I am aware that the majority of the following chapters have formatting flaws. I am not sure when this occurred, but up to this point, I have been much too lazy and busy to go through, edit, and repost every chapter. I may do so in time, but for now, you can find this story (in it's entirety, including the NC-17 chapters) on my website, a link to which is provided in my profile.

Sorry for the inconvenience!

Midori

Standard disclaimers apply. Any original characters belong solely to me. All songs are property of Kira Yanami--with the exception of "Dominatrix" and an alternative version of "Ballad of a Lonely Heart", which were written by Xara--unless otherwise stated. Please do not use songs without first asking permission. The version of the song "Ballad of a Lonely Heart" used within the fic was written by Kira solely for my use. It may not be used anywhere else without my express permission. The alternative version of "Ballad." belongs to Xara and is listed after the epilogue.

A/N: This fic is based loosely on "The Bodyguard", the film starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. While some parts contain similarities, the fic has strayed far from the plotline of the film and taken a life of its own. A/U. OOC.

In its true form, this fic is rated NC-17. The ratings for individual chapters are rated from as low as PG to as high as NC-17. My true vision of this fic contains three full lemons; however, I have written three corresponding "clean" chapters for each of the lemons. The choice of which ones to read is your own, but be warned that I feel the fic lacks something if you choose to skip the lemon content. Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy the story.

denotes shifts in time/character perspective, denotes character's thoughts

Ballad of a Lonely Heart

Chapter 1: The Letter

Kaoru Kamiya had been singing since she was eight years old. Her parents discovered her talent quite accidentally. One day the family was at a karaoke-themed birthday party.everything seemed to be going well until the little girl got on stage and grabbed the mic. In a panic, her mother had tried to rush onto the makeshift stage to stop her, but Kaoru proceeded to amaze everyone present by belting out the song, which was one of her favorites, in an incredible voice. By the time the song was over, her mother stood on the edge of the stage looking shell-shocked. The audience was in a similar condition, but when they snapped out of their daze, the applause was thunderous.

Kaoru smiled graciously, bowing slightly. In that moment, her mother knew that she was destined to be a star. Almost immediately afterwards, her mother enrolled her in voice lessons. Soon Kaoru was singing in regional competitions, but she was 'discovered' in a situation similar to her first stage experience. The karaoke parties had become an annual tradition and on her twelfth birthday, her host requested that she sing a song.

Kaoru stepped on stage and her whole personality changed. Gone were the shy manners and easy blushes. On stage, she was a diva. She was unstoppable. That day, an old college friend of the host's just happened to be in town and had stopped by to pay a quick visit. That man was a talent scout. He watched Kaoru, a smile spreading over his face, as he listened to the girl who would later take the world by storm.

The song that brought her worldwide fame was a song she wrote after her parent's deaths when she was sixteen. It was called 'Ballad of a Lonely Heart' and was requested at every concert.

Soon after the car accident that killed her parents, Kaoru and her adopted brother, Yahiko Myoujin, were taken in by their older cousin, Megumi Takani. Megumi was only twenty-one at the time, but she had been left obscenely wealthy after the death of her guardian. She graciously took them in and told them not to concern themselves. She would take care of them. At that point, it wasn't really necessary. Kaoru was already rich, but she was only sixteen, and her manager insisted she would be better off staying with her cousin than moving somewhere on her own.

On her nineteenth birthday, Kaoru found herself still residing with her cousin. Yahiko was only thirteen and having Megumi around made it easier for him to accept Kaoru's constant absences. Megumi was a doctor, who had opened several free clinics with the money she inherited, and she devoted much of her time to them. But, she still found time to spend with Yahiko. Kaoru was on tour nine months out of the year. During those nine months, she only got to come home to Epson on extremely rare occasions and then only for a short period of time, so it would be unfair of her to purchase a house and force Yahiko to be left alone or with a nanny.

It was on one of those occasions that she received the first letter. It was short, the words formed from various letters from different magazines and newspapers. It read simply:

Kaoru Kamiya,

You will be mine. Soon you will die and I will hold you forever.

Six more letters came in the next six days, each bearing the same message. Kaoru stared at the sixth letter in horror for hours until Megumi insisted that they call the police. Even if it was only a joke, they had to report it, she insisted.

The officer that came to the house was tall and intimidating. His face wore a mild enough expression, but his eyes were a frigid gold. Kaoru found herself shivering slightly as he introduced himself.

"I am Officer Saitou," he said, nodding politely. "May I see the letters?"

He pulled on a latex glove and took the stack of envelopes Kaoru was extending out to him.

"When did you receive these?"

"Every day for the last six days," Kaoru stammered, paling. "We found them all in the mail box, unstamped.which means that.whoever is writing them.is dropping them off at some point."

"Hmm," Saitou murmured as he overlooked the letters. "I will have to confiscate these as evidence. I will inform you of the results."

"But what do you suggest we do?" Megumi asked in alarm as he turned to leave.

He shrugged, withdrawing a cigarette from his pocket. "Don't open your mail."

Megumi stared at his back, open-mouthed, as he pulled open the door.

"I'll be in touch," he murmured without turning around.

"But what if this person is serious?!" Kaoru exclaimed. "What if he really does want to kill me? What kind of police officer are you?"

"A good one," he replied. "I told you I'd be in touch. I suppose I can have a patrol car swing by a few times a day, as well."

Megumi sighed. "That would do us no good. She leaves again tomorrow. She'll be back on tour. Who will protect her then?"

"Hmm.well, I suggest you get a bodyguard if you feel that threatened."

"A bodyguard?" Megumi questioned. "Well, maybe it's too soon for that.this could still be a twisted joke. We had better see if she gets any more letters."

Saitou nodded. "Do that.but if you change your mind, I think I know a guy that would be good for you."

"Thank you, Officer Saitou," Megumi said politely. "We will contact you if we need you."

"I'll call you if we find any information," he said coolly as he stepped outside and started pulling the door shut behind him. "Good day."

Megumi sighed, turning towards Kaoru. For whatever reason, their relationship had always been somewhat strained and uneasy. The older woman made Kaoru feel inferior most of the time, but she could always be counted on during a crisis.

"What was that about?" Kaoru asked more to herself than Megumi. "Is he crazy?"

Megumi shook her head, tossing her dark hair over her shoulder. "I don't know.do you want to get a bodyguard?"

"No," Kaoru murmured. "It'll be okay. Maybe he won't send any more letters."

"Let's hope so," Megumi responded. "Well, I have to go to the clinic. I think I'll be back very late. I'll probably be asleep when you leave tomorrow, so I'll say my good-byes now."

Kaoru nodded. "Good-bye.take care of Yahiko while I'm gone."

"Always," Megumi said softly. "And you.take care of yourself."

Kaoru sat back in surprise. She sounds worried. She hardly ever seems concerned about me.

"Great performance, Kaoru!"

"Thank you, Okina," Kaoru said to her manager, swiping at the sweat on her brow. "Oh, I'm exhausted."

Nenji Kashiwazaki or Okina, as he was known to his friends, handed her a bottle of water. "'Ballad of a Lonely Heart' didn't sound as powerful as usual tonight."

Kaoru shrugged. "I was really tired by the end of the concert. I'm sorry.I'll do better next time."

Okina placed a hand on her shoulder, looking at her with warm brown eyes. "Don't worry about it.you were still great."

"If you say so," Kaoru murmured, taking a sip of water.

"I do," Okina stated firmly. "There's a package for you in your room."

"Who's it from?"

"I don't know," Okina replied. "I think someone handed it to Misao."

Misao Makimachi, Okina's eighteen-year-old adopted daughter, was Kaoru's best friend and most powerful backup singer.

"Misao!" Kaoru called to the younger girl.

"Yes?" Misao flounced over, green eyes sparkling. "I feel so energized!"

"Who gave you a package for me?"

"Um.well.some guy.I can't remember what he looked like.it happened so fast.I put it in your dressing room."

"Thanks," Kaoru mumbled as nervousness built in her stomach.

"No prob!" Misao said happily. "I'm going to go change. See you later!"

"Why don't you go change, too?" Okina suggested mildly. "You look very tired."

Kaoru nodded. "Yeah.I don't think I'm going to the after party tonight. I'm just going to go to sleep."

"That sounds like a good idea," Okina murmured. "You know that Misao will be going. She'll make your excuses."

"That girl has so much energy," Kaoru said softly. "I don't know how she does it."

Okina shrugged. "Me either. It's enough to lead this old man into an early grave, I'll tell you that."

Kaoru chuckled. "I'll see you later, Okina."

"'Bye, dear."

Kaoru made her way through the crowd backstage to her dressing room. She pushed open the door, feeling trepidation build in her breast.

The package, a long, narrow box, was lying on her vanity. She approached it cautiously and opened it with trembling fingers. When she saw the contents, she let out an unconscious sigh of relief. Roses.peach, my favorite.

She lifted the bunch from the box, humming happily, but froze, clutching the stems tightly, as she spotted an unmarked envelope lying on the white tissue inside.

She set the roses aside gently and picked up the envelope. After a moment, she ripped it open and slowly withdrew the folded piece of paper inside.

Kaoru Kamiya,

Did you think you had gotten away from me? I will follow you anywhere. You will be mine. Soon you will die and I will hold you forever.

Kaoru let the letter fall from her numb fingers with a gasp. He had followed her. He was here, he had spoken to Misao. Her hand came up to her chest as she tried to calm her rapid heartbeat.

Don't panic.don't panic.

She sank onto the chair in front of her vanity slowly, a wave of nausea overtaking her suddenly.

Burying her face in her hands, she sobbed softly.

No, Kaoru.don't cry.don't let him get to you.just call Megumi, then tell Okina.

Kaoru lifted the cordless phone beside her and hastily dialed her cousin's number. It was four in the morning back in Epson, but Megumi would most likely be awake. She answered on the third ring, "Hello?"

"Megumi? It's Kaoru."

"Kaoru.is something the matter?"

Kaoru nodded, then remembered her cousin couldn't see her and said, "Yes."

"Well, what is it?"

"I got another letter," Kaoru stated in voice bordering on panic. "He gave Misao a package to give to me, but she doesn't remember what he looks like."

"He's there?" Megumi asked, sounding alarmed. "Oh, my God.what are you going to do?"

"I-I don't know," Kaoru murmured, shaking her head. "I guess I'll tell Okina, but."

"But?"

"I don't know.maybe you should call Saitou."

"Saitou?" Megumi repeated. "But, what can he do from here?"

"Ask him for the name of that bodyguard," Kaoru replied. "Just tell him that I received another letter and that this man is stalking me.tell him that I don't feel safe."

"Okay," Megumi responded. "Call me back around twelve o'clock.I'll probably be able to reach him by then."

"Thank you, Megumi."

"I have a bad feeling, Kaoru," she heard Megumi whisper. "Just.watch yourself.stay around people.don't let yourself be caught alone.be careful."

"I will, Megumi," Kaoru said softly. "I will."