Chapter 3

Well, it was most certainly a surprise. Twelve weeks. She was now twelve weeks pregnant and according to the ultrasound, there were two. Twins. She wasn't sure how to feel about that. At least she hadn't run into Kuon yet. It still hurt, being used like that. She still didn't hate him, but she didn't like him either. At least she had Kanae and Chiori. Lory seemed to be immensely supportive too. If him dancing around the office, tossing confetti about was any indication.

The only thing that made things even more difficult, was the fact that she was already in maternity clothing and sporting a nicely sized baby bump. She exaggerated, of course, when she thought she looked like a toothpick with a ball of clay attached. And she could most certainly tell that these were definitely Otou-san's grandchildren. She was constantly famished. Although, she was thankful she hadn't had the misfortune of experiencing too much morning sickness. It was only a bit of mild nausea, instead of the horrors Mōko-san had described, that her sister went through with her twins.

Her mind was firmly planted on that subject as she exited Lory's office to look over her new offers and of course, bumped into two people she would prefer to never see again in her life. A large arm snaked around her and caught her before she fell. "I'm very sorry." He apologized.

She looked up at him expressionlessly, scrambling for a response. English, yes English Kyoko. "Sorry about that, I wasn't paying attention. Thank you for catching me." She held out her hand to shake. "I'm Isabelle Stevens, and you are?"

Ren stared at the wedding band and the clearly pregnant female, that looked very familiar. "Oh... Sorry, Ren Tsuruga. Nice to meet you Mrs. Stevens." He gently took he hand and shook it.

A sad look came over her, but not for the reasons that he would later think of; however, it worked. She was supposed to be a widow after all. A tear escaped and she wiped it. "Sorry." She mumbled and quickly left.

He turned to Yashiro. "Did I say something wrong?"

"Not that I could tell." Yashiro answered a little confused by the behavior.

Kyoko locked herself in one of the ladies room stalls and quietly sobbed, desperately trying to regain her composure. At least I was able to hold on long enough to make it here. She sighed as she blew her nose.

~xoxo~

"Ah Ren, how are you doing this morning?" Lory asked as his godson entered for their monthly meeting.

Ren's brow furrowed. "I think I upset the woman that just left your office, but I'm really not sure how."

Lory nodded. "That would be Isabelle Stevens. One of my newest transfers. Her husband recently passed away and she's decided to stay here for awhile to get away from a few painful memories." He explained.

"That's awful." Yashiro commented sadly. "And she's pregnant too..." His heart went out to her.

Lory nodded. "With twins. She has a rough road ahead on her own."

"Doesn't she have any family." Ren asked.

Lory shook his head. "No, she and her husband were both orphans."

Almost like Kyoko... Ren thought sadly. He looked up at Lory. "Have you heard anything from Mogami-san yet?" He had been looking for her in what little off time that he had, but with no results.

Lory's brow furrowed. He tosses her to the curb and he still behaves like nothing happened?! "Is there any particular reason why you're asking, Ren?"

"Not really, just curious." He played off the question. Lory didn't need to know and he wasn't about to share with him. He didn't want the poking and prodding into his emotions that Lory was so fond of doing.

Lory frowned. "Well, your curiosity will not be sated by me... I have no idea where she is or, when or, if she will return. She seemed rather stressed. Is there anything you'd like to tell me?" He had sincerely thought that the boy actually felt something for her, not that he'd ever really come out and admitted it, but still. Lory just didn't understand how he could have been so wrong. He honestly hoped that Kyoko-chan would say something to Kuon soon. He didn't feel comfortable revealing any of her secrets to Kuon, just as he didn't feel it was his responsibility to tell her about Kuon's secrets, not that he needed to at this point. Why does everything have to be so complicated? He groused internally.

"Not really. Everything's fine. I was just wondering." Ren answered casually.

Lory sighed. "I'm sure." How on Earth can I get this boy to admit to what happened? That was the key, wasn't it? How do you get someone to talk about a sensitive subject, when you're not supposed to know the details? At least not know the details of one side of the story. Why does it all have to be so complicated? The thought ran through his mind once again. They are both too stubborn for their own good.

What the hell did he mean by that? Am I missing something important? Kuon thought irritably.

Yashiro sat, trying to rub away the headache that was forming. "Did you have anything else for us Shachou?" It was a little surprising. Yashiro had never really been grumpy with these two, but now that Kyoko-chan was gone, he found his temper growing shorter and shorter. He wasn't sure when the explosion was going to happen, but his irritation with Ren was pouring gasoline on this little blaze. It was only a matter of time. He was certain that Ren had done something to drive her away.

She finally calmed herself, washed her face, reapplied her makeup, checked her hair and contacts, and took a deep breath. "I can do this." She grumbled to the reflection. "I don't need someone in my life that doesn't want us." She rubbed her tummy and forced a fake smile. "I am Isabelle Stevens. I have someone that needs me." She caressed her tummy again. "I have someone that's depending on me to be strong for them. I will not allow myself to be fooled... ever again." She was finally, completely calmed and deep into her new persona. She smiled at the reflection and left the restroom.

"Are you alright, Ms. Isabelle?" The stoic young man asked as she emerged.

She nodded. "Yes Ruto. Thank you. I'm much better now." She flashed him her fake smile, the one that she had years of practice to hide pain. "What do we have next?"

"Lunch in your office with Kotonami-san and Amamiya-san. Arranged as per Shachou's orders." His hand rested in the small of her back as he guided her to her new office that she shared with Ruto. Lory thought of everything when selecting it. It was just across the hall on the fifth floor, from the Daycare Center, much to Kanae's chagrin.

Ren was completely perplexed. He had wished that he had come to see the couple when Kyoko was first missing, but that was pointless now. Not that it would have done any good. They made it very clear to him that Kyoko had said her good-byes when she moved out, not even leaving a forwarding address or phone number. He would have thought she would at least do that much. Weren't they the equivalent of parents for her? No, knowing her she probably thought she was a burden to the pair and didn't want to bother them anymore. She probably didn't realize how much she meant to the Okami and Taisho of the Darumaya. He would be correct in that assumption and the added point that she didn't want the couple to know about the predicament that she was in and witness her shame as her belly grew.

He wondered if perhaps she still kept in contact with his father, since they did seem to have a close relationship when he was in Japan. He sighed at that thought. That was the last thing on the planet he was willing to do. There was no way he would call his father and enlist his help in finding out about her. Ren Tsuruga wasn't supposed to have a relationship close enough to casually call Kuu Hizuri and inquire about the relationship between the pair. The only other person he knew of would be Sho Fuwa, but he'd rather chew off his own arm before talking to that smug little shit for help. Besides, she would never go back to him. Would she? The photos from the Spring and the incident in the parking garage flooded his memory. She might... He sighed in frustration and decided to end his day. He had too many things to do, to be scouring Tokyo for Kyoko without help from Lory. Not that the man had been very forthcoming either and for some reason he was angry with him. What the hell had happened?