A/N: Another chapter in less than a day. It's amazing what happens when I actually get a break and can write without interruption. Then again, a rambunctious two year old child is a very attention intensive creature. ^_^

And now, back to our story...

The Gift That Matters

Chapter 2

Being up bright and early had never really been Sachiko's forte. However, today was different. Primarily because it was Christmas Day, and because today was the day Yumi would get the gift of a lifetime from Sachiko. At least that was what Sachiko was hoping for.

The atmosphere inside the limo was festive as everyone was excited to see the new place. Everyone was animatedly talking about the gifts they had received from each other and "Santa Claus". Yumi was bouncing up and down in her seat as she anxiously waited to see her gift.

The car came to a stop in front of a building on Ebisu in the Shibuya District. The building itself was just an 8 minute walk from the Ebisu Rail Station and the Yamanote and Metro Lines. Everyone got out of the limo and took in the front of the building.

"Wow, it looks so nice from here." Yumi noted as she looked up at stone and glass front.

They all ventured inside as Sachiko used a pass card to enter the building's foyer. She then handed the card to Yumi, saying: "You might need that from now on." Before she winked and headed for the elevator. Yumi's blush went unnoticed by Sachiko. 'How does she do that?' Yumi wondered as she followed her girlfriend. 'Even the simplest gesture from her gets me all flustered.'

They took the elevator to the 8th floor before exiting. Once in front of the door, Sachiko stopped and looked at Yumi. Yumi just looked back at her for a few seconds before Sachiko asked her. "Well, Yumi. Are you going to open your present or not?" Yumi stood there momentarily before she suddenly remembered that she had the keys. Blushing in embarrassment, she pulled them out and opened the door.

The group stepped into the entryway that sported a small anteroom off to the right side. It was large enough to double as a coat closet and a storage area. Straight ahead of them, they saw a study with its own entrance and balcony through a sliding glass door. The doorway to the living room was to the left. After the girls removed their shoes, everyone followed Yumi into the living room. The condo itself had wooden floors in every room. Yumi guessed it was about 130 square meters or so. There was a small galley kitchen at one end and a balcony outside a sliding glass door at the other. The room also had a door leading to a small bedroom to one side that also shared the main balcony. Next to that room was a good sized combined bath, wash basin and toilet area.

To Yumi's delight, the living room had a spiral staircase leading up to the second level loft. Once the group ascended the staircase, they found that the entire floor had a half-wall that was open to the floor below and could be used as a bedroom and second living area. The loft also had a small toilet room and separate wash basin. Sei looked around and then made a suggestive comment as to what Yumi and Sachiko would be doing most of the time in that room. The comment got her a light smack and an annoyed look from Youko.

Returning to the main floor, Yumi opened the sliding glass door and stepped out on to the balcony. Taking in the view from her new home over the Prefecture of Shibuya, she sighed in contentment.

"Well Yumi," Sachiko asked from behind her. "What do you think of your gift?" The smile that Yumi gave to Sachiko almost took her breath away.

"I love it Sachiko!" She told her. "Thank you." Yumi then gave Sachiko a tight hug that did take her breath away.

"I am happy to hear that." Sachiko told her before she turned and led Yumi back inside the condo. "But you still have several more gifts to receive."

"Really? Where are they?!" Yumi asked her excitedly.

Sachiko grinned at her as she reached the kitchen and pulled an item out of her bag. "First of all, this present should give you an idea as to why I chose Shibuya for our home." She then handed Yumi a large envelope.

Yumi gave Sachiko a curious look before opening the envelope and extracting its contents. She began reading the titles of the papers out loud to everyone. "Registration and Certification of Ownership – Family Residence: Shibuya District," This document basically told the prefecture that they jointly owned the condo. "Affidavits of Co-guardianship." This document allowed Sachiko and her to make decisions for each other in an emergency. A sensible idea in Yumi's mind as they would soon be living together.

The last document that she read was the one that grabbed Yumi's undivided attention. "Shibuya District Certification of Co-habitation: Same sex Couple..." She read that title a second time to make sure she understood what it said. Looking further down she noted that both her and Sachiko's names had been typed in. Sachiko's hanko and signature had already been added next to her name. The only empty spaces were where Yumi's hanko and signature should be. She read the document a third time trying to believe what her eyes were showing her.

Tears threatened to spill from Yumi's eyes. She already knew the answer to the question she had in her head, but she wanted to hear Sachiko say it. She took a deep breath before asking quietly. "What... what does this all mean Ogasawara Sachiko?" As Yumi looked up, she discovered that Sachiko was kneeling in front of her. In her hand was a black velvet ring box. The gold ring inside it was adorned with a single blue diamond. Yumi gasped and clutched the papers to her chest.

"What it means Fukuzawa Yumi," Sachiko began. "Is that I love you and you alone. It also means that I want to share the rest of my life with you. That I want to build a future that centers around the two of us. While it is not a real marriage in name, it is the closest thing to it that I can give you under the current laws. You are the most important part of my life. So, Yumi, I ask you this. Would you please consider taking my hand in marriage?"

Yumi just stared at Sachiko, her face clearly showing everyone present that she had not expected this from her. Pointing to herself Yumi asked. "You really want to marry me?"

Sachiko smiled. "Yes, with all my heart."

Yumi did not hesitate a moment longer. "I will!" She said excitedly. "Um, I mean I do. I mean yes, yes I will marry you Sachiko!"

Sachiko took the ring out of its case and carefully slid it onto Yumi's left hand. "Thank you love." She told Yumi as they hugged each other. They then shared a brief kiss as their friends began clapping and congratulating them.

A few minutes later, Yumi asked Sachiko, "So, does this mean we are married now?"

Sachiko chuckled in response. "Well, I was hoping you might want a ceremony..."

Yumi began bouncing up and down in place. "Oh, yes, yes I do!"

"Well then, maybe you should sign those papers so we can file them with the prefecture. Then we can start planning a wedding. Unless you intend to run off with someone else?" Sachiko asked her.

"Not a chance!" Yumi replied as she pulled out a pen and her hanko from her purse. She set the papers down on the kitchen counter and quickly filled in her information. Finishing the document, Youko came over and took the papers, telling her, "I will file these first thing tomorrow morning. You two will need to be there to certify it in front of the clerks office. So don't be late!"

Yumi then hugged Sachiko again. Saying, "I am so excited, thank you Sachiko."

"I wasn't sure you would accept." Sachiko told her. "After I practically deserted you these last three months."

Yumi looked up at her and thought for a few moments. "As long as it is a gift from you, I will love it." Yumi replied with a smile. "I would wait for it as long as it took. You are all that matters to me."

Sachiko blushed before saying, "There you go again, using my own words against me." Yumi giggled her delight in response.

The group finished up their tour of the condo and made their way back downstairs. Once outside, they waited for Sachiko's limo to return. As they were waiting, Sachiko asked Yumi, "Are you ready for your third gift?" Yumi looked up at her confused. "Third gift?" She asked. "Anou...where is it?"

Sachiko shook her head in amusement as a smile crossed her face. "Do you still have your keys?" She asked. Yumi pulled them out of her jacket pocket. "Hai, they are right here. Why?"

"See the key fob on the ring? Push the button in the center of it." She instructed Yumi. Yumi did as she was instructed. A white sedan with tinted windows in front of them chirped and flashed its lights in response. Yumi looked confused as she pushed the button again. Getting the same response she looked over to Sachiko sheepishly. "Did you really get me a car too?" She asked her fiancé.

Before Sachiko could answer, Yoshino spoke up excitedly. "She didn't just get you a car Yumi, she bought you a BMW!" Yumi turned her head to look at the car's logo. Sure enough, there in the center of the hood stood the the letters of the car company. "Eeeeeehhhhhhh!" Yumi screeched in disbelief. "Sachiko, a BMW?! Really?!"

All of her friends began laughing at her response as Sachiko nodded yes before saying. "I wanted to get the best vehicle with the most protection for my most precious person."

"But it's so expensive..." Yumi told her.

"No, not really." Sachiko answered. "There is no cost that I wouldn't pay for you or your safety Yumi. You are important to me." Yumi blushed at her words before leaning into Sachiko and kissing her cheek. "Thank you again for all your wonderful gifts. But your heart was only only one I really wished for." Sachiko blushed as she replied. "And you have it." before she kissed Yumi back.

As the limo pulled up to take their all friends back to the Ogasawara mansion for some Christmas Day treats, Yoshino suddenly cried out "I call shotgun!" as she hurriedly jumped into the left front passenger seat of Yumi's new car. Yumi laughed briefly before she looked at Sachiko in fear. "It's okay," Sachiko told her with a smile. "This time. But I get front seat privileges from now on!" Yumi laughed at her response until Sachiko leaned over and whispered into her ear. "But I claim sole and exclusive privileges to you and the back seat."

Yumi blushed furiously as she turned and hurriedly went to her new car and got into the drivers seat. Sachiko giggled as she turned and went with the rest of the Yamayurikai went into the limo. As Yumi started the car to return to the Ogasawara mansion, Yoshino startled her with an overly excited cry of "Bonsai!" Yumi shook her head in amusement. "You will be sorely disappointed Yoshino, I do not drive like Sei-sama does." They both shared a laugh as Yumi pulled out into traffic and drove off.

-FIN-

-0-0-

A/N: There it is. My Christmas gift to you all. Short and to the point for our favorite group of girls. For those of you who might be wondering; the connection between Shibuya and the first names Koyuki and Hiroko. They are the names of the first couple to be married under the new co-habitation law that Shibuya passed a year or so ago. This is a tribute to them and the hopes that one day Sachiko, Yumi, and all the rest of the girls like them, real or imagined, can get married in Japan for real. Stay strong!

Also, for those of you who may be curious, the apartment building I describe in this chapter does actually exist at the location described. I have no specific reason for choosing the building beyond the fact that I found it aesthetically pleasing to look at and I loved the name, as I feel it applies to my two favorite characters simply because they are both princesses to me. The building is named Tiara Ebisu. -_^