Authors Chat: Baah, dang-it… In order to stick with even just 3 'Afterward' chapters I had to make this one extra long. Should just be the one more chapter before I begin my next project. Though, I really really enjoyed writing this chapter. If everyone enjoys it well enough (give me comments!) I'll continue working on the story development between Kyoko and Ren in this chapter and last.

Finally, if you've read my whole story, I would greatly appreciate your comments and constructive criticism!

That being said, italics text are direct thoughts of characters, text is in quotes, noises are done with asterisks.

DISCLAIMER: Skip Beat! and it's characters are not my original creation, they are owned and created by Nakamura Yoshiki.

Story Timeline: This fanfic takes place on Valentine's day. All history taken place in the actual Manga is relevant to this fanfic up until Valentine's day (end of manga chapter 143).

Valentine's Disaster Afterward

Chapter 2

Ren stared at the blinking lights on his clock. Never before had the dots between the digits seem so annoying. After the events of the previous day, he really needed a good night sleep. He was stressed and so wound up that even a few glasses of his favorite scotch didn't lull him to sleep.

He reached over to the night stand and turned the clock around so it wouldn't taunt him with the late hour. A soft scrape as something skidded across the nightstand ended as something small slid from the surface and fell to the carpet. Ren rolled over and looked over the edge of the bed. In the dark room he could barely make out the outline of a small black rectangle against the cream colored carpet. He reached out and picked it up.

Squinting, he could not tell what it was and he turned it over in his fingers a few times before giving up and turning on the bedside lamp.

It was the memory card from the camera he had taken. What had Reino taken photos of? Clearly he was set up to take photos of Kyoko, but the state he found her in gave cause for Ren to worry what the photos were of. She had been scantily clad in the middle of a circle and then said she couldn't leave the circle when he tried to take her out of there.

He was both curious and afraid of what he would find and so had set the card aside. He had managed to doze off for a short time when he put aside thoughts of the memory card, but here it was, only 4:00 in the morning, and already he was awake.

He now looked at the memory card again with a scowl. He probably would not sleep peacefully again until he knew what was on that card.

That thought in mind, Ren swung his legs off the side of the bed and slid his feet into his slippers. He grabbed a blanket from the end of his bed, wrapped it around his shoulders, and trudged out the bedroom and down the hall to his office.

He rarely used his computer these days but at one point in time he had been very good with electronics and computers. Spending a lot of time alone at home, there was not much else to do but watch movies and mess with the computers in the study. "Computer geek" just was not something that could be associated with Tsuruga Ren, and as he got busier and offered more and more roles, the computer became neglected.

It was sort of comforting to sit behind the desk, leaned back in the chair with the keyboard on his lap, but the anxiety of seeing what was on the card defeated the familiar comfort. Ren inserted the photo memory card into the computer and let it load into the viewer.

The first photo came into view. Kyoko was fully clothed. Her eyes were wide like a doe caught in the headlights… soft brown, ebbing with tears, and scared. She was slightly crouched and looked as if the slightest sound would make her jump out of the picture in fear of what was circling her. She was so life-like, so real, so… caught in that moment.

Ren's heart caught in his throat. If she were here at this very moment, there would be no self control.

He wiped a hand down his face as if to erase the emotion and desire from his mind. She seemed so frail in this shot, so much needing of protection. Someone to comfort her and hug her and keep her safe.

Why is that always it? She is stronger than that. When she suffers, there is nothing I wouldn't do to make her better. She doesn't need a man… Much less me…

Ren clicked to load the next photograph.

"Amazing…" How quickly Kyoko could change was amazing. Kyoko was still fully clothed here, but she was no longer scared. No longer the doe. She was still crouched, but instead of shrinking, she seemed to be rising up. Mid action with one foot in front of the other, she was full of dignity and pride in herself. There was no doubt in Ren's mind the first photograph and this were taken close together. Kyoko had remarkable ability and such an array of emotions.

She no longer was crouching or rising, but standing straight and looking at the camera… looking out from the picture, staring at you. Staring at Ren. She looked so much like a goddess.

The fourth photograph surprised Ren a little. After seeing Kyoko fully clothed in the first three shots, he had lost the apprehension of seeing Kyoko scantily clad, but this shot was the start of something else.

How she could pose like that in a photograph and not be embarrassed… this wasn't like Kyoko. She was easily embarrassed at so many things, but it seemed as if the naked flesh was of no consequence to her. She stood in just her skirt and bra but did not shy from the camera. She stood regally at an angle to the camera, one hand loose on her hip, the other hanging beside her body framing her narrow waste.

It was hard to look away and hard NOT to look away from the photo. Ren felt a little embarrassed himself looking at this photograph. He had seen many women's bodies, but like the time he had hugged her on the kitchen floor… no woman had excited him as much as she had… and again, he felt that sensation. He felt a bit dirty for it. Her honesty and purity made him look away in the end, but the next photo to show did not help to calm his condition.

If looks could kill, this would have knocked Ren dead. He did not know she could ever look like this. It was, in a word, otherworldly.

Her hair floated in a halo around her face and her limbs seemed to stretch toward all directions, taking up the photo frame. Her lips were full and inviting, her eyes were stunning. Lustful and vengeful and beautiful and desirous…

Ren's hand trembled as he closed the viewer program. He did not need to see any more. He did not know what he felt. He knew he should be furious for those photos to have been shot without her consent nor any decency. The photos were not lewd, but the expressions she showed… they would be safe to show to no man. GOD how he wanted her.

Ren ran a hand through his hair and sat back to breath and let his heart slow it's excited pace. Had it not been so early in the morning, he would have needed another glass of scotch.

That asshole Reino… what had he intended for these photographs?

Ren sat back upright and removed the photo memory card then shut down the computer. He needed to cool his head.

Shower… he needed to shower.

Ren left the office and the memory card on the desk and went back down the hall to the bathroom. He turned the shower on and let the steam fill the room before disrobing and stepping in.

He turned his face into the spray and let the water slide down his naked form, trying to wash away the memory of how she felt in his arms and how she looked in those photographs. It was hard. She fit so well in his arms.

Ren shook the thoughts from his head like the water droplets flying from the ends of his hair. His thoughts always revolved around her these days, and that is NOT what he needed right now.

B.J. Think of the role…

He tried to sway his thoughts to other matters, but even those thoughts led right back to Kyoko. BJ was a hardened criminal. How did BJ first become a criminal? What was his influences? What pushed him over that edge from bad-boy to murderer? Any woman could do it if he loved her enough… and his thoughts trailed back to Kyoko.

He just could not get her off his mind. When had he become so obsessed? It bothered him. He couldn't focus on anything but her.

He turned off the shower, giving up on washing away the memory of her body close to his and the soft curve of her lips.

He wrapped a towel around his waist and walked back down the short hall to his bedroom. As he passed the office, his eyes focused on the photo memory card on the desk, unconsciously wondering what he should do with it.

He so desperately wanted to see the remaining photographs on there. He wanted to see Kyoko.

It was so rare that he had a day off all to himself, as he flipped through the clothes in his wardrobe it was hard to choose. All of his brand name clothing from R-Mandy and other brands he modeled for littered the easily accessible spots of his closet, while the Tee shirts and plain jeans resided in its depths.

Wow… an American Levi's brand tee-shirt… I haven't worn this in years. Forgot I even had it still…"

He donned the Tee, boxers, and a pair of jeans before walking barefooted down the hall again to the kitchen.

Again his gaze caught on the memory card, and by the time he got to the kitchen he was thinking about Kyoko and wishing she were here. His wishes overtook action, and when he looked at the counter he realized he had pulled down two coffee cups rather than one.

Since when had it become common for him to take out two sets of dishes in his apartment? He went from using zero to always using two sets when he ate at home. He set the kettle to boil and put the second mug back into the cupboard before fishing in a neighboring cupboards for the instant coffee.

He always drank his coffee black, Kyoko, with milk and two sugars.

Aah… put the sugar bowl back Ren. She isn't here.

Again, he had unconsciously tried to accommodate for Kyoko's preferences.

He stirred the instant coffee till it dissolved in his mug then went to the living room and turned on the T.V. to the morning news.

Still early… she wouldn't be awake yet…

If she knew he was only intending to have a mug of coffee for breakfast, she would have a fit. He took a sip and winced. That was bad stuff. Now he knew why she took it with milk and sugar. He would have to remember to get some fresh and good coffee… and an actual coffee pot to brew it in.

He realized he had been watching the time, glancing back and forth between the news and the clock on the DVD player. What had he been waiting for? His mind flitted back to the photo memory card and Kyoko.

The coffee machine he needed to purchase… that would be a good excuse… giving up on reasoning himself to NOT go over to see her, he left the mug on the coffee table, went to the coat closet and grabbed a heavy jacket and hat, bent down to slip on his hiking boots then stopped.

He straightened then ran back to the office and grabbed the memory card before returning to slip on his hiking boots and went out the door.

He was at the Daruma-Ya before he had fully formed his excuse for being there so early. He would think of something. He never had to calculate his reasoning before she came into his life again.

He turned the engine off and slowly walked up to the door, knocking gently. He didn't want to wake anyone up if they were the type to sleep late. He would just have to occupy himself else wise.

He was about to turn around when the Okami pushed back the curtain on the door to peek who it was, and seeing it was Ren, she opened the door.

She was dressed and awake, but clearly not ready for the day.

"I'm sorry Okami-san, I know it is early, but I had thought to check on Kyoko…"

"It's alright Tsuruga-sama, please, come inside. Kyoko has not come down yet, but we were just about to sit down for breakfast. Would you care to join us? There is plenty."

Ren began to shake his hand that he was fine, but stopped. If Kyoko came down while they were eating, she would ask if he had eaten. She didn't consider coffee as a proper breakfast.

"Thank you for the invitation." He followed her into the restaurant and sat beside her at the bar. The Taisho was finishing placing food into dishes, looked up to see Ren enter and nodded his assent then reached under the counter for an extra set of dishes, filled them, then distributed the dishes among the three of them.

The conversation was sparse while they ate, but the small talk that was said was rather nice. It was so hard to go out in public these days without unwanted attention. The Taisho and Okami were good, down to earth people who did not put up a fuss and respected all who entered their restaurant and seemingly, home.

They had admitted to knowing something was wrong when Ren came to them yesterday flustered and looking for her 'cell phone'. They had told him she was silent most of the night and kept to herself. There wasn't much noise coming from her room, so they assumed she slept most of the night. They did not ask Ren what had happened to her but said that they put their trust in him to keep her safe.

It was added pressure but relieving at the same time.

As Okami stacked the dishes and removed them, Kyoko began shouting and coming down the stairs. The Okami sat back down and waited until Kyoko finished addressing her about using her bicycle to run some errands. She hesitated upon seeing Ren.

She was intending to leave…Good that she is up for doing something then I suppose.

He would not let his joy show though and instead called her name and looked at her sternly for going against his instruction to stay at home and rest. His reprovingly invited himself to give her a ride, and when the Okami encouraged her to leave, she grudgingly obliged.

Ren led her to the car and closed her in before entering the drivers side and starting the engine.

"Mogami-san…"

"Y-yes?" she looked at her feet as if she were in trouble.

"Where do you suggest we go to purchase a coffee maker?"

She looked up then, confusion on her face.

"The instant coffee I've been subjecting you to is horrid. If I can't drink that stuff, I refuse to let you."

She blushed a little at the inconvenience she was causing Tsuruga-san and apologized, then gave him instructions for where to go.

What had intended to be a quick excursion had taken Ren and Kyoko most of the morning. Kyoko had picked out a small coffee maker for Ren after they argued about features needed. Ultimately, Ren left the decision up to her since she drank more coffee at his place than he did.

The book store had been an adventure. Kyoko immediately went to the occult section while Ren went to foreign literature. After a short time, Ren, with books in hand, found Kyoko looking up books on mysticism of gems and their uses. He may not have approved but did not say anything about her strange interest. Instead he had given her two books in English he insisted she read when she had time. He had, of course, paid for all the books she brought to the register, despite her protests.

The grocery store was the quickest stop they made all morning. Kyoko flew through the store grabbing things left and right, her hand shooting out at random things on the shelves. Ren felt lost. When was the last time he had been in an actual grocery store? When Kyoko came over and cooked, she usually brought all the ingredients with her. Ren joked about not knowing his way around a grocery store but knowing exactly where to find everything in a convenience store.

They had argued about who would pay for the groceries again, but Ren won when he mentioned he forgot the coffee and sent her to pick out a decent coffee while he held their place in line. In the end, he paid for the groceries but allowed her to pay for the coffee.

She pouted a bit on the way back to the Daruma-Ya. Ren had paid for everything. She had to think of some way to repay him since she had carelessly lost his birthday gift.

Lunch was already being served when they arrived back at the Daruma-Ya, so Kyoko had suggested they have some lunch since the kitchen would not be available for her use until after they closed to set-up for dinner.

Ren actually did not mind being made to have a second meal though he ate lightly. The company made the meal worth the time and effort. Taisho really was an excellent cook, and to be so accommodating as to offer to serve them at the Taisho and Okami's private kotatsu rather than have Ren try to hide his face eating in the restaurant side of the building.

It did not feel like he was being accommodated as a famous actor, but rather that he was welcomed as family. Sitting and eating in a warm and happy home with the girl he loved… Ren could not remember when he had last felt this happy.

It all made his spacious apartment seem cold, and he was loath to leave once their meal was finished. They had talked about Tsukigomori and Box 'R', but he refused to discuss his upcoming work with her, making up excuses that the contract wasn't finalized so he was not at liberty to discuss it.

Once the meal was over and the Daruma-Ya had closed between meals, Kyoko and Ren offered to clean the kitchen in exchange for Kyoko to use it to remake the chocolates that had been lost. The offer had been graciously accepted though Kyoko had protested that Ren did not need to help her.

"Really, you must have a lot to do Tsuruga-san! You don't need to dirty your hands with the dishes!"

He had already tied an apron around his back and was running dish water. The majority of the dishes could be put through the high-powered dish-washer, but scrubs and wooden materials needed to be washed by hand.

"It's okay Mogami-san, Director Ogata gave us all a day to rest, and I actually have nothing else to do. It feels good to do a little manual labor sometimes."

Manual labor was NOT something Kyoko could imagine Ren enjoying, so she just stared at him as he began scrubbing pots.

Knowing better than to argue too much with him, she scrubbed down the countertops and began gathering the materials and utensils she would need to make the chocolates.

"They won't be as nice as the ones I made before, but I can still make them well enough. I hope everyone will be okay with this" she worried as she began mixing ingredients.

"I'm sure they will be pleased with anything you give them Kyoko." Ren had finished washing the dishes and came over to the counter to watch her work.

"Can I do anything to help?"

She gave him a few instructions as she worked, and after the first batch of chocolates was in the freezer cooling and she started on the second batch, Ren began cleaning up the used dishes for re-use.

When he picked up the mixing bowl some of the warm chocolate dripped onto his finger. He licked the chocolate off and was surprised with how tasty it was. It was smooth and sweet – but not too sweet – and rich in flavor.

"Wow, yum!"

"Oh? You like chocolate Tsuruga-san?"

"I do. I like this anyway. You really are an excellent cook Mogami-san, this is delicious."

She blushed a little. "Thank you, but it really isn't anything special. Anyone can make something this simple. All girls do when they are in school. Surely you must get many honmei chocolate every year!"

"Well, that is true, but I don't eat it. You have to be careful with what fans give you. You never know what is in them."

"I guess that's true. I just never took you for someone who enjoyed sweets Tsuruga-san."

"I am fond of them, just not often. …and this really is delicious. If you were not working to become an actress you really could become a world-class chef."

Kyoko looked a little sad at that. "I don't intend to ever run a restaurant…"

"Mogami-san… just taste this." Ren extended a mixing spoon with chocolate on it for her to taste.

"I can't! I'm still using that spoon. If I lick it, I can't put it back in the chocolate I'm going to give other people!"

Ren wiped a little from the bowl with his finger. The rich chocolate formed velvety folds on his finger as it was cooling and he extended his finger like an offering to his goddess.

"Then here."

She blushed. "I can't lick your finger!"

"Fine." He extended his finger and wiped the chocolate on her nose in a moment of uncontrolled playfulness.

She was somewhat shocked.

"Tsuruga-san! Please! Wipe it off! I can't stop stirring this or the chocolate will burn!"

He laughed at her. "I can't unless you clean the chocolate off of my finger! If I wipe your nose now, I'll only spread more chocolate on you." He couldn't help but laugh again.

She looked at his chocolate laden finger then hastily put her mouth around his finger and sucked the chocolate off of his finger in one move.

"Now wipe the chocolate off my nose. Please!" She was blushing.

Ren smiled.

What's going on? This isn't like Tsuruga-san! He's usually so serious! Is he really like this on his time off? I can't imagine him doing such things to Yashiro-san! She almost laughed out loud. Then again… I can't imagine him doing something like this to another man at all. Something he would do to a woman. It's like flirting. Oh… no… he can't be flirting with me… maybe this is preparation for the role he won't discuss. That must be it. I wonder if it's a romantic role. If it is, surely he would be kissing her by n…by now…Oh my god… he kissed me yesterday.

She stopped stirring the chocolate and removed it from the double boiler to spread the chocolate in a pan while the blush spread to burn her ears.

"Mogami-san, what's wrong?"

Oh no… he noticed. Aah… what do I say!? "N-nothing" she was clearly flustered and her cheeks turned a darker shade of pink.

"I don't think it is 'nothing'… What's wrong ?"

She spoke so quietly he had to lean in to hear her.

"Can you repeat that Mogami-san? It was too quiet."

"W-w-why d-did you… why did you… k-kiss me?" it was still barely audible as a whisper.

Ren's flesh darkened slightly. Was that… Did Tsuruga Ren just blush?!

"… I was trying to … erase the memory of that man kissing you."

She nodded a little "nh! Then… I am grateful… but… why then did you k-kiss me on the l-lips?"

"But… you said that he kissed you! I thought you meant… wait… Mogami-san… where DID he kiss you?" Suddenly the atmosphere grew heavy and Ren's expression grew dark.

Kyoko turned and walked the chocolate over to the freezer, opened the door, and slid the pan onto a shelf, frantically trying to decide what to say.

Ren walked up behind her and spoke forcefully to her back. "WHERE DID HE KISS YOU???" he demanded to know. She gently closed the freezer door but still did not respond, so he turned her toward him. He looked so concerned…

She was left with no choice but to answer.

"M-my ear… and shoulder … and neck," she whispered.

"Tsuruga-san, I didn't…" she was cut off as Ren bent low over her shoulder and gently laid a kiss against her neck.

Again, she looked a bit like a scared doe… that big brown eyed doe so desperately in need of his protection. Ren reached out and picked her up at her waist. Two steps to the left and he set her on the edge of the counter-top. Much better height…

He gently pushed her cardigan down off her shoulders and pushed the neck of her long-sleeved tee aside and traced a line of kisses along her shoulder then back up to her neck.

He pulled away slowly. His voice was breathy and he had to clear his throat before he could speak normally. He quietly asked "Was there anywhere I missed? … anywhere else he kissed you?"

Her shock took over and she stammered "M-m-my ear" in hushed tones.

Ren pulled his body closer to hers and leaned over her. His tongue touched her ear as he traced the rim of her ear down to her earlobe. He gently sucked on her earlobe before moving down to kiss just below her ear where her jaw met with her neck.

Ren stopped the kiss, but did not move away. His breath came heavy on her skin, warming the places where her skin was still wet from his lips. He struggled with himself for a moment then forced himself away.

He pushed himself back from the counter and turned away from her face. Had he not, he would have seen her face and lost himself in the moment. He was already overstepping the bounds of reason.

He quickly stepped back to the sink, grabbed the towel and began drying his hands though they were not wet or dirty. Busy… must… be busy…

Kyoko slid down from the counter and mumbled her need to use the ladies room.

Ren turned and watched her stumble away toward the restaurant facilities.

"Kyoko…" His voice caught in his throat. He hadn't meant to call her so informally! "…that's the men's room."

Her head turned up toward the sign. The back of her neck turned red and she took a few hasty steps to the ladies room. She pushed open the door and quickly entered. She leaned against the inside of the closed door, her heart racing and mind forcing a million thoughts a minute.

Ren hung his head and leaned over, palms flat on the counter.

Oh god, what did I do? … If… If she ever comes out from the restroom… I have no choice. I have to tell her properly that I love her… I have to make her understand…