A/N - Hope y'all are enjoying this new story! As always, I do not own these characters. So, favorite character so far?

Chapter 3

Ogasawara Toru was a hard man, shrewd in business, and selfish when it came to his own desires. He took after his father in those ways. However, he prided himself on protecting that which he considered his, including his family. So when his father called him to his office saying Sachiko was in trouble, Toru dropped everything and went to him immediately.

Pushing through the solid mahogany doors into the senior Ogasawara's office, Toru breathlessly looked about until his eyes fell on the older man standing before the windows at the far end of the room. "Father, what is the meaning of this?! Your message said Sachiko is in trouble? Explain!"

He moved to his father's side and impatiently waited for the older man's response. His father's face looked drawn and troubled, the dark circles under his eyes more prominent than ever. "Toru-kun, settle your nerves, son. Nothing was ever accomplished without a level head."

"Level head? You mention my one and only daughter is in trouble and you want me to be calm? Father, just get to the point!"

Sighing heavily, Ogasawara turned to his son and held him in place with a firm hand on his shoulder. "You were right about that deal last week. It was too risky."

"Huh? What does this have to do with Sachiko?" Toru tensed under his father's hand remembering the business meeting from the previous week. Their company and another had been in a bidding war for a parcel of land off the Caribbean coast. Toru had felt uneasy about it given the borderline threatening messages they had gotten from the other interested party. His father though had been adamant that such threats would come to nothing.

"It appears those we outbid are not content to have lost out on the land. I received this message late last night."

Toru took the paper that was extended to him and read the message, a knot growing ever larger in his gut.

Ogasawara, your power is not as vast as you seem to believe. The Caribbean is in many ways untamed. How can you hope to protect your interests in that region when you cannot hope to protect your interests even in Tokyo? Back off the deal or you may find yourself with less to treasure in that city of yours.

Looking up from the letter, Toru shook his head in confusion. "I read this and can very well see the danger, but why do you think they are talking about Sachiko-chan?"

"Because," Reaching into his breast pocket, he withdrew a picture and handed it to Toru. "this was also in the envelope."

Toru's eyes grew wide in shock. It was a picture of Sachiko on the bus. "Ho-How do we know this is recent? This could have been taken by anyone, anytime. She's in her uniform."

"Because, son, look at the newspaper in the corner of the photo. The date can be seen clearly."

Swallowing back the sudden fear that threatened to strangle his heart, Toru nearly crumbled the photo in his hand. "This was taken… yesterday?!"

"Indeed, son." His father, though looking troubled, was far calmer than Toru would have anticipated him being in this situation.

"We have to protect her! Call the school and have them send her to the gate. I'll go and pick her up myself!" Toru turned to leave, but his father's handheld him fast. "Father?"

"I may already have a solution to Sachiko's safety." With that, Ogasawara moved to his desk and pressed the intercom button. "Send her in." Moments later a tall European woman walked through the doors to the office and stopped directly in front of the chairman's desk.

Her blonde hair hung in tight curls down her back, being secured in a loose ponytail at the nape of her neck. She bowed in respect to both of the men separately and then stood in silence as the chairman introduced her.

"Toru-san, I don't believe you've ever met my chief of security and surveillance. This is Candace McCaid."

Toru nodded and bowed his head toward Candace in response. He had seen the woman many times but had never had the occasion to speak with her before. "So, Ms. McCaid has an idea about how to keep Sachiko safe?"

Shaking his head, the chairman turned to Candace and apologized. "You'll have to forgive him, Candace-san. When it comes to matters such as this, niceties go out the window. To answer your question, Toru-san, yes."

"Wait, I'm confused though." Toru cut in, too impatient to wait for more information to flow in his direction. "If this is a threat from another company why not report this to the authorities? Surely some action can be taken by the authorities."

"That's just it." Candace spoke a Scottish lilt to her words making her voice all the more appealing to listen to. "It turns out those bidding against you were not from a reputable company as we were led to believe. They may look legitimate from the outside, but my sources indicate that their roots are in a major drug syndicate that is active in the area. They even have a presence here in Tokyo, as you may have already guessed."

"As you can surmise, Toru-san, we cannot go to the authorities with this." The chairman sat heavily in his chair behind the desk, his face showing his troubled spirit. "The syndicate only has a small presence in Japan. Little to nothing helpful will come of going after the elements of their faction here and the authorities can do nothing about glorified pirates in the Caribbean isles."

"Then how do we put a stop to this entirely? I mean, we can't simply put a guard on Sachiko and pray the issue resolves itself. And the company has already invested millions in this project. It would ruin our reputation and be disastrous for the company if we were to back out now." Toru paced the office, running his hand continuously through his already mussed hair.

"That is where Candace-san's plan comes into play, now sit down and listen for a change." The chairman waved at the chairs in front of his desk, indicating that they both should sit.

Once they were all seated, Candace spoke again. "The only way to settle this is to fight fire with fire. Light a fire under the arses, so to speak. They need to know the Ogasawara family and clan are not pushovers." She smiled wickedly as she outlined her plan.

"So, your plan is to kidnap the syndicate leader's son who is currently attending university in France?" Toru asked to clarify.

"That about sums it up. I'll lead a group to grab him, at which point you and the chairman will have the ability to negotiate a… peaceful resolution to the issue at hand." Candace motioned to herself as she continued. "I can tell by the look in your eye that you don't like the idea. Rest assured, Ogasawara-sama, that I can handle this without bloodshed. I am a former special forces soldier and the boy we are going after has many debts. If you don't want to actually take him by force, he will probably come willingly and act the victim if we offer to reward him handsomely for his assistance."

Meeting his father's gaze, Toru nodded as he spoke. "I would prefer that route to actually having a hand in the crime of kidnapping."

Nearly growling in anger, the chairman pounded his fist into the desk. "Will you forever be this soft? Well, it can't be helped. We'll do it your way this time."

"Thank you, father, but what about Sachiko?" Toru asked again, his blood pressure rising as he thought of his daughter in danger.

"Oh, that's easy." Leaning forward, Candace snatched the photo from Toru's hand and slapped it onto the desk before them. "Your solution is sitting right next to the young mistress."

Confused and curious, Toru leaned forward to look at the photo once more. There was nothing spectacular about the picture. No one was sitting next to her except… "You can't mean Yumi-chan?"

"Indeed, I do. That lass is exceptional." Candace smiled as she crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back in her chair.

"I'm confused." Toru looked between the two. "I've met Yumi-chan and despite being absolutely adorable and cute as a button, I know of nothing about her that might help in this instance. What would she do? Distract the attackers with a smile?"

With an exuberant laugh, Candace slapped her own thigh. "That's a thought, but not Fukuzawa's style. You see, my niece competes in the Tokyo Karate scene. I've gone to many a tournament to see her battle it out and whoop arse. She is excellent, but nothing compared to Fukuzawa Yumi. Word is she is a 4th dan blackbelt and well on her way to being 5th dan."

Toru stood in shock. "You can't be serious? Yumi-chan? Sachiko-chan's Yumi? Little, tiny, petite, innocent… Yumi?"

With a look of awkward amusement, Candace rubbed her chin. "How many ways do you have to call this girl small?" Shaking her head she continued. "It's true, Toru-sama. And for Sachiko's safety, I truly believe she needs someone with her on and off the school grounds."

"Toru-san, you know Sachiko will refuse to have protection with her while at school. She'd claim it would disrupt her classmate's and her classes." Toru nodded in agreement with his father.

"But do you really think Yumi-chan would be able to protect her if it came down to it?" Toru asked, still not convinced.

"Here, watch this." Candace proceeded to show them clip after clip of Yumi's fighting prowess, even a video where she was demonstrating freestyle fighting against a group of assailants.

After the fifth video, Toru motioned for her to stop. "Okay, while shocked, I am convinced."

"You'll have to convince Yumi-chan to take the job though." The chairman looked concerned at the prospect of Yumi turning the assignment down, but Toru quickly put him at ease.

"Not to worry father. Now that I see she is more than capable, I have no doubt Yumi-chan will accept." He smiled at his father as he added, "They are sisters after all."

Yumi was following Sachiko to the bus stop when two black sedans pulled up to the curb and a tall blonde woman stepped onto the sidewalk in front of them. It was obvious by the stiffening of Sachiko's shoulders that she was shocked by the woman's sudden appearance. "Candace-sama, this is an unexpected surprise. What brings you here? Is my grandfather safe?"

"Why, of course, young mistress. Ogasawara-sama is safe and healthy." The woman called Candace smiled at Sachiko and bowed low in a show of respect. Yumi was instantly taken by the woman's intriguing accent. It sounded like a song, though an odd one at that.

"Good to know." Whether Sachiko intended to or not, Yumi didn't know, but she seemed to move so that she was between her petite soeur and the tall blonde. "What may I do for you?"

"Actually, young mistress, today I am at your service." She motioned to the lead vehicle as she spoke. "Please, step into the car. We'll be escorting you back to the manor today."

"This is rather unexpected and inconvenient, Candace-sama. I take it since you're here that my grandfather is behind this?"

"Aye, there is no getting anything past you, now is there, young mistress?" Yumi stiffened slightly when Candace winked at Sachiko. She didn't like how familiar this person was with her Onee-sama.

"Stop your cantering around the topic and tell me what this is about, Candace-sama. And drop the young mistress already." Crossing her arms over her chest, Sachiko made it clear she had no intention of moving until she got answers.

Sighing heavily, Candace shook her head. "I'm afraid all I can say is that it's for your own safety, Sachiko-sama." Opening the back door of the lead car, she motioned toward the seat and shot Sachiko a pleading look. "Please?"

With obvious reluctance, Sachiko uncrossed her arms and moved toward the vehicle. "I guess there's no helping it, is there? Fine, but I do this under protest. Yumi, come on. I guess I can help you with your math just as easily at the manor as I can at the cafe." Moments later, Sachiko slipped into the back seat and Yumi moved to follow.

However, a strong hand was there holding her back. Candace, leaning into the car, issued orders to the driver. "Go straight to the manor. No stopping. No exceptions."

"Candace-sama?" Sachiko sounded both confused and alarmed, her eyes going wide when she noticed Candace's hand on Yumi's shoulder. "Candace-sama, I insist you let Yumi go this instant!"

"Sorry, no can do, Sachiko-sama. I have business with Yumi-sama." Without another word, she shut the door on a protesting Sachiko. Yumi watched as the car rolled away, a livid Sachiko frantically looking out the back window as they drove further and further away.

When the older, taller woman turned her attention back to Yumi, the younger girl quickly broke the grip on her shoulder and danced a few steps away. Instinctively, Yumi took a fighting stance and tensed, waiting for whatever business this Candace character had in store for her.

With a lilting laugh, Candace waved her hands about in a comical manner. "Oh, don't fret none, Yumi-sama. I mean you no harm. Not in the slightest. You see, I came to get you at the request of Chairman and Ogasawara Toru. They are requesting your presence to discuss… a delicate matter with you."

Yumi's head spun at the thought that two of the most influential men of the Tokyo business scene were requesting her presence. "What? Really? Why then did you send Onee-sama away? I would have preferred her coming along if I am to see the leaders of her family."

Walking to the car, Candace responded, a serious note entering her voice for the first time. "That's just it. The matter they wish to discuss has everything to do with Sachiko-sama." Opening the back door of the remaining sedan, Candace waited.

A matter having to do with Sachiko? Yumi contemplated, swallowing hard. What if her family found out about me and they don't think I'm suitable to be acquainted with her any longer? Feeling her hands grow slick with sweat, Yumi consciously gripped the hem of her shirt to dry them. How far would her family go to protect Sachiko? Looking at Candace it was obvious just how far. Yumi could tell this woman was no joke. While her beauty might be intended to fool others, this woman was dangerous. Yumi could feel it rolling off of her in waves.

For a brief moment, Yumi contemplated walking away but quickly abandoned the idea. She was done running away. That was partially the reason why she had come clean with her friends about her karate. She wasn't going to turn around and hide from it now. No, she would stand and be proud of her abilities the way Sachiko seemed to be proud of them as well. Straightening her back, Yumi strode forward and without an ounce of hesitation slid swiftly into the back seat.

Candace quickly joined her there, closing the door behind her. "Back to the tower." She ordered the driver before turning to face Yumi. "I know this situation is beyond odd, but thank you for coming with me."

"If it's ultimately for Sachiko Onee-sama then I'll do anything." Yumi responded honestly, though dread was building in her gut.

Candace's grin and response only made her tense even further. "Just as they suspected."

Twenty minutes later, Yumi found herself stepping off the elevator at the top floor of Ogasawara Tower. A set of foreboding mahogany doors greeted her at the end of an unnervingly long hallway. Candace approached the door, knocked swiftly, and entered without waiting for permission. Yumi had no choice but to follow the formidable woman and pray that doing so would not result in any missteps on her part.

Immediately struck by the ostentatious style of the room, Yumi felt her already tense muscles begin to seize in protest. When the welcome sight of Toru-sama met her eyes she nearly gasped in relief. Rushing forward, she bowed low before the man that had always treated her as a second daughter. "Ogasawara-sama, please forgive my intrusion."

Toru smiled down at Yumi and bowed in return. "Not at all, Yumi-chan. Thank you for being willing to meet with us so swiftly. I trust that Candace-sama treated you with the utmost respect?"

Casting a quick glance at the taller woman, Yumi nodded. "I have no complaints about my treatment, Ogasawara-sama."

"Good. And please, call me Toru. We are family after all." He smiled warmly at Yumi, allowing her a moment of relief.

He's being so kind. Does this mean I won't be made to abandon my relationship with Onee-sama? "Thank you, Og- Toru-sama." Noticing the Chairman for the first time, Yumi turned to him and bowed low as well. "Chairman Ogasawara-sama, thank you for welcoming me into your office. I hope I am not intruding."

In contrast to Toru, the Chairman did not smile. Instead, he waved off Yumi's niceties and jumped immediately into the intended conversation. "Of course. Of course. Now, Fukuzawa-san, forgive me if I seem in a hurry but we are short on time. I'll make this very short and to the point for you."

Yumi felt her gut sour at the obvious notes of aggression in the Chairman's voice. Her sour gut seemed to bottom out though with his next words.

"Sachiko-chan is in danger and we need you to protect her. Are you willing?"

Yumi didn't know how long she stood there staring at the Chairman in disbelief, but by the look of impatience on his face, it was too long. "Forgive my slowness, Chairman Ogasawara-sama, but could you explain further? What do you mean Sachiko is in danger?"

To Yumi's relief, it was Toru that provided the explanation. "It's long and complicated, but suffice it to say that we crossed paths with a drug syndicate and now they are trying to intimidate us by threatening my daughter's life."

Yumi felt her blood begin to boil at the thought of anyone harming Sachiko. Then realization suddenly hit her. They do know about my karate! "Uh, Toru-sama, why would you come to me for this? I don't have any training as a bodyguard. And… How exactly did you find out? About me, I mean."

"Oh, that would be my doin', actually." Candace spoke from the side of the room. She stood leaning against the wall with arms crossed and a grin plastered on her pale face. "My niece runs in your karate circles. She's quite a fan of yours, so I've seen a lot of what you're capable of doing. I'm curious though, have you reached 5th dan yet?"

Hesitating for only a moment, Yumi nodded. "Just recently, actually. Though, you should know that I've stepped away from the dojo."

Pushing away from the wall, Candace responded in utter shock to the announcement. "You've got to be shittin' me!"

"Candace-sama, could you please contain yourself?" Toru requested with a glare.

"Of course, forgive my outburst, but I have to ask…" Blazing green eyes drilled Yumi for answers. "Why the hell would you leave your dojo? Have you stopped karate altogether?"

"I felt I needed to focus on other things." Yumi responded simply.

There was silence for a moment before Toru stepped forward and with a grin put his hand atop Yumi's head. "You stopped because you accepted Sachiko-chan's rosary, didn't you?"

Yumi felt her face flare into a blush and instinctively lowered her head in an attempt to hide. "Well, yes… I mean, that was definitely part of it."

"Can we please focus on the matter at hand?" The Chairman was obviously not a patient man. He turned piercing eyes on Yumi and drove the conversation forward. "We need someone to stay by Sachiko-chan's side at all times. Put simply, if we approach her about having a bodyguard on campus she will outright refuse. I will not let my Sachiko, my precious grandchild, go without protection. It will not happen. Now, will you step up and take this on, or do I need to pull Sachiko-chan from school to better protect her?"

Thoughts of going weeks at school without Sachiko yet again sent Yumi into a moment of panic. No! Not again! I lost that time with her before because of a stupid misunderstanding. I can't lose anymore with her! "I'll do it!" The words were out before she could even think straight. Looks of relief on the three grown-ups' faces were enough to solidify just how serious the situation was for Sachiko's safety. "But," Swallowing hard and trying to strengthen her resolve, Yumi continued, "Onee-sama will not like this."

Holding his chin in contemplation, Toru nodded. "You aren't wrong, Yumi-chan. Sachiko will certainly make her feelings about this known."

"I highly doubt she'll like the idea of you protecting her with your own body." Candace added, though her demeanor screamed that she wasn't actually worried about it. "The young mistress doesn't like hired guards to be put in that position let alone her friends, but what option does she have?"

Stiffening, Yumi met Candace's nonchalant stare with an intense one of her own. "I'm not simply her friend. I'm her little sister."

The Chairman was swift to offer a solution though. "If Yumi were to sign a contract, a binding contract, then Sachiko-sama would have no choice but to accept the situation as it is presented to her." Just then the intercom buzzed. Leaning over, the Chairman responded with venom in his voice. "I said I was not to be disturbed!"

"Apologies, Chairman, sir. Your granddaughter is being very insistent though. She's on the line demanding to speak with you or Toru-sama. She won't accept my explanation of your meeting as a viable reason for you not being available and is threatening to come out here in person."

As one, the Chairman, Toru, and Yumi all hung their heads. They all knew Sachiko would do it. She was not bluffing. "Fine." The Chairman sounded as though he were suddenly drained of all energy. "Tell her to give me two minutes and I'll be right with her. She is NOT to come out here." Clicking the intercom off, the Chairman turned back to the gathered group. "Is a contract acceptable?"

Seeing no other option, Yumi nodded in agreement.

"Then shall we talk compensation?"

Immediately, Yumi changed direction and shook her head violently. "I will refuse any compensation for this. I don't need to be paid to keep my Onee-sama safe."

"We can't bind you with a contract and you not get anything out of it." The Chairman seemed less than amused, but Yumi would not be moved on this topic.

"How about this then?" Toru snapped his fingers as if the best idea had just sprouted in his mind. "For as long as the contract is active and valid, you will live at the manor. All of your needs will be met and you'll have a room of your own next to Sachiko-chan's. Food, necessities, clothes - Any and everything will be provided for you."

"Might I suggest providing her a space to exercise and practice her martial arts as well?" Candace added from her place across the room. She smiled mischievously at Yumi as she continued. "I know you said you stepped away, but if you're gonna protect her you need to stay sharp. No?"

Yumi couldn't fight the logic of her reasoning and nodded.

"Done!" Toru smiled in triumph. "So we have a deal then?"

Bowing her head, Yumi agreed. "For Sachiko Onee-sama, I'll do my best."

Resting his hands on her slim shoulders, Toru silently thanked Maria-sama for having sent this girl into their lives. "I know you will, Yumi-chan. I know you will."

Frustrated was not nearly a strong enough word to describe Sachiko's feelings when she had gotten off the phone with her grandfather. Aside from being scolded for her stubbornness, Sachiko had gotten absolutely no answers out of the old man. He had no explanation for why Candace had handled Yumi in such a disrespectful manner or had forced the two to separate. For once, Sachiko merely wanted to understand what her family was up to, but as per usual they were tight-lipped.

When the quiet of the house was disturbed by rustling and murmuring from the hallway, Sachiko jumped as the noise pulled her from her fuming thoughts. It was odd for anything save footsteps to be heard echoing from the typically quiet hallway. Curious, Sachiko rose from her seat at her desk and moved across to slide the opulent door open. Workers in the uniforms for a moving service moved swiftly through the hall depositing boxes in the room directly across the hallway.

Confused, Sachiko stopped one of the workers who had just dropped off his load. "Pardon me for interrupting your work. Might I ask what this is about?"

The young man bowed low, obviously nervous to be talking to anyone in the Ogasawara family. Sachiko inwardly sighed in exasperation. There were times like this when she found her family connections tiresome. "Uh, no ma'am. Sorry, ma'am. We merely picked these boxes up and were told to deliver them here without delay."

"Alright, thank you." Sachiko stepped back to allow the young man to continue on his way. Glancing into the room she tried to discern from the boxes just what was going on, but they were utterly nondescript. Not helpful in the slightest. Seeing no other option, Sachiko made her way past the workers and down the broad staircase. By chance she noticed her mother exiting the study at the end of the foyer hall and approached her. "Mother, what is this about? Those movers are carrying boxes to a room upstairs. What is going on?"

"Oh, Sachiko-chan, I was just coming to get you. Your father will explain. Come, dear." With a grace only her mother embodied, Sayaka moved back to the study door and gently slid it open. Despite her current state of confusion, Sachiko took a moment to envy her mother. No matter how graceful and ladylike people believed her to be, she would never be able to compare with the natural delicate nature of her mother.

Following her mother into the study, her eyes instantly fell on the man sitting at the polished wooden desk to the left of the doorway. She could tell instantly that her father was stressed. His condition was evident by both the tired look in his eyes and the cup of fragrant lavender tea in his hand. Toru never drank that unless he needed to soothe tension in his body.

When she entered, Toru's eyes met hers and she could see instant relief on his face. Just what exactly happened? "Father? Is everything alright?"

"Sachiko-chan," Unexpectedly, Toru stood from his desk and enveloped her in a hug. As he was not typically a physically affectionate person, Sachiko found herself silenced by the shock of his actions. "I am glad you're home safe and sound." His arms tightened for a moment before he released her and retreated awkwardly to his desk. "I trust that Candace was not too rude when she picked you up?"

Instantly, Sachiko's shock was replaced with renewed anger at how she and Yumi had been treated by the bodyguard. "Actually, father, I do wish to talk to you about that."

"It'll have to wait a few minutes, Sachiko. I have something I need to tell you. It might actually answer whatever concerns you had regarding Candace, so let me begin." It seemed from his white-knuckled grip on the edge of his desk that whatever this was troubled him deeply, so Sachiko merely nodded her understanding and waited.

He proceeded to explain in detail about the deal in the Caribbean, the threats they had received, and ultimately the photo and a final letter threatening Sachiko's life. Throughout, Sachiko sat in anxious silence. They had received threats before, but this seemed on a different level. This seemed exponentially worse.

"So, you're saying that my life is in danger, and because of the nature of the threat we have no clear-cut way of managing it and no definite time frame for when the threat will be neutralized?" Sachiko tried to remain level-headed as she summarized the situation, but with every word, she felt herself slipping further and further into a state of panic.

"Precisely." Her father nodded, gaze on the floor and seemingly oblivious to Sachiko's current state of panic. "It will be difficult to manage, but I promise we will keep you safe. That is our top priority. Damn the company if need be. You will be safe." He stood from his chair and moved toward the door. "To that end, you will have a bodyguard with you at all times. No exceptions."

"What?!" Instantly, Sachiko felt her panic dial-up past the max pressure point and the room began to tilt. The last time her family had insisted on a bodyguard it had been a male and things did not work out well for either party involved. "Father, is that really necessary? That would greatly disrupt my classes! Remember last time?"

"Indeed, it is hard to forget the scene you caused last time." The hard look cast in her direction by her father sent Sachiko back a step. "This is nonnegotiable, Sachiko. Besides, your guard will not be able to be with you during classes, but they will be with you at all other times. You will not leave your classroom unless they are by your side. You will not leave this house or these grounds without their protection. I trust you saw the movers?" He stood by the door as if waiting for something.

Sachiko merely nodded, unable to speak.

"She will be living in that room for the foreseeable future. It may end up being a bit awkward for you, but on matters of security you MUST always follow her direction."

She? Awkward? Just what is father saying? Oh, Maria-sama, please tell me it isn't Candace! Deliver me if it is! Just take me now… When she had nearly resigned herself to this new fate, a timid knock sounded from the door.

"Ah, that must be them." Turning once more to Sachiko, Toru gave her a warning look. "I know you don't like bodyguards, Sachiko, but be nice." With that, he slid the door open, and in walked Candace followed by a nervous-looking girl in a… Lillian uniform?!

"Yumi?!" Sachiko breathed in shock and alarm.

A/N - Well, this will make things interesting right? Hehe Big Sister has to defer to Little Sister's direction regarding security? Hmmmm :) That makes me giggle.