Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat or any of its characters. Thank you. Also, I am doing a few cameos in this chapter to include characters and references from Naruto, The One, and Paradise Kiss, none of which I own. Disclaimer complete.

I'd like to take a moment to speak to my readers...it would appear I've hit a bit of block with this story. I feel like I know how I want the ending to go but the bits in the middle are a bit hazy. So, I think I may put this story on the back burner for now and work on a different fanfic of Skip Beat and Yona of the Dawn that are a little more well developed in my mind. I will be updating. It just may take me some time. ;)

MIAKA

Miaka felt hot tears rush to her eyes as Moko walked away. Caroline and Lele seemed to have grasped the fact that silence was more comforting than whatever words they could offer. Then suddenly, Lele pulled at Miaka's left cheek.

" What are you making that face for, huh?"

Caroline's eyes widened and then she mustered up a laugh.

" Don't you know as a model your face is your lifeblood? What will you do if it gets stuck like that?"

" EH! Can it really?" Miaka hurried to smooth her features out but it was impossible while Lele was holding her cheek. Caroline grabbed the other side, pulling Miaka's mouth into a wide oblong circle.

" Can you imagine modeling with a face like this?"

" It'd sure be tough to find work I think."

" mmmmmmmm- mmmmms- nmmmmmm..."

They all burst into laughter.

" Come on, let's go find something delicious to eat." Lele said, smiling down the bridge of her nose at Miaka, hands on her hips. Caroline extended her hand out to Miaka, which she gratefully took.

REN

' Day One' he said to himself mentally as he sat in make up, Miss Woods attending him with due diligence. He heaved a heavy sigh as across the way sat his enigmatic co-star of the photo shoot, Miaka. Miaka was mid-way through make-up when he saw her leap out of her chair after spotting a man with a long dark pony tail and a pair of shades. She threw her arms around his neck with no hesitation and he patted her back politely. He smiled at her and they engaged in a seemingly thrilling and very familiar conversation. They started walking back towards the make up tables, bringing their conversation with them, and right into Ren's ear shot.

" Miaka can't believe Mr. Koizumi requested you to be the photographer for this campaign. This is just too perfect for words!"

" It is, isn't it? I can't lie and say I don't know you best." He fumbled around in his jacket for a lighter, presumably to light the slim white cigarette that rested between his lips.

The woman introduced to Ren as Mrs. Cain came up behind him, draping herself gracefully over his shoulders and snatching away the cigarette before he could bring the open flame to it.

" It might help that your manager is married to this handsome devil and knows how to pull the right strings."

The cigarette was crushed beneath Mrs. Cain's foot. The man glanced at the model over his shoulder, mildly annoyed, and she merely smiled at him.

" I want everything to go smoothly for Miaka. She is my protege afterall." Mrs. Cain remarked.

" OUR protege." Mrs. Hayasaka said entering the room in a fashionable floral romper and sunhat, her long sleek black tresses flowing down her back.

" Caroline." the man said and gave her a quick peck on either cheek, she returned the favor. Miaka watched the whole scene in the mirror but her eyes quickly flicked over to Ren and she'd caught him eaves-dropping. She caught and held Caroline's eyes in the mirror and flicked back over to Ren briefly.

Caroline took the hint and cleared her throat.

"Ah. We're being rude. Please excuse us, Tsuruga-san. Allow me to introduce to you the photographer of this campaign, and our dear friend, Eros Lanson. Eros, this the famed actor, Tsuruga Ren."

" He's also my husband." Lele added and shrugged her shoulders, pretending to be bored but then winked and smiled when Eros' back was turned.

" Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lanson."

" The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Tsuruga."

Eros eyed Ren in a manner most tedious. It was a brutal way of study and for some reason Ren felt he was found lacking or perhaps he was just well masked. Ren's eyes squinted. He disliked being judged for appearances sake only. It was at that moment Eros smirked briefly and turned, leaving without another word. Miaka watched the exchange.

" Odd, Eros' first impressions are usually correct." Miaka said, rising from the chair. Her blue hair was now more pronounced and icy with bits of silver and white streaked throughout. She looked like an ice queen. When she glanced down at Ren directly, he froze. She was breathtaking. She looked like the icicles that form in the winter : beautiful, fragile, but deadly. He laughed at himself.

" I guess that's why they call you the fairy."

She didn't respond with any emotion in her voice at all.

" This is just the beginning, Tsuruga Ren. Miaka will change your life. Whether you like it or not."