Disclaimer: I don't own Nisekoi or any of the characters mentioned in this story

It was a normal day at Bonyari High School and classes had just finished and everyone was getting ready to leave for the day. Tsugumi sat at her desk packing up her homework and books, this would have to wait until later. As Tsugumi was getting up to leave as she heard a voice beside her.

"Hey, Tsugumi." It was Raku Ichijou. "I know today is Chitoges' birthday today, but I forgot to get her a present, I was wondering if you would come with me to help pick one out for her."

"H-how could you forget to get her a present you're her boyfriend after all." Tsugumi said in a frustrated tone.

"I got caught up in some family matters and I never got the time to go out and get her a present."

"You're so hopeless... I'll help you this one time-

"Ah! Thank you so much Tsugumi!" Raku yelled as he grabbed her hands

Tsugumi blushed and her heart began to race, Tsugumi suddenly jerked her hands away from his

"w-what are you doing!? The only reason I'm helping you is because I don't want to see Chitoge upset on her birthday."

Raku got a confused look on his face for a second "Ok..when should we get together to look for her present."

Tsugumi got herself composed "we'll meet at the Blue Bird cafe at 5 enough time to go home and get changed."

"Ok I'll see you then" Raku said as he turned and left the classroom

Tsugumi looked at her hands "what was that feeling?" she put her hand over her heart and felt its beat. Then Tsugumi sighed and grabbed her things and headed for home. Raku was walking home to get changed for his meeting with Tsugumi "what was with her reaction, her face got really red I hope she's alright." Later when Tsugumi got home Chitoge was waiting for her.

"Where were you?" Chitoge asked

"I'm sorry..I got held up back at the school, I have to meet someone back in town at 5 so I really must change." Tsugumi said

"well if you're going to meet someone I'm not going to let you go there wearing your guy clothes and carrying guns..you're going to wear a dress."

"Ah b-but you know I don't like wearing those things..."

"You have no say in the matter come along now we have to find you something cute to wear." Chitoge said with a wink.

After a few minutes of searching through Chitoges closet and trying on the dresses that Chitoge had picked out for her Tsugumi was ready to go. Raku stood outside the cafe where he and Tsugumi were supposed to meet. After he had waited for a bit he decided he would go inside and wait for her there, as he sat down and ordered a drink he heard the door open and voices. Tsugumi came around the corner and Raku was stunned, Tsugumi was wearing a long blue dress that went down to her ankles, it flattered her very well.

"Sorry I'm a bit late Chitoge had me trying on all kinds of dresses because of us meeting up together." Tsugumi said as she was sitting down.

"Wait so Chitoge knows I didn't get her a present?" Raku said

"No I told her I was meeting someone in town I didn't tell her who or why."

"Phew for a second I thought this meeting was for nothing and by the way that dress looks really good on you."

Tsugumi blushed "I-I'm just here to help you pick out a present for Chitoge..."

"I know I figured we would go shopping after we got something to eat, my treat...are you okay?" Raku asked looking concerned

"O-of course I am" Tsugumi said still blushing

Raku put his hand on her forhead " You're burning up. Are you sure you don't just wanna go home and rest?"

Tsugumi knocked his hand away from her forehead " I'm fine. I said I would help you and I plan to keep my word."

"O-ok I was just worried is all, lets have something to eat then we'll go."

Later after they finished eating they went searching for a gift for Chitoge. They searched a lot of the stores around where they were but they weren't successful in finding anything. When they were about to give up Raku saw a shop and they both decided to go inside. It was a stuffed animal store, after a bit of searching they decided on a stuffed rabbit. While they were looking for the gift Tsugumi saw a stuffed dog and she picked it up and stared at it for a bit.

Raku walked over to her "Do you like dogs?"

"Y-Yeah but I was never able to get one not even a stuffed one, Claude said that pets and toys were for girls and the weak." Tsugumi said her eyes looking down at the stuffed dog in her arms

"Well we better hurry if we want to make it to the party."

"Yeah you're right lets go."

Later when Tsugumi got home she went to her and stood in front of the mirror and placed her hand on her chest"What's with this feeling, every time he touches me or gets close to me my heart starts to race and my face gets all hot and why did I say that to him?"

When it was about time for the party to start Tsugumi went outside to invite in the other guests: Kosaki, Ruri, Shuu (though she had no idea what he was doing here since he wasn't invited) and Raku. As everyone came inside Tsugumi shut the door behind them. Everyone was gathered in the dining room and when Chitoge entered everyone jumped up and yelled "Surprise!" Chitoge feigned surprise of course since she knew this had been coming for some time now. After some time socializing and saying hello to everyone, it was time to open the presents. It came down to the last two Raku and Claude, Claude presented his present first, it was a brand new car.

"I don't have a license so I don't really need that" Chitoge said with a flat stare. Claudes face was one of horror.

"Here this is from me." Raku said holding his bag out to Chitoge

Chitoge opened the bag and pulled out the stuffed rabbit that was in there. Chitoge stared at it for moment "I love it!" she exclaimed as she hugged it to her body.

"That's great I wasn't quite sure what to get you so I took a shot with that." Raku said with that grin of his.

Chitoge looked over at Tsugumi and winked. Tsugumi walked over to where Chitoge stood.

"You know I like rabbits." Chitoge said staring out at the other guests

"Yes I did have some input on his gift" Tsugumi said also staring out at the other guests

"So Raku was the one you went out to meet"

"Y-yes he was"

"Did you guys have a good time?

"Yes, we did in fact"

Tsugumi looked over her shoulder and saw Claude standing there motioning her to follow him.

"I'm sorry Chitoge I have business to take care of."

As all the other guests were leaving Tsugumi followed Claude to their usual meeting place.

"I heard Chitoge and yours conversation" Claude said adjusting his glasses

"Oh did you?" Tsugumi asked

"Yes did and it seems to me that the Yakuza brat seems to trust you so I have a mission for you"

"What would that be Claude?"

"I want you to get close to him, in fact I want you to move in with him."

xxx

"B-b-but Raku is Chitoges boyfriend how could I move in with him" Tsugumi said her face getting red

"That may very well be, but I have my suspicions so I want you to move in to make sure" Claude said

"How am I supposed to get in, I can't just waltz into his house?"

"You are to tell him that you got kicked out of this household and you need to stay with him."

"But what about Chitoge she could expose me."

"Don't worry about Chitoge I'll fill her in tomorrow, now go get some sleep"

Claude walked away leaving Tsugumi standing in the hallway with her thoughts of the mission to come. Tsugumi began walking back to her room to begin preparations to leave tomorrow after school. she laid on her bed staring up at the ceiling finding hard to sleep with what laid ahead. After what seemed and eternity she fell asleep. The next morning she woke up and started off to school, along the way she ran into Raku and Chitoge,Tsugumi walked up beside Chitoge.

"Good morning Tsugumi" Chitoge said

"Good morning Chitoge" Tsugumi said

"Good morning Tsugumi" Raku said

Tsugumi suddenly thought about what she would have to do later and her heart started to flutter

"G-good morning Ichigo" Tsugumi said

As the three continued walking to school they talked about all sorts of things. As they arrived at school they all went their separate ways to their lockers. The day continued on normally going through english, math, history, physical education, and other classes. At the end of the day everyone packed up and headed home. Once Tsugumi got home she went to her room and finished packing for the mission and completed her homwork. By the time she started leaving for Rakus house it had gotten late and the street lights were on. Raku was getting ready to make dinner when he heard a knock at the door. Raku opened the door and saw Tsugumi standing there.

"T-Tsugumi, what are you doing here?" Raku said

"I-I need a place to stay for awhile." Tsugumi said with her eyes downcast

"Well come inside and tell me what happened."

"I was on a mission for Claude and I failed to complete the objective and once he heard he kicked me out for not being competent."

"That sounds awful, you can stay here for awhile I'll have to get a room ready and I'll talk to the old man about it tonight after dinner, speaking of which I was just about to get started on that, would you like to help me?"

"Yeah, I think that would be nice"

Raku led Tsugumi to the kitchen where they were going to prepare dinner. They both washed their hands and Raku handed Tsugumi an apron.

"Here put this on." Raku said

Tsugumi put the apron on over her head and tried to tie the strings behind her back but couldn't get them.

"Raku could you help me tie these?"

Raku walked over behind Tsugumi and grabbed the apron strings and tied them for her.

"Thanks" Tsugumi said with a smile

"No problem" Raku said

After they got all the bowls and utensils prepared they began to cook. They set water to boil and got the vegetable chopped up. Raku looked over at Tsugumi who was working on cutting up the meat.

"Man..she looks cute in an apron." Raku thought a slight blush growing on his face

Tsgumi looked over at him "what are you looking at?"

"N-Nothing" Raku said blushing and waving his hands in front of his face

Tsgumi got done with chopping the meat and Raku combined all the ingredients

"All we have to do now is wait for it to simmer for a bit then it'll be ready to serve." Raku said "She's cute and knows how to cook..she would make a great wife." Raku thought looking at Tsugumi. Tsugumi looked over at Raku

"You're doing it again." Tsugumi said

Raku recoiled a bit "d-doing what?"

"Staring at me" Tsgumi said glaring at him "Is there something on your mind"

"Shoot I have to think of something to say" Raku thought "what was this mission that was so important that you got kicked out over.

Tsgumi put her eyes down and turned her head away from Raku.

"I'm sor-" Raku said

"It's not something I want to talk about" Tsugumi said here eyes still downcast

"Alright I"m sorry I brought it up, can you help me this stew into bowls then I'll take them out"

Raku left with the bowls on a cart and Tsugumi was left alone. Tsgumi watched the door close and grabbed her bowl of stew. She bowed her head and closed her eyes to give thanks for the food. When she lifted her head she saw Raku sitting across from her.

"what are you doing here, aren't you going eating with your family?" Tsugumi asked

"I can't just leave you here to eat alone." Raku said

Tsugumi looked at him with a smile "Thanks."

Tsgugumi and Raku sat together and ate for awhile. They talked about school their futures and other things.

"Raku, is there anyone you're in love with?" Tsgumi asked

Raku recoiled a bit at the suddenness of the question "I love Chitoge of course." Raku said rubbing the back of his head. Tsugumi didn't know why but she felt a bit sad that Raku answered that way

"What do you love about her?" Tsugumi asked her voice quiet

Raku looked toward the ceiling scratching the side of his face, his face took on a peaceful look. "I don't know she's kind and cares about others, but enough about that I'll show you to the bath and where you'll be staying."

Raku led Tsgumi down a few hallways and they stopped in front of a door.

"This is the bath, everyone is done taking a bath so nobody should bother you. Next I'll show you to the room."

They walked a little further and came to another door and Raku opened the door and walked in. Raku turned on the light and Tsgumi looked around. It was a average room with a dresser and some other furnishing.

"Are you sure it's alright for me to be staying?" Tsgumi asked

"Yes it's fine, I already talked to my old man and he said it was fine." Raku said "alright so go and and get settled in, my room is just down the hall if you need anything."

Tsgumi began to unpack her thing and lay out her futon. Suddenly her phone began to ring, she answered it.

"Hello?" Tsugumi spoke

"Hello Tsugumi, how is your mission going?" It was Claude

"It's going fine, I was just about to get settled in."

"That's good, have you learned anything of Raku and Chitoges relationship?"

"He seems to love her, he got this peaceful expression on his face when he talked about her." Tsugumi looked down and her face became gloomy thinking about it.

"Hmmm interesting, well keep digging this still seems suspicious to me."

Claude hung up on the other side. Immediately Tsugumi got another phone call, she answered it.

"Hello?" Tsugumi spoke.

"Tssuugguummi!" It was Chitoge "I missed you, it was so boring here without you."

Tsugumi smiled "I missed you too Chitoge, we'll see each other at school and we can still hang out whenever we have the time."

"I know, well I'm getting ready to go to bed I'll see you tomorrow at school. Bye."

Chitoge hung up on the other side of the phone. Tsugumi finally finished unpacking her things and went to the bath. Tsugumi was relaxing in the bath when suddenly she heard a knock.

"Is anyone in there?" Then the door opened immediately after and Raku came through. Raku stood there for a moment his mouth hanging open from seeing that Tsugumi was in the bath. Tsugumi stared her eyes wide in shock that Raku would just step through like that.

"W-What are you doing in here you pervert?!" Tsugumi yelled

Raku ran out of the room and closed the door behind him and he heard something thump against the door. "I-I'm sorry, I thought you would already be done!" Raku yelled through the door.

Later Tsugumi knocked on the door to Rakus room she heard a voice on the other side yell come in. Tsugumi opened the door and walked into his room.

"I'm sorry about yelling at you and throwing the bucket at the door, it's just that I was startled." Tsgumi said looking sheepish

"No, it's fine I understand." Raku said

Tsugumi walked over to where he was sitting and looked at what he was doing.

"Is that today's homework?"

"Ya, I'm having trouble with this problem."

"Well you just do this and substitute that number for that and you're done."

"Oh, thanks that was easy the way you explained it."

"No problem, I'm going to bed now see you tomorrow."

"Wow she's so smart and kind I can see why people like her." Raku thought as he watched Tsugumi walk out of the room

"That idiot he basically had the problem solved why did he ask for help?" Tsugumi thought as she walked back to her room

That's it for chapter 2 of the Tiger and the Beansprout sorry for the long wait on the update but my computer is working so well, and the next updates will be sporadic so thank you for your patience and happy reading