Chizu was startled awake one morning from a deep sleep. She bolted upright and looked around the dark room. Then she detected a faint sugary scent in the air. That was very unusual, neither her nor Sasuke liked sweets. The clock read 6am; Sasuke was always a late sleeper. This was investigating. Chizu slipped out of bed and pulled on a robe over her nightclothes. As she opened the door, she heard noise coming from the kitchen. How unusual, Sasuke never bothered with that part of the apartment. He wasn't one for cooking and neither was she; both took care of their meals separately.

Poking her head into the kitchen she saw Miko rolling out some dough at the table. Oh, I completely forgot that she is still here, Chizu thought as she felt her anxiety slip away. For the past few days both Sasuke and Miko had stayed up in his room, doing who knew what. Chizu did not concern herself with it and instead busied herself with running Sasuke's business affairs during his "vacation." The last time she saw Miko, she was wrapped in a blanket. So naturally Chizu was surprised to see her long bushy Kitsune tail. What is she?

Miko looked up to see her standing in the doorway and smiled warmly. "Oh hello, I'm Miko. Who are you?"

"Chizu, I serve Sasuke-sama," she said simply, not sure what to do now. She had never been one to socialize.

"I see," Miko said as she started to knead the dough. "I hope there's enough then."

"Enough what?" Chizu took a curious step forward.

"I'm making cinnamon buns but I wasn't planning on a third person. No matter, I'll make it work somehow."

"Do not trouble yourself; I do not like cinnamon buns."

"Have you ever had any before?" Miko asked. There was something warm and inviting about her that drew Chizu closer. She sat at the table and looked Miko over. She had the kind of air about her that made you feel the sort of ease that exists between close friends.

"No, I have not," Chizu confessed.

"Then how do you know you don't like them?" Miko countered as she wore a playful smile.

"They smell sweet and I do not like anything sweet."

Miko paused and tapped her chin in thought. "Hmm, well these are pretty sweet. I'll tell you what," she said as she separated some of the dough. "I'll make you regular buns instead."

"There is no need for that," Chizu protested.

"What you don't like those either?" Miko asked in exasperation.

"No, I only meant there is no need to make an exception for me," She insisted, feeling her cheeks grow warm. What was it about this girl that made her so uncomfortable?

"Of course there is," Miko said off-handedly. "I'm not about to exclude you."

That was the reason why she felt so uneasy. Miko was treating her as an equal. That had never happened in the whole of her life; never with Sasuke or anyone else. She was a subordinate, an assistant, second-rate and she had no aspirations to change that. It was the way things were, and here this girl thought she could change that? Strangely it both angered and fascinated her. "I am nobody Miko-sama," she said softly. "You have no obligation to me."

Miko threw back her head and laughed. "What does this have to do with obligation? I'm just making breakfast, that's all. And another thing, call me Miko. I can't stand all those honorifics."

Chizu felt at a loss. This girl didn't make sense at all. She was friendly, out-going, and sweet tempered. Sasuke was nothing like that, so where was the attraction? "Can I help?" She offered; she always felt more at ease when she was busy. The distraction would certainly help right now, she didn't want to think anymore about this stranger.

"Oh no," Miko assured her. "Your company is more than enough," she said with a sincere smile. "I hope we can be friends."

At this Chizu stood up and stormed out of the room. Who does she think she is? I have no need for friends! Has she no respect for my position? She saw Sasuke coming down the stairs just as she hurried into her room, nearly slamming the door.

Sasuke paused for a moment in surprise. For a second there he thought she looked angry. He shrugged it off and walked into the kitchen. Miko was just putting the two kinds of rolls into the oven. His eyes lit up at the sight of her wearing a red silk negligee and he quickly hurried towards her. She giggled when he wrapped one arm low around her waist as ran his other hand up her thigh. "Hmmm, you look incredibly sexy," he whispered huskily as he nibbled on her ear lobe.

She leaned against him and groaned slightly as he grew more passionate. He wasted no time in lifting her onto the countertop, leaned in between her legs and kissed her feverishly. He still couldn't get enough of her slender body, her intoxicating lips, the way her chest would rise against his, and the breathy way she moaned as he kissed her neck.

"Stop!" She teased as she gently pushed him back. "Breakfast will be done soon!"

"What need have I for food? You alone satisfy my appetite," he said with a smirk.

"For me then," she laughed. "I'm starving and need something more filling than granola bars and energy drinks."

"Alright then," he conceded. His hands rested on either side of her and his face was still close to hers. "What did you make?"

"Cinnamon buns for us and regular buns for Chizu-san."

He frowned slightly. "She asked you to? That was impertinent of her."

Miko shook her head. "No, she didn't ask. I just wanted to make her something too."

He shook his head wryly. "Don't concern yourself with her. She can take care of herself. You just worry about me," he smirked as he kissed her again. "I'm more than you can handle."

She giggled. "Whatever you say Sasuke, but we both know the truth."

"And what is that?" He murmured as his gaze smoldered. She looked so beautiful.

She ran her hands up the front of his shirt. "You may be the top dog in Okunote, but you are powerless against my feminine wiles."

"How very true," He chuckled as he kissed her again. "Every man has his weakness, who knew that mine would be so drop dead sexy?"

She laughed. "Who indeed?" Just then the timer beeped and he helped her down so she could check on the buns. Before long, they were sitting down at the table and he helped himself to the plain buns. "Wait, those are for Chizu-san," she protested. "Which reminds me, I forgot to tell her they're done."

"I told you not to bother with her," he said, his tone gravely serious. Miko's enthusiasm faded away as she felt his will suppress hers. For the most part he didn't interfere with her natural personality; the seal kept the memories of her old life locked away. But every now and again he felt the need to keep her in line. He narrowed his eyes. "She has nothing to do with you, are we clear?"

Miko nodded slowly.

"Good," he said with a satisfied smile. "Let's eat then."

"Why don't you try some of the regular ones?" She asked curiously now that the tense moment had passed.

"I don't like sweets." He said with a mouthful.

"Oh," She said sadly. "But you used to love cinnamon buns when you were a kid."

"So I did," he mused aloud as he remembered as well. "But things change Miko. We all grow up and often out grow things along the way."

"Why is that?"

He stopped and looked at her. It was amazing how innocent she was at times, so simple and pure like a little child. It was one of the things he liked best about her. There was not a hint of guile or deception about her. She was someone you could trust implicitly. "It's just the way things are," he said gently. "Surely you've changed over the years."

She smiled. "Yes, I suppose that's true. For instance," she said as she reached out to rest her hand on top of his. "I never would have thought we'd be together like this."

"I did," he said with a wink. "You were always the girl for me, right from the beginning."

She blushed as she nervously ran a hand through her hair. "I was a fool to not realize it then. So many wasted years…"

"What does the past matter when compared to the present?" He said encouragingly as he squeezed her hand in turn. "All that matters is the here and now. The future will take care of itself."

She brightened up. "You're right, so why don't we hit the town today? Really live it up?"

He was a little disappointed because he had hoped for some more bedroom time. But they had had three days of that already; he should have known that she'd want more than that. "I don't see why not. What did you have in mind?"

"Surely you know of some place that would be lots of fun," she said as she eagerly leaned forward, giving him a nice view of her cleavage.

"You know," he said slowly with a sly smile. "I think I know just the place. But it doesn't open until the evening."

"Then let's go for a walk and maybe do some shopping" she said excitedly. "If we just get a few extra ingredients I can make some omusubi later, unless you don't like it anymore."

"Mmmm, that's still one of my favorites." He said with a pleased smile. "But you do realize that I don't expect you to cook all the time."

"Well, I want to be useful," she confessed. "I don't seem to do very much for you."

"Oh Miko," he said softly as he kissed her. "To have you by my side means more than anything else." She blushed and turned away, but he stood up and hugged her around the neck from behind. "I've really missed you, you know. Wealth and power are meaningless when you have no one to share them with." He kissed the back of her neck. "Everything I have is yours."

"Oh Sasuke," she said as she pulled away to face him. "I don't need those things to make me happy. You're all I need." He reached for her once again and she pulled away with a giggle. "C'mon let's get dressed and go already!"

They spent the rest of the day out in the marketplace of Okunote. The items were rare and the prices expensive. Sasuke knew how to haggle with the best of them, but somehow Miko's charms were more successful. He wasn't the only one who was smitten by her exotic beauty, only enhanced by her Kitsune features. They nearly gave things away, just for the honor of meeting her. While Sasuke liked to save money where he could, he quickly became jealous of the merchants leering gazes and obvious attentions. When she realized this, she turned to give him a soft and tender kiss. "Why should you worry? I only have eyes for you."

That made him feel a little better, but it was still difficult to curb his jealousy. Only the fact that she was enjoying herself made him continue on. As promised, they spent the evening in his favorite bar The Malevolent Mist. It was called that because the room was often hazy as the patrons were free to smoke inside. Miko wore a skimpy outfit of black leather that was nothing more than a black bra and short shorts connected in the center by a vertical strip of fabric. She also wore a matching leather jacket with fingerless gloves and torn thigh-high fishnet tights. All the outfits she had now were form-fitting and revealing, showing off her figure to full advantage.

Sasuke rested a hand on the small of her back as he led her instead and smiled as she looked around in wonder. She gushed about the red and gold patterned walls, the colorful glasses that hung over the bar, and the karaoke machine blasting music in the far left corner where a few people danced as well. Her child-like enthusiasm was cute but a little embarrassing too. "Keep your voice down," he whispered in her ear. "There's no point in getting silly until you've had a few drinks in you."

"What kind of drinks?" She asked curiously.

He blinked in surprise. "You've never had alcohol before?" He asked incredulously.

She shook her head and he grinned from ear to ear. "Brace yourself then for the time of your life!" He slammed a hand on the bar counter. "We need two of your signature Malevolent Mayhems straightaway!"

"Coming right up," The portly bartender said. As he turned to mix the drinks, he recognized Sasuke and grinned from ear to ear. "Ah Sasuke-san! It's been sometime since we've seen you around these parts. What's kept you away?" His squinty eyes rested on Miko and he let out a low whistle. "And who is this ravishing vixen?"

"I'm Miko," she said with a sweet smile as she practically glowed with an adorable aura. "And you are?"

"Chion Gyousei," He said with a dramatic bow that nearly threw him off balance. "It is an honor to serve a lovely lady such as yourself."

"Just shut up and mix already," Sasuke smirked. "Extra flattery won't result in an extra tip."

He mixed the drinks without another word, but his eyes were on Miko the entire time. She picked up the glass hesitantly, not really sure what to make of the faint black smoke that billowed from the top. The red and black liquids swirled around in a slow circular motion and she wriggled her nose when she realized how terrible it smelled.

"It tastes better than it looks," Chion offered helpfully.

She raised the glass to her lips and took a sip. She gagged briefly as the smooth liquid burned down her throat. But strangely enough it had a pleasant aftertaste, like fizzy pomegranate. She took a longer sip and her eyes widened in amazement as she stared in wonder at Chion. "This…is…incredible! Your creation is brilliant!"

He couldn't help but blush as he laughed. "You're too kind miss."

"Hey Sasuke!" One of his other friends called out to them. He waved from his table where he was surrounded with a group of others. "Get over here already!"

Miko thanked the bartender as Sasuke led her away. She kept taking small sips as they approached the boisterous crowd. "Where have you been Uchiha? I was afraid you skipped town without saying goodbye," one with an eye patch sniggered.

"Who needs the outside world when all the fun is right here?" Sasuke grinned deviously as the other guys cheered and whooped as they exchanged fist bumps. They were a motley crew of ruffians, but always good for a few laughs. Naturally they were very curious about Miko and a quick round of introductions were made. "It's a pleasure to meet you all," she said cheerfully.

They burst out laughing. "I don't know about this one Sasuke," the one with the eye patch teased. "She's too friendly for the likes of this place!"

One of the ladies noticed Miko's delicate sips and rolled her eyes. "You're not getting the full effect if you take such wussy sips. Swallow it whole already!"

Obediently Miko guzzled it down. Her eyes widened as she got a massive head rush that made her hair stand out on edge before it curled inward at the tips. When the intensity started to wear off, she felt warm and fuzzy all over. She wore a silly grin as she giggled a little. The others laughed along with Sasuke.

"The old Malevolent Mayhem eh?" Said the one with long bangs that covered his eyes as he chuckled. "That's quite the choice for a first drink. I doubt a chit like her can handle something that strong."

"If she can handle me, she can handle anything," Sasuke bragged as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. The others jeered and whistled at his boasting and more drinks were ordered. It only took one more drink for Miko to get completely plastered. At that point the group took over the karaoke corner and sang terribly off key. When it was her turn, she picked a particularly sexy song and she sang in a beautiful soulful voice. Sasuke's eyes lit up with lustful glee as he watched her twist and turn this way and that. When she got close enough, he pulled her onto his lap and kissed her deeply. Then he picked her up in his arms and spun her around. Once he set her on her feet, he took the microphone from her and sang the duet part with her. By the time they left, she was nearly asleep on her feet. She leaned heavily on his arm but still smiled broadly. "That…wasssss a l-lot of fun! Letssss do it a-again to-tom-tomorrow."

He chuckled. "Let's see if you still feel that way when the hangover passes."

She stumbled and he caught her. "Oops," She giggled. "I can't fffffeel my legsss. I think I losssst 'em." She looked over her shoulder and pointed in some random direction. "Ssssomewhere over there…I…uh…think."

He scooped her up in his arms and she rested her head against his chest. She was fast asleep by the time they reached the apartment.