"CUT!"
Shin stomped onto set.
"Misako! How difficult is it for you to get this simple thing right?!"
Misako glared at him but stayed silent.
"Again. From the top. And get it right this time!"
The Princess and a group of rebels were cornered. She glanced around, looking for an opportunity and spotted a possible one.
"On my signal. Run."
She watched the Queens men advance, danger in their eyes.
"This is going to be fun. The Majesty wants you dead but she didn't say we couldn't have a little fun first."
She swallowed roughly and eyed the rookie on her right. Small, obviously new at this and her opening.
"NOW!"
She burst forth, knocking the rookie on his arse, creating an opening for them to run.
She stumbled as she ran but was saved by one of the rebels grabbing the back of her tunic and pulling her along til she regained her footing.
They ran, pursued by the Queens men, down small alleys and round tight corners. They just had to make it across the square to reach the entrance to the tunnels.
As they raced across the square, the Princess was suddenly shoved to the side and she landed roughly on the ground. She looked back and saw one of the rebels clutching an arrow in their chest.
She tried to go back, to help, but the other rebels had grabbed her and were pulling her towards the tunnels, to safety. She met the gaze of the valiant woman who had just saved her life. She was witness to the womans final words.
'Free us all.'
And then they were gone. The Queens men surrounded the dying rebel and the remaining dove into the tunnels and vanished.
"CUT!" Perfect. Just a quick check then we'll move on."
The actors milled around while Kyoko was given a once over. Misako had pushed her harder than necessary. Director Shin came back over as she was given the all clear.
"It's good. We're moving on."
He signalled to two security guards waiting on the side.
"Misako-san is done. Please escort her to her dressing room. Ensure she leaves all studio property here before you escort her permanently off the premises."
They bowed and escorted a screaming Misako away.
Kyoko breathed a sigh of relief. One less thing to worry about now.
Ren slid up behind her and kissed her on the top of the head.
"Good day at the magazine?" she asked.
"Good enough. How are things on set?"
"Well we actually got a lot done before it came time for her scene. 18 takes! 18! In a few of them she caught the arrow, perhaps hoping Shin would put her back in."
Ren snorted.
Shins voice boomed out.
"Everyone take 10 while we set up for the next scene."
Kyoko took Rens hand and they went over to join their managers. Ryu had taken up a seat outside Kyokos dressing room so that there could be no more surprises. As they drew closer Ryu informed Kyoko that Julie was attempting to blow up her phone. At that moment Ryus phone pinged. It was Julie, texting her again.
"When she couldn't get hold of you she started phoning me. And texting me. I informed her that you were filming and I would have you phone her back when you had time. Apparently shes a little impatient."
Kyoko ducked into her dressing room and grabbed her phone. She had 21 texts and 9 missed calls from Julie.
"I'll phone her back quickly."
It had barely even rang when Julie picked up.
"Kyoko-chan! Are you okay?"
"Yes Julie. I was filming."
"With that awful woman?"
"Yes Julie."
"Is she gone?"
"Yes Julie."
Ren stuck his head round the door and began shaking with laughter.
"Kyoko?"
"I'm sorry I got distracted. What was that?"
"By my son?"
"Yes Julie."
Said son was now stood in the doorway completely, pulling faces at Kyoko.
"Have dinner with me tonight Kyoko-chan?"
On autopilot Kyoko replied "Yes Julie".
Julies squeal of delight brought Kyoko back.
"Wait. What?"
"Oh yay! I'll send all the details to Ryu-san and I'll see you later!"
She hung up before Kyoko could say anything else. She just stared at her phone.
"Kyoko whats wrong?" Ren asked from the doorway.
"I apparently just agreed to having dinner with Julie tonight."
Ren started laughing.
"You just replied on auto pilot didn't you?"
"You were distracting me, making faces."
"Well you can't back out. It'll upset her terribly."
Kyoko sighed.
"Ryu-san?"
"Dinner is at 8 at a restaurant downtown. Dress is smart casual."
She thanked Ryu who smiled before turning back to her phone.
Ren was still laughing until Yashiro stuck his head round the door.
"Ren. Kuu-san phoned. You're having dinner tonight with him at some all you can eat place."
That stopped him laughing. Now it was Kyokos turn.
Yashiro shrugged off Rens query of why.
"Do I have a choice?"
"Not really."
Ren smacked his head against the door, mumbling curses and something that sounded like 'urgh my parents'.
Kyoko was still chuckling when Shin called them back.
Later that evening Kyoko stood in front of a mirror in a dark blue off the shoulder top, black trousers and an adorable pair of boots.
Ren was in jeans, t-shirt and shirt.
When she walked into the living room he bent down to give her a kiss but she took a step back. At his confused look she pointed to her face and simply stated,
"Lipstick."
"Don't care."
"If we kiss you'll be wearing it to."
He shrugged. He took another step towards her and she took another back. She dashed into the kitchen, Ren following, as she tried to put the counter between them.
"Ren, you can't go out wearing my lipstick."
"But I want a kiss."
He started edging around the counter. She fled back into the front room, laughing. Ren managed to snag her and he span her around before kissing her thoroughly. She really got into it before 'Lipstick' flashed across her mind.
"Ren stop."
He instantly released her.
"Ah! See! I'm now pretty sure that you are wearing more of my lipstick than I am!"
"You're cute when you pout."
He pulled her to his side and snapped a picture. She was right. He did have a lot of lipstick on. She whacked him on the arm and stormed off to her bathroom to sort it out. Ren was still laughing when he opened to the door to Yashiro and Ryu.
Who stared at him, causing him to laugh harder.
Kyoko came back out, glaring at him.
"Yashiro-san. I think you should make him leave it."
"It's very tempting."
She gave Ren a small peck on the cheek before leaving with Ryu. In the car Ryus curiosity won out and she had to know, so she asked and Kyoko explained.
"I don't think I'll be telling Julie. Do you know what she wants?"
Ryu shook her head.
"Even if you did know would you tell me?"
Ryu just winked and shook her head again.
As they pulled up Ryu gave her usual speech of text when you're ready and didn't drive off til Kyoko and her guards where inside.
Kyoko was led to a small private room in which Julie waited.
"Kyoko-chan!"
Kyoko smiled.
"Hello Julie."
They made small talk and it was comfortable until halfway through dinner and Kyoko almost choked on her hamburger steak when Julie asked,
"Do you know a Mogami Saena? Is she a relation?"
Sipping water to clear her throat she nodded.
"Mogami Saena is my mother."
At the look on Kyokos face, Julie pursed her lips and made a hmm noise.
Kyoko told Julie the tale of her mother. The abandonment, the meeting. Julies heart broke for her. Kyoko had said it all in such a flat monotone.
"And your father?"
"I… I don't know who he is. Mother always told me he never wanted me."
"Kyoko, you know that that is quite possibly a lie, right?"
"Huh?"
"From what you've told me she was angry at him. So angry. And you said she didn't even know for a while. Its possible he doesnt even know you exist and she was telling you all this so you would hate him to. To hurt him."
Kyoko pushed food around her plate as she thought about it.
"Then why didn't he try?"
"She may have threatened him. Maybe through these Fuwas. Or lied to them so they would have animosity against him to. She would want to turn you against him."
Kyoko was struggling with this information. Truth be told she'd never given it much thought, even after meeting her mother. He'd never been in her life.
"Julie-san. I'm sorry. But I would like to go home."
She looked so sad she didn't even have the heart to berate her for the honorific. She simply held her til Ryu came to get her.
Once Kyoko was safely in the car, Ryu turned to Julie.
"Is she okay?"
"I think I may have dredged up something bad. She told me about her parents. Or vaguely, she has no idea who her father is. I explained that he might not even know she exists. I think that and all the implications with it are currently rattling around her head."
"Oh."
"I do hope I haven't upset her."
They were disturbed by the whirring of the car window.
"Julie?"
"Yes Kyoko? How are you?"
"Still processing but something occurred to me."
"Yes?"
"Why did you invite me to dinner?"
"Oh. Oh! I convinced Shin to let me do the clothes line and use you and Ren as my models!"
Julie was so excited Kyoko couldn't help but smile.
Ryu slid into the car.
"I look forward to working with you Julie. Can I tell Ren?"
"Yes of course! Thank you for coming to dinner with me. I hope I haven't upset you."
"It's okay. I'm not upset. Just a lot to think about."
"I understand. I'll talk to you later?"
Kyoko nodded and pushed the window back up. Julie waved them off.
When Kyoko walked back into the apartment, she had to smile at Ren on the sofa, one arm over his eyes, the other on his stomach.
She knelt next to him and brushed a hand over his forehead.
"Are you okay?"
"My father is a gluttonous, bottomless monster. He made me eat so much food but he easily ate 3 times what I did. Just thinking about it makes my stomach hurt."
He tilted his head to her.
"Whats wrong?"
She told him about her evening with Julie.
"Do you think he even knows I exist?"
"I don't think so. I don't think your mother would have told him, even after she knew. I think she would have lied to him, you and others so that if he ever did find out you'd hate him."
"Why?"
"Anger? Sadness? We may never know. What he did to her was horrible but that gives her no right to treat you the way she does."
He took her hand.
"I think if he knew you know he'd be so proud of the strong woman you are."
She kissed him.
"Thank you."
She ran her hand through his hair.
"Also… your mother talked Shin into the clothing line. She also convinced him to loan us out as the models."
Ren groaned again.
"That woman. Nightmare."
Kyoko laughed and Ren was lad to see some of the darkness in her eyes disappear.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded, then shook her head.
"Honestly? I don't know. I'm going to bed. Sleep on it."
"If you're sure."
She nodded and kissed him goodnight.
As he lay on the sofa cursing Kuu for the food, his thoughts moved to Saena. He spent a good 20 minutes cursing her. Then thanked her for Kyoko. Then went right back to cursing her.
