A/N: Hello. Thank you so much for appreciating my first work "Ciao, Amore" I was really anxious how people would respond to it but thanks to some people I've talked to, they really gave me the boost I need to continue writing new stories. So again, Thank you. This will be my second attempt to write a Sachiko/Yumi fanfic, I've been trying to put this off because Im not sure how it will come out but then again, all I can do is to try my best. Special thanks to Slayer0109 for introducing Strawberry Panic to me and that was where I got the idea for this fic. I noticed a lot of similarities between Sachiko and Shizuma so I thought, why not put them together. Thank you Claine24 for being supportive.
I would like to know how you find the story so comments are very much welcome. I love responding to comments so feel free to leave me one or just PM me if you want.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this story. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 1 – Dreams and Nightmares Part 1
Ogasawara Sachiko's striking blue eyes could mesmerize even the gods from Mt. Olympus, but today these cerulean orbs are abnormally darker than they usually are that even the Lord of the Underworld, Hades, would cringe from having a just a glimpse of it. Unbeknownst to her own action, the raven-haired goddess is sending off a demonic aura to the entire meeting room that could freeze anyone's soul.
It is known to every member of the Yamayurikai that she could have the coldest and stoic facial expression, at times she could be hysterical, short-tempered and overly possessive (well, the latter only happens when a certain lecherous old man trapped in a blonde woman's body by the name of Satou Sei makes a pass at her beloved Yumi) such uncharacteristic qualities for her goddess-like features—tall and slim figure, silky black flowing hair that smells like rose petals with a tinge of lemongrass and bamboo, and her skin so smooth and white as an ivory that people are almost afraid to touch her. As the receiver of the intense and striking gaze of her beloved onee-sama, Yumi nervously fidgets under her seat.
"Yumi-san, did you and Sachiko-sama have a misunderstanding? Why is she glaring at you like that? I could almost see a hanya lurking around her back." 'Sachiko-sama looks like she's about to eat Yumi alive' Yoshino sneaked a peek at the current Rosa Chinensis and felt shivers ran at the back of her neck after asking those questions to her bestfriend.
Yumi took a quick glance at the person in front of her and thought to herself, 'I wonder, is Onee-sama having her period today? ' Everyone knew that when the Ice Princess is visited by her monthly visitor, all hell break loose. The pig-tailed girl then turned to her bestfriend and answered in a hushed tone, "I didn't do anything Yoshino-san. I swear. I wish I knew what got Onee-sama so riled up."
Still oblivious to her surroundings, Sachiko continued to drift away. In her stuporous state, she did not notice the former Rosa Gigantea Satou Sei and Rosa Chinensis Mizuno Youko coming in the council room. Both Roses decided to visit their comrades, wishing to invite them to a summer getaway that they were planning.
Satou Sei, who is more often than not perky like an overly-charged battery, noticed the princess's cold demeanor. 'I wonder what is up with the Ice Princess. Did she get rejected by my Yumi-chan? Tsk! Tsk! This girl needs a little cheering up and I think I know just what to do! Option A: Grab Yumi-chan and pretend to kiss her passionately (Hmm.. I like that) or Option B: grope Yumi-chan like crazy and make her scream like a dinosaur.' The ex-Rosa Gigantea smirked impishly as she thought of how she was going to carry on with her plan.
Inadvertently, Sachiko turned her death-stare to the unsuspecting White Rose and oddly enough the blonde university student felt dark energy passing through her body which made her stiff as a corpse. Sensing the danger she will face if the wrath of the Ice Princess was to be directed at her, she opt to keep her trap shut. Sei glanced meaningfully towards Mizuno Youko as if mentally asking her 'What is wrong with your little sister?' and the previous Rosa Chinensis could only shrug her shoulders and wonder what had brought on this to her petite soeur.
Yumi was feeling unsettled, she needed to leave early today but she just can't leave her soeur just like that. She cares for Sachiko-sama, no – erase that! She deeply loves her Onee-sama, despite being the occasional recipient of her onee-sama's icy and defiant stare. Her parents are leaving today for their advance anniversary celebration and Yuuki is coming with them because he was chosen as one of the representatives of Hanadera to observe the lifestyle and culture of Europe. He would be spending his whole summer at Chavagnes International College, a Catholic boarding school for boys.
It is only a week away before the summer vacation. Yumi's parents, Miki and Yuuichiro are taking advantage of this time of the year. Yuuichiro's bestfriend and distant cousin— a man of great riches and fortune and one of the most influential people in Japan invited them to visit him in Paris. The couples gladly accepted the invitation for it has been ages since they saw their distant relative who moved to France after marrying a French woman, more so it has been their life-long dream to visit Eiffel Tower and enjoy the luxury of Europe.
'Wow! I can't believe I'd be alone all throughout my summer vacation. I'm just so excited and I'm glad Mom and Dad would be spending quality time with each other. I wish I could spend more time with Onee-sama, maybe I can ask her on a date this summer.' Aware of the slight coloring of her cheeks after her thoughts about a certain heiress, the pig-tailed girl looked down on her lap to avoid being caught by Sachiko whose gaze never seem to leave her. Excited by the momentary freedom she'll have in just a few days and also by the fact that she would be reunited with someone who is very dear to her, Yumi just can't help but feel blissful giving her a funny feeling like there are thousands of butterflies squirming and swirling inside her stomach.
"Onee-sama, is there something bothering you?"
Yumi's voice rang out of the meeting room as the scratching of pencil on paper could be the only sound heard. Sachiko has not uttered a single word ever since she got in the Rose Mansion earning her a worried look from everyone present in the room.
A soft angelic voice permeated inside her head breaking her from her dark reverie. 'Yumi…' lovingly, Sachiko thought of her imouto. The raven-haired girl had always wondered how Yumi could have so much effect on her. Not so long ago, she held up the younger girl just so she could fix her crooked tie. She may reprimand a student for tainting the school uniform but never would she fix their uniform for them. It was really a mystery for Sachiko why she suddenly did it to Yumi -like there was some driving force that compelled her to call out the innocent underclassman.
Just now, the princess's mind is clouded with unfounded rage and fear but after hearing her petite soeur's voice somehow she felt that an invisible heavy load was lifted off her shoulders, softening her unyielding facade.
"I'm fine Yumi.. I was just thinking of something. I'm sorry if I made you worry." But as soon as those words left her mouth, her face returned to its normal icy feel as she recalled the dream that kept her up all night. Yumi flinched when she saw her onee-sama's sudden change of mood. Hot and cold. Fire and ice. "Onee-sama…" the younger Red Rose called out but her onee-sama never heard the pain in her imouto's voice. She was lost again in her own mental battle.
The night was young and free. Ladies and gentlemen clad in designer dress and expensive suits crowd the receiving area of the Ogasawara Mansion. Talks about mergers and business proposals are brought up over a glass of champagne. The clinking of wine glass and muffled sound of piano in the background heeded no interest to the young Ojou-sama. Even though today is her 5th birthday, most of her guests are adults; she hasn't seen anyone her age in this social gathering.
For a girl of her age, the young princess may be viewed as mature beyond her years. Her training to becoming a proper lady started even before she learned A-B-Cs and 1-2-3s. The little princess longed to do mundane activities like playing outside under sun, running around parks and dressing up dolls, such simple joys for a simple kid but never befitting for a child of her stature. Little Sachiko was never and will ever be a simple kid.
With small even gait, Little Sachiko approached the garden. Being an only child, she was used to strolling and exploring the area alone and her favorite place would have to be the fountain. A stone statue of an angel clutching a French horn on its hand was merrily spraying water to the awaiting king-size basin, it was even more enchanting at night when fireflies swirl around the splashing water looking as if stars came down from heaven to play.
"Excuse me. Is everything all right with you?"
Little Sachiko was surprised to see a small girl crying under the nearby the sakura tree. She looked at the girl carefully assessing if she was hurt. The little girl cried like a dinosaur but her weeping began to subside when she felt a presence nearing her, lifting her head up a little bit, Sachiko saw how cute the young lass was with her pudgy cheeks and eyes as big as a saucer which reminded her of a tanuki and her slightly windswept mocha hair. The blue-eyed girl marveled at the sight bestowed upon her, she cannot help but feel warmth spreading through her entire being. In an instant, the princess knew she found what she was looking for—a true friend.
"Are you hurt?" she asked once again after not receiving any response from the sniffling girl. The pudgy angel looked at the girl in front of her with awe in her eyes. "K-kirei! You're.. like.. a princess.." the tanuki-looking girl stammered in between sobs.
"Arigatou, Tanuki-chan, would you like to play with me?" the princess asked with her hands outstretch to the cute litte girl.
"Ehh? Ta-tanuki-chan? Mou, you're teasing me Princess-chan!" she then playfully pouted but grabbed the awaiting hand of the princess.
Both girls giggled after hearing their new-found endearment. They ran around the garden playing tag and after several minutes of running, the Princess and the Tanuki collapsed on the ground and tried to catch their breath.
"Ne, Tanuki-chan, what are the things that you like?" The young princess asked the girl who suddenly lay down on her lap, although a bit shocked by the sudden gesture of the brown-haired angel, unmindfully, the Princess stroked the other girl's auburn hair feeling its softness on her fingers.
"Mmm… I like flowers, and sweets and stars and you!" realizing she blurted out her answer, she buried her face on her new friend's lap to cover the deep crimson blush of her pudgy cheeks. Just the same, Little Sachiko felt blood rush up her porcelain face giving a slight tinge of red on her cheeks.
The girls remained in their position, enjoying the closeness of each other. Little Sachiko had never felt so happy in her life; she has found a friend in this tanuki-like angel, she gazed at her friend's serene face who immediately fell asleep.
Little Sachiko's eyes began to slowly droop when she saw a what-seemed-like floating silver fairy, she thought that the moonlight was playing tricks on her but out of curiosity she tried to follow the silver streak with her eyes. Suddenly, the silver fairy disappeared from her eyesight but out of nowhere the girl emerged in front of her and she was now face to face with the said entity.
The girl with silver tresses, who appeared to be older than she, swiftly crouched down as if she was ready to strike the young Lady and out of reflex she closed her eyes and shielded her face with her arms. Wait as she might, the blow never came except that she felt a heavy weight had been lifted off her. She waited a few minutes more before she opened her eyes. Lo and behold! She could not believe what she saw or rather what she did not see; the silver-haired witch abducted her Tanuki!
Little Sachiko felt her heart ache; she couldn't breathe properly as if her chest was being crushed. She felt so lonely, for a short time she truly had come to like the girl. If this is the feeling of being broken-hearted, the Princess felt for the first time in her young life the hurt of losing someone you care about and she swore to find the platinum-haired hag and make sure she pays for taking away something precious to her.
"Tanuki-chan… I didn't even get your real name…"
A soft even knocking broke the tranquility that possessed the Rose Mansion, all heads turned their gaze at the biscuit door, it was already late in the afternoon and the student council members of Lillian Academy were not expecting any visitor today.
Sachiko stirred when she heard the knocking on the door. She really didn't understand why she suddenly had that dream; she had almost forgotten that event when she was little. Anger, hate and rage—those were the lingering emotions the dream left her. 'Why now? I've never thought of that woman in a long time so why now? I really don't like this ominous feeling I'm getting. Nothing good ever happens when that woman is around' she said to herself. With eyes seething with rage, the Rosa Chinensis closed her eyes and started counting one to ten; it always calmed her nerves when she does that. But despite that, she never seemed to feel at ease so she pictured Yumi in her head, if all else fails, just the thought of her beloved petite soeur brings calm to her enraged heart.
The knocking continued and it grew frantically louder, Yumi who was seating near the door stood up from her chair while grabbing her book bag. She really had to leave for it was getting late, she should have been home half an hour ago. 'Im soo late! Mom's going to kill me!' the pig-tailed girl scolded herself as she checked her watch.
Yumi stood up and with a slight bow she said, "Everyone, I'm so sorry but really have to go. Gokigenyou."
Yumi walked towards the biscuit door and just as she was about to turn the handle, the door suddenly flew open! BANG! From the sound of it, the wooden door was almost torn off from its hinges after being forcefully opened. A long shrill scream from the young Red Rose drew everyone at the meeting room off their seats. Sachiko abruptly opened her eyes after hearing her imouto's distress call. Panic screamed every pore of her body when she saw a mass of silver mane draping over the lithe body of her beloved soeur.