WARNING: CONTAINS VIOLENCE

"All right, spill it! What happened last night?"

Kyoko looked away from Kanae, who had pulled her behind the prop Sacred Tree. Her cheeks were bright pink. "Nothing."

Kanae shook her head. "Nope, you're not going to lie to me. Both you and Tsuruga disappeared last night, you got in late, and Hiromune-san and I had to cover for you. You've messed up several takes, and you've been looking at him with that look on your face all day!" she said in an irritated whisper.

Kyoko blinked. "What look?" Kanae's face morphed into a lovestruck imitation of her friend. Kyoko covered her face with her hands. "It's that obvious?"

"Did you have sex with him!?"

Kyoko almost jumped a mile in the air. "NO! Moko-san, how could you even think such a thing!?"

Kanae narrowed her eyes on her. "If you didn't, then what the hell happened?"

Kyoko's face was burning. "We…kissed."

Kanae rolled her eyes. "That's it?"

"What do you mean 'that's it'!?" Kyoko looked so offended that it almost made Kanae laugh.

"Here I was hoping for something really juicy, and oh boy, he kissed you. You've been throwing him these wistful looks all damned day over a kiss!?" she threw her hands in the air. "You're going to be the death of me! Get your act together and stop messing up! MO!" She stomped away from the tree.

Kyoko smacked her forehead into the prop tree. It was true that she was having trouble concentrating. When her brain wasn't busy in the woods with Kuon, being kissed until she was breathless, it was trying its best to wrap around all of the new facts that had been presented to it. Ren Tsuruga was Corn, who was Kuon Hizuri, son of action hero Kuu Hizuri. It made her head spin.

He's Corn. I still can't believe it. All this time… she peeked out from the tree to watch his scene. He was crossing swords with Koga Hiromune today.

"CUT!"

Kuon and Koga dropped their swords. Director Nakamura made his way onto the set and approached Kuon. "Is something off today, Ren-san? You seem to be having problems keeping your character."

Kuon bowed deeply to the director. "I apologize, Director Nakamura. I was up entirely too late last night and it seems to be affecting my performance." The truth was that he hadn't slept at all. His excitement at having told Kyoko who he was, and kissing her several times, had overruled any thoughts of sleep.

Koga nodded, taking up Kuon's lie. "Mostly my fault, Director. I was bugging Tsuruga-san with questions about the other work he's done, and he was too kind to tell me to go away."

The Director smiled good-naturedly. "How about we move your scenes to tomorrow? It'll give you some time to rest and find Sesshomaru again."

Kuon nodded. "Thank you, sir. I promise I will be back at 100% tomorrow." As the Director walked away, Kuon nodded to Koga. "Thank you. You didn't have to do that."

Koga shrugged. "You got Kyoko-chan back in one piece. It's the least I can do. How the hell did you find her anyway?"

Kuon frowned; he didn't want to lie to Koga, but a lie was required. "I could hear her crying, so I followed the sound."

Koga clenched his fist at his side. "That Fuwa guy is a fucking creep. She's been off today, too. I've never seen her get so many NGs."

Kuon nodded. "I noticed." He gave a sidelong glance over to the prop tree where he thought he had seen a flash of purple and white stripes. He had noticed the looks she had been casting his way all day, and the overwhelming urge to find her and kiss her until she passed out was overriding his acting talent. If Koga wanted to attribute Kyoko's acting flubs to her being upset though, he wasn't going to stop him.

"Hey, Ren! You and Kyoko-chan didn't eat with us last night! What were you two up to?"

Kuon's eye twitched in annoyance as Kijima elbowed him with a sly smile. "I don't know what you're implying, Kijima."

Kijima smirked. "You don't know? Here, let me help you." He turned his back to Kuon and wrapped his own arms around himself, sensually dragging his own hands up and down his back and making kissing noises. Koga raised an eyebrow at him.

Kuon sighed. "Kijima, why don't you go and bother your new friend Sho Fuwa?"

Kijima turned back around and rolled his eyes. "That guy? Pfft, he had half a drink with me and then disappeared. Didn't see him again. Total wet blanket. So come on, Tsuruga! I need details! What was she like!?"

Kuon flashed the most gentlemanly smile at him. "What was what like, Hidehito? Do you want to elaborate?"

Koga clapped a hand down over Kijima's mouth. Kuon might be smiling, but Koga got the sense that there was a certain amount of rage bubbling to the surface. "Nothing happened, he got Kyoko-chan out of the woods and then spent the night answering some questions I had for him. I don't think it's polite to talk about Kyoko-chan like that anyway. Wouldn't you agree, Kijima-san?" He gave Kijima a pointed look.

Kijima seemingly began to understand. Koga took his hand away. "Oh. Uh… yeah. I didn't mean anything like that! I just thought maybe you kissed or something! Made some actual progress!"

Koga let out a small sigh of relief. Good job covering your ass, Kijima.

Kuon smiled at him. Kijima was a friend, but he lacked tact entirely. "Even if we had, it would be absolutely none of your business. Now, if you will excuse me, my mokomoko is extremely hot and I need to take it off for the day." Kuon walked away from them toward the wardrobe trailer. Koga smacked Kijima on the back of the head.

"Ow!" Kijima rubbed the point of contact. "What was that for!?"

Koga smiled brightly. "A reminder. Next time you feel like talking about Kyoko-chan that way, you can remember what that feels like and not say anything that will make it happen again."

Kyoko, who had been informed that she wouldn't need to film any more scenes for the day, was already in the makeup trailer when Kuon came in. He sat down in the chair next to hers and smiled at her.

"I feel like we haven't talked all day, Mogami-san."

She blushed. "It's been a busy day for both of us, Tsuruga-san. I heard that they moved your scenes to tomorrow."

He nodded. "My mind is… elsewhere today. It's hard to work when I'm so distracted."

The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Oh no. Is he worried that I'll tell someone about him? "Is something wrong, Tsuruga-san?"

His mouth quirked up at the side. "I keep thinking about this girl that I want to kiss." The makeup artist that was removing his prosthetic ears stopped moving at exactly the same time Kyoko's heart stopped. Kuon continued on amiably, apologizing to the makeup artist. "I'm sorry, Eri-san."

The artist chuckled. "Not at all, Tsuruga-san. You're just usually so reserved about your love life, so I was surprised."

He chuckled. "I haven't had much of a love life to speak of until now."

Eri dabbed at the marks on his cheeks with a cotton ball. "You wouldn't happen to be talking about Kana Kusunoki, would you?"

A grudge appeared in Kyoko's mind. HOW DARE THAT TIRED OLD PORN HAG USE CORN AS A BEARD! One of Kyoko's good spirits appeared and clamped a hand down over the grudge's face and dragged it away, struggling, back to the lock box.

At that, he looked at Eri with a dazzling smile. "I think I'm going to continue to keep everyone on their toes. The will they or won't they has been great for publicity."

Eri laughed, stunned by the smile. "Of course. But you and your girl, are you exclusive?"

He nodded. "There's no other girl for me." Kyoko felt warm and fuzzy all over.

Eri raised her eyebrows. "That's so serious, Tsuruga-san! Do I hear wedding bells!?"

He laughed. "Not right now. She's not ready for that."

"Does that mean you're ready for that?" Eri teased him.

Kuon smiled like the sun. "I think you and all the tabloids want the answer to that one, but I'm going to keep that to myself."

The artist working on Kyoko pronounced her done, so Kyoko got up from her chair. "I'm going to get lunch at the ryokan."

Kuon gave her a quick nod. "If you wait a few minutes, I'll join you. I could eat and wouldn't mind the company."

Kyoko's brain deciphered that message quickly. Wait for me, we need to talk, was what he had actually said.

She nodded. "Sure! I'll be outside."

When she got outside, she leaned forward and gripped her knees for support. That bully! In there talking about marriage in front of me! Has he lost his mind!? I would be Mrs. Kyoko Hizuri! That thought stopped her in her tracks. I would be Father's daughter-in-law. That would actually be… really nice. She shook the thought from her mind. What am I thinking!? I'm 17! I don't want to be married yet! She covered her face with both hands. What the hell am I going to do with him!?

"Mogami-san? Are you all right?"

Her head snapped up. He was standing there, the Jacob's ladder in full force. She almost had to squint her eyes against the brightness of it.

"Y-yes, I'm fine. Shall we go to the ryokan?"

He nodded and gestured down the path. He looked around as they walked, and when he saw that there was no one around, he grabbed her hand. "I couldn't sleep last night," he said, "I was too busy thinking of you."

She gripped his hand a little tighter. "I didn't sleep well either." she said.

He wiggled his eyebrows. "Were you thinking of me?" he joked. But when her face turned scarlet, he stared. "Oh."

She covered her face with her free hand. "It's impossible to not think of you. Especially after our time as the Heels."

He stopped and faced her. "I'm sorry about Guam. I shouldn't have kissed you without you knowing everything." He tilted his head as he swore he could see steam erupting from her ears.

"That's not the part of acting as the Heels that I'm remembering."

He blinked. "The hickey?"

"The shower."

She knew better than to look up. She knew that the Emperor was definitely going to greet her. Suddenly, he was pulling her into the trees.

"I-Kuon, where are we going!?"

He pulled her behind a particularly large tree and pressed her back against it. When he kissed her, it felt like electricity was running from her head to her toes. When they broke apart, he rested his forehead against hers.

"How much did you see, exactly? I've been wondering." his voice was husky.

"Not everything." she whimpered, with her eyes shut tight.

"You probably saw the equivalent of what I saw when you were in that miniskirt the first night."

Her eyes flew open. "You were looking at my body!?"

Big mistake. The Emperor looked down at her with a mischievous grin. "What else prompted me to spend all that money on new clothes? I couldn't have any other man looking at what I wanted."

"What you… wanted?"

"What I want." He kissed her again. This time when they broke apart, his lips trailed kisses from her jawline to her collarbone. She leaned her head back against the tree, her body reacting instinctively to his lips. It was only after his thumb brushed lightly over her breast through her shirt that she opened her eyes with a gasp. He was away from her so fast that she could swear she heard the sound barrier break. He looked horrified. "I'm sorry, Kyoko! I got caught up in the moment and I-"

She kissed him to shut him up. When she finished, she rested her head on his chest. "It's okay. I'm not mad. This just isn't the time." He hugged her.

"I'm still sorry I touched you. I should have asked."

She laughed and hid her blushing face in the front of his shirt. "How on earth do you ask about that? 'Kyoko-chan, may I touch your breast?' Doesn't that kill the moment?"

He ran his hand through his hair. His face was bright red. "I think it would kill the moment even more if I did something you didn't want me to do without asking. The last thing I want to do is hurt you." He had touched plenty of other girls in that way, but none of them had been his Kyoko. He couldn't afford any mistakes.

"You didn't hurt me. I'm just… I'm not ready for that yet. Especially with you going to America soon."

He squeezed her into a tight hug. "I understand entirely. I wouldn't want to make love to you and then disappear for months, anyway. I wouldn't be able to think of anything else and I'd end up living in a box on the streets after being blacklisted from every studio in Hollywood." he joked.

She laughed and shoved him away playfully. "That's enough out of you. I wish I hadn't brought up the Heels."

He smirked. "I can't blame you. I've thought about them a lot."

She covered her ears and walked back to the path. "Nope, not listening to any more of that."

He laughed as he followed her back to the path. When they reached the ryokan, they found Sho laying on a bench outside, smoking a cigarette. Kyoko marched up to him, ripped it out of his hand and snubbed it out in the dirt.

"What the hell, Kyoko!?"

"The Okami-san would have a heart attack if she saw you with that! Are you trying to kill your mother!?"

He sat up. "What I do is none of my mother's business!"

Kyoko got in his face. "You're lucky I didn't put it out on your forehead, Shotarou!"

He glared at her. "You'll have plenty of time to apologize since you'll be staying here. A bet's a bet, Kyoko." He smirked over her shoulder. "'Sup, Tsuruga?"

Kuon was about to say something when Kyoko grabbed Sho by the front of his shirt.

"You listen to me, and you listen good. I am not in love with Ren Tsuruga!"

Kuon stepped back as though he had been slapped. Kyoko wheeled on him and pointed a finger at him. "You hear that? I'm not into Ren Tsuruga! It's that simple! My boyfriend's name is Kuon!" She turned back to Sho. "You got that, Sho!? So you can take your bet and stuff it!"

Sho stared at her, completely stunned. "Who the fuck is KUON!?"

"SHOTAROU." He winced, and turned to his mother, who was standing in the doorway, fuming. "WHAT is the meaning of this noise!? And that language!" She stomped over to him and snatched him by the ear.

"Ah! Shit! Mom, let g-"

She pulled hard on it. "WHAT did you just say to me!?"

"I– ah! Mom, please let go! That hurts!"

"Apologize to the guests!"

"I–fuck!" She jerked harder. "God, I'm sorry, okay!? I'm really sorry! Mom, let go!"

She bowed to Kuon and Kyoko without losing her pincer grip on her son's ear. "I apologize for my son's behavior, Tsuruga-san. I don't know where his father and I went wrong." She hauled him into the ryokan, and they heard her shriek through the doors. "SHOTAROU, HAVE YOU BEEN SMOKING!?" Kyoko and Kuon stared after them in shock as they disappeared down the hallway.

Kuon spoke first. "That was… entertaining."

Kyoko blinked. "He's in for it. I've only ever seen her do that twice and both times were followed by tons of chores."

"Well… sucks to suck." He gestured toward the door. "Shall we have lunch?"

Kyoko fixed them a small lunch in the kitchen, and then they went back to Kuon and Koga's room to eat. As they ate, Kuon smirked.

"So… I'm your boyfriend, huh?"

Kyoko turned bright red. "I-I'm sorry! I shouldn't have put a label on it! I just wanted to see Shotarou's stupid face, and I-" He popped a piece of grilled chicken into her mouth to quiet her down.

"I was going to ask you properly, but I'll take you staking your claim on me."

She swallowed the chicken. "So… you want to? I mean… you know?" She was staring at him in disbelief, her cheeks getting more red by the second. He picked her hand up off of the table and kissed her knuckles.

"Yes, Kyoko-chan. I want to be your boyfriend."

She swallowed her excitement. "A-are you sure? You have goals, and I don't want to be in the way of any of that."

He looked her in the eye. "You are one of my goals, Princess."

Her cheeks turned bright pink and her eyes sparkled. "P-Princess?"

This time it was his turn to blush. "Was that too corny?"

She giggled. "That would be very fitting since you are Corn."

He slapped his free hand over his eyes. "God, I'm so in love with you."

Kyoko turned bright red. "I-I l-love you, too." He looked at her embarrassed face and broke into laughter. "What's so funny!?"

He took another bite of his lunch. "I know that was hard for you, being a pure Japanese maiden and all. I'll treasure it forever."

She narrowed her eyes on him. "American playboy." He covered his mouth as his shoulders shook with laughter.

That night, after Kyoko had gone to bed, Kuon was standing outside the back door of the ryokan with Kijima as Kijima smoked. "So," said Kijima, "I know you're not going to tell me anything, but I'm happy for you." Kuon's lips quirked into a small smile.

"I don't know what you're talking about, but thank you."

Kijima chuckled. "Judging from the shit-eating grin on your face, I'd say you know exactly what I'm talking about, but I won't press the issue. That girl is one in a million, and you're a lucky bastard, Tsuruga." He put his cigarette out on the top of the receptacle and buried it in the sand. "I'm going to bed. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Kuon rolled his eyes. "I think it'd be much safer to do the things you wouldn't do, Hidehito." Kijima stuck his tongue out at him and left Kuon to look up at the stars and think about his new, official, relationship. He looked behind him with a smile as he heard the door open, expecting to see Kijima back for one more jab.

"Tsuruga."

He rolled his eyes and looked back up at the sky. "Fuwa."

Sho came to stand next to him, half-drunk, holding a bottle of liquor. He took a long pull off of it and then offered it to Kuon, who lifted an eyebrow at him.

"No thanks. I'm not one to contribute to the drunkenness of a minor."

Sho chuckled darkly. "Well I doubt you're celebrating her being with some other guy. Figured you might want to drink a toast to this Kuon guy, whoever the hell he is. Rat bastard." Sho took another swig off the bottle, and Kuon had to hide his smirk. Rat bastard indeed.

"That's the difference between you and I, Fuwa. I've always just wanted to see her happy. You just wanted her to sate your own ego. Even if she's not with me, as long as she's happy, I'm content." Kuon knew this was a bald-faced lie. He knew that if he ever saw Kyoko with another man, it would shatter him into pieces, but Sho didn't need to know that.

At that, Sho scoffed. "Yeah, right. You're happy about getting cucked, sure." Sho raised his bottle to the sky. "To Kuon. May Kyoko be a good lay. Though I doubt it. She doesn't have any tit-" Sho lost his hold on the bottle as his feet left the cobbled path when Kuon grabbed him by the arm and flipped him. The air burst out of his lungs in a violent gasp as the flat of his back hit the cobbles. Even in his drunken stupor, he had enough wherewithal to stare up at Kuon, who had wrapped a hand tightly around his neck, in terror.

"Let's get one thing straight, Fuwa" Kuon snarled. "You are NEVER to mention Mogami-san's body again."

Sho hissed out a strangled, "Yes."

Kuon's fingers dug deeper into his throat. "And if you do, if you come anywhere near her with your bullshit, I will rip your throat out and beat you with it. The only way you'll sing again is with a choir of fucking angels. Do you understand me, Fuwa?"

Sho stared into the black pools of rage that had replaced Kuon's eyes. A warm sensation spread through his jeans as he pissed himself. He's crazy. Tsuruga is actually fucking nuts. He nodded, unable to speak, as his face turned an unpleasant shade of purple. Kuon let go of his neck and kicked him hard in the ribs. "I want you gone by the morning. Get the fuck out of here." he spat. Kuon went inside the ryokan, leaving Sho to collect himself.

Sho turned over on his side, gasping for air and clutching his neck, which was already starting to bruise. He struggled to his knees, then to his feet, and hastened to his room to pack his bags.

*clears throat* The Fairytale is starting to take a more mature turn. I hope that's not a problem for my readers. In any case, I appreciate all of you who have stuck with it this far, and I hope you will continue reading! ALL OF MY UNDYING LOVE AND APPRECIATION - BO