Disclaimer: Check out the previous chapters for this – Thank you!

"Random Subject Prompts"

Chapter 011: Ren Jinguji

Anime: Uta no Prince-sama

Prompt: Nickname

Chapter Warning: some suggestive themes

Author's Note: I think I like how this came out. What do you guys think? :P

*Chapter Dedication to: kakashixangela – Hope you like it! (:

KH*RJ*KH*RJ

Ren would never admit it out loud, but he'd been heartbroken upon discovering that Haruka Nanami had finally decided to date someone. The kind, gentle composer of STARISH had gathered Ren and the others in the shared common room of their dormitory to reveal her news, all the while her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her skirt, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and her eyes unable to meet any of theirs. Even as she bowed, apologizing for being unable to return their obvious romantic feelings for her, Ren had been dumbfounded and feeling lost.

His only source of comfort – and he figured the others felt the same way – was that Haruka had started to date another composer within the Saotome Agency versus one of them. The guy was, Haruka explained, a year older, and they had met when he'd been working on a song for Tomochika Shibuya.

At the time, Ren hadn't wanted to hear anything about the boyfriend. He didn't want to hear how nice and sweet he was. He didn't want to hear about their first date, didn't want to hear how well they worked together, had fun together.

Most of all, Ren hadn't wanted to acknowledge that Haruka was lost to him, possibly forever. She'd been the first girl he'd ever grown serious about; the first girl to actually move his guarded heart. During school, before their debut, while he had loved music and performing, Haruka had healed something within Ren that had broken long ago. Her earnest demeanor and her honest love to inspire people, to touch everyone's heart with her music, had moved him. Had made him care. Had made him remember what love was, and what it felt like if he just opened himself to others again.

Ren had been so confident Haruka would've chosen him in the end. He could get any girl he wanted but the one girl he'd pursued, he had lost to another.

Before Haruka could finish her apology, Ren had turned and left the room without a word. He had needed time to think; to privately mourn the first girl he'd ever cared about. Had maybe even possibly been in love with. His heart wouldn't hurt this bad, otherwise, right?

"Jinguji," Masato Hijirikawa had called out, concern bleeding into his normally proper and strict tone.

Ren had ignored him, continuing to walk until he was out of sight and out of earshot.

KH*RJ*KH*RJ

One Year Later

In his dressing room located on the movie set he was starring in, Ren stared unseeingly at his mirror's reflection. He hadn't thought about the day Haruka told him and the other guys about her boyfriend for a long time. It had been only a year since then, but Ren thought he'd come a long way since.

For one thing, he was no longer heartbroken and feeling like a lost child. It had only taken a couple of weeks to get out of his funk, shrug his shoulders, and realize that as long as Haruka was happy, so was Ren. Of course, he would've liked it better if she'd chosen him but that was human nature – and his male ego.

Besides, the past month had been invigorating. Something had reawakened within Ren, and he was excited about what each new day would bring.

And it was all thanks to one Kagome Higurashi.

Smirking, Ren pulled a green cell phone out of his pocket. By the girly but elegant design, it was obviously not his, but his co-star's. Hacking into the device was fairly easy, and he was instantly treated to her schedule for the next few weeks after filming concluded.

"Jinguji!" Kagome's voice yelled out from outside his dressing room. Ren's smirk widened as he relocked the cellular device and tucked it out of sight on the vanity. By her tone, he could tell she was angry, most likely at him again. "You better be in there, you jerk!"

In the next second, the door burst open. Kagome's gloriously outraged form entered, amethyst eyes flashing murderous intent. Despite that, the orange-haired singer couldn't help but take in her form with a near-leering gaze.

The movie was in a high school setting, so Kagome's costume consisted of the appropriate clothing articles: pressed, long-sleeved white blouse, a green pleated skirt that was almost scandalously short, dark thigh-highs that made him lick his lips, and Mary Janes on her delicate feet. Around her neck was a matching green-and-blue plaid tie, while a silk ribbon was braided stylishly through a section of her raven-colored, waist length hair. Her makeup was light, accenting her natural beauty. All in all, the pretty picture she made had Ren wishing his dressing room door was locked so they could have 'alone time.'

"You," Kagome hissed, bringing Ren out of his lascivious thoughts. "Where's my phone?"

Ren chuckled. "Koneko," he greeted, knowing the nickname made his co-star twitch with homicidal tendencies. This time wasn't any different, he mused, watching her brow tick. "What brings you in here? Were you hoping for a free show?"

"Shut up, you perv," she shot back. She pointed an accusatory finger at his chest. Seeing as how she was a head shorter than he, her pose wasn't at all threatening. "I repeat: Where's my phone? I know you have it, you klepto!"

He placed a hand over his heart, affecting a wounded look for effect. "Such harsh words. Why would you think I have your phone, let alone stole it?"

Kagome's expression dropped into a blank, dry look. "Because you've had it the last twenty-five times it's gone missing, you – I repeat again – kleptomaniac."

Ren rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, twenty-five, you say? I thought it was more like thirty times…"

At that, she released a noise that was a cross between a squeak, a strangled choking sound, and a wheeze of outrage. The orange-haired singer even watched, fascinated, as her small hands came up to mime straggling him.

Gosh, even at her most pissed off, she was adorable.

Deciding to take 'pity' on her, Ren helpfully offered, "If you really think I took your phone, Koneko, you're more than welcome to search me." The smile that curved his lips was daring and a touch perverse. "Just be gentle, ne?"

"Oh, I'll be gentle. Trust me," Kagome growled, eyes flashing with her volatile emotions. "I'll be extra gentle as I smother you to death with your own arrogance, Jinguji – unless you choke on it first since it's so massive."

He really couldn't stop the following words from spilling out. "I can show you something else that's mass—"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence," she screeched, horrified, and cheeks flushing red out of embarrassment instead of anger.

Ren laughed out loud, genuinely amused.

Growling, knowing he only said that to fluster her, Kagome didn't think twice before diving a hand into the pocket of his slacks. The sooner she found her phone, the faster she could get away from the maniac.

His hand instantly caught her wrist, and Ren leaned closer, almost towering over her shorter height.

"This could be considered sexual harassment, Koneko," he softly said, eyes intense and staring directly into her own.

Kagome scoffed. "Like what you're doing is any better?" She pointedly looked down at where they were connected, raising a mocking eyebrow. "Besides, you're also a thief. If either of us were to go to jail, it would be you, buster."

Ren sighed dramatically but didn't release her. "So many unflattering nicknames you have for me," he said, mournfully. "Can't you try something like 'darling'? Or how about 'dear'?" His voice lowered intimately. "I would happily accept 'lover,' as well."

Her expression dropped into a blank, dry look once again. "In your dreams, pal." Tugging her wrist free, she crossed her arms under her breasts. "Now, where's my phone? We're supposed to be on set in a few minutes, and I need to make a phone call."

"Have dinner with me tonight and I'll give it back," he bargained.

Kagome asked, incredulous, "Are you actually holding my phone for ransom?"

"Yes," he answered, unrepentant.

She rolled her eyes. "Well, I can't tonight. I have other plans."

"No, you don't."

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously this time. "How would you know?" The way he smiled too widely, too innocently, had her gasping in disbelief. He didn't need to say it. She knew. "You went through my calendar," she accused, half outraged and half resigned. "Again!"

"I did," he said, smiling pleasantly.

"You sneaky, phone hacking, egocentric, wannabe—"

Smile still in place, Ren interrupted Kagome's rant. "Do you know why I call you 'Koneko'?"

"Because you clearly have a death wish," she said, too sweetly. They had been playing the same game since meeting, so the abrupt change in topic wasn't anything new. She had a tentative grasp on how his mind worked, which was a scary enough notion, but it couldn't be helped when you spent a month in someone's constant presence.

"No," he answered, chuckling. Leaning forward until they were nearly nose-to-nose, he continued in a lowered, almost purring voice, "It's because the other girls are like little lambs – harmless. You, my wonderful, fiery Koneko have claws – and you're not afraid to use them." At one point, he had even labeled Haruka a little lamb.

But Kagome… Kagome would never be one. And that was probably why Ren liked stealing her phone; why he enjoyed tormenting her into madness and near-homicidal rages. Her anger was the flame to his moth, the temptation to get close too strong for him to ignore. If he had to go up in flames, he wanted to do it with her at the center.

With that thought in mind, Ren quickly closed the gap between them, his lips claiming hers in a scorching kiss as his arms wrapped around her petite frame to hold her close.

And when he pulled back a few moments later, she released a soft, disappointed mewl. His smile was tender as he stroked a thumb against her silky-smooth cheek, staring into her slightly dazed eyes. The way she instinctively rubbed her cheek against his palm was definitely catlike.

"Ahh, Koneko," he murmured, "I may just win you over yet." He kissed her again, savoring her sweet taste, before she could regain her senses.

*Special Thanks to: Tolazytologin, kakashixangela, secretsrsafehir, Thornado, Aeris Aimara Ciren, Deadpool-girl, Foxluna, Milkalette, Guest, ame to ai, and shaylalyons

*ame to ai: Thank you so much for the well wishes! I'm feeling much better (: and don't worry, I'm still working on that Gray Fullbuster sequel :D

Thank you to everyone who reviewed, followed, and/or added this series of random prompts to their favorites list! (: You're awesome!

Also, if you're a total Kagome Higurashi/Daryl Dixon fan, check out my story "The Pathway of Fate" :D