10 minutes before the auction started Kyoko saw Julie heading their way. She clutched Kanaes arm who turned to see what had caused the reaction.

"Is she heading towards us?"

Kyoko squeaked yes and was debating if she could run or hide behind Kanae. She settled for half hiding as Julie glided over to them.

"I can see you Kyoko-chan. Would you introduce me to the lovely lady you are hiding behind?"

Kyoko flinched. It did not go unnoticed. She stepped out from behind Kanae.

"Hiz…" she stopped when she saw Julies face.

"Julie-san this is Kotonami Kanae. She's a fellow actress, colleauge at LME and my best friend."

They shook hands and made small talk as Kyoko trembled in between them. Kanae had just finished explaining the kimono to Julie when another bidder motioned for her. She shot a sorry expression to Kyoko before leaving her alone with Julie.

"Kyoko-chan I must apologise."

Kyoko looked at her confused.

"For my husbands behaviour the last time he was here. I heard he was quite rude to you."

Kyoko waved her off.

"It was nothing. I just treated him like a drunk guest. They can sometimes get a little… grouchy."

Julie laughed.

"Grouchy is one way to put it. He usually gets like that when he's hungry and I heard about what he did to your food."

Kyoko glowered.

"He was very rude about Ren too."

"But you got him to eat it didn't you? I wish I could have seen it. He's quite annoyed about the 'phone call' you made as well."

"I didn't think he'd fall for it really."

"How does Tsuruga-san treat you?"

Thrown by the abrupt change of subject, Kyoko managed to both blush and pale at the same time.

How to explain it to your boyfriends mother.

She decided to tell him about the date he took her on to see the fairies. Julies heart almost burst at the beautiful look on Kyokos face as she recounted the story.

"He helps me with scripts. He taught me how to walk."

Julies bemused look launched Kyoko into a tale of how she turned up at Rens door at 2am and begged him to teach her how to walk like a model.

Julie was almost doubled over laughing when Kuu and Lory came over. Julie took one look at Kuu and back at Kyoko before bursting into a fresh round of laughter.

"Kyoko-chan what did you do?"

"I told her about your last visit."

"You got outwitted by a young woman, then lectured, then you adopted her? By giving her homework?!"

Kuu rubbed the back of his neck, a move that reminded her of Ren and she scanned the crowd for him. He was with Yashiro and Director Shin. Lory gained her attention.

"Kyoko-chan. The auction is about to begin."

She excused herself from the group and made her way to the front of the room. The attendants had set up the tables next to a lectern and had a huge pile of books.

Spotlights hit the lectern and in a puff of smoke Lory appeared. Kyoko resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen! Before we begin could we please give a round of applause for our hosts of the evening!"

Lorys spotlight snuffed out and two new ones blazed to life higlighting Maria and Kyoko. Maria curtsied and Kyoko bowed as the crowd broke into a deafening crescendo of applause. Kyoko blushed, and wished, nay prayed for Lory to start talking again.

As if the gods had answered her, her spotlight switched off and Lorys flared back on.

"These two lovely ladies put together the entire event and as by their decision all proceeds from tonight are going to a very deserving cause."

More applause. Kyoko was grateful for the dark.

"And now for tonights main event! We've been taking bids all evening and the time for final bids is now. We shall begin with having a one of a kind, handmade kimono by Sakura."

A spotlight hit Kanae who was stood with the designer.

"The last bid was 300,000. Anymore?"

A few more bids were called out and Lory had the attendants check the books for any other bids or raises. Satisfied there wasn't they nodded and Lory slammed the gavel down.

"SOLD!"

Kyoko couldn't believe it. 315,000 and it was only the first item! The children would be so happy.

She drifted into a daze, thinking of the instruments, apparatus and supplies the children would be able to get. She was thinking about what instruments when her spotlight snapped back on.

"And now our last item."

Ren, Ryu and Yashiro were stood with Kuu and Julie. She shot them all filthy looks when they started snickering.

"Don't be so horrible. Laughing at her for this farce Lory has thrown her into to."

Ren covered his mouth so he wouldn't laugh out loud. He leaned down and whispered in her ear.

"I have it on good authority you have made a bid. And we aren't laughing at her. We recognise that deer-caught-in-the-headlights look on her face. She wasn't paying any attention and was startled when her light came back on. She was probably thinking about what the children were going to get."

Julie huffed and muttered something about slapping an old fool. He stood upright and focused back on the auction. Kyoko had gone pale, only refraining from shouting out loud about the bids due to her years of training.

"485,000! I have 485,000! Any more?"

He turned to the attendants who shook their heads.

"Going once, going twice… SOLD!"

He gave Kuu a wink; who broke into a little dance.

The winning bid apparently, was his. He told Julie who beamed. Ren groaned and covered his eyes.

"We told you you wouldn't win!"

Julie said in a sing-song voice with a smirk on her face.

Yashiro shushed them. While it may look like a boyfriend had just lost out on a chance to sneak some extra time with his girlfriend, you never knew who was listening.

Lory tapped the microphone.

"Ladies and gentlemen. We have raised… 2.8 million!"

Kyoko fell to the floor, hand clutched to her chest. 2.8 million! That was almost triple what she had expected. They might even be able to help the orphanage in other ways or other people!

Ren was by her side almost instantly. He knelt in front of her and brushed a strand of hair off her face. She was silent but seemed to have developed a fine tremor.

Without warning she threw herself at Ren and hugged him, laughing.

"2.8 million! Just think of all the people we can help! What we can provide those children!"

The crowd was clapping and cheering, Kuu was beaming and Julie had an odd look on her face.

Kyoko suddenly remembered where she was and let go off Ren as if burnt then flushed a deep scarlet.

Laughter joined the clapping.

"Kyoko-chan and Maria-chan! Congratulations! And now!"

He paused.

The clock chimed midnight.

"To top off tonights festivities, may we wish our host Kyoko-chan a happy birthday!"

The chefs wheeled the cake out.

It was a fairy on a toadstool. Kyoko looked at Lory who shook his head and pointed at Maria who gave her a wave and a curtsey. She mouthed back thank you and gave a small bow.

They cut the cake and sang and after happy birthdays and well wishes from what like every guest at the party, Kyoko finally managed to escape.

She sat alone in Lorys office, grateful he had offered her the space. After everything that had happened tonight she was in overload and needed some space to compose herself.

She had been alone in blissful quiet for about half an hour when a quiet knock came on the door. Lory poked his head round.

"Do you feel up to some company Kyoko-chan?"

She nodded.

He opened the door fully and he, Maria, Kanae, Ren, Yashiro and Ryu were all stood there.

"Do you feel better now Kyoko-chan?"

She gave Lory a small bow and thanked him for the use of his office.

"You're entirely welcome Kyoko-chan! I thought you might be a little overwhelmed."

Kyoko snorted.

"Nee-san. Does this mean I can't give you your present?"

"Oh Maria-chan, it's fine. I am completely fine now. Just needed a little break is all."

Maria clapped her hands and pulled a small box from her pocket.

Inside was a delicate silver necklace, the pendant a fairy sat in a crescent moon.

"Oh Maria-chan! It's beautiful! Thank you."

"I saw it in America and immediately thought of you."

Yashiro handed her a box that contained a bracelet and set of drop earrings that would match with the necklace very well. They were fairy themed too. Kanae had brought her a new fairytale inspired make up set. Lory handed her a bag that contained an elegant black dress. Ren and Ryu glanced at each other before looking at Kyoko.

He also produced a small box from a pocket and handed it to her.

She looked at it like it might bite her.

"Open it Kyoko. It won't bite."

Kyoko looked at Ryu who nodded.

Cautiously she opened the box.

It was a key. She looked at Ren with an eyebrow raised.

"I am asking you again. Will you move in with me? You'll be in the guest room of course. I just…"

He tailed off.

She looked at Ryu again, who gave another nod.

"Of course Ren."

He looked so relieved. He swept her up into a hug, laughing.

Kyoko looked at Ryu.

"I helped Ren with all the arrangements. I've changed the decor slightly so its more you than just spare room. I've spoken to Taisho and Okami, who are understandably upset you are leaving them, are thankful you will be safe. I also helped make adjustments to his kitchen so it is more friendly for the person who will actually be using it."

Kyoko laughed.

She let go of Ren and hugged everyone in the room.

As she was thanking everyone, Sebastian appeared pushing a food cart which was closely followed by Kuu and Julie. Lory sent them warning looks. Maria and Kanae were still unaware.

Kuu offered his congratulations to Maria and Kyoko before throwing himself into a chair and staring at the food trolley.

Lory stood.

"You all did brilliantly tonight, the auction was a success and from all reports Amiyama-chan has a date with one Hikita-san."

Kyoko and Kanae giggled.

"And Kotonami-san I am astounded by your patience with the evening. Alcohol does seem to loosen tongues and well… well done. I have taken the liberty of ordering you a car home and tomorrow you are expected at the spa. Details are in the car."

She raised an eyebrow at this, figuring there was something going on. But she was tired, the spa sounded good and she could get it out of Kyoko if she needed to. She bid everyone a good night before leaving. Lory looked at Maria. Maria suddenly decided that now was bedtime, as interesting as things looked to be getting in here. She'd figure it out eventually. She flounced round the room wishing everyone good night and followed shortly after Kanae.

Sebastian closed the door behind them and pressed a discrete switch that looked exactly like the wall it blended in to.

Lory announced that the room was now entirely secure. Ren hesitated briefly. Kyoko gave his hand a squeeze.

Ren crossed the room and stood in front of his mother. He looked her in the eye.

"I'm sorry."

She started crying and Ren fleetingly wondered if it was too late. He was thrown off balance when Julie launched herself at him, sobbing into his chest, clutching tightly.

"My boy. My little boy! I've missed you so much! Please don't go again."

"I don't intend on doing it again. I promise."

Julie sobbed harder. Kuu stood up and hugged them both. Kyoko looked lost yet hopeful. Yashiro and Ryu were basking in the love.

Lory ruined the moment by blowing his nose very, very loudly.

Julie broke away from her boys and threw a death glare at him that would have made conquerors stop in their tracks. He looked sheepish but not nearly apologetic enough for Julies liking, so she picked a cushion off the sofa and threw it at him.

It smacked him full in the face.

"You're so rude you crazy old fool!"

"You were making a bit of a scence…"

Julie strode over to him, picked up the cushion and began to beat him with it.

"I haven't seen my son in years because YOU kidnapped him and you thought you'd ruin the moment by blowing your nose like, like…"

She continued to hit him while she struggled for an appropriate word.

Unable to find one, she began to hit him in time to words she could think up.

"Stodgy, tedious, drab, boring…"

This also didn't appear to be working and she was running out of steam. Kuu gently took the cushion from her.

"I think he gets it love. And I think we've provided enough entertainment."

Ryu, Yashiro and Ren were leaning on the back of the sofa Kyoko was sat on, all laughing hard. Kuu was chuckling. Even Sebastian had a ghost of a flicker of a smile.

Ren turned to Julie.

"I have something for you."

She instantly smiled, turning back to her son.

"Hmmm?"

"Sit down with Dad and I'll show you."

He took a remote from Lorys desk and when everyone was seated he clicked a button. Kyoko recognised the people, the hallway and what was about to happen.

"Ren please don't do this." She begged.

"She'll love it Kyoko. Trust me."

She fidgeted, uncomfortable that Rens parents were about to see her behaving like that. She watched the mini version of herself march down the corridor and start berating Lory. She could feel the chuckles from the others reverberate through the sofa. Julie sat stunned, staring between mini-Kyoko and the real one sat inches from her.

She burst out laughing when mini-Lory apologised and marched off.

Through tears of laughter Julie tried to talk.

"That… that was you?!"

Kyoko nodded, embarrassed and focused intently on the pattern of her kimono, waiting for the lecture and telling off.

Instead Julie fell back, clutching her sides, in a fresh round of laughter.

"That was… one of… the best things… I've ever seen!"

Breathing heavily she pointed at Lory.

"You got told off by an 18 year old girl! For being boring!"

Kyoko didn't know what was going on or how to react. Her mother would have been verbally brutal.

~But Julie-san isn't my mother~

She looked at Julie.

"I was 17 at the time."

"EH? Thats even better. Oh so wait, it is actually your birthday today? Not just Lory looking for another excuse to be his usual excessively extravagant self?"

She nodded and Julie jumped up and pulled Kyoko into a cuddle. Not a hug. A mothers cuddle. The kind you get on your birthday.

"Happy birthday Kyoko-chan" she said softly in her ear.

This beautiful amazing woman was showing her something she had dreamt of. She often wondered what a mothers hug would feel like. This woman knew nothing about her, was showing her part of a love she had been deprived off.

There was only one way Kyoko could cope.

She burst into tears.