Kuon

Kuon couldn't get the smile off his face as he drove home from Kyoko's apartment. Since that afternoon on the stairs when she dressed him down he felt a shift in himself. What she faced on a daily basis. He couldn't fathom it. He had even asked his dad about it. If it was possible for parents to hate their kids. Of course, his father adamantly denied it and went on to extol the virtues of having children. It was the concern on his father's face when he asked him if he thought that he and his mother, Julie, hated him that punched him in the gut. When he explained the fight to his father and what he knew of Kyoko's relationship with her mother from their time in Kyoto, his father was about ready to go over to Kyoko's house and give her mother a piece of his mind. As it was, it was the first time since prior to Rick's death that Kuon really sat down and came to his father with his problems. Reflecting on it now, after his conversation with Kyoko he realized that he avoided telling his parents about what was going on because he didn't want to "burden" them, to use her words. As he made his way home, he vowed that he wouldn't do that again, he would go to them, because they are his parents, and they love him.

When he walked into his house, a large smile on his face and swept his mother up into a bone crushing hug, he couldn't help but laugh.

"Do you think he's been abducted by aliens?" His father said side long to his mother as he heartily ate his dinner. Kuon snorted into his Chili. "I'm more worried about drugs," his mother said with a serious frown. "Please Kuon, will you tell us what you are on?" She reached out her hand and squeezed his, loving concern etching every feature of her face. Kuon frowned at that.

"Wait, I can't just be happy?" He pulled his hand away angrily.

"It's just so out of character honey, try to see it from our perspective…" his mother said with unshed tears in her eyes. It was the tears that halted his anger and he blew out a deep breath between his lips. He looked at his mother, a remorseful expression on his face.

"I'm sorry mother. I am not on any drugs, I promise. I...I just had a really good day." A knowing expression crossed his father's face.

"Did you make up with Kyoko?" Kuon grimaced and nodded. "We had a good talk, she made me realize some things. I wanted to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry I cut you and mom out. I realize now that if I would have come to you with my problems things might have been different."

"Kuon, honey…" his mother began but he held up his hand and continued talking.

"I also realize that I can't change the past and I have to keep moving forward and that despite how things turned out, Rick would have wanted me to be happy and to fight for that happiness. While I am still not sure how I am going to accomplish that, I plan on trying my hardest." He said with resolve.

"Oh Kuon," His mother threw herself into his arms, spilling Chili everywhere, and to his surprise, his father didn't mourn the loss of the food, because he was right behind his mother. "I love you guys," he mumbled into his mother's hair, she responded by crying harder and clutching him tighter to her.

That night Kuon laid in his bed. On arm propped under his head. The other resting on his stomach. Kyoko's words from earlier, coming back to him. More than anything, what did he want? To his surprise, the first thing that popped into his head was a picture of the golden-eyed girl he spent his afternoon with. With a blush he pushed that thought aside, unsure of what it meant. Then he looked at the posters on his walls, smacking himself on the forehead he questions why he didn't realize it before. He wanted to act. More than anything he wanted to be recognized as being as good as his father. The next problem was, how to go about that. How to achieve what he wanted. He had been out of the acting game for so long he couldn't just start going to auditions again. He was out of practice. Turning his head he saw his stack of textbooks and groaned, realizing he didn't complete any of his homework today when his eyes fell on Mr. McGregor's flyer calling for auditions to the school play. Sitting up he grinned as he read it. He decided to do a modern-day retelling of the story Cyrano De Bergerac. This was his first step. He decided. To achieve his happiness he was going to audition for this play, and he was going to be cast as the role of Cyrano.

The next morning he lounged against Kyoko's locker as he waited for her to arrive. He wanted to go and pick her up, but he didn't have her phone number and he wasn't sure what time she woke up to go to school. Her walking everywhere was something he planned to remedy as much as he could by being her ride. He was playing a game on his phone when he noticed her standing there frozen, staring at him, out of the corner of his eye. Putting his phone in his pocket he grinned at her and she moved toward him warily. He could understand her hesitance, he hasn't exactly been the nicest to her, especially at school.

"Morning," he greeted as she approached him.

"Morning…" she replied cautiously.

Smiling at her he ruffled her hair. He smirked a bit when she froze and blushed at his touch. "I thought you might want to know that I've decided what I am going to do," then he dropped his voice and said in a suggestive tone, "and I think you should do it with me." He had to hold in his laughter as her whole body blushed. She was too much fun. "Wh...what is th...that" she stuttered.

Nonchalantly he pulled out the flyer for the school play. "I think we should audition for the School play. You would be an excellent Roxanne. Kuon had to hold in his laughter some more as her whole body relaxed after what he said then just to mess with her more he leaned in again, "What did you think I meant?" At that Kyoko blushed again and Kuon finally couldn't restrain his laughter. Kyoko must have also noticed the stares they were getting and, he wasn't sure it was possible but the girl turned a deeper shade of red.

"Will you cut it out?!" She tugged on his sleeve and he decided to spare her and regained his control.

"Ok, ok," he said holding up his hands in surrender and then he smiled at her. "So, will you audition with me?" The girl before him just nodded in a daze.

"What happened to you?" She blurted out, as if she couldn't restrain the question. Sobering a bit Kuon looked deeply into her eyes.

"I have decided that I need to move forward and learn to fight for my happiness. Regaining my love for acting, I think is the first step. I also," he started fidgeting a bit and then he looked at her in earnest, "I want my friend back." Nervously he held out the blue stone he had once given her. "Friends?" The smile that lit her face took his breath away and he couldn't help but move closer to her as he pressed the small stone into her hands. The first bell jolted him back to reality. "We still meeting up after school for studying right?" It was like Kyoko couldn't speak, she just nodded, her thumb running across the blue stone.

"Great! See you later Kyoko-chan" he said and ran off to get to his locker and first period, he was resolved to get her phone number today during their study session. As he turned he noticed a pair of angry blue eyes turned in their direction. He met Courtney's glare head on, when her eyes shifted and turned calculating to the dark-haired girl he was just conversing with his whole body felt tense. This might be a problem, he thought as he made his way to class.

Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate Courtney was in his first-period class and he made sure he was ready to confront her after class.

"Court, wait up," he called as she started moving out the door. With a sexy smirk, she turned toward him. When he got close to her, she stepped into his personal space, pressing her body against his. Kuon had to repress a shudder of repulsion. He found it curious, how the girl who turned him on just a few weeks ago could ignite his lust like nothing before, now caused him to feel dirty. Taking a small step backward he held out the small gift he got for her. It wasn't anything special, just a little bracelet.

"I'm really sorry about the other day," he said as he pressed the gift into her hand. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she took the box from him. Inside was a small tennis bracelet. Courtney's breath caught and her eyes widened as she took in the bracelet. Maybe I shouldn't have got her such an expensive gift he thought for the first time.

"Kuon…" she breathed and she moved again into his space, making as if to kiss him. Stepping back again he raised his hand. Hurt filled her face.

"Courtney, you were right, we're done. I just wanted to apologize to you." he gestured at the bracelet.

"I should have treated you better while we were… together."

Courtney glanced at him, "If you want more…" she started, and Kuon shook his head.

"No, I'm not ready for anything like that, but I will tell you-you better leave Kyoko alone." Courtney's face hardened at this. "She means a lot to me, she's probably the best friend I have. I would hate for anything bad to happen to her." Kuon gave Courtney a meaningful look before he turned and to go to his next class period. As he turned his back on her, he totally missed the look of utter rage that crossed her face. The look that promised retribution against the person she blamed for the loss of her lover.

After school, Kuon met Kyoko at her locker. He could see the surprise etched across her face. He grinned as she approached, "What?" he asked at her shocked expression.

"I guess I didn't think you would want anyone to know that you are tutoring me," she blushed cutely as she turned the dial, avoiding meeting his eye.

Tugging on a lock of her eye he asked in Japanese, "Why would I care if anyone knew I had such a cute Kohai?"

Kuon felt a sense of self-satisfaction as her blush deepened. Smirking a bit she turned toward him and asked in Japanese with a quirked eyebrow, "So should I call you Kuon-sempai then?" Something inside him rebelled at the idea of being her sempai. Leaning closer to her he whispered, "Why don't you just call me Corn like you used to."

Biting her lip she peeked up at him. He couldn't help but lick his lips at the sight of her lip tucked between her teeth.

"You wouldn't mind?" she asked almost shyly like she was expecting to be rejected. His smile softened, "Of course, but only if I can call you Kyoko… without an honorific." A puzzled expression crossed her face, "Why wouldn't you call me without an honorific, everyone here calls me just Kyoko…"

"Well, because you told me once only your future husband, Sho-chan, and your mother could call you without an honorific." Kyoko shuddered.

"What a horrifying thought," she said smiling at him, "Of course you can call me without honorific Corn." With that, she shut her locker and he ushered her out the door to his car and their studying session.

Kuon was explaining about the Krebs cycle to Kyoko when he heard his father shout his name in greeting. Kuon responded and minutes later his father, Kuu Hizuri, joined them in the kitchen where he was tutoring Kyoko. With an almost palpable nervousness, the girl shot out of her seat at the sight of his father and bowed low and greeted him in Japanese. Kuu just looked from his son to the girl for a moment and then a slow smile crept across his face as he addressed the girl in English. "Ahhh Kyoko, such a pleasure to see you again. What are you doing out here." He looked at his son.

"Ah Kuon, was helping me with my biology class if it's a problem I can take my leave.." Kuu laughed at the girl, who was still bowing to him. "No, no, no, you study," with that Kuu left the two teenagers to their studying.

It was a few hours later when he returned to the kitchen and addressed his son with a whine, "Kuuuuooooonnnnn I'm sssstttaaarrrvvviinnggg. Are you two almost done?" Kuon laughed at his father's antics.

"Yes, we are done," he had just finished convincing Kyoko to give him her schedule and cell phone number so that he could be on time to give her rides in the morning. Kuon laughed and Kyoko looked between the men questioningly.

"If you want, I can help prepare something." She offered.

"You don't have to.." and "That would be excellent," greeted her ears. Kuon glared at his father for suggesting Kyoko cook for them. "I would love some authentic Kyoto cooking, Kyoko, if you don't mind. I'll even help!" Kyoko eyed him warily when Kuon leaned in and whispered in her ear, pretending not to notice her shudder, "He's actually a good cook, it's mom you have to watch out for, and myself."

Kuon sat at the large center island and watched Kyoko and his father prepare dinner together. They chatted about school and growing up in Kyoto. Kuon learned that shortly after he and his father returned from their trip to Kyoto that Kyoko's mother pretty much let the Fuwa's adopt her until the day she forced her to move to America with her, she hadn't even seen or heard from her. It made his insides boil to hear him talk about her relationship with her mother like it was normal and not a big deal. He could tell from the tightening of his father's jaw that he felt the same way, and if he had the opportunity he would have some strong words for Kyoko's mother.

To Kuon's amusement, her father and Kyoko had agreed to make hamburger steak and eggs and it brought back happy memories of Kyoko bowing to the large stone and addressing it as the King of the Hamburger Rocks. Kuon started shaking with silent laughter at the memory.

"What's so funny boy." When Kuon's eyes met Kyoko's he started laughing harder. Kuon missed the glare he received from Kyoko and he snorted out "Your Highness" with a mock bow at his plate. Finally understanding his mirth Kyoko's bell-like laughter joined in with his while his father just sat and watched in stunned silence. Kuon thought he heard his father say something along the lines of, "Your mother is never going to believe this." Sobering at his father's whispered words he wiped the tears from his eye and grinned at his friend who also was beginning to calm down. The smile she returned to him made his heart stutter.

"So, what's that all about," Kuu asked the two youngsters, gesturing between them with his fork as he started into his third hamburger steak.

"Well, you remember when we went to Kyoto when I was 10?" Kuu nodded.

"I met Kyoko while we were there." His father choked a bit on his food at that statement and his eyes bugged out a bit.

"Seriously?" The older man choked out as he looked at the pair, it was Kuon's turn to nod.

"Yes," Kyoko chimed in, "Corn was a very good friend to me, he helped me quite a bit. I was kind of a crybaby back then."

"Corn? You know that's not his name right?"

"I realize that now, he probably introduced himself correctly but I misheard and called him Corn. He was my Fairy Prince." At her confession, Kuon felt himself blush bright red and he saw his father's sly grin creep back on his face. He didn't think Kyoko noticed, she seemed to have entered some sort of La La Land.

With twinkling eyes, Kuu raised an eyebrow and muttered to his son, "Fairy Prince?" Kuon kicked him in the leg under the table. Kuu snickered at the red tinge on his son's cheeks.

"Kuon, hold up a sec," Kuu called to him as he was heading out the door to take Kyoko

home. Pausing the pair turned back toward his father. Looking down at the girl Kuu gave her a look that Kuon recognized as his parental lecture look. Kyoko was about to get a talking too from his father. "Dad…" Kuon started but at his father's glare, he stopped talking.

"Young lady," Kuu looked down at Kyoko who had shrunk unconsciously back against Kuon. He had an urge to put a protective arm around her but shrugged it off. "I must say that I am very upset with your irresponsible behavior the day we first met." Kyoko looked at him with large eyes. "You, my girl, have the potential to be an amazing actress. I will admit I am impressed that none of us noticed how much pain you must have been in sitting seiza for so long, but as an actress, you must be more responsible with your body. You don't do anyone any good if you can't perform your duties because you broke your foot being stubborn about one scene." Kyoko's eyes were brimming with tears as she bowed.

"I'm so sorry, I won't do such an irresponsible thing again." Kuu ruffled her hair and as he smiled down at her said, "It's alright, as long as you understand. Now get home before your mother worries." Kuu failed to notice how Kyoko stiffened but, Kuon didn't and he squeezed her hand and pulled her out the door. As they made their way back towards Kyoko's house she asked him in a timid voice, "Does he really think I would make a good actress?" Kuon couldn't help but grin as he turned down her road, "Actually he sad amazing, and he's not the only one who thinks that."

Kuon had to hold in his mirth as he took in Kyoko's shocked and bewildered expression the next morning when she came rushing out of her door to see his car waiting for her. Cautiously she made her way to his car and at his gesture, climbed in.

"Good morning, Kyoko" he smiled at her.

"Good morning," she returned his smile tentatively, "What are you doing here? Did I forget something yesterday?"

"Naw, I don't like the idea of you walking all that way to school."

"You don't have to worry about that. It's no problem. I really don't mind walking." She attempted to reassure him.

"What kind of friend knowingly lets their friend walk miles to school when they have a car and can easily pick them up?" He reasoned back

"But…"

"No buts, Kyoko, from now on I am your ride. Do you understand me?" He said in a no-nonsense tone. Kyoko simply nodded.

"Have you ever told Tanner and Kindle about your predicament?" Once again she only responded by shaking her head. Kuon released a heavy sigh. "Kyoko, tell them, please. Just in case I can't be there. Friends help each other, I am sure they won't mind helping if they knew."

"Ok, ok," finally she verbally agreed, "I will talk to them today."

"Good."