A/N1: Not mine.
A/N2: A couple warnings: This story is not going to have a lot of "fluff" as it is more plot-driven. Also, (although, based upon canon characters in the original work, I shouldn't need to worry) a same sex relationship is a fairly major part of the story. (Yes, OC Dylan returns in yet another iteration.) Nothing graphic, but if you don't like, don't read.
"Ow!" The toddler squealed as she placed a chubby hand over her aching scalp. "Dat's mine, Nao," she protested.
"My mama bought it," the other one spoke more clearly, "so it's mine." The clip was then slid carefully into artfully arranged curls.
"No!" She stamped a foot. "Is budderfy! All budderfies b'long to me!"
"Actually, they don't. My mama, my clip." The smug expression remained even after the girl scampered away from the play area overlooking the tropical marina.
It was several minutes later that a shriek was heard from the restaurant patio. "Kotoko! Where is my baby? Kotoko!" An anxious woman ran up to him, scanning the area as she did. "Naoki, where is Kotoko?"
"Don't know." The child returned to an elaborate sand creation.
Another woman and two men joined them. "Don't worry, Etsuko," the woman placed an arm around her. "She couldn't have gone far. Papa, check the grounds. Ai-kun, go to the wading pool. There, there," she patted the sobbing mother. "We'll find her. Don't worry."
"'Dupid Nao." The little girl made her way through an open gate, following a family of several rowdy children. "Dakin' my budderfy. 'Dupid, 'dupid, 'dupid," she repeated, enjoying the sound of the word. Her eyes opened wide. "Ooh, kiddy!"
She toddled along behind a cat, who, in turn, was following a food delivery person bearing lovely smells. The little procession made its way up a gangplank onto a luxurious yacht, upon which the feline was distracted by some fluttering ribbons, remnants of a lively party the night before. The child remained fixated on the cat and was hidden by a minibar when the door was opened by the one bearing food.
Eventually the cat consented to be petted by the girl in the storage alcove under the bar. Soothed by the warmth of the animal body and the semi-darkness of their location, she drifted off to sleep.
"And you last saw her at about one-thirty this afternoon?" The police officer was patient despite–or, perhaps, because of–the two hysterical women. A missing child, after all, was no laughing matter.
"Yes," the stockier of the two men replied. "We adults were finishing our meal with coffee and a dessert while the children were over there. Less than ten meters away!" He shook his head in disbelief. "We thought it safe enough."
"Why were the children not with you?"
"The child's menu here is much simpler fare than what we dined upon. They had finished their fish sticks and noodles almost before the soup course was done."
The other man sobbed, "I knew my Kotoko was a lively one. I should have kept her with us. Iri-chan, why didn't I do that?"
"Now, Ai-chan," he patted his back, "none of us could have really thought she would disappear. I mean, Nao was right with her. Naoki," he squatted down to his child's level, "is there anything else Kotoko said that you can remember?"
"No, papa. She was being a brat, though."
"Irie Naoki!" The taller woman left the now silently weeping one. "How dare you call that sweet little girl such a thing. One would think–" she broke off and pointed. "Son, why do you have Kotoko-chan's hair clip?"
"Son–?" asked the confused officer, looking at the sundress and perfectly styled curls.
"Sorry," the father blushed, "his mother was really wanting a girl, so…"
"What do you mean, you took it away from her? I bought it for her!"
"You bought it, so it belonged to me," the cross-dressing toddler retorted with his lower lip pushed out. "Just because she wants all the butterflies."
"Oh, son, that is why we bought it for her." His mother embraced him. "That doesn't mean I don't love you too."
"So, the little girl was upset because she lost a hair barrette?" This report will make the station bulletin board, the officer thought. Well, at least if we can find her.
Shortly before dusk, an unsecured set of tongs clattered to the deck as the yacht left the calm harbor for slightly rougher seas. Kotoko roused and looked around. "Kiddy?" she asked, but the only reply was the growl of her stomach. "Hung'y," she said and pulled herself to her feet and looked around. "Ooh!" she gasped as she saw various cut fruit in covered containers. She dragged a chair over and crawled onto the bar. After gorging herself on pineapple, orange slices and cherries, she felt tired again, aided by the slight rocking of the boat. Finding a nearby head, she took advantage of it then surveyed the area. She dragged a lounge cushion into her secluded nap area and wriggled around a bit before settling down for the night. "'Dupid Nao," she muttered before drifting off to sleep again.
"Oh, Papa," Mrs. Irie sighed as they prepared for bed, "I never will forgive myself for encouraging the Aiharas to join us on this business trip."
"It has indeed become a nightmare," he agreed. "I can extend our stay for another week, but that's all the time I can be away from Pandai. A young business needs a consistent leader."
"Yes," she wiped away a tear, "and if little Kotoko isn't found by then, then I am afraid that she never will be. I'm so upset, I think I'll give away all of Naoki's dresses."
About damn time, her husband thought, not foolish enough to make the comment verbal.
Alas, in due time the two families did depart for Japan with one unused return plane ticket.