I always talk too much in these. (A/Ns)

Warning: Well, no smex. Would you get mad at me if someone not in the original series was in this? You could call her an 'OC'… (Though, personally, I wish I had come up with a male instead of her.)

Word Count without A/N(s): 1,393 (150 less)

"This is why I didn't take you with me. You'd just step in and make him not want to buy Ayase."

"But I wouldn't have made him buy me!" Homare was shocked enough to yell his defense, mumbling a short and half-hearted apology when Kanou's stare grew threatening.

"Either way, if you had listened to orders, you wouldn't be in this situation. But, at least I can't kill you for that contact now that you're owned by a person with high rank."

The Kuba twin frowned, making a sound of disapproval. "So you sold me?"

"Yes."

He closed his hands into fists, clenching his jaw tight before turning and walking out of Kanou's office. He flopped down into the first chair he saw and rubbed his face, trying to work away the wrinkles that had formed due to his now-constant scowl.

What was he? Some sort of sperm-donor!? Homare rolled his head back, gripping the arms of the chair tightly to leash his emotions.

"…Kuba-san?" The light voice made Ayase's image jump to mind.

"Yes?" He replied, his eyes focused on the ceiling. He couldn't bring himself to look the blonde in the eye.

"I'm Akane*." Homare's head snapped back into place, surprised. 'Akane'?

Well, the person standing in front of him was, indeed, not Ayase. Though she seemed like him. She was just as small, with that same soft smile. Only her face was purely foreign and rounded, with light freckles running over the bridge of her nose. The mass of reddish wavy hair was carelessly pulled back, leaving curly strands to border her face and neck. She was slim, as Ayase was, but her chest was moderate in size. She seemed confident enough to wear a revealing brown shirt, yet self-conscious of her lower half, which bore quite the large set of hips nearly hidden by an ankle-length black skirt.

"Who're you?"

"Akane—"

"No, I meant—"

"Oh, I'm Kawaguchi-san's daughter. Well, I guess I shouldn't call him that, but I assume that's what you know him as… I—oh, the look you're giving me says you don't know him. He's the bald one, he came here to buy me a husband—though I assure you I don't want him to force anyone! In fact, I…I already have someone! But father doesn't approve. Oh! Listen to me ramble on! I'm sorry! I, uh—oh my gosh!" She spun around as Misao tapped her shoulder, opening his mouth to say something. Instead, she cut him off with nervous laughter, "Oh! You're twins! Y-you're…Homare-san?" She pointed at Misao, then switched. Then pointed back at Misao. "Oh, I don't know! I'm really, really sorry! Could you just…?"

Homare sighed, thinking, She really does fit her last name.** "I'm Homare, he's Misao."

She laughed again. It still sounded nervous, but it was light and a little relieving, taking some of anger away from Homare.

"Miss, I was told to inform you to get acquainted with my brother. You and your father will be leaving soon. With Homare."

Homare set his jaw again as his brother bowed and walked away.

Akane turned around, "As I was saying before we were interrupted—I will try my hardest to convince my father to release you!" She bowed now, looking extremely sincere and determined.

Homare leaned forward then stood, waiting until she looked up to say, "Your father holds a high rank. Why do you dress as a commoner would?"

Akane straightened and looked down at herself, smiling sweetly, "I dress like a commoner? I believe you are mistaken; I dress like myself."

Homare let out a grunt as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Akane. I'll help you convince your father and help you get back to your love. What must we do."

Akane's golden brown eyes brightened, "We just have to refuse to touch each other. Simple really—maybe we can act like you abuse me, and knowing father, he'll toss you out."

The raven paused. Act like a barbarian. Seems easy enough. He smiled, finally, and nodded. "Got it."

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

Homare arrived at his temporary home via limo. It was quite extravagant, and he was offered gifts to welcome him (though he turned them all down). Kawaguchi observed his daughter's and the Kuba twin's interaction—but to no avail. They neither looked at each other nor spoke a word, sitting with as much space as possible between them.

When they did pull up to a circular pavilion with a fountain in the middle, Homare put on a glower and practically threw himself out of the vehicle, slamming the door behind him.

A shrill yelp made him jump and spin around, to see what it was. Akane was crawling out of the limousine, rubbing her forehead. He must've hit her with the door. A small pang of guilt went with his heartbeat, but he quickly snuffed it out, looking away.

"Are you alright?" Her father asked.

"Of course," She said politely, before sucking a breath in through her teeth. "…not! I-I'm in pain! It's his fault!"

Holding the back of her palm to her head, she directed her finger at Homare, who stood silently—resisting the urge to slam his hand against his face at the pathetic attempt at acting.

Her father seemed to buy it, though.

"He will be punished and taught manners! You, there—" the man motioned at a nearby guard, who obviously wasn't buying her act, "—help my daughter into the house. Get a medic to check her."

'House'? Homare turned and looked at the 'house', only to find a pearly mansion towering over him. There were large stairs leading up to the massive doors that were being opened for Akane. He stared at it, shocked but not letting it show on his face. He was ushered in, and then was shown to his—er, 'their'—room. It was obvious that it had Akane's best interest in mind. There were stuffed animals and a harp as well as a huge balcony over-looking a massive garden.

Homare stood in the middle of the white room with that large white bed, and…waited. As he did so, he thought. What was happening to Ayase? What was Kanou doing to the helpless blonde?

He hadn't thought of it before, but now that he had, he regretted not fighting to stay back. Hopefully Ayase had pulled out the 'I was forced' card…

"He wouldn't do that, the idiot…" Homare said under his breath, walking over to the bed to collapse on it. He knew the blonde, and he knew that he probably made a comment about Homare being more thoughtful of his wants at the time.

Though he wasn't… He was paying more attention to his own. But if that was what the blonde was snapping with, it made Homare feel a little bit better. That would mean the blonde is standing up for himself—maybe to the wrong person, but at least he's gaining confidence—and it would also mean that the blonde didn't mind the advance. Maybe he should try more…

"Homare-san?" The Kuba twin jolted up, surprised. The room spun for a moment, then stilled. Akane was standing in front of him. "You were sleeping? You drooled on the blankets!"

Honestly, he was puzzled. He blinked, trying to decode the sudden change of personality. Was she acting that whole time!?

Then he noticed the father eyeing them in the doorway. Akane gave Homare a hopeless look, then made a pouting face and cross her arms with a 'hmph!' Turning up her nose, she stormed out of the room.

Her father didn't follow. Instead, he crossed his own arms and walked in, looking around the room as if he were searching for anything missing. Finally, he spoke.

"What is with this sudden behavior?" Homare remained silent. "It will not be tolerated."

Suddenly, the nice demeanor faded, revealing a hateful glare rivaling Kanou's. Ice blue eyes dared to be challenged.

With a twisting feeling in his gut, he treated the man as he would treat Kanou when Ayase was threatened. "You're not in the position to make such comments. Your daughter's wellbeing is in my hands."

With that he stood and exited the room, leaving the man to seethe and—hopefully—make arrangements for Homare to go back.

*The name Akane is written with the character for 'madder' or 'red dye' (from what I've found). (Though I used it in the form of 'aka' meaning red and 'ne' meaning sound). I used 'red' to help create the character's appearance and then 'sound' to help with deciding her voice (which resembles Ayase's). What's ironic is the romaji for it: Akane, Okane? Eh, eh~? And 'Akane' seems like a mix of 'Ayase' and 'Okane'.

**Kawaguchi. 'Kawa' meaning river, and 'guchi' meaning mouth. Homare is making fun of Akane's nervous blabbering. He knows it's supposed to mean 'the mouth of a river', but I make him use it the other way to add [lame] HUMOR~

DUN DUN DUNNNNN. And, in case you're wondering, this does hold importance to the over-all plot. Without this family here, then a future part of the story wouldn't fit right.