AN: I fully understand that people don't want to get sued but when I hear people say that only private Facebook pages with exclusive member lists should get the manga, it's just very disheartening. It's a very 'You can't sit with us" vibe.

Chapter Five – A Wife's Devotion

I look at the directions that I was given again. I don't want to be followed, I don't want for him to know that I'm gone or where I'm gone. I make my way to what looks like a large barn and take a deep breath in. I nervously open the large doors where I see Father standing there. I run over to him and wrap my arms around him, tears coating my cheeks.

My breath catches in my chest as I hear a voice I would know anywhere, "Kyoko?" I gasp and look around in the darkness. Where is he? I can understand him. Does that mean that he's turned back to being a human.

"Kuon, sweetheart," I whisper as I wrap an arm around myself. I just need to make sure that he's okay. I hear the sound of his claws against the dirt and then I look up and see the dragon version of Kuon. I try to keep calm but I can't stop myself from running over to him and wrapping my arms around his neck, pushing my head into his scales. I hear him give a sigh of relief. "Kuon," I whisper as I feel his scales upon my face. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter that he's a dragon when it comes to how much I love him. "Oh my god, sweetheart." I back away and place one hand on each side of his snout, I make sure to maintain eye contact with him. "It's okay. I'm here. I'm so thankful that you're all right."

"Dad gave me this chain," Kuon says in Japanese before touching a chain around his neck with his claw. "It's used so I can communicate."

I slip my hand over the precious item. At least I'm hearing him speak even if it is through the use of magic. I throw my arms around his neck as well and can feel the warmth from his chest and those more relaxed breaths. "I love you. I love you." I repeat. He has to know that. "I didn't want to leave you but I just want you to be safe," I turn to Father with my arms still securely around Kuon. "He is safe isn't he."

"When he's here he is, this place has enchantments which protect dragons."

I nod slowly before rushing back for a bag that I brought. "I'm sorry," I smile weakly to him. "I only brought chicken today. I'll remember to bring beef the next time I see you. You seemed to really enjoy the steaks. I'll have to learn how much you need to eat. I don't know anything about dragons," I try to apologize. I see him look hungrily at the chicken, he even sniffs the blood. I think this means that dragons prefer raw meat to cooked, I'll have to make a note of that.

He looks to me with shame in his eyes and then attempts to pick the chicken up with his claw. It's hard for him and he seems to be doing this more uncomfortable manner of eating for him for my benefit. I crouch down beside him. He has to eat differently. He's been cursed to be a beast but he's still Kuon. I just need to learn how to take care of him. He tries again to pick this chicken up but this time he accidentally rolls it away from him. I grab it and place it back down in front of him. He bows his head sadly and my heart twists. He needs to eat.

"I'm sorry," he apologizes and I really don't want to hear that. He can't help what he has to do. "I have to ea-" he begins but I don't want to hear it. Of course he has to eat the chicken in a similar way to how he ate the beef.

"Don't be sorry. I know that it's probably easier to eat with just your teeth. I'm just trying to learn a little bit more about dragons. I'll learn," I try to promise him and I see him move forwards. He picks the chicken up with his teeth before throwing it back into his mouth. I smile as I watch him. At least he's eating.

As he finishes the second chicken, I see the blood on his mouth and grab the damp towel I brought with me and start to clean it off of him. He's always taken care of me. Now it's my turn to take care of him. I look into his eyes. "I don't know how long I get to stay with you this time but I want to see you as much as possible," I tell him and kiss the end of his snout. It feels better to kiss part of him than deprive myself of these intimate moments.

"I know that you must hate this body," I tell him and he nods, "but you are such a gorgeous dragon," I tell him and he tilts his head to the side. "I mean it. You're beautiful. Kuon, I love you. I will never stop loving you."

Father takes a step forwards, "There are a couple of spells that Julie can cast when she arrives if you want to stay with him. However, I think that you remaining as you are might be too dangerous for the both of you."

I freeze before nodding, "I will become a dragon too if it means stay-"

"No. That's not what I meant," Father tells me, "but you're right. Your outside appearance has to change. We can temporarily grant you the powers necessary to take care of him but you can't remain as Kyoko Hizuri. Do you remember when you were interviewed after Dark Moon finished?" he asks. I nod. It was years ago but I remember the type of appearance Kijima had me take on. "We'll have to temporarily change your face though. Julie will have to give you a new identity."

I look at Father and then at Kuon. "Of course," I smile. "As long as I get to be with Kuon, I will fully trust the two of you."

"Kyoko," Kuon protests like I felt he would. "You don't have to do this."

"Why would I not want to do this?" I ask before giving him a challenging look that I always do when I want to make him truly think of what's happening. "Wouldn't you do it for me?" Kuon freezes before he nods. "So, there's no argument. Can you teach me how to take care of him?" I ask Father. I have the belief that somehow he can teach me all that I need to know.

KyKuKyKu

As morning light begins to flood the barn, I look to Kyoko. She remained here but she doesn't seem to have led that fairy imposter here. She's fallen asleep and Dad helped me prop her up against my body where I can cover her with my wing and keep her warm. Kyoko moves in her sleep and I can tell by her expression that she's having a nightmare. I hate that I can't help her as I did before but I push my snout to the side of her cheek and take slow breaths not to wake her.

"Kuon," she murmurs in her sleep, "please be okay." She reaches out and absentmindedly grabs onto my claw. I freeze as she does so. Is that going to wake her up. I watch her eyelids flicker and she looks up drowsily. She looks to her hand but instead of pulling away, she spreads it over my foot, smiling. She looks up as if to push a blanket away but sees my wing covering her. She gently guides it closer to her. "Tell me if I pull too hard," she says before looking up at me. I bow my head sadly but she kisses the side of my snout. "Are you feeling okay, my prince?" she asks and I nod.

Kyoko turns so that she's resting even closer to me. "Your body's warm," she comments. She reaches up to gently stroke the side of my head. I purr before my eyes widen, I hadn't meant to do that. I stare at Kyoko and she laughs at the sound. "So cute," she yawns again.

"Are you okay?" I ask her and she blinks up at me. "Maybe you should have slept on my belly. I know that the floor must be uncomfortable."

"Why?" she asks as she looks at my wing and smiles, "I had a good night sleep right here," she gets to her feet and then turns to me. She places her hands on my snout again and looks me in the eyes. "Thanks for keeping me warm again, Corn." I stare at her before bowing my head.

"I'm not Corn any longer," I tell her and she wraps her arms around my neck, I let my head rest gently on her shoulder. "He is."

Kyoko frowns. She looks over to where Dad is getting some more water for me. "Listen carefully to me. You and you alone are Kuon Hizuri, my Corn. It doesn't matter what shape or form you're in. You are my husband, my love, my prince. You can never be replaced. Do you understand?"

I look at her again and nod. I do understand her. I hear another sound and look to where it came from. I see Mom there and back away nervously. Kyoko tries to steady me. I know in her brain she's thinking of a horse or a cow but she's trying to think of me as my human counterpart too. Mom comes over to me with a cloth and as she washes my face with it, I can feel relief from the pain of having my form changed.

"I'm so sorry," she whispers and I cock my head to the side. "This is all my fault. I didn't know the curse would carry to you. I am so sorry, Kuon." I bow my head and she hugs me, brining her body closer to mine. "This wasn't supposed to happen to you."

"It's not your fault," Dad tells her and Julie shakes her head.

"Not this again," she argues as she turns to Dad. "Do you even remember what you were saying at the time my grandmother cursed you. You were talking about taking me away to where I wanted to be, making sure to keep the secret of my mother's origin, telling me that none of it changed how you felt about me, you still loved me, wanted to marry me, and start a life together. During your own curse, you always showed me how deeply you loved me. I hate to admit it but when you turned back into your human self, I was scared that you would hate me and you had stayed with me because you needed to be safe. I was ready to hear that you never wanted to see me again but you still promised me a life, you still promised me love. You even asked if I could ever see you as human again. I've always seen you as my loving, doting, Kuu. And then you gave me the greatest treasures of all. A marriage, a husband, and our gorgeous son who is still gorgeous."

"How could I hate you?" Dad asks and Mom looks at him and raises an eyebrow. "You sacrificed for me, for me a man still cursed with dragon blood."

"Which you were cursed with for loving me. You made the biggest sacrifices," Mom argues before looking at me. "Now we take care of our little boy or….hopefully," Mom turns to Kyoko who immediately nods and then bows in a formal manner.

"I want to take care of him, help him, protect him. Please teach me the proper way in which to help and take care of Kuon." I can hear in her voice that she's thinking of me as the most important part of her life despite this form. "Please help me do it."

I look at Kyoko, "You do realize that outside of us Hizuris and my mother's family, there is only one other person who knows that I have dragon blood. Only one other person who can help us."

Kyoko turns to me and looks shocked. "Do you mean the president?" she asks and I nod. She looks to Father. I'm not surprised and yet she is. I didn't know this about myself but Boss is Dad's main confidant. I am actually grateful he kept this a secret even from myself.

Kyoko looks at Dad concerned, "Do you really think you can trust hi-"

"I would hope so," I hear a weak laugh and my eyes widen as Lory Takarada walks over to Kuon. He nods solemnly. "We've had precautions set up since your conception. Now it's time to use them."

End of Chapter Five

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Thank you to the reviewers of Chapter Four

Guest, Kaname671