Demons and Angels
A Skip Beat! Fanfic
Kyouko didn't even think when she saw the magazine in Kotonami's hand, she didn't have to. She'd already read the review, and combined with the fact that Shou was on the front cover her demons didn't need prompting. The magazine was snatched from the other teenage girl's hands and ripped to pieces by mini hysterical Kyoukos.
"Hey!" Kotonami lept to her feet. "I was reading that!"
Kyouko wrinkled her nose. "Why? Don't torture yourself."
She picked up the pieces of the torn magazine. "You don't think I'm a bad actress, do you?"
The blonde rolled her eyes. "See what comes from reading that dribble?"
"You didn't answer." Kotonami pointed out, beginning to look depressed.
"No, you are not a bad actress. You're the one who got past the first stage of LME's audition, remember?" She nudged her.
"I also didn't detroy a phone." The dark-haired girl gave a small smile, then glanced back at the magazine pieces she held. "The reviewer said that the brick wall that was destroyed in scene two made you feel more for it than I did my character."
"I read the article." Kyouko admitted. "The reviewer in that magazine always did suck."
"I guess."
"No guessing involved. His opinion sucks and you're a good actress." Kyouko reached out to take her arms and give her a small shake.
Kotonami nodded, relaxing a little. "I saw the video." She mentioned.
Kyouko growled. "I enjoyed my part, but having to work with...with SHOU..." She released her friend's arms, her hands clenching.
"You were the best. You'll steal everyone's attention."
Kyouko snorted. "With Shou and Mimori to compete with?"
It was Kotonami's turn to snort. "Mimori who? She didn't hold a candle to you...You looked gorgeous." The dyed blonde looked at her friend - startled - and the other girl blushed when she realized she'd said the last part aloud.
"Gorgeous?? ME??" Kyouko asked in disbelief.
Kotonami laughed a little nervously. "Don't underestimate yourself. You're gorgeous, and a great actress. Just wait until the video's official release - Producers and Casting Agents won't be the only ones pounding on your door."
"Yah, angry Shou fanatics upsset that I'm Shou-Devil-Killer-Angel will be there too." She replied sarcastically.
"I was thinking more of the line-up of horny fan-boys..." Kotonami replied. "Watch out for the perverts."
"Just let anyone try anything." Kyouko's eyes narrowed dangerously. One mini-Kyouko-demon chuckled malevolently from her shoulder.
"You're tough, Kyouko, but you're not invincible...be careful." Her friend said quietly.
"I will be, since you insist." She promised gently, then smiled. "But I think you're the one who has to worry about horny fan-boys. I saw your drama's promos. Wow."
A blush stained the dark-haired girl's cheeks. "Thank-you."
"I better get going, the boss wants to have a word with me. Probably something to do with my cuffing Shou." She grinned, and the grin was returned.
"From what I heard he deserved it."
"Who did you hear it from?"
"Ren."
"Huh. Still don't know why he was there." Kyouko mentioned.
"Maybe he's got a yen for you." Kotonami suggested.
"Not interested." She said quickly.
"Oh? You've been spending alot of time with him, so I thought...y'know."
"He's my mentor. I want to act as well as he does. Heck, I want to be as calm and collected as he is." She gave a short laugh.
"Oh? No more demons?" Kotonami teased her. "I hear they scared Mimori half to death. Wish I'd seen that! She's such an arrogant brat!"
"Ugh. If you'd heard her wail afterwards you wouldn't have wanted to see it." Kyouko winked.
Kotonami chuckled. "Kyouko...I know I chose the drama over the video shoot, but it wasn't because I didn't want to work with you. You know that, right?"
"Of course, I do." She assured her. "Have you actually been worried about that?"
"Yah, I have been. You helped me so much, I want to return the favor."
"I didn't do it for favors, I just wanted to help. But I'm really touched, Koto-chan." She leaned her forehead against the other girl's.
"It may sound crazy, and even a little cruel, but I'm glad things happened the way they did in our lives. Even our heartbreaks, and failing the main LME audition...cuz through it I got to know you."
Kyouko's eyes were wide from the confession. "I...I -" She cut herself off, unable to put words to her feelings. Instead, she pressed her lips to the dark-haired girl's. Kotonami paused, surprised, but then she opened her mouth, her tongue slipping out to trail along Kyouko's closed lips. The blonde opened her mouth, and their tongues entwined briefly until Kyouko slowly pulled back. "I'm late." She mentioned.
"Huh?" Kotonami asked.
"The boss."
"Oh!" She stepped back. "I'm sorry."
"I'm not...this shouldn't take long, want to have lunch together?" Kyouko asked.
"Yes!" Kotonami nodded with a bright smile.
Kyouko kissed her again briefly. "Be right back!" She hurried off up the hallway.
Kotonami watched her go with a smile. When she heard a scream a minute later she culdn't help but laugh. In her mind, she could see the mini-Kyouko-demons terrorizing the owner of the scream. 'I love you Kyou-chan. Demons and all." She thought to herself, turning to pitch the torn-up magazine. Clinging to the ends of her dark hair, a brilliant smile on her face, was the last mini-Kyouko-angel.
Salmon 2004
