Chapter 10

Nothing Lost, Nothing Gained

A/N: I just realized that Yuki's first born, her daughter, is named Aiyumi, just like the "bad guy" so that will change. From now on, her name will be Keiko. HAHA, oops.

"I'm sorry sir, Professor Yagyuu is still out on maternity leave, and I can't give you her personal information over the phone."

Tezuka sighed, "Well please give her my congratulations when she returns to the University."

"Of course sir."

"Thank you." Tezuka didn't like this. Having to get his information about his "friends" through magazines, and calling in secret. He crossed his legs at the ankle and switched on the television. Another broadcast about Rayah and Atobe landing in Florida for the birth of their nephews. All talk buzzed around the couple and when they were going to have children of their own. The thought of Rayah marrying Atobe already made him sick; to go as far as having children with him…the man shivered uncomfortably.

"Miss Echizen! When you're through with your visit, what are your plans?"

The model put her hand in Atobe's, "Keigo and I will start the planning for our wedding. But right now we're just enjoying our down time."

The phone rang and the television was turned off, "Hello?"

"Kunimitsu!"

He tried not to groan too loud, "Hello Aiyumi."

"The apology is set to air later tonight and I was hoping you would go out to dinner with me so we could celebrate our relationship."

She 'hoped', Aiyumi language for he better say yes or else. "I'll have Christine clear my schedule for this evening."

He heard her clap her hands in excitement, "Perfect! I'll see you later Kunimitsu!"

As soon as the line died he called his assistant into the office, "Christine, please tell me I have a meeting this evening."

"I'm sorry sir, you don't."

Oh how badly he wanted to hit his head on the desk.

"Oishi!"

Rayah's dressing room was torn apart when he entered, clipboard at the ready, jotting down who knows what. She was persistently tossing stuff around when he cleared his throat. "What are you looking for?"

"I can't find my little pink bottle."

"Oh those pills? Fuji threw them out while you were visiting with Yuki. He said he won't let you take pills to stay awake, soon you'll be taking them to go to sleep."

Rayah growled, "That little bastard! What is he, a doctor now?"

"I would love to help, but I need to help Eiji find his pants."

The model muttered angrily as she stalked to the photographer/editor's office. So what she was taking pills to stay awake? She couldn't help that the constant jumps in time difference lately were costing her hours of sleep. She didn't bother knocking as she entered the office.

Fuji didn't look up from the negatives he was going through of the other models with his wife until the model spoke, "You nosey little sadist. What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Looking out for the well being of my model."

"My well being includes me being able to sleep."

Yumi was sitting on the desk, he brown eyes wide. Fuji turned to her with his usual sweet smile, "Darling, could you please?" She didn't have to be asked twice as she stood and left, closing the door behind her.

Fuji folded his hands under his chin, "If you are having trouble staying awake try drinking coffee. Or, go home and sleep instead of playing with Keigo all night."

He spoke so calmly that it pissed Rayah off more, "You have no right to be so into what I do! As long as I'm doing my job, you shouldn't care."

"I thought we were friends. Isn't a friend supposed to care about your well being?"

She glared at him, "Only if I say so. Stay out of what I do Fuji."

When she left the office, everything was scary quiet. A knock on the door made the photographer jump a little, "Come in."

Kikumaru inched into the room, "Fujiko, did you make Ray-kun cry?"

He sighed deeply, "I understand that she is stressed and she does indeed need the pills to stay awake."

"Then why did you take them?"

"I don't want to see her crumble because of some drug. I used to hate her, but now she has nothing but my respect." He looked up from the desk and put a smile back on his face, "We want her to stay healthy and happy right?"

Kikumaru smiled back, "Right!"

"Turn on the damn TV!" Rayah burst into the room with Yumi and Oishi on her heels.

Fuji was still smiling as he noticed her puffy red eyes, "I thought you were mad at me."

"This is more important!"

"Today we are outside the Sakura Magazine headquarters where head model, Aiyumi Niharo is holding a press conference with the magazines chief editor."

A smug looking Aiyumi appeared on the screen with the editor of Sakura, a very thin woman with pointed features and a permanent scowl.

"In response to the Hoshi New Year Party Scandal, I, as the editor of Sakura Magazine, am here to apologize to Miss Rayah Echizen on behalf of Miss Niharo. I will personally make sure something like this never happens again."

Yumi rolled her eyes, "I don't believe this. Fuji."

"There is nothing we can do but accept her apology."

"No!" it was Rayah. "That conniving little slut gained something from this! Look at her!"

Fuji turned the television off, "Of course she did. But I doubt that it's anything that will have an affect on us."

Oishi nodded, "He's right. Think about it Rayah, What could she gain form this?"

The model was lost for ten hot seconds until she noticed the magazine on a nearby coffee table. It was the evil Sakura January issue. The one with her and… "Tezuka! That's what she got from this! That sneaky little…"

Fuji raised a brow, "Rayah, does this bother you?"

"No!" Everyone watched her carefully, "I said no! I hate him, she can have him!"

Yumi smiled and clapped her hands once, "Good, Now everyone needs some rest tonight. We have a big day tomorrow." She ushered them all out of the office and Rayah stood in the hall, unable to move.

"Ray-kun. Are you ok?"

"Yeah Eiji. I'm fine."

Did she really not care, could she really let it go? Rayah questioned herself the whole ride home and even into her home. She walked the mansion halls in silence and found herself feeling sick.

'I hate Tezuka…right?'

Maybe she was lying to herself, she didn't hate him, she could never truly hate him. He had done so much for her. She wouldn't be everything she was now, or have everything had, "If it wasn't for him."

She shivered, "Creepy thought."

"Good evening Miss Echizen. Dinner is ready, shall I fetch Master Atobe?"

Rayah dismissed him, "No, I'll go get him."

The walk to his study seemed a lot longer the usual but it was worth it when she finally made it. She always admired how peaceful Keigo looked when he was sleeping.

Even thought at the moment his face was smushed into some papers and she was sure the ink was staining his cheeks. When she looked closer she realized that it was documents on wedding venues and churches, color schemes and marital paper work.

She gently brushed back some of his purple/silver hair. "Hey, monkey, wake up."

He whined a little then opened his eyes, "Ore-sama, wished to stay asleep, thank you very much."

Rayah just kept touching his hair, "Whatever you say Kei."

"Is princess alright?"

"I'm fine Kei. Perfectly fine."

"Table for two please."

"Would you like the table candle lit sir?"

"Yes, and wine please. Your best."

It felt so strange having Aiyumi on his arm as he walked through the restaurant, following after the waiter. But it wasn't all that bad. He stole a glance back at her. She wasn't ugly, and it's not like he was with anybody else.

"Here you are sir."

"Thank you."

The woman's eyes sparkled and she didn't say a word. She just smiled and watched Tezuka intently. Almost ten years and she was still completely infatuated with him.

He could learn to like that sort of attention.

"You know Tezuka. I thought I would have to threaten you into coming out with me tonight."

"Well, I didn't have a reason to not come out."

Aiyumi's smile shrunk a bit, "So, you didn't come out because you wanted to?"

"I didn't say that."

"I know I've been a pain in the ass. But I always get what I want. Even if there has to be some fowl play involved."

Tezuka just looked over his water glass at her. "You admit to that?"

"Yes."

"And I will admit to possibly being able to do this. For real." He sighed, "It's not like anything is holding me back."

"So you love me?" she was excited.

"Let's not go that far just yet."

Aiyumi reached across the table and held his free hand, "I can wait."