Kyoko's back was firmly pressed against the copy rooms counter while her heart was beating a million miles per second. She was so petrified that she couldn't move and her breath became labored while her vision started blurring. No not again! She caught herself on the counter before fainting for a second time in Sho's presence.
Sho smirked knowingly. "Does my presence really make you swoon so much you can't even stand up properly?" He asked rhetorically while closing the gap between the two of them with his face mere centimeters away from hers. "Or were you not expecting to run into me while parading around my agency? Hmm!?" Sho then placed a hand on the counter and got really close that Kyoko actually had to bend backwards just to keep a safe distance from his face. "I mean really Kyoko. How stupid can you be?"
All the pent-up anxiety and fear turned into something else. Rage. How dare he call me stupid after everything he did! Before Kyoko knew it, she was seeing red and felt an impact of her hand on a solid fleshy surface. Sho was taken aback by the sheer force she had behind that petite hand to the point he stumbled back a couple steps while holding his hand against his face. Kyoko's face read anger as she faced him. She opened her mouth about to try and defend herself when nothing came out except a choke of a noise. She had forgotten about the prick she felt earlier and her face showed an angry surprise.
Sho's face was facing downward and his body started to shake. Kyoko stiffened when she heard him snicker. Sho started off with a quiet giggle that turned into a rolling thunderous laugh. He held his stomach from the fit he was having. He couldn't help it. He thought this girl really was stupid. After a moment his laughter died down and he wiped the tears from his eyes. He hadn't had a good laugh like that in a while. "Oh man. That was a good one. You really forgot I put a needle in your neck. That's great." He said while still giggling here and there. Kyoko's face scrunched together in agitation. She started walking up to him when she raised a hand to start poking him in the chest but before she made impact Sho caught her wrist.
Kyoko twisted her wrist to get out of his grasp but he only latched onto her harder which made her wince in pain. She looked up at Sho in anger for hurting her, when all color drained from her face only to feel frightened at his cold calculated stare. "So, how long has it been since I last saw you? A year or two?" He stared down at her expecting an answer only to be met with a 'really' look from Kyoko who pointed at her neck. "Ah right. Anyways, I'd love to know which bastard coaxed you into running away with them. Is your life just as great now as it was then? He's probably whoreing you out more than I was the damn prick!" Sho spat in her face.
A vein showed on Kyoko's forehead. She aggressively pointed to her neck letting him know she wanted the needle taken out so she could talk. Sho didn't pay her any mind and continued his spiel. "Either way it doesn't matter. I'll find him later. You on the other hand will be coming back with me." Kyoko's eyes widened in disbelief. If this bastard thought she was willingly going back to him he was highly mistaken. She yanked her wrist out of his grasp which jerked his shoulder. "Ow! What the fuck Kyoko!?" Sho yelled in anger. Kyoko didn't retaliate but tried to do better by walking away from the situation even with the needle still in her neck she didn't care, she wanted to get away from him as soon as possible before something else happened.
When her hand reached the door knob another firm grip to her wrist yanked her back towards the middle of the room. "And where the hell do you think you're going? We're not done here!" Sho yelled while spinning her around to face him and griping both sides of her arms. Her face scrunched together in pain. "If you think this is where things end then you are gravely wrong Mogami Kyoko! After my meeting today you'll be coming with me and on Friday night you'll be picking up where you left off! And don't you dare try running away again because you won't be leaving in one piece, only in multiple boxes in the black market where no one will be able to find you!" He yelled while violently shaking her by the arms.
Kyoko's anger left faster than it came. Dread and fear were the only things filling her mind now. Sho saw his words sink in. He smiled triumphantly and released his grasp on her. She sunk to the ground; fear and disbelief laced into her features. Sho leaned down to her ear and whispered "I'll see you in a few hours." Removed the needle from her neck then walked out as if nothing had happened.
All Kyoko could do was sit in shock. Her mind trying to figure out why just yesterday she was having the time of her life with her best friend, only now to be forced back into the life she had over a year ago. Tears pooled at the side of her eyes. She closed them tightly not allowing a single tear to drop. Her peaceful life was over. How could this happen!
_At the same time_
Ren had just walked into his office when something felt off. He couldn't place where it was coming from but deep in the pit of his stomach, he felt that something was wrong. Ren walked around the office with his guard up to see what it was that was making him so uncomfortable. He came up empty handed but was still unsettled. He sat done at his desk when Yashiro came in. "Ren are you okay?" he asked. Ren looked up at Yashiro "I don't know. Something feels off and I can't pin point where it's coming from." Yashiro cocked his head to the side in thought. "I don't feel anything. Everything here seems to be in order." They both fell silent for a moment before Yashiro chimed up "Well whatever it is it doesn't matter right now because you have a meeting downstairs in about 30 minutes with Akatoki Inc's President and Vice President to go over the co-op party for the end of the year." Ren's eyes got big. "Wait, Akatoki's Vice President Fuwa Sho is here?" Yashiro looked at Ren puzzled. "Yes. Is there something wrong with him being here?"
Ren didn't think about what was happening all he could feel was the surge of adrenaline running through his veins as he made his way to the elevator. He pressed the down button harshly while Yashiro tried to catch up with him. "Ren! What's wrong!? Why is it so bad for Fuwa Sho to be here!?" Before Yashiro finished his question, Ren was in the elevator and closing the door. "REN!" Yashiro yelled to no avail. Yashiro ran back to his desk and called the President.
Ren didn't know what came over him but he could definitely tell now that one of the things he was feeling was fear. He didn't know why but when the elevator singled the first floor and he turned off the elevator to find Kyoko missing from her desk he knew why that fear was so present. He scanned the office floor to see if maybe she was sitting somewhere else but couldn't find her short copper haired head anywhere. He briskly walked over to Sawara's office where he knocked on the door before entering. Sawara turned around from his desk and was surprised to see Ren. "Good Morning Ren. Is there something I can help you with?" He asked. Ren gave Sawara his professional smile. "Yes, actually, I'm looking for Mosami-san. Do you by chance know where she is?" Sawara blinked a couple times then replied "Yes. I had her make copies for your meeting with Akatoki Inc. today. Why? Is something wrong?" Ren had his answer. "Oh, nothing really just wanted to go over some things with her about her previous internship. Thank you, Sawara-san have a good day." He ended then left as fast as he came.
Sawara snickered to himself. Such a hard-working man he is. A moment passed by while he was smiling at the computer and his face changed to confusion. Wait he already sent out the reports and finalized everything from the internships. Why would he need to talk to her about it? He hummed in question then shrugged his shoulders. I can never tell what's running through our CEO's head.
Ren again went to the elevators and aggressively pressed the up button. Just as he was getting on to the elevator Yashiro and the President were getting off of another. They both caught a glimpse of Ren as the doors closed. "Not again!" Yashiro whined. The President ignored Yashiro's whining and stared at the closed elevator doors, that took Ren, with concern. He'd never seen the boy this disheveled since arriving in Japan so many years ago. "Yuki-kun." The President said flatly. Yashiro flinched "Y-Yes sir." Yashiro asked. "What exactly made Ren so agitated?" Yashiro blinked in confusion. "Well, all I said was that he had a meting with Akatoki's President and Vice-President today in 30 minutes." Lory quickly put two and two together. "Ruto." He said to no one in particular. Yashiro, confused, stood in silence until a figure formed next to him. Yashiro made a small squeak noise frightened by the sudden materialization of the person. "Yes sir." Ruto replied. With Lory still facing the closed elevator doors said "Any information you give Ren I would like as well." Ruto bowed with his hand over his chest. "Yes sir." Then left just as quietly as he came. Yashiro got goosebumps on his skin and shuttered at the short interaction between the President and his secretary. If that's what you can call him. "Yuki-kun." Lory chimed breaking Yashiro from his thoughts. "Y-Yes sir." He squeaked. "Call the elevator we need to got to the 37th floor." Yashiro quickly reacted. "Y-Yes sir! Right away sir!"
The elevator signaled its arrival on the 37th floor where Ren quickly stepped off, looked down the hallway and didn't see anyone. He walked forward toward the printing rooms door and found it ajar. Fear coursed through him as he tried not to swing the door open aggressively. What he found was a frail Kyoko sitting on the floor hunched over with her hands clinging to the side of her head. Kyoko quickly turned around to see who the noisy intruder was and was relieved and shocked to see Ren standing in the door way with a look that could almost match her own. "Tsu-Tsuruga-san." She said quietly. Before she knew it, the tears she had been holding back came flooding out. Ren's instincts immediately took him to his knees and pulled her into a tight embrace on his lap. Her arms slid under his and wrapped around him like he was a life line to a drowning woman. She cried uncontrollably while he rubbed her back and head trying to calm her down. "It's okay Mosami-san I'm right here." He said softly trying to coax her.
Kyoko's body shivered and shacked. "Tsuruga-san I'm so scared." She admitted to him. Ren took a sharp breath. "Why Mosami-san? Why are you scared?" He asked hoping she would confide in him even though he partially knew why she was scared. Kyoko's eyes shot open realizing what she had just said to this man who knows nothing of her past and how he would react if he found it. Kyoko's eye darted around the room looking for an escape answer when her eyes landed on the copier. "I-I'm scared something terrible happened." She answered. Ren pulled her closer. "What happened Mosami-san. Tell me." Kyoko took a deep breath in "I-I think I broke the printer and I tried to fix it but I think I just made it worse!" She lied continuing to cry in his arms. Ren's face went flat. He pushed Kyoko into a sitting position then took her face in between his hands and put his face right in front of hers. "Mosami-san." He said sternly. "You're not lying to me just to get out of the situation you're in, are you? I need you to tell me if something really happened. Because if you don't the security cameras will tell me and there could be a lot of misunderstandings depending on what is on there. So, I ask again Mosami-san. What happened?" Kyoko stared into his dark brown eyes scared of how to tell him about what happened. She tried looking anywhere but at him. "Mosami-san. Please tell me." Kyoko shut her eyes again trying to hold back the next set of tears that were trying to push through. "I-I…" Her voice stopped working when she opened her eyes and saw Sho standing in the doorway behind Ren.
Ren looked at her confused and saw that she was looking past him with a frightened look. He turned around and found the cause of her sudden lack of words. "Is there something wrong?" Fuwa asked. Ren stood up to his full height in front of Sho trying to intimidate the younger man. "No. Why do you ask?" The tension in the air was heavy. So heavy Kyoko couldn't move or stand up to try and runaway. "I'm asking because our meeting is supposed to start in five minutes, no ones in the room and we weren't informed of a different time if that's the case." Sho said smugly. Ren glared at the young man who was causing Kyoko so much discomfort. "The President and I will be in there momentarily. So, if you'll excuse us, I'd appreciate you waiting in the conference room." Ren stated coldly. Sho shrugged his shoulders. "Meh. I don't mind waiting here." Ren just about had it with this pompous Vice-President. Ren walked into Sho's bubble and leaned down to his level. "You will go and wait in the conference room until further notice. Is that understood Fuwa Sho." Ren said intimidatingly. Sho gulped nodded his head once then left with his tail between his legs.
Tch! Damn pretty boy thinks he can move in on my territory! Well guess again you platform wearing son of a bitch! Sho left the room arrived at the conference room and kicked the door frame. He was royally pissed that he was forced to back down by such an opponent.
Ren stood in front of the doorway making sure that Sho made it back to the conference room. With a small kick to the door frame Fuwa was inside. Ren puffed out his chest a bit in victory. Now to get back to Mosami-san. He went back inside the printer room to help Kyoko. "Mosami-san. Were you able to print the papers for the meeting?" He asked trying to divert her attention. Kyoko looked up at Ren who had his hand outstretched for her. She took his hand and he helped her up then brought her in for a closer embrace. Kyoko squeaked unexpectedly then replied. "N-No. I still have a few more copies to make." Ren nodded his head. "Alright then let's finish them and I'll have Yashiro-san take you to my office where you will stay until the meetings over. Is that understood?" He stated like it was fact. "U-um. S-sure. I guess." She answered timidly. "Good. Now let's get these printed. Then when I'm done with the meeting we'll talk." Kyoko's body stiffened at the sensation emanating from him. He had his professional smile on. "Privately." He ended the conversation.
Once finished with the print out's Kyoko and Ren exited the room only to be greeted by Yashiro and Lory. Yashiro looked like he was fuming where as Lory looked normal. …To normal Ren thought to himself. "What the hell do you think you were doing Ren!" Yashiro scolded. "We were running all over this building looking for you so we could start the meeting! Do you have any idea of how worried I was!?" Ren looked at Yashiro with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry Yashiro-san for my negligence. As you can see though I am fine and just wanted to make sure we had the print outs for the meeting." As he said that he lifted the stack of papers he had in his hands. Yashiro unconvinced of his charge's antics approved for now and started heading towards the conference room. "Actually Yashiro-san if you don't mind, I have a different job for you right now." Stated Ren. Yashiro whipped his head around then asked "And what could that possibly be Ren?" Ren gave his professional smile again. "I'd like you to escort Mosami-san up to my office and keep her company until after the meeting as well as rescheduling any other appointments that are scheduled today to a different day. I really would really appreciate it Yashiro-san." Ren finished then started walking towards the conference. Yashiro stood in the hallway with his mouth opened wide in aghast. Lory snickered. "I suggest doing as he says Yuki-kun. Mosami-kun. If you don't mind please follow Yuki-kun to Ren's office. He will keep you company for the time being." Lory smiled and proceeded to follow Ren into the conference room.
Needless to say, the ride up to Ren's office was quiet. Kyoko felt bad for dragging Yashiro away from his job. She felt so bad she couldn't handle it anymore. Kyoko turned towards Yashiro and did a dogeza. "I'm so sorry for inconveniencing you Yashiro-san! I didn't mean to cause trouble and get in the way of doing your job!" She bawled. Yashiro was taken aback by her reaction. Her hurriedly pulled her off the dirty elevator floor. "It's alright Kyoko-chan." He said trying to reassure her. "It's not your fault that Ren is doing what he's doing." Kyoko sniffled. "Isn't it though?" She asked behind teary eyes. All Yashiro could do was smile at her. No answers would come to him but luckily the elevator chimed their arrival and Yashiro quickly ushered her into Ren's office. "You can use Ren's computer to do your work if you like. Just put in your log in information and you'll be good. If you need anything feel free to ask. I'll be out at my desk so please don't hesitate." With that said Yashiro quickly left to his desk to get to work on salvaging what he could with Ren's schedule. Kyoko tiredly stared at the blank computer screen. She really didn't want to do any work right now. So, with the exhaustion of everything that had happened today so far, she rested her head on Ren's desk and fell into a deep slumber.
Back down in the conference room there was a weighted atmosphere in the confined quarters. "So, shall we get down to business then gentleman." Said Lory breaking the heavy silence. "Yes. Let's talk." Replied Koga President of Akatoki Inc. and next runner up to become CEO. "Good. Ren if you would hand them the papers please." Lory said trying to pull whatever funk Ren was in, out of. Ren quietly handed each person a small stack of papers. When he got to Sho he stared at the young man daring him to speak. Sho irritated at Ren's obvious challenge said nothing and looked away. Ren inwardly smiled at himself. Good. Know your place Fuwa Sho. Lory sighed at the interaction between the two grown men and rubbed his temple. Koga confused was about to ask what was going on when Lory spoke. "Alrighty now. First order of business; where should we host the co-op party? If you two and your CEO are on board, I wouldn't mind hosting it at my mansion again this year. Ren has also agreed to my place as it is vast, so many of our employees can join. Thoughts?" Lory paused a moment to let Sho and Koga think about it. This time Sho started talking. "Though you do have a rather vast area for people sir, not to be disrespectful or anything but last year when you hosted the party there were many foreign people that many of the workers and ourselves didn't know as well as it was very extravagant. We were hoping to keep it more… simple this year." Koga nodded his head in agreement.
Ren pondered on Sho's words. It was true. The President was so excited to host a party that it ended up going over bored making a lot of the employees from both companies more uncomfortable than comfortable. "True, I did have several employees the next day tell me how over the top it was. Maybe something simpler this year would be a better option. What do you two have in mind for location then?" stated Ren. Koga and Sho looked at each other and nodded their heads. Koga turned back to Ren. "We were looking at using the old convention center on the outskirts of Tokyo. It's large and can house all our employees." Ren's eye did a slight twitch. "You mean the one near the abandoned opera house?" Sho stiffened at the cold tone Ren gave but Koga was calm and collected with his reply. "Yes. That same convention center. They just recently remodeled and it looks better than ever." Ren's eye narrowed. "Really. I've heard many reports of people going missing around that area." Ren was about to continue when Lory cut him off. "That sounds like a wonderful location you two. It's an affordable taxi or bus ride away if someone doesn't have a vehicle. Let's make that our location." Ren was about to object when Lory shot him a look of 'hush.' Ren composed himself and the meeting continued on for the next three hours.
"It looks like we have everything settled. Now, to choose who the representatives will be from each company. I personally think Ren should lead on behalf of LME. So, who will be your rep for Akatoki?" Lory asked. Sho was about to say he was going to but Koga spoke up first. "I'll be leading this particular project. Thank you for your time Lory, Ren. Have a great day." Koga scooped up his papers in one foul swoop and started heading out while Sho was struggling to get his papers to cooperate. Lory left the room as well leaving a clumsy cussing Sho in the same room with an eerily quiet Ren.
Ren observed Sho as he was trying to pick up the disheveled pieces of paper that were not going into his folder. "What is your relationship with Mosami-san?" Ren questions. Sho stops what he was doing and glares at Ren slightly confused. "What? Who?" Ren tilted his head unamused. "Mosami Kyoko. Who is she to you?" Ren repeated. You could tell the gears were turning in his head and realization came over him. Sho snorted. "That's not her real name. Well close but no cigar." Ren's eyebrow twitched up in curiosity. "What do you mean that's not her real name?" Sho smirked. "It's not MoSAmi, it's MoGAmi Kyoko." Ren frowned at that. "That's not what was on her resume." Sho hummed. "Hmm. She must have changed it for some reason. Why don't you go ask her?" Then a devious idea popped into Sho's head. "Why don't you ask her AND ask if Natsu wants to come out and play tonight? That should definitely give you an answer." He finished then walked away with the last words weighing on Ren's mind.
Natsu? Who's Natsu? Ren thought. He picked up his belongings and started to leave the conference room when Ruto appeared in the doorway. "Sir. I have the information you were looking for about Fuwa Sho and Mosami Kyoko." He handed Ren a large envelope with a string keeping it closed at the top. "Thank you Ruto. Is this everything you could find?" Ruto bowed "This is all I have accumulated as of last night. I will keep looking into it for you if that's what you would like." Ren gave a small smile. "Yes, that would be most appreciated. Thank you again Ruto." Ruto again bowed then disappeared.
Back at his office Ren sees Yashiro busily working at his desk. "Yashiro-san. Are there any appointments that couldn't get moved?" Ren asks. Yashiro taking a breath from the last three hours of rescheduling and planning says "No. I got everything moved around fine but the rest of this week is going to be very busy." Ren gave Yashiro a genuine smile. "Thank you I appreciate it. I'm going to go home for the rest of the day. So, if anyone asks, I'm busy." Yashiro blinked at Ren confused but before he could ask any questions, Ren was in his office packing things up.
When Ren entered his office the last thing, he was expecting was a sleeping Kyoko on his desk. A small smile crept up his face as he gazed at the lightly snoring and murmuring woman. Ren moved around her quietly as not to disturb her while packing his items to take home with him. As he was doing so, he bent down to grab something out of his bottom drawer and with his ear leveled to her mouth a small mumble "Corn" slipped through Kyoko's lips. Ren froze with the memory of his dream coming back to him with a young girl sitting in his lap that had changed into Kyoko. At first, he didn't make the connection. Just that those two scenarios seemed similar. But now with those four letters seeping through her lips he made the connection. Why he reacted the way he did with her, the reason he felt so possessive of her. He had almost drunk from her intimately at such a young age. This woman was the same girl and his brain was on overdrive. Sho-chan is THAT Sho!? 'Why don't you ask her?' Rang through his head.
From the corner of his eyes Ren looked at Kyoko. She was still unaware and sleeping. He came to a decision. Quickly he packed the rest of his items, placed his briefcase standing with the handle out for easy access, and ever so carefully picked Kyoko up bridal style with her head laying against his chest, grabbed his briefcase then exited through his private elevator that went straight from his office down to the parking garage. Ever so gently Ren placed Kyoko in her seat and buckled her in. He reached for her face and cradled it with his hand while stroking her cheek. He then let his thumb wander down to her slightly open lips. He gently rubbed his thumb over her moist lips sending a small shock through his digit. A low growl came out of his lips and he shifted into gear. He got in his car placed the briefcase behind him and drove home.
A/N:
Oh yay! I didn't wait a whole year to get this chapter to you! Hope you enjoyed.
Much love sending to you.
C&C is always welcomed!