Chapter 43


The human trafficking trial was getting more attention by the disappearances and the assault on one of the witnesses than a particular crime organization would have liked. It was time to cut their losses and extinguish two very troublesome flames by the names of Ryuu Endo and Jirou Hirai. It had taken three weeks to infiltrate two very specific prison cells and only minutes to carry out the final deed, but it was finished and anything that the pair might have leaked to the authorities in the future was halted. A week later, several acquaintances of the pair of men were found scattered in locations around Japan in various pieces, sending a clear message to the others. The message? Keep your mouth shut! And that is exactly what everyone did. The criminal underground, for now, was as silent as a graveyard. The authorities and the corresponding lawyers determined that it was finally safe for the newlyweds to come out of hiding and Tragic Marker was finally in the can and on its way to the cutting room.

Due to the circumstances, Shotaro Fuwa was hidden away in the hospital and the court had decided to give him a shorter sentence. The prosecuting judge didn't need another death on his record. An individual that specialized in hiding people in plain sight was brought in and introduced to the young man. His tawny hair was dyed to black and he was given brown contacts to wear along with his new identity, information on his new home in Hokkaido and his new job. A job of which had absolutely nothing to do with the entertainment industry. It was just too risky for him and Sho agreed. As instructed, he would not breathe a word of his past. He would go to University and learn a new trade. He would settle down, eventually find a wife and live out his life as Doctor Osamu Kase. Every now and then his wife and daughters would find him humming an old tune as he played on their piano or, find him watching an American movie or, two with a nostalgic look in his eyes and it was always the famous actress Kyoko Hizuri that would star with her husband or, her Father-in-Law. They would ask why and his reply would always be, "They're just my favorites. They are very good. Don't you think, Sweetie?" He would smile brightly and give them tender kisses and go back to watching his movie.


They sat nervously before the leather clad patriarch as he casually puffed on his cigar, giving them a very pointed look. He cleared his throat and leaned forward. "So... When were you two going to let me and the In-Laws know that you got married?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Shit!" Kuon exclaimed and Kyoko fell into dogeza before her loving father. "I am so sorry Daddy!" She exclaimed in a teary voice.

Lory quickly pulled her up and chuckled. "Don't be Sweetie." He pulled her into a hug. "I just would have liked to be there, you know." He looked at his new Son-In-Law. "You really need to call your parents and let them know."

Kuon nodded in agreement. "Boss, I think it's time I introduced them to my new wife also." He announced.

Lory's look of surprise shot straight to him. "Do you mean?"

Kuon smirked. "Yeah... I think Ren Tsuruga needs to retire."

Kyoko gasped. "Kuon! You aren't quitting acting are you?!"

Kuon chuckled and pulled her next to him. "No Love, I am not. I'm just going to start using my real name. I don't want anyone to believe that my wife is cheating on me with... Me." He kissed her temple and nuzzled her neck.

"Oh... OH!" She giggled. "I get it." She smiled and kissed his cheek.

Lory was in heaven watching the two. "Oh! Congratulations on your nuptials." He told them and handed them a small palm-sized box with a bright pink bow. "My wedding gift to the two of you." He smiled brightly and motioned for them to open it.

Kyoko pulled the bow that kept it closed and Kuon opened the little silver box to find a two keys resting on a piece of folded paper. The pair looked up at him in confusion.

"Your new home. Why don't you two take the rest of the day off to explore? Just be back here tomorrow with your managers bright and early. After a month off for your Honeymoon, you two have a lot of makeup work to do." He stood with the pair and practically shoved them out of his office.

Kuon and Kyoko stood outside of his office and stared at the small box that contained the keys. Kuon took Kyoko's hand in his, kissed it and asked. "Well, shall we?"

Kyoko giggled. "With Otou-san, I'm pretty sure we don't have much of a choice."

Kuon laughed as he pressed the button for the garage on the elevator, "I think I would have to agree on that My Dear." and they entered together.


The house was stunning. The grounds were expansive with a small copse of woods in the back. It was large but, not as large as the Takarada Estate. The six bedroom home had been furnished with Kuon's furniture from his apartment and was graced with a few new additions courtesy of Lory. Kuon was stunned that it wasn't too over-the-top and Kyoko was stunned that the house had not been decorated flamboyantly in the bright colors that she had expected of her Father.

As they went from room to room, they decided that they really liked the house and the little extras that Lory and Maria had added in for decoration and function. Kyoko twirled in the kitchen like Cinderella at the Ball, admired her personal library that was packed with all of her favorites and Kuon admired his new study and the gym just next to the attached atrium that contained the Olympic-sized pool and small man-made hot-spring off to the side, hidden by a small jungle of plants.

"Kuon?" She called from the kitchen.

He walked into the kitchen and watched his perfect little wife as she browsed the cabinets and two refrigerators, taking inventory of what they had. "What is it, Love?" He smiled as he leaned in the doorway.

"What would you like for dinner?" She asked as she mentally cataloged her inventory.

He quietly moved behind her and wrapped her in his arms. "Anything you cook is delicious." He nuzzled her neck and nibbled at her ear. "But, I would prefer you."

She shivered and giggled. "I meant food, Kuon." She popped a baby carrot stick in his mouth and took a piece of cold celery for herself.

"Anything is fine with me. As I said, your cooking is delicious. Surprise me." He kissed her cheek as he chewed and sat at the counter, watching her work her magic.


He sat on their sofa with her wrapped in his arms, perfectly sated and content. "Wow... I was a little skeptical at first, but that was delicious. It really hit the spot. I never thought that, that particular fruit would go so well mixed with the fish and the mango with the rice. Wow... Just wow. I think my taste buds were really crying out for something like that." He gushed to his little wife about dinner and kissed her temple as they watched the news.

Kyoko giggled. "I don't know why, but it just sounded so good." She snuggled into him.

"I know what you mean. Maybe it's because we were in Guam for so long." He pondered.

She nodded in agreement and settled in, allowing the comfort of her new home and her new husband's arms to lull her into a late afternoon nap.