A little shorter than usual, but here's chapter 35! In case my plans for a special holiday-themed oneshot don't go as planned, I wish you all happy holidays!

"You can't just tell us to stay here and do nothing! Don't forget that we're the ones who saved you!" Murasame frowned. Vie Ghoul didn't pay him any attention, still organizing their weapons for their upcoming theft.

"Heeyyy, what are you guys even trying to steal anyways?" Manaka wondered.

"There's stories that High God Rick was given a magical artifact by the Heavenly Creator that can freeze time for one minute every 100 years. Everything is frozen except for those who are holding onto the artifact as the spell is cast. Scrolls say that the artifact resembles a chicken and that the artifact probably resides in High God Rick's tomb to this day," Kiyora explained.

"I'm coming with you!" Murasame repeated.

"We're going to steal a magical chicken that can control time from a High God's tomb in plain sight. We're not even sure if the artifact really exists, but we're going to try to find it just in case. Do you two really want everyone to see you committing a crime in broad daylight?" Miroku smirked.

"He's right, Murasame-sannnn. We can't blow our cover just for some animal," Manaka nodded.

"Besides, you two still haven't found a mercenary to assassinate the royal family yet, right? What about you do that while we're gone?" Dasuku suggested. Murasame slumped down in his seat.

"Fine, but I don't know why we even need a mercenary. I could kill the Heavenly Empress and Crown Princess with my bare hands if I wanted to," Murasame grumbled.

"I'm sure you could, but we can't take any chances. I've heard that the Crown Princess is one of the best fighters in all of the Heavens. If you go down, then we'll have a smaller chance of reviving Reino," Shizuru reminded him.

"Just get the hell out of here already," Murasame frowned. Vie Ghoul collectively grinned and teleported away.

...

When Kuon arrived outside the Eternal Graveyard, he saw that the two guards usually stationed outside were nowhere to be seen. A sword appeared in his hand, and he began to tread carefully into the graveyard towards Rick's tomb.

Shizuru had been put on watch duty while the other members of Vie Ghoul looted Rick's tomb, and he blinked in confusion as he saw a lone figure approaching the tomb with a sword.

"Hey Dasuku, someone's coming..." He called into the tomb. Dasuku came up the stairs and squinted to see who was approaching.

"Isn't that Hizuri Kuon?" Dasuku wondered. Shizuru squinted at the figure and nodded.

"You're right! He was always High God Rick's most faithful disciple. He must have put some kind of spell on the tomb to alert him whenever someone entered. But look, he only has a sword in hand and I don't see any backup. I'll handle him easily," Shizuru smirked, a sword appearing in his hands as Kuon started sprinting towards them. Shizuru ran towards Kuon, meeting his blade with his own. Kuon smiled darkly, swiping his hand through the air to cast a gust of wind that knocked Shizuru back. Shizuru barely dodged Kuon's next slice with his sword. It looked like Kuon was a more formidable opponent than he had initially thought.

"Dasuku! Back me up!" Shizuru yelled. Dasuku groaned and launched himself towards the scuffle, a sword appearing in his hand. Having heard the fight, Miroku and Kiyora ran out of the tomb, a rock painted like a chicken in Miroku's hand. They armed themselves with swords as well and joined in on the attack.

Kuon turned to see three more people coming to attack him, and he quickly threw Shizuru off him right before Dasuku brought his blade above Kuon's head. Kuon blocked Dasuku's sword with his own, and he deftly flung Dasuku away from him, dodging both Kiyora and Miroku's next attacks. As he pushed them back however, a glint from Miroku's sword momentarily blinded Kuon. Kiyora noticed Kuon's hand go to cover his eyes and realized that he must be sensitive to light. He quickly cast a ball of light into the air, causing Kuon's silk eye protection to come over his eyes and impair his vision. However, even though he couldn't see as well, Kuon was still a skilled fighter, slicing into Dasuku's shoulder as Kuon dodged his attack. Dasuku let out a yelp of pain and stepped back, allowing Miroku and Kiyora to attack Kuon from the front. Kuon clashed swords with them both, fending off their attacks even though he was outnumbered and his sight was impaired.

When Kyoko teleported to the Eternal Graveyard, she noticed that the guards usually stationed there were gone. Kyoko ran into the graveyard to see a battle going on in front of Rick's tomb. She gasped as she saw that Kuon was outnumbered four to one and that they had cast a bright light into the battlefield due to Kuon's sensitive eyes. She quickly cast a spell to rid of the light, and Kuon's silk vanished from his eyes, but Miroku has materialized a dagger through thin air pointed right at Kuon's back.

"Kuon! Watch out!" Kyoko screamed. Kuon turned in time to see the dagger whizzing towards him, parrying to the right. However, the dagger still glazed his left arm, and he winced at the pain. At Kuon's moment of weakness, Kiyora and Miroku came back to attack him, and Kiyora was able to land a cut to his torso.

Kyoko ran up to assist him, two swords materializing in her hands. She immediately threw Kiyora and Miroku away from Kuon with her magic and locked swords with Dasuku and Shizuru, sending them flying backwards. Kyoko turned to see what state Kuon was in, and she saw that he was clutching his wound with his left hand with his sword in his right. Seeing her as a more formidable opponent as long as Kuon was down, Vie Ghoul all charged at her. Turning back to them and seeing a chance, Kyoko rushed at them with her swords and leapt into the air, spinning like a cyclone as all of Vie Ghoul were sent flying to the ground. Miroku was the first to scramble up and touched a finger to his face to see blood. How infuriating that this girl could inflict cuts on such skilled fighters as themselves! It wasn't worth it to keep fighting as long as they already had the artifact.

"Move out!" Miroku called out, teleporting away in a gray smoke. The rest of Vie Ghoul followed his lead before Kyoko or Kuon could stop them. Kyoko put her swords away and ran to Kuon's side.

"Kuon!" Kyoko exclaimed, widening her eyes at how bad the cut to his torso was. Since he was wearing black robes, it was difficult to see the blood, but Kyoko knew by the large darker black spot on his robe and his blood-stained left hand that the cut was worse than it seemed. He started to walk towards her, and she ran to him as he collapsed to the ground.

"CORN!" Kyoko cried out, slumping down next to him and clutching his hand in her own. As Kuon drifted out of consciousness, Kyoko teleported then back to the Fairy Kingdom.

...

When Kuon woke up, his robes had been changed for him, and he was lying down in bed. He tried to sit up but winced in pain as his injuries were still raw. He opened the front of his robe and touched his hand to the clean bandage over his cut. Hearing his vocalization of pain, a woman entered the room.

"Moga-" Kuon began to say before the woman turned the lights on, revealing a woman other than Kyoko.

"I'm sorry to come uninvited, Kuon, but after I heard about your injuries, I knew I had to visit. Do you feel any better?" The pretty older woman asked, sitting next to him on the bed.

"I feel better after sleeping…" Kuon replied, wondering why Kana-san was here. She had lived near Goraku Mountain when Kuon had been training there, and she had frequently visited to have dinner with the disciples. Everyone had always assumed she had lived near Goraku Mountain since she had an eye for Rick, so why was she suddenly here now?

"You were so hurt. That Crown Princess just returned to the Sky Palace and left Yashiro-san to tend to your injuries! I can't believe her. I don't think she can make you happy, Kuon. This is the first time since your training at Goraku Mountain that you've been this injured. I came to tell you before it's too late that I love you. I hid my feelings when you were engaged, but I can't anymore," The woman said before grabbing his robe to crash her lips onto his. Kuon widened his eyes in surprise, and neither noticed the girl who had been watching their exchange from the doorway. Kyoko put her head down as she entered the room with a tray of medicine in hand, and Kuon gently removed the woman from him as he saw Kyoko over her shoulder. He quickly cleared his throat and looked down guiltily. Had Kyoko seen that kiss?

"I'm honored for your feelings, Kana-san, but I'm afraid that I've been engaged to the Crown Princess for a while, and it wouldn't be proper etiquette for me to disregard that engagement," Kuon responded like a gentleman. The woman turned to see Kyoko and frowned. Having been noticed, Kyoko came over and set down the tray next to Kuon's bedside, taking the lid off of a bowl and placing a spoon inside.

"You only have to tell me whether you're willing to be with me or not," The woman urged Kuon, disregarding Kyoko's presence.

"I'm sorry, but I'm already engaged," Kuon repeated, his eyes darting over to Kyoko. The woman frowned and stormed out of the room. Kyoko immediately took her place on the bed next to Kuon. She placed the bowl of medicine into Kuon's hand. "Here, take some medicine," Kyoko said quietly. Kuon held the bowl in his hand, wondering what she was thinking after witnessing that kiss.

"I wouldn't want to restrict you from happiness just because of our engagement. I don't know who she was, but she said she knew you from your training at Goraku Mountain, so Yashiro-san let her in. I didn't know you two had such a history. If you love her, then-"

"I don't love her, Mogami-san. I don't intend on breaking our engagement," Kuon interrupted her. Kyoko looked at the full bowl of medicine in his hands and took his hand to place it on the spoon.

"Please take the medicine. It should speed up your healing process," She urged him. He nodded and took a few sips with the spoon before responding, knowing that she would be angry if he refused the medicine.

"How did you know where to find me?" Kuon wondered.

"You said something about Master Rick right before you left, so I assumed you went to go visit him at the Eternal Graveyard. I didn't expect Vie Ghoul to be there. How did you know they were robbing his tomb? Do you know what they were attempting to steal?" Kyoko asked.

"I do, but I made a promise to Master Rick. I'm sorry, but I can't explain it to you," Kuon apologized. Kyoko nodded in understanding.

"That's fine. I'm just glad you're okay now."

"How did I get back?"

"After they teleported away, you collapsed from your injuries. I teleported us back here, and Yashiro-san helped me bring you back to your room. Yashiro-san was the one to clean your wound while I was making arrangements for you to recuperate in the healing hot springs of the Sky Palace," Kyoko explained.

"The Sky Palace?"

"I'm sorry if I was being presumptuous, but I thought that you would be able to heal quicker if I allowed you use of the Sky Kingdom's famed, healing hot springs. Though, I'm afraid we can't stay in the same residence due to the rules of the Sky Kingdom, seeing as though we're unmarried...I already told Ruto to get the Hall of Radiance ready for your arrival," Kyoko explained.

"When are we departing? I wouldn't want to shorten my parents' visit..."

"Actually, I already spoke with them while you were resting. They said that your health was more important and that they would come to visit another time," Kyoko smiled.

"If all the preparations are set, then when are we leaving?" Kuon wondered.

"Whenever you feel up to moving around," Kyoko smiled encouragingly. Kuon slowly tried to stand up, and Kyoko immediately wrapped an arm around him to help him. He smiled softly at her kindness as she teleported them to the Sky Palace. When they arrived, Kuon was surprised at how few guards there were. Although he himself had few servants in the Fairy Kingdom, he had expected the Sky Palace to be filled with servants.

"Where are all the guards?" Kuon wondered.

"Today, my mother is holding a special sermon that most of the palace is attending. Furthermore, we're actually already inside my palace, and I don't have that many servants or guards, similar to you. I didn't want there to be a commotion as we entered, so only a few servants have been alerted of our arrival."

Kuon looked around the palace and found it to be more quaint than he had expected. He had expected the Sky Palace to be very opulent with their riches showcased everywhere, but Kyoko's palace was very minimalistic.

"It's pretty dim here," Kuon noted. Kyoko nodded her head.

"I had the servants cover the lights so that your eyes wouldn't be irritated while you were here," Kyoko replied. Kuon was touched by her concern for detail during his stay here. She led him towards the Hall of Radiance, and he marveled at the beautiful rose garden in front of the hall. Little did he know that a certain statue of Ren was missing, having been taken down not too long ago and hidden away so as not to scare him off.

"These roses are beautiful..."

"I'm glad you like them," Kyoko smiled, leading him into the hall itself. When Kuon walked across the threshold, he immediately felt a wave of unease wash over him. He was confused why the hall made him feel so uncomfortable, but he didn't want to say anything after the accommodations had already been arranged for him.

"I've arranged for Ruto to serve you while you're here," Kyoko said. Ruto bowed to Kuon, and Kuon smiled back politely, recognizing this servant from before.

"Father!"

Kuon looked to the doorway as Hana barreled in to give him a hug, but Kyoko grabbed her before she could tackle him.

"Hana, your father's here to heal from his injuries, remember? You can't be too rough with him," Kyoko chastised her.

"Oh! I'm sorry for forgetting and almost hurting you, Father!" Hana apologized in a bow.

"Ruto, could you lead Kuon to the hot springs and draw a private bath for him? Once he's done, you can bring him to my study," Kyoko requested. Ruto nodded and motioned for Kuon to follow him out of the hall. Kuon waved goodbye to Hana and Kyoko before following Ruto out of the Hall of Radiance.

"Mother, is Father going to stay here with us now?" Hana wondered.

"I hope he does," Kyoko smiled, picking Hana up and giving her a soft kiss on her cheek.

Yes, the woman who kissed Kuon in this chapter is the same one who stole a kiss from him when they went out for drinks with Kijima. Her name was only mentioned once in Act 262, and I re-edited this chapter to include her name since I only found it out after Guest reviewed.

We're back in the Sky Palace for the next few chapters. Hopefully Kuon has a better experience here than he did last time as Ren...

Thank you to all who reviewed last chapter!

H-Nala- Brian the Chicken is a bit of an unused character in Skip Beat! fanfics. I was glad to have the chance to bring him into this story!

Ivy401- I'm glad you're enjoying my story! Happy holidays and a happy new year to you as well!

Guest- I totally understand the greed. Whenever I read Skip Beat! updates, I always long for more and more. We can always hope for Kuon and Kyoko to have another child together, but it'll have to wait until they figure out each other's mutual feelings. I'm glad you liked sneaky Yashiro last chapter since I had lots of fun writing him. Happy holidays!

Erza- It was depressing when I first learned that there wouldn't be an update this month, but I feel like next chapter will be very interesting with Sho and Ren meeting! Thank you again for pointing out my little mishap, and I'm glad my sly input of the detail last chapter worked out. The original drama is definitely worth watching, but I wrote this fic a bit differently than the original. For starters, I gender-swapped the main leads to better fit Skip Beat!'s characters, and I started my fic around episode 9 of the drama to skip over some long introduction bits. But I still recommend the original, and they did a beautiful job with certain heart-wrenching scenes! (namely Kuon jumping off Korosu terrace)

Paulagato- I know! Kyoko had such a good opportunity to hug him while he was asleep! Too bad it was only one night since Kuon was injured. But she'll have another chance soon enough ;).