[Dawn and Dusk] Day 675 and 1/2: The Many Knocks on Our Door

"We're very sorry for coming so abruptly without contacting you first. Do you need some time to get ready? We just want to see our baby girl." Howard said.

"Y-yes please! We'll only take a few minutes!" Yoko assured.

"Ah, I see. We'll sit on the bench over there then!" Crystal said with a smile.

Yoko shut the door, releasing all of her flaring nervousness in a long sigh. She and Osamu looked at each other for a few seconds before they both raced up the stairs, splashed some water on their faces, and threw on some decent clothes. They didn't even stop to answer Isabella when she asked what was going on. Once again, they were back at the door and ready for company.

"Holy crap! How did we do that so fast?!" Osamu questioned.

"Anything is possible in this story, Osamu!" Yoko said. "Ah damn it, I didn't cook anything!"

"I don't think they would've expected you too with such an abrupt visit." Osamu said.

Yoko nodded as she took deep breaths with her hand held over her heart. "Okay, you're right."

"Is my hair okay?" Osamu asked.

"It looks fine, love. How about mine?"

"You got a little bit of lint there, hang on."

Osamu cleared Yoko's hair of the lint and took a good look at her. "You look beautiful, Yoko."

"Are you trying to make me horny?" Yoko questioned with a genuinely confused tone.

"Of course not!" Osamu whispered. "Please control your mouth when we let them in!"

"I will. You just make sure to control yourself. We can have a quickie after they leave, but I don't want you pinning me down in front of them or something." Yoko instructed.

"Shut up and open the door!" Osamu commanded.

(This girl, I swear...)

Yoko flung the front door open and let her entire character change. She smiled brightly and welcomed Izzy's parents in with open arms.

"Sorry it took so long! Come on in! I'll get some tea prepared!" Yoko said.

"Thank you very much!" Crystal said with a bow. "Sorry again for the sudden visit."

"No problem! I'll go see if Isabella is feeling well." Osamu said.

As Yoko led the guests into the living room to sit down, Osamu ascended the stairs to the bedroom. He knocked on the door first, asking of he could come in. Isabella responded from the other side of the door, giving him the all-clear to enter. Isabella stood with her hand over her belly and her head tilted back. Just from her body language, Osamu could tell she wasn't feeling very well today either. He hoped the good news might re-energize her, though.

"Hey, Izzy! Guess what? Your mom and dad are here!" Osamu sang.

"What?! Right now?!" Isabella recoiled, her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Yes right now! Get ready and come downstairs!" Osamu ordered with a smile.

"Oh my gosh! Give me some time, I'll be—ow!"

Isabella held on to her stomach as she tried to walk, clearly in some sort of pain.

"Are you all right?" Osamu asked worriedly.

Isabella motioned her hand, as if waving away his concern. "Yeah, yeah. I just woke up with a killer stomach ache. It's been hard to walk and bend over this morning. I'll be fine, don't worry."

(It must really suck...)

Osamu went back downstairs and saw Yoko sweetening some tea in the kitchen. Her legs were squirming and her hands were shaking as she added the teaspoons of sugar.

"Hey, are you all right? Do you need to use the restroom?" Osamu questioned.

Yoko shook her head. "No, it's just...."

"Just what?"

As if she had to pee, like Osamu thought she did, Yoko whispered in a high voice. "That compliment you gave me earlier has got me soaked!"

"Are you serious right now?! Now of all times?!" Osamu recoiled.

"Oh, this is my fault?" Yoko hissed.

"Who else is to blame?!" Osamu responded.

"Step off, you know I have a hair trigger! How long have you known me?!"

"Stop it, just stop it! Get them their tea!" Osamu said.

"I can't! It makes squishy sounds when I walk!" Yoko whispered, her face red with embarrassment.

(Good lord, is she really that wet?)

"Damn it, Yoko."

Osamu took some paper towel off of the rack and handed it to her.

"Wipe yourself off. I'll give them the tea." Osamu said.

"You are so tactless. Paper towel? Really? Does that seem gentle enough to you?" Yoko insulted.

"Don't talk to me about tact, please. Anyone but you. I'll give them their tea." Osamu groaned.

Playing the respectful host, Osamu went out to the living room and delivered the tea to Izzy's patient and polite parents.

"Thank you very much, young man. What's your name?" Howard asked.

Osamu straightened his posture and spoke with a confident tone."Oh, it's Osamu Ashikaga."

"Oh!" Crystal exclaimed. "So you're the boy our daughter dated and cried over when you left!"

(Do you have to make it sound like I abandoned her and only her for purely malevolent reasons?)

"Sorry about that." Osamu laughed nervously. "I was going through a lot at the time. I just needed to get away, you know? We're way past it now, and honestly, I still have a soft spot for your daughter."

"Awww! Well, no hard feelings from me." Crystal assured. "If she forgives and loves you after all this time, then I feel the same way towards you."

"I really appreciate that." Osamu said with a slight bow of his head.

"You said you went through a lot. I assume you mean that Kenjo kid?" Howard asked.

Chills slithered down Osamu's spine just hearing the name. He bright and confident gaze suddenly shattered, and he found himself staring at his feet.

"Howard! Be a little more respectful, please!" Crystal urged. "My apologies, Osamu. We don't mean to press on such a sensitive subject."

"No, it's all right." Osamu said, chuckling his nerves away. "Kenjo was part of it, yes. It was just really sudden. Izzy and I were completely blindsided."

"Aww. Kenjo was a good kid. I'm sorry you had to go through that, Osamu." Crystal consoled.

"Ah, it's fine. It was years ago now. I really owe Izzy for all her support back then." Osamu said.

"Is she coming down soon?" Howard asked.

"Oh, yes! She's upstairs getting ready. I'll go check on her." Osamu said.

(Man, talking to a girl's parents is nerve racking...)

Osamu excused himself and sauntered down the hall. He passed by Yoko in the kitchen, who was still wiping herself up. It looked like she had gone through nearly a quarter of the full roll of paper towel. Osamu marched up to her, keeping his voice down so Isabella's parents wouldn't overhear him.

"You're still here?" Osamu questioned.

"It won't dry up! It's like I'm stuck in a state of infinite arousal or something!" Yoko panted.

"All I did was call you beautiful! You're a girl, so it's a stupidly common compliment to get!" Osamu complained.

"Yeah, but nobody says it like you!" Yoko hissed.

"Yes they do. We use the exact same words in the exact same language." Osamu said.

"No, yours was different!"

Yoko cleared her throat and put on her best Osamu impression, giving her self a deep, low, resonant voice that sounded far more like Barry White than Osamu. "You look beautiful, baby."

"I sound nothing like that. I'm going to check on Izzy."

Osamu continued up the stairs and saw that Isabella was already making her way down. He thought she may have been having trouble with her stomach, but it seemed the reason for her taking so long to come down was because she was cleaning up her appearance as much as possible.

Isabella wore an angelic, white summer dress that was tightened at her hip with a flowing, white ribbon. The dress loosened up at her legs, fluttering like a jellyfish towards the bottom. She regained the color and vibrancy in her peachy skin as if she wasn't sick at all.

"Wow, you look great. They're in the living room waiting for you." Osamu said.

Isabella closed her eyes and her cheeks rose with a smile. "Thanks, Osamu."

Isabella laid a gentle hand on Osamu's shoulder as she leaned in and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. Osamu knew the feeling of Isabella's kiss all too well. An obvious fact, since he used to date her. However, no kiss he had ever received in his lifetime felt quite as overwhelming as this one. The sensation of her soft lips against his cheek carried a faint hint of dread and sadness.

Osamu felt as though he could feel Isabella's fear in that very moment, no matter how far back in her mind it was. He could just tell that part of Isabella was scared. About the sudden visit from her parents, maybe? Or was it something else? He couldn't tell for sure. Along with that fear, however, Osamu felt Isabella's joy and excitement travel through him. He almost began to wonder if this was what Yoko felt whenever she kissed someone and extrapolated information from it.

It was both overwhelming and troubling to Osamu that one kiss could contain so many feelings. For a moment, Osamu and Isabella gazed into each other's eyes at the top of the stairs. Isabella's hand slid from Osamu's shoulder and onto his chest. Her head fell as she took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"Osa..."

"Yeah?"

Isabella's fingers gripped the fabric of Osamu's shirt. "I just...need a moment. Told myself I wouldn't cry when I saw them again."

Osamu smiled. "Come on. They're your parents. They want you to cry on their shoulders when times are rough."

Isabella shook her head. "My pain won't last long compared to theirs. For once, I'd like to be a pillar of strength for them, even if I'm quite literally dying on the inside. At least just for today."

(Selfless, even as she's staring death in the face.)

"All right. You can do this, Izzy. Take my energy." Osamu said.

Isabella stifled a giggle. "What are you, Son Goku?"

"No, it totally works! I can feel your power level rising, Izzy!"

"Shut up!" Isabella laughed.

Her mood brightened, Isabella raised her head with a renewed sense of confidence. "Thanks, Osa."

Osamu nodded. "Anytime, Izzy."

Yoko finally got herself together and watched the three reunite from the kitchen. Izzy's parents stood up when they saw their daughter standing before them, all grown up and looking beautiful. Crystal immediately opened her arms, inviting her daughter in for a hug as tears swelled in her eyes.

"Oh, darling! Look at you!" Crystal cried.

Howard, being a gentlemen, let his wife have the first hug with their daughter. Crystal hugged and rocked Isabella from side to side, crying onto her daughter's shoulder. The sight of Isabella reuniting with her overjoyed mother made even Yoko tear up as she stood beside Osamu.

"Goodness, you got so tall! You were so much smaller when you left! Now you're even taller than me!" Crystal laughed.

"I haven't seen you two in so long! I missed you so much!" Isabella sang.

"We missed you too, sweetheart." Crystal cried.

Yoko released a satisfied sigh. "I've only just realized Izzy hasn't even seen her family in all these years. Even after Huxley passed, she stayed in Japan."

"I'd be crying too if I were her. Tsukiakari did the same when she finally saw her father again." Osamu said.

Isabella then turned and hugged her father. "Letting Mom get first dibs again, huh?"

"You know me." Howard chuckled, planting a kiss on her daughter's forehead. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you. They've been taking good care of me all these years." Isabella said, waving her hand in Yoko and Osamu's direction.

"Come, let's sit!" Howard invited.

(Of course, I remember every word I overheard. At first, and understandably, they didn't want to talk about the bad stuff. They were a family first, and a family going through a hard time second. I quite liked that about them. They caught up, talked about home, and Isabella told them some stories of the things she's done here. Our trip to the beach two years ago with the now famed Aika, the fun meals we had, the rivalry between herself and Yoko that slowly morphed into a slightly competitive friendship. And of course, she told the story of how she stood up from her wheelchair. All in all, I suppose she was telling the story of how she made a second home here, and how much their little girl had grown both physically and mentally. They were impressed.)

"Goodness, Izzy! You've been through a lot, huh?" Crystal gasped. "Not even I was that adventurous at your age."

"What?" Howard scoffed. "Yes you were! Remember that time you accidentally fired an RPG into the local gas station?"

"Mom, you did that?!" Isabella recoiled.

"Oh gosh, thankfully nobody was hurt in that episode." Crystal snickered. "We did make love in the light of the flames on top of our Caddy though, didn't we?"

"Yep. Man, that was fun." Howard nodded.

"You guys keep talking, I'll just cover my ears and try to ignore everything." Isabella quipped.

"If I'm right, you were conceived like that, actually." Crystal said, turning her eyes towards the ceiling as if the memory was stuck up there.

"What?! Okay, I'll admit, that's kind of cool!" Isabella cheered. "So, what is it literally an RPG, like from an RPG-7 or some kind of variant model? Or was it like an M136 AT4?"

"It was actually an M72 LAW, one that belonged to my father when he served in Vietnam!" Crystal clarified. "Well, technically, it belongs to the U.S. government, but don't tell anyone about that."

Yoko and Osamu were guilty of eavesdropping a little from the kitchen. They wanted to leave Isabella alone so she could spend some quality time with her parents, but it also served as too good of an opportunity to learn some intimate details about her upbringing. Yoko sat with Osamu at the kitchen island, sleepily leaning her head into the upright, left hand.

"Ah, so she was conceived by a then-soldier and the daughter of a then-soldier who were making love on top of their car when she accidentally fired off a round from her loaded, stolen, Vietnam-era rocket launcher and blew the whole thing up in flames." Yoko explained in rapid fire pace. "This explains why Isabella is the way she is."

"I'm honestly surprised she's not more gun crazy..." Osamu sighed.

"I'm still kind of horny." Yoko blurted at random.

"You've got to be kidding me." Osamu groaned. "They can't hear us from here, but what if they walk over? Keep it in your pants, Yoko."

"Geez, Mom! Guess we know where I get my spirit from!" Isabella laughed.

"Don't giver her all the credit, please..." Howard said.

"Well, darling. We're glad you're doing well." Crystal said, gently laying her hand over Isabella's. "We were so worried when we first got the letter. We thought you'd be in low spirits."

"We were fools to worry. We forgot we raised one hell of a daughter. Plus, you have some good friends here. It's clear they've been taking care of you." Howard said.

Isabella nodded and smiled. "They mean everything to me."

"Ain't that right, Osamu? Yoko?" Howard called out, acknowledging theirs eavesdropping without actually putting them on the spot for it.

"Uh y-yes! Of course!" Osamu shouted in response.

"I'll go get their dishes." Yoko said, rising from her seat at the island.

"Yeah, you do that." Osamu said.

Yoko gasped. "Is that an attitude I hear? If you're a bad boy, you won't get your reward tonight."

Yoko flashed a teasing wink at Osamu as she walked off to tend to the guests, collecting their cups and washing them out in the kitchen sink.

"Izzy, darling. If there's anything you need, you let me know. I don't care how expensive it is." Howard ordered.

"I know, Dad." Isabella assured. "I know you want to say more, about my disease and how much time I have left. Please don't. Today was a joyous day for me. Your surprise visit here really lifted my spirits. Let's not let discussions of mortality change that, okay? It can wait. "

"I just wish I could've given you a stronger body, dear." Crystal lamented.

"Come on, Mom. Don't say that. It's not your fault. I'm happy to be your daughter, and I'm happy you're my mother. Even if I had only lived for one day after being born, that would never change. I'd rather live a shorter life with you as my mom than a longer life being anyone else's child."

Crystal and Howard stood up, as did Isabella.

"My heart's at ease hearing that." Crystal said. "Thank you, love. Never forget you're the best thing to happen to us since bottled water!"

"Mom, stop it!" Isabella laughed.

The three of them made their way towards the front door, the setting sun beaming through the frosted glass columns.

"We'll be here for a few more days before we head back home. May as well see more of Japan, right?" Howard said. "By the way, why is this neighborhood so empty? With this many buildings and homes around, you would think there'd be more people"

"Uh! Well, they don't like to come out when it's this hot!" Isabella haphazardly explained. "These past few days have been insane! Either that or most of them are out all day!"

(Of course, we can't tell them that my war goddess ex-girlfriend killed them all to try and bait us into killing her because she didn't want Bishamonten to be the one to do it...)

"Oh really? Poor guys." Crystal sighed.

(Aaand they believed it.)

"Yoko! We're about to leave!" Howard shouted.

Yoko ran to the front to walk them out. She and Izzy waved them goodbye as they got in their car and drove off. Even after she buckled her seatbelt, Crystal rolled down her window and continued waving goodbye, even blowing a few kisses to her beloved Isabella. With the day at an end, Howard and Crystal left their daughter in the care of Osamu and Yoko, as painful as it was to just leave.

Howard released a burdened sigh. "I couldn't ask her."

"I couldn't either." Crystal said. "It's probably best if we leave the subject for now. Like she said, it was a joyous day for her. We just have to pray that our little girl will beat this."

Howard nodded. "You're right..."

Yoko shut and locked the front door, the golden light of the setting sun shining radiantly on the right side of her body. She was almost proud of herself for managing to handle the sudden company, but still lamented not being able to offer something to eat. Perhaps keeping some cake or cookies around would've been a good idea, especially if she was going to serve tea.

"Whew! You have great parents, Izzy. That story about the rocket launcher is amazing." Yoko teased.

"You heard that?!" Isabella recoiled.

"Acoustics are a wonderful, natural phenomenon." Yoko tittered.

The two walked back into the kitchen to join Osamu, and Izanami came downstairs to join them as well.

"Where have you been all day, Izanami?" Yoko asked.

"I had a break this chapter!" Izanami said, shattering walls that should never be touched. "Look, I started working on my own story! I call it 'The Adorable Adventures of Chibi Izanami'!"

(To be fair, Izanami was actually good at drawing. It's rather cute, even though it's done with pencil and crayon.)

"In the first chapter, I go on a date by the beach with Osamu and we eat dinner on a set table in front of the waves!" Izanami said, showing off a page featuring her chibi self along with chibi Osamu. "And then he proposes to me right at sunset! And then look! At the wedding, the Shoku Twins are holding the end of my dress as I walk down the aisle!"

"That's infectiously adorable." Isabella admitted.

"Chapter two is the story of how I defeated the teddy bear thief before I met Osamu, and this—"

"Nobody cares, Izanami." Yoko interrupted.

"Mean!" Isabella hissed with a sour groan.

"What? You think people would actually read that garbage?" Yoko asked. "People obviously want to read the Erotic Accounts of Yoko Akiyama, where every juicy detail about my sex life and body is written for everyone to enjoy!"

Her adorable magnum opus rejected before it even had a shot, Izanami's black, beady eyes glistened with tears.. She poured her heart into making the little book and sincerely hoped that everyone would like it.

"But I even wrote a chapter about us being friends and eating ice cream together, Yoko!" Izanami said. "You don't like it? Did I draw you ugly? I'll start over if I have to! Please don't be mad, Yoko!"

Not even the stone cold crazy Yoko could defend herself against Izanami's genuinely hurt expression. "I was just kidding, Izanami. People would love to read it. And I would too."

Izanami found her smile again and jumped for joy. "Yaay! Thank you! I'll keep working hard!"

(Not even Yoko could ignore it, huh?)

"Anyway, it's getting late. Let's hurry and get dinner started." Yoko said.

"Yes ma'am!" Izanami cheered.

Dinner time again. Isabella sat with Osamu as Izanami and Yoko got all of the pots and pans they were going to need. All of them were suddenly startled by the ring of the doorbell. No one was expecting any more company, especially not during the evening.

"Who's that?" Izanami asked.

"I'll go see." Osamu said, marching down the hall.

He took a look through the peephole, relieved to see that their latest guests were Tsukiakari and the Shoku Twins.

"It's Gekko and the twins!" Osamu shouted, letting the girls know there was no need to be alarmed.

He excitedly flung open the door and greeted Tsukiakari with a joyous grin. Tsukiakari did the same and opened her arms for a warm, long hug.

"Hey there, buddy! Sorry we're dropping by so late!" Tsukiakari said.

"No problem at all! Our home is your home, Gekko." Osamu assured.

"Good evening, Big Brother Osamu." Akatsuki greeted with a small bow.

"Hey Osa!" Omagatoki sang.

"Come on in! Yoko and Izanami are about to make dinner. Want to join us?" Osamu invited.

"Yes, please! I'm starving!" Tsukiakari said.

The three girls entered and took their shoes off at the front before joining everyone in the kitchen. The night suddenly got much livelier with Tsukiakari and the Shoku Twins back in the house.

(Almost hard to believe that just a few months ago, we stormed Heaven and killed the god of war. Now, we're just...enjoying some dinner together."

"Hey everybody!" Tsukiakari greeted.

"Hey Tsu Tsu! How are you?" Isabella asked, giving her a quick hug.

"I'm doing fine! Heaven gets a little too perfect for me, so I like to come down here, you know? Where's the love of my life?" Tsukiakari asked.

Osamu raised his hand. "I'm right—"

"Yoko! There you are!" Tsukiakari interrupted.

(Have I fallen out of her favor?!)

"Oh, Gekko! Welcome home!" Yoko smiled, giving Tsukiakari a quick hug as she scrambled to gather ingredients from across the kitchen.

"I missed you babe!" Tsukiakari sang.

"I missed you too darling. Did you come to eat?" Yoko asked.

"Yes! Is there anything left for me to do? I'll help you cook!" Tsukiakari offered.

"No." Osamu said. "You'll somehow find a way to turn a perfectly edible dish into something as deadly as rat poison."

"See, this is why I chose Yoko over you." Tsukiakari insulted.

(My heart, Gekko! My heart!)

Tsukiakari just barely managed to hold back a giggle. "Just kidding, Osa. I love you."

"What about you guys? You hungry?" Yoko asked.

The Shoku Twins had joined hands once they entered the house. Since it was the evening, it was their usual routine to join hands, ensuring that the sun would fall as time intended. Akatsuki spoke first, followed by Omagatoki.

"We do not require sustenance. However—"

"we can still enjoy the flavors—"

"of a good meal."

"That's so creepy when they talk with their minds linked together..." Isabella shuddered.

"I'm sure they had to stay close since the sun was setting just now. Don't mind them." Tsukiakari said.

Omagatoki let go of her sister's hand. "I think it's okay to let go now. Looks like the moon will be visible soon."

"Awesome! Come sit on my lap, Omagatoki! We'll eat together!" Osamu cheered.

Omagatoki nodded. "Okay!"

"I feel very under-loved in this story. Does nobody like me? Is my expression and tone of voice too cold?" Akatsuki asked.

Isabella picked Akatsuki up and let her sit in her lap. "Don't mind him! I'll love you, Akatsuki! You're just as cute as your sister!"

Even the stone faced Akatsuki blushed with glee. "Thank you very much."

"You looked really cute today, Izzy." Osamu said. "Can't believe you pulled yourself together in so little time."

"Aww, thanks! You're a true sweetheart! I'm glad I didn't kill you like I first meant to!" Isabella said.

"Yeah, I still haven't forgotten that you shot me in the stomach and Izanami had to save my life." Osamu laughed, the horrific memory now a funny blast from the past.

"Aww! Sweet memories!" Izanami sang.

Just another day in Yoko's house. Another day with things that are wild, happy, and maybe a little sad. All the joys of life under one roof.