:::Chapter 4:::

Ken entered the classroom the next day and took his seat in silence. Tsukiko, who was standing in the room when he entered, looked at him, frowning slightly.

"Ken-san?" He started when she approached him.

"Oh. Tsukiko-san. Good morning. Did Emi and Sara behave?"

"Morning. Yes, they were fine. Sara-san is the most well-mannered six year old I've ever met." Ken nodded absently. "You look. distracted. Or exhausted. I can't decide."

"Both. Shu's neighbours had a party last night. And I was sleeping on the floor. Doesn't make for a good combination. And my uniform's dirty because Shu's building doesn't have any sort of a laundry room. /And/ Shu and I stayed up late talking about. things." Ken sighed and laid his head on the desk. "All in all, a pretty shitty 24 hours."

Tsukiko sat in her desk and placed her hand on the back of his head. "You could stay with me again." She offered, petting his red hair absently. "The couch is open."

Ken sat up and Tsukiko's hand fell to the desk. "No, that's okay. I don't want to put you in danger, too."

"Well," Tsukiko smiled, "You could come over to my place after school and wash your uniform, at least."

Ken shook his head. "I have class this evening."

"Even better! I'll walk you to the dojo, take the uniform to wash, and you can pick it up before you go back to Shu-kun's." Ken smiled wearily.

"Thanks, Tsukiko-san. You're a life saver."

"Of course," Tsukiko winked, "I'm a woman. That's my job."

::::

The kendo team didn't have practice that afternoon, and Ken was glad that he at least got a break there. He and Tsukiko walked to the elementary school to pick up his sisters before heading back to her apartment.

Ken crashed on the couch almost immediately and Tsukiko ushered Emi and Sara to the dining room. After sitting the down with a small snack and instructions to do their homework quietly, she made her way to her bedroom.

After she changed out of her uniform, she grabbed her cell phone and pressed the speed-dial.

"^Hello?^"

"Meiko-chan? It's me."

::::

An hour later, Ken was on his way to the dojo. Tsukiko locked her apartment and left instructions with Emi and Sara not to let anyone in. Then she walked Ken across the street and waited while he changed into his kendo gear and handed his uniform to her in a sack.

"See you after class, then." She smiled and, with a friendly wave to the students she remembered from her time there, went back home.

When she got there, she was surprised to find the door unlocked.

"Emi-chan!" she called as she opened the door. "Sara-san!"

"Yo, Tsuki." Shuhei stepped casually out of the kitchen, large bowl of macaroni and cheese in his hand. Tsukiko wondered vaguely where he had found a box of mac an' cheese in her kitchen.

"Shu-kun? What are you doing here? And where are the girls?"

"Changing."

"Huh?"

"They were done with their homework when I got here, so they went to change."

"Why'd they let you in?"

"Tsuki," Shuhei looked at her, "Emi-chan and Sara-chan have known me since they were babies. They know I wouldn't hurt them. Hell, I'm practically a brother to 'em."

"Uh-huh. Well, I need to wash this." She hefted the uniform and walked back to her bedroom. She returned to the living a few minutes later, laundry basket in hand, in time to catch Shuhei's ratty T-Shirt on the top of the pile.

"What the-"

"Thanks, Tsuki. I'll owe ya." Shuhei was sitting at the dining room table, casually eating his stolen food.

Tsukiko grumbled, but made her way to the door anyway.

"I assume you can handle things here while I'm gone? And, Shu-kun, /try/ not to eat all of my food. Really. I can't afford to feed you on my budget."

Shuhei's only response was to stick his tongue out with the half-chewed macaroni intact.

"Ooh." A new voice chimed in from the door Tsukiko held open. "Nice reply, big boy. I'll keep you in mind next time I feel like winning a battle of wits."

Tsukiko smiled as the new arrival made her way through the door, flipping long black hair over her shoulder as she moved.

"Meiko-chan! You're here!"

"Of course I am. You called me and said you needed a favour."

"Yeah. I have to run to the laundry room. I have to wash this for Ken-san." She motioned to the uniform. "so could you hang out here 'til I get back?"

"Ken-san.?" Meiko looked puzzled. "Oh, right! Your new boyfriend!"

Shuhei's chuckle was muffled as Tsukiko's cheeks reddened. "He's not my boyfriend!" she cried defensively. With a sigh, she exited the apartment. "I'll be back." she muttered as the door closed behind her.

:::End Chapter 4:::

Nami's Notes: Gods! How long did this one take?!

Erm. I hope you enjoyed it. I know, nothing happened in this chapter. Bet you thought I was going to move the plot along after introducing The Dragon, didn't you? But that's not how I do things. So you'll just have to wait until next time! Ohohohohohohoho~~! n_n And who knows when that'll be.