Riz:

I'm feeling very guilty, so here's the newest chapter. It's not as good, but just something to keep anyone who wants to kill me due to my unactiveness at bay. So, sorry for disappearing for so long.

Chapter Fourteen: Afternoon Break; Time Off

She turned one corner, frowned, then retraced her steps back down the polished white marble floor. Coming back to where she started, her eyes narrowed dangerously. That's it, she's had it. Feet planted solidly apart, hands on hips; she took in one deep breath and screamed.

"YOUKO! I know you are here!"

Nothing

"If you are not in front of my by the time I count three, I'm going to kill you and send your soul down to Hell!"

Still no response

"GET YOUR TAIL OUT HERE BEFORE I CATCH YOU AND MAKE YOU STERILE!"

A flash of white blurred past her vision, silver tipped ears twitching as the legendary Makai thief grovelled before the exploding woman. But of cause he's not really grovelling in reality, which would be too degrading even for this author to comprehend. Rather, it's the way he carried himself that was more important. The aura of sleek confidence was gone, replaced by what seemed like a almost meek look. Seeing him appear, storm grey eyes glared at the fox.

"I hope you've got everything ready? This is a very important day for me, so you better not have messed things up."

His tail twitched as orbs of regal gold smiled. Yes she was angry, but that's only for show. That much he's learned in the short space of near three years. She's much more sensitive than she led most people to believe. Nodding, sheets of white gold hair fell as he bowed; an over-exaggerated gesture that bought him a step closer to her.

"Of cause, how could I not? After all, your wish is my command."

Her lips twitched, and she bit down hard on them. Damn Youko, why does he have to act so... him? She hid her amusement behind her hand as a fake yawn.

"So I guess you've got something to do this afternoon? Cause this is a female-only thing."

He nodded, pacing slowing round the corridor.

"I got things to keep myself occupied. Thinking of visiting my human counterpart to see how well he's faring? But I'm expecting the worst, considering he's living with that friend of yours. I have no idea how he can stand her."

Yuki sniggered at this. The thief had absolutely no idea how similar to Roviel. She was just wondering if she should tell him when he embraced her from behind, his flower-scented musk filling her nose.

"In times like this, I'm glad to have you as my mate."

She gave in, what's left of her anger melting away as he nuzzled her neck.

"Well as long as you don't go and have one-nighters withany slutty bitches again."

"I promise."

"You are lying."

"Mm..."

Turning in his embrace, Yuki kissed the fox, her fingers entwined in his silky hair. He returned the kiss, and just as things were heating up, the doorbell rang. Well not a real doorbell, but a magical alarm that warns them of any visitors (expected or unexpected) that had entered their property. Looking decidedly harassed, Youko tramp to the door.

"Whoever it is I'm going to kill them for interrupting... Oh, Roviel. It is a pleasure to see you again."

Yuki watched, amused, as her mate grinned in complete fake happiness at Roviel, who grinned in complete fake happiness upon seeing the silver-haired youkai.

"Who was it you were going to kill for interrupting something?"

Youko's jaws froze in the smile.

"Oh you must be mistaken. I said I was going to steal, not kill."

"Indeed? Then I'm sorry for the mistake."

"Do not worry about it."

Yuki knew that Roviel was lying. The youkai's sense of hearing never failed to amaze her.

Still standing at the door, Roviel gestured to the inside of the house... mansion... big place

"May I please come in?"

Youko nodded, allowing her to pass while he stepped out.

"Of cause you may. Enjoy your stay, I shall be going now. I was thinking of visiting Kurama."

"Please do. He's a little down these days."

Waving at her, Youko walked off down their front yard, muttering to himself.

"I wonder why."

Hearing the sarcastic remark, Roviel raised her voice at the thief.

"Yes, I do too."

He turned to glare at her, and she grinned back. Eyes narrowed at this, the fox jumped and disappeared.

Slamming the door, Roviel dragged herself towards the living room oblivious that Yuki was trying to get her attention. Finding the unoccupied couch, amber eyes closed in weariness as she flopped down on it. Frowning at this, Yuki nudged the apparently half-dead youkai.

"You ok? What happened? You look dead."

Roviel groaned.

"I don't know. I had a flashback yesterday. The last thing I remembered was arriving at the train station and walking back home. This morning I woke up exhausted as if I've walked around the whole city, felt as if I haven't slept at all last night, and have this huge bruise on my leg from god-knows-what."

With her mind still on Youko and their earlier.. um... let's just call it incident, (I can't think, brain-dead. Lol! ) Yuki sniggered at Roviel's descriptions of her condition.

"You sure Kurama didn't do anything to you last night?"

One weary tawny orb blinked at the woman, realization of what the pink-haired human implied not hitting home for some time. At this, Roviel groaned again.

"Shut Up. You just put a horrid image into my mind by saying that."

"What? Kurama na..."

"GODS! WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS? CAN'T I GET SOME DECENT SLEEP AROUND HERE? DON'T TALK TO ME, OK?"

Pushing up from the couch Roviel stormed into the kitchen. The sound of doors opened and slammed, of drawers pulled then pushed back. Then silence. A few seconds later.

"Yuki, where's the tea leaves?"

-

Inhaling the aromatic scent of the green tea, Roviel turned one idle eye upon Yuki. Eight years it's been since the girl had first met the Reikai Tentai, and in that time she's grown. Apart from Kuwabara, the rest of the remaining Reikai Tentai did not change in appearance at all. Seven years was nothing in youkai years. But the same could not be said for Yuki. She's grown taller and slimmer. What many though "plain" back in high school had grown to become a simple elegance, a soft and quiet thing that needed not any accessories to make beautiful. She still dyed her hair pink, the wavy locks still curling down to her back. No lines of age adorned her face, but the mist black orbs were softened with worry and care. Perhaps that came with growing old, or maybe being married to Youko... Thinking of the silver-haired fox, Roviel snorted.

"Why do you even like that thieving idiot I will never understand. Gods, I can't find one good thing about him expect for the fact that he's bloody rich, and is insanely hot and is so powerful. So what?"

Yuki rolled her eyes in despair. Why did both Youko and Roviel have to be so... oblivious sometimes?

"It's exactly like you said. He's.. Oh, someon's arrived."

Yuki had already stood up when a blur of black and white ran past her and headed to the door. The paneled wood of a thing creaked open, showing two figures standing outside the door. Yukina stepped in, the okami still her gentle self despite what had happened. Behind her Keiko walked across the threshold in hesitant steps. Smiling at the one who opened the door for them, claret eyes turned to Yuki.

"Oh Yuki, I hope we are not too late. Is Roviel here yet?"

"She better not be here, that youkai. Okasan, why did you have to invite her over all the time? She's stupid and arrogant and looks at you as if she knows everything and you know nothing."

Still lying on the couch and out of sight from those by the door, Roviel smirked. That little brat, all whiny and ego-inflated, just like his father the thief. She could hear footsteps coming towards them, accompanied by the child's endless voice.

"...As if I know nothing. Really, who does she think she's talking to? Alwayscorrecting me at theend of my sentences. Why does she act as if she knows everything and I know nothing?"

One maple eye opened as Roviel yawned and sat up, to the uttermost surprise of the formerly outspoken boy.

"Maybe because I do know everything and you do no nothing, Raiyu."

They glared at each with that, each unaware of the amused looks their actions have attracted from the audience. Eyes narrowed, Roviel raised one brow at Raiyu. The boy looked every single inch like his otosan from the ears to the tail. She wondered briefly at who his mother was, for it was impossible to know by simply looking at him. In all the two years he's been living with Yuki and the thief, Raiyu didn't say one single thing about his past before coming to Nigenkai and finding his other side of the family. Why Yuki wanted to keep the little brat who was no doubt some bastard the thief had with some half-brained female she would never know, but Roviel had the sneaking suspicion that it's got something to do with the kid looking exactly like his sire.

A cough broke the staring contest between the two and both set of eyes whirled over to the giggling Yukina and snorting Yuki. Simultaneously both sets of eyes narrowed at the amused two, both no doubt thinking of all the possible ways they could use to wipe the smiles off the faces.

"Don't glare at us like that; it's really funny if you could have seen yourself."

Yuki blinked at the familiar voice. Keiko sounded almost joyful. It must be one of her good days then. The woman had been wondering what she would do if Keiko was in one of her trances again. Luckily that wasn't so, and Yuki gestured for her two new guests to seat themselves. Still smiling, she patted her step-son on his head and tweaked his black shirt.

"Be a good boy and go train, ok?"

Raiyu stomped off, eyeing Roviel with distaste as he disappeared down the corridor of the mansion. For her own sake Yuki decided to ignore the look Roviel gave back to the child, focusing instead on how to change the subject.

"It's nice to have everyone here and just relaxing. I can't remember the last time all of us were together. So how's everything going for you guys?"

Keiko curled into a tall-backed seat, turning and looking out of the window and at the sunlit day.

"Are you sure we are safe? What if some youkai attacks us?"

Yuki grinned at this, a prideful look on her face as she began the lecture.

"That's impossible. First of all, only those who are invited can walk through our garden and not be attacked. And as you all know, the mansion is like a maze if you don't know where you are going. A stranger would have almost no chance. And of cause, I made Youko erect a barrier around our house which would tell those inside the house if someone has entered the borders. If that all fails, the numerous artifacts that we have in the house will be more than enough to demolish any unwanted strangers."

That finished, Yuki took in one deep breath to recover from her lengthy speech. Keiko looked half-satisfied. Roviel sighed while Yukina just grinned at all this. Her sleeves arranged to lay flat on her lap Yukina decided that she should be the one to start the conversation.

"Yuki seems to be living quite comfortably right now. That is good; at least one of us should be living without risking for our life every single day. Shizuru and I are doing well. Touya has been very courteous to look after us. Without him I do not know how we could kill all the youkais that are after us. And he's been teachingme how to fully master my abilitiesso that I can defendmyselfagainst youkais if he's not there.Except from that, everything's been good... Although I do wish that Kuwabara could live with us and not have to suffer by himself all the time..."

A silence filled the room. Yuki looked from Roviel to Yukina, wondering just how that comment would have affected them both. It was Keiko who broke the lull. Shifting in her seat, the woman hugged the seat's pillow into her chest.

"Jin has been wonderful to me. I know that it must be so hard for him to look after me when I'm in one of my trances. Like Yukina, I want to live with you guys. But that would be too dangerous and you'll all have to be looking after us and... yea... So how's Kuwabara lately?"

Yukina brightened up at the question. Anything that's about Kuwabara would most definitely cheer her up, as long as it wasn't any bad news.

"Well, he's coming along well. Yesterday he almost smiled. I still believe that he can be healed, all that's needed is patience and love."

"One of which Youko doesn't have. Really, just because you didn't succeed in cooking an egg is no reason that you can smash the kitchen to tiny pieces. At least I know he's no longer having any one-night standers anymore. One kid who stands at the door some morning and declares that Youko is his father is more than enough for me. At least Raiyu looks like Youko..."

"And why is that a good thing? One more kitsune out loose into the world is not something to be celebrated about. And how do you that fox isn't seeing someone behind your back again? Have you asked if he's sired anymore brats?"

"I did ask him. But he said that he doesn't know. And I believe him. I mean considering how many females he's been with it would be pretty hard trying to keep track of them all."

Out of the corner of her eye Yuki saw that Roviel smirked. Keiko looked mildly interested, at least that's better than having no emotion on her face at all. It was a surprise when nobody else but Yukina came to the woman's help. Sipping her drink, the okami turned politely to Roviel.

"And how are you and Kurama doing?"

The youkai under scrutinizing looked not too pleased. Now it was Yuki's turn to smirk. Yukina had given her the perfect opportunity to bite back.

"Yea Roviel. Howis you are your husband."

Resisting the strong urge to grind her teeth together, the youkai ran her tongue lightly over her teeth instead.

"The kitsune is not my husband. If he was then I would have killed him by now. At least that way I won't have to be stuck with him for the rest of my life."

"But there's got to be something, right?"

Her eye was twitching; not a good sign. Why damnit did Yukina had to bring this topic up? The youkai was still steaming from her lack of memory of last night, the anger fueled further when the red-head artfully slid from her questions with a very large lunch and then a soft reminder that she's suppose to be at Yuki's today. Between the delicious food and hurrying over the mansion without looking suspicious Roviel had completely forgotten about her queries, that is, until now. Oh she's going to get back at the kitsune for the slip, that's for sure.

"...Hello? Are you alright? You look like you want to kill someone right now."

Keiko did not look assured when Roviel grinned at her and said that she was fine. Kicking the different thoughts of how to take revenge on the red-head aside, the amber eyes closed as she sighed.

"I suppose he's a great house-keeper. He cooks, he cleans, and he even knows how to look after my plants without killing them. There's one good thing about the curse; at least I don't have the scare of seeing some red-haired kid appearing at my doorstep. We mind our business and get along at the house good enough, he never pokes his nose into my personal life and I have the same courtesy for his side of things. It all works out, in a very strange and stiff way..."

"My, that sounds so interesting. I wish..."

And it went on, the four of them chatting away in the room. Slowly, as time went by, each gradually warmed up the conversations. They talked about their lives, their laughs and wishes, their thoughts on the future and regrets of the past. Although the somber mood still remained by the end of the day, it was no longer something that they cared about. With understanding comes acceptance, and as they listened and commented on each other's lives, they had come to accept not only the lives of others, but also themselves, this unrealistic life in which they all live in.

Or, if you are not quite the philosophical mind as the author, think of it this way; it's always better to talk to others about your troubles rather than keep them bottled up inside. Not exactly what the author was meaning, but near enough for the common mind.

If you are going to flame me on how disgustingly crappy this chapter is, don't bother. I'm already mentally-kicking myself for this. I'm really sorry, but I dragged this all up in 3 hours without thinking much about what I'm writing. Well I do know why I'm writing this; to let the readers know Yuki's life right now. But that was so sad... as in pathetic sad...

I think it's all the essays I had to do for all of this week and draft essays in preparation for next week, cause there's no other explaination why I can write essays easily and yet can't do a half-assed second-rated job on a fanfic. Once again I apologise. I'll definitely be updating in the next seven days, and the next chapter, unlike this one, is a part of my dream so I have a solid knowledge of what's going to happen and everything.