It was late at night when Kura returned to her room, a servant following him with a tray of food. There were a few more servants behind that one with a couple dresses and other gifts to get her to talk to him. This happened every night since he captured her. Hotaru was on the bed, her back to the door, as she laid on her side and lightly toyed with one of her tear diamonds on the ultra soft comforter.
"I have returned, my lovely." Kura was smiling as he spoke to her and walked to her bed. "Did you miss me?"
"…does a war bring joy when it spills the blood of your loved ones…?" Hotaru asked coldly.
Kura sat on the edge of the bed. "I'm very happy that you're speaking to me. I brought you some things as a reward for earlier. What do you think of that?"
"I still think I ought to rip your throat out and feed your corpse to the crows." Hotaru answered softly. Kura put his hand on her shoulder after scooting closer to her on the bed. "Don't touch me."
"Why? Because my touch reminds you of your mortal father?" Kura's question got the reaction he wanted. Hotaru sat up and looked at Kura, her purple eyes shimmering with tears. Before she could stop herself, her hand collided with Kura's face and sent the emperor flying off the bed. Kura pushed himself off the floor, holding his jaw. "I have this odd feeling that I angered you somehow."
"Funny thing." Hotaru muttered lying back down. "Leave me alone. I never asked to be kept here. I don't even want to be here."
Kura got to his feet and looked at the servants. They put their items down then left, closing the door behind them. He walked to the side of the bed Hotaru was facing and sat on the edge of the bed, close to her lap.
"Don't be mad at me, my lovely." He gently caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers. Hotaru closed her eyes and squirmed to make him leave her alone. "Oh, don't be like that. I didn't mean to anger you. I was just curious, that's all." Hotaru rolled over, her tear diamond in her hand. "Please speak to me again. I like hearing your voice. It's beautiful."
Kura put his hand by her stomach and leaned over her side to look at her face. He noticed her red rimmed eyes.
"Oh, someone's been crying. What do you have in that cute little hand of yours, huh?" Kura teased. He tickled her back, making her squirm. "Come on, show me. I won't leave you be until you do."
"It's just a little glass ball. I had it in my boot's secret pocket as a good luck charm of sorts." Hotaru lied. She rolled on to her stomach, her arm under her body. Kura shifted his body and laid down next to her, his body against hers. Hotaru tensed up, tucking her other arm under her body. He didn't seem to care about that. His breath tickled the back of her neck as he slid his hand on to her shoulder then down her curves to her hip.
"You're not used to affection like this, are you?" Kura asked her softly. "You're not used to a male paying attention to you in any other way but for guidance or friendship. That would make you the only female sage, the Sage of the Forbidden Heart. This lady sage isn't used to love or kindness. She only knows pain and suffering. The bloodshed she had seen haunts her very soul although she can't remember anything of the past."
Hotaru tensed up more, curling up a little. Kura wrapped his arms around her shoulders and hips. His lips rested by her ear.
"Be my lady sage. I will love you. I will show you there's a light to your terrible darkness."