It was the best of times… or so they thought.
In the golden age of dynasties gave birth to an heir with the promise of hope for the future. A bundle of joy came along with a beautiful baby boy. The prince was loved dearly by the king and queen. But the country always intervened. Often left alone the prince found doubt. There was a darkness lingering about. Predators arose pouring poison into our princes's ears. Each night he woke up with new found fears.
As he grew older the prince got colder.
The light in his eyes flickering away.
Much to his own parents dismay, they didn't know what to do… or say.
In his heart there was a battle raging on.
The darkness took root and was growing strong.
Resentment, anger and fear was used by the predators to draw him a single spark everything went dark.
Fire and smoke, a new prince awoke. Leaving his old realm behind.
Dawning on a mask,
He wanted no one to ever find,
wonder or ask about his true origin.
Believing he was finally free form the pain and agony.
Still a prisoner at war, he believed his old self was dead and no more.
Stronger from the blood and cries of the past when he left with no goodbyes.
To a world unknown he was alone.
The Cursed Prince wished that this would last.
But deep down in his fast beating heart still lays a spark
Waiting …
For a new day,
A new way,
A new ray of hope.
—
Day break assaulted his waking face as a ray blinded Kuon's eyes. Blinking open he adjusted to the lighting. "Perfect timing," A small voice said. "We are here." The golden blonde rubbed his sleep out of his eyes after a long eleven hour red eye flight. Kuon groggily reached for his phone turning it back on. A message popped up in a small bubble: 1 message, Miss Mogami. A smile crossed his face as his thumb pressed opening the app.
[ Miss Mogami: Please travel safely! Since Yashiro is with me I expect to see all of your meals that you eat! I want video evidence up until one of us reaches you. I know you can't fake that! Be safe! You'll do great filming! \(≧▽≦)/]
Kuon stared at the emoji for quite a while contemplating what it could mean and how he should reply in return. Unaware of his companion's prickly stare as she slid her own phone over. Leaving the notes app open a text that wrote: [Are you sure you don't want to use the wig? If you keep this up you really will go bald.]
Kuon's eyes darted to his personal beautician, Miss Woods. Whom was giving him a pleading pout. They have been over this thousands of times as his lips turned stern. Kuon's face looked unamused as he wrote back: [If I do, I already said I can just shave it off completely. That's when I will wear the wig. :) No big deal.]
Ten's teeth started to grind reading that reply. Muttering to herself in anger. His cheeky boyish smile irking her to no end. She saw his words coming from miles away. But still when his hair is natural and his eyes are true, Ren looked like a living jewel.
As beauty is her perfusion, it pains her so to tarnish such a rare gem. But she will be damned if those lushes locks be shaved off. Or have patches of skin showing. Ten knew Ren wouldn't hesitate too. He would happily take a razor and glide it on his scalp. She didn't want to even picture it.
Gripping her hands that she felt were tied, "You win," she loudly whispered. Still with that irritating smile, Ren deleted the current message on the phone. He wrote just a thumbs up pairing it with a salesman smile and a physical thumb up too. Ten's veins were popping right out her foreheads seems. She couldn't even look at him anymore. With an angered growl Ten leaned back into her seat fastening her headphones back on. As she closed her eyes drowning into the music, Kuon turned his to the plane window watching the patch of land grow bigger.
The wheels landed on the ground of the runway. Not long after they were able to deport themselves off the air craft and make their way to the exit.
—
"–Have you seen the way you two look at each other?" John spitted out as he shoveled hotel food down his throat. After a long day with filming the 'Takodana' forest castle scenes Rey and Finn here were almost a wrapped. It has been a while since Kyoko enjoyed the brit's company and with Rah—Ren back in the states; she needed someone to keep her mind occupied.
John munched down another slice of pizza enjoying every single bite. She could feel her face start to heat up, "What are you talking about?" Her voice held disbelief. "Tsuruga—Ren, gives you this," John started to cheaply imitate of Ren's, "Face." He took another bite. "It's quite obvious what he thinks about when he's with you." John finished off his slice as her cheeks were turning red. He reached for another piece, "I have the hospital bill to prove it," he muttered. Kyoko got defensive, "That has nothing to do with that! Ren got too caught up in the moment!" John's ears perked up. Her words went hit a strange note in him. His eyes squinted at her with skepticism, "Riiight, I'm sure that was also part of the problem. Maybe a mixture of both," he took a bite of his second slice. Kyoko wasn't blind to the sarcasm that was shaded in her direction. As her lips pulled back she gave him a skeptic look of judgement.
John gave Kyoko a cheeky smile as he held back his laughter and instead did his imitation of Ren Tsuruga again. Mocking his longing look he often gives Kyoko. Getting carried away, he started to playfully mocking her as well. Imitating the starry eyes she often gives Tsuruga when he wasn't looking. Irritating her more, "Will you stop that!" She growled at him. John broke down crackling, "Apologies, but I got punched in the face by your dear senpai. I think that has earn me the right to make some fun. And meddle in his affairs. You know—to make sure it doesn't happen again." Kyoko piped down and took a sip of her water. She was stirring with bitterness not knowing what to say.
John was taking the hit in stride. Truly showing no real sign of animosity toward her senior. She couldn't necessarily argue back. What he was feeling was valid. But It still annoyed her to no end. "He sure does pack a punch—might I add!" John protruded her thoughts. "Let's just hope one of the Rens pull back during the final fight scene." He started rubbing his jaw remembering the pain.
John noticed Kyoko turning quiet. Staring into her cup. Mindlessly caressing the dew of condensation with her thumbs. He knew her long enough now to know it wasn't hard to see what she was thinking about. Or were her mind was probably going. John collectively started to gather his own thoughts.
After a few moments of a tension filled room John let out a sigh. "Sorry, I just needed to get my frustration out." Honestly looking apologetic now. Sharing information Kyoko was unaware of, " He actually payed of the hospital bill." He muttered under his breath,"And…some other stuff. He's …not that bad." Kyoko's attention sparked back up. "When I did speak to him he seemed like a nice guy too. Maybe you are right. He just lost his senses and got caught up. I can't say I hate the guy." Kyoko's troubling frown tugged upward rewarding John with a beaming smile. Causing John to side smile back at her, "Oh peanut…" he rose his hand to rest it on Kyoko's shoulder. He did a soothing action to calm her anger before he said, "…that's the same look you give him." He teased. "Get out."
—
A week or so alone in his own personal hell. Kuon dreaded this since he lifted the pen and sealed his fate. Kylo Ren needed to wrap his singular scenes with the first order before the final showdown. And due to time constraints and scheduling, was sent back to California alone. Normally he would just be sent on a earlier flight with Kyoko only being a few hours behind. Or already waiting for him to arrive. But sadly his good luck charm was left far behind across the pound in England. There will be no clutch to hold on to diving into these American waters. No life raft to throw out into the waters if the tide gets tough.
He should be drowning, hating himself. He should not be able to breath. Fear, panic and guilt should be infiltrating his lungs. But as soon as the wheels of the plane touched American soil there wasn't fear or agony at all. Kuon felt calm. The guilt still there weighing heavy on his chest, but no different than the night before in the U.K. Ren actually felt like he was able to get by.
Towing his luggage along as he deported the plane the petite woman protruded her hand on Kuon's phone. "Why are you in a daze?" Kuon followed the extended hand to find it's owner. He was still trying to figure out a reply to Kyoko's message. His main trouble deciphering out the Japanese emojis. Miss Wood's demeanor turned annoyed. Ten let her irritation out with a sigh, as if she was dealing with child. "Darling said you might be off today since you were going to be alone filming," Ten turned her heel to guid the actor to the car waiting him. It was Ren's turn to get slightly annoyed as he followed his personal beautician to the limo. What am I? An endangered species. "I think I will be okay alone in the states for a week," He muttered out his frustrations to himself while entering the limo.
A puff a smoke clouded his vision. "Oh really now…. The last time I saw you, Ren, you were as pale as a ghost," The trail of smoke lead to an older gentlemen. Had to be about over the age forty. Miss woods smiled at the man with a starry eyed vision, "Darling! Where is my treat?" She hoped for a kiss or at very least something romantic as Ten slid into the automobile. Lory shuffled in his pockets to retrieve colorful candy and handed it to her. Receiving only a pat on the head and this, Ten's eyes slanted down aggravated at her prize. Stewing in her own misfortune as she unwrapped her treat and plopped it into her mouth.
Lory shifted his ten leader cowboy hat up to get a better view of Kuon. Clanking his assembled boots as he crossed his legs. Getting fully engulfed in his western cosplay, "Mitgh-tee big woulds coming for ya mouth." His lips curled into an 'O' while a ring of smoke escaped out. Lory placed his cigar in the ashtray grooves. "You were so shaken backin' Japan that you were staring at the floor. Elmost like it held all the answers." Kuon closed his eyes tightly holding it for a few moments. Praying that it was just a mirage form traveling fatigue. Snapping them back open only to see that Lory was indeed still there, he groaned. Kuon leaned his head back hitting the car seat, "Boss, It's too early for this. Cut it out." A huff escaped Lory's noise, "Stickin' the mud."
—
The limo pulled up to Lory Takarada's own private grand Californian estate. With each pillar crossing reflecting on the window, memories flooded back from years past. Things he's heart yearned to forget. Days his father and him coming over whenever the boss was in town. To the final days here. Like clockwork everything ticked back.
The extravagant large mansion's doors geared open. Stepping inside Kuon entered another world. If he shifted his eyes to the very left seeing the double doors, Kuon knew there lied a study. The patterning of little feat dashing to the woodwork revived in his mind. A toddler no more than the age of two giggling, rushing past the open crack came back. Tackling "Uncle Weeroy" ecstatic to see him. With his father not too far in the background leaning against the door frame. "Weeroy" tightly hugging him back calling him little star fighter rang in his ears. Playing with the toddler until Kuu took him off Lory's hands. "Kuon why don't you go play over there," his father landed him down to the side. Handing him a toy and sent him off.
Shifting his eyes again he saw a four year old boy with gold blonde hair and green eyes. Wondering about and left to his own devices while the grown ups talk. Sliding down the swirling stairway crashing onto the floor. Not landing gracefully at all. Puddles of water swelling in his eyes and streaming out in pain. Cries bounced off the stone walls reaching the studies doors. Swinging them open a concerned father rushed right over to his child. He tried his best to sooth the child down. Inspecting every corner, kissing the pain away.
To the center Kuon saw a twelve year old escaping to the courtyard looking disinterested at the tacky decorated surroundings. Being left alone once more while father does his work with his boss. That was also last time he ever accompanied his father here. Being "too busy" to be even bothered to pay a visit.
Finally to the right, beyond the arc to the living room sat a muted sixteen year old. Barely hanging on by a string. Uncle Lory—boss sliding him a promise. Paper's of a false identity to bury his shameful life. This is were Kuon Hizuri's final breaths took place. Out of the cremated ashes a new being was born. Vowing to never look back.
Tsuruga felt a wave cover come him as the signature came across his memory. It was a somber feeling of words he couldn't quite describe.
During his recollection Lory singled them out to be just the two of them. A mischievous smile found its way to the president's lips, "Do you think it's too moderate for my tastes" he teased. Almost like a needle tapping on a swelled up balloon, Kuon's lamenting ceased with a burst. "Not moderate enough," Kuon snarkily replied back. Lory's lips bunched together, "What's with the attitude, Kuon." Kuon's eyes glazed as he turned to face his leader. "My father… you told my parents I was back. Why wouldn't I be angry?" Lory unconvincingly pretended to be shocked. "And you being here isn't just a friendly visit to the states. What are you scheming?" Kuon's facial expression was unamused while Lory still acted. "Whatever could I be plotting? I just simply just wanted to check up on my best talent. And visit old friends," Lory stated as he plopped himself on a near by couch. His hand reaching for his jean pocket fishing for another smoke. Kuon's lips held his present frown as he eyed the older man with skepticism. Clicking the lighter on he ignited the flame coating the poison. Taking a drag his lips began to move again, "How does it feel to be here with in your after life? So far I only heard that it's been a big hit." Lory amused with himself took another inhale of his poison exhaling the smoke out of his nose. " Get any closer to a certain chestnut haired girl," His faces clearly showing a lopsided grin.
Is this some kind of joke to you? "I'm not here to play around," Kuon sounded irritated. Lory rolled his eyes taking a final drag and crushing the smoke into the ashtray, "Heaven forbid." The longer he lasted here, the more Kuon seemed to get annoyed. Lory let out a sigh, "Fine… Let's get down to business. What are your plan's after this Kuon?" this took him by surprise. "From what I heard filming is almost wrapped. Our deal we made six years ago was you go back with me to Japan. Start fresh and make a name big enough to get you back here. So here we are. What is your plan?" Kuon's body slowly crept into a near by chair. Runing his hand through his hair while Lory started to list questions. "Are you going to stay in the States? Go back and be a big fish in small pond like Japan?"
I didn't give this any thought, Kuon's throat bobbed. "Is your real name going to be in the credits?" Lory took a pause as eyed the actor up and down letting out another sigh. "Ren, you didn't think ahead …did you?" Lory's eyes were filled with pity as the younger man shook his head earnestly no. Clasping his head in one of his hands Lory scratched his scalp in frustration. Attempting to calm himself down. "No pressure, but now would be a good time to start thinking about it. I need a drink," The president stood up walking over to his liquor cabinet. Ice cubes clanked in the glass while Kuon remained quiet. The tone got serious, "I know this is no easy decision. But it's one that only you could make." The liquid started to pour into the glass. "I and the other people that love you will stand by whatever you choose." Lory took a sip of his alcoholic drink. Turning to face whomever he was talking to at this moment. Be it Kuon or Ren, he loved them both equally for they are the same person. If only he could see it too. " You're free to go be that guy now." Lory waved him off granting him permission to put back on the mask. A soft smile formed on the younger man's lips, "Thank you."
—
End of Ch. 17
—
A/N: Happy 4th of July everyone! If you are reading this and not in the states Happy day(..?)! Anyways here was a good juicy chapter for you. I hope you enjoyed reading it! I actually had a bunch of rewrites with this one. A lot of deleted content that I might save for a later date at least hopefully see the light of day! I will try to get another chapter out soon but I have a lot goin on this month. Looking at colleges, working out financial aid stuff and on the 20th seeing Taylor Swift in concert! After that definitely smooth sailing where I have all the time in the world. But I will be writing regardless just might be slower to upload. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my work! I appreciate you so much! If you want to talk, have questions, anything message me! I love hearing from people! Have a great time enjoying whatever day it is for you! And be safe everyone! :3
Side note: I have been writing some one-shots for RenKyoko week too. That will (again) hopefully be updated everyday that week (July 6-12th) if you want to, are interested or wanted away to at least keep busy till the next chapter you can read them aswell! This will be my first time actually doing anything besides rebloging stuff on tumblr. Or reading others great works! So please look forward to that maybe. :)
