AN: Hello readers and reviewers well I'm here to tell you some great news that I will be having internet starting next week. I'm so happy about this and I hope that you reviewers and readers are too excited. I just wanted to say thank you for the reviews they have been a huge motivation for me. As for the updates I will be updating, but it will take a little longer because I'm writing longer now so please bear with me.

Disclaimer: I do not own Mai Hime or any characters

Warning: Mild and heavy themes of profanity.

Shizuru could feel the pressure of pain surge through her forehead as she managed all of her strength to get up. The tawny-hearted woman looked up to see that daylight had appeared through the kitchen window.

Ruka where is she? I have to go to Ruka!

Shizuru ran outta the kitchen to only run into an incoming fist instantly closing her left eye that was provided by non-other than Ahn. Looking up to see the cold hard eyes of her former lover Shizuru froze up fear released itself from her body as soon as she heard her daughter's voice. Looking up to see Ahn the older woman threw the younger woman a sick twisted smile before taking her jacket and heading for the door Shizuru watched through her good eye as the older woman paused before making her way outside.

"We will continue this later Shizuru… I will make you and that bitch pay for making me look like a fool," said Ahn in a dark sickening tone.

As soon as the older woman was gone Shizuru limped her way upstairs to see Ruka already up with tears in her eyes. Rushing over in a state of panic the tawny-haired woman hugged the crying girl. Looking with her good eye Shizuru checked to see if there was any physical damage to the young child the red-eyed woman sighed in relief as she found none. Catching the younger girl in a tight hug Shizuru held Ruka as though her life depended on it biting back tears the red-eyed woman mustered up the courage to ask her three year-old daughter what was wrong.

"I-I h-had a d-dream t-that the s-scary w-woman came back," said the girl in tears. Shizuru knew who her daughter was talking about and concern reached Shizuru's heart.

She always has these dreams when Ahn is around. Then, she always asks what's wrong with me and then I lie like I always do I need this to stop but how?

"Mommy what happened to your face?"

Shizuru could see in the morning window that her left eye was being to swell and turn into an ominous purple color. Along with the dried blood that formed its way down her left side of her fore head. Not wanting to alarm Ruka Shizuru smiled a bright smile and began to the calm the younger girl.

"Ara you see mommy was cooking your breakfast and then she heard you scream. So, I rushed over to your room, but I accidentally fell hitting my head and I hit my eye on your door knob trying to make my way up here," said Shizuru with a smile.

Shizuru watched as the girl took the time to think before smiling and wrapping her small arms around Shizuru's neck in a tempt to hug the crimson-eyed woman.

"Mommy's so klutzy you should really be careful mommy," said Ruka in her best scolding voice while looking into her mother's eyes. Sensing her child's playfulness Shizuru threw a mock salute before responding.

"Hai I will try my best."

"Hahaha mommy's so silly," said Ruka with a giggle.

"Ara I am I now? Keep laughing and the tickle monster will come," said Shizuru with a smile. Wanting to make the younger girl forget Shizuru proceeded to tickle the small girl's sides causing Ruka to squirm in laughter.

"S-Stop I-it t-tickle m-monster s-stop it," said Ruka in a huge fit of laughter. Shizuru stopped her ministrations while laughing herself slowly the laugher between the two died down and Shizuru looked up to the red-eyed girls ceiling. The twenty-seven year old woman's thoughts were broken by none other than Ruka's light voice.

"Mommy…"

"Yes what is it dear?"

"Are we going to see Natsuki today?"

Another fear made its way to Shizuru's heart as she had no way to explain to the younger girl who was patiently waiting for an answer. Looking over to the clock Shizuru looked to see that it was eight in the morning sighing in relief the older woman was glad that she wasn't out for long.

What should I tell Ruka? I can't let Natsuki see me like this also how is it that she so attached to Natsuki? Ruka usually distance herself with strangers. I mean… they did have a good time together yesterday. Could it be that Ruka subconsciously knows that Natsuki is her mother?

"Mommy are you sure you're alright," said Ruka shaking the arm of Shizuru.

"Ara I'm sorry baby I was just thinking of something," said the twenty-seven year old.

"Oh well can we go visit Natsuki?"

"Ara I suppose we can baby, but we have to get you ready so we can enroll you into school today," said Shizuru with a small smile.

"Ok can we see Natsuki after we go to school," said Ruka with pleading puppy dogs eyes.

Ara that look she knows what that means…

"Ara I suppose…we can see her after we come from school," said Shizuru with an uncertain tone.

"Ookini mommy yay," said the red-eyed girl jumping off from the bed.

"Ara you welcome baby now get ready I'll have breakfast ready when you are done."

Smiling fondly at the younger girl Shizuru made her way to the master bed room to kneel in pain as she clutched her mid-section.

I think she injured my ribs.

Peeling off her clothes Shizuru proceeded to make her way into the shower letting the cold water lightly hit her body and sore muscles. The crimson-eyed woman flinched as the cold water hit her eye to the naked eye. From the untrained eye it would have looked as though the tawny-haired woman was relaxing in a cold shower, but the water that pouring down the drain was also mixed with tears. Nothing, but sadness, worry and a long sense of darkness plagued Shizuru's heart.

Natsuki…

Meanwhile, Kuga corps meeting room

"As you can see gentlemen there will be a seventy-nine percent markup if this trade is done successfully. Our partner group Fujino enterprises are here to testify our point with trading for us," said Natsuki who was now pointing to a chart that was now up.'

"Impressive Kuga-san I enjoyed your presentation it has brought joy to these old bones," said Ang Lu.

"Thank you sir that is an honor coming from you," said Natsuki bowing.

"Well, I think we should confirm the trade since my daughter is not present. You bring up a good point I can see the success coming from both our companies."

"I will have a contact typed up and faxed to you tomorrow if that is what you wish sir?"

Soon the smiles on all of the men's faces wavered when they heard a commotion outside the meeting room. Natsuki looked at the meeting room door as though she was trying to burn a hole though the wooden structure.

Behind the meeting room door

You can't come in here!

You must not know who I am I am Ahn Lu vice president to Lu Inc. stand down worker!

Pressing the buzzer Natsuki told the secretary to let the intruder in. Natsuki looked into the eyes of her most hated enemy never had the young heir had such a passionate ferocity of anger flow through her veins. The older woman was now dressed in a black on black business suit the only coloration that showed was her calculating steel blue eyes. The emerald-eyed woman was the first to speak despite her raising anger.

"I believe the meeting started a two hours ago vice president Lu," said Natsuki with a stern tone.

"I was handling some private matters with my daughter Ruka surely that could be excused," said Ahn with a stern tone.

Her daughter! That's my daughter Ruka's my pup!

"A touching statement Ahn, but as you know this is a meeting you should have sent word that you were arriving late," said Hideki Fujino.

Just as his name implies Hideki Fujino choose the splendid opportunity to step in. This in turn cooled off the anger that was boiling its way into the Natsuki's veins wanting to explode at any minute. Noticing the younger Kuga cool off Ahn decided to press her luck again.

"From what I can hear from the meeting I see that your family as decided to trade our steel with your wood supplies," said Ahn with an arrogant smile while taking a seat.

"I agreed to it Ahn," said Ang Lu with a stern look on his face.

"Well, I see no problem with you agreeing to it father…accept we have a track record to look at here."

"What are you implying vice president Lu," said Natsuki through gritted teeth.

"I'm not implying anything, but facts are facts Kuga Inc. is the youngest company in this room. In addition, to that must we go back five years ago when the company barely managed to avoid bankruptcy? I'm just saying that all of these companies in here today have been through generation after generation of family we are blue bloods to this world it's just facts. All I want to know is what makes you think that you're ready to run this company? Along with competing and making deals with men and women that are three times richer then you how are you going to handle that?"

"You're forgetting something Ahn that our company may be young, but it will survive. As vice president I have sworn to protect and fight for this company to my last breath. With I'll do respect to all the companies in here today a major flaw of blueblood companies is that they have no skill for survival once hit hard by the economy and unforeseen events. Kuga Inc. on the other hand has seen hell and back and maybe we will always continue to see hell and back, but I will always put a product to use. As I recall six years ago under your leadership project excelsior ended up in complete failure almost costing you half your stock so this tells me that no blue blood really stays blue if you get my drift."

Natsuki watched as the look on Ahn's face changed from arrogant to a look of fury. The emerald-eyed woman's smirk widened as though it were taunting the older woman to say something highly inappropriate. Soon after Natsuki looked at the clock to see that it was now the afternoon.

I have to meet Ruka and Shizuru by two.

"I'm sorry gentlemen, but I have to call this meeting to a close if you don't mind I have other matters to attend to," said Natsuki grabbing her cream business coat from the back of the meeting chair.

"Yes we will continue this later. I'll have my secretary fax over the paper work Natsuki," said the Ang Lu with a smile. Natsuki's face lit up as she walked up and hugged the older man causing shock to his now red face. Earning a laugh from the other older men in the company Natsuki separated from the owner and bowed her respects. The rest of the men made their way outside the door leaving Ahn last to walk out the door the older woman glared before speaking.

"Don't think that you're getting this trade yet Kuga I will convince my father that this trade is all wrong," said Ahn before walking out.

Natsuki and Hideki were left alone in the room. As soon as Natsuki opened her mouth to produce the words that she desired the phone in Hideki's pocket interrupted her. Picking up the phone Hideki answered and set the phone on the table before them and putting it on speaker. Natsuki was unmoved when she heard the stern voice of her father.

"I heard how the meeting went Natsuki."

"Well, so much for me telling you father. If you must know I have the deal lucky old man Lu is a softie."

"Yes you are lucky, but don't count on that luck to save you all the time Natsuki. Did you know that you're out bust could have insulted our reputation with other companies that were present in the meeting today?"

The twenty-six year old was about to let her anger boil over again for the second time of the day until Hideki stepped in.

"Well, old friend she sounds like you did when you were younger and starting out. Besides, she felt like she had to defend her honor as you know old man Lu's daughter came in late saying that she was visiting my granddaughter of sorts," said Hideki rolling his eyes.

"Yes… I see she is quite a problem. When trading with her she tends to always drag out old skeletons when trading with companies. No matter…take this as a lesson whatever problems you have with this woman you need to put it aside as soon as possible Natsuki."

"Yes father I'll try to."

"I will be in Japan after I finish this deal in Rome. I am also sending you an invitation to the summer charity event that is in the next two weeks. I need you to be there to represent our company please watch your temper when talking to these men they important clients."

Soon a dial tone was heard by both Natsuki and Hideki slamming her palms against the desk Natsuki sneered in anger. "Damn it all why is it he always has to be a jerk? First, Ahn comes in with her crap and then him can't he just ever say "good job!"

"Ara well for what it's worth you did a good job. A little risky and ballsy, but still you delivered…besides I heard some of the heads that were present say that you were a breath of fresh air," said Hideki with a smile.

Natsuki instantly calmed herself when she looked into the eyes of the blonde-haired man. Soon Natsuki was instantly reminded of Shizuru soon she found herself walking to the elevator with Hideki.

"So, you're going to see my daughter and granddaughter today Natsuki?"

"Y-Yes sir I will be seeing your daughter and granddaughter I can't wait to spend time with them. Ruka is surely a joy to be around," said Natsuki with a fond smile.

"Oh so I see you have met little Ruka already."

"Well, yea you can say that it's more like I bumped into Ruka and Shizuru on my way to here," said Natsuki scratching the back of her head nervously.

"What's wrong Natsuki did Shizuru and you have a fight?"

"No it's nothing like that it's just…that I'm going to see Shizuru today. In addition, if Ahn is there I don't want to cause any unnecessary problems for Shizuru or Ruka," said Natsuki looking to the elevator floor below her.

"Didn't you know? Ahn is not with Shizuru anymore."

"Huh Ahn's not with Shizuru anymore how is that so?"

Shizuru's not with Ahn I can't believe it I have a chance I actually have a chance!

"Well, months ago after Ruka was born Shizuru called me and told me that the engagement simply fell through. Shizuru didn't explain to me why, but I knew why. Every business man knows of another from business exchange to bankruptcy, to corruption and especially outer marriage affairs."

"I see did you and my father partake in any of these things?"

"No we didn't actually my wife has me on a tight rope as for your father I don't know anymore. A-After… your mother's death he simply shutdown since then the company has been his life."

"I see…well, it was nice talking to you Hideki," said Natsuki walking the older man to the limo.

"Ara its nice seeing you again Natsuki welcome back to Japan. Come over for dinner sometime my wife and I would love to have you," said Hideki from the rolled down window.

"Yes I would love to come it will be like old times."

Natsuki made her way to where her limo was present once seated Natsuki proceeded to her condo. Looking out the window the cobalt-haired woman felt a strong tightness close around her heart s she thought about her daughter and Shizuru.

Shizuru I have to call her… I need to hear her voice…

The younger woman dialed the crimson-eyed woman's number before meeting an answer machine. Sighing in frustration Natsuki threw her phone across the padded seat of the leather interior of the limo. A rush of emotions hit the Natsuki as she dialed the number once again, but to be met with the same dial tone.

Why do I have the feeling that something is wrong?

"Hey can you make a detour," commanded Natsuki to the limo driver.

"Yes Kuga-san to where may I ask?"

"To Shizuru Fujino's residence please hurry if you don't mind."

An: Ok people I think that this a great place to stop I'm currently writing the next chapter and it should be chalk of answered questions and new ones will arise also. So, as always please read and review it will help a lot with the update of the next story.

Hideki in Japanese means: Splendid opportunity.

Preview: "What is Shizuru hiding?"

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