Chapter 3: Learning the ropes

'Alright, so this is what Bridge Rock looks like.'

I looked around in wonder as I followed Kyoko. It just so happened to be the day she had to act as Bo the Chicken. We informed the president of our plans, so he gave me a back stage pass to get around easier.

Kyoko and I were going to the back so that she can get ready. I was going to help her, but we got side tracked by the Ishibii (sp?) Brothers. I can tell you that they weren't brothers, but it was nice to see people as nice as them.

"Hey, Kyoko-chan! How are you? Oh, and who might you be?"

Kyoko and I bowed to the three hosts. When we stood, Kyoko spoke.

"Good evening! I'm fine, thank you. Oh! This is Higurashi, Kagome. I met her earlier today. She is one of my new friends!"

I blushed at the compliment, but bowed in greetings anyway.

"It's nice to meet you and thank you Kyoko. Even when we only met today, I feel like I've known you for years."

I smiled along with Kyoko. I turned back to the 'brothers'

"I am here to learn the ropes from Kyoko when she does the interview from you guys for that temporary amount of time. *bow* please take care of me while I'm here!"

After that I was whisked away by Kyoko to help her get ready. I didn't even know that I gave the impression of being like Kyoko.

After helping Kyoko, I went to the stands to watch the show. It was so fun and hilarious. I got a lot of knowledge as to how Kyoko acts as Bo. I also discovered that she switched personalities.

I can tell because of her aura. Each person has a specific aura to their personality. Kyoko's closest natural personality color is brown (symbolizes earth, stability, hearth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance, simplicity, and comfort). The character for Bo has the color of Orange (symbolizes energy, balance, enthusiasm, warmth, vibrant, expansive, flamboyant, and demanding of attention). That and I can the little spirit she made float and merge with her to become that character.

'I'm going to see if I can borrow that little spirit for when the time comes."

When the show was over, I went back stage to see Kyoko. I didn't see her but I did greet Hikaru. I got concerned when I saw he was slightly depressed.

"Hey! Are you alright Hikaru-kun?"

I approached him slowly so not to startle him. He looked at me with sad eyes. I stiffened when I saw he had a few tears in them.

"Oh my goodness, are you going to be alright? What happened?"

He sighed and told me that he asked Kyoko to dinner, for the millionth time, and got refused, for the millionth time. I sighed too and shook my head.

"That's because she is oblivious to her own attractiveness and her low self-esteem doesn't help much either. You just got to show her, little by little, of how much you care about her, like making good compliments on her looks or have a conversation that won't make her skittish and that you care about her instead of something else."

He stared at me with admiration in his eyes. I started to blush under his gaze until he clasped my hands and thanked me profoundly. His hands were powerful, so along with my hands being moved, my body did too. I probably look like I'm hopping.

I managed to make him stop, but I was dizzy now. I stumbled a bit but regained my balance. Once my vision is clear, I noticed that I am alone.

'Should I wander the set to see if I can find Kyoko?'

"Kyoko," I called in a yelled whisper. I feel nervous since I don't see anyone and that I should be quiet. Suddenly, the lights went out. I jerked my shoulders in surprise.

I can't see anything.

'I hope Kyoko didn't forget me!'

I calmed down by taking in deep breaths. I started to walk, slowly. I closed my eyes, since I couldn't use them anyway, and opened my other senses.

I did stumble on some equipment, but I was able to follow the faint sounds of movements to get to a door. I smiled in relief when I saw light behind my eyelids. I stood there to adjust to the light before opening my eyes.

I had two paths to follow. I didn't see a plate to tell me which direction goes where, which wasn't helpful. I decided to go to the left where I heard movement and a voice.

I came to a hall full of equipment and I found a man sitting on neatly stacked planks. His aura was dark confusion and something I don't understand – desperation. I sighed, inwardly cursing my kind nature, and walked steadily to him. It was Tsuruga-san.

I might have an idea of why, Kyoko informed me as to how she got the job of Mio on the way to going to Bridge Rock. Although they only just started to try and film scenes, she was having trouble.

I sat down next to Tsuruga-san, waiting for him to aknolledge my presence while spreading a calming and soothing aura around him. He glanced at me then turned away at my smile. I turned my head to stare at the ceiling.

"You know," I said, not looking at him even when he did look at me, "we can sit here for hours in silence if you want. I have enough time."

I turned to him with a lopsided smile. He gave me a weak one, but shook his head in amusement. I toned down my smile to be gentle.

"So~ what's on your mind? And don't deny it! *point a finger at him with mock seriousness* being a miko has its advantages, even if you don't believe me."

He gave me a chuckle. I smiled in triumph. I got him to laugh! I exclaimed as such,

"I got you to laugh! Now I can relax knowing you're not a stiff board as rumors in this building say you are. Well, that's not exactly what they say but you might get my drift."

I glanced at him with mirthful eyes. He rolled his and relaxed. He, reluctantly told me of his worries of his new character in Dark Moon. (I'm just going to use that name for the movie instead of the more complicated one ;P)

I "hm"ed and "Ah"ed here and there to show him I'm following along. I sighed and leaned on him. To say the least, he was startled. I smiled teasingly at him and poked his face. He swatted my hand in annoyance. I smiled ruefully and stopped leaning on him.

"You know, for an actor, you're pretty expressive, but that's changing the subject. I can't say that I understand your predicament, but there are always solutions to every problem. Whether you can solve them, easy or hard, or just finding a way around them."

I went back to staring at the ceiling while I let him think about my words. I contemplated his past. Another supposed 'gift' I got is to see the past of the person I touch, with bare skin. When I leaned on him, his hand touched mine. I saw his childhood, his horror show of his teenage years and the adult him that everyone knows.

He has a difficult past, but I can see he is running away from it by being Tsuruga Ren instead of original self. I even saw him with Kyoko as a child. I saw Kyoko's past as well, and to say the least, it is uncomfortable knowing their secrets, but I am an expert at keeping them.

Though I am somewhat grateful that his personality of what Koun is, is locked away. That personality would have eaten him alive with guilt. I sighed. I thought of all the people I met in the past and see them at a different angle.

I jerked when Tsuruga-san was in front of my face. I gave a yelp and crawled to the wall behind me, hitting my head in the process, and falling on the floor mumbling incoherent words.

I whined at the back of my throat and rubbed my head. I sat up with a wince. I glared at Tsuruga-san for laughing, well chuckling. I stood up with my nose in the air.

"Hmph! Shows me the next time I can help you, I won't even bother!"

"I'm sorry Higurashi-san, but what do you mean by solving my problem?"

I stared at him and just said,

"Go to the girl you find that is closest to your heart to help you act out the scenes you're going to have trouble with, even when you only just signed up for the movie you worry too much for a future that might or might not happen."

I walked away and let Tsuruga-san brood about what I said. I got to a door when it opened to find a man about the same age as Tsuruga-san. I can sense an irregular amount of electrical energy from him. I wonder if I can fix that. He was good looking, not as handsome as Tsuruga-san, but good looking and he seems to worrying about something. He noticed me after looking down. I was a bit irritated about it, but I'm used to it.

We introduced our selves. Then he asked me if I had ever seen Tsuruga-san somewhere. Apparently, this man is Tsuruga-san's manager. I told him the directions to where I was speaking to Tsuruga-san. I wanted to give him advice.

"I would watch Tsuruga-san when he is acting his role in Dark Moon. He may run into troubles with it. Have a good evening, I hope that we meet again."

I smiled and went back to try and find Kyoko. I spread my aura to find her …. running towards me. Next thing I know I'm being clutched onto in a hug with Kyoko exclaiming apologies a mile and minute. I told her I forgive her, but she insists with apologies before I finally stopped her with reasoning.

It was sunset when I got home. I trudged around doing last minute checking. I was so tired.

I finally got to bed with this thought in mind:

'I'm getting the adventure I've been asking for, right?'