Chapter 151: Dead Man

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Skip Beat, for if I did, Beagle would have to answer to the Daddies.

He anxiously watched her walk away from him and get lost in the crowd. Ren turned his attention back to his companions as Cedric apologized for his mother's behavior. Julie was not letting him off the hook easily. For his sake, he would have thought that she would want to get rid of him as quickly as possible. Ren subtly moved to stand on the same side as Cedric so he wouldn't have the opportunity to notice a resemblance between him and the Hizuris. Following Kyoko would have been the perfect excuse to get away from them, but a voice in his head told him he needed to stay just in case.

"Are you interested in my daughter," Julie asked sternly. "It's obvious to me that your parents sure are. Is this all your doing? They've never hesitated before to give you whatever you wanted."

Ren's shocked expression probably mirrored Cedric's at that moment. He wondered what had gotten into his mother; she wasn't pulling any punches tonight. Cedric glanced at Kuu uncomfortably before answering her.

"I assure you that I'm only interested in Ms. Kyoko as a friend and co-star. I would be lying if I said I didn't envy the bond that she shares with Mr. Tsuruga, but I have no intention of coming between them. I won't make excuses for my mother. Despite all her flaws, she has always strived to do what she thought was best for me...even if it meant hurting others in the process. The blame lies with me as well, I used to condone her behavior." Cedric's head drooped in shame at his admission. He resumed eye contact with Julie after taking a deep breath. "I'm truly sorry for all the pain and suffering my existence has brought upon your family."

"Hmmph!" Julie folded her arms stubbornly and caught Ren's eye when she looked away. He could see the tension in her jaw as she fought to control her tears. From the corner of his eye, he noticed the small nod Kuu gave Cedric while he soothed his wife. Odd.

Ren kept his face impassive throughout Cedric's spiel. His childhood nemesis was skirting the edges of his past. It was a little too much for his comfort. His parents didn't know all that he endured at this man's hands and he didn't want them to know. No good would come of it. It would only bring more heartache to them if they knew the whole truth and he didn't want to cause them any more pain than he had already.

Over the sounds of the music and the talking voices in the crowded reception room, Ren heard distinct screams coming from the direction where he saw Kyoko go. Panic rose within him. Every nerve in his body came alive. He just knew something was wrong.

"Kyoko!" Ren exclaimed, brushing past Cedric without explanation. It was weird how people just stood around and looked in the general direction of where the screams originated but did nothing. He supposed it was better than having them panic and run in his direction. It would have been difficult for him to find Kyoko in that kind of environment.

"Excuse me...pardon me...excuse me…" Ren repeated while shoving past other guests. Move out of my way, you assholes!

"Tsuruga," Cedric called from behind. Ren glanced over his shoulder and found the actor a few steps back with the Hizuris hot on his heels. "Did something happen to Kyoko?"

"I don't know, I just have a feeling," he answered annoyed. He swept his eyes from left to right in hope that he would catch a glimpse of her elsewhere in the crowd.

"Like spiderman?!" Cedric responded with a sense of wonder in his voice.

Ren didn't even have time to roll his eyes as another guest stepped into his path, laughing at something his companions had said. The laughter died on the man's lips when Ren flashed him a murderous glare that promised him a swift death if he didn't move.

"Sorry," the guy squeaked and got out of the way.

Ren knew he was getting closer by the way the people packed in and strained their necks to see what was happening. At this distance, he could see better over the crowd and to the bar. His heart leaped into his throat when she was nowhere to be found. He glanced at the sizable crowd huddling in front of the crowd. If he knew his girlfriend, she was probably at the heart of the matter. God, please let her be okay.

His anxiety increased as he listened to the crowd's murmurs while still charging forward.

"Someone fainted!"

"I think it was a fight"

"Did someone call the police?"

He doubled his efforts to get through the final set of onlookers without being too rude, so he thought. After passing through one or two, whispers spread throughout the crowd in front of him. Soon the guests were parting like the Red Sea to let him and his companions through. He would later find out that the deadly expression plastered on his face was what aided the cooperative response from those people.

He teleported to the center of the crowd leaving Cedric and his parents in his wake. His relief was imminent when he found Kyoko crouched on the floor safe and sound. He couldn't see who was on the floor, but his gaze shifted to the man she was speaking with beside her.

Tadashi?

Well, fuck! Were the last words that floated through Reino's mind as pain from being thrown to the ground, and an onslaught of the man's life flashed behind his closed lids. It was becoming a bad habit of his to instinctively reach out and grasp the hand of his assailants. Reino braced himself for the fallout. Being exposed twice in one night was bound to take its toll on him.

The man holding him had appeared out of nowhere and took Reino by surprise. Normally, his gift gave him the ability to read the mood of those around him, but this man wasn't even a tiny blip on his radar, yet he was so close. He was transfixed with finally reaching his target that when his path became blocked all he did was try to step around the obstacle. He didn't think anything of it since they were at a social gathering; people were everywhere.

The thrill that coursed through his body when she finally noticed him might have dulled his senses. Watching her expression change at that moment was intoxicating and reminded him of the times they met in Japan. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry that she still considered him so abhorrent to elicit such a dramatic reaction from her. It probably didn't help matters that he waited until she was alone before making his approach. He wanted to come in peace, not pieces. The innocent little lamb had yet to realize that she was surrounded by a bunch of wolves. Sooner or later one of them was bound to bite if she wasn't careful.

Reino's fingers went slack, releasing the hold on the man's hand still gripping his chest. The damage was already done. His eyes rolled back in his head and his body twitched as it was prone to do during these episodes. The incident earlier with the American actor had already weakened him; however, that man's memories were nothing in comparison to this person she addressed as "father." In a matter of seconds, Reino witnessed horrific glimpses of his tragic childhood to the happiness felt when reuniting with her. Kyoko was his daughter.

"Beagle!" A voice whispered harshly in his head. He groaned as he felt a sharp pain on his left cheek. Was someone smacking his face? "Wake up you lousy demon from hell!" The English voice grated on his groggy mind again. "If it wasn't for your creepy supernatural abilities, you would be nothing. Physically, you are such a weakling for a man."

"That's mean, Kyoko," he grumbled, unsure how long he had been passed out. "Ow," he whined as a few of her grudges pelted his cheek again. Reino's complexion was fair and smooth, their hits were going to mar his beautiful face. Miroku would make fun of him again for it. His eyes fluttered open and stared up at the annoyed face of the fake angel. He expected to be bathed in light but instead, he was consumed in shadow; five to be exact.

His eyes drifted to each face glaring down at him. Reino shivered at the older Japanese man that had accosted him earlier and had him sprawling on the hard floor. He had the same brilliant gold eyes as Kyoko and was oozing a similar aura of hatred that he discovered in her Mio. He shuddered at the memories ingrained in his mind. His eyes shifted to the person to his right, the young American actor. What the hell did I do to get him so pissed off? He hit me! Another shiver ran down his spine as he remembered the harsh punishment this man used to dish out on those he considered his enemy. He recognized the next pair as the older American couple that he observed chatting with Kyoko earlier. The man, like the others, was ready to tear him to pieces while the woman had the soft beautiful features of a true angel except her gemstone eyes were cold and unyielding. Reino gulped and looked away abruptly stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the last shadow looming over him.

Why did I tell Miroku to go first? He lamented.

"What are you doing here, Beagle?" Ren snarled.

"It's Vie Ghoul," he countered immaturely and made the mistake of looking the actor in the eye. Images of him being pummeled to death by those hard fists took hold of his imagination. He couldn't tell if it was the cut of the suit or if the actor's build had grown. He looked more muscular compared to the last time he saw him at Karuizawa. Things were not looking good for him as the black aura swirling around the Japanese actor intensified. Kyoko was his only chance of getting out of this unscathed.

"That doesn't answer my question. You were warned," Ren glowered.

He ignored the actor and pushed himself up into a sitting position shaking off Kyoko's help. He didn't want anyone in her circle, herself included, touching him right now. He had enough drama for one night and his head felt like it was going to split in two.

"Not that it's any of your business, but I'm working," Reino responded.

"So it's pure coincidence that you happened to be at the same place as my girlfriend," Ren snapped.

"My, aren't we boasting."

"Do you have a problem with that?" Ren seethed stooping down to Reino's level so they were eye to eye.

"Nope, not interested in pain," the frail singer replied honestly.

"Ren," Kyoko whispered, putting a soothing hand on the actor's shoulder. Reino snorted. He wanted to roll his eyes at how easily she could tame this ferocious beast. The actor grumbled but backed off. And she thinks I'm the monster. She's as strange as ever.

"Get up, Beagle," Kyoko commanded, standing tall.

Huh? He glanced up at her and saw the worry etching its way on her brow.

"Kyoko, Ren, please explain to me the nature of your relationship with this young man." The tone of the gravelly voice gave Reino pause as he picked himself up off the floor. He chanced a glance at her father. To a normal human, the man's outward appearance looked calm, but his gift of sight allowed him to see the anger brewing within him. Kyoko's little grudges, though small in number since last he saw them, swirled around him merrily. He saw a few of them branch off from her father and move to swirl around the older American man.

"I want to know, too," the older American demanded. The woman beside him nodded vigorously.

Reino gulped and took a step back. He was a dead man if they found out what he attempted to do to her in the forest at Karuizawa. The fact that nothing happened would not save him here.

Kyoko did the unthinkable and stood in front of him, shielding him from her people. "It's such a long and boring story," she told them, waving her hands in front of her. Her voice was overly polite and high-pitched; it grated on his musician's ears. Who would believe her after sounding so suspicious?

Both men folded their arms over their chest in synch, unmoved by Kyoko's explanation. The action made her stop in her tirade to placate them.

"Run, beagle," she hissed in his direction. Run?! She couldn't be serious. Reino of Vie Ghoul was never the prey. He couldn't run even if he wanted to since his head was still swimming from the visions. He would shoot for walking gracefully without touching anyone.

"Don't try to act all macho. I thought you hated pain. I've known my fathers long enough to know that you don't screw around with me and get away with it. So I'm telling you to run."

"Fine but come with me!"

"What?" She gaped at him like he was nuts. Maybe he was crazy, but he had sought her out for a reason. He peered over her head to the group that promised him pain and suffering before looking back and studying her face.

"You look pretty with make-up," he blurted. She wasn't so plain when she was all dolled up, but he preferred that she wore all black.

"I'm sorry my bare face is so hideous to you," she seethed. Her grudges swarmed around him preparing for an attack.

Why is she so angry? Didn't I just compliment her?

"I thought you would be happy."

"It means nothing coming from you. Wait! I don't even know why we're talking so leisurely. You need to leave."

"I can help him leave. It seems I'm the least likely to hide his body right now," Cedric joked, but everyone was too on edge to laugh.

"As I said, I'll leave if you come with me. I need to talk to you."

"Talk!" She urged folding her arms like the men behind her.

Reino glanced around the area. This place was so different from Japan. The curious onlookers had already grown bored by the confrontation and returned to socializing.

"You know I have the gift of sight. What I have to share with you is not for others to hear." He lowered his voice and leaned closer, "it involves them."

Reino watched her war within herself as she debated whether or not to trust him. He figured baiting her with her friends and family would do the trick.

"Kyoko?" Her father called out confused by her behavior.

"I promise to tell you later, but I need to talk to him first. I'll be right back," she told them suddenly. Reino's long leather cloak, flapped dramatically as he turned around and headed outside for the corridor. His gait was wobbly, but he was confident he wouldn't fall over any time soon. Once in the hallway, he began heading in the direction of his fainting chaise.

"Where are you going?"

"I know a place where we…" He turned to face her but halted his explanation. Standing a good twenty paces away were Ren, her father, and the couple. They had followed them out. Kyoko followed his gaze and spotted them acting interested in the marble floor and cathedral ceilings. Reino regarded her as she laughed happily. The hatred he detected in her months ago had dulled significantly.

"This is as far as I'm going with you. Tell me or leave before they lose their patience. Should I tell you what happened to the people that tried to throw me off a building?"

The look on her face told him she wasn't kidding. All he had to do was touch her arm and he would have all the answers he needed. Glancing at her people again told him that he didn't want to know. He already had glimpses of Ren and her father's lives; that was more than enough to convince him. He didn't know the older couple's story, but they gave off a familiar aura. They were probably celebrities here in LA. He wouldn't know since he never concerned himself much with movies or television shows.

"Fine, I don't know if you're aware but that man you're dating is not who he says he is."

"I've known him since I was six. I think it's safe to say I know him well," she answered without hesitation.

"Hmm, so he finally told you. Okay, but did you know that he and that other guy are enemies."

This time she flinched but she answered just as confidently, "I know that, too."

"Did you know the man, you call father, has done despicable things all for the advancement of his career."

"This is getting boring Beagle. Tell me what I don't already know."

"You're playing with fire, Kyoko. One of these days you're going to get burned."

"Someone tried that already. Unfortunately for them, they got burned instead. If there's nothing else, you should leave while you have the chance," she twisted on her heel and began walking away from him.

"Wait," he absentmindedly grabbed her wrist which he released quickly. The visions were swift and knocked him flat on his butt. "Y-you...h-him...they're…"

Kyoko came down to his level like the God of death himself prepared to end him. "You saw, didn't you?" She asked. Her deathlike mask morphed into a pitiful expression. Reino was rooted to the floor with fear.

W- why is she looking at me like that?

She shook her head and sighed wearily. She stood and walked away. He watched her rejoin the group and thought, I'm such a fool. I've now become the prey.

…

Tadashi's brow furrowed with worry as he watched Ren pull her into a tight embrace. When that Beagle guy grabbed her his vision turned red with rage, but it dissipated the moment he toppled to the floor.

What just happened?

"I'm sorry," Tadashi heard her whisper. "It's all my fault."

"It's okay."

"It's not okay. What if he goes to the tabloids? Everything you worked so hard for…"

"Silly," Ren replied, kissing her tears away. "We have people. It will work out."

Tadashi had an idea of what this was about. He had spent enough time, a whole two minutes, in their company to figure it all out. What was obvious to him, apparently, wasn't obvious to others except for that guy sitting on the ground again. Cedric even appeared clueless about the relationship so he kept his observations to himself. They would tell him in due time. He examined the weirdo sitting on the floor. Ren mentioned that he had some strange ability for guessing people's past. Tadashi had to chuckle at that. He must have got a headful of my shady past.

He bypassed his daughter and homed in on his prey, closing the distance between him and Beagle. If only Sota was here. He would have a lot of fun picking apart his brain.

"Kids these days can't handle their substances. It's not even close to midnight yet," a posh woman around his age remarked as she and her fancy friends laughed while walking by Reino. He supposed he did appear inebriated. Tadashi glowered at them which made the ladies rush away with embarrassment. He didn't like the idea that his daughter could be exposed to such things here.

He reached the strange young man and pulled at the knees of his pants so he could squat comfortably. He startled when Kuu Hizuri similarly perched beside him. Maybe he didn't need Sota after all. The two men exchanged nods and proceeded to intimidate the young man.

"So Beagle-kun," Tadashi began in Japanese. He had been talking in English this whole time following Ren and Kyoko's lead. He knew that Kuu was Japanese based on what his daughter had told of her experience with the actor. The silver-haired man opened his mouth to protest but clamped it shut quickly. When he didn't say anything Tadashi continued. "I see you've got a hold of some valuable information. Tabloids would include a premium for such a story."

"I just wanted to make her aware," Reino stammered shaking his head.

"Really?" Kuu mocked, cocking his brow curiously. "Aware of what?"

Reino gulped. "Of, of nothing," he sputtered.

"It's nothing now, Tadashi-san," Kuu emphasized. "Isn't that convenient?"

"Quite, Kuu-san. It seems Ren-kun might have been mistaken; this man may have a higher IQ than he suspected."

"Hold on, Tadashi-san. A smarter man would have run away when our little angel gave the warning."

"This is true. It's so like her to always think of others."

"Exactly! And she's very forgiving."

"Yes, she is. I think she gets it from her mother because I'm not so forgiving." All humor was lost as Tadashi glared at Reino.

"Should we call him to take care of this for us?" Kuu asked. Tadashi's icy expression didn't change at Kuu's suggestion and played along. Maybe Kuu had somebody like Sota on his side.

"It's up to you, Beagle-kun? Should we make the call?"

"No, it's not necessary to call anyone. I don't know anything, I swear." Reino implored with his hands clasped together.

"Isn't that Kuu Hizuri? What's going on?" A curious couple regarded the commotion.

"He had too much to drink," Kuu explained flashing them a charming smile. "We're trying to help him out."

"You're so thoughtful, Mr. Hizuri," the couple replied and went on their way.

The trio's attention turned down the hall when a group of first responders including police officers came barreling down the corridor pushing a gurney and equipment.

"Well that's some shitty response time," Kuu commented, glancing down at his watch. He stood up to engage the group.

"It seems you are safe for now. I suggest you go with them. When I get the full story on what you did to my daughter and I will get it...We'll have another nice little chat," Tadashi promised before standing up and straightening his pants.

"He's over here, officer. I think he's had too much alcohol and probably has some other narcotics in his system. You never know with kids these days. He was being belligerent inside, but my friend and I were able to subdue him," Kuu explained, leading the officers toward Reino.

"Sir, can you stand? Do you need medical assistance?" The officer addressed Reino.

"No, I'm fine," Reino replied. "What?" He gawked as the police officer yanked him off the ground and turned him towards the wall.

"Palms against the wall, sir. How much have you had to drink tonight? Do you have any drugs on you," the cop asked while patting him down.

"I've had one full glass of Cabernet. That's it I swear!" Reino turned trying to explain to the officer checking his pockets for drug paraphernalia. He was shoved back against the wall.

"Jeez, Cabernet? That explain's it," the other cop observing joked. The cop pulled his arms roughly behind his back and secured cuffs to his wrists.

"What the hell!" Reino wailed pulling away from the cop. "This is absolute bullshit. I didn't even do anything."

"Sir, please stop resisting or I'm going to have to tase you."

That threat settled him down, immensely. Tadashi saw him glance once more at Kyoko before he was led out of the venue with the paramedics and a couple of reporters trailing after them.

Tadashi and Kuu exchanged fist bumps and returned to Kyoko, Ren, and Julie. Cedric had taken off earlier after receiving a message from an injured friend. All three stared at the men, dumbfounded by what just took place. This wasn't quite the sweet reunion Tadashi had in mind when he decided to surprise his daughter here in LA. He was glad that once again he was at the right place and at the right time to help his daughter out of another sticky situation; however, he wasn't done with the Beagle. He would call Sota on the flight back to NYC to look into the matter.

"So, who's hungry?" Kuu asked, rubbing his palms together and breaking the tension.

AN: Bwahaha messing with Reino was a lot of fun. Serves him right for putting his filthy hands on my baby girl. During these weird times, I hope no one was offended. It was all for the sake of humor and torturing Reino. Thank you for your patience and I hope you enjoyed it.

Thank you for always reading and for the reviews of the last chapter. I truly appreciate your feedback.

Until next time, ja ne! ^_^