"So, what did you guys end up doing with Fuwa-san?" Julie asked as she delicately scarfed her food down.

"Tsuruga-san helped him clean up his bloody nose then took him to his car." Kyoko replied. No matter how often she watched Julie eat, she still found it fascinating. Kanae and her had one plate each while Julie had ordered the entire menu and needed to utilize the table beside them to hold all the plates. Not that they sat for long.

"That's it?" Julie asked cocking her head. It wasn't that she wanted her son to fight but he could at least have some jealous reaction to the boy who was trying to steal her daughter in law away.

"What exactly were the two of you doing alone in that room together?" Kanae asked not caring what happened with Sho. He was a nuisance she would have to deal with later but the more pressing matter to her was, "Did you use protection."

"Moko-san!" Kyoko shouted too loudly drawing the attention of nearby diners.

"It's an honest concern." Kanae countered giving Kyoko a pointed look. She wasn't going to let that man ruin her best friend's career with a baby.

"Wait? What?" Julie asked mid bite. She forced herself to swallow the large chunk of unchewed food in her mouth and stood up. "Kyoko, I need to see you in the restroom now."

"What? But I…"

"Now!" Julie said standing up with a forceful grace that told Kyoko she had better follow her and Kanae that she needed to wait at the table.

Kyoko looked to Kanae for help, but Kanae turned her head pretending to be interested in her food.

"Kyoko." Julie said firmly.

"Hai, Sarah-san." Kyoko said following after Julie to a secluded bathroom.

Julie checked the stalls as Kyoko entered with her head bowed. This was not how she wanted Julie to find out she had had sex. She would have preferred if Julie and Kuu never knew. Well, she figured they would eventually assume it had occurred after her fourth or fifth year of being married to Kuon. This was almost as bad as Yayoi-san finding out or worse the Okami-san and Taisho-san at Darumaya. She couldn't bear the thought of them knowing she had done things like that.

"Well Kyoko?" Julie asked and Kyoko looked up confused. Julie sighed shaking her head and asked her question again, "Did my son pressure you in anyway?"

"What? Of course not. Corn would never." Kyoko said bemused. Was that all she wanted to know?

"He's been celibate for so long I was wondering how he had been coping with it. Living with you I mean, and not doing anything. When did you two start?" Julie asked as delicately as she could.

"My birthday was the first time." Kyoko admitted staring down at her hands as she wrung them together. "I wanted to do it. Corn has never asked me for anything like that."

"Never?" Julie asked slightly impressed by her son's patience. "He has Kuu's physique so I was certain he had also inherited his father's..."

Kyoko cut her off before she could finish whatever it was she was about to say. "Never. I mean there might have been a couple times when he got carried away while we were kissing but he always made sure that I was ok." she said in a rush pretending Julie hadn't been saying anything about Kuu's physique.

"Kyoko," Julie started then paused trying to think of how best to broach the topic.

She had come to know the girl well enough to think that Kyoko might think less of herself now. Her prim and proper upbringing could lead the younger woman to think that she had somehow done something bad. Julie didn't know how to reassure her that she wasn't because what if she brought it up and it turned out Kyoko hadn't thought of that. Then Kyoko would think Julie thought less of her.

"You know I always thought I wouldn't like it." Kyoko said looking away shyly. "I thought it would be something my husband would need to con me into, but it hasn't been like that at all. I really enjoyed myself and it didn't feel icky or shameful at all." She wrung her hands together nervously shifting on her feet.

Julie smiled and pet her hair. "That's good sweetheart. I'm glad you two are getting along so well."

Kyoko nodded but in the back of her mind she was preparing herself for the scolding or the lecture.

"You used protection, right?" Julie had to ask. "I raised my boy to always be safe. I don't think you'll ever need to worry about catching anything from him, but a baby could hinder your young career."

"We're being safe!" Kyoko screamed covering her face.

"Are you? Because condoms aren't one hundred percent effective. Especially if in the heat of the moment you forget or decide that they're too much hassle and you can't wait. I know firsthand how good Hizuri men are at making smart women stupid with lust." Julie said touching her face and looking as though she were remembering something pleasant.

"I don't need to hear about that." Kyoko said adamantly. She did not want to hear about Julie and Kuu's love life.

"Especially in the shower when you were just planning on getting clean but he's flirting and playful, and so very naked…"

"Mom, please." Kyoko whined bringing Julie back to reality. "We use protection I promise."

"Every time?" Julie pressed.

"Yes." Kyoko insisted. Julie didn't need to know that she sometimes got carried away and ignored Kuon's warnings.

"Even in the tub?" Julie asked.

Kyoko bit back her words but nodded yes. There was no way she could speak the lie.

Julie sighed not believing her. "We're making you an appointment right now young lady. You need birth control."

"I was planning on doing that eventually." Kyoko admitted.

"Then why haven't you?" Julie asked pulling out her phone.

Because she didn't know how to make discreet appointments that the press would never find out about. Because it was too embarrassing to ask Yashiro to make her a discreet appointment and she didn't know if Kanae knew how either. Because Kana would tease her mercilessly if Kyoko had asked her. Not to mention she would scold Kuon about not taking proper care of Kyoko. It was all just too much for her and she couldn't go to Kuon directly because he would fuss over her worse than anyone.

"Alright appointment made." Julie said surprising Kyoko out of her frantic thoughts. "We should return to Kanae-chan before she grows suspicious. And maybe we can go to another store. I'm not quite satisfied with the amount of presents I got you yet."

"Wait, that's it?" Kyoko questioned.

Julie really wasn't going to scold her? There wasn't going to be a lecture about waiting until marriage or at the very least planning ahead with the birth control. What if she had been trying to trap Kuon with a baby? Didn't Julie at least think of that? Wasn't she concerned about the trollop dating her son?

"What do you mean?" Julie asked cocking her head to the side.

"You're not going to punish me?" Kyoko asked still fearful that it would happen. Maybe Julie would tell Kuu, and he would disown her. They would call Kuon and demand he stop seeing a woman with loose morals.

"For what?" Julie asked.

"For having," Kyoko looked around the restroom before leaning close and whispering, "Sex with your son before we're married."

Julie smiled highly amused by the beet red girl.

"Never let anyone convince you that what you and your lover have chosen to do together is wrong. It's nobody's business. So long as you're both happy and safe, I will be happy for you." Julie said reassuringly. Then with a mischievous glint in her eyes she leaned in and whispered, "It was bound to happen eventually. Hizuri men are insatiable when they're in love."

"Mom!" Kyoko shrieked. She didn't need to know about anything Julie and Kuu may or may not have done.

Hours later Kanae found herself sitting on the couch in Kuon and Kyoko's apartment as Kyoko complained about how she had spilled the beans to Sarah.

"Bwaahhahah!" Kanae jumped having never heard Tsuruga Ren laugh so loudly. He was completely unguarded with just her and Kyoko in their apartment.

"It isn't funny." Kyoko whined stomping her foot and glaring at him.

The two were always like children when they were together. They were playful and open with their emotions. Kanae counted herself lucky that she was one of the few who had seen them like this. She was certain that if their fans saw them like this, they would have no choice but to admit the couple was made for each other.

"It's hilarious. Tell me what happened next. Kanae-san what did Sarah-san have to say?" The man asked with innocent glee written all over his face.

"I don't know, after I asked about you two using protection Sarah-san demanded to see Kyoko in the bathroom." Kanae replied unable to help the slight blush at seeing that face. No wonder Kyoko fell so hard if that was how he acted around her all the time.

"And you didn't follow them?" Kuon asked disappointed. It would take extra coaxing to get the info out of Kyoko. Not that he minded flirting extra with her, but that ran the risk of him forgetting what he was trying to coax out of her.

"I'm not a snoop." Kanae said crossing her arms.

"No fun." He moaned like a kid denied dessert. "Kyoko tell me what she said, please." He turned his level one puppy dog eyes at her.

"No, that's between me and Sarah-san." Kyoko said smiling defiantly.

"I could always make you tell me." he said and Kanae recognized the glint in his eyes. She rolled her eyes and stood up.

"That's my cue to leave then. I have no desire to watch the two of you flirt and I'm sure you'll have more fun without me here."

"Oh, but Moko-san, you said we could watch a show together." Kyoko said following her friend to the door. "Ren will make some tea. He makes really good tea. Stay for one episode." She had been really looking forward to watching tv with her two favorite people.

Kanae rolled her eyes at the pathetic puppy eyes Kyoko was giving her. With a sigh she slipped back out of the shoes she was putting on and held up one finger.

"Yay. Ren make us some tea please." Kyoko called and Kanae concealed a smile.

"Yes, princess." Kuon called back and Kanae's smile widened as she shook her head. That man was determined to spoil Kyoko.

Kanae followed Kyoko to the sofa and took her seat. They put on the fantasy series that Kyoko had become obsessed with. It was based on a book series but it was in English, so they had to put on subtitles for to aide Kanae. The sword fights were choreographed well, and the actors were committed to selling the CGI monsters.

"What movie are we going to see on your pretend date with," Kanae started to ask then peered over her shoulder to see if Kuon had come back in before finishing, "Fuwa?"

"Some new comedy he wants to see." Kyoko said then smirked and pointed out. "You don't have to worry about saying his name around Ren."

"I just don't want him to get all dark and broody." Kanae explained.

"He won't. He's been surprisingly calm about the situation. I had expected him to be the one to punch Shotaro and not Kijima-san. Instead, Ren was the one who helped Shotaro clean himself up and get back to his bodyguard's car. Ren even smoothed things over with the paparazzi outside. He gave them all autographs and a mini photoshoot so Shotaro could escape." Kyoko spoke with a neutral tone, but Kanae could tell the situation was annoying her.

"That's good, isn't it? Tsuruga-kun is being very adult about this whole thing." Kanae said.

"Yes, it's great. My boyfriend is so mature that he's letting me date another guy and acting as though it's perfectly normal. It doesn't bother him at all." Not to mention he found it hilarious that she had to have a sex talk with his mom.

"Kyoko?"

"It's fine Kanae. I just thought he would be more jealous. It's good that he's not though. I wouldn't want him to do anything stupid out of unnecessary jealousy." She said annoyed with herself for being annoyed. He could at least complain about it to her privately. No, he had to mister understanding.

"Right." Kanae agreed.

She couldn't think of what else to say to that. It was clear that Kyoko wanted him to show his jealousy but that couldn't happen. If it did, they would all be in trouble. Kuon came back into the room with a tray of tea and a plate of cookies. He sat down on the opposite side of Kyoko and pulled her into his side.

"Is this the one with the British actor you think is hot?" He asked in a teasing tone.

"No." Kyoko replied but her cheeks were pink.

"No." Kuon mimicked her laying a kiss on her cheek.

"I'll leave if the two of you start acting mushy." Kanae warned to which Kuon rolled his eyes at even as he sat up straighter and focused on the tv.

"We could watch something else if you'd prefer." Kyoko suggested wondering at his seeming lack of jealousy. She did find the actor attractive and given they were in the same profession there was a slim chance they could meet. Did it bother him that she was attracted to another actor?

"No this is fine. I liked the book series too." He said.

Of course, Kyoko already knew this about him. Kanae on the other hand didn't think it quite suited the Tsuruga Ren image. Was he a fairytale nut too? Kanae wondered if the two of them were visitors of the same fairy realm. They were too perfect for each other. She shook her head as Kyoko happily pushed play. The three of them watched getting lost in the story, of daring sorcerous' and grouchy knights. They ended up watching three episodes as Kyoko gushed over the princess having mystical powers and not being just another damsel. She whispered the lines of the sorcerous wishing she could play such a cool character. Kanae and Kuon watched her more than the show, fascinated by her abilities as she mimicked the grumpy tone of the knight. Most of the lines had been ripped straight from the books and she was prodding Kuon to act along with her knowing he knew what characters were going to say.

Kanae was the first to close her eyes and Kuon noticed. He nudged Kyoko interrupting her monologuing along with one of the sorcerers to draw her attention to her drowsy friend.

"Moko-san." She breathed happily. Pressing pause she placed a pillow down as Kanae slowly fell onto the couch asleep. "Do you think you should carry her to the guest room? That might annoy her though when she finds out about it in the morning."

Kuon shrugged, "If you want me to I will but I don't think she'd mind sleeping on the couch. It wouldn't be the first time."

Pursing her lips Kyoko thought about it then shrugged with him. "I guess you're right."

"Good, no tell me what my mom said."

"No."

"Yes."

"No, Corn I will not tell you what Sarah-san said. She is Sarah-san and not your mom. That's your rule. You have no connection to her. Therefore, you have no need to know what was said between us."

"You are mine." He said taking her hands and tugging her to him. "Therefore, I have every need to know what someone said to you in private about our sex life."

"I am yours which is why I was going to spare you all the details about what Julie-san said about Kuu-san being insatiable." She said with a wicked grin.

"Never mind I don't want to know." He said and began walking towards their bedroom.

Giving chase Kyoko said, "Oh, but I thought you wanted to hear Kuon about how Hizuri men are so irresistible especially in the shower."

"Kyoko stop." Kuon pleaded.

"But Kuon you wanted to know all about how she told me it was bound to happen because your dad is quite persuasive, and you take after him. In more ways than one apparently. You may have your mother's looks, but she said your physique was all from Kuu-san."

"Kyoko please." He begged.

"Don't you want to hear about how your mom loves mmmmph…" a hand captured her from behind and pressed firmly against her mouth to quiet her.

"I don't need to hear about anything to do with my parents doing anything passed holding hands." He hissed in her ear hugging her tight to his chest.

"Mmffm mfhfmph mphiinf." She tried to speak.

Growing frustrated she licked his hand recalling when Sho had done that to her once when they were kids, and she was trying to shush him. Back that it had felt gross to her but when she did it to Kuon both of them had to remind themselves that Kanae was in the other room.

Kuon smirked against her neck. "We should get to bed." He said releasing her.

"Ok, I'll take some blankets out to Kanae first." She said rushing out of the room to get away from her growing desire for him.

Meanwhile, Kanae was utterly confused trying to decipher what she had heard. Why was Tsuruga Ren referring to Sarah-san as his mom? She sat up and sneaked over to eavesdrop on the pair. Who were Kuu and Julie? Who the hell was Kuon? There he went again talking about his parents. Kanae cocked her head curiously then hearing Kyoko announce her intention to get blankets Kanae ran to the guest room and locked herself in. She was more than irritated. Kyoko wasn't allowed to keep secrets. She listened at her door and heard Kyoko say something that sounded vaguely like she must have gone to the guest room. Then their door shut.

For a moment Kanae could do nothing but sit in contemplation. Then recalling the phone in her pocket, she pulled it out and search for Kuu and Julie. When that only brought up articles about Hizuri Kuu's latest blockbuster in America she added Kuon to the mix. What she found were decades old pictures of a younger Kuu and his wife Juli… Kanae squinted at the picture. There was something very familiar about Kuu's wife. Kanae couldn't quite put her finger on where she had seen their gorgeous blond child with them, but she was certain that she had. She continued to look at pictures finding it odd that the ones containing their child stopped suddenly. It was like the boy had vanished into thin air. Even when Kanae searched for him specifically she couldn't find any articles about where he was. The last mention of him was about how one of his friends had passed then there was nothing.

Kanae stared at the image of the boy Kuon for a long moment. She placed her hand over the top half of his face and stared at the frown on his lips. She had seen that frown before.

A/N: Sorry it's so short. Happy Holidays.