Kyoko felt her jaw drop as she felt Ren push her away and take Sho's kiss. Ren? Ren of all people kissed sho? Her mind was reeling after what had just occured. She watched them 'kiss' and 'part' in a daze, not really taking in the scene now unfolding before her.
She closed her eyes confused by the emotions whirling inside her.
Surprise... Who would have thought Ren Tsuruga would take the kiss for her? He shared a kiss with the one person they both hated, but why?
Happiness... She didn't have to kiss Sho thanks to Ren. So did that mean he genuinely cared for her?
And finally realization... Kyoko suddenly felt a warm glow deep within her heart and spread within her, enveloping her completely. She felt alive and happy, as though something was burning within her fiercely, determined to survive now that she had finally given in to this wonder emotion.. That emotion she had once hated above all. An emotion that was terrible but wonderful, that could be painful at one time and beautiful another time..
No!, her demons screamed at her, fearing for their lives as they watched the turbulence of emotions wrecking chaos in their master's heart. You couldn't possibly be the one!
The last line brought Kyoko crashing down to reality. She looked at Ren sadly, a sharp stabbing pain eating her away from within. Deep in her heart, lay a box which had been guarded by numerous locks. Each time he had effortlessly managed to blow them away.
And now... he had finally unlocked the last lock. The lock released that beautiful and aching love for a man who she could never hope to make hers, for he already had someone else he loved.. She just wished he had told Bo truthfully who it had been all along. She now knew who it was...
"Tsuruga?", Ruriko cooed placing a slender hand on Ren's shoulder. Kyoko stared at the hand elegantly on Ren's shoulder, giving him a gentle squeeze. She felt a rush of fury and hatred towards the woman beside Ren, holding him, talking to him so casually.
Ren shook away Ruriko's hand roughly. She looked affronted. " I was only trying to make you feel be-", she started but stopped when she caught sight of the murderous glint in his eyes.
" I have just two words for you Miss Ruriko.", he said in a cold, polite voice, barely hiding his fury. " Back- Off!"
Ruriko gulped and could only nod meekly. Ren turned to Kyoko. "You two carry on. I need to take a walk.", he said shortly and strode out of the stall to the park.
There was dead silence in the stall. Neither of the two girls dared to look at each other. The cheerful, festive mood seemed to have disappeared completely, leaving behind a cold, unfriendly atmosphere.
There were fewer customers now as it started to get dark. Kyoko looked anxiously in the direction Ren had gone every five minutes. Ruriko continued to kiss the customers in silence, without her initial enthusiasm. Her inflated ego had suffered a severe blow and it would take her a long time to recover.
Finally Kyoko could bear it no longer. Without a word to Ruriko, she ran off in search of Ren. Ruriko watched her go dully , not caring about anything and wishing this day would come to an end.
Kyoko ran to the other end of the park where there were no more stalls. She came to a stop near a fountain. There was a beautiful statue of two swans at the centre. The water sprayed from all around, making it look as though the two swans were in the rain.
In front of the fountain was a bench where a young man sat dejectedly, with his head in his hands.
Kyoko felt love and happiness well up in her heart once she saw he was safe and sound. But it tore her to see him so unhappy. She stood there for a few minutes. What should I do? ,she though desperately. As much as she wanted to confess her new found feelings for him, she knew deep in her heart that she could never be truly happy if Ren wasn't. Even if he was by her side..
Kyoko took a deep breath and fiercely wiped away the tears that had already started to spill out. She loved Ren. More than she had ever loved Sho.
And one thing hadn't changed about her love- she was willing to do anything for his happiness. Even if it meant giving him up to someone she hated more than anyone else in the world..
She bravely walked up to the bench and sat next to Ren. He didn't move and Kyoko sat there quietly, desperately hoping he would never look up, that time would stand still and she would never have to do what she had prepared herself for.
Ren had calmed down a little by now. He had been furious with the president for setting up this whole plan. Furious with Fuwa for showing up. Furious with that spoiled brat Ruriko. Furious and fed up with everything that had happened so far..
And worst of all- Kuon had been unleashed. Completely. Ren could feel Kuon on a rampage deep inside, and tried to supress him. But the harder he tried, the more Kuon rebelled. He could still feel an occasional spasm of anger when the memory of that absurd situation earlier filled his mind. If he hated Fuwa before, it was nothing compared to what he was feeling now.
Ren was startled out if his reverie when he heard a soft sigh beside him.
He looked up and turned slowly to find Kyoko sitting beside him. She was gazing straight ahead at nothing in particular. A sad smile was etched on her perfect features. In the sun set light, she seemed to be giving out a divine reddish glow, that made her the picture of perfection.
Ren felt Kuon rise once again at the sight of his love. His eyes softened and he finally spoke," Mogami san?"
Kyoko looked at him startled. " Tsuruga San!", she said, looking a little flustered. " I.. Well, I wanted to know if you're all right now."
She looked down at her hands, her face a tiny shade of red. She looked so cute, and so adorable, that Ren would have been only to happy to surrender to Kuon and take her in his arms.
"Yes, I'm better now.", he replied softly, looking at her face half tenderly, half sadly. "Thank you for your concern. I hope I didn't inconvenience the stall?"
Kyoko shook her head as she finally turned to look up at him. " There is something I need to talk to you about Tsuruga san."
He nodded, curious about the determined expression on her face.
" I know why you did that earlier. You know? That.. kiss?", she said a little hesitantly. He nodded , forcing himself to keep calm. He turned his face trying to hide his raging emotions and fury against Fuwa.
" You do?", he finally asked her, cautiously. She couldn't possibly.. Or could she ?
Kyoko nodded and plowed on valiantly. "I understand why you saved me from that kiss with sho."
" I suppose you think I did it out of kindness? To save you from humiliation and possible embarrassment?", he replied, unable to keep out a faint note of bitterness from his voice.
Kyoko shook her head. " You did it because you are in love Tsuruga San.", she said quietly. Ren's head snapped in her direction, his eyes widening with disbelief. "And what makes you so sure about that?", he asked, forcing himself to keep calm. He had to be absolutely sure... He didn't want to get his hopes up for nothing..
Kyoko gave him a small smile. " From your previous reactions. Whenever something happened between Sho and me, you always seemed to get mad at me. I wondered why would you dislike Sho just because I wanted revenge. But now i realize how wrong I was.. that anger... was jealousy wasn't it?"
She looked at him expectantly. Ren gave a tiny nod, holding his breath.
" And that incident today was similar to Valentine's day. You didn't want sho kissing me both times."
I don't want anyone kissing you!,Ren thought fiercely.
Kyoko smiled at him ruefully. " I've hurt you so much haven't I Tsuruga San?", she asked him, in her sweet voice.
You? Hurt me?, Ren thought incredulously.
"You can never hurt me Mogami San.", he assured her gently.
She sighed again, and turned to look at the fountain. " Unrequited love can hurt a lot Tsuruga san. Both you and I know that.", she replied quietly.
"But now, I'm going to put an end to that!", she said suddenly, turning to him once more.
"What do you mean?", Ren asked desperately hoping she would say the words he wanted her to say.
" I mean, I am going to put an end to your pain once and for all. Your love will no longer be unrequited. Your love will be returned and forever.", Kyoko looked at him, love for Ren burning in her eyes. She would do anything to make him happy.
"So you mean you are..okay with my love ?" he asked just to make sure. Kyoko nodded at him smiling.
Ren felt Kuon roar with victory within him. He let out a cry if joy and flung his arms round kyoko. " Thank you kyoko.", he whispered. It was the first time he had called her by her first name. "You have no idea how happy you've made me!"
Kyoko , after an unsuccessful struggle felt the tears flowing freely now.
"I thought you would neve accept.. with your past history with Fuwa..", Ren continued.
Kyoko managed to keep the sobs out if her voice as she replied, "Ren, no matter what history we had together, I meant absolutely nothing to Sho! You on the other hand are different. Sho hates you now, but I can help you change that." She felt Ren stiffen.
"I'll do whatever it takes to get you two united.", she continued sadly.
Ren jerked away from the embrace, his eyes flashing with a fire kyoko had never seen before.
"What did you just say?", he asked in a low dangerous voice.
Kyoko stared at him in fear not understanding.
"Are you suggesting that I am gay?", he continued in that murderous voice. "That I am in love with Fuwa? Fuwa of all people?"
Kyoko started to tremble, her face confused. " I.. It's nothing to be ashamed of Re..Ren. I don't like you're choice much but if he makes you happ-"
But before she could say another word, ren's lips came crashing down on hers.
A/N: HELLO READERS! THANK YOU ONCE MORE FOR READING! PLEASE REVIEW! I HOPE TO UPDATE SOON, BUT I HAVE A COUPLE OF TESTS COMING UP SO IT MAY TAKE SOME TIME! ONCE AGAIN..PLEASE REVIEW!
