A/N: Some word of explanation for the length of the last chapter first: It was going to be longer, but since most of my inspiration comes to me late at night, I was nodding off near the end there and I really wanted to get the new chapter out. So, I ended it there. Forgive me? ;) Did any of you lovely readers catch the Skip Beat manga Christmas special? It's raw, but still HILARIOUS! Type in "Skip Beat Christmas Special" in your search engine and click on the Franky House link to get to another link to download it.

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Kyoko sat there, snugly enveloped in Ren's arms, quietly listening to the hammering heart beating against her cheek. Warmth bubbled up inside her.

No one had ever told her they loved her. No one.

Her mind went back to their first meeting—their real first meeting—and played through all they had been through together. Ren had always been there for her when she needed someone the most. He was always so kind, even if he had that childish streak that no one else, to her knowledge, detected behind his gentlemanly mask. Seeing his faults and flaws made him more endearing and the new knowledge of how long she had really known him, more still.

Even so, did her feelings for Ren go beyond friendship? Did she love him back? What was love, really? All she really knew was that it felt so natural to be in Ren's arms, as if she had always belonged there.

Kyoko was startled out of her thoughts by a gentle kiss being planted on the crown of her head.

"Asleep?" Ren asked.

"No." Kyoko raised her head up to look at Ren.

Bad idea.

The moonlight reflected by the pond shone in his eyes and made his skin glow, giving him that fairy-like aura.

"Corn . . . you really did fly, after all . . ." She murmured, a small, nostalgic smile appearing on her lips.

Ren's mouth split into a wide grin, crinkling his eyes.

"I told you so."

"KYA!" went her little angels, while her demons were reduced to dust. Kyoko's heart skittered.

Ren brushed a stray strand of hair out of Kyoko's eyes. He let his fingers trail down her jaw. He gently nudged her chin up, stroking her bottom lip with his thumb.

Kyoko's head tingled as her body suffused with warmth. A slight dizziness came over her. It was all too overwhelming. She had done a lot in the past few days, experiencing and doing things she would never have dreamed of. And on top of that the whole truth about Tsuruga Ren's real identity . . .and love . . .

Suddenly, Ren removed his hand from her face and, grasping her shoulders, held her out at arms length.

"I'm sorry, Kyoko-chan. In reality I really am a selfish man. I've been acting without knowing your feelings. You know mine now, but what about yours? Do you think you could . . . love me, too?" The bursting question ended in such a small voice that it caught Kyoko even further off guard.

"I . . . I don't . . . know."

Ren's defense mechanism reflexively snapped into place, his default smile making an appearance.

"Don't worry about it, Mogami-san."

Kyoko's demons began to rise from the ashes, thanks to the melancholy aura that was seeping from Ren.

It almost broke Kyoko's heart. "It's just—it's all so overwhelming, finding out about everything in one day . . ."

The melancholy subsided. Ren now understood.

"Of course! Of course you're overwhelmed, anyone would be. You need time . . ."

Kyoko nodded feeling relieved.

"Well," Ren said, glancing at his watch, "it's getting late, I'd better get you home. We have the final shoot tomorrow."

They rode in the car in an uncomfortable silence, despite seemingly coming to an understanding. Ren once again had to hold back his feelings, but this time Kyoko was well aware of the restraint. The only words spoken were the directions to the Darumaya.

Ren stopped the car in front of the restaurant.

"So, this is where you live . . ."

"Yes."

"Now I know." Ren said in a sinister tone.

Kyoko whirled around.

"Mwahaha!" Ren teased.

Kyoko burst out laughing. This evening was probably the longest length of time she had seen him being himself.

She loved that childish side of him . . .

Kyoko reddened and got out of the car quite quickly. She had enough guts to go around to the driver's side and say some parting words to Tsuruga

"See you tomorrow, Tsuruga-san," she said, absently put her hand on the edge of the rolled down window.

"Good night, Mogami-san." Ren reflexively enveloped her hand with his. But, then pulled it back once he realized what he had done.

Kyoko felt a pang of regret. She fought back the urge to grab the retreating limb. Instead, giving a small awkward bow, she retreated into the Darumaya.

From the small window in her room she could see the street. Ren was still parked. She could just make out his figure bent over the dashboard, his head leaning on the steering wheel. Her arms ached to hold him, to comfort him. Finally, Ren drove off and Kyoko left the window.

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Mwhahaha! I know what I want to write next, so chapter eleven shouldn't be too long in coming.