Chapter 7: Fate: Some Sort of Miracle

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Skip Beat, for if I did, we would definitely see the Hizuris again.

Kyoko grimaced then let out a low moan. Her head felt foggy and her body ached. She could feel something warm and heavy in her left hand. Kyoko's eyes fluttered open then closed. She smiled when she glimpsed the large hand holding hers. She turned on her side to face him directly and opened her eyes. She lifted her free hand to caress his cheek. He looked tired. His normally vibrant green eyes were blood shot and full of worry. Kyoko frowned as she fingered a spot on his face. Where did this cut come from? He had dark shadows beneath his eyes and slight bruising on the side of his face.

"Good morning my Princess," he whispered turning his head to place a tender kiss on the inside of her palm.

"Good morning Corn," she whispered back smiling shyly. He smiled at her, relief and happiness evident in his tired eyes.

"Mo! What the hell is with this love play? I want to gag right now!" Kanae exclaimed.

"Moko-san?" Kyoko said aloud and turned toward the voice. She yelped in surprise after discovering that they had a whole audience. Yashiro, Lory, her mother, Kuu, and the most beautiful green-eyed blonde woman she had ever seen were standing in the other end of the large room. Their eyes were bright with tears.

Her friend practically tackled her in a bear hug making Kyoko cry out in pain. "I'm so sorry," Kanae said pulling back and dashing at the tears that slid from her eyes. "I'm just so happy you're awake now."

"What's going on? Mom? Dad? Why are you all here? Why are we here?" Kuon asked looking extremely uncomfortable. His parents moved to his side. His mother sat down in the seat next to him and reached for his hand. His dad looked like he had aged ten years since he had last seen him. His mother was as beautiful as he remembered, even with her red puffy eyes.

"Oh my baby! Please don't be mad. We were just so worried, we had to come. I'm so happy you're ok." Julie cooed in fluent Japanese kissing the back of his hand. Her large green eyes sprouted fresh tears further amplifying her beauty. "Both of you!" she added smiling at Kyoko through her tears. "I'm so happy to finally meet you Kyoko-chan. I wish it was under different circumstances but so happy none the less."

Kyoko nodded awe struck by the woman she had just dubbed the Queen of all Fairies. Kyoko wondered briefly how she managed to cry so beautifully. If it was her, her face would be all scrunched up and blotchy with snot running into her mouth. The Gods were too cruel.

Kuon squeezed her hand. Kyoko looked at him carefully this time. She finally noticed that half his head had been shaved and was covered by gauze. She reached up with the hand that was being held by his and stared at the foreign tubing protruding out of her wrist. How had she not noticed that earlier? She touched her head and found that the back had been shaved as well. She tentatively fingered the bandage on the base of her head. What exactly happened to them?

She looked around the room. It was a large and luxurious room, furnished in leather and dark woods. Almost every surface in the room was covered with flowers, stuffed animals, and many other gifts. To her right sat several machines on a cart similar to the one on Kuon's side. She didn't realize it yet but behind every well-crafted cabinet in the room, rested the typical hospital equipment and supplies necessary for all patients.

The couple looked thoroughly confused. "What do you both remember?" Kuu posed the question. Everyone looked at them anxiously. They were all relieved that they didn't appear to be suffering from amnesia at the moment. That was one of several most likely issues the doctor had prepared them to anticipate.

Kyoko and Kuon exchanged glances with each other and blushed bright red. They both spoke in unison, "the waterfall."

Everyone in the room gasped in surprise. Concern flashed across their eyes. Saena took the seat next to Kyoko's side of the bed and held her hand. She was still quite awkward but she had worried over her daughter's well-being these past weeks.

"You two were in a terrible accident. A drunk driver ran a red light and plowed right into the passenger side of Ren's car," Lory explained grimly. "You have been in an induced coma for the past two weeks. The doctor did a scan on you two days ago and found the swelling in your brain had drastically reduced. He scheduled today to take you off the medication deeming that if there was further reduction it would be safe to try to wake you both up. It gave Kotonami-kun time to be by your side Mogami-kun. Kuon, I called your parents the moment I heard about the accident. They've been here for the past two weeks."

Kuon and Kyoko's face scrunched up in confusion again. He had stopped in time for that van, didn't he? In the midst of not wanting to sound crazy neither voiced their minds. Their friends and family were already scrutinizing them as it was. They didn't want to add to their worry just yet.

Kuon looked at his parents, "Thank you, for coming. I know you probably missed a lot of work becau-...Ow!" Kuon exclaimed rubbing his forehead. Kuu had just flicked him in the head.

"You're not being cute right now! Your well being is more important to us than any job! Don't ever think otherwise," Kuu warned. Kuon nodded still holding his forehead. It really stung.

Yashiro who had remained silent in the back finally came forward. He looked tired. His usually impeccable suit was rumpled as if he had slept in it. He bowed deeply to the couple.

"Ren…err Kuon-san, Kyoko-chan because of me this happened to you guys. If only I had taken Kyoko-chan home properly that night this would have never happened," he said talking to the floor.

"Yashiro-san?" Yashiro looked up at the call of his name. Kuon smiled brightly imitating one of Ren's gentlemanly smile. "Are you implying that it should be you lying here next to Kyoko?"

Yashiro squeaked in fear, "That's not what I meant! Please forgive me! It's just that…"

Kyoko lightly smacked Kuon who feigned injury as a result. Everyone observed the change in both of them. There was a comfortable closeness that hadn't been there before. They determined that some sort of miracle transpired while they were sleeping. It was all thanks to Lory's foresight to have them room together. The eccentric Love Mon had decided that it was high time he directly meddled with these two. He insisted that the power of their love would heal them quicker. He was the only one that knew these two blockheads shared a mutual love for each other.

"Yashiro-san, please don't blame yourself for this. It was a terrible accident. Fate would have found a way," Kyoko told him. She was still a bit confused about the whole thing since her memory spanned barely two days of playing in the woods with Kuon. She remembered the occasional odd dreams she had whenever she fell asleep. Was that reality pushing through her subconscious?

…

Aside from the major head trauma, Kyoko only suffered some gashes that required stitching and bruising on her right side. Kuon, unfortunately, also suffered a broken rib. The doctor did a quick check up on the couple and gave them the ok to take a bath. He told them that they could probably be discharged in two days. He wanted to keep them at the hospital under close observation. With that bit of news, Lory popped champagne. Ruto handed a flute to everyone but Kuon and Kyoko. They sipped water as a toast was made to a quick recovery and a congratulations on their new relationship.

With the aid of Kanae, Kyoko was able to take a bath. Kyoko was surprised to see tears shining in Kanae's eyes once she helped her friend disrobe. The right side of her body from her hip down showed signs of fading bruises and healed cuts. Kanae helped her climb into the bath and left her alone with the door ajar. Kyoko groaned in pleasure. It felt heavenly to her muscles to soak in the nice hot water. She laid her head back and closed her eyes. A small smile played on her lips as visions of their river baths played through her mind. It had all been a dream but could two people have the exact same dream. With a blush, she wondered if the lower half of his naked body really looked like that.

After they finished cleaning up and donned fresh hospital robes, the couple provided Lory with a combine statement to release to the press. They watched in horror from the window of their hospital room as Lory exited the hospital. True to his usual pizzazz, their eccentric President had discarded his somber suit and stepped out of the hospital in full costume.

He wore snug white trousers, embellished with a gold stripe on each side of the leg, tucked into knee high black boots, a long sleeve jacket with white on the bodice and purple sleeves. Large gold buttons adorned the bodice in two rows. To finish off the look, he had a tall white hat on his head secured with a chin strap and a twelve inch purple plume sticking out of the top. They heard rather than saw the whistle nestled in his mouth. With high knees, his left hand on his hip and his right hand swinging up and down clasping a baton, he marched out of the hospital with a full marching band behind him.

Lory was obviously the band leader. He had girls dancing around him holding flags with both Ren and Kyoko's faces on them. They did a loop around the front of the hospital grounds bringing joy to all the patients. He settled himself at the podium that was setup on the top of the steps for him to address the media and fans that have been staking out the hospital.

Kuu turned on the television in their room. He flipped through the channels until he found the news broadcast going on outside.

It is my sincere pleasure to inform all of you that Ren and Kyoko-san have woken up a few hours ago and are recovering nicely. They asked me to give a brief statement:

To our family, friends, and fans, we thank each and every one of you for your heartfelt prayers and gifts. We have no doubt that you all had a hand in our quick recovery.

To the many first responders, doctors, nurses and more that aided us, our deepest thanks for saving our lives. You are our heroes . We truly appreciate all that you do for our community! We are forever in your debt.

They are still recovering and would like to ask that you continue to respect their privacy. There will be ample opportunity in the future to interview them. Thank you everyone!

News of their recovery spread through the industry like wildfire thanks to Lory's display. Their friends and family fielded phone calls and turned away visitors. The Darumaya couple were permitted to pay them a visit. It was the first time Kyoko had ever seen Taisho with tears in his eyes.

Kuon and Kyoko were spending time with the Hizuri's before visiting hours were over when a soft knock sounded on the door. They all looked at each other with raised eyebrows. It was this last visitor that brought the young couple so much joy.

"Onee-sama, Ren-sama!" Maria cried as she tore into the room, all lace and curls, as soon as Kuu opened it. She pounced on the couple's makeshift bed right between them hugging them both. "I'm so happy you're both finally awake," she wailed. "I was so scared you would leave Maria too!" She hugged tight to Kyoko her little body trembling with grief. Kuon rubbed the little girl's back as she cried to her heart's content.

When she was all cried out the little girl pulled herself up and smiled radiantly. "I used all my magic items and prayed to all the life deities so you would both wake up."

Kyoko exchanged glances with Kuon, maybe Maria had something to do with what happened to them. Either way, the fact that they both had the same vivid dream could not be ignored. Kuon was now a believer in divine intervention.

Japanese throughout the nation are rejoicing! LME President has made an official statement this morning and followed it up with a social media post that our favorite couple had awakened from their coma this morning. The up and coming actress Kyoko-san, who starred in tune notable roles such as Hongo, Mio in Dark Moon and most recently as Momiji in The Sacred Lotus of the Mire, and Japan's top actor Tsuruga, Ren who we have just found out is the only son of Japan's hero Hizuri Kuu and fashion mogul and supermodel Julienna were involved in a horrific accident over two weeks ago. The pair had been in a coma ever since that fateful day.

The notable silver import was struck after a drunk driver in a moving van ran a red light and collided with the vehicle carrying Tsuruga-san and Kyoko-san. Given the damage to the vehicle, first responders were skeptical that anyone could have survived the crash. Witnesses claim that the impact from the van was so profound that it caused the tiny sports car to flip several times eventually resting on its top. Fire fighters had to use the 'jaws of life' to cut open the vehicle. Rescuers on the scene reported that Tsuruga-san had protected Kyoko-san from possible death. The actress was found wrapped up, protectively, in the actor's embrace but both were unconscious.

This picture was released of the couple later this afternoon by LME. It shows the pair smiling into the camera both holding up a curled hand to the other making a heart. As you can see, Tsuruga-san's natural eye color is green which blew our minds. You can't make out Kyoko-san's injury but you can slightly see the bandage on the right side of Tsuruga-san's head. Both had suffered severe head trauma and had to undergo emergency surgery. It's good to see proof of their recovery.

This next picture was found posted on Hizuri, Kuu's social media page. Here we have the young couple in the middle with Hizuri–san and his wife posing on either end. The caption on the picture read 'It's good to have my family all together again!' That statement was not lost on us. Will there be wedding bells in the near future? LME and Hizuri camp have confirmed that Tsuruga Ren is indeed their son Hizuri Kuon.

That's all our time folks but I'm sure that everyone, myself included, is looking forward to seeing these two back in action.

Kuon used his free hand to click the power button on the remote then kissed the crown of the girl in his arms. It was still a little disturbing to know that their time spent in the woods never happened.

"Corn, do you think it really was just a dream?"

"Even if it was, I'm glad I got to experience it with you. I had a lot of fun."

Kyoko smiled warmly at him, "me too."

"So what do you want to do when we get the all clear from the doc?"

"I hear it's fairy season in Hokkaido," she said with a teasing smile. Kuon chuckled.

"I already know the perfect spots!" He said leaning over her. He brushed his lips gently over hers before claiming her mouth completely. She tasted even sweeter than his dreams.

"I'll see you in my dreams Princess," he told her giving her a final peck on the lips. Kyoko giggled, it would be their inside joke for the rest of their lives.

THE END

AN: If you finished reading this and were like W-T-F then my work here is done…LOL. If not, then I just suck. I thought I was dropping clues in every chapter that alluded to something like this. I hope it wasn't too disappointing for you all. I did, however, save myself some heartache and made them both wake up. I think I read way too many angsty SB fanfiction that I was considering a more not so happy ending.

Anyway, thanks for sticking with me until the end! Sayonara! I appreciate all of you! ^_^