Chapter 11: Picking Things Up…

Ren was silent the entire time as he got his make up and hair done. His run in with Kyoko had done little to ease his mind and had only served to distract him more. He sighed as he remembered how it had felt to hold her in his arms. Even if it was just for a few seconds. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back.

Yashiro waited until he and Ren were alone in the hall outside of the dressing rooms before mentioning Kyoko. "Ren, Kyoko asked me to thank you for catching her earlier." He watched for Ren's reaction.

The younger man nodded. He wasn't sure what to make of that. "Well, at least today she isn't ignoring me." He admitted.

They moved onto the set and Ren saw Kyoko talking with a couple of the other actresses who were playing students at the school. When she looked his way their eyes met for a second before she looked away with a slight blush on her cheeks. I guess that's still an improvement from before.

The director called them over and they began shooting a few scenes. They had started with some school scenes and an emotional scene between Leo and Kimi. It wasn't until the afternoon that they got to Ren's first scene of the day with Kyoko.

The scene was to take place outside of Kimi's school, where she was waiting for Leo after classes. She stood in the empty courtyard of their school looking at her phone when Satoshi approached.

"So, your boyfriend isn't here. Did you dump him yet?" he said, resting an arm above her preventing her from moving away from the wall she was leaning against.

Kimi glared up at him. "I don't see why that is any of your concern. Also you aren't allowed on school grounds. Do I need to call security to escort you out again?" she threatened, trying to hide the fact that her knees were shaking.

She was a petite girl, and Satoshi was a tall, well-built guy. She couldn't help but be intimidated by his large figure looming over her.

Satoshi laughed at her as he reached out to touch a strand of her hair. "To do that you'd have to get away from me first, now wouldn't you?"

Kimi slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me." She hissed.

Satoshi's eyes darkened and he grabbed ahold of Kimi's arm causing her to drop her phone. He pulled her to him roughly. Now was the moment he was supposed to force her to kiss him, but Ren faltered.

The only thing he saw before him was a terrified looking Kyoko. He couldn't separate the frightened look in her eyes from the woman he loved. Immediately his hand released her.

"Cut!" the director called.

Kyoko stared at Ren, dumbstruck. Why did he stop?

The director approached them. "Is everything all right?" he asked.

Ren put on a fake smile. "Sorry, I just blanked for a minute."

The director nodded, "Did you need a few minutes?"

Before Ren could respond, Kyoko interrupted. "Director-san, actually, I think I'm not quite feeling prepared to do this scene today. Could we move it to tomorrow?" she asked, she was putting an effort in to make herself look pitiful so the director wouldn't object but she needed one more thing. "That is, if Ren doesn't mind." She glanced towards her fellow actor.

What is she doing? He wondered. But if she wasn't ready, that worked out for him because he was having trouble forcing himself to be rough with her even if they were acting. "I don't have any objections to waiting until tomorrow." He answered.

The director flipped through his clipboard schedule and scratched his head. "I guess if we can film the fighting scenes for Leo-kun and Satoshi-kun today then we should be fine still."

Kyoko bowed to the director. "Thank you, and I am very sorry for the inconvenience."

The director blushed at her apology. "Really, it's fine, Kyoko-san. After all you are the lead actress and you've been filming your scenes efficiently this whole time."

Kyoko blushed at his praise. She was so focused on her conversation with the Director that she didn't notice when Ren got pulled aside by Yashiro.

"What happened?" his manager asked him.

Ren shook his head. He couldn't believe he had allowed his feelings to get in the way of their acting. "Nothing. I just got distracted."

Yashiro was forced to accept Ren's excuse because Ren was then pulled away by a crew member to help him get set for the next scene. He listened as the director walked Ren and Yukia through the next scene.

"Now the next scene takes place after Leo-kun finds out that Satoshi-kun forcibly kissed Kimi-chan. It'll take place in the gym." The director looked at both actors. "You've both done some practice runs with our trainer on basic fencing techniques, correct?"

They both nodded and the director walked away to check the cameras while the actors got into place. Ren and Yukia stepped onto the set and waited for the director to start the scene.

Yukia couldn't help but feel awkward. Here he was about to fight Ren to protect his fake girlfriend who was being played by Ren's real girlfriend. Yeah, this is going to be fun.

As the cast and crew got ready for the next scene, Kyoko changed out of her costume and removed her make up. She had gotten permission from the director to go ahead and leave since she had no other scenes left for the day and she wanted to leave as quickly as possible.

She hurried outside and called for a taxi. If she was going to talk to Ren she needed to get prepared.

Inside on the gymnasium set, Leo stood opposite Satoshi, a fierce glare on his face. While Satoshi smirked at him.

"I don't understand why you are so obsessed with my girlfriend!" Leo yelled. He took a step towards the taller man.

"I'm obsessed with her, as you say, because she is going to marry me. You are just a temporary amusement." Satoshi waved a hand dismissively at Leo.

"If I have to I'll force you to leave her alone. I won't let you attack her again!"

Satoshi laughed, "Do you intend to fight me?"

"If that's what I have to do."

Leo watched as Satoshi moved to a wall display for the fencing club. He pulled down two fencing swords and tossed one to Leo.

"Gentlemen do not use their fists. So why don't we have a friendly fencing match?" he gestured in the air with the rapier. "If I win, you leave Kimi to me."

Leo shot him another glare. "And when I win, you will leave and never bother either of us again."

Satoshi nodded, "Fair enough. But I should warn you, I've been fencing since I was in elementary school."

"That'll just make it more satisfying when I kick your ass."

Satoshi took a step towards Leo and bowed to him before resuming a ready position. "En garde!"

Several minutes later, both Leo and Satoshi were sweating and red in the face. Leo made a lunge towards him, but Satoshi parried before attacking again. Leo barely avoided the sword coming his way.

He spun and returned the attack, firmly landing the end of his sword into Satoshi's chest. Though the safety cap prevented any damage, the force of the blow was enough to throw the older man backwards onto the floor. Leo stepped up to him and pointed the rapier at his throat.

"You've lost. Now be a gentleman and honor your word." Leo spat the words at him before throwing the sword to the ground and walking away.

"Cut!"

Yukia returned to Ren's side, amidst the applause of those watching and held out a hand to help Ren up. "Good match," he told him with a smile.

Ren nodded. "You too. Although, you could've been a bit more gentle with that last blow." He rubbed at the spot on his chest where he'd been hit.

Yukia laughed. "I couldn't go easy on you. I watched you in your practices. You pick up things really fast, don't you?"

"Yeah, I suppose I do." Ren glanced around to see if Kyoko was watching the scene they'd just finished, but his eyes couldn't find her.

"Looking for Kyoko-chan?" Yashiro asked as he stepped over to Ren with a bottled water for him.

"Did she leave?"

"It would appear the director let her leave because she was done filming for the day." Yashiro clapped a hand on Ren's shoulder. "Sorry, Ren."

Ren let out a sigh. "There was no helping it I guess."

After finishing a few touch up scenes for the swordfight, the director congratulated the actors on a good day's work and sent them on their way.

Ren changed quickly and was ready to leave the studio by five o'clock. He caught sight of Yukia and James in the parking garage as they were leaving and offered a wave. If nothing else, at least I can be happy that she's not alone. And we have made progress.

He climbed into his car and was awoken from his thoughts when Yashiro waved a hand in front of his face. "Ren, have you heard a thing I've said?"

The actor shook his head, answering honestly. "I'm sorry. I was thinking about Kyoko."

"That's all right, Ren. I understand."

Ren was grateful that Yashiro seemed to be busy making notes on his phone and so was silent for the ride home. He bid his manager good bye as he dropped him off before heading back to his apartment. As he turned onto his street, rain began to splatter his windshield. He sighed thinking it would be yet another cold and lonely night for him.

Ren parked his car and then heard his stomach growl. Lately, he had noticed that he was developing more of an appetite, probably thanks to Kyoko's constant, delicious cooking.

"Guess I should buy some things at the market." He said, clicking the button on the elevator to go to the floor in his building where the market was.

Half an hour later, he was heading back to the elevator when he heard his phone ringing in his pocket. He juggled the grocery bags into one hand and answered his phone.

"Hello, this is Ren."

"Tsuruga-san," a panicked voice came on the other end, "Have you seen Kyoko-chan?"

Ren felt his heart skip a beat as he pressed the button for his floor on the elevator. "No, why? Yukia, what's wrong?"

"We just got home a few minutes ago, and Kyoko-chan is gone. She took all of her things with her too." Yukia explained quickly.

Ren could feel panic rising in his chest. "She didn't leave a note or anything?"

"No, and we can't get through to her phone. Do you think she could be out wandering around?"

"Maybe." He cursed under his breath. "And it's raining out too." The elevator dinged to signal it had reached his floor. "Just let me drop something off at my apartment and then I'll head out to help you look."

He hurried down the hallway. He could hear Yukia explaining things to James through the phone. But as he reached his front door he stopped, feeling relief wash over him.

"Yukia-kun," he said into the phone, "Never mind. You don't have to worry. It looks like she came home."

Ren felt the urge to smile as he watched the girl he loved. She was sitting on her suitcase outside of his apartment. When she noticed him, she stood, a determined look on her face.

He pulled the phone away from his ear, simultaneously ending the call. Without knowing he did so, his feet began to move forward until he was standing in front of her.

"Kyoko," he whispered her name.

Her determined look stayed in place. "I need to talk to you, Corn."


A/N: Yay! I'm so excited to write the next chapter. I will have it up wednesday. :) thanks for reading!