Chapter 19

Well more days passed by and so far Kuri is stuck on a plat toe. The stuttering is still there, she doesn't talk loud in fear she'll loose her voice again, and it's been harder and harder to do her CDs behind D's back. As Kuri was reading the first DP book to Mrs. Nave, she grew frustrated on the speaking and reading. Finally she had enough and put the book down. "I-i-it's n-n-ot w-work-ing. I s-sound l-like a f-fr-freak." she said. She put her have in her hands and started to tear up.

Mrs. Nave hugged her. "It's alright Kuri. It takes time. It's like learning how to read the first time, it takes a while to learn and to speak it."

"I h-have n-no pro-probl-em re-reading. Its sp-speak-ing." said Kuri. She started to cry. "Y-ou kn-know w-what I w-as p-planning to do w-when I s-tart speak-ing w-ell? I w-as p-lann-ing to sing to C-Count D."

Mrs. Nave asked, "What were you planning to sing? Let it Go? I See You? When You Wish Upon a Star?"

Kuri answered, "Y-you got t-wo of t-them. I w-would w-ear a be-beau-tiful l-light bl-ue dress, m-maybe a c-costume, and s-ing to him. Sh-ow him I'm s-till th-ere."

Mrs. Nave said, "And when I that time comes, I'll pick out that perfect dress with you. You know other then loving animals, like him, you love to read and sing. You think of that's maybe your hidden talent?"

Kuri shrugged. "E-even if it is I c-can't re-really ben-benefit from it. And th-ere's no w-ay I w-ant to b-be like Jus-tian Bei-ber."

Mrs. Nave laughed. "I don't blame you. I honestly don't think he has fans anymore with the crap he's going through. Anyway, let's continue reading." Kuri groans. "I know I know you're tired of hearing yourself stuttering, but after a while, you'll beat it and then we can set up D's surprise."

Kuri sighs and flipped the book over and started to read again. "Af-after the de-dete-ctive de-feated the sp-ider, he f-found the ser-vent's qu-quort-ers."

After the lessons, Kuri was walking home when she saw the bakery. She saw a nice small size of chocolate and peanut butter cake and got an idea. She looked in her purse and saw she had enough. She went inside and bought it so she can share it with her new family, if they wanted some. When she arrived home D got the tea set up. "You're a little late anything happened?" he asked.

Kuri said, 'Got side tracked. I found some chocolate and peanut butter cake and I thought I can buy it so you, me, grandpa, Chris, and Leon can share.' She handed him the box that has the cake.

D opened it and saw it was indeed beautiful designed. "This does look good. How about this, we'll save this for your birthday. It's next week so why not save it until then? I'll be sure to hide it from grandfather."

Kuri was surprised. 'Oh my goodness. With everything going on, I forgot about my birthday. I can't believe I'm going to be 19 soon.'

D said, "You're not the only one. To be honest, you look more around the age of 16. though you do act like you're in your 20s." He grasped her hands. "Promise me something. Promise me you'll be young at heart."

Kuri said, 'I promise D.' Then she kissed him. 'For you I'll stay young forever if that what it takes.'

D kissed her back. Once he gently broke the kiss, he took the box and went to the kitchen to hide it. Kuri sat on one of the chairs and Chris came in. 'If it true? You're birthday is next week?' he asked.

Kuri answered, 'Yes but I've been so busy then I completely forgot.'

He asked, 'How old will you be?'

She answered, 'I'll be 19 years old.'

Chris sits on her lap. 'I hope you won't break away from me. Most of the animals here tell me that when some animals grow up, they have to leave the hurd.'

Kuri put her arms around him and hugged him. 'I'll never do that. You're my little brother and whenever you need me, I'll be right here with an ear old open for you. That reminds me what do you want to be when you grow up?'

Chris answered, 'I want to be a detective like my brother. Maybe work with D with a case.'

Kuri said, 'I think you'll be a great detective. I can see you solving cases but are you sure you can do big ones? They can get pretty ugly here and there.'

Chris said, 'Maybe after I watch some shows when I'm older and read some books about the law then I think I will be ready. Maybe I can be an animal cop! Detective Chris, defender of animals!' He stood up and put his hands on his waste like a super hero.

Kuri giggled. 'I can see that happening little brother.'

Then D came in. "What are you 2 talking abou?"

Chris said, 'It's a secret.' He sat down next to her.

D pored the tea and gave Kuri some while giving Chris some treats. "Oh I almost forgot." He pulled out a package. "This came for you today Kuri.

Kuri put her cup down, took the package and opened it. She smiled when she saw th cover. 'It came! It came!'

Chris asked, 'What is it?'

Kuri answered, 'At the library I ordered some books call the Dark Parable series. This it he first book 'Curse of Briar Rose'. I can't wait know the story.'

Chris asked, 'Can D read it to us?'

D answered, "I already agree to read it to Kuri but I don't mind reading it to one more person. How about tonight after dinner?" The 2 agreed and began to enjoy their tea.

Then Grandpa D came in. "Any idea when Leon will be here? I have to admit I miss that dunder-head."

D rolled his eyes and face-palmed. "Leave him alone grandfather. He's working hard as a detective and as an older brother to Kuri and Chris."

Grandpa D said, "I can't help it. I actually miss that vain that pops out of his head when he's mad."

Kuri said, 'Try and lay off Leon Grandpa. He maybe a hard head but I owe him much.'

Grandpa said, "Oh speaking of which, I just read that the old orphanage is going to be tare down and there's an invite to those that survived that hell hole. Will you be going Kuri?"

Kuri froze for a moment. Then she took a breath and remembered what had happened during her childhood. D said, "I don't think-"

'I wanna go.' interrupted Kuri.

The 3 said "What?"

'I wanna go. If I'm ever going to be happy again like I used to I need to face my demons and if that means I have to go back and face that house then I will go. But I can't go alone.' said Kuri. 'I was planning on asking when Leon's here but can any of you go with me?'

D said, "I will go with you. I don't want you to face this alone."

Grandpa D said, "If you're going then I have to stay so I can watch the shop."

Chris said, 'I want to go!'

D said, "I'm sorry Chris but this is bigger then you can handle. As for Leon I'm sure he would say the same to you, but I don't know if he'll go or not."

Then Leon came in. "About what?" he asked.

Grandpa D said, "There's an invite of the survivors of the orphanage in Japan and Kuri is going to go. They're going to tare down the place."

Leon said, "Well depending on the day I'll get a call and get a day off. If I can't go, I'm asking for details."

D said, "Well I'm going with her so I'll phone you and tell you everything. Before Kuri came here, do you know if there were any other survivors?"

Leon thought back to the file papers. "I'm afraid that I don't remember the exact number. It all depends on the age demographic. All I know for sure is that there were no babies that were there, alive or dead."

Kuri said, 'Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me.' Then she shrugged. 'It's been a long time since I came to Japan. Wonder if I'll ever recognize it after being away.'

Chris asked, 'But this will always be your home right? You're not going to leave us right?' He looked like he was about to cry.

Kuri smiled. 'I ain't going anywhere. This is my home and it will always be my home.'