Portraying Fire

This story continues from around about chapter 188 and creates a whole new storyline from there so I should warn you in this story kyoko's past will be completely changed and a lot of aspects of the story will be very different from any chapters after chapter 188. There will also probably be a fair few OC's.

Key:

Thoughts/dreams/memories

"speech"

"Well she sounds just the type I'm looking for by what you've described Annaka-san"The mid-thirties man chuckled at the tone of the other director on the phone.

"Well see for yourself Richard, Offer her an audition and I'm sure she'll prove you wrong as she did me" Director Annaka Sutoyo had seen for himself the depth to Kyoko's acting as Natsu in his drama 'Box R' and he had no doubt in her that she would be perfect for the role his best friend and fellow director, Richard Conway, was talking about. Not to mention he thought it would bring out another side to her acting which would in turn massively help her improve her acting.

"I never said I didn't believe you" The middle aged man jokingly chuckled down the muffled phone.

"You didn't have to, I've known you long enough to recognise that tone of doubt" Director Sutoyo and Richard had been friends ever since he graduated university with him in the states both with a degree in film and media and both were as determined to become successful directors except whilst Sutoyo had moved back to Japan Richard had stayed in the states and become a very successful director in his own right over there. But the two still kept in contact frequently sharing news about upcoming films, actors, etc.

"Fine we'll see, but this role will be much different from anything she has ever done that I've seen her do" Typical Richard, Sutoyo thought to himself, he had always been very efficient and it did not surprise the director one bit that he had already researched the actress and every part she had played thus far as soon as he mentioned her name. No wonder he was one of the most famous directors in America.

"I think it would be wonderful for her to develop her acting to a much higher level and given what I've seen from her playing Mio she can certainly do dark and from playing Natsu she has the fire and energy to portray a cool rock chic... I wouldn't have suggested her if I didn't think she would be right for the role as soon as you told me about it" He certainly wasn't stupid he knew she could handle it and knew full well that the other director trusted his instincts too. They had proved that much to him over the years when Sutoyo had mentioned actors or actresses names in the past that he thought were right for parts.

"Yes I know Annaka; you have a weird instinct when it comes to actors. But she is Japanese I wonder if she can really pull off an American girl with an American accent" He had a good point but Sutoyo just knew he was right, he had felt she would be right as soon as he had heard about the part.

"Just trust me and you'll be surprised" He chuckled smugly to the receiver.

"Yes, yes fine then. See you"

"Goodbye" Sutoyo said as he placed the phone back on the hook. Well this should be interesting to see he inwardly chuckled to himself as he rose out of his seat to leave the office for the night.

Kyoko gasped in shock at the school alarm as she realised she had drifted through yet another lesson thinking about Ren and not concentrating at all on the teacher. She exhaled in a deep sigh, how on earth was she supposed to learn anything for her exams when thoughts and worries of Ren were constantly invading her every thought. She picked up her lunch as her whole body started vibrating making her drop the plastic bag back down into her desk much to the shock of her peers. She pulled out the cell phone that she kept forgetting she had and flipped it open.

"Hello"

"Hello! Mogami-san!" She instantly recognised the excited old man's voice that made her sigh inwardly and wonder what matter on earth could be gracing his voice to such a high tone.

"Hello president, you sound like you have news" But is it good or bad? She added in her mind.

"Yes great news!" weather it would be great for her was another matter entirely and that made her wince in fear, what love-me section job could he have for her now! As her mind started imagining ridiculous possibilities of all the dangerous or humiliating tasks President Lory could present her with her thoughts were interrupted by said man on the other end of the phone.

"Mogami-san are you listening! Really you don't sound very excited at this OH SO INTERESTING proposition I have for you"

"Ah, no sorry I was listening. Please go on what is it?" Pushing her imaginings to the back of her mind she cringed as she waited for the devastating news.

"I have an offer of a role for you as a lead in a movie!"

"Oh... wait! what did you just say?" Did he really say a movie! And the lead! She almost couldn't believe her ears, he must be joking with her and surely she wasn't a good enough actress to play a lead role in a movie yet? He must have gotten confused.

"A LEAD role in a MOVIE! Mogami-san isn't this great! The director heard about you and thought you would be well suited to the lead in his new movie: Live For The Moment. Well he hasn't actually offered you the role he has offered you the audition but I have every faith in you that you can easily land this role!" Lory babbled on like an excited child causing a smile to change kyoko's features. So it was only an audition but it's still the lead role in a movie! She was already feeling excited and hopeful about this, President had already said he thought she could do it and it sounded like an upbeat film, maybe a change from the bully roles I normally play?

"Sure I'll come by the office after school to look it over it sounds awesome, Thank you!" And she truly was. This sounded like the breakthrough she needed to move up and climb the showbiz ladder. Oh she couldn't wait to tell Tsuruga-san about it she could already imagine his smile, so cute and sexy... wait! Did I just think he was cute and sexy! No Kyoko-san! She inwardly scolded herself,he is your sempai! You can't go thinking about those kinds of things! she could already feel her face burning up in embarrassment, and looked around fearing there was anyone standing nearby, not that they could read her thoughts but she still felt like she had committed a great sin.

"Ok speak to Sawara-san, there are a few... urm requirements that may test your acting abilities to a great level but I know you will just take it in your stride and use it to greatly improve your acting!" What requirements could they be? Suddenly Kyoko was filled with her earlier thoughts of dread and fear; he hadn't told her anything about the part, that can't be a good sign at all! What does he mean by 'test my acting abilities'? Oh dear this doesn't sound good at all and she intended to find out exactly why.

"What do you mean by—"

"Yes, yes speak to Sawara-san you'll be fine bye now have to go Bye-bye!" He cut her short and hung up on her leaving her standing in the middle of the class utterly dumbfounded.

No this doesn't sound good at all.

"IN AMERICA!" Kyoko exclaimed knocking her chair over as she jumped up when Sawara-san told her all about the role she would be auditioning for. "I CAN'T GO TO AMERICA!" Damn that Lory he knew she would react this way and had dumped it on him to deal with, he knew as much as the president how good this role would be for her to improve but also knew it may take a lot of convincing to make her see the way they did.

"Calm down Mogami-san it wouldn't be for that long, you can always just go to the audition to see what it's like in America and then if you get the part you can always turn it down if you didn't feel it was right for you, I know America is far away but it would only be whilst they were filming and I hear they have set themselves a pretty short time period to shoot it in. It's not like you would be there for months on end" Kyoko pondered this for a moment, but really? America? How could she just up and go to America in the middle of everything?

As if in answer to her thoughts Sawara-san replied "The actual filming isn't scheduled to start until Dark moon has finished shooting and Box-R is nearing an end, so it would easily fit in with your schedule. Besides everyone involved thinks this will be an amazing opportunity for you. It would really catapult you up to the level of the top actors and actresses." He explained as he tried to erase any doubts in her mind and convince her to see his way.

Wow Kyoko thought to herself as she pulled her chair back up and half-collapsed on it. This is such a big thing for me can I really pull it off? What does this mean? Does it really mean I'm ready to become a top actress if I can pull this off? She gave out a gusty sigh and reclined in her seat, she already felt exhausted just thinking about the things she would be doing in the movie. It really would improve her acting to a whole other level and she definitely was determined not to have a stunt actress as Sawara-san had suggested, she could easily do those things in the description for the role. Normally she would have leapt at the chance.

But could she really go to America?

Could she really face going back there?

"Of course you don't have to accept straight away" He assured her hesitantly in his most professional reassuring voice but inwardly he thought except the audition is in a week and a half so you'd better hurry up. If she said yes they would have to arrange a flight this weekend to America so she got there in time for the following Tuesday, and arrange it with her drama's, but he was sure the Director of Box R would be fine with it as he was the one who had recomended her to the American Director.

"Right yes... ok thank you Sawara-san I shall think about it" Kyoko stated as she got up from her chair suddenly feeling rather lightheaded as the weight of the situation almost pushed her back down. She steadied to her feet and turned to leave pushing thoughts of the impending audition to the back of her mind until she got home.

"Oh and Mogami-san, Fuwa Shou has left a message for you" Urgh just the mention of his name sent tingles right through her and set off her anger and resentment antennae. Just that news was almost enough to send her packing straight to America to avoid hearing it.

"Umm ok I'll take it another time" She politely replied trying to peal a friendly tone to her voice, although she was sure her facial expression didn't give as much of a friendly atmosphere as Sawara-san had jumped back slightly. Whatever he had to say was the last thing she needed and she had no intention of dealing with it at all, well definitely not for a while.

They exchanged the formalities of goodbye as she left the office and headed home grateful for the peace and quiet of her little room above the Darumaya where she could ponder over this hellish proposition.

She flopped down onto her bed and rested her arm over her forehead, the coolness of the skin helping to release some of the tension and stress she could feel building up. What would she do? It sounded like a wonderful offer and really allowed her to show off some of her athletic skills she had learned in her younger days in the stunts involved, not that anyone knew about that yet but she would be sure to insist she could do it and show them if neccessary. She picked up the small section of the script she had been given and flipped through it reading her possible characters lines, her character's name would be Zoë, blonde curly yet slightly straggled hair. So she would obviously have to dye her hair if she also wanted to do the stunts. 'A fire in her heart and devilish glint in her eye, a true wildcat' Kyoko wavered as she read on this sounded like another bully role only darker, a lot darker. This 'Zoë' smoked, rode a motorcycle and leather jacket. She could jump from buildings and could easily beat up anyone she wished; she was a true gang leader in the heart of the city. Kyoko let out a loud sigh and put the script down, yes it was different from anything she had done but that still didn't release the tension creasing her forehead.

She would have to take the darkness to a whole new level, not just petty bullying in the playground or hating your relatives. No this girl enjoyed the darkness. Could she really portray that? Where could she find reference to act that out?

Wait there was one person she had once known who had enjoyed the adrenaline rush from fighting and the streets. Could she call on her experiences with him? Is this character's feelings similar to those she had seen in him?

Desperately finding something to distract herself with to forget about that train of thought and the dark memory it was leading to she sat up and thought about the possible reasons she should go for it.

It would heighten her profile as an actress; give her a debut in America a huge international country where alot of successful actors are; her first role in a film, and the lead at that! Also she could go and visit people she cared about and hadn't seen in years. Of course she could visit Kuu Hizuri and his wife as he had said she was welcome anytime but she could also... no she would absolutely have to also go visit her best friend who she had once seen every day before she moved back to Japan. She would never forgive her if she didn't visit her. Speaking of which she hadn't called her in a month... Perhaps she ought to call her to chat and ask her what she thinks about it. As she reached for her phone on her desk she startled as it suddenly started vibrating. She looked at the caller ID and felt a smile grace her face as she flipped the phone in anticipation of hearing his silky smooth voice.

"Hello Tsuruga-san"

"Hello Mogami-san"

"How have you been lately?" He asked her politely awaiting the voice of his love. God he felt like a love-sick puppy doting on its owner's voice. And that's exactly how her voice made him feel, chained and bound.

"Great thank you Tsuruga-san, filming and school has been going well, how are you?" How he wished she would call him Ren.

"Ahh good, fine thank you. Actually there was something I wanted to ask you" Hesitantly he replied not wanting to come across too strong or desperate, but she probably won't even get the hint of what he is about to ask her.

"Yes of course, what is it?" Curiosity lacing her cute voice through the phone.

"Are you doing anything tomorrow evening?" Of course he knew full well she wasn't he had already checked up her schedule with the office beforehand so he wouldn't look silly, but it was still in his polite nature to make sure.

"Umm no I don't believe I am" Bingo

"Ahh that's great. Would you like to go to dinner tomorrow?" Now the hard part.

"Don't you have any work, your usually constantly working" Kyoko chuckled.

"No actually thats why i thought i could spend it with you ... erm to discuss the next filming dates for B.J"

Oh yes Kyoko remembered setsu would need to know so she could accompany her brother. "Umm actually yes that would be great! I also need to discuss something important with you" She sought this opportunity to discuss his thoughts on the audition and whether he thought she could go for it as he was so experienced in this industry.

"Oh well then good! I'll pick you up around 5:30 is that ok?" He highly doubted she had caught on he was asking her on a date from her tone of voice but nonetheless he still got to spend the evening with her.

"Yes sure thank you. I'll see you then Goodbye Tsuruga-san" Urgh he would definitely have to try to put an end to her calling him Tsuruga at the dinner tomorrow.

"Goodbye Kyoko" He hung up feeling rather bold at calling her by her name but he knew he needed to try his best to deepen their relationship and hoped she would go along with it.

Kyoko still held the receiver to her ear about a minute after Ren had hung up. He called me Kyoko! She didn't know whether to be pleased or indifferent; maybe he didn't really mean it in any sort of way and just let it slip. Or maybe he thought of me as more of a friend now?

No! I must not get carried away. Anyway it's not like it could ever mean anything because she had the locks on her heart to protect her from that. But even though the locks are up my heart is still beating a frantic rhythm against my ribs she thought to herself silently as she flipped the phone down. With a sigh she decided she wouldn't ponder over it anymore until their dinner tomorrow and see if he still called her it then, if not it was probably a mishap. But if not should she call him Ren? After all he has been such a good sempai almost like a friend. I couldn't really consider him a friend could I? No of course not he is way too above me to even consider it. Stupid Kyoko.

Setting on the side of her bed she focused on more important things. Yes she decided to herself. Its time, I can't keep hiding away I have to tell her at some point. She looked at the clock and decided it would be midday over there, so there was no better time to call her, she flipped the phone and dialled the familiar number as she put the receiver to her ear she listened in anticipation for her old friend's voice.

Dun Dun Dun!

Well that was the first chapter hope you enjoyed it! Let me know your thoughts and opinions through reviews please!

The more reviews you give the quicker the next chapter comes out thankyou! XD

~Sunny XD