Chapter 142: Taken!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Skip Beat, for if I did, Kyoko would have no problems with PDA to keep the witches at bay.

Yashiro excitedly immersed himself in one of his favorite past times. It was his job as the couple's number one fangirl to spread the moe to one and all. Kyoko received plenty of love for her outfit and the moment he posted the link to Ren's podcast, the number of views skyrocketed. The thrill the female fans had for the bad boy, Cain Heel, was phenomenal.

RenKyokoFan1: I want that R'Mandy dress! It's so chic, and Kyoko-san makes it look so gorgeous!

KyokoFan1: It's perfect for social distancing. I think it's hilarious how people had to stand away from her in that group picture because of the dress's design. Back off, she's taken!

RenFan1: But...but...where's my Ren-sama? Isn't he modeling for R'Mandy too? Wouldn't he be there?

RenKyokoFan2: You're right! I watched the whole clip and didn't see him in any of the pictures. What a travesty! How could they miss him?

RenFan2: I can only conclude that he wasn't there. No professional would have missed him. He's just that HAWT!

KyokoMyGoddess: My Goddess looked so beautiful, but what the hell! I can't believe I watched that whole podcast, and not once did my Setsu-san make an appearance.

KyokoRenFan: They are still two individuals. It goes to show that even overseas, they still have their separate careers. They can't do everything together, no matter how much we wish it.

RenFan3: I didn't know Ren-sama had a hard time with both Cain and BJ. Thanks for the link, I would have probably missed it otherwise.

RenFan2: BJ would have been a nightmare, but that Cain. Would it be so bad if he got stuck as Cain? I wouldn't mind seeing a little more of that bad boy roaming around Tokyo.

KyokoMyGoddess: It's all thanks to my Goddess for helping him out...yet again. Seriously, how did the guy get on before she came into his life? Can he even act? XD

VoodooPrincess1224: Uh! Excuse you?! Are you blind? Even the host was impressed by his talent!

RenFan1: The man was ridiculously talented even before Kyoko-san came into his life! Quit being a troll!

KyokoMyGoddess: I was joking, calm your tits! *laughing emoji*

VoodooPrincess1224: I seem to have found my next sacrifice.

KyokoMyGoddess: Wait; what? I'm sorry, okay? Don't do any voodoo shit to me, please.

RenKyo#1fangirl: Just ignore KMG. You know he's devoted to Kyoko-san. But what I love the most is how they push each other to improve their skills. Can you imagine how interesting their relationship is? I wonder if they roleplay.

KyokoFan1: *nosebleed* I just imagined them as a nurse and a doctor in the bedroom!

DiabolicalPen666: Ooh, cliché, but still a good one just as long as Kyoko-san takes on the role of the sexy doctor.

RenFan1: Yasss! Ooh and another cliché one, teacher and student. Sexy times in the classroom. That's jailbait.

RenFan2: Hello? Been there, done that. Ren-sama admitted it himself that it was all thanks to her that he found his Katsuki. How long have they been roleplaying right under our very noses?

KyokoRenFan: I still think Katsuki and Mio-sama should have ended up together. I need a fanfiction for that.

Yashiro was regretting ever mentioning roleplaying. He was sure his life would be over if Ren happened to enter this chat and read the threads. It wouldn't be hard to find its origin since Ren knew his screen name.

A Queen and her knight? Pirate Princess and first mate? A master and his maid? A CEO and his secretary? The ideas kept pouring in and were getting cruder and cruder. A Stripper! Yup, I'm a dead man! I might as well spend my last breath saying goodbye to Kanae.

Yashiro drummed his gloved fingertips on the wooden table as he watched the outrageous fan ideas pile up. It was a good thing those two were too busy for social media these days. If only there were some way I could take it... Yashiro never finished his thought as he scrolled back up the screen to find his original post. Clicking on the three little dots to the right brought up the menu that would save his ass. He clicked the trash bin icon and voila all traces linking him to the subject magically disappeared.

"Woohoo!" He celebrated with a fist pump over his quick thinking and apologized to the people sitting around him in the cafe. Yashiro glanced at the clock on his screen. He still had some time. He turned back to his screen and began a new discussion since no one seemed to have mentioned either since he joined.

RenKyo#1fangirl: I'm hosting a watch party for the first episode of Ryu! Anyone interested, feel free to join me tomorrow night! Also, don't forget to check out Kyoko-san's interview in an hour or so for all you die-hard fans. The details are posted on LME's website. I'd host a watch party for it too but I have to work. Boo :(

The fans active on the chat turned their attention to the interview and Ren's drama. It was the truth. Yashiro and Ren would be accompanying Kyoko to the interview. As for Ryu, since it would be airing early in the morning, he needed to set his alarm so he wouldn't miss it.

Back at the venue, Kyoko and Ren flitted around the fashion show's afterparty with Fuji as they chatted with influential acquaintances and potential clients. Several of the people they bumped into she had already met the other night at the party. Ren, on the other hand, was familiar with many of them since they were used to seeing him in Europe. Inner Kyoko gave herself a sympathetic pat on the back for putting up with such a perfect boyfriend that caught the interest of almost every hot-blooded woman and a significantly annoying amount of men.

"Sorry," he whispered in passing. Kyoko looked at him in surprise. It wasn't his fault for being blessed with a gorgeous face and an amazingly tight physique. She couldn't even blame them for salivating over him when he was looking like a delicious snack in his three-piece suit. Kyoko smiled softly at him. It had been so long since she witnessed it, but the poor thing had his gentleman mask strapped on tight tonight. She promised to be his protector tonight. The only one stealing kisses from him would be her.

She heard a round of applause coming from the entrance and noticed Julie enter the room. Kyoko swelled with pride from knowing this woman on a personal level. She was a genuinely kind and remarkable being that deserved all the recognition. Kyoko and Ren joined in the praise and clapped with the crowd. Someday, Kyoko hoped to get the same kind of notoriety, maybe not with modeling, but with acting. She knew she still had a long way to go before she could stand on an equal footing of her future mother in law in that regard, but watching Julie's phenomenal performance tonight made her want to work harder. It fired her up.

Julie made eye contact with her, and gracefully walked toward her while occasionally stopping to speak with someone or take a picture. Eventually, Julie made it to Kyoko and cupped her face lovingly.

"You look so beautiful, sweetie," Julie cooed as she pulled back to examine Kyoko's outfit. She had not seen Julie or Kuu since this morning.

"Thank you, Ms. Julie! You looked stunning in that dress." Kyoko exclaimed, dropping into a bow. She heard the tsk escape Julie loud and clear. Even disappointed she still smiled warmly at Kyoko. Julie didn't like it when her kids acted distant from her, but she had to go along with it for Kuon's sake. Speaking of the man, Kyoko glanced up and scanned the room for her boyfriend only to find him at the bar. She stared at him, curiously for a moment before getting interrupted.

"Um, excuse me?" Fuji said hesitantly beside Kyoko. The two ladies had no idea how the room had paused to watch their interaction. They never saw Julie act so intimately toward a younger model. She was always friendly and gave advice freely, but there was something different here that no one could quite pinpoint.

"Oh, how rude of me! Ms. Julie, this is Mr. Hiroshi Fujiwara," Kyoko exclaimed.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Hizuri," Fuji said with a bow. "I'm a huge fan!"

"Please call me Julie, Mr. Fujiwara."

"Please call me Fuji," the designer countered.

"Well, Fuji, I've been wanting to meet you ever since I heard that Kyoko would be modeling for you. Did you know I modeled for Earl in my youth?"

"I did know that! I still have the albums from that collection...I'll show it to you sometime," Fuji added, addressing Kyoko. Her eagerness to see Julie's work must have been evident to him.

"That job was the best thing that ever happened to me since I was able to meet the love of my life while working with him."

"I'm familiar with your love story. It's so romantic or at least the one that was published when your husband left to pursue you and the American dream leaving the Japanese devastated."

"Ugh, tell me about it. I lost count of the death threats my agency received in those days. I'm not sure how the fans are these days, but they were no joke back then."

"What?" Kyoko gasped in surprise. How could they attack such a beautiful and talented woman like Julie?

"Well, unfortunately, some fans are still as passionate as ever and some celebrities are luckier than others to be protected," Fuji told her as his eyes flicked in Kyoko's direction.

Am I a lucky one? If she thought about it, Kyoko could consider herself fortunate since she expected more resistance from Ren's fans. It helped that unbeknownst to her she had a growing fanbase of her own. She still had to deal with the skeptics and the haters on occasion but it wasn't anything she couldn't handle. She learned from Kanae and Chiori that the fans supporting their relationship took care of those anti-RenKyo fans before it became a problem. Kyoko never even noticed. She wasn't a stranger to being treated harshly. It was like she had prepped her whole life to overcome any obstacle at this point in her life. She wouldn't let a few bullies get in the way of her happiness. Who were they to decide who he or she chose to love?

"You aren't being harassed, are you Kyoko?" Julie asked, grabbing Kyoko by the shoulders. "You are dating a very popular actor. You'd tell me if you're ever in trouble, won't you?"

"Eh? No, everything is fine," Kyoko reassured her. Julie studied her eyes intensely until she was satisfied and let go of Kyoko.

"That's good to hear," Julie said and turned the topic back to fashion. They began discussing some of her favorite R'Mandy designs this past year.

In the corner of her eye, Kyoko saw a beautiful redhead approach Ren from behind and tap his shoulder. He turned around slowly, flashing his professional smile. Kyoko instantly noticed how his smile brightened. Hmm. He picked up two glasses from the bar and excused himself from the woman. The redhead frowned, looking after him as he left.

"Pardon me," Ren said as he reached them. "I thought you might be thirsty." He handed a tall glass of water to Kyoko and a flute of champagne to Julie. "It was amazing watching you up there, Ms. Julie."

"Thank you, Ren. That's very thoughtful." Julie took a sip of her champagne.

Kyoko boldly pulled down on his dark jacket and pecked him on the lips just in case anyone else was ogling her man. He's taken, you fiends! "Thanks, baby. I was parched." She made a mental note to ask him later about the mysterious woman.

"Anytime," he whispered. His obsidian eyes glittered with mirth as he stole a kiss of his own from her lips. She struggled not to blush as his lips lingered.

"Awe, you kids are so adorable. So when's the wedding?" Julie asked with a dazzlingly, innocent smile.

Ren chuckled in answer while Kyoko blushed.

"Not soon enough, apparently," Fuji responded, making their small group laugh.

"JuJu," a high pitched male voice rang out to Kyoko's left, making Ren groan. Her boyfriend tried to make himself invisible by seemingly using her as a shield as if her small frame would suffice to block him. She let him be and watched the tall man strut towards them. His suit, accessories, and pompadour hairstyle were impeccable.

"You were fierce out there, darling! These younglings have nothing on you, Queen." The man leaned in and air-kissed each of Julie's cheeks.

"Are you calling me old, Vincent?" Julie demanded, folding her arms across her chest.

Vincent? He had to be Julie's tailor friend that made Ren's tuxedo.

Vincent clutched his heart and let out a dramatic gasp, "I wouldn't dare!"

Julie hummed and pursed her lips in a tight line. She was unamused.

"Anyway, introduce me to your fri-! Oh, it's you, Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome," Vincent called out, spotting Ren easily. He reluctantly turned around and greeted the designer. Kyoko bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. She was going to tease him with that nickname later. It was so fitting.

"Ooh, don't smile at me like that. My heart can't take it," Vincent exclaimed in response to Ren's ultra gentleman technique. He pulled out a folding hand fan from his breast pocket and began cooling his face while taking deep breaths. Kyoko bit harder. It was entertaining to see a man get flustered over Ren's fake smile. If only he knew the truth.

"And who is this pretty little thing?" Vincent asked, turning his attention to Kyoko.

"This is my girlfriend I told you about," Ren declared, putting his arm around her shoulders.

"Oh my goodness," Vincent shrieked. "This is her. She's so adorable. I want to put her in my pocket and take her home. You're too darn cute!"

Ren's arm tightened around her shoulders, protectively.

"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Vincent. I'm Kyoko. Thank you for your help with Ren," she said, pulling out of her boyfriend's grasp and dropping into a perfect bow.

"Oh my gosh, you're so precious! No wonder he's so smitten by you."

"T- thank you," she stammered shyly as her cheeks heated up.

"Vincent, this is the designer for R'Mandy, Hiroshi Fujiwara," Julie announced, gaining his attention.

Fuji gave him a small bow, which Vincent decided to return after seeing it done a couple of times. The two designers hit it off quickly using Kyoko's dress and Ren's suit as talking points. Since Vincent was strictly a men's wear designer, he appreciated Fuji's creativeness of reimagining the power suit to compliment Kyoko's small frame. He also praised the fit of Ren's outfit and was jealous to find out that Fuji had been dressing him for so long.

"The biggest pain in the rear has been his bulging muscles. He keeps screwing up my measurements," Fuji complained.

"Oh, I know. I was given like all of two days to design a tux for a charity gala he's attending, and shocker, the shirt didn't fit. I found out the chest measurements were off by a quarter of an inch. I had to work double-time to fix it. Fortunately for him, I work efficiently well under pressure."

Kyoko could see Ren's ears burning as the designers ganged up on him.

While the men's discussion raged on, the designer of Julie's dress introduced herself. Since Kyoko was so new to the industry and would provide a fresh perspective, she asked for constructive feedback on her collection. Kyoko didn't hold back and gushed about everything she loved from the silhouettes to the material chosen for some of the outfits she could recollect. She couldn't give enough praise for Julie's gown. To her, the enchanting wedding dress was straight out of a fairy tale. In her enthusiasm, she missed the silent exchange between Ren and his mother. All they heard was her preferences for the future.

"Yashiro will be here soon," Ren informed Kyoko after his phone buzzed.

Taking her cue, Julie leaned in and kissed Kyoko's cheek. As part of the top brass here, she had to mingle. "Good luck tonight. I'll see you at home," she whispered into her ear. Kyoko nodded as Julie slipped away after saying goodbye to the others.

Before leaving, they handed Fuji the small collection of business cards received from potential clients, which included a few American celebrities. Tomorrow she would go over them with the designer if they had time. It wasn't much tonight, but Fuji was confident that after tomorrow's show, the number would increase.

"Thank you both for being here," Fuji said as he walked out with them. He was heading back to R'Mandy's temporary home base to check on his assistants. They were working diligently to make the necessary changes to several pieces after finding issues during the fitting with the new models.

"You're welcome, Fuji-san," Ren said with a slight bow.

"Thank you, Fuji-san! The whole experience has been amazing. Are you sure you don't need my assistance tonight? I can have Ren drop me off after the interview if it would help," Kyoko added.

"No, you've done more than enough. You need your beauty sleep for tomorrow. That's when the real mayhem begins." Fuji glanced at her before stepping into the cab, "Oh, and make sure you bring the suede heels for tomorrow. I have the cutest dress to pair them with."

Kyoko nodded and waved as he drove away. Fuji was referring to the ridiculously high ankle breakers that her friends had tried on before their luxury spa date in Japan. Her feet throbbed from the impending pain they would receive tomorrow; however, it was quickly replaced by a creepy shiver that ran down her spine.

"Are you cold?" Ren asked when she quivered beside him.

Kyoko shook her head and subtly glanced around the exterior of the venue. Like the other night, it was a fleeting feeling that was gone before she could pinpoint its origin. There was no point in giving it any attention.

She felt the weight of Ren's jacket as he placed it over her shoulders anyway. Kyoko didn't bother protesting and burrowed into the garment like it was a protective cocoon. She inhaled deeply as the cologne with notes of cedar and lavender he always wore, and the heady woody smell that was natural only to him engulfed her. It had a calming effect over her.

"The weather here is so unpredictable. It's cool in the morning, warm in the afternoon, and then cool when the sun finally sets. It's hard to dress right unless you're in layers," Ren explained as they waited for Yashiro.

Kyoko didn't think the weather was so bad. Back home, women wore less in colder climates, all for the sake of fashion. Plus, she was only exposed to the cold in short bursts here. In Japan, walking or riding her bike always kept her warm, so she barely noticed the low temperatures.

The attendant held the door open for Kyoko when Yashiro pulled up under the covered driveway. She slipped into the back seat next to Ren and immediately twined her fingers with his. It would be his first time seeing Cedric since coming to the States. She hoped he would be okay.

"Welcome back to the Ritz, Mr. Morimoto. Did you have a good flight?" the man at the front desk greeted him.

"Thank you, Gabriel," he replied after a glance at his badge. "The flight was so good that even the landing was smooth." Tadashi handed over his identification and corporate credit card.

"Wow, that's impressive! I usually get queasy during landing because of the turbulence. The Santa Ana winds are usually strong around this time," Gabriel chatted as he finalized Tadashi's reservation.

"I thought so too. I'm conditioned to expect a little rough air over here, but it wasn't the case tonight."

"It sounds like your trip is starting on the right foot," Gabriel smiled, looking up from his computer screen. "Okay, I have you in your usual room, the executive suite, for one night and late checkout tomorrow. The room has been stocked per your request. And your smartphone should have access now. Would you like me to go over any of the amenities with you?"

"I appreciate it. Has anything changed since last March?" He asked while tucking his cards back into his wallet.

"We added a new lounge to the twenty-fourth floor that may appeal to you. The food featured is Asian cuisine and pairs well with their signature cocktails. Aside from that, just a few minor upgrades to enhance our guests' overall experience."

"Is a reservation needed for the lounge?"

"Not for guests, but there is a business casual dress code."

"Good to know. Thank you, Gabriel. I think I'm all set."

"You're very welcome. If there's anything else we can do for you, please don't hesitate to let us know."

…

Tadashi tipped the bellhop that delivered his small luggage holding his outfits for tomorrow and the large case that contained his golf clubs. He looked at the clock on his phone and concluded that he had more than enough time to take a shower and settle in.

Twenty minutes later, he lounged on the couch in front of the large flat-screen television wearing the hotel's robe. He didn't bother packing PJs for the night. If there was an emergency, he could easily throw on the clothes he wore earlier. He cracked open the imported beer and took a swig of the cold brew he requested along with the bags of popcorn. Fresh popcorn would have been ideal, but he didn't want to come off like a complete diva.

He perused the TV guide until he found his desired channel. He was glad to see that the show had yet to start and he didn't miss anything. Tadashi had no idea when to expect her since she was asked to participate at the last minute. Yashiro probably would have the answer by now, but he didn't want to be a bother. Instead, he picked up his phone and typed in a quick message.

You got this, sweetie! America will love you!

He wasn't expecting a response, but he got one immediately. Thanks, Daddy! Love you too! *kiss emoji*

Tadashi gasped and nearly choked to death on the popcorn in his mouth. It took several gulps of beer before he could breathe right again. He wiped the moisture from his eyes and read the text several more times. It wasn't his imagination; she called him daddy. He was more eager than ever to watch her on the show.

"I don't know what's going on with you, but it's done. His agent said he'd have time for you tomorrow morning," Jacob sighed and took a seat next to Cedric in the green room.

"Tomorrow morning, but that's when they're meeting with dad," Cedric complained. He wanted to be at that meeting in case his father was a total prick.

"What can I say, kid. He said it was all he had available, so I booked it. If you want me to cancel…"

"No, leave it. The sooner, the better. I don't want to drag this out."

"I'm guessing whatever is going on is personal. Is this going to be another media fiasco?"

Cedric laughed bitterly, "Yeah, probably."

"Am I going to have to bail you out of jail?" Jacob joked.

"Maybe... or prepare my funeral," Cedric replied seriously.

"Are you insane?" Jacob exploded. "You can't be serious! I'm going to cancel this right now!"

"Um, excuse me," a soft female voice interrupted Jacob's tirade.

"Ms. Kyoko!" Cedric jumped to his feet and bowed. "It looks like you brought your bodyguards with you," he said with a slight chuckle. "Good evening, Mr. Tsuruga, Mr. Yashiro." The men exchanged bows. Cedric squirmed under the heavy gaze of the actor. He still managed to make Cedric uncomfortable. Like he was expecting something from him. He's waiting for you to fuck up!

"Is everything okay?" Kyoko asked, concerned. She glanced at his manager, apprehensively.

"Oh yeah, everything is fine. This is Jacob, my manager!" Cedric said, shaking off the ominous vibe from Ren and introduced them.

"Thanks again for doing this on short notice. I figured since we were going to talk about the movie, the more, the merrier, right?"

His father was pleased by the idea after Cedric told him she would be on the show. Callister advised him to make her feel comfortable so she would be more susceptible to the idea of making a debut in America. Make sure the host keeps things clean. Japanese women are conservative. You don't want her to be the butt of any American jokes. It would turn her off from the industry.

"Thank you for your consideration," Kyoko replied humbly.

Shortly after Kyoko's arrival, they were called to standby backstage. Cedric was touched up and sent on stage to go first.

…

Kyoko peeked out from behind to look around. The stage was a standard setup, couch with the host sitting behind a desk. She would most likely be expected to sit next to Cedric for the duration of the program. The laughter and applause from the crowd snagged her attention. The studio was larger than Kyoko expected, and from what Kyoko could see as she squinted passed the bright lights, every seat was full. Her inner fangirl began to freak out at the number of people that would not only be watching her here but around the globe.

"Nervous?" Ren asked, rubbing her upper arms to calm her. Kyoko nodded vigorously. "You'll be fantastic out there. Just be your charming, adorable little self, and they will all fall in love with you."

Ren tipped her chin up and kissed her lips. "Better?" He asked as Kyoko's eyes slowly fluttered open to look at him dreamily. His kisses were magic. She knew he wouldn't always be there to calm her down, but she liked to indulge herself while she still could. This whole trip had spoiled her. She loved spending time with him without fans or paparazzi getting in their way. It would take some adjusting once they returned to Japan, but for now, she was enjoying their alone time together.

You guys aren't going to believe the surprise I have for you tonight.

Somehow time flew by, and Kyoko was up. An assistant beckoned Kyoko to stand on her mark and wait for the host to call on her. Kyoko gave Ren back his jacket and kissed him on the cheek. She fluffed her hair and fidgeted with her dress to steady her nerves.

Many of you may say that you've never heard of her because you can't speak Japanese, but I'm here to assure you that you do know her. You listen to her daily in your home, during your workout, on your commute to school, work, wherever. Let's join hands in welcoming Ms. Kyoko Morimoto.

The assistant ushered her out from behind the curtain as her single song played overhead, introducing her to the audience. Kyoko assumed her best model walk thanks to Julie's spartan training and waved to the excited crowd. She greeted the host, Kenny, with a small bow when he and Cedric stood to greet her.

"What did I tell you, folks? Anyone that didn't get my hint, I'm afraid you are just hopeless. There's no helping you."

"How are you doing, Ms. Kyoko?" Kenny asked once she settled in her seat. Kyoko tugged on her skirt and crossed her ankles demurely. It would be devastating to have a wardrobe malfunction on her first national foreign program. Now she understood why the idols in Korea covered their legs with blankets or jackets during interviews when they wore skimpy clothing. Kyoko never wore something so revealing before for an interview, so she never had the problem.

"I'm doing wonderful, Mr. Kenny. How are you?"

"I'm great! That's sweet of you. Thank you for asking! It's great to have you on the show. All the way from Japan, people." The crowd went wild with applause.

"Tell us, Ms. Kyoko, how did you end up in LA? Are you making a career move?"

"Oh my goodness, it's much too soon for that I've only just started over a year ago. I have much to accomplish in my homeland first, but I am here for fashion week, which has been an amazing opportunity for me."

"Oh, that would explain these," he said, pointing up to the big screen that displayed a couple of still shots of Kyoko at the fashion party.

"Yes," she chuckled. "I'm a model for R'Mandy, but I'm like many Japanese women. I'm too short for the catwalk." Kyoko pouted, and the crowd booed at the injustice against short people.

"I don't believe it!" Kenny stood and gestured for her to stand up. They stood back to back. "Now I'm 5 foot 11 on a good day. What does it look like, folks?" He asked, turning to the big screen that had a close up of them standing together. "You look like you're a few inches shy of me. How tall are models supposed to be?"

Kyoko laughed and took her seat. "It's these ankle breakers." The crowd laughed. "I learned that here in America, and I can't stop referencing my heels as such. I think they add maybe four inches of lift to my small frame." The camera tastefully zoomed into her red-bottom heels without dragging down the length of her long bare leg. She didn't know that Yashiro made them aware that she was still underage and warned them not to sexualize her in any way despite her outfit, or there would be substantial consequences. The manager was so convincing that they didn't want to get on his wrong side.

"Most models are already this tall without any help, but I'm learning a lot about the industry. I get to see some gorgeous outfits and meet a lot of interesting people. It's a lot of fun. I'm very fortunate that Mr. Fuji included me."

The conversation quickly switched over to promoting The Sacred Lotus in the Mire. Kenny asked questions that both Cedric and she took turns in answering. Toward the end of the show, they were describing the fight scenes involved in the production when Kenny suggested a live demonstration. An assistant came out prepared with two wooden katanas for their use.

"I don't think that's a good idea. Ms. Kyoko isn't exactly dressed to be performing such stunts," Cedric said, rejecting the idea immediately.

Kyoko felt terrible at the sound of the disappointed awe coming from the crowd.

Thinking quickly, Kyoko stood and kicked off her heels. "Give me one minute," she told them. One second she was there, and the next she was gone. She moved so fast they barely saw her leave the stage. She was back in less than half a minute, holding a man's jacket.

"How in the world did you do that? Everyone saw that, right? This young lady is a magician!" Kenny exclaimed.

Kyoko put on Ren's jacket, buttoned it up, and rolled up the sleeves. The garment still drowned her small frame, but it came down to her knees and provided adequate coverage for her legs. She borrowed a broach from a woman backstage and clasped the lapels together to keep from exposing her chest. She hoped Fuji wouldn't see her butchering his clothes. When she was satisfied, she took both swords from the assistant and tossed one to Cedric, which he caught easily. Kyoko was at a disadvantage because Momiji trained with two short swords. She had observed enough of Koga's training that she was sure she could recreate a believable performance. She deliberated with Cedric for a moment then took a fighting stance.

For five minutes, they fought in a mock battle used during training for the movie. The crowd made dramatic sounds with each blow exchanged or near miss. Whoever the sound coordinator was deserved a raise for the perfect choice of intense music. Kyoko didn't do any of Momiji's ninja rolls or acrobatics she would be known for once the movie was released, but they still put on one hell of a show that showcased the beauty of period Japanese stage combat. Uesugi-dono would have been proud.

…

Two fathers beamed proudly at the young woman on their large screens. Both clapped and hollered louder than any of the fans present in that audience. A third father grunted with pride while he watched the show at his workstation using his wife's tablet. He never missed a beat as he continued to chop veggies for a lunch order.

AN: Hi hi, thank you for sticking with me! I wrote the whole fan section just for the moment that Yuki would remind readers that Ryu is coming. ;) I'm all about fluff filler. I hope you guys don't mind and still enjoy it!

Thank you for always reading and for the reviews of the last chapter.

Until next time, ja ne! ^_^