Chapter 22

"Did you see it?" Yuki shook Ren's shoulder excitedly, then pointed to the television screen. "Is that..."

Ren winced, then sighed. "Yes, it's him alright. I honestly don't plan on seeing him, but you can if you want." He told him.

Yuki sighed. "Look, I don't know what your hang-up is about talking to him or seeing him, but you really need to get over it. It's not like when we were children, living with them." He didn't want to mention Sparta in case anyone could hear them.

Ren sighed and pulled Yuki into his dressing room, then shut and locked the door. "Look, I'll tell you, but you have to keep quiet about it until I'm finished." He really wasn't looking forward to telling anyone why he had run to Japan, but this was technically his brother and that was in the past.

Yuki sat down on the small sofa as Phobos to make his brother more comfortable about what he had suspected. He didn't know the entire story, but their brotherly/twin connection transmitted quite a few strong emotions when they were bothered deeply by something.

Deimos sat before his twin and carefully chose the words that he used to explain his exodus to Japan. He didn't want to seem ungrateful, dishonorable or weak, but everything he had to say made him feel that way, most certainly.

After all was explained about Rick's death and Deimos' guilt, Phobos hugged his brother tightly. "I'm sorry I wasn't there when you needed me." He sat before him. "You do realize that you are far more like Father than you realize, right?"

Deimos chuckled wryly. "I suppose you're right. Should we meet with him later?"

Phobos smirked. "Yes, but not without making him suffer just a tiny bit. Especially after how he made us indulge Mother when we were younger." They both shivered at the memory of being dressed as cherubs and assisting Aphrodite in her duties of matchmaking.

Deimos smiled mischievously. "First we let Aoidḗ have him for a bit, maybe even Mnḗmē."

Phobos shook his head. "Deimos, even I am not that cruel." He scolded. "You know how Mnḗmē can be."

Deimos laughed. "Of course I do, but he can handle them. They are his favorite daughters. Too bad we haven't found Eros and Melétē yet. They would love this little visit."

Phobos joined in the humor. "Yeah, the god of war, the great Ares being cowed by his daughter's-in-law. It is a sight to behold." He laughed. "Come on, we have your photo-shoot in 45 minutes." He told him as he transformed back to his mortal form and grabbed his briefcase.

Deimos did the same and nodded in agreement. "It's going to be an interesting week." He smiled.

He looked out at all those in attendance and smiled proudly. The ceremony was sweet and simple. The celebration by his children for his children, would probably last for days after his sons carried their wives off over their shoulders to consummate and cement their vows.

"Friends and family, I present to you the union as approved and arranged with Zeus. His daughters and my three sons: Deimos to Aoidḗ, Phobos to Mnḗmē, and finally Eros to Melétē." He raised a golden, jeweled goblet of wine and his fellow gods and goddesses cheered. They had all waited and watched for so long as these couples danced around each other, healing each others wounds and finally admitting to themselves that love was not limited to mortals.

Kuu shook his head, wondering why the young woman before him elicited such a memory. Could she be? He shook his head again and narrowed his eyes at her. No, I would definitely know. He remained in deep thought throughout the car ride to his hotel room.

When they finally entered the suite he couldn't help, but tease her like he had done to his daughters-in-law long ago. He wondered, as he lay down to fight off the jet-lag, if the memories were nostalgia or if it was because he was here to visit Kuon/Deimos. If it were the latter, then why would he remember the wedding? It had been many lifetimes since he had thought of that. Was it possible that she was one of his lovely daughters?

Two hours later, they both stood angry and stunned. She at the realization that Ares was up to his old antics with teasing her and he stunned by the fact that his daughter had just manipulated him with finesse like she had always done and neither were about to admit they knew their identities. He knew Aoidḗ through her stubbornness and she knew Ares through his way of teasing her.

He wondered if Kuon had awakened yet. It was difficult to believe that he hadn't, with her around him. He could hardly wait to find out. He hoped with all of his heart that his sons and daughters-in-law were aware of who they were. He really missed his family and he could hardly wait to tell Aphrodite that their children were here in Japan, happily together.

"She doesn't want to take anymore "bad girl" roles. She and Mnḗmē think it will tarnish their reputations and typecast them. I've tried explaining to them that, that's not the case, but when do children ever listen to their father?" Lory lamented.

Kuu filled his plate for the third time and laughed. "Who would have thought that The Great King of The Gods would have the same issues as any other parent. You know, she still hasn't said anything about who she is to me, but I knew right away. No one, but her has ever had the fortitude to treat me that way. Well, maybe Juli." He sighed happily thinking of Aphrodite and how the little fireball wife of his had him firmly wrapped around her little finger.

Zeus looked up at him from his drink. "Have any ideas? Other than you picking on her like usual? I would really hate to have to free you from some weird curse or animal form she decided to punish you with if you push her too far.

Kuu nodded and sighed. "I really do hate this. Are you sure that he'll respond? I mean, is he really aware?"

Lory smirked mischievously. "Those two haven't revealed anything to me yet, but they've been sneaking around lately, thinking they're not being watched." He tossed a couple of photos on the table of a blond, teen-aged Kuon, kissing his girlfriend, Kyoko in one and the other was of them as themselves at the nightclub, the night they went to celebrate her role of Mio.

Kuu was so excited at seeing the photos, he had nearly dropped his full plate of food. "Is that what I think it is?!"

Lory nodded and chuckled. "Yeah, seven new bands were born that night. Two are at the top of the charts as we speak. I would've preferred that the girls were there with them, but for some reason they they refuse to take the spot waiting for them." He sighed in frustration at the thought. "I can only guess they're waiting for Melétē to show herself and maybe Eros." Zeus shook his head. "Those boys of yours are even more stubborn that my daughters." He sighed. "Well at least Eros hasn't attached himself to another mortal female like in the old days before he met with Melétē."

Kuu winced and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that was a disaster. Have you discovered who Melétē is yet?"

Zeus sighed in frustration. "No, not yet, but with the way things seem to be going, I'm sure it will be very soon. Probably within the next few months."

Ares looked at him a little confused. "What do you mean?"

"Well," Zeus started "ever since the girls awakened, everything seemed to just start to fall into place. I have a feeling by this time next year, our resurgence will be in full bloom and each and every one of us will be feeling the power they generate from the masses." He smiled proudly.

Ares shook his head and smiled. "You know, when you first told me, I didn't think it would really work that way, but the way things started happening for me and Aphrodite in Hollywood gave me hope. I have to say, I think it's much more fun and more fulfilling to have the world worship me for a fake war, than only just a few for a real one. Fewer casualties too." He chuckled. "And you should see what it's doing for Aphrodite. She has never in all of her existence had so many that loved her. She has grown so much over the years and has learned to adore her worshipers because of this."

Zeus nodded in agreement. "I suppose this was quite the learning experience for her, all things considered. I can only imagine how difficult it was in the beginning when the rest of the Titans were banished and she was left alone being the only unique one like them left in our midst. I suppose it would be rather lonely having the power of love over all mortals and immortals, yet not having one to truly love her until you came along Ares."

Kuu gave him a small smile. "You know at first, she didn't believe me when I told her how I felt. She thought I was toying with her, but when her own power failed to make me love another, she was finally convinced." He chuckled at the memory.

Lory chuckled. "Reminds me a little of Aoidḗ and Deimos."

They both laughed and used the rest of their evening to reminisce.