A/N: Wow. Lots of conflicting reactions from last chapter…. some thought it was too much and some liked it. So, I agree that Sho probably wouldn't go that far…but…well…I have no excuse. I just wanted to show him as a bit of a possessive jerk. I think that, given the chance, he would force another kiss on her. As for the Taisho, I understand that he was a bit OOC. That was pretty much a product of me wanting to portray a protectiveness of Kyoko and show some of his feelings. Then again, maybe I'm just not very good at portraying his character…. hehe…. sorry. So, once again, I'm sorry if you didn't like either of these things. Here's chapter 7. Hope you enjoy.
Chapter 7: Outings
Sunday
Ren stared at the TV, not bothering to turn it on. Kyoko was still asleep. 'Either that or she just doesn't want to come out.' Everything seemed to be going well between them, and he had been surprised that she had only been upset by the thought of him being angry with her. Now doubts were plaguing him. 'Does she regret getting so close to me? Will she come in and revert back to 'Sempai?' Or worse, am I going to wake up and all of this was just my imagination?'
He understood what Lory was doing. Kanae had wanted to show Kyoko how many friends she had and how much they cared for her. Lory was killing two birds by distracting Kyoko and giving her time with her friends at the same time. But Ren suspected that he was getting more time with her than anyone else, and while he didn't think that the President had anticipated Fuwa's attack, he had a feeling that Lory didn't mind the turn of events too much since Ren was taking care of her.
The phone call with Yashiro had been…. interesting. As soon as he had dropped her off, he had phoned to see what the plan was. Yashiro told him that the President and Maria would pick her up at Ren's at around lunchtime, and afterwards Ren was to go to the President's mansion to resume work. 'How did the President manage to free my schedule for two days in a row?'
Afterwards, at Yashiro's insistence, Ren had been the one to call the restaurant where Kyoko lived to inform the Okami and the Taisho of Kyoko's whereabouts. Though the Taisho had only spoken a few words, Ren could nearly taste the hostility over the phone. He had been relieved when the Okami had taken the phone and thanked him for contacting them.
He let his thoughts wander to Sho Fuwa. He had quickly realized that any sort of confrontation would lead to either a stain on his image or Fuwa's dismemberment…or both. He clenched his fists as he thought about the blonde musician. 'Fake blonde' he felt the need to remind himself. He knew one thing for sure, that was the last time he was letting Kyoko near that man without himself present, although he didn't blame Yashiro for the incident. He dropped his head in his hands and groaned. 'Let Kyoko? Not only is she not mine to 'let' do anything, she would do as she wanted regardless. Heaven help the man that tries to control her.' He smiled fondly down at the carpet. 'Well then, I'll just have to make sure to be with her all the time so she's never alone with him…or hire an assassin.' He smirked at the idea.
For the second day in a row, Kyoko woke up in Ren's guest room. 'I could get used to this.' She thought, and then blushed brightly. 'I'm pretty sure that I love him, although I don't know how he feels. Still…I'm not ready to do….that.' Shaking the thoughts from her head, she picked her head up when she heard a knock at the door. "Come in!" She called.
Ren approached her quickly and knelt down beside her. "Good morning. Are you feeling okay?" She smiled. There was no pain in her arms or wrists, and the bruising and red marks had gone away quickly since they hadn't been to bad in the first place. She let her head drop and rolled over to face him.
"I'm fine, thanks to you." She said with a sweet smile. He clenched his hands so they wouldn't be tempted to touch her. She sat up and swung her legs around when he stood with his hands behind his back. "Don't you have work today?"
"Um…yes. I'll be leaving around 11, after the President picks you up."
"The President? I don't have work today?" She frowned up at him, and he smiled and took her hand, tugging her gently up, causing he to laugh, and leading her into the kitchen where bags of food sat on the table. "I see you learned your lesson." She laughed as he began pulling food out.
"He's not picking you up for work. He knew that Maria wanted to see you and said he would feel more comfortable if he came along." Ren lied smoothly. Well, it wasn't a total lie. Maria did want to see her, but the President was just going along to treat them. Kyoko retrieved the dishes and set the table in the living room.
"What have you been doing? Did you wake up early?" She wondered as she sat the table.
"Watching TV." He called, without thinking, from the counter where he was gathering the rest of the dishes. She looked in confusion, first at the TV, which was switched off, and then at the remote, which was on the bottom shelf of the TV table. Shrugging, she decided that he was just OCD about putting the remote back. The thought made her giggle a little.
He joined her at the table and the two dug in. The food was good, but to Ren nothing compared to Kyoko's cooking. "So what kind of work do you have today?"
"Oh…uh...you know. Just the usual. A…modeling shoot…. and a few interviews." She cocked her head. "So when are you shooting for BoxR again?"
"On Tuesday afternoon. Actually, it was supposed to be on Monday afternoon from 4 until about 7, but I got a call from the director who said that the shoot had to be moved to Tuesday because of…camera trouble?" She frowned at him. "Does that sound strange to you?"
"Oh no! That happens sometimes!" Ren lied quickly, realizing at the same time how much he was being forced to lie to her today and how much effort the President was putting into this.
"Can't they just get a new camera?"
"Uh…that would be quite a waste of money if the old one could be repaired, don't you think?"
"I suppose. But what if it is still broken on Tuesday?"
"Then... they will probably go ahead and buy a new one because they don't want to postpone filming for too long."
"Oh! Of course." She gave him a reverent smile and he wondered if she thought he knew everything. Actually, he had a feeling that they would probably just replace the camera, but he had never thought about it.
After the dishes were done, Kyoko went into the guest room to get ready. Ren knocked on the door and brought in a bag of clothes. "Yashiro picked this up and brought it by this morning." 'Lie.' He had lost track of his lies this morning. He actually had about four other new outfits in her size in the back of his closet for when she stayed over unexpectedly, though he would never tell her that. He liked seeing her wear something he had bought her, and she would never allow it.
"Oh. Thank you. I'll be sure to pay him back."
"Please don't worry about it. I gave him the money for it when he brought it by."
"Then I should pay…"
"No." His voice was firm and she didn't really feel like fighting it out. 'What was it he said about men buying me clothing?' She blushed for a second then looked down in the bag. There was also a hairbrush, a toothbrush, and other toiletries.
She sighed. "Then thank you."
She looked up and was temporarily blinded. She hardly noticed when he (and his 1000 watt smile) left the room.
Mentally, she decided to take stock. One lock…just barely hanging on. The grudge responsible for holding it was lying in a charred heap on the ground, and it seemed that the others attempting to repair the locks had failed to take cover. It looked like a grudge graveyard. 'Wait a minute? Where are the rest?' Granted, she hadn't seen them in a while…they hadn't even come out when Fuwa had attacked her. 'I nearly forgot about them…but where are they? Looks like Ren got killed this one…but…' She froze in horror. "Oh my gosh they're all dead!" She screeched. "How did this happen! I didn't think I could run out! What am I going to do! Who's going to hold the locks!
"Kyoko-chan?" She spun around and found Ren peeking through the door, confusion and concern on his face. He pulled the door the rest of the way and her face did its impression of a tomato. "Whom are you talking to? What 'locks'?"
"Um…no one. Just…lines! Lines for a script." He raised an eyebrow and she knew that he wasn't fooled, but she couldn't exactly say 'You've managed to kill off all the grudges holding the locks on my heart in place to keep me from falling in love with you!' Staring again at his (very nice) bare chest, her face grew darker. "Ren! Can't you get dressed in your own room?" She whined, covering her face with her hands. Suddenly, he was very, very close. She peeked out from between her fingers and he was bent over in front of her, staring into her eyes with a dark smirk.
"Kyoko-chan. Have you forgotten? This is my house…so they are all my rooms." She pressed her lips together, realizing that he was right. About to apologize, her voice failed her as the Emperor came out. "But we can share them if you want." He smiled when she just buried her face deeper in her hands. "How about it?"
"Ren! You are being mean! Stop teasing me." She whined, embarrassed. He laughed loudly and, after ruffling her hair, left her to change.
'I wasn't teasing.' He thought with a smirk.
Kyoko sat in between President Lory and Maria. Maria had been delighted to see her, and the President had greeted her warmly and then asked if she was doing okay. Despite being happy that she was spending time with Ren, he was sorry that it had happed as a result of her being attacked by Fuwa. A professional (threatening) letter had been immediately delivered to Fuwa by the President himself, and he had spoken with the boy, his manager, and the President of the agency. Also, Fuwa Sho was not allowed in LME without a member of security with him at all time. Now looking at the girl chatting away with Maria, he wondered if he had over reacted. 'No…he shouldn't be able to get away with that. But she seems okay. I'm glad.'
"So how has work been going?" He managed while Maria took a breath.
"Very well. Thank you." She smiled at the President who couldn't help but return it.
"How about Acting School?"
"Oh. I don't get to go as often as I like, but that's most because of Box R and Dark Moon, but since Dark Moon is nearly over, I should have more time. "
"Don't you think you will get more offers for Dramas?"
"Well…I'm just a newbie actress. They will probably want someone more experienced for their roles. But…I do hope that some day I will get to play the protagonist in a series, or a movie. But I don't think I'm good enough for…"
"Mogami-san, I'm not sure you realize how popular you are getting." He interrupted softly. Frowning adamantly, she shook her head.
"President, I'm sure that…"
"Would I lie to you Mogami-san?"
"Um…I don't nece…" His look shut her up. "No President."
"Good. Now that we have that settled, let's get started."
"Get started on what?"
Maria couldn't help but cut in. "On our day out!"
"Um Maria-chan?"
"We're going to go ice skating!"
Kyoko frowned at the random activity and looked at the President. He shrugged. "She loves ice skating, and she wanted you to join us."
"Do you like ice skating, Big sister?"
"I haven't done it in a while, but yes. It sounds like fun. I should warn you that I'm not very good at it."
"That's fine. I'm just learning, and Grandfather can't skate at all." Kyoko and Maria laughed at this while the President pretended to pout.
They spent a large portion of the day at the ice ring, with Maria skating circles around Kyoko, who quickly remembered how but stayed with Maria. The President sat on the sidelines and, unbeknownst to Kyoko, directed the party progress. Everything was coming together quickly, and all that was needed were the costumes and a few of the props. All of the building was complete, and the sets were finished.
When the girls were too tired to skate anymore, they dropped on the bleachers and rested. "Wow. The two of you are going to be sore tomorrow." The President idly observed as they panted. Maria laughed and Kyoko smiled at her. "Are you hungry yet?" Maria nodded but Kyoko stared at the floor shyly.
'He already insisted on paying for the rental skates and the entry fee for the ice ring. There's no way I can let him pay for anything else, but I don't…'
"Mogami-san, aren't you coming? We're going for lunch." The President and Maria were standing beside her, effectively interrupting her thoughts.
"Oh…" 'Well, it would be rude to refuse now…especially since Maria is hungry, and so am I.' "Okay, I'm coming." She smiled and jumped up.
At the restaurant (which was much nicer than Kyoko had anticipated) the President insisted on paying and Kyoko, with much restraint on her part, didn't not complain or argue. Instead she just thanked him and held a conversation with Maria, who was enjoying spending time with her beloved Big Sister.
Next was a movie, which the President allowed the girl's to choose, and Kyoko insisted that Maria choose. As she sat through the children's movie, laughing at Maria's reactions and sharing popcorn with them, she stopped briefly to think 'So this must be what it feels like to be a part of a family. This feeling…it's so strange, but it makes me so happy.' She blushed, then thought 'I hope that one day I can have this for myself.'
Late that evening, the President dropped Kyoko off at her home where she managed to explain, with much downplaying and apologies, to the Okami-san and Taisho-san, about why she had not come home the previous night. They waved away her apologies and the Okami-san told her that she was just glad she was okay. Before she had gone to bed, the Taisho had given her a gentle hug and told her to sleep well.
Laying in her futon she let her mind wander. 'I wonder what Ren is doing? Why do I keep thinking about him? Does that mean that I love him? I'm so confused about this, but I'll have to talk to him about it some time.' She sighed and rolled over. 'He seemed so upset about Sho…why does he hate Sho so much? And he said that he made up the 'Rule of the Heart' because he was jealous. Why would he be jealous?'
Peeking out of the opening box in her hear, three small angles, almost like the grudges, but with little halos floating above their heads, had a hold of the last lock and were lifting it. "Give her just a little longer and some more time with him." The leader said to the other two. "She's almost got it."
A/N: Well? ALMOST DONE! What do you think? Thank you for reading and for all of the reviews.
