-Ring-Doh: Part 26-

Kuon sat on one of the couches within the Gentlemen's Club. In the distance he could see Yashio speaking to Asami, he had brought him along, he had wanted him to meet with Ruriko. Thinking perhaps that Miss Ruriko was truly Lady Kyoko who had ran away from home and that this was the place she had ended up. His lack of memory of this Kyoko that he was caring for what basically came down to noble birth bothered him. Ruriko fit in his mind, she was pretty enough, clearly she gossiped like any woman of high class, she had no skills in the kitchen, the way she spoke about things around the Gentlemen's Club, fabrics, costs, all of it came down to someone who was used to a higher standard of living. Though Yashiro hadn't given him much to go on, that was mainly his own doing. His head felt like someone was pounding in it the more he tried to figure out who Lady Kyoko was and seemed to relax happily when it fell upon thoughts about Ruriko being the missing noblewoman.

He had hoped that Yashiro would be able to get a clear look at her, but Ruriko had taken it upon herself to become unreasonably shy which made him wonder if she had accidentally walked in on him once in the baths. She kept her face turned to the floor, her toes becoming truly interesting to her or buried her face into his arm that Yashiro finally excused himself saying he was going to get a drink and he had not left the bar since sitting down there. Though from the angle he was at, it didn't look like Yashiro was drowning himself in booze either.

The only other person that Ruriko seemed to hide from was Lord Fuwa and it wasn't her being shy. Lord Fuwa had lost his temper that one day and clearly it had taken a toll on her as she now clung tightly to him whenever Lord Fuwa sat down he always looked more tired and worse for wary that relaxed. His eyes scanning the rooms carefully, Kuon had a feeling that Lord Fuwa wasn't looking at who was around but looking for Choko. The real issue was, Choko's parents had begun to take more interest on this side of the kitchen door, whenever Lord Fuwa was downstairs, it was Tashio or Ashio who was gathering Ruriko and heading back to the kitchens.

Ashio, Kuon could see nothing but love and gentle heart. It was almost as if she was too scared to upset anyone within the little room, including Ruriko as if the young woman would throw a fit. Ruriko would simply bury herself further into his arm and she would look pleading back towards her husband in the distance, Ruriko eyes would follow and then she was moving quickly towards the kitchen after saying her farewells. This didn't happen at all when Tashio was the one coming across the room and taken her back towards the kitchen. Then again the whole room seemed to part in half when they saw Tashio walking towards them. He never said a word, he would just look at her and she would be jumping out of her seat, bowing her head and running off towards the kitchens. Kuon had tried to talk to him once, he got a glare and grunt. The only time Tashio seemed to show any real kindness or softness was when he was looking at his wife, then he could see the spark of emotion there, the slight turn of his lips into a smile the way Ashio's face would turn red and the playful slap on his arm before they disappeared behind the kitchen doors. Kuon had noticed the same sort of softness in his eyes whenever he looked at his daughter, though there was a fear, a deep sadness there. As though he already understood that the day would come when she would leave their family and join another and that the fear was that she would forget about them. Something he had seen many born of lower classes doing when they became part of a higher social class they began to pretend that they were always at that level.

Kuon eyes fell upon the closed kitchen doors just barely in his sight, from Ruriko he knew that Choko had a cousin. A cousin who was apparently cruel to Miss Ruriko, Chiori. A young woman who apparently extremely protective over Choko, though in truth he couldn't picture those two ever finding someone to marry them. He had caught sight of Chiori a few times, always lurking within the shadows. Though he could feel the pure hatred that poured off of her whenever Lord Fuwa appeared but as strong as the darkness that lurked it always disappeared quickly and he understood now that she was simply taken her leave.

That left him with the feeling that Ruriko there was only him in her life. Something he knew he had to be careful of, even if she was some nobleman's bastard daughter, it was clear to him that she was never acknowledged. In there time of age, most daughters had no use other than as objects and of course to bare their sons. Most would accept even a bastard daughter because they couldn't own property. Lady Kyoko had been accepted, acknowledge, even allowed the family last name. Not only that she was the only daughter of Kazushi Misonoi. If she had been put into the care of the Fuwa family, then she would have been treated well. Not only because she was the only heir which meant her future husband would be able to claim everything. The sheer amount of property owned in the Misonoi name had been almost shocking. Yet all of it was undeveloped which he couldn't understand why.

Mentally sighing he realized that Ruriko likely wasn't the young maiden he was meant to be watching. Even if she screamed someone who was born into that world, something inside of him was nagging him. He placed a hand against his forehead as he felt another migraine building up. 'So where is this Lady Kyoko?' and most of all how was he supposed to find someone he couldn't even recall? his eyes fell upon the whiskey as he reached for the glass picking it up. 'Why can't I recall her?'

"You aren't listening to me are you?" Ruriko whined tugging on his arm almost causing him to spill his drink in the process he kept his annoyance in check as he looked at her flashing her a smile.

"Please forgive me Miss Ruriko. I'm afraid I am starting to get a migraine and didn't want to worry you."

Ruriko eyes narrowed slightly as she pouted looking at him as if she could read him. Slowly her eyes soften in worry as her fingers trailed against his temples and he was fighting the urge to smack her hand away.

Chiori had come to enjoy the new Kyoko. It would be a true shame if she ended up back where she was. No, she was sure now that this new improved Kyoko was the girl's, true heart. She was still loving, still caring about those around her but she didn't take anything from anyone either. No, that wasn't exactly true either, she took it with a different sort of grace. Kind and gentle, then a warning, then... then she would take action. Chiori had seen it happen three times, men who had quickly learned their places, though in fairness twice it had been Lord Fuwa. Now her adopted parents made sure that Lord Fuwa was nowhere near her. It was true that they were the perfect couple, perhaps in time maybe they would be blessed with the one thing that they never been granted.

She watched Kyoko roll her eyes in the direction of Ruriko and Ren before picking up the dishes from one of the other men. Chiori didn't miss the way he eyes lingered over Kyoko's back before grunting. Chiori wanted to laugh, knowing that if he had any idea how she cleaned up, or even who she was that disapproval grunt would never have happened. No, they would be bowing down at her feet, more so if they understood the true gift she held in her hands. The ability to summon a living God, a true God to her side. Though because it was such an overwhelming process that she had never been taught to control, it did make her come off sickly.

Stepping towards Kyoko she didn't bother to keep her voice all that low, not caring if the table she was clearing could hear her or not. "Looks like little Miss Ruriko is trying to get her Prince Charming." She smirked as Kyoko's eyes lifted and once again looked towards the two.

Sighing heavily Kyoko stood up holding the tray of dishes on her side. "Maybe he'll actually take her this time."

Chiori watched as Kyoko's eyes narrowed as she watched the two a little longer before turning her back on the sight of them. Chiori leaned over the table took the glass that was still full as Kyoko wiped down the table before she herself looked at the two. She couldn't allow Kyoko to have such hate for Ren he was required for their future. To put an end to this all. "Come now you don't mean that."

Kyoko eyes turned to look her over before sighing heavily as she hung her head. "No" she lowered her voice.

Though Chiori could see she was still not happy with either choice on the matter. Not that she could blame her, Ruriko was making life very difficult for them. It didn't help that Miss Asami, had simply stated that while Ruriko would sleep here, during the working hours, she was part of the kitchen staff. For the most part, nothing had changed, unless you counted a young woman freaking out over disgusting things that were beneath her, that she couldn't even handle the simple task of washing dishes without making a drama out of it. Chiori was starting to think this was a young woman that when alive, had been used to everyone doing everything to her. The worse part was that she knew that Ruriko wasn't exactly a bad person either, she had been sad and depressed, heartbroken really and then something inside of her snapped. Nothing new either. It happened to many, the only reason she hadn't been lured by the promises of that voice after her death, was her pure hate for the man who had allowed it to happen. If he was playing for that team she didn't want to be on that team, so she went with the other side and now she simply had to wait it out. Soon she would get her revenged.

Kyoko moved towards another table as she cleared it and Chiori followed behind her, "I really wouldn't want someone curses around good people." Her eyes darted towards Ren for a moment, "Besides she's useless. The only thing she's good at is being a helpless princess..." she shook her head before finishing her task. "and who wants to be a helpless princess?"

Chiori smiled softly as she watched Kyoko move towards the kitchen doors. 'Weren't you once the helpless princess?' She looked down at her tray for a moment, 'Though perhaps, you weren't so helpless after all, just to much put on your shoulders...' lifting her eyes towards Ren she narrowed her eyes as she saw Lord Fuwa moving towards them 'What will you do when you find out the truth? Will you keep your fire or will you let it burn up all again?'

"Excuse me miss." Chiori eyes darted away from Lord Fuwa towards the man she knew as Yukihito Yashiro, her eyes narrowed for a moment before she flashed him her best smile. Though she knew that he hadn't missed the look in her eyes. He clearned his throat again, "Ah... sorry forgive me... I..." he held his hands up slightly before darting behind her. "I just wanted to ask you..." he dropped his hands leaning towards her, "Why is Lady Kyoko in a place like this?" Her eyes widen for a second before narrowing.

"I believe you are mistaken that is my cousin, Choko." She pulled back from him watching as he shifted his glasses more.

"Indeed, but that is only now if I'm not mistaken."