AN: Thank you so much everyone for your patience in the update of this fic. I hadn't realized that it had been so long since I'd updated it I hope you enjoy.

Chapter Eleven – The Life of an Eleven-Year-Old

Kuon grinned as Kuu drove him and Kyoko to the studio where Kuon had arranged for Kyoko to have a little tour of where he worked. Kuon had been a little apprehensive about Kyoko's reactions, sure it was a Disney movie but he was only a voice. She hadn't seemed to think any lower of him because of it though and that made him happy. He wanted to make up for his past childishness and Kyoko loved Disney. They had even been told that she could visit the art studio as long as she behaved. Kuon had no trouble believing she would.

"Do you like being an actor, Kuon-kun?" she asked and he nodded. She smiled with a soft laugh, "I'm glad that you do. You're very talented and you've overcome so much," she said and he looked at her with a nod. He didn't want to say how he felt that she had overcome more. Before Boss had taken her in, she was with a mother who didn't really care about her and had lived until she was six taking care of herself and being cared for by people who weren't related to her.

Even though his dad had, at one point, turned his attention elsewhere, Kuon was starting to realize that if he had ever come to either of his parents for help that they would understand his struggle. He had just wanted to not cause any trouble for them or put their dreams in jeopardy.

Kyoko grinned as they arrived at the lot and Kuu pulled out the wheelchair for his son. Kyoko grabbed hold of the arm rest and grinned as Kuon was helped to the chair. "You know, you're amazing, right, Corn?" she asked with a grin across her face and Kuon blinked before smiling weakly. She was always over-complimenting him.

"I want to become a film actor," Kuon told her as he started to wheel himself into the studio, telling his father that he didn't need to be accompanied but he'd call him if anything happened. After making sure it was okay with Kyoko, Kuu told them that he would say hello to some old friends. Kyoko watched him go.

"I think he really wants what's best for you," she said and Kuon nodded as he looked in that direction.

"He's a great dad, he's been working really hard on helping me through my depression and anxiety," Kuon said as he thought about how much time his father had put into child raising. "I won't be acting today but Boss is going to come tomorrow and then you can both watch me, if you want to…" he said nervously and Kyoko grinned.

"Of course I want to! I want to see your dream flourish!" she told him before they arrived at the main door. Kuon was let through and the woman smiled kindly at Kyoko.

"I was told that Kuon had a guest today," she said and Kyoko blushed. She looked around interested in the studio where the voices were recorded. It seemed impressive to her. There were cartoon pictures on the wall that were signed by various people and there were also pamphlets about future roles, a nice beverage and snack table, and different rooms with stars on them. Kyoko grinned as she saw a card with Kuon's name on it.

"You have your own dressing room?" she asked and Kuon shook his head. He pointed to another name on the other side. "Oh, but I mean, even if you share, it's really cool," she said and Kuon looked to her. How come she always managed to restore his energy even if he wasn't feeling at his best.

"Thank you," he said before bringing her to the sound stage, "We have to be quiet," he told her before opening the door and Kyoko nodded. Kuon waved to the director and producer as he and Kyoko watched the adult actor who was one of the main actors deliver his lines. Kuon watched in interest as the senior actor worked. He was hoping to get some notes on performing so that he could enrich his own performances.

However, the way that he looked at the man was nothing compared to Kyoko's excited grin and her eyes that sparkled as she saw the performance. This was the type of performing that Corn did? It was amazing! She grabbed to the arm of the wheelchair again and they shared a happy grin. Kuon was amazing!

…..

…..

As Kuu unlocked the door, the three of them walked in to see Lory and Julie sitting together in the living room. Kyoko ran to her dad's arms and Lory scooped her up, holding her close to him. "Did you have fun?" Lory asked and Kyoko nodded.

"Kuon's amazing," she declared again as Kuon's widened at that statement. "The people that we saw perform were so talented and I can't wait to see Kuon perform tomorrow," she looked back at Kuon. "Corn, you'll still show us your magic won't you?" she asked and Kuon nodded. How was she so adorable? It was because she was only a little kid. That had to be it. Little kids were always more adorable than older kids or preteens.

"I'm not that amazing," he said and then looked at one of the bags that had been brought with them. "I'd love to hear you play your flute in person," he said and Kyoko went over to the case. She picked it up and watched him. She was a little nervous that he might say she wasn't good enough. No. The Corn that she knew wouldn't make judgements like that if someone were trying their hardest.

She turned to him before raising an eyebrow, "Are you going to play the piano for me?" she asked and he laughed before shrugging.

"Sure, we could always play a song together," he smiled and Kyoko looked at him excitedly. She was rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet, her eyes wide and her mouth a huge grin. Julie smiled to them.

"May I listen?" she asked and they turned to look at each other.

"Can we play together first and then we can perform for all of you?" Kyoko asked and Lory nodded his approval.

"It sounds like a plan," he told them before gesturing for Kuu to sit down. "Why don't you sit, Shuuhei, there's a lot that we need to talk about," he told him and Kuu nodded as he put his shoes on the rack, putting Kyoko's there as well.

"Yes, I can do that," Kuu said as he rubbed the back of his neck, he looked down at his son. "Do you need any help with your shoes, Kuon?" he asked and Kuon shook his head. Because it was easier for him, most of his shoes had Velcro on them. He sometimes had difficulty with the healing paralysis but he was still independent and Kuu knew this. It didn't stop him from wanting to help his son but he wasn't going to force him to be dependent upon him.

"Let's go and play," Kyoko said before looking around, "Where's the piano?" she asked and Kuon gestured with his head that she should follow. She nodded as she followed him. She wanted to ask him about his wheelchair and how it felt but she didn't want to make him feel bad. About a year ago, he had almost given up life and now his life seemed more fulfilling, she was scared of shattering that for him.

"What do you want to play?" Kuon asked her and Kyoko looked around.

"Your choice," she grinned and Kuon looked to her before tilting his head to the side as he thought. He smiled to her as an idea came to mind.

"How about we combine some of our favorite songs to play and make our own piece," he told her and Kyoko smiled before nodding her head quickly. That sounded like a lot of fun and she was really happy that Kuon had suggested that. She wanted to play with him and then they'd have a special song that nobody else had, some treasured memory just between the two of them.

…

…

"That sounded really good!" Kyoko said after they had finished their first half hour of playing. Although it was hard work to put together a song and also to practice with Kuon, she really loved it. She wanted to see her friend smile and she felt when they were playing music together, they both became really happy, it was as if her heart was flying and she was giddy.

"I think so too," Kuon replied, "And it's because you play so well, Kyoko-chan," he told her and Kyoko smiled happily having heard that. "You must be taking your music lessons very seriously. I'm glad that you've found something that you enjoy," he said and Kyoko shook her head.

"No, it's your piano playing which is really good," she argued and Kuon rolled his eyes.

"My piano playing is nothing compared to how well you play the flute and the flute is a harder instrument to play," he told her although both instruments had their challenges. Yes, with a flute you had to have hand work and a good amount of oxygen but the piano was bigger than the flute so you had to stretch your arms out and move quicker. Kyoko was about to argue when there was a voice from the doorway.

"I thought they were both good," the preteen said as he walked into the room and Kuon paused nervously. He hadn't expected Rick to be here. He didn't want to show Rick that he had feelings for Kyoko who was so much younger than him. No, the feelings were looking at her as if she were a sister. She was seven, she was too young for him. He was being one of those perverts.

"Hi," Kyoko said before dropping into a bow, she looked at him and smiled happily. "I'm Mogami Kyoko. Are you Kuon's friend?" she asked and Rick nodded.

"I'm surprised that Kuon hasn't told you more about me," he said before walking over to her. "I can see what Kuon is saying about you. You are darn adorable," he said as he winked at Kuon who looked down and bit his top lip. He didn't want to tell Kyoko that. There were so many obstacles that they would have to overcome and it wasn't worth it at their age, maybe if he was twenty and she was sixteen they could work against those obstacles and be a happy couple – well not in America, he'd have to be twenty-two before he felt comfortable in this country.

"Kuon says that about me?" Kyoko blushed and Rick grinned.

"I can see why he likes you so much," he said and Kuon shook his head.

"Don't listen to him, Kyoko. Rick doesn't know anything. I don't like you…" he said before seeing the tears in her eyes. "I mean, I don't like you like that. I love you like a friend, as a friend, as family," Kuon said quickly and Rick winked at him.

"You sound like you're trying to argue against it too much," he told him and Kuon didn't know how to respond. Rick looked at Kyoko again. "You should forgive my friend here, he doesn't know how to treat beautiful girls like yourself."

"Oh, umm, thank you?" Kyoko squeaked and Kuon sighed, trying to hold back a growl.

"You shouldn't thank him for being perverted, Kyoko," he said and Kyoko turned back to Kuon confused. Rick was being perverted? Wasn't being perverted much worse?

End of Chapter Eleven

Thank you for reading, reviews are appreciated

Thank you to the reviewers of Chapter Ten

Brennakai, H-Nala, Kaname671, KrisXD, ktoll9

Author Response:

Thank you so much for all of the support and I'm glad people agree with me about the Kuon-Kyoko connection. I'm actually kind of excited/nervous about the next chapter, there is sure to be some misunderstandings but I hope things go well in the end. Did you guys see the wedding picture, so cute? Anyway back to the fic, I hope that you guys liked the teasing at the end 😉 and yes, further on there will be some parental teasing as well.