Last chapter short and sweet, just kind of a filler until I could get some more ideas. I', glad everyone is enjoying this and extremely grateful I can pull this all together…I had no idea what to do but it's coming along nicely.
The tantai's had heavily debated whether to camp out for the night or not and decided against it. Neither knew exactly how much time they had left but Hiei had said he felt as if it were running to a close. The four ran with Hiei in the lead and all of them searching the Makai for Keaka's energy. This part of the realm not even Kurama had dared to venture when he was Yoko. Massive demons loomed all around fighting to the death as their blood sprayed around the thick putrid air. Kuwabara shuttered as they ran by eternally thankful for Koenma's cloaking device he had let them borrow as long as they kept quiet about it. The humidity hung around them in a constant cloud of heat that not only robbed them of sufficient amounts of air but also rapidly increased their dehydration level but still they pressed on determined where they had previously failed to set it right.
Shura snuck into the room where Keaka was being held and stared at her in the flickering light of the candles. He had never fancied himself as one to care for human females let alone one they planned to use for a sacrifice however this girl, a tantai above all things, was different. He sensed her amazing abilities beyond anything drawing him closer to her feeling a bond that only two psychics could possibly share. He knelt next to her where she lay on the floor and wrapped his cloak around her passing his finger tips gently over the smooth flesh of her cheek grazing them down to her pink lips that had been so full and moist when they had first acquired her but now were parched and cracked from the emotional and physical stress her body was enduring. He sighed watching as his hand caressed the long strands of her hair smiling distantly to himself. She was very lovely and would one day become a beautiful woman. Shura's smile faded as his eyes watered over.
"Just once more I would give anything to have you look at me like that again, to feel you in my arms." He whispered to her. In any other circumstance he would have had a decent chance of wooing her as he was an incredibly handsome male however with all the confusion he had put her through in recent weeks she would no doubt retaliate against him, if he could even get to her. He closed his eyes and concentrated his thoughts deeply to try and connect to her where ever she may be in her subconscious.
Abriana splayed out on her bed amongst the horrible pinkness of her room and smiled to herself. It was the first time in months she had felt better. Sure Winter was gone but she would always have his love and warmth fresh in her memory and that was the next best thing. She sighed and turned onto her stomach nearly forgetting those few months that she had lost it. Life had returned to normal for her what ever that was. She had her relationship back with her family and friends, even though her parents were none to pleased when Desiree announced her pregnancy but that was a separate matter. The front door slammed shut and she heard footsteps coming down the hall and stop in front of her door. The knock that resounded jolted her thoughts and she rolled her eyes annoyed figuring it was her father.
"Come in daddy." She said in her best daddy's girl tone and sat up. The door opened slowly to reveal a male she had never seen before walk in. What was more he looked more like a devil than anything else. His skin was reddish in color but complimented his ebony black hair perfectly that tumbled down his back elegantly to rest at his hips. Cerulean eye's rested on her own as a scream threatened to tear from her throat but she couldn't. Her mouth remained shut and her legs worked of their own accord as she walked slowly over to him feeling a sense of calm wash over her as a caution sign flashed across her mind briefly.
"Who are you?" She asked. This man stared down at her softly holding no malice in his features.
"I am Shura." He said his voice rich and deep flowing beautifully in the otherwise quiet room.
"I am Abri….Kuwabara Kesaki. I am Keaka." She replied stumbling over her words less than gracefully. He smiled and nodded.
"Yes I know. We have met a few times before." He said taking her hand in his. She looked at his hand then back at his fine features and gasped.
"You! You are one of my captors." She stated more shocked than anything. Shura nodded.
"Why are you here?" She asked her voice soft again.
"I. I had to see you again my dear Keaka." He said.
"Where exactly is here?" She asked. He closed his eyes and sighed.
"You created this to escape from that god awful reality we have, I have brought you too." He said remorse deep in his voice.
"How did I end up with you?"
"You were taken from your living quarters unbeknownst to your family or friends until the next morning." He stated.
"So there was no mission…" She said. Shura shook his head.
"No there never was. The instances when you were awake I created what you knew as reality to try and prepare you for…" He stopped unable to continue.
"The sacrifice?" Keaka concluded. Shura looked at her and nodded once.
"Yes. The sacrifice."
"Is it for a worth cause?" She asked suddenly her eyes sparkling in the dimming light of the sun.
"I thought it was until I met you." He said lowering himself to the floor to be closer to her. He wrapped his arms lovingly around her bringing her into his embrace. Keaka's body tensed for a moment before falling into his warmth. Strange that she knew he was the one mostly responsible for her confusion but she felt so at ease and safe with him. The way she felt with Kurama. Was it simply a manipulation? Possibly however after all the stress she had endured it felt wonderful to feel so comfortable again. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she felt him lay soft kisses on her own. Her body trembled at the contact as his warm lips slid up to her cheek and eventually met her lips. Keaka moaned in his mouth as she met his warm tongue with hers.
"SHURA!" Kintaro yelled as he walked in. Shura's eyes snapped open as they met his older brother seething with rage.
"What if I had been Kamowe?" He shouted. Shura's gaze moved back to Keaka as she moaned silently in her deep sleep and a frown crossed her lips. Shura smiled faintly at her display of disappointment.
"What if I had been Kamowe?" Kintaro spat at him again grabbing his brother by the hair roughly to look at him. Shura's eyes sparkled with unshed tears.
"I am sorry brother. It won't happen again." He stated softly. Kintaro let him go and sighed.
"Your right it won't." He said solemnly. "It has been decided that Lady Yumi can not wait for tonight. The sacrifice is to be performed in an hour. Get her bathed and dressed appropriately and please do refrain from too much physical contact." Kintaro stated and left. Shura's heart sunk deep in his stomach as his head began to ache. He took Keaka by the shoulders and roughly shook her.
"Wake up Kesaki my love. Please you must awake!"
