Author's Notes: I'm back! Well, not quite as this is not the whole chapter yet. I just wanted to let you know, my dear readers, that this story is getting somewhere, after more than a year of no updates. Gomen nasai, minna-san… ; I'll be posting the real chapter, I hope, after a couple of days. You may leave a review for this very short update, but I urge you not to and just leave one when I finally post the real chapter. Ok?
There are some questions that needs answering but I'll just get to that when I post the whole chapter. Alright?
Disclaimer: Kenshin and all the others that you recognize are not mine…
"KENSHIN no baka! Why did you have to bring Kenji here?!"
Misao heard Kaoru Himura's demand as soon as she had entered the office of KR Mokei, Inc., the modeling agency that Kaoru runs and whose models exclusively wear her designs on fashion shows. She couldn't decipher Kenshin's reply though but she's sure he's trying to calm his wife down and explain his reasons.
She was greeted by the sight of Sayo Muto kneeling on the floor, playing peek-a-boo with Kenji and Pai.
"Ohayou!" Misao said, as the two toddlers ran to her when they saw her.
"Ohayooo!" Kenji and Pai greeted back, as she picked them up, one at a time, and gave them a kiss.
"Mutsumi-san is fetching the new recruits," Sayo told her as she put Pai down.
She nodded and turned on her heels to the private office that she shares with Sayo and Mutsumi. Kaoru gave them the former conference room for their use when they need to work in the agency. She put down her bag on the table, picked up her cell phone, and went out to join Sayo in playing with the kids. She was surprised to see, however, that the two children had already found someone else to play with.
She tried not to laugh as she joined Sayo on the cushioned seat and watched the scene before them.
"Ne, Misao, what's Shikijou doing here?" Sayo asked, as she suppressed a grin when Kenji and Pai pleaded for the bodyguard to lift them up.
"He's here with me," Misao answered, before laughing when Shikijou spun the kids around as they hang on his big arms.
"Personal bodyguard?" Sayo asked further.
"Hai."
"Because of the theft?"
"Hai."
"From Shinomori-san?"
"Hai."
"Hmmm…" Sayo muttered.
"Huh?" Misao asked with a glance on the woman beside her.
"Shinomori-san sent one of his bodyguards to you," Sayo stated.
"Yes… What are you getting at?" she asked.
"Nothing," the other woman answered with a laugh.
Shaking her head, Misao changed the topic.
"How's the photo shoot going?" she asked Sayo.
Sayo Muto is the Editor-In-Chief, General Manager, and Executive Editor of Ryûk, the magazine published by Amakusa Publications, Inc., which is owned by her brother Shougu Muto. The magazine is the only publication that can publish Misao's line of clothes. The three women, Kaoru, Sayo, and Misao work almost exclusively with one another. Misao designs the clothes, Kaoru showcases them on the runway, and Sayo features them on the magazine. Only Kaoru's and Sayo's companies can use Misao's creations.
Misao and Sayo were busy discussing the photo shoot regarding Misao's latest designs while occasionally stifling their laughs as they watch the fearsome bodyguard being bullied by the two toddlers, when Kaoru walked out of her office with her husband in tow. Kenshin reddened slightly when he saw Misao and Sayo glance up to their direction and he offered them a small smile, to which the two women grinned in return, before following Kaoru to the other side of the room. Kenji, upon seeing his parents, released his hold on Shikijou's leg and ran to them.
"Ne, Kenji, behave while you're here at your mom's office, ok?" Misao and Sayo heard Kenshin say to his son as they looked on at the Himuras.
Pai, seeing that her other playmate has left, tugged her small hand from Shikijou's big one and ran to where Misao and Sayo are, and the bodyguard walked over near the main door of the office and stood watch.
"Oba-san, where's Okaa-san?" Pai asked Misao.
"She'll be returning soon, ok?" Misao answered with a smile.
"Hai," the little girl answered before promptly running to Kenji's side when she saw his father walking towards the door.
"I'll get going," Kenshin said as he glanced at the occupants of the office before giving Kaoru a peck on the cheek and rumpling his son's hair and headed out.
Misao and Sayo burst out into giggles when they saw the dazed look on Kaoru's face as she walked towards them.
Last Notes: Thank you for all those who have liked my story thus far and for being patient. Tune in for the real update in a couple of days… Ja ne!