Chapter Thirty-Three

For Kuon, the next few weeks would grind out in a blur of nothing but work from sun-up to sun-down. He needed to clear his schedule for his upcoming debut in Kyoko's film. He would be playing a member of one of the tribes in her movie and he would be able to enjoy his relaxing skill of surfing in Hawaii. Work but, not work. Too bad we can't use our true forms in this movie. He distractedly thought as he tried to immerse himself in the script he was holding.

Yashiro groaned as he saw the impending event stalk towards his charge.

Kuon was pulled out of his musings by a familiar, overly cologned scent. He felt his anger bubble up and his teeth sharpen just slightly. "What does this ass want?" He mumbled to himself.

"Hizuri!" Sho barked out like an annoying little lap dog.

The image of Sho as a Chihuahua flooded Kuon's brain and he choked back a laugh. "What do you want Fuwa-san that is so important that you have to bother me at work?" He asked in a bored tone.

Sho was attempting to appear as if he was calmly talking to Kuon, but it just wasn't working for him. He still gave off that spoiled child vibe. "Where's Kyoko? I know, you know where she is right now." He demanded in a low voice that only the two of them could hear.

Kuon scoffed. "And what on Earth makes you think I would tell you?" Is this guy a complete idiot? He was getting amused more than annoyed now.

"Hizuri-san... Your scene is up next." The AD quietly told him as he approached the two young men.

Kuon looked to him and nodded. "Be there in a moment." Kuon slowly got up from his seat and brushed past the posturing young man.

"Oi! Where do you think you're going!?" Sho spat out forcefully.

Kuon sighed and turned. "I'm going to work, Fuwa. Unlike you... I don't have time for this." Then walked away leaving Sho to stew in silence.

"Fuwa-san, I suggest you go back to your manager. I wouldn't want to have to call security and have you removed from the set. It really wouldn't look very good for you." Yashiro told him in a icy tone.

Sho's eyes shot to the intimidating manager and he nodded with a shiver. Yashiro's gaze at the young man was penetrating and commanded respect. Before Sho realized, he was walking down the halls of Fuji TV alone, back to his manager. "How did I get here?" He mumbled in confusion to himself.

Kyoko stepped out onto the small porch of the little cabin they had given her for her stay. She took in the forest around her and breathed in the cold crisp winter air. Her eyes surveyed the snow-dusted trees that dotted her view and stretched. These next few weeks they would be shooting the many scenes that would tell the story of the two years that Melanie Marrs would spend learning and training, then their next stop would be Hawaii. Her heart leapt at the thought. She would be able to spend an entire month in Hawaii with Kuon. A serene smile crept across her lips as she thought about his call the night before. In a way she was happy that her co-star had broken his ankle but, another part of her felt pity for him. Only a tiny bit of guilt washed over her for the thought of happiness at another's misfortune, but the anticipation of being with Kuon outweighed that. What a wonderful 18th birthday this is going to be. She giddily thought as she stepped into the woods and the evening air to find a suitable place to change then romp.

Her evening relaxation hunt was successful. She thought how wonderful it was going to be in Hawaii as she gingerly nibbled the meat off the rabbit and finally rolled over onto her back and stretched. The view of the full moon through the snow capped trees was enchanting. She smiled and sighed. "Well, I guess I better get back." She sighed again as she walked to her hiding point. "Won't get to do this much. Too many people around." She pondered, then began her change back to head to her temporary home.

[The brothers had trained her and her little brother. Her brother, Jaimie would be staying and she would be leaving. Apparently the ability to take the form of any animal real or, mythical was not a common ability. The fear the others held for her, at the moment, unnerved her. At least Jaimie didn't fear her. He was used to her doing things like this. It was her form of entertaining him from infancy. To him, she was the greatest thing ever and he didn't see her as an anomaly.

"Melanie... I don't want you to leave me here alone. Why do you have to go?" Jaimie whined.

Melanie sighed in frustration. They had already had this conversation more times than she cared to admit. "Jay... I have to go. I have more to learn. They can't teach me any more than they already have."

"But... I'll miss you." He admitted.

She tousled his hair. "Don't worry. You have Joe and Luke here. They'll take care of you. Besides, you belong here and Lisa likes you." She smiled teasingly.

"I don't care if Lisa likes me or, not. I want my sister to stay!" He snapped at her angrily.

She closed her eyes and fought back the tears. "I know... I'm gonna miss you too, but I will be back. Okay? I won't be gone forever. I will try to learn everything as quickly as possible so we can be together again." She reassured him with a tight hug before gathering her suitcases and heading out the door to her new temporary home for the next however long it would take. Her home where she would meet with the rest of the tribes and finish her education and discovery of the rest of her potential.]

"Cut! Very good Chouko... Billy. Excellent job." Director Mills complimented the two. "Chouko, I will see you the week after next in Oahu."

She nodded and gave him a smile he wasn't used to seeing on her. "I can hardly wait." She then turned and left the man in a daze with thoughts of Kuon running through her mind as she walked to her dressing trailer and then to catch her ride back to LA so she could prepare for the next week of photo-shoots and the recording of her next CD.

Kuon had arrived in Oahu a week ahead of when the filming would start. The water was warm. The weather was hot. It was a stark contrast to what Tokyo was right now. Tokyo was cold, covered in snow and grim without his Kyoko. Oahu was warm and inviting with a comfortable morning breeze. She would be there with him in a week. He smiled to himself as he gathered his surfboard and walked onto the patio of his bungalow. The private beach the producers had reserved, was perfect and pristine with not a soul around to bother him while he brushed up on his skills. Thoughts of how he was going to spend this Christmas filled him as his mind drifted to the nightstand in his room and what it contained.

"Enough of that." He reprimanded himself as he paddled out. "No distractions." He told himself as he watched a very choice wave come at him and he prepared himself, then let the feeling take him over as he stood and rode it out to the shore.

Hours went by in a flash from early morning to noon and it was soon time to take himself in and catch lunch, then spend the rest of the day studying his script and developing his new character. Ethan Meyers, son of the leader of the Water Tribe, surfer, laid back, playful but, serious when needed, doesn't care about Tribal politics; however, is still a bit traditional when it comes to associating with the other tribes. He isn't keen on being forced to teach the outsider, Melanie Marrs, anything about his people and intends to make it very difficult for her. Kuon chuckled as he lay his copy of the script on the little table next to his lounge chair. "This is going to be fun." He commented as he breathed in the salty air and took in the calming view.

Kuon pulled out his cell phone and searched for different things to do on the island. Swimming, hiking, sightseeing and sharing his bungalow with her. He smirked at the last one. She would be officially 18 in a couple of weeks and plans he did have for that day and many after. Although, the plans after would require her presence. He thought to himself as he navigated to the website, logged in and filled out the questions. He would print out the rest later from his laptop. Yep... Perfect. He lay his phone on the table next to his script after shooting her a text with what they had discussed and dozed off under the palm tree.

DING

Kyoko smiled softly as she got out of her evening shower and read his text. Like I would forget to bring something like that, she thought then shot him a responding text back. She then plugged in her phone to recharge, dressed for bed and dried her hair. She set her alarm for 5 am, laid out her clothing for the next day, crawled into bed, turned off the light and snuggled under the blanket, then fell asleep with visions of Kuon running with her through her mind, among other things that she wanted to do with him.