CHAPTER III:

BROTHER, SISTERS, AND MATES

Chikane's View

My eyes slowly fluttered open as I felt something warm against my skin as well as a draft. I blinked to see something white. I then realized that it was Himeko who must have unconsciously turned into a wolf in her sleep. I noticed that I must have fallen over onto my side, so I propped myself only to see my blouse along with her shirt was on the other side of Himeko. A slight blush colored my cheeks when I finally realized that she had taken both of our tops off to feel our skin against each other.

'At least she left my bra on,' I thought as I reached over and grabbed the blouse, 'but I love the feel of her fur against my skin.'

I pulled the blouse over me before scratching Himeko's belly. She shivered before slowly getting to her feet. I smiled as she nuzzled my cheek and gave me an affectionate lick.

"Good morning, love," I whispered before nuzzling my nose against her forehead.

'Morning, Chikane-chan,' she growled affectionately as she nipped my ear playfully. 'Are you okay? Your eyes are redder than ever.'

"I'm really hungry, Himeko," I hissed before I realized that my fangs had increased to be an inch long. My stomach growled out loud before I said, "But I don't want to take your blood! You're my dear beloved sun! I don't—"

I hadn't even noticed that Himeko had transformed back into a human until she pressed her lips to mine. It was gentle and urgent, making my thoughts stop after I began to struggle against her. She pulled away from me to look at me, her left hand clasped to my right hand. The mark on our hands began to glow brightly in unison, making me think that Himeko wanted the same thing that I did.

"Don't fight your inner desires, Chikane-chan," whispered Himeko as her other hand rested on my cheek. "It'll hurt you in the long run. Plus, I do know that the blood of a vampire's mate is very nutritional for a vampire."

I stared dumbfounded at Himeko since no wolf knew that about vampires. She moved my left hand to her waist and my other hand to her neck, her hands resting on mine. She bumped my forehead with hers before biting my lower lip, causing me to moan with pleasure. I couldn't help but kiss her after that, slow and deep with all the love I have for her in it. I could feel my instincts get the better of me, causing me to shiver in fear. I could hear a low growl of pleasure come from Himeko as my lips traveled up to her ear, giving it a playful nip before moving back down along her jawline and down to her neck. I stopped, hesitant about doing this while I still had logical thoughts at the forefront of my mind.

"Go ahead," I heard Himeko's moan in pleasure. 'Don't let fear stop you, Chikane-chan.'

My lips curled back in a hiss before I let my fangs slowly pierce her flesh, careful not to hurt her. She gasped as her nails dug into my hands, making me wince from pain. I started to drawback but stopped when she dug her nails in harder. I smiled before pressing harder, reveling in the sweet flavor of her blood. It reminded me of that gourmet chocolate I had in one of our past lives together, making me realize that she must not have taken any drugs of any kind in this life.

"Chikane-chan!" growled Himeko as I felt her body tremble.

I immediately drew back when I realized that I may have overdone it. I licked what little blood trailed away from the bite mark before moving back up to see Himeko's voice. I could already see that she was trying desperately to keep herself under control. I kissed her again, causing her to stop trembling. When I pulled back, she was panting heavily, so I took this chance to put her t-shirt back on. I threaded my fingers between hers, smiling at her lovingly as I rested my forehead against hers.

"Are you alright, Himeko?" I asked questioningly as her breathing slowly returned to normal. "I think I drank a little too much of your blood. I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Chikane-chan," said Himeko as she nuzzled her nose against mine. "Just give me a couple of minutes to rest please. Then we can figure a way out of here."

I purred in contentment as I stroked her hair, reveling in the soft and silk tresses that parted easily between my fingertips. I rested my head on hers as I felt the steady rise and fall of her chest. I was almost asleep when a familiar scent drifted up my nostrils. My eyes shot open before I sat up, my sudden stiffness waking my beloved.

"Chikane-chan?" moaned Himeko as she sat up. "Why did you wake me up so early?"

"Shhh!" I hissed as my arms tightened around her. My eyes turned topaz as I hissed quietly, "We're no longer alone, Himeko!"

Himeko's View

I then heard the faint footfalls coming from the steps. They were light which meant it had to be a female coming towards us. They were, however, too purposeful for someone trying to come quietly. I gasped when I saw someone I hadn't seen in a long time.

"Sister Miyako?" I asked as she finally got off the steps.

"Kurusugawa-san?" asked Miyako, stunned at seeing me. Her eyes then softened before saying, "It's been a long time. The last time I saw you was when you were but a child."

"Has it been that long?" I asked as I closed my eyes, deep in thought. "I distinctly remember you were the one who found me in the streets of Tokyo. You gave me a place to stay as well as some money to leave Tokyo when my aunt and uncle died."

"What do you want, Miyako?" hissed Chikane threateningly as her eyes narrowed, her grip tightening around my waist.

"I came to bring you back home, little Chikane," said Miyako as she bent down, her hand held out to Chikane.

I stared wide-eyed at the hand held out to my beloved moon. I didn't understand the hesitant look in my mate's eyes, reluctant to take hold of the hand because of what looked like fear. I placed my hand on her cheek and ran my thumb gently along her skin, making her jump. She turned to look at me, seeing the concern in my eyes as I whimpered. She smiled at me before rubbing her cheek against my palm, purring in contentment.

'What's wrong, Chikane-chan?' I thought before nuzzling up under her chin.

'I really want to take Miyako's hand, Himeko,' said Chikane as she took a deep breath, knowing full well she was using my own scent to calm herself. 'She is my sister after all. The mansion was my home until Miyako let Tsubasa into our home. Tsubasa would torture me if I did anything to piss him off, or he would just do it if he had a bad day. He would do anything from cutting, stabbing, tying me up, and injecting me with something. His personal favorite was trying to sodomizing me with various objects.'

I felt something wet drip down onto my cheeks before I said, 'Please don't cry, Chikane-chan.'

I pulled away to see the obvious hurt in her eyes, a reflection of the pain she went through. I could then see the flashes of memories of Chikane's torture running through her, the mark allowing me to see and feel the pain she was in. I reached up and lightly nipped her ear, drawing from her a gasp before she turned to me with slight pink cheeks.

"You're really cut when you're blushing," I whispered as I nuzzled her cheek.

I gasped when I felt myself being lifted up and thrown backwards towards the shrine. I felt my head hit something stone before I slid to the floor. I felt something warm trickle down the back of my head, making me dizzy. My eyes were unfocused, my eyelids drooping as everything began to spin.

"Himeko!" I heard Chikane scream. "Let go of me, Miyako!"

"I can't do that," said Miyako. "Akiho-sama said to make sure that you stay confined to the mansion to protect you. I will take you back even if I have to use force."

Memories of Chikane's face came to mind, of the lonely look in her eyes from her being in the mansion all alone and not having any friends. My eyes shot open as I heard Chikane's cries of pain. I saw Miyako bent over, biting down on Chikane's neck. I could feel her pain coursing through me, making my heart scream in agony. Anger surged within me as my body heated up, my body changing rapidly.

'LET GO OF MY MATE!' I snarled as I rushed at her.

Miyako turned to face me before I tackled her to the ground. I snarled at her as I dug my nails into her forearms and calves. She hissed at me in pain as her eyes turned topaz.

'DON'T YOU DO HURT HER!" I snarled before bending down to bite her throat.

"HIMEKO!" screamed a voice.

I turned to see Chikane laying on the ground, staring at me with her sapphire eyes filled with sadness. Tears trailed down her cheeks as she clenched her teeth. I could see her face twisted in pain, and I knew that watching me hurt her sister made her upset. I growled before biting down on her shoulder hard, crushing it so she screamed in pain.

I got off of her before she hissed, "You will pay for interfering with us, Kurusugawa-san! May the rather of the Gods fall upon your wretched head!"

I snarled at her as she ran away up the steps. I then ran back to Chikane, worried about her. I saw the bite wound on her neck and began licking the blood away. I whimpered as I nuzzled her cheek, wanting her to wake up. My ears pricked up at the sound of moaning, causing me to whimper more. I licked her neck affectionately, causing her to shiver. She looked up at me through half-closed eyes, a glazed confused look in her eyes.

"Himeko?" she asked as I tilted my head in confusion.

I licked her ear affectionately before biting her ear, drawing from her a moan of pleasure. She wrapped her arms around my neck before I slowly rose, bringing her up into a sitting position. I growled as I rubbed my muzzle against her neck.

'Are you alright, Chikane-chan?' I asked, noticing that she was having a hard time staying awake.

"Miyako drank enough of my blood to incapacitate me for a while," whispered my beloved moon. "I'm going to have to rest until I've recovered or drink more blood. I can't drink from you until you've recovered, Himeko."

'Get on, Chikane-chan,' I said as I lowered myself to the ground. 'Hang on, and I'll carry you to the shrine.'

I waited for her to crawl on top of my back before rising to my feet, waiting patiently for her to get a grip. Once I felt her hands grab a fistful of my fur, I bolted up the steps and out of the cave. I dashed past Chikane's hissing siblings before making it back to the steps of the shrine where I knew a lecture would be waiting for me for not only the fact that I'm injured but also the facts that it's late and that I reek of vampire.

Chikane's View

I moaned as I felt a slight draft whip the curtains about, allowing sunlight to shine in my eyes. I was about to roll over until I became aware of a familiar warmth against me. I pushed the covers back to reveal something I never once dreamed of seeing.

Himeko was curled up into a ball, hugging herself as if for some comfort. She was biting her lower lip, trying to suppress crying out. Tears trailed down her face from eyes that were screwed shut so tight that they threatened to never open again.

"Don't take Chikane-chan from me!" she screamed out loud. "I won't let you harm her!"

I panicked at the pain and fear in her voice. I pressed a light kiss to her cheek before she moaned, her sweaty, heaving body slowly relaxing. I kissed her ear lightly before sucking on the shell. I nipped it hard, immediately jolting her back to the land of the living. She looked around, confused by her surroundings before her eyes rested on me. I could tell that she remembered that dream vividly and that it frightened her to her core. It pained me to see her in a state that I had never seen her in other than our first life together when I had raped her, the memory of it making me shiver.

"Are you alright, Himeko?" I asked as I slowly ran my fingers through her tangled hair, relaxing her into me. "Was someone taking me away from you?"

She merely nodded her head before attempting to bury her face in my chest. I held her at arm's length, staring her directly in the eye to see the pain, fear, and sadness that was hidden there. I gave her a light kiss on the lips before hugging her tight. My fingers gingerly trailed from her lower back up along her spine before stopping just below her shoulders. It was then that I felt dried blood.

"I had hit my head against one of those stone swords, Chikane-chan," said Himeko as if knowing what my thoughts were. "We are connected together by this mark, so I could feel your pain and emotions, and read your thoughts. It's a benefit for wolf couples, so that they can't hide anything from each other."

"I see," I said before rubbing a hand against her cheek. "By the way, Himeko, I left my own mark on you when I bit you."

She looked at her other hand and saw a sun with a crescent moon in it. It was blue and red so it was colored just like a tattoo. She looked up at me and smiled before kissing me deeply and passionately, her thanks and love riding on that kiss.

"We should probably take a bath, Chikane-chan," said Himeko as she rose with her hand held out to me.

Then she fell into my arms before I hissed, "Himeko! You're not alright, Himeko! Were you taking care of me before yourself again?" She looked up at me and nodded. "That won't do, Himeko! You've lost a lot of blood from when you hit your head!"

I stopped talking as I felt my hand burn. I looked down to see Himeko's mark was glowing red while mine was blue. Tears ran down her cheeks as she looked up at me, a look that I hadn't seen in a long time.

"Did I upset you, Himeko?" I asked, my eyes softening as she hid her face in my neck. "Please answer me."

"You've never been angry like this before," said Himeko before kissing my neck, making me shiver. "I was just worried about you. I always more about you first, love. Have you forgotten that about me?"

"I'm sorry," I said before kissing her head, making her tense. "I didn't mean to upset you. I just wish that you would take better care of yourself."

I gently pushed her back, so I could look at her better. Her tears were coming faster now since I had implied that I wasn't happy with her decision to take care of me first. I kissed her eyes, instantly stopping her from crying. She stared at me with her head tilted to one side, confused at my action. I simply smiled at her before kissing her nose and nuzzling it.

"Chikane-chan?" she asked before yelping in surprise as I picked her up bridal style.

"We should get cleaned up," I said, smiling at her before she directed me to the bathroom.

Himeko's View

I smiled lovingly at Chikane before she set me down so I was standing up against a wall. I glanced over at Chikane to see that her back was to me, not even noticing that I was watching her strip. When she turned and saw me, she smiled at me before coming over and helping me undress. She stopped, however, after removing my shirt and bra, stiffened for a reason I didn't know.

"What the hell happened to you?" hissed Chikane as she brought her hands up to my abdomen.

I looked down and realized what it was that she was referring to. There are numerous scars from repeated cuts and stabs. What got her attention the most was the apparent ridges and swelling from surgery on her own chests from cuts that had gotten infected. I undid my jeans and allowed them to slide to the floor along with my underwear, revealing the scars on my thighs from cuts. I also had scars on my wrists and ankles from having been tied up so tight that the ropes cut into my skin and made me bleed.

"I was abused my aunt and uncle," I said as Chikane trace the scar that ran along my left side. "If I didn't get good grades or something right, I was punished the same way you were tortured, but sodomizing me wasn't on the list. The first time they tried, I was so scared that I blacked out. When I came to, they were..."

I trailed off as I thought of the sight of my dead aunt and uncle and myself, cowering in the corner with me covered in blood. I was then startled when Chikane pulled me into a tight hug, her nose pressed into my hair.

"I'm sorry, Himeko," whispered my beloved moon before I felt tears dropping onto my hair. I nuzzled her chest as I wrapped my arms around her before she asked, "Himeko?"

"You've done nothing to be sorry for, Chikane-chan," I whispered as I placed an ear to her chest, listening to her wildly beating. "Even if you were there, I don't think it would have turned out any different. I ran away and ran into your sister. She gave me some money to come here, my dad's hometown."

"Kazuki isn't your dad?" she asked now confused.

"I'd rather not talk about it, Chikane-chan," I said before I wiped away her tears. "Do you still enjoy washing my hair?"

A smile spread across Chikane's face before she said, "That hasn't changed any of our lifetimes, so why do you even ask me, Himeko?"

I simply shrugged my shoulders before she dumped a bowl of warm water on my head, causing me to jump at the sudden action. I growled in pleasure as I felt her thin, calloused fingers work the cold shampoo in my hair. I felt my whole body relax as my hair fall effortlessly through her fingers. I winced as I felt something digging at my scalp before realizing that it was a pick.

"I'm sorry, Himeko," said Chikane before she placed the pick on the counter, allowing me perfect view to see it covered in loose, dried pieces of a scab. "I'm also trying to clean your wound."

I growled in pleasure as she rinsed the shampoo out of my hair before turning to her. I smiled at her before trading places with her. I gently removed her bandages before giving her a quick look over, making sure nothing had reopened.

"It looks like you're recovering well, Chikane-chan," I said before kissing her forehead. "Your bruises look like they did get worse from your sister holding you so tight. Do you mind holding still, Chikane-chan?"

She shook her head before I gripped her shoulder and upper arm. Before giving her time to protest, I shoved her arm against her shoulder until I heard a soft click. She hissed out loud at me before I kissed my way from her shoulder to her collarbone, drawing forth a hiss in pleasure. I then moved up to her ear, giving it the barest of nibbles as she purred in contentment.

"I love you, Chikane-chan," I whispered into her ear.

"I love you, too, Himeko," whispered Chikane before I moved to wash her hair.

I don't know how much time passed before we were in the tub. Chikane was leaning against the edge with me sitting between her legs. I leaned against her, taking pleasure in the fact that her breasts were pressed against my back. Her arms were wrapped gingerly around my waist with my hands resting on top of hers.

"Ne, Chikane-chan?" I asked as I felt her kiss the back of my head.

"What is it, Himeko?" she asked me as she leaned forward to rest her chin on my shoulder.

"Are your parents alive?" I asked before she stiffened. I then saw an image of a graveyard before I said, "Your dad is dead. I'm so sorry, Chikane-chan."

"Why are you crying?" asked the dear moonlight of my world as she turned me around slightly.

"Because my dad had killed your dad, Chikane-chan!" I cried as the tears came down harder.

Chikane's View

I stiffened, not even knowing what to say about this. I thought back to when my mother told me that father had requested a duel for rights to expand our hunting grounds. At that time, the leader of the Council of the Stars agreed to the terms. My father was killed in that duel by Raiga Kurusugawa. I then blinked as I realized the Raiga must be her father.

I smiled as I brought my hands up to cup her face, startling her as I wiped away her tears with my thumb. I pressed my lips to hers, reveling in the taste of her soft lips. She hesitantly brought her hands up to my waist, gingerly handling me with care because of the bruises. I pulled away from her to gaze into her eyes, ignoring her whimpers of protest. I saw pain, loneliness, and regret in her eyes before I nuzzled my nose against hers.

"I'm not angry at you, Himeko," I said as I stroked her hair gently. "I'm the one you should be angry with."

"What reason do I have to be angry with you, Chikane-chan?" asked Himeko, so innocent and naïve about what my thoughts were.

"Back then, Miyako, Girochi, and I got along very well," I said as Himeko returned to leaning her back against me, but I pushed her away so she turned to face me. She was confused by what I had done as I said, "We were angry, sad, and hurt because Father had promised to take us hunting when he got back. We searched for where he lived and in a blind rage, we had killed every member of his family we could get our hands on.

"That was the first time I saw you, Himeko. You were just a kid like I was, but I on the other hand looked like I was 13 at the time even though I was just 7. When I saw you after Girochi had killed a woman, you screamed for her as your mother. I told Girochi to just leave you be since you were just an innocent child. He thought I was going soft, but he did what he was told.

"Tsubasa came into our lives not long after that. That was when all hell broke loose. I think that the Gods took pity on me and granted me you since letting you live was my one act of mercy that I had ever done in this life. I'm so sorry, Himeko."

By the end of all that, I was crying. I didn't even notice her moving until her hands rested on my cheeks. She kissed away my tears before kissing me on the lips. I didn't care how much time passed as we kissed again and again, enjoying the taste and feel of each other's lips.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?"

We both jumped at the sound of the face and turned our heads towards the door. We had been so busy kissing each other that we hadn't even noticed the door being opened. I could out of the corner of my eye that Himeko was pale and trembling at the sight of Kazuki standing in the doorway. I positioned myself between him and Himeko, hissing at him threateningly to back off.

"How about we let them get dressed before talking, Father?" asked a boy with brown hair before he smiled at the sight of me protecting Himeko. "We are staring at them while they're naked in the bath together."

Kazuki blushed furiously before slamming the door shut, obviously still angry about only the Gods' know what. I turned to see that her eyes were screwed shut tight, still trembling from how angry Kazuki was. I wrapped my arms around her nipped her ear, causing her to gasp in sheer pleasure. She turned to face me before hiding her face in the crook of my neck, hiding her blushing face.

"We should get out, Chikane-chan," said Himeko as she moved to get out, but I held her down. "Please let go."

"I want us to enjoy this time with you, love," I said as I laced my fingers together on her right hip. "Allow me to be just a little bit selfish."

"Just a few more minutes, Chikane-chan," said Himeko as she rested her shoulder in the valley of my breasts. "That's how long we have before Kazuki comes to drag us out."

"That's just enough time," I said as I rested my head against hers. "Ne, Himeko?"

"What is it?" she asked as she began to trace my scars.

I slowly moved my hand along her flat abdomen, causing her to shiver. I gingerly rest my hand on her left thigh, rubbing my fingers in small circles just to tease her. She whimpered in protest as I cupped the soft mound of flesh between the junction of her legs, begging for me to stop teasing her. I pressed one finger between her outer lips and froze, marveling at how wet she was just by simple teasing.

"What's wrong, Chikane-chan?" panted Himeko, obviously wanting more. "Why are you hesitating?"

"I'm still in awe at how much you love me," I said as I rested my forehead against hers. "I want to give you what you want, Himeko, but I can't. I want to save our first time in this life for another more romantic occasion when we both can enjoy it. You don't mind, do you?"

"Then quit teasing me like this, Chikane-chan!" growled Himeko in feign disapproval.

"How can I when you seem to enjoy it, love," I whispered before licking her neck.

She moaned as I bit her throat gently, making sure not to pierce her skin but just enough to leave a mark. I kissed the bite mark before suckling on her skin, enjoying the feel of her soft flesh between my lips. I eventually drew away before blowing lightly on the hickey now left on her skin, cooling it off.

"I am enjoying it, Chikane-chan," she panted, gasping for air from the pleasure. "I'm going to get out before we get carried away."

I smiled lovingly at her before we stood up. She nipped my neck before placing a kiss on my pulse point, my breath hitching as I took a sharp intake of air. I moaned out loud as she licked my neck before placing a kiss on my nose.

"What was that for?" I hissed before she drew away to smile at me.

"It's not fair that you got teased and not you," she said slyly, making me think her shy nature is just an act.

"Huh?" I half-shouted before she stood on her toes.

"Equal trade, love," she said as I wished that I hadn't teased her. "Since I can't get what I want, I'll just have to improvise."

A/N: I thought a bathroom scene would be a great addition. Although add an angry priest bursting in on them. Chikane still manages to not let the pleasent mood be ruined. I thought it would be cute for the end scene for Himeko to lose the shyness. Now, anyone care to venture what's got Kazuki's underwear in a twist? Now that he's seen Chikane and Himeko together, he's gonna be pissed.

:) Enjoy the anticipation because the next chapter includes a little field trip and family reunion. I'm taking a short break because I'm getting ready for college. There should be one more in the next couple of weeks.