Hana Akai Chapter 3, a skip beat! fanfic

Sorry it took so long guys!! I've got my school certificate exams... Ughh... don't ask...

Anyway, here is the latest chapter!! ^^

Disclaimer: Skip Beat is not mine, only Mayui.

CHAPTER 3!

Under the heading of 'Force Ren and Kyoko together by any means necessary' plan part deux, you will see a picture of Yashiro Yukihito rubbing his hands together. Why? Because he was, at that moment, imagining Ren and Kyoko having a nice, home cooked breakfast and going to work together. Ren had rung him to inform him of Kyoko's inclusion in Hana Akai, which of course pleased Yashiro very much. Ren had also rung to threaten Yashiro with various painful deaths on his return, which had not pleased him very much. But you can't have everything.

Kyoko had woken up a couple of hours earlier, wondering where she was. Then it had hit her. She was at Ren's, which explained why her futon was softer than usual (it was a large, comfortable bed). Ren had not woken up yet, so she was careful to quietly move from her room to the bathroom, to clean herself up and dress. Then she padded down the carpeted hall to the kitchen. Once she reached it, she turned her head to look back up the passageway to Ren's room. The door was slightly open.

Now, the food she'd prepared for breakfast was ready, with no one to eat it. It was seven o'clock ; Ren had a job scheduled for 8:30 and it could take some time to get to. Ren was usually very punctual, so why wasn't he up yet? Then it hit her. Ren. The man never looked after himself properly! It must have been because he never ate a proper meal, just some cold rice snack. He probably just rolled out of bed, changed and was out the door. Well, not today! Kyoko proceeded to lay the table, set out her dishes and march down the hall to his room.

At the door she halted. What to do? Should she knock? Mayhap the traditional pots and pans would do it. At last, she decided just to go in there and shake him, and draw his curtains to let the light in. It had worked with Kuu. But she had been his son then. Now, she was just a girl about to enter a man's room by herself. She hoped he was wearing pyjamas, because if not, it was going to get awkward... She pushed the door open. It was relatively dark inside; Ren must be one of those people who can't stand light when they're sleeping. She waited for her eyes to adjust. Eventually, she could make out the shadowy forms of a wardrobe, a chest of draws, a walk in closet, a bedside table and a bed, from which she could hear the deep, even breathing of her sempai.

Curious, she walked forward, until her knees just grazed the sheets hanging from the bed. Ren looked very peaceful. His striking, silky hair was flopping casually over his forehead, casually elegant even in sleep. One of his hands was rested on the top of white sheets, a helping hand that was always extended in friendship and genial companionship to her. His eyes were closed. Maybe she shouldn't wake him up. She looked at his digital clock, 7:06. No, she had to, so they could eat and get to his job. She dithered, hovering over the bed, not wanting to wake him but knowing it was necessary. At that moment, Ren seemed to notice her presence, and he opened his eyes.

Ren was dreaming. It was, of course, a happy dream with Kyoko in it. It was back when they were little, and he'd demonstrated some of his acrobatic talent for her to enjoy. She'd loved it. Thought he was a real fairy prince. Every day, they had met by that stream of clear water, with the lush green forest surrounding them. Kyoko had never asked where he lived; he had never tried to follow her back home. Theirs was a special friendship that existed only there, in a magical world away from society's expectations or angry mothers who were never satisfied. She'd done everything with him for days, months even. Then he'd had to go. She'd been so upset. He felt good and bad at the same time; happy that she'd miss him so much and sad that they had to part. He could remember her leaning over him to cool his head with a handkerchief, after a particularly exerting display.

He opened his eyes. There she was, still. She'd come back to him; against all odds they'd met again, no longer a boy and girl who existed to give each other support. And he'd hated her. At first. Then he fell in love with her. The world worked in strange ways. He could see right into her eyes, and read some shock but maybe... affection, there. Perhaps she'd recognised him? It was a impractical thought, but he wished one day she would. He smiled up at her. Even more shock, accompanied by embarrassment. She broke eye contact first.

Ren woke up a little more. Why was she in his room? He checked the clock. 7:12. And what was that smell?

"Tsuruga-san, I'm so sorry, I thought I'd better wake you up!" Kyoko said apologetically.

"Ren."

"W-What?"

"Can't you call me Ren?" Whoops, maybe he wasn't quite awake yet...

"Um... okay..." she took a deep breath, "Ren. We have to leave in 45 minutes, you need to eat breakfast!"

Oh. That was the smell. Kyoko quickly retreated from his room, muttering apologies and bowing. Ren walked into his ensuite bathroom and splashed his face with cold water, before carefully settling into his Tsuruga Ren persona. It had become so easy for him now, almost like a split personality. Actually, as he spent more time as Ren and lived as Ren, you could say that his alter ego was Kuon Hizuri, not the other way around. A quick (but careful) shave and a change of clothing, and he walked out into the living room. There was no actual dining table, seeing he never really ate a proper meal, but Kyoko had arranged the food around the small table near the TV. It was on, and a reporter was predicting fine weather in a dull murmur.

He sat down to eat. The food was, again, simple but delicious. Then again, anything your crush made for you to eat would be. He felt like talking to her, and the new movie was a good starter.

"So Kyoko," he began, seeing her start at his use of her first name. Well, if they were working closely together again (very closely), then he might as well. They'd known each other for almost a year now. "What are you thinking about your role as Marguerite?"

"Oh, well... um... you know..."She fumbled, "Marguerite has a brother who she loves, and she's smart and pretty and very fashionable. Her best friend is named Suzanne."

"What about a husband she loves very much?" he smiled.

Kyoko blushed in response. "She's got that too. Actually, she seems to have everything, except she's always unhappy. Until the end, that is."

"And why is that?"

"Oh, well... she loves her husband, but she feels he's changed, and she has become distanced from him. It really is a story about their love and reconciliation."

"Can you do it?" Ren asked bluntly.

Kyoko frowned for a moment as she considered. "I-I think so... only, this is set a while ago, and I don't know how I'm going to act that... On the upside, I know how to ride a horse!"

Ren: "..."

Kyoko: *smiling*

"How does that help?"

"Well, you know, they used horses to travel then. So if I already know how to ride a horse, I won't have to learn how!"

Ren had to laugh. She looked very smug and excited. "Kyoko, that's great, but you don't actually have a horse-riding scene. You ride in a sort of carriage mostly, because you're such a rich young lady. That aside, when did you learn to ride a horse?"

"Oh, that," Kyoko said airily, "I went to the country for a holiday once. The nice people we stayed with taught me how to ride."

She also remembered that she had gone on said holiday with Sho. The only thing that stopped her demons bursting out and shattering Ren's expensive furniture was the memory of him falling off a horse into horse-crap. (Oh, the face he'd made!!) As it was, she still managed to ruin her own good mood with the thought of him. Damn. Stupid bastard, always thinking he was so good. And she had been in a fine mood just a second ago. He had to spoil everything without even being there...

Ren noticed Kyoko practically spitting nails. He could imagine why; he hadn't missed that 'we'. Sho Fuwa. God he hated that boy.

The rest of the meal passed in silence.

Kyoko and Ren got to his morning interview on time, (How does it feel to be voted Japan's hottest star?) and continued working smoothly throughout the day. Finally, in the period between four and eight, they came to the film studio where Hana Akai was based. Obviously, they'd have to film in various locations, but for now, the building was perfect. Nice and large, but with an old, homey feel to it. In a couple of weeks, Shinkai had arranged for them to go on location to the seaside, to film the ending of the movie, which was set on the cliffs in France. Ren couldn't wait to go, not because he loved the seaside, but because it was the equivalent of a holiday with Kyoko.

Looking around the room, Ren saw Director Shinkai talking to some crew-members. He waited until they had finished, before casually sauntering over and asking,

"How do the crew feel about the change in cast?"

Shinkai looked up, "They're fine with it. Apparently that Mayui has a stuck-up side. They weren't happy."

Ren smiled, "And now they've got Kyoko, who'll most likely try to help them with their own jobs. They might just become schizophrenics. "

"I'm sorry, could you repeat that?" the other man looked at him sidelong.

"...They'll get mentally ill?"

"No, not that," Shinkai chuckled, "Actually, I was more interested with your now chummy status with my new lead. First names now, Ren? Isn't that nice."

Ren forced his face to remain calm and non-red. "Well, we've known each other for quite a while, Director. Our relationship has hardly been a hasty one."

"Of course not. Ever the gentleman, Ren." His eyes were laughing.

Ren huffed. To preserve a shed of dignity, he broke eye contact with Shinkai, his eyes roaming around the room to alight on Kyoko. The director noticed.

"Ren, could you bring her over here? I need to go over some things with her."

"Of course. Thank you, Director."

He walked to where Kyoko was chatting to some stagehands, who were moving the artificial lighting. She was holding a rag in one of her hands; the other was balancing a tall light. Already, she was creating friends among the other workers. Her posture was excellent, as always. He touched her lightly on the shoulder, and watched her bright eyes turn to him enquiringly.

"The Director wants to speak to you. Don't worry, you're not in trouble." He added, seeing faint alarm in her expression that was quickly nullified. The crew members smiled as she half walked, half skipped away. They saw a conscientious sempai reassuring his kohai. If only they knew. Actually, scratch that, it was safer this way... Ren nodded at the workmen, who respectfully nodded back, slightly awed at having gained the notice of the King of the entertainment industry. He smiled slightly and remarked that he was glad Kyoko was settling in well, and thanked them for their genial attitude towards her. They seemed even more awed.

Aware that he was distracting them, and making them a little uncomfortable, Ren moved to stand by the stage, watching the various preparations. So much work to do, behind the scenes. Lights to be fixed, arranged, cleaned, costumes to make, make-up to apply, props to create, plus all the editing of captured material. He glanced at Kyoko and the Director. They seemed to be talking animatedly. The Director was very enthusiastic with his projects, but when the filming started, he would become dead serious, pressing for perfection and not allowing a single mistake. A slight movement caught Ren's eye. For a second, he could have sworn he saw Mayui watching Shinkai and Kyoko. Then he dismissed it, after looking closer and seeing only shadows. The girl was probably still preening in front of her mirror.

Okay guys, there it is. Be honest with me; does Ren sound like a stalker? Sometimes that guy scares me, he's so obsessed. Also, are my characters out of character? Cos I hate it when people write OCC's (except when they're hilarious) so I'd hate to do it myself.

Reviews are welcomed! Every second comment gets a virtual cookie!! (Wish me luck with my exams, they're in, like, two days...!)