"Get to the point Shion, where does that leave the Etoile?" Miyuki snapped, her patience wearing thing. The Miatorian President was growing tired of the Spican fifth year's constant habit of skirting the truth of the matter, and pressing the point further, she demanded, "have you even spoken to Amane to found out?" In light of Hikari's departure from the Astrea Hill Dormitories for the duration of fall, the school council Presidents had called an emergency meeting the following morning to discuss the implications and decide how to proceed. The three had gathered together in the council chambers, Chikaru perched on the edge of the wide wooden table, Miyuki and Shion stood on either side of her. The Lulim President sat with her hands in her lap, listening politely as the dark haired Miatorian trampled over the disadvantaged Spican. Miyuki was obviously relishing the occasion; her hostility tangible, and her words sharp and cutting. Shion stumbled over her reply to Miyuki's question, "I've not had the chance to speak to Amane yet. I'm not sure anyone's seen her since Hikari left." Miyuki rolled her eyes, "So who gave grace last night? Or this morning for that matter?" Again, the blonde Spican had to respond awkwardly, knowing full well that Miyuki would capitalize on her answer. "In the end, Sister Mizue stepped in," then in an attempt to claw some ground back she added, "weren't you there yourself to see?" Miyuki's brown eyes twinkled and narrowed into poison tipped slants, catching but not rising to the bait. She knew she'd flaunted her own responsibilities by not appearing for either of the meals since her fight with Shizuma, but given the exchange with the former-Etoile, Miyuki had wanted to wait for her nerve to return before risking the possibility of encountering her old room mate again. She pondered explaining the matter away, but opted not to. Instead she drove her own blade home, finishing the Spican off deftly, "Your school holds the Etoile, and yet despite losing part of that pairing, you've not even located the other half to find out whether or not she's capable of continuing alone? Despite Amane already neglecting her duty twice since Hikari left?" Shion bite her lip, trying to think of some way to come back. There was none however, and Miyuki enjoyed the coup-de-grace, "Let me remind you Shion; the day following Sakuragi-san's death, Shizuma was present at the dining hall table to give grace at breakfast. Despite her sorrow and pain, she didn't once fail to uphold her duty. Part of that was having her School council President there at her side, supporting her through that ordeal; which is exactly where you should be right now." Shion lowered her eyes, knowing that wasn't always the case, but also aware she was too far down to fight back now. Instead, she simply opted to take Miyuki's berating words and be done with it. "Sort your Etoile out Shion. If she's incapable of continuing, we need to act on that decisively. We only have two weeks until the Christmas Ball, and there's still the matter of the winter discharge papers and the spring events to deal with before term ends. We have a responsibility to the staff and the students to act in a timely manner when situations like this arise; it's the reason our post exists. We're here to set the leading example." Appropriately satisfied, Miyuki stood awaiting Shion's reply; the Spican only managing a weak nod before excusing herself, her blue eyes burning with rage as she strode off to find Amane. Miyuki smiled inwardly as she watched the blonde girl leave, the heavy wooden doors swinging wildly as they banged closed behind her. Chikaru broke the following silence, her words measured in their delivery, "You enjoyed every second of that didn't you Miyuki?" the pretty Lulim girl asked. Miyuki raised an eyebrow, unsure of the tone. Chikaru continued, "What's done is done. Why did you have to rub it in?" The older girl looked at Chikaru in bemusement, her dark eyes sparkling with venom, "Unusual to see you taking sides Chikaru; has your fence post grown uncomfortable?" Chikaru replied in a level tone, her voice not betraying any underlying emotion, "I'm just uncomfortable with your aggression Rokujo-san. We should be rallying around each other in a situation like this, not taking the opportunity to point fingers." Miyuki sighed, and inwardly she acknowledged she'd probably vented a little too much of her anger from the encounter with Shizuma during the meeting. She would need to keep her temper more carefully measured if she were to get what she wanted from future weeks. She replied, "Perhaps... But it was irresponsible of Shion not to have consulted Amane before arriving here. This was nothing more than a waste of time and I have finals in the spring, let alone my council duties to attend to. I'm sure you're in a similar position." Chikaru had to give the Miatorian that much, and nodded softly. Time was dragging on and rumours were running rife about Hikari's departure, an official explanation for which hadn't yet been given. "We'll need to say something at dinner, regardless of what happens with Amane-san, or things will get out of control," Chikaru reasoned. Miyuki nodded. After a pause, she turned to leave herself, Chikaru calling, "What of Tsukidate-san Miyuki? Have you passed the issue to the staff?" Miyuki stopped, one hand resting on the door handle as she glanced back over her shoulder a wry smile across her lips, "No, I've dealt with that issue myself. Chiyo Tsukidate seemed so defensive of her position cleaning for the fourth year girls that I found her an appropriate task to channel her enthusiasm." Chikaru raised a curious eyebrow, prompting Miyuki to laugh openly, "Take a walk around the Dormitories later. You'll see what I mean." And with that the Miatorian left, her vindictive smile lasting long after she passed the Dormitory gates. - - - - - Momomi leant heavily on the stone boarder of the roof edging, her gaze following the dark haired Etoile as she wandered towards the stables on the path below the Spica school building. From her vantage point on the roof top, Momomi could see for miles, even in the poor light of the winter months. She pondered the lonely figure, Amane's head hung low, her shoulders slumped as she walked to her morning practice at the paddock. She looked utterly distraught. Glancing over her shoulder at the other infamous figure Spica was renowned for producing, Momomi smiled as she considered her words, "It would appear your mighty idol has finally failed at something," and then with relish she added, "What a pity to see her term as Etoile faltering so quickly." Kaname was perched opposite, leaning back across the wall, propped up on her elbows with her head tilted backwards and her face catching what sun there was to be had before the clouds gathered again. Her eyes still half closed, she regarded her room mate suspiciously. "What plays on your mind Momomi? Is it worth me asking?" The petite Spican turned to sit facing the lounging fifth year, tipping her head to one side. "I'm just wondering how you feel, knowing you stepped aside for the infallible Ohtori-sama, now that she's succeeded in losing her Etoile partner only a week after being elected." Kaname turned back to the sun, shutting her eyes again whilst trying to ignore the comment. Momomi hadn't shut up since the election, taking every possible opportunity she had to punish the taller girl. Yet despite their previous break up and the chance to walk away, here she still was, following Kaname around like a lost kitten. Kaname's lip curled, her temper getting the better of her as usual. She returned her gaze to the annoyingly attentive fifth year sat opposite, "And what would you have me do now dear Momomi? Race to Shion and demand a re-election?" She sighed, "You know as well as I do that the suspension is only temporary. For all it matters, Hikari may well return in January only for the staff to treat her as though nothing had happened." Momomi smiled at her partner's agitation, having achieved the desired effect. Kaname caught the look and scowled, muttering, "Change the record Momomi." The tall fifth year ground her teeth and stared off across the valley in the other direction. Her relationship with her room mate had been troublesome since the ceremony. At first, when she'd originally approached her partner after conceding the race for Etoile, she'd hoped to smooth over their past and start afresh. But despite the brown-haired temptress being so obviously glad to continue their relationship, they regularly came back to the same point of contention. Momomi just wouldn't let it go, however hard her lover tried. Events with Hikari and Amane had been a turning point for Kaname. Deep inside, deep down, Hikari's words the morning of the tennis match had changed something. The tiny blonde had opened the older girl's eyes to what she'd allowed herself to become. The tall Spican had rarely struggled at school; she found classes easy, excelled at the sports she participated in, drawing the other girls to her with little effort. It didn't take long for her to find herself on top of the pile and destined for a place on the school council. There was even talk of her entering as Etoile in the years to come. Certainly at that stage, it had been a long time since she'd had to work hard to impress anyone, it all just came naturally. But that all changed with the arrival of one person. When Amane had transferred to Spica, it was as though a second sun had entered the midday sky. Slowly but surely, that alluring new figure had gnawed at Kaname, eaten away at her popularity and status, out doing her no matter how hard she tried to keep pace. What made it worse was that it seemed so totally unintentional. There was never any malice in Amane's behaviour, she just did what she did; and did it better than Kaname ever could. Over time it had ground Kaname down, her bitterness increasingly marked in her character, her scheming nature developing slowly but surely, fuelled by Momomi's continued insistence that the dark haired Spican was destined to out-do her rival. The petite fifth followed her room mate unquestionably, never faltering in her approval or application of anything that came to Kaname's mind in her attempts to go one better, no matter how immoral or undesirable it might be. Eventually, with the almost obsessive need to win the race for Etoile. Kaname had found herself under that tree with Hikari, left dumbstruck when the tiny third year pointed out the truth of what she was doing. In a way, Kaname wished she could rid herself of Momomi altogether; the overwhelming urge to start over and rediscover herself hampered by their entangled situation and Momomi's ability to make herself totally in-disposable. And extremely alluring. Like a wasp in a summer garden Kaname thought. So terribly eager to get in the way so it could sting you. She looked back at the pretty face, the shapely figure. Momomi glared back, unaware of the train of thought, "And what if she doesn't come back Kaname? What then?" The taller girl snapped, replying, "Is it worth worrying over? We have the whole of Christmas ahead of us yet. We can deal with the possibility in January." Momomi scowled, not happy to drop the subject, "What happened to your spine Kaname?" she sneered, "Did that pathetic air head truly get the better of you?" The dark haired fifth year sat forward, her patience having run out, "I'm done talking about this Momomi, I'm sick of hearing it." Kaname scowled at the ease with which her lover could enrage her. "Drop it. Or perhaps you'd rather find somewhere else to go so I can be alone and get some peace?" Momomi averted her gaze, lowering her head and muttering back, "Whatever." With no more smart replies forthcoming, Kaname turned to look back across the valley and watch the world go by some more, lost in her own thoughts. - - - - - Nagisa sat staring at the black board as her French teacher read from the course text book. She heard the words, but her mind was elsewhere, following idly as it concentrated on more pressing things. Occasionally, she'd glance sideways at the dark haired figure sat next to her, unsure of whether or not Tamao had noticed her looking, pondering the previous day's conversation in their dormitory. Shizuma and Nagisa had spent the night in the attic, huddled up under a pile of blankets and dust sheets, shivering and laughing at their inability to sleep under such hostile conditions. Most of the time they'd passed talking, their conversations broad and sweeping, discussing things that previously they'd never bothered with or had time for. A little about Shizuma's family, bits about Nagisa's youth away from Astrea, the source of Shizuma's strange obsession with European music; anything and everything as they fleshed out each other's history in their own minds, their hearts wanting to know every last detail about their partner. But eventually, despite the cold and the sound of the wind howling outside the windows, exhaustion had beaten the two girls and they'd fallen asleep, entwined together in a heap of white dust sheets and black Miator uniforms. With the lack of curtains in the attic, they'd risen early with the sun, and watching Miyuki stride off towards the council chambers, they'd returned to Shizuma's room to freshen up before the day's lessons, such was Nagisa's unease with returning to her room with Tamao alone. She hadn't spoken to Shizuma about the conversation with Tamao however, just as she'd promised the other fourth year. It played on her mind heavily though, and the question of Tamao's behaviour and how she had managed to instil such invasive feelings still nagged endlessly. Why the sudden change? And why, if Tamao was so serious about her, was her room mate being so accommodating of Shizuma? What was Tamao trying to achieve? Perhaps Nagisa was just being paranoid. Not everyone in life has an angle, and after all, Tamao had acted in a perfectly normal manner when Nagisa and the former-Etoile stopped by the fourth year's room to pick her books up. Tamao had been her usual chirpy self, and happily accompanied the pair to breakfast after. Still, that look in Tamao's eyes... the tone in her voice as she'd run her fingers through Nagisa's hair. "Aoi-san?" Nagisa jumped. "Uh, sorry Sensei. The next page Sensei?" Everyone was looking at her, and her face flushed as she started reading the following paragraph from the book lying open before her. In the corner of her eye she caught Tamao looking at her, and she stumbled over the line she was reading. "Sorry, um, et tout...." She continued. And at the edge of her peripheral vision, she thought she saw her roommate smile. - - - - - Chiyo sighed as she left her maths class, knowing what lay ahead of her. She trudged along the hallway toward the main door of the impressive Miator building, heading back to the Dormitory to continue the punishment given to her by President Rokujo for her actions towards the tiny Lulim girl. She walked with her head bowed; the shame of her predicament and the guilt of Kagome's screams still hanging heavily over her. She clutched her school bag before her for comfort, knowing full well she wouldn't be able to forget the look in Kagome's eyes for a long time to come. What had she been thinking, Chiyo asked herself. Such a stupid thing to do, and what had it achieved? If anything her onee-sama would despise her even more now. If she even remembered she had a room temp that was. It felt like weeks since Chiyo had last seen the fourth years, and she cursed herself again for her actions. The journey back to the Dormitories seemed to take forever, and the little first year hurried her short legs along to get there as quickly as possible, hoping to start before the majority of the other girls returned from class. Rushing to the cleaning cupboard on the ground floor, she muttered to herself as she donned her apron, grabbing the bucket she'd left to one side with the gathered equipment she needed in the bottom. Peering either way down the corridor as she poked her head out of the cupboard, she quickly closed the door behind her while the coast was clear and rushed down the hall to where she'd left off. With a little luck she would get enough done before too many people saw her, and be able to go to lunch at the same time as the other girls. Rokujo-san wasn't going to inspect her progress until later that evening, so she should have plenty of time to catch up after she'd eaten, and then continue after the day's remaining classes while the girls were busy elsewhere for the evening. Kneeling as she reached the task in hand, she took a dirty looking toothbrush and rag from the bucket, placing a tin canister of liquid and a soft polishing cloth on the floor next to her. Working away furiously, she blushed in embarrassment as the occasional student passed by, staring at her in confusion. They weren't people she knew however, and gritting her teeth, she got on with her job, thanking someone on high for their mercy. That was, until she heard familiar voices behind her. Chiyo's heart dropped, and she went bright red as the familiar figures of Chihaya Takemura and her room mate Mizushima walked down the corridor towards her; the two girls that lived in the Dormitory opposite Nagisa and Tamao. They were deep in conversation about something or other, and Chiyo ducked her head, trying to huddle as close to the wall as possible in the hope that they wouldn't recognize her. The conversation came into ear shot as they drew close, "...Yui-san seems to think they'll call another election, although I can't see that myself. Surely Hikari-chan will just retake her position when she returns? She can't have left Spica for good, can she?" Chihaya asked as she fiddled with the ends of her hair, her brow furrowed in deep thought as she looked to her taller companion for an answer. Mizushima shrugged her shoulders, her sea-blue eyes gazing elsewhere. "I mean, if she'd left for good, surely the school council would have said something by now?" Chihaya continued. Mizushima failed to answer, and Chihaya wrapped the dippy brunette across the arm to wake her up. "Did that purple hair die go to your head?" Mizushima baulked, rubbing her arm before pouting back with a hurt look, "What was that for?" "I was talking to you and you were ignoring every word I was saying!" Chihaya replied. Her room mate pointed at the tiny first year huddled against the wall, "I know, but I was wondering why Chiyo-chan is cleaning the air vents with a toothbrush." Chihaya looked down at the first year before her feet; Chiyo sat before one of the antiquated brass air vents, furiously brushing the layered dust from the ornate grating. Chihaya scowled and she looked back at Mizushima with an unimpressed look in her eyes, "Didn't you hear? She beat up Kagome-chan." Mizushima's jaw dropped. "Little Kagome? With the teddy bear?" she asked, unable to believe her ears. "Uh huh, ripped her teddy up and everything," Chihaya replied. Chiyo stopped brushing, her head bowing even further, and nervously awaited the other girl's reaction, her little heart thumping in fear. "Is that true Chiyo-kun?" Mizushima demanded, her green eyes narrowed as she stared at the first year's back. Chiyo swallowed hard and slowly turned around to look up at the fourth year glaring down at her. "I, um, that is..." Mizushima's face dropped in disgust. "I can't believe someone would stoop so low.... why I should!" Mizushima raised her hand in anger for second, violent thoughts crossing her mind. But then she dropped it again, unwilling to get herself in trouble. Shaking her head she turned to walk away. "God that's so pathetic. I can see why they've got you cleaning the muck from the hall way now, although you don't even deserve that much." - - - - - Yaya stood hands on hips, purveying the scene before her. Tired, she sighed and scratched the back of her head before stretching her aching back out. She knew full well things were still looking far from normal, but she'd tried her best and worked all morning to reconstruct the girl's dormitory; gathering up the broken glass and plastic from the floor before wrapping it carefully in tissues and placing it carefully in the bin. She'd tidied up the books and clothing she'd thrown around in her fit of rage, and even managed to source some replacement curtains from the cleaner's cupboard, the shredded originals lost somewhere in a skip outside while the other girls were in lessons. It wasn't a bad effort, although she couldn't replace the wall mirror until the weekend, and there was no simple way of explaining away the light fitting. The look on the janitor's face when he'd been called to fit the new one was a picture, Yaya having claimed she'd knocked it whilst reaching up to chase a spider off; the old gent looking the tiny Spican up and down in dubious amusement. He'd said nothing to the Sister however, a fact that Yaya had thanked him for silently. No one had asked too many questions about Yaya cutting class, taking the situation with Hikari into consideration, totally unaware of the truth behind what had happened the previous day in the Cathedral. Whatever other emotions she felt, Yaya was extremely thankful to Hikari for leaving the situation unexplained. At least she didn't have the embarrassment of everyone knowing the whole story to contend with on top. Exhausted, she sat herself down on the edge of her bed, shivering slightly and wondering if she'd caught a cold after sitting for so long in the freezing shower. Her face was flushed and sweaty, although she didn't know if that were the lack of food or something else entirely. She hadn't been able to face eating that morning, and her stomach was a confused mess of hunger pangs and nauseous indigestion. She held the back of her palm to her forehead, but decided the test was inconclusive since her hand was just as hot as the rest of her. She looked again toward the empty bed opposite her and her heart sunk, the same guilt and shame that had led Yaya to smashing the room apart washing over her. It wasn't fair, after everything else she'd suffered whilst watching Hikari slowly drift from her and into Amane's arms, now she had to cope with this on top. It seemed that no matter what Yaya did, she'd gotten it wrong before she started. Her train of thought disturbed, the Spican turned with a start to the sound of a soft rap on the door. She brushed her hair back behind her ears quickly, straightening her night shirt out in her lap before calling, "Hello?" A shock of Strawberry hair and pea-green eyes, Tsubomi's head poked around the corner. She smiled meekly, asking, "Is it okay if I come in Yaya-chan?" After a gentle sigh, Yaya nodded softly and the first year shut the door quietly behind her, moving to sit on the edge of the bed next to her dark haired companion. "I didn't know if you'd be up yet," Tsubomi said, then looking around the room she remarked, "you've cleaned up well." Yaya tipped her head slightly and fiddled with the bed cover, eager to avoid the other girl's gaze. Tsubomi looked at the third year, noticing the sullen expression and the lowered eyes. "How is Yaya-chan feeling this morning? Did you sleep?" Yaya shrugged, and shook her head, but didn't elaborate on that. Tsubomi sat for moment in the awkward silence before pressing for an explanation, "Have I upset you Yaya-chan? Should I go?" Yaya glanced at the younger girl, then running her hands through her hair she pulled herself backwards to sit against the wall, her legs crossed underneath her on the bed, trying to cope with the thought of idle conversation, "Don't be silly Tsubomi, I'm just over tired that's all." She tipped her head slightly and fiddled with the hem of her night shirt, "How was class? Did anyone say anything?" Encouraged by the beginnings of a conversation, the first year replied eagerly, "There were a few odd looks, and some of the girls asked if I'd heard anything. No one seems to be equating us with what happened though. They only know what you were the first to find Hikari, that's all." Yaya looked relieved, and Tsubomi continued, "A couple of the older girls from your class asked where you were. I said you were probably sleeping. They seemed okay with that." Yaya thanked the other Spican and looked at the ceiling with a long sigh. Closing her eyes, she let the darkness take her, rolling her head to relax her shoulders a little. The underlying sense of stress didn't diminish however, and the world seemed just as stark when she reopened her eyes. At least no one was asking awkward questions. She looked at Tsubomi briefly, taking in the look of concern, the pretty green eyes, the delicate cheek bones and rounded nose. She was a pretty thing; not as pretty as Hikari by any sense of the imagination, but attractive nonetheless, and amusingly feisty when she wanted to be. She'd enjoyed their time together after the election immensely and had things not been complicated by her long standing friendship with Hikari and events at the Cathedral, life would probably have taken a refreshingly enjoyable turn for a change. But there you have it, life and Yaya always seemed to be at odds. A pang of regret hit her, but she'd decided long before the first year had arrived what needed to be done, and although the older girl hadn't wanted to have this conversation so soon, she bite her lip in the grim realization that this was the most appropriate time to do it. She took a deep breath before beginning, "I don't want you to think you've done anything wrong Tsubomi-san; you haven't. You were really supportive yesterday and with all my heart, I thank you for that." Tsubomi's young face dropped at Yaya's tone, and she waited for the third year to continue with an anxious look in her eyes, "It's just... after yesterday, after seeing Hikari like that, and knowing that was because of us... I don't know. I need some space Tsubomi; I need some time to think," she said. She sighed as she watched Tsubomi's expression dropping, and pressed on, trying to explain her feelings more clearly, each word making the situation unintentionally worse for the strawberry haired first year, "It's not that I don't want to be with you anymore, really I do. I just can't. Not now, I need to figure this out in my own head and I can't do that with you here with me all the time." She shook her head, knowing she was going full pelt in the wrong direction, "We've been so full on since the election, I just - " "Yaya-chan, please stop." the first year cut in. Tsubomi looked sad as her mind resigned to Yaya's words, but she put a brave face on as she continued, "I understand, its okay, really it is. I'll just wait a while and let you get yourself together again. I'd be the same if it were my best friend." She tried badly to hide the growing sense of rejection, the tears pooling at the corner of her eyes, "After all, you've known Hikari-chan so long; I'd be just as..." It wasn't working, and she covered her face quickly as she felt a tear break. "I'll leave you in peace then," she muttered quickly from behind her cupped hand, sniffing and hurrying to the door. "I hope Yaya-chan feels better soon. And... she knows where I am if she needs me." "Tsubomi," Yaya called after her, but as quickly as she'd came, Tsubomi was gone, the door clicking softly as she pulled it too, her footsteps echoing as she ran off along the corridor. Yaya sighed. At least she'd made it easy. - - - - - Nagisa had been quiet during lunch, and as they walked back toward Miator, Shizuma looked across at the red head, wondering if the fourth year was just tired or if something was wrong. The sun was surprisingly pleasant for the winter months, and for the first time in a few days, the snow had almost completely melted, the sky bright blue as the girls enjoyed their time away from class. A refreshing but cool breeze blew through the bare trees, and the pair could hear the sound of the few remaining winter birds in the surrounding brush. "Tamao-chan is going to meet you at class?" Shizuma asked, shaking her hair out with her free hand, the other clutching her satchel and umbrella. "She said she had something to submit to club before we went to Science Lab for the afternoon," Nagisa replied idly, her mind elsewhere. Shizuma studied Nagisa's troubled expression as they walked, then deftly caught the younger girl's arm and turned her sharply so she they were facing each other directly. Looking down into the brown eyes staring back, Shizuma smiled. "What's gnawing at you my love, you're miles away?" Nagisa sighed and bowed her gaze a moment, shuffling her foot on the ground. She looked up again and replied with a tired frown, "I want to tell you something Shizuma-sama, but it's," she paused, "it's a bit like the Yaya thing." Shizuma raised an eyebrow, and then let Nagisa's hand go so they could continue the walk to class. Nagisa described her inner turmoil as they walked, "Tamao said some things when you were with Amane and Yaya. She was..." Nagisa searched inwardly for the words, wondering how much would be too much. Failing to navigate that particular minefield, she opted to stay indeterminate instead. "She'd asked me not to tell you what she'd said." Shizuma pondered obviously for a moment, and then shrugged indifferently, "Then don't. Although I can tell whatever it was she doesn't want me to know is vexing you." Nagisa scratched the back of her head and sighed in agitation. She looked back across at the former-Etoile. "I..." And then as something dawned on her, suddenly she smiled. "Thank you Shizuma." The silver haired sixth year looked back in surprise, "Whatever for?" Nagisa beamed, "For being Shizuma-sama and brushing it off, rather than acting like Nagisa-chan and throwing a tantrum." Shizuma laughed, replying with a grin, "I didn't say I wasn't curious." Nagisa's smile faded, and she bowed her head again in thought. The two girls continued in silence for a bit, Shizuma giving Nagisa the time she obviously needed. The girls stopped as they reached the turning for the Science Labs, a department exterior to the main Miator building. Shizuma was going the opposite direction for her French class. "Can we stay in your room tonight Shizuma-sama?" the fourth year asked, her gaze somewhere off across the valley. Shizuma nodded, "Of course. Although I get the distinct impression it's not because you want the privacy for another lesson from Sensei?" Nagisa didn't respond to the tease, looking very serious as she regarded her girlfriend directly, "I don't trust myself with her Shizuma. I don't trust her with me on my own either." Shizuma looked into the younger face for a moment, searching Nagisa's expression. The brown eyes staring back were calm, the thoughts behind them collected. "Why so worried? Do you think she's trying to make a move on you?" Nagisa sighed and shrugged awkwardly. "I don't know, I just know I'm spending far too much time thinking about the things she said and the way she said them. I don't feel comfortable around her alone Shizuma, I'm worried I'll do something stupid, simply because this is all so new to me." Shizuma was left considering the manner of Nagisa's admission, and rather than firing her pride or panicking her, she found the words making her admire the red head even more. She knew then and there, more so than she ever had before, that the couple would have no secrets between them; that Nagisa would never lie to her. She glanced sideways thoughtfully for a second, then replied in a soft voice, "Do you believe that just because we love other women that we're incapable of staying true to our commitments? That being what we are makes us immoral?" Nagisa blanched a second at the depth of the former-Etoile's question. Then taking in Shizuma's words and considering her own feelings since the conversation with Tamao, she replied quietly, "I'm not sure. Perhaps? I just feel unsure of myself I guess Shizuma." Shizuma's eyes took on a fond look, and she cupped Nagisa's cheek with her free hand. "By all means, we'll stay in my room tonight if that would make you feel more comfortable, although I want you to know Nagisa; I trust you completely," and with that she paused for emphasis. "But tomorrow afternoon, while the other girls are at club, I'm going to take you to meet someone. Perhaps you'll feel a little better after." Nagisa tipped her head in intrigue and asked, "To meet who Shizuma-sama?" Shizuma smiled knowingly, and replied, "Someone very dear to me. Someone who proved to me a long time ago that loving another woman doesn't make you a monster." - - - - - After Chihaya and Mizushima had bumped into the embarrassed first year in the Dormitory corridor, news of Chiyo's deeds and resulting punishment had spread throughout the day, passing from student to student, classroom to classroom. By the time the tiny Miatorian had resumed her work after the evening meal, an angry crowd had formed around Chiyo, leering and insulting her as she worked, the tiny girl practically in tears. She knew that she had to continue for fear of Miyuki's wrath, but desperately wanted to run away somewhere and curl up in a ball. "What a bitch, I can't believe someone could be so cruel," one girl called loudly. "It's like beating up your granny," another added, kicking Chiyo's feet as they watched the first year work. The names that some of the girls were calling her, the venom in their insults had cut deep, and as time went on, the young student slowly resigned to their words, realizing what a monster they thought she was; what a monster she must be to deserve them. She hated herself, wishing she could die quietly and go somewhere else to start over so everyone would leave her alone. Bowing her head, she tried to block the voices out as she worked furiously, trying to end the ordeal as soon as possible. "What's going on?" a familiar voice called, then again louder over the din, "what is the meaning of this?" The crowd piped down, and the collected girls turned to look at the former-Etoile as she stood in the middle of the corridor, Nagisa beside her, regarding the situation with a suspicious eye. "Former-Etoile Hanazono-sama," a Spican girl politely explained, "this girl beat up the first year from Lulim that carries the teddy bear with her. Rokujo-san has her cleaning the brass work as punishment." Then with a sneer the prissy blonde added, "Although she deserved much worse." Nagisa strained to see the figure huddled next to the wall through the crowd, and nudged her way forward so she could make the face out. "You mean little Kagome Byakudan?" Shizuma asked, and the Spican nodded. Shizuma raised an eyebrow. "Chiyo-chan?" Nagisa called, her face dropping in disappointment. The tiny first year froze, finally hearing Nagisa's voice over the crowd. Her heart broke then and there, knowing her onee-sama had seen her for what she was, the evil monster that beats up little girls. Shizuma snapped, "Whatever President Rokujo had in mind, I doubt very much it involved Tsukidate-kun being mobbed by a crowd of girls old enough to know better. Now find something else to do before I have you all in front of the Sister." At that the crowd dispersed, bowing politely and hurrying off in different directions. Nagisa was stood next to Chiyo, looking down at the tiny first year. "I can't believe you'd do something like that Chiyo-chan." She shook her head as Chiyo turned to face Nagisa, tears running down her cheeks, her words all jumbled as she rushed to get her explanation out, "I'm sorry Nagisa-onee-sama, I really am. I didn't mean to hurt Kagome-chan, but she went to President Miyuki and I had to tell the school council about Shizuma-sama staying in Nagisa-onee-sama's room. I was so angry at Kagome for making me break the secret. I was worried my onee-sama would hate me and tell me that she didn't want me as her little sister anymore." Chiyo dipped her head, feeling ashamed and desperately sad. Nagisa sighed, "So you lashed out at Kagome?" Chiyo nodded slowly, her tears coming with a quivering bottom lip. "Oh Chiyo-chan, what a silly thing to do," Nagisa replied, and she stroked the tiny first year's hair. Chiyo looked up in surprise, having expected another barrage of insults and abuse at the hands of her onee-sama as she had from the other girls. Instead, she received a look of disappointment and dismay, "Did any of those girls hurt you?" Shizuma asked in a flat tone. "No former-Etoile-sama, not really. They just said things." Shizuma sighed, looking around. "How long did President Rokujo specify you to do this for?" the silver haired sixth year asked, agitation lacing her voice. Chiyo bowed her head and replied, "She didn't say. Rokujo-san is going to visit me just before seven to inspect my work." Shizuma looked at Nagisa, then again at the tiny first year at her feet. "This is demeaning and wrong. Collect your things together and take them back to where they belong. Then go clean yourself up and apologise to Kagome-chan. When you've done that, go to your room for the night and contemplate the lesson of this experience. I'll deal with Rokujo-san." Chiyo looked up in surprise. "But former-Etoile-sama, she said - " Shizuma snapped, "I don't care what she said, I'm telling you that's enough. Now go and apologise to Kagome before I drag you there myself." Chiyo nodded respectfully, and then got up from her knees, gathering her cleaning equipment together before hurrying off to the cleaning cupboard to store them, trying to form the words of her apology to Kagome in her mind. Just before she passed out of ear shot, Nagisa called, "And Chiyo-chan, I won't be there in the morning when you report for room temp duty, but I'll expect you there all the same, is that clear?" Chiyo turned and nodded, trying to hide her smile of joy as she excused herself. With the first year out of ear shot, Shizuma turned to Nagisa with an annoyed look on her face, "Just when you thought Miyuki had stooped as low as she could..." Nagisa sighed. "You're going to speak to her about this?" Shizuma nodded thoughtfully, gazing in the direction the first year had left by. "I'll have to or it will fall back on Tsukidate-san." Nagisa smiled wryly, "Another night in the attic then?" Shizuma smirked at the thought. "Yes, quite possibly my love." - - - - - Amane leant on the door post of the barn, hands holding both ends of a towel that hung around the back of her neck, her hair damp from the shower she'd not long taken. Watching the sun slowly set, she looked across the paddock, deep in thought. She'd ridden all day, trying to keep her mind from events with Hikari, although the distraction hadn't worked particularly well. Star Bride had noticed his rider's preoccupation, and as a result the pair's timing was far off pace, the jumps hesitant and edgy, the gallops sloppy and slow. Amane shook her head, knowing full well it wasn't going to get any easier in a hurry. She felt like she'd had her mouth stitched up, unable to respond, unable to express; the one person she desperately wanted to talk to taken anyway, removed from her presence without a single word of goodbye or explanation. Her heart ached, her chest feeling as though it would burst open with the pain. And all the time, there was the same underlying feeling of shame; the knowledge that somehow, somewhere her actions had led Hikari to this, whatever this had actually entailed. She didn't even know the truth of what had happened, simply that the tiny blonde was gone. She sighed, and turned to leave, stopped by a low voice from the shadows behind her. "Shion is looking for you." It was Kaname, although Amane had no idea how long the other fifth year had been stood there. "Oh?" Amane managed, trying to force herself to remain social. "I believe it's regarding the Etoile," Kaname added, then after an awkward pause she mumbled, "if there's anything I can do Amane..." The Etoile looked at the dark haired Spican in surprise, Kaname propping up the wall, her face unusually emotional and a look of sympathy in her deep brown eyes, "Thank you Kenjo-san," Amane replied, asking "Where is Shion now?" "I think she's returned to her room," Kaname answered. "I'm surprised she didn't think to come here. Perhaps she was scared of what she might find." Amane looked back at the setting sun and then smiled wryly, "Worried her beloved Etoile isn't up to the job anymore I would imagine," she muttered, before bidding Kaname her leave. - - - - - The conversation with Shion had been short and to the point; Amane having decided what she was going to say long before she'd reached the Spican President's bedroom door. With a soft rap, she'd summoned Shion to the doorway, the slender blonde looking uncomfortable in her night shirt and kimono. Amane had kept things brief, "Kaname said you were looking for me President?" Shion had nodded, about to launch into a long speech about duty and self-sacrifice, but the tall Spican had cut her short, "If it's about the Etoile, then my answer is simple; I can't continue alone," and with that, she'd placed her blue Etoile stone in her school President's hand, closing Shion's fingers over it slowly. "Not without her." And with that, Amane had turned and walked away, Shion left standing speechless before her open door. Looking back over her shoulder as Amane strode toward her own room, she felt one of many, many weights lifted from her shoulders. - - - - - "Miyuki open up," came Shizuma's voice from the other side of the door, the tone serious and demanding. Miyuki started and jumped up from her desk, rushing to the door handle, making sure it was locked before hastily replying, "I'm busy Shizuma, can't it wait?" The school council President stood staring at the closed bedroom door for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest, waiting nervously for the next reply. She stood wearing only her night shirt, but it wasn't her attire that left her on edge. "It was regarding Tsukidate-san," Shizuma called. "What about her?" Miyuki asked bluntly, her mind racing. "I've told her to stop your cleaning punishment and to apologise to the Lulim girl directly. She was being bawled at by a crowd of girls." Miyuki glanced sideways at the door, then back at the pile of paperwork on her desk. She paused for a moment, before calling back, "Fine. That seems reasonable. I'll speak to her in the morning." There was an extended silence, after which Miyuki called, "Is there anything else Shizuma?" She held her breath for a second, "No, just that." "Fine, goodnight." Miyuki replied, and then listened intently, trying to catch the sound of Shizuma's footsteps. To her relief, instead, she heard the dull click of Shizuma's door handle, followed by a thump as the heavy wooden door closed behind her. Miyuki let her breath out sharply, looking at her bedroom door a few moments more before returning to her desk. She looked over the paperwork scattered across the wooden surface intently, trying to remember where she'd made it up to before the disturbance. Her mind clicking in recognition, she hurriedly continued sketching out the floor plan she was working on, looking between her amassed documents every now and then before finalising details. Her mind was alive with the task, busy recollecting the tiniest of details, fishing for the finer points of an event several years in the past, trying to get as much on paper before the morning as possible. When faced with the most elusive of memories, the tiniest of points to recall, she'd gaze across the room at an elegant blue cocktail dress hanging from one of her shelves, the outfit much too small for her now, but providing a source of flooding imagery from the night in question. After a few seconds staring at it, whatever she was trying to recall would pop into her mind, and she'd furiously scribble the information down before she lost it again. It would take a fair amount of work before that dress would fit her again she thought, considering ways in which she could deal with that problem, knowing the quickest and easiest would be to find a way of appropriating Chikaru's skills with a needle and thread. Another problem for the morning she thought to herself; a way of putting the Lulim President in her debt. But that could wait for now, her immediate time taken up with the reconstruction work taking place on her desk. And with a smile on her lips, Miyuki relived her past, planning her future.
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