Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations I put them in. Everything else belongs to somebody else and that's just the way it has gotta be. Thanks so much for reading, hope you enjoy this latest chapter and let me know what you think of it.

A Major Smackdown

Glaring at her hated rival and stalker Reino, Kyoko couldn't help but think that she'd welcome the Second Coming if it meant the end of the hell that was this evening. "I've got to earn enough money to get you exorcised once and for all." Kyoko snarled, her eyes flaming up. "What do I have to do to get rid of you already?"

"And after I came all this way to greet you." Was his unfazed response, used to her hateful responses towards his person. It was better than indifference after all.

"Well you've greeted me, now go die and leave me in peace!"

Giving her the half grin she hated so much Kyoko yelped when Reino reached out and tugged her into falling against him, wrapping his arms around her to keep her in place. "Kiss me and I'll leave you for the evening." She'd never do it of course, which was why he'd requested it in the first place. He just loved messing with her like this.

Her response was a predictable squeaky scream as she placed her hands on his chest and attempted to push him away without any success.

"I'm too strong for you." Reino pointed out, even as his eyes swept the room to scare off the men who had started forward to help her. His aura alone was enough to freeze their blood in terror.

Except for one.

"Let her go."

)

Looking over to his left Reino raised as eyebrow at the small, elementary school boy who'd dared to speak when men five times his age remained silent. Impressed, Reino nodded his head in acknowledgement of the child's balls but made no move to release his captive.

"H-Hio!" Still struggling Kyoko could just see the boy over Reino's left arm. "He's a demon, don't let him curse you too!"

Since he considered Kyoko a demon Hio didn't find that as hard to believe as someone else would. The fact remained though that the demon woman was Kanae's best friend and she would think less of him if he were to turn his back on her friend when she was in need. Besides, Kanae might even reward him somehow for rescuing her.

"I said, let her go." Moving in closer Hio's eyes were cool and unflinching. "Or I'll make you."

While Reino dismissed Hio for his size, Hio dismissed Reino for the older man's own physically appearance. Correctly identifying Reino as a weak, all talk sort, Hio figured the man for the kind who cultivated a too cool to care persona to hid his general uselessness to the world at large.

All around them people were buzzing, most not bothering to step in now that they were recognizing the visual kei's challenger. The Uesugi men were legends in the action industry, and that they did all their own stunt work was well publicized. Just like everyone knew that the heir to the family, Hio Usesugi, was no one's cute little kid despite his appearance. He had a reputation for being older than his years, with a fiery temper that when provoked was as deadly as his grandfather's legendary swords. He had also been in training since he could walk, and in his grandfather's latest film Hio had made an appearance in an action scene that had proved he was, already, many a man's equal.

"Hio." Reaching out towards her charge Hio's manager backed up when he gave her the look that said he wouldn't tolerate her interference. He was tired and cranky after working all day, having to stay up in order to get a ride home with his father since his mother was environmentally obsessed and insisted on carpooling whenever it was possible. He'd been napping in the dressing room assigned to his father and had woken up with a need for the bathroom. It had been on his way to one that he'd heard Kyoko's name and had gone to investigate her appearance on the show. So now he was stuck playing her knight in shining armor, when all he wanted to do was sleep. In other words, he was going to finish this quick even if it was at the expense of years off the demon's life.

Smirking down at the small fry Reino wasn't a bit worried. Shuffling closer with Kyoko still squashed against his chest Reino reached out with one hand with the intention of pushing the little brat back a step. Reino was no match for anyone with any fighting ability, but he was just a kid, no threat to anyone, least of all someone twice his age.

Reaching out with lightening fast reflexes Hio caught the hand reaching out towards him and grasped it firmly with his left hand while his right hand moved in to press down on pressure points that had Reino's mouth making an O in pain as Hio's fingers dug into his flesh.

Letting Kyoko go reflexively Reino found himself literally brought to his knees by a boy half his age, the pain paralyzing when he attempted to break free of the boy's grip. He could do nothing but stare eye to eye with his captor.

"Next time, this will seem like a friendly greeting. I tell you to do something, demon, you do it." Hio informed him with a decidedly threatening aura. "Kyoko Mogami is under MY protection and while you might not find Sho Fuwa or Ren Tsuruga any threat, I assure you I'm a whole other matter. The name is Hio Uesugi, learn it well, scum."

"Wow." Moving to stand behind Hio Kyoko was really impressed. "You're definitely for grandfather's protégée."

"Now nod if you agree to leave her alone, FOR GOOD." Hio told Reino, who had his full attention. Only a fool gave his attention to another when his enemy was in the room. "Because if you don't, I'll have to see to it that you're physically INCAPABLE of touching her again. Capice?"

"I understand." Was the response hissed out through Reino's clenched teeth. He of course had no intention of leaving her alone, but the brat wasn't going to be around all the time. And if he was, well then he'd just introduce the shrimp to the rest of his band.

Letting him go Hio stood his ground, stretching out an arm to stop Kyoko when she made a move to leave the safety of his reach. She would stay behind him until the demon left.

Rubbing his sore wrist Reino looked around him, noting the smirks and grins aimed in his direction, could feel their emotions of cruel enjoyment in his being shown up by a mere child. He could even sense a spirit or two, laughing at his humiliation. It would be all over the entertainment industry come morning, the industry being an incestuous business where everyone knew everyone's business.

A man who usually couldn't care less what was thought of him, Reino couldn't bear, most of all, the look on Kyoko's face. Her gaze towards the boy was tender and kind, switching to laughter and mockery when she felt his gaze and met his piercing gaze. His own eyes flashing his body moved before his mind could issue a warning against it. Moving towards her with the intent to wipe that smirk off her face Reino barely saw the boy coming, and by then it was too late.

Getting a small running start Hio went straight at him and at the last moment jumped up to deliver a punishing kick to Reino's solar plexus, sending the rock star stumbling forward and through the side curtains.

"Legs are longer than arms, dumb ass."

)

It was with considerable surprise on both sides that Reino found himself crashing onto the stage, right into the back of a currently occupied couch. Clutching his stomach in agony, Reino was barely even aware that he WAS on stage.

Ren and Hio's father turning in their seats they looked down with a mixture of surprise, curiosity, and outright hatred on Ren's part.

"What the hell?" Ryotaro Uesugi said to no one in particular as he looked down at the unfamiliar man who'd suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

"You." Was Ren's snarled response at the same time.

The next words heard came from off stage, but were issued in such a loud wail that everyone could hear her clearly. "OH MY GOD, HIO. YOU KICKED HIM ONTO THE STAGE."

"Oh pipe down." Came a child's voice, male from the sounds of it. "I warned him, didn't I?"

"Hio, did you do this?" His father demanded, his voice changing to that of a stern parent as he raised it to be heard backstage.

There was a drawn out pause and than a loud 'CRAP' before Hio answered in a lower, much more respectful tone. "Yes, father, but it was necessary to protect Kyoko."

"Is it the Beagle?" Sho asked Ren, leaping to his own feet with his fists clenched and ready for action.

But Ren didn't answer him. To everyone's shock they watched Tsuruga calmly place his right hand on top of the couch, then nimbly swing himself over it, landing with a light thud just in front of his intended prey. Reaching down Ren grabbed a handful of Reino's long hair and painfully twisted it around his powerful fingers, jerking Reino's head to face him, his own a warrior's mask of fury. "I warned you." Was all he said before straightening up, taking a yelping Reino with him as he was still holding him up by the hair. "My apologies, but I have to leave now." Giving the host a respectful bow Ren then turned and literally dragged Reino off stage by his hair.

Walking right past a slack jawed Kyoko and Hio Ren only paused long enough to assert that she was physically unharmed before continuing to drag his hostage along with him to the nearest dressing room, where he then proceeded to lock them into the room together.

Turning the lock Ren threw Reino to the ground in front of him with a simple twist of the wrist, waiting patiently until the rock star looked up at him with growing fear. "Now you're going to find out what happens to men who put their dirty hands on what's mine."

Thankfully, the room was sound proof.

)

It was with a great deal of shock that the host found herself left alone onstage, as all her guests deserted her to follow Ren and the lead singer for Vie Ghoul off stage. Now she was left with dead air space while everyone was trying to stampede the stage in an attempt to get backstage and find out what was going on where the real dram was. Caught in the middle the host literally had to get onto her chair and clutch it as people streamed by, far too many for security to keep out and handle.

Of course the fans didn't get near the stars as they were at the front of the ever growing crowd, surrounded by stage hands and techs eager to get close on the off chance they would get to see or hear just what exactly was going on. In the center of the storm was Kyoko, who was busy wringing her hands as she contemplated the fact that her beloved mentor might be, as she stood there, ruining his career over her. Mr. Tsuruga's whole public persona was Mr. Nice Guy, what were his fans going to think now that he'd let them glimpse his Demon Lord half?

"This is not good." Yashiro said for the millionth time, having arrived and updated on the situation. "This is so not good."

"The president always said Ren was tougher than he seemed." Director Shingai commented, giving Yashiro a pat on the shoulder. "You might wanna call him; give him the update that his biggest star just blew his control BIG TIME."

Nodding Yashiro pulled out his phone to contact the big boss. God, he could just feel the ulcers coming on with every button he pushed.

"This is all my fault." Tears welling up again Kyoko's eyes wouldn't leave the door for a second.

"The man's a pansy, Tsuruga will definitely win." Hio pointed out, having been previously told by Kanae that she suspected Kyoko had a thing for the famous male actor but was too dense to realize it. Dense was a nice way of saying phenomenally dumb as far as he was concerned. Her heart was definitely in her eyes tonight.

"I'm not worried about him losing; I already know the damn Beagle is afraid of Mr. Tsuruga. I'm worried about what this will do to his career!"

"I'm sure it will be fine, Miss. Mogami." Hio's father offered, trying to help as well. "This might even mean new offers for roles he wouldn't be offered because of his…previous image."

Pulling out the handkerchief his mother made him carry Hio held it out to Kyoko, who took it with blubbered thanks. Girls, he thought with a roll of his eyes.

Sho, meanwhile, attempted to force the door to open for the twelfth time. He wanted the Beagle under his fists so much he could taste it. That it would be Tsuruga, not him, who would finally send the bastard to his maker was too unbearable for words. The Beagle was his to kill and stuff for display, damn it.

"Kyoko." Placing a hand on her shoulder, Kyoko reluctantly gave Yashiro her attention. "I got ahold of the president. He's sending a car here to pick us up so that we can avoid the crowds and the..press that are beginning to gather outside. You need to be strong, to help me get him out of here when he opens the door."

Straightening her shoulders Kyoko allowed one more tear to fall down her cheek before thrusting out her chin, prepared to be whatever was needed to help Mr. Tsuruga. Turning to Hio Kyoko managed a watery smile. "I'll wash your handkerchief and give it to Moko to give back to you. I really appreciate all your help, Hio. It was really brave of you to come to my rescue the way you did. I'm sorry I yelled at you for kicking him onstage when you were just trying to keep him away from me."

Embarrassed Hio shrugged his shoulders, looking away so that she wouldn't see the hint of a blush on his cheeks. "No big deal. I would have done it for any girl." Though if it had been his Kanae the punk bastard had grabbed, he would have definitely strangled the bastard with his own dog collar, Hio thought with dark relish.

"Well I'll definitely tell Moko how much you helped." Kyoko promised with a wink, knowing just how the teen felt about her best friend. Moko was of course in serious denial, but Kyoko definitely thought that in a couple years Hio would have the confidence to ask her oblivious friend out. She'd definitely support him too.

Before Hio could snap at Kyoko for her teasing him in front of everyone about his feelings for Kanae, the door in front of them opened and Ren Tsuruga stepped out, closing the door firmly behind him.

)

Not a hair was out of place, and there was no blood or ripped clothing to suggest there had been a struggle of any sort. He looked picture perfect as always, the Ren Tsuruga they all knew and loved from his countless movies and television appearances. You had to look into his eyes to know anything was up at all. They were half wild, piercing in their turmoil as his gaze scanned the crowd, stopping when they were met by wide, teary ones of golden brown. Parting the crowd through sheer magnetism Ren made a beeline for Kyoko, grasping her wrist in a firm but gentle hold as he stared into her eyes.

"We're going now." Was all he said, tugging on her arm to indicate she was to follow him.

Not even thinking to protect Kyoko immediately followed behind him as he headed off towards the outdoor parking garage, people still moving out of his way out of pure instinct. Following close behind Yashiro brought up the rear.

As soon as the three were out of sight of the spectators all attention turned back to the now unlocked door. Surging forward someone in the crowd threw the door open and everyone crowded in to get a good look at what was left of the beaten ghoul

The room was still in pristine order, there were no over turned tables, broken glass, or shattered knickknacks. At first many thought the room was empty, as no sight of the singer was at first apparent. And then someone pointed to the corner of the room, and all eyes turned to behold what was left of the famous headliner.

The lead singer of Vie Ghoul was curled up in a little ball in the corner, his face hidden from view as his hair hung over it like a curtain, his arms wrapped tightly around his knees, remaining in the fetal position despite the fact that he was no longer alone. He spoke not a word, not even to tell them to leave the room and give him some privacy. All he did was make these strange sounds, like a wounded animal about to die after a slow, agonizing time in an inhumane trap.

"Well damn." Director Shingai said softly, whistling under his breath. "He really went at him full force, didn't he?"

"What do you think he did to him, Father?" Hio asked curiously, wondering just what could have been done to the man to elicit such a reaction. He saw no visible wounds, and the singer was obviously conscious. There was no blood in the room or on Reino's person, so had Tsuruga reduced the man to this through words alone? Either way, he was impressed as hell.

"I don't know, but I'm going to ask him as soon as he's coherent." Ryotaro responded, jerking him thumb in the singer's direction.

"From the looks of him, that could be a while." Was one of the stage hand's knowing prediction, as he looked down at the pathetic being masquerading as a man.

Most nodded in agreement.