Ch. 3 Haveing Fun
Kitsumaru slowed to a brisk walk once he had cleared the rocks. The stab wound on his leg hurt worse than before now, and the other cuts, bruises, and scratches burned. The pain wasn't so bad thought that he couldn't think straight, and he found his thoughts wondering to the elf girl, Minagi. She was----interesting. Not like any girl he'd ever met ( who wasn't a demon anyways). But she was mysterious, never really acting the same way all the time. At first she seemed cocky ans overconfident, then ,when she lost control, dark and evil. Then, just a while ago, grumpy and playful! Strange. Kitsumaru wrapped his clawed hand around the stab wound on his arm. Stupid. He got that for being stupid enough to think he'd win right off.
' I moved too fast,' he thought ' I didn't look, and I wasn't cautious. And she was waiting. Like a cornering cat.'
He patted the sword strapped around his waist. Damn thing caused him alot of trouble. Just a piece of metal, and he'd run off after it like it was something speacil.
' Minagi,' he thought. ' An elf...a rare creature to see. His mother was part elf...what was it?...high elf? Yes. That would explain her silver eyes. But Minagi...full elf. Or so he could conclude from what she'd told him. He remembered his mother explaining that many elves were not of Japanese origin. Minagi's hair was a light yellow and her eyes were blue. Fair skin...' Kitsumaru sighed. The girl was a mystery. Thats all there was to it. He decided to give up trying, and continued limping on toward his father's palace.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Minagi had left the river and ran off in the opposite direction, but was now walking. The scratch on her stomach burned like crazy. She had been careless, very careless. It was mistakes like that, that could get her killed.
" Urgh," she growled at herself. " I'm starting to sound like father."
But then her thoughts drifted back to Kitsumaru. He could have killed her if he wished, but why didn't he? He could have left her for dead after she lost control, why? Why did he spare her? She expected him to be more cold hearted, being the demon Lord's son. Though he seemed gentle and yet he had mixed emotions. He seemed unsure of himself sometimes, but he had a strong will. She felt a laugh escape her lips as she thought about her ' washing the back' trick. She felt a blush escape her cheeks when she thought about how she pulled his pants down. It was fun to tease him like that, and she even thought he liked it ( she hoped). Her blush grew when she thought about his suave voice, his smooth hair, his lean body, his beautiful eyes, so handsome, so...
" Stop thinking like that!!" she yelled at herself." Your a warrior! And fighters arn't suppost to feel this way!" Saddness came and wrapped it's lonely arms around her. " I can never feel this way...about anyone. I have promised myself I wouldn't!" Then she stopped walking and turned her head back in the direction were he ran. " But," she said. " I feel bad about hurting him. Plus...I want to see him again." She turned around and started walking back." I'll just quietly go in, heal him, and get out."
It was risky, but she would do it. As fast as her elvin magic would carry her, she ran off back toward the castle.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoooOoOoOoOo
Once Kitsumaru had assured his mother that he was fine, he called Jakken into his chambers, ordering the sword be taken back to its rightful place. The little toad babbled on, asking questions and making sure he was alright. He finally left when Kitsumaru threatened to squash him if he didn't get away from him. Kitsumaru stripped from his torn, bloody clothes and washed his wounds. Then, wrapped clean clothes around them. He slipped on a white kimono and tied it with a blue sash. Kitsuamaru had just realized how exhausted he was, and realizeing that dusk was coming, also remembering he had not eaten since earlier. He was hungry. He really didn't want to go down and eat, nor did he want to see Jakken's nasty little green face again. That little toad gave him the creeps. Though, it was extremly surprising how loyal he was, even though he had never liked Kitsumaru. Why? He didn't know. Just as he had hoped it would not happen, Jakken came rushing into the room.
" Your mother sent food 'mi Lord!" he panted.
Kitsumaru smiled. " She would know," he murmered. " Thank her Jakken...and ask that no one disturbs me...I wish to rest for a while."
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Minagi swiftly climbed the grape vines outside the castle. It got colder the higher she went up, sending shivers down her spine.
" Damn," she said. " I realize that he is a big Demon Lord and everything, but geez!"
There was a window right above her, hopefully it was his room. She grabbed the window sill and pulled herself up, using the vines for support. She brought her eyes above the sill. She saw a figure laying on a futon, it's hair spread across the pillow. She recognized that hair, it was Kitsumaru! She was thankful that the window was open, so she pulled herself up into the window and sat on the sill. She could see his face, it was him. Slowly, she put her foot on the floor. Suddenly, she heard a noise escape his throat, and she froze in fear of being discovered. He turned over on his side and relaxed again. She sighed with relief and continued to walk over towards him, and kneeled down beside his sleeping body.
' Hmmm...' she thought. ' He looks kinda cute when sleeps.' but she pushed her thoughts aside and found herself stroing his bangs out of his face. She couldn't help it, it just...happend. He let out a moan and turned on his back. She kept silent, fearful of waking him up. However, he did not wake. Her thoughts drifted back to what she came to do. So, gently, she pulled back the covers, revealing his injured body. Dryed blood still clung to his skin. She then rubbed her hands together, nervously. In order to do this she would have to get ontop of him. So, gently, and swiftfully she swung her leg over him and sat gently on his lean abes. Surprisingly, he didn't wake up.
' Lucky for me he is a heavy sleeper,' she thought.
She put her hands around his face, not touching his skin, and focused on her energy and his. She let there energies become one, then transfer. A golden light passed from his face, to her hands, and into her chest. Suddenly, his injuries started dissapearing and reapeared on her own body. Suddenly, she felt so weak, and pain shot through her body. She knew that this was the effect of the healing process, but it would all be gone by morining. But still, she was so weak that she couldn't stay awake.
" Now," she whispered weakly to him." You owe me."
And with that, she collapsed next to him, unconcious.
--xxxxxxxx that mouring xxxxxxx---
Kitsumaru sat up, panting and looking around. He was in his chambers. It was just a dream he had...a nightmare. The worst nightmare he'd ever had. Something about his father dying in some horrible way, and his mother being slaughtered. He shook his head...there was something beside him on the futon. What was that? Were the covers bunched up? He felt around.
" So dark in here..." What he grabbed wasn't exactically what he had expected. It was soft and...squishy. He squeezed harder, then bent down closer, pulling the covers away. When he saw the...object...he was holding, he jumped up off the futon.
" Minagi!!! What the hell are you doing here?....."
Then his thoughts changed. " What did we do last night??!!!"
The first thing he noticed was that he no longer hurt. The next thing, was that Minagi was asleep. Kitsumaru knelt down and shook her. His hand felt wet when he pulled it away, and he caught the unmistakable scent of blood.
" Minagi? Are you hurt?...What did you do??" Then it dawned on him. She had healed him, probably last night and passed out.
" Stupid girl." he whispered. He pushed her hair from her face. " Took my sword, took my wounds...what else will you steal?"
He shook his head. Repositioning her on his futon, he quickly took care of her wounds and left her to rest. Minagi awoke to sunlight shining on her face. The pain was gone but it was still hard to get up. She rised slowly, trying to avoid moving much. She guarded her eyes with her hand from the tormented light. She got up and walked over to the window and closed the shades. Then she went back to the futon, coverd her head with the covers and tried to go back to sleep.
Kitsumaru grinned from the dark corner where he sat on a cusion. She had apparently not noticed where she was. He cocked his head watching her toss and turn. Eventually, he would have to make her leave, she couldn't stay here. It wasn't safe. But for now, he'd let her rest. Sighing, he looked out over toward the door. It was closed and odd bold was pushed shut and locked. Hopefully no one would try to enter. Kitsumaru returned his gaze to Minagi. She didn't seem to have sensed him yet, because she still lay there with her head covered. Kitsumaru decided to wait a little longer before he spoke to her. She needed the rest and she deserved it.
" I know your there," she said with a tired voice.
She uncovered her head from the covers and moved her eyes in his direction. She moaned a little when she moved her body, but still looked at him.
" Hope your grateful," she yawned. " Ouch. Damn, the pain should have completly subsided!"
Kitsumaru smirked. " That's what you get," he said, standing. " Thanks though. You should know that my wounds were alot worse than yours. It wasn't a good idea to take them on yourself."
He made his way over to were she lay on the futon and knelt beside her. " Are you sure you didn't need an excuse to see me again?"
" No!" she said quickly." I felt bad, about hurting you and all." She tried to sit up but to no avail, her body still hurt, she knew that the pain would be there for a while.
" Plus," she said. " It might not have been smart, but if I didn't I would have had a humungous guilty conciounse. Sew me for haveing a soft heart."
She knew that he would be in major trouble if his mother or father found her there, so she tried to get up, somewhat hopeing that he would make her stay.
" Well I did what I came for," she said, a little hesitantly. " So I'll just go now."
She limped over to the door, holding her wounds.
" Where do you think you're going?!" Kitsumaru stood and grabbed her arm. " You can't go out that way! There are guards everywhere."
" It's okay," she said, touching his hand. " I'll just kill them like I did before."
" Are you out of your mind? There's not twenty guards like in the weapon room! And they're not cat demons!"
He put his arm around her waist and guided her back to the futon, ignoring her ocassional " ow!"
" Besides," he said quietly," You're not strong enough."
" Yes I am," she said trying to break away from him, but it was no use. She let him lay her down on the futon and cover her body. " You never answered my question..."
" What question...I think you're hallusinating...or maybe I am." he looked thoughtful for a moment.
Minagi laughed. " Do you bark or purr?"
" Huh? Oh...umm...depends on my mood." he growled playfully then purred just to make her laugh. When she did, she winced. Kitsumaru raised an eyebrow.
" See?" he knelt again, pushing his bangs out of his face from his face. " If Jakken found you, you'd be in serious trouble...He's a squeaky little toad." Kitsumaru looked back down at her, grinning mischeiviously. " What's your hurry anyways? Afraid I'll bite?"
Minagi laughed. " As I recall," she said. " I'm the bitter of the both of us. Anyway, I just came to do what I needed to do. Why are you so worried about me anyways?"
Kitsumaru looked surprised for a moment, then shrugged. " I don't want you getting caught, thats all. Just because I'm a demo, doesn't mean I'm evil and cruel...you could say I took after my mother."
She smiled to hear that. No wonder he was gentle. " Yeah, well," she said looking away from him. " Unfortunatly, I took more from my dad than my mother." The black strand of hair fell in her face again, but she was to tired to move it. " Your lucky," she said." She sounds like a very careing woman. I never knew my mother. She died giving birth to me."
Kitsumaru touched her shoulder gently, his white claws curving around her skin. " I'm sorry..." he said. " I really am...and your father? Is he still....welll---"
Minagi's face didn't change, she just staired at the ceiling. " He's dead," she said flatly. " I've been alone ever since the...incedent." She frowned at herself, and not noticing it, tears started to fall down her cheeks. " I couldn't do anything to save him..." she sobbed but tried to keep a straight face." He...never mind. Doesn't matter anyway. I was never good enough for him. I was always ' the apprentice.' But I was nothing but a failure in his eyes." She wipped her eyes away and gave a fake smile. " But..I really do miss him."
Kitsumaru grinned, almost sadly. " You'd be surprised...I'm sure he cared about you. Probably more than anything...he only pushed you because you were all he had left, and he wanted you to do your best. I'm sure you were, but he just couldn't see it." He smiled crukedly, hopeing he hadn't made things worse.
" Yeah," she said. " Maybe. All I wanted was to make him proud!" She found herself becomeing angry and her voice rising. " I'm sure he's just SO proud now!! He's so proud of his murderous dau--" She stopped herself, her eyes wide at what she almost said.
Kistumaru swallowed and bit his lip. ' No...' he thought. ' She couldn't have...it had to be and accident.' He hoped it had been. " I'm sorry." was all he could manage to say.
She sighed with relief. " It's not your fault," she said." He wanted a son. But when he got me, he didn't care, but he still wanted a warrior. So he trained me in the art of magic and fighting." She stopped and looked at him, fresh tears were now comeing down her cheeks no matter how many times she wipped them away. " Be thankful you still have both your parents and a family. And don't look at me like you feel sorry for me. You don't need to be. I have become content with being alone. Just don't take them for granted, take it from me, it gets lonley by yourself."
Kistumaru shrugged. " They're alright...except my sister...she's a bitch..." He made a strange face, then busted out laughing.
Minagi bursted out with laughter. She couldn't help it, she like him. She wiped her tears away and tried to sit up. The pain was slowly subsiding, so she could move more. She caught a breath from laughing and moved the black streak out at her face and tucked it behind her ear.
" Hey, " she said." I want to try something, come here."
Kitsumaru raised an eyebrow suspiciously. " What did you have in mind?"
" Just come here," she said motioning him to move closer. " I'm not gonna hurt you," she said holding up her hand and putting her other one over her heart. " Ellf's honor."
Kitsumaru sighed. " Alright, alright..." he moved a little closer to where she sat, slowly because he was still suspicious, and settled back on his knees.
Suddenly, Minagi started scratching and petting his head, wanting to see his reaction.
Kitsumaru blinked at her for a moment, then shrugged and closed his eyes, grinning. Just to make her laugh, he purred loudly.
She giggled a little. It was funny: her own personal entertainment. Then, she gently moved behind his ears and started to scratch.
He frowned. " What happend to the petting?...That's okay I guess...oh, over some...If I had a tail I would wag it for you...unfortunatly, that's something i DIDN'T inherit from my father." He grinned. " ..Or I could just do this!" Suddenly he stuck his tounge out and licked her arm.
" Hey! Down boy!" she said blinking but not wipping it off. " Let's just stick to the petting." But in a way, she liked it. So to make it even, she reached around and licked his cheek and meowed playfully.
Kitsumaru made a digusted face. " Ugh!...nasty!...Hey! I have the right! First of all, I'm a cat/dog demon, secondly, I was jokeing!" He grinned after saying this though. Maybe doing that hadn't been the best idea, but it was definetly fun. " Slobbered on by an elf...who would have thought..."
" Hey! Now were even!" she said continuing to pet him. She loved it when he purred, it was so funny. Then Minagi say a shiny,silver hairbrush on a table. She picked it up and started to brush his hair, as if she had done it millions of times.
Kitsumaru watched her, then said sarcastically, " Yes, you can use my brush...yes, you can brush my hair...I feel like a doll or something." She brushed harder, catching a rat in his hair making him go " Ow!"
' I'm being groomed by someone I barely even know...nice!' he thought.
" You have nice hair," she said. She gave her own head a brush with it then put it down, " So you shouldn't be complaining."
Then, she became very bold and reached around( with a little hesitation) and started to pet his stomach.
Kitsumaru backed away. " That's just wierd...."
" Oh come on!" she said pouting. " You know you enjoy it."
" No, really...it's just...too far." he backed away, blinking and holding his stomach. " I am not the family dog...or cat for that matter...do you realize that if someone came in here and saw you doing that we're both dead?"
" Feh," she said." The doors locked remember. Plus, you didn't to seem to think that takeing off my top was ' too far'. Come on, you like, it and I'm just curious. "
Kitsumaru looked at the locked door then back at her. " Are you trying to make a statement?"
" Come on," she pleaded. " pwease..."
" No....that's all I have to say..."
Suddenly, Minagi called forth her magic and transformed them into chains which connected to his feet and hands. Kitsumaru fought against it but she pulled him close to her and started to rub his stomach. " If you had just gave in, I wouldn't have had to use force."
Kitsumaru struggled for a moment, then suddenly grinned.In a quick instant, a tiny white cat with huge amythist eyes bounded from the circle of limp chains and ran across the floor.
" Hey!" she said to the cute little furry creature, " No fair!" But again, her powers came into use. She formed a purple light underneath the cat and lifted it off the ground. She brought it to her lap and continued to stroke it's belly.
Again, Kitsumaru was in her clutches. He changed back into himself. When she tried to push him off, he wouldn't budge. " Pet me, will you?!! I dont think so..." he laughed.
" Get off me!!" she laughed. " You weight a ton! Don't make me bite you again!" But then she grinned mischeviously and pinched his butt. Be jumped up, turning around and holding his rear.
" You get friendly quick don't you?...Wow! That smarts!" Kitsumaru was about to say something, when a loud knock sounded at the door.
" Lord Kitsumaru! Lord Kitsumaru? Are you there? The Lady Catsumoya requests your pressence!" an annoying voice called.
Kitsumaru froze, then answered. " Ahh...yes, Jakken...thank you...I'll uh..I'll be there shortly!" he called, then looked at Minagi. " Damn!" he hissed. " Stupid toad."
" It's cool," she said leaning back on the bed. " Go ahead, I'll just hang out here. My wounds should heal somewhere around midnight, don't worry about me." She turned over on the futon and her head on her arm.
Kitsumaru shook his head. " You can't. It's too dangerous. If you get caught, they'll kill you, no matter what I say."
" You would try to stop them?" she asked. " Why?"
Kitsumaru looked closely at her. " Because Minagi, I could say I let you in. They might listen to that, but they know your the one who came in and stole the Toukijin. That sword was my father's and it's sacred. No matter what I said or how hard I fought, Jakken would order you to be put to death. I have no control." He sighed. " You must leave...I'm sorry."
" Well," she said. " I could see where it would get you into trouble." She grasped her middle where he scratched her. " Tell you what," she said." you let me stay at least until midnight, that way I can heal properly and be on my way. In return you'll never hear me again."
Kitsumaru didn't know what to say. He didn't want her to dissapear, he liked her. Even though she was a little niave, she was alright. But if it would keep her safe...Finally he nodded.
" Alright, but only till midnight. After that, your gone, no arguments. Keep the door locked and don't make too much noise." He shook his head. " I can't believe I just said that."
" I promise," she said. Then a growl escaped her stomach. " Sorry, but...I'm kinda hungry. Do you have anything to eat?"
Kitsumaru's eye twitched. ' Now she's hungry...go figure.' " I'll get you something," he turned to go out the door, then faced her again, pointing a fingure. " Don't go anywhere!" Then he quickly went out into the hall and shut the door behind him.
" Hmmm," she thought. " I wonder what kinda goodies he has around here." And with that she got up and started to explore his room, first trying on his clothes.
OoOoooOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Kitsumaru hurried down the hall, through several sets of doors into the kitchen. There was no one around, and he figured the cooks were busy with the guard's orders. Looking around he spied some fruit in the bowl. He reached over and grabbed them and continued to look for something else. Spying some kind of pastries, he stuck them into the food bowl and swept from the kitchen, heading back to his chambers and praying that he didn't meet Jakken.
Minagi sat on the sill of the window, wearing a white kimono top and a pair of tight, black pants and her own boots. She had her hair pulled back in a loose bun letting some hair fall in her face.
Kitsumaru came in the room, ignoring the fact that she didn't lock the door like he had asked her to. When he saw Minagi in his clothes he laughed. " That haori makes you look fat. It's big enough for you to sleep in...what are you wearing my clothes for anyway?" He handed her the bowl, then began rolling up the futon and threw it into the corner.
Minagi frowned at him " Bite me." she said smiling. " Plus, my clothes are all bloody," she said stuffing he mouth with a pastry. " And your clothes are comfortable, and thanks for the food."
Kitsumaru cocked his head. " In that case, go ahead. I had to sneak to get the food. It may raise questions if Lord Kitsumaru is takeing food to his room when no one else is in there..." He stopped. " I have to go. My mother needs to speak to me." He adjusted the sash around his waist and straightened his kimono. He didn't want his mother to wonder. " I'll be back every now and then. Stay here and make yourself comfortable." With that, he left the room.
Minagi watched the door for a moment, after he left. Then she took a bite of an apple and leaned back on the window, bored.
' He should know an elf cannot stay in one place all the time.' she thought. " And this little elf is a curious one."
She walked over to the door and held the knob. But then she hesitated for a moment. " Oh!" she said. " I'll be careful! I'll cloak my powers the whole time!" So she did just that, and walked out into the hallway, and started to explore.
