Learning As You Go

Disclaimer: I own nothing! Nakamura-sensei is a genius behind Skip Beat

Leaning against the balcony and taking another hit from his cigarette he glanced at the younger man at his side, Tsuruga Ren was wondering how long it would take before the questions started? They had survived Setsu shopping trip without 'much' incident after she had showed off her outfit, she had told them that it would be a nice outfit to go clubbing in which made both men cuss again.

As Cain extracted a promise from her to not go without either man, Ren had silently paid for everything, loving the opportunity to spoil Kyoko once again. Neither Cain nor Setsu had gave it much thought after Setsu changed back into her original clothing and had been handed the bags then simply walked out of the store arguing like the brother and sister they were supposed to be.

Looking back Ren thought that the store was aptly named 'Reveling Body'. He would have to remember Kyoko liked the store clerk and the clothing line. Grinning he knew she would deny it till she was blue in the face, but he would remember the way she petted the skirt and gave the lacey panties a passing longing glance.

Ren had to choke back a laugh at the name and how its clothing line had just earned itself the most beautiful sexiest upcoming model in the industry, and they didn't even know it. He would have to suggest to the Boss that Kyoko might need a manager soon, and he hoped the other man would take pity on him and find another female suitable for the position. He didn't think he could handle another male hanging around her so much, knowing her so intimately.

It was a slight cough that brought Ren back to younger man, smirking he knew that cough was from one that didn't regularly smoke cigarettes. Laughing as Cain's eyes watered from the smoke Ren could only pity the obvious discomfort. Voicing his pity in a gentle way he asked, "been awhile?" Cain choked back softly, "I never understood why people did this stupid shit!" Ren looked down at his own cigarette and shrugged before replying, "nervous tick or stress relief I suppose."

Cain cocked his head to him and raised an eyebrow in silent question, dropping his nearly finished cigarette Ren stuck his now empty hands into his pockets and replied, "it's an attention grabber. I usually only smoke to preoccupy my hands or my mind." At Cain's nodded Ren looked out over the city and marveled at the lights and the sounds that emanated from Tokyo. The quietness of the next statement had Ren smiling in pure remembrances and agreement, "this city is almost like L.A."

"Agreed, But no other city can match the big lights of Tinseltown even at its worst," Ren watched as shock surprise filled the other mans face, then pure undiluted happiness filled his companions' eyes. Joy laced his voice as he asked, "you're from the states? From Calie?" Ren's breath caught for an instant as the other man suddenly looked and sounded more boyish than man, the pure need to find a resemblance of the home he had left behind so clear that he, Ren was more homesick than he had ever been.

Smiling Ren ran a hand through his blackened locks and glanced at the glass balcony doors and nodded, he kept his voice light, letting the homesickness seep out, letting it for this brief moment in time connect them, "born and raised my friend!" Laughing out right as the younger man straightened to his full height and smiled so happily at him that Ren knew that this moment solidify their new friendship and couldn't help the joy that filled him.

Shaking his head once more as he glanced at the doors he muttered, "some know I am not 100 percent Japanese but not all, please keep this between us." He watched as understanding entered Cain's eyes and the happiness dimmed down and he nodded. "Setsu doesn't know your American?" The question was innocent, but it knifed him bloodied and tore at his soul.

"Not yet, I know she suspects that I have a "foreigners' background but our background is more complicated than you think. Allow me just a little more time to come clean…" he knew the pain had crept into his voice, knew his anguish flooded his eyes and felt his body sag.

A tight hand on his shoulder had him looking into the other man's eyes and what he saw there took his breath away.

Understanding

Choking away a sob in thanks Ren quickly looked away and the reason he called the other man out to the balcony was the right decision, knowing that they shared and understood each other on such a hellish plane of existence made him sure that he could provide help to the other in knowing that someone was there for him!

Taking his cell phone out of his pocket he hit the Bosses speed dial number and waited to see how the eccentric man would take his proposal?

Lory Takarada answered on the first ring. Ren wasn't surprised.

It took about thirty minutes to detail out his plan another twenty for Lory to agree. Everyone agreed that by morning the man that was currently playing Cain Heel would become none other than Tsuruga Yuuto. A cousin to Japan's most desirable man.

An actor just starting his new life in the entertainment industry.

Just as Ren had done almost six years ago.

After the phone call both men settled back into their roles and Ren glanced a side swipe look at his new cousin and had to laugh again as the boy looked even more lost than before. At his laugh the newly formed Yuuto looked at him and spoke, "what if I can't do it? What if" …. Swallowing hard, "what if this whole damn thing blows up in our faces?"

Ren considered the question and threw a backwards look again at the balcony doors and saw Setsu moving towards them and tightly muttered, "its wasn't guaranteed for me six years Yuuto, every day is hurdle and is never guaranteed. All you can do is your very best and rely on those you trust." Nodding to Setsu as she put a hand on the balcony doors, he was pleased she understood that they needed more time.

Yet with a sad look in her eyes as she glanced back and forth from one man to the other, she mouthed that dinner was done.

Nodding back with a smile he moved to straighten himself and cracked his neck at the stiffness that rocked his body. The soft question stopped him cold, "who do you trust Ren? I mean completely and utterly? If you understand…" here his words sobbed out "if you understand a fraction of what I feel how in the hell do you trust anyone with the monster inside?"

Turning, placing his back to the glass balcony doors Ren Tsuruga fell away and Kuon Hizuri stood, "not many! Lory knows and my parents of course and sadly that it's for now! Even soaked in blood my soul has started to beat, to feel, to crave, desire, I need her so fucking bad I am willing to bet everything on her. She has the power to destroy what little bit of my soul, of my sanity I have rebuilt. But I am going to lay it all on the line for just a fucking chance. She has been damaged, hurt beyond belief herself so I hope I am not to broken to maybe help…" here Ren's own words stuck because he knew the word he needed to say, the feeling he needed to convey…

"Heal!" Yuuto commented softly and turned to watch Kyoko through the glass doors. "That's the word Lory used," laughing Yuuto threw his head back at the gesture. Ren knew the rawness of what the boy was feeling, how hopeless he was feeling. The raw urge to laugh out the madness that was bubbling up was finally coming forth and Ren knew nothing could stop it.

"I have so much fucking blood on my hands, on my soul that it will never come off. I will never be clean- and I don't deserve to ever be cleansed. The sin I bear is mine and I never want to forget it or lose it! I don't deserve to heal, not when she can no longer feel anything!" The tears were leaking out between the laughter and the words. His breath was ragged, and his knees buckled. The clarity finally hitting him, the knowing that his sin now had a place within him. Never to be forgotten.

Ren let it happen, knew it needed to happen!

Crouching down in front of his newly minted cousin Ren smiled in knowing and nodded his understanding of what had just taken place and held out a hand. With a tear streaked face and a hopeless look in his eyes Yuuto took his hand and let himself be hauled up.

"Never forget this moment," Ren whispered, "but don't let it consume you!" Not knowing the specifics of the boys past Ren took the youngers boy face in between his hands and stared intently into his eyes. "The blood will never wash away," his own words choked at those words, "the blood we spilled, stains, but some stains are worth having in the larger schemes of things, it makes us who we are. Who we need to be!"

Watching as uncertainly entered Yuuto eyes but the look of countability of pure measurement seared into Ren's soul. He knew then that they would be forever tied to one another in a hellish nightmare promise.

He was emotionally spent, it took all his left-over energy to even eat and he knew he needed a shower after dinner. Tsuruga Yuuto moaned exhaustedly as his 'new' cousin return to his role as his best friend and started to harass his 'sister,' the flirtation was deeper on Kash's/Ren's part and playing the dutifully 'brother' Yuuto snapped at his friend to leave his beloved cute sister alone.

Setsu smile was beautiful and big in her thanks but Yuuto saw the unlined score that she totally enjoy the game. He didn't think the girl knew that Tsuruga Ren was trying to seduce her or was announcing his love in the small touch's and murmured words he gave. No Yuuto, at best was guessing about the 'in love' part, he doubted that the man was just trying to seduce her just to bed her. Not after the small conversation at the clothing shop or is consist use of the Russian word for beloved.

Blinking in surprise, and fighting back just how tired he was he look pointed at his friend and ask, "Kash just how many different language's do you speak?" Smiling as the other man chuckled, he picked a carrot off his plate counted. "English, Japanese, and Russian obviously, and Spanish! And you Cain?" Delight shined in his eyes as he replied, "lo mismo!" Kash gave a deep deep laugh and nodded in appreciation. Cain cocked his head to Setsu and asked, "and you Setsu-chan?"

He watched in fasciation as she huffed and muttered, "really Nii-san, what will I ever do with you?" the smile was flirty and sensual but after a minute she answered. "English, Japanese, French and one other that I have never gotten the chance to use since coming to Tokyo." A secret played on her lips with that last bit. Before he comment back Kash was speaking the same question, "Tell us vozlyublennaya, pozhaluysta!"

Smirking Setsu leaned back into her chair and Yuuto watched as she slowly licked her lips and wondered if she knew of the fire she was igniting within the other man? From what he had learned of her outside of her being Setsu he doubted it. Mogami Kyoko seemed ignorant of the sexual desire she caused in his newly formed cousin.

Yuuto pitied him.

Setsu narrowed her eyes and attempted to strike a deal with Kash, and Yuuto sat back and enjoyed the show, "I will if you tell me what that means?" Kash was slick and smiled devilishly, "what does what mean detka?" That earned him a growl and Yuuto was delighted with their open tautness. The building sexual tension was nothing like he had ever seen or felt.

He wasn't a blushing virgin by any means, so he knew the heat they were casting and knew when it came to ahead it was going to be hot and heavy, it made him jealous. He would bet that the sex when it happened would be hard, greedy, and powerful. He could honestly say he had never experienced sex like that. Because even though their desire would be all those things, he knew it would be loving above all else.

William Bennet had never made love to a woman in his life and sadly he didn't know if Yuuto Tsuruga would ever know how to make love to anyone!

"Just tell me!" Setsu was getting wired up and Kash's smile deepened and there as quick as his next breath Setsu was crossing her arms over her chest and crossing her legs.

Yuuto had picked up her uncomfortable stances before 'Kash' had.

They had been out 'sightseeing' the day after they had picked up Kash, his friend had instantly picked up on Setsu's annoyance with him and had deepened his teasing, never once paying attention to the countless woman that glance his own way.

That day had been a tad bit chilly, Setsu commented that it was unusually warm in Tokyo for December but still chilly none the less.

Kash had used a light smooth voice to speak his Russian back then.

Either had nothing more than mid heavy jackets on and Setsu hadn't had hers zipped up at the time thus when he threw her a quick glance at Kash's mild teasing he noticed that thru her tight shirt that her full pert breasts seemed heavier and her nipples were nicely erected. With wide eyes he quick turned away hoping not to embarrass the girl and kicked Kash when the girl's attention was focused on a hot chocolate vendor. Jerking his head, he motioned for Kash to look away then gave what he hoped was a 'warning' growl to tell his friend to stop.

Instead Kash had openly stared off after her, Setsu had snarled out quick 'fuck off' after noticing the direction of his stare. Shaking his head in slight disappointment he gently grab his sisters' hand and stiffed a bit as she laced their fingers. She tugged her to the vendor she had been staring at and got her a big cup.

He remembered Kash's look that day, it had been one of confusion and then pure delighted happiness. It appeared to him that Kash had stared simply because he had been surprised. Knowing what he now knew of the couple he was sure that had been the case.

So, after that day she had started to arm her arms he assumed when she got aroused and Kash reveled in it. He even went so far as to start licking his own lips in response and that had started her to cross her legs in reaction. This new action he was happy to see didn't need no interpretation to either man though at the small blush and quick looks Setsu gave out when this occurred, told him she had yet realized why she was doing it.

Thus, began the game that he had no choice but to be an unwilling spectator in.

In the end he decided it was an assuming game, one in which he had never seen the likes of before.

That had begun his snickers at Kash when Setsu did or said something that left the other man frozen or on pause. Kash in kind had started to scowl at him in return. It had hit him earlier that he had somehow been pulled into their dance and he hoped that if he played his cards right, he could smoothly 'dance' his way right back out of it.

Sighing as he remembered just tired, he was he thought he throw Setsu a 'bone', "Setsu vozlyublennaya and detka are…" Kash growled right down meanly making not only him but Setsu to look at him in surprise, "don't fucking ruin my fun Yuuto!"

Yuuto was so surprised in the break of character he could only open mouth gape at the other man. Setsu paused for a moment then recovered with, "Yuuto? Did the President decide on who you will be?" Blinking back from the now relaxed man to the curious woman he found his voice was gone. However, his cousin answered for him after a moment.

"Yes, a stage name has been decided on!" Yuuto thought the use of the wordage was odd but it seemed to have the desired effect of 'Setsu'. "Oh?" Her smile was small her eyes held so many questions that she tried to hide and Yuuto knew that the divide between his secrets and Tsuruga Ren's might be to insurmountable to compare.

Looking back and forward between both men Kyoko knew she would just have to wait patiently until one or the other decided to break their silence. It wasn't long before her Senpai spoke again. "Mogami-san please meet my cousin, Tsuruga Yuuto!"

Eyes widen as she looked sharply at the other man that had been up to now playing a mere character as his real life…

Her thoughts stop there as the reality hit her, a stage name! He was going to go by a stage name, like her senp…

It stung her for a moment, the thought that hit her, a reminder that she knew nothing of the man she had falling in love with. As painful as it was to think it, she had to stop hiding it from herself. The thought of claiming up to the deep emotion and learning to deal with it had started to change something in her the last couple of days.

Not for a moment did she forget that she might be willing to admit to herself that she loved him but he himself loved Morizumi Kimiko. Morizumi being a pure psychopathy didn't seem to bother him in the least, and she be damn if she would ruin her Senpai's chance at happiness. As long as the other girl adhered to her agreement with Koenji Erika Kyoko had no problem with her.

Shaking her head back to focus on the situation at present she slumped in defeated and smiled weakly. She hated stage names, hated that Tsuruga Ren felt the need to use one, to use one to hide behind! This reminded Kyoko that she didn't know what his real name was, and it didn't matter to her she suppose since she only had and would only ever have a respected relationship with him, but something nagged her. Something buzzed in the back of her mind that this man held a deadly weapon against her.

Even more so now she realized that the stakes had went up. She knew that he knew that his teasing got a rouse out of her, out of her body. It happened against her will, he would look at her or say something in either in a deep low tone or in Russian and her breasts tightened, and her panties became uncomfortably wet.

Worst of all she had a sneaking suspicion he knew that too! Her 'Nii-san' did, that she was positive of, she had noticed that there was times he would cough and pointedly look away while trying to give her either some time or cover up and get her run-away body under control.

But she, nor neither man spoke of it.

What was the saying, it was a like an elephant in the room and no one knew how to get around it?

She put on a smile she hoped convinced both men that the topic didn't bother her, that the ball face lie didn't hurt. Beside who was she in the larger picture? After this assignment she might not get to see let alone work with the new Tsuruga Yuuto again.

Swallowing her pride, she hoped her voice came in light and positive, "Yuuto? It suits you, I think! And trust me when I say that you're in no better hands than with Tsuruga-senpai!"

Cocking her head when she noticed the exchange between the two men she wondered if there was another secret that she wasn't privy too?

Shaking her head in silent reminder it didn't matter, no she need to keep this work related. Best for everyone if she didn't try to become so personal with someone that would be working along side her senpai so much.

It might protect herself a little.

Before much later, when the dishes were done, showers taken and her beloved Senpai locked away in his own hotel room did Kyoko sleepy look over to the newly Tsuruga Yuuto and yawn with a sleepy thought that he was so lucky to have Tsuruga Ren as a trusted 'family' member.

Her own thoughts turned into dreams of just how lucky she wished she was with the man in question.

Dreams filled with wet kisses, eyes full of love and most all dreams where he loved her like she loved him.

wow this chapter never wanted to end and at the same time Kyoko didn't want to work with me for her end of the chapter! Kuon and Yuuto was a piece of cake to write this time. Anyways so for the wait, as always thank you very much for reading, liking, commenting, or simply stopping in to read a bit.

Translations:

lo mismo- the same (Spanish)

vozlyublennaya- beloved and/or sweetheart (Russian)

detka- baby (Russian)

Reviews:

H-Nala – thanks for the lookout and the kind words! 3

ktoll9 – you made me squeal in delight at your review drop! Your one of my favorites!

kruemmel – thank you for the kind comments! Its been along time since I have felt the urge to write and awesome comments like yours makes me feel a little more secure in sharing!