Kyoko woke in the large bed, and looked at her phone, 4:45 am. She got up quietly and got dressed in a pair of clean jeans and tee shirt. She then went to the guest bathroom and brushed her hair and teeth, gathered the clothes that she had worn the day before and stuffed it in her bag. She searched her bag to try to find something to write on and with but only finding the heart shaped Love Me stamp book and small pencil. She wrote a short note thanking Ren for his generosity and that she went home to Darumaya. Making sure she had everything that she had come with, plus more including the new phone, she slipped the note onto the kitchen and out the door.

She looked at her phone and luckily it was after 5, she may have to spend a little more to take the train but at least she could get back home.

Ren woke up, he had a horrible sleep riddled with nightmares. The memories of losing Ric all over again, and it could have happened again with Kyoko. Looking at the digital clock beside the bed it was 6:54 am, his body normally woke up at 5 am and would work out and shower before the start of his day. He threw the blankets off him and went to start his morning without his workout. Standing in the cold water he wondered if Kyoko was still sleeping. She was normally an early riser, would she have a breakfast cooked already for them? Thinking of her in the kitchen cooking breakfast made him smile, she would make such a good wife, and hopefully one day he would be able to find out himself.

He finished his shower and threw on his clothes, the towel still on his head he walked out into the living room. He didn't hear her in the kitchen, nor did he smell any wonderful scents coming from there. Was she still sleeping? He figured he would make some coffee then wake her up, he knew that she was going to meet with the cast and crew today for her new project. He could feel the bubbling of anger thinking of her working with Fuwa again, he just wanted to protect her, both physically and emotionally. He started the coffee pot and leaned against the counter, his arms across his chest still thinking of ways he could keep those two apart as much as possible, that's when he saw the paper lying on the island.

'I woke up early and decided to go home as not to interrupt the start of your day. Thank you for letting me stay here last night and thank you for replacing my broken phone even though you didn't have to. I hope you have a wonderful day today.

Sincerely Kyoko Mogami'

Ren couldn't believe that she had left so early, it was still dark. He pulled out his phone and called her number, it went to voice mail. "It's me, I'm just calling because I found your note. Please let me know that you made it home okay." He wanted to say much more, like how he wished she had stayed so he could see her in the morning, or ask if she were mad at him for some reason. "Call me when you are free, or text if it's better for you." He hit the disconnect on his phone and leaned his elbows against the island and put his face in his hands.

Kyoko sat on the bus when she heard her phone go off. She quietly looked at the number and slid the red phone to the left to send it to voice mail. She felt a pang of guilt, but she would call him back when she got to LME. She never answered the phone when she was on the bus out of etiquette for those around her.

She was grateful that he picked her up yesterday and was equally grateful that he took care of her, but after overhearing his conversation with Yashiro about being her manager. Did Ren not trust her? Did he seriously think that as soon as he left she would turn her back on him? She could feel the sting of tears forming and she quickly blinked them away. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to try to get her head and heart back on straight. "You've got this Kyoko!" she said to sike herself out. "You are an actress, and you will be the largest actress in Japan one day." She took a deep breath again and let it out slowly. She did feel better after she gave herself a pep talk. She was going to go to the set and be professional, she would get into her character, she owed it to princess Haru. She smiled to herself and stared dreamily out the window.

Ren climbed into the back of his managers car, Yashiro looked in the rear view and knew that something was going on but looking at Ren's face he decided not to broach the subject and pulled out heading to LME where he had a meeting with President Takarada about the Route Project. The ride was silent other than the road noise.

"The President is waiting" Ruto said behind Ren and Yashiro, which made the young manager jump.

"Does he ever make noise?" Yashiro asked Ren under his breath. Ren just ignored the statement since he was used to Ruto and his ninja like presence.

Upon opening the door the two were greeted by Takarada dressed in waist navy high pants, a billowing satin black shirt and a black cordobes hat to finish off the flamenco look he was going for. "Ren my boy!" he said with his hands outstretched.

"President." Ren answered with a bow.

"Come sit." Takarada said leading him to the white plush leather couch. Yashiro followed and sat beside Ren and Ruto gave them each a cup of tea.

"So are you excited for Hollywood?" Takarada asked lighting his cigar.

"Yes." Ren answered. The president knew his goals and that this was a step closer to them so why was he bothering him with these silly questions.

Takarada gave Ruto a quick glance and it was like ESP that Ruto knew that Lory wanted to speak to Ren privately. "Mr. Yashiro, would you care to join me that way we can look over Mr. Tsuruga's travel itinerary?"

Yashiro stood and gave the president a bow and followed Ruto out of the room. He had done this long enough to know Ren and the president were going to speak of secrets that nobody else was privy to.

"Are you going to visit Kuu and Julie?" Lory asked

"I haven't decided yet."

Takarada sighed a heavy sigh knowing it was useless to try to talk him into it. "How is Miss Mogami?"

Ren also didn't want to talk about that either. She still hadn't called him back or even sent a text which made him worry even more. "She seemed fine, she called Director Muto yesterday telling him that she was okay to start on the project tomorrow. She left early this morning before I woke up. I haven't heard back from her yet."

Lory chuckled a bit seeing the worry on Ren's face. "She's fine, she came in this morning and did some Love Me errands around the office. She still may be here."

"Thank goodness." Ren and let out a deep breath. He could feel at least a little weight off his chest knowing that she was safe at least.

Lory examined the young man in front of him. "Are you two an item?" Ren shook his head no. "Then stop thinking whatever you are thinking."

Ren snapped his head up to look at the president "What do you mean?"

"You aren't together, you have a job in the US, and she has her first role as the lead." Lory said sternly. "Remember what I've told you. You were never there to take care of her."

Ren had to keep his anger in check with Takarada, he knew how he felt about Kyoko and yet he still thinks that I shouldn't take care of her. He took a deep breath to try to calm down, "I understand Sir. I have an interview at Fuji in an hour, I should go." He said standing up and turning to leave.

"Ren?" Tsuruga stopped and looked at Lory, "stay out of trouble in the states."

Ren turned heel and walked out of the room, though he could swear he heard laughter behind the doors that he just exited.