Kaorin71: My first attempt at writing a fantasy/romantic fanfic. I thought that it was a good idea and since it won't leave my mind, I decided to write it down. So guys, I need you on this one. If you have the time to review and to alert then surely you also have the time to submit a comment. I want to know if you guys like it or not. If you people don't reply to my pleas, then I'll have to delete this…
Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat.
Chapter 1: Spellbound
It's almost six o'clock, a certain brown haired actress thought. I should probably leave now.
Thinking deeply, Kyoko strode through the hallways of LME. Her job as Bo the chicken on Kimagure Rock has just ended thirty minutes ago and she had just refused Hikaru's dinner invitation. She knew that what she did might've been cruel, considering the fact that she did promise to eat dinner with the hosts that night. But she had an important mission to finish, one that involved her best friend Kanae.
Quickening her pace, Kyoko headed towards the exit. Pushing the double doors open, she walked outside. The evening breeze almost immediately splashed on her face as she did so. That same wind relaxed her somehow. Yet, as much as she liked that feeling, she had to go. She can't waste anymore time.
I have to pass by that store tonight, she told herself. I really have to hurry. I can't let someone else buy that necklace.
Yesterday, Kyoko had been privileged enough to be invited to Kanae's private condominium room. Since she was so fed up about living in that horrible house of theirs, Kanae decided to rent her own condo room without the knowledge of her siblings. And while Kyoko was looking around there, she found her best friend's calendar. She noticed a big red circle on the twenty seventh of October.
"Her, Moko-san," the young actress had asked, pointing at the calendar. "Why is this date encircled?"
Kanae had groaned at her back then. "That's nothing. I got that calendar from our house so there are probably random scribbles there."
Kyoko had almost believed her excuse, if not for the mysteriously drawn arrow there. There was a text that said, 'Turn this page over' so she did so. That time, when she found the note about the twenty seventh at the back, her eyes had widened in surprise.
Who knew that Moko-san's birthday is just a week away? Kyoko groaned, popping out of her flashback. She didn't even tell me. I could just ask her about it later. I have to get to that store pronto.
Kyoko was about to make her way to the bicycle stand when she stopped. She then remembered that she didn't ride her bike to LME that day. Sighing, Kyoko's shoulders slumped down as she decided to just walk. That idea, however, proved to be impossible as she was nearly run over a speeding car.
What now? Kyoko thought, getting worried. Looking at her wrist watch, she saw that it was already fifteen minutes past six. Damn. Time sure is fast. The store closes at six thirty. Moreover, they told me that I have to buy that necklace today or else they'll give it to another customer. Arrgghh! How am I gonna get there on time?
This actress then began to panic and dance around the street. A couple of people stared and avoided her, thinking that she was an escapee from the mental. One person took notice of her, though.
"Mogami-san?"
Halting her weird dance, Kyoko swiftly turned around and came face to face with Ren Tsuruga, her respected sempai. She immediately straightened her spine and bowed down, saying, "Good evening, Tsuruga-san."
"Ah, good evening, too," Ren said, gesturing for her to straighten up. He looked at her then around the area. "Why are you standing at a place like this?"
In response to that question, Kyoko sighed. "I don't have my bicycle and I really need to go somewhere important. So I thought of walking there but I almost got hit and run by a reckless driver."
"Is that so? Then why don't you let Ren, your beloved sempai, drive you there?" Suggested Yashiro, Ren's manager, who was standing just behind the actor. He had that signature fanboy grin on his face, one that spelled trouble. "Ren would be more than happy to escort you there. Right, Ren?"
Ren glared daggers at his manager. Yashiro pretended not to notice this and kept his gaze on the girl. Kyoko on the other hand shifted uneasily at the statement given.
"Well? Let's go," Yashiro enthusiastically said. "We can't just stand here all night."
"But, Yashiro-san," Kyoko started. "Is it really okay for Tsuruga-san to escort me there? I wouldn't want to disturb the two of you."
Yashiro answered for Ren. "No need to worry. Ren would be more than willing to play chauffer for you. In fact, I bet he's excited."
Unable to argue any longer, Kyoko followed them to the parking lot. Yashiro still had the fanboy smile plastered on his face. Ren would've loved to punch that expression off his face. Nevertheless, he controlled his temper and took them to the farthest area at the parking lot.
Ren sighed then took out his car keys. He pressed a button, opened the door for Kyoko, went to the other side and then sat down on the driver's seat. Yashiro, however, stayed outside.
"Uh, Yashiro-san?" Kyoko called up, peeking out of the rolled down window. "Aren't you coming in? You might get left behind."
The manager shook his head. "I'm not going, Kyoko-chan. I need to attend to an urgent meeting with the president. It was unexpected so I have to hurry."
A good liar, that's what you are, Ren thought, gripping the steering wheel tightly. One day, when you fall in love with some girl, I'm going to make you go through the same hell you made me experience.
The girl looked skeptical. "A meeting at six with the president at six in the evening? Isn't that unusual?"
Shrugging, Yashiro said, "Like I said, it was uncalled for. Besides, isn't the president unusual himself? Don't worry about me, Kyoko-chan. I'm going to be fine." Peering at his watch, Yashiro faked a gasp. "Well, look at the time. I really have to go. Bye! See you tomorrow!"
Before any of them could react, Yashiro ran away. He was so quick that even Ren was surprised. Kyoko was stunned by his weird reaction. But she shrugged this away, being the oblivious person she is.
Gripping the wheel, Ren told her, "Are we going, then?"
Nodding, Kyoko arranged her seatbelt. Ren did the same. Soon after, he started the engine. He shifted the car gears, backed the car then turned the wheel. After a few more moments, they were out of the parking lot and into the road.
Silence covered the entire car as Ren drove. Kyoko was still in deep thought while the actor was coming up of various schemes on how to get back at his manager. A few seconds later, Kyoko opened up a conversation.
"Tsuruga-san, have you ever gotten Yashiro a birthday present?" She asked, looking expectantly at him.
And why would I give that devil a gift? He asked in his mind. "Well, he never really asked for anything other than a day off."
"But you never gave him anything that came from your heart?" Kyoko asked him further.
I'm about to. I'm gonna give him a graceful punch from the bottom of my heart. Ren just smiled at Kyoko. "I gave him a cell phone once. And he managed to break it in a matter of .9 milliseconds."
Seeing his fake smile, Kyoko can't help but cringe away. She managed a reply. "I see. But have you ever given a girl something?"
Ren looked at the girl. Why was she asking him a lot of questions about things he doesn't know about? "Besides the flowers that I gave you, no."
"Oh." Disappointment covered Kyoko. Of course her sempai wouldn't have any experience in that. He's too busy to bother with those kinds of matters.
"Why are you asking anyway?"
"Moko-san is going to have her birthday," Kyoko blurted out. "I want to give her something special but the only thing that I've bought is an elegant golden brown dress. Does that count as a good gift?"
"Of course," Ren told her, keeping his eyes on the road. "It's good because you took the time to think of giving her a present."
"But," Kyoko protested, "Moko-san gave me an expensive perfume and accessory set last time. And in exchange for those, I could only give her a necklace and a dress." Then she frowned. "I'm not even sure if I can give her the necklace."
"Anything that comes from the heart is a gift worth treasuring," Ren told her.
Kyoko nodded, ending their conversation. Ren continued to drive in silence, not bothering to open another topic. They remained quiet until they reached the intersection. The left road led to the Daruma-ya and the right led to some place else. The actor was about to turn to the left when Kyoko grabbed his hands.
Surprised, he looked at her. "What is it, Mogami-san?"
Kyoko pointed to the road on the right side of the intersection. "Turn there. I'm not going home yet. I have to buy Moko-san's gift this evening."
He nodded. He was going to do as she told him but he stopped. He glanced at her hands which were still on top of his.
"Mogami-san," Ren called her. "Your hands…"
As soon as Kyoko realized that she was still holding his hand, she took it away. Looking away, she mumbled, "Sorry about that."
Exhaling, Ren turned the car to the right. He peered at the actress then let out a silent sigh. He really can't understand her sometimes. Earlier, she was talking comfortably with him. Now she was avoiding his eyes. Did he do something wrong?
Relax Kyoko, she thought as she touched her chest. I thought my heart would burst through. What's with that? I just held Tsuruga-san's hand and that happened. Weird.
A couple of minutes passed by. Kyoko eventually calmed her heart down and, noticing where they were, told Ren to stop the car. The actor immediately halted the car and reached across Kyoko to open the door. He wasn't sure but he thought he saw her blush when he came close to her. He didn't have the time to confirm this because Kyoko swiftly got out of the car, as if to flee from him.
"Are you going to be okay?" Ren asked her. "I could wait for you if you want."
Shaking her head, Kyoko smiled. "No need. I'm totally fine. I know this place like the back of my hand." After saying that, she bowed down. "Thanks for escorting me here, Tsuruga-san."
Smiling back, he answered, "It's my pleasure."
Kyoko bid her goodbye as Ren started the engine. In a matter of seconds, Ren's car was out of the place. Sighing in relief, Kyoko went on her way and dashed towards the nearby jewelry store. She felt relieved when she saw that the store was still open.
Good thing Tsuruga-san drove me here, Kyoko told herself. Now I could go in and -
She stopped on her tracks. Her eyes widened in horror at what she saw. Inside the store, the lavender haired saleslady was giving a customer a necklace. Not just a necklace but it was that necklace that she wanted to buy for Kanae.
"Stop!" She exclaimed, swinging the door open. It banged on the wall which caught the attention of the two.
The saleslady recognized her. "Ah, it's you. The one that ordered the necklace."
Coming up to her, she pointed at the piece of jewelry she had on her hand. "Yes. And if I'm not mistaken, that's the necklace I ordered yesterday. You promised that you'd sell that to me if I come back today and here I am."
The lavender haired girl hesitated. She looked at Kyoko and then to the orange haired woman. She looked at the star shaped pendant on her hand. Finally, she gave it to Kyoko.
The orange haired woman protested. "Hey, you told me that you'd sell that to me!"
"I'm sorry, ma'am," she said, rubbing her temples. "This girl is right. I did promise to sell it to her."
Kyoko smiled triumphantly as she paid the woman. At last, she had that necklace. From the first day she saw it, she knew that it matched the dress she bought for Kanae. The golden star pendant would make a great match with the golden brown dress.
Thanking the saleslady, Kyoko went out of the store. She hummed a happy tune as she strode away from the place. She was about to turn to the next block if not for that weird sound she heard.
Stopping, Kyoko strained to hear. Yep. There was a sound all right. And it kind of sounded like footsteps. Quick, thudding footsteps headed in her direction. It grew closer but Kyoko didn't run. Well, she couldn't run. Those damn ghost stories Sho told her came back to her and made her incapable of movement.
Who's following me? Kyoko thought. Don't tell me… It's not the Beagle, is it? Noooo! Please, not him! I don't want to lose one of my demon buddies again!
Swirling around, Kyoko took a glimpse of her stalker. She almost sighed in relief when she saw that it was just the orange haired woman following her.
She smiled at the woman. "Is there a problem?"
That woman, however, looked at her with piercing red eyes. "Yes, there is a problem. I got to the store first and that necklace should be mine."
Now Kyoko took offense. "This isn't yours. I made a deal with the saleslady. She said I could buy this if I came today."
"Stubborn child," she said. "I'll show you what happens to humans who refuse a fairy."
At the mere mention of the word 'fairy', Kyoko suddenly became interested. But that interest quickly faded as she felt something heavy in her chest. Her breathing became labored and her body couldn't move. Kyoko looked at the woman. She was sneering at her, pointing a finger at her.
"Now do you understand?" She sauntered towards Kyoko and took the necklace from her hand. "No on messes with a fairy and gets away with it."
Twirling the pendant on her hand, she continued. "Now, how should I teach you a lesson? Shall I separate your soul from your body? Or should I make you suffer an unbearable pain?" She frowned as she closed her hand on the piece of jewelry. When she opened them again, she smiled cruelly. "I have a better idea. Why don't I just put a spell on you?"
That's not a better idea, Kyoko wanted to say. If this woman is a fairy then I don't want to believe in them anymore.
"Let's take a look, shall we?" She said sarcastically, putting one hand on top of Kyoko's head. The girl was stunned when that woman's hand began to glow and then a mass of darkness appeared. It looked like black smoke but it was definitely not that.
After a few more moments, she removed her hand. Kyoko felt very dizzy. She thought she was going to topple over. Glancing to the woman, she saw her grin maliciously.
"It seems that you're one of those rare types of humans," she said, spinning her hand in the air. "You're one of those humans who have lost the ability to love." Then she went up to her again, tilting Kyoko's head up to her. "Incredible. I never thought I'd see one of the shattered beings."
Shattered beings? Kyoko thought. What does that mean?
Surprise showed on Kyoko's face when she saw a circular seal appear under her. It had some strange symbols and a one big symbol at the center. It was black in color. Black which seemed to glow faintly.
"I'll bind you to an impossible spell," she told her, laughing sarcastically. "From now on, no longer are you a human. You will take the form of a shattered being and forever will you remain in that form."
Smoke rose from the seal on the ground. It wrapped around her body, tightening on her. Suffocating her. Kyoko felt her breath being taken away by the smoke.
"But you can return to your human form," she continued, swirling her hand around the actress. "You may go back to your original form on the condition that the person your heart desires will propose to you and plant a kiss on your lips. That is the only way to get your body back."
A person my heart desires? Propose to me? Kiss? Those questions raced through Kyoko's mind as she felt her head get lighter and lighter. Her consciousness was slowly declining. Her vision was failing. She took one last look at the orange haired woman in front of her.
"It is an easy task to fulfill that condition," she told the fainting Kyoko. "But for the shattered ones, it is a condition impossible to attain."
Impossible… Squinting at the figure, she tried to keep herself awake. But her eyelids dropped and her body felt tired. She couldn't stay awake.
Obtaining her objective, the orange haired woman began to walk away. She said one last phrase to the weakened girl before completely disappearing from the place.
"Goodnight, my cat princess."
Well, did you guys like it? C'mon, please tell me if you did. I don't want to waste my time writing a story that no one is interested in. And, if you did like this story, sorry to tell you that updates would be monthly. I honestly have a lot of projects and homework to cram and I'm not planning to fail second year high school. So… R&R!