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 11: Akira, Daijo Bu?

Akira and Soujiro were checking out a new club. The crowd was a little older than at their usual haunts, but the live music was a nice touch. "You said your new lady books the acts for this club?" Soujiro asked his pal.

"Yeah, here and a couple of other places," Akira replied. "Her husband owns a few small clubs like this, scattered around the city, and Chiharu books the music for all of them."

"I bet Neko would like this place. If we come back, we should ask her to come along," Soujiro commented.

"Why don't you give her a call, see if she'd like to come out tonight?" Akira suggested.

His friend shook his head. "She's away for the whole weekend."

"Oh? Where's she off to, then?" Akira asked.

"She and Rui kidnapped Tsukasa and Tsukushi... well, not really... but she took them all to that island of hers, Maru," Soujiro answered. "Something about trying to get Tsukasa up on a horse-- wish I could be there to see that," he laughed.

"Um, why weren't we invited?" his friend wondered, puzzled.

"Seems she only keeps four horses stabled out there, and if she invited us, she would also feel like she had to let us bring dates, and when all is said and done, that's anywhere from eight to ten people. She said she would be glad to have us out some other time," he said.

"Oh, I see... So you don't think she's mad at me about what happened at the club in Roppongi?" Akira questioned.

"Nah. What's to be mad about?" Soujiro asked.

"Well, I did kind of interrupt her plans for the evening,' Akira stated.

"Look, you did her a favor. That guy was way beneath her," Soujiro reassured him. "Don't worry so much."

"Yeah, but she ended up going home alone, and that's my fault," he fretted.

"If you're that concerned, ask her the next time you see her," the older boy suggested. "But I'm sure she's not mad at you."

"Hmm, maybe. But why'd she invite Rui? Is there something going on there?" Akira inquired, somewhat hesitantly.

"Going on...?" Soujiro gave it a moments thought. "Gee, I don't know... I don't suppose it would be a bad thing, exactly, if there were. It's not like her grandfather could really object to ties with Hanazawa Corp., after all," he mused. Then he brightened. "You know, maybe we should try to push them together!"

Akira's mood soured in an instant. "Count me out," he said, getting to his feet. "I'm going to go let Chiharu know I'm leaving, and call it a night. Good luck with the ladies," he called over his shoulder as he turned to go.

'What the hell just happened?' Soujiro thought. "Akira? You okay, man?" he asked with concern, following him.

"Just drop it. I'll see you tomorrow," the other boy answered, continuing to walk away without a backward glance.

Soujiro grabbed Akira by the shoulder. "Now wait a second. You've been acting weird for a couple of weeks," he observed. "We're like brothers, 'Kira, and brothers don't keep secrets from each other. Out with it, already."

"Not here. I don't feel like shouting my business over the noise, and besides, Chiharu might overhear and get upset. I wish you'd just drop it, 'Jiro."

"Not happening. Say goodnight to your lady, and let's go take a walk. The fresh air will do us good," Soujiro insisted.

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"All right, Akira. Tell me, what's your objection to getting Neko and Rui together?" Soujiro asked. They had left the club, and were hanging out on the swings at a small park.

"Because he'd just screw it up!" Akira said vehemently. "That's what he does! For years, it was all about Shizuka, but he messed that up. Then, even though Tsukushi was obviously hung up on him, he didn't give a damn about her until he knew that Tsukasa was interested in her. Now he's mooning over her as well. He never knows what he wants until the opportunity passes! I don't want to see Neko get hurt. I care about her too much," he finished softly.

Soujiro stared at his friend, stunned. "Akira, just what do you mean by that?" he asked, unable to believe his ears.

The other boy shrugged miserably. "Just what I said," he muttered. "I care about her. Probably more than I should."

"'Kira, she's only sixteen."

"I know."

"She's a kid."

"I know."

"Besides which, she comes with a lot of strings attached."

"I know."

"And," Soujiro continued as if Akira hadn't spoken, "she knows your past record, so she probably doesn't think of you as more than a friend!"

"I know!"

"Akira, this could have all kinds of ramifications! Think, man!"

"I KNOW!!!" he stood and shouted. Then he slumped back onto the swing seat. "I know. Damn it, don't you think I realize all that? At best, she looks at me like a wayward older brother, and at worst, like a total waste of space!" Akira put his head in his hands. "I don't know what the hell is wrong with me. You would think I'd know better! This is exactly the reason I avoid relationships with girls our age--they're too complicated! I like being a boy toy! But when it comes to Neko, it's hard to think of her as a kid, you know? Heck, she's done more living in her sixteen years than some women I've dated who were twice her age! I don't know, 'Jiro," he sighed, "my thoughts keep coming back to her. It's like she's renting space in my head. And when you implied that she might be going with Rui, it totally pissed me off. Isn't that stupid?" he asked, giving his friend a pleading look.

Soujiro paused to consider. "Maybe. If it was me, I would run the other way, as fast as I could. But you're not me, 'Kira. Your mom may be a bit flaky, to put it mildly--don't hit me!!!--but your parents have a good marriage. You've never had my fear of commitment." Soujiro shook his head. "I don't think Neko does, either. She's afraid of being trapped in a loveless marriage, but not of marriage itself. Her parents' marriage is rock solid. If it wasn't for her grandfather and his agenda, she probably would have met some average Joe in college, fallen madly in love, and married him, with her parents' blessing. That's the world she grew up in, after all."

"So what are you saying, Soujiro? Should I try to win her over? Or am I just out of my mind?"

"Those aren't necessarily separate conditions, Akira," his friend chuckled. "Yes, I think you're a little crazy to be thinking this way. And yes, if you really feel that strongly, you should try to win her over. At least let her know that you're interested."

Akira sighed. "But how do I do that?" Soujiro leaned over and gave him a swat on the head. "Ow!!! What'd you do that for???"

"Oh, come on. Have you forgotten everything?" he replied, giving the other boy a disgusted glare. "Okay, we know she won't go to bed with you, at least not yet. That's okay for now. You're trying to start a relationship, not looking for a one-night-stand. Start slow. Ask her to escort you to a party your parents are giving that you gotta attend anyway, something along those lines. Then charm her socks off." He punched his buddy lightly on the shoulder. "You know how to do this, Akira. Haven't we been coaching Tsukasa for months?"

Akira chuckled. "Yeah, you're right. I've just worked myself into a state with all the 'what-ifs'."

"Of course I'm right," Soujiro grinned back. "Besides, what's the worst that could happen?"

"She could say 'no'," Akira frowned.

"Well then, there's always Chiharu," Soujiro replied.

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AN: Hi, Everyone! Belated Happy New Year! Sorry it has taken so long, but we've all been sick around here, and I'm only just beginning to feel halfway human again. Also, my muse bit me in the posterior, and I had to write what was supposed to be a one shot, but turned into a much longer piece. (See Luck and Miracles when I post it, if you're curious.)

Poor Akira. He's a head case. (At least, he is when I get my paws on him! Tee hee!) Nope, he's not alright, not at all. He's got it bad. And that's where I'm gonna leave it for a few chapters. Because I am evil.