Nova stood before his mirror, frowning at his reflection. It felt odd to be standing there in so little make-up - his hair was done, his face smoothed, his eyes lined, but that was pretty much it. Never before had he stood before an audience looking so much like his normal self. He had to remind himself that he could not afford to wear his usual wild, flirtatious, demonic costume. That sort of thing was not appropriate for holding a child... and Kissu was scared of the costumes anyways.

As such, Nova's dress had been downgraded, just for this one interview. Heeled boots, tight black jeans, a leather jacket and a black t-shirt. Simple. Classy. And, mostly, proper.

Sucking in a long, deep breath, he gave his dark hair a ruffle and turned to join the others. They would be waiting for him on stage.
_____________________________________

Kuna sat in the interview chair with his ankles crossed, gloved hands clenched nervously in his lap. He wore exactly what he always did – Nova, the only one Kissu was frightened of, was the only member who had to downgrade his dress. Kuna was glad not to have to wear normal clothing. Somehow he felt less vulnerable in the girlish, gothic outfit to which he had become accustomed.

The stage was quiet, the curtain still drawn as the staff scurried about preparing for the interview, but he could hear the crowds in the auditorium beyond. They were chattering, excited. What could Mark of Lucifer have to announce to them today? A new album? A tv-show?

Not quite.

With a tight, nervous sigh, he leaned over into Kaname’s side.
“It’s going to be alright, isn’t it, Kenshin?” he asked in a voice he hoped would be heard over the whispered conversation of the interviewer. Even their host did not know what Nova was going to reveal today…

All the boys sat there, awaiting their singer and for the interview to begin. Most of them wore what they usually did, as always Kaname was one of the most striking - he wore no makeup today, his crow black hair shining against his face. He wore a black shirt with a coat over it and dark jeans accompanied by a studded belt, a cross necklace, and a beaded bracelet. He always made the ladies go wild for him. Somehow he always looked very well pulled together but radiated a dark, sexy aura that just drew women to him like crazy. God forbid he smiled, he looked like a grinning demon. Not quite rebellious but not quite business-man like. He was hard to pin-point exactly what he was. He knew everyone would be shocked it wasn't he who had a son, but Nova. But then again, Nova was the singer...everyone likes a singer. Usually drummers and bassists are the last guys you look at. Kenshin to his right looked cool and collected, Tukuro was a bit fidgety, but not bad, if you weren't looking for signs of nervousness, you would never be able to tell Tukuro wasn't at ease. Everyone looked about average, for stage.

Kenshin was silently going mad, sawing his jade pendant back and fourth on it's chain lightly, the guitarist wrapped his fingers around the cool stone and closed his eyes a moment, letting himself regain his usual calm. He looked up at Kuna, who looked girlish as usual in his little Gothic outfit. He smiled softly at him, "Of course. Everything will be fine." He said, showing no signs whatsoever of not being completely calm.



Sayuri turned the television on at her work, flipping through the channels until she found the one that would be showing the interview. She wanted to see how her brother's band was going to explain about Kisuke. She then twirled around and resumed cutting the teenage girl's hair that was going on and on about Mark of Lucifer and the interview. She smiled softly and agreed every now and then as the rambled on, she never brought up who she was related to or how she knew the band at all, even though sometimes people asked her if she was by any chance related to Kenshin - no one had any idea as she snipped carefully at the ends of the hair.

"Ohmigod, isn't Nova totally hot?" The girl asked, after going on about all the latest gossip, which Saya knew for the most part was in fact, not true. She did pause though, at the question and shrugged lightly. She never really thought about it that much.

"Nova? I guess he's pretty cute." Saya replied, but not without awkwardness. She knew the guy, personally.

"You two would look odd together." The girl said, shaking her head. "You're way too short and he's way too tall. He needs someone who looks more like him. You'd look good with Tukuro. He's short and perky." The girl giggled and then paused. "Unless he likes short girls..." She said, looking at Saya who looked like a little porcelain doll.

"Tukuro?" Saya laughed. She remebered years ago how Kenshin used to tease her about her and Tukuro have a lot in common. "Damn, then you'd be out of luck if he likes midgets." She said, noting how the girl was a little on the tall side for being Japanese. No doubt why she had told her that she was way too short for Nova.

"Maybe he'll say in this interview." The girl said, turning to look toward the t.v. "I hear he has a baby. Do you think it's true?" She asked and then sniffed. "Going around screwing all those fan girls."

Saya smiled softly, not sure how to reply to that. She wasn't very comfortable discussing Nova's sex life with clients, she thought as she looked up at the t.v.

Nova took a deep breath and walked out onto the stage to join his friends. Kissu would join them later. He would be a surprise. It would seem a normal interview… until the host asked them about that secret announcement he was going to make. Carefully, silently, he folded into the chair at the precise center of the group. He straightened his jacket quickly, pulling out a silver cross earring and slipping it into his ear. Reaching into another pocket he pulled out a tight black choker. He’d worn it to their debut performance.

He’d figured it was time to pull it out again.

“Everyone ready?” he asked in a soft, almost fatherly voice. Funny that he’d always thought of the band as sons or younger brothers. Now he had a real child to take care of… why was he so unsure of what to do with Kisuke?

“No,” Kuna whimpered quietly. Nova smiled at him.

“You’ll be alright, Kuna,” he told the boy. “They probably won’t even want to talk to you…”

Just then the host stepped out onto the stage and greeted the audience, introducing the band.

"Ladies and gentleman, we've got some special guests for you today - I give to you, Mark of Lucifer!" They gestured back to the band and the crowd cheered excitedly before the host went and sat next to Nova, they barely seemed to take note of the rest of the band as lately all the gossip has been encircled around Nova. "So, Nova, you're the singer right? How have things been going at your shows recently? I hear all the fans have just been loving it, am I right? How many of you here love Mark Of Lucifer?" The host asked in an overly perky voice. The crowd was screaming now before people gestured for them to tone it down. "I hear there's lots of gossip going on about you lately, how do you feel about that?" The interviewer asked, jumping from question to question as he leaned in closer, as if trying to keep something a secret and holding the microphone out to Nova. "Any significant others? Any new stories to share with us?" He asked.

Kaname was making a face. The damned interviewer had barely looked at anyone besides Nova. Anyone who knew Kaname, knew he liked attention, despite the fact he often pushed others away.


"Ohmigod, there they are!" The 'Ohmigod' girl squealed and bounced, pointing at the screen eagerly, almost making Saya mess up their haircut as she scrambled to catch her comb midair. She breathed a sigh of relief and went back to doing her work, looking up at the screen occasionally. The crowd looked excited and Kaname looked pissed no one was talking to him. Figures. She resumed snipping at the hair, wondering when Nova would break the news to everyone as she looked up, wondering what all Nova would say about everything.

Kuna clung tighter to Kaname as the host bombarded Nova with questions. He did not like such forward people, but Nova seemed perfectly at ease, his steady and demonic smirk in place as always. He listened in deceptively calm silence, waiting for the host to take a breath.
"There has been a lot of gossip," he agreed quietly, cutting across the man's wild questioning as soon as he got the chance. "I haven't had the chance to hear all of it, unfortunately. Would you care to share some with me?"

Kaname put his arm around Kuna and held him close, watching the girls in the audience point and giggle which made Kaname want to smirk, but he didn't, too focused on wanting to make Kuna feel safe.

Tukuro and Kenshin looked relieved when Nova didn't seem to mind the interviewers rapid speech.

"Well, there's quite a few going around - all about you." The man said, nodding. "There's one about you having intercourse with a woman at a bar, recently, and then another about a girlfriend - the same woman, perhaps?" He raised a brow at Nova, trying to see if he could get a reaction, hearing some gasps within the audience, "There was also some photos and mentioning of a child...would you care to let us all know about these rumors?" He asked.


Saya listened patiently as the girl ranted on and on about the interview as it happened, barely beliving most of it, though she paused occasionally to look up at them all, nearly done with the haircut. Looks like it was about time for things to get serious on the show. She hadn't expected them to ask about things so soon.

Nova chuckled easily and shook his head, leaning back in his chair. His manner was that of a man who was in complete control, entirely unconcerned with nothing to hide. The manner itself was a lie. He was wound more tightly than anyone in that room.
"I am not seeing anyone," he answered steadily. "Though I will not deny that I have my fun. I am human."

Kuna giggled quietly at the observation, hugging Kaname's arm even more tightly. The thought of Nova bringing a girl home was ludicrous, to say the least.

Kenshin chuckled softly at the thought of Nova with a groupie in a bar. His singer looked entirely in control, seeming to have absolutely no problems with any of this, but he could feel how tightly wound Nova was, something that made him a bit nervous. He looked up at the interviewer who was raising a brow at Nova.

"Oh, really? So it is true, the one of the woman at the bar?" He asked as some people in the yelled, 'I love you Nova' and things of the sort - groupies, obviously, while security tried to calm them down. The interviewer then gestured up at the screen, "I have some pictures here from just a few days ago, I would like to hear what you have to say about them - these were just taken by fans." He said.

Ah, crap. He's cutting right to the chase, isn't he? Kenshin thought, wanting to shake his head but thinking better of it.

"Here, we have..." The man gestured to the first photo, where Nova was taking Kissu into his arms from Saya who was previously holding him, then to another where Nova was fully in character, holding Kissu. The interviewer paused it during the slide show, "That's a mighty interesting photo...This was taken at the mall not that long ago, correct?" He then skimmed through a few more and then paused on the one where Saya had apologized just seconds before she ran from the mall, leaving Nova with Kissu. "And then this short, blonde woman runs away after handing you the toddler..." He said, scratching his head. At this, the crowd had gone silent, not sure of how Nova would react to all of this, seeming to just be processing it themselves. A few quiet murmurs among the crowd said she looked a bit like Kenshin occurred, no one seemed to know what to think of Nova and Kissu at the mall. Was this all true, they wondered.

Saya whom had been taking a sip of green tea at the moment choked on the beverage, coughing when the photos came up and the teenage girl who's hair she was doing whipped around and stared at her, "By God, that's you!" She said to the blonde girl who was trying to pull a poker-face and failing.

"I can't believe they put those up." Saya shook her head, resuming cutting the girl's hair and trying to play it cool, though the girl was throwing questions at her left and right - along with other's in the salon. Most of them were asking about Nova, and Saya couldn't help but blush at some of the things they asked. She didn't know how to react to all of this...

Nova, as the man he was underneath, felt his heart freeze up at the sight of the pictures. The Nova who was a star, however - the one who knew how to manipulate his fans - started to laugh. For one wild moment he did not know what was happening, why the dark chuckle was slipping through his lips. Then he realized... the more at ease he seemed, the more the crowds would believe him when he outright lied.

"I'd never met the girl before," he told the host, lips settled into an easy smirk. He would do everything in his power to protect Kenshin's sister, no matter the cost. "Kissu ran off, and she was helping him find his family."

There. He had as good as said it. He knew Kissu - the band was Kissu's family. He was not just going to give the host everything, however. The man would have to dig. It was better publicity that way. The fans loved it when, stubborn as he was, Nova held out against the interviewers.

The crowd grew quiet once more, waiting for Nova's reply, everyone was practically leaning forward in their seats trying to catch small details. When Nova just laughed, they were all unsurprised at how Nova handled this - That was their Nova.

The host smiled at Nova, "Oh, that was quite nice." He said, though he didn't quite seem to believe him. "As some of the fans said though, she does look quite a bit like Kenshin." He nodded, gesturing at the guitarist who wore no bandanna today to mostly conceal his face.

So, he's going to lie now, is he? Kenshin made himself look amused to the interviewer. "Let me guess - blonde hair, dead give away, right?" He chuckled lightly, though there was no hiding the fact their facial features were similar, however hers were slightly more feminine and doll like, but when they stood side by side, you could tell they were related.

The interviewer made a face at Kenshin and then brushed him off, now wanting to get to their surprise guest, since Nova didn't seem to be wanting to let information go freely, "So, is this Kissu your younger brother? Cousin?" The man let his voice drop a bit lower, as if trying to keep it secret. "Son?" He listened to the audience murmur amongst themselves again.

Kaname seemed to be growing bored, since no one seemed to be paying attention to him, kind of starting to fall asleep beneath his dark sunglasses.


Everyone in the salon fell quiet. Saya wasn't talking and they weren't quite sure what to believe anymore.

Saya was just finishing up the haircut, thinking to herself what new rumors would arise now.

Nova smiled silently at the host for an instant, his eyes amused. It was an expression he adopted frequently, as Nova. The fans would think nothing unusual of it - this was something he did to hide when he was thinking very hard. For one long moment, as though he had simply shut down, Nova remained perfectly still. Then he shifted forwards slightly in his chair, leaning towards the host.

"You've got me," he told the man in a level, unconcerned tone. His heart was pounding, but he seemed perfectly fine about the whole thing. He heard the chorus of shocked gasps from the audience, but ignored it, holding onto the host's eyes with his own. Still, when he spoke, it was to the audience he was "ignoring". "Would you like to meet him?"

Kuna made a nervous noise and clung tighter to Kaname. This was it - what would they do if the fans did not accept Kisuke? Mark of Lucifer could not go on without Nova...

The host seemed not too sure what to think of Nova, waiting patiently for his answer as he sat beside him, though the fans in the audience did not seem to think anything was amiss at all. When he finally got his response, the man smiled, "Of course." He said, hearing the mixed reactions of the audience to the news that Nova did, in fact, have a son.

Kaname didn't remove his sunglasses, so no one could be entirely sure of how he was handling all of this, but he gave Kuna's hand a small, comforting squeeze, "It will be fine." He whispered, softly to the nervous keyboardist.

A slow, almost frightening smile crept across Nova's face at the host's response. He leaned forwards, pushing up out of his seat and throwing back his dark hair. The look on his face was almost fiendish - the perfect Nova look. Girls in the crowd screamed.
"Good," he murmured, turning on the heel of one foot and sauntering across the stage so that he could be seen from off-stage. "Well then," he murmured, then to the surprise of all, dropped into a low crouch. It was a remarkable feat considering the height and thinness of the heels he wore. "Kissu! Come on!" He held his arms out for the boy.

Kissue came running onto the stage. A moment of stunned silence was broken only by a scattering of squeals from girls who realized he was just as cute as they had dreamed Nova's child would be. The boy ran straight to Nova, scrambling up over his legs to cling to his neck. Nova stood gracefully, not teetering in the slightest on his heels and turned to face the audience. He seemed to have forgotten that the host was there, as he often did on interview and talk shows. He was well known for his attention to the fans.

"Everyone," he called, picking up Kissu's hand and waving it at the crowd. The boy stared off the stage in wide-eyed amazement. "Meet my son Kissu."

Tukuro and Kenshin couldn't help but smile as Kissu ran out onto the stage and some of the fans squealed as Nova introduced them to his son. They supposed that was a good sign that the fans weren't too heartbroken, but still, Tukuro couldn't believe how Nova didn't fall with those heels on...

The host was silent, going to let Nova do his own thing for a little while, looking at the band members to see their reaction. Tukuro and Kenshin seemed to be glad that the audience was handling things well, though Kaname was hard to read as Kuna stayed pressed close to him.

"Kissu," Nova prompted the boy gently. "Say hello to the fans."
Shyly, Kissu raised a hand and waved at the fans. A few more squeals popped up. Slowly, the audience was getting over the shock... and being taken in by the image of their high-heeled, dark-clothed, wild idol carrying a toddler around. Some may find it a turn off.

Many simply took it as another reason to idolize him. A father, and not trying to hide it.

Slowly, Nova carried Kissu back to the chairs, sitting down the boy in his lap. He leaned back in his chair, playing idly with Kissu's small hands while the boy stared around in absolute astonishment. He seemed fixated by the spotlights overhead. Nova looked up at the host.
"Ask your questions," he prompted in his soft, enchanting voice.

Kenshin was relieved everyone seemed to be taking in the news of the newest band member well, many of the girls seemed to find him adorable, so maybe they wouldn't be losing many fans - he had feared some people would think that having Kissu around would soften up their rocker image. He turned his head as the interviewer nodded to Nova after the girls of the audience 'Aw'ed at Kissu's wave.

"So, you have a son now, how do you think this will effect your band life? No more wild nights out and one night stands coming the house I assume?" The interviewer said, chuckling lightly. "And what would your plan for tour be? I mean, bringing a child along would be rather difficult, would it not? Would you be hiring a nanny to look after him?"

Tukuro looked at Kaname whom was smirking at the the thought of wild nights and one night stands and shook his head.


Saya stood next to her client who's haircut was already over, the salon surprisingly quiet as they watched the introduction of Kissu. She watched the crowd's reaction closely, relieved no one seemed to have objections to the toddler, really, though she couldn't help but think that some of the fan's were probably thinking they wished that Kissu was their and Nova's child - it was every fangirl's dream right? She couldn't help but wonder why the thought of Nova just hooking up with some random fan girl bothered her.

Nova chuckled quietly and turned with Kissu still in his arms, strutting across the stage, back to his seat. Graceful as ever in heels that, if he had fallen, would most likely have broken his back. He folded lightly into the chair, crossing his legs with almost feminine delicacy, and sat Kissu down on his lap. The boy continued to stare out across the crowds, giggling and waving at the squealing fangirls as Nova turned his attention back to the host.
"I will admit that some things will have to change," Nova answered steadily. "But Mark of Lucifer is not going anywhere. I'm sure that with the support of our fans we can figure out how to do this."

Kuna nodded eagerly before he could stop himself, then clapped his hand over his mouth, forcing his head to still. It made the audience laugh.

The host was clearly baffled by Nova's balance and grace in such heels. How could a man do that? Many women were not that graceful in heels. And it's not like Nova was short to the begin with. He looked like he was seven feet tall.

"Well, then. I'm sure everyone here is glad that Mark of Lucifer is staying together. Are you at all concerned that having a child around could ruin your rock star image?" The man asked before chuckling lightly at Kuna.

Kaname smiled lightly at Kuna, his affection reflecting in his eyes, but it was hard to see behind his the dark lenses of his sunglasses. He ducked his head lightly so that he could whisper in Kuna's ear, some people in the audience leaned forward, as if trying to catch what Kaname was saying.

"This interview is quite boring." He told Kuna, his voice low and quiet, so quiet even Kuna may have trouble hearing it.

"Not at all," Nova answered calmly. Absentmindedly he began bouncing Kissu on his knee, as though he'd been taking care of the child all his life. "Kissu is quite the little rocker himself. Aren't you?" he leaned forwards, peering at Kissu, who nodded eagerly.

Kuna giggled softly, leaning into Kaname so he could whisper back.
"There's nothing we can do, right?"

"Really? Taking after his father now, isn't he?" The host chuckled, some of the girls int he audience were thinking to themselves how adorable Nova was with Kissu and began fantasizing about the lives they could have with the singer and their son...

"Guess not. They're focusing the whole interview on Nova and Kissu." Kaname said, making a face lightly. Everyone who knew Kaname at all knew that he hated not being the center of attention.

"He is," Nova agreed quietly, giving Kissu another little bounce. His heels tapped lightly on the floor as his foot rose and fell. He took a deep breath, shaking out his dark hair, and looked the host straight in the eye. "If the audience has questions concerning the mother, I am willing to try to answer."
His wording was clear, and so was his tone. His fans were allowed to ask.
The host was not.

Kuna smiled and put a hand over Kaname's.
"He needs the attention right now," he whispered. "They've got to learn to accept Kissu, ne?"

"Who is and where's his mother?" A girl with multiple facial piercings and heavy eyeliner called out, rising to her feet and looking at Nova.
The host was busy trying not to make a face at the fact Nova didn't seem to want to answer his questions.

"Right." Kaname said, looking down at his and Kuna's hands, smiling ever so slightly. It was one of his more genuine smiles where it didn't look like he was a grinning demon. He had his own concerns over Kissu's involvement in the band, but he was trying to keep it to himself, he didn't really want Nova to try to skin him alive, really.

Nova had to fight not to let his feelings show as he cradled Kissu. He gave the wildly made-up girl a small, flirtatious smile, just barely a downgrade from his usual devilish look. He had no intentions of cooperating with the host, but his fans... he loved them dearly.
"His mother passed away," he answered with remarkable honesty. "I did not know he existed until a couple of days ago."

Kuna squeezed Kaname's hand lightly.
"We'll be alright," he assured the more confident member.

The girl looked like she might faint from Nova's smile, the whole audience 'awed', looking up at Nova sympathetically, "That's awful!" Some people announced. It seemed everyone was taking the news rather well. He seemed accepted. "Do you think he's going ot be a singer like you, Nova?" Another woman who was sitting next to the pierced girl asked.

"If you say so." Kaname said, giving Kuna's hand a small squeeze back before putting his arm around the keyboardist, carefully. Most people probably wouldn't have noticed he made a move at all, but some of the fans caught the small gesture.

Nova shrugged slightly, turning his head slightly so that he was gazing at Kissu. The boy turned around and looked him straight in the eye. He raised one hand and started sucking on his tiny thumb. Nova laughed - actually laughed. That was something the fans almost never, if ever, heard.
"Maybe," he answered. "Who knows? He'll be raised by a band, after all."

Kuna leaned into Kaname, comfortable. Being on stage wasn't so scary when Kaname was there.
"The members will all be so tired after this," he breathed in an undertone.