"If we deny love that is given to us, if we refuse to give love because we fear pain or loss, then our lives will be empty, our loss greater.

-Unknown-

"Serpent's Curse"

By: FenixPhoenix

Chapter 2: "Fright"

Shinna Yuya slapped her cheeks gently. It was strange the way she could not stop smiling, even when Kyo was mean to her. Heck, she hadn't even reproached him once the fact that they'd continued walking non-stop until they'd reached the next town. By which time, of course, she could not help but curse the pain on her feet.

She went ahead and booked a room in the only Inn available while he went to check the bounty board. He was back in the blink of an eye, several posters on his hand. Together they headed to their room with her on the lead. Kyo slid open the door to their room before she could and stepped inside. Yuya shrugged and watched him as he inspected the place with a critical eye. When he was done, he sat on the corner glaring at her. Yuya closed the door behind her and, despite knowing he was unhappy about something, she grinned at him. Kyo's reaction was to shoot daggers at her.

"What now?" she asked, trying to sound angry but failing.

Kyo's eyes became slits. "You were very slow today," he pointed out slowly before a corner of his lips moved upward in a smirk, "perhaps, you should lose some weight."

That did it! "Well maybe you can slow down a bit, moron!" she snapped, her cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment.

Kyo's smirk deepened as though he'd achieved a desired result. In fact, he looked happier than he'd done the entire day!

"And what the heck do you mean by slow!" she continued, almost growling. "I don't know if that pea-sized brain of you noticed, but I never once fell behind! Ah, but that's right," she could feel a vein popping out her temple, "I forgot you're a self-centered bastard who's never going to change!"

Kyo's face did not lose his cool. "Go and get me some sake, woman," he ordered. Then, as if he couldn't help himself, he added, "You could use the exercise."

Yuya's hands balled into fists. She fought the urge to punch him right in that… argh… ruggedly handsome face of his! She shook her head, closed her eyes and counted to twenty. She felt her anger somewhat disappearing, leaving exasperation on its wake.

"I'm going," she said between clenched teeth, "but I am doing it for my own sanity, not for you! I am going to go out and walk my anger off."

"Yes, you go and be selfish just as long as you don't forget my sake," he sounded amused.

She glared at him before stepping out and she could have sworn she heard him chuckling once she'd slid the door close.

-o0o-

Sato Kenta waited inside a dark room, his nervousness obvious as he shifted uncomfortably on his seat. Every couple of minutes, he would brush his moist palms against his white hakamas. He was trying to keep his confident facade in place, but the deed was getting harder to accomplish by the second.

"So if I do this…," his honey eyes moved to stare at the figure that was half draped in shadows, "I'll be off the hook…?"

The mysterious man chuckled, "You are asking if I will kill you afterwards?"

Kenta's jaw clenched and his eyes dilated with the beginnings of fright. A small tear of sweat slid down his temple. He brushed it away instinctively.

"Will you…?" He squeezed the fabric of his hakamas but stopped when he realized what he was doing.

Gathering his courage, Kenta raised his eyes and posed them on the man who'd brought him here. He was barely discernible within the darkness, which only added to the mystery surrounding him. Kenta shuddered as he made eye contact. The dark eye with which the man was studying him seemed cold, detached and unreadable. Kenta's tongue darted out to wet dry lips. The man –the demon in possession of the man—smiled, but it was a mirthless expression, lips curving in an intimidating smirk.

"Do this to my satisfaction," he moved his hands into the light so that Kenta could see the dark-bladed knife he held, "and you'll have nothing to fear…"

Kenta combed brunette bangs away from his eyes. He felt sweaty and uncomfortable.

"…Okay," he accepted and a change happened. The oppressive atmosphere became almost inviting. He could breathe again. It was as though everything had been resting on his decision. More at ease, he grinned in sadistic excitement. Confidence draped every word that followed, "I'll do it."

The mysterious man laughed almost hysterically after Kenta had left. It was so easy he could barely believe it! How had this man –this so called warrior, managed to live for so long? To so readily become a tool to be used… why, he was a dead man walking already!

Still, he'd enjoyed the transaction. He'd always been fascinated by human nature. It intrigued him to watch how quickly a man's demeanor could change; how a scared little kitten could become a lion with the right incentive. Poor, dumb Kenta was trading one death for another! But so what? Whether the man died or lived was inconsequential. Whatever happened would serve his purpose either way.

He chucked again and brought the black bladed knife close to his face. He saw his reflection there, distorted a little, just like his smile. He kissed the blade, a peck bestowed upon the cold surface of the obsidian. Oh, yes! His revenge was so near he could practically taste it! His tongue flicked out to lick the smooth edge. He tasted the copper of his blood and chuckled again, the sound loud and ringing maniacally.

Movement outside distracted him. He stood up and crossed the dark room in order to take a closer look. He peeked out the window and smiled.

"I can already feel it," he whispered, zeroing on a woman – the woman. She was walking alone, clearly immersed in deep thought, her wrinkled brow and glazed eyes were indication enough. He shook his head in silent reproach. Ignorant, little girl. Could she not feel the approaching danger? With glee, he asked, "I wonder if you can feel it too…Yuya-San."

-o0o-

Shinna Yuya threw her hands up almost as if in surrender. God, Kyo was beyond exasperating! Why couldn't he just treat her right for a whole day? No, the man had to insult and anger her and there was nothing, NOTHING she could do about it! He held control over her. And though sometimes that control was exciting, most times it was plain irritating.

She exhaled noisily as she continued strolling through the almost deserted streets, cursing the fact that she had forgotten her coat before barging out. Kyo had simply a way to make her forget things in both good ways and bad. This one, needless to say, was one of the bad ways.

The good ways… well those she was just starting to discover and was still trying to get used to them. For instance, she hadn't even realized until much later that Kyo had actually walked naked around the Inn to get them both to their room after their hot spring episode. Naked! Thankfully, there had been no one around to see the embarrassing scene. Or at least she hoped so, though considering her delirium at that particular moment, she could not be too sure.

Yuya snapped out of the memory when her feet caught on a loose cobble which almost sent her face first to the ground. She laughed uneasily and looked around her, relieved that nobody had seen. Yuya took noticed, for the first time, of how quiet the streets were… and how dark. She crossed her arms and continued on her way, being extra careful to stay away from areas where the light did not reach. You never knew what lurked within the darkness, but experience had shown her that it was always something better to avoid.

As if to prove the validity of this last thought, she felt a chill run down her spine when she walked past an eerie-looking house. She glanced at it, squinting in its direction. It might have been her imagination, but she felt eyes boring into her. Looking up at the second story, she saw a shadow near a window. She blinked and, when she looked again, it was dark and empty.

It's a trick of the eye, she told herself, chuckling nervously. Nevertheless, she pressed her pace, still trying to laugh her jumpiness off. Thankfully, whoever the figure was –if there was even someone there in the first place- he had not deemed it necessary to follow her.

After a while, she stopped before the tavern of the town and scowled. Yes, it didn't matter what she said to him, in the end she couldn't help but fulfill his wishes… Though this time, she argued, she owed him for the thrill of last night.

Maybe I'll get a reward, she mused, feeling much happier with that enticing idea. She peeked inside to make sure no surprises awaited her.

"Hello, there," came a greeting from behind the bar. "What can I get you, honey?"

More at ease, she stepped in with a smile on her face. She noticed the store was almost deserted, but she shrugged this off. It most probably was due to the fact that it was late and cold.

"Hello," she greeted the gray-haired bartender. "Could I get a bottle of sake please?"

"Of course!" He went to a shelf, took a bottle and offered it to her. She could tell at a glance that it was the most expensive brand. Yuya decided to let that go. "Here you go, Miss."

Yuya paid and thanked him. She was about to leave when a bear of a man dressed in white hakamas and a moss green gi intercepted her. She tried to go around him, but again he moved. There was no mistake, he was doing this deliberately. She looked up at his face with a frown. He was staring at her with a grin that was far from nice and was closer to wolfish.

"Do you mind," she glared back and tried to push him out of the way unsuccessfully.

The man leaned forward and Yuya tensed, unsure of what to do. He took a lock of her hair and… sniffed it. She backed away at the queer action, more confused than before. What the hell!

"Not at all," he chuckled, his honey eyes becoming slits.

Yuya scowled. "Well I do," she hissed, "so let me through before you regret this."

The man barked a laugh, "Oh, really?"

He gave one step towards her and, before she knew it, he had taken her arm and was dragging her towards the table that stood in the far corner of the shop. None too gently, he pushed her into the bench. In seconds, she found herself trapped between the wall and the bear-like man who'd slid next to her.

"So," he leaned closer and sniffed her hair again. She tried to push him away from her, but of course he was much too big to be physically swayed! Ignoring her attempts he asked, "Tell me, what's a caramel like you doing all alone in a place like this?"

Yuya's eyes widened when he took a hold of her hands, so that now she had no way to push him away, her legs trapped with the table. The man dipped his head and, undauntedly, nibbled her earlobe. Something inside her snapped! Her fear gave way to adrenaline and, having no way to flee, she opted to fight. So she turned her head sharply his way and, without hesitating, bit down on the man's earlobe.

"Damn it, you bitch!" he snarled, his hand closing around her throat until she had no choice but to unclenched her teeth as she fought for air.

His grip softened enough to allow her to breathe again. But the hand was still there, fingers digging into her skin, warning her to be careful.

"That's better," he accepted, kissing the mark his hands had left on her milky skin. She winced at the wet, sloppy peck.

Knowing that panicking would do no good, Yuya kept her voice low and composed, "What do you want?"

The man laughed. "You know what I want," he touched her lips with the tip of his index finger before continuing, "Hasn't anyone taught you that you shouldn't be alone at night?" He moved his lips to her ear and whispered, "It's dangerous…"

Yuya's eyes burned with tears when she assessed her impossible situation. Every outcome her mind offered almost made her gag. She bit her lip, wrecking her brain for a solution. But the only thing there was panic. She closed her eyes, tears squeezing past her lashes.

Kyo, a voice inside her called silently, desperately.

"Most importantly," came a voice so cold it could have frozen the pit of hell, "Didn't anyone ever teach you not to mess with other people's property?"

Yuya's eyes sought the source of the voice and all her fright immediately vanished. He'd heard! He'd answered! He was right here and everything would be alright!

Her captor smiled. "Onime no Kyo," he said as he moved slowly out of his place to stand before Kyo, "I've heard of you."

Kyo's hand tightened around his muramasa. "Then you know your reaper has come," he threatened with a smirk, though his eyes were far from amused.

"Oh," honey eyes flickered in Yuya's direction, "I didn't know she was taken." His smile transformed into a wild, sadistic grin, "After all, she was walking amidst darkness… all alone."

Kyo unsheathed his sword gracefully and pointed the tip at the man's neck. "I suggest you start praying, for no one who touches my woman can live to tell the tale."

The man freed his own katana from the scabbard hanging on his waist. "Are you not even curious as to who I am?"

"I do not care much about the dead."

"I am Sato, Kenta," the man introduced himself anyways, "and I suggest we leave this… fight for another time."

Kyo grinned, "Who said anything about a fight? This will be an execution."

Kenta chuckled, but the sound seemed forced, unsure almost. "Still," he insisted, "We should leave it for tomorrow."

"Why would I do that?"

The sound of feet moving outside stole their attention. Yuya took a peek at what was happening through one of the windows.

"Someone called the police?" she asked surprised. Why didn't they call the police when she was being molested!

Kenta sheathed his sword and stepped back. "Tomorrow, near the southern gate, just outside town," he said, "I will meet you there at this hour… or I will take your woman."

Onime no Kyo had been about to cut the man in half when he felt someone closing in on them. He turned to the left, noticing there was indeed someone there, someone who'd witnessed the entire deal and had done nothing! Kyo was just about to address him when he threw something on the floor. Kyo crouched; ready for some kind of explosion, but all that came out of that pebble was smoke. It blinded him and disoriented him for a while. When the haze somewhat cleared, the man and the witness had vanished.

Kyo cursed and was about to try finding them when he remembered something, the reason why he'd come, to be precise! Where was Yuya? He turned to where he had last seen her, but she was not there! He felt his anger rising at the thought of losing her but, just when he was about to start destroying the place, he felt a soft hand upon his arm, squeezing in reassurance. His anger subsided, leaving sweet relief on its wake.

"Kyo," she said worriedly, "we need to go."

He nodded curtly, took her hand and, breaking a window, they slipped out and walked away.

"What did you have to go around and get yourself in trouble, woman!" Kyo's anger returned once they were back in the safety and warmth of their room.

Yuya frowned, "What the heck is that supposed to mean!" She brushed her hair behind her shoulders so that he could see the mark that Kenta's hand had left on her neck. "In case you haven't noticed, I actually tried to get away! And let us not forget who I did this for! It was you who sent me to get your disgusting sake in the first place!"

Kyo stared at the mark incredulous. Guilt, a thing which he'd rarely felt, pushed away his anger, making his shoulders sag unbecomingly. He saw Yuya's regret plain as day and that just made him feel even worst. She was right, it was him who'd sent her away!

"Kyo… It's not your fault…"

He closed his eyes. He didn't know whether to still be angry or relieved at the fact that her windpipe had not been crushed. He growled and pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to regain his composure. All he wanted at the moment was to kill someone, specifically the one who had dared hurt her.

Yuya sighed, leaned on the wall tiredly and massaged her neck, "I'm glad you came for me… Kyo."

He felt the last traces of anger evaporating with her words. Despite what she'd gone through, she was still thankful. God, he only hoped that her blind trust in him would not end up paving a road to her demise. He shook his head and the morbid thoughts therein. He focused on her, his most precious possession. He had almost lost her and that single thought sent waves of fear through his body. A fear he was starting to hate but which he could not control, no matter how hard he tried.

His hand was still tight around the hilt of his blade. He leaned his weapon against the wall and ambled towards her until they were but a fingernail apart. Yuya was blushing madly and closed her eyes when he dipped his head.

Shinna Yuya thought he would kiss her lips. Sometimes, though, Kyo could surprise her in very pleasant ways. Instead of kissing her, she felt his lips brushing against the darker marks on her neck. And she knew, as he kissed those, that she was much more important to him than she had ever thought…

"Kyo?"

"Hmmm," he continued with his ministrations, his lips moving up towards her jaw as he mumbled a lazy, "I'm busy." He brushed his nose against her cheek before claiming her lips.

Yuya was left speechless, feeling his yearning burning her in a way she was starting to truly like. This was his way to do things, his special power. This was how he made her forget things in a good way. And she knew that, after this, the memory of Kenta's lips on her neck would forever be erased.

To be continued…