~Chapter 1: Treacle~

"Oh hey sis!" Yumiko walked in, a big smile on her face as she caught Kat sipping a quick bit of the stew she was preparing for tonight' dinner.

"Hey!" Kat turned around and gave her 'sister' a big hug. Truth was, that although both orphans, being brought up by the same man they considered one another to be like family.

"Mmmm, something smells wonderful. No surprise with you cooking." Yumiko sat down on a chair at the counter and pleasantly watched Kat work, knowing the girl didn't like to be too distracted if Yumiko helped (the girl was a major klutz no doubt about it).

"Mmmm Hmmm...you're not getting any." Kat chuckled as she stirred, hearing Yumiko' pout of greatness echoed around the room.

"Jiminy cricket you're stricter than me." Yumiko sighed and laughed through her nose, wondering exactly what Heinkel would say to counter that.

"Mmm. I have to be EXTRA careful of my food. What with you, Heinkel AND of course Alex sneaking around the place."

"Could be worse. Yumie could have snuck in. Remember the time her and Maxwell snuck in when you first began? Oh goodness, they got away with a whole cake!" Yumiko chuckled at the memory, something she shared with Yumie.

"Urgsch, don't remind me! I got scolded! And of course, no one suspected Maxwell. Being so proper and all." Kat sighed and chopped up various vegetables and such.

"Mmmm. She misses those times," Yumiko played with her gloves and sighed sadly, "she misses him. I do to."

Kat turned around, stopping her chopping and going over to her sister.

"We're lucky," Kat placed her arm around Yumiko' shoulder and sat down next to, "you're lucky you're regeneration powers worked. And Alex...I managed to bring him back. Maxwell would be happy for us. He would want us to be happy. Even if he was a complete pain in the a-"

"Don't speak ill of the dead!" Yumiko covered her eyes and shut out the words, both girls laughing as they knew the statement was actually true.

"Oh, worse thing that happens is that Alex would spank me. And we both know I'd enjoy it." Kat giggled and stood back up, tucking a loose strand of hair back over her ear.

"Oh you! So glad Heinkel married you two frisky devils!" Yumiko rested her chin on her hands and observed the way her sister worked.

"That man...speak of the devil-Alex! Touch those biscuits and I'm gonna' cut off your hands." Kat said to the new occupant of the room without turning around, throwing an extra loud of meat into the stew.

Alex just stood there, hand hovered over tray and a disappointed look on his face.

"Kitten...however you do that, you have to teach me." Alex wandered off and shook his head at Yumie, knowing he'd never get a cookie without Kat' permission.

"And hello to you also." Kat giggled as she felt Alex' arms loop around her waist and him lean down to peck a kiss against her hair.

"Hello my kitten." Alex left a trail of kisses in his path, just getting the corner of her mouth before she moved back.

"Oi! Hot stove! AND not in front of sis-sis?" Kat had turned around to look at Yumiko, only noticing she was gone.

"Hmm...strange. I didn't hear her-...YUMIE!" Kat yelled out towards the door after noticing the five vacant spaces on her baking tray where the biscuits had been.

The only reply she got was a high pitched cackle somewhere on the other side of the door, possibly already at the other end of the building.