Always Be My Baby
by Kris Black
Summary: After going over lines for TDM, Kyoko and Ren have a night of passion and the result could not only cause a scandal, but ruin both of their careers. How will the two lovers withstand the trials of their love?
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Skip Beat! the manga or the anime. I do not own any characters listed in this story except those you don't recognize. This story is for entertainment purposes only and no money is being made off of the story as a whole, or in part.
AN: A bunch of stuff happened in my life, blah blah blah excuses. But, I took a vacation day from work today to get this pumped out to you guys! So, here she is. Please review.
The building security arrived almost as soon as Kyoko hung up the phone. The paparazzi protested and demanded, but that made no difference to the guards who escorted them out of the building. Kyoko sat on the couch, grasping her cell phone tightly in her hands. When the doorbell rang, she nearly jumped out of her skin. She didn't move to answer the door. If it were Ren, he would have the key and wouldn't have to ring the doorbell.
It rang once again, but Kyoko ignored it. Then, someone pounded on the door resoundingly. Again, Kyoko didn`t move.
"Kyoko, let me in! It's Kanae!"
Kyoko lurched off the couch and rushed to the door, turning the lock quickly and ushering her in. She shut the door behind her and locked it.
"Moko!" She cried and embraced her best friend. "How did you get here?"
Kanae stepped out of the embrace and put Kyoko at arms length away.
"Tsuruga-san and the President sent me for you because they would attract too much attention," Kanae said.
Kyoko thought of the President's pearl encased stretch hummer and found truth in what Kanae said.
"How did you get in passed all of the paparazzi?"
"As much as I hate to admit it, I am not as famous as you yet," she almost sneered. "So, they paid little attention to the car I was in. They have been escorted out of the underground parking of the building, so we parked there and that is how we will have to get out and get you to LME."
Kyoko nodded and grabbed her few things, getting ready to leave.
"How are you feeling?" Kanae asked genuinely, her hand resting on the door knob.
"Fine." Kyoko sighed. "I just want to see this tabloid."
Kanae's face darkened as she ushered Kyoko out the door, clicking the lock before it shut. She had read the article herself and hadn't liked one work of it. Stationed outside were two burly looking men in suits who Kyoko assumed were bodyguards of some sort. Kanae and Kyoko walked to the elevators as they followed and managed to make it to the black car that awaited them in the underground parking with no problems.
"Leaving here and entering LME is going to be the worst part," Kanae explained as she slid into the back with Kyoko and the body guards took the front, one behind the wheel. "Tsuruga-san said that the best thing we can do at this point is keep your face hidden so that they can't get a good picture."
Kanae produced a folded blanket and threw it over Kyoko's head.
"How long do I have to stay under here?"
"Until we are passed the cameras," Kanae replied as the car lurched forward.
A few moments later all Kyoko could hear was yelling and people knocking on the car and cameras going off like strobe lights, it was all beginning to make her feel a little light headed to be truthful. The car blew its horn a few times and continued on, the yelling and flashing fading into the distance as quickly as it came. Kyoko pulled the blanket off of her head and held it in her lap, clenching it tightly.
"It will be far worse at LME; they will call and notify the reporters there that you are on your way."
Kyoko nodded, she realized that it would probably be the case – despite any efforts to quell the crowd. They had about a ten minute drive to LME, so Kyoko rolled her window down a crack, enjoying the fresh air and peace while she was able to. She threw the blanket back over her own head when she saw the LME sign on the top of the building and she ducked down into the seat as much as she could manage. The lights started again like a second sun and the yelling and bounding were like she was taken out of reality and placed directly in the middle of a battle field.
The car edged slowly this time, inundated with people all hoping to snap a picture of her trapped in the car. Perhaps she had become more famous than Fuwa Sho now, despite it being infamy?
Finally, after what felt like eons, the car was submerged in darkness, signalling that they had finally made it into the locked underground parking for employees only.
"It is probably safe to take the blanket off now," Kanae said, patting Kyoko on the knee gently.
Kyoko took the blanket off and folded it before running her fingers through her static-filled hair. The guards parked the car directly in front of the elevator before getting out and opening the doors.
"Go straight up to the President's office," the guard who had been driving instructed before getting back into the car, presumably to drive it to an actual parking space.
The other guard stepped into the elevator with them and pressed the number for President Lory's floor. The ride up the floors was silent except for the dull humming of the elevator moving upwards. The door dinged, signifying that they had reached their destination, and the elevator doors opened slowly.
Ren was standing beside the elevator when Kyoko stepped out anxiously.
"Are you alright?" He asked as he placed a hand on her forearm.
She nodded and followed him down the corridor towards the president's office. Yashiro was there, along with President Lory and Hizuri Kuu. Kyoko sat down on the couch opposite the President and the superstar and Ren sat down beside her. Kanae came in a few moments later and quietly stood beside Yashiro. There were magazines piled on the coffee table in front of the President which Kyoko assumed held the dreaded tabloid story that was causing such a ruckus this time.
The president saw Kyoko eyeing the pile and took the first magazine off of the top and passed it to her. Ren twitched as though he were going to grab for it but thought better of it. Kyoko took a deep breath and looked down at the cover.
It was the Daily Inquirer, which was the first thing she noticed. The second being that there were pictures of herself, Ren and him splashed all over the front cover. The headlines were little better than the pictures:
Tsuruga Ren & Fuwa Sho: "I will fight for her.
Fan's outraged!
Kyoko has also been spotted with Reino from Vie Ghoul and, most recently, coming out of a gynaecology office with non-other than Hizuri Kuu!
Actress Kyoko –
Torn Between Two Superstars
This fiery young new actress has both stars vying for her attentions.
Sources claim that Kyoko, who had been spotted months ago exited the apartment complex of Tsuruga Ren, has had visits to the set of Dark Moon from non-other than Fuwa Sho. Tension runs high between Fuwa and Tsuruga as Kyoko tries to choose.
Kyoko's nostrils flared and her demons came out full-force. Trying to choose? Like hell. Fuwa Shotaro wouldn't even be in the running if he were the last man on Earth. All of his gallivanting around with no thought about others had caused this mess. If he had have just stayed put and left her alone, there would be absolutely no story to report, despite all the lies the headlines spewed.
Kyoko flipped through the pages to the article while the others in the room remained quiet. Her demons were swarming like never before, feeding off of her feelings of revenge and anger.
Actress Kyoko – Torn Between Two Superstars
This fiery young new actress has both stars vying for her attentions. Sources claim that Kyoko, who had been spotted months ago exited the apartment complex of Tsuruga Ren, has had visits to the set of Dark Moon from non-other than Fuwa Sho. Tension runs high between Fuwa and Tsuruga as Kyoko tries to choose.
The recent success of Actress Kyoko with LME has caused many heads to turn. Her almost instant success after a shot CM with a fellow actress and music video with star Fuwa Sho have shot her to fame, along with her role in the Dark Moon hit drama. Some would call this success hard work and determination, but just how much did her hard work have to play in her success?
Many employees at LME and other agencies Kyoko has worked at have stated that she seemed to have an unusual and close relationship to both Tsuruga Ren and Fuwa Sho who work at two separate companies. Upon further investigation, it seems as though Kyoko had been living with Fuwa Sho until only six months ago after which time she moved to a Daruma.
In the past months, she has been spotted in precarious situations with both Tsuruga Ren and Fuwa Sho. Three months ago, she was spotted entering Tsuruga Ren's apartment complex late at night and not exiting until early the next morning. She has also been photographed in a lip-lock with Fuwa Sho, shown below. Not only that, we also have a photo of Tsuruga down on one knee at an exclusive celebrity resort, appearing to be proposing. However, Kyoko has never been photographed wearing a ring. Is she really leading on these two famous actors to advance her career?
As if Tsuruga Ren and Fuwa Sho were not enough for Kyoko, she has also been seen at various times (including on Valentine's Day) with Reino from Vie Ghoul and just yesterday she was photographed leaving a clinic superstar Hizuri Kuu! With so many celebrity male friends vying for her attentions, it is no small wonder why she has sky rocketed to fame with so little effort...
Kyoko slammed the magazine shut and tossed it back onto the pile it came from.
"They go on to talk about your background and your mother as well," Kuu said in a soft, sad voice.
"How did they manage to get all that information and those pictures?"
"You would be surprised what a well-placed camera and money to get people talking can do," the President responded. "All of these other magazines have much the same."
"What are we going to do about it?" She demanded.
"There is nothing we can do about it. The story is out there for the public and there is no way we can reverse that." President Lory said. "The only thing we can do is set the story straight with hard evidence and the truth."
"What does that mean?"
"It means that we are holding a press conference for you and Ren to clear up all of these rumours tomorrow. I have already sent an invitation to the president of Fuwa Sho's company for the pop star to join the conference to held clear up the situation."
Kyoko had to stop herself from snorting. Yeah right. The only thing Fuwa Shotaro is good at is feeding the flames.
"And before the press conference tomorrow at noon, you two are to be married and Kyoko must be on the Family register," Kuu finished.
Kyoko couldn't do anything really but blink. She had agreed to marry Ren only last night, but this was a bit earlier than anticipated. How could they possible get married within the next twenty four hours?
"What about my mother?" Kyoko asked.
"Oh, with everything that is going on we must have forgotten to mention it," Kuu said and passed her a manila folder. "All of the papers you need are in there and signed by your wayward mother. You may not put her completely out of your mind. This time tomorrow you will have a new mother and father who will care for you very much."
Kyoko just held the manila folder.
"You can't force us to do this," Ren argued.
"No, we can't." President Lory affirmed. "But you must see that it is the best solution for everyone involved."
Ren looked over to Kyoko who was fiddling with the manila folder in her arms. His heart swelled and he had to stop himself from looking away. He took the manila folder away and placed it on the coffee table. He took her hand in his and stood as she repeated the motion.
"Where are you going?" President Lory demanded.
"We are going to speak alone. We won't leave the building. I will come back here after we are done."
Kuu nodded which was a permission that Ren didn't need because he and Kyoko were already out the door. He led her down the stairs to the seventh floor. Kyoko had never needed to be on the seventh floor before because it was mostly offices, so she followed Ren's lead. They stopped in front of a door labelled "Tsuruga Ren".
"You have an office?" Kyoko asked as Ren stuck a key from his pocket in the door and turned it.
"I don't use it often. Yashiro makes the most use of it, filing my contracts and keeping track of all the job offers and my schedule and such."
He swung the door open and gestured for her to enter before following and shutting the door behind them. The office was larger than she had expected. There was a tall filing cabinet in the corner and a large desk beside it complete with a computer. The walls were decorated with posters of movies and shows that Ren had starred in and there was a couch and a chair opposite the desk most likely meant for entertaining. She sat in the couch and Ren sat down in the chair.
"What do you want to do about all of this?" He asked. He was the first person to do so.
"I promised last night that I would marry you and I also promised Hizuri-sempai. I want to keep my promise. It might not be how I imagined it, but it might be for the best for everyone – like the president said."
"How did you imagine your wedding?"
She described her dream wedding to him, the one that she had been dreaming about since she was young – only this time she was imagining Ren as her groom instead of him. She wanted to wear a gorgeous white wedding gown like the western brides do and be beautiful enough to look like a fairy princess. She wanted tons of beautiful flowers. She wanted to get married in a church with her close friends and have a huge party afterwards. Ren smiled at her the whole way through and just nodded his at the end of it.
"Wait here for me, alright? I need to run an errand. Are you hungry or anything?"
Her stomach growled in response.
"I thought so. I will send someone over with some food to feed you both." He kissed her on the forehead and left the office.
The food was delivered shortly after Ren had left, as promised. Kyoko ate in contentment, wondering what Ren could be doing at this very moment. Maybe he had a job that he had to attend to before anything else could be done. After all, work was still very important despite what was happening.
Ren returned within the hour, followed by a couple of stylists that she recognized from the styling department – a blonde one and a brunette.
"Kyoko, if we are getting married we are doing it right," Ren said. "These are the best stylists we have in the company and President Lory has lent them to you for the day. Go with them and they will get you ready. Someone will come and get you when it is time to go."
"Go? Go where?"
"It's a surprise, but I will see you when you get there. Enjoy yourself, Kyoko, you deserve it." He gave her a smile so brilliant that she felt the need to put on sunglasses and a couple of her demons fried. He then left back where he came from, leaving her in the hands of the stylists.
"We have to get you down to the dressing rooms stat," the blonde said. "From what I am told, there is a lot to do and not much time to do it."
Kyoko hastily followed them to the elevator which took them to the floor where all of the costumes and styling areas were. It was mostly vacant, which was surprising given the time of day a lot of the LME stars should be getting ready to head out for their jobs. The brunette took Kyoko's hand and led her towards the costumes.
"These are all of the wedding dresses that we have in your size on such short notice, please feel free to choose whichever you like best," she instructed pointing Kyoko towards a whole rack on white gowns.
"Really?" Kyoko asked, her eyes filling with stars as she saw all of the beautiful dresses.
The brunette affirmed and showed her which she thought would look the best on Kyoko. After selecting one, the brunette passed her onto the blonde stylist who sat her down in a chair in front of a mirror and told her to shut her eyes. Kyoko felt the whispering make up brushes tickling her face as someone ran their fingers through her hair.
"Would you be opposed to a longer, styled wig?" One of the stylists asked. "Don't worry, they are quality wigs and don't look fake at all."
Kyoko remembered wearing all of the wigs for her characters, none of which looked even the slightest bit fake. She then thought of her own cropped dyed hair. She wanted to look like a beautiful fairy princess.
"I don't mind," she answered.
Her hair was pinned to her head and a wig was placed as her make up was finished. Kyoko moved to open her eyes, but a hand blocked her view.
"Oh no, you can see yourself once the dress is on."
They led her away from the mirror, only letting their hands fall once they were out of viewing range. The brunette helped her into her chosen dress before the clasped a necklace around her neck and placed something on her head.
"Alright, you are ready and just in time too," the blonde said, leading her towards a full-length mirror.
It was all Kyoko could do not to gasp. She was beautiful. She looked just like the fairy princess that she had always imagined. Her make-up was flawless. Her dress was like satin on her body that flowed all the way down to the train. The sleeves were sheer and rugged were they fell from her arms and small transparent wings that were built into the dress protruded from her back, giving her an ethereal look. She wore a long black, curly wig almost the exact colour of her natural hair. Her throat was a vision of pearls and blue stones almost the exact colour of her own charm. On the top of her head was a white tiara fit for a princess. She looked like a fairy princess fit for Prince Corn. She almost cried.
"Kyoko, it is time to go," Kanae's voice called from the entrance.
Kanae's hair was also done in pretty curls and she was wearing a deep green dress that hit her knees.
"Moko you look so pretty!" Kyoko said, hugging her.
"Yeah, well you are one to talk," Kanae said awkwardly as she pulled out of the hug. "Come on, if we don't leave now we are going to be late."
"Where are we going?" Kyoko asked after thanking the stylists and following Kanae out of the room.
"You will have to see when we get there."
She led Kyoko back down to the underground parking.
"Is it safe to be leaving LME?"
"It is in what we are leaving in," Kanae said, motioning to the pearl-encased stretch hummer gently purring as it waited for them. "They would never think that you were leaving in the President's stretch hummer. Although, I was instructed to seat us in the middle, just in case."
Kyoko and Kanae both got into the hummer and sat in the middle where it would be the hardest to photograph them. The hummer pulled out of the underground with very little fuss and soon they were on their way. Kyoko's hands fidgeted nervously in her lap as the hummer drove into the countryside. The drive was long, silent and each minute that ticked by made Kyoko even more curious as to where they were going.
The hummer stopped in front of a small church in a tiny rural town. The driver got out and opened the door for them helping them both out of the large vehicle.
"I have to say, that Tsuruga Ren is really something not human," Kanae said, staring at the church.
The stairs and entryway were covered in flowers. Kanae and Kyoko walked towards the doors, which opened for them. Inside, the beautiful old church was also covered in flowers wherever they could be placed. Music began playing and Kanae smiled at Kyoko before she began walking down the aisle slowly. Kyoko choked back tears for the millionth time that day. This was her wedding; this was her perfect wedding that Ren had put together for her in mere hours. A deacon on her right passed her a bouquet of flowers, which she shakily accepted. The music changed and she began her slow decent down the aisle after Kanae.
Everyone was there that was close to her, even the owners of the Daruma. Ren had let nothing slide passed him. Every single thing that she had described to him was present. There, at the altar, was Ren standing next to Yashiro. When she reached him, he took her hand in his and smiled at her. She smiled back, letting out a happy sob.
The priest began speaking but Kyoko didn't hear a word of it, completely concentrating on Ren. Ren, who would do this much for her simply because she had unwittingly requested it. They exchanged the vows that the priest said for them to repeat and placed the bands that Ren had produced onto each others fingers. The bands were simple white-gold with a diamond placed in the centre of each and Kyoko loved them. They signed the marriage certificate and added her name onto the Hizuri family registry. Then, for the first time ever, they shared a kiss as husband and wife.
The hummer had been able to fit the whole wedding party and the guests that had attended the wedding. They returned to LME where Kyoko had been told there was a celebration going on in honour of the marriage. Kyoko and Ren were the last ones out of the hummer as everyone else laughed and made their way towards the elevator and the party. Ren held Kyoko's arm gently and pulled her back, trailing behind the others.
"I didn't get a chance to say how beautiful you are today," he said, stopping them and looking into her eyes. "You look like a true fairy princess."
She blushed deeply.
"I want to thank you for making this so magical and so perfect for me," Kyoko said. "I never expected it, but it was absolutely amazing."
"It was the very least I could do," Ren smiled at her.
"Come on, you don't want to miss your own party do you?" Kanae's voice called from the elevator, bringing them back to reality.
Kyoko and Ren made their way to the elevator holding hands. Despite the tabloid and the horrible morning that they had had, this day couldn't have been more perfect.
AN: So, probably two more chapters left. One for the press conference and the new married life wherein they have to move in together. The last one will probably be skipping a few months to the birth of the little angel. Please look forward to it. I hope to do some more writing today, but right now my laptop is overheating and my cat just won't leave my arms no matter how hard I try to get her down.
Oh, and check out my website for a view of the tabloid cover page: www (dot) krisblack (dot) webs (dot) com or the link is in my profile.
Again, please review.