Authors Chat: Sorry for the wait. I have no excuse. I just didn't feel like writing. . Please enjoy!

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 43

Ren turned his head back forward intent on going over his lines, only to be met with a Cheshire cat grin. Ren didn't look any farther up on the face before him, he didn't need to.

"What?" he asked noncommittally.

"Where were you looking Ren?"

"It was nothing."

"Riiiight. You were looking at Kyoko-chan. I saw her leave her dressing room… you were watching." Yashiro let out a fake sigh. "You're slipping Ren! If she weren't so dense, she would notice!"

"She isn't dense."

"Well, she isn't stupid, no! but she just doesn't notice these things, even if you wave them in her face!"

Ren had a moment to smile inwardly, knowing that he had managed to get past that veil she had put on herself.

"Tsuruga-san! Ready on set!"

Ren let out a sign of exasperation. So much for going over my lines. There's NO way I can tell Yashiro about the date now… he will never give me a moment's peace! Well… better get this over with.

Ren moved to the cliff's edge set for his first scene of the day, not at all prepared.

He needn't have worried though, Kyoko was not in the first scene with him, and the other individuals in the scene had a few NG's of their own, so by the time Ren was the focus on set, he was able to slip into character.

He did not see Kyoko standing behind the stage lights fidgeting.

Kyoko was nervous beyond belief. There were too many "What If's" swirling around in her mind. What if she got distracted by the co-star killer and forgot her lines? What if she couldn't stop blushing every time she looked at him? What if she couldn't stay in character? What if Tsuruga-san… no… Ren treated her differently. Would he acknowledge her publicly? It was just a date she had agreed to, right? Would it change things between them? What if she did horribly in her acting? Would he think any less of her? He was, after all, still her sempai.

She was scared of what he would say to her, so she stayed out of his view, willing herself to be brave and say good morning to him before she stepped on stage with him to act.

- .

"Be sure to check that first ledge just over the cliff. You may want to get the climbers kit from the van, it's a little far down. I don't want to loose another one of my team to this monster."

"Hey boss, you can't call him that!"

"Yeah yeah, it isn't 'objective'. Whatever." He rolled his eyes, "In my book, anyone who sends the skins of their victims to someone is a monster ON TOP of being a murderer."

"That may be, but-"

"I don't give a rats ass about what Chief Himatsu said!" Lieutenant Seto snarled. "Now finish with your search! I want to be done here before the media catches wind that there's another victim."

Lt. Seto pulled out a pack of cigarettes, packed it twice before pulling a stick out and put it to his lips. He took out a shiny brass lighter, lit his cigarette, then walked off stage.

Ren immediately pulled the cigarette from his mouth. He desperately wanted a drag, but he knew Yashiro would not tolerate that, and it wouldn't be good for his voice. Not to mention, Kyoko would have his hide if he did.

That made him smile.

- .

"G-good morning… Tsuruga-san." Kyoko stumbled over the words, then rushed when she said his name. She wasn't sure what to call him. Would it seem strange, one day, to be calling him Tsuruga-san. Then the next, so informally – even intimately – by name alone without a surname or even honorific attached?

Ren seemed to pick up on her concern, "Good morning, Kyoko-san." He didn't use a surname, but he still gave her the polite honorific. She could deal with that.

It was plane to see he smiled at her, but as he walked past, no one saw him brush her hand, playing his fingers across the back of her hand as he did.

"Mogami-san? Are you alright? Your face-"

"I'm fine!" she exclaimed, almost shouting as she interrupted the cameraman. She was embarrassed enough as it was, and didn't need everyone seeing her face as she blushed. If they asked her anything, she would be useless the rest of the day. As it was, it was going to be hard. If Ren continually did little things, like touch her when no one was looking, or give her one of his heavenly smiles, knowing it was just for her… surely she would be jell-o before the day was half over!

"Mogami-san?"

"I said I was fine!" she piped.

"No, it isn't that. You're needed on set now." He motioned toward the set, which had been cleared for the change of actors.

This scene was Kyoko alone. They were to take multiple shots of Choko looking around the area, after the crime scene investigation team had left.

She went on set, waited until the cameras moved into their first ordered position, did a few lighting tests, then called out to her.

"Mogami-san, is the Kimono too warm? We can give you a linen nagajuban if the silk is too warm."

"No, t-this is fine!"

"Your cheeks are too rosy Mogami-san. It's meant to be chilly out, but you look overly warm. Nakaji-kun! Go get two bottles of cool water."

"Yes sir!"

"Make sure they aren't too cold!"

"Yes sir!" the stage assistant changed direction, and before long, he was running back, two cool bottles of water in hand.

"Here Mogami-san, hold these up to your cheeks."

She held the water bottles there, willing herself not to think about Ren. He had caused this to happen! It was his fault she was holding up the production. She would have to remember to tell him off for playing his fingers on her hand. If it hadn't been for that, she would have been able to focus!

Her cheeks were now chilly, but their color had sufficiently subsided to begin the first take.

The movie clapboard was brought before the camera, the details of the film read, then the *clack* sounded, and all eyes were on Kyoko.

These scenes would be easy, it wasn't until Ren stepped back on stage that she would worry.

Now, she went through the motions easy enough. Shuffle through the nearby brush, examine a tiny tuff of hair caught on a twig, look out over the bloody stains, kneel down at the edge of the cliff and see what could be seen.

The cameras took many angles and drew out the scene. It was meant to express a significant length of time that Choko was looking over the scene, and many expressions were displayed through the course of all the angled shots.

Ren stepped back on stage after most of the shots were done, ready to step back in view of the cameras.

His cue was given, unbeknownst to Kyoko, so he startled her when he called out to Choko. This was meant to happen, but to give the realistic effect, Director Shingai had given everyone except Kyoko the cue to continue on after completion of the angling shots.

"Fujiwara-kun! Why are you out here? You know this area is sectioned off. No one is supposed to set foot out here." Lt. Seto said harshly.

Kyoko jumped in surprise, wobbled a bit at the cliffs edge, then righted herself. Her face had gone white from the shock of it, yielding an even better expression than Dir. Shingai had expected.

Now is be the telling moment. Will she continue to act? Or stop the scene? Dir. Shingai sincerely hoped she would continue with the lines, and she did not disappoint.

"L-Lieutenant! Uh…This isn't…. isn't what it looks like. I was-"

He cut her off, "just looking for clues about the most recent murder? Trying to find out yourself who keeps sending your mother the skins? Yeah, this is exactly what it looks like Fujiwara-kun."

"But I-"

"But nothing Fujiwara. You were told not to come out here, yet you did anyway."

"BUT I JUST CAN'T SIT IDLY BY WHILE NO ONE DOES ANYTHING!" She screamed at him, not allowing him to cut her off for a third time.

"Choko-san…" his eyes softened, then he dropped and stomped out the cigarette which was already mostly gone, then stepped closer.

"Choko-san…" he began again, stepping within arms reach, "It may seem that way, but I assure you, we are working very diligently to catch that monster." He took another step closer. "There are… limitations… to how fast even we can work. Even I can work." He ran a hand through his hair, uncomfortably. "I haven't slept in two days. I hate to see your mother in such pain… YOU in such pain…" He closed the distance, pulled Choko away from the edge of the cliff face, and enveloped her in his arms. "Please… let me do my job"

She pushed away slightly, "I can help though! Please… let me help!"

"You can help me best by staying at the Ryokan. Keeping your mother calm. You know that an upset individual can actually hinder a case. Please. Stay where you are safe. For me?" He made it a question, leaving her with only one choice.

Sure, there were two choices, go against his will, which was like a slap in the face, or she could comply, effectively giving a promise to stay out of the case. No, there was only one real choice. They had a connection that could not be severed, and try as she might, she could not fight his will.

She merely nodded, a tear slid down her cheek, then he pulled her close again, the fake sun dropping down below the cliff where the two main actors stood embraced over a blood stained patch of rocky ground.

"Aaaaand CUT! Mogami-san, Tsuruga-san. Take five while we redo the sets." Dir. Shingai looked down at his watch. "Actually, go ahead and take a lunch break instead. It's later than I anticipated. We'll have to do scene 38 tomorrow. Ken-san, help Date-san with the …" his voice drifted away as he walked off, shouting orders to the two men down the hall.

Ren looked down at Kyoko, half expecting her to insist he eat, but when she remained silent, he took the initiative.

"Kyoko-san, would you care to get a bite to eat?"

She looked up at him, a slight blush returning to her cheeks. She nodded and made a short "un!" in agreement.

"Yashiro-san!"

Yashiro was already walking toward them, mineral water in hand for Ren.

"Yashiro-san. Tell me, is there time today to leave set for a meal? What is the schedule like?"

"Sure Ren, it's fine so long as you don't go far."

"You… don't need to check the book?"

"No, I'm sure. I studied your schedule this morning," he said with a smile.

Damn it. Gotta make him open that blasted book. "Why don't you join us then?"

"I wouldn't want to be in the way…"

Kyoko chimed in at that, grateful to remove some of the pressure of being alone with Ren. "It's no trouble at all! You wouldn't be in the way! You should come!"

Ren gently grabbed Yashiro's shoulder and turned him so he was forced to go the same direction as the two of them. "Come on Yashiro. My treat," and he led them out the stage door.

There was a small café just down the road from the set where the actors could go when they had an extended break. The café appreciated the business, and as they had successfully secured the catering contract for the first Ring Doh and now the sequel, they remained quiet about their patronage.

La Arte 'de Ete was a cozy little café, made to enjoy the outdoor sunshine in the warm months of the year. As it stood, there were very few tables inside to be had, so the three guests selected a table outside toward the edge of the dining area. There were still wandering eyes, but much of the customers were from the set, and not affected by the amount of fame sitting within camera-flash distance.

Kyoko dropped her bag beside the table as Ren sat down beside her.

"I think I'd like to visit the rest rooms first. You two go ahead and order without me. I won't be long."

"Yashiro, why don't you leave your things here. We'll watch over them."

Yashiro hesitated, almost set down the planner, then picked it up again and tucked it underneath his arm.

"No, I think I'll just keep it with me. If anyone calls, I have to have it available at all times."

"You take calls in the restroom Yashiro-san?"

Yashiro shrugged. "I have to be available."

Ren frowned. "You're almost as bad as me."

Yashiro laughed, then turned "not quite," and he walked into the restaurant.

Ren looked positively grumpy, so Kyoko stayed quiet until the waitress arrived with the day's menus.

It was not until they had ordered, and their food arrived that they realized Yashiro wasn't coming back. He had set them up, and while Kyoko didn't seem to mind, Ren seemed upset.

"R-Ren-san? This just means we get to eat alone together. Don't be mad."

Ren sighed. "You're right, but I've been trying to see what the schedule looks like. I want more than a single hour with you."

He's thinking about our date! Her eyes sparkled and her cheeks flushed at that.

"Couldn't you just ask him when you're free?"

Ren looked at her for a moment, thinking, then decided to tell her. "He's been hounding me about you for a while now. Trying to get me to say something… and I just can't give him that satisfaction." He looked dejected. He was actually pouting. The Great Ren Tsuruga was ACTUALLY POUTING!

Kyoko giggled.

"What?"

"I can help you then. We'll get the schedule from him, I'm sure!" her face seemed to brighten as the excitement filled her. Ren laughed.

"Okay Kyoko."

She shifted uncomfortably, still not used to hearing her name from his lips, then once more bounded forward with excitement.

"It'll be our very own little mystery to solve! Operation Secret Date starts NOW!"

Ren sat back in his chair and smiled.