Chapter 22

"What the hell? I'm the Number One recording artist right now! Why the hell wouldn't I be chosen for such a big event?!" He ranted after finding out that he'd been rejected after submitting his name for consideration for the upcoming event.

His mother and family may forbid him from participating in the games, but they sure as hell couldn't prevent him from presenting himself at the coronation, and impressing everyone with his good looks and voice, at a mini-concert.

Aki sighed. "Sho, it has nothing to do with your position or status in the entertainment world. I was informed that the princess prefers classical music and they will be using an orchestra instead... I'm sorry things haven't been working out." She honestly was. He had been through so much lately. It had to be a bit soul crushing for someone with an ego like his.

"N-Not working out? Are you kidding me? All she would ever listen to was my music when we were kids! She's lying! There's no way she would listen to that crap!" He ranted.

She looked at him a little surprised. "What are you talking about? How do you know the princess?"

Sho narrowed his gaze at her. "The princess is Kyoko. You know, my maid?"

After recovering from the shocking news, Shoko sighed. "Sho... Did you ever stop to think that the only reason that she had done that was because she admired you at the time? What would make you think that she would continue to listen to your music once you said those things about her? People change Sho, and you kind of forced her changes... Did you ever consider that?" She needed to pound some sense into him before he did something that got him into serious trouble. She'd heard about the candy and flowers and there are so many ways that could have gone south, considering Kyoko-chan's status. He may be a hard to kill vampire, but that didn't mean they couldn't toss him into a deep dark hole and forget about him for an eternity, with no questions asked. She was a Royal after all, and he had really screwed up with her.

She tossed and turned restlessly in her sleep. She hated the fact that Kuon was participating in the same tournament that her father had nearly been killed in, all those years ago. Although Lory had explained to her that love was never a factor in royal pairings, she still worried about him. What if he got hurt because of her? What if someone killed him? Would she be forced to marry the one who did it? With those thoughts in her mind, she had drifted off to sleep.

Throughout the night, her subconscious would instruct her on the solution to her problem. In the morning she would instinctively know what she needed to do. Something deep within her told her, that the bond needed to be strengthened, but how? Throughout the day, on the set of Dark Moon, she would turn over the obvious solution in her mind and try to still her nerves. He was choosing her by participating in the tournament. He'd even told her, he wouldn't allow another to be by her side. He'd told her he loved her, and she was certain that she loved him. So, why was she so nervous about the obvious solution to this conundrum? Perhaps slipping into Natsu for courage would be her best choice. She nodded at the thought, squared her shoulders, relaxed her posture, smirked sexily and tapped on his dressing room door.

"Kyoko-chan! What brings you by? Did Director Ogata need Ren?" Yashiro asked after he'd opened the door.

She glanced up at him and smiled. She shook her head. "Yashiro-san, you wouldn't mind if I had a word with Tsuruga-san... In private?"

Yashiro thought for a moment, glanced at his charge, and nodded to her. "I don't suppose that would be a problem. I'm going to pick up Ren's bento, would you like for me to get one for you too?"

She smiled brightly and gave him a small nod. "Thank you Yashiro-san."

Kuon couldn't help, but think she was acting a bit off. She was holding herself a little differently, more relaxed, and there was a bit more of a sexy sway in her hips. She was walking The Walk. He inwardly groaned a bit. He wanted to keep their interactions completely chaste before the tournament, and if she kept doing this he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to keep his hands or mouth off of her.

He had a hunch on what she was up to. Lory and his father had told him about that little obscure clause in the tournament guidelines. If she were to be impregnated successfully beforehand, there would basically be a shotgun wedding. Well, he was not going to allow her to ruin her reputation like that for him. He wanted to prove that he was worthy, not have everything handed to him.

After she had pushed him back onto the sofa and laid the most unforgettable kiss on him that he'd ever experienced, he pulled her into his lap and held her close. "Kyoko... I know what you're doing." He murmured.

She stiffened and glance up at him, through her thick dark lashes. "I don't know what you're talking about Kuon." She whispered, blushing.

He shook his head and sighed. He gently guided her face to look at him. "Imagine that you go to an audition and there are hundreds of candidates. You and they have all tried very hard, researched the part, and have put everything you have into it." She nodded a little confused. "Now imagine that the director comes out, takes one look at you, without ever seeing what you or anyone else is capable of and says: Alright, everyone go home except Kyoko. Even though he's never seen anything you've done and hasn't seen what you have to offer. He just sends everyone home after all their trouble and picks you just because he knows you personally. Not because you're qualified for the job. At least that's how the others see it..." He looked into her now teary eyes. "Do you think you'll have the respect of the others for that?" He sighed a little and hugged her tightly. "I know it's dangerous, but let me prove that I'm worthy to be your future king. The one that will stand by your side and protect you and everyone else if needed. Will you let me do that?" He asked, stroking her hair and back.

Kyoko nodded. "I'm sorry Kuon... I didn't really think of it that way. I know you'll win. I just don't want you to get hurt like they say Daddy did." She explained, burying her face in his shoulder.

He chuckled a little. "As long as you're there for me... I know I'll be safe. Okay?" Lory and his father both had told him to have faith in love. Sure it sounded kind of cheesy at the time, but the more he thought of her when he trained, he drew power from it somehow. This would not be the typical tournament of random suitors that would end in bloodbath with the last one standing. He loved her and she loved him, he was not about to allow that not so little fact, fall to the wayside.

She nodded silently.

When Yukihito returned he would find a quiet female wrapped in the arms and billowing white wings of her chosen male as they sat quietly together, enjoying the solitude and companionship of one another. He quietly closed the door and decided to give them a few more minutes before he announced his arrival with their bentos.