Chapter 23

It had been the first time in a long time since his gaze fell on this sight. His twins. Two of his favorite sons, standing before him as they had before mortals had forgotten them and relegated their existence to mythology and fiction. He rushed to the blond identical males and pulled them both into his arms, hugging them tightly. "You're mother will be so happy."

Deimos groused about how his father had used his girlfriend to get to him and Phobos nudged his shoulder for the complaint.

Kuu pouted. "How else was I going to get your attention without exposing you two?" He groused. "You never call." He turned to Phobos. "And you, you should have called as soon as you knew." He scolded.

Kuon sighed. "Sorry, I just wanted to be able to do all of this on my own."

Phobos stared at the floor a little ashamed at his mistake. "Sorry Dad. I kinda just forgot. Everything happened so fast. I'm still trying to get used to everything the way it is right now."

Kuu tousled their hair and laughed. "It's okay, just try not to be strangers anymore. No one needs to know who or why you call. They wouldn't question why Japan's number one and his manager call their mentor. Now would they?"

The boys looked up at him a little shocked. Phobos smirked. "I suppose they wouldn't." He glanced at his brother and Deimos nodded in agreement.

Kuu smirked. "Now, why don't you tell me what you've been up to with my favorite daughters."

The boys groaned, took a seat and began the tale of their awakening.

~ΑΩΑΩ~

In the crowded airport, Kuu smiled happily as the two young men stood stoically bidding him goodbye and his two disguised daughters stood side by side smiling happily with the whispered promise to find their sister and visit him one day.

His heart swelled at the knowledge that he would reveal to his lovely wife once he got home, as he watched the small island nation of Japan grow smaller in the distance once again. He could hardly wait to play the recordings that Deimos and Phobos had given him and he knew she would be ecstatic when she saw the recordings that Aoidḗ and Mnḗmē had added. Lory's plan was genius and he was certain their children would be able to achieve what was planned. Now if they could only find Eros and Melétē to complete the family.

Kyoko thought it was just sad that Maria didn't want to celebrate her birthday. Children her age shouldn't have those kinds of feelings to such a wonderful occasion and they shouldn't feel like a burden on that day or Christmas. She could understand her reluctance to celebrate considering her own past with mother figures.

She gave Maria a pensive look. "You know, you don't have to celebrate for that reason."

Maria furrowed her little brow and prepared herself for a lecture on what a special occasion a birthday and Christmas was, but instead Kyoko threw her a curve ball.

"Why not make it a celebration for all of the people we appreciate in our lives?" Kyoko suggested.

"What do you mean?" She asked curiously.

Kyoko smiled brightly. "Well, instead of them telling us how important we are, how about we throw them a party letting them know how important they are to us? Like a party with gratitude." And thus the Happy Grateful Party was born.

"But who do I invite?" Maria was a little worried that she didn't know that many people for a party.

"Hmmm, how about you help me with my list and I'll help you with yours. Then well design the invitations and you can help me plan it out." Kyoko suggested and Maria's eyes lit up with excitement.

"That's perfect Onee-sama!" Maria bounced happily.

Kyoko held up a finger. "But... No mischief, Atë. Alright?"

She nodded excitedly. "I promise." She crossed her heart and sat next to Aoidḗ, so they could make their lists. She gave her a little hug. "I knew it was you from the beginning Aoidḗ. Thank you."

Kyoko patted her little back and smiled. "How could I forget my favorite Imōuto?" She returned the hug and pulled out a sheet of paper so they could begin.

He was having difficulty finding his music again. Nothing would help and there was no inspiration. Aki kept telling him that it would come to him, but the head of the music department was telling him that his music was turning common and uninspiring. The man had even questioned his talent with the comment of him being a "One Trick Pony". He wanted to put his fist through the wall. How dare anyone claim that about him? He wasn't that no-talent, hack-actor Tsuruga. He was better than all of them. He was just in a little slump. A little slump that had taken first place on the charts from him and pushed him down to number Nine and guess who was number One and Two? Vie Ghoul and Bridge Rock. How? He just couldn't fathom the concept of it not being him.

The only thing he noticed that they had in common was Kyoko. There just seemed to be something different about her lately. She seemed to be changing in his eyes, but he just couldn't put a finger on it. Not that he believed even for a second that he could be possibly attracted to her. She was not even in the same realm of existence of being his "type". He snorted at that ludicrous thought. She just seemed to have this special glow and it somehow inspired him when he thought of her. He definitely shook off that thought. He didn't need that and he didn't want that. He was not about to succumb to his parents meddling in his love-life and his manager hadn't been helping out much in that category either.

He was only 17. He had at least until he was out of his 20's before he would even consider marrying and it certainly wouldn't be her. She was just too plain, boring and unattractive. She didn't even try to look good, unless it was for the camera. He wanted a girl that was stunning all of the time, not cutesy one moment, heart-attack inducing another and so plain she was unnoticeable the next. He had an image to uphold.

He really needed to get rid of these stray thoughts and start composing. If he didn't, he would never make it in time for the next release they had him scheduled for and his concert would be a bust. People didn't want to listen to the same thing over and over, but that is exactly what kept running through his mind and there wasn't anything that was changing it.

"Did you get your invitation?" Yashiro asked slyly as he waved the little gold embossed treasure in front of his charge/friend/brother.

Ren rolled his eyes. "Of course. I wouldn't miss Maria-chan and Kyoko's birthdays for anything in the world." He commented as they pulled into the parking lot of their next appointment.

"Have you decided what to get for them?" Yashiro asked casually.

Ren groaned a little. He still had no idea what to get for two of his favorite little goddesses. "I'll think of something." He told him as he put his car in park and turned it off.

Yashiro smiled. "Well, at least they're giving us time to find them something. I have no idea what to get for Mnḗmē. Plus, I'll have to give it to her in secret. You know how she is about things like this."

Deimos chuckled at a particular memory. "Yeah, good thing Aoidḗ isn't like that. Sometimes I wonder how they are even sisters, they're so different from each other."

Phobos laughed. "Don't even get me started on adding Melétē to the mix. Those three are going to be unstoppable when that happens."

Deimos cringed. "No doubt. I feel sorry for anyone that gets between them or decides to mess with one of them." He thought back on a distant memory where the sisters had been challenge to a talent competition by a certain king's daughters and ended up transforming them into a flock of squawking birds.

Phobos giggled. He knew exactly what his brother was thinking about. "Would it really be so bad if that happened to Fuwa-san?"

Deimos snorted. "Nope, not at all. I just hope when they decide to punish him, it isn't in front of witnesses. It could go badly."

"Or... it could let everyone know that we still exist." He commented as he gathered his things to leave the car.

"Or that..." Deimos commented in thought as he unbuckled.