Defy Not The Heart
The Guardian Heart Crystal Series
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2010 Amy Blankenship
The Legend of the Heart of Time
The worlds may change… but true legends never fade.
Darkness and light have constantly battled since the beginning of time. Worlds are formed and crushed beneath the feet of their creators, yet the ongoing need for good and evil has never been in question. However, sometimes a new element is thrown into the mix. The one thing that both sides want, but only one can have.
Paradoxical in nature, the Guardian Heart Crystal is the one constant that both sides have always striven to attain. The crystalline stone has the power to create and destroy the known universe, yet can end all suffering and strife in the same breath. Some say the crystal has a mind of its own… others say the gods are behind it all.
Each time the crystal has appeared, regardless of the world or time, its guardians have always been ready to defend it from all who would use it selfishly. These guardians have always worn the same faces and loved with the same ferocity.
One girl stands in the center of these ancient guardians. She is the object of their affections, and she holds within her the power of the crystal itself. This is the bearer of the crystal and the source of its power. The lines blur, however, and guarding the crystal slowly changes into guarding the priestess from the other guardians.
This is the wine from which the heart of darkness drinks. It is the opportunity to make the guardians of the crystal weak and susceptible to attack. The darkness craves the power of the crystal and also the girl as a man would crave a woman. Hence the entrance into another world where darkness is dominant within the world of light.
Within all dimensions and realities lays a secret garden known as the Heart of Time. There, a statue of a young human priestess kneels. She is surrounded by an age-old magic that keeps her secret treasure hidden and well preserved. The maiden’s hands are outstretched as if waiting for something precious to be placed in them. Legend says that she is waiting for the powerful stone known as The Guardian Heart Crystal to return to her.
Only the Guardians know of the true secrets behind the statue and how it came into existence. Only one human girl possessed the coveted stone and she is the one true treasure. A priestess that both sides would try to claim… no matter the consequence.
The father of the five siblings, Tadamichi, and his younger brother, Hyakuhei, protected the heart of time during its darkest history. For centuries, they protected the seal that kept the human world from overlapping within the demon realm. This task was sacred and the lives of the humans as well as demons had to be kept safe and secret from the other.
Unexpectedly, during their reign, a small band of humans accidentally crossed over into their world because of the sacred crystal. During that time of turmoil, its powers caused a rip in the seal that had separated the dimensions. The leader of the human group and Tadamichi had quickly become allies, making a pact to close the rip in the seal and keep the two worlds sealed away from each other forever.
But during that time, Tadamichi and his twin brother Hyakuhei had both fallen in love with the daughter of the human leader and their sibling rivalry became a dangerous thing to all involved.
In an act of jealousy against the newfound lover’s wishes, the rip between dimensions had been repaired. The strength of the seal had been increased tenfold, separating the lovers forever. Hyakuhei’s heart was shattered… his own twin brother, Tadamichi had betrayed him by making sure he and the priestess were separated by eternity.
Love can turn into the most wicked of things once it is lost. Hyakuhei’s broken heart turned to malicious anger and jealousy causing a battle between the two brothers, ending Tadamichi’s life and leaving his five sons to take guardianship over the seal.
But one other still held the guardianship and knew of its secrets. Their fathers’ twin brother Hyakuhei, who had joined the demons within the evil realm, also had the power for he too had been born into the family who protected the sacred shrine.
Imprisoned within the darkness he had become, Hyakuhei cast out all thought of protecting the heart of time. Instead, he turned his energy toward banishing the seal completely. His long midnight locks, reaching past his knees and a face belonging only to the most seductive, belied the true evil hidden within his angelic appearance.
As the war begins between the forces of light and dark, a blinding blue light is emitted from the sanctified statue. And a young priestess, born over a thousand years into the future, accidentally steps into the mist of the war stricken land, holding The Guardian Heart Crystal within her own heart.
As the guardians are drawn to her and become her protectors, the battle between good and evil truly begins.
This is one of their many epic adventures…
Chapter 1 "Secret Love"
Hyakuhei stood gazing at the heart of time statue, knowing the priestess was still on the other side, in her world. His midnight hair flowed down his body like a dark shroud as his wings opened wide, creating a breeze across the soft grass. His perfect lips curved slightly, into a knowing smile. A tainted glow formed across the ground surrounding the shrine, giving it an eerie appearance.
As if pulled by some unknown force, he glided closer to the maiden statue that stood with hands outstretched, as if asking him for something. His eyes became soft for only a moment, in memory of the young priestess the statue mimicked. So the guardians thought they could combine their powers and keep her from him?
With one angry wave of his hand, the glowing grass seemed to hiss as it shimmered with an ominous aura, and then hid the deception of the spell deep within its blades.
*****
"Damn it! Where the hell is Kyoko? She was supposed to have been back hours ago." Toya growled annoyingly for the tenth time in the last thirty minutes. He ran an agitated hand through the silver highlights that mingled with his midnight hair as he looked out the open window in the direction of the shrine. Facing where no one could see, he let worry slip into his golden gaze.
Suki looked up from polishing her bayonet, one eyebrow twitching, "Toya, Kyoko is obviously not coming back tonight. Something must’ve come up so just give it up and give us a break." She turned back to Kamui who was sitting beside her, "Gees, does he ever shut up?"
Kamui smiled, knowing better then to say anything out loud. His stardust eyes hid the truth behind Toya’s complaining. Being the youngest guardian didn’t make him naive. In human years, he was ageless, as was his brothers. He knew Toya only acted mad to cover up the fact that he was worried. Even he was starting to get worried. It wasn’t like Kyoko to keep them waiting. The purple highlights in Kamui’s hair shimmered as he raised his face to the window seeing the darkened sky.
"Kyoko had better be back in the morning, or I swear I'll go into her world and drag her back myself." Toya continued pacing. He couldn't stand it when Kyoko was away for this long. It had been days now, and he was getting angrier by the minute… and worried. "Stupid," he clamped his mouth shut again when Suki cocked a warning eyebrow at him.
Shinbe's tall silent form stood against the wall where he’d been for the last hour. His bluish-gray trench coat gave a slight twitch, with an agitated movement that he tried to hide. He’d had enough of Toya's rant about Kyoko being late. His amethyst eyes closed in an attempt to keep himself from telling Toya to simply shut up. Knowing he probably wouldn't shut up until Kyoko returned, Shinbe bit his tongue to keep from making his brother’s temper worse.
The amethyst guardian tried to stay tranquil, as always by meditating, following his monk-like teachings. The truth was his nerves were so raw that for now, even meditating wasn’t working. Right now, Shinbe felt like he could strangle Toya and still smile about it while doing so. The plains of his calm face tightened and he lowered his head so his midnight blue hair would hide the evidence.
When Toya and the others were getting ready to sleep, Shinbe took a thick blanket from the pile in the corner of their little shelter and headed for solitude. He really just needed to get away from everyone, especially Toya. Shinbe hid well his jealousy for Toya, and the love Kyoko held for the sibling. Day after day, he stayed with the group, only to be near her, to protect her… even though her eyes were always on Toya.
Shinbe ground his teeth together painfully. He should be like his other two brothers, Kyou and Kotaro, and separate from the group to fight Hyakuhei on his own. But he knew he had to stay with the group to keep her safe. He was one of her guardians and she needed him. Even Kyou and Kotaro protected her from afar.
Yes, Shinbe knew he played the game well by hiding his attraction to Kyoko. He had practiced it for a long time, even groping other girls… especially if Kyoko was within earshot or watching, so she would never find out his secret. They thought he loved all women, little did they know his heart belonged to only one, his priestess.
Usually he would pick Suki to grope, knowing she would hit him, and the pain would help steady his thoughts. He was such a coward when it came to telling Kyoko his true feelings.
Lately, it had been getting worse for him, harder for him to hide. Kyoko trusted him, smiled at him. She talked to him, often confiding her feelings to him when he caught her upset over Toya’s immature ways. It all shattered him, little by little.
Without realizing where he’d walked to, Shinbe glanced up and sighed. He was in the gardens of the maiden shrine. Without even realizing it, he’d wanted to be closer to her. Kyoko would not come back through the time portal this late at night… so why had he come?
Staring at the maiden shrine, his amethyst eyes glowed in the reflection of the moon. Shinbe decided this was as safe a place as any.
Spreading the blanket out in the soft grass, he laid down and closed his eyes, waiting for the dreams he knew would soon come, just like they always did. They haunting him, making him want her to see him, not as a guardian or ally… but as a man.
*****
Kyoko groaned, resisting the urge to smack her forehead ‘Into A Brick Wall.' Her conscience started flipping out in her head, and she was just high enough to argue back with it. She hadn't meant to get drunk with Tasuki and his college classmates. It had all been a big mistake, and all her fault. She’d gone to the Halloween party like she’d promised, knowing she would never drink anything. NEVER! She never did.
She growled at herself, rolling her eyes. How was she to know that the huge bowl of fruit cocktail sitting beside the punch bowl had been soaking in alcohol for days? She’d thought it was supposed to taste like grapefruit and ate a lot of it before she felt the affects of the alcohol hit her.
Kyoko stumbled over her own feet, righting herself quickly before she had a chance to fall. "This sucks!" she yelled knowing no one could hear her. Now she was late and she knew she was going to be in a lot of trouble with Toya. Just thinking of him yelling at her was already giving her a headache.
“Welcome to hell… population one,” Kyoko mumbled to herself as she kicked a pebble.
Desperately, she hoped Toya would just wait until morning before coming to get her. Or better yet, see if she would show up with the daylight. As drunk as she was, she could hardly see straight, and she didn't want to fight with him. She didn't want to go home either. She silently groaned to herself. Her mother would lecture her for a week if she found out she was drunk, even if it had been an accident.
Kyoko tried hard to stay in a straight line as she walked. Finally, she spotted the maiden shrine in the clearing behind her house. Closing one eye so the maiden statue would come into better focus, she giggled, and then thought to herself, 'Oh God, now I know I'm drunk.' With a swaying shrug, she did the only thing she knew to do.
She walked into the shrine house, straight up to the maiden statue, and leaned against it, hoping to make it safely through to the other dimension in time to pass out.
*****
Shinbe was once again having a very erotic dream of Kyoko writhing under him, crying out his name over and over, screaming it as he pounded into her, staring into her face and driving all thoughts of Toya from her. He jerked awake… his body broke out in a sweat. Breathing hard, he could still feel her under him, letting him love her and she had loved him back. Her cries were still ringing in his ears.
His heart was still beating so fast, slamming against his ribs the same way he had been slamming into her. Shinbe sat up. Clinching his hands, he raised them to cover his face. Unable to stop it from escaping him, he cried out into the silence, full of pain and hidden rage at the unfairness of it all. All he ever wanted was to love her, and it was slowly eating him alive.
Hearing a twig snap, Shinbe quickly pulled his hands down. His deep violet eyes scanned the area and came to rest on Kyoko's shocked features. His mind seemed to instantly go into slow motion. 'No, it couldn't be… not now, not here.' Her eyes were wide at hearing his cry, and her hand was over her mouth. 'No… go away, please,’ he begged in his mind. 'You can't be here, not right now, it’s too dangerous.'
Shinbe watched as she lowered her hand from her lips, a look of worry crossing her face. Then, he saw her sway as she made her way to him. He wondered if she was even real, or if he was still dreaming.
Kyoko was still trying to make sure she was going in the right direction to get to the hut when she heard an almost inhuman cry coming from somewhere close to her. Her eyes focused as she tried to find the source of the sound. Her heart was still racing from the fright it had given her. Then she noticed Shinbe lying there on a blanket in the grass, all alone. The haunted cry had to have come from him.
Kyoko wanted to know what was wrong. Had someone been killed? That had to be it for such a sound to come from the always calm, cool, and friendly guardian. She tried to steady her legs as she made her way over to him.
Shinbe groaned as he watched Kyoko do the stupidest thing he had ever seen her do. She walked straight over to him and knelt down, reaching her hand out to touch his. "Shinbe, what is it? Is someone hurt?" He could hear the fear in her voice. She thought something was wrong. He almost laughed at the truth in that question, but thought better of it. She didn't know his secret. He was still safe, could still hide his heart from her.
Another wave of dizziness caught Kyoko unaware, and she couldn't keep her balance while kneeling beside him. She accidentally leaned too far forward and fell right into his lap. Stifling a giggle, she remembered something was wrong with him, and opened her eyes again trying to concentrate. All this felt so much like a dream.
Kyoko suddenly noticed Shinbe’s chest was bare. Corded muscles were tensing, rippling, and stretching under her palms. She had never seen him with his shirt off and was amazed. She blushed, knowing she shouldn't be thinking of him that way. He was her guardian and friend.
Trying to concentrate, Kyoko shook her head, which didn't really help matters. She slowly lifted her eyes to his. He hadn't moved an inch and still hadn't told her what was wrong. Now she wished he would, because the look on his face was starting to alarm her.
Shinbe's body was shaking as he restrained himself from touching her. Something with more power than him seemed to be pushing him, demanding he reach out and take what he wanted more then breath. He would have been fine, but now she was here in his lap, staring into his eyes. Eyes he knew had to be full of pain, and she wanted to know what was wrong.
Something was wrong with him and he couldn’t stop what seemed to be spinning quickly out of his control.
"I can't take it any more!" his voice was ragged with the force of his emotion riding so high. With those words he was trying to warn her, trying to tell her to get away, to go back to the other side of the time portal where she would be safe. Not to come back until he could keep his secret in control, hiding it once again. All his senses screamed that something was wrong, but his mind couldn’t fight this intense hunger.
Kyoko gasped, hearing his words laced with so much pain, and it saddened her. Everybody counted on him to be level headed, the glue that held the group together. Even she looked up to him and loved it when he was close and she could feel his calmness, his humor, and concern. But now it was the other way around. He was the one who needed comfort.
It must be all the fighting against demons, Hyakuhei, his curse. Oh God, his curse… the dimensional void that would be an early death for him. The ultimate power Hyakuhei had given him, knowing it would one day destroy him. She hadn't forgotten. She just tried really hard not to think about it, but she knew what would happen if they didn't defeat Hyakuhei.
Kyoko reached out to him, trying to make it better and to ease his mind. "It's alright, Shinbe. I'm here," the second her hand touched his face, he came to life.
All logic had ceased and Shinbe's ironclad control snapped. He grabbed her shoulders, and rolled until she was pinned underneath him. Leaning over her body, he had everything he’d ever wanted… Kyoko. Without another coherent thought, his lips crashed down swiftly, claiming hers possessively, blocking everything else out of his mind. He’d held this feeling in check for far too long.
Shinbe acknowledged that he might have lost control of the situation a few exits back. Somewhere in the back of his mind, the thought crept in that she tasted like some kind of alcohol, and she smelled like it, too. Controlling himself enough to raise up an inch, he looked down at her, trying to tell if it was true. Searching her face, her eyes, and her flushed cheeks he jealously wondered who had gotten her drunk.
Kyoko knew that this wasn't really happening. No way was she staring up into the amethyst eyes of the very handsome Shinbe. No way was he staring down at her like he wanted her. Kyoko reasoned with herself that she was probably lying in the grass with her head still propped up on the maiden statue. Somewhere in this dream, she could even hear Hyakuhei laughing at her.
She could have sworn she remembered sliding down the maiden statue and falling asleep. She was probably right now, passed out having a dream, and her drunken mind had picked Shinbe to join her, instead of Toya. Kyoko barely shook her head, feeling giddy, and sighed the words, "Crazy dreams," as she stared into the passion-glazed eyes of Shinbe. Her lips still tingling from the force of the dream kiss.
Shinbe lowered his lips to hers again. He’d heard enough. Kyoko thought she was dreaming. Shinbe only hoped it was a dream. But either way, he was unable to stop. He couldn't stop, even if he tried, as he licked her lips. She parted them with a tiny whimper. A sound that only hardened him even more, if that was possible.
He broke out in a sweat trying to restrain himself, as his guardian blood surfaced. He wanted to go slowly as his tongue dipped into her mouth, taking and giving within the heat of the kiss. He had always wanted to kiss her like this, forever it seemed.
The muscles in his arms flexed as he held himself above her, making love to her lips and beyond. His hands were impatient as they worked on ridding her of her clothes. Within only a few short minutes, she lay under him, completely naked. She hadn't fought it as he took her clothes from her. Why would she? It was a dream… right?
Shinbe's breath stilled as he looked down at her. His Kyoko, his secret, his love. He slid his body against hers, loving the feel of her silky skin, sharpening his pain and his need to have her, to make love to her. ‘It has to be a dream,’ he tried to convince himself.
He dipped his head to nuzzle her neck, licking and kissing her skin, tasting her gently and forcibly. He showed her how much he loved her as he made his way down her body. This would be the only time he would see and taste all of her. Sharp heat shot through him as she arched against him, moaning when he drew her breast into his mouth, licking at it with his tongue, bringing her to life.
More of his wishes were fulfilled as Shinbe trailed kisses down her taut belly and she writhed beneath him. His muscles jumped as she clutched him to her, trying to get even closer. Shinbe was as close to heaven as he would ever get, with her essence surrounding him. Inch by slow inch, he crawled back up and over Kyoko. Settling between her legs, he shuddered with need when the heat of her arousal warmed the tip of his manhood.
He wanted her to see him, even if it was a dream. His body hardened, tightened around hers. "Open your eyes," he whispered. His voice was mesmerizing, a deliberate seduction, and as soon as her eyes locked with his, he thrust forward swiftly burying himself to the hilt within her heat, wanting to save her the pain of the first time. An anguished cry tore from his throat as he felt her virginity give way to him.
Her tightness grasped him within the silken heat, drawing him in even deeper. If it weren't for his stubborn self-control, he would have came out of his skin right then. He gritted his teeth, holding still, breathing hard as he watched her toss her head from side to side, mouth open but nothing coming out. Quickly he claimed her lips before the cry could escape her.
Once he felt her calm down, he eased off of the kiss. Giving into the first slow, but hard, deep thrust, he was rewarded with her hips coming up to meet his. Her cry of ecstasy being taken into his mouth, where he kept it and savored it. He would never give it back. Giving into the feeling of her wrapped around him, he let go of his restraint. He wanted to make love to her with all of him, holding nothing back.
Lacing his fingers through hers, he raised her hands above her head and held them down against the soft blanket. Shinbe raised himself above her so he could watch her face and started a rhythm that drove them both over the edge. Deep and fast strokes, turning to hard and slow thrusts, then stopping for a few seconds to catch his breath, only to swiftly slam back into her again.
Shinbe could feel the many times that she reached her peak, as spasms racked her body. He could feel them as she squeezed him even tighter. His whole body glistened in the moonlight from holding back his own release. It was killing him, until finally, he couldn't take it any more, and knowing she was reaching her peak again, he set a pace that rocked them both.
Taking them both over the edge, he gave one final thrust, as deep as he could and held it, throwing back his head. The sound that was ripped from him was neither human nor immortal. It was pain and pleasure, the pentacle of both, as his seed shot into her body, deep, hot, and steady with his heartbeat.
Now that the world was again standing still, Shinbe looked down at Kyoko just as a passion glazed smile appeared, and her eyes began to close. He lowered his lips to hers and whispered against them, "I love you."
*****
Sometime later, deep into the night, Shinbe awoke to find Kyoko dressed, but asleep next to him on the blanket, within the shimmering grass.
Thinking not to wake her, he secretly, without a sound, carried the sleeping priestess, along with the pack she carried, within the walls of the hut, where the rest of the group still slept. Then he slid down the opposite wall, drawing his knees up to his chest, happier and more afraid than he had ever been in his life. But if he were going to die within the next couple hours, then he would die happy.
Shinbe closed his eyes wondering which would be worse, Kyoko remembering, or her not remembering. He knew he would never love another, for one had to have a heart in order to love, and he didn't have a heart. He’d already given it away. Kyoko had carried his heart since the first day he’d laid eyes on her.
If he didn't die by Toya's daggers in the morning, he knew he would stay right where he was, secretly loving her, and hoping she would notice.
Chapter 2 "Morning Frights"
Shinbe jerked awake with a start when he heard Toya’s shout. He felt all the muscles in his body cringe at the thought of becoming shish-kabob on Toya’s twin daggers. Morbid fascination had him slowly opening his eyes to see what was going on.
"Shut up!” Kyoko yelled, throwing her hand up and casting the taming spell, then instantly grabbed her head in panic as the pain rocketed through her brain.
"What was that for?” Toya growled, as he tried to look up at her from his prone position.
"Oww,” her mouth made a little ‘o’ as she cringed again. “Shhh,” She added hoping he would get the message.
Shinbe sighed, knowing Kyoko most likely had a hangover, and Toya wasn’t helping the matter by being so loud. He was glad she could paralyze him, even if he did find it strange that the taming spell only worked on Toya. Sometimes he found himself jealous that she could put a spell on Toya. It also didn’t help that Toya was the only one who could leap back and forward through time, following her. In Shinbe’s mind, it only brought the two even closer.
He wondered if she remembered last night. He closed his eyes, feeling his insides clench when Toya snapped at Kyoko for using the spell. So far, everything seemed normal. He reflected back again, trying to remember everything clearly. He found it strange that even for him, last night seemed almost like a dream.
He remembered just before bringing her into the hut, he’d used a shield spell on them to cover up any scent of their love making, if it had been noticeable. He opened his eyes again, knowing hiding wouldn’t help if she remembered what happened. Then Shinbe forgot to breathe as he watched Toya lean close to Kyoko, sniffing her.
Toya crinkled his nose up at her, "Kyoko, do I smell alcohol on you?” He sat down in front of her when he heard her pained, but guilty, sigh. Her hands were still covering her face. "What the hell, Kyoko? Did you get drunk?” Toya couldn’t keep his voice from going a little too high, and he clamped his mouth shut when she jerked her hands down and gave him a death glare.
"Toya, I’m sorry. But if you don’t get out of my face right now, I’m gonna do something me and you are both going to regret," Kyoko’s eyes narrowed. She raised her hand, as if to cast the spell on him again, causing Toya to scoot back quickly, and his eyes widened.
Shinbe couldn’t help but smirk as Kyoko put Toya in his place. He hid it behind a quick cough. Sometimes those two could be so… entertaining. Another cough caught his attention. Leaning over to look around Toya, he could see Kamui having the same problem of trying to hide his laughter.
'Damn, she can be really, really scary, sometimes,' Toya thought as he put his hands in his loose sleeves and turned his face to the side. "Fine, you can tell me later!" he peeked at her from the corner of his golden eyes, knowing he had said that a little too loud. Jumping up, he took off out the door, not wanting to stick around if she tried to ‘tame’ him again. It was a good thing that spell didn’t last long or he would be hurting.
Suki hadn’t said a word as she watched Kyoko in wonder. When Toya left, she padded softly over to Kyoko. Bending down, she whispered, "Kyoko, I’m going to go get you some fresh water, okay? You just lie back down, and I’ll be right back." She placed her hand on Kyoko’s shoulder, shaking her head, wondering how their innocent Kyoko could have gotten drunk. Then she turned and left the hut to get her friend some water.
Kamui couldn’t pass up the opportunity and grinned from ear to ear. “Kyoko, I can’t believe you alcohol Sake and didn’t invite me.” His smile widened even more when Kyoko gave him a cross-eyed look, and he took off out the door to find Kaen.
Kyoko groaned as her head pounded. She should have asked for help to look through her backpack. She knew she would have something in there for pain, and if she could just find it right now, she would probably take all of it. She saw a shadow fall across her and turned to see Shinbe’s amethyst eyes staring back at her.
Suddenly, images of him above her, making love to her mouth and body, coursed through her mind. It was a dream… right? A drunken dream, she remembered now. Hangover or not, she couldn’t help what she was thinking, and she blushed from the roots of her hair, to the tips of her toes. She was instantly thankful one of his guardian powers wasn’t being able to read minds, like Kyou could.
"Kyoko, are you all right? Is there something I can do for you?” Shinbe felt guilty, knowing she thought it was a dream, as she said last night. But he needed to know if she remembered anything. By the blush that spread across her face, he thought maybe she did. When she finally spoke, he sighed in relief, and misery. Somewhere deep inside, he had hoped she would remember, and put an end to it all.
Kyoko gave him a weak smile. ‘Damn dreams! Why did I have to dream of him, of all people?’ It wasn’t bad enough she’d dreamt of him before in that manner, but she’d never dreamt of him and woke up, and be so close that she could feel his body heat.
She suddenly leaned back, away from that closeness, her green eyes wide. There was something in the way he was looking at her, as if he were searching into her very soul. Or getting ready to grope her… with Shinbe one could never be sure. She shook her head, ‘No, no, no. Don’t wanna go there, Kyoko, girl, not right now! Think, what was the question?’ “Urmm…”
"Shinbe, would you mind looking through my bag, and find the box I keep herbs in?” she put her hands to her head again, trying to stifle the thumping. ‘Note to self… never, ever, go to a party with Tasuki and his frat buddies ever again.’
Shinbe dug around in her bag looking for the herb box. Pulling it out, he handed it to her. Kyoko accidentally brushed her hand across his, and Shinbe had a sudden bolt of electricity course through his body. ‘Oh, how vulnerable she is right now, I could just… NO! What am I thinking?’ Trying to back away quickly, he accidentally brushed his arm against her thigh.
Kyoko inwardly cringed at the contact. Why did he have to be the one helping her right now? Why couldn’t Toya still be here glaring and screaming at her. ‘Those lips, those eyes, I… have to stop staring at him like that!’ She turned her gaze back to the herb box as she fumbled through it, looking for the aspirin she normally kept inside. Finding them, she held up the tiny pills.
Shinbe stared at her, mesmerized. She hadn’t tried to castrate him yet, so she must not remember. ‘Why couldn’t she have remembered,’ he silently sighed.
She looked back up at him making eye contact that almost rendered her brain dead for a moment. "Water? Please? You have no idea how gross these are without it."
Shinbe got completely flustered as he watched her mouth the words. Her lips were just so inviting… he could just… he bent down… he looked at the aspirin she held in her hand. Focus. "Yes, they do look like nasty little things,” he said, eyeing them, even though he had no idea what they were. The door suddenly opened, and he guiltily jerked his head around to see Suki and Kamui coming in with the water jug.
Suki eyed Shinbe wearily, "What are you up to, guardian?"
Shinbe backed away wondering if Suki could secretly read his mind or something. She had an uncanny knack for knowing just when he was misbehaving… or at least thinking about it.
"Oh Suki, please pour me some water quickly. The sooner I take this medicine, the sooner I’ll feel better.” Kyoko offered knowing Shinbe hadn’t been doing any thing wrong.
‘Kyoko to the rescue!’ Shinbe kept the cheer to himself.
Suki poured some water in her cup and started to chatter on about how Toya was having a tantrum about her not returning early yesterday afternoon.
Shinbe leaned against the wall, watching Kyoko, and half listening to the conversation. "… if he screamed at me one more time, I thought I was going to…" Take you in my arms and kiss you senseless. "… he’s such an arrogant bully…" I want you so bad, Kyoko. "… and the way he treats…" Shinbe fidgeted, wondering how long he could keep his secret, now that he had claimed her. "… isn’t that right, Shinbe?"
‘Huh? Did someone ask me a question?’ Shinbe looked from Suki to Kyoko, as they both stared at him waiting for his response.
Having no clue what they were talking about, he took the safe way out, "Why, yes. I think you’re absolutely right, Suki. If you will excuse me, I have to go speak with Toya.” With that, he quickly escaped out the door.
Suki and Kyoko watched the door close after him, and both girls giggled.
Shinbe made it to the outside of the small structure and quickly leaned forward against the wall. He placed his hands against the cool wood on each side of his head, and then thumped his forehead against the wooden planks. The pain always seemed to help him clear his mind. It was just slow this morning. After last night, he couldn’t get the feelings to go away. It was worse now than it had ever been.
He really didn’t want to grope Suki so she would hit him, it just didn’t feel right to do so after touching Kyoko’s body. He feared he would never be able to touch another but her again, without wanting to rip his own hand off. He had chosen his mate and she didn’t even know it.
Toya stood about five feet away, watching his brother and feeling waves of guilt wash from him. One of the perks about being a guardian was that you could sense things about those around you like a lie detector from Kyoko’s world. He cocked a dark eyebrow, "What did you do, grope Suki again?" Toya frowned at his brother, seeing him flinch at his voice.
Shinbe flashed startled, dark, violet eyes at Toya and pushed back from the wall, righting himself. "NO! I… well, you see…" Shinbe frowned at his own stuttering. He quickly forced himself to become calm, once again gaining composure. “I was just staying out here so I wouldn’t make any noise and bother Kyoko’s hangover,” Shinbe said coolly, hoping Toya would take the same advice.
Toya growled in the back of his throat, "I still want to know how the hell she wound up drunk. I think I’ll go find out right now." He started to angrily pass him, then stopped when Shinbe reached out and grabbed his arm in a firm grip. Toya scowled down at the opposing hand, wondering what his brother thought he was doing.
Shinbe watched silver highlights leap into Toya's golden eyes and quickly let go of his arm. In a steady voice he ventured, "If I were you, I wouldn’t do that yet, unless you like the taste of floor." He hid his smirk when he sensed Toya's remembrance of the taming spell.
Toya slid his arms back into his sleeves. He turned his back to the door mumbling, "She should know better than to get in that shape to start out with." Then he bent down holding the lump forming on the top of his head, where Suki had just brained him with her slayers weapon as she stepped out the door behind him. "Oww, what the hell was that for?" Toya glared at her.
Suki stood, giving him a ‘You know what that was for.’ look. "Don’t be so over protective,” she glared at him, knowing he would never hurt her. “Kyoko told me what happened last night.”
Shinbe felt his life begin to pass before his eyes. He quit breathing, waiting for Toya to kill him.
Suki continued, "Her friends, on the other side of the heart of time portal, took her to a gathering where there was alcohol,” she paused for effect, “she did not drink anything. Instead, she ate a lot of fruit, only to then find out it had been soaked in very strong alcohol," her lips twitched. "But by then, she was already drunk."
Toya growled and turned, starting to go in and yell at her for her stupidity, but again received a numbing blow from Suki, "Leave her alone, she just went back to sleep. And I don’t think she will be able to go anywhere today. So I suggest we leave her here to rest. We can search for the talisman without her for one day."
She turned to look at Shinbe, wondering why he was acting so strange. He’d usually tried to grope her at least ten times before noon. "Shinbe, are you all right this morning?" she stepped closer and stared up into his pale face seeing his eyes were a touch overly bright.
Shinbe came back to life when he noticed Suki was close to his face. He quickly took a step back, then it dawned on him what she’d said. He gave a soft sigh, shaking his head, "Actually Suki, no, I’m not feeling too good myself." He didn’t have to fake it either, because as disturbed as he had been since last night, he really felt like he was loosing his mind.
Toya scrunched up his nose at his brother, "Yeah, you really look like crap. Maybe we should leave you here to watch after Kyoko." He then narrowed his eyes on the amethyst guardian. "But if you touch her, she’ll tell me." Knowing his warning had been heard loud and clear, Toya turned back to Suki. "Do you want to go get Kamui, or should I?" he questioned, not really wanting to feel her weapon upside his head again.
Suki shrugged, "I’ll get him. You," She shoved her finger into his chest, “Stay out here.”
Shinbe choked on his laugh, trying to keep in mind he was sick. How did he ever pull this one off? As a guardian himself, Toya should know guardians don’t get sick. But the idea of staying with Kyoko, of being alone with her all day… well, the temptation was just too much.
Shinbe watched Toya glare at Suki's back as she went to get Kamui, but he stayed outside. Within a couple of minutes, Kaen joined them, peeking in the door at Kyoko. Shinbe knew Kaen would watch after Kamui if they ran into any trouble. ‘A guardian for a guardian’, he had often teased his younger brother.
Shinbe watched the group until they were out of sight. He felt his body and mind relax for the first time all morning. With a sigh, he turned and went back into the hut where Kyoko was sleeping.
Kyoko stirred in her semi-sleep, her mind drifting to the night before. Back to the party, trying to spend what little time she had in her world with Tasuki. She really missed him because this world took up so much of her time. She’d been so focused on him that she hadn’t even realized the fruit was tainted until it was too late. She pouted, wondering if Tasuki had known the whole time.
She didn’t remember much about making it back to the maiden shrine, or back here to the hut for that matter. She did remember some of the dream she’d had… Shinbe. Kyoko slid in and out of sleep, her thoughts continued as if they didn’t care whether she was awake or not.
She’d always liked Shinbe because out of their small little group, he was the most fun of the guardians to be around. And he could always make her laugh without even trying. He was not the type of guy who would settle on just one woman. Obviously he had issues. But lately she had started seeing him in a different light.
Kyoko tossed in her sleep. It just wasn’t fair. She loved Toya deeply, but he seldom gave her a glimmer of feelings back. Now Shinbe, on the other hand, was a different story. When Toya would yell at her for little things, Shinbe always seemed to try to make her feel better.
It was almost as if the worse Toya acted, the sweeter Shinbe would become, but he acted as if it was nothing but friendship. Sometimes she wondered about him, and that was probably what had lead to the dreams she’d started having of him. Up until last night, her dreams had stayed within the limits of sanity. Last night’s dream had gone way out of control.
She knew Toya loved her in his own way, and would probably even die for her, but he refused to show her his true feelings. She knew him getting angry so easily, and bossing her around was just his way of hiding the fact that he cared about her. Sometimes, he hid his feelings so well, that she almost believed him. Still, she found herself comparing the two men. She was always around Shinbe and Toya, and both guardians had their good and bad points.
When dreaming of Toya kissing her, it was always soft and sweet, only sometimes turning heated. With Shinbe, it was always different. Way different. She thought of herself as a woman when dreaming of Shinbe. In those dreams, he kissed her in places unimaginable, and did things to her body that she never thought could feel so good.
She sighed in her sleep. But they were only dreams… Kyoko curled up into a ball and shivered at the memory of last night’s dream. Her body quivering beneath his as he made mad passionate love to her… she whimpered at the memory. Dreaming of Shinbe like that, almost made her feel like she was cheating on Toya.
'No!’ she told her mind, 'Toya has never been my boyfriend. Therefore I do not have one, and so long as it’s in my mind, I can think anything I want… including in my dreams.'
The dream had been so stimulating that when she awoke, she felt like she would just melt. When she saw him sitting there against the wall, as if nothing had happened, that alone confirmed it being only a dream. What was going on in her head? She had to get a grip. Shinbe could never love some inexperienced, little girl like herself. He was obviously a man of the world, who had conquered more women in one night than she could count on both hands. She squeezed her eyes shut refusing to think anything else.
Shinbe had come back into the hut relaxed and calm, until his eyes fell on her sleeping form. His whole body stilled and he stood there, just watching her for a few minutes. He saw her shivering, lying on the mat. Why didn’t she have a cover? He looked over to where the blankets were piled, and picked out the thickest one he could find.
He covered her with the thick blanket, but watched as she continued her restless sleep. ‘Why do I care so much?’ he sighed as he sat down, leaning against the wall, watching her. He knew why he cared so much. ‘Shinbe, the guy that everyone took as a joke when it came to women, had fallen in love with a girl from another time.’ He stared at her face and then sighed. She was going to kill him when she realized it wasn’t a dream. Toya was going to kill him too. Could he die twice for such a crime?
Slumping his shoulders, Shinbe sighed again, ‘Yeah… about Toya.’ Kyoko was in love with his hot tempered brother. He could feel the guilt creeping up his spine. ‘Why did she have to fall for the one who would never treat her right?’ He would love her with everything he had. So, he had a little curse on himself. That shouldn’t be too weird. After all, Kyoko told them about her grandfather, and his belief in curses, and demons. ‘Damn, Toya.’
Kyoko muttered in her sleep. He glanced up to see she’d rolled over with her back to him. The blanket he had placed around her had slipped off, and her backside was now fully exposed to him. The skimpy skirt she wore had flipped up, exposing her most precious asset. A shiver coursed through his body. ‘So… tempting.’
His hand reached out to caress the silky white material that obstructed his view further. He sighed once again, pulling his hand back before his fingers made contact. ‘Ah, so close. But so is death, and I’d like to live a little longer.’ he gave a snort of laughter as he tucked his hands inside his coat. He had to watch what he did or said from here on out, or his life could end a little sooner than he anticipated.
He would tell her the truth in a minute, if she weren’t in love with his brother. He knew he wasn’t alone in his feelings for her. She was their priestess, and they protected her with their life. All the brothers loved her dearly, in their own way. But Toya was different. Toya never liked anyone. Shinbe had seen it. Toya was deeply in love with Kyoko, even if he wouldn’t acknowledge it.
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 spell, he could feel it getting stronger.
Everyone had warned him not to use it unless he had no choice, because one day it would become to 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 wasn’t 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. He had spent most the evening listening to Toya rant, because Kyoko hadn’t come back before dark, as she said she would.
At first, Shinbe wondered if she was still mad at Toya when she hadn’t come back. She’d screamed at Toya before leaving because he’d tried to keep her from going back to her time. He 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 she’d promised to come back before dark the next day.
Shinbe grinned, 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 eyes roamed over Kyoko’s 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, he’d 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 couldn’t stand her and it often hurt her feelings. It was just Toya’s 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 didn’t really intend on thinking bad things about him. It’s just that Toya had a chance with Kyoko and ignored it.
He would have died for a chance like that. He’d treat her like a queen, if only she would let him. That’s the reason he lost it last night. The truth was, last night he’d 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. ‘Why did she have to have such beautiful skin?’ Shinbe felt himself getting sleepier as he watched Kyoko's restless slumber. He crawled across the floor, never taking his eyes off the back of Kyoko’s 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 prone form to look down at her face. Shinbe grinned. Kyoko still smelled of alcohol. ‘Didn’t bother me last night,’ he smirked. A stray auburn tress clung to her shoulder. He gently reached down and slid it to the side with a soft sigh. He lay down behind her, nuzzling into her silky locks. He dared not get any closer for fear of death. 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 lay, while keeping an eye on her that is. He’d gladly take the slap he’d 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.
Kyoko whimpered sleepily and rolled over. ‘Hmm, warmth, a pocket of warmth.’ She pulled her hands up under her chin. When she tilted her head and it hit something solid she sighed, ‘dreaming again. Let’s test this theory.’ She placed her hands against the warm solid object her head rested against. ‘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. ‘Why can’t I get him off my mind? He smelled so good.’ She remembered the first time he 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 when she noticed how nice he smelled.
She shivered at the memory, and the warm object around her waist tightened. She slowly wrapped her arms around the warmth, and froze when she heard the distinct rustle of material.
‘What? Rustle of material? Did dreams rustle like robes?’ Kyoko was suddenly wide-awake. Slowly, she cracked open one eye to stare blindly 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 is going on?’ She stared at him frozen to the spot. ‘It was just a dream, right? Get a hold of yourself Kyoko.’ She thought frantically. ‘Where was Toya? Suki? Kamui? Kaen? Where had everyone gone?’
She nearly jumped out of her skin when Shinbe moaned in his sleep and tucked his hands inside his trench coat. When she’d jumped up, she had taken the blanket with her. Kyoko blinked, and then blushed guiltily. ‘He was cold.’ 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 he’d laid down beside her? To keep her warm? Her blush deepened. ‘Aww, that was so sweet,’ she shook her head from side to side. ‘No, no, no! What am I thinking? Not sweet, not sweet,’ she sighed, smiling softly at him. ‘I give up.’
She slowly, cautiously bent down, gripping the blanket, and gave a startled, ‘Epp!’ when he suddenly moved in his sleep. She stood back, waiting to see if he would wake up. He didn’t. 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 didn’t 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 she’d ate the tainted fruit but it felt more like she’d 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 Shinbe’s scent on her clothes. Ahh! The last thing she wanted to do was get Shinbe in trouble when he didn’t 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 didn’t care whom he hurt to get the rest of it. ‘After all, Hyakuhei had even killed his own brother,’ he breathed. Now he knew the guardians had to protect Kyoko from the same murderer.