Rawr, pre-finals update!

I know I mentioned finals getting in the way of my writing, and it did slow me down a little bit. I probably won't finish another chapter until Thursday (I'll be home around nine from school, only one test that day), or Friday (day off). We'll see. Usually the reviews I get are some motivation, since I have a need to satisfy your curiousity.

The premise for this chapter was a suggestion from a reader; it's what she wanted to see. Violently romantic. I went for violently affectionate/snarky. It's too early to attempt pulling off romance. And I don't like romance much.

Tryst

Eleven

I followed Youko's guidelines for the first few days, but I was slowly falling under some sort of cabin fever; he had yet to take me outside more than once so far, and I was too wary to try for a shot at freedom.

Kuronue made only one appearance during those days, and we ignored each other for the most part when he arrived. I was curious about what he was doing of course, but remembered what Youko had told me.

He disappeared down a passage that I thought led to moody plants, guarding a room I couldn't go in. Maybe he knew how to get by the plants, but I didn't go after him to look just then. I waited a good two minutes before I timidly made my way to the beginning of the passage.

I saw his shadow on the wall, but he had obviously already tricked the plant life, which I could see was still immobile on the floor. I frowned and waited again, but I could barely hear a sound that could give away what he was doing. Sighing, I turned and headed back to the bedroom. I'd have to wait for another chance; he'd see me if I waited for him to appear again.

If he did see me, he would probably tell Youko. I barely knew Kuronue, so I wasn't eager to try my luck since, at this point, I wasn't sure what Youko would do to me.

When Kuronue appeared again, I had moved and was half-curled on the pile of cushions in the corner of the living room (though I knew then Youko simply called it the 'main room' or 'the room in the front'). My eyes were on the entrance to the den, and I was trying to incite a breeze with silent pleading to slip through. I was ready to ignore him again but, to my surprise, he walked over to me.

"You're going to pull your hair out soon, aren't you?"

I eyed him warily, tensing as he moved me over and sat down on the newly vacated cushion space. I was feeling a bit nervous again, but I reasoned it as being because of my suspicion that Youko had put him up to something.

"I could take you outside, if Youko doesn't," he offered.

"It's a nice offer," I muttered, frowning. The bat demon moved its legs, eyeing me curiously.

"Are you really that afraid of him?" he asked, looking a bit amused.

"Afraid?" I scoffed. "Why would I be afraid of him?" I demanded, straightening myself out.

"Because he's dangerous," Kuronue said simply, adjusting his battered hat. "I'm sure you already know that. Youko Kurama is a ruthless demon who I'd doubt would feel any remorse about hurting or killing you."

"You're trying to scare me, and it's not working."

"Denial usually means it's true."

I sulked, crossing my arms as I scowled at a wall. I wanted him to leave, but Kuronue didn't seem to be in a hurry. I could see why he and Youko seemed to get along, they both liked to bother me. But I didn't want to order him to leave, or even suggest it. I didn't feel it was my place, and the moment that thought crossed my mind I became more angry.

"The offer still stands. I could take you out for awhile and-"

"I'm not a pet!" I yelled angrily, standing up quickly and glaring at him. "This collar means nothing, I'm not an animal that needs to be taken for a walk!"

I was shaking, the anger nearly overwhelming me as I took a breath. "Just because of this collar," I muttered. "Why should something simple like this, this thing, a strap of leather…." I paused, feeling the familiar sting in my eyes. "Let you men treat someone like she's nothing? How can it take away everything?"

The breeze I had been willing to appear finally weaseled its way through the entrance, cooling my skin and clearing my head. Kuronue hadn't said a word, or even reacted, and he continued to sit while I stood.

"Youko's already taken me outside once, I don't see why he wouldn't do it again."

This dragged no response from him, and I didn't say another word feeling, for once, incredibly depressed. I had assumed that yelling, releasing what I was feeling, would be a relief. Instead it only made me feel worse; I would choose anger over sadness if I could.

I was aware that Kuronue had walked past me, and the brief moment of dimmed light meant he had finally taken his leave. My legs felt stiff and my feet slightly sore. I guessed it was from standing so still for so long. Sighing, I willed myself to move, absently letting my feet go where they wanted to take me.

I was in no mood to care about what I would do until Youko returned, or what I would do after that. My life would be monotonous from now on, I would have accept that. Frowning, I lightly kicked at one of the many plants that grew in the cave, pouting.

I twitched, letting out a small yelp as a sharp pain ran up my foot. I looked down as the pain got worse, crying out when I realized what I had done. I held out a hand, a dagger slowly forming, before I gripped it and lashed out at the plant, which was literally tearing into my foot.

I was nearly in a state of panic, for the second time in my life, as the plant reached up and wrapped around my arm and neck. I screamed, as the plant bit down on what ever it could get to, which was nearly everything.

I hadn't thought that the plants guarding the room would really be hungry, let alone have teeth, and they were incredibly sharp. I was crying again, trying to fight them off, but it was too hard; this plant was obviously meant to catch its prey; I was stupid enough to be that prey.

I was starting to feel a bit delirious again because of pain and panic, but I was fighting through that as best I could until my dagger fell from limp fingers, clattering to the stone floor. I could feel its teeth against my neck, before the plant seemed to hesitate, and then started retreating. I was breathing heavily, gasping like a landed fish, and I closed my eyes to stop everything from spinning.

"And here I thought you were doing so well."

Youko's voice sounded colder than usual, and he wasn't too close to me either. "I told you what would happen if you didn't listen and tried to get in there."

My mouth moved wordlessly, a failed attempt to defend myself. I remembered what Kuronue had said only a while before, and I wondered if Youko was going to let me bleed out on the floor. I managed a pitiful whimper.

The fox remained quiet for a long time, which made me wonder if he had actually left me to die. I sobbed when careful hands touched me, sending sharp pains through my body again.

"Don't expect pity, you whimpering kit," Youko said firmly. But there was something in his voice that made it seem like he wasn't as decisive about this as he was trying to be. I gritted my teeth as he picked me up, and Youko muttered under his breath as he walked.

I tried not to whine again as his hand brushed a wound on my arm, before feeling soft moss under my back again.

"You're lucky you're alive. I should have let that plant kill you for everything you've done today," he snapped, frowning when I looked at him. I was obviously upset, but I didn't try to speak; I didn't trust my voice. But, I was surprised to see that besides the anger in his expression, he looked a bit worried.

"This will take a while to fix," he said finally. "And I don't want to hear you complain," he added, scowling. I sighed, eyeing him for a long time, feeling blood warm my skin, but making it feel uncomfortably sticky as it dried.

"Kurama…" I frowned, looking at the moss, before looking at him again. "I wasn't trying-"

He waved a hand, cutting me off. I watched him stand and walk off, but he returned quicker than usual, with what looked like a wet cloth. He frowned, starting the careful process of cleaning my wounds, which was a pain-filled hell. I could tell that Youko was trying his best to be gentle. I'd never seen him so tense.

"You're a moron," he said, his teeth gritted. "You shouldn't have been any where near that plant. I should show you what you look like, I'm pretty sure you'd pass out."

"I'd pass out from blood loss anyway," I bit back, whimpering when he pressed too hard. He sighed again, continuing his work. I closed my eyes, tired of watching, and from his warning, I didn't want to risk glancing at any of the wounds I had. I cringed only twice more, before my eyes fluttered open as Youko gently nuzzled my cheek.

I looked at him, a bit confused, but I accepted the small sign of affection either way. I was in no mood to try and figure out his motives.

"I'm sure that being immobile for a while is punishment enough," he murmured.

I scowled, lightly smacking the side of his head. "Punishment?" I demanded. His ears twitched, and he roughly grabbed my wrist. He looked more than a little annoyed with me, and we stared each other down for a minute or two.

"You should be grateful I'm being this generous," he said flatly. I narrowed my eyes; I didn't think he was being generous at all, because I saw no reason for any kind of punishment.

"I already told you, I wasn't trying to get in there."

"No, you weren't," he agreed. "But, you shouldn't have been in that hallway. You shouldn't have yelled at Kuronue either, I told you not to bother him."

I sighed. I supposed that might be punishable, given my current situation with him, but I didn't think I deserved to lie around in pain because of it.

"What would you have done then, beat me?" I asked, looking a bit exasperated. Youko only gave me a serious look. "You're truly the epitome of a heartless demon," I continued, looking up at the stone ceiling. "Certainly cruel and unusual."

"You flatter me," he said sarcastically. I cringed when he reached out for me with his free hand, but instead of the hit I was expecting, he fixed my hair. I scolded myself for being so jumpy.

"Why the change fox?" I questioned scathingly. "You're being rather affectionate for a heartless demon."

"I like to take care of my things, I don't want them to be damaged," he said with a frown. "But sometimes you can't avoid it."

My things… I ran that through my head as I stared at him, but I had no comment to give; a part of me felt flattered, that he wanted to take care of me. Never mind that I had been referred to as property.

Enjoy it. And review.