Chapter 25

"Ahhhh..." She took in a deep breath of the clean fresh air as they exited the taxi in front of their hotel. "I love it here."

Ren smiled gently at her while enjoying all of the cute faces she was making while in her personal heaven. She seemed the happiest he had seen her since she was six. The memory of having her in his arms just after the trial still tingled. He wanted to scoop her up and take her far away from everything, tell her that he loved her. Although her mother had told him that he had no fault in Rick's death, he still felt the sting of it after all of these years. There were just too many factors that he needed to cover with her and he wasn't certain on how to do it. He didn't want her to hate him for his self-perceived crimes and he didn't want her to feel as though he had abandoned her as her fairy prince. So much guilt. So very much guilt on one young man and even though he knew he loved her, he just couldn't tell her yet.

"Tsuruga-san?" She asked pulling the young man out of thought as he stood staring at the path that led down to the small brook. "Is everything okay?"

He smiled one of his gentle, true smiles and nodded. "I was just thinking... There's a nice little stream down that path. I was thinking of taking a walk and enjoying the nature." He looked at her with hope in his eyes. "Would you like to join me?"

She looked down the direction of the little path, and it reminded her of the little meadow where she had met Corn when she was six and thought it would be nice to enjoy it with him now that they were older. I would love to Corn... She thought. "That would be nice, Tsuruga-san." She smiled, and they made their way down the path on a leisurely walk while their managers took the overnight bags they had brought with them to their respective rooms.

It was the most relaxed she had felt in a very long time and to be able to share it with him made it that much better. The relaxing sound of the trickling water, smell of the fresh foliage and the musical sounds of nature allowed her to imagine her little nature and water fairies frolicking around her. So calm and relaxed was she, she nearly called him Corn.

"Tsuruga-san, look!" She pointed to the little clutch of rabbit kits.

He chuckled softly. "Shh... We don't want to frighten them Kyoko-chan." He slipped into his fairy prince that she knew when she was six.

She smirked inwardly and pretended that she didn't notice. "Should we look for fairies?" She whispered.

He took her by the hand, and they made their way down the path to fairy watch. They finally ended up relaxing under a tree on a plush blanket of soft grass with Ren dozing off and eventually resting his head comfortably in her lap. At some point she had awakened from their little afternoon doze and he was gently pulled from his sleep by her fingers softly caressing their way through his hair. "Just a little longer." She whispered. "His hair is so soft."

Ren let out a soft sigh and drifted back into a contented nap.

Director Ogata, Aki Shoko and Yukihito Yashiro almost couldn't believe their eyes when they stumbled upon the sleeping couple on the little social walk they were taking after dinner. Had Aki not been there to cover Yukihito's mouth and stifle his happy squeal, the scene would have been ruined. They quickly exited the little clearing and made their way back to the Hotel.

"Is Tsuruga-san and Kyouko-san dating?" Ogata asked out of curiosity.

Yukihito and Aki sighed with frustration. Aki shook her head. "No, but I think it would do both of them a lot of good if they did."

"They seem to be good for each other." Yukihito chimed in. Aki agreed with him.

"Oh... I thought she was dating that young man that was visiting her on the set." Ogata pondered.

A strange, horrified look passed over Yukihito's face.

"Oh heaven's no. She hasn't been dating anyone. That boy has this strange fascination with her and won't leave her alone." Aki Shoko informed the two men with a frustrated tone. "He's been that way ever since she starred in his PV."

The trio agreed that something needed to be done about the strange stalker-like vocalist to protect the integrity of the budding relationship of their favorite pair. Ogata liked the idea of the couple together simply because they made a good pair. Yukihito wanted nothing but the best for his dear friend and Aki knew, in her heart that this young man would help Kyoko down her path to healing. They both needed each other, for different reasons yet the same, to heal their scars.

He hadn't realized exactly how long they had dozed in the little clearing until his sleepy eyes peered up at her angelic resting visage that was caressed by the glow of the moonlight through the trees. His hand reached up and gently caressed the soft skin of her slightly flushed cheek as the tiny fireflies danced about them. She was a vision. Just a little longer. He thought to himself as his fingers lightly danced through her silken locks. She's so beautiful. He smiled softly as he lowered his hand.

"Kyoko-chan... Kyoko-chan." He softly whispered not wanting to really end the treasured moment, hoping that she truly wouldn't awaken so he could spend a little more time in the special little place they had found.

Slowly, golden eyes fluttered open to find pools of rich chocolate gazing lovingly back up at her and her ivory cheeks flushed to a brilliant red. Her hands flew up to cover her blushing face. Ren chuckled at the site and decided to distract her to take away her embarrassment. "Kyoko-chan... Look." He pointed to the multitude of flashing little lights that surrounded them.

Kyoko's eyes went wide and her sweet face was awestruck and suddenly they were both pulled into her long-forgotten flights of fairy fantasy as they stood amidst the swirling lights of the tiny beetles. "Thank you Tsuruga-san..." She gave him a small smile. "I really needed that." She continued in a whisper. Thank you Corn... She stole a glance at him once more then continued watching the amazing little light show.

She hadn't felt this refreshed in years. She thought about it as they were seated at their table in the little outdoor café. Little string lights lit up the patio and a small citronella candle graced each little ornate ironwork café table with marble insert. They sat in a companionable silence on the cushioned iron chairs as they looked over their menus.

"What's in this?" She asked pointing to a particular salad she wasn't familiar with.

He glanced at the item on his own menu. "Ah... That would be a Cobb Salad. It has boiled egg, sliced turkey, bacon, sometimes avocado slices, standard salad vegetables and blue cheese."

She pursed her lips... Blue cheese... Never tried it. "I guess I'll try that one then." She told him with an adventurous tone.

"It's quite a large salad. Would you like to split it?" He asked thoughtlessly.

She narrowed her eyes at him and raised a brow. "Tsuruga-san... Are you trying to get out of eating a full meal?" Her voice lilted.

He chuckled. "No?..." He tried. "You're right." He admitted sheepishly. "Fine, I'll order a small Nicoise Salad." He relented.

She giggled. "If it weren't for the fact that you actually eat your vegetables, I would say that your eating habits are like Maria's."

He huffed playfully. "I resent that. I am not a seven year old."

"No... But you certainly eat like one." She snickered as she sipped her iced tea and the banter continued until they had seen each other to their rooms for the evening.