Just a warning I am Dyslexic so my stories will not be perfect.
I do not own Skip Beat.
Just wing it.
Even though they were all tired after they had, had none of thel slept upon returning home Shona instantly got out her address book and started making calls while the children went to their shared room and chatted to each other about that day and how great it had been and were also hounded on their social media about how they had gotten to meet such famous people, would they be able to get more autographs? Would they be able to take friends with them to meet the stars with them when they went back again? Being rather worldwise children neither Aoi or Masaru took much stock in how people fawned over them because of being in a situation they did have famous friends so answered the questions honestly and kindly explaining the situation and saying they would ask but they all had such busy lives and they were really lucky that they had been kind enough to let them spend time with them in the first place. So even though they enjoyed their little bit of fame both agreed it wasn't as much as a reward as being able to call them all friends.
Yashiro smiled as he opened up his closet, grabbing the stool he stood on it and brought down a large box, placing it on his bed he opened it up and smiled at all the VHS tapes he had neatly labeled inside. These were some of his best memories... home movies from when they had been little, video's of them dancing together. Home BBQ's with all the family together... the first ever time he and his parents had met Aoi and Masaru, of cause he had missed that as well Yashiro though a sour grin on his face as he decided to not think about the ass for now as he picked up the earliest labeled tape and popping it in the VHS player he kept for this purpose (and to watch some of his favourite older anime's if he was forced to admit it) Yashiro laughed, cried and simply enjoyed the times they had all spent together... it was just like old times again.
Kanae and Ren being surprisingly very like minded people headed straight to the internet, this wasn't something Kanae could learn from a book which she would read once and forever memorise. This was something that like other people she would have to study... would have to work hard at to achieve a result that she could be happy with and if this was helping Kyoko she would do as much as it took to reach that standard and as she watched video after video then took time to look at it Kanae was once again that day blown speechless as one of her brothers who just happened to be sneaking a peek through her window (it was the only way sometimes for them to even check if she was alive) noticed exactly what she was doing.
The knock at her door surprised her slightly as she paused the video talking about the finer aspects of the tango and walked over to the door. "Who is it?" she asked not willing to open the door if 7 brats were about to pounce on her. "It's Kenta." came the reply as Kanae slowly opened the door slightly just to check there wasn't any ninja like children present too. "Can I help you Nii-san?" she asked rather confused as why he would be knocking on her door normally they respected her privacy in her own room... well apart from the brats but even then there parents would tell them off and tell them to leave her alone she supposed.
"Actually it's how I can help you." This is how Kanae learnt that her older sister in law had once been a dancer, she had been good enough to go professional but after being push hard by her grandparents to be the best and forced by her parents into more and more show's longer and longer training she had lost her love for it finally giving up to her family's horror and the first time in a long time Kanae could be seen out in the garden while her siblings watched on and her nieces and nephews slept getting one to one tuition off her sister in law with her brother as her partner, they danced and laughed together till way after sun down lighting lights in the garden as Kanae learnt something very important about dancing and the tango... She really enjoyed it.
Ren wasn't as lucky he didn't have sibling's... he didn't even have another body to practice with so if anyone ever asked or saw what Ren was doing in his apartment that night as he held his long handle broom gently dancing around his lounge as he went back to his laptop on intervals to pause and replay parts of the video's he was learning from he would never admit to it... on pain of death Ren would never admit to dressing up his broom in one of his used shirts and imagining it was Kyoko... of cause he would never do that! But he did.
Chiori also went to the internet for more information, but she hadn't even opened a page when a knock came at her door. "Come in she called." expecting her mom with a cup of tea for her or something of the sort she was shocked when strong heavy hands settled down on her shoulders and Chiori's heart soared "Daddy!" she cried jumping up from her chair and hugging the man she hadn't seen in almost two months she always missed him when he went away on work for long periods of time but also understood he traveled so often so she could stay here in Japan with her mom and continue her acting career. So Chiori ended up in her family dining room telling her mother and her father all about everything she was currently doing, Chiori was a lot more forward with her mother these day's understanding that she too found it hard when her father left and that she too was also making a large sacrifice for her daughter in the loss of her husband so she would be happy.
It had also been Kyoko's admission about her own mother and their bad relationship that had urged her to make their relationship better than it had become, after seeing Kyoko's eyes when she had admitted she would have loved to have a mother to be as proud of her as Chiori's mom was that chiori had really realised just how lucky she really was. Chiori was amazed when her father offered to be her practice partner after she had told him of her current Love Me mission and although to begin with it had been rather embarrassing showing her parents the rather risque dance when they began helping her and simply accepted that this was something she was doing for not only her career but her friends she hugged them both soundly and simply told them just how much she loved them and even though she didn't say it nearly enough she hoped they knew this.
Kyoko wasn't quite as easy as her friends at using the internet, it wasn't something she would normally do, so looking down at her phone wondering where she could get some more information and help Kyoko simply hit a brick wall. She didn't really like using her phone for anything other than work... but she supposed this was work so after some furtive glances around as if someone would be jumping out of the wall to shout at her for using the internet without permission
Kyoko was introduced to the wonders of Youtube and if later after she had done lots of research on the tango no one would know if she looked up video's of Ren would they?
When the actor's actresses and manager entered studio 2b the next morning at 9am sharp they were shocked at just how many people were there with Shona, the children were there of cause it being the break at the moment but as well as that the hall had about another 7 men present who were all stretching and loosening up in dance practice clothes it seemed. Ren's heart clenched as Shona smiled at them all in welcome "Hello my little birdies, come in come in don't stand by the doorway we need to get started we have a busy day ahead of us." they all walked further into the room and one by one Shona introduced the men who all professionally bowed and acknowledged the stars as Shona introduced them.
"Now first things first, Clothes" Shona said as she pointed out two wheeled racks of clothing both containing a large amount of female clothing but also a selection of men's "Kyoko will you please use your dress you will be using in your roll please." Kyoko nodded even though her stomach clenched thinking about how much skin she would be showing off. The dress was just above knee high, collar necked with no shoulders and completely backless down to just above her bum all in preparation for the wings that would have covered about 80% of that when applied correctly, but just from the use of her first name only Kyoko new this was Shona in her teaching mode and was not to be argued with.
"The rest of you find something suitable off the racks please." with that she turned away to speak to one of the stretching dancers as they went off to do her bidding.
When they were all ready Shona approached them once more "Now we will be going through what we learnt yesterday so original partners please." and shona took them through the steps hands clapping to the position changes and if she was impressed with how well they danced her smile was all that showed it Though Yashiro complemented Kyoko immensely as she was almost step to step perfect, Ren and Kanae flowed better and Masaru complemented Chiori the best he could but ended up rather embarrassed and blushing when she smiled at him warmly.
"Well it seems we have been practicing." Shona said with a smile after an hour of what she had called basic drill's "Now we will grab a drink and then I wish to see how you dance together once more." The break was short but enough for the actor, actresses and the out of shape Yashiro as he had called himself to rest enough to have a regular breathing pattern, but not enough to cool down when Shona called them back to it.
This time she praised them all highly as the other dancers who had now gathered to watch made shona laugh when asking her if they were sure they had only started to learn the tango the day before and even though Shona had told Kyoko she was still too stiff and wooden they actually managed to get through the entire small piece of choreography music without Shona calling an NG.
It was when Ren and Kanae started dancing Kyoko's heart clenched, there dance was everything that a tango should be Kyoko thought as they moved in almost perfect unison almost like lovers... Kyoko thought "Well done both of you... but I think we know that you are not true partners, the tango is about emotion, not only getting the steps correctly." Kanae and Ren both nodded as Yashiro smiled at Kyoko's dum stuck face at his sister's worlds while Chiori and Masaru got ready to start their attempt.
"They were technically very good Kyoko, Shona wasn't knocking there dancing at all but I was missing that ... shall we say va va voom? It was missing the spark they could get it with practice I'm sure but they would only ever be technically perfect at this stage.. I suppose it's because they are only recently opening up to each other and becoming friends and they are also a lot alike in ways with how closed off they can be with other people." Kyoko thought about it for a while and wondered if she had ever seen this passion that Yashiro and Shona seemed to be looking for? Did it have to be the pulse racing, face reddening display he and Shona had given them the afternoon before? She honestly didn't know if she would ever be able to give that type of reaction with anyone... 'well maybe... NO! Do nopt think that way Kyoko! That is dangerous' Kyoko scaled her own thoughts as she snuck a peak at Ren who was smiling and nodding to something a slightly smiling Kanae had said.
It was Masaru and Chiori though who shocked them all the most, they all noticed the few words the two spoke as the little piece of choreography came to a close their dancing did not as Masaru expertly spun Chiori and they continued dancing and even though Chiori stood on Masaru's feet a few times or they almost banged into each other turning the incorrect ways the pure joy and laughter they had when they were doing it made it seem like the most wonderful moment in the world when they finally did almost trip over one another Shona clapped and laughed along with all the other dancers who chuckled and smiled like her friends did.
"Well done Chiori! Well done!" shona cried clapping as Chiori smiled widely back "My dad told me that even if i didn't know all the steps and everything that as long as I enjoyed myself it would be ok." Chiori admitted Shona smiled even wider "That is exactly what we are looking for Chiori if you don't enjoy the dance you will never truly understand the dance." Chiori nodded and she and Masaru joined them again at the chairs and table that had been set up today.
"Now I want you all to watch a video." and with that she picked up a remote laying on the table and turned it towards the stage the LME auditions where normally held on, as a large projector screen came down she opened up a laptop and and pressed play. Kyoko hardly new where to look as the music she had been dancing too, which Yashiro and shona had danced to blared out as a woman was passed from one man to another dancing, but it wasn't just dancing they had their hands all over her as they danced... this was so much more than just the tango Kyoko had seen but she forced herself to watch the film as her cheeks got redder and redder. As more scantily dressed woman and men joined in and danced together, she started to wonder how it would feel to dance the way they were dancing... how would it feel to be worshipped by a man the way they seemed to worship those women? And even though again she scolded her silly thoughts the idea was planted.
"That is El Tango De Roxanne from a film called Moulin Rouge, it is as you can see a very heated, hard hitting show of what the tango can be... but look at how they move... look at how she allows the men to lead her even when swapping between so many dancers her body is fluid open and entirely trusting of any of the men she is dancing with, even when the main dancer she starts with is rather harsh with her for show she is still passion and guilt itself.." Shona played it twice more as she spoke and pointed out parts of the dance that were meaningful to her words ignoring the scene in between that almost upset Kyoko more than the dancing itself did and when shona looked at them and asked for question's it wasn't only her it seemed.
"What type of film is that!" Kanae stated almost as shocked as Kyoko, Shona again only laughed as they looked at her. "Oh my dear little birds that is an amazing film of true love and passion, don't worry the main actress if never actually harmed in the story... though she does die just as she gets her happily ever after... no more questions? No? Ok onto the next then." Playing a few more video's these more decent than the first Shona showed them how films had used the tango and what types of Tango, Take the lead, Step up 2, Scent of a woman and with each showcase they stared in wonder at the dancers and followed every movement, every mark (they were in the entertainment industry after all and none of them were part of LME for nothing, if asked Lory would have easily told you that in that room where some of his most talented and motivated children.)
"Now Kyoko come here please." Kyoko did as asked as the other dancer at Shona's request came forward also "Now Kyoko last night i was wondering if perhaps my dear daughter was correct and maybe it was simply because we had not found the correct partner for you so as you can see I brought a few lone wolves along for you to choose from." If shona had ever doubted someone could get a full body blush, she didn't doubt it anymore as Kyoko squeaked out "Shona-san! I couldn't." but this was not a backing down point for Shona and full part of her plan as she turned Kyoko towards the men who smile kindly and waited.
"You can and you will missie if you want to keep your job." at her words she felt Kyoko take a long deep breathe... she wanted this job... Kyoko thought to herself as she stepped forwards. It was instantaneous as the first dancer stepped forwards engaging her in a loose hold "dance with me" where his only words as he slowly started the steps Kyko already new as she had done them so many times since the day before, it wasn't until the third dancer that she actually started to enjoy the dancing and it was his words that did it. "Don dance for Shona... don't dance for whatever role it is you are trying to crack dance because you enjoy it Kyoko-chan... dance from the heart." and in that moment she realised she had been too caught up in what she was doing this for, it was hard not to be as she moved from dancer to dancer and they all danced with her even the first two danced with her for a second time as she relaxed more into the rhythm.. But still there was none of what did Yashiro call it? Va Va Boom? No spark but as Shona got the other two Love me girls involved and she herself grabbed Ren to dance Aoi changed the music to something knew and told them all to just go with it.
Yes it wasn't pretty... and yes toe's got trodden on, arm's backs and bums got bumped as they dance around with each other but they enjoyed themselves and as they dance together Kyoko realised just how much fun dancing was when you stopped thinking and just did it, she had never danced before not like this and as one of the dancers spun her off to another dancer it didn't matter that it was Chiori who grabbed her into a loose hand smiling and took over the lead role as Kyoko laughed freely at her friends antics.
At some point Yashiro,Aoi and Masaru were dragged in to dance too and when Yashiro and Kanae impressed them all with how well they danced together Kyoko was shocked when Shona and Ren both let out ear splitting wolf whistles Kyoko too laughed at the way they both blushed, but it was fun and it was freeing even if it wasn't strictly Tango.
Shona called a halt when servers entered carrying dinner that Lory had put on for everyone and once again just in larger numbers they all sat around together talking, questioning and simply enjoying the company of other talented people in different ways and if a few of the younger single men did look at the actresses or actor for that matter appreciatively they were all 100% professional.
"It wasn't until after the lunch the nervousness Kyoko had started with returned as Shona stood before her once more this time holding out a black blindfold. "You want me to what?" Kyoko said slowly almost a whisper as Shona smiled encouragingly. "I want you to wear this when you dance." Shona said as she held out the blindfold to Kyoko who seemed unable to move as she stared at her looking completely terrified.
"Kyoko I'm going to be honest with you, you need to do this if we are ever going to get over this fear of yours as that what I think it is in some respect.. You seem scared of losing control... scared of allowing the guys to touch you, do you trust me Kyoko?" Shona asked and she was happy when Kyoko nodded. "Do you believe there is anyone in this room who you could not trust?" Kyoko looked around and even though she had only met the other dancers today they had been nothing but professional and treated her correctly only touching her as the dance required so she shook her head even if a little stiffly before whispering out "No, I trust them." Shona patted Kyoko's hand as she smiled encouragingly
"Then listen to what I have to say, when you wear a blindfold to dance you are putting all of your trust in the person you are dancing with, you will hear the music better, you will feel their body and your own emotions and it's with these emotions I want you to move. I want you to find inside you the fire that is your passion... the passion for your acting... the passion you feel every time you enter a set for a take and the passion you put into every role you have ever made and will ever make. Find your passion for dancing Kyoko and flow with it, dance your heart out on that dance floor and when you are breathless and have given it all you can then you will know exactly what I mean... ok." Kyoko felt it deep down in her stomach that feeling she got when she was challenged, that feeling she had the day she had sat to perform the tea ceremony for Ren even when they were not friends. The feeling she had gotten when she had slapped Kanae and forced her to fight for what she wanted, the feeling she had gotten when challenging Chiori to be her left hand when Chiori was at breaking point.
Taking the blindfold from Shona using that feeling as her courage Kyoko tied on the blindfold and surrendered herself to the blackness as the music started, she could feel it the music it wasn't just in her ears it was in the air itself, it pulsed through the floor and into her feet through her thin ballet slippers which were part of her costume. She shivered as the first hand took hers and gently pulled her close as her body remembered the position that was required of her she slower than normal but still with what she felt was ease started to dance with the body before her. Not being able to see to follow his actions she did as Shona had said turning off all other thoughts she felt the movement's the music was her guide as she move with him swaying, as he held her embraced her.
The people watching were amazed by the change in their friend as she seemed to simply accept and finally dance, her body fluid as she moved with with each of the men who stepped forward to dance with her completely professional and even if she stumbled or missed a step there was always a hand to catch her to reassure her and she continued adding in steps she had learnt that hadn't been in the choreography but the trained dancer adjusted too from this simply being there passion this was something they did so much like Kyoko acting a bullying scene completely ad lib, they danced with the girl in the blindfold and as they did so Shona watched as Ren's hands clenched tighter till his knuckles were almost numb standing at the end of the table unable to be comfortable sitting.
It was as the slight hand pushed him forwards saying "your turn" that Ren too moved without thinking as Kyoko came to the end of the line that had waited to dance with her, taking her up from the last dancer with a nod he simply stopped caring in the slightest who had already danced with her before as he danced with her now and as the hand touched Kyoko's she felt it... Kyoko felt it her passion that had been kindling inside her ignited like a fire flared with tinder. This dancer wasn't as confident... he wasn't as flowing and secure in the way he held her, but as Kyoko breathed in and smelled that ever calming scent she could not place she felt more alive than she ever had before as she was pulled close his heartbeat became part of the music and she danced with him for the pure joy of dancing and when finally her breathing was ragged and she felt her passion would burn her alive the music stopped.
They all watched as Kyoko slowly removed the blindfold, securely being held in a half dipped position by Ren as he fought with the need to kiss her that was burning so strongly within him the passion between them was almost like a heated wave as Kyoko smiled up at Ren her gold eyes shining brightly as the room broke into applause. Shona of cause made both of the other love me girls dance blindfolded simply for the fact it would be a good experience for them. It was coming up to evening when they had finally finished and unlike the day before.
Shona smiled "Ok guys listen up, I want to thank our wonderful dancers again for giving us our time today." she nodded at the group who smiled and told her it had been a great day and interesting to work with her once more and with the LME celebrities and manager turned dancer. "Now for homework, tomorrow I want you all to come in with a piece of music this music though is not for you it is for one of the other dancers. I want you each to find a piece of music that will fit the other couple, the couples stand now as Ren and Kyoko, Yashiro and Kanae, Masaru and Chiori." they all accepted the coupling with nods already expecting this as Shona continued.
"Now the music doesn't have to be like we have been listening too here it can be anything... anything you want but I just want you to be able to tell us why. Now thank you for your time and thank you for your effort if you keep on like this I will be spoilt and be expecting this from all new students!" she said laughing as everyone thanked her and the dancers whose company and expertise they had enjoyed that day and if the guys who had considered offering Kyoko there number earlier in the day seeing her now after her breath taking dance with Ren they no longer thought it needed as Ren asked Kyoko if she would like to get something to eat and think about songs together and she agreed readily.
Lory laughed as he watched his newly installed overnight studio B2 camera's (totally worth the price in his opinion) as Ren and Kyoko left together with Kanae and Chiori not far behind and Yashiro stayed back to offer his sister and younglings dinner on him. Shona of course had been correct she had thrown Kyoko to the wolves and she had come out leading with her guts and passion if not skill and the only man able to stand beside her and match that passion was of course the silly man who loved her more than life itself.
"One more day Kyoko, one more day till we show everyone just how much you are worth." he had never doubted it.
Hope you enjoyed it so far
Neh xxx
Comments and reviews please, I will happily reply to PM's and questions.