Kuu and Julie shared worried glances at each other as they listened to Kyoko animatedly describe her recent offers to them. She sounded happy as she enthused about the fairytale adventure, she would go on playing a young witch who helped the hero. They could hear the sadness in her voice though. It was a slightly nasally sound indicating a painful pinching in the back of her throat. She was pretending for them. They wished they knew her better so they could comfort her more, but then not even her best friend had been able to do that. Lory had said that Kanae and Chiori had tried to take her out and cheer her up before she came to the US to them. They had a girls night with spa treatments and karaoke. Kyoko acted fine for everyone to see but every time she thought no one was looking a frown would take over her face. Was this really about the fight she'd had with Fuwa? Kuon had assured them that it wasn't about the breakup but they couldn't be sure. He did know her best however so all they could do was trust him.

"Kyoko-chan you'll love this place it was one of Kuon's favorites when he was younger." Julie said glancing into the backseat.

Kyoko sat up straighter and smiled at Julie. She wondered how many dates Kuon had taken to this restaurant his parents were taking her to. It was his favorite so she imagined he would have taken his girlfriends there frequently. She knew he couldn't be going there to actually eat. When they parked, she saw a simple and sleek building with English and Chinese writing on the front.

"Hot pot?" Now she knew he definitely didn't like this restaurant for the food. He didn't like eating food that came prepared. He would never like a place where he had to do half the cooking himself.

Kuu and Julie pulled on their 'disguises' a hat and sunglasses. They weren't even trying to not be seen with her as they pulled her out of the car. Julie hugged her close as they walked and Kuu affectionately boasted about having lunch with his beautiful wife and child. Kyoko blushed furiously when Kuu winked at the paparazzi who had followed them from the gate of the Hizuri mansion to the restaurant.

"Hi welcome to…" The hostess trailed off her eyes large with awe as they took in the sight of Kuu and Julie entering the slightly upscale family restaraunt. "D…ddid…your…"

"So sorry, we don't have a reservation. How long is the wait?"

"Um…uh… Ku…Kuu Hizuri!?"

"Yes, that's me." Kuu said with a beaming smile. His pocket buzzed and he frowned. "I'm sorry excuse me a moment." He said checking his phone. "Ooh goody! It looks like our fourth person will be arriving soon as well. Is there a long wait for the manicures. This child here could use some pampering."

Manicure? At a restaurant? Kyoko looked up at Julie for answers, but the ethereal woman just smiled.

"Uh… there's twenty people…" The hostess said pointing towards the left where Kyoko saw a room. If she leaned over, she could just barely make out a salon set up with a wall of nail polish.

"That's perfectly alright. We can wait as long as we need to."

"Oh, honey remember that you have the app. Go sign in." Julie said and Kuu nodded opening the app on his phone. He clicked some buttons ordering five manicures making Kyoko wonder who else they had invited. She didn't want to get her hopes up that Kuon would suddenly appear. It was probably the Lory in disguise or Kouki. Maybe both of them would show up not even bothering to disguise themselves. The Takarada and Hizuri seemed determined to showcase who's side they were on in her and Sho's breakup.

"Ththth theeeres a tabl… the…" the hostess mumbled before she stumbled forward.

"Careful." A jolly elderly voice said, and two strong yet aged arms caught her. It was Kyoko's turn to go wide eyed. She gasped seeing the tall man.

"Duris-san!" Kyoko bowed awkwardly still trapped in Julie's embrace.

"Oh, child won't you call me grandpa?" Eltra Duris asked holding his arms open for her. "At least call me uncle tiger."

Julie practically shoved her into Eltra's arms and he pulled her in for a giant bear hug. He didn't let go until she gasped, "Grandpa I can't breathe."

"Oh! Sorry. Sorry my dearest child."

"Eltra Duris." A waiter said having come over to see what the hostess was doing. The hostess looked up and nodded dumbly to her co-worker before they both led the family to a table, large smiles on their faces.

"Thank you so much." Julie said to the workers.

"DO you NNEeed any help ORdeRIng?" The waiter asked voice cracking from nerves.

"No that's quite all right. We've been here plenty of times. We know how to use the tablets." Kuu said already turning on the tablet at their table and pulling up the menu.

The waiter stood stunned for a moment then looked to the other waitresses and waiters trying to convey his shock. They had been to the restaurant before?! How had none of them realized that?

"Rrr…right." The hostess said starting to recover from the initial shock. "Aprons! You need your aprons!" She rushed back to her post to retrieve four aprons for them. "Here you are."

"Thank you." Kyoko said feeling pity for the poor girl who had just been doing her job when three undisguised fae walk in with their ethereal beauty on full display.

The hostess finally able to get a good look at Kyoko blushed profusely asking, "Are you Kyoko? The Kyoko from Dark Moon and Lotus in the Mire! OH MY GOD! You're even more gorgeous in person!"

"Oh! Um… thank you." Kyoko mumbled blushing as she pulled her apron on.

"Can I have an autograph?" The hostess asked noting that her waiter companion was standing still probably overcome with shock. He had a huge crush on Kyoko ever since she had introduced him to Dark Moon. "My co-worker too please."

"Of course!" Kyoko replied nervously taking the pen and notepad the hostess had pulled out of the waiter's pocket.

She wondered why it was her being asked for an autograph when Kuu, Julie, and Eltra were far more famous in the states and around the world. It made her feel guilty for stealing the spotlight and somehow deceiving the young hostess and waiter into thinking she was somebody special.

"Alright come on what is the commotion here?" A slightly older man asked coming out of the kitchen.

"Sorry Daniel. I think we caused all of this." Julie said to the man.

"Oh, my old friends are back. Still no little Kuon?" Daniel asked with a saddened smile.

"No, today we brought our daughter, Kyoko, from Japan. She's a sort of student of Kuu and we absolutely adore her." Julie replied with a bright smile in Kyoko's direction.

"I've seen you before when I've caught Stacey and Derrick watching their screens instead of working." Daniel said with a mischievous smirk. "Let me tell you Box R is some scary shit, ok. I have a teen daughter and I pray every night that she doesn't become like Natsu." Kyoko was about to apologize for scarring him, but he turned to the waiter and hostess. "Let my friends enjoy their night out in peace. Nice meeting you Kyoko."

"Daniel was the host here the first time we came. Our son, Kuon loved the atmosphere and that he could take as little as he wanted while we got to enjoy a feast. Though I think it was really the show he liked and the toys. Now Daniel is the owner and head chef and Kuon is…" Julie trailed off waving her hand dismissively.

Kyoko didn't quite understand why Julie had spoken of Kuon as though Kyoko didn't know him, but she shrugged it off. There were people around staring at them it was probably best if they pretended, she had never met Kuon.

"We'll get the tomato and a spicey one. Kyoko-chan do you want to try making your own broth? We could both make one and have everyone judge which they prefer." Kuu asked as he selected their four broths.

"That sounds fun." She said looking over his shoulder at the menu.

Kuu scrolled down to show her the vegetable and meat options.

"Wagyu beef check. Oooh and boneless short ribs and of course some kobe beef belly."

"Father please pay attention to the amount total." Kyoko pleaded as Kuu checked off everything he saw.

"Kyoko-chan," Kuu sang her name happily. "Please don't worry about the amount. This is my treat to my darling cute, magnificent, brave, smart…"

"Ok, ok." Kyoko conceded holding her hands up to stop him before he climbed onto the table to sing her praises for the entire restaurant to hear.

"Good, then what kind of meat would you prefer to start off with? They have seafood." He showed her the list which included clams, shrimp, muscles, scallops, squid, and octopus. Her mouth watered just thinking about the food. She tried not to recall the last time she had made octopus with the Taisho-san. She didn't want to think about the technique he had showed her to slice it up.

"You like all of this right? We could get the seafood sampler." Kuu offered expecting to get a rise out of her. He frowned when she nodded easily giving in. "And the mushrooms, we should get shitake and maitake. Enoki is good too. Should we get fresh spinach as well?"

Kyoko did her best to smile as she nodded. once the Okami-san and her had ranked their favorite mushrooms based on their flavor and possible health benefits. Maitake mushrooms were the Okami-san's favorite. They were full of vitamins C and B and antioxidants. Some studies also showed that they could help prevent some cancers.

"They have fresh herbs and vegetables. They have iberico pork and lamb." Kuu said but he deflated looking to Julie for help.

"We should go to the sauce bar and make our sauces." Eltra suggested. As much as he adored Kyoko, he knew her the least and didn't think he would be much help cheering her up.

"Right, lets go Kyoko." Julie said jumping up and taking her hand. "Ladies first. We can't let Kuu see what you get for your broth."

Kyoko allowed Julie to drag her over to a bar where small clean sauce bowls waited for them to fill with various different ingredients and garnishes. Kyoko made a spicy dipping sauce and a simple clean soup base. She started with oyster sauce then added a bit of ground beef, some sugar and salt, then topped it off with some garlic. She told herself that she didn't really care about beating Kuu, but he would have fun with the challenge, so she was doing it for him.

"Could you grab a bowl of seafood sauce for me please Julie?" Kyoko asked knowing that Kuu would prefer her sauce because it would remind him of home. Julie smiled at this seeing that familiar spark in Kyoko's eyes. It was small and she was trying to ignore it, but Julie could see it there. The girl was determined to win.

"I just hope they keep to our agreement and don't try to get a closer look." Kyoko heard Kuu say to Eltra as she walked back to their table.

"They were very well behaved for us, but I don't know he's been out of the spotlight for so long they might not be able to help themselves." Eltra replied.

Before Kyoko could eavesdrop, more Julie stepped in front of her and interrupted them. "Alright honey it's your turn to make a broth."

"Right, be prepare to lose oh child of mine." Kuu said standing up and rolling up his sleeves. He made a show of peeking into her bowl and Kyoko made a show of concealing in with her hand. She was such a good actress that Kuu almost believed she cared about his dumb challenge.

"So, you'll pour your mixture into this one." Julie said taking the seat across from Kyoko that Eltra had vacated.

While were gone the soup broths had arrived and were heating up in the recessed pots set in the middle of the table. Kyoko nodded and dumped her mixture in. Julie pouted at the lack of enthusiasm but said nothing. Whenever Kuon had been dumped he would sulk a bit, but he could still laugh and enjoy the things he liked. As much as he hated food this restaurant always cheered him because of the manicures and various extras. He never really ate with them when they came here. Julie looked around wishing she remembered how to access the extras. Kuu and Eltra returned with one bowl of dipping sauce each.

"Giving up without even trying? That isn't like you father." Kyoko said wondering if Kuu was letting her win.

Kuu threw a mischievous smile her way and winked. "You have a new challenger." He said too happy for her liking.

"Yay! I'm so happy!" Julie squealed, "I was afraid he'd be unable to make it. Kyoko allow me to introduce you."

She pulled Kyoko up from her seat and Kyoko looked down embarrassed by all the other restaurant patrons still gawking at them. There were whispers coming from all directions and Kyoko could understand why as a young boy Kuon might become annoyed with his parents. They were sweet and well meaning but sometimes they were just too much. They had to be aware that everyone was staring and whispering about them.

"It is him!"

"Oh my god, that can't be!"

"He hasn't been seen in public for over seven years."

The patrons whispered and Kyoko's ears perked up. Her heartbeat quickened as she felt a familiar pull. It was like her body knew he was there before she looked up to confirm it with her eyes. Even then she couldn't believe who she was seeing walking towards her with a bowl in hand. He flashed her a dazzling smile.

"K…" Kyoko closed her mouth reminding herself that they were being watched. She couldn't scream his name and launch herself into his arms. It was no different then back in Japan except there they were at least friends in public. As far as everyone here knew she had never met Kuon.

"Kyoko-chan this is our son Kuon." Julie introduced. "Kuon this is your father's protégé Kyoko."

"Nice to meet you, Kyoko." Kuon breathed her name like a prayer and took her hand to kiss it.

"Uhh…" Kyoko gasped pulling her hand away and looking around. "Nice to meet you, Kuon-san." She bowed to him deeply and he cocked his head at her.

With a chuckled he gave her a bow and repeated, "Nice to meet you, Kyoko."

"Please take a seat." Kuu said. He took the soup base Kuon had mixed up and poured it into the last empty pot of bowling water.

"You're gonna lose." Kuon taunted.

"You haven't even tasted mine." Kyoko said happily accepting his challenge.

"It looks like it's just sukiyaki." Kuon mocked in his snobbiest voice.

"Just sukiyaki? JUST! I'll have you know that when I made sukiyaki for father, he said it was the best he had ever tasted." Kyoko said picking up a spoon. "Just taste it and you'll see mine is way better than yours." She cooped up some of her broth and held it out for him to take.

Kuon leaned forward making Kyoko blush as he took her hand and forced her to feed him. He held her eyes and she bit her lip. It had really been too long since they had seen each other. Kuon pulled her hand away and licked his lips with a loud smack.

"Mm. That is pretty good. Then you'll have to taste mine." He said taking the spoon and dipping it into his broth. He blew on it before holding it to her lips. She hesitated flicking her eyes to the nearest table of gawkers. "Open." He commanded and her mouth automatically opened for him even as her thighs clenched. "Good girl."

"Ahem." Eltra cleared his throat. Kuu and Julie were looking anywhere but at the two obvious lovers.

Kyoko savored the broth with a frown. How had he beaten her? His broth was complex and deep. It had a sliht beef flavor with a kick of spice to it. She licked her lips when he pulled the empty spoon away and she tasted undertones of mushroom, onion, and garlic.

"Good?" Kuon asked with an eagerly innocent expression.

"Mm." Kyoko nodded just as Daniel arrived with their meats and vegetables.

He set a bowl of ginger and another of lemons down in front of Kuon who mixed them into another bowl Kyoko hadn't seen Kuon set down before.

"A little fairy came to eat hotpot." Kuon said to Daniel and Kyoko couldn't help herself her eyes began to sparkle, and she looked around thinking Kuon had seen a fairy. When she didn't spot one, she pouted at him. "Here, this is for you." He passed her the bowl of sauce he had mixed the ginger and lemon into.

"Thank you." Kyoko said trying to fight her blush and failing miserably.

"Kuon, get the dance for us." Julie said pointing to the tablet. "I can never remember how to get the extra things."

"Would our guest enjoy the noodle dance?" Kuon asked knowing that it would intrigue Kyoko. "I've seen it too many times to count. It's really the only reason I came here with them when I was younger. I could probably perform the noodle dance if asked."

Kuon selected some options on the menu and Kyoko looked at each of the Hizuri smiling at her expectantly. She had no idea what they were talking about, but she nodded anyway. They were doing their best to cheer her up and she was starting to feel guilty for being sad when they were being so good to her.

"I would like to see that, Ku… Kuon." She said looking down at her hands.

"Alright, lets eat." Kuu said picking up his chopsticks.

"Don't have to tell me twice." Julie said selecting her vegetables and some beef.

"Kyoko-chan what will you try first?" Eltra asked motioning towards the food. "I hear the tomato base is delicious and I'll bet your soup broth is divine. The ibarico pork isn't half bad, you know."

"That's right don't be shy sweetheart. Dig in." Julie said, "Kuon eat something please."

"I'm not really hungry." Kuon said daring Kyoko to say something.

"Did you already eat?" Kyoko asked dipping some wagyu beef into Kuon's broth.

"Nope. I haven't had anything since breakfast." Kuon said leaning back and keeping his mischievous eyes trained on her.

Kyoko frowned. "Breakfast had to be at least twelve hours ago for you. What time did you get up this morning?"

"Getting up implies that I slept. I had to work through the night last night. Then I ate around five and worked through lunch. Now I'm here to meet my father's lovely student." Kuon said feeling wicked as he saw the horror in her eyes. He hoped she was plotting his punishment.

"You should have gone home to sleep instead of coming here. Our meeting could have waited but sleep is important Kuon-san. Sleep and food are important. A man your size should be eating five times as much as you did today." Kyoko said wanting to shove food in his mouth. He knew he wasn't allowed to skip meals and he was supposed to be getting eight hours every night.

"Home." Kuon said holding her gaze. "Yes, home sounds really nice right now." He picked up his chopsticks. "If you wish me to eat then I will but I won't have five portions."

Daniel returned to the table and handed a package to Kuon. He thanked him and the chef walked away.

"Here," Kuon said passing the package to Kyoko.

Kyoko took it gingerly and examined the Chinese writing. "Can I open it?"

"Yes, that is generally what one does with a present." Kuon said mirth in his voice.

Kyoko eyed him suspiciously before carefully tearing the package open. Her eyes lit up as she pulled out a purple plastic princess wand and pressed the button. It lit up for her and she beamed at it.

"I told you this place is his favorite. He memorized all the secret codes to get free gifts." Julie said pouting at the toy. She wanted one too.

"Your meat is getting cold." Kuon said and Julie remembered that she was holding a slice of pork over her bowl. She popped it into her mouth and hummed in approval.

"So, Kuon how is work going?" Eltra asked as they ate.

"Great. Filming is on track, and everyone on set is friendly." Kuon lied but only Kyoko noticed. It made her jealous that he could hide his emotions so much easier than she could. Then she felt guilty for wanting to hide her emotions. That wasn't the answer to her problems and Kuon shouldn't be doing it either.

"Any co-stars you're particularly close to?" Kyoko asked. Like Melissa or Elizabeth? She wanted to add.

"Not really. Well, there is Kevin I suppose. He's really into motorbikes which is not a topic I care for, but we hang out some." Kuon said unaware that she had seen the rumors about Melissa.

"I hope you're staying focused and not flirting." Kuu said.

"Of course, father. I never flirt on set." Kuon said sliding his foot up Kyoko's leg. "Although I've never worked with your protégé. If I worked with her, I might be tempted."

"What?" Kyoko gasped dropping her chopsticks in the broth. What on earth would possess him to say that so loudly in public? She glanced at the other tables and sure enough it looked like people had heard. Some were giggling behind their hands. Others were openly swooning and some still were snapping pictures surreptitiously and posting online. They weren't looking under the table were they?

"Is she usually this clumsy?" Kuon asked using the ladle to scoop her chopsticks out.

"Kuon, don't tease her. She just got out of a bad relationship." Julie chided taking a napkin and wiping off Kyoko's chopsticks.

"I wasn't teasing." Kuon said holding her gaze with his intense smoldering eyes. She knew that look. It was the one she craved but not now in front of his parents and all these strangers. He leaned in and stage whispered, "Normally I do everything I can to remain professional, but I would flirt with you if we were on set together." He winked at her, and she stood up suddenly.

"Excuse me I need to use the restroom." She got up and rushed away.

Why was he playing with her like this? They were in public and with his family. He wasn't even supposed to be here. How did he sneak off set and change into Kuon to be here? She entered the bathroom and splashed water on her face. He must have been really worried if he was willing to be caught as Kuon just to come see her. She hugged herself feeling inadequate but loved. She didn't think there was anything she could do for him that could equal everything he'd done for her. He even shared his family with her, but she didn't have one to share with him.

"Kuon, really now?" Julie chided as she gracefully shoveled food into her face.

"What?" Kuon asked unable to wipe the grin from his face. Kyoko was turned on he just knew it. She wanted him.

"You know what young man." Kuu said annoyed with his son. "We brought her here to meet with you as my student. She is a good girl and not someone for you to play with. Stop flirting."

"What? She's cute." Kuon said with a shrug.

He was well aware that the onlookers could hear him. He couldn't help himself though. It was fun flirting with her out in the open. He thought about how much easier it would be for them to date publicly if he weren't Tsuruga Ren. But he couldn't just stop being Ren not even for her. Not until he achieved his goal. That didn't mean that Kuon couldn't come out every now and then to be with his girl.

"Julie, no fair you ate all the wagyu." Kuu whined after finishing the shrimp.

"You dolts ate everything. What is Kyoko-chan supposed to eat?" Eltra asked flicking Kuu on the forehead. "Quickly order more."

Kuon shook his head and got up from his seat. "I need to use the restroom."

"Yeah, right." Kuu said rolling his eyes. Julie smiled up at her son.

Kyoko gasped as the bathroom door swung open and Kuon entered. He looked around to check the stalls before locking the door.

"What are you doing?" She hissed. Was he trying to get caught.

"This," He said tugging her into his embrace and burying his face in her hair. "I've missed you so much."

She sighed melting into his arms. "I missed you too, Corn." He nuzzled her hair breathing in her familiar scent and moaned.

"I never want to let go of you again, but we should get back out there. I don't want you to miss the noodle dance." He said with a chuckle.

"Alright but you need to stop being so flirtatious. People were watching us."

"Really? I hadn't noticed." He feigned innocence and she glared at him. She didn't believe for one second that he hadn't heard the gossiping gawkers.

Smiling gently, he took her hand and kissed each knuckle.

"I love you." She breathed.

"I love you more." He said with a wink before exiting the bathroom. "Hurry up so you can get your free rabbit cake."

She laughed to himself after he left all thoughts of Elizabeth and Melissa far from her mind.

A/N: I know what you're thinking, Kuon you idiot why didn't you tell her about the rumors?! That would be no fun though would it. No angst or drama in being completely honest.