Kuu Hizuri looked down at the open suitcase on his bed, and the lovely, sparkling champagne pink and white invitation on his nightstand. It had come in the mail a few weeks before, and he and Julie had been only too excited to receive it. They had heard from Lory that Kyoko and Maria's Happy Grateful Party was less of a thank you party and more of a covert joint birthday party for the two of them.

The party was set to happen once more on Christmas Eve, which was now only three days away. Julie had practically dashed out of the house with her purse that morning to go and purchase a gift for their daughter. Kuu had stayed behind to start packing. They would only be in Japan for a couple of days, but it still necessitated several changes of clothing for the both of them.

Celebrity is a bitch, thought Kuu, as he packed a third pair of shoes. His phone started to vibrate in his pocket, and he pulled it out and answered it without looking at the caller ID.

"If this is Julie, yes, just get the thing, I'm sure Kyoko will love it. If it's not Julie, this had better be good. I'm very busy."

"Dad."

Kuu's eyes widened. "Kuon?" He sat down on the edge of the bed in disbelief. "Are you okay?"

Kuon sighed heavily. "She won't talk to me. It's been weeks."

"What did you do?"

Kuon told his father everything, including the violent thoughts that he had toward Morizumi and her manager, and how it had upset Kyoko. Kuu's forehead creased with worry.

"Son," he started, "Sometimes, we have to keep our honest feelings to ourselves."

"Dad, I've lied to her so many times over the last two years. I don't want to lie to her anymore. I never want to see her that helpless again, and anyone who would cause that…," the sentence faded through clenched teeth.

"My boy, you're focusing on the wrong thing. Tossing Kimiko Morizumi off of a roof is not going to undo what happened to Kyoko, and neither will being angry about it. All that will do is make your predicament worse. So, you need to let those thoughts go."

"Then tell me what I should do."

Kuu sighed. "You're lucky you're across town. How did I raise such a fool?" Kuu rubbed his forehead in frustration. "Did you ever think to comfort Kyoko? To reassure her? To buy her something that would help her feel better? To spend more time on the phone with her, or ask her what she needed?"

Kuon stared at the wall beside his bed. He had been so preoccupied with getting vengeance for Kyoko that he hadn't once thought about how she had felt. How she had gone through all of that alone, how she had lied to him to protect him. "Shit."

"Yes, let that idiot feeling sink in. You've earned it."

Kuon covered his eyes with his free hand. "How do I fix this, Dad? She won't take my calls. I sent her flowers, and she didn't even acknowledge it."

"Have you been leaving voicemails?"

"I stopped calling her last week. I'm not trying to piss her off more. I thought maybe I'd just wait for her to call me."

"You stopped calling!?" Kuon grunted his frustration, "Why would you do that!? Now she's going to think you don't care at all!"

Kuon flopped backward on his bed. "Could you be here in a half hour to shoot me and put me out of my misery?"

Kuu chuckled darkly, "Your mother has the Porsche, and I'm not wasting the Lamborghini on a trip to shoot vermin." He shook his head. "Call her. Tell her how you felt when you watched that god awful video. That's what she wants to hear right now. She doesn't want your anger, Kuon. She wants your care."

"And what if I'm too late?"

Kuu smiled, "Then I'll come shoot you," he joked.

Kuon rolled his eyes. "Thanks, Dad."

"Anytime, my precious son. I love you."

"Love you, too."

The day before the party, Kyoko was helping to put up decorations and paint props. She was in the middle of painting a large snowflake when the paintbrush was snatched out of her hand. She looked beside her to find Kanae glaring at her.

"Moko-san? What's up?"

"When was the last time you slept?"

Kyoko smiled sheepishly. "Last night, of course! What kind of question is that?"

Kanae's eyes narrowed on her friend. There were large dark circles around Kyoko's eyes. Her jumpsuit was coated with paint streaks, she had paint in her hair, which was an unwashed mess, and paint streaked all over her hands and arms. Her posture was uncharacteristically slumped. Kanae took her by the arm and dragged her over to the bathroom. She put her back against the door and crossed her arms so Kyoko couldn't escape.

"We aren't leaving until you tell me what's wrong."

Kyoko smiled. "Why would you think something is wrong?"

"MO. Because you're acting weird! You've thrown yourself into planning this party, you haven't discussed anything besides this party in weeks, you've picked up every extra shift you can at the Darumaya, and I can't help but notice you haven't mentioned Tsuruga at all." Kyoko winced at the name, and Kanae clenched her teeth. "What did he do!?"

Kyoko shook her head. "He didn't do anything. I messed up."

Kanae stared at her. "Somehow, I find that hard to believe."

"It's true, Moko-san. He… he got mad about what Morizumi did, and then I got mad at him because he was mad, and then I wouldn't talk to him, and now he's not calling me anymore…" she dissolved into tears.

Kanae hugged her. "Mo. Stop crying, it's okay."

"It's not okay. I miss him, and he hates me."

At that, Kanae laughed. "He definitely does not hate you. He could never hate you. He probably thinks you hate him." Kanae led her over to the sink and cleaned up her friend's face with a wet paper towel. "It's late, and you've been here all day. You go home and get some rest, and I'll make sure Sho paints the rest of the snowflakes, okay?"

Kyoko sniffled and nodded. "Thank you, Moko-san."

"You're welcome. I'll see you tomorrow night for the party."

When Kyoko got home, she ate a quick dinner of Darumaya leftovers from the refrigerator, took a quick shower, and then went to the bedroom. She crawled into bed, hugged Kuon's pillow to her, and fell asleep crying into it.

The following night, Kyoko was hustling around the kitchen at the Takarada Estate making all the first dishes and instructing the cooks on how to make everything the way she wanted. She had managed to actually get some sleep the night before, and while her feelings were still hurt, she couldn't help but be excited for the party. She was garnishing a plate of roast chicken when a hand stole a pepper from the side of it.

"Mm. Fantastic."

Kyoko looked up to find Kuu beaming at her. "Father!," she squealed excitedly and hugged him. He laughed.

"This is a much better greeting than last time." He patted her head. "How are you?"

"I'm good! I'm so excited you came! Did Mother come with you?"

He rolled his eyes. "You think your mother is going to miss her only daughter's 18th birthday party?"

Kyoko blushed. "It's not my birthday party! It's a thank you party for everyone important in my life!"

Kuu shrugged. "It can be both. It's going to have to be, because your mother went overboard and got you plenty of gifts."

Kyoko blushed. "I wish she wouldn't do that."

He laughed and patted her shoulder. "Kid, you're an honorary Hizuri. You're going to have to get used to it." He looked around at the food. "Are you almost done back here?"

She nodded. "I'll be done in a few minutes."

"I'll see you out on the dance floor, then!"

Honorary Hizuri. Kyoko deflated. I wonder if I still get to be one when they realize that Kuon doesn't love me anymore. That I ruined our relationship by being too hard on him. She finished up in the kitchen, washed her hands, and then went out to the actual party. The snowflakes that they had finished painting the day before were hung from the ceiling with invisible cables and glittered in the light. The Ishibashis and Sho were playing music on the stage at the front of the room. Kyoko looked around the hall. The Darumaya couple were there, seated at a nearby table, chatting with Sho's parents. Maria was out on the dance floor, dancing happily with her father, Kouki. Even Kijima was there, doing his best to cozy up to Itsumi Momose, who looked like she might actually let him this time. So many important people… but no sign of the most important person. She knew that he wouldn't be able to come because of Route, so she hadn't invited him. She had also been angry with him at the time that the invitations had been sent. The room was suddenly blurry as Kyoko fought against her tears.

A glittery silver arm descended around Kyoko's shoulders and steered her away toward the restroom. When they were away from the noise, Julie pressed Kyoko's face to her bosom and petted her hair. Kyoko sobbed, and was unable to speak.

"Shhh," said Julie quietly. "It's okay, darling, let it out." After a few moments, Kyoko quietened, and Julie fished a couple of kleenex out of her purse. "Now, do you want to tell me why you're so upset?"

Kyoko's eyes were trained on the floor. "Because Kuon doesn't love me anymore, and if he doesn't then…" Kyoko couldn't bring herself to say then you won't either.

Julie enveloped her in a bone-crushing hug. "We need to get something straight. Even if my son didn't love you, which he does, more than he loves breathing, that would have no bearing at all on how Kuu and I feel about you. You're mine, and I'll fight anyone that tries to say otherwise." She mopped up the tears from Kyoko's cheeks with the tissues. "He called Kuu the other day to ask what he should do to fix things between the two of you."

Kyoko looked up at her tearfully. "Really?," she sniffled.

Julie chuckled. "You know it's a desperate situation if he calls Kuu for advice. It sounds like you've been awfully hard on him, dear."

Kyoko blushed, "I didn't mean to be! I just didn't want him to-" Julie pressed a finger over her lips and shook her head.

"Not for my ears. These are things you should be telling Kuon."

Kyoko swallowed and nodded. Julie pressed a kiss to her forehead and then looked her over. "Now that you're feeling better, I think we should go put you in your birthday dress."

"B-birthday dress!?"

Julie giggled, "It's the first birthday I get with you! I had to go all out!"

Before Kyoko could protest too much, Julie was dragging her to a back room where Jelly Woods was waiting with a gorgeous ball gown. They had Kyoko out of her chef's whites and into the dress in a matter of moments. The dress was powder blue, with flower appliques all over the bodice and down the fluffy tulle skirt. Jelly painted Kyoko's lips a soft pink and brushed a shimmery silver eyeshadow over her eyelids. When they walked back into the hall, Kuu approached them and kissed Kyoko on top of her head.

"You look beautiful, Kyoko-chan."

Kyoko blushed. "Thank you, Father."

He held out his hand to her. "Do you want to dance?"

She took his hand and they went out onto the floor. She rested her head on Kuu's shoulder as they danced slowly in a circle. "You know," he said, "I never thought I'd actually have a daughter. After Kuon was born, Julie and I… we just didn't get lucky again. I always wondered how it would be to dance with my little girl and make her smile… and now I know."

Kyoko looked up to find Kuu's eyes full of tears, but he had a smile on his face. He kissed her forehead and rested his cheek on the top of her head. "Happy birthday, sweetheart."

The clock struck midnight, and the Ishibashis stopped playing. Hikaru stepped up to the microphone. "Hey guys! So, it's midnight now, which makes it officially the 25th. As many of you know, that means it's Kyoko-chan's birthday!" A great round of applause and cheers went up, and Kyoko hid her face in Kuu's sleeve as a spotlight fixed on her in the crowd. "So, we got someone here that wanted to say a couple words. Sho?"

Kyoko looked up at the stage, where Sho came to sit on a stool by the microphone with his guitar. He waved a shaking, nervous hand at the crowd. "Uh… hey. Not a lot of people know this, but Kyoko and I grew up together in Kyoto. Most of the time, I was a total jackass to her, for which I'll likely be apologizing for the rest of my life," the crowd laughed, "But she never gave up on me. And I'm more grateful to her for that than I can say. So… I guess I'll sing it instead."

Kyoko's mouth popped open. He's going to sing?

Sho strummed an opening chord on his guitar.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Kyoko, happy birthday to you."

It was over in less than two minutes, but Sho Fuwa, for the first time in six months, had actually sung a song. The crowd erupted in applause. Kyoko made her way to the front of the stage. Sho hopped off the stage and they shared a tearful hug. "Since when can you sing again!?," she asked through her tears.

Sho smiled. "Since a couple weeks ago when I was helping Kotonami-san stuff invitation envelopes. She had the radio turned on for background noise, and she caught me singing along. I didn't even realize I was doing it. I asked her not to tell you. I wanted to surprise you."

Kyoko hugged him tight. "I'm so glad!" Her relief for him was palpable.

He rested his chin on top of her head. "Thanks, Kyoko."

The rest of the night was a blur. The President had an enormous cake brought out. (He had been avoiding Julie all night, lest bodily harm befall him.) Kyoko spent the night dancing with Kanae, Chiori, Maria, and Julie. By the time she got home, it was almost 4:00 AM and she was exhausted. She set her gift bags on the dining table. Kanae had gotten her more makeup, Kuu and Julie had gotten her a bottle of Royal Snow perfume. (She had snuggled the swan-shaped bottle to her chest and squeaked, "Odette!") The Darumaya couple had gotten her a new purse. As she looked at her presents, she felt selfish. Even though she had been given so many lovely things, she had not received anything from Kuon, and that made her feel sad.

She frowned as she reached into the pocket of her chef's whites, that had been stuffed into her old purse, for her phone. I don't know why I'm bothering, he probably didn't even text me. She froze as the phone screen lit up. One new voicemail. She put the shaking phone to her ear.

"Hi, Kyoko-chan. I just want to say… I'm really sorry. When I saw that video, it made me feel helpless. I couldn't save you, and I couldn't be trusted with your feelings. I couldn't be there to help you. I'm sorry that you had to go through all of that alone, and that you couldn't tell me the truth. I know it's midnight there, so you're probably at the party. I hope you have fun, and I hope Mom doesn't go too overboard… she tends to do that on birthdays. Anyway… I love you, Princess. Happy birthday."

She replayed the message with tears streaming down her cheeks. She had been so mean to him over the last month, had refused to talk to him, had made such a mess of their relationship… and he somehow still loved her. She tried to call him back, but he didn't pick up. Maybe he left it in his room or something while he works out, she thought. I'll try him again later.

A knock sounded at her front door, and she jumped. Who on earth could it be at this hour? She crept over to the door and looked through the peephole. When she saw who was standing there, she lifted an eyebrow and opened the door.

"President-san?"

The old man, Daddy Longlegs, shook his gray head. "I don't know who this President is that you speak of! I'm just a kindly old man!"

Kyoko stared at him with a raised eyebrow. "...Okay. What's going on?"

"Well," he said, "It occurred to me that you probably didn't get the gift that you wanted most of all at your party, so I'm here to give it to you!" He pulled an envelope out of his breast pocket and held it out to her.

Kyoko took it from him and opened it. Her mouth fell open. "This is a plane ticket to LA… for today."

The old-man-who-most-certainly-was-not-Lory Takarada nodded. "It's short notice, but I figured that might be- oof!"

Kyoko hugged him tightly. "Thank you," she sobbed into his chest.

He smiled and patted her head. "Off you go, Mogami-san. You've got some packing to do."

Kyoko looked at the time for the flight on the ticket again and shrieked. She disappeared into the apartment and shut the door in the old man's face. He walked away toward the elevator, laughing.

Less than an hour later, Kyoko ran out of the lobby of the building with her carry-on and an extra suitcase. Unsurprisingly, Ruto was waiting for her with the car. On their way, he explained that Ren did not know that she was coming, but Yashiro did, and would be at the airport to pick her up. They got to the airport, and Kyoko thanked him for the ride and dashed inside. Before she went through security, she shut her phone off and put it in her carry-on. She made it onto the plane, and though she was full of nervous energy and excitement, she nodded off shortly after take off from exhaustion.

Shortly after Kyoko's plane took off, Kuon was getting back to his hotel room after working out that morning with Koga. He went to his nightstand where he had left his phone plugged in, instead of taking it with him. He had purposely called her when he knew she would be least likely to pick up. At least if she doesn't pick up this time, she'll have a reason besides just avoiding me, he thought. When he saw that he had a missed call from Kyoko, he kicked himself for his act of cowardice. Shit, shit, shit! Of all the fucking times to leave my goddamn phone here! He tried to call her back. When it went directly to voicemail, he sat down on the edge of the bed and put his head in his hands.

How could I be so stupid? The first time she tries to call me in weeks, and I don't pick up? She must think I'm a complete fucking idiot. He yelled into his pillow.

Across the hall, Yashiro was taking a very important phone call.

"She's on the plane now!?"

"Yes," said Lory, "She'll be there around midnight tonight. Can you go get her without telling Ren?"

Yashiro laughed like a madman. "Consider it done!"

Ohhhhhh boy, guys. This is it. I hope everyone is satisfied with the story as it reaches its conclusion. I feel like I'm trying to cram 10 pounds of shit in a 5 pound bag, and I hope I have done that successfully. To everyone who's been here reading since July, THANK YOU. Y'all been here giving me the strength to carry on, even when life was REALLY FUCKING HARD. To everyone who's been reading not since July, but been reading anyway, THANK YOU. I also appreciate you. It's been a really wild few months, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you all make of the end. That said, see you next week for The Final Act. (lololol see what I did there? Final Act? InuYasha reference. I know, I'm SO FUCKING WITTY.) *Runs away laughing maniacally* ALL OF MY LURVE - BO