Authors Chat: I could say stuff, but I think the chapter speaks for itself. Enjoy. Oh, and if you haven't read my new one-shot "The Kiss", it's in the M section. Go read it. (I'm allowed to plug my own work, right?)

That being said, italics text are direct thoughts of characters, text is in quotes, noises are done with asterisks.

DISCLAIMER: Skip Beat! and it's characters are not my original creation, they are owned and created by Nakamura Yoshiki.

Story Timeline: Y'all know the timeline by now. If not, go back and read it in an earlier chapter! (taken out for length).

Playing With Fire

Act 38

The door to the blue civic opened. Kaminari looked away from her rear view mirror for a moment, pausing from her application of lip liner to see Kyoko had entered the car.

"Kyoko-chan! Good morning! All ready to go? I'm sure director Sutoyo has a lot on the agenda for today." Kaminari finished lining her lips, then snapped on the cap to the thin pencil and dropped it into the center console.

"You look tired Kyoko-chan. Didn't you rest yesterday? You were meant to."

"I tried. I couldn't sleep."

"Mm. Well, it's going to be a long day. You'll need to drink plenty of water. I'll see what I can do about getting you some fresh fruit to keep up your energy. Yukihito told me Director Sutoyo has rearranged some of the shoots so they go quicker. He's eager to make up the lost time from yesterday. You don't mind if I put the window down for a bit, do you? It seems a bit stuffy in here."

The air did indeed seem thicker, and Kaminari rolled down the window half way for some fresh air as she sped through traffic.

"Just for a little bit Kyoko-chan. I won't put it down too far, so don't worry, it won't mess up your hair. Did you have a chance to review your script at all? Most of your scenes for today should stay the same, but I'm sure if Director Sutoyo wants you to do any others that were originally unplanned, he will give a short break to review lines."

Kaminari looked over at Kyoko. Kyoko sat rigidly in her seat, with her arms folded tightly over her chest. Kyoko's hair seemed to float about her head in a wicked halo, occasionally whipped to one side or another by the light wind entering through Kaminari's driver's side window.

If I didn't know any better… it almost looks as if her hair is doing that on its own!

"Kyoko-chan, is something wrong? You're awfully quiet."

Kyoko remained facing forward and silent.

"Come on Kyoko-chan. Tell me what's wrong. If something's going on, it's important for me to know as your manager."

Kyoko took a sharp intake of breath, then jerked her head around to look at Kaminari as she drove.

"Okay. Fine. I'll tell you. I'm mad."

Kaminari waited for her to continue, but it became clear she needed a little prompting. "Why are you mad Kyoko-chan?"

"Because! Just… How could you!? "

"Wait, you're mad at me? What did I do?"

"You left! You just got up at left! It was fine at first, yeah, but then when I realized it bothered me, you were already gone."

"You're angry because I left you to sleep yesterday? Kyoko-chan, you weren't feverish anymore, and you certainly didn't need me sticking around to keep you awake. I had to go home and get some sleep myself. Not to mention, I still had class to attend. I couldn't skip it! Just because I'm doing this job doesn't mean I don't have other obligations."

Kyoko felt chastised, and that only made things worse. "And what about Tsuruga-san? Was he part of your obligations?"

"Is that what this is about? Are you mad because I was going to check on Tsuruga Ren on my way home?"

"Well, no! but you said those things about your old boyfriend, and I thought…"

"Thought what Kyoko-chan? That I was going over there to seduce Tsuruga-san?"

"Well I thought you were… but then you didn't."

"You mean you actually followed me over there?!"

"I-i… well… I mean, if Tsuruga-san was sick, he didn't need someone there to bother him or try to seduce him." She remembered his own kiss, and it caused her to blush in embarrassment.

"a-and then it made me mad that you DIDN'T stick around at least and take care of him! I mean, if you really love him, you'd stay and cook for him and nurse him back to health!"

"You mean like you?" Kaminari spoke softly, but the words held weight.

"What!? N-n-n-no!"

"Kyoko-chan… tell me truthfully. You love Tsuruga-san, don't you." It wasn't a question. "That's why you're mad. You thought I was moving in on your territory."

Kyoko's blush deepened. "Y-you… b-b-but I…"

"It's okay Kyoko-chan. I've suspected for a long time now really."

"N-no! Though, I mean… b-but, I won't get in your way. I won't get between you and Tsuruga-san."

Kaminari slammed on the breaks of her car, causing the car behind her to squeal as they braked hard then swerved to miss her.

Kaminari turned in her seat to stare at Kyoko. Kaminari's heart clenched as she looked at the upset Kyoko. The poor girl, it was time to tell her.

"Kyoko-chan." She spoke softly and matter-of-factly. "There is nothing between Tsuruga Ren and I."

Kyoko opened her mouth to speak, but Kaminari cut her off, holding up a hand.

"I'll say it again. There is nothing going on between Tsuruga-san and I. Actually, I'm surprised you haven't noticed." She turned her hand around so Kyoko would see her hand from the backside. "I'm married Kyoko-chan. I just got married, and I'm not interested in anyone else. Really. I'm surprised Yukihito didn't say anything to you. You stood in for him as manager when he came to my wedding I thought. Maybe I was wrong?"

"M…Married?"

"Yes. To that same former boyfriend. He's my husband now Kyoko-chan."

"Yukihito? You mean Yashiro-san?"

"Yes. Yukihito. My brother. Yashiro Yukihito."

"Y-y-y… Y-you're…" Kyoko's head was spinning. It was taking a while for it to sink in. Kaminari isn't together with Tsuruga-san.

Heat began to crawl up Kyoko's neck and over her ears then cascaded across her cheeks. "I'm so sorry Kami-chan! I thought… I thought you were interested in Tsuruga-san! I was trying to, well, I don't know what, but I was staying out of your way! You really would have been a good match for him! I just overstepped my bounds I guess. I'm so sorry Kami-chan!" Kyoko bowed deeply in her seat, just stopping from smacking her head on the dashboard.

Kaminari laughed lightly. "It's alright Kyoko-chan. I forgive you. Besides. It's only natural for someone to get jealous when someone they love is being cared for by another woman, or spending time with another woman at all for that matter." She made a note however, that Kyoko had indeed been jealous. She would flaunt this one to Yukihito later, that her plan really did work. Kyoko got jealous and went over to Ren's place.

Never mind the fact that Ren really was sick. She still won that little battle. Kyoko-chan… you may not have said you loved him, but you didn't deny it. That's as good as saying it in my book.

Kyoko had given up attempting to talk. She felt so horrible for her actions though, tears slid silently down her cheeks until they reached the studio.

"Here Kyoko-chan. Dry your eyes." Kaminari handed her a dainty handkerchief for her tears.

Kyoko thanked her and accepted the cloth, dabbing the tears from her eyes. She used the cloth to hide the small smile that was beginning to curl the edges of her lips. Tsuruga-san was still free. He hadn't chosen someone else. Perhaps his confession DID still mean something.

She couldn't help but wonder if he did in fact still have feelings for her. If he did… maybe he wasn't as fickle as she first thought. I'm sorry Tsuruga-san… for not giving you enough credit.

But do I l-love you? I… I don't really know. She blushed, then handed the handkerchief back to Kaminari. "Thank you Kami-chan," and she meant it.

Kyoko opened the blue civic door, and stepped out. She reached in the back, grabbed her bag, turned, and with her head held high, walked to the studio door and actually looked forward to the day's shoot.

She dressed quickly, Director Sutoyo was calling for actors for the first scheduled scene for the day, so she had to hurry.

She ran out of the dressing room, only to run smack into somebody passing her door.

The large hands curled around her shoulders and gently stepped back from her.

"Good morning Mogami-san. Are you alright? I'm sorry about that. I should have walked farther from the door."

Ren looked down at her, and smiled slightly.

"G-g-g-good M-morning T-T-Tsuruga-san." She ducked her head and blushed. What's wrong with me!? It's just the same as yesterday! Nothing's changed! NOTHING'S CHANGED!

He beamed radiantly at her.

"I'm glad I ran into you actually. I think I owe you an apology. I don't remember you coming by, but thank you for the food. You'll be happy to know I ate the whole bowl full. It was delicious."

"Y-your welcome." She refused to look him in the eyes. Can't look at him! That dazzling smile! It makes my heart beat too fast… I'll have to be careful… For now…What should I do?"

She smiled back.