This is my first fanfiction, just something to consider when you are reviewing. All constructive criticism will be taken gratefully. I may continue this, but it's fine as it is really.

Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat or any copyright of Mr Brightside by The Killers. If I did own Skip Beat, things would be very different and it would probably lose a lot of readers.

Song: The Killers - Mr Brightside

"Ren?" Yashiro knocked on the door in the vain hope that someone would answer today. He wished that his client would recover from his "illness" soon, as the press were starting to get hungry for the reason the great Tsuruga Ren had suddenly become housebound and dodging the reporters on the way up to the man's apartment was becoming somewhat of a challenge. He tried again, "Ren! Ren please! Let me in so I can help you!" The only response he got was the music emerging from the flat became louder to drown out his hammering. Snatches of the lyrics could be heard over the desperate manager's calls.

Coming out of my cage and I've been doing just fine,
gotta, gotta be down because I want it all.

Ren tried to let himself get lost in the words in an attempt to forget his life, but his life was not so easily forgotten.

It started out with a kiss. How did it end up like this?
It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss!

How did it end up like this? Only days ago it seemed they were clicking, they were friends but at least there was the possibility of something more. Now he was trapped in an abyss of despair, with little chance of escape. What had made him do it? Passion? Desperation? Sheer stupidity? Whatever it was there was almost no way she would come back; she was with him now. He could still see the shocked and angry expression on her face as she escaped from his sight, out the door.

Now I'm falling asleep, and she's calling a cab,
while he's having a smoke and she's taking a drag.
Now they're going to bed and my stomach is sick,
and it's all in my head but she's touching his...
Chest now, he takes off her dress now.
Let me go...

An uncontrollable rage filled his soul as the words stirred up images in his head. Her small body reaching up to run her delicate hands in his blonde hair. Ren tried to block the cursed vision from his eyes but it was no use. He is dipping his head to brush his lips against hers and Ren watches in horror as she is melting into his embrace with a contented sigh. Hands over his eyes Ren swings his head back and forth like an enraged cobra, in an attempt to shake the self inflicted torture from his brain.

And I just can't look. It's killing me,
and taking control.

Flashback

"WHY?" A large pair of hands slammed into his coffee table. His thoughts blazed with a jealous fire. Why him? I am always there for you! I am always helping you! I didn't use you like him! The inner Kuon fought for release from his polite prison.

She looked at his incandescent form and sighed "Because, Tsuruga-san, he is my first love and he wants me back. I like him."

"But Mogami-san, what about the way he treated you! Like a servant girl!"

"He's changed. I appreciate Tsuruga-san looking out for me, but I don't understand why you are so concerned. I am only your kohai, it's not like you're in love with me," she said jokingly, an innocent smile on her face.

Her words cut like a blade, deep into his chest and he could swear for a moment his heart stopped beating.

Kneeling in front of her on the sofa and he reached up to hold her tiny hands in his, while his emotions fought a complicated battle which he had never had to fight before.

Something snapped within Ren and amidst the battle his gentlemanly facade shattered. He bowed his head and Kyoko struggled to hear his words.

"What if I did?"

"Tsuruga-san?"

"What if I told you I loved you, Kyoko? Would you leave him? For me?" His mask gone, his eyes, full of emotion, met hers and she stared for a moment before turning away. She gently removed her hands from his and her face held no expression; she was clearly in a state of shock. The silence was unbearable, as Ren tried to read her reaction.

She came to a conclusion. Suddenly she stood up, fury filling her golden eyes. "How could you?" she whispered, her hands shaking.

"What?"

"How could you! I can't believe I was almost sucked in. Beg me not to be with him, yes. Tell me about his faults, fine. But to lie about loving me to persuade me not to see him, unforgivable! You could never be in love with me!"

"Kyoko...? I..."

"It's men like you that make me sick" Her eyes filling with tears at the memories of her past and he longed to reach out and hold her. "To lie about something as strong as love for your own personal gain, even if you think it may help me, is what angers me the most!"

"Please..."

"Goodnight Tsuruga-san. I shall not be bothering you any more, I have Shou now."

That was how she left him, over a week ago. Rejected, depressed and alone. He wondered what she was thinking, if she felt the same way. But of course not, she had Shou now, after all.

Jealousy. Turning saints into the sea.
Turning through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibis.

He thought back to their meeting. He had been so annoyed, annoyed by this little girl who came into his work, one of the few things he enjoyed in life, with no experience and a very poor motive. Revenge. Never did he think he would end up like this, slumped against the wall with no intention of moving, because what was the point. It was not a life without her. He reached for his glass, to try and drown his sorrows.

But it's just the price I pay.
Destiny is calling me.
Open up my eager eyes,
Cause I'm Mr Brightside.

That's right. He was Mr Brightside, the man with the glorious fake smile, which only she could see through. She always saw past the shell, saw the real him, Kuon, who he had managed to keep hidden for so long. Could he tell her? Tell her about their secret past that not even she knew of. No, that was the alcohol talking; he could never reveal his true self. Besides confessions had already got him into enough trouble with her.

He was awakened from his miserable daydreams by the sound of his phone. He swore that if that was his manager there would be very little to stop him from killing the little man along with himself. However as it went to voicemail, hearing the identity of the caller, he leapt up so fast that the world spun and the drink he had consumed threatened to make a re-appearance.

But it was her voice. Her. Kyoko. Calling him. 'WELL PICK IT UP THEN!' his brain screamed at him. After fumbling around with the phone for a moment he managed to flip open the little beacon of hope.

"Moshi Moshi"

"Ah... Um, Ren-san." Ren-san? Well he wasn't complaining.

"Yes, Kyoko."

"I'm sorry." He could hear her sobbing down the phone. What time was it? Checking his watch he saw it was almost 1.00 am. He panicked as multiple images of the horrors that could have caused her to call him like this flashed through his mind

"Kyoko? Are you alright?".

"Oh, I'm so sorry Ren-san, I should have listened to you! He... he.."

"Shhh. It's ok. I'm coming. Where are you?" He said gently. As she calmed down and told him her location, Ren's heart was fit to burst. He was overcome by so many emotions at once; relief, anger at that blonde-haired demon and an uncontrollable feeling of happiness. Yes, he may not have her or be able to love her how he wanted, but once again her heart was open for him to fill. In his euphoric state as he walked out the door, he could be heard humming...

But it's just the price I pay.
Destiny is calling me.
Open up my eager eyes,
Cause I'm Mr Brightside.

Author's Comment: Well i hope you enjoyed it. Please Review! :)