A/N: Okay so I know some of you were like wtf? Where did the chapters go? And I would like to apologize for so selfishly removing them without any warning, it was unfair to my readers and I feel bad *Cries* I'm so sorry you guys! Here's the story, I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my writing and the last two chapters I posted just weren't cutting it for me. I added Reino for like no reason at all and It threw my story off completely. So I removed Reino, changed a few scenes, added some stuff, and combined chapters 5 and 6 to make this. And to be honest with you… I am far more confident about this one. I hope I don't let anyone down.
^_^ Please read and enjoy.
The pretty nurse smiled broadly at Ren as she twirled her hair and began to speak. "I'm Kyoko's nurse shall I show you and…" She glanced over Ren's shoulder only to Spot Sho. "Your friend to her room?" Yashiro popped up into the girl's line of vision and smiled.
"That would be lovely." She glanced him over smiling sweetly then returned her gaze to Ren and Sho who now stood side by side, both looking extremely agitated.
"Yes, please." Sho hissed slowly and the woman dropped her hair, spun on her heels and trotted down the hall. The trio followed behind with a little less bounce in their step, make that none at all.
"Kyoko-Sama, I'm coming in now." The nurse knocked twice before cracking the door slightly and smiling.
"O, come in, Yuuki-Chan." Ren, Sho, and Yashiro gasped at the sound of Kyoko's voice. It was so dry, so strained.
"You have visitors Kyoko-Sama, may they enter as well?"
"Visitors?" Kyoko coughed slightly and Yuuki entered without waiting for an answer. She flew through the room to Kyoko's side in a matter of seconds and instantly placed a gloved hand on her wrist. She stared up at the clock then pulled her hand away writing something the disoriented trio couldn't see, in Kyoko's chart.
They stared at Kyoko in unfathomable astonishment. Tubes and wires were attached all over her delicate body. She looked so frail not to mention pale. Stitches ran up both of her arms and a few on her forehead, those parts of her body that they could see were covered in scratches and bandages.
"O, god Kyoko." Ren stumbled to her side and dropped to his knees. "God, God, God, I-I'm so s-sorry." Ren's hand trembled as he reached up to caress the undamaged section of Kyoko's cheek. She placed her hand on top of his with a smile and stared up into his pleading eyes.
"It's alright, Ren. It wasn't your fault." Kyoko's eyes were intense on Ren's, they smiled up at him gently. "You did everything you could. I should have fought back harder." She giggled softly and reached up to wrap her free arm around a very startled Ren's neck and rest her chin on his shoulder. His free arm hung loosely at his side, too surprised to react. Kyoko lowered her voice drastically so only Ren could hear. "Sorry I said something unnecessary back there too. You'll have to forgive me f-"
"We'll talk about that later." Ren matched Kyoko's tone. He didn't want her to brush off her own confession. He would tell her how he felt. Ren pulled back gazing Kyoko in the eyes. "We will talk about that, Kyoko." He made his voice stern and commanding. Kyoko nodded slowly and retracted her arm from Ren's neck, then leaned back onto her bed and stared at Sho.
"You look like you have something to say, Sho." Sho backed away at the harshness and viciousness of Kyoko's tone.
"And why would I have anything to say to you?" Sho glared at Kyoko who glared back.
"O, I don't know… Because you're in my hospital room!" Yuuki was quick to glance between the seething pair as a very concerned Lory and an irritated Moko entered the room with Shoko and Maria following in after them. Kyoko didn't notice, she was far too busy trying not to jump from her bed and tear Sho limb from limb. He frowned at her before smiling coldly.
"Have you been well?" Kyoko held his gaze, chewing on her lip in irritation.
"Very, although it appears you already know that." Kyoko's eyes landed on Sho's mouth. It seemed to be a strange reddish color, like he had just finished a cherry Popsicle. That thought pissed Kyoko off, 'Of course, he only came to mock me and then leave.' She dropped her eyes from his and sighed.
"That's good." There was something odd in Sho's voice, almost regretful and sad, but when Kyoko looked up the same cold glare met her eyes. Someone shuffled anxiously and Kyoko turned to find Lory, Maria, and Moko standing in the doorway.
"Moko-San! Maria-Chan!" Kyoko looked as if she was going to jump from her bed.
"Kyoko-Sama, I must insist that you settle yourself or I will have to ask your…" Yuuki glanced at Sho, "um friends to leave." She placed a hand on Kyoko's wrist again and sighed. "Please try to relax…" her eyes glanced about the room. "Maybe I should ask them to leave…"
"No please!" Kyoko turned to plead with Yuuki too quickly and instantly regretted it. "Shit." She froze up clutching Yuuki's arm. "Please, don't make them go." A tear slipped out of the corner of Kyoko's eye as the pain she was feeling overwhelmed her. "Yuuki… it hurts…" Ren's eyes widened in horror as Kyoko bit her lower lip trying to quell the pain.
"What does, Kyoko-Sama?" Yuuki looked at the monitor next to Kyoko's bed and then back at Kyoko.
"My back…" She gritted her teeth trying to suppress the tinny cry that rose in her throat. "Owwy, owwy, owwy." Yuuki pulled back Kyoko's covers and her face fell. Ren was the only one who could see the multiply scratches and stitches that were exposed by the open backed hospital gown Kyoko wore. One set of Kyoko's stitches leaked blood and it dripped down her back. "It hurts!" Kyoko removed her hold from Yuuki and turned into Ren's open arms.
"You'll have to leave." Yuuki stood and ushered the others out of the room. She turned to Ren expectantly.
"Please, Yuuki. Let him… stay." Kyoko was sobbing now and Ren peeked over at Yuuki momentarily.
"Fine. Can you handle the sight of blood?" She caught sight of Ren's clothes and laughed dryly. "O, right. Never mind then. Help me turn her over onto her stomach." Ren delicately placed his hands on Kyoko's sides and picked her up placing her on her stomach. She let out a tinny, agonized moan.
"Sorry, Sweetie." Ren stroked Kyoko's hair sweetly and Yuuki stared at him in surprise.
"Are you a couple?" She inquired while rubbing a medical pad over Kyoko's open wound.
"No…" Kyoko struggled to keep her voice even. Ren smiled down at her and continued to stroke her head.
"Really? You two seem pretty chummy." Yuuki teased and Ren noticed Kyoko's neck turn red. He chuckled and Yuuki looked over at him briefly before returning her eyes to Kyoko's back.
"We-we're not… Ch-ummy." Kyoko pressed her head into the bed muffling her voice.
"Uh huh, sure." Yuuki smiled then turned to Ren. "Could you hold her hand? This is going to hurt immensely." Ren looked down at Kyoko's trembling form.
"Do you want me to, Kyoko?" She wiggled her fingers at Ren and he slid his hand over hers. She clutched it tightly and he squeezed her fingers gently. "It's okay, just relax." Kyoko cried out in pain as Yuuki began. Ren looked away from her back to focus on Kyoko's face as she turned it towards him.
"I-It hu-urts, Ren." The pain was evident on Kyoko's face and it made Ren want to scoop her up in his arms and hold her until she was the happiest princess in the world.
"I know. Please try to bear with it." Ren leaned in and touched his forehead to Kyoko's. "I'm sorry." His whisper was sweet and comforting. "Hey, earlier you confessed and you got the wrong idea. But please listen." Kyoko's eyes widened as she gawked at Ren's face. She studied his lips, his eyes, his nose, she took in his face and engraved it into her memory. "I-I…" Ren sighed and closed his eyes. "What I was going to say back there is that you're only seventeen… I'm almost twenty-one… It would be illegal for me to even touch you… I… God Kyoko… I want you more than I've ever wanted anything in my entire life. Please understand…" Kyoko squeezed Ren's hand and his eyes shot open to find her intently gazing at him.
"I don't care. I don't give a damn about age. Please Ren. Please just… Just tell me, do you love me?" Ren felt heat rush to his face, he hesitated. He knew he loved Kyoko but it was wrong. He couldn't possibly…
"I do love you, Kyoko." He leaned in kissing her lips gently. Kyoko's lips curved into a smile against his.
"I love you too, Ren." She mumbled touching his mouth and giggling slightly. Yuuki studied the pair for a moment before deciding not to disturb them. Instead she left without informing them she was done and neither of them noticed.
"O, nurse! How is she?" Moko raced up to Yuuki with expectant eyes.
"O, she's much better now." Yuuki giggled and blushed. "Give them a moment won't you? And knock before you go back in." She skipped down the hall leaving the group thoroughly confused. Sho was the first to realize.
"God." He groaned in annoyance and rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.
"What is it?" Maria tugged on Sho's sleeve and he looked down at her, a slight blush creeping under his cheeks.
"Uh… Ren and Kyoko Onee-San are having a grown up… discussion. Maria-Chan shouldn't worry." Moko's face turned bright red and she strode towards the door knocking once then pushing it open and bursting in.
"You actually have enough lack of morals to take advantage of!" Ren and Kyoko looked up. Kyoko was laying on her back again flipping through the pages of a magazine while Ren sat in the armchair by her bed and propped his feet up on the end of it.
"What was that, Moko-San?" Kyoko smiled innocently as Moko's blush returned.
"Do you have a fever, Kotonami-San? Your face looks flushed." Moko stood in the doorway awkwardly as everyone else piled in behind her.
"Yo." Sho smirked at Kyoko and nodded to Ren who nodded back. "You done faking?"
"Ren told me what you did." Kyoko hesitated before going on. "And about her I appreciate it. Sounds like you saved my life, not once but twice." Kyoko's eyes peered into Sho's, he glanced about nervously trying to avoid her gaze. "Sho, come here." He obeyed without thinking and stepped up to Kyoko's bedside. He scrutinized her for signs of hostility, but she simply stared at him. There was wonder in her eyes, like she was confused. She motioned for him to lean over and he did as he was told.
"Thank you, Shoutaro." Kyoko whispered quietly and wrapped both arms around Sho's neck. Moko, Yashiro, and Lory watched on in horror slowly rotating their heads to see, or what they expected to see, in the form of a pissed off, jealous Ren. But Ren just flipped through the pages of the magazine Kyoko had set down and acted as if the situation didn't bother him in the least. In fact, he wore a small rueful smile. Then Kyoko added in a darker voice. "Don't think I have forgiven you for what you did though." Sho's eyes grew huge as a chill consumed his body and he heard tiny voices whispering evilly into his ears. "Did you hear that Shoutaro? She hasn't forgiven you." Tiny evil laughter enveloped him. "That means we get to continue to torture you." He felt something tighten around his neck and suddenly he couldn't breathe.
Kyoko smiled darkly as she listened to Sho try to discretely struggle for breath. Her little demons swirled around them singing, "Choke, Shoutaro. Choke." While others sang, "But don't die we aren't done playing with you."
"Hey now," Ren called and everyone expected him to glare at Sho and say something to the effect of 'She's mine! Back off!' but he simply looked up over the top of the magazine and quietly suggested. "You might want to be careful. I really don't want to have to listen to you complain over another set of torn stitches." Then returned his gaze to the magazine once more. Kyoko released her grip on Sho and leaned back into her pillows.
The chills left Sho and he stood slightly shaken glaring at Kyoko. 'What did she just do?' He reached up and touched his neck delicately. There was nothing there, not a single scratch. Sho's hands trembled slightly as he dropped them to his sides.
"Guess you're right." Kyoko supposed and sank deep into the bed.
"Course I am." Ren smirked and continued reading.
"Yea, yea, whatever." Ren chuckled lowly and stood up stretching his long legs and arms.
"I'm going to go home, shower, change and come back." He looked over at Kyoko fondly and she smiled. "Alright?"
"Yea. It's not like I'm going anywhere so take your time."
"Yea, Yea, whatever." Ren teased as he tossed the magazine into Sho's hands, with maybe a bit more force than required, and walked out the door. "You coming, Yashiro? Or do you wanna hang out here."
"No, I'll come." Yashiro waved goodbye to Kyoko and followed Ren out of the room. "So?!" Yashiro smiled broadly and suggestively but Ren was too happy to care.
"What?" He finally asked, desperate to have Yashiro wipe that stupid grin off his face.
"Don't act like you don't know what I mean Ren!" Yashiro stumbled trying to keep up with Ren's long strides, unaware that each step Ren took sent pain shooting through his leg.
"I'm at a loss here, Yashiro-San. What are you talking about?" Ren smirked inwardly as Yashiro scowled at him.
"About Kyoko!" Ren stopped and Yashiro crashed into him. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Fine we don't have to talk about it."
"Thank you." Ren continued walking and waved at a young nurse who was staring at him with wide eyes, she turned bright red and scurried down the hall away from him. Ren dropped his hand and walked into the parking lot with Yashiro at his side. They stepped into the car and closed the doors.
Yashiro glanced hesitantly at Ren. He was worried that what he was about to ask would send Ren into some great huge depression that would inevitably bring out the demon lord to coldly ignore him until the end of time, but he had to do it. "Ren, aren't you jealous that Kyoko hugged Sho?" Ren started the car and pulled it out into the street.
He smiled darkly. "I wouldn't want to be the one receiving a hug like that, especially from Kyoko." Yashiro blinked rapidly.
"What?" Ren said nothing only kept his eyes on the road and drove in silence.
Moko sat on the edge of Kyoko's bed and clutched her hand while Maria sobbed into Kyoko's stomach. Yuuki hovered over Maria anxiously, jumping every time she touched somewhere Yuuki knew for a fact Kyoko had stitched of bandages. But no matter what Maria did Kyoko's soft expression never changed. She just continued to tell the little girl that she was alright and that she didn't need to cry. Yuuki stared in disbelief as Kyoko completely ignored her pain and concentrated only on what would make the ones around her feel more comfortable.
"Well then." Sho stood up and cleared his throat which earned him a quick glare from Kyoko and a fierce look from Moko. "We'll be going." He strode out of the room with Shoko on his heels. Kyoko sighed in relief as soon as Shoko disappeared from view. As did Lory who stood up and stretched.
"Kyoko how are you feeling?" Lory's concern was evident in his voice and in his eyes.
"I'm much better now that He is gone." Lory smiled understandingly.
"He is quiet the handful." Kyoko scoffed and Moko rolled her eyes.
"You have no idea." Kyoko smirked as Lory raised his eyebrows questioningly. "It's a long story, for another time." Lory caught on quickly and nodded.
"My dear Princess Kyoko I fear that I must bid thee farewell." Lory smiled warmly as he watched Kyoko's face light up.
"P-Princess?" She drifted off into her fairytale land pleasantly, with a gigantic smile gracing her lips. Lory chuckled and held out his hand to Maria. She gave one last hug to an emancipated and clueless Kyoko before taking Lory's hand and leaving the room. Moko stared at Kyoko blankly as Yuuki waved a hand in front of Kyoko's face.
"She does this all the time, Yuuki. She'll be fine." Moko scooped a magazine up off the floor and thumbed through it as Yuuki rocked back and forth awkwardly.
"O, um ok then…" Yuuki leaned up against the wall and stared at Kyoko who was now humming something that sounded like the theme song to some overly romantic soap opera. Her eyes were glazed over and Yuuki could have sworn that she saw Kyoko's pupils shift into the shape of unicorns.
It was shocking to Yuuki that Moko could just sit there and not be entranced by Kyoko's antics. Although Moko was a bit strange herself, but seeing Kyoko act like this was like watching a train wreck, you don't want to see but you just can't look away. Kyoko was now clasping her hands and smiling broadly as she continued to hum.
"So, uh…" Moko looked up as Yuuki spoke. "She uh, does this a lot?" Moko looked over at Kyoko uninterestedly and shrugged.
"More or less." She returned her gaze to the magazine and Yuuki shuffled her feet.
"O, that must be… uh…" Moko didn't look up this time, she simply flipped the page and read the next few sentences. Feeling dejected, Yuuki sighed and straightened her back. "I think I'll go report to my boss."
"Alright, see ya." Moko turned to Kyoko and sighed. Yuuki glanced at her curiously before exiting the room. "Kyoko, would you knock it off? You're scaring the Hell out of your nurse." Kyoko's glazed eyes cleared and she shook her head.
"What was that Moko-San?" Moko sighed deeply and brought the magazine down on Kyoko's head lightly.
"Pay attention would you?" She smiled tiredly as Kyoko reached up and took the magazine from her hands flipping it open.
"Okay. Hey where did Yuuki-Chan go?" Moko ran a hand through her hair and moaned.
"God, Kyoko. She just left." Kyoko looked up hurriedly.
"Where did she go?!"
"To see her boss."
"O." Kyoko's lack of enthusiasm caught Moko off guard. She studied her friend wearily. "What is it, Moko-San?" Kyoko reached up and placed a hand to Moko's forehead. Her arm shook and her fingers trembled as she uneasily checked Moko's temperature. Kyoko's hand was like fire on Moko's cool face, she flinched back and instantly started worrying.
"Kyoko. You're so warm. I'm going to go get Yuuki." Moko stood and rushed from the room, her phone rang demandingly and she opened it and answered breathlessly. "Yes?"
"Uh, er Kotonami-San, is everything alright?" Moko cursed her luck, of course Ren would call the exact moment something went wrong with Kyoko. Moko ran around another corner and straight into a very startled Yuuki.
"." Moko slurred her words and Yuuki stood dazed.
"Er, what was that?" Moko took a deep breath and slowly repeated herself.
"Kyoko is burning up." Yuuki flew past Moko leaving her slightly startled and ran back to Kyoko's room.
"Kotonami-San what's happening?" Moko had completely forgotten that Ren was waiting for an update on Kyoko's condition. 'Shit, now he is probably having a nervous breakdown.'
"Kyoko is running a fever and Yuuki just went to check on her. I will be in the waiting room if you and Yashiro would like to come and wait with me." With that she hung up the phone and ran a hand through her hair worriedly.
They had been sitting there for hours. Ren, Yashiro, and Moko all sat in the tiny waiting room. They had paced nervously, ate junk food (Which was strictly of limits for the performers but at the moment none of them gave a damn what limits they were breaking), Ren had tried and failed to memorize lines for his new movie, Dracula's Revenge, In which he was to be playing an overly Sexy version of Dracula, Moko had paced enough laps to drop at least ten pounds, and Yashiro had made enough phone calls to make his ears bleed.
"Kyoko-Sama is awake now." No had noticed Yuuki as she entered the waiting room and no one responded as she spoke so the poor woman just stood there feeling dejected and ignored. She cleared her throat awkwardly and Ren smiled up at her.
"Yes, Yuuki-San?" Her cheeks pinkened as Ren's overly friendly smile met her eyes. Yashiro's phone rang shrilly as he stared at Yuuki.
"Uh, W-well as I s-said. Kyoko-Sama is awake now." She stuttered clumsily and Ren rose to his feet and followed Yuuki back to Kyoko's room. Yashiro answered his demanding ring and lagged behind the other three, whispering madly into his phone.
"Just figure out a way then!" He shouted catching Ren's curious gaze as he flung the phone back into his pocket.
"What was that about?" Yashiro shrugged casually.
"You know the usual."
"And that would be?" Ren asked and Yashiro stared away from him. "You have to tell me. I am the idol. Remember?" Yashiro glared at Ren who held up his hands in mock surrender as they entered Kyoko's room. Moko was already sitting on the edge of Kyoko's bed smiling tiredly.
"You look exhausted!" Kyoko seemed back to her normal flamboyant self but her three visitors sensed something was off. She reached out touching the bags under Moko's eyes. "O, Moko-San! You have work tomorrow right?" Moko nodded and Kyoko sighed. "You should head home then. You'll need your rest tonight." She leaned up hugging Moko tightly and for once Moko hugged back. Steadily she felt comfort flowing in her in the form of relief. Moko was so exhausted, her eyes felt heavy and she pulled out of Kyoko's warm embrace, fearing that she might drift off at once if she stayed in her friends arms any longer.
"Okay, Kyoko-Chan. Sleep well alright?" Kyoko nodded.
"Thank you for staying it's so late I feel terrible for keeping you." Moko was too tired to argue with Kyoko so she merely nodded and stepped away so Ren could take her place. "O, Ren. You stayed too." Kyoko beamed as Ren ran a hand through her hair.
"Of course." He smirked down at her. "You didn't think your little stunt earlier was enough to get rid of me, did you?" Ren teased half-heartedly as Kyoko laughed quietly.
"No I did not." She stopped laughing and looked up into Ren's eyes. "Sorry for worrying you."
"Stop apologizing, you're sick. It's not like it's your fault." Ren tried to appear like he wasn't worried in the least but Kyoko could read him all too well.
"You should go home too." Kyoko's voice was strained like she didn't want to be saying the words that were forming on her tongue. Ren looked at her knowingly then slid his hand down from the top of her head along her bruised cheek gently, sweetly, lovingly, he leaned in kissing the top off her head before standing up and giving her one last forlorn look, then walked over to where Moko stood. Yashiro smiled and waved at Kyoko who waved back.
"See you later Yashiro-San. Thank you all for coming." Kyoko smiled brightly before returning her attention to Ren. "Would you do me a favor?"
"Sure."
"Could you give Moko-San a ride home? It's late and I'll worry if I don't know she's safe."
"It would be my pleasure, Mogami-Sama." Kyoko laughed at the fond memory that Ren had brought back.
"Thanks."
"I'll be back tomorrow." Ren said simply and before Kyoko could object he strode out of the room and out to his car with Yashiro and Moko in tote.
A/N: So what did you think? Do you like this version or the other better? Please let me know! There was still the cheesy little confession scene (lol) I just don't know how to change that so it's not so… you know? Your reviews mean the world to me so don't forget to do them. (In other words… I'm begging you! Please review!) *Cough* *cough* Any whooo, I'll update soon!