Chapter 17
I do not own skip beat! Yoshiki Nakamura does.
~Together in the world~
A sip of a whisper- part one-
Finishing of packing some stuff, Kyoko let her suitcase on the bed before getting out of her room and exiting the hotel. She was leaving in a two days. Lotus in the mud shooting was moving up and couldn't postpone her scenes any longer so she had to go back to Japan.
She hailed a taxi and got in.
And anyway, Kyoko couldn't say in all honesty that Moko-san still needed her. Even if she would have preferred it to be that way. She was going to miss her.
Kyoko stepped out of the taxi and entered the stretched structure ready to wait in the arrival area. She put herself near the entry against some wall to be sure to not bother anyone and tried to immerse herself in the reading of her script for Lotus in the mud but to no avail. She was giddy with nervousness and excitement.
He should be show up any minute now…
His plane was already in the expected screen and one second later it did switched to landed.
Kyoko tried to calm and managed it, already planning how the meeting would go.
What she didn't plan though:
Was the overwhelming warm welcome in the form of a crushing but soothing embrace that squeezed her fiercely in strong arms just minutes after her pep-talk.
She squeaked and heard a deep chuckle from somewhere above her.
…
When Ren had landed and saw her, focused in a script but waiting for him on the side, he had not been able to resist and had nearly run to her before pressing her hard against him in a bear-longing-hug.
Which resulted in a puzzled and virulent squeaked from the petite form in his arms and he chuckled.
He had missed her so much.
We nearly look like lovers meeting again after a separation Ren thought bitter-sweet.
-Hi Kyoko he said before taking a step back to look at her.
…
-Hi Kyoko said the giant being that was Ren before letting her breath again.
She looked up to say hi and was faced with such an affectionate look she nearly melted on the spot.
-He-Hello she finally got out of her constricted moved throat, trying to get control of her raging feelings.
He looked at her with confusion.
-What? He asked.
What? What?
Is it all he has to say…?
You just hug me, no nearly choked me in a hug like I was reason to live…
And in the middle of the airport, none the less…
She settled on that last part, already knowing he won't see the matter with being too gentle.
-We are in the middle of the airport.
-And?
Her jaw dropped.
-Someone could recognize you.
-No way. Not here in the States He said with confidence
There are Japanese in States or just fans of yours. Forget that. What if someone that knew Kuon Hizuri identify you?! Damn clueless fairy.
-Forget it Kyoko shrugged. The taxi is waiting.
Before stopping.
I'm getting bad habits because of him. I have to stop doing that. Damn man. Damn me for copying it.
Ren grinned.
-Okay. I'll follow you.
…
When they reached the studio, Ren was mostly assaulted with questions by the director and Kyoko step aside to let them work. She supposed the contract was signed because they didn't deferred a lot before starting to film again. Possibly because the shooting had already been postpone too much.
Kyoko watched him acted with renewed awe while he turned scenes after scenes in one take. He adapted so quickly to the character and to the atmosphere.
She was always blown away by the talent he could display in such short times. He understood right away what the director want but still managed to make the role his own and keeps it faithful to the view he has of the story and character.
In the movie, his character was the villain. But not at the beginning. He had turned to the worst because of some heart-breaking moments in his life. One of them, especially painful was similar to the experience of the hero. The death of all his family for the hero was like a mirror to the death of the brother and father of Ren's character. Because of that, the characters would related.
But what Ren hat to portray was that his character had been weak and had chosen the path of destruction but though the viewers should be able to see it was weakness, he had to also portray that his character was persuaded that it was the good choice to make. The choice of the strong because he dared to revolt against the fate that was put upon him. You had to see his doubts all the way in his evolution to the villain. And you had also to see that though he turned evil, though he chose this way, even after all that, he was not completely insensitive, he still cared, all the time but had chosen his fate.
It was a complex character but Ren was able to act it beyond expectations. Even in the few scenes she was watching, she could already see it would be a success. It was in his eyes and on the face's expressions that you were pulled in the most. Every time Ren's character should be hesitating or care, Ren's eyes would be saddening and glazing over, his face would constricted while observing what he would have just done, already regretting it. Avenge himself on a family but finally saving the child which was total improvisation, etc…
All the intensity of the play could be contain in his face and in his tensed shoulders, the intensity was choking the very air in the studio and Kyoko couldn't detach her eyes from him. No one could.
Ren was shouting a scene where he had to act like he was asleep, knock after a naughty night with an unknown woman which was in fact on the side of the hero and would communicate details on Ren's character to him by a call while she thought he would be asleep. The scene was of Ren's character leaving the bed after the deed and sitting on a comfy armchair with his now famous conflicted look and getting himself a drink before closing his eyes. The viewers and the woman getting off of bed will all supposed he had fallen asleep but at the last second he would have to show he was awake. For that the director had given him free hand on it.
The shot was of him abandoning himself to sleep at this very moment and Kyoko felt herself get distract. From down to up and reverse, again and again, her eyes wandered. Mesmerized by the view she didn't even realized when she surrendered to her eyes' desire to look and studied every inch of him. From his tremendously vast and sexy bare feet to which long but cutie toes were attached, along his interminable and muscular legs encased in black leather pants wide opened and bent while he sit ending on-
She gasped at that.
His pants were slightly opened and his button was unfastened and she couldn't help to bit her lip a little in hope to see more.
Her eyes went further. Raking his huge well-defined naked chest before going back to his alluring narrow hips that started a very attractive pelvic v going down to the unknown. So well-shaped it was creating big crooks dimples on each side of it. Kyoko fantasized on ticking them for a second. Even though, she was at the other side of the room.
She went up again. And up until she finally reached the top of his chest to his collarbone, prominently apparent with his neck fallen backward. She stroke his broad wild shoulders with her eyes imagining it was her hands palping those sculptural poetical muscles, this kind but overwhelming strength contained in those. She followed his endless arms to such sensuous large hands. Studying his suggestive lengthy strong fingers, joint after joint, she briefly wondered how such a power could be constrained, no matter his control and that deep down he could so gentle.
Kyoko was observing his beautiful lashes when his eyes suddenly opened which marked the switch to the next scene and Kyoko broke from her reverie and admonished herself strongly, absolutely shocked by her behaviour.
What the hell was I doing?!
I was practically drooling from here over him!
But he was…And-…
God I need some air and quickly!
Other thoughts came back and she shook her head with shame.
Bad naughty girl! Get a grip!
A sudden evil caustic but broken laugh interrupted her thoughts and she looked back at the scene to see to the bitterness turn into folly on Ren's face and the director shouted cut.
The scenes of the day ended and as expected soon all the girls and women of the studio were promptly flocking to him in glee and amazement, flirting bashfully with him.
Kyoko hastily decided she needed fresh air, for more than one reason and got out of the studio right away. She followed the wooden boards footpath connecting the shooting location to the hotel she was residing in and walk along the beach and farther the ocean that she could discern away.
Enjoying the sea breeze and captivated by the far sound of the waves, she took her time nicely. She eventually neared the hotel and spot the outside nightclub attached to the hotel and she briefly regret to not be of age yet.
She was passing past it when a dreadful presence made its apparition: Cedric Bennet.
He looked at bit drunk or so she thought as he was very slightly wobbling. Anyway he was out of it when he made his way to her.
She turned to him with interrogation, puzzled by the accost but feigned indifference.
-Yes? What's the matter Bennet-san?
He scowled sinisterly at her and approached her, closing the distance step by step until he was only an inch from her, invading her vital space with cold creeping ease and unease crawled its way inside her.
-You bitch! That's the matter. I don't know what I did to you or even how you managed to get me fired but-
-It's your own actions who got you fired Bennet-san, not me. I just put those actions in broad sunlight, that's all Kyoko said with renew rage, though she was not really assured by the way he looked at her.
He smiled with new calm and an ominous feeling began to emit from his stature.
-Maybe it's true he said with nonchalance but you still put an end to my fun so I think it's normal I feel entitled to be upset and want revenge.
She took a step back, slowly.
-You are a rapist, Bennet-san. The one who should seek revenge are your victims. Now if you would excuse me, Bennet-san I have things to-
-Oh no sneaky slut, you are not going anywhere he said and she felt herself being yanked to him when he violently grabbed her and teared her collar in the process before lifting her from the ground.
An empowered vicious smirk made its way on his livid enraged and he attached his body to her promptly and an idea seemed to form in his head.
Her members started to shake and fear was beginning to cage her in its new presence when she felt who much his body was thrilled with this situation. Indulged in full sexual excitement as it was.
He reeked of alcohol and his gross limbs were pressed to Kyoko's body and she felt herself getting sick in the idea of touching even the last little bit of it with any part of her body.
-You angered me little girl and for that you will have to pay. And as you are a slut, I have the prefect punishment for you. I'm gonna have a little fun with you. Though I don't think it will be pleasant for you as I don't intend to be very gentle. But eh, it's a revenge so it's pretty normal, neh. So the harsher the merrier.
The acrid sarcasm was so blatant Kyoko wanted to puke in through the lies but something very alarming suddenly attracted her attention.
He was rubbing the low mushy-spongy-hard part of him against her and abruptly adrenaline kicked in her.
She knew what he was planning, she couldn't, no, wouldn't lay like that without doing anything.
I have to fight.
Kyoko begin to struggle in his grasp, kicking him in the legs with her feet, with her knees in the stomach, frantically searching for an opening but he was strong.
Then she thought he was loosening his grip on her collar when he let go of it for a second but it was just so he would better trapped her throat in his hand and he start to clench around. He was constricting it so much, choking her that only a thin trickle of air was still going through and it would reach the non-existence soon. She was suffocating and the pain on her neck was becoming more and more brutal.
She was forced on a wall the next instant, her resistance weakening with seconds ticking by.
Tick. Tick.
Black dots were appearing in her vision.
Tick. Tick.
A strong pain at her chest broke her fogginess though and she looked down. He was squeezing, no, mushing her right breast with his sticky alcohol hand.
Kyoko fought again to regain freedom. She even bit him but he tightened his grasp again and soon her moment of clarity was evaporating in deep void.
.
She faintly heard the noise of a belt being unfastened then-
…
Ren had left the studio as soon as he had managed to escape the clingy women and had been looking for Kyoko for a while now when he had reached the hotel.
What Ren then saw, something he rather never wanted to saw in this life or in the next ones, had made his blood boiled so much that the next moments were slightly blurred. A man had pushed against a wall his kyoko, was molesting her and belt undone was ready to an eventuality that he just refused to imagine if he wanted to keep his sanity right now.
Worse of all, she was barely conscious, suffocating for air as she was by his hand that was strangling her.
He leaped. He just leaped to them and pounced on him beating the guy out of her and knocking him half out in one strike.
He was ready for another round when he heard choking and unending coughing from the side.
Immediately he was with her. Holding her for dear life.
-Kyoko, Kyoko… Kyoko do you hear me? Are you okay? Where are you hurt? What can I do?
A rasping breath answered him and he looked at her. She was shocked and grasping for air but he couldn't determine if there were any more damages done.
She coughed some more then finally said a quiet but grateful relieved voice.
-Thank you. I'm okay.
All of sudden, the guy on the ground stood, he raised up high and straight to his full height and looked at Ren with annoyance.
-Who the hell are you, dude? And why don't you mind your own business?
Ren's eyes blared with rage and he didn't even bother looking at the guy while speaking.
-I'm her friend. And you should really leave before I lose my calm. Because right now, it's all that prevent me from making a blood puddle out of you.
The guy snorted.
-If you think I'm going to leave just like that, fool, you are making a big mistake. I'm going to teach this bitch a lesson for messing with me and it's not you who's going to stop me from that. I'm going to fuck her. Better even, rape her and if you're trying to stop me I will reduce you to a pulp.
Pure unadulterated rage raised inside of Ren to the mere idea of what he was menacing to do to his innocent Kyoko and he took a decision.
-Kyoko he said while looking for her eyes, can you wait for me a minute, I'm going to settle this then I will take care of you, okay?
Fear showed in her eyes and he reassured.
-Don't worry I will be okay.
The guy closed in and he avoided a punch before striking one that sent him against the wall. Ren thought about calling the police for a second but decide against it and this time was ready to honour his dark promises and beat him down, definitively if needed.
But then-
-Don't.
Kyoko's voice. He turned around. Kyoko had lifted herself against the wall and was slowly making her way to him, trembling tremendously.
He closed his eyes. He didn't want to scare her but this man had hurt her and nearly did so far worse. He couldn't let it go. The man deserved to pay. The madness inside of him would not let him get away from this. Just knowing he had hurt her made him want to hurt him so much more, to break to the core, until he has no more face to look at, no more hands to hurt innocent people, no more balls to abuse women. Oh, he was going to start with that, alright.
If I had just came a few minutes later…
God…
She reached him at the instant the guy was pulling himself up again.
-Just a few minutes and I-
-No. Don't she said again.
-Kyoko, he's not going to stop.
-I know but still, don't.
-Don't tell me you're defending him? Ren asked aghast with the perspective.
She grimaced with disgust.
-I'm not, believe me. But he's not worth it. Just call the police.
-Yeah dude, call the police. As if they can do anything against me, I will be out in the next hour and I will rake the place for this little slut.
Ren glared at him with outraged ire , his dark self creeping up inside of him, begging him to take action, to end his life for having hurt the one he loved. He took a step forward.
The voice as harsh as paper glass and the glaze murderous, he studied the guy coming to him with cold scrutiny and chilling ghost-like words wrapped in peaceful wrath echoed to the ears of the guy who looked at him with paler and paler complexion:
-You won't ever touch her again, I'm going to make sure of that.
-Who are you? He demanded in a shaking whisper and studied him with growing horror and anger.
He heard Kyoko take a precipitated breath before she said.
-He's the guy who was fired because of me.
Ren still frowned though shocked at the news.
-If you think it excuse what he did then-
-No. It doesn't. That's why I went out of my way and risked Moko-san getting fired because of me.
Ren looked at her, not understanding what she meant.
-I'm not the first one. He got fired because I was able to prove he abused several women, that's why I took the risks and that's why he's so furious. He already ra-…
She sighed and started again.
-He raped countless women already. And none of them were lucky enough to have a knight to save them she said with a smile directed at him.
Ren's eyes grew in horror and looked back at this scum of the human kind. Emotions twirling between sickness and anger.
-All the more reasons he said in a dark voice, not really looking at Kyoko and moving very silently forward cloaking himself in his past demons and in his murderous wishes for the guy.
-No Kyoko repeated with a desperate voice.
Startled by the despair in her voice and pulled out of his wrath, he just through the guy twirling around rather than hitting him and said to Kyoko.
-Kyoko, I'm not going to kill him. But if he's really able to pull himself out of anything legal, I need at least make him incapable of doing harm.
-And is this justifies what you are going to do? She asked
-No but-
-I really wouldn't have thought that you would defend me little slut, I'm flattered the guy said before coming back at Ren. Still it doesn't change a thing, I have something to confirm you see so now I'm going to fight no matter what until I figured it out.
Kyoko looked at him with terrific madness and behind growing fear.
-I'm not doing it for you, trash of a man.
Ren looked at her completely confused.
-What are you talking about Kyoko?
He saw her looked wildly around before she walked to a lamp post and stood there immobile. Then she made a sign for him to come near her and still confused but curious, he just obeyed. At the light of the lamp, he could the big purple circle around her neck of what seems to be a painful bruise. His rage remembered he turned to the direction of the guy ready to strangle him just he did to her but all of sudden Kyoko fiercely took his hand in her one.
-We are going to call the police, Ren.
-Kyoko-
He tried to make her let go but she was damn strong for such a petite woman.
-We are going to call the police but first let him come to you, knock him out once he reaches us. Just knock him out Ren. You can't fight him, can't scare him. With what happen today and with the proofs I had from the other girls, I guarantee you, he won't be able to get out of it, there are too much evidences Kyoko whispered hastily.
-He still hurt you and-
-Do you really want to dirty your reputation for such a scum?
He sighed knowing she was in the right.
-Ren. Please. He's not worth it.
He looked at her pleading eyes and tone. Defeated, he grumblingly agreed. If she knew what a weapon those eyes were to him, it would his end.
On the side the guy was looking for the best angle of attack now that he knew that Ren was a good fighter. He was observing Ren quietly, studying him, taking step after step toward them.
Eventually he was on the limit of what the post lamp was lightening around and Kyoko was watching him anxiously and squeezed his hand tightly. Ren thought she was worried he would come close to her again.
He won't. Even if I have to go to jail, he won't touch a hair from her!
He stepped into the light and Ren gasped in shock loudly when he saw his face.
Memories from another time came back to him and wormed their way with old bitterness, unfairness, suppressed feelings and hate, so much hate, so much anger.
Cedric Bennet.
The boy who bullied him from most of his childhood into show-business
The spoiled brat who made him fired several times when he couldn't say anything, when he wouldn't say anything.
The teenager who beat the crap out of him countless times without he ever defended himself, until he broke apart and that madness got control over his body and his mind; until he started to fight back with folly. Dark to the core, no more place for mercy or kindness. Just blood and fists against fists, rage, mad fun, oblivion.
Until he provoked his best-friend death.
And now;
Now, the man who became a rapist, the guy who hurt Kyoko, that nearly raped her, nearly strangled her, nearly choked her.
Bloody-dark seeped into his eyes while images after images of memories, of nightmares, of nearly events haunted him with strike accuracy, tempting him with the morbid possibilities, with the morbid happenings. Hate he already felt, anger too, despair was even more familiar to him. Fear not so often. But what he was feeling right now, this absolute furore made of fear for his dear one, from what could have happened, from what did happened, hurts from her pain, bitter and despair from the past, rage from everything; it constructed such a ball of insane feelings, such a maelstrom of angers and negatives feelings he just saw white. His vision reduced to one point, one person.
He was on the edge, ready to blow up and tear that person to pieces, to become a monster again.
But at that very moment, a warm ferocious squeeze brought him back in the world of the livings, his unseeing glaze met golden anxious eyes looking for something in his ones before shifting to determined ones.
-No she said with stubborn despair. No. You won't give up on you, on your humanity. Not for a trash like him.
He blinked. Reminiscences of his madness clinging to him with vicious intensity.
-No she repeated with tears in her eyes. I won't let you. Don't convince yourself you're bad because of him. Don't convince your mind you have to be this way. Whatever the reason, your view of yourself is more important.
He blinked again and she took his face into her hands.
-Don't lose yourself to darkness because of him. You can choose the path to take. It's your choice. You hear me Ren? You don't need to stoop that low to be able to fight. You can stay yourself. You can fight in the light. You can choose light over darkness.
He blinked two more times looking at her utterly crying now.
-You are the light, you have just to choose it. Choose to believe you are. To believe in your worth. Please Ren… Pretty please!
Blinking for the very last time, he started to comfort her.
-What's the matter? Why are you crying?
Ren pet her hair, fondly looking at her and barely making attention to him, he hit Cedric on the side of the neck to quickly knock him out, realizing in after-thought he was calm again.
Kyoko stared at him dumbfounded then punched him vigorously.
-I was worried, idiot sempai. You blacked out.
I did, indeed.
How can I be so calmed just seconds after?
Then he remembered her words.
"You won't give up on you, on your humanity. Don't convince yourself you're bad, that you have to be this way. Don't lose yourself to darkness. You can choose the path…"
"You don't need to stoop that low to fight. You can choose light…You can fight in the light…"
"You can stay yourself… You are the light, you just have to choose it… To choose to believe… In your worth."
"I won't let you."
Internally, he chuckled.
How can you always say what I want to hear the most? How can you always reassured me on me even when I don't know myself how…Oh girl.
-Hai, hai. I'm okay. I promise. I'm going to call the police now, okay?
She nodded with a half glare and he chuckled aloud this time.
He turned to her after the call.
-Kyoko?
-Hum? she said nursing her neck discreetly and he frowned with worry.
It must hurt a lot. Going to numb it a bit later.
Kyoko? He said again and she turned to him.
He looked at her and saw everything he had always wanted and more. His lids closed half-way absent-mindedly, emotions overwhelming him for a second as he was looking at her.
You are an angel.
My angel.
She seemed to blush under his scrutiny and he looked at her even more fondly.
-Thank you Kyoko He breathed. Thank you. For your kind words.
She diverted her gaze but nodded with a relief smile.
After a while he started again.
-Also, I think I might have an idea for your bruised neck.
Kyoko observed him with a confused look waiting for him to continue with an arched eyebrow.
PS: Hello again. So, it seems I'm subscribed to long chapters, hope you will like it still. But someone told me to just roll with it so here I' am doing just that. That being said:
Rollercoaster emotion chapter, yeah it's me…fluff, suspense, violence, drama, angst, fluff again…who is with me for another round? Hahahaha…
Because the rollercoaster is far from finished.
I hope you will have fun reading it and will waiting for the next one impatiently.
Thank you again for the reviews, I love it so much when I get some. So more the merrier! Let yourself go as much as you want in reviews.
Kisses. Mimagfan. ^^
