Chapter 9 "Dangerous Intentions"
Toya came to Kyou's door and raised his fist to pound on it, then thought twice and just flung the door open. Walking in, he looked around for Kyou, spotting him standing at the opened doors leading onto the balcony. He leisurely closed the distance, debating on what to say.
Kyou raised one elegant eyebrow as he turned from the window, watching Toya’s approach. "You have forgotten how to pound on the door, I see," he spoke in a taunting voice, feeling his sibling’s uncertainty.
Toya leaned against the wall, not taking his eyes off the older guardian. If he wanted answers this time, he would have to stay calm. One thing he knew for sure was that Kyou would not pay him any attention if he lost his cool, except maybe to knock him out again.
Golden eyes locked with its mirror image and he kept his voice even, "I have started to remember." Kyou's eyes flashed with something, but it was gone before Toya had time to read it.
Kyou had a sense of foreboding growing in him all day, and now as he looked at his brother, he knew what it had been. His golden eyes took in the younger guardian with a sort of detached indifference before he turned back to the window.
"What do you think you remember?" his voice was cool and emotionless.
"The past," Toya snapped, losing his patience, then quickly tried to hold back his annoyance. "I’ve been with her before now, haven’t I?" his eyes scanned Kyou for any indication that he was right. When he heard the reply he expected, he still went numb with the knowledge of it.
"Yes,” Kyou informed him in a hard, deadly voice.
"Damn arrogant bastard,” Toya barely hissed, "why wasn’t I told before now?"
Kyou quickly turned his head at the insult, and pinned Toya with a heated glare, "It served no purpose." His voice alone held a warning he hoped his brother would pay attention to.
Toya became very calm all of a sudden and watched as Kyou's eyes became slits. Then he asked in a dangerous voice, "What are you afraid of?"
Kyou frowned at this, a dangerous threat burning in his flaming eyes, "Not you, dear brother."
Toya flinched as if he’d physically been punched. 'What the hell?’ "Brother?" he repeated, his golden eyes flashed with betrayal. "All this time, and you didn’t tell me?" he growled.
Kyou almost smirked, 'almost.’ "We are closer now than we were in the past." He turned back to the window and inhaled. Then his eyes turned slightly red and he hissed, "She is outside!" Without a backward glance, he took off out the window almost ripping the doors from the hinges when the sudden breeze caught it from his quick departure.
Toya's eyes widened, seeing a long golden feather fluttering where Kyou had been only a second before. "I can’t leave her alone for a damn minute," He turned and nearly flew out of Kyou's room in search of Kyoko.
***** Kyoko had come to the conclusion she was more tired than she’d first thought. She slowed her jog and walked over to a small bench that had been placed by the side of the trail. She sat down, stretching her hands into the air, letting her head fall back with a yawn.
"I must have worked harder than I thought today. Boy am I sore." Her eyes widened when she noticed someone was jogging past.
Kyoko cringed, thinking to herself, ‘oh please, don’t have let them heard me talking to myself.’ Then she almost fell over when she heard a slightly familiar voice.
"Do you talk to yourself often?” Hyakuhei's smile widened when he saw her blush. He walked over to her, sticking out his hand, "It’s alright… as long as you don’t answer yourself, right? Hi, remember me?"
Kyoko rose embarrassed eyes, and found she did remember him, if just barely, and started to groan again. She took his hand, shaking it, "Yes, I remember you. We danced last night, but ah, I don’t remember your name." She gave him a nervous smile, but at the same time, a thought trailed through her mind… ‘Tall, dark, and very handsome.’
Hyakuhei motioned to the seat beside her, "May I take a break with you?"
Kyoko nodded and scooted over to give him room, feeling that he was safe. She could only sense kindness and warmth coming from him and his soft brown eyes looked so… innocent.
He sat down next to her, trying to only set off vibes that he had gotten from her so long ago, hoping to draw her essence to him. "You left so suddenly last night that we didn’t even get to talk," his eyes darkened attractively.
Kyoko nodded feeling at ease, automatically liking him, "Yeah, my friend… Toya, seemed to think, since I had never drank before, that maybe… he should take me home." She stuttered through the explanation then gave up, giggling. "Maybe he was right. Do you remember? I almost fell asleep while dancing with you."
The one who pulled her from him with the same possessiveness he used in the past. Yes, he remembered Toya. Hyakuhei gave her a soft smile, hiding his inner, darker thoughts.
"I’m glad you could feel so comfortable with me that you could sleep in my arms." He sighed, feigning tiredness, pretending to relax beside her, "Maybe we can dance again together soon. This time, no drinks." He winked at her to let her know he was teasing.
Kyoko frowned, "No, I don’t think I’ll be allowed to go dancing anymore. I have to train under the owner of this place, and I think I’m under lock and key for now.” She winced at the thought of her lost freedom… freedom she wasn’t so sure she’d ever truly had in the first place.
Hyakuhei gave her a mischievous grin, "I’ll tell you what, if you ever decide to escape, even if it’s only for a couple hours, let me know. We can try to find a small amount of freedom from those who would try to take all of it from us." He coaxed, saying all the right words to make her trust in his innocence, to make her think he wanted the same as her.
Looking deep within her eyes, he said almost coyly. "Besides, I really don’t see the point in living if you can’t work hard all day, then have some time set aside to have fun.” Hyakuhei tensed, feeling the guardians coming. He could sense tremendous anger coming from the power he felt and it was closing in on them rapidly.
He stood up, as if to continue his late night run. "Tell you what, Tuesday night, around eight, if you want to escape for a while, I’ll be in the library. Come find me and we will go somewhere for only a short time. A small taste of freedom is all we need." He waved, "Until then… Kyoko."
Hyakuhei resumed his innocent jog, leaving her to think about a chance at freedom. He knew humans better now and no matter the age of the human; they all strived for the same thing… freedom. Planting the seeds of thought, he knew she would seek him out.
Mentally, he called to a couple of his weakest minions to give a diversion, so those who came to claim the priestess would not detect him. His demons of the night would be their focus as they harmlessly attacked the priestess.
After a few seconds, Kyoko rose and started back the way she had come. This time she was walking, deciding she was just too tired to run. Stopping in mid stride, she froze, feeling evil coming her way at an alarmingly fast rate.
As tired as she was, all of a sudden Kyoko felt a burst of power brought on by self-preservation, and instantly created a shield around herself. She knew it wouldn’t last too long, but holding the shield in place, she waited for them to arrive, chastising herself for being so tired.
Darkness and shadows bled over the features of two demons with blood red eyes as they stepped onto the jogging path, seeming to move almost as fast as Kotaro. It was like watching a nightmare come to life and Kyoko screamed.
Kyoko’s heart began to speed up as they circled her. She knew the weak protection shield was wavering and on the brink of disappearing. She readied herself, pulling her priestess power up into her hands.
As soon as the shield dissipated and the first demon came at her, Kyoko released a blast of life force from the palm of her hands, shooting the demon backwards into a tree.
To her dismay, the demon only shook his head, and glared at her, rising to continue the attack. Kyoko took off at the fastest pace she had run in a long time. In the back of her mind, she knew it was hopeless. She’d already seen their speed and the malicious predatory glint in their eyes. They would catch her in a matter of seconds.
Pulling more power into her palms, she turned back, auburn hair flying. One of the attacking demons ran right into her at her sudden stop. At the same time, she sent a blast from her palm. The force of the impact sent her stumbling backwards, making her land hard on the cold ground.
She instantly placed her hands to her chest and whispered in a scared voice, "Please… Help me." Drawing on the power of the crystal, feeling it start to withdraw from her, Kyoko opened her eyes. Thrusting her palms forward, she let loose the power it had lent her, blowing both of the demons into the surrounding trees with eerie dying screeches. At the same time, she was knocked backward with the force of the blast.
The last thing she saw was Kyou, landing before her, his long silver hair flowing up in the updraft caused from the sudden landing. He was furious and beautiful. She could have sworn she’d seen golden wings surrounding him as her eyes closed.
Kyou was heading straight for her scent when he saw an icy blue illumination coming from her direction. His need to protect Kyoko was strong, and his guardian blood still raged high. He went straight for the light, and landed just as Kyoko slammed into the tree behind her. Her fragile human body slumped sideways from the collision.
Kyou could tell what she had done, and while it was the right thing to do, she did not have the stamina yet to wield such great power. What annoyed him even more was that every demon around would surely have felt the shock wave of power. His eyes bled crimson at the danger she had put herself in.
Retracting his claws so as not to hurt her, Kyou swept her up into his arms possessively, his silver locks of hair surrounding them like a protective shroud. With one mighty swoop of his golden wings, they lifted high in the air leaving only a shower of feathers… even they disappeared as they touched the ground.
Creating a cloak of night around them so they would not be detected, Kyou sent a mental signal to Toya, telling him he had her, but to check the entire area for anything unusual. He could still feel the tainted souls hiding in wait along the trees… watching with blood red eyes.
Kyou retreated back to the same window he had come from, high on the third floor and landed on the balcony. Stepping into his room, he laid Kyoko on his own bed and waved a hand quickly behind him, sealing off the window to the outside.
Making sure the room was completely sealed so that not even Toya could enter, he stood looking down at Kyoko. Now that he was safe from anyone seeing the real him, he let his composure relax. Sitting on the edge of the bed, placing an arm on each side of her, he leaned down, searching her scent for any evidence of who had attacked her, and their intent.
Smelling two lowborn demons beyond her scent, he detected something else, but couldn’t filter it enough to be able to tell. His eyes lifted to her flushed face. She’d used a lot of her energy today, and then also summoned some power from the crystal inside her. It had all been too much, toppled by the hard impact she’d suffered and now she was in a deep sleep.
Kyou growled softly knowing it could take days for her to awaken from such a sleep. They did not have days to spare. His eyes drifted over to her full, slightly parted lips. He could give her a burst of his energy to heal and awaken her. There would be no harm in that. Without another thought on the subject, Kyou lowered his lips across hers. With a soft kiss, he sent her some of his healing life-force energy from deep inside him.
Kyoko felt warm all over as she slowly floated upwards from some dark abyss and realized most of the heat was centered on her lips. Opening her eyes just enough, she could see the perfect face of Kyou, and feel his silken lips against hers. His eyes were closed, sending a fan of long dark lashes across his pale cheeks. She gave a small sigh from the overwhelming sensation and he instantly deepened the kiss.
Kyou's body had heated up the second his lips touched hers. He now wanted to taste more. When he felt her lips part, he dipped past them, wanting to taste all of her. He felt the shock hit him like a tidal wave as she innocently licked at his bottom lip.
Kyou knew giving her some of his life’s healing force was probably causing her to react this way… bonding them even closer. Knowing he would stop it before it went too far he leaned closer to her, enjoying the kiss, and letting it burn a hole into his memory. He wasn’t ready to stop as over a thousand years of want slammed through him.
Losing all control over his immortal psyche, Kyou wanted to claim her. His guardian blood had already chosen his mate and that ageless power reached for her without his permission. Sliding his body up onto the bed with her, he laid his hand on her side, caressing her through her clothing. He slowly slid his hand down her thigh, only to cross the smooth cloth of the tight stretch pants and come back up on the inside. Sliding his hand between her legs, he instantly cupped her and tightened his grip.
Kyou swallowed her cry within the kiss he would not release her from. He pressed her back to the mattress when her hips automatically lifted from the bed in shock.
As Kyoko arched up against him, feeling her heart beating in places it hadn't before, she tried frantically to think, but could only feel the heat surrounding her. She knew what Kyou was doing, and she knew it was dangerous to her mental health.
Finally winning the psychological fight with herself, she moved her lips to the side. "Kyou?" she whispered breathlessly, her eyes wide.
Kyou jerked as if burned and sat up beside her, quickly turning his glowing eyes away. He could feel his body shudder at the scent of the arousal he had caused in her. He blinked, trying to slam the cold mask back into place before she detected his true feelings toward her.
"I have helped you recover by sharing my life’s healing force," he looked back at her with a calm expression, only he hadn’t gotten a hold of the flame that still lingered in his eyes.
Kyoko curled up on her side, still feeling slight shock waves from his touch. Without looking down, she would bet money her shirt was moving with her heartbeat. She could feel his life force flowing in her, and it caused cravings within her she’d never had before. She closed her eyes trying to calm down.
Kyou should have known better, but somewhere deep inside he had known, and did it on purpose, wanting her to feel it, wanting to share some of himself with her, as she had him over a thousand years ago.
He closed his eyes, trying to block the need he had created within her. He could still feel the heat of her on his hand. Knowing he was still not under control, he backed away from her. Standing abruptly, without looking back, he left the room to continue out into the hall.
Tightly shutting the door, Kyou leaned back against the only thing that stood between him and what he wanted. Had it not been for the solid wood against his back, he would have fallen to his knees.
'I should not have shared my life force with her,' he berated himself. It had drawn them together with a force a hundred times greater than a powerful magnet, and it had taken all his will power just to pull away from her. Even he had his limits.
His palms pressed against the door behind him as Kyou raised his face, eyes closed, willing the door to bar his way back to her, at least for now. He shuttered with the effort to stay where he was. He had never healed anyone with a simple kiss, even though he knew he could. To be honest, he’d never wanted to, until now.
"What have I done?" Kyou had felt it. The secret he’d been hiding for over a thousand years.
He hadn't wanted anyone to know, and he hoped Kyoko still did not understand what happened. He’d felt the secret come out with the life force he was using to heal her… the feelings he had suppressed for so long. A guardian's state of the heart. His love, his passion for her, his craving and need for her. All he had ever wanted was her love and to protect her.
He knew Kyoko’s feelings, though she had forgotten. His life force must have wanted her to feel his. "It was only supposed to be a healing kiss." His hands raised and slammed against the door behind him. The thunder of the noise echoed down the hall.
Kyou raised his hand to cover his face and instantly groaned. The hand now in front of him, was the same hand he had touched her with. He knew somewhere, the gods were laughing at him.
He was losing control fast. He wanted her with every fiber of his being. His biggest secret of all was that he also wanted her heart. When he’d dipped into her feelings and memories over a thousand years ago, he realized part of him had already chosen her and would never choose another. He’d instantly hid that part deep within himself. He closed his eyes, remembering her kiss from only moments ago.
If anyone had come at that instant, they would have seen Kyou's face relaxed for once, and a smile that could melt the heart of any mortal or immortal alike. Kyou held the power of a guardian lord, but he also held the power of love, Kyoko's love. The question remained in his mind… could he control the power behind such a combination?
His breathing slowed, and he drew all feelings back deep within himself, hoping it would lay dormant for a while longer. He already had a war to wage against Hyakuhei, who Kyou knew to be close, but to be hiding himself well. He could not afford to fight his own war with a guardian heart. The feeling was too intense for even him to handle right now.
Putting his calm shell back into place, Kyou pushed himself from the door, feeling Toya drawing near. He turned and reopened the door to his rooms, entering quietly.
Standing once again in his bedroom, Kyou gazed down at a now sleeping Kyoko. He put the lock back on his heart, hoping she would tear no more holes in his already weak resistance. The sound of the main door opening drew his attention, and he left his bedroom, closing the door behind him.
***** Toya felt good. He’d disposed of the two demons that had attacked Kyoko. He grinned thinking she had already put a hurting on them, and it hadn't taken him long to finish what she had started. For a human priestess, she was more powerful than even she knew.
He walked into Kyou's living room, and looking over at Kyou. Toya’s smile vanished. He wasn't angry any more with the one who had raised him... He felt more betrayed than anything.
Kyou's eyes narrowed on Toya, "You have questions, I presume?" He was tired mentally and physically from the all-out war he had just waged within himself. It had left him drained and he did not have the patience to fight with Toya over untold truths.
Toya noticed Kyou seemed even paler then normal and wondered at it. Sighing, he walked over and took a seat in one of the overstuffed chairs. He watched as Kyou sat across from him and was startled when Kyou looked him directly in the eyes.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Toya’s words were quietly spoken, but the demand for an answer lingered within the room.
Kyou studied Toya for a moment. "It was best for the memories to come on their own," he answered with his unnatural calmness as if he had done nothing wrong. After all… Toya was not the only sibling left unaware.
Toya wanted to laugh at this, but instead tried another approach. "The only memory I have so far of you from the past, is of Kyoko shooting a spirit dart at you." He watched closely for any kind of reaction from Kyou, but got nothing except a cold blank stare.
"We did not always fight together," Kyou glared at his brother, before averting his eyes as he thought back to the same memories Toya must have been having. He should have known nothing with Toya would ever be easy. In a tight voice, he added, "Had I wanted Kyoko dead, she would not be here now."
Toya raised an eyebrow at this but kept his mouth closed knowing Kyou was speaking the truth. "How is Kyoko?" His gaze traveled to the door he knew she must be behind. He could feel his immortal powers and mind reaching for her, wanting to protect her. Within the momentary silence he could even hear her heart beating on the other side of the wall.
"Sleeping," came the cold reply. He could see the want shining within his brother’s eyes and did not like it. Changing the subject from Kyoko, Kyou asked, "Your search was successful?"
Toya smirked, "I got rid of the bastards that attacked her and kept searching." His lips thinned, "I found the same scent she had on her last night, but I found it near the dojo doors and nowhere else."
Kyou sneered, "As expected. He always was a coward."
Toya frowned at him, "What the hell does that mean? Who?"
Kyou looked away from Toya in annoyance at his ignorance, "He is hiding his scent from us."
“The same one we fought in the past?” Toya’s eyes tainted with silver specks as he answered his own question.
Seeing Toya give a reluctant nod in understanding, Kyou continued, "He is not strong enough yet to fight. Our enemy is only testing us to find our strength… he has already found Kyoko’s weakness."
Toya fell silent for a moment, wondering at Kyou's mood. He glanced again at the door Kyoko was behind. "Do you want me to take her to her room?" He gritted his teeth seeing a flash of something skim across Kyou's eyes before disappearing.
"You will not bother her this night. For now… she is under my protection." the look in Toya's eyes when he had looked upon Kyoko, made Kyou nervous. He wondered at what other memories his brother had reclaimed. The memories of Toya and Kyoko being so inseparable… their love for one another, he knew those memories would be the strongest.
Toya now felt as cold as Kyou looked. The last thing he wanted was to be separated from Kyoko right now. "Fine, brother," he hissed as he jerked from the chair. Before he made it to the door, Kyou's voice stopped him.
”Do not let your feelings get in the way of the battle to come, or Kyoko may be the one to again pay the price of our negligence.” Kyou watched as Toya’s body stiffened in defiance and his eyes sparkled silver with unremembered knowledge. After a moment, Toya left, closing the door behind him.
With a wave of his hand, Kyou sealed the room off completely to the outside world and moved to stretch his long legs out on the soft oversized sofa. He relaxed, letting his mind wander to the girl in the next room… his bedroom. His golden eyes slid closed, and his breathing and heartbeat slowed as dreams claimed him.
He entangled his fingers in her auburn hair, feeling the silken strands as he held her in place, and he deepened the kiss. He felt her lips part in surprise, taking the opportunity, he dipped his tongue to plunder the sweetness he had longed to taste.
Kyou tossed and turned, his sleep heated with his need for her… his dreams feeding that need. His human covering disappeared while he dreamt. His fingers now clenching the sofa, digging holes into the soft cushion. His golden wings appeared… wrapping themselves around him as his silver hair lengthened. His breathing accelerated and his pulse quickened.
He kissed her fiercely, and slowly covered her body with his, feeling naked flesh against flesh, he slid his body against hers, stimulating the heat between them. His lips left hers so he could stare down into her passion-glazed eyes. He watched as she closed her emerald orbs, her face flushed with passion.
She turned her head to the side, exposing her neck to him. Kyou gladly lowered his lips as he moved against her, never entering her, but moving with the motion he knew would drive her to the fire, along with him, as he worked his way down her body.
Moving slowly, he nipped at her breast with his teeth, then licked it with the tip of his tongue, soothing the mock injury. He felt her grab hold of his head, and push it to her other breast that craved the same attention. He slowly moved down her body, to lick her navel, and continued to move lower.
Pushing down on her hips to hold her in place, he nuzzled her legs apart, hearing her cry out his name with the first heated stroke of his tongue.
Kyou jerked awake, propelling himself forward into a sitting position. He found himself reaching for the dream that was trying to elude him. His body had broken out in a sweat and he felt like flames were licking at his skin.
Hearing a gasp, he turned his eyes to his bedroom door and almost roared his frustration at seeing the cause of his pain staring at him in confusion. Her face was still flushed from sleep, lips of cherries, and her hair was seductively mused… just as it had been in his dream.
Kyoko had awaken to find herself still in Kyou's bed and feeling all alone and a little frightened, she wanted to go to her own room. So, she had gotten up and opened the door, only to see the immortal form of Kyou, asleep on the sofa, and virtually ripping it to shreds in his sleep.
In her confusion, she’d called to him, and then froze when he awoke and turned his blazing eyes on her. But as he nailed her with his gaze, she watched in fascination as they returned to their golden color, then she heard his voice. The only way to explain the sound was pure pain.
"LEAVE ME NOW!" his eyes never left hers. Kyou watched her stay near the wall and follow it around him as she headed for the door.
He mentally removed the barrier quickly to aid her in her flight, and sighed when she left as quickly as humanly possible. He instantly threw the barrier back up for her protection, and to keep the sound within his own room as he destroyed the rest of the sofa.
Kyoko flew to her room, not understanding what she had just witnessed. She ran to her bed and covered herself, trying to shake the trembling fear that possessed her. Finally calming her nerves, she wondered if guardians had their own demons to fight. She could see the pain in his eyes and would have tried to help him if he hadn't scared her to death.
Closing her eyes, she hoped her dreams would not be like Kyou’s.
