An autumn breeze filtered through the window of a second story home and slowly caressed the exposed pale skin of a raven-haired beauty. Her breathing remained unperturbed as the playful wind wound its way up through her well-toned abdomen gradually passing over her chest and finally ending its course slipping through her sprawled out hair. There was a certain degree of calmness that always enveloped her by being awoken from such a caress, but today there was unwanted heat assaulting her back. Her eyes shot open with the realization that there was another body pressed up against her. Images of the night flooded her brain and she let a soft groan escape her lips as she realized her mistake. She had broken a rule, her only rule in fact; never let anyone spend the night. As quickly as she was able to she removed herself from the other's embrace, placed both her feet on the cold floor, and left the comfort of her own bed.

After stretching her back, which was sore after the night's activities, she chanced a look at the woman in her bed. The sheets rested below the stranger's waist allowing her a view of her perfectly proportioned breasts, angelic face, and hair the color of the sun's rays. Another set of images assaulted her brain as she remembered the feel of the woman's skin against her own which briefly made her consider climbing back into bed just to make her moan her name over and over again. Her name…what was her name? While the stranger had yelled hers throughout the night she had not stopped long enough to consider what hers was. Perhaps it was all the alcohol she had ingested, or maybe it was the pent up frustration at her current situation that had left her insensitive to the feelings of the other woman. Either way she had to get this woman out of her house and get to work as soon as possible. The roar of a loud engine pulling up into her driveway distracted her from her task at hand. She did not have to look out the window as she recognized the sound of her friend's car. Grabbing a discarded pair of jeans and a t-shirt from off the floor she quickly dressed and headed downstairs before Nao decided to come up to her room. Once on the bottom floor she followed the sounds coming from her kitchen and found Nao dabbing at a newly formed coffee stain on her blouse while letting out a string of obscenities.

"What are you doing here?" My tone had come out a little rougher than I intended but Nao's early morning arrival had really caught me by surprise and created a bit of an issue with getting my guest out of the house unnoticed.

"Well good morning to you too Mutt!" Nao snapped. "Look all I know is that Saeko wants you in the office. She sent me to get you since you did not bother answering your phone. Thanks to you some asshole cut me off on my way here and made me spill my coffee." Nao pointed a well-manicured index finger at her ruined blouse.

"How's it my fault you haven't learned how to drive?" I know my response was probably not the smartest given Nao's mood but I couldn't stop myself, we had always functioned well with light banter. Nao threw her empty coffee cup at me while I stepped out of the way to avoid it. She huffed and stomped in the direction of the stairs managing to place a stiletto on the first step before I reacted.

"Wait!" I desperately called after her while panic settled in my stomach.

"What!" She barked while I quickly tried to come up with an excuse to stop her from advancing up to my room.

"Wh-Why does Saeko want me in the office early?"

"Dunno." Nao replied while taking another step up.

"Where you going Spider?"

"I need another blouse Natsuki, you're going to lend me one."

"We can stop by your place and pick one up."

"Why are you being so weird today?"

I was about to respond when we both heard the sound of a toilet flushing and erratic movements coming from upstairs. Nao's eyebrows rose up to her hairline in surprise and slowly started developing a mocking smile. I sighed and waited for the inevitable.

"You didn't!" Nao whispered.

"Didn't what?"

"You let someone spend the night! Who is she? Is it serious?"

"I was drunk."

"That doesn't answer my question! Is it serious?"

"I don't even know her name."

Nao face palmed and ran a hand through her shoulder length red hair before continuing with her onslaught of questions.

"Why were you drinking on a Sunday without me?" She lightly punched my arm.

"You know I'm stressed."

"Natsuki, the company will be ok. We'll find a way to save it."

"Maybe."

Nao frowned. "So tell me about this woman."

I didn't have a chance to respond because the beautiful blonde came rushing down the stairs towards us wearing the same tight fitting dress I had brought her home in.

"Shit! I am so late! I have to go Natsuki but I'll call you later." She planted a kiss on my lips and turned her attention to Nao.

She held out her hand and introduced herself "Hello, I'm Leah, Leah Aoyama."

"Nao Yukki." Nao responded.

Leah. Her name was Leah and she had my number. Knowing her name brought me some comfort but the knowledge that I had not only let her spend the night, but also provided her with my contact information bothered me. I must have been more intoxicated than I thought.

"Well it was nice meeting you and sorry I have to run. A car is waiting" Leah said before turning back to me and whispering how much fun she had in my ear causing a blush to creep up my neck. I walked her to the door and watched her be helped into the back of a black town car before heading back inside.

"Interesting." Nao said after I closed the door and came back to the staircase.

"What?"

"I just didn't think I'd see the day."

"What day?"

"You letting somebody in."

"I haven't let anyone in. I don't plan to."

"Well she seemed nice enough."

"She was a mistake. Just another fling"

"You are going to have to let someone in eventually Nat."

"No I don't."

"You can't be the ice princess forever. Plus that woman could be a model!"

"Stop calling me that."

"Never. I can't wait to tell Mai!"

"Don't you dare."

"Oh come on Mutt. She's like your sister. She will be pissed if I don't tell her."

"Don't. Say. Anything."

"Whatever. Just lend me a blouse already and go and get dressed we have to go."

An hour later both Nao and I were stepping into Kuga Corp's elevator on our way to the top floor. We had been met with the welcomes of all the employees we encountered which Nao responded to with a wink while I opted for a low growl. I was not particularly a complete anti-social person, but I found a lot of the people here to be phony so I found it easier to keep my distance. The low ding of the elevator indicated we had reached our destination so we both headed in the direction of my office. Outside of it seated behind a long desk with a towering pile of paperwork sat my Executive Assistant and best friend Mai Tokiha. Her orange hair was the only visible part of her body we could see.

"Hey Mai." I waved

"Natsuki! Thank god you're here! Saeko is going crazy asking about you." Mai shot out of her chair once she heard me.

"What's the matter? We didn't have a meeting planned." I pointed out.

"I don't know but she seems agitated. She mumbled something about wanting to fire all of us starting with Nao."

"What!" Nao screeched.

"I'm sure she didn't mean it." Mai said in a comforting tone.

"This is all your fault mutt!" Nao accused.

"My fault! She probably wants to fire you because you flirt with everyone!"

"I swear if I get fired I will leave your new girlfriend girlfriendless!"

"Girlfriend?" Mai asked.

"The mutt let someone spend the night." Nao tattled

"Girlfriend? Mai again asked with her eyes almost popping out of their sockets with what could only be identified as excitement. "You have to tell me all about her!" she shouted.

I tried shushing her and telling her there was nothing to tell but Mai was already half dragging me into my office before we all heard a frightening booming voice.

"Natsuki! Nao! In my office now!" Saeko stood at her doorway glaring at us. Nao and I practically ran into her office after receiving that terrifying look.

"We're sorry for the delay Saeko." Nao bowed theatrically. "We didn't mean to keep you waiting."

"Good morning mother. What can we do for you today." I acknowledged my mother while rolling my eyes at Nao's pitiful display.

"Natsuki you're late. We have important visitors coming in today." Saeko responded drily.

"I wasn't aware of anyone coming in." I retorted.

"There is no easy way to say this so here it is. As you know, Kuga Corp is in trouble. In order to keep the company afloat I have agreed to a merger with Fujino Corp. Nao as the company's lawyer I will expect you to draft the appropriate paperwork and ensure the transition goes as smoothly as possible"

"Yes Saeko."

"What are the terms of this merger mother? Fujino Corp is in good standing and does not have a need to merge with anyone as far as I know.

"You're right Natsuki. Fujino Corp is doing us a favor and saving us from the ruin your father left us in. All they have asked in return is that we provide an act of good faith and join the families together. Our name is still held in high regard within our social circles. The Fujinos and the Kugas will become one." Saeko explained.

"So you will be remarrying mother?" I asked.

"No Natsuki. You will be the one getting married to the Fujino's daughter…"