Things to remember:

A) I do not own Kuroshitsuji/Black Butler/Innocent Venus, sadly. But that's okay. I'll live.

B) I own Lincent and Kosuke and Hiroki. They are mine.

C) This is a work of FICTION. So because of this fact, anything I say goes. No complaining if something below does not make sense. I will be more than happy to explain my logic if you ask me.

D) Heavy OC content

E) 7/14

F) This is a sister fic to The Way We Were In Tokyo.

More relevant info to this chapter: Hello darlings! So sorry for the late update. One more and this story is over! Hope you enjoy this chapter. Warning: There are time jumps and rapid growth on Lin's part. Try and keep up, dears.

Special thanks to: YetAnotherJanewayFan, saurie yamamoto

Sincerely wishing you all well,

Kida-Asumi, the Captin of Sirius


"And who founded the Uchiha Military?" Hiroki asked his grandchild.

"Your father, Akimasa." Lincent replied without hesitation. Hiroki grinned, nodding.

"Who was his third wife's brother's niece who designed the family symbol?"

"Nozomi Noburo."

"And what battle gave us this house we reside in?"

"The battle at Stone's Creek."

"Good. I think you are going to be more than ready to take over the family, Lincent." He murmured warmly. Lincent smiled.

Since she turned 15, she had thrown herself into her studies of the Uchiha family's history. She loved this family deeply, she quickly discovered, and realized that running it was a blessing. It had become her whole world and she was so eager to become its head.

The Uchiha family owned a huge business, with their hands in just about everything. When Liz married Kosuke, she brought with her the Funtom Toy Company, which Liz explained was founded by Ciel and Lin was heir to.

The Uchiha military would be headed by Lin's sons and husband, Kosuke had explained. He did not want her out in the field, so he would keep reign over it until the time came for her to have her own say in it. Lin had agreed and wasn't regretting any of her decisions


"Lincent Rachel Uchiha, I name you the new head of the Uchiha family. With it, you gain the rights to the company, family, and military. We now trust and rely on your judgment." Hiroki murmured proudly, placing the family crest in her hair. Lin bowed her head before rising to her feet. Taking a deep breath, she looked up at the family.

"I, Lincent Rachel Uchiha, vow to make this family into something greater than it has ever been. I simply ask for your loyalty and cooperation." She said. The room broke out into applause and cheers. Smiling, Lin stepped down from the front of the room as the group broke up to socialize and eat.

"Oh Linny, I'm so proud of you!" Liz exclaimed as she hugged her daughter. Lin smiled, hugging her mother in return.

"Thanks, Mom." She murmured happily.

"I am as well. You'll make this family so proud." Kosuke murmured warmly as he embraced his wife and daughter. Lin nodded.

"I'll try, Dad, I'll try." She said sincerely.

"Congratulations, Lincent." The new head of the family stiffened, quickly turning to glare at the man in front of her.

"What are you doing here?" She asked. Sebastian nodded, accepting her distrust and presented to her a tiny box.

"As is your birthright, you are also now head of the Phantomhive family. As such, you receive two things - a ring that has been passed down for generations and a necklace your Grandfather Vincent gave to your Grandmother Rachel." Sebastian explained. Lincent accepted the box, eyes widening when she opened it. In it lay the blue ring she had found so many years ago, in addition to a darker silver necklace like the one her mother hand.

"Thank you." She mumbled, looking up at Sebastian. He nodded, smiling.

"You're welcome, Lincent. I know you'll make us proud."


A month after Lincent took control of the family a tragedy brought her back to reality.

Hiroki Uchiha died.

"Dead?" Lincent whispered when her mother told her, her expression pale. Liz nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Oh Linny!" She sobbed, throwing her arms around her daughter. Lincent's breath hitched, and she buried her face into her mother's shoulder.

"I can't believe this. I was just named head of the family last month." She croaked. Liz nodded, sobbing.

"Oh no, we've left your father alone." Liz breathed. Lin gasped, pulling back.

"He needs us, Mom." She insisted. Liz nodded, gripping her hand. Together they went to find Kosuke.

They found the man in with the horses, brushing his favorite.

"Darling?" Liz asked, rubbing his back. Kosuke flinched, looking up at her.

"Liz. Lin." He greeted them. Both shared a look before embracing him. Kosuke bit back a sob, pulling them closer.

"We're here, Daddy, we're here." Lin murmured, burying her face in his neck. He nodded, kissing her forehead. Behind his back, his wife and daughter joined hands, taking support from one another


The death of Hiroki marked a new time for the Uchiha family. Lin grew their stock values and invested in new idea and innovations. The company grew more prominent in business and Lin proved to be a tough fighter in the market. She gained respect quickly and was admired by many people. She was the third most influential woman in America after Tsunade Arashi, the president, and Dragon, a medical extraordinaire.

Lin's next two adventures would change her life forever.

The first happened years after Hiroki's death. Lin was currently on a plane ride to Japan, hoping to offer some aide to the broken country. She also wished to learn about the Asian aspects of her family heritage. The mecha-esque war that ravaged it and brought it to its knees was finally over.

When she first stepped off of the plane, she noticed a burning building. Quickly she went inside, not fearing the flames. Sebastian had taught her that fire could be her friend and she had learned how to manipulate it. Upon finding the building empty, Lin exited it to find herself in a courtyard. A man lay propped against a fountain, his white hair tainted with blood. Eyes wide, the young woman ran over to him.

"Sir?" She asked, shaking him awake. When he groaned, she quickly called for help and they took him to a hospital.


March was supposed to be a lovely time in Japan, Lincent had always thought. However, as she watched the white haired man in front of her get lectured by the doctor, she didn't think so.

Jin Surasawa. The medic team had fixed him up nicely and Lin had informed him that he was returning home with her. He had nodded, his golden eyes dull.

He seemed to have lost his faith in whatever had him living, Lin observed quietly.

What in the world could create such an emotion in a person? Since her life had turned upside down for the second time when she was thirteen, Lin had spent the last part of a decade bitter and learning to overcome. Her most useful approach was to analyze and understand what made other's react the way they did in certain situations.

This man intrigued her. Thus, a new game was planned.


Upon returning home, Lin and her silent companion were met by Kosuke, who was grinning at them.

"Welcome home. I have a surprise for you." He said. Lin blinked, curious.

"Oh?" She asked. Kosuke nodded.

"Yes. A man accidentally stumbled upon the compound. He's a quiet fellow, but I feel that you and he might get along well. In fact, I think he may be your mister right." Kosuke added, with a teasing undertone in his voice. Lin rolled her eyes.

"Does he have a name?" She asked.

"He calls himself Jo Kagarashi and has quite an interesting past."

"Jo Kagarashi?" Lin asked her father as they walked towards the house. Jin was following behind them, stiffening with surprise at the name. Kosuke nodded.

"Yes. Your mother is fawning over him."


When Jin gently tugged Lin back from entering the house, she turned to him, curious.

The two had not really spoken much during their time together. Simple, polite conversation was about all there was between them. When she had informed him that she was taking him home, he had no reaction either for or against the idea. It was one of the reasons that Lin was sure this was the right course of action.

"Nervous?" She asked, slipping her hand to grip his. Jin shook his head, eyes troubled.

"I…know that we do not know each other well, but I need you to trust me know matter what happens in there. Jo…" He trailed off, looking towards the front door.

"A bad memory?" Lin asked, thinking of her own bad memory that was no doubt lurking somewhere on this residence. Jin nodded. Lin smiled, rubbing his hand. "Okay then. It's not my business. I've got your back if you get mine?" Lin asked. Jin nodded, an uncharacteristic look of hope entering his eyes.

"Just like that?" He asked. Lin nodded.

"Just like that."


"Presenting Jo Kagarashi." Elizabeth beamed. Jo's stoic expression was in place as Lin watched him look over her, before his eyes moved behind her to spot Jin. When he eyes narrowed, Lin glared and took a step back towards Jo.

"It's nice to meet you, Jo. Welcome to my home." Lin said, while her eyes informing him that he had better watch his behavior. After a moment, Jo's eyes dropped to the floor submissively.

"Thank you, Miss Lin." He said. Nodding her approval, Lin turned to her mother.

"I am going to show Jin to his bedroom. Has Jo been settled into his?" Lin asked. Lizzy nodded.

"Yup! Go ahead, sweetie." She chirped, with her green eyes curiously locked onto Jin. Lin nodded, quickly excusing them and leaving the room.


A week passed without any incident between Jin and Jo. The tension between the two was quite interesting, Lin thought to herself as she signed a few paper.

Jin had explained his history to her quite quickly. For the past year, Jin had been ill on and off after the end of the Venus project. He was also punished by those who supported Sana, and had been trying to leave the country for some time. When he explained who his father had been Lin felt a pang of empathy and explained her mother.

They agreed to not let politics affect their lives as drastically as it had their parents.

And as Lin spent time with Jin, he slowly worked his way into her heart.

She wouldn't realize that for months to come.


"Fuck off, Dad!" Lin murmured as she slammed her way into the dojo. Hearing a rustling behind her, Lin's eyes widened. Jo was watching her, a veiled look of amusement on his face.

"I'm glad I never hit my teenage years when my parents were still alive." He murmured. Lin frowned.

"Not my current parents. I'm adopted, Jo." She said. He and Jin were planning on swearing their allegiance to the family soon. No secrets, Lin had said long ago. That still stood.

"…I never got the chance. Mom and Dad died in a fire when I was 10." He said softly. Lin's eyes widened.

"Oh gosh! I'm so sorry." She apologized. Jo shrugged it off.

"Don't. I understand that you've lost someone dear to you too." He said. Lin nearly asked why he was talking about Ciel, but then realized that he was referring to Hiroki. She nodded, looking away.

"Yes." She whispered. "What were your parents like?" She asked, curious. Jo leaned against the wall behind him, thinking about how to answer that.

"My Dad is still the man I admire most. He was the sterner of my two parents, and kept me in line. Mom used to say that I got my stoic nature from Dad. He worked at a large technology company. Mom went to college and spent his," Jo paused, letting Lin question it if she was confused. When she didn't, he continued. "days writing novels. When I was born, I know that his writing style changed and wrote books that would interest me. From nursery rhymes to young adult novels—that was the time span of his work." Jo explained. "He was a very sweet person. Everywhere we went he was greeted with smiles and waves." Jo sighed, a bittersweet smile crossing his face.

"My birth parents were men as well." Lin said. When Jo's eyes darkened with this revelation, she nodded. "My father killed my mother when I was three." She said, unable to keep the resentment from her voice or eyes. Jo's eyes widened when they briefly flashed red. Shaking her head, Lin sighed. "What's your problem with Jin?" She asked. Jo frowned, looking away. It was her turn to be surprised when his eyes flashed red as well.

"He nearly killed myself and the woman I love." He grunted. Lin frowned, putting this bit of news away for a time when she could confront Jin with it.

"Where is this woman?" She asked instead.

"In Japan, living the life that was robbed from her. I let her go so that she could be happy." He explained with a modest shrug. "Hopefully we can be together someday." He whispered. Lin bit back a smile, coming up with a plan.

"So you understand what it's like being raised happy. You understand the pain of losing someone dear. Jo, all I ask is your loyalty…and to forgive your friend." She said slowly. She watched Jo's jaw tighten as he struggled with his emotions. Finally, he nodded.

"I'll…I'll try." Jo murmured softly. Satisfied, Lin nodded and left Jo alone to face his decision.


"Ugh! How in the world could he even!" Lin nearly screamed as she stormed into the library. A chuckle from the corner made her jump, and she was surprised to find Jin sitting by the fire, a bottle on wine beside him. When he patted the floor beside him, Lin forced herself to relax and sat down next to him.

"Wine?" He offered. Lin nodded, blushing when he simply passed her the bottle.

For the next two hours they talked about everything but their problems. And when the fire began to burn out, Lin met Jin's eyes and the next thing she knew she was on her back, his mouth hot against hers.

Come morning, the heiress found herself in her bed. She frowned at first, but relaxed when Jin's arm tightened around her bare waist. He said up, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes as he looked down at her. Lin beamed.

"Did this really just happen?" Lin asked as she wrapped a blanket over her bare body. Jin nodded, smiling at her.

"It did. I don't regret it either." He said sincerely. Lin blushed, cuddling closer.

"Me either." She whispered.

She meant it too.


The two began a tentative relationship after that morning. Lin had to fight a persistent blush for the next three weeks. When she visited her friend Tsunade, the blond had teased her about it, and then asked her to bring her boyfriend next time. Lin had tried to deny it, but gave up in the end.

Jin was a total sweetheart. He helped take her mind off of pressing matters, helped her avoid Sebastian, and was even nice and polite to Jo, who reciprocated the gesture. He often cooked for them at lunch time, and showed her a good time in the evening

Her life had settled once again, and was looking towards happier days.

Until she began to have odd aches in her body. So, concerned, she contacted her friend Tsunade.


"I'm pregnant." Lin informed her mother a week later. Liz nearly dropped her watering, surprised by the news.

"What!" She shrieked. Lin quickly shushed her and ushered her into the nearby office.

"It's Jin's. Oh Mom, what am I supposed to say to him? We have to get married. The rules say so." She moaned quietly. Liz frowned, pulling her child into a hug.

"We'll get through this, Lin. As a family." She stated firmly. Lin nodded, cuddling into her mother's embrace.

"Yes we will, Momma, yes we will."


When Lin told Jin, he had been ecstatic and readily agreed to marry her. Jo and Kosuke both approved, and their wedding date was set for that summer.

That night, when Jin joined her in bed, Lin decided that there was just one thing that needed to be answered. So the next day, she tracked down Jo and asked him an important question.

"Can I trust him?" Lin asked Jo. The brunet pondered that.

"Yes."


A/N: Again, sorry for the long date. Don't worry, soon you'll be free of my procrastination!

- Kida-Asumi