Takato returned home and saw his mom and dad sitting at the table. Takato walked in slowly, he could see both his parents had a serious look on their face.

"What's going on?" Takato asked, trying to act like he had, not even a clue.

"Takato..." his mom said, "Your father says you have something to tell me?"

Takato nodded and sat down. He looked nervously at his mom not knowing what to say.

"I-.. I-... It's hard for me to say... I..."

Suddenly, Takato's father put a hand up.

"Takato, I can see that your not quite ready so, I'll go first."

Takato stared at his dad dumbfounded, not knowing what to say. Takato's mom was clueless too.

"There's something about me you don't know Takato, and neither do you." He said, looking at his wife.

She was very nervous. Takato was just curious.

He sighed and started telling the story.

"Honey, before we dated, we knew each other since Grade School. We didn't date until after High School, remember?" She nodded.

"Do you remember my best friend in High School? Hiroshi?" She nodded.

"Well, we were more than friends. We dated for two years."

Her jaw dropped. Takato was stunned.

"We loved each other very much. But his family ended up moving. We hated breaking up but it was all that could be done. Basically what I'm telling you is, I'm bi-sexual. I've loved you, honey, this marriage was never fake, but I just decided you had a right to know."

She was at a loss for words. She couldn't believe she was hearing this secret for the first time.

Takato scooted a little closer to his father, partially to show his support, and partially to get support.

She stared at him.

"No matter how I feel about this... why would you say this in front of Takato?"

He nodded at Takato. Takato looked at his mom.

"Because, I'm gay mom."

She was stunned to say the least.

"You... you can't be gay. What about that girl Juri you used to hang out with a lot? You used to run around saying you loved her."

"Yeah, I did. But it just kind of seemed like the thing to do. There were no real feelings behind it other than friendship."

Takato's mom looked down.

"Takato... you really can't be gay... not my son... one of those people... and my husband? Half one of them? I..."

For the first time in his life, Takato decided to stand up for himself.

"What? You think that just because I'm gay I will go to gay bars and sleep around and do anything that moves!?"

Both of Takato's parents were a little taken back by this anger.

"You know me mom! You know what kind of person I am! Being Gay doesn't change that! All it means is that..."

"Your going to Hell!" His mother spat out.

Takato couldn't believe he was hearing this, but calmly crossed his arms.

"That's between me and God. I don't believe I will, but it's between us, you can't judge."

"How can you not believe it? It says it right there!"

"The bible was written by man. It may have been inspired by God, but man makes mistakes! Not only that but every time "Homosexual" comes up in the original text, its used by a different greek word. AND The first time it says that it's an abomination for a man to lay with a man, You know what the verse before it says? That It's an abomination to eat shellfish! I don't see any bans on that!"

"Then your just picking and choosing what you want to believe!"

"Okay then, what about you? You had shellfish the other night! If you believe its a sin you shouldn't eat it!"

"Thats not the point! The point is, you CAN'T be gay! I'm sending you to counseling."

"No." His father interjected. "He is not going to counseling, that's not what he needs. What he NEEDS is acceptance."

"YOU better keep quiet, I don't think our marriage is going to last, for all I know you've been sneaking out to be with men."

For the first time in his life, Takato saw his father get angry. The angriest he had ever seen anyone.

"HOW DARE YOU! I HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT BE HERE FOR YOU AND BE FAITHFUL TO YOU AND I'VE LOVED EVERY MOMENT OF IT, BUT NOW I'M BI SO I'M JUST SOME SLIME BALL?"

She nodded. "Pretty much. I wouldn't be surprised if you've been touching Takato inappropriately and that's why he thinks he's gay."

The room was dead silent. Takato had never been so angry in his life. His father, who was never violent, was struggling with the urge to slap her for that. He couldn't believe what he was being accused of. He always thought he was a good father, and he knew that Takato being gay was his own path. He had nothing to do with it.

"Takato," His dad started, "Two things. First, Have I EVER touched you inappropriately or done anything to make you feel uncomfortable?"

"Never." Takato said, still staring down his mother.

"Okay, secondly, Go away."

Takato was surprised.

"W-what?"

"Go to the park or something, go talk to a friend. Me and your mother need to have a talk."

Takato wanted to stay, but he knew It was best if he went. So he turned and left.

x

Of course, when Takato got to the hide-out, Henry was waiting.

"What happened Takato?"

"I... Grrrr..."

Henry knew something major must have happened.

"What happened?"

Takato told Henry everything that happened. He was in shock.

"I mean, I didn't expect your mom to react WELL, but I didn't expect her to react like THAT. And your dad...?"

Takato nodded, trying not to cry. Henry put his arm around him.

"You did a very brave thing Takato, and so did your father."

"I don't think he expected her to react like that, I think he thought he was saying, 'look at me, I'm bi and I'm normal, committed, and not a freak, so you shouldn't judge Takato either.' but it backfired. How did your counseling session go?"

Henry looked away. "The man said I WANTED to be gay. Can you believe that?"

Takato looked a little confused. "You mean... you don't want to be?"

Henry could tell what Takato was thinking. "I don't mean you! I mean in general... If you could have chosen to be gay or straight, which would you choose?"

Takato nodded in understanding. "Your right, I'd choose to be straight. I wouldn't want to go through what I did today, that's for sure."

Henry nodded. "There may be some, but for the most part, its not something we wish for. It's just who we are. We can't help it."

Takato cuddled into Henry.

"But Personally, I think It worked out okay. I've got you."

Henry smiled. "And I have you."

TBC

Edit notes: I still am not sure about Takato's mom acting so badly, but I went with it at the time. His dad though... IMO he's right up there with Matt and TK's dad getting the awesome parent award. To me there was no question he would be supportive.

There was also stronger language in this chapter and others, that I changed. (I hope I caught them all). But, I really don't see Takato swearing that much, even when he's angry. I can see the others doing it, but somehow Takato just doesn't fit with that.