Just a warning I am Dyslexic so my stories will not be perfect but I now have one Beta reader to help me along the way :D

Thank you so much to rsrdiall for offering to work with me :D

Hello my sweeties,

Well I'm back again and all I can say is WOW!

what an amazing lot of wonderful people you are!

the reviews, faves and follows have been simply amazing for this story!

and I'm so glad you are all enjoying it as much as I'm enjoying writing it :D

SO here is the next chapter!

I'm afraid I had a little heart change about my own storyline :P (for the better)

so we wont get Japans reaction until the next chapter, but i hope you won't be disappointed with what you get :P

Enjoy.

Neh xxx

I do not own Skip Beat!

or the song:

Sum 41 - With Me.

They had won a large battle here today. And with this under their belt Lory was almost certain they would win the war.

"So let me get a few things straight?! How can you have been born in Japan with today's story? And where did that story even come from?!" Lory was like a child in a candy store as he looked across at his four favourite people in the world at that minute.

Julie chuckled as she watched Lory's eager excited eyes. "Now that would be telling," she said with a smile towards Kyoko and the rest of her family.

"Julllliiiiieeeeeeeee." Lory whined and Kyoko couldn't help but smile at the president.

"Oh stop moaning you old fool!" she replied laughing as she looked around at the people seated around her.

Kyoko and Ren were seated together on one of the loveseats and closer together than normally would be called appropriate in Japan, whilst Kuu chuckled fondly at his old friend's enthusiasm.

Kuon nodded towards his mother, his mind still fully occupied by the woman seated next to him. By the time everyone had returned to the dressing room Kyoko had regained her control and also her character. Lory the Love Me girl and the Heel seniors found Kyoko painting her nails. Her legs were tossed over Cain's as he absentmindedly read through his Tragic Marker script book whilst drawing slow gentle circles on her legs.

"Well it was simple really. We looked at the best ways for people to get away with, shall we say unfortunate circumstances with the media." Lory was on the edge of his seat almost bouncing with excitement.

"The sympathy vote." Julie said as if it was obvious whilst shrugging her shoulders. "It was your Love Me member number 3 really that gave me the idea when she had been talking about the reason's for being in the Love Me section. She was talking about all those young ladies that get by on their looks and behaviour alone rather than their acting skill." Lory scoffed slightly at her words but Julie just glared at him.

"Lory you and me both know there are so many people like that out there that scrape through on the skin of their teeth or basically because they offer more in... other departments..." Kyoko looked confused by Julie's wording, but didn't mention it as Lory simply shrugged again.

"So the Japan England issue?" he asked changing the subject back to something he could possibly win with.

"Well that was implied with the story." Ren said as he pushed his way to the surface trying to stop Kuon from pulling Kyoko into his arms. Lately, she had been a little too close for his well being. Lory simply tilted his head waiting for Ren to continue.

"Well when talking about Cho and her backstory they mentioned drug trafficking. What's to say my parents were not involved with this part of the system? Leaving the idea open it allowed people to make their own judgement and opinion on what they believe happened."

Kyoko nodded. "The imagination is a very powerful tool really."

Lory was amazed by the understanding that had been put behind the back story. He was sure he had the answer to his next question.

"So the story was all planned out then?" Lory was so sure his answer would be to the positive, that when Kyoko shook her head Lory almost spat out the tea he had just had.

"What! You're telling me the story wasn't planned out!?" Lory wanted to jump to his feet but doubted they would hold his weight as he thought about the enormity of what Kyoko had just implied.

"Not really. We decided that to make it really believable we needed more of a fluid structure so we simply set a few boundaries and a few ideas then Mrs. Heel took the helm. Julie-san is very knowledgeable with the women in this industry. So when she had a grasp of what Sakura was up to she simply indicated in which direction we would be moving and we ad libbed from there." Lory looked about to fall off the seat as he stared at the four of them. Kuu was rather enjoying the moment preferring to watch Lory's reaction.

He could have told him how simple it was to do with Kyoko and Kuon's acting. How the story had been able to simply flow through them and in the depth of his characters hearts he had lived the story and emotions. He had been Calvin in that moment as Julie had been Sayuri and even if he wanted to shout it to the entire world how amazing his 'sons' were. He knew he couldn't, but it truly was their love that had made the act so believeable.

That love that Kyoko denied with all her heart and soul yet felt so keenly. Even he could not deny that not only was Kuon in love with Kyoko, but the same went for Kyoko for Kuon.

They talked for another half an hour before the Heels left together again with the Love Me ladies heading for the hotel.

It was just before 10pm when someone knocked on the door gently. The Heels had dismissed the girls to their own leisure straight after dinner saying that it had been a tiring and emotionally wrought day and the girls were probably just as tired as they were.

Kanae had to agree. The story the family had re-lived on stage was almost something she could not even fathom or begin to understand. Yet somewhere deep inside, she could see the mental pictures of the terrified little girl who would grow up to be Setuska and the strong yet emotionally, and perhaps mentally scared, young boy who would grow up to be Cain.

The pain in Setsu's words. Her emotions at the story that was yet to unfold and her violent yet terrified outburst, made so much sense now it cut like a mortal blade slicing straight to her heart. So deep had it cut that Kanae now sat here going over the suspects again and again, trying so desperately to find a reason, a motive. Something! Anything! Just something that could find the culprit... something to stop not only Setsu, but also Cain from feeling another ounce of pain. They simply didn't deserve it!

Kanae rubbed her eyes tiredly. She knew Chiori felt the same way, but had sent her off to bathe and then to bed knowing the younger woman had not slept so well the night before after the trolley incident. Standing slowly and stretching out her back she walked to the door and opened it.

"Hello?" she asked before fully looking up to the person standing before her. When she did Kanae was speechless.

"I have no excuse," Setsu said as she stood there before Kanae. "Would it be ok if i came in?"

Regaining her thought process and her voice all in a single moment Kanae simply stepped back from the door and opened it wider allowing Setsu access. Had they done something wrong? Was there a reason Setsu would be here without her brother? They had tried their hardest since the show to remain neutral and make the whole experience easier for the overwrought family. But maybe it had been the wrong decision. But then why would Setsu's words be I have no excuse?

"I didn't wake you, did I?" Setsu asked in her usual uncaring voice as she looked around the sitting room of the hotel suite.

"No, no it's fine. I was awake doing some work." Kanae replied as she gestured towards the seats. Setsu nodded as Kanae followed her over and seated herself down opposite the younger woman. "Can I get you a drink or something?" Kanae asked as she watched Setsu. Despite her whole act of trying to be casual, she could see there was something bothering the young woman.

"No...no thank you it's fine." Kanae pondered the woman before her. She had offered the hand of friendship days ago and Setsu seemed to have taken it. Was this what this visit was now? Was there something more to the scared looking child Kanae could now see resting behind the young women's eye's.

"Did you need us for something?" she asked using the only other question she could think of before accepting her own theory.

"No. I just, just needed an escape from Nii-san." It was almost as if Setsu deflated with those words, as if it was something he had never said or even felt and what could Kanae say to that? Yes she was always annoyed with her parents, her siblings and their demon spawn. But what could she really say to this young woman who she now felt she knew so much about and yet so little. So she remained silent.

Setsu dropped her head into her hands as she tried to figure out her words. She was no good at this! She was no good at talking to others that were not her Nii-san! But how was she supposed to explain everything in simple words. They just didn't seem to be enough anymore! Or maybe there just weren't words to describe how she was feeling.

"God this is so hard!" Setsu moaned as Kanae watched her.

"What's hard?" she asked jumping on the opening to converse with the woman like a dog on a bone.

"This, us talking. It's just... not easy." Setsu said looking up at the older woman before her.

Kanae couldn't help it. She smiled a little and nodded "Couldn't agree more. Though saying that I've never found talking to people easy."

Setsu snorted as she considered Kanae's words. "Could have fooled me. You seem to have a great way with words. As far back as I can remember it was always me and Nii-san. I could tell him things others could never understand. He would listen to my problems and even if he could not give me an answer, he gave me something almost as valuable. A listening ear and a welcoming shoulder. I could tell him things I could never tell others, things that other people could never truly understand. And I suppose things that he understood so much better than I could really ever realise."

Kanae nodded slowly taking on Setsu's words but she did not feel that commenting on them would be the best route in that moment to keep Setsu talking. "Honestly, I thought all people the same. Vapid two headed snakes that would bite you sooner than look at you. If they could not harm you that way they would use money or even power to make themselves great. I told you before in the lift about my friend, didn't I? Kyoko. It was her who taught me differently. Who pushed me so hard to see that not everyone was the same. Not everyone was like the people who backed me into a corner and gave me no way to escape."

Setsu nodded slowly understanding in her eyes to some depth that Kanae could not really see, so she continued.

"It was amazing and yet so terrifying at the same time. All of a sudden without my consent there was another person in my corner. But she wasn't willing to back down like I was. She was in that corner to support me, push me to be the best I could be, but also to fight for me. It forced not only the people who were out to hurt me but also allowed me to stand up for what I wanted, what I dreamed of. She taught me to push and to fight for my dreams even if they felt and looked so far away. That as long as I didn't stand in that corner alone then I could do anything I set my mind to." Kanae smiled and made an amused sound as she sighed.

"You know lots of times, she doesn't even use words. With Kyoko, it's her action and body language that speak louder. When she is happy and simply joyous to be with you, she gives you these big hugs which seem not only to make the day a little brighter, but also it gives you this feeling of warmth and care that could never be passed on with words." Kanae looked up at Setsu gauging her next words carefully She knew the young woman had been through a difficult time this morning and didn't wish to push her but felt she needed to see how much Setsu would accept.

"After watching the show today, I wonder if perhaps this is the same thing you get with Cain? The feeling of unconditional love and safety only someone who cares deeply about you can give?" Kanae could never know how true to Setsu these words hit as she nodded slowly. Kanae smiled glad that she had not pushed the thought away before she laughed and continued.

"You know I wonder sometimes if Kyoko saves up those hugs and warm feelings inside for days like today? I feel so drained and yet I feel like I've done nothing! Like no matter how hard I push that I will never be able to do what I know I must do." Kanae worried slightly as Setsu stood and started pacing around behind the seats they had both been seated on. Kanae forced herself not to track Setsu with her eyes as she assured herself the girl was not walking out on her, just venting her own frustrations in a different way.

"I wish I could stock up on those feelings, yet all I seem to feel away from Cain is the slow and painful coldness and longing." Kanae was surprised Setsu was admitting to this "I have no idea why either. Cain is my most important man, he's the person that no matter in what guise he has always looked out for me, cared for me. Whether as my childhood friend, my teacher or even my brother he's always been this constant. Always been there yet I could never get enough of him. I doubt I could ever think about losing him now.

He can make me happier simply by being in the same room. A touch just sends my feelings bounding and in his arms I know I'm safe." Setsu stopped right behind Kanae as she tried to think of other words to say. But nothing came to her mind. She really wasn't good at this. This was Kyoko's speciality, or what she thought of as Kyoko's speciality at least. It was whilst stuck in these thoughts that Kanae almost leapt from her chair as small arms wrapped around her neck and body from behind and hugged her gently.

"Setsuka-san?" she asked unable to keep the slight quiver from her voice. Again Kanae hadn't been lying when she had spoken about missing Kyoko's hugs.

"I think this is maybe one of those moments we both need more of the actions rather than the words." Setsu stated simply as she held Kanae firmly but gently all the same. And even though Kanae felt awkward and slightly off centre she brought her hands up and covered that of the young woman.

"If it makes you feel better imagine you can imagine I'm that Kyoko chick."

Kanae couldn't help but chuckle. "So If you're Kyoko, does that make me Cain-San?" she asked stressing Kyoko's name a little.

"Well to be honest you're nowhere near Cain." Setsu drawled as Kanae hazarded a joke.

"I'll never meet that standard I suppose." she said with a fun and lilting tone that she knew even the young woman could not recognise.

"No not really. You're just too much bone and not enough muscle." Setsu replied and after a few moments their joint laughter filled the small room.

"So does this Kyoko use you to recharge then?" Setsu asked as Kanae thought about the question.

"I suppose, but lately I think she is starting to realise there could be someone better for the job than me." It showed simply how far gone Setsu was that she didn't even tremble at Kanae's words. Kyoko was hidden to deeply.

What do you mean?" Kanae wondered how best to word her thoughts without making it sound like she was jealous... even if she was.

"Kyoko is an amazing person, but there is one person I think is very special to her. Maybe to the point that he even overtakes me in her heart department even if she is not ready to see it or stop denying herself yet. I honestly think this guy truly loves her, I've been watching him, them for so long even if she doesn't know it. I had to make sure he wasn't another one who was going to hurt her, going to make her feel insignificant.

Yet I don't think he ever has and in some ways I think Kyoko doesn't recharge us so much as we do her. This guy is always this perfect man with no faults to all of the world, except when Kyoko's involved.

It's like he goes from this perfect lie, to being a real life human and all it takes is Kyoko. I always thought I needed her the most, that she was there to save me from not only the world but myself. But then there are those single moments when I can see this scared little child where I should see a man and all it takes is a single smile, a single glance and he can continue. Even when Kyoko is too dense to realise just how deeply he cares for her, needs her even, he is simply happy to know that she is still there. I think like he's happy as long as he can help her, even in the smallest of ways.

Like letting her drag me out for ice cream or talking about roles and other little normally insignificant things. Just the fact she is still there, still with us... it's enough."

Neither of the girls realised they had an audience. But then again Chiori was silent and watching such a gentle and caring motion from not only the 'Ice Queen' Kanae, but also the Setsu who wanted everyone except her brother to 'stay away.' Chiori knew she could never even begin to understand the type of emotions that were passing between the pair as she silently closed the bedroom door once more and smiled sadly to herself.

"I hope one day she realises, Ren-san. I really do." Chiori sighed as she decided the early night Kanae had tried to enforce had good merit and dragged her tired body to bed.

"So where is she?" Kuu asked for what felt like the tenth time as Kuon sat before both his parents with his head in his hands.

"I don't know!" Kuon exclaimed.

"OK, sweetie. Don't get upset we just need you to explain a little more. I'm not quite sure we understand what you have been telling us." Julie said in a calming voice as she placed a firm hand on her husband's knee, informing him on no account was he to interrupt as her son sat before her in an almost bent, crumpled heap.

"I told her mom... I told her everything, who I really am... My real name... how I killed my best friend and all the terrible things I've done..." Julie heard ever voice catch, choke and break as Kuon tried to stop the tears she knew were there from spilling over into his hands. The emotions he was fighting so hard to keep control of.

"You told her you were Kuon?" Kuu asked softly, receiving a gentle squeeze off his wife for a question well asked. They both watched as their son nodded.

"But why pumpkin? Why now?" Julie asked in the same soft and hushed tone.

"Because she needed Corn mom. Not a mask of a man that never truly lived but the little boy who knew her pains and her fears all those years ago. The little boy who let her believe in fairy tales if only so she could be happy those few hours longer." his reply made no sense to either of his parents as Kuon sighed sadly.

"It was me... I was her fairy prince." And without anymore encouragement Kuon told them everything as he thought about how wrong everything seemed to be in this moment of time. How when they had returned to their hotel suite to rest and relax he had told Kyoko he had something very important to tell her, had held both of her hands in his for strength as he forced out his true life story. He had watched every possible emotion flicker through her eyes as she listened until finally, it was if she had put up a brick wall between him and herself and simply said she was going for a walk.

Kuon, Ren or even Cain knew they had no way in which to stop her, only going as far as to ring down to the front desk and asking them to ensure his sister did not leave the hotel un-escorted by himself or either of his parents. The staff all seemed a little more nicer with them all really. News did travel fast he thought as he went about calling his parents suite.

"Don't you think she had enough to deal with at the moment as it was son?" Kuu asked his voice was a mixture of exasperation, amazement and love as he marveled at just how interconnected his children were without his knowledge.

"It was because of everything she's going through she needed to know." Kuon said softly.

There was nothing to be done for it now, Julie realized. Whether it was the right thing or the wrong thing, it was not for her to decide. Now her job was to make sure that both of the people she loved as her children was to make sure they came out the other side.

It had been silent for a few minutes when Setsu's attention was caught by the open laptop. Spotting one of the lighting crew from Tragic Marker, her curiosity got the best of her as she seated herself on the arm of Kanae'a chair and motioned towards the laptop.

"What's the profile for?" she asked looking between the laptop and Kanae. She sighed internally as she thought about the headache that had almost been going with the off beat but almost enjoyable encounter she had been having with Setsu.

It's now or never. Kanae thought as she decided they were as close to friends as they would probably ever get. It was time to bring Setsu and through her Cain up to speed on what else they were doing as well as being managers.

"This is all the information the President has compiled on the staff of Cain-san's job and people working with him. The President is confident that all the trouble started from within the set. Chiori and I have a list of people we have been asked to covertly look into whilst also helping your family." Kanae wondered if the young and very easily offended woman would be upset by the information, yet was shocked as Setsu just nodded and pulled the laptop forwards on the table. She shut down the profile Kanae had been reading and scanned the list of names Kanae herself now knew by heart.

"Any ideas?" Setsu asked as she looked at the detailed notes added by Kanae, Chiori and someone who didn't sign their name who she guessed could be the boss or his dog.

"Not really. We managed to rule a few people out, but after the show today..." Kanae paused to see if Setsu would mind her talking about this subject. When she didn't object she continued.

"I was wondering if perhaps it was something from your shared past that had caused the rumours and information to spread like it did, but honestly I feel I'm just hoping for something that isn't there. Only 3 of the people have been anywhere near England in the last 20 years and 2 of them could not even be considered. Setsu's raised questioning eyebrow was all she needed. "One is the director the other only stayed a few hours at the airport as a simple stop before flying onwards."

Setsu nodded. "And the third person?" she asked as Kanae rubbed her head once more.

"Was 3 years old."

Setsu couldn't help it. She sighed too as she pushed the laptop away once more.

Kuon almost jumped as the door shut with a decisive slam as the voice he knew so well yet had also been fearing since Kyoko had left entered the otherwise silent room.

"I'm back, Nii-san." He couldn't help it as he grunted, amazingly this was an expected response for Cain as Setsu sighed and shook her head.

"Really Nii-san can't you live an hour without me?" Setsu asked in a teasing tone as Cain just glared at her.

Apart from the fact it was almost 1 in the morning all aspects that made up the three men battling over the young woman before them, refused to question where she had been. It had not been out of the hotel so he would have to be content with that knowledge.

"Did you know those girls in the pink monstrosities were sent by the boss. It was not only to add to our glowing reputation, but also to spy on the Tragic Marker set?" Setsu asked while she fiddled around with something over by the T.V and surround sound system.

Without even looking Kyoko knew this had been news to the man sitting before her from the simple way his head snapped up.

"Yeah. Apparently even though they have loads of information on everyone involved, they still have not made headway." Kuon was shocked.

A beat filled the room as he suddenly realised what Setsu had been doing. Her Ipod she had been carrying around was hooked into the speaker system.

"Dance with me Nii-san." Cain looked at Setsu strangely for a moment as Setsu put on her own version of the puppy dog eyes. "Please, Nii-san. Dance with me like you used to, when the world was less complicated." All he could do was nod as he took the small hand Setsu offered out to him. He watched as Setsu pointed the remote at the system and the heavy rock changed to a more slow, beat-filled rhythm.

It wasn't to be a slow dance he realised as he allowed Setsu to lead him into a more fun dance. It was one he would have done with her as Kuon, a close yet friendly distance kept as he spun her around and she laughed. He couldn't help but get wrapped up in the music as they danced together, not really listening to the words or even what the song was. Yet as Setsu tripped laughing after a 4 spin turn into her Nii-san's arms she didn't pull away as they both listened to the final verse repeat.

I want you to know,

With everything I won't let this go.

These words are my heart and soul.

I'll hold on to this moment, you know,

As I bleed my heart out to show,

And I won't let go.

And even though they both knew they could not avoid the situation forever, in that moment they were simply happy to be together. They were also happy to recharge, as Kanae had called it, both physically and emotionally in the arms of the person they each loved so unconditionally.

:D hehe :D

So how many people expected Kuon's reveal so soon?

how do you think Kyoko will really react?

and is it really possible with the time they have left to find the real cuprit?

thanks for reading

Neh xxx

Comments and reviews please, I will happily reply to PM's and questions