Disclaimer: I don't own skip beat or any of its characters. It's an AU story.

Rating: Rated M for this chapter for mature language.

Love is Worship

Chapter-9

"Oh God Kyoko, you gave me quite a scare there. I don't know what I would do if anything happened to you" Kuon held her closer to his chest, lying next to her on his king sized bed.

"I'm glad nothing's wrong and her fever went down."

He looked at her divine face. She looked so exhausted, so vulnerable yet so beautiful. He couldn't help caressing her perfectly flawless face. "You look so pure when you are asleep" He kissed her forehead lovingly.

Kyoko let out an incoherent sound and shifted in her sleep.

"What is it Kyoko? Is it hurting anywhere?" Kuon asked worriedly, while trying to comfort her. He tried rubbing her back but it had no impact. It seemed like she was in so much pain and Kuon didn't know the reason of it.

He tried patting her back but in vain. She was sweating a lot and her breathing got rash. He touched her forehead again to check if her fever came back but her temperature was normal. His panic increased.

"Is it a nightmare?"

"Kyoko, I'm here with you. Calm down. No need to be scared" He consoled her, gripping her hand in his and giving her all of his comfort.

"Kuon…" Kyoko whispered softly, opening her eyes to look at him. A bunch of tears escaped her eyes before she closed her eyes again and drifted off to sleep.

"Wha-?" Kuon felt crushed. There was so much pain in her eyes. It stabbed his heart. "Did I hear her right?"

"Did she just call me by my given name? She never called me like that before. Did I do something? Is she upset because of me? Am I the reason of her current condition? Why did she cry like that?" Kuon was depressed like hell. The sleep that was overtaking him before flew far away as he tried to figure out in his mind what he did wrong to make her cry.

Koun was so absorbed in his thoughts of last night that he didn't notice Kyoko entering the Kitchen.

To be honest, he didn't get any sleep and was absent minded when he woke up. He didn't even know when and how he took a shower and changed or when did he enter the Kitchen and tried to make almost 'edible' breakfast for them.

He was zoning out the whole time with only one word ringing in his mind like an alarm.

"Kuon…" He flinched at the thought. "Have I made her life difficult? Is she forcing herself to be with me?"

"Good morning, did you make the breakfast by yourself Hizuri-san?" Kyoko asked from behind as she greeted him and made her presence known.

Kuon was startled. He jumped as her voice pulled him out of his deep thoughts.

"Ah! You are awake, how are you feeling now?" Kuon asked without turning around to face her.

"What? Back to being formal again? Call me Kuon again just like you did last night."

"I'm perfectly fine now. Thanks and sorry to make you worried" She replied softly.

"Glad to know that" Kuon replied back quietly.

He didn't want to face her right now. He was afraid if he did, he'd break down. He didn't want her to know how upset he was so he was trying his best to avoid meeting her eyes.

Kyoko was confused. There was something wrong with him. She could feel it. His voice was different.

"Are you feeling well Hizuri-san?" Kyoko asked with concern as she walked up to him.

His defense walls were slightly cracking. He was on verge of tears.

"I'm fine. Why do you ask?" he lied, concealing his cracked and pained voice behind his professionalism.

"You don't look fine to me" Kyoko said as she grabbed his sleeve and turned him around.

The pained expression that he had on his face shocked her. His green tender eyes had tears in them. He quickly looked away from her.

"What's wrong? You look like you are about to cry" Kyoko asked as she gently wiped his tears away.

Kuon stayed silent, masking the pain as much as he could. His head was hurting due to his horrible thoughts.

Kyoko felt her heart ache in pain just from looking at him in that state.

"What's wrong?" she asked again, caressing his face.

"Damn," Kuon let out as his barrier broke.

He rapidly wiped his tears away but it was in vain as more joined in their place. He covered his eyes with his hand but was unable to hide his pain anymore.

Kyoko could feel the pain growing in her chest. She stared at him with wide eyes. "What's wrong? Why are you crying? Did something happen?"

"I… I… just…" he tried to speak but words weren't coming out of his mouth.

"I… just can't get it out of my mind what I did to you in the past. It scares me. I regret it deeply. It's killing me inside. I am unable to forgive myself. I think I'm not your perfect match and you'll be better without me but it pains me to no limit when I think of living without you" he let out in a chocked voice and turned his back on her as if not wanted to be seen.

Kyoko found herself in state of shock and confusion. "He's still at it? Why doesn't he just forget about the past? He's hurting himself for no reason" Her eyes softened.

Next thing she knew, Kyoko found herself hugging him from behind.

Kuon gasped at her sudden embrace.

"You are hurting yourself for no reason. Let the past go. Forget everything and just concentrate on future. I'll never leave you. You'd find me right next to you everyday whenever you woke up in the morning. I'm married to you. I'm expecting your child; I'm staying happily with you. What else do you need to believe that I'll never turn my back on you? I don't know about other women, but I am not that kind of girl to give someone false hopes for my own pleasure. I mean what I say. I'll stay with you till my last breathe" She consoled him but his heart became more restless.

He turned around to face her with his bloodshed and puffy eyes.

"What if I hurt you or the baby again? What if I do something stupid again to make you hate me? What if I couldn't be a good father? What if our child came to know about the horrible things that I did to you? I wouldn't be able to withstand our child's hatred. Without any doubt, I'm a beast who can be unleashed any…" but Kyoko silenced him by pressing her lips on his and kissed him tenderly.

Kuon turned stiff and his eyes widened in shock but before he could react, Kyoko pulled away blushing madly.

"You talk too much. It's not going to happen. Quit being a worrywart. I'm sure our child is going to idolize you. You'll be a great father. As far as I'm concerned, I feel safe with you than being with anyone else" she smiled at him before putting the food in dishes and went to living room, leaving him behind in daze.

"What did she just say? Did she just kiss me? Am I dreaming or something?" Kuon touched his lips to feel the warmth again.

"Thank you for the food" Kyoko chanted before digging in.

"I'm not sure if you should eat it as I'm not an excellent cook but It's still edible. I didn't put anything bad in it" Kuon scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.

His cheeks were still red from the 'intimate' conversation between them.

"No, it's fine" She said as she started to eat.

Kuon watched in awe as she finished the food in a blink of an eye.

He dared to eat his own share, knowing how much of a good cook he was.

The moment he took first bite, he wanted to throw up. "It's horrible Kyoko, why didn't you say a word? Why did you even eat it?" he asked in confusion. "It tastes awful"

Kyoko laughed as she took the dishes to wash them. "You worked so hard to make breakfast for us. I couldn't just break your heart."

Kuon's heart melted. "Oh God Kyoko! You are the biggest criminal indeed. You know exactly how to hit the right nerve."

"I'll be late today so please don't worry about me" She said as she came into view again holding her bag and ready to go"

"Where are you going?" Kuon asked bewildered.

"To work of course, I have an extra shift at Daruma-ya so I'll be late"

"But you need rest Kyoko. You've just recovered from fever. You need to take care of yourself…. "

"I won't overdo myself. I promise I'll come back home if I feel tired"

"OK…" Kuon couldn't argue with her.

"Let me just drop you there" he offered but was turned down.

"I'll manage. You are getting late as well so you better get going" With that she was gone.

Kuon sighed.

"You are really something" He couldn't help but smile at how amazing his wife was.

Kyoko felt a bit tired after serving tons of customers at Daruma-ya so she sat down for a while to catch her breath. The moment she touched her phone, it vibrated, startling her.

"Hey, How are you doing? Are you feeling better?-Kuon"

Kyoko smiled while reading the text. She quickly replied back.

"I'm fine. How did your meeting go?-Kyoko"

"I was spacing out the whole time so I messed up. I guess I have to arrange the meeting again-Kuon"

Kyoko giggled as she typed her reply.

"Why? Have you lost your interest in work or are you just making an excuse to escape from work?-Kyoko"

His reply came in a second.

"No, I was just missing you so badly. I couldn't concentrate-Kuon"

Kyoko blushed while reading it.

"Stop saying embarrassing things!-Kyoko"

"I was thinking about how romantic you were being in the morning so I messed up and got scolded by Yashiro-san for negligence-Kuon"

Kyoko turned beet red from head to toe. How could he say such embarrassing things so easily? Shameless old man! She was just trying to comfort him and there he was, teasing her.

"Stop it! You pervert! Concentrate on your work!" She sent him a quick reply, cursing him under her breath.

"Oh? How am I a pervert? It was you who kissed me in the first place. I'm innocent. My face is still red and my heart is still pounding you know. I didn't know you had such naughty side. My lips are still tingling and asking to be kissed by you once more-Kuon"

"This man….! Seriously! I'll never comfort him again. No matter how hard he cries" Kyoko felt anger rising up in her.

"BULLY!" she replied him with her eyes burning with anger.

Kuon burst into laughter.

"hahahahha, sorry love, I was just teasing you. Couldn't help it. You are just so cute when you are angry. I love you"-Kuon

Kyoko smiled. "He can be so childish sometimes. I can't believe he's 26"

Right at the moment when she was about to reply him back, Okami-san came.

"We are almost done for the day Kyoko-chan, you can go home if you want and rest. You shouldn't work too much in your delicate condition" she told her with a smile.

"Oh well, time flied quickly. I didn't notice it. I guess I should head home then" Kyoko stood up and bowed to her.

"Take care my dear. Be safe on your way" Okami-san said gently.

"I will Okami-san, thank you"

Kyoko was in good mood. She was crossing the street, lost in her thoughts when she saw someone coming towards her. He was a person she never wanted to see again in her life.

"Why hello, you are in a good mood today. Did you decide to finally come back to me?" Sho asked with a smug expression and cold smirk on his face.

Kyoko wanted to slap him hard. Was he following her or something? Couldn't she have some peace of mind? Why did he always spoil it whenever she was in a good mood?

"What are you doing here?" she asked tonelessly.

"Came to check on you. You can't hide yourself from me. I can turn upside down if I want to find you"

"What are you, a stalker? Don't you have anything better to do?" Kyoko was pissed off seeing his arrogant face but she didn't show it on her face.

"I just wanted to talk to you" he said smirking.

"I'm not interested. Quit wasting your time" Kyoko said calmly.

"Whether you want it or not, you'll have to come to me eventually. Time is flying Kyoko."

She flinched.

"I'll never surrender to your desires and besides, I'm already married and pregnant so you'll never be able to accomplish your filthy desires"

Sho's eyes turned murderous.

"How dare you let him touch you? You are mine!"

"So you became that dog's bitch? You poor thing, he is a play boy. He goes after pleasure. He's slept with infinite women. There's no way that bastard's nature will be changed. You are just his new toy. Just wait until he finds someone else to replace you and toss you away like a used tissue paper. I swear you'll come running to me with your broken heart and then I'll make you my mistress. I can't wait to see that look on your face after he breaks your heart…"

Kyoko fought against the urge to punch him. He really was a self centered bastard.

"In your dreams Shoutaro..."

"What happens to me is none of your business. Who the hell are you to point out my husband's character? Do you possess such clean character? I know him better than you. He is nothing like you so stop wasting your time to provoke me against him. It's useless."

Now Sho was pissed beyond imagination.

"Do you trust him that much?" he gritted his teeth.

"Why shouldn't I? He's my life partner and father of my child. Do you really think everyone's a blockhead like you?"

"Why you body seller bitch! How dare you?" Sho clenched his fists as he spat at her.

"Keep barking Sho, your words have no effect on me. You are wasting your time on wrong person. I'll never be yours so back off"

"I'll see to it myself Kyoko. I can swear on it. He'll betray you for sure"

"No, he will not. I trust him with my entire being. He loves me. He'll never betray me. He isn't like you"

"Wana bet on it?" he offered. "I bet he'll crush you under his feet."

Kyoko shook her head. "He won't. I bet my life on it."

Sho was outrageous. "You can give up on your life for him. Do you trust that low life scum that much? What is so special about him that's made you like this?"

"If he does, then you'll have to obey me quietly and come back to me, being my slave for the rest of your life" his evil smirk was back making his face even uglier.

"Bring it on Shoutaro. I'm not afraid and I won't back away because I know what kind of person he is, he will never let me down. I trust him completely. If he doesn't do anything as you say then you'll have to get on your knees and apologize to him in front of everyone for contaminating his character and abusing him behind his back" Kyoko challenged him back.

Sho wanted to shout "Hell No! Never!" but being ever so overconfident he accepted the challenge.

"I can't wait to show you his real face and break your strongest trust on him. He won't be able to accept you after I put my plan into action. Let's testify his love for you and your trust on him. You won't be able to escape Kyoko, I know you. You will never risk your husband and your child's life, now will you? I can't wait to win the bet and get my reward"

"Fine, I will do as you say" Sho declared half-heartedly.

"Then let the war begin, show me what you've got Shoutaro" Kyoko said with determination in her eyes.

That's it. Please read and review. I hope you like the chapter. Please tell me what you think. Till next time.