Earthian Fan Fiction / Fake Fan Fiction / Pet Shop Of Horrors Fan Fiction ❯ Spun Sugar ❯ Chapter 29-30 ( Chapter 13 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Here, the series is now complete, check out Whipped Creme. I will try to have it finished before the month is out and Powdered Sugre up as well... Again, Sorry for the wait...

Anime/Manga: Earthian Fan Fiction / Fake Fan Fiction / Pet Shop Of Horrors Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Drama / Hentai / Romance | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 07.13.2008 | Pages: 7 | Words: 21.3K | Visits: 193 | Status: Completed

Spun Sugar 29 WildFyre Part 2 It was a somber procession that made their way to Nana’s house in the chilled November evening. After the jubilation of birth, the harrowing ordeal of death lay heavy among them. Sofu had assured them that Nana lived and yet, he had also promised that she would not see the sun’s grace upon another day. Sunrise was not that far away. JJ sniffled, wiped at his eyes as he prepared to enter Nana’s bedroom. They were greeted by a frantic Jeremy. “JJ! We did all we were told, the machine… Everything, but…” “I know,” JJ patted Jeremy’s shoulder hoping to calm his distraught cousin. Lord D had sobbed the entire way home. “We know.” He could not say more as he looked in on his grandmother. She lay with an oxygen mask over her face gasping painfully. Nana turned her head and her once vibrant blue eyes took a moment to focus on the pair that entered. “Nana,” JJ whispered as he hurried forward to clasp her frail hands in his own. “We got here as soon as traffic and the laws of gravity would allow.” Nana’s eyes crinkled as merriment danced about her gaunt features. “NaaNaa,” Lord D gasped as he fell to his knees at the side of Nana’s bed. “Oh, D, child,” Nana inhaled his cold, wild scent. “You should be rejoicing.” Lord D choked on a sob. “You gave an old woman a little more time. I got to see my great-grandchildren. I never thought to see great-grandchildren from JJ yet thanks to you…” Nana paused coughing. Tears fell as Jeremy listened to his grandmother wheeze out the last of her energy. “I thank you.” Nana managed to lightly hold on to Lord D’s hand. “Jerry, I am happy that you have found someone to love, someone who loves you. I enjoy seeing you accept who and what you are. Can…” Nana paused coughs wracked her thin frame. Lord D reached out a hand to her but Q-Chan made an indignant squeak pulling his hair. Lord D sighed feeling the tug on his ponytail. “Father please…” Lord D begged feeling hopeless as Nana struggled for breath. “No little one, just… Just let me see them once more.” Lord D nodded rushing from the room to fetch his children. Nana gave a weary smile to her gtreat-grandchildren. “So beautiful,” Nana sighed; she struggled to raise a hand. Touching their silky hair she let her hand fall back to the bed. Berkeley pulled Jeremy against his chest allowing his body to absorb the shock of the smaller man’s sobs. “Never… I mean,” Jeremy began. “Never has there been a day in my life that did not have Nana in it. I can not even think that the sun will rise tomorrow and…” Berkeley held his lover tight as he lost his battle with his grief. He collapsed against Berkeley holding on as if the world were going too fast for him. “Don’t be sad,” Nana attempted to smile at Lord D and JJ. “Ok,” Nana said not speaking to any one visible in the room. “I’m ready now. Take care of them…” Nana heaved a heavy sigh and breathed no more. Lord D shook his head loosening the silken tresses. They flew wildly about his head as he sobbed. “No… No… Father why wouldn’t you let me…” Lord D leaned heavily on the bed clasping Nana’s slack hand. Sofu stepped into the room after Q-Chan had flown out. Sofu clasped his son in his arms holding his trembling body. “I am sorry my child I have yet again failed you.” Sofu stroked Lord D’s hair. “When I noticed that you were starting to care for Nana, I should have taken over as her physician.” Sofu placed his hand to Lord D’s chest to slow his racing heart. “I thought that you were capable of letting go. But a Kami does not give his affections lightly. I should have known that you would fight for her, just as I fought for you. I had to forbid it my son, or I would have lost you.” Sofu’s attempt at reasoning with his son’s sense of failure soon ran dry. All that was left to do was hold him. JJ reached for his lover and Sofu was loath to release his son. JJ sniffled loudly as he pressed kisses along Lord D’s brow. “Thank you Darling. Thank you for all that you have done. You helped Nana more than you can ever know. She was so happy to see the kids, she was…” JJ choked as he tried to force words past the egg in his throat. “She knew that she was supposed to be gone a long time ago, but you were her miracle. Thank you for being her miracle.” Lord D melted into JJ’s embrace. Sofu went beside the bed closing Nana’s eyes as he sent her on her final rest. Break Leon wanted to go home. He sat at his desk with his forehead pressed against his palms. “We’ve been busting our asses on this case and I think I may have figured out the why, if not the how.” Leon stared dismal at the coffee that steamed at his elbow. It was thick and strong enough to peel the varnish off his desk if he dared spill a drop. “I should be home falling into my baby right now, but instead, it is almost two in the morning and I am here looking at you.” “Cut the crap Leon, what have you figured out?” Dee’s words were less than enthusiastic. Though his lover sat beside him at the computer he may as well have been in the next county for all the good it did his burning desire at this moment in time. “Victim one and victim three were lovers, so were victims two and four,” Leon said as he looked over the files. “I made the connection when I was questioning the wife of the first victim. She said it was too bad about Charles; they must have been together when they were attacked. Now why would they be together?” “Maybe they were golf buddies,” Ryo muttered as he picked up his coffee. “Damn that’s like tire sludge.” He stuck his tongue out in distaste. “Just because we need it to be strong does it have to disgusting as well?” “And thick, I could probably re-plaster our garage with this stuff.” Dee nodded as he sipped from Ryo’s mug. “Seriously, guys. I am going to follow up on this, as for right now. I am going to go home and make love to Little D.” Leon stood to his feet gathering his files. “See you later.” Ryo tried to smile but all he could do was lean back against Dee. He would allow his partners strength to hold him up, if only for a moment. “Come on Baby, let’s go home.” Dee whispered as he placed a kiss on the smooth skin behind Ryo’s ear. Ryo was silent as Dee took his hand and lead him from the department. “Little D said we could pick the boys up tomorrow. They’ve already done their homework too.” Ryo nodded glad to be able to go home. “Not tonight Dee, I am beat.” Ryo muttered as they entered their bedroom. He saw the heated glint in Dee’s eyes and decided to stop him before he got carried away. Dee smiled, crawled into bed with Ryo and held him. Break Jeremy could not believe it. There it was shining in the horizon. Didn’t it know? How could it be so insensitive? How could the sun shine so beautiful on the day his Nana died? Not two hours ago she had ceased to breathe and here it was shining for all to see. Berkeley sat beside him waiting, he knew that soon the outrage would fade, the anger would melt away leaving nothing but a broken heart. It wasn’t right. Jeremy could not help but fume at the unfairness of life. He looked at the glorious garden that sat beaming in the sun under the attentive care of Lord D. JJ had carried his lover out there, leaving him there explaining that it would sooth him. Jeremy would not even bother to ask why the beautiful man had lay right down among the flowers. His silk, violet robes were barely visible so deep had he sank into the blooms. “You need to get some sleep. The coroner will be here in about an hour to take Nana to the…Hospital.” Berkeley said unwilling to say ‘morgue.’ He knew Jeremy was not ready to think in terms of internment and final farewells. “Come to bed, they will take care of everything.” JJ nodded as Berkeley led Jeremy to their spare bedroom. JJ sighed, he would have to call in today there was no way he could go into the office today. No way he could deal with death and murder when his own Nana lay cold in her bed. Break Leon hung up the telephone then stared. At what, he was not sure, but he sat for a long time staring at it. “Leon?” Count D stood next to Leon with a hand on his shoulder. Leon looked down at the well-manicured maroon nails. “Is something wrong?” Count D waited for an answer, Leon sat, his eyes watered, and then he looked up. “That was JJ,” Leon said. He heaved a deep sigh. “Nana…Nana died this morning.” Count D felt the air leave his lungs. So that explained it. He felt a heavy grief in his heart, in the place his father occupied. Even with the parental constraints removed, Lord D was still very much connected to his son. “I’ll get the car ready, you get the kids. I’ll take you to him.” Leon got to his feet. He passed Bikky and Chris in the hallway and explained the situation. “Where’s Rain?” Leon wondered as he looked down the hallway. “Same place he has been since Ryo and Dee dropped us off,” Bikky said laughing. “I’ll go get him.” Bikky and Chris ran off down the hall towards Count D’s garden. Leon stood for a long time watching Count D glide down the hall. He resembled nothing so much as a shimmering dusting of snow blowing in graceful winds. “Who died?” Leon was startled for a moment, before he turned to Angel. He blinked, after Count D’s pristine appearance, Angels lime green and orange outfit was startling. “He wore all white to the funeral of Mother, so I just wondered,” Angel explained as Leon continued to gawk at him. Angel paused as Count D leveled a beautiful smile that was heartbreaking in its sadness. “Nana, JJ’s grandmother has left us for better place.” “I am sorry to hear that. Please send my condolences.” Angel inclined his head to Count D and Leon as they gathered the boys. “If you need, I mean, they can stay here. I know you fear them being underfoot here, but it is more their home than ours. If they wish to stay.” Bikky and Chris both nodded their heads in agreement. Rain said nothing, but he aimed a longing look at Count D’s garden. Leon shook his head before looking to D. With a nod, he left the boys in the shop. T-Chan snarled at them to leave him be. He was disgruntled because Count D had not left Aoi behind. She lay in her papa’s arms sleeping soundly swathed in white. They arrived to find Lord D still lying in his garden. Leon took his daughter heading inside leaving D to his father. “ChiChiUe,” Count D knelt beside Lord D. One glass-bright amethyst eye opened, blinked. Lord D brought up a slime hand to wipe away the tear. The other eye opened and more tears came cascading down. Count D said no more; he placed a hand on his father’s violet robe. With a thought it was pristine white. Lord D sat up wrapping his arms around D still sobbing. Q-Chan squeaked as she perched on her grandson’s shoulder. In this form the sunlight would not bother her. Her age alone made the sun less deadly, but it was still unpleasant. Sofu stood on the porch watching his family. He thought of Nana and felt an unfamiliar sensation. Bringing a hand to his face he caught the glistening saline solution the leaked impudently from his eyes. He should be happy, but he sighed, he would miss the kindly woman. They had such great times discussing their children and their mutual grandchildren. He had seen it, a long time ago, the shadow of the white angel that had come for her. It was a lengthy tug of war that Casiuel had fought with his foolish son, but a worthy battle it had been. Lord D had not given up, not even unto the end when his life would have been forfeit as well. Sofu had never been more proud. Break Dee sat his cell phone on the dashboard a deep sigh clawing its way through his body. “Dee?” Ryo asked as they prepared to enter the physicians immediate care office that the deaths centered around. “What’s wrong?” “When we get this done we have to get some flowers…” Dee paused. At Ryo’s questioning look he continued. “Nana died this morning.” Ryo gasped tears stinging his eyes. “Leon said it was coming a long time now, she is at peace.” “I hope so.” Ryo whispered. He swallowed hard past the lump in his throat. Blinking rapidly to clear the moisture from his eyes, Ryo squared his shoulders. They had work to do. Case now, weep later. Ryo was suspicious of the desk assistant as soon as they showed their badges. The woman’s eyes had darted between them. She hid her fear well, but the slight tremble of her hands was not missed. “I already told the other detective that came by here with his questions, they came here, they got tested they left. You know one of them was even wearing a ring and had his kid with him.” The lady had broken off with a disgusted huff. Her once pretty features twisted into an ugly mask of hatred. Dee stepped back leaving Ryo to smile at her. She warmed to his pretty features. “Are there any questions that Detective Jameson forgot?” She winked at Ryo. “Yes actually,” Ryo aimed his most charming look at her. “Darlene, do you mind if I call you that?” Ryo asked watching as she shifted one of her deep blond curls. She batted her eyes as she nodded. “What did they all get tested for?” “Aids, they come in every six months,” Darlene said her cold blue eyes leaving shivers to trace up and down Ryo’s spine. “The women too.” “Thanks, that’s all I needed,” Ryo stood up when the doctor came into the waiting room. He looked over at Ryo with Dee standing near. “Miss Petshce, do we have another test couple?” The Doctor looked at the familiar way that Dee’s hand hovered near Ryo’s hip. Almost, but not quite touching, he frowned. “Oh no Dr. Almon,” Darlene was quick to slip back into a professional manner. “These two…” “Are monogamous,” Dee interrupted. “Thanks again Ms. Petshce, for your time. We have to go pick up our kids.” Darlene stared as they left the office. “You stupid girl, what did you tell them,” Dr. Almon whispered furious in her ear. “No…Nothing Dr. Almon, I swear it. They just wanted to know what test they took.” Dr. Almon nodded curtly. He patted Darlene on the head. “That’s a good girl. You have served the cause.” Darlene beamed under the praise before she happily went back to her work. “They are both involved, somehow, someway, they are both in this.” Dee ground out. “Leon was right.” Ryo buckled in, he felt a cold shiver of someone watching them. Looking back, all he saw was the curtain in the widow of the doctor’s office shifting. It could have been a wind, but Ryo knew it was not. “Did you see the way she looked when you mentioned that we have kids?” Ryo would have said more but something cold and metal hit the window. He turned his head to face the barrel of a gun. Spun Sugar 30 HeartScape Golden eyes glittered in the deep darkness of the obsidian palace that overlooked the Arcadian sea from its perch upon the Midvale Mountains. Locks of ravens black hair flowed over a pale shoulder. “It is beautiful is it not?” the servant stood next to the volatile creature and breathed a deep sigh. “Yes your majesty, beauty beyond most compare, only her majesty Victoria’s is a rival.” “As it should be,” The crown was placed into its box the lid slide shut with a snap that left the servants startled. “I will have it melted down immediately.” Torcha smiled into the flames blazing brightly. “A male accoutrement is needed, for its new owner happens to be a male. “From what I heard, he may like the feminine one better.” The servant exploded into flames before a snicker could leave her lips. The other servant gasped stifling a scream that caught in her throat. Blinking eyes that stung from the sudden dense smoke the servant bowed as she fled the throne room leaving the volatile queen of the dragons to wave the offensive smell away from her face. “Temper, temper,” Laton said as he entered and waved away the smoke. “My dear Torcha, I thought you were supposed to be working on that.” “Tch,” Torcha pouted returning to her sleek scaled true form. Green scales glowed black in the dim lighting. Large, leathery wings fanned softly as Torcha looked over her shoulder at her husband. “I’ll work on it tomorrow.” Golden talons clicked on the shining obsidian floor a long greenish-black tail trailing behind was the only sign that the lady had been in the room. Break Ok, Ryo thought as the gun tapped the glass, here we go again. He lowered his head peeking at Dee under his fluffy bangs. Dee grinned when he saw that Ryo was smiling. “Say the word and a bullet will lodge itself in the wrist holding the gun.” Dee looked up to see the gun tapping again. “Hold off on that baby, I want to see what this fool wants.” Dee said Ryo flipped his hair back before rolling down his window. “Out of the car, both of you…now,” Ryo stepped from the car with his hands up glad the buttoned sleeve of his jacket concealed his weapon. “Where are your children?” Ryo frowned as he looked at the young man standing before him holding a gun. “Do you think I would give that kind of information to a thug with a pistol?” Ryo asked looking him over missing not a single detail of his appearance. He caught the baggy jeans, polo shirt and loose hanging jacket. Dark hair framed a young face. Green eyes not as pure or beautiful as Rain’s stared back at him. “You tell me where the missing children are.” “I’m doing the world a favor, now answer the question before I have to hurt you.” He pushed the gun towards Ryo’s face. “You sure are a pretty one.” Ryo looked into the attempted tough guy smirk. He heard Dee snicker behind him. “Look kid, I’ve played mahjong with harder criminals than you and they were all under the age of ten.” Dee said from the other side of his car. Ryo said nothing but a hint of a smile played about his lips. Cold fury lighted the young man’s eyes as he looked at Ryo. “Cut it out. Tell us… Me… where the kids are, you have more than one. I know it. I will not allow them to live another day under the influence of you two.” The would-be assassin said his finger trembling on the trigger. “A…A…Abomination…” “Enough of this,” Dee snarled ready to come around the car. “They are watching you, they will get you, all you have to do is tell me where they are, and then it will be over.” “Oh for the love… Ryo! He’s like a trained monkey.” Dee exploded reaching for the gun in his butt holster. The shot fired and Dee leaped aside as a bullet dented the hood of his car. “Damn it, I just had that waxed.” Ryo nodded as he reached out to grab the youth. He pinned his arms shoving the hand with the gun against the car. Ryo pushed hard with his hip ramming the hand. The kid screamed dropping the gun. Ryo wrenched his arms back locking him in a painful hold. “Look, whoever is out there with the assault rifle, you owe me a paint job,” Dee yelled. “Now come out here so that I can read you your rights.” Ryo felt the blade slip underneath his neck. “You know this is how the last victim lost his head.” He heard the voice and knew that they were in a whole new range of criminal. “And where would that head be?” Ryo asked calm in the face of the new danger. How could this be happening in broad daylight? Where were the people who lived in this area? “Brave little pretty boy, aren’t you?” The man said caressing Ryo’s neck with the blade. Ryo stiffened when the hand slipped under his arm. Behind the young criminal the man’s hand caressed his chest. As the hand strayed lower Ryo tensed ready to drop the youth and defend himself. “You are so pretty I thought I’d check to make sure you were a male. You got girls… or boys?” Ryo turned crimson as still the hand held him. Dee frowned from the other side of the car. What was making Ryo turn beet red? What was that bastard whispering to him? “All boys, so I kind of need to get home, they’ll be wanting their dinner soon.” Ryo grumbled not releasing the young boy. “Gonna teach them to be off like you?” “No…” Ryo ground out feeling his temperature rise, but fought the urge to lash out. He was a human detective and this was a human criminal. “I’m going to teach them to arrest scum like you.” Ryo leaned back against the arm holding him. He shoved the youth’s head into the car knocking him dizzy thereby eliminating the threat that would be at his back. Ryo then turned bringing a knee up. The perp blocked his crotch but moaned in agony as Ryo’s knee connected with his stomach. Ryo brought the hard edge of his hand down on the man’s neck. As he coughed Ryo wrenched his arms behind him slapping cuffs on his wrists. Before the kid could react Dee leaped over the hood of the car. He ignored the shots being fired as he grabbed the kid. “Now we’ve got cuffs on both of them. Come out now!” He was met with three more reports from the rifle. Soon the only sound to be heard was the ragged breathing of the knife wielding attacker and the sobs of their young assailant. “Fine, we’ll take them down, lock them up, and then push for the death penalty. Kidnapping, murder, not to mention chopping their victims up and leaving them around town, collecting heads, the list goes on… Tell us where the kids are and you might just spend the rest of your life in prison.” “Kill us, those kids have been rescued for The Cause, nothing you can do will stop that.” “Listen Dr. Almon,” Ryo tried to reason with the man. He was shocked that Ryo saw through the heavy felt hat and scarf he had been wearing. “Do you think your rude touches will not be in the report I file?” Ryo spat the words feeling the embarrassed anger swamp his senses all over again. “You have very few choices here, I will not allow those children to spend another day away from their families.” “They are at my house officer,” Dee turned around to see Darlene running out with a rifle falling near her feet. “Please let him go, I’ll take responsibility. This was all my idea, I did it all.” “Sorry missy,” Dee came around with another pair of cuffs. “Even if you did take the fall for him and you do lead us to the children, he already admitted it, and he assaulted an officer with intent to kill.” Dee heaved a sigh. The satisfaction of a case closed felt hollow somehow. “You idiot!” Dr. Almon yelled as they were shoved into the back of Ryo and Dee’s car. “How dare you?” “They were going to kill you,” Darlene sobbed as she looked at Dr. Almon. “Then you should have gone on to raise those children to understand the true values of The Cause, then the world would have been free of these freaks adopting children.” “Well, when you are behind bars, you can bite me.” Dee glowered into the rearview mirror. “Yeah, let’s hurry and book these bastards,” Ryo growled surprising Dee with his vehemence. “Like I said, the boys will be wanting their dinner soon.” Break Sitting in the Chief’s office Ryo and Dee listened as he extolled the great job they did in solving the case. “Now for the Special assignment,” The chief paused as Leon, Jill and JJ entered the office. “JJ I am happy to see you in the office today…of all days. I am so sorry about your loss. I’ll try to make this quick.” The chief sat behind his desk chewing on his cigar. “Now you all know that more and more weird cases has sprung up over the past few years. You guys seem to be the best at solving them. It has not gone unnoticed by the department, by other departments.” The chief paused and gave them a chagrinned look. “In fact I would like to introduce you to Agent Miaka,” The chief indicated a small woman in a suit. Her long dark hair was tied back leaving her slanted eyes to bore into each detective. “She is from the Central Investigating Agency. You are now in her care. Your badges please” The chief held out his hand. “You all look reluctant to hand them over,” Agent Miaka said with a slow smile. “You should not be. In truth, you will all receive new badges. You will impersonate Detectives, while in fact you will be our agents. We have been working with the Arcadian Embassy for some time now and they have expressed a desire to fully bind you.” Jill gasped as Agent Miaka released her hair. A veil seemed to slide from her as the hair billowed around. When she moved her hair again her pointed ears were visible. “Truly do I hate impersonating humans.” “What more do the Arcadian’s want from us?” Leon asked thinking that his life was no longer recognizable. He remembered the day he had walked into the pet shop. All he had wanted to do was find out what happened to the man eaten by… What was it? Leon tried to remember the creature. A Tiger? Yes it had been a tiger. All of it had happened so long ago. It seemed like ages. Now here he was little less than immortal with a Kami lover and a daughter born of a male. He had in laws that were older than he could ever imagine and one in particular that could have him for dinner without batting one of her pretty eyes. Now he was no longer a detective but a special agent? “Things go on in this world,” Miaka said looking into each of their eyes. “Things that humans can not understand, or will not understand, but you… you can serve as a link between things that can not be explained and the human law officials. The normal order of things has to be upheld, the law has to be taken care of. With your knowledge and lineage,” she paused giving Ryo an impressed smirk. “You are perfect for this mission.” Miaka reached into her briefcase. She pulled out several silver shiny objects. As they looked at their new badges Miaka grinned. “Your offices will still be here, you will still be under your chief in appearance. Welcome to the CIA and Arcadian link up.” Miaka closed her briefcase with a snap. They startled looking around the room that was empty save for the human officers. “What the hell was that about?” Dee demanded as he looked for evidence that Miaka had been in the room. Finding none he slumped back in his chair. JJ shook his head getting to his feet. “Sorry guys, fill me in later on all the little details, I have to go make arrangements. Jeremy is in no condition to…” JJ trailed off sniffling. “If you need anything…” Ryo offered. JJ blinked away his tears. Ryo would have said more but the chief bustled back into his office. “Buck up boys, the press is here, oh and MacLean I need to talk to you alone.” Ryo looked up startled. Dee pressed a hasty kiss to his lips as he left with Jill and Leon. The chief looked away from the affection. When they were alone the chief indicated that Ryo should sit. “It’s about Johnston. We can’t hold off the trial any longer. The DA is planning to issue a subpoena. Make a decision before the choice is taken from you.” Ryo stared dumbfounded at the chief before he surged to his feet slamming from the office. Dee caught him near the break room. “Whoa baby! Kiss me now before I have to arrest you.” “What?” Ryo demanded his brows drawn down over his dark eyes. “Well if anyone is going to take you in for whoever you are about to kill it would be me.” Dee murmured close to Ryo’s lips. Ryo wanted to hold on to his rage but it melted away as Dee pressed their bodies together. “Talk to me.” “Not here, lets go home.” Ryo said breathing heavily. Dee took it as a good sign that Ryo was flushed and panting. Whatever had upset him would be worked out after a work out. He loved to help Ryo come to grips with his problems. Dee thought as they stopped by the locker room. “Leon we are out for the day.” “Yeah me too,” Leon said as he slung his jacket over his guns. “I have to try to explain all this CIA, Arcadian link to D. How I am going to manage that when I don’t understand is beyond me.” “HA… Little D may be able to explain it to you.” Dee chuckled as they left. Break Rain pulled the brush through his hair. It was growing again. Ryo had offered to have it cut again, but he thought that it would be nice to have it long. Andy sat on his bed watching him. She had the newest princess on her lap. Little Nicklaus had been allowed to play with Lyo. Bikky sat on the floor at the princess’ feet. “What do you fear Rain?” Andy asked sitting her daughter on the bed. Rain had wondered what she wanted when she showed up at their house. Angel, who had been sitting with the boys while Ryo and Dee worked, stared as the princess had entered the house. He had immediately called the pet shop to tell Collins that she was here. “There are a lot of things that I fear your highness.” Rain answered with his usual unapologetic honesty. “But what fears concerning the group?” Andy gave a knowing grin as she saluted his enigmatic honest answer. “I will not fit….” “Of course you will,” Bikky affirmed before Rain could finish. “I have been telling you how great you are, everyone has. You are Noble by law, what more do you need?” Andy laughed as she patted her Daughter. “If you ever think about a profession in law, I am sure that Lady Chimaera would have use of an apprentice.” Andy informed Bikky. “Rain,” Andy came to her feet then to approach the desk. “Bikky, please take Allysa to her father.” Bikky stared in horror at the small baby. “Careful, support her head.” Andy said as she offered her baby to Bikky. The teenager’s eyes widened as he backed away. “Come on now,” Andy offered the child again. “No way, she’s too little.” Bikky backed away he bumped into Angel. “Nonsense, if she is home from the hospital, it is ok,” Angel cooed as he reached for the baby. “No…Angel, she was born yesterday,” Bikky protested. “She is only home cause Lord D…” Before Bikky could finish Andy handed her baby to Angel. Bikky grew silent as he watched Angel carefully carry the child down to her father. Bikky followed making sure she was okay. “Rain, here.” Rain stared at the box that she offered him. “Open it,” Andy urged when he looked at the purple velvet with a silver bow. “Princess?” Rain looked into the box of white taper candles. “Call me Andy, none of this princess stuff.” Andy waved away Rain’s apologies. “Now,” Andy took one of the candles. She placed it into a silver holder on his desk. Rain frowned; he had never owned a candleholder. Andy snapped her fingers near the wick. With a small flash of lighting the candle sputtered to life. “This flame will burn, what you do with it will tell us all how well you will integrate into the band.” Andy stood straitening her skirt. “Now, JJ asked me to call Heaven and let her know about Nana. She scares him.” “Your daughter has a lovely name,” Rain said absently as he gazed into the flickering flame. “Hard to believe she was born yesterday.” “Because of her name?” Andy asked laughing at the surprised look on Rain’s face. “No, I mean, you are sitting here and… Well, Bikky said that Count D… I can’t believe he had a baby you Arcadian’s are amazing, but he was…” Rain came to a halt as he heard the front door open. “Ryo and Dee are here.” Rain got to his feet. He rushed to the stairs and halted as he saw the angry expression Ryo presented. Ryo saw Nestoir sitting on the couch holding Allysa and paused, a smile lighting his face. Dee could not help but stare in wonder at the beauty that Ryo possessed. “Ryo, you look troubled.” Ryo paused as he saw the shimmering white dress that entered his house behind he and Dee. “Heaven,” Ryo turned amazed that she had come so close and they had not noticed. “Would it involve your late night visitor?” Heaven asked her crystal-clear topaz eyes bored into him. “Late night visitor?” Dee was frowning as he looked between Heaven and Ryo. “Laton had told me it was so, then when I got here I could smell him,” Heaven’s lip curled. “Or rather his interest. I would say he is here quite often.” “Grandfather had mentioned a stalker, now you say you could smell him?” Ryo asked causing Dee to frown. “You never told me about this,” Dee said ignoring Nestoir’s grin. “I am sorry, with everything involved with the case I forgot all about it.” Ryo explained. Heaven studied the two of them with a slow smile on her face. “If that is not the problem what is?” Heaven closed her eyes. She walked in a slow circle around Ryo her sable tresses brushing against his shirt as she passed. Rain stared in wonder as her eyes lifted to crash into him with such force he thought he could feel their caress against his skin. “What a beautiful boy.” Heaven breathed her skin’s natural pale sheen taking on a flushed appearance. Andy smiled glad that she had called the hybrid to meet her here. Heaven could see so clearly into all things. “Ryo, you have nothing to worry about. There will be no trial.” Heaven gathered her skirt to her as she went to the door. “My Lady Andromache, I will see to the internment of dear Nalene, I am grieved to hear of her passing.” Heaven brushed her hand across her cheek and Rain wondered if the young woman were injured for it came away bloody. Angel, who had been sitting on the couch near Nestoir watching her, blanched before he got to his feet. Rain saw him rush up the stairs. “Blood…” Angel gasped. “ She cried and blood came out, she cries blood. What the hell is going on around here.” “You once had AIDS and now you do not,” Angel gasped when he heard the soft voice. All he could see was a small, yellow, furry, winged creature. “You know that my husband is a Kami and yet you still question that which has no easy answer.” Angel gasped as Q-Chan melted before him into Lady Aurora. “You humans are such fascinating creatures. Heaven, dear,” Aurora called over the banister catching Heaven before she could slip out into the balmy night breeze. “I’m hungry, how about you?” Heaven smiled showing incisors that caused shivers to run up Rain’s spine as he looked upon her cold beauty. “Ravenous.” Was all she said as she melted into the silent December night. Break Andy sat beside her husband in the car waiting. “So,” she said giving him a grin. “What do you think?” “His first rehearsal will be next week.” Nestoir started the car smiling. Andy looked back at the large house with a wink. “In about 24 hours we will see the true measure of Rain’s ability.” Break Silence descended on the house like a shroud as Ryo shut the door on the last visitor. He stood for a long time with his forehead pressed against the planks of wood. Dee wrapped his arms around Ryo gently rubbing small circles with his thumbs over his hips. “Talk to me.” Dee whispered in Ryo’s ear before he pulled him away from the door. “The chief said something that has had you pissed off all day.” “Johnston.” Ryo said as if the single name explained it all. Dee sighed, it did. “Why Dee?” Ryo exploded shoving away from Dee’s embrace. “What reason could they possibly have of putting Rain on the stand? Make him swear an oath to recall the things that monster did to him is insane. They have the photos from all crime scenes, his fingerprints; they even have the photos of Rain in the hospital what could his testimony give them that they don’t already have?” “Ryo, it will be ok.” Dee tried to assure Ryo even though he felt the same outrage. “You…” Ryo and Dee turned to see a tearful Rain standing at the foot of the stairs. “You said that I would never have to see him again.” “You won’t,” Ryo promised earning a gasp from Bikky. “How, I don’t know, but I won’t let them put you in the same room with him again.” Ryo firmed his chin. “I will call my grandfather and see if he can keep you at his place for a while. States don’t have jurisdiction over Arcadia.” “If you hide me, won’t you get in trouble, I mean it is just a…” Rain began he was fearful of causing trouble for the kind family that had taken him in. “I can handle it, I will. Just stay with me ok, if you stay with me I can do it.” Rain brushed a hand over his face clearing away the trails of tears. “What do they want me to say?” “Um…” Ryo began admiring the beauty of Rain’s courage. “Just tell what was done, in both your mother’s apartment and then later when he took you. He is being charged with the murders, kidnapping, statutory, rape, attempted murder, he came at you with a blade when Dee tried to arrest him. It’s why I shot him.” Ryo grew angry again. “They have all that against him and still they want to put you…” “It’s all right Ryo.” Bikky said patting Rain’s shoulder. “Count D taught us all about defending ourselves. Every week we are both getting stronger, in mind, body and spirit. You’ll see. My brother will do fine.” Rain felt his heart melt as Bikky claimed him as a member of his family. “Yeah,” Rain said nodding. “I’ll do fine.” Break Ryo felt every eye in the precinct fall on him as he and Dee walked to their office. Every hair on his body stood on end as they passed one person after another and had them all back away from them. When they entered their office Leon and Jill sat at their desks without looking at them. “I don’t know what you did, but…” Before Leon could finish the DA and the Chief entered the large room. “MacLean, Laytner, we would like a word with you both.” Leon and Jill excused themselves. “Boys, have a seat.” The Chief commanded. “I thought there might be trouble out of you, so I had your place watched.” Ryo nodded thinking that this must be the stalker that his grandfather had warned him about. “We know that you did not leave your place last night, and there is no way you could have… I mean it is...” The chief gave up looking to the DA for help. “Only officers had access to him so we know you did not do it. You did not leave your house after all of your guests left.” The DA said looking into each of their faces. “And it is obvious from your faces that you have no idea what we are talking about.” The DA folded his arms drawing their attention to his height. He knew he presented an imposing figure in a dark suit. His dark skin and low cut hair hid the thug he once was. He and Dee had got along based on the sheer fact that they had so much in common. “Jonston was found in his cell this morning…” “Well where else would he be, he has a trail coming?” Ryo’s scathing words caused the DA to wince. It had hurt him to have to go against the gentle detective. “MacLean, I wanted to make sure that he got the death penalty, not just life in prison. You have to understand that.” “Do I?” Ryo refused to look up. “Look, we all discussed it as a family and Rain decided to take the stand, if that is what this is about you have your answer, now can we get back to work?” The DA shivered at the cold black eyes that bored into him. “Actually what we were trying to tell you is that,” The chief interjected when it seemed that the DA would do nothing but stare at Ryo. “Jonston is dead Ryo. He was found in his cell this morning with his heart ripped out. Where his heart should have been his… His manhood was shoved in there. Three officers lost their stomach before the coroner could get in there to clean it up. There was a massacre in that cell. Blood covered every available space. Like we said, we know you are not involved. The heart, when it was found, was gray, completely drained of blood. A rose was on his bed.” “A rose…?” Ryo wondered thinking back to tales he had been told. Tales he dared not mention now. “Yeah a rose, this is some freaky shit boys, you are not on this case in fact go investigate the debasing of a shrine over in Chinatown, that’s your area of expertise isn’t it?” The Chief said. “I’m giving this one to Randolph, to see if he can redeem himself.” Dee saw the pale sheen that covered Ryo’s naturally light complexion. “Yeah chief,” Dee got to his feet relieved when Ryo followed suit. “Yeah,” They left their office to find Leon and Jill in the break room. “So?” Leon asked as soon as they had sat down. Dee said nothing but went to get he and Ryo coffee. “They told you about Jonston.” “Yeah, but we are not under investigation, or at least they want us to believe that.” Dee muttered as he sat handing Ryo a steaming mug. Ryo picked it up and brought it to his lips. He stared into the mug saying nothing. “Baby,” Dee said quietly trying to gain his attention. Ryo continued to stare into his mug, silently brooding. “Baby,” Dee tried again watching his lover with a mixture of love and apprehension. “Baby!” “Nani Ka!” Ryo looked up then gasped as the coffee that had been boiling in his hands splashed out of the cup. It evaporated into steam before it could land on the table. Very gently Ryo sat the mug onto the table. Jill looked from the scorch marks it left in the old wood, to Ryo then back again. “Gomen… Sorry, I was just, I mean… Lady Aurora,” Ryo whispered. “Talk to Nestoir…it’ll make sense.” “This is not our case.” Leon said hoping to keep his friends out of trouble. “Randolph is a fool.” Dee said as he paused in his scrubbing of the marks on the table from the now cooling mug. “He’ll never figure it out.” “That’s what we’d better count on.” Ryo said watching as Randolph entered the break room. He stared for a long time at Ryo his gaze heating as Ryo ran a hand through his soft locks. Randolph vowed that tonight he would make the time. Since coming back to work he had not much time for gazing, but tonight would be different. Ryo sat in his pristine navy blue shirt and white pants. He always looked so good. Randolph shook himself as he went back to work. Tonight, he would wait for tonight. Break Rain sat at his desk contemplating the candle that Andy had left him. Though it burned constantly, it did not go down or out. What did she mean about how well he would fit? He looked up when he heard Ryo and Dee enter. Angel could go back to the shop now. He wondered if he would be going back to New York. Rain had not managed to ask. They all could not just stay at shop… Could they? He heard the footsteps up the stairs as Ryo entered his room and sat on his bed. “Rain.” “Yes Ryo,” Rain said tearing his eyes away from his candle. “I have to tell you, about the trial.” Ryo began he saw Rain tense before he continued. “There won’t be one, Jonston is dead. Someone entered his cell and murdered him.” Rain’s eyes filled as he stared at Ryo gasping. “Oh, Ryo… I must be the most horrible person on the planet.” “What are you talking about?” Ryo asked alarmed at the sobbing, frantic young man. “When Bill first forced me, I wished he would die. Then when I was in his apartment, I wished it again. Over and over again, I just wanted him to die.” Rain confessed burying his face in his hands. Ryo tried to take him in his arms. “No, Ryo you don’t understand. Just now when you told me that he was dead, I was happy. And I hated myself for feeling that way.” “Oh, Ame-Chan, no one can fault you for your thoughts in such a situation. I or anyone else would have thought the same.” Ryo said rubbing his hands through the silky hair. “When I was told of the murder, I too was relieved, happy even. I think that on some level, justice was served.” Ryo wanted to say more, but every light in the house went out. He heard Dee swearing in the kitchen. “I’d better go help him.” Ryo noted the candle for the first time sitting on Rain’s desk. “You be careful ok.” Rain sniffled as he nodded his head looking again at the flame. Rain took his candle in hand heading down to the family room. He saw Bikky sitting near the couch holding a sniffling Lyo. Dee entered the house still swearing. “We have to call the electric company, the breakers are not working.” “I already called,” Ryo said. “They will be out in the morning.” So,” Bikky frowned. “What are we supposed to do for tonight?” Rain smiled as he got a wonderful idea. With a grin at Ryo he dashed upstairs. Rain handed each member of his family a candle, then used the flame from his own to light them. “I’ll order a pizza and we can just rough it till morning.” Bikky smiled, he saw the glassy sheen to Ryo and Rain’s eyes and wondered what was going on that they had not told him about. “We’ll be ok,” Rain nodded his head as he sniffled, smiling through his tears. “Yeah,” Ryo nodded. “We’ll be ok.” Break Sofu waited, it would not be long now. Pretty soon the young man he had been speaking to would say something. Sofu sipped his tea. If the centuries had taught him anything it was patience. Hmm, Sofu thought, this was good. Count D was sure learning to make an excellent cup of tea. “Are you serious?” Angel asked finally managing to find his voice through the cloud of shock that had enveloped him. “Young man, have you known me to tell amusing tidbits known as jokes?” Sofu gave his most imperious stare. “No, I was wondering about that.” Angel smiled brightly. “Well come along then, I do not have all day.” Sofu got to his feet with a graceful slide of deep green silk robes. Angel looked to Collins to see if he were perhaps going crazy. When Collins made to follow Sofu, Angel shrugged. They arrived at a large house with a shop attached. Lord D stood on the porch in an all white cheongsam. “My son is still in mourning, but he came out today to see you and give you this.” Sofu said as Angel rushed forward to greet Lord D. He paused moments from touching Lord D. Angel was surprised when Lord D took his hand. “I know it is not much, but I wanted to give this to you. I have a bit of funds set aside, when you have been a doctor for as long as I have those things tend to accumulate.” Angel was almost afraid to laugh. “I want you to have this. You said your dream was to make your own line of clothing, well, here is a shop, a home, and a check.” Lord D handed Angel the envelope. Lord D pushed his hair aside causing a gasp as Angel got a look at his red eyes and puffy features. “Little Darling,” Angel whispered reaching to embrace Lord D hoping that it would be ok. Lord D welcomed the comfort, but he shied away from a renewal of his tears. After a brief moment of contact he stepped away and handed another envelope to Mimi. “I know you wanted to go to school, so I have an admission upon my recommendation to UCLA. It seems I am a well known doctor.” Lord D flushed causing color to bloom in his unnatural pale cheeks. Angel was happy to see the sign of life from his friend. “I hope that it will be of some help to you, if you need anything please don’t hesitate…oh, Roger, I sent a copy of your song to a friend that I have in the recording industry and he would like to hear more of your work.” Lord D looked to Collins. “I was not told what you wanted, I am sorry.” “I want to be with her.” Collins said inclining his head towards Angel. “What about your restaurant?” Angel asked staring at Collins. “I know this is not exactly Santa Fe, but…” Collins grinned as he stared at Angel. “She’s right, this is not Santa Fe…” Collins words broke off as he noted Lord D’s odd expression of confusion. Lord D smiled, as he looked his new friends. “I always meant to ask,” Lord began his smile still in place. Sofu was glad to see a lifting of his son’s mood. “Why do you…?” Lord D floundered. “I mean,” Lord D sighed. “You are male.” “Yes, I am aren’t I?” Angel said refusing to say more at the moment. Lord D already looked drawn and tired he would hate to add to the burden. “I am sorry if that was perhaps too personal.” Lord D looked down at his hands. “No,” Angel rushed to pull Lord D into another embrace. “Just, not right now. Maybe in a bit we can have tea together and I will tell you all about it.” Lord D returned the hug glad that he could be of some help to the young people that had come to mean so much to him. Break ‘There is a song inside of you,” Rain gasped looking up from the candlelight. His family all sat around the living room with candles giving a soft glow. Enough that Dee sat with a case file open in his lap reading. Bikky had sat down with his sketchpad and Ryo sat with Lyo on his lap reading softly to him. Rain sat with his homework in front of him lying untouched on the soft, thick carpet. “When you find it…sing.” Dee looked up from his file when he felt Rain’s eyes on him. “If you are still hungry there is leftover food in the fridge, be careful the plug to the generator is over the doorway.” Rain shook his head but got up anyway, a cup of iced tea would help. Lord D had set him up with plenty of tea, hot and iced, to help his digestion so that he could eat with his family. Rain contemplated the words in his head as he poured the drink. Dee had hauled the emergency power generator up from the basement, if they wanted it to last all night they could only plug so much into it. Ryo had immediately plugged in the refrigerator and the large box freezer. Rain began to hum softly to himself as he poured his tea. “Sing.” The word came to him again. “Sing what is in you.” Rain gulped his tea recognizing Andy’s voice. What did she want from him? “You have a lot on your mind.” Rain looked up to see Dee standing in the kitchen. “No, I am not a mind reader. You are standing there with a cup almost to your mouth and staring off into space.” Dee indicated a chair that flickered softly in the candlelight. Rain dropped into the chair. “I felt the same when Andy came to us asking us to join their army. They wanted us to act as guards for, not only Andy, but also the future heir to the Royale and guards for a pregnant Kami. You can imagine we were all like, wow, a bunch of homosexuals and women in league with the angels, and kings and well the whole of Arcadia. How did we fit into that scenario?” “I felt the same when I was approached.” Rain choked on his tea as Heaven appeared standing next to the table. “Oh sorry, I did not mean to frighten your beautiful boy, I wafted in through the open window over the sink.” Dee went to the window and slid it closed with a snap. Rain shivered as Heaven’s chilled hand brushed against his cheek. “Whatever they see in you must be spectacular. Give them what they want; it will make your life and all involved, easier.” “What do you mean?” Rain asked staring into the sparkling topaz eyes that were almost frightening in their clarity. “Why don’t you light the path upstairs and let me talk to your parents?” Heaven said with an enigmatic smile. Rain nodded, took his candle, and led Bikky carrying a sleeping Lyo up to their bedrooms. Ryo entered the kitchen. He looked from Heaven to the kitchen window then back again. “Now, don’t growl at me. I was enraged, so was Auri, and we acted.” Heaven folded her arms across her bosom. “I was already having a bad day.” “Ah yes, you were informed that Nana…” Ryo paused and looked at the sad expression on Heaven’s beautiful face. “The police are investigating.” “Yes and which department deals with vampires?” Heaven’s look was so innocent Ryo had to stop himself from answering her question. “Look I just came by to say hi and uh, look out Highness… Word in Arcadia is that Lady Torcha has had your mother’s formal crown melted down and reshaped, into a male ensemble. You are heir to several titles, land and more.” “Formal crown?” Dee frowned as he looked over at Heaven. “There is more than one?” “There is the normal everyday coronet, the traditional festival fire emblem, then there is the…” Ryo felt his mind boggled as Heaven listed off at least twelve different crowns. “It was at the Fire Festival that the Princess had her final showdown with her father and ran off, so the Fire emblem crown has been missing for almost sixty years.” Ryo saw the excitement lighting Heaven’s face. “Sorry I have a thing for lost crowns you know.” “Why did my mother run away?” Ryo asked thinking of his smiling mother. She had loved traveling with his father and if he were honest he would admit to being resentful to how often they left him alone. His memories of her and his father were few. “His name is Cho Da Koen.” Heaven whispered as if she were afraid of being overheard. “He is a Korean dragon, your families wanted to align and force a marriage, word on the mountain top is that he has never forgiven your mother for deserting him. He has a bad thing for you and wants you dragged down. He said that the crown would never sit on your head. Laton was ready to declare a war on the Korean Dragon clan. Also,” Heaven leaned close across the table causing Ryo to back away from the fangs in the angelic face. “The Chinese King Ghidora has a daughter, not the Honlon of Count D’s pet shop, but a princess, Lady Torcha is looking to her as your intended.” “My intended what?” Ryo demanded when Heaven gave him a baleful smirk he reddened. “I am already… Married.” “Not to a female…” Heaven gave Dee an apologetic look. “And not to a dragon.” “This is ridiculous.” Ryo grumbled getting to his feet to prowl to the window. He saw a glinting in the tree in their backyard and peered hard. Catching a fleeting glance of a shadow vanishing he slammed his hand against the window. “I do not want the crown, not if it means destroying my family.” “What of your mother’s legacy?” Dee asked afraid that he would lose the beautiful man that had come to mean so much to him, no, not man, Dee thought feeling a pain where his heart used to be. The dragon, the dragon he loved was being taken from him. Dee shoved to his feet and slammed from the house. “I will not stand for this.” Ryo vowed to the night wind. “ Open the window,” Ryo gasped as Heaven’s words drifted in his ear, he looked behind him and saw a cloud of smoke. He opened the window letting Heaven soar past. She slid a cold tendril over his face. “Smile pretty Ryo, I am sure that you will win this battle. And you will do it with more elegance than your mother ever thought to. You have your family at your side, remember that.” The words faded as Heaven dissipated into the night. Ryo firmed his shoulders as he went into the backyard. “Dee,” He found Dee sitting on their bench. Dee had built it for him near his garden. “I love you Ryo. I love you enough to do whatever is necessary to make you happy.” Dee’s words floated up through the night wind. Ryo took a moment to remember a cold night when he had confessed his love for Dee. Underneath a street lamp his “Can I kiss you?” Had sparked a love he had never imagined. For so long he had fought against his love for Dee and now he would fight to keep it. “Dee,” Ryo walked over to Dee carrying the candle. “Can I kiss you?” Dee leaned his head submitting to Ryo’s gentle ministrations. “Take me to bed lover.” Ryo whispered near Dee’s lips. Above them a dark shadow watched as Dee’s hand slid underneath Ryo’s top. He could not make out what they were saying, but he could plainly see the passion building. He could see the glazed look in Ryo’s eyes as Dee pressed him against the bench. “Dee lets go inside.” Ryo panted as his wits were fast leaving him. “Uh unh Baby, right here, you are going to feel the stars caress your skin and know that you shine brighter.” Dee gasped out as he began to love Ryo under the pale moonlight. Break “I’ll do it,” Rain announced as he sat at the table with Bikky the next the morning. The electricity in the house returned as if it had never left. Bikky sat his sketchpad on the table. “I mean, if the invitation is still open.” Ryo said nothing. He stirred his eggs in the pan. With a smile on his face he began to put the hot eggs on plates. “Good morning Dee,” Rain whispered turning crimson. “Are you ok?” Bikky asked wondering at the reaction. Bikky saw Rain nod hiding under his hair. Rain remembered taking his teacup back downstairs. The backdoor had been left open. One peek was all it took to send him back upstairs. “Bikky,” Rain said smirking at Ryo as he handed him a plate. Bikky looked up. “When is a door not a door?” “What?” Bikky asked thinking that Rain had turned as weird as Andy with all the odd things she said to the angel prince. “When is a door not a door?” Rain repeated watching as Ryo began to feed Lyo. Bikky frowned staring at Rain. “When it is ajar.” Rain laughed causing Ryo to look up at his knowing grin. Ryo blushed realizing that the boy must have seen something last night. Ryo smiled thinking that if he had seen something and he was smiling, teasing about it now, he was doing just fine. The death of Jonston had to have helped him a long way. Rain began to hum softly his voice filling the dining room. “I see your true colors,” Ryo began to sing along with the humming. “And that’s why I love you,” Rain sang with him. “So don’t be afraid. To let it show, your true colors are shining through. I see your true colors, true colors. Your true colors are beautiful.” Rain smiled at Ryo as he heard a familiar giggle resound in his head. Andy had him and she knew it. Break Jeremy stood beside JJ and Berkeley. Count D sat with Leon controlling the children. It was an odd sight the patch of pristine white amongst the somber dark colors of mourning. As Nana was laid to rest X’Ta-C began to perform."This song," Andy said into the microphone. "Is not a requiem for Nana. This is a song for the living. Nana has the best chior ever to sing for her now, so we will do the best we can for you." Daphnus began to play a soft melody on his guitar then he sang in a soft voice that had the audience feeling as if the world, even with out Nana, was not such a bad place. "You say you're falling apart Reached the end of the line Just looking for your place in an ordinary life No one calls you friend No one even knows your name You just want to feel loved instead of all the pain You no longer have to say No one's listening anyway Come here and cry on my shoulder I'll hold you 'til it's over I'll rescue you tonight Let my arms be your shelter Your hiding place forever I love you more than life" As Daphnus stepped aside Nestoir picked up where he left off. Blowing a kiss to his wife he began to sing. "You're wearing a frown Given up on hope My heart is reaching out More then you will ever know Is your burden too much? Is it more then you can bear? I'll help carry the load if you're willing to share You no longer have to say No one's listening anyway Come here and cry on my shoulder I'll hold you 'til it's over I'll rescue you tonight Let my arms be your shelter Your hiding place forever I love you more than life" When they both began to sing together Lord D leaned heavily against JJ as sobs shook his thin frame. "You have had some hard times Had thorns placed in your side I know about what you've been going through The tears of pain are falling down It hurts so bad you're crying out Your problems won't last forever Let me put you back together Come here and cry on my shoulder I'll hold you 'til it's over I'll rescue you tonight Let my arms be your shelter Your hiding place forever I love you Come here and cry on my shoulder I'll hold you 'til it's over I'll rescue you tonight Let my arms be your shelter Your hiding place forever I love you more than life I love you more than life" Andy accepted the microphone from her husband and her best friend. "I know it is hard, you see, we living are left here and the others move on. They know no more sorrows, no pain. Only joy at being in the presence of their benevolent, patient, forgiving, all knowing, all loving father." Andy wiped a tear away. "i weep now, not because she is gone, i say farewell grand lady and God Speed to you. I weep because I will miss her. As I am sure you all will." Andy then took a deep breath and sent out her voice soothing the audience as they thought of the joy Nana would be embracing from now on. "Are you looking for someone to be gentle
With your broken heart, your shattered dreams?
Are you searching for someone who'll be faithful
To you no matter what life brings?
Well I know the Maker of the storm, the sunrise;
He is both the Lion and the Lamb.
He is strong enough to shake all earth and heaven.
Yet meek enough to take me as I am.
He says..." Tisiphone, Clarisande and the twin princesses Althea and Amalthea surrounded Andy picing up the chorus.
"Come unto me all who are weary,
And I will give you rest.
Bring what hurts, bring your scars,
Bring the load that you carry,
And I will give you rest." Andy stepped aside allowing Clarisande to maintain the center of the stage. She sang, "Are the clouds above your head oh so heavy,
Bursting with showers of despair?
Do you struggle under more than you can carry?
Has life given more than you can bear?
Would you like to trade your failures in for victories?
Like piles of ashes in for piles of gold.
Can you fall down like a child who is helpless,
So He can pick you up and make you whole?
He says..." As the girls went over the chorus Angel stood behind them above their heads appeared a faint rainbow of colors shining brightly. "Only a fool," Daphnus then said. "Would tell you to not be sad. I know you miss her, we all do. So you just..." Daphnus stepped aside leaving Depyros on the stage. The Audience gasped at the red haired prince so seldom was he seen outside of Arcadia. "Let it all out " he began to sing, the soft lilt of his voice floating softly into the hearts of the crowd. "Get it all out Rip it out Remove it Don't be alarmed When the wound begins to bleed Cause we're so scared to find out What this life's all about So scared we're going to lose it Not knowing all along That's exactly what we need And today I will trust you with confidence Of a man who's never known defeat But tomorrow, upon hearing what I did I will stare at you in disbelief Oh inconsistent me Crying out for consistency And you said I know that this will hurt But if I don't break your heart Then things will just get worse If the burden seems too much to bear Remember the end will justify The pain it took to get us there And I'll let it be known At time I have shown Signs of all my weakness But somewhere in me There is strength And you promise me That you believe In time I will defeat this Cause somewhere in me There is strength And today I will trust you with the confidence Of a man who's never known defeat And I'll try my best to just forget That that man isn't me" Daphnis and Nestoir joined him for the Chorus. " Reach out to me Make my heart brand new Every beat will be for you For you And I know you know You touched my life When you touched my heavy heart And made it light " "And now, we will celebrate." Andy anounced reaching for Rain where he sat with Ryo. "Because when someone lives a life as well as Nana did, it is a reason. We will rember her as she was. A happy, smart, kind woman who loved her family and her friends." Andy then allowed Angel, Collins, Roger and Mimi on the stage with them. Roger nearly balked at the idea of performing with a world reknown group. But seeing the expectant smiles on all of their faces, he relented. "Five hundrend twenty five thousand six hundred minutes Five hundrend twenty five thousand moments so dear Five hundrend twenty five thousand six hundred minutes How do you measure, measure a year" Andre held up his orb. The crowd who did not know any better thought that is was a large round screen. Images of Nana’s life showed. Her last year was filled with the joy of Lord D and JJ, their family and friends. "In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee, In inches, in miles in laughter in strife, In Five hundrend twenty five thousand six hundred minutes How do you measure a year in the life How about Love How about love how about love measure in love seasons of love seasons of love Andy smiled at the audience reminding them all that Nana would have wanted them to be happy. " Five hundrend twenty five thousand six hundred minutes Five hundrend twenty five thousand journeys to plan Five hundrend twenty five thousand six hundred minutes how do you measure the life of a woman or a man Nestoir stood next to his wife and continued. " In truth that she learned or in times that he cried In the bridges he burned or the way that she died (all) Its time now, to sing out though the story never ends lets celebrate remember a year in the life of friends remember the love remember the love remember the love measure in love seasons of love seasons of love ." Break Merry Christmas (SOOOOOOO LATE) Leon and family showed up at Ryo and Dee’s house bearing large bags full of gifts. Even though Count D had used his ‘shop’ magic to make the bags hold everything, he still ended up making several trips to his car to unload everything. He remembered last year, they had come here and found Lyo, and he wondered what surprise waited for them inside this year. Leon stepped back at the scowling dragon that greeted them at the door. Though he was man, Laton looked like he could have spewed molten Lava so angry did he appear. “We only have time to drop your baggage here, we are leaving for Arcadia.” “Arcadia?” Count D asked feeling Chris’s fingers tighten on his cheongsam. It was a habit that the boy had never fully outgrown. “Truly Laton, we are not that late. You are frightening the children.” Laton stared down at Chris with a smirk. Before he stepped aside to allow them inside. Bikky sat on the couch pouting. Rain had been in rehearsals for a week now and had said nothing. Only telling him that he would enjoy the show. How could he be so tight lipped about the show? They were brothers weren’t they? ‘If you know what is going to happen how can you enjoy it?’ Rain had asked smiling. Though Bikky was glad that Rain had accepted the invitation, and that he was happy now, it just… Rankled that he was left out. He sat his sketchbook aside as Ryo came near him. Understanding hit as he realized that he had held his breath when Ryo almost saw what he had spent the better part of three weeks working on. “Jill called, she will meet us at the consulate, and Diana is arriving with Jash. You know, we hardly see her anymore.” Dee said straitening his tie. Laton watched as Ryo smiled at Dee. There, he thought, just there in the soft lifting of his lips and deep beauty of his eyes, Laton saw his daughter. “So we are all here?” Laton asked he frowned when he received a negative answer. Just as he was about to bluster about being on time the doorbell was heard. JJ entered with Lord D, Jeremy, Berkeley and their children. “Now are we leaving?” “You did not have to come and escort us.” Ryo quipped at Laton impatient scowl at them all as they bustled into the waiting limousine. “Some one had to insure that you would show up. I hear you have an aversion to your responsibilities.” Laton retorted he smiled when he saw the blush that colored Ryo’s cheeks. “But you needn’t have fretted, the coronation is not until after the New Year.” “Watashi wo kami nasai.” Ryo muttered resolutely looking away from his grandfather. “Watch your mouth child,” Laton commanded not liking the spark of rage that he felt coming from his grandson. “Your ire is misdirected. I am not the one determined to have an heir of you.” “It’s Christmas, do we have to discuss this now?” Ryo said amazing Laton with his enduring bravery to stand so firm for his family where many others would have caved to the mightier foe. Laton thought that the young man had more in common with Torcha than either of them would ever admit. And they had yet to lay eyes on one another. He was looking forward to this evening’s entertainment. Break Rain sat staring wildly about at the many people that were backstage. He thought they had been kidding. When they had mentioned a choir of angels he had thought they were talking about a children’s choir. Then he had showed up to the final rehearsal today and there they were. All of them glorious in their beauty with voices like clear morning light and fresh spring winds. “Angels,” He gasped out when Nestoir had asked how he was doing. “We are to sing with a back up choir of angels?” “It is a celebration in honor of the birth of…” Before Nestoir could finish he looked up to see the Detectives arrive. “Ryo!” Rain ran forward and wrapped his thin arms around the slime waist holding tight. “What did you do?” Ryo turned to Nestoir frowning. Nestoir held up his hands palm open in a gesture of innocence. “Rain is perhaps feeling before show jitters.” Nestoir offered when Ryo raised a brow at him. “Ryo they expect me to sing with…” Before Rain could continue he saw Andy smiling at him. That smile sent across the room all the confidence that she had in his abilities. Rain took a deep breath. Squaring his shoulders he made himself release his grip on Ryo. Bikky winked at him from across the room then rushed to Diana Spacey. Rain tried not to smile at the disgruntled look on Carol’s face as she watched her boyfriend fawn over the beautiful blond. He watched as a tall man with wild, fluffy dark hair whisper in her ear. Carol’s face lit with a grin then the man walked away taking Diana by the hand. Bikky went back to Carol wondering why she smirked at him then soundly planted her foot in his backside. Angel stared around at the assembled nobility and royalty in the audience. When they had received invitations to attend the Arcadian Christmas Festival he had thought they had made a mistake. There had been no mistake. Angel had fretted for a week wondering what to wear. He had decided to wear his most muted ensemble, but Collins balked telling him to be himself. So Angel stood wearing the red and white Santa’s helper ensemble with the stripped tights that he had worn on Christmas Day last year. It all seemed so long ago. Angel had thought as Mimi joined them wearing a white outfit, with her new healthy complexion and her hair brushed she looked beautiful. Roger stood beside her in a pair of dark jeans and a red sweater. Collins complimented them in black slacks, a green shirt and black tie. The crowd hushed, as the sparkling silver curtain rose and it appeared as if they had been transported into a lush forest covered by a comforter of snow. Victoria held the audience enthralled as she sang. "Hark the herald angels sing Glory to the new born King Peace on earth and mercy mild , God and sinners reconciled Joyful all ye nations rise. Join the triumph of the skies With angelic host proclaim Christ is born in Bethlehem Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ the everlasting Lord; Late in time behold him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Diety Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new born King " Rain stood watching as Queen Victoria sang waiting for the moment when their voices would join hers. “Rain,” He looked up to see Andy standing beside him. “What did you do with the candles that I gave you?” “I am sorry Princess… I mean Andy, but I do not have any left. You see there was a blackout at our house and I used them all to help my family.” Rain blushed as he admitted that he had not one of the gifts that she had given him. “Never be ashamed to let your light shine. It is brighter and more beautiful than you will ever know.” Rain frowned then gasped as she took his hand pulling him onto the stage. It was time. They all marched onto the stage bearing candles. " O Come all ye faithful Joyful and triumphant O come ye o come ye To Bethlehem Come and behold him Born the King of Angels Oh come let us adore him Oh come let us adore him Oh come let us adore him Christ the Lord" Rain was terrified. he swallowed several times then at Andy's pronting he sang out in a clear voice that shocked all with its purity. "O Come all ye faithful Joyful and triumphant O come ye o come ye To Bethlehem Come and behold him Born the King of Angels Oh come let us adore him" Rain began to sweat as he heard the first Angel begin to sing followed by the entire assembly of the angelic chior. "Oh come let us adore him Oh come let us adore him Christ the Lord" Rain had never been more glad to come to the end of a song. They were beautiful, he looked behind to see them all glowing. He knew the audience would think that it was lighting, but Rain had seen it backstge. They glowed on their own. Rain then went to sit next T-Chan where he lounged on the stage. Borrowed from the shop as a sheep for Rain to be the shepard of. Rain looked around in awe at the sweet, male voice that began to sing. He could see no one on stage that could be singing. as he looked the voice sang on. "Said the night wind
to the little lamb" In a moment of clarity Rain knew that the dulcet voice was Prince Angel.
"do you see what I see
Way up in the sky, little lamb" "Do you see what I see
A star, a star dancing in the night
with a tail as big as a kite
with a tail as big as a kite Ooooh OooooooooOoooh" The audience then all felt tears sting their eyes as Little Nicklaus began to sing in his childish voice going over to Rain he said. "Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear
ringing through the sky, shepherd boy
Do you hear what I hear A song, a song high above the trees
with a voice as big as the seas
with a voice as big as the seas" Rain shored up hs courage and approached Zarro where he sat on his throne looking out at his Audience. Rain sang, "Says the shepherd boy to the mighty king
do you know what I know
In your palace warm, mighty king
do you know what I know A Child a Child shivers in the cold
let us bring Him silver and gold
let us bring Him silver and gold" Zarro bestowed a benevolent smile on Rain hoping that the young man's hear would slow. Rain grinned allowing the King to step forward and address the audience. "Said the king to the people everywhere" His voice rang out. Thinking of his true shape Ryo was surprised that his voice was so sweet. Then again , the king of Arcadia had always been soft spoken.
"Listen to what I say
Listen to what I say
Pray for peace, people everywhere
Listen to what I say The Child the Child
sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and life" the crowd applauded as the group bowed. Zarro took Little Nicklaus into his arms leaving the stage to the performers. The entire group, as well as the Angel Chior then began to loung among the bushes and trees of the set. Nestling among the snow they began a chorus of... "Silent Night, Holy night
All is calm, all is bright.
Ron yon virgin mother and child,
Holy infant so tender and mild.
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace. Silent night, Holy night
Shepherds quake, at the sight.
Glorious dreams from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing alleluia.
Christ the savior is born,
Christ the savior is born." Little Nicklaus then ran onto the stage to his father. Nestoir picked him up kissing his little cheeks. "Daddy," Nicklaus said loud in his father's microphone. "Tell me about the first one... The first night that Christ was born." Nicklaus faltered for a moment remembering what he had to say. "Tell me Daddy, tell me please." Nestoir smiled before he kissed his son and began to sing. "The first Noel, the angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep" The group and the angels joined him for the chorus. "Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the king of Israel
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the king of Israel" Nestoir continued, "The first Noel, the angels did say
Was to certain the poor shepherds in fields as they lay
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep" (Chorus) "Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the king of Israel
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the king of Israel
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the king of Israel
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the king of Israel
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the king of Israel
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the king of Israel Born is the king of Israel" Break Rain collapsed onto the couch in the green room after the show. Ryo and his family waited. He smiled to relieve the worried frown that creased Ryo’s brow. He was exhausted, true, but he had never in his life felt more exhilarated. He would enjoy working with this group he could feel it. Break Golden eyes raked Ryo from the honey colored top of his head to the shiny, expensive Italian shoes on his feet. Then into his eyes, black eyes, deep and murky as he stared at the beautiful, fierce woman they claimed was his grandmother. “You are your mothers son, so very defiant, proud…” Torcha paused remembering that somewhere in the High King’s grand palace there were guests, it would not do for her to assume her true form in an attempt to bring her grandson to heel. Laton had assured her that he had never before seen an eastern dragon form, only the Honlon, but somehow Torcha knew that the sight would not frighten him. “Beautiful.” “Excuse me,” Ryo asked when she said the last. “Surely you have been told the truth before. You are very beautiful. Not only outwardly, but your inner beauty far outshines any outer coverings you could ever possess. Your soul has a purity and strength that is mighty and impressive.” Dee beamed at the words the Dragon Queen spoke. At first he had despised her for her decision to take his Ryo away, but listening to her now he felt that she understood his love of Ryo. “Your blood, your mother’s blood is strong within you.” Ryo dropped to a knee in front of her. “I am honored to make your acquaintance Grandmother Torcha, your majesty.” Ryo’s formal words belied his intent to fight to keep his family intact. But fight he would. Torcha gave a knowing grin as she saw his jaw clench. “It is Christmas morning and I am sure that the children are waiting to open their gifts, please excuse me. You are welcome, as well as grandfather, to join us.” Torcha accepted the invitation with a regal nod. They arrived to find Rain sitting away from the group. He fidgeted with his hair as the rest of the large gathering laughed and talked. Shinrai, Kiba, Aoi, Lyo and Little Nicklaus played on the floor with T-Chan and several other animals from the Pet Shop. Bikky and Carol stood with Chris talking to Roger about his guitar. Ryo went to Rain sitting beside him. “Are you alright?” Ryo asked gentle as he touched Rain’s shoulder. “I have never spent Christmas without… I mean,” Rain sniffled as he thought of the many years he had spent just him and his mother. “The first Christmas is always the hardest.” Ryo said pulling the boy into his arms. “After that, you just surround yourself with the good memories that you have and keep them close to your heart. Having a great family helps.” Ryo looked at the box that waited for him. It was the box he had found among his parents things. Since he was eighteen he had never had the courage to open their last gift to him. What it contained, he would find out tonight. With Dee, their children and friends he would be strong enough to know what his parents had given him. Ryo wiped the tears from Rain’s cheeks before helping him to stand and join the gathering. As the gifts were passed around Heaven stood back watching as Ryo avoided the box marked to him. Finally it was the last thing under the large tree in the grand throne room of the Arcadian Palace. Andy sat snuggled up to her husband holding Allysa while Little Nicklaus played with his new toys sharing them with Aoi as she shared hers with him. Ryo held the box wrapped in gold foil with a bright red ribbon. He pulled the card from the top preserved these many years in whatever storage he had be it a paid storage unit or the attic in his house. He had kept the box unable to bear the pain of opening it. The paper rustled as he removed it. A wooden box was underneath. Laton and Torcha sat up as he opened the lid. Ryo read the card. Dee sprang for it as it dropped from nerveless fingers. Dee stared at the shining white paper inside the card. It was documentation labeling his mother as a princess of the Eastern Dragon clan. It went on to explain that by default he was a prince. Ryo reached into the box, tears coursing down his face as he pulled forth a brilliant gold object. It lit the room as if it was on fire burning with rubies and topaz. Diamonds marked a white-hot core. “The fire emblem crown… It has been found.” Torcha remarked as she stared at the ornate accoutrement. “You were eighteen,” She said to Ryo. “Your mother was giving you a choice, she was letting you decide, before it was too late for you. You could have chosen to live as a human or a dragon.” Torcha took the crown from his cold fingers he had gripped them so tightly in his shock. Torcha placed the crown upon his head. Ryo stared up at his grandmother tears flooding the deep pools of his ink colored eyes to fall down his smooth, pale cheeks. “Your mother was giving you your legacy.” End Spun Sugar see you in Whipped Cream. Transltion: Ryo said to his grandfather. "You! Bite me." The song credits are, Come Unto Me, Nicole C. Mullen Let It All Out Seasons Of Love, Jonathan Larson Cry on My Shoulder True Colors, Cyndi Lauper I will find the names of the other two singers/songwriters and post them here for proper credit. I do not lay claim to these songs. I did not write them and I am making no profit from the work of fiction. Also, I lay absolutely no claims to the Christmas songs. Thank you all for your support and patience during this move. I apologize for any inconvenience. Love you all, Ja Ne Chi the Iceprincess and Paris(You May Call Me), The French One