A/N: I don't own Skip Beat. Never have. Never will. I am excited about a new chapter though! I can't wait. Also, got a new Ipod touch, and there is a shojo manga app that allows me to read Skip Beat on it! :D

Vie Ghoul

For the second time in a rather small number of hours, she awoke in his arms. This time she was fully awake immediately. She smiled a little, looking at his sleeping face, and snuggled closer to him. This brought a smile to his lips and he tightened his arms around her. She grinned at his response until she felt something strange against her leg. She frowned thoughtfully, then her face caught fire as she moved away a little. Biting her lip, she wriggled in his arms, making him frown and hold her tighter. "Stay still." He mumbled, obviously only half awake, and she sighed, stilling.

'He's not really awake…and he isn't doing anything to me. I'm safe with him." She rested her head on the pillow and looked at him for a moment, her face still a soft red. 'My boyfriend.' The thought was still strange, especially with coupled with the image of this man, but she didn't mind so much. It was an idea that was quickly growing on her, especially considering how kind he had been to her. She brought a hand up and gently stroked his hair. He hummed softly, his smile returning, and moved his head closer. She smiled and did it again, enjoying the feeling of his soft locks. 'His hair is kind of…cute.' She blushed a little. 'Somehow, cute doesn't seem to go with this man…but it is cute.'

The soft beeping filled the room and Kyoko pulled her hand back, closing her eyes. Ren's opened his eyes and, reaching back, grabbed his phone. He yawned and shut off the alarm, then watched Kyoko as she opened her eyes slowly. She smiled at him tiredly. "Good morning." He greeted her softly, laying his head back on the pillow and smiling at her.

"Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

"Mhm. Best night of my life." He smiled meaningfully and she blushed. He leaned forward and pressed his lips against the hot skin on her cheek, which only grew hotter. Laughing, he pulled away and stared at her again. She looked away, but her eyes came back to his as he moved his face within centimeters of hers. He hesitated, his lips nearly touching hers, and she moved forward a little and kissed him. He put a hand behind her head and pressed more firmly against her, tracing her lips with his tongue, and she opened her mouth in surprise. Using all the restraint he possessed, he kept his tongue in his own mouth, only tracing her lips occasionally and allowing her to get used to the feeling. Finally, when he remembered that he had work and that it might be good for him to get ready for it did he pull away regretfully. "We'd better get ready." He told her softly, then kissed her again, only for a few seconds this time, before sitting up and climbing out of bed.

Kyoko took a quick shower and dressed in the bathroom, throwing on her clothes that she had arrived with, which Ren had watched, and folded the clothes that he had lent her. She left them folded on his guest bed and grabbed her purse. Ren was waiting in the living room. "What about breakfast?" She cocked her head and stared at him. He sighed. He didn't want to eat anything, but he was afraid that she wouldn't be able to keep up her strength for the day if she didn't have something.

"Can we eat at the Darumaya?" He wondered. Kyoko nodded and followed him out the door. As soon as they entered the hallway, his hand found hers and she blushed brightly.

"R..ren?" She mumbled, glancing up at him. He seemed pleased with himself."
"Yes?"

"N…nothing." He squeezed her hand and led her to the elevator.


The Okami-san and Taisho met them at the side door and immediately Kyoko was in their arms. Taisho eyed Ren warily, but the Okami-san thanked him for taking car of her and asked him to stay for breakfast. He accepted graciously, and he and Kyoko were led to a small table in the corner of the kitchen. Kyoko popped up as soon as the Okami-san's hand left her shoulder. "Oh, Taisho-san, I'll help you make breakfast." She was only a few inches away from the table before he had her back in her seat.

"No." Ren's mouth dropped as the typically defiant and argumentative girl stayed obediently in her seat. He looked back in wonder at the gruff man who was placing their breakfast onto plates and then at the young girl looking at something on her phone.

'How did he just do that?' Shaking his head, he thanked the Taisho for the food and they began to eat in silence. Feeling awkward under the close eye of her gruff adoptive father and over-eager adoptive mother, he kept his hands to himself. When he was finished (with everything on his place, much to Kyoko's delight) he stood and thanked the owners again with a bow, then sat next to Kyoko who was still eating, but had pushed her plate away. The woman ushered her husband through the door, and Ren placed his arms around the smaller girl.

"Make sure to finish all your food." His eyes twinkled in amusement. "An actress has to take care of her body." She smiled a little and hugged him, nodding. "You don't have work until 12, so try and rest, okay?"

She smiled. "Ren, I'm fine." He gave her a stern look, but she only smiled at him innocently until he sighed and dropped his head on her shoulder.
"Kyoko, please? Just rest." She nodded reluctantly. "Do you have a ride to work?" She nodded and his eyes narrowed. "By ride, I do not mean your bike or your legs." She laughed.

"The President has a driving service that the Love Me department can use to get to work. I'll call him." He nodded slowly.

'He's nuts, but he won't risk her safety.' "Alright. " He looked at the clock. "I've got to go. I'll see you later." He noticed the Taisho staring at him through the window in the door, so he just kissed her gently on the cheek and left. Kyoko smiled, blushing brightly.

"Bye Ren." She mumbled. The Taisho walked in and pushed her plate back toward her soundlessly, watched Ren leave, then went back to cooking.


When Kyoko arrived on set, the Director pulled her aside immediately. He led her to an empty dressing room at motioned for her to sit down. She stared at her hands in her lap nervously as he took a seat in front of her. Before he could open his mouth, she threw herself flat on the floor, making him jump to his feet in surprise. "I'm so sorry!" She cried. He took a hesitant step back, then knelt down. "I am so sorry that I wasn't able to finish the scenes! I'm sorry for my unprofessional behavior!" He reached out, then withdrew his hand.

"Um…Kyoko-chan?"

"I'm so sorry that I delayed filming!"

"Kyoko-chan?"
"I'm sorry that Re…Tsuruga-san had to take care of me and took off work!" The man sighed.

"Kyooooko-chan?"

"I'm sorry that I am a horrible act…"

"Kyoko!" Her head snapped up at his exasperated cry. He sighed in relief. "You don't have to keep apologizing. I just wanted to know if you were feeling better. Please get off the ground?" He gave a half smile and stood, reaching out a hand and helping her up and back into her chair. Watching her cautiously, he took a seat. "Are you feeling up to filming today?"

"Of course!" She cried eagerly. "I'm not going to delay filming anymore!"

He sighed. "I'm glad that you are feeling better, but please, if you start feeling sick again, let me know. I don't want you to endanger your health." She nodded. "I only want you to film until 2 today, alright?" She sighed, but nodded again. "Good. You can go ahead and get your make up and wardrobe done." She bowed.

"Thank you director."

Ogata caught sight of Ren as he followed Kyoko out of the dressing room. Ren was watching the young girl anxiously as she made her way to her dressing room. Ogata smothered a laugh and strolled over to crew to give them directions for the upcoming scenes. 'I guess they're dating now. I wonder how long he is going to try and hide it.


Ren loitered around her dressing room for a few minutes, realized that he was attracting attention, and then walked over to where a snickering Yashiro stood. "What are you laughing about?" He mumbled irritably.

"I thought that you were going to at least attempt to hide your feelings for her." Ren lifted an eyebrow but didn't respond. Kyoko emerged from her dressing room after a few minutes, dressed like Mio, and headed to Yashiro and Ren's side. Ren smiled softly at her but didn't move to touch her. She bowed.

"Hello Ren-san. Yashiro-san." Yashiro nodded and Ren touched her shoulder.

"Kyoko, you can just call me Ren in public if you want." He told her softly. She blushed, staring down at the floor, but didn't argue.


An hour into the filming, Ogata called the cast over for a meeting. Everyone sat around a large table, Kyoko in between Ren and Momose-san. "Alright, I just wanted to go over the schedule for next week. On Wednesday, everyone, except for Ren-san, will be heading to location in Karuizawa. I have the hotel information and the schedules." He handed out sheets to everyone, and Yashiro, who was siting behind Ren, leaned forward and read the paper over Ren's shoulder. "Ren-san, you will be joining us on Friday, and then we should be finished by Monday morning, and we will resume filming here on Tuesday. Any questions?" There were a few questions about the bus and the hotel arrangements, but they resumed filming quickly and Kyoko headed to her dressing room when she finished.


Sho glanced up irritably as his manager entered the room. "Sho, have…" She broke off when she saw his phone in his hand. "Sho…what ha…"

"They stole my song!" He snarled, jumping to his feet and throwing his phone onto the table, cracking the screen. "They stole my look, they stole my music…" He slammed his hand on the table, then stormed past her. She sighed, watching him.

'We're going to Karuizawa to record soon. Hopefully the change in scenery will do him some good." Since the debut of the band Vie Ghoul, Sho had been impossible to talk to. Not only had the other band copied his look and music, no one seemed to notice. She picked up his phone and sighed. 'Now I have to get him a new one.'


"Yea, they're called Vie Ghoul." Kyoko glanced up from her script and over at the extras sitting on the other side of the room. 'Beagle?' She was having her make up removed, and the two school-girls were waiting to have their make up done. One of them was holding a laptop and watching a video. She could hear music that sounded incredibly familiar…

Kyoko's eyes widened. 'Sho! They sound just like Sho!' Her eyes narrowed and she tried to get a better look as the oblivious girl kept talking. "They just released this as their debut single!" Kyoko frowned, looking down at her clasped hands.

'What is that idiot doing? Does he have any idea what's going on?'


Kyoko walked down the hall of the studio. Sawara-san had informed her that a new variety show was in need of extras in the audience. She glanced at the piece of paper in her hands. 'Bridge Rock…I haven't heard of them.' She looked at the doors as she passed them, looking for room 153, but froze suddenly. The shiny nameplate informed her that Sho Fuwa was in that room.

Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door. "Come in!" He called. She sighed and stepped inside, shutting the door softly behind her.

When she saw him on the sofa, his back to her, her heart stopped. 'What am I doing? Will Ren be angry about this? I should have thought this through….' The blonde teen turned and caught sight of her, his eyes wide.

"Kyoko!" He jumped up, facing her. "What are you doing here?" She wondered at his tone, but sighed.

"I have a job here and I saw your name plate." She said simply. He cocked an eyebrow, obviously about to make a smart remark, but she went on. "Sho…what's going on with Beagle?" His eyes widened. "They obviously stole your song and are just copying you!"

He glared at her. "Kyoko, surely you didn't just come in here to tell me something stupid like that." He snapped.

"Something stupid." She said quietly, then placed her hand on the table, moving in front of him. "Something…stupid! To you, being on top, is something stupid!" He turned to her with a glare. Anger pooled in her stomach and she clenched her fists. "Oh I see. This is why you cant succeed as a musician. You don't have any passion for your music! So if the sounds and look are equal, then it doesn't matter who the fans follow. You are such a coward! There's no way you can win against those…" Shock registered right before the pain as he backhanded her with such force that she was shoved back.

"Shut the hell up!" He shouted furiously.

Silence. Shoko appeared from an adjoining door and placed her hands over her mouth in shock. "Sho!" She cried suddenly. Kyoko brought a hand up to her face and felt the deep scratch on her face, wincing at the sting. 'He was wearing a ring.' She thought numbly, then pulled her hand away, looking at the drop of blood on her finger.

"I…" Sho was staring at her in mute shock, his hand still in the air. "Sorry…are you….are you okay?" She didn't respond. "Are you…hurt?" He touched her wrist gently, but her fierce glare nearly shoved him away. "Um…"

"How dare you injure the face of an actress!" She whirled on him, surrounded by her (until that moment, hibernating) grudges. The room was so filled with them that one unfortunate one fell out of the room.


Reino cocked an eyebrow at the creature at his feet. "Hm…" He reached down and grabbed it, then glanced up as a young girl stormed out of Fuwa's dressing room. She was surrounded by the little blue grudges, along with a swirling black aura. He smirked, opening his hand and allowing the little creature to follow its mistress. "Interesting." He mumbled.

A/N: I always feel bad when the chapters are short. Sorry.