I know, I know, inexcusable... I do have a good reason for staying away from my lovely Yu-chan's fanfic, but I feel like even that isn't enough. *sighs*

Even so, I'm back and kicking! Let's get rolling! Sandy, this one's for you, and your awesomeness and patience as a reader!

DISCLAIMER: Still wishing I owned KnB. Maybe then Yu-chan would never graduate, and he would even be the main hero...

There were a lot of things that Junko had seen in her life as a writer. Maybe she was chasing after them most of the time...

But nothing she had seen so far would have prepared her to witness Kagami Taiga, fireman bachelor extraordinaire, sitting on a chair in a hospital room, next to a bed in which a child wearing the classic green robe the patients wore was tucked. The worst thing of all was, though, that both the man and the boy wore identical scowls!

"Oi, Taiga", she blinked cluelessly, ignorant of the already heavy atmosphere in the room, "you didn't tell me you had a kid. What kind of a crazy bitch would want to bear you a son?"

Both males paled at that, looking like the mere idea was going to make them sick. The fireman stood up abruptly, not wanting to give her a chance to speak again, and, grabbing her arm, started dragging her out of the room.

The door, though, remained open, enabling them to hear the boy screech in horror and disgust "Son ?! Do I look like this buffoon's son?!"

"Are you out of your mind?!", the tall red-head whispered angrily as soon as the pair was out in the hallway.

Junko looked at him as if she was bored "What's the big deal? It's not like I'd judge you or anything..."

"Shut up! ", he snapped, covering her mouth with his big, rough hands. "Sheesh, Junko, put that brilliant mind of yours to work, he doesn't even look like me!"

Taking his hands off her lips, she gave him a once-over, and then, without any shame, she leaned towards the door and stared at the still scowling boy. Brown hair nearly fell over equally brown eyes. His gaze was hostile, mostly defensive, and he would look adorable, if he could just drop the ugly face and smile - though, what did Junko know about kids, anyway?

Straightening her form, she looked at Kagami again "I don't get it. "

He facepalmed, murmuring "Figures... ". Then, he turned on his serious mode and explained "This is Yamamoto Akira, the 3rd. He's the lone heir to the Yamamoto Shoes Industries, an international firm. I... saved him from the fire that killed his parents, and now I'm stuck on social services on what to do. So, if you're still wondering about out connection, this is it. "

Thoughts started swirling in her head, and she nearly saw stars "A tragic victim?! Can I talk to him? I was thinking of having Aki chase an arsonist in the next book and - "

"Oh, no, no, NO! ", the red-head grabbed her by the back of her shirt before she could enter the room and bother the kid. "Not until you take the OK from the social worker of his case - actually, now that I think about it, maybe we should wait a few years, just in case. "

Her eyes narrowed "I have a gun..."

The fireman snorted "Both you and me know it's fake, so don't even bother. Now, be a good girl and scram."

Junko pouted, but she knew when to accept defeat - well, sort of, she could always come pester the boy at a time Kagami wasn't present to stop her. Sighing, she turned and left him where he stood, without any words of parting whatsoever.

Kagami shook his head at the sight of Junko's back. Truly, that woman needed manners if she ever wanted to get married. Not that he was one to talk, but he wasn't interested in settling down, anyway. Not even with women like the hot number walking down the hallway, with her arms full of flowers.

*Wait, hot number?* , he did a double-take.

The woman approaching had long, straight black hair, and black eyes. She wore glasses and had a frumpy, old-school teacher outfit on, which was a dull grey. The red center of the big white flowers that threatened to spill from her hold was the only bright color on her.

Kagami, though, wasn't to be fooled. A quick glance at her butt as she walked by Akira's door was enough to tell him that the boring clothes hid a body to die for.

Hold on... AKIRA'S DOOR?!

"Oi!", he roared at her in panic. "Don't bring that shit near the kid! What if he's allergic or something?"

The poor female nearly jumped out of her skin at his viciously booming voice. Squeaking, she turned around, trying to keep the flowers in place and straighten her glances at the same time. Her face was pale, and she instinctively took a step back at the sight of the tall, intimidating male.

"Mr. Kagami", a cold voice reprimanded him, "that is no way to speak ing the presence of a child."

Now it was Kagami's turn to lose all color from his face. *Oh, shit!*

Akira nearly snickered at the sight of the tall brute turning a ghostly white. Seems like he wasn't the only one who was scared of Miss Tabata. Not that she was a bad person or anything. She was just too... serious.

She always carried herself around like royalty, with her head held high despite her small height. Her auburn hair, held in a high ponytail, was never out of place - not even by a single strand! Her cinnamon eyes seemed to scrutinize and examine every little detail wherever she went, though her gaze rarely was cold or cruel - not that any adult would ever understand that.

Case in point, the brute was shaking in his fireman boots.

The social worker marched to Akira's bed, a feat truly remarkable considering her white stilettos, and took a seat on the chair next to it. The sweet, spicy and woody aroma of marjoram that always accompanied her was a welcome contrast to the fireman's - he reeked of charcoal and sweat. It helped warm the kid enough to trust the woman.

Said woman straightened her red, office-style dress, and looked at the male still standing at the door "Mr. Kagami, a moment please?"

He obviously understood, cause he silently nodded and entered the room, closing the door behind him. Taking a couple of careful strides, he reached the foot of the bed, and continued no further.

The social worker held back a groan. It would not do to lose her composure and show her sympathy towards any of the people under her care. But she wished, just this once, that she wasn't who she was. Then she wouldn't be the one responsible of delivering the kind of news she was about to drop on those two males...

Uh-oh, what could Miss Tabata want to talk to them about? Poor Kagami, I really feel sorry for what's coming for you...