Married Life

Hurricane Julie

Happy Reading!

Throwback to when Julie first met Kyouko

Kyouko practically threw herself onto the nearest couch within her peripheral view, sighing as she did so, and very much uncaring of the shocked and distasteful looks being thrown her way. It was after all one of the more upper-class boutiques that dotted the streets. Kyouko almost let out a most unladylike sound as she finally sat down, after 6 solid hours of shopping. Don't get her wrong. Kyouko loved shopping and she loved girly stuff, but –

"Try this one on, Kyouko-chan! It would look so cute on you! Oooh, that too!"

combined that with the unstoppable force that is Hizuri Julie and Kyouko was ready to beg to go home. Kyouko tried to sit up as straight as she could despite feeling very much like a spineless jellyfish, and waved her hand weakly.

"I-I don't think I could try anymore clothes Julie-san."

A pout.

"Didn't I tell you to call me Mom? Like Kuon does?"

Kyouko turned red. "Sorry M-Mom." The word still felt foreign on her tongue.

The blond beauty glided over to where Kyouko was rapidly becoming one with the couch, and tugged on her hand. "C'mon. You can make it up to me by trying these on!"

Kyouko groaned. "But Julie-sa- I mean Mom." She swallowed. "We've bought too many things already. Or rather, I've bought too many things already!" Amber eyes met emerald green ones. "And it doesn't help that Julie-sa- Mom, you keep paying for them!"

"My dear." Julie sighed. "Have you not learnt anything from today's shopping trip?"

Yes, and that is never to shop with Hizuri Julie. Ever.

But Kyouko kept her mouth wisely shut, and merely gave a weak smile at the blond.

"You, my dear, are my daughter now. And no daughter of mine will prance around the streets without proper clothing." Kyouko frowned, looking down at the dress she was wearing. She was pretty sure that counted as proper clothes. Julie continued on. "Money isn't an issu–" She paused, her brows furrowing. "Is Kuon hiding money from you, dear? You have to be firm with him. You know, his money is yours and your money is yours and all that." She added airily, waving away Kyouko's protests.

"And I like buying these things for you. I always wanted a daughter to play dress up with and I finally get to do that with you!" She stopped; her shoulder sloping forwards as her expression changed. "Or are you that unhappy to shop with me, Kyouko-chan?" She looked up at the actress.

Kyouko paused mid-protest when she came face to face with Cain Puppy Eyes Level 1.

"Kyouko-chan?"

She blinked, still taken aback, and suddenly Level 1 jumped straight to Level 5. Kyouko swallowed hard as the cutest puppies filled her vision. Julie was definitely not taking 'No' for an answer. Kyouko got up, despite her leg muscles protesting violently.

"O-Of course I like shopping with you, M-Mom." She hobbled to the fitting room, as a beaming Julie followed closely behind her while pointing clothes out to a most befuddled salesperson.

Kyouko muttered darkly under her breath as racks of clothes were brought before her. At least now she knew who he got it from.

Those accursed Cain Puppy Eyes.

The four of them dined outside that night. Well, three of them dined while Kuu was just inhaling the food.

"Kyouko-chan. I need to tell you something."

The amber-eyed girl paused mid-bite and placed her fork down, eyes furrowing at the seriousness of her tone. She sat up straighter, and folded her hands politely on the table.

"What is it, Julie-sa- I mean Mom?" Kyouko bit her lip slightly at her slip, still unused to calling the blond beauty sitting in front of her as 'Mom'.

Julie sighed, tsk-ing softly at Kyouko's slip up. She gave a small sad smile as she propped her hand on the table, resting her head on it as she did so. She sighed again.

"M-Mom?"

"Kyouko-chan." Another sigh. "I only have 9 months to live."

Her jaw dropped. "W-What? 9 months?!"

Julie shook her head sadly. "Yes. 9 months." She reached over to grasp Kyouko's hands, earnest green eyes locking with hers. "So, I just want one favour Kyouko-chan." She looked at the girl beseechingly. "Will I be able to hold my grandchild before that?"

Kyouko's brain short-circuited, unable to form any coherent response.

"Mom." Kyouko turned almost robotically to his voice. Ren was exasperated. "Will you stop that. Kyouko doesn't know you well enough yet to know that you're not serious."

Julie released Kyouko's hands and settled back into her chair, pouting as she did so. "And whose fault is that? Who was the one who took so long to bring my daughter to me?" She glared at Kuu, who was stuffing half a pizza into his mouth. He raised his eyebrows in surprise, as he swallowed the pizza in a mouthful.

"Why are you looking at me for?" He waved towards Ren. "He took his own sweet time bringing her to us."

"Erm." All three turned to her. "What's going on?"

"Kyouko." Ren took her hand. "I'm sorry. But my mom tends to… exaggerate things. Especially when she wants things her way." He finished dryly, shooting the unapologetic blond a look.

"That's not true!" Julie protested. "Besides you never know what happens in the future. Maybe I'll be holding my grandchild soon." She sighed dreamily.

Kyouko sank into her chair as Ren gently protested against his mother, and Kuu just resumed eating. The short-haired actress was exhausted mentally and physically. She groaned internally.

And this was just Day 1 with the Hizuris. Another 29 days to go.

a/n: It's been a while. Lost touch with Skip beat for some time cos I went to the Fairy Tail fandom. But started rereading Skip Beat again so I am. Will try my best to complete this but sometimes you know, life.