A/N: My heartfelt thanks to everyone who reviewed, favorited and followed this story. Sorry for not updating for so long. What can I say, real life sucks. I'll try to write more regularly, but no promises. I hope you like the chapter. Happy reading!

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to Yamane Ayano Sensei. I'm just borrowing them for my story.

Chapter 10

The next day went by peacefully without any disturbances from hung-over secretaries or disgruntled police officers or anyone, for that matter. By an unspoken treaty, no one mentioned Akihito's meeting with the Yamazaki, though only a few people actually knew about it. Other than the four in the control room, only Ryuutarou san knew of it. He had frowned when they had told him about the confrontation, but it had quickly changed to amused and proud as it came to the part where Akihito had threatened him while showing no outward signs of doing so. It certainly seemed like he approved of him.

That morning, Akihito announced that he and Dave were going to their house. This was met with a loud 'No!' from the younger members of the family. Everyone insisted that they stay with them for the rest of their time in Japan. After much persuasion, Akihito finally agreed. But they still had to go back to collect their belongings, so Ryuichi offered to drive them and Renji offered to help get their things in the car and Mizuki and Seiko just wanted to tag along.

They left for Akihito's house mid noon in Ryuichi's luxury sedan. Dave sat shotgun, giving directions and the other four were in the back. Seiko was telling everyone about the mansion (her words, not Akihito's) and how huge it was. She was very excited to go there and that had reduced her vocabulary to that of a five year old, as she kept on going about how 'huge' his house was, with 'huge' trees surrounding it and blocked by 'huge' walls. Everyone looked at her with fond exasperation as she tried to explain his house to them.

The sedan left the busy roads of the city and was now traveling in the dirt roads of the countryside. Mizuki peered out of the window, breathing in the fresh air, untainted from the pollution of the city. They all enjoyed the peace and quiet of their surroundings, only interrupted briefly by Dave giving out directions to Ryuichi.

Their way was soon blocked off by giant gates. The entire area, as far as they could see, was walled off. Seiko was now practically bouncing with excitement.

"Just a minute." Aki said as he got off the car and walked towards the gate. They watched as he tapped the nameplate and a screen appeared, glowing light blue. he put his hand on the screen for scanning and said something and then there was a beep and the gates opened. Aki grinned and re-entered the car, the closing of the door knocking everyone out of their stupor. The sedan drove to the entrance of the mansion (or is palace a better word? Mizuki thought) and everyone got out.

"Welcome to my humble home!" Akihito announced, with his hands spread wide. The Asami family just looked dumbstruck. The mansion was enormous; and that was an understatement. The forest surrounded it on all sides, cutting them off from the rest of the world. The peace and tranquility was indescribable, and they basked in it with joy.

While they were feasting their eyes on the mansion, Dave went ahead and opened the front doors. Aki led them all inside after they had finished admiring the view. They walked into a big hall that was tastefully decorated with both antiques and new gen items.

Akihito, Seiko and Dave went inside to gather their things after telling them to feel free to look around if they wanted to. They took up the offer and did exactly that.

For a house that was empty for such a long time, not a speck of dust could be seen anywhere. The house was fitted with the state of the art technology. The light came on as soon as someone entered the room and switched off all on their own. They decided to peek into each room. Some rooms were closed, but the ones that had been open were all very spacious and comfortable.

They entered the room at the east end of the first floor and stopped short. It had an odd combination of curtains, a desk with papers strewn all over it like someone had just been there. There was also a king sized canopy bed.

But these details were not what caught their attention; it was the large portrait that hung directly in front of the bed, so that whoever lay there could easily see it. It was a portrait of a young couple. The woman was sitting on a regal chair and the man was standing behind her, his hand on her shoulder and hers on top of his. The love that they had could easily be seen even through the portrait. The man was blond, American and held a clear resemblance to Akihito. What shocked them was the woman. She was the exact copy of Seiko, just a bit older if not the same age. The resemblance was uncanny, and before they could think what this meant, Akihito came into the room.

"Hey guys, I see you found my parent's room." He said as he entered the room, shaking them out of their surprise.

"Is this their portrait?" Mizuki asked when she recovered her voice, pointing to it.

"Yes. It's beautiful, isn't it? So lifelike." he said as he turned his eyes to the portrait, his gaze admiring. "It was drawn the first week after their wedding."

"How romantic!" Mizuki remarked.

"I know! They were totally in love with each other." He declared. "Oh yeah, we've finished loading up the things. So do you want to continue your tour or go back?"

"Let's go back. I'm hungry." Mizuki whined as her stomach rumbled and everyone cackled.

"Okay then. Let's go." Ryuichi agreed. They followed him out of the house, but stared at the two cars that were definitely not there when they arrived here. Renji practically drooled at the sight of the Audi R8 Spyder and the Lamborghini Huracan.

"Are they yours?" Renji asked Akihito.

"Yes, we keep them in the garage. We are gonna need it during our stay here, so we'll be taking them with us. I hope you don't mind." He said, raising a questioning brow at them. Ryuichi merely shook his head while Mizuki's eyes shone with excitement. Renji was ecstatic.

"Can I drive that?" he pleaded Akihito, putting on his best puppy eyes.

"Maybe when you're older." Akihito laughed at Renji's pout and patted his head. "for now, we're driving." He said, pointing to himself and Dave.

They rode back to the city by late evening, stopping at a diner for dinner. Akihito and Dave got into a competition about who could eat the most and everyone was beyond surprised as they watched them gulp down almost everything on the menu. Akihito won and he even had room for desserts. After they paid the hefty bill, they set home.

Upon arriving, the servants helped get their luggage to their rooms and they retired to their rooms, tired and exhausted. They fell asleep as soon as they hit the pillow.

Everyone forgot about the portrait in Akihito's mansion.

A/N: I know, I know, another short chapter. *sigh* I'm sorry. I'll try to update soon. For now, ja ne!