Chapter 18

She was stunned. Firstly, she wasn't expecting gifts from anyone or to be wished a "Happy Birthday". She honestly didn't know it was her birthday until Kuon had given her the rose, at that point it just snowballed from there. After Kuon came Kanae, then the Taisho and Okami had brought her a gift, initially for the holidays, and finally came Lory's two-part gift.

Lory, being the over-the-top individual that he was, had commandeered a cake that was almost the size... well scratch that, it was the size of the room she rented at the Darumaya. It was a fairytale castle with all the amenities. It even appeared that a few of his dance troupe, that were fairies, had been hired or volunteered to be little soldiers on the parapets with tiny guns and cannons popping in celebration. She honestly didn't know what to make of it she'd been so stunned. So stunned in fact, that she didn't notice part two of her gift, as they stood there off to the side a little embarrassed by Lory's display. They had both hoped that the introduction would be a little less flamboyant, but alas that just wasn't in the cards.

"Make a wish then blow out your candles Kyoko-chan!" Lory announced with a flair, brimming with excitement, and hoping that she would be wishing to see her parents tonight.

Kyoko nodded absently, just staring at the monstrosity. She quickly snapped out of it, remembering the large creation and its temporary inhabitants. She certainly didn't want anyone injured on account of her taking too long. She quickly walked up to the bottom edge where the 17 candles blazed, closed her eyes, and made her wish. I want to remember. I want to remember everything, and everyone. She thought with tears warming her eyes. She took in a deep breath and blew out every single one. She peeked out with one eye open, hoping her wish came true. Nothing, there was still darkness and distorted faces in her mind. She sighed. Oh well, I suppose that was asking too much. She thought in disappointment.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYOKO-CHAN!" Echoed around the large room, and she flushed with embarrassment for being made the center of attention. Certainly she was an actress now, and as Akuma-chan she'd even made a few appearances for the music, but this was infinitely more personal and very new to her. Even the elegant couple standing next to Lory had congratulated her. It was uncomfortable to have complete strangers wishing her a Happy Birthday, especially when this was the first that she could actually remember having.

It was perplexing. The beautiful woman and handsome man looked like they were going to cry. She saw Lory walk up to them and say something to them, then he walked her way. She had a foreboding feeling in the pit of her stomach that she couldn't just explain away with the excuse that, even though she'd helped prepare all of the culinary delights of the evening, she'd completely forgot to partake in the festivities herself.

"Kyoko-chan," Lory held out his hand for her to take so he could lead her. "there's someone that I'd like for you to meet." He told her gently.

She now knew this feeling. It was a feeling that made her want to run away, to hide and never show her face again. She actually couldn't put a name to it, but she'd only started feeling such feelings since she started working for LME. For some reason that she couldn't explain, she blindly took his hand and allowed herself to be whisked away to the room she'd seen the couple go into. "T-Takarada-san... What's going on?"

He gently shook his head and gave her a soft smile. "Don't worry Kyoko-chan, I just have some guests that would like to meet you very much." He nodded in the direction of the atrium/aviary.

The pair were stunned by their daughter. What had happened in her life to make such an elegant little, perfect creature so timid, subservient, and self-conscious? It boggled the mind to know that she'd been much worse in private. Certainly she was outgoing when with friends, and she was definitely relaxed around the people she actually knew, but when she was with strangers, she was overly polite, quiet, and self-deprecating. It would seem to them, through observation throughout the evening, that compliments weren't taken well at all. Almost to the point where she seemed to accuse the individual paying the compliment of being a liar. Not outright mind you, but she would turn it into something that it clearly wasn't.

If someone told her she looked pretty, she would make the makeup or clothing she was wearing responsible. If they complimented her on the food she'd made, she would say it was because of the wonderful quality of the ingredients. They couldn't find anything that she, herself would take credit for. Saena and Kazu were at a loss. How had this happened? Who had done this to their child? Who would do this to any child and why? It was barbaric!

Their meeting with her had been a bit awkward to say the least, but it was something that had to happen, and thankfully sooner than later. It was something that should have happened the moment her identity was suspected and confirmed, simply to staunch the hemorrhage a life without love had caused her. Well, it was no use in crying over spilled milk. What needed to be done now, was to start filling this child with the love she had clearly been without these past almost 11 years.

Although she had become rigid when she felt the arms of the man and woman claiming to be her parents wrap around her, she had finally relaxed and felt her heart beat painfully in her chest as if it were the first time it had ever beat. None, but Kuon had ever taken her into their arms until that point, not Kanae, not the Fuwas, not Sho, not Lory or Kuu, not even the couple that had taken her in and actually felt a little parental towards her. Perhaps Maria, but that was more of a sister to sister type of thing. Maria was a child and really couldn't give her the type of stability or love that she'd required for so very long.

Ever since Sho had tossed her aside... No, it was from the very beginning, she realized, she had forced herself to be emotionally and mentally strong. The only time she'd actually allowed herself to cry, in the past 9 years, had been one night shortly after Sho had revealed the truth of his feelings to her inadvertently, and the other time had been the night in Karuizawa after kUon had removed Sho from his room and Yashiro had given her and Kuon a few moments together after dinner.

Even though she had pretended to be strong around them, had bested Sho in talent, and in innate skill, she still felt weak and conquered, like she had meant nothing. It was Kuon's embrace and his scent that brought comfort and the tears. She broke and could no longer hold them in. When her parents wrapped her in their arms, she felt a similar comfort that she'd felt on that night wash over her.

All in all, it wasn't a completely uncomfortable experience. She had parents now, and they wanted to get to know her. Unknown to her, Lory had suggested that they allow her to continue living with the kitsune couple until she was comfortable with them. Initially they wanted her to move to a safer location and even possibly live with them, after all they did want to make up for the lost years. After they met the Taisho and Okami, they decided that it was for the best. They'd even offered the couple compensation for looking after their daughter, but it was refused. The couple saw her as their own and that in itself was more comforting than they had ever imagined. Taisho was actually more stern and protective over her than her own father. Lory chuckled at the conversation that stemmed from that one. The two men deciding unequivocally that no man was good enough for their little girl. Poor Kuon.

At the end of the evening, they finally had made contact with their long lost daughter and were no longer forced to observe her from afar. It would be quiet family dinners filled with conversation in the future and many instances of getting to know the strong young woman she'd become. With her surprisingly busy schedule, they were able to eke out at least one night a week at the Darumaya for dinner as a family. She'd decided that she would cook for them even if they protested. They really didn't need to know that she'd had a hand in it and Taisho would gladly help her.