ITS SPRING BREAK... HERE, HAVE A CHAPTER :)

PART 1

"Well that was a fun time. Everything went smoothly... Apple?" She offers to Hiei, who looks at it disgusted and turns away without a word. "Fine then, no apple for you." She takes another bite.

"You cut through dimensions," I state.

"And travel through them, but don't expect any pointers. No amount of sweet talk or orgasms could ever get you any information from me." She speaks with her mouth open, not worrying about saliva and bits of apple shooting out. "He will show you to your room." She points to a masked servant standing a few feet away.

"You prepared a room for us, how kind of you." I poke at her, just to see how far she'll go. I want to know what she's really thinking, what are her plans and motives. What is she truly after with all of this? Am I missing something? Any mistake could cost me my life.

"I know. I am such a kind hearted demon after all, but there's no need to thank me. If you want to eat me out instead as I know is you're favorite style of pay however, I won't complain."

"Mukuro, that's enough," Hiei chimes.

"It was only a joke, no need to get fisty." She turns back to me, "Being in Human World and pampered by Yomi has soften you up, you can't even take a joke without getting offended."

"It isn't that, it's just that vulgar jokes have never been my style."

"But vulgar behavior has."

"I said that's enough. Shut it already." Hiei raises his voice. "You both sound ridiculous.

"As you wish."

Mukuro is silenced. Like a servant... Like a slave.

I smile. And if I thought my smiles earlier were big, this one beats them all. She notices, and is immediately on the defence.

She is in love with him. What an idiot. And she spends her life talking bad about Raizen and Yomi for falling in love, she is just the same. She does have a weakness after all, and her weakness is extremely close to me. This couldn't be any more perfect.

"Meet us in a hour." She states and walks away, Hiei follows behind her. She knows she made a great mistake, she should have never showed me just how much she cares for him. This is all too easy.

"This way," the servant states. "I will show you to your room."

We walk through halls that smell of rotten flesh and build of bone, this is nothing compared to Gandara that is correct. This place is disgusting, but what can I expect from someone like her.

"This will be your room, you are not allowed to enter any other. Everyone has the right to privacy so if you enter someone else's room, and they get angry and kill you, it will be your fault and frankly no one will care. So I say this more as a friendly warning than a rule."

"And where will I be staying?" Touya speaks for the first time since we arrived. The servant looks baffled, "What do you mean? I was told to prepare you a large room since it was for two."

"No there's no way that i'll-"

"He's just being shy because we haven't formally joined spirits yet, and he feels it makes him look bad to share a room with me if we aren't married yet," I interrupt.

"Please child, that is the last thing anybody cares about right now."

"I told you love," I encourage and to my surprise he doesn't argue back. I expected a remark, I expected him to get his own room, but he doesn't.

A group of demons turn into the hall and walk towards us, loud and un-eloquent, talking among themselves in screams and laughing heavily. There's something familiar about them, something I recognize. They get closer and one of them turns from the group to look straight at me and smiles, raising his hands to the air and screaming, "HEY KURAMA, YOU SEXY THING! I LOVE IT, I LOVE EVERYTHING YOU DID."

He jogs to me and yes, this is the guy from the palace, one of Yomi's servants, the one that Suichi had an argument with. I was stuck inside, but I remember his face clearly. "You are my hero. I literality believed everything you were saying that day... And then the 'I'm not going, I'm staying here' moment. Priceless. You got me!"

"So you were a spy, I would have never known."

"What was it that I told you? 'Something so dirty could never have my respect,'" he laughs out loud. "Good times... Good times."

"When did you all get out?"

"We left earlier today. We ran into the forest and Lord Muruko brought us back. No one suspected us when we left, but I'm sure the ones that didn't escape earlier will have a hard time getting out now. That's if they even get out."

My heart speeds, "How many more of you?"

"Pffttt... That whole place was filled with spies, some since hundreds of years ago."

"Duen?..." I don't know why, but for some reason I mutter his name.

"Oh him... There's no way he'll make it out." He says nonchalantly, "I just hope they kill him quick though, he doesn't deserve-"

"And you just left him there?!" I punch him in the jaw, his whole face turns with the motion. I throw another punch but Touya stops me. "Why didn't you get him out?!" I roar. My chest aches, it burns. My eyes burn, my nose burns. Everything hurts. I want to kill this demon. This isn't me, and I know it. Suichi is in my head. Screaming, "we have to get him out!" "We have to save him!"

The spy wipes blood from his chin, "Why are you acting like this? You know the way this is, this is war! He knew when he took the mission that he wasn't going to get out alive and he choose to take it. He loves Lord Mukuro that much. His mission was to take care of you, and he did..."

I stop myself. "You're right," I declare, and holding my breath walk into my new room without another word. I have to get away from him and everybody. No one can see me like this.

I hear the door close, and once I'm alone, I hold my chest with both hands to shove this overwhelming feeling out, but it's uncontrollable. I'm walking without knowing where I am walking to, doing things without consent. Shuichi is deep inside my brain, inside my blood vessels, he's everywhere. He's crying, and screaming, and banging on walls. And there's noise. There's too much noise, and it's too cold, I hug myself and then regret it. I push down on both my temples with all my force, the noise has to stop, it has to stop or I am going to explode. Shut up already, the whimpering continues, like a widow mourning for her beloved. It isn't just the noise, it's the feelings, the emotions. The pain. Shut up! Get out of my head, I killed you already!

"Listen to me," someone is touching me. "Hey! Control yourself!" Someone is shaking me, the water is moving, the wind is blowing. It's ice. "Stop!"

The noise stops. The pressure is gone. The pain is waving away, little by little, soon the'll be nothing left.

"Hey," He repeats, and I hug him, hiding myself in his shoulders, but he pushes me away. He grabs both my arms and looks me straight in the eyes, "Was that Shuichi? He's still in there! Let him out you-"

I shove him away and run out the door. I hear him yelling or maybe running after me but I don't stop. The hallway is empty, I wipe cold sweat drops- or tears- whatever they are away from my cheeks. This is bad. This is really bad. My hands are shaking, I'm out of control.

But no! This is good, even though he tried to break out he couldn't. He couldn't! And that's good, but those feelings... All of those noises. I don't want to experience that again. I have to find a way to cut him out completely, no matter what I have to do. I have to get rid of him now!

PART 2

An hour later we meet in her meeting room, a large empty room with a few chairs and nothing else. Everything here is so beastly and savage, so different than Gandara. Touya walks in soon after and we start the meeting, just us four again.

"I really hope that my lovely home is to your good taste," That sarcasm is getting way too old way too quick, "I just have a few rules that I wan't to go over with you."

Touya walks pass me to sit in the chair ahead, but I grab his hand and pull him over. He stumbles a little, but doesn't struggle when I bring him in to sit on my lap. I brush hair out of his face and peek his cheek, then rest one hand around his waist and one on his thigh.

"Are you done now?" Mukuro asks annoyed.

"Go ahead." I encourage.

She takes a deep breath, I assume to stop herself from killing me, and resumes the conversation. "Here you are on your own, No one will serve you or call you 'Lord' unless I instruct it, and of course I am not going to do that. Also when it comes to food you will hunt and gather, I know Yomi had you like a spoiled child, but I hope you remember how to fend for yourself. You are free to travel wherever you want, but if you step outside my territory I am not obligated to assist you if anything happens. Also just to clear that I am not obligated to assist you at all, but I will if I am in a good mood or get a good laugh out of it. I love entertainment."

We will share our battle plans with you since we are working together, but if at any moment your tongue slips I will personally cut it out, skin you, whip you, beat you, and heal you, just to be able to do it over and over again until I get tired of it, which doesn't happen fast. I don't trust you, but Hiei does and I can't stop that, but don't test your luck or you'll find out that Hiei is far less forgiving than I am. "

PART 3

At night fall Touya and I leave the palace to go hunting. It's been so long since I've done it, but a wild animal will still be a wild animal no matter how domesticated. We run into the forest and begin our search. We'll have to kill it, clean it, skin it, prepare it, cut it, and cook it. We'll have to make a fire. But first step first: the hunt. It triggers me with delight, not just the hunt of our meal, but the hunt of the beast next to me. The Ice Master who tries so hard to pretend he cares only for Shuichi, but as soon as I touch him melts under me. To touch his body is trilling, maybe it's just that I don't like to loose, that I don't like anyone to deny me, or maybe-

"Slow down," he whispers. "Look." He points to a large beast eating grass at a distance. "Will that one do?"

I lower myself hiding within branches, "that one looks juicy." I turn to him, "You or me?"

"Do the honors," he invites and I jump into the air, unleashing my rose whip, tying in around the beast's neck, and decapitating it.

"An easy death with no suffering, didn't even see it coming," I walk towards it whispering, "I envy it," low enough to believe Touya might not have heard me, but I know he did.

He builds a fire while I prepare the meat, not speaking more than the absolutely necessary until I break the chain, "Why do you pretend to hate me? Is it because you feel remorse?"

He stops, "I really don't want to talk about that right now, Yoko."

"But you like me."

"I..." He thinks before speaking. "You're beautiful, but your ways kill all your beauty."

"What 'ways?'"

"You're a lier, a manipulator... You like to hurt others for the fun of it."

"And how would you know that?"

"I've seen it."

"You've seen what exactly?"

"I've seen you hurt Yomi and Zein for no reason, I've see you trying to kill Shuichi-"

"So I was just supposed to stand there and watch Yomi and Zein make a fool out of me, and let Shuichi throw me back to the shadows? Is that how your perfect story ends?" He bites his lower lip, "You only know what you've seen in these last few months, you don't know anything about me. You don't know what I've been through-"

"It doesn't matter what you've been through. If you've lived a hard life that is all the more reason to try to make it better, to find peace."

"And how can I find peace with Yomi on my shadow all the time? This isn't something that I could just turn away from, I avoided it for one thousand years and it remained. I am just trying to survive."

"By killing everyone around you."

"If that's what it takes, so be it."

"You're nothing like Shuichi."

I raise my voice, "He would have been just another human if I wouldn't have attached myself to him, you would have never even meet him. His powers, his wisdom, everything he is he gets it from me."

"But the thing that I admire, his kindness, he gets from himself."

"If you love him so much then why don't you just die with him?!"

"Because I know he is still alive, and I am going to save him." I turn to walk away, I've had enough, but he calls my name. "I'll save you too."

I turn back, shocked, and aggravated, "Save me? I don't need your help-"

"I do care for you if that is what you are asking. I am attached to you, I like you, you are the only one that I've ever been with and that isn't going to change. I like being with you, and I don't think that you are all evil. I think you're just lost, and I-"

"SHUT UP! Don't talk to me as if I'm a child."

"One way or another I will save you."

"You're an idiot." I run away, just like I've been doing so much lately.

On my way back I run into Hiei laying on a tree, looking as carefree as ever. "Hissy fit with your boyfriend?" He asks.

"Something like that."

"You like him?"

"I believe I do."

He chuckles, "Why?"

"Why do you like Mukuro?"

"I don't like her." I laugh, "Shut up or i'll slice your throat."

"Alright, alright," I agree. I climb the tree and sit next to him. "So what have you been up to lately?"

"Nothing as overwhelming as all of your stories."

"There has to be something..."

"I've grown stronger."

"I see that." I stare into the distance, he closes his eyes, "Hiei."

"What is it?"

"I've done horrible things."

"I know."

"Don't let him take me. Kill me first."

He opens his eyes. He's mad. "Don't say ridiculous things-"

"Just promise me, that if there ever comes a time when there is a possibility that Yomi will take me, kill me first. And don't do it half-assed either, remove my head, make sure I am dead completely."

He considers it. He knows what I've done, he's seen what Yomi is capable of, "I don't think he'll hurt you, regardless of weather he still wants you or not."

"Maybe not him, but anyone on that army, and once I'm in their hands he won't defend me. He'll let them have me, I know."

There's a silence, a long lonely silence, then he speaks, "If there's ever a time when you are being taken by Yomi or any one in his army, I will chop your head off, happy?"

"Thrilled."

PART 4

He sneaks back into the room after midnight, bringing a silver plater of food with him, "I know I got you mad," he whispers like a toddler walking to his parents after getting in trouble "Here, I brought you this?" He offers the platter like a peace offering.

I stare at the platter, and then at him, and then uncover it as he sets in in the bed. Soft seasoned meat, different fruits cut on the sides, and he hands me a glass of juice and another of water. I taste the meat first, "It's good."

"I'm glad you like it."

"I'm still mad at you though," I smile taking a piece of fruit into my mouth.

"Is there anything I could do to make it better."

"Well-"

"I could give you a foot rub."

I look at him. He just offered a foot rub only married or official partners of many years do that. "A foot rub?"

"I've never done it, but-"

He's so gentle, "How about we save the foot rub for after the wedding."

"What?" His eyes open wide, his expression is almost funny.

"What?" I smile, "Let's get married."

He backs away, "Why?"

"Why not? I like you, you like me-"

"How many times have you been married?"

"Not once, but I wouldn't mind finding out what it's like though."

"Everything is a game to you isn't it? Don't play like that!"

"I'm not playing. Marry me."

He looks my way, and I don't know what I am doing, but I really wouldn't mind making him mine. It isn't a big deal. More than likely, at least one of us will be dead soon enough anyways."

"You're crazy."

"Marry me. I could bring the offering to make it official." Here in demon world an offering is offered to the person you are proposing to, if the offering is taken, the answer is yes. "You said you want to save me, didn't you. You said you like me, you said you like being with me, and that I'm the only one that's ever touched you, so why not? I'll take responsibility."

"Yoko, things aren't that easy."

"I don't see why not. Marry me."

"When? Where?'

"Is that a yes?"

"Are you being serious?"

"How many times do I have to say it?"

We lock eyes, "I'll do it in one condition."

"You want the human back?"

"Yes."

"But I don't want you with him."

"I'll marry you, I'll be with you, and I won't be with anyone else I promise. But he needs to have his life back."

"We won't be able to be together. He'll probably end up in Human World and then what?"

"I'll follow you."

"Besides he hates me, he'll try to get rid of me as soon as he sees a chance."

"I won't let him."

"Yo have an answer for everything don't you?"

"I just want this whole thing to end, Yoko. I'll be with you, I'll do whatever you want me to, but let him be free."

I could do it. I could negotiate with Shuichi, but then what? Why am I even considering this? Is it because all I really want is for all of this to end too? But no... It isn't possible, we can't share one body, they'll always be arguments, we'll never agree in things. He doesn't want what I want, he wants Yomi, it's impossible.

"If he comes out, he'll run straight to Yomi, he wants to be with him. It's just not possible."

"Then there's no way we can be together. I can't be with you knowing you killed my friend."

He walks to the door, "Touya."

"What?"

"It would have been nice though... to marry you I mean. I think you would have been a good partner."

He inhales deeply, his eyes sparkle, but he cuts his reaction short, "Don't say weird things like that." He slams the door as he walks out, and I sleep alone at night, missing his face around me.

THANKS FOR READING AS ALWAYS. ITS SPRING BREAK SO I HAVE A BREAK FROM SCHOOL AND THE FIRST THING I DID WAS UPDATE THIS CHAPTER! IM SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG, BUT NOW THAT I AM DOING CLINICALS, I REALLY HAVE NO TIME AT ALL! HOWEVER, THIS STORY WILL NOT END UNTIL IT ENDS. I MAY TAKE LONGER TO UPDATE, BUT I WILL FINISH IT NO MATTER WHAT! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING, AND FOR YOUR CONTINUOUS SUPPORT THROUGH THIS LONG FIC! LOVE YOU ALL! TIL NEXT TIME, BYE :)