Chapter 47

"I honestly don't know what it could possibly be Yuki. The doctors are telling us, they'll need to send her to the clinic in Zürich for further examination." Jouji sighed out a little exasperated.

Producer Yuki Kuresaki patted his friend on the back for comfort. "I'm sure they'll figure it out eventually. She's been a healthy girl her entire life. It's probably something very simple and very curable."

Jouji Morizumi sighed and nodded. "I suppose you're right. Although, I can't help but wonder about it all. It seems really coincidental that she fell ill just days after she pulled her stupid little stunt. I'm worried about what she may have exposed herself and others to. I mean, she and that manager of hers, tried to kill Kyoko-san at the mall. What if she exposed them to something? What if what she used to subdue Kyoko-san has the same effect on her?" He quietly asked with worry.

Yuki shook his head. "I don't think that's the case. If it were, I believe that Kyoko-san and the others would already be displaying symptoms, and they haven't. I can confidently say that I think they are safe, and you shouldn't worry so much about it."

Jouji sighed out and nodded. "You're probably right." He stood from his seat. "Well, I suppose we should get this ball rolling."

Yuki smiled. "As always... We have a movie to make, and I am certainly looking forward to seeing what our little Momiji is capable of. I've heard a lot of good things about her since our pick. Were you aware that Director Konoe has been chomping at the bit to film her? Spoke pretty highly of her talent. I didn't even know he'd met her."

Jouji cocked an eyebrow. "Well, then I am definitely looking forward to seeing her in action. Too bad we only get her for a few weeks."

"If she's as good as they say, perhaps we can find something else for her after filming." Yuki suggested.

Jouji nodded in agreement.

He honestly didn't know if this was such a good idea or, not. Aki had told him to stay away from her, but the more he thought about it, the more the guilt on how he'd behaved seemed to seep into his conscience. Even if she really was the Goddess of Music, he had grown up with her. He didn't want to apologize to her, to get on her good side. He'd thought of it many times lately. He was actually starting to feel like the ass that he was, and very remorseful for hurting her in such a way.

He had given up his little quest of possession of her. He was now at the point in his reality where it was clear to him that he was definitely not worthy of such a perfect being, but that didn't mean that he didn't want to be her friend. He just wanted to fix the mess that he'd created and move on. He hoped that she would feel the same.

He'd actually browsed the internet for information regarding the original stories about the muses, and decided that she had been very easy on him. All things considered. He suspected he should probably thank Tsuruga or Hizuri, whomever he was, for talking her down from her anger too. He groaned a little at that thought. Swallowing his pride and thanking a rival just didn't sit well with him, but considering that his rival was quite possibly a god too, well you do the math. He just didn't want to open that can of worms.

"What did you want Sho?" She asked irritably as she descended the stairs of the Darumaya, straightening her clothing and preparing for her day.

He sighed and stared at the floor. "I came to tell you, I'm sorry... but... I want to wait for your partner to get here." Partner? Boyfriend? Lover? Husband? The last thought made him cringe as he remembered all the times he'd wronged her.

Kyoko cocked an eyebrow. "Partner?"

"Um... Yeah... I guess Tsuruga or whomever he is..." He kept staring at the floor. "I think I owe him an apology too."

Kyoko looked at him like he'd sprouted a second head in front of her. "Are you okay? Did you hit your head?"

He groaned audibly. "Look, I've been thinking about the way things have been between all of us, and I just... I just don't want any bad blood between us. I'm not doing this to get on anyone's good side; although, that would be a perk, but not necessary. I'm doing this because I've been behaving like a selfish ass and you and... Tsuruga don't deserve that. I'm just sorry, okay? I hate the fact that I made you hate me so much. I should have treated you and him better. I shouldn't have said the things that I've said and I feel terrible that I made anyone feel bad. I'm sorry." He looked up at her shocked face.

"We forgive you Fuwa-san." An intimidating male voice announced from behind him. "Do not allow it to happen again." He warned and Sho could see something very dark behind that mask after he'd spun around to find the owner of the voice standing behind him.

Sho nodded and let out a small gasp. "It won't."

Kyoko sat in one of the seats of the dining room and looked at the small gathering of the men in her life. "So what brought on this revelation?" She asked as the Okami scurried in and sat her breakfast before her.

Sho groaned a little. "I suppose I've just had some time to think over everything that's happened, and saw it from a different perspective. Namely Aki and Mimori's. I just wanted to fix things. We were friends once, and I hate how it's been lately." He stopped her from saying anything. "I don't expect you to be friends with me after how I behaved. I just wanted to fix that bridge before it completely burned." He chuckled wryly.

Ren went to where Kyoko was sitting and sat next to her. "I suppose I can see where you're coming from. The world in general can be a lonely place without real friends, no matter who you are." He commented as Kyoko divided her breakfast and encouraged him to eat, after kissing his cheek. Sho winced a little inwardly at the display.

"I forgive you Sho, but don't expect any special favors." She warned, indicating that there would be no sudden bouts of musical inspiration anytime soon.

He nodded. "I wouldn't expect something like that. I didn't apologize for that reason." He glanced at his watch. "I suppose I better get going. I have a few interviews and a recording session." He looked back at the pair. "I'll see you around."

Ren nodded silently and Kyoko waved to him. "See you around Sho."

Ren glanced at Kyoko, trying to judge her mood. "You okay?" He asked softly.

She giggled and smiled brightly, then nodded. "I did not expect that... you know, him being humble and actually apologizing."

Ren agreed. "So, what do you have planned for today?"

She took another bite of their shared breakfast, and thought about it. "Well, we start filming today, so I'll probably be there for awhile. I'm not really sure when I'll get a break, but if you want to stop by, I'm sure there won't be a problem. I could send you a text before."

He nodded. "Yashiro will be with me most of the morning, and then we're scheduled to spend the afternoon at LME, so I don't think that'll be a problem." It was times like this they both wished they could just shed their humanity and relax, but she still lived with the nice couple of the Darumaya and whether they knew about them or not, they weren't going to risk a discovery by some random passerby or customer that would peek in for a snack or, a paparazzi with an itchy photo finger.