Well, I'm back! Today is March 30, 2004, and I don't have deal with that blasted Marine guy!! *insert cheers* He's absent and I have my favorite substitute for his class!
Better get back to the story. BTW, Ivy Raine helped me with this chapter. So, props to her and hope you like and review.
Chapter Six: Running Blood Island
She had awakened after four hours of deep sleep and demanded that he allow her up. In response, he had tied her down with some vines.
After she had blown his vines to hell, he decided that maybe he should allow her up.
Now, she was standing, leaning against the rail of the ship, smelling of salt water and sweat. She was also smiling.
He loved those rare smiles that were unrestrained, unexpected, and soft like down. A gentler side to the smart-ass that everyone but him knew and most despised.
He truly knew her. After all, he had taken it upon himself, after kissing her that night on the ridge, to train her in her abilities.
She preferred not using her reiki attacks. She used her swords unless she was forced to use reiki or that weird black reiki/youki mix. Then, she would pull out a whip so fast that even he found it difficult to keep up.
For some odd reason, she could even manipulate his Rose Whip into coming to her.
Something he found most fascinating.
He shook his head, drawing her attention.
"Nani desuka?" she queried, eyes slightly unfocused.
"It's nothing, Mychela," he replied, smiling down at her and quietly wrapping his arms around her.
She sighed and snuggled closer. His smile widened and he played with her braid.
-x-
She was fidgeting nervously, playing with a lock of his hair.
"Get yer ugly asses off o' m' ship!" the captain yelled over the PA. She jumped and he barely managed to grab her before she would have been shark bait.
-Calm yourself, Mychela,- he said, pulling her back, away from the rail.
She smiled sheepishly and looked back towards the island, her eyes gaining that far away look again.
-Hn. She sleeps in your bed still?- Hiei queried, slightly mocking.
-Hai. I'm growing concerned. It isn't as simple as fear. Could she be Awakening?- Quite suddenly, he was more than concerned. He was afraid.
Hiei nodded.
All hanyous, such as Arelia and Mychela, eventually experienced the Awakening.
Kurama muttered various curses, once again gaining her attention at the least wanted moment.
-Kurama, what is it?- she asked, silver eyes wide.
"Nothing. Nothing at all, koishii."
She blinked, blushed, and smiled. Mentally, she gave him a slight carress.
-x-
"Urameshi Yuusuke, Youko Kurama, Jaganshi Hiei," announced the demon by the door.
Somehow, and Kurama had yet to figure out exactly how, Arelia, Mychela, and Keiko had managed to… persuade… all three of the demons into tuxedos. Even now, Hiei was tugging at his collar and glaring murder.
"So, what did Keiko and Arelia threaten you with?" Kurama asked, once again.
Mychela had threatened him with forcing him to tell Shiori about Youko.
To think that she would do that when she enjoys the comforts of sleeping in out bed, but denying us the pleasures, Youko murmured, amused. Take my advice, keep this one.
:I plan on it,: he reassured. :Trust me.:
Just as a matter of course, how do you plan to do this?
:If our charisma, good looks, and a fancy ball can't persuade a woman, there's no hope left for the universe.:
Youko chuckled. True that.
"Ukimura Keiko, Averys Mychela, Jones Arelia."
He turned to the door and saw Mychela enter the room, discreetly hand the herald some money, and stared.
She was clothed in a silvery color that perfectly matched her eyes and her style. Fluid lines, graceful motions, classical style.
Longs sleeves, bell cuffs, floor-length skirt, modest bodice.
Whoa there! Another two seconds and you'll be drooling, Youko warned.
She came directly to him. "Good evening, Kurama," she greeted, noticing his stare and blushing.
-x-
"She's here, m'lord," said a servant.
He waved a hand carelessly, dismissing him or her. Then, he looked down at the creature that was his daughter and only child.
She was very much in his image. Surprisingly, he was pleased with this discovery.
He had never seen Mychela. Her mother hadn't allowed it, saying that her ningen husband was the child's true father.
He knew that the stupid ningen wasn't. Indeed, he had… arranged… for the man's murder.
Nathaniel Averys had only known Jolyan for less than six months before they married. The child had been born exactly nine months after he had last taken Jolyan.
The child was undeniably his.
He watched as his daughter interacted with a slightly attractive red-head. They laughed aloud and she blushed charmingly.
Yes, she was indeed his child.
-x-
"Kurama!"
She turned around and saw the pretty brunette and a rogue-ish ebon headed their way. She glared at Kurama.
"Shizuru! Sakyo!" he greeted.
"Who is this mignonne?" the ebon queried.
"Dance with whom you came with," she advised, her glare switching targets.
"Sakyo, this is my date, Mychela Averys. Mychela, this is Kuwabara Shizuru and her husband, Sakyo."
"A pleasure to meet you, petite cynge," Sakyo murmured, kissing her hand.
"Take your pretty French elsewhere, monsieur."
She saw Kurama glare at Sakyo and felt his arm slide around her waist. A warm feeling invaded her.
Oh! He does care!
She, subtly, snuggled closer. –You do know that everyone in the ball room can see you, right?- said a voice in her head. –Just curious.-
-Hello, Hiei. Where's Keiko?- she taunted. –Just curious.-
-Hn. Like I know or care.-
-Yeah right. Now, mind your own business, koorime.-
Kurama chuckled and she knew that he had overheard the entire conversation.
"Shall I go and get punch?" Sakyo offered.
"Onegai!" everyone replied. He left.
Someone tapped her shoulder and she spun. "Hai?"
"Konnichiwa, Mychela-chan," drawled a familiar, beloved voice.
"GRACE!!" she cried, flinging her arms around the petite girl.
"How are you?" queried Grace, her second best friend, racing partner, and favorite artist.
"Wonderful! What are you doing here?"
"You didn't know that all of the Heralds have been called here to perform?"
"When?"
"In five. I came looking for you since you weren't already back stage."
"First is Gotta Burn, then Faith Crusher right?" Grace nodded. "One second."
-Arelia, we've got to perform. Did you know?- she sent.
-Yes, I did. Before you bless me out, I have your suit backstage, ready to be slipped on.-
"Kurama, I have to go!" she said, giving him a quick kiss of the cheek. "They need me."
He nodded and she raced to change.
-x-
The room dimmed and the spotlight focused on the stage, revealing six black biker's suits.
A cappella, she began to sing.
"If I'm ready/ Come and find me/ If I burn/ Don't make me burn alone." The music faded in. "Wherever I am/ You by my side…"
He tuned the music out, the words, only hearing the inflections, seeing her gaze travel across the room.
He watched as her voice caressed the microphone, her listeners' ears.
It made him aware of the fact that she wanted him nearly as bad as he wanted her.
She sang of loving the right man at the wrong time, her voice sorrow and defiance, love and joy.
She met his eyes and the song poured into him.
"Watching you/ Loving you/ Needing me/ Fearing me/ What else can I do?" The music faded out and she lowered the microphone.
-x-
She crashed onto the bed, having wearily changed into her nightclothes after departing the ball.
Her adrenaline rush was over and she was exhausted.
Not even bothering to remove her socks, she slept.
He touched her, not repulsed by her original fear of the moment, or by her scars. He had come out of the bathroom, probably not knowing she was there, in only the thin, worn cloth of his boxers.
Which did not hide his aroused state well.
-x-
He entered the room.
She moaned in her sleep, thrashing her head, acting as if her hands were being held down.
Alarmed, he sat on the edge of the mattress, and whispered, "What is it, Mychela?" in a worried tone.
She moaned, back arching, and purred. "Ai shiteru," she whispered. Then louder, like chanting, "Ai shiteru, ai shiteru, koishii."
He could resist. "Who?" he queried, realizing what she was dreaming. Erotica.
She trembled, shaking her head and smiling mysteriously.
"Who?!" he demanded. A look of ecstasy crossed her face.
"Ai shiteru, Kurama," she finally gasped. "I love you, love you." She went limp.
He grinned, now knowing exactly what the hell was going on in her mind concerning him.
His grin faded. Now, to figure out exactly what the hell was going on in his mind concerning her.
He shed his clothes down to his boxers and lay beside her. Drawing her gently into his protective embrace, he closed his eyes and slept peacefully.
-x-
She awoke, strangely warm. She was being held gently, almost lovingly.
Foolish, foolish girl, she scolded. Like Nathaniel said, who could love a smart-ass with more scars than 'feminine qualities'?
Nathaniel, the man she had called 'Father' for seventeen years, was the one who had shoved her into street-racing, his one kindness to her. Even if he had intended for her to be killed.
She had proven herself adept at it, learning the rules (or lack thereof), using them, winning. She earned money to buy her laptop, the modifications that her bike had needed to keep up with the beat of the street.
She remembered bitterly all of his deliberate blows at her self-esteem, his torture tactics. His ways of hurting her.
The time he had caused such intense pain that it could have been carnal pleasure.
She shuddered. Even the memory was intense.
"Are you alright, Mychela?"
She opened her eyes and realized that it was Kurama's arms around her. She nodded. "Just remembering things."
"Like what?" he asked softly. Gently.
She opened her mind to him and took him in.
-x-
It was time for 'punishment.' Idly, she wondered where he would hurt her this time. Last time, it had been the part of her already in pain. Something she didn't know how to numb.
Her tender, young breasts.
He entered the room and she stared at him coldly.
Fear is cast out to make way for acceptance. Hatred is released to make way for forgiveness, she chanted silently.
His hand went to her shoulder.
Her newly wounded left shoulder.
She realized what he was about to do and relaxed her muscles. She would not fight the pain. Instead, she would accept it and use it for something profitable later.
He pulled at the flesh on either side of the stitches. She didn't make a sound. Later, perhaps, she would weep in pain, but not now. Not in front of this sadist.
He growled in displeasure.
Then, he ripped open the wound and she screamed.
Remember. Fear for acceptance, hatred for forgiveness, sorrow for love.
-x-
She didn't open her eyes. She didn't want to see the horror and the pity in his eyes. Eyes she felt on her face.
He pulled the neckline of her gown aside, gently grazed the scar with his fingers. "Is this it?"
She nodded, opening her eyes in curiosity. What could he be planning.
She gasped as he lapped at the wound. Her eyes fled to his and saw that they were no longer emerald, but more of an interesting hazel color.
A tear of joy slid down her cheek. He wasn't horrified or pitying. He was willing to accept her, with all of her scars, her fears, her anger.
He felt something wet splash on his cheek and looked at her.
She was smiling and crying. Just a little bit of crying, but still… He pulled away from the scar.
"Why do you weep?"
She shook her head. "You're so…" she paused, searching for the right word to say. "… beautiful. I don't understand how I could possibly deserve you."
He looked thoughtful. "I understand you. We're so much alike, I think. You're cold, sometimes cruel, living only for death, like I was. But that's to outsiders," he said quickly before she could get insulted. "To those you care about, you're loving, self-sacrificing, warm, giving. Don't you see?"
She thought about all of her knowledge of him, his Youko side, and what she thought about both. She nodded.
There was a banging on the door.
"C'mon, Kurama! Mychela! Time to go to the stadium!" Yuusuke yelled.
Mychela jumped up and ran for the door.
"Cover up, mes amies!" Grace cried, turning the handle.
"We're on our way!" Kurama told the others.
She heard the sounds of the others walking away and sighed in relief. Kurama walked up to her and kissed her.
Unlike the others, this one was definitely possessing more than a tad bit of lust. Even though he was gentle, his mouth still burned like wildfire against her lips. She gave into him completely, pressing her lips against his, opening to him when his tongue slid over her bottom lip in silent entreaty.
-Get a shower. We don't have much time,- he said in her head as he pulled away. She ran her tongue across her lips, still tingling.
She nodded blindly and headed for the bathroom.
-x-
"Team Urameshi versus Team Maiji!" announced Juri, a weird-looking sea demon with fins for ears. "Team captains on stage!"
Yuusuke went on the platform and listened as Maji's captain, a short, tiny guy by the name of Ares, spoke.
He nodded.
"Urameshi has agreed to the terms! This will consist of two double battles and one Captain fight! No fighter can go twice. First team to disable or kill their opponents wins the match!"
Yuusuke signaled for them to come closer. "Who's with who?"
Arelia spoke up first. "I'll work with Hiei, that way we have a long-distance weapon with a hand-to-hand weapon."
Arelia hugged her as it was decided that Mychela and Kurama were going first. She returned the embrace and walked onto the platform.
It was slightly hard to ignore the cries of, "Kill the human! Kill her and the traitor!"
-x-
Okay, I won't have access to a computer next week (my Spring Break) as I will more than likely be at my grandmother's, much to my misery. Thanks again to Ivy Raine for her assistance in this chapter!