Voilá! Sorry, it took a couple days longer than I'd hoped. Before you start reading, let me say a big 'Thank you!' to sweetXsunshine who pointed out an error and an OOC moment in Chapter 2. I really appreciate everyone's comments! Please help me make this a great fanfic!

Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat.


Ren Tsuruga strode down the hall with purpose in each step. Several people he passed wanted to call out to him and greet him, but something held them back. Focused and resolute, he was a man on a mission. His objective: Kyoko Mogami.

The burden of repressing his feelings was finally lifted. He had chosen her over Rick, and he had told her of his past. Though Kuon's darkness was not yet conquered, Mogami-san had accepted him. She knew who and what he was. For the first time, he was free to chase after her, and gods knew he would have her.

Slow down, slow down, he cautioned himself. She still wasn't ready. She couldn't accept love in any way, shape, or form. Not from a man at least.

Ren stopped in his tracks. Now there was a thought. As he mulled over various strategies, a plan of action took shape in his mind. Ren smiled, Yes, that should do quite nicely.

... ... ...

"Mogami-san, I want to talk to you about yesterday."

Kyoko had not noticed the knock on the door, and she hadn't heard the footsteps steadily approaching her. Crammed into a locker, she was in her own little messed up world in which her grudges fought tooth and nail to close and lock more tightly than ever the box in her heart.

"T-t-tsur-r-ruga-san?" Kyoko eyes widened in sheer terror. She wasn't ready for him yet! She hadn't found a way to shove Ren Tsuruga back into the little corner of her mind reserved for her 'respected senpai.' It's this damn LoveMe assignment, she howled. If it weren't for Setsu's feelings for her brother, I wouldn't have this kind of problem!

"Mogami-san," Ren said, wondering how she had managed to stuff herself in such a small locker, "do you need help getting out of there?"

"No! No, I do not." If she didn't get out that minute, Tsuruga-san would insist on helping her. Kyoko could not let him touch her again! Who knew what sort of vile catastrophe would happen if he did?! She scrambled frantically out of the locker, eyeing any potential escape routes as she did, but the hulking frame of Tsuruga-san was standing directly between her and the door. No escape from the devil. On her feet but refusing to look him in the eyes, she asked nervously, "H-how did you know I was here?" Her thoughts whirled in agitation, and she edged away from the handsome actor. Her grudges surrounded her protectively, shielding her from the terror that was Ren Tsuruga.

A corner of his mouth threatened to curl upwards. Perfect, he thought. Ren gave a long-suffering sigh. "Your friend, Kotonami-san, was worried sick about you. She felt I was to blame for your mood and came barging into my dressing room demanding answers. She's incredibly protective of you."

First, snap Mogami-san out of the pit of despair she's dug herself and bring down her defenses.

It took only moments. The suffocating aura disappeared. Kyoko's eyes, formerly desperate with anxiety, grew big and watery. A dreamlike smile spread across her face, and Kyoko experienced pure bliss. Moko-san was worried about me. It was the pinnacle of joy for Kyoko.

Ren watched her transformation with a soft smile. Moments before, she had looked like a frightened rabbit. Now she looked like she was in heaven. It was remarkable how much she cared for her friend, and when Kyoko thought of Kotonami-san, a warm and radiant shine enveloped her features, making her all the more beautif- Not so fast, Ren. This is no time to be awestruck. You're on a mission, and so far, so good. Mogami-san can think normally again.

After giving her some time in fairyland where he was certain that she and Kotonami-san danced in a field of flowers and frolicked with fairies, Ren ran his fingers through his hair in apparent agitation. "Mogami-san, was Cain too out of control yesterday?"

Second, make sure she doesn't hate me for my behavior as Cain. She had called him the devil, after all.

The spell broke. Kyoko flushed as she remembered again the way Tsuruga-san's body felt against hers. She struggled to answer him. It wasn't that he was out of character exactly. The problem was that no one, absolutely no one, should have such powers of seduction. Kyoko had been a victim of the Emperor of the Night before, and she had escaped with relatively little harm. This time she was plagued by Setsu's feelings.

It took every ounce of Ren's willpower not to reach for her. It seemed she was aware that she had responded to him last night. Her body at least, if not her heart. Knowing made it that much harder not to embrace her. He crossed his arms, instead. "Kotonami-san said you were in a strange mood, and she wanted me to talk to you about it. It seems it is my fault, or rather, Cain's fault." He sighed again dejectedly.

"N-no! Tsuruga-san," Kyoko managed to protest, "I should be able to separate my own situation from Setsu's." How could she let Tsuruga-san take the blame? A first-rate actor like him shouldn't have to comfort and console a newbie actress like her.

"He's over-the-top protective of his sister," Ren continued. "What's worse, Setsu is crossing the boundary from his adorable little sister to a beautiful young woman, and he absolutely hates when other men get near you. Still, no matter how desirable you are, Cain must learn some self-control."

Third, grinned Ren inwardly, now that she's learned it, don't let her forget that I am a man and she is a woman.

His comment had the intended effect. Desirable?! Kyoko's head could have exploded. No, no, no! He meant you as in Setsu, not you as in me! Calm down, Kyoko! You'll just make Tsuruga-san feel more guilty!

In a panic, Kyoko reached for the only loose string in Cain's behavior. Anything to distract herself. "But Tsuruga-san, Cain shouldn't have reacted that way, since the...incident occurred when we were ourselves."

Ren's face darkened. "Mogami-san, I won't deny that when I saw you being forced into a car, I became...angry."

Fourth, make sure she knows you were protecting her; show her how you feel. It took no acting on his part. His feelings were full to bursting, and his rage at Fuwa was barely hidden beneath his calm exterior.

The Demon King. Kyoko gulped watching the play of emotions across his face, glad the malevolent look was not directed towards her. She had been on the receiving end numerous times, but now the Demon King had appeared for her sake. It made her a little...happy. Certainly her grudges were pleased that Sho was the intended target.

Ren shook his head and gradually regained his composed features. "It seems you're not the only one who can't separate your character's and your own feelings."

Fifth, make us partners in confusion. He was less of threat to her that way. She might even sympathize with him.

"I understand," he said sadly, "if you want to quit acting as Setsu."

Sixth, appeal to her pride as an actress.

"No! Of course I don't!" Kyoko was an actress. Proud and determined, she would never quit a job halfway. "Besides, you would never eat, and Kuon would get in a fight every other minute. And -"

She continued on in the same manner for some time, but Ren barely listened. He couldn't take his eyes off of her as she defended him while rebuking him. Her eyes shone with golden light, and as she declared that he would eat a full meal that night, she pointed her finger at him in challenge. Her hand was so close he could have grasped it and kissed each finger. Her every little move called to him, and the play of expressions across her face fascinated him.

Seventh, make it impossible for her to leave me alone. Though he'd intended to casually bring up the matter of food, he hadn't needed to do anything. Her caring nature overcame any personal worries she had. As always, she put Ren's troubles above her own. She was selfless, too selfless, and he was taking advantage of that.

I cannot and will not betray your trust in me. Kyoko.

A heartfelt smile warmed his lips. "In that case, Mogami-san, can you be ready by 2:00? Cain Heel has an interview."

I love you.

... ... ...

Kyoko lay on the floor of the LoveMe dressing room, utterly spent. Her feeble grudges were spread out around her in a daze. They had just met Ren Tsuruga's divine smile and were struggling to recover their vigor.

Really, that smile should be illegal. It's a good thing he doesn't show that to every girl. Then even Yashiro-san couldn't keep them away from him. With a start, she rolled on the floor trying to rid her mind of such thoughts. Gah! Kyoko, pull yourself together! Think about your role! Think of how to play Setsu without compromising your own integrity! I am and will always be pure Kyoko! Tsuruga-san said -

Kyoko sat up abruptly. That's right. Tsuruga-san was struggling too. He admitted that Cain's feelings were affecting him as well. It wasn't just her. Kyoko breathed a sigh of relief. If an incredible actor like Tsuruga-san was having this problem, then it was only natural for an inexperienced one like her -

Wait. If Cain's emotions were seeping into Tsuruga-san's everyday life, wouldn't that mean that Tsuruga-san would become more dependent on her as Kyoko? That would be horrible, she realized with a jolt of fear. She thought of the box she had so recently stuffed back into the deepest recesses of her heart. It must never be allowed to open. I welded it shut with a blow torch! There's no way even he can touch it. Besides, all I have to do is remember that it's Cain's feelings - Kyoko's thoughts trailed off.

Hang on. Glaring her in the face was a fundamental difference between her and Tsuruga-san's problem. Setsu adored her brother, and as a consequence, Kyoko had recently had some thoughts which must never be thought. But for Tsuruga-san, it was the opposite. It was Tsuruga-san's feelings that had affected Cain Heel. Kyoko had known for some time that Tsuruga-san hated Sho, though she didn't know why, and that hatred had somehow caused Cain to punish his little sister. Tsuruga-san's hatred, not Cain's.

But that doesn't make sense, Kyoko argued inwardly, even if Tsuruga-san hated Sho then why would that translate to Cain Heel punishing Setsu? Was the incident last night just an outlet for Tsuruga-san's anger? No, no. He's too kind and mature to involve someone else in his problem...unless...unless that person was already involved. Me. I am the common denominator in both incidents. That could mean Tsuruga-san blamed me for being with Sho. It's almost like he's -

No! Not possible, she told herself firmly. How ridiculous. He must have meant that he had already become Cain when he faced Shotaro. Cain's emotions were already leaking over into Tsuruga-san's life. So Tsuruga-san was already feeling possessive of me. A startling thought, but Kyoko preferred it to the previous one. Of course, that makes more sense.

Relieved, Kyoko wiped her brow and stood up. According to the clock, she had an hour to eat lunch and change into Setsu.

... ... ...

If he weren't Cain Heel right now, Ren Tsuruga would be whistling a merry tune. It was rare that he felt so light-hearted.

He had at first dismissed the idea of letting Mogami-san think that Cain's feelings toward his sister had carried over into Ren's own life. It would mean that Mogami-san would interpret his own actions as residues of Cain's love for his sister, and that could relegate Ren to the abhorrent position of 'brother,' even in real life. He would hate to be thought of as her brother. It was a self-defeating strategy.

But it would also mean that Mogami-san as Setsu would let herself become more accustomed to such possessiveness and that Mogami-san as herself would become more tolerant of Ren's displays of affection. That was something Ren could live with.

Best of all, when she said that she couldn't separate her own situation from Setsu's, she had practically admitted to having feelings for him. Sort of.

His plan was clear. With the excuse of Cain's feelings, Ren would gradually ease Mogami-san into the realm of love. He would no longer repress his feelings, but he still had to hide them. He must be careful though. Such a fragile line was so easy to cross, and if faced with his feelings directly, Kyoko would flee.

... ... ...

Setsu walked next to her brother in TBM. Her nii-san had an interview in ten minutes for the movie. Pfft! laughed Kyoko in amusement. Cain Heel being interviewed. She couldn't imagine it, but Kyoko already felt sorry for the poor interviewer. Thankfully, it wasn't live.

Ahem. You are not Kyoko, no matter how amusing the situation may be. You are Setsu.

Cain stopped in front of a door. "Here it is." He turned to Setsu and brought his hand to her cheek. "Go straight to the dressing room, Setsu."

"But, Nii-san," she complained, "I want to stay here with you."

"We will have time together soon. This interview won't take long."

"Then why can't I wait -"

"I don't want any passerby ogling you," he said abruptly. "I don't know how you convinced me to let you come in the first place."

"Hehe. It's hard to resist me since I'm so cute. Right, Nii-san?"

Cain sighed as he tucked her hair behind her ear affectionately. "That's right, but it doesn't mean we need to let anyone else to see your cuteness. Which is why you must go straight back to the dressing room. No detours." And that was final.

"All right, Nii-san," she acquiesced, "but only if you make it up to me later." Setsu said the last bit with a sly grin.

Cain paused. "You've had this all planned from the beginning, haven't you? You knew how I would react so you insisted on coming here." He pretended to be upset, but inside, he was chuckling. His adorable sister was not only cute; she was clever.

Setsu kissed her first two fingers and pressed them gently against her nii-san's cheek. "You'll be late for your interview."

"See you soon, Setsu." He gave her a rare smile and stepped towards the door.

... ... ...

Setsu didn't leave until her brother closed the door behind him. Go straight back to the dressing room, he had said. Of course, she would. After all, there was nothing of interest here, not when her onii-san was gone.

Cain nii-san was in a good mood. So she was in a good mood. The strange temper that had gripped him the night before had vanished, and he was back to his normal, lovable self. Not that I disliked the way he acted last night, she blushed. It was just new territory for us. So I didn't know how to respond. But Nii-san only acted like that because he was mad. If it weren't for that idiot musician -, her thoughts were angry at first, but then she softened. Well, if it weren't for the idiot musician, I might not have seen that side of Nii-san.

Setsu's blush turned a deeper red, and she surprised herself by mentally thanking the idiot. Still though, it would be best if she and her brother never encountered him again. Even she couldn't predict what might -

Kyoko had only moments to compose herself. She couldn't believe it.

Rounding the corner ahead of her was the source of all evil.

Shotaro.


This chapter was tough to write because it was difficult not to make Ren seem like a manipulative ass. How did I do? Please review!

Next time, look forward to Setsuka vs. Sho!