A/N: I keep on forgetting to say that: Hey! Check out my website! Hahaha Here it is www(dot)wix(dot)com/hounonotenshi/tenshi Tell me what you guys think about it.

There's only a few Shiznat scenes in this chapter. It was more like a small insight of Papa Fujino's mysterious character.

Yoham: Thanks! I really needed that boost. ^_^

Chum-sa: I know! Papa Fujino's such an ass. Lol

Colorfulsunrise524: haha. That crab cracking scene was actually based on my personal experience. Someone asked me to crack a crab for her. I actually hate eating things in which I have to fight with my food. Lol Most of my scenes are actually based on my personal experience. Hahahaha

Zenshiki: Papa Fujino sure as hell is a jealous person. I think all dads are like that to their daughters. Stereotype?

Rose of Cassidy: Thanks. Though, I think I won't be writing any lemon. I think.

Chapter 10: Like Father, Like Daughter

What if finding the love of your life meant changing the life that you loved?

"Anyway, Shizuru. We're having a lunch with the Kanzaki's on Saturday. I hope you're not busy at that day."

"This Saturday?" Shizuru asked her father.

Minato nodded. "Yes. Why?"

Ara, ara. Well, first off, Otou-san, I'm going on a beach outing with my Natsuki on Friday and won't be back until Sunday. "Kanin na, Otou-san. But I'm afraid I already made plans for the weekend. I'm going to the beach with—"

"No. We are meeting the Kanzakis and that's final." Shizuru raised an amused eyebrow at her father. Was that a pout she see?

Ara, my father's being difficult again.

Shizuru looked straight at her father, unwavering. Fujino Minato, being his stubborn self stared back at her only daughter. Miya stayed silent at the sidelines, musing at the starting staring contest of her loved ones. What amused Miya the most was how childish her husband was acting. Ara, he's acting like some kid's taking his precious car toy away from him.

"I'm going to the beach." Shizuru said commandingly after a few more minutes of intensifying staring contest with her father.

"No."

"Yes."

"We're meeting the Kanzakis."

"Ara. I believe not, Otou-san. My schedule said I am going out to the beach this Friday." Shizuru stood tenacious.

"No we are—Wait. What? Friday?" Minato looked at Shizuru questioningly. As the president of Fujino Corporation, he was well uninformed of this leave.

Shizuru nodded, taking a warm cup of tea up to her mouth. "Yes."

"But! But I did not hear about this absence." Minato whined uncharacteristically. Shizuru fought all the urge to giggle at her father's rare display of OOCnes. OOCness? "I did not hear anything at all. You were planning to take a leave on Friday and you failed to inform me?"

"I just informed you, Otou-san." Shizuru said as a matter-of-factly.

Minato's eyes widened. Did his daughter just smart talked to him? He looked at his reliable wife, only to sigh when he heard her giggle. "Miya! I am supposed to count on you for this kind of thing! You didn't even inform me about this… this," Minato paused, "Kuga!" Miya raised an eyebrow at her husband's outcry. Just across her, Shizuru did the same. If anyone were to enter the room, they would have thought that Miya was looking at a mirror.

"If you must know, Natsuki-chan is such an adorable young girl." Miya stated, making Shizuru giggle in the middle of her heated argument with her father. Shizuru swore Natsuki must have been sneezing non-stop from wherever the young blunette must be.

"Shizuru." Minato called out seriously. "I'm still standing up with my decision. You are coming with me to meet the Kanzakis."

Shizuru looked at her father, studying the man perfectly. After a few minutes, Minato started to fidget under the gaze of her daughter. "Does Otou-san really want me to go?" Minato nodded cautiously. "Ara, I never knew my very own father treats me, her very own daughter, as a pushover. His only child, if I might add." Shizuru paused to wipe her tears. "I just want to go out to the beach with Chie-kun and Aoi-chan. Is there something wrong with that? Bonding with my cousin?" Minato's eyebrow twitched when he took notice of Shizuru's quivering lips.

Why? Oh why does Shizuru have to inherit that look from Miya? This is so unfair. I'm the head of Fujino household for crying out loud! Minato continued to look at Shizuru. The pout on her daughter's face was getting unbearable. The shivering of her lips was not helping Minato at all. "Kuga's not with you? Fine. You can go. Take Tajiri with you." Minato closed his eyes, anticipating the bear hug from his little Shizuru. The Fujino heiress always acted this was whenever he would succumb to her request. A smile was threatening to form on his face if not for the fact that it had already been some time after he granted Shizuru his permission. Minato slowly opened his left eye to inquire and gulped when he saw his daughter sitting in front of her. Is she glaring at me?

Shizuru would have pounced on her father with delight if not for the last addition to his condition. "Ara, Otou-san must be getting old to forget something we have discussed before."

"I do not know what you are talking about." Minato feigned his innocence. He knew all too well why her daughter was upset.

"Anata." Two head turned to the owner of the voice. "Stop making this difficult so we can all drink tea in peace." Miya glanced at Minato, sipping her own tea. "Let's not make my precious tea wait. You know I hate it when my tea gets cold."

Minato grumbled, "Fine. You can go. No bodyguards either." Minato paused to once again look at Shizuru with seriousness. "Are you going to be with Kuga-san throughout this whole trip?"

"Ara." Shizuru muttered, smiling brightly at her father.

"Achhoooo!"

"Here, drink this." Mai placed a steaming cup of hot chocolate on the counter table. "You cannot catch a cold before we go to the beach, Natsuki. Shizuru-san might get upset when you get sick."

"I'm not getting sick, Mai." Natsuki denied, nevertheless, taking the offered hot chocolate. "Maybe someone's talking behind my back." Natsuki swivelled the bar stool so that she was now facing her apartment's living room. Natsuki glared at her redhead cousin who was busily playing NBA 2k11.

"Ne, Natsuki." Mai looked at the blunette who was leaning on the counter. "How long have you've been seeing Shizuru-san again?"

"Hmmm?" Natsuki turned to look at Mai. "Four months. Why?" Natsuki took a sip on her cup, grimacing when she accidentally burnt her throat.

"Nothing. How long since Papa Fujino arrived back?"

It took sometime before Natsuki answered, "Two?" Her head tilted to the right.

"And you haven't met him even once, yes?"

"Mai! Stop that!" Natsuki snapped at her friend when she heard Mai snickered.

"Gomen, Natsuki. It's just that what are you so afraid of him, anyway? I bet he's a good natured man. Just like Shizuru-san."

"Mai! You don't get to say that because you're not in my position. Have you seen the old man?" Natsuki shuddered.

"No." Mai shook her head. "Have you?"

"No. Not really. Not even in pictures." Mai raised an eyebrow at Natsuki's deadpanned confession. The blunette hadn't had the slightest idea of how the man looks and she was scared out of her pants? Just what is wrong with her? "What? Mai! He's the freakin' president of Fujino Corp! And I heard from Chie that he's a scary guy."

"Really, Natsuki. Stop assuming things." Mai said as she washed a few cups on the sink. "By the way, before I forget. Saeki-mama's called. She was asking why you haven't called home ever since you left LA." Mai looked at Natsuki. "Honestly, Natsuki. You haven't called your home even once? No wonder Alyssa-chan followed you here." Natsuki impishly scratched the back of her head. "If I were you I'll call immediately. Who knows, maybe tomorrow Saeko-mama would be the one catching a naked Shizuru in your bed."

"Wha—! Mai! Don't say that!" Natsuki hissed, her eyes were as wide as the small plate Mai was holding. "The devil might hear you!" Immediately, Natsuki prayed to all the gods. Oh god. Please. Don't let the devil near me here in Japan. I already have Death to deal with.

Mai laughed when Natsuki started to mumble to herself before going up to her room.

Kuga Natsuki was lying on her bed. Her silky blue locks draped on the edge. Natsuki closed her eyes. The blunette just got out from a hot shower after a long day at her garage. Natsuki stirred on her bed, noticing the time. It was already six in the evening.

I'll just drop at Mai's later for supper. Natsuki thought to herself, fighting to stay awake.

"Kuga-san, I assume." A deep voice echoed through the room. The man had his eyes closed. He was wearing a tuxedo suit in contrast to the middle-aged woman beside her, who Natsuki realized was Shizuru's mother, Fujino Miya.

Miya-san? Wait. Why am I here? Natsuki looked around her. I'm at Shizuru's house? Ehhh? Miya-san? Then... He must be… No way! Natsuki gulped inaudibly.

Natsuki's eyes fell upon the man in front of her, causing the blunette to shiver when she took note of the scars on the man's face. The most noticeable scar was the largest. The scar was on his left cheek, extending from the corner of his eyes all the way to his chin. Natsuki instinctively straightened her back when the man in front of her opened his eyes, revealing his blood-red eyes. Whoa. So Shizuru got her eye-color from her father?

"Kuga-san." The voice erupted once more. "Aren't you aware that it is impolite to stare?" his voice was full of authority, someone that was well used to talking in front of large group of people. Be it from whichever society they were from.

"Eh?" Natsuki stiffened. "I—I'm sorry." Natsuki heard Miya giggled. Way much a like to her girlfriend's own.

The man in front of him eyed him intently, making Natsuki fidget more than she wanted to. He was eyeing Natsuki like a hawk, watching every bit of movement the blunette had done. "I—uhm. Nice to meet you?" Natsuki greeted, sounding more like a question to the elder couple in front of her.

The red-eyed man in front of her nodded slightly before closing his eyes once again, taking a sip from his steaming cup of tea. "I take it, my daughter offered you to stay for the night at my house?"

Natsuki nodded slowly, her feet were starting to tingle uncomfortably. "Yes."

"I see." He said curtly.

"Uhmmm. Yeah." Natsuki tried to wiggle her feet to prevent them from sleeping because of her sitting position. Where's Shizuru?

One moment Natsuki was sitting in front of Shizuru's parent. The next, Natsuki found herself sneaking up through the quiet halls of Fujino mansion, on the way to her lover's chamber. Heh? What the.

"Shizuru?" Natsuki whispered, opening the sliding door to her right. "Shizuru are you awake?" She called out again as she noticed the small lump on the Japanese bed. Natsuki carefully and slowly approached the bed. "Shizuru." Natsuki said, shaking the sleeping from of her lover.

"Hmmm?" Shizuru started to stir. "Natsuki?"

"Hey." Natsuki greeted the freshly awoken Shizuru with a smile.

"What's Natsuki doing here?" Shizuru asked worriedly as she sat up on her bed. "Is there something wrong?"

Natsuki shook her head. "No. I just-I can't." She stuttered.

"Come here." Shizuru evocatively smiled at Natsuki, patting the empty spot beside her. Natsuki happily obliged. When Natsuki was comfortably seated, Shizuru wasted no time in straddling the unsuspecting blunette.

"Shi-Shizuru?" Natsuki looked up to see the lusting crimson orbs of her lover. "Shi-mmppphh." Natsuki's next words were muffled when Shizuru crashed her lips against the blunette's.

Natsuki closed her eyes, enjoying the taste of the sweet lips against her. Natsuki opened her mouth when she felt Shizuru's tongue asking for entrance. The chestnut-haired girl took this time to explore every bit of Natsuki's mouth. Natsuki moaned involuntarily as their kiss deepened more. Exploiting the fact that Natsuki was still in a daze on their heated kiss, Shizuru unbuttoned Natsuki's pants. Shizuru broke the deep kiss, shifting to leave butterfly kisses on Natsuki's jaw line then down to the blunette's neck. She started to nip and suck on Natsuki's creamy neck. Shizuru leered when she elicited a loud moan from the blunette under her. Shizuru jerked back a little to admire her piece of "artwork" she left on Natsuki's neck. After taking a few second of admiring the blunette's beauty, she travelled further south; stopping to bite Natsuki's zipper's pull tab. Shizuru looked up once more at the flushing Natsuki before slowly opening the zipper with her mouth. Shizuru's smile widened when she took note of Natsuki's face while she was unzipping the blunette's pants.

Shizuru was about to take Natsuki's pants off when the blunette grabbed both of her hands. "Na-ah." Natsuki smirked at Shizuru's shocked expression. Natsuki took this opportunity to roll them over. Natsuki grabbed both of Shizuru's hand in her right hand, positioning them just above the tawny brunette's head. Natsuki lowered her head to plant another deep kiss on Shizuru's luscious mouth. Her left hand started to wander at her lover's curvaceous body.

"Natsuki." Shizuru panted when Natsuki cupped her sex under her panty. Shizuru groaned in disappointment when Natsuki's hand left the part where she wanted it to be.

Natsuki chuckled. "Patience, princess. Patience." Natsuki pecked Shizuru on the cheeks while her left hand started to crawl up under Shizuru's negligee.

"Mmmm." Shizuru moaned when Natsuki squeezed her left breast. "Kimochi." Shizuru started to breathe heavier as Natsuki's hand continued to pleasure her.

Natsuki was about to take her shirt off when she heard a loud gasped. Huh? Natsuki looked back down at her lover to inquire.

"Kuga Natsuki!" Natsuki's eyes widened when she heard the familiar deep voice. "What are you doing on top of my daughter?" Oh shit.

"Fu-Fujino-sama! This is not what it looks like!" Natsuki denied uselessly. Natsuki took a moment to see the position they were at—he was on top of a certain Fujino Shizuru who was still panting. Her right hand was still gripping Shizuru's hand over the brunette's head. And the fact that her left hand froze on the spot of massaging Shizuru's breast did not help either. "I—I ah." Natsuki spluttered more.

"Hel[1]! Get her!" The red-eyed man shouted, pointing at the still spluttering Kuga Natsuki.

Natsuki's eyes widened beyond belief when she heard a loud intimidating growl behind Papa Fujino. "Oh shit!" Natsuki cursed loudly when a large pit bull terrier ran towards her. "Shit! Shit! Shit!" Natsuki jumped off Shizuru, thankful that she was still fully clothed. Natsuki started to ran towards the balcony of Shizuru's bedroom. Natsuki cursed one more when she heard a very familiar giggle behind her. Gah! Miya-san. This is not the time to giggle! Stop you dog for frick's sake! Natsuki glanced back, hoping that Shizuru had stopped the dog from going after her life as she ran vigorously across the Fujino mansion's garden.

"Haa... Haa... Haa..." Natsuki stopped, trying to catch her breath when she realised that the dog was nowhere in sight. The blunette was about to walk off without a scratch when she suddenly stopped, realizing another presence on her back. Natsuki turned slowly.

"Dammit!" Natsuki cursed for the nth time, crossing her hands over her face as the pit bull terrier pounced on her.

"Noooooo!" Natsuki sat up violently from the bed. She was breathing heavily as beads of sweat roll down her pale face. What the hell was that about?

"…'ve been calling you for an hour now." Natsuki's attention was caught by a very familiar voice. Still in shock, Natsuki looked over to where the voice was coming from. She was confused tremendously as to what just happened. "Natsuki?" the voice continued to call out for her.

"Shizuru?" Natsuki mumbled to herself. As the events cleared up on Natsuki's brain, the blunette immediately ran towards her home phone. "Shi-Shizuru!" Natsuki greeted the tawny brunette on the other line.

"Ara. Natsuki, are you okay?"

"Ye—yeah."

"You're breathing heavily. Is everything okay? Natsuki's not cheating on me, is she?"

"Yes!" Natsuki answered hastily. "I mean. No I am not cheating on you." The blunette slowly sat down on her bed, running her hand on her slightly wet blue locks.

"I've been trying to contact Natsuki for hours now." Natsuki glanced at her clock. 10 pm.

"Sorry, I fell asleep."

"Ara. Did Natsuki dream of me?"

"Hahaha. You could say that." Natsuki laughed nervously, remembering the dream turned nightmare she had. "So, why did you call?"

"Hmmm? I just want to ask if Natsuki would like to go to my office tomorrow and have lunch with me."

"Sure." Natsuki answered unconsciously.

"Ookini. I'll see Natsuki tomorrow then. Good night my Natsuki. I love you."

"Un. I love you too." Natsuki hung up, plopping herself back on her bed.

"Shit. And the dream was getting good too." Natsuki muttered to herself, blushing slightly at the thought of herself almost having a wet dream.

"Hey." Natsuki greeted the longhaired brunette behind the desk.

The brunette looked up from her computer. A bright smile started to from on her face. "Ah! Natsuki-san."

Natsuki looked left and right, making sure that she had not caught any unwanted attention inside the building of Fujino Corporation. "Yeah. Uhm. I'm here to see Shizuru." Natsuki said shyly. She had been inside the building countless of times but this would be the first time that the blunette would be up at Shizuru's office.

"Oh yeah. She's inside her office. Come, I'll show you the way." Senoh Aoi beamed happily, as she walked through the elegant hall of Fujino Bldg.

Aoi stopped just outside the large office with a stack of papers in her hands. Natsuki looked at the name plaque embedded on the wall.

Fujino Shizuru

Vice President

Fujino Corporation

"Shizuru-san?" Aoi knocked before opening the door. "Here are the papers you asked from me." Aoi said as she entered inside Shizuru's office. Natsuki followed quietly, she smiled softly when she realized that Shizuru had not noticed her presence yet. "Is there anything else you need, Shizuru-san?" Aoi asked.

"Can I have a tea, Aoi-chan?" Shizuru requested without tearing her eyes off the computer.

"Sure." Aoi walked over the small table to make the tea Shizuru requested. "Here you go." Aoi placed the steaming cup of tea at Shizuru's desk. "Is there anything else?"

"Did my Natsuki call?" Shizuru asked once more as she busily read the reports on her computer.

Aoi raised an eyebrow at Shizuru before looking back at the very Kuga Natsuki standing in front of her. Natsuki shrugged with a smirk on her face. "No. Natsuki-san did not call."

"I wonder what my Natsuki's doing." Shizuru pondered aloud. She rested her head on her left hand as her right hand click on the mouse. "I told her to drop by for lunch."

Aoi and Natsuki smirked at the oblivious vice president. "She did not even call me this morning." Shizuru continued to talk aloud. "Natsuki always call me every morning, Aoi-chan."

"Uhm? Maybe she forgot?" Aoi said looking at Shizuru then to Natsuki. Natsuki shrugged with a smile on her face.

"Why would Natsuki forget about me?" Shizuru asked her brunette cousin.

Aoi giggled when a pout started to from on Shizuru's face. "Hai. Hai. I'm going now. Is there anything else you need?"

"I want my Natsuki." Natsuki unconsciously blush at the action of her lover in front of Aoi and herself. Aoi snickered at the two lovebirds.

"Ahem." Natsuki coughed, catching Shizuru's attention.

"Ara?" Shizuru smiled when she saw a certain Kuga Natsuki standing inside her office. "Natsuki. You're here." Shizuru said before looking to the snickering Aoi. "When did Natsuki get here?"

"Quite a while." Natsuki scratched her cheek. "Since Aoi entered."

"Ara?" Shizuru looked at Aoi questioningly.

"Yes. Now, I'll leave you two alone." Aoi said as she walked towards the door. "Don't get too loud, you two." Aoi said suggestively before finally closing the door.

"Wha—!" Natsuki stuttered, earning a giggle from her lover.

"How's my Natsuki?" Shizuru walked over to her lover, draping her arms around Natsuki's neck.

Natsuki smiled. "I'm fine." Natsuki kissed Shizuru shortly. "You looked busy. Do you want me to leave and come back later?" Natsuki asked thoughtfully.

Shizuru shook her head. "No. Natsuki should stay here," Shizuru kissed Natsuki back, "with me. How does Natsuki like my office?"

Natsuki looked around the room. It had sofas to receive guests as Natsuki assumed. The whole room was carpeted. There were two paintings hanging on the wall. Natsuki mused at the large windows of the office, it has the view of the whole downtown. Shizuru's desk was made of glass. There were some pictures of the tawny brunette around the room, together with her childhood friends, Reito Haruka and Yukino. Natsuki looked around more but inwardly sigh in disappointment when she saw none of a picture with her together with Shizuru.

"It's exquisite."

"Hmm." Shizuru hummed, kissing Natsuki's jaw line. "Natsuki must know. My office is soundproofed too."

It took sometime before Natsuki processed what her lover had just said. "Shizuru!"

"Yes?" Shizuru pushed Natsuki towards the couch.

"Wha-what are you doing?"

"What does it looks like I'm doing, Na-tsu-ki?" Shizuru muttered seductively, straddling the flushing blunette.

"Eh—" Natsuki was interrupted by a knock.

"Shizuru-san?"

"What is it Aoi-chan?" Shizuru answered the girl, not bothering to pull away from Natsuki.

"I think you need to take lunch now."

"Ara. Ookini for reminding, Aoi-chan." Shizuru immediately stood up, grabbing Natsuki who had no idea what was going on. "Let's go Natsuki."

"Wai—Shizuru. Don't drag me so suddenly." Natsuki protested when the giddy Shizuru just dragged her out of the office.

"I'll see you later, Aoi-chan." Aoi winked back to Shizuru when the couple went by running pass her desk and into the elevator.

Aoi went back to her deskwork as soon as Shizuru left with her blunette lover. It was still half an hour early for their allotted lunch break. The young girl was arranging paper reports when a voice was heard.

"Aoi-chan?" Aoi looked up to see a tuxedo clad man.

"U-uncle Minato!" Aoi muttered. "Do-do you need something?"

"Is Shizuru in?" Minato asked the stunned brunette.

"Uhm. No. Shizuru-san took an early lunch break. Hehe." Aoi laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of her head in the process.

"I see. You should not work too hard too, Aoi-chan." Minato said before leaving the edgy brunette.

Whoa. That surprised me. What a timing. Aoi thought to herself as she watched the President of Fujino Corporation walk away.

"Tajiri." Minato called out. A man in black suit appeared behind him.

"Hai, Fujino-sama?"

"Did you see that?"

"Hai. Ojou-sama , as Aoi-sama said, went out to an early lunch break."

Minato nodded. "Yes. I saw her enter the elevator just moments ago." Tajiri opened the door for Minato. "Did you see who she was with?"

Tajiri nodded. "Yes."

"A girl with blue hair, am I correct?" Minato questioned, taking the seat behind the large desk in his office.

"Yes. I believe it was Kuga Natsuki-san." Tajiri verified. "I confirmed with the receptionist just now."

"I see." Minato's eyebrow twitched. What a daring girl.

"My, aren't you giddy, Shi-chin?" Fujino Miya entered Shizuru's room, clad in a summer yukata.

"Okaa-san!" Shizuru giggled as she and Aoi pack their clothes.

"You don't even know the half of it, Auntie." Aoi said, shaking her head. "The girl's been at it since this morning."

"Mou, Aoi-chan! I can't really help it. You know how I love the sea."

"Yes, of course, Shi-chin. So?" Miya looked expectantly at Shizuru. "Is Natsuki-chan picking you up?" Shizuru smiled warmly upon hearing her mother call Natsuki in such way. Shizuru was relieved to know that at least one of her parents liked the fact that she hangs with a Kuga.

Shizuru nodded curtly. "Yes."

"What time?"

Shizuru paused to think. "About eight in the morning, I assume."

Miya nodded. "That's good. Maybe you could get her to meet your father." Miya smiled before leaving the two girls alone and back to their packing.

"Oh. My. God!" Aoi suddenly squealed making Shizuru jump from her seat. "You would not believe what happened when you left for lunch this morning."

Shizuru raised an eyebrow questioningly. "What happened?"

"Uncle Minato suddenly popped up in front of me!" Aoi tried to whisper. "Just right after you entered the elevator with Natsuki-san."

"Really?" Shizuru's other eyebrow joined its partner in amusement. "What did he say?"

"Hmm?" Aoi hummed, folding her shirt as her excitement died out. "Oh. He asked where were you. And I said you went for early lunch."

"Did he ask who's with me?"

Aoi shook her head. "I know about the company rivalry between Fujino and Kuga. But isn't Natsuki-san relinquished her position at the company? So why's Uncle Minato against her?"

"Ara. Aoi-chan's got a point. I wonder."

"Good morning." Shizuru greeted the people on her home's dining table. Her father was already there with his usual newspaper. Her maternal grandfather was already there together with Aoi.

"Good morning Shi-chin." Miya greeted her daughter, entering the room with a tray of hot tea. "You're up later than usual." Miya place a cup of tea over to her husband. "Did not get much sleep?" Miya smiled knowingly at her daughter.

"Ara. Mother knows me too well." Shizuru smiled before she began to eat her breakfast.

Minato cleared his throat, gaining the attention of all the occupants of the table. "Are you able to go back for tomorrow's meeting with Reito-kun's family?"

Shizuru's eyebrow twitched which went unnoticed by her father but not her mother. "Ara, Otou-san. I believe I already told you that I would be back on Sunday Mo—" Shizuru was interrupted by the doorbell. "Ara. I think they are already here to pick us up." Shizuru wiped her mouth before standing up. "If you'll excuse me." Minato watched her daughter carefully as the thrilled tawny brunette skipped to the door.

"Nats—" Shizuru happily opened the door only to be greeted by a redhead and a very familiar black haired girl. "Ara. It's Nao-chan and Chie-kun."

Chie smiled at her soon-to-be cousin- in law. "Good morning, Shizuru."

"Hai. Now, no need to be disappointed. Your puppy's over there." Nao pointed to the white van. "So? Are you guys ready yet?"

"Yes. Let me just get my things and Aoi-chan." Shizuru stepped aside. "Come in. I'll be out in a moment." Shizuru said before she disappeared in on of the hallways. Chie and Nao did as they were offered. Chie happily walked in at the Fujino mansion as if it was her own home.

"Yo! Papa Fujino!" Chie greeted the old man, playfully saluting. "Good morning! What's up?"

Minato placed the newspaper down and looked at Chie with a straight face, making Nao gulp at the sight of the head of Fujino household. Does she really need to be this boisterous early in the morning? Uh-oh. I think Papa Fujino is not in his brightest mood this morning. The eerie silence made Nao fidget from her position as she anticipated the man's actions.

"Chie-kun!" Minato uncharacteristically beamed at Chie. "Come. Come." Minato waved at the girl to come over. "Here. Have breakfast with us. Aoi-chan, bring out a plate for Chie."

"Thank you, Uncle. But I just came to get Shizuru and Aoi."

"Ah, yes. My daughter said that you would bring her to the beach this weekend with some other friends." Chie nodded at Minato. The girl was fully aware of the hidden hostile tone beneath Minato's words. "I just hope you would've told me soo—" Minato paused when she noticed another unfamiliar face standing behind Chie. Oh shit. He's looking at me!

"Who's your friend, Chie-kun?" Miya asked in a heavily accented tone when she followed her husband's sight. Wow. She looks so much like Shizuru. That damn mutt. What a lucky bastard if Shizuru would grow old looking like this.

Nao cleared her throat before answering. "Good morning. I'm Nao." Nao bowed nervously. "Yuuki Nao. It's a pleasure to meet you Fujino-san."

"My, you can call me Miya." Miya smiled at the young redhead. "It was nice meeting you too, Nao-chan." Miya grabbed Minato's hand. "This is my husband, Fujino Minato."

"Fu-Fujino-sama, it was nice meeting such an important person in this industry." Nao finished in confidence.

"No need to be so formal, Yuuki-san." Minato finally spoke after observing the young redhead. "Come. Come! Eat with us." Minato beam at Nao, making the redhead sigh in relief.

"Thank you. But I have to decline." Nao smiled. Chie just looked at the younger Kuga. She had known Nao for quite some time now and it was the first that she had seen her act so politely. "Maybe some other time, if permits."

"Yes, of course. Maybe you can come at my house party next time. Chie-kun's coming too." Minato himself offered Nao, just in time for Shizuru to here.

"Ara. That's nice of Otou-san to invite my friend." Shizuru walked in with two large suitcases behind her.

"Shizuru's friends are always welcome to our home." Minato said, looking straight at the carbon copy of his own eyes.

"Really?" Shizuru asked in amusement.

"Why, of course." Minato said sternly, sipping his hot tea. Miya could not help but shake her head at the silent war her husband and daughter were getting into. "Where's Kuga-san, by the way." Chie and Nao immediately stiffened at the mention of a certain blunette.

"I'm sorry to interrupt. But I just want to ask if we're ready to go." Another voice called out, making all head turn towards the entranceway of the dining room. "Ah! Sorry for my rudeness. I'm Tokiha Mai." Mai bowed. "I'm Shizuru-san's friend."

"Ah! Tokiha-san, it was nice to finally meet the famous Tokiha Mai-san." Minato said, making Mai ponder what he meant. "I heard so much about you from Reito-kun and Mikoto-chan. I ought to try your food sometime." Minato smiled genuinely at the shocked busty redhead. The young ones stared at the crimson-eyed man as he answered his phone. "I'm afraid I need to go. You should come with Yuuki-san and Chie-kun to my house party. It would be nice to talk to you all again sometime." Minato stood from his seat as his personal bodyguard offered him his coat. "Nevertheless, it was my pleasure to meet every one of you." Mai and Nao bowed again, Chie saluted the man while Shizuru gave her father a peck on the cheeks.

"Take care, Otou-san."

"What the hell's taking them so long?" and impatient Natsuki asked inside the van. They arrived ten minutes before eight and agreed that Chie called the Fujino cousins. To Natsuki's dismay, Nao had also insisted in coming inside the mansion.

"Well, Natsuki. If you just manned up and went inside yourself, you wouldn't be whining here now, are you?" Mai said as she looked at the huffing blunette seated at the back of the eight-seater van.

"Shut-up." Natsuki grumbled. "See what's taking them so long, Mai."

"Huh? Why me? Alyssa-chan, you do it." Mai looked over her shoulder where Alyssa was riding shotgun.

"I can't. Kuga heiress, remember?" Alyssa said, pointing a finger in her chest.

"Fine." Mai groaned before stepping out of the Hyundai van. The two Kugas together with Miyu sat inside the vehicle, quietly watching the retreating form of Mai.

"You know, Natsuki, you're Shizuru's girlfriend. Sooner or later you have to meet the parents, you know."

"Ojou-sama is right, Natsuki-sama." Miyu who was sitting at the driver's seat agreed.

"Oh, shut up, you two!" Natsuki hissed at the two and immediately went down low on her seat, earning a quizzical look from Miyu and Alyssa.

"What's wrong? You've been awfully jumpy ever since we arrived here." Alyssa stated. Her sister had been jumpy every time the door would open or someone would pass by their van.

"Someone just came out of the door!" Natsuki said, hiding herself lower at the seat.

Alyssa looked. "You're right. I wonder who he is." Alyssa pondered as she looked at the man-wearing tuxedo together with another man in black. "Oh! Look!"

"What?" Natsuki shushed nervously but did not look to where Alyssa was pointing.

"He's looking this way."

"Ojou-sama's right. Again."

Natsuki stupidly hid under her jacket. "Eh? Is he-is he coming over?"

"I don't think so. But he's still looking this way. Ooh! He just whispered to the person beside him." Alyssa said, giving Natsuki a side-glance. "He's entering the car. Rolls-Royce! Holy. I know Fujino's a big company. But man Shizuru's family sure is loaded." Alyssa delighted. "Oh!"

"What now?"

"He's gone."

"Really? You sure?"

"Yes, I am. Go take a look for yourself." Natsuki sat up straight, and sure, a silver Rolls-Royce just passed by their vehicle. Natsuki sighed in relief. Never in her entire life did she feel relived as this.

"Ne, Natsuki."

"Hmm?" Natsuki hummed as she fixed herself after the mind-boggling hiding.

"Don't you think it's about time you find a stable job? As Shizuru's girlfriend, I mean." Alyssa looked at Natsuki. "I don't think Papa Fujino would like his little princess to be with a person without—"

"What do you mean? I have the garage. And I race, too."

"Oh come one, Natsuki. You graduated from University! University of California, Natsuki! Don't you want to put that brain of yours in use? And I don't think Shizuru would like this dangerous sport of yours."

"I—"

"Natsuki." Natsuki was interrupted when the door to the van opened, revealing the accented tawny brunette. "Did my Natsuki wait long?"

"Shizuru." Natsuki smiled back at her lover. "No. It's fine." Natsuki assisted Shizuru from boarding the van, followed by Mai, Aoi, and Nao. Chie was loading their luggage at the compartment.

"Natsuki should've come inside with Chie-kun." Shizuru said before giving Natsuki a lingering kiss on the cheek. "My father was looking for Natsuki."

Though shit.

[1] Hel is the appointed ruler of the realm of the same name (Hel) in Norse mythology.