Disclaimer: As everyone knows, I do not own the characters from Hana Yori Dango/Boys Over Flowers. However, I do own Neko, my OC. (Yay! I own something! Mine! Don't touch!) It's still not worth suing me; I am but a humble fan.

Thank you, Kamio-sensei!

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AN: This is completely AU. Not canon! Things are different--deal with it! Don't like, don't read!

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Tea and Saké

A Hana Yori Dango FanFic

By Janice Rips

Chapter 8: Boots: Shopping, Part I

"So, Rui-san," Neko hollered over the rush of wind, "did the excuse work?" Rui was driving them in his convertible, at least as far as Tsukasa's, and Neko was having a blast.

"Yeah! A cowboy breakfast was a great excuse," he shouted back. "It's a shame they won't let me drive all the way to the airport!"

"They don't know what they're missing! This is fun!" she grinned.

"Actually, Tsukushi's ridden with me before. Don't know why she won't do it again," he laughed, hitting the accelerator.

"Yeehaw!" she yelled as they hit a bump and became briefly airborne.

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All too soon, they arrived at the Doumyouji mansion. They tumbled out of the car, windblown and breathless, laughing like schoolchildren. The servants glanced at them askance as they pulled luggage from the trunk and transferred it to Tsukasa's limo. Tsukasa and Tsukushi, drawn outside by the noise, stared at the other two, taken aback by their bedraggled state.

"Yo, Tsukushi-chan! Ready to go boot shopping?" Neko called by way of a greeting. Tsukushi merely nodded dumbly. The four of them climbed into the limo, Neko gave the address to the driver, and they were off, Neko chattering like a magpie. She drew everyone into the conversation, and they arrived at the shop in high spirits.

They went inside, and salesclerks descended upon them, dragging Rui and Tsukushi away to try on different styles. Neko gave Tsukasa a questioning glance. He pointed downward. She looked at his feet and had to laugh--he was wearing a pair of black Mercedes almost identical to her own. "Well, they are the best," he shrugged a bit sheepishly.

Rui settled on a pair of brown and blue Ferrinis with a squared toe. Tsukushi was wearing a pair of tan and rose Lamas and a distressed expression.

"What's wrong?" Neko asked, "They look great! Aren't they comfortable?"

"Uh, they feel fine, but... but--" Tsukushi stammered.

Tsukasa rolled his eyes at Rui. "Here it comes..."

"But... Do you have any idea how expensive these are?" she squeaked.

"Hmm, let's see... about 500 USD... Rui-san, how much is that in yen?" Neko asked.

"About 50,000, give or take a little," he mused.

"Sounds about right," Tsukasa agreed.

"But I can't afford that!" Tsukushi exclaimed.

"I know, but I told you before: I'm buying them for you," Neko explained patiently.

"But it'll take me forever to pay you back!" Tsukushi wailed.

"Makino. I'm. Buying. Them. For You," Neko stressed.

"But..." she started again.

"Damn it, Tsukushi, you're so full of 'buts', people will start thinking you're an ashtray!" Neko shouted at the girl, exasperated. Rui had to turn away, he was laughing so hard.

"Makino, would you feel better if I bought them for you?" Tsukasa drawled.

"No!" she cried, "You already bought my entire wardrobe for this trip--again!"

"Hey, I let you get Donna Karan this time instead of Chanel. You should be grateful," he growled back.

Neko put her hands on the shorter girl's shoulders. "Look, when it comes to boots, you should always get the best you can buy. If we had more time, I'd get you a pair of Mercedes, too, but these'll do fine. They're good boots. You never know where life'll take you next, so you should always wear the best shoes you can find. And clean underwear," she added, with a twinkle in her eye. Rui cracked up again.

Tsukushi looked up at the redhead. "You know, Shizuka once told me something very similar. About shoes, I mean," she said, glaring at Rui, who was rolling on the floor, holding his sides.

"She sounds like a smart lady. Wish I had met her," Neko replied. "Trust me, Tsukushi-chan, you're going to want good boots tomorrow. Let's get them and go have some fun."

Tsukushi finally gave in, and Neko paid, telling the salesclerk to box Tsukushi's other shoes, she'll wear the boots. Then she turned to the boys. "Hey, guys? Why don't you go get a cuppa, while Makino and I go pick up a couple of last minute items? Girl stuff."

"Oh, okay," Tsukasa nodded. "There's a good teashop two blocks up. Do you want the limo?" When Neko shook her head no, he said, "Okay, we'll meet you there. C'mon, Rui, get off the floor and let's go." He dragged Rui to his feet, and the two of them got into the car and drove away.

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AN: I know, short chapter. That's why I'm posting two!