She led them into a room two doors in and settled them all as she called for tea. She set herself down in her usual place, pouring tea for all of them when it arrived. She placed her hands in her lap.

"Now, what brought you all to my home after so long?" Hikaru answered for them, or at least, for those he knew.

"Ryu called all of us, said he was back in town and asked if we wanted to see you. Then he came to each of our homes and dragged us here." Ryu shot him a look but Hikaru just laughed. "Like you didn't Ryu; we would've come anyway, you didn't have to glare us to death."

He looked away and the guys all laughed.

"Well, we wanted to see you too Ya, Kumiko-chan." Keita said, doing his cat paw imitation. "This was just the perfect time to do it together. By the way," he whispered dramatically behind a raised hand. "Who's he?" and he pointed at Shin.

"Is he another one of your 'precious students'?" Hyuga asked.

"Or an old boyfriend?" Asked Hayato. The men all 'ooh'-ed and Kumiko waved their words away.

"He was one of my first students when I taught at Shirokin. He was their leader; Sawada Shin" Shin tilted his head at them. They ooh-ed again.

"He's just like you Ryu!" Hayato said, slapping Ryu on the shoulder.

"Shut up," He looked at Shin, to find him staring right back. They eyed each other, an undercurrent of tension going between them, and no one else seemed to notice it except Hikaru. He observed their behavior with a developing understanding. With a knowing grin he fanned himself and directed his attention back at Kumiko.

"So tell us, what's with the kimono and the makeup and the hair? You said you'd tell us once we were inside."

"I didn't say that!" She said, eyebrows pinched together.

"Well tell us anyway."

The men nodded together, Shin just looking at her, and she shrugged.

"Okay; since I don't really have a lot of time before it starts I guess I can fill you in.

"Today is my formal introduction to the clans as the future yondaime kumichou. The meeting will start in about forty-five minutes. I'm going to be talking with the clan members, the allied clans and their own heirs. I have to make a good impression."

"Oi, Kumiko,"

Every face turned to look at Shin, who hadn't actually said anything since Kumiko had greeted them outside. She smiled for him.

"Yes?"

"How do they know about the clan?" Everyone knew who he was talking about immediately, except Kumiko who had to let it catch up to her. When she finally got it, she huffed at him.

"Oi, you don't have to be so rude about it! Ryu and Hayato brought Minoru home one night when he was wasted and found out then; Kosuke, Keita and Hikaru only found out later when Hayato brought them to see Ryu who was staying with me."

"Staying, with you?" No one missed the dark note hidden in his tone.

"What? It's no big deal; you've been over for dinner plenty of times!"

"But I never stayed over!"

"You weren't in trouble like he was!"

"You know what I was going through! What could have happened to him that was so much worse than what had happened to me?!"

"You had somewhere you could go!"

"Didn't he?!"

"He had me!"

The fight had started and escalated so fast, no one knew what to do. They just sat and watched as their former teacher argued with another of her former students. It was amazing really, how fast he had gotten a reaction out of her and how she managed to get the so far unruffled man to shout in anger. It was a side of her none of them had seen outside of an actual fight. She was lovely too, in a bout of anger she was lovely. This was all just too weird.

"Kumiko-chan," Called out Hikaru.

"So, what? Is he your favorite or something?!"

"Oi," he tried again.

"You should know how precious you and the others are to me. You're all precious to me! Especially you and Ryu! You both needed me more than the others! How could I not help either of you!" She moved to his side of the table, a hand on the front of his jacket. Her eyes were worried and she met his.

'Guess I'm not getting her attention right now…' Hikaru thought to himself, settling back in his place to watch the show.

"You and Ryu had problems that I could only help and not fix. I wanted him safe, just like I wanted you safe. You, at least, had your own apartment. I wasn't as worried about you. You can take care of yourself. Please Shin," She pressed her hand a little harder against his chest. "don't freak about this."

He looked away from her and shrugged.

"hn"

She sank down further in her seat, turning away. Seeing this, and ignoring the guys who were watching, he tapped her shoulder.

She turned her head and felt his forefinger touch her cheek.

"Baka"

She smiled wide and gave him another hug, squealing in glee.

"Thank you Shin! I'm so glad you're not mad now!"

Keita, who had so far remained quiet, mentally marveled. 'Wow. It's like I'm watching a married couple fight. Funny, that's the same way it felt when her and Ryu…!'

His head whipped around so fast his neck hurt but he still stared with rounded eyes at one of their leaders who was watching the commotion with a darker glare than usual.

'Don't tell me!' He looked at Hikaru, the more observant one of his gang, and Hikaru gave him a slight nod. 'Woah!' Suddenly, this reunion was ten times more interesting than it was when they decided to come.