Two days later and Kyoko was bored. She was restless. She was only allowed to get out of bed for the toilet and nothing else. She had scripts to read, scenes to make up and probably a HUGE pile of homework and paperwork. Just 3 days in hospital and she was climbing the walls.
There was a knock at the door and nurse walked in.
"Good morning Kyoko-san! I have some good news for you! If you get the okay from the Doctor today, then you can go home!"
Kyoko felt elated. She would be getting out of here. She could get things done! The nurse checked Kyoko's blood pressure and temperature.
"Seems all good," she said giving the thermometer a shake, "The doctor will be around later to see you."

She bustled out and stopped to speak to someone outside. The nurse nodded and stepped back from the door.

"MOKO-SAN !"
Kyoko made as if to leap out of bed at her best friend, but a combination of Kanae's glare, being laid up for 3 days, the soreness of her stomach and the covers led her to sitting back down in bed.

"Ah, Moko-san. I'm so sorry to have caused you so much trouble! I could have at least waited until I was inside to faint!"
Kyoko chuckled. Kanae looked confused.

Kyoko explained the whole conversation she had with the president.
"He threatened to stop you working if you don't become more confident and stop apologising every 5 minutes?"
"Yes, so I'm trying. I actually spent a lot of time thinking up that line," she smiled, "something that the president would approve of whilst still being an apology"
~That's actually quite smart. Of both of them. He uses this threat, which no doubt he wouldn't go through, and she actually tries. If she thinks her career is on the line she will actually work at it! That strange man is a bizzare type of genius~

Kanae realised that Kyoko seemed to be waiting for a response to something.
"I'm sorry Kyoko-san, could you repeat what you said? I was distracted."
Kyoko giggled.
"I said, can I have a rain check on the sleepover?"
"Of course"
Kanae slapped her hand over her mouth. She'd answered without thinking. The smile on her best friends face was totally worth it though.

"Ahem, anyway. I brought you some magazines. I have to get back to work. I will text you later. Maybe I'll come visit again."
"If you do that Moko-san, you'll have to come visit me at the Darumaya. I'm being released today. Now, off to work. I don't want you to be late. Thank you for the magazines! Have a good day!"

Kanae waved her goodbye as she headed out the door.
Kyoko settled back onto the bed. She grabbed the magazines Kanae had brought her. One had a piece about Box-R and she set that aside so she could read it later and keep the article. The next had a large section on affordable, cute fashion. She marked a couple of pages which contained something she might buy or she thought she would look cute in but needed either Kanaes or Marias or Chioris opinion first.
The last one had a piece on Tsuruga-san. With pictures.
~No harm in seeing how my Senpai handles interviews. I'm sure it will help me in the future. Yes this is just a learning opportunity~

Settling back into the pillows behind her a little more, she flicked to a page with an interview with her beloved, most honourable Senpai on it. She skimmed down, looking at the questions. One was about food.
Smiling softly she went back to the top of the page and started reading.

By the time she had finished that magazine and had started on the one containing the Box-R piece, she was so engrossed in reading that she didn't notice the doctor standing by the bed.
"Excuse me, Mogami-san" the doctor said quietly.
"KYAA !" Kyoko rose off the bed by at least 3 foot. She clutched her chest.
"Oh doctor, I'm so sorry for screaming but you made me jump."
The doctor bowed.
"I deeply apologise Mogami-san. It was not my intention. I am here to give you your final check up before we start the discharge procedures."
He checked the incision, nodding his approval. He flicked through her charts, making an encouraging noise here or nodding there. He declared she was fit to be discharged.
" However Mogami-san. You must rest at least one more day. You can go back to work after that but light duties only. You can bathe but only in warm, plain water. No bubbles I'm afraid. Or you can shower. In a week I would like you to come back and see me."
He checked a phone.
"3:45pm Friday if that is convienient to you"
She said that it would and that she would rest and take it easy. She asked where she needed to go to take care of all of the paperwork that her hospital stay had generated.
"It's already taken care of. We just need to sign it. Your bill is paid in full"
"Ehhh?! Who?!"
The doctor flipped through some more pages in her file.
"A Lory Takarada paid. He left a message as well. It says 'Let this be the start of your training'. Does that make any sense to you?"
The doctor looked so confused at the message and the laughter building up behind her eyes that Kyoko had to stifle her laugh. She could only nod that it had made sense.
"All right then... you can get up and dressed but slowly"

Kyoko bowed (as much as you can in a bed) and thanked the doctor. He waved his hand and left the room. He was still confused. The message from the odd man had made so little sense, but apparently his patient understood it and found it funny.
He shrugged. Never a dull day working in this hospital he thought.
Once dressed, she gathered her things and followed the signs to reception. She signed all the paperwork, promised to be careful and thanked the doctor. She left a message for Nurse Ito thanking her for looking after her.

She rode the elevator down to the hospitals main reception. As the doors opened she saw a man standing by the front doors holding a sign with her stage name on it.
She glanced around. There were plenty of people around and a security guard in his booth by the door.
Kyoko walked up the man.
"I am Kyoko. How can I help you?"
"Kyoko-san. President Takarada sent me."
He took a card out of his pocket and handed it over.
'-Mogami-san. This is one of the LME drivers. He will be driving you home. Rest up and please come and see me at 4pm tomorrow-'

The driver bowed to her.
"Please allow me to take you home"
Kyoko hesitated for a moment before remembering the presidents bowed back.
"Please take care of me"

The driver escorted her out to the parking lot to one of the LME cars.
~At least it isn't the enormous pink limo. ~

The driver opened the door for her and she slid into the backseat, putting her bag on the seat beside her. The driver placed her suitcase in the boot before climbing into the drivers seat.
"Where to Kyoko-san?"
"The Darumaya please."
He nodded and started the car. She settled back, relaxing in her seat. It was very comfortable.
~Taisho and Okami! I should let them know I'm on my way home!~
She fumbled around in her bag, exclaiming in delight when she found her phone. She dialled the restaurant and Okami answered. Kyoko told her that she was on her way home now and would be there in 10 minutes or so. She clicked off and text Kanae and Yashiro to let them know she was on her way home.
The ride was smooth and she found herself lulled into a daze by the swish of the tyres on the tarmac.
Before she realised it, the car was pulled up outside Darumaya. Okami was waiting outside for her.
The driver got out and opened the boot, collecting Kyokos suitcase. He opened the door for her and escorted her over to Okami.

"Thank you for driving her home" Okami said bowing to the driver.
"It was no trouble at all. I mean, it is my job after all" he chuckled. He bowed to the women and got back into the car. As he drove off Okami turned to Kyoko, picking her case up before Kyoko could object. Okami informed her that the bath was ready for her, and that she would bring up the light dinner Taisho was making so Kyoko could eat it in her room.
Tears filled Kyokos eyes and she hugged Okami causing her to drop Kyokos case. Kyoko couldn't find the words to express how grateful she was, so she tried to put it all into the hug. After a while Okami broke the hug off, sniffling, rebuking Kyoko that her bath was getting cold. Kyoko grabbed her case before Okami could pick it up again. Entering the resturant via the back door, Okami started speaking again.
"You just go on up and take your bath, then straight into bed with you. I will bring your dinner up when it's ready."
~Yes mother~ Kyoko thought with a small smile on her face.

As she traipsed up the stairs, she heard Okami tell Taisho she was home and telling all the regulars she was fine. A cheer came from the main room of the restaurant. She felt heartened when she heard the cheers. They really did care for her.

The bath was a perfect temperature and she could feel it working at the tension in her muscles. It styung slightly as it hit the wound but it was short lived and the water started to soothe it and the bruise that was well on it's way to becoming very impressive if Kyoko's guess was right. As she lay there it occured to her that she had text Yashiro that she was on her way home.
~Why would I have done that?~
Mio spoke up.
"Because this way Ren will know that you are okay without you actually having to talk to him."
Mio's answer satisfied Kyoko and she sunk lower into the water.

After a indeterminable amount of time (but let's say half an hour) Okami knocked on the bathroom door to let her know that her dinner was ready.
"I'll be right out" Kyoko called. She hoisted herself out of the bath and was just about to have a level 3 meltdown about the fact she forgot to get clothes to change into after her bath. Okami called out again, saving the day.
"I've put some clean clothes on the counter for you"

Okami had picked out Kyoko's favourite yukata. It was comfy and it was warm. She dried herself off and wrapped herself up. Okami looked at Kyoko and saw her face. She raised a hand.
"You do not have to thank me Kyoko. This is what families do for each other. I know how much you like wearing it."
Kyoko teared up. They had meant what they said. It wasn't just empty platitudes because she was in the hospital.
Okami patted her shoulder.
"We meant it you know. We really do see you as a daughter. You are family to us."

That was it for Kyoko. She burst into tears. Okami led Kyoko into her room and closed the door. She settled a still crying Kyoko into her bed.

"Hush now Kyoko. I didn't mean to upset you."
"Oh Okami. I'm not upset at all. I'm very happy."
Kyoko told Okami the story of her mother.
"What kind of person could do that to a child?! Irrelevant of circumstances!"
Okami was indignant with rage.
"Okami. It's okay. She explained and while it still hurts, I do kind of understand. Anyway, I have you and Taisho so..."
"It's that womans loss!" Okami finished.
"You are a wonderful, kind, smart, lovin girl and she doesn't know what she's missing"
Okami finished this with a nod and crossed her arms as if to cement her point.

Kyoko burst into a fresh round of tears.

After a while Kyoko managed to calm down and eat the light dinner Taisho had prepared for her. A combination of physical and mental tiredness and a dozy feeling from a full stomach of good food left her feeling drained.
She yawned. Okami gathered up the bowl and cutlery while Kyoko laid down to sleep.
"Good night oka-san" Kyoko murmered nearly fully asleep.
"Good night Kyoko" the Okami replied, a slight smile on her face. She smiled down at the now sleeping girl. She thanked the Gods for the day they sent Kyoko to them, switched off the light and exited the room. She softly closed the door, leaving Kyoko to sleep.

That night Okami recounted to Taisho all that had happened. When she got to the part about Kyokos mother, Taisho got a sharp look in his eye. Okami held up a hand so he wouldn't interrupt. She finished explaining what had happened.
"We're very lucky she chose to come here," Taisho said, "she's a lovely young woman and I'm proud of her."
Okami agreed. She kissed her husband goodnight and they both settled down. They both smiled as they thought about the girl down the hall.

Those smiles widened into grins as they heard "NO! Not the purple syrup ducks" from her room. It was so quiet without Kyoko at night and nowhere near as entertaining. They had never felt so blessed. Well, except for maybe the day Kyoko had walked into their lives.

Kyoko slept on, dreaming of purple syrup ducks chasing pancakes around a breakfast table.
She was trying to serve breakfast to her parents.

Parents who looked suspiciously like Okami and Taisho.

****Hi guys, FioreBorn here. I'm having trouble with which way I want the story to go so it's time for a poll. Check it out and help me decide where this story goes****