Chapter 3


It was the end of February and she'd been living in LA for about a month now. She loved her apartment. It was just the right size for her, not too big and not too small. Well protected as Yashiro had demanded and not too expensive for the area. She had a nicely sized kitchen, a wonderful balcony/patio and a king-sized bed. Her contract allowed one pet, but she wasn't sure if she wanted the responsibility at the moment. Perhaps discuss something like that with Yashiro, he would probably be the one dealing with it when she wasn't around and she really didn't want to impose on him like that. However, he had mentioned a couple of times since they had landed in LA how quite a few of the starlets had cute little dogs they kept with them. She giggled at that thought. Maybe it would be a good idea. He seemed a little partial to the little Pomeranian. Although, she kind of liked the little Papillon or even an English Toy Spaniel. In the end, a few weeks later she would find the sweetest little Papillon-mix, that looked like a tiny, long-haired German Shepard, that loved her to pieces, and definitely saw Yashiro as a playmate and sometimes a pillow or chew-toy.

It had been a somewhat long day of being poked, trussed, measured and fitted for the costumes that her character would wear. By the end of it all, she had gotten used to being seen in her undies or less, by anyone and everyone. She would be wearing at least three evening gowns that fit like a glove, two different Brazilian-cut thong bikinis, a riding habit and boots, a very elegant silk skirt suit, a couple of outfits that would make Setsuka melt with envy, a couple of casual outfits, several skimpy lingerie sets, and at least three sexy nightgowns.

She bit back her thoughts on her wardrobe. This is what she signed up for and she knew it would come to this when she agreed on accepting the job. She had watched every movie from the franchise, read a couple of the books and it excited her that she would be one of the few women of the 007 franchise that would be a main villain. Especially one where it was left open for her to return later if they decided. They were actually going to keep her fate a mystery. Which meant to her, that she needed to strive for perfection on this, more than ever before. It was moments like this, that she was thankful that her mother had pushed her to succeed so early, like she did.


Honestly, he was at his wit's end. He really wanted to go and find Kyoko in LA, but it was LA. He wasn't sure if he was ready to head back in that direction. He hadn't set foot on American soil for almost seven years. It was like putting a cookie jar in a locked glass cabinet for a child to look at, knowing full well that it was filled with the tastiest cookies ever made, Kyoko being the cookies. Maybe more like in a chummed pool of hungry sharks. He thought wryly and sighed as he stared at the number he'd not yet dialed on his phone.

Lory had at least, given him Yashiro's new phone number. Kuon suspected that Lory expected him to call him and take advantage of the connection that they shared. He was pretty sure he'd never been so nervous over a woman before. It had always been them to approach him, chase him and ask him out. He'd never really had to work for the attentions of a female or even ask for it. That was another thing he liked, but hated about Kyoko, she made him feel like a normal guy. To her, he was. She wasn't going to chase him down, that was his job. She wasn't going to worship the ground he walked on, look where that got her before. She wasn't going to shower him with expensive gifts, she'd been down that path too.

At this point, he would be more than willing to crawl to her on his knees, begging for forgiveness, for things he'd done with or without her knowledge. He wanted to give her gifts and flowers. He wanted to take her special places and show her off. He would give his soul to just smell her scent and hold her in his arms, just to taste her lips, like he did in Guam. That was another delightful little piece of hell he'd brought on himself. He'd had a taste and now he needed more.

He stared at his phone again, and then at the time. 2 am. "They're eight hours ahead. That means its 10 am there. Well, I suppose it's now or never." He took a deep, nervous breath, closed his eyes and pressed send.

After three rings, the other line was answered. "Yukihito Yashiro, how can I help you?" He answered in English. Kuon didn't even know he could speak English so flawlessly.

"Yukihito? Hi, how've you been?" He decided for the casual approach.

Yukihito furrowed his brow a little confused and then recognized the voice. "Ren? Is that you? Hold on a minute, Kyoko's rehearsing right now. Let me get somewhere a little more quiet, where I can talk and keep an eye on Yōsei-chan." Kuon heard some rustling, a tiny growl, a chuckle and a door close. "Sorry about that."

"No problem. Who's Yōsei-chan?" He asked with curiosity.

Yukihito chuckled a little. "Oh, he's Kyoko-chan's puppy. She got him last week and he's a little clingy with her. He's kind of warming up to me though, since I volunteered to watch the little scamp while she's busy." He explained cheerily.

He couldn't help, but be a tiny bit jealous. Kyoko had a puppy with Yukihito. No, it's not like that Kuon. He's taking care of the puppy for her while she works. You know how he is, he's always wanted one. This is probably like a dream come true for him. He chuckled inwardly remembering how Yukihito was every time someone sent him stuffed plushies of small dogs. "So, I heard you're in California. How do you like it?" He asked casually, trying not to reveal the actual purpose of the call.

Yukihito smirked mischievously. Of course he knew why Ren called, Lory had told him to expect it and not make it easy for him. He wanted to hear why from Ren's lips, for once. No more guessing games on whether he felt something for Kyoko or not. "Actually it's kind of nice. It's a little more laid back than we expected and the weather is very mild. Really gloomy right now, but what can you expect for the winter months?"

Kuon chuckled nervously. "Talking about the weather now?" He sighed. "Am I really that transparent?"

Yukihito smiled and laughed a little as the puppy struggled to climb into his lap to sleep. "Maybe not to most, but I actually know you. Might I suggest that you start with flowers in your apology?"

He let out a sharp laugh. "I think I need to do a little more than that, but I'm ready to try just about anything at this point. Any suggestions?"

"Hmm, she knows the Tea Ceremony pretty well, so she probably knows Ikebana. Just let the florist know that and what you want to say with the flowers. They can probably suggest something for the occasion." Yukihito told him as he caressed the small, sleeping puff-ball in his lap.

"Ikebana?" Kuon asked a little confused.

"Are you even Japanese?" Yashiro teased. "It's the art of arranging flowers. Most women that know the Tea Ceremony as well as she does, traditionally have been taught Ikebana."

Kuon groaned a little. "Actually, I've been meaning to have a discussion with you about that. Technically I am Japanese, but I was born in the US and my mother Russo-American. My father is Japanese." He explained a little sheepishly.

"R-Ren, I really didn't mean for it to sound that way. I was only teasing. You're heritage really isn't that important to me. Sorry, I didn't mean for it to sound the way it did." Yukihito apologized.

"No, no... It's okay. I'm just a little nervous to be honest. I have a lot to tell you and even more to tell her. I just hope she doesn't hate me even more than she already does after this." He groaned a little in despair.

Yukihito snickered a little. "I really don't think she hates you. You're worrying about it entirely too much. You do really need to talk to her and straighten your situation out though. It's not my place to tell you why."

"Do you think you could give me her number or her address? I can't very well talk to her if I don't know how to reach her and Shachou decided he isn't going to tell me." Kuon told him, hoping that Yashiro wasn't in the same frame of mind to torture him.

Yashiro supposed it would be okay to give him the studio name and lot number. It wasn't like her co-star's wife didn't have the information. He supposed as long as he didn't reveal what was being filmed it would be fine. Just to make sure, he would ask the producer later to double check. He would check with her later to see if it was okay to give Ren her number when she was done. It was something that she could easily take care of if she didn't wish to talk to him. She could always block his number or just ignore the call if he did make her angry.