Disclaimer: I don't own the original FY characters; I own Kei, Taki, Lily, Jason, their kids and any other person who isn't a FY character.

Thoughts

Memories

~*~Review Response~*~

~Cat - Don't worry. I wasn't offended. I really was annoyed with myself over how long it took for me to get that confession chapter out. And to answer your question, Reizo is in the present time of the book. I didn't want to bring him into the present real world.

~Draco - Yay! You're still alive. Sort of anyway. I just wanted to know you were still out there. I'm not sure if Reizo will blow things up…maybe later…dunno yet.

~Lady Viola - I understand having a bad connection. Sometimes I think it's a miracle I ever get anything uploaded. Hope to see more from you soon!

~Jamie - Ah, my little Hiroshi obsessed friend, you'll get time with him, don't worry. I think you'll like the chapter.

~Ainohikari - Hmmm, I think you win. You do have more going on than me. Try not to do too much. Not good for the brain.

~Rhapsody - Good to see you around.

~Meg-chan - You'll know when this fic it done. But I've still got a long way to go. It'll probably end with an Afterthoughts collection like the first one did.

~Anime Writer3 - Ah, thank you so much! I'm honored you put me on your favorites list!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kimiko soon found herself back in the park where she met with her father earlier that day. She looked up at the sky. The sun was high over head. She figured it was around noon. She felt like she'd been with her father longer though. She liked seeing him even if she was still mad at him. She sighed happily and left the park.

Kimiko wandered the streets without a particular place in mind. She just let herself go. After a 10-minute walk or so, she found herself walking up some stairs to a door. It wasn't until she knocked on the door that she realized she was at Hiroshi's house.

No one answered the door for a minute or so, so she thought no one was home. As she started to head away from the door, she heard it open.

"Kimiko?" Hiroshi opened up the screen door. "What are you doing here?"

She blushed. "I uh…guess I just wandered over here…"

He smiled and let her in. "It's always good to see you."

"Are your parents home?"

"Nah. They're both at work."

"Oh…so…what have you been doing all day?" She was desperate for something to say.

"Just kinda hanging around." He walked towards the kitchen. "Want something to eat or drink or whatever?"

"Some water if it's not to much trouble I guess." She sat on the couch and folded her legs underneath herself.

Hiroshi returned to the living room with a bottle of water for Kimiko and a soda for himself. "So anything interesting happen to you lately?"

"Well…" She sipped the water. "I uh…saw my father again…earlier in the park."

He looked a little surprised. "What? Why?"

"I don't know…" She sighed and played with her hair. "He said he wanted to help me learn to use my new powers, but Nozomi said I don't need help…she said he made it up so he could see me for a little while…"

He sat next to her on the couch. "What do you think?"

"I don't know…I don't understand my father at all…" She set down the bottle down and racked her fingers through her hair. "I just don't get him…" She sounded like she was about to cry.

Hiroshi put down his soda and pulled Kimiko's hands away from her head. "Hey, relax…no one said you had to…" He said gently and held her close.

She clutched at his shirt. "Hiroshi…"

He rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head. "I'm right here. You can stay here as long as you want…"

"Thanks." She looked up at him. "I knew Akira was wrong about you…"

Hiroshi raised an eyebrow. "What did your brother say about me?"

"He thinks you're going to leave me. He doesn't trust you."

Hiroshi rolled his eyes. "Your brother is full of bull…"

Kimiko covered his mouth with her hand before he could finish. "I know. You don't need to say it out loud though."

The former emperor's son looked somewhat indignant as his girl friend giggled.

"You look so cute when you make that face." She took her hand away from his face.

He couldn't help but smile. He wrapped his arms around her. She smiled back. He nuzzled her neck. She giggled again. His long hair tickled her skin. "Kimiko…"

She played with a piece of his hair. "Oh Hiroshi…I don't know what I'd do without you…"

He kissed her lightly. "No point in thinking about it. You can't get rid of me. I love you too much."

"If only Akira understood that…" She sighed and curled up in his arms.

"He'll understand someday. I'll prove it to him just like I proved it to you."

She looked into his golden eyes. "I guess all we can do is hope he does."

"He will." Hiroshi shifted so he could let Kimiko lean on him more comfortably for the both of them. "I promise."

"You're made an awful lot of promises to me…"

"And I'll keep everyone of them." He rested his arms around her waist and kissed her deeply.

She just smiled and rested her head on his chest. "I know…"

They sat there in the silent company of each other's arms.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Akane stared at her school uniform hanging in her closet. She detested the blue skirt and white blouse she'd have to wear everyday at school. She didn't own a lot of skirts. They weren't her style.

Kano walked past her door, soda in hand. "Whatcha doing?" He looked in.

"Nothing!" She closed the door and looked at him.

He raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"

"Yeah! Of course!" She leaned against the door.

"You sure?"

"Uh huh!"

"Come on. What's the matter?" He came into her room.

"Oh…fine…I was thinking about going back to school and wearing the hideous uniform…"

"Can't be as bad as mine…" Kano grumbled, unhappy with the dress shirt and pants he was going to be forced to wear when he went to school with Akane.

"Don't wanna wear dress pants huh?"

"Of course not! I already tried them on and I despised the way I look in them."

"Welcome to my world once again. No one likes uniforms. We wear them because we have to." She giggled. "You only have to deal with it for two weeks. I've been wearing them as long as I can remember."

"Lemme see your uniform."

"No! It's hideous!"

"Come on! I bet you look cute in it." He wrapped his arms around her waist.

"No!" She swatted at his arm. "You'll see it in about a week."

"I wanna see it now…" He whined in her ear softly.

"No. You're not getting me with that." She tried to stand firm.

"Please?" He nuzzled her neck. "Please?"

She couldn't resist anymore. "I hate it when you do that, you know that?" She opened up her closet and showed him the uniform. "Happy?"

He looked at the skirt and blouse. "I think it's cute." He kissed her on the side of the head.

"You're just saying that to make me feel better."

"I am not." He protested.

"Oh forget it." She slipped out of his arms. "We're gonna go down to the park and meet some of my friends. You've gotta know some people before we go."

"I know you. Who else do I need to know?"

"Kano, there's hundreds of people at my school. You've gotta know a few. Maybe you can get on a sports team too. Gotta do something besides hang around with me and our families while you're here."

"Sports? How do we know I'm good at anything?"

"You're good at math. We didn't know that. Maybe you're an athlete too." She shrugged.

"I don't see why it matters. I'm only gonna be here for a couple more weeks."

"Kano, trust me, you'll go nuts if you don't so something." She grabbed his arm. "Now come on. We're going down to the park. Kimiko and Hiroshi might be there too. So let's go!" She closed her closet, grabbed his hand and dragged him downstairs.

He couldn't do much to protest. He just followed her down to the living room where their shoes were. Well, Kano's shoes and Akane's sandals anyway.

Kouji was on the phone with someone. Akane was surprised at how fast Kouji got used to the real world. 'That was certainly fast…I wonder who he's talking to…'

Kano wondered the same thing. After all, as of right now Kouji and Kano only knew Akane's and Kimiko's families. Then it hit him. It was probably Tora. He felt a funny feeling in his stomach again. 'So what if he does like her? I should back off. Might be nice to have someone act as a mother…never really had one after all… '

Akane touched his arm. "You okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. Let's go." He headed for the door.

"Be right there. Gotta grab my keys." Akane went into the kitchen, but still listened to Kouji. He had made a date with Tora to go out for drinks tomorrow night. She wondered what Kano would think. She hoped he'd be okay with it. She grabbed her keys and told her mother they'd be back later.

She jumped down the front steps and walked with Kano.

"So what was my dad talking about?"

"He uh…made a date with Tora I think. They're going out for drinks tomorrow…"

"Oh…" He kicked a loose rock down the sidewalk.

"Kano are you okay? You're awfully…you know…about it."

"I know…but, I really don't know what I think." He shoved his hands in his pockets. "I know Kanako was never really a mother to me…but I also know my dad loved her…I'm not sure I want to see someone else in the picture…it's always been just me and my dad…"

Akane stopped him. "Kano…no one will ever take Kanako's place in your dad's heart. No one will ever take your mother's place. Your dad wouldn't let anyone. He's taken care of you on his own for 19 years. Maybe it's time he got a little time to himself. Tora understands what it's like to lose a loved one. Let her be there for Kouji like we were there for you." She took his hand. "With everything that's happened, Kouji hasn't given himself time to mourn."

Kano sighed deeply and looked at the sky. "Why do you have to be right?"

"'Cause I'm me?"

"Good enough." He chuckled. "But you really are right…Tora's probably good for my dad." He smiled. "Dad deserves something for putting up with me for 19 years."

"Do I get something for putting up with you for a few months?" She grinned.

"Maybe." He brought her close and kissed her right there on the sidewalk.

She smiled. "I can live with that." She kissed back.

"Hey, can you two keep the public displays of affection to a minimum?" Hiroshi's annoyed voice made them pull apart. "Kano, when did you start kissing my cousin? Well, I should ask when since we got back. We all knew you were doing that in Konan too."

Akane frowned and whapped Hiroshi in the head. Kimiko and Kano laughed. He winced and rubbed his head.

"Watch it Hiroshi. I'm stronger than you."

"Barely. Besides, I'm still growing. You're done."

"That's enough." Kimiko stepped between them. "You two fight like a brother and sister more than cousins."

"Ain't it beautiful?" Akane grinned.

Kimiko smiled. "But really. You two used to kiss in private. What happened?"

"Well…" They both looked at each other and smiled. "What do you think happened?"

"Your dad accepts Kano?" Hiroshi blinked in surprise.

"I'll thwap you again…" Akane warned.

"Please no!" Hiroshi covered his head.

Kimiko laughed. "You baby."

He wrapped his arm around her waist. "I'm your baby."

"Ugh. Gag me." Akane stuck out her tongue.

"Gee. And here I thought I was supposed to meet new people today." Kano rolled his eyes.

Akane smiled. "Come on." She grabbed Kano's hand and the 4 of them went into the park.

Akane saw some of her friends and waved them over. There were two boys and two girls. She introduced Kano to Hisa, Chizu, Masakazu and Ryuchi. Masakazu, being the sports lover he was, brought a basketball and asked if the others wanted to play. The girls declined, but Hiroshi dragged Kano into a two-on-two game. Akane had taught him how to play, but he'd never actually played with other people. Akane and the other girls sat up on some bleachers and watched.

"Akane, Kano sure is cute. Where'd you pick him up?" Chizu nudged her friend.

"Shut up! He's my dad's friend's son. He'll be here for a few weeks. And he's taken."

"By who? Somebody back home?" Hisa watched Kano run after Ryuchi. "She's right, he's very cute."

"No. By Akane."

"Kimiko! Must you be so blunt?" Akane elbowed her.

"Yep." She grinned.

"No way! Your dad is gonna let you go out with him?" Chizu and Hisa's jaws dropped.

"Ay! Yes! Okay? Enough with my dad! He's just looking out for me. Besides, my dad kept me away from all those other losers so I could be with Kano."

"Okay, we'll lay off your overprotective daddy. Too bad a cute guys gets taken before we get the chance to see him single." Chizu sighed.

Akane glared at her. "Yeah, too bad."

"Whoops! Sorry!" Hisa held Akane back. "So Kimiko, when did you and Hiroshi start being all like you know, a couple? Everyone knows he's had a crush on you for like, forever. When did it get you know, serious?"

"Wasn't that long ago. And I know. I was umm…afraid of commitment?" She shrugged and watched Hiroshi shoot a three-point basket.

"That's a guy's excuse." Hisa laughed. "I see he gave you his necklace. Very pretty."

"I know. Isn't it?" Kimiko smiled.

"What's your brother think of him?" Chizu asked. "God…what I wouldn't give to run my hands through his hair…"

Hisa whacked Chizu in the arm. "You never know when to shut up, do you?"

"Nope!" She happily grinned.

Akane and Kimiko looked at each other and rolled their eyes. They couldn't help but wonder if they had acted like that when they were single.

"My brother hates the idea of me seeing Hiroshi with a passion! But I'm not letting that stop me. Akira has no right to control my life."

"Akira needs to get laid." Chizu muttered.

"Maybe you can take care of that. All you ever think about is boys." Hisa smirked. The other girls laughed as Chizu blushed deeply.

"I hate you!" Chizu punched Hisa in the arm.

Akane enjoyed watching Kano run on the court. There was just something about seeing him in her world. He almost looked like he belonged here. She almost didn't notice Kimiko poking her. "Huh? What?"

Kimiko gave her a funny look and the other two girls laugh. "Drool over Kano much?"

"Shut up! I was thinking."

"Yeah. About him." Hisa giggled.

"I said shut up! Now why were you poking me?"

"I asked if Kouji said anything else about my mom."

"Oh."

"Who's Kouji?" Hisa asked.

"He's Kano's dad." Kimiko answered. "We think he and my mom like each other."

"What about Kano's mom?" Chizu asked.

Kimiko and Akane looked at each other, not comfortable with the question. "She's dead." Akane answered slowly.

"Oh…" Both girls quieted down. "Sorry."

"It's okay…we're hoping Tora will be good for both of them. I think Kouji and Tora are going out for drinks tomorrow."

"Just another reason for Akira to go ballistic, right Kimiko?" Chizu asked.

"Of course. When he finds out, it's all over." Kimiko sighed and rolled her eyes. "He only thinks about himself."

"Then tell him to shove it. After my mom left, my dad wanted to date again. My older sister wouldn't have it. I told her to shut up and let Dad do what he wanted. She listened and now she gets along really well with my step mother." Hisa shrugged.

"Maybe you're right. I should tell him to shove it." Kimiko smiled. "Thanks Hisa."

"What are friends for?"

"Dammit Kano! You're too fast!" Ryuchi struggled to keep up with Kano as he ran and passed to Hiroshi.

"Says you." He smirked.

"Hey, you coming to school while you're here?"

"Unfortunately."

"You should join the basketball team. We could really use some help." Masakazu sighed as Hiroshi scored again. "You know, I can't wait till next year when you're in our school. You've gotta come on the team too." Hiroshi tossed him the ball. "You two have thoroughly trashed us, what's the score? 27 to 4."

Hiroshi grinned. "Upperclassmen begging for talent. I love it."

"Shut up. I'm serious. You're both tall and good at basketball. Our team needs all the help it can get." Ryuchi sighed.

"I'm not sure it's worth it. I'll only be at school for a couple weeks. Then my dad and I are going back home."

"You sure we can't persuade you to stay?" Masakazu pleaded.

"I've got stuff to do back home. I can't ignore it for the sake of a school team. I guess I'll join while I'm here, but I have to go home eventually." He said sadly.

"You don't sound to enthusiastic." Masakazu commented.

"He's living in Akane Kou's house. Who wouldn't want to leave?" Ryuchi muttered.

"Hey! Watch it!" Both boys snapped.

Ryuchi held up his hands defensively. "Okay! Sorry! I'll shut up! I know when not to deal with a girl's family and boyfriend!"

"Sometimes not." Masakazu muttered.

"Shut up!" Ryuchi glared at Masakazu.

After another 15 minutes of watching the boys play, Akane saw Naoko and Nyoko walk by on the other side of the court. Nyoko carried a bag with her. Naoko saw Akane and dragged Nyoko over.

"Hey girls." Akane smiled as Naoko climbed up the bleachers. "You coming Nyoko?"

"Nah. I have to go to ballet. Thanks for the offer though." She smiled and kept going.

Naoko slouched in her seat. "Over achiever…" She muttered.

"You could do it if you wanted to. You're every bit as flexible and agile as Naoko."

Naoko looked up at Chizu. "I'm Naoko. Nyoko's in ballet."

"Oh! Um…crap! I did it again. I'll learn to tell you two apart one of these days!"

"It's easy. Naoko has longer hair. That's the way I tell them apart." Akane gave Chizu a funny look.

"You're suppose to tell them apart. You're their cousin."

Hisa and Kimiko looked at Naoko then at Chizu. "We're not family and we knew Naoko's always had longer hair."

Naoko grinned. "You're way out numbered now."

"I don't like you people." She pouted.

Hisa giggled. "We tease because we care."

"I'd hate to see what you'd do if you hated me."

"Make your life a living hell?" Kimiko grinned and shrugged.

Chizu let out a moan. "Tell me again why I'm friends with you?"

"Because we're neighbors and we've always been best friends." Hisa answered while putting her arm around Chizu's shoulders.

"Jeez, I'm glad my sister is my best friend. We have an excuse to know each other silly."

"Sounds like so much fun." Hiroshi jumped up into the bleachers near Kimiko. They boys finally finished their game and joined the girls.

"Oh, it's just great having a twin sister for people to confuse you with." Naoko cast a sideways glance at Chizu.

"I said I was sorry!"

"What was the score?" Hisa nudged Ryuchi with her foot.

Ruichi and Masakazu made funny noises. Hiroshi and Kano grinned. Akane smiled. "You two murdered them didn't you?"

"Only 40-8." Kano laughed.

"Shut up." Masakazu growled. "Can't believe you beat us so bad…"

"Maybe it was just a fluke. Maybe next time it'll be 40 to oh say maybe 12?" Hiroshi grinned.

"You're horrible." Kimiko whacked his knee.

"Kano we should get home. Dinner'll be ready soon."

"Alright." They climbed down the bleachers. Hiroshi followed.

Akane stared at him. "Why are you following us?"

"Can't a guy get some food at his aunt's house?"

"I'm coming too." Naoko ran down to join her cousins.

"Can I come too?" Kimiko came down too.

"Oh sure. It'll be a happy family party or something." Akane sighed. "Kimiko might as well be family. She and Hiroshi are gonna get married."

"Akane!" Kimiko ran after Akane as she took off towards her house.

Hiroshi, Kano and Naoko smiled at each other and ran after the other girls.

Hisa sighed as she watched them go. "Wouldn't it be nice to have a family like that? They all get along so well."

"It'd be nice." The others nodded.

Akane let the others catch up with her and they all walked back to her house.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hi all! Enjoy the chapter?

On a side note, my friend Aiko drew some more pictures for me. Hee hee. So happy. My list of pictures is as such:

1) Akane

2) Kano

3) Akane and Kano kissing

4) Kimiko and Hiroshi sitting back to back

If you want any, you know how to get them.

~*~Shadow Hawk~*~