Right, so here is the chapter 8 I've been rambling about having lost. It was lost and I had to retrieve it from the recess of my mind. You realize that once I write something down I forget the details I put in it, so this might be missing stuff that was in the first version.
However, I believe I have worded the descriptions better than I did last time. Though I wouldn't know, since I can't compare them. Anyway, I hope you appreciate all the trouble I had to go through to get this to you. Chapter 9 will be even harder to get out 'cause it's a bunch of filler junk. Eh heh…
With the Sunset Goes My Love: Chapter 8
Better To Be Forgetful
NormalIt was Friday night. Tsuchi was still regretting kicking Youko out. In fact, she was so worried about him, though she would deny it if you suggested it, that she was taken quite by surprise when a dark figure grabbed her from behind as she stepped out the back door of the pub.
As a matter of fact, she let out a gasp, which led to the inhaling of the toxin the cloth held over her mouth and nose was saturated with. Knowing any hope of fighting back physically would be pointless now that the toxin was in her system, she screamed as loudly and in as many frequencies as she could within the short period between that moment and inevitable unconsciousness. If only she didn't have to breathe.
Suddenly Tscuhi's captor released her as he was struck down from behind. A newcomer had leaped off a roof and cut him diagonally as he passed the dark figure before landing a few feet away in a crouch. Tsuchi barely had the time to take note of long silver hair flowing in the wind before she blacked out.
Luckily, Youko caught her as she swayed on her feet. He lifted her off the ground and carried her to her apartment bridal-style.
He recognized the smell of the toxin used. It wouldn't last long, a temporary anesthesia. Kanata it was called. Assuming she was no more than fifty-five in demon years she ought to awaken within the next five or six hours. Thirty minutes for every five years of the victims life the person was left unconscious.
She would relive moments of her life in a fast forward and awaken upon reaching her most recent memories.
Youko had miscalculated however. Tsuchi did not awaken within the next five hours, or an hour later. She didn't even reach consciousness the next five nights. Tsuchi slept those days away with Youko comforting her at times of nightmares. These nightmares were surprisingly many and Tsuchi tossed and turned wildly in her bed at all hours of the night.
Youko sat by her bedside night and day tending to Tsuchi's needs and force feeding her when she was calm. He went hours at a time without sleep, too concerned for Tsuchi's health to care for his own.
After a week of tending to Tsuchi, Youko decided he had to find a way to bring Tsuchi out of her nightmare riddled sleep. He racked his mind for solutions. Finally he dozed off only to have a dream and jolt awake. He remembered that Kanata had an antidote. He immediately rushed to find the required ingredients and had the antidote ready by early morning.
With the antidote prepared, Youko cooked breakfast for when Tsuchi awoke. She would surely be hungry. This done, he put water on the stove to make tea with before bringing the antidote with him into Tsuchi's room.
She was having another nightmare. Beads of sweat rolled down her face. Gently wiping them away with a cold compress, Youko sat at the edge of her bed. Carefully he poured the antidote down Tsuchi's throat, making sure she didn't choke on it.
With the last drop in her mouth, Tsuchi stilled and drifted of into a deeper calmer sleep. Youko placed the empty antidote bottle on the bedside table as he smiled down on Tsuchi's quite form.
Wearily he hugged closer to him as he crawled under the sheets himself. Then, with the warmth of Tsuchi's body to comfort him, he nodded off into his well-earned and much needed sleep.
Unbeknownst to him, the painted stars on the ceiling had rearranged themselves. Thank you, Youko.
Tsuchi KusabanaI woke up in stages. At first I was in a half sleep where my eyes were closed and my mind was drifting. Random thoughts about plants and stars and birds came to my mind. Eventually, I opened my eyes. I basically just stared at the empty bottle on the bedside table, why it was sitting there not even registering in my mind. I don't believe I was thinking at all. And then I came to notice what exactly my head was resting on.
Turning to get a better look, I watched as Youko slept. He must have been exhausted and I was almost sorry that he had to help me; almost. All the grief he had given me after I had found him the first time made me feel otherwise.
I clasped my hands together over his chest and rested my chin on my intertwined fingers. I decided I had the luxury to watch him sleep.
Youko Kurama
My eyes fluttered open to find Tsuchi staring at me with her hands on my chest. Her head was tilted to the sidewith a curious expression. As you can imagine, it startled me and I flinched when I realized the awkward position I was in.
"What are you doing here?" She asked me in an accusing tone.
I was at a loss for words. I couldn't tell her I came back 'because I had a bad feeling.' It wasn't like I cared. Or at least she would think so. "Ano…"
"Allow me to rephrase that. What are you still doing here? Shouldn't you be off robbing some poor rich guy (1) right about now?" She raised an eyebrow.
"I was repaying a debt," I said, my mind finally providing me with a reply.
"Really? That's funny, I don't ever remember sleeping in your bed," she said mockingly, looking at the wall as if trying to remember.
The whistle of the tea kettle went off before I could respond.
"You better get that." She shifted to lean on her left elbow and give me room to move.
I was relieved to have an excuse to get out of that awkward situation, so I rushed out of there. Although I didn't really mind the position I was in, if you know what I mean.
NormalTsuchi watched him leave in amusement before shaking her head and getting up herself. Quietly she followed him into the kitchen. So quiet was she that he didn't even notice when she pulled out a dining room chair and sat herself down.
Propping her head up with a fisted hand she leaned on the table with both elbows on the table, left arm lying flat against the furnished wood. She then proceeded to stare off into space reflecting and composing herself.
When Youko finally did turn around, it was with the tea on a tray in his hands. Upon seeing the wistful look in her eyes as she seemed to be staring at him, he almost dropped the tray. Luckily he didn't. With a quick blink, the look was gone, making the fox wonder if he had merely imagined it.
Normal"You know, Kasumi would appreciate the return of her bracelet," Tsuchi ventured.
Youko slid the tray onto the table and handed her a cup before placing breakfast before her. He raised an eyebrow as he sat across from Tsuchi.
"You knew the Guardian Priestess of the Tsuriai Bonsatsu?" Youko was surprised.
Tsuchi nodded. "I do, she taught me quite a few things a while back. If there's anyone who knows anything about me, it's her. (2) I told her that if I ever saw you again, I'd make your life miserable, but it seems the Fates beat me to it."
Youko's ears drooped at the reminder of Kuronue. It really hadn't been that long and the wound left by his passing was still fresh on his heart. "You speak as if she were still alive."
"Oh, but she is. And she was fuming mad that 'petty thieves' could have gotten the better of her and stolen right out from under her nose." Both Tsuchi and Youko chucked at this. "Anywho, she doesn't care about the other pieces, but that bracelet is very important to her. Please return it when you get the chance."
Youko nodded and the two spent the rest of the morning in peaceful silence.
Anyone else bored yet? I know I am, and it was my idea. Oh well, that's where I stopped originally, and it's where I'm stopping now. Sorry if it's short, can't help it. It'll be that way until at least the next story so yeah… Might want to review if you want improvement. Otherwise the next story can stay here with me in my memory. /shifty eyes/ Chinese homework, must do that, NOW. Bye.
Glossary-
Ano- 'Uh' in Japanese
1) Oxymoron! I'm weird, I just had to point it out.
2) Foreshadowing, take note.
Responses-
Spitfire-Hanyou14- Ooo, new reviewer! Yay! Arigato gozaimasu! Bittersweet? I was just trying to write a plot, I swear. But I'm glad to meet your approval! Speedy update depend on reviewers. Reviews have been scarce lately. Oh well, their loss.
darknesspirals- STOP POKING ME! I'll send them, I'll send them! Yes, go pour water on your head, much too much energy you have today. (still sleepy from nap she took fourty-five minutes ago)
Review or suffer the consequences. /yeah, me and my imaginary katana/