Disclaimer: I don't own Hot Gimmick. Miki Aihara does. So deal!

Run away…

She heard the words skitter across her mind. She didn't know what to do anymore. The stress of Kazu and the stress with Ryoki, it was all becoming too much for her to handle. She would never abandon her son, but Ryoki was another matter. Maybe if she disappeared for a bit with Kazu, perhaps Ryoki would see that she was serious, and change his ways. She shrugged and smiled. "It's worth a shot, right Kazu?" she said softly to her little boy.

When it was clear the next day, Hatsumi contacted Azusa. She knew that he was living alone and that he liked kids. She also knew that he hated Ryoki with a passion. She was sure that he'd let her bunk with him.

"So can I?" she asked after she explained her situation to him.

"Why not. I like giving that ass a hard time." he said. "Come over later. Have Maiko come with you. I wanted to see her any way." He said.

"I'll see you later." She said before hanging up the phone.

"Maiko!" Hatsumi called. She waited for the maid to come. She sat her down and explained the plan to her.

"Are you sure you really want to do that to the young master?" she asked.

"I think it's the only way to get him to realize his flaws." Hatsumi said. "I don't want to marry a man that won't truly listen to what I say." She said.

"Okay, I'll help you." Maiko said with a smile. The two women then preceded with packing two bags, one with baby Kazuki's things, and the other with Hatsumi's.

While they headed to Azusa's Maiko decided that she'd be on Hatsumi's side. "I'll make sure to bring by some baby formula and stuff every so often. I'll just make it seem like I'm heading out for a date." She smiled and winked at Hatsumi.

"Maiko, I think that you're the only other sane person around sometimes!" Hatsumi said before hugging the young woman tightly.

When they got to Azusa's, Hatsumi went to the guest room where she'd be sleeping and set up the little play pen for Kazu. He'd be sleeping there, but she thought he'd be okay if she used some pillows as barriers to keep him secure.

Once she was all unpacked and settled in, she walked into the living room to find Azusa and Maiko in an intense lip lock. Hatsumi had had no idea that those two were TOGETHER! It was a shocker. She didn't know what to do except clear her throat. "Excuse me?" she asked timidly. "I didn't mean to interrupt."

The two love birds pulled apart, Azusa looking miffed, and Maiko flustered. "We were just…" Maiko began to say, but then sighed, knowing that Hatsumi really didn't care.

"I think it's cute." Hatsumi said. "I'm glad you're together. Maiko I think you could be of some good to Azusa!"

"Now wait just a second missy. Just what did that mean?" he asked.

"Nothing." Both girls said, and then turning to each other laughed.

Azusa turned towards Hatsumi and smiled. "Oh you need to hear this news." He said with a devilish grin on his face.

"What is it?" she asked, uncertainty in her voice.

"Subaru and Akane were caught after church in the courtyard behind that statue having hot raunchy sex." He said with a chuckle.

The only thing that Hatsumi could muster up was a sagging jaw. "How… very… unholy of them." She said after a few long seconds.

"Oh yeah, and man was the minister pissed. He "excommunicated" them from his church." Azusa chuckled some more.

"Mom must be so pissed." Hatsumi said. "I should go call Akane." She said.

"Don't, she and Subaru ran off." Azusa said. "Dunno where to though." He said. When he saw Hatsumi's worried gaze he immediately added, "I'm sure they're okay. Akane is super responsible."

Sighing Hatsumi put on a force grin. "You're right." She said. She smiled weakly and told Azusa that she was going to go take a nap. She went back in the spare room where her son was sleeping peacefully and smiled. She sat on the side of the bed and flipped open her phone. There was a text message from Ryoki.

Hatsumi where the HELL are you! Come back now!

Sighing, Hatsumi replied giving him a solid "NO." She wouldn't go back until he realized that he wasn't treating her properly.

A/N: I'm so sorry for not updating in 3 months! WTF is wrong w/ me? I am sorry it's so short. This all could be due to the fact that vol. 11 isn't out… I'm sorry that my creativity has been dry lately.

Please don't abandon me!

Love you guys!

Teri