Ren's morning was infinitely better than it had been the last few days. Jun hadn't harassed him and surprisingly he didn't try to jump on the couch last night. In fact, Ren had been mostly ignored by him except the occasional smug glare that was sent his way; however, as the proverb goes, 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer', Ren remained suspicious. The dog was currently next to Setsu receiving her lavish affections and Cain was getting jealous of the damn beast.

"I'm beginning to think you love him more than me." Ren pouted as he stared at Kyouko from the other side of the room.

"Now your just being silly, why would you even begin to think that?"

"Well," Ren rattled off his list, "you haven't spoken to me today; other than to tell me breakfast was ready and what you've just said, you refuse to look at me, and whenever I'm around you seem to make it a point to love Jun even more."

"He has his perks," Setsu smiled slyly, "he loves me unconditionally, doesn't invite people I don't know over at night, and smells a lot better than you do right now."

Ren crushed his seventh cigarette today and growled, " I never thought I'd loose to an animal; aren't you forgetting several important qualities I have that he doesn't." He began to walk towards Kyouko with the motions of a predatory, she didn't notice this however because she was making it a point to ignore Cain.

"I don't think so," she laid a quick kiss down onto the dog's head before finally looking up, "Yikes!"

Ren towered over her menacingly. The dog turned around and crawled underneath Ren to escape. "Setsu," he warned. "Aren't you forgetting that I'm your beloved Nii-san? I've only just promised to always be with you until I end this life; and just after swearing away such a thing you go and leave me for the closest available male."

"He's a dog," Kyouko could tell he was jealous but his reasoning's were odd to her.

"And one that has succeeded in stealing my dearest sister from my side; in my own household, no less. That needs to change." He pulled Kyouko up and made his way for the door.

"We're going somewhere?" she asked and quickened her pace to reach her brother's side. Kyouko had begun to get bored spending so much time with the dog. Now that she knew Cain was jealous, she decided to add insult to injury, "We can't be gone for too long, Jun will be needing to go out soon."

Ren nodded his head as they exited the house heading for his car.


They arrived at the outlet just when Ren's aura was at its darkest; it had reached the point where it sent people scrambling to get out of the way before they even saw him. Setsu remained silent as she watched her brother change; she had a spot-on guess as to why her brother had brought her here.

"Nii-san, you better not try this. I won't be happy."

"Well then, you should make-up with me as soon as possible." They entered the first store and immediately Ren started pulling clothes off the rack. He bought her some sweaters and lots of jewelry before exiting and heading straight for the next store. This time he chose out cosmetics for her; even though she complained he bought them unrelenting. Showing no mercy, Ren began to march to the next store, just as determined, but finally Kyouko was fed up and slipped from his arms. She darted away thinking Cain would catch her and continue with his rampage, but he only stood there until she was brave enough to sneak a look backwards.

"Good, I was wondering how long that was going to take; unfortunately, we did not come her for this reason. Setsu, come."

Kyouko was distraught but she held her head high as she followed him; her grudges had started to reawaken and they squirmed inside her vigorously. She wasn't feeling happy about the direction this had take at all.

Kyouko didn't realize that Cain had stopped and she might have walked pass him if he didn't grab her. He dragged her into the next store before she had a chance to look at the name.

"Interesting; I guess I owe you an apology," Setsu walked forward and eyed the treasures in front of her. She pulled a spiked collar off the wall and Cain reached for it's matching pair, a studded leash. They were a beautiful hand crafted set, as if on cue, both smiled.

"You like it?" Ren smirked. He lifted it up so she could inspect the work; floral stencils were punched into the black leather chain.

" Of course, after all, you know me the best! I want to look around even more. Can't I?" it was Kyouko's turn to beg; she fluttered her eyes at him and he willingly caved.

Cain let out a sigh in relief, "Go ahead, I'll wait here for you."

Ren leaned against the side of the store wall as she went around gathering items. She would pause occasionally to lift one up and he would nod in approval. Setsu collected what she wanted before she dragged Cain up to the counter to pay for it. She wanted to waste no time; so after their purchase, they hurried back home. She couldn't wait to try them out.


"Jun!" The dog slipped out of their bedroom and bounded up to Kyouko She tackled him playfully and soon he flopped on to back in defeat; she rubbed his belly and, with her spare hand, dragged a plastic bag closer to her. "I've got some new toys, come check them out." the dog lifted his head up off and watched as she began pulling items out of the bag.

She dragged out a hand-knitted dog toy and before she could give it to the dog, he had taken it from her. He captured it between his paws and was rolling on his back playfully snapping at it. Kyouko took the time to unload the rest of the contents of the bag; when she was finished the dog hopped up and inspected the items…

'This is heavy; I can't believe Setsu just walked off leaving me to carry this.'

Ren was gasping but managed to carry it up the steps. He didn't even want to think of how he was going to get the door open.; luck was on his side when Kyouko poked her head out just as he reached it.

"Good, you're here," Setsu giggled until she realized how fatigued her brother was, " Are you okay. I thought you could handle that."

Ren wouldn't even think of asking Kyouko to help him; if she had offered to help, he would have politely refused. This was not the situation at hand though. Here was Kyouko, the girl he loved, unknowingly challenging him. He wouldn't look weak in front of her, so that even with it being unbearably heavy he puffed up and flexed his strained muscles. In all of his male glory he was equivalently strutting like a peacock trying to woo his chosen mate.

Unfortunately, Kyouko was horrible at reading body language, "Don't hurt yourself. I've already had to help enough grandpa's in my lifetime who threw out their back." Kyouko wasn't fully Setsu and referenced her own personal moments she went through while she worked at the Fuwa family Ryokan.

Ren deflated; his ego scarred by Kyouko's cruel and unforgiving words.

After making his way through the door he dropped the item on the ground and retreated. Kyouko whistled at the dog who was crunching down on a rawhide bone; he trotted over silently taking notice at Ren's retreat. He wouldn't go bug him right now; It was unspoken guy-code not to kick a brother when he's down; Ren needed time to collect what pride he still had left from Kyouko.

"Check out your new bed," Setsu admired the most valuable commodity they had brought home; to fit the length of a Komondor they had to purchase the longest bed available. It had a canopy above with purple-laced curtains; running down the front were multiple strings of black beads. All around the frame of the bed were exotic teal plumes. A gutsy move, had it been anyone but Setsu; she guarantied Cain that Jun wouldn't destroy the bed. He caved and purchased but remained skeptical.

Jun hopped in and turned to look at Setsu, his tail dropped off the other side of the bed. A feather drifted loose and landed on the dogs nose causing him to sneeze.

"Terrific; I had my doubts," she said as she picked up another loose feather to tease the dog's muzzle, "but it really suits you. Now, all that's missing is this." Setsu retreated but came back with a skull bedazzled hair clip; she started styling the dogs bangs by pulling them away from his face.

Ren was bruised, he leaned his elbow against the bathroom vanity and cradled his forehead in his hands. After collecting himself he walked in to find Setsu pampering Jun. He moved closer and got a clearer look at what she was doing.

"You know no one is ever going to see that," he smiled and continued to watch the dog's very expressive face. Jun adored Kyouko but even he would have trouble enjoying her continuous prodding.

'Payback has never looked so sweet,' Ren grinned coldly.

"I know; but he's almost done." She finished applying the last coat of nail polish.

"Let him at least keep his pride; that's the only thing the poor guy's got." Ren sympathized and thought it was about time to release the terrorized mutt from Setsu's grasp.

"Okay, done!" Setsu stood up and the dog cowered into his bed. Jun felt ashamed yet also equally demoralized. "Don't listen to Baka Nii-san; you look great!"

The dog whimpered and buried his face in the mattress as the two broke out laughing.