Act Three: The Pet Shop again

(The curtain opens. The pet shop lies quiet and undisturbed. Not even a pet is in the front room. Then someone hurries down the stairs.)

The door to the pet shop was flung open forcefully and crashed into the wall. Sofu D entered, tugging along a wet-to-the-bones D. He placed a basket on the small table and shook his head like a wet kitten. "Oh dear, grandfather! What a shame!" he sighed deeply. Sofu D handed him his cloak, which D carried over to the kitchen and hung up in front of the hearth.

Then the eldest turned to the wardrobe and took two scarves out of it. D smiled seeing the blue one and wanted to take it, but Sofu stopped his hand, raised his eyebrow and tied it around his own neck. D pouted when he got the red one, but a moment later his pout dissolved into horror. Sofu D stepped to the front door and locked it with a key.

"Grandfather, what does this mean?" he cried out.

His grandfather turned back to him and smiled grimly. "I think this is logical, given the fact that I met you on the way back to the shop again in the arms of that detective!" he said satisfied and indicated the bundle of ribbons still lying on the sofa. "Now get back to work, grandson! There's still a lot to do!"

The young kami started to object, but a look at his grandfather's face told him he would only get more scolding, so he sat down sulking and started working on the ribbons again. Sofu D watched him for a moment, then he carefully put the key on a chain around his neck and sat down, too.

For a while they worked in silence, D sending his grandfather glances every now and then. Finally, the eldest sat back, sighing. D watched him through his long lashes.

The eldest turned a little to the side, rested his head on the back of the sofa and snuggled into it. His eyes closed slowly. D held his breath.

A last glance from golden eyes, then they were closed and stayed thus. D dropped the ribbons in his hand and sidled up more to his grandfather. Slowly, very slowly, he inched there until he was within reach. He extended a hand, touched the chain…

… and Sofu D jerked up. "Grandson! What are you doing there?" he yelled, displeased, while D flinched in surprise and stared at him with wide mismatched eyes.

"There was a fly in front of your face," he quickly lied. "I just wanted to drive it away."

The eldest regarded him silently for a moment. "And do you honestly believe I am going to believe that?" he asked then. "I see that I have to resort to other measures to take your mind off that human."

Decidedly he stood and went again to the wardrobe he'd taken the scarves from and produced two fans and a little tambourine. "Li Xue Fa is very fond of the fan dance," he said. "In order to please your future father-in-law, you should practice."

D didn't look too convinced, but took the fans and snapped them open. Sofu sat down on a chair. "Now, if you will be so kind," he commanded and started to beat time. At first D's movements were almost bored, but then he warmed up to the dance and whirled around, playing with his fans and enjoying the beauty of the dance. Sofu smiled appreciatively and even started humming a tune.

However, when his grandson suddenly appeared behind him and drummed one fan on his tambourine, he wasn't too pleased.

"Grandson! Behave!" he exclaimed somewhat indignantly, but D just laughed and tried his luck again. But this time, the eldest was faster and snatched the tambourine out of his reach. "You shall dance, not drum!" he reprimanded.

D simply laughed and whirled around another time. "Very well! Li Xue Fa will be most pleased!" Sofu D praised and hid a yawn behind the tambourine. Mismatched eyes, hidden by the fan, caught it nonetheless.

The beat slowed down. D continued dancing, though, not wanting to raise suspicion. Then it suddenly stopped. Sofu's head fell against the back of the chair. The youngest stopped dancing, laid aside the fans and quietly stepped to the door, trying to open it, but it was no use. So he gazed through the small window.

Then he sighed deeply, not having been able to spot his lover and wanted to return to Sofu to make another attempt at stealing the key. However, a whisper held him back.

"D!"

The young kami instantly hurried back to the door. Leon had managed to open the small window from the outside and was leaning inside with open arms. D gladly fell into them. "Oh Leon!" he breathed. "Is everything well? Did you meet father and Chris and Vesca? Grandfather has locked the door!"

"Yeah, I noticed," the blonde gave back and kissed his beloved. "Don't worry, they're all at my apartment, getting dry and all. But I think they're going to come round soon, Chris and his gang still have to bring in the leaves your grandfather requested."

"Yes, that is true. I do only hope he will open the door for them." D's brow was wrinkled, but then he decided he could worry about his family and Chris later and simply snuggled into Leon's embrace.

Both chuckled when the door gave a creak. "This window's damn small for a guy like me," Leon grinned.

"But not for me," D answered and now leaned through it in turn, kissing the blonde affectionately.

Neither noticed the tambourine slipping from Sofu's grasp. Slowly, very slowly it glided down on the sleek silk, falling from the confining fingers…

All three jerked in sudden shock when it met the floor with jingling zils. Leon hurriedly let go of D and ducked behind the door, while the kami shielded the open window from view with his body. Seeing that Sofu D had yet to wake up properly, he ran over to the table, snatching his fans again, and started waving them around. The eldest, confused, beat the time, but then stopped, staring at the youngest in astonishment.

"Grandson, are you feeling alright?" he asked, sounding concerned.

"Yes, of course, grandfather, why should I not feel alright?" D gave back and continued to whirl around Sofu who gaped at him for another few moments.

Then he stood, thwarted his grandson and put a cool hand on his forehead. "You seem to be quite feverish, my boy," he said worriedly.

D snatched his hands and whirled him around. "I am perfectly fine, grandfather!" he chirped. The eldest could only shake his head.

Fortunately for D, someone called from outside and a loud knock sounded through the pet shop. Sofu pried himself loose, hurried over and unlocked the door. In came Chris, closely followed by his friends, Vesca and Dee.

"Father, how shockingly rude of you to bar the door against us!" he chided. "Vesca and I got all wet!"

"Well, you do not seem to be very wet to me," the eldest replied, scanning his son and son-in-law.

The younger kami smiled while the gang carried in their baskets filled with leaves and the picnic blanket. "A very considerate young man allowed us to dry ourselves in his apartment," he chirped. "Vesca, dear, would you take my cloak, please?"

"Hey Count, wasn't that cool? The thunderstorm, I mean? I never saw so many thunderbolts!" Chris hopped around the youngest who laughed.

"Yes, it was certainly an adventure. I trust you arrived at your brother's apartment safely?"

"Yeah, course, Dee and Vesca took me there. It was so cool!"

"Pon-chan wanted to climb up a tree, that stupid!" Tetsu chimed in and all four yelled in excitement telling what had happened in the park after D and Leon had left.

D laughed again, listening closely, and then guided Chris to the door. "Well, let us make sure your brother is fine, too, shall we?" he suggested and Chris instantly grabbed his hand. "Yeah, c'mon!"

"Not so fast, Christopher!"

Sofu's voice promised another thunderstorm, worse than the one in the park. He stomped over and caught his grandson's wrist. "You are staying here, my boy! And the rest of you, leave!"

Again the volume rose considerably, due to all others protesting and Sofu ordering them out, but finally, the eldest succeeded in driving them out. "And you stay here!" he chided his grandson angrily. "I will leave now. Li Xue Fa awaits me."

"What? I am to stay here all alone?"

"Oh, please, you are not a small child anymore. You can prepare yourself. Change into some nice clothes. When I come back, you will marry Li Sun Chen."

D shrieked in horror. "NO! No, grandfather, you can't do this to me! I don't love him! He's such a bore. Don't make me marry him!"

Sofu had already grabbed his coat and was hurrying out, calling back to him. "You will marry him, and one day you will love him, too! Now go change your attire!"

"I won't marry him!"

D ran after the eldest, but he was too late. The door was slammed shut in his face and the unmistakable sound of the key in the lock rang through the pet shop. In fury, he pounded the closed door. "Grandfather!" he yelled, but no answer came. He could see his grandfather hurrying up the stairs through the small window.

"That's not fair! Father was allowed to marry his human, too!" he cried out and punched the door a last time. Then he threw himself into his chair, pounding the cushion. "It's just not fair! I want to marry Leon, not that stupid, imbecile idiot of a merchant's son! Leon would at least love me and not some stupid algorithm!"

He sulked a few moments, and then a soft light started to shine on his face. "Leon would love me," he said convinced and cuddled the maltreated cushion affectionately. "And he would move into the pet shop with Chris, and Ten-chan and Pon-chan and Tetsu would come back, too, and we would be a happy family."

His smile widened even further as he began to cradle the cushion. "And then we could have a little brother or sister for Chris… or perhaps two… or even three? And their last name would be Orcot, just like Leon and Chris's, but their first names would all start with D…"

He sighed happily at such a prospect and smiled at the cushion. "One little boy would be Daniel, and we would name the little girl Dandelion, and the last – the last would be another boy, or rather another girl? Then Dandelion would not have to be alone with Daniel and Chris…"

He was so absorbed in the difficult decision whether their last child should be a son or a daughter that he didn't notice the picnic blanket under the baskets which had suddenly come to live. It moved in strange ways, and abruptly all the leaves scattered around when Leon emerged from underneath, shaking some of them out of his hair.

Noticing the dreaming kami in the chair, he smiled and sidled up to him. "Hi lovely," he said softly.

D jumped up and stared at him with wide eyes. "Leon!" he shrieked.

The blonde grinned. "Yeah, it's me. Hi honey."

D blushed furiously. "Since when have you been here?"

"Since Chris and the others smuggled me in," the human replied and wanted to embrace his beloved, but D turned away, hiding his red face in his hands.

"Oh no!" he moaned. "Then – then you have heard everything!"

Leon stepped closer again, but D leaned away. "Not all of it, darling," he tried to soothe the kami. "What's your problem anyway? I like Daniel. And I want a second little daughter."

D peeked at him through his fingers. "You do?" he said faintly.

Leon smiled at him. "Yes, I do. Don't be embarrassed."

He kissed the reluctant kami on his forehead. "Now look here, I've got something for you." He fished a blue scarf out of his jacket. D dropped his hands and cried out in joy.

"Oh Leon, it's beautiful! Thank you!"

He hugged the human tightly and lowered his eyes when Leon untied the red scarf around his neck and replaced it with the blue one. Then he regarded his beloved contentedly. "That's much better, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is. Here, let me do this," D replied and tied the red scarf around Leon's neck. They both smiled at each other affectionately. Then Leon seated himself on the sofa. "So, and now tell me about the other name. What do you want to name the first girl?"

D snuggled against him and took Leon's hand in both of his. "Dandelion. Daniel for the king in the lion's den, and Dandelion (1) for the lion's tooth."

"And the last one? If it's a girl, we need another name starting with D. What about Desirée?"

D wrinkled his nose. "It's got nothing to do with a lion," he objected and Leon grinned.

"But it's spelled like Desire. And that's exactly what I do. I desire you, hide and hair." He kissed D's throat and the kami sighed deeply.

"Oh Leon!" he purred. "But you know that I sell desires to mankind…"

"You could sell me yourself. I'd sign any contract for that," the blonde whispered and pressed D further into the sofa, kissing him hungrily. The kami relented happily and welcomed his lover's caresses.

Then he suddenly sat up, eyes wide and frightened, pushing Leon away. "No!" he cried out. "Leon, quick! Grandfather's coming back! Quick, hide, hide!"

The blonde jumped up, too, searching for a hiding place and darting for the next curtain. But D stopped him. "Not there! Grandfather will look there first!"

"But where else?" Leon cried, noticed the wardrobe and hurried to it. But it proved to be too small for the human. Blue and mismatched eyes darted around helplessly. The steps descended further.

"Try the blanket again!"

"No, you'll never get the leaves over it in time!"

They both ran through the parlour. Sofu was almost at the door now. Then D grabbed his lover's wrist. "Quick, into my bedroom!" he urged, hastily pushing the human through the door. As soon as Leon had disappeared inside, the key was turned in the lock and Sofu stepped inside.

D quickly sat down on the sofa again. The eldest looked at him suspiciously. "Has someone been here in the meantime, grandson?" he inquired.

The youngest shook his head. "No, grandfather, who should have called? Father and Vesca are at Leon's apartment, as well as Chris and his friends," he answered, smoothing his hair with feeble hands.

"Mm." Sofu let his eyes scan over the parlour. Then he spotted the blue scarf around his grandson's neck. "Where did you get this from?" he shrieked and grabbed the fabric.

"I took it from the wardrobe!" D quickly cried and was once more free while Sofu strode to the wardrobe and looked inside.

"And where's the red one I gave you then? And why haven't you changed? You know your husband will be here shortly! Has this detective been here?!"

"No!" D yelled in panic, but his grandfather had already started tearing aside the curtains.

"Where have you hidden this insolent human? I will not allow this to continue!" he raged.

"He's not here!" the youngest cried out. Sofu ripped aside the last curtain and then stopped, confused.

"He's really not here," he said, astounded.

"I told you so!" D slumped down on the sofa, looking relieved and exhausted.

Sofu D turned to him. "However, you will go change now!" he ordered. "And no cheongsam with a lion on it this time!" He grabbed D's wrist once more and dragged the resisting kami to his bedroom door.

"Stop, grandfather!" he cried. "I don't want to marry him!"

"But you will, so god help me!" the eldest answered grimly and, opening the door, pushed his grandson inside. He gave a surprised cry and then Sofu had shut the door behind him again. The key turned in the lock. Sofu dusted off his hands. "So much for that!" he said in satisfaction and hurried to the mirror to adjust his own attire.

The knock at the door announced that the bridegroom had arrived, along with his father and the mayor of Los Angeles. Sofu D floated over and greeted them with great reverence. "Welcome, dear Li Xue Fa. Mayor Carter, I am delighted to see you. And here is Li Sun Chen! Welcome, my son!"

The merchant pushed his son forward, and he stumbled to Sofu D, extending his hand with some flowers in it. "These are for you!" he stuttered.

The eldest blinked for a moment in surprise, then he smiled again and accepted them. "Thank you, Sun Chen. Will you take a seat, then we can proceed to sign the contract."

The mayor produced some papers from his briefcase and placed them on the small tea table. "This contract binds the family of Count D to provide a husband of their kin for the family of Li Xue Fa, Chinatown merchant in Los Angeles," he read. "In return, Li Xue Fa enrols himself to take care of the Count D in question and to ensure that the pet shop is always kept famous and in business. If you consent to these terms, please sign here."

Sofu D took the pen and wrote down a beautiful "Count D". Li Xue Fa's eyes started gleaming while his son looked more uncomfortable with the minute.

"Father –" he started, but the merchant cut him off.

"You will have the most beautiful husband ever, Sun Chen. Don't complain," he said and signed the paper, too.

The mayor smiled and offered his hand to Sofu D. "This is a promising union, Count D," he said heartily. "Congratulations, sir."

"Thank you, Mayor," Sofu D replied gravely. Then the sound of clattering on the stairs disturbed the triumphant moment. Dee hurried inside, panting and in visible distress.

"Father! Tell me you didn't sign that contract!" he cried out. The eldest raised his brow.

"I am very sorry to disappoint you, my son, but I have signed it. It is for the best. Your son will become a member of one of the most powerful families in America. Which father wouldn't wish such for his son?" he stated.

Dee cried out helplessly and turned to Vesca and Jill who'd just entered, too, along with Chris and his friends. "I can't believe he's done it!" he cried. "I can't believe he's done such a terrible thing to his own flesh and blood!"

Sofu D turned to Li Sun Chen and smiled at the youngster, unimpressed by his son's rage. "Why don't you go fetch your husband?" he suggested, handing the boy the key. "He's in his room over there, and should be ready to marry you now."

Li Sun Chen hesitated, but a push from his father made him stumble to the door. He turned back, a pleading look on his face. "Father, do I really have to do this? He's not even interested in computers!" he complained. Li Sun Chen shoved him again and smiled grimly.

"Who cares what he's interested in, Sun Chen?" he scolded his son. "He's one of the Counts, that's enough!"

His son wanted to argue further, but the look on his father's face convinced him not to do so. So he stepped up to the door, glancing back as if hoping Lu Xue Fa would call him back again. But he simply urged him forwards. Slowly the youngster turned the key in the lock and sent a last pleading look at his eagerly waiting father. Dee groaned and hid his face in Vesca's shoulder when the youngster laid a hand on the doorknob.

Then he hesitantly opened the door –

- and almost stumbled back. D and Leon, happily kissing each other, didn't even notice they had been discovered. Sofu D shrieked and fainted back into his son's arms who, taken by surprise, dropped him on the spot and fled into Vesca's arms. Li Xue Fa gaped, and then started to scream.

"What does this mean, Count D?! Why is this American in your grandson's bedroom?! My son will not be married to a traitor!"

At his voice, Leon and D startled, stopped kissing and stared at the assembly in front of the door with wide eyes. Jill blinked at them impishly, her hands over Chris' ears so that the boy couldn't hear the flood of Chinese curses Li Xue Fa was letting loose. "Seems you had success," she said, grinning.

Dee clapped his hands as realisation hit. "Oh yes, of course! My son, what a wonderful idea! Now you have to marry Orcot-san!"

"I – that was not my intention," D stammered, and a blush crept up in his cheeks.

Leon blushed, too, but tightened his arms around his beloved. "Well, he'd have married me anyway," he said convinced. "I never would've let him marry that dumbass."

"How dare you! You – you impertinent, stupid, idiotic, imbecile human!" Sofu D had recovered and scrambled up from the floor. The mayor helped him, but he was pushed aside as the eldest rushed forward to try and part Leon and D.

"Oh please, grandfather! I don't love Sun Chen. Please let me marry Leon, please!" D prayed, mismatched eyes wide with plea.

"Yes, father, let him marry Orcot-san!" Dee chimed in. The present pets and other humans vigorously nodded their approval.

"Think how handy a police officer can be! You'll never have to fear the shop will be robbed!" Jill praised. Leon looked critically, but decided better to keep quiet.

Sofu D looked between his grandson, holding onto Leon's hand tightly and pleading with his eyes, and the blonde, placing a possessive and protecting arm around D's shoulders. With a deep sigh, he gave in. "Well, what other choice do I have?" he grumbled. "The harm is already done. You may marry your American."

D squealed and flung his arms around Leon's neck, while the blonde grinned widely. "Thanks, dude," he said and kissed his fiancé.

Chris, too, squealed with joy and pressed Pon-chan so hard she nearly suffocated. "I'm going to be ring-bearer," the boy announced happily.

Tetsu shook his head and exchanged a weak glance with Ten-chan. "I see rough times coming in the shop," he foreboded.

The nine-tailed fox laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. "Only until after the marriage," he answered. "Well, at least in case they don't get any kids…"

Into the common happiness cut Xue Fa's enraged voice. "And the contract?" he demanded. "I've got a contract here that entitles my son to a husband from the D family! I want the contract to be fulfilled!"

Sun Chen, who'd kept silent until now, looked suddenly horrified and tried to stop his father, but there was no stopping the merchant.

"I demand my rights, Mayor!" he yelled.

The poor man looked between Li Xue Fa and the D family helplessly. "Well, we will have to find a way to negotiate…" he started, but was cut off by stepped away from Vesca and placed a friendly arm around Li Xue Fa's shoulders.

"Why, but of course, dearest Li Xue Fa. Unfortunately, both my son and I are already spoken for. But my father here, who is a fine gentleman, will be more than happy to fulfil the contract he made, I am sure. Though perhaps he is a bit old for your son… Perhaps you should marry him yourself?" He smirked menacingly.

During his speech, Li Xue Fa's eyes had widened and now he looked at Sofu D in horror, who gave back the look with just the same intensity. "I will never have that man in my family!" Xue Fa sputtered and ripped the contract into tiny little pieces. "Never! I'd rather not have a D in my family at all! Come, Sun Chen!"

He turned and stormed out angrily, tugging his helpless son along. "Well, if you would excuse me then, too…" the mayor mumbled and fled.

For a moment everyone was silent as they stared at the speechless eldest Count D. Then the youngest loosened his arms around Leon's neck and walked to him.

"Grandfather, I thank you," he whispered. "Whatever I can do to make amends, I will do it, I swear. Please, do not be angry with me. It is just – I could not marry Sun Chen when I love Leon."

His mismatched eyes were pleading. Sofu D looked down at him and shook his head in despair. "Oh my grandson, what have you done!" he groaned and sat down.

Leon stepped up to him, too, and took D's hand. "I'm going to learn manners, I promise," he said solemnly. "I'll try to become a good grandson-in-law."

The eldest looked up at him and then, suddenly, with a last deep, heartfelt sigh, he gave in. "Oh, what does it matter! The main thing is that I at least won't have to listen to my grandson's and son's complaints now," he said dryly. Leon grinned and shook his hand. "Thanks, dude."

"But if we are to become one family, you will refrain from calling me 'dude'," Sofu D immediately admonished. The blonde nodded vigorously.

Then Jill suddenly squealed and clapped her hands. "What a wonderful happy-end!" she cried. "I am so happy for you, Leon! And for you, too, Count!" She hugged both her friend and his fiancé tightly.

"Hey, me too!" Chris protested and wriggled in between them.

Dee could not let them have all the fun, of course. "I am his father!" he claimed and elbowed his way to his son. "I should be the first to congratulate and to hug my son-in-law! Vesca, help me, now, will you?"

Sofu D watched the bunch of humans and kami speechless. The pets were hopping around them in great excitement, calling for the other inhabitants to come and party with them. The eldest sighed tiredly. Sometimes he simply felt too old for this anymore…

Then warm arms suddenly were wrapped around his shoulders. "What's the matter, Count D the eldest? Are you not happy for them to have found their happiness?" a velvet voice whispered into his ear. He startled and gasped.

"Alexander! What are you doing here?!" he cried out.

The vampire kissed his cheek and laughed softly. "Well, never-ending love is a pretty thing. But, you know, since most humans tend to live not as long as those adopted by the D family and I am, unfortunately, an ever-young creature, I decided I should refresh my acquaintance with Count D," he said lightly.

Sofu D turned in his chair and looked up at his old lover. A breath, half sigh, half relief, heaved up his chest. "So you are going to stay in the pet shop now?" he asked hesitantly.

Alexander laughed again. "Well, we can talk about that. When your grandson and his lover are married," he answered and pressed a kiss to his lips.

It was a nice evening in the park of Los Angeles. The sun was just about to set, and a lot of strollers were enjoying the last mild beams. Amongst them, three strangely similar couples were walking, consisting each of a black-haired, beautiful Chinese with a blonde American at his arm. A blonde woman accompanied one of the couples, and a small blonde boy was chasing after a ball with three animals, a raccoon, a totetsu and a fox with nine tails.

"Chris, be careful, don't go too far!" D called out to the little brother of his husband and Leon laughed.

"D, he's not a baby anymore. If you're this way with him, I don't dare imagine what you'll be like with the little one once it's born," he teased and got a reprimanding glance in return.

"Leon, you know very well that it will be dark soon," the kami said earnestly. The blonde shook his head.

"And there are seven people here watching out for him. Stop worrying."

D sent another glance at the boy and sighed deeply. Jill at his other side patted his arm reassuringly. "He's right, D," she said. "And his friends wouldn't let anything happen to him anyway. Don't worry." She smiled, too, and then looked back, suddenly giggling. "You know, it looks kinda funny with you all," she remarked and indicated the other two couples following them.

D and Leon turned, too, watching as Dee and Vesca came closer, talking to each other quietly. Dee's silver laughter was carried to them through the mild evening air.

"And his face when Sun Chen opened the door! Oh, I will never forget that expression!" he giggled and pressed Vesca's arm.

The human smiled down on him. "Yeah, was worth a lot," he consented. "But still, I'm for sure relieved it worked out that way. If he'd forced the boy to marry that Chinese…"

Dee laughed again. "Oh Vesca, please do not believe for one second I wouldn't have found a way to break that contract," he said convinced. "I wouldn't have let my son become unhappy simply because my father decided he wanted someone else to suffer from unfortunate love, too."

Vesca glanced back at the last couple. "Well, turned out to be not so unfortunate after all," he chuckled, seeing the fond smiles on Sofu D's and Alexander's faces.

Dee smiled, too. "Yes, that was a fortunate turn," he replied. "But there is one thing that irks me still."

"Which would be?" his lover inquired. Dee smirked mischievously.

"That I did not see the look on my father's face when Alexander embraced him," he replied. "That would have been worth even more!"

They reached Jill, D and Leon and stopped at their side. Chris came running to them with his friends in tow, because Leon had called for him. "Are we going home now?" the boy inquired and Leon ruffled his hair.

"Yeah, we are, buddy. Now let's see, where's the rest of the family?"

He looked around, searching for Sofu D and Alexander, who'd suddenly disappeared. "How do they always do this?" he asked, confused. The others looked around, too.

Then D started to giggle and pointed to a tree. "There they are," he said and continued to laugh.

"Father!" Dee called out, sounding extremely stern, though the corners of his mouth were twitching, too. "What kind of example are you for Chris and your grandson? Really, kiss your lover this way in the bedroom and not in a public park!"

Sofu D and Alexander startled and jumped apart. Dee looked over to them interested and smirked wickedly. "See, Vesca? Like I told you: this one's just the best!"

(The curtain falls once more.)

-End-

(1) The idea to name D's and Leon's kid Dandelion is not mine, but Kayi Rowling's. She wrote it in her drabble 'Idiosyncratic Naming' in her second drabble collection "Dare me again!", which I would like to recommend to everyone out there because it's simply amazing. Kayi, thank you so much for letting me use that!

A/N: Anyway, that's it. I hope it wasn't too fluffy, but, well, it was a comic/fluff ballet... Thanks everybody for reading and reviewing! (Btw: for further information about "Unprepared" or other stories please have a look at my author page. Remember, writers are kept happy with feedback ;-P)