Powdered Sugre 21

April's Fools

The clink and clatter of many dishes welcomed Chihaya as he smiled warmly at the patrons at the Cafe while Kagetsuya worked his particular brand of magic. His bright purple eyes flashed with glee as orders went up. While he sashayed through the crowd waiting tables. Angel breezed by him carrying yards of cream colored satin. He grinned at the many people that flocked to the racks where his clothing hung. Not many of them could afford the pricey items, but it was fun to look. Angel paused and sighed. He knew that the reason he could charge such outrageous prices was because he was the personal designer to the Arcadian Royale. It was his work, and not the royal designers that graced the group on tour and during personal appearances. Angel sighed then disappeared into his office again. Prom season was coming, just because many could not afford his fashions, did not mean that no one could.

Chihaya smiled warmly at Leon and Jill when they entered. "Any chance of us getting a table and some lunch?" Leon asked always in awe of the beautiful little positive angel.

"Of course there is." Chihaya showed them to a table and held up his notepad ready to take their order.

"I am definitely not feeling meat today."Jill grimaced and placed a pale file in her bag.

"Tough case?" Collins asked. Jill looked up at him in his apron and tried to smile.

"Gross even," Jill complained as Leon searched the menu. "He will probably have a hamburger, iron stomach that he has, but I will have a Caesar salad with extra dressing and croûtons."

"Actually," Leon grinned at Jill. Then turned his bright blue eyes to Collins and Chihaya. "I want a chef salad with no meat and lots of cheese."

"This must be a bad case," Chihaya offered a sympathetic smile as he and Collins left the two detectives to their drinks.

"A skinless corpse... yeah," Leon groused.

"I just wish we knew where the skin was," Jill frowned shaking her head.

"That would make this too easy," Leon said firming his resolve to solve this case as soon as possible.

"Oh no," Jill said her frown lightening as she looked at her friend and partner. "We would never want that."

Break

Ryo was smiling as he walked in to the brightly painted building with Alicia. Dee waited in the car going over the files of their new case. Miss Joy beamed a smile when she saw the handsome detective and his beautiful friend come to retrieve their child. Another couple stood by speaking to the other teacher in Lyo's room. Ryo and Alicia stood silently for a while observing Lyo while he played with the other children a smile on both their faces. Lyo paused in his game to pick up the soft ball and turned. "Da-Ryo! Mommy!" Ryo was quick to move in front of Alicia and catch the hurtling child before he could launch himself in to her. Alicia offered a grateful smile.

"Remember what we talked about?" Ryo stood with Lyo in his arms amazing Miss Joy with his strength for when the child had slammed into him he did not move and now he stood from a crouched position with his son in his arms and he had shown no discomfort or strain. "Do not run to mommy like that."

"Keeping the kid away from his mom," Ryo heard the muttered words from the father of another child but chose to ignore them as he turned allowing Lyo to embrace Alicia.

"Yeah, mommy has a baby in there," Lyo said nodding his head as he gave Alicia kisses. "I could hurt her. I'm sorry Mommy and baby." Lyo said he slid down to his feet and pressed his little hands to Alicia's swelled stomach.

"Oh, how many months are you?" Miss Joy asked feeling embarrassed by her other parents who stood staring at Ryo and Alicia with disapproving frowns on their faces.

"Six," Alicia said sitting with obvious relief while Ryo went to gather Lyo's jacket and help the boy tie his shoes.

"Wow, Landy is a joy to have in this class, you must be proud," Miss Joy continued speaking to Alicia. "We will miss him next term. But..." Miss joy paused and looked up at Ryo. "I hope you do not mind if we keep the lullaby CD."

"Oh... You bought that CD?" Ryo paused in his answer to Miss Joy to see the mother that was still staring rudely at him. She moved her shiny black hair aside so that she could pierce him with her watery hazel stare. "Our son loves that CD," She said and reached down for her son's hand when he tried to play with Lyo while their parents talked. Ryo sighed when she snatched the boy behind her as if Lyo was dirty. "Miss Joy was unable to tell us where you bought it. So she made us a copy it is the only way we can get him to sleep at night. Do they have others, like playtime songs?"

"I never bought the CD," Ryo said his cheeks turning slightly red shocking the parent who was amazed at his handsomeness. A waste she thought of her sister, single all this time. No wonder she was single, the attractive men were all gay. "But, Miss Joy, you may keep it if you wish."

"I don't understand." The mother said becoming irritated. " You won't tell me where you got it?"

"He didn't get it anywhere," Miss Joy said feeling sorry for her young student for having such bigoted parents. "The man singing on the CD is Detective MaClean. That is why it is over halfway in Japanese." Miss Joy enjoyed a moment of pure smugness as she watched her words sink into the parents standing before her. "At first I would call him everyday at nap time so that he could sing Landy to sleep, but then he made this CD and now all the kids love it."

"Oh..." The father of the other child said his eyes narrow as he approached Ryo. "What do the songs in Japanese say?" Ryo bristled at the menace in the man's tone.

"Ryo... Doll, I am getting hungry, how long do you intend to keep Dee waiting for us?" Alicia got to her feet making a show of placing a hand on her round tummy."

"This won't take long," Ryo offered a cold smile to the other parents. "-Just subliminal messages to grow up and be homosexual. My way of insuring we take over the world.-" Ryo muttered in Japanese causing Miss Joy to stare at him having never heard him use such a tone of voice even if she did not understand the words. Alicia giggled having spent the years after Leo's death learning Japanese. All while she was pregnant and in hiding she had studied the language. It was how she had come to her decision on what to name Landy. Ryo reached into his pocket for a note pad and began to write. He tore the page off and handed it to the irate father. "That is one of the songs, I think number three. I do not have time to write out all five of the Japanese songs, but I can tell you that five and seven are translated into English in six and eight." Ryo then turned to Miss Joy. "Did you give the invitations to every one in the class?" Ryo smiled sweetly as the father looked down at the neatly written kanji.

Miss Joy nodded, "the children are all excited." Miss Joy spoke with both Ryo and Alicia for a few moments more then sighed as the other parents took their child and stormed out of the room. The invitation to Lyo's fifth birthday party was left behind in the trash pail. Miss Joy waved Ryo and Alicia off with a sad smile as they took Lyo and headed out into the sunlight.

Break

Bikky wandered around ear the kitchen watching as Ryo tapped his foot to the music as he chopped chicken for the night's dinner. He loved their house, Bikky thought gazing at the lumpy sofa in the family room that, for all it's lumps, was as comfortable as anything he had ever sat on. He looked further into the living room where they received guests and admired Ryo's impeccable taste and cleanliness. Rain was shaping up to be just like him. His room was always clean. He said it was because his plants could not grow in a dirty room. Bikky refocused on the living area and smiled. All the other kids at school loved to come to their house. The area rug was imported from Japan while the drapes were made in Arcadia and the wood furniture and good sofa and love seat all came from IKEA.

Bikky moved into the kitchen and sighed at the delicious smells coming from the oven as a cake baked while Ryo put a large pan on the fire to heat adding a little vegetable oil to the pan. Bikky stared in amazement as the fire on the stove seemed to leap in greeting to Ryo dancing merrily in his presence. While the living room and family room were studies in varying degrees of comfort, the kitchen was all efficiency and grace. Stainless steel and shiny black appliances all gleamed with the care Ryo showed each piece. "If you are just going to hover, you may as well come over here and cut the carrots." Bikky gasped when Ryo spoke without turning around while he placed a pot of water with seasoning on the fire.

"Okay," Bikky stepped further into the kitchen. He accepted a knife and began to slice the vegetables while watching Ryo soak the chicken pieces he had cut in thick brown sauce. "Wow. Chicken Terriyaki tonight," Bikky sniffed appreciatively at the smells in the kitchen. They continued in silence for a while the only sound aside from the radio was the knife on the cutting board. Bikky cast small glances Ryo's way then sighed and went back to chopping. Dee looked into the kitchen then shook his head and left the two alone heading off Rain by tossing him a pack of pop tarts that he ate cold and finished his homework. Bikky looked again at Ryo then back at his hands. "I know what you're going to say."

"Bikky..." Ryo paused as he and Bikky had started speaking at the same time

"I know that I am young... But we are being careful and... I know I love her and she loves me. We have been together since I was like six you know." Bikky continued then sighed. When he could not think of anything more to say he peeked at Ryo surprised by that fact that he did not have to look up to look him in the eye. When had that happened? Bikky wondered to himself as he gazed at Ryo from an entirely new perspective. He could see how Dee had fallen so hard. Being hit with the full force of those eyes was something to remember.

"Bikky, I will not tell you not to," Ryo said surprising Bikky. "I know you are a teenager with hormones beyond your control. Despite what you may believe I understand." Ryo smiled then and added the chicken to the pan of hot oil. He sprinkled a little salt into the mix and began to stir with a big wooden fork and spatula. " I do not wish to create a situation where you feel it necessary to lie to me or do things behind my and Dee's backs. As long as you are being careful and understand the consequences of your actions and accept responsibility if it is needful I will say no more." Ryo placed the vegetables into the steaming water for a few minutes before he pulled them out and wrapped them in foil to be placed in the oven. Bikky felt as if the weight of a thousand pounds had been lifted from his shoulders. Bikky had spoken at length with Laton about his fears of his fire use. Laton had laughed softly then explained that he had no reason to fear, then advised that he speak with Ryo. "Bikky..." Ryo said when the teenager was reaching into the fridge for a can of soda.

"Yes," Bikky turned around feeling the hairs at the nape of his neck prickle at the tone of Ryo's voice.

"Respect this house," Ryo words seemed to echo in the stylish kitchen. Bikky stood still and absorbed the meaning. He nodded to Ryo.

Ryo turned back to their dinner checking the boiling rice and gasped when he felt a strong hand on his arm turn him around. Bikky held Ryo in a light embrace. "Thanks... Dad," Bikky said then released Ryo after he had briefly returned the hug. "Smells good." Bikky grabbed his soda and left the kitchen. Ryo heaved a large sigh then turned back to his family's dinner.

Ryo tensed then relaxed when another pair of hands encircled his waist. A smile crept over his face as he felt Dee press into his back. "Okay?" Dee asked against the shell of a sensitive ear. Ryo nodded and turned his face up to Dee's searching lips.

"Everything's fine," Ryo said when his mouth was his own again.

"I told you it would be easier to let him come to us," Dee smirked as he wrapped his arms fully around Ryo while he stirred the chicken and poured more of the tasty sauce on the frying meat. "And I knew he would go to you."

"Yeah well," Ryo smiled as his eyes wandered to their large back yard full of a pool, enclosed hot tub, deck, gazebo, play area for Lyo including a swing set, slide and sandbox and an area for the kids to play basketball. Ryo often wondered why they even bothered to take Lyo to the park anymore then at the same time realized that he needed interaction with other children his age. "He's always told me."

Break

Carl Anderson frowned as a High prince of Arcadia strode into his office. Bad enough yesterday he had to deal with those people while he picked up his son. Last night he had taken the CD from his son's room then had to listen to his child scream for several hours until he fell into an exhausted slumber. Tricia, his wife, was not speaking to him because she had tried to cajole him into giving the CD back to no avail. He would not have his son influenced by those pedophilic sodomites. Carl looked with displeasure at High Prince Daphnus and his secretary as they sat. "How can I help you?" He asked refusing to utter the Your Highness that was supposed to be used to address him as a show of respect. He was an American for crying out loud. Just because the rest of the country licked his boots did not mean that Carl Jason Anderson had to. No sir.

Carl paused at the look of amusement on Daphnus face before those beautiful eyes turned to his secretary and nodded with an imperious gesture he only used when annoyed. Jash nodded his head concentrating on maintaining his human form he reached into his briefcase and pulled out several documents then addressed Mr. Anderson when he knew Daphnus would not deign to. "As you know," Jash said glad to hear the tinny sound of vocals through a beak silenced by his human esophagus. "X-Ta-C is a world wide foundation. Half of the profits from all sales, including concert tickets, album, promotional items and video are allotted to all the hospitals built in honor of the poor and destitute in the areas they serve. The other half going to maintain the safe houses built for the refuge of abused men, women and children, or individuals that have no where else to go."

"Yes very charitable," Carl muttered forcing a smile. He then looked closer at the royal in his office again amazed at his beauty. When he had first seen him all that time ago when their first album was released he had mistaken him for an astonishingly beautiful woman. It had been like a kick in the gut to realize that he was male.

"The point to this friendly recap," Jash said regaining Carl's attention. "Is that this hospital receives more than enough funds to provide exceptional care to its under privileged patients. Yet we have come across several cases of people in need of re-constructive surgery that have not received it. Underweight babies leaving the hospital before they are ready. Substituting casts for light wraps on bad sprains leaving a permanent disfigurement in some cases. The poor of this city are starting to look like deformed monsters because they are receiving sub-standard care. Why is that? I know you receive the proper amount of money. I sign the checks."

"Well," Carl could feel the sweat build on his forehead and bead on his upper lip. "We implemented a screening program and not all of the patients qualify for the funds." Carl stammered forcing a smile in the face of Daphnus cold stare. Still the prince said nothing. "If they make above the decided upon amount of money then they could pay for the operations and treatment."

"If they could afford to pay for the operations and treatment I do believe they would." Jash said his face turning red. He took several breaths and concentrated on maintaining a human appearance. "The truth is they are left with the awful choice of health care or rent. Surgery or food. Parents that have to take off their meager paying jobs to stay home with children discharged from the hospital long before they are ready."

"Well sir, if they went home it is probably because they chose to we have never told a parent they must take their child home," Carl explained glad that it was true. The look in Daphnus eyes seemed as if he could see right through him.

"Only because they exceeded the days that would be covered by the program. Knowing that they could not afford the extra care, they had no choice but to leave." Jash stared at the human before him feeling the urge to eat him and be done with the whole mess. He felt a mental tugging and looked at the high prince. Daphnus gave him a warning sigh and continued to refuse to speak. "Alright your Highness," Jash said after a probing look from Daphnus. "I want a copy of all of your financial records and all of the past cases. This hospital will now be audited by the accounting department of Arcadia."

"Files?" Carl said the color draining from his face as he stared at Jash and Daphnus.

"Yes, you know usually paper in folders, sometimes, with this new technology, it can be stored of computer discs." Jash stood to his feet. "If you will take me to them Ican collect them now." Carl stood as well his eyes panicked as he gazed at the high prince who now smirked at him. They knew. There was no way they could not know. Why else would they be auditing the facilities?

Carl stared as High Prince Daphnus pulled out his cell phone. "Hello Detective," Carl paused. His voice was husky, yet not deep. It seemed designed to confound normal observers into questioning his gender and their own sexuality. Feeling his body respond to the beautiful man, Carl forced the image of his wife to chase away his damning thoughts. "Yes I am well, thank you for asking. I was hoping Detective MaClean." Carl paused at the name and his mood turned black as they walked down the well kept halls of the hospital. "I need some legal advise..." Daphnus laughed as Ryo commented then switched to Japanese as he followed the irate accountant to their destination. Carl fumed as his mind went in several different directions at once. He half listened to Daphnus hoping that he would speak in English again. He needed a plan, he would need money soon. Real soon. Carl marched ahead of the intruders and made plans to call his lawyer as soon as he could.

Break

Count D sat in the garden watching as Aoi sat on the grass with Kurayami in her arms. The toddler was careful to sit still and not jostle her brother who stared up at her with mis-matched eyes, one deep purple and one blue. As he was now seven pounds, his face was remarkably less wrinkled though D feared that he would be small all his life. Perhaps even smaller than his papa. D stood to prepare the afternoon repast for his children and an extra snack for Chris who would be home from school soon. "Papa, Kura-Chan sleep now," Aoi called to Count D as he returned with her lunch.

D took his son into his arms while Aoi toddled over to her plate of fresh cut vegetables and fruit. "Aoi, dearest," Count D said speaking Mandarin to her as he always did, while Leon only spoke English. The child had learned both languages with ease. Now whenever she spoke to Leon she only spoke English and she spoke Mandarin to her papa, grand father and Sofu. "High Princess Andromache is bringing over Nicklaus and little Lyssa to play with you after lunch." Aoi's eyes brightened and she clapped her hands in glee. Count D smiled at his daughter. He hummed a gentle tune as he carried Kurayami to his bed.

Break

Mrs Joanne Stander tried to force her heart back into her chest as it seemed to be attempting to jump out so hard was it beating. She looked up the stairs to see her youngest son cowering at the top as he tried to see who had knocked on the door. Whenever they had visitors Justin hid from view ashamed of his burned and scarred appearance. "Y...Yes," Joanne gulped when the word came out as a squeak. Rissa hobbled out on her crutches to see her mother staring goggled eyed at one of the most beautiful men she had ever seen. Rissa vaguely recalled seeing him at the hospital, but he was not a part of the band. His honey colored hair gleamed in the deep light of the setting sun.

"Hello, I am detective Randy MaClean and I have a few questions concerning your experience with Saint Francis hospital. Is this a bad time?"

"Oh, no, just finishing up afternoon lessons," Joanne stepped aside so that Ryo could enter her house. It was small and sparsely furnished with furniture that had seen better days but for all Ryo could tell it was spotless. Ryo noted the uniform that Mrs. Stander wore and knew she worked as a waitress at the restaurant down the street and around the corner. Close enough to walk Ryo added the information to his mental notepad while he pulled out his actual notepad and a pen.

"Now the insurance of the drunken driver has replaced or repaired your vehicle?" Ryo asked when he accepted the chair at the table. Ryo automatically shifted his balance when the chair wobbled beneath him. Watching as she sat, he realized she must have offered him the best chair she had. The kitchen, where the family took their meals was also furnished with old, ratty things, but clean. He looked out of the window and saw clothes hanging on a line.

"We can't afford much, I do not have a washer, but I make sure my kids are clean," Joanne said her lip firming in the face of her poverty.

"Admirable," Ryo smiled at her his heart paining him as he hoped he could find a way to help them.

"As for the car, well the insurance company paid for it to be fixed so Nathan can get to work. That's my husband. He is a janitor at Rissa's school. She can go back next week."

"I am glad to hear that," Ryo said then sighed when he saw the tears in Joanne's eyes. He knew, from studying the files from the hospital that Daphnus had given him the other day that Rissa may never dance again not without extensive medical attention and rehabilitation. Services the family could not afford. "What school does she attend?" Ryo asked trying to bring the woman around from her morose thoughts.

"Oh, um, Core South High School. She is in ninth grade and so smart too. Always does her homework and helps me with Justin. Look," Joanne got to her feet and bustled away with the doting smile of a proud parent. She returned a moment later with Rissa's latest grade slip. "Not so good with geography," Joanne explained the one C that was the lowest grade on the entire card. "But right smart." Ryo nodded as he handed the card back to her. "Oh please forgive me, how rude," Joanne replaced the card on the old refrigerator that leaned slightly to the left. "Can I offer you something. I have fresh water or... Milk."

"Oh, no thank you, my partner and I had lunch not too long ago before we split up for the day." Ryo explained showing her the bottle of water that he had been carrying when he entered the house.

"Detective MaClean?" Joanne began but heard her daughter gasp as realization hit her.

"You..." Rissa trembled on her crutches as he hobbled closer to Ryo. "You're Rain's father!"

"The singer you like?" Joanne smiled at her daughter then her eyes widened in horror. "Oh no, the house is... I am sorry to show you something like this." Joanne teared up looking at the shabbiness of her home in the face of the celebrity in her midst.

"I will take it as an insult if you continue your shame." Ryo said his heart paining him to see them suffer so. Ryo looked around at the bits of plastic pottery. For all the inexpensive accessories, the house was clean and flowers the pots held were well tended. "In fact, your home is lovely. It is clean and cared for. You do what you can, with what you have. I have seen people with so much more than you squander their gifts needlessly." Ryo's smile warmed Joanne and Rissa. "I am honored that you would welcome me." Ryo clasped his hands in front of him as he did when appearing in the Arcadian court as Prince of the eastern Dragons. "Now please, sit with me and tell me all about your experiences at Saint Francis hospital." Joanne and Rissa nodded. Rissa sighed as she looked into the stairway and saw Justin crouched by the door staring at Ryo with nothing less than awe. Rissa smiled hoping to encourage her brother to come out of hiding. Justin shook his head the rustling of his stringy hair disturbing the wind enough for Ryo to turn and see him as he dashed up the stairs and out of sight. Ryo sighed. He would definitely have to do something about the state of this family.

Break

It smelled lovely. Lord D sniffed the cup that Princess Clarisande held out to him. "Please Lord D." Clarisande said touching his arm as gently as she could manage. "I mean no offense, you know. I think you are beautiful, but right now, you look like a skin wrapped skeleton."

"I could never take offense at you speaking the truth," Lord D whispered then tried to push himself up to a sitting position his arms trembling with the effort. The slight movement caused his empty stomach to heave. "At this rate, I will lose the child. My body is losing the strength to sustain it." Lord D said tears leaking from his eyes.

"When was the last time you retained food?" Clarisande asked as she helped him to sit up amazed at how light he was. She could lift him with one hand. No wonder JJ had come to her in tears begging for the help that Lord D swore he did not need. He had claimed to be fine. He had said that he had survived the rigors of childbirth before. But this was different, this was killing him.

"Two weeks ago," Lord D admitted feeling his abnormally pale face flush. "When the sickness first started. Father said each Kami has one if they make it to two they are not likely to survive. Male Kami's have rarely survived birth. But I had two the first time. Now I have nothing left. My body is strained, it is too soon. He wept as he told me that if I had not connected to D as I did. My body never would have conceived. But we all know, D would have miscarried if I had not. What else could I do?" Lord D dissolved into tears his frail hands coming up to cover his face marked by dark circles his cheekbones once so smooth now sunken and sallow.

"You knew the risks and you did it anyway," Clarisande sniffled. "You gave your life for your son. Here," Clarisande held the chalice to Lord D's lips. "It is vitamins and plant extracts mixed with mirandia milk and Maisia juice. Also," Clarisande paused lifting Lord D's head for he had not the strength to hold the cup in his hands. "Celestial's tears."

"My lady?" Lord D gasped turning his face from the cup. "Soofu A said that my father's progeny were all spoiled. I have to suffer the consequences of my actions."

"Are you so anxious to die?!" Clarisande yelled tears falling down her face thinking of Sofu D as he too had approached her on behalf of his son. Every bit of his strength that he had given Lord D was regurgitated he was at his limits. "For one so powerful as your father to throw away his pride and ask for aid." Clarisande mused aloud. "If you can not think of yourself then think of him. Think of D who still needs his father's guiding hand. What about Kibo and Shinrai? JJ? Aoi needs her grandfather as does Kurayami. Your patients need you. Will you selfishly abandon all of us here who love you? And the child? Will you take him with you?" Clarisande placed her hand on Lord D's bony abdomen staring in horror at the sunken depression of his bed robe. She could see his ribs through the fine silk. Her slanted eyes flashed with desperate anger and determined love. Clarisande held the chalice, a heavy sigh of relief falling from her as Lord D drank.

Break

Dee watched Ryo as he worked. Pummeling the bread dough as one would a punching bag at a gum. He wanted to say something but knew Ryo would work his problem out in his own. Dee smiled as he recalled the heated look Ryo had sent his way. That was one way to distract himself from his problems. But Ryo had turned away wishing to think some more. So he had gone into the kitchen instead leaving Dee to anticipate a feast. Ryo stared off into the distance not seeing it or his surroundings. Dee sighed, perhaps it would not hurt to offer a little bit of advise. But he was horrible when it came to this kind of thing. Usually it was Ryo who worked out these kind of problems. Dee smiled as a thought occurred to him and he approached Ryo. "Hey, Baby."

"Yeah?" Ryo did not turn around but his hands gentled as he kneaded the dough forcing himself to calm down before he baked the bread on the counter with his heightened temperature.

"You want to help the Stander family?" Ryo did not bother to answer the obvious question. "There are thousands of poor in this city. You can not shelter them all or we would soon join them."

"I know," Ryo said so softly that Dee had to strain to catch the words.

"Besides," Dee stood behind Ryo and turned him to the side so he could better look into his fathomless eyes. "If you give a man a fish..."Dee grinned as he watched Ryo's eyes light with the fire of excited understanding.

"Dee!" Ryo hugged Dee tight his hands pressed firmly to Dee's back as he drank in the sweet masculine scent of his lover. "Thank you...Chotto..." Ryo winced hiding his face from Dee in the toned pectoral muscles he was pressed against. "Dee... Koibito, go change your shirt."

"What? Why?" Dee asked his brow lowering when Ryo stepped hastily away from him. Understanding came and he glowered as Ryo held up his hands covered in sticky bread dough. "Why you!" Ryo laughed dashing away to the other side of the kitchen with Dee in hot pursuit. "I'll get you," Dee delighted in seeing Ryo laugh and play so much. Ryo ducked under Dee's outstretched arms only to feel the belt on his pants snagged from behind. Dee hauled Ryo against the counter and kissed him soundly. "You better put extra cinnamon in that." Dee said when he peeled his lips away.

Ryo was smiling after him as he sauntered up the stairs. The back door opened and Ryo's smile dimmed as Bikky entered the kitchen and dropped his bag. "Bikky," Ryo greeted his son and went to wash his hands before he moved the bread dough into a bowl and covered it with a wet towl. All the while Bikky stood staring about himself as if in shock. "Where's Rain? Oh," Ryo said looking out the window into the backyard to see Rain's slender form laying on a patch of grass that was surrounded by many flowers in various colors. Rain lay on his stomach with his journal in hand drinking in the beauty of the world around him while Lyo sat contentedly in his sandbox. "Bikky," Ryo said when Bikky trudged over to the kitchen table and sat as if he carried the world. "Are you okay?"

"Ryo... I need help," Bikky said the catch in his voice worrying Ryo who dried his hands and sat down at the table so that he could talk with Bikky. "I don't know what to do." Ryo was becoming more worried as still Bikky would not meet his eyes. When he did look up they were swimming with tears so that the pure blue orbs resembled the turbulent sea. "Today at school..." Bikky paused as if reliving the horror of his experience over again. "Today Carol told me... she said... she's late."

To Be Continued (Bwa ha ha)

Thank you so much to you all for being so patient as I battled through yet another illness. I hope that I will be able to be a better author to you guys who have stuck with me all the way through T-Chan discovering Leon and Count D's relationship to Lord D admitting to being beaten. From the joining of Earthian and Rent to the melange of adventures with the Arcadian Royale. I could not ask for better fans. Thank you from the bottom, the top, the entirety of my heart.

Ja

Chi

If you have Already purchased a copy of THE WHITE LION, Thank you so much, let me know what you think. If not... PLEASE support a starving artist/author. It is not easy to work a full time job and maintain a writing career. I am hoping to be able to cut down the full time job, but only if the writing career takes off. I could be so much more productive, both novels and free fiction, if I had oh, I don't know, maybe eight more free hours in my day. Thanks again...

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