DISCLAIMER: I don't own Skip Beat or any of its characters. I'm just a fan applying my imagination to the anime/manga of Yoshiki Nakamura & co... Standard Disclaimers apply!

Crimson Coated Chocolates 1 (teaser/Intro Chapter)

"Mmmm."

The gutteral noise vibrated in Reino's throat as liquid slivers of saliva - and chocolate - & the most delicate essence of cherries entered his body. "mmm" softer this second time, the sound escaped as he tried to hide it and tasted Kyouko's creation in more ways than one... In the ever-changing landscape of what he percieved as sacred and profane, this taste - this time- was an undoubtedly spiritual moment. Potent and prophetic ... sweet and sensual... this taste crystallized the place of that mysterious woman who had once again captured his soul, attention, and body.

"Why are you eating them here!" Came Kyouko's impassioned voice. If it were an ordinary man, the sheer loudness of her cry would have broken the chocolate-induced trance. If it were an ordinary man, Kyouko would have never demanded that he meet her outside of the Darumaya shop where any passer-by could see. This was a stalker who would try any number of dirty tricks if they were alone or anywhere else. Yes. Her tone stiffened as she studied his concentration.

"It's bad enough that I had to give my home-made Valentines to a Beagle like you..." Her tone stiffened again as a slight breeze combed through his hair just enough for more of his oval face to be exposed. "I don't have to watch you eat them too..."

Yes. In theory, she didn't have to watch him eat any chocolate. Kyouko had the physical potential to leave at any moment. Ever since Reino's hand had brushed against hers and seized the valentine parcel, she was technically free. But this was no ordinary exchange. Their connection was anything but ordinary. Like always, Kyouko froze in Reino's presence. Like always Kyouko snuck a glance at his almond-shaped-eyes that were now closed, bracing herself for the feeling of being truly alive and electrified by the intensity of his energy.

***

But, Kyouko wasn't the only one frozen. As his hands unconsciously gripped the wheel of his car increasingly more and ever tightly, small streams of blood traced prim red rivulets from his closed palms before dripping sadly onto the the white pants that were too thin to look overdressed, but too thick to be comfortable pajamas. Tsuruga Ren had carefully deliberated over how, where, and when, he would fabricate the opportunity to thank Kyouko for the birthday present that had brightened his morning. Yet, the gift that had once given him hope had instantly caused him such rage and pain in his heart that he did not notice how his own fingernails cut into the flesh of his hands. These hands needed to be controlled. As he watched Reino eat chocolates that were never offered to him, he unconciously coiled his hands to the wheel of his car like a boa constrictor writhing itself into a death grip. These hands needed to be controlled soon. Compared to his store-ordered gift, those chocolates were worth every moan and grin that he watched Reino make... Those chocolates were even more significant than any role, money, or fame that he had experienced in Japan. He only calmed down slightly as he watched Reino turn his back to Kyouko and walk away.

What he had never expected to see was the slight furrow of her eyebrows. The telltale sign of Kyouko's disappointment in the face of Reino's silence.

***

"What a weirdo!" Kyouko screamed, willing Reino to either face her again or walk away faster. What was this tension within her that threatened to topple her notions of right and wrong all at once?. "Who would stay in one place so long without even saying a word?!"

With that Reino smiled even more broadly than he had done in years. "I was right about you."

Stopping only an instant before continuing to walk away again, Reino spoke with a confidence that is only seen after one has a revelation or have witnessed something first-hand.

"I will taste you again, Kyuoko."

***

And with those words, Ren's foot slammed into the accelerator. It wasn't long before the screeching of his wheels overpowered the loud noises and numbness in his head. It wasn't long before his car raced towards Reino's retreating form.

To Be Continued....

Notes:

1. This is an Alternate reality born out of impatience for more skip beat and more Reino.

In short: post-Valentine's Day Reino- Kyuko-Ren love triangle....