Trouble in Paradise…

Chapter 1

Karuna was sitting beside D, wrapped in his arms. "So, Count," she asked as D was stroking her hair. "What are we going to do today?"

D smiled and gave her a gentle caress on her cheek. "We're going to spend the day with Chris while Orcot-San and Jill go on a date to….somewhere. I was thinking we could take him to see the musical 'Cats'."

"Well, meow," she teased, jokingly. D's eyes lit up with lust. He tried to gain control over himself. She was human….always will be.

D purred in reply to her meow and they laughed along with a gentle snuggle afterwards. Karuna liked the purring and nuzzled his cheek. "I'll take it you want to see 'Cats' with us, M'Lady…"

Karuna nodded and they kissed.

The Tetsu came and snuggled by the Count and the princess comefortably. Things were great, now that the Count felt complete with a partner, and now that that detective was never around all the time. Only problem was that T-Chan would be brushed aside by Chris when he had to choose between Tetsu and Yo-Ling, he would always choose Yo-Ling. And D would choose Karuna or that nasty detective over him any day too. It wasn't pleasant. But D was happy, something he deserved after many decades of sadness.

Q-Chan was perched pleasantly on the Count's shoulder. D was content, so Q-Chan couldn't complain. Sure, he was missing the detective, and Chris, but small price to pay for seeing everyone happy in their lives. Chris was starting to get interested in girls, Leon was starting to get interested in actual women, like Jill, but best out of all, the Count was giving up his unrequited romance for a realistic romance that was deeply requited. And he was happy.

Chris came walking in with Jill and Leon and he ran to hug T-Chan warmly who snuggled and cherished every moment with the little lad. Such a strange juxtaposition to see T-Chan friends with the brother of his greatest enemy. "Tetsu!" and they began to rough-house.

Jill smiled down at the two playing and then looked to D. "So what're you three up to today?" she asked. D told them about the musical and Leon rolled his eyes.

"Don't make my brother into being a fruit like yourself, Count. I want him liking girls!"

D glared up at him. "I'll have you know, Mr. Detective, that a little culture doesn't make a man choose their sexual preference. Certainly a small amount of culture isn't going to hurt. Oh, and by the way, I've been meaning to talk to you about this,"

"Bout what?" Leon asked, putting an arm around Jill's shoulder.

D sighed, miffed again, and not really understanding why. "About my free babysitting job for you as you're in your courtship with Jillian."

Leon scratched his neck. He was afraid of this…"I thought you liked Chris. And he gets along so well with your pets."

D put a defensive hand out. "Yes, Mr. Detective, he does get along well with them. But I was thinking, it's about time he gets friends around his own age. Like Yo-Ling. And if he's cooped up with me all day, the most he'll ever learn is how to be a gentleman. Which I'd love to teach under normal circumstances, but I'm to be married in a matter of days. Two, as a matter of fact. What I am trying to say is – "

Leon lifted a hand, "Count, say no more," he said. "You're right. We've been taking advantage of this and it's not fair to you, or Chris. Yo-Ling, eh? Hey, Chris!"

Looking away from T-Chan to Leon, the detective continued. "What do you say tomorrow you go to hang with Yo-Ling more often?"

Chris smiled and nodded then went back to playing with the other animals. "Well, Count, that's settled. Soon, we'll only come see you when the mafia gets on our nerves and we need to find them."

D's duel eyes glared over. "Oh, Orcot-San, you're all my friends. I hope to see you all at my wedding. I mean, you, Mr. Detective are my best man, and I really can't wait for the bachelor party. I'm rather interested in how you see I would enjoy my last night as a single man."

Leon had been planning a bachelor party, only thing was, he had the party set. Just no guest list. "Yeah, about the party," he said, "I'll need your help with the guest list…"

"You're serious?" D asked, "It's tomorrow night and you haven't invited anyone?"

"Not haven't invited ANYONE!" Leon defended himself. "I've invited you, and me…." And maybe a stripper or pole dancer or two….

The count sighed. "Okay, well, that's really all we need then. You wouldn't really want to meet the other friends I have. Either animals, or very refined, and cultured people."

Leon sighed. There went the Count's condisending attitude again.

Jill laughed. "Well, I hope you two have a great boy's night!" She glared at Leon and leaned into him to whisper. "We'll also discuss your surprise guests later?"

Leon leaned over to her ear and kissed the words questioningly, "Surprise….guests?"

Jill laughed again and pinched his ear as she took him aside. "Leon, you know as well as I that your average bachelor party would practically give D a heart attack!"

Leon shook his head. "Nah, he'll be right at home. You don't know this man like I do."

Jill sighed. She thought about it. What if he was more principled now that he had met his soul mate? If before he would talk about sex as though it were some vial thing outside of wedlock, how would he feel about strippers with eatable undergarments?

Leon sighed. "Relax, Jill, I'll leave all the panty eating up to the Count. None for me! I'll look, but won't touch. I'm taken by you, Sweets. Chill." And he kissed her cheek gently.