A/N: I switch perspectives in this chapter and I hope my marking makes that clear. Cheers. I hope you are still enjoying the story at this point.
The moment they entered the hotel, Kyoko was anticipating an attack. One filled with kisses and touches and led to things that made her feel sleepy and content. However, the moment he took her into his arms, he kissed her forehead softly and told her to get changed to leave.
"We are leaving?" She asked as he let her go and proceeded towards his clothes.
He hummed in agreement as he riffled through his shirts. She bit her lower lip and padded over to him. Her mind was under a spell from earlier and even though she was fine leaving, she didn't want to leave now, so she boldly slipped her arms around his slim waist from behind.
"Where are we going?" she asked timidly. Her head peeked under his arm. He smiled sweetly at her and ran his hand over her arm.
"Anywhere that looks interesting. Dinner, the beach…" He took her right hand from his waist and kissed it softly. "Whatever you want," he concluded and twisted around out of her embrace. "You can wear your new dress," he said encouragingly as if that would tempt her out of the room.
She smiled and agreed with a nod. Kyoko retreated to the bathroom with a soft sigh. Whatever I want he says… that's not exactly true, is it? She pouted and then promptly shook her head. "What are you thinking?!" She reprimanded herself softly. She lightly slapped her cheeks and it made things worse. Her face burned and her heart pounded within her chest at her wanton thoughts. The fact that she was craving him so much, even though they just… and last night and….
Kyoko groaned as her body reacted favorably to her thoughts, even though she just said no to him. It was because we were in the dressing room, not the hotel room. How could he shut off during the walk home? Nevertheless, she stood there unmoving, because the fact of the matter is that she didn't have it in her to prompt it.
You've done it before. All you need to do is say the same thing again. Her brain reminded her as Kyoko removed her wig. She concentrated on getting the hair on the mannequin head just right as her mind recapped last night's memory of her asking him to make love to her again. Steam rose from her ears and she felt so shameful at the memory. How was I able to say such a scandalous thing!? And with a straight face! Looking up at herself in the mirror, every revealed part of her skin was bright red. Her heart hammered in her chest so hard that it was almost difficult to breathe. She shook her head over and over again. I can't! No way! No way!
By the time Kyoko's cold shower was done, she had gotten over it. Instead, she focused on getting dressed up to have fun tonight. The dress was pretty with a blue and orange tie-dyed over white. It was short but nothing too bad with a very fluffy layered skirt that moved with her hips. It clinched around her waist up to her chest. It was a little loose over her breasts and she assumed it was to accommodate a larger breast size, but the elastic at the top of the square neckline covered her fine. The sleeves were made so that she could wear them up on her shoulder or off the shoulder to line up with the straight neckline. She picked them up but knew that they would fall sometime during the night. It looked nice either way but she wore a strapless bra for the occasion.
Kuon sat on the edge of the bed looking at a map on his phone. He had an idea of where he wanted to go, but he looked around to see if anything else caught his attention. He was scrolling through his emails when she came out and his heart jumped into his throat.
"Ready," she announced with a bright smile and walked over to her suitcase to get a pair of sandals.
She was so beautifully cute. His eyes couldn't help but take every little inch of her in. The dress was bright and colorful and fit her perfectly, hugging her tiny waist and exaggerating her hips. The top hid her chest but completely revealed her collarbone. With her short hair, it made her graceful neck scream to be kissed and nibbled on. The best -or worst- part was how it showed off her gorgeous long legs which he was sure absolutely every male that they passed by will be checking out the entire night.
He watched her elegantly sit on the edge of the bed to put on her sandals. Her hand swept the skirt under her butt to sit down properly. Her hands drew his eye to her dainty feet and then they instinctively moved up shapely calves and those enticing thighs.
"Change," he said automatically.
"Eh?" She sat up and looked at him confused. She looked down at herself and her cheeks flushed a delicate pink. The shine in her gold eyes dimmed as her mind started to assume things. With only one shoe on, her hands came up and self-consciously started to hide her body from view. She put her hand up to her chest, where she felt she didn't have enough to fill out the cut there.
"It's a little big here. I um… does it look bad?" she asked timidly and he wanted to kick his own ass.
Kuon dropped his phone and slid over to her as she cowered. He quickly took a hold of her, causing her to gasp as he pulled her into his lap. She looked up at him with trembling watery eyes.
"Have you already forgotten everything I've told you?" His left hand reached up and caressed her face. She blinked thinking and when he saw the blank, baffled look in her eyes, he continued, "It doesn't matter, because I am more than happy to remind you how completely, utterly, heart-stoppingly gorgeous you are."
Her face burst into flames before his eyes and he smiled as her hands came up and covered her face.
"Every moment of every day all I can think about is you. The moment you step into the room, my eyes are drawn to you. It doesn't matter what you are wearing, you have my full attention. There is no one else in the world that could ever compare to you in my eyes."
She pressed her face into his chest and squealed, "Stop! Stop!"
He continued, "The image of you haunts me every time I close my eyes." He ran his fingers along the edge of her hair and around her ear making her breath hitch. "Your sparkling gold eyes, your beautiful smile. All I want to do is hold you." His touch ran down her neck sending goose bumps along her skin. "I want to wrap my arms around you and carry you away from everyone else in the world." The feathery touch tickled her and she could feel him pushing the sleeve off her shoulder. "To have you all to myself so that only my eyes dare to look upon you."
"Kuon, please." Her hands clenched to his shirt as she hid her face. He could see her ears were still red so she wasn't willing to be seen yet.
"But I know that if I did that, I wouldn't be able to control myself," he whispered huskily into her ear. A little gasp came from her lips as his fingers rounded her bare shoulder.
"I would want to touch you, and then kiss you," he murmured. His touch disappeared and then reappeared at her thigh making her jump. "And then the night would be lost in your embrace."
Kyoko turned her face towards him. She was flushed and her heated breath filled the air between them before she pushed up and kissed him. He groaned as her lips pressed against his and then the tip of her tongue swept across his lower lip. Kuon opened his mouth and twisted his tongue along with hers as his hand squeezed her thigh to keep himself from slipping up her skirt.
You can't. You can't. Not tonight. You have to slow down. This is enough. He eased the grip on her thigh and slid his hand down to her knee, and then begrudgingly pulled away from the kiss. He knocked his forehead against hers as he panted breathlessly.
"Kuon," she called out to him with the sexiest little voice and it made everything inside of him twist in need. His voice caught in his throat. That or he was merely afraid of what would come out. He watched her shyly look up at him with flushed cheeks and red pouty lips. "We don't have to go out if you don't want to."
He cleared his throat and swallowed anxiously. "Do you not want to go out?"
Her eyes darted down to his chest where her fingers were driving him crazy as she played with a little button. "I do, but um…"
"Then we should go," he concluded quickly. Honestly, that tiny comment cemented it for him. She was doing all these things because of him. Guilt and shame filled him as he thought about how he had pushed her to bed him. He hoped to God that she actually enjoyed being with him, but he started to wonder if she felt obligated because he wanted her so much. He smiled sweetly at her and guided her to her feet and then stood up himself with her hands in his.
I need to pull back. I'm treating this as if it was our honeymoon. His heart flipped at the thought of that and he unconsciously looked at her left hand. His thumb ran across her hand and rubbed her ring finger momentarily. Thousands of thoughts and ideas started flooding his mind.
"Kuon?" She called out to him curiously.
He turned his sight up to her face and his smile widened. My wife. He lit up at that thought alone.
Kyoko flushed and looked down nervously as the radiant smile shined brightly above her. Eager to move on to something else, she quickly redirected the conversation. "Um, I need to put on my other sandal."
"Okay," he said simply, and then pressed a soft kiss on her fingers. She swallowed her fluttering heart as he finally let her go. Kyoko sat on the bed as he walked around to retrieve his phone. She watched him as he did so, forgetting her excuse to get a little breathing room. When he got it, he looked over at her and smiled humorously. "Do you want help?"
"Eh?" She sounded and then quickly remembered what she was supposed to be doing and shouted a little too loudly, "No!" Kuon chuckled behind her as she bent over and hastily put it on. He passed by her as she clasped it and waited for her by the door. She was a little wary of his change of attitude but didn't know how to question it. He went from lust to guarded to happy in a matter of seconds. Truth be told, she felt like she got off a roller coaster and simply wanted to move forward. He took her hand in his once she approached and it sent a thrill through her.
"Let's go," he announced and led the way.
Even though the day was slowly ending, it didn't feel that way when they stepped outside. The area was as busy as rush hour in the middle of a metropolis. Hundreds of people were walking to and fro in front of the hotel without any signs of stopping.
Kuon pulled her closer and leaned down to speak to her, "Where do you want to go? In land with the stores or the beach?"
She grinned. That was an easy question. "The Beach!"
They went the direct route from the hotel access to the shores. It was where she went the first day she arrived. It was close and safe in an unknown land. It was still rather busy even though the wind was bringing a chill from the ocean. They held hands and walked the sandy shores trying to stay away from the masses as they chatted about nothing, yet it felt like every word that came out was important. Kyoko had questions about everything he said and Kuon loved hearing her laugh and seeing her smile at his stories. The sun slowly set while they walked together. She stayed on the water's side playing with the water lapping at their feet. Every time there was some pretty shell or item on the sand, she would pick it up and it would spur on another topic.
It was dark by the time Kyoko pointed out a rather busy place ahead of them. "Think that's a place to eat?"
Even though it was now night, the area was lit up bright enough to see absolutely everything. The place she pointed to was on the edge of the beach with dozens of patio torches surrounding an extremely large patio with recess and lifted seating. Beyond that, all he saw was a swarm of people.
"It looks busy enough. I also hear music so it might be an outdoor club," he reasoned.
Unsure, Kyoko asked, "Do you want to look for someplace quieter?"
He shook his head. "I don't care either way, so long as you want to go. No one is going to recognize us here so we should enjoy the freedom of large crowds while we can."
Kyoko laughed. "That is an odd thing to say. I'm not sure anyone enjoys large crowds."
He smiled. "Well, if they are screaming fans I would agree, but after so many years of avoiding crowds, you start to miss the excitement of the people. Especially if they are there for something other than you."
"Spoken like a man who has the majority of women and some men of an entire country after them."
He snorted. "That is not even remotely true."
"Then it's all ego," she teased and leaned into his arm with a big grin, "You only talk like the entire country wants you."
"Are you calling me narcissistic!?" He growled and spun her around so that he could grab her.
"If the shoe fits!" She laughed, pushed away from him, and started to run.
He easily caught her, wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her in glee. He turned her around to face him as he put her down and glowered at her. She matched his pout with her own. "Did I offend the Prince of Japan?"
He groaned. "Oh, please do not call me that."
"But why?" she asked seriously. "You are rather princely, especially with your natural coloring."
He rolled his eyes. "The whole prince thing is rather tainted for me. I'd rather be called your husband," he finished sincerely with a handsome smile.
Kyoko's eyes went wide and her lips parted slightly at his words. Even in the dark, he could see her cheeks flush. She quickly looked down and shot forward to hug him. He swayed back slightly but held her. He heard her sob softly and hugged her tightly.
"Am I going too fast?" He asked. One would think that perhaps he said something wrong instead of simply being too fast, but nothing about this felt wrong. The woman in his arms was everything and will become everything for the rest of his life. The only conclusion he had was perhaps he was being too clingy. The thought of that would probably make every ex-girlfriend in his past laugh.
She sniffed softly and looked up at him shaking her head. "No. Everything is just…" she took in a shaky breath and then licked her lips before whispering, "I don't want this to be a dream."
He smiled and caressed her hair. "After everything that we have been through, this life has been more of a nightmare for both of us, but every time I get to spend another minute with you makes all of that disappear." He cupped her face and she tilted her head towards it. "And when our rocky pasts are nothing but faded shadows, we will be able to fill our mind with memories of us for the rest of our lives."
Kyoko smiled and then laughed and finally nodded. Her voice wouldn't work with her throat thick with tears. Instead, she slid her hands up to wrap around his neck, leaned up, and kissed him. Kuon's eyes shut tight and he pulled her against his body as they passionately kissed. He didn't want to let her go, didn't want to lose the feeling of her in his arms, the taste of her lips, the touch of her hand. She pulled back for a breath but he followed her and softly kissed her again. Dozens of soft, small kisses were traded between them until they both started to smile, and things got playful between them as Kyoko kissed his chin instead of his lips. Kuon nipped at the tip of her nose and then dived down and started peppering kisses on her neck making her laugh and squirm out of his arms.
He snatched her hand before she was out of reach. Their fingers twisted around with each other's as they restarted their walk to get dinner. This time they made it to the front door. The place was a bar and grill and from the number of people in it, it was extremely popular. They had a twenty-minute waiting list and they chose to wait. They stood to the side and looked around. Everything was outdoor except for the kitchen and part of the bar. The restaurant was made up of three different levels of patios. The highest was level with the bar, then it went down a level that aligned with a large stage but wasn't attached because surrounding the stage were the tables with the lowest level that eventually trailed to the beach.
The place was packed with bodies filling up all three sections. The stage had a live band playing music for the dozens of people dancing to the beat. The bar didn't have a single chair, yet it was overflowing with customers holding and ordering colorful drinks. The servers passed by with the food that was more traditional to American bar food – Burgers, nachos, tacos, and various fried foods. It screamed tourist restaurant, but they must be good or make excellent drinks to stay this popular.
They were called to their table sooner than expected and ended up on the second level that led to the dance floor. For the first time since she could remember, they were seated at an open four-seat table in the middle of the restaurant completely open to everyone's eyes, and it didn't matter at all. Still, she felt nervous and he caught on to it.
He put both of his hands over hers and asked, "Are you still thinking about earlier?"
She blinked at him confused and then smiled and shook her head. She pulled her hand free from his and placed it on top. "No. I'm good," she assured him and bashfully leaned in to confess, "I feel so exposed sitting here."
He smiled relieved and shook his head. "No one is going to recognize us. I look nothing like anyone right now."
Kyoko laughed and looked at him. Black hair styled nicely but windswept now, green eyes that sparkled with love and affection, neither one of these said Ren or Kuon. Cain was the closest with his still unusually tall frame and black hair, but Cain Heel would NEVER wear a light-yellow button-up short-sleeved shirt and olive-green slacks. Nor would he be one to look doe-eyed at a girl while holding hands with a bright smile.
She giggled and bit her lip as a terrible thought entered her mind. She leaned over to him and since they were sitting next to each other at the table, it was easy to reach his ear. "Does that mean I can call you by your real name?"
He pulled back and she could see the hesitation in his body language. It wasn't a real request. Kuon was hers when they were alone and now was not the case. She took a breath to take it back when he softly agreed, "Okay."
Her jaw fell open at the cutest and most bashful little voice she had ever heard from him. It was so utterly cute! She flushed and before she could say anything regarding it, the server came over for their order. Neither one of them looked at the menu and so she quickly glanced at it, having to skip over a few pages of drinks to find the food.
"The slider platter," she told him and closed it thinking that they could share the 6 sliders it came with. She lifted the menu to the server when Kuon chimed in, "The basket of wings, Spicy." Kyoko looked up at him in shock.
"Ok. And to drink?" The server asked in English.
Kuon took the menu from her and looked it over. "A Tokyo Tea and a Berry Mango Margarita," he told him and the man left with the menus but without a word of ID or concern for her.
Kyoko leaned in and whispered, "They truly don't care."
"That or it's because you look especially beautiful tonight," he flattered, making her snort.
"I'm more curious as to why you ordered one for me," she grinned at him. "You aren't trying to get me tipsy again, are you? Hoping for a repeat from yesterday?"
He flushed and it made her smile widen. "That's not…" he nervously laughed and ran his hand through his hair in an anxious gesture. "I thought you would like it. I'm not expecting anything. I don't ever expect anything from you, and you handled it well yesterday, but you don't…"
He was rambling and she wanted to roll around and squeal at how utterly adorable he was being. "I'm teasing you, Kuon."
He stiffened at the sound of his name and she could see him flinch but then try to cover it up with a small smile. He wasn't ready for it, or perhaps it was an instinctual reaction. It made her sad to see him regard his name in such low light, but he didn't mind it at all when they were alone. She wanted him to have a sappy little smile at the sound of his name, to feel elated or relieved even, much like he was when they were in private but that was not the case. Seeing him react like that didn't make her want to say it again.
She only had one of his hands in both of hers and started to play with his fingers. "Considering the two you ordered, I'm guessing the fruity one is mine?"
He took a breath and subtly nodded, "But you can try both and take whichever you like."
"You would drink the sweet fruity one?" she asked and then added, "and you ordered food? I was planning on sharing one meal."
He smiled which was lovely to see. "I used to eat wings a lot when I was younger so I wanted to see what these were like. I'll admit it's probably not the best date food though. It's messy."
She stared at him for a moment thinking before saying, "Somehow I can't picture you eating anything messy even if it is meant to be so."
He smirked at her. "It depends on what I'm eating."
Kyoko rationally agreed and gave a soft nod to it but his smile widened as he watched her. She looked up at him confused. He seemed to be laughing at her behind that smile and those sparkling green eyes, and it finally dawned on her. Her face burned and she lightly swatted his arm.
"You! You are not allowed to make jokes like that!"
He opened his mouth to reply but the server came by with their drinks. He mentioned that the food would take longer but it would be out shortly and disappeared. Kyoko pulled hers over looking at the pretty drink. It was frozen with orange and red swirled together with a mango wedge on the side, which she ate immediately. Meanwhile, Kuon's was atomic green with some lemon slices and a cherry on top. She had to ask about its odd color.
"Why is it green?"
He couldn't answer, so he grabbed the small tableside alcohol menu and found it. "It's got Midori in it. That is green. The rest of it is clear so that's the only color that appeared."
"And Midori is?"
"Melon liqueur," he answered and pushed the drink to her. "It's strong so take it slow."
Melon, so that meant sweet in Kyoko's head. She brought the straw to her lips and pulled the cold liquid into her mouth. As soon as she got a mouthful, the alcohol overwhelmed her scenes and she swallowed with a gasp.
Once she could talk, she exclaimed, "That is only melon?"
He smiled. "No. It's got vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec, and then Midori."
She grew pale. "All those are types of alcohol? Why so many?" Then she frowned and looked at her drink. "What's in mine?"
"Tequila and Triple sec, and then ice and fruit. I thought that would be best out of everything I saw," he explained and took a sip of his. She watched for his reaction and it had absolutely no effect on him.
"Yes, thank you," she grumbled and carefully tasted hers. Not that she thought he would lie to her about what was in it, but that "tea" frightened her. Hers was good, like a smoothie and yeah, she could taste a little bit of the alcohol but it was weak compared to his.
"Do you like it?" She asked as he sipped it.
He shrugged. "It's okay. I should have gotten the Long Island Iced Tea."
"Is that not as strong?"
"No, it's the same but with a cola instead of lime soda and no melon." She scrunched up her nose in disgust and he laughed. Their food came as they talked about the kinds of drinks he liked and what he thought she might like. The sliders were simple little cheeseburgers and it had a side of fries in the middle of the platter. The wings he got were all sauced up with a side of blue cheese dressing.
Kyoko ate one and the spice of it kicked the back of her throat making her cough and her eyes water. She asked if that was what it was supposed to taste like.
"The spice is right, but the flavor is off. But no one ever gets it right when you think of food from home. You don't have to eat them. I know you are not a fan of spicy food, so thanks for trying them." He continued to eat them and she saw the orange sauce stay at the corner of his mouth. She wanted to get back at him for laughing at her, so she reached over and stunned him as she removed it with her thumb. He watched her take it to her lips and lick it off with her eyes locked onto his.
"I think I've proven I can handle the heat," she purred and it caused him to cough. She laughed as he quickly drank his 'tea' to clear his throat.
"See I can make jokes like that too," she joked and he laughed with her.
~#~#~#~#~#~
No way. No way. No way!
That can't be him. There is no way that is him.
Yet the more he sat there and stared at him, the more he couldn't unsee what he was seeing.
That fucking bastard is out with some girl. Taira Murasame couldn't believe his eyes. He had to do a double-take when he saw that asshat pass by him. Honestly, there was no way he would have ever noticed him before, but how many fucking lanky 190cm men with black hair are out here at the exact same location during this exact same time. ONE that's how fucking many. Still, that was not Cain Heel. Cain Heel would not wear bright clothes. Cain Heel would not be socializing. Cain Heel would not be dating. Taira could see him picking up a chick for a quick and dirty fuck, but not taking her to dinner and laughing and smiling as if he was an actual person.
As for the girl, she was gorgeous but no one he recognized, and trust me, he looked! She didn't look like a local but that would only be an assumption. She was petite and fit with sexy legs and a cute little auburn haircut. She wore this tiny little dress that drew his eye to her hips when she walked by. She was someone that he would want to chat up in any situation. In fact, whoever this dude was, probably had the same idea as him. Cute girl on vacation to have a little fun with and then never see each other again.
Taira didn't think she was with him until he sat down at the same table as her. Everything his eyes took in screamed to his brain that it was Cain Heel. However, his mind refused to believe it. It can't be him. It can't. So he sat and watched through the crowd while the others at his table talked. He was out with a couple of the guys from the set. He hadn't let them know what was going on, merely because Taira felt like Cain was his challenge. The man pissed him off to no end because of his talent and his overall attitude. That man was his prey and he didn't want to share.
What he was going to do with this information, he wasn't sure. Maybe it was a way to get his sister away from him. That alone would be worth the effort even if she was bat shit crazy. Sexy crazy though. That was another reason why the dots wouldn't connect. His sister wasn't around. There was no way that he would be anywhere without her following. She would have been ripping this girl, who dared to be around her brother, apart. The woman that was with him wouldn't stand a chance against Setsuka Heel.
He convinced himself several times that it wasn't him. He tried to move on, talking to the others and trying to enjoy himself, but his eyes kept flickering over to their table. The way he acted and hardcore flirted with this girl. It was unnatural because he kept seeing him as Cain Heel and it made his head hurt.
"Hey Murasame-san, you done? We are going to head to the bar."
They wanted to pick up some girls, which he was totally on board with at the start. Lots of people were dancing and drinking so it wouldn't be unwelcome. "Yeah, let's go to the bar," he agreed. Though he had different goals in mind. He had to know if that was him. Even if he was wrong, it would help him sleep tonight with that puzzle solved.
~#~#~#~
Kyoko was swaying to music towards the end of their meal, making Kuon smile as he watched her. He really wasn't trying to get her drunk, but he was enjoying how relaxed she got when she drank. She was more willing to be childish and follow her wishes and it allowed him to spoil her as he wanted.
"Do you want to dance?" He asked her and she jerked her head up in shock.
"What? Dance?" Her head jerked to the dance floor and how everyone was dancing and her eyes went wide. "I don't know how to dance like that. I've never danced before. I took some ballet classes when I was little but it didn't go anywhere."
"Really? You did?" That was news to him.
"A little. For a year, but when I was left with the Fuwa's I didn't have it in me to ask for more classes," she informed him as if it was nothing to her. Perhaps now it was but the fact that she tried meant it was something she wanted and still had the guts to ask for. She probably wanted to be like the swan princess. He smiled softly at the idea of that and then it turned sad because she forced herself to suppress her dreams.
Kuon stood up and took her hand. She looked up at him with wide eyes as he smiled down at her. "Come on," he encouraged and pulled her to the floor.
He brought her to the edge of the floor and took both of her hands in his. He pulled them back and forth with his hands making her body sway along with the fast beat of the music. His own feet were moving to the music as he maneuvered them into the group. Kyoko tried to move with him but was looking stiff. She was trying too hard. He took a grip of her right hand and spun her around making her laugh and smile brightly at him. Kuon bit back a groan seeing her spin and that little skirt lifted revealing a little too much to the public. He quickly pulled her in, bringing her hand up to his shoulder and allowing his to drop down to her hips.
~#~#~#~#~
Taira was on his fourth beer and watched them leave their table and head to the dance floor. There ya go, man. It's not him. He would never go dancing no matter how badly he wanted to get laid. He swallowed a mouthful of beer as he watched them start to move. As much as he tried to keep his sight on the man he thought was Cain, they kept darting over to the girl. She was sinfully cute. Timidly following her partner to the floor and awkwardly trying to dance to the upbeat music. "Cain" was forcing her little body to move to his rhythm and then spun her around causing her whole face to light up in laughter.
That is where the sinful part came in. That dress was either made for dancing or should have never stepped near a dance floor because when she spun around, the skirt lifted revealing smooth toned thighs and the sexiest little lace panties he had ever seen covering a sweet little ass. The girl was pulled into the taller man's arms who practically started to maul her right there on the floor. His arms held her close as his hands slid over her hips, up her back and then roamed back down as they danced. Taira slammed his beer bottle down with too much force as those hands cupped her ass for a split second.
Taira twisted around to concentrate on his evening and forced himself not to look back. Why is this bothering me? It's not like it matters who he tricks into bed. He took another drink and tried to listen to his group. They were looking all-around at the various girls in the area. None of them were courageous enough to ask a girl to dance. They talked about each one that looked good but was too afraid of the language barrier. They teased and dared each other to step out of their comfort zone for a while until his eyes caught the flash of blue and orange.
He snapped to attention as the girl in question stepped up to the bar and looked around for the bartender. He jerked his head to the side and saw "Cain" at their table talking to the server about their tab. The girl was waiting for service but looked too timid to try and call for help.
"Fuck it," he said out loud. The two he was with looked at him and followed his gaze at the chosen girl.
"Dude, she is cute. When did she come in?"
Taira drank down the last of the current bottle in his hand and slammed it down. "A while, I'll be back."
"Yeah, maybe tomorrow morning," The two joked with knowing grins. Taira ignored them and started to walk through the crowd. "Don't be late for work!" They called out to him and he shook his head. This was not about getting a girl, but solving a mystery.
He locked on the girl as he moved through the crowd. The closer he came the more attractive she was. She was young with a cute face. She looked Japanese and he hoped his assumption was correct and he could talk to her. She lifted herself to the tips of her toes to try and lean over the bar and get someone's attention and it showed off the natural muscle on her bare legs. His eyes ran up her body and saw that she was sweating and the sleeves of her dress had fallen from her delicate shoulders. The line from her shoulder up to her neck was all soft graceful curves. Damn, Cain knows how to pick them.
"Hi," he greeted her and it took her a moment to realize that he was talking to her. The girl blinked bright golden-brown eyes at him. She was even prettier face to face but then something happened. Her eyes went wide and she started to get nervous.
She licked her lips and he was drawn to the soft pink color of them. "Um, hello," she greeted hesitantly and gave him a little head bow.
Yes! Japanese. Win!
"What's your name?" He asked her and her eyes darted to him, behind her, and back to the bar hoping someone would come. She didn't answer right away, and he pushed a little harder to try to get her to talk. "I was just curious about you. I saw you earlier and thought that you were someone I'd like to meet. I'm Taira Murasame," he introduced himself and her cheeks flushed slightly.
Damn, she is fucking cute!
Kyoko was panicking! Like every single cell in her body was screaming for her to stop, run, hit him, ANYTHING! But she couldn't. She wasn't supposed to know who this man is. She wasn't even supposed to be here but in nice and safe Japan without the threat of exposing every little secret because this seemingly innocent man was trying to pick up a girl! Then there was the fact that they were both actors working in the same city. If she ever worked with him in the future, how could she ever explain how rude she was to him.
She glanced behind her and her eyes darted around the room. She saw Kuon standing angrily in the distance watching them. He started to approach, and she subtly shook her head at him. If he approaches her, their cover will be blown. They can't have that. Even if this man doesn't recognize her, he would recognize Cain. He was simply too unique of a person. Suddenly fear shot through her. He doesn't recognize me, right? He doesn't know that I'm Setsuka, right?! Oh, God. We should have stayed at the hotel!
"Kyoko," she finally answered, figuring honesty was best. Right now, she was herself, and Kyoko did not know who Taira Murasame was. Best to lay down a friendly but limited introduction and get out as quickly as possible.
Tiara smiled his best smile at her trying to get her guard down. "It's nice to meet you. Are you here on vacation or something?"
She shook her head. "Business."
"Oh, me too. What do you do?"
Kyoko wanted to sigh and snap at him. Setsuka was already snarling at him in her head. What should she say that won't reveal everything and yet won't get her in trouble later? "I came here with a make-up artist to help with a job. Just for a few days."
There. That was honest. Her eyes glanced into the room around them, and Taira knew who she was looking for. He looked around too because if he caught sight of the man while flirting with his girl, that would be a sure-fire way of finding out if it was Cain. He had been on the tail end of that hostile gaze enough to recognize it instantly. However, he had trouble locating him in the crowd and didn't want to lose this chance.
"I'm an actor. Filming a new horror film. Do you like horror movies?" He continued to chat her up, and she shook her head.
"No," she quickly stated. Normally he would get the hint and back off. She wasn't interested. If that was all there was to it, then he would have, so he cut to the chase as easily as he could.
"I would love to talk to you more. Maybe we can get a table together and talk? Are you with someone?"
"Ah yes. I am, so I couldn't possibly," she said, almost sounding relieved.
"Oh yeah? A co-worker?" He prompted and could see her struggle to answer. He was being a bit of an ass only because he knew exactly why she was on pins and needles. She bit her lip and he wanted to reach out and touch her, but even if he was trying to pick her up, that would be the wrong move. Her eyes looked to something beyond him and then dropped back down. Her stressing over this was making him feel like shit. It was obvious this girl was innocent and had nothing to do with his problems. Not to mention, there was no sign of the man in question. He casually turned to lean against the bar and looked where she did. His eyes moved over each face looking for Cain. Nothing… The mystery in his mind started to lean towards the guy being Cain because of this, and that asshat just dumped her all because he approached.
He decided to give her a break when she said nothing. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." He hung his head and turned around to lean over the bar. "Aw man, am I really not your type?" He played up his disappointment.
"I'm very sorry," she declared with a little bow and flushed cheeks.
Ah damn, she is too sweet. Fuck, why is she with him? He is totally playing her. He smiled at her and then knocked loudly at the bar. He leaned over and whistled to the bartender who promptly came over. "She needs a drink," Tiara told him and he frowned.
"Sorry. Japanese no good. English?" The man asked hopefully.
"The woman would like a drink," Tiara said in careful English and then turned to walk away but then hesitated when he heard her speak.
"Ah sorry. I don't need anything anymore. Excuse me."
He frowned and twisted back around only to watch her rush off. His eyes followed her as his mind whirled in thought. Her voice echoed through his head as she disappeared into the crowd.
The accent, the way she said her words in perfect enunciation.
"No fucking way…" he said out loud.