Hi everyone! Thank you so much for the reviews! I hope you enjoy the next chapter :) Here's a hint...Natsu vs. Sho!
Spoiler Warning: This chapter does contain references from chapters 192 and 193. (Wasn't 193 AWESOME?!)
Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat! Nakamura-sensei does.
It was a day like any other, but nothing felt the same.
So Tsuruga-san had a past like that. It wasn't completely unexpected. After all, she had deduced that the land mine Murasame mentioned was 'cold-blooded killer.' But still...hearing him confirm her suspicions was another matter altogether.
" -oko. Kyoko! KYOKO!"
Kyoko started. How long had the director been standing over her calling to her? Quite some time by the look of his flushed, angry face.
"Gomenasai!" She jumped to her feet and bowed deeply. She was spacing out again. She couldn't get her senpai out of her mind. How was he doing right now without her? Was he eating properly? Surely Yashiro-san would make him stop for a proper meal. After all, he was a top actor. He had to take care of his body. But with the self-destructive personality he had, a balanced diet was not his top priorit-
" - listening, Kyoko?"
She had done it again.
The director's irritated voice growled his next instructions, "Would someone explain the next scene to Natsu. We roll in ten." Then he stalked off to talk to the cameramen.
"Kyoko-chan, is everything okay?" asked Amamiya-san, leaning towards her in concern.
Kyoko smiled, but it took conscious effort. "Yes, I'm fine. Just a little...distracted." So distracted that every slightest thing reminded her of Tsuruga-san. It could not have been easy to share his past with her last night, and she rebuked herself constantly for not having any appropriate words to comfort him. Yet maybe she had said something right, for when he finally stood up from the bed, he had thanked her. And more than that, something that she still didn't understand, Tsuruga-san had given her a smile. A smile of the most heartfelt...relief.
" - having guy problems, are you?" Amamiya-san's voice broke into her thoughts.
"No!" Kyoko shrieked, startling the rest of the cast. "Not in the way you mean. I am impervious to all things love-related. As an actress who takes pride in her work, I would never allow something as ridiculous as that to interfere."
"Haha. That's why you're in the LoveMe department." Amamiya smiled. Her senpai was adorably eccentric. But that still left the question...What was making her so anxious? Kyoko said it wasn't about a romantic interest, but the problem could still be a man. "Well anyways, these are the changes that we're supposed to make for the next scene."
...
Morning filming did not go smoothly. The director was particularly vicious, ordering retake after retake until poor Rumi-chan was ready to crack.
It was Kyoko's fault, in a way. After the first few episodes were filmed, the writers of Box R held a conference with the director. In their words, their imaginations had 'gone wild' over Kyoko's Natsu. She was a bully more terrifying than they could have conceived, and now they were desperate to give her a deeper role in the script. On the one hand, Kyoko was thrilled with the development. It meant that her Natsu had been accepted, and even more, it meant that she could expand her horizons as an actress. On the other hand...well, the director had caught the writers' mania and now subjected his actors to relentless critique. Detail by excruciating detail.
"One more announcement," called the director before he sent them off to lunch. "As you know, Box R will be premiering in a matter of weeks, and as the focus of the drama has shifted, we decided to change Box R's theme song. With Natsu and her bullying group having more screen time, I wanted our music to reflect their characters. Deep, complicated, and poisonous."
Excited whispers broke out among the cast, and the director had to glare at them before be continued.
"Thankfully, there is a talented musician who specializes in that area. We were lucky enough to contract him on such short notice, and he wanted to come here today to get a feel for the drama." A cold sensation of dread spread down Kyoko's spine. Surely it wasn't - "I am pleased to announce that our musical guest will be Sho Fuwa. I expect him to drop by sometime this afternoon."
Gasps elicited from the cast made almost entirely of girls. They squealed in fangirl excitement, the grueling morning forgotten. Sure, they were in the entertainment world as well, but Sho Fuwa was an idol, someone they could only dream of meeting.
To Kyoko, it was more like a nightmare. What a dreadful coincidence.
"Kyoko, a word," said the director, calling her over. Kyoko prepared herself for a scolding for her behavior that morning. "Truth is, Fuwa wasn't interested at first, but when I mentioned that Mio from Dark Moon was our antagonist, he agreed immediately. I think he's a fan of yours. So show him some attention. With his name attached to Box R, we'll get even more coverage from the media."
It wasn't a coincidence. Her day just became immeasurably worse.
Kyoko trudged to her dressing room. It felt as if her legs were weighted with lead and her heart with dread. In front of the cast she would have to pretend to actually like the troll. It would take her finest acting to pull off the feat.
...
Kyoko's grudge antenna shot up.
"Fuwa-san, welcome to Box R," she heard the director say. Moments later, he was introducing Sho to the staff. Rumi-chan and her cohort dashed to front of the welcoming line.
"Disgusting how they fawn over a musician," said a voice full of contempt. Oh dear. Amamiya-san had pulled out her notebook. "Where's their pride as actresses? They act like any girl off the streets! An actress who forgets her position so easily has no business being an actress. Even the director's like a lovesick puppy. I don't get it! Anyone can see he's just a puffed up, pierced piece of putrescence."
Kyoko's grudges nodded approvingly.
"And this," the director said as he finally made his way to Kyoko, "is Kyoko. She's the actress who played Mio and is now the leader of the bullies on Box R."
Damn, Sho thought, she is not pretty. He wasn't very good at convincing himself. Sho flashed her a smile. Several girls swooned while others shot Kyoko daggers of envy. But Kyoko knew the truth behind that smile. His prey was in his sight. "Actually, I've met her," said Sho. "She played an angel on my PV Prisoner."
"Wow, so you really helped jumpstart her career."
"I believe so," he said with a self-satisfied smirk that everyone but Kyoko mistook for happiness to be of help to another entertainer. In Kyoko's mind, he was telling her that she wouldn't be where she was today without him.
Kyoko shot out a response, "Yes, it was a great stepping stone for me." Meaning that she'd stomped on his pride and used the experience to further her acting.
"Kyoko." Sho turned his back on the director, blocking out anyone who dared interfere with his conversation. "I came to talk to you." His smile was arrogant as ever.
"About Natsu," Kyoko added quickly, nodding as though she understood. "Of course, you will want to discuss her character." She desperately wanted to keep her history with Sho a secret. She could not count the number of times that someone on Dark Moon had asked her if they were dating. It was infuriating.
Amamiya-san from her vantage next to Kyoko saw the look that passed between her friend and the young musician. Her brows creased in confusion. Rumi-chan's face worked itself into a royal pout. Fuwa-san was completely ignoring her while giving Kyoko all his attention. The director nodded eagerly, pleased to see the famous Sho Fuwa working hard.
Let's get this over with, thought Kyoko sourly. She followed Sho over to a deserted hallway. Perfect, no would hear their exchange.
"Well, well. What a surprise," he began with a cocky tone.
Sure it is, you idiot! "What do you want, Shotaro?" she demanded.
"Just couldn't miss the chance to see you on set. I overheard someone saying that filming was behind schedule. As your childhood friend, I sincerely hope you aren't to blame."
"The director is very meticulous." She tapped her foot impatiently. Sho noticed, and it annoyed him.
"How's your precious mentor lately?" His tone lost any trace of courtesy.
"That's hardly any of your business," she answered angrily. Who did the bastard think he was?! "Surely you didn't come all this way to interrogate me about Tsuruga-san."
She spoke his name too easily. With too much respect. Sho gritted his teeth. "No, I came to write a song, and I came to warn you about that guy. I spoke to him, you know. That day at TBM I waited by his car, and I saw a different side of him. He's not who you think he is. He's danger-"
"I know exactly who he is." She knew more than Sho could ever dream, and she would not sit back and allow him to badmouth her senpai. "He is brilliant and brave. Steadfast and determined. Someone like you could never understand him."
Sho's face contorted. This idiot girl! Letting herself be fooled by a beast! He wasn't the person he portrayed to the world. Dark like a fathomless pit. Cold as an icy wind. 'Ren Tsuruga' was nothing more than a mask. It was a curtain hiding a cruel devil. A devil who had Kyoko in his clutches. A devil that tried to touch Sho's possessions.
"He has you wrapped around his finger, at his beck and call," Sho accused.
"That's another thing. Stop. Calling. Me." She jabbed his chest with each word, emphasizing her seriousness. She didn't want a repeat of the cell phone incident with Tsuruga-san.
"I don't know what you're talking about." His number was unidentified. She couldn't prove it was him.
Kyoko didn't know what had sparked the animosity between the two men, but Tsuruga-san certainly hated Sho. Even worse, Cain Heel absolutely loathed anyone who tried to come near his sister. Last time, it was just her cell phone that was crushed. If Sho called again when Heel was around, the musician could start counting his remaining breaths.
She didn't care what happened to Sho, but Tsuruga-san was another matter. "I'm serious Sho, leave me alone. It irritates me, and Tsuruga-san found out about you calling me. He's angry."
Possessive bastard. He grabbed her upper arm and yanked her close. With less than an inch between their faces he spoke fiercely, "I don't want you anywhere near that heartless monster!"
That was the final straw. 'Heartless monster' was far too close to 'cool-blooded killer.' Kyoko snapped.
"My, my," came an elegant voice from Kyoko's lips. She wore a smile that could only be called confident, as though she had him right where she wanted him and he didn't even know it. "Violence against a childhood friend? How...barbaric." But rather than looking disgusted or angry, she looked pleased. She had been so very bored all day long. Now here was a new victim. He had no idea what he'd gotten himself into.
In surprise, Sho loosened his grip on her arm.
"I see how it is." Natsu's laugh was like a needle pricking Sho's finger, subtle in its ferocity. "She was nothing but a maid to you. No more than a common doormat without charm or redeeming feature. Then, she changed, and you couldn't bear it. Though you threw her away, you couldn't pick her up again. She was lost to you. And then, a knight in shining armor came along."
Natsu sighed, seeming to commiserate with his frustration. "You always get riled up when you think of Ren Tsuruga being near your childhood friend. Now you try to warn her from impending danger. How very...interesting. Ren is not the only one with something to hide. Ay? Sho-tar-o." She said his name in a sing-song voice.
Sho nearly took a step back. He did not know who this person was or what she had done with Kyoko, but the girl in front of him was like none he had seen before. Words slithered off her tongue in a graceful melody, each barb a skilled attack. Darkly cunning, this stranger was like a lovely demon.
Natsu reveled in his discomfort.
"I first thought you were angry that one of your fans was stolen by Ren, but now I realize it goes much deeper than that. One could almost think that you, Sho Fuwa, were jea-"
"Enough! Stop acting ridiculous, Kyoko." Like this, he didn't know how to manipulate her. Like this, he was at a loss. And that made him angry.
"Then release my arm," she ordered.
Instead he tightened his hold. "Not until you say you'll stay away from that guy. Permanently."
Natsu flashed him a beautiful smile. "Shotaro," she said with a gleam in her eyes, "you're holding my upper arm, leaving my forearm and hand entirely free. How careless of you."
So what? thought Sho in irritation. He learned 'so what' as Natsu, quick and cruel as a snake, pinched the bit of skin under his arm and twisted. Wearing only a thin, tight shirt he yelped in pain before he could suppress it.
"Oh dear, perhaps I pinched too hard. Honestly, I thought you would be tougher than that."
"Kyoko!" A crowd of people, alerted by Sho's yell, was running towards them.
"What happened?" demanded the director as he eyed the two young stars in bewilderment.
"Excuse me, director," said Natsu smoothly. "That was my fault. I pinched him. Quite hard, as a matter of fact. I can only hope it doesn't leave a bruise." Fat chance of that. It would be an angry purple bruise for days, reminding him of his defeat at her hands. "Sho Fuwa," she said, turning back to him, "since you're new around here I'll give you a fair warning. Do. Not. Cross. Me." She said this all with an ecstatic smile.
The director and crowd of fangirls were aghast. "Kyo - no, Natsu - w-what are you thinking?!" cried the director. "Fuwa-san, I apologize for her. I hope you won't view all of Box R negatively and will still work on -"
"Oh, he will write the song, director." All eyes turned to Natsu in fear. "That is, he will if he doesn't want his dirty laundry aired to the world." It wasn't even a veiled threat. It was blackmail.
"Dirty laundry?" asked Rumi-chan. "Kyoko, do you know Sho Fuwa?"
Natsu's spirit left Kyoko with a jolt that sent her reeling.
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH! She practically admitted to having a relationship with Shotaro! It wouldn't be long until they found out about her past with him! Then they would know she'd followed him to Tokyo and subsequently been dumped like so much garbage! Life as she knew it was over!
Calm yourself, Kyoko, she told herself sternly. You're an actress, so act your way out of this.
"No! No, I've only met him once before," Kyoko lied. "And as for that," she said referring her pinching his arm, "Fuwa-san said he wanted an up-close meeting with Natsu. In order to study her for the song, of course. He pretended to pick on me, and I as Natsu responded accordingly." Kyoko ducked her head and looked sheepish. Her cheeks turned pink with embarrassment as she bowed apologetically, and she glanced at Sho from under her eyelashes. "I hope I didn't go overboard, Fuwa-san."
Sho was looking at her as though he'd never seen her. "Not at all, Kyoko," he managed to say, chivalrous with such a large audience. "I've already seen enough." Damn! It still hurts!
...
That was the score of the century!
Unbeknownst to the entire staff, a member of the media had sneaked onto set. He was targeting the up-and-coming actress Kyoko, searching for any dirty skeletons in her closet if there were any to find.
Now he was practically skipping with glee. It was clear that Kyoko had a history with Sho Fuwa. That was interesting enough on its own. From his vantage point down the hall and around the corner, he wasn't able to hear all of their conversation, but one name had made it to his ears - Ren Tsuruga.
As the reporter watched Kyoko leave the set that afternoon, his eyes showed something like respect. The teenager had somehow ensnared two of Japan's most famous idols.
A love triangle?
He hurried back to his studio to develop the pictures.
...
Well, somehow she had extricated herself from that mess. Once everyone realized that it was Natsu who hurt Sho, the matter had blown over with relative ease. While they were appalled that he had been harmed on their set, the Box R crew's respect for Natsu increased. She wasn't remotely afraid of even Sho Fuwa.
Now Kyoko had time to do some grocery shopping before meeting Tsuruga-san at the hotel, but as she exited the studio, her grudges felt a presence before she did.
Sho was waiting for her.
"Get in the car," he said without preamble. "We have to finish what we started." He grinned in anticipation. Kyoko was back to normal, and he wanted revenge for his humiliation.
"Do you have nothing better to do than to stalk me?!"
Five minutes later after a robust shouting match, Sho picked her up by the waist and tried to force her into his car. Kyoko grabbed onto the car frame and pushed against it for all she was worth.
"Are you insane?! This is kidnapping!" She was supposed to meet Tsuruga-san in thirty minutes. If she was late, her dear brother would grow anxious. She had no time for this big lout.
They didn't hear the footsteps approaching them, but suddenly, Sho was jerked back and thrown to the ground while Kyoko was scooped up and held by a strong arm.
A tall, dark menace stood over Sho, eyes flashing with rage.
Murderous intent.
Kyoko shivered.
Kuon.
Please review! I would love to hear what you think about my interpretation of Natsu (because you will probably see more of her:) Again, thank you to all who reviewed Chapter 1 and to those who are following my story!
