Gathering the Falling Stars

hey everyone well im on a job hunt! i am trying to find a job so if anyone from Las Vegas NV can help i would love it!

A/N

Babby - thanks for the offer ill keep it in mind and yay keep reading you will love it!

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Chapter 32


Junko, his hair held back in barettes to keep it out of his face, huffs around the house, making sure everything looks perfect and the food is coming along just as it should. Hoshi wasnt home but Kaouri and Hiroki were in the living room making a center piece out of paper and glitter. Jacklon had his hair braided and wrapped into itself as he washed dishes. Youji, trying to look busy, hovered around the twins, moving things every so often to give the impression of purpose. Junko glared at him every time he passed, but Youji just stuck out his tongue, newly healed with a steel bar through it that Junko was less than happy about. Jacklon chuckles as he had his neon green bar in his tongue. He wore it more often since Youji got his. Actually he noticed he wore his piercings a lot more often since Halloween. Maybe he was feeling closer to Youji since their fight. Youji grinned evilly. He had every intention to changing the simple barbell to his 'Eat Me' bar Jacklon had got him just after he'd been pierced.

"Hey, Junko relax. At least I haven't taken after Hoshi...yet." Junko stopped dead, his eyes wide.

"HOw the hell would you know about that?!" he asked but Youji just ducked his head and cleared a bit of stray glitter from the table with some masking tape.

Jacklon chuckled.

"Dont worry Junko. He hasnt seen your boyfriend's biggest appendage. I told him about it." Jacklon grins then looks to Youji. "I was thinking of following my brother's lead." Junko mutters something about Hoshi's head being his biggest appendage as he continues cleaning.

Youji, however, squirms, his insides warming at the thought of what a piercing *there* must feel like ramming into him.... Jacklon grins as he goes back to washing dishes. The sound of a bell ringing signalling a couple pies in the oven are done. Junko races in, already pulling on oven mitts he'd apparently been carrying around with him. He removes the pies carefully, setting them on the center island to cool and looking over his creations critically.

"Damn it! The glaze didn't spread evenly over this one!" He says, glaring at the offending pie.

Jacklon looks at it.

"Still looks tasty to me." He moves away fast before he could be hit.

"I don't want it to look *tasty*!" Jacklon moans. "I want it to look *perfect*!" Jacklon rolls his eyes as he finishes.

"Hoshi wont care you know. He is just happy to see a home cooked meal." Junko growls at the pie, considering throwing it away and starting over.

"Don't you dare." comes Youji's voice from the doorway.

"I know that look and there are starving children in...er. Somalia or something. So no throwing away perfectly good pie." He waggles his finger at Junko, who lifts a brow, unimpressed.

The twins giggle and snicker before Jacklon grabs the mittens and takes the pie setting it by the finished green bean casarole. Youji looks around, impressed despite himself.

"Jeez, Jun, did you cook all of this?" Junko shakes his head absently, trying to think of anything he might have missed.

"Jacklon helped." Jacklon chuckles as he tosses Junko his mittens.

"Im going to grab some dishes and set the table." Junko nods, checking the various sauces simmering on the stove, just waiting for dinner to begin.

"Shouldn't Hoshi be here?" he asks, biting his lip nervously. "If he's late, the sauces will be cold and everything will-"

"Jun." Youji says authoritatively, laying a hand on his brother's back. "Calm down. Everything will be fine, you'll see." Jacklon chuckles as the sound of Hoshi's car pulling up is heard.

"Hoshi's home!" the twins cry in unison as they run outside and hug him tight.

In the few months they had grown very attached to Hoshi almost like a father. Junko groans.

"Oh no! I haven't tossed the salad yet!" Youji smirks.

"I'm sure Hoshi could do that for you." He dodges his brother's swing and skitters out of the kitchen.

Jacklon looks outside as he smiles. He walks into the kitchen.

"Hey go outside. I'll watch the food." Junko hesitates for a moment, then nods and goes to the door, calling last minute instructions over his shoulder.

The twins and Youji were standing completely still as Ella climbed out of the car. Her hair was pulled into a soft ponytail laying on her shoulder. She wore a thick purple sweater and white pants. She looked at her four children and smiled.

"My babies..." Junko froze on the doorstep, his heart in his throat.

All their lives, the twins had to deal with not being remembered by their own mother. He'd tried hard to explain it to them, but sometimes he knew it still hurt. He watched his mother carefully, hoping that her words meant what he thought they might. Hiroki glanced to Kaouri and took her hand. He turned back to his mama, trying to look strong. Both twins looked at the woman they knew was their mother. The person probably hurt the most by having a sick mother was Kaouri. She instantly let go of Hiroki's hand and ran around the car and jumped into Ella's awaiting embrace. She held onto the little girl tight.

"Oh my sweet little girl... im so sorry..." Hiroki bit his lip as tears welled up in his eyes.

"M.....mama!" he yelled, launching himself into Ella's arms with his sister.

Kaorui holds onto her mother tight as she sets them on her feet not letting go. Hiroki stared into his mother's eyes, the same color as his own.

"Are you gonna stay with us now, Mama? Are we gonna be a family now?" he asked, hope shining in his young eyes.

Ella looked into her youngest son's eyes with a smile.

"Of course... i promise we will be a family." She slowly lets go as she looks at Youji. The docters had found out that she had missed her second child the most. His birth was shortly after Junko's abduction. She slowly walked over til he was about 5 feet from him. "Youji... my rebel of a baby..." Youji, no less affected, but much more composed, grinned roguishly at his mother.

"Hi, mama." He said quietly, raising the hem of his shirt to show the stars on his abs.

"You remember that tattoo you always wanted? I got it for you." Ella giggles as she opened her arms.

"You dont have to be so brave Ji Ji." using the nickname since birth that only she used when she wanted him to show her he loved her.

Here even Youji's eyes burn and he hugs his mother tightly.

"Mama, you're back." he says quietly into her shoulder.

Ella hugs him tight gently petting his hair.

"You are what i wanted to be at your age. Strong and out of control... but still loving." she slowly looked down at him.

She was a young mother and never got to have fun. Then her eyes turned to her oldest child. The one who she felt the most guilt for. Because she couldnt handle her husbands death she had forced Junko at Youji's age to grow up and take care of the home.

"Junko..." Junko stared at his mother, his heart in his throat.

No matter what, he couldn't fault her for not being there. If the same thing had happened to Hoshi, he knew, he'd have fared far worse. His hands shook and he swallowed several times, unable to speak. Finally, he hauled Ella into his arms, holding her perhaps tighter than was comfortable, but too damn scared to let her go. It felt like if he were to release her, he'd never have her back again. He hid his face in her hair, his body shaking with silent sobs. God, he had missed her! Ella held onto him tight as her fingers laced into his hair. Tear rolled down her cheeks as she held her son tight.

"Im sorry.... im so sorry Junko... for everything... im so so so sorry."

"No." Junko shook his head, pulling back slightly to take her face in his hands. "Don't be sorry. Just...just be here." He kissed her forehead, almost surprised at how much taller than her he now was.

Ella whimpers as she gently plays with his hair.

"Where did your green go? Hoshi changed it?" Junko smiles.

"I let him." Ella whispers into his ear.

"I very much approve of him. He is very sweet. And smoken hot to boot." Junko can't help but laugh wetly.

He wipes at his own tears before thumbing Ella's away too.

"God, look at the pair of us. Crying and laughing like old women!" Youji pipes up.

"Hey, mine's smokin hot too!" Ella giggles as JAcklon steps over.

"Im going to guess your realted to Hoshi." Jacklon smiles.

"Jacklon. Im Youji's boyfriend." Ella giggles.

"Nice to meet you." Youji's smile turns prideful.

"See? Told you." Ella pat Youji's head before he steps back.

"Well i smell delicious food cooking. Are you going to let an old crazy lady starve to death?" Junko rolls his eyes and the twins grab one of Ella's hands each.

"Come on, Mama, we made a center piece for the table!" Hiroki smiles brightly, eager to show off.

Kaouri holds her hand tight as they lead her in. Hoshi steps inside pulling Junko close.

"The docter's say that she will be fine for a day or so but she still needs to go back to the hospital." Junko nods, holding Hoshi tightly to him.

“What would I do without you?" he asks wonderingly. Hoshi smiles kissing his lips before leading them into the kitchen.

Before the end of dinner, the loud sound of spitting gravel is heard from the driveway. A deep purring engine cuts off abruptly. In the drive, the door to a beautifully restored black Bentley swings open. A woman in a dress, as black and sleek as the car itself, steps out. Her pale skin and platinum hair seem to almost glow in the evening sun. She runs a gloved hand over the car door and it flows silently shut. Her black-heeled shoes tap insistently on the steps to the front door and soon the sound of the doorbell rings. Hoshi blinks as he looks at Junko before getting up. He walks to the door and opens it before quickly slaming it shut. The woman seems unphased. She adjusts the heavy rings on her gloved hands and rings the bell again, calling softly.

"Hoshi, dear. This is no way to treat your beloved mother." Her voice is cold and clipped, carefully modulated to the most flattering effect.

Hoshi glares at the door as Ella stood up.

"Hoshi that isnt a way to treat your mother." She walked over and opened it then wished she didnt.

The woman was what she refered to as trash to cash.

"You must be Hoshi's mother." Ayla Morgan raised one carefully shaped eyebrow.

"I am." She sweeps effortlessly past Ella, not giving her a second glance.

Her eyes take in the changes made since the last time she's seen the manor.

"I don't know who has been decorating your palace, dear, but you should have them flayed." Hoshi glares at the woman before moving in front of her blocking her path.

"Care to tell me what your doing here you caniving bitch?"

"Isn't he sweet?" she asks Ella rhetorically. "I'm afraid my funds for the month have run a little short. I'd planned to take a weekend run to Milan, but without the extra money..." She trailed off as Junko stepped curiously into her view.

She took a deep breath, her eyes running over the young man from head to toe.

"My my, Hoshi. Your tastes have certainly improved." Junko blushes, unsure how to react to a compliment from such a person.

Hoshi's hand turns into a fist as he stands over his mother.

"I am not going to be your piggy bank anymore Ayla. If you want to go to Milan or the moon for all i care sell those damn rings on your fingers or your 5 cars. Then go wild you seem to know how to do that." Ayla pressed a hand to her chest as though hurt.

"I couldn't sell my babies! Do you know how much I paid for that Bentley? It's a classic! And the Shelby! How dare you even suggest such a thing!" She takes a deep breath. "Darling, I only need a few thousand. A pittance really." Junko wrinkles his nose, wondering why she talks like an english major.

Hoshi snorts.

"Uh huh. How much is a few? 6, 7, or is it more like last time where 10 thousand turned into a 100 grand." Ayla's perfect red lips make a moue of concentration.

"Oh, yes. That was an emergency, dear. It's not every day one is invited to such an exclusive event, I needed something to wear!" She straightens her rings again, seemingly unperturbed. "Come now. It's not as though you don't drop twice that at least on your pretty paramour." Junko opens his mouth to protest, but finds he can't.

Between the phone, his car, and the undoubtedly high price of Heaven's Gate, not to mention essentials like clothing for himself, Youji, and the twins, it was very likely Hoshi *had* spent that much on them... Hoshi growls as he grabs her wrist and holds it tight.

"Listen to me. I will give you money... but i am only going to give you a grand. Then after that you will recieve only $200 every two weeks. Just like Junko here had been bring home." He smirks. "Lets see you go to Milan on that." Ayla sputters undignifiedly for a moment, her beautiful eyes wide.

"You...you can't do that! That was not part of our agreement! You have to provide me with sufficient funds for...for...well, for living! One cannot live on $200 a week!" Hoshi smirks and takes a step back.

"Junko did it for 6 years. If a young man can do then i think a brilliant woman..." he stressed the word brilliant like an insult. "...like you can do it." Ayla's lovely face turned ugly with rage.

She hissed at him, her eyes burning.

"You will regret this, son of mine. I'll sue you and take every penny you have." Hoshi smirks.

"I think ill enjoy it you seemed to have enjoyed being trailer trash." Ayla runs cold eyes over Junko, who shivers.

"What do you think, Hoshi? Will your paramour leave you for someone richer, or whore himself to feed you?" she asked with an icy smirk.

Hoshi still hold her wrist pulls it around her so it meets her back.

"You want to repeat that so i can show you the pavement outside the door or would you like to walk out on your own?" Ayla swallows her pain, smiling evilly at Junko, something dark and wild in her eyes making the young man break out in a cold sweat.

"I think I'll walk, darling." She says smoothly.

Hoshi shoves her slightly.

"Get out now." Hoshi was deadly calm.

Before she can walk out Ella steps up.

"Miss... i want to tell you something before you go." Ayla barely looks at the woman, waving dismissivly at her with a ring-heavy hand.

"What is it?" she asks in a bored, yet impatient tone.

Ella moves fast and socks Ayla in her pretty face sending her into the door.

"Insult my son again and you will find out how good carpet tastes." Ayla stumbles backward in surprise, her eyes wide and shocked.

After a moment of stunned silence, she begins to taste blood on her lips. Moving quickly, she exits and not a moment later, the Bentley's engine roars to life, gravel flying from under her speeding tires. Ella watches the woman leave. She shuts the door only to face a room full of widen eyes. Kaouri stood up on her chair.

"Mama! You hit the witch!" Youji jumps up with a loud 'whoop!', his fist punching the air.

"Alright Mama!" Even Junko looks oddly proud as he takes her hand gently to see if she hurt herself.

"Protecting my virtue, mama?" He asks quietly.

Her knuckles were cut from her teeth but other than that they were fine.

"Protecting my baby from evil women." she turns to Hoshi and JAcklon.

"How is it that you two grew up nice whith that... 'thing' as a mother?" Hoshi and Jacklon chuckles.

"Hoshi raised me and he raised himself." Hoshi nods to Jacklon's comment.

Junko pulls a few packets of wet cleaning swabs from his pocket- having thought to have them with the twins playing with scissors earlier. He gently cleanst his mother's wounds.

"They weren't lucky enough to have someone like you until now." he smiles to Ella softly.

Ella smiles as she watches her son. Dinner continued on without a hitch. After the dishes were clean Hoshi whispered to Ella.

"Can i speak with you in private?" Ella nods and quietly slips away with Hoshi.

She doesn't speak, waiting for him to say whatever it is he needs to speak to her about. Hoshi leads her to his study as he shuts the door.

"I wanted to... um ask you something..." he starts to rumage around in the desk drawers looking for something.

Ella watches Hoshi carefully, her maternal instincts kickin in to give her a faint clue of what the boy might want to ask her.

"Oh?" Hoshi unlocks the center drawer and pulls out a heart shaped box.

He sits on his desk breathing hard. He gently held to her the box.

"I want to ask you for your blessing... to ask for Junko's hand in marriage." Ella's heart swells as she smiles happily to Hoshi.

She engulfs him in a motherly hug that-despite her time in the nursing home- smells like nutmeg and vanilla.

"Of course you have my blessing, silly. I've never seen my little Jun so happy." Hoshi hugs her as he enjoys the feminine hug.

He had never been close to women but this woman... he could learn to enjoy being around.

"I am going to ask him at Christmas." Ella nods and leans back to put a finger to her lips.

"Your secret's safe with me." she smiles brightly to Hoshi, so happy that her Jun-bug has done so well for himself.

Hoshi smiles as he stands up. He puts the box back into the drawer and locks it back up.


*~*~*~*~*~*~End of Chapter 32*~*~*~*~*~*~