Sorry for not updating in ages…but…gah, school. Anyway, here comes next chapter.
I watched the part where the trees could hide anyone from view and I motioned Kurama to follow me. It wasn't like I complained about him being with me, but if the people that knew my mom saw me with him, they would tell her and she would probably ask me a million questions. I walked in and soon Kurama followed. I didn't stop until I made sure no one could see us from outside and then leaned against a tree. He stopped and looked at me, his emerald eyes questioning.
"I…don't do well in crowds" I said slowly, not lying at all. He gave a small nod and looked around, then back at me again.
"I have the feeling you are not being sincere with me" he said simply. He was not forcing me to talk, but all the same I felt forced. But what could I say? Oh yeah…I love you but I don't want my mother to know because I feel that you might leave all of sudden. No…I wouldn't tell him that.
He stared at me and then flinched slightly. He turned to scan the tree tops and I saw him close his hands into fists. I raised an eyebrow slowly and moved away from the tree.
"Kurama?" I was surprised by how weak my voice sounded, was I scared? The quick pounding of my heart against my chest told me that I was. He looked to me and pressed a slender finger over his lips. I nodded and held my breath. What was he listening for?
He muttered something under his breath, something that sounded pretty much like Roto. Just then my heart started pounding so fast I thought my shirt was rising and lowering with each beat. Roto…that had been one of Kurama's opponents in the Dark Tournament…and now he was here. What was he doing here? Had this been my fault? My mind whirled with the thoughts and I felt my self growing dizzy. With one hand a reached to touch the tree trunk, afraid that if I was not holding on to something I would fall over any minute.
Kurama looked at me, in what to me felt for hours but probably had been a few minutes, and frowned. He realized I overheard. His frown turned into an expression of concern and he took a step towards me.
"Loren?" he asked softly taking yet another step. "Are you all right?" I wanted to say yes, but somehow my voice had left me so I just nodded, or tried to, for my head jerked forward in an odd movement. This time he was by my side and his hand found it's way to my waist.
"Loren…it's all right, I was mistaken, I am still a bit confused about this situation…nothing to worry about" He said running a hand over my hair. "Come…let us go look around..." He said taking my hand and leading the way out of the trees. The fear that had been clenching my heart released it and I found my self being pretty much at ease. We exited the patch of trees and came upon the sidewalk; since I was up in the clouds I didn't notice the guy until I bumped into him.
"Ack!" the guy stumbled backwards and almost fell but somehow kept his balance. I too, had stumbled back but I had found safety in Kurama's chest. Kurama looked down at me and then up to see the source of my fall. His eyes remained on the guy and then he whispered in my ear.
"Loren…why don't you go home and I'll catch up with you later?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Why?" I whispered back and then turned to look at the guy who I had bumped into. He was somewhat short with dark spiky hair. His skin was pale, but it had a hint of blue in it. And that's when my heart sank. He looked from Kurama and down at me, as if trying to make out something of it, and it the end, a grim smile formed on his face.
Roto. I started trembling as I realized who it was, and Kurama must have felt my uneasiness, or must have seen the look on Roto's face for wrapped an arm around my shoulders protectively. His action made the smirk on Roto's face to grow more.
"Heh…guess you have not been losing time, huh, Shuichi" he said in a voice that to me was sickening. I shuddered slightly and took a step back into the warmness of Kurama's chest. Once again, Kurama whispered in my ear softly.
"Loren…please go home…" he said in the same calm tone of always. But I knew this was bad. I nodded and moved away from to head on home, but something grabbed my hand and pulled me away from Kurama. Almost as in slow motion I saw Kurama's face turn into a mixture of fear and anger, and he reached over to grab me, but it was too late.
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I watched as Roto reached for Loren and felt the anger go up to my head, but before I could stop him she was already in his arms. Brown eyes wide and face pale in realization of what had happened; Loren just stared at me with sorrowful eyes. I was sure she felt this was her fault. Perfect, Roto had just given me a reason to feel even guiltier about lying to her.
"Roto…give her to me" I said slowly and calmly, but a threat in my words. Roto got them, I could see that by his startle expression. A few moments ago he had felt in control, but now that I had actually threatened him, he was confused.
"Why…should I?" he asked simply, the look o control coming back to his face.
"Because if you don't...I'll make sure you suffer one of the most painful deaths…" the anger was now noticeable in my voice and clenched my fists to keep from jumping at him. I am usually in control…so why was I so angry now?
His face turned pale and he glanced down at Loren. His nose brushed against her cheek and I took a step forward automatically. She closed her eyes and swallowed, and I lost my breath. She was so beautiful. I shook my head and tried to remain in control. Roto looked back at me and than raised an eyebrow.
"And what happens if I do give her to you?" typical. He would want something in return, but I was not about to let him free.
"I will take you back to Makai, where you will be set free…" I said simply. He would not be punished, after all, their coming to the real world had been an accident, but then again, I wondered if Koenma would punish them for not coming back willingly.
He gave a small snort and slowly let go of Loren's neck. "I say…no…" and with that he took off running into the woods, Loren trailing behind him.