Chapter 8: Tough Lover

"So how do you know Miaka?" Stephanie asked suddenly, pinning Ryan with a look that would send any normal person running for cover.

"I have never met her before. Somehow I feel like I have known her." Ryan replied nonchalantly as he walked over to check out the new Veryont. For once Steph seemed aloof and distracted since he picked her up an hour ago. She kept muttering about her Spyder and how much she missed it and how much she hated the 'Coop' as she called it.

"If you hate it so much, why don't you just exchange it?" he had suggested which actually lit her face up. "You are a genius Ryan" she said as she dragged him to the Bugatti showroom across town. She had taken a liking to the limited edition Bugatti Veryon which was standing in front of them.

"Test drive?" a staccato voice brought him back to the present. A young Japanese man in a suit was standing holding out the key to the new Veryont. Before he could say a word, Steph managed to take the keys and drag an unsuspecting Ryan towards the new car. Within moments they were speeding off.

"I wouldn't say that you have never met her. You both didn't look like you met for the first time. It's like you knew her for years." She said coldly. She tried really hard not to be jealous but after the things last evening, it was difficult. It was not the way Stephanie Raine carried herself. An eerie silence had come over the occupants of the car as they made it back to the showroom.

He watched as Stephanie managed to crack a deal and whipped out a credit card. Not soon after, she drove off in her new car leaving Ryan standing alone in the showroom wondering how to make up with her.

He stood facing the tall French window that overlooked the busy city. He noticed the sleek black Veryont that had driven into the parking lot not long ago. He was irritated with her but he couldn't blame her. 'Don't you think it is time that you ended this feud?' his mind yelled taunting him. 'Shut up' he thought back as the door to his office opened admitting a grinning, tall woman. "Hello Steph." His voice was frigid and would send chills down the spine had it been anyone else.

"What is the matter Nicky?" she said teasingly, ignoring the fact that the temperature in the room dropped drastically. "You seem less than pleased with yourself." She said flatly.

"Explain the car."

"Payback" she said as she walked towards the door. "Thank you for the gift by the way. It was partially Ryan's idea." She said as she shut the door behind her leaving her fuming brother to his own devices.

Keisuke wondered who this guy was as he saw Steph laugh as the tall dark haired man broke another one of the tennis balls that were thrown at him. If he remembered correctly, this man looked eerily similar to a certain purple haired warrior that appeared downtown all those years ago who his sister cherish dearly. 'It can't be possible' he thought glumly as another tennis ball smashed in the hand of the dark haired man.

Considering the fact that his brother – in – law , Miaka's former love and the rock star who had made their appearance in this world, another wouldn't hurt. He took in the similarities of this newcomer, his dark brown hair messy, his dark blue formal shirt pulled out of his jeans and sleeves folded and buttons open giving a full view of his well toned chest, his red tie and blazer lying on the grass beside him, and his smile that was determined to portray that everything was ok even if it wasn't.

A loud laugh brought him back to the present. He noticed Steph was laughing her head off at something silly that Ryan had done which led him to shrug and blush lightly. If he was anything like the warrior that Miaka had told him about, he would be perfect for Steph. He was brought out of his matchmaking thoughts when Steph and the brown haired warrior walked in as Steph kept teasing him.

"I think that is a record Ryan. You have officially broken two full packs of tennis balls within the hour." She smiled as she nodded at Keisuke. "Oh I completely forgot. Keisuke, this is my boyfriend Ryan. Ryan this is Keisuke"

"Hello" Ryan replied smugly as his hand found its way to the small of her back, leading her towards the kitchen. Keisuke took that as a hint and turned to leave the two alone.

"Ryan you need to remain calm. Try gripping something lightly." Stephanie chimed as she handed him a fragile crystal glass filled with red wine. She picked up hers when she heard a crack. The next thing she knew, there was wine and pieces of the aforementioned glass on the floor. Somehow Ryan had managed to cut himself as he watched a steady flow of red liquid emerge from his palm. Steph just shook her head and walked over to the counter that held the medical supplies.

"I'm so sorry." His voice was low and apologetic.

"It's nothing. I am here to help you." She smiled as she started to dress his wound. His big amethyst eyes began to shine like a little boy who got the toy that he wished for at Christmas as she looked into them. She seemed to be lost in the violet abyss when she felt his hand grip hers and his breath warm and heavy near her ear as he said, "I know."

"Please Ryu" her highly accented voice pleaded through the phone. "Its prom and I can't go shopping because of my leg."

"Fia I can't chose a dress for you." He said with all seriousness.

"But you are going shopping with Steph, aren't you? Besides you know what will look good on me. Pleeeeese" her voice was almost whining.

"Fine."

"Thank you so much. Please bring me a nice pair of shoes too while you are at it." She teased as she cut the call. That was an hour ago. Ryan couldn't find a dress that he saw fit for his sister in the fifth shop on the street. Not long ago, Miaka had joined them.

"You know Nu.. I mean Ryan, you could always try on the dress. Judging from what Steph has told me, your sister looks exactly like you. What better way to find the perfect dress than to try in on first." Miaka reasoned.

"No freaking way!" Ryan practically yelled.

"She has a point." Steph chimed in stifling a grin. "We can help you pick out a dress."

"Fine. Just this once."

Not long from then, Ryan found himself with a nice blue frilly dress and matching silver heels as he made his way towards the trial room. The attendant was practically stunned as she saw a man enter the room and not long after, emerged wearing the dress and shoes. He looked just like a lady. His dark hair fell messily over his eyes, but the only thing that separated him from a lady was the faint trails of a moustache. Even his arms and legs looked as if he had just been to the parlor. He stood awkwardly at the door of the changing room, embarrassed with himself as Miaka and Steph stared at him.

"Nope not the dress for Hayden." Miaka chimed in, handing him another dress and a matching pair of shoes. By the seventh dress, he realized that they were just messing with him and refused to try on any more. "That is it."

"One more." Miaka pouted, her eyes shining, pinning him with her best impression of a pleading puppy face.

"The last one." He took another look at the sky blue gown in his hand before changing into it and emerging a few moments later. The elegant one shoulder dress was a straight fit and had its cut riding high up his thigh. Both Stephanie and Miaka stared at him. He looked for lack of a better word 'exquisite'

"This one would be perfect." Steph said regaining her thoughts. "Hayden will love it and the shoes fit perfectly."

Not long after, Ryan was back into his dark blue shirt that had its sleeves folded halfway and out of his jeans, red tie that hung loosely around his neck. "We will take that one." He said pointing to the blue one shoulder gown on the table. "Only we would like it two sizes smaller."

The young lady behind the counter just stared at him for a few seconds. Didn't he realize, the dress was in his size and two sizes smaller would only be tight in all the wrong places. "But sir, the dress... perfect fit." She said in broken English. "Two size small... too tight... look funny"

"Oh no the dress is not for me. It is for my sister and she is two sizes smaller than me." He said averting his gaze from the reddened employee. That seemed to do the trick because the lady quickly found the required dress and packed it. "The shoes sir?" she asked a few moments later.

"Are they available in size 7?" he asked only to meet a confused gaze.

"Size 25 and a half" Miaka chimed in. Apparently the woman understood and began frantically packing the desired pair as they left the store.

"Ryan" Steph said, her eyes gleaming in the evening sunlight, "You look really good in a dress." She teased as she got in the car only to be pinned with a look that made her laugh even harder. They decided to drop Miaka home before heading back to his place.

"OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH! This is perfect Ryu!" Hayden exclaimed as she opened the box grinning at her brother who stood silently in a corner, arms folded across his chest.

"Well it was Steph who chose it." His voice was devoid of emotion.

"What is the matter with you? PMS?" Hayden deadpanned only to see him stiffen further.

"Maybe he is pissed because I made him try on the dress." Steph laughed earning a surprised look from the young lady who also joined in the laughter.

"Go ahead and laugh. It is not my first time wearing girls' clothes." It was mainly a statement that he made before he turned and walked away.

"Not the first time?" Hayden sounded confused. "I've never seen or heard of him cross dressing."

"Maybe it is a personal hobby." Steph smirked as she gave Hayden ideas to style her hair and other girly stuff.

A/N: Hello, It's been so long, please leave reviews so that I know that my story is not getting too off topic. Loads of twists and turns will happen soon.

Happy Reading,

PP