A/N: I edited some parts to smooth out the story. FYI, Kirimi was driven away when Kana and Keigo were young (Read earlier chapters please!). Sorry for the error.

A/N: HONTONI SUMIMASEN! In the midst of changing my career, I hadn't had the time to update any stories. Here's an early Christmas gift to all my faithful readers/reviewers to make up for the EXTREMELY LONG WAIT. Please read and review!

Disclaimer: Nothing in POT or Hana Yori Dango belongs to me. All OoC-ness, OCs, events, situations, venues and tournaments are just figments of my imagination. No profit of any kind was made from this story.

"xxxxx" Conversation

'xxxxx' Thoughts

xxxxxxx Flashback

: xxxxxxx : Text Message

Summary: What Would You Do If You Were Given A Second Chance In Life And In Love?

Chapter 11

4 YEARS AGO (Part 2)

At Sakuno's Apartment – 2 days later

Ryuuzaki Sakuno clasped her trembling hands and took a few deep breathes. Her eyes swept over her sparkling clean apartment from her position on the couch before they rested on the clock on the wall.

'It's..it's almost time for him to arrive.'

Ding! Dong!

Sakuno jumped slightly at the sound of the doorbell. She stood up and slowly approached the door. After taking a steady breathes, she opened it.

Her chocolate eyes met the dark silvery gaze of a very solemn Atobe Keigo. Minutes went by before Keigo made the first move.

"I've missed you, Sakuno." he whispered hoarsely and kissed her forehead. His warm strong arms were tightly wrapped around her.

"I've missed you, too, Keigo." Her forehead rested on his chest and she felt calm when his heart thumps reached her ears. Keigo can't help himself but to press a few feathery kisses on Sakuno's head.

They stayed in their own little world for a minute before she silently pulled away from Keigo's embrace and led him inside. Sakuno made sure they were seated at the dining table to create some space between them.

"How are you, my love?" Keigo asked gently.

"Could have been better, I guess." Sakuno meekly replied.

"Sakuno..."

"I'm sorry Keigo for running away like that."

"Iie. Ore-sama understands."

"No, you don't Keigo. I had a small chat with Ayano-sensei that Saturday before I left. She shared with me about..."

Keigo reached out to grab her hands, "Ssshhh! You don't have to say anymore, Sakuno."

"But.."

"Otousama had already told me what Okasama had done to Kirimi-obasan and her family. Ore-sama does not blame you for leaving."

"Keigo, I'm staying beside you for good this time."

"What?" Keigo wasn't expecting to hear that.

"I love you, Atobe Keigo. I won't be a coward anymore nor will I let anything come between us. My heart, soul and even my life are yours, Keigo."

"Ryuzaki Sakuno, you already had Ore-sama's heart, soul and life since the moment Ore-sama saw you at that ball." Keigo huskily declared.

"Keigo…" Tears spilled from Sakuno's eyes.

Keigo couldn't wait any longer and pulled her out of her chair. The young lovers found themselves in a tight and loving embrace.

"Don't ever leave Ore-sama like that again. Ore-sama's heart can't take it."

"Okay."

"If you have any doubts or worries, talk to Ore-sama."

"Okay."

"And…"

"Keigo?"

"Hai?"

"Shut up and kiss me."

A few minutes passed as Keigo and Sakuno shared soft and gentle kisses. The kisses soon heated up as their lips and tongues entwined with fervor. Keigo placed his hands on her lower back to hold her close to his body. Sakuno felt weak when she felt their bodies moving sensuously together. Soft moans echoed around the dining room as they got lost in their lip connection. Finally when their lungs couldn't take it, the lovers withdrew their lips and rested their foreheads together. Their eyes stayed locked on each other even as they gulped down much needed air.

Keigo thought he had never seen such a beautiful sight. Sakuno's cheeks were reddened, her lips wet and swollen and her eyes shined like the stars. 'This is what Ore-sama wants to see for the rest of Ore-sama's life.'

"Sakuno?"

"Mmm." Sakuno was too lethargic to answer.

"Marry Ore-sama?"

Sakuno's eyes widened with shock. She could see the seriousness in Keigo's eyes.

"Keigo, I.."

"Please be mine legally, body and spirit. Ore-sama can't imagine a life without you. Ore….[Cough! Cough!]..I, Keigo Atobe loves Ryuzaki Sakuno, now and forever. Sakuno, will you marry me and become Mrs. Atobe Sakuno for the rest of your life?"

Keigo's heart beat steadily as he waited for an answer.

"Keigo?" An awe-strucked Sakuno chewed lightly on her lower lip.

"Hai, my love?" Now, Keigo got more anxious.

"You sound even better when you use personal pronoun!"

3 YEARS 10 MONTHS AGO

At Hanazawa's Mansion

It was early evening. Servants had quietly and unobtrusively served the sumptuous dinner in the Japanese-style dining room. The large room faced a well-groomed Japanese garden that held a koi pond and a small waterfall. The sounds of conversation flowed gently from the dining room.

At one side of the table:

Hanazawa Shiori: Can't we do something for you, Imouto?

Ayano Kirimi: It's alright, Neesan. Kazuki has everything under control.

Shiori: I still want a chance to kick that she-dog backside! She is so despicable.

Kirimi (giggled): Neesan! I can't believe you said that!

Shiori (giving her little sister a wink!): When it comes to obstacles to romance, I'm bringing out the guns. Besides, I want my little Imouto to have happiness just like me.

Kirimi: Moh, Neesan, you are too much. If things don't go well, we'll call you, okay?

Shiori (with glee!): I can't wait to see that woman's face when things tumble down around her.

Kirimi (Turn to the young girl next to her): Sakuno, you hardly eat anything. Is anything the matter?"

Sakuno: Iie. I just don't have much appetite tonight.

Shiori: Is the food not to your liking? I can get the chef to make something for you.

Sakuno: No, thank you, Shiori-san. The food is very delicious. It's just that….

Kirimi (sighing!): She's just too full of love to eat, I guess.

Sakuno (turned red!):Kirimi-san!

Shiori: Ah, young love.

Both sisters looked fondly at the young blushing lady.

Hanazawa Shiori's POV

Shiori can't help but wished that Sakuno was her own daughter. She felt blessed when she had Rui but her health did not permit any more addition to the family. She had always wanted a daughter to spoil and to dress up. After spending some time with Sakuno before dinner began, Shiori wanted to adopt her. Sakuno was everything she wanted in a daughter. Now, if only Rui would stop thinking about Doumyoji Makino and focus on getting her a daughter-in-law just like Sakuno.

She sighed as her thoughts turned to the day she and her husband met Atobe Kazuki for the first time which was about 2 months ago. She could immediately see the great love shared between her little sister and Kazuki. Yes, she and Ryu (her husband) were apprehensive about Kazuki because of his marital status. But Kazuki had assured the Hanazawas that his intention toward Kirimi was honorable. He even promised to hold a wedding as soon as his divorce papers are finalized, much to the chagrin of poor blushing Kirimi.

Shiori and Ryu met up with Kirimi and Kazuki a few times after that because they liked the Atobe head. He's witty, silly and suave. He's got a very brilliant mind for business. That was evident when Kazuki secured a profitable joint-venture with her husband, Ryu during one luncheon. Seeing her Imouto and Kazuki loving each other made Shiori and Ryu more determined to help them.

Her Imouto did deserve her happiness after what that Mara had done to her and her family. Shiori sniffled a bit when she remembered the uneasy re-union with the Ayanos that many years ago. She had been looking for them for so long, with so much hatred that she had almost lost them. Yes, she finally found her parents and little sister in a squalid flat in a sleazy part of another city. Yes, she had rant and raved about her parents abandoning her. Yet, thanks to her beloved Ryu, she also took the time to listen to their side of the story. She was glad that she had. It totally changed her perspectives about her blood parents. They unwillingly gave her up for adoption because they were too poor to feed her. They've looked for her diligently and relentlessly after achieving some financial security. They willingly lose everything again to secure the safety of their younger daughter. They truly loved their daughters.

Shiori was thankful she's got to know them for a few years before they passed away. Most importantly, she also gained a sister. Looking at Kirimi talking to Sakuno, she felt happy. She has always felt she doesn't belong to her adopted family even though they loved her like their own child. But she felt complete ever since she found her sister.

End of POV

At the other side of the table:

Hanazawa Ryu: I heard from the business grapevine that the Shirogawas are in some financial trouble.

Keigo (shock!): Really?

Kazuki (with snide): I'm not surprised. The way they do business is finally catching up with them.

Ryu : They have large holdings all around the world. It would take a lot to bring them down.

Kazuki: Don't worry. I had plenty of time to plan and there are many people who wanted to see them fall. Like I said, the past is catching up to them.

Keigo (surprised): Otousama? You mean….you're the one behind their financial trouble.

Kazuki: Yes, my son. They had been holding the Atobes as pawns for too long. It's time to take back what belongs to the Atobe family.

Keigo (confused): I don't understand, Otousama.

Ryu: Do you know what happened to your grandfather more than 20 years ago?

Keigo: Jii-san? No, I don't.

Kazuki: Otou-san listened to the advice of his so-called friend, Shirogawa Miroku and made some very bad investment. He lost a lot of our family's holdings and was desperate for help.

Keigo (understanding dawn on him): Shirogawa helped him and ….

Kazuki: And they took control of the majority of Atobe's holdings. They even forced…[taking in deep breathes]

Keigo: Otou-sama? Daijobu?

Kazuki (waved off his son's concern): They forced Otousan to accept a marriage proposal as well. They wanted Mara to marry into our family. Otou-sama agreed but I refused. Kirimi is the only love of my life.

Ryu: No one knows the truth behind the scenes except for the Shirogawas, the Atobes and their partners. Unfortunately, Hanazawas did have a short-term joint venture with the Shirogawas so our family knew what happened.

Keigo: But you refused, didn't you, Otousama?

Kazuki (with sadness): I did..at first. But then Otou-san had a heart attack and begged me on his dying bed to do all I can to save the Atobe holdings. I…I couldn't refuse anymore. I broke Kirimi's heart when I married Mara.

Keigo: And she still stayed around us?

Kazuki (sadly): She said she understood and stood by me.

Keigo: Then…were the both of you…

Kazuki (sternly): I was never unfaithful to your mother, Keigo. You don't lump me together with those other rich fools!

Ryu (chuckled): Kirimi was and still is a loving, dedicate and honourable woman, just like my Shiori. She won't do anything like that even with her true love.

Kazuki (with anger): But even then, Mara still held a grudge against Kirimi especially when she saw how motherly Kirimi was with you and your sister. Finally she did something to Kirimi and her family to drive them out of Tokyo.

Keigo (sadly): Was she always like that?

Ryu: Yes, she was. Back then, Shirogawa Mara was already famous in our circle for being a spoiled golden girl with sharp and deadly claws. She refused to lose face to someone like Kirimi. I guess she acted accordingly out of pride and jealousy.

Keigo: (sadly) I'm sorry Otousama that you had to do all these.

Kazuki (patting Keigo's back): The only joy I've got from this marriage of convenience was you and your sister. I thank God everyday that you two didn't turn out to be like her. I swore I would never to put my children through that again. I'm also thankful that I found my love again.

Keigo and Ryu can't help but smiled as they watched Kazuki looking over at Kirimi with loving eyes.

Keigo (with a cough): So, what's going to happen next? Are we going to take control of Shirogawas later?

Kazuki: No, I just want the companies and assets that originally belong to the Atobe to be returned to its rightful owners, us.

Ryu: Do you need any help? I know you have your plans and people but Shiori will kill me if I don't lend a hand?

Kazuki: All are going well. We'll see more activities in the following months. But I'll call for the calvary if needed.

They were interrupted when Shiori called them to adjourn to the living room for some tea and deserts. Keigo and Sakuno stayed back as the other couples exited the room. Both grinned and held hands as they sedately followed behind the others. The Hanazawas, Kazuki and Kirimi barely kneeled down on the comfortable cushions surrounding the low table when someone cleared his throat.

"I have something to say, everyone."

Everyone looked up curiously at a happy Keigo standing by the door. A blushing Sakuno was tucked under his arm next to his side.

"Sakuno has agreed to marry me."

Eyes blinked for a few moments before shouts of joy rang throughout the mansion.

Meanwhile – At The Shirogawa Estate

"How can you be so careless? That foreign company had already purchased 51 percent of controlling shares. Do you know what that means?"

"Calm down, Mara. Your brother did all he can to stop it."

"They purchased those shares far above market price, Mara. What do you think I should do? We don't have that kind of cash flow."

"I don't care. Those companies were under my supervision because of my marriage to Atobe. Now, they belong to a foreign company. You have to do something."

"Look, those companies are only making minimal profits. Perhaps this is a better way to get rid of them."

"Niisan, you don't understand. It's not about profit. It's about control. When I control those companies, I control Atobe."

"Mara, please stop pestering your brother."

"Keep quiet Mama."

"Mara, don't use that tone on our mother. She's just…"

"She knows nothing about business so she should keep quiet."

"Get out!"

"What! This is my house too."

"Not if you throw around that kind of attitude. You've forgotten that the day you married into the Atobe family, you are no longer a Shirogawa. Get out or I'll call the security to throw you out."

"You won't dare!"

"Mara, leave now or your brother will carry out his promise."

"Not you too, Mama."

Mara was beyond furious when her brother's security men escorted her to her car. She drove off in a rage.

"I'll have to find out more about that foreign company. I'll take back those companies and show them what I'm made of."

EEEEEEEEEE

To Be Continued

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Note:

1. Hanazawa Shiori and Ayano Kirimi are blood sisters. Read Chapter 10 to get a better picture.

2. Atobe Mara was formerly from the Shirogawa family. She used the connection before to drive Ayano Kirimi and her family out of Tokyo.

3. Neesan = Older Sister

4. Imouto = Little Sister

5. Jii-san = Grandfather

THANKS for R&R!

BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!