-Gathering: Part 3-

Maria watched as Kyoko kept pacing back and forth. It wasn't the fact she was pacing that had the little girl so distracted it was the trail of grudges that seemed to be doing exactly the same thing. They went in one direction, Kyoko went the other, they turned cross paths. She would stop for a moment glaring at some inner thought before walking on. All things said it was rather amusing to the little girl.

Ruto "Maria-sama" Maria looked up at Ruto "Do you know why Kyoko-sama is upset?" he had asked in Japanese.

Maria nodded her head but held a finger to her lips "If I tell you, you can't tell grandfather. He'll only make things worse." Ruto gave a small nod of his head and she motioned him forward whispering in his ear "Seems Keiji signed her up for to do the Cha Cha with him in a Dancesport competition, she thinks it's crazy. I'm pretty sure she's plotting how to get rid of him."

Ruto smiled softly before looking back at Kyoko "Well if she is, I hope she knows how to hide the body."

Maria placed a hand on her cheek leaning against it, 'If she really wanted to get rid of him she likely could with those grudges…her heart and soul were so completely crushed… that it makes her that much dangerous and she has no idea.' Not that Maria knew much either all she knew was that Kyoko would always have these grudges attached to her, because once a heart and soul is shattered to such a state, no matter how heart you put the pieces back, it will always have the scars. No matter how happy her life becomes. 'My pain is nothing compared to hers and hers is nothing compared to Ren-sama's he has become one with his darkness and yet he has found a way to lock it in the very depths of his mind… that I can't even see it anymore

"Great…" Amanda stood with her arms crossed glaring at Kyoko "I guess I should be happy she's not in the corner stealing all the light around her like a dead person." she sighed heavily. Maria tilted her head.

Ruto asked as this was a new development, "You mean she was worse?"

"She was positivity scary... " she shuddered at the thought of it "and if I believed in ghosts… that would be what I would think a ghost would be like." She moved towards the counter "Besides I thought she was supposed to be cooking dinner."

"I am…" a deep sigh came from Kyoko as she turned to look at the oven slightly, "It's in the oven right now."

Amanda didn't really believe her, "Oh, and what are we having?"

"Oven grilled Pacific Saury with a side of lemon, white rice. For sides, I've made a carrot and daikon namasu and dashi broth."

Amanda leaned forward, "I see… so Japanese again tonight."

Ruto, "It's for the best Kouki isn't a fan of Western foods."

"Either is Grandma, to be honest, but she tends to eat it for dinner as that's what we tend to eat. Anyways Ruto can you watch the food. I need to borrow Kyoko for a bit. Maria, you want to join us." She said this more because she really didn't want to be alone with Kyoko when she clearly was still hung up on the whole dance thing. Having a witness or in truth, a victim to toss at her was for her own benefit in a way. 'I still say if we just get rid of Keiji it would be safer for everyone.'

"Um… sure… if Ruto doesn't mind." her eyes darting between him and the oven.

Ruto smiled, "I do not mind Miss Kyoko."

"I'll go with you both…" Maria said jumping out of her chair. She smiled up at Amanda "What are we doing anyway?"

"Oh…" her eyes darted towards Ruto then to Kyoko "Looking at dresses." She watched as the girl seemed to freeze right there sighing she leaned in whispering into Kyoko's ear "If you don't move it I'll tell Lory about it. Your father is only behaving because Grandma told him too… I know exactly how he is when she's not around. We all do. Do you want to end up dressed like him? He will totally do it." Amanda watched her face, she could almost see the panic there before a professional smile played across her lips ' self-protection I bet' but she nodded her head and followed after her.

Sho sat on the couch, he was supposed to be writing his debut song. Yet he was having a hard time focusing on it. 'How could they sell her?' he growled under his breath. Tossing his notepad and pen on the table he put his feet on the table.

'No they didn't just sell her, they killed her…' he groans as he leaned back in the couch an arm draping over his face. "Now they act like I owe her something" he took a shaking breath, if he dwelled on it too long he would start crying and he didn't know if he would ever be able to stop if he did that. "What have…." he jumped out of his couch "wait!" he moves to the laptop that he had gotten and flipped it on, typing in Mogami, Kyoko in the search.

"Two results…" Clicking on the first link.

Mogami, Kyoko, girl born to Mogami at Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo Japan on 25th of December 20xx

Scanning further down hoping there would be something more his eyes caught sight of two other girls born that day with the name Kyoko.

Tatsuno, Kyoko, girl born to Machiko and Nampo at Toyota Memorial Hospital Toyota Japan on 25th of December 20xx. The Tatsuna family are welcoming visitors on the 27th for non-family members to celebrate the birth of their daughter.

Takarada, Kyoko, girl born to Lory Takarada at St. Mary Hospital, England on 25th of December 20xx. The Queen Mother Leiko, Her Majesty Queen Mary, and Prince Robert, Duke of York welcome the little girl to the Takarada and Royal family and ask that well wishes are asked to be sent to the Palace.

Useless information, he already knew that her mother didn't want people to know she had Kyoko but he was surprised that there were two other people with the same name as her born the same day. Even if he couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that someone from England was being posted other than of course she being royalty and the world love news about royalty. Clicking the next one it didn't give him much more information.

Mogami, Kyoko, female died 26th of December 20xx, born 25th December 20xx, left behind a mother.

"What is wrong with that woman?" he said slamming his laptop shut. "Not even a place to send condolences or a service planned for her?" he rubbed his hand across his face in frustration. "No even she couldn't be that cold-hearted…" he said moving back to the couch to sit down. 'My parents really liked her after all…'

"Let's think about this" he closed his eyes 'That woman would have called my parents if she was really dead." He flinched at the thought of how that call went. Even his parents were scared of Kyoko's mother. She might not have a mothering bone in her body but she did assure that Kyoko was well taken care of. His parents were given more than enough to raise her. Sure nowhere near as much as he was given but she still had plenty for pocket money to buy things if she wanted but she hoarded it, looked for deals never spent it on herself.

'My parents would have been screaming at me for her death, they would be terrified of what she would do to them for not having taken care of her.' he held in the shudder that dares to escape at exactly what would happen to him. "They don't have my number though but it's not like they couldn't find me, or that they have no idea where I am." he crossed his arms leaning back against the couch.

"No, knowing Kyoko she was keeping in touch with them the whole time we were here, she hates putting people out, she such a goody-two-shoes that whenever someone asks her for anything she does it. Well as long as it doesn't go against her morals anyways.' Wasn't that why she had been so willing to come with him to Bakkin Hana. To help him make his dreams come true. Sho was pretty sure regardless of everything else, she was indeed alive. Yet he also knew that those guys weren't lying about things either.

"Why would someone by her she has no sex appeal…" he frowned 'Wait didn't that guy she tasted sweet?' he shook his head "He most likely was just messing with me…" Sho didn't want to accept or believe that anyone would do anything like that to Kyoko 'Besides that guy has got to be in his forties, what would he find attractive about a kid?'

"Still someone powerful did buy her… but who and why?" he ran a hand through his hair in frustration 'She has no sex appeal so I doubt it's for sex no matter what those guys say. I bet her mother found out and sent someone there instead.' He sighed "But then why didn't she say something to my parents?"

The thought that she went through such training caused a pain in his heart 'I do think they were telling the truth about her still was a virgin so maybe it was no more than heavy making out…' He tried to picture someone even kissing her and couldn't. "Who would want to?" he snorted in disgust. " shaking his head "Focus Sho"

"I'm pretty sure that woman knows something. Yet she's such a cold-hearted bitch she would never say anything to anyone, let alone me. It also means that Kyoko isn't missing because my folks would be banging my door down… so that woman must have told them… but whatever it was, it wasn't the truth." He nodded his head 'which means nothing bad happened to bad happened to her, maybe the guy who bought her pitied her.' nodding his head more 'Yes that's it. She is a very pitiful person.'

"That means one that woman knows, two she made her disappear, and three I still get what belongs to me back, because Kyoko will never leave me" Picking up his notepad and pen.

'Now that I got that figured out I can focus on what I need to do. I can't believe how much trouble she's been causing me.'

Kyoko stared at her reflection in the mirror. Not that she had much of a choice, Amber's room had several mirrors and while it did brighten the room. Kyoko couldn't help it was a little overboard when on either side of the queen size been were two full-size mirrors. The fact each wall had two full-size mirrors, plus one on the back of her door so she could make one last check before leaving her room. Still, Kyoko had to admit that the warm hues and gold with hints of rose gold coloring fit her perfectly.

Amber stood in front of her second closet the one she stated was for things that she got for other people and not for her. It was stuff she could return if she had too or could use also as a last moment of gift. While Maria and herself sat on the couch at the foot of her bed.

So when she pulled out several hangers with their dresses in protective bags she knew right then somewhere between leaving school and getting home that she had been busy or maybe it was like she said before they were last moment gift ideas.

Well that thought went out of Kyoko at how each and every single dress that was pulled out sparkled... and not only that but a lot of them had open backs, splits right up to to the hip sometimes on both sides, others still had strips of cloth that was sheer and while yes it 'covered' the skin it didn't actually hide it.

"Don't you have anything else…" Kyoko wasn't exactly how to ask for something more proper and not so showy.

Amanda sighed heavily, "Keiji will be wearing black which is pretty common for the Cha-Cha… and most dances…" she muttered as an afterthought "Regardless the woman" she pointed a finger in her direction "is the one that stands out. Think of yourself like a peacock"

Kyoko smiled some,"It's male peacocks that are colorful and flaunt themselves…"

Maria nodded her head, "Aunt Kyoko is right, male birds are colorful, females are dull."

"Urg not helping Maria" she took a deep breath leaning against the door frame of her second closet. "You need movement, you need to stand out. You need sex appeal."

Kyoko beamed as she looked up at her, "Well, then there is your problem. I don't have any."

Amanda massaged her temples "All girls have sex appeal." Taking a deep breath she crossed her arms in front of her chest, "The difference is that every guy is attracted to the same things. So what one person might find sexy another one won't. The trick is to see yourself as being sexy and then the appeal will be there." she smirked "even a gay guy can see the sex appeal in a woman without wanting them. That's what you need to do."

"Wouldn't it be easier to dress as a guy?" Kyoko asked and Amanda growled under her breath.

Maria giggled softly, "Aunt Kyoko before you give Amanda too much of a headache I think she's saying that you need to think of it as acting."

Kyoko frowned, "I don't know how to act."

Amanda "sure you do… you have the mask of someone born and raised here. I've seen you in school, you smile even when it's not real. What do you call that if not an act?"

"It's just how I was raised.." Kyoko sighed.

Maria placed a hand on top of Kyoko's hand. "Aunt Kyoko, acting is taking the things you experienced and seen and using the knowledge. You were raised to smile even if you weren't happy because that's what the world must see, a happy person."

"I still don't know how to be sexy" that was the one thing that was repeated over and over. No sex appeal.

Maria beamed at her "just copy Amanda", Amanda stared at the little girl in front of her.

"Actually that's not a bad idea. I mean you would be able to get the idea and feel of someone who is well perfect." Kyoko and Maria looked at each other before falling into a giggling fit. Amanda raised an eyebrow at them before touching her hair over her shoulder. "If that's the case this is the one you are going to wear. Tomorrow David has a plan to help you."

Kyoko, "Can I at least see it?"

"Not until the day of the show." she shuddered thinking about the black spot that had been in the student council room during lunch "no… no this is for the best for everyone. Just trust me."

Boss leaned against his desk, his eyes not moving from the man who had taken out Mick with a single well punch. His red eyes seemed to glow behind his black hair.

'How the fuck did this happen? Is Mick even breathing? Damn, I want to look but this man… who the fuck is this man? He's not saying anything just sitting there with a grin on his face. I didn't even get a call from any of the men. Are the girls still alright? Shit, how do I explain this to my bosses? That's it I bet I can scare him.'

I couldn't help the grin that played across my lips as I leaned back. 'That's right this guy has no idea who the fuck he's messing with.'

"Do you know who my boss is?"

"Why would I care about that?" Boss watched as he put his pinky finger into his ear "bad enough I got to speak this disgusting language because you can't speak nothing but this disgusting one."

"Yet you speak it so well for something you find disgusting." he kicked his feet up on his desk leaning back, dropping a hand under his chair, he felt for his Remington Derringer, it would give him one shot but that's all he honestly needed. His feet blocking the view as he slides it out and put it in his lap.

The man was Boris not that either of these two knew that. "I'm looking for information about a Blue Rose."

Boss forced a smile on his face, "We've had several girls with that name, but we have none at the time."

Boris, "She was sold."

'Shit! Is this her father? Fuck. I thought we got everyone.' "What's it to you?" His laughter echoed across the room causing him to shiver 'This guy is really fucking dangerous.'

Boris pulled out a switchblade, swinging it open and closed "To me nothing. I'm looking into for someone that's all."

Boss held up his small handgun, "Look I don't know who you are working for but my own bosses have rules and the fact remains we don't have any Blue Rose here. What happens to them afterward isn't any of my damn business."

The smile on the guys face showed he was getting high, he was enjoying this. "So you aren't willing to tell me?"

Boss figured this guy was a PI and he could deal with those, they would pay for information. "I run a business you want information you pay for it."

The man barked out a laugh, "Pay?" he stabbed the switch played into the arm of the couch "You want me to pay?"

"Everyone pays, nothing in this damn world is free."

"Oh… I disagree" he said moving towards him even with the gun pointed at him, he was shaking too much to fire straight, no he was shaking so badly that all he did was graze his arm. Boss' face paled, "tisk" he grunted as he grabbed the gun from the Boss' hand and threw it against the wall. "You little piece of shit," he said in Russian. He grabbed Boss by his throat and pulled him over the table.

"Wait… wait.." he gasps "she's dead I'll give you her name if you want just… don't kill me."

"Trust me if I was given instructions not to kill you. You would be dead." Boris snarled, "name"

"Mogami Kyoko, she died the night after Christmas, she was sold to a German… Tod Damon"

"That's very helpful," he said pulling out another switchblade he held it to Boss' throat.

"You… said you weren't allowed to kill…." he whimpered.

"Yes… well" he smirked running the blade drawing a line across the man's cheek as a thin line of blood following. "I wasn't told I couldn't play a little," he said in Russian as he tore open the man's shit "But don't worry… I'll let you hide it well." he snickered.