Sayuri's POV
He didn't even say what my training will be. Looking at my wounds, they are all healed. I think I can do some physical training but I am not certain about my youki if I recover enough. He seems to be peacefully sleeping right now. Looking at my wrists, there are still marks from the shackles but I am glad I am free from them now. Thankfully, the cell I used to have become just ordinary vines hanging on my side. Somewhat, the atmosphere between us is changing. There is still fear in me that he can kill me anytime but the sense of hope is becoming stronger. And oh, I never realized I'd been looking at him for a while now. Sayuri, snap out of it will you please you know how evil that fox is. He might be look beauti… Oh what am I thinking right now, this is totally indecent. I should sleep now.
The next day…
Sayuri was awaken late. "Oww, I might have overslept. My head aches. What is the commotion outside?" She murmured as she holds her forehead. Then a sudden knock can be heard from the door.
"Sayuri-sama, we request your presence. We need you here as soon as possible." Nozomi told her hastily.
Sayuri went out and saw that all of the bandits were wounded. Most of them were groaning in pain. She walked further to reach one of them but it seemed like they were avoiding her.
"I am not here to harm you. I am here to heal." Sayuri announced with a warm smile as she lifted a hexagonal white crystal.
"Ehem, Sayuri-sama, I believe they are more afraid of the lord." Nobu whispered on her side while looking at Kurama.
"Kurama-sama…" Sayuri turned to Kurama and waited for his confirmation.
"Go ahead and be useful." He answered while still occupied treating his own wounds.
Sayuri went to the most injured bandit. "First of all, my apology, my healing powers can cause a tremendous pain if the wounds are deep. Kurama-sama do you happen to have herbs that can ease the pain? Please?" Sayuri looked at Kurama with questioning eyes.
"See the basket over there, it contains willow bark. It can ease the pain when someone's chew it." Kurama motioned the basket in the table near the hideout entrance. It seemed that he already prepared them in advance.
"Please have some, I hope it helps you enough." The bandit chewed the willow bark and Sayuri starting to gather her energy and transmit it to the crystal. The white energy then transferred to the wounds on the bandit's belly like a light covering the wound. "This micro size crystal shards will automatically mend your wounds as I transmit my healing energy to them. You don't need to hold the pain. Please just let it out to make you comfortable."
The bandit then, "ahhhhhhh! This hurts like hell! Are you sure you're not trying to kill me?!" He shouted in agony with his teary eyes closed.
"I am done here. Please have your rest. My crystals will continue to mend your wounds from now on until the sun sets." She gave him a reassuring smile.
"Thank you..ahhrg…"
"You're welcome." She then moved from one bandit to the next. There was a total of seven bandits and that already included Kurama and Yomi. They decreased in number after the recent mission. Most of them use swords as weapon. Since they were all close contact warriors, they tend to get injured a lot. It was also relevant that the strongest was Kurama and the only one who was expert in long-range weapons. With a careful planning, injuries and deaths can be prevented but this time, Sayuri was not aware how they ended up with serious injuries and casualties.
"Yomi-sama, I think you are the last one that I need to heal. I am sorry to keep you waiting but it looks like your injuries are not serious enough." Sayuri took a deep breath, relieved that there was only one left to heal.
"Yes, finally. Well, I am a better fighter than them so I can avoid getting injured. Can you come a little bit closer?"
"This distance is enough for me to…" She did not finish her sentence when Yomi pulled her closer. "What are you trying to do?" She was startled and looked around.
"You do not need to worry. Kurama went to his room already. Having you closer makes me feel more comfortable." Yomi still holding her risk.
"But for what I have known, Kurama-sama commanded everyone not to touch me." Sayuri said while was still looking on Yomi's grip.
"Oh yes he did, right? Then I'll just lay here then." Sayuri was surprised when Yomi laid on her lap. "I will not touch you, I can just lay here. You sure smell nice. Now, I understand why Kurama is keeping you on his side. I'm envious of him for that." He let go of her wrist.
"Then I will start healing you now. But since you are comfortable enough, maybe I should ask you a question. May I please?" Sayuri was a bit uncomfortable in the situation so she tried to change the topic.
"Go ahead." Yomi answered with his eyes close.
"How did this happen? I am aware by now that Kurama is very meticulous in planning your missions. It is hard for me to understand how most of you were seriously injured." She confusedly asked him.
"Ahhhh! hold on a second so your healing ability really hurts this much." He complained as sweats formed in his forehead. "Well, I gathered the bandits to go ahead without Kurama. I just cannot understand how can he had patience to wait that long. That treasure is of high importance."
"But I think it is still better to plan it carefully to avoid this. Don't you have any concern with your fellow bandits?" She countered disappointedly.
"Nah, if they die then that means they are weak and they deserve it."
"I see." Sayuri had enough of talking.
"So, what is your status with Kurama?" He curiously asked then he opened his eyes to see Sayuri's reaction.
"That is none of your concern. It is not what you all think." She answered in a firm annoyed tone.
"Well, I can see why he is keeping you. You are rare and damn! you smell so sweet! I can stay like this with you forever." Yomi said with a big smile on his face.
"You think so? Honestly, I hope we can stay here as long we need to. We do not have any other place to go to and our world is not always the safe place to live unless one is powerful enough to survive." Sayuri added with a heavy sigh.
"I will not let Kurama kill you, that is the least I can do but only if you let me." Yomi confessed as he grabbed her right hand.
"Don't you think you have been healing him for too long?" Kurama startled them with his frightening firm voice. Sayuri stood in a hurry.
"Ah yes, we are done here." Sayuri answered but Yomi grabbed her wrist.
"Can she stay here for the night Kurama?"
"NO"
Yomi hesitated for a while but let Sayuri go. "Alright, no need to give me a death glare."
"I apologize for taking too long." Sayuri continued as she followed Kurama to their room.
When they entered the room, Sayuri kept looking at Kurama's wound on his arm because the bandage was losing its grip. "Can I help you with your bandage? It is becoming loose." She went to his side waiting for his answer.
"Don't mind it." But Sayuri did not budge and reached Kurama's arm to fix it. He did not argue and just let her.
"I think I need to refresh myself. The smell of bandit's blood still lingers on me. Will you please let me?" She is still not leaving his side.
"You should get used to the scent of blood. When you come with us in our mission, you will have more than that but go ahead. You will find a lake close here."
Sayuri cannot believe that Kurama just let her do what she wanted. She went on her way and found lamp weeds that seemed to be leading a path somewhere. "This must be the one Kurama is talking about."
She keeps walking on a dark path following the yellow lamp weeds. At the end of the path there is an opening with intertwined vines covering it. She touches the vines and they coil around her body pulling her in. She is astonished with the magnificent view of the lake. It is similar to a cave with a lake in the middle and a variety of flowering plants surrounding it. The flowers are a mix of violets and different colours of roses. There are several big yellow bell flowers that serve as lights. It is a secluded, magical and serene place. A peculiar site in Makai.
Sayuri continued her stroll until she reached the edge of the lake. "This is just the right amount of warmth." She excitedly brushed the water with her right hand. When she dipped both of her feet to the lake up to her ankles. The ceiling of vines above her opened to reveal the moon and the stars. "Am I still in Makai? This is such a paradise!" She completely stripped her clothing off and set them aside on a rock near the edge.
"Such a relaxing, wonderful place!" She swims on the lake and found a smaller rock in the middle. She rested on the rock facing the sky.
"I wish my mother and Nozomi are with me in this paradise…"
I remember my mother always sings for me at night. There is a song that reminds me that when I'm hurting there is always someone I love, who not hesitate to embrace me. She reminisced.
"Since I am all alone here. This is a moment to do what I have been missing all along. I'll sing." Then Sayuri started singing her favourite song.
Author side note: Listen to this song in Youtube there is one with vocals included not just instrumental, lyrics below
Anata Wo Dakishimeru Watashi De iTai (You Hug Me When It Really Hurts)
Koboreochita namida nani mo iwazu kao wo ageta
Okubyou na watashi kara nigenai you ni
Kaze ga tomaru yudou hitorikiri de kizuite 'ta
Hohoemi wo omou tabi mune ga itaku naru
Mou kakusanaide samishii yoru no
Anata wo dakishimeru watashi de itai
Nani mo dekinakute mo Anata no koto omou kimochi
Mirai sae nurikaeru tsuyosa ni naru no ne
Yume ya negai-goto ga omoidoori yukanai toki
Nani mo ka mo akiramete utsumuite ita
Dame na watashi no koto itsu mo yuuki tsukete kureta
Kagirinai yasashisa ni mune ga atsuku naru
Nee kakusanaide nakitai yoru no
Anata wo dakishimeru watashi de itai
Nani mo dekinakute mo Anata no koto omou kimochi
Mirai sae nurikaeru tsuyosa ni naru no ne
She is enjoying the peaceful moment when someone interrupts her. "How do you like my sanctuary?" It was Kurama who curiously asked her with a smirk. Young demons are always the easiest to prey.
"You're here? Wh..when did you get here?" She hugged herself and submerged to the water.
"This is my private sanctuary after all and you are just a trespasser."
"I understand, I will leave. Please...forgive me Kurama-sama" She nervously reached to the edge of the lake but Kurama suddenly appeared in front of her. She was taken by surprise and slipped. Accidentally, she grabbed Kurama's hair pulling him to the water with her and…
They kissed…
Sayuri was shocked and tried to struggle but Kurama held the back of her head to deepen the kiss. She cannot utter a word after the kiss and just stared at Kurama with wide eyes.
"You initiated it. Don't act like you did not like it."
"What are you…? It was an accident. I am really sorry. I did not intend to have that happen. Please have your bath in peace, I'll leave." She averted her eyes with her cheeks still blushing.
"No, stay here." Kurama grabbed her and whispered to her ear. "It was pleasurable."
"Ahh..rgh!" Kurama lifter her but Sayuri protested. "Please let me go. Let me go." Kurama did not budge.
"What are you trying to do? I cannot still be your mate. I am not at the right age. Please let me go. Where do you think you're touching me? Please…" Kurama kept playing with her, he touched her chest, waist and hips. He flipped her back and forth like nothing. They stayed in that situation for as long as Kurama satisfied his curiosity on Sayuri's body.
"Even if you scream, no one will hear you. And why is your skin glowing? Why do you have the same scent even after taking a swim?" Kumara holds her tighter but Sayuri keeps on struggling.
"I do not know! Please let me go!"
"Hmm, alright." Kurama then lazily throws her in deep waters, face first.
*coughs* Sayuri keeps on coughing because of the undesirable water intake from a sudden drop.
"I hate this evil, perverted fox." She mumbled as she wore her clothes and did not bother to dry herself.
"And where do you think you're going?"
"Away from you…" She ran as fast as she could but Kurama caught her.
"You're going to the wrong direction." Kurama grabbed her waist. When they entered the room, he threw her to her futon and came close to her, there were only few inches between their faces.
"What?" Sayuri asked in a silent but firm tone. They were staring at each other's eyes.
"We are both drenched."
"Uhm, yes then please turn around my LORD so both of us can change our clothes. Will you please?" Her cheeks were burning in red as she said those words in front of his face.
"Hah! there is none to hide. I have seen everything." He mocks at her as he moves away.
"Please turn around that is the least you can do, my LORD." Sayuri begged sarcastically and rolled her eyes. Kurama then turned his back and changed his wet clothes as well.
When they are finally in dry clothes, Kurama climbs to Sayuri's bed and settles on top of her. He moves closer and licks her neck. "Have a beautiful nightmare, Sayuri."
Author's note: I enjoyed writing this chapter.
I am starting my graduate module so my updates will be less than it used to be.
Thank you for reading my fanfic!