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The scream became louder and finally she couldnât ignore it anymore. "Please, please stop, I canât take it anymore."
Kyou listened to her cry and he knew she was in pain with need of release. Her virgin body, so new to this pleasure, it wouldnât take much more to bring her over the peak. He watched her head arch back against him as he pumped his finger into her hot tightness in rhythm.
He leaned his head forward and licked the arc of her neck⦠tasting her. He felt the rush of the instinct to bite her and make her his forever. He satisfied that feeling for a moment by sucking some of her soft skin into his mouth to leave a slight red mark on her. She tasted so good. He could smell her scent all around him as he pressed his swollen hardness against her soft thigh.
Kyou growled in defeat⦠He knew he was the one losing this battle.
Kyoko felt his hand leave her and she slid down his body to the pillow below. She was still whimpering and squeezed her thighs together trying not to rock. Her senses were so alive that it was almost painful. She grabbed one of the smaller pillows and hugged it close, trying to hide her body from him. She was afraid to look up at him. Afraid he would be able to see the need her body was crying for.
Burying her face in her arms, she rolled so she was lying half on her stomach as though to hide from him further.
He watched her try to hide from him and the loss of her in his arms was cooling his raging blood. He realized he had no control over this and remembered what had been written within his fatherâs scrolls.
Tadamichi had warned that guardians were different from humans when it came to choosing a mate⦠that the guardianâs highborn blood would do the choosing and there would be no stopping it. His father, Tadamichi, had been talking about his and Hyakuheiâs rivalry over the same mate at the time but Kyou had understood the underlying meaning. The warning pertained to every guardian⦠not just the twins.
That had been the last scroll written by his father but the humans trapped within this realm had continued the story.
His uncle had turned to the dark side because he had been separated from the one whom heaven had fated to be his soul mate. The young Priestess the maiden statue had been made in the likeness of⦠the same maiden statue that mimicked the priestess lying below him at this very moment. They could have very well been the same woman⦠but time proved they were not.
They were identical in looks proclaiming Kyoko as a direct descendant of the priestess his uncle had chosen for his life mate. Were he and his uncle so different? Had Hyakuheiâs powerful blood been his downfall in the end? Was Hyakuhei now mistakenly placing Kyoko in the place of his lost love? He wouldnât allow that.
Kyou floated closer to her, dipping his lips to her ear. He didnât want her to fear this. He wanted her to want it. What he used as punishment now was only kindling the fire that would keep her with him⦠forever.
He reached out stroking her hair lovingly. "In order to keep you safe from the demons⦠from Hyakuhei, you have to obey me Kyoko. I do not want to hurt you so I will punish you like this⦠and more if you do not behave."
âThen let me go,â She whispered. âYou say you donât want to hurt me but you treat me no better than he has. Iâd rather have him touch me knowing that he would kill me after, than you touch me not knowing.â
âMy dear Kyoko, I have no desire to kill you. As your guardian I could not⦠it would go against all I stand for. You are meant to be protected by the guardians and I am a guardian. To let you go would only send you away without a guardianâs protection. That I cannot allow. The punishment stands.â He gripped her head between his hands to keep her still and pressed his lips against the top of her head before turning to leave her to think about her punishment.
âHyakuhei is also a guardian,â Kyoko whispered defiantly knowing he could hear her even if he didnât acknowledge it.
Part of him knew she was right but he wasnât about to admit that to her. He wanted to fly into a rage at the mere thought of Hyakuhei touching her as he just had, but refrained. He needed to put space between them in order to keep his own passion under control. He turned his attention to the window.
He could feel demons closing in on his lands from all sides. Had Hyakuhei found out where he was keeping the priestess? No⦠he had only sent them in search of her. He gazed back at Kyoko not wanting anything to interfere. He would stop them before they came any closer to his possessions.
Kyou moved almost too fast for the human eye and when Kyoko peeked up at him⦠he was gone.
Chapter 5 âBlack Wingsâ
Toya looked to the north as he flew. His translucent silver wings danced in the light of the moon, the seemingly delicate feathers fluttering slightly. He needed to find Kyoko as quick as he could. He scanned the area wondering where to search first when the rising smoke in the distance caught his attention.
âA village?â Toya turned in that direction wondering why Kyou had allowed humanâs to even live on his lands.
âKyou hates all humansâ⦠Toyaâs thoughts skidded to a stop⦠âKyoko is human.â His lips thinned with the debatable point.
As he neared the village, he noticed there was too much smoke to just be coming from cooking stoves. The village was in trouble. He quickly scanned the area sensing demons in the midst of the flames he was now seeing.
âWhat were demons doing in Kyouâs territory?â Spreading his senses out beyond just the village, Toya realized demons where crossing the boarders of the northern lands in several places⦠not just here. The color of his eyes shattered into molten silver.
âHyakuhei⦠he knows Kyoko is here somewhere,â Toya spat the words angrily as he heard the humanâs scream below him. âDamn it! I donât have time for this,â He growled even as he drew his daggers intending to rid the small village of the beasts before they could do any more damage.
Toya flew over the village and abruptly pulled his wings in close⦠the feathered appendages vanishing as he landed on one knee in the center of what appeared to be the village square. Lifting his head, he snarled at the demons closing in around him.
âLooks like most of the human population hightailed it,â He growled and stood up, twirling the daggers between his fingers. âCome on you bitches. Letâs see how you stand up to me!â
Toya smirked when two demons came at him from opposite sides. He waited until the last moment before ducking out of the way forcing the two of them to run into one another, bashing their foreheads in their excitement to catch him. Placing his hands on the ground, Toya kicked his legs straight up, nailing each in the chin to send them sprawling.
âJust as stupid as always,â he murmured already bored. A hideous looking demon swooped in from above and Toya rolled away, barely missing its sharp talons in his back. Rising to his feet, he leaned back just in time to miss the claws of another demon⦠losing several strands of hair and getting his shirt ripped in the process.
He plunged his ice dagger into the demonâs chest and felt a surge of satisfaction when the monster turned to ice with the weaponâs power. A hot burning sensation inflamed his left side making him cry out in pain and anger. The flying demon had returned and dug its claws in just below his ribs. Pulling the dagger out of the frozen oneâs body, he tapped the fire dagger against his lips and turned to the demons that didnât realize it had just signed its death warrant.
His lips parted slightly reminiscent of a kiss and fire burst from his mouth torching the winged demon. Spinning gracefully on one foot, Toyaâs right foot came around striking the frozen demon⦠shattering it.
âThatâs gonna be messy when it thaws out,â Toya said with a touch of pride.
Turning toward the rest of the demons gathered, he brought the daggers up swiftly and dropped into a fighting stance. His senses were alive with the thrill of battle and he was getting some of his frustrations out. Each demon around him started to change and he was suddenly seeing Kyou standing in their place.
âOh you are just LOOKING to royally piss me off!â he exclaimed.
The remaining demons attacked simultaneously as Toya crouched, readying himself for the onslaught. Claws and steel met resulting in a bloodbath that left Toya soaked within a few moments. His clothing was ripped as the enemy dug their claws into his flesh but Toya didnât slow down.
Had anyone been watching, they would have witnessed Toya in his battling glory. Despite the wounds on his body and the blood spilled, he was beautiful to behold⦠when his silver wings shattered into existence, he became the essence of a lethal angel.
The attacks suddenly paused and Toya came to a stop. He was now kneeling on one knee with his arms extended out to the side⦠the daggers clutched tightly in his grip. His breathing was heavy and his ebony and silver hair fluttered in the breeze. Long bangs hung down over his intense silver eyes nearly hiding their intent.
After a few moments of silence, the remaining demons surged forward and Toya growled in frustration. It was time to end this⦠this was Kyouâs job to take care of his lands for crying out loud. Bringing the daggers forward, he crossed them in front of him. The combined power of the weapons swirled and writhed forming a glowing orb. The sphere began to grow and soon encompassed him completely.
The following explosion wiped out everything including what was left of the village. Toya lowered the daggers and slowly but gracefully rose to his feet. Tilting his head back, he stared up at the sky that was mostly obscured with dust and debris. Ignoring the stench of burning flesh around him, he walked across the now barren ground thanking whatever gods were up there that no humans had been alive upon his arrival.
âThis is what weâre reduced to,â he thought sadly. âDestroying villages just to stop Hyakuheiâs sick and demented schemes.â
Toya sighed and his wings once more burst from his back, lifting him above the polluted ground and high into the night sky. Kyoko was waiting for him to rescue her and he was determined to find her. As he vanished into the night, a single silver feather floated to the ground and landed in the hand of a small child who had hidden and witnessed it all.
As the small fingers closed around the shimmering feather⦠it vanished.
*****
Hyakuhei stepped from a void not far from the cave. It would not do to give his secret location away⦠unless it was Kyoko who joined him. He could feel Kamui coming and wondered if the boy would make it this far before realizing the effects of confronting his nightmares would have on him. If the boy noticed his innocence dissolving⦠would he still come?
His long midnight hair swayed in the cool breeze as the muscles within his body flexed. Knowing if Kamui did make it to him⦠he would have to fight his own.
âSo be it,â Hyakuhei whispered darkly.
*****
Kamui felt the icy chill of the wind cooling the fire that boiled within him. He could also see the black tips of his wings out of the corner of his eyes and it scared him. This was why he had buried those memories. The longer he held onto the dangerous memories⦠all the rage of the past⦠the harder it was to breathe.
The wind changed direction and a feather floated past him as he slowed his flight. Kamuiâs eyes widened in terror. Black ⦠the feather was solid black.
He turned in panic, looking for the black winged man that haunted him so. No one was there. His glittering eyes slowly turned to glance at his own wings and the breath left his lungs as if someone had kicked him in the chest. He had his fatherâs wings.
âNo! I will not become you!â Kamui wrapped his arms around himself in denial. âI will not become you!â he screamed out just as he spotted Shinbe in the distance. âMake it go away, please⦠just make it go away,â he whispered not wanting Shinbe to see him with ebony feathers. Letting his body fall, he quickly became enveloped within the trees.
Landing hard on the forest floor, Kamui kneeled there for a moment before opening his eyes. The first thing his bright eyes fell on was his black wings. With an anguished cry, Kamui grasped one of them in a painful grip. He cried out in agony as he tried to rip the midnight wing from his very flesh.
Letting the feathery appendage go, he let his body fall exhausted on the ground. Tears fell from his eyes when he saw the grass around him hiss with the evil power he held deep within his very soul. It was leaking out of him like a plague that would kill everything it touched⦠hate, rage, jealousy, and untamed raw power. The one gift his father had given him was pure evil!
Curling up into a tight ball, his body started to glow and shimmer with every heartbeat as that power formed a tight cocoon around him. If he broke free of the bondage, would he be evil incarnate?
âDonât let this happen to me?â he begged quietly as he fought with every breath. âDonât let me become the nightmare my father wants me to be.â
Shinbeâs lips thinned feeling Kamui dead ahead. He could sense Kamuiâs power becoming unstable and it didnât bode well. âCome on Kamui, pull it together⦠Kyoko will need us.â Something black floated by him and he quickly snatched it from the wind.
A midnight feather⦠but it wasnât Hyakuheiâs. Shinbeâs troubled gaze darted around the vicinity in search for the true owner⦠for Kamui. âYou donât want to do this Kamui.â His voice held a hint of fear. âIf you open the door to such destruction⦠we may never get it closed again⦠please.â
The forest below him was shimmering with a strange life force and Shinbe quickly headed straight for it. A large blue sphere rested in a small clearing lighting up everything around it in a vibrant blue hue. Landing beside it, Shinbe felt the dangerous conflict raging within the sphere. His amethyst eyes showed his sadness as he took in the ebony feathers that still littered the ground.
âKamui?â Shinbe whispered as he reached out and gently touched the swirling color on the surface of the orb.
The second his hand touched the sphere, the conflict inside stabilized for a moment⦠turning pure. Shinbeâs eyes slid closed as he took Kamui's essence inside him, letting it build. All of Kamuiâs pure love and innocence⦠all his concealed malice, also the untamed power he drew from those feelings.
Kamui opened his eyes feeling someone there, but all he could see was the cage he had built around himself. Through the thick walls, he could see an amethyst aura and knew Shinbe was there. âDonât lookâ¦â He whispered as he lowered his head, ââ¦I donât want you to see the truth.â
He could hear Kamuiâs heartbreaking request. While the link between him and Kamui was so strong, Shinbe used his telepathic power to reach out to him through the barrier. He laid his forehead against the shield and pressed his palms on each side⦠making his muscles push and pull at the same time.
Sending his voice inside Kamuiâs barrier, Shinbe tried to reason with him. âKamui, let it go⦠you do not need to fight Hyakuhei on your own. Not like this. We will do it as brothers⦠together. But right now there is someone who needs us more. Kyoko needs you Kamui.â
âKyoko? But⦠I am not a true brother,â Kamui cried from inside his cell. He could see his own reflection and it was disturbing as black eyes stared back at him. âIâll never be that⦠regardless of how much I want it⦠need it. You donât know whatâs inside me trying to come out. What if I hurt her?â
Shinbeâs amethyst eyes watered in understanding. âLet it go Kamui. That knowledge has been buried and forgotten for a reason. You had a choice and you chose us. You are my brother⦠a guardian to Kyoko. We protect her with everything we are⦠even if we have to forget where we come from.â
âBut⦠itâs a lie!â Kamui cried out then became shock still as he heard Hyakuheiâs voice taunt him from afar. âYou belong to me⦠child. So does your priestess.â
Shinbe could hear Hyakuheiâs voice within the barrier and it angered him. âDo you want him to put those same chains on Kyoko that you once wore!?â Shinbe yelled, trying to make Kamui listen to reason. âFight the memories for her sake. Bury them deep inside and never look back. You can choose your own destiny! You do not have to become him! Think of Kyoko damn it.â
âKyoko?â A tear fell from Kamuiâs cheek as he looked down and watched it shatter with its glittering color. If he was truly his father⦠his tears would be black as night or crimson even ⦠not the shattering array of light he saw now. He envisioned Kyoko struggling against Hyakuhei and knew what had to be done. The only way he could ever win against such an evil was to become evil⦠but he would never betray his priestess that way. He loved her too much.
Shinbe took a step back from the sphere as it started to rise several feet off the ground. The blue aura surrounding it glittered like diamonds as the light within became so bright it overpowered it.
âYou cannot have me or her. Once again Hyakuhei⦠I deny you,â Kamui whispered just as the sphere shattered.
Several miles away, Hyakuheiâs eyes flashed red in anger as he heard Kamuiâs words and he answered, âYou cannot conceal the truth for long boy⦠you and I are the same.â
Shinbe ran forward to catch Kamui as he fell. The boy was passed out cold. His amethyst eyes widened with his smile seeing the colorful glitter that fell from his translucent wings. He hugged Kamui to him knowing everything would be all right⦠least for now. He had somehow forgotten the darkness once again.
âWelcome back Kamui,â He grinned as the boys eyes, too many colors to count, opened to stare up at him in confusion.
*****
âI just donât get it⦠why would Kyou all of a sudden decide he wants Kyoko?â Suki paced back and forth annoyed because she wasnât out there helping to bring her friend back.
Sennin rubbed his temple as he looked at his daughter, âSuki please sit down. You are making me dizzy.â He grabbed up a stick and poked at the fire as he continued. âKyou is a guardian⦠therefore Kyoko is safe with him. As for him wanting her⦠well if he does then it is already out of his hands.â
Suki turned to glare at Sennin. âWhat do you mean by that? He isnât a child. He can control what he does!â
Sennin stared into the fire and stated, âIf it is his guardian blood that has chosen her, then even Kyou has no choice.â
âWhat do you mean he has no choice?â Suki demanded. âItâs against everything the Guardians stand for to take that privilege from anyone, much less their priestess. Besides, if Kyou did like Kyoko all along, then why didnât he say something before instead of stealing her away like a thief?â
Sennin smiled, âFor the same reasons our friend Shinbe has kept his silence.â
Suki felt her face heat up and turned away from her father. âWhy would Shinbe want to keep quiet about liking someone? Heâd never had a problem speaking his mind before⦠or keeping his hands to himself for that matter.â She cringed.
âPerhaps the reason Shinbe has kept his silence is due to the one thing that keeps any man quiet for the one they secretly adore⦠fear of rejection.â He cocked an eyebrow knowing he spoke the truth.
Suki stared at her father like heâd grown a second head. âYou mean Shinbe loves Kyoko⦠and never got up the guts to tell her?â The thought made Sukiâs chest hurt and eyesight go all watery.
Suki suddenly grabbed her head, rubbing the spot where Sennin had just brained her with her own bayonet.
âStop being daft girl,â Sennin muttered, placing the bayonet back on the floor of the hut. âYoung people and their obliviousness.â He paused in thought for a moment⦠secretly reminiscing about his own âobliviousâ moments with Sukiâs mother. âAh, the memories.â
*****
The talisman within the dream master blazed to life as it felt Hyakuhei and Kyoko both slip within the walls of sleep. This was when he gained enough freedom to gaze into both their souls and find things they had both forgotten or never had the power to remember, the other side of their souls.
The dream demonâs black eyes opened wide as he looked into that world and brought his victims into it. Even the protective barrier around the girl was not strong enough to keep him out.
*****
Dreams were a strange enigma indeed but when you awaken within a dream, you no longer know you are still lost within your own mind⦠thatâs just beyond strange. Kyoko came into that same haze, feeling like she was wrapped in a blanket of warmth. Resisting the urge to open her eyes, she snuggled closer.
Everything was so quiet except for the heartbeat that sounded so strong and calm pressed against her ear.
Her eyes shot open knowing she was not supposed to be sleeping with anyone. Kyokoâs startled gaze came in contact with a bare chest. She noticed the lean muscles underneath flawless skin and tendrils of long dark silky hair that lay in waves across his ribs. Her gaze curiously followed the ebony locks upward to the flawless face⦠Hyakuhei.
She bit her lower lip feeling a blush spread across her cheeks. What was she doing lying with him? Seeing his eyes were still closed, she quickly looked back down between them to make sure he was wearing pants. Thank god, other than his missing shirt they were both still dressed.
âItâs just Hyakuhei⦠he is my guardian⦠right?â She reminded herself stubbornly. Trying to remember how they got there⦠she drew a blank. As a matter of fact, she couldnât remember the last thing she had done and frowned softly as she glanced back up at him.
âThatâs right⦠I was falling and he saved me.â Her lips parted when her eyes locked with his, he was awake and staring quietly at her. Her hand was still pressed against his chest. She could feel the same heartbeat strong and steady that she had heard only moments before. Her attention lowered to his lips before reluctantly pulling her gaze away.
She slowly sat up, feeling his gaze follow her as she did so. Now that they were no longer touching, she wondered at the cold emptiness that rushed in to steal her warmth.
Hyakuhei watched her awaken and sensing no fear, he waited for her to rise. He craved this. He liked her conflicting scent⦠her purity clashing with his own evil aura. His dark eyes were drawn to the pink that now tinted her cheeks. It made him wonder what she was thinking. As he watched her take in the solitude of the cave, he could tell she did not like the confinement of its walls.
âWhere are we?â Kyoko turned away from him to look at the small opening of the cave and felt a slight fear seeing the cold darkness that lay beyond it. She took a hesitant step back wishing she could still hear his heartbeat and feel the security she had woken with.
Hyakuhei rose up behind her and wrapped his arms securely around her when he felt her fear spike. âDo not worry my pet. I brought you here to keep you safe from the demons who want the guardian heart crystal.â He nuzzled her hair with his cheek. âI will always protect you and keep you⦠safe.â his lips hinted in a secret smile that she couldnât see.