Edit* WARNING: This chapter is very dark and contains themes of rape. If you find the material disturbing, I have marked the ending of Ren's part. Feel free to skip past Kyoko's part to the third chapter. You won't miss anything, just the details. Please be sensitive about the subject in your reviews.
Cain sat absent-mindedly, listening to the director's words of praise about his performance. His dark eyes scanned him as he spoke on and on about possible scene changes to center around BJ and maybe even adding in significant dialogue for his character. Cain didn't care in the least. He wasn't here in order to improve his career or to raise his status as an actor. This was a personal battle between Tsuruga Ren and Kuon. If he didn't win this battle, not only would he lose Ren, but he would never be able to allow himself to love Kyoko.
Just the thought of her name made him feel as though he had new strength. There was a light in the darkness of his heart. It was the only thing keeping him from completely dissolving into his former self. When he was with Kyoko, it was as if his sins were cleansed and he could truly be the man he wanted to be. The blood of his past was slowly drowning him, covering every inch of his being. Without her...
"Director!" The meeting was interrupted abruptly when Murasame broke in. He was panting and sweating profusely, a look of desperation and fear in his eyes. "What is it, Murasame?" The director asked, standing. He was visibly worried at the sight of his actor looking so helpless. "Setsuka...she's gone" He managed to say between his heaving. "Kyoko?" Ren felt his heart go into overdrive. He shot out of his chair and approached Murasame, hanging onto every word.
Murasame began to explain, "She shot soda on me and walked off down the street, I followed her and saw some guy grab her and knock her out. I tried to chase after them but he was already gone"
Cain felt the rage boiling inside of him. The familiar feeling of a demon being unleashed was beginning to consume him, just like that day when he confronted the gang who came so close to hurting Kyoko. But she wasn't here this time to save him from his demons. He reached out and grabbed Murasame's shirt roughly. "Who...was it." He demanded, slowly, deliberately. Normally, his fellow actor would have objected or showed some hint of defiance in the face of such violent behavior. However, Cain's eyes were wild and the fist clenching his shirt shook with fury, daring him to object. "I-I don't know" Murasame stammered, "A weird guy with silver hair. He looked a lot like those guys in that popular rock band...Vie Ghoul"
Without a word, Cain shoved Murasame aside and rushed off. He could already feel it. That light that radiated such warmth was disappearing...and soon nothing would be left but darkness.
"Tsuruga-san!" Kyoko called out. Though she could see nothing, she could feel his presence there. She ran through the darkness wildly, though not quite sure why. It felt as if she didn't find him soon, he would be gone. Heart pounding, legs flying, Kyoko searched frantically for any sign of the man she so cared for. After many strenuous moments of pursuit, she finally found his figure, slouched on the ground, weak and downcast. With a sigh of relief she walked towards him slowly. "What are you doing here...?" Kyoko heard herself ask. She then smiled warmly, reaching out a hand. He looked up at her with a pained expression and reached for her outstretched hand. However, as soon as her fingertips touched his, Ren's fingers began to dissipate. His arms, legs, torso, all began to fade into the darkness. Horrified at what was happening, she could only watch while he disappeared. The last thing Kyoko saw was his face, which had a surprisingly calm look of submission. "No!" She cried out. "Fight back! Tsuruga-san!"
Kyoko came to, taking in her new surroundings bit by bit. Through her blurred vision, she could make out the shapes and colors of a sinister room. The walls were stained a deep crimson red and gothic-style decorations covered the room. As her eyes focused and Kyoko became more aware, she realized she was laying a a large bed with similar looking crimson and black sheets. Confused, Kyoko tried to remember where she was and when she had fallen asleep. She had her brow furrowed in thought, when one of her spirits hissed menacingly and a familiar chill went down her spine. All of a sudden she remembered everything as the sinister figure of Reino entered the room.
Kyoko tried to get up from the bed, but she realized she was constricted tightly by her arms and legs. Reino had bound her hands to the headboard above her with a black rope that rubbed unforgivably against her skin. Her legs were tied in a similar fashion, preventing her from kicking. "Let me go, you stupid Beagle!" Kyoko cried out, fear building. She pulled against the ropes that bound her wrists and ankles, to no avail. She tried willing her small friends to help her, but even they were cowering in a corner in the far recesses of her mind.
He merely gave a faint smirk that made Kyoko shudder. "That's not possible. I have something important to tell you. And I'll make sure you listen this time." Reino replied. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a lighter, swiftly flipping it open.
"Go ahead and burn me. I've felt much worse pain!" Kyoko said with much bravado. Even so, she continued trying to writhe her wrists free from their bindings.
Reino raised his eyebrows at her statement in amusement, still holding the lighter. However, rather than attacking her with it, he grabbed a candle from the end table and lit it and a few others, as well as some incense. Kyoko watched with a confused look on her face until he finished and gave her a sideways glance. She froze, not quite sure what was coming next.
"I know very well the type of pain you've felt." He said finally. In one swift movement Reino moved from where he stood to the bed. Kyoko felt the fear building within her as he positioned himself above her, looming over his prey. Previously struggling, she went still when he leaned down over her , allowing his silver hair to brush across her face. "I'm going to give you a much deeper scar than any flame could create." He whispered into her ear.
Kyoko's eyes widened in fear as his tongue trailed down her neck, leaving a feeling as cold as ice, making his intentions clear. The hair on her skin stood on end when she realized what he was planning to do. "Why are you doing this?" She asked, barely audible.
Reino paused at the hollow of her neck and looked at her with a serious expression. "I've never met a living woman that makes me feel this way. You have an inner darkness that surpasses even that of myself. Ever since you showed it to me, I've been determined to make you mine." He replied and took a breath before continuing,"However, you're more innocent than I thought. You've been completely oblivious to my advances. But I'm going to make sure I'm clear this time: You are mine, Kyoko Mogami. I will consume your heart and after today you will think of nobody but me." Confused by this, the words were still racing through her head, trying to make sense. He had feelings for her? Why would he possibly, if Shotaro wasn't even on his radar anymore? Kyoko couldn't think. She was overcome with tremors when she felt his hand creep its way up her thigh and hike up the short skirt Setsu had been so set on wearing. Suddenly, she wished she had listened to Tsuruga-san, or rather, Cain, when he insisted on her wearing pants.
Grasping at the thought of her mentor, she remembered how terrified Reino was upon last meeting him. It was his one weakness! "T-Tsuruga Ren..." Kyoko stammered, but mustered a firm tone "He will find me." At this, her attacker paused for a moment, his violet eyes seeming to contemplate the consequences. For a moment, she thought it had worked. He would let her go now and this incident would never be mentioned again. She almost cried in relief. However, his expression quickly calmed and he reached into his pocket, pulling out a crimson switchblade and flipping it open.
"I'm no longer scared of Tsuruga ren. Do you know why, Kyoko?" He asked, bringing the blade of his knife close to her neck. "Because I love you." With that, Reino let the blade tear through the lace on her top, piece by piece, leaving her more and more exposed. Kyoko cried out in protest, knowing that soon her top would be completely gone and she would become vulnerable. "If I can make that man become consumed by darkness..." He began, continuing to expose more of her flesh as his knife ripped through her material "It will be impossible for him to be with you."
Her eyes widened at the thought of becoming a tool to hurt the man she admired. Suddenly everything he had said made sense. This was a confession. This despicable, revolting, cold-hearted Beagle had confessed his love for her. Not only that, but he intended to use her to hurt Tsuruga, whom she cared about deeply. She remembered her dream, watching Tsuruga-san dissipate into the darkness. The painful expression he bore. Kyoko couldn't let that happen, no matter what. She had to do something or at least try to stop this.
"You're incapable of love!" She cried out angrily, thrashing wildly against him and the ropes. Kyoko pulled against them until her wrists were raw. Her chest scraped against the blade of his knife, cutting her deeply and causing blood to seep through and stain her ripped corset. Even so, she ignored it and continued to pull against the ropes, letting adrenaline take over until her wrists began to bleed as well. Reino merely watched her with a look of amusement, towering patiently over her as she tired herself. This went on for several minutes until she could hardly move anymore. Kyoko had never felt so completely helpless in her life.
Reino continued to smirk as he watched her exhausted body continue to pull weakly against the ropes. She wasn't the type to give up easily and he knew that. "You are my prey and there is no escape. All you've done is make yourself even more appealing." He said, leaning over her and running his tongue along the scar on her chest that continued to seep blood. Knowing his words to be true, Kyoko finally accepted that there was no way to escape this. She was overcome with guilt, remembering her promise to Ren to protect her purity after Shotaro had stolen her first kiss. She had lowered her guard enough for this dispicable man to snatch her up like it was nothing.
Tears fell from Kyoko's golden eyes and she went limp as Reino ripped through the last of the lace holding her top together. He thrust it open and began hungrily assaulting her body like a starving wolf who had gotten ahold of a tasty morsel. Red marks had appeared all over her breasts where those disgusting lips had layed waste. She didn't care anymore. Kyoko had convinced herself that this was her punishment for breaking her promise to Tsuruga-san. For being stupid and leaving herself wide open to his attacks.
"It isn't fun if the prey doesn't fight for its life." Reino said, dragging his nails across her stomach. Kyoko didn't respond and merely blankly gazed into space. Not to be ignored, he grabbed her chin and brought her lips to his. Kyoko tried not to notice as he invaded her mouth in a deep, passionate kiss. She refused to give him the satisfaction of any reaction. After what seemed like hours, he released her, giving into her stubbornness. "Alright then" Reino conceded. For a moment, she had a sliver of hope that he might have given up. However, a determined, evil look appeared on his face that filled Kyoko with terror as he whispered, "I'm going to make you scream, little rabbit"
He reached down and hiked up the black mini skirt that she had worn as Setsu. "No, wait!" Kyoko cried out, "Stop it!" She bucked her hips, attempting to writhe away as the Beagle took out his knife once again, bringing it to the lace straps of Setsu's underwear. Without hesitation, he ripped through the flimsy fabric and allowed it to fall away. Completely exposed and vulnerable, Kyoko sobbed, knowing what was coming next. The evil look in his eyes as he positioned himself over her, kissing her deeply once again, told everything.
"That's right, cry for me. Let memories of me fill your mind forever." He said finally, using his thumb to wipe away her gathering tears. Through all of this, he had somehow managed to release his member and press against Kyoko in the most terrifying of manners. "Please, don't. I'll give you anything." She begged, losing all sense of the strong, independent woman that she had worked so hard to become.
"I only want you", Reino replied and entered into her fiercly.
Kyoko screamed in pain as he invaded her, destroying every shred of innocence. The last thing she could remember was the look of demented satisfaction on Reino's face before Kyoko lost consciousness.