A/N: Happy new Year! Sorry this didn't get posted yesterday. My daughter has been sick and so it didn't happen. Here's chapter 11! I really enjoyed writing this chapter and I hope you like it too! Next one will post next Monday.:)

Chapter 11: Exposed Secrets

"All right, now it's your turn to lead."

It was Saturday, the night before the much anticipated town dance and Ren and Kyoko found themselves in the dimly lit sheriff's station practicing to soft music. Kyoko shook her head in response to the sheriff's statement.

"I don't think I can lead you in a dance." She muttered as she stared at her feet.

Ren rolled his eyes. He placed both hands on her shoulders, causing Kyoko to look up at him in surprise. "Now look," he stated firmly. "You have done a good job learning the dances I taught you but it won't do you any good if you can't lead Ruriko tomorrow night."

She sighed, "I know, you're right. But it'll be a lot more difficult to lead a man like you who's so tall compared to Miss Ruriko." She commented.

Ren laughed, "Exactly. So if you can handle leading me you'll have nothing to worry about tomorrow."

Kyoko couldn't disagree with his argument, and soon found herself nervously struggling to lead him in a dance. He followed her movements easily, and she could feel a slight envy at his talent for dancing. "Are you always so perfect at everything?" she asked, some of her bitterness leaking into her tone.

Another chuckle left Ren's mouth. "There are a lot of things I'm not perfect at." He replied.

"Like what?"

He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Like knowing how to handle you."

If he had been teasing her, Kyoko could've easily brushed aside his comment. But when she looked up into his eyes they weren't sparkling with amusement. No, this sparkle was different; and there was something serious in his voice.

"I think you handle me just fine." She muttered, looking down in an attempt to hide her blush.

At that moment, the song ended and the record player clicked off. The pair stopped their movements and Ren took the opportunity to place a finger under Kyoko's chin. He carefully tilted up her bright red face.

"You think I'm doing a good job at handling you? Because most of the time it feels like I'm always doing or saying exactly the wrong thing." His voice was hushed and sweet.

"It's not you." She answered. "I- I'm just not very good with being close to people."

Ren smiled down at her in a way that made her heart melt. He slowly leaned down until his face was just a few inches from her own. "Really? Because I think you are doing just fine."

And with those whispered words, he moved to kiss her.

Or at least, he would have, if it weren't for the sudden noise of the door.

"Ren, I forgot some of my papers…" Yukihito's voice faded into silence as he took in the sight before him.

A very red-faced and startled looking Kyo was nearly backed against the wall while the tall and menacing looking sheriff was hovering over him in what appeared to be preparation for a kiss.

Kyoko jumped away from the sheriff. "I have to go." She muttered before rushing from the building.

Ren stood in silence, facing the spot where Kyoko had been just moments before. Meanwhile, his deputy stood watching him. A million thoughts were racing through his mind as he tried to figure out a response to what he had just witnessed.

He smiled and attempted to make a joke. "Now now, Sheriff. I know you seem like something of a Casanova, but don't go scaring away Kyo by forcing a kiss on him." It wouldn't particular bother him if Ren was interested in men. He thought of himself as being fairly open-minded and would of course be willing to keep his friend's secret.

Ren moved over to his desk and dropped into his chair feeling flustered. His hand moved to his hair as he answered. "I- I wasn't. I mean, I would never want to scare Kyoko away like that-"

Yukihito stared at him with wide eyes, "Kyoko?"

Ren closed his eyes and cursed under his breath. Well, I guess that secret was bound to come out eventually. At least, Yukihito should be able to keep it a secret.

Suddenly, everything in the deputy's mind clicked. All of the times he had thought of Kyo as being just a bit too feminine. Or when he had noticed the special attention Ren had paid her. If he was a woman…

"Well, at least now it all makes sense." He commented with a small laugh. He moved closer to where Ren was. "But why don't you explain why she is pretending to be a boy?"

In her hotel room, Kyoko splashed some cool water from the basin onto her face which was still burning. When she closed her eyes, she kept seeing the sheriff's face leaning in for a- She shook her head. No, that's ridiculous. I have to have been imagining things. He wouldn't try to kiss me. He doesn't think of me like that.

She flopped onto her bed and sighed. "It's not as though I wanted him to kiss me." She muttered.

But as she drifted to sleep, she couldn't stop herself from dreaming about what that kiss might have been like.

"Do I look all right?" Kyoko asked Kanae the following afternoon.

The pair were standing in Kyoko's room as Kanae helped her to dress for the evening the whole town had been eagerly awaiting. Kanae had loaned her an old suit that she had lying around from a boy who had worked for her a couple of years before.

"I think it actually looks pretty good." She commented, adjusting the shirt sleeves. "Akira was about your size luckily. And he only ever wore this for Easter one year so it's still in good condition."

Kyoko turned and looked in the mirror. Her hair had been slicked back and the shirt was loose-fitting to help hide the few curves she did have. She had to wear a belt to keep the pants from sliding but aside from that, she thought she actually looked rather nice.

"It's nearly time to go. Are you picking up Ruriko from her house?" Kanae asked.

Kyoko nodded, a smile lighting up her face. "Yes. She asked me to meet her at her house just before six o'clock."

"Then you should probably getting going. I think it's nearly six." Kanae told her.

Kyoko looked surprised. "You're right!" she hurried over to Kanae and grabbed hold of both her hands. "And you promise you'll be there, right? Just in case something goes wrong?"

Kanae rolled her eyes. "Nothing is gonna go wrong. But yes, I'll be there."

Kyoko smiled at her brightly before hurrying out of the room, leaving behind a blushing Kanae. Why does she have to act so overly friendly? She thought irritably.

She sighed, "I really hope this all goes smoothly."

Kyoko paced nervously in front of Ruriko's small cottage. It was situated near the schoolhouse for convenience and therefore Kyoko could watch as the other townspeople made their way inside for the festivities. She had already knocked once on the door and had received a reply through the closed door of "Give me just another minute."

"But that had to have been at least ten minutes ago." She sighed throwing her head back to look at the darkening sky.

There was the sound of the door opening and she turned around to see the school-teacher emerging from her home.

Kyoko was awestruck when she saw the beautiful dress Ruriko had chosen to wear. She had her brown hair braided to one side of her head and was wearing a lovely necklace that sparkled in the moonlight.

She's just like a princess. Kyoko thought to herself. She moved forward and bowed to her date. "You look beautiful, Miss Ruriko."

Ruriko glared down at the top of Kyoko's head before faking a cheerful smile. "Of course, I do, Kyo. Shall we go over now?"

Kyoko nodded, and offered her arm. They walked in what Kyoko was sure was an awkward silence until they entered the doors to the large schoolhouse. It was already crowded with people dancing and drinking juice that had been set out on a table.

"Would you like to dance?" Kyoko asked. She was feeling a little excited at the thought of trying out the dances Ren had taught her.

Ruriko glanced around the room. "No, not yet. Go get me a drink."

The sweetness had melted away leaving a bitter tone. Kyoko tried not to appear shocked, and hurried away to get the drink for her companion. When she had accomplished her task she found her way through the crowd and back to the spot where she had left Ruriko. Except, the teacher was no longer there.

"Where'd she go now?" she wondered aloud.

"Looking for someone?"

She spun around and found herself standing beside Hikaru. He had dressed up and attempted to fix his hair in a different manner than usual. Kyoko smiled at him.

"You look nice, Hikaru." She commented kindly.

He blushed, "You look… um, very handsome." He replied, trying to figure out why his heart was beating so fast. "Oh, you were looking for someone, right?"

Kyoko nodded, "Yes, my date. I seem to have lost Miss Ruriko."

The pair glanced around the room.

"Wait! Kyo, I see her. She's talking with…" Hikaru's voice faded out as he found himself in an increasingly awkward situation.

Kyoko followed his gaze and spotted Ruriko chatting warmly with none other than the handsome Sheriff. She felt a pain in her chest as she watched the older girl caress Ren's arm. She watched as he smiled charmingly at the teacher.

Hikaru patted Kyoko's shoulder in sympathy. "I'm sorry."

She looked at him, feigning confusion. "For what? You helped me locate my date. Thank you very much." She then hurried off toward the person in question.

"Miss Ruriko!" Kyoko called out when she was near her target. "You wandered off before I could get you your drink." She told her kindly.

Ruriko faked a smile, "Thank you. I guess you just took so long I got distracted. Ren was just keeping me company."

Kyoko looked up and met Ren's eyes which were watching her curiously. He must think I look strange in this get-up.

"Well, I'm sure you must want to dance with your date, Miss Ruriko, so I'll let you go." Ren told her pointedly before stepping away.

Ruriko let out an annoyed sigh. "You just had to come over here right now, didn't you?" she muttered harshly.

Kyoko felt all the excitement of the evening vanish. Of course, a part of her had guessed she'd only been invited as an attempt to make the sheriff jealous, but she'd at least hoped to have an enjoyable time.

"I know you didn't want to come with me, but would you at least like to dance?" she asked after a moment.

Ruriko looked at her unhappily but sighed. "Fine. But only because I won't be the only girl here who doesn't get to dance."

Kyoko took hold of one of Ruriko's hands before placing her unoccupied hand on the older girl's waist. They began to dance along with several other couples and Kyoko hoped that maybe after this dance she could sneak off and leave without feeling anymore humiliated.

As Ren made his way across the room, he sighed, grateful to have escaped from Ruriko. Although, a part of him was worried for Kyoko, he hoped she'd at least be able to enjoy herself. He watched as many of the couples throughout the room began to dance as a new song began. That was when he spotted Kaori, a young teenaged girl standing by herself.

Kaori stared down at her feet while playing with her auburn hair awkwardly. Ren approached her.

"Why aren't you dancing, Kaori?" he asked kindly.

She seemed startled by his presence. "Oh, I was supposed to come with Kouta but he got sick and his mother made him stay home."

Ren nodded, then he held out a hand to her. "Maybe I ask you to dance then? I hate to see a girl not having a good time at a party."

She blushed at suddenly having the attention of a handsome older man, but nodded shyly. "Th- thank you, Sheriff."

He led her onto the dance floor as they joined in on the dance.

Across the room, Ruriko glared daggers at the new pair joining the dance. Why is he dancing with that child? She thought angrily. Kaori was a student of hers and almost fifteen. But still she didn't like the chance that anyone else could be attempting to steal the man she had her eyes on.

In her distracted state she lost the timing of her steps and Kyoko's foot wound up atop hers. Kyoko pulled back quickly.

"Sorry, Miss. I didn't mean to." She offered politely.

Ruriko glared at her. "You're think if you were going to agree to bring me then you'd at least make sure you can dance." She sneered.

Kyoko took a step back, stunned. "It was an accident."

Ruriko rolled her eyes. "You think that just because everyone else in town buys this sweet innocent act that I will? You are just trying to trick everyone into trusting you." She leaned in closer to Kyoko and glared at her. "You don't belong here." She hissed. "Just leave!" and with those words she shoved Kyoko hard, knocking her to the ground.

Ruriko was immediately aware of everyone staring at them. Her cry and the sound of Kyoko falling had managed to grab everyone's attention.

I have to think fast or else everyone will turn on me. She spun to the side and spotted Hikaru holding a cup of punch. She yanked it from him and dumped it onto Kyoko. "How dare you!" she cried out loudly.