"Wow. Another bullseye. They're both...eerily good at this."
It was Neji's suggestion that prompted the miko twins to make another surprise visit to their grandparents' house up in the countryside. For archery practice as miko were known to take up the bow and arrow, mastering it and imbuing arrows with energy.
Xin was positive that he got the from InuYasha.
But according to Karin and Suigetsu, Jun and Junko were known to wield a bow and arrows as well. So they traveled away from the city to practice with imbuing their energy into the weapons.
Gaara and Naruto weren't expecting Xin's easy handling of the weapon. She fired off several arrows, hitting the bullseye each time but she only brushed it off. She took archery when she was growing up.
Hinata was good with her it but she didn't take to it like Xin did. She was able to transfer her energy easier but her aim wasn't nearly as good. The sisters helped each other out where they fell short until they both managed.
"They're making me a little nervous," Naruto admitted with a huff of a laugh. Gaara only glanced at him before remembering he'd been shot once with a sacred arrow before. It wasn't pleasant and the smell of the energy burning through his skin stuck with him.
"They're not going to shoot us, Uzumaki." Gaara folded his arms and watched as Xin notched an arrow. She stood completely still, save for the slow stretch of her shoulders as she pulled the arrow back as far as the bow would allow.
She fed her energy to the arrow, eyes trained ahead as the tip of the arrow glowed. With an almost casual flick of her hand, she let the arrow fly.
"Xin looks different…" Naruto trailed off, watching the younger twin. He knew immediately what Naruto was talking about. While nothing physically changed in Xin's face, her expression was something completely different. She didn't look like herself.
Something wasn't right with Xin. While she was getting much better with her spiritual power, she spaced out a lot. More often than not, they would find her staring off into space. When they called her to snap her out of it, she wouldn't react to her name being called for several moments.
And her eyes. Sometimes there was something...cold about them. Like her gaze wasn't really hers.
"Yeah," Gaara grunted, agreeing.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?"
"That depends," Gaara folded his arms across his chest. "What are you thinking?"
"That she's looking more and more like Jun."
The redhead didn't immediately answer. He never met the dead miko twins but they were as beautiful as they were dangerous. They looked a hell of a lot like the current miko twins with only some minor details. Their hair was darker and styled differently and their beauty was more refined and elegant.
"That's alarming," Gaara said after some silence. And dangerous. If Jun was leaking out of Xin in small doses, she could eventually wrestle control from the inexperienced miko. "We should probably ask Karin and Sui about it, I'm sure they'd recognize Jun."
Someone cleared their throat behind them, prompting the two demons to turn. Kiyone was staring up at them, unamused and disinterested. "So, which one of you was run over by my reckless granddaughter?"
"That would be me," Gaara intoned blankly. "She didn't run me over, she clipped me."
"I don't care what happened, I'm telling everyone she ran you over," Naruto grinned gleefully. He stopped grinning when Gaara punched him in the face.
Kiyone approached them, standing in between them to stop their squabbling. She took a couple of minutes to watch Xin and Hinata, nodding in approval at the glowing arrows. "Their parents aren't thrilled to hear more demons are involved with their daughters."
Which was fair. No one wanted to hear their daughters were getting down with demons.
"I'm sure they wouldn't be thrilled to hear their daughters have been devoured by demons either."
Kiyone eyed the redhead, less than impressed. "Charming. You must also belong to Xin. Figures."
Naruto guffawed but Gaara only eyed the old woman. "That's where she gets it from. You."
She only smiled and hummed softly before turning her attention back to her granddaughters. It didn't surprise her that Xin was better now that weapons were involved. Hinata had the soul of a healer and Xin, the soul of a warrior. It fit their personalities well and despite being opposites, they worked well with another.
"I'm glad to see they're taking this seriously," Kiyone said after a moment's pause. "Hinata seems more confident these days, that's good. And Xin, she's not as selfish anymore."
"Oh yeah?" Naruto asked with raised eyebrows. It never really occurred to either demon that they didn't know much about the twins. The basics but that was about it.
"To be fair, they are pretty young but Hinata always struggled with her self-confidence growing up. With sisters like Xin and Hanabi, who could blame her? And Xin, always worried about herself. Selfish, selfish girl."
Neither would've guessed that about either sister. Maybe Hinata wasn't in your face like her sister and friends around her but she wasn't someone to fuck with. And Xin, chaotic and dense as she was, was not selfish.
Maybe that's why they were still treated like children by those around them, because that's how everyone remembered them as. Living on their own and having to deal with the fact that they weren't normal seemed to help them grow but everyone else had a hard time accepting it.
But still, the others couldn't be blamed for their behavior. Well, they could because they were being a little ridiculous but still. Xin and Hinata had no idea what they were truly getting themselves into. It wasn't just a game or anime or manga. It was real and it was dangerous and the cost of getting involved was their lives.
"So," Kiyone folded her arms behind her back. "If you two are the reason for this change, I'm grateful."
Gaara folded his arms across his chest. "The reason those two girls changed was because they wanted to. Maybe we helped, I can't say for sure but they chose that."
"It's not even that they changed, they just had the opportunity and freedom to be themselves," Naruto shook his head, still focused on Hinata and Xin. "Your family and their friends forced them into being like that. Girls who needed to depend on you."
Kiyone eyed the two demons, face blank. She should be afraid of them. Unlike her granddaughters, she was no miko. She had no real defense if these demons turned on her. For whatever reason, Kiyone was completely at ease.
Her granddaughters trusted these demons. They smiled and laughed with them, they were comfortable with them. She saw that the moment they came into her house with those demons following at their heels. There was something more between them and though she was aware of their power, she had no reason to believe she was in danger.
No, not with that soft look in their eyes.
Kiyone tutted. "This is a dangerous game you two are playing with my granddaughters. I hope you know what you're doing."
She left them after that, approaching Xin and Hinata instead. Immediately, the trance over Xin was broken. She blinked and turned towards her grandmother, grinning her signature grin. That cold look was all but gone, replaced by Xin's sunny disposition.
Even Hinata was aware of Xin's odd behavior, eyeing her sister cautiously as she talked to Kiyone. If anyone had reason to be concerned, it was Hinata. She knew Xin in ways nobody else did and that cold look was not normal for her sister.
Sure, Xin had a temper but her temper was hot. Explosive even. The look she would sometimes sport was something completely cold and completely unlike Xin.
Whatever was going on with her sister made her uneasy.
"Listen, I know this isn't ideal but it does seem like he really likes her."
Karin scowled stiffly from beside Tenten. "That menace has been raising Hell for years and we're supposed to forget all of that because he has a thing for Xin?"
Tenten sighed softly. They had all begrudgingly tolerate the very strange relationship between the demons and miko but that didn't mean they liked it. Karin, for obvious reasons, was still wholly against it. "I know it's a little skewed but if that's what he wants…why pick at it? He's a demon, Karin, we know. You are too. Are you completely innocent?"
Karin's face was as red as her hair but Tenten was expecting that. "You don't know what he's capable of!"
"He's capable of protecting Xin and that's all I'm concerned about. Naruto too. Whatever they've done, it's in the past."
"That's it? You're going to chalk it off? What, because he likes her?" Karin folded her arms across her chest. "How human of you, you think his feelings are deep?"
Tenten turned the corner and smiled softly at the sight of Xin's bakery up ahead. She ignored the 'human' comment. Enchantress or not, she was still very much human when it came down to it. "Maybe they are, why don't you ask him?"
"Like the bastard's even capable of feeling so deeply. Love? Let's be real."
Tenten chuckled as she swept the door to the bakery open. "You'd be surprised what love can do to a person. Demon or not, he can still feel. Just like you or Sui. He's still a man and Xin…well, she's a woman. A pretty one."
Karin scoffed and stepped into the bakery, smiling softly at the Christmas decorations put up. Xin loved Halloween but she liked Christmas just as much. She had a feeling that the decorations had everything to do with Xin. Christmas music filled the air and Xin and Hinata were both behind the cash register.
To everyone's amusement, the employees of MadBatter were dressed as Christmas elves. They were dressed in shades of green and red, wore hats and even wore shoes with bells attached to them.
"Wooow," Tenten grinned first. "Santa's little helpers sure are cute this year."
Karin practically cackled. "They sure are. How far did Anko have to twist your arm behind your back to make you agree?"
Xin glared at them but Hinata chuckled. "Don't you two have something better to do right now?"
"Don't be ridiculous, this is so much better. Here, smile!" Karin snatched her phone from her pocket and quickly began taking pictures of the two. "Very cute."
"So," Tenten eyed the sweets underneath the glass display. "How about some dango?"
Xin made a face. "Those are in the back."
Karin leaned across the glasstop, eyebrows raised. "So, go get them, helper."
Xin stared at her before heaving a heavy sigh. She turned around and vanished into the back. Karin and Tenten watched her go before turning to look at Hinata. "So, Gaara and Naruto have some concerns about Xin. Something happened at Kiyone's?" Tenten asked in a soft tone.
Before leaving for their daily hunt of hunting down demons, Gaara and Naruto shared something odd about Xin. She had a certain look about her every so often, one that reminded Naruto of Jun.
"She's been having some…tics that aren't hers. She's been getting this cold look lately, one that's completely unlike her. It's…" Hinata instantly knew what Tenten and Karin were hinting at. "It's strange, it's like someone else is…someone else is in there."
Tenten glanced towards Karin. "We need to keep a closer eye on Xin then," Karin said. She looked as if she wanted to say more but she kept her mouth shut. Hinata and Tenten eyed the redhead warily, it wasn't like her to hold back.
Hinata reached for Karin, her fingers curling slowly around her wrist. Her grip was warm, too warm. "Is there something wrong with my sister?"
Karin almost made a snide comment but something about the look in her eyes told her not to. "If her will is weak enough...Jun could…overwhelm her."
"Overwhelm?"
"Well—uh—yes. Xin could cease to exist. The strange looks and odd tics that aren't hers is Jun slipping through Xin's defense."
"You said Jun wouldn't do something like that," Hinata's tone dropped and her eyes glowed under the veil of her bangs. "So why is she doing it now and how do we stop her?"
"I don't know why, Hinata," Karin answered in a tight voice.
Hinata wasn't the least bit satisfied with that. "How is Jun able to do this? Junko hasn't made a peep this entire time."
Karin's expression was hard to read, she chewed at her lower lip and glanced over Hinata's shoulder. Xin would be coming back soon. "Because Xin's been walking the line of death. Each time she goes further, Jun leads her back."
The approaching bells ended the conversation. When Xin returned, toting several sticks of dango, the three of them were talking casually about something else. "Here's your dango," she huffed. "Dining in or dashing?" Xin asked, motioning for the plastic wrapping.
"Dashing," Tenten smiled, handing Hinata the money. "I hope you know the guys are going to get a kick out of these costumes," she said as Xin handed her the sweets. She gave Xin a hard look, searching for a strange tic or a certain coldness in her eyes but she saw nothing.
"What?" Xin asked.
Tenten shook her head, still smiling. "Nothing, you're just a pretty girl. I can see why Gaara's so enamored."
"Oh, hell," Karin scoffed.
That got Xin to roll her eyes. "Don't start that shit, please. We've been getting along so well lately. Plus, a dango skewer makes for a good weapon."
"I hardly think a dango skewer is going to hurt me," Karin chuckled, folding her arms across her chest.
"Maybe if it's got a bit of miko energy in it, it will. If I can purify an arrowhead, I think a skewer is a cakewalk," Xin winked. Hinata and Xin waved goodbye to their friends and they were left with getting back to work.
Karin and Tenten were quiet when they first left the bakery but it didn't last long. Tenten's expression was troubled. "You've been keeping that information to yourself."
"Yep, " Karin sighed.
"Why?"
"Because...because, everyone thinks poorly of Jun, I didn't want them to think she's trying to do something bad."
Tenten eyed the demoness warily. "She is trying to do something bad, Karin. Xin could cease to exist, meaning she'd be dead. That's not right and it's not fair to her." This was going to turn into a bad blow up. "I know you cared for her once upon a time but don't you care for Xin?"
"Of course I do!"
The brunette shook her head. "Defending Jun's actions says otherwise."
But there was no real way to stop Jun. If Karin was telling the truth, each time Xin was closer to dying, Jun was the one to pull her back from the edge. Jun was the one to push her back towards Hinata or Tenten's healings. But in exchange, there was a hole in Xin. A hole that Jun was slipping through, little by little.
If Jun pushed Xin over the edge and the younger miko ceased to exist, that gave Jun an empty body to inhabit.
"And are we so sure that Junko isn't influencing Hinata? That girl is getting scarier with each passing day," Tenten pointed out.
It was true, Hinata's cold disposition was unlike her. Of course she always had a colder temper but there was something sinister in her gaze just now. Something that just wasn't normal.
"If I'm being honest, I don't know at this point.
"Hold on, I got something from Rin."
Gaara grunted, far too busy yanking out the squirming demon's innards. Blood splashed everywhere, staining the snow the demon was half buried in. Naruto suddenly let out a cackle and darted towards Gaara, waving his phone around.
"Holy shit, man, look at this." Naruto shoved his phone into Gaara's face, showing him a picture of Hinata and Xin, dressed very festively like Christmas elves. "They've even got bells on their shoes! Shit, we've gotta see them, you almost done with murder for the night?"
Gaara snorted and rolled his eyes, still amused though. "Karin sent another text," he jerked his chin to the phone before turning his attention back to the half dead demon. Naruto glanced at the text before his face crumpled in thought.
He turned away from Gaara and called Karin. "Explain what that means, Rin." His voice turned hard, gaining Gaara's attention once more. Karin was speaking quickly over the phone, her words a jumbled mess. He hung up after a couple of minutes, expression hard.
"What is it now, Uzumaki? Another demon running around?"
Naruto made a low noise in his throat. "It's about the twins. Xin to be exact."
"Fuck's sake, what'd she do now?"
The blond shook his head, hands running through his hair. "It's about how strange she's been acting, you know, that we asked Karin about?" Naruto explained without really explaining. "Apparently every time Xin gets hurt the way she does, she's been closer and closer to dying."
Gaara's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Okay. Let's say this. There's that line between life and death. The reason she hasn't fallen over the line is because Jun stops her and pushes her back to Hinata or Tenten. But it's left a hole in Xin and Jun is…wriggling her way through."
Gaara wrenched his hand from the demon's stomach and slowly rose to his height. "And just how do we stop that?"
"I don't know, man, keep her from being reckless? Stop her from getting hurt?"
"Sorry, do you know Xin?" Gaara scowled angrily. He felt a dip in his gut, something that slithered up his ribcage. He knew those goddamn miko twins were bad for business. Jun and Junko were two fuckin menaces. "What about Hinata? Is it the same for her?"
"She hasn't shown any tics like Xin has with Jun but she hasn't been gutted as many times as Xin has. But that issue still remains."
Gaara sighed heavily, his big shoulders slumping. "Let me finish this…" he grumbled and turned back towards the demon dying in the snow. He made quick work of him, killing him effortlessly with a twitch of his arm.
They were quiet as they made their way to the bakery. The girls were the last ones, dutifully cleaning up. "You guys are—oh my God!" Hinata shrieked first at the sight of Gaara.
Xin came rushing out of the back, a kitchen knife held in her hand. "Hinata! Christ Almighty." She dropped her arm immediately.
"He's covered in blood, he surprised me!" Hinata waved a wild hand towards Gaara. "Honestly, Gaara, why on Earth are you covered in blood?"
"You want the details or..?" Gaara asked dryly.
"Very funny," Hinata huffed.
"Why the hell are you waving a knife around?" Naruto asked, settling down at the closest table.
"Hinata screamed, you think I'd come running out here without some way to defend her?"
"Are we forgetting that I'm also a miko?" Hinata asked.
"Course not," Xin pinched Hinata's cheek with a wry grin. "Now, Gaara, come here. Don't touch anything with your bloody hands. I just finished cleaning out here." He followed after her into the back without a fight. He laughed quietly at his obedience. "You can at least wash your hands, yeah?" She waved him over to the sink. "How bad was it?"
"He didn't put up much of a fight," Gaara shrugged, standing at the sink next to her. "Let me ask you something, Xin. How have you been feeling lately?"
She stared up at him, eyes open and trusting. "Feeling? I don't know. Okay, I guess." She shrugged an uncaring shoulder and leaned her hip against the sink. "Tired?"
"No, I mean…." Gaara took a deep breath. "You've been acting strange lately, Xin. These tics that aren't yours, this expression you get…it reminded Naruto of Jun."
Xin blinked up at him. "Jun?"
He nodded and stepped closer to her. "Remember when we had that conversation about two souls existing in one body?" His voice dropped into a whisper. She nodded slowly. "Every time you get hurt, Xin, Jun lends a helping hand to keep you from dying but there's a hole now. One that Jun's been leaking through."
"A hole?" Xin asked quietly. "Like…there's a hole in my soul?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Um." Xin's expression was tight. "That's…that isn't very good, huh?" She rolled her lips into her mouth. "Wow. I wasn't expecting that. Jesus Christ."
"Xin." Gaara caught her before she could go pacing. He cupped her face, getting blood all over her face but she couldn't focus enough. He drew his fingers down her jawline, coiling them around her chin. "Stop worrying, I—"
"You can't protect me from…me," Xin said before he could make another promise. She laughed softly, watery. "I know you mean well but this is something completely different."
He couldn't really argue that point. It's not like he could threaten or scare Jun. She was a dead miko rattling around somewhere in Xin's soul. There was no way he could protect her from that dead miko. The only thing he could do was keep her from getting hurt.
"I'm still going to protect you, Xin."
She smiled genuinely this time, letting out another laugh. It was more upbeat this time but still weak. "You're a stubborn bastard."
"Mm." Gaara chuckled and very gently kissed her. She sagged into him, reaching up to hold his wrists. She hummed appreciatively, glad to focus on something other than losing herself to Jun, and pressed harder against his mouth. He grunted as Xin licked and bit at his lips, sucking on his tongue.
The kiss grew heated as Xin clung to him, arms tight around his neck. The heated kiss shared between them became something completely different, something desperate. She cut her tongue and lips against his sharp teeth but she hardly seemed to care, kissing harder and harder.
"Oi! Gaara, we've got company out here!"
Gaara paused and peeled himself away from Xin. Her face was flushed terribly, her lips were bleeding and her jaw was streaked with demon blood. She panted and leaned her face against his chest. He stared down at her, somewhat caught off by her actions.
"Um…" she grumbled against his chest. "Sounds like you have another demonic visitor out there."
"Sounds like it," Gaara sighed. "It's my sister."
Xin picked her head up. "Temari's here? Why?"
"No idea," Gaara shook his head and turned towards the sink, busying himself with cleaning up the demon blood. "Come here, you've got blood all over your face."
"Thanks to you," Xin snorted but stepped closer, allowing him to wipe the bloodstains from her jaw. He was gentle with her mouth, dabbing at her bloody lips carefully. He chuckled but said nothing to her jab even though she cut herself by being too rough.
When he was satisfied with her appearance, he led her back out to the bakery's front. True to his word, Temari was patiently waiting for him. She smiled at the sight of Xin. "You didn't tell me you had a twin sister, Xin."
"Yeah, well, it slipped my mind since I was being…you know, tortured," Xin snorted. "Hi, Temari. What brings you to our humble realm?"
"She's a miko as well. Interesting," Temari nodded. "I'm here to….extend an invite."
"An invite to your own brother?" Hinata asked. She was a bit surprised that the lovely demoness was Gaara's older sister. But now that they were standing in the same room, she could see some shared similarities.
"To your sister as well."
"I'm sorry, what?" Xin cocked her head to the side. "An invite? An invite to what?" She looked back at Gaara but he was just as confused as she was.
"Temari, what the hell are you talking about?"
The blonde smiled and ignored her younger brother's irritable mood. "Mom decided she's well enough to integrate back into the public eye and she wants to throw a party. So..she wants Xin to attend since she's the one who healed her."
The bakery was silent. "Is that…is that wise?" Hinata asked slowly, eyes darting back and forth. "I mean, Temari, you're a lovely woman but I'm not sure my sister would be safe…"
"Your father punched me in the head. I'm surprised he didn't knock a tooth loose. I think I should pass," Xin folded her arms across her chest. She still wasn't a fan of Rasa, not that anyone could blame her and the last thing she wanted was to attend a party thrown by him.
"Yes, well. That's a fair point," Temari agreed easily.
Naruto cleared his throat. "Not that I don't agree with you, Xin but...it's probably better if you do go. Denying an invitation like that might not bode too well for you. It's a slight against Rasa and Karura."
"Our world functions on power and respect. You can't disrespect them by ignoring the invite," Temari stressed to the younger woman. She wasn't the least bit surprised that Xin wasn't warming up to the idea and that's why she'd been the one sent to talk her into it.
"I'm not a part of your world."
Temari scoffed. "That's where you're wrong, miko. Priestesses were put here to protect humans from demons. Without demons, you wouldn't exist. Besides that, you're involved with my brother. Just because he spends time here doesn't change the fact that he's from the demon realm. You can't have Gaara without having his realm."
Xin stared at the older blonde, having nothing to say for once. Temari eyed Hinata. "That goes for you as well. Gaara and Naruto aren't normal human men. If you want a relationship with them, you have to accept that they're demon men."
"Come on, Mari. Aren't you laying it on a bit thick?" Naruto asked, hand reaching for Hinata. He laid his hand against her waist, hoping to comfort her.
"She's right," Hinata said slowly.
"So you think I should go?"
"Oh, absolutely not," Hinata said immediately. "I don't think you should but if you have to…"
Gaara sighed heavily. "Does she?"
"Sorry to say but yes, she does. Mom's been gushing about her, everyone knows what you did, Xin."
Xin blinked and tilted her head up to look at Gaara. "Huh. So your mom likes me. That's actually a good thing, right?"
"It is, actually. That woman is scary as hell," Naruto snorted. But to be fair, she had to have a backbone when dealing with not only Rasa but Gaara as well.
Temari chuckled but she didn't deny that her mother could be scary. "The party is tomorrow night. You only have to show your face for a little while and then you can go, okay?"
Xin took a deep breath, there was no way she was getting out of this one. "Fine, okay. I'll come. Promise Rasa won't punch me in the head though."
"He won't," Temari said immediately, smiling. She was glad they didn't put up so much of a fight on this. She was convinced that Gaara would at least threaten her. Maybe Xin and Hinata's presence had something to do with his calm demeanor.
She left after that, stepping into a portal, feeling quite successful. Hinata and Xin waved her goodbye until the portal closed behind her.
Gaara eyed Xin on their walk back to the twin's apartment. She hardly seemed bothered despite the strange evening she just had but Temari's words weighed heavily on him. She had a point but he hadn't thought much on Xin's end.
If there was going to be something between the two of them, Xin would have to accept everything that came with him. The Demon Realm, his psychotic family, his reputation. He wasn't normal, he would never be. Would she be able to accept all the baggage that came with him? Would it even be fair to expect that of her? She didn't even have experience in dating, she was barely in her twenties.
"Hey, um, Gaara?" Hinata nudged at Gaara's side. "I know it's out of your control with what happens but please, don't let her get hurt like last time." Naruto and Xin were loudly bickering over the elves' costumes, completely missing Hinata and Gaara's quiet conversation. He looked down at the smaller woman. "I know it's a lot, asking you of this. I love my sister and she's reckless as it is and now that we know this mess with Jun…" she shook her head with a sad sigh. "I don't want her to get hurt, Gaara."
"I don't want her hurt either."
She hoped and prayed that Xin would be safe, going back into Rasa's domain. He clearly didn't like her and didn't have a problem with his demon underlings torturing her. Hell, he even punched her in the head. She just wanted her sister back and alive. And safe.
"I just…" she trailed off. "I can't lose her."
Gaara cupped the back of Hinata's head, trying to offer his own form of comfort. "I can't either, Hinata."
Xin was weak in the knees when Gaara pulled her out of the portal. "For shit's sake. That's never going to get easier, is it?"
Gaara laughed and wrapped his arm around her waist and patted at her head with his free hand. "Probably not."
"I hate it here."
"Funny, so do I."
She peeled her face from his chest and smiled up at him. "Well, that may never get easy but at least I have you, yeah?" She managed to get her arms around him, hugging him tightly.
Temari was suddenly there, clearing her throat. "I'm so glad you two could make it," she folded her arms across her chest. She'd never even seen another person hug Gaara like that. He wasn't shoving her away or shrugging her off or ignoring her. That was different.
Xin blew a raspberry. "Didn't have much of a choice."
"Very mature," Temari snorted. "Now come on, I've got something for you to wear. Helps you blend in." She reached for her hand.
"Not another Princess Leia outfit," Xin whined.
"I still don't know what that means."
"Pop culture reference, she's full of them. That and anime and manga. Don't put her in anything ridiculous." Gaara let her go, allowing his sister to pull the miko from his grasp.
She didn't make any promises but she pulled Xin away, vanishing down the hall. Gaara had no choice but to go find his parents, at least to let them know that he was here.
Karura was ecstatic to see him. "Gaara, I'm glad you're here!" she cheered while pulling him into a hug.
"I hardly had a choice. It's nice to see you up," Gaara replied.
"Where's your miko?" Rasa asked. He could tell by his tone that his father was annoyed. That made two of them, three if you counted Xin.
"Her name is Xin," Gaara said immediately, eyes already narrowed. Karura looked in between and sighed heavily. Not even five minutes in the same room and they were already glaring at one another.
"Did Xin come?" It was up to her to be the mature one.
"She didn't have much of a choice either. I hear you've been gushing about what she did?"
"Of course! She saved my life, she deserved to be gushed about."
"I'm not sure it's wise to throw her into a den of demons. She didn't exactly have a good time the last time she was here," Gaara cut his eyes accusingly at Rasa.
"That was last time, it'll be different this time. Now go freshen up and get ready," Karura spun her son around and ushered him out of the door. He didn't want to but he would if it would please her.
"I have to agree with the boy. That miko shouldn't be here," Rasa said the minute Gaara was out of earshot.
"He likes her."
"He shouldn't."
"But he does and that's what matters. My son has been miserable for years. He's more open now and I like that for him," Karura crossed her arms across her chest. They'd been arguing about Xin's presence ever since Karura suggested they invite her.
"You're too soft on him, Karura."
"You're too hard."
"He needs to be hard."
"Rasa, Gaara has done everything you've asked of him for literal years. I'm putting my foot down."
"It's a bit too late for that. He's already set in his ways."
Karura suddenly whipped around on Rasa. Black crept into the whites of her eyes and her eyes slowly bled into gold. "And who's fault is that? He was a gentle boy and you destroyed him while I was too weak to do anything."
Rasa wisely kept his mouth shut. Demons always assumed Gaara got his temper from him. It wasn't widely known just how similar he was to his mother.
"He's different with Xin around and I don't care that she's human. She doesn't and neither does Gaara. You worry for his reputation but demons whisper about hers. From what I've heard, she's no one to be trifled with and that's good enough."
The silence was deafening.
"What's with you and skirts with high slits?"
Temari smiled innocently. "They compliment the shape of your hips."
The miko rolled her eyes. "At least it's not a bra this time and I thought it was because of the funny way I'm shaped." She spun in a circle, modeling the low skirt and matching cropped halter top. Golden bangles adorned her wrists with matching anklets.
"I never said you were shaped funny. Just differently, you barely have any muscle definition. How does Gaara not…" Temari paused and tapped her chin in thought. "Hurt you? How does he not hurt you?"
Xin shrugged. "Maybe he does but I just like it," she chuckled with a salacious wink.
Temari sputtered, caught off guard. "What a cheeky priestess," she laughed after a second. "Is this outfit better? Less…Princess Leia?"
Xin hummed and spun in another circle, shaking her hips and jangling her jewelry. "Well, more along the lines of Princess Jasmine but I like it."
"Another…pop culture reference?"
"Gaara did say I'm full of them."
That got another laugh out of Temari. "I like you, miko."
"Do you? How about using my name more often? Friends usually use names."
"So we're friends then? What I said yesterday didn't offend you?" Temari asked, carefully brushing her hair. Xin was still dancing in front of the mirror, spinning on her heel and twisting her hips. "About accepting all that comes with Gaara?"
Xin's arms folded behind her and she drew her hands up through her hair, fluffing the ink-blue locks around her shoulders. "I wouldn't say it offended me. It's true anyway. I'd like to think we're friends, you're Gaara's sister after all."
Temari watched her quietly, eyeing the jagged scar stretched across her forearm and the shadows of scars across her back and stomach. She wasn't so sure if Xin really understood the dangers that would keep coming her way. "The scars, do they bother you?"
She spun in a circle before resting her eyes on Temari. They were unnatural, the demon suddenly realized. They were big and pure and far too trusting. But there was something else there. Something almost…hollow. She wondered if that had something to do with the dead miko hiding away in her.
"The scars? Oh. Well…" she looked down at the scar crawling up her forearm. "Not really. I mean, I've cut my hands up enough," she held them up to showcase the small scars from working in a bakery.
"But these scars are from demons, aren't they?" Temari brushed her fingers across the scars of her stomach. They ran across her stomach horizontally, most likely claws tearing through her. She wondered what demon was foolish enough to get that close.
Xin dropped her head, hair falling down her front and tickling Temari's hand. "They are," she replied after a moment. Her eyes flickered back up to Temari. "Those demons are dead."
Masaru was undead but those were small details.
Temari pulled her hand away. "Well, let's get going, hm? I bet the party is in full swing."
"Hopefully no one tries to eat me," Xin grinned, shaking the odd look away. Temari chuckled and shook off her odd feeling, linking her arm with Xin's to lead her out of her room.
"If no one wants to die tonight, you'll be fine. We made it clear that you're off-limits. Anyone who ignores those orders is disrespecting not only Gaara but Rasa and Karura as well."
"And me," Xin added with a quirk to her mouth.
"Of course. The smell of a purified demon is not pleasant so I'm sure we all want to avoid that."
"Oh, it's Xin!" Kankuro noticed the two women approaching first, a grin pulling his lips in a greeting. "I didn't think you'd actually come!"
Xin's grin was just as bright as Temari wordlessly passed her over to Gaara. "I think I pissed your dad off enough, it'd be rude to ignore an invitation, yeah?"
"We're not staying long," Gaara said. "You know I hate this shit and now I've got to make sure no one tries their luck."
"She's a miko, I'm sure she can handle it. Did you see what she did to Kenta?" Kankuro shuddered as Temari began leading them the rest of the way. She made a face at Kankuro, trying to tell him to shut up with her eyes but he missed it.
"What did she do to Kenta?" Gaara asked, arm settled over Xin's shoulders.
"She burned half of his face off," Kankuro replied, seemingly missing Temari's expression. "Apparently he was trying to eat her."
Gaara looked down at Xin. "Kenta attacked you?"
"Yeah, I think that's his name. Big behemoth, stupid looking in the face? I think he was trying to eat me. I think he wanted to…" Xin trailed off before making a face of disgust. "Have me."
A strange expression crossed Gaara's face. "Perhaps I'll find him and rip the rest of his face off."
"Let's try to avoid bloodshed, at least for tonight," Temari sighed, coming across the throne room. True to her word, the party was in full swing. Demons filled the entire room and for a split second, Xin felt nervous. She edged closer to Gaara, nearly tucking herself into his side.
"Come on, mom probably wants to say hello," Kankuro suggested, pointing to where their parents were. Music filled the room, surprising Xin as demons danced and socialized. It was almost…human.
Karura was looking healthier than ever, making Xin feel better. There was something warm in her chest when she realized just how she helped the older demon. The reason a miko existed was for the sake of helping, healing and protecting. It was a little strange to extend that kindness to a demon but she was a priestess. It wasn't her job to pass judgement.
"So the miko makes her appearance!" Karura grinned at the sight of her approaching children and miko in tow. "I'm so glad you decided to come."
Xin smiled pleasantly and decided not to be snarky with the older demoness. They both knew she had no say in the matter. "Karura, you're looking lovely. Are you feeling okay?" She offered a bow as a form of respect.
"So much better and we have you to thank for that, don't we, Rasa?" Karura elbowed the surly demon.
He eyed the miko, looking less than impressed. "I suppose we do."
"I bet that took a lot out of you just to say that right now," Xin grinned.
Rasa's eyes went cross and he glared down at her. Gaara wedged himself in between Xin and his father. "Xin, don't antagonize him. He's already shitty as it is," he scolded her, forcing her to take a step back from Rasa.
"Gaara," Karura scolded, patting him on the arm.
Temari smiled pleasantly. "Why don't we go enjoy the dancing, Xin? You seemed to like it when we were in my room."
"Oh, sure. Ah, Gaara?"
But he only waved her away, it would be fine if she stayed with Temari. "Go ahead, I don't dance."
She pouted but nodded. "Try not to purify any of my demons, miko," Rasa added, arms folded stoically across his chest. He was never one for parties but Karura liked them and that was good enough for him.
"Do you all keep calling me that because you forgot my actual name?" Xin whined but Temari was already pulling her through the throngs of demons.
"Is that really safe?" Kankuro asked warily. "A pretty miko dressed like that surrounded by demons? You don't think someone will be tempted?"
"If she gets eaten, it's her own fault," Rasa grumped. Karura glanced up at him, her expression stony while gold crept into her eyes. Gaara and Kankuro watched silently, knowing not to interfere when Karura was annoyed.
"Luckily everyone here has some self-control…" Kankuro said after a long pause. "I'm just being paranoid, she's fine."
Meanwhile, Xin was having an utter ball. It was surprising but she didn't let her guard completely down. She was sure not to get too close with the other demons, sticking mostly to Temari. She kept an eye out for Gaara as well, making sure he and Rasa were playing nice for the time being.
But, Temari warned her, they'd probably get into a verbal sparring match at some point. Karura would put an end to it, most likely, after letting them trade a couple of barbs. Kankuro would simply listen, quietly amused.
And she thought her family was a nightmare.
Xin spun in a circle, skirt fluttering around her legs to follow her movements. She caught a flash of red at the last second and immediately stopped, straining to see over the taller demons surrounding her. "Sasori!" she called over the music, knowing he would hear her regardless.
He noticed and turned in her direction, a look of surprise crossing his features before he settled back on his usual indifferent expression. Xin began navigating the crowd, ducking and dodging around demons. When she was close enough, the surly demon reached out for her hand, tugging her with ease out of the crowd.
She stumbled out of the jumble of bodies and knocked into him. "Sasori!" Xin wrapped her arms around him a surprise hug, face flushed prettily from all of her dancing. "I wasn't expecting to see you here."
"That makes two of us," Sasori replied blankly. She was still clinging to him. "Is it safe to be in a crowd full of demons?"
"Probably not."
"Ah. If you're not concerned then I suppose I'm not."
Xin chuckled, his disinterest amusing her. "You're not one for parties."
"I hate them but Chiyo insisted I come."
"Oh, same, same."
"Right and where is Gaara? I find it strange that he would abandon you."
"He doesn't dance so I was dancing with Temari. Besides, I'd rather not hang around Rasa anyway. I get the feeling the guy doesn't like me," she grinned and winked teasingly. Her arms were still wrapped around him.
"And did you figure that out before or after he punched you in the head?"
Xin laughed, thoroughly amused at the jab. "I've missed that dry wit of yours, Sasori," she admitted truthfully. He was one of the few demons who hadn't immediately looked down on her for being human. Maybe he had his thoughts of her being weak but he kept them to himself.
Sasori patted her on the head, grunting. "I suppose it's nice to see you as well. You're looking better and not half-dead," he replied with a slight quirk to his mouth.
"You didn't miss me?"
"Don't be silly, miko."
"Xin. Remember what I said last time? We're friends, you can call me Xin. What's with you demons and calling me that?"
Sasori shrugged and shifted, wondering when she would let him go. To the demons surrounding them, her hug probably seemed to be far more intimate than it actually was. He didn't need anyone getting the wrong idea about the two of them. "It's a demon thing," Sasori replied. "You need to let go now, Xin."
Her eyes brightened but she let go, her head tilted to the side. "Do you not like hugs?"
"That's not the point," he grunted and looked around. Some of the party-goers were indeed watching them but he realized they were mostly eyeing Xin. Most of them, surprisingly, were looking at her out of curiosity. He was positive that some were watching her for other reasons but they wisely kept their distance. "You're not mine to hug."
"Yours?" Xin asked with raised eyebrows. "What does that have to do with anything? Friends hug one another. It's platonic."
He actually laughed this time around. "You have much to learn when it comes to demons and our ways. Ask Gaara when you get a chance."
Xin pouted and roll her eyes in good nature. "Well, would you like to dance?"
"That probably isn't a good idea either."
"Oh, for fuck's sakes. It's just dancing, what's the point of me coming here if no one dances with me?" Xin grabbed his hand and pulled him back towards the crowd. He could have easily yanked away but he let her have her way.
Satisfied, Xin spun on her bare feet to face him and reached for his other hand. They began swaying but Xin was far more enthusiastic about it, gradually picking up her tempo. She twisted and twirled, hips swaying and feet moving easily under her.
Unbeknownst to her, Rasa was watching her. Not because he wanted to be bothered, he was more curious if the call of her pure flesh would be too tempting to a demon. Most of them ignored the temptation, Gaara's reputation seemed to do the trick. And hell, the miko's reputation played a part as well, Karura insisted.
"Are you sure the miko is unable to cast spells?" Rasa asked after a long moment, his arms folded across his chest.
Gaara glanced at his father and scowled. "I told you and she's told you a thousand times. No." Karura smiled secretly, noting that Gaara mirrored his father's stance, arms folded across his chest. Kankuro also took notice and shook his head.
"Really. I wonder how she managed to get Sasori, of all people, to dance with her." He watched in sheer glee as Gaara whipped around to face the crowd of demons. Sure enough, Xin and Sasori were dancing. Although to be fair, Xin was doing all of the dancing.
Sasori was holding on to her hands, twirling her at the right time but he mostly just swayed along to her more energetic dancing.
"Oh," Karura tapped her mouth in interest. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about."
Kankuro squeezed Gaara's shoulder, eyeing his younger brother. "It's innocent, Gaara. Sasori's hardly dancing, I think he's just keeping an eye on her."
"Perhaps she has an affinity for redheads," Rasa mused viciously. If his son was going to attack a demon for putting their hands all over his miko, at least it was someone who could hold their own.
Karura glared at him and roughly elbowed Rasa in the ribs. "Your brother is right, Gaara. He's keeping an eye on her."
"And what's Jura there for?" Rasa grunted from the force of his wife's blow. Sure enough, Jura had joined the two, grinning widely as Xin let go of Sasori to throw her arms around the brunet's neck. She rocked forward in her excitement and Jura lifted her clear off of her feet. "Popular girl."
"Rasa," Karura hissed, having quite enough. "Gaara, he's just—"
"He's gone, mom."
Gaara cut through the crowd with ease. His energy came rolling off of him in agitated waves. Sasori noticed him first and with a deep sigh, took a careful step away from Xin. Of course, she was far too busy hanging from Jura's neck.
Sasori cleared his throat and Jura finally looked up. "Gaara! Hey, man," his grin lost some of its brightness. Gaara didn't answer, gaze dropping to the arm anchoring her to Jura. "I was wondering where you were."
He dropped Xin back on her feet and she peered over her shoulder, arms still wrapped around his neck. "Gaara, hi!" she dropped her arms from Jura's neck and turned to face him. "You didn't tell me Jura and Sasori would be here too."
Gaara hooked his fingers under the bottom of her halter top, knuckles brushing against the bottom of her breasts, and guided her back towards him. "Is something wrong? What's with that look?"
"Enjoying your dancing?" Gaara asked instead of answering. "I thought you were dancing with Temari."
"I was but then I saw Sasori and he liked dancing with me and then Jura came along. I was going to ask him to dance with me too since you didn't want to."
"I never said I didn't, I said I don't dance."
"I'm sure the little Prince enjoys a different kind of dancing," Sasori chuckled in that dry tone of his. Xin only blinked up at him before she figured out the joke. "I'm sure she might as well, Princeling, with the way she moves her hips." Sasori vanished into the crowd just as Gaara reached a dangerous hand for him.
"My hips?" Xin blinked for the second time.
"Ignore him," Jura sighed.
Gaara was scowling but he let it go for the moment, he'd murder the older redhead later. "Come on, Xin. Enjoy the party, Jura." He grabbed Xin by the wrist and pulled her away. She managed to twist around and wave at Jura.
"Gaara? What Sasori said—about my hips?" Xin struggled in trying to keep up with the redhead as he navigated the crowd. She wasn't sure what his problem was and why he felt the need to usher her away, she was actually enjoying herself.
"Forget it, that bastard doesn't know when to fuck off," Gaara growled. "You were supposed to just dance with Temari."
She frowned in confusion. "When did we decide that? And what difference does it make if I dance with Temari or Sasori or Jura?"
Gaara came to a hard stop and Xin crashed into his back with a soft grunt. He whipped around, looking down at her to look her straight in the eye. "I know you don't like the idea of being objectified, Xin."
"Right, because I'm not an object."
"No but you are mine. Things are different in this realm, demons know that you belong to me. You can't dance that way with someone other than me."
"For fuck's sake, what way? And I asked you to dance and you said no! I'm supposed to just sit around? It's a party!"
"I didn't say no, Xin."
"You didn't say yes!" Xin yanked her hand away only to throw both of them up. "How's anyone supposed to know I'm yours? Me dancing with Sasori makes me his?"
He glared down at her, gold creeping into the blue of his eyes. She glared right back but took a deep breath, trying to remember that things were different in this realm. "Okay, how about this?" the miko reached for his hands and pulled him closer. "Just a little dancing, yeah? Just sway with me. You can do that, right?"
He didn't answer, way too focused on the rhythmic sway of her hips. She pressed closer and guided his hands to her hips, leaving them there. "Looks like you're dancing to me," Xin teased with a twinkle in her eyes, leaning up on the tips of her toes. Her hands rested against his chest, using him as leverage to remain on her toes.
Xin brushed her lips against his, slowly and teasingly but pulled away with a harsh jerk. She smiled and gave him a cheeky wink before spinning away, laughing as she vanished into the crowd.
Gaara's eyes were liquid gold but Xin hardly noticed, already spinning her way into Temari's arms.
This was, of course, witnessed by the rest of Gaara's family. They were quiet for several seconds before Kankuro broke the silence. "Well, he's definitely under her spell but I don't think she casted it the way you thought."
"She's a tricky one, isn't she?" Karura asked around an amused smile. "He's met his match, hasn't he?"
"Unfortunately, I think he has," Rasa agreed impassively.
Xin was absolutely exhausted when the party finally came to a close. There were demons everywhere, sleeping where they pleased. She found that odd but decided not to question it, carefully stepping over slumbering bodies with Temari's help.
Gaara hadn't been so amused with her teasing and watched her every move, sending warm shivers up and down her spine. She kept her distance, opting instead to dance with Temari.
"I think Suna likes you," Temari said with a smile, guiding her towards her family.
"Gee, let's hope they like me enough not to try to kill me."
"Stick with Gaara and you'll be fine."
Xin chuckled but her laughter gradually died down the closer she got to Gaara. He was waiting for her, arms folded across his chest and his golden eyes dark with some emotion she couldn't quite place.
"Ah, Karura…" Xin tore her eyes away from Gaara, blushing all the while. Heat crept up the back of her neck. "Thank you for inviting me. I'm glad I didn't get eaten."
Karura laughed and took the miko's hands. "We made it very clear that you weren't to be harmed. I'm glad everyone listened. Did you enjoy yourself?"
"I did, actually. I hope you enjoyed yourself as well."
There was a mischievous twinkle in the older demoness's eyes. "Oh, quite, miko. I really enjoyed myself. I believe my family did as well."
"Oh? Is that true, Rasa?"
Rasa eyed the miko. "More than you can imagine, miko."
"I'm missing something here, aren't I?"
Kankuro patted her on the back, shaking his head. "Believe me, you're missing a lot of shit. You'll figure it out soon enough, I'm sure."
She blinked up at him for a long moment before finally turning to Gaara. She smiled slowly and apologetically, knowing damn well he wasn't amused with her earlier antics. He said nothing, opting to take her hand and with a hard grunt to his family, led her away.
Xin waved goodnight to them but turned back around, hurrying after him on shorter legs. "Ah, Gaara?" she asked around a nervous giggle. "Are we not going back to my realm?"
"Not yet," he grunted, guiding her back towards his rooms. She didn't object but she was wondering what the hold up was. Gaara made it seem like he wanted to leave as soon as possible.
The two ducked into the safety of his rooms, Xin nearly colliding into Gaara when he abruptly stopped. He whirled around her and she took one hesitant step back, eyebrows raised. His eyes were still liquid gold. Like before, energy rolled off of him but it was different this time. The energy was hot and heavy, loaded with something she couldn't quite place her finger on.
Desire.
It was desire, she realized mutely and it made her stomach tighten. Her knees went weak and she took another careful step back. "Are you mad at me?"
His eyes darkened into a pretty molten gold but it only made her hot on the inside. "You like playing games with me, Xin?" Gaara rasped down at her, stepping closer to bridge the gap she put between the two of them.
The tight feeling in her stomach was almost unbearable. "I wasn't…it was just a little teasing.." Xin trailed off, face flushing at the grit of his voice.
He cupped her chin and roughly wrenched her head back, golden eyes clashing with lavender. "I hate teasing, Xin."
"Oh? Everybody loves a little teasing…" Xin said after a moment, her face getting darker by the minute.
"A little teasing will get you into a lot of trouble," he rumbled down at her. There was something about the deep scrape of his voice that did something to the pool of liquid fire gathering in the pit of her stomach. It dipped down below her hips, causing her knees to nearly give out.
He pulled at her chin, guiding her on the tips of her toes to rest her entire weight against him. She whispered his name but he ignored her, finally kissing her with a slump of his big shoulders. He tried to be gentle, he always tried to be gentle with her but it wasn't his nature.
The heat of their kiss grew and grew and the distance between them shrank away into nothing. Xin strained on the tips of her toes against him, groaning as he licked and bit his way into her mouth, tongue curling around hers.
Never breaking their kiss, Gaara blindingly led her backwards until he found the edge of the bed. He carefully sat down, guiding her down on top of him with a hard grunt. She spread her legs to accommodate the width of his hips under her and wrapped her arms around his neck.
The heat below her hips was becoming unbearable and with a harsh grunt, she grinded her hips into his. She let out a shuttering gasp, face becoming hot at the arousal between her legs. "Gaara—un—the last time we did this—"
"That was last time, Xin," he growled ferally, hands grabbing hard at her hips. "Shut up and don't stop."
Pressure gradually built as she rocked and twisted her hips, groaning when Gaara's arousal made itself known between her thighs. He reached blindly at the back of her shirt, undoing the knot around her neck and back that held the fabric secured to her body and tugged it away.
"Come on, Xin," Gaara rasped as she focused on working herself against him. Her lips trembled and she whimpered, too focused on the growing ache. "That's my girl. That's a good girl."
His voice was nearly enough to do her in and she let out a long whine, head tilting backwards. Gaara watched for a long moment, watching as her breasts bounced and her hips grinded down on top of him. He buried his face into her breasts, muffling a low moan against her skin.
He licked and bit at her breasts, leaving behind bruises that began to bloom almost immediately. Her nipples hardened in pleasure and he licked a rough trail along her breast, tongue twisting and twirling around her nipple. He licked and scraped at her nipples until her skin shined bright.
Blindly, the demon reached for her skirt, drawing the long cloth up and away before slotting his hand in between them so that she was grinding against his fingers instead. She gasped hard when he crooked his fingers, fingers rubbing against her clit.
Gaara continued to nip and lick at her breasts, hand pushing aside her underwear. She stopped her frantic rocking, muscles tightening as he drew his fingers up and down her slit, smearing her slick along her puffy lips. She rested her forehead against his shoulder, eyes closed tightly when he finally, finally pinched her clit and twisted one good time.
Xin's orgasm ripped so hard through her that her body shook. She moaned, loud and long and clutched at him, digging her nails into his flesh. Gaara chuckled, low and dark as she panted against his throat. "Un—fuck."
Gaara dropped his arms down to her waist and wrapped her up tightly. He was still chuckling even as he kissed along her jaw. "That's all the energy you got?"
She slowly sat up with a huff. "Are you going to let me touch you now? You didn't let me last time." He ran his hands up and down her naked back, humming appreciatively at the feel of her soft breasts against his chest. "I just want you to feel good."
She still didn't understand that she could do whatever the fuck she wanted to him and he'd let her. Maybe it was cruel of him to keep that tidbit from her.
She began to climb off of his lap but paused when someone cleared their throat behind her. She turned to see an unfamiliar demon standing at Gaara's door and blanched as the demon shamelessly eyed her naked breasts.
She crossed her arms over her chest and quickly ducked behind Gaara, pressing herself into his back to hide from the other demon's prying gaze. Gaara's eyes flashed dangerously. Now was not the time. "What?" he snarled savagely. He wondered just how long the demon had been standing outside of his rooms, listening. He was going to kill the motherfucker.
"Excuse the intrusion," he was staring over Gaara's shoulder before quickly finding something else to look at. "Rasa and Karura would like to see you."
Gaara stared at the demon with a blank expression. "Now?"
"I'm afraid so…"
"You've got to be fuckin' joking," he grumbled angrily. He stood up and looked down at Xin but she was busily pulling one of the pillows over her chest. "I'm going to have to take you somewhere where no one's around if I ever want my way with you," he said and cupped her face.
Xin grinned at him. "And I can have my way with you."
That got him to laugh. He leaned over and kissed her deeply, relishing the feeling of her plump lips. She rolled forward on her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck, forgetting about the demon who'd gone back to staring at her. Before the kiss could escalate any further, Gaara roughly pulled away, leaving her with bruised and puffy lips.
"Don't go anywhere, Xin. I'll be back."
"Where am I going to go?"
"I don't know, I've been told you jumped out of the window the last time you were here," Gaara threw over his shoulder. Xin snorted as he turned away. He snatched the demon up by the throat as he walked by him and shook him hard. "Something catch your eye?" he snarled and yanked the demon out of sight.
She was alone for a good five minutes before a familiar figure made an appearance. Matsuri stared down at Xin, an unreadable expression across her face as she studied the half naked miko.
"Matsuri! For fuck's sake!" Xin blinked up at the other woman, obviously disturbed. "Can I help you with something? The fuck are you standing there like that?"
The brunette didn't immediately answer but she stepped into the room, approaching Xin quietly. "You said there was nothing between you two and yet I find you in his bed, half naked and waiting."
Xin folded her arms across her chest and searched for her discarded shirt. "Things change."
Matsuri made a humming noise. "You're a foolish human, miko."
"Yeah?" Xin sighed heavily, in no mood. "Why's that?"
"You've fooled yourself into thinking he has actual feelings for you, haven't you?"
"Matsuri—"
"This is obviously about sex, about bedding a miko. He just wanted to try something new but it'll wear off eventually. I know him in ways you don't, miko."
"Is Xin really that hard of a name to remember—"
"He'll get tired of you and your baggage. As soon as he fucks you, he'll be done with you. You can't possibly believe he has any other interest in you, can you? You, a human? Perhaps he just wants to know what it feels like to be with a virgin."
"Like he doesn't have his own baggage I have to put up with—"
"It must be embarrassing, being as old as you are and still so untouched but I suppose I can see the appeal that comes with bedding a virgin. Tell me, no human man was interested in you so you had to try your luck with demon men?"
"Honestly, I have the worst luck—"
"You're hardly even his type," Matsuri ran her eyes over the miko. Bruises were beginning to bloom across her chest and hips. It made her stomach twist and roil. She couldn't believe Gaara would willingly put his hands on this girl.
"What's his type?"
"Me, of course," Matsuri huffed, crossing her arms across her chest. They were opposites in every way. She was tall, tan and lean with slim and toned curves. Xin was short, pale and a little too curvaceous. He couldn't possibly prefer Xin over herself. "We've been together for a long time."
"But…you're not now because he's kind of…you know…with me—"
"No relationship is perfect but I'm what he knows. He'll tire of you and come back to me."
Xin nodded slowly. "Yeah, okay. If I didn't read manga and watch anime, I'd have fallen for this shit. I know what you're trying to do, Matsuri."
The brunette stared at her and folded her arms. "I'm simply warning you so that you may avoid embarrassing yourself any further."
"No, you're trying to make me insecure and doubt myself. Nice try but no dice," she shrugged carelessly.
Matsuri's face twisted something awful. "Don't you understand? You're not fit to be with him! You don't belong here, miko."
"And you're suddenly in charge of making his choices?" Xin asked with raised eyebrows. "He's old enough to make his own decisions, Matsuri and so am I," Xin waved her anger off. "But that aside, I do have a bone to pick with you," she finally found her discarded top and busied herself with retying it into place.
Matsuri's arms tightened across her chest. "Oh?"
"You and Masaru had me kidnapped and brought here the first time around, right?" The edges of Xin's eyes began to glow eerily. "Let's talk."
"Why exactly did you feel the need to rip his eyes out?" Temari stood with her two younger brothers just outside of their parent's rooms, staring down at the demon who was now missing his eyes. Thick rivulets of blood gushed from the demon's empty sockets as he blindly reached out.
"He was staring at Xin."
"Half of Suna stared at her tonight, what makes him so different?" Kankuro asked but he was clearly more amused than his sister. Honestly, they should just put the demon out of his misery already.
"She wasn't wearing a shirt."
Kankuro grinned deviously. "No wonder you left in such a hurry."
"Fuck off, Kankuro."
Temari shook her head. "Well, the party was a success so that's good," she said in an attempt to change the subject. Honestly, their parents didn't need to summon them to discuss everything at that point. It could've waited. "Since no one tried to kill Xin, it's safe to say your reputation is untarnished."
"Even though you've got the hots for a human," Kankuro snickered. He genuinely liked Xin so he was glad no one was actively trying to kill her. She seemed like a good time when she wasn't being hunted down.
They left the eyeless demon behind, he'd either pick himself up or he'd bleed to death. It wasn't any of their concern anymore. Hopefully if he did survive, he learned his lesson for his troubles.
"According to mom, she has her own reputation. I suppose it's not every day a human miko comes here only to make a fool out of Rasa," Gaara shrugged though he was pleased with Xin's actions. If Xin was a weak-willed human, it wouldn't bode well for her.
Xin being a human was bad enough but if she were weak, she would've been killed immediately. She wouldn't have been given the chance to make a fool out of Rasa. Regardless, now that she showed her strong will, she'd have to be more careful than ever.
After tonight's party, there was no more speculation about his relationship with the miko. Whether he was bored or not, it was obvious their relationship was more than a friendship or a guardianship. Their relationship was amorous, that much had been made clear with both of their actions.
She could be potentially used against him if someone decided they had a bone to pick with him. If that ever happened, he felt a little better that she wouldn't be killed off so easily. Rasa was powerful in his own right and she managed to evade his wrath long enough until Gaara was able to get to her.
He felt some relief knowing that.
And then he felt a surge of spiritual energy.
The trio of siblings came to a slow pause as the energy pulsed dangerously. "That didn't take long," Kankuro chuckled. Honestly, he wasn't all that concerned, not after seeing Xin knock a demon's jaw clean off of his face. Temari shot him a look but said nothing, following quickly after Gaara.
When they turned the corner that led to Gaara's rooms, Matsuri was stumbling out. She staggered into the wall and nearly dropped to her knees. Smoke billowed from her wrist and the smell of burnt flesh assaulted them.
"Matsuri?" Temari called first.
Xin stepped out of the room at the same time, eyes glowing with pure energy. She paid no mind to the three demons watching her, stepping closer to Matsuri and watching with an impassive gaze as the demoness finally slumped to the floor.
The miko bent at the waist and reached a hand out towards the demoness, the tips of her fingers glowing brightly. "Uh.." Kankuro trailed off. He'd seen what a bedraggled Xin could do to a demon fighting back, he could only imagine what she could do at that very moment, healthy and strong.
"Xin."
Gaara snatched Xin's wrist, hauling her towards him. She stumbled on her feet and the energy at her fingertips died away. Her eyes rolled strangely in her head before she looked up at him. The glow emanating from her eyes gradually faded away. "What are you doing?" Gaara snapped down at her.
She pulled her wrist away and shook her hand out, as if shaking the last bit of spiritual energy from her hand. "Nothing, just having a talk with Matsuri."
Kankuro shouldered by the two and helped Matsuri to her feet. He studied her wrist, making a face at the sight of her burnt flesh. If Xin held on any longer, she would've burned right through Matsuri's wrist. He whistled slowly, impressed. "This is more than a talk, Xin. It's pretty nasty."
"What was the reason? Don't tell me you were fighting over Gaara," Temari said with raised eyebrows. She was pretty sure both women were a little more mature than coming to blows over a man.
Xin rolled her eyes. "Of course not. We were talking about how she and Masaru had me kidnapped and brought here in the first place. Remember? You know, when I was tortured and nearly eaten and molested?" She wasn't going to kill Matsuri, if that's what they were so concerned about. It was supposed to be meant as a warning, to show her that she wasn't to be taken so lightly this time around.
Gaara stared down at her, weighing his options. On one hand, that's exactly how his reputation grew. In their world, it was about showing, not telling and Xin took it upon herself to show Matsuri, Kenta and even Masaru or Rasa that she wasn't to be underestimated. On the other hand, he wasn't sure how he felt about her demonstrating her prowers on Matsuri.
Sure, things were rocky between them but they were friends, once upon a time. A small part of him still insisted on caring about her to some degree. He scowled, feeling as if he was trapped in between both women.
He squinted, trying to figure out if this had something to do with Jun or if it was all on Xin. She didn't have that cold, detached look in her eyes that came with Jun's presence. She was irritated more than anything and maybe even a little smug, clearly feeling as if she proved her point. That was a relief, at least.
Or maybe it wasn't such a relief. Karura insisted several times that night that Xin had her own reputation building up. He wasn't sure what to make of his strange feelings at that moment. He was proud of Xin's almost casual display of power but she was a miko. She was here to do good, to be good. To heal and protect.
Was this his fault? Was he a terrible influence on her?
There was a soft whisper against the shell of his ear, "Yes."
TeeBeMe: Oh, Gaara. Finally growing a conscious. Don't worry though, Xin will always have a bit of bad in her, no matter what AU takes place. I also like to think that Karura would have a difficult temper if pushed far enough. We love badass women here.