Disclaimer: I don't know why I still do this since I don't see any point because this site is clearly for FANfictions but everyone seems to be doing it so I feel like I'm kind of oblige to do it too... So here... I don't own the characters, plots, etc of Skip Beat Manga...

It was Father's Day weekend, so I couldn't finish this earlier. And a shout out for all those wonderful FATHERS in here or the fathers and husbands of everyone reading this, just want to say Happy Father's Day and I hope that you continue to be our personal heroes everyday. Strong, solid and warm. :) okay, where were we? Oh yes, I hope you enjoy this chapter! ^_^ Itadakimasu! (yes, you guess right. I'm hungry!)

Recap:

"This is probably very confusing and alarming news to you all..." Yamamoto-Hakase started to explain again and this time in plain, everyday language. "What I'm trying to say is that, Mogami-san and the child Ren are possibly half-siblings... Half brother and sister according to the results of the test. The results are inconclusive because we don't have an alleged common mother or father to compare their DNA to, to further the analyses and get a more precise results. But the evidence points that the two of you are in fact related."

The tension in the air thickened and when the doctor concluded his explanation, it felt like everybody heard a judge's gavel soundingly hammered onto the sound block as the truth rang and vibrate into their very being. It was a very big truth to swallow.

Kyoko and baby Ren...

Half siblings...

Half brother and sister...

It's a lot to take in...

Chapter 48

It seemed that the truth was like a fishbone stuck in your throat. It's very hard to swallow or wash down. It was so big, they had a hard time wrapping their minds around it. And in Kyoko's perspective, it seemed that the world had shifted around her dramatically. The baby. Baby Ren...who was known to her as the baby left on the hood of Ren's car, the baby who was in no way related to both her and Ren whom they have come to love very much was now the baby whom the doctor was saying her half-brother. Her own flesh and blood.

Whoever said 'truth hurts' had known what they had been really talking about because right that moment to Kyoko the truth hurt the most. She cried for baby Ren when she read the letter and realized he had been abandoned because she knew what that felt like herself. She still felt the pain even now and she had suffered the consequences until now. And when she had been slowly coming to terms with that through being with baby Ren and loving him, now this landed on their lap and causing havoc in their peace of minds.

As Kyoko slowly start to fully realized what the truth was she felt like she was transported back to when she was abandoned herself by her mom but what she felt was twice more than when it happened because she was feeling the hurt and pain for two people, not just her own. She hurt more for baby Ren than for herself.

Kyoko suddenly stood up and unseeingly walked out of the room like she was sleepwalking. Everyone in the room looked at her with concern and worry as they followed her with their eyes. Kuon took a few moments before he could get his bearings right and stood up and ran after her. She went straight to the playroom where baby Ren was playing with the nanny.

"Ma!" He exclaimed when baby Ren saw her.

Kyoko ran to him, bent down and hugged him crushingly tight. She enveloped him with her embrace as she felt for his pain, the pain that he still so innocent and pure would not understand and feel yet. She embraced him in protection of all the harm, pain and evilness she knew the world could do to someone so little and pure. She wanted to keep protecting him from everything. Her tears ran down her cheeks as she silently cried. She didn't want to alert the baby when she cried loudly and cause him to cry with her too.

Then suddenly, angered flared from deep down her as she thought of only one person who could do something so awful to someone precious and angelic. There was only one person related to her, to them both, that could do this...because she had done it once, she could do it again just as easily.

When Kyoko thought of that one despicable person abandoning baby Ren in dead winter when the cold air had a bite where he could easily caught a cold, hypothermia pneumonia or God knows what kind of disease and die, she could not help seeing red. Kyoko had only felt hurt when that woman had abandoned her but there was still a small part of her that clinged to the hopes that she would one day acknowledge her for what she was truly worth. But now that woman had done it again to an innocent little infant, and to Kyoko, that was unforgivable. That last small longing part has been obliterated from her heart and was replaced by rage and indignation.

How could you do something like this again, mother?! HOW COULD YOU?! To someone so tiny, so innocent, so fragile?

Kuon's heart was being hammered to pieces as he watched Kyoko silently cried as she hugged the baby, their baby...because he sure as hell would not give both of them up no matter what happens, no matter where or who they came from. They are two pure and giving souls and he'd die before anyone could tear them away from him. He hugged them and comforted Kyoko.

After Kyoko calmed down, they went back to Lory's study. The doctor had taken his leave because he still has work to do. Kyoko went over to Lory and to everyone's surprise she prostrated at his feet.

"Kyoko." Everyone called to her in confusion at what she was doing.

Then, she looked up at the president with very deadly eyes that could make Mio's glare pale in comparison. "I have a big personal favor to ask of you, President. You can take the expenses out of my paycheck every month just grant my request."

Lory gulped. "What is it?"

"Please hep me look for my mother. Her name's Mogami Saena, 40 years old, 5 foot 4 inches, black hair, brown eyes. Maybe works in business related area. She wore suits most of the time and she often goes on trips."

"Why, Kyoko-chan?" Kuu and Julie asked her with worry.

"Because she has abandoned two children already! The first time, I can forgive and forget but this second time is just not right. She cannot do all these and get away with it! Someone has to get through to her head that what she had done is wrong!"

"We know, Kyoko-chan." Lory leaned down to her and helped her up from her prostrated position. "I already reported this to the police before I filed for temporary guardianship for you and Kuon. What she did was a form of baby dumping and that's a crime. Now that we have a lead, we will report this to the police and we'll be involve personally in searching for her. But..." He paused. "How do you know it's your mother who did this?"

"My father is dead and she's the only relative I know." Kyoko replied instantly. "And... And I have proof."

"Where is it?" Lory asked back quickly in curiosity.

Kyoko was silent for a while before she finally said, "Baby Ren has her eyes... Why I've never notice it before is because his eyes is so innocent and warm..." And hers is stone cold... Kyoko added silently in her thoughts.

For the next two weeks, they had busied themselves even more in helping the police, detectives and private investigators in looking for Mogami Saena. They didn't want it to be public so they tried so hard to keep it hushed. Kuu and Lory together with Sebastian were working around the clock with the people involve in the search. Julie took care of baby Ren and Maria. Kyoko's schedule was slowly lightening and she spent all her free time with baby Ren. It felt to Kuon and everyone that she was trying to be there all the time for baby Ren to protect him from harm. Everyone was starting to worry especially Kuon.

Kyoko and Ren still went to their work. They had already finished filming all their scenes in Maddie's love-child just before they found out about the DNA test results. Now, after two weeks since the DNA results, they were at Bridge Rock that night as guest to promote the new Harlequin mini-drama series, Maddie's Love-child. Kyoko looked nervously at Ren as he smiled at her in assurance.

"It's gonna be alright." Ren reassured her.

They heard Hikaru announced them as the guest and welcomed them to their show. Chicken Bo who was the new regular since they began that out of town filming for Maddie's Love-child escorted Kyoko to the stage as she happily took his wing in her hand. His comb was pulled back into a slick style and he was wearing a tuxedo. He looked back at Ren and then waved him off as he proudly paraded once around the stage to show off his beautiful "date" for the night. Ren, the hosts and the audience laughed at Bo's antics as they clapped to welcome the guests.

Bo seated Kyoko on a love seat on stage. Ren went over to seat beside her because there was nowhere else to seat on. But Bo suddenly bumped him away and sat on the empty space beside Kyoko. He leaned back, put a leg on his knee, an arm on the back of the couch behind Kyoko and showed a thumbs up in appreciation for Ren's understanding. Everyone laughed again.

Ren opened his palms up to gesture to Bo where was he going to sit. The chicken pointed to somewhere. Everybody's eyes and one of the camera's followed where he had pointed and their eyes landed on an empty seat in the front row of the audience seat. Everyone burst out laughing.

"Ouch! It seems Tsuruga-san is being demoted to one of the audience instead of the guest." Yuusei commented with a chuckle.

"That's not nice Bo." Hikaru scolded the chicken. But Bo only did that cocky shrug that Kyoko hate the most which made her laugh now when Bo did it to Ren.

Ren shook his head. "And here I thought you like me. You even helped me with my problems a few times." Ren said and then his expression turned to pleading. "Don't you remember the way I brushed your comb? The way I made you stomp your feet? Did it all mean nothing to you?"

Ren saw in the corner of his eye Kyoko blushed as he chuckled inside and continued on with impromptu skit. The audience were captivated by Ren's pleading expression. Bo stood up and walked to a table and picked up a newspaper. He turned to Ren and pointed angrily at the front page. The camera focused and it showed on the big screen what Bo was pointing at. It was the famous Tsuruga Ren scandal.

Ren was shock for a few seconds and then his face softened. "Oh, Bo. Is that why you hate me now?" Ren walked to the chicken and clasped his two wings in his hands. "You're the only one for me, Bo. You must believe me." He pleaded and knelt in front of Bo.

Bo shook his head and covered Ren's face with one of his wings. But Ren took his wing and let it cupped his cheek as he leaned on it lovingly. Bo covered his face again with his other wing but Ren had taken it and kissed the back his wing hand. Bo's head hung in defeat. He was no match for Tsuruga Ren's charm. But he won't go down without a fight. He held up one finger to Ren in gesture of "I'll forgive you on one condition." Ren broke into a smile and excitedly stood up. Bo turned to his right, to the audience, shyly as he slowly pointed at his beak.

"My pleasure!" Ren exclaimed and snooped down to kiss the beak of the chicken and everyone applauded their wonderful performance.

"I didn't know Bo is a Tsundere." Yuusei said.

"And even him could not resist the charms of the great Tsuruga Ren." Shinichi followed up.

"Thank you for that excellent demonstration of your charms, Tsuruga-san." Hikaru told Ren.

Ren smiled shyly as he finally settled beside Kyoko.

"You alive, Bo?" Shinichi asked the chicken lying down on the stage as he fainted after Ren's kiss.

"He'll recover. So, let's start this interview."Yuusei said and gave a wave off for everyone to ignore the chicken.

"I know this is Kyoko-chan's first lead role. So, how was it, Kyoko-chan, playing the lead for the first time?" Hikaru asked.

"I was very honored and truly grateful for the opportunity and for all the people who gave me this opportunity and to those who helped me through it. It was really very challenging especially because of the rating and the scenes that we had to do." Kyoko answered primly.

"Yes, rated R-15, am I right?"

"This is my first time coming across a teenager with a rated R-15 debut drama." Yuusei commented and then quickly added, "It's not that it's bad, there's nothing wrong with getting roles like that and climbing new heights, I just wondered how you got the role."

This time Ren had answered. "The director has personally asked for her. Director Shingai had admired her work and when he saw Kyoko-chan's lotion commercial, he asked requested her for this role."

"Wow! That's incredible, Kyoko-chan."

"So how is this rated R-15?"

"Well, Maddie's Love-child... Just the title already sounds mature. And it's basically about two people having fun with each other with no strings attached but also in an exclusive relationship for a limited time." Ren explained.

"And the girl, my role, has a secret ulterior motive for agreeing to their...agreement." Kyoko piped in.

"So... Where did this rated R-15 fit in this?" Shinichi asked half-jokingly. Ren chuckled and Kyoko blushed.

"Well, our roles are lovers." Ren stated, pointing to the obvious. "Our roles' uh, agreement, as Kyoko-chan had said, is centered on their physical attraction. So we had to do scenes that are outside our comfort zone."

"Were there a lot of people while filming those scenes?" Yuusei asked curiously.

"Oh, no. It was a close set. Only the necessary people were there. Although, everyone who are 15 and above are going to see it in a week's time." Ren replied with a chuckle.

"Tsuruga-san! Please don't remind me." Kyoko buried her red face in her hands.

"I'm sorry, Kyoko-chan." Hikaru apologized. "But we're going to have to remind you again because here is the trailer for Maddie's Love-child that everyone is waiting for."

Everyone's eyes were on the big screen. The preview started as it showed the important credits of Harlequin and LME. Maddie's beautiful features came on. It was the scene where Miles and Maddie first meet at that ball where she wore that nearly transparent black dress. It showed a close-up of her face and then Kyoko's name appeared on the screen. The next scene Miles in his office in England looking out the window as his mother asked to confirm if he was really going to Japan. Ren's name appeared on the screen below. Next was at the hospital in Carolyn's room. Maddie was saying that maybe she'll have a baby too and Carolyn, with Kanae's name at the bottom of the screen, told Maddie that she had to find a man first. Then, Vaughan appeared next with Kijima's name below as he introduced Miles to Maddie. It showed little bits of when they had the tour of the property Miles was going to buy and then a few seconds of when they worked at Maddie's kitchen for dinner. Vaughan warning her not to go through with her plan and her bright smile as a reply. Then, the scene at the Maddie's balcony. Maddie wrapped her arms around Miles neck as she asked him if he was going to be her lover. While a voice over of Kyoko's thoughts about him going to be her sperm donor for the baby that she wanted. As she closed the distance and kissed him, the scene began to fade in black and everyone could not clearly see their lips touch. Then, Maddie's voice over echoed, "For the next six months, I'm going to make very happy, Miles."

Everyone was silent after the preview ended. Kyoko sank to her seat and hid her face even more in embarrassment.

"Wo-o- Ahem..." Shinichi had to clear his dried throat before he continued. "Wow! Wa- was that really you Kyoko-chan?"

"Yeah, you looked really different in it." Yuusei seconded. "So beautiful... And sexy."

Hikaru flushed and elbowed Yuusei for his comment.

"That was really something, huh, everyone?" Yuusei continued. "It's getting hot in here."

The audience chuckled at that comment as they began to wake up from their daze state caused by that trailer.

"Well, let's take a break then. But please stay tuned because when we come back, our music station for tonight will be performing the theme song for Maddie's Love-child, "Hanging By A Moment" his new single that is topping the charts, Fuwa Sho!"

The audience came alive at another famous as Ren and Kyoko stiffened at the mentioned.

Haaa... I'm so happy that part's done. It's not that I don't like drama but I want it to be happy and light again. I miss writing about baby Ren. He's full of energy and bubbles of happiness. That's why I like writing about him. But next chapter will finally be the Press Con! But first, I have to write about Sho making trouble for the couple at the variety show, especially because he saw that hotness of a drama preview. He'll be boiling in anger and possessiveness at their intimacy. WAHAHAHAHAHA! ^O^ oh, I feel good just thinking and imagining that! LOL I hope you like this chapter... :)

Anyways, thank you so much for all the love and support, guys! In liking, reading, all you reviews, follows and favs. I really do appreciate it and am very grateful and happy about it. It lifts up my spirit every time I read all the notifications from FFnet in my email. Love guys, see yah next update. God bless and take care.