Ahmmm...hello? :) So yeah, here's chapter 3 for you guys! I hope you'll like it!

If not...well, at least I tried!

Disclaimer: I do not own PoT..Takeshi Konomi does. I do own Cafe La Creme and all OC's in this story though...

Chapter 3: Making the Right Decision

-August 19, present year Saturday 8:28 p.m.-

At the café…

It took some time and glares, but Sakuno managed to seat the five men who appeared at the café uninvited. The tension around the room was too heavy, she felt like she can cut it with a knife. Akiko, she noticed, slid deeper into the couch, her hands clutching Kiseki's tightly. Sanada was still staring blankly at the terrified girl, a lethal smirk on his lips. Sakuno felt shivers running up and down her spine.

Turning her eyes at the other men, she felt confusion cloud her initial fear. Why is Tezuka-senpai and Fuji-senpai with these three Rikkai men? The last she heard, Tezuka-senpai is managing a German-based company at the said country, while Fuji-senpai is in an extended working trip somewhere in Mongolia, or was it India? She couldn't remember the exact details that Hina-chan gave her. But why are they here?

An irritated sigh caught her attention. This is bad, she thought.

Kiseki is frowning, clearly not amused of what is happening, while Kira rolled her eyes upwards, annoyance written all over her face.

Saki, in the meantime, is having an all-out one-sided glaring contest with her boyfriend—er, ex-boyfriend.

"Saki-"Yagyuu started, but was cut-off when the glare intensified.

"Don't call me that, you jerk." Her voice is dripping with venom. Yagyuu frowned, patience on its end.

"Look, I'm here to explain things okay? Just hear me out." He continued softly.

Saki crossed her arms in front of her, a defensive act. "Explain? What is there to explain?"

Yagyuu gave her a pointed look. "The wedding."

Akiko flinched and sunk further in her seat.

"Yes, the wedding." Yukimura smiled amiably at the girls, his eyes momentarily focusing on the silent red-head. "Ayame-chan, it's been a long time."

Ayame just stared at him, light-green eyes blank. "Yukimura-san." She looked at the others, eyebrow raised. "What are you doing here? Are you all involved with the wedding?"

Akiko groaned and buried her face into her hands.

Tezuka cleared his throat. "We have some important matters to discuss with Moriyama-san."

Saki turned her eyes at him. "What is it?"

"I meant Akiko Moriyama-san, not you."

Saki bristled. "No."

Sanada stared harder at Akiko. "Yes. We need to talk, and you, will explain yourself."

Akiko has had a lot of wishes when she was growing up.

Once, she wished that the school will change the time when the classes start so she can sleep in as much as she likes. And then she wished to have American style pancakes with butter and chocolate and maple syrup on top of it. She wished for pink snow, for ice-cream on rainy days so she wouldn't mind the cold weather, for visits to the amusement park, for her parents to push the swing while she is sitting on it. Another is when she wished she could make friends in her high school because she has never felt so terrified in stepping foot at a whole new place.

Only one of those many wishes came true.

Now, Akiko wished she didn't wake up this particular day. If she had known that her day would turn out like this, she would have gladly volunteered herself to any institution that needed help so just she could hide in some far away country where Sanada Genichiro wouldn't be able to find her.

Too bad, she thought grimly, she will die without experiencing a blissful life. She knew she should have taken up Makino's offer of a Parisian trip. Sigh.

As it is, she may not even be able to see another day, if those glares and smirks are any indication.

She turned fearful eyes at the man opposite her. She can almost hear her friends' prayers from the other room.

"Well then," the voice of doom started, "where should we start, Akiko Sanada?"

'God save me.'

Sanada may have felt a little bit of pity when he saw Akiko Moriyama's pale face. But under current circumstances, he cannot afford to be swayed by the sight of a crying girl. They are running on a tight schedule.

"Look," Akiko started, "I'm really, really sorry for the trouble I caused you Sanada-san."

Sanada remained silent. Not a good sign.

"I can talk to your ah…bride, and explain things to her if you want."

Sanada almost choke, but managed to remain blank. 'That would be funny. I wonder what would happen then.'

"And I'll pay for all the financial damages I've caused you as well!" Akiko hoped her savings can cover it. Her vacation would have to wait for another year or two. "Just please, forgive me."

Sanada stared at the bowing girl in front of him. His conscience is bothering him, but he has to do this.

"Name: Akiko Moriyama: Age: 26: Status: Single: Occupation: Head of Creative Department, Deiyuu Enterprises." That brief glance on her personal information has spurred him to use this situation to his' and his operation's advantage. He would apologize after everything has been settled.

"The trouble you've caused me couldn't be erased by a mere apology Moriyama-san."

Akiko gulped. "I know, that's why I'm willing to do anything within my power to fix this."

Sanada studied her once again. Her face shows a hint of fear, with a mixture of apprehensiveness and worry. He can understand that, since he felt the same about the proposal.

The way his brown eyes are looking at her is discomforting, Akiko decided, like he was looking right through her. She felt the need to hide. How the hell does she always ends up staring at people who can do that anyways? Back when she was just a child, it was Saki. When she entered middle school, there was Saiya Hyuki. In high school, she had the privilege of meeting and playing tennis with Kisana Kurosu. Those people always made her feel vulnerable, like she cannot hide anything. It was scary.

"Really?" his deep voice shook her out of her stupor.

"Yes. Really. As long as it is not illegal or life-threatening or anything like that, I'll do it." Surely Sanada Genichiro wouldn't put her in danger…right?

He nodded slowly, as if contemplating something in his head. "I see." He sighed. "I have a preposition then."

Akiko nodded encouragingly. Her heart is beating a million times per second. Surely it wouldn't be a weird or dangerous preposition, right? Sanada Genichiro is not someone who would think up of a diabolical plan that would potentially ruin his private life, which she is sure of. After all, he is Sanada Genichiro. And Sanada Genichiro is not an idiot nor is he diabolical. Right?

And so she looked at him with a smile, confident that whatever preposition he has, it wouldn't be as bad as jumping off a speeding bullet train.

"I need a wife. For the next 12 months." She heard him say slowly. She nodded dumbly. "And I mean a real wife."

"Eh?"

"Meaning, we have to get married."

"Married?" she croaked. "Like, real marriage?"

"Yes."

Her eyes widened, jaws dropped. "Like I have to be Akiko Sanada for real?"

"Yes, for 12 months." He clarified, as if they were talking about a trip or something trivial.

Akiko's mind processed the words slowly. Real wife. Marriage. Real. Holy freaking sh*t!

Her screams could've woken up the dead.

Sanada couldn't help but smirk at the horrified look on the girl's face.

Sanada rubbed his temples as he nodded a 'thank you' at the brunette who poured him a tea.

After Moriyama's scream, the girls scrambled into the room and he was instantly rewarded by glares that would've made a lesser man running for the hills.

"What have you done to her Sanada?!" Moriyama (the other one) hissed at him with her dark-violet eyes ablaze.

The other three girls helped the fallen Moriyama into the couch, while Tezuka was looking at him with somewhat akin to pity, the three others wore a look varying from amusement to frightening. A war zone is a much better place for him right now.

"I just told her of the preposition." He answered in a (somewhat) calm voice.

The blonde raised an eyebrow at him, crimson eyes widening a fraction, "And what sort of preposition would make her faint?"

"A marriage."

Silence.

Ayame opened her mouth to say something, but then closed it again. Sakuno stared at Sanada, as if he has grown three heads. Rika snorted beside a dumbfounded Kiseki. Saki…

Saki was looking at Sanada with a look that is between disbelief and anger. "You proposed to her?" Saki asked in an otherworldly voice. The former fukubuchou blanched.

"Not proposed. I merely told her of a preposition that would fix the problem I have now that she caused."

A raised eyebrow. "A preposition that includes marriage?"

"Yes."

"Then it is a marriage proposal." Ayame stated in a dry voice.

"Are you insane?!" Saki screeched.

Sanada frowned. "I can assure you I am nowhere near insane Moriyama-san." He replied in a tight voice.

Saki looked at him through wide eyes. "Shit…you're really serious about this?!"

Sanada stared at the raging woman wryly. "Yes."

Saki didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Marriage? Akiko Moriyama marrying Sanada Genichiro? God, he is insane.

She settled on sitting down beside her cousin. She laughed roughly as she brushed some of Akiko's hair away from her face. Her cousin's face is so pale, her normally pink cheeks are now ashen, and oh so cold against her fingers. Marriage. No wonder her cousin fainted.

Ayame cleared her throat, her eyes looking at the sleeping Akiko softly. "I think it's better if you leave for now. You can talk to her next time Sanada-san."

Sanada exchanged a look with Tezuka. Tezuka clenched his jaws, but nodded stiffly.

"Fine." Sanada extracted a card from the pocket of his coat. "Call me whenever she's ready to discuss it with me." Ayame took the card gingerly.

"Ah." She turned to Saki. "You should take her home so she can rest. She's obviously stressed out."

Yagyuu walked forward. "I'll take you home." He offered Saki, who, after few seconds of stiff silence, nodded her head slowly. Yagyuu then scooped the sleeping girl and started walking out of the room, briefly nodding at his companions. Saki followed after picking up what seems to be Akiko's bag. After smiling and nodding at the others, she walked out of the room, leaving four silent males and four worried women.

Ayame slumped down at the couch, a heavy sigh leaving her. Yukimura raised an eyebrow. "You have just successfully ruined our weekend gathering." There wasn't any bite in her voice.

Fuji smiled grimly. "Gomen, we didn't mean to."

Rika shrugged. "It's not your fault, I guess."

Sakuno sighed, but before she can say anything else, they heard the door open, signaling someone's appearance. Curious to who has just arrived, they all went out of the room and into the large receiving area of the café.

"Hello? Aya-chan? Sa-chan?" a soft voice, one that Fuji and Tezuka knew so well called out, "hey, where are you guys?"

Ayame's steps faltered, almost bumping into Yukimura in the process. "Oh, shit." She murmured under her breath, making Yukimura curious. They followed the red-head out into the open.

"Hey! I thought you guys already left! Who was that we saw leaving?" Kisana asked with her back at the others. She was bending slightly, and was fumbling with what seemed to be a scarf. "There, are you still cold? I'll ask Sa-chan if she has hot chocolate, would you like that?"

Fuji stared at the woman who still has her back turned at him. He took a step, then another, and then another, and then…

She turned to face them, a smile in her lips, her face tilted down to look at someone. Fuji followed her eyes, and he felt his heart drop in his stomach when he saw who she was looking at.

Tousled dark-brown hair almost reaching his ears, a delicate face, thin nose, and thin smiling lips. He couldn't see his eyes, because they were hidden.

"Syaoran-kun!" Kiseki exclaimed together with Sakuno. Kisana laughed, but then her smile and laughter was frozen when she caught sight of the people at the café.

She is still beautiful, Fuji thought. Her hair, dark and red in the glinting lights, is in an elegant loose bun, some strands coming out and framing her face. Her skin is still the delicate cream-color, her eyes so much darker and deeper. She had gotten taller, though not much. She was more beautiful than from what he remembered. And it seemed someone else has acknowledged that fact.

Her smile greeted them. "I didn't know we have visitors coming tonight." She nodded at each of them.

Ayame cleared her throat. "Uhm, well, actually…Ah, they came here with Yagyuu-san." She explained hastily.

"Oh!" she gasped softly, and then her dark-brown eyes scanned the room."Where are they then?"

"They went home with Akiko-chan. I'll explain later." Ayame rushed in when concern flashed at the other female's face.

Kisana nodded, but then her attention went back to the young visitor standing beside her. She smiled warmly. "Ah…do you want to meet them, Syaoran?"

"Hai!" came the soft reply.

She chuckled. "Well then, why don't you say 'hello' and tell them your name?" she instructed, to which the young boy nodded eagerly. He took two steps forward and bowed his head.

"Hello! My name is Fuji Syaoran! I am five years old now, and I go to Tokyo Preparatory." He said in a soft voice. His hair is falling softly on either side of his face, his skin is a bit pale, from the cold or what- Fuji wasn't sure. All he can say is that the appearance of the young boy certainly left him speechless.

Yukimura was the first to recover; he dropped to one knee and held out his hand at the boy. "You have such nice name, Syaoran-kun. My name is Yukimura Seiichi, and you may call me 'Seiichi-san'."

The boy nodded happily. Yukimura's smile widened, becoming more genuine. He turned to Kisana. "You have a wonderful son, Kisana-san."

"Thank you."

He turned to the three other silent males, eyebrows raised. Sanada cleared his throat.

"My name is Sanada Genichiro. You may call me 'Sanada-san'."

"My name is Tezuka Kunimitsu." the caramel-haired stoic man said, "You may call me 'Tezuka-san'."

Syaoran tilted his head, "Your name sounded familiar Tezuka-san."

"Syaoran."

"Hai, kaa-chan. Gomen, Tezuka-san." Tezuka merely nodded.

Syaoran stared at the silent brunette. Fuji forced a smile in his lips. "Saa…my name is Fuji Shusuke. You may call me 'Fuji-san' or 'Shusuke-oji-san' if you like."

"Fuji Shusuke?" the boy slowly opened his lids, surprising him. Dark azure pools blinked at him, surrounded by long and dark eyelashes. He felt something in his chest tighten as the boy's smile widened slowly.

"I like you, Shusuke-oji-san!"

The drive back to the apartment Saki and Akiko shared with some of their friends (who he learned were currently out of the country) was silent. Saki sat with her cousin at the back, Yagyuu driving. It took them almost 20 minutes. After carrying the sleeping girl to her room, Yagyuu let Saki take care of her cousin. He sat down at the couch. Raking his hair with his hands, he took off his glasses and heaved a deep sigh.

This situation is becoming more troublesome as the days go by. Just last week, they were preparing for the wedding that would get them one step closer to their target, and then everything just came down crashing because of a simple misunderstanding.

What's worse is that Saki is beyond pissed at him. For the last four years of their relationship, they had misunderstandings and arguments, sometimes not even talking to each other for as long as 2 weeks. But those were of petty things. The current situation is much graver, and he is worried.

Worried that Saki may not listen to him; that she might decide to just end everything between them. He couldn't let that happen.

The sound of footsteps alerted him. Raising his head, he found Saki at the bottom of the stairs, looking at him oddly. She had changed into comfortable clothes: a loose soft-blue shirt and shorts, her hair tumbling down her back. She looked ready to send him back home.

He sighed once more. "No, not yet. Not before you listen to my side of the story."

Saki regarded the man sitting before her.

It had been six years since they met each other after high school, at a function that her then company was holding. He came as a representative of his firm. They met, talked, exchanged numbers, and realized they will be working closely for the next six months. They then went on weekend dates, watching movies together, eating dinner, going to parties together. Next thing she knew, he had asked her to be his girlfriend. She said yes. Their relationship had come with the usual problems, bitter arguments, and petty misunderstandings. But they survived all of them.

She sighed and dropped her eyes at the floor. She's tired, but she knew they have to talk about this. Especially now that her cousin is deeply involved. Somehow, she couldn't shake the feeling that Akiko's current dilemma is her fault. If she didn't jump to conclusions like she did, Akiko wouldn't have the stupid idea.

"Okay." She walked towards the couch. Sitting down beside him, she repeated. "Okay. I'll listen."

Sighing deeply, he started his explanation. "Sanada approached me a few weeks ago, saying he needed my help. I agreed, seeing that he really has no idea of what to do." He said. "It wasn't a real wedding. You do know about Sanada-san's job, right?"

Saki nodded. She knew that Sanada is an investigator, and that his mother didn't know about it. Though the Sanada family is a traditional one, the matriarch didn't really approve of her eldest son being at the said profession. Sanada Genichiro is masquerading as a lawyer. Though in retrospect, he is not really masquerading, since he really is a lawyer.

"The girl he was supposed to marry is a planted mole at the organization they are targeting as of now. The marriage will ensure Sanada access to the mole's accounts, which were kept confidential by the organization."

Saki blinked. "You mean…"

Yagyuu nodded, his face grave. "Sanada is now facing a lot of problems because of the wedding fiasco. The organization is on to him, and to top it all, his mother discovered about the wedding. And as Akiko-san declared, she is now thinking that Sanada is married, to your cousin, of course."

"Oh my God." Saki groaned. She buried her face in her hands. "This is my entire fault! If I hadn't been such an idiot this wouldn't have happened!"

Yagyuu wrapped his arms around her, pulling her gently to him. "It isn't your fault. I should have informed you about it. And I should've recognized her even though she changed her appearance a little bit."

She shook her head. "No, it was supposed to be a secret. I understand your need for confidentiality about these things." She closed her eyes tightly. "This is all my fault."

She should have thought about the situation carefully. She knew that Hiroshi's job is not entirely just that of a normal lawyer. She had long suspected it, but didn't ask. If Hiroshi is keeping it from her, she knew it is for her own good. Her overreaction was the root of all of this.

"What can I do to help?" she asked quietly. "I want to help, since this is my fault."

Yagyuu sighed once again. She felt his arms tightening around her, an act of protectiveness. "No, I don't want you to be involved in any of this."

She shook her head. "This is my fault, Hiroshi. Let me help."

"No." He will never let her get involved in all of this. Being near her is already too much of a risk.

"But Akiko is already involved! I can't let her face this alone!"

"Sanada will protect her, no matter what." He insisted. "Sanada will not let anything harm her. Trust me in this Saki."

"But-" her protest died when Hiroshi swiftly kissed her.

His left hand cupped her face, tilting it for a better angle. She can feel her defenses crumbling, her senses in a jumble, disorienting her. Hiroshi's kisses have that effect on her. She surrendered to him.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him down on her, kissing him back as hard. She heard a groan escape him.

Hiroshi convinced himself to let go of her, enough to get his thoughts together. Pressing his forehead on hers, he heard her breathing heavily. Her eyes were still closed, her cheeks were glowing, and her lips are swollen.

He gave her a chaste kiss before pulling her in an embrace. "We can help them in fixing about the wedding issue, but that's it. Getting too involved may just complicate things further. Okay?"

She nodded slowly. "Okay. But you have to promise me that Akiko will be safe." She tugged at his sleeve.

He looked down at her, eyes softening. "I promise."

She smiled at him so softly that Yagyuu felt his chest tighten. He has never come clean about his involvement in Sanada's line of job. He knew that Saki is suspecting him, but is just keeping quiet about it. He doesn't like lying to her, but he cannot tell her everything at the same time. It will jeopardize their group.

Someday, he thought, someday he would be able to tell her about everything.

But for now, he would do everything within his power to keep her safe.

Rika Kansuki has never been one to stick her nose into other people's private lives, even if they are friends: especially if they are her friends. She learned that the hard way back in high school.

But looking at the scene in front of her, she couldn't help but wonder how in heaven's name haven't they thought of this before?! The young boy they so-fondly called nephew is the younger version of Fuji Shusuke, Kisana's ex-boyfriend. Though Syaoran's hair is slightly darker, and his facial features were slightly influenced by Kisana's, the similarities are so obvious that they all are but screaming at them. And those eyes…she knew when she first saw him with his eyes open, that they looked eerily familiar. It was haunting to say the least.

And now, watching the three of them in front of her…

The ringing of her cell phone cut through her thoughts. Hastily answering the phone call, she cast an almost apologetic look at her friends.

"Hello?"

Kisana smiled as she was ushered by the flustered Sakuno into the couch. Kiseki has taken her son hostage and is now happily playing a board game with the blonde and an eager Yukimura. Ayame was off to a side, looking at her with wide, almost knowing-eyes. She expertly dodged the look.

"Arigatou Sa-chan." she whispered as the brunette walked back to the kitchen, promising to bring her and her son their hot chocolates. She turned her eyes to the three males in front of her. "Ohisashiburi, minna. It's been years since the last time we saw each other ne?"

She was thankful that her voice come out calm and controlled, the exact opposite of what she is feeling right now. the appearance of the four men shook her very soul. She is not yet ready to face them...to face him. Why does she has to give in to Syaoran's pleading of coming here?

Tezuka nodded, while Sanada was looking at her with blank, brown eyes. She chuckled, remembering the times when the stoic man would nearly blow-up whenever the younger players would gang up on him. The male brunette was suspiciously quiet.

"I heard about Akiko-san's…mishap, Sanada-san." She said lightly, "but I was pleasantly surprised when I heard about your wedding."

"Hn." Sanada replied with a stiff nod, his eyes glaring at something behind her, "Then you must know that she ruined it."

She nodded understandingly. "I know. It was sad, I think. Akiko did apologize to you, did she?"

"She did. But apology is not enough."

"I understand." She folded her hands in her lap, and stared at him head-on. "So what was is that you are asking in return?"

She saw a muscle jump in Sanada's face. "It's none of your business, Kurosu."

She chuckled dryly, but didn't drop her eyes. "It is none of my business, you are right at that. But I am no longer a Kurosu, Sanada-san." She smiled at him. At the corner of her eye, she saw Tezuka's eyes widening a fraction, before settling them at the still silent brunette…who is now looking at her with wide-open eyes, a mixture of confusion, anger and something else swimming in those azure orbs. She flicked her eyes to the approaching Sakuno, who has her hands full with the tray she was carrying.

"Kisana-chan, I made Syaoran-kun's favorite chocolate drink and cookies. I hope you don't mind." Sakuno smiled softly at her as she set the tray down: two mugs of steaming hot chocolate, along with a tray of snowy white cookies and periwinkle blue.

She shook her head, her fingers closing around the steaming mug. "Not at all Sa-chan. Syaoran knows his sugar limit. Thank you."

Sakuno grinned at her as she excitedly made her way to the playing trio. She saw Rika and Ayame trying to catch her eyes. She threw them a smile as she continued sipping the chocolate confection.

"They dote on your son so much, Kisa-chan." Fuji's soft voice greeted her ears. "He is lucky to have you and them."

"Indeed, Fuji-san." She agreed.

Sanada shifted in his seat, while Tezuka cleared his throat, looking as if he wanted to ask something, but the brunette beat them into it.

"I couldn't help but notice, Kisana-san."

"Hmm?" she nodded at him, prompting him to continue.

"You said you were married, and your son said his name is 'Fuji Syaoran'."

"Yes."

He looked stared at her. "Who is your husband then?"

She blinked her eyes at him, and then looked at the other two. She regarded them with an open look that lingered on for a couple of seconds. Almost as if she wanted the two other men to squirm and feel uncomfortable. Fuji's confusion skyrocketed as he waited for the woman's reply. There were only a few times that he remembered seeing the look of open hostility and anger in those deep brown eyes. And Kisana has never looked at any of them like that. Not even when Tezuka broke her sister's heart.

She suddenly smiled, but her eyes held a deep anger at them that he couldn't understand. But he wanted to know; he felt like he has to hear about this-and so he waited.

"My husband…" she turned to look at him, eyes blank in an instant, "My husband is dead, Fuji-san."

...I'm not that satisfied with this chapter that much.

Oh well! Hope you guys did.

This story will probably move in a slow pace, so I hope you guys would bear with me.

Thank you! And be so kind as to read and review 'kay?!

YunaBrown