Chapter 4

She had impacted and impressed a few people; Lory Takarada, being the main one. He had seen this before, once before. Children such as her were a rarity and needed special training. She healed quickly from her injury on the set of Ring Doh. He needed to speak to someone that had experience in training special children, and he suspected that she hadn't gone through her "trials" so, as he did for Kuon long ago, he would have to do so for her. She had missed so very much and needed to be brought up to the standards of her kind.

He picked up the phone and dialed. "Hey... I need a favor... No, I have not..." He laughed at the person on the other end. "Of course I do... well, about that little favor. I need a set of elite trials... Yes again!.. Hmm, I'm not quite sure, but I think I've found a very rare gem. A very rare treasure that had been thought lost... I think so, that's why I'm asking you for this favor. I have to know for certain. She has never been through the trials, so I need you to start her out with the very basic... Yes! Thank you so much. You cannot breath a word of this to anyone until we know for sure... Okay... I'll bring her to you once she's been briefed." Lory hung up and smiled widely.

"Ruto, I need you to let Kyoko-chan know I need to see her." Lory commanded.

The silent specter nodded and left to carry out his order.

Kyoko was in a daze as she stood before the elderly man. He looked so deceptively frail, but very knowledgeable.

"Kyoko-chan, this is Uesugi Kotetsu. He will be training and testing you on your skills. You will need to listen closely. Pay attention to everything he says and shows you." Lory told her softly and she nodded nervously.

"Thank you Uesugi-dono." Kyoko bowed deeply and respectfully.

Kotetsu gave one of his rare smiles. He clapped his hands and instructed her to change into something more comfortable, pointing to the changing room. "After you change, meet me in sub-level 3." He turned to Lory and nodded, implying that he was to show her where that would be.

Hours later, one would find a fully revealed Kyoko twirling around with wings fully extended and slicing into the training golems as a hot knife through butter, with the sharp claws, spikes and bony protrusions on her wings. She had a look of absolute euphoria on her face, and her golden eyes glowed with an ecstatic intensity that would make anyone that watched, shiver in fear.

Kotetsu turned to Lory in the observation room and smiled. "She does well for one that has had no training. Very impressive. Shall we move on to level 2?" He asked.

Lory nodded in assent knowing that she could possibly make it past 5 of the 10 required levels today. She was a sight to behold.

Kotetsu spoke into the intercom. "Kyoko-chan, you may use your magic now."

She looked up and around, and smiled happily. "Really?" She asked excitedly.

The men observing her laughed. "Of course." And so the next phase began.

For the next six hours, she had sliced, diced, burned, froze, evaporated, incinerated, and sent into a void many of the training golems, soaring past level six and into seven. Both men were stunned and amazed. She could have kept going all night; however, she needed rest. It would do them no good for her to tire herself or injure herself. She had surpassed all expectations.

Lory sighed and Kotetsu turned to him. "Are you worried?"

Lory nodded. "I don't want a repeat of what happened to Kuon. I don't know how she was treated or how she was raised. It seems as though she has had a bad experience with a childhood friend, and I'm not sure how she will respond to the eighth test."

Kotetsu nodded. "You fear that she will shut down like Kuon did... I assure you that, if it seems as though something like that will happen, I will step in immediately. I would suggest you have him train her. He may gain some insight on why Rick did what he did; however, I will not allow him near her during the test. There are spells that will keep him safe. Rick was careless." He told him.

"Yeah, I know. It was unfortunate, but part of the nature of things. If we want to keep them safe, this has to be done." Lory lamented.

"Have you contacted her mother and father yet with your suspicions?" Kotetsu asked curiously.

Lory shook his head. "I wanted to wait until we knew for certain before I did. She's had enough trauma in her life. The only thing she can remember is her betrothal stone and the boy that gave it to her. Although, she has no idea what it's for now." Lory said sadly.

FLASHBACK

Lory watched from his office as Kyoko sat on the steps of the stairwell, talking to "Corn". He was mortified by Kuon's behavior when he found the stone. How could he have said something to her like that after she told him that it was the only memory that she had from before she had been found by the Fuwas? He desperately wanted to smack Kuon on the back of his head. A skipping stone? A souvenir bought from a shop? Lory was incensed. The boy would definitely regret his words. Did he really want to rid himself of his heritage so badly, that he would mistreat her in such a way? No! Lory was not going to allow that to happen. Kuon needed to know that he was not the only male like her, and he needed to figure that out fast. She was one of the very few females of their kind, and there would be many males vying for her attentions very soon. Lory smirked with an idea.

END FLASHBACK

The silver-haired, violet-eyed young male stood before the eccentric man boredly. "I really don't know what you want me to do. Could you please get to the point Uncle." He sighed.

"Oh... I just want you to observe someone." Lory said coyly.

"And?" This was truly a waste of his time. He could be doing better things at the moment, talking to the dead, torturing vampires, anything was better than his pseudo-uncle's games. Games? He groaned inwardly. This was another of his "love games", wasn't it?

Lory sighed dramatically. "Alright, I'll tell you. I know she isn't what you have in mind for a match, but someone else needs to be made aware of their precarious position. He needs to know that things will not wait for him if he chooses to stand in the shadows, and I think that you can accomplish this."

Reino smirked. "So you want me to make someone's boyfriend jealous?" Now this he would have fun with. He absolutely loved mind games.

"I suppose you could do that, but I will warn you, he is not someone you truly want to piss off. Just be careful how far you decide to take it, and Reino?... Do not toy with her heart. You will not be pleased with the outcome." Lory instructed and warned.

Reino sighed. "Yeah, yeah... I get it. Don't pursue her unless I'm serious. Although, I doubt I will find her interesting at all, knowing you Uncle."

Lory laughed and dismissed him.

Reino stood in the hall, after the doors had been shut wondering why that comment made his uncle laugh. Did he really believe that he would have any interest in some boring, insipid little doll his uncle was affiliated with?