A/N: Well, I thought I'd introduce you to the evil dude of this fic early. I mean, dramatic irony is fun, no? Also, I'm pretty sure, most of you figured it out already, so I'm not going to go around and deny it. And you guys hate it when I keep things from you anyway...

Chapter 14: Dark Realizations

Suki closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. Please, give me strength to do this... She opened her eyes, and gave Kirara, who was sitting on her shoulder, a pet for good luck.

Please let him believe me... she thought, walking to Henka's hut. She had to put her plan into immediate effect if it was going to work, he had to believe that she was still troubled by her parent's death.

In truth, she was a little troubled, but not as much as the thought of being married to him rather than Kuro. I couldn't give myself up to anyone but him...

She stopped in front of his house. Suki turned to her pet. Ever since her former mistress's death, she had mostly stuck to Suki like glue. "Kirara," she ordered, "Go home with Shippou and the girls." Ever since Kuro and Kiri had left, the kitsune had been staying at their house.

The neko youkai tilted her head, puzzled by Suki's question. "Please do it, Kirara," she begged.

The cat purred, and then jumped off her, with one last look at Suki, she took off towards their hut.

Suki sighed, she was sad at the loss of company, but she had to do this alone. She pulled back the bamboo curtian of the hut. "Henka-san?" she asked, looking at a short black haired, strangely blue eyed, man, sitting in front of a firepit with a strange-smelling pot of water upon it. Next to him was a woman about the same age, whom also shared the same blue eyes. There was something strange about these two, since they wore the clothes of humble villagers, yet they spoke as if royalty.

Henka smiled at her entrance. He stood up took her hand and brought it to his lips. "Suki, I'm glad you dropped by today."

His sister said nothing. From what Suki could see, it seemed that she was glaring at her. Suki loathed Henka, but she also didn't like is sister, Tai. She was of the snobby type, and made it out that she thought she was better than her.The only thing that could really be counted as "greater" was the fact that she had about three times the size of any normal woman's breasts.

Suki decided it was time to put on the act. "Y-yes, Henka-san...its...well..."

"You came to inquire about our wedding, I suppose?"

"Yes." she said. "It's just...that I really think that...well..." she decided it was time to add some fake tears. "My parents just unfortunately died...and I really think..."

He gave her a look of sympathy. "It's all right, I know. I understand if you want a little more time."

"T-thank you." she said, pretending to wipe a tear.

He gave a laugh, but it had a strong harshness to it. "I am not totally unreasonable."

Suki serously doubted that. "Well...thank you. Thank you for understanding." She walked out of his hut.

Henka turned back to Tai. "Well," she said, speaking for the first time. "That was quite an act."

He sat down by the pot. "Yes...it would seem that that annoying hanyou is back again."

"I noticed it too." Tai said.

He sighed. "The easiest way to get him out of the way would be to simply do away with him." he stirred the contents of the cooking pot dangerously.

"Don't you dare!" Tai ordered. "I'm getting something out of this by helping you! I want him! If you kill him, then I'll make sure your precious Suki learns something she ought not to know--"

He smacked her in the face hard with her threat. "Don't speak to me that way." he warned. "And you'll get your fee, but I don't understand why you would want a mutt of a hanyou like that..."

"Well," Tai said, rubbing her face where he smacked her. "I don't understand why you want a low life human." When she took her hand away, her cheek had a large dent in it, as if the skin had been pulled away like clay. "Now look what you did..." she growled, closing her eyes while her skin morphed to cover up the hole.

"You deserved it." he muttered. "Anyway, I'm sure this act put on by her is all set up by that hanyou, his scent was all over her..."

"What are you planning to do then?" Tai asked, glaring at him while he smiled evilly, looking at the brew.

"Let that dog learn his place."

After that errand, Suki ran off into the forest, looking around in all directions, she constantly looked behind her, hoping no one was following.

Suddenly, she was pulled off her feet as something red flashed before her eyes and picked her up into one of the trees. She had no time to say anything, but she jumped with fear until she realized who it was.

"Kuro!" she yelled, as he smiled. "Don't do that!"

"Nice to see you too." he grinned, but then it faded. "How was it?"

Suki sighed her indago eyes lowering. "He seemed to buy it at least, giving us a little more time."

"Good," Kuro said in relief. "I'm glad that bastard knows he can't get anywhere by being cruel to you."

"Kuro..." she breathed, looking fearful. "What if...what if Henka finds out? About us, I mean. About how you're back?"

"Let's not think about that now." he said sharply. "Lets just think about what we're going to do once we're out of here."

Suki leaned back against him, her head leaning on his shoulder. "Our life is all about hiding. First we were hiding from our parents, now we're hiding from Henka. Are we ever going to stop hiding?"

"Yes." he said, without a second thought, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Someday, we won't have to worry about hiding."

Kuro...if only...if only we could... she thought. "Kuro..." she started to say, and then stopped.

"What?" he asked.

She paused. "No, nevermind. It's...nothing." Even though she knew it was a lie. I'll tell you later.

"Kuro...just...hold me like this." she said, releaxing in his arms. He leaned his head along with hers, and they both looked out on the village.

Kiri turned away from the sight, where she had been spying on them again. She didn't know why she felt the need to pry into Kuro's private affairs, but something about her own sparked a curiosity within her about this sort of thing.

I don't understand it...Akuto kisses me, and suddenly, I'm curious about this sort of thing?

She closed her eyes as she walked back towards the camp. I know what Akuto feels for me, but...I just know there is no way I can feel that way about him. I don't care what I may feel at a particular moment, its just...

I've been lonely for too long. she admitted.

And that's the only reason I seek his companionship. It's not because I return his feelings or anything. He may be nice to me, but...I can't feel that way about anyone.

You're afraid. Kiri's thoughts accused.

So what? Maybe I am, but...I'm not afraid of him, I can take him anytime, I'm afraid of what I might be feeling...I have to stop it before its too late...before things get out of control...

She remembered when he held her when she was scared. Kiri remembered the comfort his arms offerered. How she felt safe...until she smelled Kuro coming back and she had to praciically dive to break free. She didn't want her brother realizing what was going on.

Actually, he must be more dense than I thought, since he hasn't noticed what's been going on between Akuto and I...

And she went back to her thoughts of the night before. That time...I felt safe, but...I don't want to feel safe. I don't want to feel anything in his arms...I just want...

I...just want...

But, for the first time, she couldn't answer. She couldn't think of what she wanted. It was so unatural for her to be so lost, but many unatural things had happened since she met Akuto...

I...I don't know what I want anymore...

"Hey, sweetheart, what're you thinking about?"

No...its him... she paniced as Akuto walked towards her as she ended up at the camp. "N-nothing...I'm thinking about nothing!"

Akuto lifted one eyebrow over his green eyes. "You know, you've been saying that a lot."

"I don't like to think..." she said, trying to walk away, of course, he followed.

He stated, "Ever since last night, you've been avoiding me."

"Is that so unusual?" Kiri asked, still trying to lose him.

"Kiri," Akuto said, grabbing her shoulder, causing her to stiffen as he turned her around. "What is the matter with you, I've never seen you like this."

Not meaning to, her golden eyes met with his green ones. All of a sudden, an unknown excitement flowed through her, just like what had happened at the cave. No...this can't be happening...I can't be...

"Does it matter?" she retorted. "Maybe I'm just tired of being followed around by you, okay? Maybe I just want some time alone!"

He was tempted to make a smart remark on that, but he looked in her amber eyes; she turned sharply away. "Fine." he said, storming off.

Kiri was shocked. Akuto had never done that; just given up at the perfect oppurtunity to annoy her. She sighed. It's just as I thought...what I'm feeling isn't real...its just my imagination...I'm getting worked up over nothing...I don't feel for him in that way...

But somehow, this knowledge made her feel a twinge of sadness rather than happy.

A/N: (Does anyone know why in this story its always brothers and sisters? Cuz, I sure don't!)

Anyway, yeah, I was less than sneaky on that one, but dramatic irony rules! And, for the Kiri/Akuto lovers (which I am fairly comfident is a vast majority of you) there is a HUGE Kiri/Akuto moment next chapter, so be sure to read!