Rating: T, might go up later
Summary: If you can't say it, show it.
Pairing(s): Sasazuka/Yako, past(?) Seiichi/Haruka
Genre: Romance, Humor
Warning: Kind of AU, mix of anime and manga, but largely follows the anime plotline.
Disclaimer: I want! But I can't have. Sob.
AN: I haven't died yet, here I am with a new, multi-chaptered (!) Sasazuka/Yako story!I would like to thank Schermione for the prompt, "I hope you know what you're doing.", so thanks! The flowers crept in after fumbling with my art-block and seeing lots of fan-art with Sasazuka with a bouquet.
In case you don't remember, Sonobe Miwako is the house keeper of the Katsuragi's. And cookies to the persons who can guess where the title came from.

Baby's Breath

Chapter one: Constancy

To be honest, Katsuragi Haruka is worried. Very worried.

Not about bills, although she does spends a fortune, or more, on groceries every week.

Not about the fact that Miwako-san used her some of her…creations in the garden, she isn't that ignorant about her cooking (Or so she likes to think. If she knew what Seiichi did with her home-cooked meals, she would have cried and hid somewhere, preferably a deep, deep hole).

She wasn't even worried about that assistant of her daughter, who gives her 'tips' on her cooking and is rather gentlemanly, perhaps a bit too much. She certainly doesn't like the way he manhandles her all over the place, but never mind that.

She is worried about her daughter. She is a bit worried about Yako's dangerous job. She is rather worried about the absolute lack of boyfriends. She is very worried what it means to her dream of spoiling grandkids.

"Mom? Mom, what's wrong?" Yako's concerned voice breaks her out of her light panic and she smiles at her, but it's not enough to pacify her, if the look is anything to go by.

"Well Yako, no cute boys in your class? Why don't you go out with Kanae on those group dates, hmm?"

"What..? Just, just- why don't you do something about the garden?"

Haruka knows it when Yako avoids a topic and decides to humor her this time, "Sure, I was thinking I could get a new hobby," but she really can't resist, "will I ever get grandchildren at this rate?"

"Mom!"

Yako wonders if she is becoming insane. Between a demon from Hell, a gangster with anger issues and a corpse with a living braid, she thinks she is.

'Maybe mom is right and I should date, just to not make her worried…'

'Miss Detective, is there something wrong?' Akane whips around, tickling her nose and using another part of her hair to type. Yako sighs and concentrates on her task of the day: giving Akane-chan her weekly treatment. Neuro is out for the day, looking for some more mysteries to consume.

"Hmmm. I don't think anything is wrong…"

'You're a bad liar.'

She winces and mutters, "Akane-chan, you can tell, even though you can't see?"

'I can sense it. Now, what's wrong?'

'Yep,' she thinks, 'insanity, or a major depression due to an inferiority complex is to be expected before she reaches thirty. Or maybe twenty. Does insurance cover that?' She sighs and combs Akane. It's not long before the braid wraps herself around her fingers, a silent warning to hurry up or face the consequences.

"Eek! OK, I will tell, I will tell! My mom is just being, well, my mom and she wants me to date, because," the braid unwraps herself, which makes Yako breathe easier and she continues, "I will never get grandkids to spoil this rate! I'm sixteen, I don't want to think about children yet."

'Can I spoil them too?'

Yako blinks. Akane is twirling around, clearly excited.

'Please?'

Yako groans and her head meets the wall with a dull 'thud', "Akane-chan, not you too!"

'Is that a yes?'

"If I have them and you can find a way, then yes, you can spoil my children- Akane-chan, you're going to break off if you don't stop!"

Later, in the barbecue restaurant, Yako sneaks a peek at her…fans and pretty much discards dating for, oh, don't know, her whole high school carrier. She would like to live a quiet live…or a live as quiet as possible with a demon 'assistant' who literally sends her messages from hell on earth. She doesn't know how else to describe a place with Neuro. He would probably see it as a compliment. Then her phone rings and she is pretty sure that she is going to become minced meat, all thoughts, save surviving instincts, gone.

"Kanae, sorry, I have to go. Work is calling."

Her friend sighs and frowns, "Muh, Yako! You're working too hard! Get a bit of free time, you know and get a nice guy to date you. Although," she eyes the rather high piles of plates, "I think you should split the bill when he asks you out…"

Yako's head meets the table this time and begins to mutter incoherently about dating and guys until Kanae reminds her that her assistant is waiting. Before Kanae can blink twice, her friend is gone, but leaving enough money to cover half of the bill.

The corner of her mouth twitches and she breaks into giggles, "Silly Yako. I really should set her up with someone."

Meanwhile, Yako isn't concerned about the bill, but rather or not she should take a taxi to the office or the bus. The taxi wins when she sees she received the message 5 minutes ago and the bus arrives in fifteen.

"Sempai, we got a call from some restaurant."

"And?"

"Well, they require our presence…"

Sasazuka sighs and stands up from his rather comfortable chair, "Let's go then. Tell me some more details in the car. That reminds me, what's your name?"

"I'm home- what are you doing?"

Haruka looks up, just done with planting and grins.

"Welcome back! Look, doesn't this look nice?"

Yako nods, the colorful flowers swaying gently in the wind.

"What kind of flowers are they, mom? They aren't the same, right?"

She grins and tugs her daughter closer, ignoring the fact that she is getting her uniform dirty, "I got daisies, strawflowers, some sunflowers too..did you know they all belong to the same group? The shop assistant knew a lot about them, I think I will go back and get some more later..."

Yako blinks, "Really?"

"Yep, they are called 'everlasting', because they do!"

"Uhm, you mean flower preservation?"

Haruka laughs and ruffles her hair. Yako squeaks and runs inside, "Mom, that wasn't nice! Now I have to shower!"

She smiles, gets up and stretches. Following her, she asks, "And how was your day?"

"The same like always. I met Sasazuka-san again."

Haruka pauses. The name feel familiar- oh. She closes her eyes.

Seiichi…

"Mom?"

Yako begins to chew on her lip, worried. She knows why her mother just stands still and does nothing. It hasn't been that long ago, after all.

"Mom?"

Her mom blinks and she smiles at her, "Sorry Yako, was lost in thoughts. Sasazuka-san, wasn't it?"

She nods, relieved, "Uhu. We ran into him on our case, and he was rather nice. I have the feeling we will meet more often. But I really have to change now, see you at dinner!"

She turns around and walks up the stairs, ignoring her mom's cries of "Unfair!".

I really need that shower.

Everlasting: Constancy.

Constancy: 1. the quality of having a resolute mind, purpose, or affection; steadfastness

2. freedom from change or variation; stability