Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat or its characters only the Kuchiki's

Chapter 9: Rules, guidelines, and a palace fit for a princess

Kyoko and Ren watched as Chikako and Yashiro got into the car and drove away to their house for the week. Ren sighed This is going to be a long week…..we're finally alone now…how did I know that was coming. I didn't think they would really put all four of us together. That would have made my life easier and that just wouldn't be the presidents style. He walked over to the luggage that was left on the walk way and picked up the two bags.

"I can get mine" Kyoko spoke up seeing Ren grab her bag. "You don't have to bring it in. I wouldn't want to trouble you."

"It's not a trouble Mogami-san" he said with a smile. "It would be my pleasure" he walked pass her and headed towards the door to the house. Kyoko followed suit behind him fidgeting slightly. Ren turn slightly looking back at her "Mogami-san"

"hai" he brought her out of her slight daze.

"You stay here…the garden looks pretty why don't you go look at it I'll just bring these inside and be right back out"

"umm..sure, but I'd rather just go inside and unpack" she said slightly confused on why he was telling her to stay outside.

"Yes, but if you follow me inside I can't complete my task" he said trying to give her a reassuring smile.

"Oh, okay" she replied. I need to stay outside for his task? I wonder why? Why would his task require me? It's his task isn't it? She turned and walked over to what looked like a koi pond in the front lawn. Ren continued his way to the front door and opened it. He set the bags inside and made his way back to Kyoko who was sitting on a bench besides the small pond her hair flowing around slightly in the mild wind. She looks so beautiful sitting there, almost like she belongs there.

"It's really pretty isn't it, just like I said" he commented tearing his eyes off of her and looking at the pond which had been set up with perfectly placed vegitation and a small waterfall flowing over the rocks at the edge.

"Yes it is, the fish look happy too" she said with a smile watching the fish gracefully swimming around in the water almost like they were dancing. Ren took a seat next to her on the bench and watched.

They sat for about 5 minutes watching in silence before Ren broke the silence. "Mogami-san, does it bother you that you have to stay here with me alone for a week?" he said slightly worried. "I mean I don't want you to feel pressured or anything, I know this might seem awkward for a young girl like you to have to be alone for such a long period of time with a man."

Kyoko looked over at him with a slight blush thinking about her situation. "No, I don't feel pressured to do anything, really I don't mind. I trust you Tsuruga-san you wouldn't do anything bad to me. Anyways I have reasons to be here too they were in my letter, so I understand." she paused for a moment then looked back at the pond and then continued with a serious yet calm tone. "I might only be 17, but that's not that young it's only a couple of years younger then you. So I guess you could say that you are young too when you think about it. Besides I've took care of myself for a while now, that's not really something a young person can do successfully right?"

"Yeah I guess your right" Ren replied. She is very mature for her age. Yashiro was right in saying that a person grows up quickly depending on the situations they are put through. Guess I really didn't notice it that much till she put it that way….I'm still young too.

"Beside I've actually heard that they are considering lowering the legal adult age to 18 from 20, saying that Japan should become up to date with the rest of the world. Which would mean that I could be a legal adult in December." Kyoko stated remembering what she heard on the TV.

(Which is actually true in the "real world." Since 1876 the legal "Coming of age" in Japan has been 20, but is now being reconsidered and they won't decide till mid next March 2012. They have already made the first steps and lowered the voting age to 18. Allowed sexual consent starts at age 13, but they frown on it for anyone under the age of 17. Just a little fun fact)

He sat in thought for a moment then stood up well I guess I should get this over with. Hope she doesn't hate me for it. "Well I guess we should head in then, you did say you wanted to unpack."

"Yep" Kyoko stood and turned to go to the house when she was stopped by his hand which grabbed her arm. She looked back at him confused. Before she could say anything he had bent down slightly and scooped her up into his arms bridal style. "Ts…Ts…Tsuruga-san" she stuttered in his arms shocked at her current predicament.

He looked down at her and smiled she fits so nicely in my arms…she looks scared this can't be good she really is going to hate me. I probably should have just ignored this task. "Relax I won't drop you, besides this is part of my task" he said softly still smiling. Kyoko just nodded and blushed slightly. What an odd task…I'm really close to him….he smells nice…I feel like a princess…guess this couldn't be that bad. She felt her heart start to beat a little faster feeling his closeness. Ren began to walk and soon they found themselves at the door which he had left unlatched so he could tap it open with his foot which he did and walked inside carrying her over the threshold. Once inside he stopped in the entrance hallway next to their bags and looked down at her and took a deep breath. "Welcome home my princess, I prey everything meets your expectations this week" he said with the most angelic tone he could and smiled.

Kyoko smiled at his words and blushed slightly. He just called me his princess! Why did those words sound so nice…He look's just like a prince right now...he's smiling his real smile too so he must have meant it. Kyoko found herself caught under his spell mesmerized by his smile and felt her body almost melt in his arms which made her heart beat even faster then before. Ren stood there for a moment and then he bent down slightly setting Kyoko's feet on the floor allowing her to stand by herself. Her legs wobbled a bit remembering what it was like to support her own weight.

She looked up at him and smiled deciding to play along. "Thank you my prince for the welcoming, I'm sure all my expectations will be met and more" The words rolled off her tongue with ease which was a little surprising to her. This caught Ren slightly off guard Did she really just call me her prince? His smile widened a little why does hearing her call me that make me feel this way? So complete. Ren shook his head slightly and motioned her down the hallway. Kyoko obliged and made her way down the hallway and stopped to look at the room to the left of the entrance. "WOW this is like a real palace!" With that Kyoko couldn't control herself and she began to hop around the room in excitement looking at everything. She's so cute when she's excited. I will have to admit this is a nice house. She's probably never been in a house like this before, she probably really does feel like a princess. One day I hope she can own a house like this I bet that would make her really happy. Ren couldn't help but stare and smile at the woman in front of him and followed her hopelessly around the room as she became acquainted with it.

It was a large room that went from the front of the house all the way to the back it was easily 50ft wide and 100 or so feet long. In what looked like the library section of the room there were two large arch windows which faced the front of the house with a dark wood wall between the two that had a painting on it. On both sides of this area of the room there were built-in mahogany bookcases that went from floor to ceiling filled with all sorts of books. In front of each window was tan leather chair and a mahogany coffee table sitting in front of them. There was a oriental rug underneath it which spread almost to the middle of the room where it met up with the back of the couch. The walls of the room that weren't wood were a deep tan-ish-coral color which made it feel very warm and inviting. The ceiling was lower in this side of the room and a beautiful chandelier hung from the center.

The back section of the room was the living room. There was a large black couch that wrapped around to the left in a "L" shape. Behind the back portion facing the library was a mahogany cabinet that came to the top of the couch, there were flowers, nick-knacks and photos on it. The ceiling of the living room went all the way up to the second floor of the house forming a point in the center. Large mahogany timbers lined it making it feel almost like a log cabin. In the center yet another large chandelier hung with other small lights built into the ceiling. Behind the left portion of the couch were large windows that lined the wall all the way to the top covered by lush maroon curtains. The windows wrapped around the house to the back side where in the middle was a large stone fireplace when also went to the ceiling. On the other side of the fireplace the windows continued till they came to a wall. Against this wall was a large mahogany cabinet that matched all the other furniture. It held the TV and entertainment system including a radio. In front of the couch was yet another large round mahogany coffee table which sat on top of a black shaggy fur rug. Scattered throughout the room were flowers, candles, vases and photos. Mid-way through the room where the ceiling changed levels was a iron spiral staircase against the wall which brought them up to the lofted office. There was a massive desk with a hutch, another book case, two chairs including the computer chair and another cabinet which was next to the railing all matching the same décor as the downstairs. The view of the fireplace and windows was wonderful from this height.

"This room is amazing" Kyoko said as she raced back downstairs to meet Ren who was now in the living room next to the fireplace. "It's so warm and inviting and….I don't really know how to put it"

"Romantic" Ren said causing Kyoko to blush.

"Well I guess you could put it that way" Kyoko paused. "I've never seen anything like it before"

"This is defiantly a western style house, they usually are quite nice and very different from what we are used to." Ren explained as he walked back towards the hallway. "Shall we go see the rest of it?"

"Yes, yes lets see all of it!" Kyoko was so happy she couldn't wait to see what the rest of it looked like. The wall made a slight curve as they past the entrance again where there was a small table that had a bowl which held the keys. They walked down the hallway. The walls were lined with paintings on one side and arch windows on the other. At the end of the hallway there was a intersection where it opened up to another large room on the left and a hardwood staircase leading to the up stairs if they kept going straight.

They stepped into the large room and found it was the dinning room. Yet again there were windows lining the walls allowing the sunlight to flow into the room, mint Green curtains hung at both ends. We are defiantly going to have to make sure we shut all the curtains at night or anyone and everyone will be able to look in. Ren made a mental note. The far corner of the room was lined with an "L" shaped white linen bench seat which was pulled away from the window a little making a shelve that held various plants between the seating and the wall. In front of the bench seats was a colossal modern glass dinning table, which had 7 white linen covered chairs on the exposed sides. There was a bottle of champagne in a bucket and two glass flutes sitting in the center. On the opposite wall where the stairs were there was a large light wood colored china cabinet that was filled with dishes. The windows that covered the left side of the room were made into a water wall and they could hear the slight trickle of the water as it fell. Next to it was a small sliding glass door which seemed to open up to the backyard. Kyoko turned to her left looking pass the door to see that the room opened up to yet another room and she fell to her knees and started crying tears of joy.

Seeing Kyoko actions Ren squatted down besides her "Mogami-san are you okay? Is there something wrong?" he asked worried. Kyoko just shook her head and pointed to the room.

"It's like a dream, it's so beautiful" she said softly and Ren looked up to where she was pointing to find a unbelievable kitchen before his eyes. Of course the kitchen would be as grand as the rest of the house…and only she would act this way seeing it…this type of kitchen would be a dream to her…this will also probably be the only week that it will ever get used properly too. Ren smiled thinking about her cooking and looked over at her happy to see her delight. He stood back up and held his hand out to her. "Well do you want to go over and look at it?" Kyoko looked up at him with tears still in her eyes, grabbed his hand and nodded yes unable to speak.

She walked pass the island it was mint green with a two level grey granite counter top. The higher level was meant to be a preparing/eating area and had light wood barstools in front of it. The lower level had a small sink and various kitchen equipment like a coffee maker, cutlery, and other assorted kitchen accessories. All the major appliances were stainless steal. To the left was the refrigerator, and a larger sink. Along the back wall was a glass top stove, microwave, two built in ovens and lots of counter space made of the same grey granite. The walls were covered from side to side with light wood cabinets; some doors had glass while others were plain hard wood. Very little of the mint green wall could be seen amongst them all. On the right side of the room there were two light wood doors which were side by side next to the sliding glass door. The one to the left was a small bathroom that had a sink and toilet. The walls were light blue and there were white tile accents. The door to the right opened up to a 5x5 walk-in pantry the walls were filled with all sorts of dry food stacked on shelves all the way up to the ceiling.

Kyoko walked back out and looked at Ren with a huge smile. "I don't think your going to have to worry about meeting my expectations anymore this is already much more then I ever expected." He could feel himself almost melt from her smile and words. I didn't actually set this up for her but I'll take the credit if it's me that she wants to give it to. I still slightly feel bad though. He thought smiling back at her.

"I'm glad you are pleased with it. Would you like a drink?" he said walking over to the table and opened up the champagne that was set out for them.

"Sure, why not. It was a gift I guess. It wouldn't be nice if we didn't except it." She replied looking over at the islands counter top seeing the envelope the president said would be there. She walked over and grabbed it.

"Although these rooms are lovely lets go back out to the living room and drink this." Ren said from behind her. "There's more seating and we could see what's on TV or something."

"Okay" she said and headed for the living room with the envelope, Ren following behind her with the champagne and flutes. She opened up the TV cabinet grabbed the remote that was on the ledge in front of the TV and walked over to the couch where Ren was sitting. She sat down and placed the remote next to her and Ren handed her the drink. "Thank you Tsuruga-san" she took it happily and took a sip. It was different from anything else she had ever tasted before but she liked its slightly fruity taste.

"Your very welcome" he said and took a sip of his own. He looked over noticing the envelope she was holding. "What's that?"

"I think it's the house rules and guidelines they left us. I found it on the kitchen counter top where they said it would be." She set her drink down and opened the envelope pulling out two other envelopes and a folded piece of paper. She unfolded the paper and began looked at it for a moment then read:

House rules and Guidelines:

1. There are certain rooms that have been locked up and you will not be able to get into them. Do not try to get in them.

2. Food and beverages are not allowed upstairs other then water(this does not include the office).

3. The house is to be locked and alarmed at all times. The instructions for the alarm can be found can be found next to it please remove them after you have learned them.

"Did you do that Tsuruga-san?" Kyoko questioned. Ren got up from his seat and walked over the entrance. After he locked the door he found the alarm system next to it and followed the instructions and took the piece of paper and put it in his wallet for safe keeping. A couple minutes later he went back to the living room and took a seat next to Kyoko again.

"Okay the house is armed it says that the alarm will go off if we open any doors or windows without properly disarming it before hand. When we alarm the house we have 60 seconds to leave if we are exiting. I have the instructions in my wallet I can rewrite them later so you can have a copy of them too if you like." he stated picking up his drink again and took a sip.

"Okay" Kyoko replied and began reading the rules again.

4. Everything else in open rooms is at your disposal.

5. Since you will be here for the week you must feed the fish since I gave the person that normally feeds them the week off. The food is in the cabinet next to the tank.

"I don't remember seeing any fish do you?" Kyoko looked at Ren confused.

"Not that I can recall. We'll have to look for them later I'm sure they're here somewhere. We can always text Kuchiki-san if we can't find them she would know" Ren replied equally confused. Kyoko nodded and continued.

6. When you leave at the end of the week make sure everything is turned off and put back into its place.

7. Every morning around 9am you will receive your new tasks for the day. The information that is on the folded piece of paper MUST be followed without argument. You must also read the folded piece of paper together. The tasks that you receive in your separate envelopes do not need to be read together and are up to you wither or not you follow them. We would strongly suggest that you do, considering they will help you achieve your goals for the week and if you ignore them your goals will most likely not be met. We would like you to do them on your own free will instead of feeling like you have to do them.

8. Lastly…..

Kyoko looked at the last rule in shock. Do we really have to? They can't be serious…I can't do this…there's no way Tsuruga-san is going to be willing to do this…wait Kyoko control yourself you have to get through this. It's on the folded piece of paper I have to follow it without argument. The president and director Kuchiki have told us to so it has got to be okay. They wouldn't do this to be mean. They must think it is for the best. Yeah, they know what they are doing. I have to trust them and not freak out about this. It's for my own good. It's going to help us be more comfortable together. It won't be that bad, and its only for a week what harm can come of it. Kyoko thought convincing herself that everything was going to be okay.

"Mogami-san? Is everything okay? Is there something wrong? What's the last rule?" Ren questioned worried. Do I even want to know? Something doesn't feel right.

"Umm yeah everything is fine I was just thinking about it, I was a little nervous to be honest but I think its going to be fine I'm sure they have this rule for good reasons to help us be more comfortable with each other for the movie, and I trust you so its fine nothing bad at all." She said with a smile her words making Ren worry. "It says" Kyoko looked down at the paper again and continued.

8. Lastly you will come to notice there is only one bedroom open for the two of you. You are to both sleep in it. Ren went red in his seat. Since you two will be in roles that requires you to be boyfriend/girlfriend and you must be very close for these roles, more then normally would for a role. We think this will be the easiest way for you to become comfortable with each other. We want you two to be with each other as much as possible. We know that this might be awkward for you two but remember this is for a greater good. Also Remember you must follow this!

-Director Kuchiki, President Takarada

"Tsuruga-san?" Kyoko looked over at him and saw him in shock. "If your willing so am I. I mean they are having us do this for a reason so I think we should follow it, anyways it says we have too."

Her words broke him from his daze and he looked over at her. "Are you sure your okay with this Mogami-san?"

Kyoko nodded her head "Yes, I thought about it and well if we are going to do everything we need to do this week we might as well play by all the rules. So I'm okay with it. It can't be that bad. Let's do our best!"

Ren sat looking at her so she's really okay with this…how am I going to be able to control myself…those two! I swear if they were here right now I would….I would… I don't know what I would do but I'm sure it would involve pain. I would show them what Cain really could do. But then again she's okay with this. She's already accepted it she really doesn't mind being in the….same…bed…with….me. Ren felt himself blush again with his last thoughts. "Well if you are okay with it so am I. Nothing we can do about it I guess rules are rules. But if at any time you feel uncomfortable you just let me know okay?"

"Okay" Kyoko nodded and grabbed her drink to take another sip.

I can't believe she is okay with this! And she's acting perfectly normal like it's nothing at all. Maybe it's me…maybe I'm the one that is thinking too much about this. Ren grabbed the remote and turned on the TV it was on the discovery channel he didn't feel like finding something to watch so he decided to leave it and put the remote on the couch next to Kyoko. "You can change it if you like I don't really know what I want to watch so I don't care." She nodded and grabbed the remote and started looking through the guide. "Are those our tasks?" Ren questioned looking at the envelopes she had placed on the couch.

"umm yes I almost forgot" She picked them up and handed Ren his. She then proceeded to open hers.

Kyoko-

Today we wish for you to explore the house and become acquainted with it. There is plenty of food in the kitchen so eat in tonight. We want you to look over the test results that you should still have and have a talk with Ren about them tonight either during or after dinner. We would like you to come up with at least 5 questions to ask him about his answers. We would also like you to take another step in your relationship with him and consider asking him if you may call him by his first name. Also consider allowing him to call you by your first name. It is one of the major steps of becoming better acquainted with someone. It shows that you feel comfortable with each other and have a close bond. This might help you feel more relaxed about your sleeping arrangements.

-President Takarada, Director Kuchiki

Ren-

Today you are to stay at the house. Eat in this evening and enjoy the accommodations of the house. You are to look over the test results which you should still have and come up with 5 questions about Kyoko-kun's answers and discuss them with her either at dinner or afterwards. Also consider asking her if it would be okay if you call her by her first name and vise versa it will bring you closer. We don't know what your plans are in the future with her, but we will let you know that when you return we plan to have you two become a couple in the public eye. Yes, promotional dating. You know that is not uncommon in show biz so you shouldn't be surprised. We are telling you this now because we hope that it doesn't have to come to that. This is your chance to win her heart without us having to make you become a couple. We want you two to want this not force it upon you which is what it will feel like if it comes to that. The reasoning behind it is because your work will seem like its slowing slightly so we are going to have to get you two in the public eye somehow. Hopefully news of you two becoming a couple will help hide the fact that your productions have slowed. We think it would be fitting considering your rarely in the news that way, hardly ever is there gossip about you. You tend to keep yourself at a distance like that and seem like a goody good in the public eye. We don't think this will harm your popularity in any way. It will most likely improve it, showing the people that you have that side of you as well. Take this all into consideration and don't let her know about it, we are leaving it in your hands till you get back here.

-President Takarada, Director Kuchiki

P.S. Try to be grateful about your sleeping arrangements and don't stress about them too much, we're sure it will be fine.

Leaving it in my hands huh. Try to win her heart or we are going to be forced into promotional dating. I guess it does make sense though, the public wouldn't think about our lack of production if they think we are focusing more on ourselves and each other. But promotional dating. No if I going to be her boyfriend for real I want it to be because she wants to not because she's being made to that just seems wrong. Either way I look at it I'm going to have to be her boyfriend so I might as well try to make this work. But she's still in high school, she's too young. Wait even earlier she said she's not as young as she seems, but still. Ergg guess I don't really have a choice though…Ren sat lost in thought over his letter.

"Tsuruga-san…Tsuruga-san?" Kyoko's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Yes Mogami-san, sorry I was lost in thought"

"That's okay" Kyoko said looking at him. I wonder what was in his letter, he seemed kind of out of it for a second there. "Umm can I ask you something?"

"Of course, what do you want to know?" Ren said then finished off his drink trying to calm himself. Then began to pour himself a new one.

"Well…ummm…would you mind if I called you Ren-san? It's one of the tasks they gave me and I know we don't have to do them if we don't want to but….well I thought about it and I don't really mind if you call me by my first name but I didn't know how you would feel about it." Kyoko said looking down at her hands.

Ren looked over at her and felt himself smile. Wow I didn't realize how nice it would be to hear her say my name. She must have got some of the same tasks that I got. Ren smiled watching her. "Of course you can call me that if you like. It is a great honor that you will allow me to call you Kyoko-san as well." with that Kyoko raised her head and smiled at him pleased that he would allow her to call him Ren. "Anyways we have known each other for quite some time now, there is no reason not to call each other by our first names."

"That's what I was thinking too, thank you very much for allowing me" She said bowed slightly in her seat then finished her drink as well.

"You are welcome and thank you as well" Ren said and motioned to Kyoko's glass. "Would you like more?"

"Yes please" she smiled and reached out with her glass. "What would you like for supper? There's a lot of food here I'm sure no matter what you want there is probably stuff here for it"

"Ummm" Ren thought for a second. "I know how about hamburger and eggs" he said with a smile remembering how much she loved them.

"Ah that sounds great" Kyoko squealed excitedly. "I'll have to check if the ingredients are here" she stated getting up from her seat to head to the kitchen.

"By the way Kyoko-san do you need the test results? I have a task regarding them so I didn't know if you did as well" Ren said trying to catch her before she left.

"You do too?" Kyoko questioned somewhat shocked. Maybe we have the same task.

Ren laughed slightly "I'm going to take that as a yes you need them as well, I'll get them while you in the kitchen and bring them to you. I put them in my bag I figured we were going to need them at some point." Kyoko nodded and headed for the kitchen.