Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Gravitation. I do not own Mary Poppins. I did want to make mention of a couple of things. This is AU. There will be no Yuki Kitazawa, there will be no attack on Eiri, nor will there be an attack on Shuichi. This is yaoi. If you don't like that you shouldn't be here.

this means thoughts

Several days later, there was a knock on the door. Tatsuha, who had been playing Hide and Seek with the boys shouted, "I'll get it!" Hiro stepped from his hiding place and yelled, "I'm coming too!"

Tatsuha and Hiro opened the door to a 5 foot pink bunny with floppy ears. He bowed and introduced himself. "Good afternoon. I am Kumagoro, na no da. I came to see about the ad in the paper. It mentioned something about kids, as well as a maid. I came to help out na no da!"

Hiro jumped up and down squealing in delight. Yuuji came out of hiding, wondering what his brother was so happy about. When he saw the pink bunny, he too began jumping and clapping in excitement. Hiro moved passed his uncle and shook Kumagoro's hand. "Hi, Kumagoro! My name is Hiro and this is my brother Yuuji. This tall man is my Uncle Tats-ha. May I call you Kuma? Have you come to play with us forever and ever? I hope so because you are the bestest bunny I have ever seen!" Hiro then pulled Yuuji with him towards the animal at the door, and they both wrapped their arms around his waist.

Kumagoro loved the hugs; he was grinning as he replied; "I like the name Kuma, na no da. It's very nice to meet you Hiro and Yuuji. And you as well, Tats-ha. Umm, may I come in na no da?"

Tatsuha, knowing that Kumagoro was in reality, Ryuichi Sakuma, did his squealing on the inside. He couldn't, after all, look less than manly in front of his nephews. He opened the door wider and said, "Of course, Kumagoro. Please enter our home. How very nice to meet you." With a wicked glint in his eyes, he added, "You said something about a maid's outfit?"

"Tats-ha. I said nothing about a maid's outfit. I said maid position na no da." Kuma glared at the monk. Who the heck did he think he was with that kind of comment. As he came into the foyer, he saw a tall blond coming from another room on his left. He went to greet him, but instead heard, "What are you doing here you nutbar? Did Tohma send you as a trial for me? I have two three-year-old children, a rapacious monk, and an evil sister; I do not need a rabbit singer to add to my craziness. Get out."

Hiro pulled at his father's hand. "Daddee, no. We want Kuma to stay with us. He's the pwettiest pink wabbit ever." Yuuji worked with Hiro, "Please Daddee? We won't bother you for the rest of the day! We pwomiss." Eiri could have sworn that he was strong in spirit, but he was crushed under the pouts of his sons and gave in. He sighed, "Okay, he can stay. But just for today. He already has a full-time job as a rock star, we can't keep him forever. He's a friend of Aunt Mika and Uncle Tohma."

The boys shouted, "Yay! Thank you Daddee. Come on Kuma, let's go outside!" Tatsuha, seeing his chance to get closer to the singer, pointed and said sheepishly, "Heh, heh. I'll just follow them." He looked at his brother and ran from the room. Eiri just shook his head and went back to his study to continue working.

Outside, the boys started playing "Ring Around the Kuma." Sweet voices began singing, "Ring around the Kuma. Pockets full of tuna. Ashes, ashes, we all fall down." (They were three- it didn't have to make sense!). They fell to the ground laughing; even Kuma fell down earning his spot as a best friend for life.

Hiro began chasing Yuuji, playing freeze tag. As Kuma got up to join them, (because he loved to play tag,) Tatsuha patted his shoulder and affirmed, "Excuse me, but aren't you Ryuichi Sakuma, lead singer of Nittle Grasper?" Ryuichi put a finger to his lips and whispered, "Yes, but right now I'm playing Kumagoro to have fun with Yuuji and Hiro na no da. Tohma explained that they were needing some fun here, and we aren't doing anything musically at present. I, too need to have distractions like this every so often na no da. So, please don't spoil it Tats-ha." He stood up fully and winked.

Tatsuha finally broke down and laughed, "My name is Tatsuha by the way. The boys can't say my name correctly so I am their Uncle Tats-ha. I don't mind it, but I would love for you to say my name in your wonderful voice, Mr. Sakuma." He wriggled his eyebrows. "Unless, may I call you Ryuichi?"

"Hmm, Tatsuha, okay. And no, I am Kumagoro na no da; not Ryuichi." Don't give me away to Hiro and Yuuji. They won't like me anymore, na no da. I'll let them know when I leave later on this evening."

Tatsuha nodded then answered, "Your secret is safe with me Kumagoro. But I think my brother already spilled the beans. I could be wrong, but I remember him telling the boys that you were a full-time rock singer. Don't worry, it looks like they still think the world of you. Before you run off and play again, would you like to meet me for coffee sometime?"

"Sure, Ryuichi would love to meet Tatsuha for coffee. Give me your phone number – better yet, put it in my phone for me, na no da. I'll call you before the weekend. Bye Tatsuha, see you later, na no da." Kuma ran off to play with the boys; they were still playing tag and Kuma was "it". Tatsuha put his hands in his pocket, dreaming about the upcoming coffee date. His eyes became glazed over and suddenly there was a dribble of drool. Looking around surreptitiously, he wiped his chin and made his way inside. It was time to get lunch started.

A week after the Kuma date, the boys were sitting with Eiri on the sofa. The doorbell rang. Hiro ran to the door to see who was there. Eiri ran after him and scolded, "Hiro, you know that you can't answer the door on your own. You are not supposed to talk to strangers." Hiro grimaced. "I know Daddee but I was hoping it was Kuma coming to play with us. He's been gone forever. We miss him." Eiri smiled and chided, "You do? I only see you opening the door, Hiro. Yuuji is over on the sofa waiting patiently for us to come back. And we were playing a nice game of "I'm going on a picnic, too. Now, let's see who's visiting us today."

Eiri opened the door and just stood there staring. A young man of 20 stood there, holding the newspaper advertisement in his hand. Stunned beyond the capacity for rational thought, he grumbled, "Who are you and what do you want?"

The young man lifted his head from the paper in his hand, and Eiri saw a pair of shining lavender eyes. A quiet gasp and he began to apologize. "I'm sorry. I don't usually forget my manners. It looks like you are here responding to the ad we placed in the paper." Hiro looked around his father and made a face. "Yuuji, it's not Kuma. It's a boy with pink hair and really pwetty purple eyes. I'm gonna make him my friend first. You just stay there, 'kay?"

Turning back to the front door, Hiro held out his hand and bubbled, Hi Mister. My name is Hiro Ooesugee. I have a twin brother named Yuuji. He's over there on the sofa. You have really pwetty eyes. Are you coming in? Daddee, let him in. Even though he's not a mommee, we can see if he will play games, like Kuma."

Eiri moved away from the door and bid the young man enter. "So what is your name?"

The pinkette replied, "Shuichi Shindou, babysitter extraordinaire as well as a singer, and somewhat of a decent cook. I can't make gourmet dinners, but I do know my way around the kitchen. And while I was introduced to young Hiro, may I ask your name as well?"

The blond answered, "Well, I am Eiri Uesugi. You now know, my son Hiro, and his brother is over there on the sofa. His name is Yuuji. There is also my brother Tatsuha that lives here. There were certain requirements in the ad." He whispered, "Did you bring pocky? Any flavor is fine, the boys are mad for it." His eyes twinkled and then he admitted, "I also can see that you are not stinky, and you seem to be fairly pretty. You've said that you sing, and can cook. I guess, do you know any games to play with the boys? Can you clean even a little bit? If the answer to any of those questions is yes. My last question is when can you start?"

Shuichi stood in the foyer with his mouth hanging open wondering which questions out of the slew of them he should answer first. When Mr. Uesugi finally slowed down, he simply said, "I can start tomorrow. I would like to talk with the children now, if at all possible. Oh, and please call me Shuichi." He held out his hand and took the blond's. Eiri reciprocated and then drawled, "We don't stand on ceremony here, I am Eiri. Shuichi, please come and meet my boys."

When the men shook hands, it seemed that an electric current had run through them. Eiri had never felt such an attraction with another person before. Ever. Shuichi was going to be an important part of his life; he just knew it. Now, if the boys were as ecstatic about him, they could begin a whole new phase of happiness in Kyoto. As he led Shuichi into the living room, Yuuji jumped off the couch and shuffled over to the group.

Shuichi absentmindedly rubbed his hand against his thigh proving that he felt something when he shook hands with the boys' father. He categorized the handsome face, the golden eyes, as well as the six feet height that made up the sexiness of the Uesugi. He pushed all of that to the back of his mind and settled in to meet Hiro and Yuuji properly. After all, right now, there was no time for romance. He had to prove that he was the right person for the job.

Shuichi got down on his knees and beamed. "Hello, Boys. My name is Shuichi, and I am very excited to meet you. I know that I said I can start tomorrow, but my former nursemaid had a special way to acquaint herself with her new charges. Let me just reach into my pocket a-a-nd here we go." He stood up, moved over to the sofa and brought out a tape measure. Of course, Hiro stepped to him first and asked while pointing, "What is that Shooeechi?"

Shuichi replied, "Hiro, you are completely adorable. And I am going to teach you both how to actually speak correctly. But, to answer your question, this is a way to see how you two measure up. Stand up straight Hiro. And put this end under your foot. Now we stretch it to the top of your head to find out all about you." Hiro giggled. "What do we have here. It says that you are Hiro Uesugi. You love to talk, laugh and sing. It also states that you sometimes are too smart for your own good." This was said with a smile, so the boy knew there was no reprimand. Hiro smiled then crowed, "Well, what about Yuuji?"

Shuichi called to Yuuji, "Come on over then Yuuji. It's your turn. Take this end and put it under your foot, just like Hiro did, and then we stretch it to the top of your head, like so. And what it says here, is that you are Yuuji Uesugi. It reads that you are quiet and content to let Hiro do all your talking. We can't have that. I actually want to know what you're thinking, not what Hiro thinks you should be thinking. Okay?" Yuuji nodded, and then muttered, "Yes, Shuichi. I will try."

Shuichi patted the boy on the head. "Good. That's an excellent start." Hiro chuckled and asked, "What does it say for you?" Shuichi motioned for the boy to take the end of the tape and place it under his foot. He stretched it to the top of his head and then pulled it away to read. "Just as I expected, Shuichi Shindou, practically blameless for any crisis that may come along. Oh, and an awesome babysitter to boot who can sing like an angel." He laughed, "Does that answer your question?" The Uesugis cheered, "Yes!" Then Yuuji interrupted and quietly questioned, "Shuichi, what about Daddee?" Shuichi looked at Eiri while Eiri looked back at him. Tatsuha entered the room and broke the tension. "What was all that laughter about?"

The moment was gone. Shuichi turned to the newcomer and explained, "I was using a tool to get to know the family a little better. My name is Shuichi Shindou, and it's a pleasure to meet you. Yuuji, to answer your question, we will see how he measures up tomorrow. Will that suit? I am going to have to get going but I promise I will back tomorrow. Thanks for hiring me, Eiri. The boys and I are a match; I can feel it."

As Shuichi left the temple, he mused. What the hell was that? It was pretty intense, that's for sure. He is totally gorgeous; it's a little intimidating. I'm not sure if I can stay aloof and professional. If the powers that be keep sending out those signals, I may not be able to keep my perspective. But it would be so worth it. My own family.

Eiri stood looking at the empty door with such longing that Tatsuha was shocked into movement. He waved his hand in front of his brother, "Hey Bro. You awake in there?" Eiri refocused on Tatsuha and croaked, "That was my future that just walked out. And I can't believe I just let him go."