The Shadow's Heart

Disclaimer: I do not own SkipBeat or Ashita no Ousama nor do I own any of the characters from either original story.

Chapter 26 – Cooking with Kyoko

Sometimes there can be too much of a good thing. At least, that's how Kyoko felt at the moment.

A Japanese reporter who was stationed in Washinton D.C. had been pleased with the positive press for the Japanese that had been generated by Kyoko's visit to that area. He had notified his editor in Tokyo, and his editor purchased access to the stories on AP. Before Ren and Kyoko even arrived home, the news articles had generated a stir. The Japanese public loved the story of an eighteen year-old girl from their home country stopping criminals in America with a sword. They loved the idea of her besting five U.S. Marines… somehow that story had been distorted, and everyone believed it was Kyoko, not Yumi, who had fought that match. And they loved the idea of Kyoko, the cooking prodigy, teaching top American chefs how to cook properly. The stories made their chests swell with pride, and they made Kyoko somewhat of a temporary folk hero.

Poor Kyoko wanted to go hide in a corner. She wanted to strangle the reporters who had exaggerated the truth. And she wanted to scream at the top of her lungs in frustration. Thankfully, she had friends who knew just how to settle her down.

"Mo, Kyoko, stop whining or the President will put you back in LoveMe!" Kanae actually found the whole thing amusing, but she wanted to settle Kyoko down, "You are supposed to be a professional! A professional actress is supposed to make the public love her. You don't even have to work for it, and you're complaining!"

Chiori took a different approach, "So what, Kyoko. They love you today, they hate you tomorrow. You signed on for this business, so you can't complain when the press turns you into their darling. Don't worry; I'm sure that you'll do something that will make them want to eat you alive any day now."

Kyoko smiled wanly and shook her head, "Thanks a lot, ladies. Remind me again why I wanted you to live here with me?"

Chiori laughed, "We're here to keep you humble. Do you know the story of the Roman general's servant?"

"No?"

"Whenever a general went off and won great battles, he would return to Rome and be driven in a triumphal procession through the streets. All of the people of Rome would gather, shout his praises, and throw gifts. But to keep him humble, he would have a servant ride in the chariot beside him and whisper in his ear, over and over again, 'You are merely mortal, and you will die.'" Chiori grinned and bowed, "Please consider me your humble servant."

Kyoko shook her head and smiled ruefully. "Well, we don't really need somebody like that. We have Yumi-sensei around to remind us every morning just how frail and mortal we are." All three girls were in the middle of their early morning stretches. They didn't realize that Yumi was standing behind them.

"What's this I hear? You three feel the need to become humbled?" She grinned mischievously as she saw the looks of alarm on their faces, "Don't worry, dears. This won't hurt… me… at all."

Three hours later, Sasaya Yuu, Mogami Kyoko, Sawamura Fujinosuke, and Kimagi Sana took their seats at the long table and did their best to look relaxed as cameras flashed and reporters stared. Yuu hadn't actually intended to begin the interviews for The Shadow's Heart until mid-February, but she wanted to take advantage of the sudden resurgence of Kyoko's popularity. One thing that had changed over the last two years was that Yuu had learned how to handle a press conference. Once everyone had taken a deep breath, she began. "Good day, everyone. My name is Sasaya Yuu, and we're here today to tell you about and exiting new project that we have been preparing for release."

Yuu spent the next five minutes providing a brief overview of the play. She introduced her three main stars and explained each person's role. When she was finished, she opened the floor to allow the reporters to ask their questions.

"Kyoko-san, can you tell us about the incident in Lincoln Park, in Washington D.C.? Why were you in the park with a sword?"

"I was practicing. As Sasaya-san has explained, the role of the shadow warrior will be extremely physical in nature. In order to play the role properly, I have been going through intensive training. I try to practice every day."

"But wasn't it foolhardy to take on a hardened criminal on your own?"

"He was a purse-snatcher, not a serial killer; and he was running away."

"Kyoko, didn't you fly to the U.S. in order to confront Tsuruga Ren for kissing that American actress? Isn't that your real reason for taking the sword along?"

Kyoko groaned inwardly as she struggled to keep her grudge demons in-check. I guess I don't need to worry about staying humble after all. When the grueling interview was finally over, Kyoko bowed and apologized to the other three. "I'm truly sorry that they focused all of their attention on me. They didn't seem to care about the play at all."

"Don't worry, Mogami-san," Yuu said, "What is it they say: Any publicity is good publicity. Rest assured, many people will buy tickets just to see you perform."

Kimagi Sana snorted in irritation. She had signed on to play the part of Konami, the beautiful sister. She was beautiful, and she knew it. She deeply resented the fact that an upstart talento like Kyoko, a girl who had never even been on stage, should have the lead role. "They'll lose interest soon enough when you fall on your face. Sasaya-san, I can't believe that you're risking your beautiful story on a theater newbie."

Yuu quelled her irritation with the spoiled actress and answered calmly, "I've chosen Mogami Kyoko because she is probably the only person who could perform the part of the shadow warrior, Sana-chan. Do you realize that she's been training for at least two…"

Sana waved her off, "Yeah, yeah, I'm sick of hearing about how great she is. I've got another job to do, bye." She stalked off without even glancing at Kyoko.

The others watched her go and actually began to feel relieved. The air felt lighter without her presence. "The one thing that is much different in modern stage and Kabuki is this type of conflict," Fujinosuke said. "There is always jealousy, but each person must train to advance to the next level for roles, so . You begin training when you are very young, along with your peers, and must be approved by the elders before moving up to a higher role. It takes a long time to reach a leading position, but when you arrive, you have proven yourself. People like that can't cast aspersions."

Yuu had a glint in her eyes when she answered Fujinosuke, "Well, I hope that they trained you on how to use a sword, because in three different scenes you're going to battle Kyoko-san. Maybe we should send both of you out to chase purse-snatchers."

As he played his latest romance game, Takarada Lory regarded Sebastian out of the corner of his eye. As usual, Heiji-san was being uncooperative. "Sebastian, I seriously question whether the writers of this game have ever even been in love. Heiji-san just doesn't seem to have a clue about how to treat a woman."

"Yes, sir." Sebastian answered absently. They were both dressed as Zulu warriors, complete with face paint, zebra loincloths, and lion manes. Sebastian also held a nine-foot spear.

"You seem distracted, Sebastian. What did you find out in Kyoto?"

"Nothing definite…" the quiet man answered tentatively, "Mogami Saena's name doesn't appear on any hotel register, but one desk-clerk recognized her and remembered that she took a room for a night. It is very circumstantial. I thing we may need to get a DNA test for Mogami-san."

Lory tried not to sigh. I think you found something, my old friend. Yumi may be right after all… you are just like Mogami-sanl; too stubborn to allow yourself to be happy. "I think that's a good idea. We'll get Yumi to drive her over to the clinic. She'll be able to come up with a good excuse."

When Sebastian betrayed no emotion whatsoever, Lory said, "I would appreciate it if you would take Maria to her training today. I assume that she'll want to stay and watch Mogami-san afterwards."

"As you wish, Master."

Maria felt flushed when Hiou sat on the hard wooden floor next to her so that he could watch Yumi and Kyoko at work. Hiou loved swordplay, and he had never before encountered someone at Yumi's skill level. He was grateful that she was allowing him to remain, even though the Egami arts were traditionally kept secret. It was so with many families, but not with the Uesugis. Hiou agreed with his father and grandfather… and apparently Egami Yumi, that such skills were better when shared.

Sebastian stood against the wall in his usual position. But this afternoon he wasn't watching Maria, as was his usual habit. He was watching the young lady on the floor… and his chest hurt from the emotions boiling up inside. She was beautiful… he wondered why he hadn't noticed before. She was graceful and fluid and full of life. Her face… she had this look of intense concentration as she watched Yumi demonstrate, as if she were internalizing each movement, each gesture…

He shook his head to clear his mind. Since he appointed himself as the Takarada's shadow, he had never broken discipline. Now here he was, not even concentrating, while Maria was only twenty feet from a dangerous killing weapon… but Yumi was there, and his sister would never harm Maria… and Kyoko was…

He remembered the first Grateful Party, and how happy little Maria had been. For the first time in years, she was smiling on her birthday, even though it was also the anniversary of Lina's airplane crash. It had been Mogami Kyoko who had made that happen. Somehow the odd young lady had magically done what nobody else could do, she had reached Maria's broken heart. He remembered thinking then that the teenager was something out of the ordinary, something special…

"… help me demonstrate?" Sebastian looked away from the pretty teen who was now holding the sword and realized that Yumi was speaking to him. "I apologize. What did you ask me?"

Yumi seemed to be looking right into his thoughts, but she only repeated her request. "Kyoko's having difficulty with the 3rd and 5th movements of Water. She can't see what her legs should be doing because my legs are too short… So I need you to demonstrate." She gave him the same pleading, puppy dog look she had always used on him when they were children.

"Egami-Sensei… you know that I can't…" Except in private, he never used her given name.

"Don't worry; I'll tell everyone that I taught you the sword for your security work… please?" Sebastian knew that Yumi was making up an excuse, but he couldn't understand her reasons.

"Maria…"

"I'm here, Sebastian. Do you honestly think I would allow any harm to come to Maria?"

He looked down at her for a long time, unblinking. He couldn't restrain a glance out onto the floor, where the girl who was dominating his thoughts was flowing roughly through the movements of Water. "I will demonstrate one time."

"Good. Thank you, Sebastian," Yumi turned and called out, "Kyoko, take a break. I've asked Sebastian to demonstrate. Watch him carefully."

Kyoko, looking both surprised and enthusiastic, sheathed the sword and extended it to Sebastian. She felt a confused as he looked into her eyes searchingly, and she noticed that his hands actually seemed to tremble for a moment as he touched the Egami Sword. Then he stepped back and bowed to her. She returned his bow and took a seat next to Maria. Maria had seen Sebastian practice with a sword many times, so she smiled confidently back at her Onee-sama and turned to watch.

Sebastian assumed the front-facing ready position, one hand holding the sheath in-place, and the other on the sword. He hadn't held the Egami Sword since he was a teenager, and it gave him a thrill to hold it now. Suddenly the sword was out and sweeping up and out, down and back, in the dance as ancient as the first Egami. Yumi had been beautiful to watch, but Sebastian, with his long frame was somehow more spectacular. He flew through Water once, and then he slowed his movements and began again. Yumi stood, and at different points she described important steps. He repeated the dance a third time, still slow, but without stopping. When he was finished, Kyoko stood up and beamed at him as she took back the sword. "Thank you, Sebastian-san. That was wonderful!"

He was looking at her again with that expression. She couldn't decipher it. In all of the time that she had known Sebastian, she had never seen him wear any expression. I don't understand. Did I do something wrong? She shook off the thought and focused on this kata that was more like a dance.

Sebastian returned to his post on the wall. He was so intently focused on Kyoko that he didn't hear Yumi move next to him until he was startled by her voice, "She's beautiful to watch, isn't she?"

She called out, called out, "Kyoko, pay attention to your foot placement on the 5th movement. Your foot should be perpendicular to the blade. That lends power to your backstroke and sets you up for a smooth transition into the 6th movement." Kyoko started from the first movement and flowed naturally through the rest. She made the correction on the 5th without hesitation and continued on, smiling at the improvement she felt in her form.

Yumi glanced up at her handsome younger brother, who had remained silent, and she suppressed a frown. Give him time; he'll come around.

"Cut!" Director Akutagawa scratched his head and took a deep breath. "Take a break, Mogami-san. I don't think that this format is going to work."

They were in one of the many small studios in the TBM building. Tonight the Japanese Food Network was filming a test-run for Kyoko's prospective cooking show. Oftentimes the food network would find an outstanding chef, but when they tried to build a show around the person, it failed. The person either lacked the personality for television, or the person froze in front of the camera. When Chef Matsuhara called Akutagawa about Mogami Kyoko, it seemed like a win-win situation. Mogami-san was already comfortable in front of a television, and Matsuhara had been ready to swear on the quality of her cooking. Mogami-san had cooked for Director Akutagawa one evening, and he had found her enchanting. What could be better?

But it wasn't working out. Yumi could see it too. Kyoko was usually energetic and happy whenever she was in the kitchen, but this evening, in front of the camera, she was totally lacking any spark.

Cooking shows are actually quite complicated. Not only must you present the recipe and demonstrate it, but you have to present a completed, good looking, edible meal in half of the time necessary. Therefore it becomes necessary to actually cook the same meal three times, so that it can be shown at different stages of completion. It is also necessary to talk to the camera throughout the process, explaining the steps in the most interesting and entertaining way possible. And that is where Kyoko was failing. She had good recipes, but her delivery was lifeless. Something was missing.

"I don't understand," Director Akutagawa groused, "When she cooked for Matsuhara and I a couple of weeks ago, she was having so much fun. I thought that she would be brilliant in her own show. Let's wrap up for tonight."

Yumi stepped in front of him, "Wait! Say that again."

"Say what again? I just told everyone to go ho…"

"Shhh… I'm thinking!" Yumi waved him off, lost in her own thoughts for a moment.

Akutagawa rolled his eyes. Women! She just told me to say…

"Director, can you please wait thirty minutes? I think that I have the solution to Kyoko's problem." Yumi's pleading eyes were impossible to deny.

"Thirty minutes… no more, Egami-san." He turned back to the crew, "Take thirty. We're going to give it one more shot after that." There were the usual complaints, but everyone put their equipment back in place and wandered off.

Kyoko felt depressed. She had been so enthusiastic about the idea of having a cooking show, but it just wasn't working right. She just felt… dull… she just didn't know what to do about it. Yumi found her standing outside in the cold winter night, pacing pack and forth and muttering to himself. "We're going to give it one more try in about twenty-seven minutes."

"Yumi, I can't… I'm boring! If I were playing a character, maybe I could do this, but when I'm just me… I'm plain, Yumi. Nobody's going to want to watch me cook." Kyoko had thought about each of her characters, wondering if one of those could be more interesting. But she couldn't imagine Setsu cooking, Isako couldn't cook toast without burning it, Natsu would be too busy messing with the camera men, and nobody in their right mind would eat something cooked by Mio.

Yumi placed a hand on Kyoko's arm and smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry; I've called in the cavalry."

Fifty minutes later Director Akutagawa was smiling happily as a completely different Kyoko was cooking happily and enchanting everyone in the small studio. He looked over at Yumi, who had a smug look of triumph on her face. "I'm missing the point, Egami-san. I think it's great that the Hizuri's had the time to stop by the studio, but what happens when they fly back to the States?"

"It's not about the Hizuris, Director, though she's always happy when their around. It's something else I should have thought about sooner. Kyoko doesn't love cooking for cooking's sake; she loves cooking to make others happy. As long as you always provide her with guests who she can cook for, you'll have a hit."

"Isn't she cooking an awful lot of food? Even if we share with the crew, there's going to be a lot of waste."

Yumi had to cover her mouth to stifle her laugh, lest the microphone boom pick it up. "I'm sorry, I forgot to tell her to make enough for the crew. I'm afraid that there won't be enough left for them to eat once Kuu is done."

"You should have seen the director when Otou-san asked for a seventh helping," Kyoko said, giggling in her exhaustion and relief.

"So, do you think you have the show?" It was morning for Ren, and the snow was back with a vengeance. He was standing at his window, watching it swirl around outside while Kyoko's guitar CD played behind him. He felt jealous of his parents for a moment, envying the fact that they still had two more days with Kyoko.

"Actually, they've already signed me on for twenty-two episodes. They've asked me to provide them with a guest-list for each episode. Yumi's a genius, Ren."

"I want copies of all your shows. I know you'll be great, now that you've found your footing. What are you doing tomorrow?"

"After Yumi-sensei takes her pound of flesh, and we finish our run, I'm spending the four hours with Okaa-san. She's working up a catalogue featuring my jewelry. She's already commissioned Director Kamachi for three commercials. Asuhara, the jeweler, has been a real marvel at getting everything mass-produced." Kyoko was trying to sound enthusiastic, but at the moment hearing Ren's voice was making her realize how lonely she was. "I miss you, Ren. One week wasn't anywhere near long enough… I promised myself I wouldn't say that."

"I know it hurts to say it… but I feel the same way. I'm only complete when you're with me now. Maybe it was always that way. Are you still playing?"

"Yes,… it helps."

"Then I want another CD for my birthday. I love you, Miss Cooking Prodigy. Get some sleep."

"I love you too, Corn. Say hi to Yashiro and Gunny for me. And keep that… stay away from Sarah Easterly."

Ren laughed softly, "She not even in your league, Kyoko… no woman is."

Notes: More of the Hizuris next chapter.