AN: Sorry I took so long to get this out, I didn't get much time on the computer. But I made up for it by writing something everyday in my notebook, and I finally had the time today to type it up ^_^. A special thank you to demon fighter() , and Scarl72091 for their support and interest in my stories, I will try to live up to your requests ^_^. Now on to- (gets pushed off the chair and shoved into the closet).

Keitaro: Haha, stupid wench, this weird future thing is mine now!! I'm gonna set the story straight, and quit making me look like some weak pup.

Lilac: Hey, you can't do this!

Keitaro: Watch me!!

Lilac: (mumble): When I get out of here, I'm going to make you into the sappiest, most romantic person ever seen in the Sendoku Jidai, you know that, dog breath!

Keitaro: You have to get out first! And I don't have dog breath!

Lilac: No, but you snore like a dog, and when you sleep, you whimper and move your arms and legs like a dog does! And you steal the covers!!!

Keitaro: Shut up woman, and let me tell my story. Now, as for what you guys had to say, this is what I think.

del_kaidin() : No one touches my ears, understand me? Stupid Lilac won't stop and if Francesca starts I'm going to have to get mean!

pruningshears : Yeah, so Francesca got lucky and got a good shot in while I was the one that did all the fighting. Didn't you see that?! That was all me, all skill. Even my stupid cousin couldn't stay on his feet long enough to make a dent. As for why, who knows and who cares, I kicked that ugly pig's butt, and that's the most important part.

Dia(): You laugh stupid human, but wait till some of those things come after you. They're quick, and they hide in such a small damn space!! And I'm not kawaii, you make me sound like some stuffed animal that you curl up with at night. I'm not kawaii in the least!! (dignified look) I am hot, I won't deny that, but I'm not kawaii, save that for my sister or those annoying pups of my Nii-chan.

Would this woman never cease to amaze me? Everytime I thought I had her figured out, she would do something completely spontaneous and shock me. 'What strange women the future holds,' I thought to myself as I saw her pick up Kaemon's fallen sword and run at the oni. Granted both my mother and my aunt were great warriors, mother often told me tales of the future, where women had no demons to battle and youkai were creatures of myth. Yet she came, with more fire and determination than I had ever seen in a woman. The way she held the katana, I knew she had not training, and against even a novice swordsman, she was no match, but that didn't seem to bother her at all, she still rushed forward to aid me.



'Not that I needed the help,' I thought arrogantly as I dashed forward for another swing. Francesca moved at the same time, and I saw her run the sword deep into the boar's back. It screamed and made my ears ring for a moment, as it twisted wildly around, trying to pull the source of its pain free. Francesca stood there, her eyes blank, just watching it thrash around, and I ran forward, wrapping my arms around her waist and using the force of my body to push her down to the ground. Her beautiful (I didn't say beautiful) face was splattered with stinking blood, and she stared up at me as we hit the ground together. I was suddenly very aware of how close she was, how warm she was, and how soft. Never in my life had someone filled every sense I had like that. I quickly pulled away, trying to clear my head from her intoxicating scent, and ran at the creature, now completely distracted by its own pain, driving Tetsuseiga down into the shoulder above his stump. It screamed and fell to its knees, clearly defeated and loosing strength. I raised Tetsuseiga down for a killing blow but was stopped me, the sight of Francesca, katana back in her hands, running it through his head. The boar creature fell silent instantly and fell over with a thunderous crash.

I looked at Francesca, amazed at what she had just accomplished. The creature was not much larger than us, but his nature made what she just did a difficult task for any normal human. Boar-youkai had a skull as thick as most rocks, and getting a sword through that skull required more strength than she had. How had she done it?!

A blank stare met my gaze, which quickly lowered down to her hands dripping with blood and gore. Her eyes widened slightly, and I saw her body begin to shake, palling quickly in color. I hurried to her side, and grabbed her by the arms, yelling at her, but she simply looked up at me, as if she didn't know who I was, who she was, or even why she had blood on her hands. I knew that look, I had seen it on the faces of those who had returned from fighting off invaders, especially young men who had never seen battle. It was the look of horror that struck deep inside. I felt it myself the first time I killed with my own hands, but not like what I saw reflected in her face.

Maeko grabbed her and Naoko grabbed her in his arms and whisked her away before I could even try and shake her from it. I watched them for a few moments then went about the task of cleanup. I pulled Kaemon's katana from the corpse with a wet pop, and tried to ignore all the smells that surrounded me. Grabbing a hold of his leg, I dragged him far out into the forest downwind from our path of travel and left him there for the others. The thought of eating another youkai turned my stomach, and I was more than willing to allow others that means of disposal.

Kirara was waiting for me, curled up beside Kaemon, a calm look on her face. I nudged my cousin with my foot and after several attempts, he finally groaned and opened his eyes. They focused after a moment and he sat up, the blood rushing quickly from his head caused him to lay back down again.

"Calm down, the battle's over, we won," I said and tossed him his blade. He stared at it for a moment.

"Where is she," he said and I smirked, knowing exactly where to get him.

"Oh, so you finally remembered your oh so precious," I sneered, and he bit, frowning at me. I motioned my head in the direction of the stream, "She's that way." Predictably Kaemon leapt to his feet but I grabbed him by the collar and yanked him backwards pushing him earthwards again.

"Down boy," I said, "Maeko and Naoko are with her, and no she's not injured, just very shaken. She killed him, and she's suffering from the shock of her first battle."

Kaemon, who was blessed with good looks, but poor judgment, tried to rise to his feet again. Once again, I put him in his place.

"Damnit Keitaro, she needs me!" he bellowed and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

"OH she does?" I questioned, "are you saying that a miko and a monk are not capable to take care of one ordinary woman?"

"She's beyond ordinary," he muttered before raising his voice again, turning accusing eyes towards me. "How could you let her get involved like that!"

"She's got her own head, it was her choice," I grumbled, crossing my arms over my chest, "Besides, you weren't much help," I added.

He didn't seem to be paying much attention, instead he looked away into the distance and after a moment asked, "Does she have a man?"

I blinked, this was the last thing I expected from him at this moment, and I shouldn't have been surprised, "How the hell should I know?" I replied angrily.

"Because I know your sensitive nose could smell a man on her, how does she?"

"No," I replied. What sort of question was that? "Why?"

"Because once we return to the village, I will ask her to be my wife."

I coughed, completely caught off my guard. I clung desperately to my right senses and tried not to give into my first impulse to pound him into the ground till he reached the other side of the world. "Are you mad?! You want to marry here? She's not-I mean-She's," my mind knew it had a good reason to oppose it, but I couldn't get it off the tip of my tongue.

"She's beautiful, she's intelligent, she's unique, and now I know she's strong, she is the only woman for me." He said a matter of factly.

I laughed, again to deny my instincts their demands, "Oh really cousin, you truly believe she'll marry you?"

Kaemon sat up, his ever present cocky grin alight on his lips, "Of course, I have yet to meet a woman who could resist my charms."

I sighed, " She's not like any other woman I've met," I mumbled under my breath.

Kaemon watched me seriously and I blinked curiously at him, my ears pressed backwards, "What?!"

"I will say this once, she will be mine and no man will stop that," he swore. I still didn't understand what did any of this have to do with me?!

"I hope you understand me clearly cousin," he said, his voice pitched soft. I knew him well, he was angry with something and judging by the look he was giving me, I was the target.

"Actually no, " I said, leaning back against a tree.

Kaemon stared at me, then smiled slyly, "Well, from now on, I think it best you ride your own mount."

Now this I didn't like, and I quite enjoyed riding behind Francesca, she was pleasant company, sometimes humming or sometimes talking with me in some of the funny languages she knew, which in effect I knew was well. And as much as I would never admit it, it was very calming being around her at times, like a warm summer's eve peaceful and comfortable.

"Now why should I do that," I growled.

"Because I don't like the idea of my wife riding with someone other than me," he said .

"Your wife!" I stammered, "You haven't even asked her, and already you're calling her wife. I think you should be very careful, she doesn't seem to me like the kind of woman who would approve of being claimed without her consent. Really Kaemon, you've been living at the castle too long, you're starting to act like some highborn lord who thinks all women bow at his passing." I leaned against a nearby tree and looked at him.

Deep inside, I felt a growl that wanted to break free. I was furious, he dared make demands on her, when he had no claim to her. He would never have a claim to her, I wouldn't let him. Wait a second, where did that come from? I didn't want her, I hated her, didn't I?

Kaemon watched me, but I kept my face the perfect image of calm. "Still, no more riding with her," he said softly and I strode towards him, and smiled. That sinister smile that made most men cower.

"Cousin, I will do whatever I want, and you can't stop me. If she wants me to ride with her, than I will, most joyously. Don't forget, she is a free woman until she accepts a mate, I wonder, will it really be you?". He stared at me, and narrowed his eyes, but before he could come at me, I swung out and knocked him out again.

Mumbling angrily I returned to the cave. How did he manage to do that?! Everything inside me was on fire, and I wanted nothing more than to beat him to a pulp for assuming he could take her away from me.

"I don't want her!" I shouted, trying to break the thoughts from my mind, but the more I protested, the more she came to my thoughts. Her smile, her laugh, her scent, the way she moved in the saddle in front of me, the feel of her smooth stomach beneath my hands. Goosebumps ran up and down my skin, and my blood heated. Embarrassed I hurried about, collecting soft grasses and mosses from the forest floor, and preparing a place for her to rest in the cave.

"She's not my mate," I kept muttering, and Kirara who stood by the entrance to the cave simply mewed and watched me. Her eyes were bright and I knew she was laughing at me.

"Stupid cat!" I yelled and she tilted her head to the side, "You think this is funny right?! Wait till you find some handsome firecat, and then I'll have my revenge, I'll watch you squirm."

Kirara lifted her hind leg, and scratched her ear, looking bored. She mewed again, and I didn't need Aiko to translate for me. She was calling me a fool, because if she did find another firecat, she wouldn't worry like I was.

She was right. Why should I deny my own instincts? I was trying to be a human, when my inuyoukai blood was only following what was natural. She was attractive, healthy, strong and intriguing to my eyes. No one had any claims on her, why shouldn't I try and win her. Kaemon always attracted the eyes of beautiful women, he could have any one that he wanted. I only wanted her. I was such an idiot the night before. When I had said what I did, after that kiss, I hadn't meant it to sound so hard. Yes, I was envious of Kaemon and his luck with women, with his handsome face and charming smile. Yes, I was beyond jealous when I found him kissing her, and I wanted to prove both to her and myself, that I was something more desirable than my cousin for once. I wanted to be the one she turned to, not him.

I laid the last bit of grass down with a determined grunt. I wouldn't give up this time, damn Kaemon and his stupid ideas, this was something I wouldn't let go without a fight.

My sister returned an hour later, Naoko still holding Francesca in his arms, though now she was clean of all blood, and undressed down to her undergarments. Her wet hair was a matted dark brown, and it made her already pale skin look almost transparent. I growled softly, every protective instinct inside rising up to attention, screaming at me to take her away from all this, and help her heal. I shook my head to clear my thoughts as I watched Naoko gently place her down on the bedding of clean grasses that I had prepared. Her eyes were wide open and completely vacant, as if everything she was had left her body an empty shell. I felt myself growl again and move towards her slowly. Each step took an eternity and the closer I got, the more a knot formed inside. I felt scared, alone, and wanted to scream. With a shiver I jumped back, my eyes surprised.

"You feel it too?" Maeko whispered and I nodded. She glanced at our companion, "I don't know much about her gifts," she continued, "They're not like miko powers which are of the body, but it seems more of her mind." She paused.

"I think that she might not even realize how powerful she is. Or perhaps she might because she keeps all of this under control somehow. The point is that she's gone into a deep state of shock, and has lost that control, which is why you began to feel what she is feeling. It took all of Naoko-sama's concentration to keep it from himself," she motioned to her cousin, who collapsed gray faced and exhausted against the side of the cave.

"What can we do?" I whispered, my ears pressing back against my head in worry.

"We have to let her rest, and come out of this on her own. None of us can reach her right now, we have to let her find our own way, " Maeko replied, and began to lay out the strange clothing that Francesca had been wearing, to dry. They were clean now, but stained, stains that would never come out. I wondered if perhaps those stains ran deeper than anyone could see, and if she could ever recover from this.

Maeko broke me from my thoughts, gently placing her hand on my shoulder, "Take heart brother dear, I'll do my best to help her back. Now, keep an eye on her for me, I'm going to see if that beating knocked any sense into Kae," she smiled weakly and walked out of the cave.

I growled again and took a few steps backwards, feeling calmer again. I grabbed our water bucked and ladled out some water, bringing it over to Naoko. He looked up and gave me a soft smile, accepting it. He glanced over at Francesca and then back at me.

"It must be difficult for you," he said and my ears perked up curiously, "difficult to see her like this and not be able to even help her."

I frowned and crossed my arms over my chest. I felt angry and a little exposed, how had he seen through me like that. "Feh," I replied, shrugging my shoulders non-chalauntly, "We need her to find those creatures, and obviously she's not much good to us like this." Naoko looked up from his drink and smiled.

"She's just a shard detector," he said with a hint of humor in his voice. I scowled at him, I knew that phrase well. Mother always told us that she once believed that Father only thought of her as a tool, a shard detector, and did not care for her.

"This is completely different," I retorted, "She is not my mother and I most certainly am not my father in their youth. This is completely different."

Naoko just lifted his eyebrows and I repeated, "You're wrong." Before going back to my place by the fire. 'I'm not going to let him get pleasure from this, I won't admit he's right,' I kept repeating in my head.

The day dragged on, and Francesca showed no sign of change. Kaemon made no mention of what passed between us, but I saw in his eyes that he was not going to give up without a fight. Fine, but this was no fight he had any control over.

Maeko had gone to look for some herbs for a medicine to bring Francesca back, and Naoko was resting. Kaemon had gone in search of fresh food for our midday meal, and I was left still on guard with Francesca. I glanced around, my ears twitching as I tried listening for the approach of anyone, but with nothing but the sounds of the world outside, I stood and began a very slow walk to where she lay. Everything seemed normal as I approached, but suddenly as I reached an arms length from her body, the air around me became thick and a sharp pressure filled my chest. I gritted my teeth and used gravity to aid me, bending my knees to pulling me down to her. As soon as my hands came in contact with her arms, I felt my blood turn to ice, and my heart drop down to my feet.

"Get out of here," I heard shouted at me, and I looked around. The world was black, and yet I could see things clearly. It was very strange. Francesca stood before me, covered in blood, her hands still dripping, just as they had after the attack.

"Francesca," I said, stepping forward. She stared at me, and down at her hands, "No, get away from me!! I'll kill you too!"

"No you won't," I said softly, letting a soft whimper escape my lips. I realized then, that somehow, she had pulled me into her mind, into where all her fears and emotions were running out of control, and they were influencing my inuyoukai instincts, bringing them up so strongly that even talking seemed difficult. My whimper sounded again, a soothing pitying sound that I would have never made awake.

"Please, don't look at me," she called out and turned around, and the blood dripping over her skin seemed never-ending.

"Francesca," I said again, my voice thick as I purred her name, stepping forward to place a hand on her shoulder.

"Please," she whispered and I gently turned her to face me. She stared down at her hands, wringing them.

"I- I'm a horrible monster," she said after a moment, never looking up. I reached for her hands, now my voice was completely blocked as I lost control of my instincts. I pulled her hands up, much to her own attempt to pull them away, and slowly began licking her hands clean. There was no taste, and it seemed almost natural, even to me. I had the strongest feeling inside to clean her pain, to make her feel all right again. She whimpered and I smelled salt as tears washed away the red stains on her cheeks. Her hands now clean of blood, and tilted her head up, and lowered my mouth to her cheeks, slowly running my tongue over those as well, marveling how sweet her skin tasted, how soft it was. A growl vibrated through my body, and I began cleaning faster, the need to have her whole and safe now my only concern.

In my arms, she shivered, and I could see her eyes close slowly, and her breath become deeper, more peaceful. I lifted my mouth from her jawbone, and saw that her face was now pristine, relaxed into the peaceful look of sleep.

"Keitaro!"I heard shouted and I started, blinking my eyes to find myself back in the cave. Maeko and Kaemon stood in the entrance of the cave. My sister stared at me, amazed while Kaemon stood tense and obviously angry. Nestled tightly in my arms, her face pressed against my chest, and her hands curled up in mine, Francesca sighed in her sleep and held me close. I blinked, not quite sure what to say, but Maeko came over, and gently pressed her hand to Francesca's forehead, glancing into her face.

"She's sleeping deeply now, which means the worse is over," she said with a relieved sigh. Kaemon knelt beside us, and I heard a fierce growl escape my lips. He ignored me and moved to take Francesca from my arms, when she whimpered and grabbed onto me more tightly. Kaemon turned a paler shade of white (AN: That song's on the radio, so I thought I'd use it -grin-) and backed away quickly.

"What was that?!" he said, and Maeko glanced at me, then back at Kaemon.

"What?"

"That feeling, like my stomach was twisted into a knot," he said, sweat breaking out on his forehead. I shrugged, and Maeko slowly nodded her head.

"It seems that Francesca has found a place where she feels safe, and it would not be wise at this time to try and take her from it," she said softly, and turned to prepare our belongings.

"We should get on the move now, or else we won't make much distance before this storm hits," she said softly. In the air, I could smell the approach of the storm she spoke of, and off in the distance, I could hear the faint rumble of thunder. I carefully stood, scooping Francesca in my arms, much to Kaemon's annoyance, and walked to where Naoko was just waking.

"I need your help cousin," I said and he nodded, carefully taking Francesca from me. She whimpered again, and I removed my haori, covering her with it, as I whispered in her ear, "I'm right here," I said softly and she calmed, pulling the haori close to her face. Kaemon turned away and began preparing his bags, and within a few minutes, we were all ready to go. Now came the hard part.

I walked out to where our horses were tied up to our mount. He snorted nervously and I carefully placed my hand on his neck, like Francesca had showed me, but he whined nervously and began breaking out in a strong sweat. My patience wore thin, and I grabbed the reins, pulling his head down so his eyes were even with mine.

"Okay, here's the deal, I won't eat you if you let me ride on your back, and promise not to do anything stupid and run out on me, alright?! She's hurt and I have to support her," I said. The horse glanced away from me, and saw Francesca in Naoko's arms. He glanced back at me, and the fear in his eyes turned into something else. Determination. He snorted and tossed his head in agreement, and stood stone still as I pulled myself up on his back. Naoko gently lifted Francesca up into my arms, and I sat her sidesaddle in front of me, one arm supporting her around her waist and the other holding onto the reins. Everyone else had finished gathering up all the packs and were also in saddle.

I glanced out over the horizon and saw the black line of clouds that were approaching. Already the wind was beginning to blow cold, and I sneezed as it tickled.

"Alright, let's see how far ahead we can get before this storm gets us," I said and nudged my heels into my ride's side, as I had seen Francesca do before. He snorted and took off in a fast gallop and we began our race.

********************************

Francesca: Kei!! (door flies open)

Keitaro: (yelp) Fr...Francesca!

Francesca: What do you think you're doing? (opens the closet door and lets Lilac out)

Keitaro: Hey! I'm just making sure she tells the story right, that's all.

Francesca: Come on Keitaro, we have to get going, we have better things to be doing, right? Or would you rather I go and get Kaemon, I'm sure he'd be more than eager to go somewhere with me.

Keitaro: What! That lecherous excuse of a fighter, don't you dare even think about getting near him. I've warned you about- (purr) Damnit woman, you know I don't like my ears (purr louder) Ooh, a little to the left, much better.

Lilac: (rolls her eyes) Okay, you two love birds get out of my room, and let me start on the next chapter! As for the rest of you, I hope you enjoyed Kei's little narrative, next time -glare to the happy hanyou curled up getting his ears scratched- he should ask me before locking me in the closet. Now, the ever popular beg 'n' plea R/R, please please Review!! And remember, I am not responsible for anything Kei said!!