Chapter 2: Am I Free?

I woke up screaming that night although I tried to muffle my screams he heard right away. I could hear him run towards me as if a demon was on his heels. After the first session with the maniac I had been terrified, and I had waited outside Ren's apartment for him for hours. He believed I had a stalker again, and he arranged for me to stay with him in order for me to feel safe. During the night was the worst because of the nightmares, and I know he's been getting worried about me more and more.

"Kyoko," Ren sighed his eyes widening in relief as he saw me in bed with no sign of physical danger anywhere.

Without thinking I just threw myself at him wishing I could tell him everything, and that he could save me from this pain. Sometimes I wonder what Ren would do if he found out, and remembering what he had done for me as Setsu, or with the Beagle it terrified me. I never want to lose Ren again into that person who seems frozen in the darkness of his own thoughts. His hands rubbed my back soothingly as he laid us down on the bed. If anyone knew we stayed together now I knew they'd take it the wrong way, but even if I still had nightmares Ren made me feel safe when we're in the same room together.

"I'll never be free of this," I whispered quietly thinking he wouldn't hear me, but knew he did when I felt him stiffen against me.

"Free of what Kyoko? Please tell me what I can do to help you?" he begged burying his face into my hair sounding like a lost child more than a man.

"All you can do to help is stay beside me Ren for as long as you are able to, I only feel safe with you," I told him truthfully.

"This is about your stalker isn't it, are you sure you don't have any clue who he is?" Ren asked looking into my eyes, and I could see the torrent of emotions going through them.

"I don't know his name Ren," I answered truthfully glad that I didn't have to lie to him too much; in my mind the creep is just as bad as a stalker. As his hands gently rubbed my back I could feel myself drifting back off to sleep feeling safe in the arms of the man I love.

The next morning I don't know what had woken me at first because Ren was still sleeping beside me. His strong arms were wrapped around me waist, and it made me think back to when I had been his teddy bear when we played the Heel siblings. I could feel myself drifting back off before I heard a crash from the kitchen, and jerked up out of Ren's arms with a start. With a groan Ren opened his eyes, and looked up at me with a bright smile that quickly went away when he saw the expression on my face.

"What's wrong Kyoko, did you have another nightmare?" he asked concerned as he brushed my hair out of my face.

"No Ren there's someone in the apartment," I told him my voice barely above whisper.

"Let's not panic just yet, ok? I'll go out and see who it is, but it's most likely Yuki sweetheart," he told me as he got up making me realize for the first time he wasn't wearing a shirt.

Thoughts of who was in the kitchen left my mind as I stared at his chest he didn't even bother putting on a shirt as he left the room. I was a little disappointed oddly enough that he hadn't caught me ogling him, but knew at the moment the only thing on his mind was making sure I'd be safe. Ren cared for me more than anyone ever had in my life, although my father would be a different matter I'm sure if he knew who I was.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I heard Ren ask his voice filled with anger making a rare grudge antenna stand up.

I didn't even think of my safety as I left the room wanting to make sure Ren wasn't in any danger. I had my cell phone clutched in my hand in case I had to call the police, and I quietly crept down the hallway. The kitchen was quiet as I walked down the hall, and I knew I was trembling in fear, not for me, but for Ren. There is no way that I'd ever forgive myself if Ren was hurt, or worse because of me.

"Kuu, calm down," I heard a familiar voice say as I got closer making me realize that it was just because they had stopped yelling that I hadn't heard them anymore.

"Calm down you say, how can I when no one knew where she was this morning? When I couldn't get a hold of her after seeing that news report I was sure that next I heard about her, would be that her body had been found in a ravine, or something," my adopted father of sorts said his voice filled with anger.

"Ren what's the matter?" I asked walking into the kitchen as all three men's eyes turned to look at me, and a beautiful woman I hadn't known was there came and hugged me.

"It's so good to finally meet you Kyoko I've heard so much about you," the woman said with a bright smile.

"Thank god you're safe," Kuu said hugging me as well, and I could see the tears welling in his eyes when he looked at me.

"What's going on?" I asked again the tense atmosphere riddled with relief was suffocating.

"It would be easier to understand if you watch the news," President Takarada said turning on the television.

The news was showing an abandoned warehouse I knew well, and it was hard to keep a neutral expression on my face as I stared. It was surrounded by cop cars, paparazzi, and I could see an FBI vehicle as well. The focus though was on an FBI agent who was standing in front of the building.

"I'm sure most have already heard of the man who committed suicide here last night leaving a note about why he did, but at that moment we had no clue who the other traces of blood had belonged to. All we had known was that the girl whose blood it was, was the reason for the man to kill himself. Today though the DNA from the blood covered whip came in matching a missing person's report from eighteen years ago," a female reporter said.

"I know most people are wondering who the blood of the victim is, and whether or not she is still alive like the letter implies, but we cannot verify if she is alive or not. As for her identity we still can't reach the victim's father or brother, and until we do her identity is a secret," the FBI agent said.

I tuned the rest out after that I had never been glad to hear someone was dead before, and I wondered that if being glad he was gone made me a monster. As I looked at it I couldn't understand if the name was never released what had made them so worried. No one had known what I was going through, so why did they wonder where I was at the time of the report.

"When we saw this we had thought it might have been Kyoko because she's been acting terrified lately, and the suicide letter left behind seemed to explain her fear to me," President Takarada said looking at me.

"Why does this have to do with your stalker Kyoko?" Ren asked looking at me.

"I don't think so they said blood was found at the scene, right?" I asked as if I was confused.

"Yes, and a letter. The man had admitted to torturing a teenage girl who had never had him arrested in order to protect her niece. He said her father was his enemy, and he could feel himself getting closer and closer to killing her. What made him finally snap is when he followed her to a doctor who had been treating her, and learned she was pregnant. In the note he makes sure to state it was impossible for him to be the father since he had only used the whip to harm her," the president said looking into my eyes as I kept a mask of concern there.

"I still don't understand why you thought it would have been Kyoko," Ren said speaking exactly what I had been thinking.

"That's because there was no job scheduled for Kyoko yesterday even though she told Director Ogata she was late for one. A stage hand had called concerned this morning asking about Kyoko since he had seen the look of fear on her face when she was on the phone yesterday, but knowing her tendency to overreact he wanted to ask what job she had been late for yesterday. What was the call about Kyoko?" the president continued.

I just looked at them trying to think of what I could say that would seem believable. Ren was always able to tell when I lied directly, so how can I get out of this one. They all looked at me expectantly as I tried to think of something, their eyes growing more and more concerned as I continued to remain silent. Lying to them hurt because I know that they all want what is best for me, but how am I suppose to explain anything to them.

Then with a phone call I had a way out, although I know it would make Ren mad at me. With a sigh I answered the phone glad that it was him since he'd be able to back me up without me technically lying as long as I never said everything. Ren's eyes were expectant as he hoped for the reason of the call to be explained through this.

"Shou, I thought I said everything that needed to be said yesterday," I answered angrily watching as Ren's eyes filled with slight anger, but everyone else was relieved thinking that he explained everything.

"No you didn't I told you we have the paper work signed by your mother for the betrothal between us. You are legally my fiancée Kyoko," he said angrily.

"You really should stop saying that Shou. I am not yours, and I never will be," I said watching as Ren's eyes became even darker.

"You can't break the agreement without parental consent Kyoko," he stated angrily.

"That thing was never valid considering my father never signed it Shou, unless if dead both parents signatures most be on it, and I know for a fact he never signed it," I said laughing.

"Your father is dead Kyoko," he screamed at me.

"No he's not Shou, and if you go ask that woman she can tell you that. Besides I'm already spoken for," I said happily.

"Damn it Kyoko where are you? I don't care what you say, you are mine!"

"You're interrupting something Fuwa-kun, so why don't you hang up, and preserve some dignity," Ren said unknowingly making Shou think he was the man I'd implied already had me especially since it's only six at the morning.

With that Ren hung up my phone and glared at it angrily as if it was Shoutaro himself. Kuu and the unknown woman were still looking at us with wide eyes, and the president was smiling largely knowing that Ren had just implied to the reason I was a love me member that we were in a relationship. I think though that he was also happy that I hadn't tried to grab the phone back from Ren to clear up the ideas that would be flowing around in his head about us.

"I thought you told me yesterday you rarely ever thought of Fuwa, but now I find out you two have been meeting!" Ren stated angrily his fake gentleman's smile fighting to stay on his face as I felt his anger.

"Thank you Ren," I said throwing myself at him.

Everyone's jaws dropped open, and Ren was spluttering like a fool as I hugged him tightly to me. The president's expression was that of his goofy they're in love face. To me I was surprised I didn't blush, but then again I'm not the same girl as I was when Ren and I first met. Of course that moment just had to be the one that Yashiro-san opened the door to Ren's apartment immediately squealing like a fan girl when he saw me hugging Ren.

"Why are you thanking him, Kyoko?" Kuu asked his jaw snapping back up at Yashiro's squeal.

"That's because Shou wouldn't leave me alone about a document my mother had signed without my father's consent. I got legal advice on it as soon as I learned about it, and because I have proof my father is alive it isn't valid. Even if a parent doesn't know about his or her child, as long as they are alive a betrothal agreement has to have both parents signatures," I said with a laugh watching as their faces dropped.

"You mean your mother had you betrothed to Fuwa?!" Ren asked his anger coming back.

"No she tried to," it's just funny she was the one who gave me the legal advice on this, I added on in my head.

"Wouldn't marrying him be the perfect revenge though?" Yashiro asked as he realized that it would have been to the old me.

"No for two reasons, one I don't want revenge anymore, and two he wants to still own me. Besides I..." I broke off realizing I shouldn't mention anything about that at the moment.

"Besides you, what?" Kuu asked.

"Nothing, by the way otou-san why are you in Japan?" I asked using the perfect topic changer.

"Kuu came here after being informed by an old friend that there was a documentation of Hizuri Kuon's marriage," the president said.

Ren's eyes went wide, and I knew Yashiro-san was confused as he looked between Ren, Otou-san, the president, and the woman. My face was hidden from view by Ren towering over me making me realize Ren, and I were still hugging. Instead of jumping away I just cuddled into him more, and asked the question I knew would be expected of me.

"If he got married why are you only hearing about it now? Shouldn't Otou-san have been invited to the wedding?"

"That's what I would have expected to Kyoko, but the thing is Kuon wasn't even known to be in a relationship, and the name of his wife is unknown," the woman said making me realize she had to be Julie, Otou-san's wife.

"Why not call to ask him?" I asked yawning slightly and wrapping my arms tighter around Ren as if I was using him as a teddy bear.

"Our son hasn't called us in years, and the marriage registration papers had something spilled on them, meaning only his copy has the name of his wife on it," Kuu said making Ren stiffen slightly.

"You've seen I'm fine now, so why don't you go see him, and ask?" I said as if I had no clue who Kuon really is.

I peeked out from under Ren's arms, and watched as the three adults who knew Ren's real name shifted about. Looking up I could see the shock, and surprise on Ren's face, and Yashiro-san just looked out of it. The four of them glanced back, and forth wondering what they were suppose to do, clearly knowing that Ren wouldn't leave me alone.

"That does make sense," Yashiro-san said joining into the conversation for the first time.

"It's not like you guys are hiding anything about him, right?" I asked with a smirk.

"Kyoko?" Kuu said in a questioning tone confused.

"You know Kuon don't you?" President Takarada asked sounding shocked well Ren's face went white.

"There's not much I can't uncover as Bo," I said smirking happily.

"You're Bo?" Ren asked looking at me shocked, and confused.

"Yeah. Bo was my first regular job," I stated.

Ren's face was so shocked, and I knew he felt a little betrayed only finding out now that the Rooster he confided in was me. Then he stiffened as he probably remembered everything that he had told me as Bo, and that I had to know he was Corn as well. Everyone else, especially Yashiro-san looked confused as they stared between the two of us not understanding why my being Bo was such a big deal. The president however had a big smirk on his face looking between us, and I realized that he was expecting me to act jealous since I had just heard the man I was in love with was married.

"I'm confused what does Kyoko being Bo have to do with the identity of Kuon?" Yashiro-san asked finally breaking through his shock.

"That's because Ren once told Bo that he had a childhood friend who had miss pronounced his name because he had said it with an English accent instead of Japanese. He also mentioned how she had mistaken him as a Fairy, and he had been keeping it a secret that he was her friend because he didn't want to ruin her dreams of fairies," I said, but everyone still looked confused.

"Basically she's telling you that I admitted to her, I was the Corn who gave her her magic blue stone," Ren added looking down at me in shock still.

"His mentioning the mispronunciation made me remember how when Otou-san had first told me I'd be playing his son Kuon; I had heard him say Corn. That just confirmed the fact that Ren had to be Kuon," I said laughing as Yashiro finally understood where we were going with all of this.

"What I don't understand though is I told Bo who I was in love with, but you never let on that you knew?" Ren asked.

"You never included a name Ren, how would I know who you're in love with?" I said truthfully.

"Does that mean that Kyoko is the one you married then?" Yashiro said interrupting our conversation with a fan girl squeal.

Everyone turned to us looking expectantly especially since the others had known I had stayed at Ren's. Even Ren turned to me looking hopeful that I would say that I was the one Ren had married, and it scared me. Otou-san's face was the worst because I knew he was hoping that I was now his daughter legally, and not just through a role. I knew my words would hurt them.

"Kyoko Mogami is not the name on the marriage license, the name Kyoko isn't on it at all," I added when they looked hopeful probably hoping I had put my father's name down on it.

"Then who did you marry Kuon?" Julie asked tears filling her eyes.

"I don't know I'm as lost as you all are," he said, and I could feel him shaking as I hugged him.

"I'd love to stay, but I have to get to work now," I said as I looked at my watch and realized we'd been here discussing this for two hours.

Leaving the room in silence I went to get dressed as I took on the role of Miyumi, the girl I was playing for my other drama. Today is the first day of filming for it, and I couldn't wait. This movie, and the one with Ren could get me out of being known as the scariest bully/protagonist in the acting world, and show that I was capable of other roles then this. Everyone was still standing where I left them when I went out the door, and the building.

The moment I was outside a man in a uniform approached me, and I realized that even if they hadn't gotten a hold of my family they had probably been able to track me down with little details. Even if my name is different, and I hadn't known until today about the kidnapping they would have only needed to figure out who had been waiting outside of her school the day it had all started. After all every detail, but my name would have been left in the journals he had kept.

"Reina Takarada?" the man asked as he approached me.