The weather had been absolutely horrid all day long.

Clouds completely blanketed the sky, and big, fat, snowflakes fell lazily to the ground, muffling the sounds of the city until all that could be heard were the muted sounds of people trying to go about their daily lives.

Luckily for Naoko, her own little store was warm and cozy, if not boring as hell.

The snow had kept most customers away, except a few students here and there, looking for a quiet place to study, or others who were off from work and were looking for a way to pass the time.

At the moment, the store was empty, and Naoko was very close to dozing off before the bell over her door gave a bright little jingle, and a customer stepped in with a blast of cold air and a few stray snowflakes.

Blinking out of her daze, she turned to look at the person who had entered – a young woman bundled up tightly against the cold; her large, pretty brown eyes the only visible part of her.

As the door closed behind her, she reached up her gloved hands pulled her scarf down and took in a deep breath.

Pulling off her hat to reveal a head of short, messy, strawberry blond locks, she looked around the shop, taking in her surroundings with a calculating expression.

Naoko felt suddenly self-conscious.

The girl was absolutely gorgeous, and without even knowing why, Naoko was really hoping her humble establishment met the her standards.

The customer must have decided she liked the store, because she walked up to the counter with a sweet smile on her face.

Naoko wasn't sure why it took her so long, maybe it was the lazy mood of this wintry day, or maybe it was the customer's stunning beauty, but she only noticed that the customer was Japanese when she was about two feet from the counter.

"Good afternoon," she greeted in Japanese, bowing slightly, and Naoko stuttered and tripped over her own words for a few seconds before she was able to reply.

Not seeming fazed by Naoko's reaction, the girl gestured back towards the door.

"You have a lovely store," she complimented. "It's no wonder Tsuna-kun likes it so much."

"Tsuna-kun?" asked Naoko, here eyes widening. That guy again. Just how many beautiful people did he know? Not that Naoko minded. His visits were always interesting, to say the least. And he didn't seem like such a bad guy...if you ignored the whole two-timing thing.

"I'm not sure if you'll remember him," replied the girl, seeming to misunderstand Naoko's reaction. "I'm sure you get lots of customers. He's a bit taller than me, skinny, has messy brown hair?"

"I remember him," replied Naoko with a small laugh. "I don't get many Japanese customers in here."

She gave the customer a pointed look, and got a slight blush in reply.

"And even if I did...he does rather leave an impression."

A peal of laughter escaped the other girl.

"I know what you mean! I don't know which leaves more of an impression, his hair, his money, or the mile-long line of people that follows him everywhere like lovesick puppies."

Naoko snorted loudly, trying and failing to hold back the amused giggles.

And it didn't help that, at that exact moment, the door opened, and Tsunayoshi himself appeared, wearing nothing more than a dark blue peacoat to protect him from the cold.

After him walked in three young men, dressed similarly, walking in a neat little line like ducklings following their mother.

Naoko and the girl at the counter shared a look that sent them both back into fits of hysterical laughter.

Tsunayoshi's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he knew he was the subject of their amusement, but the people behind him were looking on in confusion.

"What's so funny, Kyoko?" asked the tallest of them, his snowy white hair mingling with the flakes falling from the sky.

"It's nothing, onii-chan," she replied, going up to greet the men with kisses on their cheeks.

Tsunayoshi watched Naoko and the girl, Kyoko, suspiciously for a few minutes more, before stepping forward and reaching out his hand which was, as always, adorned with three strange rings.

Kyoko laid her hand in his, and Naoko couldn't help but notice the golden wedding band glistening on her ring finger.

There was a horrified suspicion growing inside her and she really didn't hope it was right.

Tsunayoshi turned to two of the men who were following him and tilted his head in the direction of some sofas.

The two followed his unspoken command, laying down their stuff and taking out laptops.

"You come help us, onii-san," said Tsunayoshi to the tall, white haired guy who was Kyoko's brother as he tugged Kyoko towards the towering bookshelves.

Allowing herself to be tugged along, Kyoko turned to throw a conspiratorial wink Naoko's way, still giggling about their earlier conversation.

But Naoko couldn't bring herself to laugh as she watched the sweet girl she had just befriended joke and laugh with her cheating husband.

SkyGem: Lol. Well, this just keeps getting more and more complicated, doesn't it? Sorry guys, I'm sure this is somewhat of a letdown after last chapter but let's be honest, what can top hooker boots, eh? Anyways, please do leave a review letting me know what you thought! Ciao!

P.S. Almost forgot to tell you! Guess who's going to be going to Anime North this weekend! *Cue excited squealing.*