Sorry I've been neglecting you. No excuses. I'll try and do better. If someone could recommend a beta reader I'd appreciate it. My husband was editing for me, but he's not a Skip Beat fan. He complains loudly when I make him edit. This chapter has been edited to the best of my and spell checks abilities. I'm sorry for any errors.
Thank you for guilt tripping me back into writing. Please continue to do so. I'm lazy, but I hate to disappoint people. I really appreciate all of you who leave comments. Thank you so much.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, expect Renji, but I don't want to claim him.
"Kyouko," sighed Ren as pulled her close. "What's wrong? You've seemed a little distant."
"Umm," Kyouko mumbled as her face flushed and she looked away.
"Did I do something to make you uncomfortable?" Ren asked as he let go of her arm.
"No!" Kyouko snapped as she gazed up at Ren with her eyes full of tears. She folded her arms behind her back and scuffed her foot against the ground. Her eyes dropped to the floor as she continued. "It's just.... the president asked me if it was okay for Sho to do the sound track for TCP and I said it was fine."
"And your worried that it's not fine with me?" asked Ren shocked Kyouko had picked up on his jealousness.
"Well, no." stuttered Kyouko. "You're such a professional it never crossed my mind that you would have a problem with it."
"So your just upset that Sho is going to be part of the movie?" asked Ren.
"No..." she stuttered as her big teary eyes searched for understanding. "I'm looking forward to his sound track." Dropping to her knees she hid her face in her hands in shame.
"So you've forgiven him?!" growled Ren as he clenched his fist and started to convulse. A fiery aura shot out from all sides of him burning all those within a ten mile radius. His gentlemanly features turned ruthless as he completely forgot himself.
"No!," gasped Kyouko as she crawled in reverse to get away from Ren. "It's just that, He's an excellent musician. I've never been able to deny that. He's not going to do something to sabotage is own career, so I'm sure the sound track will be good." Kyouko sat back on her legs and glanced searchingly up at Ren. "I just... I just haven't thought about Sho in a while. So when the President mentioned him it came as a real surprise. Since then I've been preparing myself to feel that vengeful aura, but I can't seem to make myself angry."
Ren's head sunk to his shoulders as he chuckled and reached out his arm to lift her off the floor.
"Don't let it bother you. I'm sure Sho will piss you off again," he laughed.
As she reached her feet he ruffled her hair in a way that had become strangely comforting to both of them. A stray tear slid down her check. Ren quickly brushed it off with his thumb. Kyouko peered up at him with wonder in her eyes. His mood swings were beyond her understanding.
"Why were you mad before?" she asked.
"Ah... I wasn't mad..." he laughed as he beamed his sparkling smile. Kyouko continued to nervously watch him not fazed by the toothy glare. "Ugh...I misunderstood your meaning... I thought... well.... never mind." He gazed down into her honey colored eyes. Creases covered her forehead as she waited for an explanation. "I think, maybe, your just moving on. In life there are things you can't take back , you change or can't forgive. When those things happen all you can do is continue to move forward and be true to yourself. Hmm... I was sure the problem star was going to be Fuwa Shou... I wonder who it is?"
"Dunno," shrugged Kyouko. "If we can manage with Sho than I think we can get along with anyone though."
----
"Eeiii!" squealed Mimori as she ran to the window to catch a glimpse of the TCP coming into the school. "Look, I can't believe how good Tsuruga Ren looks with blond hair!"
"Class," sighed the teacher. "Please compose yourselves."
"But Sensei," whined one of the boys. "I'm dieing to meet Ruriko."
"You will not embarrass this school because you have a crush on an idol," spit the teacher. "I swear, why can't you all be more like Mogami-san. She is an idol, but she still manages to obey school runs and maintain an outstanding grade point average..."
The teacher continued to drown on as the class lost interest.
"Why does everyone think Mogami Kyouko is so great?" whined Mimori to a large group of girls. The girls nodded their heads in agreement. "I just saw a comprising photo of her in the Star!"
"Oh that one where she's throwing herself at Tsuruga Ren?" gossiped on of Mimori's followers.
"Heh," chuckled the student body president Takadashi Renji.
"What's so funny?" huffed Mimori.
"It looked to me that Kyouko-chan was being attacked by Tsuruga-san," he corrected. "You want to know why everyone thinks she's great? Well, honestly it doesn't take a genius to figure that one out. She is the one staring in the biggest LME production of this year, Her test scores rank higher than mine, and she is the head model for Calvin Kline in Japan."
"Wow, Renji," laughed one of the boys. "I didn't realize you were such a big Kyouko fan."
"Class, I do not want to hear another word!" hissed the teacher as she slammed her book on her desk.
The fuzz of the intercom system distracted the class as the principal cleared his through.
"I would like to thank LME for choosing our school for the filming of there movie. I expect all of my students to show your gratitude by acting like the professionals you are. Do not disrupt them in a faucet. Please excuse Takadashi Renji to the front gate."
"Special treatment for the school President," hissed Mimori.
"I was asked to act as the representative for this school while Director Shinkai is filming," explained Renji as he adjusted his glasses with a smirk and strode out of the room.
Tripping as he approached the school gates Renji gasped as he set eyes on Kyouko. Long blond hair wisped around her face and the wind danced through it. Filming had already started. The schools name was hidden behind a large cast iron one that read, 'Rokuo Kita.'
Tsukasa and Asago walked up to the front gate as Asago screeched about the size of Tsukasa's fake chest. She tried repeatedly to grab them but Tsukasa kept her at arms length. Scanning their school pins as they entered Renji could start to make out their conversation.
Asago: "So did they really run here?" She asked as they walk through the open gate.
Tsukasa: "Definitely. Those morons who claimed they were Minami students into escaped here." She fell behind Asago as she sniffed the air.
Asago: "There's no way that they're Kuryugumi's kumiins! When I catch them I'll make them tell everything!" Asago turned to she Tsukasa sniffing around. She threw both hands on her hips and growled. "I want to see for myself if such a slim built person like you can really function as Ryuji's bodyguard. Be my body guard today!"
Tsukasa: "Huh?"
A heard of teenager boys spots Asago and the all run at her.
A group of guys: "Sumon Asago! You're finally at school!"
Guy 1: "Look! For you I've gotten these rare moon roses! So go out with me!"
Guy 2: "Here's a 30 000 000 yen sky diamond filled with my feeling for you!"
Asago: "Knock them out!" She stepped back and through her hair over her shoulder.
As Tsukasa moved into a fighting position ready to whip her chain out, the guys turned on her.
Guy 1: "What year are you? What, 2nd year? I've never seen anyone like you at Kita."
Guy 2: "What's your name?"
Guy 1: "These rare moon roses are for you. So go out with me!"
Guy 2: "Accept this 30 000 000 yen sky diamond and become my woman."
Shock froze Tsukasa as Asago punched one in the stomach while landing a side kick in the others groin.
Asago: "If you guys show up in front of me again I'll send you all to the other world!" She screamed as she stomped away dragging Tsukasa by her uniform.
Tsukasa: "I should of at least accepted the 30 000 000 yen diamond."
"Cut," yelled the director. "Thank you ladies. The chemistry between you is good. If today continues as this pace everything should work out great!"
Renji could barely keep up with the pace set by the director. One minute they were shooting outside the next minute Kyouko and Ruriko where walking through the halls in character. Ruriko's character, Asago, was explaining that the rich boys in the school had bribed the school officials to make the school building co-ed. His eyes didn't stray from Kyouko as drew everyone towards her with every line. It didn't feel like acting, it felt so natural. He felt his jaw drop when the director yelled cut.
"Heh," laughed Ren as he stood behind the boy. "She's amazing isn't she?"
"Yeah," sighed Renji as he turned to look at who was addressing him.
Shock spread through his body like poison as his eyes slowly trailed up Ren's torso to finally meet his face.
"Is there something I can help you with?" Renji crocked as he adjusted his glasses and tried to regain his composure.
"Not at all," laughed Ren as he placed a hand on the youth's shoulder. "I just enjoy watching my Kyouko work. She captures whomever she is working with. They automatically follow her lead like its natural. She truly becomes her character."
"I see," said Renji as a slight smirk crossed his lips as he met Ren's gaze. "They say the same thing about you. I believe the rumor is you've made all your female co-stars fall in love with you."
"Heh," smirked Ren as he eyed the boy. "I believe they only fell in love with the characters I was portraying. It's hard to tell the difference between reality and fantasy when your acting. Especially if one actor leads the other." He sighed as he watched Kyouko get ready for her next scene. "I don't have to worry about that with Kyouko though. She's definitely my match."
"When it comes to acting?" asked Renji expecting Ren to finish that statement.
"When it comes to everything," laughed Ren as he patted the youths shoulder and gracefully walked over to Kyouko leaving the youth to feel like a lesser man. Kuu chuckled from the corner. Ren made the work of a father all to easy.
"Kyouko, do you need some water?" asked Ren as Kyouko makeup was being touched up by the crew.
"No I'm fine," she replied as she tried to keep her face as still as possible for the makeup artist. "I don't want to mess up Massa-chans beautiful work!" The woman laughed as she continued to touch up Kyouko's look. "You're like my fairy god mother! Making me like a beautiful princess."
Ren smiled as he watched her beam up at him. "Silly, don't you know Cinderella was still just as beautiful in rags." He wound a piece of the long blond wig through his fingers and brushed it behind her ear. Kyouko quickly turned her face away to hide her blush as Ren pretended to cough to hid his own rosy cheeks. Massa-chan nearly melted as she watched the scene play out.
"Quiet on the set," yelled the director as Kyouko rose to take her place.
Tsukasa and Asago walked through the school corridor as Asago continued to explain the situation. Asago was still going on about the boys in her school as an extremely greasy looking boy slung his arm around her shoulders. He whispered an offer of 200 000 000 yen to be his woman.
Asago: "...Ura," She moaned as punched him in the face. "You know that I'm the daughter of the head clan of Kuryugumi. I've told you before but we live in different worlds!" Asago stormed down the hall with Tsukasa following behind.
Ura: "Asago!" He yelled as the girls walked out of ear shot. "I can change the world I live in."
Tsukasa: "I hate those guys who use money to do what they want."
Asago: "They're bored since they're so well off. Ura and his gang will do anything for a little stimulating action. Ryuji would never use money to manipulate people. He's an adult." Asago stared dreamily ahead flowers in bloom around her.
Tsukasa: "Oh yes." Hissed Tsukasa. "He does."
Asago: "He...He... would never do something as low as attacking someone who is katagi... " Her face crumbled a bit as the bright future she saw ahead started to fade.
Tsukasa: "Oh yes, he does." She smirked as daggers started to shot from Asago eyes.Asago looked again towards her bright future trying to hold on to those sweet dreams.
Asago: "Well... he never says anything low like 'Sleep with me' to a woman..." She threw her hands are her hips sure she had won this round.
Tsukasa: "Oh yes.." Tsukasa grimaced recalling his proposal about paying with her body. "He does."
Now infuriated Asago stomped her foot like a child having a tantrum.
Asago: "I've never been told that before!" She erupted. "So what are you saying? That he said that to you? Don't lie like that! I won't forgive you! I don't care what you say about me but I won't allow you to say such things about Ryuji! You just don't understand Ryuji's goodness!"
Boiling over Tsukasa clenched her fists with ire.
Tsukasa: "Of course I wouldn't know Ryuji's goodness! He has none! He catches you off guard then blackmails you. When it comes to a debt he's cruel as if he has no blood or tears. If there actually is something good about him I would like someone to tell me about it!"
As the yelling continued two guys approach.
Guy 1:"...Hey, Asago's in an argument with some hot chick."
Guy 2: "A... I like girls with long hair."
Guy 1: "So should we try them?"
Guy 2: "Sure why not! Let's make up for being chased by that junkie this morning."
Guy 1 touched Tsukasa's shoulder while the other tapped on Asago's.
Guys: "Hey... gi..."
Tsukasa and Asago: "SHUT UP!" They yelled simultaneously as punches start flying. Both guys are easily taken down with a few hits to the stomach and face. In a rush to escape Guy 1 thew the small vial they had been carrying at Tsukasa and bolted.
Asago: "...Hey . What is it?" Tsukasa handed her the drugs and slammed her fist into her hand.
Tsukasa: "It was those two from this morning."
"Cut!" yelled the director. "Rurika-san, those punches didn't look real. Maybe try kneeing Yin-san in the stomach then shoving him to the ground?"
"Hey, kid," yelled the stage manager to Renji as she flipped through the script. Can you go upstairs and make sure everything is ready in the principals office?"
"Yes," said Renji as the director gave instructions for the second take. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Mogami-san and Tsuruga-san play fighting as they tried to illustrate the directors instructions for Ruriko-san. Laughter erupted as Kyouko knocked Ren on his butt. She immediately fell down on her knees and apologized.
He hurried off to let me principal know that they were ready to use his office. Almost as soon as he got there crew members started setting up the scene. A fat man with a horrible mustache sat down behind the principals desk.
Completely captured by the scene again Renji found it hard not to laugh when Tsukasa and Asago came flying up to the desk. Tsukasa was yelling about drug dealers in the school and pounding her fists on the desk as Asago shoved her out of the way to explain the situation
Asago: "There are drug dealers hiding here somewhere! If you dawdle like this then they'll get away!" Asago stomped her foot as she continued. "Use the security system that Rokuo is so proud of!!?"
Principal: "...But I can't believe it... That some outsider managed to get by our security system........."
Asago: "I'm saying! That they're not outsiders! They're students here! They're the ones that sometimes hang around Ura!"
Tsukasa, with her arms crossed stares down at the principal who's seated at his desk.
Principal: "...So, you're saying that you... know their faces..."
Asago: "Of course!"
Tsukasa hesitated as Asago flashes a thumb's up sign. The camera's zoomed in on the principal hitting the security buttons.
Principal: "No one should be able to get out now. I'll ask the Student Administrative Council to help you search for them."
A group of young wealthy looking boys filed in wearing SAC badges. One of the members of the Student Administrative Council (SAC) seemed vaguely familiar to Tsukasa. His eyes caught hers and held them as Asago yanked on Tsukasa's sleeve.
Asago: "That's right! Maybe Ura knows something!! I'll go catch him!"
Asago took off down the hallway leaving Tsukasa with the large group of boys. The smell of cheap cologne and cigarettes wafted over as the familiar one approached Tsukasa still glaring.
Tsukasa: "You smell." She plugged her nose in disdain. "A person like you shouldn't be using that brand. It gives you the image of some good-for-nothing yakuza."
Principal: "Ikazaki-kun." He shoved Tsukasa into Ikazaki."Make sure clean up the trash."
Tsukasa: "Wha!? Hey principal!" Ikazaki grabbed a hold of her and pulled her away.
"Cut," yelled the director. "Alright everyone. Let's get Ryuji's scenes down know. Kyouko, Ruriko please rest for a while."
Renji scurried over to Kyouko as she sunk into a chair. He handed her a bottle of water.
"Your amazing!" he sighed as she twisted the lid of the bottle.
"Takadashi-san," Kyouko exclaimed as she finally noticed who had brought her water. "Thank you for the water! I'm glad you liked the scene!"
"I think you're amazing at everything. To me, your very special. Please go out with me," he stammered as he nervously glanced toward her. Spewing water all over the place, she looked up at him.
"I...um..." Kyouko stuttered. "I'm honored you feel that way." A blush flooded her face as she looked at the paling boy that stood in front of her. "I can't return your feelings though. I'm a little immune when it comes to things like that."
She tried desperately to explain that it was not his short comings but hers. Across the room Moko had watched the whole scene play out. Pity filled her stomach as she approached them.
"Excuse me," she interrupted and turned to Renji. "I believe the director needed some extras for the next scene. Can you go round up the students were asked to participate?"
Tears weld in Kyouko's eyes as Moko slunk an arm around her shoulder.
"I'll ask the director to shoot all Ren's and Ruriko's scene's before your next one. Just take a few minutes and relax," she cooed. Ruriko came to Kyouko's side.
"Really," she snipped. "Who did he think he was anyone?"
Kyouko sobbed harder as Moko left and Ruriko attempted to cheer her up.
Outside Moko tried her best to get the directors attention without attracting Ren's. Giving up she just called out to him.
"Director," she called waving her arms. He strode over to her with Ren, Yashiro and Kuu following. "Ugh... Kyouko is a little upset and I was hoping it would be alright if you manage to give us an hour until she has to work again."
"What happened?" gasped Ren as he started to take off. Shinkai promptly grabbed a hold of his arm not letting him leave.
"A classmate confessed to her," sighed Moko. "I think it was the first time she's been confessed to. Turning him down was not easy for her."
"Was it that punk kid who was staring all afternoon? He should be expelled," boomed Ren as he jerked away from the director.
"I disagree," said Kuu flatly as he grabbed his son by both of his shoulders. "We all know how much courage it takes to confess your feelings to the girl you like. Being turned down is enough to bare. It would be cruel to inflict further punishment. Besides, I believe that would only make Kyouko-chan more upset."
"Kuu's right," said Julie as she poked her head out from under her husbands arm. "Tsuruga-san, why don't you let us use your trailer? Moko and I will make sure she's ready for for next scene."
"Fine," sighed Ren.
"Good," sighed the director as he drug Ren to the set with the help of Kuu. "Well today's been nothing but trouble."
By the time they got Kyouko to the trailer her tears had stopped. Her eyes glazed over to match the blankness of her face.
"It's okay sweet heart," whispered Julie as she placed a kiss on Kyouko's head. "He'll find someone else pretty soon."
"I still can't do it," mumbled Kyouko barely moving her lips. "It's still lost to me..."
"Kyouko, just because you can't return that boy's feelings doesn't mean you won't be able to return someone else's feelings," sighed Moko as she opened the sliding doors in the trailer so they could watch the crew filming. "Love is not lost to you. Didn't you just tell me earlier that you love me? Maybe there's someone you already in love with... without even realizing it."
Kyouko's eyes focused as she watched Ren, Kuu and Yashiro work. They were standing outside the school gates discussing whether Tsukasa would be able to catch the dealers. A group of reporters stood off to the side as they tried to get the scoop from Kita students who had been attacked.
Kamo-san: "I've been thinking, but don't you think Tsukasa-san looks better dressed in girls clothing?Don't you think she should stop dressing like a boy?"
Ryuji, flatly: "No."
Kamo-san: "Why?"
Ryuji: "In this world where there are less women then men, there are few guys that will court another guy. It saves me the trouble."
"They do really well together," sighed Kyouko. Kamo-san was fretting about the school being on lock down while Ryuji was conferencing the guard through the intercom. The gates swung open for him when he mentioned he was interested in transferring. He waved to all the reporters to come with as he entered the building. She heard the director yell cut and everyone scattered as they prepared to go to the next scene.
Ren appeared in front of them before Kyouko thought humanly possible. Ruriko jumped out of the way as Ren sat down and put one arm over Kyouko's shoulder.
"Love is never easy," he whispered into her ear. "When your prince charming comes you'll be ready. You'll love some very lucky man more than you think is even possible. Just wait for that very lucky man."
Kyouko rested her head on Ren's chest as he held her close to him.
"That lucky man has to get past me first though," he laughed as the words slipped out from his mouth. Everyone in the trailer froze it seemed like everyone's eyes were so huge they may roll out of their sockets.
"Ren," Kyouko snickered as she raised her head. "You're always going to look out for me, huh?"
"Yeah," he sighed as his arms flopped hopelessly to his side.
"Don't worry," she pipped. "I believe you Ren. I won't be sad anymore. When I fall in love you'll be the first to know!"
Kyouko watched as Asago got the truth out of Ura with just a bat of the eye. He seemed to think he was being recruited by Kuryugumi. If he and his gang sold enough of the drug using Kuryugumi's name they would be initiated. Strange men wearing black suits appeared with the dragon medal that represented Kuryugumi and started shooting while Asago explained the drugs had been forbidden from Kuryugumi since it's creation.
Asago: "Those bastards! They're even shooting at ordinary people! How low! I can't let them get away with this! I don't know who they are, but I swear, I'll get that badge!" She steps toward them.
Ura: "Asago! Where are you going? What should we do!? Don't leave us here! I don't want to die!"
Asago: "Didn't you want to become gokudo!? Then don't rely on others. If you want to stay alive, then fight to protect yourself!! That's what it means to be gokudo!"
She grabbed a fire extinguisher and stepped in front of one of the men.
One of the guys: "And who might you be?"
Asago: "If you're part of Kuryugumi, then shouldn't you know who I am!? Sumon Asago. I'm the one who is to become wife to Kuryugumi's Sandaime, Shirogami Ryuji!" She attempted to spray the guy with the extinguisher, but she hadn't pulled the pin. The guy fires, causing the extinguisher to explode. Ura catches her as she is shoved back by the force.
"Cut," yelled the director. "Everyone go get a bit to eat. Kyouko, Tsuruga-san I need a word with you."
The couple stumbled over awkwardly as the director tapped his foot on the floor impatiently.
"I'm sorry!" squeaked Kyouko as she knelled down to the director. "It was very unprofessional of me to behave so poorly today. I will go apologize to everyone upstairs also."
He smiled as Kyouko raised her head. "I'm glad you feel that way Kyouko. I do expect you to be able to keep a more professional atmosphere while your working, but I also believe I am partly to blame. It didn't occur to me you had such a fan base at your own school. That's not why I called you over though. I just got a call from the President. There's been another issue at headquarters. They need you both to go meet with you co-star as soon as possible. It seems he got in a fight with another of the presidents guests while we were shooting."
"Shinkai-san, what is this really about?" demanded Ren.
"Honestly I'm not really sure myself," sighed Shinkai as he ran his fingers through his hair. "It's just that I cast a singer as Soryou Misumi. When I mentioned your name, Tsuruga-san he almost wet himself. I mentioned that to the president and well, you know how he gets carried away."
The blood drained from Kyouko's face as she looked up at Ren. He clenched her hand so tightly in his that she squeaked as the air around him seemed to combust from the heat he was radiating.
"Beagles," she squeaked.