Because of the dark shadows of the outside deck, Kyoko is unable to completely read the determination to keep his word and desire for the girl before him warring in Hikaru's darkened gaze as his hand slides lightly along Kyoko's cheek, past her ear, and into her hair. His fingers delve into her locks, and Kyoko finds herself leaning against the smooth caress.

Peace and tenderness seems to flow from the man's fingertips even as Kyoko's heart starts to beat faster. As if time has slowed, she watches her companion's face move slowly towards her own. Like a feathery tickle from a soft breeze, Hikaru moves his lips ever so gently over Kyoko's stilled lips. Her golden eyes widen, and her breath catches for a moment.

Hikaru flexes his fingers in her hair, and Kyoko's eyes slide shut even as Hikaru's lips press just a breath firmer against her. Every bit of her consciousness centers on the warm, soft pressure on her lips. The warmth that has been building in the core of her being over the past couple days with Hikaru seems to be fanned into a sudden raging flame that rushes through her entire body. A soft moan escapes from her no longer stiff lips, and a shudder ripples up her spine.

Hikaru responds by slipping his free hand around her waist and pulling her closer to his body even as his lips press more firmly against her now slowly responding lips. Unaware of her hands movements as she falls further under the magic of the moment, Kyoko's fingers trail up Hikaru's chest eliciting a soft growling moan from the idol. Parting her lips slightly in amusement at his vocal reaction, Kyoko allows him to draw her tighter against his chest.

Tilting his head slightly, Hikaru draws his tongue gently along Kyoko's lower lips. With a soft murmur of pleasure, the actress allows his warmth to invade her mouth. She timidly moves her own tongue to meet his, and Hikaru's eyes fly open at her surprisingly accepting response. Since initiating contact, the idol has been expecting the innocent teen in his arms to draw back in protest. His heart soars at her sweet and trusting acceptance of his advances. The talent abandons his worries as he embraces the moment.

Kyoko's hands slip from Hikaru's chest and around his neck while allowing him to draw her closer to his body. Abandoning her lips for a moment, the older idol trails feathered kisses across her jaw and along the pulse beating strongly on her neck. Following her delicate throat, Hikaru showers her with tiny warm and wet caresses until his mouth reaches her ear. Kyoko moans, and her hands clench against her companion as he sucks her delicate lobe into his mouth. When Hikaru's teeth graze along the bottom her ear, Kyoko shifts slightly against the older idol's lower body where she practically rests in his lap. Her slight movement jars the celebrity from his tender attentions as he realizes just how over the edge his libido has led them. He shifts uncomfortably on the seat in an attempt to relieve his obvious physical reaction to the responsive woman finally in his arms after more then a year of unanswered dreams.

The idol groans in frustration as he wars once more with himself. Unsure of when his left hand has traveled up the back of Kyoko's shirt to rest against her soft, warm skin, he uses the flesh warmed appendage to guide Kyoko back a bit from being crushed against his chest. With a smirk of masculine pride, Hikaru enjoys the slightly glazed expression in Kyoko's eyes as she slides languidly down to rest her head on his shoulder.

Gathering the tattered remnants of his control, the older talent takes a deep cleansing breath. The teasing scent of strawberries tickles his consciousness and threatens to undo his hastily constructed defenses. Desperately hoping that Kyoko will not comment on his obvious arousal, Hikaru shifts the enticing teen actress until she is resting with her back against his chest. He wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her tightly against him. He places a soft kiss against her now messy hair at her right temple.

Kyoko sighs and snuggles into his embrace.

"Um, Hikaru?" the actress whispers softly as her heart finally begins to slow and her breathing once more returns to normal.

"Hmm?" he replies near her ear. The deep vibration sends a shiver down her spine and goosebumps traveling down her arms even as a heated muscle tightens in her stomach.

A small frown of concentration settles on Kyoko's face.

"Uh, I want to clarify something. Okay?"

Again, Hikaru murmurs softly in her ear which sends another spike of pleasure racing through her system.

"You don't call me Sweetheart because you think of me as a sister."

Hikaru chuckles. His arms tighten slightly around her.

"Correct," he confirms with a contented smile on his lips.

Kyoko licks her own slightly swollen lips.

"You don't call me Sweetheart because you think of me as a friend either. Right?"

Hikaru presses his lips against her temple one more time and twines his fingers with Kyoko's fingers as they sit on her lap.

"I do think of you as a friend, Kyoko, but you're right. That is not why I call you Sweetheart."

Kyoko feels her heart start beating faster once again in anticipation of his next words.

"So, will you tell me why you do?"

Hikaru shakes his head slightly as his smile grows even larger as he feels her take a breath and hold it while waiting for his response.

"I call you Sweetheart because you are the first person I think about in the morning when I first wake and because you are the person I whisper good night to every night when I close my eyes to sleep. I call you Sweetheart because your innocent enthusiasm for life makes me appreciate everything in my life more. I call you Sweetheart because even on my worst day, the thought of you can make me smile. Kyoko, I call you Sweetheart because I am hopelessly in love with you and have been for ages."

Hikaru waits patiently for Kyoko's response to the confession that he has wanted to share with her for so long. His whole body feels as if he is pulsing with low voltage electricity as he waits for her response. The tension builds to a crashing crescendo as Kyoko turns her heat to look up at the compassionate and handsome man who is holding her so tenderly.

"Hikaru," she finally whispers. "I like it when you call my Sweetheart."

Tension drains from his body as Hikaru once more tightens his hold on Kyoko.

"Hikaru?"

"Hmm?"

"Would you mind if I called you Sweetheart?"

The idol chuckles.

"Sweetheart, you can call me whatever you want," he replies.

Three hours later, Yuusei and Shinichi stroll purposefully down the darkened deck searching for their missing friends. When they find them, they both stare in silence at the couple innocently snuggling and sleeping on the lounge chair. They turn and walk away from their co-stars without a word.

Entering the hallway, Shinichi suddenly brays in laughter.

"The chief broke number three!" he crows in amusement.

Yuusei glances back towards the door to the deck as Shinichi opens the door to their room.

"Maybe we should just keep that to ourselves," he warns the perennial joker. He watches as Shinichi grabs the blanket that Hikaru has been using when he sleeps. It will never do for Hikaru and Kyoko to end up sick from sleeping on deck without a blanket to help keep them warm.

"Give me some credit," the blond idol responds as he stops with his hand against the door handle. "I would never tell Toyokawa or tease Hikaru about Kyoko-chan. In my opinion, it's only fair that Hikaru gets to break number three. After all, fate owes him one since it made him so short."

Hikaru and Kyoko stand beside one another while watching passengers travel down the gangplank from the balcony below them. Absently, the older idol softly traces his thumb tip over the soft back of Kyoko's hand which is currently captured in his larger one. They listen as Officer Wright thanks them once again for helping with the cruise. Their liaison officer gives each celebrity a light blue drawstring backpack similar to the one he loaned Hikaru while in port at Hiroshima.

As Shinichi and Yuusei dig through the bags to examine their thank you gifts, Kyoko turns to the friendly officer to ask about a point in the farewell speech the captain offered this morning during their final guest appearance.

"Officer Wright," she starts as she swings her backpack onto her one shoulder. "What did the captain mean when he wished the passengers fair winds and following seas?"

Jason smiles at the question which indicates that at least someone was listening to Captain Jensen's parting words.

"Fair winds and following seas is a traditional naval farewell," explains the seaman. "It is a wish for those who are facing a change. Although originally used for naval men who are retiring or changing duty stations, it is now normally seen as a wish for the future. Fair winds make for a calm journey while following seas help move a ship on its journey. It is kind of a wish for peace and support in the next phase of your life."

Kyoko thanks the officer for his explanation.

"It was my pleasure, Kyoko-chan," replies Jason as he once more addresses his thanks to the four talents for their hard work and conscientious regard to their duties on the ship.

The seaman retreats from the balcony while the celebrities remain to watch for the last of the passengers to exit the ship so that they can disembark in peace. The four friends fall into friendly banter as they wait. In the middle of their animated conversation, Hikaru notices Kyoko falling silent. He follows her line of sight and recognizes the four members of the Sato family exiting on the wide gangplank.

Leaning close to the teen's ear, the idol whispers softly "Do you think you will contact them?"

Kyoko watches the two happy children as they disappear down the dock. She locks gazes with Hikaru and admits that she is just not sure. Hikaru gently sqeezes her hand once more, and Kyoko smiles in response.

"You know, perhaps I can use Captain Jensen's wish for getting to know my family. It would be a serious change for me. Even if it isn't a journey with fair winds, I think it might be good for me."

Kyoko glances down at the hand sheltering her smaller one as she realizes that she can trust the man beside her to support her no matter which decision she makes. She smiles tenderly.

"Aw man!" moans Shinichi in mock disgust. "You guys have got to stop looking like that or else my eyes are going to become fat from the over powering sweetness."

Once more, Yuusei's hand swings out and connects with the back of Shinichi's hard head.

"Owch," mutters the dark-haired idol at the mild throb in his hand from the impact.

"Hah! Told you so," mocks the blond as he taunts his buddy that he knew his head would last longer then his buddy's hand.

"Ishibashi-san," murmurs a suddenly darkly menacing yet feminine voice.

As Shinichi turns, he notices Kyoko slide free from Hikaru's grasp as a strangely seductive expression settles on her face. The teen reaches towards the blond member of Bridge Rock. Her fingers settle against his shirt and twist to secure her grip. With a sudden snap of her wrist, the actress pulls Shinichi's face closer to her own. Her warm breath mingles with her captive's breath.

Startled by the sudden chilling appearance of Natsu, Shinichi freezes.

"Shin-kun," she purrs, "I strongly suggest you refrain from further comments of that nature. I would hate to find myself needing to introduce myself to the other young woman who calls you Shin-kun. Hmm?"

Eyes widening at the expertly delivered veiled threat, the joker solemnly nods. His girlfriend would not be happy to find that someone else was calling him by her special name. The actress' hand loosens its grip and calmly smooths the wrinkles from Shinichi's shirt.

"Good boy, Nichi-kun," confirms the incredibly confident school girl before turning and wrapping her arm around Hikaru's arm. She stalks seductively down the deck to the doors with a highly amused and equally aroused man clinging happily to her arm.

The two younger members of Bridge Rock watch their friend's retreating form disappear through the door.

"So do you think the chief is a closet masochist?" Shinichi wonders aloud as his body finally recovers from its chilling fright. He can't help but think that anyone who falls in love with the actress who plays Mio and Natsu would have to be a bit strange in the head.

Yuusei sighs and smacks Shinichi on the back of the head. "No, but you definitely are."

Kotonami Kanae sits quietly across from Takarada Lory in his ridiculous stretch limousine. She absently runs her fingers along the pocket stitch of her equally ridiculous pink LoveMe uniform as she imagines telling Kyoko about the new part she earned while her friend was innocently sailing around in her chicken costume. Beside her on the long seat, a small bag with her best friend's identical overalls await the return of their mistress. Wishing once more that her friend would hurry so that she can find out their newest torture designed by their illustrious president, Moko glances out the window once more.

"Ah, here she comes," she states as she opens the door. She slides from the interior clutching the bag with Kyoko's uniform.

Kyoko notices her friend step from the gaudy vehicle owned by the LME president.

"Moookooo-sssaaannn!" squeals the actress as she sprints down the dock with her suitcase trailing behind her.

Although LoveMe number two would normally expertly side-step the impending hug of doom, she allows her best friend to plow into her and wrap her in a warm, affectionate, and slightly suffocating embrace. She is feeling quite magnanimous today since she knows that she has used her time well.

"Why are you here?" Kyoko gushes with unrestrained glee at seeing her best friend after being gone for almost five days.

"Mo! Get off me," Moko grumbles as the members of Bridge Rock finally join them on the end of the dock. Kanae retains Kyoko's uniform in her grasp as she warns her that they have a new assignment.

Takarada Lory steps from the limo dressed like a Greek god and greets his returning talents. As the LME employees return his friendly greeting, Toyokawa rounds the limousine and sighs in relief. He is so happy to see that his talents have returned in one piece and that LoveMe number one appears to be safe and happy. He congratulates himself once more on his foresight in making sure that Takarada's favored talent remained safe on the voyage.

"Ah, since Toyokawa-san is here, I think that we can be going," states the Greek god with a nod to the Bridge Rock manager.

"Um, Sir, can you give me a minute," Kyoko requests as the members of Bridge Rock move towards their ride.

"Of course, Mogami-kun," replies Lory a bit curiously.

The actress bows and thanks him. She leaves her suitcase on the ground before turning and following her Kimagure Rock co-stars. She calls to Toyokawa-san who turns and smiles nervously at the young celebrity.

"Thank you so much for ensuring that I was safe on the trip," she expresses. "The Ishibashis did their absolute best in following all your rules."

"Well, I am glad to hear that they were perfect gentleman."

A moment of silence falls over the four celebrities. In unison, they all start to laugh which draws the attention of the President and LoveMe number two. Anxious at having the company president's attention on him and his talents, Toyokawa hastily turns to load Bo's trunk which Hikaru is once more pulling. Yuusei and Shinichi call goodbyes to Kyoko as they toss their luggage into the van and follow the trunk and Toyokawa into the vehicle. When Hikaru moves to leave, the actress' hand catches his. He turns with a smile.

"Thank you for being my following seas, Hikaru," she states honestly to the young man.

"You're welcome, Sweetheart," the idol replies as he leans down and places a soft kiss on Kyoko's lips. Sighing happily, she openly returns the small show of affection.

The paper bag with LoveMe number one's uniform drops to the ground with a strangely resounding thud. A huge grin spread across President Takarada's face which, in turn, lends him a very fitting godly aura.

As Hikaru climbs into the van and pulls the door shut, Kyoko turns back to her audience. Cheeks flushed with a faint hint of color, Kyoko smiles openly at the President.

"So what is my new LoveMe assignment, Takarada-san?" she inquires happily.

A silent keen begins ringing in Kotonami's mind. The screaming voice in the actress' head can't believe that her rival was able to grow so much in five day as a chicken while at sea. A robust laugh erupts from Lory at the same time as Moko's inner turmoil.

"You know what, Mogami-kun," expresses the president without loosing any of his gleeful glow. He glances one more time towards the LME van disappearing down the block before shifting his full attention to the no longer haunted eyes of his original LoveMe girl.

He grins knowingly and states, "I think you can skip this assignment after all."

A/N: Oh, that was fun... Hikaru gets the girl. Now if you want to image that he gets to keep her forever that is entirely up to you. Personally, I really like nice guys and think she would do well with having this specific one forever. As for Ren... well, he can always rage against Fate in your own imagination but this was supposed to be Hikaru's story so I refuse to do it. I hope that you enjoyed it. Perhaps if you are feeling brave, you too might try participating in the challenge and making your own Hikaru story. Thank you for reading! jhiz