Kyouko woke up to a nightmare. In it, she lost the ones she cared about, Her precious fairy had turned his back on her, and a voice screamed at her that she was worthless. She cried and when Kyouko woke up, a part of her believed that the dream was real, that the world wasn't in need of her existence. She was rocking back-and-forth in bed, just barely registering the set of arms that had wrapped around her.

"Kyouko, everything's fine," a voice sung out and soothed her, "you're home, you're safe. I promise, no one hurts my baby in my own house." Kyouko calmed down just enough to be embarrassed.

"I'm sorry," she cried out and moved to get away from the warm embrace, "I'm really sorr-"

"I don't want to hear another apology from you, young lady! It takes a lot more than this to piss me off. And even if I am occasional mad, you're family, and that's all we're ever going to get."

Kyouko stopped shifting and settled back down for a few more minutes. Finally, the older woman pulled away with a knowing smile. She patted her head before walking downstairs, reminding Kyouko that she would always be around and ,as of the moment, downstairs if she needed anything.

She soon followed and snuck downstairs. Kyouko paused as she took in the restaurant. It was boisterous, full of life, and a sudden onset of home-sickness overwhelmed her. She stood helplessly before tip-toeing back upstairs to cry again. After the sobs subsided, she braved another venture downstairs. Kyouko knew she couldn't stay here forever; if she was ever going to return, the young woman had some ends to tie and repair.

"Kyouko," Taisho greeted her and lowered the heat on his latest dish so he could talk, "you're looking better this morning. How are you feeling?"

"Good, so… Umm- I'm about ready to head out but I'll be back later tonight!" She rushed the last sentence when Kyouko saw the pain that flashed threw his eyes.

"Good, good… I've made you some food to take with you; So, I suppose I'll see you later tonight."

Kyouko nodded embarrassed, "Hai, I won't be gone for long!"

Taisho and his wife stopped work to see Kyouko off. They didn't seem to want to let her go but couldn't find a reason to hold her back any longer. The couple had hoped Ren would've arrived in time to stop their daughter, or at least go with her, but he didn't arrive in time. They bid her farewell and went back to work; their minds clouded with worry.

Kyouko felt ashamed using the money Taisho had given her to pay for the transit to Sho's workplace. Left with no other option, she spent it guiltily. One the train, it seemed time moved rather quickly but she wished it would've lasted forever. That Kyouko didn't need to disembark from the train. She didn't know what to say or talk about with Sho. Kyouko prayed that she wouldn't remain to confused for long.

Sho woke up that morning with a women beside him in bed. He expected to have seen Kyouko walk in last night; and briefly wondered where she was. At the moment his mind was preoccupied by a frustrating dilemma.

"Hey, lady! It's time you went home." Sho didn't even try to hide the disgust and annoyance in his voice.

The woman glared at him, " Are you kidding me! Sho. It's still early. And why the hell have you suddenly gone back to calling me like I'm a stranger."

"What, don't tell me you haven't realized why? Anyway, I need to get ready for work and you're in the way."

He didn't bother chasing after the women; instead, he went to dress himself and get ready for the day.

Sho arrived at work with a headache; his manager greeted him curtly but he ignored her for the most part. Soon, the TV was turned on. The trivialities of life were all but forgotten…

Kyouko reached Sho's workplace and walked nervously in. She clench a drawstring bag that contained the takeout box that Taisho had cooked her. She paused just outside of his dressing room and was about to knock on the door when she heard a voice inside.

"I can't believe you'd pay Kyouko a one night visit last night; what'd you do to her."

A choking laughter sound resonated out and reached her ears, "Nothing, the girl is so conservative that I wouldn't even begin to try anything. Not to mention she isn't even that pretty, she smells, and the clothes she wears are like those worn from wartime in Japan. I was actually at the apartment with another lady; Kyouko never showed up in the end."

The manager gagged in disgust, "You actually brought a woman home to the same apartment you share with Kyouko!"

"So, what's your point. It's not like we're together anyway."

"I think she feels differently than you do!"

"So what if she does. It's not my responsibility to take care of her- actually it's the other way around- the only reason I allow her to stay at the apartment is that it's simply convenient for me. She cooks and cleans; that's why I asked her to come live with me. And she cares for me too; after doing so much for me, I'm sure that I am old enough to find a way to keep myself entertained during the night."

The door banged open and in strode a very-pissed Kyouko.

"Oh, it's you." He dismissed her life and went on back to talking to his manager. Kyouko was shocked speechless; however, it didn't take long to find her voice.

"I thought that we meant more to each other than simple convenient tools. Who supported you when you decided to move to Tokyo. I took up three jobs to keep you fed and housed, Sho, while you searched for work." tremors raked her body as she glared at the one man she loved more than anything.

"And that means what? I never needed you; that was only your delusional thinking. Now I think it's about time you've left!" Sho was annoyed at getting scolded; he took out his phone and dialed security.

Bam! The food she had been holding hit the area right by his head leaving a crater. The man now retreated nervously as Kyouko stalked forward.

"You're right, I am a fool. I should have let you starve and waste away in the grocery store; I promise you, that I will never make that same mistake twice." Kyouko had almost reached Sho when suddenly she was caught and yanked backwards by to guards.

"Sorry lady!"

"But you'll have to come with us. We can't let you harm him; he's our V.I.P, guest."

They dragged her off and Sho let out the breath he'd been holding in relief.

"Women can be so scary sometimes."

The guards had heard quite a bit of the conversation. They supported Kyouko's side but still had to follow protocol; they took her down to the office and gave her some juice to sip on before releasing her. Kyouko walked off miserably back to the Daruyama.

Ren's heart froze when he got the message that Taisho left him. The man dialed them back immediately but only reached voice mail.

'It sounds like she's dying. But from what'

He arrived at the house just as soon as he could. The couple was tending the restaurant like normal, but Kyouko wasn't anywhere to be seen. Ren walked into the kitchen trying to piece together the puzzle.

"Where is she, where is Kyouko?"

"Gone, but she should be back any moment now."

He couldn't get a clear response so Ren waited inside the restaurant for a sign. A clue or a hint as to what was going on. He didn't have to wait long.

A women walked in through the doors of Daruyama: she looked abused, starved, tired, but even worse of all… She looked broken; a battle was being fought inside her very being, and an evil had taken root and now grew inside of her as well. Ren's heart broke just staring at her, he knew that he was too late to help. Too late to stop what was going to happen; and knew that whatever the future held, if he wasn't by her side, she would disappear.

Kyouko walked in a shell of herself; her body was tired, and it was all too much. She fell to her knees and the world blacked out. All of a sudden, she dreamt a powerful dream. It wasn't one of pain or misery: it was one of growth, one of strength, and one that empowered her. By the time she woke up, Kyouko knew the path that she needed to take. It was one that would leave her scarred- but also the only one that wouldn't leave her as an emotionless doll- and it scared her.