Authors Chat: After writing this chapter, I think I'm going to leave it in the M. If the person who suggested I move it still says it could be moved, I will. I trust their judgment.
This chapter was difficult to write in the extreme. The situations and characters, etc. I think you'll see why if you read on. I've done my best to stick to the character's actual persona that Sensei gave them. The situation is a bit more extreme then Sensei took things though of course, so I had to fill in some blanks personality and thought wise. I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
That being said, italics text are direct thoughts of characters, text is in quotes, noises are done with asterisks.
Constructive criticism is always welcome. Reviews are encouraged! I need feedback if I'm to incorporate or change my story for the audience's enjoyment!
DISCLAIMER: Skip Beat! and it's characters are not my original creation, they are owned and created by Nakamura Yoshiki.
Story Timeline: This fanfic takes place on Valentine's day. All history taken place in the actual Manga is relevant to this fanfic up until Valentine's day (end of manga chapter 143).
Valentine's Disaster Chapter 7
Fear wracked Kyoko's body as tears slid silently down her cheeks.
She had been afraid before when Reino had threatened to rape her, but it had been more a fear of 'what's going on' rather than the cold-sweat fear now induced in her shaking limbs. Then, she had known he was after her under the pretense that she was something belonging to Shou, not the other way around. Now he told her she holds Shou dear to her even throughout her denial and blame of him for the upheaval of her life and abandonment.
Then, she had her strength of the emotion for vengeance on her side, now… she only had fear. What he had threatened to do then could really happen now, and she did not know where she was and could not contact anyone or even yell loud enough to make a difference.
She had never felt so utterly helpless before. It was not a good feeling. She felt so small, so worthless. She felt that despite being on her own for years now, she couldn't even take care of herself.
Tsuruga-san will hate me again for my carelessness!
Her heart sank with that realization, and the tears fell faster from her eyes; the uncontrollable tears wetting her sweater selves where she held them against her face.
She cried to herself for some time before conscious thought returned to her. It was a good thing she was alone. Shou never knew what to do when she cried. But ARG! Why think of him at this moment? Certainly it was because she had trained herself not to cry in front of people because he could not handle her tears. … then why did it not bother her when she cried to Tsuruga-san, and in his arms no less?
It did not matter… after today… or tonight, whichever it was… Tsuruga-san would not hold her again. She wouldn't let him hold her again. She felt so dirty and would not let that rub off and tarnish his shining smile.
No… nothing happened yet… all he did was touch me…
She had to remind herself it was only herself thinking she was violated. Reino had stopped and did not progress any farther than making her cry. Making her forget Mio.
He could have done more to her; she was at his mercy. Still is for that matter, but for leaving her to herself when she could handle no more… she could not find it in herself to blame him for her own emotional duress.
She had to admit that deep down inside, she did not hate the feel of hands touching her bare flesh. Just not him. Not Shou, and not him.
The warmth and gentle tingle where his hands played across her skin… It bothered her that she took so much note of these things, though it did occur to her that Kuu would be proud of her for being able to feel and remember so much in such a short moment.
Actually… now that she thought of it… she HAD felt this way once before… when she fell in the kitchen, and Ren had…
She shook the thoughts from her mind. Her tears were dry now, thinking so much had caused her to forget she was crying, and she had stopped before she even noticed.
A phrase Shou's mother had once uttered to her sprang to mind. 'No one can make you upset but yourself.'
She had thought long and hard about that and realized that it was a matter of how one perceived every situation and how they chose to act. Very much like the predicament she was in now. She could get through this… It had to be her choice… She WASN'T helpless…
It took a little time, but when she sat up, she had a new resolve. She refused to let the situation play into the hands of that Beagle!
Think Kyoko! What can I do? You're not helpless…HE isn't here right now… that means I have some time. How far can I test the limits of this circle I wonder…
She stood up and took a step toward the ring of stones that encircled her. Her legs felt heavy as the energy drained from her body. Another step. Her legs felt tired, as if she had ran a marathon. Another step, and another. She was sure if she sat down she would not be able to stand back up. Another step, her legs began to shake. She forced another step. Her feet now dragged on the floor as she tried to lift them. Another step. She was almost to the edge of the circle. Another two steps and she would be there.
Come on Kyoko… you can do this!
She forced her legs another step. One more step… just one more step…
*brrr brrr* … *brrr brrr* … *brrr brrr*
Had she not been rooted to the spot, Kyoko would have jumped in surprise. As it was, she froze where she stood.
Aah! My phone! Where…?
She turned her head this way and that; it sounded as if the phone had vibrated against a hard surface. The sound came from behind her, away from where she had seen the door open. That must be where he deposited her bag.
It occurred to her that she would never have heard the faint buzz of the phone vibrating if it had not been against the hard surface.
Yes! Of course! My surroundings…
She looked around the circle again, this time looking at what she DID have rather than searching for what she didn't have.
There were eight reddish-blackish stones making a circle around her. Behind each stone was a standing light. Photography umbrellas were spaced intermittently, reflecting all light back into the circle. It was the extra light which created the barrier her eyes could not penetrate to see what was beyond.
If she could only make that last step to the edge of the circle, she could try to reach out to them. Turn the lights off, move the umbrellas, maybe use one to reach and pull her cell phone toward her… If she could dim the lights, she could at least see where her cell phone was.
One more step… just one more step.
She forced herself to take that last step. The pressure on her lungs and lack of energy in her legs made it hard to do anything. She stood there for a few minutes trying to get accustomed to the unusual sensations.
She reached out toward the standing light. Kyoko was able to extend her reach past the stone, but her skin tingled with little electric jolts and made her itch. The itch became too great, and she had to pull her hand back within the circle, the light was just out of her reach.
What could she use to reach further? Everything was outside of her grasp. The inside of the circle itself was devoid of objects. She only had what was on her person.
The pressure became too great, and Kyoko backed up to the center of the circle.
If I'm going to do this… I have to go to where it will be the most effective!
Kyoko looked back to where she heard her cell phone buzzing. There. That would have to be where she forced herself beyond her limits.
She sat in the center of the circle, apprehensively watching where the door would be and regained her strength.
She did not take long. The desire to get away was a great motivator. She forced herself once again to the edge of the circle. It did not seem as difficult this time, she had something she was working toward. Her depression started to shake the closer she got to the edge of the circle.
Stopping at the edge, she knew she could not reach out to grab the light, but she did have something that would reach farther than her arms.
Though she already knew, Kyoko looked around once more just to be sure she was alone. She quickly lifted off her sweater and balled the sleeve in her hand and made ready to swing for the standing light. If her aim was true, she could use the force to knock the light over or at least to the side so she could see past it.
Kyoko swung the expanse of her sweater out toward the light. She knocked the light over on the first try. The light crashed down and rolled AWAY from the circle. Some of the light of the circle managed to get out and showed her there was a small table against the wall where her bag was setting, the contents spilled out on the table as if someone had carelessly tossed the bag aside.
The sound of the metal frame hitting the ground was loud amidst the silence and she prayed no one heard it, but had to continue with her plan. She swung the sweater at the next closest standing object; an umbrella.
She was leaned over, reaching to swing the sweater a second time and did not hear him come in.
…
Reino had to admit, he liked what he saw. Watching the girl, half naked, trying so desperately to get away… it raised those predatory instincts in him that said 'I want this girl'.
He walked quietly into the circle behind her and caught the sweater as Kyoko brought it back to swing again. She did not realize it until she made to swing, but he used the force to yank her back into the circle toward him. She moved so easily when he forced her to.
Kyoko was unable to keep her balance from the awkward pull and fell against Reino, sweater still tangled around her arm.
"So it seems the little dove has shed it's feathers" he unwound the sweater off of her hand and pried it out of her gripped fingers. Wrapping his arm around her waist so she could not get away, he tossed the sweater well outside the perimeter of the circle.
"I did not realize it was molting season."
Kyoko shuddered against his body. This was not a sensation she wanted to be feeling. The warmth and softness of his hand on her back. It bothered her to the point she was ashamed of herself and the flush on her cheeks reflected that.
"Come, Kyoko, I know how this makes you feel." He ran his hand up her back, petting her soft skin. When he came to the obstacle, he slid his hand the rest of the way up her back underneath her bra strap.
"EEEH??!" She gave a mighty shove and pushed him away. She regretted the action only slightly as her bra strap snapped her back hard, causing pain where the warmth had been. The pain hurt, but it also removed the feel of his hands on her skin.
She had to get away. She couldn't deal with this situation, but after having Mio come to her so readily, she knew she could bring Natsu out, and Natsu was most suited to handle a situation like this.
Kyoko closed her eyes.
Reino sat back with curiosity and watched as Kyoko's entire body changed. It was as if she relaxed in her own skin and wasn't afraid or ashamed of her own body.
Her hands dropped to her sides and she leaned over one hip. Her shoulders relaxed, and a faint smile played across her lips.
He noticed a rather odd change in her aura. As Mio, the aura had been an icy blue. As Kyoko herself, her aura is a red tinged with gold. This new persona… her aura was a dark rich purple. It was velvety in texture and so bittersweet he could almost taste it.
When she opened her eyes, her entire demeanor had changed. She was no longer the scared little dove he had caught, but now more resembled a predator, looking for a kill.
"Why Reino. That floor doesn't suit you. Why not come up here were the air is warm?" She stretched her arms overhead and dropped them back to her sides. Her left arm bent at the elbow an she played her own hand across her belly, enticing the man to stand and come to her.
He could not resist the open invitation. After all, a free chance to get close to her… he could prod and explore this new persona and aura Kyoko had released.
This aura made her something else… it was much like her sakki, but different. Calmer.
Reino stood up in one motion and slid right up to her. He only hesitated slightly before placing his hands on her bare shoulders.
She leaned into him, pressing her chest against him, and looked up at him. Would he look down into her cleavage? Would he meet her eyes? What would he do?
He surprised her by running his fingers along her collar bone as he walked around behind her instead. He watched her aura as he stroked his fingers through it along her collar bone. It floated in smoky waves around his fingertips where he touched her.
Well, that makes no difference to me. I can seduce you just as well from behind as I can from the front!
She leaned back against his body now, causing his fingers to lower into the soft flesh above her breasts. Tilting her head to the side and down just a bit was an invitation for him to do what he wished to her neck. She was leaving herself open to him.
He accepted the invitation and leaned down to nip along her shoulder moving toward her slender neck. He saw flickers of red in her aura, as if Kyoko was feeling just as much as this new persona. How long could she hide behind this character? He wanted to find out. Push the limits.
Really! How could one woman make him so excited!?
He nestled his face in her hair, breathing deeply and pressing his body tight against hers.
She twisted in his arms to face him, he crushed her to him and nestled his face in her neck, leaving a chain of tingling kisses up her neck and into her hairline. He was almost lost in her scent, and almost did not notice the slight blackening of her aura.
What does THIS mean?
His hands traced the curve of her neck, moving behind her, they traced down her spine, then over to her side and up. The side of his hand grazed the side of her breast, but he kept moving up back to her shoulders.
Tease her a bit and see what happens.
Her aura continued to darken that it was now almost black. Natsu's hands slid up the sides of Reino's shirt, caressing his skin. The force of her desire, bleeding into him, feed him, making him want more of her. This new persona.. it was, after all, part of Kyoko.
She slid his shirt up and gently laid a kiss against his naked chest. Muscled, but he was not corded. There was no fat on his body. Reino being one of the visual types must work out, but was lucky to be born with such a body. Had these actually been Kyoko's thoughts instead of Natsu, she would have been mortified and embarrassed beyond belief.
She slid his shirt up further making it known that she wanted to remove his shirt. Would he let her? Did he trust the situation enough to let her take that advantage of him?
He did. Natsu felt pride in herself for getting him this far.
She firmly put her hand on his chest and began pushing him toward the floor. Again, he allowed her.
It's all too easy! How boring. I thought he'd at least be a challenge!
Natsu straddled his hips and could feel his desire pressing at her through his pants. She leaned down and kissed a line across his chest and gently bit down on one of his nipples.
He closed his eyes to fully enjoy the sensation. Was he really this weak willed? This desirous that he would let his hostage take such advantage of him?
Natsu reached back to grab his own shirt.
Reino had no clue how she did it. He was so enveloped in her aura he did not seem to notice what was happening to him.
Natsu stood up and looked down at her prey triumphantly.
His hands were tied behind his back, and it had been all too easy.
"Down boy" Natsu crooned.
Reino laid his head back against the floor.
"What will you do now? You still can not leave the circle, and however much I would like to see you remove your skirt, it simply is not long enough to reach those lights. On second thought… go ahead and try. I'm sure when Fuwa Shou arrives, he would love to see us both in the circle, just like this."
Natsu's aura flashed red for a moment then settled.
"A sly little trick to make me untie you? *chuckle* I hardly think that will work."
"You do not believe me? I assure you he will arrive sometime. You see, I had the limo driver leave him a little clue, and I am sure he can not refuse the challenge. He is the lucky recipient of one puppy etched chocolate!"
"You….. You BASTARD!"
Kyoko's aura quickly dissolved to the red tinged with gold, and it was flaring.
"You did this on purpose! You want me to be indebted to him for this!"
*Sigh*
"Kyoko… I've already said. I want you to strike him from your heart. I want Fuwa Shou to see you here, like this, with me. You can not get away, and it makes no difference if I lie here tied until he arrives or not. You are unclothed. I am partially unclothed. Fuwa is a man, it will make no difference to him."
Reino sat up.
"And in truth, it makes no difference to me." Reino easily slipped his hands out from the knotted shirt to his front and tossed the shirt outside the circle of lights.
Kyoko was shocked and flustered.
"Now… lets see who else you've been hiding, little dove."