Author's Note: Seriously? Classes… in the middle of summer… SERIOUSLY! Anyway, due to some unforeseen circumstances I will be attending summer classes throughout July and will therefore, be tired, upset, stressed, or any combination of the three -.-' . I hope I will still be able to update as often as I had planned to. But here's one now, Chapter 13, I'm glad I was able to wrap up the night scene in the last chapter, this is where things start getting good! Read, Review, Rejoice!

Chapter 13:
Uninvited Family Surprise

By seven o' clock the next morning, the Aoi household was alive with energy. Busy bodies buzzed around the humble abode, getting ready for any and everything. They packed as if they would be gone for days: canned foods, a case of bottled waters, snacks, and even hygiene supplies like their toothpastes and toothbrushes, and even a few flashlights. They were planning to search non-stop, day and night for Shizuma. Nagisa was brimming with confidence, especially now that her mother agreed to help with the search.

"Uhh, mom… what's that for?" Nagisa asked, eying the object in her mother's hand.

"Oh this! They're brass knuckles, you never know when you'll need them." she said, happily but carefully concealing it between the folds of some clothes. She zipped up the small backpack she was packing.

"But they had guns mom, I don't think fighting them with that will be a good idea." Nagisa suggested.

"Don't worry, I have 'other' things for that." Ironically using her most angelic voice while tapping on the bag.

Before Nagisa had time to question, the door bell rang followed by her father calling out, "I'll get it!"

After a few moments Mr. Aoi called out to his family again, "Nagisa!"

The young cherry-head made her way out to the living room, curious to see why she was called. As she entered the room, her eyes grew wide to see the sight before her. Sitting nonchalantly in their chair with her legs crossed authoritatively was a person who was at the bottom of the list of people Nagisa would have expected to see.

"It's been a while strawberry-head." she smirked.

"Kanam-, err… Kenjou-san." Nagisa bowed nervously.

"Now, now, even I respect the ways of traditional Japan." the mastermind spoke matter-of-factly as she rose from her seat. "You shouldn't bow to me in your own home."

Mr. Aoi watched as his presence seemed to have disappeared within moments.

"As of old tradition, I also come bearing gifts. Momomi should be bringing our 'special treat' shortly." she explained.

"Um, thank you." Nagisa drawled nervously, wondering what kind of gift it would be. 'What if it's a bomb and it blows up the second I open it?' She began to sweat at the thought. 'Or maybe an animal, like a cat, with some strange disease created in a lab that'll spread in its dander.' Nagisa began to shiver. 'Or even worse! A poisoned cake! I won't be able to resist!' at this point the cherry-head sank to her knees with a grim expression, holding her head as she inwardly screamed.

Kaname watched with a smirk, amused at the younger girl's antics. She had a good guess of what Nagisa was thinking, and she didn't mind playing along.

Momomi opened the door without warning, carrying a small box in a plastic bag. "It took me awhile to find a decent parking." she winked, approaching the dark haired woman. Kaname sat down, inviting Momomi to take a seat in her lap, an offer that was accepted almost immediately.

Mr. Aoi cleared his throat, forcing his presence to be known. "Um… sorry to interrupt, but may I ask who you are?" the old man asked politely.

"Ah you must be the head of the household, Mr. Aoi I presume." Kaname greeted, noticing the man for first time despite the fact that he opened the door for her. "I am Kenjou, Kaname. I was a representative of the St. Spica student council and as a result, worked with the Etoile, Shizuma, from time to time. That is how I came to meet your daughter." she explained professionally, offering her hand.

Mr. Aoi accepted the hand in the form of a strong, firm shake. "Kenjou huh…" he repeated, stroking the black and gray stubble on his chin. "I know that name from somewhere."

"You should, my father owns the company you work for." Kaname smirked, the two still engaged in their handshake.

It took Mr. Aoi awhile to process the information, slowly reducing the speed and strength of the handshake until, like an old computer, he finally finished processing the data. He gave a nervous smile as he released Kaname's hand. In a flash, he bowed low, quickly blurting out, "Of course the Kenjou family is always welcomed with open arms into this humble household. Really, ask for anything you want and don't be afraid to get comfortable. Mi casa es su casa!" ending his ranting with an anxious chuckle.

Nagisa covered her face as her cheeks shined bright red with embarrassment. "Dad, stop. It's embarrassing." Nagisa whined to her father barely above a whisper.

"Like I told strawberry-head, you don't have to bow to me in your own household." Kaname reiterated.

"My bad." he apologized, still chuckling slightly. "And you must be?" he asked, directed at the brown haired girl.

"My name is Kiyashiki, Momomi. My circumstances are the same as Kaname's." the girl didn't bother herself by repeating Kaname's introduction. "Thank you for accommodating us on such short notice." she smiled.

Momomi extended her hand to offer the gift she and Kaname brought to Nagisa. The usually cheerful girl hesitantly accepted the offering, shaking slightly. Momomi paid no mind to the younger girl however, Kaname decided to exploit the girl's suspicions.

"Don't worry, it's just a cake." she devilishly added, somehow reading Nagisa's mind.

Nagisa's physical restraint was visible as she bit her lower lip to avoid giving into the temptation.

"It's very good, baked by one of the finest patissiers in all of France. He was brought all the way to Japan, so the cake is still very freshly made. I recommend eating it right away." Kaname continued to tease, growing even more entertained when the smaller girl let out a frustrated squeal.

In a sudden burst of energy, Nagisa gave into the temptation, flipping open the lid to the box, revealing a beautifully decorated and obviously expensive cake. She eagerly took a small dessert fork that came in the plastic bag and stole a big bite from a slice of the treat. With a satisfied tear in her eye she smiled, "I regret nothing."

"Let's hope not." Kaname retorted with an impish grin provoking a shiver that shot down Nagisa's spine and put her in a confused stupor.

"Oh, we have company." an angelic voice called from the kitchen, making her way into the living room.

"Ah honey, perfect timing. This is Kenjou, Tamaki's daughter, Kaname-san. And this is her company Kiyashiki, Momomi-san." Mr. Aoi gestured toward the two.

Yumiko approached the couple, her cherubic face glowing. She shook hands with Kaname first, being the closest to her. At that moment, it was like two dark aura's clashed viciously with one another, neither side giving in. Kaname laughed quietly to herself, mentally acknowledging the woman's power. 'She's quite a woman. I can see why Shizuma is having problems with her.'

After those two withdrew from their telepathic battle, Mrs. Aoi moved over to Momomi. As she shook the girl's hand, she stared into her dark-brown orbs, apparently mulling over something. After it became a little to uncomfortable for the Spica graduate, Momomi decided to break the silence. "Is something wrong?" she asked.

"Your eyes… they seem very familiar to me. But I can't figure out how…" she explained cryptically.

Realizing how strange her reasoning sounded and how uncomfortable she was making their guests, she pulled away from Momomi, though still contemplating the thought in her mind.

"Can I offer you two some tea?" she broke the tension that she herself created.

Momomi shook her head as Kaname spoke for both of them. "We don't plan to stay very long. We're only stopping by."

"Stopping by?" Nagisa repeated, snapping out of her stupor.

"I have some 'business' to tend to not so far from here. I decided that I'd stop by on my way and soak up some hospitality." Kaname spoke smoothly with a grin.

"What kind of business do you do?" Yuujirou interjected, rubbing his hands together anxiously.

Nagisa rested a hand on her father's shoulder disapprovingly. Shaking her head, she whispered "You don't want to know.", leaving a puzzled expression on her father's face.

"Now, now Nagisa. You make it sound like we're bad people." Momomi mused. Turning to the elder Aoi, she explained, "It's hard to place what we do into a single category, but if I had to, I would say we're merchants."

"We buy and trade anything that could be of use and sell what we have collected for a decent profit." Kaname added, resting her hand in her palm. "It's an interesting business that allows you to establish many meaningful ties. We pride ourselves on being able to meet any client's needs and thus a tie is created after successfully completing a transaction. As a result, our sources branch out rapidly and we have an easy access to the world, so to speak, and the process repeats itself accelerating with every round."

Mr. Aoi blinked, his mouth agape as he donned a blank expression. He was completely lost. "So… you're merchants?"

Kaname sighed, realizing her wasted breath. With a nod, she confirmed, "Yes, we're merchants."

"You say you can get anything, right?" The elder cherry-head asked, determined.

Kaname's eye twinkled, understanding the underlying challenge. "For the right price."

"You know Shizuma Hanazono, right?" Mrs. Aoi asked, although she already knew the answer. It seemed that Nagisa was the only one still at a loss here, still munching on the cake. "You're informed of her situation aren't you, with all your 'sources'."

"Yes, very well." the mastermind already knew where she was going with this.

"How quickly can you find her?" she quit beating around the bush.

Nagisa looked at her mother wide-eyed, nearly dropping the deliciously expensive cake in her hand. "Mom, not them, we can do this on our own." she defended. Her face dropped as she remembered the phone call she made the night before. She pleaded with Kaname, and she downright refused to help. "Besides, I already asked, she already said n-"

"Hold it right there strawberry-head." Kaname intervened, slightly shocking the small girl. The dark-haired girl gestured to her succubus to get up so she could stand. Momomi replaced Kaname in her seat, while the dark genius rose up and walked toward the elder strawberry-head. "It depends, what do you have to offer?" She locked eyes with the woman in a mutual dead-stare.

"That depends, what's your price?" the former MMA fighter stood her ground.

"Hmm, I respect your style." Kaname snickered as she broke the deadlock by stepping back. "But unfortunately, I cannot accept any offer on such a job. It would contradict prior arrangements with another client of mine."

As the former fighter stepped forward threateningly, a knock at the door followed by the ringing of the bell distracted everyone inside. Without permission, the intruder allowed themself in as if expected or invited.

"Pardon my intrusion." the raven-haired trespasser greeted.

"It took you long enough." Kaname spoke smugly.

"Yes well, we ended up sleeping in this morning." She giggled.

"Chikaru nee-san!" Nagisa yelled excitedly, leaping into the arms of her favorite senpai, second only to Shizuma of course.

"Nagisa-chan, nice to see you again." she spoke with the usual melody in her voice.

The two parents only stood back and watched as their house was being invaded by strange characters, one after the other; all making themselves at home, even without the invitation to do so. They didn't bother to make a scene of it though, they only exchanged wise and knowing glances. The pair had left their daughter alone for so long, she practically raised herself. It was no wonder they would fade away with the presence of the family who was with her when they weren't.

"Actually you know Nagisa, I brought you a little something special!" Chikaru charmed as if talking to a child. "Close your eyes and don't open them 'til I tell you to. Okay?"

The overzealous cherry-head nodded and quickly obeyed Chikaru, a risk she wouldn't have taken as lightly had it been Kaname. Said red-eyed woman watched Chikaru work with interest. The raven haired girl bounced outside quickly, gesturing to her blonde partner to bring their gift and just as speedily came right back in.

Both parents stood wide-eyed as they saw the gift Chikaru spoke of, while the troublesome duo of Kaname of Momomi only smiled. They didn't make a sound however, complying with Chikaru as she placed a finger over her mouth to shush them. Mrs. Aoi barely fought her welling up tears as her husband smiled and pulled her closer; being the more emotional one in the pair, he allowed his tears to flow freely down his cheeks and soak his stubble. Shion stood against the wall, giving a silent greeting to all those present in the room with a nod.

"Put out your hand." Chikaru ordered sweetly.

Slowly Nagisa raised her hand, feeling something soft but firm being placed in her hand. It was larger than her hand but fit in her palm so easily.

"You can consider this a joint gift from Kaname and I." she spoke, looking up at her mentioned rival, receiving a nod of approval. Chikaru smiled softly. "Well, can you guess what it is?"

"It's warm and soft. And bigger than my hand." Nagisa deduced by rubbing her thumb over the gift. "It's so familiar." she said softly.

"Open your eyes Nagisa." as she couldn't hold the girl in suspense any longer and wanted to see her expression.

She opened her eyes slowly, allowing it time to adjust from seeing double or even triple, but what she saw, she wasn't nearly prepared for. As the three hallucinations pulled themselves into one, Nagisa looked up incredulously, stuttering random and incoherent babbles.

"Nagisa…" A voice she had grown all too familiar with, spoke cracked but lovingly. "I'm home."

Like a spring-well field, her tears spewed out effortlessly, but Nagisa didn't even notice until she felt a singe on her cheek. In a flash she buried herself into the chest of the woman who stood before her, bawling her eyes out. "Shizuma! Shizuma… Shizuma." she couldn't stop repeating the girl's name.

The silver haired woman was glad to embrace her little cherry-head, she didn't even think of the consequences Mrs. Aoi might dish out on her. She was only glad to have her Nagisa in her arms again. She couldn't help crying, smothering her tears into Nagisa's bright red locks. "Nagisa…" she said in the one breath she could catch.

They pulled onto each other tightly, neither one wanting to let go. They sank to their knees in perfect sync, sharing a brief but extremely passionate kiss. Pulling out of the kiss, they touched their foreheads together. They looked tenderly into each other's eyes, auburn orbs locking with those of olive.

Offering a hand and helping Momomi out of her seat, Kaname interrupted the moment between the lovers. "Our work here is done, we'll be on our way then." The two seemed to be the only ones not affected by the touching scene of reunion, but nobody dared question them.

As the couple prepared to walk away, Nagisa grabbed onto Kaname's hand. "Wait."

"What?" Kaname hissed at the sudden contact.

Unfazed, Nagisa continued, "Thank you. Thank you so much… I'm sorry I didn't believe in you. I- I just… Thank you, you don't know how much this means to me." she looked up at Kaname with full, watery, innocent eyes.

Kaname quickly snapped her head forward, pulling her arm away from the girl. "Consider it a freebie." she said, mumbling over her words slightly and then quickly making her way outside toward her lover, who was already in the car awaiting her.

As the troublesome duo drove away, Shion mentioned. "We should probably get going too, Chikaru. We need to make our way to the airport." tapping her watch for emphasize.

"Thank you, Chikaru." Nagisa gave a calmer thanks. "You've always been like a big sister to me."

"I know Nagisa." she smiled. "I know."

Just like the couple before them, the two left within moments. Now it was just the Aoi family, Shizuma included. Somehow, their home finally felt complete again.

Author's Note: I worked myself straight into about 2:15 a.m., non-stop (okay maybe a break or two or five). The point is, it's really early in the morning here and I have summer classes -.- Who knows when I'll update again, whether it be sooner or later, but meanwhile I have a new poll on my profile. Basically it's asking if I should rewrite "One Hot Summer", because I want to improve on the story (though the plot will basically be thesame). So stop by and give your opinion. I also noticed how ff has changed while I was gone (naughty, naughty). Anyway, until next we meet, Ghutatan!