HEY HEY. What's up guys? Here with another chapter! I made it extra extra long! Hope you like it!

Disclaimer- I do not own Skip beat or any of its character's

Kyoko (pov)

I'm warm. For some reason I feel really safe. I haven't felt this kind of safe, ever. It's like everything that has tried to hurt me is just gone, in its place is comfort and love. Opening my eyes I see the source of my comfort. Ren. I lift my head to view that we are tangled with each other on the hospital bed. I can feel heat rising to my ears as I look at his sleeping face. He is just so kind.

'Why…' I try to move my shoulder but pain is apparently a dark friend. I let out a quick gasp of surprise and pain. Ren's eyes immediately snaps open to look at my still blushing face. "Are you alright?!" he asks with concern. I shake my head and reply with, "I'm ok, I just moved my shoulder that's all." His concerned eyes turn to my bandaged shoulder. "I can call a nurse for more pain medication if you would like," he says. I nod my head in signal for yes while looking down. I can't let him see my face! It's probably really red.

He shifts and presses a button on the wall. He turns back to me. He silently watches me. I slowly look up to meet his eyes. He starts to slowly starts to lean down. I stay where I am. Our lips are so close. I can feel his breathe on my lips. I lean and then-, "Hello Magomi-san! You called?" says the nurse as she walks in. Ren and I quickly separate while still sitting on the bed. 'So close.'

Ren got out of the bed leaving remnants of his warmth behind. I am sure my face is still blushing as Ren answers, "Ah yes, Kyoko has pain in her shoulder." The nurse nods while walking over. After checking some stuff on the monitor she says, "I am going to go check with the doctor to see on a few stuff but I'll make sure another nurse will come and give you some medicine. It is about 6:30 p.m. so diner should be soon. " She starts to walk away then turns back, "Oh! By the way you should be released in a few days." She walks out the door leaving Ren and I in an uncomfortable silence.

I look down. Wow, the tension in the air is thick. I continue to look down. A nurse comes in with medicine. I pop the pills in my mouth and take a swig of water. The nurse leaves the room. Ren starts to speak when a crash resounded outside, along with apologies. After a few moments the door to my room opens. In strides Yashiro, Kanea, Maria, Sho (ugh), and the president. They all file into the room asking me questions. Most of the questions are, "Are you alright?!" "What has the doctor said?" "When can you leave?" "Is there any pain?" "What can I get you?" and so on.

Ren says, "Guys you are giving us headaches. Now, Kyoko if fine. There isn't much pain. The doctor says she can go home in a few days." Everyone nods the Maria walks over to me and climbs on the bed. She puts her arms around me and snuggles into me. I put my arms around her. She says, "I'm sorry Onee-chan." I use my hand to lift her chin. I say, "It's alright Maria. I'm ok. It was an accident. Just watch where you're going from now on, ok?" Tears well up in her eyes and she hugs me tighter.

The door to the room opens. We all look. Crap. I look into the eyes of a tall English young man. His brown shaggy hair drifts in light curls. His calm blue eyes connect with mine. He slowly walks over to my side. Maria, who is on my other side gets off the bed. "You're… You're that guy..," Sho says from his place next to the others. They look at Sho then to John questionably.

The young man breathes out, "God Kyoko… I thought… I thought you were dead this time." He looks down at me with pain stricken eyes. I smile up at him I say, "You can never get rid of me John." John bends down and wraps his arms around me in a hug. He holds for a few seconds then gives his goofy smile. He pulls away while laughing hysterically. Everyone looks between him and I. Seeing their faces I start to laugh. I laugh the way I haven't in years. This laugh only John can muster to get out of me. We laugh and laugh like the old times.

After a few minutes we settle down, wiping the tears away. John says, "The last time you almost died I swore you were almost gone for good. Life would have been simpler." He says with a wink. I give him a playful glare. He plops down in the chair next to the bed and says, "I brought something for you." I give him a big smile. He opens his backpack that he always has and slowly lifts a big bag of pretzels out. I quickly grab it and say, "Oh my gosh! You remembered! Dude, you are so the best." He gives a chuckle and helps me open the bag. After chomping on some pretzel he says, "We should get married Kyoko." I here a few grumbles in the room. Without looking up from the bag I say, "We should, but your boyfriend wouldn't like that I don't think." He starts to laugh then says, "Speaking of marriages…" I quickly look up at him. "Nuh uh, no way! OH MY GOSH WHAT," I yell as I see his wring on his left hand. He chuckles and says, "He proposed." I hug him, ignoring the pain. I let go and just look at him.

John turns to the others who were awkwardly standing there through the whole thing and says, "Well hello there mates. I would like to thank you for keppin care of my Kyoko." Everyone looks at him confused. "Um, who do you think you are. She is OUR Kyoko," Kanea says sternly. He gives a grin and bows obnoxiously while waving his arm underneath him, "I am John. Kyoko's one and only protector who has been trying to get to this hospital. If it wasn't for the case, I would have been here yesterday." I freeze. He wasn't supposed to mention the case! I give him a glare which he pretends he doesn't see. 'That little…'

Everyone looks at him confused. "Case?" asked the President. The president was standing with Maria and a grumpy Ren. Ren looks at John like he has a bad taste in his mouth. Geeze, I hope the dark Lord doesn't come. I look up to John who is looking at me, I shake my head no. He turns to the others with, "Oh nevermind. Kyoko could tell you that one. But I'm surprised. Since she is apparently 'your's' I figured she would have told you." You could tell he hit it where it hurt. I turn to him, "John! They are my friends. Be a gentleman once in a while." He gives me an apologetic glance, realizing how deep his words actually hit them.

John sits on the bed. He grabs my hand and gives it a kiss. "Now m'lady. I shall take my leave. I can tell you have lots to talk about with them. I just wanted to check in with you," He says while standing. He bows and leaves. Everyone looks at me. I look up and see confusion on all the faces. They stay quiet while looking at me. Sho speaks up, "Why didn't you tell me? The trial is soon isn't it? God Kyoko." I look at him. I look down. "What case? What trial? Kyoko what's going on?" says Ren while walking to the side of the bed.

I look up to Ren's worried eyes. I feel horrible for not telling them. I have to tell them. I turn to everyone, "Look guys, some things I couldn't have told you. Not legally anyway. But… I have done some pretty horrible stuff. I was in some pretty horrible places. John he… He rescued me. I will tell you now though. But just one at a time. I can't go through watching all of you hate me at once," I explain. "You didn't do anything bad Kyoko! They made you do those things," Sho says with a pained expression. Then he continues, "Kyoko, you don't have to do this. You don't have to tell them. Any of them. It's not their business." I look at him with guilt rising into my every being. "No, Sho this is right. Guys, can we do this tomorrow? It's getting late," I say without looking at any of them.

After a few moments I here shuffling around the room and the door open. After a few minutes I was the only one in the room. Even Ren left. He probably already hates me. He was leaning in for a kiss earlier! But it could have been something else…. He could never love me. Never. I let a few tears escape. The truth hits me. Tomorrow was the day. Tomorrow I would reveal the truth. Tomorrow was the day everyone would start hating me.

I lean back and just let the tears come. The door opens to reveal a tall figure. His eyes lock with mine. "Kyoko…" he says walking towards me.

Ren (pov)

A lot is running through my mind. First, Kyoko actually leaned in! She must have feelings for me! But after the nurse came in everything was awkward. It was really nice for everyone to come, just not him. Who does he think he is with hugging and kissing her hand like that! Touching her the way he did makes my blood boil. Then there was Kyoko. The guilt that was across her face wrenches my heart. Whatever she was made to do, I would never hate her. I love her. But whoever was the one that made her do things. Will pay, dearly.

Standing in front of the bed her crying face causes me pain. "Kyoko," I say walking towards her. She starts to sob. I take off my shoes and jacket. I move all the wires and tubes out of the way for me to climb back into the bed. Pulling her crying form into my arms she just continues to sob. I hold her close. After a few silent moment she says, "I'm sorry." I look down at her, forcing her to look into my eyes. "Don't be sorry, we're here for you. I'm here for you. I have also done things that I'm not proud of. Kyoko, I have secrets too. So don't think that I'm mad at you. Actually I would like to tell you them. You deserve to know," I say. I hope she won't be angry with me. All this time I hid that Kuon or 'Corn'.

Her eyes look up to mine. She nods. I tighten my arms around her and take a breath, then begin, "Kyoko… My real name is Kuon Hizuri." She looks up at me shocked. "You mean… You're…" she trails off, probably not knowing what to say. I nod and continue, "Yes I am. I grew up in my Father's shadow. I often would travel with him. We would go many places for his acting. Even… Kyoto Japan." She looks up at me, obviously wondering where this is going. I take another deep breathe, "One day I decided to go explore. I was 11 or 12 I think. I was looking around when I came upon a river. It was beautiful. After a couple of moments of looking at the river I notice something. A little form by the river. When I got closer… A little girl was there crying." I look at her deeply in the eyes, "Kyoko, that little girl was you. I… I am 'Corn'. Even that time in Guam… I was 'Corn."

Shock was written on her face. It stayed there until it shifted from embarrassed to horror. She starts to back out of my arms. I didn't pull her back, I don't want to frighten her. I look down ashamed. But she stops. I look back up to see her eyes. "Ren… I… I had… I had suspicions," she says. This shocks me. "You mean… You knew?" I ask. She shakes her head, "No, I didn't but… The way you look and the way corn- I mean you look are quiet similar." I look into her eyes. Suddenly I ask myself the dreaded question. If she has feelings for me… which me does she have feelings for? Or, does she hate me?

Looking into her eyes I ask, "Do you hate me?" More shock enters her eyes. "No! I couldn't! I could never because…" she instantly shuts her mouth. A blush spreads across her face. "Because why?" I ask. She looks at me for a moment then replies, "It… It's not important. Is there anything else?" I look at her. It's time. It's time to tell her about Rick. My hair covers my eyes as I start to talk, "I… I got off the right path. I strayed from being… Of being me. I got into drugs. I got into horrible, brutal fights. I have even… I have even..." I choke back tears. Kyoko wraps her body around me in a big hug. I put my arms around her once again. While holding her I continue, "I had a friend. His name was Rick. He was my best friend. After a got into a huge fight. I ran from what I had done. I could hear him calling me and running after me with his girlfriend right next to him. I ran across the street. There was a crash right behind me. Rick… He… I…" Kyoko tightens her grip on my body. "He was hit by the car. Oh God… Kyoko. I… I did that to him. I killed him. Then the other day when you got hit… I thought… I thought …," I say while crying.

She backs out of the hug. Taking my head in her hands she says, "No, Ren. It wasn't. It wasn't anyone's fault. Rick ran after you because he chose to, he cared about you. I know he would do it again. You were his friend. The other day wasn't your fault either. It wasn't Maria's fault either. It was no one's fault." I look into her beautiful golden orbs. She takes me into her arms again. I hold her too. We stay like that for a while I get myself back together again.

"I was walking home from school," she begins. I back out of the hug and say, "You don't have to tell me Kyoko." She just shakes her head and continues, "I was fourteen. I was passing an old building. It was once a hotel. I heard a scream. Being me, I went to go if anyone needed help. I walked into the building and started looking around." She looks down. After a few seconds she continues, "I opened a door to one of the old rooms. There were so many girls there. Their hands and feet were bound with rope. Most of them saw me. They tried screaming at me, but their mouths were gagged. I suddenly felt hands from behind me. Then everything went black."

She lets a few tears fall, "When I woke up… Oh Ren it was so horrible. I was in a basement. I was chained to the wall. There were so many others too." She clutches to my shirt. I pull her into me. After a few breathes she continues, "After a few hours men came in. Grabbing me they dragged me to a room. They had ropes hanging from the ceiling. They tied my hands with them so I was standing. After beating me a man walked in… He told me I had to bring in others. Other girls. I had to trick girls and help them take those innocent girls. It was so horrible. I was stuck right in the middle of human trafficking."

She sobs hard. Trafficking? Kyoko. I hold her close. How could anyone ever hurt other people like that? How is Kyoko still Kyoko after that? How could anyone do that to her? "Kyoko I am so so sorry. I am so sorry they did that to you," I whisper. The whole time. The whole time I was cocky and getting into horrible stuff people were hurting her. Beating her and selling her. Why couldn't I have been there for her? Why didn't fate let me protect her?

We hold each other for a long time. Just holding each other. "Do you hate me? After what I've done?" her small voice says. "How could I ever hate you Kyoko?! They made you do those things!" I say sternly. She just looks down, away from my eyes. "But I still…" she tries to say but I cut her off. Not by words, but with something more shocking. Her eyes widen as she realizes what is happening. I'm kissing her, deeply. My eyes are closed. After a few moments she then also leans into the kiss. She puts her arms around my neck. My hands rest on her hips, holding her close to me.

We finally break apart for air. Looking at me with her golden eyes and blushing face she says, "Um… Well… A.." I silence her with another deep kiss. I sigh in content as she responds with deepening it even more. It's a passionate yet gentle kiss. We separate. I say after a few moments, "Kyoko, I have been trying so hard for so long for you to realize my feelings. Kyoko, I love you." Her face reddens even more. She looks straight into my eyes and replies, "I love you too Ren." I melt. I quickly bring her into another passionate kiss.

When we, again, part for air she looks at me shyly and says, "Actually um, so, this teenage girl you were talking about back then…" I look at her confused, "What do you mean?" She then turns a deep red. "Oh um you see…. I might be Bo… Bo the chicken…." I gape at her. This whole time. This whole time she knew of my feelings but never knew it was her. I burst into laughter. After a few second she joins in. We laugh together. After a few minutes our laughter dies into a comfortable silence. "So… Does this mean…" she asks while blushing. I nod while smiling, "Yes Kyoko. You are officially my girlfriend." She blushes.

I hold her. We cuddle with each other. After a couple minutes Kyoko's breath slows down and becomes even. She leaves me with my own thoughts. We finally talked about everything. About Rick. About her past. God her past. I will protect her now, for the rest of our lives. I will protect her from her past, and mine. I am never letting her go.

I slowly drift asleep. Awaiting what tomorrow will bring. Not realizing more dark storms are coming Kyoko's way.

MWAHAHAHA. I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF FOR THIS CHAPTER! I hope you guys liked it! I really love writing these cute parts, they make me blush. KYA! I just love it so much! AnYwaYs. Please review! If you have any ideas please tell!

~Sheeta-chan