A month had passed since Kita left Kei. She had her own place and today finally had everything set up. She had found a small, single bedroom apartment only walking distance away from Nobu's home. The apartment was on the top floor of a three story building. It came with a small balcony that overlooked the city. The apartment had tan carpet throughout as well as white walls. She hung up a few of her drawings and one painting she made of Sakura blossoms in the city park. She bought a small black pleather couch which she had against the right wall so that she could watch the small television that she had across from the couch, or she could look to the right to see out her balcony door. In her bedroom she had a queen sized bed with a red bedspread and white and black pillows. Hanging over the window were white blinds which she had partially open to allow sunlight in.

Nobu had been helping her a lot with her move in. He had been over every day and the two were getting along really well.

"There, you are all moved in." Nobu smiled as he sat down on the couch.

"Thank you for all your help Nobu." Kita smiled as she sat down beside him. Kita was feeling much better now. Her bruises had mostly healed. She had a restraining order against Kei and for once she felt happy.

"You're welcome." Nobu smiled at Kita. "So care to tell me more about yourself?" Nobu had been wanting to know more about Kita but did not want to be pushy.

"Oh, well my full name is Kita Minami...I have a twin brother, we were born in Japan but were put up for adoption. We were adopted by an American family. We lived with a seemingly nice family until we were seven and then..." Kita stopped, not sure how Nobu would react if he knew all of her past.

Nobu put a gentle hand on Kita's, silently reassuring her that she could tell him.

"It turned out that our adoptive parents were involved in a drug smuggling ring and were arrested...My brother and I were separated...I haven't seen him since then...I was told that he was adopted by a family in Japan but I do not know how true that is...I was in foster care until I was 14...That is when I got involved with the wrong people...I started getting into fights...When I was 16 I was kicked out of the foster home...I was on the streets until a dealer offered me a deal...If I became a smuggler he would give me a place to live...That is how I met Kei...I had to become his girlfriend so he would protect me..." Kita explained. "Kei was hooked on alcohol but I decided I wanted to give it up when one of the other members of the group nearly died...That was the hardest month of my life...Kei decided that we should escape the gang and move to Japan...His family was originally from here as well. So when I turned 19 we moved here to pursue his music career. He always loved music and was really talented. He sang a lot when driving...Shortly after we got here he developed a drinking problem and his anger problems got worse...He only hit me once before we got here...soon it grew to be once a month, then week until it turned to every day..." Kita kept her head down, not wanting to see what Nobu's reaction would be.

There was silence between the two until Nobu gripped tighter to Kita's hand. "It takes a strong person to go through all of that..."

Kita looked up at Nobu with tears in her eyes. She had never told anyone of her past until now. She was surprised to hear him be so understanding.

Nobu saw the tears in Kita's eyes. He could not stand to see her sad. He quickly pulled her close to him, holding her close.

Kita was not used to being held this way. Nobu was so gentle but secure. She felt comforted in his arms rather than afraid. Kita looked up into Nobu's eyes. Nobu brought his face closer to hers and kissed her gently. Kita felt a spark as she began to kiss him back. Her hands found their way to his messy blonde hair while one of his found her waist and the other the couch as the kiss grew more passionate only for it to be interrupted by the front door opening.

"Knock knock!" Hachi cheered.

Kita and Nobu quickly parted and preceded to act normal, as if nothing happened, their brains not fully understanding it either.

"Hey the place looks great!" Hachi smiled looking around the apartment as Shin and Yasu, who was carrying Satsuki, followed.

"Oh thank you, Nobu and I just finished arranging the furniture. I want to thank all of you again for everything you have done for me." Kita stood up with a smile.

"Oh it is no problem, you deserve to be able to live without some guy hitting you." Hachi smiled.

"So what is going to happen with all of that?" Shin asked curiously.

"Well a lawyer that Yasu works with agreed to take my case and Kei is being charged with domestic violence. They are trying to work on a deal so this will not go to trial but Kei is being his usual stubborn self. His lawyer is working on convincing Kei, since this will harm the band's image if this gets dragged out." Kita explained. The lawyer had been to her house a few times over the past couple weeks and it seemed like Kei was getting closer to finally agreeing on settling outside of court.

"Whatever he ends up paying is not enough, shouldn't he go to jail?" Shin asked.

"Well since he has no criminal activity on record, as long as he leaves Kita alone and obeys the restraining order he could just be on probation for several years and have to pay Kita restitution." Yasu explained.

"That is what the two lawyers are trying to explain to Kei but he does not want to admit he did anything wrong." Kita sighed.

"Hey lets not get discouraged." Nobu stood up with a smile. "We should celebrate tonight that Kita has officially moved into her own place."

"That sounds wonderful, How about we have a party here tonight?" Kita offered. She figured the least she could do was get them all dinner since they all have been so kind to her from the moment that they met.

"That sounds like fun!" Satsuki smiled. "Can we Mommy?" Satsuki looked at Hachi who smiled.

"Of course. How about Kita, Satsuki and I go get the food while you guys stay here?" Hachi suggested, figuring the boys could relax.

"Alright, I have a couple beers in the fridge, feel free to help yourselves while we are gone." Kita smiled as Yasu put Satsuki down.

"Thank you Kita." Nobu smiled.

"Come on Satsuki." Hachi took Satsuki's hand as the three girls exited the apartment.

Shin walked into the kitchen only to return with three beers. "Hey lets relax and drink!"

Yasu and Nobu each took a beer and opened them.

"Careful lightweight you don't wanna let Kita see you drunk." Shin chuckled.

"Haha very funny Shin." Nobu sarcastically spoke before laughing and taking a sip of his beer. It was true, Nobu could not easily handle alcohol.

"So have you made your move yet?" Shin nudged Nobu before taking a sip from his beer can.

Nobu practically choked on his beer. "What do you mean?"

"Come on, you have been over here almost every day for the past month and you haven't done anything?" Shin smirked.

Nobu took another sip of his beer. "If you are asking if we have had sex no we haven't, Kita needs time to get over her ex and I am going to respect whatever she chooses."

Shin figured that after another beer Nobu would spill everything so he went to the kitchen and returned with three more beers. Shin finished his beer and placed it on a small end table beside the couch before opening the second can.

The three guys drank their two beers and Nobu was starting to get tipsy.

"So how was finishing things up today?" Shin smiled, clearly trying to get Nobu to spill any details about him and Kita.

Yasu simply shook his head, knowing exactly was Shin was attempting to do.

"Things were great Kita and I finished up then sat and talked for a while then we started making out until you guys interrupted us." Nobu trailed on. Nobu had a bad habit of being unable to keep a secret when he was drunk.

"Ha! I knew it!" Shin cheered.

Nobu shrugged, figuring the group would find out sooner or later that he and Kita were growing closer.

"Congrats." Yasu added simply before sitting down on the couch.

"I don't know if she wants anything though, it was kind of spur of the moment..." Nobu trailed off.

"Give her time, she's been through a lot over the past few months. Her entire way of life has changed. Let her settle and soon enough you'll know." Yasu noted.

Nobu simply nodded. Yasu was the most mature of the group. He was always the one to give advise that seemed to make people feel better.

"Thanks Baldy..." Nobu laughed.

The front door opened as Satsuki skipped in with Hachi and Kita walking in behind her. Kita and Hachi were carrying bags of food and drinks while Satsuki was carrying a small bag of candy.

"Hachi you and Satsuki go relax, I can get dinner ready." Kita smiled. "You are all my guests today and I want you to relax." Kita reached into the fridge and handed Hachi a beer and then gave her a juice box or Satsuki.

"Thank you Kita." Hachi opened the juice box for Satsuki as she walked into the living room, handing it to Satsuki who sat down on the carpet, happy with her candy and juice box.

Hachi sat down beside Yasu and took a sip of her beer.

"How was shopping?" Shin asked with a smile.

"Good, we had a nice time." Hachi smiled.

"What did you girls talk about?" Shin asked curiously as Nobu got up and walked into the bathroom.

"Well apparently she and Nobu got pretty close tonight." Hachi spoke, keeping her voice low so Kita would not hear.

"We know, Nobu spilled after two beers." Shin laughed quietly before getting quiet again as Nobu returned from the bathroom.

Kita stepped out of the kitchen with a platter of sushi. It was a mix of Salmon rolls, Crab rolls and Tuna rolls with a few small bowls of soy sauce.

"Wow that looks great!" Hachi grew wide-eyed looking at the platter of sushi as Kita placed it on the small coffee table.

"Help yourselves." Kita smiled as she sat down on the carpet.

Everyone, including little Satsuki took a piece and began to eat. The group talked and ate until little Satsuki fell asleep on the couch beside Yasu.

"Wow it's getting late, I should get Satsuki home" Hachi yawned.

"Yea we should all get some sleep." Yasu stood up.

"Goodnight Kita thanks for dinner." Shin got to his feet with a yawn.

"No problem, goodnight you guys." Kita smiled.

"Hey guys go on ahead I'll catch up." Nobu smiled as he got up from the couch.

The other three nodded before walking out of the apartment, leaving Kita and Nobu alone.

"Hey Kita?" Nobu began.

"Yes Nobu?" Kita asked and she began gathering the dish from dinner.

"Would you want to go out Friday night?" Nobu forced out, a little anxious as to what she would say.

Kita was caught off guard as she felt her face get warm. "Oh, sure. I'd love to." Kita smiled.

Nobu was so happy to hear her say yes but he maintained his composure. "G-Great. I'll pick you up at seven."

"See you then. Goodnight Nobu." Kita smiled as Nobu slipped out of the apartment.