An example is often a deceptive mirror, and the order of destiny, so troubling to our thoughts, is not always found written in things past. ~ Pierre Corneille

Jeremy suddenly stopped in front of the large oak doors making Yuri collide with him, "Ow! Don't stop so suddenly Takahashi!"

"Sorry... let's get inside before they arrive, hurry!"

The two girls were then dragged into the room and Erin hid behind Yuri as soon as they got inside, "Erin? What's wrong?"

Jeremy raised an eyebrow and whispered, "Are you constipated again Miyazaki? Do you want me to think of an excuse for you?"

Erin glared and hit Jeremy on the shoulder, "Shut up!"

Because of Erin's outburst, everyone's attention was turned to the three of them. Yuri can see the mixed reaction of amusement and surprise on their faces so she patted Erin's back, "come on... you sit next to Drake. Jeremy, take your seat...."

Jeremy stuck a tongue out at Erin who gave one more hit on the shoulder before she was ushered away to a chair Yuri pulled beside the smirking Drake, "Erin?"

"Don't you even dare think of saying anything Drake Law..."

The heir raised both hands in the air, still smiling... "I wasn't going to."

Erin gave one last death glare to Drake before sitting on the chair that was provided for her. Out of habit, she looked at everyone inside the room and she felt another strange wave of déjà vu...

Yuri took her seat on the sofa close to Erin, beside Jeremy who smiled brightly. Rainier meanwhile is currently in a small discussion with the head maid in the room. Motoki was standing behind Yuri, reading some papers that Erin guessed were related to the reason why they are inside that very room. A big surprise though was when Erin turned to talk to his Drake nii and she sees her classmate Karen on the sofa beside the oak table where Drake and she were behind of,

"Big brother... what is Karen doing here?"

Drake shrugged and whispered, "Not sure... when we got inside this room, she was already here. She told me someone sent her an email with the location of the house. Ran is already a tad bit suspicious about her explanation and also because she popped out of nowhere."

Erin nodded, "I'm not that surprised, big brother. Is she staying?"

"We can't really drive her out of the house anyway so she'll be staying. Her room is right beside Aoi's room on the third floor. I can't afford having her on the same floor as us."

"I guess you're right..."

Drake crossed his legs and propped an elbow on the table, "seriously Erin... are you feeling okay? You do look a bit pale."

"I'm okay. I just haven't rested properly yet since we got here."

The discussion of the two halted when a soft knock on the door was heard. Motoki and Rainier both took their responsive seats beside Jeremy and Karen while the rest straightened as they waited. Drake took a deep breath and gave a curt command, "come in".

The door opened and the first person to come in was Attorney Nakajima followed by his secretary Michiko. Drake nodded and both the old attorney's grandchildren moved to assist their grandfather to the seat on Drake's other side. Aoi then stood behind her employer hugging a stack of folders close to her chest.

Erin has just started to relax when several other people came in. A man in his early fifties came in with four other people, two who were probably in their late twenties and two others who looked the same age as Drake and Motoki. Yuri shivered when she felt the intense glare directed to her by the younger man and Jeremy protectively moved a bit closer on instinct. Rainier and Karen looked at each other before moving their gaze at the young lady who attempted to look seductive (?) as she shamefully stared at Drake who was staring back completely uninterested.

Attorney Nakajima smiled and proceeded with the introductions, "Master Drake... these are the people who were close to your grandfather when he was alive. This is Takumi Kawaguchi, he is your grandfather's nephew from a cousin."

Takumi Kawaguchi extended a hand which Drake graciously took, "it's a pleasure to finally meet Uncle Daisuke's grandson."

A businesslike smile graced Drake's face as he replied, "It's my pleasure to meet you and your children Kawaguchi-san."

"Please call me Uncle Takumi, Drake. We are family anyway." The old Kawaguchi then turned to his companions, "And these are my children... kids, introduce yourselves."

A neat looking guy extended a hand for Drake to take, a sincere smile on his face... "Hi! I'm Akio, oldest son and this is my wife Ayane. Grandfather Higuchi always spoke highly of his favorite grandson."

"Pleasure is ours Akio, Ayane."

Akio lightly elbowed his brother who glared menacingly in response before speaking, "Tatsuya Kawaguchi... heir by declaration."

Yuri narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms this time when Tatsuya turned to glare at her again much to Jeremy and Motoki's irritation. The girl beside the second son gave a smile directed only at Drake as she extended a hand, "I'm Suzuki Kawaguchi, please call me Suzu. I've wanted to meet you for the longest time."

Drake gave a small smile and shook hands with her, "The pleasure is mine. Please take your seats as I also introduce the people that I have here. The girl beside me is Erin Miyazaki, my younger sister."

The Kawaguchi's who have already taken their respective seats on the vacant slots turned to look at the Higuchi heir with surprise. Takumi raised an eyebrow, "younger sister? But your last name is Law, right?"

Drake's smile didn't falter as he replied, "I don't believe I mentioned anything about being blood related Uncle Takumi. We may not be blood related but I treat her like we are."

The old Kawaguchi laughed, "hahaha... you got me Drake... "

Erin forced a smile which was returned with a sincere smile from the couple and sneers from the two younger Kawaguchis. Drake nodded to Yuri who immediately understood and stood, "I'm Yuri Shinobu. Drake's lower classman and close friend. Pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Tatsuya smirked and crossed his arms during the introduction and Erin worriedly looked at her friend who remained quiet as she took her seat. Jeremy crossed his legs and smiled mockingly as he spoke next, "I'm Jeremy Takahashi... Attorney Jounichi Nakajima's grandson from his only daughter. Do I need to do complete introductions?"

Suzu rolled her eyes as the old Kawaguchi shook his head, "it's okay. Thank you."

Attorney Nakajima chuckled as Motoki stood and bowed politely, "I'm Motoki Nakajima. Eldest grandchild and heir to the Nakajima family name...it's a pleasure seeing everyone again."

Rainier turned to look at Drake for permission which he provided with a nod, "I'm Rainier Minamoto... Drake Law's underclassman and also one of his close friends."

Drake grinned and added, "He's also our school council's secretary, a consistent A-lister and my beloved honey."

Suzuki and Karen turned to glare at the blushing boy who snorted, "I'm not your honey."

The Kawaguchi father and heir had disgusted expression on their faces but they struggled to not let it show much to the amusement of Attorney Nakajima, "I didn't know you swing that way Drake Law."

"Thank you for your interest Tatsuya-san. But because we are new acquaintances I don't want to raise your hopes... you're not my type."

Tatsuya looked flabbergasted and Yuri smirked behind the still innocently smiling Drake, "W-wha? I couldn't even... I mean... I'm straight!"

Rainier massaged his forehead and released a sigh, "My apologies Mister Takumi... Mister Tatsuya... Drake was just joking."

Erin patted Drake's shoulder as if telling him mentally to get rid of the guests faster than he should. Drake muttered a soft sorry and the business smile was back on his face, "All jokes aside... to what do we owe the honor of this visit, Uncle Takumi?"

"We came here just to meet you Drake and also because my son Akio misses this place... he and his wife took care of Uncle Daisuke when he was still alive. Naturally, he would want to come back in the place they used to live in. I have always thought the old man would give this house to him since he cared a lot for the old fool."

Akio looked down while Ayane raised an eyebrow at his father in law's statement. Erin could feel the tenseness of the air and Drake placed his interlaced hands in front of him, "so you want to get the possession of this house from me?"

Ayane jabbed her husband's rib and spoke when Akio continued looking at the floor like it was the most interesting part of the room, "I'm terribly sorry... that is not our intention at all. We came here because we were summoned by Attorney Nakajima and though it's true that we missed this place, we never or at least my husband and I didn't even asked for a possibility to own this house."

Takumi and his two younger children sent intense glares to Ayane who stubbornly raised her chin. Drake seemed amused at the whole ordeal same with Attorney Nakajima who took some papers from Aoi who was standing behind him.

"Um... I hope some tea or coffee and cakes are to you and your company's liking Kawaguchi-san? I'll ask the maids to bring some in for everybody."

"Acting as a wife Minamoto-san?"

Rainier's eyes narrowed and Drake spoke in his friend's defense, "how he acts is none of your concern Miss Suzuki. Ran can do what he wants in my house."

Rainier smiled and walked towards the guest to ask for any specific cake they might want to have. Akio muttered a soft thank you making Rainier blush and Ayane smiled as she asked for chocolate cake.

Yuri chuckled when Rainier purposely avoided asking the two Kawaguchis before walking out to instruct the maids on what they need to bring. The door slightly opened and a tall young man about Drake's age peeked in, "Yuu?"

The onyx haired girl sprang from her seat and rushed towards the door, "Big brother Touya!!!!! What are you doing here?"

Touya grinned and allowed himself to be pulled inside the room, "Drake! My big brother's here! "

"He knows... I told Drake I was coming to Japan so he gave me the name and address of the manor."

"But this place is hard to look for... how did you find us?"

A smile was what the younger Shinobu got in response and before she could pry more, Rainier came back with the snacks he promised earlier.

"Drake, I got you orange juice and a cheesecake. It's not as sweet as all other pastries so I'm sure you'll like that."

"Thank you honey."

Rainier glared and threatened to hit the laughing Drake with the tray he was holding when he noticed Yuri's brother, "Older Shinobu? I thought you were in Paris..."

"I was in Paris, Rainier. I just got back yesterday then I travelled straight here afterwards."

Drake patted Touya's shoulder and addressed the old Attorney, "Attorney Nakajima... this is Touya Shinobu, Yuri's older brother and violin prodigy. Touya, he is Jeremy and president Nakajima's grandfather and the one behind him is his secretary Michiko Aoi."

"Ah, the young violin prodigy... you do look a lot like your sister."

Yuri smiled proudly and Drake then steered his friend so they are facing the Kawaguchis, "Everybody... this is my friend Touya Shinobu, Yuri's older brother. Touya, they are my third degree relatives in the Higuchi side. Uncle Takumi and his children, Akio, Tatsuya and Suzuki...the lady beside Akio is his wife Ayane."

Touya bowed politely, "Good day..."

Yuri clung on her brother's arm ignoring the intense dislike mirroring on the faces of the two young Kawaguchi's. She had been smiling ever since she saw her brother because she sorely missed him. However, her smile disappeared when she glanced at her friend who was holding her head. Without wasting any second, she rushed to Erin's side and checked for a possible fever.

"Erin, you okay? You don't have any fever but you are definitely pale. Is it your stomach?"

Erin shook her head and whispered, "I don't know if you'll believe me but this already happened before. Everything... I... I've seen this happen before."

"What are you talking about?"

Drake walked over, brows furrowed... "Erin? What's wrong?"

Erin gripped on Yuri's shirt and shook her head lightly. Yuri understood the silent request and nodded, "Drake... I'll take Erin outside for some fresh air. She's just a bit dizzy..."

"Are you sure? She looks extremely pale."

"Y-yeah... I'll take care of her. Please excuse us."

Motoki offered to help but Yuri declined, "we'll just go to her room... I can manage. Thank you brother Motoki."

Erin shakily stood with the help of Yuri when a loud shriek was heard from the outside. The already pale girl almost jumped at the sound and she shivered, "what was that?"

Yuri handed her friend to Motoki who was standing behind them, "I'll check it out."

Before she could get out, two hands shot from the back and grabbed her, "I'll go with you."

"Jeremy...big brother, I can take care of myself. You two stay here and take care of the guests."

"B-but..."

Even though Jeremy released his hold on Yuri, Touya did not and he stared at his sister with the same intensity she was giving him and eventually Yuri sighed..." you win big brother. Drake, don't let anyone get out until my brother and I get back."

Drake nodded and took the ghostly pale Erin from Motoki whose brows furrowed in worry. Touya chanced a look at Erin and gritted his teeth, "let's go..."

Erin felt her head spin and she held her head tighter, "this shouldn't be real...this can't be..."

The Kawaguchis looked at Erin like she was crazy and Ran fought the urge to tell them off so he brought a glass of water to his friend instead.

"Erin... drink some water. Have you taken the aspirin?"

Just after Erin shook her head, a panting Yuri appeared on the doorway... "Drake, call the police. There's a dead body in the garden."