Navy and Azure
by Apple-chan

Disclaimer: Not mine.

RenxPilica. Contains lots of waff, fluff, angst...and a really, infuriatingly annoying Tao En. Set approximately 11 years after the Anime. Their love knows no boundaries. Their love is limitless, timeless...endless. He completed her, and she completed him...in the most ultimate sense. Yet...love does not always automatically lead to a happy ending.

Warnings: PG-13 for adult situations and mild swearing.

Chapter 5 - Gray Flourishes


Ren stormed out of his father's study furiously, his temper getting the better of him as he stomped across the halls of the estate towards his office, pointedly ignoring the greeting of the servants he happened to pass by. His secretary had rushed over towards him the second he stepped out of the study, but he was unheeding of anyone and anything. His mind was still precariously reeling with lividity and disbelief over what had just transpired with his father, and what he had unwillingly yet undeniably agreed to do.

Earlier, just before he had stepped into the private, exclusive room, Kang had handed him the envelope he had refused to examine the previous night. The matter his father needed to settle with him that morning had to do with the documents contained inside the said envelope. As Ren had found out during yet another one of their brief but extremely exhausting and equally exasperating discussions, there were certain business matters which called for immediate attention somewhere out of the country--Europe in particular. And since the business dealings required, not only formality and personalism, but security and assurance--it was somehow mandatory for Ren, as the Clan Head, to handle it in person--with him present at the exact location concerned. And according to his father (and his secretary as well), it was quite essential that he leave and tend to it right away. His trip and expedition around Europe would take two weeks at most...and this is what was bothering him.

Pilica was supposed to stay with him these two weeks...and yet by some unfortunate, weird sort of luck--he had to leave her. He hadn't even spent any time with her yet, and they were already going to separate...and worse, by the time he gets back, it would mark the end of her stay in the Estate.

Damn it all to hell.

He had tried to refuse the task point-blank from the instant that it was given to him, and upon realizing when he was supposed to take care of it. He had blatantly given his father a loud, resounding "no," and at the same time, stating the reasons why it was very necessary that he remain in the estate for the two weeks he was being asked to go abroad. En had provided him with the option to do as he wishes. Upon hearing that, he was about to leave the room with profound relief and triumph--if not for the next couple of statements his father had uttered to his retreating back. Ren's jaw clenched as he remembered what his father had said.

He really should have known.

"You don't really need to do this, but remember, Son: the success or the downfall of the honor of this family depends on you. I know you don't care about this family, or whatever happens to it or to its honor, but kindly remember that, as apathetic as you may be, the fact still remains: you are a member of this family. You are the HEAD of this family." He paused, allowing the words to sink into his son's mind. "And whether you like it or not--your children, AND your children's children -will- carry the Tao family name--most specifically YOUR sons--to the grave. If you are not going to do this for me, or for any of the current members of this family, then at least, do this for your FUTURE family." En turned his back. "If you really intend to marry that...girl, then...do this for HER sake--for the sake of the two of you, -and- your children."

At that last note, Ren had grudgingly agreed to the man's wishes and told him he was going to leave as soon as possible. At the back of his mind, though, he wondered if this wasn't a plan of some sort concocted by En to separate his son from the young woman he disapproved of so much. He still vividly remembered everything that his father had said to him the night before--and knowing the man as well as he did, he wouldn't be surprised if he actually tries something.

Well, just let him try, Ren thought to himself as he turned at the corner to the path towards his private office. Anyway, two weeks is not that long...and I still have plenty of chances to be with her. And she doesn't really have to stay for just two weeks, does she? She can stay longer. She can stay...for a month, or two months, even...

At that thought, his eyes brightened. Two months...yes, I can definitely extend her stay here. Hahaue and Jiisama won't mind. As for the old man...he smirked. If her presence bothers him, that's his problem.

And two months...that's plenty enough time for me to gather my...courage to...propose to her. He swallowed.

After a couple of minutes, he shook his head impatiently. First things first. He stepped inside his office, noting Kang's absence, and then, realized that his secretary was probably still chasing after him. He picked up the phone on his table and dialed the number at Horo-horo and Pilica's cottage in the fields. He decided that the best thing he should do right now, before anything else, was to inform Pilica's brother about the extension of her stay in the estate. If he allows Pilica to stay with him that long without informing Horo-horo, no doubt the Ainu shaman will be screaming his name like a war cry and writing him murder threats in blood when he finds out. Of course, Horo-horo will never be able to beat him in any battle, but...for Pilica's sake, it would be best to avoid any bloodshed...for now.

His friend was the one who answered the phone. "Who's this?" Horo-horo's voice demanded. He sounded slightly irritated and breathless.

"It's me."

"...Ren." The Ainu shaman's voice turned from irritated to annoyed. "You've done something to my sister, haven't you?"

Ren rolled his eyes as he leaned back against his table. "Yes. I have."

"WHAT have you DONE to HER, DAMMIT?"

He exhaled with exasperation at his friend's overreaction. "I've screwed her senseless," he answered matter-of-factly.

"WHAT the F**K?!? Tao Ren, when I get my HANDS on you--"

"I was kidding," Ren interrupted his friend dryly. "Other than kiss her a couple of times, I haven't done anything to her short of honorable, I give you my word."

He heard a sigh of relief from the other line. "You better make sure you HAVEN'T, or you'll be answering to my FIST." Horo said pointedly. "GOT THAT?"

"Loud and clear."

"Good." For an indeterminable amount of time, Horo-horo paused. "...So why did you call?"

Ren took a deep breath. "I called," he began, "to tell you that Pilica will be staying over here for two months instead of the original two weeks we agreed on."

"What the HELL?" Horo-horo shouted suddenly, horror and incredulity lacing his voice. "NO. I won't allow my sister to stay with you any longer than--"

"Didn't you hear me correctly? I am not ASKING you. I am TELLING you," Ren interrupted in a steely tone. "I just wanted to make it clear. Have Tamao stay over with you longer, if it's really necessary and if you really need a woman to handle things there." He paused. "Tamao is there, isn't she?"

"...Yes," The other man answered grudgingly. "But what does THAT have to do with--" He stopped abruptly, for some reason. Much to Ren's irritation, the Ainu shaman got back on the line much, much later than he would have preferred. "...My sister," Horo-horo's voice was slightly husky. "Where is she?"

"In my room," Ren answered impatiently. "What the HELL are you doing there?" He asked curiously.

"N...None of your business," Came the stuttering reply. Ren could swear that the other man was blushing, which made him wonder if Tamao was doing something to somehow distract Horo-horo... "Anyway, you said two months, right?"

"Yeah."

"...Okay." An indrawn breath. "Two months, then. And NOT a day more, is that CLEAR?"

Ren rolled his eyes once again. "Crystal clear." He answered with mild sarcasm. "I'll leave you now so you can continue fooling around with Tamao," he added, a knowing tone lacing his voice.

"...WHAT? I am NOT fooling around with...mmph!" At that moment, Ren hang up the phone, shaking his head with amusement at his friend.

Well, at least some of us are having fun.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Ren had rushed to his room right after calling Horo-horo...and he was quite surprised when he found it empty. He swiftly stepped out and walked along the pathway, looking around and asking all the servants if they knew where his azure-haired lady guest was. Nobody could tell him her location, and he was about to ask Bason to search for her when he saw his mother walking at the center of the hallway.

"Hahaue," he walked a step beside her, "have you seen--"

"Pilica-chan?" Ran supplied with a smile. "I saw her pacing inside your room earlier. She looked like she was getting a little restless, so I told her she can walk around in the garden and I'll just let you know where she is." She patted her son's cheek fondly. "I remember her saying something about how fond she was of plants and flowers...and how she and Horo-horo-kun have a couple of acres of land filled with them back in Japan."

"Yeah," Ren nodded, blushing with slight embarrassment at his mother's affectionate gestures. "She adores them to the ends of the earth...so she's in the main garden?"

Ran nodded. "Hai." she confirmed. She tiptoed a bit and brushed a kiss to her son's cheek. "...Go to her," she added in a murmur against his ear.

He blushed beet red. "A...arigatou, Hahaue." He gave his mother a faint, grateful smile as he rushed off.

*~*~*~*~*~*

When Ren arrived at the main garden, he found himself frozen for a moment as he gazed at the azure-haired young woman's form.

The Tao Estate's main garden was composed of various species and colors of flora, virtually every kind that had been discovered and all the varieties that could grow in Chinese soil. Aside from the flowering plants, different classes of vegetation, fruit trees...and yes, even butterbur--also grew. Although the collection wasn't quite as immense as the one Pilica and her brother had in their fields, still...the whole assortment was enough to be able to call the Tao's main garden a sort of a mini-paradise.

And in the middle of that paradise...was Pilica. She was tending to all the plants with utmost care, her fingers touching the leaves and petals reverently, like they were the most precious things that ever graced the face of the planet. He had almost forgotten the fact that, just as Horo-horo was quite obsessed with his plants and spreading all of his prized butterbur all over the world, his sister was also very much the same way. However, unlike her brother--who transformed from a semi-normal person to a raving lunatic every time he talked about his butterbur and the Korropokkuru--Pilica was a little more...subtle. She doesn't talk about the plants as much as her brother does, Ren knew that much.

And every time he sees her tending to any garden--whether it be hers and Horo-horo's, or the one at the Inn, and now, this one in his home-- there was a certain sort of...rightness about it. Like she was meant to be with the plants. Like she belonged with them...not necessarily as a flower or a tree (Horo-horo would be more that type), but more like...a fairy.

The Fairy Queen of the plants.

He continued to gaze at her as she spoke to the flowers in the softest of voices. Yes, she definitely fitted the role of the Fairy Queen.

Briefly...he wondered, at the back of his mind, if he could be the Fairy King. If he could become her king.

...Do you even have the courage to ask? An annoying voice inside his mind queried. He shook it out of his head impatiently, quite disgruntled at the fact that it had just managed to throw his blatant cowardice right in front of his face.

I already know I'm a coward, dammit. I don't need a freaking voice to remind me of that twenty-four hours a day. I know that pretty well.

Do you now? The stupid voice was back.

Yes, dammit, I KNOW!

Really?

Yes. Freaking hell, YES!

"...Ren-kun?" He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't notice Pilica standing beside him, waving her hands in front of him. "Are you alright?" She had a concerned look in her face.

"Y...yeah." He suddenly realized that he was frowning off into space. Wiping it away, he forced a small smile. "I was just...thinking of something..."

She raised a brow in inquiry. "Care to tell me?"

Sure, the voice inside his head commented mockingly. It's this: will you marry me? "N...no! I mean, maybe some other time..." he gave her a pleading look. "Alright?" Shut up, he told the voice inside his head.

She regarded him with curiosity for several minutes before she finally nodded. "Okay." With a bright smile, she turned back to the plants, clasping his hand with hers and motioning for him to follow her. They reached a small bench at the center of a row of white lilies. "Did Ran-Hahaue tell you where I was?"

"H...hai." He answered with hesitation, feeling the urge to rap his head against the nearest wall. Note to self: when you finally decide to propose to her, take the Hou Rai Ken along. You'll need all the courage you can get. And all the courage you have seems to be stored in that freaking weapon.

Pilica sat down on the bench and pulled him along beside her. As soon as he had settled down, she asked, "...What did you and your father talk about?"

Change of subject. Good. I love you, Pilica. He heaved a sigh of relief. "Just something about clan business dealings and such." He paused, remembering his earlier concern, the reason why he had called Horo-horo, and what he needed to tell her right now. "Which reminds me...I have a bit of a bad news."

Her brows furrowed. "What is it?"

He settled back against the bench and squeezed her hand affectionately. "Apparently, or at least, according to Father," he rolled his eyes dryly on that note. "...our family has a couple of business matters that needs to be dealt with in Europe immediately. I won't bore you with the details," he added quickly. "Suffice it to say that I have to be there to accomplish everything personally. In short," he paused, heaving a small sigh, "...I'll be leaving you here for some time."

"Ren-kun..." her face looked apprehensive. "How long?"

"...Two weeks."

"Two weeks?!?" She looked horrified.

"Yeah," Ren gave a helpless sigh. "I was going to refuse, but the old man..." he rolled his eyes again. "He's put me on a guilt trip," he shook his head in exasperation. "...I hate it when he does that. I always end up giving in."

She slumped down on the bench. "I was only supposed to be here for two weeks..." she murmured, her face falling.

Ren chuckled. "Yeah." He decided to tease her for a bit. "I know."

"You're not sad?" She gave him a hurt look. Then, she sighed and looked away. "But I guess...there's no point in dwelling on it, is there...?" She pulled on a stem of white lily and started picking on it.

He laughed a little as he slid his arms around her waist. "I called your brother," he whispered against her ear.

"And...?" She turned her head to his side, perfectly aware of the fact that her face was merely inches away from his.

He moved his face closer. "I told him I wanted to extend your stay to two months instead of the original two weeks..." he murmured as he inched even closer...and closer...

Her eyes widened. "T...two m...months?" She managed in a whisper, her breath catching. Her heart was pounding frantically inside her chest...something that always seems to happen each and every time before he kisses her...as she anticipates his kiss...

He smiled briefly. "Uh-huh..." Then, he finally moved in...and kissed her.

"Wait...Ren-kun..." She breathed against his mouth, her fingers tightening at the flower that she was holding in one hand. Her other hand was clutching on his shirtfront for support. "Oniichan actually....agreed?"

"Uh-hm..." He deepened the kiss even more, preventing either one of them from uttering another word. For a heartbeat of a moment, silence prevailed.

"B...bocchama..." The warrior spirit materialized suddenly at Ren's side, breaking their kiss off abruptly.

Ren muttered a curse under his breath, reluctantly pulling away from his girlfriend and flashing Bason a stern look. "What?"

"I apologize," The spirit replied with slight uneasiness. "But..." his voice trailed off as the bespectacled Kang approached.

"Ren-sama!" The secretary paused, quite breathless after sometime of chasing after Ren. "I'm sorry to disturb you," he gave Pilica an apologetic look. "...But we need to prepare for tomorrow's business trip." He informed his employer. "It won't take long," he added quickly.

Ren rolled his eyes to the ceiling. "Obsessive compulsive," he muttered with a shake of his head, obviously referring to his secretary. "...Pilica?" He glanced at her with concern upon seeing the slightly forlorn look in her face.

"You're leaving tomorrow?" She asked, obvious sadness lacing her voice. "Already?"

"Uh-huh." He sighed with resignation. "I need to get this over and done with immediately." He shrugged. "Anyway, it's only for two weeks...when I get back, I'll have you here for about a month and a half more. In the meantime...there are lots of things you can do here," he paused thoughtfully. "I'm sure Hahaue and Jiisama will be glad to accompany you around the place. They like you. And besides...two weeks isn't really that long..." he added, probably more to convince himself than her. "...Isn't that right?" He forced a bright smile on his face.

"H...hai," Pilica nodded, smiling faintly. "I'll be waiting for you."

"Good. I'll see you later." He brushed a fleeting kiss to her cheek before he stood up and turned to his secretary. "Let's go."

As she watched Ren and his secretary retreat towards his office, for some reason, a slight feeling of uncertainty began to hover inside her heart. He had assured her that he was only going to be gone for two weeks...and besides that, he had extended her stay far longer so that they would be able to spend more time together if...when he returns...but she wondered about that.

And for some really, really weird reason...she also wondered: will she still be here when he gets back?

She hastily shook that thought out of her mind, realizing that there was no point in dwelling over something that was a mere product of her doubt and her pessimism.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Pilica hummed cheerfully to herself as she plowed through the large patch of soil with a small shovel, savoring the feel of the cold earth against her skin, and marveling at the wonderful, sweet scent of nature, combined with the glow and fragrance of the morning sun. It was the day after Ren had told her about his two-week Europe trip. He and Kang had left quite early this morning, even before the sun started to rise. She didn't even have time to greet him a proper goodbye owing to the fact that she was still asleep when he left. However, she did feel him entering her room and giving her a fleeting kiss right before he left, and she was quite happy about that. Also...the fact that, at the very least, she was able to say goodbye to him even in just the briefest of moments the night before, right after he had accomplished his preparations for the trip...and the assurance that he was going to go back after exactly two weeks--it was all enough to cheer her up.

As of the moment, she was alone, and the only thing she could do around the estate was take care of the plants. It seemed like everyone in the estate was quite busy--even Ran and Ching, both of whom she hadn't seen ever since last night. During dinner the night before, Ren's mother had given her permission to take care of their garden, and had even cheerfully suggested that if Pilica wanted, she may add a couple of more new flowering plants if she wished--which is what Pilica was doing right now. She usually kept a couple of packets of flower-bearing seeds with her everywhere, just in case she spots a patch of soil somewhere, anywhere--that might be in need of a little lightening up. She had found a couple of areas in the main garden which could use a bit of color, and as of the moment, she was tilling the soil and getting ready to plant the seeds.

She was so absorbed in what she was doing that she didn't notice Tao En going around the estate. He obviously just came from the second floor, and currently, he was on the pathway that circled the main garden. He reached the area very near where she was planting. Upon spotting her, he gave a slight sniff of disapproval at what she was doing, causing her to stiffen as she became aware of his presence...but, realizing that she needed to be strong and face whatever he throws at her head on, she gathered up all the courage she could muster, gave an indrawn breath, straightened up, and faced him squarely.

"O...ohayo, En-sama." She greeted politely.

He didn't give any sort of reply, but merely looked at her critically from head to toe. He seemed to be noting and appraising every single inch of her, from her hair, to her face, to the way she stood...to her light, loose pink shirt; to her short, dark blue gardening skirt; to her bare feet--his eyes visibly dwelling on the soil in her hair, her face, her hands...and her feet. He gazed at her critically for several minutes, his face never showing any sign of whatever he was feeling--of whether he approved or disapproved of the way she looked or not--but Pilica knew. As of the moment, she was in a less-than-decent state, if the wildness of her hair and the patches of dirt she had all over was any indication.

Taking another deep breath, Pilica stood straight up in front of him, and self-consciously but unflinchingly met his gaze--the way a proud princess from an unknown kingdom, from a far away land would meet the gaze...of a well-known king of some prosperous land in the city.

After a while, En's gaze faltered, and he turned and walked away from her without another word.

Just as Pilica was about to breathe a sigh of relief, the man paused abruptly...and spoke in his low, commanding tone. "In less than two weeks' time," he began, "you will no longer be staying at my son's wing. You will be living in a detached part of the compound, behind those mountains." He inclined his head to the sunlight, where a large, looming patch was visible beneath all the fog.

"...Why?" Pilica asked in a slightly shaky, and incredibly appalled voice. He's not suggesting what I think he is...is he...?

Oh God...

"My son thinks he loves you," En snorted, "He's foolish. He cannot love someone of your...kind," he continued. "I will do what I think is best. I will keep you away from him. Perhaps one of the men there will interest you and gradually, you may fall in love with him. The men there are wealthy...and handsome," he added. "They will be able to give you a proper life. You will not want for anything." He turned his head, and he looked at her kindly. "I have nothing against you. Please remember that."

You have nothing...against me? Then why...why do you want to keep me away from your son? Why? Pilica could feel the tears forming in her eyes. But she didn't dare voice out her thoughts. They were going to make her seem hysterical, and she didn't want to look like that...not in front of him. "I love your son," She replied, her voice trembling ever-so-slightly as she fought to keep back her tears. "I love him, and I can't love anyone else. I'll do anything for him." She gazed at him evenly, "...You can't keep me away from him."

"You don't belong with each other." En told her firmly, utter fury written in his whole face at her defiance, but it was quite obvious that he was keeping his temper in check.

...But for whose sake? His--or hers? She wasn't quite sure.

"I LOVE HIM." She stated again with emphasis, meeting his sharp, calculating eyes evenly with her slightly damp ones. "And he loves me. I know he does."

"LOVE? YOU?" He laughed scornfully. "Such a thing does not exist inside Ren. My son is not capable of loving anyone but himself. In spite of the...change he seems to think he has made in himself, he can't go against his nature. He will not marry for love. He CANNOT," he said meaningfully, "marry for love. He cannot love." He looked at her. "And even if he really were to marry you, it WOULDN'T be for love, I assure you." He turned around. "It would only be a means of convenience, of siring heirs...of extending the family line, and nothing else."

M...marry me?

Ren-kun wants to marry me?

"He...he'll...marry me...?" Pilica stuttered in confusion. How come...he never told me...?

En laughed. "Why, yes. I do believe he's told me so emphatically...and seeing as you DON'T know it yourself, perhaps he had only said it to infuriate me." He shook his head. "...That conceited son of mine thinks he can deceive me."

Pilica's head was still reeling from En's declaration of his son's feelings. She didn't catch the part when Ren told his father about this...marriage thing. But...Ren-kun doesn't do things just to spite people....or get them angry...he doesn't. Maybe he used to do that before, but...he's changed now. He's sincere. He's honest.

And if he had said that he wanted to marry me, then...he must have meant it. Didn't he?

Didn't he?

Upon noting the silence, En started to walk away. "...I am giving you enough time to prepare for the journey. You will leave ten days from now. At sunrise." His statement left no room for argument.

But that didn't stop Pilica. "No. I WON'T leave. I'll...I'll wait for Ren-kun."

"You WILL go, child." En stated firmly. "I will not allow you to disobey me. When my son is not here, I am in charge. Do not forget that."

"N...no. No I won't," she answered in a small whisper. "But...I don't want to go there...you CAN'T make me go--"

"Yes, I can." He interrupted. "And I will."

"No, you CAN'T!" She burst out in protest. "I will stay here, in the main estate. You can't make me go anywhere if I DON'T want to! I'll stay wherever I wish to stay...and I wish to stay here," she added firmly.

"...But you can't." He repeated emphatically. "You WILL go beyond those mountains, whether you like it or not." He paused. "Those mountains are miles away from here. When you leave in ten days, early in the morning--you will get there by nightfall. No one bothers to travel using modern conveniences on a very steep and rocky area."

"I AM NOT GOING ANYWHERE!" She shouted defiantly. "I'll stay here. I'll...I'll wait until Ren-kun returns. He should be the one to decide on this, not you..."

"DO NOT disrespect me, child."

"Then...then..." Pilica was desperately searching for other options. Someone help me...anyone...Ran-Hahaue, Ching-Jiichan, where are you...? "Can't I just...can't I just please go back to my brother? If you don't want me here, then I'll...I'll just go on home."

He shook his head firmly. "I forbid it. You are not allowed to leave this area."

"...What?" She exclaimed with disbelief. "I am NOT a PRISONER here! I should be able to leave whenever I want!"

"...Sadly, you can't." He shrugged. "My son wishes for you to remain here, while he is away. And he will be away for a long time, as his business dealings might extend to a whole month." A sigh. "I have no intention of going against his wishes." He glanced at the mountains once more. "Making you travel beyond those mountains is the only way I can separate the two of you. Permanently."

...Permanently.

And suddenly, the tears Pilica had been long holding back broke free. "Do you really HATE me THAT much?" She managed in a slightly choked voice, tears falling down her cheeks out of their own free will. "Enough to want to get rid of me like...like THIS?"

"It would be much easier if I really did," The man answered after a long pause. "...But I don't." Unmindful of her tears, he gave her a look. "As I have said once, you and my son do NOT suit each other." He arched a brow. "He belongs with HIS kind...and you belong with YOURS...or with some other man who is not my son."

"T...that's only based from what you think!" She cried out. "It's what Ren-kun thinks which is important, NOT yours--"

"On the contrary." En interrupted. "My opinion DOES matter, whether he likes it or not. I am his FATHER, and even though he is now allowed to make decisions on his own, this matter does not only concern him--It concerns the whole family, the whole clan. It concerns ALL of US." A pause. "And as his father, I still know what's best for him...even if he refuses to believe that."

Pilica stood in front of him silently, unable to speak anymore. The tears continued to fall down her cheeks.

En resumed. "By the time he gets back here, I will have you married off to one of my clan's sons, and I will be free to plan his future as I wish."

Feeling all her strength leaving her, she weakly fell to the ground. "You...can't do this..." She whispered brokenly.

"But I already have." En held his head up high and walked away, leaving her completely. "Ten days, child. Do not forget that."

Pilica remained on the ground long after Tao En bid his leave, the tears still coursing down her cheeks, conflicting emotions of pain, bitterness, anger, desperation, and confusion tangling inside her heart.

TSUZUKU.

End notes:

In the next chapter, we'll find out what had caused Ren's sudden change from Mr. Smooth Moves to Mr. Coward with No Guts.^_^

The anime shows a very nice depiction of the Tao Estate. From what I've seen with my contacts-clad eyes (grade: 4.0 right and left), the main estate is not the only structure in that mountainous area--there are many others. And I'm guessing that even right beyond the mountains, there are structures, houses even--which still constitutes the Tao compound. This leads me to assume that there are many, many more members of the Tao family (clan). I think this may very well be true. *shrug* Anyway, some of the other members of the Tao family will play minor roles in the next coming chapters.

I thought I had recovered, but nooo...I'm still very, very, VERY much in LXJ mode, and my very perverted muse is not helping. And for that reason, I've managed to finish the second installment of the Venice smut side fic. The URL is in my profile, so for those who wish to check it, you may do so. Title is Finally, A Saint No More. *grin* It's rated NC-17 for graphic sexual content.

And uh, I can't believe I'm doing this, but...BELATED HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY, MARCO! (Damn. Did I just do that?_)

Feedback is most appreciated!