Is it Love or Lust? (pt.2)
At the Ikeda home, Kenichi and Ayesha prepared for a night out as Kiyoni tended to her Heka studies. "Kiyoni…" Ayesha checked in, "we're leaving."
"Okay, mama. Have fun."
"Remember, no boys," Kenichi reminded.
"Got it, papa." Now would be a good time to see what Kurama is up to but, studies come first. Kurama studied as well, keeping him busy while he played babysitter to his younger brother.
Elsewhere, both Keiko and Yusuke served restaurant patrons out keeping warm or celebrating the holiday. Tonight was a busy night for them. That was until…a snap was made, one only the infected could hear. For example, along a busy walkway, couples walked hand-in-hand or arm-in-arm to simply enjoy the sweet night. Unfortunately, their moment was interrupted when others who caught a whiff of the new perfume come for those who were wearing it. Strangers upon strangers collided with other strangers like lustful zombies all driven by a simple, enchanted whiff.
At Yusuke's noodle shop, he was hard at work fixing two bowls of pork ramen when he heard the snap. "Hey," a customer bellowed, "Where's my food?"
"Up yours," Yusuke walked away, completely in hypnosis, "Keiko…Keiko…"
"Hey! Hey, you! Get back here!"
At the Hatanaka home, younger Shuichi, was in the middle of playing a video game on his brand-new Switch when he heard his brother come down the stairs also in a hypnotic trance. "Hey, bro," he called, "Everything okay?"
Kurama ignored his brother, "Kiyoni…Kiyoni…"
"Whoa! Whoa! It's cold, outside. Don't tell me you're going out there without a coat. Some shoes, at least."
"Kiyoni…Kiyoni…"
"Kiyoni? What about her?"
"I must see her. I must have her."
"Dude, are you okay? I know it's Valentine's Day-"
"—I must be with her! Now!"
"Okay, okay. At least, put on some shoes," for once, younger Shuichi was surprised to be taking charge over his elder, helping him with his winter gear before sending him off.
Kiyoni blasted music through her headphones when she heard the sound of the buzz call, "Hello? Who is it?"
"Kiyoni…" Kurama replied like a member of the undead.
"Suu'chi? Is that you?"
"Kiyoni…I want to see you. I need to see you."
"Is everything okay? Why didn't you call me ahead of time?"
"Please," Kurama pleaded in desperation.
Kiyoni was taken aback. Any other time, she would be thrilled for Kurama's presence but, this time was different. She allowed Kurama to enter wanting to get the bottom of this, "Hey, Suu'chi. What's going on?"
"I apologize…for my unannounced appearance but…I needed to see you, somehow. May I come in?"
"…Sure. Please do" Kiyoni answered with an uncertain tone, "I'll…fix us something warm to drink. Hot chocolate, okay?"
"Fine. Thank you." Kurama grew inexplicably nervous. He's visited Kiyoni at her home before but, this wasn't like other times. There was a feeling dwelling inside him telling him not to be there while, at the same time, there was another telling him to stay. At the moment, the latter overpowered the former.
"So…while we wait for the water to boil, what's up?"
"Kiyoni, I think something is wrong with me. Something's bothering me and I don't know what it is."
"That's new. I never took you for being the bothered type. Well…when it's not family related."
"It has a lot to do with you, though; about my feelings for you."
"Aww. I thought we made that clear back in Heliopolis. You don't need to tell me. You've been following through ever since. In fact, come sit with me," Kiyoni patted a spot next to her.
"I rather not, thank you."
"Come on. I'm not going to bite you. Unless, that's what you've come here for."
That induced an idea in Kurama's mind, "On second thought, I think I will take that seat."
Kiyoni smiled with glee and anticipation. If tonight was going to be the night she takes her first bite, it's the perfect time to do it. For Valentine's Day is a time for love, romance, and intimacy and biting and blood drinking are as pleasingly intimate to a half-vampire like her as lovemaking is to humans. "Is that what you've come for? For me to bite you?"
"Kiyoni…as you know…I'm not exactly as…well-versed in romantic relationships as the average person."
"Neither am I but, that's why I'm with you."
"Right and you know that I know how much you've wanted to drink my blood. In fact, I appreciate your reservation to do so until now."
"Right, thank you. I know patience is a strong quality of yours but, I'll admit, it has been hard."
"I understand. I may not be a vampire but, I'm sure it's been rather difficult for you after all this time. However, given how long we've been dating, I think it's time we…moved forward a bit. Take things a bit more seriously, if you will."
"Move forward? Move forward, how?"
"Well…I think we should…take some time to…get closer to one another."
"How much closer can we be? Suu'chi, just come out with it, okay? Don't be vague with me."
"Alright. Here goes. Kiyoni…ever since that time in Heliopolis, in your garden, and in that grotto, there have been feelings that I've tried so hard to retain that I feel as though I can't do it, anymore. As much as you want to drink my blood, there's something I want to do to you."
Kiyoni's heart began to race. She wanted to make an assumption but allowed Kurama to finish, "What is it?"
"Kiyoni, I…I wish to make love to you." Kurama's confession created such a tense moment that anything would've sufficed in breaking it. A whistle from the tea kettle came at the perfect time.
Kiyoni moved quickly to stop the sound, "Excuse me."
"Kiyoni," Kurama chased to make his case, "Kiyoni, say something."
"…Something."
"I'm serious."
"As am I. I mean, I haven't been concerned with stuff like that since I was thirteen and in Heliopolis."
"What?"
"First of all, it wasn't mandatory, it was by choice and we were all well-informed and well-protected, beforehand. Second, please don't judge my culture. Third, you can't be serious."
"I just said I am."
"That's a big step moving forward. I would've accepted a more…exclusive approach but, sex…" Kiyoni felt the heat in her cheeks rise upon mentioning that last word.
"Why not? I mean…out of all the make out sessions we've—"
"—That's exactly what they were! Just making out. I mean, yeah, they were passionate and really, really hot and…we were under the influence of some powerful incense and—"
"—That's my point. Kiyoni, you cannot stand there and tell me that you don't fantasize about me. Just before you created the spell to break our mental link, I read your mind. I saw your fantasies and, although flustered, I was intrigued by them. To be honest, I have plenty of fantasies about you." Kurama could give the definition of a "sly fox" based on his demeanor alone. Despite that, in the back of his mind, he wondered why he's speaking the way he is.
"Okay, I do but, damn. I'm not so sure about this, Suu'chi."
"It's fine. I understand. Timing seems to be a deterrent in your decision and since you've been so patient with me, the least I can do is be patient for you. I just…wanted you to hear me out, first. I'm sorry for startling you."
That made Kiyoni feel better. She really thought Kurama was going to try something, "Thank you, Suu'chi. Marshmallows?"
"Sure," Kurama approached Kiyoni from behind to nibble on her neck.
"Suu'chi…that tickles," Kiyoni giggled.
"I have an idea," Kurama whispered, "Why don't we repeat that night in the grotto?"
"I do have some incense. The same from the grotto."
"Let's go. Bring the hot chocolate," Kurama departed for Kiyoni's room.
"Coming!"
Everywhere, the people of Mushiyori City were on a lustful frenzy. People used their sense of smell and lack of judgment to pounce on those who were pleasing to the nose. Police have tried their best to calm down the situation with no leeway. Meanwhile, the one responsible for this entire charade has been collecting the energy created by the humans below. "Yes," he observed, "Yes, this is wonderful. We will soon be reunited, my love. We will rule this world, forever."
At the Kuwabara home, the siblings wondered just what had gotten into Yukina. "She's been like this for over two hours, now," Kuwabara stressed. He and Shizuru had Yukina locked up in Shizuru's room. The ice maiden had fallen to the same spell Yusuke and Kurama have fallen to and it's driving her crazy with lust.
"I don't get it," Shizuru murmured, "What happened to her that's gotten her so worked up?"
"Man, I just don't like the fact that she's locked up again. It hurts, you know?"
"I know, bro, but, you have to tell me what happened before she got like this."
"Hm, well…I asked her if she wanted to go see a movie with me. She said yes so I took a shower, trimmed my hair, got dressed, used some cologne or something that was in the living room, checked in on her…then she went crazy."
"After you sprayed that perfume?"
"Perfume? I thought it was cologne."
"What did it look like?"
"I don't know. It said something about sinful desires or something."
"Did you just say Sinful Desires?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Oh, my, god…"
"What?"
"I just remembered something."
"What? What is it?"
"When I bought that perfume, I felt something. There was something…strange about the guy that sold it. What was just as strange was what he said about the perfume. That it would attract the right mate to the person who wears it."
"Hmm. Yukina was all over me. Does that mean we're right for each other?!"
"Calm down, loverboy. I don't think so."
Downstairs, on the living room TV, a news report is coming in, "We interrupt this program to bring you breaking news. Hundreds of zombie-like incidents have taken place within the metropolitan area. Police are bewildered as to how and when it came about. Multiple arrests have been made and dozens have been taken to local hospitals for treatment. Officials are warning citizens to seek shelter and remain there until an 'all clear' order has been issued."
Kuwabara heard the news, "Sounds like something serious."
Shizuru agreed, "Yeah. I'm calling Keiko."
"Yeah," Keiko replied over the phone, "Perfume?"
"Yeah. Did Yusuke smell any perfume from you?"
"Yeah. After I gave him the boxing gloves." Keiko was in the middle of speaking to Shizuru and her parents while Keiko's parents tried to quiet down Yusuke who's screaming at the top of his lungs for Keiko.
"Keiko, listen to me. I think that perfume is cursed or something."
"What? Cursed?"
"Yes. It's weird, I know. Yukina is the same way. It affects those who smell it."
"But, what about me? I'm wearing it."
"I guess it doesn't apply to the wearer. Just those around them."
"That means…we have to tell Kiyoni!"
"Crap, yeah." Inside Shizuru's heart grew sympathy for Kiyoni. She knew how much Kiyoni wanted to make an impression on what seemed like a person who was hard to impress, Kurama. Shizuru would've hated for the moment to be ruined over supernatural activity and on Valentine's Day, no less.
Speaking of Kurama and Kiyoni, they're intertwined at the moment, inside her bedroom under the tones of soft music, sweet scents of lavender and jasmine, and one lowly candlelight. It was Heliopolis all over again as lips touched, hands caressed, and body temperatures increased. "Mm, Suu'chi…" Kiyoni cooed, "watch those hands of yours."
"Apologies," Kurama whispered, "Did I hurt you?"
"No. I don't think you could ever hurt me."
"I wouldn't want to."
Just then, a call came to Kiyoni's phone. Just who would have the nerve to reach out to her at this moment in time, she thought. "Moshi moshi? You've reached Kiyoni."
"Kiyoni, it's Shizuru. Are you busy?"
Kiyoni didn't know how to answer. She could've lied to Shizuru as Kurama looked at her with sensual, bedroom eyes but, Kiyoni told the truth, "I am. Make it quick."
"Okay…is Kurama with you?"
Why would she want to know that? "What's going on?"
"Kiyoni, listen to me closely. You may need to wash off that perfume you bought at the mall. You know, Sinful Desires? Better yet, you may want to stay as far away from Kurama as you can."
"Why? What about the perfume?"
"This might sound crazy but, I think it's cursed."
"Cursed? You're joking, right?"
"I know it's ridiculous but, hear me out. That perfume is making people crazy. Yusuke is outside of Keiko's house screaming like a madman, Yukina is locked up in my room crying for Kazuma, the entire city is acting like a bunch of zombies…! Kiyoni, please don't tell me you wore that stuff to school."
"Okay, I won't tell you."
"Oh, no. Did Kurama catch a whiff?"
"…Maybe," Kiyoni grimaced with an uncertain inflection.
"Oh, no. He's with you right now, isn't he?"
Kiyoni confessed as Kurama approached her with his libido on high, "Yes."
"Kiyoni, I need you to look at Kurama. I mean, seriously. Is there anything unusual about him? Kiyoni…? Kiyoni…?" Shizuru's words were ignored by Kiyoni's hormones; her lips locked with Kurama's for another make-out session. Shizuru continued to plea, "Kiyoni! Kiyoni, step away from Kurama and listen to me!"
"Ugh, what? What?!"
"Kurama! Is he okay? I'm serious!"
Kiyoni glanced at Kurama, "He's fine. He's with me."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm—" Kiyoni took a second look and noticed something different.
"What? You're what?"
Kurama wondered as well, "What is it?"
What Kiyoni discovered lied in Kurama's eyes, "There's…something…I can't describe. Shizuru, I'm gonna have to call you back."
"What," Kurama questioned, "What is it?"
The romantic mood has officially died down as ceiling light replaced candlelight. "Suu'chi…" Kiyoni addressed, "I need to know. When you said you…wanted to…make love to me, did you mean it?"
"Of course, I did. I meant every word, though, I'm not sure why I would say it now."
"What do you mean?"
"I'll be honest. My mind, my thoughts are…split. As I look at you, I…want to be with you just to hang out with you as usual but, at the same time, I want to rip your clothes off and make the most passionate love to you as possible. In fact, ever since I've been here, I've been mentally debating on whether or not I should stay."
Kiyoni was flustered by this news, "I think Shizuru is right. That perfume is cursed."
"What perfume?"
"Sinful Desires. The one we talked about at school? It's put you under some sort of spell. I can tell by your eyes."
"My eyes?"
"They have a certain glare to them, one I've never seen before," Kiyoni fought back tears.
"I must not be as affected as everyone else. My desire for you is still strong but…I want to respect your boundaries."
"Yeah. We'll have to come up with a way to reverse this."
"And take down whoever is responsible."
"Right." Kiyoni saw red. Raging, vengeful red. How dare they? How dare the party responsible for this calamity ruin a perfectly good, romantic holiday? Kiyoni had a new goal now and true to her vampiric nature, there will be blood.
