.

Of Love and Family

He kissed her shoulder softly, making his way leisurely up to her neck, then jawbone, then temples. Gently he brushed away a tear she had shed. "What's wrong, my darling? What bothers you so?" he asked.

"Shame," she answered.

"What have I done to make you feel shame?" he asked.

"Nothing. My lord you have done nothing," she answered. "But… but to marry you behind my brother's back… I never wanted to betray him in such a way."

"He knows there's nothing he can do to stop this," Monkey Fist said. "He knows I will stop at nothing to have you. Simply because he doesn't approve doesn't mean he will not accept it."

"I want to be with you, but can I truly forsake my honor, my brother, my sister, my family?" she asked.

"If you are afraid, I shan't press you, but when I say you will be my wife, I mean it," he said. "I would sooner die than lose you..." She looked quickly up at him, eyes filled with love, and all at once made her move, taking his lips adoringly with hers. After a moment she pulled back, tears threatening her eyes. "There is a place that overlooks Middleton Lake. Give me time to speak to Hirotaka, then meet me there tonight. There we will discuss this further."

"As you wish, my love," he softly said. He bent and kissed her forehead softly. She grinned, fingers curling around his shozoku.

KP

Nanny Maim sat listening to her son's story and looking none too pleased. "So, the girl will not wed without her brother's blessing. We cannot have that now, can we?" Maim asked. "What if Hirotaka were to be put out of the picture?"

"Kill her brother? Are you mad, woman? She wouldn't be able to stand the sight of me then!" Monkey Fist argued, looking down and to the side in anger. It would certainly be so much easier to kill him, though.

"But if I were to do it…" Maim hinted. "A little poison, perhaps?"

Monkey Fist started and looked quickly over at her, eyes wide, then recovered from his shock and smirked coldly. "Well, well, look at you, mother. Reminiscent of Lucrecia Borgeis? Hmm... It could work," he mused. All at once he stiffened, however, on remembering one little, well actually large, detail. "No wait, we wouldn't stand a chance. The boy is favored by the gods themselves. Sarutahiko protects that young man personally for the sake of Hana. Hana is his child, and Hirotaka may very well be her lifeline one day. He simply will not allow any harm to befall the young man without severe retribution… However…"

"Go on," Maim said, leaning forward in intrigue. She was rather enjoying plotting with her son. Humph, Borgeis indeed. Try Fiske.

"If the boy were to be detained, he would have no say in anything his sister did. She would be the one in charge if her brother were out of the way," Monkey Fist said. "It might take a bit of a wait, but it's only a matter of time."

"Before…" Maim pressed.

"Before the young man is declared clinically insane. He's whispered to by gods, for Pete's sake. No self-respecting psychiatric doctor would keep him out of a nut house should one of those episodes happen during a session," Monkey Fist said.

"On the other hand, the girl may yet be able to earn her brother's blessing," Maim said.

"Perhaps, and if so it will spare us a lot of trouble, but if not, at least we have something to fall back on," Monkey Fist said.

"Very good, my child, very good. This arrangement must be finalized quickly," Maim said. If she had her way, in fact, nothing would stand in the way of it. At least not for as long as she could help it. Her son and the girl would soon enough be cured, this she knew, but hopefully not before they were bound in matrimony. Still, she supposed she shouldn't hold her breath. Luck had never particularly favored her. If they were freed of this spell before they wed, there was precious little she could do about it, so they had better make this quick.

KP

Hirotaka listened to his sister in shock, mouth agape in disbelief. To his credit, though, he remained silent throughout her explanation. Tearfully, Yori finished making her case. "I love him, brother. I wish to be with him. I want it with all my heart. Please, I ask only for your blessing."

Hirotaka finally managed to close his mouth. He looked towards the crib where Hana slept soundly, unaware of what her siblings were talking about. Hirotaka closed his eyes tightly in denial. Finally, he turned back to Yori, eyes helpless and tired. "Your thoughts are not your own. It is the Cupid Ray bringing on such desires," he said defeatedly. She held her ground, mouth quivering. He felt a headache coming on and sighed through the nose, pinching the bridge and massaging it a moment before looking back up at her in defeat. "I have told you already that I cannot prevent this. Not without killing either you or him. I will not murder my flesh and blood, I will not slay my best friend - and Fukushima would die protecting his guardian - so if nothing will stop you, then do as you wish, but do not expect my blessing. Not when I know that none of this, or very little of it, is truly you."

"Arigato, Hirotaka, Arigato!" Yori exclaimed, throwing herself into her brother's arms.

Hirotaka swallowed and closed his eyes tightly, then gently pushed her back. "I pray Fukushima and Monique return in time with their antidote. If you would fall in love with Monkey Fist, if, then I would see you love him of your own accord, not because of some love mist. I wish only for you to be in control of your own mind should the day you truly fall for him ever come to be." Yori sniffed and nodded, only somewhat processing what he was saying through her joy.

KP

Monkey Fist stood, leaning against a railing as he watched the lake's waters reflecting in the moonlight. Across that lake, the lights of a carnival lit up the sky. Perhaps he would bring Yori there in order to throw suspicion off of them in case anyone was following. It was a chilly night tonight, he noted, but the monkey lord hardly cared. He heard footsteps approach and glanced back. His eyes filled with absolute adoration and he turned to greet her. "Yori," he murmured in greeting as she hurried into his arms and held him tight.

"He has agreed, yet still I am afraid," she quietly said.

"Don't be, my darling. Soon we will be wed. Soon this will all be over. There will be nothing your brother or our allies can do to stop it anymore. We will be man and wife," he replied, rocking her gently. He was hardly able to believe his own ears. Hirotaka had agreed to this? Monkey Fist wasn't sure by what miracle the young man had decided to relent, but he was eternally grateful he had. In fact, he didn't believe he'd been more grateful to anyone before.

KP

"There they are," Monique hissed, pointing the two out.

Fukushima, frowning, said, "I do not approve."

"You ain't the only one," Monique replied. "The girl could have at least told her friends about this!" Fukushima blinked blankly and gave Monique a look that just screamed 'really?' Monique flushed a bit. "What? I wanted to design the dress!" she defended.

Fukushima smirked and rolled his eyes affectionately. That smirk fell, however, on spotting Monkey Fist and Yori walking across the bridge and towards the carnival. "Quickly, we must follow them," Fukushima said. He took Monique's hand and drew her close, making it appear as if they were just another pair of lovers strolling in the moonlight. Monkey Fist and Yori, hopefully, wouldn't recognize them from this distance in the dark. Yori was leaning against Monkey Fist's shoulder, holding his hand. He had drawn her near. Fukushima and Monique exchanged worried looks. This was getting worse by the second.

They watched the couple make their way through the carnival hand in hand, laughing together. "He does not laugh. How is she making him laugh?" Fukushima demanded, frowning as he handed the prize he'd just won over to Monique as a gift.

"The man's a charmer," Monique wryly said, taking the giant bear and holding it close. "You heard those sweet nothings of his. Smooth is an understatement. Romantic, poetic, totally a turn-on... Lord Fiske got it goin' on."

Fukushima grimaced. "Don't remind me," he dryly said. "Cotton candy?" he asked, pointing to a booth.

"Huh? Oh, uh, sure. Thanks," she replied, smiling at him. He went over and purchased some, then handed it over to her before the two of them continued tailing Monkey Fist and Yori at a safe distance. "Tunnel of Love, twelve o'clock," Monique said.

"Hurry Tigress, we must catch that ride," Fukushima said, racing to catch up. They managed to snag the boat behind the Lord Fiske and Yori's.

"The tunnel of love? Doesn't seem like Lord Fiske's thing," Monique remarked. "Heck, I can't picture him going on any ride."

"They are trying to ensure that there is no one watching them," Fukushima said as the boat entered the tunnel to the sound of mystical, dreamlike music.

"Whoa. I expected something sappy. This song is actually really nice," she said. "Gives me chills." She leaned back and closed her eyes, letting the sound lull her. Fukushima could keep watch, she figured. She just wanted to relax and enjoy the soothing music and lulling motion of the boat.

Fukushima was keeping watch, all right, but not on the nobleman and Yori. His gaze was on Monique instead. Her face was turned upwards towards the roof. Her eyes were shut and she sported a soft grin on her face. He smiled softly, finding himself quite entranced, then suddenly realized what he was doing and started. Frowning, he quickly looked ahead again trying to focus on the mission at hand. For a time he managed, but soon he felt her lean on his shoulder and started, turning quickly to her with eyes wide. She showed no sign of having noticed her position, and if she had, then clearly she thought nothing of it. She was humming along with the song now. Her voice was nice, and her skin was so soft…

He started and chastised himself immediately, trying once more to focus on his guardian and Yori, but the longer the ride went, the more relaxed they became until eventually, they found themselves both laying back in their boat watching the stars above as the meandering ride passed through an open section.

"With all the lights on around here, it's a miracle you can see the stars at all," Monique remarked.

"They are beautiful," he noted absently.

"Yeah, they are," she dreamily said.

He glanced at her briefly, hesitated, then softly said, "But not half as beautiful as you."

She started, taken aback, and looked quickly over at him with eyes wide as she tried to verify to herself she'd actually heard him say that. He turned away, flushing, and she took a moment more to process it before raisng herself on one arm. "Boy, you don't know what you're sayin'," she said quietly.

He turned his head ever so slightly, meeting her gaze. "I know the words I speak," he unapologetically replied. Her lips slowly parted and she blushed, quickly closing them again and laying back down, eyes fixed on the sky once more. Suddenly it was getting really, really warm out she told herself. Her arms tightened around the panda he'd won for her as she tried to understand the things she was feeling in that moment. "Do you still despise me still?" he asked.

She was quiet. "No," she finally replied. "Not... not anymore..."

"Am I still your enemy, Tigress?" he asked.

Her grip on the panda tightened even more, and for a moment there was silence as he patiently waited for her answer and she tried to get herself together. At last, she rolled over onto her side to look at him sincerely. "Will you betray me?" she asked quietly.

He was quiet, but soon reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I cannot promise I will never become a traitor again," he solemnly answered.

"But will you betray me?" she asked. Because in all honesty, she was beyond caring whose side he chose at this point, as long as he didn't betray her. Maybe that was selfish, but right now she couldn't make herself care.

He watched her quietly for a long moment. "I will not betray you," he finally said.

Before she could even process what she was about to do, she moved towards him and took his lips firmly. He, surprised at first, soon returned the kiss, pulling her nearer and burying his hand in her hair.

Just as the kiss was starting to deepen, their Communicators rang. Pausing, Fukushima sighed through his nose in some annoyance, closing his eyes. Monique swallowed and drew back. Fukushima inwardly cursed and testily pulled out his communicator, answering the call. The two started on seeing Dr. Director's face appear. "The antidote is ready. GJ is bringing it to you ASAP," she said.

"We will be waiting," Fukushima replied before hanging up.

KP

"You know what has happened to us," Yori said to Monkey Fist as they sat across from each other in a field adjacent to the fair. They'd gone far enough away from it that the music was only a dull murmur in the backs of their minds, and the lights only a distant shimmer.

"I know," he confirmed.

"Then, is this real?" she asked.

"No," he answered simply.

"So why do we pursue it?" she questioned.

"Because we have no choice," he said.

"Do you wish for one, my lord?" she asked.

He was silent, gazing at the young woman before him. "No," he soon answered.

She smiled sadly. Soon that smile fell, though. "We will be returned to ourselves before we are wed... Is there a part of you that does not want this to end, Monkey King?" she asked.

He leaned forward, his hand gently going behind her head. He pulled her near and kissed her tenderly. After a moment, he pulled back. "None of me wants this to end," he answered steadfastly.

"I will miss you, Monkey Fist," she said quietly, hearing footsteps approaching. They had known for a while now that Monique and Fukushima had been following.

"I shall remember. All of it," he said, nuzzling her gently. All at once Fukushima and Monique were there. The two lovers looked calmly over and rose, approaching the two. Monique and Fukushima looked surprised but didn't question it.

Go Tower

It was a regular day in Go Tower, really it was. The Wego twins were playing video games with Mego while Hego was fondly watching. He had a day off from work. Subtly he slipped out of the room, leaving his three brothers to their game. He needed to start making something for dinner. It was his turn to cook. He and Mego usually switched off each night. Sometimes the Wego twins would attempt to make something, but that usually ended with the four brothers ordering in. Not that his cooking was much better, Hego knew. Mego had a little more finesse than him in that. In fact, Mego actually had quite a talent. A pity he'd never had the drive to develop it or put it to use.

It wouldn't take much for the second oldest to become a great chef. As was, Mego's most creative dish was Fettuccine Alfredo on a good day. Crab legs or lobster tail if he was in a particularly celebratory mood, but he didn't do much to dress it up. Usually just cooked it so it was edible and put out a slab of butter. Didn't even bother to melt it. That was how little Mego cared. The only reason the guy bothered cooking at all, honestly, was because he needed to eat. When Shego had been with them, Mego had pawned most of his cooking nights off on her. Back then the three of them had taken turns. Shego, of course, had inevitably put a stop to such laziness. She hadn't been about to encourage Mego's sloth. A sad look passed over Hego's face. They missed their sister...

He went to the fridge and opened it up, pulling out some ingredients. Just then the monitor in the kitchen, which revealed the front door via camera, began to crackle. He looked up quickly at it, frowning. Intruder? He started, eyes widening on identifying who was outside. Shego! Shego opened the door and entered without a second thought. Hego gasped, threw down the ingredients, and rushed to meet her.

KP

"Shego!" Hego exclaimed, racing around a corner and running straight to her, scooping her up in a bear hug.

Shego gasped for breath. "Hego!" she shouted furiously.

He let her go quickly. "Oops, sorry," he said with a sheepish grin. Shego scowled, debating whether or not to fry him, but ultimately decided against it. She couldn't be bothered. She had more substantial news to share. "Sis, what are you doing here? Where's Drakken? Did he hurt you? Did you finally leave him? Have you decided to return to doing good?" Hego immediately barraged.

"Can it, Hego!" Shego snapped, annoyed.

"Are you staying for supper? Not that it'll be much of one. I'm cooking tonight," Hego said.

"Fine, whatever. Didn't plan on it but whatever," she replied, rolling her eyes. "Where are the twins and Mego?"

"Playing video games," Hego answered.

"Ugh, typical," she said, looking disgustedly around at the dirty clothing spread across the room they were currently in. "This is what happens when two bachelors and two teenaged boys live together in the same house. A pigsty!"

"So, what brings you back home, Shego?" Hego asked, walking with his little sister into the kitchen. Shego immediately looked flustered and unsure of herself. He started, guard going up a bit. That didn't seem very 'Shego'.

"Um, news," she vaguely replied.

"What kind?" he wondered.

"I'll tell you later!" she shot, clearly not intending to go into it now.

"Sorry, sheesh. Forget I asked," he defensively replied, putting his hands up in a pacifying gesture.

Shego surveyed the ingredients on the counter. "Mac and cheese? Seriously?" she incredulously asked. "Is that all you boys eat?" Ugh, they were helpless without her.

"Last night it was Steak, a spinach salad, and fries," Hego offered. "Two nights ago it was Sockeye salmon, coleslaw, and an onion dip with breadsticks."

"Eating out?" Shego asked, raising an eyebrow. She was honestly a little surprised to hear that.

"Mego getting some motivation, actually," Hego said.

"Ooh, right, the unspoken gift," she said, grimacing. She'd almost forgotten about Mego's penchant for cooking. Too bad he'd never bothered with it. As was, Mego's usual courses were hotdogs or burgers. Once in a while, he'd switched to casseroles, chilies, or goulashes. Gourmet wasn't usually something he'd bothered with. Or even balanced meals for that matter. Balanced had been her thing. Her chicken soups were adored by all four of her brothers. So were her chocolate zucchini cakes and turkey. "Whatever, you do you. I'm going to find the others." With that, she walked off. Hego smiled softly. Just like old times, he thought, though he knew this wouldn't last long. What could she possibly have to say that was so important suddenly, he wondered? Oh well, he guessed they'd figure it out soon enough.

KP

"I'm winning, I'm winning!" Wego Two cheered.

"No way! See? I'm catching up," Wego One replied.

"Oh please, the both of you prepare to get served," Mego said to them, smirking. All at once, the TV went blank as the cord was pulled.

"Hey!" all three protested.

"Playtime's over, boys," an all too familiar voice said. They gasped and sharply turned. There stood Shego, dangling the cord between her fingers!

"Shego!" they exclaimed, leaping to their feet in shock.

Mego scowled and prepped his Team Go glow, ready to fight in case she wasn't here meaning peace. The twins were less cautious. "Shego!" they exclaimed together, instantly racing over to her and leaping into her arms.

"Hey, no touchy-feely! Get lost, tweebs," she shot, shoving them down off of her. They grinned up at her still, hardly fazed by her roughness.

"We've missed you sis!" Wego One exclaimed.

"Are you staying for supper?" Wego Two asked.

"What are you doing here, Shego?" Mego disdainfully questioned, approaching his sister and folding his arms as he glared condescendingly at her.

She frowned, folding her arms as well and glaring daggers right back. The twins could practically see the knives flying between the two. Shego and Mego had never been on great terms. In fact, sometimes their rivalry had gotten really ugly. "Scared, Freakgo?" she asked.

"Only of your face," Mego retorted.

"Really? That's the best you can do?" Shego testily demanded.

"If it gets under your skin, I win," he coldly bit, smirking and crossing his arms.

"Ugh, and you people wonder why I took off! Idiots!" she replied, throwing up her hands in exasperation.

"Okay, I hear an argument brewing. I guess now's as good a time as ever to call dinner," Hego suddenly said, entering the room quickly on hearing the pending fight about to break out. Shego and Mego harrumphed.

KP

There was silence as they all sat eating. Not a comfortable silence either. A really awkward one. Hego glanced around at the others. The twins looked pleadingly at him, silently begging him to break the ice. Hego cleared his throat and said, "So, Shego, what's the big news you came to tell us? Is evil afoot?"

"Just her," Mego muttered under his breath.

"Stuff it, pretty boy!" Shego snapped.

"Nag, nag, nag," Mego said. He cried out in terror as Shego blasted her plasma at him, just barely managing to shrink in time to avoid energy flames to the face. He scowled, going back to his normal height.

"What's the news?" the twins asked quickly, curious.

"Oh, right, the news, ooh," Shego said, blushing and suddenly feeling even more awkward. Her brothers were all looking expectantly at her. She swallowed, hating the sudden spike of nervousness. Weird. She never felt nervous. "Hypothetically, if I were to get married, who would like to hand me off?"

Mego stiffened, eyes widening. The Wego twins were completely oblivious, taking it as just a harmless inquiry. Hego raised an eyebrow at her warily. "Well, naturally it would be me seeing as our father is..." He trailed off. "Who wants carrot sticks?" he asked after a beat of silence between all of them.

"Question two. Who would be the ring bearer?" she asked, sounding disinterested as she played her part perfectly.

"We would, we would, oh please let us!" the twins exclaimed together.

"Great. What about you, Mego?" she asked.

"I'd be the one sulking in the front row wishing he could be anywhere else but at his baby sister's wedding ceremony. Probably disapproving of her choice as well," Mego answered.

"Figures," Shego wryly stated, frowning at him.

"Why do you ask?" Hego asked, raising a glass to his lips and starting to sip.

"I'm, uh, engaged," she answered. Hego spewed out the juice he'd been drinking. The twins gasped, mouths dropping and eyes going as wide as saucers.

"You're what?!" Mego demanded, shooting to his feet.

"To whom?" Hego backed, leaping up as well.

"Cool!" Wego One exclaimed, suddenly looking excited and delighted.

"Shego and, uh, whoever, sitting in a tree…" Wego Two began.

"To whom?!" Hego repeated again, cutting off the twins.

"Oh gods, tell me it's not…" Mego began.

"Dr. D? Yeah, it is," Shego stated boldly, eyes narrowing. "Got a problem with it?"

"Sh-Shego, the man's a decade your senior! Probably more!" Hego exclaimed.

"So what?" she demanded.

"The guy's, well, him," Mego said.

"Maybe I like 'him'!" Shego replied, whatever Mego meant by 'him.'

"When's the wedding?" Wego Two asked.

"If we leave tonight, tomorrow evening," Shego answered, shrugging. "It's nothing big or fancy. Family and some friends, that's it. Gets way too sappy and pricey otherwise."

"Rockin'!" Wego One exclaimed. "Let's go right after dinner!"

"Wait, wait, wait, aren't we even going to talk about this?" Hego demanded in a strained and stressed tone.

"Uh, yeah, don't think so. I've made up my mind. I'm marrying Dr. Drakken whether you approve or not," Shego firmly said.

KP

"If you didn't care about our opinions, why did you even come?!" Mego demanded, eyes narrowing.

"To invite you! Doy," Shego replied, though she really hadn't wanted to. Ugh, she couldn't stand her brothers, yet for some reason here she was.

"You couldn't have sent out invitations or something?" Mego bit.

Shego blinked blankly. Her eye twitched before she recovered herself, narrowing her eyes and leaning back in her chair with arms folded. "No comment. Look, are you coming or not?" The four were silent. She frowned. "Fine! I don't need your support anyway! I love Dr. D and he loves me! That's all that matters! You guys are just a formality!" She rose and began storming out.

Hego felt a sudden moment of panic well up inside him. He didn't want to lose his sister again! "Shego, wait!" he cried. "We'll come!" Shego stopped, shocked, and spun quickly, eyes wide. "We-we'll come," Hego repeated. They certainly wouldn't approve though. At least not him or Mego.

"Great. Just perfect," Mego grumbled, rolling his eyes.