Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. This is just for fun and I hope you enjoy reading it.

By Angelwings Sorrow

A Dime-Store Romance

Chapter 1 "It's not like the Books"

They ran for cover bullets were flying around them there seemed to no escape. They were outmanned and out gun. She turned to her partner and gasped "Kouji you've been shot!"

"It's just a flesh wound. Don't worry about it. What matters now is getting you out alive; you're the key witness and their last loose end they need to tie up."

"But how are we going to get out of here and what about you? I'm not leaving without out you!" Concern was shining in her dark brown eyes.

"I grew on you didn't I, Kyomi?" Kouji smirked before bring their lips together in a searing kiss taking her breath away. "Don't worry about me, Kid; I'll see you sooner than you think. There's open door behind us; when I tell you to I want you to run. I'll cover you with what I have left. Don't stop running until you get to the police station."

"I won't leave you!"she gave him a determined look.

"You don't have a choice! Now get ready I'm going to draw their fire!" Kouji got up and pushed her towards the door.

"I'll get help but I'm coming back!"

"Get ready Kyomi."

"Oh and Kouji?" turning back she saw the man who irritated her and was a jerk half the time, but he was also the man who kept her safe and protected her from the threats to her life and boredom.

"What?!"

"I lo-"

"Watanuki!"

"AH!" the book he had been reading went flying from his hand and landed in the bunny pen in the front window. "What mother?"

"I told you not to call me that in the store, it makes me sound old!" A tall woman with long black hair came from the back with an outraged look on her face.

"Fine Yuko-san, what do you need?" The bi-speckled boy sighed as he retrieved his book from the pen as the two bunnies had descended upon his book thinking it was an afternoon snack.

"I just received a call from the school Maru is sporting a fever. I need you to pick up your sisters and don't forget to stop at the drugstore for some fever medicine."

"Damn. That's not good I thought she looked tired this morning, but she seemed fine otherwise. Okay I'll close up for the afternoon." Taking his apron off and turning the sign from OPEN to CLOSE, he locked up the little book store. "I'll get her some juice and stuff for soup so stay out of the liquor cabinet!"

"Kimihiro, why do you think so lowly of me? Besides I need a sip or two to calm my nerves; one of my children is ill and I'm stressed." Yuko looked at her son insulted by his cheek.

"NO! Last time you were stressed I found four empty bottles and you curled up with two equally drunk rabbits. Now I'm taking the car and I'll be back in about in an hour." Grabbing his wallet and keys he headed out the door ignoring the fake cries of his mother.

Yuko was not really his mother, but she was the closest he ever had to a mother. His real mother died the day he was born. He was raised by his father until he died after being hit by a bus that ran a red light when he seven. He had run away from many of his foster homes as they were either, cruel and used him as a slave or just didn't care about him. He when he was about nine he wandered in to the little book shop and encountered the mysterious shopkeeper who also told fortunes.

She told him there was no coincidences in life only Hitsuzen. He was meant to come to her shop and she would tell his fortune for a price. When he asked the price she smiled and said the price would equal that of the questions he asked. There had to balance in the world or bad things would happen. So he agreed and asked his first question. The price was the cookies he had made before leaving his recent foster home. He kept coming back to the Bookstore/Fortune teller shop asking a new question paying a different price whether it be his cooking or doing chores around the store. Then one day he asked a question that had burning in his heart since before he ever entered the shop.

"Will I ever have a family again?"

"That question comes with a heavy price are you sure you want to know the answer?"

"What's the price? Whatever it is I'll pay it! I need to know, I don't want to be alone anymore." Tears were streaming down his little face and his heart hurt at being so vulnerable.

"The cost is Nine years of your life are you sure you willing to pay such a high price? Though it is a steep price you'll form everlasting bonds." Yuko asked a trying to hide her smile at how cute the boy before was. This was serious for him and she would not have him thinking she was not taking him seriously.

"Yes, I'll pay the price. If it will answer my question." the tiny Watanuki sniffed.

"Then I shall answer your question. Yes you will have a family again. It might not be perfect but you will be loved and you won't ever be alone. You'll always have a home and be cared for as long as you want to be loved."

"Thank you Yuko-san! Thank you, I thought after losing my dad there was no hope."

"There is always hope you silly little boy. Now you have to pay the price of your fortune." Smiled the fortune teller as she used her handkerchief to clean is messy face.

"How do I give you nine years of my life is there a spell or something?"

"No spell needed. You just have to let me adopt you. I have a few friends that owe me a few favors and by the end of the month you'll my family." There were no words on how happy he was, all he could was cry while his new mother-to-be just held him.

Kimihiro had been with Yuko ever since. When he was about thirteen he came home from school to find Yuko hold two bundles in her arms. A woman had come to the shop for her fortune and the price was her twin daughters that she had come to hate and despise. The woman's husband left her for another woman during her pregnancy and she was fired from her job because she couldn't find affordable daycare. She came and asked if there was a way to get rid of her burdens without being socially ruined. The answer was yes but the price was to sign over their custody to Yuko and let her adopt them and she would have to leave Tokyo and never return because she would face the people who will scorn her for her actions. They were so tiny and Kimihiro fell in love with them right away. He felt a rage at the woman who gave them up without a thought. His mother was right that woman will face scorn of everyone she knows in the city for what she did. The only way to get away from it would be leave and start a new life somewhere else.

Looking back it was all Hitsuzen. He was fated to come to the shop as it was for the twins. Yuko had it right their family wasn't perfect but it was full of love. Now his little sister needed him. He pulled into the school parking lot shaking the last of his memories away so he could focus on his ill sibling. He parked and made his way into his former school. Had he really been that small? Every thing seemed a lot smaller now that he was grown up.

"Hello I'm here to pick up my sisters Moro and Maru Watanuki."

"What is your name and relation? I'll also need to see some ID."

"Of course." He handed the receptionist his Driver's license. "I'm their brother Kimihiro…"

"Watanuki-kun!" a voice called out.

"Himawari-Chan! I didn't know you worked here." He turned just in time to catch the long haired girl. She gave him a big hug so happy to see him again after so long.

"I'm the nurse's aide. I called Yuko-san Maru has a high fever but not too serious but if it doesn't go down you should take her to the doctor or ER right away."

"I'll do that. Thanks for taking care of her." After retrieving his ID then signing both of his sisters out for the day he followed his friend to the nurse's office. "When did you start working here?"

"September. Its part of the Nurse's training program to get my Nursing License. I was lucky to get sent here. It's close to my school and the apartments in this area are very affordable. Maru is this way I'll call Moro from her class to meet you here."

"Thanks Himawari-chan" Long ago he once had a super big crush on her in high school. She was so cute and popular. He was the weird kid that got made fun of for being the son of the town witch. He never let the teasing bother him because they had no clue what they were talking about. He loved his mother and the rest of the world could go fuck themselves. Himawari never was bother by who his mother was and they became friends when they were assigned as lab partners. He swore it was fate and he was in love until he got home and his mother told him she was not lucky for him. He was in such denial at the time he ignored her and showered Himawari with affection and his homemade lunch bentos only have his mother be right. His crush was asked out by the Football captain. He spent the entire weekend moping and shouting out the unfairness of it all. He was a total spazz back then. Yuko help him get over his heart ache and told him that real love would come when he was ready but until then he had a good friend in Himawari. After High school they drifted apart but kept in touch. It was nice to see that she was so close maybe they could reconnect.

"Hey, Maru-chan, how are you doing?"

"Nii-san my head hurts." Kimihiro notice that her long blue hair was not up in their ponytails. They must have taken them down to ease her headache.

"I know, that's why I'm here. I'm going to take you home."

"Kimi-nii!" a little girl with short pink hair ran into the room and hugged kneeling man.

"Moro you need to speak softly Maru is not feeling well."

"Sorry. Is she going to get better?"

"Yes she will but it will be best if we get her home and we'll need to get her some medicine as well. Have you got your backpack and homework?"

"Hai! I have Maru's too."

"Good than let's go."

XxXxXxXxXx

He was glad he had a friend at the drugstore he didn't have to get out of the car to get the Fever medicine. Kudo-kun was very kind and understanding of the situation and brought out the requested medication to his car. Too bad he couldn't do the same with the food shopping he needed to do as he much preferred to choose the veggies and meats himself. So he took the girls home and tucked Maru into bed and gave her a dose of medicine before rushing back out to the market.

"Let's see I got leeks carrots cabbage onions chicken and celery. What else should I get?" walking down the aisles looked for other things Maru might need to recover. He pulled sports drinks from the shelf and put them in the cart. She would need lots of fluids to combat the fever. He also picked a bottle of wine for his mother knowing she'll be whining for some when he returned. Stocking up on more rice, flour, sugar, and eggs he felt he had enough stuff to last until Maru was well again then headed for check out.

"Hello Kimihiro-kun, it's rare to see you here on a Tuesday." The cashier was a tall blond with a bright green shirt and a black apron.

"Hi Fai-san I know I usually com on Mondays and Fridays, but Maru has come down with a fever so I want make her some soup."

"Poor dear, I swear it's the start of flu season Yuui was out for three days two weeks ago.

Here I'm going to put some cherry drops in free of charge. They might not be medicine but a little bit of sweets is good for the spirit."

"Arigato Fai-san. I'm sure that will cheer her up." As the two chatted they didn't notice someone lurking in the aisles until it was too late.

"THIS IS A HOLD UP GIVE ME ALL THE CASH AND SCRATCHERS!" a man with a gun had jumped out and grabbed Watanuki and held a gun to his head. The man was thin shaky with Dark greasy hair and had a crazed look on his face. He was definitely on drugs or going through withdrawals.

"Leave him alone! I'll give you the money!" Fai protested as he opened the cash register and he stepped on the hidden silent alarm. He knew it would take time for the police to arrive but he had to keep calm he didn't want to Kimihiro to get his head shot off by the gambling crackhead.

"JUST SHUT YOU AND GIVE THE MONEY! DON'T FORGET THE SCRATCHERS I WANT THEM ALL!"

Watanuki swore he was going to be deaf by the end of this ordeal from the robber yelling right next to his ear. He tried not to panic as the gun was jabbed against his temple with each word to get Fai to move faster. Unfortunately it wasn't fast enough for the asshole, and began yelling again this time pointing the gun at the shaking cashier.

"HURRY THE FUCK UP! I'M NOT JOKING DO YOU WANT ME TO BLOW YOUR HEAD OFF?!"

There was a sudden silence as the three stood in shock at the sight before them. Instead of a gun pointed at Fai the Crackhead's hand was empty and an arrow protruding from his wrist. He dropped it in reflex of being shot but the pain still hadn't registered.

"OWWW!" the pain flared in the bastard's arm as the blood began to drip down the arrow and off its tip.

Watanuki was frozen when he felt a calloused hand grab his arm and pull him away from danger. His head was whirling. When did he go from the real world and to one of his dime store novels. The young book seller couldn't see what was happening his view was blocked by a brown leather jacket and a quiver of arrows but he heard Fai yelling furiously at the injured robber.

"HOW DARE YOU COME IN TO MY FAMILY STORE AND THREATEN MY FRIEND!" Fai grabbed the broom handle and swung with all his might at the greasy haired junkie knocking him into a display of canned peaches.

"You're going to pay for that!" the robber grabbed his gun he found on the floor as he stood up but didn't get to use it. The angry blond had come out from behind the counter and roundhouse kicked gun from the crazed man and punched square in the face. The robber went flying back into the ruined display.

"Why the hell did you call the cops for if you're going to take out the crook yourself?"

"KURO-PI!" Fai turned around to find a tall red eyed grumpy cop entering the market. The cop was not the local beat cop he was one of best homicide detectives in the city and the one love interest of Fai D. Flourite. Unfortunately he hasn't had those interests returned yet.

"Shut up Idiot, my name is Kurogane, now, what happened here?"

"Well I was helping Kimihiro-kun with his order when this deadbeat junkie jumped out from behind the cereal display and put a gun to Kimihiro-kun's head demanding cash and the scratcher tickets." Fai explained watching the strong sexy cop pulled the thief to his feet.

"A Crackhead with a gambling problem. What's with the arrow?"

"That will be mine Sir." a voice called out from a nearby aisle. A tall man holding a bow pulling a confused Watanuki along with him.

"Domeki I'm surprised to see you here."

"I was shopping when I heard the shouting. I saw the suspect holding the gun to the shopper's head. The suspect didn't see me and I was too far away to do anything until he pointed the gun at the cashier. Then I shot my bow disabling suspect."

"He pointed the gun at you?" Kurogane turned his head so fast to the Blond his head could have snapped.

"Just for a second Kuro-tan but as the archer just said he shot the gun out of his hand and I took care of the rest." Fai said innocently twirling a strand of hair around his finger secretly pleased at the concern that flash briefly in those gorgeous red eyes.

"Hey Kid what about you?" the Detective turned to the bi-speckled boy.

"Oh yes sir. I was just finished my shopping when I was grabbed from behind and the gun was pressed against my head. After the arrow hit I was pull away I heard Fai-san yelling and then you arrived." Kimihiro said as he adjusted his glasses. This was taking too long he had to get home Maru needed him. "Can I go now; my family needs me right now."

"Oh yes poor Maru-chan, take the groceries free of charge. I'll send more sweets soon in a delivery. I feel so terrible that this happened." Fai ran to the counter and finished packing up food.

"You spoil the girls Fai-san, but this was not your fault."

"The kid is right. This guy is going to rot in a cell." Kurogane snarled as he clasped the cuffs on the would-be-robber. "You can go Kid. I'll send someone to get your official statement tomorrow."

"Thank you Officer." Kimihiro bowed and gathered his bags.

"Its detective, do you have a number and address, you can be reached?"

"You go on ahead Kimi-kun I have you information on file I'll give it to Koru-woof-woof." Fai waved the Boy off. Watanuki hurried away leaving the others to deal with the crime clean up.

"Will you stop with those ridiculous names!" the red-eyed man snapped at Fai before turning back to Domeki. "Shizuka one question. Why the hell did you bring a bow and arrow to the store?"

"I was heading home from the range. I stopped here to pick up something for dinner. You know grandfather isn't the greatest of cooks." Both dark haired men shuttered at the thought of the old man's cooking.

"Yeah I know. So you still keep up the bow ever after all those championships trophies and ribbons. I bet the old man's proud."

"He's just as he's proud of you and your sword work. I know you still wield the blade whenever you get the chance."

"Hey are you guys finished with your family get together I need a doctor." whine the neglected thief.

"Yes Please! He's getting blood all over my floor Yuui is going to have a fit."

"Alright already. Oi, Tell Gramps I'll be by this weekend." Kurogane nodded to the younger raven before pulling the suspect out of the shop.

"Hn."

"So you're Little Shizuka-kun. Hmm… I can see the family resemblance but you have different eyes." The blonde cashier smiled. "Well anyways your shopping is free too. It may have not been my fault but it is my store. Go finish your shopping and I'll get Kimihiro's information for you. You can give it to the grouchy detective later."

"Arigato." Shizuka bowed then head off to find something for dinner. It had been a long day and he still had to cook for him and his grandfather. Maybe he would forgo the meal and get a frozen Pizza.

XxXxXxXxXx

So after all that you didn't invite your hero home, maybe offer a home cooked meal in appreciation for saving your life?"

"Mother… I didn't think about it. I wanted to get home to Maru, she's sick." Kimihiro sighed as he finished up the dishes.

Once he got home he check on Maru and then began dinner once everyone was fed and homework was done He helped Moro get ready for bed and tucked in. It wasn't until he was sure they were asleep that he told his mother what had happen at the Flourite Market. His mother managed to consume three glasses of wine in the span of 20 in which he told his tale.

"Darling are you alright? I know you must have been scared during the whole ordeal but I don't want you bottling thing in." Settling her glass down She wrapped her arms around her son's shaking shoulders.

"Oh Mama." the young man sobbed in her arms. He was her little boy again scared and feeling all alone. There was nothing in the cards or spirits to warn her of the danger that he would be involved in. Hitsuzen could be a real bitch sometimes, but she could only hope that something good would come out of this trauma. She pulled the boy from the kitchen to the living room and settled then on the couch letting him cry out all the feeling he was holding in.

"There you go Kimi-chan let it all out. You were very brave today. I can understand you keeping your pain away from the twins. They are too young to know how to deal with this."

"Yeah," Kimihiro sniffed and wiped his face with a handkerchief. "It wasn't like in the stories I've read where there were villains that monologue their evil plan and then the hero saves the day. It was frightening and I thought Fai-san and I were going to die."

"True this was far from the tripe you read but you did have a hero. A tall dark haired archer in leather pulled you to safety. "True this was far from the tripe you read but you did have a hero. A tall dark haired archer in leather pulled you to safety. I guess that make you the damsel in distress."

"Mother! First of all I don't read tripe I read adventure novels and second I am not a damsel!"

"Yes, dear, whatever you say; tell me was he cute?"

"How should I know? I only saw him from the back and then I was questioned by the police. I wasn't paying attention to anything else; I just wanted to get home right away. What does it matter what the man looked like; I'm never going to see him again." Kimihiro took of his glasses and leaned back against the couch, it had been a long a tiring day.

"It matters because I was hoping you might actually find that special someone. You haven't dated anyone since your crush in High School." Yuko got up and poured another glass of wine.

"Himawari-chan was a girl, Mother, if you've forgotten. Why would I be interested in a guy?" Kimihiro placed his glasses back on his face giving his mother a curious look.

"Because my son, nothing is set in stone there is only Hitsuzen. If you were to bring a man home I would not condemn you for it. I love you and I want you to be happy. I would on protest if he treated you badly and wasn't able to make you happy."

"That's very comforting, mother, that you'll accept whoever I love; but I am too busy with school and the shop to be in a relationship. Speaking of which I need to get my homework done and you have book shop to open in the morning I think it is time for bed." Getting up off the couch the tall son gave his mother a kiss on the cheek before taking her wine and headed for the kitchen to finish the cleaning so he could do his school work.

"Kimihiro Watanuki you give me back my wine!"

"No, you have had enough Yuko-san! Not go to bed!" Kimihiro smirked as he heard his mother stomp up the stairs to their apartment rooms ranting about ungrateful sons. He relaxed a little more falling into their routine family dynamic.

It was true he hadn't gone out with anyone since those friend only lunches with Himawari. Not for a lack of trying that was sure, but he hadn't found anyone to spark that interest. He could admit it now, his attraction to Himawari was just that physical attraction because she was cute. He had yet to find anyone that stimulated his mind or stir his emotions. It was probably the reason that started reading all the romance novels in the bargain bin. He just was the excitement of going through an adventure coming close with the most unlikely person and finding out you were more alike than you thought. Then as the adventure comes to a close you find yourself falling in love with them.

Well that little fantasy came to a crashing end with the day's events rushing back to the front of his mind. He had almost died today and it was nothing romantic about it. He had been scared out of his mind and his hero with the bow and arrow didn't say one word to him. No it was not like the books and it never was going to be that way. He had to face the real world and accept reality. He was just a part-time student, who worked in the family store. There was nothing remarkable in his life and nothing astonishing had ever happened in his twenty one years of life and he doubt that there ever will.

"There, dishes are done. Now to finish that portrait for sensei." leaving the kitchen he walked out the back door to the tiny shed in the corner of the yard. There was little he remembered from his birth Parents. Only that he got his culinary skills from his father and was told that his artistic talents from his mother. So now that he was at the University he was exploring that side of himself Majoring in art and minor in Folklore.

Taking an old well worn oversized shirt off the hook Watanuki held it close before putting it on. It had been his father's one of the few items he had been able to save when he was torn away from his home by social workers. He felt closer to the man when he wore it paint but as much as he missed his father he was in no hurry to join him in the afterlife anytime soon. Walking over to his easel he stared at the portrait that was his final. It was a picture of Moro and Maru having a picnic under the Sakura tree in their backyard. Both girls were dressed in their summer kimono as the two bunnies named Mokona nuzzled their laps. They smiled as a huge black and white Butterfly fluttered between them. The assignment had been to paint something that matter most to him. What mattered most was his Family and how he saw them in his heart. Yuko was in the form of the Butterfly her favorite insect, do to the last time they went on a picnic she got wasted. They had dragged her home after making a scene flirting with the police that patrol the park. Not the image he wanted others to see of his beloved mother. As he stared at the canvas he really didn't feel like painting, but he had to finish Sakura petals that fell around the girls.

"Ring, ring!"

"Moshi, moshi." Kimihiro pulled his phone out of his pocket a put it on the drafting table with the speaker on, so he could continue to paint

"Watanuki-kun! I just heard from Kakei-san about the attempted robbery! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine Kudo-kun, just a little shaken up. How did you know about what happened?"

"Oh, Kakei-san is cousins with Fai-san and Yuui-san. They came over after the store closed. I called because I wanted to be sure that you were alright."

"Thank you for your concern Kudo-kun, but I am fine. The whole thing was over real quick. I'll be in class tomorrow, but I won't be able to stop by the store until Maru is better."

"Okay, I see you in class then. Don't forget that you and I have to do modeling for professor Ryong this weekend." Kimihiro stopped painting and smiled. He could almost see Kudo-kun blush through the phone.

"I remember. Tell me again how we ended up with this job?"

"I need the extra money and I didn't want to do any side jobs with that stupid Rikuo! I mean he always seems to hang around and steals the big part of the payout."

"Himura also save you a couple of times too remember?"

"I know but he's still a bastard." the drugstore clerk huffed. "Anyway forget him you still going to model with me right I am nervous to do it by myself."

"Of course I will, Kudo-kun, I did promise and I never break a promise. Although, nude modeling is not my idea of fun." Watanuki sighed as he signed his name to the painting.

"Nor, mine, but then again this is the type of job that Saiga-san likes to find for my embarrassment. Anyways I'm glad you're alright; I have to get going my paper is due in the morning."

"I know what you mean; I'm just finishing my project for Professor Clow as we speak. I'll see you in the morning Kudo-kun, ja-né ."

"Ja-né Watanuki-kun."

Pressing the end call button Kimihiro stepped away from the easel and headed to his drafting table. Despite the late hour he had the urge to draw. He knew that he wouldn't be able to rest with the thoughts running through his head. As he grabbed his pencil and flipped the page to a clean sheet of paper he thought of his experience that day. What stood out in his mind was put to paper and he was surprised when the drawing was done. A silhouette of his hero had emerged from the sketch.

"Must be Hitsuzen."

A/N Okay this is my first XXX Holic story. Now if those of you who have read my other works I am not abandoning them. I'm trying to get my thoughts and muses together. The lost of my brother affected me a lot more than I thought and I am trying something new to try and get my creative juices flowing again. Also school is starting up again and hopefully I'll have more time now since all three of my kids will now being in school. So have patience my faithful fans I will get better and the work will get done I will never abandon a story I just need a new point of view. Anyways tell me what you think love hate it, or should I burn it? It is an XXXholic but it crosses over Legal Drug and Tsubasa who where we'll end up. Thanks for reading keep reviewing.