~*~Finally an update. Sorry for the delay. This one was written before, but it had to be edited many times until I liked it. This is the best I could get. Oh, and if you are interested, the song I used for this chapter is called Iona. Basically it's the background music. Here's your chapter! ~*~
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He woke from his slumber with an ache at his side. Looking down, he noticed there were many bandages on him, but loosely done. After a brief moment, he remembered everything from before, how that demon had tried to poison Naomi and how he hunted them down until he got the antidote. The battle between them had been fierce, but whenever he felt he couldn't go on, the image of her lying there in so much pain that she even had to cry out gave him the strength and anger to finish the guy off. He would have killed the demon, but the longer he wasted on that filth, the less time Naomi had for survival. He had spared the demon's life, but not until after threatening to kill him if he ever laid eyes on the scum again. The last thing he remembered was seeing the shrine, Sóra's terrified eyes as she looked at him, and Naomi, laying on the futon dripping with sweat from the fever and a very pained expression on her face. He had given the antidote to Sóra and then his world went black.
Here he was, laying on a futon in… 'Naomi's room. Why am I in here?' Turning his head, he saw an empty futon next to him, covers thrown aside. 'Where is she?' Panic began to set in as he threw off his own covers and began to rise off his futon. Pain went threw his body, but he ignored it. 'I have to find Naomi.'
With each step he took, an enormous amount of pain coursed through his body. All these thoughts were pushed aside and only one thought remained. 'I must find and protect Naomi.' Nothing else mattered.
He found Sóra asleep on the couch as he went to the back door. Sliding it open silently, he went out to the only place he knew she would be. Sure enough, when he got to the hill, she was sitting there but near a tree as if for support. The light breeze pushed her dark hair back away from her face, letting the moon to shine down on it. He let loose his breath knowing she was alright and safe. Without anymore thoughts, he walked over to her, standing above her. "You should be in bed."
Naomi only looked up at him with a bit of sadness in her eyes as well as relief. "As should you, Kurama. Are you alright? How are your wounds?" Weakness was apparently on her face from her battle with the poison. It amazed him she was able to sit up at all, let alone walk. How had she made out here in the first place anyway?
Sitting down beside her, but leaning against the tree, he looked at her. "These are nothing. Don't worry about it. What concerns me is how you are doing."
Her gaze returned to the village below. A mixture of emotions played in her eyes. "I'm fine. You needn't worry." He sat there and just looked at her, guilt coursing through him. 'It's my fault she got hurt. She could have been killed all because of me.'
His eyes took on a look of sorrow and deep thoughtfulness. 'Maybe it would be better for her if I didn't stay here.' This thought sent a wave of sadness throughout him. 'She wouldn't be constantly attacked if it wasn't for me. The demon made that clear.'
~Flashback~
The demon let loose a laugh, causing his anger to rise. "You really think you can protect her all the time? We all know now. A world famous demon let his heart be taken by a miko. Now we know your weakness. She'll never be safe. As long as you love her, the bitch will be a constant target."
~End Flashback~
He sighed. 'It is true. As long as I am with her, they will not stop.' He chose not to dwell on the part that demon said about love. 'I don't know about that.' Sadness consumed him as he turned to sneak a peek at the beautiful young woman beside him. She looked so much weaker than he could bear. 'She should never look like this. It's my fault. I have to leave, for her sake.'
Shaking his head, he looked away from her. "I'm sorry, Naomi. I shall leave in the morning."
The miko quickly turned her head to look at him, eyes wide in shock. "Wh…What?"
He couldn't look at her. It hurt too much to have to say what needed to be said. A slight breeze flew by, tossing their hair back, allowing him to see her fully, but he dared not look. If he looked over now, he'd see her beautiful face and violet eyes he would get lost in. No, this needed to be done… for her sake.
Lowering his eyes and having them almost closed, he continued. "I will leave in the morning. The longer I stay here, the more demons will come to attack. The only reason you got hurt so bad, almost killed, was because of me. I do not wish for that to happen again. This world is set on me not being here with you. They prove this by doing the one thing that would cause me great pain… they go after your life. It would be wiser for me to leave so you could live your life. No one wants me to be here, neither demon nor human." This hurt him more than anyone could ever imagine, more than he could imagine. 'I have to do this, for her sake.'
"But I want you here." It was barely a whisper, but loud enough for his fox ears to hear. His eyes snapped open wide as he turned to look at her. Naomi's eyes were downcast, refusing to look at him.
"I don't care what happens, Kurama. I am a miko and as such expect to be attacked by demons. I don't worry about that at all. They've attacked before and I'm still here. But you… You would be out on your own and who knows what could happen. You could even be killed. I would never forgive myself if that happened, especially if it was to somehow protect me. Please, don't leave Kurama. I don't want you to leave me."
Had he heard right? Could she possibly be feeling the same emotions he had for her? 'She doesn't want me to leave… to leave her.' As much as he wanted to stay, he knew better. 'They won't stop.' He looked at her with soft eyes. "Naomi, if I stay, they won't stop until you are dead. It would be their revenge on me."
"I don't care, Kurama! I know they will come. If you're here, I know you'll do your best to protect me. I have faith in you. I would also know you're safe. I don't know what I'd do if you were seriously hurt or… or…" She could not finish her sentence for tears began to fall from her eyes. She turned her head away from him, ashamed of the tears and her display of emotions.
His heart broke seeing her tears. 'She is shedding tears… for me.' A warm feeling overcame him as his eyes softened. A thought came into his mind and he chose to act upon it. Reaching up, he cupped her face with his hand, bringing her to face him quickly. As soon as they were face to face, he wasted no time pressing his lips against hers in an emotion filled, sweet kiss. He could tell she was shocked at first, but to his surprise, she returned it with an equal amount of passion.
His heart was jumping around in his chest as he continued in pure bliss. Everything was forgotten at that one moment in time. They were not a demon and a miko. They were a man and a woman sharing a beautiful kiss together, truly sharing each others' feelings for really the first time. Nothing else mattered. Nothing in the world could take away this one moment that they would treasure forever.
He eventually broke the kiss and looked deep into her violet eyes. There was a spark in them like there was not too long ago. They were filled with this emotion he could not name, but didn't need to. He knew his eyes held the same thing. Still cupping her face, he smiled at her. "Don't worry, Naomi. I'm not going anywhere. I won't leave your side."
Her smile made his heart leap once again as she put her arms around him in a hug. His arms quickly went around her as well, bringing Naomi closer to him in a, what had to be called, loving way. He never wanted to let her go, especially after this night.
'Now I know it is true. I do love you, Naomi.'
~*~Awwww! Gotta love the fluff. So kawaii. This is the last chapter I have already written. Now you might have to wait even longer for the next one. Gomen. Ja ne!~*~