A/N: I do not own Skip Beat! or Princess Mononoke. I hope you like this chapter. 8)

Chapter 5

They had 5 of the 30 days of filming in Japan left. Kyoko and Kuon could only remember one time in their lives when they had done such a physical role. For Kyoko, it had been Momiji for Sacred Lotus and for Kuon it had actually been BJ for Tragic Marker. The parts had consisted of climbing trees and walls; swinging on vines and ropes; running on rooftops and down the sides of steep hills; swimming through ponds and across rivers. So, each day when they fell into bed, they were truly spent and would sleep soundly until they were required on the set for the next day. There was very little time that would be spent in the studio for this one. The computer graphics were extensive, but it would be added within the next 7 months along with the soundtrack and other embellishments for the film. They were excited, it would be their second, anime to live-action, film and judging from the response of their first, they hoped that their fans would enjoy this one once it was released.

During that last 5 days of filming, Yuki had received an invitation from Lory Takarada for him, Kanae, Kyoko and Kuon to attend a private dinner in his home. They had given up on their anger for the mess he had caused long ago, so it was no surprise to Yuki when Kuon and Kyoko accepted. Kanae however, was a little more complicated. She was still irritated by the man and his meddling. She had never approved of it and felt that even though he thought he was helping, it was absolutely none of his business. She believed that matters of the heart and wounds such as theirs needed to find a way to heal on their own.

Now the acceptance of his invitation did not come without a little bit of discussion on the part of the Hizuri couple. Initially Kuon really didn't want to go. He was apprehensive of Lory's motive and thought for certain he would attempt to lure them back to LME so that he could stick his fingers into their lives again. Kyoko assured him that she wouldn't be swayed and that she was only going because she hadn't spoken to Maria in awhile. Certainly they had been communicating via email but, she wanted to see her Imōuto and emails were not enough. Kuon understood and finally agreed.

So on the final day before they decided that they would return to London, via a circuitous route, touring various countries in Asia, they attended what ended up being an elaborate apology dinner hosted by Lory Takarada. What had stunned them the most was when he knelt before the pair in dogeza and begged for the pair to forgive him for hurting them both so very much. Of course he was forgiven, they had forgiven him long ago. However, they did let him know that they would not be coming back to LME, no matter how much he begged and beg he did. He missed his favorite toys and they were well aware of it.

Finally, Princess Mononoke was in the can and on its way back to Los Angeles for editing and sound and Kyoko and Kuon were on their one month vacation tour of Asia.

Long after Kyoko's twentieth birthday and well into the filming of their sixth movie together, Carthage (a movie about a gladiator and his wife that had been sold into slavery in ancient Rome), a happy little discovery was made. Although, Kyoko wasn't exactly completely thrilled about it at first but once Kuon had expressed his Oya-Baka glee over it as they sat at a table at a little outdoor café in Rome, all of her fears had been alleviated. She was 3 ½ months pregnant.

Certainly she had been worried at first about Kuon's reaction, but he had calmed her and assured her that he couldn't have been happier, unless they had their wedding an honeymoon again. The main thing that worried her was what it would do to her career and she certainly didn't want to put her career before her child like her mother had. Kuon assured her that his mother could give her pointers in that area and there were a lot of women that were doing the same. He absolutely knew that they could handle it together. So, the news was passed on to Yuki, who also assured her that it wouldn't be a problem.

From the very beginning of this adventure, Yukihito had made sure to read and amend each and every contract for both of the stars for just such an occasion. Not a one of their employers had a problem with it, mainly for the fact that it looked good for their image to promote a wholesome family image and that is how the cards were played. Worldwide in photos, magazines, television, and finally movies, they were a family, where before they were merely a married couple that might or, might not last like most of the others that had come before them.

People had noticed the close, loving and respectful nature of the young Hizuri couple before but now that they were expecting the first addition to their little family, it was even more pronounced in everything that Kuon did for her. They way he attended her, doted upon her and treated her was commented on everywhere they went. The attention they lavished upon each other was envied by all. They were an "It" couple, the same as the elder Hizuri's were.

In Kyoko's late fifth month, the young Hizuri's and the newly wed Yashiro's decided to move close to friends and family. So, they finally settled in a little suburban, gated community in Southern California, close to where most of their work was. The area near the beautiful beach was far more laid back and relaxing than Tokyo or, London had ever been. When they came home at the end of the day, their quiet times were either spent at the private beach or, on their own terrace watching the sun set over the clean blue-green water. Still, they chose a quiet little home, with a back-yard and garage, over an overly elaborate mansion. Produce was purchased at the farmer's markets that Kyoko had become fond of and the rest was purchased at the corner grocery store. Disguises were rarely donned, the area they lived in was commonly frequented by other stars and because of the stalking laws, paparazzi tended to be a tad more respectful than those in Tokyo or, London, not by much though but it was far more tolerable.

During Kyoko's seventh month, Kuon was given the opportunity to be part of the main cast in an alternate diversion of the Star Trek movie series. They had asked him to be Spock. When he came home that evening, after receiving the news from Yuki, he was in a daze. It was an iconic role and he wasn't sure he could actually do it justice. Two others had successfully donned the mantle before him and made the character their own. He was worried that he wouldn't be able to do it and make the fans happy. It was quite a burden for him.

"I don't know if I can do it Babe." He told her as she filled his cup with warm tea and sat next to him to be a sympathetic or, encouraging ear.

"What makes you think that Sweetheart?" She asked as she calmed him with a caress on his arm and took his hand in hers.

His brow furrowed. "There's been movies, comics, dramas and a variety of other media for this character. The fans have a very clear picture in their minds of what this character should be. I just don't know it I can live up to that."

She smiled softly. Ever since taking on CG and animated films for her pregnancy she had immersed herself in Western culture and this particular series was one of her many favorites. Finally, she gave him a lecture similar to that he once gave her on the set of Dark Moon, before their very first scenes. "Kuon...What is his background? Who is he really? How do others see him? His own people and outsiders. How does he see himself?"

Kuon's eyes went wide when he thought about her questions. He shook his head. "I don't know why I didn't think of that before. I guess I have more to offer than I originally thought." He chuckled, his background and teen years didn't bother him as much as they once did and Kyoko being by his side helped alleviate a good portion of that pain and self-contempt.

She giggled and kissed him on the nose. "You're welcome..." She was then off to make dinner.