24

Toya.

Kaiya and I leave the movie theatre and she points at Rei with my sister. They are sitting at the small park in the mall. My sister seems like herself again. I wonder what they're talking about.

"Dad, come on, the arcade always has the big kids taking up all the good games, I can't go alone." She pulls me along and I give in, my sister and Rei are good friends I can't keep hovering over Rei like I'm ... Her.

Oh no, I've become my own worst nightmare. I've become a Rei.

"Dad, quit making that silly face, hurry up." Kaiya runs while pulling me along and I get it together. Right, maybe if I crack a few skulls in at the arcade I'll feel like myself again.

~

Rei.

I hold Aiko's hand when she breaks down talking about her miscarriages. I have been wishing for one this whole time, having no idea what it's like for a woman who has had not just one but two.

A tear falls down my face, I can't believe I have been so ungrateful. I have been so prideful, I have no idea what it's like to want a child and not be able to have one. I have no idea how lucky I am that I don't have just one, but 4 beautiful kids.

"I am so sorry Aiko, I have been so spoiled, and bratty. I could never even fathom what it's like to be in your shoes. I am so sorry." I cry, and now I feel guilty for crying harder than her, but if I tell her, it's because of the pregnancy I might make her even more sad.

She wipes my tears away and I can't stop crying. The tears just keep coming. I feel so bad for her, if there's anything my power can do, then I want to do something. I don't even remember anything about the stuff I learned concerning child bearing.

I don't even know why she keeps miscarrying, I mean, her brother is pretty fertile soil. Dude shoots to score when he aims at the goal post, I assumed it was like that for her too.

I wipe my tears away and Aiko is looking at me out of breath.

"I'm so sorry." I apologise and she gives me a hug.

"Rei, I should apologise not you. Are you okay? You shouldn't over use your power like that?" She says and I look at her confused.

"I didn't."

"You did Rei, it felt like my insides were going to explode too, are you sure you're okay? I think maybe skipping out on that doctor's appointment was not a good idea."

"I was sleeping and no one wanted to wake me up, if you did, I would have gone." I glare at her and she laughs tugging on my left cheek.

"You looked so cute I didn't want to disturb you." She pulls me up but loses her balance a little so we sit there a while longer until we head back. I'm starving. Craving home cooking in fact.

We get home and I use the back entrance, there's this god-awful smell in the kitchen that no one else smells, but if I even catch the ghost of the scent my guts just decide to expel everything inside.

It hurts so bad sometimes it feels like I'm giving birth through my mouth.

I have Toya bring a plate of food for me, and I'm still hungry after that plate.

Aiko makes a full course meal and I sit with her outside by the fire, we eat our food giggling occasionally.

I finish the food, but I am still hungry. Toya's father orders take out for me and I eat until I'm satisfied. I feel sleepy now.

~

Toya.

After Rei is asleep, I get in my car driving to the Domei headquarters. I find everyone here.

Word on the street is that the Ise have been arriving in the city in groups. A war is coming, I can't be seen in the front lines so I'll make this quick.

I have Zero announce all the important details, when he's done, I leave. The Domei still don't know I'm the leader, except for a small few, so if the Ise come for me at home, heads will roll.

I walk back in the house and my sister is leaving the house. Is she still not sleeping over like she planned too?

I hangout with the kids, they seem to prefer their grand father over me. Astrid has barely spoken to me, I'm jealous, so I get inside and I'll hang with Rei in my room.

I watch Rei sleep after a cold shower, I never seem to get enough of it in fact. She's so cute when she's sleeping.

I turn on the news and there's an attack on the Domei HQ. I bought pop corn for this. I notice my dad's phone ringing, sounds like he's heading out for the action, "Hey dad, need me to come help?" I ask as a joke and he nods.

"Actually yes, hurry up." He grabs his keys and I follow behind him. We drive to the scene and we're losing this war. I help my dad with pushing the Ise back.

I notice a familiar face on the Ise side.

"Rin?" I squint my eyes to make sure, and yeah, it's him, "Rin!" I fly over to him and grab him, "What the hell?" I look him in the eyes and he looks away, "Explain yourself you damn coward!"

"I'm not a coward Toya!" He yells back at me. Yeah, I still remember you to be the big sissy back in the day.

"No, you're just on your family's side." I let him go and walk away. I can't believe after everything I did for his ungrateful ass this is the thanks I get.

I stop in my tracks feeling a breeze, I turn around and Rin has his portal sucking in the Ise troops.

I look forward and smile, I'm glad his loyalties still lie on the right side. I almost roasted him with the rest of the riff raff.

I get inside and help the Domei prepare to ambush the Ise directly. When Rin is done, I want them to attack in their territory.

The Domei HQ is disguised as a hotel. My guys actually work here, so they can make extra cash. To call it 5 stars is a far cry from hell, though, I have the resources to temper with the ratings.

I look up and Katsuki is running past us with Cat. That's the direction of the house. "Rin, get over here!" I yell and he arrives instantly. I order him to take me home. I run into the house and Rei is missing.

The kids are all here, watering the garden.

I call her phone and it's ringing somewhere nearby.

I leave the house and Rin's bitch sister is standing across the street from our house with Rei in hand. I don't care if the cameras are watching I am going to kill her.

"Heard there's a special package of yours she's carrying." Bitch sister remarks dropping Rei on the floor and stepping on her stomach. There's a white cloud acting as a cushion between Rei and big foot's foot.

She looks down confused and I charge at her, I attack her and this time something feels different about my flames, their hotter, but there's also something else.

I've always used my power out of anger, or for fun, but this time it's to protect. If I make a mistake my kids watering my sisters flowers will be open targets, I am so worried about them I can't control my flames.

What it feels like to me, is probably what that moment when something in your hand falls and you juggle it around before you finally catch it, that's what it feels like losing control over my power. I haven't had control issues in forever.

I never needed to control them before anyway. I can't hurt Rei, I can't leave my kids unprotected. I never knew just how much more convenient it was to just be cool with people being collateral.

She kicks me back and my flames are still acting up. They feel so foreign to me.

Dad comes to my rescue.

Katsuki and Cat finally arrive and they have my siblings in hand. Dad picks up Rei and lays her in my arms.

"Rei, wake up."

She coughs up blood but she's still unconscious.

Dammit, Magenta? Right now!

I call Kai and he picks up, "What the hell are you doing? Stop Magenta! Rei is fucking dying!" I burn my phone and hold her in my arms, "Babe, keep fighting, please. Keep fighting."