Chapter 6 "More Than Jealousy"
Kyoko still felt like she was in a trance but the feelings she was having were so nice, she really didn’t mind. What was Kyou doing to her? It’s like… little by little he was building up to something much bigger, getting her ready for something. Either that or he was putting her in heat.
Kyoko glanced down at her hand. They were holding hands? She followed the arm with her gaze up to the face of Toya. Toya was holding her hand? She smiled. Then thought lamely to herself, 'when did he show up?’ Shaking her head to clear away any remaining fuzz, she glanced at Toya in confusion. His eyes looked a bit softer than before… and worried.
"Toya, what’s going on? Why do I feel like I’m coming out of a heavy fog or something?” When he didn’t respond, Kyoko pulled back on her hand so that Toya either had to let go or answer her question.
Keeping his back to her, he let go of her hand and took another step but the next step faltered. "Kyoko, I think we should wait to have this conversation." Toya didn’t turn around to say it. He didn’t think he could look her in the eyes right at this moment as he noticed her sudden shift in moods.
He needed to talk to her about him and his overbearing brother but right now, as high as his jealousy was, he wasn’t sure he could control himself. "Come on," Toya tried to sound annoyed with her so she wouldn’t push it.
Kyoko didn’t want to give up that easily, after all… it was her they were discussing and she needed answers. Last thing she needed was to make a fool out of herself again and not even know about it. "Toya, why is Kyou after me?"
She spoke the words softly but they rang in Toya’s ears like a well-placed threat. He growled silently at the thought of Kyou wanting Kyoko and she was just standing there waiting on him to answer her.
Unable to fight the need thumping under his skin, Toya turned around and pulled her into his warm embrace… then, just as quickly, he let go of her, taking a step back and hanging his head in silent defeat.
“Do we have to talk about this right now?" Toya glanced up at her, only to swiftly look away from her curious gaze.
Kyoko sighed. "This is what I was afraid of, you jerk. You can’t even look me in the eyes anymore. You hated the kiss so much that now you don’t want anything to do with me, right?" she balled her fist up at her sides and lifted her chin up a notch to show defiance. "Well, I don’t care what you think of me. Just because you didn’t like kissing me, doesn’t mean others won’t…"
Before she knew what happen, she was crushed in Toya’s arms and his lips were taking hers fiercely. She dug her fingers into his hair in an effort to keep her weak knees from buckling under her.
He wanted her, frighteningly so at times. Toya tried to get himself back under control. It was just that when she’d mentioned others liking her kiss, it made him want to make her forget the other kisses. He released her lips, their eyes locked in a silent war and a wave of possessiveness rushed through him.
"Kyoko, I do like your kisses." His gaze dropped back to the pink lips he’d just let have their freedom.
Kyoko felt her heart strain toward Toya, needing him. No matter what, she could never stay mad at him. She searched his golden gaze seeing the silver glittering there, trying to fight for dominance but something was needling her senses… telling her they weren’t alone.
Toya felt Kyoko tense up and thought it was because he had told her he liked her kisses until he felt her lean and look behind him. He let go of her, turning quickly, not knowing what to expect.
Shadows within the darkness took shape with distorted movements. "Shadow demons? Here?" He whispered. Just as he said the words, the shadows begin to flee as if taunting him to follow them.
"Go back to the camp with the others where it’s safe." He pointed in the direction of the camp then took off through the forest not wanting to lose them. He could only sense two of them but it was still not a good sign that they’d been spying on Kyoko. It made him wonder if Hyakuhei was closer than they all thought him to be.
Kyoko didn’t have time to say anything before he vanished from sight so she took off in the direction of the camp, thinking maybe he didn’t want to be around her. After all, it was only a couple lowborn shadow demons and in such a small number they were virtually harmless.
“That’s fine!” Kyoko quietly ranted. “Just fine… The next time he even thinks of kissing me I’m gonna deck him.” She pasted a smile on her face as she walked into camp.
Kamui was the first to see Kyoko and he quickly closed the distance between them, grabbing her in a welcoming hug. "Look guys, Kyoko's back!" He gave her a kiss on the cheek and a wink.
Suki smiled, happy to see she was finally back but Shinbe narrowed his eyes at the kiss Kamui had just snuck in there. What the hell was that boy thinking? Toya would kill him first.
"I’m sorry I made you guys wait so long but I’m back now and I’m fine with what happen so, no worries, okay? Oh and I brought you guys some goodies too.” She put her backpack in front of her and started rummaging through it, handing out their favorites to each of them.
They all sat there, smiling, eating goodies, and drinking soda like they didn’t have a care in the world. All except for Shinbe, who looked off into the forest wondering what had been so important to make Toya leave Kyoko’s side.
***** Toya followed the two shadow demons, knowing they were purposely leading him away from the others. He didn’t care if it was a trap and almost hoped it was… with the mood he was in. Seeing the shadow demons fade into the ground right in front of him, Toya growled as he skidded to a stop.
Before he could do anything, the wind picked up to a level that could only mean one thing. Amni, Hyakuhei’s pet demon that had the ability to use wind magic was behind the summoning. “Show yourself, you bastard.”
Amni descended as the winds swirled around him, its currents obeying his command. His lips hinted at a smile while his long blond hair swayed in the breeze as the wind died down to a softer pace.
“The priestess makes you weak, guardian.” Amni gripped his wind sword and changed angles with a downward stroke, releasing a powerful gust straight at Toya’s feet to cause dirt and debris to fly up into his face. “Or is it her lips that make you weak?” He taunted, wanting Toya’s full attention for what he was about to say.
The twin daggers slid into Toya's palms and he quickly crossed them just as the debris flew at him only to turn to ash as it touched the barrier he’d created with the blades. Looking through the electric blue swirls of the barrier, Toya’s eyes narrowed on the underling that followed his uncle, wondering just what he was up to.
The boy was an enigma sometimes and right now Toya could tell he was only playing instead of really attacking. “Spit it out Amni… or I swear I’ll send you back to Hyakuhei in small pieces.”
Amni’s blue eyes lit up playfully as he sent another round of dangerous wind toward Toya. "Your uncle has collected over half of the talismans.” He rose back into the air to escape the ice that was forming on the ground under him due to Toya’s ice dagger attack. “The guardians have most of the other half. There aren’t many more talismans left to find.”
“Tell me something I don’t already know you fucking blowhard!” Toya growled as he shot fire at Amni, only for the wind to carry the boy out of range then back again as the flames passed.
Seeing that Toya was losing his patience and his temper, Amni sent a powerful blast directly at him and yelled. “Toya, pay attention!” It was bad enough Hyakuhei would kill him if he knew he was here telling secrets to the enemy, but it’d be even worse if Hyakuhei gained the power of the guardian heart crystal.
If his master ever gained that kind of power… Amni knew he’d never be freed from the bindings that held him slave to the monster the guardian lord had become. “Hyakuhei has a small problem,” Amni smirked deceivingly. “He needs a priestess to help him fuse the talismans back together."
Toya watched Amni, trying to understand what he was hinting at and then it dawned on him. "Kyoko!” He turned to go but Amni’s voice halted him with one last warning.
A solemn look crossed Amni's features, "Toya, if Hyakuhei ever gains the power of the guardian heart crystal… you will lose the priestess to him.”
***** Kyoko decided to act like nothing was wrong. ‘Nothing is wrong as long as no one ever tries to kiss me again,’ she thought to herself. Pulling a soda out of the bag and setting it down beside her, she reached back in and pulled out a bag of chips, setting it beside the drink then opened her own soda. She laughed as Kamui opened his drink and some spewed on him.
Toya could hear Kyoko’s laughter as he drew near the camp. He loved to hear her laugh. It was a sound only she could make. He walked into the camp and saw them all eating Kyoko's goodies. Glancing over at her, his eyes softened as she pointed to the bag of chips and soda beside her.
"Here, I saved yours," She smiled at him deciding to ignore what’d happened a little while ago.
Toya slowly walked over sitting down beside her to take the chips and drink, not knowing if he trusted that smile of hers or not. His thoughts were still riveted to the words Amni had said. ‘If Hyakuhei ever gains the power of the guardian heart crystal… you will lose the priestess to him.’ Toya’s attention turned back to Kyoko as he sensed her heartbeat change and start to race.
Kyoko dropped her drink to the ground as she stood up, going pale as she turned toward the closest village. She knew most of the time she was weak and defenseless but this was one power she’d gained the moment she’d touched the hands of the maiden statue in her back yard. She could feel them there… demons… a lot of evil.
"The village… Sennin," she whispered then took off at a run. “We have to save them!”
Toya grabbed Kyoko, slinging her around to his back and within minutes, they reached the edge of the cliff overlooking the village. Seeing an ominous cloud hanging low over it, everyone paused before jerking back into motion.
"Toya, hurry!" Kyoko insisted anxiously then glanced back at the others. Kaen had already transformed into a dragon and Suki and Shinbe were riding him. Suki silently prayed they would get there in time to save the village and her father. Shinbe’s lips thinned, wrapping a protective arm around Suki as they headed into unknown danger.
Toya sped up with Kyoko clinging tightly to him. "Kyoko, how many talismans do you sense?" He had a bad feeling about this but this time he was going to keep Kyoko with him so he could keep her safe. His hands tightened under her knees for a moment as he flew through the trees, coming closer to the village.
Kyoko closed her eyes trying to concentrate. "I feel a couple straight ahead. But they’re bigger than normal and very powerful. I feel a couple to the right and they’re moving very fast toward the other." She frowned noticing a difference. One set of talismans felt very dark but the other set didn’t.
Kyoko opened her eyes to find them in front of the village. Sennin was there with some of the village men, trying to defend the village from a giant demon that had many snake-like demons attached to its body. The demon was slinging the snake demons at the villagers, laughing insanely when the serpents would attach themselves to humans and then make them do what they wanted them to do as if they were puppets. To her horror, the villagers began fighting each other.
Toya sat Kyoko on her feet as Suki and Shinbe jumped down off Kaen. Kamui stayed with the dragon to pair up and make a tighter defense. Kyoko grabbed her crossbow and notched it as the vicious demon turned its attention to the new arrivals.
They all stood their ground until Toya sprung forward, attempting to slice the demon’s body in half. The demon dodged it, coming back around and knocking Toya off his feet with a demented roar. The silver guardian hit the hard packed ground with a bone-jarring thud.
When Kyoko screamed Toya’s name, it caused the huge demon to look in her direction. She hurriedly notched a spirit-dart against her crossbow, looking for the talismans that she knew it was hiding somewhere on its massive body. Seeing one in its left arm, she took aim but missed when it swung its arm around at Toya again.
Toya jumped out of the way but when the demon noticed the arrow whiz past his arm, it swung back to Kyoko with a ruby glare. In a nasty raspy voice it growled. "So, you’re the priestess who can see the talismans." Then it started in her direction, flinging a bunch of serpents at Toya to keep him busy.
Suki and Shinbe placed themselves between Kyoko and the demon. Suki released her bayonet as Shinbe used his staff to destroy the snake demons that the main demon was sending at them but the hideous creature just wasn’t slowing down.
Kyoko notched another spirit-dart just as the demon knocked Suki and Shinbe out of the way with one swing of his giant clawed hand. Seeing her friends flying through the air sent a jolt of anger through Kyoko and she released the dart. It hissed through the air, hitting the talisman in his upper arm and making him turn in anger.
Screaming in rage, the monstrosity turned on Kyoko. Just as it sent at least two-dozen red-eyed snakes straight at her, a blur grabbed her around the waist and she was taken out of harm’s way. When she could finally focus again, Kyoko looked up to see Kotaro holding her bridal style, smiling down at her. She smiled right back at him thankfully. He’d probably just saved her life… once again.
Looking over Kotaro’s shoulder, Kyoko could see Toya with a dagger in each hand and bright silver shining within his irises. With a vibrating scream, he released his fire and ice straight into the monster.
All battle sounds stopped. Everyone watched in awe as the demon’s movements stilled. Ice crystals formed across its greenish skin only to burst into flames as its body shattered. The pieces rained down hitting the ground like glittering glass. Toya sprang into action, grabbing the remaining talismans from the beast so it couldn’t recover.
When he destroyed the demon, the serpents slithered away leaving the people of the village to look around in confusion. Toya didn’t stay to watch the after effects. Instant jealousy shot through him like an arrow. He ran straight over to where Kotaro held Kyoko in such an annoyingly sweet manner.
"Put her down, now!" Toya’s temper flared. He could barely stand from being thrown around by that demon but he was not about to let Kyoko be man handled by Kotaro. The next thing you know the blowhard would be kissing her again.
Feeling instant anger surge through his veins at Toya’s ungratefulness, Kotaro yelled back. "You can’t protect her, so I will. She’s gonna be my mate someday and I’m tired of you putting her in danger! Dumb Ass!" Ice blue eyes clashed with the silver sparks that still raged within Toya’s golden irises.
Toya tried to take Kyoko out of Kotaro’s arms but Kotaro moved so fast it was like blinking and he was gone. "Keep your hands off my woman, icy ass!" Kotaro smirked in Toya's direction from at least twenty feet away.
Needless to say, Kyoko was ironically uncomfortable. She looked up at Kotaro trying to defuse the situation. "Kotaro, you can put me down now. Thank you for saving me." She gave him a warm-hearted smile, knowing he would do as she requested.
Kotaro glanced down at her, slightly amused by her request but he stood her up on her own feet, only to turn her around to him, pulling her into a tight embrace. "Kyoko, I’m sorry I left you in the care of ice breath here. If I’d known he couldn’t take care of you, I would have taken you with me."
As she gazed up into his sparkling blue eyes, she could see he meant every word he said. His hold on her tightened protectively. Kyoko's lips parted when she heard Toya growling a warning from behind her and she gently pushed back from Kotaro. "Kotaro, it’s alright. I have to help fight Hyakuhei too. You know I have to gather the talismans and put them back together, remember?”
Kyoko looked at him curiously, hoping he would be reasonable. Then she ventured to say. "I’m glad you’re helping us so it will be over faster." She hoped that would pacify him enough to where he wouldn’t start a fight with Toya and get hurt. She could sense the shards he carried with him on his hip and knew he was having luck with collecting them away from the group.
Kotaro felt heat rise into his cheeks. Leaning forward, he kissed her on the cheek then whispered, "I’ll find Hyakuhei for you, my dear Kyoko, then we can be together." He slipped something into her hand and folded her fingers around it.
Kyoko blinked and he was gone. She sighed almost glad he’d left without any more taunts. Glancing down at her hand she smiled at the small sack and knew the talisman he’d gathered were resting safely within it. “Thanks,” she whispered. Turning around to go back to the others she ran right into Toya. He put his hands out to steady her and she looked up at him finding two golden orbs staring curiously at her.
"Why are you always so nice to him?” Toya was trying to keep the jealousy out of his voice but wasn’t doing a very good job of it. His gaze flickered over hers trying to sense what she was thinking.
"Why do you care if I’m nice to Kotaro or not?" Her voice held a strange hint of tenderness in it. She just wanted Toya to give her a reason why she shouldn’t be so nice to Kotaro when he was nice to her.
Toya frowned down at her then turned his back to her deciding not to satisfy that with an answer. He then leaned down and told her to climb on. Kyoko climbed on his back and he started toward the other side of the village where most of the damage was done.
Knowing he wasn’t all that mad, Kyoko put her lips next to his ear and whispered, "I’m nice to him so that he doesn’t pick a fight with you."
Toya slowed down. "Are you afraid he will hurt me?"
Kyoko smiled. "No, I’m afraid you will hurt him. We both know you are the strongest."
Still facing forward Toya smiled, not letting Kyoko see it. "So… you are just looking out for my wimpy brother then, right?” Toya smirked back at her than sped up fast so she would have to hold on tightly… just the way he liked it.
