Well, I had planned on working on this next week when I didn't have to work, but I decided that today was a good day to get some work done on the story. I hope you enjoy how this chapter came out and I will be working later next week on ch 5. Enjoy and let me know what you think.


Takumi had stopped walking and they were now standing in front of an impressive looking gate. As they had gotten closer to their destination, Takumi's grip had gotten slightly tighter and his posture, decidedly more rigid.

Now, standing next to Takumi was like standing close to a statue. He reluctantly leaned his finger against the buzzer and waited. Through the intercom, they heard, "Yes? How may I help you?" Takumi responded, "This is Takumi Walker. My grandfather summoned me to come and meet with him."

"Ah yes, Mr. Walker, we have been expecting you. Your grandfather is waiting for you in his study.

The gates clicked and began to swing wide. Takumi's face had gone pale and he was stalk still. Misaki gave his hand a reassuring squeeze before walking through the now opened entrance, Takumi in tow. The house, no 'mansion', was much larger than Misaki had expected.

Takumi seemed to finally come out of his daze and take the lead, walking through the front door. The massive staircase in front of the pair seemed to loom over them. Misaki gasped at the size of the entry and Takumi glanced down at her.

His thoughts drifted to the woman in front of him. How could he put this beautiful woman into this current situation? She didn't need to be a part of this. He looked down at their still entwined hands and scowled. This was his fault. He was taking advantage of her helping nature. Takumi felt ashamed.

A butler came up to the couple and motioned to a long hallway that had been missed during Misaki's initial sweep of the room. She glanced up at Takumi who was seemingly lost in thought. "Takumi, we should go see your grandfather now."

He shrugged his shoulders and forced his feet to move. This was not a meeting that Misaki should be forced to endure but it was too late to turn back now, and he could see the resolve on Misaki's face.

Takumi stopped in front of a set of double doors. Taking one last deep breath, he smartly rapped his knuckles once on the door and waited. A quiet 'Enter' could be heard from within. Grasping the handle, Takumi pushed the door open.

Misaki took a moment to appreciate the expanse of the room. It looked like a large library, shelves of books lining the walls. A series of stained glass windows lined one wall that played landscape to a very large Mahogany desk. Behind the desk was a comfortable looking leather chair that housed a, well put together, older man.

The man motioned for them to close the door and come forward. He swiped his hand in front of him to indicate that they should be seated in the chairs that surrounded the front of the desk.

Misaki was the first to move and she urged Takumi to move with her by gently squeezing his hand. Misaki could tell that he was in a silent debate with himself about their situation.

Smiling, Misaki took a seat and silently waited for what was to come. "Well Takumi, I am glad to see that you did not ignore my request." Takumi just stared blankly at the older man, his lips in a tight thin line.

The man's attention shifted to Misaki. "I am Duke Rachester. Takumi is my biological grandson. I asked you here today to discuss your relationship with my grandson."

Misaki nodded as she listened to the Duke. "I do not know your name, so if you would, kindly introduce yourself."

Misaki lowered her gaze and bowed slightly before saying, "I am Ayuzawa Misaki and it is an honor to meet you, Sir Duke."

"So Miss Ayuzawa, how did you come to know my grandson?"

Misaki took a breath and began her answer. "I met Mr. Walker in his bar. I had just been trying to decide on a drink when he made a suggestion. I tried what he suggested and then we had dinner together."

The Duke looked over to Takumi who had his eyes on the floor. "How much does she know about you and your family?"

"Grandfather, she doesn't know much. Only what I have said in passing conversations."

"And what is your current relationship?" the duke asked, shifting his gaze back to Misaki.

"Well sir, we are friends. But I enjoy your grandson's company very much."

The Duke smirked. "And do you wish to get your greedy hands on his money as well?"

Takumi stood quickly and slammed his hand on the desk. "How dare you ask her such a question?"

"SIT DOWN YOU INSOLENT BRAT, how dare you speak to me as such? Know your place."

Misaki reached for Takumi's hand and got his attention, motioning for him to sit back down beside her. The Duke watched the exchange with interest and glanced back to Misaki. "I see that you at least have manners and know your place. Now if you would please answer my question. Are you after my grandson's money?"

Misaki shook her head slightly. "Sir, I do not wish for his money. I make enough money of my own. Besides, I believe that someone should work for their money. Hard work is important."

The Duke looked down at his desk and studied a piece of paper. He picked the paper up and handed it to Misaki. Glancing at the paper, she was slightly stunned but it was not completely unexpected. The Duke spoke again. "Is this information accurate to your knowledge?"

"It is sir."

Smiling, the Duke handed Misaki a pen. "If you agree to the terms at the bottom, please sign." Misaki took the pen without reservation and signed the document. She handed both back across the desk and stood. Misaki uttered a 'Nice to meet you' before walking through the doors and closing them behind her.

Takumi looked up at his grandfather questioningly. The older man was grinning broadly, looking like a kid at Christmas. "What did you do grandfather?"

"I did only what was necessary." The Duke handed his grandson the paper that Misaki had just signed. The top section of the paper was Misaki's personal information. The information included; age, DOB, address, blood type, workplace and many other personal information bits. The second part of the paper looked like a mini contract. It read,

I, Ayuzawa Misaki, do hear by certify that all above information is accurate to my knowledge. I agree that my relationship with Walker Takumi is in a fresh stage. I do not look for any monetary compensation and, should our relationship progress, I forgo any future monies, lest marriage is achieved. If said marriage is achieved, new monetary paperwork will be drawn to satisfy both parties involved.

guarantor x Signature_

guarantee x Signature_

Takumi stared dumbfounded at the paper in his hand. How could Misaki agree to sign such a horrible piece of paper? And how could his grandfather be so callous to someone he knows nothing about? "How dare you make her sign something so disgusting? Are you that much of a depraved old man?"

The Duke just smiled. "You still need to learn your place boy. Take a lesson from Miss Ayuzawa. She knew what she was doing when she signed this paper. She is a smart one, I will give her that." Takumi stood. "Are we finished here?"

"We are. Leave my sight insolent pest."

Marching to the door, Takumi exited the room, closing the door with a harsh snap. Misaki was standing next to the door, leaning against the wall. Seeing the look on Takumi's face, she grabbed his hand and lead him back the way that they had come.

Once they were again on the sidewalk outside the gate, Takumi let out a huge sigh of relief. He turned and enveloped Misaki in his arms, resting his chin on her head and breathing deeply, enjoying the intoxicating scent of strawberries.

After a moment, Takumi realized what he had done and let go of Misaki, taking a step back. Misaki had a shocked look on her face and she was blushing. "I'm sorry Misaki. I did not mean to intrude on your personal space," Takumi sighed. She raised her head and replied, "It's fine. I understand."

Takumi knew she was probably still trying to process what had happened over the past hour but he is still in shock himself. Silently he begins walking back down the street to his apartment. He could tell from the corner of his eye that Misaki was following him while silently studying him.

The walk took them about 15 minutes and Takumi's shoulders had loosened considerably in that time. The farther away he went from his grandfather, the more he could relax. He unlocked the door to his apartment and stepped into the cool space. He stood to the side, silently inviting Misaki to enter. She obliged and entered into his personal space.

Slowly, as if in a slow motion movie, Misaki slid to her knees and placed her head in her hands, letting out a single sob. It was as if time stood still. Takumi kneeled in front of her and pulled her into another embrace. This time, Misaki's strong facade broke and a dam of hot tears began to burst forth.

Takumi sat down and pulled Misaki onto his lap, hugging her into his chest and letting her cry into his shoulders. She did her best to silence her sobs. She was a strong and independent woman, so why was she crying like a child?

Misaki had read the paper and signed it without reserve. She wanted to help Takumi in any way that she could. But she felt belittled. Her whole life was summed up on a half of a sheet of paper. And to the Duke, she was worth nothing. It is hard to not feel something when treated like a piece of trash.

After a few more minutes of silently crying, Misaki finally realized the compromising position she was in and pushed away from Takumi's chest before promptly standing.

Takumi climbed to his feet and went into the kitchen for a glass of water, returning and handing it to Misaki. She muttered a small 'thanks' and walked over to the couch and took a seat.

Takumi did not know what to say to this beautiful woman who had just cried her eyes out in his arms. All of this was his fault. How could he have been so stupid? Did he really believe that his grandfather would be any different to Misaki?

A small hiccup brought him back to his senses. He walked to the living room and sat on the coffee table across from Misaki before taking her hand in his. Somehow it now seemed so much smaller and more fragile than before.

Stealing himself, h took a deep breath and asked, "Misaki, do you want to back out of our friendship agreement? I will understand. This is a lot to deal with. My family are not very nice people."

Misaki shook her head and, with her eyes still lowered, said, "No, Takumi, I do not want out. What I want is to punch your grandfather in the nose." Takumi had readied himself for a variety of answers but that was by far the most surprising thing she could have said. The thought made him snort with laughter. "Now that would be a sight to see."

Takumi's chuckles were contagious and Misaki burst into genuine laughter. Takumi grabs Misaki's hands and knees down in front of her. "Misaki, I am so sorry."

"Please Takumi, don't apologize for something that isn't your fault. I told you that I knew this would happen when you first told me about your grandfather. I was just caught off guard by how completely blunt he was."

Takumi looked up into her eyes to try and gauge if she was speaking the truth. He saw that she honestly believed this and sighed with relief. He said, "I was so worried that he had ruined our friendship before it had even really started. He knows just how to manipulate things for his own benefit and never fails to take advantage of it."

Misaki chuckled and said, "Well he will have to do more than that to get rid of me. Sorry, I momentarily lost my cool. I don't normally let my guard down for anyone." Takumi said, "I hope that means you trust me somewhat." Nodding, she said, "Yes, anyone willing to leave someone they love to keep them safe is worth trusting. Don't worry about me, I fight battles for a living."

A hearty laugh left Takumi's throat and he leaned up and brushed his lips against Misaki's as he murmured a 'thank you' into her shocked mouth.