Two years have passed after Ohma's defeat, and no one is certain of his whereabouts or even whether he is still alive. He abruptly vanishes from view.

Despite all that had happened, Akiyama Kaede was still able to live her life.

But Kaede feels that her routine has been tiresome most of the time. She gets up, leaves for work, and returns home. Between her primary responsibilities, her day is filled with many tasks, but even those are growing less and less satisfying, and the emotions she works so hard to control only intensify, taking precedence over the majority of her logical thinking.

She found it strangely awkward to receive an invitation from Dr. Hanafusa. Every fighter who is associated under Nogi Group is in good condition. She is still perplexed as to why the doctor insisted on seeing her.

She reached the location he was referring to in his message. and found Dr Hanufusa and his nurse patiently awaiting her.

"Hi,Im sorry. Did I keep you waiting a long time?" Kaede worry asked.

Dr. Hanafusa smiled and shook his head, saying, "No, we just got here early. I have to set up the helicopter we're going to use."

"Helicopter? What do you mean?" Kaede asked confused.

"The chopper is only means of transportation available to us, Ms Akiyama" The doctor explained calmly.

Kaede sighs still confused. "What's going on?"

"I think you would be interested in seeing one of my patients, Ms. Akiyama." The blonde doctor said, The corner of his lip twisted up slightly and he moved on.

Wordlessly, still unsure of what was happening, Kaede follow him.

After almost an hour flight. They arrived on private village.

"Where exactly are we? Kaede asked with a tired sigh.

"Where in Kure's private Village Ms Akiyama."

"Wha-at?" looking just a little bit unsure how she was off the hook. Until Her eyes cautiously flick down the way of the sidewalk and they land on a figure standing in the light.

"Ohma kun?" Her eyes widen in shocked, her heart beating faster and her body is trembling.The sky play beautifully against Ohma's face. Still, a shadow hangs beneath his bangs obstructing a clear view of his eyes; despite this, she can tell his gaze is considerably soft against expression there is a smirk stretched across his lips.

She takes a few steps towards him. His appearance stirs a myriad of emotions within her. Most notably, melancholy; it seeps into her frame, shooting straight to her heart before looping down deep into her belly. The feeling leaves her chest hollow and the pit of her stomach empty.

"Hey, Kaede, you look even prettier." He says finally, smirking again as he peers down at her, a coy glimmer in his eyes.

Kaede forrowed her brows and bitting her lower lips. 'Why does he talk as thought he hasn't been gone for a long time?'

"The gramps waiting for you, let's go" Ohma said as he turn to walk.

"Gramps?" Kaede asked inadvertently, not realizing how loud her voice was.

Ohma stop and turn his head on her "The patriarchs of kure Clan" ohma responds.

Kaede nodded, she keep her head down," But, why yo-? She asked in a soft voice.

Ohma cut her off " I live here kaede, for about 2 years now" he said flatly, as he continue his walk.

Putting her hands over her mouth, Kaede gasped with surprise. She is still mentally processing what is happening.

Dr. Hanafusa smiled reassuringly and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Let's go Ms Akiyama"

They meet the old kure on one of the inn's, and on his side is Rhian Kure.

They sat silently, still taking in their surroundings, as a hot tea was served to them.

"So she's your guest, ohma? You're Nogi Kun's secretary, right?

Yes Sir," Kaede nodded, taking a deep breath and swallowed hard before she continued again, "Why is Ohma here? What precisely is going on here?" She turned her gaze from Old kure to Dr. Hanafusa."

Erioh Kure laughed, "What do you mean lady? He's my future son in law, thats why he's welcome here"

Kaede furrowed her brows and cast a stern look at Ohma. Which made Ohma flinch a little.

Dr Hanafusa explained everything to kaede from the heart transplant to his rehabilitation and training with the Kure's.

Kaede bent her head, her palms quivering as she held the cup on her hands. She still doesn't want to show her face, and she's not sure how to react to what she just heard.

"Did Mr.Yamashita know about this?" She asked softly.

"He recently found out kaede" ohma responds casually.

"You're a selfish, insensitive bastard Ohma Kun, Have you ever considered of how we felt worrying about you? You're a full of shithead," Kaede snarled disdainfully as she raised her head to face Ohma.

Rhian suppressed a laugh. Kaede sent her a lethal stare as he moved his gaze away from her.

Kaede rises and smoothes her skirt. "I need to go, Mr. Kure. Thank you for your hospitality. I have a lot of work to do," she replied respectfully and nodded.

"It's getting late, Ms Akiyama; no one comes here after dark .it's too dangerous for you to travel alone"

Dr Hanafusa, nodded, agreeing to Old Kure.

"Ohma san, escort her to the cafeteria; I requested that they prepare meals for our guests; you will become my grandson-in-law; and your guests are all welcome here."

Ohma rose to his feet and said, "I'll tell you one more time, Gramps, I'm not going to become your bullshit in law."

The old kure ignored him. "I also request that a room be prepared for you to spend the night, Ms Akiyama."

"No need gramps, she'll stay in my room," Ohma grumbled as he came closer to Kaede.

"That is not appropriate, my grandson in law."

"Why not? we shared a room back in tokyo" ohma countered.

Kaede's glasses slip up the bridge of her nose as she cants her head up at him, her eyes growing wide as she searches his face for intent. "He is right, ohma kun"

.

Kaede skipped dinner and went straight to her room, where the helper assisted her nicely and spared her a yukata.

She's sitting on the porch with a sake in her hand, processing everything that has happened in her mind. She was so lost in contemplation that she didn't see the footstep approaching her.

"Hey i heard you didn't take your dinner" Ohma said, his hands in his pocket as he stood next to her.

Kaede was taken aback, but she chose to ignore him as she raised her bottle and sipped her sake.

Ohma hissed as he sat near her on the porch. "Nothing changed. Still a drinker"

"I'm not very hungry," she replies, reaching for the one bottle that still held a bit of sake within it. "Besides, Im not really comfortable around here" she admitted.

Ohma nodded.

.

.

.

"Ohma kun, you seems really settled here" she stop to drink another sake. " You've been living your life here for the past two years," Kaede adds, breaking the silence that had crept between them.

Ohma laughed softly as he shook his head. "Don't be Dramatics Kaede, you just enjoyed entertaining the youngster fighters, and that idiot thai gaolan"

"Excuse me?" There is an air of offense to her tone as she shoots him a pointed look beneath her knit brow.

She looks over at Ohma again. He had suddenly become very still, his eyes focusing on a random spot on the outside.

"Im sorry kaede, i went into hiding to keep you safe but i guess i made you worry didn't i?" he says abruptly, his head bowing slightly at her.

She can only stare at him, stunned silent from his apology.

Her expression softens as he lifts his head and she wishes she had more sake to help her through the situation.

Kaede shakes her head after a while, consciously avoiding his gaze.

"Im really glad to see you again, kaede" She doesn't hide her blush from him this time as she feels the tickle of butterflies fluttering around inside her stomach.

Ohma smirked at her reaction, relieved that Kaede's feelings for him had not changed.

"Are you really going to marry her, i mean karla, ohma kun?" She asked in shy voice.

Ohma laughed. "You know me kaede, i don't give a fuck about that, is not even cross to my mind"

Kaede nodded, "I see," eased by his response, although her heart was stabbed a little by his words.

"I do, however, like the idea to have a companion." he added as he rose up, and stretching.

Kaede's eyes widen as her heart begins to race.

Ohma grinned when he saw her reaction. . "Hey Kaede, do you want to go with me in my training?" Ill prove to you ill made a full recovery"

"Huh What are you going to do, ohma kun?" Kaede asked in panicked.

"No, things, i wouldn't even called it training, just playing with a couple of demons"

Kaede unsure what to say, but she agrees to accompany him.to her surprise, ohma took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulder.

"What are you doing?" kaede asked still confused.

He smiles down at her and draws her close to him "I can see you entire body on that thin dress you've wearing, its full of bastard in the dojo. I don't want them to gawked on your skin."

"Oh"Kaede blushed, hugging the jacket to cover her"

"It's exclusively for my eyes."Ohma whispers lustfully to her.The apples of Kaede's cheeks burn as she quickly turns away from him

Ohma chuckled" C'mon kaede"he calls to her, already down the dojo.