Chapter 37

He was seriously pondering the logic that went behind him taking this role. It was dredging up memories ancient and new. He sometime hated the fact that others feared him, simply because of the aura he naturally gave off. The fact that Aoidḗ didn't, amazed him beyond reason. She truly was his perfect match, and he could no longer understand why he had ever thought that she was a pawn in his own mother's little games.

It was truly a pity that she hadn't been there when Rick was ripped from his life. He wondered if she would have been able to soothe the savage beast he was at the time. Would they have recognized each other? He shook his head, already knowing the answer to that question. They did feel something of a connection when they were younger, but not the most important one. He had been wrapped up in competing with his father, and she had been almost surgically attached to her "Sho-chan". An inaudible growl escaped from him at the thought of that particular vermin, causing his co-stars to move away from him, creating a noticeable clearing around him and his "sister".

"Nii-san..." She glanced at him and caressed his arm, breaking him from his thoughts of torturing Sho in some of the most interesting ways. "You're doing it again." She giggled at the puzzled look he gave her. "You're scaring people too much."

He was very pleased with the initial observations of his daughter and his godson. He'd never really taken much of an interest in the pair when they were on Olympus; however, now he could completely understand why Aphrodite did what she did. Watching them change each other for their benefit was exciting. Aoidḗ had complete control over the God of War's son. The same boy that had been uncontrollable at one point, and completely broken at another. He was putting himself in order for her, it seemed.

He could definitely turn into a very fine modern god very soon, and Aoidḗ was starting to absorb more and more of the power that the world's music was generating. Her aura was almost visible to the naked mortal eye now and she was having to hide it in public. The same was holding true for Mnḗmē, and Melétē. Who would have thought that the human invention of the internet would play such a big part in aiding in the cultivation of the arts like it did. Everyone had the opportunity to be a musician, author, or actor. One only needed a camera and imagination.

Ever since Valentine's Day, the power they were funneling to the other gods had increased exponentially. They were like a catalyst to the entertainers that already believed and word of them had spread throughout the world, via cellphone videos and word of mouth. Thanks to the blessings of the internet, once again.

Aoidḗ's meager followers had increased one thousand fold, thanks to the revelation of her new High Priest Reino. No, he hadn't been a zealot about his belief, but he did spread word of her existence and pointed out that the SFX in the videos of the celebration, were not by any stretch SFX or CGI. That if that were indeed the case, so many of the same video would not have been the same at all. Tokyo Japan had become a Mecca for Musicians of all walks of life and Zeus couldn't have been more proud of the Muses.

Sho Fuwa was incensed by everything that was happening around him. He was supposed to be the reason that people thought of Tokyo, not Reino, not those three girls that had been dubbed the Muses. It was absolutely, unequivocally supposed to be him that was the center of attention. What made things infinitely worse, had been the broadcast interview for Dark Moon. Seeing Tsuruga look at Kyoko that way, made his blood boil. That is, after he recognized her. The online comments, under the video had made things even worse. They were comparing her to a Hollywood siren or worse, a bona fide goddess, instead of the shape-shifting, soul-sucking demonic presence that she was.

He needed to put a complete stop to her ascension and fast or he would fall behind her so quickly it would make his head spin. He also needed to make her aware of her position as his property. He's the one that inspired her to join the entertainment industry and it was he that was her inspiration to continue or at least, it was her desire for vengeance. At any rate, he was the reason she was there. He was the one that had made her into what she was at the moment and he absolutely would not allow anyone else to claim that right.

"Poochie..." He grinned into the phone when it was answered. "I need a little favor from you... I promise to make it worth your while..." He sighed a little in irritation. "Okay, okay... How about a kiss then?..." He smirked. "Good, I need you to let me know when Kyoko is back at school... No, no, of course not! I just need to talk to her about some offensive things she's been saying about me... and you, of course... Don't worry about it my sweet little Poochie... I'll take care of everything. You won't need to do a thing... except maybe help me catch her, so I can talk to her about it." He purred. That should get her going. "Alright then... give me a call when she shows up... Yeah, whatever... okay... bye." He dry heaved a little when Mimori had told him she loved him, before hanging up and lamented at all of the enormous sacrifices he had to make just to get something simple done.

He turned to his driver. "You know where I can get a pair of hand cuffs?"

The man had a somewhat shocked look on his face behind his darkened shades and nodded.

"Good, get me there. I need them to catch a demon." He commented blithely.

Not even wanting to know what his crazy charge was talking about, he turned the sedan around and made way to the most discreet sex-shop he knew of.

Almost 2 am and he was wide awake. He couldn't get her words or the memories of his past as Kuon out of his head enough to have a decent night of sleep. It didn't matter how many blankets he wrapped himself in, he was still cold. The memories of the night Rick was killed still swam around in his consciousness.

He knew she had only made an innocent, but very accurate observation. He honestly didn't feel like himself during that scene, but it completely slipped past him. He wasn't the type of person that actually enjoyed allowing that primal part of him completely take over anymore. He didn't need to. He knew who he was now. He knew now why he'd felt the way he did when he was younger, and he wasn't that wounded little, out of control boy anymore. He was Ren, Kuon, Deimos, and probably a little bit of Cain too.

So why did he still hate himself so much, when he had her standing next to him? It was because he allowed her to see that tiny sliver of his true self that he'd never allowed before, not even when they were on Olympus, but now that she'd seen it, she didn't shy away in fear. She drew closer to him and pulled him away from the thick, viscous darkness that threatened to overtake him, every waking moment. She took his hand and pulled him out. She was truly a goddess in every sense of the word, and his angel.

Even as he was about to sink back into despair, the memory of her pulling him out was enough to bring him back to her light. He turned to catch a glimpse of his sleeping salvation, only to find her missing. He panicked. Where was she? What had happened? Why was she not there? He searched the hotel room to find it completely devoid of her presence. He would wait. He would find her. He left the room and slowly ambled, despondent from his loss, to the elevator only to see it open and reveal his heart and soul as she exited with shopping bags in hand. Relief from the crushing sense of worry, guilt, and loneliness washed away so quickly, it nearly brought him to his knees. He needed her in his arms to prove to himself that she was not a mirage or apparition. Her scent, her warmth, and the feel of her in his arms gave him security.