Chapter 36

"So Hunny-Senpai and Tomomi's date was a success?" Namiko asked Limber as she walked around the Kasanoda residents. The whole house was in chaos in preparation for the Kasanoda Reunion that was almost ready.

"It would appear so Mistress, Master Haninozuka came to Takashi's house after it to express his happiness over the whole experience," said Limber.

"Well, good for them," said Namiko, "I'm glad to know they found happiness with each other." She smiled to herself, looking at the seating list before her.

"Are you really alright with Master Haninozuka seeing that Tomomi woman?" Limber asked.

"Yes, yes," Namiko assured her, "believe it or not, we are on the mend, the two of us."

Limber nodded as the two came into the formal dining room where the biggest table Namiko could ever imagine existing was set up and some workers were setting up chairs.

"Um Miss Fujioka, I think this chair is a bit wobbly," one said putting it down next to Namiko on the floor and showing it did actually tilt a little.

"Hmm, you're right," said Namiko, aa she examined it. She looked at her clipboard, "put it at Father Kasanoda's cousin, Lord Kenji's, spot."

"Yes Ma'am," said the worker.

"Since when has Miss Fujioka started calling Lord Kasanoda, 'Father Kasanoda'?" Limber heard her brother whisper.

"Clearly someone hasn't been paying attention," she whispered back, "Lord Kasanoda has been so moved with Namiko's hard work he asked her to start calling him that."

"Oh, right," said her brother as he slinked away.

"Miss Fujioka, this chair's cushion squeaks," another worker said showing her.

"Hmm, I see," said Namiko, "put it at Lord Taisuke's wife, Lady Kana's spot. Might just keep her quiet for once."

"Good call," Lord Kasanoda said as he walked into the room, followed by Ritsu. "I hate that woman. She talks too much." He studied the dinging room all over. "This is looking amazing. The dinner's going to be amazing."

"And so will the lunch I'm sure," said Namiko as she walked over to a sliding door and pushed it open to reveal another extremely long table that was more of Japanese style.

"Very nice," Lord Kasanoda praised as he walked in and examined the dining room for the lunch meal, "I can already see it now."

"Um Mistress Fujioka, I think this stool is a little smaller than the others," a worker said showing it to Namiko.

"Oh, yeah, that one goes to Lord Washichi's son-in-law, Hirokichi, at the very, very, Very, end of the table," Namiko instructed.

"Sozen really doesn't like that man. It's confusing why he allowed his daughter to marry him," said Ritsu.

"Probably because if he didn't, his daughter wouldn't stop whining and you know how loud her complaints can get," said Lord Kasanoda.

"That reminds me," said Namiko, "make sure her seats at both tables are the softest. I don't want her whining that she's uncomfortable during the meal."

"She would anyway, if it gets her attention," Ritsu said as he wrapped her arms around her, "she's going to hate you, you know. Chiyo has always considered herself the jewel flower of the family and when she sees all the attention dad gives you, she'll be pissed off beyond compare."

"Bring it!" Namiko declared.

The two could hear Lord Kasanoda chuckling.

"That's my future daughter-in-law!" he boasted happily. He pulled back a sleeve, peeking at his gold watch. "Speaking of which, let's get you dressed for the evening. I believe I can trust in Limber to assist you."

Limber nodded. "I'd be honored Lord Kasanoda. I'll be sure to handle your wife's formal wear with care."

Lord Kasanoda nodded, "Thank you Limber."

Namiko winked at Ritsu before following Limber back to the far south wing of the house where the Kasanoda Wife's formal wear hung.

Even in it's honorary display case, you could feel the elegance, the beauty, the power. Namiko looked at herself in the mirror, sighing nervously.

Limber noticed the nerves. "Namiko? Are you alright?"

Namiko nodded, "I'm just nervous is all. This dinner is very important and I worry that I won't bring the late Kasanoda Lordess honor. Or make her proud."

Limber gently took ahold of Namiko's hand, leading her towards a chair and a vanity adorned with multiple hair products.

Reaching for a brush, she gently moved it through Namiko's long ebony locks of hair. "I wouldn't worry about that milady. I never met her myself, but from what Lord Kasanoda has said, he believes you and her are very similar in personality."

Namiko's eyes widened and smiled.

Limber began to focus on pulling Namiko's hair in to an elegant and loose updo style, adorning her with red flower pins and the Lord's wife's signature hair ornament, a white, blue, and purple lotus flower pin. It had been given to the Lord's Wife as a gift from him on their wedding day.

Next she moved to Namiko's face, being very gentle to apply a light layer of power to lighten the skins color before applying red liner around the eyes to give a gentle but also sharp edged cat eye look. Moving to her lips, she left a very subtle strawberry colored gloss to give them color.

Moving to her Lord's Lady's jewelry box, she pulled out her signature pendant, an elegant koi fish made from jade attached to a cobalt ribbon to tie to the neck.

Moving out of the way, she gestured for Namiko to look in the mirror.

She smiled and looked, her eyes widening in shock. "Oh... oh my." Namiko took a deep breath to fight the tears about to fall.

"See milady. She is proud. She is flowing through you in pride. Now, may I dress you in your kimono?"

"Yes. Yes please Limber." Namiko said, pulling an elegant side from deep within her.

Lord Kasanoda and Ritsu sat in the main room, awaiting Namiko's family's arrival as well as the reveal of Namiko.

"Father, are you really alright with us being engaged now?" Ritsu asked.

"Of course I am son! That girl is one in a million. The fact that she accepted your lifestyle and doesn't mind it, should tell you that she is the one."

Ritsu nodded. "It is going to be hard."

"What is?"

"Training. It will truly be a test of our love."

Lord Kasanoda nodded. "Ritsu." He said, urging his son to look up at him. "I know this will be hard. I met your mother at your age as well. But with determination, drive, and love, I know you two will make it through this."

A knock at the door silenced their conversation as Nobu, Kyo, and a heavily pregnant Sachi walked in. "Lord Kasanoda, Young Master, they have arrived."

Both men nodded a thank you to the butler.

"Welcome. You all look so radiant. Especially you madam." said Lord Kasanoda to Sachi. "How much longer until Young Namiko's sibling is born?"

Sachi smiled. "Doctor said about two more weeks, but I'm being cautious and taking it easy just in case."

"Yes of course. We have a family doctor on the estate should anything happen. So please do enjoy the party."

"Thank you sir." Nobu said, bowing. "Where is Namiko?"

"Limber is assisting your daughter into my wife's formal wear. She should be out shortly."

As if luck would have it, Namiko was now just outside the door.

She took a deep breath before two of the Kasanoda maids opened the door.

"Oh my... look at her dears." Sachi said, patting her fathers shoulder.

Namiko's eyes were on the floor for the moment, waiting for her fathers reactions.

"Oh you are so beautiful!" Kyo cried, gently hugging Namiko.

A single tear rolled down Nobu's cheek. "Very beautiful."

"You my dear, my wife, i am sure is smiling down. You are stunning." Lord Kasanoda stated. "Ritsu, what do you think?"

Namiko looked up, seeing Ritsu's cheeks holding a light hue of pink.

He walked up to her, "May I have a moment with my fiance?"

"Of course, we will see you out in the lunch room."

Just as they left and the door closed, Ritsu wrapped his arms quickly around Namiko, placing a gentle kiss on the nape of her neck. "I could not believe my eyes. You look incredible. I'm sure my mother would have been so proud."

"So the lunch is open to mostly anyone we want. That's why you three were allowed to come. The dinner however is for immediately family only," Lord Kasanoda explained to Namiko's parents as he escorted Sachi by the hand to the lunch table.

"Is that why the lunch table is longer than the dinner one?" Kyo asked.

"Correct, the lunch allows people to bring things like close friends, boyfriends or girlfriends, in-laws in some cases. Make it a more casual meal, while dinner is super fancy for family only," said Kasanoda.

"I wonder if that's because the dinner was usually saved for other purposes," said Nobu.

"On occasion," Kasanoda said like it was nothing.

"Hopefully, that doesn't happen this time around," Namiko whispered to Ritsu, giving him a small peck on the cheek.

"Sir, guests are starting to arrive," a servant said walking into the room.

"Oh goody, here we go," said Lord Kasanoda, "why don't you three go ahead and mingle in the main room for now. I usually make an entrance with my son and this year with Namiko."

"Oh boy, mingling with gangsters, what a delight," said Kyo.

"Limber, can you stay with my dads and Sachi until we come in?" Namiko asked her friend.

"Yes Mistress," Limber said as she followed the three adults to the main room.

Once she and the parents all walked in, they saw a few people had already entered as well. They were acting casual and all, socializing with each other and embracing people they apparently were happy to see. However, there was no doubt that they were a rough crowd and that the good mood could shift quickly and easily.

"And just think, this is what Namiko is going to call family someday," said Kyo.

"You know, this may seem weird, but I think Namiko is going to fit in just fine," said Nobu.

Kyo looked to his husband with alarm, "you think, our precious daughter would fit in with kind of crowd?"

"I do, just something about the way she and Ritsu are together has made me convinced she'd be just fine in this kind of life," said Nobu.

"Well, let's hope you're right," said Sachi. "Oh, is that Namiko's little friends from school?"

"Oh the host club," said Kyo.

"Kasanoda did say that the lunch was open to friends," said Nobu.

"Oh and look, the blond idiot has Haruhi by the arm," said Kyo through clench teeth.

"It's a good thing your brother isn't here," said Nobu.

"Uncle Kyo, Uncle Nobu, hi," Haruhi said walking over to her uncles.

"Hello Haruhi dear!" Kyo said kissing her cheeks, "how are things going with you?"

"Still planning to study abroad?" Nobu asked.

"Everything's looking good," said Haruhi.

"Seems weird given that you won't be around to see your cousin grow up!" Kyo said sounding sad.

"Knock it off, I'm sure her dad and boyfriend are guilt tripping her enough as is," said Nobu.

"I'll have you know I haven't said anything negative to Haruhi about her choice! I've been very supportive!" said Tamaki.

"Whatever," said Nobu, "I really don't care much for what you think."

"Uncle Nobu!" Haruhi moaned as Tamaki ducked behind into a corner.

"Hey, did someone carry out a hit or something already?" one of Kasanoda's relatives asked looked at Tamaki in his corner.

"Tamaki's not careful, he could end up a target of a hit," Kyoya whispered to Hanako. Hanako looked towards Sachi and slowly walked over to her.

"How are you feeling Ma'am?" she asked timidly.

"I'm good, I'll be better once this bun pops out," said Sachi, "how about you? How's your little one?"

"He's growing, that's for sure, but Rai won't be due for a little while later," Hanako said rubbing her belly.

"Rai?" Sachi said.

"That's the newest name we've been throwing around for our son," Hanako explained only to start make a face, "only, now, I think it's lost it's appeal. Kyoya?"

"Yes dear?" Kyoya called back.

"I don't think we should use Rai now," said Hanako.

"Alright," Kyoya said casually.

"Well good to know you two are still getting along good and can agree on things for the baby," said Nobu, "Kyo and I can't seem to decide on anything with our baby."

"Oh," said Hanako. It made her start to wonder if she and Kyoya were really doing okay if they weren't arguing. Was it a better sign you were meant to be together if you fought or if you got along when planning things for a baby?

"Are you okay honey? Do you need to sit down?" Sachi asked.

"Maybe," said Hanako.

Kyoya looked over when he noticed Nobu helping Hanako to a chair. He quickly walked over to her as well.

"Are you alright?" Kyoya asked.

"I'm fine, just got tired," Hanako insisted.

"Oh, I know how that feels," said Sachi as she took the seat next to her.

"Me too," another woman who was also clearly with child said as she too took a seat. She looked over at Hanako.

"Aren't you kind of young to be knocked up already? Even as a mistress?"

"A mistress?" said Hanako, "oh no I'm nobody's mistress! I'm here as a friend of Ritsu Kasanoda and his girlfriend Namiko."

"Oh, you're one of those guests here for the lunch," said the woman, "but still, awful young aren't ya?"

"Yes, but I'm still happy about it," said Hanako.

The lady scoffed, "oh you're in for a rude surprised."

Just then an older woman came over and smacked the lady across the face

"Hey!" the younger woman snapped.

"Why can't you ever just keep your opinions to yourself bitch?" the older woman snapped.

"Fuck off you old hag! You don't even know what we were talking about!" said the pregnant woman.

"I heard enough! You have no right to harass that young girl over being pregnant!" said the older woman.

"Oh bit me! You're just looking for an excuse to argue with me and you know it!" said the younger woman.

"Oh boy, Asuko's wife and niece are going at it again!" someone called.

"Oh man, first fight of the day," said someone else.

"Should we move?" Sachi said nervous as the two ladies started to argue.

"Yes, let's move down a ways," Kyoya insisted as he first helped Hanako up and then Sachi.

By now many people in the room had started to gather around the two women arguing. Some seem worried, some seem mad while others seemed excited by it all.

"Just consider yourself lucky you're pregnant otherwise I'd do a lot more than smack your face around!"

"Oh whatever! I can take you anytime anyplace! Hell I could take you down in the middle of my delivery!"

"Like to see you try!"

"Come see me the day I give birth and find out! Bitch!"

"You still convinced Namiko would do okay in this environment?!" Kyo whispered to Nobu.

"Yes, even now I do," Nobu insisted.

"Psst, Limber, who's fighting?" Namiko whispered to her guard from behind the sliding doors.

"Lady Niko and her niece Lady Fuji," Limber said.

"Fuji and Niko, those are Asuka's wife and niece and Fuji doesn't like Niko because she always liked Asuka's first wife, right?" Namiko said.

"Correct,' said Lord Kasanoda.

"What are they fighting about?" Namiko asked.

"Oh Lady Fuji said something to your friend Hanako about being pregnant and so young and Lady Niko came over and started to berate her about it," said Limber.

"Well, break it up, we want as little fighting as possible," said Namiko.

"As you wish," said Limber as she made her way through the crowd. She threw her katana in between the two women. Both shot her a dirty look.

"Stop this now, we are trying to maintain a peaceful environment for the lunch! We have many guest here and we don't want to make them feel uncomfortable!" Limber ordered.

"Fine alright," Fuji muttered as she sat back down.

"I'll behave if she does," Niko said smugly as she too walked away and back to her husband who was standing with a few small children.

"Well, that was interesting," said Hikaru.

"Yeah, makes you wonder if anyone else is going to break out in a fight later," said Kaoru.

"I hope not. That'd be scary!" they heard Tomomi say. They looked and saw her holding Hunny's hand tight.

"Don't worry Tomo-Chan, I'll keep you safe no matter what," Hunny assured her.

"They let her come?" Hikaru asked surprised.

"Why not?" asked Hunny.

"Well aren't she and Namiko at odds?" Kaoru sputtered.

"I told you this was a bad idea!" Tomomi said.

"No it's not!" Hunny insisted, "you and Nami-Chan are on the mend and I asked if I could bring you with me to the lunch and she, along with Bossa-Chan and his father said yes."

"Right," said Tomomi softly.

"Lucky duck," said Hikaru, "gets to be here with his girlfriend."

"Right?" Kaoru said, "I bet I could have snuck Ciara in and she'd be scaring some of these thugs. She can be really badass when she touches into her Irish roots. It'd be hilarious seening her scare the shit out of some of these guys."

"I thought you were only going out with Cia-Chan as a favor to get her popular with her classmates," said Hunny.

"Right, right, of course," said Kaoru.

"I wonder how Savanna would feel around these kinds of people, being such a pacifist and all," said Hikaru

" I thought, Hunny said you can't really see her because she's your teacher," said Tomomi.

"Well, that's what she says, but her body says otherwise," said Hikaru with a smirk.

"Trying to do one of those secret relationshipsh huh?" a strange man piped suddenly joing the four, "I know what you're going through man! See that girl over there in the blue kimono? My girlfriend! And see the girl in the firy red dress? Also my girlfriend! Both have no idea I'm seeing the other and they think the other is my cousin I'm extra close with!"

Hikaru was a little disturbed by how proud and amsuing the weird man seemed to be with the whole situation.

"I've been to many gatherings like this with the two, never once have blown my cover! And I bet I could get some other tail no problem. In fact, I've been eyeing that one chick with the short brown hair that almost looks like a boy. She's surprisingly hot."

"Haruhi?" Tomomi said in alarm.

"That her name?" the man asked.

At that Hunny came over and stood in front of the man, "don't even think about going near Haru-Chan! Got it!" he warned in a dark tone.

"Right, okay, that's fine, I'm sure I can find some others," the man said as he slowly walked away.

"This whole party is getting so much more interesting," said the twins.

"Father, I think it's time we made our entrance," Ritsu said as he peek out from behind the door.

"Yes, I suppose you're right," said Lord Kasanoda, "Tetsyua, the door if you please."

"Right away my lord," Tetsyua said as he started to push the sliding doors open to reveal the three people to room full of people. Ritsu reached over and took Namiko's hand, squeezing it. Namiko smiled and winked at him.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked towards them.

"Hello," Lord Kasanoda spoke up, "on behalf of myself, my son Ritsu and my son's bride-to-be, Namiko Fujioka, I'd to welcome you, my family and close friends to the annual Kasanoda Family Reunion."