Just a warning I am Dyslexic so my stories will not be perfect but I now have one Beta reader to help me along the way :D

Thank you so much to Roshelle Diall for offering to work with me :D

Hello my sweeties,

That day is coming! The dreaded 'Vain day'

dun dun duuuur!

hehe just kidding, but this is a little oneshot

for Valentine's Day.

I may do a few others I have idea's for,

but here is the first :)

Enjoy.

Neh xxx

I do not own Skip Beat!

or

any other Manga/Anime mentioned.

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

Kanae looked down at the invitation in her hand.

"He has got to be joking!" She shouted as she tossed the invitation across the table and off the other side. Kyoko who had been sitting opposite her, picked up the half opened envelope and confirmed that Kanae's was the same as hers.

"I don't think it's a joke." Chiori said as she rested her head in her hands, "At least I don't have to worry too much about a date." She said half to herself as she looked at the two girls sitting at the table with her.

Kyoko just looked to be in shock whilst Kanae looked as if she was considering asking Maria about those curses she was always telling them about.

"It's marked as a Love Me assignment isn't it?" Kyoko said quietly as she placed the invitation down on the table facedown next to Kanae's.

"Yeah," Chiori said slowly, not sure how to react to her senpai's behaviour.

Kyoko just seemed too calm for being told that she was being forced to attend the LME Valentine's Day Ball and the fact that she must be accompanied by a date. She supposed that was the harder part for her two friends. Well that and the fact that it was a compulsory cosplay event.

Chiori dropped her head into her hands. God it's the president's two favourite things. This is going to be hell! She looked back down at the invitation in her hand.

My lovely Love Me ladies,

You are cordially invited to attend the first ever LME

Valentine's Day Ball!

The ball will take place on February 14th

and all attending must come with their date.

Fancy dress is compulsory, and must factor around the theme of Love!

Anime and manga styling pairs.

As of last year the three of you seemed not to have grasped the meaning of the

wonderful day that is Valentine's Day.

So for you this is less of an invite and more of a Love Me task!

Have fun finding your costumes!

The President.

"So what exactly do you think he means by anime and manga styling?" Kyoko asked still extremely calm in the face of the newest Love Me task and the date it ensured.

"Well I suppose it means that we will need to dress as characters from anime or manga that match with our date."

Kyoko nodded before she smiled, which shocked both Chiori and Kanae. "So what shall we go as Moko-san?" Kyoko asked still smiling as Kanae and Chiori just stared at her.

"Erm Kyoko... I don't think that's how it works." Chiori said slowly as Kanae huffed louder and crossed her arms firmly across her chest.

"MO! You baka! Of course that's not how it works. When the president says a date he means a man you moron!"

That was it. The moment Chiori had expected around 20 minutes ago when they had first opened their invitations. Kyoko collapsed into a pile of unrecognisable goo as she wailed the woes of a fair and pure maiden. Kanae collapsed forwards onto the table and Chiori wasn't sure if the older girl hadn't herself just burst into tears.

It's going to be a long day, she thought as she too held her head in her hands.

"I can't ask him but you can." The excited voice said behind Ren. It was strange but he had been hearing these types of comments all day. Ren was just returning from one of his R-Mandy shoots where he had been in Hokkaido for 3 days. Yashiro had taken the time as a well deserved vacation or so he had thought with everything being taken care of by the R-Mandy staff. Yet now Ren was wondering what he had missed?

"Tsuruga-san?" the voice was female and one he knew as he turned to face the young woman behind him he smiled.

"Momose-san, how can I help you?" he asked kindly as the younger woman almost fainted in his smile.

"I'm really sorry about this Tsuruga-san, but you see they won't let it rest and as you've yet to come out with your relationship, I thought it was best not to mention you were already seeing someone. So please just stand here and talk to me for a little while as if turning me down and then they won't be able to say I was too scared to ask you. And I can just tell them you already have a date, OK?"

Ren just stared at the young woman he had co-starred with in Dark Moon and wondered what the hell she was going on about? She had spoken so quickly that he had hardly had time to catch on to what she was really saying.

"OK then Momose-san. I'm very sorry for what I cannot do?" he asked hoping that this was close to the correct response

The fact that Momose smiled made it obvious that he had.

"It's really fine Tsuruga-san. Personally I think you really do make a good couple with Kyoko. Thanks a lot and I'll see you soon." And with those terrifying yet impossible words Momose was gone.

OK WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON! Ren cried in his head as he watched Momose's friends who apparently were comforting her on her 'rejection.' But could he really call it a rejection when she hadn't even asked? Or when he didn't even know what he had rejected her for?

"The President." Ren growled as he continued on his way towards the office he had been heading for. But he made sure he was walking at a much faster speed hoping he would not be met by another person before he could talk to the man who had surely started this all. The fact that his aura alone kept people away was another matter as Ren jammed the button for the president's level, passing his keyfob across the panel for access.

Ren sighed. The president was so dead! He had gone up to his office just to be told by his aide Sebastian, who had been named by the woman he loved, that Lory was taking a break from the office to plan the big event. Ren had asked just what this big event was and Sebastian simply handed Ren the red envelope, bowed and left. Ren sighed and opened it up and read the invitation inside.

Hello Ren,

Sorry I forgot to tell you about this earlier,

but with you being out of the area and everything it kind of slipped my mind.

You are cordially invited to attend the first ever LME

Valentine's Day Ball!

The ball will be held on February 14th,

and all attending must come with their date.

Fancy dress is compulsory, and must factor around the theme of Love!

Anime and manga styling pairs.

Oh and just to let you know the Love Me girls received the same

invitation the morning you left for Hokkaido and I know

Mogami-san was rather upset about having to find a date.

Have fun!

The President.

To say Ren was feeling despondent as he walked through LME would have been an understatement. As his feet carried him through the corridors he knew so well, no one approached him this time. They wondered if a family member had died or something leaving Ren so depressed? As always his heart carried his feet exactly where it wanted so badly to be. There were only 7 more days until Valentine's Day. How was Ren going to ask Kyoko in such a short amount of time? He looked up at the door to the Love Me room before him and sighed. Well he could at least see if she was here, he decided as he knocked on the door.

"Come in!" came the almost instant reply. His heart started racing at just the sound of her voice as a small smile came to his lips. It was amazing how much she could make him feel better by simply speaking. Pushing open the door Ren's smile only grew as he spotted Kyoko sitting before the flat screen TV Lory had installed in their room for research purposes. Which basically meant for when he had forced Chiori to watch every single episode of every project by one of her hated actresses. Chiori believed she was getting by on her looks rather than talent... Ren wondered what Lory would make him do if he was to tell the president he agreed.

"Tsuruga-san!" Kyoko cried the happiness in her voice made Ren himself beam with happiness as he let the door shut behind him.

"Hello Mogami-san how have you been?" Ren's smile in that moment was almost more than Kyoko could handle. But the fact Ren was home made Kyoko too happy in that moment to really care.

"I'm good thank you, how was your shoot?" Ren had already waved off Kyoko's attempt to bow his welcome, waving for her to stay seated.

"It was good, rather easy if I'm honest. The photographer is an old friend so easy to work with. Really it was just a lot of costume changes. What are you up to?" He asked looking at the pile of DVD's besides Kyoko and the anime she had paused when calling for him to enter. Kyoko smiled as she patted the notepad on her lap.

"Well we have been given a new Love Me task, well an invite... of sorts. Basically we are ordered to attend the Vain Day ball or we will be receiving punishment."

Ren wanted to laugh at Kyoko's name for Lory's new brain child. It showed just how much their relationship had developed over their time together as the Heel siblings that Kyoko had so simply told Ren in words not guarded by the fear that he would repeat them.

"So I've been doing some research as Moko-san says. If she is going to be going to this stupid thing then she is not going as one of the slobbering idiot girls you see in so many animes and mangas. She is a proud woman and she will only go as a strong proud woman."

Ren nodded. This did sound a lot like Kyoko's best friend. Ren needed to know so his next question though hesitant was important to him. "So your dates don't mind you choosing the pair you will be dressing as?" Ren asked watching Kyoko's reaction to his question.

The way Kyoko squirmed made his heart skip. "Well we've not quite gotten that far yet... Or well I haven't. Anyway Moko-san might have now. You know how beautiful she is. I'm sure there will be men queueing up to take her." Kyoko's words tapered off as if she was thinking hard about the situation at hand.

Ren's heart was certainly hammering now as he looked at the woman before him... Did he dare ask her? Could he really hope that she would say yes to going with him? But just as he was about to ask, his courage failed.

"So... who have you been thinking about for you both?" He asked sighing inside at his own cowardice.

"Well for Moko I found this." Kyoko handed the DVD to Ren who looked down at the cover.

"So why have you chosen this for Kotonami-san?"

And with that Kyoko was off explaining the entire storyline and the wonderful character she had chosen for her best friend. Ren listened to her happily as he wondered at how beautiful her voice was. It was never one level or tone. Her emotions and feelings went into every word, every movement and Ren could have listened to her forever. When it appeared Kyoko had finally ran out of things to say Ren smiled.

"So who would you like to go as Kyoko-san." Ren didn't even intend to say it. He really hadn't thought about it at all. He had just been thinking how wonderful she was and as Kyoko froze he wondered what he had said wrong.

"Are you ok?" he asked waving his hand in front of her face wondering at how he had upset her.

"You called me by my name." Kyoko said suddenly in a very clear voice as she looked Ren dead in his eyes.

It suddenly hit him that he had. Stuttering over his thoughts he said the first thing that came to his mind.

"Does it bother you?" His heart was definitely trying to escape his chest as he waited for her reply. It seemed to take forever but eventually Kyoko shook her head.

"No, it was just a surprise is all. I'm used to people calling my name because of using it as my stage name. It's just I never thought you would call me by it." Kyoko was fidgeting slightly thinking of the last time Ren had actually called her by her name... He didn't need to know about that though.

"Why wouldn't I call my close friend by her name?" Ren asked, hoping that he wasn't letting it go too far.

Kyoko almost shot out of her chair as she turned to face him on the sofa they were both seated on. Her feet tucked below her. "You think of me as a friend?" Kyoko asked completely shocked as she stared at him with those golden doe eyes. Ren could feel the colour rising to his cheeks as he tried not to look at Kyoko's eyes in that moment lest he grab the young woman and kiss her senseless.

"Of course I do Kyoko-san. Do you not see me as a friend?" he asked trying to take the emphasis off himself. If Lory or Yashiro had been watching in that moment they would have both laughed and danced for joy at the way their favourite incapable couple were blushing and unable to look at each other.

"Of course I do Tsuruga-san, I just didn't think an unworthy kohai like me would be..."

Ren suddenly felt a surge of bravery at her words. He hated it when Kyoko talked down to herself. As he finally controlled his blush he turned to the woman beside him.

"Do not say that Kyoko-san, there is no way that you are unworthy of my friendship. And if we are friends I would like you to show me the same courtesy and call me by my first name also."

Kyoko again was frozen in her seat as she stared at the man before her. She had just gone from thinking herself a kohai to a friend and now he wanted her to call him by his first name! And the way he had said it made it seem she would be being discourteous if she did not! WHAT THE HELL! Kyoko's head screamed as she found herself again looking deep into Ren's eyes.

Her throat was dry as she looked at the man before her. He was waiting and she knew that he was the man who teased her mercilessly so he would wait for her to answer him. It took five attempts but finally Kyoko managed to say it.

"Of course R.R...Ren-san!" If Kyoko had thought she had seen all of Ren's grudge killing smiles she would have been wrong as Ren blasted her with a smile so radiant she wondered if she would leave the room sunburnt.

"Thank you Kyoko-san. You don't know how much that means to me." Ren's words completely knocked her for a loop as she looked at him as if he had some type of mental disorder.

"Why would me calling you by your name...?" Kyoko wasn't sure how to finish that question and Ren wasn't sure he wanted to answer her honestly as he quickly thought up a plausible excuse.

"Well when you get to my level in the entertainment industry not many people seem to think of me as a person, let alone a friend. I suppose I've just become a symbol rather than a person." The really upsetting thing for Ren, was as he was saying this he realised that it really was quite correct. "Apart from people like the president, Yashiro or people that I worked with before I became the number one actor in Japan, of course. But even people older than me still refer to me with more respect than I really deserve."

The slight sadness in his eyes made Kyoko's heart clench. She had never really thought about what Ren was saying before. But she supposed he really was correct and it made her feel sad for the man before her. Swallowing hard Kyoko placed a small hand on Ren's forearm squeezing gently. "Well I'm your friend Ren-san and I would be honoured to be allowed to call you by your name." she smiled gently and Ren lost his heart all over again to the girl before him.

This time it was Ren who stuttered over his words. "Thank you, Ky...Kyoko-san. Now you were going to tell me who you had chosen for your possible costume." Ren needed to change the conversation before he did more than kiss the woman before him.

The moment was uncomfortable for them both as it was, so Kyoko jumped on the new topic. "Well you see I've just started this new one that the guy in the rental place recommended but, I haven't quite got to the female character yet."

Ren nodded. He had also been informed by Sebastian that all his work had been cancelled until after the party now. Lory had failed to tell Ren he had been in violation of his contract for years as he had yet to take a real holiday. So for the rest of the afternoon Ren and Kyoko sat together commenting every now and then on certain aspects of the characters involved and their personalities.

"You know I really like that guy." Ren said after they had watched the final episode in the series. It was one of the first times he had ever really just sat down and watched something like this. And he wasn't sure whether it was the fact he was sitting here with Kyoko or the actual storyline but he really did enjoy himself.

"Kirito?" Kyoko asked looking at the man beside her. She imagined Ren in the black dress coat the main lead had and his hair in a spiky style and her heart thumped dangerously.

"Yeah. It's a good storyline and how the lead characters come together doesn't seem forced like so many of the stories these days. It's almost natural, well as natural as it can be I suppose after being stuck in a virtual reality for 2 years."

Kyoko nodded. If she was honest she rather liked the lead female too. Though if Ren wanted to use this with his date she would find another character to portray. Ren knew Kyoko like the female lead, but how could he really ask her? Would she even accept?

"Kyoko-san?" He asked finally knowing it was what he needed to address. Even if she did reject him he would have asked... And it's not like Kyoko was the type to go around spreading the fact that she had turned down Japan's number one actor was she? Kyoko turned towards him in a questioning manner as Ren tried hopelessly to breath normally, to get his heart to obey.

"Would.. would you even consider helping me?" What the hell am I saying! Just ask her you wimp! But it was useless, the words were already out of his mouth and her eyes were looking at him in that expectant way.

"See I'm in a bit of a position... with this ball and everything, I only found out about it today and really I had no idea about costumes and everything until this afternoon. Well... would you ..." Kyoko smiled politely.

"Of course Ren-san. If you and your date would like to go as the characters I wouldn't mind. I have a few more to chose from."

Ren swallowed hard. She just wasn't getting it! "No Kyoko-san... Would you even consider going with me to the ball? We can dress as whatever you like and I will help with the costumes as much as I can ... But ... you see it's just..." Kyoko was stone again before him as he sighed.

Of course she wouldn't want to go with you Ren you prat.. He didn't know that his sadness showed on his face, nor did he realised just how Kyoko took the look.

Of course ! If Ren's only just found out I bet that girl he likes already has a date! She' must be really beautiful for Ren to like her in the first place and he probably feels strange about going alone and others might get the wrong idea.

"I'd love to go with you Ren-san I suppose it would be difficult for you if others got the wrong idea about your feelings. Going with a friend means you will be safe from any misunderstandings."

Ren didn't know whether to scream or cheer! Here was the one girl he wanted to get the right Idea! How plainly did he have to say it! "Thank you Kyoko-san." But he couldn't say it, her smile was warm and friendly. "Kyoko-san?" Kyoko wondered why Ren seemed so worried as she looked at him, "Well I was wondering if we could keep this between ourselves? You know have it as surprise? I'm not sure but you know what the president's like. He would probably have us doing weird things if he knew I had actually consented to go. And you Love Me members are one of his favourite play things at the best of times."

Kyoko thought about Ren's words. Yes she and her two friends were like a toy the president liked to play with. This Love Me assignment was enough proof of that already.

"OK Ren-san I see your point. So what would you suggest If I'm asked if I have a date yet?" Ren looked at Kyoko for a moment.

"Well if they ask why not say you are going with a friend called Kazuto and I will say I'm going with a colleague called Asuna. That way we are not lying but we are also keeping the identities of our date a secret."

Kyoko nodded happily. "Yes that could work. Now we just need to talk about the costumes." Kyoko said happily as she looked down at the picture of the two characters they would be impersonating.

"It's almost like receiving a new role. I'm really excited." Her simple words warmed Ren after his own failing in asking her correctly to be his date.

"So am I. Now would you like to go and see about having the costumes made? I'm sure there would be some place able to whip up a few for us."

Kyoko just looked at him as if he was speaking in another tongue? "Do you know how much that would cost Ren-san?" she asked as if he had no concept of money.

"Well how else would we get them ready in 7 days?" Ren asked worried by her reaction. He had the money to cover the costumes plus any other item they could ever require, but simply telling her it was like pocket change to him would not go down well.

"Well I was going to make mine and ... well I ... I could make yours too if you liked? It would be much cheaper and I could make them to fit us perfectly rather than the consumer made types."

Ren just looked at the girl before him. She was actually willing to make him a costume. "Would you have time?" he asked loving the Idea of wearing clothes Kyoko had made for him.

"I think I could do it." she answered confidently, "The president has given us this week to prepare as our Love Me assignment. Box-R is on a break due to Rumi-chan being away for another filming."

Ren nodded. "Well then what are we waiting for? How about we make a list of things you will need and go and get them?"

So that's how that day and the next Kyoko spent her time with Ren. She was in and out of his apartment as they gathered the needed materials together. Ren insisted that he buy everything since Kyoko was making the outfit. He told her she was still saving him money as he would have been paying a seamstress to do it otherwise. And even though Kyoko wasn't too happy with the arrangement she finally gave up.

It was the 3rd day after their agreement whilst seated in L.A. Hearts with Moko-san. They had planned this outing together so they could talk about the upcoming horror show as Kanae had called it.

"So what are we going to do about dates?" Kanae asked looking at her best friend who seemed alarmed by her question.

"I thought for sure you would have been asked Moko-san!" Kyoko said sounding shocked and almost scared Kanae realised as she looked at the girl before her.

"Well I've had a few offers but not from anyone that would get the wrong idea about why we were going together." Kyoko nodded in a knowing way, Kanae was the same as Ren after all. She was smart, beautiful and a wonderful actress.

"So does that mean you have a date!" Kanae asked suddenly realising why Kyoko would seem scared.

"Well yes... My friend Kazuto asked if I would like to go with him."

Kanae just stared at the girl before her. She had been sure Ren would have asked her... And who the hell was this Kazuto? She had never even heard Kyoko mention him before and here all of a sudden she was going to a Valentine's Day Ball with the guy! Kanae was simply lost for words as a voice from the doorway caught her attention.

"ONEE-SAMA!" Maria cried as she launched herself across the room and into Kyoko's arms.

"Hello Maria, how are you?" Kyoko asked as she started chatting with the small animated blonde doll she loved so much.

Kanae was lost in her own world as she thought about Kyoko and a man she didn't even know! What if he took advantage of her friend! At least with Ren she knew he would hold himself back and treat her right. Even if Kyoko did flip out over the smallest things Ren treated her as Kyoko deserved to be treated!

"Moko-san? Moko-san?" Kanae finally realised Kyoko was calling her name and looked up at the brown and golden eyes staring at her.

"Sorry what?" she asked not sure of what they had even been talking about.

"Maria just asked if we would like to go and see her costume for the ball?" Maria nodded from Kyoko's lap as Kanae looked down at her untouched tea before her.

"You two go ahead. I need to drink this and check on something in the Love Me room so I will see you later."

Kyoko nodded as she placed Maria on her feet and walked from the café holding Maria's hand the both of them still speaking one million miles an hour. Kanae felt almost lost.

She loved the character Kyoko had chosen for her.. Now she just had to find someone to play Kei Agemaki. Kanae sighed as the chair Kyoko hadn't long vacated was taken once more. Kanae looked up ready to say it hadn't taken very long when a very depressed form filled her vision.

"Yashiro-san?" she asked recognising the glasses but not the man who wore them.

"He won't tell me!" the thing that she supposed was human whimpered.

"MO! Who won't tell you what? And will you stop melting on the table!" Kanae admonished as Yashiro straightened a little but still looked thoroughly depressed.

"REN! Me and the president especially did not tell him about the ball until after he returned from the Hokkaido trip thinking most of the people would already have dates. And now he tells me he's not going as Kyoko as we had hoped for but he's going with someone named Asuna!"

Kanae just stared at the man before her. It figures that the president would have had a second meaning behind this ball and it figures that getting Kyoko and Ren together would be at the heart of his schemes as it always seemed to be. "Well Kyoko has a date anyway, so it was probably both yours and the president's fault in the first place for not telling him soon enough to ask her!" Yashiro just seemed to sink deeper into depression as he whined like a wounded animal. "Oh stop moaning, it's not like it's the end of the world!" Kanae was getting annoyed it wasn't like he was the only one with problems!

"But don't you see! This was the entire reason behind the ball in the first place!"

That simply hit the nail on the head for Kanae as she reared up from her seat. "You what? You mean I am going to have to dress up as a stupid character from a stupid anime all so you and the president could mess with my best friend and her wannabe lovesick puppy! MO!" Kanae was on her feet as Yashiro tried to tug her back down and calm her.

"Please Kotonami-san... Please... Kanae!" her name from his lips paused Kanae in her anger as she allowed him to pull her back down to her seat.

"Look, I'm sorry. If I ask the president maybe we can get you an exception or something." Yashiro said with full sincerity in his voice as Kanae scoffed.

"Yeah right! As if after his success with Kyoko and Chiori he is going to leave me alone!"

Yashiro didn't want to agree with her though he knew she was right. "Is there anything I can do?" Yashiro asked

He really did feel sorry for the girl who sat before him with her head in her hands.

"You could dress up as Kei Agemaki and come with me."

Yashiro was shocked by her words, but not as shocked as Kanae was a few moments later.

"OK."

Kanae's head shot up out of her hands, as she stared at him. "OK?" she asked not trusting she had heard him clearly.

"Yes. I don't mind escourting you and it would fulfill the requirements. It just said a date. It did not specify a romantic attachment so we could simply go as friends." The sincerity in his eyes showed how honest his words were.

"Well... thank you. I was worried that who ever I took would get the wrong Idea."

Yashiro simply nodded. "Do you need help getting your costume?" Yashiro asked as Kanae simply added yet another worry on to her list of current problems.

"Oh god." Kanae just said as her head dropped into her hands again.

"Well... My sister is a seamstress... if you wouldn't mind we could ask her."

Kanae looked up sharply at Yashiro. "And she is going to make 2 costumes in four days?" she asked, the skepticism in her voice obvious.

"Well she is one of Lory's main costume makers. That's kind've how I got into LME in the first place. I'm sure she will have something." All Kanae could do was gape. Yashiro paid for the bill not really caring as he paid for Kyoko's things too.

"Come on let's go pay my sister a visit." Grabbing Kanae's hand they were up and out of L.A . Hearts before Kanae could so much as say thank you.

Kyoko looked down at the material before her. There was just two days left before the ball and the costumes were coming along well, but she worried whether she would actually be able to complete it in time. Or had she bitten off a little more than she could chew? She was doing most of the work at Ren's apartment, but she had been bringing them home with her to get a little of the decorative stitching done. Ren had 'borrowed' a few items from the costume department for her to use. He would never admit he had bought the two sewing machines and selection of sewing related materials especially for her.

"God what am I doing?" Kyoko said banging her head on her small table. She couldn't let Ren down so maybe if she finished his costume first she could always just bodge hers together, couldn't she?

"Kyoko-chan?" the Okami asked true concern in her voice.

It didn't take her long to get the story out of Kyoko, nor did it take her long to speak to her husband who agreed he would be able to cope with the new part time girl during the day tomorrow. Ren also didn't mind the Okami coming to his apartment to help Kyoko. In fact the Okami felt he treated the girl she considered her daughter like a princess. They were served drinks and snacks never wanting for anything while they worked and Japan's number one actor waited on them hand and foot.

Kyoko looked down at her costume. The Okami was smiling happily as she looked Kyoko over.

"You look wonderful!" she said with tears in her eyes.

Kyoko flicked her long chestnut hair behind her ears. It had been something Ren had acquired for her. She wasn't sure where from, but it was perfect .

"Thank you Okami-san, I could never have done it without your help."

The Okami brushed her praise off as she told her. It was something she had always wanted to do and Kyoko was like a daughter to her, so she was happy to help her in any way she could. The simple words had Kyoko in her arms thanking the woman further until the gruff voice called up to say her lift was here.

The Okami picked up the cloak she had sewn for Kyoko and threw it around her shoulders.

"Have a wonderful time! You have a wonderful man there, do not let him get away."

Kyoko just stared at her confused. "We are just friends, he doesn't see me in that way." Kyoko said blushing slightly. Kyoko already knew her feelings for the man she called her senpai. And spending the last week together she knew those feelings had only grown stronger.

"Oh pish posh, I know love when I see it. Now have a nice time and don't worry about the time you come home. Just make sure you leave us a message if you're not coming home. You know the Taisho will only worry if you don't."

Kyoko simply nodded not wanting to upset the woman by telling her Ren already had someone he loved. That the man she loved would never look at someone like her in that way.

"OK thank you..." she paused. "Mom." Kyoko had never used the word before. After the Okami's heartfelt statement Kyoko wondered if she was being a little presumptuous. But the pure joy in the Okami's face and the silent tears told her it was the right thing.

"I'm going now." and Kyoko was off down the stairs with the cloak swirling behind her.

Yashiro couldn't keep his eyes off the woman beside him. His sister had really pulled out all of the stops. His own uniform looked like he could have just stepped out of the anime or manga whilst Kanae looked stunning. His sister had even insisted on coming over to help with her hair and make-up becoming fast friends with the number two Love Me girl.

And god those ears looked so cute! he thought as he looked at the white ears poking out so realistically from Kanae's head. In his eyes she was the perfect Zakuro.

"Now presenting Kei Agemaki and Zakuro!" the herald called, as Kanae and Yashiro started their way down the staircase into the party hall.

"I wonder if Kyoko and her date are here yet?" Kanae asked as people watched their descent while a live reporter sitting there with what Kanae would only think of as an otaku talked about who they were dressed as and discussed their costume.

"What a wonderful display from the manga and later anime adaptation Otome Yōkai Zakuro or Maiden Spirit Zakuro. It is a wonderful story about the westernization of an alternate Japan where humans and spirits coexist. To maintain harmony between the two, the Ministry of Spirits is established and humans and spirit representatives are chosen. Lieutenants Kei Agemaki, Riken Yoshinokazura, and Ganryu Hanakiri are chosen to be the human representatives and are partnered with Zakuro, Susukihotaru, as well as Bonbori and Hozuki, respectively. However, Zakuro cannot stand humans who accept Jesuit practices so easily. Agemaki has a severe fear of spirits. It is a wonderful story of trust and love and a wonderful representation we see here." Kanae just smiled at the reporters as they passed, her eyes sweeping the room as her ears strained for the cry of Moko-san! But it never came.

Chiori arrived not long after with her boyfriend. Chiori had gone with a simple choice choosing to play the role of Mei Tachibana whilst her boyfriend played the role of Yamato Kurosawa. As Kanae listened to the information about the anime Chiori smiled and approached.

"And here we have what appears to be the leads of the popular manga and anime 'Say I love you.' This again is a wonderful love story about quiet and unassuming 16 year old Mei Tachibana. She has spent her high school years without making friends or getting a boyfriend because of a childhood incident that left her believing that people will betray each other sooner or later. When she encounters a popular boy named Yamato Kurosawa he becomes interested in her, and it is through their tentative friendship and blossoming relationship that Mei ultimately begins to branch out and befriend others. What a wonderful display of this couple's devotion to each other." Chiori was bright red by this point as Kanae and Yashiro greeted her boyfriend with warm smiles and welcome.

"Has she turned up yet?" Chiori asked looking around for Kyoko. Chiori doubted they would find her if Kyoko really did want to hide in this crowd... She was the eternal butterfly after all, but surely she would come greet Moko-san, it would be impossible for her not to.

Kyoko stood beside Ren. Her knees were knocking, though she refused to show her fear as the valet asked for Ren's car keys.

"One moment." He removed a long, heavy looking package from the boot before handing the waiting valet the key.

"Kyoko can I just have a moment before we go inside?" Kyoko nodded as Ren walked off the path slightly to a stone table surrounded by stone benches. Ren knew Lory's grounds of course with being here when he was younger and throughout the years. He placed the large wrapped object on the table before turning to face her.

"Kyoko-san I need to speak to you before we go in there tonight." Kyoko nodded worried Ren was about to tell her something bad, as he asked her to take a seat."Kyoko the thing is I have not been entirely honest with you."

Kyoko's blood ran cold. Had Ren already asked someone to go with him tonight? had he used her to simply make his costume? Or did he think she would be upset about him being in love with that high school girl? She watched as Ren breathed in deeply before shaking his head as if to try and clear it as he slowly unwrapped the items on the table. In the cloth were 3 full sized blades. Ren picked up the thinnest and the lightest of the weapons. Kyoko could see the light turquoise blue colour and gasped .

The blade Ren was holding was simply stunning as he knelt before Kyoko and held it out to her in the scabbard. It was her blade, the blade she had looked at in awe so many times when she had been making these costumes. Looking back a the table she saw the two blades his character would have held before looking back at Ren kneeling before her.

"Kyoko when I asked you to this ball tonight you said that you would be the perfect person to accompany me because you would not get the wrong idea about my intentions. But the fact is you already have the wrong idea...And I'm sorry I was too cowardly and gutless to tell you the truth, bur here it is. There was no one else I wanted to be here with tonight... There is no one else I would ever want to spend my time or my home with than with you. I think Kirito actually said it right. You have saved my life so I will live for you Kyoko. That time on the set of Dark Moon where I almost lost myself in the darkness, you were the one who pulled me back. On the set of Tragic Marker you were the one who saved not only me but the lives of others." Ren took a deep breath in that moment as he tried to compose his thoughts into words she would understand. An even if she did run away from him now, he would have been honest... He would have been truthful.

"I love you Kyoko." the words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself as he looked up at the woman before him. He watched her eyes and her face and waited for her to run away. Waited for her to reject him as he expected.

I would be lying if I told you that wasn't Kyoko's first thought as she sat there staring at the man who had told Bo he was in love with a high school girl... A high school girl... I'm in highschool. Her brain suddenly supplied as the Okami's words... her mother's words rang in her mind. You have a wonderful man there, do not let him get away. Kyoko simply didn't know what to say. She couldn't run, the Okami's words kept her rooted, but she also couldn't believe his words just yet as she looked at him.

"I'm the high school girl?" she asked quietly as Ren nodded before her words filtered into his brain.

"But how did you? Who?" Kyoko looked at the man before her and couldn't help but smile.

"I'm afraid you're not the only one who has not been completely honest Ren-san. You see for the last three years I've had a long term job at TBM studios." Ren looked at her confused as she continued. "Yes, as a giant chicken called Bo." Ren's jaw dropped, "Well you see you told Bo that you were in love with a high school girl, and I believe I told you to seduce her for all you were worth. Of course I was completely unaware at the time you were talking about me or I may have told you to give up. It's not like I'm in the same league as Ren-san." Her smile was sad and happy at the same time as Ren finally found his voice.

"Even if you had told me to, I could never have given up on you Kyoko. You had already taught me what love was and the thing I haven't learnt about love is that it only grows the more you try and ignore it. It only makes you want what you want more. Love makes you do stupid and irrational things. It makes you so happy for those small things that others may see as normal or unimportant. You lose all rational thinking and that person becomes the only important person in your life. And no matter what you say Kyoko... that person in my life is you and never ever tell me you are not in my league or anywhere else for that matter. Because to me you are perfect Kyoko. You are one in a million, the one who has stole my heart over and over again, making me love you even more each time. I know you're not ready and I know love scares you and you think that love just leads to hurt and sadness. But I can no longer lie to my heart... to you Kyoko. I can no longer live with you not knowing that I love you."

She had sat there watching him. She never spoke so Ren had just gone on and on. Hoping and praying for a reaction.

"Please say something Kyoko." Ren begged. He was not below begging this girl who looked like she was about to cry.

"I'm cold Ren. Let's go in." Kyoko said.

Taking the rapier held out to her she swiftly buckled it in place whilst Ren knelt there with his head bowed. She had rejected him. He had spoken his heart to her and she had rejected him... He had told himself he would accept her choice, he would understand and accept her words, but why did he feel like crying? His one hand was still held out where it had held the blade he had specially made for her. It was after seeing her longing looks at them during the costume making. He felt the slightest touch in his hand. Raising his eyes slightly he looked at the simple gold band in his palm.

"Are you ready Ren?" he looked at the left hand Kyoko held out to him. The simple gold band that encircled her finger made his heart almost stop on the spot as he realised the meaning behind the gesture. It had not been something they had talked about during the character process. It had not been something he had even felt brave enough to bring up, but the fact she had taken it upon herself and given it to him in that moment... Kyoko may not be ready to say what was in her heart at that moment, but her simple actions spoke more words than he would have ever thought possible.

Kyoko handed him the two swords and helped strap them on correctly before taking Ren's hand again. He didn't need words he was just so happy she had not rejected him! She had not run away and she was willing to give him a chance. And as the herald called out there character names at the top of the stairs, Ren could hardly keep the smile off his face at the stunned look of the president and Yashiro and the fact Kyoko's hand was still in his.

"Announcing Kirigaya Kazuto and Yuuki Asuna." Well we did not lie about the names of our dates. Ren watched Yashiro and Lory shake hands jovially as the couple in red and white descended the stairs.

"And here we have one of the epitomes of recent depictions of love. The first virtual game world, as well as the setting of the first arc of the story, known as Sword Art Online, SAO for short. The world takes the form of a giant floating castle called Aincrad, with 100 floors in it. Each floor has a medieval-themed setting and a dungeon with a boss, which has to be defeated before players can advance to the next higher floor. Like most RPGs, it implements a level-based system. However, the game is altered in a manner in which players are unable to log out, and if players die in-game, their real body dies too.

The hero of the story Kirito takes on the hate of the players for being what they call a Beater, a combination of a Beta and Cheater. Kirito fights hard to complete the game and save everyone as a solo player, but during his time falls in love with the beauty of the game Asuna. Even though she seems so brave and even saves Kirito's life, she is actually scared of living her life out in the game and forgetting who she truly is. Through their love of each other and Asuna's own sacrifice of her life, Kirito is able to complete the death game and release the remaining trapped players. And what wonderful costumes, right down to the final details of the wedding rings."

Well guys, there you have it!

Is it sweet enough for you XD

Happy valentine's day for the 14th

and hope you all enjoy this not so short one shot :P

Neh xxx