Hi again! Chapter two! Thank you to everybody who reviewed! I'm so sorry that it doesn't exactly follow the manga, but I think it will turn out okay... I hope. Also, I know you all probably want to kill me for not updating in forever, but leniency, please! Again, please review, and thanks. Have fun!
Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat! or any of the characters (sadly, because this manga/anime was a stroke of genius) except when I put them in the situations I do.
"What on earth?" Kyoko couldn't believe her ears or eyes. The oddest part of all was that one of the voices that had called out had come from right next to her! "How did you know? I didn't tell anyone!"
Ren couldn't help but laugh. "Do you think the president was going to let you have a birthday and not throw you a party? Miss Mogami, really, I know you're smarter than that. Plus, he told Maria, and she wanted you to have a birthday party."
Kyoko was in shock. Since when did she have this many friends and acquaintances? There were Moko, Maria, Mr. Yashiro, Mr. Tsuruga, President Takarada and so many other people. Kyoko was surprised to find that she was holding back tears.
Ren looked over at Kyoko, thinking that she would be happy, beaming at everyone. She wasn't.
"Kyoko? Are you alright? You look like you're about to cry."
"I'm alright, Mr. Tsuruga. I'm just so happy that so many people would come to my birthday party." She started sniffling then.
"Kyoko! Wait, are you crying? Aren't you happy?" Maria, the President's granddaughter, and Kyoko's 'little sister' came running at Kyoko, flinging her questions before she even got to Kyoko and Ren.
"Of course I'm happy, Maria. That's why I'm crying. Thank you so much for doing this for me." Kyoko gave the little girl a watery smile.
Ren was surprised, yet pleased. Surprised because Maria didn't seem to see him, and usually she could spot him from a mile away. He was pleased because Kyoko had seemed slightly down lately. He looked at Maria with the pride of a parent. Maria's care for Kyoko was heartwarming and almost equal to his own love for the young actress.
"Well, as long as you're alright… OHHHH! REN! How long have you been there?" Maria had found him. That meant the end of Ninja Ren.
He started laughing. "Maria, I was here before you."
Her eyes popped, and her mouth fell to the floor. "WHAT! How did I not see you? Was he really, Kyoko?"
Kyoko smiled, really smiled, for the first time that evening. Ren couldn't help but smile. That was another reason he loved Kyoko; her infectious smiles and her equally amazing laugh.
The moment he thought it, Kyoko burst out laughing. Maria and Ren joined in seconds later.
"Yes, he was here first." Kyoko managed to say between laughs and gasps for air. "He was worried about me too. Thank you, both. Really. I didn't know how many people cared about me so much." She started crying again.
All of a sudden, the President appeared.
" Oh, Kyoko, why are you crying? Ren, give her a hug. I find hugs make people feel better quite often." Then with a sly smile aimed at Ren, he pushed Ren at Kyoko.
"President Takarada! Oops! Sorry Kyoko. President, she's crying because she's happy. Apparently, Kyoko didn't think anyone cared about her this much." Ren smiled at Kyoko.
"Well of course we do! How did you not know that Kyoko? I liked you since you wanted to try out to become an actor. That is why I made the LoveMe section."
"I deal with you everyday because I care for you." Kanae Kotonami appeared from thin air in a beautiful evening gown.
"Moko, you're worried too? Why is everyone worried about me? I'm fine, really. Thank you all so much." Kyoko was on the verge of tears again.
"Don't start crying again Kyoko. This is your birthday, enjoy it. Ren. Dance with her." This came from not the president, but from Moko.
"Moko, Mr. Tsuruga must have other things to do than dance with me. With all these beautiful women here, he must have someone better to dance with." Kyoko tried to weasel her way out of dancing.
"Really Kyoko. You look gorgeous tonight too! That dress is ravishing." The President this time.
Kyoko mumbled something under her breath just as Ren gave both of the meddlers a glare that should have stopped both of their hearts.
A new laugh joined in with Moko and the President this time. "Yashiro…" Ren growled at his manager.
"Mr. Yashiro! Hello! Are you enjoying yourself tonight?" Kyoko was trying to draw the attention away from herself and everyone there knew it.
"I'm going to get a drink." Maria huffed. Everyone was trying to pull Ren away from her. At least it was Kyoko though.
"Now Kyoko, I'm having fun, but I'm more curious about what you were mumbling when I got here." Yashiro put the attention back on Kyoko.
"." Kyoko mumbled really quickly this time.
"What? Say that again slower and louder please, Kyoko." Moko new what she had said, after working with her long enough, you got to understand how Kyoko Spoke when she was under stress; Moko was doing it for the benefit of everyone else.
"I don't want to dance with Mr. Tsuruga because I don't know how to, and I don't want to embarrass him." Kyoko sighed. She was about to bow, but Ren grabbed her hand.
"I'll teach you." Kyoko was starting at him like he had 3 heads.
"But I'll embarrass you!" Kyoko was mortified.
"You won't embarrass be Kyoko. I'm a good teacher, the President says so." He smiled at her, the one he could only find himself smiling when he was thinking about her or talking to her.
"O- O.K. Mr. Tsuruga… If you're sure." Kyoko could never resist that smile.
He whisked her onto the dance floor.
"How long have you known?" Takarada was bemused.
"Oh, please. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that he's gaga over Kyoko. He just acts differently around her. And just because he's an expert actor doesn't mean he can hide everything. With Kyoko, he lets his guard down just enough to see the real Ren Tsuruga." Moko was smiling a little. "I think he would be perfect for Kyoko. If she hadn't sworn off love, that is."
"I think she'll come around, but you're right." Yashiro and President Takarada said at the same time. The three burst out laughing.
Ok, so I apologize for the cliffy (this was going to be one chapter) but on my computer, this looks huge, but when I get it on fanfiction it will probably be a lot smaller. I apologize for grammar/spelling issues. If anyone has the inclination to become my beta reader, I'm sure everyone will burst open a bottle of champagne and toast you. Last but not least, I don't believe you shall have to wait anywhere near as long as you did for this chapter, because as this was supposed to be one chapter, I already have a bunch of ideas. Sorry this is going so slow. Thank you to all who review, and if you would, do it again. I read every one. See you next chapter!