AN: Sorry if I've been snappish lately, I've been a bit depressed but I write for fun and not for perfection. Maybe you don't like it, but I never edit unless I really want to, it's a terrible habit of mine. Anyway hope you enjoy. There is a scene here which is missing, it will be in the next chapter.

Chapter Nine – Which Way is Home?

Two weeks later, Kuu HIzuri was getting extremely nervous to see his family. He had had to finish a couple of scenes, work on some paperwork, talk to people for both himself and Julie, and find time to sort things out at their house and Kuon's school. That meant that he was really looking forward to seeing his wife and both his biological son and the little girl he was taking care of.

Julie had only positive things to say about Kyoko but Kuu had had some time to think about what was happening and he could see a certain sense of attraction from Kuon. After all that Kuon had been through, he didn't want to cause any more problems for his son no matter how minor.

He and Julie had talked about it and he had told Lory Takarada about it and somehow they had managed to find a way for a wonderful couple who were unable to have children to adopt Kyoko. There was only Kyoko to ask about this. Maybe it would be better for her to go back to the Fuwa family, then again that wasn't a family. Parents weren't paid to take children in - well they were in some areas but that wasn't what he wanted for Kyoko.

The couple that Lory had found were of a poorer background. They were family friends of one of the new actors since they had always gone to the restaurant when needing to take a break out of the house. Hopefully this would be a home for Kyoko, but it was all the way in Tokyo. He'd really have to talk to her about it.

As he approached the summer home, Kuu took a deep breath before seeing Kuon sitting in his wheelchair and watching him with a proud grin on his face. Kuu raised an eyebrow as he watched the little boy. What was Kuon going to show him? Why was he sitting all alone outside of the house?

Kuu tilted his head to the side before he saw Kuon raise his hand and wave at him. Kuu's eyes widened and he dropped his bag as a grin spread over his face. It was a quite clumsy wave but he was doing it. He had at least regained the ability to use one hand and one arm. Now they needed to work on building his strength.

"Kuon!" Kuu said as he heard Kyoko's giggle as she stood wearing a little apron and following after Julie, both of them had come from the kitchen. Kuu quickly made his way over to his son and dropped down to his knees in front of him. "Your…" Kuu smiled as he saw his son move each of his five fingers. There was still some shakiness to it, but he had improved so much. "Kuon, you're amazing," he commented as Kyoko nodded.

"Kuon's been working really really hard," Kyoko smiled before giving a small bow, "Welcome home," she said as Julie let her fingers softly slip over the little girl's hair. Kuu paused briefly as he noticed how attached Julie had grown to Kyoko. He didn't want to hurt his wife but then he didn't want to hurt his son either.

"I'm glad to be home," Kuu said as he saw Kuon wheel himself around and smiled. Finally things were getting off to a good start and Kuon was recovering. This was better than he had hoped and much better than he had expected.

"Let's go inside and I'll tell you all about my friend, Kyoko. He'll be coming down in a few days to talk with us and I have something to ask you, I'd like your opinion on something," Kuu said as he saw the little girl nod and as he entered he saw how at home Kyoko was.

He really didn't want this to be hard on her, not after how much she had helped his own family.

…..

…..

Two days later Kyoko didn't know how to feel. She knew that she was a guest to this family and that they had taken care of her, but she felt completely lost. She had loved being with Mrs. Hizuri and especially with Kuon and they had both made sure that she was going to be alright, but she was scared. Not only was the only temporary family that acted like a TV family saying that they didn't want her to be with them, she was going to have to go to a new place with scary people and a new school.

She wasn't an orphan. She didn't have to do this. Maybe if she hadn't been bad then she would still have been able to be with her mother. Maybe things with her mother weren't the best – the days definitely weren't as happy as with the Hizuri family – but she knew where she was going.

Kyoko didn't want to cry. She should be grateful that people seemed to want her, but this wasn't what she wanted. She sniffled and dabbed at her eyes before hearing the sound of wheels on the floor. "Hi," she said as she looked up at Kuon. "I'm sorry, I wasn't -"

"Are you scared of Boss coming?" Kuon asked, "He can wear some really bizarre costumes, but he's really cool. I haven't actually seen him thaaat much but he's a close friend with Dad. I heard he's a bit like a second father figure to Dad."

"So, he's old?" Kyoko asked, "Like an old wise man."

"Boss isn't that old, he's in his late fifties, I think. I think he's wise though. He's a really nice person to talk to – that is, he's a nice person if you can get through the thick eyeshadow or the kilt or whatever his latest whim is," Kuon told her. "He's extra nice to me because he's one of Dad's close friends, or maybe he just likes kids."

"He won't be mean, right?" Kyoko asked as Kuon shook his head.

"No. Boss is really understanding of other people. I think that he's seen a lot in his life. He really cares about other people though, I think he tries to empathize with everyone and he's got these huge bookcases of video and computer games where you deal with love and romance. Dad says that he's been collecting them since the 80s. " Kuon looked at Kyoko as she started to get up, her face was showing her excitement and determination.

"Besides, he's got a really good sense in people. It's something that he's taught himself, psychology I think," Kuon said as Kyoko brought her fists up to show how energized she was. Kuon was about to say more but was interrupted by a trumpet followed by others.

"Is the – you said you weren't a – " Kyoko said as she looked around. Was the fairy council going to come and reward her, was she finally going to learn that Kuon was a fairy after all? Her eyes were bright and she felt her excitement growing. This was a magical feeling.

"That's Boss," Kuon smiled, "He always likes to make an entrance."

Kyoko nodded as she followed after where Kuon was wheeling. She froze as she saw an adult man dressed up like a Victorian century English gentleman including a fake bird in his top hat. Kyoko looked over at Kuon before dropping down into a respectful bow.

"Hey, Boss" Kuon said as he looked at Kyoko, he offered his hand, "I would bow but I can't move my -"

"If I remember correctly, young man," Lory smiled to him, "Last time I had visited your family a year ago, you told me that you refused to bow because you weren't Japanese and you weren't a magician and you weren't going to adapt to those cultural norms," he smiled to the young boy. "It's good to see you. I heard about the accident and wasn't sure that you'd still have your optimism."

"He's been working really hard," Julie smiled, "Lory-san, it's so good to see you," she hugged him before gesturing to the young girl. "This is Kyoko, she's the young girl that my husband has been telling you all about. She's really a delight."

"Hmm, she does seem that way," Lory said before doing an over-the-top bow to Kyoko. "Well, pleased to introduce myself to you, young lady, my name is Takarada Lory. I am the president of LME agency and I am a representative to many young actors. I hope one day that Kuon will come and work for me."

"Sorry to disappoint, Boss" Kuon said with a strained smile, "but I don't know if I'll ever walk again. If I can though, I don't want to work in Japan. I think I'd be more suited being a Hollywood A-lister like Dad is trying to be. Acting is more competitive in the States," he shrugged and Lory gently poked his forehead.

"You'll see where life takes you, don't discard my offer just because it doesn't look good to you at the time being. Now, I'm very interested in learning about you, Kyoko-chan." Lory said as Kyoko blushed.

"There's not much to …" Kyoko said nervously but then looked at Kuon. Maybe she should try to be brave like him. She looked at Kuu and Julie who were gazing upon her supportively. They wouldn't let anything bad happen to her, would they?

"Kyoko-hime," Lory said, "Would you do the honor of talking to me alone? If it scares you then perhaps Kuon can join us too?" he asked and Kyoko looked at her friend.

"Yes," Kyoko nodded as she went to stand by Kuon's chair, "Yes, we can speak but I'd like for Kuon to speak to. I'm more comfortable when Kuon is there."

…

…

Lory allowed the kids to enter the room about half an hour later and walked over to Kuu. "Tell me if you think that I have an insane idea, one that doesn't make any sense."

"Today or always, boss?" Kuu asked as Lory rolled his eyes.

"There's something in Kyoko-chan that is so charming and attractive to me. I met with her mother, Kuu, when I was looking over those papers. With how her mother treated her, you would never expect anyone with that much hope and beauty still within them. I'd like to try to protect that beauty and innocence," Lory said as Kuu smiled.

"That's exactly what I see in her, but that attractiveness is what Kuon is attracted to. Having them become siblings seems wrong and manipulative. I'm not saying that these two will ever even go out on a date, but I don't want Kuon to have anything more that's overly complicated in his life," Kuu said with his protective Dad side showing fully.

Lory hummed, "I was thinking that I would adopt Kyoko into the Takarada-family," he said as Kuu looked at him stunned.

"That would be amazing for her," Kuu said as he thought about Kouki. How old was he again? Would that give any kind of sibling rivalry? "Are you sure?"

"You don't see that type of child anywhere, Kuu. I want to make sure she has a loving, supportive home," Lory said and Kuu nodded. He knew that with anyone else he would be questioning their intentions behind those words, but with this man he knew that Lory would love Kyoko as if he was his own biological daughter.

End of Chapter Nine

AN2: Thank you to all the people who support this fic 😊 it means a lot to me. A special shout out to the reviewers of Chapter Eight: Angeline134, brennakai, Cheshire2313, DreamIdol, Erza, FelicityDream, Kris, ktoll9, Tabbykatroses