Disclaimer: I don't own anything; I only own this fic and the OC's (original characters)! Flames R encouraged. If you have to flame I would like a reason as to why you don't like a particular chapter or portion so I can fix it if necessary.
Thanks for the reviews! If you're interested in seeing your name, review! If you've reviewed the last chapter, proceed to the bottom. If you want to see your name up next chapter, then you're going to have to review this chapter!
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Jin smashed his way through the foliage. He scowled at the countless trees and bushes that stood in his way. "Damn trees," he growled. He stopped every once in a while and cocked his head, trying to catch any snatches of sound to tell him where Youko was. He wanted to find him and the deity to make sure they were safe. He knew Touya did something terrible to both of them. He gritted his teeth. He should have gotten Touya and rung his neck the second he had a chance to. 'If somethin' happens to lot of them, I'll never forgive meself,' he thought with a mixture of anger and sadness.
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Youko drew Botan closer to him. He nuzzled her neck and grinned as he heard her giggle. "Isn't it peaceful out in the wild?" he asked. "It's much better than any house you could want."
The smile on the deity's face abruptly faded away. "It still bothers me," she admitted. "There are so many things out here that can kill us. I'd feel safer in a sturdy house." She gazed sympathetically at the kitsune, reading the mixed expression on his face. It was a mix between disappointment and question. "It's not like you aren't able to protect me," she continued and elaborated. "It's just that…one day you'll have to go somewhere without me. If we're still out here…and if you're gone, creatures out there would be free to do what they want. I could barely protect myself against Risho and Touya. How can I survive against millions of Makai animals?"
The fox demon frowned at the remark made about Risho and Touya. He still was unsure about who or what these two names matched with, but he knew they…or it did something terrible to his koibito. He hated to see her heart being twisted at the memory of something he couldn't remember. All he could make out from this was that he had somehow saved her from a horrible life. He sighed and stretched out on the leafy ground with his arms crossed under his head.
"Then we'll just have to find a house for you then, won't we?" He glanced over at her. "Would I still be allowed to be do my nightly killings or am I forced to conform to your ways of life?"
"Be yourself! As long as you're happy, I'll be happy." Botan beamed at him.
Youko, slightly embarrassed by the display of human emotions, offered a hesitant smile in return.
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Touya sat rocking back and forth in a corner of Botan's room. All of the powdered Veruki root had managed to float out of the large, airy chambers of the yakuza's domain. He clutched one of silk pillows the deity usually laid her delicate head on as she slept. He buried his face into it. The impact of everything suddenly hit him as the adrenaline rush from the encounter against Youko bled away. He now realized that Botan was gone—forever. Whichever way he looked at it, he was sure that she was lost for good. Perhaps the powdered Veruki root had damaged her memory so deeply that she would only be a chronic disaster. Or maybe Youko had taken her far away and they were fine. Of course Botan would be happy with him. Or…maybe Youko's memory was gone. Maybe he had given in to his demon instincts that were left in the wake of his destroyed memories, raped Botan, and left her somewhere, weak and dieing.
He stifled a sob. "What did I do?" he moaned sadly. The deity's absence made him realize that he actually loved her. He didn't only care for her body…and now? Now it was too late!
He pressed the silk pillow closer to his chest and buried his forehead into the top of it. "Maybe it isn't too late to find her. Maybe if her memory is gone, I can take her back…or…or…"
He lifted his ice blue eyes and gazed thoughtfully at the stone ceiling. "I might still have some of the powder somewhere." His eyes brightened. "Yes! And if I go overboard with it, I can give her just enough of the antidote to make her forget about that damned fox. Then there would be only me."
He stood up and went to look for the extra bag of powder and antidote.
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Jin sat down after searching for what felt like centuries. He crossed his arms over his broad chest and sighed deeply. "I'll never find those two," he groaned. He glared at the forest floor, thinking. Then he thought some more.
And then an idea hit him.
"What the hell am I doin' searchin' for 'em on foot?!" He slapped a hand to his forehead. "Damned Touya…makin' me think like a human 'n all!" He stood up and gathered the winds beneath him. He shook his head at himself as he was propelled upwards. "Why couldn' I think of this before, eh?"
He floated gently, rocking as different gusts rushed beneath him. He squinted his eyes to see through the trees. Nothing. His heart plummeted. "Too many leaves," he said in defeat. "Can't see a damn thing." His spirits lifted as another idea hit him.
"Today I'm on a role, that I am!" He spun both arms around like a windmill, gathering speed and collecting gusts of wind. He released the miniature tornadoes and allowed them to crash through the trees.
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"I wonder where Jin is," Botan wondered out loud. She poked a twig at a dead beetle out of pure boredom. Youko lay on his stomach and a bent arm supported his head. He almost looked photo-ready. His silver tail flicked the air.
"Jin?" the fox asked. He shifted his amber gaze from the animal he was suffocating to the girl.
"I told you about him. Never mind," she murmured. She sighed, wishing that her fox could remember everything. She was still slightly traumatized by what had been happening to her with Touya. She had no idea she was being used until…until Youko had to be tortured—and because of her! She buried her face into her arms. Maybe she was being selfish to want to be with the fox demon…
"What's on your mind? When you do that, it intrigues me."
"Hm? Oh. It's…nothing." She looked up and faked a smile. "I'm just bored is all."
Youko peered at her. He knew she was lying but he couldn't figure out why. She didn't seem too disturbed by what it was so he didn't push the question farther. "Do you need comforting in any way?" he wondered. He had learned that females needed to constantly be comforted and petted…like some annoying dog. You had to pay attention to them or they would turn either stupid, or cruel.
Botan gazed at him. She didn't need any comforting but being in his arms sounded nice. She smiled and slid next to him, slipping her arms around the fox's neck.
CRASH!
The two both jumped to their feet in alarm but were soon thrown to their feet by a powerful wind. They lay there for a second, twitching.
"What in Makai was that?" Youko demanded angrily. The fact that he was had been thrown unceremoniously on his back was seriously pissing him off—especially since he didn't know what had done this.
"It was only wind," Botan replied matter-of-factly. She stood and brushed herself off. She looked around and slowly her jaw dropped. The wind had knocked down a good number of trees…but only in a small area. She only knew of one thing that could do something like this. And it was a demon! "Jin?" she called out loud.
"Did a thing named Jin do this? I'll kill him for destroying my territory!" Youko leapt into the nearest tree (which was several yards away) and clawed his way to the top. "Jin! Come down here and face me!"
Miles away, Jin heard the cry. He came crashing down. "I found you two!" he exclaimed. He threw his arms around the fox demon out of happiness. "Ya don't know how long I've been searchin' for tha both of ye."
Youko was too surprised to attack. "You know me?"
"Aye." The wind master's smile faded and pulled away. "But ye don't know me do ye? I'm supposin' Touya used that powdered nonsense." He chewed on his lower lip. "I think there might be somethin' back at the hideout to fix ya up."
"I can get my memory back?" Youko exclaimed. He looked at Botan and found his way back to her. He took her hands. "I'll be able to remember how I met you and how the hell I fell in love with a human."
Botan raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?" she snapped.
"N-nothing."
Jin grinned. "We'll get back to the place and find it, alright?"
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Sorry for taking so long to update! I hope I don't disappoint people with this chapter.
Here's the people who reviewed last chapter in their respective orders:
JDFielding: Well, I finally updated. You've done 2 updates since the last time I've updated this so I decided it was about time. I'm glad you enjoyed the tender moments! I think Touya will get his come uppance soon…the questions is how? Mwahahaha! More ways to torture my readers!
Volpone: ::shakes head:: You dirty, dirty minded person you. I think I had enough of people doing things to Botan against her will. Maybe Youko doing it to her would be the last straw, you know? Hey! When are you going to update?!
Tesina Gela Gardner: Thankee for the review! I'm sorry this chapter didn't have much fluff. This chapter was me attempting to write through a writer's block. Hope it wasn't a disappointment.
Birdy06: Glad you enjoyed. Yes, Touya needs his ass kicked, but he can still have his dreams right? That is, he can have them until he dies! I agree he should leave them alone! Bad Touya.
Tyedye/Rin: Course I couldn't leave it like that! Touya needs to die and Youko needs to be all right again? It wouldn't have been much of a happy ending if I left it like that.
What a scene: You liked the idea? Cool! Glad you did! Thanks for the review.
Orange09: Yup! Youko rocks all the way around. I tried updating as fast as I could but the stupid writer's block was being mean. A sequel? Hm…what would I put in a sequel?
Doctor Kiba: It's ok if you were hyped up with sugar. I'm sure it happens to the best of us. Well, you see what happened to Touya. He was going a little psycho in the hideout because he realized Botan was gone forever and that he actually cared for her. But it's kind of late, right?
Kitsune's Miko: That's ok if you don't know English that well. I know a few people that barely know English but speak to me in Japanese mostly…but I guess that's different cuz I can speak it, huh? Lol I need to learn some Spanish don't I?
PassionateAngel: I'm glad you feel just a little sorry for Touya. Somebody has to!
Firefox: Yeah, Youko should kill him, but he's too busy with Botan! He'll get to it though. Don't worry.
BakaGirl: That wasn't being rude. Glad you want another chapter! Just hope this isn't too disappointing.
Horse-crazy-girl: Glad you enjoyed!
Ditzy Peony: Aw, glad you enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for reviewing.
Nakushita: You've been in a mafia? O.O That's kind of scary you know! Gah! I have scary people reading my stuff. That's pretty cool!
Alora aguguwa: I updated! Here!
Psychogirly: Here's the new chappie so enjoy!
Shy-lil Dreamer: I think Youko will get it back soon…as long as Touya doesn't interfere, that bastard.
Like I said, thanks for reviewing and your name will be up again next time if you review this time!
