Chapter 4: Emperor of the Night

The usual disclaimer: Skip Beat! is the property of Yoshiki Nakamura-sensei, I only own this story, and my hyper imagination.

EMPEROR OF THE NIGHT? Is that what she calls the doll!? Does she even understand the implications of that name? Did she realize just how close she was to losing her innocence? Sexual harassment…he winced. If course he had gone a bit too far while practicing Katsuki, it's only natural that she should think that way about him. Deflated, he admitted to himself that the 'Whimper' doll had made him hope she secretly didn't mind their proximity on that evening. But Kyoko had rather old-fashioned ideas about proper behavior.

Ren contemplated announcing his presence, but paused when Kyoko imitated him again, "You didn't listen to your sensei; instead you dare to insult him? Interesting…. Maybe I should punish you for your disrespect?"

Oh, God! She made the simple word 'punish' sound so incredibly lewd…. For Ren, watching her imitate him in that sexy, alluring voice was slow torture.

Ren watched in amusement as Kyoko once again turned pale and let out a little squeak, "No no, don't punish me, please, I'm begging you, Emperor-sama…, I will never behave so rudely ever again, I swear!" Curling herself into a ball on the floor, much like a pill-bug, she continued, "I'm really sorry, senpai, I apologize, please forgive your foolish kouhai...at least let it be a Cain-style punishment, or even Demon Lord-style; please Emperor-sama, don't eat me alive!"

Ren was lost in increasingly deviant thoughts. Eat her alive? How tempting…Wait, WHAT? So she was actually aware of what the look meant… then why didn't she escape? Could it be she liked it?...And what are Cain-style and Demon Lord-style punishments anyways?

Kyoko continued in the Emperor's voice, adopting a slightly sarcastic tone, "You say you'll manage somehow, but in the end you always come to me….. Remember, who explained aboutcharacter creation when you were stuck with Mio? Who put up with your 2 AM visit and taught you how to walk like a model for your Natsu? This is simply another thing I will have to teach you…" The last line was nothing more than a whisper, but the voice was dripping with honey, conjuring images full of dark pleasure and hidden desires.

Ren was stunned. The extent of her change in tone was unbelievable. If she talks like this during the flirt scene, she'll be attacked by her male co-stars!

"I know that! I am always grateful that you spare time and give such wonderful guidance to this lowly kouhai…but that is the normal you. When you give me advice as usual, you are kind and gentle and helpful; but if I ask you to give me flirting classes, you'll turn into the Emperor of the Night, and I just can't handle that guy!"

"Aargh!" screaming out in frustration, "I did such shameless things as Setsu; why can't I do the same as Natsu? I understood all the moves in the videos I watched, why can't I just act it out?" She sighed, and proceeded in a quiet voice, "Maybe I really am useless; doomed to never be good enough….."

Ren's heart broke at her small, pathetic, miserable voice. Her face clearly spoke of the mental damage her mother's coldness and Sho's callousness had caused. Kyoko was always smiling and cheerful, so he sometimes forgot how much pain and suffering she had endured, alone and friendless; immersing herself in the fairytale world of princess stories to escape the harsh realities of life…

He longed to simply scoop her into his arms, tell her how much he loved her; even if she wasn't good enough for her mother, she was perfect in his eyes. He wanted to show her how many people cared about her, how many lives she had changed; that Maria, her best friend Moko-san, Matsunai Ruriko, Ogata, Sawara-san, Lory, Yashiro, and most of all himself, all were indebted to her and would always be there for her….. Even Sho, who had tossed her aside, was seriously reconsidering her value. Ren highly doubted if Sho would have gotten this far without Kyoko supporting him as he worked towards his superstar dream. I'm not like him…. I'll wait for you, cherish you… don't cry Kyoko, I'll always be there for you, I promise.

But doing such a thing would only frighten her; she would avoid him, erase his existence from her mind. Biting his tongue to keep himself silent, he clenched his fist; staying rooted to the spot, his body trembling with a flood of emotions.

"Really, getting upset over such a thing; frankly, you're being a pain." Ren winced as she resumed her imitations. Would I really say such heartless things...? He recalled the incident on the Dark Moon set, on the 26th of December, the day after her birthday, when she was upset over being late for the Box-R script reading. He winced. I DID say that! He whacked his head in self-reproach. I'm such a jerk! I treat her so badly, no wonder I haven't made any progress with her at all... I should consider myself lucky she still talks to me….

His heart blossomed at the warmth in her next imitation. "Really, now, I wouldn't bother with you if I didn't think you were capable." she said, gentle smile on her face, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. In her normal voice, she cried out, "Thank you senpai, you always know the right things to say, how to cheer me up and motivate me. Sometimes I think you have magic of your own; your Tsuruga-san magic, it's actually rather like Corn's magic…"

Ren's mind was torn in two. He was elated that she took strength from his words; that just a memory of him could cheer her up, even if he was not present for pretty smile on her face made him fall in love with her all over again. Tsuruga-san magic…. Really, what strange things she said. On the other hand, he was worried that she was starting to notice similarities between him and 'Corn'. How would she react if she knew that her Fairy Prince was actually the rash, violent monster Kuon Hizuri; hiding behind the mask of the 'gentle' Tsuruga-Ren?

"But despite your kind words, the truth is that I'm a hopeless failure!" Though she was nearly flat on the stomach, banging her fist against the smooth floor; Ren was glad. Anything was better than her simply sitting like an empty shell as she had done minutes previously; her small, miserable voice faint, lost in a pit of despair and hopelessness. He was relieved that she had snapped out of it; and regained her usual vigor. Most of all, he was positively beaming with happiness that it was his words that brought the life back into her. So what if she had to do a flirt scene with someone else, so what if she hadn't spoken to him all week, what did the doll, her fear of his 'Emperor' look, or even Sho matter; if it was HIM she relied on to get over her slump?

Warmth seemed to spread to every corner of his body, his face glowing with happiness and satisfaction. He didn't have to be Number One in his heart; just the fact that she kept a little space for him there was enough to make him giddy with joy. I'm really hopeless, aren't I?

"Yes, I'm going to do the scene, and make Tsuruga-san and Father proud! I'm going to become a first-rate actress someday; this is simply another challenge, another hurdle to overcome. I CAN DO IT!" She jumped up, her hand in the air, fingers forming the victory symbol.

Scooping up the 'Emperor' doll into her hands, she flashed it a bright smile, and to Ren's utter surprise, she gave it a quick hug. "Arigatou senpai; thank you for everything. I don't know what I would do without you…."

"Ah, finally got your fighting spirit back, I see", the doll responded, "Took you long enough." The sarcastic tone was back, in perfect pitch and tone; and Ren could not help think, she'd be a huge success if she ever tried a career in ventriloquism…..

"Yes, I'm determined to do this scene, even though I don't like it; this is part of an actor's balanced diet! I have to show that I can play a wide range of roles; otherwise I'll be typecast as a bully!" Actor's balanced diet? Did she get that weird phrase from his father? Ren wondered.

"Well then, shall I give you some lessons?". The 'Emperor' voice was back, but this time, Kyoko did not back down in fear. Instead, she rested her back against the table, her posture casual and relaxed; and replied confidently in Natsu's voice, "Oh yes, I still have a lot to learn." Giggling suddenly, she leant towards the doll, which was now back onto the floor; and let out a sensual whisper "I think I would enjoy that lesson very much."

Ren was completely bewitched. Her tone, body language, every tiny movement was unbelievably provocative. Without realizing, he had taken two steps towards her; her honeyed voice lighting up the passion he tried desperately to bury deep within him.

She let out a deep breath, and once more stood perfectly straight; as Natsu's spirit left her, and she became Kyoko once again. Ren snapped out of his lust-induced daze. I suppose I was lucky I couldn't see her face. If I saw her expression, I would have completely lost it….

Ren was staring to get really confused. The 'Emperor' imitation showed clearly just how seductive she could be if she wanted to; then why was she having trouble with the scene?

As if answering his question, she continued "I realize that this scene would call for Setsu-like behavior, and I tried to bring out Setsu during the practice rehearsal; but I just couldn't! It's simply not possible, as Setsu isn't interested in anyone other than her brother….." She sighed at the 'Whimper' doll, or 'Emperor of the Night', as he now knew she called it. "It appears that you're the only one who can help me."

She whipped her head around at a soft chuckle behind her, her mouth wide open in horror. Standing by the door, looking calm and unruffled, was none other than her companion in her imaginary conversation, the person she was doing her utmost to avoid, Tsuruga Ren. Holding her heart as the shock subsided, she cried out, "Tsuruga-san you surprised me!" Then, the sudden realization of what she had been doing hit her, and she wailed, "How long have you been here?"

"Quite a while", he responded, wearing an amused smile as she screamed in shock and despair, apologizing profusely for her outrageous display, "I'm sooo sorry, Tsuruga-san! I promised myself I wouldn't talk with the dolls… I mean doll, anymore. I didn't mean to embarrass you with my indecent hobbies, I didn't mean any disrespect at all, please believe me…. I won't do it again, I swear!"

Chuckling, he walked nonchalantly up to her, saying, "Now then, I couldn't help overhearing about your problem. I have to go now, but I am free this evening. I'll pick you up tonight; we'll have dinner at my apartment and then practice the scene."

Eyes wide, Kyoko noticed that it was a statement, not a question. But all protest died in her throat as he captured her eyes with his own; his mouth widening into a smirk mirroring that of the doll in her hands.

"It would be my pleasure", the Emperor of the Night whispered into her ear, standing right behind her and slipping his hands around her waist. "But I can't promise not to eat you…"

Is this chapter too heavy? I had intended this fanfic to be a light-hearted comedy, but seems to have become rather serious and introspective; a reflection of my own personality.

Please write me your thoughts! Reviews are always appreciated, and I'd be trilled if you sent me long reviews, telling me which parts you liked and which parts you didn't.

I would also love feedback on the little things, like: Are the paragraphs too long? Should I put more spacing between paragraphs? The use of Bold, Italics and Underline are random, simply to convey the emphasis as if it was an actual conversation….please tell me if you find it confusing!

Merry Christmas to everyone! Consider this chapter as my Christmas gift to you all!