Just a warning I am Dyslexic so my stories will not be perfect.
Hello!
I just want to take a moment to answer a guest review
I couldn't answer you in a PM so thank you very much for catching my mistake with the names, blame the late night and very little sleep I had the night before!
I've already corrected it as soon as I read your review.
As with the question behind the names and why Shona is not using her ex husbands name
I believe after her ex husband left her with two children and no thought or care for them for another woman, that she would very likely not want to be associated with his name and honestly I'm quite sure neither would the children either.
When Yashiro is introducing his sister and her children his giving her maiden name is his way of slighting the man who threw them away, but also shows how deep he loves his sister in the fact she will always be his family no matter what her name might read on a piece of paper. There also might me a deeper meaning behind all of it but I will not spoil the story by saying anything more now.
As for a beta reader I have only just returned after an almost 4 year hiatus, i did have a beta reader but sadly she is now unable to aid me as she has a life and work to contend with, so I am currently looking for a new one but in the same sense as the tango needs two partners that can work together in harmony I need a beta reader that can handle my quirks and style so it may take a little time but I will get there :)
Neheigh xxx
I do not own Skip Beat.
Just wing it.
"Now first of all, we will learn the basic steps. Aoi, Masaru if you would please." Nodding their acceptance the two children came together before everyone in the basic hold.
"Now the basic hold is the most important part of the tango, it can be close" at her words the children moved closer together adjusting their body's accordingly "or it can be a loose" again the movement back to the original position. Kyoko nodded as she watch how they held each other and also there footwork after seeing how confident Shona was that learning to dance would work she was going to put everything she had into it.
"Now slowly." Shona said as she picked up the music player selected a track and hit play.
Heaven, I'm in heaven,
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
And I seem to find the happiness I seek
When we're out together dancing, cheek to cheek
It wasn't as fast as Shona and Yashiro's dance allowing everyone watching to see exactly how the steps worked how the bodies and the holds change and as they went through the dance step by step. They went through the dance in the same way twice and on the second time around it was Kanae who spoke out first.
"That move was different from the first time?" She commented as shona just nodded "remember the tango is spontaneous even though people do make full routines and choreograph it but I prefer to start with the basics and then allow my dancers to find their own tango because only the dancers with their partners can lose themselves in the music and one another." Kanae nodded finally understanding what Shona had said by making Kyoko lose herself, she wanted Kyoko to lose herself in the music, to lose her own pre-configured notion of how she should move and simply move as her feelings and emotions literally moved her.
"The reason I said your characters would not work Mogami-san is not because they are not as you say sensual and sexy, because I have seen your Natsu and I know for a fact that she could easily seduce any number of men but at the same time she is still you, she is still grounded in your reality. Now Yuki you're with Kyoko, Ren-san you will dance with Kotonami-san and Amamiya-san you will partner Masaru." when no one but her children and Yashiro moved Shona looked at them all sternly "Certainly you are not all above learning a new skill are we? partner up we are on a time scheduled here people."
That was it the challenged actors and actresses new a director's command when given standing in a line as prompted partnered as she had said she went down the line correcting people's holds before standing back. "That is the loose hold... feel it... remember it not only with your body but with your mind." and that was it Shona was off talking them through every step every foot placement and movement of head and neck, she taught them how to move seamlessly from movement to movement, foot step to slide and by the end of three hours Shona was happy to tell them all that they were the fastest students she had ever had the honor of teaching.
Allowing them a break whilst Ren ordered in food and drinks for them all, they all talked like old friends, the children now not feeling so awed around the celebrities after both Aoi and Masaru had touched them in many area's of their body's adjusting holds pushing back feet and assisting them to find their balance in the music we're simply thrilled when all the Love Me girls also took pictures with them and signed the autograph books Shona admitted she had let them bring just encase they happened to bump into anyone willing to sign for them.
In a whisper to Ren she admitted both were finding it a little daunting in their new school and thought they had both made new friends, there would always be the fact the other children had already made friends first. So this would be a big boost in their popularity she supposed, Ren smiled and watched as Aoi showed Kyoko how she had loaded the picture of them together onto her facebook page and Kyoko was simply amazed that she could do that so quickly which led the girls onto the conversation of didn't Kyoko have facebook? what about instagram? or snapchat?
When Kyoko shook her head to the complete negative Aoi looked gobsmacked as she was off explaining all about it all. Kanae listened in adding a few words here or there but admitting she simply didn't want the hassle of social media as such as it could cause so many problems. Chiori admitted she did have facebook and also twitter but simply only so she could keep in touch with old school friends and such she actually used an old school nickname instead of her actual name so she wouldn't have people looking her up and always made sure her security was as high as she could get it so random people couldn't see her pictures or anything.
Masaru was speaking with his uncle about a project he was doing with his social media club and Ren couldn't help but feel calmer than he had in a while, he was with Kyoko and his friends plus making new friends and it was such a calming atmosphere. he was a little upset the Yashiro was getting to dance with Kyoko, but it made sense him being the more knowledgeable dancer and she being on the biggest time restraints and he had to be fair to Kanae she had been a wonderful partner so far if she was a little sharp he just understood from what he knew of her that this was simply Kanae's normal behavior the only person or people Kanae was truly free around was Kyoko and Chiori it seemed and even still she had her ways... but he could understand now how Kyoko had once told him that she just loved Kanae for being Kanae, there was no falsities no wandering around Kanae she told you what she thought and that was that and Ren admired her for it.
"I can't believe you have never even heard of facebook!" Aoi said once more as Kyoko just smiled "Don't your friends at school have it?" she saw the slight flinch on Kyoko's face as did Chiori and Kanae who listened carefully now to her reply. "I don't actually have any friends at my school, I go to a special school for entertainers and I started really late so...and well because it's entertainers and celebrities all most well known, we only go when we are able too and do the rest of the work at home or in our free time when shooting or on tours so I don't really see the same people all the time." Kyoko had never really spoken much about her school life to the other Love Me girls and if they were both being honest they just expected for people to like Kyoko... everyone did.. it was like moths to a candle she just seemed to attract people.
"That's really sad." Aoi said as she looked at Kyoko fully "I suppose being a famous celebrity isn't always easy, but still everyone needs friends." Kyoko smiled widened "I do have friends, I have Moko-san and Chiori-san... also Tsuruga-san and then of course your uncle Yashiro-san and Maria-chan she's the president's granddaughter." to everyone else that seemed like such a pitiful list as Aoi being rather a brave young lady touched Kyoko's hand softly. "Me... I would like to be your friend too Mogami-san and I'm sure Masaru would too and mom." Kyoko could feel the love in her words and even though she never felt lacking in friends it was nice to have someone actually ask to be her friend, this wasn't someone that she had, had to chase like Moko-san, or someone she had to break through her outer shell like Chiori-san, this was someone with her heart on her sleeve offering Kyoko friendship and she couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by it.
"well if we are to be friends you can call me Kyoko." Aoi smiled at her before replying "and you may call me Aoi" Ren and Shona both listened as the rest of the love me girls offered their names for usage by the young girl and how she returned the sentiment. "Or maybe my children will be good for our little angel instead." she said to no one but Ren knew he was supposed to hear it. "Yuki has told me a bit about Kyoko, he told me things that as a mother I would wish to grab her hold her and never let her out in the world alone again... and yet she is so strong, she is herself and makes the best of what little or whatever she has." Ren nodded as he watched all the love me girls even Kanae giggled as Aoi showed them something on her phone.
"She's an amazing person that's for sure." Ren answered as Shona smiled devilishly " an amazing woman you are head over heels in love with we might add." it was for his ears only she said it as Ren almost choked on the water he had just drank at her words the rest of the room looked up worried as Shona patted Ren's back assuring everyone he was fine as they went back to their private conversations "How did you! How..." Shona chuckled as Ren attempted to splutter out his question. "Do you forget who my brother is? No fear I would never mention it outside of his or your own company, but even if he hadn't mentioned it in passing I could see it."
Ren was about to ask more when the studio door suddenly flew open admitting no-one other than Takarada Lory who was smiling like a clown.
"SHONA" he cried in a booming voice as Shona stood laughing "Lory you old dog you!" everyone was rather shocked when Shona actually hugged the president "Still not willing to let me sign you on" Lory asked as Shona shook her head laughing "No, still no flying pigs Lory" Lory chuckled at what everyone presumed was an inside joke as Lory called forwards the staff he had pilfered to help carry all the food Ren had ordered, it had arrived early meaning Yashiro and Ren had not been there to receive it, ultimately leading Lory to check the studio logs and find where Yashiro had booked out studio B2 for the next two days after hearing the gossip off his receptionists about him bringing his sister and two children into the building for a project.
Everyone was completely amazed at how Shona handled Lory she explained exactly what was going on and how she would be fixing Kyoko's problem and had also roped the rest of them in to her dance lesson's which caused Lory to chuckle as he shared their meal with them before telling Shona he would leave it all in her more than capable hands and maybe the kids would like a tour of the building sometime and to not be a stranger.
"He must really trust you not to have asked to stay to watch." Ren said as Shona laughed her bell like laugh filling the room once more. "Oh Lory knows not too, he learnt that lesson a while ago." It was Yashiro who finally managed to choke out. "I never knew you knew the president!" he almost screamed out still in shock as Shona grinned "can you remember when I won my first individual title." Yashiro nodded of course he did, his parents had been so proud "can you remember the lady who approached me and set up meetings and such at our home?" again he nodded, Yashiro had been busy back the with his exams and hadn't really paid attention to it all much it was during a stage he was rebelling from the sissy ballroom dancing.
"That lady was Takarada Jun. she wanted to sign me up as a talent saying at that time they needed dancers and I would be perfect, well mom and dad were not too pleased saying I needed to finish my schooling first which Jun-san completely understood... but she still introduced me to so many people and allowed me to look into the life at LME that it became something I once was striving for... then when I finally did look like it was a possibility I had already meet my ex husband and he refused to let me enter LME saying it was completely stupid and my talent wasn't something that would last in the entertainment industry anyway (Yashiro looked enraged as Shona smiled knowingly at him.) Don't look at me like that Yashiro.. I'm grateful for my struggle because without it I wouldn't have stumbled across my strength." Shona gestured to Aoi and Masaru "They are my strength Yashiro and no matter what the minute I thought of giving up and just allowing his behaviour to continue was the times I looked back at the reason I was holding on... I may be a little broken Yashiro... but the last time I checked a broken crayon still colours the same."
No one spoke as Yashiro's anger drained from his face "You're a lot stronger than I could ever be Nee-san." Yashiro said smiling as Shona chuckled "Not really life is inherently risky. There is only one big risk you should avoid at all costs, and that is the risk of doing nothing! So let's get on with it shall we!" as the pairs joined up again everyone couldn't help but smile as Chiori spoke out quietly, but in a stage way all actors and actresses learnt
"She made broken look beautiful
and strong look invincible. She walked with the Universe on her shoulders and made it look like a pair of wings."Everyone continued on as they had before the break and no one mentioned if they did notice the happy tears in Shona's eyes.
"No! No! No! STOP! STOP!" Shona cried they had been at it another two hours and were now moving on to dancing together with their partners, normally shona had said this would take months and even years of preparation normally for dancers to go from choreographed too improvisation, much like actors and actresses learning to add lib.
"Kyoko you are still too wooden!" the more Shona got into her teaching role the more open she was about speaking out Ren had noticed as suddenly she went from very well mannered to names without honorifics which he had to admit was nice to hear at one point Yashiro had even glared at her for something she had said only to be told to hush up and for him to try living in the USA for 4 years.
Kyoko you need to flow more you need to move with Yuki, at the moment it looks more like he is dragging driftwood around!" Kyoko's seated friends cringed slightly as they saw Kyoko's defeated look, it was Aoi who was the first to raise a suggestion.
"Why don't you try her dancing with Ren-san?"Aoi asked thrilled that she was able to call him thus after he had simply said in Yashiro's hearing that one Yashiro was plenty enough for him to cope with so would she mind being called by her name and she could do the same of course.
"I can understand how dancing with someone like uncle Yuki could be intimidating he knows all the steps and the motions so Kyoko is looking at his body at his feet trying to match him, if she is partnered with Ren-san maybe knowing that he also does not know what he is doing would lead to a more relaxed body and mind." Shona looked at her daughter for a few moments he face unreadable before it broke into a wide grin.
"Out of the mouth of babes, comes true wisdom. Ren get up here and swap with Yuki." Ren didn't have to be asked twice and even ignored the big thumbs up Yashiro gave him, Kyoko's heart was thudding so hard she was amazed everyone present in the room couldn't hear it as Kanae mouthed the words 'Breathe Kyoko' at her as ren's hands settled loosely around her in the in the loose hold she did as Kanae said inhaling deeply, before looking into Ren's eyes and instantly losing herself within them at the passion on display there.
"And begin!" Shona cried as Ren began to lead Kyoko in the steps Shona had been drilling them in.
Roxanne you don't have to put on the red light
Those days are over you don't have to sell your body to the night
To begin with Kyoko found that if she simply moved as her body remembered she would be hampered by Ren's longer legs and Ren being used to Kanae almost kicked Kyoko over with his first sliding toe, but at a swift and sharp 'keep going!' from Shona Ren slowly moderated his steps to fit Kyoko's height while Kyoko worked on making her steps slightly larger as to fit the taller man she was now dancing with.
Roxanne you don't have to wear that dress tonight
Walk the streets for money you don't care if it's wrong or if it's right
When it came to the spin they were both completely hopeless as ren spun Kyoko out rather strongly her smaller lighter body flying from him as she tried to steady the speed but at the same time ren tried to right the wrong he had done overstepping himself getting his feet tangled and ending up floor bound with Kyoko in his arms.
"Enough!..." Shona cried "Enough... that's enough for today I think" Shona said rubbing her temples as she looked down at the fallen couple trying to untangle themselves off the floor while also checking that neither of them were unhurt.
"We will be back here tomorrow 9am sharp." Shona said as Yashiro stepped forwards
"We can't tomorrow Shona Ren has 2 taping and a talk show to do." Shona simply looked at him "Then cancel it you will be here at 9am tomorrow morning." Yashiro almost paled under his sisters commanding stare "But we can't just cancel it Shonny" Yashiro said trying his sister's childhood nickname on her to try and alleviate her ire which didn't work in the slightest.
"Not to worry my wonderful children, Daddy has already sorted it all out for you!" Lory cried as he again entered the room grandly "The new information will be in your email box Yashiro-san, so here tomorrow bright and early for practice." no one argued, thought Lory supposed they were all too tired to do so anyway as they began filing out of the room, Kyoko began gathering up the wings and equipment she had brought down with her when Lory called his aid sebastian forwards.
"Don't worry Mogami-san we will store them in one of the safes down here until tomorrow for you, Kotonami-san, Chiroi-san if you can kindly grab Mogami-san's belongings for her and meet her in the lobby I have arranged for a car to take you all home this evening. He saw the slight disappointment in Ren's eyes but they all recognised a dismissal as Kyoko helped sebastian carefully lock up the wings. Before bowing to the president and Shona the only two left in the studio after Yashiro had taken his niece and nephew.
It was just as she was leaving Shona called her "Kyoko-san." Kyoko turned pivoting on one foot as she had been taught all those years ago without thought which Shona didn't fail to notice "You did very well today Kyoko and I assure you know hand on heart that I will have you ready for your role." Even though Kyoko had been more than disheartened by the dismal attempts to dance with Yashiro and then the completely catastrophic dance with Ren, she couldn't help but hope Shona could do as she was promising... could she really make a dancer out of her in just 2 more days? Could she really learn to lose control of her body to gain control of her wings?... she really hoped so thanking Shona for her kind words she bowed once more before leaving the two alone.
"And?" Lory asked as Shona simply smiled at him "I'm going to throw that girl to the wolves." Shona said as Lory looked at her almost shocked "And that girl's going to come back the leader of the pack and Ren is going to be right beside her." Lory smiled brightly as Sebastian appeared once more two champagne flutes and a bottle of fine champagne uncorking the bottle he poured them both a glass then one for himself on the little table they had used to eat there food on at Lory's nod.
"To our golden girls first flight!" Lory said as they clinked their glasses together in a toast.
"May she forever fly free" Shona replied as they all drank a few sips before Shona sighed
"Oh well I better be off the kids will wonder where I've got too, oh and Lory" Lory looked up at her and Shona smiled "Thank you again for looking after Yuki" it was Lory who smiled than "It was my pleasure Shona and honestly I don't know what we would have done without him. He was a little lost at first after you left but I think being Ren's manager has helped him a lot" Shona smiled and grabbed her bag off the back of one of the chairs.
"Shona?" Lory called her once more as she was just about to walk out of the door.
"Did you ever tell him the truth?" Lory watched as Shona's face dropped slightly "he will never need to know Lory" and with that she was gone as Lory sighed swilling his champagne around his glass "no he doesn't need to know, but you need to tell him dear girl." with that Lory shot back the remaining contents and left the studio Sebastian following.
Hope you enjoyed it so far
The quote Chiori used is by Ariana Dancu
Neh xxx
Comments and reviews please, I will happily reply to PM's and questions.