Chapter Fifty Eight

This boy has suffered too much. I understand that this is just a video call but it warms my heart to see him despite the pain that he's suffered. I can see it in him. He's gone through so much and I'm proud of him at the same time. Weaker men would have given up months ago when they had difficulty speaking or leaving the bed. Kuon has fought as valiantly as I knew he would and I am appreciative of how he's still alive.

I don't like where this conversation has headed though. Kuon is calling himself dangerous, a monster, someone unfit for society. It's as if he's speaking from his fifteen year old mindset which in itself is the most dangerous thing.

"I agree that it's important that your mental health be taken care of," I tell Kuon and Kyoko, I'm thrilled to see her with her arms around him. Ten years ago I might not have believed in this, yet I truly hoped for it, for both of them. They compliment each other so well. Once I learned of their past, the origin of their relationship, I knew they were magical and meant to be together despite all their obstacles. "I don't agree with you returning to Japan. If you truly want to get better, then stay in the US. The United States has amazing programs for mental health as well as rehabilitation. I understand the desire to get out of Los Angeles so I can contact a friend and confidant of mine who lives in San Francisco. They run a great outpatient program and could recommend some more suitable drugs."

Kuon starts to shift uncomfortably but I smile as I see Kyoko kiss his cheek and he turns to her. Watching the two of them, having attended their wedding and other important events, thrills me. Knowing their relationship with Maria makes me believe that the Hizuri and Takarada families will be intertwined for generations to come.

"San Francisco sounds good," Kyoko says but she turns to Kuon, "Doesn't it?"

"What if you get hurt?" Kuon asks her and she cups his cheek, pulling his attention away from the computer for a few moments. "I couldn't live with myself if I hurt you."

"First of all I can defend myself," she tells him and I cough to get their attention.

"I can set you up with one of my security guys out there, he's been a bodyguard and house guard to some other people that I know. Besides, I don't think that you can find anyone in a hospital who will bring you the unconditional support which Kyoko can." I see her smile and Kuon closes his eyes thoughtfully. "I also think that you should rely on your father."

"Thank you" I hear a voice behind them and I smile. Of course Shuuhei is there. The love that he holds for his son always wins out against the relationship other father's have. Maybe it is because of the guilt but he has always cared for Kuon despite being blind and selfish in the past.

"Shuuhei," I say loudly so he can hear me, "Would you be open to living with them? It might mean an interruption with your work so I under-"

"I don't have any work, I dropped out from my projects. Wanted to find Kuon," he says and I nod. I knew that he probably did that. "And yes, I will do whatever you think is right for Kuon."

"I need the three of you to work together on this," I turn back to Kuon. "You have to trust that there are other drugs, other forms of help. If none of that works, consider a mental health facility but at least attempt some other methods too. I don't think you are dangerous to Kyoko. Remember, you hurt the people who hurt you, who physically and emotionally tried to drag you down, but did you ever hurt Rick by your own hand?"

Kuon pales as he hears that name. I hate to use it but I have to drive my point through to him. He shakes his head and looks at his wrist which has a watch Kyoko gave to him after she had learned the story. I've seen the engraving that looks like her own handwriting, the way she wrote 'I love you' and signed her name.

"Thank you," Kuon finally says. "It's worth a shot."

"Thank you," I tell him. "I'll be there to visit you in San Francisco as soon as my schedule permits it but I am relieved that you are alive. I'll send you and Shuuhei the information as soon as I can and Kyoko," I say as I look at her and see her sit up more alert. "It's not too late to repair bridges. You've talked with your mother in the past, right? It's the same thing."

She nods and takes a deep breath in, "I'll try," she tells me.

I smile, "Take care of each other. I hope to see you in person very soon," I tell them before ending the call. That boy just needs to realize others care for him deeply and he deserves their love and support. I believe that without his family, he wouldn't have made it so far in his life. I also hope that for them, Rose will be okay. Kuon and Kyoko both know how it is to feel as if you have failed your parent, they also adore their children. I believe that they'll even be able to come with them. That's what I want for all six of them, just to stay together.

KuKyKuKy

I sigh in relief. I turn to both of the men in the room and nod in determination. I'm glad that the president offered us an alternative and one that Kuon is willing to try, it would break my heart to have him not be with me. "So, we'll do a temporary move to San Francisco and when you're feeling better," I tell Kuon. "We can go to Kyoto as was planned. Does that sound okay with everyone?"

"I agree with you," Father says before nodding, "I also agree that you should rely on us. Kyoko can give you more support than anyone can and if there is extra security then nobody should get hurt. I assure you that I will step in at any moment and -"

"stop me at all means," Kuon adds. "If you agree to that then I'll try it. Even if you have to -"

"I'm not going to murder you," Father says and Kuon nods.

"I was going to say, knock me unconscious then I want you to do that. I'd rather wake up with bruises then see them on somebody else." Kuon looks at Father almost begging for him to agree and he does. I don't think it would get that bad that Kuon would need to be knocked out but I'm glad that he's going along with, what I consider, a much better plan.

I take another breath and turn towards Kuon, I cup his cheek before sharing another passionate kiss and then stand up. I brush myself down and then look to Father. I turn back to Kuon. "Now, I need to go sort to something else," I tell him though I'm scared that she won't want to talk to me. I did blame her for something that wasn't her fault. I can't believe that I did that. I'm such a stupid and selfish woman to blame a child for all that went wrong.

I walk over to Julie's craft room where she has been playing with the girls and stand by the door. Ana runs to me and I hug her but I see Rose stiffen. She stands up, looking at me nervously and I hate that I'm the reason my daughter and I have that kind of relationship now. "Rose," I whisper as I hold my arms out for her. I wouldn't blame her if she backed away from me. Instead she runs to me and I wrap her up tightly. I kiss her forehead and feel tears in my eyes. "Oh, Rose. I am so so sorry," I whisper and she starts to cry too. "I acted so terribly. I blamed you for things that weren't your fault. I am sorry from the bottom of my heart. I hope that one day you can forgi-"

"I love you, Mama" Rose says and I hug her closer. I feel guilty for how badly I hurt her. However, I get to hold her to me. "I'm sorry I hurt Daddy."

I sit back and let my hands rest on her tiny shoulders. "You didn't hurt Daddy. Daddy acted like the knight he always does and he saved you. He would have felt pain if you had been hurt instead. I'm sorry that I blamed you for Daddy hurting. I don't know if you can forgive me for that but you're a good girl, a great daughter, you've always been amazing."

Rose sniffs and looks at me again, "Can we go home with you and Daddy?" she asks me and I push her hair back.

"I think Daddy is staying here for tonight and then we're going to be moving soon but you and Ana can come home with me tonight and we'll all move together." I feel a little guilty as I see Julie-san watching me. I have never felt comfortable calling her Mother but she never seems to mind the way I do say her name. Julie stands and gestures to the hallway.

"May I speak to you?" she asks and I nod. I know that we shouldn't leave her out of the conversations, she has a life here as well.

"I'll be right back," I tell the girls. "Continue playing, we'll be right back."

I follow Julie-san down the hallway and she stops. She looks at me. "How's Kuon doing? Is he still having trouble accessing his emotions, I've seen him emotionless before and I hate that. And moving? What's happening? Where are you going?"

"Kuon has a lot of demons he needs to fight against," I attempt to explain and she nods in agreement. "He wanted to go into a mental health facility," I see her expression go into one of shock. "Father and the president talked and there's an outpatient facility and a house that offers a bit more safety so the decision was made to move."

"Okay," she nods and then narrows her eyes, "You're not thinking about going to Japan, the mental health resources here are much better and Kuon needs something that is more structured and doctors who are the most informed."

"San Francisco," I tell her and she pauses but then smiles. "We'll be moving upstate."

"No," Julie shakes her head, "We all will be moving upstate. I'm not going without my son ever again."

I nod with a smile at how we are all in agreement with this. Yes, it will be a shift but if it means that we will all be able to stay together then I would go through hell and back. Please let the medication and the psychiatry work. Please don't have him locked up away from me.

End of Chapter Fifty Eight

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