Bonus Chapter :)

Narumi Anju had heard that the junior senator of Japan, elected in November along with the new Prime Minister, was one impressive cuss, and it was true, even more so in person. Youichi Hijiri strode into Narumi's private study – Narumi wanted to keep this visit as quiet and unofficial as possible – with the confidence of someone who'd come under fire in more ways than one in his forty-something years. Even his enemies said he was a man of integrity, a retired pilot. Last fall, he'd stumbled into the headline twice, once before the election, once after – and both times in dangerous incidents involving the Hyuuga family of Cold Ridge, Hokkaido. His now-wife Aoi when she encountered a stalker. Then the other one's when she stumbles upon a murder.

Now, here was another Hyuuga in trouble. This time it was the brother, Natsume.

"Prime Minister," Youichi Hijiri said, remaining on his feet, his military bearing evident. "It's good to see you."

Narumi rose from the sofa and shook hands with the younger senator. "Thank you for stopping by. Here, have a seat. I won't keep you. I understand that one of the agents that have been shot in the Central Park is your brother-in-law."

Youichi took the most uncomfortable chair in the room, his signal, Narumi thought, that he didn't plan to stay long. "Natsume Hyuuga is my wife's brother, yes."

"He's doing all right? You've seen him?"

"He's in a good shape. The other agent-"

"Ruka Sakura is a family friend."

Narumi didn't mince words. The story had just broken. It was all over the news now, but from his blank reaction, either Hijiri hadn't heard of Narumi's relationship with the wounded deputy or was pretending he hadn't. "I didn't realize he was a friend. I'm sorry."

Narumi had just issued a statement through his press secretary. It was a balancing act. He didn't want to give the impression, no matter how unintentionally, that anyone in his admiration – anyone in law enforcement – believed that the shooting in Central Park was in any way connected to him.

"I understand Ruka's had a rough time of it," Narumi said. "We came close to losing him."

"Aoi-my wife- says his chances for a full recovery grow with every hour he goes without complications, especially from blood loss."

"Did you see him? Ruka – how did look? Under all circumstance, it's difficult for me to go up there myself. There's nothing political here, by the way. This is an entirely personal conversation."

But their surrounding begged the question – was anything persona, was anything private, when one was prime minister?

Youichi stayed unreadable. "Of course, Prime Minister. No, I didn't see Agent Sakura myself."

Narumi nodded, wondering why he bothers to invite Hijiri over to the Blue House. To assuage his own guilt at having neglected Ruka in recent years? Narumi hadn't approved him becoming an agent even though he said he's going to use the surname of his biological father. Izumi also didn't approved, although his reasons were different and he'd have been more subtle about his objections. The kid is smart, well connected, and personable. He could do anything with his life. Why spend it in gutter catching criminals? Now that he was in the Oval Office, Narumi thought, he had a different view. The work the Alice Secret Service doing is vital, and it needed good people like Ruka.

And that was what scared Izumi, Narumi knew. He wasn't worried so much that Ruka could do better – he was worried his step-son, which he considers as his only son. Was a throwback to the wild Sakuras of the past, mixes of loggers and riverboat workers who lived hard and die young.

"You and your wife are expecting a child?" Narumi asked casually.

His question seemed to catch Youichi off guard. "Just a few more weeks to go."

"That's wonderful. Nervous?"

The young senator didn't answer at once, but he obviously understood the subtext. In light of the tragedy of losing his firstborn, was he nervous about this baby? Narumi's own wife had lost all four of their babies. They'd almost saved the last one, a baby girl. People told him, or at least implied, it wasn't like losing a three years old child, as Youichi had. Narumi knew it was probably true. But miscarriage and stillbirth were their own special pain, their own special hell.

And the effect it'd had on Luna. She'd tell him he hadn't done anything wrong, it was her, all her. She'd let go some of the self-blame and self-pity since he'd entered public service and she'd taken her own issues, devoting herself to children's health, poverty and underachievement.

They both consider Ruka and Mikan as their children of their own. They'd watched them grow up, attended their birthday parties and graduations, and took the out on a picnic by the river and they'd gone to funerals together; Oba-san and Ojii-san Sakura, Himemiya's and Shizune's. Thank God he and Luna hadn't had to face Ruka's funeral.

Youichi managed a brief smile. "I guess a little nervousness is to be expected, Mr. Prime Minister."

"Good luck to you. Let me know, will you?"

"I'll be glad to. Mr. Prime Minister."

"I don't know anything about the shooting than you do," Narumi said, anticipating the senator's question. "Did you happen to see Mikan Sakura, Ruka's step sister?"

Youichi shook his head. "As soon as we realized Natsume was all right, we got out of his way."

"She's an historical archeologist. She doesn't have a background in law enforcement, the military, or politics. She just got back from a research trip in Scotland. She spent years researching the house where I grew up and the family that raised me." He sighed, picturing her hearing the news about her brother. "But she's tough. I keep telling myself that."

Youichi maintained his correct bearing. "I'm sure it's a difficult times in our lives when it's as if we're under siege. I can't imagine how you all must have felt when you found out your brother-in-law had been shot, even if he was only slightly wounded. After what you went through last fall –"

"It hasn't been easy, but we're relieved he's okay."

"Deputy Hyuuga, he's solid?"

"Solid as a rock."

"We don't know yet if he was the target, or if Ruka was or if they both were. Well, the FBI and the marshal won't leave a stone unturned in searching for whoever did the shooting. That much we know for sure."

Narumi pictured Granny Sakura, as everyone called her, at her stove in the beautiful log house on Northern Woods that her husband built just to attract a woman. They'd owned a sawmill that went out of business in the depression. Not long after, Ojii-san died in an accident. Oba-san always preferred he simple ways and said she never missed the mill. She remained a widow, without self-pity, for over fifty years. She made the best white beans in middle Kyoto. Even now, Narumi could smell them simmering on her stove.

She was Himemiya and Shizune's contemporary, just a few years younger than they were. But they were all gone now. Some days, it was hard to believe. They were strong women, survivors determined to do what they believe was right. Oba-san Sakura had lost her husband young, her first born in the war, and she meant her second son to live a long and happy life. She encourages Izumi to study hard, and then cheered when he went off to Tokyo, to begin his long, illustrious career as a diplomat and an advisor, a brilliant thinker. It was a life that, to Narumi as a boy seemed so far away, so beyond grasp.

Reach for the stars and you might hook the moon, Oba-san would tell him. You could be a Prime Minister one day.

Yet he knew Izumi's departure from Northern Woods had been another kind of a loss for his mother. Narumi had seen her sitting out on her porch, crying after her son's visits and she was alone again. When he moved back with his first wife and new born child Mikan. Oba-san couldn't hide her joy at having him home and when Izumi remarried to Yuka; who has a child which is Ruka. Oba-san gladly accepts them; she was the happiest woman in Kyoto. Even when Izumi took up traveling again, she understood the Northern Woods was his home, his anchor.

Himemiya and Shizune didn't have it in them to encourage Narumi to spread his wings and fly. They'd love him without condition, but they feared the outside world. Become a schoolteacher in town, they'd say. Get a job at the local bank. Don't walk away from your home, your roots.

But what home did he have, what roots?

Youichi cleared his throat in the awkward silence. "If anything," He begins, "Natsume might step on toes to get answers. I imagine Ruka Sakura would too, once he's back on his feet. They're not going to sit back." He tried to smile. "Well, they're not going to like sitting back."

"Mikan has the makings of loose cannon, especially where Ruka is concerned." But people never guessed it – they'd look at her and see the pretty face, the hazel eyes, the honey-brown hair and think good girl, not realize that she came from a family tree filled with scoundrels and adventurers. Narumi smiled. "I hope the agents are keeping an eye on her."

Youichi angled a look at him, respectful but at the same time curious, even suspicious. "Mr. Prime Minister, the attack, are you certain it had nothing to do with you?"

"There's no evidence of that whatsoever."

The young senator seemed satisfied, and in another minute, they bid each other good night. After Youichi left Narumi sank back down on the sofa. He'd spoken with such assurance, but did he know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that the shooting had nothing to do with him? No one had given him that assurance.

But it couldn't.

He'd never be able to live with himself if something happened to Ruka or to Mikan because of him, because of his position. Neither would Luna. She'd lost too much already.

He glanced at his watch. Just nine o'clock. He'd work for a couple more hours, make sure Luna is asleep and unable to ask questions, unable to articulate her fears, before he ventured to bed.

Hi Guys :)

Umm I need to clarify things. Last time I said Ruka wouldn't take part of solving the case but guess my plan changed. He will some eventually help them solve the case though he won't be in the field. :)

How are you guys? I'm great. Sorry for the late update. This was written weeks ago along with the other chapters of LDWL. I'm not able to upload it because of some connection problem. Hope you forgive me.

Since no one ask a question. There won't be a QandA for this time but I'm still waiting for you to fire some questions.

Anyway you know what to do. If you have any comments, opinions, suggestions or violent reaction. Just write you're it on the review section below. ;)

A quick Shout Outs to:

Haruhi-chan131

love crimson red ray88

Melo-Slice

sapphireangel09

Lots Of love XOXO

Claire-chan143