Sleeping to Dream

Disclaimer: I don't own Skip Beat!

Italicized texts are thoughts.


Chapter 9: Avoiding Disaster

Kyoko

Her hands were still shaking. She noticed that his hands were shaking too. Really, he should keep his expressions in check. That smile would someday be the death of her – figuratively and literally.

His face was still flushed and she imagined her face would be a few shades darker. She breathed in and out deeply to calm her racing heart.

"Are you alright?" he asked so suddenly that it gave her quite a start.

She could only reply with a quick and jerky nod.

"Are you sure? You look a little… feverish" he said and then reached out to touch her.

Anticipating his touch, she abruptly closed her eyes and whimpered like a wounded animal. Damn, why do you keep showing such weakness Kyoko!, she scolded herself.

Then she heard him say ever so softly: "Open your eyes Kyoko".

She didn't want to and was about to shake her head to make her feelings known when a sudden thought of his face almost touching hers and his lips – those full lips bearing down upon hers – made her open her eyes in an instant – only to find that his face wasn't really that close but it wasn't that far either and actually within what she determined as a very dangerous distance.

And of course, their eyes met. His were so blue she knew she'd give everything to drown in them anytime. The near collision with a big truck because of his momentary distraction (it has not really registered to her that she was the root cause of the whole affair, and if not for his quick and sure reflexes, they wouldn't have this particular 'moment') was entirely forgotten. A near death experience just isn't as important as locking eyes with a magnificently handsome man who had just confessed his long standing affection for her. At the back of her mind, that other love-hating and bitter Kyoko is telling her to look away and shrieking all kinds of abominable words, but she can't help but be kept under the spell of his warm gaze.

Then suddenly, her eyes were caught by his lips. It was a grave mistake. So instead of calming down, her heart hammered even faster inside her chest. But she couldn't look away.

She barely heard him when he said her name softly. And she did not move away when slowly he decreased the distance between them. She knew that he must be very close indeed because she can feel his breath teasing her own lips. Her eyelids somehow drooped and all she can focus on is him and what is happening between them which is making everything else all hazy and unclear.

Then she started to vibrate.

Somehow, this became the cue for the rest of her senses and made her open her eyes fully and finally realize the very compromising position she was in and in just an instant, as if she was suddenly given super speed, she moved away from him –-

- and banged the back of her heads on the side window. All the while, she was fumbling with her phone in her purse on her lap.

She was still favoring the back of her head (while he gaped at her silly antics) when she answered her phone "Uhm, hello?", relieved that she finally found a reason to turn her attention away from him. He finally moved away and settled on his seat properly and started running his hand through his blond hair.

"Mo! Are you listening?" Moko-san shouted through the earpiece.

"Ha—hai, Moko-san" she answered, chastised. She only got a few words and they didn't make any sense.

"I asked where you are. I've sent several text messages and you didn't reply" her best friend answered irritably.

"I.. I'm here outside, in the president's car. We just arrived"

"What took you so long? Where did that man take you?"

"Oh no, we didn't go anywhere. We just talked, really. I mean, I talked and he drove and now we're here. I just had a bit of an episode – you know, the kind you always scold me about.." she replied, a little embarrassed.

"Mo! Why? What did he do?" Moko-san shouted which made her wince.

"No—he didn't do anything" she answered, looking at him then abruptly turning away, "Tsuruga—I mean, Hizuri-san didn't do anything. I just apologized for last time and he had to calm me down…"

"Hmp. Kyoko, you really should shape up. Besides, you didn't have to apologize to him. I hope you two have finally settled everything..?"

"Uhm.. well, he told me it was just a misunderstanding. We're okay now.." she said as she hazarded a glance to the man beside her.

"Good. But what are you waiting for? Why haven't you gone up here.. wait, is he still there?" Moko-san asked.

"Ah yes, we're still in the car. We just arrived…"

"MO! Why didn't you tell me? Why are we even talking about him when he's just there with you? I'm hanging up now! Let's just talk later!"

She was about to say goodbye but she was already gone.

She looked at her phone and hesitantly returned it inside her purse. Without any more reason not to look his way, she finally returned his gaze.

"I guess I should go now. I shouldn't keep you…"

She was expecting for him to protest, but instead he said "Alright, Kyoko". This made her feel a little disappointed.

He opened his door and got out. Before she realized it, he had opened her door and before her, he offered his two large hands. This made her face flush again. Gee, this must be a record night for you, Kyoko.

She finally took his hands with hers, after a minute of contemplation. His strength helped her stand, which was fortunate because she realized that her knees were still trembling. She could have really set a record by embarrassing herself further by diving onto the pavement with the support of her jelly legs, if not for his strong arms which caught her around the waist. One moment she was almost free falling then another moment her hands were on his chest and his face was on her neck. She uttered a small sound but didn't push him away. His chest trembled under her fingertips as he chuckled in response.

He finally let her go and she almost reluctantly removed her hands from his person.

"I will see you tomorrow then, Kyoko" he said, looking into her eyes. The look he gave her then was something she hadn't encountered in years and it sent shivers down here spine. It was the Emperor of the Night, which, if possible, has only gotten more dangerous.

"UHm, what's for tomorrow..?" she asked uncomfortably.

"Didn't they tell you? We'll have our promotional shoot in the afternoon" he answered, finally letting the Emperor melt away, which was a relief.

She vaguely remembered Sawara-san telling her about a photo shoot but she didn't know it was THAT photo shoot. She was planning on mentally preparing for it, but the events in the past hour have just changed everything.

"Can I pick you up then, tomorrow?"

She nodded slowly. She didn't want to complicate things further, but he has caught her off guard. She couldn't possibly say no now. Well, she can't find a valid reason anyway.

"That's great. I will see you then. I'm glad we talked, Kyoko. Can I ask for another favor?"

Please not a kiss. Please, I don't think I can… say no…

"Please stop calling me Tsuruga-san or even Hizuri-san. Just use my given name – if Ren feels more comfortable, then that's okay too. But Kuon would be fine or even… Corn" he said, and blushed a little. It was an adorable sight. He looked so endearing she wanted to just stay there and let him hold her for the rest of the night.

She couldn't form a coherent reply so she just nodded her head again.

Then he smiled and all her demons died. She was so stunned that it was too late when she realized that he had reached out to her and kissed her forehead softly.

"Goodnight, Kyoko. I love you."


End of Chapter 8


Note: Okay, did I just write a whole chapter full of fluffiness? Ugh.. Well, it was necessary. I hope this pleases you. Nobody died. It was just a false alarm.

Well, it was deliberate on my part.. hehehe