Disclaimer: I don't own the characters!

Please remember! This is a fictional story. Similarities with real persons or situations are purely coincidental and not intentional! This is just a product of my crazy imaginations.

Read at your own risk!

Have fun!

"Still into you"

Chapter 12

Play

"So go ahead. Argue with the ref, change the rules.
Cheat a little, take a break and tend to your wounds.
But play. Play. Play hard, play fast...
Play loose and free.
Play as if there were no tomorrow.
It's not whether you win or lose,
it's how you play the game... right?"

- Dr Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy -

"Who is that..?!"

"Look, they're holding hands!"

"Why didn't she ask me to be her date…?"

"Mou… I wanted to be with her tonight…"

Touko straightened her back even more and took deep, inner breaths in order to calm her fluttering nerves. Throughout her acting career, she never had felt that kind of nervousness that made her hands sweat uncomfortably. Being an emergent actress meant that she was used to be in the middle of everyone's attention, but even if envy or hatred weren't unknown terms; it caught her off of guard that the wave of disapproval hit her like a very hard slap across her face.

Hushed whispers, antagonistic stares; Touko could hear and feel them all.

Obviously sensing her distress, Yumi kept her former petit soeur close while she was greeting her guests with smiles that Touko knew for sure were more forced than honest. Being the centre of everyone's attention was still something the popular woman disliked and Touko felt somehow ashamed that she, even if it was only for a brief moment, thought about leaving.

Touko pushed herself closer to Yumi, literally hanging on her arm and smiled up adoringly at her pseudo-lover. Her effort was rewarded by a genuine smile that lit up and warmed her chest, mushing her insides.

And that smile was all Touko needed to stay.

"Yumi-chan." A tall woman with long, blonde hair and big, blue eyes approached them and hugged the brunette affectionately. "Thanks for the invitation!"

"I'm glad you made it, Minako." Yumi greeted back friendly, kissing the blonde on the cheek.

Jealousy had always belonged to one of her biggest shortcomings, but being used to this feeling didn't mean that she fully understand why she, as if on instinct, pushed herself even closer against Yumi's arm, not recognising the flush she sent to the older woman's face.

"Hm, who is this lovely woman? Didn't know you have a sister?" The blonde asked, eying Touko bluntly from tip to toe.

Touko's practised smile cracked a tiny bit, but the teasing glint in the blonde's eyes told her to play it cool. She decided to be good and instead just smirked at Yumi's guest.

Sensing the tension, Yumi was fast to step in. "I don't have! My brother is also here, but this beauty is…" She put an arm around Touko's shoulder and beamed a smile "Let me introduce you to Matsudaira Touko, my girlfriend."

"Girlfriend…!" the blonde gasped, not even bothering to hide her shock. Touko suppressed the great urge to roll her eyes, but instead cleared her throat and grinned.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Minako-sama…" She said and bowed her head respectfully, overlooking the blonde's rude behaviour.

Blue eyes turned bigger; if that was even possible. "H-have we met before…?"

Touko denied with a shake of her head and flashed an enticing smile. "Unfortunately, we haven't. But who would not know about the world-famous idol Aino Minako, who by the way is so much prettier from up close than on screen." Some decent flattery did usually no harm.

"Oh, my!" Minako giggled, apparently smitten as a wide grin was plastered on her face as she turned back to Yumi who was following the conversation quite amused.

"Girlfriend, huh? Nicely done Yumi-chan! Didn't know you had it in ya to be tamed, but well…" Her bright shining eyes raked over Touko's figure once more. "I'd definitely tap that…" She whistled suggestively and if they would pay attention more closely, one could see Touko growing a little more.

After the encounter with Chikaru, Touko had understood that she had to put as much effort as she could if she wanted to pass this challenge called "act like an acceptable and believable girlfriend of one of the gorgeous women living on earth". Then even if Touko had always been quite convinced about her acting skills, it had been hard to acquaint herself with the role she should be playing without having a script. Her rather negative self-perception didn't allow her to think of her as someone worth desiring, but with friends such as Noriko, those kinds of thoughts had no chance to remain.

She took a mental note to thank her best friend for the dress she had chosen for her to wear this evening; not forgetting about the team of make-up artists and hairstylists, who had taken their time to adjust her appearance. Her long, auburn hair ran freely in waves along her back. An aubergine-colored ribbon was tied on the top of her head, fitting to the dress she wore. A simple, yet emphasising one-piece of deep purple highlighted her slender frame, just ending barely above her knees with a slit on the right side of her thigh. The pumps she was balancing on were not that high, but it was enough to get her almost on eye-level with her pseudo-girlfriend. Although that would probably be the case if the brunette wouldn't be busy getting caught while she was staring at her cleavage, which had been professionally pushed up by none other than Noriko herself (much to Touko's annoyance, that it even was needed to be).

The moment they had entered the club, Yumi hadn't once let go of her. She had kept Touko close, had even gone so far to kiss her lightly on the cheeks now and then.

And if those actions weren't enough, then there were still Yumi's flattering gazes that boosted up her self-confidence much more, and getting compliments from a world-famous idol could also do the job.

Now, if she just could focus…

"Touko…"

Whether it was the way her name was pronounced or the delicate touch of soft lips that graced her already so sensitive earlobe or even the warm breath that showered her body with unprecedented heat, she didn't know… Did it even matter? She didn't even know where her thoughts were going anyway.

"Hm?" was Touko's only response, tilting her head to look into gentle orbs without being aware of the languor evident in her grey eyes.

"I need a break. My jaw is hurting from this smiling marathon and … Look, the girls are already sitting over there."

"Sure…" Touko said and was glad that the club was dim-lighted otherwise she could change her name into "infrared lamp".

Seeing Yumi moving gracefully in a skintight dress that was all too fitting for her drool ransoming body was something she already could get used to…

But why was it so damn difficult for her heart to stay calm whenever Yumi held her hand? Why couldn't she just enjoy the way Yumi made her feel, whenever she smiled at her, even looked at her? Why is there this feeling that seemed to get so big in her chest, something she didn't even understand, it ached?

"Mou, Touko-chan. You're ruining your make-up with looking like a grumpy-butt…! Lucky you even got the queen of fantasy land as your date!"

Touko sighed and sent a silent prayer to Maria-sama, wishing for patience and self-control in order to not strangle her best friend this evening.

"The way you talk could somehow lead to the conclusion, that you haven't a gorgeous girlfriend yourself, Noriko…" Touko said calmly and took a sip of champagne.

"You think I'm gorgeous? Thank you so much, Touko-chan!" Shimako chimed in with a smile but added with a hint of accusation "Since Touko-chan seems to be the only one appreciating my presence, maybe I should take her for myself…"

A bead of sweat was formed on Noriko's forehead, but before she could utter a word to her defence… "No chance, Shimako. I don't like sharing. I'm afraid, but you're stuck with that poor lover of yours." Yumi teased with a wink at Noriko's direction.

"And yet I hoped we could have some fun in a threesome…" Shimako deadpanned without batting an eyelash.

"Shimako! How many drinks did you have already?" Noriko blurted, staring mouth agape at her normally not so naughty girlfriend.

"Well, it actually is an idea worth of thinking about…" Touko said with a crook smile, cocking her head with a thoughtful expression.

"Whatever makes you happy sweetie!" Yumi responded with glinting eyes, and slid into the booth next to her and snaked an arm around her waist.

"Don't I have a say in this!" Noriko pouted, crossing her arms.

"Nope, it's a threesome… Three… Noriko." Shimako laughed, couldn't hold it any longer and gave her grumbling girlfriend a breath-taking kiss as an apology for the fun they made.

It would be too easy to simply enjoy the display of affection in front of her or even envied her friends if it wasn't for Yumi playing with her loose curls while sitting next to Touko as if she was glued on her side. Not knowing what to do with her hands, she gripped her glass and tried to hide her burning face whilst taking a gulp of it.

"Slow down, my heart, the party hasn't even begun…" Yumi cooed into her ear, nuzzling her cheek. Touko's hold on her glass tightened even more. If this was she got as results from instructing her former Onee-sama into playing a lovey-dovey couple then it seemed that she had underestimated her completely…

'Breathe! Just breathe!' She demanded from herself and sent another silent prayer to Maria-sama, hoping she wasn't too busy for her selfish pleas this evening.

„Ladies and gentlemen!" Minako shouted into a mic and at least 100 pairs of eyes were now directed towards her.

"What a wonderful evening, what a wonderful location and of course what a wonderful occasion that brought us together!"

Minako ran down the stage and gestured towards the booth Yumi was situated with Touko and her friends.

"Of course, we're not gathering today for some random reason, but we do it because our beloved Yumi-chan will reach her majority in a couple of hours!" Yumi waved back sheepishly while she was blinded by the spotlight that had captured her.

"That means she can be legally filled up!"

A loud crack was heard from anywhere as if someone had slammed a stool against a wall.

"Hehe, just kidding, Natsuki, just kidding!" Minako chuckled nervously; taking a step back while gulping visibly, what earned her some giggles from the crowd.

"In case you don't know me already, I, Aino Minako, am honoured to be your hostess tonight!" She struck a pose and flipped back her hair elegantly, smiling charmingly. "Let's get the party started!"

With that, a live band began to play an upbeat song and the crowd cheered as dancers came out of nowhere to accompany the hostess, who was bouncing on the stage, striking a pose after another and entertaining the guests with her beauty and captivating singing voice.

Minako proved with this performance that not only was she rightly a most celebrated pop icon, but also the best choice for the job. With her overwhelming talent, no guest remained untouched and soon the dance floor was filled with party people, eager to dance the night off.

Touko on the other hand rarely went clubbing, nor was she fond of dancing. She was the type of girl, who most likely enjoyed a cup of tea with her friends or cosy dinner with them in her home. A crowd of dancing and bouncing bodies were somehow intimidating; she preferred to keep a safe distance to such kind of activities.

And yet she found herself on the dance floor.

"C'mon Touko-chan, let yourself loose!" Noriko cried over the music. Touko just ignored her and made an attempt to leave again as gentle arms grabbed her around her waist, pulling her close.

"Stay…" an all too familiar voice whispered in her ear. Touko swallowed hard, not daring to look back. It was as if someone had turned up the heat as Yumi pressed her body against her back as if imprinting herself on Touko, who was all too aware of the softness of the brunette's breasts.

Yumi swirled her around and laid her arms around her neck, her owns slid back to the actress' hips, pulled her even closer. A small yet mischievous smile tugged at her lips as she began to sway them to the rhythm of the music.

"Just follow my lead…" she purred into her ear. Touko couldn't help but moan as the seductress boldly flicked her earlobe with her tongue.

Her pulse raced incredibly fast and she felt her heart swell that very moment as tingling sensations of jolts went through her body as Yumi's breath hit her sensitive skin. A fire in her core started out as a small flame but fed with every single touch - it blazed up and burned her from the inside.

Desire, lust. Both were words that Touko had usually not stored in her vocabulary. And yet the actress was under a spell, couldn't think of nothing but the embodiment of a sex goddess that was holding her at this very moment, even was rubbing sensually against her…

"I-I need a break…" Touko stuttered almost breathlessly and freed herself from Yumi's embrace.

"Oh, okay…" Yumi said confused, maybe a bit disappointed, but Touko had not the time to find out as a ginger girl threw herself into her arms as soon as the actress had put a little space between them.

Touko huffed in annoyance and left the scene at a quick pace without looking back. Despite the fact that she didn't want Yumi to be alone with her fans, she really needed to put some distance between them in order to regain some of her so much loved self-control back. She made her way through the mass of people and almost threw herself against the bar to make herself felt, but thought otherwise. She still was a lady. At least until she got a glass of champagne that she downed in one gulp, just to order another one.

"Not the very best method to remain level-headed."

"Maria-sama!" Touko shrieked out loud, clenching a fist above her heart.

"Still Natsuki, Ma'am…" was the bodyguard's dry reply. Touko thought that Natsuki was very good looking in that low-cut shirt and tight jeans she wore, despite her stoic expression and the event she was attending … Did she just felt something like attraction to the blue-haired bodyguard? But there's a chance that the alcohol had finally gotten to her brain…

"I-I just need to… calm down…" She uttered weakly, remembering that she wasn't only here for her own sake.

"Like I said, not the best method…" Natsuki repeated and waved the barkeeper away, who had been ready to pour Touko another glass. "If you want to stay in control, I suggest you just drink soda for the remainder of the night."

Touko snorted unladylike and crossed her arms petulantly. "I'm not a child!"

"That isn't what I said. But as experiences teach me, the more alcohol, the lesser you have control. Not the very best choice, given the kind of woman you're supposed to be guarding."

Natsuki rolled her eyes as Touko only response was to blow a raspberry. It seemed that the actress had a tad too much to drink already.

"Listen, Touko-sama…" The bodyguard put gently a hand on Touko's shoulder, forcing her to look at her. She smiled a little as she did. "If you decide to give into your desires to be with Oujou-sama then you should do it sober, otherwise, you will regret it."

Even before Touko could give back a retort, Natsuki had disappeared in a twinkling of an eye. She tightened her grip on her newly acquired glass of soda as she thought of the bodyguard's words. It wasn't that she was offended that she had straightened her out; actually, she was needed to be. Normally Touko never allowed herself to drink that much, but given the mess she was in, she absentmindedly did it.

She let her eyes wander above the crowd, searching for a certain brunette. It didn't take long until she found her in the centre of people, probably fans.

As soon as her grey eyes saw her face a small smile was formed on her lips. Although, when someone would ask what it meant, she could not give a straight answer. Perhaps it was a smile of pleasure because someone as beautiful as Yumi was, was one of her closest friends. Or maybe it was a wistful smile, caused by the realisation that not having her around for a long time had meant having an empty, cold room in her heart…

But most likely was it probably a faint smile of apology… An apology for all the feelings that the brunette and only the brunette was able to provoke of her.

Observing her from a far should make it easier to let her eyes wander like she was doing it now. But admittedly, it wasn't for the young actress. Thinking about the incidents of the last night the heat that crept up her face made her dizzy in a way that awakened the immense want to be held. Her heartbeat was an unstoppable beast…

There was this longing, this desire that made her feel jittery, but… She sighed out loud, twirling her glass… Was she really better than the mass of people who were surrounding her as if she was a piece of meat on public sale?

An ugly hand of melancholy reached out for her guts, armed with claws. Touko knew what it meant to put that kind of smile on even if your mind was actually screaming.

She gripped her glass tighter, furrowing an eyebrow… Seeing a smile on Yumi's face that didn't reach her eyes hurt… It just hurt…

"Another glass of champagne, please!" Touko demanded as the barkeeper came in sight.

"But…"

"Just do as I say…" She said annoyed. Touko glared at the bartender until he decided to oblige. Satisfied, the actress gave him a smile afterwards that sent a flush to the young man's face. Although Touko was already too tipsy to recognise her alluring impact.

"Here you are… But why aren't you by Yumi's side?" Sachiko asked as soon as she reached her cousin.

"Break…" Touko muttered grimly, somehow wanting to leave the party since her mood already had darkened, obviously caused by her angsty thoughts.

"Where's Yuuki-kun? I thought you would remain inseparable…"

"He's trying to save Yumi since you're not bothering to do your job…" Sachiko answered, eyeing her cousin thoughtfully. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing…" She retorted, not looking at Sachiko as she gulped down her champagne.

"Put that down Touko-chan! You seem to have enough alr-…" Sachiko trailed off and flinched in surprise as Touko shot her a glare that was full of anger.

"Why is always someone coming to stop me from drinking? I'm not a child and the last time I checked, you weren't even my parent!"

Sachiko's reaction to Touko's outburst was to grab her firmly on her wrist so that the exasperated actress winced in pain and drag her out of the club. Touko wanted nothing more than to cry out loud and yell at her cousin, but she seemed to still have some working cells in her brain to withstand the urge to make a much bigger scene.

The blue-eyed heiress brought them to a quiet corner outside of the club and made sure that Touko wouldn't run away. "Okay… Tell me, what's bothering you? And don't you dare try and say "nothing"!"

Touko was shaking and hugged herself. It was a chilly night in LA and the coolness brought her slowly back into reality.

"Is this about Yumi?" Sachiko bored and smirked grimly, nodding in understanding as Touko confirmed her thoughts with another flinch.

"I thought you're getting along well? You're both looking very beautiful tonight and I saw your face while you were dancing. You looked quite flushed but happy…"

"I am…" Touko admitted quietly.

"Pardon?"

"I am!" Touko almost yelled, surprising her cousin into laughter.

"Then why had Natsuki to get me to stop you from drinking too much? Are you planning to make a move and was giving yourself liquid courage?" Sachiko asked playfully, obviously in high spirits. She continued on as Touko's only reactions were crimson cheeks and a flustered look.

"I do know that you're attracted to her… Don't even try denying it Touko-chan. Your actress mode is dysfunctional whenever Yumi is around." She giggled, not giving Touko the opportunity to retort. "It's a good thing, though…" Touko shot her a questioning look. Sachiko sighed whole-heartedly but smiled knowingly at her cousin.

"Forget about acting… Forget about the whole pretending thing and just enjoy the evening."

"But that's just it!" Touko gave back, gesturing wildly "That all is an act… Yumi is acting, I am acting! We're playing around! How can I enjoy this if I know that Yumi is actually feeling caged with those groupies!" Her voice became louder as she started to pace around. Sachiko just stood there and stared at her fuming cousin - intrigued.

"Her smiles are faked, Sachiko! Faked! I truly understand why I am pretending to be her girlfriend! But how am I supposed to enjoy this whole thing when I know that I am not better than the mass in there?"

"You're really attracted to her…" It was just a whisper and surely had Sachiko not expected the reaction she would receive.

"I am!" Touko cried out loud, shaking furiously. Her face was beet red and Sachiko had to bite her bottom lip to hold back the victorious grin from spreading out.

"Yumi, even a big flirt or not, dislikes those crowd around her. She had always disliked being in the centre of attention and I can see that she hates being treated as a sex object."

"I don't see…"

Touko stomped unladylike with a foot on the ground, completely upset. "The problem? The problem is that I am like one of those! I am one of them!"

Sachiko couldn't quite follow as Touko suddenly stood still; her unfocused eyes were staring sadly into distance.

"Whenever she looks at me, touches me… I swear… I can't breathe…"

It was less than a whisper, but such a heartfelt confession that caused Sachiko to shudder in delight. It was a confession that made it impossible to suppress her smile either. She grabbed her cousin gently on her shoulders and engulfed her in a tight embrace.

"You silly… Stop drinking champagne and start paying attention…" The heiress said teasingly, but gently. "Then you will see that you're worrying too much…" She held Touko at arm's length and looked her straight in the eyes. "You are not a groupie. You are not objectifying Yumi. And even if…" She shrugged, "I'm sure she wouldn't be disturbed because you are the one who has the ability to induce a real smile on that gorgeous face… And if you wouldn't busy yourself too much with unnecessary thoughts, you could have seen it by yourself already."

"I'm not sure about that…" Touko mumbled, almost pouting and quite avoiding Sachiko's piercing eyes.

The heiress giggled. "Listen, Touko…" She paused briefly while lifting Touko's chin to meet her eyes.

"Stop acting."

A whole bottle of that exquisite champagne became very compelling.

"May I have this dance?"

The astonished brunette was captivated in an instant as soon as she heard that lovely voice. No words needed to be spoken as hazel eyes locked with grey while she put her hand in Touko's. The pool of admirers that had surrounded her had no other choice as to get out of the way as the former Rosa Chinensis' made their way to the dance floor. Not a bit pleased, but too overwhelmed by Touko's bold and seductive move; they were in no state to complain.

The actress' brain had stopped working in that very moment when she had met Yumi's eyes soon as she re-entered the club again. Maybe it had been Sachiko's words that had finally set her into motion, but what she knew for sure was that she had not endured it any longer to see Yumi in company of all those shrieking and giggling girls. Shall they call her jealous or even possessive; all that matters was that in this very moment she was the one in Yumi's arms. The brunette was securing her strongly and yet so gently, not knowing that she provoked thoughts and feelings that Touko had never had in that intensity ever before.

Time and space became blurry as the younger woman looked up into that face she had believed to know but now learning to know anew. Had her eyes always been of this incredible, dark brown or was the dimly lighted club playing a trick on her? Everything about Yumi was so pretty, so adorable… She, herself, was just a simple actress without a repute worth of mentioning. How should she possibly succeed to just look away?

She could not, even if she wanted.

She cupped Yumi's cheek softly and brushed tenderly with her thumb against the brunette's bottom lip. Touko almost moaned out in delight as she felt Yumi shiver under her touch.

All that mattered was the feeling of Yumi's fine hair on the nape of her neck – irresistible for her caressing fingertips. The brunette's gentle hands slid down her back tenderly to settle down on her waist – kindling small, but blissful explosions in her already heated body. She pressed herself closer to Yumi, leaving no space between her petite form and the temptress' and during all these movements; she never turned her eyes away. She held Yumi's gaze and was trapped in the depths of brown. No word was spoken between them. They were alone in their own world, shutting everything out and only having eyes for another.

All of Touko's senses were focused solely on the scent of the brunette's skin, enjoying every tingle that their proximity brought. It was nothing easier as to dwell in this tight embrace as if she and only she belonged there. Maybe it was on instinct, but as she put a little pressure on that hand that was on the back of Yumi's head, Touko learned for the very first time in her life what it meant to have taken your breath away…

Yumi's lips were on hers.

They were connected in a feather light touch and Touko couldn't stop the moan that escaped past her lips as she felt a shiver run through the brunette's frame. Not a single thought remained in her mind as her eyes fluttered close and her grip on Yumi's nape tightened, even more, pulling the two of them closer together, hand losing itself in Yumi's hair.

She needed more.

"So, it's true…" a strident voice burst into their bubble and Touko almost screamed in frustration as Yumi detached from her lips, but to her delight, she didn't release her from her embrace.

"Good evening, Chikaru…" Touko greeted the intruder in an almost bored manner. She turned in Yumi's arms and put the brunette's hands on her stomach, facing Chikaru who threatened to explode every moment.

"You must have blackmailed her! There's no other-…"

"Shut up!" Yumi hissed sharply, leaving Touko completely flabbergasted in her arms. "Get out of here! I'm not in the mood to deal with your hysterics and won't hesitate to kick you out."

"Woah! What's going on there?" A curious hostess shouted out from the stage, directing everyone's attention to the quarrel. But Minako seemed to understand the situation fast, or it was just their luck that…

"Whatever, we have a countdown!"

Touko and Yumi departed as the latter jerked back in surprise as two men came out of nowhere and lifted her up on their shoulders and brought her to the stage. The crowd screamed in joy as their started to count backwards, beginning by ten.

10

9

Touko left the dance floor with a small smile tugging on her lips, not bothering to waste another look on a befuddled villain. As soon as she reached her friends, Noriko grabbed her hand and hugged her tightly without giving an explanation. The actress flushed as Shimako winked at her. She coughed sheepishly and turned away, embarrassed.

8

7

6

"Good job, cousin," Sachiko stated in awe, giving her a beaming smile.

"I don't know what you're talking about…"

"You're as stubborn as ever…" the heiress laughed.

5

4

"Yumi's kiss was seemingly not good enough to break your resistance, though…" Noriko teased.

3

Touko rolled her eyes in annoyance, but her deeply flushed cheeks betrayed her. Admittedly, she didn't know where this roller coaster ride of emotions would lead her and that was exactly why she found it easier to deny everything as if nothing had happened. Even if it was a difficult task, considering that she could still feel the warmth of Yumi's lips on her own. And yet, for some reason, she was calm. Too calm somehow… There was no struggle, her head was clear and only one thought remained: Whatever this was with Yumi, for her, she would go so far to truly explore her feelings.

Even if it scared the death out of her.

2

She tried to stand on her toes in order to get a better view of Yumi, but unfortunately, she was not used to wearing pumps. She tripped and almost fell with a shriek, but a pair of gentle arms caught her right in time.

"Are you okay?" her saver asked concerned.

"I-I'm fine…" Touko mumbled, embarrassed about her clumsiness but had to lean in more into the arms that were holding her, since she lost a shoe during falling.

1

"Put your shoe back on, I'll hold you."

Touko did what she'd been told and looked up. "Thank-…"

0

Several near-death experiences were apparently not uncommon in one evening.

Yumi was fumbling for her car keys when she felt a presence approaching her. She suppressed a sad smile at this. After so many years and she still was able to recognise her whenever she was near…

"Do you need something?" she asked nonchalantly. The person was now standing beside her.

"A birthday party without the birthday girl doesn't make any sense, you think?"

"Neither would it be polite to ask everyone to leave." Yumi finally turned around and smirked at the frowning Touko who rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"Where are you intending to go?"

Yumi sighed inwardly. She was tired, emotionally exhausted and the very last person she wanted to talk to was giving her a stern look.

"It shouldn't concern you, Touko-chan. No one would miss me, but you should go back. I'm sure someone misses you already."

Yumi almost laughed as Touko looked somewhat confused; instead, she smiled at her teasingly. "What's her name? She's very cute and I saw the sparks flying while she was looking at you. Though I think you might have a thing for tall, raven haired cuties." She chuckled slightly as Touko shot her a glare while she was blushing furiously.

"Where are you going?" Touko repeated her question, laying a hand on Yumi's shoulder which stops the latter in her movements. Yumi ignored the jolts of electricity that the touch was giving her. She tilted her head to look up at the younger girl, a small smile tugged on her lips. She was so tired…

"I'm just heading home... I already told Shi-chan that I wouldn't last long, so after doing some entertaining and making sure that everybody has a good time, I decided to leave."

"You're not sneaking out to meet some kind of woman?"

Yumi raised an eyebrow and looked at the younger girl suspiciously who turned beet red; she seemed embarrassed about her outburst.

The brunette narrowed her eyes, causing Touko to make a step back.

"You couldn't care less, could you? You've been quite distracted and I honestly didn't want to bother you furthermore. After all, the date thing was just an act, was it?" Yumi hoped that Touko wasn't catching the bitterness in her voice.

The brunette knew she was harsh, but her remorse was nothing compared to the pain caused by her broken heart.

It had been too easy to forget. For the very first time in years, Yumi had been able to actually enjoy a party. Happy that her secret love would accompany her had lifted her mood and she simply had forgotten, that all of that was just an act.

Flirting with Touko, touching her - even kissing her... Nothing had been a matter in those moments of bliss until she'd been brutally knocked out of the skies.

As she finally had managed to leave the stage and to get rid of some very clingy admirers; Touko had been caught up in a conversation with a tall, raven haired girl. Yumi immediately had known why her former petit soeur had been blushing at the sight of the woman.

How could she ever think that she could risk something and make an earnest move? Even if there's a possibility that Touko was not happy with her current relationship, it seemed that she already had a certain type of woman that she preferred.

Neither was it helping that she, herself had been the one initiating a kiss. A kiss that shouldn't be shared.

Touko was taken. Touko was already in love and Touko was just a friend.

Their kiss didn't mean anything to her.

It was all an act. Something she did for a living.

Just a bit playing around to fool her fans.

A clicking sound woke her from her reverie and she looked surprised as she saw that Touko had opened the door on the passenger side and was now sitting beside her, fastening the seatbelt.

"What are you doing?" she asked, totally confused.

"I had promised Natsuki to have an eye on you, didn't I?" came the reply and Yumi gave up, deciding to let her be. She started her car and drove in the direction of the Hanazono mansion.

They remained silent; an uneasy tension filled the space between them. After a few minutes of driving, Yumi turned on her radio and hummed to the songs.

"I wonder…" she heard her companion mumble.

"Hm?" Yumi gave Touko a quick glance before turning her attention towards the streets again.

"I'm just curious and honestly a bit surprised," Touko said, focusing her eyes on the view which passed the window.

"If you have something on your mind then you should state it loud and clear. Otherwise, I can't understand you, you know?" Yumi said and grinned as Touko chuckled after listening to the words they quite often had heard in the past. It was like an inside joke within the Rosa Chinensis family.

"You seem to have planned an escape and… Well… I'm just wondering why you're heading home… alone." The last word came as a whisper.

"I'm not alone or it is just my imagination that you're sitting beside me, asking me odd questions instead of flirting around?"

"Mou, what's wrong with you?! Since we had been separated, you're either ignoring me or snapping at me!" Touko was exasperated.

Yumi was somehow amused and held back a giggle. She knew she shouldn't get excited about upsetting Touko… But she couldn't help; she found her secret love alluring when she was like that. It was kind of hot…

Touko was still waiting for an answer when they reached the mansion where Misaki welcomed them. The younger girl became impatient and she was just ready for another outburst as Yumi, who had been walking before her, suddenly turned around.

"Want to come over to my room?" She asked casually.

"Eh?"

Yumi smirked. "I just want to have a mug of coffee and a nice talk with an old friend." She turned around, hiding her face behind her bangs. "I'll take a shower and change into something comfortable. You know where my room is? It's up to you whether you want a little chat or not."

With that said, Yumi left a dumbfounded looking Touko in front of her bedroom.

As soon as she got inside her own, she collapsed against the door, sliding down with her shaking body against it and buried her hands in between her palms.

"Get your act together, girl…" she mumbled to herself.

It made her sick that the only person, who could make her feel better, was the reason why she wanted to cry. All - the - time.

When is too much, too much?

She almost jumped as there was a knock at her door. "That was quick." She said grimly to herself, taking a deep breath and stood up, opening the door with shaking hands.

"I forgot to give you your birthday present."

Yumi raised an eyebrow.

"You don't have to." She said while stepping aside so that Touko was able to enter her room.

The younger woman went in, a bit stiffly, but Yumi recognised determination in those grey eyes she loved so much.

She sighed inwardly. "Since you're here, you can give it to me then?" It seemed that she wouldn't get a break anytime soon.

"Actually no, I didn't buy anything," Touko replied sheepishly, fidgeting on the spot she was standing while Yumi sat down on her bed. She snickered.

"Hm, then are you my present? Well… " She paused, eying her former petit soeur curiously and grinned, "I can hardly wait to unwrap you…" Yumi said suggestively, cocking her head to one side and giggled as Touko's cheek coloured with an incredible tint of pink.

However, her smile froze as Touko did one step and another to approach her. She swallowed hard as the younger woman stopped right in front of her, near enough to force her into putting her head back.

She shivered as Touko reached out for a strand of her hair to put it back behind her ear. "Touko, I was just kidding…" She wasn't able to decipher the look she was giving her. It was intense.

"You're always kidding… Always making jokes at my expense…" Touko whispered, leant down and graced her lips against Yumi's forehead, quite enjoying the feeling of flustering the brunette.

"Well, i-it's…"

"Do you want to know what your teasing is doing to me?" She asked, dropping down her voice just above a whisper.

Yumi's breath became ragged as Touko grabbed her hand and guided it slowly up her thigh where the slit began and shoved her dress up.

"Touko, wha-!"

"Do you want to know how you make me feel, whenever you touch me?"

Yumi didn't know how many times she had fantasised about this exact moment, but she wondered if she still was with us. Her heart threatened to fail as Touko led her hand away from her thigh up to her hip to put it finally on her back and climbed onto the bed whilst straddling her, now sitting on her lap.

"Let me show you…"

Yumi groaned as Touko gently but firmly grabbed her head to press it against her bosom. Her hand clutched on Touko's dress unconsciously.

"Can you feel it?"

The brunette didn't know whether to laugh or die in pure bliss as she nodded. Touko couldn't really expect from her to voice out her approval since she was in a position like this? She could feel the younger woman's heart beating rapidly against her chest, felt it literally throbbing against the tip of her nose and Yumi's mind was clouded, not knowing if it was Touko's sweet scent or the lack of air that was causing it. This kind of suffocating could be a pleasurable way of dying, though.

Before Yumi could faint, Touko pushed her just a tad back to look her in the eyes. The brunette couldn't help but shiver in anticipation by the look she was receiving. Not once had she seen such kind of unreadable expression? Her eyes were pitch-black and Yumi was drawn to them, almost got lost within the depths. Trying to hold onto the bit of sanity she had in her, she made a weak attempt to free herself, but it just backfired as Touko pressed her body even closer, setting her on fire.

"To-…"

"Shh…" Touko put a gentle finger on Yumi's lips, successfully silencing her. She tilted her head and brushed her lips in a mere touch against the corner of her mouth.

"You've said enough."

And Yumi said nothing more.

"There's something to be said about a glass half full,
about knowing when to say when.
I think it's more of a floating line,
a barometer of need. Of desire.
It's entirely up to the individual,
and it depends what's being poured.
Sometimes all we want is a taste.
Other times there's no such thing as enough,
the glass is bottomless ...
… all we want is more."

- Dr Meredith Grey, Grey's Anatomy -

A/N: That damn teaser with what I've put myself more under pressure ;) I'm still not finished with the next chapter! I wish I could write more fluently, the language barrier is a nasty thing, it's holding me back. Keep waiting and busy yourself with either my newest story "The ingredient that brought us together" or take a look at the Harry Potter section. I'm so hooked with Hermione/Fleur fics!

Please leave a review, I really enjoy reading them as much I enjoy writing this story! They're motivating !

See ya next time!

xLaShay / Germany, Saturday 04.23.2016 (CET)