A/N: Back once again and this time with chappie 21. Me thinks it's moving along nicely! Though this chapter may seem like I'm side-tracking, I'm not. Also that little pink haired girl in the lilac dress should show her pretty little face later on! Oh plot devices, where would we be without them?!

Disclaimer: I own nothing as perviously stated.

Edits: Mistakes, I can't stand 'em 13.11.09


Chapter Twenty-one

Takara Shikawara

I lit an incense and placed it near the photo alongside a single lit candle. They all rested as peaceful in the room as did the one who was in their grave. I pressed my hands together and spoke to my mother. They were only secrets I could share with her and my words were only for my mother. Though she had passed five years ago, nothing had changed in terms of conversational purposes between us. The only thing that separates us is the spiritual and physical divide. This being the fifth year, I'll have to remind daddy about going to the grave sight soon.

There came a light tap on the doors before it was slowly opened. A bleach-white light shines into the room. It didn't distract me when the shadows behind my eyelids got brighter. The doors closes and I carry on. Once I finish, I call the person back into the room. It's only Yuta Takahashi, my personal guard. It is only when I'm at school is he not around me. My mother told me, after she and father held me once born that they gave me to Takahashi to hold with the task of protecting me. Since the very beginning of my life he's been there.

"Good morning young master, sorry to disturb you."

I put my glasses back on and smile at Takahashi. "Don't worry, I'm finished now."

Time with my mother, all emotions, thoughts and feeling, existed in this room and nowhere else. It was my business not to let it out. Once I close the door behind me everything went back to normal. "Did you get the documents I asked you for, Takahashi?"

"Yes, young master." He handed the few printed sheets of paper to me.

"Can't you call me Taichi, Takahashi?"

He flinches. Sure, I know he would never call me by that name however cute I think it is. It is young master and nothing else. I'm not even sure he's called me by my name at all. Doesn't matter. As we walk down the corridor I read over the notes. As expected they were overly factual. It even had details about things I didn't ask for. I can only hope this information comes in handy later on in my life. I roll up the sheets and head into daddy's drinking room. At this hour, daddy is up having sociable drinks with a friend from afar. I enter the room and close the door behind me. Daddy and his older guest are sipping on warm green tea in the centre of the low-lit room. A few big brothers were in the room too. I glance at daddy's guest and admire his loud and expensive attire that could only have come from China. I bow as I enter the room and greet them accordingly.

"Oh, Taka-chan," Daddy takes his cup in his hand. Since mummy passed, he no longer drinks sake unless it is for business, and because daddy's guest is a close family friend he respects his wishes not to drink sake. "Hao Feng Cheung and his son are staying with us for a few weeks, be sure to greet them on their stay.

"Yes daddy." I glance across at Mr Cheung, loving the quality of his blue silk robe, embroidered with slender black dragons. In the mild candlelight he twinkled like a distance star shining at night. "Morning Mr. Cheung, I hope you and your son enjoy your stay with us. Our doors are always open." I wait for Mr. Cheung to tip his head before I turn back to daddy. "And, can I use the black Mercedes to pick up a friend?"

He lifts his cup to his lips and doesn't face me. "Why not a more flashy one?"

"It's the least showy one we have, daddy. It'll only be for today. I made a promise with one of the girls' and I wish to keep it."

"Very admirable." Mr Cheung comments. Daddy agrees and allows me use of the car.

I gave him a kiss on the cheek and leave the room. Takahashi is waiting for me outside.

"Taka-san, can you get me daddy's keys for the S65 AMG and drive me to the address in the notes." I gave him back the documents and he does as I ask.

I walk the length of the house to get to my room. I pick out simple items of clothing among my more expensive gifts. Nothing more then a mini shirt and a v-neck top, flat shoes with no tights or socks. I can't be bothered wear anything heavy. I go for my handbag and decide against it. If I'm carrying something that small it'll feel like I've lost my tennis bag. Instead I grab for my rucksack and dump all my stuff inside it, all except the small handgun that lands on the top. I forgot about that. It's been so long since I've seen it. I roll my eyes and chuckle at the single-bullet thing as I toss it on my bed, remembering that my mother gave it to me on my third birthday. Really, what was she thinking? And why did daddy agree? Anyway, those are old stories that don't need to be recalled. I snatch for my rucksacks and head out the room and onto the forecourt. As expected, Takahashi is ready and waiting for me. The engine to the car is warming up and facing the right way. I'm not really into cars at all but this one I can bare being seen in. I walk up to the car and see someone else sitting in the front seat. I climb into the car and see it's Ryohei Murai.

"Murai-san, why are you here?"

"This is upon my request, young master." Takahashi says.

I can't fault him for doing his job and don't argue with him. As long as I find Asahi I don't care. They drive down the narrow streets before hitting the main roads and then head into the main city. Shikawara peered out the tinted window at those who walk by and the children that play in the streets. Takahashi tells me we are nearing one of the places Asahi likes to hang out with her school friends and asks if we should look around. I agree to this and send Murai out. He might as well make himself useful.

Takahashi hands Murai a clear photo of Asahi and he goes off. Unfortunately, like the car, Murai stands out too much. Those who pass by stop and stare and gossip about what might have happened. Murai is six foot and one inch tall and is as strong as an ox. He's kinda hard to hide... What was Takahashi thinking? No doubt he's going to scare the hell out of Asahi… maybe I should have gone myself… never mind.

It's not long before Takahashi and I hear frantic screams draw closer and closer. That had to be Asahi making all that noise. She screams all kinds of words like "Help, I'm being kidnapped!" and "Help, he's gonna kill me!" I didn't know she was so lively. From the front window I can see Murai barely struggles with Asahi flung over his shoulder… I really should have gone myself. Asahi's two friends want to run after Murai but they see the quality of the car he's heading towards, and possibly even Takahashi through the glass, and they freeze solid by the curb.

"Takahashi, open my window for me."

The tinted electric window winds down and Murai holds Asahi so I could see her face.

"Is this her, young master?"

Yep, though a little frantic, the wide black eyes and short dark-brown hair and pale skin all belonged to Izumi Asahi. I greet her with a smirk. "Shame on you Murai-san, picking up random girls. It's impolite to scare people."

"It's not her?" He thought, confused for a second.

When Asahi caught my smirk she gasps loudly. "You!"

"Bring her into the car Murai-san." I order.

"No! I don't want to die!" She screams. "Yuu-chan! Kana-chan! Call the police!"

Her fear stricken rant causes a shudder to run over my shoulders. I roll it away before the right car door opens and Murai bundles Asahi in beside me.

The door locks behind her but she throws herself against the door like a frighten rabbit. "Y-you're apart of Yakuza?"

I can't help but laugh. "I am Yakuza… well, I will be when daddy gives me the business."

"You're joking right? Tell me you're joking! Seigaku has connections like that!" She shrieks.

"Don't be silly. And I'm not joking. Sorry Asahi-Chan, you'll be spending the day with me. Takahashi, take us to the shopping centre." I face a bewildered Asahi. "What type of racket do you want?"

"…What?" she says very slowly easing into the comforts of the car.

"You've forgotten? I broke your tennis racket in the tournament, remember? I promised I'd buy it back, so, which one do you want?"

"What! Is this what this is about? W-why couldn't you have handed the gift to the school like a normal person?"

Frown at the comment and give her a bothered stare. "Because you would have refused, right? You would have avoided the meeting so the best way for me to keep my promise was to pick you up. And here I am thinking you'd be grateful."

Asahi's lost for words. I'm not too sure what her problem is. Oh, right her friends. I ask her if they want to come along and she still can't find words to express herself. She falls back in her seat and covers over her eyes to clean the tears away. I pull my phone out and made a quick call.

"Hello? Is this Hoshino-san? Is Yamashita-san with you? Good. Sorry, this is Takara Shikawara from Seishun academy. I'll be borrowing Izumi Asahi-chan for a few hours. Make sure you're both outside her house by five o'clock this afternoon. No. I'm just buying her a racket. Bye-bye."

I flick my phone close and pop it in my side pocket.

"How did you get their number? You really are Yakuza, aren't you?"

"I already said I was, though, after my mother passed the organisation has become a lot calmer. We keep in touch with our acquaintance and we still carry out stuff… though… I think when daddy gives it to me, I'll keep it at this pace… a lot less bloody."

"Ohmigosh. You know what, can we get this day over with."

"That's the spirit." I sit back in my seat while Takahashi drives us to the shopping centre.

I ask Asahi all kinds of things but she's too reluctant to talk. I didn't let that stop me. I'm not one to let the small things both me. I wasn't raised like that, which could explain why Arai-senpai doesn't irritate me. She's a lot of fun? I can't wait to have a serious match with her.

Once we arrive at the shopping centre. I get out myself and open the door for Asahi. She doesn't want to move. I assure her nothing will happen and she climbs out and hugs her waist to guard herself from some unwanted force. I put on my sunglasses and tap on Takahashi window. He winds it down.

"You two stay out of sight. I want this to be a girlie day out so no interfering. I don't even want to see a black suit in the crowds, okay. If I need you, I'll call you."

They don't want to but they agree. I blow them a kiss and turn to Asahi. "Ready when you are." Even though I say that I walk off ahead of her and into the shopping centre. She soon runs up to stand beside me.

"Really, you don't have to do this."

I ignore her. "Have you thought about what you want?"

"You're not going to let this go are you? You're stubborn, if I can say."

"I know, but, you know how I am when I'm serious."

"…Yeah…"

We make our way to the sports shop and head straight for the tennis racket sections. All the different makes are lined up neatly along the wall and shelving for both juniors and adults, different colours, grip, weight, string tension and the like. I watched Asahi. She's in awe of all the different brands. She went straight for a junior racket with a deep blue frame and cream and red string. She holds it in her hands. I went over to have a look.

"I've always liked this one… twenty six inches, it's not too heavy and it means that I can focus on my sweet spot… but it's way too expensive."

"18,000 yen? That's not so expensive."

Asahi faced me with an I-can't-believe-you-just-said-that face. She held that look for a moment then turned her back to me.

"For the likes of you it might not be. Some of us aren't so well off so these things are out of reach."

I hold my hands up, realising that this was the smug attitude that ticked off Arai-senpai when she was in front of Atobe-kun. "I'm sorry… if that's the one you want I'll buy it for you."

"Huh? Why? I thought you were going to replace the one I had?"

I stood beside her. "Why would I buy you a weak racket? I wasn't playing at full strength that day and I still broke it. Can you image what would have happened if I was really serious?"

Asahi shrugged it off and continued to test the racket in her hands. She squeezed the gear and bounced the strings on her wrist. That's it then. I opened my bag and take out my purse and ruffle through 18,000 worth of notes. Asahi glances over to see what I'm doing.

"Wow, rich people really are something else." She mumbles.

I take the racket from her and wait in the queue. Once bagged and paid for, I hand Asahi her new racket. She seems a little downcast and sighs the mood away and thanks me for the replacement. I smile and push my glasses up.

"Now what?" She asks. "It's only 1:30, you told my friends that I'd be home at 5pm."

"Well, I was gunna let you go home early but… you fascinate me. You keep telling me I'm different so I want to indulgence in your world today."

"Huh?"

I grabbed her limp hand and pulled her into the body of the centre. I'm going to make the most of this day. It's not often I'm out of the supervision of someone in the family so I'm going to take as long as I like at Asahi expense.

* * *

With fifteen minutes to spare, we both head for the car. Asahi actually began to relax around me, which made talking and socialising a lot more comfortable for the both of us. I bought her a few things but only on her terms. She didn't want to have to own me anything. Of course I bought myself a few things and two bentons for Takahashi and Murai who should still be waiting in the car.

"If you want you can cheer us on in the city tournaments."

"Oh yeah… Geez, I do really wanna see the games. But it's like an open worn for us."

"Don't be silly, observation is a way of learning too. No doubt we'll be playing each other next year so come. I want to see you there. Do you want me to pick you up?"

"No, not if it's going to be a repeat of today. If they give us the day off school, I'll come down."

"Make sure you keep your promise, Asahi-chan."

Murai held the door open for Asahi. She turns to me slowly with what could have been a testing look. I return it with a smile and enter the car through the door Takahashi holds open. We clip our seat belts in place and enjoy the easy ride home.


...tbc...

A/N2: Another one down.

Chapter 22: I have no idea what's going on next. It's either going to be Kikumaru's chapter or Tezuka and Fuji's chapter... which to choose... (^_^)