A/N: Sorry it took longer than I wanted to post this, but long weekend was long. Also, sorry about all the stupid spelling and grammar mistakes in the first chapter, this chapter, and everything hereafter.
It was the rush of water that ultimately led him to the clearing, but when he got there he wasn't alone. Sitting, with her back toward him was a girl. Kyoko-chan? He wondered, but the appearance wasn't what matched in his head. Last time her hair was always done up nicely in pigtails and she was always wearing a cute dress of some kind, this girl's appearance was somewhat slovenly. He couldn't imagine princess obsessed Kyoko allowing herself to be presented so sloppily. She had a mass of black hair pulled back on the crown of her head with pieces flying away to every side. Her light blue tee shirt looked like it was a bit too big and had seen better days. Like she wasn't able to care for it properly, but his doubts went out the window when he heard her speak.
"Today, has been a truly awful day Corn."
Kuon froze, How does she know I'm here? No, she's talking to me… but to herself?
"Today was a new record on the number of ways I was bullied by the girls at school. They've always been mean, but today just felt like a lot." Kyoko sighed and stroked the blue stone, "Then I saw Sho-chan kissing Aimi, I got so mad. I am the one who is always by his side, he is my prince and I will be his princess one day, I just wish he would realize it." her voice trailed off.
Kuon clenched his fist, How can she think he is her prince if he is off kissing other girls? If I see this guy I should break his nose.
"The worst part is I only got a 91% on my test. I was really hoping to tell mother I got a 100%. I even stayed up all night studying. I can't believe how stupid and useless I am." The tears threatened to spill down her cheeks.
A 91% on a test is the worst part? Hell I was happy if I could pull a 80% in school. Kuon couldn't take it anymore, he couldn't listen to her berate herself any longer. I wonder what she will think when she sees me.
Stepping out from the tree line he called out, "Kyoko-chan?"
The girl's head wiped up and her golden gaze met his green one. For a second she sat there stunned then in a blink she was running toward him. "CORN!" She squealed as she rushed toward him. Kuon opened his arms to catch her but she stopped short of him and gave a low bow. Kuon frowned at that, but then the girl popped up and started babbling. "I can't believe you are here! I thought I would never see you again! You sure have grown big. Have your wings grown yet? Can you fly now? Can you show me?" She rambled as they made their way back to where she was sitting. Kuon was shocked, She still think's I am a fairy? Really? What a funny girl. I should probably tell her I'm not, he thought but one look in her happy golden eyes had him throwing that thought away. She was just too happy to see him, and for some reason he couldn't stand the thought of disappointing her. He closed his eyes for a second and took a deep breath and let himself become Corn the Fairy Prince once again and he pulled back from the girl with a small smile.
"One question at a time Kyoko-chan," his smile was warm as he looked around his surroundings for the first time. This was their spot, where she would always talk to him about her problems with her mother and where he would tell her stories from the fairy world.
"Its strange being back in the human world, how much time has passed for you here?"
"It's been five years. I'm eleven now."
Kuon feigned shock, "eleven," he mused, "you humans grow so slowly."
"Slowly? Isn't Corn five years older as well?" She asked, always curious for more information on the fairy world.
"Well, I guess I would look physically five years older, but fairy's become full grown much faster than humans. For me, only a year has passed."
Kyoko's eyes grew wide and a little sorrowful, "Only a year?" She whispered. "I thought I would never see you again." Her hands clenched something and Kuon could see a hint of blue peeking between her fingers. So she didn't know I was here, she was talking to the stone Kuon's heart warmed at this. I had thought she forgot about me, I only knew her for such a short amount of time. I guess we both made an quite an impression on each other.
"Corn?" Her voice broke him out of his revery.
"Eh? Sorry Kyoko-chan, the wind was whispering to me."
"What was it saying?" she asked with sparkling eyes.
Kuon just shook his head, "No, I'm sorry, what were you saying?"
She looked slightly put out, but instead of pushing she said, "I asked why you were here."
"I came because I heard through the stone how much trouble you've been having lately. I wanted to help." This should be able to explain my presence for the next week. I hope.
"Really?! You can hear me through the stone?!" Her voice filled with awe and hope. "This means I can call you and you can come all the time? Why didn't you tell me this before?"
Kuon just shook his head sadly. "Sorry Kyoko-chan, it doesn't work that way. The stone stored up so much of your sadness over the past few years, that it called out to me and I couldn't help but come to see you." Kuon explained. Hopefully this doesn't get me in trouble one day, he frowned inwardly.
"Thank you for coming for me Corn," a small blush crept across her cheeks and she said somewhat awkwardly, "no one ever comes to help me with my troubles. All I've had was your stone."
Kuon frowned outwardly at this, he knew her mother often pushed her away and was hurtful to her, but he thought at least she had her friend Sho. His hand clenched again at the memory of Kyoko saying he was kissing another girl. Is he an idiot or something? Doesn't he realize that she needs him? I might have had it rough, but nothing like this, at least my parents loved me... Though, I can't see how they would still after what I've become.
Instead of letting out his growing anger at this girl's situation, he asked, "You want to tell me about it?" Lets practice being a gentleman.
Kyoko's smile grew a bit sad. "Well, I get bullied a lot in school. Mostly girls who aren't happy with how close I am to Sho-chan. It's gotten worse since I moved into the Ryokan with his family."
"You live at the Ryokan with him? What happened to your mother?" Kuon interrupted, trying to fight the feeling of annoyance at the thought of her living with the idiot is apparently leading his friend on.
"Mother left for Tokyo two years ago. She left me with the Fuwa's. She called on occasion to check on my progress in school, but when she does she spends most of her time scolding me. I've only seen her once since she left." Kyoko added as an afterthought, "I think she is happier this way, not needing to see me every day."
Kuon's anger was almost as strong as his sorrow. He loved his parents dearly, but he ran away from them, in much the way Kyoko's mother had run away from her. Without thinking he placed an arm around her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. A gesture meant to comfort both her and himself. Kyoko froze, not use to displays affection and looked up at her long lost friend. His green eyes were full of deep pain and sorrow. Kyoko reached up to the hand that was resting on her shoulder. Kuon's green eyes met hers.
"Corn, what's wrong?" The fairy prince said nothing as a cold feeling began to creep through his body. What would she say? Would she hate me too? I murdered my best friend, I betrayed my parents by running away from them. Would she even understand that? I am the lowest human being there is.
The silence stretched out between them. It didn't seem like such an imposing question when she asked it, but as the silence lengthened she realized that something has been different about friend. When they were younger, he was full of life and energy, but now even though he smiled, it didn't reach his eyes. Its like there is this aura of darkness and loathing surrounding him. Stupid Kyoko, stupid, stupid. Here I am rambling on about my petty troubles, but there is something much darker troubling Corn. She reached out tentatively and squeezed his hand.
Kuon felt the gentle squeeze of his hand and slowly the the cold that was spreading through his veins him began to be replaced with a gentle warmth.
"Corn," her voice helping to pull him further out of his melancholy, "I know I am just a mortal, and I can't understand everything you've been through, but if you need someone to talk to. I am here for you, just like you've always been here for me." He looked confused for a second, but then she opened the palm to the hand that wasn't grasping his. In it sat the stone he had given her five years before.
"Thank you Kyoko-chan, but I am not quite ready to tell my story yet," her eyes turned sorrowful. "Of course he can't tell you, Kyoko, hes a fairy prince and you are a common human." Kyoko berated herself. The silence stretched out again as the sun began to set behind the trees, but Kyoko didn't remove her hand from his, and he made no move either. Kyoko sighed as the sun dipped and she knew she would have to leave, but she wanted this day to go on, even just for a while longer so that she could sit with her friend. Kuon shook his head and he gave her a small smile. "It's getting late out," his thoughts echoing hers, "Can we meet again tomorrow?"
Her answering smile almost blinded him, "You will still be around tomorrow?! I have some chores in the morning, but can meet you here after that. Would that be OK? I'll even bring us some lunch."
Kuon nodded, "That would be great Kyoko-chan." Kyoko glanced at her watch, "Oh, I have to hurry, I have get cleaned up and help prepare the hall for dinner tonight." Standing she turned and looked back at her friend. "You'll really be here tomorrow?" Her eyes shining and hopeful
"Yes." He replied simply, thinking he should probably head back soon too.
"And you'll tell me what's wrong?" She pressed her luck.
He shook his head, "I can't promise that…" his voice trailed off
Kyoko frowned, "Corn, everyone needs someone to talk to, I might not be able to give you answers, but I can give you support. Remember, you aren't alone." With that she smiled one last time and ran off at light speed back to the ryokan.