Ren had taken her home after that promising his parents that he would meet up with them tomorrow for food and a real catch up. He had taken her back to the Darumaya and left her with Okami. He had not been able to get a single word out of her on the ride over and watching her silently cry in the passenger seat was heart wrenching but he knew there was nothing he could say.

He was now sat in his apartment going over the day in his head. He hadn't realised how much he had missed his parents. He didn't know how he could help Kyoko.

As he lay in bed that night a thought crossed his mind. Kyoko would be just down the hall soon.

Kyoko felt awful in the morning. She had embarrassed herself. The aberration of Julie finding the video funny aside, her decorum was sure to put her back on the 'do not like' list.

She text Ren.

I'm so sorry about last night.

Completely understandable. You did get a lot of shocks.

I need to apologise.

I'm meeting them later if you'd like to join.

Kyoko warred with herself between the need to apologise, terror of facing them again and nerves about intruding on Rens time with his parents.

Oh no no. I wouldn't want to intrude with your time with them.

Her phone rang.

"I wouldn't have invited you to join if I thought you'd be intruding. Plus I'm sure Dad would love to see you."

"You cheat. You phoned so I wouldn't be able to say no."

His low chuckle came through the phone.

"Yes. Its a win-win. I get to spend time with you and my parents. You can make sure I eat properly and see Dad. You'll have the chance to apologise even though I'm fairly certain you'll get in trouble for it."

"Why?"

"My mother thinks you're brilliant and she loved that video. I haven't seen her laugh that hard since Dad tripped and fell in the pool."

"He what?"

"I'll tell you later. His reaction is always priceless. See another reason to join us."

"Tempting."

"I'll pick you up around 12. We'll be joining them at Sashim at 1."

"What do I wear?"

"Whatever you want. It's a restaurant Dad loves because they cook to his stomach."

She looked at her clock.

"It's half 9! I have to get ready!"

Ren was laughing.

"Theres 2 and a half hours until I pick you up. You've plenty of time."

He was still laughing as she told him he'd never understand because he wasn't a girl and that she'd see him later.

She flew into a flurry of activity after she hung up, glad for those new black trousers she had.

Downstairs she received a beautiful jade green scarf from Okami and Taisho which she immediately added to her outfit. They apologised for not finding time to grab a minute with her at the party but congratulated her on the success and had had a great time.

She spent time just chatting away about her moving. Taisho surprised her with a speech (by his standards) about yes they liked him, she was safe but they would miss her terribly. They talked about the party and future plans.

They spoke to her as if parents interested in their childs days.

At just before midday she stood in front of the mirror triple checking her hair, make up and outfit. She moved to pacing the kitchen while checking her reflection in anything that provided it. When the door knocked Taisho opened it and took Ren to one side.

There was a lot of muttering, 'yes sir's and Okami rolled her eyes. Taisho stared at Ren, seeming appeased by whatever it was Ren had said and released him from the corner. Ren was a little pale.

He held out a hand to Kyoko but not without first looking at Taisho who nodded.

On the way out Kyoko asked him what had been said.

"Something that every man apparently says to his daughters boyfriend."

"Did it involve pointy things?"

Ren paled. Kyoko laughed and felt the warm rush of love she felt for the couple.

Ren relaxed. It was her real laugh.

He'd take some minor threats if it meant she was smiling.

They pulled up to the restaurant and were led to a private room inside. Kyoko hadn't even closed the door properly before Julie tackled Ren with a hug.

Kuu winked at Kyoko and beckoned her over.

"Come here and give us a hug 'son'."

She was wrapped up into a bone crushing hug while Kuu spouted on in her ear about how proud he was.

"Kuu put her down. It's my turn!"

He set Kyoko down and spun her into Julies arms where she froze.

"What's wrong Kyoko-chan? I don't bite."

"I'm sorry about last night. I was overloaded and overwhelmed. And my behaviour in the hospital…"

"Was hilarious. It's rare to see someone stand up to that old fool. Most people are scared of him and his position. But rarer still is him getting told off for being boring. It really irks him when people call him boring and his reactions are always funny."

She went in for another hug and Kyoko took a half step back. Julie looked offended til Kuu whispered in her ear. Her face softened and she nodded.

"I'm sorry Kyoko-chan. I forgot."

"Eh?"

"Let us sit and we'll explain."

She waited til everyone was seated.

"I have something to reveal. Lory told us everything. The stalker, your mother."

Kyoko looked horrified. Julie rushed to explain.

"He had to. I'm a very outgoing person and I've wanted to meet you so bad but he said I had to go easy. I meant to be myself but with less hugs to make you feel more comfortable. I'm sorry I made you cry."

"Oh no. That wasn't you per se. It's a little silly."

Julie inclined for her to go on.

"I had gotten quite used to the fact I would never feel a mothers love. But then you hugged me and well, I didn't know what to do."

Her voice grew smaller as she stared at the table. Ren grasped her hand.

"That woman has no right to call herself a mother. Lory has more right to do so!"

This elicited snickers.

"Plus when my dork husband adopted you, I guess I kinda did to, so…"

She left the sentence wide open, full of possibilities, but saw the terror in Kyokos eyes. She patted her face.

"Whenever you are ready sweet child. Whenever you are ready."

They shared another moment before Kuu cleared his throat.

"Can we eat now?"

It effectively changed the mood and subject. Especially after Julie clipped Kuu round the back of the head for being rude.

Through lunch Ren regaled them with their story. He earned a flick on the forehead after admitting to quite literally throwing Kyoko out of LME and another for telling the pool story.

Kuu vehemently claimed that the pool cleaner had it out for him and had attacked him.

She relaxed during lunch with stories and pictures from Kuu and Julie. She and Ren told them their stories. Laughing as Julie tried to get Ren to eat 'just a little more'.

After lunch Julie turned to Kyoko.

"I believe it's girl time. We're going shopping!"

Kyoko looked at Ren before responding.

"I would like to but…"

Julie cut her off.

"Lory told us EVERYTHING. Your security is in the car outside. Now we are going shopping and we'll leave the boys to whatever it is they do."

Kyoko looked pleadingly at Ren who just shrugged.

She tried a new tactic.

"I don't have my wallet with me."

"So? My treat. I don't have a daughter to spoil but I do have a future daughter-in-law. Oh in fact it's your birthday so there's that to."

Ren laughed as Kyoko flushed.

"Just agree Kyoko or she'll pull a Cain on you."

Kyoko was horrified.

"She can do it too?!"

"Where do you think I learnt it from?"

Kuu and Julie looked confused.

Ren explained that if you did puppy dog eyes, she couldn't say no.

Kyoko swatted Rens arm as Julie pulled the most adorable pleading puppy dog face Kyoko had ever seen.

"Okay. I see where you get it from. Thank you H…Julie-san. I would love to go shopping with you."

Julie squealed and did a little happy dance while Kyoko let out a defeated sigh. Kuu went off to settle the bill and Julie excused herself to the ladies.

Ren took Kyokos hand.

"I'm sorry but it's easier to just agree. Much like you she's a force to be reckoned with when there is something she wants. She didn't get to mother me as much as she would have liked and now she has me and you to heap it on. She may give you extra because you're a girl and um…"

"My own mother didn't. Is it pity?"

"Maybe a small part. She just wants to share her love. It's what she does. Taking you shopping will also make her insanely happy. Just don't look to hard at the total and remember that to her, it isn't a lot. My parents have earned, saved and invested well."

He looked at her.

"If it makes you feel better just think of it as her making up for birthday and Christmas presents."

"I shall take the Presidents advice. Go with the flow and accept it."

"Good idea."

"What is?" Julie asked as she re-entered.

"Finding an outfit for New Years for Kyoko while you are out." Ren smoothly lied.

He winked at Kyoko who stifled a giggle.

He pulled her into a hug.

"Have fun."

"Ren! Let her go so I can spoil her!" Julie stamped her foot for emphasis.

"Never" he growled playfully.

"If you don't release her right now I'll tell her what you wore for 6 weeks solid when you were 10!"

He let go of Kyoko as if burnt and raised his arms in mock surrender.

"I give, I give, you win!"

Julie had a smug smirk on her face and Kyoko was now incredibly curious. She ask later.

They separated from the men and Julie practically dragged Kyoko to the car where her guards were waiting. She told them to head to the nearest shopping district and turned to Kyoko.

Turns out she wasn't going to have to ask Julie what Ren had worn.

"Fairy wing t-shirts! Though when he was at home it was an actual set of wings! And now I know it's because he was smitten with you! Oh he's so cute!"

Kyoko laughed so hard she snorted. Julie regaled Kyoko with embarrassing Ren stories that by the time the car pulled up at a high scale shopping district both women were crying with laughter.

(A/N - the guards are Lorys. They know how to keep quiet.)

Julie suddenly sat up and clapped gleefully.

"We're here! Shopping time! Look at me!"

The tone indicted no arguments and as Kyoko turned to look at Julie, Julie attacked her with a tissue and fixed her make up.

"T-thank you."

"It's no problem. Am I good?"

Kyoko nodded.

"How come you didn't smudge?"

Julie launched into a rather one sided discussion about waterproof mascaras and gradually moved onto other make up.

"See you're lucky. You have amazing skin and don't need a lot of make up. Just some light touches here and there to accentuate your natural beauty."

"But I'm not…"

Julie cut her off with a sharp glance.

"You are a beautiful woman Kyoko and anyone who says otherwise is either jealous or a fool."

Kyoko didn't have a response, didn't know how to. Julie hooked her arm in Kyokos and steered her towards a make up store.

"Stop number 1!"