"How is everything going? How is Mai?" Ryou asked, walking into the room.
"What'd you do? Speed?" Keiichiro asked, watching Ryou; he wasn't gone long.
"Something like that. That Dr. Tomoe called police and told them what was going on: I got a police escort to the hotel. Well, technically speaking, I got to ride in the front of a cop car." Ryou answered, watching Mai.
"Ah. Did Dr. Tomoe get the chicken sandwich?" Keiichiro inquired, watching Ryou.
"Yes. And I made sure to keep a small piece to test myself." Ryou replied, sitting at the end of Mai's bed.
"She's just been sleeping. She's not the happiest at having to wear a diaper, but you know that. I've checked her: so far so good; she hasn't had any accidents or thrown up since the IV was placed. And it looks like she's starting to get some color back to her face." Keiichiro answered Ryou's earlier question.
"Daddy…" Mai moaned, opening her eyes.
"Hi, Baby. I know it may not matter at this very moment, but I'm glad you woke up. I have some big news—for everyone." Ryou told Mai before telling everyone else.
"What is it?" Keiichiro asked, watching Ryou, seeing something in his face.
"Well, Yuko appeared and stopped time." Ryou calmly started.
"What did she want this time?" Kurogane questioned, annoyed.
"Well—Mai: you're going to have another big brother." Ryou calmly told Mai.
"What does that mean?" Keiichiro, Kurogane, and Fai asked, confused.
"You can come in now." Ryou instructed, looking at the door.
After a few seconds, the door opened, and a boy who looked just like Fai walked in.
"Fai?" "Yuui?" Fai and the boy asked, shocked, staring at each other.
"Great… There's another one." Kurogane groaned, watching Fai and Yuui. But inside, he was happy for them.
Despite him trying to hide his feelings, Fai has been miserable since he thought his brother was dead.
"Who is this?" Keiichiro asked, watching the little boy leaning against the door in shock. At the same time, Fai couldn't get off the sofa; he was so in shock.
"According to Yuko, he is Fai's twin brother, Fai. Sorry. Fai's birth name is Yuui, and that boy's birth name is Fai. However, for the reasons that they have both been under the impression the other was dead, they took each other's name. So, Yuui is Fai and Fai is Yuui. Yes, I know how that sounds. So as not to not only confuse us, but also Mai—who would probably swirl around in a whirlwind. The boy we know as Fai will still be "Fai," and his brother will be "Yuui." Yuui has agreed to this—and to having a younger sister. From what I understand though; he had no clue he'd ever be seeing his brother again." Ryou explained, watching Fai and Yuui.
"It didn't seem like Fai knew either." Keiichiro noted, watching Fai and Yuui.
"That damn witch." Kurogane grumbled.
After a few more minutes of awkward silence, Fai and Yuui ran to and embraced each other, tears just pouring down their cheeks.
"Where have you been?" Yuui asked, watching Fai.
"All over. Where have you been? Last I saw, you jumped out of the tower, so that I could live." Fai asked, watching Yuui.
"No. You impaled yourself on a sword that some guy gave you, so that I could live." Yuui replied, confused.
"Like he had to so many others, Fei Wang Reed lied to you two to get what he wanted. However, as Fai already knows: Fei Wang Reed is now dead; Kurogane, with the help of others, was able to kill him. But anyway, Fei Wang Reed made it seem like you two killed yourselves, so that the other could live. Yuui, now known as Fai, went with a King Ashura and grew up there—in a sense. Fai, now known as Yuui, ended up being frozen in space and time. He never landed in any specific world; he was in the in-between. He was just sent to me about two weeks ago. I thought long and hard about allowing you two to be reunited. After a few days, I figured you'd been separated from each other long enough. Excluding the mention of Fai and Kurogane, I told him everything that was going on and all about Mai, Ryou, and Keiichiro—and, of course, Mokona. Now, you two aren't only reunited; you also have a younger sister you need to keep an eye out for. And then there's Kurogane: he lives with you all as well, but he's not an older or younger brother; he is Mai's future lover. So, you'll have to keep a close eye on him as well. I'm sure I'll see you all later." Yuko popped in to vaguely explained what was going on before leaving.
"Why did she have to say that?" Ryou asked, sulking a little.
"Oh, Ryou. The future is still far, far away; she's only three. For now, they're just going to be friends." Keiichiro calmly told Ryou, rubbing his back.
"I know all that. But why did she have to say that at all?" Ryou asked, frustrated.
"Because that's what she does." Kurogane grumbled, annoyed.
"Daddy?" Mai weakly asked.
"What is it, Baby? Do you need anything?" Ryou asked, watching Mai.
"You an Daddy seep wit me nite?" Mai asked, rubbing her eyes.
"Of course, we will." Ryou replied, kissing her forehead.
"Oh, one more thing." Yuko spoke up, popping back in.
"What is it now?" Kurogane demanded, frustrated.
"It really has nothing to do with you. Well, it does, but it doesn't. This has to do with Mai and her fathers." Yuko replied, looking at Ryou.
"What's going on?" Ryou asked, watching Yuko closely.
"While I do not know anyone who can change DNA so much that someone has different parents, I can change someone's age—with outside help, should age need to be changed for whatever reason. What I am saying, is that the universe can make things happen through me and others like me. You and Ichigo were once in a relationship for a year or so. She wanted and now has Kai while you have Mai. I'm going to bring her up to have a conversation with you, her, and Kai. And yes, of course, Keiichiro and Kish will also be involved. It will cost you nothing until I get to the point. Don't worry about others coming in to disturb us; I had an old friend put a barrier up around the room, so that nobody can come in. And for extra measures: time has been temporarily stopped. Are you willing to speak to them?" Yuko calmly spoke before asking Ryou and Keiichiro.
"Do we actually have a choice?" Ryou asked, watching Yuko.
"Yes. But I'm thinking Ichigo and Kai are itching to talk to you." Yuko replied.
"Fine. I'll talk to them, but I won't subject Mai to them. And I won't force Keiichiro to speak with them if he doesn't want to either." Ryou responded, watching Yuko.
"One moment." Yuko instructed before disappearing.
Once she was gone, two screens or whatever appeared in the middle of the room. One was large, and one was medium:
Yuko appeared on the medium screen.
Ichigo, Kai, and Kish appeared on the large screen.
"Can you hear me?" Yuko calmly asked.
"Yes." Ryou and Keiichiro answered.
"Good. Can any of you hear each other?" Yuko asked, referring to the large screens.
"No." Ryou and Keiichiro answered.
"Daddy…" Mai whined, confused.
"It's ok, Baby." Ryou promised, rubbing her forehead.
"We're right here." Keiichiro added, holding her hand.
"Yeah, I can hear them now." Ichigo, Kish, and Kai spoke.
"We can hear them as well." Ryou and Keiichiro agreed.
"Good." "What happened?" Yuko started, only to be interrupted by Ichigo asking.
"Oh, you know. Undercooked chicken sandwich." Ryou replied, annoyed.
"From that WacDonalds or whatever?" Ichigo asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Yes. What do you care?" Ryou asked, his left eye twitching.
"I knew a chicken sandwich from a WacDonalds would end her up in the hospital one of these days. They're a burger restaurant chain—not chicken. Where are you anyway?" Ichigo snapped before asking, annoyed.
"Kyoto." Ryou answered, just as annoyed.
"What are you doing all the way in Kyoto? You took her to a hospital in Kyoto over a chicken sandwich." Ichigo questioned, annoyed.
"No, Ichigo; we came to Kyoto, so that Mai could have a brain scan to see what's going on in her head. Here, in Kyoto, Mai didn't have to be on a wait list for this like she would've back in Tokyo. We had WacDonalds last night for dinner." Ryou snapped back.
'There's definitely no love lost between those two.' Kurogane, Fai, and Yuui thought to themselves, watching Ryou and Ichigo go back and forth.
"Are you two finally out as gay?" Kish asked Ryou and Keiichiro, speaking up and changing the subject.
"Yes, we are. And yes, we're happily together." Ryou calmly answered after taking a deep breath.
"Well, congratulations. Are those the boys that witch told us about when Mai was in the hospital that one time?" Ichigo congratulated Ryou and Keiichiro before asking, noticing Kurogane, Fai, and Yuui.
"Yes…" "I thought there were only two boys." Ichigo replied, interrupting Ryou.
"Originally, there were just two boys: Kurogane and Fai. They showed up—at the park—the day you left Mai all alone in the park—in the rain. Yuui just arrived today; he is Fai's twin." Ryou answered through gritted teeth.
"Ryou, stay calm." Keiichiro calmly told Ryou, rubbing his back.
"You're still on about that? I said I was sorry. What do you want from me?" Ichigo asked, annoyed.
"Ok. That's enough. Nobody needs to get all worked up right now. Now, I called you all here for a reason." Yuko stepped in before anything could escalate.
"Why are we here?" Ichigo asked as calmly as she could.
"A new deal. The last deal I made with you—do you remember it?" Yuko asked Ryou and Ichigo.
"Yes." Ryou and Ichigo answered.
"Good. I'm going to wave that deal. No, police will not come looking for you. I'm just going to make a new deal." Yuko replied, watching everyone from where she was.
"No offense, because I love Kish and Kai more than anything, but why are they here? Why are Keiichiro and those boys also here?" Ichigo asked, annoyed.
"Not going to ask why Mai's involved?" Kurogane asked, annoyed.
"It's not any of your business. And I don't care about Mai. I just want to know what's going on." Ichigo responded, upsetting Mai.
"Don't worry, Baby. She doesn't matter to anyone here." Ryou gently told Mai, holding her hand and watching Kurogane. He didn't expect the reaction he saw on Kurogane.
Kurogane was beyond pissed off; he was shaking.
"It's ok, Sweetie. Don't mind her hurtful words." Keiichiro gently told Mai, holding her other hand.
"No, don't mind her. Spells are still slowly wearing off. However, with that said, let's get to why we're here, shall we? I think this will make everyone happy." Yuko spoke up.
"What is it?" Kai asked, interested.
"First: earlier I said I couldn't change DNA around to change somebody's parents. That being said, I do know someone who can—for a hefty price. With that in mind, once Mai is released from the hospital, Fai and Yuui's DNA will be altered to match Ryou's DNA. And you are correct, Keiichiro; you are unable to have children as you are unable to produce healthy enough sperm. But that doesn't seem to bother you too terribly much, and that seems to be because of your love for Ryou and Mai—and now with Fai and Yuui as well. You're a good man. But moving on: I will get to the price of that—and that'll have nothing to do with Ichigo, Kish, or Kai; they will have no say in that." Yuko started explaining.
'I don't know why, but I'm not sure I like the sound of that.' Ryou thought to himself.
"Secondly: as most of you know, I can change ages of people: I will be doing that with a few of you. Ichigo: you will twenty, making you sixteen when Kai was born. That being said, in a few days, Kai will be four instead of five. Kish will remain the same age. Ryou: you will be aged up to twenty-four, making you seventeen when Fai and Yuui were born. In a few days, that will make them seven once everything changes. Four years later, when you were twenty-one, you and Ichigo will have Kai—and then sixteen months later, Mai will have been born. So, that means that in a few days when you go back to Tokyo and have gone to bed, Mai will be three. Keiichiro will be changed to twenty-nine, and Kurogane will be five. Once I get finished explaining all this, Ryou and Ichigo: you two need to come together and decide when you want Kai and Mai's new birthdays—well, birth months. Some things still need to be a surprise. Yes, I can change that as well. Fai and Yuui's birthday will be June twenty-first and Kurogane's will be December thirty-first. Once everything starts over, things will fall into pieces on their own."
"Third: Ichigo, Kish, and Kai: you and Sakura will be living back at Ichigo's childhood home. Ryou: you and your family will be living in your new and enhanced café. The café will still be used as a café—both downstairs and upstairs. Your lab is still in the basement. However, it has been moved forward more and your house is behind the café itself. It's a single-floor house with a basement and small attic for storage. And despite, living in the same general vicinity, Ichigo, Kai, Kish, Ryou, Mai, and Keiichiro won't bump into each other until Kai and Mai are either fifteen and sixteen or sixteen and seventeen. That hasn't been decided yet."
"With the café: I do believe Lettuce and Pudding are the only original girls there along with Berry. Tart and Pie are there as well. Kiwi, Keki, Pepaminto and her boyfriend are also there. Berry will eventually leave—as will Lettuce and Pie. We will be speeding that up, and a new group of girls be working there—and will be mews."
"And now we get to the prices of everything." "Can you do that with Kai—change his DNA to match Kish's instead of Ryou's?" Ichigo asked, interrupting Yuko. She just couldn't hold it in anymore; she's been wanting to ask that since Yuko brought it up earlier.
"No, I cannot. I know someone who can, but I've already asked for Fai and Yuui's DNA to change slightly. I can't afford anymore payments for that—and you can't afford it on your own. I did it this way because Fai and Yuui are twins who have been separated for a long, long time; they don't deserve to be separated for any longer than they already have been. And—they're twins: you can't very well change one's DNA without changing the other's as well." Yuko answered, slightly annoyed.
"Ok. It hasn't happened yet, so why not just change payments around and just change one child's DNA instead of two. It's less payment for you, and Fai and Yuui can still be twins." Ichigo tried getting her way.
"I've already made my part of the payment for Fai and Yuui. The rest of the payment is up to Ryou, Mai, and Keiichiro. Also, once a deal is made, my friend never goes back on them. This is how it is." Yuko replied.
"Why Ryou? Why does he get all this?" Ichigo demanded, up.
"Ryou is Mai's father, and I'm not doing this for him; I am doing this for her. He, Keiichiro, Fai, and Yuui are just added to the equation." Yuko decided to humor Ichigo and calmly answer her.
"Fine. Then why her? Why Mai? Why does she get all of your attention? Why does she get every special thing?!" Ichigo snapped, beyond pissed off.
"That's enough, now!" Yuko exclaimed, shocking Kurogane and Fai. Since they've known her, she was always calm and easygoing.
"You need to calm yourself, or you'll lose everything. I do not care how unhappy you, Kai, or Kish would be; Kai will live with Ryou and them. Do not test me. Mai is a direct reincarnation of a priestess and a witch; Kai is not. He was lucky enough to get their strength and some magic. My duty is to make sure that little girl is safe and comfortable and to see to it that everything goes smoothly. Now, I will go and give you all a few minutes to discuss when you want Kai and Mai's new birth months." Yuko strictly warned Ichigo, vaguely explaining why she was doing what she was doing.
"Can I be the one to pick their birthdays at least?" Ichigo asked, trying to be grateful.
"That's between you and Ryou. See you in a bit." Yuko replied before the medium screen disappeared.
Five Minutes Later:
"So—when do you want their birthdays to be?" Fai asked, speaking up after a few minutes of awkward silence—and Ichigo and Ryou glaring at each other.
"I think I should be the one who picks their birthdays; I had to carry and birth them." Ichigo replied, not taking her angry eyes off Ryou.
"No, you didn't. As I remember: we were told that Maya carried and gave birth to them. I didn't know about them until they were three. And we didn't find out about you being their biological mother for another two months after that when they had pneumonia and were stuck in a hospital." Ryou retorted.
Ichigo couldn't reply; she had no right to because she knew he was right.
Mai just started bawling, beyond upset at the moment.
"I'm sorry, Baby. It's all going to be ok; Daddy and I promise." Ryou gently told Mai, lifting her a little so he could set her on his lap.
"I still think I should get to pick their birthdates; I didn't get to name either of them." Ichigo eventually came up with some sort of argument.
"News flash, Ichigo: I didn't get to name them either." Ryou retorted, holding Mai to him, trying and failing to soothe her.
"So, what? You think you should get to pick their birthdates?" Ichigo asked, annoyed.
"Mai's, yes." Ryou replied, trying to remain calm for Mai.
"Well, I… Wait. Mai's? What about Kai?" Ichigo questioned, watching Ryou.
"Can I try?" Keiichiro asked, watching Ryou struggling with trying to get Mai to calm down.
"That'd be great. Thanks." Ryou replied, switching places with Keiichiro after setting Mai on the bed. Keiichiro took over for Ryou, holding Mai and rubbing her back. She started slowly calming down but was still crying.
"Ok… Where was I? Right—birthdays. I have Mai, so I should pick her birthdate. You have Kai, so you should pick his. Technically speaking, they're both yours and mine. However, that's not how it seems, is it? So, Keiichiro and I will pick Mai's new birthdate, and you and Kish can pick Kai's." Ryou compromised.
"Fine. I suppose that works for me." Ichigo settled and agreed to Ryou's compromise.
"Who goes first?" Ichigo asked after a minute or two.
"Shouldn't you go first? I mean, that witch did say that your boy—Kai, was it? She said Kai was going to be the older of the two. The oldest should be named first, and the youngest should follow." Kurogane spoke up, annoyed. He didn't like Yuko all that much, but he did trust her: Ichigo, on the other hand, he couldn't stand her and wanted her gone as soon as possible. All she was doing was upsetting Mai—and he could feel himself boiling over.
"Where do you think you're going?" Ichigo asked, watching Kurogane walk to the bathroom.
"That's none of your business. But if you must know—away from you." Kurogane replied before shutting the bathroom door behind him.
"And you're ok with him dating our daughter, let alone being ok with him around her?" Ichigo asked, watching Ryou.
"Oh, like you actually care. Besides, as you've previously stated, despite Kai and Mai sharing DNA with both of us; Mai isn't your daughter, and Kai isn't my son. So, don't worry about it. Keiichiro and I will take care of our children our way, and you and Kish can take care of your children your way. That is what you wanted, is it not?" Ryou replied before asking, annoyed.
"Ok. Let's all stay calm. All this arguing isn't good for Mai or Kai. Just pick their birthdates, so we can move on." Keiichiro spoke up, having enough.
"Sorry." Ryou and Ichigo apologized as Kurogane walked back out, only slightly calmer.
"Kurgi." Mai softly spoke, seeing Kurogane.
"*Sigh…* Do you want Kurogane to sit next to you?" Ryou calmly asked Mai.
"Yeah." Mai softly replied, coughing a little.
"Well, that was unexpected. With their relationship, I figured he'd have a heart attack if he ever found a boy in bed with his baby-girl." Kish spoke, stunned.
"I need Mai calm, and Ichigo and I aren't helping that. If Kurogane is going to get that result, he can lie with her. And honestly, what are they going to do? She's five and he's eight. So, if he would like, he can sit with Mai." Ryou replied as Keiichiro got up.
"Ok." Kurogane replied, unsure. Sure, he wanted to help Mai in any way he could, but he somehow felt this was a trap or something. And then there were all the wires.
"Kurgi." Mai whined, looking for Kurogane.
And just like that, Kurogane walked over to Mai's bed.
"Kurogane—this side. You won't pull or pinch any of the wires or mess up her IV. And we'll just move you this way a little." Keiichiro calmly told Kurogane, noticing how nervous he was, looking at the wires. At the same time, I carefully moved Mai over.
Kurogane walked to the other side of Mai's bed and slowly climbed next to her.
Once they were settled, Mai cuddled right up to Kurogane and started falling asleep.
"Ok… So, I think I want Kai to have a summer birthday. That way we don't have to worry about him going to school on his birthday—or playing hooky. I'm thinking June something…" "Just remember you can't pick the actual date; that needs to remain a surprise." Ichigo started going over when she wanted Kai's birthday to be. She was, however, interrupted by Ryou stating.
"Right. June something, then." Ichigo responded, annoyed.
"So, sixteen months from then would make Mai's birthday somewhere in October." Ryou sighed, watching Keiichiro.
"So, June and October?" Yuko asked, appearing on the medium screen again.
"Jeez! A little warning would be nice!" Kish exclaimed, shocked.
"Yes, June for Kai and October for Mai." Ryou replied, ignoring Kish.
"Hey! Get away from her!" Kai suddenly, out of nowhere, started yelling at Kurogane.
"Noo…" Mai moaned, clinging to Kurogane.
"What's wrong, Kai?" Ichigo asked, confused and concerned.
"She's mine!" Kai yelled, furious.
"So it begins." Yuko calmly spoke.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Ichigo demanded.
"Kai and Mai have been separated long enough, and Kai has been brainwashed long enough. Now that everything is wearing off, it's messing with Kai's mind. He thinks he loves Mai more than what a brother should. But don't worry too much; he'll be fine once she's not in his line of sight anymore." Yuko calmly answered.
"How much longer are we going to be seeing each other?" Ryou and Ichigo asked at the same time.
"Not long. It's time to discuss payments from each of you. You three have been awfully quiet." Yuko replied before turning her attention to Kurogane, Fai, and Yuui.
"I have nothing to say. As long as she's safe, I don't care what you do to me. I'll do whatever I have to to keep her safe." Kurogane replied, clenching his hand.
"Is it nice to have a regular arm again?" Yuko asked, watching Kurogane.
"Fantastic." Kurogane replied, narrowing his eyes.
"That numbing or tingling your experiencing in your arm now, is it going to sleep. When your arms or even your legs are stuck in one position for a good amount of time, they will become momentarily paralyzed. You add some kind of pressure on top of said appendage, it will go to sleep faster. You allowed Mai's bodyweight to keep your arm down. Once you get up and start moving again, feeling should return rather quickly. Not that you intimidated me before, but now, as a child, when you make those faces; you're just too adorable." Yuko calmly spoke to Kurogane before teasing him, causing his eyebrows to twitch.
"You damn witch." Kurogane grumbled through gritted teeth.
"Now, for you two." Yuko turned her attention to Fai and Yuui, ignoring Kurogane's tantrum.
"Just listening and learning." Fai answered with a shrug.
"The only person I know here is Fai: I'm just learning what I can about everyone." Yuui answered.
"Well, Fai: don't try too hard. In a few days, you won't remember any of this, Syaoran and Sakura, or any of your travels. You may be sneaky, but you're not that sneaky. And Yuui: just relax a little because in a few days, you'll know all you need to know. But shall we move on?" Yuko thoughtfully told Fai and Yuui before asking.
"Yes, please." Ichigo replied, holding an outraged Kai back.
"Ichigo: I'll start with you and your family. As you know you will be living in the home you grew up in. And as you remember when we last spoke, I said you would only be able to become pregnant where you are now. I will be nice and allow you and Kish to have two more children. However, you have seven years to have those two kids. You will remember that, but not the why. As I said before, Kai will go back to calm once she's out of his sight: it will still take a few days for the affects to wear off. It won't be bad, but for the next few days, you'll have to deal with Kai being a little terror. Kish: you will become human—a full-blooded human. You may get married, but your last name will be whatever Ichigo's name is. Once this—we'll call it a "restart" happens, Kai will not remember Ryou, Kai, or Keiichiro. And Mai won't remember you, Kai, or Kish. So, in the future, he will want to date Mai when he sees her. But she'll already have Kurogane. You just have to explain to him why he can't date her. And none of you will remember any of this—or anything to do with me. That's all for you." Yuko explained to Ichigo, Kish, and Kai.
"Oh, and Ichigo: just as Ryou's not allowed to ask you for anything; you may not go to him for any sort of child support. One: you've already claimed that you want nothing to do with each other. You've stated on multiple occasions that Kai belongs to you, not him. And you want nothing to do with Mai. Two: what point would it be to ask each other for child support when you both have a twin? Three: you and Kish will have good jobs that will be able to support you all." Yuko added when she thought of something.
"What about my mom? Will they remember her?" Ichigo asked, watching Yuko.
"Yes. Your mother will send Mai birthday and Christmas presents, an Easter basket, and holiday cards every year. She will also visit with Mai once or twice a month. Just as Ryou's parents will send Kai birthday and Christmas presents, an Easter basket, and holiday cards every year. He just doesn't see them." Yuko answered.
"Is that all?" Ichigo asked, watching Yuko.
"Yes. You may leave." Yuko replied.
"Do we get to know what their payments are?" Kish asked, watching Yuko.
"If you wish. But it wouldn't do you any good as none of you will remember any of this." Yuko replied.
"I still wanna hear it." Ichigo spoke up.
"Of course, you do." Ryou muttered.
"Ok. Several years back, when Fai and Yuui were two, Keiichiro got a letter, stating he still have living family. He was to go help care for them; he wasn't given a choice. Now, I pulled a lot of strings for this, but Ichigo did carry and deliver Kai and Mai. So, you'll have them both from birth. When Ichigo was pregnant with Kai, everything was fine—no problems whatsoever. With Mai, however, there were several complications, and she was born early."
"As you know, Mai already has her disabilities: they will be five times worse than they are now—unless you want to make a deal. If you are willing to increase her anxiety, fear of things, ADD, being mentally slower, and add in OCD, I have a friend who is willing to remove the arthritis and make it so that she only has autistic tendencies instead of having autism. But like always, you must take the bad with the good." Yuko explained, watching Ryou and Keiichiro.
"I think I could live with that. I don't want her to suffer with arthritis if she doesn't have to. If there's a way to keep her from suffering in pain, I will take whatever I can get." Ryou told Keiichiro, essentially asking his opinion.
"I couldn't agree more. Ultimately, I would rather have less issues, but not having her in any pain is a major opportunity. Take what you can get." Keiichiro gave his opinion.
"We'll take that deal in order to keep Mai from being in pain all the time." Ryou told Yuko.
"Good. Moving on. Like I said before, Keiichiro will have been out of your life since Fai and Yuui were two until Mai is between six and eight months. I can't tell you anything about that except for there's another incident with Ichigo. Keiichiro and you will immediately reconnect and admit how you truly feel about each other. Keiichiro will be coming with Kurogane as well. Kurogane is your key to me. What I mean is that he'll have certain memories of certain things and will be living with you under the guise of a distant relative of Keiichiro."
"But anyway: Keiichiro loves all those kids more than anything. And he loves them all equally, but because he hadn't been in Fai or Yuui's lives since they were two and will have been in Mai's life since she was just a few months old, he will have more of a special bond with her. Not rotten, but all those kids, including Kurogane, are spoiled. But the biggest part of your payment is Mai herself: you have to keep a close eye on her because she won't understand a lot of things and may unintentionally hurt herself. And there will be plenty who will come after her. That's with or without this "restart." Because of who she's reincarnated from, other reincarnated beings from that time will come for her. This change is to be able to protect her easier. That's where Fai, Yuui, and Kurogane also come in. Fai and Yuui will still be mages and be able to use magic to protect Mai. And Kurogane: as an adult, he was a master swordsman; he will keep that knowledge in order to keep her safe. You two as her fathers: that's your life mission—to keep her safe. Of course, you'll have the mew mews to help keep her safe as well. And unless killed, you're all immortal." Yuko firmly explained, watching everyone.
"You don't need to tell us twice." Kurogane, Fai, and Yuui replied.
"No, you most certainly do not." Ryou and Keiichiro agreed.
"Oh. There is possibly one more thing. It shouldn't come down to this. But if it does: always be prepared to move to a different world for everyone's safety. That's all I can say about that. If it does come down to it, I will let you know and bring to me before sending you somewhere safe." Yuko calmly added, causing the others to have worried looks. But they accepted, nonetheless.
"Ok. I suppose that's it. I will see you when I see you. Feel better, Mai." Yuko started to bid farewell.
"Way… Pease, I wan see Black Bunny. Pease." Mai weakly begged, trying to sit up—with Kurogane's help.
"Mokona, someone would like to see you." Yuko called to her Mokona.
"Hi, Mai." Mokona greeted with a smile.
"Hi, Black Bunny." Mai replied with a small smile. That small smile turned into giggles when her Mokona flew up and kissed Yuko's Mokona through the screen.
"We'll visit again another time. You just rest up." Yuko promised Mai before having the screens disappear and time start again…