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Ring ring ring…

"Hello. You have reached Sawada Shin. I am unable to take this call at the moment, but if you leave your contact information I will call you back. Thank you."

Kyotaro was actively biting his lip. He was obviously worried. His little Kumiko-chan had spent whole weekend running from home to somewhere (which, he presumed had to be Sawada's apartment) and back; not to mention that she never let go of her phone and kept on dialing a number she obviously kept on speed-dial.

"Hello. You have…"

"ARGH!" Kyotaro flinched, when his little girl threw her phone into a wall and after watching it burst into pieces broke down in tears and slammed shut her door to continue wallowing in peace.

"That's it. That kid's gone quite too far with this." The young boss growled lighting up a cigarette, grabbing his sun glasses and his bad-ass yakuza lookin' coat and leaving the house in determined strides.

"Hello. You have reached Sawada Shin…"

"So, he's not even picking up when it's me, who's calling. The kid's got some nerve…." Kyotaro grunted putting down his phone and entering the first bar. Empty (read – no young master Red Lion) next bar, just like the next and the next bar after that, brought similar results. Kyotaro was getting more and more pissed, with each bar he visited. "One more and I'm fuckin' MPB'ing 'im…" Kyo muttered, after visiting six more bars and now finally entering the last of his younger friend's known hangouts. (all completely secret from Kumiko, of course, for she didn't really appreciate her… Sawada getting drunk of his ass with her brothers) 'AHA!' he thought happily, finally spotting the red mane of hair at the bar, waving his hand a bit uncertainly as he was ordering a drink. Kyotaro plopped him bum beside the younger male and motioned for the bartender to bring him something too.

"Kyo…san…" Shin greeted him, slurring his words a bit, but forcing himself to be as fluent as he possibly could having in mind his present condition.

"Been here long, Red?" Kyo asked, downing his first drink and already motioning for another, knowing full well he could use quite a few more to beat the pulsing headache these two idiots were forcing on him.

"Hmmm… I wonder…" Shin mumbled and Kyotaro finally turned towards his companion and took a good look at him. And consequently, cursed using words that could have made even the toughest of gang bosses blush crimson. Shin, however, only furrowed a brow and downed another shot.

"Yo, barkeep!" Kyo then turned towards the man minding the bar, who quickly came up to him.

"Yes, waka?"

"How long has this one been here?" Kyotaro asked, pointing towards Shin. The barkeep looked a bit sheepish.

"Um… well, I'd have to say for quite a while. He's at his third bottle, now." Kyotaro sweat-dropped and asked for a check, which, still sheepish looking barkeep immediately brought over.

"C'mon, kid, gimme that…" he said trying to pry the glass away from Shin, who was clinging to it quite possessively.

"Niioooo…tis, mine, Kyo-shaaaaaaaaan. Leggo…" tsking, Kyotaro finally wrestled the glass away, pulled the still trying to argue lawyer to his feet, unceremoniously tossed him over his shoulder and left the bar, blissfully ignoring the quite loud protests he got in return.

"You should really get some sleep, Young Master Red Lion… the boss will want to see you tomo… or rather, make it Monday, yea? Rest up now. I'll see you on Monday. Goodnight." Having received a positive mumble in response (read- having made sure the young man was still alive in his bed), Kyotaro left, heavy sigh on his lips. "Those two are so messed up even my life pales in comparison…"

Monday

Kumiko was dressing up. Or, she was trying to, at least, but her fingers didn't seem to be listening to her at all. Young woman sighed, looking at her bare fingers and her eyes traveled to her nightstand almost against her will. There, lying quietly, as if actually belonging there, was the little velvet box, which had caused her so many sleepless nights. Walking over, she opened it slowly and pulled the ring out. With a sigh, she put the ring on her finger. 'Just to see if it'd actually fit…' she thought to herself as she did it. And fit it did – the ring slid onto her finger like it was made for it. 'Having in mind who gave it to me, it probably was…' Kumiko sighed again, mesmerized by the simple beauty and feelings radiating from the piece of jewelry on her finger. Sighing again, her eyes traveled to the clock on the wall. And then they widened to cosmically large proportions.

"IS THAT THE TIME ALREADY?!" she bellowed before dashing through the door at a lighting speed…

"Mornin', Ouj…" Tetsu tried, but she ran by him so fast, the poor guy barely managed to stay standing.

"I'M LATE, I'M LATE, I'M LATE, I'M LATE!" and with that, she was gone.

"Oh my…" Tetsu hummed shaking his head. "That one never changes…"

Somehow, Kumiko Yamaguchi managed a day in school. Her classes went simply perfectly (she was amazed, while her students were simply still down-right terrified at her amazing strength and were afraid to get their asses handed to them if they misbehaved). She probably would have gotten home without any incident at all, if not for Fujiyama-sensei, who just had to notice the ring on her finger.

"Oh me oh my, Yamaguchi-sensei, is that what I think it is? It IS, isn't it?" she gasped and fretted and left Kumiko no choice but to tell her everything… "Oh…" was all Fujiyama-sensei managed to say after hearing the tale. Yamaguchi, in the meanwhile, was already struggling to keep her tears in check.

"Look, Fujiyama-sensei… I appreciate your concern, but I really do have to get home…" 'and keep on searching for him' was left unsaid, but the other female was already nodding for Kumiko to go. With a grateful glance, she younger woman did just that, already dialing her phone as she went.

"My… I do hope everything works out for them…" Fujiyama-sensei muttered biting her lip.

"Hello. You have reached Sawada Shin. I am unable to take this call at the moment, but if you leave your contact information I will call you back. Thank you." Kumiko sighed as she put her phone down again. She couldn't even leave another message – his phone was full. The young woman bit her nail wondering what else she could try in order to find him. To find her… fiancé. If he still wanted her, that is. And from the lack of response, she was getting more and more worried that perhaps, this time, this one time he wouldn't wait for longer than he promised. She had gotten so used to him waiting for her. To him always bowing before her will. To him… always being there for her. Now she was realizing she didn't want all that to be over. Kumiko Yamaguchi cursed – she really was as slow as Shin always said she was – she loved that young, ruthless and endlessly, endlessly patient man. Loved him with all her heart and soul and she wanted to be with him. Now and forever. To spend their eternities together. With a decisive huff, she jumped off the roof she was sitting on, completely freaking out Tetsu, who was just trying to grab a quiet smoke, and scaring poor soul half to death. Kumiko was about to dash straight to Shin's apartment and bang on his door until he opened and screw the neighbors, but just as she was leaving, Kyotaro moved in front of her with a worried expression.

"Oujo, it's the Master…" Kumiko ran.

As it turned out, Kumiko's grandfather had just a bit food poisoning and was going to be completely fine. His young granddaughter smacked Kyotaro around for scaring her shitless and then spent the rest of the day fretting about the sick old Master. However, even he being sick and all, managed to notice her eyes darting to the clock from time to time and an almost inaudible sigh leave her lips once in a while. He didn't comment though – was a bit too busy vomiting all over the place and what not.

Tuesday

Kyotaro waited patiently. And then waited some more because Kumiko only had lessons on the afternoon that day… but as soon as the young woman left for school – cigarette, sunglasses, bad-ass yakuza coat. Kyo was of.

-KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KN..-

"Kyotaro-san? How may I help yo… please, come right in." Shin finished, rolling his eyes as the older male barged in as soon as he opened the door.

"Where were you?" he asked as soon as the door closed behind him.

"Where was I when?" Shin asked calmly, going back to his desk, which was littered in marked and post-noted pages.

"Where were you yesterday?" Kyotaro asked, grinding his teeth.

"Here." Came an answer followed by an elegant shrug. "I was preparing for today's trial. Why?"

"WHY? Why, he says…" Kyotaro growled. "You were supposed come and see the Master yesterday, that's why!" Shin tried, honestly, he tried, to hide his smirk. He failed.

"I called. The Master was kind enough to inform me there were no urgent matters he needed my council on and there was no need for me to come in person." This time, he didn't even try to hide his smirk. "Phones, Kyotaro-san, are awfully handy, wouldn't you agree?" the young Waka sighed, shook his head and left, muttering about 'stubborn children and stupid old men' under his breath.

Wednesday

Kumiko Yamaguchi was on her way out of school – completely ready to finally kick down her stubborn love's door, when…

"Yamaguchi-sensei…~" she suppressed a shudder at the sweetly-poisonous voice and turned around slowly.

"Sawatari-san." She greeted him with a nod. A few moments later, the snake-ly man realized she wasn't going to give him anything and grit his teeth.

"If you would be so kind as to follow me. The director'll like to see you." Kumiko frowned.

"Now?" Sawatari-san smiled a sickly smile and nodded like the bouncing-head doggy.

"Oh yess… now." And he strutted away, looking way too happy with himself. Young teacher sighed inwardly- yet another attempt thwarted, and followed him to the principal's office.

Kumiko was fuming – now she knew why that damned Sawatari was so darned pleased with himself. He almost got her fired! She had spent the whole afternoon trying to convince Shirakawa-san that yes, she had a terrible week and yes, it was because of something that was going on at home, but no, it wouldn't be happening again because, yes, it was over…more or less. That part, however, she didn't thought important enough to mention to the director. The young woman sighed as she looked at her watch – it was almost eleven pm and she was too tired to even think, much less kick someone's door in and then get into, what obviously was going to be a shouting match, with them. 'Tomorrow.' She swore silently, got home and collapsed into her bed, kicking off only her shoes.

Thursday

Wake up – rush to school - avoid Fujiyama-sensei and her persistent questions and pitying glances – run home – change – run to Shin's apartment – climb a tree to his window (because door are for the weak~) and… he's not home.

"Hello. You have reached Sawada Shin…"

"Goddamn it!" Kumiko cursed getting out of the tree and sulking her way back home. Once there, she bumped into Kyotaro, just randomly sitting on the steps and smoking.

"Evenin', Oujo." He greeted happily and the young woman grunted in reply on passing. Then, she stopped, back-paddled back to him and a shark grin spread over her lips. Kyotaro gulped.

"Kyo-chan…"

"Y-yes, Oujo?" he asked, now fearful – the glint in her eyes was not promising a sunshine and rainbows kind of picnic.

"Listen, Kyo-chan… you love me, right?" young Waka deadpanned.

"Of course I love you, Oujo! You're my baby sister!" Kumiko grinned then. Kyo felt like he might just regret that declaration in a few moments. Aaaaaaaaaaand…

"I need you to get in trouble for me, Kyo-chan." Yup, he was regretting it already.

"What?" exceptionally eloquently asked Kyotaro.

"I. need. You. To. Get. Into. Some. Serious. Trouble. Kyo." Kyotaro just blinked and Kumiko felt like a face-palm moment was upon her.

"What do you mean, Oujo?"

"I mean, I need you to get yourself into serious trouble. Lawyer-needed kind of serious, get it?" Kyotaro made an 'OH' face and then nodded, his head bobbing hard enough to fly of his shoulders. Kumiko grinned and slapped him on the shoulder. "I knew I could count on you, Kyo-chan!"

-RING- -Ri…- "Hello? Master? What can I do for…I'll be right there." Shin frowned at his phone as he hung up – for Kyotaro to actually be in jail, was…rather unusual. Shrugging of his weird vibe-feeling, Shin grabbed his official jacket, fixed his tie and left, slamming the door of his apartment.

(…)

The prosecutor was beat-red with anger while Shin was looking bored. Kyotaro was laughing on the inside – he was as good as outta here. And, but fifteen minutes later, the young Waka was walked out of the precinct by the family's lawyer.

"Thanks, Red." He grinned at the younger male, who merely rolled his eyes.

"Whatever possessed you to do something as stupid as actually waiting for the cops to show after the beating other guys up?" Shin asked through a groan and Kyotaro shrugged.

"Meh, was tired. Thought a rest wouldn't hurt… kinda felt asleep while restin'… ya know the rest. Where do you think you're going?" he asked when he saw the lawyer turn the opposite direction of the household.

"Home." Answered Shin sweat-dropping. "Where else?" Kyo bit his lip. The plan was to get this young, stubborn thing inside, where his Oujo was waiting with a plan of ambush.

"Eeeem… the Master is certain to want all the…um, official details?" he cursed inwardly for making it sound like a question. The excuse was weak at best, but Shin seemed to bite.

"You're right." The young man sighed as he changed direction. "I should report in… even though I'll probably get ambushed or some shit like that…" he mumbled to himself quietly. Kyotaro was doing tap dance in his head.

(…)

As Shin was leaving Master's chambers after giving in his report, he did, indeed, get ambushed. Kumiko was standing right in between him and the door. Young man stifled a sigh and weighted his options. He could've tried to… um, fight his way out? No, he dismissed the thought immediately. Even after all these years, she was still… still stronger than him. He could try outrunning her? Or, he darted a look through the window, jump? Well, it was barely the third floor; he could probably manage not to break something while landing.

"Shin, don't be foolish…" she snapped him out of his thoughts, startling with the level of tiredness in her voice. His eyes went to her face. 'Do NOT react.' He thought to himself and schooled his expression into a careful mask of indifference.

"Miss Yamaguchi. Good evening." He said instead of jumping and then forced his mask to stay in place despite her obvious flinch.

"We need to talk, Shin…" she tried again and he almost bit his lip – for her to not go calling him 'Sawada'… she truly was desperate. But he was stubborn. And he was proud. Master Red Lion, after all. So, refusing to let her get into his head looking all tired and vulnerable, he nodded curtly and started walking towards the door.

"Any official maters you wish to discuss can be discussed when I come back in a week or so for the regular updates with the Master. You can attend the meeting if you so wish. I must go now for I have urgent maters to attend to. Good evening, Miss Yamaguchi." He spoke quickly, not giving her an opportunity to interfere and by the end of his monologue he was out the door. And then, shame, shame on him – Shin Sawada ran. Ran and didn't look back. Not once. He couldn't. And that was exactly what saved him from stopping. Had he turned and seen the expression she was making, all his resolve would've gone down the drain right then and there…

Kumiko stood on the doorstep for a while more, looking so lost and so miserable it broke Kyo and Tetsu's hearts and made the need for revenge burn in them, but then, suddenly, she just… stopped. Looking like the world had ended, that is. All that wallowing in self-pity was replaced by a raging determination.

"You wanna do it this way then, huh, Sawada? Fine by me." She hissed under her breath and stormed back inside.

"Oh boy…" Tetsu hummed and Kyotaro could only nod.

"The boy's done it now… She completely snapped… gods help us all…"