I'm not sure how many of you know Rin's story thus far on the rp, but in a nut shell. Rin was Etoile, but she held the position by herself because her partner had died. I began the rp with her at that point, a womanizing Shizuma clone. She was so depressed that she covered up her pain by becoming a womanizer and also by forcing herself to block out her lost girlfriend's name and forget her. Of course...how could she? Eventually she remembered her and went through quite the ordeal to get over her and fall in love with her new room mate Rachel. That summer however, after falling in love, Rachel disappeared, transferring out of the school due to illness and Rin never saw her again. Rin's character then, from successful student to teacher to assistant chancellor has been lonely and I think by now she's too old to be involved in the school-girl romances around which the rp is centered. So I decided to go back and write out the year before I started rping her here on the forum. I really hope that while you read this, when Rin falls in love, you fall in love, and when Rin falls apart, I'm hoping you fall apart too! -Not to be mean, I just hope the story is that good, enjoy!!
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Chapter one:

There was something different about today, something wonderful. Rin's first day as a fifth year Miator student. Somehow, she was especially excited to be inside the pale green walls of Miator's dormitory. There was no real reason she should feel excited. Ever since she had started school there five years earlier, her parents had all but abandoned her. So she lived in her dorm every year, all summer long, never leaving the campus.Since her parents had never been particularly endearing and had seemingly forgotten her, she forgot them too and focused on her studies, becoming a prized pupil; today though, she didn't particularly care about any of that, she was simply in a very good mood.

She pulled on her new uniform, now a tiny bit larger in size to accommodate for the sudden growth of her bust and the lengthening of her legs. Then finished curling her long, silver-grey hair before pulling it up in a pony tail. She wasn't really trying to look like the legendary Shizuma, but the resemblance was remarkable this year. She smoothed the green of her tie over her bust with a thumb and forefinger, smiling at her reflection as it smiled back at her. She turned this way and that, watching the white lace ruffles of the underskirt twirling about her creamy, flawless legs. Satisfied, she slipped on a pair of plain black flats and made her way out of the dorm.

Her first class was study hall, a stern looking nun with hard blue-grey eyes gazed disapprovingly over her class.

"Welcome to your first day as fifth year students. You'll all do well to begin by memorizing the new..."

Rin stopped listening. The nun's habbot looked too tight around her neck and a bit scratchy, Rin noted this as the probable reason for her bad mood and turned her gaze to the window, there she found something much more pleasant to look upon. A single rebellious rose stuck out from the bush waving at her from the outside. It wasn't fully blossomed, but it's pink petals faded to a sweet ruby at the tips as they hugged each other in the early autumn air. Clouds drifted lazily across the vibrant blue sky, it was so beautiful, Rin wished she was out there, enjoying the cool breeze.

"Kanoa-san!" Shouted the nun, making Rin jump as she slammed her book down on her desk and took up a ruler with such fury, Rin thought it might be a weapon. "Pay attention!!"

A girl with pretty red-brown hair shot up from her seat near the front of the room and bowed low from the waist.

"Gomenasai Sensei-sama. It won't happen again." Said the girl.

Rin tried to hide her blush, she deserved the same scolding. Even though it wasn't directed at her, he still felt it's bite, perhaps moreso with the side of guilt that teased her as she watched the nun's face turn purple with repressed rage.

"Perhaps some time in detention will teach you not to let your thoughts wander." snapped the woman.

"Yes ma'am." answered the girl, looking embarrassed and lowering her gaze to the floor. Rin felt bad for her, her first day back to school and she was already in trouble? The nun slapped her ruler so hard against the desk, Rin thought it might shatter.

"NOW Kanoa-san, MARCH!" She thrust her finger toward the door as if it were a sword slaying a beast.

The guilt Rin felt was unbearable, she hadn't gotten the girl in trouble, but she knew she deserved the same humiliation; she should be going to detention too. In fact, any other day she'd have pretended she'd done nothing wrong and let this girl take the fall alone. Instead, she suddenly stood, shooting up so quickly she overturned her desk and chair at once.

"Minigawa-san! What is the meaning of this?!" Shouted the nun incredulously.

"There was..."She trailed off from the nun's enraged stare, a new set of eyes stealing her breath. Round green eyes gaped at her, they reminded her of the bright, almost florescent green of grape vines. The girl's mouth hung open in astonishment. Rin was no outcast, she was very well known for her beauty, grace, poise and flawless lady-like composure, so as the rest of the class stared at her, she could feel them judging her.

"...a spider." she finished half-halfheartedly. The girls nearby started whispering.

"Detention." answered the Sister, "I will not tolerate such outbursts, even from you."

It was clear the nun hadn't bought her lie. Even so, she nodded and bowed, then sat up her desk and chair before silently following Kanoa-san out of the room. The Sister's eyes bore into their backs until the door shut behind them like a protective barrier.

They walked in silence for a few moments with Kanoa-san in the lead. Rin was trailing behind her when the girl's shoulder's began shaking. Rin thought she must be crying, stricken with the thought of punishment on her very first day. Rin reached out to touch her but hesitated when he girl let out a loud snort. It was then Rin realized, the girl was laughing, she was clutching her sides as hard as she could in an effort to keep quiet. The silverette couldn't tell if the girl was in pain or just holding her breath after that. Finally though, Kanoa-san could hold it in no longer; she laughed. it was a happy beautiful sound that echoed down the solemn halls and off the walls bouncing around them like a gleeful spirit.

"Why did you do that?" asked the brunette, stealing a glance at Rin who had stopped in her tracks long ago in surprise. "A spider?" giggled the girl, "Did you really want detention that bad?"

Rin blushed, should she tell the girl about the real reason for her outburst?

"I..." she started, "didn't want you to go alone?" It came out like a question, it felt strange that the words were true, she expected to hear herself lie instead. "I was daydreaming too. It wouldn't have been fair."

The other girl's laughter turned into a thoughtful smile.

"Well thank you, I really wasn't looking forward to spending the next hour alone in the dungeon." The dungeon was exactly what it sounded like, the detention room was a series of small jail cells containing only a desk, a lamp, a hard wooden chair and a bible. There, the girls were expected to pray for forgiveness and contemplate the error of their ways in total silence while being watched over by the resident Sister. "Lucky for us though that Sister was so angry, she forgot to send us with an escort." The girl's eyes glimmered mischievously.

"You're welcome," answered Rin, looking at the girl with uncertainty.

"What was your name again?"Asked Kanoa-San. Rin wasn't sure when they had started walking again, but she suddenly realized the girl was walking closely beside her. "Minigawa-san, right?"

"Hai," answered Rin, surprised at herself for immediately remembering the other girl's name. Kanoa-san.

"It's nice to meet you, I'm Kanoa, Chibiru."

Chibiru? What a cute name, Rin thought.

"Minigawa, Rin." replied the silverette, feeling self conscious under Kanoa-san's playful gaze. Somehow the girl managed to look strong and fragile at the same time. Rin wanted to wrap her up entirely in her arms and protect her from the whole world, even though the girl didn't seem to need such a noble gesture.

"Your first name is Rin? That's my grandmother's name. It's pretty." Before Rin could thank her for the compliment, Kanoa-san quickened her pace and took her hand, "Come with me."

******
It seemed the brunette had no intention of going to the dungeon. Instead, she led Rin outside, the crisp fall air felt fresh and wonderful on her skin and in her lungs. She took in a deep breath and enjoyed the warm feeling of excitement in her belly. Here she was, breaking all the rules for the happiness of a complete stranger. Regardless, she followed the girl to the green house. Inside, it was warm and humid, but not uncomfortable. Kanoa-san took a seat at a table in the back behind a row of hyacinths and beamed. Rin hung back, unsure of what to do, she hadn't really been much of a rule breaker until now.

"Don't be shy, come on, have a seat." smiled the brunette. The taller girl slowly sank into the chair opposite her. "What?" pouted Kanoa-san, "Don't tell me you'd rather be sitting in the dungeon reading Psalms."

Rin managed a smile, "I'm just not used to rule-breaking."

"Really? You could have fooled me." Rin felt herself blushing, unable to tell if there was sarcasm in her companion's voice. "I'm sorry," she continued, "I shouldn't make fun. You saved me after all, so I'm returning the favor."

"The consequences could be serious if we are discovered..."Rin said the words, but she couldn't bring herself to care if they were found or not. Kanoa-san shot her another grin and stretched. she spread her fingers and extended her arms across the table in a way that reminded Rin of a cat and then folded her arms and rested her chin on the heel of her palms with her eyes closed. A silence fell between them and Rin felt herself begin to fidget.

"Relax will you?" said the brunette, peeking at Rin with one of those bright green eyes. "Listen, can't you hear it? It's life."

Rin closed her eyes and tried to relax like Kanoa-san. She let in the sounds, the chirping birds, water dripping from a hose into a bucket of water. After a moment, she could almost hear the greenhouse breathing around them, the flowers sighing happily and the warm air dancing in its stillness.

****

"Minigawa-san! Minigawa-san wake up!" Kanoa-san shook her, glancing urgently toward the door. Rin shook her head, she fell asleep? How long had they been out here? With a groan she looked toward the door where a nun approached wearing a yellow sun hat with a blue ribbon, garden gloves, and floral apron. Kanoa-san took her hand again and pulled her down behind the adjacent row of poppies. The nun came inside, grunting in relief as she sat down a presumably heavy bucket on the ground near the hose. Rin felt a vanilla-scented hand close over her mouth and looked at her companion with wide eyes. She answered her by putting a finger over her lips and giving Rin a look. The silverette realized she must have been breathing too loudly. When the nun's back was turned, she felt herself quickly towed toward the door. They paused behind some gardenias before Kanoa-san bolted for the exit and flung open the door, waving wildly for Rin to follow. "Run!" She whisper-yelled at her.

Rin's heart was pounding hard as she took off out of the greenhouse like a frightened doe, skirt whipping about her knees. Kanoa-san kept pace with her and somewhere behind them the nun was shouting. Soon she realized the brunette beside her was laughing again, and Rin couldn't help laughing too, she suddenly felt so free. The two didn't stop running until they were at the doors of the Academy. Kanoa-san bent over gasping through her grin. Rin did the same, trying to catch her breath and noted the way the girl's eyes sparkled in the sun.

"What time is it?" breathed Rin. Kanoa-san checked her watch, raising her arm and tilting back her hand to gaze a the tiny face.

"Almost noon."

Rin closed her eyes unhappily and suppressed a groan of despair, she'd missed second and third period; the lunch bell would ring soon. Her companion giggled, "We fell asleep, if it weren't for me, we'd have been caught."

Rin nodded, she just hoped the nun hadn't recognized them as they ran away. The lunch bell suddenly bean to ring.

"I have somewhere to be," said Kanoa-san over the chimes, "See you tomorrow?"

Rin nodded again, smiling, even as she felt something in her heart suddenly drop at the thought of being alone, or was it the thought of not having Kanoa-san's company? She watched the brunette disappear into the crowd as students poured out of the building.

***
That night Rin found she couldn't keep Kanoa-san's smiling face from her mind. "See you tomorrow?" She could still hear her voice, her face winking in her thoughts like butterfly wings. She hoped the girl might be thinking of her too.

The next morning began with a loud knock at her dorm. It turned out that her adventure to the greenhouse with her classmate hadn't gone unnoticed. She was immediately told to dress and then taken to the dungeon without breakfast.

----posting this just to save my place, will post more tomorrow. <33

Forgive the many spelling errors in the last post. I know how to spell, really! But consider that an unedited second draft. I might fix it someday....or not lol..now where were we?

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She followed the sister, doing her best to look glum, especially when she saw Kanoa-San looking very serious as she scanned through a copy of the King James Bible behind the bars of her cell. Rin stepped into her own cell and looked at the ground as she heard her escort leave. They were not alone, another nun sat reading a bible as well, a pair of reading glasses shining over eyes riddled with crows feet.

Kanoa-San seemed especially fixed on the book. Rin felt a bit hurt that the girl didn't even look up. So instead she took a seat and opened her own copy. Of course, the text was in English. Rin could read it, but she stared at the foreign letters and found she couldn't concentrate. She kept stealing glances at the other girl hoping to catch her eye and maybe a glimpse of that amazing grin, but it was useless. Two hours of detention dragged on without so much as a glance. The silverette couldn't keep the disappointment out of her face when they were released to class.

Kanoa-San still didn't greet her, or even look at her. Was she angry? Maybe blaming her for the fact they had gotten in trouble anyway? The rest of her day was ruined with her mood after that. She couldn't decide which was worse, Kanoa-San being angry at her, or being ignored by her. She returned to her dorm that night feeling depressed and annoyed. Kanoa-San had no right to be mad at her, after all it was her idea to skip detention yesterday. She plopped down on her bed and gripped her pillow, forcefully hugging it and letting herself fume.

Rin was glad to have the room to herself just then. Normally there were two students to every dorm, and since Rin had never left school grounds, this dorm was like her home, it was common for her to have the room to herself for the first few days of a school until a new roommate was assigned. It was for this same reason her dorm was one of the very few with a lock.

As she glared over her pillow, her forest green orbs fell upon a round ruffled pastel pink pillow on the opposite bed. Forms came only with a single white pillow, so the object was completely alien. She must have a room mate after all. She confirmed this by noting the presumably unpacked suitcases neatly pushed under the bed and the books stacked on the desk. As if on cue, her doorknob made a sound; someone was fumbling with the lock. A lock that proved a worthy adversary for her would-be room mate, the fumbling continued for some time before the lock finally gave and let the girl in.

A figure in a white nightgown entered, wet red-Brown hair trailing down her back. Rin's eyes widened and the grip on her pillow loosened.

"Kanoa-San?"

The girl dropped her key at the sight Of Rin gaping at her from the bed. She immediately composed herself.


"Hey roomie." She greeted. Run couldn't decide if she should feel angry or not. It was as if the girl didn't know how unhappy Rin had been all day because of her.

"Hello." Rin sounded far more annoyed than she really felt. Kanoa-San's face crumpled and turned red as she hid her face under wet bangs. Was she going to cry? The silverette felt her anger melting and a pit grew in her stomach. "Er Kanoa-San,I.."

"I'm sorry," she looked up, suddenly smiling at Rin, "about this morning. I Was just really distracted. You...you smelled nice."

Again Rin was caught off guard by the girls mood swings.

"Thank you." Was all Rin could manage, at a loss as to how she should feel. Then it occurred to her the girl had just come from the bath house, the scent of honey and vanilla filled the room, lingering on the girl's hair and skin. The scent was intoxicating.


=====sorry! More to come later!===

Shorter hairs still clinging to her cheeks, the almost transparent fabric of her night gown that allowed Rin to make out the girls striped panties underneath.


"I like I your shampoo," Rin offered, feeling guilty for eyeing the girls underwear, "it smells nice as well."

The girl smiled and finally approached her own bed. "Want to come with me to the bathhouse tomorrow? You can use some If you want."

Rin nodded, flushing with excitement.it would be the first time they would really get to spend time together as friends.

Kanoa-San smiled back looking sleepy.

"It's a date."

Rin chuckled at that, secretly accepting the word date as exactly that. The two girls smiled at each other as the stars sparked outside. The silver haired girl turned off her lamp, the darkness that filled the room after was short-lived as their eyes adjusted to the moonlight that cast rectangles of blue across Kanoa-San's bed. She changed into her own night gown, identical to Kanoa-San's since they were school issue. They were old fashioned, with ruffles around the ankles and wrists, three silky buttons coming down from a high neckline. Barefoot, she curled under her blanket and purposefully turned away from her new roommate, feeling silly for having been so upset with her.

"Minigawa-San?" Asked the girl from the other bed. Rin suddenly thought her last name sounded too..formal.

"You can call me Rin if you like." She said into the dark. Kanoa-San paused.

"Rin-kun?"

Rin felt her pulse race as the endearing suffix attached to her name.Did it mean she considered Rin a friend, maybe even more?

"Mn," was all Rin could manage in reply.

"Then you can call me Chibiru-Chan." Rin could hear the nervousness in her roommates voice. Could it be maybe she had feelings for her somehow?

"Hai...Chibiru-Chan." Rin felt as warmth in her chest calling her that. Though she told herself the girl meant it as a show of friendship nothing more, even if she didn't believe it.

"Ano....goodnight.."

It sounded like the girl had more to say, but thought better of it.

"Goodnight," Rin replied.


***

The next day went by as usual,a nun knocking on the door at seven am, the girls attended breakfast with the rest of the school at eight am sharp, then first period with Chibiru at nine, two more classes with lunch at noon, more class until five pm when everyone was released to supper. Six o clock the gates leading off campus were locked and the night was theirs until curfew at seven for first and second years, eight for third and fourth years, and nine pm for fifth and sixth years. By then, the girls were to be in their dorms, lights out.

Rin was excited to be getting to stay up, it was only Wednesday and Astraea hill had six days of school with early Sunday mass, staying up late was pretty out of the question till summer. Even so, she hadn't thought about the new curfew till now. She would be spending her new free time with Chibiru after all.

She clutched a green school issued towel to her chest as she walked with Chibiru to the bathhouse. Chibiru smiled holding her basket of bath supplies.

"I think our first period Sister is going to have a heart attack, did you see how red her face was when Sakura-San asked for a sanitary napkin? I really thought her head was going to explode!" Chibiru laughed.

Rin smiled, and felt her fingers tense around the towel as she suddenly imagined holding Chibiru's hand. "I think she wishes to cause our heads to explode, the woman seems to find us all incompetents."

Chibiru's humor faded with Rin's serious answer. Rin wasn't good at jokes. Still she shook her head, smiling, and changed the subject. "I have another adventure planned for us Rin-kun."

Rin felt her pulse quicken and something flutter in her stomach. Something she planned just for them? She must like her, why else would she do such a thing? Still Rin was too nervous to confront the girl and see if her suspicions were true.

"Oh?" Rin tried not to look excited.

"It's a surprise." She said mischievously.

The silverette couldn't help grinning, she was beginning to enjoy this aspect of Chibiru.

Inside the bathhouse was warm and the Miator locker room was mostly empty. Many girls preferred to bathe in the morning before breakfast, there were few others there at night. The bathhouse was shared by all the schools, so inside, the goddess statues and fountains were admired by Miator's, Spican's, and Le Rim's alike.

Due to rivalry, girls of different schools tended to stay away from each other. Rin felt relaxed, the two left their uniforms behind in the locker room, along with the nightgowns they would be wearing on the way back.

Nude, they entered the main bath room, Rin still clutching her towel and Chibiru, her basket of supplies. She followed the brunette to the series of showers and short stools on the nearest wall.

"Want me to wash your back?" Chibiru offered, lifting a sponge shaped like a panda. Rin chuckled,

"With that?" She set her towel on a bench and turned on one of the showers.

Chibiru looked defeated,

"Hey, what's wrong with it?"

Rin smiled, "Nothing Chibi-Chan," she proceded to blush at that, shortening her roommates name to something even more endearing had been a complete accident.

Returning

The blush, Chibiru knelt behind Rin's stool as the silverette began to wash. The scent of Chibiru's honey soap was wonderful, even as the girl washed her back, Rin tried not to let her happiness show. It felt good, and was really relaxing, the little panda sponge peeked over her shoulder, sending suds down her chest. Rin took it, her hand stopping on top of Chibiru's as she did. They both paused, and Rin felt her heart fill with warmth.

"Would..Would you...?" Chibiru stammered behind her,

"Yes?" Rin answered, her heart feeling like a thousand horses racing at once.

"Um...wash my hair?" Answered the brunette, letting go of the sponge.

"Only if you wash mine," said Rin, feeling bold. She was almost sure of it, this amazing girl had a crush on her. She could almost feel the girl blushing as she pulled away and sat on the stool next to her, turning on her own shower.

So Rin obliged, kneeling behind the other girl and retrieving the bottle of milk and honey shampoo. It really smelled quite wonderful, even more so as she massaged it into those beautiful brunette locks.

The rest of the time in the shower seemed to blur, sure it was nothing but hair washing, but Rin had never felt so close to anyone. Now clean and rinsed, the girls headed for the bath, the huge steaming pool of bathwater promised a relaxing finish to their time in the bathhouse.

Chibi slid in to the water first, Rin couldn't tell if she was flushed from their moment just then or from the steam. The silverette joined her.

Like a fish, Chibiru slipped behind her and started braiding Rin's hair. "You shouldn't let it dangle on this mineral water like that, it will dry out your ends," she instructed, turning Rin's trailing locks into a neat braided bun. Without her usual curling routine, Rin's hair was board straight and reached well past her hips, so in the water it pooled around her like a silver web. Chibiru's hair was long, but only reached the small of her back, her bangs stringy on her forehead as she braided her own hair.

"Thank you," answered Rin, touching vhe braid with manicured fingers.

Chibi nodded, there was a moment of silence as the two sank in up to their chins, the water was so warm. She closed her eyes, she was so happy, tonight was so perfect. Then she remembered Chibiru's surprise for her.

"So what's this adventure of yours? Nothing that will put us in the dungeon again presumably?"

Chibiru smiled and met Rin's eyes with those sparkling shades of peridot.

"Well...we can go now if you're done soaking."

Rin liked to soak in the bath for long periods of time, but she was far too excited to put off Chibiru's plans.

"I don't mind," the silverette answered coolly.

Next thing she knew the two were leaving the bath, smelling like Chibiru's vanilla lotion, wet towels discarded in the locker room, uniforms carried by the hangers as they walked to the dorm in matching nightgowns and school issued slippers. Back inside, Rin felt a warm intimate feeling as she shut the door behind them. The dorm truly felt like home with Chibiru in it.

The brunette quickly put down her things and opened the window.

"Ne? What are you doing?"

Chibiru was climbing out the window. Rin checked the clock, it was already eight thirty. Really? It hadn't felt like they had been at the bathhouse for so long, but with only half an hour till curfew

She really didn't want to get in trouble again. They were on the first story, so Chibiru climbing out the window wasn't terribly a reason for concern, until her face peeked in the upper left corner, way too high for the girl to have been standing on the ground.

"You coming?"

It was dark, and the moon cast a glow through the chilly autumn night. Rin rushed to the window to see Chibiru was climbing the storm drain, her eyes grew wide and her lips parted, did Chibiru expect her to climb that? She'd break her neck! Ladies weren't meant to climb things!

" Mn," Rin nodded and against her better judgement climbed with Chibiru to the top of the four story building. She was releaved when they reached the top, happy that the slope of the roof was shallow enough for them to sit on without fear of sliding off.

Chibiru lay on her back while Rin hugged her knees, afraid to look down.

"This was your surprise? You weren't kidding when you said it was an adventure." Rin was out of breath from climbing and her arms ached.

Chibiru just grinned and pulled Rin's arm to make her lie down. "Hey what are you-!" Rin stopped mid sentence as she saw Chibiru's surprise. Above them, a million stars filled the sky upon a million more starts. A sheer gigatrillion sparkling masses show down upon them with the moon looking like some enormous pearl in a pool of diamonds. Rin had never seen anything so beautiful in all her years on Astraea Hill. The great black glimmering sky opened above them in to infinity, reaching out forever in every direction.

So many stars..."it's beautiful." Rin whispered.

Chibiru just sighed happily and took Rin's hand as they lay there. Rin felt her pulse racing again and she squeezed the other girls hand. She felt Chibiru hold her breath a moment under her touch. Then she suddenly felt eyes upon her, she looked over to see Chibiru looking at her with wide expectant eyes. Rin looked back and smiled tenderly, Chibiru smiled too and laughed nervously, breaking her gaze and looking back at the sky. Rin bit her lip and watched her for an extra moment before giving her hand another squeeze. This was the most perfect moment of her life.

Chapter Two!!

The knock on the door came at seven am as usual Thursday morning. Rin rolled over lazily to see Chibiru still sleeping quite soundly. She smiled, recalling the previous nights events. They had climbed back down and in the window, at what time Rin had no idea, they might have been up there for hours watching the sky.

She pulled herself up, catching a the scent of her own hair. It still smelled like honey from last night's bath. Rin tried not to blush as she relived that memory too. Something fluttered in her heart again and she put her hands over her chest as if to try and still the beating. She shook her head quietly smiling and walking to her mirror vanity. She plugged in her curling iron and got to work. Soon she resembled Shizuma all over again.

Chibiru had sat up rubbing her eyes just as Rin was finishing. She groaned and stretched, rubbing her face as if trying to wake up her skin too. Then she peeked through her fingers and noticed Rin. She smiled, so Rin smiled back. There was definitely some thing special between them now, but both were too nervous to say or do anything about it just then.

"You look cute when your hair is messy like that," Rin teased, noting the mess of hair on the back of Chibiru's head. Chibiru blushed and tried to straighten her messy hair with her fingers, her braid from the bath had come out during the night at some point.

"W-well you look cute when you do anything..." Chibiru answered half heartedly, her come back ending with a really honest compliment.

Rin took that as an invitation approaching Chibiru with warm eyes and meeting her gaze inches from her face, holding her hands. She gazed at her like a predator about to pounce, Chibiru was holding her breath again, watching Rin closely. Now it was Rin's turn to smile slyly. She suddenly licked the tip of Chibiru's nose and released her, backing away with a grin as Chibiru burst into giggles. Rin could now name that fluttering in her chest, but she didn't want to let herself fully embrace that feeling just yet.

The morning continued as usual, Rin put up her hair, they got dressed, went to breakfast, then study hall. Second period for Rin was French class, which was completely ordinary, then third period was ballroom dancing. There was nothing particularly interesting about this class either, until Chibiru appeared. She waved at Rin, pulling up her shoulders in a sheepish expression that told Rin she was the reason behind her sudden appearance.

"This is Kanoa, Chibiru, she has just transferred from fourth period dancing lessons to third. Please make her feel welcome." Said their dance instructor. She was a very thin woman, who spoke Japanese with a very odd French accent. Her hair looked young healthy,with thick brown curls that greatly contrasted her pale, thin face that was wrinkled like thin rice paper. Truly the woman looked like a white wrinkled sheet draped on a skeleton. But apparently she had once been a very well known ballerina.

The class bowed and welcomed Chibiru who then scurried up next to Rin in line. The class got started quickly as the girls took up partners, Rin's usual partner chose someone else after receiving a look from Chibiru that Rin couldn't see. The instructor began counting out the steps to a waltz as Rin took the male stance. One hand on Chibiru's waist, the other taking her hand. Her heart was racing again as they began to dance. Chibiru was looking at her with a mischievous grin.

"What did you do?" Asked Rin quietly.

Chibiru's peridot orbs sparkled.

"I wanted to take dance before lunch, it beats Japanese tea ceremony. That class makes me hungry."

Rin couldn't help thinking Chibiru had transferred just to be with her.

"How did you know I had dance third period?"

The brunette looked away sheepishly, "I didn't."

"Liar," Rin whispered teasingly. Chibiru smiled back and they danced for a few moments, listening to the instructors French version of Japanese counting.

"You're really good at this," whispered Chibiru, who then proceeded to step on Rin's foot.

"And you're not," smiled Rin; Chibiru giggled.

"Madamiselles Kanoa and Minigawa," said the instructor, appearing beside them like a ghost, "no talking. Unless you'd like to spend lunch hour cleaning the studio.

Rin and Chibiru stopped dancing and bowed,

"Oui Madame," they said together, giving the French 'yes ma'am' as expected.

They fell back in step with the others under close supervision of Madame. Even in silence, Rin felt like they were talking, trading jokes and secrets with just smiles and glances. Dancing with her was even better than taking with her however, they glided together like a single entity in perfect harmony.

When the lunch bell rang at noon the girls were relieved to be allowed to speak again.

They choose a short by the fountain to eat, Rin started in her cucumber sandwiches while Chibiru unwrapped a rice ball.

"I've never seen you around school, are you a transfer student?" Asked Rin. Chibiru smiled and have Rin a funny look.

"Been attending since I was twelve, you just never noticed me. Plus you're pretty much a celebrity, top of your class in every class. There was no way petty little average me could talk to you. You always looked really serious and intense anyway. Kind of unnaproachable and mysterious."

Rin stopped chewing and stared, was that why she didn't have any friends? She had never realized people thought of her like that, was she really that popular? She glanced around and sure enough, many other students were acting really strange. Some kept looking giddy and glancing at her, others whispered to each other squealing and pointing. And some glared with...Was that jealousy? Rin was suddenly uncomfortable, she straightened her already straight shoulders and changed the subject,

"So tell me about yourself." Rin said, eager to learn more about her first real friend.

"Well my dad is originally from Hawaii, he met my mom in Japan on business. They got married and had my sister, then me and then we moved back to Oahu. When my sister turned nineteen, she wanted too move back to Japan and start a life so my parents let me choose between coming with her and going to school at Miator or staying there and continuing public school."

Rin tried not to look disgusted, public schools were for underprivileged girls, or so she had been taught by her especially snobby, prude and relatively evil parents.

"So what made you choose Japan?"

Chibiru out her rice ball down and her shoulders dropped a little,

"Kids were...mean to me back in Hawaii, they called me names, pulled my hair and pushed me."

Rin was shocked, "why would they do that? Why didn't your sister do anything?"

Chibiru gave a weak smile, "I guess being half Japanese is a crime there. The names were mostly racial slurs and cruel things about my parents. My sister and I are seven years apart so we never went to the same school. I guess that's why she wanted to move back to Japan, to give me a way out since she couldn't be there to protect me."

Rin felt like her heart was breaking, how could anyone be so awful to someone like Chibiru? She secretly thanked Chibiru's sister for helping her get to Japan, somewhere as safe as Astraea Hill.

"So now I visit my sister in the summer, and sometimes our parents come to visit, but most of the time it's just me and her." Chibiru almost sighed out the words, relieved to be finished with her story. Rin set her lunch aside and took Chibiru's hand in both of hers. Her first green eyes met the brunettes with such conviction the other girl looked surprised.

"I promise you, as long as I'm around, you won't have to ever experienced anything like that ever again."

Chibiru smiled and brought her other hand up over Rin's. "Think you."

Rin smiled back, feeling silly for being so serious and then they both laughed. Rin felt that buzzing in her belly again, what a wonderful feeling it was.

The following day went on as usual, a normal Friday. Today the girls walked to lunch together. In the cafeteria, Rin list Chibiru to the line waiting for desserts while she made her way to the sandwiches. She chose a covered plate of her usual favorite, cucumber sandwiches and started toward an empty take when her heard something. She turned,

Almost in slow motion she watched a tall glass parfait sail through the air. Pretty white and red layers of thought and strawberries tipped with an ornately cut strawberry seemed to hang in mid air for a moment before it shattered in a delicious mess all over the floor.

"Watch it!" Screamed a tall girl with curly blonde hair. Rin set her past down and started to get a better look at the scene.

"I-I'm sorry," Chibiru stammered. Hearing her voice, Rin her her heart race and heart rising to her chest and she fought through the crowd of girls to get to Chibiru.

"Hey don't I know you? Yeah, you're that Hawaiian girl from snow class aren't you? You were my maid back in first year. The idiot."

Rin couldn't push fast enough, the girls were jostling about and Rin just wanted to shout. How dare someone talk to Chibiru that way!

"Now look the idiot strikes again, look at the mess you made. What a retard. I hope you have to pay for that. You're completely useless, you never do anything right. I actually thought you had gotten expelled, how could Miator let such a stupid girl go to school here."

Rin finally burst through the crowd, Chibiru was on the floor in front of the girl holding her face, surrounded by glass and yogurt. The blonde stood with her hands on her hips like a scolding mother.

"As is little Chibiru gonna cry? Look everyone the idiot's turning on the tears, she's so dramatic. What? Little baby want someone to save her?" The girl smiled cruelly as Chibiru unwillingly let out her first sob. Rin's fists clenched so hard it hurt but she didn't care.

"How dare you!" She accused marching up to Chibiru's side, dropping down to her friends side and holding her shoulders. She shot a glare at the blonde. "You should be ashamed. Aren't you Arisa, Kagami? Didn't you fail culinary class?"

The blonde girl looked stunned as recognition slid across her features. "Well no one can be as perfect as you Minigawa." Was the best she could do, she spat the words like an unhappy child.

"Don't you have something better to do?" She gave the girl such a hard look that she turned on her heel without another word and went away. Chibiru was shaking. Rin looked to the nearest student, a short first year who looked stunned and doe eyed.

"Please get a sister to help with this mess. I'll take Kanoa-San to the infirmary."

----

Out in the hall Chibiru was shaking so bad they had to stop walking. She sank to the ground against the wall crying. Rin could imagine her feeling so embarrassed and hurt. Rin knelt in front of her, ignoring the bits of parfait stuck to both their dresses. She pulled Chibiru close in a hug. What else could she do? She must promised her yesterday that this would never happen again, and it happened right in front of her.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," said Rin gently, petting Chibiru's hair, "everything okay now. She won't bother you again."

Now Rin was glad she was so respected and well known, she could use it to protect Chibiru. If no one messed with Rin, then Chibiru would be safe by association from now on. Who cares what rumors would start after today. Rin didn't care.

Chibiru started to whimper, maybe she was trying to talk but she was still too upset to do much more than gasp and moan. She didn't have to talk right now. She didn't have to explain it apologize or cry. Rin just wanted to help her. Something in her chest swelled and she didn't even realize what she was doing. Her body moved on its own as she called Chibiru's face in her hands and kissed her. Tears still sparkling on Chibiru's cheeks, her eyes red and swollen. Rin held the kiss a moment, then let her lips slide over Chibiru's as warmth rose through her body. She let her feelings pour through the kiss, as if she could give her whole heart to her that way, if it would only make her smile.

As she slowly pulled away she realized she was holding both of Chibiru's hands, and the girl had stopped crying. Rin watched her with great concern; Chibiru looked at their hands, fingers laced together like they were and blushed.

"Rin-kun...I think.."

Rin smiled, Chibiru stopped her thought and smiled too, it was beautiful, even with the tears. Then it was Chibiru's turn. She suddenly lunged forward and threw her arms around Rin's neck. Rin embraced her, the scent of honey and vanilla filling her senses. She would never leave her side again.

Chapter 3!

Time moved like a blissful symphony after that day. Autumn began to shift into winter, the air was chilly, year leaves still assaulted down from the trees covering Astraea Hill in a blanket of red and gold. It was a Sunday afternoon, Rin and Chibiru were walking through cherry tree orchard. Leaves seemed to sparkle as the cool breeze traveled through the branches, making them tremble.

Both girls wore gray shawls, Miator's version of a coat. It was pretty clear they were a couple now, they held hands often and Rin food her best to stay near her as much as she could. They hadn't seen the blonde again since that day, Rin figured the girl had come to her senses, when really the girl couldn't stand to be humiliated by Rin again.

Suddenly a girl came running to meet them, she had short cropped blue hair and a pink bow,

"Kanoa-San! Phone call for you in the chancellor's office."

"Hm? Me? O-okay," Chibiru looked from Rin tho the other girl looking puzzled. Still holding her hand, they followed the girl back to St. Miator girls academy.

Rin was much more aware of the way girls looked at her now. She had been the subject of gossip for some time after the lunch room incident. Rin was some sort of hero, a savior and princess all at once. Girls were jealous and adoring, she had even gotten a few presents since then. Rin didn't career though, politely ignoring the gifts. Her heart was only for Chibiru.

She waited silently in the hall as Chibiru took her call. She stood tall and straight, head held high. White tights covered her legs today due to the cold weather. The few girls that passed her seemed tense, giddy when they said hello and then full of giggles as Rin returned their greeting. It was strange that everyone seemed to know her name. Some even compared her to Shizuma. Rin enjoyed that compliment, she did admire the old etoile. She wondered where the silverette would be today, maybe she and Nagisa were living together.

She was brought out of her day dreaming when the door opened, Chibiru named at Rin with complete joy.

"My sister had a baby! I'm an aunt! I have a niece!"

Rin was stunned, "a baby? You didn't mention her husband."

"I know, he's usually away in the military. So my sister is usually alone. I guess she's been sending me pictures in the mail but I haven't seen them. I can't believe it! Rin, I'm auntie!"

"That's great! I'm happy for you. We should check to see where your mail went so we can see your new family member."

They headed back to the dorm, the tiny mail box by their for had several letters tied together with a folded note that read "sorry" on top.

Chibiru looked the note free and read it first.

"It says someone's been stealing my mail, because they were jealous of me and you. They wanted to know about me...but then they decided to stop. They feel bad and they are sorry. It's signed only as 'an admirer'."

Chibiru and Rin pondered this a moment and then entered the dorm. Chibiru sat at her desk and cast the odd letter aside. She opened the newest letter and out fell a picture of a young woman in her twenties holding a cute baby girl. The woman had black hair and a tan complexion.

"That's my sister,"

Chibiru smiled and watched the picture for a moment, as if expecting it to start moving or talking to her before she put it down. "We should celebrate! Let's go get some cake!"

She shot up grabbing Rin's hand, Rin giggled and followed Chibiru out of the room. She just loved seeing her this way, seeing her happy was like having a piece of heaven all to her self.

At the lunchroom however, the dessert section was quite bare, several other desserts, parfait s, tiramisu, custard, and only one slice of cake. It was vanilla, with white buttercream icing, that was all. Just the one. Rin smiled, content not to have anything, Chibiru deserved to celebrate. Rin didn't need cake to be happy for her.

"We could share it," suggested Chibiru, looking at it thoughtfully, then blushed when she saw Rin's expression. She let out an embarrassed laugh and tried some as they sat at an empty table. The next bite was propped nearly on a fork and she held it out timidly. Rin smiled, allowing a mischievous note into her gaze as she opened her mouth, closing her eyes.

She could almost feel Chibiru's heart pounding, or was it her own? She felt the cool metal of the fork brush her tongue and closed her lips around it, taking the morsel as Chibiru took the fork. Rin savored the flavor as well as the anticipation of seeing Chibiru's face when she opened her eyes again.

In fact, the sight was priceless, Chibiru was climbing the fork like a sword with both hands and staying at Rin with an anxious anticipation, you'd think she made the treat herself and desperately hoped for Rin's approval. So Rin made herself look thoughtful, as if deciding how to pass her judgement. She watched Chibiru, who grew tense, holding her gaze. Rin suddenly attacked her with a finger full of icing!

She giggled as Chibiru looked shocked and touched the smear on her cheek. Chibiru started to giggle too, her eyes glimmering with a certain special feeling that Rin was starting to become pleasantly familiar with. Next thing she knew Chibiru was wrapped up in her arms, locked in a kiss.

After cake, the two decided to go for a walk again. It was a pleasant Sunday afternoon, no school, no church, just the two of them. The only problem was the way the sky grew dark with ominous storm clouds. A drizzle of rain started to fall. Rin held out her hand to catch a drop. Chibiru did too, her now clean face catching a drop on her smooth cheek.

"I love rain," said Chibiru, "but this rain is freezing, maybe we should go home?"

Home? Funny that Chibiru would refer to their dorm as home, even in all her time on Astraea, Rin had never thought of her room as home. Perhaps now though, it was.

"Yes, let's go." Answered Rin, taking her hand.

The storm would turn out to be relentless, a child reason turned tho a storm, thunder and lightning. Dark clouds rolling like an angry sea above. Chibiru sat on Rin's bed by the window, looking out and holding her knees to get chest. She looked like she was trying to pretend the thunder didn't scare her.

Rin felt herself smile and climbed up behind her, sitting with her in an embrace.

She felt so warm, so happy with Chibiru in her arms like this. The storm battered the window with a vicious wind and rain, turned to sleet against the glass. Rin found herself distracted by that lovely honey scented hair. Suddenly Chibiru gasped and grabbed Rin's forearm.

"Rin look! Snow!"

The storm from a moment ago seemed to have completely dispersed into a quiet snowfall. Heavy fluffy flakes stick against the window before melting away. Chibiru poured away to press her face against the glass.

"It's so magical, every time I see it. We never had snow in Hawaii." Her breath cast a fog on the glass that faded with each new word, and her eyes sparkled with wonder The silverette joined her, sitting on her knees and looking out. "The first snow of the year."

After a few moments Chibiru sank back the window, looking reverent, and then laid her head on Rin's lap. They watched the snow for a long time.

The next thing she knew the knock came to the door as usual, but instead of silence, it was followed by the nuns announcement.

"No class today, the weather is too dangerous. A breakfast trolley will come by within the hour.

Rin was confused, first she realized she was cuddled with Chibiru, still on top of the blankets, they must have fallen asleep. She sat up, blinking sleepily the window was frosted over, with a little running, she could hardly make out anything but stark white, and the wind was willing violently by with swirling snow. Chibiru grumbled something, but continued to sleep. Rin let her, it was one of Astraeas rarest occasions. Anyways were as few and far between as spotting a nun without her hat.