Whoopsie! I forgot my disclaimer in the previous chaptie! . Uh-oh!

Terra: We do not own Hot Gimmick, Hot GimmickS, or any of the character or ideas belonging to them!

Arret: That's right!

There was the soft sound of footsteps, accompanied by the aroma of breakfast. Hatsumi's nose twitched unconsciously as Shinogu settled himself next to her, watching her face as she stirred from her pleasant sleep.

"Hatsumi?" So this is how she looks when she's asleep. "I've got your breakfast here for you." He leaned close to her face and brushed the hair from her eyes. Hatsumi... "WAKE UP!" He said playfully, causing the poor brunette to jump up, hitting her head on his chin.

"Shinogu-chan!" Hatsumi yelped. She paused and looked around the room again, making sure it wasn't all a bad dream. Her thoughts were confirmed when she looked into her former brother's dark eyes. He smirked again. Hatsumi shifted herself into a more stable position. "What's going on!?!?!" She burst out, her eyes wide and full of questions.

"Shh... calm down." He put his hands on her shoulders. "Give me a minute and I'll explain everything." He warmly smiled at her.

"Calm down?!" Hatsumi stood up. "Explain?! You drugged me Shinogu!" Shinogu's smile dropped and he stood up slowly, his height dwarfing her. "What am I supposed to think nii-san?"

Shinogu took Hatsumi into an embrace. "Please, don't call me your brother, you know that hurts." He tilted her chin up to look her in the eyes. "I'm here to be you private tutor."

"But!" Hatsumi interjected.

"Shh..." Shinogu put a finger up to her lips. "Listen for just a minute My Beloved." Hatsumi blushed. "You were drugged because the plans weren't final and I acted irrationally. I didn't want you to get hurt." Now they both blushed. "And the reason your chained to a bed is so you don't run away back to Tachibana under any circumstances." He looked her dead in the eyes.

"Wha! I wouldn't..." She looked away from his smoldering stare.

"Hatsumi," He said, burying her head into his broad chest, "You don't understand what he is capable of. When you denied him what he wanted, he wanted it even more. He would do anything to get your love, aside from hurting you directly. He, may have matured, he may seem more like a gentleman, but trust me, he is still Ryoki, and he will do whatever he can to get what he desires. Do you understand?"

Hatsumi nodded. "Uh-huh." She muttered into his chest.

Shinogu separated himself from Hatsumi. "Good."

"B-but... how will he get me?" She stuttered, looking up at him with a quizzical expression.

"Tachibana has become involved with more people than you can imagine in the past few years. Military leaders, mad scientists, powerful leaders, gangs, you name it! He's like the jack of all trades. He can get away with murder if he wants to."

"That's awful! How the heck did he get that powerful!" Hatsumi sat down on a comfy chair. "Will they be okay? Akane? Mom? Dad? Will he go after them?" She placed her forehead in her hands.

"I don't know." Shinogu sat down beside her, putting an arm around her shoulder. "Unless he has reason to believe you have contact with the. Otherwise, threatening them would be pointless."

"Thank you Shinogu!" Hatsumi gave the kind hearted man a big hug. "Now can you untie me?" She looked up at him with big brown eyes.

Shinogu placed his hand on her lower back, pulling her closer. Looking in her eyes he said, "Only if you acknowledge that I love you as a lover does." He starred her down, desperately waiting for an answer. "Hatsumi."

With the sudden realization of her feelings for him, Hatsumi was shocked. Words not finding their way to her lips, she looked up at Shinogu like a deer in the headlights, wide-eyed and caught by surprise. Shinogu took his chances and placed his lips upon hers, if only for a moment. His lips are so soft and warm... WAIT! . I can't be thinking this! I can't!

"Hatsumi." He repeated.

But I am...

"I love you Shinogu... I love you and there's nothing that can stop me!" She declared. "I acknowledge your love and return it!" She pulled him closer, her lips briefly coming into contact with his. She pulled away and looked at him again. "Can you untie me now?"

"Yeah." He said with a pure smile of delight.

Somewhere over the rainbow or wherever Ryoki was...

"Ugh..." Ryoki shuddered, unable to shake a most sickening feeling that over took him. There is a disturbance in the force...

Terra: Okay, I'm going to put this straight right now, Ryoki (in my fanfiction) does indeed like star wars. He particularly likes the third, movie, but that's just his preference. Don't worry, there is no proof aside from here that he likes star wars, this is just in my fic right now. I had to! . One of those opportunities I can't pass up!

Arret: Meh... not sure if I should try to lighten the mood a little like I did at the end or not... Please tell me! I hope you'll be getting longer updates from me soon, but I just couldn't continue that scene without feed-back. I've never written lovey dovey stuff, so I want to know what you want to see happen. Should Shinogu call Hatsumi his beloved? Should he be mysterious and intimate? or caring and not so intimate? Without guidance... I fear what may happen... *shiver* Feedback appreciated ^.^ Please and thank you!