Chapter 8

It had been a few weeks since the interview and the strange encounter with that stupid chicken at Kimagure Rock. How did the mystery audience members know to ask questions that mostly not even his family knew? Not only that, he could feel the killing intent rolling off the chicken after he insulted it. It couldn't possibly be... her? Never, she was a stupid idiot slave! She's probably off somewhere serving a new master. He felt a slight twinge of panic at that thought. What if her new master wants to ruin my life like I wished for Tsuruga?

He sat up on the sofa that he had been draped lazily on. "Never... I won't allow it. I just finally got the hang of this." He grumbled and took a long drink of the beer that he had purloined from Shoko Aki's refrigerator. He slid down to the coffee table, picked up his pencil and began jotting lyrics down on the page before him. He sat the beer down and searched his pockets for a cigarette. "Ah... there it is." He took out his pack, pulled one out and lit it, not caring in the least of the harm it could do to his health or, damage to his voice. He took a long drag and let the calming effect of the nicotine wash over him. "Ahhh... much better." He sighed as he exhaled. "I'm just thinking of stupid things that won't happen." He told him self. "She was just a slave. They don't think for themselves. Her constant lack of emotions proves it. I'm worrying for nothing. So what if she didn't give me my last wish. She was probably not powerful enough to do it." He snickered. "That's right, she was defective."

Shoko Aki groaned in frustration as she plucked the lit cigarette from her sleeping charge's fingers and snuffed it out. She picked up the empty beer cans on the floor that surrounded him, stuffed them into the small bag she had grabbed for his garbage and tossed it into the cabinet that hid her garbage can after she had filled it and tied it off. She sat on her sofa, staring at the sleeping young man on her floor then her eyes fell on his new song. She picked it up and scanned the page. "Hm... Not bad. The boy does have talent. He is good in bed, too. A shame he's an insufferable ass." She looked at the music again. "Well, if this is the result, I guess I can't complain about giving him what he wants."

He hadn't seen her in weeks, she had obviously been avoiding him; although, he honestly couldn't blame her for it. Not after that little drunken display and the kiss. Yes, he had his suspicions. After all, everything had been relatively normal before he had found the coin. He wondered if there was a connection. So, he was now standing behind her with his hand on the Ladies Room door teasing her, yet again. "So... throw me across the room, kiss me like that in your cute drunken stupor and now you're avoiding me?" He purred in her ear. "Oh... and we certainly can't forget how you called me an ass, now can we?" He really hoped he was right, otherwise she would definitely think he was insane.

Blushing fiercely and repeatedly bowing, not bothering to deny anything. She was too flustered to argue with him. "Please forgive... I... I..." She finally looked up at him. "Wait...What? I... You forgave me for that... Didn't you?" Her blush went darker as her mind sifted through the events that night. BINGO! His mind shouted triumphantly.

"You didn't give me a chance to before you passed out, Princess." He chuckled. "You've been avoiding me. Now, why. is. that?" He smiled mischievously. "You do know I would appreciate a proper greeting, instead of you running from me. You hurt my feelings." He told her with a mock hurt tone and a smile that didn't match.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She quickly told him.

"Ren! What are you doing?!" Yashiro hissed as he approached the pair. "You cannot corner young women like that. People might misunderstand and think that you're sexually harassing her." Especially with the look that she just gave you... Really... Yashiro groaned inwardly. What on Earth did he say to her to make her blush like that?

Ren sighed. "I was merely teaching her the proper etiquette on greeting co-workers." Among other things...

Yashiro rolled his eyes. That most certainly was not what he was doing! "Well, just don't do it in front of the Ladies room. You'll give the wrong impression." Yashiro warned him as they walked down to the parking garage at TBM.

I have to apologize. He thought as he walked down the now familiar hall that led to her room. He stopped before the now white, softly billowing curtains and gathered his thoughts. I hope she isn't still angry with me. He took a deep breath. I may have taken it a bit too far this evening.

"You may enter Kuon..." Her sweet voice caressed his ears and he entered.

"Kyoko... I'm..." He started but was interrupted by her lithe form now scantily clad in silks, that were shimmering in pinks and purples, on her knees before him in a form of dogeza.

"Please forgive me Kuon... I behaved horribly... I thought of turning you to an ass, I rudely threw you in anger, I forced myself upon you in my shameless drunken stupor and I have offended you by avoiding you." She rambled off all of the things that she had done while prone and blushing fiercely with her clothing oscillated to match the mood.

He knelt down and smiled softly. He gently turned her face to him by her chin. "I should be the one to apologize, Princess. I said something horrible when I was teasing you and didn't take into consideration, your feelings. It's not a worthless piece of stone and I'm very happy that you cherish it. Please forgive me?"

"But... but I... I dared to kiss you... are you not angered by that? That one such as myself did something so offensive?" She asked in a small voice as she looked down, remembering all of those times before when she had been told by her former masters that she was beneath any human and to touch or, kiss them was offensive.

He chuckled. "It was hardly offensive. That Princess... That was the most amazing kiss anyone has ever blessed me with." He smiled. "Trust me... I don't mind at all. It was quite nice."

He pulled her up so that they were both standing and took her hand. "Come... Why don't we sit and you tell me why something like that made you so angry. I'd like to know so that I don't hurt you again." He told her as he led her to her chaise and they sat together.

She sat for a moment studying him. No human had ever expressed any desire to know her or, cared if they hurt her, yet here he was asking for her story. She almost felt she could trust him with her true name, trust him not to use it against her. No... I should not fall into that trap again. She shook her head to clear the thought.

He watched as a myriad of emotion crossed her beautiful face. "You don't have to tell me."

"No... I was just trying to think on where to begin." She partially lied. "Your words... your saying those words reminded me of how I had been tricked into being a slave and the cruel words and actions of many of my masters, mostly my last master." She whispered. She explained how she had been tricked into being trapped by the king and his sorcerers and how she had been berated and insulted time and again by the young man that had cheated his way into the entertainment industry. "I'm so sorry. I had no choice, but to grant his demands." She apologized but something prevented her from revealing Sho's final wish about him.

Although, his look became dark when she revealed Fuwa's true reason for being in entertainment, it lightened and he smiled softly when she apologized again. "Kyoko... It isn't your fault. It was a job that was forced on you." He placed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "It's not like you volunteered for the job or, wanted to do it. Right?"

She nodded. "It wasn't something I enjoy, like what I'm doing now." She gave him a small smile.

He smiled again and kissed her brow. "There... We're both sorry for our behavior. How about we both learn from our mistakes and promise to never do it again?"

"Thank you Kuon!" She leapt into his arms with a smile and wrapped him in a tight hug. "Thank you." She sighed into his ear sending shivers down his spine.

He groaned inwardly. I don't think she knows what she does to me. "Thank you Kyoko." He wrapped his arms around her and returned the hug. He leaned back and looked into her eyes. "I'm just curious about one thing."

She smiled sweetly and asked. "What would that be?"

"What is hamar?" He asked not so innocently. He had a hunch.

She groaned and covered her face then mumbled something.

"I'm sorry... What was that?" He teased, enjoying her cute reaction.

"I said... It means jackass." She pouted. "But... You probably already guessed that."

He chuckled. "I suppose you're right... About me behaving like a jackass." He nudged her shoulder with his and laughed. "Maybe you could teach me your language someday."

She glanced up at him from the corner of her eye as she smiled softly. "Perhaps..."