Ch 35: Finally up, so sorry it took so long work picked up for me -_- I was going to keep going on this chapter then I realized that it's been almost 3 weeks since I updated so I thought that I should just upload what I had now just to make my patient (and not so patient) readers happy with something to read.

Anyway enjoy the chapter and thank you all for reading and reviewing. Love Reika ^_^

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Recap: Rens emotions is all over the place and while trying to help Kyoko get over the incident, he was frustrated at his failure to protect her again and lost in emotion ends up scaring Kyoko by tearing her top apart in anger.

"Kyoko… I'm sorry; I didn't mean to scare you."

A soothing voice filled Kyoko's senses followed by a familiar fuzzy material falling reassuringly upon her bare shoulders and she felt most of her fears begin to disappear. This voice… it's so soft yet strong… trusting

"Kyoko are you alright?" So warm… caring, yet familiar. "Kyoko?"

The soothing voice spoke again, and she felt a warm hand rest on her arm briefly before moving away. A part of her wanted to chase the warmth so she pulled in enough courage to open her eyes, she noticed that her jumper was draped over her body and slowly turned towards the voice; Ren, she thought to herself as she gazed at him at almost eye level. Ren had moved himself down on to the lower bed, he wanted to give her some space, but remain close.

Kyoko blinked at him a few times; he's not angry at me? She thought surprisingly when wasn't met with the demon lord, but a soft but also somewhat uncertain expression; she couldn't believe that the reassuring voice and touch came from the man who just ripped her top apart in anger.

"I'm not angry at you or anything," Ren replied as if reading her mind, "I just… I just wish you weren't hurt," he sighed.

"I-I'm sorry that I got hurt," she blubbered out and began curling into a ball causing Ren to panic; Gah I'm an idiot, of course she'll warp my words to think that she's at fault (Ren).

"No no no that's not what I mean, I meant that I wish I was there to protect you so you didn't get hurt, I wasn't there last time or this time but I promise I'll protect you from that monster next time," Ren gushed out as he tried to fix her understanding frantically, but he felt that his words came out in a harsh tone as she continued shrinking away from him.

"I just… I just wanted to be the one to protect you," he repeated himself in a quieting but understanding tone; he felt a little disappointed in himself, that he wasn't able to save her from the ordeal she underwent. Kyoko stopped curling into a ball and peered up at Ren's, he seemed both flustered and sad at the same time but his confession began stirring memories in her mind.

I was so scared back then but his words were so reassuring … I felt so safe in his arms, so comfortable with him but would I have felt the same if I was held by someone else? Probably not. Her eyes wandered from his face down to his chest and arms. I wasn't scared to cry in his arms… to let him hold me and… to hold him back… his energy, no scent was soothing… I can still smell him vaguely in the pillow, but it's more Cain than Ren. She sighed quietly to herself and closed her eyes, he was so angry at me but he was concerned right? He didn't like me wandering the forest alone so early in the morning; He didn't push me away because he's still here, he said he wouldn't leave me alone even when I tried to hide from him… he seemed sad when he said he wanted to protect me.

"Kyoko?" Ren spoke with concern and Kyoko gently opened her eyes and gazed up at him. He can get angry sometimes but he still has his caring side too, he's not entirely perfect he's human after all, she gave him a weak smile; he looked cute at the moment, still flustered from his earlier words. He's always been kind to me and he doesn't get angry over silly things… he scolds me for doing stupid things, but they always seem to make me understand something and make me a better person and actress, like when he kissed-no no no not the time to think about that; Kyoko shook the thought out of her mind and making Ren look at her confused. Kyoko somehow sensed Ren's confusion and faced him directly; she realized her mind had wondered off for a while now and she disliked the sad and confused face he wore, a little guilt tingling in her mind, she wanted lighten his mood and the atmosphere even if it was a little; even if it was just for him.

Ah um what did he say before um?

"You said you'll protect me next time," she questioned with trusting eyes, one clenched hand moving to her lips anticipating for his reply.

"Yes, of course," Ren replied with a slight tinge to his face; she looked so cute and huggable staring at him.

"You're mean," she whined and rolled away and hugged her jumper to her chest.

"Huh, w-wait what do you mean 'I'm mean'?" Ren asked as he leaned onto her bed, not understanding what he did wrong.

"Hmm well, you want it to happen to me again meanie," she teased as she looked sideward's at him with pursed lips and she saw Ren panic again.

"No what I mean uh..." Ren stumbled with his words as he thought of how stupid his words were and what Kyoko would think of him, until he heard Kyoko giggle at him. He peered down at her and saw her smiling to herself, before their eyes connected again; Ren passed her a confused glance but also felt a bit relieved that she could laugh.

"Ren you looked really cute all confused," she innocently spoke out causing Ren to blush which made her giggle some more before continuing, "you've protected me from him before remember, when he tried to take Corn away from me," Ren thought back and recalled the situation before nodding to her, "I know you would have protected me again if you were there no doubt about it, usually just mentioning your name would scare him away but it didn't work this time," she whispered the last part.

"But—I always seem to have bad timing," Ren replied solemnly; I wasn't like an ocean away, I was in the same building…

"Say's the never late King," Kyoko spoke as she turned to face Ren more easily and she saw his sad look; her little joke was not suited for the moment. Oh could he have been disappointed that he didn't save me? That he wasn't the one? Kyoko thought to herself and tried to think of something to make him feel better.

"You always look out for me when something bad happens to me… you made me feel better when I was late for work, you help me when I'm stumped, you stayed and comforted me when Sho touched me and when I thought Corn d-died, you're staying with me now too… you know I would have preferred it if it was you who saved me over instead of Sho," she said sadly and Ren saw her expression change.

"I'm… I'm really happy that you're staying with me Ren," Kyoko blushed as she tried to hide her face from Ren, finding her words embarrassing. She felt the bed sink and looked to see Ren sitting on the bed with her, his lips slightly curved.

"It's no problem at all Kyoko, I'm happy to stay with you too," he smiled truly at her and she felt her heart skip a beat as his smile burned into her memory. "I'll stay as long as you need me," Ren's hand began slowly moving up her arm as she still lay on the bed, "whether it's good or bad," his touch set her skin alight as it moved up, "work or personal," Ren's voice went husky, "night or day," his face leaned closer towards her, "a minute, a day, a year it's all okay," Ren's hand moved towards her face and caressed her cheek, "it's no problem at all because, Kyoko," he spoke in a breathy voice, " I-"

"Did you have to rip my top apart? I know it was pretty much ruined already but did you have to rip it while I was still in it you scared me you know," Kyoko interrupted Ren, "was it because you were angry at me?"

Ren blinked surprised at her before pulling back and let out a defeated sigh, "no… I guess I was just upset at what he did to your stomach; sorry again you should probably change clothes," she threw the rest of my speech on the ground again… oh well (ref to ch163). Ren turned around to her feet and pulled at her boot laces.

"W-wait, Ren I can do that," she stuttered but Ren continued removing her shoes.

"No I'll do it for you, you're stomach hurts when you crunch it" he looked up to her eyes and saw her wanting to protest as she held her jumper to her chest, "please let me at least do this for you," since I wasn't there to protect you. His eyes were pleading to her and she gave in and allowed him to continue as she watched. She felt uncomfortable yet comfortable at the same time as Ren removed the item off her body and the caress on her skin was making her shiver, the lingering memory was still haunting her.

"Ah," she shuddered as he pulled off her knee high socks letting the cool air touch her warm skin reminding her about that demons cold touch; it's not him, it's not him, he's not here; she pulled her arms closer to her chest and buried her face into her hands as she tried to suppress the memories. Though she had managed to get over most of the trauma she was still scared.

"Kyoko what's wrong did you hurt your foot earlier," Kyoko peeked between her fingers and saw Ren at her with concerned eyes; a warmth emitted on her thigh and she saw his large hand resting just slightly above her knee, warming up her skin.

"Nhn, no it's okay, I was just remembering…" her voice dropped and the tears began forming again, "nhn sorry I'll get over it soon don't worry," she spoke as she began wiping her tears.

Ren moved up the bed and sat beside her, pulling her closer to him and planted a kiss on the top of her head. "You're alright now Kyoko, I'm here for you," Ren whispered, and she let her head fall comfortably against his chest.

"I can't seem to erase everything that happened today from my mind," she spoke as she nuzzled against Ren's warmth, "things keep reminding me of him," he felt her body shiver against his as if she was cold, "his hands were cold but your hands are really warm, you're very warm too Ren," she spoke as their eyes met before curling comfortably against him again. Her words made him feel giddy and he cuddled her closer to him causing her to whimper; some rationality coming back to his mind.

"You are very welcome to borrow my warmth should you ever need it Kyoko," Ren emphasized her name to make sure she understands that the offer is to her and not just when she's playing Setsu, "but I may be feeling nice and warm to you because of your fever, you're still sick; you should take your medicine," and put on some more clothes because you're way to comfortable towards me and oh so sexy and vulnerable at the moment, Ren thought to himself as his eyes stared at her cleavage.

Kyoko simply nodded against Ren and rolled away from him, sitting herself up to allow him to move. Ren quickly walked to the mirror (before his other self ravaged her) where he had left the medicine and water, while trying to control his growing desire. Picking up the items he saw Kyoko in the mirrors reflection cautiously touching her neck with an uncertain expression. She shifted uncomfortably on the bed, she rubbed her thighs uncertainly together, her eyes examined the rest of her body as her free hand pulled her jumper up slightly and hesitantly touched her stomach; she also seemed to be controlling her breathing, taking deep long breathes.

"What's wrong, is it bothering you again?" he called out to her as walked back towards her, item in hand. She peered up at him before looking back at herself and covering her stomach again.

"No it's just… it's just he didn't touch me as much as he did today… he left marks all over me and… and I'm scared that I'll see him, think of him every time I see what he did to me," she sniffled out and began rubbing her eyes again, "that's what he wanted to do last time, he had some twisted logic about hating him then becoming passionate." Ren probably didn't want me to take a shower because I would see everything he did to me… I'm actually scared to see myself.

Ren stared at her sadly; though he managed to help her get over some aspects of her ordeal, traces still paralyzed her mentally. He subconsciously raised his hand to her redden neck and she shivered slightly at his touch, but didn't pull away.

"Ren," she mewed quietly to him with her face blushing, her hand coming to rest on top of his warm hand. His name sounded so wonderful coming from her lips and he gazed at her with half lid eyes that stole her breath away; she was entranced by him and she watched as his eye's roamed her upper body. She noticed his eyes widen slightly during his inspection and he spoke again.

"Kyoko," he spoke in a husky voice that chilled her spine, but not in a frightening manner but more like expectation, "do you trust me?"

"Huh," she questioned him. Trust him? She felt his left hand begin curling around her waist.

"Do you trust me, to help you forget what happened, even if it's just a little," he asked her sincerely, his finger massaging her waist as he waited for her to reply.

"I-I trust you," she whispered; I've always trusted you. Ren moved closer to her on the bed, as she moved to give him more room.

"I'm going to hug you okay," he spoke as he placed his arms on either side of her and stared into her eyes.

"Yes," she replied breathily as she stared up at him from the bed, not sure why he asked permission as she let Ren move over her so he could embrace her. She was a little uncomfortable at first with him hovering above her but his scent and warmth somehow relaxed her, made her lazy and she felt like bathing beneath him. His arm brushed against hers, heating it up and her lazy mind realized she still only had a bra and a torn top on, with a jumper barely covering her now.

"W-wait Ren," she stuttered out while pinned beneath Ren; she could feel some of his bare skin begin sticking to her own, his warm breathe tickling her neck. "W-a-i-t," she sighed out breathlessly as she felt his lips touch her neck before deepening; as his kiss deepened a memory flashed through her mind which caught her breath. "Stop," she stuttered as she began remembering and tried to push Ren away with her hands and knees, she was getting scared.

"Kyoko, just bear with it a little longer," Ren whispered into her skin before pulling away, "you trust me right?" He looked at her with his deep beautiful eyes, she saw Ren and gave him a single nod as her memories started receding again, but he could tell that she was still concerned, "just a little longer I promise," he spoke to her before returning to her neck; her body arched as he savored her skin.

Kyoko stared tiredly at the ceiling, feeling and hearing Ren as he expertly kissed across her neck and collar bone, his scent constantly reminding her it was him. She could feel his lean body move on top of hers as he adjusted himself and she felt her body and face heating up and burning around her neck. Her voice began escaping her lips as she mewed quietly at his touch; she recalled all the times that Cain did this to her and remembered him saying that she was sensitive there. After remembering what Cain said she moaned sensually and writhed beneath him as he nibbled the flesh above her collar bone, "R-Ren," she huffed out with a mixture of embarrassment and arousal, a hint of anxiety also detected, her entire body throbbing despite Ren just playing with her neck. "Ah," Kyoko let out as Ren paused momentarily, biting at a point at her neck before pulling back as her hand clenched his shirt. Having completed his work he looked down at Kyoko who stared at him confused but still red in the face and he smiled tiredly at her; he hadn't expected to get carried away, her sensually moan was a wakeup call but he was happy with his little activity.

"Better?" he asked her and she blinked blankly at him.

What is he talking about… he was disciplining me right? But it was a little different, Ren instead of Cain. Her hand rose to her neck and she touched the area where she felt a twinge of pain, "what did you do?" She asked him innocently and he smiled down at her.

"I remarked you," he smiled at her and she looked confusedly up at him; she contemplated what he meant until it registered in her mind and she blushed profusely. She quickly sat up slightly in the bed and turned to catch her reflection.

"R-Ren," she semi-yelled at him embarrassed upon seeing the now larger hickey on her neck, surrounded by her reddened flesh. How was this helping me, I trusted him! She thought as she tried to glare at him in her embarrassed state; omg he made it bigger! And why does it look like the heart-shape half bruise, half hickey on the other side! (*1)

"I covered his mark with my own," he spoke and Kyoko flinched at his words. "I thought if I covered it you wouldn't think of him as much," he touched her fresh love bite, "having mine is better than his," he reasoned to her and his eyes scanned the rest of her neck. "I wasn't sure where he touched you so I just disinfected where I thought traces of him would linger." You don't have to know I got a little carried away, I could have just marked you and stopped but we'll just say I was disinfecting you as well.

Kyoko thought about what he said, and Ren removed his hand to allow her to touch her new hickey and she blushed; she recalled Reino kissing all over her neck but that memory became dominate by the memory of Ren marking her now, there was almost no trace of Beagle coming to mind; she didn't think what he did would be that effective.

"Um thank you," Kyoko hesitantly spoke, "um I do feel better knowing that I won't see his mark on my neck." Kyoko expression still showed a little concern and Ren watched her carefully; he saw her eye's shift down her body momentarily and he knew that some fears still lingered. He experimentally blew a stream of air towards her chest and she clamped up, her eyes showing fear as she turned to him.

"Still being reminded?" Ren asked her softly and she looked away ashamed; she couldn't deny what he said with her reaction, she did look at the rest of her body and grimace at the other imprints left on her that left memories; the chilled air another reminder too. Ren didn't mind her turning away, he knew that erasing the events of the day would be nearly impossible in a day but he wanted to help her remember as little as possible; "sorry," he pecked her lightly on the shoulder.

"Ren," Kyoko spoke shakily as she peered at him; he unexpectedly began pulling one of her hands to him and lay a chaste kiss on the inside of her wrist and she reflectively tried to tug it away but he kept it by his lips. Uh why? She felt herself gulp as she watched him continue slowly laying kiss on her wrist ever so gently; her face burning, she was embarrassed but couldn't turn away from him.

"Kyoko do you still trust me?" he asked her as his kissing ceased, his deep voice drawing her attention to his face, "I can tell, you're still remembering." He looked down and her eyes followed and she let out a whimper, she didn't realize when that happened but she understood somewhat why Ren was kissing her. She was hesitating, she wanted to touch but was scared, she hadn't seen it before and she wasn't sure if she was allowed to or whether it'd hurt; the other thought running through her mind was big. Another warm kiss to her wrist and her attention was back to Ren; he appreciated his influence on her at the moment. "Is it okay for me to continue with… earlier," Ren offered; Kyoko felt that his voice deepened at the last word to a familiar tone.

Kyoko's breath hitched mid thought as his free hand moved to her face and just grazed her face, but not to caress her but to begin removing her wig; he wanted to see his short haired girl before him. He dropped her wig beside her and waited for her response; her breath shuddered as she contemplated his words but he gazed at her with trusting eyes that spoke to her.

'I won't harm you, I'll keep you safe and help you… I want to make you feel better, help you forget those painful memories to get you to smile again… trust me, Kyoko.' That's what his eyes are saying to me, Kyoko thought to herself as she clenched her top close to her heart; something was stirring within. She looked down at the wrist he kissed and examined the twisted mark that Ren showed to her; she didn't know Reino had imprinted her wrist and she automatically whimpered at the large sight. She felt happy when Ren delicately cared for it, he only wanted what was best for her and reassured her of his intentions.

"Yes," Kyoko spoke as she looked up at Ren, "because I trust you," her voice held some hesitation; her eyes then drew back down to her wrist and she thought about the other unknown marks that may be present. Ren lay a peck on her cheek and she stiffened at the surprise; he looked at her and could tell that something was still etching at her.

"I won't make you too uncomfortable Kyoko, I promise I won't scare you and I'll try not to accidentally mark you, I give you permission to hit me any where if you feel I've done something wrong, even my face," he chuckled a little at the end and she looked at him in shock that he would permit someone to hit his face, "I won't do anything that you can't handle so… you okay for me to continue?"

Kyoko blushed at him knowing what she was allowing him to do, but didn't understand why she hesitated to say 'yes.' She trusted him but was a little conflicted by what he was going to do, she wasn't sure how well he would behave himself, but a part of her secretly wouldn't mind if he lost himself a little, just a little though. It should be okay… he has made me feel better already, I'm much better than when I first woke up after 'that'... he wouldn't do anything inappropriate, he won't scare me again either I think, he tried to redeem himself earlier so it'll be okay... I really do trust him a lot… I wonder since when; Kyoko though as her last concern was overcome.

"You'll stop if I feel scared so…. Yes," she spoke with unintentional hesitation; it was here last chance to back out, but she accepted the situation that she was entering. Ren wasn't fazed by her hesitation but smiled at her and she forgot that she hesitated; he felt that he could really help her and not get carried away.

"I won't scare you, but you'll feel better afterwards I promise," his hand moved beside her and he began lowering himself down on to the bed; Kyoko also found herself sliding back into the bed to keep some distance but, she ran out of room and the distance between them became less.

"Kyoko don't pull away," Ren commanded and she froze as the emperor of the night appeared.

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Nb #1: in an earlier 'lemony' chapter, Ren gave Kyoko a double hickey while she was asleep but when she asked him about it he told her that it got bigger because it hit something; that was why Kyoko was wondering why her new hickey looked like the first, but hasn't connected the two.

A/N: Just a little coziness between Ren and Kyoko, and a bit more in the next chapter which will possibly be the final one and maybe one more bonus chapter. I tried to mislead you guys a little bit in the chapter after the hickey part, where Kyoko wasn't sure if she was allowed to touch; please note that she was looking at her wrist, but did I mislead anyone there to think they were looking at something else? Oh and emperor of the night ^_^ I thought it's been a while since he popped in for a visit.

Thanks for the support again people, I'll try and update as soon as I can. (1/6/11)

Skipbeataddict: yeah I noticed the mistakes too, someone pointed that out to me before; I do slow down to check that word but I guess I still miss it sometimes. Serria: yes the story is going longer than I planned but next chapter they will be a little closer

Ancr, Onion 345, yellowhana: thanks for reviewing new readers ^_^ Laura-Ella and Swt Cutie : yes the part about what will happen with Reino is still in its planning stage but I'll probably have something about it in near chapters

Shiroyuki: thanks for always reviewing, next chapter more clinging ^^ Rui: Yeah I know it's kinda repetitive, not very motivated lately but it's almost done so final chapter shouldn't be too bad. Leavesfallingup: yep that was the idea I was getting at, Ren angry and wanting revenge but then seeing that taking care of Kyoko was what he should focus on.

WitchMagicCat: yes I notice my writing changed a bit when I looked back at older chapters, not sure why though… MissTiburtius: yeah I saw the new guy too, and I'm like 'what! Sensei threw another guy into the setsu/cain saga' but I don't think he'll be like my Nic, I think he'll be more like Sho in my story. Miko-Monk: I was kinda worried having Ren's emotion all over the place but at least you liked, and no major complaints so it's all good.