Disclaimer: Refer to previous chapters.

(A/N: Simple – PCs suck and Macs are better. I have proof – trust me. I will never borrow a PC to write again, I will stick to my Mac instead.

Anyway, I realized that I made a mistake in the last chapter. In case you guys didn't see it, the last chapter seemed to include three episodes instead of just one (episodes 10-12). Gah – I can't forgive myself. This is bad and good. Good for you guys because the end is coming soon and Yumiko's coming back, but bad for me because my chapter estimations are off. Just realize that I will try and keep to one episode a chapter.

By the way, is anyone else confused about the new layout in our FF account? Because I definitely am. I miss the old one.

Thank you to all who reviewed, stayed with me through my hiatus, and see you at the bottom. Excuse all the mistakes please.)

Chapter 13: "Let's Go to the Amusement Park!"

Yumiko stared outside, watching the sunrise with bright colors. There seems to be a lull is battles, making her anxious and anticipating a bigger attack to come.

Talking to Kazuma had helped some, but she couldn't help but worry even more. There seems to be something going on in Japan and she couldn't help; she had her own problems to deal with. Kento and Hikari had given her the latest report about the finances of the clan, and they were unsurprisingly bleak. Her father always had a spending habit, favoring the high-end life than the moderate one they use to live in. Her mother had always been the frugal one, disregarding her inheritance in favor of a quiet life. Her mother…

Yumiko sighed, refusing to dwell in morbid thoughts. A quiet knock on her door broke her out of those thoughts.

"Come in," she welcomed the other person. Hikari peeked into the room, her large belly going in first.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you?"

Yumiko shook her head. "No, it's fine. You just saved me from a headache though. Is something wrong?"

"Not exactly," HIkari hesitated at the door. "Your father's asking you to come downstairs to properly introduce you to Li Daisuke instead of the brief and 'embarrassing' encounter a few days ago. I paraphrased so you wouldn't hear what he really said."

Yumiko couldn't stop the scoff from escaping her. "Maybe I should pour my drink into the boy's lap just to embarrass my father even more and show how I really feel about this foolish situation."

"Normally I would tell you to do whatever you want to do, but in this case…do not anger Li Daisuke."

"Oh?" Raising an eyebrow, Yumiko looked at the other woman in surprise. "Why? What about him do I not know?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Hikari began to move out the room. "I know no one will ever measure up to that man of yours in Japan, but it doesn't hurt to gain an ally here. I have a feeling that he will be quite valuable against your father."

"What do you know that I don't know?" Yumiko narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "You're usually never this vague or mysterious. Unless…" she gasped in horror. "Don't tell me you actually like him?!"

Hikari regarded her flatly. "He helped you a fewdays ago and has been asking Kento and I about your health. He's been building up brownie points in our books."

Yumiko shivered in disgust, making an ill face before following Hikari to the main living room, where she heard her father's false saccharine voice. She squared her shoulders then walked confidently in the room.

"Ah, here she is," her father called out, smiling tightly. "Li-san, I believe you remember my daughter Yumiko, yes?"

Daisuke stood up from his seat and held out a hand to her, smiling arrogantly. "Yes, I do Watasumi-sama. It is nice to see you up and about Yumiko-san."

She plastered on a smile and took his hand, letting her hand fall like a slippery fish. "Likewise , Li-sama."

"Please call me Daisuke," he waved off the formal title. "After all, we're going to be spending a lot of time with each other."

"That's just wonderful," her father crowed happily, interrupting Yumiko before she could respond. "Li-san has offered to take you into the city to enjoy today's weather."

"I'm glad that he invited me," Yumiko addressed her father for the first time, "however, I must refuse as I have to be home in case something happens."

Takashi glared at his daughter. "Li-san has taken time out of his busy schedule to make time for you, surely you can do the same."

Yumiko smiled sweetly. "I am grateful that Li-sama –"

"Daisuke, please," Daisuke interrupted her with a smile.

"Li-sama," Yumiko continued as if she hadn't heard the interruption, "has made time for me, but I am quite busy in protecting my clan."

Her father bristled at the meaning of her words. "Our clan understands the importance of Li-sama's visit. You should do the same."

"But who will be here if I go with Li-sama?" Yumiko pointed out smugly.

"HIkari can do it," her father waved the protest away.

Yumiko stilled. "Hikari is pregnant," she said coldly. "Surely you would understand the danger that she is in if she goes out in battle. I will not be going with Li-sama."

Takashi face was slowly turning a dangerous red color, his eyes almost bulging. He opened his mouth to yell at her when Daisuke walked in between the father and daughter.

"I haven't seen the grounds of the Watasumi estate," Daisuke said loudly. "Perhaps Yumiko-san will accompany me in a tour of the grounds? This way she will still be on the estate while I have the pleasure of her company."

Takashi took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Gritting his teeth, Takashi answered. "That is very considerate of you to alter your plans, Li-san, thank you. I apologize if my daughter has offended you."

"Yes, it is," Yumiko agreed, "how thoughtful of him."

"Should we go then?" Daisuke asked.

Yumiko smiled tightly. "Of course, if you would follow me. I believe you know the layout of the main house, so why don't we start in the back?"

She turned away and gracefully strode out of the room, not looking back to see if he was following her. Daisuke gave a slight bow to Takashi before following her.

Yumiko led the way out of the house, through a back door attached to the kitchen. She passed by several people who were working on watering their medium-sized vegetable garden that Hikari had started and greeted each person with a smile or a wave. Daisuke watched her, his expression curious. He caught up with her as they left the vegetable garden and onto a path that led to a nearby stream.

Once they were a good distance away from the house and away from anyone who might be peering curiously out of any of the windows, Yumiko suddenly whirled around, her eyes cold and devoid of any emotion. Daisuke stopped in his tracks, recognizing the change in mood, his eyes narrowing.

"Who are you really?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowed. Unconsciously, her fingers tingled and twitched as she reached for her powers.

Daisuke smiled arrogantly. "What's it to you, Yumiko?"

Her hackles grew at the informal way he addressed her. "On behalf of my clan, it would be wise and prudent of you to tell me and answer me honestly."

"Your clan?" he echoed. "I believe your father said the clan listens to both of you."

"He is mistaken," Yumiko answered back, icicles starting to form on her fingertips. "The clan is not patriarchal. The bloodline runs from mother to daughter, not mother to son. In this case, it does not follow the husband, no matter what my father thinks. Answer me. I am asking not as a daughter of the man who married the clan's leader, but as the clan leader herself. Who are you?"

He regarded her closely, his expression and eyes unreadable. Daisuke tilted his head to the side, before smiling in relief. "Thank goodness."

Yumiko stilled in confusion, the ice on her fingertips disappearing. "What?"

Daisuke loosened his stance and looked more comfortable. "I am glad to see that you are well, Watasumi-sama. I apologize for making you feel uncomfortable or threatened in any way. It was not my intention…much."

"I still don't understand."

"I apologize for not coming sooner, but we have just heard about your mother. We should have been here, but there seems to be some kind of miscommunication between the two of us. My name is not Li Daisuke, well, my surname is Li, but my true name is Li XinBo, from the Li clan."

"I haven't heard of a Li clan," Yumiko said stiffly. Daisuke gave her a sad smile.

"We act very much like a protector to your clan. We have also been in a partnership of some sorts, mutually benefitting each other. Your mother would have told you once you became of age. This is only told to the clan's leader. After your mother, it is you. This may seem too late, but the Li clan sends our sympathies. She was a wonderful woman and the world is darker without her."

Yumiko took a deep breath, held it in for a short moment, before releasing it slowly. "How do I know you're not lying? Why should I trust you?"

"One of the reasons I wanted to take you out today, if you passed the test – which you did wonderfully – was to meet the head of my clan, my grandfather, your mother's uncle, which would make us related."

"I never heard of him."

"You would have."

"Does anyone else know about your supposed clan?"

Daisuke shrugged. "Most likely the woman from yesterday – Hikari-san you called her? Her mother married a man from the Li clan, so she may have seen me around a few times."

"Then why did she act like she didn't know you?"

"Most likely because her father told her what I was really doing here."

"And what exactly are you doing here?"

"Something is going on with this clan," Daisuke answered seriously. "I am sorry to say this, but we have not heard about your mother's death until now. Hikari did not tell anyone as she is bound by her husband's clan laws. However, it is usually the responsibly of the previous clan leader's protector to report. He has been missing and found about a couple of weeks ago – dead, with nothing but bones left. Not surprising as it has been years."

"So what exactly are you trying to say?"

Daisuke hesitated, and then squared his shoulders, looking at her straight in the eye. "Someone in your clan is planning something and I believe it is your father."

She pursed her lips, moving to the side to lean on a nearby tree. Crossing her arms, she looked at him steadily. "I should be surprised, but I'm not. I've noticed some of my father's…questionable actions as of late. He's be more overt then usual, more and more people are noticing."

"So then you would understand as to why we are concerned and why I have chosen to speak to you privately."

"That still doesn't explain why you choose now to reveal yourself."

"I've been following lead," he answered with a sigh. "Your father's been traveling often as of late and we've been trailing him. We now have specific proof that he has been dealing with unsavory characters outside of the clan's knowledge."

Yumiko stood up straight, anger flashing through in lightening speed before settling into her skin. "Who is it?"

Daisuke frowned, his eyes mirroring her anger as he answered, his voice harsh with hate and disappointment. "Sasaki Minabi from Stars of Sagacity."

(A/N: So…the plot thickens. There hasn't been any interaction between Yumiko and Kazuma for various reasons, one of them being as episode 13 in Kazuma's storyline is basically pointless unless you're trying to put Kazuma and Ayano together, which I totally oppose to and therefore, left them out. More action soon as well as more explanations coming up in future chapters.

On another note, there's a reason as to why I (finally) updated. I heard this one song before I went to sleep last night and it sparked off a crazy dream in which it helped me outline exactly how I want the story to end. It was an amazing song, and for those who are interested in K-Pop, the song is class Burning by Phantom. It is now the most frequently played song on my iTunes as I was finishing this chapter.

Again, thank you for those who stayed with me through my very long hiatus and pushed me and reminded me to update. Lots of love and happiness for each and every one of you.

Please review and remind me how much I love you guys and girls. )