AN: I hope you like this chapter and I really hope that I can redeem Kyoko in the next couple of chapters. My thoughts are that this is still new for her, being six years from the time she fell into the lake, she's in a new country and her child is much older than before she died. Now the one place of strength is gone from her and because of her so she's looking for comfort in the familiar whilst trying to hold onto living in this new life without her 'guide'.
Chapter Fifty Three – For Daddy
Kuu hesitated in the doorway, he didn't know how he felt about this but he did see how happy his son looked, he did want him that happy, he just wished he felt more secure. Bella looked up at her mother before looking down. Her daddy would get hurt if he learned about that Sho guy and she really didn't want for him to hurt.
Kyoko took a nervous look at Kuu again but came over to Kuon, tears starting to roll down her cheeks which greatly alerted Kuon and he pushed himself up to a seated position, his face showing his pain and concern. He didn't know why she looked upset but he didn't like it.
"Oh, sweetheart," Kyoko said as she dropped down into a bow and then felt her knees shake as she did a dogeza, "I am sooooo sorry," she apologized to him and Kuon looked her over seeming very concerned about her actions. He saw Kuu slip off and Kuon tried to reach for her.
"Pppr-ri-ncess," he struggled to speak and Kyoko looked up at him. He was reaching out a hand to her and Kyoko's heart pinched in her chest. He didn't know? He didn't know how horrible she had been? Kyoko took his hand and sat on the chair next to him. She didn't deserve him or his kindness.
"I am so sorry that I left you alone," Kyoko apologized as she tried to fight against the tears. She saw the pain in Kuon's eyes and wondered whether that was an emotional pain or just physical. He was smiling to her but maybe he was just relieved to see her, maybe it didn't mean that he wasn't angry with her.
"It-tts okk-ay" his voice shook and he put a hand to his head. He had already spent time with Isabella and that had worn him out but he didn't want to show any pain or discomfort to Kyoko, he didn't want to see her leave him again.
"My sweet Corn," Kyoko said as she tried to brush away her tears. "I am so sorry. You must have thought, you must have thought that I hated you or that I was affected by your disabilities," she seemed to choke on her words as she said them, "Nno," she said as she saw the sadness on his face and she wrapped an arm around herself. "I've been so stupid and selfish. I was scared. I felt guilty about seeing you like that. It was my fault. After all that you've done for me, after all of the sacrifices, I caused you to make the biggest one…" she looked at the floor as Kuon attempted to shift towards her but without the use of his legs it was harder than he thought.
He held her hand in his and brought it to his lips, his eyes shining in that puppy dog way that always was able to make her heart melt. She felt so guilty about all of this. In her mind she could imagine what he was thinking of her. She could feel that he felt lost, unwanted, a parasite. Kyoko wrapped her arms around her again. "I…I can't…I can't forgive myself," she sobbed and Kuon looked down.
"Iit'ts okay," he struggled and Kyoko could sense that he was having trouble talking. It still haunted her how the once famous Ren Tsuruga was in this state. Ren could do everything without fail. He could learn the piano at record time, he could do elaborate stunts in a car, he could teach her how to walk as a female model. To see him struggling like this broke her heart.
She had thought that staying away from him was the best thing for him, at this point she felt ashamed of herself that that idea had crossed her mind. She would have been angry at him if he had left her in this condition and she would have been hurt and felt like when she was tossed aside by Sho. Why was he so kind to her?
"You sound as if you've made so much progress, sweetheart," Kyoko said as she watched him and attempted to stop the tears from clouding her vision. She looked down at her lap. "I'm sorry, maybe if I had been here then it would have been easier on you. I was scared and I hate myself that I was so scared," she said and Kuon shook his head.
This man loved her and she had nearly lost that love because of her own stupidity. She didn't want to forgive herself for doing that. To be loved by someone like Kuon didn't happen to everyone and because of the guilt she had and the shame that she had been the one who had made Grant interested in her, supported and even encouraged the fight, and that she had distracted Kuon causing the injuries. She didn't feel worthy of his love.
"I cc-ann cc-o—" Kuon started before his face twisted showing the hurt and extra energy and effort that talking was causing him.
"What is it sweetheart?" Kyoko asked and Kuon lifted a finger, his eyes showing the strain that having this conversation was causing him. Kyoko looked at him, anxious to hear what he had to say.
"—mee hh-omme" Kuon finished and Kyoko looked at him in shock.
"You can come home?" she asked as she felt her body shiver. She felt the tears roll down her cheeks as she struggled between happiness and pain. She didn't want him to know what had happened with her and Sho, she didn't want him to know how wretched and weak she was. Was it okay not to tell him? She wanted him home with her, she wanted to take care of him but was lying to him the right thing to do?
She looked at him, fear of losing him reflected in her expression. "I let Sho stay with me and Isabella for a few days," she said and stared at the floor as if she had cheated on him. Kuon could tell that she was hiding something and he looked confused, his eyes showing his pain and the fact that he didn't know what she was saying.
"Hhe-e's iin….Amm-er-kka?" the blond asked and Kyoko nodded her head.
"I think that your injuries were reported on Japanese television," she said as Kuon's body stiffened, "They still love you over there. I think that he came because he was concerned about me."
"Aass-hhole," Kuon whispered and Kyoko felt shocked as she saw a couple of tears roll down his face. She hadn't seen him crying like this before. The pain was too much but she had to fight through it. She had to tell him how much she loved him and wait for the consequences.
"I know," Kyoko nodded sadly, "I know how much you hate him,"
Kuon looked down, was he being childish by saying that. He really disliked Sho but he had been a childhood friend to Kyoko. He had been her love interest but Kuon didn't want to think that Kyoko could still be attracted to him because of all the asshole things that he had done to her. Kuon sighed as he looked down.
"Iitt's o-kkay," he said and Kyoko looked at him.
Did he not understand how close she and Sho had been to one another? Did he trust her enough to think that nothing had happened or was he so disgusted by himself that he felt that it was okay to be cheated on. No, she didn't want to think that that was the case. Running her fingers through her long black hair again, Kyoko stared down. She had failed him. She shouldn't even be calling him his wife, it was her goal to help him, support him and he had needed support now more than ever.
"I wwa-ntt sso—" Kuon began but then stopped. Kyoko leaned in closer as she looked at him.
"What is it, my sweet prince?" she asked him as he just stared in front of him. She hated seeing the pain when he tried to choose his words. She hated thinking that he was enduring all of this pain for her benefit. She sighed and reached out to hold his hand. "Kuon, if there's anything that I can do then I -"
"Jja-ppan," he told her and Kyoko looked at him.
"It's okay, I think the people in Japan understand why you aren't going to be going on the trip. I think they'd still love to see you but your health has to come first. You're amazing you know," she said as she kissed his hand, "Doctors told me that you were going to die but you're here, your improving so much each day. You're so strong that you managed to get them to say you didn't need to kept in the hospital."
Kuon shook his head and Kyoko paused, she didn't know what he was trying to say if that wasn't it. She tilted her head to the side, was he trying to send her back to Japan by herself? Was he attempting to get rid of her? She opened her mouth to say something but Kuon just turned to her with a soft smile.
"I wwan't…to ll-ivve inn J—" he started but had to stop because of the strain it was putting on him.
Kyoko blinked, "You want to live in Japan?" she asked.
She didn't want to argue with him but he had his family here, he had his friends here, he had set up a life here. He wanted to leave all of that now? When he needed the loving support from those close to him the most? She didn't know what to say to him.
…
…
Bella watched her grandfather as he drove the two of them home, she hummed to herself before turning her attention to outside the window where she could watch the city of Los Angeles. She sighed, "I think that Mommy loves Daddy but why has she been acting so confused?" Bella asked her grandfather.
Kuu took a deep breath in, "Because she's nervous about how to best take care of Daddy." Kuu hoped that that was right, he didn't want to think that Kyoko was playing games with him or using him for any other reason. That wasn't the woman that he had called his son but then he hadn't thought that she wouldn't rush to be by Kuon's side, he definitely hadn't thought that she would keep such a jerk in their house.
"Grandfather," Bella said as she looked at the different shops and restaurants but without the excitement and wonder that she usually had. "Is Daddy going to get better?" she asked and Kuu smiled.
"Your father is an amazing person and maybe I'm a little bit biased because I'm his father but yes, I think that your dad is going to get better. He's so strong. I mean, look at what he's already accomplished. He's talking to you and a few days ago he was talking much less," Kuu said before stopping at the light. "Why don't you think of some things to do to make him feel better?"
"Like cooking and drawing?" Bella hummed, "And doing my best at soccer."
"Yes, things like that," Kuu said before laughing, "things like that exactly."
"Is his brain going to get better?" Bella asked and Kuu gave a soft exhale before nodding.
"I believe so. Your father has done things that most people can't. He's impressed me so much by how hard he works and how much he endures tough things. I think that your dad is going to get better but it's going to take some time. Do you think you could help with that?" Kuu asked again and Bella nodded.
"I can do that," she said, "for Daddy."
End of Chapter Fifty Three
Thank you for reading
Thank you to reviewers of Chapter Fifty Two
Crazy4Animation: Hopefully my author note explained some of this. I don't know about ending but it's going to get much happier as Kuon gets better and they expect their baby. After all Kuon might have fairy ancestors 😉
Erza: Yes but her behavior is going to change as she is constantly reminded of her love for her husband
KrisXD: I know, he is super especially his super love for his little boy
Ktoll9: Definitely it would be hard to really understand her but Kuon loves her so much that he understands her
Loyalty counts: Hmm, guess you'll have to read to find out 😉
Paulagato: Well she's very hurt herself but hopefully this chapter showed her remorse
Undertheskys: She's definitely going to try
