Roses Go Wild

AU: All the roses are back! And they're vampires. How will they survive Kashiwagi's bid for world domination? How can a simple, average vampire like Yumi help her friends? Action/Humor/Romance YumixSachiko, YumixYamayurikai, YumixKatou Kei, YumixKanako Rated: M.

Author's Notes (A/N)

This is my second story, hope you enjoy. I do not own any of the characters. Oyuki Konno is the brilliant mind that brought these endearing lovelies to life.

Warnings

A lot of OOC. Also, yuri, yuri, yuri – and harem – and lemon – and hot hot lady love. There will be graphic descriptions of sexual acts between women… and maybe yaoi for the men, we'll see. And some language as well as a bit of violence – but mostly just destruction of property. We don't have to go crazy violent on people. Not every chapter will contain all of these elements, still, you've been warned. Please discontinue reading if any of this offends you.

On the other hand, if you have suggestions, comments, improvements, praise, etc. Please feel free to comment away! Feedback is a gift.

Language

I'll pepper the story with some Japanese because I love the language and it's really cute. Even though sweet, shy Yumi can say, "Y-yes" with a stutter, it's more adorable if she says, "H-hai." And there are some instances where English fails miserably in the translation ("onee-sama" – or any honorifics). So below is a quick guide. I'll try to remember to translate any other Japanese right within the story so you don't have to lose your place to look it up in an online language translator. Understand that these on-the-fly translations will be over-simplistic so as not to interrupt the flow of the story but enough to give you the gist. Feel free to research more as Japanese is a beautiful language full of treasures.

Proper Names: Surname goes first while first name comes after; for example: Jane Smith would be Smith Jane.

Honorifics: -sensei, -sempai, -sama, -kun, -chan, -tan, etc. The Japanese use honorifics to confer respect/formality or closeness/familiarity. Examples: If Smith Jane were a professor at the university you might address her as Smith-sensei. If she were your best friend you might address her as Jane-chan or Jane-kun. If she were your classmate you might address her as Smith-san or Jane-san, depending on the school's culture in treating classmates on a first name or surname basis. If she were your cat you might call her Jane-tan. If she were your lover or other close friend you might drop the honorifics altogether and address her simply as Jane (apparently dropping honorifics can be a turn-on for first-time lovers). Going from most formal to least in the short list above, -kun is probably the one I understand the least.

Common Japanese:

Hai = yes
onee = sister
onii = brother
imouto = little sister
kouhai = junior person
baka = idiot
arigato = thank you
onegai = please
ano = literally translates as "that" but is commonly used as "ah" or "um"
nani = what or what is it
ne = OK this is way over simplistic so it can mean "hey" when used at the beginning of a sentence and can denote agreement as in "okay" or "alright" when used at the end of a sentence
daijoubu = it's ok or everything will be fine (this is one of my favorites)

Formatting Devices

Italics within parentheses [indicates a translation, Flashbacks, POV, etc.] - the text will explain

Italics within single quotes 'indicates a person's thoughts'

Setting the Stage

At the Lillian Private University for Women it is preferred to walk slowly so as not to disturb the tidy appearance of the maidens who attend the school. This would be viewed as a distraction from their studies. The "soeur" system was developed where an older student (grand soeur) will take a younger (petite soeur) under her wing to uphold the school's traditions and reputation. This system started in Lillian's high school division and was carried over into the university.

Another of the university's traditions is to use flower references for many aspects of school life. Thus, the student-body leadership is called the "Yamayurikai" or Mountain Lily Council. The council itself consists of the three Rose families who are elected each year by the students and serve as the Yamayurikai's leadership. Red is for "Rosa Chinensis," Yellow is for "Rosa Foetida," and White is for "Rosa Gigantea."

The red roses are Mizuno Youko, whose petite soeur is Ogasawara Sachiko, whose own petite soeur is Fukuzawa Yumi. Yumi's petite soeur is Matsudaira Touko, who is also a cousin to Sachiko. The yellow roses are Torii Eriko, whose petite soeur is Hasekura Rei, whose own petite soeur is Shimazu Yoshino. Rei and Yoshino are also first cousins. Yoshino's petite soeur is Arima Nana, a renowned kendo sword-woman. The white roses are Satou Sei, whose petite soeur is Toudou Shimako, "the angel of Lillian," whose own petite soeur is Nijou Noriko. Shimako and Noriko look like a set of porcelain dolls, Shimako being a pretty Western doll and Noriko being a cute Japanese doll.

Because of the soeur system, the school's administration doesn't need to enforce as many rules and campus life takes on a serene aspect. Of course, that is, until you realize the university is actually a covert para-military training facility for young, elite, vampire operatives to serve in a cold war for state-wide domination.

A Day in the Life of a Lillian Maiden

Fukuzawa Yumi is an unassuming, adorably cute, sweet young woman. She grew up assisting her father in his architecture business; a business that also served as a front for agency covert ops. Both of Yumi's parents were agency operatives. Her father in architecture and her mother in sabotage. So it was part of Yumi's childhood to assess ingress and egress vulnerabilities no only in buildings and structures but also open spaces. Her talent for seemed nearly instinctual (or "uncanny" as her outspoken best friend Yoshino would say) and she processes this information as readily as breathing. Both of her parents are world-renowned explosives experts and have been serving for decades in the Vampire Special Forces on a semi-retired basis.

When she was recruited to the elite Lillian school she could not for the life of herself understand what they had seen in her. She views herself as average (at least among her vampire peers) with no particularly outstanding qualities. She's not down on herself; she just doesn't view herself as spectacular in any regard.

"Gokigenyou, Yumi-san," greeted her friends, the fireball Yoshino and the angelic Shimako. The trio served as the Yamayurikai in high school and continued as best friends at Lillian University.

"Gokigenyou, Shimako-san, Yoshino-san," chirped the energetic Yumi in return greeting.

"What's gotten you so excited, Yumi-san? You do remember that we have an essay due this week in battle tactics of ancient Mongolia. I see no reason for your exuberance." Deadpanned a grouchy Yoshino. Yumi was surprised – usually Yoshino thrived on the art of warfare and once started, was difficult to move off of the topic.

"Rei-sama used Yoshino's favorite coffee mug this morning." Shimako offered Yumi the explanation for their friend's aggravation.

"I am NOT a child, Shimako-san, to be bent out of shape over a coffee mug! I simply want to understand why Yumi-san is so happy this morning." Yoshino rebutted her friend.

"She is always happy, Yoshino-san." The soft-spoken Shimako decided to deadpan right back at Yoshino.

There were a few seconds of silence then all three broke into giggles, happily on their way to their class. Having gotten used to extra attention from other students since high school, they took it in stride all the fawning, pointing, sighing, gazing, and squealing that met them on their way to class. They were, after all, the beautiful and elegant former Roses from high school and held a special place in the hearts of the Lillian student body.

The large lecture hall was quickly filling up as students arrived with coffee, books, back-packs, and occasionally bed-head. Our trio took their usual places near the front and patiently waited for the professor.

Opening Salvo

Mizuno Youko was angry. "What does that imbecile hope to accomplish?" She was, of course, referring to Kashiwagi Suguru, her counterpart on the Student Council for Hanadera, Lillian's brother university.

Some explanation is warranted here. Ogasawara Sachiko, Youko's petite soeur, recently ended her pre-arranged marriage to Suguru. Sachiko and Suguru are distant cousins and Suguru was one of the only people Sachiko's age that she was allowed to play with growing up. Sachiko's childhood was cold and harsh. Discipline, training, and loyalty dominated over love or (God forbid) affection. So, as a child, her only exposure to friendship was Suguru. She had very limited experiences outside of her training, which began when she was three, and continued within and outside of her schooling at Lillian. So she acquiesced to her grandfather's plan to marry her with Suguru. She liked him well enough and they seemed to at least understand each other even if they didn't always get along. After developing her friendships on the Yamayurikai, and especially after tasting the freedom she felt whenever she was with her own petite soeur Yumi, she recognized the engagement for what it really was: a business deal. Having gained more respect for herself than being chattel for her family's greed, she decided to end the engagement. She never noticed how Kashiwagi's own training made him vulnerable to blind ambition.

The Yamayurikai were gathered at the University's replica of the Rose Mansion in the upstairs meeting room, the one with the biscuit door. Youko had a piece of fine paper that she asked each council member to read and pass along to the next person.

[Kashiwagi's Declaration]

Honored Members of the Lillian University Student Council, Yamayurikai | Prestigious Roses Chinensis, Foetida, and Gigantea | Esteemed Sisters, Mizuno Youko-san, Torii Eriko-san, and Satou Sei-san:

In my capacity as head of the student council at Hanadera University, Lillian's brother school, I would be remiss in my duties if I did not notify you of some slight changes affecting your role as Lillian's Yamayurikai. Recent events, of which you may be aware, have precipitated a much-delayed response on my part to the independent nature of the Lillian leadership. The dissolution of my pre-arranged marriage with Ogasawara Sachiko has left a void in the solidity of the relationship between our councils.

As befitting a quiet school of maidens, not to mention a military facility, hierarchy of leadership should be clearly defined. To this end I am announcing that the Hanadera Council is now assuming authority over the Lillian Council. The scope of this authority is as yet undefined but know that its inevitability has already been secured in preliminary discussions with Ogasawara Hitarou-dono, my venerable grandfather.

In order to simplify the transition and not overtax the capacity of the weaker Yamayurikai, I've only left one item up to you: your inevitable capitulation. Once received, discussions on scope will commence with Ogasawara Hitarou-dono. I anticipate your favorable response within the month.

With respect and humility,

Your Brother-comrade,

Kashiwagi Suguru

"Maybe he's just acting out because I called off the engagement." Sachiko mused after reading the paper and passing it to Yumi. She was barely keeping track of the conversation, reveling in the warm feeling she has whenever she's near her petite soeur. Yumi's genki {happy, healthy, sanguine} personality and optimism was like a drug to Sachiko, whose own upbringing barely allowed for a rare smile. She kept stealing glances at Yumi, who was now reading Suguru's missive with a furrowed brow. 'She's so cute!' Sachiko thought to herself and allowed yet another quick fantasy where she would hug Yumi and kiss her head like a teddy bear. Of course, her training to maintain a lady-like decorum would never allow her to act on her feelings. She even felt ashamed of her own thoughts. But still… might there be some middle ground? Hope was another new experience for Sachiko. One that she very much enjoyed and decided she would never abandon.

"Onee-sama, I partially agree." Sachiko ripped herself out of her fantasies to listen to Yumi. "This probably happened because you dissolved the engagement, but I don't think it's the whole reason. I fear Kashiwagi-san may be serious. He probably thought he would gain control over Lillian through your marriage. Since your annulment, he was forced to come up with a different course of action. I think this is just the next logical step in his master plan of world domination." Yumi stated with as much humility and conviction as she could muster.

It took a moment, but once Yumi's words sunk in, there was an uproar of laughter in the room. The flirty, woman-loving Rosa Gigantea snuck up behind Yumi and glomped onto her, laughing heartily while groping her cute kohai. "Yumi-chan, you really hate Kashiwagi that much?" Sei asked while rocking Yumi back and forth like a rag doll in a snug embrace.

"Sei-sama, I'm not joking and this has nothing to do with my feelings for Kashiwagi-san." Yumi protested as she struggled to free herself from yet another ambush hug from her over-sexed sempai.

"Yumi, please explain." Sachiko interjected, wiping a tear from her laughter-filled eyes while gently removing Sei's grip on her soeur. She was increasingly irritated by Sei's unwelcome advances. If anyone should glomp Yumi it's herself, not Sei. Sachiko snaked a comforting arm around Yumi's shoulders and squeezed for a moment before returning to her seat with Yumi. After setting their chairs closer together, Sachiko returned her arm around Yumi once they were seated.

As the room died down, Yumi found herself in the uncomfortable situation of having to explain herself to a group of people she believed were her betters. 'Well here goes. This is important, after all.'

"Ano, even though some of my observations are based on a feeling in my gut, I know I am right." Yumi asserted. "The way Kashiwagi-san treated Onee-sama during Cinderella, like he owned her and could do whatever he wanted. It was more like he understood very well what Sachiko-sama means to the school and to the country. Yet on that day during a break from rehearsal he manipulated a circumstance, I believe, to demonstrate to us, her closest and dearest friends, how he could dominate her – even though she is part of our school's leadership not to mention the daughter of one of the most powerful families in the country. I never once witnessed him showing her the honor and respect due the position she's earned in society or this school, much less showing her any respect as his fiancé. Also, the way he bullied Yuuki, my younger brother, into 'volunteering' on the Hanadera Student Council demonstrated behavior more befitting a dictator, and not a high school boy wanting to 'serve' as a leader."

The silence in the room was palpable. Yumi, head bowed and red-cheeked, tried to blend in so maybe the others will forget she spoke at all. She took the silence as her friends' awkwardness in having to rebut everything she just said. 'Great, just great, Yumi. You embarrassed your Onee-sama AGAIN! When will you learn to just stay quiet?' Yumi berated herself. Sachiko clearly saw Yumi's expression and took her arm off Yumi's shoulders to take her hand in order to comfort Yumi. Sachiko's mind was still reeling from hearing how much Yumi cherished and respected her. She was struck speechless. It had never occurred to Sachiko to question Suguru's lack of respect. She had been brought up to accept that the men knew better than she did and to submit to their superiority. Her hatred of those same men only festered as their true motives and unconcern for anything but themselves became disgustingly apparent. But to hear Yumi point out that aspect of her own experience just caused her mind to race and her heart to soar.

Eriko was the first to recover. "Surprisingly astute, Yumi-chan." She looked at Youko and Sei with a raised eyebrow and received a nod from each in return. "We'll have to keep an eye on you and pay more attention to your observations in the future. Armed with this perspective at this early stage of the game grants us an advantage over our enemy." At the word "enemy" gasps of surprise were heard around the table. "Make no mistake, as of now we should view Kashiwagi-san as our enemy. Thanks to Yumi's assessment we can design a much more advantageous strategic response."

Yoshino was secretly giddy with delight watching her grand soeur wrangle the attention of the entire group and laser-focus it on coming up with a solution. She would never admit it to her face, but she held Eriko-sama in very high esteem.

Still head bowed and red-cheeked, though from pride this time and not embarrassment, Yumi's face now beamed with joy that she was able to contribute something of value. She dared a glance at her Onee-sama and saw Sachiko's eyes brimming with pride and something else she couldn't quite place. Oh well, she'll figure out the "something else" later. Meanwhile she'll just enjoy this feeling.

Shimako Makes a Move

After the meeting Shimako, Yoshino, and Yumi cleaned up the teacups, saucers, and meeting room table, all silent in their contemplations of what was happening with Hanadera. "Yumi-san, your observations today were rather insightful," Shimako commented.

"I know, right? That was such a surprise." Yoshino interjected. In a rare moment where Shimako's tranquility was disturbed, Shimako glared at Yoshino, who finally realized what she said. "Yumi-san, sumimasen {apologies}. I didn't mean that the way it sounded."

"It's okay, Yoshino-san. It surprised me as well. Kashiwagi-san's behavior toward Onee-sama and Yuuki has bothered me for a long time so I just have had a lot of time to think about it, I guess."

"Still, Yumi-san, please hear me as I intend, that I deeply respect not only your perceptiveness but also your bravery for conveying your thoughts in front of all of the Roses. I think you may have saved us all a lot of trouble." Shimako said as she faced Yumi, taking both of her hands and looking directly into Yumi's eyes. She held that position for a long moment, keeping Yumi there until her words could sink in.

Yumi didn't think she could get any redder. She was certain you could land a plane using only her face as a guide light. She stared into Shimako's gray-blue eyes, that were great pools of serenity, looking for any hint of teasing. Shimako was not given to vain flattery – or vanity of any kind. "Ano, thank you, Shimako-san. It was nothing, really." Yumi thought she would die of embarrassment as she looked away from her friend's beautiful face.

"No, it's not nothing, Yumi-san," Shimako corrected her friend as she took both of Yumi's hands into her own again and this time lifted them up to her chest, pulling Yumi close with their entwined arms between them. This forced Yumi to look back at Shimako's lovely face and those calm eyes. Yumi felt her proximity to her friend was really intimate but she just shrugged if off and went along. Shimako was her gingko-loving best friend and this was just her way of expressing herself. Once she settled that in her heart she felt completely at ease with Shimako's closeness. Shimako continued, "I mean what I say. You may have saved us all. And I for one am very grateful." Shimako smiled her serene smile at Yumi and any remaining apprehension disappeared. Shimako was her very good friend and she could trust her without question.

After the magical moment, Yoshino cleared her throat. "Well then, let's get going to class or we're going to be late."

After Yumi departed to the restroom before class, Yoshino took her opportunity to grill Shimako. "What was that all about?"

"What do you mean, Yoshino-san?" Shimako replied.

"Don't you 'Yoshino-san' me! The tenderness, the praise, the physical closeness, your magical 'serenity' eyes? Don't play a player, Shimako-san. That combination is like crack to Yumi-san. Not that you didn't execute it brilliantly. I wouldn't rule out that even my unwitting remarks were part of your scheme. What's your game here anyway?" Yoshino retorted.

"Game? No game, Yoshino-san. Potential fulfillment of a long-held desire but I assure you, I am not playing games." Shimako replied.

"Oh. Well, okay then. I give you my permission to proceed." Yoshino magnanimously offered.

After a moment neither girl could hold back their giggles. "Do you need any help?" Yoshino ever eager to involve herself in something of interest, especially if it involves her dear friend Yumi.

"Perhaps." Shimako baited her friend. "I will keep you apprised."

Giggling behind their hands they made their way to their classrooms.

The Roses Respond

After everyone read Kashiwagi's declaration yesterday, Youko thought it best to adjourn for the day so everyone had a chance to absorb everything they discussed and bring their ideas to the next morning's meeting.

Rei and Yoshino were making their daily walk to the school, since they live next door to each other only a short distance from the University. Having had a chance to sleep on it, Yoshino finally realized how astute Yumi had been. She'd never paid much attention to others except for baka-Rei-chan, er, her onee-sama. Her successful heart surgery in the second year of high school left her as healthy as anyone but she'd had a whole lifetime before that of being hospitalized regularly and missing a lot of school. So she had developed a habit to stick close with her family and paid less attention to her schoolmates. But it's been a few years since then and she realized she needed to up her game if she was going to shine during the events to come.

And did she ever want to shine. She loved adventure, seeing the world, tasting different cultures, taking risks. Nothing got her now-healed heart pumping faster than a little bit of danger and yesterday's events held great promise for the delicate-looking woman. "Rei-chan, do you have any ideas on how to respond to Hanadera?" Yoshino queried. She was curious what her Kendo-master cousin thought about the whole thing. Rei hadn't said much about it since yesterday.

"Well, I think we should appear to be taking a defensive position, wait for the inevitable aggressive response from an enemy who clearly underestimates us; and when he opens himself up, attack without mercy." Rei delivered this assessment in her usual, calm voice but Yoshino could sense the fire underneath. 'Fu, fu, fu, Kashiwagi-san is in trouble now!' Yoshino could hardly contain her excitement. She loved seeing her beloved Rei-chan in warrior mode.

"Since both you and Nana-chan are trained in Kendo, will you begin recruitment efforts? Don't we need to swell our ranks and fortify their training immediately?" Yoshino was in her strategic planning mode.

Rei turned her happy smile to her cousin. She could clearly sense Yoshino's excitement and it charmed her every time. "Of course, Sensei, your wish is my command." Rei replied with a huge grin.

After a few short moments the expected reply came, "Baka-Rei-chan," a smile evident in her voice as they both stopped at the Maria statute to pray.

Once in the meeting room discussions began on how best to respond to Kashiwagi. Suggestions seemed to be similar among each rose family. Rei and Yoshino conferred with Eriko and Nana on setting up a recruitment and training program to better prepare the student body for the anticipated onslaught. This was met with approval so the Foetida family would take charge of the program. Since the school doubled as an agent training facility, the task would not be terribly daunting. Recruitment would be the main issue, since there will be a point where the students will have to declare a side. Youko for one was glad that task fell to Eriko. She had no doubt in her friend's ability to manage the campaign and win nearly every student's agreement. "Yes, Youko, before you ask I've already considered parents and siblings who may be attending Hanadera and have devised a plan to help our students assess their individual situations and come to a proper conclusion." Youko smiled, "Thank you, Rosa Foetida. Clearly this project is in the most capable hands."

Sei took advantage of the moment to voice her own thoughts. "While Kashiwagi's current focus is the Yamayurikai, I don't expect it to remain there forever. I believe what Yumi-chan said yesterday, that he's blinded by his ambition and has his sights set on taking over everything he can," Sei asserted. "I also agree with Rei and Yoshino, that he plans to escalate this to open conflict. We need to better prepare the entire student body. Outside of the recruitment plan, we'll need a way to assess who is with us and who is against us."

At the next round of gasps, Shimako continued, "Setting the drama aside, Onee-sama, I agree that there should be a covert operation to identify any internal threats. But let's not make this a witch hunt. We can learn something from the debacle of McCarthyism in U.S. history. I suggest that Onee-sama, Noriko and myself informally observe both students and teachers and report back to the Roses to assess whether they believe the threats to be valid."

"No one would ever suspect any of you of spying, especially Sei-sama. It's quite a brilliant strategy, Shimako-sama." Touko praised.

"Why me, especially, Touko-chan?" Sei asked.

"Well, after all, I mean, um, er… who would ever take you seriously?" Touko finally blurted out.

The comment made the room come alive with laughter. Sachiko could not help herself and let loose a peal of her bell-like laughter. Yumi loved hearing that sound and turned a radiant smile at her beloved onee-sama. Still laughing, Sachiko's heart started thumping forcefully in her chest, something that had been happening frequently whenever she was near Yumi. She realized recently that she was falling hard for her imouto and wondered how best to confess her feelings to her. 'All in good time, My Sweet.' Sachiko mused while enjoying Yumi's smile.

"There's also the need to begin research and development. We need every advantage at our disposal, be it weaponry, expertise, or policy." Youko began. "To that end, Sachiko and I will represent the Yamayurikai to Hanadera in the current diplomatic phase. Sachiko's family relationships are a clear advantage, even though Kashiwagi will not recognize it as such… yet." Youko's smile sent shivers down everyone's spines. She was no one to be trifled with and Kashiwagi would soon find out he's met more than his match. "Please keep all of your radars up for anything that can be used to our advantage."

"And I will also assess all the Ogasawara holdings for any vulnerabilities left over from the arranged marriage. Not on the Ogasawara side, I made sure of that in my review of the paperwork at the time. But I do recall a surprising nonchalance on Suguru's part during the review phase. It's quite possible he left himself open." Sachiko mused.

"Ano..." Yumi began, again feeling the heat of embarrassment as she needed to submit her own contribution for consideration to the council. "I may have something, Youko-sama." Yumi began as she stood from her chair to properly address the people she has come to respect so highly.

"Yes, Yumi-chan? Please, take your time. We are all eager to hear what you have to say, and please don't be shy." Youko encouraged her. Youko sometimes felt like the girl's grandmother, she felt such affection for the sweet girl – the only person to melt Sachiko's icy heart.

"I spoke to my brother last night. After yesterday's meeting I felt I had to do something." Yumi started to explain. "Well, in short, and I hope I didn't act rashly, come to think of it I should probably have submitted it to you first for approval before I proceeded. Ah! Sumimasen, sumimasen, sumimasen!" Yumi was bowing her entire torso repeatedly in front of the shocked faces of the Roses.

Youko walked over to Yumi and put a hand on her shoulder. "Yumi-chan, please relax. I'm sure whatever you did will be fine. Can you explain to me what happened?" Youko soothed Yumi's fears and brought the girl back to a more grounded state.

"Arigato, Youko-sama. Well, as I said, I spoke to my brother, Yuuki, and he is fully committed to spy on Kashiwagi and report back to us." Yumi said timidly. She still wasn't sure this was a good idea but she had to let the Roses know about the conversation she had with him last night.

[Flashback – Yumi discusses events with Yuuki]

Yumi was never given to dishonesty or double-dealing. She abhorred the idea. But the circumstances were not of her own making. She maneuvered no one; rather, Yuuki's position on the Hanadera Student Council was because Kashiwagi himself manipulated her reluctant brother. Fine, then. Kashiwagi can enjoy being hoist on his own petard. Besides, this was not so simplistic as to be about winning and losing. She viewed their current conflict with Kashiwagi as a battle betweenideals: Respect, integrity, and kindness on one side and hauteur, corruption, and opportunism on the other. Her next course of action was a no-brainer, really.

"Yuuki, do you have a moment?" Yumi asked after knocking on her brother's door. They were both done with their homework and were hanging out in their rooms for a moment to relax. "I was wondering if you would accompany me on a stroll through the park. I need to discuss something important with you." Yumi further explained after Yuuki invited her into his room.

"That sounds good, Nee-chan {short for onee-chan}, I have been wanting to talk to you as well." Yuuki replied.

They both walked together in pleasant silence to the park. "Ano, Yuuki, what is your opinion of Kashiwagi's recent proposal to the Yamayurikai? Did you read it?"

Yuuki smiled. He had been waiting for his big sister to approach him about this and he was prepared. If he had reached out to Yumi first it may have been met with some suspicion – not from Yumi but from Lillian's other council members. He was glad for the chance to finally voice his opinion about his sempai's stupidity… er, recent activity.

After a long talk about the current situation, possible outcomes, threat management, and overall commiserating over their own feelings of helplessness, Yuuki confided, "Of course, as always, Nee-chan, you have my support and assistance in everything. But expect my usefulness to be limited. Sempai sees me as nothing but a lackey. He has no confidantes and keeps his own counsel. So I can report whatever I can find out, but I doubt my help will provide the Roses with any meaningful advantage in a long-term strategic sense."

Yumi nodded in understanding. The Yamayurikai now had their double-agent implanted within Kashiwagi's inner circle. But he would only be able to notify the Roses shortly before something was about to happen unless he were to do some snooping. "Don't compromise yourself, Yuuki. If you ever feel you are in danger, please get out fast. Please promise me. Devise an exit strategy now while suspicions are low and before security measures become restrictive." Yumi pleaded with her brother, trying not to sound like a paranoid lunatic.

"Nee-chan, you worry to much. What danger? Sempai is only acting out like a spoiled child who didn't get his lollipop." Yuuki tried to comfort his sister.

"Promise me." Yumi looked directly into her brother's eyes and demanded he take her seriously.

"I promise, Nee-chan. I promise."

[End Flashback]

Yumi continued, "I want to be clear, though, that he will not be put in jeopardy. If things get dangerous for him I am ending his tour of duty." Yumi's eyes were determined as she faced all three Roses.

Shimako's heart did a little flip as she stared at her friend. Yoshino caught the look and raised her eyebrow at Shimako, who simply shrugged and then allowed herself a private smirk. Noriko just rolled her eyes wondering when her onee-sama would finally make her move and get some of this silly sexual tension relieved.

Since Youko, Sei, and Eriko had arrived 30 minutes before everyone else, they had already drafted their initial response to Hanadera. They had made a few copies and were now passing them out to the rest of the council to read and respond. After a few rewrites, they decided that brevity and some ambiguity would be best. They didn't want to give anything away at this point. It was also decided that the letter should wait to be delivered until the following day and that Yumi would make the delivery.

Meanwhile, Sachiko had to secure a meeting with Grandfather that evening. "Best to get ahead of this as quickly as possible." Youko couldn't agree more.

Meeting with Grandfather

"Sachiko-chan, Youko-chan! Come in, come in!" Ogasawara Hitarou-dono, Sachiko's and Suguru's grandfather, happily greeted and hugged the two young women. He agreed to meet with his favorite grandchild and was pleased to see her and Youko. He had been given the barest of information as to why they requested a meeting with such short notice, their reluctance to speak about it over the phone piqued his curiosity. He was happy for the company as he rang his assistant for tea to be served. Once everyone was settled comfortably on the expensive couches that flanked an equally expensive coffee table, he asked, "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Youko was surprised by the warm greeting. She quickly revised her initial combative strategy to a more solicitous posture. Maybe there was something to be learned here. Still, she was very pleased that Sachiko thought to bring Kashiwagi's memo along to the meeting. Now it seemed that it might be their key to a happy outcome of their conversation with the formidable man.

"Grandfather," Youko began. "We are here to discuss Kashiwagi's recent proposal."

"Oh, that. Of course, of course. Sachiko, after you had told me of your feelings about the arrangement, I was pleased to dissolve the engagement. I invited Suguru to a meeting to give him a chance to respond regarding the annulment. So he proposed that we get him involved in the business. We realized that we weren't losing anything, business-wise, if we simply brought him into the fold by giving him a position at the company. He'll be starting from near the ground-level, since he has not pursued any business acumen on his own. Unlike you, Sachiko." Grandfather proudly beamed at Sachiko. "Next year you'll also be starting with the company part-time, but in a much better position, commensurate with your experience and skill."

"Then you didn't discuss any conditions regarding Hanadera and Lillian?" Sachiko asked. She, like Youko, was proceeding cautiously because they didn't want to appear as tattle-tales but also wanted to fully understand Grandfather's position on things. Sachiko's positive opinion of her grandfather was increasing by the second while the opposite was true of her ex-fiance.

"The universities never came up in my conversation with Suguru-kun, Sweetheart. Why do you ask?" Grandfather was keen. One of the sharpest minds either of the two women had ever encountered. He quickly caught the caution of the two women and wondered what it was about.

"Well, I'm not sure how to respond, Grandfather. I don't want to diminish your opinion of Suguru-san. I know how much he respects you. But there is something I feel you should be aware of, as it concerns your reputation. I fear once you know of it, you may change your opinion of him and may not have appreciated my interference." Sachiko knew she was drawing this out; and realized that Kashiwagi held no great respect for her grandfather otherwise he would not have abused his relationship with him in his memo to Lillian. But the drawing out was necessary if she hoped to get her grandfather to accept the information favorably.

"My darling granddaughter, you know I value my reputation so I should absolutely be made aware of any information that would affect it. As for my opinions, I'll manage those on my own, and you needn't worry about that." Now grandfather wanted to know everything and he knew how to approach his stubborn grandchild.

He was being affectionate and encouraging, exactly the attitude Sachiko was hoping for as she handed him Kashiwagi's memo.

Grandfather's face remained unreadable. After reading Kashiwagi's memo, he asked. "You say he delivered this to the Yamayurikai yesterday?"

"Yes, Grandfather," Sachiko answered.

He turned his attention to Youko now, "And how did you respond?"

Youko was demur as she handed him the Lillian memo. "We have not yet delivered the message. We wanted to meet with you first to clarify the situation before making any unnecessary waves."

[Memo to Hanadera]

Kashiwagi-san:

The overwhelming respect and humility you conveyed in your recent letter to Lillian's Council inspired this response. We are carefully considering your proposal. Meanwhile, the timbre of your letter and the content notwithstanding, we must humbly correct at least one of your assertions: Nothing is inevitable.

Additionally, we shall insist on your promised meeting with Grandfather at his earliest convenience, before the stated time-limit of our required response is up. Please accept this as notification that we will be seeking his time independently.

Respectfully to the Office of the Student Council President of Hanadera,

The Yamayurikai

"You are a credit to your title, Rosa Chinensis," Grandfather praised. He admired a savvy diplomat and Youko was the most successful meddler he had ever encountered. A young woman after his own heart. "I won't interfere with your plans. Please call on me if you need my assistance."

Youko had gained a measure of confidence from Grandfather's praise and decided to take advantage of the camaraderie. "Well, there is the little matter of a meeting to discuss the scope of Kashiwagi's hostile takeover."

Grandfather burst out laughing. Once recovered, he said, "Youko-chan, you clever girl! Ah, thank you, that felt good." Then his face returned to its normal stoicism. 'Now, what to do about this little mess.' Grandfather drummed his fingers on his chin in thought, the barest smile on his lips, and a terrifying glint in his eye. "What to do indeed."

Surprise, Kashiwagi!

Kashiwagi Suguru was livid, pacing in the Hanadera conference room in front of his fellow council members. "Was I not clear in my memo to Lillian? How is it they dare to resist? Who can understand this cryptic response anyway? I thought Sachiko was having it on when she annulled our engagement, assuming she wanted me to make a show of pursuing her. Now I conclude that she's being manipulated by those Roses! How else would she think to deny me my rightful place first at Lillian and then at the Ogasawara Conglomerate? She never once indicated anything but acquiescence. It all started when that bitch Mizuno-san took her as her petite soeur. If I had known she would fill her head with such nonsense I never would have allowed it!"

Kashiwagi never considered that it was not his place to allow or disallow anything with regard to Sachiko. Before her 18th birthday, that duty fell solely to her own parents and by extension, her grandfather. While he was arranged to be married to Sachiko, there had been no formal ceremony and Kashiwagi never even considered getting her a ring or anything else that would demonstrate his loyalty to or respect for her. When the two teenagers sat in Grandfather's office while their parents discussed the arrangement, Kashiwagi simply arrogated to himself total ownership of Sachiko. He called her his finance because in his mind it was inevitable. Maybe this blind spot on Kashiwagi's part was also why he believed he could misrepresent his intentions when he approached Grandfather about the annulment. Grandfather was an old man and Suguru figured he would not interfere. What did the old Ogasawara have to do with Lillian and Hanadera anyway besides his grandchildren attended school there? 'Nothing,' he reassured himself.

The Hanadera President never saw the other council members as anything more than sycophants and presumed they were happy to fulfill their roles in whatever manner he saw fit. So he had no qualms about speaking his thoughts aloud. They owed him for allowing them to occupy the same space as he did. He chose them each for their malleability; some because he had extraordinary leverage and others because he deemed them to be sheep; himself their shepherd.

Suguru-sempai was on his third such tirade, relieving himself in long, tiresome soliloquies. Yuuki would rather be subjected to translating whole volumes of Shakespeare than listen to one more bout of childish arrogance from his sempai. Yuuki was uncomfortable to say the least. So far Suguru-sempai avoided disparaging Yumi directly but he worried that it was only a matter of time. If that happened, he would have to confront his senior in no uncertain terms and that could mean an end to his usefulness to the Roses. He didn't want that. For now, it appeared that his sempai's wrath was solely directed at Youko-sama. Yuuki knew Youko could handle it. He had no doubt in his mind he had chosen the correct course of action by agreeing to Yumi's proposal.

Yuuki Is Effective

Yuuki discovered that his sempai keeps a personal journal in his bedroom. On one particularly warm afternoon, Suguru-sempai summoned Yuuki to his home on some pretense or another. When Yuuki arrived, a butler escorted him to a bedroom and knocked, announcing the young man's arrival. Yuuki was red-cheeked when his sempai greeted him wearing nothing but a pink thong.

After thanking and dismissing the butler, Suguru motioned for the wide-eyed, still-in-shock Yuuki to enter the room. After a few moments of immobility, Sempai grabbed Yuuki's arm and pulled him inside, locking the door closed. Having only partially recovered, Yuuki looked everywhere in the room except at the older boy. Yuuki is not a prude in any sense but the situation was so intensely uncomfortable Yuuki was at a loss as to how to behave. He'd never been seduced before much less had a man become attracted to him; at least as far as he knew.

Yuuki's eyes finally landed on a large, dog-eared, mish-mash journal atop a roll-top desk across the room. His sempai having followed Yuuki's fixed stare casually walked over to the desk, closed and clasped the book, and locked it in a box in the middle right-hand drawer. 'Could you BE more obvious, Sempai?' Yuuki thought with a smirk.

Unfortunately, the older boy mistook the smirk as admiration for the growing concern in his speedos. Yuuki had to decide fast – should he spy-bang his sempai to get access to the journal? Maybe, but not today. He knew his sempai well and did not want to be just another easy conquest. He sought at least a modicum of respect and knew that the only way to get it would be to demand it. He had decided.

"Sempai, what is the meaning of this informality? Did you not summon me here with ample time to prepare for my arrival? I can only conclude that you intended to greet me in this shameless state of undress. What do you take me for, another one of your infatuated little bunnies with little else on their minds than momentary gratification? I am not one for that kind of relationship. I demand better of myself." Yuuki hoped he'd gotten the right mixture of severity and respect and hoped it came off as someone reminding a close friend that they're better than this. He knew if he got it right his sempai would find it irresistible. And it would buy him the time he would need to prepare.

"Y-Yuukichi..." Suguru stuttered for the first time in his life. No one ever talked to him that way. No one ever turned him down. Ever. He was at a loss and yet surprisingly thrilled. He hadn't felt this excited in a long time. As he recovered from his initial surprise, he reverted back to his oily, smooth-talking persona and purred, "Well, well, Fukuzawa-san. Does this mean that you would be one for a different kind of relationship?"