Author's Note: First and foremost I am terribly sorry for the late update, however as you can see within this chapter, there was a rather huge thing I added into the original story. As I result I had to contact Lia and we were discussing it all this week, adding to the time it took to write it. Also, in order for it to work I had to change the ending of the last chapter – and for that I offer a large apology. I know it is irresponsible to have done a thing like that, and I vow that it shall not happen again.
I do realize that this is more of a filler chapter, however because of the thing I added it simply ended up that way, and also the original chapter is cut into two – this being the first half, and the next chapter containing the second half of the original Chapter Three. I am terribly sorry for being so irresponsible, and now that I have rambled enough, I shall let you read the story. Thank you.
Chapter III
Ren
Since my time in Japan, there have been rather few things that have managed to anger or annoy me. I liked to pride myself in that fact, seeing it as yet another barrier between my current self and the person I used to be. Yet there were still times when earthly matters made it through my defenses. One of those times was now.
"What were you thinking?" I demanded, clutching the phone to my ear in a vice-grip as I attempted to calm my annoyance at the person on the other line.
As always, Lori kept the air of calm and innocence cloaked around him like a protective barrier. "Whatever do you mean, Ren?" he replied.
"You know perfectly well what I mean." I answered stiffly. "Kidnapping. Kyoto. Impromptu skydiving."
"Ah, yes, that." I could practically hear his self-satisfied grin from the other line.
"Why–" I began, but was quickly cut off.
"How else did you expect to arrive in Kyoto? Besides, considering that you're calling me rather than stay at Kyoko's side suggests that both of you arrived safely, no?"
"That's not the point!" I stated, growing frustrated. "You know as well as I do that sky diving requires someone to take special classes, and the first time there must always be an instructor strapped onto the person–"
"–I find it hard to believe this is your first time sky diving–"
"She could have gotten hurt." I growled. "Kyoko could have even died! What in the world were you thinking!"
"Ren." His tone grew more grave at my accusation. "Do you really believe I would so easily place my employees in danger? I know you have enough experience with skydiving to be an instructor yourself. You wouldn't have let anything happen to her. Furthermore, I have emergency methods in order to prevent Mogami-kun's injury, should the need have arisen. I would never be so reckless as to do otherwise."
At this I paused. I have known Lori for practically my entire life – I knew the man as well as the back of my hand. And despite never truly understanding his methods, I knew for a fact that he was extremely loyal and protective. He was not the kind of man that would place anyone in any real danger. Were it not for this fact, I was positive I would have immediately done something I would later learn to regret.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to calm myself once more. "At least tell me why in the world she was wearing that of all things."
"I changed her. Think of it as an early Christmas present. And before you go on a moral tirade, let me specify that it was the female dancers accompanying me that changed her state of clothing. I saw nothing."
The outrage that I had been about to voice died in my throat at his words.
"Also, you have to admit that red suits her."
Immediately the image of the red flamenco dress flooded my mind.
"You're welcome, Ren." Lori said with a chuckle.
"It is not proper for someone of your standing to have stranded two actors alone in Kyoto!" I began, choosing to ignore the topic of the dress completely.
"Ah, but you see, you are not stranded. You are in a comfortable establishment, with enough food to last you the two-week period that you will be living there before the rest of the cast joins you. You can go swimming, take a walk around the pleasant forest, and simply relax. It's a nice change from the bustling city of Tokyo, no?"
I didn't answer, waiting for the point President Lori was avoiding to make.
"And it is the perfect place to practice for your role." There it was.
Unconsciously, upon the comment my entire demeanor shifted, and my mask of composure easily slid into place. The mask had grown comfortable after so many years of use.
"Ren." Lori began, somehow able to sense the change in atmosphere over the phone and switching to a more appropriate manner of address. "You knew you had to face a role like this someday. It's best to do it now, when you are young and there is still hope. You know this better than I do, don't you."
It was more of a statement rather than a question, and therefore dictated no answer. I remained silent. That in itself was answer enough.
"This is the best opportunity to do so, away from distractions and the eyes of the public." Lori continued.
I closed my eyes, the hand not clenching the phone tightening until my knuckles turned an unnatural shade of white. The thought of facing him in front of the public – of having everything I have spent years building crumble into dust in front of my very eyes – no. I took a slow breath. I knew it was best that President Lori had done what he did. And he knew that I knew that. But that didn't mean I was happy with it.
" . . . And you can also enjoy some quality time with Kyoko while you're there," the president said, abruptly breaking the tension that had before lingered in the air. "Rosy cheeks on a glowing face, the smell of a home cooked meal every day set upon a beautiful autumn background, playing house with your future wi–"
"Preside–" I warned.
"Have fun!" He hung up before I could finish.
I glared down at the phone in my hand. Almost as though, if I stared hard enough, I would be able to send a message to the person I had previously been conversing with.
With a mighty sigh I closed the innocent object and left it to quiver in peace upon the bedside table. Sitting down on the king-sized bed I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying – and failing – to remove the image of a future with Kyoko as my wife with our children from my mind.
Then the image of her wearing a flamenco dress made its grand appearance at the forefront of my brain. I groaned. Red really does look good on her, I admitted at last.
"I'm so weak."I muttered, running a hand through my hair.
Kyoko
I quickly slid the door behind me, my face a deep shade of scarlet as I recalled what happened less than an hour prior.
To my utter surprise, I discovered that sitting beside me in the same helicopter I was currently trapped in was none other than Tsuruga-san himself. Judging by his expression, he was just as surprised as I was to find the other there.
For a long time the two of us sat, stunned at the events that had just taken place. I stared at Tsuruga-san, and he at me, neither one of us breaking the silence.
Tsuruga-san was the first to recover, clearing his throat before he spoke. "Mogami-san?" He addressed me. There was a strange look on his face. "Do you mind telling me what you are wearing?"
It was only then that I looked down at my current state of apparel. To my utter surprise, instead of the casual clothing I had previously been wearing, I now sported what appeared to be a scarlet flamenco dress lined with black lace, finished off with a pair of securely strapped stilettos.
I promptly jumped in my seat and turned a bright red – ironically matching the hue of my dress – wondering aloud as to when this change had happened.
"How in the world did he change my clothes?" I mumbled. It was then that I remembered Tsuruga-san's presence, and forced my eyes to look up at him. The strange look on his face was still there, and the aura around him served as a clear sign that he was angry.
I cowered slightly over the presence of his rage. An angry Tsuruga-san was definitely not a good Tsuruga-san. What could he be angry about? I wondered dubiously.
The ride had been practically silent since then, with Tsuruga-san's anger looming over the helicopter. The pilot, however, seemed oblivious to the emotions of his passengers, for he conversed easily with Tsuruga-san when asked where we were headed.
Thankfully the trip to President Takadara's residence in Kyoto was rather short, and within that time the anger that had once clouded Tsuruga-san began to slowly dissipate to nothing.
I was placed into a false sense of relief when some time later the pilot directed us to strap onto a backpack beside us and put on the goggles. I was confused. Why would we need to put on goggles and strap onto a backpack? I asked as much, and received the statement that we were going to be skydiving out of the plane.
My eyes widened in shock. I stared at the man for several moments, unbelieving.
"Skydiving?" I squeaked.
"Yes." He replied calmly. "I suggest you both get ready, because we're almost at your destination."
Several uncomfortable moments later I found myself with goggles on my face and strapped onto the backpack – with Tsuruga-san pressed flush against my back. We were going to have to share the parachute.
"Just attempt to stay calm, Mogami-san." Tsuruga-san said behind me.
My cheeks were a deep scarlet at his close proximity, and I couldn't answer anything other than a quiet "Okay."
That embarrassment was soon replaced with terror when suddenly we fell from the helicopter into the air. All sound was trapped in my throat as I stared wide-eyed at the ground. Wind whipped past us, hitting my exposed flesh and pulling my hair back from my face. My heart pounded a mile a minute, and for the longest moment I felt as though we were going to die.
Tsuruga-san pulled the parachute cord. And then we weren't falling, but rather gliding through the air.
Our descent was slow, and Tsuruga-san spoke into my ear. "It's okay. You can open your eyes, Mogami-san." I hadn't even known I had shut them until he spoke.
I slowly obeyed, and was met with the view of Japan from the air. It was breathtaking. The orange and red hues of the leaves checkered over the land, rippling slightly in the wind. It was a sea of autumn.
The wind was gentler now, no longer whipping onto my skin, and now I could truly enjoy the scenery before me.
For that time, I forgot my initial terror and simply observed in awe. I had forgotten how beautiful Kyoto was during this time of the year. Yet all too soon it was over, and we were landing upon solid ground.
I stumbled slightly, unable to balance properly in my heels, yet Tsuruga-san managed to keep me standing as the parachute fell to the ground behind us. Tsuruga-san unstrapped us from the backpack, and at first my legs wobbled, rather unsteady from what I had just undergone. Again Tsuruga-san held me up, effectively wrapping his arms around me once more to prevent further stumble.
I looked up at him to thank him, my cheeks red both from embarrassment and the wind that had whipped my face. My hands were placed flat upon his chest, my heart still beating at the speed of a hummingbird. It didn't occur to me that it wasn't strictly necessary he place his arms around me, nor was it completely proper for them to stay around me for so long.
It was a long time later when he finally let go that I broke from my reverie. I parted from Tsuruga-san, now capable enough to walk on solid ground. Averting his gaze, I glanced over to the right and saw a large traditional Japanese-style residence. Judging by the sheer size and grandness of the building, I knew that it was almost certainly President Takadara's home.
"I–I will go on ahead and change." I spluttered, remembering my current state of apparel. "Goodbye, Tsuruga-san." With a hurried bow I scurried off into the residence, not bothering to pause and search logically for what was my room, so long as I would be away from the uncomfortable situation that had just taken place.
And so here I was, utterly mortified at my actions. I knew that this was most likely to help Tsuruga-san but . . . now the problem was exactly how I was going to face him!
Once again I cannot say how sorry I am, and vow that the next chapter shall be updated soon, this time without such a large change as skydiving. Until then.
