A/N I promised a few people a chapter by Thursday… so while it might not be the most pristine writing, at least it's another chapter :P Enjoy…and Reviews are always awesome.

Chapter 37

Tsuruga had stood in the parking lot watching the direction that Kyoko had gone for a few minutes before finally turning to go inside to the studio. He went and stood near his parents, who smiled in relief at him being coherent again. "Tomiko's still in Kyoko's dressing room." His father murmured to him, before looking behind him, "Did Kyoko leave?"

"Yes," Tsuruga glanced around and seeing how everyone was in the other room filming admitted, "She left after we fought."

"You two fought?" Julie looked astonished.

Tsuruga rubbed the back of his neck, "I'm not surprised…it's been a rough time for her. I'm concerned about her leaving set like that though." He admitted quietly, and Kuu shook his head.

"I would be surprised if she had been able to stay… it's a good thing your scenes got pushed back."

"Oh is that right? I'm going to find my manager and leave then." He bowed stiffly to them, trying to obtain his identity despite what had happened in the parking lot. Julia seemed to want to say more, but with a touch on her arm from Kuu she abstained.

"Yes, go get rest. It has been a stressful day. If we hear from Kyoko, we will let you know." She replied brightly, watching as he left. She looked at her husband with concern, "Where would Kyoko go to? Daruyama? Agency?"

He shook his head, "She will come back when she is able… we can't force this Julie."

"Why not? Let's just throw them in a room and make them all talk! Jerry Springer style!" She joked, causing him to chuckle.

"Do we have security to hold them apart if they do fight?" He took hold of her hand, "It will work out… eventually. We have to be patient."

She wrinkled her nose in frustration, "Patience isn't my forte."

He kissed her nose, "I know." He pulled on her hand slightly, "We aren't needed on set anymore. Let's go back to the hotel and eat dinner."

She looked at her watch suspiciously, "It's only 2pm."

"My stomach is suffering from jet lag."

She sighed in exasperation, "Let's check in with Tomiko and then go fill your stomach. Again."

…

Shou looked at Kyoko, confused at what she was asking him, "You know how I feel about your mother."

"Yes."

"And you want me to be honest?"

"Yes."

"You…who cried every time when your mother did something or left…you tried so hard to please her and my parents. You want me to be honest."

She stood up, "Yes! Be the devil on my shoulder! Tell me to say screw them all! To be as selfish as you have been all your life! Come on!" She shouted as Shou leaned back and crossed his arms, smirking.

"See? You still need me, despite you saying otherwise."

She froze, "What?"

He stood up and stretched, casually looking at her, "You didn't go to any of your friends…you came to me."

"Well, that's just because…no one else understands…"

He leaned towards her, towering over her, "You don't want anyone else to understand. You like the fact that only I truly understand your misery."

She took a step back, "Shou…don't be any more of a bastard than you already are."

Shou grinned, "What are you talking about? Even after all these years…you came to me, not Tsuruga."

"I'm a little angry at him as well at the moment…that's the only reason." She spat out tersely, but he shook his head, enjoying this.

"Still…for someone who boasted she would beat me to the top…you don't seem to have a lot of people to go to."

"If you weren't a star who needed his face I would…"

"What? Slap me? Kiss me? Make up your mind what you want Kyoko." He smirked.

"You're dating my sister."

At those words both of them turned solemn, remembering the reason why Kyoko came in the first place. "Keiko…she's my sister." Kyoko murmured.

"…You've always wanted a sibling." Shou joked weakly, and she shook her head.

"No…I…this would devastate her. Her father too…they are such nice people…and if I say anything…it could ruin their happiness." Kyoko sank down on her chair again. She shook her head, biting her lip as she thought through the ramifications of any situation she had been thinking about. "Keiko has become a dear friend…I can't…I can't wreck her life. If this came out publically…their image would be shattered."

"Their family can't exactly handle that scrutiny right now…" Shou admitted, recalling what Keiko had said about her father, and why her mother took over the job of managing Kyoko in the first place.

Kyoko looked at Shou, "So does that mean I have to pretend that everything is okay? Even when my world is crumbling, I have to stay strong to protect her world?"

"Keiko is strong…even if you told her the truth she would handle it." Shou reminded her, not liking where Kyoko's thoughts were heading.

She fiddled with her hair, "No one can handle this type of bombshell," She laughed, sounding more hysterical than sane, "I'm not handling this right now."

Shou sat back down as well, looking at her, "Could you handle your mother as your manager to pretend that everything is okay?"

"I…I don't know." She admitted, "Yet an older sibling should protect the younger, shouldn't they?"

"How the hell should I know? I'm an only child too."

She let out a frustrated groan, "I can't even be angry at them properly! You were supposed to help me find a reason to hold a grudge!"

"Hey… you held a grudge long enough against me… find some of that same anger."

She looked at him, "You are a jerk who raised me up only to kick drop me in the face. My mother is consistently horrible."

"At least you're able to notice that now." He commented. At that moment his phone rang. He glanced at it and chuckled, "Can I leave you to stew about this so I can chat with my girlfriend?"

She waved him away as she sat, mentally running in circles. Shou stepped away and picked up the call, "Keiko-chan? Aren't you still filming?" He asked quietly, turning away from the mentally decomposing actress.

"We are at a lull while the director figures out lighting… what are you doing?"

"Helping Kyoko make some tough life decisions," He admitted honestly, curious of her reaction to hearing he was with her friend alone.

"She came to you? What advice are you giving her? Nothing bad I hope…"

He chuckled, "I told her to swear off the world and become a hermit," He responded, causing Kyoko to glare at his back.

His girlfriend's giggles filtered through the phone, "Don't. I like her… and old friends should be able to help each other, not tear them down."

"She told you we were childhood friends?" He asked, surprised.

"No…but she knew your name was Shoutaro…something even your greatest fans don't know. So she's either a stalker, or someone from your past." Voices filtered in from the background, "Shoot, filming is about to resume…are we still on for our date tonight?"

"If Kyoko has figured out her problem by then."

The phone was silent for a second before a chirpy voice replied, "Invite her along! We can get her drunk and drop her off at Tsuruga's."

"Keiko!" He was astounded that was her solution when hearing about Kyoko having problems.

"What? It'd be hilarious…plus he can help her a lot more than you can, no offense. You're not exactly Mr. Problem Solver."

"Hey, that's…"

"Sorry, I really do have to go. Invite her, and I'll see you both tonight!" With that, Keiko hung up.

Wordlessly, Shou tucked his phone back into his pocket as Kyoko grumbled behind him, "Really, a hermit? That's your advice?"

He sighed, not enjoying the idea of the night ahead, but at the same time found the plan amusing, "Get dressed…we're going out tonight."

"I'm not going anywhere with you… that's a call for disaster."

"Keiko insists and hung up before I could say no." He shrugged, "She thinks a night on the town will do you good."

She scoffed, "Do you really think I'm ready to be anywhere right now?"

"No…you need to makeover your entire face…you're too recognizable as your ugly self. Disguises are in order for tonight's mission."

"What?"