Princes

Kyoko scampers into view but stops when she sees her fairy prince holding his one hand up and his other one against his lips. The young blond haired boy motions for the six year old native to approach slowly. The small girl with dark pigtails in her hair moves as silently as possible around the stream bed and across the numerous rocks along the water's edges until she stands beside her kneeling fairy prince. The older boy shows her how to wiggle under the thick bushes that line the forest around their special meeting spot along the cold stream. Ignoring the small sharp rocks that bite at her delicate skin, Kyoko comes to rest almost completely under the thick bush.

She presses her side against the radiant warmth of her magical friend Corn. The beautiful boy smiles affectionately at the innocent little Japanese girl who has thoroughly captured his young heart. He brushes aside some low hanging branches so that Kyoko can see his find. In the small grassy knoll beyond the bush, a mommy rabbit moves diligently around three tiny baby bunnies who are enjoying their first adventure outside their burrow.

The small fuzzy animals hop clumsily about the small space as they investigate their new world. The young friends watch the bunnies play for quite a while as birds sing over head and insects buzz in the background. A moist earthy scent surrounds the pair and Kyoko sighs in contentment. When the mother rabbit herds her offspring back into the protection of their burrow, the two friends clamber from under the bush. Kyoko raves about Corn's impressive find. The older boy's chest puffs slightly under the effusive praise from the little girl who naively believes that her fairy prince must have used his innate magic to find such a wonderful thing to share with her.

Blushing slightly from the effect her hero worship has on him, the young boy jumps and grabs a low hanging branch. Like an expert gymnast, Corn swings himself onto the branch. Kyoko jealously watches his amazing feat and wishes she could be half as impressive but she smiles through her tears anyway as she realizes that she could never compare to a fairy prince. She can't even impress her own mother. How could she ever expect to be as wonderful as a magical creature of legend.

If only Kyoko could have known the thoughts of her young companion who at the same time was fervently wishing he could be more like his innocent companion. Every day, the young foreigner is amazed anew at the determination and loving nature of his new friend. He is impressed with her unfailing loyalty even if he feels incredible jealousy over her unwavering affection for her prince charming. The young girl is bright and sweet and entirely captivating. The older boy reaches his arm down towards the outstretched hands of his cute companion.

"Jump, Kyoko-chan," he encourages. "I'll catch you."

Trusting her fairy prince, Kyoko runs and jumps with her hands above her head. Corn catches her small outstretched hands in his own and pulls her onto his lap on the tree branch. She giggles and swings her feet in the air as she begs her fairy prince to tell her another story about the magical world of fairies. With a proud grin, Corn relates a tale about the fairy queen who is not only the most beautiful fairy in the realm but that she has the magical ability to make others beautiful too.

"I hope that I can meet her one day," Kyoko wishes fervently and Corn pats her on the head.

The blond boy smiles and answers "Maybe some day, Kyoko."

"Kyoko. Kyoko," calls a deep voice that invades the meadow like a powerful and magical voice from the fairy realm itself. Perhaps it is even the king of fairy calling out to her from across the ages.

The almost eighteen year old Kyoko flutters open her golden eyes to the reality of Hizuri Kuu standing at the end of the couch in a pair of sky blue pajamas and holding out Kyoko's cell phone.

"It kept ringing again and again so I was worried it was an emergency. I answered it," explains her pretend father. "It's a female talent manager named Aki Shoko from Akatoki Agency who said that she has a serious problem and needs your help."

Kyoko sighs as she wonders what Sho did now and reaches her hand towards the phone. She greets Sho's manager formally and asks what she can do to help her.

"Well, I am really sorry to bother you on the weekend but I was hoping that you might be free to meet and discuss some important matters," Shoko replies professionally.

"If this is work related, you would need to contact LME and schedule a meeting through my department manager. I can give you the telephone number, and you can contact him on Monday morning."

There is a long pause before Shoko finally builds up the courage to comment. She can't believe that Sho has forced her into this position, but the manager admits that her charge seems truly desperate. She can only hope that whatever he has planned ends better than his stupid Valentine's Day and White Day fiascoes.

"It's not really work related, Kyoko-san," she admits sadly.

Kyoko frowns slightly because she can not image how anything not related to work could possibly bode well for her if it involves her childhood friend turned would-be victim of revenge. The teen's stomach suddenly clenches as a thought occurs to her.

"Is Sho ill or hurt or something?" she asks anxiously.

Shoko smiles. She believes that Sho's plans might not be hopeless if Kyoko still cares enough to be concerned about his health.

"Physically, he is fine, Kyoko-san."

"Good," the actress replies and she truly means it. It would never do for something horrible to happen to Sho before Kyoko is able to make him regret his horrible treatment of her. Her goal still attainable, she dismisses the request. "All things considered, I don't think meeting would be a good idea. Neither Sho nor I have anything constructive left to say to one another. All we do is fight when we are near each other."

Shoko chuckles. "Well, yes, your arguments are becoming quite legendary but you are wrong if you think there is nothing left for Sho to say to you. He needs to speak with you. I've never seen him this sincere about anything, Kyoko-san. Not even when Vie Ghoul stole his music was he this serious about something. You need to meet with him. Please Kyoko-san. He even offered to have you bring your friend Tsuruga-san with you to the meeting and you know how he feels about him. He is that desperate. Please Kyoko-san. Please, I am begging you. Please meet with him. If your childhood friend ever meant anything to you, please, please meet with him today."

Suddenly unsure about what to do, Kyoko asks if it would be okay to think about it and call her back. Shoko quickly offers her cell phone number and explains that Sho is in the recording studio all day but that he will stop anytime she would be willing to meet. Shoko adds that she can bring the musician to meet her anywhere Kyoko wishes also.

"I'll call you back," Kyoko promises before hanging up the phone. The actress places her phone on the small coffee table. She sighs and runs her hand through her messy short hair. She looks up and notices Kuu still standing at the end of the couch. His face is wreathed with concern, and he asks if everything is alright.

"I don't know," the actress admits with a confused look in her eyes. "I just don't know what to do."

"Well, how about I order us some breakfast from room service and we can discuss it. After all, parents live to help their kids with their problems," the older man offers.

At the mention of parents helping their children, Kyoko's eyes become hooded. Kuu instantly notices. He reaches out and gently pats the teen's head.

"Real parents really do live to help their children, Kyoko. You're my child now. I would like nothing better than to help you in any way you would allow me."

Kuu removes his large hand from Kyoko's hair and smiles tenderly. "No pressure though. If you want to deal with your problems on your own, I can respect that but just remember that you are not alone. There are people like your mother and I, and Tsuruga-san, and the Boss, and your Moko-san you always rave about who care about you and would be honored to be trusted enough to help you with your problems, professional or private. Understand?"

Kyoko nods and Kuu grins happily as he grabs the hotel phone and orders breakfast for a small army. Kyoko neatly folds the thick blanket and places it back in the walk-in closet off the bedroom of the suite. She then grabs her clothes from yesterday with the plan to get dressed and return the large T-shirt and shorts that Kuu had loaned her to use to sleep. She blushes in embarrassment as she remembers Juli trying to get her to wear one of her silky, lacy and entirely too revealing pajamas for the night. After much protesting and during a lively yet friendly argument between the two ladies about the merits of sexy pajamas, Kuu had dug into his own suitcase and produced a T-shirt and gym shorts that he normally uses to exercise. He tossed the clothes at Kyoko and told his wife that his son would be better off in his clothes then hers. Most likely due to severe fatigue, that announcement had so tickled both women that they had practically collapsed on the couch in laughter. Humorous or not, Kyoko had been much more comfortable in the T-shirt and shorts than she would have been in the lingerie.

Kyoko exits the powder room dressed once again in her clothes from yesterday just in time to answer the door for the food delivery from room service. Staff wheel four carts into the room which quickly fills the suite with the delicious scent of a western breakfast. Kyoko places a buttery croissant, some eggs and fruit on her plate before settling on the floor by the low coffee table to eat. She can't help but smile in amusement as Kuu digs into his large plate of eggs followed by a stack of pancakes, three pastries, a plate of sausage and another plate of shredded fried potatoes.

"Shouldn't we save something for mother?" Kyoko innocently asks as Kuu finishes the last of the eggs on the tray.

The actor snorts. "Although she loves to have family dinners, Juli doesn't believe in breakfast. She says that a cup of coffee and some fruit fulfills the body's need for morning sustenance."

"That sounds a lot like Ren," comments Kyoko as she pours herself a second glass of tomato juice and a fifth one for Kuu.

"I can just imagine," mutters the handsome actor with a grin.

"Perhaps it is a model thing?" Kyoko suggests as she thinks about what her senpai and pretend mother have in common.

"Maybe," Kuu answers. "Maybe."

"Maybe, what?" questions a feminine voice from the bedroom door as Juli sweeps elegantly into the room in her slinky silk chemise and matching lace robe flowing gracefully in her wake.

"Maybe, you will want to have some fruit and a cup of coffee?" Kuu answers as he stands to kiss his lovely wife good morning. She returns his affectionate greeting before sinking to the floor beside Kyoko.

"Good morning, sweetie," she says to Kyoko as she pats her arm.

Kyoko returns the greeting as Kuu hands Juli a cup of coffee with cream and sugar as well as a small plate of fruit.

"So what are we doing today?" inquires the model as she slowly sips her coffee. Both Americans look to their pretend son to see if she has any plans. A look of consideration enters Kyoko's eyes as she contemplates the earlier request from Shoko.

"Well," she starts. "Originally, I did not have any plans for anything today other than reviewing my scripts for tomorrow but I received a phone call this morning asking me to meet with a musician named Fuwa Sho from Akatoki Agency."

"Oh, that's the handsome young man whose promotional video you were in, right?" Juli confirms.

Kyoko nods and stares at her empty plate.

"Does he want you to be in another PV?" the model asks.

Kyoko shakes her head. "No, it's for a personal reason."

Juli sighs and then grins evilly. "Is he a beau?" she teases.

Horrified, Kyoko strongly denies any romantic relationship with Fuwa Sho.

A sudden memory clicks in Kuu's mind as he remembers the second day that he knew Kyoko and how she became like an undead corpse after seeing a television program about a musician who was setting a landmark record for first place singles.

"That was Fuwa Sho," the actor mutters and both women turn to look at him questioningly.

"The musician who sent you into a depressive spiral and almost made you make a stupid decision about your acting career. It was him, right? You were going to turn down a couple of role offers because of his influence, correct?"

Kyoko nods as she too remembers the awful morning when she discovered that her rival had moved even further ahead of her. The despair had been crushing.

"Why ever would you let some silly boy influence your professional decisions?" Juli asks. "Especially if he is not your special guy."

Kyoko looks up from her empty plate at the loving couple. She is torn. They both look so concerned about her problem and so eager to lend their aid. The problem is that Kyoko is frightened. She worries that her pretend parents will be disappointed in her just like Ren used to be if they find out why she decided to become an actress. She loves them so much and fears that they will hate her if she tells them the whole story. She was always such a disappointment for her real mother. She does not know if she could stand to have the Hizuris react like her own mother used to act when she failed to meet her expectations.

The young actress can't help but notice the patient yet tender expressions on the older couple's faces and she remembers that Moko is still her friend even though she knows why she originally entered the entertainment business. She smiles as she realizes that even Ren has forgiven her for the original reason for becoming an actress once he learned how seriously she took her new calling. He had hated her at first and now he is her friend. Kyoko makes up her mind to tell the Hizuris. After all, they say that they love her which is more than her mother ever told her so she should not expect them to react the same way.

Kyoko opens her mouth and starts her tale for her captivated audience. She tells them everything about her relationship with Sho starting with growing up at the Fuwa ryokon in Kyoto up until she ran away to Tokyo with the boy she believed to be her prince charming. The actress pauses her story and fixes a cup of tea. Kuu moves the dirty plates back onto the cart and then he and Juli settle onto the couch to listen to the rest of Kyoko's explanation.

The young actress continues her tale. When she reaches the point when she discovers Sho's true reason for bringing her with him to Tokyo, a few tears slip down Juli's cheeks. Nervous that she has reached the point that will upset the respected older couple, Kyoko rushes through the next part of the tale. Kuu frowns slightly but does not interrupt the story with any comments. He holds back his disappointment at hearing how Kyoko caused a scene while first acting as a chicken mascot but he is proud of her when she succeeded in facing her enemy in his Prisoner PV. Kuu's frown dissolves completely when Kyoko relates how she discovered a love for acting that went beyond her desire for revenge.

The angry expression reappears on both Kuu's and Juli's faces though not directed at their second son when Kyoko relates the issues that arose with Vie Ghoul because of her relationship with Sho. When he hears about Sho saving Kyoko from Reino, Kuu decides that he won't kill the boy after all for striking his son although he changes his mind again once Kyoko shares the incident of the kiss on Valentine's Day.

Finally, Kyoko tells about their most recent interaction on Friday night on the Kimagure Rock show. A knowing smile appears on Juli's face as the tale comes to the end. Even if Kyoko doesn't recognize the signs, the model is pretty sure that the young singer has developed feelings for the young actress.

"So do you want to go and meet with Fuwa-san?" Juli prompts at the end of the tale.

Kyoko sighs and admits that she just doesn't know.

"Well, would you consider going if Kuu and I went with you?" inquires the beautiful older woman. "We could ensure that nothing untoward happens while still allowing you the chance to find out what the issue is that has his manager begging you to meet with him."

"You would be willing to go with me?" Kyoko asks in amazement.

"Of course, sweetie," Juliena replies as if supporting and encouraging Kyoko was the most natural thing in the world for her to do. "Why don't you call back his manager and make arrangements to meet in a little bit?"

Kyoko agrees and Juli rises from the couch to go get dressed.

Kuu watches his wife stroll into the bedroom. He grins. "Better make the meeting for a few hours, just to be safe. We will need time to get ready."

"I can still hear you," calls his wife from the bedroom in a sing-songy voice.

"I figured as much," replies Kuu in his own teasing song-like voice.

From the bedroom, a lovely tinkle of laughter peals before Juli sticks her head back out the door.

"Just for that," she warns, "I'm showering first."

"I would have guessed that," he calls back with a chuckle.

Kyoko can not help but join him in laughing when a large pillow sails out of the bedroom and hits the back of Kuu's head.

In a whisper, he tells Kyoko "I was expecting that too."

Kyoko chokes on her giggle and asks "then why did you let it hit you? You're an action star after all. Shouldn't you have been able to avoid the pillow?"

"Ah, but where's the fun in that?" he simply replies with a naughty grin before excusing himself to go join his wife in the shower.

Kyoko watches her pretend father disappear into the bedroom and shakes her head at the obvious affection Kuu and Juliena share.

"Well, since mother has her prince now, I guess that I should take care of my toad."

With a silly grin, Kyoko grabs her phone and dials Sho's manager to set up their meeting.