by Saless
Chapter 73

Erica didn't realize she was fondling her ring until she noticed Jill looking at it. "Is that what I think it is?" she asked excitedly.

Erica grinned widely and nodded, "Yep! She said yes!"

Mike looked confused but Jill said, "Of course she did! I'm so happy for you two! Where'd you get that ring, it's beautiful!"

"I palmed it and its twin from the treasure in the tomb." Erica admitted sheepishly.

"Not before we'd separated out the cursed stuff, I hope?" Jill said.

Erica shook her head, "No, they're non-magical. No need to worry."

"Someone want to tell me what you're talking about?" Mike asked.

"I proposed to Sarah, and she said yes!" Erica said giddily.

"Really?! That's great!" Mike exclaimed, hugging Erica.

"Wait, that doesn't explain what I felt from Sarah earlier, though." Jill said.

"Oh yeah, that. I think we'd better go join Sarah and see what she wants to do about that." Erica said. Jill looked at her oddly but she and Mike followed her to the kitchen. Sarah was busy admiring her ring.

"Hi guys, isn't it beautiful?!" Sarah exclaimed without looking up.

"Sure is! Congratulations Sarah!" Mike said happily, hugging Sarah.

"Yeah, I'm so happy for you guys!" Jill agreed, hugging Sarah and then Erica. They all took seats at the table and Sarah returned to her perch on Erica's lap after a quick kiss.

"So what's been happening over here? Jill was about ready to bust the door down at first." Mike said.

Sarah blushed, "Sorry about that."

"No need to apologize, Sarah! I was kind of snooping, after all. But what had you so upset?" Jill said.

Erica glanced at Sarah and said, "Do you want me to tell them?"

Sarah was sorely tempted, but shook her head, "I should tell them. I've been lying to them, too, after all."

"Lying to us?" Mike asked, confused.

"Let her tell it, it feels like it's important to her." Jill told him. He shrugged and sat back to wait.

Sarah stared at the ring on her finger for a couple of minutes while she got her thoughts together. "Erica asked me why I was wearing Mom's clothes in that memory you painted, Jill. It goes back a bit further than that, though. I…I always felt like a girl. That's why Dad beat me, because he'd catch me wearing my Mom's clothes. That only stopped after we started hanging out, Mike. And then Mom caught me and went berserk and threatened to have Dad rape me if she ever caught me in female clothes again. I never wore female clothes again after that, until I became Sarah. I'm sorry I lied to both of you, both about wanting to change back, and about who I am. I'll understand if you don't want to be around me anymore." she said softly.

Erica hugged her close while Jill nodded her understanding and Mike looked shocked. "You wanted to be a girl all your life?!" he exclaimed.

"I'm not surprised, but that was one of those things you kept behind your tightest shields. Vash suspected almost from the beginning, I think." Jill said.

"It's not exactly like I wanted to be a girl. I really just wanted to be normal. I was confused at first when I realized that everyone thought I was a boy, but tried to fit in. I was lousy at it." Sarah said.

"Is that why some people thought you were a girl?" Mike asked.

Sarah shrugged, "I don't know. I certainly didn't look like a girl, but I never could figure out how to act like a boy."

"Is it really that hard?" Mike asked, perplexed.

"It is if you're a girl." Sarah said.

"Yeah, I guess. So you want to stay as you are I assume?" Mike asked.

Sarah nodded shyly. "I always did, really, but I didn't dare think about that. I still dread my parents' reaction to all this." she said.

"Don't worry about them honey, we'll deal with them. You don't ever have to worry about your parents hurting you again! And you won't have to face them alone, either!" Erica said fiercely.

"That's right!" Mike agreed. "We'll all be there for you. Your father tries to touch you and I'll rip his arm off!" Jill touched his arm to calm him, as he was starting to look a little red in the face.

"Thanks guys, but I don't want you getting in trouble." Sarah said.

"Don't worry, we won't. If anybody gets in trouble it will be your parents." Jill replied. "So, how are you feeling now that you've gotten all that off your chest?" Jill asked.

"Better, but kind of worn out." Sarah admitted.

"Maybe we should save the training for later." Mike said.

"Probably a good idea; especially considering you two haven't even finished your breakfast yet." Jill said, looking at their half-full plates. They'd completely forgotten their meals.

"Oh yeah! I guess I'd better warm it up." Erica said. She started to move, but Sarah was still on her lap.

"I'll take care of it." Jill said. She picked up their plates and put one in the microwave and started it up. Once it was done she swapped them and carried the first plate back to the table. Neither of them could remember whose it was, so they took turns feeding each other off of it. Mike smiled as he watched and Jill soon joined him after setting the second plate down in front of them. Soon both plates were empty. "You two are too cute for words!"

Sarah and Erica blushed and Mike laughed. "You're just proving her right you know!" he said. That only made them blush more, and Mike and Jill both laughed.

Mike took away the dishes and washed them while Jill took a closer look at Sarah's ring. "This really is beautiful. You couldn't have found anything better in a jewelry store, especially at that price!" Jill said.

Erica laughed, "Yeah, the price was right!"

"Well I don't care how much it cost or what it's worth! I'd love it if it were made of wood because you gave it to me!" Sarah gushed, gazing lovingly into Erica's eyes. Erica blushed and kissed her and they both forgot Mike and Jill were there for a while.

"Maybe we should go and let the love birds celebrate their engagement?" Mike said with a grin. He loved seeing Sarah so happy, and Erica for that matter. He'd always thought Erica was too serious, so it was nice to see her loosening up.

"Maybe we should." Jill agreed, thinking much the same things. Sarah and Erica didn't even notice as they left.

Some hours later they emerged from their bedroom and took another long shower together. Once they were dried off and dressed they walked over to Jill and Mike's place.

It was a few minutes after Sarah knocked on the door that Mike opened it. His hair was wet and he was wearing different clothes than he'd been when he was at Sarah's apartment earlier. "Hey guys, come on in!" he said, blushing when Erica glanced meaningfully at his wet hair and changed clothes.

Jill was just coming out of their bedroom when they walked in. Her hair was also wet, and she was wearing exercise clothes. "Hi guys! Ready for your first lesson?" she asked, smiling happily.

"Uh, yeah, I guess so." Sarah said. Erica nodded.

Mike began teaching them and Vash observed. After an hour they took a break. When you are teaching it is easier to isolate your martial arts training and knowledge. If I transfer it in batches I can get started right away. Vash said.

"Sounds good to me, what do you girls think?" Mike replied. The others agreed and Vash transferred the information to Sarah and Jill. Sarah found it surprisingly easy to pass it along to Erica.

After resting and drinking some water they got back to work. They were a little clumsy at first, but found themselves making amazing progress thanks to Vash's help. After another hour they decided to stop. "Wow! That was amazing. I've never had students pick things up so fast! Thanks Vash; that was a lot of help!" Mike said.

You're welcome. A little more training and I should have enough information to make another useful transfer. Vash replied.

"Yeah, Sarah and Erica are already catching up with me! This is working out a lot better than I thought it would." Jill said.

It is going better than I expected, as well. Vash said.

"So how are you feeling now Sarah, you've had a lot happen the last couple of days?" Mike asked.

"I have, but I'm feeling much better now!" Sarah said, smiling widely at Erica.