Chapter 44
{"In other news, right here in downtown Tokyo, a mass suicide has been discovered. Police are saying that the members of the unusual cult committed suicide at 3:15 am on Wednesday morning. The authorities are keeping most of the information silent until further investigation." The female newscaster shivered and looked at her co-host. "Pretty scary, I really hope that's the last we hear of that one. I would hate for us to have to relive what happened all those years ago at the train station."
The male nodded in agreement. "I'm sure the police and our government has everything well under control." He reassured her.
"Well, on to more uplifting news. Ren Tsuruga, now known as Kuon Hizuri, Japan's Number One Bachelor is no longer a bachelor. Today he announced his secret marriage to his long-time girlfriend, The Ryoko Genso. Congratulations Hizuri-san, we're all very happy for you and Ryoko-san." The female cheerfully announced.
"Here, here. Very good choice. Ryoko-san is a very beautiful and sweet person, from what I've heard." He turned to his co-star. "A lot of hearts will break at this news, but I'm sure their fans, friends and families are very happy for them."}
Sho sighed and turned off the television so he could concentrate on his homework and pen a few thoughts on lyrics later. "Lucky guy. She's very pretty." His mind held no recognition of Ryoko Genso's true identity. "Well, I suppose if I make it to the top, I'll find one too." He plopped down at his desk and opened his history book. Ever since Monday, he had really felt this sense of peace. He wasn't sure why, but something told him to just let Kyoko-chan go, as his therapist and uncle had suggested, and he had felt a lot better since making the decision to. In fact, he couldn't see why he kept hanging on to the bad memory of her passing. He decided that he would only think of the good times they had shared together.
FLASHBACK
"It's okay Takarada-san, I've been making this potion since I was eight years old. I did live in a house with a lot of family, you know. How else do you think I've hidden my talents from them?" Kanae assured him.
Lory chuckled and shook his head. "Why doesn't that surprise me?"
She smirked. "Well, there were a lot of kids and a lot of mischief that needed repairing before Okasan and Otousan came home from work." She winked as she started pulling out herbs and mixing them into a batch of tea leaves with one of Kyoko's and Kuon's scales. "It'll calm his nerves too." Among other things. She added mentally. She was not going to allow this little pest to keep bothering her best friends. Kyoko and Kuon had enough to deal with now that the little hatchlings were on the way. Plus, this pest knew entirely too much now. He knew of her nature, Kyoko, Kuon and his name, he knew of Rick, Sensei and he also knew about Lory. She didn't want a repeat of Kyoko's abduction days ago, not now that they just got her back and she wasn't sure that Lory would rid him of all his knowledge of Kyoko. This way, she explained to Lory, he wouldn't have to go digging through his mind looking for specific memories. One sip and the knowledge and memories would be wiped clean, and they could suggest an alternate excuse for his absence over the weekend. All Lory had to do is, grease a few palms and the boy would have an alibi.
END FLASHBACK
It had been more than a month since the eggs found their resting place in Kyoko and Kuon's lair. She had regained her strength and the three dragons were taking turns keeping the unborn infants warm and safe. Lory had suggested that Kyoko wear a pregnancy prosthetic when they hit the equivalent of three months or no one would believe that the hatchlings were theirs. She agreed.
It was agreed that the pair would continue with the Heel Siblings. Kyoko's perceived condition wouldn't have been obvious until the end of March anyway, if she were human and didn't have to wait a year to hold them in her arms. However, they still had time, the hatchlings wouldn't be emerging until next February anyway, according to her father. She wouldn't need to start wearing the prosthetic until July, so she had more than enough time for a couple of more drama's before her "pregnancy" began. This would give them both ample time to get used to the public attention that their marriage brought and the children wouldn't be considered "honeymoon babies" or the reason they actually got married in the first place. Not that either cared at this point what anyone else thought about it.
Kuu Hizuri stared at his monthly magazine with jaw hanging down in shock. Then surprise, slowly ebbing it's way into anger and finally he was livid. His eyes took in the headline: Ren Tsuruga/Kuon Hizuri Permanently Off The Market. The next headline he saw was: Ryoko Genso, #1 Sweetheart, Married To #1 Man!
The magazine crumpled in his firm grip as he stood gaping at the mailbox. Why had no one told him any of this? How could Lory have left his so completely out of the loop, especially with Lory's own daughter? The man was such a LoveMon, there should have at least been some kind of overly elaborate celebration or at least a fan-fair of some type, like the Happy Grateful Party. The fact that perhaps they got married because she was pregnant, floated across his mind, stunned him and forced him to stomp back into the house and make a bee-line to his study for the phone. He tossed the crumpled mags on his desk, after slamming the door, and picked up the phone, thanking every deity that Juli wasn't home at the moment. She would have been devastated.
He looked at his watch. "Good, it's 8am there." He huffed. "He better be up." He groused as he listened to the crackly buzzing of the phone ring on the other end.
"Hello Kuu. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?" Lory asked cheerily.
Kuu's eyes narrowed and he gave off a growl. "You could start by telling me why I wasn't informed of my son's and daughter's nuptials."
Lory paled on the other end and sputtered. "Oh that, Um... Well... it's a little complicated and she isn't your daughter, she's mine."
"What's so complicated with telling me and his mother that he got married? Is she pregnant or something?" Kuu asked angrily with a little bit of dejection in his tone. "You know we wouldn't have been angry. I've always wanted grandchildren." He pouted.
Lory sighed nervously. "Hmm, Yes and no? I really don't know how to explain it without telling you things that they should be telling you."
"Ugh!" Kuu shouted. "Fine! Tell them both that Juli and I are coming for a visit and no objections. I want a full explanation when we get there and no excuses! I mean it Lory!" Kuu slammed the phone down. He was furious and wounded by the slight. How could they keep family out of something like this, and what did he mean by, yes and no to the pregnancy question? It was either yes or no. There was no such thing as being kinda pregnant. You either are or you aren't.
Lory groaned after hanging up the phone and looked to Ruto. He sighed. "Ruto, I think we need to have a meeting with the Hizuri's. They have some explaining to do about their situation to Kuu and Juli."
Ruto nodded silently. "I'll make sure to notify their managers, Takarada-sama."
Lory sunk into his office chair and sighed. "Thank you." He sincerely hoped that Kuu and Juli took the news well. Perhaps I should have Kanae on standby with some of that tea she gave Fuwa-san. He shook the thought from his mind. No, they need to know the truth and work it out with Kuon and Kyoko-chan. He smiled brightly. After all, we are going to be grandparents. A shiver of excitement shot thought his body. Three little angels.
