Kyoko locked the door behind them.
"Persistant isn't she?"
Kyoko walked in and placed her bag in the guestroom, then headed for the kitchen. Tea, she decided, would help. She called for Ren and he appeared in the doorway.
"I can't reach the tea. Would you fetch it down please?"
A light smile brushed his face.
"I brought a step stool for this reason."
"The manly touch is much better. Also I don't want you over there mulling it over and being angry."
"How'd you..."
"Because I'm angry too. That woman is... Well I can't say because a proper lady shouldn't use such language."
Ren laughed.
"You should let Yashiro-san know. Do I need to let Ryu-san know?"
"Might be an idea. Let her know about the incident at the Darumaya as well."
"She already knows. I let her know when I asked her to look at security companies."
Silence fell in the kitchen. The seriousness of the day was sinking into Kyoko. Ren pulled the tea down and set it on the counter. Kyoko was stood frozen, clutching the cups in a white knuckle grip. Ren gently placed his hands on her shoulders. She shuddered and he realised she was crying.
"Are you okay?"
She sniffed.
"I really am going to have to move aren't I? Leave the Darumaya. It'll just get worse."
Ren said nothing and just pulled her into a hug. She sighed and took a deep breath.
Something clicked in Rens brain.
~I could ask her to move in here! But she wouldn't agree. Not yet.~
"Why don't I see if there are any apartments free in this building? It's somewhere you know, some where safe, with a neighbour you know and in a good location."
Ren felt her straighten up slightly.
"Really? You'd be okay with that?"
~I'd have you living here if I didn't think you'd freak out at the suggestion~
"Yea. It'll make our schedules easier. I'd feel better if you were in a building like this. Tell you what, while you cook, I will phone the building manager."
Ren gave her a kiss on the forehead and went into the living room. She pulled out the emergency ingredients she kept in the blank space Ren called a kitchen.
When things were happily simmering, Kyoko finally started to relax. Yes she would have to move, but she would have to do that soon anyway. This was just... moving the schedule forwards a little bit. Having a whole place to herself, to decorate as she wanted, to practice in, to not worry about disturbing Taisho and Okami when she came in late at night. Rens points about moving were valid too. She started to look forward to moving. If she could get into this building then Ren would have no excuse with his diet.
When Ren had finished with his call, he stopped in the kitchen dooway. He leant against the frame and smiled. Kyoko was cooking with her usual vigour and smile.
He coughed to gain her attention.
"There are a coupe of apartments in this building that are free, but they are both on the upper floors. Quite expensive."
Kyoko looked briefly upset but bounced right back.
"That's okay. Thank you for checking though. To be honest though these places are a little big for just me."
She continued stirring.
Rens Kuon.
JUST ASK HER! We can keep her safe here! Plus she'll be here! With us!
Ren shook his head and Kuon saw the flurry of thoughts in his mind.
Okay, okay. I get it. Later.
Kuon settled back into his place in Ren's mind. Yea, he got it. But he didn't have to like it.
Ren looked at Kyoko.
(A/N.. Due to the strange and sometimes malicous universe I have thrust these two into, Setsu and Natsu are currently trying to get Kyoko to ask Ren if she can move in.)
She was an incredibly vivid and fabulous shade of RED.
Ren sniffed.
"Is something burning?"
A thousand apologies later and an uphill struggle they ate it all. Ren cleared away the plates, and as was their routine they settled onto the sofa with tea.
"What got you so distracted that YOU burnt dinner? I mean me, it's pure lack of skill but you..."
Kyoko nearly dropped her cup.
For a brief second she had caught sight of Rens face and she could almost hear the plea for her to stay radiating off him. She flushed an even deeper red when part of her wished he would.
Ren smirked, watching her. Kuon languidly raised his long leg in the back of Rens mind and gave him a kick.
Do it.
Ren put his cup down and cleared his throat.
"Kyoko."
She stared at the floor.
"Kyoko, look at me."
The floor really was very interesting.
"Please Kyoko"
She could never resist when he said please. She glanced up and was nearly knocked flat by the puppy dog pout on his face.
"Would you, maybe, I mean... Would you consider moving in here? With me?"
Ren closed his eyes, bracing for the vehement denial. Kyokos eyes went wide as saucers. After a few minutes he peeked when Kyoko hadn't said anything. She was gaping like a fish and an odd pale red colour as shock and embarrassment fought.
Ren shot up.
"Oh no! I meant in the guest room! Of course you'll have your own room and own bathroom and I'll get..."
Kyoko held up a hand.
~Please don't say no.~
"I will..." she paused for a brief second, "I will consider it."
Ren smiled. Evil spirits around the world felt it's devastating blow around the world. Kyoko couldn't help but smile.
"I will give you a decision soon. I'm sorry."
"That's fine! I'm just glad you didn't outright say no!"
He swept her up in a massive hug and Kyoko started giggling.
