A Pretty Sammy Story

 By The Amazoness Duo

 And Yosho Masaki

 amazonessduo@hotmail.com

 

 As the battle settled to a finish, Pretty Sammy stood as the victor.  Pixie 

 Misa levetated not to far from the battle scene and watched.  She often 

 wondered who Pretty Sammy was.  Even though she didn't really know her own 

 identaty she would at least like to know her enemies.  Maybe, just maybe if 

 she found out before she was reverted back she would remember who Sammy was. 

   Just as Sammy started reverting back to normal Misa did as well.

 

         Pixie Misa was engulfed in a bright white light and her outfit disappeared 

 and she was there in the middle of the sky glowing white and nude.  Her hair 

 then reverted from blonde to black as her street clothes reappeared.  Misao 

 got up off the ground.  Her headache was now gone.  She walked around and 

 wondered how she had gotten in the alley that she was in.

 

         As Misao walked around the corner someone knocked her down.  The person 

 stopped and it was Sasami.

 

         "I'm sorry Misao."  Sasami said, "I was just looking for you.  I

 heard that 

 there was a battle going on in this area of town and I had gotten worried 

 about you."

 

         "Thank you, Sasami.  I'm fine though.  I just don't remember how I got

 back 

 here.  I'm sure that I'll remember though."

 

         Elsewhere...

 

         "Damn that Pretty Sammy!  She is always getting in my way!"  a

 shadowed 

 figure yelled in anger.  "It doesn't matter though.  I'll get you when you 

 least suspect it.  Be warned Pretty Sammy, you will not be a thorn in my 

 side for much longer.  You can count on that."

 

         "Master." Ramia said.

 

         "What is it, Worm!"

 

         "If my warrior was allowed to stay in her other form a little while

 longer, 

 She could find out who Sammy is and Kill her before she can turn into Pretty 

 Sammy."

 

         "Your 'WARRIOR' should be greatful that she is even able to turn into

 Pixie 

 Misa.  I'll give you and your 'warrior' one more chance.  But be warned, If 

 you fail me THIS time I will show NO mercy!"

 

         "Yes Master.  I am very grea"

 

         "SHUT UP AND LEAVE!!!!"

 

         On that note Ramia vanished fearing what would happen to her if Misa failed 

 agian.

 

         A few days later on the Afternoon News.

 

         "This is the third day in a row that monsters have been constantly 

 attacking the city.  The Super Soldier Pretty Sammy Has put a stop to every 

 attack to this point.  Police are baffled and can not detect any connection 

 between any of the attack sites.  Some people have began to wonder, that 

 with all the constant attacks, just how long Pretty Sammy can keep this up.  

 This is Sara Ulrich with WKBM News at 1:00.  Signing off."

 

         'Yeah.  Just how long can I keep this up?  Not long, I know that much.  I 

 can't even get a good night's sleep anymore.' Sasami thought to herself.  

 This was the 3rd day that she has gone without any sleep at all.  Just then 

 a little grey rabbit looking creature was hopping across the school yard.  

 'Oh no.  Not AGAIN.'

 

         "Sasami!  More Luvluv monsters have been spotted.  You must hurry."

 

         "I can't do this much longer Ryo-ohki.  I'm about to collapse as it is 

 already."

 

         Elsewhere...

 

         'My plan is working.  With Pretty Sammy exhausted, she won't have the 

 strength to fight much longer.  I just need a little more time.'

 

         "Ramia!  The Master want's to see you right away."

 

         "Thank you Rumia.  You may leave now."  On that note Rumia changed

 into 

 bird and flew off.

 

         Back in Japan..

 

         The battle raged on anf for a little while it had seemed that the LuvLuv 

 monster had an edge over Pretty Sammy.  With her last bit of energy she was 

 able to launch her ultimate attack, Magical Resolution, and was able to put 

 the LuvLuv monster at peace with it's inner self.

 

         "Finally!"

 

         "I'm proud of you Sammy.  I"m glad to see that you can still

 fight."

 

         "Ryo-ohki!  Did you have doubt?"

 

         "Well... no but you looked very tired."

 

         "I am VERY tired. By the way you are a terrible lier.  I also had doubt, 

 but I knew that I had to beat it."

 

         "Bonjour Pretty Sammy.  You look very tired.  Do you think that you have 

 enough strength to defeat me?"

 

         "PIXIE MISA!  I don't know if I have the strength but I know that I can 

 always defeat you!"

 

         "Oh come now.  Even I know that you can't defeat me in your weakened

 state. 

   However it wouldn't be any fun if you just up and surrendered.  So get 

 ready Sammy."

 

         Misa charged at Sammy and hit her with unbelievable power.  Sammy knew that 

 she was no match for Misa now but she just couldn't give up.  No.  She 

 wouldn't give up.  When Misa had was getting ready to give the final blow, 

 Sammy was surrounded with a bright magical light.

 

         'No.  Not now.  I.. I can't change back now!'  Sammy thought to herself in 

 panic.

 

         At the same moment Misa was confused and blinded.  Ryo-ohki saw this and 

 told Sammy to run for it but she was too weak to make a move.  The light 

 disappeared and there lay, in Pretty Sammy's place, was a nude Sasami.  Her 

 clothes soon materialized in place of where the Sammy outfit used to be.

 

         Misa regained sight to see Sasami laying where Pretty Sammy was at just a 

 second ago.

 

         "So this is who you are.  Get ready to die, Sammy!  Pixie Blade!" 

 Suddenly 

 a short bladed sword appeared in Misa's hands and she thrust downward.

 

         "NOOOOOOOOOO!  I can't, no, won't do this!"  The blade disappeared

 and Pixie Misa Stood up and turned around with tears forming in her eyes.  She, 

 too, was then Surrounded in a brilliant flash of light as she started to 

 revert back to Misao, Ramia appeared.

 

         "What do you think that you are doing?!  You will kill this

 annoyance!"

 

         "No!  I can't do this to my best friend!  You knew this all along didn't 

 you!  You knew that Pretty Sammy was my best friend!"  The reverting

 stopped and she retransformed into Misao.

 

         "So.  She will eventually betray your friendship.  It's best to destroy

 her now, I mean, you will destroy her anyway.  It is better to get rid of her 

 befor she can hurt you."

 

         "Never!"  With that said, Misa took Sasami and left.

 

         Two hours later...

 

         "Uhhhhhhh...  What happened?" Sasami said still drowsy and begining

 to come around.

 

         "Don't worry, you are safe now."  Sasami knew this voice but couldn't

 place it.  Her vision cleared after a few moments and she looked around for her 

 rescuer.  After another moment she found someone and jumped up ready for 

 battle.

 

         "Pretty Mutation Magical Re..."

 

         "You don't have to transform Sammy.  There is no one else here.  I saved 

 you."  Suddenly Misa was covered in a brilliant flash of light and a few 

 minutes later the light was gone and Misao stood in Misa's place.

 

         Sasami's eyes watered and she started crying.  Crying for her friend and 

 crying for herself.  The whole time that she was having fun with her friend 

 she was also fighting against her friend.  Fighting in battles that could 

 kill her. She could have hurt Misao. She could have killed her. Misao meant 

 too much to her to lose like that. She couldn't stand the thought of hurting 

 her.

 

         "Sasami, what's wrong?" Misao asked concerned. She blinked a couple

 times, confused about what was going on. The last thing she remembered, she'd been 

 having another headache and then everything had faded away. Now she was with 

 a very distraught Sasami. She quickly realized they were in her room, but 

 she couldn't make out how she had gotten there, or when Sasami had arrived.

 

         Sasami through her arms around the black haired girl, throwing Misao off 

 balance. Misao fell back onto the bed with Sasami still clutching to her. 

 "Oh Misao… I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…" Sasami sobbed. "I should

 have known. I should have done something. I'm so sorry."

 

         Misao hugged Sasami, trying to comfort her. She didn't know what to do. 

 Sasami was always the one who made her feel better when something went 

 wrong. She wasn't sure how to calm her friend. "Sasami, its alright. I

 don't know what you're sorry about, but there's no reason to. I'm fine. 

 Everything's okay."

 

         The sound of Misao's voice in her ear sent shivers down Sasami's spine. She 

 was locked in a close embrace with the black haired girl, Misao whispering 

 soothingly to her. Sasami blushed a deep shade of red and tried to 

 disentangle herself from her best friend. Sasami's emotions overflowed as 

 she sat there. The fear of what could have happened to her best friend. The 

 sadness that she'd almost hurt her, the relief that maybe now they wouldn't 

 have to fight anymore. And something else. Some other feeling flowed through 

 her. It was deep and warm and enveloped her like a soft blanket. 'What's 

 going on?' she thought to herself. Her torrid emotions had ripped down a 

 barrier inside her, pouring forth emotions she'd hidden, even from herself. 

 Things she'd pretended not to notice, not to care about. She sat up and 

 stared at the wall of Misao's room. 'Why do I have to pick now to fall in 

 love?' Sasami asked herself angrily. 'And with Misao? How could I be in love 

 with Misao?' Sasami took a deep breath while Misao looked on, confused. 'I'm 

 just being over emotional right now. I'm sleep deprived and I'm just happy 

 she's alright.' She looked back at the black haired girl. Misao was looking 

 at her worriedly with her gentle aqua eyes. Sasami turned back towards the 

 wall.

 

         "Sasami? Are you okay?" Misao asked nervously. "What's going

 on?"

         The blue haired girl smiled warmly at her friend. "I'm fine. I'm just glad

 things are working out now. I'm sorry I can't explain what's going on right 

 now, but I will. Someday I'll explain. I promise." Misao nodded weakly.

 "I should go for now. I'll call you tonight. Be careful, Misao." Sasami hugged

 the other girl tightly before smiling and heading to the door of the room.

 

         Misao wrung her hands, still worried. "I will, Sasami. I hope you feel 

 better."

 

         "I think all I need is some sleep and I'll be back to normal," Sasami

 said.  She waved to Misao and headed downstairs to the door. Sasami sighed deeply 

 after she got outside. She squinted as her eyes adjusted to the sun light. 

 She wanted to go back in, to see Misao again, but she needed to get some 

 sleep.  She tried to ignore all the thoughts invading her sleep hazy mind.

 After what seemed an eternity, Sasami reached the house she shared with her 

 mother and brother.  She stumbled up the stairs to her room. Ryo-ohki looked up in surprise when 

 Sasami collapsed on the bed.

 

         "Sasami? You're okay?" Ryo-ohki hopped over to her side happily.

 "I was so worried about you!"

 

         "Thanks," Sasami mumbled, her eyes half closed.

 

         "Where were you? I saw Pixie Misa take off with you, but I couldn't catch 

 up in time. How did you escape?"

 

         Sasami yawned and tried to make out what Ryo-ohki had said. "Oh, no. I was

 fine. Misa wouldn't have hurt me. She saved me." She lazily unbuttoned her 

 shirt and threw it to the side, trying to pull the blankets up around her.

 

         "She saved you?" Ryo-ohki asked incredulously. Sasami just nodded and

 rolled over. "Sasami…" Ryo-ohki nudged the blue haired girl after

 waiting for an answer.

 

         "I'm sorry, Ryo-ohki, but I'm tired and I'm confused. I need some sleep 

 after all this. We can talk later, okay?" Sasami smiled tiredly at the 

 cabbit, trying to keep her eyes open.

 

         Ryo-ohki sighed. "Sure. You deserve some sleep after all those LuvLuv 

 monsters you stopped. Goodnight, Sasami." Ryo-ohki waited for a reply, but 

 Sasami was already asleep.

 

 ***

 

         Sasami yawned and stretched as she woke up. She felt a lot better after the 

 non-stop fighting she'd dealt with over the past couple days. It was dark 

 outside now. She had a hard time remembering what had been a dream and what 

 was real. One thing stood out above all else, Misao. Her mind centered on 

 the thoughts of her dark haired friend. Misao smiled at her in her mind's 

 eye. Suddenly, the image shifted, the dark hair was now blonde. The 

 beautiful aqua eyes were now pink. Sasami let out a silent sigh, remembering 

 that her best friend was her worst enemy. But was she? She had saved her 

 life. Maybe it showed just how deep their feeling were for each other, 

 strong enough to get past the magic that cause Misao to be Pixy Misa.

 

         The blue haired girl blushed deeply. What was she thinking? Her heart beat 

 had quickened while thinking of Misao. Just what was happening to her?

         

 Stretching as she stood up, Sasami hopped off her bed. She glanced around 

 for Ryo-ohki, but the cabbit was nowhere to be seen. She shrugged her bare 

 shoulders and padded across the floor to her dresser. Pulling on her 

 pajama's, she couldn't help but feel a stab of worry for her friend. Was she 

 alright? What would happen to her now that she betrayed that strange lady 

 she'd been working for? Sasami bolted upright and grabbed for her phone. She 

 pushed the speed dial button and paced nervously as she waited for an 

 answer.

 

         "Hello?" a gentle voice answered.

 

         Sasami smiled at the sound of Misao's voice. The other girl had always been 

 her very dear, best friend. She felt so relieved to know that she was okay.

 

         "Hello?" Misao repeated.

 

         "Oh! Hi, Misao," Sasami said quickly. She leaned down, picking up her

 discarded blouse.

 

         "Sasami? How are you? I was worried about you…" Misao said softly.

         Sasami fell back on her bed, a blush on her cheeks and a smile on her lips. 

 

         "Thanks, Misao. I'm just fine. Actually, I was worried about you."

 

         "Me?" the purple haired girl asked in surprise.

 

         Sasami giggled. "Yeah. Don't worry about it. I'd protect you if anything 

 happened, anyway," she said, her voice suddenly sounding serious. She 

 promised to herself she wouldn't let anything happen to her friend. If she 

 wasn't Pretty Sammy, then her friend wouldn't be in such danger. Misao never 

 would've been used as Pixy Misa. She owed it to her friend to watch out for 

 her. And she couldn't live with herself if anything happened to Misao.

         "Thank you, Sasami," Misao said after a short pause. "I really

 hope you're doing better."

 

         "Yeah, I am. I got some sleep after I got home. I feel a lot better,"

 Sasami replied.

 

         "That's great. You were acting kind of strange," Misao said

 concernedly.

 

         Sasami sat up on the bed, crossing her legs. "Strange?" she asked 

 worriedly. 'Am I acting strange around her? Did she notice I was?'

 

         "I think you were probably just tired," Misao said thoughtfully.

 

         "Yeah, that was it," Sasami agreed hurriedly. 'That was all it was,

 right?'

 

         "I'm sorry, Sasami. I have to go,"  the blue haired girl could hear

 the regret in Misao's voice.

        

         "That's okay. I'll see you tomorrow, Misao. Maybe we can go someplace

 after school," Sasami said hopefully.

 

         "I'd like that," Misao answered happily.

 

         "It's a date, then," Sasami heard herself say. She blushed as soon as

 the words were out of her mouth.

 

         "Sure. Bye, Sasami!" Misao said, seeming not to notice her friend's

 odd behavior.

 

         "Sleep well, Misao," the blue haired girl said reluctantly. "I

 love you," she added as an afterthought.

 

         "What?"

 

         "Nothing! Nothing! Umm… Goodnight, Misao!" Sasami hung up the phone

 quickly before she could say anything else. After a glance at the phone, she tossed 

 it to the side as if it were diseased. "What's going on?" she said

 aloud.

 

         The next day....

 

         "Sure you can ask me anything Sasami."

 

         "Thank you Mihoshi.  What do you do when you love someone but you aren't 

 sure if they love you in the same way?"

 	

 	"Love?  Oh!  I'm SO happy for you Sasami!  Who is it?  Has he said anything 

 to you?  Have you two gone out on a date yet?"

 

 	"I'd rather not say who it is now and not for the other two.  Would you please 

 answer my question."

 

 	"What question was that?"

 

 	"What do you do when you love someone but you aren't sure if they love you 

 in the same way?"

 

 	"Oh.  Well I'm not." Mihoshi stopped in midsentence when she heard the door 

 knob turn and the door start to open.  Reflex had taken over when she reached for 

 her gun and had it armed and ready, aimed for the spot right beside the door.  

 "FREEZE!"  Ever since her and Kiyone had been robbed while they were sleeping, 

 she has been training hard and improving her senses.

 

 	"Mihoshi, it's me, Kiyone.  Now put the gun down."

 

 	"Sorry Kiyone.  Did you have any luck?"

 

 	"No.  Neither I nor the police have been able to find anything.  I honestly don't 

 think that we'll see any of that stuff agian."

 

 	"At least none of our stuff for the store was stolen."  Mihoshi then returned 

 her attention back to Sasami.  "As I was saying, I'm not sure what to do.  I would 

 tell that person how I felt and then do something special for them."

 

 	"What are you guys talking about?" inquired Kiyone.

 

 	"Little Sasami here is in love.  She wants to know what to do so she came here 

 to ask for advice.  Do you have any Kiyone?"

 

 	"Sasami all I, or anyone else for that matter, can tell you is to do what your 

 heart tells you to do.  The only other thing we can do is give you ideas."

 

 	"Thank you Mihoshi.  Thank you Kiyone.  I'll tell you how it turns out."  With 

 that Sasami left.  Still as confused about her situation as ever.

 

 	As she walked down the street she heard a load explosion to her left.  She ran 

 as fast as she could to the next cross section and looked to her left.  There were 

 flames and smoke everywhere.

 

 	Sasami looked around her and saw that no one was around.  "Pretty Mutation 

 Magical Recall!"  A bright flash of light engulfed Sasami and out came Pretty 

 Sammy.

 

 	At the scene of the explosion....

 

 	"Where the hell is Pretty Sammy!" Ramia shouted.

 

 	"What do you want, Ramia?"

 

 	"Ah, Pretty Sammy.  I want you to DIE!"

 

 	Sasami sweatdropped. She really didn’t need this, especially not now. She was 

 having enough trouble with her love life to worry about a maniacal magical person 

 trying to kill her. “Is there anyway we could possibly do this some other time?” the 

 blue haired girl asked pleadingly. 

 

 	Ramia furrowed her brow angrily. “How dare you mock me, Pretty Sammy. 

 For that I’ll have to make sure your death is drawn out. And very painful.”

 

 	The magical girl sighed. Things just never could be easy for her, could they? 

 Pulling her wand up in front of her, she prepared for the attack. A flash of light 

 appeared in Ramia’s hand, quickly hurtling her way. The blue haired magical girl 

 raised her wand in the air. “Pretty Coquettish Bomber!!” Energy surrounded 

 Sasami as she used her strongest attack, trying to force her concentration on this 

 rather than a certain dark haired girl that had been the focus of her thoughts as of 

 late. The attack flew straight at the red headed woman. Sasami smiled 

 triumphantly, but the victory was short lived. Sasami’s smile faded away as she 

 saw her attack rather than hit the magical woman, head right through her. Her 

 mind reeled with the implication. “And illusion?”  Sasami whirled around, her 

 eyes wide in horror, but it was too late.

 

 “Die.” Ramia grinned, energy lashing out at the bane of her existence. She would 

 finally get what she wanted, the end of Pretty Sammy.

 

 Sasami stood trapped like a deer in headlights, the energy seeming to move in slow 

 motion towards her. She closed her eyes tightly, her arms going in front of her in 

 reflex. She knew it would do her no good, but she also knew there was nothing she 

 could do. Before the blast could hit, two arms wrapped around her waist and leapt 

 off with her. The energy hit right were Sasami had been standing. Her eyes slowly 

 opened when she realized she was still alive. She took a deep breath, her hands 

 going across her body, making sure she was okay. Looking up to her rescuer, she 

 was shocked by the sight. The girl was slightly taller than her, long feathery 

 blonde hair falling to around her shoulders. Sasami could feel some of the dark 

 purple, almost black leather of the girl’s costume against her. The girl’s hands 

 were still around her waist, holding her close. The background seemed to fade 

 away for Sasami, everything gone except this beautiful girl that rescued her. 

 ‘Misao and Pixy Misa are the same person. She must really care about me, too, 

 then.’ The thought that Misao  had come to her rescue in a sense sent a tingle up 

 and down Sasami’s spine. Before she knew what she was doing, the blue haired 

 magical girl leaned forward, her soft lips brushing against her rescuers. That 

 moment, those soft lips against her own, the whole moment felt truly wonderful. It 

 was more magical than anything magic she’d done as Pretty Sammy. 

 

 Pixy Misa’s eyes went wide as saucers as she felt Pretty Sammy kiss her. She froze, 

 unsure of what to do for once in her life as Misao’s other personality. Her hands 

 tensed against Sammy’s sides, but that just spurred the blue haired girl on, making 

 her kiss the blonde deeper. Misa’s eyes started to fall closed, not knowing how to 

 stop what was happening. Not wanting to. Misa barely shook herself from her 

 trance in time to drag Sasami out of the way of another attack. The blonde feigned 

 anger as she turned to the blue haired girl, too confused by what had happened to 

 actually deal with it right now. “What are you trying to do, Sammy? Get us killed? 

 You want to kiss, you wait till we’re not about to die. That does put a damper on 

 my plans for the day, you know.” 

 

 Sasami looked down, blushing profusely. What had she just done? Why? She just 

 hadn’t been able to help herself. It had felt so good, so right. Even if this was her 

 former rival, she was just as much in love with her as Misao. They were the same 

 person, even if she did act differently as them. “Sorry…” she said sadly, barely in a 

 whisper.

 

 The blonde grinned reassuringly. “Worry about it later, Sammy. And if we do 

 make it out of this alive, maybe I’ll let you try again.” She winked, drawing a 

 blush from the blue haired girl. She laughed as she looked around for Ramia. She 

 always did enjoy teasing the other magical girl. As long as she didn’t have to 

 worry about the implications of the kiss. It wasn’t half bad. Kinda good, actually.. 

 Misa’s mind started to wander back to it before she spotted her former master. 

 “Pixy Sexy Fire!!” She yelled, the blast flying towards Ramia. 

 

 Ramia faded out of the way just in time. Reappearing further off, she scowled. 

 “You traitor! I’ll kill you as well.” After a moment, she added, “The next time we 

 meet.” She turned around, fading away again. 

 

 

 The two magical girls stood in silence for a long moment. Now that the battle was 

 over and done with, Sammy’s little kiss earlier came to the surface in both of their 

 thoughts. Pretty Sammy turned to Pixy Misa, hoping to find out what the blonde 

 girl thought of it. But Misa had a trump card to play. Besides, this wasn’t her 

 problem. She was the happy outgoing one. She’d let her other side deal with it, 

 even if she wouldn’t remember. Dipping backwards, the leather clad magical girl 

 fainted. 

 

 Shifting back to normal from Pretty Sammy, Sasami sighed miserably. It figured 

 that it would turn out like this. Things never could be easy, could they? Of course, 

 Tsunami wouldn’t have chosen her as the earth’s champion if she didn’t believe in 

 her. But then again, this scenario probably wasn’t something she’d been chosen 

 for. “Misao-chan? Misao-chan, are you alright?” Sasami asked, shaking her friend 

 softly. 

 

 “Hmm?” Misao blinked her aquamarine eyes tiredly, trying to focus. It took her a 

 moment before she could make out Sasami’s worried face looking down at her. 

 “Sasami-chan? Owww….” She held her head as she tried to sit up but Sasami 

 pushed her back down. 

 

 “Wait until you feel better first. I don’t want you to hurt any more than you already 

 do. I know how sick you can get.” Sasami bit her lip as she watched her dark 

 haired best friend lying on the floor with a pained look on her face. She really 

 wished there was something she could do about Misao’s poor health. They had 

 first met when Sasami had helped her get to the nurse’s office. Even after all this 

 time, it still scared her to see the poor girl wracked with pain like that. 

 

 “I love you, too.”

 

 “What?” Was her mind playing tricks on her? She had just heard Misao mutter 

 something, right? She really needed more sleep after all of the running around 

 she’d been doing lately. All this stress really wasn’t good for her. She was likely to 

 crack soon at this rate. “Did you say something?”

 

 Misao shook her head quickly, rolling onto her side. A scarlet blush colored her 

 pale cheeks as she looked off. “No, I didn’t say anything, Sasami-chan. I didn’t say 

 anything at all.” The nervous butterflies feeling in her stomach was so bad that she 

 thought she was going to be sick. She closed her eyes as the setting sun started to 

 hurt them. She wished that Sasami would just take her home soon so everything 

 could go back to the depressing way of things. Then she wouldn’t have to worry 

 about these things at the very least and that sick feeling would go away. Her eyes 

 fluttered open as a pair of arms encircled her waist and helped prop her up. Pretty 

 pink eyes and cute freckles along with a little light blue at the corners of her vision 

 greeted her. Her blush grew deeper as Sasami looked deeply at her. ‘She smells 

 wonderful. I feel so warm and safe in her arms. I always do. I wish she’d never let 

 go.’ Internally pushing those thoughts away, she continued thinking to herself. ‘I 

 hope she does let go soon. Otherwise I don’t think I’ll be able to pretend 

 everything’s the way it used to be. I don’t know if I could handle anymore 

 changes.’

 

 Sasami noticed Misao stiffening up in her grasp after a moment. ‘Why’s she so 

 nervous all of a sudden? She was starting to relax just a moment ago. Am I scaring 

 her?’ Shaking her head, Sasami never took her eyes away from Misao’s big, 

 frightened aquamarine ones. Her soft body barely moved, feeling like a scared little 

 animal in her arms. Misao’s breathing was very slow, as if she was trying to not 

 bring any attention to herself. ‘If I heard right, she must be scared about the whole 

 thing. She’s always been kinda sad. And with how things are, this could risk 

 losing her best friend and what we already have. I’m not risking much because I 

 know she’ll understand. I know she’ll stay my friend. I know… So why am I so 

 worried?’ the blue haired girl thought to herself. “Misao-chan?” One hand went 

 higher up Misao’s back as she brought her into a better sitting position. 

 

 Misao swallowed nervously and nodded in acknowledgement. “Hai, Sasami-

 chan?”

 

 Licking her dry lips, Sasami tried to voice what was in her heart. “Misao-chan, 

 you’re my very best friend. You’ve always been there for me and I can’t remember 

 ever being happier than when I’m with you. I don’t want to fight against you 

 because I care too much about you. You’re very important to me. I just want to be 

 with you always. Misao-chan, I love you.”

 

 Misao’s cheeks went a deep shade of crimson as words caught in her throat. She 

 was always so lonely, a scared little girl alone in the dark. But Sasami always filled 

 up that darkness for her. She took away that deep loneliness. She was the only real 

 important thing in her life. She was her reason to keep going, her reason to hope 

 when all seemed lost, her reason to look toward tomorrow when her mother wasn’t 

 going to be home and she had cram school to get to. But all that came out was a 

 meek, “I love you, too.” That was enough. 

 

 Sasami’s face lit up as she hugged Misao tightly. “Oh, Misao-chan!” A warm 

 feeling quickly surpassed any nervous ones that had been inside her as the girl in 

 her arms began to hug her back. All of her unfounded worries and the torment this 

 had caused her all melted away in the beautiful dark haired girls hands. She felt 

 Misao bury her head against the crook of her neck, an altogether pleasant 

 sensation. She held her close, still on her knees.

 

 Close to tears, Misao clutched onto Sasami like a life preserver in the choppy 

 waters of her life. But now she could feel some of her faith returning. Things 

 would work out. Because no matter what happened, she’d be with Sasami. 

 Whatever else got thrown in her way wouldn’t matter as long as she could be in 

 her arms. “Thank you so much, Sasami-chan. I never thought..”

 

 Sasami cut her off with a soft kiss, her eyes closed as she relished the soft feel of 

 Misao’s lips against her own. The dark haired girl just sat there shocked for a 

 moment, Sasami’s cheeks reddening in embarrassment. 

 

 No longer able to form coherent thought and drowning in a sea of emotion, Misao 

 returned the kiss. Yes, everything would be alright from now on. ‘Just never let me 

 go. Never set me free from you.’