A/N:I wanted to have this done yesterday, but I had a paper to write and Japanese to study, and I promised myself that I would get them both done before I was allowed to write. So here's the new chapter. Please enjoy.

**Clarification. Kyoko and Ren still address each other formally in public, but informally in private. Sorry if I didn't make that clear. :) **

Sleepover

Kyoko's leg bounced excitedly and she fought to keep her smile from turning into a giggle as she flipped through the stack of paperwork. Occasionally Kanae gave her a firm glare, which subdued the girl momentarily, but as soon as Kanae looked back at her own work, Kyoko's excitement would flare up again. After thirty minutes of paperwork, her phone vibrated. Checking the caller ID, she flipped her phone open. "Hello." She chirped.

"Good evening Kyoko-chan."

"Oh! Hi Tsu…" She froze at the glare Kanae was giving her and left the room, closing the door behind her. "Hi Ren-san." She repeated, not willing to drop the honorific when someone might overhear.

He chuckled softly. "What was that?"

"Um…Mo…Kotonami-san is angry with me." She said sadly. "So I had to go outside."

"Why is she angry with you?" He asked gently, wondering just how serious this was. Kyoko mumbled a reply. "I can't hear you." His patient voice came over the phone.

"I was excited about our sleepover and I was getting on her nerves!" She cried. "But it's not my fault! This is my first sleepover and I'm really excited and…" She was cut off by his soft chuckle. She blushed softly and looked down at the floor, waiting for his mirth to subside. She was sure he could feel her grudge demons coming through the phone because he stopped abruptly.

"I'm sorry Kyoko-chan." His voice was still filled with laughter, but he had toned it down. "I hope you have a good time tonight. Is it just going to be Kotonami-san and yourself?" She shook her head happily, but realized that she was on the phone and blushed.

"No, Maria-chan is going to see if she can come as well."

"How are the three of you getting home?" He wondered.

"Well, I should be finished in about an hour, Kotonami-san will be done later, so she's going to go home first, and then bring a taxi over I suppose. If Maria-chan comes, she'll probably come with me, or I guess the President will have someone bring her."

"Hmmm…"

"What?"

"Are you walking home?"

"Um…yes I suppose. I don't have my bicycle with me." She could sense his unhappiness on the other line.

"Why don't you take a taxi?" She blushed in embarrassment again.

"I…I can't afford it." She admitted softly. She heard him sigh.

"I don't suppose you would take money from me?" His voice was rueful.

"Of course not!" She cried, forgetting her fear of someone overhearing, and of her best friend in the other room. "I could never borrow money from my sempai!" She missed the sigh on the other end. "That would be completely improper and…" She heard the second sigh and stopped. "Ahem…um I'll just walk home Tsuruga-san. I appreciate your offer, but I'll be fine."

"Alright. Just be careful." He warned her simply, obviously wanting to push his point but not wanting to fight it out. "What time are you working in the morning?"

"I have to be on set at 2, but they are having me stay until 11."

"Wow. That will be a long day." He commented in surprise.

"Yes. I have a break between 5 and 6, and a few more smaller ones though. They are doing some photo shoots of me as Mio and redoing some of the advertisements for the show, since they replaced Mio so late. What about you?"

"I won't arrive until 5." He said regretfully. "If you need me to give you a ride I can."

"Oh, that's okay." She assured him.

"Alright…but we get off around the same time, so I'll give you a ride home tomorrow night, okay?" She smiled thankfully. As much as she hated to inconvenience him, she also hated walking home alone so late, though she would never admit it. She was still getting used to busy Tokyo.

So, much to his surprise, she only thanked him happily. "Well, I'd better let you get back to work, Kyoko-chan."

"Oh. Okay. Goodbye Ren-san. Make sure you eat something healthy for dinner!" She reminded him. He laughed, making her smile soften.

"Okay Kyoko-chan. I will. Have a good time. Goodbye."

When Kyoko reentered the room, Kanae only rolled her eyes at the soft smile on the girl's face and returned to her work. 'I'll make her tell me about it tonight.'


"Grandfather!" Lory looked up from his phone call and held up a finger. The girl placed a hand over her mouth and nodded apologetically. She walked over to where his large couches were arranged around a table and sat down patiently.

"Yes it was." She glanced over at her grandfather who still had the phone pressed against his ear. "No I know. I agree. But I…Ren." Her ears perked up at the exasperated way her grandfather said her crush's name. "Of course! You don't have to tell me that. Do you think I would let her…" The President rolled his eyes in amusement, then smirked. "Yes yes. Whatever you say. Now get back to work, Ren. Yes. I'll tell her. Bye." He stood and walked over to where his granddaughter say, dropping onto the sofa beside her and giving her a hug. "Ren says hello." He told her with a smile. "What did you need? You haven't been around here all day. I guess you like Kyoko-chan more than me now…" He gave a long, exaggerated sigh and she hugged him tightly.

"Of course I don't!" She cried. "I love you the most!" He laughed softly and leaned back, looking down into the little girl's face.

"So, what was it you wanted to tell me?"

"Um…I was wondering if I could stay the night with Kyoko Onee-sama." She looked pleadingly up at him, and he smiled.

Ren had already informed him of the sleepover when making his request, and, honestly, Lory was happy about it. Maria didn't have many friends, and she rarely spent time with people by choice, especially not other children. Although Kyoko-chan was much older than the young girl, he knew it would be good for Maria to spend time with her, and he trusted that Kyoko-chan would look after her.

"Of course. I'll ask my butler to drive you. Can you tell Kyoko-chan that I would like to talk to her?" The little girl nodded happily, slipped off the sofa, and hurried away to the Love Me room.


Kyoko bowed deeply to the President. "I promise that I will take good care of Maria-chan and that I won't let anything happen to her and…" The man cut her off with a hand on her arm.

"I already know that Kyoko-chan." He told the girl kindly. "Or I wouldn't allow her to go with you. I have all the faith in the world that you will take care of my granddaughter. That's not why I want to talk to you."

"Oh…I'm very sorry for…" He sighed and crossed his arms, waiting for her apologies to subside, then motioned her over to the sofas where he sat across from her.

"Kyoko-chan, tonight I'll have my butler drive you and Maria home." He informed her. The girl nodded. "Now, when Dark Moon begins airing, you are going to get more famous." He told her simply. "Ren has brought it to my attention that you walk or ride a bicycle to and from work, and often late at night. Of course, he drives you when he can, but he can't always manage it with his schedule." He let that sink in and was sure he caught her mumble something about interfering playboys. Smothering a laugh, he continued. "Now, I can't justify assigning you a driver or a manager, but…" He placed a card in her hand. "This is my number, and my butler's number. I have a driving service for my talents that my butler usually manages. If you ever get off work late at night and can't get a ride, or don't feel safe walking home, please call this number, and someone from LME will give you a ride." She stared at the card in surprise for a second, and then bowed.

"Thank you, Takarada-san!" She smiled at him gratefully. "I really appreciate it."

"It's alright. Now…" He stood and checked his watch. "You better finish up your work. Maria is getting ready to go, and I need to speak with Kotonami-san."

Kanae stared at the President in silence, the card in her hand, as she leaned casually against the back of the sofa. He smiled a little at the wildly different personalities of the Love Me girls. After explaining to her that the card was for his driving service, he had finally asked the question that kept bugging him. "Is Kyoko-chan in love with Ren?" The woman's calm expression didn't change, but her eyebrow lifted ever so slightly. He half expected her to tell him that it was none of his business, but after a few seconds she sighed.

"Yes." Inside, he leapt for joy, but managed to retain a calm face. "I'm pretty sure she loves him, but she's too afraid to do anything. She wants to stop loving him." His eyes widened "I'm going to talk to her tonight." He nodded, resting his head in his hand.

"I can't understand why she's so afraid."

"I think she's just been hurt too many times." Kanae told him simply, a hint of anger in her eyes. "He obviously loves her, but he won't do anything about it." She shrugged. "I guess she doesn't understand how he feels about her."


Kyoko led Maria into the small restaurant through the back door and into the kitchen. The Taisho glanced up from the food and stared at the two girls. "Taisho-san, this is Maria. She and another friend of mine are going to stay the night with me if that's okay."

He dropped his knife and smiled down at the little girl. "It is nice to meet you, Maria-chan." All at once, his grumpy demeanor seemed to melt away, but it was back in seconds. "I'll send you some food up after the dinner rush."

"Thank you Taisho-san!" She led the little girl up the stairs and into her little bare room. Maria placed her small suitcase in the corner and looked around a little sadly.

"Onee-sama….your room is empty." She informed the older girl gently, not wanting to offend her, but to her surprise, Kyoko only laughed.

"I know. I can't really afford decorations or any furniture…but it is cozy." She smiled and knelt down beside the little girl. "Is there anything you wanted to do, Maria-chan?" Maria looked around thoughtfully.

"Don't you have to study your script? Or do something for work?" Kyoko shook her head.

"Nope. I'm ready for tomorrow. Besides, I don't have to go in until 2."

The girls ended up watching TV in the living room (after meeting the Okami-san and getting her permission) for a little while, then went upstairs to work on Maria's new collection of curse dolls.

Kanae arrived right before the food, and the three girls ate and chatted about work or school. As it got later, the Okami-san brought them a tray of deserts, much to Kanae's irritation, but they all had some anyway.

"Now what can we do? Pillowfights! Makeovers! Prank calls?"

"Mo! What is the matter with you? Girls don't really do that!"

"But….Moko-san!"

"Besides, we don't have enough pillows, we don't have any nice make up, and who did you want to prank call? Tsuruga-san? I'm sure he has caller ID." Kyoko blushed brightly and both other girls grinned.

Horrified at the thought, Kyoko shook her head. "We couldn't prank call him!" She cried. "Besides, he might still be working." Kanae laughed.

"That what I wanted to talk about anyway." She crossed her arms and leaned against the wall.

"Huh."

"You and Tsuruga." Maria cocked her head.

"Onee-sama, are you and Ren-sama…dating?" The little girl didn't seem particularly distraught, just curious.

"Erm…no, Maria-chan. We're just…kohai and sempai. That's all."

"I'd say that you're friends." Kanae crossed her arms.

Kyoko blushed, thinking back to the day before. "Yes…we are friends." She said quietly.

"Okay, Kyoko, I want you to tell me honestly, no hysterics, or crying, or screaming. Do. You. Love. Him?" Kyoko nodded miserably, and Maria's eyes lit up.

"OH! Are you going to marry him, Onee-sama? Can I call him Onii-sama!" Kanae laughed at Kyoko's shocked embarrassment.

"Hold on Maria-chan. Now, Kyoko, why are you so upset about loving him?"

"He…he might feel the same way…I mean he might like me?"

"What makes you think that?" Kanae asked patiently. Softly, Kyoko told the story from the forest in Kyoto, and both girls stared at her in amazement.

"He…kissed you!" Kyoko nodded miserably, then told them a little about what he had said in his apartment when she had just arrived in Kyoto. "Kyoko! You idiot! He tried to confess to you…and you told him no!" Kyoko stared at her lap. "MO!"

"So…now he probably is over it." Kyoko said simply, trying not to let her sadness show. "He's probably got tired of waiting and is with someone else."

"Mo, Kyoko. If he gave up, why is he so nice to you?"

"Huh? He's a nice person." Kyoko defended him.

"Sure. But he is much nicer to you than to anyone else."

"What do you mean, Moko-san?"

"Do you see him offering me rides? Or coming to visit me?" She held up a hand. "Not that I want him to! But he treats you special, Kyoko."

"Moko-san…" Kyoko shook her head sadly. "I can't. With Sho…I was so sure of his feelings that…that I was willing to do anything for him. But…he didn't want me. What if Ren-san does the same thing?" Kanae gritted her teeth.

"Easy. I'll kill him in his sleep and you can move on." Maria gasped and both girls realized that they had forgotten about the younger girl.

"Eh…Maria-chan, Moko-san is just kidding." Kyoko reassured her. The little girl nodded warily, staring at Kanae. "Um…anyway, let's do something else? Moko-san, what kind of make up do you have?"

The girls painted each other's nails, starting with Maria, and then took turns taking a bath. Maria dropped off in the middle of a movie, and after putting her to bed, the two older girls sat in the room downstairs and continued watching the tv. "Kyoko, I think you should at least be open to the idea that he likes you." Kanae told her softly. Kyoko didn't respond. "All the evidence is pointing to him being in love with you. Why don't you try and find it out for sure?"

"How Moko-san?"

"Mo. I don't know. Just…pay attention to all the things he does for you." Kyoko's mind went back to her conversation with the president earlier that day.

'Ren called him and told him that I was walking home…was he worried about me? Does that mean anything? Or maybe he was just…' She shook her head a little. 'Just what! He went out of his way to do that for me. And he does things like that a lot. He's always trying to help me or protect me…' She sighed, and shifted her attention back to the screen. 'I'll pay closer attention from now on.' She promised herself. 'But for now I just want to enjoy my sleepover with Moko-san and Maria-chan.'


When Kyoko opened her eyes, she was filled with happiness, then dread. The other two girls were not awake yet, so she slipped out of bed, ignoring the dizziness that suddenly plagued her, and nearly ran to the bathroom. She could hear the faint noises of the customers downstairs as she shut the door and grabbed the thermometer, which promptly informed her that she had a slight fever. "Crap! How!" She cried, then smacked a hand over her mouth. 'How did I get sick! Moko-san and Maria-chan are fine. No one else is sick…I wasn't outside in the rain…' She groaned and rested her slightly spinning head on the door. 'I can't be sick. I have work today. I'll just have to be careful not to overexert myself.

By the time her guests left, via the President's limo, Kyoko was feeling somewhat better, but was careful not to do any kind of vigorous activity. 'I have to save my strength for filming tonight!' She told herself firmly as she flipped though her script. When it was time to leave, she made her way slowly toward the set, each step making her feel slightly worse. By the time she arrived, she had to beg the make up artist, who immediately noticed the younger girl's sickness, not to tell anyone.

The first few scenes went fine, and she sipped orange juice and tea in between takes. She only had three NG's and, at 4:50, missing the arrival of Ren, she slipped into her dressing room and lay on the couch, setting her phone alarm for 5:40 so she wouldn't be late for filming.


Ren arrived on set at 4:55, cutting it rather close, but was able to get into make up and wardrobe immediately, so none of the scenes were delayed. After his first scene, he began looking around for Kyoko. When he couldn't find her, and when there was no answer from her dressing room, he approached the Director.

"Director, is Kyo…Mogami-san here?"

"Yes. She finished her scenes early and went to her dressing room…is she not in there?"

"Well, I knocked, but she might not have heard me…" He doubted it, but decided to try again. Again, there was no knock, and he gently pushed open the door, barely peeking in. About to call her name, he caught sight of her laying on the couch. He smiled softly at the sight of the young girl curled up, her top exposing a little of her stomach, and her small frown as she twitched in her sleep. Closing the door softly, he left her alone.


When Kyoko woke, she was feeling worse than ever. Her throat, which had been hurting more and more all day, was almost unbearably sore, and swallowing was nearly too painful. Even gulping down the now lukewarm remnants of her orange juice didn't ease the pain. She wiped her drooping eyes and sighed, sitting up. Her head felt like it was going to explode, and she stood carefully. Suddenly, she realized that Ren was probably already on set. 'I can't let him find out! If he learns that I'm sick…' She wasn't sure what he would do, but was sure it would involve her going home, and she couldn't do that. 'Filming has already been delayed so much, I can't cause any problems!'

She hesitantly opened her door, ready to head to make up, when she nearly ran in to the one person she was trying to avoid. "Oh. There you are Kyoko-chan." He spoke softly, knowing that she objected to speaking so informally when people were around. She prayed that her voice would work and returned the greeting.

"Hi Ren." The honorific slipped her exhausted mind, but that wasn't why he was frowning.

"Are you feeling okay, Kyoko-chan?" He furrowed his eyebrows and moved a little closer to peer into her face. "You sound a little hoarse." She hid her panic by taking a step back.

"Oh, I just woke up and I'm thirsty. I'm fine." She smiled brightly, and he winced a little as the rays blinded him.

'Is that how I smile?' He wondered briefly, then moved to feel her forehead, but she had disappeared. Frowning, he went back to the set to wait for her.


'She's sick.' It was the most obvious thing in the world to him as he watched her. It had been an hour since he had spoken to her, and she had completed several scenes with no NGs, but he could see it in her eyes, and in the way she would wince as she tried to take a drink or swallow. 'She needs to go home. But I'm never going to be able to convince her; she's too stubborn.' He sighed as the director called for places, and stepped onto the set. 'I can't do anything about it now.'


Kyoko dropped to her knees in her dressing room, resting her aching head on the sofa. Her throat felt swollen and painful, and the last scene where she had needed to run up the stairs had been redone four times before the director was okay. Coughing weakly, then gritting her teeth against the pain, she missed the sound of the door opening and closing behind her, and the cool hand pressed against her forehead and then against her neck.

"You're burning up." The familiar man's voice said softly. "Come on. I'm going to take you home." She shook her head weakly and pulled away when he tried to get her to her feet. "Kyoko-chan! You can't work like this. You're sick. You should be resting." She shook her head again, more firmly this time, and glared at him.

"I can't miss work. It's only one more hour. I can't delay the filming anymore than it already has been." He seemed about to argue, then sighed in exasperation. Turning on his heels, he left her alone. She sighed, deciding that he was giving up on her, and rested her head against the sofa again, but he reappeared in a few minutes. He pulled her up and sat her on the sofa, placing something cool on her head. She couldn't manage to open her eyes to find out what it was, so she only smiled a little.

"Thank you." She whispered hoarsely, then took a drink of whatever it was he was holding to her lips. She felt a cloth against her forehead, and was nearly asleep when she heard a knock on her door. Jumping upright, she called for them to come in in the most normal voice she could manage.

"We're ready for you on set, Mogami-san."

"I'll be right there!" She knew that Ren was watching her worriedly, and when he stood and offered her a hand, she took it, standing shakily.

"You really should go home." She told her again, squeezing her hand. "Please, Kyoko." She didn't seem to notice his lack of honorific, only shaking her head a little.

"There are only three more scenes." She told him firmly.


Kyoko stood at the top of the stairs, making her best 'angry Mio' face, but the director wasn't satisfied. "Cut!" They had been doing the simple scene for thirty minutes, and she could feel the anger of the other cast members, the irritation of the director, and the concern coming off of Ren in waves.

'Maybe I should just tell the director that I can't do it today.' Ever fiber of her being rebelled, but she knew that she couldn't get in character anymore. She heard the director call for her, and placed her leg on the top step. Suddenly, the world around her was filled with little black dots, and her leg gave out.


Ren felt himself moving in slow motion. The girl crashed into the stairs a spit second before he could reach her. He knelt down turned her face gently, frowning in worry, barely hearing his manager run up beside him. Her forehead had a small red mark from where she had hit it, and it looked like she had split her lip, but other than that she was okay. He felt her forehead and frowned, moving aside so that Yashiro could look at her.

"Does she need an ambulance?" His voice bordered on panicky and Yashiro moved his hand from her neck to Ren's shoulder.

"No. She just has a high fever and needs to rest. We can stop and get her some medicine on our way to take her home." He reassured the younger man.

"I'm taking her to my place." They ignored the yelling of the crew members and the director as they clamored around them, trying to look at her. "Talk to the director, and call her landlords." Ren took off Katsuki's long jacket and wrapped the shaking girl in it, scooped her up, and rested her face against his shoulder. Irritated with the crowd behind him, he headed up the stairs and to her dressing room.

A/N: There. I am very happy with this chapter. It turned out better than my others so far (or so I think) and I enjoyed writing it. Please read and review :) (If you haven't guessed...I love cliches :D)