Standard Disclaimer Applied.

Special mention to the following who have once again been a great help in increasing my inspiration: Shenhui, SnowCharms, larsha, ladylyris, yanagi-chyan, obsessed dreamer, Aira Winoa, rayearth29, loujane14, nils, windstream, and phinkness.

I confess I am a lazy bum. I am so sorry for the late update. I can't say that I'm not going to do it again. Bear with me though.

Chapter 3

Rondo to Distruction

Recca's eyebrows were twitching while still trying to be calm. He must remain calm.

He was still in la-la-land with his hime when his phone rang waking him up in an ungodly hour.

"Do you have a freaking idea what time it is?? Civilized people wait until later when the sun is finally up before they go on calling and disturbing other people's sleep!!" Recca barked groggily at the phone as soon as he picked it up. So much for trying to calm down, his fantasy was interrupted for goodness' sake!

"Hanabishi Recca is that the proper greeting your father taught you when answering the phone?"

Sleep forgotten, he hurriedly sat up in his bed and focus all his attention to the person at the other end of the line.

"Auntie? He, he…I thought you were another prank caller." As lame as his excuse sounded, that was all Recca could come up with at the moment.

Every fiber in Recca's body was now very much awake. It wasn't his fault that he reacted like any normal person would when disturbed while sleeping especially when in the middle of a very sweet dream. It didn't help either that he was known for spewing words without thinking much about it first.

He wasn't about to complain though, nor argue. Trusting his instinct, he was more than sure that she wouldn't be happy to hear his argument, however reasonable it might sound. He knew better than to irked Fuuko's mom furthermore. He had had enough dreadful experiences with Fuuko's anger who was the sole heiress to Mrs. Kirisawa's well known temper, thank you very much.

Mrs. Kirisawa, who was like a second mother to him since she had treated him the same way she had with her daughter ever since he could remember, was a no nonsense person. Calling him in the middle of the night, she must have something really important to tell him. Knowing her, it would definitely be about Fuuko.

Before he and the rest of the gang moved to the city, she had asked him to watch over Fuuko. Although he knew that Fuuko could be a real handful, he accepted the task. So far he had no problems concerning her, yet.

"So what's up Auntie? To what do I owe the pleasure of this phone call?"

"Recca-kun, how's my Fuuko-chan doing?"

At this Recca rolled his eyes. He understood that his auntie was worried about her daughter's welfare and just wanted to check if everything was fine. But seriously, couldn't she wait a little later to ask, probably at a much more decent hour? Was that too much to ask??

'Mothers…' Recca shook his head.

"Last time I checked, which was yesterday, she's just fine Auntie. She got a part-time job as a photographer and she's not doing badly herself. In fact, I'd say her works were more than average. But I told you that before, didn't I? No problem in any of her classes either. Between shooting pictures and school, she doesn't have enough time to get herself in trouble so you have nothing to worry about."

"Is it just me getting old or you haven't really mentioned anything about her bike?"

"Huh?" Now that was an unexpected question. Recca wasn't sure how to answer that. Was that supposed to be included in his "report"?

"I take it that you haven't heard a word about the accident, have you? I had a little chat with Yanagi-chan earlier. She wasn't as positive as you sounded when I inquired about your charge. Actually, the poor girl was so worked up."

"I didn't have a chance to check on them tonight so I had no idea that something like that happened. I'm sorry. Is she alright?" Recca asked worriedly.

Recca was beyond embarrassed. He was supposed to be the one informing his auntie of Fuuko's condition not the other way around.

"Aside from a sprained ankle and a bruised ego, Fuuko's fine. She had enough practice making a fool of herself anyway. Listen Recca, you know how reckless Fuuko can be. Add that bike of hers to her daredevil attitude and you can bet your life that tonight's accident won't be the last. I'm proud that she has a free spirit in her but I'm afraid it's too much. Too much of a good thing is bad, as what they say."

'You got that right.' Recca thought nodding his head in approval while listening to Mrs. Kirisawa.

"What I'm trying to say is that you have got to do something about that attitude of hers before she ends up with more than a sprained ankle or whatever unfortunate event it is that's waiting for her." Mrs. Kirisawa concluded.

"Yes, of cour-- wait, WHAT??"

Recca must mishear what she said. Surely she's not asking him to tame the untamable, was she?

"It is quite too much to ask, I'll give you that but you have more influence to her since you practically grew up together and especially now that you children are living by yourselves. Recca you know that I love both you and Ganko the same way I love Fuuko but Fuuko is my first baby. Out of the three of you, she attracts the most trouble. No, what am I saying? She picks up trouble herself rather."

"But Auntie--"

"Good boy. That's settled then. Do keep me updated on the developments, ne?"

That was all the warning Recca got before he heard the click that signaled the end of their conversation.

For the longest time he stared dumbfounded at his phone thinking what the heck happened. He pinched his face to make sure he didn't just imagine that telephone incident.

His face was hurting from where he pinched it.

It only meant that he was fully awaked then.

Damn he was so screwed!

Tokiya was resting in his favorite spot aside from the library in the university: the rooftop. He still had two more classes for the day and right now was his vacant period. He would have spent that period in the library but then his fan club was expecting him to be there and they were just waiting to ogle him then pounce him if they got bold enough the moment they spotted him there. He opted for his secret haven then.

He became alert when the door opened and was almost ready to hide but he stilled himself when he saw that it was just Recca and Yanagi.

Yanagi greeted him when she saw him sitting there. She settled herself near him followed by her self-proclaimed ninja.

He was quite surprised when after about ten minutes Recca had not said a word yet. He gave him a side glance and saw that the sea monkey was in deep thought. The last time he saw that look was during their life threatening episodes with Kouran Mori and company.

"What's with the long face?" Tokiya asked more curious than worried.

Recca looked at him then sighed first before answering.

"I just had a little chat with Auntie about Fuuko." Recca said as if that answered everything. Tokiya raised an eyebrow at his vague answer.

"I know you know I'm intellectual and all but aren't you overestimating me a bit too much? You had a chat with Fuuko's mom; yeah big deal. What about it?"

Recca gave him a look as if saying he knew nothing. He was quite annoyed at himself for being curious. He was more annoyed at Recca for making him interested. Since when did he become interested anyway?

"Remember that accident Fuuko had yesterday? Well Auntie heard it from hime and now she wanted me to reform Fuuko fearing that if I don't then her daughter's going to end up in a worse condition."

"That's a real problem then that you're facing. Good luck to you solving it."

"That's not helping me in anyway Mikagami." Recca snapped at him.

"Who said anything about me helping you? I was merely curious that's why I asked. Now that my curiosity had been satisfied, I would butt out of your business."

True to his words, Tokiya began to rummage his bag for the novel he brought with him. Once said novel was found he ignored the couple and began reading.

"Dammit! It's not like I can watch her 24/7 to make sure she doesn't do anything reckless. And even if I could I doubt Fuuko would be too happy about it." Recca said frustrated.

"Sempai we would really appreciate it if you could help us or give us an idea how to go on with this. We really don't know what to do." Yanagi gave him a pleading look.

Tokiya sighed. For the life of him he couldn't understand why he was so weak against those pleading eyes. It reminded him of a certain purple head's puppy eyed look.

He thought for a moment but came up with nothing afterwards.

"What was Fuuko's mother thinking when she asked that? That's like praying for a miracle to happen. Surely she knew how handful her daughter is. Next thing you know, she'll be asking you to find the monkey a husband." Tokiya grimaced at the impossibility of Recca's task.

"Husband? Recca-kun, that's it!" Yanagi suddenly burst out excitedly.

Tokiya and Recca looked at Yanagi clueless.

"Hime, you want us to marry her off to someone? Umm, my job's already difficult as it is. No need to complicate it more."

Tokiya kept his mouth shut. He didn't want to offend Yanagi. He was gentleman enough not to point out that she finally cracked up.

"Oh no, no. That's not what I meant. What I'm trying to say is that we should find her a boyfriend." Yanagi was now red due to her excitement.

"We still don't get it Yanagi-san. How will finding a guy solve anything?" Tokiya could no longer keep his silence. He was afraid if he didn't clear this up now he'll be hearing more harebrained schemes.

"Well see, if we find her a boyfriend we don't have to worry about watching her 24/7 as what Recca-kun stated before. Fuuko-chan will spend most of her time with someone. And since she cares about the said boyfriend, she won't do anything to make him worry. It will limit her from her usual quirks if not preventing it all together."

Yanagi beamed at them very pleased at her idea.

Tokiya cringed at what he heard. He saw how happy Yanagi was at her idea and he wondered if it would be too cruel of him to break the news to her that even though the monkey cared for her friends and family that didn't stop her from doing her antics.

He gave a beseeching look at Recca so the sea monkey could stop Yanagi, or God help him, he would be forced to break it to her himself. His jaw dropped though when he saw the grin on the idiot's face.

"Awesome! Of course, why didn't it ever cross my mind? We get her a man and everything's going to be perfect. No need to worry that auntie's going after my hide anymore." Relief could be seen at Recca's gleaming face.

Tokiya gaped at them. He couldn't believe what he just heard. He didn't set his hopes high when it came to the sea monkey so there was almost no surprise there. Almost…since he didn't expect that his brains could get any lower.

But, the idea coming from Yanagi, all hope's lost in the Hokage team.

"Hold it you two. Did it ever cross your minds that Kirisawa cares for you both?" Tokiya asked them.

Recca and Yanagi just stared at him looking lost at his out of nowhere question. Tokiya willed himself to be patient.

"My point is, even though you are her friends and she cares for you that didn't stop her from being impulsive. So what made you think that having a guy around will be any different?" Tokiya said what had to be said. He needed to put some sense into their brains.

The two remained silent for a while thinking over what had just been said. Then Recca opened his mouth again.

"Aww Mikagami, you sure are a bundle of inspiration aren't you? Friends are friends, lovers are lovers. See, there goes the difference."

"Sempai, we wouldn't know until we try ne?" Yanagi smiled at him.

"Besides, you got a better idea? No? Let's get this show on the road then." Recca was too excited to be put down by his negative remark.

"Who's going to be the human sacrifice then? Got any idea?" Clearly, the message had not sunk down yet and Tokiya refused to back off unless he could finally enlighten them.

"You can't just select a guy randomly. I suppose there would be a bunch willing to cope up with her but those would surely be perverts. Some may be decent enough but most likely Kirisawa would overpower them. You sure her mother won't have your crafty withered hide?"

Tokiya gave himself a pat in the back mentally. There was no way they could ever counter that. It was high time they come up with a realistic solution.

Then again, he didn't like the look the couple was shooting him. Nope, he didn't like it one bit.

"Whatever it is you're thinking, the answer is no." Tokiya gave them his fiercest look to show that he meant what he said.

"All those girls willing to be at your beck and call, you never once made a pass. Definitely not a pervert: check." Recca look at him intently.

"You were never intimidated by Fuuko-chan although lots of guys cower at her presence. Fuuko-chan's equal: check." Yanagi smiled brightly at him.

"NO means NO!" Tokiya barked at them.

"You know her, she knows you. Introductions aren't considered necessary anymore. Even Auntie knows you so there won't be any trust issues there. Parent's blessing: check." Recca and Yanagi said in unison.

"Which part of no you didn't get?? The N or the O, I'll go over it with you?"

Tokiya was beyond frustrated already. Why was it so hard for them to understand?

"Onegai Mikagami-sempai. With you Recca-kun and I may rest assured that Fuuko-chan will be fine. If there's anyone who can bend her hasty attitude, it's you sempai because you know how to toe the line. When it comes to battle of wills both of you are a match."

Yanagi was closed to tears when she pleaded with him. People said that he was cold hearted but how could he remain unaffected when faced with such sight. If it was someone else he wouldn't give a damn but this was Yanagi. Since he met her she had always held a soft spot in his heart. Not only because she was a spitting image of his late sister but also because of her compassionate nature.

Tokiya closed his eyes in mock surrender. One of these days he would surely get himself in big trouble, if he wasn't in one yet, because of those eyes.

"You guys owe me big time." Tokiya signed while Recca and Yanagi rejoiced with the success of their persuasion.

Too bad they did not recognize the purple head's seething presence.

I got the title of this chapter from one of Keigo Atobe's tennis style and techniques "Hametsu e no rondo, or Rondo to destruction" in the anime series Prince of Tennis. This anime got me so hooked up that I didn't get the chance to update not until the end of this month. Gomen ne?

Guys, just the mere mention of "please update" or just a simple "update" in your reviews makes me grin all day long. It tells me that this fic is interesting enough that you want to read and know more about it. Thank you very much.

l-shinogu