Disclaimer: HYD is not mine. This actually was part of the last chapter, but it made that chapter too long. So, here is the next part.

Chapter 21: Busted

When she woke up the next morning, she showered, dressed and fixed breakfast. She brought Rui breakfast in bed.

He woke up smiling. "What's all this?"

"I have a check-up at the hospital this morning. Would you mind coming with me?" He nodded.

"Of course. I'll drive you there. Just let me shower and get dressed after I eat."

"Okay. Thank you." She kissed him. He drove her to the hospital in his Porsche. She wore her usual jeans, t-shirt, jacket, and two braids. Rui had a black pair of jeans an ivory sweater, and a leather jacket.

"You've seemed to have lost more weight. Are you eating okay and getting your rest?"

"Yes, sempai I've been eating. I haven't had as much of an appetite though since I basically went a week without food. I'm getting there though."

"Try to eat as much as you can and as often as you want. You're almost 20 pounds lighter than when you first came here." She nodded.

Other than that, her check-up went fine, and she was given a clean bill of health. Rui played his violin for the children while waiting for Shone. She visited all of the children after her check up. Rui went to the car to put away his violin, and he was going to meet her at the deli near the hospital for lunch.

She left the hospital on her way to the deli. As she was walking by the alley in between the hospital parking lot, all of a sudden two arms reached out and grabbed her covering her mouth and wrapping around her waist. For a second, she went into panic mode until she smelled a familiar smell and felt familiar lips kiss her neck. Her heart was racing as she turned around.

"Hanazawa Rui, you scared me half to death. You're lucky I recognized your smell and your touch. I almost bit your hand, elbowed you in the stomach and kicked you in the groin. And you would have deserved it, too." She turned around and hit him on the arm. "Don't ever do that again." Her heart was still racing and tears began to flow. He grabbed her and hugged her to him really close.

"I'm sorry. I forgot that quickly about what happened. I just wanted to surprise you." He lifted her chin with his fingers and wiped her tears. "Hey, let me make it up to you." He kissed her on the mouth. His kiss calmed her down, and she began to respond pushing him against the wall and deepening the kiss. "Come on." He grabbed her hand.

"Where are we going?" She followed him.

"To the car." He smiled.

Unbeknownst to them, they were being watched by two very interested parties. Soujiroh and Akira were on their way to the hospital to volunteer that day. Soujiroh was going to play cards with his little friend, and Akira had promised to sing and play the guitar for some of the young ladies at their request as relayed through Nishikado sensei.

Soujiroh looked out the window of the limo. "Hey isn't that Cheyenne?" He pointed to a denim clad figure with two long braids.

Akira looked to where Soujiro was pointing. "That sure looks like her double D's."

"I thought she was on bed rest this week. What is she doing out and about?"

Akira shrugged. "Who cares? Let's invite her to join us. It will be a bonus getting to see her today." They had the driver stop and let them out across the street. As they were about to yell out for her, they saw two arms reach out and grab her from the alley.

"What the hell?" Soujiroh was angry. "Did you just see that?"

Akira was on the move sprinting toward her direction. "This can't happen to her again. Not on my watch."

They crossed the street as soon as they could because at that moment the light had changed and there was a bevy of on-coming traffic. When they finally got across the street, they found her kissing her so-called kidnapper. They hid around the corner and looked again.

"Isn't that Rui?" Soujiroh asked.

Akira smiled. "Yes."

Soujiroh also smiled. "Well, this looks interesting. Why don't we grab a seat and enjoy the show."

Akira agreed. They sat at the deli enjoying coffee and tea while waiting for the couple to come out. Two hours later, they came out of the parking lot smiling and headed toward the deli.

Soujiroh looked closely and asked. "Did not our lovely young doctor friend have two braids when we first saw her? Is not her hair down now?"

Akira looked. "Yes I do believe you are quite right." Shone was putting her hair back into braids again. "Was not our quiet friend wearing a leather jacket? I don't believe that I see one any longer."

Soujiroh completed his tea. "Yes, I believe you are quite right." He put a finger on his forehead. "Me thinks that our little Cherokee has blossomed into a full woman, now."

"Me thinks you are right. It looks like our little group has lost one hard-working virgin. We only have the original two we began with." Akira added. "There is only one way to find out."

"You don't mean to ask them?" Soujiroh asked.

"You mean quiet and quieter. They would never tell, but we can watch their interaction in a group setting."

"Dancing at the club tomorrow night?" Soujiroh asked.

"Yes, that would be right. I'll call him, and you call her." They nodded and left the deli to go to the hospital and volunteer. They left out the door facing the other corner to avoid detection by the couple coming in the other door.

While Rui and Shone were dining at the deli, her phone rang. "Hey grown and sexy how are you? Have you been enjoying your bed rest?"

"Hey Jiroh, yes I have."

"So are you tired of being cooped up in the house and ready to get out and about again?"

"Yes, I am."

"Good, we thought as much. So, we thought we would all get together and meet to go dancing at the club to cheer you up. Are you game?"

"Sounds like fun. What are the details?"

"We'll meet at 7:00 p.m. at the club we went to the first time. See you tomorrow?"

"Definitely, thanks. I can't wait." She hung up the phone.

Rui raised his eyebrows.

"That was Soujiroh. He invited me to go out to the club tomorrow to cheer me up."

"Just you or are all of us invited?"

"All, but would it be a problem if it were just me?" She searched his face.

He didn't betray any emotion. "That depends, would it be a date or as friends?"

She thought before answering. "What do you consider it when you go out with Tsukushi alone?"

He scowled for a second and then smiled. "Are you saying that we have a relationship like Tsukushi's and Tsukasa's?" Just then his phone rang. She was glad to have the time to think. "Hello."

"Rui, this is Akira. How are you? We haven't seen you in a while. Listen, we are getting together tomorrow to take Cherokee dancing at the club to cheer her up. Are you available?"

"Yes."

"Good. Are you sure because no one has seen or heard from you, you doing okay? What have you been up to lately?"

"I'm sure. I'm fine. I've been busy."

"Aren't you supposed to be taking it easy? You were quite scary last time."

"I am taking it easy."

"So, how is it that you are keeping busy and taking it easy?"

"I'm busy making sure that Shone stays in bed and takes it easy." Shone looked at Rui and scowled. Rui shrugged.

"Is that so?" Akira chuckled silently.

"Hm." Rui smiled inwardly.

"Well, in that case I will let you off the hook tomorrow night. Uncle Jin approved for all of us to come visit Cherokee. I live close to her so I can pick her up tomorrow night."

"That's okay. I'll be there."

"No, you don't have to go over there. I'm closer."

"No, I'll already be there. I'll bring her. No problem."

"Okay, well stay on top of her and make sure she stays in bed." Akira and Soujiroh were snickering as he hung up.

Rui hung up and looked at Shone. "Well, you haven't answered my question. Are we a couple like Tsukushi and Tsukasa?"

"I don't know. I haven't been asked anything."

"I'm asking."

"What's the question?"

"Can we date? Will you be my girlfriend?" Rui was very serious.

Shone smiled. "I need to think about it. I'll tell you tomorrow night."

Rui left money on the table, and grabbed her hand. "Are you finished? Let's go." She nodded.

"Where are we going?"

"Home."

"Home?"

"Yes, I think I need to spend more time convincing you." He smiled at her, and she returned his smile. He spent the rest of the evening and most of the next day convincing her to respond positively to his question.

That evening they got ready to go to the club. She was wearing a strapless black dress that was tight around the bodice and had a skewed hemline. The right side came down to her mid thigh and the left side reached to her mid-calve. She wore black high-heel sandals to match. Rui was wearing a silver and black leather jacket, a white shirt, a skinny black leather tie, black slacks and white boots with a silver toe. When he saw her he whistled.

"I don't know if I would let you wear that dress if you were my girlfriend."

"If someone would restrict what I wear, then I would no longer be their girlfriend."

"Point taken." He smiled at her and extended his elbow for her to take. She grabbed it, and they went to the club.

When they arrived, they were the envy of all other couples there. Tsukushi and Tsukasa were sitting upstairs and looked down on them as they arrived at the door. "They make a nice-looking couple, don't they?" Tsukushi smiled.

"She would make a good couple with anyone." Soujiroh commented. Everyone eyed him curiously. Akira waved to them and they headed upstairs to meet the group.

When they arrived, she hugged and kissed everyone in the group. "You look beautiful, Cherokee." She smiled.

"Thank you, so do you."

Tsukushi frowned. "Did you lose some weight? You're looking a bit thinner."

"If you recall, I was drugged for a while. I basically went a week without eating anything. I do need to get back into shape." They all sat down.

"You're shape looks perfectly fine to me." Soujiroh commented looking her over.

"Thank you, I think." She smiled at Soujiroh.

"So, what have you been up to this week since you couldn't work?" Akira asked.

She shrugged. "I spent most of the time in the bed or eating."

Akira and Soujiroh gave each other knowing looks. Soujiroh turned to Rui. "What have you been up to my quiet friend? We haven't seen you around a lot either."

"The same like Shone said." Again the two playboys exchanged looks. Then the song by Robin Thicke came on, "Lost Without You."

Rui held out his hand to Shone. She grabbed it as he led her to the dance floor. The others watched and were surprised to see when Rui actually danced instead of swayed to the music. He drew Shone close and then away from him, then to one side and the other. He spun her around away from him and then back to him and dipped her.

"So what do you think?" Akira asked as they watched them dance.

"I still can't tell anything, but I know what I hope. On the one hand, I hope that there's nothing there, and I get my turn. On the other hand, our quiet friend deserves some happiness at last." Soujiroh finished, and Akira nodded. "What about you?"

"I don't know. Any way it goes is fine by me. So are you going to leave it alone, then?"

"No, I want my chance."

"To do what, date her for a week and then dump her like all the rest?"

He shrugged. "If that is the way she wants it, if not I don't mind taking my chances with her and seeing how long it will play out." Akira raised his eyebrows surprised.

At the end of the song, Rui caressed Shone's cheek, and then kissed her on the lips lightly. He then led her back to the seat. Surprising to all, Tsukasa got Tsukushi to go on the dance floor and dance. They were all watching smiling.

When a reggae song came on, Soujiroh grabbed Cheyenne's hand and led her to the dance floor. They whined together and he grinded against her. He turned her to face him. "You seem different, more mature." He looked at her face. "Could it be that our little Cherry has blossomed?"

She looked at him and sighed not surprised at all. "When did you see us, yesterday or the day before?"

"Yesterday, so he was your first? If we are going in order that means it's my turn next." He turned her face towards his and was moving in closer to kiss her.

She looked up at him. "No, if we were going in order that would mean that it would be Akira's turn next."

"If?" He raised his eyebrows still getting closer to kiss her.

Rui watched from upstairs seemingly unemotional. He had the desire to get up and run down stairs and hit Soujiroh, but he knew that would not help things.

"I thought I could date indiscriminately when I turned 18. That had always been my intention, but now that I am 18 I'm not so sure. I want to give this thing with Rui a chance. I want to see how far this can go. I'm sorry. I can't." She shook her head. Soujiroh nodded and smiled. He lifted her chin and then kissed her on the forehead instead of the lips.

"It's okay. I thought I'd give it a shot."

"It would have only lasted a week anyway according to your track record."

"You never know." I was hoping I could get something more permanent this time.

She raised her eyebrows. "Is that so? Well, if you are ready to shed your playboy image, there is another young lady waiting to give you a shot."

"Who is that?"

"You'll have to figure that one out on your own. I don't interfere in that type of business. If your parents don't want to let the two of you be together. I'm your girl. Give me a call, but I won't help with making the love connection. Count me out of that." You'll have your opportunity in about six weeks or so. The song finished, and they returned to the table.

Later, another song came on and Akira asked her to dance. She left with him.

"If Soujiroh knows, then I guess you know too."

He smiled at her. "I was with him when you two disappeared for two hours and came back adjusting yourselves."

"So, what do you think?"

"I think you two are suited for each other."

"What about you? Have you decided what you are going to do and how you are going to go about it?

He smiled. "I'm already working on it." He spun her around facing away from him and wrapped his arm around her waist, whining her down to the ground and back up.

"Good, then I don't feel bad about being with Rui." She had a sudden thought. "You didn't tell Tsukushi and Tsukasa did you? I think Tsukasa may get angry, and Tsukushi may feel pressured."

"No, we won't have anyone to tease anymore if we lose our last two virgins." They laughed. When the song finished, they sat down. A little while later, Tsukasa asked Cherokee to dance. Everyone was surprised, but Cherokee knew what was coming next.

When they got on the dance floor, she didn't hesitate. "Did you order the dessert?" He nodded. "Is everything in place and ready?" He nodded again. "So I guess I will see you at my place in two days."

"Yes, do you want me to make the dish for you then?"

"No!" She smiled. "I mean, we don't have much time to prepare. So, I would rather spend that time teaching you the basics in chopping, cooking and mixing the dishes. Don't forget, bring your own knives and cutting board. I don't want to repeat what happened last time."

"You stupid girl, I didn't forget. It's all I can think about these days. Don't worry, I'll be there. If I have to spend all day and all night next week at your place to learn to cook, I'll do it."

She frowned. "Uh uh, that's so not going to happen. And if you call me stupid one more time, I'm going Tsubaki on you." She looked at him glaring and then smiled and started laughing. He joined in with her. When the song finished, he gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks for the dance and everything again." They sat down. Rui looked at Shone and decided it was time to leave.

He yawned and then spoke. "Okay, I think she's had enough for tonight. It's time to get her home and into bed."

Tsukasa couldn't help but to tease her. "Aw, even though she turned 18, the little girl still has a curfew." He was laughing at her.

She glared at him and whispered. "Tsubaki." He stopped laughing and turned serious. The two playboys had a strange grin on their faces and winked at each other and at Rui.

"You stay on top of her and make sure she stays in that bed until she is rested." Soujiroh chuckled.

Cherokee shook her head and hugged Tsukushi and kissed her on the cheek. She gave Tsukasa a look and then hugged him too. She hugged and kissed the two playboys and whispered in their ears "pervert."

When they arrived home, Rui couldn't wait. He asked her right away. "So, what's your answer?"

She looked at him innocently. "What's the question?"

He knelt in front of her and held both her hands. "Can we date? Will you be my girlfriend?"

She looked at him and then smiled at him. "Yes, of course." She kissed him passionately and then pulled away.

"Of course? Then why did you make me wait to find out the answer until today?" He looked confused.

"I wanted to see how you reacted when you saw me with other guys. Soujiroh and Akira are your good friends. They are like brothers to you. I figured if you wouldn't react to them with me, then you wouldn't react to strangers either. I don't want someone possessive and obsessively jealous. The kidnappers were going to sell me to someone as a possession. I don't want to be anyone's possession." She hugged him.

He hugged her back and rubbed her hair. "Oh, I understand." Then he looked at her. "Is that also why you were set on sowing your wild oats when you turned 18?"

She nodded. "After being kidnapped the first time, I wanted to make sure that I was the one who determined with whom and when I had my experiences. I didn't want to be robbed of that decision or of my experience. I also wanted to experience as much as I could with several people for that reason."

"I understand. I'm sorry you've had to go through this."

"I'm just glad that you were with me this time to help me get over it."

"I'll always be there when you need me."

She smiled at him. "I know. I need you right now." He looked at her face. She had a seductive smile on her face.

"Oh, I can definitely help you with that." He picked her up and took her to the bedroom. Two days later, he finally left to go home so that they could sleep and rest for work.

(A/N) I supposed I could end this fan fiction here, but I still have ten chapters or so left in me because I don't feel that the story is over. I'm sure everyone wants to know how the proposal goes between Tsukasa and Tsukushi. Some people may not know who Akira is talking about that he is interested in. Plus, we have to do something about Soujiroh. I promised that Shigeru would be in here too. So, I can't be finished. The next chapter is called "The Proposal."