A/N: Howdy everyone! Yeah..I know I'm terrible at updates. I've been engaged in a Temple Run 2 tournament with my best friend ! AND I WON! 65 MILLION COINS IN ONE RUN! If you're a temple runner, you'll know how addictive it can be.. If not..try it out! This chapter was in my head for sometime..but..now I finally was inspired enough to write it! Enjoy and review! Hope you get a few laughs out of it! I was in a really good mood you see! ;)
Kyoko stared at the still figure lying on the floor for a few seconds, frozen on the spot. Slowly, she made her way towards the body and with a shaking hand turned him over, praying over and over again that it was not true..that she was just living in a nightmare..
"Ren!", she choked back a scream and began shaking him and feeling his pulse. To her relief, his heart was still beating, though a little irregularly. Judging by the warmth of his body, he couldn't have been lying there for very long. He still had time.
Hope resurged in her heart and she whipped out her cell phone. She stroked Ren's hair soothingly as she dialed for an ambulance. Her hand froze mid-air when Ren suddenly stirred feebly, and mumbled incoherently. Kyoko bent over and gently cradled his face, turning it so she could hear what he was saying.
"Reino..kill ya soon..", he mumbled, but those words were enough to ignite Kyoko's wrath.
"BEAAAGLE!", she screamed with rage."If Ren d..dies, I will never rest until I hunt you down! And then I will chop you into teeny tiny pieces and offer it as a sacrifice to the Devil!"
She furiously dialed the number, mentally cursing Reino. Her voice must have been exuding her rage for the person on the line answered her 'hello' rather nervously.
"T..Tokyo Hospital Madame! H..how may I help you?"
"I need you to send an ambulance to 'Paradise apartment' right away!", Kyoko said urgently. "Please hurry! My boyfriend has been seriously injured!"
"An ambulance has already been sent over Madame.", the voice replied politely. "We received a call a few minutes ago. The matter has been reported to the police. They should be arriving soon."
Kyoko disconnected the call, as the receptionist's voice sank in.
'I will destroy everything..' , the demoness's words played over and over in her head. She now realized the situation she was in. The knife dripping with Ren's blood, lying near him was proof. Proof that she had killed him..or attempted to anyway.
She felt anger and hopelessness engulf her as she realized her fate. Her love..her career..everything was finished! Over! Overnight, she would be labeled a 'murderer'.
She gently stroked Ren's handsome face, praying that he lived. If he were to die thinking that she never cared..Kyoko felt tears rolling down her cheeks as she bent over to kiss him. She jumped when she heard the door bell ring.
She ran to answer it and stared at the army of police, nurses and worst of all-reporters. The police were having a hard time restraining the excited press from barging into the apartment. The nurses pushed their way in and yelled in confirmation that the call about being Ren Tsuruga being stabbed was not a prank.
Kyoko watched numbly as Ren was gently laid on a stretcher and hurried out. A few policemen searched the room for evidence and preserved the incriminating weapon. The team of cameramen and the reporters seemed to be from the same channel. Kyoko wearily closed her eyes as she recognized Hana. Just what I needed!, she thought grimly.
"Mogami san," a police stepped forward with a pair of handcuffs. "I arrest you for the attempted murder of Ren Tsuruga. I must warn you that anything you say may be taken down as evidence against you. You have the right to hire an attorney..", and on and on he went, just the kind of scene you expect to read in a cheap thriller.., Kyoko thought dully, her mind vaguely conjuring up some interesting curses she was itching to try out on Reino.
She blinked as she felt the handcuffs firmly bind her wrists, and was lead out by the police. Hana continued spouting rubbish in front of the camera with her infuriating smile.
"And so..we have here another show- biz romance, gone horribly wrong.", she concluded, before turning to Kyoko. "Now Kyoko san, the ultimate question of today- Why did you kill Ren? Was it for money? Were you secretly married? Was he cheating on you?"
Go drown yourself bitch!, was what Kyoko was strongly tempted to say. Instead she merely stayed silent, mentally adding Hana to her curse hit list as the police led her out.
Hana turned to the cameras, beaming with ghoulish pleasure. "And as we can see my dear viewers,", she said winking,"Kyoko's silence implies that there is indeed some deep, dark mystery behind her actions! Thank you for watching 'Tokyo Tabloid' with your favourite host, Hana, and Remember! You always heard it from me first!"
Reino turned off the television, slowly contemplating the unexpected turn of events. He had lied to Ren when he'd said he had no clue about what was happening with Kyoko and the spirit. Though he wasn't too sure about it all himself, he had allowed enough images to flood his mind when he had touched Kyoko's wound. Enough images to guess that one, the vengeful spirit was a woman, two, she was residing in Kyoko's apartment, but not tethered to it, giving her the freedom she needed to wreak havoc in Kyoko's life. And most important of all, He had some connection with this spirit.
It was the last fact that confused him. He was sure that no one he knew was dead..Yet he could not dismiss his instincts.
Reino had also lied about Kyoko being in her apartment. He knew fully well, she was in a supermarket, having dropped her there himself. He'd had a vague suspicion that when Ren visited the apartment, something was bound to happen. And he had been keeping his fingers crossed that whatever it was, it would be nothing good. Come to think of it, he was still keeping them crossed..
He frowned as his thoughts turned to Kyoko. Whatever he had hoped for, he had definitely not anticipated this! In the end, it was his fault that Kyoko was in prison, and it was his responsibility to get her out and prove her innocence. The question was how?
He paced the floor thinking hard. What Kyoko needed was an alibi. An absolutely air tight one. But wha-?
Reino stopped in his tracks when something struck him. He had dropped Kyoko at the supermarket, knowing fully well that she did not want him to accompany her to her place. But if she had entered the market, even if it was for a few minutes..
Reino pondered over the idea thoughtfully. It was a small idea, one with not much hope of success, but definitely worth a try. He only hoped that the spirit, whoever she was, would be so caught up in her victory, that she would not think of what he just had…
"You want the recordings of today on our CCTV Cameras?", the store manger asked with raised eyebrows. "May I ask why, Mr-?"
"Reino.", he answered, flashing the manager a brilliant smile. "As for my reasons, I wish to help my client secure an alibi, that's all."
The manager stared at him for a few moments, before getting up on his feet. He casually sauntered over from behind his desk. Reino's eyes narrowed as he took in the middle aged man's, tight fitting jeans, that looked suspiciously tight and curved, the feminine green scarf around his neck, and the wedding ring on his left finger.
Reino felt his skin crawled as the manager walked behind him, lightly running his fingers up Reino's arms, his shoulders and trailing back down before finally letting go. "Are you a lawyer then?", the manager whispered, suddenly breathing down his neck. "Or a police? You must have a search warrant then? If you don't, I'll still hand you the disk, provided you..ah..satisfy me.."
Resisting a tremendous urge to throw up, Reino closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He stood up and swiftly pinned the manager down on the desk, on his back.
The man's eyes widened at first, only to close as Reino slowly slipped his fingers under his shirt and lightly stroked his skin. "Look at me.", he ordered the manager.
His eyes fluttered open, and body shuddered with pleasure under Reino's expert fingers. He looked up at the handsome young face with the most hypnotizing pair of eyes he had ever seen. He stared in fascination, deep into the purplish fire dancing In Reino's eyes and fell under their spell.
Reino brought his face dangerously close, smiling at him teasingly. "Now, now…", he whispered into the manger's ears, "We wouldn't want your wife to know about this do we?"
The old man shook his head, looking dazedly up at him.
"So how about a deal?", Reino continued, as his fingers trailed from the manager's chest and made their way under his pants to grasp firmly his already hardened manhood. The manager let out a soft moan, and nodded, surrendering to Reino. "You give me the tape now, in exchange for one night at a hotel tonight. Deal?"
The manager was already panting as Reino stroked him faster and nodded eagerly, his eyes shining with lust and excitement…
A few minutes later, Reino walked back to his car, carrying the precious disc and a bottle of sanitizer that he had bought at the store. He had not only retrieved a key piece of evidence but also had a date with the manager which he was certainly not keeping. The minute he was inside the car, he emptied half the bottle into his hands and began rubbing it vigorously. "Perverted bastard..", he muttered as he inserted the disc in his laptop. He had brought it with him in his car. "I feel sorry for his wife.."
He watched the recordings in anticipation, which quickly turned to boredom. It was one of the most boring things he had watched, but he dared not fast forward it in case he missed something important. With infinite patience and diligence he watched the tape and was beginning to lose hope when he finally caught sight of Kyoko.
Reino whooped in triumph, as he took in the time of recording at the corner of the screen. In no time, Kyoko would be out of prison! He shut down the laptop and drove over to the police station.
As Reino pulled into the parking spot however, another idea struck him, which dampened his spirits. His elation at being able to save Kyoko evaporated as he contemplated that the tape was useless after all..
The fact that Ren Tsuruga was still alive from his injury just after Kyoko's arrival was proof that he had been stabbed not too long ago. In which case, there were two ways the attack on him was possible.
One, either someone had stabbed him before Kyoko's arrival, or two, Kyoko had tried to kill Ren herself. And as the spirit didn't leave behind any evidence of it's presence except the incriminating knife with Kyoko's fingerprints, the police would be inclined to suspect the latter.
No wonder the spirit didn't come after this recording!, he thought furiously. If she knows about this, she knows how useless it will be for Kyoko. Well, I'm not going to let all that work go to waste!
He drummed his fingers on the wheel, thinking over his next course of action. He had an idea..And it would mean manipulating the police like he had manipulated LME's president and many of it's employers..and it was only a temporary solution. But it would give him the time he needed to exterminate this spirit for good. He took his laptop and got out of the car to show the police his 'evidence'.
Before leaving, he raised his eyes mockingly towards the sky. "Dear God in Heaven,", he said under his breath. "I renounced you, but I'll make a promise to myself with you as my witness. If my plan works, I'll go ahead as planned and continue my life with the spirits. If it doesn't, I'll go on a date with that manager!"
Inspector Nakamura shook her head regretfully after watching the recording. "I'm afraid this isn't proof enough Reino san.", she said, proving his expectations right. "Kyoko san was at the scene of the crime at a very crucial time. And there is the knife with her fingerprints.."
Reino leaned forward, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Would you consider Kyoko to be a very stupid woman inspector Nakamura?", he asked in a low, impressive voice, trying to make her feel important.
She raised her eyebrows at his question. "Because she left behind such a crucial piece of evidence?", she asked back coolly. "Criminals always make mistakes Reino..And Mogami san, not being a seasoned murderer must have attacked Tsuruga san in a frenzy."
"What if she didn't do it?", Reino insisted."What if she was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time? The fingerprints don't prove a thing! It was a bloody kitchen knife he was stabbed with! Of course it would have her fingerprints!"
The inspector did not flinch under Reino's penetrating gaze. Reino concentrated hard. He knew it wouldn't be easy. He had guessed it the moment he looked into her intelligent eyes. But this was his only hope. He would be able to manipulate her mind to his desires, though the struggle would definitely give him a headache later on.
"You do have a point..", Nakamura replied slowly. "But it could have been a double bluff. She could have easily hired an experienced killer to do the job for her. The knife with her fingerprints would raise questions among fans, just like yours. And naturally everyone would believe her to be innocent.."
Reino sighed with frustration. She's been reading too many detective novels before becoming an inspector!, he thought disdainfully. The very idea! Hired assassins! Hmmmph! What next? A secret supply of nuclear bombs to blow up the world?!
He gently laid a hand on the inspector's. She looked at him startled as she felt a tingle of electricity flow along her veins. Her eyes became slightly fuzzy and less sharp.
"I know the evidence is too thin Inspector.", he said smoothly. "But I'm afraid it still gives me the right to have Kyoko released on bail..For the moment, you will drop this case against her on grounds of inconclusive evidence. Do you understand?"
"Yes.", Nakamura breathed, her eyes locked with his.
Reino took off his hand and smiled. "Well then, what are we waiting for?", he asked, leaning back in elation. It worked! "Bring her out!"
Reino could feel Kyoko's glare boring down his back while he signed the necessary documents. He looked up at her when he was finished and winked at her. "Well, we'll be off then!", he said cheerfully, grabbing Kyoko's hand and marching away, out of the station.
Kyoko shook her arm off roughly. "Don't touch me!", she spat. "You..you murderer! How dare you? And then you release me on bail to make my life a living hell all over again?!"
"Are we on re-reruns now?", Reino asked irritably and once again hoisted an indignant Kyoko on his shoulder while making his way to his car. "Ouch! You're scorching me!", he said sardonically as she continued to glare at him.
"And just where are we going?", Kyoko growled threateningly. "What are you planning now beagle?! Abandoning me in another haunted house?"
"Hmm..I guess you could say so..", Reino replied, grinning as he thought about his apartment. "I'm dropping you at my apartment. Oh, and I do think you should show a little more gratitude for what I have just done."
"Gratitude?", Kyoko spluttered indignantly. "You tried to kill Ren and I'm supposed to be happy about that? And there's no way I'm going to your apartment! I'm going to the hospital to check on Ren! SO LET ME OUT NOW!"
Reino winced as Kyoko yelled in his ear and stopped the car. "We're home!", he said cheerily. He grabbed Kyoko's hand and dragged her out of the car. She struggled to escape but his grip was too strong.
"Let go! OW! You're hurting me!", she yelled, creating quite a commotion. Reino clamped his other hand firmly on her mouth and forced her to come with him, wincing only a little as she bit his hand hard.
She's like a wild animal now!, he thought with amusement as he opened the door to his apartment and pushed her in.
Kyoko turned on him furiously but froze..She looked around the apartment apprehensively, wrapping her arms around herself as she felt the familiar chill in Reino's apartment. She stared at him wide-eyed, her courage failing her.
"So it's true..", she whispered."You're the one who set the spirits after me! You set everything up to get Ren attacked and me framed at the same time!"
"Kyoko..", Reino started, advancing towards Kyoko who only backed away quickly, falling oonto his sofa. He looked at the frightened young woman and sighed.
"Please hear me out.", he said quietly. "You're not totally wrong..but please listen to my story first. Okay?"
Kyoko gulped, and nodded slowly in agreement. Reino gave her a relieved smile and sat down on the seat opposite her.
"Do you remember this chain?", he pointed to the chain around his neck. Kyoko nodded, as she remembered how he had captured her grudge spirit with it.
"This chain is a family heir loom. It possesses the power to attract spirits, and if they are weak enough, capture them as well.", he continued, ignoring Kyoko's flabbergasted expression. "I put this on the night after our band broke up. I already had powers over spirits, but this necklace increased them tenfold. I could capture, control and torture spirits..An odd hobby, you might think, but I find pleasure in it..
When I touched the wound on your chest, oh yes, I can see them and feel them as well.", he added on seeing her startled expression. "A wound inflicted by a spirit is no ordinary one Kyoko. Very few people, apart from the injured person can see the wounds. These wounds also leave behind traces and memories of the spirits. In your case, the vengeful spirit is so consumed by hate for you, she left quite a lot of herself in you."
Kyoko continued to listen to this rather preposterous sounding, but unfortunately true story, though still not convinced of Reino's innocence.
"I touched you're wound only for a second, but long enough to realize that the spirit was out to destroy everything precious to you…
Ren Tsuruga knows this.", he said. Kyoko looked at him startled. "He came to me when I called him. I told him that you were being targeted by a spirit and finally…I sent him to your apartment, knowing fully well that he would only meet a full fledged monstrous spirit. I hoped it would hurt him..but I never expected this turn of events.."
He looked remorseful, but Kyoko felt her fury rise again. "You evil..", she struggled to find the words, but couldn't find insulting enough names to call him. She grabbed a vase and hurled it at him, but it only exploded mid air.
Reino sighed wearily. "You are in my apartment Kyoko. An apartment full of spirits, good and evil, weak and powerful, but all on my side. I do not regret getting Ren Tsuruga attacked, and never will. I hate him. Yes, if possible, I'd murder him with my bare hands. Because he is one of the few people who scare me. I hate him because he was with the girl I like.
And so, I sought to steal you away from him, by coercing your president to become your manager. I am surprisingly good at manipulation and mind control Kyoko. It was that, which allowed me to get you away from prison."
Kyoko suddenly felt very tired. She was exhausted with everything that had happened over the last two days. The wounds..Ren's attack..and now Reino's looong lecture.
"Reino..", she said wearily, "Why did you bring me here? Why didn't you take me to the hospital?"
"The grounds I got you out on, are thin Kyoko.", Reino explained. "I had to use my powers of persuasion, but this is only temporary. The press don't know yet that you are out. Once they do however, they will question the police and remind them all the reasons why you should be in prison. And then, I cannot stop them from arresting you. I can control a one, maybe two minds at a time. But I cannot manipulate the whole of Japan into thinking you are innocent."
"I repeat, why am I here?", Kyoko asked irritably.
"I want you to stay here for a while.", he replied simply. "The spirits here will make sure that the spirit, after you, will never trace you here. As long as you remain in this place, you will be safe. Do you understand?"
He gazed at her seriously for a few moments, and Kyoko reluctantly found herself nodding in agreement.
"Good.", Reino relaxed and got up. "And now, I want your address Kyoko."
"What for?", she asked suspiciously.
"I will be going to your apartment to rid you off this spirit once and for all.", he said shortly. "Keys please?", he held out his hand.
Kyoko hesitated for a moment and took out the keys from her pocket. "Paradise complex.", she said, handing it over to him. "You know where it is. It's not far from here."
Reino nodded and turned to leave, but paused. He turned back, with his careless smile back on his face. "I have one condition however,", he said slyly. "I will help you, but not for free. If I return alive and successful, you have to do whatever I ask you to. Do you understand?"
"All right!", Kyoko said impatiently. "Hurry up!"
"Not so fast now!", he drawled. "Do you understand what I mean. If I ask you to break it off with Ren Tsuruga, and be my woman instead, you will have to do that!"
"All right.", Kyoko replied, after a short pause, looking at him straight in the eye.
Reino looked pleasantly surprised . "Well, in that case nothing can stop me from winning against this spirit, no matter how powerful it is! Remember your promise to be my girl from now on!", he said cheerily, and left the apartment.
Kyoko locked the door, and glared at it, longing to blast it into a million pieces. "Like hell I will!", she muttered under her breath and jumped when she felt a chilly breath down her neck. "Just kidding!", she called out nervously.
Reino unlocked the door to Kyoko's apartment and stepped inside cautiously. Yes..he could feel the presence of a spirit here…
He made his way to the bedroom, feeling the spirit' s vibes getting stronger. The moment he entered the bedroom however, the bedside lamp, lifted itself in the air and flew towards him. With a mere glance, he was able to blast it into smithereens. He turned his attention to a particular spot in the bedroom and clutched his chain, concentrating hard.
There was a pitiful wail from the corner. One by one, a hand..a neck..a leg and the rest of a body appeared eerily. Moments later, Reino found his breath catch, at her voluptuous figure..her long black hair..her bloodied hands…and her eyes filled with fire and hatred..
"Well, well..", he said softly, "it's the other angel.."
A/N: Okay..I didn't reveal the name but I'm pretty sure you have a good idea by now about this 'other angel' who hates Kyoko so much. And is a Sho fan too! Just a couple more chapters till the end now! :)