Narri-chan: Humm, dee-dum-dum duuum... (typing) GAAAH! NO! Caldina wouldn't say that! (deletes quickly) Dang, I've written myself into a corner...

Police: (break down the door) Hold it RIGHT THERE, missy!

Narri-chan: GAH! Oh...oh, no, officers, there must be some mistake! I'm not holding the Inu-Yasha cast members captive in my basement! I didn't go out clubbing with my friends without a licensed driver with me! I haven't been smuggling Pocky illegally through the UPS...again! WHAT exploding lawn gnomes?!

Police: Umm, you were cleared of all those charges.

Narri-chan: (sweatdrops) Oh, yeah...hey, you guys actually remember me! I'm so TOUCHED! Hi, Sergeant Thompson! - I see you hiding way back there!

Sergeant Thompson: (waves awkwardly)

Narri-chan: Sooo...what's the deal?

Police: You're under arrest for not putting a disclaimer in your fic for TWO WHOLE CHAPTERS!

Narri-chan: NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! (gets dragged out by the police, sans Sergeant Thompson who helps himself to the Pocky on my desk) I just forgot! Honest! They all KNOW I don't own MKR or any of its characters...right? RIIIIIGGHHTT?!

..............................................................................................................................................

Fuu's legs were cramping underneath her, and her back ached from sitting up so straight for so long, but protocol had to be upheld. She crossed her feet at the ankles; they were rapidly falling asleep. Why were they here? What was such an emergency that the entire family had to be called to the main house?

And more specifically, why was that young man at the end of the table studying her?

Her grandfather entered the room at last, his cane slowly tap-tap-tapping on the smooth, wooden floor: audible sighs of relief and impatience were heard around the room, particularly from Kuu's direction. Fuu glared at her sister out of the corner of her eye, but the wizened old head of the family simply smiled benignly in their direction. Windom's knight bowed her head respectfully, wishing Kuu would do the same...but asking Kuu to observe proper Japanese etiquette was like asking a dog to wear shoes and walk on his hind legs. Perhaps this was why they two were their grandfather's favorites: Fuu submitted to authority as a rule, but if Kuu was restrained from being herself at all, she would get extremely irritable and twitchy. Fuu was surprised, when she was accepted into CLAMP School High School Division, that her sister even agreed to wear the drab uniforms...they later found out that the uniforms were optional, and she had been bringing extra clothes and changing in the girls' bathroom each morning.

Their grandfather beamed at them all as one of the aunts got up to help him to his seat. "Good afternoon, everyone. I would like to introduce to you my respected business partner, the co-President of the Hououji Trade and Commerce, Tsaikiru Kodunki-san, and his family, Tsaikiru Ayame-san and Tsaikiru Kohaku-san." He nodded to the couple and the boy who had been eyeing Fuu. They were sitting at his right side at the opposite end of the low table.

A middle-aged gentleman in a business suit bowed from his seated position next to the old patriarch. "It is my pleasure to meet you all." The thirty-eight Hououji in attendance returned the bow politely, and Tsaikiru-san continued on. "You know, if it were up to me, it would be called the Tsaikiru Trade and Commerce!" his audience laughed pathetically. "But, I'm sure you all know how stubborn this old goat can be!" he clapped Grandfather on the shoulder, and the two laughed until they realized no one found it funny and they were being stared at.

The young man sitting by Tsaikiru-san cleared his throat loudly. "DAD...nobody cares..." he muttered, rolling his eyes. Fuu couldn't help but stare. 'How rude...' she thought, grimacing. 'Kuu I can tolerate, but this is too much, even if he is a guest...' She glared at the boy. "I believe your father was speaking. Have you so little respect for him that you would dishonor him like that?"

Kohaku tilted his head to one side and smirked down the table at her, oblivious to the approving glances the relatives were giving Fuu. "What's it to you, Doll-baby?"

Fuu choked at his response, and was about to retort when she sensed Kuu about to spring out of her crouched position. "How DARE you refer to my sister that way, you presumptuous bas—"

"Children!!" the girls' father, Kohaku's father, and Grandfather barked at the same time. The two business partners had wide grins across both of their faces. "It's perfect! I'm so glad they get along!" Confused looks were exchanged up and down the table at this. The sisters' father frowned angrily at them, shaking his head 'no'. The two bowed their heads, still glaring at the floor. Their grandfather smiled benignly at his granddaughters. "It is quite alright, girls, I'm sure there is no offense taken, right, Tsaikiru-san?"

"No, not at all!" The co-President grinned. "Should we get down to business, Hououji-san?"

"Indeed." Grandfather folded his hands. "Well, no use beating around the bush. Tsaikiru-san and I have decided to form an alliance within our company, to avoid power struggles and build better friendships from the inside out. We will first build better friendships inside our own families by combining them."

'Uh-oh...someone's going to be engaged,' Fuu thought regretfully. 'What a horrible way to live. I couldn't stand it if...' terror clenched her heart for a moment. Her. What would she do if they chose her? A million questions flew through her head at once. What would she do? Would she run away? Who would fight for her? Would she accept it? Would she even be extended the option of consent? How would Kuu react? What about Hikaru and Umi?

And what would Ferio say?

She started to panic as she glanced up and down the table for someone...anyone else, who would possibly be snared into this marriage trap instead of her. It was evil of her to wish someone else into this, but if they only understood...it was imperative that she stay single! She began to break a sweat as her eyes fell on her boy-crazy cousin, Mikako, gazing dreamily at Kohaku's face. 'Excellent! That would work just fine! That rude boy IS pretty good-looking, so Mikako should be satisfied if Grandfather promises her to him. And I would get off free!' Fuu grinned subconsciously. Since when did she plot and scheme like this? Honestly, Umi-san was rubbing off on her.

Her grandfather's voice called her back to the present. He was talking about her... Fuu began paying attention to the conversation at hand.

"As you all know, Fuu-san has a good, solid head on her shoulders. It has been my hope that someday, she shall inherit my position in the company from her father, who, as you all know, shall inherit it after I pass on." Her grandfather smiled sadly, and Fuu's suspicions rose again. 'No...please, no, don't say...' she felt tears gathering in the corners of her eyes as she returned her gaze to the carpet, unable to look at her grandfather anymore. How could he just keep smiling like that? Keep on smiling happily as if nothing was wrong, while he shattered her heart and took away her freedom? Who was she kidding, Mikako would never be the one chosen. She would. 'How could you DO this to me? What about my happily ever after? What about my life?' she thought furiously, her voice itching to hurl those words into her grandfather's smiling face.

"And as Kohaku-san here is the heir to Tsaikiru-san's share of the company..."

'Please stop talking, please stop talking, please stop talking-'

"...we have agreed that it would be most beneficial for the company, as well as both of our families..."

Kuu tensed, grinding her teeth and glaring. Mr.Hououji's brows furrowed deeply as he frowned, and her mother chewed nervously on her bottom lip. They knew where this was going too.

'Grandfather...NO...!'

"...if Fuu and Kohaku-san were pledged to marry!"

A fist slammed on the table—Kuu's—as their relatives whispered nervously up and down the table. A tear trickled down Mrs.Hououji's cheek and a subconscious growl rose in her husband's throat as they turned around to look at Fuu.

To the former Magic Knight hadn't heard a thing. Just silence, numbing silence. And then, mentally, she could hear the shatter of glass, and she wondered if her heart was literally broken. A single tear slid down Fuu's cheek as Kuu put her fury away for another time and turned to comfort her baby sister. Grandfather and Tsaikiru-san just sat there, oblivious to the whispers and protests coming from around the table. And a satisfied smirk spread across Kohaku's face.

"Noodle delivery! Did someone order four bowls of regular Shrimp Noodles? I—hey! WATCH it!" Kuu stormed down the pathway diligently beside her sister, whose face was now a dark shade of pink, and who was hiccupping loudly. They almost knocked over the baffled delivery boy standing in the walkway with a box of noodles balanced on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Fuu-chan, we'll figure something out. Once Otou-san and Okaa-san and everyone are done with those blind fools, you'll be home-free, and you'll never even have to lay eyes on those jerks again," Kuu muttered in her sister's ear.

"Kuu, I...I just don't know! Grandpa will do that split-personality thing again...by the end of the meeting, everyone will be t-too intimidated!" Fuu sobbed into the sleeves of her kimono, staining wet spots into the cream-colored fabric. The delivery boy scratched his head. "Wait a sec...are you Fuu Hououji?" he asked hesitantly.

The girls spun around sharply. "Yes, I am," the blonde-haired girl muttered. "Do I know you?"

"No, but you know my sister! I'm Shidou Masaru, nice to meet you! Any friend of Hikaru's is a friend of mine!" he smiled gently. This girl looked as though she could use a friendly face about now. "My shift is almost over, and I'm pretty sure Hikaru is at home, if you want to come with me. I don't know what is troubling you, but it always helps if you talk to your friends about it," The Hououji sisters exchanged thoughtful glances.

"Hey...HEY, WAIT!" a voice rang down the stone pathway, causing Fuu and Kuu to stiffen. Masaru turned to see a young man, he guessed about seventeen years old, chasing the girls down the walk. He had dark brown hair and brown eyes, and wore an old-fashioned yukata, and was fairly handsome.

Catching up to the group, he grabbed Fuu's arm, oblivious to Kuu's growling. "Now that was ironic, wasn't it? Humiliating me in front of that entire meeting and then running out with so much as an 'excuse me'," he said in a mocking tone. Fuu glared at him through her tears and tried to jerk away, to no avail. "Remove yourself from my arm right now!" she demanded. Masaru didn't like the way this was playing out, especially the boy's next comment. "Like it or not, babe, you're mine now, and I can get even anytime, anywhere. Maybe next time I disgrace YOU in public somewhere?" He licked his lips and Fuu wanted to throw up. "You're pretty hot..." Fuu cringed in revulsion.

"I SAID, let GO!!" She jerked away again, and he gripped her arm tighter. "You're hurting me!" Kohaku smirked and twisted her arm a little.

"Hands OFF, you slime!" Kuu jerked a piping hot bowl of ramen from Masaru's carrying box and thrust it into the offender's face. He sprang back in shock and pain, and landed on his rear in a mud puddle. "Bitch!" he snarled.

Still glaring, Kuu turned back around to face the surprised Masaru. "Sorry. I'll pay for that." She said, not sounding apologetic at all. Masaru grinned. "Don't worry about it." He grinned smugly down at the guy sitting in the dirt. "It's about time someone called this guy on his manners. And taught him how to respect a lady, while he's at it," he said spitefully in Kohaku's direction.

"Onee-chan!" Fuu whimpered, drawing closer to her sister as Kuu put her arm around her and led her out the garden gate, Masaru following close behind. As soon as they were out of earshot, he closed the tall gate door behind them and smiled. "So is that a yes for coming to see Hikaru? I'm sure your sister would be more than welcome, too!" he grinned at Kuu, who did likewise. Fuu smiled tearfully and nodded to the taller boy. "Yes, I think that is exactly what I need, if it's all right with you, Masaru-san."

"You're more than welcome," he said, beckoning with his hand for them to follow him. He led them around the corner and up three blocks to the Shidou School of Kendo.

"Hello—OH! Hi, Masaru! And Fuu-chan, and Kuu...my gosh Fuu, what's wrong?"

Hikaru babbled as soon as she opened the door. Fuu smiled weakly and blinked against more tears that were threatening to fall. Thankfully, Hikaru sensed this and, leaving the older teens standing in the doorway, dragged Fuu by the hand down the long hallway and into her bedroom, where the distraught blonde was offered a box of handkerchiefs and a teddy bear to snuggle. "Now, Fuu-chan, just wait right here! I'm going to call Umi-chan, and she'll come right over, and you can tell us all about...whatever it is you're crying about! Be right back!" the petite girl called as she raced out of the room towards the phone in the kitchen.

The large, fluffy pet of the house, Hikari, brushed into the room almost as soon as his mistress had left. Whimpering softly, he leaned his hand into Fuu's palm, begging to be scratched. Fuu laughed for a second to herself before going to her knees next to the puzzled dog and throwing her arms around his neck, her tears soaking into the straw-like red fur. 'Oh...what will Ferio say...?'

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End Chapter 3

Next Chapter: A trip to Cephiro goes wrong, and the castle residents meet Kohaku. Stay tuned!

Narri-chan: (types the beginning of the next chapter) OH yeah, he's going DOWN... Bwahahahaaa...

John: Do you realize how poorly-designed your original characters are?

Narri-chan: (Tatra-style) Don't yell at me, 'Nii-chaaaan... I AM the elder sister... (sniff sniff, boo hoo) Besides, Kohaku is here to serve one purpose: be the bad guy. So I write him thus. He doesn't NEED depth. Sue me.

(Fans reading this fic: Hmm, no disclaimer for two chapters. We just might.)

Ferio: (flips through the first two chapters) What the--? What did you do to me? I'm SO out-of-character! Haven't you ever written a story before?

Narri-chan: Erm...no. I...I mean, I've written fics before, but...this is the first time I've done an MKR fic! And you guys are really hard to write!

Ferio: Well...just...try harder next time! And I get to proofread the next chapter before you post it! (reads over my shoulder) And make that Kohaku jerk die a horrible, flaming death, okay?

Narri-chan: (still typing) No promises. You yelled at me.

Ferio: Kusou...