Karson27: What are you doing?

Me: *working on evil plans Noooooottthhhiiiiiinnnnnng.

Karson27: Is that a picture of Kyoya dangling from the front of the mansion?

Me: .

Karson27: No. Whatever it is you're planning. No.

Me: But! I've already ordered the jet fuel.

Karson27 sighs.

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I had never been so scared in my entire life. I wasn't scared when I fought with my parents or stood up to the school board or when I got arrested but now, I was literally scared to death. Even Halloween had nothing on the fear of meeting Takeshi's parents. I was practically shaking.

"Tailyr," Takeshi said, nudging me in the ribs. I giggled a little, despite myself, because it tickled.

I knew what he was asking. "I'm not okay," I told him. "What if they don't like me? What if they don't think I'm good enough to date you? What if they don't want you to date a common criminal like me? What if-"

He silenced me by putting his hand over my mouth, with a small smirk. He was used to my panic attacks. His dark eyes settled on me with all of his usual seriousness.

"I promise, that won't happen," Takeshi said.

"Ow do ou knof?" I asked around his hand.

"Because I love you. That's why," he said.

I blushed hard as I pulled his hand away. "That's dumb reasoning," I mumbled.

Takeshi chuckled and kissed my forehead. We were at his house now. My heart started pumping painfully against my chest. I wondered if anyone could hear it. I willed myself to look calm on the outside. Takeshi put his hand on my lower back and guided me into his house.

I wasn't sure what I'd been expecting with Takeshi's house but it was kind of like a dojo. It was really pretty. Not nearly as big as the other houses we'd been too, like the Suohs' or the Hitachiins'. Honey's family lived simply – ish. Not like we were used to but still, plainer than the rest of the families.

We entered the house, every step was a step closer to my impending doom. Suddenly, I was tackled by something or rather someone.

"Satoshi," Takeshi said scoldingly. I was gasping for air.

"Oh. Sorry big brother," the boy said getting off of me. He and Takeshi helped me to my feet. "I'm sorry, Tailyr-sempai. I didn't mean to run into you so hard. I'm Satoshi Morinozuka, Takeshi's little brother. It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," I said shakily.

"I didn't hurt you did I?"

"No. I'm pretty indestructible. Promise, Satoshi-kun," I said. "And you don't have to call me sempai. I'm your older brother's girlfriend. Just Tailyr will work."

"Sure thing. Hey, big brother, Mom and Dad are waiting for you guys in the den."

"Ah," Takeshi said. Apparently it wasn't just us that he was silent with but I already knew that.

He took my hand and led the way to the den. Satoshi skipped walked along happily. He was very different from his older brother.

"I'm glad that you're coming to see me in the tournament this weekend, Tailyr," Satoshi said. "I really hope I win."

"I bet you'll win the whole thing and then some," I told him. "I saw Honey and Takeshi training one day and if you can fight like that, you have no problem."

"Well, big brother is a lot better than me but I'm working hard. I'm a champion just like he was in middle school."

We finally made it to the den. Takeshi's parents were sitting there. I was kind of expecting big scarey people with perfect manners and that kind of thing but that wasn't what I got. His parents seemed to be nice. Of course, his father had the brutish expression of a martial arts teacher but it was the kind, gentle type. Not the Hitler Neo-Nazi kind. His mother was beautiful, with the same hair and eyes as her sons. She sat with a nice serene expression.

"You must be Tailyr," his father said. His voice kind of reminded me of Takeshi's. Low and monotone.

"Yes," I squeaked as Takeshi and I sat down across the table from his parents.

"Have you ever practiced in martial arts?" he asked after a long awkwardly silent moment.

"Not officially," I choked. I couldn't stop the truth from rolling out.

"Can you please explain?" his mother asked.

I looked at Takeshi frantically for help. He didn't seem too concerned so I took a big breath.

"You'll understand me when I say that I'm nervous when say this," I said slowly. "I was … um, a street punk, for lack of a better term. I learned to fight. I know how to fight, quiet well, but I've been officially trained."

"I see."

He took a drink of his tea. This was limitlessly awkward. I couldn't think of anything intelligent to say. To be honest, I couldn't think at all. My brain was mush. Takeshi patted my thigh reassuringly.

"We've been rude dear," Takeshi's mom said. "We never properly introduced ourselves. Tailyr, I'm Yuna Morinozuka. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise."

"I'm Kohaku Morinozuka."

I nodded to him. I looked at Takeshi but before I could say anything, dinner was served. We weren't leaving that night. Early the next morning we were going to get up and catch the flight to Osaka or where ever and Satoshi's preliminary rounds were that night. The next day was the finals.

"So, do your parents approve of you dating Takeshi?"

Of course that question had to be asked. I didn't know what to say but I didn't see a point in lying. They'd find out anyway. "Um. My parents don't have a say in what I do. I was taken in last year by my best guy friend's parents. They approve of Takeshi. They like him a lot," I told them slowly.

"Where are your parents?" Yuna asked.

I turned really red and cough awkwardly. "Um … well … I …" I begged the words to come out but to my surprise, Takeshi spoke for me.

"Her parents beat her. Remember? I told you," he said. "They were arrested and are now in jail."

"Oh. That's right," his mother said.

I almost fainted in relief.

"Do you have any siblings?" Kohaku asked.

"Y-yes. I have a little brother and sister. I practically raised them until last year. They went to live my grandmother. They're twelve and sixteen."

"I see. What do you want to do with your life, Tailyr? You are a senior. You must have a life goal picked out."

Wow. They were really grilling me but it was getting easier as we talked and I got more comfortable in my surroundings and with the people in them. It was made even better knowing that Takeshi was there.

"I want to be an artist. I'm not really good at anything besides art, writing, and doing mommy stuff."

"Mommy stuff?" Yuna asked.

"Yeah like cooking, cleaning, laundry, tending to children," I explained. "That kind of thing. I took care of everything at my house."

"She can cook," Takeshi said. "Very well."

"You'll have to cook for us one night then Tailyr."

"I can only cook Southern U.S. Food, Yuna-san," I said sheepishly. "And I really don't think I'm all that good."

"You can just call me Yuna. I have a feeling that we'll be seeing each other a lot for a very long time," she said, winking. I let out a sigh of relief. I guess that meant I passed her test but as for Takeshi's father, I wasn't so sure.

We finished dinner with more idle chit chat. After dinner, Takeshi showed me to his room, which was where we were spending the night. I flopped, back first on his queen sized bed. I let out a big breath.

"I survived. Somehow," I said. "Do you think they like me? I mean, you're mom seems to but I don't know so much about your dad."

"He likes you," Takeshi promised. "He'll be watching you this whole time."

I lifted my head up a little and looked at him. "What?" I asked.

Takeshi laid down beside me. "He's … physical. He can understand a lot about a person through their actions."

"Just like you," I interjected.

He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Don't give me that look," I said pushing his face lightly. "You know what I mean. You found out more about me by watching than by actually asking me questions."

"You wouldn't have told me," he said, kissing my forehead.

"As true as that is, it doesn't matter. You still figured it out by my actions and stuff so that means you're like him. You're just a smart guy." I stuck my tongue out at him.

Sometime after that, we changed for bed and fell asleep. At about four o'clock the next morning, we were awoken. I groaned and tried to roll away but that didn't work. Takeshi was holding on to me too tight.

"Takeshi," I groaned. "I'm still tired. Stayed up to late for this."

He chuckled. "You can sleep on the plane."

I got up and we changed and got ready for the next couple of days ahead of us. It was an exciting trip. The tournament was insane. Takeshi's little brother was very good. He won the whole thing. I was very excited with the whole atmosphere. I could feel Takeshi's dad watching me the whole time. I was pretty curious about what he was thinking but I knew that I'd find out eventually.

As I spent my weekend gallivanting around Osaka, as I later learned, with the Morinozuka family, I didn't realize that there was a whole other problem brewing at home.

Okay. So, foreshadowing! Thanks for all the reviews but we need more! Make sure to leave one!