Chapter 9: Special

The phone vibrated in Kyoko's pocket, bringing her out of her character building. Looking at the phone, she smiled. Little red hearts covered the screen over the words 'Kanae.' "Moko-san!" She cried, startling a few nearby crew members and making Kuu glance over with a smile. She smiled brightly as her best friend said hello, causing one of the afore mentioned crew members to drop the camera. Jumping up in surprise, Kyoko pulled back her legs to avoid the shattering glass. The director stormed over to the crew member and started yelling as Kyoko stood and hurried to her father's dressing room.

"Mo. What was that?" The woman demanded from the other end of the line.

"One of the crew dropped something. How are you?"

On the other line, Kanae smirked. "I'm fine. What are you doing on a set?"

"I'm at Father's set. It's a project that they are finishing up soon, and the director doesn't mind if I watch."

"Ahh. So how is it different from home?"

For the next few minutes, the girls discussed the differences between the sets of Dark Moon, Box R, and this one. Finally, Kyoko sighed. "Moko, can I ask you something." Kanae froze. Her friend was suddenly very serious.

"What is it?"

"What do you think of Tsuruga-san?"

Frowning at the unexpectedness of the question, Kanae, hesitated. "I think he's a really good actor." She answered warily. 'Don't tell me that my dense friends picks now to figure out how that totally conspicuous man feels about her.' "He seems nice enough, though I haven't spoken to him nearly as often as you have." 'Actually, I don't remember ever speaking to him.'

"Is that bad?"

"Is what bad?" Kanae asked, exasperated.

"That I talk to him a lot." Her voice was small.

"Mo Kyoko. If you have something you want to talk about, spit it out. I'm not going to answer all of your cryptic questions. Why would that be bad?"

"Because! Because he's…he's….Tsuruga-san."

Kanae contemplated beating her head against the wall. "Yes." She said with forced patience. "He is Tsuruga-san. You are Mogami-san. I am Kotonami-san. Now that we've established everyone's names, can you tell me why it would be bad that you talk to him a lot?"

"Because he's…"

"If you use the words 'The' 'Tsuruga' 'Ren' or 'sempai', I swear I'm hanging up."

"Moko-san!" She wined. "You're being mean! You know why it would be bad!"

"Kyoko!"

"!" Kanae blinked and tried to separate the words in her mind.

"Do I think that it would be horrible if you liked him and considered him a friend?" Kanae confirmed.

Kyoko nodded, then realized that her best friend was in another country. "Yes."

"Of course that's not horrible. That's what normal people do, Kyoko. They get closer to people that they spend time with and become friends. Why would it be bad if it were him?"

"Because…because he is so far above me that…"

"Kyoko for goodness sake, he's not a god! He's an actor, a very good one, I must admit, but he's just a man."

Kyoko's cheeks caught fire as she remembered the shower incident. "He is most certainly a man." She mumbled.

Kanae's jaw dropped in shock. 'What is that supposed to mean?' "I'm not even going to ask why you said that. Anyway, why are you asking this?"

"Because, when I called him, he kept calling me Kyoko." She said, mortified.

"So? It's your name."

"SO! It's my first name!"

"Friends tend to call one another by their first names. It just means that you are close. Heck, doesn't everyone call everyone else in America by their first names? Why are you freaking out about that?"

"I'm not American!" She cried. "And it's embarrassing!"

"Then ask him to stop." Kyoko froze at that. 'Ask him to stop? ' "Just say, 'Tsuruga-san, I would feel more comfortable if you didn't call me so informally.' He's a polite man. He won't call you something that you are uncomfortable with."

"But…that would be like saying that I don't want to be close to him." She said softly.

'Goodness. This girl…' "Kyoko, I don't understand. Do you want to be close to the guy or not?"

"Um…yes." She whispered, terrified of what she was saying, but the thought of telling him to back off made her heart ache.

Kanae sighed. 'She's starting to get it. Slowly but surely…' "Okay, but it makes you uncomfortable when he calls you by your first name?"

"Not…not in a bad way. It…he makes…when he says my name, it…" She took a deep breath and collected herself. "It makes my heart beat faster and I feel like it is hard to breath." Kanae was silent. "Is that bad?"

'She's even farther along than I had thought.' "No." She managed. "Not bad. But…Mo Kyoko." The girl leaned back against the chair she was sitting on. "Haven't you ever felt like this before?" She prompted.

"Well…one time when Tsuruga-san was sick and I was taking care of him, he called me Kyoko and I felt the same way."

'Even then!' "No. I mean when someone else said your name."

Kyoko thought back. Sho had always called her by her first name, but it had never caused her to react in that way. Sometimes the Bridge Rock guys would do the same, but it never bothered her. "No."

"Then maybe…maybe Tsuruga-san is someone special to you."


Ren held the phone to his ear. He had already called her once with no reply, and he was once again sent to voicemail. 'Why won't she answer me? Is she mad? Hurt? Did she loose her phone?'

Kyoko stared at the ringing phone. 'Someone special! What does that mean? A special friend? A special…man? No! No no no! I won't let it happen. He's my friend. Maybe. But that's all. I won't let it go any farter.' She looked at the phone again. It was ringing for the third time. 'I can't just ignore him. I would lose him for sure.' Taking a deep breath to ready herself, she picked up the phone. "Hello?"

Smiling in relief, Ren shifted and move the phone closer to his ear. "Hello Kyoko."

"Hello." She said, trying not to let her uncertainty show in her voice. "How are you Mr. Tsuruga?"

In Tokyo, Ren smiled. "You're English is improving. Have you decided to practice on me?" He laughed a little at her embarrassed silence.

Kyoko laughed a little in return, marveling at his perfect English. "Um…yes. Sorry. But your English is great."

Ren laughed a little. "Thank you." 'It certainly ought to be.'

Kyoko looked at the clock. It was 10:45. "Tsuruga-san…you sounded very serious on the phone earlier." She switched back to Japanese, not sure enough about her English to discuss whatever he was so concerned about. "Is there something you need?"

"Actually, yes. You see, the President has been meeting with a lawyer and several other people to see if he can sue your mother for abandonment." He hesitated. 'Will she be angry? Will she tell us to stop? Will she be hurt?' When she didn't make any response, he continued. "The President was trying to get information about your relationship with your mother and about her business. Also, can you tell me about the man she wanted you to marry?" She was silent. "I'm sorry. If you don't…"

"No." Her voice was quiet. "I just…I can't believe that he is doing this. That any of you are doing this." His heart broke as her voice did. "You shouldn't be….you should be concentrating on your work…on yourselves! "

"Kyoko." He interrupted her softly. "Why is it so hard for you to accept the fact that people care about you?"

"Because they never have."

Ren clenched his jaw and concentrated on keeping tears from forming in his eyes. 'This poor girl. How could someone hurt her like this?' "They do now."

Kyoko could hear the pain in his voice and it surprised her, but it also made her heart warm. 'A special man?' "I'll tell you." She said softly. "I'll tell you whatever you need me to."

Ren wiped his eyes quickly and pulled out a piece of paper. "Okay. Tell me everything you know about your mother's business."

Kyoko sighed and searched her mind. "She never told me what type of business she is involved in. She was going to marry me to a man named Hayashi- Sachio. He was going into business with his father, Hayashi-san. His father was going to make some kind of big deal with my mother, but he only wanted to do business with family, or so my mother said. So my mother promised that she would give me to his son." Ren crumpled the paper in his hand; anger flooding his veins, then smoothed it out and resumed taking notes.

'That woman acts like Kyoko is some sort of object that she can just sell when it suits her.' "Okay. So you don't know exactly what she does. I'll give President Lory the guy's name and see what he comes up with."

"If my mother is involved in something that is…less than legitimate, will that mean anything for me?"

"If President Lory can prove that she is involved in something illegal, then yes."

"If she finds me, can she make me marry Hayashi-san?" Her voice was fearful.

"I will personally make sure that that doesn't happen." Kyoko smiled in relief. She could certainly trust Ren to protect her. He had already proven that. 'He is very special to me.'

"Did your mother ever hurt you?" She stiffened.

"I can't…" Ren wanted nothing more than to hold her. The fear and the hesitation in her voice was too much for him.

"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have brought that up. You don't have to tell me anything."

"She use to hit me when I was little." Kyoko closed her eyes and clenched her fists. 'I can trust Ren. He won't blame me. He is special.' "She would hit me and lock me in my room all day. She told me that I was useless, and that she wished that I had never been born. She said that I was the worse thing that had ever happened to her. That was worse than when she hit me." She heard a sniff on the other end and nearly fell over in shock. 'He's crying…for me? He's crying because she hurt me. He doesn't blame me for this. He'll stand up for me. I've never had anyone care about me like this…and now I have him, and Kanae. I have Mother and Father. Even President Lory. Surely, with all of these people, I can stand up to my mother.' "Tell the President. Tell him what she did to me. If it can help get me back to Japan, tell him."

"We're going to get you back here, one way or another." He said firmly.

Talk turned to lighter matters for a while, as Kyoko demanded to know about his eating habits. He laughed and assured her that he had been eating well enough.

"Tsuruga-san, can I ask you a question?"

"Of course." He assured her with a smile.

Kyoko tried to figure out how to ask him. "You are a different person than you act." She started. "You act…like a perfect gentleman when you are in public." She stopped when he chuckled.

"I have a public persona, if that is what you are trying to say. Many celebrities do so that they can project a certain image."

"How do you do that?"

"Create a public persona?"

"Yes."

"May I ask why you would need to?"

She took a deep breath. "I used Natsu when the President was rude. But…I need to project a different image than I normally do if I'm going to be taken seriously as an actress here." She told him firmly.

"Hmm. I agree. Nothing is wrong with your image, but a more…mature persona might help you."

"That's why I wanted to ask for your help. My persona that I want to create…it's mostly based off of you."


Julie was more than happy to help. The first stop the next morning: the salon. "Blonde?" That had been Julie's first choice, but Kyoko wasn't sure about the idea. In the end, they settled with dark reddish brown. Her hair had grown out a little, and they parted it in the middle and straightened it, almost reminiscent of Natsu. Next, Julie secured a selection of colored contacts for her. Although Kyoko liked the blue, Julie insisted that the bright green looked the best. Kyoko used her debit card for the first time to buy a silver chain and some wire. A few hours spent consulting with Julie in her workroom resulted in a new cage for Princess Rosa, which immediately became a part of Kyoko's look.

"You look beautiful." Julie smiled at her daughter, who returned it along with a hug. "Now you're going to need more clothes."

This time, Kyoko enjoyed the shopping trip. They scoured the shops for clothes, purchasing mostly slacks and nice blouses that emphasized Kyoko's slim figure and long legs. A few dresses and skirts later and the two women were eating ice cream triumphantly. Julie was happy to see Kyoko glancing over at her new clothes in excitement. 'I think we're getting through to her.'


Mr. Davidson, along with the head of the acting school and two of the heads of the acting department, and one of his assistants, sat in the room, looking over Kuu Hizuri's daughter's forms. "So she's Kuu's daughter?" His assistant asked.

"Apparently, although he wouldn't give us any of her legal documents. She may be adopted. How old is she?" The head of the acting school wondered.

"17. She's from Japan, but she said on her form that she speaks English. What do you think Mr. Davidson? You've met her."

"Hmm. I wasn't particularly impressed with her…" He fell silent when she appeared. The little red headed Japanese girl was gone. The woman standing before him took his breath away. Large, sparkling green eyes met his. Her dark auburn hair nearly reached her shoulders. The outfit was nice, professional and conservative, a safe choice of a loose blouse and slacks, but it was her attitude that made him look twice. Her posture was perfect and she radiated self confidence.

"Um…good morning. Please, introduce yourself and tell us why you are here." The President stammered a little.

"Good morning." She stood a little straighter and rested a hand lightly on her hip. "My name is Kyoko. I recently moved here from my native Japan where I am an actress." She didn't name her previous agency on her form, nor did she mention anything about her family background other than Kuu and Julie Hizuri's names. "I am here to audition to become a member of this agency."

"Very well. Why did you choose this agency."

Kyoko's tilted her head to the side with a soft smile. "My father recommended me to this agency." She said simply.

"How much acting experience do you have and why is it not listed on your form?" One of the heads of the acting department wanted to know. He was a tall, stern looking older man. Kyoko turned her soft, distant smile to him.

"I have acted in two dramas, one commercial, and was a part of two other projects when I left Japan. I had to leave because of a family issue that you are welcome to speak to my father about." She said simply. The men nodded, knowing better than to pry at the moment. One of them made a note on her application.

"Okay Miss Kyoko. Then let's the real audition begin."


Kuu sat in the living room next to his wife, Julie. The television was on, but neither was watching. Julie nervously played with Kuu's shirt. Kuu drummed his fingers on the back of the couch. Kyoko had been gone all day. She had insisted that they not come to her audition, and he had sent Jack to pick her up at the agency a little while ago. She would be informed of their decision before she came home.

"Do you think she'll be crushed if she doesn't make it?" Julie blurted anxiously.

"She'll make it."

"But if she doesn't…"

"She'll make it."

"Should we search for some more agencies in the area?"

"She'll make it."

"How can you be so sure!"

"I've seen her act."


Kyoko sat in the limo, fingering the jewel at her throat, remembering the audition.

"Okay, Miss Kyoko. Thank you. We'll inform you of our decision in two hours. Please return to this room."

She had resisted the urge to bow and simply shook their hands. "Thank you." She had been calm. Professional. Partly because of the barely suppressed excitement and awe in their eyes. 'I made it.'

Then the two hours had seemed to fly by. She had ordered food in a café, sipped a bottle of water and called Tsuruga-san, disregarding the hour.

Detail by detail, she had broken it down for him. Every experience she had called upon, every character they had requested her portray. Every slip of her accent. "I can't make you any promises, but I'm pretty sure you got it." She had smiled then, let her character slip away for a second. There was pride in his voice.

Then the call to Kanae with the same results. "I'm so proud of you! You have to send me a picture of your new character."

Then the announcement. "Congratulations Miss Kyoko, and welcome to our agency." Details to be discussed at a later date. Forms to fill out. "In light of the circumstances," He had spoken to her father. She smiled. 'Father always works things out.' "We would like to sign a short term contract. Six months." She took a copy to look over with her Father. "One last thing." They were sitting at a table, looking over her last form. "Your father informed us that you didn't wish for your name to be used in the public. Would you like to go over some ideas for a stage name?"

She smiled. Fingered the jewel at her throat. He was taken aback by the gentle, almost loving look in her eye. "Rosa."

A/N: Thoughts? I'm really enjoying writing this story, so I hope that you enjoy reading it!