Predator and Prey

Kanae and Ren return to the photo-shoot studio dressed in formal wear. His black tuxedo has no tails but the purple vest matches her shimmering floor length, backless gown. The make-up artist has expertly twisted Moko's long dark hair into an elegant twist and hung glittering jewelry from her ears and neck.

"Ah, you both look lovely," Endo comments as he turns from directing two of his assistants from moving a tall white pillar onto the open set.

Kingo approaches his first couple and explains their parts. They are supposed to act as a couple who are in love but that they each believe their feelings to be unrequited. The second half of the shoot will be of their reactions after they both learn that they love each other. Ren and Kanae both nod their heads that they understand their casually outlined characters.

Endo directs them to the set and has Ren lean on the pillar as he watches the object of his affections as she goes through the motions of fixing her make-up and hair. Ren watches his partner intently and lets all the love he feels for Kyoko wash across his face. A shiver runs up Kanae's spine so she turns to stare at the actor who is staring at her. As she makes eye contact with Ren, all she sees is his normal pleasant smile which makes her frown slightly.

As his camera snaps in rapid succession, Endo murmurs his approval. Kingo clenches his hand into a fist in frustration as he watches the scene play out. He barely breathes in his desire to find something to fault with the pair. His first chance comes when Ren and Kanae switch roles and the actress is watching the actor drink slowly from a flute of fake champagne.

"Tsuruga-san," he starts in his slightly condescending tone. "I need you to show a more casual atmosphere. You look too stiff. It's like you don't want to be here. Lower your shoulders slightly and tone your smile down a bit. It almost seems forced. Kotonami-san, you need to show more nervousness. You are showing that you like him but you come across as thinking you can get him without a problem. Try moving your hands a bit nervously or duck your head a bit more and worry your lower lip. Remember that you are trying to look attracted and nervous at the same time."

Both actors adjust their actions slightly and Endo tells them that their expressions are better. When they move to the final phase of their shoot, Endo takes a number of shots of the pair formally dancing. Kingo does not comment on these shoots but he picks apart their interactions when they settle on the prop couch. He harasses both Ren and Kanae that they are too formal and stiff with touching each other.

"You look like you're on your first blind date and not like you're with your true love. Unless you're that stiff with your real love, huh, Tsuruga-san? She must be a real nasty piece of work if you're that afraid of touching her."

Ren presses his lips together and Kanae's eyes spark momentarily with anger at the veiled insult to Kyoko. They both take a deep breath. Ren rolls his head and relaxes his shoulders. Being near Kyoko does tend to make him tense, but mostly, it is because he is trying to control his baser desires. Anger bubbles under the surface as he realizes that Kingo has noticed this tension. He will need to be more careful. If the director has noticed, others might realize his feelings too.

"Count to ten," whispers Kanae as she fervently hopes that they finish these scenes before Kyoko comes out of the wardrobe area. She lays her head against Ren's chest and smiles gently at the sound of his heartbeat. She notices the beat slow slightly as the actor regains control. Ren trails his hands into Kanae's hair and pulls free the long tresses from its elegant twist. He brings the end of her hair to his lips and kisses it before letting it fall from his fingers.

The soft sound of the door from the wardrobe room opens and Kingo glances back at the returning cast members before he calls out loudly.

"Finish it," he orders.


While Ren and Kanae are starting their shoot, the other four cast members enter their wardrobe booths to find their costumes. Kijima and Amamiya have an easy time with them. They have blue jeans, sneakers and light blue or soft pink shirts. Their make up is simple and so couple number two returns to the studio before Ren and Kanae even start the second of their three part session.

Kyoko does not have as easy a time. She enters her private cubicle and the first thing she sees is the black leather duster laying across her straight-backed wooden chair. The coat automatically reminds her of Cain's duster. Setsu bubbles towards the surface but Kyoko quickly pushes her back into place.

"No, you can't come out now. Tsuruga-san isn't Cain now so it would be bad for you to make an appearance. I need to come up with another character in order to do this."

Kyoko picks up the skimpy black leather shorts and the equally skimpy leather halter top. Both are items Setsu would have been comfortable wearing but make Kyoko blush. She slips out of her gray skirt and yellow top and slides into the leather shorts. The stiff material resists her and she ends up battling to zip shut the tight bottoms. Kyoko stretches and bends to try to break in the fit a bit better. From her experience as a Heel sibling, she knows that leather has a life of its own and often take a couple times of wear before the pieces are truly comfortable and becomes like a durable second skin.

Kyoko discards her bra and pulls on the small vest-like leather shirt. She zips the three inch zipper that holds the small vest closed between her breasts. She snaps the spiked dog collar onto her neck as well as the two chunky leather studded bracelets. Kyoko then picks up the leather knee high boots that will need to be laced up the back. She slides her foot into the boot and slowly begins lacing the footwear up her ankle and over her calf. It takes her a while to get both boots properly closed. She slips into the heavy duster and leaves it hanging open.

She then takes a look at herself in the full length mirror at the back of the booth. The teen blushes at the image but begins to construct a character for herself.

"You're Ami," she tells her reflection. "You are a tough as nails chick who ran away from home at the age of fourteen when your beloved father died. Your mother was jealous of you because her new creepy boyfriend seemed to like you better. You've supported yourself since then by working a number of thankless jobs but you refuse to let your circumstances affect your outlook on life. You're gorgeous and confident. Guys find you fascinating and will do whatever they can to possess you, but you have been unmoved by any so far. You won't let anyone push you around. You believe that you are worthwhile and taking what you want from the world is your prerogative. Others might see you are a bitch, but you are just looking out for yourself because no one else is going to do it for you."

Kyoko opens her eyes and she squares her shoulders. Gone is the painfully polite and innocent Mogami Kyoko. Life and determination flash in Ami's golden eyes as she turns and stalks from the dressing booth. Ami's rolling gait reminds all the onlookers of a graceful predator stalking its poor hapless prey.

Sitting in front of the large make-up mirror, Koga watches Kyoko's image move across the room. A shiver runs up his spine as he makes eye contact with her startling image. He swivels in his chair to watch the real thing take the last couple steps to the make-up area. His breath hitches when fearful goosebumps skim across his arms as he imagines himself at this leather clad stalker's mercy because she obviously has none.

"Uh, Kyoko-san, would you like to sit here?" asks one of the make-up artists with a quiet, nervous voice when Ami's aura washes over her.

After dropping her coat from her shoulders directly to the floor, Ami drops nonchalantly into the make-up chair. She continues to stare aggressively at Koga. He watches her tongue slip seductively across her lips and his eyes dilate as his body responds to the gorgeous creature enticing him with her every movement.

'Damn,' the actor thinks. 'I didn't expect her to be quite this entertaining quite this quickly.'

Koga watches the entire time that Kyoko has her make-up applied and her hair styled. Although the accents further establish her physical "bad girl" presence, they are still just trappings. Kyoko's real talent lies in her body stance, expressive eyes and overwhelming aura. When Ami stands, slips her arms back into her duster, and stalks towards the studio, Koga rushes to follow her. For the first time since he was a child, he is mesmerized. His excitement at acting against his chameleon co-star leaves him giddy with anticipation. The older actor finds himself hurrying to catch up to the leather goddess as she enters the studio.

"Finish it," orders Director Kingo and Ami's golden eyes travel across the studio to watch the couple on set.

Ren's hand moves to cup Kanae's cheek. In response, she tilts her head back and stares lovingly into his eyes. Slowly, so the photographer can capture each movement, the actor lowers his head to faintly brush his lips against Kanae's waiting ones. LoveMe number two wraps her arms around her partner and returns the kiss. A collective sigh echoes across the set at the poignant drama.

Watching the shoot unfold, Ami suddenly stumbles on her boot heel. Without thinking, Koga snakes his arm out and catches the teen from falling. He pulls the seductress against him. Kyoko emerges from Ami's personality momentarily from the shock of seeing her best friend and favorite senpai kiss so passionately. A sharp prick in her chest needles her for an instant before Kyoko forces the unidentified pain and her own personality back beneath Ami's hastily constructed defense.

The drama on the set is dropped from Ami's interest as she attends to the arm currently restricting her movement.

"I suggest that you remove your hands from me unless you want to loose them," she quietly threatens Koga. The actor chuckles and pulls the leather goddess tighter against his body as he embraces his own "bad boy" character.

"Tell me pretty please," he whispers seductively into Ami's ear.

Ami grasps Koga's hand and forces her thumb into the space between his thumb and fingers where they have slipped inside her open coat to clutch against her bare stomach. At the same time, she lifts her leg and stomps her spiked heel onto his foot.

"Yah-oow!" the bad boy shouts as the teen flings his arm from around her middle and turns to face her previous captor.

"I beg for no man," she murmurs dangerously. Mio offers some of her malice to lace Ami's threat and Koga finds himself taking a step back from the significantly smaller girl. He swallows and nods.

By this time, all the crew and cast are watching the fascinating character drama unfolding in the wings of the set.

Ami takes another step towards her prey who suddenly realizes that everyone is watching. The avid audience keeps the actor from stepping back in fear again and so Ami's next step brings her back to his chest. She pokes her finger against his exposed sternum as an evil yet seductive leer spreads across her face.

"I beg for no man," she mutters "but you are welcome to do so."

Koga's eyes widen and his breath catches at the raw sexuality blanketing his body. His blood pounds in his ears and his mouth and throat suddenly feel dry. As Ami spins on her heel to walk away, he can't help but reach out to her and beg.

"Pretty please," he whispers before he catches himself.

To Director Kingo's horror and amazement, it is the veteran actor who blushes in embarrassment at the end of the exchange and not the impudent little LoveMe teen.