"They're getting desperate," Kumiko Yamaguchi said grimly as she gently wrapped a arm around Haruka's shoulders. Haruka Nishigushi leaned her body against Kumiko, glad to finally let someone else be strong. Only a few weeks ago if she had imagined herself in the arms of her family's rival she would have laughed, but now it felt strangely right being held by the other woman.... 'What am I doing?' Haruka made herself straighten up as she firmly reminded herself, 'She's only being a friend to me.' She took a nervous breath then looked up at Kumiko, "What do you think they'll do next?" Kumiko pressed her lips together, her expression serious as she said, "They have to get you to the wedding or they'll lose face. This isn't the last time they'll try to take you." "That's what I thought," Haruka sighed her agreement, "so I can't continue to come here." She saw Kumiko's questioning look and continued, "It's too exposed, and I can't endanger the students...." Kumiko nodded grimly, "That's true. Do you have someplace to go where Hajima can't find you?" "I think I can find someplace," Haruka answered, her mind racing. 'I can't go to my usual family hide outs, so where...?' Kumiko's black hair blew around her face as she pushed it back and asked, "Would you accept a suggestion?" Haruka smiled back slightly as she worriedly asked her, "Depends, will this get you into trouble?" "What's life without a little trouble?" Kumiko laughed. 0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0 "This is a very bad idea," Haruka said firmly not long after as they stood outside of the headquarters of the Ooedo clan. "No, it's a very good one," Kumiko answered firmly as they walked towards the door. She smiled slightly, "Hajima would have to be crazy to attack the clan, and more importantly we can ask Grandfather for advice." "Is he as scary as they say he is?" Haruka joked with Kumiko quietly as they took their shoes off at the door. She looked around, taking in a beautifully laid out residence, with neat hallways and a carefully cared for interior. "It depends," Kumiko smiled, "he's a sweety, but don't cross him." Haruka gulped, thinking of her own grandfather. 'I hope they're not too alike,' she mused as she was lead down the hall. A tall, dark haired man slid open a door as he called, "Boss, I heard you come in...." He saw Haruka and stiffened, his eyes narrowing as soon as he saw her, "What's one of the damn Nishigushi doing here?" "She's my guest," Kumiko growled, her eyes flashing in a way that made Haruka's heart race a bit. The man paled, "Sorry, Boss." 'She's so in control,' Haruka thought as the man nearly fled, 'but they respect her, too. I wish I could do that.' As they resumed walking she quietly said, "I'm sorry if I'm causing you any trouble." "Having my whole clan troop down to the principal's office to protest my preformance review was trouble," Kumiko said wryly, "this isn't so bad." Imagining that Haruka had to laugh, softly. "They must care about you very much," she noted, smiling as Kumiko blushed. "Yeah, well," Kumiko mumbled as she knocked on the door. "Grandfather," she called, "could we speak with you?" "Of course," the voice called, "come in." Kumiko's grandfather was a kindly looking sort, rather unlike his reputation. His once dark hair was streaked with grey and there were many smile lines on his face, but he carried his age well. Only the shadows under his eyes and a trembling hand showed he had been ill, and it seemed he was on the road to recovery. "Would you like some tea?" the older man asked politely once he heard them out, his expression thoughtful. "Let me get it," Haruka volunteered, getting up to gracefully pour the green tea into the old style cups. She wasn't a expert on tea ceremony but she tried to bring a certain amount of style to the sharing of tea. Waiting until Haruka was busy with the tea grandfather asked Kumiko, "How far are you willing to go to help her?" Kumiko gave him a questioning look, "She's my friend...." A smile teased his lips as he nodded, "I see." Haruka set each cup down, then settled down on her feet as she gave each a chance to drink. Sipping her own cup she set it down as she murmured, "Thank you for hearing us out. Even if you can't help, it's been good to set things out clearly." Drinking his tea grandfather smiled slightly. "Actually, I think there may be a solution to your problem," he admitted, "but you may not like it." "Let's hear it," Kumiko smiled at him warmly as she added, "the worst that can happen is we'll refuse to do it." A few moments after he explained his idea Haruka was blushing fiercely, looking down at her tea cup shyly. 'How did he know how much I like Kumiko?' she thought wildly. "There's no way the Nishigushi family would accept it," Kumiko said, but she sounded more thoughtful than anything else. Grandfather actually smirked, "They'd have to accept it. Even better, it'd infuriate the head of the Nishigushi clan." Haruka felt the blush still staining her cheeks as she looked at Kumiko and shyly said, "I don't object to the idea." Kumiko scratched her cheek, "I can't say I object, either." She looked over at her grandfather, "Can you help make the arrangements?" He smiled, "I have a old friend who can do it, I think." After politely excusing themselves Kumiko and Haruka walked together down to Kumiko's rooms, the two women oddly quiet. "Thank you for doing this," she said as they went into the room. Kumiko put a hand on Haruka's arm as she tried to be comforting, "It's just for show, anyway. This will convince your Grandfather to leave you alone and frighten off Hajima, too." Haruka looked at Kumiko thoughtfully a moment, her eyes almost sad. "Does it have to be for show?" she asked quietly. Kumiko looked a bit startled but recovered quickly. "Haruka," she blushed, "I... like you a lot, but I've never...." Haruka nodded as she took a deep breath, summoned up her courage and said, "I understand, but I feel closet to you than anyone I've ever met." There was a tenderness in Kumiko's eyes too as she nodded, "Me, too." Haruka took a step closer, looking up at her searching for welcome in her eyes. Seeing it Haruka put her hands on Kumiko's shoulders, leaned close and kissed her lingeringly.
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