At precisely 7 AM there was a knock and two door bell rings at the front door. The downstairs had been burtsling with new life in the week that Fuu had been around for Jin. Atleast in the morning time. Mugen never got up a minute before noon, but both Fuu and Jin had to eat breakfast and get ready before 8 every day. She had high school, and he had work. So while Fuu was face first in a bowl of cheerios and a mug of coffee, Jin was heading for the door, leaving his two toasts and tea at his place at the buffet.

"May I help you?" Jin asked. Had he been a normal man, he'd have had to resist the urge to picking his tongue off the floor. The woman before him was an elegantly beautiful woman. She was curvy, but lean in the waist and arms and that the most delicious legs. That pencil skirt and buttom up shirt seemed perfectly filled. Luckily for Jin, years of stoicism had prepared him for this day. His glasses, however, did fog up.

"Hello. My name is Shino Higurashi. I'm Fuu Kasumi's case worker," The woman said, holding up her clip board, "Is Fuu around?"

Fuu was off her bar stool and throwing her arms around Shino in no time, "I'm so glad to see you, Shino! I wish we could hang, but I have school and-"

"It's ok, Fuu, I'm just here to meet with your guardian," Shino promised, holding both Fuu's hands, "I'll be back this afternoon. I'm dying for a new scarf and I saw the cutest one at Ross's last week,"

"Oh sweet! I still have tons of stuff that I need for my new room," Fuu cheered, turning to Jin, "Is it ok if I get the rest without you?"

"Of course," Jin nodded, trying to hide his thrill of no more shopping days with Fuu, "You should finish getting ready, though, I'm sure Miss. Shino doesn't want you late for school,"

"Good call," Shino agreed.

Fuu muttered, "Ok," and carried her pajama and slipper clad self up the stairs and into her own bedroom, leaving the adults to talk.

"She's a special girl," Shino mused almost to herself.

"hmm," Jin agreed, holding out his hand, exposing the comfy chair in the living area for her to sit in. Shino thanked him and sat down, using her lap as a table to go through her clip board list, checking and writing things down.

"I see that you have a roommate?" Shino read, her eye quizzical, "A Mugen Ryuuk?"

"Yes, but Mugen is more than a roommate. He nearly saved my life once, and I his," Jin explained, "He's a dear friend, and I can personally attest to his character that-"

A door slammed, followed by a shirtless and boxer clad Mugen coming lopping down the stairs like he had just lifted an anvil off of him. He went straight up the fridge, hardly muttering, "HowsaguyS'posedtabeable ta sleep… wid'all this damn racket,"

Jin turned back to Shino with a nervous smile before another door slam was heard. This time, down came a very well dressed young woman. She had on a tight black dress that so low cut and short, it should have been considered lingerie. It was a wrinkled mess and she carried a pair of red stiletto heels in her hand. Her hair was long, blonde, and everywhere.

"Bye, Mugen,"

"NnmLat'r," Mugen grumbled back.

The woman blew a kiss and a wink to Jin before stepping out the door, leaving the three alone.

"I'mgunnago back ta bed," Mugen told them, "Try keepin' it down, bro, kay?"

It was as if he didn't even notice the other woman in the room, but he did notice Fuu come bounding down the stairs, fully dressed and happy to see him, "Morning, Mugen! You're up early,"

Whatever he said was completely incoherent to everyone (probably to himself, too) but he did end it with, "Babe,"

In all honesty it sounded like, 'same to you, Babe,' but it very well could have been, 'savin the moose, Babe' but it mostly sounded like, 'Shame the douche, Babe,'

Fuu smiled and took a seat with Jin and Shino who both looked uncomfortable. Jin was looking nervous and slightly humiliated, while Shino looked perturbed and a little scandaled, "Clearly, Mr. Kasumi, you and I have some matters we need to discuss,"

Jin wanted to retort. He wanted to clear up that he and Mugen both had kept most of Mugen's little trysts a secret from their new member. Fuu had honestly never seen or heard from any of Mugen's "dates" and at the rate they were going, she never would. In fact, Mugen being awake at all at this hour was mind boggling. But of course, the vagrant would pick the worst of all possible days to show himself so early in the morning, along with one of his less than scrupulous of bimbos at that.

So instead of getting himself into more hot water by making excuses, Jin only swallowed a gulp, "Yes, it seems we do,"

"Fuu, I'd like to take you to school, if you're ready now,"

Fuu beamed, turning to Jin, "I'll see you this afternoon,"

The two women got up as Jin copied and followed them to the door, handing Fuu her new pink plaid back pack, "What would you like for dinner tonight? I'm getting a little tired of Mugen picking. You and I could go out, if you'd like,"

A light bulb went off in Fuu's head, "What if I cooked for all four of us?"

"Four?" Shino and Jin both asked in unison.

Fuu turned to her friend and case worker, "Yeah, don't you still have to talk to Jin?"

There was a bit of nervous glance that passed between the adults before Fuu nudged her cousin in the chest a little, using that 100 watt smile of hers on him, "I make amazing spaghetti,"

Shino had to laugh, putting a hand on her shoulder, "Fuu, I don't think it would be-,"

"It's fine," Jin spoke up, "You are more than welcomed to have dinner with us, Ms. Higurashi,"

"Please?" Fuu begged.

Shino sighed, knowing fully well that Fuu was not about to stop in her pestering if her friend did not comply. So, being the adult Shino was, she agreed with a patient smile. And with a cheer from Fuu followed by a hug for Jin (also from Fuu) the two women bid him a polite farewell and left for the day, leaving the business man to exhale deeply.

Before finishing breakfast, and before even straightening his tie, Jin marched right over to kitchen sink and filled up the popcorn bowl with tap water. Taking it to the fridge, he added some ice and headed for the stairs and padded into Mugen's bedroom. Effortlessly the annoyed man Flipped on the light switch. The recluse kept his curtains drawn at all times to keep his room as cave-like as possible. The sudden change made him groan.

"Dude!" Mugen barked, pulling his pillow over his head, "I'm tryin' ta fuckin sleep, here!"

Suddenly, Mugen was doused with frigid water, making the younger man scream profanities and leap out of bed, "Shit! That's COLD! What the FUCK, man!"

Jin tossed the bucket at Mugen, nailing him right in the forehead and bounce on the ground. He grumbled a serious, "Be someplace else for dinner this evening,"

"What?"

"I don't care what you do, but under no circumstances are you to show your face in this house when I get home from work," Jin warned, making his leave of the room. Mugen was stammering confused remarks, "Fuu is having a guest over, and I wont have you ruining her evening,"

"You couldn't just, ya know, TEXTED me that!" Mugen was confused, exhausted and furious. Not a very good combination. But, the frost in Jin's tone informed him that he'd best adhere to what the ol' Fish Face warned him about, "Douche,"

oOOooOOOooOOOooo

"So, Shino, whaddia think of my cousin?" Fuu bragged a little, propping her feet up on the glove compartment of Shino's Malibu, "I mean, he's kinda stuck up, but he's so cool, isn't he?"

"Mr. Kasumi seems very nice," Shino smiled, happy that Fuu was enjoying herself, but was also very concerned, "his roommate makes me a little nervous, though,"

"Mugen?" Fuu asked, blinking a bit, "Nah, he can be a total pain in the ass, but he's cool. Why?"

"Well, we did a background check on him, you know,"

"Duh,"

"And there were just a few things that had me a little concerned," Shino shrugged a little, stopping at a red light and looking at her mirror to check her hair.

"What? He some spoiled rich kid with a criminal record?"

Shino frowned, still more preoccupied with her mirror checking, "Ah, no. He was in foster care, too, but he has a bit of a record, yeah,"

Fuu was slightly startled. Mugen was a foster kid? Guess she never thought to ask. Weird, though, that he never mentioned it. Then again, the two didn't exactly hang out on a regular basis. He worked really weird hours and never came home until late. The only time she did see him was when food was around. In that time they talked, she guessed, but mostly about superficial stuff.

The criminal stuff didn't surprise her, though.

"Just be cautious around him, Fuu," Shino warned, excelling on the gas when she noticed the light had been green for nearly a minute. The two didn't say much else to each other. Fuu was full of questions, where as Shino was a little worried. What would happen if the 1514 Sunflower Lane was deemed unfit for Fuu? The poor girl seemed so legitimately happy there. But Mugen wasn't the only problem. There was the matter of Jin Kasumi to attend to. After all, the whole story seemed a little too Annie Daddy Warbucks to be true, and Shino was determined to make sure Fuu wasn't put through any more danger.

"So…" Fuu's voice held a tinge of deviousness. Shino looked at her from the corner of her eye, "I met this guy, in my class… and he wants to go see a movie with me this evening,"

Shino shot her an angry look, "You little sneak! Is that why you want me to come over for dinner? To keep your cousin preoccupied?"

"Please, Shino! He's so cute and I've never been asked out before," Fuu begged, "Jin's so over protective,"

"That's good," Shino reprimanded, "I can't believe you'd use me like that. I can't believe you'd think I'd let you use me like that. How many times have I told you I'm supposed to keep you safe?"

Fuu grumbled, looking out her window, "It wasn't all for me, ya know. When's the last time you've had a date?"

Shino blushed, fuming a bit, "Th-That is not the point here, Fuu, nor is it any of your business,"

"What? Jin's only a little older than you, and he's pretty good looking," Fuu rationalized. Shino shot her a slightly disgusted and concerned look. Fuu instantly defended with a joke, "what? Hotness runs in the family genes!" she emphasized her point by running a hand through her brown tresses. Shino laughed.

"You're not hooking me up with your cousin," The older woman told her sternly, "And I'm not about to cover for you so you can go meet some random kid I've never even met before,"

"God!" Fuu pouted, slamming her back into her seat, folding her arms over her chest the way that teenagers often do. Why was Shino being so unreasonable? It's not like Fuu was asking to go out to make a porno or something. This was a nice, normal, boy who legitimately liked her. Okay… so he maybe he didn't really know her, yet, but he for sure thought she was good looking enough, and he didn't treat her like the weirdo new kid like everyone else at the school did. He was cute and smart and funny and dressed real nice.

"What's his name?"

Fuu smiled, "Shinsuke,"

oOOooOOO

Everyone did what they were supposed to. Fuu went to school, flirted with Shinsuke. Mugen and Jin went their respective work places (no, you don't get to know what Mugen does for a living, yet). And Shino did… whatever Case Workers do when they aren't bitching at foster parents. Nothing super exciting happened, and everyone was anxious/excited about the evening (Except Mugen who was still kinda miffed at Jin, but wasn't about to show up. Besides, he had better things to do, anyway)

ooOOooOOooOO

"My, don't you look… laid back," Fuu dead paned, looking at her cousin as he descended the stairs. He had on a casual blue sweater with the sleeves pulled up to a quarter length and a pair of khaki pants.

"Is something wrong with this?"

"N-No… I mean, unless your idol is Bill Cosby," Fuu frowned. She turned from her stirring of spaghetti sauce to look him over as if he were on trial.

Jin mimicked her frown, only his was a bit more put off, "Are you suggesting I put something else on?" he neglected to point out that the frilly pink apron wasn't exactly a cool statement, but she was certainly rocking it like some kind of cooking diva.

She clapped her hands, "Why don't you put your business suit back on? You look so professional in it,"

"I have had it on all day," He stated in his usual tone, but he seemed a little confused, too, "I do not want to wear it while I am home as well,"

"But you want Shino to like your right? I mean, if she doesn't, she could take me away,"

"I highly doubt the way I dress for dinner will have any affect on her assessment of this being a suitable living environment for you,"

"Ok, I wasn't gonna tell you this, but…" Fuu stepped away from the stove completely; looking around to make sure no one was around. Mugen wasn't home yet. That was weird. Anyway, back to her lie. She walked right up to Jin, looking him seriously in the face and telling him, "Shino might have a little crush on you,"

Well, that wasn't a total lie. Shino really might have a little crush on Jin. Right?

"I still do not see what-"

"Come on, Jin!" Fuu exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air in the most exasperated way possible, "Don't tell me you don't think she is pretty,"

"She is a very… attractive woman, Fuu, but that has nothing to do with whatever it is you're talking about," Frankly, he wasn't really sure anymore.

"I don't want you to be alone all your life, cousin," Fuu was quick with her answer. Too quick. It seemed rehearsed. They both noticed and she tried to fix it by pausing awhile before continuing, "I mean, you work all day and then when you come home, all you do is watch movies with Mugen and me. Hell, before I showed up, was Mugen the only person you interacted with?"

She had him there. He stared down at her for awhile. He still wasn't entirely sure why she was so dead set on setting him up with her Case Worker. After all, they knew so little about each other. Fuu may have known Shino well, but the young girl was still meeting Jin. It had been quite a transaction to say the least and now she was setting him up with someone? She was starting to make him feel foolish. So what if he only hung out with Mugen at home? Work was hard, and when he was done with it the last thing he wanted was to go out and mingle. God, he hated mingling. Everyone always said he spoke to little and was ambiguous with whatever he meant.

Though, given his "handicaps" in social matters, perhaps he should be more accepting of Fuu's help.

"What shall I do?"

Fuu "squeed" before there was a solid knock on the door. She yipped and started pushing him upstairs, "Get your slacks and the light blue button up shirt on. The one with the pin stripes, and don't fasten your tie, just wear it undone around your neck,"

"What? But I-,"

"It makes you look dapper but still relaxed. Trust me, it's super hot," Fuu encouraged, stopping at the stairs, urging him to continue going, "Ooh! Make sure to roll your sleeves up to your forearm, too!"

So, confused and speechless, Jin hurried up to his room. Though, his idea of hurrying in this situation was a steady pace that nearly made Fuu nuts. Shino was at the door! Did he WANT her to notice that he was changing outfits for her? God, what a man.

But once his bedroom door was shut, Fuu answered the still waiting front to see Shino standing there wearing a high-waist pencil skirt and a striped button up shirt with panty hose. Fuu scoffed, "Shinoooo, I told you the black mini dress,"

Shino rolled her eyes and let herself in, pushing by the apron-clad girl, "Right, Fuu. So, where's your cousin?"

"He just got off work," Fuu said, "He should be down soon, dinners almost ready,"

"Now, Fuu," Shino started, following her into the kitchen, "I hope you've talked to your cousin about this Shinsuke guy,"

"I told him I wasn't gonna go out with him," Fuu retorted, trying to keep her voice down, "You were right. I should be more focused on my studies and getting closer to Jin,"

Shino beamed, "Well, I'm proud of you,"

Before anything else could be said, they both turned their attention to the man coming down the stairs almost mutely. In fact, the only indication of existence he gave was the sound of his door shutting. Shino watched Jin, Fuu watched Shino.

Now, Shino had noticed Jin when they met before. She had noticed his pretty face, sturdy build and broad shoulders. (hell, what straight woman, wouldn't!) But as he came down, eyes closed, left hand fastening his right sleeve to his forearm, he looked very sexy.

"Miss. Higurashi, it's good to see you again," Jin said politely, shaking her hand. Fuu rolled her eyes. Shaking hands? Really? Did she have to shove them into a closet or something? God.

"Good to see you, Mr. Kasumi,"

"Can you stop with the Mr. and Ms. Formality garbage?" Fuu asked, placing the full strainer on the stove top, "Your names are Shino and Jin,"

"That's rude, Fuu," Shino told her, but her voice did not scold like a usual adult's, "You don't get to decide what people want to called by someo-"

"You may call me Jin if you'd like," Jin interrupted, a smile voided from his face.

Shino turned to him, studying his inertia. And in a polite, but firm voice said, "Ms. Higurashi, if you don't mind,"

And that statement started a rather long, extremely awkward silence. Man and woman never broke eye contact. He looked surprised and maybe a little embarrassed… she adopted his previously emotionless expression.

"Sheesh, frost queen is it cold in here or is it just you?" Fuu muttered, breaking the silence. Much to Jin's relief. Shino didn't detract from her statement, making Fuu sigh a bit, "Suppers ready, but Mugen isn't back from work, yet,"

"Lets begin without him," Jin decided kindly, gesturing to the dining room passed the stairs, "He informed me ahead of time that he won't be attending. He has to work late,"

Fuu pouted a little, "But… I worked real hard and I made so much," she had expected him to eat. Now what she was gonna do with three pounds of spaghetti noodles and sauce?

"You can save it for him," Jin suggested, helping her by carrying the large sauce bowl to the table, "He'll be hungry when he gets home tonight, I'm sure,"

The table was soon set and the little group sat down. Fuu had to huff in relief. With Mugen not around, she was more likely to stay unnoticed the longer Shino and Jin started talking. But how was she supposed to do that?

She started wracking her brain with ideas. Think. Think. What was something they had in common? Jin inherited lots of cash an a very prestigious company from his bitch of a father… Shino left her abusive and gambling addictive husband after three years… Jin watched movies… Shino liked crime shows…. Uh… uh…

"Hey, Shino, did you know that Jin's company publishes those Miranda Williard mystery novels you like so much?" Fuu tried, helping herself to small portion of spaghetti.

Shino was impressed, "Really?"

Jin nervously looked at Fuu, then back at Shino, "Er… yes, she had pitched the idea to me just a few years ago, and I brought it to my father. He was not exactly thrilled with the premise but after a bit of coaxing and pressure from Miranda and myself he eventually gave in. We've been making money off it since,"

"You know Miranda Williard?" Shino gasped, "I mean, you're the one who got her started,"

"I wouldn't say that," Jin fixed her a plate, "Her books are genius. Anyone would be foolish not to take up the opportunity to publish for her,"

"Yes, but you were the first to recognize that. That's pretty amazing," Shino was officially star struck. Fuu had no idea Shino was such a fangirl. In fact, the only reason she had brought it up was because Fuu had noticed one of those stupid mystery novels of his tucked into Shino's purse. It's not like Shino ever talked about the author or the stories, "Do you read them?"

"Of course," Jin matter-of-factly stated, "I find her to be challenging without sounding too dry or straying away from the context of the story. Her newest one is looking to be just as good as Treacherous Topaz,"

"Treacherous Topaz is my favorite one!"

"Mine, too,"

"You get to read them before they come out?"

"She likes me to give my input before she types them out,"

"Get OUT!"

Fuu, seeing her cue coming up and feeling so deliciously brilliant, announced she was going to the bathroom, but when neither adult even so much as acknowledged her statement, or presence, she saw her escape. She took her plate to the sink, knowing they'd forget she was missing should her empty plate not remind them of her once existence. Slipping the apron off and checking her hair and makeup in the kitchen mirror, she flipped open her phone to text Shinsuke, "on my way =)" before slipping out the front door, leaving two very happy adults.

OooOOooOOOooOO

God he hated Jin sometimes.

Seriously. Where did that guy get off? What? He want some alone time with his baby cousin? That's sick. Like, Steely Dan sick (A/N- don't get the reference? Look up the song Cousin Dupris by Steely Dan. Creepiest lyrics EVER… too bad the sounds so awesome) Wait… didn't Fish Face mention something about a guest? Oh, Fuck it, Mugen didn't care. He could just cruse on his Harley until he found a bar. It'd been awhile since he did anything down town, anyway. And a sleazy hookup in the bar bathroom sounded pretty good about now.

He wasn't expecting, however, to see Fuu on the streets. That's right. Little Fuu Kasumi running down the side walk in a blue jean mini skirt, strappy heels and a flowy red silk top. Mugen decided then and there that she looked the best in red. Yep. Red was definitely her color. She looked pretty dolled up, so why the hell was she running?

"Yo, babe," Mugen called, slowing his bike down to coast beside her for a bit. After all, there weren't any cars on that little street, anyway.

"Mugen…? I thought you were working late," Fuu was still running.

Mugen snorted, "Yeah, I just got off. Didja know the house, and your fancy dinner party, is the other way?"

She stopped, horrified, "You're not gonna tell Jin you saw me, are you?"

"What?" Mugen blinked, "You runnin' away or sumthin? I mean… you aint exactly dressed for it,"

"No, dummy, I'm sneaking out,"

"Why?" Mugen laughed a little, "Jin letsa' do whatever ya want,"

She fidgeted a little, scratching her cheek and blushing, "He wont let me go on a date,"

Realization smacked him in the face. The little tart was meeting a boy, eh? Nice, "So what's with the motor? This boyfriend'a yers can't give ya a lift,"

"I'm late," Fuu explained, "I told him I'd meet him at the theatre almost ten minutes ago, and I still have a little ways to go,"

He shrugged, "Wanna lift?"

"What? Really?" she was astonished, "You're not gonna tell my cousin?"

"Nah, ol' Fish face needs to get the stick out his ass, anyway," He laughed a little, tossing his helmet to her. Fuu realized that he didn't have an extra one, so that meant he'd be riding without it… it also meant her hair was going to get messed up, "If you'd like, I could pick ya up when the flick is over,"

"That'd be great!" Fuu exclaimed, pulling the helmet over her head and hopping up to the bike. She tried to get up on the motorcycle, but was finding it hard with her skirt. She opted to side ride it, holding onto Mugen's shoulders, "I could tell him I was with you,"

"Eh, bad idea, Girly," He told her, taking her hands off his shoulders and wrapping them securely around his waist. Fuu had to blush a little. She could feel his abs from under his thin shirt and she couldn't help but give him a little squeeze. Mugen noticed, and smirked.

"Why?"

"Didn't ya know?" Mugen started the bike up and took off down the street. It was a good thing he moved her arms around him. She might have fallen off if he hadn't, "I'm the big bad wolf, red,"

oOOooOOoooOOO

This is that song I was talking about. (btw- steely dan REALLY rocks… this song is just… idk… idk what they was thinking)

Lyrics- Well I've kicked around a lot since high school

I've worked a lot of nowhere gigs

From keyboard man in a rock'n ska band

To haulin' boss crude in the big rigs

Now I've come back home to plan my next move

From the comfort of my Aunt Faye's couch

When I see my little cousin Janine walk in

All I could say was ow-ow-ouch

CHORUS:

Honey how you've grown

Like a rose

Well we used to play

When we were three

How about a kiss for your cousin Dupree

She turned my life into a living hell

In those little tops and tight capris

I pretended to be readin' the National Probe

As I was watchin' her wax her skis

On Saturday night she walked in with her date

And backs him up against the wall

I tumbled off the couch and heard myself sing

In a voice I never knew I had before

CHORUS

I'll teach you everything I know

If you teach me how to do that dance

Life is short and quid pro quo

And what's so strange about a down-home family romance?

One night we're playin' gin by a cracklin' fire

And I decided to make my play

I said babe with my boyish charm and good looks

How can you stand it for one more day

She said maybe its the skeevy look in your eyes

Or that your mind has turned to applesauce

The dreary architecture of your soul

I said - but what is it exactly turns you off?

Yeah. It's gross.