Chapter 10

They awakened the next morning cuddled together in their pajamas, snuggled into the thick down comforter on her bed. Kyoko was the first to awaken. The wonderful smell of Kuon permeated every corner of her mind and left her feeling more relaxed and well rested than she had felt in months. She breathed him in deeply and snuggled into him more. His sleeping body turned into hers and pulled her more closely. A dreamy smile crossed his lips and he sighed. His green eyes slowly opened to meet her gold.

"Good morning Princess." He smiled, she giggled.

"Good morning Fairy Prince." She greeted after their innocent night of cuddling in each other's arms; although, had either of them know what the other was thinking, it probably wouldn't have been so innocent. She blushed a little at the thought as she turned to get out of bed.

"Where are you going?" He asked in a playful voice as his arm snaked around her waist and pulled her back in.

She giggled. "Kuon... We both need breakfast and I have to work today. Plus... I'm sure all of those reporters will be waiting for us at LME, so I have to figure out a way to get to work without being swamped."

He groaned in protest and let her go. She left for the kitchen and he for the guest bathroom to prepare for their day.

As Kuon stood in front of the mirror and washed the shaving cream from his face, he admired the Iolite tree of life pendant that she had made for him. He smiled. This was one necklace he would not be taking off if he had any say in it. He admired the little stone leaves that were threaded onto the gold wire branches that twisted down into a thick trunk and wound around into a circle at the end of the gold chain. She was quite talented in everything she did. He honestly believed that she could do anything if she set her mind to it. He wanted to marry her, but he didn't want to rush her and he wanted to speak to her mother and foster parents before they made that leap. He wanted her to be completely comfortable with the idea first. He knew that the age of consent was a little different than the US, but he wasn't exactly sure of how different. He would have to ask Lory before he made any plans on it. He wanted it to be perfect for her. No more mess ups. He nodded at the man in the mirror, finished washing his face and stepped into the shower.

"Ugh..." He groaned. Why was it so hard to get what he rightfully deserved lately? What was it with these women?

"But Sho-chan... I... It's just so embarrassing. I'm not sure I'm ready for something like that." The well built little ravenette told him in a small voice.

Sho leaned toward her closely and caressed her face and neck. "If you really love me the way you say you do... It wouldn't be such a problem for you... Now would it?" He purred seductively.

Mimori furrowed her brow in as deep of thought as was possible for her. She sighed in resignation. "I... I suppose you're right. You love me... right?" She asked quietly and he saw a way in.

"Yeah... sure." whatever, he added mentally.

She smiled nervously and nodded in consent.

Sho leaned in quickly and roughly kissed her, celebrating mentally, his victory. "You taste so good." He told her as his hungry mouth traveled up and down her neck and the top of her breasts that were exposed by her low-cut blouse.

Mimori nervously shivered in anticipation, hoping she wouldn't regret giving the man that she loved her most precious possession as he pushed her to her back on the rough fabric of his sofa and placed himself comfortably between her legs. She blushed as his hands began to roam from her bare arms, to her clothed breasts, down to her waist and finally found their way beneath the fabric of her silk skirt. She gently moaned into his mouth as his hand dipped into her lacy panties and caressed the soft skin of her femininity. "Sho..." She breathed in sharply.

"Shh..." He wanted to cover her mouth. He didn't want to hear her shrill voice. It would spoil his fantasy. He covered her mouth with another kiss to keep her silent as he freed himself from his leather pants and moved her panties to the side.

She gripped him tightly as he roughly plunged in. Tears streamed down the sides of her cheeks, but she was happy. This was with her perfect man. He had chosen her for this and she loved him. Was it supposed to be this quick or... disappointing? No... She wasn't here for herself, she was here for him. It didn't matter. It was supposed to be this way. It was supposed to hurt, she had been told. Just seeing him satisfied was enough for her. She told herself after he had finished and left to clean up in the bathroom.

He came back into the living-room with a small hand towel and tossed it at her. "So you can clean up before you leave." He told her and went into the kitchen to grab himself a beer.

She was confused. Wasn't he going to kiss her or, cuddle her? All he did is finish and bring her a rag to clean up with? Something clicked in her mind. She finally saw it... He was a selfish, using bastard. Is this why Kyoko-chan hated him? Is this what he wanted from her? She finally understood. She rose from the sofa and went to the bathroom to clean up. When she was finished she wordlessly gathered her things, gave him a knowing look, turned and walked out of his apartment slamming the door behind her, never to look back. Her first stop on the way home would be to procure a certain little pill that would prevent her from making this mistake any bigger than it had to be. No one else needed to know.

For Kyoko, it had to be the most confusing event that had ever occurred to her. Mimori Nanokura had stalked up to her, stood before her in the halls of LME and bowed before her only days after her birthday.

"Kyoko-chan... I am sorry. I just wanted you to know that." She told her with sincerity.

Kyoko looked at her in confusion. "Mimori-chan?"

Mimori sighed. "I just signed with LME and I didn't want there to be bad blood between us, since I'll be in the LoveMe Section for awhile."

Kyoko looked at the girl with pity and pulled her into a hug. "It'll be alright Mimori-chan. I promise." She told her as she held the sobbing girl in her arms. "Not every man is like that." Kyoko had a hunch at what happened, but couldn't have guessed the magnitude of the damage.

Mimori nodded and slowly pulled away. "I tried so hard." She told her as Kyoko led her to the LoveMe locker room, then sat her on the plush pink sofa.

"Did you want to talk about it?" Kyoko gently prodded as she grabbed her a cold bottle of water and a damp washcloth to cool her face.

She looked at her with her innocent eyes and burst into tears again. "I did something really stupid! I gave him something I shouldn't have. I thought he loved me. He just used me." She sobbed.

Kyoko was taken aback. "That's what he does Mimori-chan." She told her as she sat next to the girl and gave her a comforting hug.

A soft knock sounded on the door and Kuon entered. He had heard crying and he was worried about Kyoko. "Kyoko? Is everything okay?" He asked softly as he witnessed her comforting Mimori on the sofa.

Kyoko nodded. "Kuon? Could you give us a few minutes? I'll meet you at LA Hearts."

He nodded. "Sure." He smiled at her gently and left the room.

Mimori looked at her with a bit of awe. "Senpai? Is that Hizuri-san?" She asked.

Kyoko blushed and gave he a tiny nod.

"You never had any interest in Sho at all, did you? How could you with him around?" Mimori commented.

Kyoko giggled. "I suppose not, but I hadn't been interested in Sho for a very long time. He was never more to me than just... I don't know... Maybe a brother? I guess. However, I was never more than just a maid to him and a disposable one at that." She explained.

Mimori gave a tiny growl. "He's such a jerk!"

Kyoko laughed. "Yeah... Sometimes I think he was born that way. Are you going to be alright?"

Mimori nodded. "Thank you Senpai. I do look forward to working with you." She gave her a small smile. "You should go to Hizuri-san before he starts to worry about you."

Kyoko smiled and started to leave. "Are you sure you'll be okay?"

Mimori nodded and started to gather her things to leave with her. "Thank you Kyoko-san. I appreciate the comfort."

Kyoko patted her on the back as they left the room. "Anytime for a fellow sufferer of the Pink Curse."

They both laughed and went their separate ways.