Argh, it's so hot here! I'm not sure if I can last the heat longer. Anyway, the previous chapter was highly Yui-centric so this one's gonna be on Hotohori's side. This one's actually harder to write compared to the previous one. But I do love the brief Yui-Sai moment. Anyway, thanks for the reviews and I hope you all like how this fiction is developing!

ThePinkMartini: Yes, Tatara's photos drive me sleepless for days. Haha. My Yui-Tatara relationship will be a prelude to my fic on them. Just trying to build up the pairing. :D

LeeRaRa: We'll find that out next chapter. :D For now, here's some Hotohori fluff. :)

Natsu_121: Wow, I don't get readers who tell me they're a Hotohori-Yui fan and I'm happy your a fan of the pairing. It seems that when one thinks of pairing Yui with a Suzaku sei it's automatically with Hotohori, ne? :D Please enjoy this fic! And you might want to read my Serendipity fic too. :D

Disclaimer: FY is not mine.


I miss you… the words I swallowed back this afternoon… come rushing out…

Maybe I should act more grown-up cause you make me happy…If you're tired, come back to me, any time…

- Kimi no Power to Otona no Furi


SAIHITEI heaved out a sigh and placed down the utensils, immediately dabbing the small drops of oil on the sides of his mouth with the table napkin. He did everything with the ease he was brought up in and no one would have suspected that he was in a hurry to finish the meal. He was, however, in the presence of the person who knew him the most—his mother. The woman cleared her throat and their eyes met, two pairs of deep hazel eyes that radiated in the light.

"How's your business doing?" a deep voice spoke before the woman could say anything and the former Emperor took a gulp of the red wine, letting the bittersweet liquid wash the tension in his muscles. He was never comfortable being in the same table as his father. The Prime Minister never loses his sternness, both in the Diet and at home.

"Better, father. The recession barely affected me, though it should have. The hotel is faring well and once the economy improves, I'm putting up two or more in other districts," he explained slowly. He briefly eyed the time on his watch. It was barely an hour since he arrived at the Seishuku residence and since they started to eat.

"Hmn. Feeling high and mighty are we?" the older man asked and Saihitei wiped his mouth, hiding the smirk on his face.

"I think it was nice of Saihitei to survive the recession. Your friends barely earned anything, Kazuki." The woman he called mother smiled at him and he smiled back. His mother always understands him, it was her who opposed the marriage with Houki, the one who gave him his inheritance from her side of the family when he asked for it, always supporting her behind the shadows of his father.

"But still it is too risky to put additional investments," the man replied and Saihitei leaned back on the chair, drinking the last remains of wine on his glass. In less than a few seconds since he placed it down, the butler moved toward the table to fill his glass and he shook his head. He was not willing to drink another glass, lest stay longer.

"I'm selling stocks and equities before expanding. In time, The Palace chain of hotels will have a board, father." Saihitei smiled wide and faced his father. "I should be going ahead, I have an important meeting to attend to for the expansion," the former Emperor said, placing the table napkin on the table and immediately standing up.

"We are not yet done eating Saihitei," the older man responded. Someone cleared his throat beside him and he turned to find his brother wiping his mouth.

"Saihitei always forgets his manners when he's in a hurry," Tendoh noted and their father laughed. The former Emperor eyed his brother sharply, not caring if he was showing hostility to his own blood relative.

"At least stay for desserts Sai," his mother pleaded. "You don't have to stay for the cigar room. I haven't seen you for a very long time and I should say I miss my youngest son." A smile spread on her lips and he nodded.

"Very well. But only after desserts—I have a very important meeting with potential investors," he lied. He doesn't have anything planned after this dinner but he was not willing to stay longer. He was afraid his father would put him on the spot again.

The meal went on in its silent mood. Sometimes his father would talk to Tendoh and they would discuss the current political situation, the approval ratings of the Prime Minister and confer whether it was the proper time for him to bow down. The recession had pushed the Prime Minister to endless bounds, he had to work double time, always wary of the people around, always scared to be blamed for Japan's unsure steps in overcoming the financial crisis. Saihitei felt the effect on his business as well but he will never admit that in front of his father. He will never admit losing money. And he will never admit needing an additional hand to improve his business. The reason he hated family meals was because his father always pries on his business, wanting to look for a loophole.

"I do not see Boshin today," the old man noted and Houki eagerly turned to their father.

"He's on a school trip, father." Houki turned to the man with a fixed smile. "They're going camping."

"Children these days grow fast." Silence filled the air again and Saihitei gazed at the couple. "Did he bring bodyguards with him?" The pair nodded and Saihitei shook his head. The boy would probably hate that fact now, he always hated bringing bodyguards to his school affairs when he was a kid.

"Boshin should never bring bodyguards to school," he said defiantly and everyone stilled. "It'll ruin his sense of freedom—"

"Freedom? He's not free because he's a Seishuku," the older man noted in a booming voice. "He will one day inherit the title of Prime Minister. His safety should be prioritized."

"I doubt if he's enjoying that fact, father. Does he even want to be Prime Minister?" A smirk spread over Saihitei's face. "By the time he's fit to be the leader of this country, he would have loathed it just as much."

"How dare you question the path I chose for my grandson?" the man bellowed, putting down the utensils with a clanking sound as it hit the plates accidentally. If he were a teen, Saihitei would have crawled in fear. But he was a different man now, the old fears no longer sent him to his knees. "He will do as I say because everything that I planned for him will define his future. If you stayed in this house you wouldn't be struggling with your meager business and you wouldn't be associated with a mere doctor—"

"Enough," Saihitei cut the man's statement and eyed him with anger. How did he know about Yui? For his father to shame the love of his life and the business he built with his own hands… His chest rose in anger and he tried to calm himself.

"Kazuki, Saihitei, please do not ruin this dinner. We barely see each other—" his mother begged but he was too angry to listen. He placed the napkin on the table and stood up, avoiding his mother's gaze. "Saihitei—"

He turned and walked away from the table toward the entrance of the house. Seeing him storm from the dining room, the butler immediately gave instructions to his driver so his limousine would be ready once he steps out of the main door. Such outbursts were common between them and the helpers in the household knew what to do. Clanking high heels followed him and the former Emperor turned to find his mother walking toward him, concern sketched over her beautiful face. He put his coat and was about to step out of the house when she stopped him again.

"Mother, please let me go."

"I have something very important to discuss with you. Let's talk at your car." Without another word, the woman stepped out of the house and heaved a sigh when they were both inside the limousine. "Your father does not mean to pry on your personal affairs."

"I expected you to know about her. She was not a secret."

"Are you marrying her?"

"Yes."

"Then I don't have anything to worry about," the woman said calmly. Saihitei looked at her from the sides of his eyes. "Your father will give your inheritance once you got married. It was the condition he gave you before."

"It doesn't matter—"

"It matters, Saihitei." The woman turned to him and he looked away. "But he needs to approve of your woman first. You know how it is in our family."

"I do not need anyone's approval." Silence filled them and the woman heaved a sigh. "Mother, you should get back inside. Father will think you are taking my side if you stay longer."

"I know a girl your father will approve of—"

"Mother, I already found the woman I want to marry," Saihitei insisted, still looking away. He knew they will never approve of her but he still wanted her. Yui. He missed her terribly. What was she doing now? And their baby… A sigh left him and he rubbed his temple. He wanted to hold her again.

"Her father owns one of the biggest food manufacturing business in Japan. They're friends and he had always been supportive of your father's campaigns—"

"Mother I am old enough to choose my own wife."

"Call me when you changed your mind," the woman said softly. "You don't have to decide this early. All I'm saying is that… your father will be happy if you could at least date this girl." The woman leaned on his shoulder and he sighed, anger leaving him completely. "I was told that you're not in good terms lately," she whispered and his eyes widened. He looked out in the garden, trying to pacify the wild beats of his heart. "Your father knows as well. If your relationship fails, would you give this girl a chance? You don't have to decide soon, Saihitei. Think about it."

"I will think about it, mother."

A smile graced the woman's face and she nodded. "Very well, I should be heading back. Do not forget to call me."

The door closed and Saihitei was again lost in his thoughts. It had been almost a week of not seeing each other. He was not sure if he can take it anymore. He tried to keep busy with work, tried to fill his table with papers and agreements and contracts. But it was futile, she was always in his thoughts, seeping through every quiet moment, every few seconds between doing things. He doesn't know how long he could last but he hoped they would end this soon.

A thought lit up in his head and a wary smile spread over his face. The busy streets of Tokyo flashed over him as he made its way back to his hotel. Was it possible? Would she allow him? He pulled out his mobile phone and hesitantly called her. They never agreed on not talking to each other. Her voice was enough for now, enough to dissolve the unexplainable hatred he felt at his parent's house.

Rings came from the other end but no answer came. He looked at his watch and realized it was only a little past seven, she would be at home preparing food. He tried again, wishing she'd pick it up. He was gambling everything for this call. After five more tries, she finally answered the phone and his heart leaped at the sound of her voice.

"Sai?" Yui's voice was hesitant on the other end.

"Yui…" was the only word he could say. He swallowed back the thunderous beats of his heart.

"We're not supposed to talk…" she said in a very soft voice. He assumed that she was undecided yet, Saihitei knew she was happy he called—he felt the exact damn thing.

"Well, we never agreed not to call each other…" He sighed and weighed his words. It would not help if he becomes too pushy. Yui always moves away when he exerts himself too much. "But if this breaches the contract—"

"No, no. It's fine—Call is fine," Yui cut him and happiness swept through his body. He sank back on the seat, unable to hide the smile on his face. Yes, he succeeded. If he had realized it sooner, he would have not tortured himself this much. "So… why did you call?" He can tell she was smiling on the other end, Yui was never the type to hide her happiness.

"Oh, I just—well—how are you?" he stammered, not decided on what to tell her. He was happy but afraid at the same time. He was anxious she'll suddenly end the conversation and he'll be back in step one again. "I mean, what have you been doing lately?"

Yui laughed in a soft voice and his heart palpitated. "Did you ask Mitsukake to take care of me?" she asked and he cleared his throat.

"No—I" he stuttered. Of course he asked Mitsukake to take care of her. Does he have any other person to trust?

"Sai…"

The former Emperor sighed and smiled. "Maybe I did, I can't remember. I guess I hinted. Are you uncomfortable with it? Is there anything wrong?" he asked.

"No, of course not. I—" Yui sighed as well. "He's been very insistent I follow my schedule. He assigned me in the morning shift, by the way. He also gave me three days off. I'm always home by four in the afternoon." Saihitei smiled out of relief. For a moment, he thought she'd find Mitsukake's care too much. The doctor was always very strict.

"I'm glad you have more time in your hands…" he cooed softly. "What have you been doing today?"

"Oh, I just got back from the flower shop—"

His brows creased. "Flower shop?"

"Well, I'm helping a friend run a flower shop on my off days. He teaches me a lot about flowers too."

His heart jumped. "He…?"

"Yeah…well, I met him on the subway and he looked after me when I fainted—"

"—YOU FAINTED?" he breathed out. It was caused by the stress, he could tell. And she was pregnant for Suzaku's sake. Worry crept through him. Do these incidents happen to her while on the way home? Maybe he should hire a personal bodyguard for her.

"Yes but don't make a fuss. I was still getting used to my new hospital schedule. But more than anything else, I'm fine—it's probably just lack of sleep."

"Yui—"

"Please don't overreact Sai… I…"

"How can I not overreact? Yui—" Saihitei told her in a stern voice. His heart was beating madly. Of course he can overreact, she fainted. He could imagine her falling down, weak and with a pained look.

"Sai if you're going to act all protective now, we might as well end this conversation," Yui said sternly and silence filled them. Saihitei bit his lip and he tried to stay calm.

"I'm sorry… Are you fine now?" he asked in the softest voice he can muster.

"Yeah… Kasaru's been taking care of me whenever I feel unwell." Kasaru, Sai thought. What does this Kasaru look like? If he tries anything stupid…

"Are you dating him?"

"No," Yui responded after a long silence. Saihitei's heart was on his throat. "But Sai… I want to date him. I'm telling you so you won't be surprised—" He closed his eyes as her words sank on his system.

"Its fine," he whispered, chest in pain.

"You should start dating too."

A pained smile graced his lips and he swallowed hard before answering her. "I'll try." Silence filled them again and Saihitei doesn't know what to say. He was prepared for the time she would tell him she found another guy. But it still hurts, it still damned hurt.

"I have to go now. Kasaru will be picking me up in a few minutes. We're going to the bar where he plays."

He nodded. "Yui…can I call you again?"

"Of course. We could…update each other this way." Her voice was different on the other end, it was lonelier, very different when she answered the phone. "But not too much, once a day is okay."

"Great, I guess I'll just call you again. And Yui… I'll see you a week…" he reminded her and he can imagine her nodding. He'll wait for another week, it was the only way to get her back. If in another week, she already belongs to another man…

"Hai… Sayonara, Sai…"

"Sayonara…" He placed the phone down and he felt heavier than during the dinner. It never occurred to him that she would find someone this soon. Yui was never the type to openly flirt with anyone. He sank further into the leather seats and closed his eyes, hoping things will improve after a week.


A/N: Hope you like this chappie! Please do leave reviews!