Conflicted; Kuon scrunched his brows together as the sting of the straight whisky burned his throat. Alone in his hotel suite late in the night. Dwelling on the words his father left him with before they parted."Always." Trying to decide what truth was he referring to. My feelings? My identity? There was noway he knows about everything. Kuon couldn't help but give a soft smile remembering lush greenery echoing back to his vision. A brief small moment that Kyoko and him shared together as children. How easy being with her back then was. She was innocent to the touch. Recalling the image of her playing with the river's water talking about the fairies that lived in every droplet. Even then, he adored how the sun rays bounced off the water hit her face. Loving her joyfully smile as mistakenly mispronouncing his name. Almost like a living art piece. Her face left an imprint in his mind since those days. 'Corn' is only a secret that only I know about.

A sudden flash of the taste of her reemerged on his drunken lips. Soft and Sweet. Kuon kicked his head back, now recalling Kyoko's face fleshed with the tropical glow of the Guam sunset. Her low growl of, "Corn," rubbled back into his ears before he made his grand exit. It gave way for a brief chuckle to escaped his lips. Ren never intended for any of this to get so far; he never intended to withhold 'the truth'. How could he? He mostly wanted to distance himself for this place as much as possible. Kuon himself never wanted to not face 'the truth'. Never in his wildest expectations would he thought an encounter with that little girl again. Especially, never expected she would become who she is to him now. That secret was within it's self.

Glass now empty, he heard the clink of it hitting the wood coffee table as he placed it there. He shook his head to try and declutter his thoughts. Dad probably just meant my feelings, Kuon decided. He was most likely right. But how could he express that without letting everything spill. His tongue clicked as leaned back on the couch once again trying to relax. He wanted to tell her one thing at a time. His first plan of attack was to let her in on his most private secret, Corn. He decided that in Guam along time ago. Unfortunately the timing just never seemed to be right. Or so he told himself. He'd often would picture her reaction and feared it. Ren a pain resonated in his chest. Tightening with every negative outcome that manifested in his mind. Ren knew he had to over come his phobia ….Eventually. Just not right now. He pushed down his thoughts while he poured another drink.

The sunlight was peeping through the hotel curtains. Innocently, the rays caressing her face. Almost as if it was a warm embrace to help her greet the day. Kyoko's eyes steadily blinked awake. She inhaled the morning air as she sat up in a stretch. Today was the first time she was not needed on set. Free to do whatever her heart desired in a brand new world. The question was what? She stepped out of her bed and began her morning ritual. First things first, greeting the light fairies, she giggled to herself.

Sitting there in his dressing room, Ren was drinking his morning coffee reading the next scenes lines. Pushing away his light hangover from the night before. His focus was professional while he scanned the papers. There was a knock that broke his silents. He tore his concentration to follow the noise. "Um are you decent," a posh accent came through the wood. Curious, Ren placed his papers down and motioned for the door. As it swung opened Ren saw the stalky John standing behind it. John's head tilted upward to meet his eyes, "Geez you are a giant, you know that? How tall are you?" Ren lifted one of his eyebrows as John continued to speak. "6'll, 6'5?" John eyed him up and down in comedic disbelief. A soft laugh broke through Ren's lips as he shook his head, "6' 3," he answered. John's concerned, nervous expression seemed to lighten. Ren tilted his head to one side and stepped over suggesting John to come in. Whom kindly took the offer. "Not to sound rude, but why are you here," Tsuruga closed the door behind them. John shrugged as he looked around the dressing room, "Just wanted to clear the air. Woah this room is swanky. Kyoko wasn't kidding when she said that you were a big deal," he plopped on the couch swinging his feet on the glass coffee table. There it was creeping up to the surface, his childish jealousy twitching. "Ah that face! That's what I came for." Ren didn't realize his scowl spreading on his face. Slowly it loosened when discovered.

She clicked her hotel room door closed as she exited. First thought that sprung up in her mind was breakfast. I wonder if there is a place to get eastern style, she asked herself. Kyoko made her way down the hall pondering the options. A grip got hold of her shoulder causing Kyoko jerked back into the pull. "Wha—," she was about to throw a punch till she saw Oscar. "Easy there, Mogami," he sounded like he was trying to tame a wild horse. " I just wanted to get your attention. You're free today, right?" She looked at him annoyed, "Yeah. I don't need to be on set till we go shoot on our first location. … I believe." She started to wonder.

He beamed at the younger girl, "I'm free till 4 today." Kyoko scrunched her brows and speculated here he was going with conversation. "You never been to Cali right? Let me show you around." Oscar saw her skeptical look, "What? It's so you wont get lost. …Promise it has nothing to do with Kuu." He rose his index finger and crossed it over his heart playfully. Raising his hands up to his shoulders to show that he means no harm. "Ah," She could easily tell that is what his real goal was, Kuu. She rolled her eyes. Knowing that he was going nowhere,"Alright you leave me with no choice,... here it comes," First facing his head down to prepare. Only to glance back up, Oscar gave his best smolder. Kyoko in return had no effect on any of his advances. She looked around the room confused and then at him to see what was happening. Eventually she gave him a puzzled look. "This is kind of an off day for me. This doesn't normally happen," he confusingly admitted. Shaking off his ill attempt to 'woo' her, Oscar straightened himself out. "Welp, I really mean it. We don't spend much time together. So why not?"

Kyoko's face softened after seeing the flustered man, " I wasn't thinking of it but now that you mentioned Father …," She teased, tapping a finger on her chin. His eyebrows raised in surprise, "I really wasn't implying I want to officially meet him or nothing" Oscar still sounded flustered. "Oh? I wasn't implying that you would meet him," She teased still. "I was just wondering if he was free." Oscar's face shrunk with disappointment, "Oh… well I still want to hang out. Despite that."

Kyoko chuckled as she reached for her cell phone, "Okay, show me the best Japanese style restaurant for breakfast and then we will talk." Oscar's lips pulled into a smirk as he offered her his arm, "Fine by me." She graciously linked her arms with his and followed his direction. Through the distance; Oscar made a comment, "You know…You're barely recognizable without your hair and make up done as Rey." Kyoko pulled her arm away. Face turning sour, "Do you actually want to spend time together?" He laughed, "Sorry sorry," faded in the distance.

"Excuse me," Ren politely asked as he landed his body in the seat across John. "When ever I mention, Kyoko," He saw Ren's face tighten uncontrollably, "—That! You give me that look!" John rudely pointed out his face. Ren's face fell into a comedic flatness, "Eh" was the only thing that fell out of his mouth. John let out a nervous sigh, " Look I was never trying to impose between you too". Tsuruga tilted his head in a confused concern as John continued to speak, " I can clearly see you have a close bond. I just don't get the hostility aimed at me."

Ren blinked at the statement. Was he that unaware of his actions when it involves her? He always thought when it came to her, he kept his emotions just ablow the surface. He felt a twinge bubble up to his face as he cracked a laugh, No wonder why dad said that. "I apologize, there is nothing going on between me and her," He tried to ease John's tension. John softy laughed too, "I figures as much but — you want something to."

Caught off guard, Ren's face was blank. Frozen to the attack that just swung at him. His stare scared the posh English man as he saw Ren's eyes getting dark unsure with what. He gulped in nervousness, "Okay, I stepped over a line." John scrunched his face kissing his teeth, "Maybe it's best if I—" He tried to get up but Ren cut in. "No—Um I'm sorry. I just … I just didn't expect a blunt statement like that". Ren treaded cautiously as he tried to calculate his next words. He was figuring out his best response, "Misterrr—" now the other man cut in. "John is fine. You don't need to be formal for my sake." Ren gave a small smile, "John, whatever your assumptions are I'll leave to you. But as for hostility I deeply apologize. It seem's like my character can have a life of his own. And given how the film was written, ...sometimes I just get lost. Please forgive me." John gave him a skeptical look as he eyed the other actor up and down, "If you say so." Tsuruga gave his best 'gentlemanly' smile, "Blame it on the other Ren" he jokingly added.

There was a knock on the door as one of the assistant directors entered, " Your costume will be ready in 10." Ren turned his head to the direction of the voice, "Ah! Thank you. Now if you excuse me, John." John raised one of his hands dismissively, "Don't worry about it. I'll take that as my queue to leave." The posh actor pushed himself off the coach. He gave Ren a warm smile, "I am glad we had this talk". With great act of Gentlemanly manner Ren smiled back at the other man, "Yeah, me too." He escorted his visiter out of his dressing room giving him a hand shake on his way out. "See you on set."

It seemed like years since Kyoko had tasted a traditional, Japanese style breakfast. With the aroma caressing her noise it made her mouth water. Her eyes sparkled when the plate landed on their table. Oscar let out a snort, "It's safe to assume you are homesick," he stated. Kyoko's face pulled into a pout, "Well gee let me hop on a plane on my days off. It's only a quick 13 hours away," She sarcastically commented as she broke her chopsticks apart. Admiring her sarcastic attitude, Oscar let out a soft laugh, "Mogami I like ya kid." Breaking his own chopsticks, Oscar lifted a piece off his plate. A loud streak of the wood chair was being pulled out beside them, "Getting started without me?" They both turned to see Kuu attempting to a take his seat. Oscar's food fell out of his mouth; at a lost for words. Kyoko on the other hand, "Well if we didn't order first there wouldn't be any food left in the kitchen." She beamingly teased the seasoned actor. "Is that back talk I hear," Kuu sarcastically asked raising a brow in supposition. Kyoko's face went a few shades pale, scared of where this could turn. Seeing her scared child like reaction, Kuu's lips quivered trying told hold back his amusement of the young lady's face.

Slowly she was turning into stone,"Umm..I." He couldn't take it, Kuu busted out into laughter. Almost kicking back the two. Recovering from the verbal assault, "You are not what I expected," Oscar said as he stretched out a hand to introduce himself. The older gentlemen smirked, eyeing the younger man. Letting his 'fatherly' instincts kick in. Kuu shifted his chair and shoved it between the man and his hopeful future daughter-in-law. He plopped himself in the now moved chair and extended his hand to clasp the others, "I get that a lot." Kuu roughly shook the tiny man's hand. Oscar winced as he pulled back his hand. His expression looked like he just touched a hot stove as he tried to shake the pain away.

Yashiro was watching one of his talent's scenes play out on set. Enjoying his surroundings. The loud ring blared through the set as the director called, "Cut". Standing by the snack table, eating a bagel while his talent stalked his way to him. Ren cracked his neck and released himself from the mask. Letting out a breath as he wiped the excess sweat from his forehead. Ren reached for a paper cup and the coffee. Slowly, gaze turned when he felt his mangers giddy looks falling on him. Yashiro innocently offered him a bagel to eat. Easily paced, Ren lifted his drink to meet his lips. As he swallowed the hot liquid, his throat made a gulp, "I'm good". He was waiting for the pestering that he has came so accustomed to hearing to start. Almost wishing that it could begin just to have it over with. Yashiro just shrugged, "If you say so. But you know who will get mad if you don't eat at least one good meal." Ren swallowed another sip of his hot drink, "You think that's going to scare me?" He had a flat tone. Yashiro took another bite of his bagel, "I wasn't trying to scare you. I was just stating a known fact." Ren shifted his eyes straight forward again, humming was the only sound that came out of his lips.

Time had passed, and meals for 20 people were empty on their table. Oscar stared at the damage that (the blackhole) Kuu has cause. "It's like you inhaled it!" Amazed at how the veteran can still be so in shape. "Would you like anything else," the waitress asked the table. Kuu pondered for a moment eyeing the menu. "Mm, No I think that will be all for now. Thank you," Kuu said while handing it back. Kyoko was in bliss just being around her father again. She had so much to tell him about her passed experiences as an 'Talent'. Oscar was amazed yet again to find out all these girls were her. "Mogami, … these are really you?" Kuu chimed in, " What are you implying, tiny." A nervous sweat drop from Oscar's forehead as Kyoko cut in, "It's okay. I get this a lot." She tried to relieve the fuse. "No that's incredible! You have the mark of the true artist," Oscar explained himself. "We don't have any scenes together, so I wouldn't have ever known!" Kyoko was a little bit taken back but let her lips cure into smile, "Thank you but everything I learned, I learned from father and Mr. Tsuruga." Oscar shrugged as if he was considering something,"That might be true...". Kuu was touched by the compliment. "It doesn't negative that fact that you have so much potential," his words fell out smoothly. Kuu rolled eyes at the other male as Oscar went to check the time, "Oh sh—hh, I. I gotta go. It's 3:30." He panicked as he shuffled himself around gathering his things, "Sorry to run Mogami I need to be on set!" He rushed out, "It was great to actually meet you Mr. Hizuri". Kuu chucked back, "You too," as he finished his coffee. Kuu turned to the young girl, "He's a little rough around the edges but he seems to be a nice guy." Kyoko chuckled back, "Yeah, just something about him reminds me of…" Abruptly, a little devil appeared on her shoulder. Bleached blonde, crackling at her. Kyoko smacked it down with a loud swat, "No actually he doesn't remind me of anyone." That little demon needs to stay gone, she brooded.

The waitress handed Kuu the receipt, " Eh that guy does seem a bit astute. Alright, ready to go?" Kyoko just nodded and grabbed her belongings. Even with Kuu's long legs she was able to keep up with his stride. Or was it that he was walking in her pace? Whatever the case maybe, she matched his pace while she walked besides Kuu's sports car. "You haven't meet my silver Falcon yet?" Kuu opened the door for her as she shook her head no. "She's a beaut. Julie is scared for her but—" he slammed the drivers side door closed, getting in. "— Sometimes I like to have my fun." Fishing the keys out of his pocket, he turned one key and revved up the engine. Within seconds Kyoko flew back, It went from 0-60 in no time flat. I can see why the poor woman is scared of this thing. A scoff escaped his lips, "Kuon, loved this car. He used to love being my co-pilot." Kyoko snuck a small glance over to find her father fondly reminisce of his long gone son. As the light rays of the setting sun danced across, his childish face reminded her of someone else she knew. She slyly smirked to herself and brushed it off. Letting herself enjoy this moment for all that it was worth.

"You know, Kyoko seems to have a great deal of admiration for you," The posh actor interrupted Ren's thoughts on his way back to his room. This man again, hestopped and turned to the man.'Kyoko' is all he can speak about. Kuon's were already dark. Quickly growing to hate the way his lips were wearing her name. "Your point?" Seeing through his act John didn't blink, " Well isn't easier to turn that into something more?" Where is he getting at? "Miss Mogami is my well respected colleague," Ren simply put as he started walking again. Attempting to build a wall up between them two. John was getting brave, "Don't you ever think she wants to be more." Ren couldn't help but scoff at even the idea. He clearly does't really know Miss Mogami. It was like John read his thoughts."Maybe you are right. Her treating you different means absolutely nothing," John shrugged to be condescending as he followed the taller man's pace. "Just remembering yesterday in the break room. It's just to me, looked like I walked in on two teenagers just about to make out." Ren's lips were pressed. John let out a forced sign. "That was because of me," John's ears perked up hearing Ren mutter. I got lost in the moment. She's be running for the hills if I went further. Kuon pictured a cloud of smoke replacing what once was Kyoko in the break room. Just a light brush and whoop. John couldn't help but to smirk at the man noticing his wheels turning. Giving the towering man a light pat on the back, "Well this is my room. See ya mate." John fished out a card and swiped one of the dozen of doors open.

After spending some wonderful quality time with her Father, Kyoko was going to call it a night. Strolling the hall to her hotel room, that was when she received a text message from her super manger.

[Yashiro: Just a reminder, you have practice choreo at 1 tomorrow with John and Ren.]

Kyoko smiled to herself, excited to know that she will see her senpai tomorrow. Her face heated to a shade of crimson. Fluttered her eyes forward from her phone and her face fell.

Ren learned against the hotel wall waiting for what seemed like hours (was only minutes). He was restless today, and he already knew what was the only cure for it. He turned his head to the sound of the following footsteps. He held his breath as she walked on by in her own little world. She looked adorable in her floral sundress, so unaware of the rosie tint that was creeping to her face. He couldn't help his lips as the tugged into a smile. A breeze brushed in him, wondering what was she thinking about.

Nervousness creeped in his body as she effortlessly made her way to her hotel door. Quickly glancing up from her phone and her face fell form shock. Gone was the red tint, replaced with cold pale white. Frozen like a stone. "Tsu—Tsuruga—san," was what fell out of her mouth. A jerk of annoyance pulsed through him. To have that face, with that expression saying my name. He let out a sigh. That guy was definitely reading into things. "San?" Ren playfully looked around, "I didn't know we were back in Japan." He made his way to Kyoko. She let out a nervous chuckle, " Sorry I lost myself." Her eyes followed him as he moved closer. "Well I'll forgive you, but just this once," he playfully joked. His features turned rugged in the hotel light. Kyoko's lips pulled into a faint smile once more. "What are you doing at my door," She titled her head with the question. God she looked adorable."Well sometimes even I get bored, Miss Mogami. I wanted to know if you would grace me with your presence for small while." She looked at him strangely. Ren's throat to feel dry with anticipation. His Adam's apple tightened as it bobbed swallowing a nonexistent lump. "I mean I haven't been to LA in so long. Yashiro is already asleep (he lied) and I—" again he swallowed out fear. If he was taking a shot, "I just wanted to see you. That's all." He let his honesty take over.

Kyoko was confused. Never in her wildest imagination would she picture Ren Tsuruga be at her door waiting for her to come. It was late too! And he wanted to see her! It was usually the other way around. None of this was making sense. She heard him make some noise out of his mouth. Quickly she was coming back to her senses, "I guess I'll take that as a no. I apologize." Wait! No! Hairs for the back of her neck rose up. Hands moving before she could think. Her gip tugged at his arm as he walked passed,"I didn't say anything." He paused for a few seconds. Finally he tuned to face her. "Where is it that you want to go," Her face glistened to him while she spoke. She witnessed his pupils dilate as they locked eyes. Whispers swilled in her ears telling her she was cursed.

"Mr. Tsuruga, you said you been in California," Her concentration focused on balancing herself on the ledge of a small railing. Kuon glanced over while she innocently wobbled and fidgets to keep herself centered. The pale glow of the moon draped over them. Kuon secretly admired the way the moonlight bounced off the lake to hit her face. Lips unknowing tugged into a joyous smirk. "When I was younger," Kuon forced his gaze forward. "I used to play in the woods a lot," he added. Letting a soft laugh whiling remembering the few good moments he actually had here. He didn't know what made him become so honest. Maybe it was the moonlight or possibly the way she looked tonight... But, "Played with my dad a lot here too. He used to call me his co-pilot." He let something spill. Kyoko tripped on her own two feet. Acting fast, Ren wrapped his arms around her tight to breaking the fall.

Getting a whiff of her aroma as she clashed into him. He was drunk. Lost as his arms tightened around small frame to his body. She didn't say a word while their heart beats synced together. Finally the silence broke, "Mr. Tsuruga…" He snapped back sober. He slowly let her go, "Are you alright?" All she could do was nod. It was too dark but he hoped he saw a blush on her face. Ren swallowed to himself again, "It's getting late. We should head back." Kyoko straighten herself, "Alright."

End of Ch.9


A/N: OMG So sorry it's so long! But I haven't updated in a bit either, so I hope you don't mind! Happy April 1st! I hope you enjoyed the holiday if you were celebrating easter or even April fools. x3 Thank you again for your time! I love your feed back! If there is any errors, seriously let me know. I just write and post most of the time. Well okay thank you again!