On returning from Mount Fuji, Hiroto and Noriko were glad that the other two had yet to come home. They had questions for each other, that would just be complicated with Masaki and Asuga around.

"Did you really have no doubt about me, when you saw the pictures?" Noriko asked after drinking a shot of tequila.

"Never." He didn't break eye contact, not even blinking. "Will you tell me what he really did to you?"

She became agitated and wanted to punch something. Noriko had not faced those demons from that part of her past, having only buried them deep. She was scared Hiroto would look at her differently. Was it pity or disgust, that she feared most?

"Do you want to spar first?"

Noriko sighed, he was being so patient with her. "No and yes. I've run from it all for so long, it's hard to face it."

He waited and finally she let it all out. Asuga had guessed right about what Noriko's ex had put her sister through. Hiroto wished he'd broken the guy's arms and legs too. "For you to go forward and not live in the past, took real courage."

"You're not disgusted with me or think I'm pitiful?" She dreaded the answer, but needed to hear it.

"I'm disgusted he did that to you, he doesn't deserve to breath. You're so strong to overcome everything he did. You're even more amazing than I thought."

She started crying and Hiroto slowly approached, unsure if Noriko would let him touch her, after reliving the past. He rubbed her back and then when she didn't lash out, his arms encircled her. Her sobs were loud and shook her whole body and he weathered the storm, because she was purging all the pain from her past. Noriko was exposing her raw soul to him and he felt honoured to be that person.

"I need a tissue or I'll get snot on you." Noriko smiled through her tears. She laughed when he kissed her tears away. "Thank you." They seemed like simple words, but they meant so much.

"That asshole tried to break you, but you're a fighter and never gave up. I admire and respect you even more because of that."

They heard the sports bike, before the low rumble of Masaki's Harley. Noriko headed for the shower, so the aftermath of the day would be hidden from Asuga's eyes. Hiroto sat down in front of the tv with a beer, watching the news, but not really paying attention.

"When did you two get back?" Asuga asked after hanging up her motorcycle helmet.

"A few hours ago. Were you at the spring the whole time?"

Masaki walked in with a smile, "mostly."

"Did you guys take any pictures from up on the mountain?" Asuga asked.

"Noriko did and video too."

Masaki shared a look with Hiroto, his eyes asking if Noriko was okay. He got the answer he wanted and gave a nod to his brother. "I'm beat. For a day of relaxation, we did a lot of riding."

Asuga giggled and her eyes laughed saucily.

Hiroto commented, "you two are like a pair of rabbits."

Noriko came out of the bathroom in a robe. "More like horny teenagers. Anyway, take a look at my phone Asuga, there's some great pics." She unlocked her cell and handed it to her sister.

"These are awesome. I love how you got the setting sun and both of your bikes are just gleaming."

"Yeah all the pictures turned out pretty good. I'm glad we went."

"My back's sore from riding, Noriko feel up to giving me a massage?" Hiroto asked, standing up and hitting the off button on the TV remote.

"Sure and a really hot shower, is good for your back too."

Masaki asked, "Asuga do I get one too?"

"I'm not the best at giving massages, I'm better at receiving." She replied, but grabbed his hand and pulled him toward his room.

Hiroto offered, "Noriko do you want to teach me how to give you a good massage?"

"Do you want to receive first or after me?"

"After. You've got to be sore too." He came up to her and nuzzled her neck, while undoing the robe's belt.

She moved to the bed, lay down on her stomach and waited for him to start. "Damn! Warm up the lotion first… it's so cold!"

"Sorry." He tried to suppress his chuckle.

"It's not that funny."

There were some instructions given and then she let him apply her methods. It was comfortable silence, but it was also making him sleepy. So Hiroto asked a question, he was curious about.

"Have you and your sister always lived together?"

"No. For two years, we didn't even talk."

"What happened?"

"My mom and Asuga blamed me for dad leaving and never coming back." Noriko answered truthfully.

"Why?"

She shrugged. "It could've been because my dad and I had a huge fight and the next day he left."

"What did you fight about?"

"I think it was about learning to use a gun. He was insistent and I refused. To me, fighting with my hands and feet are all I need. If the fight involves using a gun, then it's not worth fighting in the first place."

Hiroto nodded in agreement, even though she couldn't see it. "That makes a lot of sense and I wish my older brother Takeru had realized that too."

"But, now that I know dad was a cop, I understand why he wanted us to learn at an early age. Anyway, I couldn't handle their hate and all the petty shit Asuga did to take her pain of abandonment out on me."

"Realizing why she was doing what she did, was it then or just now?"

Noriko sighed, "back then. Unlike me she lets everything out for the whole world to know how she feels. It's very honest, but tiring too. So in the end I moved out. I'd already graduated high school and originally planned to become a lawyer. But I couldn't afford school after I left. I told mom and my sister where I was living, but no one came to visit me. One day mom got beaten up bad, due to her gambling. When she tried to pawn Asuga off to her debt collectors, my sister ran away. We forgave each other and the rest is history."

"Masaki and I have always lived together. We fight, but we are all that each other have. And sharing rent and utility costs are way easier when it's with another person."

"But what about when you guys have girlfriends, or you have one and he doesn't?"

He smirked. "We had some ground rules. Neither of us really kept girls around very long. They always get too comfortable and try to change things or us. You and Asuga are exceptions in every way."

"Why?"

"You're like us; family comes first, always. You two are fighters, so you understand the lifestyle that comes with it. Not you nor Asuga were intrusive, even now with you two officially being our girlfriends, you haven't tried to girl up the place. You both ride motorcycles, so we don't have to ride two-up. We're just really lucky that we all met."

"Damn straight you are, because your back has never been treated this good. Your work is done, I'll massage you and then I need sleep. Don't forget to shower nice and hot after I'm done on your back."

"Yes ma'am."