A/N: I am very sorry i took a long time updating this chapter. I have been busy with my college and all. Anyway here is the chapter.

Oh, I also like to thank for all the reviewers for their reviews and their opinions to make this story even better.

Disclaimer: I do not own Mai-hime/Otome, Sunrise does and The Parent Trap belongs to Disney Channel

Well enjoy reading and review


EXT. SHIZURU'S TOWN HOUSE - KYOTO - FOLLOWING MORNING OVER

A phone ring can be hear


INT. FOYER - SAME TIME

Ferid walks right past the ringing phone, reading the morning paper. Shizuru stands at the top of the stairs, slipping on pair of heels.

"Somebody grab that, please."

Reito passes through carrying a tray with coffee on it. He picks up the phone, balancing the tray with his other hand.

"Fujino residence... Shizuka?"

Natsumi walks by.

"Yes, Reito?"

Reito does a double-take and looks at Natsumi

"Ora, it sounded just like you on the phone."

Reito say confusingly and speak into the phone

"I'm sorry; who did you wish to speak with? Shizuka? Yes, of course. One moment, please."

Reito hands Natsumi the phone

"A Mika Kruger for you... Sounds like your twin."

"My twin? Very funny."

Natsumi says nervously and speak into the phone trying to imitate Shizuka's way of speech

"Hello? Ara, Mika, how are you doing darling?"


INT. NATSUMI'S BEDROOM - FUUKA, SAXAS - MIDNIGHT

Shizuka holds the phone as she crosses the bedroom, sneaks into the bathroom and locks the door. When she was sure that she was alone she speaks to the phone

"Hey! How's it going over there?"

"Oh, everything's quite lovely here. We're expecting a bit of rain today but Mika, can you... hold on for a moment?"

Natsumi still putting up the act and when she sees the coast is clear she ducks into the hall closet, shutting the door just as Reito walks past. He does another double-take...

"Where'd she go?"


INSIDE THE CLOSET - SAME TIME

Natsumi pulls a string above her head, turning on the light.

"Okay, now I can talk. OhmyGod, Mama's incredible. I can not believe I've lived my entire life without knowing her. She's beautiful and graceful and fun and smart and I love the gowns she designs and I got her talking about how she and Papa first met and what happened between them and if you ask me—"

INTERCUT - Natsumi and Shizuka

Shizuka hissing into the phone

"Natsumi! Stop! We've got a major problem. You're going to have to bring Mama out here immediately."

"Immediately? Are you nuts? I've had one day with her. I'm just getting to know her. I can't. I refuse."

"But this is an emergency. Papa's in love."

Natsumi laughs

"Get out of here. Papa doesn't fall in love. I mean, not seriously."

"Trust me; she's serious, about this one. She's always holding her hand, whispering to her ear, waiting on her hand and foot..."

Natsumi can't believe what she hear sink to the floor

"She is...?"

"It's disgusting."

"Well, you'll just have to break 'em up. Sabotage her. Do whatever you have to."

"I'm trying but I'm at a slight disadvantage I only met that woman twelve hours ago. You've got to get back here to help me."

"Shizuka, I can't. I want more time with Mama"

Natsumi finds a candy wrapper in one of Shizuka's coat pockets, wrinkles it over the receiver making it sound like static.

"Shizuka, are you still there? I can barely hear you... Shi..."

"I'm here! What are you..?"

Natsumi wrinkles the wrapper and try to act the phone line was disrupted

"Operator...! Operator... Sorry, think I lost you, Shizuka."

Shizuka knowing full well what is up holds receiver out from her ear

"Thanks for your help, Sumi."


INT. FOYER - KYOTO - SAME TIME

Natsumi creaks open the closet door and crawls out on all fours, only to find her Mother, Grandfather and Reito standing in the foyer, all looking down at her.

"Had a phone call. From a friend at camp. It's an old camp tradition.-... Talk to your best friend from inside a closet... kinda stupid, I know but..."
Natsumi rises, replaces the phone on the table, and sighs giving her family her sweetest smile

"So... Breakfast anyone?"


INT. KITCHEN- KUGA RESIDENCE-FUUKA, SAXAS-DAY

Mai was preparing the breakfast; with the last touch she put the food into the plates. Two plates loaded with bacon, eggs, toast and pancakes. She carries the plates across the
kitchen to Shizuka.

"Okay, here we go most important meal of the day... Eggs sunny side up, bacon, toast and just in case you're really hungry... a stack of humongous chocolate chip pancakes which smell incredible, if I do say so myself."

Mai places all of this in front of Shizuka while the latter look at the food not too much interest

"Thanks, aunt Mai."

Mai waves her hand over the food, sending it's aroma toward Shizuka and frowns when she notice that the latter is not planning to eat it.

"Not hungry again? You hardly ate your bacon, your favorite food and now you're not eating your breakfast. You're not sick, are you?"

Mai puts her hand on Shizuka's forehead, and then joins her at the kitchen table.

"I'm fine, I promise. Where's Papa?"

"She and Miss—"

Before Mai could answer Nao came into the kitchen imitating Alyssa

"I'll just have half a grapefruit, thank you, left about an hour ago. You overslept and she didn't want to wake you. Of course, I'd overslept too if I was up at midnight making mysterious phone calls from my bathroom."

"Oh, that. I was calling a friend from camp. Mika. She lives in Tokyo."

"Oh, I see and you wanted to call Mika at a time that was convenient for her. Because of the time difference."

"Exactly. Because of the time difference."

"Uh-huh. So you waited until it was three in the morning her time. That makes perfect sense."

"Actually, it was seven at night her time. You see she lives in Tokyo but she was on vacation with her family in Annam."

Shizuka takes a bite of the bacon and gives Nao a innocent smile. Nao gives her a stare.

"Very smooth. Your Papa wants you to go over to her office as soon as you're done with breakfast."

"She does? Thanks, I'm done..."

Shizuka say as she shoves the bacon in her mouth. She rises as Dean enters, sees Shizuka and growls as he scoots around her.

"That dog has gotten so weird! Bye, aunt Mai, aunt Nao thanks again for breakfast. It was great."

Mai looks down at the plate of untouched food, while Nao was watching Shizuka pushes on the screen door but it goes nowhere. Both of the older women now watching her carefully

"Pull, Sumi."

Shizuka laughs nervously, pulls on the door and runs out. Both Nao and Mai was starting to wonder what's going on.


INT. KUGA VINEYARDS - BARREL ROOM - A LITTLE LATER

Natsuki and Shizuka walk through a huge vaulted room that houses hundreds of wooden barrels filled with wine. Natsuki puts her arm around her daughter

"Honey, I'm glad you're here, there's something really important I want to talk to you about."

"That's funny because there's something really important I want to talk to you about."

"Okay, you go first."

"No, you."

"Okay, I want to talk to you about Alyssa."

"And I want to talk to you about my mother. What about Alyssa?"

Natsuki was shocked and thrown off paces

"W-W-What about your mother?"

"Papa, I'm almost twelve, how long do you expect me to buy that story that The Angel dropped me on your doorstep?"

"C'mon, Sumi, we've talked about your mother..."

"No we haven't. Not really. A girl needs more in life than half of a crumpled old photograph. Papa, I'm almost a teenager, face it, I need a mother."

"You know what? You're right. You do. Which brings me to—"

They turn a corner and-bump into Alyssa who is walking with her Kyoto assistant, Miyu

"Alyssa!"

Alyssa notices both Natsuki and Shizuka, smiles sweetly at them

"Hello, Nat-chan, Sumi-chan."

"Hi there."

"Sumi-chan, this is my assistant, Miyu. Miyu, this is Natsuki's daughter, the one I've been telling you so much about."

Miyu reply with a stuffy Kyoto accent

"Ora, hello. How are you?"

Shizuka with her best Kyoto accent

"Ara, don't tell me you're from Kyoto? How lovely."

Natsuki was surprised and turns to Shizuka

"How'd you do that?"

Of course Natsuki was ignored by her daughter and Miyu as they continue on with their conversation

"You do have absolutely marvelous Kyoto accent."

"Okini! Yours isn't bad either, old chap-"

Miyu laughs.

Alyssa whispers to Natsuki

"Did you tell her?"

"Almost."

"Hey, if you're free later, why don't we all have lunch on the terrace?"

"Actually, I promised Sumi we'd hang out together this afternoon."

Shizuka smiles triumphantly.

"No problem. I guess other time then... Well I'll get back to work now, I'm working on a new label design, Nat-chan... featuring Y-0-U. You're gonna love it."

Alyssa throws a kiss towards Natsuki while Miyu eyes twitch

"See you for dinner, Nat-chan. Bye, Sumi-chan."


EXT. HILLTOP – 0VERLOOKING FUUKA VALLEY – A LITTLE LATER

A beat and Natsuki and Shizuka gallop on horseback over the crest of the mountain. As they slow their horses to a walk.

"So, you excited about our camping trip?"

"What camping trip?"

"What camping trip? The one we go on every summer before you go back to school."

"Oh, that camping trip. Yeah, sure... I can't wait."

"So, Sumi, what do you think of Alyssa?"

"Think of her as what, Papa? Your publicist? Your friend? Your ...?"

"- Just what do you think of her... as a person?"

"Well, she's cute, she has nice hair, good teeth, she can spell the word YOU... I don't know. Honestly, Papa, the woman's a complete stranger to me. Why do you want my opinion anyway?"

Natsuki takes a beat

"Well, I'll tell you why... because believe it or not, honey..."

Shizuka sensing she doesn't like where the talk goes quickly cutting her Papa off

"- Race you back to the ranch, Papa!"

Shizuka jams her heels into Darien's flanks and the horse takes off like a bat out of hell.

"Shizuka, I'm trying to tell you something!"


EXT. HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER

Out of breath, Shizuka runs up the porch steps and throws open the screen door.


INT. LIVING ROOM

Shizuka stops, catches her breath. She's a little panicky. She mumbles loudly to herself

"I'm in so over my head here. I can't handle this alone. I just can't. I'm only a kid."

Nao peek her head around the corner of the arm chair she's been sitting in.

"You got something you'd like to share with the class?"

Shizuka jumps as she got frightened

"Oh, aunt Nao, you gave me a fright!"

"I gave you a fright?"

"You scared me. I didn't know you were like, in here."

Nao rise from her place and walk toward Shizuka while watching her suspiciously

"You sure there's nothing you want to talk to me about? Like maybe why Dean never comes near you anymore or why your appetite's suddenly changed or why all of a sudden you're neat as a pin and using expressions like, 'You gave me a fright.,"

"Aunt Nao, I changed a lot over the summer, that's all."

"If I didn't know better, I'd say it's almost as if you were... oh, never mind, that's too impossible."

Nao shakes off her thought and turns to leave. At that time Mai came in from the kitchen, sensing the tense aura quickly ask Nao what is happening. Before Nao could explain Shizuka interrupt her

"- Almost as if I were who aunt Nao?"

"Nobody. Nobody. Forget I even mentioned it."

"Almost as if I were... Shizuka?"

Nao and Mai stops, stunned, goose-bumps popping up all over. Mai was the first one to recover from the shock

"You know about Shizuka?"

"I AM Shizuka."

Just then, Natsuki enters, also a little out of breath.

"- Why'd you take off like that? I told you I wanted-to talk to you about something? Mai, Nao, why are you looking at her like that"

Nao quickly find an excuse

"Like what? I'm not looking at her any special way."

Mai's eyes were tearing up as she nodded agreeing in what Nao have said

"I'm looking at her just like I've looked at her for eleven years. Since the day she came home from the hospital, six pounds, and eleven ounces, twenty-one inches long.
This is how I look at her. Can I hug her?"

Mai is crying now and so was Nao. Both of them look all broken up, hugs Shizuka like she's hugging her for the first time. Mai was the first one to recover again as both of the red head letting go off Shizuka.

"She's so beautiful and so big."

Shizuka gives Mai and Nao a look that says, 'Please don't say anything!

"I'm gonna go make you something special to eat. What would you like? How about ,my special ramen? Oh, it doesn't matter. I'll whip up everything we've got."

"Yeah, I'll help you with that Mai."

Mai and Nao take off as Natsuki approaches Shizuka.

"Why's everybody acting so nutty around here? Sumi, we gotta talk."

"Okay. Shoot."

"Honey, look... I want to know what you think about making Alyssa part of the family."

"Part of our family?"

"Yes."

"I think it's an awesome idea. Inspired. Brilliant really."

"You do?"

"Totally. It's like a dream come true. I've always wanted a big sister."

"Honey, I'm afraid you're kind of missing the point. I wanted to know what you feel if you have Alyssa as a mother. In coming two weeks time she wanted..."

Shizuka leap and cutting off Natsuki

"You are not planning to agree with this do you? That's insane! How can you let a woman who is young enough to be my sister as my mother and in another two weeks time nonetheless."

She starts ranting and raving, then slips into French.

"Sumi, calm down."

Natsuki try to pacify her anger daughter when suddenly she realizing

"Are you speaking French?"

"I learned it at camp."

Shizuka trying not to act suspicious and takes a breath

"Okay, I'm sorry. Let's discuss this calmly and rationally..."

"Yes and in English, if you don't mind. Man, what has gotten into you?"

"Nothing. It's nothing... Just... Just... Papa, you cant allow Alyssa be my mother! It'll totally ruin completely everything!"

Shizuka storms out before Natsuki have a chance to say anything. Then she notices Nao standing in the doorway, biting her nails.

"Don't look at me mutt, I know nothing."

Then suddenly, a horn honks sound can be heard. Natsuki looks out the window and sees Alyssa getting out of her red Mercedes convertible. Natsuki sinks into a chair, as, she hears Natsumi's door slam upstairs.

"Damn it, this is so hard."

Alyssa sweeps into the room, wearing sunglasses.

"Hi, Nat-chan"

She sits beside Natsuki and notices the frown on Natsuki's face

"You look stress Nat-chan. What's wrong?"

Natsuki starting to rub her temples and gave a long sigh

"I told Natsumi."

"You did? And?"

"She went ballistic. Started yelling in French, which I didn't even know she spoke,I just don't get her lately..."

"Nat-chan, this reaction is totally classic. It's hard for a little girl to think of another woman to replace her mother's place. Look why don't I talk to her... woman to woman."

"She's a little sensitive about you right now."

"That's why I need to do it. We've got to break the ice sometime."


INT. NATSUMI'S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER

Shizuka sits on her deck, feet propped-up on the banister, shuffling a deck of cards. Alyssa appears behind her, knocking on the open door.

"Knock-knock."

Shizuka turns around

"Can I join you?"

"Sure."

"Guess the news of me being your new mother in two weeks came as a bit of a shock, huh?"

"Basically."

"You know, I remember that I was your age when my father was remarried and I got a new mother. At first I didn't like her very much but then I started to love her. I ..."

"- I don't mean to be jerky when you're trying to be all mushy and everything but I think I know who I love as a mother and who's not."

Alyssa was sad and disappointed in what Shizuka said but she understands what the child goes through so she get from her sitting place and walk out from the room. Shizuka felt a bit regret and mostly confused on why would Alyssa be sad but she strengthen her resolve as she went to get a piece of paper and dribble something down . After she was done, she went to the fax machine and fax it...


INT. KITCHEN - SHIZURU'S TOWN HOUSE - KYOTO - A MOMENT LATER

A ringing from the fax machine was heard as a fax slithers out. A hand reaches for the fax. Reito, standing beside the fax machine while he looks at the fax quizzically, then carries it into:


THE DINING ROOM

Where Natsumi is eating dinner with her Mother and Grandfather. Reito refills the adults' wine glasses, holding the fax behind his back as he pours.

"Ara! This is fantastic wine by the way Reito."

"May I have a-sip?"

Shizuru offering Natsumi a sip

"I don't think you're going like it, sweetie."

Natsumi swirls the wine confidently, passes it under her nose, then takes a healthy sip.

"If you ask me, the bouquet is a little too robust for a Merlot. But then again, I'm partial to the softer Fuuka grape."

Shizuru and Ferid laugh, as Reito moves next to Natsumi, holding the fax behind his back. Natsumi notices the piece of paper, being curious she cocks her head to read it.

The fax contains a drawing of Dean, Natsumi's dog, laying on the front porch of Natsumi's house. A cartoon bubble coming out of his mouth says 911! Natsumi bends over so far to read the fax she falls of her chair

"Sweetie, are you okay?"

"Had one sip too many, I guess. You know, Mama, I feel like I could use a bit of fresh air. Would it be okay if I stepped outside for a moment?"

Natsumi says as she gets up from the floor

"Of course. Are you sure you are okay? Would you like me to come with you?"

"No, no. I'll be fine... Just got a touch woozy, that's all."

Natsumi wipes her mouth with her napkin and excuses herself. Her Grandfather watches her closely as she exits.


EXT. SHEPHERD'S MARKET - KYOTO - EARLY MORNING

Natsumi hurries down the picturesque street, turns a corner, spots a phone booth and rushes to it. She pulls the door closed and dials the Operator.

"Yes, I'd like to make a collect-call to Fuuka, please. Area code 707 ..."


INT. NATSUMI'S ROOM - FUUKA - SAME TIME

Shizuka paces, biting her nails for real now. The phone rings. She pounces on it in mid-ring.

"Hello? Yes, I'll accept the charges. Natsumi, thank goodness you got my fax. I'm absolutely desperate."

"What's up? Why the 911?"

INTERCUT Natsumi and Shizuka

"Papa's getting married."

Natsumi laughs

"Whaddya mean, getting married?"

"I mean black tie, white gown, the whole enchilada. The wedding's in two weeks so, if there's any hope of getting Mama and Papa back together, we've got to do it fast."

Outside the Phone Booth, a 'Man' reads the evening paper, waiting to use the-phone.

"Okay, Mama and I are going to the tea exhibition tonight so I'll drop the bomb on her first thing in the morning."

"Give Mama a kiss for me, will you. And Grandfather, too. And Natsumi, hurry."


SHEPHERD'S MARKET - EXT. PHONE BOOTH

Natsumi hangs up and steps out of the booth, bumping into the 'Man' who's been waiting.

"Oh, excuse me."

The 'Man' turns around. It's Natsumi's Grandfather.

"Uh-oh..."

"What do you say you and I take a little stroll in the park, young lady."

Natsumi bites her locket as her Grandfather leads her into the park.


EXT. FUJINO TOWN HOUSE - INT. SHIZURU'S BEDROOM - MORNING

Shizuru sits up in bed, in white satin camisole, finishing a cup of coffee and a phone call to Paris. She sketches a wedding gown on a pad as she talks.

Shizuru speaks in French into the phone

"Au, Mademoiselle. I will have the wedding plans and sketch to you by tomorrow. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you. Au revoir."

Natsumi appears in the doorway, listening to her mother talk on the phone. Grandfather walks by and gives Natsumi a little nudge, pushing her into the room.

"Ara! Hi, sweetie. Come on in."

Shizuru pats the bed. Natsumi crosses and climbs in next to her mother.

Shizuru smile gently while put her arm around Natsumi

"I have to finish this sketch and Fed Ex it to Paris, then how about you and I go out to lunch and spend the rest of the day getting lost in the tea land we're going?"

"I can't. Mama, sorry, I have to go out of town today."

Natsumi says nervously

"You have to go out of town? And where may I ask are you going? You are not going to go out for a date and leave your poor Mama at home alone, are you."

Shizuru teases her daughter thinking that she's kidding. Natsumi squirms under the covers, hoping that she can entirely disappearing from her mother's view.

"Shizuka?"

"That's where I have to go. I have to go see Shizuka."

"I see. And where would Shizuka be?"

Shizuru plays along still thinking that she is joking. Natsumi's squirms further under the covers.

" She's in Fuuka with her 'father', Natsuki Kuga."

Shizuru finally realizes what her daughter was saying as it hits her. Her eyes widen. She looks up to see her father leaning in the door frame, puffing on his pipe. He nods. Shizuru's eyes instantly fill with tears. She lifts the covers to see Natsumi, hiding, scared to death.

"You're not Shizuka?"

"That would be correct."

"You're Natsumi..."

"I am"

Natsumi crawls out from under covers, then with her Fuukan accent

"Shizuka and I met at camp and we decided to switch places. I'm sorry, but I'd never seen you and I'd dream of meeting you my whole life and Shizuka felt the exact same way about Papa, so we just sorta switched lives. I hope you're not mad because I love you so much and I just hope one day you can love me as me and not as Shizuka."

"Oh, sweetie, I've loved you your whole life. I have loved you and your sister since both of you came to existence inside me."

She takes Natsumi in her arms, crying. Natsumi hug her mother back as her eyes began to tear up as well.

"Why didn't you tell me it was you all along?"

"I was scared."

At the doorway, where Reito stands, crying softly though inner he was bawling hysterically. Ferid gently steps in and shuts Shizuru's door. Reito falls into Ferid's arms, heaving.

"I've never been so happy in my entire life."

Ferid pats him gently.


INT. SHIZURU'S ROOM - SAME TIME

Natsumi and Shizuru break from their hug. Shizuru wipes her tears.

"I guess you have to switch us back now, huh?"

"Legally, you belong to your 'father' and Shizuka belongs to me."

" 'Fathers' and 'Mothers', kids. No offense, Mama, but this arrangement really sucks."

"I agree, it totally sucks. I don't want to lose you now that we've been together."

"Well, then I guess we'll just have to fly to Fuuka, see Shizuka and Papa and work this whole thing out."

"I guess we will."

"Will you be nervous about seeing Papa again?"

"No, of course not."

Shizuru says confidently and act as if it's preposterous to be nervous

"I can handle seeing Natsuki Kuga after all these years. People see their ex's all the time, don't they? Not to worry, sweetie. I'll take care of everything. Not-to-worry."


INT. NATSUMI'S ROOM - FUUKA - MOMENTS LATER AFTER THE PHONE CONVERSATION

After finished talking with Natsumi, Shizuka felt more calm now so she went out of Natsumi's room and went down the stairs and accidentally heard her Papa and Alyssa's conversation. As for the two adults, they never notice Shizuka's presence as they continue their conversation.

"So, how is it? Did Natsumi agree?"

"I'm sorry Nat-chan but it seems Sumi-chan wasn't very fond of me"

"Why would you say so? You are a great woman and I know you will be the perfect mother figure for Natsumi well except her real mother that is. Listen here Aly, she just confused. She would love to have you as a mother"

"I don't know, she have said it pretty clearly that she only loves her mother and no one is gonna replace that role."

"She did!"

"Yeah, so Nat-chan I think the adopted thingy will have to be cancel. I do want to have Natsumi as my godchild but it seems she doesn't like me."

Then multi gasp was heard as both of the adults turn their heads and found Shizuka at the stairs along with Nao and Mai standing behind her.

"Sumi"

"So you two are not getting married?"

Both of the adults were confused on the marriage statement

"Sumi what do you mean marry? Who is?"

"You, Papa, you and Alyssa. I thought you say you wanted to make Alyssa a part of the family that she will be my new mother and you are going to married her."

"W...What! Marry? No Sumi, I am not going to married Alyssa, she already have a fiancee which she will be married to in the next two months besides she's my stepsister"

"What mutt! Why you didn't tell us she's your stepsister"

"Yeah, Natsuki we never heard you say you have a younger stepsister"

"Well I just found out recently and I thought of giving you all a surprise so I decided to tell you all on the day Alyssa's marriage as well as the day she adopt Sumi"

Realizing the truth, Shizuka tear up and started to apologize to Alyssa for her ill manner towards her. Alyssa forgives her and both of them hug each other. The moment was really touching until a certain red head interrupted

"Damn mutt here I thought you are going to married this woman"

"Shut up spider and who gives you that idea?"

"Well why don't you try asking yourself acting soft and caring with those loving eyes towards Alyssa. Oh and don't forget about the touching and going out part. Who in the hell wont think that you two are going out and were fucking in... OWWW...MAI why do you hit me for! "

"No cursing in front of Shi... Natsumi, Nao"

"Damn woman do you have to hit me that hard... OWWW... What's that for mutt..."

"No cursing in front of my daughter"

" Awww... Nat-chan is so cute being such a protective parent."

"W..What.. Shut up Alyssa! I am not cute at all"

"But Natsuki you are really so cute."

"Hahaha... they got you mutt"

"Not you too, Mai, and shut up Nao!"

Everyone laughs at a very embarrassed Natsuki, where Shizuka feels that she have forgotten something but decided to let it go as she join the laughter as well.


INT. SHIZURU'S BEDROOM - THE FOLLOWING DAY

Shizuru the always normal compose and graceful woman is a mess. She wears a silk blouse over a slip and a few Velcro rollers just on top of her head. She paces around her room finding for clothes. Open luggage is laid out on the bed behind her. Reito enters the room carrying freshly pressed clothes.

"I'm sorry, I can't handle this'. I haven't seen or heard from Natsuki Kuga in over eleven years and suddenly I'm flying halfway across the world to... I'm not mature enough for this. If the woman didn't make me so nuts, I'd still be married to her."

Shizuru says as she paces around putting on some clothes and a sunglasses

"We came up with this-arrangement so we'd never have to see each other again. Mou! Look at me, Reito, have you ever seen me like this? Don't answer that. What if she doesn't recognize me? Be honest, Reito, how old do I look? No, don't answer that either. Ara, what am I worried about? She could be fat with all the mayonnaise she always ate."

"Actually, Natsumi says her Papa's a gorgeous. And never re-married, either. Just like you, ma'am."

"Reito, it just so happens I'm not remarried by choice. I've had my opportunities for L'Amour. Not lately, of course. But I've had my share of gentlemen or gentlewomen callers."

"Not lately?"

"Well, alright, Tomoe did propose to me, but I told her that I don't feel that way about her and she say its okay so we still remain as good friends now"

"I see. But from that crazy look of hers I don't think she is okay about that"

Reito mumble softly to himself while Shizuru is already back to her dreamland

"Natsumi said she was gorgeous, huh? She was rather dashing and cute as well. She used to make me weak in the knees, if you can imagine that."

Shizuru says dreamily as she looks in the mirror

"Is that a gray hair?"

"No ma'am, that's just dust"

Just when Reito help Shizuru to get the dust out from her hair, Natsumi enters the room carrying an overnight bag.

"All set, Mama."

Shizuru notices her daughter presence suddenly became composed

"Ara! Good. Me too. Almost. Not quite."

"Mama, your suitcase is totally empty."

"Ara. Right. Sorry. Did you speak to your Papa, dear?"

Reito looks at Natsumi. She locks eyes with him for an instant, then turns to her Mama.

"Uh, yeah, I just hung up with her, actually. She said she's really anxious to see you.

"She did? Anxious-nervous, like she's dreading it or anxious-excited like she's looking forward to it?"

"Anxious-excited, definitely."

Again, Reito squints at Natsumi, just knowing she's lying. But Natsumi rolls on...

"She said she'll meet us tomorrow at noon at the Four Seasons in Aries."

"Tomorrow? Ara, that's incredibly soon, isn't it? Well, sweetie, why don't you run downstairs and gather our tickets from your Grandfather while I finish up here?"

Natsumi starts out, Reito follows.

"Liar, Liar, pants on fire..."

"Ara, Reito, could you come back for a moment, please?"

Natsumi raises her finger to her lips to 'Ssshhh" Reito, as he re-enters Shizuru's room.

"Reito, I have a really ridiculous, somewhat childish request to make. Reito, you know you're more than a Butler to me. You're like a lovable brother who just happens to wait on us and...Anyway, I was wondering if..."

"- I'd accompany you to make the trip a bit easier for you?"

"Would you, Reito? I'd be forever grateful. And you don't even have to go as our butler. Just as a brother."

"Madame, I'd be honored. And as a brother, may I say...if I were seeing my ex after eleven years and I had your legs...I'd wear this baby. You'll kill in it."

Reito winks at Shizuru as he pulls out a little red dress from her closet


EXT. FUJINO TOWN HOUSE - THAT AFTERNOON

A Limousine waits at the curb. Reito, in a black casual T-shirt with a blue jeans and shades, hands the luggage off to the Limo Driver. Shizuru hugs her Father good-bye. Then, it's Natsumi's turn. She throws her hand around her Grandfather.

"Bye, Pop."

"Bye, Sumi."

"You're coming to Fuuka for Thanksgiving, right?

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

Natsumi rises up on her tiptoes and kisses her Grandfather good-bye as she runs off towards the limousine

"Say hello to your Father for me!"

"I will! Bye Pop!"


Well it seems the truth about Alyssa was out but the plot was kinda rushed hope it wont be too lame for you all. Anyway, if you want to read more, review and i will see you all in the next chapter.