A/N: Just dishing out a healthy dose of stories for all of you. Send me PM's of encouragement if you can because I find myself struggling to output anything.
More Than Meets The Eyes
Rated: M (language,sexual scenes)
Summary: When multiple problems can be solved with one solution, it may be the best way to go... unless there's more than meets the eye.
Chapter XI: Party
Recap
Sliding the door close, Michael wondered when he cold openly tease those two about the positioning that seemed to satisfy their desire as opposed to using the comfortable futon.
Going back into the other room, he viewed the two he had in his room and felt an evil surge of idea enter his head.
"Maybe I need to help Sho's son with his conquest too."
xXx
Yoshida Residence
One Week Later
"Remove your foot or it'll be sorry," Sho said bluntly as he held the door closed though Michael's foot had made his way in as a foothold.
"I don't see why you're being so cross with me Sho!" Michael said with a sad face through the door at a scowling Sho.
"You're annoying and-"
"Miko!" Shion let out with a giggle of happiness. He had walked over to see who his father was trying to bar out when he saw Michael's sad face.
"Shion!" Michael said happily. "Tell daddy to let dear Uncle Michael in."
" Dadee," Shion said not understanding a thing as he went to grasp his father's leg. "Miko funny,"
"Shion, want to go over to mommy so daddy can deal with this baggage at the door?" Sho asked trying to guide his son towards the living room with one leg.
Shion obviously had no clue as to what that meant either since he figured his daddy was now trying to play with him as well.
"You might as well let him in." Asuka said with a sigh as she came towards them to pick Shion up.
Sho grumbled something but he eventually held the door open with a glare at Michael.
"I promise I won't bother you two love birds for too long." Michael promised with a smile.
"I highly doubt that on all levels." Sho muttered shutting the door behind Michael before turning to join them in living room.
"What's the deal?" Asuka asked.
"I just came to speak to Sho actually," Michael said with a grin after giving Asuka a hug, Shion a toss in the air and settling on the sofa.
"Why don't you call next time?" Sho suggested sitting beside him with a frown.
"Because knowing you, you won't pick up." Michael said smugly with a wink to Shion who had a grin on his face who proudly showcased his baby teeth.
"Get on with it then." Sho said with a sigh.
"The Ming's want to merge into business here and export with the help of the corporations here," Michael said seriously now. "The Takeuchi's and Atobe's are highly against it since there have been more than mere rumors connecting the Ming's to some serious underground networking."
"So what's the huge deal?" Sho asked with a slight frown.
"Of the top five companies here, only two have caved and the Takahashi's are on the verge of caving because of how deep in the hole they are." Michael said with a frown now. "They who used to be number three are barely holding onto fifth now."
"Why is that?" Sho asked with a lift of his brow. "Don't a good percentage of Japan's working class and banking depend on them holding out and staying on top as they have always been for the past few decades?"
"They do but lots of bad deals and investments are starting to show as time wears on and it's been let on by their board that the future is bleak unless an upper company takes pity and lends a hand to help."
"They have too much pride don't they?" Sho asked.
"Actually," Michael started with a quick glance to Asuka who was feeding Shion at the dining table, "The whole reason why Takeuchi offered his grand-daughter to the family was to help a failing friend up from its slump."
Sho didn't say anything though a frown graced his lips. "What does this have to do with me?"
"Well the company you work for is under the Takahashi holdings and if they get run down, so do you." Michael made it as a point. "Sadly, the marriage isn't going through and latest word on the mill is that Takahashi's may back the Ming's into business here to stay afloat."
"Why would anyone fall for a bogus company like that anyways?" Asuka asked setting down Sho's lunch in front of him and a spare sandwich for Michael on the other side. "The figures for the Ming companies are all made up and its dangerous money they have under their belts dealing with the black market."
"How do YOU know all this?" Sho asked looking at Asuka with a suspicious look now.
"Me?" Asuka asked with a raised brow. "Why I can comprehend and read business magazines as well!"
"Why would a girl like you read that stuff? Trying to get into business?" Sho asked still not dropping his suspicion of her.
"Are you trying to dictate what I should and should not do?" Asuka asked with widened eyes at his audacity.
"You'd suck at business," Sho said bluntly.
"You suck at being a father," Asuka shot back with outrage.
Michael merely chewed on his sandwich and watched their banter. Whether those two knew it or not, they were physically aware of one another now and the frustration was just itching to blow so there was a reason to relieve it.
"Momma!" Shion called running in.
"What Shion?" Asuka asked dropping all signs of anger to smile at the boy.
Taking it as a sign, Michael turned once more to Sho who had settled to eating his sandwich and spoke.
"We should get together really soon again since we didn't get to spend New Year's with each other."
"No thank you," Asuka and Sho said at the same time.
"Why?" Michael asked in shock.
"Nothing good comes out of it," Asuka said with a tight lip "I'm not giving in" look.
"Exactly," Sho agreed with a nod.
"Well-" Michael stopped as his phone rang and he shuffled it out of his pocket to see who it was from. Giving both a "We're going to" look, Michael picked up his phone.
"Hi mom,"
'Where are you?'
"Meeting a couple of friends," Michael said light-heartedly to his mother. "Why?"
'Your fiancée is here Michael… come home.'
"How strange…" Michael said standing. "I didn't expect that so I'm coming home." Michael promised before hanging up.
"Banzai!" Sho said in a bored tone and look to Michael.
"You'll hear from me again so don't think you both are off the hook!" Michael said heading to the door. "I have to deal with a slight problem first but I will return to discuss this!"
xXx
Elsewhere
"Yadda!" Ryoma said clearing his tables in quick time.
"EH! Nande(Why)!" Sayaka asked bounding after Ryoma towards the back. "It'll be fun!"
"I don't want to." Ryoma intoned.
"You're the only one!" Minako complained from where she sat as well.
Ryoma growled in frustration. All night the girls had been trying to get him to go to a party that a Sayaka's boyfriend was throwing for the new year but he just didn't want to.
"I'll go if Rei and Kyoko-chan goes." Ryoma said choosing his more level-headed co-workers to depend on.
"Yatta!" Sayaka said excitedly as she hugged Ryoma extra hard. "Then you'll come."
"Eh?" Ryoma said looking over to where Rei was seated doing her homework on this slow night.
"She conned me into going already," Rei explained. "You just signed yourself up."
"But Kyoko-"
"She's coming too," Rei said with a sympathetic smile.
"Yay!" Sayaka said doing a victory dance.
"Then I should come supervise,"
Sayaka turned around and came face-to-face with Fuji who smiled back at him.
"Why?" Sayaka asked "Though Yoshida-senpai could come too."
"Ryoma's my boyfriend," Syuusuke said easily "I can't have him cheating on me."
"Really?" Minako said with widened eyes. "I thought that was a joke when you announced it!"
"It's true," Syuusuke said with a smile.
"It isn't!" Ryoma countered with a frown towards Syuusuke.
"Awww how cute!" Sayaka said with a smile. "Ryoma-kun's in denial!"
"All the good men are always gay!" Minako whined.
"I seriously think Ryoma is being serious though." Rei echoed from the back.
Sadly she was ignored since the others were being too loud in opinions on the matter.
xXx
Yoshida Residence
Asu cuddled with Shion on the floor as he kept yawning but smiling. It seemed he didn't want to sleep though he was getting tired and it was getting late. Sho was still sitting on the sofa reading over his script for the next Seiyuu job he was recruited for.
"Go get it," Sho said though he didn't look up when the doorbell buzzed. Asu bit back a retort for him to go since he was technically working and stood up to go get the door.
"Hello gorgeous…" Rui said sliding in as soon as she opened the door.
"Hey!" Asu said
"Who is it?" Sho said turning towards the door.
"Just me, my little kohai!" Rui said with a smile. "Your house is so clean with such a lovely woman living here."
"What do you want?" Sho asked setting his script down.
"Just visiting," Rui said settling down on the sofa beside Sho. "Hey kiddo."
Shion hurried to his dad's side and wouldn't stop staring at the stranger now.
"Mama?" Shion called.
"Right here Shion." Asu said and came around to scoop Shion up.
"It's a shame he calls you that when you don't yet look like a mother," Rui said with an appreciative look at Asu's body.
"Mama, sleepy!" Shion said getting agitated that the stranger was taking his mom's attention.
"Okay Shion," Asu said adjusting the boy into a more comfortable position.
"I don't think we're close enough to be visiting each other senpai," Sho said with a slight frown. "Asu and I were about headed to bed before you decided to place a social call."
"Didn't look that way," Rui said with a smile. "Besides, usually I have to walk you through this part of the relationship right?"
"Hey!" Asu started, offended for Sho.
"You like the more upfront kind like me don't you?" Rui said looking directly at Asu with a charming smile and 'come hither' look.
Asu sighed knowing men like this would never let up on ego so she decided to retreat and not even think about making money on the guy.
Placing Shion onto Sho, she told him to hug daddy goodnight before she leaned over and pressed a damn good kiss on Sho's lips as well.
"I'll put Shion to bed and wait up in the bedroom for you to finish your business." Asu said quite clearly before she peeled herself and Shion off to head down the hall to the bedroom.
Rui seemed surprise to have a girl turn him down so fast and was momentarily stunned but Sho hopped onto the ruse and invited Rui to find somewhere else to go because he surely had a place that was waiting for him.
xXx
Takeuchi Residence
"The tension is getting worse from the Mings." Shuuka said with a sigh. "They really are trying to worm their way in as quick as possible."
"I won't let them," Takahiro said turning to look at his secretary slightly before returning his gaze back to the photo he had been staring at.
"I would have liked to meet your wife," Shuuka said joining him to scan the picture.
"You would've liked her," Takahiro said with a fond smile. "She was the light in every room. Where my daughter Rinko looked more like me, Ayaka and my wife Kiyoko looked exactly alike."
"Asuka looks exactly like them then." Shuuka said shifting her eyes to the picture beside the one they were looking at.
Takahiro nodded. "That's why I took her in because I could not stand the way her father flaunted his mistress. I could never stand someone so beautiful like my Kiyoko to be placed second to another."
"She has your strength though." Shuuka reminded him.
"She does…. That's why I believe it was her idea to run off." Takahiro said with a fond smile. "Ryoma is quite like Rinko. More grounded and set in stubbornness."
"Which is quite like you as well Takeuchi-san," Shuuka said with her own smile now.
Takahiro nodded and Shuuka was satisfied.
She didn't care if everyone else thought he was just a grouchy old man who needed to die. To her, he was a loving grandfather who was willing to hand his family anything to secure their place in the world.
xXx
Party
"Dance with me," Syuusuke said pulling Ryoma's back against him.
"Fuck you," Ryoma said turning to face him with a dark look.
"Harder please," Syuusuke said with a smile as he leaned down. "I haven't given you my response to your evil during the trip."
Ryoma didn't give him time. If there was one thing he learned on how to deal with this guy, it was to attack first, defend first and never let your guard down. Ryoma covered Syuusuke's mouth first and evaded expertly. He pulled Syuusuke's head to meet his and didn't let go until he felt Syuusuke recovering his wits. He broke the kiss then and turned away, grinding his ass closer to Syuusuke's front.
It was hard all right and probably the type Ryoma liked but he wasn't about to admit that to this horny guy. He heard the harsh intake of Syuusuke's breath and knew he was on the verge to exploding now. Dancing against Syuusuke, Ryoma realized the man turned him on too but he still didn't want to cross that barrier of roommates with him.
Ryoma knew he broke relationships pretty easily and he would rather not start anything if he was going to have to see this guy for a long time.
"Damn Ryo…" Fuji uttered againt his ear.
Ryoma sighed and trailed his ass slowly up and down on the hard rod behind him. Turning to face Syuusuke, he decided to let the drinks he took loose and initiated another wet, long kiss. Entwining his tongue on Syuusuke's, he allowed the guy's hand to trail under his shirt and over his abs. Letting loose wouldn't hurt once in a while right?
xXx
Elsewhere
Ayumu rolled out of bed as his phone went off again with a message. His father was probably looking for him now that the meeting within the company had gotten out.
"Why don't you stay?" Shumei asked rising form the other side to provocatively slide her robe on.
"I can't," Ayumu said pulling his boxers on while searching for his socks and pants in the heap of clothes around the bed.
"You'll talk to your father though?" Shumei asked coming around to wrap her arms around Ayumu.
"I will," Ayumu promised peeling her off when he caught sight of his pants.
A/N: And so we have thrill going and plot moving. Do review!