English is still not my first language, so whatever this is - I tried my best.

This is not proofread. So, if you find mistakes (what kind soever) or something confusing then please tell me. I will try my best to fix it.

Have fun :3

It had been the second time that he had caught her.
The second time that night he had held her.
And the second time in only a few hours that he had had her blood on his hands.

Ren lies in a room right next to the one he had been in not so long ago, Dr. Kameda palpating his chest.
It hurts - a lot.
The skin right below his sternum is already turning purplish-blue… from just one hit.
That single strike had made him breathless and unsteady on his feet. His mind went blank as the panic had hit him.
It had taken him quite some time until he could focus again and was able to describe what exactly had happened.

He had opened the door hesitantly - not sure what to expect.
Uncertainty flooded his body. Did he really want to see her helplessly lying in a bed, maybe even depending on machines? Her skin ashen from blood loss and the harsh lights hospitals always seem to have. There would be bruises all over her face and body from whoever had done this to her.

...

But had there even been wounds on her face? Blood? Or dirt?

He had stared at her for so long in the car, so intensely, but he couldn't remember a thing.
No. That's not true. He remembered one thing… the angry wet spot on her stomach. The cut severing her skin across her belly like an evil smirk.
Calling to him. Taunting him.
He could lose something important. Something that wasn't even a part of his life. And it would hurt.

But whatever he had imagined seeing there, it certainly wasn't her standing in the middle of the room looking like a deer caught in the headlights.
Still, there she had been.
They had looked at each other with wide eyes, shock on one side and surprise on the other's.
Long before Ren could even start to process what he was seeing, she had hit him in the solar plexus, knocking the wind out of him. Everything went black. He stumbled, but kept upright.
He remembers blocking and dodging punches she threw at him, though he doesn't know how he did it. All happened so fast.

She wanted to kick him, but lost her footing.
He had caught her then, only to find her passed out again.
The moment he had seen red colouring the light blue of her hospital gown, he had called for help.

"That was quite a hit." The doctor says, taking his hand from the forming contusion. "But there is nothing broken or damaged. The pain should be getting better in two or three days." He scribbles something on a clipboard. "The bruise, though... it will accompany you for a few weeks, I'm afraid."

Ren is only half-heartedly listening to the diagnosis. "How is she?"

Kameda sighs. "She tore nearly all of her stitches. The pain... probably the reason she had passed out again. We had to redo them. It won't be pretty, when it's healed."

"Doctor."

"Hmm?" He turns to Lory.

"You said you had to sedate her earlier. So, how can she walk around and attack people, when she should be sleeping?" Lory ponders over this since he had heard Ren explain what had taken place in those few moments.

"Maybe her body has naturally a high tolerance to sedatives." He shrugs. "Or more likely, she could have developed it through constant use. We'll need to run a few tests to be sure. For now we put her into an artificial coma. We can't risk another incident like this. Tomorrow we will contact the police. Maybe they are looking for her already."

"Could we wait until she is awake with that?" Lory asks, getting a frown in response. "If they are searching for her, they will contact the hospitals, won't they? And if not, we could just wait until she wakes and ask her. Whoever did this to her, probably wants to finish what was started."

The doctor considers this for a moment. "You may be right, Takarada-san."

After Kameda handed Ren some painkillers they leave the hospital with the promise, that they would be in contact. The doctor will keep them updated - at least as far as his medical confidentially allows.

They are back in the limousine. Ren deep in thoughts. Lory watching him intently.

"Is she the one?" He asks, without beating around the bush.

Like so many times before at this night, Ren stares his boss right in the eyes before answering.

"She is."

Lory returns the look and holds it. "How do you intend to proceed now?"

They keep on staring. "I told you already. I'm not going to do anything."

Lory doesn't say anything more to him.

Now isn't the right time to talk Ren into something. The actor is too exhausted and way too distrait for any important conversation.
So, he will need to wait. That won't be a problem - gives him more time to grasp the whole situation and work something out. He needs to. There is no way Lory would let a chance like this pass.
It's the first time for Ren after all. The first time for him to fall in Love. To have serious feelings towards another person. The first time for him to drop the charade - to let the mask of 'Tsuruga Ren' slip.
It fell and got a crack.

Even if he picks it up again, it will never be the same.
Ren will need to put a lot of work into it, if he still wants to use it. Will need to treat it with great care, so it doesn't break completely. Be careful with it, so no one can see the flaw.

Even though it isn't a flaw.

It's a chance. A step in the right direction.

It will make him better. A better actor. A better man.

He will need to take the mask down, if he wants to grow. The 'Tsuruga Ren' he is right now will never be able to surpass his father. Or even reach him.
He needs to accept who he is and who he was. To learn from his mistakes so he won't repeat them, but can use the experiences to his own advantage. It will hurt. And it certainly won't be easy. But that's the point.
You need to overcome yourself, if you want to get better - to be better. You need to rise above your old self.

Hey guys :)

What is this you ask? I don't know.
It's writing itself and I can't do much about it. Such an anticlimactic scene/chapter/thingy...
Somehow Lory considers his thoughts to be more important than actual story... How can I tame him?
I need to get into Ren's head... sigh... But he didn't let me in... sigh²

I feel a bit beaten down right now... Need to get myself together. I want this story to happen after all. And there is a damn lot more to go.
I need to brainstorm a bit for the next one, I think... or should I just start writing and see where it takes me? Dunno...

Btw I'm Curran-tly reading the Kate Daniels series and they eat my life! But I can't stop! I had a few crossover ideas popping into my head, but I had to squish them or they would've killed me... Evil little bastards... like plot duck-cat-bunnies... What's this series doing to me?! Waaahhhhh

Sooo, rant finished... I think/hope.

I know this chapter is not great, but parts of it are necessary. And other ways just didn't want to show themself to me (does this make sense?)

Thank You for every follow, fave and review. I love you guys :D Like really!

If you want to review, give me please your honest opinion. I'd like to make this chapter better, but I need help for that.

Another Thank You for reading :D I really appreciate that ;)

Have a nice day

Ja ne

Kia