A/N: Happy Halloween!
Moon is back with a vengeance! For disappearing so long, I'm surprised many people still review and find time to PM me to update and come back! Thanks to those people I grabbed my guns and hunted down a muse or two and dedicated my time to writing again. To those people, your dedication has come through and I will now diligently for the next two months at least, have regular updates every 2-3 weeks so do keep up those reviews and naggings. They make me tick!
MARYLOVER- He'll play a part that will eventually reveal itself. Thrill is only going to become more dominant from here on out. After all, when has Fuji ever been patient and slow when he's locked on target? XD
tsub4ki- This Ryoma is more perceptive because he's older as you've already noticed and he's had multiple lovers so he knows how it goes. There will be some new characters but not too many since I'm trying to cut down on my character list… which is sometimes unbearable long for a lot of people though it works through just fine for me XD
Tobi Akamaru and Ikkaku- Everything is set to only get better from here now that we have the background filling all done. We're going to focus more on the characters in everyday life situations now.
secret25- Yes he is… though he's not going down easy.
More Than Meets The Eyes
Rated: M (language,sexual scenes)
Summary: When multiple problems can be solved with one solution, it may be the best way to go... unless there's more than meets the eye.
Chapter VI: Michael's Secret
Recap
Asuka looked up with a smile as she helped Shion take his shoes off. Sho noticed two things immediately after that. Asuka's smile froze in place and Michael let out a weird "Ah!"
"Welcome back…" Sho said with a grumble. It seemed he'd have to explain about Michael now…
"Take-"
"Welcome!" Asuka said with a renewed smile as she stepped forward and grabbed hold of Michael to Sho's surprise. "You must be tired from the looks of you, what is your name…"
Sho frowned… something was strange!
Yoshida Residence
" I- ah…" Michael started with a bit of his own surprise.
"Come, sit down and you can tell me about it…" Asuka said with a bright smile as she practically threw Shion at his father and led Michael towards the kitchen. "Shion needs to be changed out of his clothes."
Sho didn't say anything as he wrapped his arms around his son and took him to the bedroom to change. He hoped to God that the woman didn't greet every stranger so freely.
"Asu-chan! What are you doing-"
"Michael! You can't say anything but knowing me or Ryoma!"
"Ryo-chan is here too?" Michael asked in wonder.
"Please say nothing about us…. Pretend you don't know us please!"
"Is this a new game?" Michael asked suspiciously. Now he didn't know why these childhood friends wouldn't claim him either… was he that unlovable?
"It isn't… I'll explain to you time when we have more time okay?"
"Does the big guy know?"
"Grandpa doesn't know where we are… everyone's looking for us." Asuka glancing momentarily down the hall to see if Sho and Shion were heading back yet.
"All right Asu-chan… but you owe me a good dinner." Michael said with a smile. He'd eventually dig out the story… that's what he was good at.
"Aa," Asuka agreed with a quick smile and worked quickly to make some tea.
"Besides, Sho-kun wouldn't believe me if I told him he was housing one of the richest woman's in Japan under his roof anyways."
"Ha ha Michael, very funny!" Asuka said with a frown as she pulled silverware out quickly from each shelf.
"You just know where everything is here huh?" Michael said watching how fast Asuka worked to produce tea and start on snacks.
"Why wouldn't I know? I organized it."
"Don't tell me you're the maid!" Michael said with a slight laugh.
"And what if she was my maid and babysitter?" Sho asked coming in with an energetic Shion who latched onto Asuka immediately.
"Care to explain about the kid?" Michael asked as he watched Asuka set the tea out and mutter about snacks.
"Accidents happen…. Along those lines." Sho said with a sigh. "Mikiiko kept it from me up till a month ago."
"Oh… why reveal her secret all of a sudden then?" Michael asked picking up his tea.
"She wanted a way out of having a kid." Sho said with a slight scowl.
"What were the alternatives she gave you?"Michael asked thinking of how awkward it must've been for Sho to have a baby thrust into his life.
"none at the time… but she came back and wanted marriage, which I offered beforehand and was rejected from." Sho admitted. "Woman's are so selfish in thinking."
"Offense taken behind you," Asuka said as she placed some snacks down. She frowned at Sho to show her displeasure and Michael laughed.
"So does this babysitter also count as a stress-reliever in bed?" Michael asked in a lowered voice.
"She might do well in that field if she kept her opinions to herself more often." Sho said without the slightest look of embarrassment or shame.
"Do well in what?" Asuka asked walking back towards the table now with Shion.
"Nothing," Michael said with a grin.
"So how do you know Fukada-san?" Asuka asked looking at Michael.
"Well I always liked to call everyone I meet friend and Sho happened to be one of them from my childhood. He happens to be one of my favorites that I never fail to see when I'm in town."
"Why are you in town?" Sho asked.
"My father's decided to move back now that the overseas office is doing well and my fiancée wanted to see the environment I grew up in." Michael said with a smile to both Asuka and Sho. "Now tell me about you two… how did this happen?"
"Coincidence," Asuka said quickly. "We're engaged… or so we say as to not stir gossip in the apartments."
"Engaged?" Michael said with a laugh. "I know a couple people who would roll over and die when they hear of THIS engagement."
Both Sho and Asuka glared at him.
"Anyway," Michael said with a small smile straying from the topic. "It's been two years since I've been here and I really want to go to a hot springs and relax."
"Then go," Sho said not in the least bit interested in his friend's wants.
"I happen to want you and Syuu to come along but since I now know you've acquired a son and fiancée, why not all go."
"I decline," Bothe Asuka and Sho said at the same time.
"I'm paying for it and you two have too!" Michael insisted. "If you don't I might have to tell a couple people that I'll be living here with you two so they can visit me here-"
"You will not-"
"Just five days," Michael insisted.
"One," Sho bit out with Asuka's nodding
"Three?" Michael pushed with a pout.
"Two," Asuka grounded out.
"Two it is then!" Michael said with a smile and got started on telling both exactly where he wanted to go and eat and so forth. So intent on his planning with Sho's constant disagreement, Asuka busied herself with dinner and Shion's need till Syuusuke walked in with a smile and Ryoma with a frown.
"Welcome back boys," Asuka said with a smile.
"Welcome back!" Michael said enthusiastically as well as he rose and hugged both Ryoma and Fuji in one-go.
Fuji smiled and hugged back while Ryoma's face froze in shock as his face darted to Asuka who encouraged him to play it off with a huge smile.
"This is…" Ryoma started.
"A family friend." Fuji said with a smile. "He and dad go way back as I understand."
"I see," Ryoma said looking at Michael. Did he know or were they still safe? He had to talk to Asuka immediately.
"Dinner's almost ready." Asuka put in as Michael started in on Fuji and ignored Ryoma for the moment.
"Asu…"
"He knows but agreed to keep it down." Asuka put in.
"I see…" Ryoma said and went to the bedroom to put stuff away. Seeing Michael was a big risk to their discovery. With a sigh at the impending disasters ahead, Ryoma opted to go and eat and forget the whole ordeal until he had to think about it. He walked into the living room to see Shion seated between his "parents" and eating happily. Asuka made a real good mother with the amount of fussing she did. It was annoying at times but showed just how much she cared. Hell… he remembered a time when he did everything for all the pampering she could give.
As the family ate and talked Michael took a break from initiating the talk to observing. He was amazed at how well they all fit with one another… especially Asuka and Sho. They bickered and spoke as if they were married and cared for their "sons" as if they were the real birth parents to all of them. It was a good family setting… one Michael immensely liked.
He made his decision then. He was going to make all the play-acting true!
'Besides… them getting together will save everyone a big headache… even the big guy.' Michael decided with a smile.
XxX
"So fate's being a bitch and just so happens to throw Michael our way?" Ryoma asked.
"Something like that," Asuka said with a sigh as she tucked Shion into the bed.
Never in all her plots was she expecting Sato Michael to be the one to discover them. Michael was the son of an Japanese-American tycoon and a respected Japanese woman from an influential family of standing in Japan. They grew up in the same circle because of their status and gradually grew close that way but how he knew Sho still puzzled her.
"He knows the Fukada's…"
"Well," Asuka said with a small smile. "This IS Michael we're talking about. He classifies everybody no matter what their standing as friends if he likes them."
"So do you Asu," Ryoma reminded her.
"I know but I've never attended a regular school in my life so I don't have many normal friends." Asuka said with a sigh. "Though it seems he irritates Sho-san…"
"Then he's one of the unfortunate ones who met Michael." Ryoma said with a small smile. Though Michael was nice and friendly, he sometimes went over the top in talk and so forth. It seemed Fukada Sho was just another who got annoyed and unhappily stuck with Sato Michael.
XxX
Sato Residence
"Where did you disappear off to?" His mother demanded as she watched her son walk into the house.
"Just to see a friend mom," Michael said with a smile.
"Don't you know that Takeuchi Asuka and Ryoma are missing durinf times like these? What if something like that happened to you?" She raged on with a frown though she accepted her son's fond hug.
"Don't worry mom," Michael said with nuzzling into his mother's embrace. "The two will be found safe and sound and I'll be very careful."
"Whatever… you just get ready to explain your lateness in greeting the people who have been nice enough to drop by and welcome us back!" his mother pouted out before she turned and left the hallway back into the living room where talking could be heard. Michael merely smiled and followed his mother into the room to be faced with the Big guy, his faithful secretary, Atobe Keigo and Tezuka Kunimitsu… both old friends he grew up with.
"Welcome back!" Both said watching him walk in.
"Aa… I'm back!" Michael said brightly. "Forgive my lateness."
"It's fine… who did you go see?" Atobe asked with a smile.
"Just some friends." Michael said with his own smile. "I heard of Asu and Ryo-kun's disappearance."
"We've been all worried about them," Tezuka put in.
Michael nodded with a smile. "I'm sure we'll find them sooner or later. Why Tezuka, you already have a sense of duty from your grandfather right?"
"It's something I'm doing for more than duty." Tezuka stated. "I have always considered Asuka and Ryoma to be good friends."
"Of course," Michael agreed. "I only hope you are successful."
'Like me,' Michael added silently with a smile to the two. For all the airs both put up when he left, it seemed the Atobe heir had learned to get along much better with the Tezuka's heir. Why… they almost seemed "close" now.
"So…" Michael said snapping out of his thoughts. "I can see two of my friends are very close now."
"Tezuka and I called upon a truce years ago Michael." Atobe said with a slight frown.
"Because he gave into you?" Michael asked with innocent eyes.
"I-" Atobe choked but gave up when Tezuka looked at him.
"We settled our differences." Tezuka stated for the sake of his own sanity rather than let his childish boyfriend answer.
Michael merely mulled that thought and nodded. "We should really go out sometime soon and have a chat."
Tezuka and Atobe agreed yet Michael only half-listened to their conversation. In his mind he was already circulating a plan.. a plan that would be what he liked to think of as full circle.
'I'll make sure you get what's coming to you Sho-kun… this will be a lesson to not judge an entire sex on one girl and to run from the destiny I'm about to make you!'
Michael chuckled aloud in thought of his evilness. "Something make you happy?"
Michael snapped out of his thoughts once more and shook his head at Atobe. "Just remembering the good old days with all of you; we are going to have so much fun!"
"I highly doubt anything that runs in your head and classified as fun is safe or proper." Atobe said with a frown at how many blunders they had all been in thanks to Michael in the past.
Michael merely smiled and rose to greet and give his "hopes of finding Asu and Ryo-kun" to their grandfather since he was on his way out.
"Those two are troublemakers." The old man said with a sigh.
"But they are very intelligent as well." Michael reminded the old man and walked back to Atobe and Tezuka's side when he heard the butler announce more people back to welcome him.
"Michael,"
He smiled as he hugged the man. "Ayumu!" the last time I saw you, you were doing your best to pull your family together still."
"It has been two years." Ayumu agreed.
"And how are you two?" Michael asked turning to Hiyoshi and Kano.
"Meh…" Both replied with a shrug of their shoulders. As cute as it was, Michael didn't comment on it.
"Worried about your fiancée who you haven't met Ayumu?" Michael asked in curiosity.
"As if! Mom's already got him started on some Chinese girl!" Hiyoshi spat out.
"Well I wouldn't nii-chan's left-over fiancée either." Kano said with a shrug at all the problems.
"Hn… the old man already planning on hitching me to the Takahashi girl if Ayumu and the Chinese girl falls through." Hiyoshi said with disgust.
"Her name is Asuka," Michael informed with a cool tone. As much as Hiyoshi looked down on everyone, Michael wouldn't let insult his Asuka.
Though he said such things, no one but Kano noted how he defended the girl and that got Kano thinking.
'Did the Sato heir like the Takeuchi girl too?'
XxX
Yoshida Residence
That Night
Asuka heard the doorbell ring just as she got out of the bathroom from her shower and noted from how Sho was seated looking over his lines for his next job meant he wasn't going to get it. With a sigh she headed to the door and opened it with a smile despite looking anything but ready to receive company.
"Hi,"
"Oh… Wakara-san…. Are these your little girls?" Asuka asked looking down at two girls who looked almost identical besides the height difference and different tastes in clothes. Both had brown eyes that stared in wonder at her and jet black hair that was messily put in a ponytail. It seemed they had learned to make-do without their mother and their father was definitely no-good on helping them. Bending down, she fixed their hair for them before smiling at them and turning her attention back to their father.
"So what did you need?" Asuka asked not even noting how his eyes softened when he saw how loving she was towards his girls.
"We just moved in next door and I wanted to be a friendly with the neighbors." He said with a smile at her. "Is your fiancé in?"
"As a matter of fact I am," Sho said coming to the door with a notable frown. He possessively wrapped an arm around Asuka and stared the man down. "Are you done introducing yourself?"
"Yo your finacee? Yes to you, not yet." He said with a grin as he extended his hand towards Sho. "I'm Wakara Kaito"
"Yoshida Sho," Sho said grasping his hand quickly before letting go. "Now that we know each other, good night." Sho said pulling Asuka back inside the door despite the rudeness and proceeded to shut the door.
"Then till another time Asu-chan!"
"That was rude." Asuka said with a frown.
"How he was staring at you was rude!"Sho stated. "If you're my fiancée, don't encourage him."
Sitting back down on the sofa, Sho had no idea why it bothered him so much that some guy would have the audacity to come to talk to Asu. Why there was nothing attractive about her… except her pretty hazel eyes but the attitude she gives cancels that out!
"Well in my opinion that was very-"
"Men would like you better sweetheart if you kept your opinions to yourself more." Sho stated bluntly as he tried to concentrate on his script again.
"So that's the kind you like huh?" Asuka said with a fearsome frown now with her hands on her hips.
"I do," Sho agreed looking at her mirroring her frown back at her.
"It's just too bad this fiancee's nothing like that then huh?"Asuka bit out.
"It is too bad!" Sho agreed.
"We need to go shopping!" Asuka said after a frowning competition they started that was leading to nowhere.
"We'll go tomorrow when I submit my request for leave since the next production is not up and running yet."
"Fine…" Asuka said turning away.
XxX
Yoshida Residence
Ryoma closed his eyes momentarily as he walked down the hall towards the bathroom. If Asuka was arguing with Sho-san then that means she was done using the bathroom. Suddenly he felt a jerk to his left and lips land on his as desire filled his thoughts shooting down his body. His thoughts ceased as he went with the flow. It had been a while since he was satisfied thanks to Asuka's plan and now he couldn't even begin to comprehend the desire shooting through his body as his tongue wrestled for control. God, his senpai was good at this… He felt the hand skim the waistband of his boxer but he didn't stop it either as he pressed closer and took their kiss into another level of desire without breaking the first one to breath.
"Ry-Ry!"
Ryoma snapped out of it and pushed away from Syuusuke as Shion came running into the room to hug Ryoma's leg. It seemed he had woke up by himself and didn't like that much.
"That was some kiss Ryo…" Syuusuke said with a smile as he took his time normalizing his breathing.
"I'll block your future advances before you get another taste of that." Ryoma said with a glare.
"I'll take the challenge of making you break that" Syuusuke promised as Ryoma went in search of Asuka to deposit Shion.
A/N:
Wait for the next chapter! More Thrill on the way for sure now :3
Takeuchi
Takeuchi Takahiro- Ryoma and Asuka's grandfather. He runs Takeuchi corp. by himself at the moment and wants his grandchildren to follow his thinking.
Takeuchi Echizen (Morisato) Ryoma- On the run from his grandfather with his cousin; despite the impromptu getaway, he successfully gets a job at a café despite being too young because of his looks. Staying "lost" is the last thing on his mind once his co-workers and boss starts digging into his business and his roommate seems to want more than just his attention.
Takeuchi Hamada (Morisato) Asuka- Determined not to do as her grandfather wills, she runs off with her baby cousin whom she practically raised blindly and now lives as a full time nurse and maid to Yoshida Sho and his sons.
Takahashi
Takahashi Kenji- Current head of the Takahashi Empire; Though he seems to always have a hold of any situation, he does things blindly not having much of the Takahashi sense for business as his father and some of his sons has inherited.
Takahashi Sakurako- The thought of money and gossip can complete her whole day. She looks down on any lower than herself and prides the name that she carries as much as the beautiful face she was blessed with.
Takahashi Ayumu [29]- The heir to the Takahashi empire after his older brother ran off overseas. He does everything he is told to do and rarely disagrees with anyone. Though he is obedient, he lacks the business sense as his father does.
Takahashi Hiyoshi [18]- The most rebellious of the brothers at the moment. He loves causing trouble at school and in society to anger his parents since he believes it's their fault for engaging his oldest brother and making him run off.
Takahashi Kano [15]- The closest thing to a prodigy at his school despite his cool and non caring front. Though he's young, he's mastered the art of pleasing a woman from his own teacher and past girlfriends.
Ming
Ming Xu Yen- Current head of the black market base in Hong Kong trying to establish a notable base in the heart of Tokyo with Takahashi's help.
Ming Shu Mei [18]- The daughter of Xu Yen, she plans to tip the scale of winning over the Takahashi's by attaching herself to the oldest son to break the unfulfilled engagement between Takeuchi Asuka and himself.
Others
Yoshida Sho "Aki" [31]- The grouchy Seiyuu that happens to be Syuuusuke's adoptive father. Though he was only eighteen at the time of Syuusuke's parents death, he felt he owed Fuji Yuuhiko enough to adopt his son. Keeping to himself most of the time, it came as a surprise when they girl he had been dating showed up with a one-year-old one day claiming it was his son.
Yoshida Fuji Syuusuke [20]- Losing his parents at the age of seven, he was adopted by his father's friend and promised himself that he would find Sho a bride to make-up for hindering him so many years. He subtly, by accident, finds interest in Ryoma and starts to pursue unconsciously.
Yoshida Shion [1yr 5 mon.]- Abandoned by his mother with his father, he immediately latches on to Asuka who looks similar to his own mother.
Namie- The Takeuchi head maid who is extremely dedicated to Asuka. Mostly because they are near the same age and grew up in the mansion together. She's married to the Takeuchi Chauffeur Shuji.
Shuji- The Takeuchi Chauffer and Namie's husband.
Amano Shuuka [35]- Takahiro's dedicated secretary who takes care of everything chaotic around Takahiro.
Shishido Ryou- One of the waiters at Haru Haru Café. He's quite blunt and dense when it comes to his Ootori's affection.
Ootori Choutarou- One of the Waiters at Haru Haru Café who has a crush on Shishido.
Akutagawa Jirou- One of the waiters at Haru Haru Café who loves sleeping more than anything else.
Sayaka- One of the waitress's at Haru Haru Café. Though she already has a stable boyfriend she still spasms over her co-workers.
Rei- One of the waitress's at Haru Haru Café. Though she's looks like the type to play, she's actually studious.
Kyoko- One of the waitress's at Haru Haru Café. Despite being the best to go to for advice if you're having couple trouble; she has the least amount of experience with a track history of no boyfriend.
Minako- One of the waitress's at Haru Haru Café. She happens to go in and out of relationships like water.
Atobe Keigo- A Heir to the vast Atobe empire and has a fondness towards Asuka and Ryoma since they grew p in the same circle. Currently trying to get into Tezuka Kunimitsu's; the head chief of the Tokyo police force's grandson, pants.
Tezuka Kunimitsu- Though he somewhat dislikes the young heir to the Atobe empire attention, he seems to be "falling" for the man anyways.
Sagara- Looking for eye-catching youths, he uses their good-looks to promote his café and rake in the money. Coincidentally, he used to be a host boy in his youth before meeting and settling down with his wife.
Oishi- Owner of the Haru Haru Bookstore and overall building itself. He rents out one side to Sagara and profits from the many people the use the café as well.