~*~Hey guys. Sorry, I kind of forgot to update. GOMEN!!!! I'm been kind of busy lately, the whole college thing. Anyway, here's your update! GO READ NOW!~*~
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When they got back to the shrine, he could smell something nearby. Turning to Naomi, he told her only three words. "Someone is coming."
She thought for a minute, then her eyes went wide. "Sóra, give me your supplies. Your mother is coming." The two females worked quickly hiding the younger one's art work and washing her hands that were covered in paint. Straightening her hair, Sóra walked quickly toward the door, Naomi close behind. Before getting the door though, she turned to him. "You might want to head into your room. My aunt is not as… understanding as Sóra and myself."
Taking the not so subtle hint, he nodded and headed quickly towards the room he had acquired. He heard Naomi open the door and greet the woman, who just asked for the young girl. None of this concerned him, that is, until the woman made a different kind of comment. The woman told Sóra to head to the steps and wait for her, then apparently addressed the miko.
"Naomi, why don't you stop this silly idea of yours and come home with me? I have found a boy who is willing to court you. He is financially secure and will make a very good husband. That's all you really need. For your comfort, all you have to do is supply one or two children, preferably sons."
This angered him so very much. How dare this woman degrade Naomi like that? It took all his self control not to go out there and tear this woman apart. He suddenly heard Naomi reply.
"That won't be necessary. I am very happy living my life following in the footsteps of my parents. Besides, I might have found someone already who respects me for me, not for how many sons I could give him."
A snort came from the aunt. "Oh. You mean that filthy demon? Oh please, Naomi. Open your eyes! Your parents were slaughtered by a demon. This male will probably do the same. All those creatures are scum, not to be trusted. You should just destroy it while you have the chance."
His anger was rising but was amazed at the anger in the miko's voice.
"How dare you! You don't even know him. Don't you dare say anything disrespectful about him. He saved my life! You don't want to even try to know him for the person he is on the inside. You just see a demon and immediately think of ways to have him killed."
"Which is the way it should be. Demons should not exist in this world. They are all hateful and are plotting how to eliminate us all."
"Not all demons. Kurama is not like that. He's good and kind and gentle."
"Wake up Naomi! He's using you until he doesn't need you. Then that filth will throw you aside. Get rid of that garbage before it's too late and he gets you pregnant with his child. Who knows, maybe you're putting out for him now."
A loud slap was heard throughout the house. He was amazed. 'Did she just slap her aunt?' Listening closely, he could hear her still. Her voice was dangerously low.
"Never, ever say that again. You better not be teaching my brother these ideas. If you are, then I promise you I will come there and rip your throat out with my own hands. Leave now before I lose all my self control."
He could hear the woman's quick footsteps retreating, leaving before the miko followed through with what she had said. The door then slammed and footsteps could be heard heading for the back. The back door opened then closed as the miko left the house.
For some reason, he decided to follow her, part of him actually worried. 'Her aunt said a lot of things that upset her.' He went to the one place he knew she would go… to the hill. When he got there, he saw the proud miko with her legs up to her chest and her head resting upon her knees. Silently, he sat down beside her.
"You alright?"
The miko paused before answering. "I'm sorry you had to hear all that."
He shook his head. "I'm not concerned with that. Are you alright?"
It was Naomi's turn to shake her head. Tears looked just about ready to fall from her violet eyes. "I can't believe she thought I…"
An arm slowly wrapped around her shoulders, giving off comfort and support. She looked at the demon beside her, golden eyes reflecting concern and anger. "It doesn't matter. We know the truth. I have a feeling Sóra will be the one to teach Seiryo the right path, not her." Seeing the miko was still upset, he took a deep breath. "Naomi, I have no doubt in your character. Don't have any about yourself."
Her eyes widened as a blush spread on her face. "Thank you, Kurama."
"Naomi-sama? Are you there?"
The two on the hill quickly moved a bit away from each other as a dark haired girl with big brown eyes came up to them with a tall man with glasses followed. Naomi smiled at the two.
"Rei. Shino. What do I owe the honor of this visit?" He relaxed a bit when he saw she knew them, but not even in case they were here as a threat.
Rei smiled at them. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you could help us with something. You see, Shino's mother doesn't believe I love him like I say I do. She demands some kind of proof, so I though you would know how to give her some. She respects you after all."
Naomi stood up and headed towards the shrine. "Come with me. There is a ritual I can perform to see if there is the red string between you two." The two teens followed the miko, when Naomi turned. "Kurama, could you come as well? It calls for a witness."
Slowly getting up, he silently followed them all, knowing the couple was uncomfortable having a demon so close.
When they all got to the shrine, he stood off to the side, close enough to see, but far enough away to make the teens more comfortable. Naomi was going over the ritual. "I will have to go into a somewhat trance and call upon a large amount of power. A great light will generate, filling up the entire area. The witness has to keep his eyes open, but the subjects and myself must have our eyes shut. At the end, your eyes will be opened and in my hands will appear a rose of a specific color. Depending on the color will be what kind of love you two share. If no rose is produced, then there is no string at all between you two. Are you sure you want to go through with this?"
The two teens nodded and closed their eyes at her command. She looked over at him, a questioning look on her face. He just nodded, signaling everything was okay and he was ready.
Naomi closed her eyes and silently began a chant. Her hands were moving in a specific pattern, going from the girl to the boy. Suddenly, her arms went straight up and a huge light engulfed them all. As the droplets of light floated down, a red string was seen on the fingers of the couple, signifying there was indeed a love connection. He looked down and was shocked to find a string around his own finger. 'That's weird.' His eyes followed where the string could possibly lead. At the end of the string was Naomi.
'What?!? When?!? No, no this wasn't supposed to happen. Something must be wrong.' Even though he kept telling himself this over and over again, when he looked at her, a small voice deep inside told him there was truth to the matter.
Naomi lowered her arms and held her hands in front of her in a closed cupping position. The two in front of her opened their eyes as her chanting came to a close. Slowly, as she opened her own violet eyes, her hands opened to reveal a red rose. She smiled at them. "You have a very passionate love. Nurture it and it will thrive into something greater. This is a symbol of the bond between you two. Take it in remembrance as well as proof that you have been tried."
Rei smiled. "Thank you so much Naomi-sama." Shino bowed slightly and took Rei's hand as they ran back into town, the rose with them.
Naomi smiled at them. "Every time I do that ritual, I get a bit jealous of the lovers. Deep down I think I shall never find the one that I am tied to. During the ritual, all the strings are revealed, no matter if the loved one is far away." She suddenly started to feel a bit weak and would have collapsed to the floor, but felt two strong arms support her instead.
He had run over and caught her before the ground claimed her. "You alright?"
"I'll be fine. I just need to rest a bit." Trying to support herself, Naomi looked as if she was going to fall again. Without thinking twice, he picked her up and carried her over to the house and placed her on her futon, pulling the blanket up to her chin. Her eyelids had closed during the walk and he had felt her shift in his arms for a more comfortable position, which happened to be closer to his chest. When he got her in bed, she was fast asleep. His eyes softened as he looked at her, all thoughts escaping him.
Eventually, he got up and left the room, leaving the miko to rest in peace. One thing still left him with an uneasy feeling. 'Why was there a red string between us?'
~*~That's all for now. I might add more later, but I'm extremely tired at the moment. I'd really like more reviews for this. If not, I might just take it off the site. So if you know people who might like this, please tell them to read it. Remember, reviews are wonderful little things. Ja ne!~*~