Disclaimers and Author Notes:

	Reading this will result in one of two effects:
	1. You will not like it.  Those people should stop here.
	2. You will like it.  Those people should stop here.
	Warning: the end is nowhere in sight.  When the last section is
written the entire piece will be mashed together as a whole.  For optimal
reading pleasure, await the ANK2 perfect collection.  Slated for release
sometime before the end of the millenia.  ^_-

	For those just tuning in, it would be helpful to read ANK1 as an
introduction to the new characters.  The complete ANK1 as well as character
sketches are located at http://www.imua.com/mousse/work/
	For everyone in the know: yes, Sakura's origin will be revealed
somewhat.  It begins in the section I cut off the end of this.  =P
	The summer begins here.  Let me know what you think of the new girl
in town.  Comments and etc can be sent to mousse@imua.com
	I'm not currently on the ML but feel free to talk about it amongst
yourselves if you so desire.



Ai No Kodomo 2: The Summer of Love

[...]

	Mousse flicked the envelope off into the distance.  Its flight path
curved up, displaying its flat side.  A fiercely thrown blade nailed the
letter to the wall.  He closed his eyes and sat back in his chair, a sigh
escaping his lips.

	The Nekohanten was silent, its lights dim.  Ukyou entered the
dining area quietly and walked up to Mousse brooding at a table.  He
softened at her touch and turned to gaze into her gentle features.

	"I'm sorry, I couldn't sleep."

	"Looking forward to your trip?"

	Mousse shuddered.  "That's one way of putting it."

	"Don't worry, I managed my place for years."

	"I know, I know.  It's not the restaurant I'm worried about."

	Ukyou rubbed his shoulders gently.  "What is it then?"

	Mousse took a deep breath before answering.  "It's the old hag.
This trip is her chance to put the pressure on me.  Even if she didn't plan
it, I know she'll use the oppertunity."

	"Not the heir thing again?"

	He nodded with a sigh.  "I don't want anything to do with it.
Spice hasn't shown any interest in marriage and Xian hasn't shown interest
in anything.  I mean if just one of them was dating, that would be enough
to keep her off my back."

	"What can she do to you?"

	"Alot.  I can already tell.  She's going to want me to send one of
them back in the village engaged as soon as possible.  I probably won't
even have a say in it.  If things back home are bad enough, I might have to
send one of the kids back with or without an engagement."

	Ukyou gave him a little hug and took his hand.  "Well don't worry
about it yet, I'm sure things will work out for the best.  Come back to
bed.  You can worry some more in the morning."

	Mousse managed a slight smile and followed Ukyou from the dining
area.  Spice waited for them to leave before moving from her hiding place
behind the counter.  She had been trapped while sneaking back in from a
late night prowl.

	Her blank expression turned to a mischievious grin as she headed
back to her room for the night.  She wouldn't get much sleep, there was too
much planning to do.

	The dinning room was silent once again.  Xian took note of that
from the kitchen doorway as he resumed his assault on a leftover chicken
wing.

[...]

	*chittt* *chittt*

	Kune could hear the music coming from Yoshiki's headset.  It was
some sort of rock song he couldn't make out.  Kune shook his head and
turned to his friend Toshi.  "So where do you guys want to eat?"

	Toshi shrugged.  "How about the Nekohanten?"

	Kune shook his head violently.  "I'm not falling for that one again."

	"Hey man, just because you can't look at that Spice girl doesn't
mean me and Yosh have to be left out in the cold."

	"No way, Megumi would never go for it."

	"Oh alright, how about pizza then?"

	Kune considered it for a moment and started nodding his head.
"Pizza sounds pretty good now that you mention it.  Any ideas where?"

	"How about Mama Mishima's Pizzaria?"

	Kune sighed in relief.  "Finally, a plan.  Now we just have to wait
for Megumi."

	Yoshiki pulled his earphones down around his neck and added his
piece.  "Plus I hear the delivery girl is pretty cute.  Right Tosh?"

	*chittt* *chittt*

	Kune gave Toshi a quick jab to the shoulder and pointed his finger
at him accusingly.  "That's the kind of thing I was talking about.  I get
into more trouble around you two.  I used to think it was bad luck or
something."

	"Hey, just because your single life is over doesn't mean it's over
for me and Yosh.  Man, you're so paranoid Kunchan.  You think Megumi's
around every corner or something..."

	"Did I hear my name?"  Megumi broke in with a pleasant tone.

	Toshi gagged audibly.  Yoshiki put his headphones back on and
started whistling.  Kune smiled broadly and moved in to bail his friend
out.  "We were just wondering if you wanted to join us for pizza, dear."

	*chittt* *chittt*

	Megumi smiled and took Kune's hand.  "Sound's good to me."

	Toshi let out a relieved sigh and followed along with Yoshiki in
tow.  The foursome got about a block before Yoshiki elbowed Toshi and
gestured to the rapidly approaching figure.

	It was a girl.  An attractive girl.  An attractive girl on
rollerblades.  She looked to be about their age, light brown hair and fair
skin.  Besides the rollerblades she wore black athletic shorts and green
tank top that clung to her slim athletic figure.  As they approached, Toshi
could have sworn he saw a wicked smile form on her perfect lips.  "Oh my."

	*chittt* *chittt*

	She made no move to avoid them.  Insted she began to pick up speed
and aimed herself right down the middle.  Yoshiki continued his whistling
but took one step to the side.  Megumi and Kune were too busy talking to
each other to notice until she was almost on top of them.

	Like a whirlwind she split the couple down the middle and sent
Toshi flying.  The stranger deftly grabbed Kune on her pass through.  She
held him in her arms as they spun out together, making Kune extremely light
headed.

	Kune was suddenly very much aware of the femanine body pressed up
against him.  For the first time, she spoke.  Her voice was almost hypnotic
in a sensual sort of way.  "My name is Midori, Sanzennin Midori.  Look me
up sometime."

	Before he could mount a protest she kissed him full on the lips and
Kune experienced a sensation not unlike melting.  He'd been kissed before,
but this felt different.  It felt like something that might need further
investigation.

	Megumi stood in a state of shock as she watched her fiance in this
strange girl's embrace.  Just a few seconds prior he had been holding her
hand and looking deeply into her eyes.  She looked down to her hand and
noticed for the first time a small ball with a lighted string attached.  It
grew shorter and shorter until it disappeared completely.

	Midori stopped her spin and shot a quick glance back to Megumi with
Kune still in her arms.  "Oh, I almost forgot.  Happodaikarin dearie."

	*BOOM*

[...]