When the group arrived at the Echizen estate the first thing that jumped out at them was Karupin.

"Karupin!" Mary exclaimed.

"How have you been you mischievous cat," Mizuki nuzzled the Himalayan cat, taking in its warm fur.

"Mischievous probably." Ryoma said as he took off his shoes.

"What a great response." Mizuki replied sarcastically.

"Do you two always need to get into something?" Mitsuki asked rubbing her temples. The two turned to her with blank stares.

"Yes."

Mitsuki groaned while Mary giggled softly.

"Don't worry, its how we know that they're the same as ever," she said smiling, which caused Mitsuki to smile as well.

"Yah I guess your right."

Just then Nanako and Rinko came to the door.

"Nanako-chan! Rinko-san!" Mary and Mizuki kicked off their shoes and ran into Rinko and Nanako. Mitsuki picked the Himalayan cat off the ground and held her close, smiling at the scene before her, Ryoma by her side.

"How have you two been?" Rinko asked.

"Yah we haven't seen you in so long. And when Mitsuki-chan came over without you guys, we thought something happened at first." Nanako said.

"Yes, but of course you two would give them alone time before you come and tease them non-stop." Rinko added. Oh how she knew them.

Nanako and Rinko laughed at the cat-like grins on the girls faces. Ryoma and Mitsuki twitched slightly.

"Now come on and get yourselves comfy. Nanjirou has been waiting for you guys." Rinko led them into the main room where Nanjirou was on the ground, in his robes, listening to music, and looking at girls in bikinis. Some things just don't change.

Rinko twitched slightly at what he was reading. She tore the earphones out of his ears.

"Nanjirou get that trash out of here before I throw it out! We have company!" She scolded, causing Nanjirou to jump to his feet.

When he noticed the girls he walked up to them, arms open wide.

"Ah! There are my other daughters!" He exclaimed.

"Oh Nanjirou, you don't change." Mary snorted. Nanjirou bonked her on the head which got her to glare at him playfully.

"Oyaji don't scare them away," Ryoma said as Mitsuki giggled.

"Shut it Ryoma, don't make me bring the baby pictures out," his father threatened and Ryoma glared at him for even mentioning that. Mary and Mizuki snorted quietly at the thought of Ryoma's baby pictures.

"Lets go into the kitchen, I've prepared a meal." Rink practically jumped into the kitchen with glee. She knows that Ryoma isn't very social, and now having his friends, the first one's he ever made, back together, she wanted this happiness to last.

Everyone settled at the table and chatted amongst themselves. Rinko came to the table carrying trays of sushi.

"So how was it in Chicago?" Nanjirou asks starting a conversation.

"It was pretty fun. It was interesting how the areas were. Like there were suburbs, ghetto neighborhoods, communities. And downtown was awesome. Especially at night when it was warm but windy by the lake." Mizuki explained remembering the fond memories.

"Yah I remember how we would pester Mike to take us to downtown every night when it was summer. He got so annoyed because he had to go to work early and we wanted to stay out late." Mitsuki laughed.

"Wow that sounds like fun. What about you Mary? How was Europe?" Rinko asked.

"It was beautiful. But also annoying because I didn't know the people there most of time. And we moved frequently. Like we went to Greece, Italy, Germany, Spain and I knew no one. Except the occasional business men who worked for my parents. But it was never fun since the two were always working."

"Wow I thought you would have more fun." Nanjirou said, popping some shrimp in his mouth.

"Didn't you say you went to Paris too? Aren't you supposed to find true love there or something," Mizuki said stuffing her face with various amounts of sushi.

"It's the city of love. But all I found was a jerk who my parents want me to marry."

Mizuki and Nanjirou choked on the food that was stuffed in their mouth. Mitsuki and Ryoma gave a bewildered look as well as Rinko and Nanako.

"EH?" Mizuki and Nanjirou said at the same time, when they stopped choking.

"Yah. He's wealthy, handsome, romantic. And he's a complete prick!" Rinko's eyes widened at the language. "Pardon me. But the way he treats people so irritating! He treats his servants, the people that make him food, trim his hedges, make his life easier, like they are slaves! And then he acts all charming to me, and yet if I married him I would only be allowed to go to partied with by my side. And I wouldn't hang around with 'commoners' or guys at all for that matter. I cant even leave the mansion unless he's there escorting me! So I said no."

"Good! I agree that man is a prick!" Rinko fumed, surprising the people at the table. Especially her husband. "A relationship should not be based on dominance. It should have love, understanding, trust, and communication. Not just money!"

"Totally!" Mitsuki and Mizuki both said nodding.

"You made the right choice Mary," Ryoma stated calmly, but was glad his friend didn't have to marry that man. It would ruin a friendship that lasted through quite a lot. And Mizuki and Mary were partners in crime. It would be terrible to see them separated.

"Yah I know. I just wish my parents would see that too."

Everyone there knew about Mary's parents. The way they make Mary do things they want her to do. How they always leave her alone and go on trips around the world. Never giving her the freedom to make her decisions. It wasn't until Mike and Yui, with the help of Rinko and Nanjirou, got their parents to let Mary stay with them when they were away. It wasn't like she was being very productive at home.

"Alright lets forget about all of that. You're here with us and that's all that matters!" Nanako decided to brighten the mood. It worked.

"Hey Nanjirou, I dare you to eat that wasabi," Mizuki challenged. Nanjirou looked down at the sushi in front of him and found Rinko had also prepared wasabi for them. Though no one had touched it yet. He smirked.

"I dare you." He countered, but Mizuki just grinned.

"We'll both do it."

The two took some wasabi and brought it to their mouths. Rinko sighed but inwardly happy that the two hadn't changed their attitudes towards each other. They nodded and stuffed the spicy sushi into their mouth.

Immediately after they start chewing though, Nanjirou jumped and ran into the kitchen to rinse his mouth out with ice-cold water, and ice cubes from the freezer.

They all laughed at the response, Ryoma enjoying every minute of it. Some how Mizuki had a way of making his dad look ridiculous. But, then again, other times his dad would make Mizuki look just as ridiculous. Usually that happens when playing tennis. But too bad it was to cold outside to play.

After they ate Mizuki, Mitsuki, and Mary got their jackets and headed out. Saying goodbye to the Echizen family.

"Bye Karupin. I'll see you soon kay," Mizuki nuzzled the cat once more before leaving. Mitsuki gave Ryoma a quick kiss, which his dad teased him for. Which resulted in him getting hit upside the head by Rinko.

"That was fun." Mary said while they walked through the cold, crisp air.

"Yah, I missed them." Mizuki sighed watching her breath flow in front of her, then disappear.

"They missed you guys too. I'm glad we're back." Mitsuki took hold of Mizuki's hand, who took hold of Mary's.

The three walked home in that position, smiling fondly.

O

o

O

These stories are going to be the end of me! I have re-written the last couple chapters three times because I can't get it right! Hopefully this is good so far. I'm going to add more of the regulars in later chapters. And hopefully some romance between more characters than just Mitsuki and Ryoma.

Hope you like!