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vocab_drabblesFandom: Sakura Wars
Author:
luminious Rating: T
Word Count: 1033 (Sorry tried to be under the word limit lol).
Characters/Pairings: Sumire Tanzaki/Maria Tachibana
Warnings: None (Though hints of Sumire having internalized biphobia for anyone uncomfortable with that).
Summary: Sumire isn’t new to the concept of people who desire the characteristics of the same sex, but she never would’ve thought she’d be one of the cases of a woman having eyes for her own fairer sex. (Or, Sumire starts to realize that she possibly has romantic feelings for Maria and doesn’t know how to deal with it. Set during Sakura Wars 2.)
Disclaimer: I do not own Sakura Wars, nor am I or will I ever profit from this work.
I.
THE WORLD IS HER STAGE and Sumire will be—is—its star.
The brunette spends years perfecting her vocal range, her weeks dedicated to mastering the ability to perform traditional and foreign dances no matter the costume and outfit, hours focused on learning every possible way to wield a naginata and perform with folding fans and in heels, gaining publicity on her own accord beyond just being the heiress of Kanzaki Heavy Industries.
No one is allowed to get in the way of her accomplishing her dream. Not Sakura, not Orihime, not any of the other Flower Division members, and not any other female in the opera industry. Even her father will never in Sumire’s lifetime convince her that she should retire as an actress, not when there are still so many stages in New York City, Paris, London, and many more cities and capitals that haven’t had the opportunity for her to present her graceful performances on their stages.
The Taisho period has yet to end, and Kanazaki will be damned if it concludes absent of her name being a global sensation. With the return of former Deathlord Aoi Satan and the creation of the Black Demons, the people of Japan need a positive image as they once again face attacks from the kouma, and who better but the uprising star from Kanagawa herself?
Like a star, it is time for Sumire to shine bright, and hell will freeze over before the curtains fall without her getting every standing ovation possible.
II.
Perhaps in order to give kudos of recognition to the apparent rumored plans that France will form its own military unit against the kouma, the Imperial Combat Revue has decided that the next play will be Carmen. Sumire is given the role of the eponymous character—which she didn’t hesitate to brag in the face of Sakura and Orihime before being reprimanded—and Maria will play José.
Sumire was hoping for another play of the Edo period, but she is fine with the French play being her next hit instead. A tragic maiden of beauty? Why, if that isn’t her current position with being stuck in between fighting enemies and in an opera production where she now has to worry about two other actresses taking her leading roles! That part of the situation is not an issue.
What is an issue, however, is her recent feelings for her teammate.
“‘A word, pretty one,’” Maria recites as she chases after a walking away Sumire, “‘what do they call you? In my worst danger, I want to utter your name.’”
Sumire plays with the hair of her wig, so long and black like Orihime’s locks rather than short and brown like the natural tresses of the Kanazaki heiress.
“‘Carmen, Carmencita, it comes to the same thing!’”
“‘If someone told you he loved you…?’” Maria asks as Sumire stops and turns around.
A bit delayingly, Sumire responds,“‘I should reply that I don’t need loving.’”
As Maria says her next line, Sumire cannot help but stare at the mature green orbs of the other woman. Maria’s beauty as a Japanese-Russian blonde and especially one who can perfectly play otokoyaku roles are no secret. With a stoic personality to boot, Maria is a young lady who embodies anything a woman like Sumire would want in a man—
Why is it, however, that Sumire’s desires for her come out of what she is able to do as a woman?
Sumire isn’t new to the concept of people who desire the characteristics of the same sex—the Rose Division is composed entirely of homosexual men—but she never would’ve thought she’d be one of the cases of a woman having eyes for her own fairer sex.
No, she always thought she’d find a way to eventually win the heart of Ogami, becoming his bride and performing on stage with him watching in awe while Sakura watches in heartbreak and Orihime in jealousy. A true love that defies class differences and is even able to surpass the expectations Sumire’s father has for who his future son-in-law should be.
As of late, however, Ogami feels more and more like a distant crush, whereas Maria’s hands seem for Sumire to be the one she should be betrothed to regardless of their sharing of the same gender, a fearless warrior who has possibly and unintentionally captured the heart of Japan’s latest rising star in the theatrics.
A knight in shining armor whether it’s a role for an opera play or in combat gear to defeat an enemy.
“Kanzaki-san?”
Blinking, Sumire’s eyes widen as she realizes that she’s been daydreaming for at least twenty seconds. Sakura, who just called her surname, is waving her hands in front of her face.
Flashing a smile, Sakura shouts, “She’s okay! Maybe she is just tired from all the rehearsals we’ve been doing lately.”
Sumire looks around her to see the rest of the Flower Division staring at her in worry. Maria in particular raises an eyebrow and walks towards her, placing her gloved hands on Sumire’s forehead.
“I believe you are correct, Sakura. I can feel how warm her forehead is even through my gloves. Are you okay, Sumire?”
“I…I…”
Sumire looks up at the hand on her forehead that’s almost obscuring her eyesight. Even when covered in a silk garment, it’s easy to see and feel how firm and large the blonde’s fingers are, and for a second, Sumire wonders how it would be if those same fingers traveled down to more secretive areas.
“Beautiful,” Sumire quietly comments before being able to stop herself as she looks back at Maria’s face.
Sakura cocks her head in confusion while Maria’s eyes widen. No one else seemed to hear, but Orihime has a weird smirk on her face as she leans in and whispers something to Kanna that makes the Okinawan start to laugh.
Sumire’s head hurts.
(What is happening with her?)
Lifting her arms up to hide her flushed cheeks from the other members, Sumire throws Maria’s hand off her and runs off stage, staying in her bedroom for the rest of the night and ignoring any attempts from the others for her to come out and explain things.
[TBC.]
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