Frozen Heart

As he made his way through the airport in Japan, his mind was filled with the thoughts of the opportunity that he had been offered to finally act in America. He sent Yashiro a message telling him he had made it home a few days early and would see him soon. 'Let's see. Where would he be right now that he wasn't able to meet me today?' he wondered as he saw Yashiro's reply. He quickly brushed off the thought as he was greeted by Ms. Woods.

"I need to see the Boss today." Kuon told her as they drove through the city.

She smiled brightly at him as she took them to their destination. "We should be there soon." She then continued on their way.

This is how it had all started. Kuon was too excited to remember to phone Kyoko. Kyoko and Yashiro were so immersed in the auditions for Sacred Lotus and Lory wanted to see just exactly how devoted Kuon really was to her. Needless to say, a very important message was never relayed and Kuon had left for America, with Yashiro in tow, to begin three months of filming without a word to Kyoko.

Soon three months turned into more as offer after offer came rolling in for him. Kyoko never contacted him and he was far too busy and tired to make an effort, or was it that he feared her response...

Kyoko had waited and waited and waited. After many weeks of not hearing from him and many weeks of a heavy and shattered heart, just knowing that she had never been important to him enough to tell her, even though Yashiro had promised that she was, she once again closed off her heart. There were no grudge demons to protect it, but now it didn't need protection... It was frozen solid. Sure, she could go through the motions and pretend for the camera, but no one would ever hold her heart like he did ever again, not even him.

She found herself sitting in front of the man that had blessed her with the opportunity to find herself, wondering what on Earth he was scheming this time.

"Mogami-kun... I have an offer for you to star in an American film. I have chosen a new manager for you that is quite familiar with Hollywood and will be an asset to your career." Lory called his secretary and asked her to send the seasoned manager in.

Standing before the pair was Kouki Takarada, tall, dark, handsome and barely 10 years older than his new charge. He bowed before her, took her hand and gallantly placed a gentle kiss on the back. "Please take care of me." He smiled.

Kyoko being used to this unusual family's antics curtsied in return and responded. "And me as well good sir." Her smile was bright, but false. The only two that knew of the deception were Kanae and Maria now, they would do anything in the world to bring happiness back to her and both absolutely hated the man that was responsible for her being broken and hollow now.

"Thank you for accepting me as your charge Takarada-san." She told him with formality.

He smiled gently at her. "No Kyoko-chan, please call me Kouki. Takarada-san is my father." He chuckled.

She nodded her head. "Yes... that could get quite confusing. I guess then, since my stage name is Kyouko... You may use that."

"Good... Why don't you go down to LA Hearts and grab a bite to eat or, some tea and I will meet you there in a bit to go over your offers and schedule." He suggested.

She nodded and left.

Lory handed him a thick stack of offers and looked at him pensively. "It's not going to be easy you know. She may not show it, but she has been badly hurt... I think."

Kouki looked up at him a bit surprised.

Lory smirked. "I've seen the way you look at her when she's with Maria and I know Maria loves her with all of her heart. You needn't worry about her, if that's what you're thinking."

Kouki nodded silently. "Dad... I'm 10 years older than her." He sighed.

Lory laughed at him. "Maria and Love, does not care about the age difference. If anything... I think you would have Maria's full and complete support. Possibly the support Kanae Kotonami too."

Kouki shook his head. "We shall see." He told him as he gathered the thick stack and went to meet with his new charge and give her the details of her American debut.

Once he got her out of Japan and completely settled into her apartment in Los Angeles, her American career took off and news of her professionalism, talent and beauty spread like wildfire amongst many prominent directors and producers. The way Kouki had arranged things for her, gave her exposure though modeling and acting. She didn't have time to think of anything but, Maria, Acting, Modeling and him.

Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months and finally a bit more than a year had passed since she had moved into her apartment in LA. This year would be the year that the fruits of her labor would be viewed by the world.

Her first movie was a raging success, according to the critics and she had been nominated for several awards. The first awards being for her works in Japan and the other more prestigious and gratifying were the awards from the Academy. She was stunned, a nomination alone was real boost for her career and as far as she could remember, she didn't know anyone else that had been nominated personally, except for Kuu Hizuri.

During her time, up to this point, she had not realized that her frozen heart was slowly being thawed by a sweet little blonde that had chosen to live with her and go to a private school nearby and that little blonde's handsome and slightly less eccentric father, her very capable and loving manager. Which would explain her reaction when she received her letter and invitation to the Oscars.

With curiosity Kyoko signed for the registered mail envelope and closed the door to her apartment.

"Okasan?" Maria had started calling her that when they had landed in LA and she refused to stop. Kyoko submitted. "Who was that?" Maria asked.

Kyoko looked long and hard at the ominous package that she sat on the dining room table. "Not quite sure. Wanna open it?"

"Can I?" Maria asked excitedly.

Kouki came from her kitchen. "Maria you know that's Kyoko's personal mail. Don't you think she should be the one to open something that looks that official?" He scolded. He had a hunch on what it was.

"Alright Otousan." She sat on the chair she had pulled out.

Kyoko took a deep breath to steel her nerves and ripped it open then emptied the contents on the table. A letter and 3 invitations in gold and white. Her eyes went wide as she read the letter and she almost hyperventilated. "Kouki... Maria... They... they want to give me an award!" She screamed and jumped into his arms and showered him with kisses, not realizing what she was doing in her excitement.

Maria quietly left the room to give her 'parents' some time together. "Maybe this will do it." She grinned to herself as she whispered.

Kouki wrapped his arms tightly around her and gently caressed her lips with his own. "I love you, Kyoko." He whispered to her. "I have for a very long time." He pulled away to look into her golden eyes.

She smiled softly as she felt her heart completely melt and a small tear of joy escaped. "I love you too, Kouki."

He kissed her again, this time with all of his pent up feelings being released. His lips felt like warm silk and his taste was like a mix of cream and honey. "Let's get married tonight." He whispered to her.

She looked at him a little shocked. "We can do that? So quick?" She had never thought to refuse him. For the past few weeks, she had felt the beating of her heart and the warmth whenever they were together. Even more so, when they were with Maria. The magazines and tabloids had already been of the misconception that Maria was her daughter and Kouki was her husband acting as her manager. That had begun the moment she stepped off the plane.

He smiled and nodded. "Las Vegas?" He chuckled and Maria squealed in the doorway, then wrapped her parents in the tightest hug she could muster.

All that knew them were completely speechless when they saw the little family step onto the red carpet. Kouki and Kyoko with Maria in the middle. Kouki dressed to the nines in his sleek, black R-Mandy Tux and Maria dressed in the most adorable, frilliest red and white dress packed with lace and petticoats. Kyoko was dressed in a smooth, red silk, floor-length, slip-like dress, cut low with a slit up to her mid-thigh and ruby red platform pumps covered in rhinestones. Her now blonde hair, that flowed down her back was loosely pinned up and decorated with a large red rose. Her diamond wedding band and engagement ring sparkled whenever a flash went off.

Kuon felt his heart drop when he saw her image flash on the television and it fell even further when he saw Kouki brush a stray wisp of hair from her neck before they announced her Nomination for Best Leading Actress. When she leapt up from her seat in celebration of her win, her wedding ring was proudly displayed and if that didn't cinch his loss, her speech did.

"Gosh! Oh... I'm so out of breath...(she laughed) Oh my... I certainly didn't expect this... I have so many people I would like to thank. (she smiled and covered her cheek with her left hand) I would like to thank my husband, who is my very capable manager. My daughter for having so much faith in me. My friends. My Father In Law, If not for him I wouldn't even be here. (she laughed again) The director and producer of Frozen Heart. And most importantly all of my fans and supporters. I love you all dearly and thank you so very much." She finished with happy tears streaming down her ivory cheeks.

Kuon wordlessly turned off the television and Yashiro just sat there in shock. "Kuon... Was that?"

"It... it was her." He whispered with a voice filled with remorse.

"When did she? And Maria?" Yashiro couldn't complete his sentences, he was so shocked. "Maria's her daughter and Lory is her Father In Law?"

"Why didn't we know about this? How could have this happened? When did this happen and why?" He asked slamming his fists on the table, face covered in tears.

Lory sat in front of his television smiling devilishly. "That sly dog! Why didn't they tell me?" He laughed. "I expected something but, certainly not this. He got her!" He laughed again as he answered his phone.

"What is the meaning of this?! How did this happen and why didn't you tell me anything?" a voice filled with anger lilted through the phone line.

Lory sighed in frustration. "Kuon... Nice to finally hear from you after all this time." He said dryly.

"Cut the crap! Why didn't you tell me?" He was livid.

"Had you bothered to contact her yourself instead of leaving her broken like you did, this would have never happened. He was there when she needed him... You weren't." Lory told him. "Is there anything else you would like to discuss, other than my daughter-in-law?"

Kuon sighed in defeat. "No... Nothing at all." He then hung up.

Lory shook his head. "Sebastian! We're going to LA!" He called out as he dialed the number for Jelly Woods to tell her the good news.