Hi everyone! Thank you for taking the time to read, favorite, follow, and review Laser-Tag Love. I am very grateful and glad that you are enjoying it. Really thanks so much, I love you.
If you have constructive criticism, please share it.
I'm sorry that it took a while to post again. Life just keeps getting in the way.
Words written in italics are said in Russian, I hope that you like this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat or any of the characters from it. Skip Beat is the property of Yoshiki Nakamura.
Parents' Ire
Kyoko had her eyes squeezed shut and didn't open them until she felt a finger wipe something from her cheek. She looked up to see Kuon smiling down at her and Kuu and Julie standing on either side of her. Kuon leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Why the tears, Kyoko?"
"I-I'm just s-so happy. I finally know what it's like to feel the love of a family." More tears slid down her cheeks as Kuon pulled her into another tight hug.
'Kyoko, I promise that you will never feel unloved again,' Kuon thought. He leaned down a little and kissed the top of Kyoko's head.
Kuu put his arm around Julie's shoulders as she wiped a tear from her eyes. "I don't like what her mother has done to her. But I'm glad that because of it we can be her parents." Julie said quietly.
Kuu nodded as they continued to watch their children. "I think we should give them a moment alone. " Kuu said quietly as he grabbed his and Julie's masks.
They quickly put them back on and silently slipped out of the room.
Kuon gently lifted Kyoko's chin and gave her a tender kiss. "I love you, Kyoko. Don't ever forget that."
Kyoko smiled, "I love you, Kuon." She buried her face in Kuon's chest and held him tightly.
"It is a good thing that this is a masquerade. If it wasn't people would have noticed that the bell of the ball and her date are missing." Julie said to her husband with a smile one her face.
Kuu nodded in agreement. "You're right. Though we should tell Boss. We don't need him ruining their moment."
Julie frowned slightly, "that kidnapper had better not ruin what is happening between our children right now."
It didn't take them long to find Takarada in the sea of people. Even though everyone was wearing costumes and masks Takarada's costume was still eccentric enough to standout. He was out on the dance accompanied by Jelly.
Kuu looked at his wife and bowed, offering her his hand. "Shall we, my dear?"
Julie smiled and took his hand. They gracefully started dancing and maneuvered themselves so that they were next to Takarada and Jelly.
"Boss," Kuu called to Takarada.
Takarada and Jelly looked towards where the voice came from. "Yes, Kuu?"
"The couple that we are honoring tonight are having a private moment. And we would appreciate it if you didn't disturb them." Julie said in a slightly threatening voice.
"If that is what you two wish. However, they better not take too long because-" Takarada was cut off by some loud gasps at the edge of the dance floor.
All four turned and saw why.
"So he did come." Takarada said just loud enough for Jelly, Kuu, and Julie to hear him. "I doubted that he would."
"Who came?" Julie asked curiously.
Takarada gave a small smirk, "Fuwa Shotaro."
Kuu frowned, "why did you invite him? Don't you know how much he has hurt Kyoko?"
Takarada turned to face Kuu. "Yes I do. But this is something that had to be done. You need to trust me."
There was look in Takarada's eyes that sent slight shivers up Kuu and Julie's spines.
'Boss, must have something planned. I just hope that it is enough for the brat.' Kuu thought darkly as he watched the young man make his way towards the bar area.
Sho smirked as he made his way into the ballroom. 'Kyoko, must have realized that she made a mistake dating that two-bit actor. So she is going to break up with him and declare me as the sole occupant of her heart, in front of all these people. That will teach the good-for-nothing Tsuruga not to touch my possessions.'
Sho's smirk grew as he continued to think about what would happen that night and how he would finally defeat Tsuruga Ren.
As he walked people became quiet and watched him. This just made him even prouder.
'Why wouldn't they be watching me? It's obvious that I'm better than that Tsuruga. Not to mention I'm the best dressed here. I bet Tsuruga is wearing a costume that is only fit for a pansy.'
Sho was wearing the same costume that he wore for the PV for his song Prisoner. There were only a few small differences. He wasn't wearing the red contacts, or the fake long nails. He also had on a black leather mask that made him look more like a demon than a devil. Some of the guests, who were semi-close to the dancers, gasped when they saw it.
'Why does everyone have to be in masks?' Show thought angrily. 'It's making it hard to find Kyoko. The I don't see why I would have to find her. She is the one that should find me.' As Sho thought this he turned from the dance floor and started making his way towards the bar.
"He seems to be behaving himself." Takarada said as he gave a subtle signal to Sebastian who was standing near them.
'For now.' Kuu thought darkly as he started dancing with his wife again.
"I don't like that he is here." Julie said sending Sho a small glare.
"I don't either. Even so I can tell that Boss has something planned, and I'm curious as to what it is."
"Do you think we should inform our children?"
Kuu thought about it for a minute before replying. "That would be a good idea. I have a feeling that Boss won't have told them, considering he didn't tell us."
Julie sigh and shook her head a little as she and Kuu made their way back to the room they had left their children in.
Kuon and Kyoko pulled away from each other after a few minutes. Kyoko smiled and reached up to give Kuon a quick kiss on the cheek.
Kuon gave a soft sigh. "Do we have to go back out there?"
Kyoko gave a small giggle. "Why are you being such a baby about this? From all the pictures of you at parties that are in magazines you seem like the kind of person who enjoys parties."
"I wouldn't say that I liked those parties. I tolerated them, the only party that I have enjoyed in the past year was the Grateful Party turned birthday party that you and Maria planned. The reason that I'm being a 'baby'," his face and voice were petulant as he said that, "is because I just want to be alone with you right now. I've told you that I don't like sharing."
"Don't worry. I'll only call you a baby when it's just the two of us." Kyoko said with a cheeky grin.
Kuon huffed and was about to respond when the door opened and their parents came back in.
"See," Kuon said to Kyoko. "I'm not the only one who doesn't want to be in the ballroom right now."
Kyoko just shook her head and looked at their parents. "What's wrong? You look unhappy about something."
Kuu and Julie looked at each other before Kuu answered. "Boss invited someone unexpected and they have just arrived."
"What do you mean unexpected?" Kuon asked as he grabbed Kyoko's hand.
"He means that it's Fuwa Shotaro."
"Why did Boss invite him?" Kuon's voice was angry as he spoke and he pulled Kyoko closer to him.
"I don't know Kuon." Kuu said. "However when Boss told us he invited Fuwa I saw a look in his eye, and it's the look he usually gets when he is planning something. So you two should probably put your masks back on and come back to the main room."
Kuon and Kyoko both looked annoyed but did as their father suggested.
"Maybe we can figure out what kind of costume he is wearing and avoid him." Kyoko said halfheartedly.
Kuon gave a small chuckle before giving Kyoko a quick kiss. "I guess we should get out there. The sooner we do that the sooner this night will be over."
Sho was sitting at the bar nursing his drink. 'What the heck is taking her so long?" He thought furiously. 'She should have found me by now! That useless actor must be forcing her to stay with him! What did she ever see in that guy?' As Sho's thoughts got more irritated the air around him got darker.
'Hmm,' Sebastian thought as he sat near Sho. 'He must be thinking about Kyoko. And judging from the aura around him I doubt that they are pleasant thoughts. It seems as though that he hasn't learn his lesson, even with the interview. Lory's predictions appear to accurate.' He turned to his left and gave Takarada a nod.
Takarada raised his glass slightly in acknowledgment and went to find Kuon and Kyoko. 'Kuu and Julie should have told them by now. I know that they won't be too happy about Fuwa being here. Nevertheless, it will be helpful. After tonight he won't be able to hurt Kyoko again.'
As the group of four were making their way to one of the tables they noticed Takarada walking towards them.
"Do you think he wants to tell us his plan or just tell us that Fuwa is here?" Kuon asked his father.
Kuu watched Takarada for a moment. "I think that he is going to let us in on his plan. That way when we do meet Fuwa we will be ready."
Kuon frowned, "I would prefer if we didn't have to talk to him at all. Tonight was supposed to be a happy night for Kyoko. Now with him here..." Kuon trailed off trying to keep his anger in check.
"Don't worry, Kuon. We won't let him ruin this night for Kyoko." Kuu put his hand on Kuon's shoulder as he spoke.
"Good evening." Takarada said grandly when he joined the group. "Are you all enjoying the party?"
Julie and Kyoko just gave him blank looks while Kuon and Kuu mildly glared at him.
"I know that you are all wondering why Fuwa is here but trust me, there is a reason for his presence."
"And what would that reason be," Julie asked in a level voice.
"You all know how Fuwa treats Kyoko."
Everyone nodded as Kuon pulled Kyoko close.
"I will not allow him to treat her that way anymore. Tonight will be the last attempt to get him to see reason and learn to leave Kyoko alone. Though, if he acts the way he normally does it will be caught on the security cameras. With that footage we should be able to, shall we say, control his actions, to a certain degree." Takarada was smirking so evilly at the end of his explanation that everyone shuddered.
"Kuon, remind me to never make President Takarada mad." Kyoko whispered in Kuon's ear.
"Don't worry. I don't think you could ever make Boss that mad." Kuon whispered back.
"Where is Fuwa," Kuu asked Takarada.
For an answer Takarada pointed towards the any dark cloud that was at the bar. As the watched it got even darker.
"I guess we better go over there," Kuon sighed.
He and Kyoko started making their way toward the bar. Their three companions followed closely behind.
'I'll make Kyoko pay for making me wait this long! Especially went there aren't any cute girls around to talk to. If I have to wait another-' Shops thoughts were cut off by a voice to his right.
"Hello, Sho."
Sho barely glanced up at Kyoko before turning back to his drink. "About time, Kyoko. Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting?!"
"Waiting for what?" Kyoko didn't shout but you could tell that she was annoyed with the way Sho was behaving.
"Waiting for you to come to me, telling me that you're sorry for dating that useless two-bit actor, begging me to take you back, acknowledging that I'm the only one in your heart! You belong to me, Kyoko!" As Sho was talking he stood up and got close to Kyoko. Sho went to kiss Kyoko again, as he had done on Valentines Day, but was stopped by a man you hadn't noticed standing just behind Kyoko.
Kyoko was stunned when she heard what Sho was saying. 'How can he think that!? There is no way I would ever choose him over Kuon!' She was so stunned that she didn't notice when Sho tried to kiss her. What broke her out of her daze was hearing Kuon's voice as he spoke to Sho.
"Do not touch my girlfriend." Kuon practically growled the words making Sho shrink back some.
"She is mine and I'll touch her whenever I want to." Sho said standing up to his full height.
"No you won't, Sho." Again Kyoko didn't shout but there was a firmness in her voice that Sho had never heard before. "I am not an object to be possessed. I'm not your toy. I am a human and you don't own me."
Sho laughed, "Yes I do. Ever since we were kids my parents planned on us getting married. That makes you mine. Whether you like it or not. Now stop acting like a spoiled brat and come with me, we're leaving."
Kuu and Julie were speechless as they watched these events unfold in front of them.
'This is even worse than I imagined!' Julie thought, shaking with suppressed. 'I want to strangle that little kid! How dare he speak to Kyoko like that!'
Kuu was no less angry than his wife but he was better at hiding it. "I'm afraid that Kyoko won't be leaving with you tonight."
Sho looked at Kuu but had no idea who he was. "Yes she will be. What authority do you have to stop her from going with me? Sho asked in a rude voice.
"If she wants to go I won't stop her, it would be her choice. However, if you try to force her to leave I will stop you."
Sho looked outraged, "Do you know who I am!?"
"Yes we do," Julie answered. "Though it doesn't matter to us who you are. We will stop anyone from hurting our daughter."
Sho laughed again. "You aren't her parents. She doesn't have a dad and I know for a fact that you aren't her mom."
"They aren't her parents yet bit they will be eventually." The temperature seemed to drop as Kuon spoke. "Allow me to introduce my parents. Fuwa Shotaro this is my father, Hizuri Kuu, and my mother, Hizuri Julie."
Kuu and Julie took off their masks and stared calmly at Sho.
Sho went white when he heard the names and saw the faces. He knew the names just as did most people in Japan. 'I just insulted some of the most powerful people in the country! Fantastic! Now I need to-' "Wait a minute," Sho said as he glared at Kuon. "Your name is Tsuruga Ren, hwo can you be their son?"
Kuon gave Sho an evil smirk. "Is it really that hard to understand? Tsuruga Ren is my stage name. My real name is Hizuri Kuon."