Always With You
Disclaimer: I do not own SkipBeat or any of its characters
Chapter 5 – Ronin's Children
[The scene opens in a dark alley in the middle of the Tokyo night. Both male and female toughs are lounging against walls, smoking, drinking, etc.]
A motorcycle turned into the alley and rolled slowly but purposefully through the lazing hoodlums. It slowed to a stop and a petite form in a tight fitting dark-blue leather outfit stepped off. Several of the guys looked on with interest as she removed her helmet to reveal spiked blond hair and startling golden eyes. While the men watched her, the women snorted in disdain. Regardless of their reactions, they made no move towards her.
She confidently opened a filthy door and walked into the base-thumping, music-filled hovel. Dark figures lounged in every surface, while some danced suggestively with each other. On the far side of the room a medium height young man in sunglasses was leaning back with a scantily-dressed girl on each arm of the chair. The biker-girl walked through the crowd and stopped in front of him. "You got it?"
The man made a gesture and both girls rose to move away. They sneered at the spiky-haired blond girl, but they gave her plenty of space. "It's nice to see you too, Masami-chan." He spoke with the oily charm of a man who was used to having women fall all over him.
Enoki Masami's face twitched slightly at the punk's free use of her first name. "I'm a busy woman, Makuda-san. I did your books for you and now I need my part."
One of the toughs, a new member of the gang, stepped up behind the petite girl. People saw his movements and guessed his intentions. Their eyes got wide and they moved closer to the walls. Masami heard a deep growl, "Hey there, pretty one. How's about you come spend some time with me while the boss man gets your stuff." As he spoke, he started running one big hand along the small of Masami's back.
Masami raised an irritated eyebrow at Makuda. He only shook his head in amusement. With lightning speed the girl whirled around, connecting an elbow to the big man's head and following with a knee into the man's side. He roared in anger and pain, rising up to take his revenge. In that instant she completed a flying-crescent kick that connected perfectly with his jaw. He flew sideways and lay crumpled on the ground.
The hoodlums howled with laughter. Enoki Masami turned back to Makuda, "Well?"
He smiled and gestured to one of his cronies. "Go get her carburetor." He turned back to the girl, "When are you going to finally give in and join up, Masami-chan?"
She gestured to the unconscious man on the floor, "Maybe when you finally start setting some standards on who you'll let in. Actually… never. I'm doing just fine by myself."
"But this was your brother's home ground."
Masami snorted, "Yeah, and look where that got him."
Makuda's eyes turned cold, "You know it wasn't us that did him and your parents. If you still want revenge, then you're safer in a pack."
The goon returned with a small box. Makuda flicked his hand toward Masami. After receiving the box, she opened it for a closer examination. Satisfied, she closed the box. "Pleasure doing business with you," she said. Her tone clealy made a lie of her words.
She stepped back out into the ally to find a couple kissing as the girl leaned against Masami's motorcycle. The man saw Masami and quickly moved back. He used one hand to pull the girl with him and the other to make a gesture of apology. Masami ignored everyone as she strapped the little box down to the back seat. She started the engine, wheeled the sportbike, and rode away into the night.
The girl was clearly unimpressed with her boyfriend's behavior. "Just who was that little girl?"
The tough smiled wryly, "That's Enoki Masami. As in the sister of Enoki-san? The man who started this gang? Don't ever mess with her, doll. She'll rip you to shreds and spit on the pieces."
* *
"Ok, cut!" The cast and crew applauded. The complicated scene had played out perfectly. The director would still need to review the film and the different camera angles, but everyone was confident of the results.
Kyoko leaned down to offer the prostrate man her hand, "Kogara-san, are you all right? I'm so sorry! I haven't learned to pull my kicks yet!"
Kogara sat up and took the proffered hand while he rubbed his jaw. "I'm fine little lady. Please forgive me for touching you inappropriately."
Kyoko blushed slightly, which didn't fit with her current physical appearance, "Please don't worry about it, Kogara-san. You only did what was called for in the script. I will be spending lots of time at the dojo before we fight again. I promise to be more careful next time."
Kogura stood up, keeping his eyes on the small bowing teen, "Is it really true that you've only been practicing Karate for the last three weeks?"
"Yes. Its hard work, but it's a lot of fun," Kyoko's eyes gleamed with pleasure.
Kogura shook his head as the girl heard her name called and walked away. "Remarkable," he muttered.
* * *
Yashiro felt that all was right with the world again as Ren pulled up to the Darumaya and Kyoko climbed into the back seat. Although Kyoko still had the use of the sportsbike, she chose to ride with Tsuruga-san this morning so that the image of her two new characters wouldn't conflict on the talk-show.
"Good morning Tsuruga-san, Yashiro-san."
"Good morning, Mogami-san. How was the shoot last night?" Yashiro was still having trouble seeing Kyoko as a tough biker-chick.
"It was wonderful! Except that I might have really hurt Kogura-san."
Ren raised an eyebrow. Kogura-san had been a friend for several years now. He couldn't imagine little Kyoko hurting the big, muscle-bound actor. "What did you do?"
"I didn't pull my crescent kick fast enough. I kicked him right in the jaw," Kyoko replied with remorse.
Both Ren and Yashiro visualized the image of Kyoko kicking the jaw of a man who stood a full foot taller than her. It was just a little too much to handle, and they both exploded into laughter.
Kyoko turned dark and gloomy in the back seat when she thought the two men were making fun of her. Ren witnessed the transition and quickly tried to distract her, "So Mogami-san, are you ready for this morning's interview?"
Kyoko brightened up immediately. Waiting at the studio was a beautiful, classy dress. It was perfect for her Suzuko-ojou-sama character. A full make-up crew was waiting for her as well. I finally get to play a sweet, rich young lady! Even after filming the first five commercials she could hardly believe her good fortune.
* * *
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it's the Rumiko Show! Please welcome your host, Nishimura Rumiko!"
A stately lady, still beautiful in her mid-forties, stepped out and waved as she walked to center stage. "Good morning, everyone. Thank you for spending your morning with me today.
"Let's get started. Today I have several special guests. The first is known as Japan's most popular man and he has also been voted by Japanese Ladies Magazine as Japan's Most Desirable Man! Please give a big welcome to Tsuraga Ren!" The crowd applauded and the ladies screamed as Ren walked out onto the stage, shook Rumiko's hand, and took his seat.
"Our next guest is a person whose work you've often seen, but whose name you might not know yet. Specializing in directing commercials, this man has brought us such well known spots as the recent commercials for Kando, Bomb Coffee, Curara, Japan Airhop, and Nichan Foods. Please welcome Director Kurosaki Shio." The applause was loud at first, but grew tentative when a tall man who looked like a hoodlum, complete with multiple-piercings and a goatee, stepped onto the stage."
Once he was settled, Rumiko continued, "And finally, I'd like you all to welcome a rising star in Japanese television and film. She played a beautiful killer angel in Fuwa Sho's promotional video. She plays a physically and emotionally scarred villain in Dark Moon. And she plays the sultry leader of a gang of girl bullies in Box-R. Please welcome Kyoko!"
Kyoko, beautifully made up and dressed to the hilt, strode gracefully onto the stage. With her long, brunette hair and stylish clothing she looked every bit the rich young lady. Nishimura Rumiko carefully watched Tsuruga Ren as the teen approached. His eyes were fixed on the girl and his smile was enough to make any woman's heart melt. So the rumors are true.
Then she saw Kurosaki's eyes. He was just as fixated on the young lady as Ren. Well now, that is interesting.
Nishimura Rumiko smiled a predatory smile. This was definitely going to be a fascinating morning.
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Notes: Chapter 144 of the real manga is finally out! Yeah!!
First of all, thank you very much for your reviews.
I read and re-read the chapters concerning the Curara audition and am left with a quandary: In several places the director is spoken of and to as Director Kurosaki (no first name). But when he is introduced to the auditioning girls, he is introduced as Producer Hei Qi Hu-san. I am unsure if this is a mistake or if there is something that I'm missing in translation. Anyway, I've decided to have his full name be Kurosaki Hei Qi. If anyone has better information on this, please let me know. [Addendum: NehNeh has graciously spent personal time rooting out the answer to this question: Hei Qi Hu is the Chinese translation and Kurosaki's full Japanese name is Kurosaki Shio. Thank you NehNeh]
The title of this chapter Ronin's Children is the title of the movie that she is acting in as Enoki Masami. A Ronin, in the ancient sense, was a warrior who lost his master (Shogun). His self-respect, honor, and income was tied to his Shogun. When the master fell, the soldiers were often cast adrift. This movie is named Ronin's Children because the people in it are outcasts in society, cast adrift without the means to regain respectability.
