As Fate Would Have It. Chapter 6.
Disclaimer: I Don't own anything
Chapter 6: 3,2,1 Go.
"The road to success is always under construction. " ~Unknown.
Although Momo loved acting, she felt something was missing.
She couldn't quite place it, she had a thrill every time she was reading her lines, or getting into her outfits for a scene, but it had died down recently and the idea of acting or reading another script was taking its toll on her.
Though it was a fun life style, it was taxing, Momo would drag herself out of bed and stumble around the house, bags were evident under her eyes, and she looked skinnier than usual. Rukia was worried about and cast her glances every so often to see if she was still alright.
'the real reason' momo thought tiredly 'im so tired is not just acting…'
Ever since Granny's funeral, momo had struggled with being around Toshiro. She knew, without a doubt, that she was still so in love with him, so much so that sometimes when she was left alone at the mercy of her thoughts, sometimes when she'd think of him, she'd come to understand that she loved him so much that it hurt to think of him sometimes. She'd get this horrible clenching, twisting pain in her heart and it wouldn't let go. Then there was the problem of Karin, momo had definitely lost sleep over her, while she'd think about Toshiro Karin would creep into her thought, and momo would worry and fret relentlessly over the fact that she would crush the girl if she ever took toshiro from her.
Being in a love triangle, or whatever their situation was called, was tiring. She sighed as she walked out of her and Rukia's apartment, she felt an odd, sinking, feeling settle into the pit of her stomach. Something major was going to happen today. She put in her ipod headphones and began walking to her new shoot for a commercial which was luckily her shoot was only a few blocks away. From what the director had said it was going to be nothing major, a perfume ad she believed.
Momo wasn't really looking forward to the new commercial, sure it paid well and she sometimes enjoyed it, she didn't think shed like this one.
Momo skidded to a stop as she came upon the location. Sighing again she took out her ipod and walked inside ready to face the new lines to learn and parts to play.
'Im surprised more actors arent crazy." She thought to herself 'With all these characters I'm amazed I don't have like a multiple personality disorder…"
Later, as momo followed her cues and markings for the commercial she finally realized just why she enjoyed what she did. She did love acting, but she loved performing more.
Momo sighed even with the newfound realization, it wasn't like she was going to quite acting any time soon. It was her only job. God only knows how many restaurants she'd been fired from already.
"I think I worked at just about every restaurant chain this side of Japan…" Momo mused aloud to herself.
"Oh god not the restaurants again." A voice to her right sighed loudly
Momo's eyes lit up. "Rukia what are you doing here?"
"I got bored at work. So I can to visit on my lunch break. No more working at restaurants though, I cant stand to watch you get fired again." Rukia smirked
"Hey! Its just that sometimes, the fries just looked so good…" Momo said sheepishly in a small voice.
Rukia laughed at her and after an embarrassed few seconds Momo joined in the laughter. Their good mood was interrupted by a sharp knock at the door.
"Rukia! Rukia! We need you back at work!" Her assistant cried from the doorway.
Rukia sighed. "alright, calm down! Well duty calls momo. See ya!"
Momo smiled at Rukia on her way out, and was once again left alone with her thoughts.
Toshiro sighed as he paced around his office. His company was lagging, other music productions were much more profitable than his at the moment. He needed a new face, and one with much more talent. He needed a new singer or a new act or something.
Toshiro sat in his desk and laid his head on his upturned palm.
Life was so tiring.
Momo walked along the street humming to herself idly. It was a beautiful day outside and she had nothing better to do as she walked to her next video shoot.
Momo's mind was still plagued by the thoughts of Toshiro and Karin. She missed Toshiro so much and she wanted him so bad, but she just couldn't stomach doing something like that to Karin. Sure they weren't the best of friends but they still got along pretty well…
She turned around the corner and saw the film trucks and the directors and actors pacing about. She smiled to herself. Maybe she did just love acting…
She walked onto the set and was greeted by some of the friends she had made acting. Momo plopped into the chair provided for her as the director walked onto the set.
"Ok listen up!" The director called. "We have a slight casting set back…"
Moans and Groans were heard throughout the cast. Set backs were never fun.
"But anyways, its only a small set back, we need to fill the roles of 2 small children." The director sighed. Momo paused. She knew two kids who could do the job…
"Alright," the director smiled. "We have finally the announcement of the cast list."
Excited murmurs went throughout the cast.
"Be quiet!" The director snapped. "Anyways, The male lead Ryuji is Mizuiro Kojima."
"Oh Thank you very much sir." A boyish voice from the left of Momo said. Momo whipped to the left.
"Mizuiro?" She yelled leaning forward trying to see the boy.
"Huh what?" He asked leaning forward facing the direction of the voice. "Oh wow! Momo is that you?"
"Okay, okay we can catch up later. Female lead of Hiyori is Momo Hinamori."
Momo cheered silently to herself as those seated around her congratulated her quietly.
Toshiro touched a small box in his pockets, it had been five years and he figured now was a good time…but is this really what he wanted with his life?
Is this really who he wanted?
Toshiro paused and threw out all his thoughts, there was no time for him to be acting like this. Who else was there? He loved Karin, he was sure of it. No one else could do.
No one…
Toshiro paused as a brief picture of Momo flashed through his head. He shook his head. Momo was like his sister…wasn't she?
Toshiro shook his head. It didn't matter any more. Momo was Momo, and she was not going to be a deciding factor if he was marrying Karin or not.
He tightened his grip on the box in his pocket. He set his face into a look of determination.
By the end of the week, he would be engaged.
Toshiro stalked out of the door, and left on his way to work.
"Ugh, stupid movie. I hate working on them." Toshiro mumbled to himself.
"Oh my god! Mizuiro! It's been forever!" Momo yelled running up to the shy boy engulfing him in a hug that almost knocked him off his feet.
"Oh yes it has been quite awhile." He smiled awkwardly returning the hug. "How's Ichigo and the others?"
Momo detached her arms, and looked up thoughtfully. "Well Ichigo is good but I have know idea what he's doing…I think he and Rukia got back together though. Um Rukia and I share an apartment, and she manages a small business and is my manager. Orihime went to America awhile back to do something, Rangiku is pretty much still the same, shes been doing her own fashion line last time I talked to her. Renji is traveling around right now trying to 'find himself', Um I'm acting and that's about it."
"What about Toshiro? You two married yet?" Mizuiro smirked.
"What?" Momo yelled her face quickly blushing. "No. He's still dating Karin and I think he owns or runs something called Frosted Music company I believe."
Mizuiro laughed and tried to compose himself. "Wait? Frosted Music Company? They are the ones who are providing and overseeing the music for this movie."
Momo tried to hide her newfound anxiousness. "O-oh is that so?" She laughed awkwardly.
"First scene!" The director yelled.
"Oh look at the time gotta go!" Momo yelled dashing off.
"Ok" The director announced. "The beginning scene, this is where we introduce Hiyori and her life as the younger sister of Ryuji."
The cast absently nodded, going over their lines in their heads. One assistant in the back called out.
"What's the plot line of the story?"
The director paused for a second. "The plot line? Very easy, its about how main girl, Hiyori, was killed in the beginning of the movie and her brother Ryuji tries to solve it and avenge her. But Hiyori comes back as an angel and tries to help her brother get over the loss and move on with her life. This is loosely based off of an experience the writer himself went through."
"Oh." The assistant said quietly. "Poor writer."
"Um sir?" momo asked walking up to the director.
"Yes Miss Hinamori?" He asked blandly.
"Um I was wondering about the part of the 2 kids who were needed, I actually know 2 small kids who fit the description of the characters…" Momo said quietly.
"Do they have acting experience?" He asked thoughtfully.
"Oh um no." Momo said looking downcast.
"Stupid." She mentally berated herself. Why didn't she think of that? "Of course they'd need acting experience."
"That's great!" The director cheered shocking Momo. "I hate child actors who have a lot of experience they're always so full of themselves."
"So can we hold off on the first scene for like 30 minutes while I go and see if they want to do it? If that's not too much trouble." Momo asked shyly.
"Oh of course just be back before the hour, we can't wait too long." The director said waving her off.
Momo thanked him quickly and ran to her car, smiling all the way.
Toshiro drove down a busy street, Karin messing with the radio beside him. He sighed inaudibly to himself. This is what his life was going to be, he wasn't sad about it, something just felt off.
He pulled into the studio.
"Hey, Toshiro what are we here again?" Karin complained from her spot inside the car.
"Because I have to oversee the filming for the music that will be added. To figure out which would have more effect and other shit like that." He complained climbing out of the car.
They walked inside and plopped in the chairs the director had provided for them.
"When do we start?" Karin asked annoyed.
"Oh once the female lead gets back she had some business to attend to." The director smiled.
"Oh and for one or two scenes we're going to have our female lead sing. We already have the songs and everything picked out, so we'll just need you guys to get a recording of her." The director sighed.
"Ah," toshiro mumbled. "Got it."
Momo hastily speed walked through the town. She stopped the first lady she saw.
"Um excuse me?" She asked politely.
"What do you need honey?" The older woman asked kindly.
"Do you know where Takahasi and Miki live?" Momo said sheepishly.
"Oh my gosh!" The other woman exclaimed. "You're Hinamori Momo! They told me all about you. I live right between both of them. Come this way."
Momo bowed gratefully and followed after the bubbly woman. The woman led her to a door and told her that both families should be inside. Momo nodded, offering the helpful woman a grateful smile as she walked up to the door and knocked.
"What do you need?" A tired looking woman asked. Behind her stood another woman who looked equally as exhausted.
"Hi, I'm Hinamori Momo and I was wondering if Takahasi, Miki and their parents were here?"
The women froze, a gigantic smile erupted onto their faces as the ushered her in the door quickly.
"Oh um yes! I'm Miki's mother Toriyama Mishu and that's Takashi's mom Mitsugi Karin." The first lady said sitting Momo down at the table.
"Our kids have told us so much about you and we adore your films." Karin gushed to Momo carrying in 3 waters.
"Miki! Takahasi! You have a visitor!" Karin yelled up the stairs.
Two pairs of feet were heard running around upstairs and then clambering down the stairs. The skidded into the kitchen.
"M-momo!" Miki yelled happily. Takahashi's face lit up as he saw her.
Miki immediately gave Momo a unexpected hug and then settled herself in her mother's lap while Takahashi remained standing next to them.
"I have something to ask of you guys actually." Momo smiled. "I'm filming this movie right now, its called up Second Chances I think? But anyway, the roles for 2 young kids were needed for the movie and the director hadn't found anyone yet, and I thought Miki and Takahashi fit the roles perfectly. So I was wondering if you'd be interested in doing it." Momo said hurriedly.
The women thought it over for a moment as Miki and Takahashi screamed excitedly.
"What about paper work and all that?" Mishu asked.
"Oh yes here." Momo said quickly pulling out papers from her purse.
The women looked over the papers.
"Well then, Miss Momo, it's been a pleasure to meet you and I guess Miki and Takahashi should go get their shoes on, they have a movie to film." Karin and Mishu smiled.
Momo grinned happily, while Takahashi and Miki yelled in joy and ran about the house getting their stuff.
"Thank you so much." Momo said bowing to the women. "You just helped us save so much time for filming."
"Oh no, no, no. Thank you Momo. You're letting our kids be in a movie, a movie!" Karin and Mishu hugged the smaller girl. "Just bring them back when the filming is over."
"I will." Momo bowed once again. "See you later!"
"Miki! Takahashi! Time to go!" Mishu yelled up the stairs the two kids raced back down the stairs, hugged their mothers goodbye and jumped into Momo's car as the group rode off.
Toshiro tapped his foot impatiently. When was this actress going to get here?
He didn't have all day.
"Sorry I'm back!" A light female voiced called out, walking into the door, 2 small kids ran around her feet, talking in excited whispers. "Here I brought them."
"Ah good, good." The director said looking at the small kids, analyzing them. He pointed to his assistant. "Mitsuki dear, take them to wardrobe, we have found the young Ryuji and Hiyori."
The kids shared excited glances and were lead away.
"Okay Miss Hinamori, time to shoot the first scene." the director sighed.
Toshiro rounded a corner and saw a flash of what looked like Momo, since their last…encounter, things had been weird.
He looked at Karin who sat in her provided chair, idly swinging her feet.
He steeled his expression finally coming upon a decision. He was going to propose to Karin soon.
Very soon.
Momo sat in her make up chair, while the make up artists ran around her searching for the makeup and scurried about the room.
She walked out a few minutes later, in costume for her role as Hyori. She momentarily paused as she caught sight of Toshiro. She shook her head, her new curls bouncing with the move. She had to concentrate on acting not Toshiro. She glanced quickly to her left and saw Karin accompanying him.
Momo's smile faltered for a moment. Now that Karin was here, how could she even stand to take Toshiro away? Karin would be crushed and Momo wouldn't be able to live with herself.
"Okay!" The director called out. "First scene!"
Momo walked onto set, taking a breath before the scene began.
Toshiro sighed from his seat. He should of guessed Momo would be in this movie, lately she is every where he is. It was sort of unsettling, but her presence constantly around him was comforting…familiar.
He watched the scenes unfold before him. From what he could guess Momo's character and the other guy were dating. Toshiro eyed the scene carefully, something about Momo was different…not in the way she looked but the air around her. When they were younger she was always shy not very confident, but now as she stood there acting and pretending to be someone else, she had an air of confidence about her. Something buzzed inside of Toshiro when he saw Momo and her co-star, Hironari, who played the character of Hiyori's boyfriend, kiss momo. He didn't know what the feeling was but he wanted for the scene to end then and there. The feeling was replaced with another when Hironari struck Momo's character across the cheek throwing her to the ground.
Toshiro tensed up, his muscles bound, wanting to jump in the scene and do something…anything.
"Cut!"
Toshiro relaxed a bit. It was only part of the script he told himself. Only part of the script.
"Good! Good! Great acting Momo and Hironari, the hit was very believable. Now Momo, we need you to go to make up again." The director said pointing in the direction of the awaiting make up artists.
"Ah, okay." Momo said sitting up from her position on the floor.
Momo hopped up and followed after the makeup artists.
Momo sat back in the chair and stared in the mirror. The artist turned her around and applied something to the side of her face.
"oh. She's making the bruise and cuts…" Momo thought the herself.
When she was turned around, Momo had to bite back a gasp of surprise. The fake blood and cut on her face, where so familiar it was unsettling. She had seen this before. But she couldn't put her finger on it.
As she walked back to the set. Toshiro caught sight of her face. His eyes widened and then narrowed. The cut, he had seen that cut before.
But it had been so many years ago.
As the scene progressed. There was one part where Momo was to touch the side of her face and look at the blood. As Momo's hand came up to her face, she was startled by the nostalgia that hit her.
"This is so familiar…like deva ju…" She thought to herself.
When she brought her hand down she stared at it and her eyes widened.
The redredred blood that looked back at her, and then she remembered, on her face barely hidden by her hair a thin scar from so long ago. Before Momo was lost to her memories, she let out an earsplitting scream as the memories flowed back into her mind and then she promptly passed out.
Toshiro watched from the sidelines, trying not to concentrate on the cut but just to remember what is was from. Then when she looked at her hand and screamed. Toshiro knew just what was so familiar about the cut.
It had happened before. Once again Toshiro could only watch as Momo fell over. Unable to do anything again like what had happened many years ago.
"If you could only see the beast you made of me." ~Florence + the machines.