Authors Note: Okay in spite of it being Thanksgiving I busted my butt to get this quick chapter out. So happy Thanksgiving everyone! Its short but I have to get up early and make my way to my aunts . oh joy. So I hope you enjoy this chapter ^^ Im so proud that people are reading and reviewing! Thank you all so much! I truly love it. Anyways enjoy!

Finally Takano and Onodera had arrived at Marukawa Publishing after Onodera had picked one of his shirts with the larges turtlenecks possible trying to cover up as many of the "love marks" as he could do. All while Takano simply watched with a confident smirk across his lips. But one question had lingered into Onoderas mind - he had to ask.

"Takano-san, whats - what's going to happen with Dante?"

His eyes instantly turned down towards his wrist that still happened to be wrapped in a bandage. He simply used his long sleeve to cover it. Onodera didn't wish to listen to tons of people asking a million questions and having to repeat the story of "what happened" over and over again. Takano instantly shifted, the entire mood seemed to change for a slight moment. He seemed to square his shoulders out a bit more before answering in a plain tone of voice it was obvious that he was still upset by the situation.

"I'm going to speak with Yokozawa and get Dante removed from our list of authors. A man like that doesn't deserve to be writing manga novels for any company little alone this one."

The pair had just stepped out of the elevator onto their floor together. Onodera was sure that there was going to be some sort of talk since Takano disappeared after Dante had left the party and didn't even stay around long enough to receive his award. What made matters worse was Onodera too had disappeared. Perfect. Just what he needed an official "office scandal" while he was trying to make a name for himself here. Just great. A heavy sigh escaped from his lips as the metal twin doors opened up and the two stepped out onto the main floor beginning to make their way through the rows of office people who happened to be watching and staring at the two.

"Their watching us Takano-san."

"Should we give them something to watch then Onodera?"

Almost instantly a cherry shade crossed Onoderas face once again. Curse Takano for him being able to make Onodera blush so easily. For a second Onodera had completely stopped walking before finally picking up the pace and rushing past Takano to reach his desk first so he could instantly put his nose into his work. The last thing he wanted was to run into someone from their department and possibly having to explain for his "disappearance" last night. Takano stayed behind continued to stride towards his desk at his regular pace that same smile continuing to shine across his lips. Onodera really could be way to cute for his own good. He was way to easy to tease - but that's one of the things he absolutely adored about Onodera.

FINALLY! Onodera reached his desk and eased out of his brown jacket setting it across the back of his chair before instantly plopping down onto the empty chair seat and looked down towards the files that were there. Silently, he was praying no one say anything - no one say anything. He pulled open the first file and was surprised to see the name "Dante La Doria" was scribbled on the top. Immediately Onodera slammed the top of the file down remembering all the events from last night.

Takano had reached there right in time to see the file and got a glimpse of the picture. It was Dante. Oh no, he wasn't having that. Takano eased out of his black jacket folding the article of clothing in half and set it down on the desk. The other members of the Emerald team had yet to arrive so he figured he'd leave Onodera alone. As long as the younger editor was busy correcting manga scripts then he would be able to ease away to discuss this with Yokozawa. If it was the last thing he did he was going to get Dante removed from Onoderas list of authors. He was going to protect what was his.

The raven haired editor-in-chief would take one last glance over at Onodera and then disappeared around the corner to catch Yokozawa by the refreshments. It was still pretty early but already his old college buddy was pretty beat from the party and was taking this opportunity to grab a cup of coffee.

"Hey Yokozawa - we need to talk."

"Masamune, where the hell where you? I had to explain to the main heads of the company that you suddenly became greatly ill and had to rush home immediately. What happened with you, Onodera and Dante? I saw him shove down Onodera and you got all physical even taking the risk to do so in front of all our other authors, guests and more importantly your boss, I hope it was for a good reason. Now explain what happened and it had better be good."

Takano came face to face with his friend pressing his left arm against the front of the vending machine and leaned against it completely. He wanted to make sure the conversation stayed private. Takano wasn't a fool, he understood that Onodera was one that enjoyed having his privacy kept that way and the last thing he wanted was to make his love interest uncomfortable.

"I'll explain first I want you to remove Dante from Onoderas editing. That man needs to be kicked out of here completely."

Yokozawa would sigh raising his free hand upwards and pinched the bridge of his nose in between his thumb and fingertip. He knew this was going to come up today - hence why the coffee. He closed his eyes taking in a deep breath and then once again reopened them looking straight towards his college friend.

"I can't do that Masamune. My orders come down from the main heads you know that. They had been impressed with the way he was handling his earlier authors and decided to give him Dantes manuscripts."

That was the last thing he wanted to hear instantly Takanos eyes narrowed towards his friend. He clutched his palm that was resting against the sleek glass of the refreshment machine. This was ridiculous.

"Your lying! Say it's a damn emergency! If what you say is true Takafumi then you saw Dante push down Onodera, he caused Onodera to sprain his wrist. You know his hands are his life - just the way mine are. You can not just let this go unpunished!"

Oh now things were really beginning to pick up. Yokozawa leaned downwards picking up the cup that had filled with the black liquid and brought it to his lips. He needed the added caffeine. After a brief pause, Yokozawa lowered the cup and then spoke to answer his question. Yokozawa still held unreturned feelings for his friend and he knew the feelings Takano possessed with Onodera.

"Masamune, look I shouldn't even be telling you this but Dante wrote an e-mail to the company. He said that he apologized for his rough treatment on Onodera claiming he was under stress and had taken out earlier rage on him. He also stated that he sent Onodera a e-mail of apology and claimed never to take such actions again. The company believes that it was a simple one-time-thing."

WHAT? How could this company be so damn blinded! Takanos clutched hand instantly rose upwards and then suddenly slammed his fist against the sleek glass but not hard enough to actually break the surface. His face screamed completely anger.

"DAMN IT! Yokozawa, hes not sorry! This is all an excuse! He has stalked Onodera and I wouldn't put it past him if he was the one that destroyed my bloody apartment. He can not get close to Onodera alone again. If the company wont drop him as an author then I'll go with him to all the meetings as a bodyguard."

Takano had turned around to leave but Yokozawas next comment was enough to stop him dead in his tracks.

"I'm afraid you can't do that Masamune."

He didn't need to turn around to reply to that comment.

"What?"

This time Yokozawa kept staring straight ahead, management had specifically told him to deliver this part of the message to Takano personally. He was told to make this point crystal clear that way there would be no further confusion.

"I said you can't do that. In the e-mail Dante wrote that you got physical with him and he hinted towards threatening to sue the Marukawa company for putting him in such a risky environment. The company couldn't handle that kind of bad publicity not to mention it would be damaging to all the other authors listed and this company would surely fail."

Listening to that statement Takano slowly turned around so that he was able to make eye contact with him. Yokozawa was immediately taken back he had never seen that hatred, that look of pure and utter disgust in Takanos eyes before.

"Basically what are you saying Yokozawa?"

Now he really needed that need breath. Yokozawa once again sucked in a sharp breath puffing out his chest for a moment as he braved himself to say this last bit. This "official" word from those upstairs. His hands shifted at the sides of his legs before then finding the strength to actually say it.

"You are not allowed to be anywhere near Mr. La Doria when he is with Dante. If you do, the company has made an agreement to severely punish you."

For a flash of a second but it was at that moment he realized nothing could be worse than seeing something happen to Onodera. Nothing could ever be as bad as witnessing the pain that Onodera was in last night and that was only a shove. He couldn't imagine the lengths that Dante could really go too if given the chance to really be alone with Onodera once again.

"I don't care. Let them punish me." Takano took three steps towards the door preparing to turn and make his way back inside his own little department. Little did he know that Onodera needed to make a few copies of some of the manga sketches and the copy machine happened to be "conveniently" located right besides the refreshment machines. Onodera crouched down low listening to their conversation keeping the files pressed tightly against his chest. Hearing that comment about Takano being "punished" instantly his mind begun to race with "what if's"

[ Onoderas inner thought] "Oh no! He cant be punished for something so stupid!"

He inched closer listening to what was going to be said next. Yokozawa called out to Takano once again this time with something a little more shocking and down right unfair to the Editor-In-Chief.

"Takano, if you violate this command then you're going to be fired."

FIRED! No way. There was no way. He had just received the bloody award for best "Editor-In-Chief" and they would toss him aside for some author? Takano could feel the anger beginning to really rise in his body. It took everything inside him to keep that temper under control. He wanted nothing more than to spin around and shout at his college friend that this company could shove it! Takano knew what was more important. Onodera. However, Onodera who had overheard it gasped covering his mouth. No way was he going to allow him to lose his job for his own actions. Onodera was right about to speak up when the elevator opened up and out popped a very happy Kisa. He instantly pounced the younger fellow editor.

"Ricchan! You've got to see these pictures of you in your bunny outfit! Their so Kawaii!"

At first Onodera thought he didn't hear Kisa correctly. He continued to stare towards his "higher uppers" that were now in front of him. He had been found out. Perfect. Now they knew that he had been spying on them this entire time.

"W-Will Takano-san really be fired Yokozawa-san?"

Yokozawa certainly wasn't going to sugar coat anything for Ritsu. He never had before and he certainly wasn't going to start now. He had agreed to let go of his feelings for Takano but that didn't mean he had to particularly like Onodera either.

"Yes. If Takano goes with you when you see Dante he will be fired. And because of Takano being fired under "suspicious" grounds no other company will hire him. No matter the recommendations. It could be a bloody letter from the pope and he still would not be hired. All because he wants to play bodyguard to you."

"Yokozawa!"

He couldn't put all that on Onodera. This was all Takanos decision.

" Onodera is my main concern. You know that. All my Editors safetly and well-being inside the company are my top property no matter who the author is. It could be the woman that wrote "Twilight" and I still would not let my editors go over there and get abused. End of discussi -" Takano was unable to finnish his sentence. Like always, Onodera had butted in.

"I'll do it."

That mere comment had forced Takanos eyes wide. No. Absolutely not.

"Takano. You can't lose your job because of something so stupid and I'm certain Dante was just upset about something. It was probably a bad time. I'm certain he wont repeat the mistake. He already sent a letter apologizing."

Takano clutched his hands once again tightly down at his sides. This was completely out of his hands. What was he going to do now? The elder man had no choice he rose his hand upwards and slammed his fist full against the wall not caring about the loud bang that proceeded to bounce off the walls making everyone lose their attention. Yokozawa watched as Takano left towards the elevator after snagging up his jacket from his desk in a foul mood. Onodera felt bad - but he wasn't going to let Takano lose a job that was so important to him because of him.

"Onodera, Takano will thank you in time. You made the right choice."

Sure, hopefully. Onodera put on a fake smile and faintly nodded his head. There wasn't anything he could do.

"I know."

With that being said Yokozawa turned and walked off back towards his office. He knew that now all Takano needed was some time to cool that hot head of his. He needed to be left alone long enough to clear his head and get everything set back into order so he returned to his own office. Right then more members of the "Emerald team" begun to filter into their proper place including Hatori who was now the acting "Editor-in-Chief" since he was the second in charge in this department. Kisa, as if sensing the drama couldn't resist trying to do something to break the depressed mood Onodera was now in.

"Wanna see the photos Ricchan?"

DID HE ACTUALLY HAVE PICTURES OF THAT BLOODY OUTFIT? Onoderas attention was immediately turned. Kisa was busy fanning out the dozen of photos of Onodera in the adorable yet funny bunny outfit he was sporting last night in both hands. There were tons of them ranging from Onodera standing alone, to him being right besides Takano and various other authors.

"Kisa-san! You have to give me those! Their way to embarrassing!" Almost as if on que the two had begun to wrestle around each trying to grab at the photos from the other.

"Na-uh! These are going up on our group board!"

"WHAT! NO WAY KISA-SAN!"

The two continued to rush around the department Kisa determined to keep his prized photos away from Onoderas hands who wanted nothing more than to burn the evidence he was in such a stupid and pointless attire. Right at that exact moment as they rounded the front of the desks Onodera saw the Elevator open up and a man carrying a vase full of red roses and one single white on in the very center walked in. It was almost a psychic sense but he knew who sent them. He stopped dead in his tracks as the carrier asked what he knew was coming.

"Is there ah - Ritsu, Onodera here?"

No. He should deny it. He should turn the flowers away. But inside Ritsu knew he couldn't. He HAD to accept them not just for his own career but now Takanos. He sighed and walked over slowly raising his hand up hoping the man would simply ignore him and walk past him not paying him any attention but no such luck. The man had caught a glimpse of him and walked over immediately handing over the flowers.

"Here ya go."

After handing them over he left the company. Onodera stood there looking over the flowers as Kisa and Mino inched their way closer desperate to see who the "admirer" happened to be. They didn't know Onodera was seeing anyone or at least dating.

"Who are they from Ricchan?"

Curiosity killed the cat only difference was this time he knew already. Onodera didn't want to look but now, he had little choice. He reached over grabbing the small card and set the flowers down on his desk and easily ripped the envelope opened and read over the script inside.

Onodera,

Please forgive my actions last night. I merely had a little too much to drink and said tons of things I shouldn't have. Please find it in your heart to forgive me and continue being my Editor. Together I know we can produce a top quality book and make it a huge success. Please forgive me.

Your Friend,

Dante.

He knew it. Onodera was officially out of luck on this one.