Hey, everybody!!! *waves* Long time no see, right? Hummm... I wonder how long its been since I've updated this story. *shrugs* ^-^ I've updated now so all is right, right? As we all know I do NOT own Youko, Kuronue, and Yomi (though I would really like to own Youko and Kuronue...). I do, however, own Gloria, Rebecca (kinda), Mark, Marcin, and three other characters that will come in the next chapter. I, also, own the plot: the Heart Crystals and such.
The only KEY you'll need is:
"Blah, blah, blah" = talking telepathically
And... WOO-HOO~!!!!! *throws canfetti in the air* I've made to Ch. 10 before one of my friends left for Canada this summer!!!!! *hands the person a peanut butter brownie (you know who you are), to the person* I hope you have a wonderfully trip to Canada~!! ^0^
Youko: *shakes head, mubbles* And to think you were crying that everyone is going to leave you this summer. *sighs* 0.o
Me: *stuffed another brownie in his face* Shut-it!
ANYWAY! Please enjoy this chapter and leave a review.
Ch. 10: Foreign Contact and a Taste of Freedom
"Man, I'm beat!" I exclaim as I fall onto my dark quilted bed.
"I'm with ya' there!" Rebecca falls down next to me.
Having to spend long, demanding hours wiped both of us out. I can't even say what the easiest task was.
Cleaning the kitchen was malodorous, their rooms stunk to high Heaven, their laundry was stiff, and having to put up with the wolf whistles was Hell.
After the kitchen was spotless, we decided to clean their rooms. Mark's room is better; at least in his room I can see the floor. Yomi's and Marcin's were the worst; the others' were still dirty but seemingly cleaner than Yomi and Marcin. I'm just glad that Youko number two and Kuronue's room were near spotless.
We had to crack their clothing in the middle just so they could fit in our baskets. Rebecca, of course, led us the way to the dated cleaning room. We had to make several trips from there to the demons' bedrooms. Washing the white, and Kuronue's black, clothing was rather hard – without a washer and dryer from the Human World.
Throughout the entire day Rebecca and I received wolf whistles. Ugh! I thought demons thought that humans were ugly!
I roll over on to my back and stretch my limbs, enjoying the cracking sounds popping from the cart ledge. I let out a relax sigh and fold my arms behind my head.
But quickly remembering what I'm wearing; I go into a more modest position. Slowly closing my chocolate orbs a soft smile goes across my pink lips.
A transparent image of my sweet grandmother flashes through my closed eyes; a light frown replaces my smile. Grammy's silver hair in a messy tight bun shines with any type of light. Her warm dark chocolate eyes shows many years of kindness and great strength. Her brilliant smile brought aging lines around her lips and under her eyes. Her compassionate elderly voice telling me wise and old sayings. Grammy's aged hands cooking my meals, running across my forehead when I was deadly sick, her fingers brushing across the side of my face and her hand holding mine as she took me into her log cabin home.
The thoughtful mature woman was so humane to take me in, and a year later adopted Rebecca. Grammy might as well have adopted Mark, too. I shall never forget what she has done for all of us.
Tears form in the corners of my closed orbs. I feel them run down my temples, hiding into my dark brown hair.
Grammy… Granny... Gran-Gran…. I bite down on my lower lip.
Quickly I jump off my bed and walk towards my wardrobe. Pulling out one of the draws I take out a chairo kosode. "Beck, I'm going to-"
I stop myself once I hear a door slightly slam. "Hm," I look over my shoulder curiously, but seeing the bathroom door is shut tight I let out an irritated grumble. Placing the feudal clothing over my arm I sit near the locked door in a black cushion chair, waiting for Rebecca to be done with her bathing time.
Looking over my room I see that it has different shades of brown; matching my eyes perfectly. I have the basics: a bed, closet, vanity, two mirrors (body length and one posted on the wall with the vanity), lounge chairs, a bookcase, candles for lighting, and doors.
Hey, who needs windows when you're underground? Not me, that's for sure.
Though I joke with myself within the depths of my mind, can't help but worry about Grammy. All three of us left without a word… she might think something bad has happened to us!
I bring my knees up to my chest, fold my arms around them, and stare absently at the dark carpeted floor. A heavy sigh leaves past my lips.
Another thing: today after lunch I began to feel sharp, short stabs on my heart. I still do, but now the feeling is more intense. After everything that happened in the past few days, you think that I'd be more cautious and be a nervous for my friends.
No. My friends, Mark and Rebecca, are far stronger than me, both physically and emotionally. It doesn't matter if they have their crystals they're still stronger than I.
I gently close my eyes. "They're my sanity…" I quietly say.
"G-Gl-ow…" a ragged, hoarse whisper sounds from my doorway.
With wide eyes I stare at my room's entryway, horror struck.
"Mark!" I scream out and jump out of my bed. Mark's body hits the carpeted floor with a splattering 'thud'. "Mark!! Mark?!" I gently move him onto his back and gingerly shake his shoulders; hoping this would wake him up. I can feel tears forming in my eyes.
A white body towel is pressing down on Mark abdomen.
"Huh?" I look over the towel, seeing it turn to pink then slowly change into a dark red. Following up the sun kissed arms I see that the person with the towel is Rebecca. She's trying to stop the blood from pouring out of the major wound.
Becky's sharp blue eyes pierce through mine with a questioning look in their depths.
"Aren't you going to help," she asks. "There's only so much I can do."
"Oh," my eyes widen. "Right!"
I close my eyes and place my hands on his bloody shirt.
+Mark's POV+
Damn, those demons. It's their fault that I'm like this.
I grip the dirt wall and wince. My stomach is killing me! My other fingers twitch at the feeling of the wound. Warm blood seeps through my fingers.
I have to close my left eye due to the head wound I received, so the blood won't go into my eye.
"Fuck," my knees give out, bruising them further. I grit my teeth so I don't swear further. I dig my fingers into the wall. Opening my mouth and quickly closing it I focus on the new pain on my lower lip.
Slowly my better emerald eye opens up. Just a few more steps, I think to myself.
My blood-spattered leg rises up, into a kneeling position, and I slowly get myself up. I haven't felt this way for eleven years.
My blood continues to pour out. I'm lucky that I didn't break any bones, or this will be a even more of a Hellish nightmare.
Limping, I walk to Glow's room – the brown wooden door with the black hinges. Pulling my hand off the dirt wall I nearly slam it down on the closed door.
"Glow…" I whine out like a pathetic puppy. I place my forehead against the damn wooden thing. Placing most of my weight on the door; I use the hand that's not on my stomach to open the door.
I rapidly catch myself, from collapsing on the brown carpet.
"G-Gl-ow…"
I hear her scream my name as I fall to the ground and everything goes black.
I can hear Glow yelling my name. I can sense her turn me onto my back and shaking me, all the while calling to me. I can't help but inwardly smile.
I'm aware of something warm cover my belly and then that thing presses down hard. Through the material I can feel Becky's tiny hands.
"Aren't you going to help," Becky asks. "There's only so much I can do."
"Oh," Glow must have been in one of her dazes. "Right!"
I feel Glow's hands press down on my chest. I can't help but smile; even through the blood on my torso the feeling of her soft hands is unmistakable.
The black behind my closed eyes looses a shade of darkness and I get a funny, warm sensation all over my body.
It feels like butterfly kisses all over my wounds, even the minor ones. My belly is being over taken by the light, fluttering kisses. My head wound has sensations like there are fingers lightly caressing over it, too. All of my fresh wounds feel like feathers, light things are dancing over them.
This feels nice. I state to myself, a smile on my lips.
Through my closed eyes I see multiple white threads braiding with dark green ones. They all dissolve like water; mixing with one another. The dark green waters over takes the white. I can smell freshly cut grass, roses, and jasmine.
Then everything goes black and the smells die.
Fluttering my eyes open I see the dark green ceiling of my room. I blink several times to process the color.
"Nani," I ask myself.
I hear a light, tired groan. Turning my head I see Gloria sleeping on a dark wooden chair, her head occasionally bobbing up and down. Drops of water drip from the tips of her wet hair. Her arms are crossed over her cover chest, her left – long – leg is crossed over her right, and light snores escape her pale throat.
I can't help but smile. I feel my green eyes soften at her cute position.
Slowly I sit up, expecting to feel hot pain rush through me, closing my eyes tightly. When I don't feel the pain I open my eyes, filled with confusion.
Ripping the covers off, I see that I'm completely healed.
"Nani," I ask myself.
"My Heart Crystal is The Crystal of Healing." Gloria's voice rings through my head.
"Right…" I sigh out. I look over to the young woman who I've grown up with.
Shifting on the bed; my feet meet the dark green, shaggy carpet. I lean forward – towards Glow – and place a rough hand on her shoulder. Gently I shake her shoulder while whispering her nickname, Glow.
Glow makes a noise, similar to a pig; I choke down a laugh.
"Glow…" I whisper out. "Glow…."
Gloria groans. Her right hand goes underneath her right, closed eye and rubs. Her left hand does the same with her left eye.
"Nan desu ka, Ookami?" she groans out.
She uncrosses her legs and her long dark brown hair falls over her shoulders. She's still rubbing underneath her eyes, with a tired expression on her face. She resembles so damn close to a little kid.
I laugh lightly at her. "Why are you sleeping in my room?" I lean in closer; my arms on my legs.
"I fell asleep?" she asks.
"Hai."
"Oh," Glow lets out a beastly yawn. "Ya she 'ark, ya 'ot wrealy 'urt 'nd…" Glow tries to speak through her yawn.
"I didn't understand a word of that." I yawn after said that; under the yawning curse. Damn.
Stretching her stiff limbs; Gloria lets out another groan, though with a happy smile on her face. "Oh!" Realization springs on her face. "You collapsed on my floor and me and Becky healed you!" she gives a cheesy grin.
I give her a smirk. "You did most of the work."
She stands up and her fist lightly hits the top of my head, with the other on her hip. "How would you know? You don't have The Crystal of Knowing!" her fists are placed on her brown clothed hips; her facial features have an angry pout on them.
"True. But you did say that you have power over The Crystal of Healing, right?"
I can see a visible blush go cross her nose. "Right."
"Exactly, I'm not that forgetful!" I cross my arms over my chest and playfully glare at her.
"I know…" she shakes her head; some of the strands stick to her face. Looking down at me she smiles. "Why don't you go take a bath? Kitty-Cat-chan and I made sure to leave plenty of hot water."
I sniff my right armpit.
"Why, I don't smell anything."
"Well I do!" Glow grabs my elbow and drags me towards the middle door – it leading to the bathroom. She throws the bath's door open and then she tosses me in.
"Now wash up, and go to bed!" with that said and done; she slams the door.
I chuckle lightly while shaking my head.
I get out of my dark green and bloody clothing. They hit the ground, barely making a sound.
Sitting in the steaming green water inside the tub, I look around the bathroom.
The walls are a shade of white, but not really pure white – not like the white saw before. The inside of the tub, flooring, doors, cabinets, towels, toilet, and the curtain that surrounds the in-ground tub are all an off -white color.
There's yellow trimming around the mirror above the sink and the cabinets, also the trimming is around the underground tub. The sink, faucet, rods, and basically every metal are the color gold.
The numerous lit white candles seem to act as mood lighting; the sweet smell of vanilla makes my face scrunch up a bit.
Girly smell.
It smells nice, but reminds too much of Glow's home.
I sigh quietly; I sink myself lower in the heated water. Breathing out I create little bubbles from my mouth.
+Gloria's POV+
I fall down onto Mark's green quilt, sleepily exhausted.
Before Ookami woke me up I was in a peaceful sleep. I was having a dream of me, Granny, Becky, and Mark; back in the days when we were young. But it was just a mish-mash of happy memories. It was filled with laughter, smiles, sunny days, and fresh baked sugary stuff.
I smile into the blanket. Turning my head I let out a sigh – my eyes still closed.
Sensing that I'm not alone in the room anymore; I open my eyes half way. But they quickly bulge out of their sockets, seeing Mark's naked back – a body towel covers his lower half. Though it's not that his upper half is bare it's his scar.
The scar is ragged, long, and is a horrid memory. It starts from his right shoulder and ends on his left hip. I chew on my lower lip; debating on whether or not I should volunteer to heal his scar.
Tears fill my eyes in frustration.
He told me that he wants to keep it… but his 'father' gave that to him – in a drunken state. His 'mother' was away on 'business' trips and when she was around she did nothing. His 'parents' never cared for him. Would he really want to keep such bad memories with him?
"Do you wanna see my ass, Glow?" hearing his Mark's voice; I blink my eyes.
His green eyes stare into my brown ones. A black brow is arch, his lips are in a light smirk, his aged pajamas hang over his right arm, and amusement is on his face.
I quickly bury my face within the bed's covering. "No," is my muffled reply.
I can just make out the sound of Mark's light laughter, the towel dropping, and him putting on his nightly attire.
The bed sinks on my left, signaling that Mark is sitting on it. His large hand tangles itself in my drying hair; he slowly combs my brown tresses. A gentle smile goes across my lips.
This is comforting. But the question still nags in my mind. 'Does Mark still want his scar?'
I lift myself up on my calves, shake Mark's comforting hand away, pat my hair down, and look up at the human wolf. I can feel my eyes become moist with tears. I bite the inside of my lower lip; not wanting it to quiver.
Mark tilts his head in confusion. "Nani?" he asks. "Did I do something wrong… again?"
I shake my head slowly, little whimpers escaping me.
Mark captures my chin with his left hand, and he uses his right thumb to wipe underneath my damped eyes; a few of them slide down onto his thumb. "What is it that's making you cry, Gloria?"
"D-o you w-w-want," it's hard for me to say due to the tightness of my throat. I squeeze my hands into fists. With a shaky breath I finish my sentence. "Do you want to keep your scar?"
Mark's emerald green eyes widen briefly, but they soon relax again. A grin goes across his face. "Is that what's been bothering you?"
I nod my head, moving my teeth so they're no longer holding the inside of my lip. I look down at my lap.
A controlled laugh from Mark makes me look up in surprise. He's biting his thumb to control his laughter, though some escape.
Mark get's his amusement under control and his rough hand ruffles my hair; moving my head slightly. "Didn't we talk about this before? I told you I want to keep it."
"But, why," My head shoots up and I stare at him.
Mark chuckles and taps the tip of my nose. "Because, when I become a father I don't want to be like that bastard." His index finger lingers on my nose. "Do you get it now?" his eyes are gentle.
"Uh-huh," a smile goes across my face as I nod my head. Silly me to forget something like that.
I jump off the bed and quickly go under the blankets. I wrap my arms around the large dark green pillow and let out a blissful sigh.
"Nani," Mark asks, again. "You don't want to sleep in your own room?" I can sense his eyes boring into the back of my head.
"No," I answer him.
"Why not," The bed shifts again.
Moving my head, showing my profile, I gaze up at Mark. He's lying on his side with his hand propping his head up, his face holds great amusement.
"'Cause my room makes me feel like I'm in a giant mud hole." I say with distaste.
"So you want to sleep with me?" Even though Mark asks that, he still gets underneath the covers.
"Yeah, cause if I sleep with Becky it's just gonna be weird."
Mark lets out a little laugh and scratches his neck. "Yeah weird," a blush goes across his face.
I tilt my head in confusion. I shrug my shoulders, the best to my laying abilities, and close my eyes waiting for the sleep to come.
+Next Morning+
"This is ridiculous!" Rebecca exclaims. She throws a white top into the wooden basket. "Didn't we clean this guy's room yesterday?"
"Yup. … How did he mess it up so fast?" I look over at Becky, from the other side of the filthy room.
She shakes her head, strands of her light brown hair hitting her face. "I don't WANT to know."
"Ditto," I pick out a white shoe and hold it at arm's length, my face scrunched up in disgust at the nasty smell. I side throw it into the basket, along with the other pair.
"Kitty-Cat-chan, would you rather clean AND stay in Yomi's room or in Marcin's room for an entire day?" I ask out of nowhere. Standing up with Yomi's dirty clothing in my arms I look over towards Rebecca. Her light blue eyes gaze up at the ceiling – the ONLY thing clean in this room.
"Humm…. I would have to say…" Becky drags on. "Yomi, why, I have no idea," she lets out a light laugh, I soon join her.
Walking over to the mountain of, filthy, clothing lying in the wicker basket; I drop Yomi's disgusting clothing.
"What about you?" Rebecca asks. "Yomi's room or Marcin's, same scenario,"
The right corner of my mouth rises up and my face gains a confused expression. "Eh…" I blink rapidly. "Uhhh… Yomi's," I say unsure of my own answer.
Rebecca nods her head and grabs one of the filled baskets. I grab the other and place it on my right hip; my left arm free for usage.
The two of us walk out of Yomi's bare room, and towards the laundry room. The both of us just talking randomly, but become silent as we see a passing demon.
I know that they hear us before we see them, but we're still adjusting to this servant thing. Not to mention that talking in front of odd, unknown males is uncomfortable to us. I sigh. Not to mention these guys are demons.
Once we enter the cleaning room both of us dump the clothes simultaneously on the floor. Relishing the light weight of the basket I twirl it in the air and catch it before it hits the light blue, polished floor.
Becky laughs and we soon are engrossed in a twirling basket competition. The baskets twirl horizontally and vertically, and diagonally. We do this until we realize that we've got to go back to work.
"Oh, this would be so much more fun if we weren't serving under demons." Kitty-Cat-chan sighs out.
"I'm with ya' there." I agree.
Rebecca slowly raises her head, her light blue eyes wide. "I knew you would say that!"
I fake a surprised gasp. "Really!"
I gently smile at my youngest friend.
The two of us begin to walk towards the next bedroom.
I'm glad that Becky is coming back to her normal self.
I look down at the light haired brunette from the corner of my eye.
Once we got here her personality did a complete 180 degree flip! I thought it had to do with her finding out that she has The Crystal of Knowing, but then I thought 'she had it along so…'. But now she's coming back to us; I'm glad. If she were to be all freaky and knowy all the time, that would get real creepy… and annoying.
A small sigh escapes my lips at the thought of Rebecca being like that day after day. "It's bad enough that we're in Makai." I say under my breath.
"What was that?" Becky's voice snaps me back to reality.
Dropping my basket I frantically wave my hands in front of me, my pale face gaining heat. "N-Nothing," I give her a nervous smile.
She in turn gives me a sly, cat-like, grin. She brings right hand up to my face and wiggles her fingers. "You do realize that I can just enter your mind and see what you thought."
"Gah!! Stay out of my head!" my arms come across my head, hoping that this would protect Becky from reading my mind.
Rebecca lightly laughs at my immaturity. "I would never do that." Then she mumbles something I didn't hear.
"Nani?"
"Nothing," she lightly shakes her head. "Let's go."
"KAY~!" I sing like a small child.
I pick up my fallen basket and walk up to the smallest person in my little group.
As long as we have each other, I'm positive that nothing can stop us! I reassure myself.
The two of us continue to talk about our lives in Ningenkai, our memories that taken place while we were in the human world. Rebecca and I laugh once we remember the countless times Grandma kicked Mark out… literally.
Rebecca suddenly stops in her tracks; I stop as well, a few steps ahead, wondering why she stopped so suddenly.
"Kitty-Cat-chan," I ask.
Her bright blue eyes widen, she body begins to shake.
"Beck?" my voice has a hint of panic; not use to this from her.
The basket she has been carrying drops to the ground, her trembling increases slightly and her breathing comes out in gasps.
"REBECCA," I throw my basket to the ground, grip onto her shoulders, and shake her; trying to release her from this state. Rebecca blinks several times, before her eyes lose their hypnotic stare. Her breathing slowly comes back to normal.
Dropping my head, I release a breath and take deep breathes; wanting my heart rate to go down.
"Gloria," I look up at the confused cat. "You okay?"
Am I okay, am I okay!? My mind yells. I subconsciously growl and tighten my grip on her shoulders.
I let out a sick laugh and shake my head. "I should be asking you that, Kitty-Cat." I straighten myself.
"Well I'm fine," she says.
I let go of her shoulders and pick up my wicker basket. "Ditto," I tell her, turning on my heel.
"Kitsune, wait!"
"C'mon lets go before-" I walk forward – still looking at Rebecca's out reached hand – but stop at the sudden pain in my gut. I immediately drop the bag and my hands fly to my stomach. Slowly I go to my knees; my peripheral sees that my hands are glittering white.
This feels like butterfly kisses. I begin to remember, back when I was a small kid, that Grammy would tell me to give her butterfly kisses, when she tucked me in at night. (Butterfly kisses are your eyelashes moving rapidly, but softly on a cheekbone.)
I sense Becky is by my side. She gingerly places her hand on my dressed shoulder.
While removing my hands I follow the white pants up, my heartbeat slowly increasing as I continue up.
Slip on white shoes, loose white pants, and a white tunic top loosely tied closed. I stop looking once I see two golden, emotionless, orbs. Swallowing the lump in my throat I wave bashfully up at him.
We get caught that we're not doing our chores…. I finish my sentence.
"Okay, time for us to do our chores!" Rebecca grips my wrist and drags me away – I am fortunate enough that I got the basket in time – past Youko number two and Kuronue.
+Fast Forward+
I give a tired sigh while scrubbing the filthy off-white plate. To my right is a sleepy Rebecca, who's drying my wet dishes, and to my left is Mount Dirty Dishes.
Large circular dishes pile at the bottom or leaning on the sides, utensils go back and forth on the edges of plates, and glass bowls are higher up. Glasses and mugs are within the bowls, the slender glasses are in the rounder mugs. On top of them is a bowl; creating a pattern on its way up.
I grab a silver fork, sink it within the hot soapy water, and wash it with the wet rag. With a sigh I hand it over to Rebecca. Grabbing a circular crystal white plate with pearls around it, with blue opals in the middle of each, I repeat the process of washing it. My upper arm doesn't leave my side as I hand the decorated plate over to Rebecca.
Reaching up, just out of my wingspan, I grip onto a dirty glass bowl. Looking inside it I see the gravy is smeared all around it, bits of meat are here and there, and the smell is still fresh inside it.
"Beck," I ask.
"Hm,"
Hearing her respond I continue. "If these guys can afford such fancy plates and such, why can't they get a castle?" As I'm cleaning the bowl I look over at Becky. Her gaze is upward, staring at the dirt ceiling. Her lips push together moving from side to side – thinking.
"Umm....they have gambling issues?" she says uncertainly. "They obviously don't know what to spend their money on if they can get all of this and not a castle...." she smiles in my direction happy with her answer. I smile in her way, but slowly divert my attention to the white soap.
Gambling and stealing.… I glare at nothing. Two things I absolutely despise. My grip tightens on the washcloth.
My heart unexpectedly pounds against my sternum; I drop the rag and grip the said area. My face twists, sweat slowly gathers on my forehead, and my limbs feel like they're on fire and numb. Last time I felt this, was when-
"Hai, Youko-san," I hear Rebecca's voice through the ringing sound in my ears.
"You, get out." I straighten myself, wipe my forehead with my clothed arm, and look over my right shoulder. Youko number two stands in the doorway emotionlessly. "The other human needs help."
That's my cue! I think to myself. I walk towards the door, worrying on how Mark's wounds might be.
The tip of my slip on shoe is just barely out of the open door frame. A long, lean arm suddenly comes into my line of view and slams on the other side of the door's frame. Following the arm to the owner I meet Youko, number two's, golden eyes.
"I didn't say you could leave." He says.
My eyes briefly widen. "But she can't-" I flinch seeing a dangerous fire in Youko number two's eyes; I don't finish my sentence. Dropping my head I gaze at my shoes and the ground; a shadow falls over my eyes.
I can hear Rebecca hesitantly walk past us.
"Will you be okay, Gloria?" Her voice enters my mind.
"Yeah, don't worry." I can feel a small smirk come to my lips. "I can't die so easily."
Rebecca doesn't answer me. As she walks by I can sense the resentment of her having to leave me here, with the kitsune.
My gut tells me to step back a few; I do. Standing in the middle of the clean kitchen I refuse to look at the silver human man fox. My body tenses as I hear his soft footsteps. I see his white and silver tail a few times in my front and side view. Youko is circling me, like I'm some kind of prey.
I raise my head up half way, my eyes slightly visible through my feathery bangs. I get more annoyed as he continues his spinning around me; I bit my lower lip and clench my fists. Hearing him sniff the air around me makes me cringe. Bringing my head fully up I glare at the silver fox man.
I begin to turn myself the same way he's going. "Why are you circling me like this?" I place my hands on my hips.
Youko number two chuckles with an amused expression on his face. His golden eyes gaze into my brown ones. "Just curious as to how a ningen can smell so powerful, but look so fragile."
"Curiosity killed the cat." I retort.
He chuckles again and steps closer to me. He bends his upper half, so close that our noses are nearly touching; a dark blush runs up to my hairline and my heart rate doubles. "As you can see," his thumb and index finger bring my chin upwards. "I am no cat." His golden orbs are filling with amusement and his silver kitsune ears wiggle.
What do I do, what do I do?! I search my mind for all the possibilities to get out of this predicament. I find none.
"KITSUNE-CHAN!!" My redden face automatically disappears; hearing the urgency in Becky's voice.
I dash out of the kitchen and to where I heard Rebecca's yell. I run blindly down the mud halls – lit with dim, multiple candles. The sites go by of blurs of dark brown and, briefly, colored; due to the tapestries and paintings.
"We're in my room." Becky's voice echoes throughout my head. I shake my head at the odd sensation, but continue my way down to Becky's bedroom.
Coming closer and closer to Becky's door my speed increases to the slightest bit; I'm not a fast runner.
"What's wrong," I yell, after I slammed the door open. "Nani?" I stare flabbergasted at the sight before me. Mark's right arm is in a make-shift sling, his head is bandaged, both of his legs and his torso cut up, and he has a cotton eye-patch over his left eye. "Anno…?"
"I did the best I could." Rebecca tells me. She rubs the back of her neck with a sheepish grin on her lips.
I laugh lightly and walk up to Becky. My arms wrap around her neck and I hug gently. "Thank you." I whisper.
Her arms encircle around my waist. "No problem."
"Hello?!" the sudden yell makes me jump out of my skin and way from the family-friend hug. Mark waves his good, but badly bruised, arm in the air. "I'm hurting here!" Fake, white tears stream down his face from his large green puppy green eyes.
I laugh at his expression, but walk over to him nonetheless. Couching down to his level I gingerly place my hands on his bleeding chest. I close my eyes and get a picture of Mark's body in my mind.
Having him as a friend nearly my entire life I know what he looks like, and going to the local beach so many times I know what his chest and back look like.
I keep the picture of Ookami in my head, remembering to keep the scar on his back there. I inwardly flush at my chosen picture of him; but it is the only one where I've got a good visual of his upper torso and legs.
We were at the local beach, with me being a sour puss as usually. I sat underneath the large white and red umbrella, with my knees to my chest and my arms wrapped around them, sitting on a huge light green towel. The lower part of my face hid behind my arms, while my brows knitted together and my eyes glared at the ocean and sand.
"I hate the beach," I mumbled to myself, sniffling. Kitty-Cat-chan and Gran-Gran had gone to walk along the beach's shoreline; leaving me to watch Mark play volleyball with some, unknown, guys from school.
"Glow-chan, watch out!!"
Without moving my face I looked up. My brown eyes instantly widened as I saw the white ball heading towards me. I was too scared to move so I just screwed my eyes shut. The semi hard ball hit my head and bounced off, I grunted in pain.
Why does this keep happening to me? My mind whined, as I rubbed the bump on my head.
"You okay, Glow?"
I let out a startled scream at the close contact of Mark, on the side of my face. His emerald green eyes blinked several times, but soon he let out an amused laugh.
I pressed my lips together. "I'm glad that my pain amuses you, Ookami." Getting the sensation of something running out of my nose; I sniffle.
Mark wiped the corners of his closed eyes. "G-Gomen ne, Gloria, but your expression was priceless!"
"Fujiwara," Ookami and I looked toward the two teams, as we heard someone call Mark's last name, all the players seemed aggravated. The guy that shouted – I forget his name – had his hand cupped around his mouth. "Stop flirting with the middle school-er and get over here! We got a game to finish!" On closer inspection I saw that it was wrist bands versus non-wrist bands, the man that shouted was a wrist band, Ookami was not.
Ookami turned to face me with a friendly smile. "Excuse me, Glow," – his hands tightened on the ball, that he got – "I have to go talk to him." Mark jerked his head toward the opposing teammate… with a blush on his face?
I nodded my head with a blank expression, sniffling. Mark bolted up and ran toward the young man; accidently kicking sand on my towel. My face scrunched up and I tried, fruitlessly, to brush off the sand. I didn't stand for I didn't like the sun there.
I sighed and laid in the shade of the umbrella, with a sniffle.
What felt like hours later, Rebecca and Granny showed up. Rebecca sat beside me, in her dark blue bathing suit, her light brown hair hid her bare back, both of us just talked. The throbbing pain I had left long ago.
....
The sun had begun to set. Granny, Becky, and I had begun to pack our belongings but stopped to see the breathtaking sunset. The sky was painted with dark reds, oranges, yellow, purples, bits of pink, and some of the stars are becoming visible. The sun, itself, seemed to be a giant fruit… maybe an orange.
"Mark, it's time to go!" Granny shouted.
I looked toward the shoreline and lightly blushed. Mark came running out of the, nasty, saltwater with a large smile on his face. His right eye was closed as he rubbed the water from his eye. He must've realized that the sky was painted beautifully. He twisted torso and looked up at the sky, a gentle smile on his face.
I open my eyes and pull my hands away, placing them on my lap. I only see blood, no scratches or gashes or anything of the sort. Mark is unraveling his head, stretching his right arm out of the sling, twisting his ankles and whatnot.
Rebecca walks behind him and stares at his back. I raise my eyes up her in question. She looks down at me, smiles, and gives me a thumb up. I inwardly sigh; now knowing that his scar is still there.
I stand up and place my hands on my, clothed, hips. "What happened to you?"
Mark doesn't leave his spot from the floor as he scratches the tip of his nose. He laughs nervously. "Did I ever tell you guys that I'm their target practice…?"
It takes a few seconds for the words to process in my mind. "NANI," Rebecca and I both shout, so strong that the decorations seem to shake. I feel the vein in my forehead, right hand, and neck bulge out from my anger.
"How the hell could they use you like!? This is despicable!!" Rebecca and I shout simultaneously, fire coming out of our mouths.
Mark blinks at the strange sight before, but joyously laughs.
Beck and I stop upon hearing his loud laughter. "Nan desu ka?" we look at each other flabbergasted and shrug at his random laughing fit.
Ookami grips onto his stomach and falls onto his back, he begins to roll the floor laughing his heart out. Weirdo…. I think to myself dully.
I lay in my own bed staring up at the dirt brown ceiling. A puff of air leaves past my lips. I turn onto my tummy and stare at the brown wall. Reaching my right hand up to the wall I draw random designs, with my index finger. "These guys should really have let us picked our own rooms…" – I sigh – "Oh well."
Positioning my body in my most comfortable, the best I can with this kimono-like PJs, I ready myself for sleep, knowing that tomorrow will be just as hectic as today. My eyelids slowly gain weight and I'm soon engulfed in darkness.
+DREAM~!!+
My nose twitches and my face scrunches up in irritation. With much effort I pick myself up. I rub underneath my eyes, and then I look around. Gradually my eyes widen and my mouth hangs open, or gaps. "N-Nani, h-h-how did I en-end up in a forest!?" I bolt up to my feet and ruffle my hair.
I don't know how but I've somehow ended in a forest. Due to the fact that it's night it seems really, EXTREMELY, scary. Once my eyes adjust to the darkness I see everything, rather, clearly. There are large, towering, trees and some type of flower encircles around them.
My body tenses up and my eyes widen as someone's, or something's, arms wrap around my shoulders. Hot breath tickles the left side of my face. "Boo." The man says.
I let out a high pitched scream and – try – to elbow him in the face. I turn around to face the person, with a furious expression. But it immediately drops seeing the glowing star in front of me.
"Yo-Youko…?" I tilt my head and blink.
The silver kitsune swirls his right pinky in his ear. "Ow," he grimaces. "You got a good set of lungs, you know that, little one?" His golden orbs gaze into my brown ones.
I laugh sheepishly and scratch my right cheekbone. "Gomen nasai, Youko," I blush lightly.
He stops cleaning his ear and places his fists on his hips. "Just promise to never scream like that again." bit by bit a smirk forms on his lips and a twinkle sparks in his eyes. "Unless I'm the one making you scream…."
I blink absently at him; not really getting get. "Huh?" Just then a light bulb goes off in my head. "AHH!!!! You hentai no baka," I run backwards, covering my flushed face, until my back hits a tree.
Hentai no baka, hentai no baka, hentai no baka!!!
Slowly I move my hands down my face, only to show my watery eyes, when I hear a light laugh, or maybe a chuckle.
"Why am I a 'hentai no baka' when," – he disappears from his stop, but suddenly appears right in front of me – "you are the one with your head in the gutter." He gently taps the tip of my nose. (Because, I enjoy breathing I didn't cover it.)
"I do not have my head in the gutter!" I rip my hands away from my face and bare my teeth at him.
"Oh?" he straightens himself, crosses his arms, and smirks down at me.
"Hai." I say sternly. "Didn't you notice how long it took for me to get it?" I try to control my darkening blush.
Youko gently exhales through his nose, his smirk still in place. Suddenly his hands slam on either side of my face; a gasp tears from me. Despite the sudden act he has a rather peaceful look, with his golden eyes closed. Our breaths mix together as he gingerly places his forehead on mine; my blush darkening.
"Can I show you something?" he whispers.
"I-It depends o-on what th-that 'something' i-i-i-is…." I stutter my invisible protective walls go up instantly at the question.
Youko reveals his gorgeous eyes. The right corners of his lips tug upward. "Hentai no baka…."
I grit my teeth. "I AM NOT A-" Youko places his index on my lips, shutting me on the stop.
His golden orbs become very serious and a frown comes onto his features. "This has nothing to do with sex," – if possible my blush gets darker – "I just want to show you something."
I visibly debate with myself; I dart my eyes back and forth as if I'm watching a tennis match. I sigh and nod my head, closing my eyes.
"Wonderful." One of Youko's arms encircles around my waist, my eyes widen at the strange contact from the guy, and he sprints off.
"Yipe!!" I grip onto his white clothing and shut my eyes tight.
....
My hair flies up and my stomach flips at the pull of the sudden stop.
"Don't you want to see the view, little one?" Youko's hot breath heats the shell of my ear.
Hesitantly I open my eyes and turn my head. A gasp goes past my lips. The forest's top illuminates from the full red moon. The stars scattered in the dark velvet sky glow red, and those further from it are pink. I stare up at the flushing moon, amazed by the sight.
"The moon in Ningenkai is sliver, correct?" he asks.
"Un," I nod my head, my eyes not leaving the moon. I turn my and gaze up at the sliver kitsune. "Why is the moon here red, Youko?"
He shrugs his shoulders and smirks down at me. "Why is the moon in your world white?" due to the redness of the moon his locks is a pinkish color.
I glare, to the best of my abilities, up at him. "I hate science." I tell him, rather randomly.
Youko laughs, so loud that the earth below shakes. I grip onto his shirt with a fearful look on my features. His laughter smoothes into a chuckle and slowly comes to a stop. "You are something else." He grins down at me.
I don't let go of his shirt as I nod my head. "Thanks?"
His hand, that isn't holding on my hip, picks up my chin. I open my eyes, with a blush on my face. My eyes twitch with fright at the contact of someone's warm and smooth lips on my forehead. My entire body tenses, and a cheeks heatn up, as the lips move down in between my eyes. My shoulders shake as they move down my nose. The lips stop at the corner of my mouth, not necessarily on it though. My eyes slowly begin to water; I don't know what to do.
"Why so tense, little one," Youko's lips barely skim mine.
My body trembles, my breath comes put ragged. "I-I-I-I-I--" I'm unable to finish my sentence as a cold liquidy feeling washes over me.
+End Dream+
My scream comes out short as a roughening and large hand slams on my mouth.
"Sh!" my vision comes back. I see Mark with his finger on his pressed, smiling lips. I look to my left and see Rebecca dressed in a purple yukata with black dragons stitched on it and a light violet datejime, she holding a lit candle with one hand a bucket in the other, with a smile on her pink plump lips. I look back up at Mark, my eyes still wide.
He brings his hand away from his lips with a mischievous look in his dark green orbs. "We're getting out of here," he whispers. "So be quiet."
I nod my head, as he detaches his hand from my mouth and he gets off of me. Mark heads to his room, as does Rebecca. The light doesn't fade as they leave. I look around and see the candles are lit. I rip the covers off of my body and head toward my closet.
Opening the dark wooden doors I groan, because of the dim lighting. I walk away from the wardrobe and go to one of the stands that have candles on them. Carefully I pick up two candle stands, with five lit white candles, and place them on either side of the clothed filled cabinet.
I quickly get out a red yukata, on closer inspection I see sakura petals 'scattered in the wind' and on the far left corner is sakura in full bloom. I throw it on my bed and get out a matching datejime, I bundle it up in a ball and doss it on my bed as well. Pulling out a drawer, inside the wardrobe, I take out a pair of zōri.
With those in hand I zip to my bed, or at the foot of my bed. I take off my kinzakura kosode, it pooling around my feet. My sheer white hadajuban acting as my, aged, undergarments. I drop the straw sandals and pick up the yukata and shrug it on. I tie the datejime tightly around my waist and slip on the shoes, not bothering to replace the tabi.
After I'm fully dressed I walk over to the door leading to Ookami's room. "I'm ready…." I whisper, after I lightly knock on it.
The door open's and Mark and Rebecca come out, and walk towards the door. Rebecca blows her candle out. I dash around my room blowing the lit candles out.
"Alright, let's go." Becky whispers. Mark nods his head and opens the door.
With great stealth we walk the nearly dark halls, not to stir the air of our presents. Mark is in front, a katana in one hand and a dagger in the other. Rebecca is in the middle and I'm in the back. I periodically look over my shoulder; I hate being paranoid. I grip onto Becky's back; she looks over her shoulder, and then looks ahead.
We make it to the main entrance, surprisingly without meeting any demons. I nearly gasp at seeing the mouth of the cave. But I can see two demons sitting outside of it. I swallow a lump that has formed in my throat.
We're so close. My thoughts whine. My grip on Kitty-Cat tightens.
Mark! I mouth. My eyes widen in shock and I inch closer, Becky does the same.
With great stealth Ookami sneaks up on the demon to the right, the closest one. He slowly brings up his silver dagger and slashes the creature's throat. I close my eyes and cover my ears.
I feel a light tap on my forearm and open my eyes.
"It's over." Rebecca whispers.
"Now let's go!" Mark harshly whispers while jumping from his place at the entrance.
Becky and I jog toward him.
Rebecca stretches her arms above her head and lets out a groan. She arches her back; her spine cracks. I cover my mouth and yawn, then I move my fingers around and they crack. Mark leans against a tree while cleaning his larger blade.
I lift my head and, through the canopy, I see the sky has various colors, the sun beginning to rise.
"We better get moving." Ookami lifts himself off the tree, while placing the now clean katana in its sheath.
Becky lowers her arms and gazes at him. I do the same. He's wearing a gray ninja-like shirt with dark bordering, matching loose pants, spiked gloves are around his wrists, and neutral flat boots.
"Un," Kitty-Cat and I say simultaneously, nodding our heads.
Mark takes the lead, with his hand on the blade's handle and the other holds onto the 6 3/4" dagger. Kitty-Cat and I are on either side of him not far behind.
I sigh blissfully; enjoying the taste of freedom. But… why can't I shake the feeling that we're being watched?
Author Stuff:
Phew! *falls back onto bed* I'm beat!
Youko: *messes with laptop, sees how many pages this chapter is* Damn! Twenty-four pages!?
Kuronue: *looks over Youko's shoulder, whistles in amazement* This makes it the longest chapter yet, correct? *looks toward me*
Me: *nods* Hai.... *goes to sleep*
Youko: Well she's beat.... *smirks, looks up at Kuro* Looks like we'll be wrapping it up.
Kuro: *smirks*
Youko: Okay you've all read Chapter 10-
Kuro: "Foreign Contact and a Taste of Freedom"
Youko: So tell us what you think
Kuro: In the review that you WILL post, along with
Youko: A song that you believe fits best with this story.
Both: *nod their heads in satifcation* That was good. Pup-chan should let us wrap it up more often.
Me: *throws a pillow at them* Will you two shut-up; I'm trying to sleep!! Don't make me get Onee-chan. *glares, falls back onto bed*
Both: *lean towards audience, whispering* We value our lives, so please leave a review and a name of a song....