A large clamor invaded the stillness of the richly carpeted lobby and the manager of the hotel glanced at the large party who just entered through the ornate leaded glass and polished mahogany door. A slight frown settled on the manager's lips at the rather young child who had to be only a little older than two running wildly around the large party of potential guests who just entered. The party was dusty from travel and appeared weary from a number of days on the rails.

"Nathaniel Kuu, you stop running this instant," ordered a petite young woman dressed scandalously in a pair of work pants, a man's shirt, a cowboy hat, and rattlesnake skin accented cowboy boots.

The small, dark-haired child froze as he glanced at the young woman who was holding the hand of another child. This one did not set off the hotel manager's personal alarms. He appeared to be around four years old, calm, and contained. Obviously curious about his new surroundings, the dark haired sprite was dressed the same way as his mother minus the snakeskin on his boots. Politely, the child removed his small cowboy hat and held it against his leg with one hand while still keeping hold of his mother with the other one. His dark eyes carefully scanned the room as if he were chronically all the new sights.

Two hands grabbed the antsy child who had started moving only a few heartbeats after his mother told him to stop. The child was hoisted up and placed on the broad shoulder's of a gorgeous, tall, and dark-haired cowboy. A fleeting smile crossed the hotel staff's lips as she partook in the obvious masculine appeal of the confident man. A sigh escaped the manager's mouth as she noticed the simple gold band on the cowboy's ring finger as he situated the tiny child in place behind his neck. The little hellion's feet continued to tap energetically against the chest of the handsome and fit man whose dark eyes seemed to reflect the same joy and energy evident in his shouldered child.

With her eyes still focused on the fit stranger and his child, the manager watched in appreciation as the cowboy approached her dark wood table. She called a greeting as she offered the handsome man a sultry smile.

"Good afternoon, ma'am," the Texan replied with a gorgeous but impersonal smile. He removed his hat and rested it lightly against his thigh in much the same manner of the serious child approaching the desk while still beside his mother.

"My name is Ren Tsuruga and my family and I are in need of rooms."

The manager smiled and turned her gaze towards the others in the party. Her smile faltered.

"I'm sorry, sir," she began as her eyes glanced repeatedly at the odd collection of people behind the handsome cowboy. "We don't have room for you all. Perhaps I can recommend another establishment? One more suited to your needs."

"All we need are three rooms," Ren replied. "We don't need anything special."

Once more, the manager's eyes traveled past the handsome cowboy to the dark skinned man who silently took the hand of the the equally silent child so that the young woman could approach the desk.

The petite woman smiled in a friendly manner and the manager naturally returned the gesture even though she did not approve of the young woman's attire.

"Is there a problem?" the young stranger inquired.

With a smile still on her face, Shoko Aki shook her head.

"Unfortunately, we do not have rooms available," the hotel manager explained as her eyes flicked once more to the Indian standing in the lobby.

Golden eyes followed the manager's gaze. The golden ones narrowed as she swung back to the beautiful and well dressed young woman on the other side of the table.

"Are you sure that you do not have rooms for my family?" the younger woman inquired as an ominous shiver skittered up Miss Aki's spine.

"I am sorry, but no, we do not have any rooms available for your family," she replied. A special emphasis was placed on the word family.

"I believe that you are mistaken," the confident young woman replied. "My father already ensured that the rooms were available. I suggest that you walk your pretty little self back into that office and check with Mr. Fuwa and I am sure that he will confirm this."

"But our policy..." Shoko tried to explain but she suddenly found herself a bit frightened by the truly malicious aura that seemed to swirl around the young woman she was addressing.

"I do not care about your policy," Kyoko stressed fiercely. "Now go find Mr. Fuwa because I know he was traveling with my father. Find him and have him come here and address this so called issue of lacking rooms."

Without another word, Shoko turned and disappeared through the door behind the long table. A few minutes later, she returned with her arm tucked around Mr. Fuwa's arm.

Blue eyes widened in shock as they met the golden gaze of the demanding customer. The young man stumbled mid-step.

"Not the Mr. Fuwa I was expecting," Kyoko stated with frustration evident in her voice and her husband stiffened at her side.

"Kyoko..." stammered the shocked young man.

"Why good afternoon, Mr. Fuwa," Kyoko replied with a tight smile. "I take it your father did not warn you that I was coming?"

"No..." Sho responded. "He just said to hold the two Rose Suites and two of the Blue rooms for the Hizuris."

"Great, then you knew to hold the rooms," Kyoko replied with an expression that announced that she felt all the issues had been addressed.

Nervously, Shotaro glanced at the party in his lobby. He shrugged his companion's hand off his elbow and stepped around the long wooden table. He grabbed Kyoko and attempted to pull her aside. Before he could move her more than a step, another hand handed on his shoulder.

"I suggest that you release your grasp on my wife," a very quiet voice informed the shorter man.

Noticing the dark intent to injure evident in the large cowboy's stance, Shotaro immediately released the hold he had on his childhood friend. He glanced one more time at the two cowboys, the young blond girl who appeared to be on the cusp of being a teen and a reserved man in an only slightly outdated black suit.

"Kyoko, I can't accommodate your friend," Sho expressed earnestly.

Kyoko's eyes narrowed and she stepped closer to her fallen prince. She poked him in the chest as she informed him that he would give them the rooms. There was not a single threat in her words but the intention was implied. Sho swallowed.

"But Kyoko..."

"Rooms, Shotaro," Kyoko ordered firmly with all the intensity of someone now used to being the queen and getting her own way.

Sho stared at her for a heartbeat more then nodded. The young man had spent the last five years being run rough-shod by a forceful female keeper and he recognized a losing battle when he saw it now. In fact, he realized that his previously demure childhood friend had more steel in her soul than his keeper had. He quickly presented the keys they would need and directed the new Fuwa Inn guests to the proper floor for their accommodations. As Kyoko herded her strange family out of the lobby, Shotaro and Shoko watched them go. The weary party paused briefly in front of the doors to the newly installed electric elevator but still opted to climb the stairs to the top floor of the hotel.

As they climbed the grand stairs, Shotaro could hear Kyoko tell her husband that she would wait and try the lift with her father since it was part of his power company that made it possible. Ren just chuckled and replied that there was nothing wrong with stairs.

Hours later, the previously travel worn and weary Texans arrived at the entrance of the private dining room. They were all dressed in their Sunday best clothes although Kyoko did not have any type of hat on her head. She hoped her mother missed her enough that she would not mind its absence.

"Father!" Kyoko squealed as she left her husband's side and rushed towards her nearest relative. She had not seen him since Nathaniel had been born and missed him fiercely. Kuu caught her in a warm hug and was soon joined by his wife who sniffed delicately instead of launching into a fit of tears. They were in public after all so Julie needed the bit of decorum. She abandoned it though when her younger grandchild barreled into her leg and demanded attention from his Gam-ma-ma. The little two year old hellion already had his grandmother wrapped around his finger. His older brother offered his grandmother a simple kiss then sidled up to his grandfather. Kyoko watched as her older son asked her father some question, most likely about the electric lights or some related topic. Kuu squatted down to his level and explained the answer in details that only the scarily inquisitive four year old had any hope to understand.

"You should have named the second one Ren Junior and named the first one for dad," Kuon teased as he leaned over Kyoko's shoulder and whispered in her ear. Kyoko jumped and laughed. Kuon moved to stand beside her as the two siblings watched their family.

"Yeah, R.J. isn't living up to his namesake but everyone can still be happy. Father will teach him the Hizuri family business and Ren will teach Nathaniel how to ranch," Kyoko replied to the handsome doctor. She felt her husband move behind her and wrap his arms protectively around her middle.

"Perhaps the next one will be a little princess for your mother to spoil with all those silly Eastern fashions," Ren stated with a grin as he gently patted Kyoko's still flat stomach.

Kuon's blue eyes grew large at the sneaky secret his brother-in-law just exposed.

"Or perhaps she will want to be a doctor like her Uncle Kuon," Kyoko replied with a nudging elbow info her husband's stomach.

Kuon chuckled.

"I am sure I can find a place in my practice for her or him," he replied happily before offering his congratulations. He placed a quick kiss on Kyoko's cheek and shook Ren's hand before moving to save his mother from the crazy antics of his younger nephew.

By the time the rather boisterous meal was completed, everyone knew the Tsurugas' newest secret too. Happy teasing flew around the room. Even the elder Fuwas joined in the ruckus.

It had taken a few years and some serious grovelling on James' part but Kuu had finally forgiven his friend for the stupidity of his only child.

To keep the festivities flowing, Lory coaxed Maria into playing the piano so that the others could dance. The private dining room had a dedicated area that was clear of tables and chair for just such activities. Happily, Kyoko danced with all the cowboys from Trails End as well as her father, Mr. Fuwa, and her brother. Kuon handed the sparkling young woman back to her husband with a nod of appreciation to Ren. The dark-haired rancher then swung his pretty wife back onto the open floor and into yet another dance.

Along the edge of the gathering, Kuon noticed movement. His blue eyes followed Shotaro as he moved intently around the periphery of the room. The smaller man's eyes followed the alluring glow of his childhood friend and it was obvious that he was enthralled with the vibrant young woman she had become. As he took a step forward to enter the dance floor, a strong hand landed on his shoulder.

"I need a word with you, Fuwa," Kuon stated quietly as he propelled the younger blond out of the dining room. Kuu watched the two blonds leave the room but only one return.

"So where is the young master Fuwa?" Kuu nudged as Kuon came to stand beside him. Together they watched as Kyoko danced once more with her friend Deche and Ren danced with Julienne.

"Sho decided to retire for the night. He seemed to have a bit of a stomach ache... and a headache... and possibly some dental issues..." Kuon added with a slightly evil grin.

Kuu just shook his head with a pinched expression on his face.

"It's been five years in the making," Kuon replied to the censure evident in his father's expression.

"She's happy now," the doctor added. "It would be wrong to give him the chance to screw that up."

"Nothing he could do can touch her now," Kuu stated firmly.

"I know, dad. But it was unfinished business," he replied firmly. "It bothered me to leave it unaddressed."

"So, does that mean you can be happy now too?" Kuu inquired with a concerned glance to his son.

Koun peered across the room and his eyes followed his little sister as she finally begged to have a rest from the dancing. She was laughing happily which changed to a squeal when her husband swung her into his arms and dropped gently into a chair with her protected on his lap. Kyoko snuggled against her husband's shoulder and sighed in contentment.

"Yeah, I'm happy now," Kuon answered with his own contented grin.

A/N: So that is it... Kuon did not get the girl but he did get revenge of Sho at least. I hope that everyone enjoyed this story since it was not the easiest thing for me to create. I am tempted to write an ending where Kuon gets the happily ever after with Kyoko (and I am pretty sure I even know how to do it) but I am torn. This is the story the way it was originally intended and though I felt motivated when I wrote the chapters where Kuon was showing his worthiness, I feel a lot less so now. I am happy with the ending (ha, I am removed from the crying over Kuon being alone... perhaps if I don't read the story again, I can keep it that way *grin*) and I hope that the rest of you are too. Thank you for reading this foray into a new genre for me... may I never go there again *laugh* - me

*extra thought* Why would Ren feel the need to seek revenge on Sho? His actions led directly to her choosing a path that led to Ren. Much like the parallel in canon, I figure Ren actually owes Sho a thank you. He may hate the fallen prince but he has his chance at happiness only because the spoiled blond put the wheels in motion to lead Kyoko to him. Sho is Fate's handmaiden in both cases and Ren is the ultimate winner... just a thought to consider - me