Barring a long drawn out apology I'll just save it for the end. Not much longer...
CHAPTER 18
The walk was like a morbid procession to the gallows. The only sound was the unified march of the Squad Zero members to either side of Sui-Feng. Habit, it seemed, marched her in time with them. Her thoughts were not with them or the Soul King. They were full of Yoruichi. She could still feel the caress of her princess' lips against her own. She could smell her scent; still feel the scratches on her back from their love making. Everything felt like a blessing within a curse. Sui-Feng wished that they had never left the basement at Urahara's. She knew she could hold back all the Squad Zero members by herself, but for how long? And to what end?
Jakuho had been more than willing to draw blood in that battle. The sheer rebelliousness of her actions made him cackle with glee as he willingly let Sui-Feng wield him. Sui felt that both her bankai and shikai spirits were influencing her more than usual. While fighting Squad Zero it almost felt like a trance. Moving, striking, blocking...it was muscle memory but some of the moves were pulled out of an arsenal that didn't belong to her and that bothered her.
Now however, both the bankai and shikai were silent. She couldn't feel either of them. It was probably due to Aoji keeping them locked from her control. Kenrinji was glaring daggers at her, still feeling the sting of being defeated by a soul reaper considered to be his junior. Shutara remained silent and gave nothing away to how she felt about the situation. No one said anything as they reached the Soul King.
"Shaolin Feng, I have seen quite a disturbing display of your strength. While I would have gladly added you to my guard I now see you as a risk to the balance I pride myself in maintaining." The King's loud voice echoed through the chamber.
"You defied the orders of my personal guard and in doing so, have defied me. Have you anything to say for yourself?"
Sui remained silent, her face stony as her eyes held a far away look.
"Very well."
"Wait!" Kisuke came sprinting into the chamber and fell to his knees before his Uncle.
"You insolent little bastard! What gives you the right to just barge in here uninvited?" Kenrinji growled. Kisuke ignored him.
"Sui-Feng only reacted in the way because she has been trained as a servant of the Shihouin House. Your guards would have done the same for you! This isn't right, please! Have mercy." He pleaded. His forehead touching the ground and bowing as low as possible.
"Kenrinji..." The Soul King spoke after a moment of contemplation. "You will not speak to my nephew that way. Should you do it again I will not hesitate to have your tongue ripped out."
The man was quiet for the rest of the time.
"However, my young nephew you have a lot to learn. Shaolin is a threat in more ways than one. Yoruichi is desperately in love with her and I feel that if Shaolin is this dedicated to her that she will eventually defy me. I have seen it in her future and must take action now. Thus from this day forward I banish you, Shaolin from the realms, You will be put in Abyss Pendulous until I see fit to release you." The King's sentence was like a judges gavel.
"My King don't you think that is a bit much. She could lose her mind in there!" Shutara spoke up for the first time. It seems she wasn't the only Squad Zero member to think that such a sentence was outrageous. Many of them had open mouths in shock.
"Tell me Shutara, should Shaolin decide to rebel as she has done before, can you control her? She has been under your tutelage for a short time and already she has surpassed the power of many of you." His question was met with silence because it was made apparent that all of them combined were no match for the young captain.
"My sentence stands. Aoji remove her Zanpaktou." Aoji nodded and his hands glowed black before the wakazashi that had been on Sui's waist disappeared and reappeared in the King's hand.
"Have you nothing to say Shaolin?" The King asked one last time. She didn't spare him a glance but instead looked to the man she had once hated but had found a common denominator with.
"Take care of her." It was the last thing she said before the ground opened up and swallowed Sui-Feng.
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After 2 straight days, the tears should have dried up but she couldn't stop herself from sobbing into the haori in her clutches. The scent of Sui-Feng was a double edged sword. It was comforting but represented what she had lost. What she wouldn't give to let Sui-Feng hold her one more time. She begged for sleep to claim her in its clutches once again. This was worse than the 100 years of separation she had sentenced herself to. While she couldn't enter Soul Society, she had comfort that Kisuke had a plan to clear their names. She knew that at some point would see Sui-Feng again. There was no return this time, for either of them. Her lover would never be released. When Kisuke had delivered news of Sui's sentence she was once again thrown into bitter despair knowing that it was her fault. All because Sui-Feng had done her job, protecting her to the bitter end. She knew that Sui wouldn't want her to blame herself but she couldn't help it.
Yoruichi felt like she had no purpose. There was no motivation to move, eat, or drink. Sleep was her only reprieve. Many had tried to console her but all had failed. Kisuke had left long ago angry with himself for being so useless to help his life long friend. Sui-Feng had asked him to take care of Yoruichi but how could he when she wouldn't let him? Kukaku was lost for words for the first time since Kaien's death. Even Omaeda had come with comforting words but he too failed. Jou Mou was currently sitting at the bed side rubbing Yoruichi's back soothingly while the princess hiccuped uncontrollably. The tranquil voice of the woman tried to coax the princess to eat something but she would not budge.
"Child please, tell me something I can do. I can't lose you as well." Jou Mou pleaded, her voice wavering as she tried to keep her emotions at bay. Yoruichi stayed silent burying her face deeper into the last piece of Sui that she had.
"I understand your pain. I have lost every child I have ever raised, except for you. You're all I have left." The emotion broke through the old woman after holding it back for so long. "Please, I can't lose you as well. If I do all I will have left are the haunting memories of the ones I have loved."
A sharp intake of breath came from Yoruichi as she looked up at Jou Mou with red rimmed eyes. Yes, she was indeed being haunted by memories of a relationship that had come to fruition all too late. The secret smiles of her lover, the warmth of mercury eyes, the sleek muscles rippling under pale skin as Sui made love to her for the first and last time would forever haunt her in her minds eye. Apparitions of Sui-Feng's loving caress, the looks of utter adoration, and the feel of soft lips on hers would cling to her soul like a curse and a blessing. She was drowning in her despair and it was making her want to end her own life. She was so desperate that she found herself wishing that she had never even met Sui-Feng. However, there was one who could make her forget.
"Bring me Yuu-san." Yoruichi's voice croaked after the lack of use for so long. Jou Mou's face held a look of disbelief but was glad the woman had responded after her streak of silence. Her joy made her jump up to fufill a request that she didn't think to question and that would be a mistake.
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There was no light. There was no warmth and, aside from herself; there was no life. This was her fate, her prison. It was endless. An eternity stretching endlessly in every direction. The black void was so thick and encompassing that she could feel it weighing down on her, compressing every cell with its murky emptiness. How long she had been there, she didn't know. Hours, days, weeks, years...; here time had no intrinsic value. It was so dark her eyes hurt. If she was ever released, which she highly doubted, she would probably emerge blind. She would become akin to a mole, if she was lucky. Her other senses were useless as well. Her own footsteps and breathing were the only sounds to be heard. There was however, one source of comfort; the faint scent of Yoruichi lingered on her clothes and skin. Sui-Feng knew that with time this too would fade into the abyss leaving her with nothing. The thought itself made her swallow hard. This damning sentence was for eternity but if she could turn back time she would change nothing. She had allowed for her princess to find some sense of closure in avenging her father. The price for doing so was large for she would never feel, touch, or taste her love ever again and that was the biggest burden.
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Yuu was walking in the gardens. Having just finished signing a treaty he wanted time to relax. It didn't last long when Kenji came sprinting across the parade grounds to him. "Master! My Lord!"
"What's wrong Kenji? I thought I told you to keep an eye on Yoruichi." Yuu responded when the young demon reached him out of breath. He looked slightly panicked.
"I have terrible news my lord. The Panther King has died! Shihouin Yoruichi has avenged him but then fell into depression. She is asking for you." He answered while trying to catch his breath.
Yuu became ashen at the news. Shihouin Satotshi dead? Impossible. He could only imagine how Yoruichi felt. Of course she was depressed. "What of her body guard isn't she there to comfort her?"
"I'm not sure but Captain Feng has disappeared. I tried to follow them but they disappeared and then everything happened so quickly- I think there are rumors that the Captain has defected but I'm not sure my lord. Please forgive me for being inadequate." Kenji bowed his head in shame.
"Kenji those two are even faster than me. I'm sure you did your best. Don't be so hard on yourself. However I cannot go to Yoruichi right now, my demon's time is almost here and I don't want to do something I'll regret. Tell her I'll come in a month's time." Yuu answered before he turned to walk away. He didn't make it 10 steps before an Onmistukido soildier landed in front of him.
"Forgive the intrusion Yuu-san but you have to go to my princess. She is desperate!" The soldier said with his head bowed low.
"How did you get here?" Kenji growled fearing that had been followed.
"I was given the task to request your immediate presence. When I arrived, I saw your faithful servant report to you and prayed for a favorable decision. We opened a portal but I fear I have no way home because of the gate limits. I took the risk My Lord, because she needs to see you." The soldier answered.
"I understand your sacrifice but as I said before I cannot visit her for risk that I will be unable to control myself. You will be allowed to return but I will not be with you." Yuu turned again to walk away.
"Captain Feng has been banished from existence and I fear that if you don't answer my lady's request she may take her own life. I beg of you!" The soldier was even so bold as to grab the hem of Yuu's robe. Kenji growled low in his throat at the audacity of this soldier.
"Peace Kenji." Yuu held up a hand and stopped his young guard from taking action. "I will do as you ask." Yuu said and went to where it was located. "Kenji you will come with me because I'll need you to stop me if my demon tries to take over."
"Anything you ask I will do." Kenji bowed.
"Thank you My Lord!" The soldier breathed a shuddered sigh of relief.
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"I don't know what he can do for you that your own friends can't Yoruichi! What do you need him for? Are you going to go through this marriage bullshit! I'm fucking talking to you dammit. Answer me!" Kukaku yelled as Yoruichi looked somberly out of the window at nothing, saying nothing. Kukaku had heard from Jou Mou that her friend had requested the dog demon that irked her from the moment she met him.
"Are you fucking kidding me?! I'm your friend for years and you can't even tell me to fuck off? Give me something Yoruichi! Kisuke is losing his mind because he doesn't know what to do. And I'm- I need my fucking friend right now because.." Kukaku snapped her eyes shut at her tears trying to escape her eyes, "while I know your going through fucking bullshit I need you dammit!"
Yoruichi let a single tear fall from her eyes but she couldn't even bring herself to look at Kukaku which pissed the pyro off even more."Fine! You know what fuck you! I'll find someone else to be my kids godmother!" Kukaku said before stomping to the door which opened as she reached for the knob only the reveal Yuu.
"I'm sorry Kukaku." Yoruichi said quietly.
"Fuck you!" Kukaku said her voice cracking as she pushed past Yuu. Whether the insult was directed toward him or the princess he didn't know.
The demon lord turned his attention to the melancholy woman who sat unmoving and silent. The faint scent of her tears permeated the air and he had to stop himself from turning his nose up at her scent. Apparently her depression had caused her not to shower for days and the smell of sweat clung to her body. Her bodyguards scent could still be detected but it was faint. And yet, something bothered him at the back of his mind because her natural scent was different somehow but he couldn't place why.
Stepping farther into the room, Yuu kept himself by the door in case his inner demon rebelled and made him do something he might regret. Even distraught as she was, Yoruichi was still beautiful.
"You called for me." His deep timber rumbled and Yoruichi slowly turned to look at him. He clenched his jaw because the spirit that attracted him to her was gone. She was broken and battered, no longer the fierce rebel that the people told stories of after Aizen's war. The fire in her eyes had been extinguished. Before he could inquire exactly what could break her so badly she launched herself into his arms clutching the front of his robes tightly and buried her face in his chest.
"I was afraid you wouldn't come." Her voice was so weak he almost gasped.
"It isn't the best time for me to be around you. My demon is going to be intent on claiming a mate and since I haven't found a way to free you from the bonding mark, I felt it best to stay away. However, your soldier was insistent that I come. What has happened?"
Yoruichi told Yuu all that had occurred since she had been lured back to Soul Society. From the deception of Mosrael and her exacting revenge on him. She felt it best to leave out the fact that Sui had made love to her before she was banished but she did let the demon lord know that her body guard had been sentenced to an eternal prison.
Yuu slowly held her away from him at an arms length taking into account all that he had learned. He looked in Yoruichi's eyes before closing his own. No wonder this woman had been broken. Losing her father and lover all in the same day would break anyone.
"What would you have me to do? I cannot free her. I have no right to even approach the Soul King. Besides, from what you've told me there isn't even a way for me to try." Yuu said frowning.
"There is no way. Sui-..." Yoruichi couldnt even finish her sentence before her throat tightened up. "Yuu-san" Yoruichi whimpered. "I need you to save me...help me forget."
The dog demon's eyes widened when he realized exactly why he had been summoned. Realized, what she had actually intended for him to do. His inner demon attacked his conscious thought and began to fight for control. His grip on Yoruichi tightened as he fought to hold it back.
"Do you know what you're asking woman?! You would betray your lover?" Yuu growled as he tried to gain back the control that was quickly slipping. Yoruichi could see the fangs lengthening in his mouth as his eyes threatened to turn red.
"If you don't save me I wont live much longer anyway. Sui was the only thing I have left. I am now a prisoner to a destiny that I never chose." She cried.
"So you'd rather become prisoner to a man you'll never love? I refuse!" Yuu growled as pushed the Shihouin princess away from him.
"Then you leave me no choice." Yoruichi answered and pulled out a dagger that had been hidden in her robes and moved to plunge it into her heart.
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The rhythmic beating of her own heart was like music to her ears. The inhale of air expanding her lungs sang in time with it before she exhaled. She could never remember a calm like this. At first the darkness had scared her but now, she welcomed it, found solace in it. Her mind was focused and there were no distractions, nothing to deter her from clearing her mind of everything. All the fear and worry had disappeared. Anger and hate were emotions of the past. Even positive emotions like joy, excitement, and pleasure no longer mattered. There was nothing. Just the comfort of herself. She was at peace and was centered.
Then she heard a familiar voice. The words were indistinct but just the same the sound of someone murmuring could be heard as if they were a far distance from her. She remained still but she could feel someone moving around her, or something. Sui remained still not giving away that she had heard or sensed what ever was stalking her in the darkness. Now her mystery guest was prowling around her as if anticipating if she would make the first move or not. Sui didn't budge. There was no need to. Conserving her energy was of utmost importance. She would just react to whatever action this creature took. Instead the presence of the creature vanished and she was alone once more. Sui didn't know whether that was a good thing or not.
She chose to ignore it for now. No need to waste energy on a threat that seems to be assessing the area for a threat more than food and prey. Sui just went back to listening to her heartbeat think that maybe, just maybe Yoruichi's was beating in time with hers.
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The depression had made Yoruichi's movements sluggish and for that Yuu was thankful. He grabbed the blade in his hand and didn't even flinch as the sharp blade cut the flesh of his hand. His growl vibrated through Yoruichi and she could sense how angry he was.
"Once again princess, you force my hand. I told you before that I am as trapped as you are, but do you take that into consideration, no! I understand that you are overcome with grief but this is not the answer. Do you understand that if you take your life here and now, you will only be making the sacrifice that your father made meaningless?!"
Yoruichi gasped at the statement. Her grip on the dagger loosened and Yuu took the opportunity to wrench it out of her grasp.
"Look at yourself!" Yuu snarled and snatched the princess around till she was face to face with the full body mirror in the room. She was so ashamed by her reflection that she tried to turn away but Yuu grabbed her firmly by the chin and forced her to look.
"Your desperation has turned you into someone that you're not. Where is the fierce heir of the Shihouin clan that made Satoshi proud to call daughter? Who is this that I am looking at with such weak will? Do you think your body guard would want the sacrifice she made for you to end with you taking your own life?! What of the others who have given so much so that you may live? Do you mean to tell me that you really intend to spit the blood, sweat, and tears they gave back into their faces?!" Yuu's eyes became increasingly red as his anger was allowing his inner demon to gain more and more control.
"My Lord! Are you alright? Your youki is-" Kenji called as the door began to slide open.
"Stay out! " Yoruichi yelled stopping Kenji from entering. "Your future Lady commands it!"
Yuu's inner demon chuckled at her submissive statement. His last bit of conscious will begged for her not to give in so easily.
"Do you know what you are asking? There is no return. If I mark you now there is no way I can take it back. You will forget you ever knew her at all. Do you really want that?" Yuu said as he looked at the golden eyes of the princess in the mirror. She stared back and instead of answering verbally she leaned her head to the left exposing the flesh of her neck and swept her hair to the side like she had learned from the books she had read on the mating rituals.
Yuu's demon obliterated his conscious will at Yoruichi's unconditional surrender. The second his fangs broke the skin of her neck her gold eyes became vacant for a few moments before shining brightly. Every memory of her time spent with Sui-Feng flashed before Yoruichi's eyes.
The first time they met in the courtyards and Sui blocked the vicious roundhouse kick aimed at her head.
Her young protege following her with pious loyalty.
The cute blush that spread across her cheeks when Yoruichi would lean in close.
Them basking in the moonlight while Yoruichi corrected her stance.
The slim but strong fingers as they stroked her hair and the whispered promise that would be broken.
The look of anger and utter betrayal upon her face as Yoruichi stood before her for the first time in 100 years.
Them exchanging heated kisses in the 2nd Division feel of Sui's calloused hands caressing heated flesh.
The taste of honey on her lips.
The first and last time they made love was the last thing she saw.
She could still almost feel Sui thrusting inside her.
The last sorrowful kiss they shared caused Yoruichi to cry the last few tears she would ever cry for her Sui-Feng.
...And then, the pain was gone and with it, the memory of Shaolin Feng. Now instead of tears of grief for the love she lost, she now grieved tears for a man she loved with all her heart, "Daddy." Her fathers memory burdened her heart heavily and his death hurt deeply, but the weight lessened if only a little. Sui was forgotten.
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Three days passed and Kisuke, Jou Mou, and Kukaku were not liking the way events were shaping up. Kisuke had driven himself into the ground trying to find a way to locate Sui-Feng and free her. It seemed that the girl had disappeared from existence. Her reiatsu was undetectable in every realm that he had tried. He was beginning to think that it was similar to the one his father, no, Osamu had been banished to when he had come to take Yoruichi's life as a babe. He hoped his Uncle wasn't as cruel as to send her to such a place. He was also battling against the factor of time. One day in Soul Society amounted to a year in the realm Sui had been banished to so the time slip factor made things even more difficult to put a lock on exactly where she was.
Kukaku wasn't happy at all with her boyfriend being as stressed out as he was about their friends predicament. She had hoped Yoruichi could help her figure out how to tell Kisuke that she was pregnant. It wasn't like they had planned for it to happen and besides that it was a rare occurrence that people in Soul Society were able to have children unless both parties were of noble blood. As far as she knew Kisuke was not of noble blood but he never did speak much about his parents.
Talking to Yoruichi was impossible because she seemed so fake. It seemed that all the love that she had possessed for Sui-Feng had been passed on to that bastard dog demon and now the Shihouin Estate was bustling with preparations to move everything for the wedding to the Western Lands. Yoruichi was still grieving her father but it seemed that her 'love' for Yuu eased that pain. It made Kukaku sick to her stomach. She would try her best to put up with Yoruichi's false love of Yuu but it caused her to bristle with anger knowing it was nothing but a lie. She had to excuse herself from the room during Yoruichi's bachelorette party when Yoruichi commented that she felt like something important was missing. When Rangiku asked what she thought it was, Yoruichi waved it off deeming it unimportant. Kukaku however saw the light leave Yoruichi's eyes for a brief moment and realized that something was reminding her of Sui-Feng. She just had no memory of what it was. In her opinion, this was utter bullshit.
Jou Mou wasn't fairing much better as Yoruichi forgetting her granddaughter made the old woman feel like she was the only one to grieve the loss of Sui. She wanted to be angry with the princess for taking the easy way out but knew it wouldn't do any good. In the end she figured it better to let Yoruichi live in this counterfeit reality rather than take her own life like she had been ready to do. The old woman had holed herself up in her house not once answering the summons when Yoruichi asked for her help in the wedding preparations. Yoruichi thought it was because Jou Mou was still grieving her fathers death even though that was only part of the reason. Kisuke had come to visit the elderly woman, something that had never happened, and he had held the old woman as she cried the loss of Satoshi, Sui, and in a way Yoruichi. The princess was no longer herself. The looks of adoration and love that she gave Yuu made her sick to her stomach. But she just couldn't find it in herself to hate the woman. They say time heals all wounds but in this instance time was only rubbing salt into already festering wounds.
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Yuu felt like a complete monster. He had been unable to find anything in any of the old scrolls or tomes that could help him free Yoruichi like he promised. He was also having a hard time controlling his beast as it wanted to pup Yoruichi as soon as possible but he couldn't bring himself to be near her anymore than necessary. The resentful looks from her friends didn't help matters any as he knew they wanted his head on a platter. He would give gladly if he wasn't in such a fucked up position. His beast had taken such a liking to this woman that he might be putting himself at risk for a mental breakdown should he release her. Kenji had expressed his concern but there was little the tiger could do.
Yoruichi had asked him about his distance but he blamed it on pressing business with the Lords of the other lands. It was not completely a lie but he was trying to control himself. It seemed that the princess was a very affectionate woman and she wanted her affection returned by the the dog demon. It had only been 3 days and he hated himself for giving into to Yoruichi's wishes. It just didn't feel right holding her or kissing her, at least to his own conscious mind. The beast inside him was fine with it.
He was on a trip to the South to investigate a complaint from a convoy of silk vendors. Apparently there was a rather large group of bandits raiding caravans and Yuu simply didn't tolerate such behavior within his lands. When suddenly, his path was cut off by a woman that could have been mistaken for Sui-Feng herself except her eyes were not the steely grey of his fiances bodyguard.
"Step aside." He said smoothly taking in this woman's appearance. She looked like a Soul Reaper but her energy was distinctly different from any Soul Reaper he had ever met.
"Silence you insolent dog. Do you have any idea what you've gotten involved in?"
"Who are you to dare speak to me that way?" Yuu growled menacingly but the woman stared back unfazed by his show of aggression.
"You have gotten involved in this so I do hope you're ready for all of the consequences it entails you flea bitten mongrel." Shutara eyed him. This was the first time she had seen Yuu up close and personal. It was off putting to say the least the energy she was feeling from him.
"I know what my fiance is up against and am prepared to defend her. What does it matter to you?"
"You're so quick to use throw that word around. Have you even engaged her enemy in combat? How do you know what you're dealing with when the closest you've been to the action are stories?"
"I don't have to answer to you. What is your purpose in my realm Soul Reaper?" Yuu demanded, his patience wearing thin.
"To test you."
That was all Yuu heard before the woman attacked him with more speed than he would have given her credit for. He was able to block each strike from her sword but was becoming hard pressed to do so. With his free hand he struck at her with his poison whip. Shutara avoided it but wasn't quick enough to keep her clothing intact. The acid from the poison melted away the front of her haori and juban leaving her barely clothed from the waist up. Yuu faltered when he noticed how attractive this woman was. He felt his eyes roving her bared skin before he could stop himself.
"Eyes to yourself dog!" Shutara snapped before she freed her other arms all wielding katanas. She attacked him again with more vigor than before. Yuu felt his beast becoming angry with this woman because there should be no way that she could beat him but here he was quickly falling to her mercy.
'Let me out!' Yuu's beast demanded and he allowed it to take control. Shutara had turned the demon's clothes to shreds and he was bleeding so much that most of the tattered clothing showed red. His beast however, felt none of the pain and leapt at the woman with malicious glee. He began to target each of the bone arms ripping them off to render them useless. When he noticed that she felt no pain from it, he attacked with fervor. Doing so slowed the speed advantage that the Squad Zero member had and evened the playing field. They would be evenly matched if Yuu's beast would switch back with him but currently this side was having too much fun and didn't want to relinquish control.
Shutara made a miscalculation on her surroundings and found her back up against the wall of a mountain. Before she could move away Yuu pinned her there immobilizing her arms and legs by pressing his body into hers.
"I have you now woman. Where's that smart mouth of yours now?" Yuu snarled.
"I have now words to speak to a rabid dog. How fitting that you can only win with your beast. You have no control over yourself, Lord of the Western Lands." Shutara said mockingly.
Yuu growled and closed his eyes. Apparently his beast wanted to see how this counterpart handled this woman. When his eyes opened, gold had once again taken over and his fangs had returned to their normal size.
"I ask you again woman, where is that smart mouth of yours now?"
He had no idea what possessed him to smile the way he did but with their current position it wasn't the smartest choice of action.
She wasn't sure what made her eyes rove over his face and chest but the closeness of their bodies was intoxicating and she found herself drowning in pools of gold. The air crackled between them but was broken as Shutara's hands shot out and pushed Yuu away.
The standoff was a staring contest because neither knew what to say about their reactions. Shutara decided that an abrupt exit was her best choice of action and before Yuu could say anything she was gone. The Lord himself couldn't even explain his actions but for some reason he didn't feel the same emotions that he had when he marked Yoruichi; regret.
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The day before the wedding Yoruichi was cleaning out her room at Kisuke's when she noticed a yellow sash laying across her bed. She picked it up feeling the smooth silk caress her fingers. She smelled the soft scent it held though, faded it was. The princess had no idea who the sash belonged to or even why she had it. She went to go place it in the pile of things she didn't want to keep but her hand stopped above the wastebin, trembling. She couldn't make herself dispose with something that seemed so insignificant.
Later that night she was in the same chambers that she had stayed in before. She had bid Yuu goodnight had fallen asleep peacefully. Her dream that however was very peculiar. She was in the dark wandering and didn't know where to go. She didn't want to be alone but there was no one else around. So she walked, and walked, and walked. Never stopping, until she felt something warm in the darkness. Deep, hidden, forgotten but it was there. If only she could get to it. She was tired but she had to make it.
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Sui had grown use to the creature that prowled the darkness around her. She felt no fear. If it was going to attack it would have done it by now. Instead, when she found herself drifting off to sleep, the creature would come closer and curl itself around her like a cat. Sui would let it and would drift off having dreamless sleep, awaking only when her lips would tingle and a faint voice sounded in the distance. She thought that she may be losing her mind which was plausible given the circumstances. One time when she woke she realized that the creature that had been keeping her company still had its large form curled around her body. She looked down to find gold eyes staring back at her.
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Yoruichi finally made it through the cold darkness and cloaked herself in the warmth. It felt good, friendly, safe. She could trust the warmth to keep her company in this darkness. She might not be able to talk with it, but feeling something warm would be enough comfort for now.
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"Who are you?" Sui asked as she stared into giant gold eyes. The panther looked back before murmuring low, it's muzzle never moving, but the voice distinct.
"I am that is, left of it, splintered spirit of ghost. I am weary, tired, and broken, my fangs and claws have been taken. My paws are sore, my tail drags dirt and shame behind me. Let me rest with you and shut my eyes a little while. Be my strength until I can wake up, noble warrior, what say you?"
Sui's heart went out to the weary beast. And she wasn't going to complain about having a companion. She had no idea how long she'd been here but now she had something to do, someone to protect and she would do it, no matter what.
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