful ring inside. "Then, allow me to be selfish one more time, my dearest love. Allow me to have you as mine forever. I cannot imagine my life without you in it, nor can I imagine it with anyone else. If my love is still worthy of your heart, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife in which ever laws you desire?"

Minako's eyes filled with tears as she stared at the beautiful ring in front of her. She was briefly lost for words. Turning in Rei's arms she looked into those eyes that have always held such a deep unconditional love for her. "Yes, Reiko! Always, yes!" she said through happy tears and kissed her lover, no, her fiancée!

Between kisses, Rei was able to slip the ring on her finger. Rei pulled back only to bring her hand adorned with her engagement ring to her lips. "I love you, Minako."

"I love you too, Rei. I love you with all of me."

Their lips came together in a deep searing kiss. Hands caressed and obstructing clothing was slowly peeled away to expose soft skin. They'd somehow ended up back in their bedroom on the actual bed where Rei worshipped every part of her as she promised. Every word as Rei touched her was a sacred vow to love her, protect her, and cherish her until the end of her existence spiked her pleasure to heights she never knew were possible. Yearning to show Rei just how equally devoted she was to her, Minako rose after her ecstatic glow and showed her fiancée just what she meant by accepting her proposal. Every kiss and caress painted the truth of her heart and soul on the exquisite bodily canvas before her. Her reward wasn't just a flushed and glowing exotic beauty, but also a pleasure symphony of her name that emanated from her lover's lips. Kissing her beloved's lips again she curled next to her resting her adorned hand above Rei's heart and beaming at the precious piece now on her hand.

"I love you, my Mina."

"I love you too, my Reiko."

Yaya stood in the middle of the living room, finding it difficult to sit down. The home despite the furnishings and décor felt empty and hollow—as if someone had stripped the very life from it. It was difficult for her to imagine Minako coming home to an empty house every day. She already felt like an intruder in Minako's home, so despite her curiosity she held back from searching for clues that could help her find Minako's former lover.

Quiet footsteps approached bringing her thoughts back to the immediate situation. Tsubomi ran her hand though her pink locks and sighed as she carefully looked around as if searching for something.

"What happened tonight?" Yaya finally asked.

Undecipherable golden eyes met her amber ones, "More than you'd probably care to know." Tsubomi whispered.

Yaya flinched but didn't back down, "That's not fair, Tsubomi-chan. I care about her. She's not like the others." Yaya said quietly. "She's my friend."

"So is Hikari." Tsubomi said as her eyes found a picture frame on an end table and she carefully took it in her hand.

"If this is about her, then why did you call me?"

"Because unlike Hikari who uses you when she feels like it, Minako is a woman who genuinely cares." Tsubomi slowly said, golden eyes still glued to the image of her friend with that missing woman that seemed to bring her so much joy. "You don't even realize you're just using her."

"You have no idea what you're talking about." Yaya's voice masked her growing frustration.

"Don't I?" Tsubomi stared at her friend trying to keep her voice down as she gently shoved the picture frame into Yaya's hands. "Minako was engaged. She was in love, still is. With that woman, Rei, who by every picture I've seen so far, loved her with the same fervor."

Amber eyes looked at the picture. She felt angry with herself and hurt for reasons she didn't understand. "Then where the hell is she? Why hasn't she returned if she loves Minako so much?"

"There's probably a good reason, but I can see that Minako hasn't lost hope. For her sake, I hope that Rei returns."

"Rei? How do you know her name?"

"She just said it in her sleep."

Yaya looked at the picture and then handed it back to Tsubomi as she sighed heavily. Taking a deep breath she took a deep and hard look at the house. She was wrong, it wasn't lifeless; it was just waiting for someone to return.

"I've fucked up so much." Yaya said quietly. Sure, she had respected Minako's privacy, but in reality, she hadn't even tried to get closer to the girl. She knew Minako was different than every other girl she had met but she hadn't tried to make her life better, or learn more about her.

"Not exactly. You…just never bothered getting to know her."

"When did-"

"Minako is different from your other paramours, She isn't with you for money. She's a hard worker and a loyal friend. It's why I bothered getting to know her." Tsubomi said as she placed the picture frame back in its rightful place. "At first, I thought she was like every other girl you had me schedule time off for, but she wasn't. She took her work seriously and even put in extra time to get her own work and special projects done. Everyone else expected me to kneel to their wishes because they were sleeping with you."

"Why didn't you ever say anything?"

"Because you only see what you want to see, Yaya."

Yaya looked down briefly feeling the weight of her suffocating remorse before turning to the younger woman. "Tsubomi, are you going to tell me what happened?"

"You, more than anyone, should know how terrible this week has been. I thought we could use a bit of a break. So, we went out for drinks after work with the intention of relaxing, but you know me, I can't let things go sometimes." Tsubomi took a deep breath, "After a couple of drinks, I got the courage to finally ask Minako about her life before working with us."

Yaya sighed knowing how private Minako was about her past, "What on Earth made you think asking her about that was a good idea?"

"Because she's been secretive about it for so long and I can tell it hurts her. I pay attention to her quirky behavior. Did you know she only requests time off only for a specific day out of the year?"

Yaya shook her head.

"I noticed it, but I never knew why. Well, after tonight…I have an idea about what that day is. In fact, I got to know more about her than I ever expected. I feel guilty for pushing, but I just wanted her to know that she could also count on me. She's been there for me when no one else has even though we haven't known each other very long."

"Tsubomi-chan, you have me-"

"Do I? Because it used to be that your lovers took precedence and you'd forget who your friends were." Tsubomi looked away from those crestfallen eyes, "You don't even talk to me anymore. I'm just an employee to you and you only tease me like old times when you need to blow off steam."

"Tsubomi-chan, please." Yaya begged quietly feeling like she was losing her closest friend right before her eyes, "Let me make it up to you."

Tsubomi fought the unshed tears in her eyes, "You can start by helping her. Just be the friend you used to be…before this mess with Hikari turned you into-" Tsubomi was cut off as she was wrapped up in Yaya's warm embrace.

"I'm so sorry, Tsubomi-chan. I'm sorry for everything I've done." Yaya whispered as she held Tsubomi close to her, stroking her soft pink hair. The dark-haired heiress felt warm tears drip on her clothes and her friend shake in her arm. She stayed calm trying to soothe Tsubomi until her tears subsided.

Yaya felt the weight of her guilt was making her see the error of her ways for the first time. Yes, she carried a great responsibility by being her father's heir, but that wasn't what made her blind. She'd let things with Hikari get too out of hand and it made her lose sight of everything important around her. The heiress had never bothered to really nourish any relationships since her affair with Hikari started. She was afraid all of them would lead up to the same thing or that she'd be taken advantage of because of the name she carried.

Tsubomi was one of the few people she actually gave a damn about besides Minako and she'd succeeded in driving a rift between the friendship they had. Yaya once thought that just because they were such good friends, Tsubomi would always be there for her. She realized now how she had taken the younger woman for granted, even though Yaya had never actually stopped caring for her. She had done the same thing with Minako. It wasn't that Yaya didn't care about them, she simply made a wrong assumption that they would always be present in her life—freely giving their friendship and support, when she wasn't able to offer the same in return because she was always too caught up with Hikari.

"I wanna go home, Yaya-chan…"Tsubomi whispered quietly trying to pull away to wipe her tears.

"Tsubomi-chan, you're tired and I know you drank at the bar too. Why don't we rest here for a while? We can also check up on Minako-chan when she wakes up."

The pinkette nodded reluctantly realizing that Yaya was probably very exhausted as well. "Do you think she'll be upset with us?"

"I don't know for sure, but…" Yaya paused letting out a yawn, "she can't really fault me or you for being here. Technically speaking, she is my employee, so I do have access to her address, in case she asks. More importantly, she's my friend, so I'm glad you called. I wouldn't want anything happening to either of you."

"I wasn't referring to Minako-chan." Tsubomi said as she sat down on the couch.

The dark-haired woman kneeled in front of her before looking into her eyes, "Hikari didn't want me to come. If she's upset, it's not my problem. She isn't here every day. You and Minako are. I know as a person and a friend I have failed you Tsubomi-chan, but I want you to know I'll be there if you need me. I promise."

"I'll hold you to that." Tsubomi said as she laid down on the comfortable couch.

Yaya watched as Tsubomi fell asleep rather quickly after the exhausting night's events. She took off her jacket and placed it over Tsubomi to keep her warm placing a quick kiss on her forehead. Her hand reached out and stroked the pink lock of hair away from the younger woman's face as she looked at her with a tender smile. "Thank you for being who you are, Tsubomi-chan."

Yaya gave into her own exhaustion as she lay down on the second couch in the living room and closed her eyes. She dearly hoped the three of them would feel a lot better when they woke up.