Thank you for reading this story. I hope your enjoying it. I know the last chapter wasn't as engaging as some of the others and I am sorry about that, but I had to put the Kuma bit in there. You'll find out why in the next chapter. As for this one... I don't know if your familiar with the manga for Gravitation or not but in volume 6 Noriko's husband makes an appearance and since he's such an interesting character that's whom I'm refuring to later on in this chapter. Also, if you don't get it the monk I'm refering to is Yuki's brother. I would have called him by name but since it's by Narumi's point of view she doesn't know his name yet.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 11:Red Hot Chili Powder
Narumi was completely exhausted. It was hard dodging the questions that her eager young students threw at her, and the other teachers had only proceeded to make it worse.

She massaged her aching temples with her fingertips. The day had definitely been a bad one but what was awaiting her at home she wondered? There was just an overwhelming sense of dread because she knew her brother was going to be they're waiting for her to get home. Was Touya talking with Ryuichi right now? Was he going to ask tons of questions too, or perhaps could it be even be worse?

She couldn't contain the anxiety that was flooding over her. This wasn't going to be pretty.

"Is anybody home? Narumi!"

Ryuichi watched as a strange man sat wailing in front of his new home. He was leaning against the door and letting his head bang against it over and over again. It was just like a steady drum beat.

"Shirokawa Touya-san?"

He looked up at Ryuichi and a big smile spread across his face.

"Yep!"

Touya got a good look at the man approaching him... was this?

"Sakuma-san?"

Ryuichi smiled and led him inside. So this was Narumi's big brother.

It didn't take long before the doorbell began to ring and the guests began to arrive. When Touya found out what was going on he was all for it. His little sis did need to loosen up. She was a good-hearted person but she always seemed to forget that living was as much a part of life as her work was.

It sure was quiet tonight. Narumi thought as she headed up the walkway to her door. The lights were already on so Ryuichi had probably already gotten home.

Did that mean he let her brother inside already? Was he talking up a storm with Ryuichi right now? She really hoped the two of them were getting along all right.

A light smile forced itself to the corners of her mouth. Of course they would get along. She chided herself. Why wouldn't they?

She slipped the key into the lock of the door and opened it. She wasn't even a little prepared for what she found there.

Feathers were flying across the room. Well, for that matter so were the pillows that Ryuichi, her brother, and a young looking redhead were beating each other up with. She looked across the room and found the place filled with people.

Narumi definitely had a headache. This could easily be called the worst possible scenario.

"Narumi-chan! Welcome home!"

Ryuichi waved his pillow happily in the air, setting free a brand new flurry of feathers.

"So your Shirokawa-san?" A woman with curly purple hair asked. She smiled cheerfully as the three of them continued with their pillow fight.

Narumi just stared. She wasn't sure if this was reality or just a cleaning nightmare.

"Don't worry about them to much. Sakuma-san and Shirokawa-san seem to be getting along quite well." She passed the dazed Narumi a glass of wine. "This will help. Would you like to joing me and Maki in the kitchen. It's quiter in there?"

Narumi wasn't listening. She didn't even notice the glass of wine that was being extended to her.

What had they done to her home?

She felt like she was being driven into an even darker nightmare than she had ever been driven before. How did this happen? Why? Why did this happen?

"Shirokawa-san? Are you all right?" Noriko gently shook her shoulders. She was trying to get the young woman's attention, but it was of no use. Narumi was oblivious to the entire world.

Well, that's what one of Ryuichi's parties will do to you.

She grabbed Narumi's wrist and lead her through the crowd and towards the kitchen. Narumi was finally starting to get herself pulled a little bit back together, when an elderly man came up to them.

"Who's ya Daddy!"

Noriko smiled brightly and gave him a peck on the cheek. Narumi took the opportunity to take a few steps back from the... hmmm...

Were those two... a couple?

She could feel her cheeks begin to turn red.

There was a knock on the door, when somebody went to answer it; a young monk came in through the door.

"Sakuma-sama!" He squealed happily before running over and latching onto Ryuichi.

She just couldn't take it anymore. Her scream of outrage mixed with desperation pierced through the joyous clatter of the party as she ran up the stairs in a panic. Ryuichi saw the streaks of tears flowing down her cheeks as she hid herself upstairs in her bedroom.

The clicking sound of her bedroom lock was very clear in the silence that followed. The scrapping sound of the chair being used to blockade the door was also extremely clear in the silence.

Chapter 12: Strawberry Heartache - In which Kuma is returned to Ryuichi, and he goes after her.