AN: So I went to Disneyland for a week so my Skip Beat fics got a little neglected, thank you for your patience. I also said there would be another Christmas scene but I'm hurt/angry right now so I need to write this. (Maybe I'll throw in a Christmas bonus later on).

Chapter Forty

Was this a bad idea? This was a bad idea, wasn't it? I feel nervous but I need to concentrate. Both Dad and Kyoko are here and they have told me how proud they each are of my progress. I should be able to deal with but seeing his smug smile from the other side of the table makes me panic. I have to stand up for myself. If I can't be a strong person then I can't be strong for the girls either, I need to improve.

"So this is it?" Fuwa says as he casts a hand in my direction. I freeze and bow my head feeling uncomfortable again. "Seems like the great Tsuruga Ren really has changed."

I bow my head and try to control my breathing. Dad puts a hand on my shoulder to provide strength for me as Kyoko turns to Fuwa's parents who are staring at him disgusted by this attitude.

"If the defendant isn't able to show remorse for their actions, especially in view of the harm that they've done to Mr. Hizuri, we'll have to discuss further damages," Spenser tells them. I look at him nervously before bowing my head again.

"Did you want to leave? It's okay if we leave, right?" Dad says as he turns to Spenser who nods, looking at me to gauge my progress. I'm okay. I'll be okay. I just need to focus.

"I have a request," Fuwa's father says and I look at him nervously. Dad squeezes my shoulder protectively. "May the two of us speak to the two of you outside," he asks Dad and Kyoko. They both turn to me. Dad speaks first.

"If Kyoko wants to then she can but I am not leaving my son unprotected. I am going to remain with my son to protect him against the monster that your son is." Dad says with a sharp tone. I take a shaky breath in before nodding. I can agree with that. I don't know if I will come out unscathed in a room alone with Fuwa and I need to fight for Kyoko, the girls, and even myself.

"I'll be right back," Kyoko says as she kisses me gently on the lips and then stands to leave the room. Dad brings his hand down to mine and grabs it, squeezing it again.

Fuwa starts laughing despite how our attorneys are both there and looking over paper work.

"Mr. Fuwa," the defense lawyer says, "I advise you to stay silent as anything you do say in these proceedings can still be used against you. We are hoping to reach a fair settlement here and I advise you again not to speak."

"But it's just so funny," Fuwa says as he leans back. "He's obviously a clown now. Look at the damage to his body. His inability to fu-"

"You," Dad says fiercely, his eyes having a fire within them. He points at Fuwa, "Listen to your lawyer as they have given you the best piece of advice. My son is not a joke, he has been hurt by your actions and all he's attempting to do is rebuild the world that you destroyed for him. I think that the settlement is generous for our side but if you dare to hurt or bully my son further then I am not sure how that will work out in your favor. I believe that it won't."

"Mr. Hizuri does have a point," Fuwa's lawyer says. "If you do continue to abuse Mr. Hizuri," he gestures to me, "then I don't know how much I can protect you in a court trial or how well I can represent you."

I pause and turn to Dad. He smiles at me in an attempt to be reassuring. Soon Kyoko will be back, I know that she'll remain strong but I don't want her to burn bridges that are important to her. I wish none of this was happening. I wish that we could go back to the day of the accident and change everything that happened. That is only a wish that will never come true.

KyKuKyKu

I turn to look at the door nervously, my heart is pounding as I believe that Shotaro will actually try to do something to Kuon despite the lawyers being there. I turn to look at Yayoi and her husband and take a deep breath in before relaxing. My eyes keep going to the door but I need to concentrate and trust Father. Father will always prioritize Kuon's safety and happiness.

"Kyoko, we really apologize for what that idiot I gave birth to has done to your family," Yayoi says with a deep bow and I feel guilty that she is the one apologizing to me. I look between Shotaro's parents and take a deep breath in.

"I am sorry too. I do need to press these charges and continue with the litigation however," I tell them. I don't want to seem ungrateful but did they see what he has done to my husband. "Did you ever see my husband on the TV or anything before we moved to America?" I ask. I know that they don't keep up with celebrities but even Taisho and Okami-san recognized Ren when they didn't know who Shotaro was.

"It's hard to miss Tsuruga Ren when he's on five different channels that our guests watch," Sho's father tells me and I bow my head before looking to the room.

"Kuon was at the height of his career when this happened, now he struggles to speak, has seizures, and has some amount of difficulty just with jobs that he could easily have accomplished in the past without any difficulty. Kuon may never recover to the point where he can hold a job or if he does it will probably not be in the field that he loves and has worked his whole life for. My husband loved being an actor, he was well known for it internationally, now he struggles to speak."

I feel myself shiver as I remind myself that in his current condition, the chances of Kuon returning to acting are very low. Then again, the chances of him surviving any of this was always very low.

"We do know this and we are happy to go along with the terms of the settlement," Yayoi says as her husband nods nervously, I'm not sure if he's exactly happy to be doing this but this will allow Kuon and I to have what we really need. A chance at a more quiet life for a while. "However, we do run a business and I hope that we can convince you that we're not bad people ourselves."

I look at them in shock. I never accused them of being bad people, I'm not sure where that idea came from but that was never my intention. "I am very thankful to both of you for taking me in when my own mother didn't want me," I tell them with another deep bow. "You cared for me when nobody else did and even though you wished for me to marry your son, the fact that you came to my wedding meant so much to me. I am happily married to Kuon but I feel I have your support on that. I didn't mean to drag you into this."

Shotaro's father shifts, "We would greatly appreciate it if you don't connect us or the hotel chain with our son. I know that the media might but if you could refrain from identifying the two of us or our business in any negative manner."

I stare at them and blink hard. No. This isn't their fault. It is the fault of their idiotic son. I open my mouth before nodding slowly. I don't know how to reply to that. I want the settlement but I would never intentionally harm them.

"I will agree to that, I believe that the settlement papers can be drawn up today. I also would like to continue your business with the ryokan, I understand that I will be connected to the two of you and will pay you part of the profits. I won't be able to do it until Kuon has recovered though and that is his choice as well," I shift nervously.

"Even if that doesn't happen," Yayoi tells me, "I do appreciate the offer, let me know what is decided by you and your husband and Kyoko, I do apologize for your husband's condition. I also want to tell you that we see how hard he is working to regain the life that our son stole from him."

I nod before bowing again and we return to the room. I stare at everyone at the table as Father now has his arm wrapped around Kuon's back but Kuon is smiling? I look to Father. I'm very glad that he came with us, he's always been protective of Kuon.

KYKUKYKU

I can't believe that this part is over. There are legal documents that are stating Shotaro is going to be held in a Japanese prison. We are getting enough money to cover Kuon's recovery period and hospital bills and there is also property involved. I know that I want to keep Shotaro's parents out of this as much as possible and Kuon is too sweet to want to hurt them. I put one of the three copies I made in a file for easy access, there's also one with Kuon's hospital bills, and I put the last one in the safe.

It's over and now all we have to focus on is recovery. It feels nice that we finally made it through the hard part. I make my way over to Kuon and drop down on my knees behind him but only so that I can wrap my arms around him.

"I love you," I tell him and he reaches back to take my hand. "Should we do something special for New Years?" I ask and he turns to me with a weak smile.

"Wi-wi-th…mmm-y..Mm-ommm a—n' Ddda'?" he asks hopefully and I nod. I love spending time as the six of us and I don't think Kuu or Julie is going to say no to this request especially since we'll be leaving to live in Japan at some point next year.

"Yes," I nod with a happy grin, "That sounds like a really good plan," I nuzzle his neck. "I am extremely proud of you. I hope that you know that."

End of Chapter Forty

Thank you for reading, reviews are appreciated

Thank you to the reviewers of Chapter Thirty Nine

H-Nala, Kaname671