Chapter 7: Lights will guide you home

Steph decided she needed to check some things at the office. As she walked over to pick up her purse, she saw a note addressed to her under a set of car keys. – Since you will be in Tokyo longer than planned – She knew the flowing handwriting well. Glancing at the keys, she walked out to see a tiny red Mini Cooper Classic parked right outside in her front poach. "Nikola! That damned bastard! How dare he!" she ground out.

"I miss my Ferrari." She said aloud as she got into the cramped car. She was used to feeling the wind in her hair as she would drive around her steel grey Ferrari Spyder convertable. She cursed her brother as the car rattled to a start and stopped barely out of the gate. "Hey Keisuke could you please help me start this... ASSHOLE!" she cussed at the biker who almost ran into her car. Keisuke couldn't help but laugh at the sight as he helped her drag the car back into the garage and the fuming lady stormed back into the house.

Picking up her phone, she automatically dialled the number only to be met with a deep, concerned British voice. "Hello?"

"Where are you, Ryan?" she asked sternly

"Where are you?" he countered calmly.

"Home, why?"

"10 minutes." With that he cut the phone. She got even angrier as she continued muttering some unrepeatable profanities under her breath which only made Keisuke snicker more. Ten minutes later, she heard a familiar car pull up at the gate. The next thing Keisuke knew, she had walked towards the car with a smile on her face. "Get in." He said and without a word she got in and they drove off.

'Who was that and what happened to her mood? Wasn't she pissed just now?' Keisuke wondered as he walked back into the house.

The car didn't stop at the office as planned but he drove further straight to Tokyo U. It was not long after they had left the Yuuki residence, she noticed the young lady in the back seat. She was a splitting copy of the man in the driver's seat barring from the beauty spot under his left eye and didn't look much younger than him. Her flowing dark brown hair was securely tied in a high ponytail, her turquoise eyes aimlessly staring at people passing by. Honestly, Steph deduced, the young lady was bored.

"Don't give me that patronising look Ryu. I told you I didn't want to go to school with this hideous thing on my leg." The young lady suddenly spoke bringing her back from her observations. Her voice was sharp but Steph realized it took a great deal of effort to use that tone. Her strong British accented voice rang through the car.

"Calm down Fia. Geez you are being super annoying especially in company." Ryan said soothingly. "Anyway, this is Stephanie, my girlfriend. I hope you both will get along." He said as he looked from one woman to the other.

"Hi." Sarcasm dripping from every letter that came out of the young lady's mouth.

"Stephanie, meet my sister Hayden. She is being awfully rude today and I really can't figure out why." He sounded apologetic.

"I hope we will be good friends." Stephanie chimed in as they reached the university campus.

As they got out of the car, Steph realized the cause of Hayden's misery. Apparently she had sprained her ankle and was now invariably on crutches. She almost caught a smirk on Ryan's face as he led his twin towards the campus. She could faintly hear an argument that broke out between the siblings which ended in the irate lady wacking her brother with one of her crutches before almost stumbling over. "... Clutz" She couldn't help but laugh at the bickering duo and not long after, she was rejoined by Ryan at her side.

"We need to pick her up in two hours. She has a test." He said as he led her to Ueno Park that was just across the road from the University.

"Let's check out that shop" Miaka cried as she dragged a smiling Yui into the next garment shop. Nothing so far had interested her into staying and actually buying something. Miaka realized she was forgetting something and suddenly realized that her sister – in – law had promised to help out but she was nowhere in sight.

"Hello Steph?"

"Miaka? What's the matter?"

"You promised to be here and help me out with Yui's wedding shopping. Where are you?" Miaka rallied the information in one breath and had not waited to hear her response.

"That was today?" Steph sounded surprised. It was just like Miaka to change plans at the blink of an eye.

"Yeah so can you please come here soon before we run out of dresses to try on?"

"Miaka I am out right now. I shall meet up with you shortly. We just have a small errand to run and will be there. Hang on."

"We? Who WE?" she was surprised.

"I shall be with you shortly." A light blush staining her cheeks. She calmed herself before things got out of hand. "See you Miaka." She said curtly as she cut the call. Relaying the information to Ryan, he agreed to take her downtown after they had dropped Hayden home.

The photo shoot was going better than planned. The designs were innovative and he liked it. For the very first time in his career, he wanted to meet the designer. It had been over a week and today he finally got the chance. Glen knocked softly on the door and when he was given the permission to enter, he pushed the door aside. The designer had her back towards the door. He could not resist but admire the white ripped tee and black and white checked plaid short skirt that was riding high on her slender legs. Her waist length red hair hugged her slender figure. Her ankle length converse and fish net stockings were only screaming designer. He cleared his throat, which caused her to turn around with her file in her hand. She looked up, amber eyes confused with the way the dark haired man was staring at her.

Glen stood still, dumbfounded with the slender woman across him. A flood of recognition crossed his face. "Soi?" he heard himself say before he could stop himself.

"Excuse me?" the red haired lady replied, confused. Her strong Irish accent seeping through every word. "My name is Katelynn and you are wearing my designs."

"I'm sorry" Glen shook his head. "I thought you were someone else."

"Tell me what work you have with me. I heard you wanted to meet me?"

"Yeah that... I really like your designs and they have the appeal to sell to the masses." He replied bashfully.

"Thank you. If that is all, there is a meeting that I need to get to." She chimed, her amber eyes lit up with amusement. It was the first time in three years that a model took the time to praise her.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Later Miss Blake." He said as he left the trailer. 'Out of all the Seiryuu bastards, Soi had to be the designer he worked under.' His mind came up with various situations to kill her all over again. Surprised at the direction his thoughts took, he calmed himself before going back to work.

'The day could not get more eventful' Steph thought as she looked over at Miaka who was busy picking out a dress. 'What was taking Ryan so long.' Ryan had volunteered to drop her and spend some more time outside the house. He decided that Hayden needed the quiet to study. Steph was suddenly broken out of her thoughts when all the colour of Miaka's face drained out as if she had seen a ghost. Without hesitation, Miaka walked involuntarily towards the door only to run head first into her boyfriend who had just entered.

"Miaka" he said as the young lady charged at him. He had never met her before in his life but he felt that he knew her. Clutching the sobbing lady, his arms relaxed and his expression softened. She was shaking so much that he thought she would break.

"... Nuriko..." she kept saying between sobs. He wondered how he had known her name. He held her till her sobbing receded as she turned to Steph.

"Well Miaka I see you have met my boyfriend Ryan." Steph said sourly. She was surprised at the fact that Ryan recognized her but why did she call him Nuriko?.

"You are dating Nuriko?" Miaka almost shrieked. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was planning to introduce the two of you. Evidently you know each other." She turned to face the rack of clothes. For the very first time in her life, Stephanie Raine was jealous. 'After everything that happened at Ueno Park, he should have trusted me more'

They randomly reached Ueno Zoo after strolling in Ueno Park. They had not realized it but they reached the enclosure of a wolf. The moment Ryan laid eyes on the creature, she felt him tense. The next thing she knew, she was being pulled behind him as he took a fighting stance. His left hand balled into a fist while his right palm was outstretched.

"You will not get me this time Ashtare" he kept saying. Now she was worried. Distracting him, she managed to drag him away from the enclosure far enough till he calmed down. His grip was so strong that he left telling marks on her arm which she ignored. Before they got to the park, Ryan had dented the steering wheel once again to which he had muttered, "Am I turning into the Incredible Hulk?" He didn't realize that she had heard him and was trying not to smile.

"What happened? I have been observing you for a while and keeping my mouth shut. Tell me what is going on so that I can help you." Her voice was determined and strong.

"You can't help me." He turned to face the trees. How could he tell her something that he had been hiding for a while now? Would she understand?

Without hesitation, she walked up to him and hugged him from behind. "I can help you. Trust me."That was all the motivation he needed. He sat her down; thanking whichever God was listening and told her about his nightmares, his strength and everything. She patiently listened and vowed to stand by him. He was there for her when she needed him, now it was time she returned the favour.

"Steph?" Miaka's voice cut through like a shrill knife jerking her back to the present.

"What is the matter love?" Ryan's deep voice made her look up at him.

"N.. Nothing" She stammered "I like that dress on you Yui." She decided to file the new found knowledge about Ryan away as they continued shopping.

A/N: Hey Happy New Year

Sorry that it has been a while since I have updated. Work has been keeping me so busy. Thank you Fourteen for the review, glad you like where this is going.

Until the next chapter

Happy reading

PP