I do not own Skip Beat! Thank you Yoshiki Nakamura for your characters and inspiration.

Warning: This one contains a bit of darkness.

Out Of Darkness

Chapter 1

They had struggled when they first moved to Tokyo. Two 15 year olds on their own. Never in her lifetime did she think once that her best friend and prince of her heart would do this to her. Do this because he was running low on cash, sell her to the highest bidder. She never dreamed that he would borrow money from people like that and use her as collateral to fund his fledgling career. Yet, here she was... Kyoko Mogami... quite possibly facing the horror of being sold to a stranger and maybe even ending up in one of those dark buildings with windows shaded in glaring red lights. She was numb from head to toe, because of Shotaro Fuwa she felt nothing. Not love, not hate, not even fear anymore. She wondered what her fate would be after tonight as she was forced to don the black silk slip and platform heels. Would she even have her chastity after tonight? She questioned herself as the matron painted her cheeks, lips and eyelids. She knew not to cry anymore, it only got her slapped. She held it in. The only comfort she took was that she was at least of some use to Sho-chan and if she ever got out of this, he would pay dearly.

She chuckled wryly at her situation as her thoughts went back to the little blue stone she had sewn into a secret pocket in her panties. Everything will be okay. I will be alright. I have Corn. She sighed deeply, put on her façade and walked out onto the stage to be auctioned, strutting and modeling as she had been rigorously trained to do, letting everything around her fade away as she blocked out the men ogling her bra-less body in the thin silk. Whatever happens it will end soon. She thought as she shivered, thinking back on her days before this auction. Yes, one way or another it will end.

He was doing this undercover for a police officer friend that had been watching the establishment for months. He owed him for all the research he had been allowed to glean for his acting. The tall actor sat in the very back of the underground establishment with his hair blackened and eyes covered by blue lenses. He was dangerously garbed in all leather with temporary tattoos that one could not differentiate from the real thing unless they were touched. He was introduced as Cain Heel, the British bad-boy and he was here to purchase a companion. Not really, he had been told to not participate, but the moment she walked onto the stage... those golden eyes and that raven black hair flooded his memory and his hand was forced. Cain Heel ended up spending 85,000,000 yen that night and 15 year old Kyoko was taken to the mansion of a very eccentric president of a talent agency known as LME, on the back of his motorcycle.

"Boss... I need you to do this. You have to hide her." Kuon begged then explained to Lory the situation as she slept in one of the many richly decorated bedrooms. "Give her a new name... A new identity like you did for me. At least until all of this blows over and she's safe..." He plead with him. "I'll pay her way. Send her to my parents or, something. Anywhere, but here."

Lory sighed deeply. "I'll do it on one condition..."

The 19 year old nodded, willing to agree to any terms. This was his Kyoko-chan, he knew it in his heart. He hadn't been there for her in the past, but he was going to make damn sure this never happened again. She would be safe in America with his parents. "Anything."

"You will escort her to America to live with your parents." Lory told him with finality.

Kuon closed his eyes tightly and made a split decision. He sighed in defeat. "Alright... I'll go."

Lory looked at him in shock. This, he did not expect. What was this girl to him that he would so willingly seek his parents help? "Maybe it doesn't need to be something that drastic. Give me some time to get this worked out and leave her here for a few days. Let me see what I can do for her." Lory retracted his demand, then sent the boy on his way.

She awakened to what she thought was the end of a long nightmare. All around her, silks, satins and laces draped the room in pastel colors. Briefly, she thought that last night she had been killed by the strange, dangerous and dark man and she was waking up in heaven. She shook the sleep from her mind and looked to find a pair of light brown eyes peering at her from the edge of the bed.

"Who are you?" The six year old female asked.

Kyoko began to answer then remembered the penalty for doing so in the past few months. She quickly closed her mouth and looked around the room. Looking for the inevitable adult that would accompany this child. The adult male or, female that would punish her if she spoke out of turn.

Maria sighed. "I'm the only one here right now." She informed her in irritation. "Grandfather is at work and the nanny is downstairs. I won't tell anyone if you talk. It can be our secret."

Kyoko looked at her a bit unsure and gave her a small nod as her fingers entwined in her lap. "Um... My name is Kyoko." She whispered. "Heel-san bought me last night and brought me here." She told her quietly hoping that there was no one that was listening. "But, you have to keep that a secret. I don't want to get in trouble. I don't want him to send me back to those people. Please... Don't tell anyone?"

Maria wasn't sure what to think. She had never heard of people buying each other before, but if this older girl was afraid, perhaps it was best to keep her secret. Maria nodded. "Alright... I won't tell, but you have to play with me." She smiled brightly. "You go shower and I'll pick something for you to wear." Maria commanded.

Kyoko looked at her in disbelief. "But, I don't have anything to wear here." Kyoko told her as she pulled back the covers then made the bed.

Maria opened the double doors of a large walk-in closet in her room and turned on the light, then smiled widely. "Yes you do." She announced as she presented the wide array of clothing and shoes that had been gathered for her last night by the mysterious Jelly Woods as Kyoko slept.

Lory worked from the evening Kyoko arrived to well into the next day, calling in favors and searching. He had found nothing. There was no Kyoko that had been reported missing or, that had run away from her family. It saddened him that no one, but Kuon had been there for her in her time of need, so he did what his heart told him to do and took her into his own family. He would make sure that this girl would never again want for anything.

Two weeks, that's all it took from the initial filing. It had only taken Lory Takarada two weeks to adopt his new daughter Kyoko. He cut through the red tape quickly with his connections. There had been no objections and she was now listed in his family registry as his daughter. No one could touch her... She was a Takarada. Now... all he had to do is tell her.

During the past two weeks of her adjustment to the Takarada home she had tried to earn her keep, only to be scolded. The only room she had been allowed to clean was her own. She was forced to give the maid her dirty clothing and she was informed that she would be going to a private school with Maria, then attending classes for music, modeling, dancing and acting after school so she could make an informed decision on what she wanted to do. She had been allowed to use the kitchen, much to Lory's delight. She was an excellent cook and very talented singer. He had discovered this first hand and wondered how she would do in front of the camera.

She was determined to repay Lory for his hospitality, but it was quickly stopped on a particular afternoon, on a particularly unseasonably sunny day in November. Once again Maria had picked her clothing for the day and she was dressed, once again, like a little goth princess. She had been called to Lory's home office for some special news he had to tell her. She couldn't help, but wonder if it had something to do with the mysterious Cain Heel that had brought her into this new and interestingly charmed life. How much longer would it last? She felt a sense of dread wash over her as she entered the office, but it was chased away with Lory's loving smile.

"Shut the door behind you Kyoko-chan. I have something special to tell you." He told her as he sat on his sofa and poured two cups of tea.

She quickly shut the door and sat on the seat across from him. "Is there something wrong Takarada-san?" She asked nervously.

Lory smiled and shook his head then took out the folder of documents that would change her life once she read them and lay them on the table in front of her. He opened the folder and whispered one word. "Otousan..."

She looked at the documents with brows furrowed before she fully comprehended what he'd said, then looked back up at him. "Eh?"

"Kyoko-chan... I would like for you to call me Otousan. You are officially my daughter now. You are Kyoko Takarada." He told her as he watched for her reaction.

"Why?" She asked with tears. Not understanding why anyone would do this for her.

Lory sighed deeply. "Kyoko-chan... I want you as my daughter. You are a wonderful sweet person that deserves to be loved unconditionally. I... want to give that to you and so does Maria." He explained. "Will you let me be your Otousan?" He asked with pleading in his voice. "Will you give me that chance?"

Kyoko smiled and nodded. Lory quickly swept her into his arms and hugged her tightly. "Thank you." He whispered with a smile.