A/N: HI GUYS! I'm really sorry for the really really really REALLY long wait. But here is chapter two as promised.

*promptly runs away*

It's Not Easy

Chapter 2

Meiko closed the door as softly as she could, placing extreme care in handling the knob. She had finally put the twins to sleep and that, in itself, was not an easy task. The job usually left her exhausted.

Rin would usually run around the room with Len before she tucked them into bed. She couldn't leave them unattended for even a second. She was not going to make the same mistake again. Not after Len hit his head on his headboard while he and Rin jumped up and down on their beds.

Meiko placed a few bottles of beer on the table. It was what she often did after a long day. She used to do it a lot more when the twins were younger but once they started to realize what was happening in their surroundings, she kept it to a minimum. She wouldn't lie. She loved to drink. Her friends often scolded her and told her to pull herself together more times than she could count but she couldn't help it.

She needed an escape.

It wasn't because she didn't love her children because she loved the both of them to death. It was just painful whenever she thought hard about what had become of her life. She was happy because she had her children with her but she couldn't even give them a better life than what they had now.

She was supposed to be on her way to stardom. She had landed a contract with a record label and it took her number one rival to bring her down. Kaito Shion. The man who knocked her down and kicked her ass.

Meiko took another swig from her bottle and stared at the wall in front of her. She hadn't seen Kaito ever since she told him that she was pregnant with his children. In that span of time, the jerk had gotten himself launched into super stardom, right alongside his super diva sister, Miku.

She had a close, almost sisterly, relationship with the young woman when she had been dating Kaito and their separation did nothing to stop their friendship.

Miku tried being the bridge between her and Kaito's relationship but Meiko knew better. The jerk didn't want anything to do with them so why should she let him in to her life? She loved Miku dearly but she couldn't stop and listen to her talks about her older brother whenever the topic came up. Hell, she never even mentioned the words 'dad', 'father', or 'daddy' in front of the kids. The subject never came up and even if it did, she was sure that she could steer the conversation in another direction.

Also, despite the fact that Miku had a very busy schedule and annoying paparazzi following her around, she did her best to try and be a good aunt. That was another good thing that she liked about her. She wasn't exactly the best aunt (she was more of a big sister) but she did have good intentions. That could be seen in the expensive gifts she sent to the twins every now and then, even though she knew that she risked the possibility of their secret family being leaked to the paparazzi.

There was a short knock on the door and Meiko raised her head up in slight confusion. She wasn't expecting anyone. Nevertheless, she got up and answered the door. She wasn't fully prepared when she saw who was on the other side though.

"Meiko-chaaaannn!"

Meiko's eye twitched as she stared at the blue-haired young woman in front of her. Oi, Oi... weren't you just inside my head moments ago?

The young woman grinned at her happily and brought out a large stuffed bear from behind her. "Tadaaa! I got this for my little nephew and niece! Where are they?"

Meiko stopped herself from slapping her head and instead, shushed her visitor. "Miku, please... not so loud. I just got them to fall asleep."

Miku's eyes widened. "Oh! Oh, of course. I'll be quiet."

Meiko just sighed and took the toy from her and invited her inside. She placed the bear on the couch, making a mental note to sneak it in the twins' bedroom sometime later. Or if she forgot, the twins could just see it on the couch.

She saw Miku plopping herself down on the cushioned armchair beside the sofa. Meiko shrugged and sat down on the couch, taking the beer bottle and resuming her business. Miku frowned at her.

"You should really stop that, Meiko. It isn't good for you."

Meiko snorted. "Says the super diva who goes to parties every day."

She put down the bottle nonetheless and faced the younger woman. "So... what brings you here? I hope you had enough sense to cover your tracks."

"Of course. I always make sure the paparazzi lose sight of me." Miku said as she relaxed on the armchair. "As for why I'm here... well, I wanted to see you guys. Might as well. My concert's happening here. I don't know if I'll get an opportunity like this again so I went for it. Also, it's Len and Rin's birthday this week. I couldn't miss that!"

"Riiiggghhhttt... and the concert just happened to be on my children's birthday and the venue just happened to be where we live. Yeah sure, why not?"

Miku stuck her tongue out at her. "So I had a hand at the decisions. Big deal. I'm the one performing. Why shouldn't I get to pick the date and venue every once in a while?"

Meiko thwacked her forehead. "Because it's not your job, idiot."

Miku glared at her as she pushed away Meiko's hand. Meiko just chuckled. Even if it was unexpected, she was glad that Miku decided to visit them. It was never dull with her around.

Meiko glanced at the wall clock and her eyebrows knitted together upon seeing the time. "Miku... it's pretty late. You know you wouldn't catch Rin and Len awake at this time."

"I know."

Meiko whirled around, surprised. "What?"

Miku bowed her head. "I was actually counting on that. I wanted to speak with you in private."

"That serious, huh?" Meiko said, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Yes."

"Okay..." Meiko sighed, leaning back on the couch. "Shoot. What's all this about?"

Miku took a deep breath, as if she was trying to calm herself before she began. "It's... it's Kaito."

Meiko's eyes widened and her heart plummeted to her stomach at his name. She suddenly felt a shiver down her spine.

"W-What does he want?" she asked, her voice shaky.

Miku shut her eyes. Meiko knew that trait. She knew that the blue-haired young woman would shut her eyes tightly when she was delivering bad news. Meiko tried to steady her rapidly beating heart. Whatever it was, she said to herself, she could handle it.

"He's... Oh, Meiko... he's suddenly taken an interest on the twins."

At those words, Meiko crumbled. He... he took an interest on the twins? Now? After all these years? After abandoning them? 'Hell no!' she thought. She slowly picked herself up, now bubbling with anger.

"That bastard! I'll kill him, I swear! He has no right!"

Miku winced. "I tried talking to him... but he... he won't budge. I just... I don't know what to do with him. That's why I wanted to talk to you. To warn you."

Meiko's hands shook. She was itching to strangle that man. "Why now?! Why now?! After all these years, Miku?! That asshole never took responsibility then and I don't see him doing that now!"

"Meiko, calm down. He just told me he wanted to meet them. He knew I kept in contact with you." Miku said as she watched her friend fuming on the couch.

Meiko slammed her hand on the coffee table. "Well you can tell that bastard to stay the hell away from me and MY children! He didn't want anything to do with us then and we sure as hell don't need him in our lives now!"

Miku stood up and shushed her friend, pointing to the twins' bedroom. "You'll wake them up if you don't lower your voice."

Meiko stopped mid-rant and quickly glanced at the direction of the twins' bedroom. She let out a long sigh and put a hand on her forehead. "Did he tell you what he was planning to do?"

Miku shook her head. "I'm not sure. We haven't exactly been talking to each other these past few months, what with my tour and his show guestings and appearances. But the last time we talked he asked how you guys were doing."

Meiko scoffed. "As if. You and I both know he doesn't give a shit about me. The twins, maybe, but not me."

Miku grimaced. It was true. Kaito never specified Meiko. He had just asked for his children.

"So?" Meiko asked, leaning back on the couch and crossing her legs. "What else did he want? You must know something."

"Really, that's all I know. He was just asking how the twins were doing. He said he wanted to meet with them. He wanted me to test the waters."

Meiko growled. "That fucking coward. He doesn't even have the balls to come up here and say it to my face."

"Well," Miku said, grabbing a beer bottle from the table, to Meiko's surprise. "say that he did come here and said that to you. What would you have done?"

The first thing that popped into Meiko's head was: Kill him. But as she thought about it some more, she realized that she might not have been able to do anything at all. She would've stood there frozen.

She wouldn't lie. She was terrified of the thought of facing Kaito again after all these years. She kept up her tough mask and though she would fight tooth and nail for her children, she wasn't sure if she could win easily when it was Kaito that was facing her on the other end.

He had things she didn't.

Like money and power.

A sudden thought entered her mind and she turned to face Miku. "Is he... Is he going to push for custody?"

Miku didn't answer her immediately. That alone sent Meiko on edge. Oh, god. If Kaito decided to fight her for custody over their children... He could easily sway the odds to his favor.

Miku saw how troubled the older woman looked and she quickly went over to comfort her. "Hey... hey, stop those thoughts."

Meiko sniffled and wiped the tears from her eyes. "I can't help it! I can't win this easily, Miku! What if I lose my children? They're all I have!"

Miku could sympathize with her. She had been there for most of the twins' lives. She hated to see them torn from their mother. But it wasn't going to be easy. She couldn't choose sides either. If she supported Meiko all the way, it would mean going against her brother. But if she chose Kaito, Meiko would lose everything.

The best she could do is do what she had done during all these years. And that was be a bridge to the both of them. She would make sure things wouldn't go out of hand.

"Look," Miku said, placing an arm around Meiko. "he hasn't said anything like that yet. Right now, I think he only wants to see them. But if it comes to that, I'll do everything in my power to prevent it. I'll try and talk to him, okay? I won't let him tear your family apart."

Meiko looked at her with teary eyes and nodded. "Thank you... Please... I'm counting on you."

She wrapped Miku in a hug and cried. Miku did her best to comfort her. This was only the beginning. She didn't know what her brother was planning but she wanted to put a stop to it before it got out of hand.

"Listen, Meiko." she said as she pulled out of the hug. "If my brother chooses to be stubborn, I think it's best if we do as he says."

"But-"

"Please. If he insists on seeing Rin and Len and we keep denying him, he might take it up to the court and sue for custody. We have to prevent that at all costs, do you understand me?"

"I do. I do... but Miku... it's not that easy. What he did to me... to us... It's just..."

"Please?"

Meiko looked away. Miku sighed and forced her to turn her head to face her.

"Please? For the twins?"

Meiko's eyes widened. Of course, she'd use that card against her. How could she refuse that?

With a heavy sigh, she removed Miku's hand from her face and said, "For the twins."

A/N: And so their troubles begin. What do you guys think of Kaito's character so far? I'm curious...