A/N: Is there really a point to me putting anything here? The only reason you clicked this was to read the chapter not read the author notes and find out why I went on hiatus or what I did during my trips. That stuff is pointless and boring. So I am shutting my trap now and getting ready for all the flames you will no doubt be sending my way. Also I am aware the length of this chapter it pathetic. Blame it on my damn writer's block and my cold.

Disclaimer: Some characters I own some I do not own. And even with my birthday coming up two days before this was posted I would not ask for them as a present. Why? Because I respect them too much.

Chapter 13:Breaking News! and breaking hearts.

Mao was not exactly sure how he was supposed to respond. Watanabe Daisuke, one of the most well-known and famous actors in Tokyo had just told him he loved him.

Him! Hamao Kyosuke! Plain ordinary nothing special worth mentioning about Hamao Kyosuke! This could almost be considered a cruel joke. But no, Daisuke would never do that to him. He had been to kind and Mao had seen plenty of sides to him and none would be considered cruel. He might have teased him a little, that was true though. Sure Daisuke had shown his dark side after Sukoshi had attacked him. But Mao had not blamed him for reacting the way he had.

At first he wondered if he should pinch himself to make sure he was not dreaming. But something was preventing him from completing the desired task. And even if he could he wondered if it would be enough to wake him.

Daisuke had not loosened his grip on the other boy's shoulders, and he had no plans to do so any time soon. He had confessed. He had poured his heart out and he was not sure if he should be afraid of Mao's answer or anxious. Well he was actually both. He was anxious to hear the other boy's response to his confession. But he was also afraid it would be a negative one. Several minutes later he realized Mao must have been in shock. Surely anyone would be if a famous actor confessed their love. He loosened his embrace, giving the other boy room to move if he needed to. "I'm sorry, I just-"

Mao shook his head, "No, I'm sorry. But I am finding it hard to believe anything you are saying right now." He pulled away from Daisuke's embrace having found the strength, to do so. "You cannot love me. I am not worthy of it." He had finally decided he was not going to believe him. Because frankly there was no way it could be true. If he had been considered special or important perhaps then yes. But he was just Mao. Plain, ordinary boring, Mao.

"Not worthy?" Daisuke asked taken aback by the statement. Hearing those words alone made him feel like he had been thrown in to the fire himself. "How can you say that?"

"Because it is true." Mao said looking away.

Daisuke felt like his heart was breaking in a million pieces, "Does, does this mean you hate me?" If Mao said yes Daisuke honestly did not know what he would do.

Mao's eyes widened, "No! No of course not! How could I hate you when you have helped me in every possible!" He had only hoped Daisuke would understand that he could not accept the fact that Daisuke thought he loved him, "I could never hate you! Even if you somehow grew to hate me." He added in almost a whisper.

Daisuke didn't bother to mask the hurt in his tone, "Then why do you not believe what I say when I speak my feelings?" Daisuke asked. "And the day I will claim to hate you is the day the universe implodes on itself."

"Because it cannot be true." Mao responded as he took the small cup of water provided on the table next to his bed, "I want to believe it. Please believe me but I just cannot."

"Then I will prove it. I do not know how but I will." Daisuke stood up. "Until then rest well. Dr. Nanako tells me you will need to stay overnight for observation." He turned to look at Takeda, "Please watch him, for me."

Takeda nodded, "I have already spoken to my superiors. I will be this boy's bodyguard until that man is found. Too many have been threatened by him."

Mao looked at Takeda, "I do not want to trouble you."

"Nonsense. I owe Watanabe-san therefore as a way to return the favor, I can keep the one he cares about the most safe." Takeda looked at the two of them before focusing strictly on Daisuke, "May I speak with you privately?"

Daisuke nodded, "Excuse us please, Mao."

"No go ahead. I am getting drowsy." Mao said as he held back a yawn, "The doctor said the pain medicine they gave me would make me sleepy so I-" he ended up yawning this time.

The other two occupants of the room chuckled despite the situation before exiting the room. It was easy to see that it was going to take a lot of convincing on Daisuke's part to prove to Mao how much he had indeed come to care for him. Daisuke was not too sure how he was going to do that but he was determined to keep his word.

Once they were outside the room, Daisuke turned to look at the officer, "You wanted to speak with me?"

Takeda nodded, "Yes. I want your permission to become your own bodyguard. I know that boy works for you. Or will be working for you once he is released, and if I promised to keep him safe I will need to stay close."

"I am going to have to speak to my manager but I am sure it should not be a problem. I owe him quite an explanation." Daisuke said. "I am going to be spending most of the remaining hours in the day moving Mao's stuff into my apartment."

"Will you need any help?" Takeda asked.

"No, that's fine. My close friend Tatsuki will be helping me. I want you to please stay here and keep an eye on Mao as you promised." Daisuke reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell. "I will return tomorrow morning. Besides a meeting I have to discuss, I plan to spend the whole day with Mao because the day after I have to go back to work."

"What are you going to do about Hamao-kun until then?" Takeda asked.

"Well you said you will watch him from now on right?" Daisuke inquired.

"Yes of course."

"Then once I get things figured out with my manager I will contact you." Daisuke explained as he scrolled through his contacts, "Until then please keep him safe."

"You have my word." Takeda said.

Daisuke offered the officer a smile before peeking back into the room. He did not want to leave without at least checking on the boy one more time, "Mao, listen I am going to be heading home. I want to get all your things moved in to my place but I'll stop by tomorrow so we can figure out what's going on. Takeda-san will stay here and watch over you."

Mao, despite their earlier conversation smiled tiredly, "Okay. And Dai-chan, please do not think I that do not want to believe you. I do. I just cannot, at least not now."

"I understand Mao." Daisuke said walking over and leaned in to press a kiss to the boy's forehead. "And please let me try to prove it to you."

"Okay." Mao spoke through a yawn seemingly unbothered by the gesture of affection performed by the older man.

"Thats all I ask." Daisuke spoke softly as he saw Mao drift off to sleep.

(*) (*) (*) (*)

"Where are you right now?"

Daisuke could not hide the relief in his tone when he heard Tatsuki's voice. "I am outside the hospital. I know it is an odd favor to ask but is there any possible way you can come get me and take Mao's stuff over to my place?"

"You did not even have to ask. I am on my way. It is the least I can do for not catching that bastard." Tatsuki said. "I will be there in five minutes. I am pretty close."

"Okay I will see you soon."

Daisuke ended the call then proceeded to contact another person. But this was one conversation he was not looking forward to. But he knew it had to take place.

"Daisuke, this is a surprise. Anxious to get back to work already?"

"Not quite but I do need to speak with you on very important matter tomorrow." Daisuke responded.

"Does it have anything to do with that young man?"

Daisuke did not bother hiding the irritation in his voice, "Yes as a matter of fact it does. I told you he is going to be my assistant but circumstances have forced me to make some adjustments."

"Adjustments to what exactly?" Tanaku inquired, "You are not getting an extension on your time off."

"No, no it's nothing like that. Look I will meet you at the studio tomorrow morning ten am." Daisuke instructed. "Please be there. It is important."

"Daisuke are you in trouble? Did something happen? Tanaku asked now with a worried tone to his voice.

"I will explain everything tomorrow." Daisuke promised, "Just please meet me."

"Okay but I will expect a full out explanation."

(*) (*) (*) (*)

"So you confessed and he does not believe you?" Tatsuki asked after hearing Daisuke explain of the events in the hospital, "How could he not?"

Daisuke shook his head, "I honestly do not know. But I am determined to prove it to him." He bent down and began to pet Roku whom had weaved himself around the handsome actor's legs. "You miss your master, right?"

Roku only meowed in response before bounding into Mao's room.

Tatsuki chuckled, "He is quite the cat is he not?"

"Yeah, and soon he will have a companion." Daisuke responded proceeding to explain the incident with Angel and how it had brought a smile to the young man's face. They continued moving the rest of the boxes in silence placing them into Mao's room. Once that task was done Daisuke sat down on his sofa and placed his head in his hands for several minutes. But then he felt a pair of eyes on him and he glanced over to see Tatsuki staring at him, "What?"

"You are thinking too hard." Tatsuki responded, "I am just waiting for the steam to start coming out of your ears."

"Very funny." Daisuke playfully glared.

"Well I am the jokester of the trio am I not?" Tatsuki asked placing his hand on his chest in claiming of the title. "But on a more serious note, what has gotten the gears in your head grinding? Are you worried about Mao?"

"How can I not be? But strangely enough he is not the only person occupying my conscious right now." Daisuke leaned back against the sofa and looked up at the ceiling. "I do not know how we are going to catch this guy. He is too good."

"Oh do not worry we will catch him. We just have to wait for the right moment." Tatsuki responded knowing exactly whom Daisuke was referring to. "It may take a while but even experts slip up at least once."

"Did you know he targeted Keimiko?"

Tatsuki nearly dropped the box he was holding, "What?"

"Yeah. The officer whom is watching Mao right now told me so. Apparently she was one of his first targets. Or should I say one her fans was." Daisuke explained.

"So he gets to celebrities by targeting people close them?" Tatsuki asked, "How did I not know about this?"

Daisuke took the box from Tatsuki's hands, seeing as how it was already slipping from his grasp, "According to Takeda-san, Keimiko kept it under wraps. She did not want any bad publicity to darken her name or reputation." He set the box down and turned to face his friend, "I only wish I had that same opportunity. With that article about Mao and myself, Keimiko and I have to pretend to be a romantic couple."

"How in the world did you come up with that scheme?" Tatsuki asked now curious.

"Believe it or not it was Mao who suggested it." Daisuke responded. "I guess I forgot to mention that detail yesterday."

"Are you going back to the hospital tonight?"

"No, I figure Mao needs his rest and besides, visiting hours will be over soon. But Officer Takeda is watching Mao so I know he will be safe." Daisuke glanced over at the clock on his way. "Tomorrow I have to meet with Tanaku to discuss Takeda-san becoming my body guard. I called him while I was waiting for you to come pick me up"

"Body guard?"

"Yes. In order for Takeda to keep an eye on Mao he has to stay near me. And since I do not plan to let Mao out of my sight well…" Daisuke explained. "I know it is going to take a lot of convincing. But Mao has been hired to be my assistant so he'll be on set with me during filming. After what happened at the restaurant he used to work at I-" The handsome actor shook his head, "And what with my newest project coming up I think I will actually need one."

"I do not see why it should take a lot of convincing. 'Blade of Shadows' is going to be a huge deal. Hell you may even get some competition. After all it is a best selling series." Tatsuki pointed out. "I know there were some others whom were interested in the role."

"I was offered the role. I just hope no one will think I did any special favors." Daisuke said as he headed into the kitchen. "Did you want to stay for dinner?"

"I would be glad to, thank you." Tatsuki smiled at the offer. "I will stay the night too if that is okay."

"That is fine. But I hope you will not mind using the sofa. The guest room as you know is Mao's room now." Daisuke pointed out.

"No that is fine. I would rather sleep out here anyway. I get the feeling this fur ball takes up most of the room on the bed anyway." Roku only hopped up onto Tatsuki's lap purring.

"Consider yourself lucky. Mao says he does not take too kindly to strangers." Daisuke said looking over his shoulder.

"I just insulted him and he comes onto my lap." Tatsuki chuckled. "He is quite the character."

"Well dinner will be ready shortly. Did you want to take a shower?" Daisuke asked, "You must be sweaty from all the moving and running you did earlier."

"No I will take one after dinner if that is all right." Tatsuki responded as he reached for the scrapbook sitting on the coffee table. "This is from our movie isn't it?"

Daisuke finished whipping up a simple meal for himself and his guest. He then moved to fill Roku's food and water dish. "Dinner's ready." He looked over to see Tatsuki looking at the scrapbook and he walked over and sat down. "So many memories huh?"

Tatsuki smiled as he flipped to the last page that had a picture of the whole crew smiling. "It was the best month ever."

Daisuke nodded in agreement, "I know Keimiko feels the same."

Their conversation was brought to a halt when Tatsuki's stomach grumbled. "Oh dinner! I almost forgot!" He stood up fast, perhaps a little too fast and found himself falling forward. "Whoa!"

Daisuke was up on his feet reaching for his friend's waist as he pulled him back against the sofa. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, yes I think so." Tatsuki took a moment to calm himself.

"What happened?"

Tatsuki stood again, this time making sure to take his time, "I stood up too fast and became lightheaded."

Daisuke only shook his head, "As long as you are okay. Come on let's eat."

The two sat down and enjoyed the meal before Daisuke washed the dishes while Tatsuki went to take his shower. An hour later they were relaxing on the sofa "I think I will watch some television before hitting the hay. Care to join me?" Daisuke asked as he flipped on the television. Because of his career he did not have too much time to really sit down and enjoy a show or casual movie so when he had the chance he took it.

Tatsuki sat down next to him, having retrieved a bottle of water from the fridge. "Anything particular you hope to watch? Or do you plan to just channel surf?"

"Probably just channel surf," Daisuke answered as he began flipping through the channels. One particular one caught his eye, "What the?"

There was a news report happening just outside St. Luke's hospital with a video clip in the corner showing footage from the fire from earlier.

"According to an eyewitness the apartment building was set ablaze by a young man identified as Hamao Kyosuke. No one is sure what caused this young man to set the fire but we are determined to find out. We have been trying desperately to contact Hamao-san but to no avail."

Daisuke dropped the remote and rose to his feet in a matter of seconds,"What the hell?!"

Tatsuki's eyes widened, "Daisuke, that's the same building isn't it?"

"It has got to be Leiko! He's trying to frame Mao for the fire!" Daisuke rose to his feet, "I have to get back to the hospital!"

Tatsuki was already grabbing his keys, "Come on. I'll take you."

(*)(*)(*)(*)

"Something's troubling you. Care to share?"

Mao glanced up at Takeda and chuckled dryly. He had slept for a good four hours and was now attempting to eat some soup. But thanks to everything that had happened he had almost no appetite. "I try not to bother others with trivial matters especially ones I need to figure out on my own."

"You sound like my nephew." Takeda responded. "He often thought even the most trivial of matters were something he needed to handle on his own. But I would always tell him, a listening ear could mean the world."

Mao fiddled with his blanket and sighed, "I am just worried about my schooling. I have to stay at the top of the class or else I-"

"So many things have happened to you in this past week have they not?" Dr. Nanaku spoke as he entered the room. "I figured you would be concerned about your classes so I took the liberty of contacting your university. Your professor knows of your condition and well he said not to worry about your grades. But to be honest that really should not be at the top of your list of worries."

Mao sat up in the bed now utterly confused, "What do you mean?"

"Well there have been a few reporters in the lobby who are asking for an interview."

On full alert Mao's eyes widened, "Wait what?"

Takeda was just as surprised, "What for?"

"Well apparently the fire you were in has made news, big news. Turns out that apartment building was older then we first believed and in about another 20 years it would have been considered a landmark." Dr. Nanaku explained.

Mao deflated and he bit his lip, "So it's my fault that I-"

"Nonsense! You have nothing to blame yourself for!"

Mao looked up at the new voice, "Keimiko!" A small but genuine smile appeared on his features. "What are you doing here?"

Keimiko crossed the room and wrapped her arms around the patient in a soft hug, "What do you think I am doing here silly? I came to see my favorite cousin!"

Dr. Nanaku scratched his head in confusion, "Cousin, but I-"

"It is a long story but please do not speak a word of it." Keimiko requested.

"Well since I am a fan of yours I will keep your confidence." Dr. Nanaku promised.

"Thank you."

"Hamao-kun would you be up to take some interviews?" Takeda asked.

"I do not know what I would say. I do not want to make trouble for anyone and I-"

"You do not have to. If it will only upset you, you do not have to." Takeda pointed out, placing a hand on Mao's shoulder as a reassuring gesture, "You are not obligated to speak to them."

"Nanaku-sensei there is something going on in main waiting room!" One of the nurses said as she ran into the room. "The reporters are trying what they can to come speak to Hamao-kun. "

"That is not all. There is news van outside too. It looks like there is an actual broadcast happening." Takeda said as he peered out the window. He turned and flipped on the television provided in the room searching through each channel until a familiar building appeared on one of the screens.

"According to an eyewitness the apartment building was set ablaze by a young man identified as Hamao Kyosuke. No one is sure what caused this young man to set the fire but we are determined to find out. We have been trying desperately to contact Hamao-san but to no avail."

Keimiko's eyes widened, "Wait! Did they just say-"

"It was not me! I did not! I-" Mao shouted not being able to hold himself back.

"They cannot touch you." Takeda reminded him. "As long as you are under police protection they cannot touch you. And they said it was only one witness. Also when the fireman went through the building they said it was empty."

"Luckily. I believe only the top floor was damaged so the building is still safe." Takeda added, "And I was there at the building. I saw everything that happened after Watanabe-kun carried you out."

" Why did you not go after Leiko then?" Keimiko demanded.

"Because he was gone by the time I arrived with the ambulance and other officers. " Takeda defended knowing why Keimiko was so upset. "Believe me if I had seen him I would have gone after him." he tightened his hands into fists, "But he keeps slipping through my grasp."

"He has never gone to this extreme before though. When he targeted Sakiko he only sent her threatening letters and stalked her." Keimiko spoke. "She is still shaken up about it, so I still keep an eye on her."

"Who is Sakiko?" Mao asked.

"She was the president of my fanclub." Keimiko explained.

"Was?"

"Yes, Leiko is known to target celebrities and he gets to them by attacking the person closest to them. In my case it was the president of my fanclub Sakiko Kamio. And in Dai-chan's case it is you." Keimko answered.

Well either way the only thing we can do is keep Hamao-kun safe." Dr. Nanaku spoke up. "But you may want to actually speak to one of the reporters otherwise rumors may very well spread if you pardon my choice of words, 'like wildfire'."

Keimiko squeezed Mao's hand, "What do you want to do?"

Mao's free hand grabbed his bed sheet and tightened until his knuckles matched the color of the fabric, "I just wanted to live a normal life. I just wanted to go to school and care for animals. I never asked for any of this."

"We know and we do not blame you for feeling this way." Takeda answered softly.

"Do you want me to contact Dai-chan?" Keimiko suggested. "Maybe he could-

"No!" Mao shouted a little too quickly, "I mean no, I have already burdened him and cannot ask anymore."

"Now you know that is not true. He thinks the world of you!" Keimiko exclaimed.

"I cannot ask him to help me with this." Mao spoke out, "I cannot ruin his career."

"Mao, I have seen how Watanabe-kun is like around you. I can tell his career means nothing in compared to his feelings for you." Dr. Nanaku put in his own words.

"Wait? You believe him too?" Mao asked.

What are you talking about?" Keimiko asked, confusion evident on her features, confusion she did not bother hiding.

"Watanabe-kun confessed to Hamao-kun earlier today." Takeda explained.

Keiko turned to look at Mao, "And what did you tell him? How did you respond?"

Mao's eyes cast down to the hand that was still gripping the bed sheet, "I told him to stop joking around. I told him he could not love me, that I did not deserve it."

Keimiko's eyes widened as she could not believe what she had just heard Mao say. She came dangerously close to slapping the young college student, but stayed her hand at the last second. Her lips however were not enough to hold back her words, "Are you insane?" she shouted, "How could say such a thing? How could you?"

"Because I know it is not true!" Mao shouted back not caring he had an audience despite it being people he knew. "I do not deserve to be loved by him! He is perfect! He is everything I wish I could be! He deserves someone whom can match up to him. Someone as great as him, and I know that is not who I am."

"But you are everything he wants!" Keimiko argued. "I know Daisuke. If he said he loves you then damn it he meant it. And he has the right to choose whom he loves."

"Just like I have the right to choose what to believe!" Mao responded back, "And I do not believe I deserve it."

"Then what? What is it going to take for you to believe? What do I have to do?"

Everyone turned to see Daisuke standing in the door leaning against Tatsuki completely out of breath. The silence in the room was so thick; Dr. Nanaku could have sliced through it with his scalpel. The handsome actor walked over and placed one knee on the bed before leaning in and capturing Mao's lips with his own. He pulled back before the young college student had a chance to react, "Answer me this, Mao. Do you not believe I love you, or do you not believe you deserved to be loved by me?"

Mao's eyes cast down again before he glanced up and pulled Daisuke in for a kiss of his own. When he felt Daisuke return the kiss he gentle broke the embrace before shaking his head, "The latter."

Daisuke closed his eyes, "Then what must I do to make you believe that you do deserved to be loved by me?" he glanced up, warm chocolate orbs gazing into charcoal, "What must I do?"

A/N: Yes I ended on another damn cliffhanger. I am ready for all the flames I will no doubt receiving. If you wish for me to continue let me know, if you do not then I will move on to another idea.