Title : Finding Family

By : ElvinaPotter aka Elvina P.

Chapter : Chapter 7

Warning : This chapter is un-betaed.

. . . . . . .

Chris just stared at the new two comers, speechless. One minute, he was talking and whining to his Big Bro and the next minute he was standing in their apartment in shock with the intrusion and the intruders called his Big Bro, father.

Wait… did they said father?

"Fa – Father?" Chris stuttered, looking at his Big Bro with an eyebrow raised.

His Big Bro just stood where he is, shocked with his mouth hanging open. It was clear that he was in no state of mind to answer him. But there was also another expression present in his eyes. He looks like somewhat angry and slightly lost. It left him wondered why.

Chris looks back at the two intruders in front of him. The two girls are the prettiest girls he had ever seen. Both are fine and rich looking. Each of them are wearing a beautiful robe with simple, yet elegant design. They are twins, obviously. And they both had long blond hairs and bright blue eyes. But something about them feels so familiar…

"Alright, who are you? And how did you break in to my apartment?" asked his Big Bro, firmly.

The twin looked at his Big Bro, shocked. Then, the ones on the left let out a laugh while the one on the right standing there quietly with her hands claps together. "Best if we introduce ourselves, dear sister. I believe that if we don't, father and Uncle Chris won't hesitate to ship us off to the nearest asylum." said the one on the left.

Uncle Chris?

Chris and his Big Bro changed glances. First, these two girls just call his Big Bro, Father… and now they are referring to him as Uncle. There must be a mistake! His Big Bro would never get anyone pregnant with his child… and if he did, his Big Bro would at least tell him about it. Having your own kids is big news after all. Just… what the hell is going on?

"That seem to be a good place to start as any," mumbled his Big Bro. Chris nodded his head in agreement but somehow knew the girls can heard his Big Bro anyway. His Big Bro didn't exactly tone down his voice after all and he had to agree. Introduction is a good place to start as any.

"Then allow us to introduce ourselves. I am Junrei. And this is my sister, Kanan. We are dragons that used to resides in Count D pet shop."

Kanan?! Junrei?! But… that can't be… they are three headed dragons! Not girls?! And even if they take human form… aren't they a human girl with black hair?... right? What's going on?

"Kanan?… Junrei?" asked Chris as if in a daze. "As in… the Kanan and Junrei of the three headed dragon's? that Kanan and Junrei?"

The one introduced herself as Junrei beamed at him. She would be skipping with happiness if it weren't for her sister who held her in place. "Nice to see you too, Chris," said Junrei while Kanan just smirked and said "Close that mouth of yours before you catch flies."

Oh my god! Chris exclaimed in his mind.

That promptly get his mouth shut which he didn't even know left hanging in the first place. Chris has no doubt that they are Kanan and Junrei. Junrei is the ones closest to him and was always polite in a childish way and Kanan is always a little sarcastic. These two girls act so similar like them, maybe that's why he have no trouble believing. The next thing he knew, Chris held them both in a tight hug.

. . . . . . .

Leon just stared at his Baby Brother hugging the two girls. He was shocked when the twins called him 'Father' and even more shock when they introduced themselves.

Earlier, when they first called him 'Father', not only was he shocked but he was also angry and a little depressed. Seeing the twins, it reminds him what he was separated from… whom he was separated from. And when they introduced themselves, Leon had to take several deep breaths to prevent himself from lashing out at them for playing him this way. Their names are similar to his dragon's daughters… but these girls can't be them! They are dragon's for one and these girls are a normal human girls. But looks can be deceiving. He learnt that from Count D himself. So he is going to give them the benefit of a doubt… for now.

"Er… Chris," Leon call out, interrupting their little reunion. "You know you don't go hugging strangers, do you?"

"But Brother, it's Kanan and Junrei…"said Chris while releasing the twins from a tight hug.

"And just who is Kanan and Junrei?" asked Leon derisively.

Out of the corner of his eyes, Leon saw that the girls exchanges glances with each other with hurt looks on their eyes.

"They're the three headed dragon in Count D has. The one I've been telling you about."

Leon took several deep breaths and he briefly close his eyes to get his emotion in check. "If so, where's the third sister? If they are a three headed dragon, shouldn't there be a third head somewhere?" Leon asked sarcastically.

Chris opened his mouth to answer his Big Bro before he shut his mouth in a snap. His Big Bro is right. Where is Shuko?

"Kanan, Junrei, where's Shuko? Wasn't she supposed to be with you? Aren't you guys inseparable?..."

"Hold your horses, Chris," said Kanan while drabbing her arms over Chris shoulder. Her face was solemn and sad and it was one of the expressions Chris has never seen on her face. Angry and irritated, yes. But never sad. "All will be explain in due time. Why Shuko isn't with us is part of our explanations. Please hear us out. I do not want to repeat myself."

"Please get your selves comfortable, Father, Uncle Chris. This might take a while," said Junrei.

So both Leon and Chris gets themselves comfortable at the sofa while Kanan and Junrei just sit on the floor opposite them. Kanan starts to explain.

"Well, Father, Uncle Chris, our story started during the Chinese new year…"

. . . . . . .

"Sir?"

Dorian look up from reading his business deals with a frown at his subordinate that dare to interrupted him when he so damn busy. Lately, there's been a little disturbance on his territory. And that disturbance can slow down his business. With helping out his ex- flame's son, he really didn't need an extra trouble right now!

"What is it?" snapped Dorian.

"I have done the things that you asked," the man said and hand his boss a very thick folder as well as a briefcase full of other files.

Dorian took the folder and peek inside. "Good. And you may go."

The man bowed before making his way out of the door. Him, and several others have been given the task to collected data that was a little complicated and hard to find. He was very much puzzled as to why the boss wanted to check on them after so long but he did as he was told. He did asked around, but those who knew are sure not telling. All they ever said was he was fulfilling his promise to a detective and that left him gob smacked. A detective is a good friend of a mafia without gaining anything from their business? That is unheard of!

The man the shrugged and sighed. It won't do him good to dwell on his bosses private affairs. He might as well forget about it or they'll be hell to pay on his part.

Dorian, meanwhile, was busy reading through the folders his subordinate brought him. After a few hours of checking, cross referring and re-checking, he let out a sigh of relief. Then he quickly pick up the phone and furiously dial up the number. After a few tones, the phone was answered.

"Richard, it's me. Can you meet me at the usual place? I have something that might interest you… No, really… Come down and meet me… You moron! This is important… Remember the things that I'm doing for Leontius, the one I kept secret from you… well, yes it's about that… Look, if you don't meet me, you going get one pissed off detective at your tail man… I know it's late, just meet me there!"

. . . . . . .

"And now, here we are," Kanan finishes her explanation. She took a deep breath and sat nervously in front of them. Up until now, she had been holding her emotions so she won't degrade herself in front of her father and uncle. It hurt her and Junrei when their father didn't recognize them.

'Hush, sister. Don't be sad. Father must have his reasons for not recognizing us earlier,' said Junrei in her head.

'I know,' Kanan replied. 'It still saddens me none the less.'

'What were you expecting? That Father will be all too happy and immediately took us in his arms in a heartbeat?'

'Yes!'

Kanan heard Junrei sighed beside her. 'We cannot blame him for that. We never reveal to him our humanoid form and when he visited, we are always in our dragon forms, remember? He only ever knew us in Shuko's form.'

Kanan said nothing.

'For what it's worth, Sister, you are not alone feeling thus. Remember, for the little times he managed to drop by, he wasn't entirely alone. None of us is to blame if we didn't get to know him more familiarly.'

Kanan block out her sister and focus on their father, who look like he was dying to do something.

"Wait, so you really are Kanan and Junrei from Count D pet shop?" Leon asked.

"Yes," Kanan and Junrei replied in unison.

"The three headed dragon that lives in one of D's secret rooms?"

"Yes."

"The very same dragon that I myself helped hatched with D on Christmas, the ones I fathered and the ones I've been secretly visiting without D and the rest of the pets knowing?"

"That's about sum it up, yes," said Kanan while Junrei replied "Yes, Daddy."

Leon nodded silently. His eyes never left the two girls in front of him. He really couldn't believe it. They look like a miniature him… only in female gender. Blond hairs like his, and bright blue eyes like his… only they both are fairer where else he is a bit tanned. Well, now that he has them back, he sure won't lose them again.

"And now you're here because you always wanted to live with me… without a contract?" Call him paranoid, but with D, everything comes with a contract. And he sure doesn't want to care for his daughters with contracts hanging on his head, thank you. Since D doesn't know that he knew about them, who knows what rules D had set up for him?

Kanan growled in annoyance. "Do we need a contract with our own family?" Kanan asked hotly.

Leon didn't answer her. Instead, he said, "Whatever. Now, what are you two doing still seating there?..."

Kanan and Junrei looked at each other confused.

"Come here and give me a hug!"

Kanan and Junrei beamed and they immediately hurl themselves towards Leon and nearly topping them all over. Leon hugged them awkwardly. He was used to seeing his daughters in their dragon form and hugged them and touch their scales. But now they are all human… well, that's something to get use to. Chris manages to get out of the way, and now was staring at the three of them in shock. His brain are slowly processing what he just heard. After a while, he becomes livid.

"NOW WAIT JUST ONE GOD DAMN MINUTE!" yelled Chris.

Leon, Kanan and Junrei stopped what they were doing and look at Chris. "Language, baby brother!" Leon reprimanded.

"I don't care about my language right now!" fumed Chris, "Why didn't you tell me you are my nieces?" Chris asked Kanan and Junrei. He was deeply hurt when they keep such important factor from him. And that hurt was reflected in his eyes as well as in his voice. "Why didn't you tell me they are your daughters, brother? Why didn't you tell me you've been secretly visiting them?!"

"It wasn't that simple, Chris," said Junrei. "The less people know about our relations, the better. Plus, father was ignorant about many things back then… or he was supposed to. He can't change in the blink of an eye. So he shouldn't know about us or us being his daughters. He won't believe us."

"That is no excuse for not telling me!"

"We need to keep up the façade. Like you and father. We fear that if it all leaks out, then they'll be a lot of questions. Father wanted our strange bond and the ability to communicate telepathy within the family remains a secret. If words gets out, people will become suspicious. I want nothing more than to tell you who we are countless of times!"

"Fear that it will… thank you for the vote of trust and confidence." Chris hissed before storming to his room.

Junrei quickly get on her feet and when after Chris. "Chris, wait! I didn't mean anything like that…"

Leon and Kanan watched as Junrei chased after Chris. Once they both were out of their sight, Kanan turn to Leon. "Chris, seems angry," Kanan said softly.

Leon puts his arms around Kanan shoulder and brought her closer to him. "That was to be expected," said Leon. "We did hide a huge secret from him. He is bound to be angry for a while."

"I still don't understand, father. Why did you want our relationship a secret from the Count in the first place? I admit, he might not understand the bond we shared, but why do we hide it from him?"

Leon chuckled. "Won't it be suspicious like your sister said? One minute I was the hot tempered and brash detective that denied anything magical and its existence and the next minute, I was a father to a three headed dragon and was very understanding and chummy towards them with a very strong and unexplainable bond between us?"

"Won't it be easy to just said that you have finally accepted the gift offered to you? Chris was able to understand them and see them the moment he entered the shop. Why don't we say you just had your inner eyes opened? After all, there was more than one occasion that can lead you to be able to see… We can just say you very gradually be able to understand us? It won't surprise any of them at all."

"That could work, but if D saw us bonding and becomes very close in such short space and time and realize that we are not what we seem, he will know something is up and will bury his nose in our business trying to figure us out."

"And what's wrong with that?"

"Nothing. I just don't want to be some sort of lab experimental. Even I don't know why Chris and I had this gift so I can't explain it very well if ask."

"Count D will never do that."

"True. But his father or grandfather might. And I have no power to go against them."

Kanan was silent after that statement. Leon was right. Who knows what the kami's will do if they know of their secret. They have this tendency to overlook at human's uniqueness all together because they are just that, humans. But she can also see where her father is heading. Dealing with the D's is one thing but if the humans found out, they might lock them up in some facility. Kanan inwardly shuddered. Who knows what these humans do to their own kin in there.

"I still don't understand why we have to hide what we are like this. Junrei and I wanted so much to show to others how close we are as a family!"

"I know, sweetheart. But like I said, it is something that even I don't know about. I just have this gut feeling that it would be best if only we know and not another soul. I don't know why I'm so dead set on keeping this thing a close guarded secret… but I just do. Consider this a family thing and a family secret, that's the best I can come up with. Leave it at that, ok?"

Kanan sighed deeply. She knew that this topic of discussion won't come up again for a while. Why her father can't excepted that he and Chris are special? If he can acknowledge that, Kanan is sure that he will be at peace with himself. "Yes, father. As you wish."

Leon kisses the top of Kanan's head. "Thank you, sweetie. I'm sorry I hurt you and your sister earlier."

Kanan raised her head and look at her father right in the eyes. "And the reason you did that because…?"

"I lost the both of you once, thanks to D. I'm not about to lose any of you again. So I got to make sure that you really are my dragon daughters. Plus, you look a lot different than your dragon counterpart. Had I known you can do this type of er… magic… I would have done something sooner."

Kanan just smiled contently as she snuggled closer to her father. Maybe things will finally look up for all of them now that they are all together.

. . . . . . .

"Chris, please… hear me out," Junrei pleaded as she follow Chris to his room. "I know you are upset that-"

"Upset?" said Chris sarcastically, cutting her off. "What upset? I'm pissed off!"

"I know that," said Junrei as she close the door and lean against it. Watching Chris muttered and curse angrily as he pace about his room. "Like I said, it's not like we didn't want to tell you. We just don't know if you can manage on keeping a secret."

"I can keep a secret. I've been keeping the secret about talking telepathy with my brother my entire life! I know it seems weird that I can speak my mind with everyone in the shop but that's-"

"It was lucky the shops magic allows you to talk telepathy and thus, misleading the truth from them and planted a good cover for you and father," said Junrei as she comes closer and stand in front of Chris with her hands on her hips. "But even you must be aware of the magic extend that the Count wills. He can went into people dreams or manipulate them on spilling their secret and I'm not even sure if he is capable of reading minds. And you got to admit, you were very trusting then, showing your emotion on your sleeve and so on. If a secret was presented to you, you would act a little different and then the game is up."

Chris sighed heavily and let his hand runs through his hair. "Ok, you got a point…" Chris then sits lie down on his bed and look outside the window, "But to know that I had another family besides my aunt and uncle, it will make me very happy."

Chris felt the bed shifted and a hand played with his hair. "I know…trust me, I know. Father was very happy too. We can be a happy family he said. A family that you and father always wanted. That's why we didn't tell you in the first place. We didn't want to get your hopes up only to be crush if everything fails… but now it is out, nothing can stop us from achieving it."

"A family," whispered Chris to himself. "The way I see it, a family is where a parent and child lives happily. Where does that fits me?"

"Silly little Chris," said Junrei while kissing his forehead. "A family can either be by blood or forge into one. We are a family through our blood, Chris. Even if we don't live or stay together, we are still a family. To father, it means a lot to him that his family is safe and happy. To him, his family is me, Kanan, and you as his brother… and son."

Chris blinked several times before he tilt his head aside and stared at Junrei, puzzled. "Huh? What do you mean by that?" Chris asked, trying so hard to ignore the slight twitch in his hard at the word 'son'.

Junrei rolled her eyes and she lie down besides Chris, her hand intertwined with his. "Father talks about us. About how you, me and Kanan can all live happily with him. How he wish that he can keep you with him and provide for us all as a father should. I don't know if you notice or not, but he acted a lot like a father to you than a brother. If he is just your brother, his role in your life would be different. He can just leave you with your aunt and uncle and occasionally visited you like any siblings who are independent and busy building their own life. But he won't and are trying so hard to gain custody of you."

"That doesn't prove he is acting like a father yet, you know," said Chris with a frown.

Junrei raised an eyebrow and said with a smirk. "And what would you know on how a father should acts? You haven't even met your own father…and that uncle of yours didn't count as one since he is a deceiver and a liar."

"Neither does my brother," said Chris hotly. "He too has never met our real father. What makes you think my brother is qualified in being a single parent? He never had a father figure to look up to-"

"But that doesn't stop him from trying his hardest and giving you the best despite his salary. And he loves you a lot. That is a quality needed for a good and caring father. True he didn't know a thing about being a father, but he is learning and doing his very best. Isn't that enough?"

"Yeah…" Chris fidgeted. He was still not satisfied and uncomfortable. "But the responsibility that comes with it is very heavy! That's why brother didn't raise me himself when mother disappeared. Uncle said that-"

Junrei silent him by placing a finger on his lips. "I don't know what your uncle has been telling you, but sometimes, I wish I kill him for what he has done to you. Do you know that father never mentioned at all that you were abused? Kanan and I only found out when we were watching you after we left with the Count!" said Junrei with a growl. Feeling Chris clutching her hand tightly, Junrei took a deep breaths a continue. "He was still very young at the time to handle such responsibility. He was only eighteen when you were born, and he is not ready, he knew this. Plus, his life was just about to begun. He can't juggle between college and becoming a single parent… he needs a life first. So he did what he thought was best for you. He gave you to the Orcots so you can grow up with a mother and father."

Chris was silent. He knew all those things, but it hurts nonetheless the way his uncle said it.

It's funny, come to think of it, Chris mused. We were talking about Kanan and Junrei keeping secrets from me, but now we are talking about my brother becoming a father to me. At what point did we stray from our original topic?

"But he is definitely taking the responsibility now as he should be. Have faith in your brother. I have this feeling that there's more to him than meets the eye. He will be the best father, you'll see," said Junrei with a big smile.

"He didn't expect me to start calling him 'father' did he?" said Chris with a mock horror. "Because it will totally feels so weird to call him that!"

Junrei laugh out loud and nearly falls off the bed. "Oh my god…" said Junrei behind her hands as she tries to stifle her laughter. "I can so see father's face if you start calling him that. It will be totally hilarious. But it will be fun teasing him… won't it, Uncle Chris?" said Junrei with a chipped tone as she faught the urge to burst out laughing again.

Chris gasped in horror. "Oh – Oh God… Don't remind me," Chris said while covering his face with the pillow.

Junrei falls off the bed and rolling on the floor, laughing.

. . . . . . .

Jill was trying to mind her own business. But it was very, very difficult. The reason for that was very simple. It's hard to concentrate to get any of her work done when you have a hyper-active, sugar-high, I'm-so-cheerful-there-is-nothing-you-can-do-to-dampen-me partner in residence with you who is majorly happy about something and was grinning like a maniac fool.

"Leon," said Jill while clearing her throat. "Did something happened over the weekends that you wanted to tell me about?"

That majorly happy detective was humming happily and was busy typing something into his computer, look up and flash Jill his most charming smile and said, "Nothing happened. Everything is just dandy."

Jill didn't know who is scarier. The overly pissed Leon… or this overly too happy Leon. Jill feels like shuddering. Truth be told, she's afraid of this Leon a lot cause she didn't know what his thinking (not that she ever). The overly pissed Leon she can handle… but this?

She wasn't the only one. Their Chief notice it too, when he called them in his office this morning to brief them on their new case. Leon just waltz in happily and even agreed to everything the Chief said without questions. The Chief just grunted but didn't say anything. Soon after, the whole precinct notice Leon's change of mood. But they were smart not to say anything, even if they are very amused.

Jill was jolted from her thoughts when Leon suddenly cheer happily and make a dash towards the printer.

"Okay, what's got you hyper all day, Orcot? And what is that you're printing?" said Jill with a glare.

"Nothing Jilly-Girl. Things are just going my way smoothly. That's all," came the happy reply.

Jill turn her head aside and stare at Leon suspiciously. "Is this about your relatives abusing your brother case?"

"That… and other things," Leon took his jacket and head for the door. "Bye, Jill!"

"Leon, wait!" Jill cry out, running after him. "Where are you going?"

"I'm heading out to submit this registration forms."

"Registration forms? For what?"

"I need to register my daughters for American citizenship."

The entire floor was silent when they heard what Leon said with casualty. Then, Jill's voice rang loudly for the entire precinct to hear, "Daughters?!"

. . . . . . .

Review on your way out!

-Elvina P.