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 37 – A Grand Opening

Ren awoke to the delicious sensation of a slender form spooned up against him. He and Kyoko had spent their evening eating, and dancing, and talking until Kyoko's eyes could no longer remain open. After she had dozed off he had studied her slender, perfect features until his chest ached from long suppressed feelings. He still marveled at the idea that he had finally won Kyoko's heart. Often, while on location in the States, he had woken suddenly in the night with the fear that it had all been a too-perfect dream and that he had somehow lost her. On those days he was unable to rest again until he had received her call. And now here she was, curled up against him.

Ren ran one large hand over her exposed arm and she murmured in her sleep and turned toward him. This action cause her shirt to bunch, exposing her stomach to him, and he looked in wonder at the defined musculature that had been capturing public attention. He frowned for a moment as he thought about all of the men who had seen those commercials and magazine photos. Then he fought back his possessive jealousy. You're becoming a star, Kyoko. You probably have no idea just how big of a star you have become, or how far you'll go. That means that a lot of men will look at you… but I will try not to care, as long as you're mine.

He leaned over and gave those lush lips one tender kiss, and then forced himself to climb over her and head to the kitchen. They would be having breakfast with his parents, who were due to arrive on one of the first flights this morning. The Hizuris had encouraged Kyoko to focus on her play today and meet them afterwards, but she had been insistent that she wanted to meet them at the gate. Ren sighed as he measured out grounds in the coffeemaker. I would love to keep her entirely for myself, but I guess that Mom and Dad will always be my strongest rivals for her affection… and Kanae, of course.

That particular raven-haired best-friend was also awake and tapping her toe on the sidewalk with a noticeable degree of irritation. When I get my hands on that man…! She hadn't decided, quite yet, what she would do to that man, but his life was definitely in jeopardy. After his hasty declaration and precipitant flight from the scene of the crime, Kanae had ended up spending a nearly sleepless night. The problem was that she wasn't quite sure how she felt. It was one thing to give advice to her two best friends concerning matters of the heart, but it was entirely a different matter when it directly affected her.

Kotonami Kanae had been decidedly against forming any manner of relationship until she had clawed her way to the top of the entertainment industry. This had included the formation of any friendships, until a certain weird, golden-eyed girl had wormed her way into her affections. Kanae had accepted that as inevitable after much struggle, but she had remained firmly set against forming any manner of romantic relationships. So why was it that Tsuruga Ren's oddball manager seemed to be able to break through all of her defenses? It wasn't as if he was the most handsome man in Japan, or the tallest… those distinctions seemed to belong to the man who was with Kyoko at that moment. And yet… there was something about Yashiro Yukihito that touched her and made her heart race. It's ridiculous! I'm surrounded by handsome men on set all day long, and this man… this…

Her thoughts stalled and her heart raced as she recognized Yashiro's car coming around the corner. Now, Yashiro Yukihito, you're going to face the wrath of Kanae. She climbed into the car with the clear intention of dismembering the man, beginning with a tongue-lashing, but then she saw a dozen long-stemmed roses on her seat. She picked up the roses as nonchalantly as she could muster and took her seat.

As Yashiro Yukihito pulled the car away from the road and headed to her first assignment for the day, Kanae studied him and decided that he was actually quite handsome after all. That frustrating man. He probably just bought me these so that I wouldn't kill him. Involuntarily she hugged the box close and inhaled the pleasant aroma. D*mn, she thought, he's good.

Kyoko was preparing to run forward and embrace her parents when she spotted a third figure walking with them. Startled, she looked up at Ren with concern in her eyes. Ren squeezed her waist and smiled, "Don't worry, Kyoko. I decided that it would only be fair to let Director Salinger in on the secret, since it will probably have an impact on the ticket sales for his movie. Besides, I didn't want us to have to dance around the truth with him today."

Kyoko nodded. "Is that what you were talking to the President about earlier?"

"Yes. After we all have breakfast together, Sebastian will pick Director Salinger up and Amamiya Chiori will escort him around."

"I thought that she was graduated from all of that now?" Kyoko frowned, feeling protective of her friend.

"Actually, she volunteered after the Boss told her that it was important to get exposure to directors if she wanted to advance her writing career. Salinger is a serious player in the international entertainment world."

Their private conversations ended there as the arriving trio came close and Kyoko gave in to her impulses. She ran forward, calling out to them and throwing herself into their arms. Ren, smiling affectionately at the scene, stepped forward and offered Salinger a hand. "I'm glad you could make it. Did the Hizuri's treat you well?"

Salinger smiled conspiratorially, "Of course. I've worked with… your fiancé's father before, and Julie has always been the soul of hospitality. He looked at the enthusiastic greetings being exchanged and smiled, "I guess there won't be any problems blending this family."

"No," Ren said, "In fact, if I hadn't won Kyoko's hand, I probably would have been disowned. She holds a very special place in their hearts."

"I gathered that from the long flight…" he grimaced and Ren smiled sympathetically. More than likely his father had spent the entire flight extolling Kyoko's virtues… in between meals and snacks, of course. Salinger continued, "I'm certainly looking forward to the play. It was even being highlighted on the in-flight system, so I feel quite honored to be able to attend opening night."

"Hello, Director Salinger," Kyoko said cheerfully, dragging the Hizuris with one arm each for her beloved parents. "I hope that you have an appetite for breakfast?"

"Actually, I seldom eat breakfast. I'm usually fine with just coffee." He was startled to see the stern set of Kyoko's face and to hear Ren chuckling.

"Director, you should never say those words around Kyoko… she's a stickler for proper eating habits." Ren grinned and Kyoko made a face at him.

"I'm not that bad, Dear. I just want you to be healthy," she released her parents arms and grabbed hold of Salinger as she sweetly said, "Come with me, Director-san. I'm sure that you could manage to eat something."

While Ren and Kyoko spent the morning with the Hizuri's, Salinger received the grand tour of the Tokyo's entertainment world, including a memorable meeting with Takarada Lory, who was dressed as a the Mad Hatter, with Sebastian standing in the shadows as the March Hare. He had heard about the LME President's eccentricities, but to meet him in person…

Nevertheless, his favorite part of the day, until the play, was when Amamiya Chiori took him to the newly constructed Garandou Theater and showed him around. He had cut his teeth directing in theaters as far back as high school, and though he had transitioned to the big screen, he still loved the theater.

Sasaya Yuu had done her job of promotion well. The shadow sightings, the publicity stunts, the interviews and school visits, and the commercials had led to a ticket sellout for the first eight days, along with the promise of a run that would last for at least a month, and probably much longer. She was delighted to meet Salinger, having seen many of his films, and between the two pretty young ladies and the chain-smoking theater owner, Shimamura Shougo, he was able to spend a pleasant afternoon discussing the true value of theater.

When it was time for the trio to begin preparations for the evening, Salinger was gifted with a precious copy of the play. He settled down in his seat and didn't look up again until the audience began filing into their seats.

Kyoko received affectionate hugs from the Hizuris and a tender kiss from Ren before excusing herself to begin preparation for the play. Yumi had absented herself to give Kyoko time with her family, but now she was standing by to help the young actress to prepare for her first play ever… and in front of a sellout crowd.

Notes: In order to avoid confusion, I have decided to keep the play and the normal action separated into their own chapters. Act I of The Shadow's Heart will begin on the next chapter, which I will submit immediately after this. I apologize for the short chapter.