-Oxford - Wednesday: Part 13-
Ruto was bringing the leftovers from there lunch, she had just gotten off the phone with Kyo and had learned that neither her or Juliena had eaten lunch yet. There had been a small lecture by Kyoko to Kyo about how it didn't matter how busy they were that they had to eat a proper meal. He couldn't help but smile because she went and had called Lory to make sure he was properly eating as well. Which apparently he had not either which set her off on another lecture. By the time she was muttering to herself about how her family didn't know the importance of eating healthy. He had a feeling that Lory had only said he wasn't because he liked to hear the worry in her voice. It showed how much she actually cared about people in Ruto's mind.
Laura had found the whole thing amusing but that was only because it hadn't been directed at her. That Daiki had barely touched his food. The look he shot her only had her smiling sweetly at him as Kyoko had simply taken a look at his meal added a small salad that he hadn't wanted the first time a sort of punishment, seeing like his brother he wasn't as big on vegetables or fish for that matter. "I will make Tuna tonight if you don't eat it all," she said with a huff and this got Keiji to grab his own fork turning it in his fingers.
"Big brother, do you require me to help you eat?" his eyes had darkened, but Daiki shook his head.
Ruto moved away from the group as his phone began to ring, Kyoko only one who seemed to look at him. It had been an unspoken rule since they been here at the hotel that he was allowed to have his phone, much, in the same way, was Kyo had been allowed her but it still seemed to bother Kyoko whenever he took a call during the time they were supposed to be eating. Though she accepted it as for Daiki and Keiji they were used enough to know that they were not allowed to use their phones and to turn them off. He wondered exactly what she would do if Yashiro or Ren's phones went off. Though Ren wouldn't be a problem, he almost never answered his own phone. Unless from Lory or Yashiro. LME knew to contact his manager and anyone else who may have his number well it went directly to voicemail.
"Hey, I need you to bring me Lady Kyoko and Ren Tsuruga... we may have a problem with their relationship."
Ruto eyes darted towards his goddaughter before falling towards Ren. 'Yes the young man cares about her' his eyes slowly moved back towards Kyoko before mentally sighing, 'As for her, I think she may care simply because of his importance to Lory and Maria' he did notice that she had a way with Kuon, he was sure it was Kuon that was reacting to her more than Ren, though perhaps Ren also reacting to her. Still, Ren was a character Kuon had created to protect himself and give himself a second chance. The very fact that Kyoko seemed to be able to tame the rage inside that was just under the skin of Ren was amazing to Ruto, but at the same time he couldn't exactly be surprised, she had an amazing skill with people.
"Exactly what is the issue, Kendi?" Ruto might as well try to get an idea of what the issue might be so he could make the judgment if it was something that Lory should be there for with them. If he felt that it something that Lory needed to be there for he would have to make Kendi Brown wait. The fact that he was contacting him meant that it had something to do with Heth. The target and in a strange way, Kyoko had become the head of bringing the man to them. Not that Ruto was happy about this plan of hers yet it seemed that Brown had accepted to allow her to be the target. 'Only because the Queen likely doesn't know' he wondered if he should make it known to Queen Mary, but the fact remained that this was something Kyoko herself wanted and this alone was making him pause in letting her know. 'As long as Lory knows in the end' his eyes darted towards Kyoko wondering if he may need to speak to her about letting him know. He would not break his word to her. It was starting to become a small issue but he figured Lory had planned for this exact thing in the end. While Ruto was once under the name Ankou, his loyalty back when King Phili was alive had taken him out of the Ankou by request of Leiko to protect Lory. His orders were simple, Lory was his new Superior. His orders must be followed without question, his life was to be protected without question. He had been renamed to Ruto to fit his new life. He was no longer a true member of the Ankou, no he was now a Banshee.
Lory had made in his own way Kyoko his future superior without either of them truly realizing it. Ruto had become attached to the girl on his own accord but now that he thought about it, he had begun to see her much as the one he would follow should Lory pass on to the next world. An Ankou without a role in the world was nothing, which was why when one became too old to keep the work of an Ankou they became a Banshee. Most Banshee's where still connected to the ruling power, as they were given positions of power that allowed them to easily move the other Ankou into positions they needed, as needed. So while there was only 100 truly active Ankou they had at least when he had still been a member a good 18 Banshees who had been given their final tasks. They would die in the new roles they were given there would be no more changes. That was the role of one who had become retired and he was in all respect retired. This would also happen once the Royal Children began their own lives. A member of the Ankou would be reborn as a Banshee like he had been. To serve that family member until their own deaths, should the family member die, they would stay with the family, the next in line or whoever was chosen for them. The fact the Queen had so many children would mean that six new Ankou would be born when the new Banshees are born.
"I'd rather not say over the phone Ruto." His eyes narrowed as he looked away from the group. This did not sit well with him.
"I cannot agree without more knowledge Kendi. Lory is my superior if it is something that he needs to be informed of. Then I must report it to him. As you know, but it also means that I must protect his family." He didn't need to say it was because he was the family's Banshee. He could hear the man sigh on the phone. Yes, that was the issue with the Banshees that weren't connected to the one superior, the one ruling power. They would never betray the crown, they would never betray the Ankou but for them, the family member they were placed in charge of came first. As long as it didn't betray the crown or the Ankou.
"And the boy?"
Ruto's eyes looked back towards Ren for a moment, he was giving attention to Maria "I'm under orders to keep him safe as well" He said simply
"Will he leave at the end of fashion week?" that was something Ruto couldn't be sure of not with the way the Kuon kept taken moments to glance at Kyoko whenever she wasn't looking. "I take your silence as you are not sure. Then it's important I make it clear how dangerous it is for them."
"He is being watched by another at the moment." Perhaps Ruto could push it back some, he didn't want to make this choice for either of them. Though he was sure Kyoko would want to know and make the choice for herself. The fact remained he wasn't sure if Ren could keep ahold of Kuon without more knowledge of what this was all about.
"Bring him if you must. Be here in 10," he said hanging up. Ruto mentally sighed before putting his phone back in his pocket. This was not going to set well with her once she learns that Ren was going to be there. More so when she understood that it also meant Keiji would be there. Though truth be told he was sure Keiji would get the information out of her anyways. 'If he was a straight man he would be a good match for her' his eyes trailed towards the boy 'but then I doubt he would have gotten that close to her.' His eyes fell upon Kuon for a moment 'No, just his misunderstanding is enough to cause his emotions to leak through his mask,'
He moved towards Kyoko and leaned forward to talk to her. "Kyoko, General Brown has learned something that is troubling…"
"I'll go," she said looking at him before he even finished.
Ruto had not been mistaken in the fact that Kyoko had been rather annoyed that Ren Tsuruga and Keiji had to be there. It was written all over her face and even General Brown was slightly taken back by how the room seemed to be filled with something unseen. Still, she sat in the only other chair forcing the two younger men to sit on the bed. Ruto had taken to standing behind her off to the left. "So... Tsuruga is being babysat by... a sixteen-year-old?" he figured might as well break the ice a little. He mentally winced at the way the room seemed to get even darker. This time not by Kyoko but by Tsuruga himself. "Forget I asked." even though Keiji seemed amused by the whole thing.
"Can we just get down to business?"
Kyoko sounded more like Amanda at the moment, which took him by surprise, still, he smiled at her. Figuring she was just uncomfortable and he couldn't blame her for that. "As you wish Lady Kyoko, I need to ask you if there is anything going on between you and Ren Tsuruga." he didn't take his eyes off of her as she stared at him, clearly confused. 'She can't be that clueless can she?' He doubted she could be that innocent with her history but he found himself completely surprised by how clueless and the innocence she still held. He could tell she wasn't even acting either.
"I just cook for him sometimes well since he's been here. Prior to this, I've had nothing to do with him. Yet Maria really likes him so he sometimes comes with us when she runs into him." she paused for a moment, "But he did force me to thank him by playing music for him this morning." her eyes narrowed slightly at that thought before sighing softly, "but I suppose that was fine he did help me more than he had to do." she said softly. "Not to say he really does make Maria happy and he's really kind to her in return." she looked back at General Brown, "I'll do just about anything for her, even put up with someone I don't personally care for. Not that I hate him... well not as much as I did." she said muttered softly under her breath before sighing heavily.
Keiji couldn't help the smile that played across his features, not that he expected anything more from Kyoko when it came to it but he also noticed that Ren was not exactly happy at first but he had begun to settle down, as if the fact she didn't hate him anymore really was some sort of magic that she had cast upon him. "Kyoko, he wants to know if you two are sleeping together." Keiji's eyes turned towards General Brown before he leaned forward, his arms dropping between his legs, "Right General?"
General Brown could see that Keiji was enjoying this. Kyoko was burning bright red but Ren seemed to be glaring at the Keiji himself. 'Does this kid have a death wish?' he nodded his head and Keiji stood up making his way towards Kyoko. He watched as he placed a hand against Kyoko's cheek. The room got cold and at the same time it was getting really warm but Kyoko was no longer blushing she was looking at Keiji questioning him. He leaned forward and while Brown and Ruto could personally see what was going on, he knew that from where Ren was positioned it looked like they had just kissed.
"Does that answer your question General?" Keiji said putting his hands in his pockets.
General Brown ran a hand through his hair, 'This kid does have a death wish' he thought before his eyes moved back towards Ren. "Yeah..." his eyes turned towards Ruto who didn't even move his eyes they were fully on Ren who was holding his wristwatch as if his life depended on it. Keiji turned to look at him.
"What Kyoko and I have between us is perfectly innocent and not sexual." he paused for a moment, "well it's not sexual for us, others might think otherwise." Keiji moved to stand in front of Ren blocking his view of Kyoko, "This guy is just a friend of the Takarada family in Japan. Kyoko doesn't live in Japan so he barely knows her." his eyes didn't leave Ren who was glaring murderously at him he leaned forward, "She's my partner and that for some reason upsets him. I think the real question is, does Ren-chan love Kyoko-chan?" he asked the last part in Japanese his voice was so low that it was only for Ren to hear him.
Ren closed his eyes before looking back at him, he smiled but it was cold, "No. I don't." Keiji shook his head before looking back at General Brown as Kyoko began to speak again.
Kyoko, "But what does this have to do with anything?" the question was innocent enough and it was clear now that General Brown was even more uncomfortable than when they had started out. Yet the room was no longer feeling as deadly as it had, most likely because Ren was back in control over his emotions. Though General Brown was sure that it was more than he was burying them deep inside of himself.
General Brown sighed heavily before leaning back, "To put it simply, they are going to try and apply that you are using Tsuruga."
"Using him?" Her eyes widen slightly, Kyoko clearly couldn't understand how she could do even do that. Such a thing of using people clearly was not something that ever crossed her mind and General Brown noticed this right away.
"Yes blackmailing him." He cleared his throat, "Well to put it simply they are trying to say that you are threatening his career and are going to try to prove that it's the exact same as what Heth claim you did to him."
The room fell silent, each person for a different reason. Keiji didn't have the full information and he was quickly putting together things that he hadn't really known about prior. Ren wanted to laugh, the fact that people always thought they could use him even as a child but this time he mentally thought that he would willingly allow her to use him. That thought, of course, scared him more than he wanted to admit.
It was whatever had crossed Kyoko's mind that was about to really shock the whole room, "If they find more will the case get pushed forward more?"
"Yes…" he said simply. "I would have to report anything that could hint at a relationship to them," he said not sure where she was going with this. She nodded her head and turned towards Ren.
"Please forgive me," she said once she was in front of him, she leaned forward and kissed him softly on the side of his mouth.
Ren froze but Keiji noticed it wasn't exactly a kiss either, no it was exactly what he had done with her earlier. Keiji wanted to laugh at the look at Ren's face if a man could die from just a peak he was sure Ren would have just done so. Still, the fact she was able to do this without turning completely red from embarrassment did surprise Keiji. 'Mandy is in play huh?' he closed his eyes 'I wonder exactly what would happen if she had really kissed him. Would he had fainted' he opened his eyes 'I want to be there for that.' shaking his head before he was surprised by getting one of his own.
Kyoko turned towards General Brown. "There. Report it," she said turning and walking out Ruto bowed his head and followed after her.
General Brown sighed as he pulled out his cell phone. 'She really serious about getting Heth' his eyes turned towards Ren who still hadn't moved yet 'and she just learned how to use people to get what she wants...' he sighed 'She's becoming more and more like Leiko than even I want to admit. I'm just glad that both of them on our side.'
A/N: Banshee's are said to be connected to certain families.