A Promise to Keep

by Flowerygirlz

A Promise to Keep...words he can easily assure her father, easily as children he can protect her, but as they grow older, can he protect her from other men and most importantly himself...and can he keep from desiring her... Based on Hana Yori Dango characters from original manga. Mostly original characters.

1. Chapter 1

Prologue

Smiling, Rui Hanazawa watches as six-year-old, Kiro Nishikado extends a hand to a tiny, unsteady, Akai Domyoji, ever so gently walks her around the patio. Akai happily giggles, not understanding all the people gathered today celebrating her first birthday. Stumbling, she plops on her bottom, tears forming, a pout set on her lips. Kiro bends, gently wiping away her tears, his small voice chides, "Don't cry, Akai. You tough, ok." His gentle smile, brightens is entire face, Akai squeals, pulling the handsome boy forwards, sloppily kissing his cheek. Kiro grossed out, wipes his cheek, frowning, "Silly girl!" Tsukasa Domyoji bends, scooping up his daughter, ruffles Kiro's hair, saying, "Good boy, Kiro. Will you always protect my little girl?" Nodding, a serious look on his face, Kiro adores this tall, handsome man. Kiro's own father Tenma Hase scooped him up, tossing him in the air, delighting Kiro.

Those words, "Protect my little girl," were never forgotten by an impressionable six-year-old boy. As he grew up, these words formed a relationship between the children, she is his little sister, pal, pest, nuisance, shadow, stalker, but of all these, he never expected that he would need to protect his own heart.

Akai Domyoji grew up before his eyes, into a beautiful, stunning, intelligent, young woman, stirring a passionate love he'd never felt before. Protecting her might mean not falling in love, or is it too late….