A/N: I apologize for being late. My semester has decided to officially kill me. However I am trying to survive. This chapter might be boring for you. I'm sorry if I'm not upto the mark. this is my first time writing and I really hope you will bear with me. Enjoy!

Thank you for your support. I am really grateful that you read it, spent time reviewing it. Thanks to all the people who made it their favorite and followed it.

One last thing before I forget.

I do not own Skip Beat or any of it's characters. :)

Chapter 10

After several days

Kyoko was finally done with unpacking and decorating her and her sister's room. Kanae stayed back in Kyoto to finish her studies. She will be coming back after she completes her graduation. Meanwhile, Kyoko would work in the restaurant with her father as planned. The day she went to the shrine, their property was already taken over by the bank. The failed meeting with the Hizuri heir was hidden successfully from their parents, so was Kyoko's mishap on the runway. Kyoko didn't tell Kanae about her encounter with Kuon in the shrine and Kanae completely avoided the topic of Yukihito from emerging in front of her sister.

What they couldn't hide was the fact that Shotaro was no longer Kyoko's boyfriend. On the day of their departure, Shotaro's mother showed up to pay a visit. She was upset about her son's behavior and that they couldn't help their friends when they needed help. Umeko and Tatsuya were somewhat pleased that Kyoko wasn't dating Shotaro anymore. Tatsuya was always protective of his daughters and he didn't see any good qualities in Shotaro that could make his Kyoko happy. Kanae was always too skeptical about men and refused to date anyone even though she was popular in her school. She was busy studying and trying to keep an eye on her sister. Kyoko on the other hand had been infatuated with Sho for as long as Tatsuya could remember. She didn't pay attention to her looks and the only other things she was interested in was cooking and making dolls. Her creepy talent of making dolls freakishly resembling people was abnormal.

Tatsuya was grateful to have them as his daughters. And he was not going to give them away to any idiot that easily.

Kanae would be spending her last few weeks in Kyoto and will stay with her friend. She had already applied for jobs in Tokyo. The idea was not hers though; that day at the shrine Yukihito suggested to her that it was a good idea to apply.

Not to mention apply for HTC as well. According to him Hizuri and Takarada Corporations is a good starting ground for young employees. So apparently she applied for it as well.

Their new house in Tokyo was smaller than their old house. Downstairs they had the kitchen and restaurant; upstairs they had their living space. But Kyoko loved every inch of it. Her parents were happy as well.

"I have a good feeling about this", Umeko said while entering the small accommodation.

Tatsuya grunted in approval. Kyoko was beaming with joy. She didn't care if it was small or old, as long as she could stay with her family. The only thing that was missing was her sister and she would be here soon. 'Nothing will go wrong', she thought.

Not the same could be said about a certain Hizuri. As soon as they entered Jude's house on her anniversary they were bombarded with questions. Kuon knew he had it coming. Jude was all over the place and Julie was interviewing Kuon with thousands of questions. Kuu was confused about how to handle his girls. He was trying to hold them in place and let his son have his escape. Yukihito was hiding in a corner with Lory, who was surprisingly calm and had a smirk on his face.

"How could you not tell any of us?", Jude whined with powerful puppy dog eyes.

Kuon sighed. So much for avoiding that stupid girl.

"Look, for the hundredth time, I DO NOT KNOW HER!", Kuon said while gritting his teeth.

"That's not technically true", Yukihito interjected.

Everybody in the room looked at Yukihito with wide eyes. Kuon couldn't believe his brother sold him out like that. He gaped at him.

Yukihito mentally face palmed himself.

"What do you mean Yuki?", Lory asked in an amused tone.

"Well dad, we had the privilege to meet Kyoko-san and her sister earlier that day and the day after. However, as far as the issue of Kuon having an affair with the youngest Tsubasa daughter goes, it's a false assumption by the tabloids.", Yukihito explained to his adoptive father as well as the rest of his family.

Kuon let out a frustrated grunt. His goody-two-shoes brother couldn't shut up at all.

"You know her? What is she like?", Julie asked Yukihito desperately.

"As far as I know, she is very well behaved and polite. Not to mention beautiful. There is a certain charm about her which is unavoidable. But she is too good for our Kuon, being innocent and all", Yukihito teased.

"My brother can have any girl he wants. But for now, let's drop the topic, we will discuss it later. Is it okay mom?", Jude asked Julie who was about to ask a question again.

"In case you all have forgotten, today is my princess's special day. So we will focus on that.", Kuu said while patting Jude's head.

Kuon got up and went to his sister, who was getting up from the couch. He went and hugged her softly.

"You have to tell me all about Kyoto! Don't exclude anything! I'll get the cake.", Jude smiled at her little brother who wasn't so little anymore. He was taller than their dad by an inch and Jude reached his shoulders barely.

Kyoto, the mere mention of it was enough to freeze Kuon. He saw his sister going to the kitchen and his pain resurfaced. Jude could never walk normally again. She was handicapped, which was caused by that dreadful night. Her left leg couldn't function properly which made her limp while walking. Years and years of treatment had enabled her to at least let go of her wheelchair and later her crutch. But she couldn't recover; she couldn't run anymore, walk anymore or play. Her childhood and all its essence were lost that night. Kuon still held grudges and he never forgot, nor did he forgive.

"When is Satoshi coming home? It's your anniversary and he is still too busy to come home?", Yukihito said, breaking Kuon from his trance.

"He said he was trying to return as soon as possible. I know he has been busy too much but I knew he would be like this before we even got married.", Jude smiled softly, while bringing out the cake.

"But sweetheart, it's your anniversary, he should at least be here today.", Julie said while helping her with the cake.

"Don't worry mom, he will be here the day after tomorrow. We will have another celebration then. Now let's have cake! Dad you can have Kuon's share", Jude said while smiling. Her brother's inability to eat anything sweet was a common knowledge. Kuon hated eating; if anything he would do anything to skip on his meals. Well having Kuu as a father did little or no help.

"Oh, I wish my daughter-in-law can cook well so Kuon changes his ways of survival", Kuu said while laughing.

"Please can we please stop talking about me? Satoshi-san isn't coming? What happened nee-chan?", Kuon asked, curious and desperate to change the topic.

"Well you know, he has a case and he is busy working on it. He travels a lot and it's nothing new. I mean I completely understand and support him. How could I not? He is everything I asked for and he loves me. What more does a woman need?", Jude beamed at her brother; happiness written all over her face.

"Well, can't blame him. A lawyer has to be busy too much", Kuon said.

"No! Nobody should be so busy that they miss important days of their lives! This is what I'm scared of. Kuon, work isn't everything in life. I know Jude is happy but think how happy she would be if her husband actually showed up. Satoshi doesn't have any close family or anything else. Jude is everything he has. He could at least appreciate my daughter more. You might act this way to your wife one day and I am not happy about your attitude.", Julie said.

"Well mom, if my wife would be half of what Nee-chan is like, then I have no issues with marriage. However, we all know that there is nobody like Nee-chan who will support their husband no matter what and won't nag his brains off. No wonder Satoshi-san loves her and there is no one else I would be counting upon to keep her happy", Kuon replied.

"Julie honey, if you are not going to eat your share, can I have it?", Kuu said with his mouth full of Kuon's share after finishing his own share.

Everyone laughed and the atmosphere around the room relaxed. Jude was happy to have everyone in her family close. Only Maria-chan and Satoshi were missing. Maria stayed back in the US for a few days to be with her father.

Thinking of her husband made her sad none-the-less. When Yuki and Kuon lived with her it didn't get lonely. Satoshi was always busy, even when they dated. But she knew in her heart that her husband loved her, despite her lacking. She had her father's black hair and eyes and her mother's beauty. Back in the states she had so many offers of modeling like her mother. Everybody talked about how she could take over Juliena's legacy… But he couldn't walk anymore after her accident. Life had been cruel towards her and people made it worse. She was considered a child prodigy and was casted for photo shoots and modeling ever since she was a baby. Having a famous mother was all it took; her looks were also a major factor. She even starred in her own shows till she was 12. Then everything went upside down.

On the summer of Yukihito's 10th birthday, her family went to visit Kyoto in the estate; that was the best summer she ever had. But it changed her life forever.

The day of the birthday party, both her uncle and aunt died suddenly. Her parents refused to talk about it till this day. When the whole house was grieving and she was hugging Yukihito for her dear life with Kuon in her lap, Youta Oji-san decided to ruin their lives forever. He and her dad were shouting loudly in front of the staircase and Kuon started crying. Shouting turned into a fist fight and Julie rushed to stop them. Jude didn't think for a second and rushed to her parents, leaving Yuki gaping at them and Kuon in his hands. She got in the middle of the fight and one thing led to another. Youta pushed her away and she slipped in the stairs. Her injury was fatal. The doctors in Japan said she couldn't walk anymore. Her left leg had lost all its response. She went back to the states in a wheelchair. Her career was over and what was worse, bullying came to a whole new level. Jealous teenagers were a force to reckon with. But she was as optimistic as ever; life turned out better and rewarding. She met Satoshi and she was never as happy before.

But it was true only for her. Not everyone shared her optimism.

Yukihito's 10th birthday was a day that changed lives.

It was the last day Hizuri Kuon ever cried.