Shinbe closed his eyes, feeling them start to burn. He had no right to love Kyoko, or anyone else for that matter. He had the ability to save them all in battle. All he had to do was cast the spell of time, and he could create a void that sucked up everything in its path. It was his greatest power, and his worst enemy. Every time he used the dangerous spell, he could feel it getting stronger.
Everyone had warned him not to use it unless he had no other choice because one day it would become too strong for him to handle, and turn on him. The spell had been a gift from his uncle⦠the same uncle that was the enemy. At first he had thought it was a grand gift, but now he realized it wasnât a gift at all. It was a curse. One he would use to destroy the very one who had given it to him⦠even if he lost his own life in the process.
Shinbe yawned. He had gotten almost no sleep last night, before, nor after Kyoko had come back. Heâd spent most of the evening listening to Toya rant because she hadnât come back through the heart of time before dark like she promised.
At first, Shinbe had worried that she was still mad at Toya when she hadnât come back. Sheâd screamed at Toya before leaving because heâd tried to keep her from going back to her time. Toya had even stood in front of her, blocking her from the maiden shrine. In the end, she wound up putting that spell on him numerous times, more times than Shinbe was able to keep count of. But sheâd promised to come back before dark the next day.
Shinbe smirked remembering how Toya had fought the spell, cursing all the while about what he was going to do to Kyoko when he was able to move again.
His gaze roamed over Kyokoâs form. This is why he found her so irresistible. She could be angry with Toya one minute, and love him the next. She held no grudge, no matter how much he hurt her.
When Toya had first met her, heâd tried to kill her. Now things had changed, everyone knew that Toya loved her to death, would even die for her. But still he pretended he couldnât stand her and it often hurt her feelings. It was just Toyaâs way of hiding his heart.
Shinbe placed his fingers over the bridge of his nose, trying to ease his mind. Honestly, he felt bad for Toya, and didnât really intend on thinking bad things about him. Itâs just that Toya had a chance with Kyoko and ignored it.
He would have died for a chance like that. Heâd treat her like a queen, if only she would let him. Thatâs the reason he lost it last night. The truth was, last night heâd just snapped. Now, after last night... Shinbe squeezed his eyes shut. Maybe she was better off with Toya, after the way he had betrayed her innocence.
Shinbe jerked as Kyoko shifted once more in her sleep, exposing more of her thigh. He stared at her creamy skin, his hands twitching beneath his coat. âWhy did she have to have such beautiful skin?â He felt himself getting sleepier as he watched Kyoko's restless slumber and slowly crawled across the floor, never taking his eyes off the back of her head. He knew if he got any closer, she was going to wake up, roll over, and slap him.
So far, so good. He leaned over her still form to gaze down at her face. Shinbe grinned. She still smelled of alcohol.
âDidnât bother me last night,â he smirked.
A stray auburn tress clung to her shoulder. He gently reached down and slid it to the side with a soft sigh before laying down behind her, nuzzling into her silky locks. He dared not get any closer for fear of death but while she slept, he could at least offer her comfort. He reasoned with himself.
If she were to wake up and find him there, he would just explain how tired he was, and that this was the only place to lie⦠while keeping an eye on her that is. Heâd gladly take the slap heâd get for this. It would be worth it, just to lie beside her for a few hours and rest. He was too exhausted to worry about the consequences as his eyes drifted closed. He was right where he wanted to be and damn the consequences.
Kyoko whimpered sleepily and rolled over feeling a pocket of warmth. She pulled her hands up under her chin and nuzzled into it. When she tilted her head and it stopped against something solid she sighed deciding she was probably just dreaming again. Testing the theory, she placed one of her hands against the warmth.
Yup, very solid. She snuggled closer in her dream, and in her dream, the warmth wrapped around her waist. She smelled the scent of jasmine tea and a woody, earthy scent.
âWhy canât I get him off my mind? He smelled so good.â
She remembered the first time he had held her in his arms. He thought he was saving her. She smiled in her sleep, he was so strong, and his concern for her welfare was truly sweet, even if his reasons were not quite legit. That was the first time sheâd noticed how nice he smelled.
She shivered at the memory, and the warm object around her waist tightened. She slowly wrapped her arm around the warmth, and froze when she heard the distinct rustle of material.
âWhat? Rustle of material? Did dreams rustle like robes?â
Kyoko was suddenly wide-awake. Slowly, she barely opened one eye to stare in confusion at the bluish-gray trench coat her hands were entwined with. And she⦠shot up like a rocket, knocking his arm away with a thud. And he, he⦠moaned and rolled over onto his back.
Kyoko was panic stricken, looking around from side to side. No one else was here and this most definitely was not a dream. Shinbe was sleeping on her mat. She had to think. What, what was going on? She stared at him frozen to the spot.
âIt was just a dream, right? Get a hold of yourself Kyoko.â She thought frantically. âWhere was Toya? Suki? Kamui? Kaen? Where had everyone gone?â
She nearly jumped out of her skin when Shinbe moaned in his sleep and tucked his hands inside his trench coat. When sheâd jumped up, she had taken the blanket with her. Kyoko blinked, and then blushed guiltily. âHe was cold.â She was cold too now that she was standing. She remembered feeling like she was freezing off and on while trying to sleep.
Is that why heâd lain down beside her? To keep her warm? Her blush deepened. âAww, that was so sweet,â she shook her head from side to side. âNo, no, no! What am I thinking? Not sweet, not sweet,â she sighed, smiling softly at him. âI give up.â
She slowly, cautiously bent down, gripping the blanket, and froze when he suddenly moved in his sleep. She stood back, waiting to see if he would wake up. He didnât. So, she quickly threw the blanket over his sleeping form, grabbed her bag, and then made a mad dash for the door.
Shinbe opened one eye as he watched her retreat. Once she was out of sight, he laughed inwardly, 'Another lucky save.' Then he frowned wondering why he didnât have a handprint on his cheek⦠or a crack in his skull. He slowly stood up and counted to ten, then followed to see where Kyoko had gone.
Once outside, Kyoko leaned against a nearby tree realizing she should have probably stayed in bed. Her heart was pounding and her body was sore all over. She bent down massaging her legs. She remembered dancing with Tasuki last night after sheâd ate the tainted fruit but it felt more like sheâd been hit by a truck. A nice hot soak in the hot springs would ease the muscle cramps.
She once again made a mental note to never eat fruit at a party again. Then a thought struck her. Toya will pick up Shinbeâs scent on her clothes. Ahh! The last thing she wanted to do was get Shinbe in trouble when he didnât even do anything. She stumbled away from the hut, groaning at the lingering hangover but determined to wash not only her pain away but her clothing too.
She once again made a mental note to never eat fruit at a party again. Then a thought struck her. Toya will pick up Shinbeâs scent on her clothes. Ahh! The last thing she wanted to do was get Shinbe in trouble when he didnât even do anything. She stumbled away from the hut, groaning at the lingering hangover but determined to wash not only her pain away but her clothing too.
*****
Toya growled deep in the back of his throat as he surveyed the village they had come to. He gritted his teeth knowing they were too late. The village was in shambles. It seemed that no matter what they did lately, they were always one step behind Hyakuhei and his demons. He scowled, searching the village for survivors.
"There must have been a piece of the talisman hidden here for him to have bothered destroying the whole village." Toya's golden eyes grew dim with worry.
"We need to help them," Suki said softly as she walked into the village with Kamui by her side. She bent down to check on a crying child that seemed to be sitting there lost and alone.
For a moment, Toya closed his eyes to the familiar scene as his blood boiled. He knew Hyakuhei had almost every piece of the talisman in his possession and didnât care whom he hurt to get the rest of it. After all, Hyakuhei had even killed his own brother. Now the guardians were trying to protect Kyoko from the same murderer.
If Hyakuhei succeeded in collecting all the pieces of the crystal, he would be able to break into Kyokoâs world and take many demons with him. They couldnât let that happen. He felt a cold chill crawl up his spine and knew something was wrong.
âKyoko,â the word echoed within his mind like a warning.
"You two, stay here and help. I have to go check on Kyoko, now!â Toya shouted, tearing off in the direction theyâd come from. He knew something was not right⦠he could feel it clear down to his soul. He should have never left her without his protection, not with Hyakuheiâs demon spawns so close. He couldnât shake the fear of losing the other half of his heart.
"I wonât let him touch you," Toya vowed in his headlong race to reach Kyoko, before danger did.
Chapter 3 "Kiss of Jealousy"
Kyoko set off in the direction of the hot spring. She was tired, sore, and couldnât wait to just be able to relax in steamy water. She stumbled on a rock and wondered if it was going to take weeks to get her balance back after getting drunk only one time.
âDamn it⦠Geez, now I sound just like Toya,â she said to herself with a giggle.
Shinbe followed quietly, peeking out from behind trees ever so often. He had to stifle the laugh that threatened to escape him when he heard the comment about her sounding like Toya. It was great to find out he wasnât the only one in the group that held complete conversations with their self. If he was crazy, then they made a great couple. He stayed back long enough to let her gain some distance between them.
Finally getting to the secluded hot spring, Kyoko rummaged through her bag. Finding what she needed, she arranged her bathing supplies by the side of the water. She quickly undressed, easing her aching body into the steaming water. âUmm, this feels so good.â She closed her eyes and rubbed her legs, trying to ease the tightness that were slow in leaving. Finally satisfied, she lay back in the water and completely relaxed.
Shinbe leaned against a tree as he watched in fascination of her daily ritual. She was graceful and pure⦠he suddenly felt guilty again for his actions. He turned his back to the scene and placed a hand over his heart where the pain seemed to tighten.
He shouldnât be here⦠he was not a good man. She was going to hate him when she realized what heâd done to her. He frowned as the weight on his chest became that much heavier. But still, he couldnât resist the urge to turn around and stare longingly. He sighed longingly as he watched her sink into the water.
âThis is so much better than the small bathtub at home in the modern world,â Kyoko broke the silence as she glanced around. It was more like a hidden swimming pool really. This spot was so peaceful and secluded. Trees and small shrubs surrounded the hot spring, giving her absolute privacy. âThe stone ledge on one side would be nice for sunbathing.â she thought randomly with a smile. She hummed in contentment as she floated on top of the water.
After floating in the water for a moment, she decided sheâd better get on with the cleansing part. She lathered her hair then ducked under the water to rinse, coming up with a splash, only to put more stuff on her hair and do it again. Then before getting out, she took time to scrub her clothes clean, hoping the sun would dry them quickly.
Sneaking closer, Shinbe watched intently from the security of a bush about ten feet away. He took in the curves of her body. Gods, she was beautiful⦠like a goddess emerging from the spring. She tied a cloth around her upper torso before wrapping one around her hair then ever so slowly she dried her body.
Heâd watched her bathe in secret many times before, but never been able to stick around long enough to enjoy this part. Usually someone came looking for him before she had time to finish. He sighed as she slowly ran the cloth down her long legs. Pain found him causing him to grit his teeth as she put on those small pieces of clothing that covered her most precious places. It was all he could do not to take the few steps that would put her within reaching distance.
A crunching sound suddenly came from the opposite side of the hot springs. Shinbe heard it, and so had Kyoko because she stood frozen in place. They both listened intently for more sounds. Another twig snapped but this time it came from a bush closer to Kyoko. He watched in horror as Kyoko walked straight up to a large shrub, holding her towel in front of her like a shield, and called out.
âOkay, Shinbe! I know itâs you! Come out⦠so I can slap you!â Kyoko waited, eyeing the shrub wearily. Shinbe was a known peeping tom. She cocked an eyebrow in annoyance, and he was the only one around soâ¦. The bush shook gently. âI know youâre there, and when Toya finds out your spying on me, heâs probably gonna kill you. Not to mention, Iâm sure Suki wonât mind beating on you either.â
The shrub shook again and a long black pointy leg came out from behind the tangled limbs.
âWhat theâ¦!â Kyoko turned to run just as a very large demonic scorpion climbed out from behind the vegetation. She ran towards her clothes where she had left her crossbow inside the pack.
âKyoko! Get down!â Shinbe came running out of the opposite bushes with a big stick raised in his hand like a spear. He threw it at the demon. The red eyed scorpion saw it coming and swung one leg around, blocking the pointed weapon, and sent it sailing through the air. It landed at Kyokoâs feet, just as she bent down to pick up her crossbow. Her brow twitched as she realized just how close that had come to hitting her.
Shinbe ran towards her, bending down to pick up the stick. With a quirk of an eyebrow, he looked at Kyoko and grinned crookedly. âWhy Kyoko, I do believe you are just a little under dressed for killing a demon.â His grin grew wider at the look on her face. Then her look turned to pure horror.
Feeling a foreboding chill race up his back, Shinbe turned around, swinging his makeshift staff wildly as the scorpion demon lunged at them. He was able to hit one hairy leg, but the other struck him in the side, throwing him away from Kyoko. Shinbeâs blood froze as the deadly scorpion stalked closer to the priestess.