Chapter 38 - In Another Life

. . .

"Man...are you sure about this?"

"Yeah, I am. But if you're not interested…"

"No! No, I am! I swear. Just…"

"She won't be happy about it, I know."

"I've put her through a lot already."

"It's your decision."

He swallowed, running a hand through his hair. It was loose today. I'd caught him after showering and he hadn't had time to style it. He was hesitant, but he nodded.

"Okay, how much time do I have?"

"I'm going in two days, with or without you."

He nodded again, "Right."

I stood, still not steady on my feet but managing. A solid night's sleep helped. It had been months where my rest hadn't been disturbed. I made to leave but a hand on my arm stopped me.

"What about Hiei?"

Hiei...I didn't want to think about Hiei right now. "What about him?" I asked, voice cold.

Before Yusuke could answer I stalked from the room. I'd chosen to take Yusuke so Hiei and I could go our separate ways. If Ren had managed to do it with Makoto, I could do it with him too. I felt like I was playing a game of hot and cold with him. Just days ago I had wanted to try to have...something with him. That having him one way was better than not at all. But while a part of me still believed that was true...a much bigger part knew it would end with someone hurt. And that one would probably be me.

Hitomi had agreed to this change in the plan. There was only one last kink to work out - Keiko. I didn't want Yusuke to leave without at least saying goodbye to her. Knowing him, he'd say nothing just so she wouldn't worry.

"Hey." I almost walked by him. I don't know when he came back or why he was bothering me now, but I had enough shit on my plate.

I pursed my lips and paused. I folded my arms across my chest, defensive. "What can I do for you, Amano?"

"Back to that again, huh?"

I just glared at him. "Where did you crawl out from?"

He shook his head and sneered at me, "Alright, Morimoto. If that's how it's gonna be…"

He couldn't bait me. When he began to walk away I didn't chase him. I just stared at his back. Something had changed. He looked the same as always. Short, buzzed black hair. Skin tight white t-shirt, fitted jeans, black boots. He was broad shouldered and tall - all the same.

"What happened?" I asked. I didn't chase him. If he answered that was fine. If he didn't, I would walk away and not look back.

He stopped, hands shoved into his pockets, back slouched. I heard him sigh, as if defeated. "I just came back from Reikai."

He couldn't see it, but my eyes had widened. It took a lot out of me not to fly off the handle. I thought he was on the run? He'd been hiding out here all these months, hadn't he? Liar! I thought. Ren had always been a goddamned liar!

If my energy had returned to me it would have flared with my anger. He still turned to stare at me as if it had.

"I went with Koenma," he said.

"Of course you did."

His lips turned into a thin line, "Don't be that way."

"What way?" I asked, though I knew exactly what he meant.

He stalked back towards me. His hands left his pockets so he could wrap them around my waist. I should have struggled. But I wanted to see what he would do.

He leaned in close, "He'll never love you like I do."

My eyes narrowed. "What does that have to do with anything?"

His lips dragged across my cheek, brushing against my ear. He whispered, "He'll never know you like I do. I've invested everything into you, Kasumi."

I shivered. This was dangerous. If anyone were to see…

What did it matter? I thought. But Ren was wrong. Hiei...Hiei knew far more than he did. Except...all of that was gained by unjust means. Violating my mind...digging through my memories - none of that was right.

Ren's hands tightened and I was so close, we were nearly chest to chest. I flushed a bright red and took a deep breath of his cologne. Then I shoved him away. He stumbled but was quick to right himself.

He released a dark laugh, "You should at least thank me."

"Why?"

"Go talk to Koenma, you'll figure it out."

When he turned and walked away I let him leave this time. My skin was still hot from his touch, his saliva had cooled on my cheek. I wiped it off with the corner of my sleeve. I kept staring down the hall long after he'd left.

What he'd said…

I knew it was true.

Hiei would never love me like he did. Hiei would never love me at all.

I turned on my heel and walked off in the opposite direction. I would do as Ren said. Koenma couldn't be far. I'd choke the answers I needed out of him if I had to.

. . .

It didn't take much searching. The prince was right where I knew he would be. He was holed up with Genkai and my uncle. No amount of knocking on my uncle's study door did me any good. They had all refused to answer and it was locked from the inside.

Assholes.

If my energy had returned I'd just blast a hole through the damn thing. They were lucky.

A sudden rumble through the compound had the hairs on the back of my neck rising. An earthquake?

No...this was much worse.

I ran with all the speed I could manage weakened as I was. I had just seen him less than an hour ago. How could this happen already? And what the hell had caused it this time?

I took stairs two at a time, hauling myself through the door to the upper levels of Takahiro's compound. I had my answer soon after.

It was like some kind of spectator sport for these people. Even Kazuma was standing there, but at least he had the sense to look scared out of his mind. Yusuke and Kurama were probably the only reason my ex-partner wasn't dead.

And Hiei...shit. I hadn't seen him so enraged since that night he'd bitten me.

What the fuck was going on?!

I approached with caution. The heat had made the air hazy and Ren was covered in burns. I could tell just from a glance that some of them would scar, even with his powers.

No one had noticed me yet. I was about to speak up, perhaps defuse the situation entirely. That was, until the fire demon said something that completely shut me up.

"Why do you smell like her?!"

I took a step forward. Could he really detect something like that? Why did he act so goddamn jealous? He had no right...no right at all to act this way.

Kurama was the first to see me and he gave his head an imperceptible shake - a warning. I would just make things worse.

Hiei had Ren lifted by the collar of his shirt. The other man was so tall that he couldn't lift him entirely off the floor.

Ren laughed, flashing his teeth. They were covered in blood. He sucked at them and spit a glob of it at Hiei's feet. The fire demon's eyes flicked to the floor and then back up to the man's face. The next time Hiei punched him Ren spit out a tooth.

"Hiei, just let him go."

Yusuke was ignored. If it wasn't for the plant wrapped around the demon's legs courtesy of Kurama, Ren might have been dead already.

I decided to forget about Kurama's warning. I stepped around Kazuma, who was still standing there with his mouth hanging open. Kurama's face twisted as if he were going to yell at me but then I stepped into Hiei's line of sight.

"He smells like me because we had an interlude in a janitor's closet earlier."

Eyes darkened with a righteous anger pinned me in a heated stare. "You're lying," he said.

I raised an eyebrow, "Am I?"

His nostrils flared. His eyes told me he didn't want to believe me. But he was so irrationally angry I knew he wouldn't take the time to consider it.

Of course I wouldn't sleep with Ren now.

But Hiei didn't know that.

Ren had started to laugh. This idiot must want to die. I almost couldn't blame Hiei for wanting to kill him. But it wouldn't be over me. And it wouldn't be like this.

I don't know when situations like this had become the norm. I was calm in the face of his rage. It had been directed at me so often I wore it like an old, comfortable sweater.

I shook my head at him and frowned. I needed a cigarette...and a stiff drink. I could at least fix one of those cravings.

I reached into my jeans' pocket and pulled out the pack Yusuke had given me for my birthday. I placed the tobacco in my mouth, cupped my hand over the end, and lit it with a lighter.

I took a long drag and blew the smoke towards the two still locked together in front of me.

"We gonna talk about this like adults?" I asked.

Hiei looked like his head was about to explode. But Ren, jesus, Ren only laughed harder. I had a hard time keeping a straight face myself. This was how I'd always been. A stubborn asshole.

I flicked ash onto the floor and that was when I moved.

I dug the burning end of the cigarette into the back of Hiei's hand, the one holding Ren. He dropped the other man. At the same time Kurama's plants retreated. He didn't care about my safety. I'd dug my own grave, now I could lie in it.

I wasn't strong enough to take him now. Hiei would wreck me in a second. I fully expected to be pummeled into the floor. But he didn't even touch me. He just stood there glaring at me, rubbing the stain of the cigarette from his hand.

"You'll never be good enough for her," Ren said from the floor. He still had some lip left to give, apparently.

"Shut up Ren," I snarled. My eyes never left the fire demon's. I couldn't read him. I'd spent so much time around him and I still couldn't read him. It aggravated me.

"I thought this was over and done with," said Yusuke.

Me too, I thought. I don't know what had happened while Ren was gone. His new found courage and sudden change of heart concerning me was a total one-eighty. We were back where we started.

"I don't have time for this," I spat. I went to walk away. Let the idiot get himself killed.

I didn't expect to have a hand fisted in my hair. I was torn backwards and I couldn't help the scream that left my throat.

I was dragged to the floor and when I went to stand up he only wrapped it around his hand tighter. I reached up, trying to pull the strands from his grip. He walked around me, twisting my hair further until there was no hope of me pulling it free.

He knelt so we were face to face. His eyes were wild. I should be afraid. But I only thought how exciting that look was.

Maybe I had as much of a death wish as Ren did.

Hiei's free hand reached for my face. Fingers brushed my bottom lip, pulling it downwards, dragging saliva down my chin. "Did he touch you here?" His voice was hushed, barely a whisper. Everything went dead silent.

Those same fingers ghosted down my neck, "Here?" My breath hitched in my throat.

My left breast was next, "Here?"

When his hand came to cup my center his voice had turned into a growl, "Here?"

"I'm not all that into voyeurism," I said. I gave nothing away. I kept the same attitude I had during this entire encounter - like none of it mattered. Like it was some big joke.

I gave Ren a warning glare over Hiei's shoulder. The other man was shaking he was so angry. But I didn't care that Hiei was touching me. Let him. I was just a whore to him anyway.

"Let her go, Hiei." Kurama's voice was gentle, calm. Hidden beneath was not fear but well tamed anger. I knew that anger was not for the man that held me captive. It was for me. He thought I'd betrayed his friend. His words held a double meaning.

Maybe I had betrayed him.

But I needed to move on...and so did he.

I raised an eyebrow at the fire demon, "You gonna do something with that hand or are we gonna sit here all day?"

The hand at my crotch fell away. He cocked his head to the side, eyes still angry but everything else was hidden from me. He still hadn't let go of my hair. I made a decision then. It might just be the perfect symbolism for the situation.

My hands were free and Hiei was too busy studying my face to notice. I don't know why he didn't just read my mind to find the truth. Or maybe he had and it hadn't satisfied him any.

I reached behind my back and then rose my arm swiftly upwards.

The knife I had hidden in the back of my jeans cut straight through my hair like it was butter.

He stumbled back, stunned. He still held the majority of my hair in his hand. His fist opened and it tumbled out, falling to the floor like a silken waterfall.

"Holy shit," I heard Yusuke hiss.

I stood to my full height and ran a hand through what remained of my hair. It would need to be fixed. The ends were uneven and jagged, some shorter than the rest.

I'd gotten a reaction out of the fire demon at any rate. He stood there wide eyed - horrified. He had always had a thing for my hair.

"Shit Kasumi," breathed Ren.

Kazuma stood there gaping at me. I smiled at him, telling him it was okay. Too bad Shizuru wasn't here...she could have fixed it for me.

I adjusted myself, figuring the situation was well over. I stuffed my hands into my pockets, turned, and walked away. No one stopped me this time.

As I passed Yusuke I said, "Two days." He just nodded, stunned like everyone else.

When I was out of earshot, I turned a corner and slid down the wall to the floor. I clapped a hand over my mouth to suppress the dry sobs that I couldn't stop. A hand clenched over my chest, above my heart, bunched up in my shirt as if I could rip it out. I had always taken pride in my hair.

And worse...during this entire event I'd come to realize something.

Two things actually - first, Ren wasn't the enemy I had wanted him to be this whole time.

And second…

I was hopelessly, irrevocably, painfully in love with Hiei the fire demon. And that love would make the world come crashing down around me.

. . .

Snip...snip...snip.

I stopped, turned from side to side, frowned. Snip...snip...snip.

There...that would do. It was much shorter than I would have liked, only a little longer than Yusuke's when it was loose. I set the scissors down and picked up the electric beard trimmer I'd stolen from Takahiro. The noise filled my ears as I shaved the back of my neck. More hair fell to the floor. The sink was already covered with it.

What did they call this hairstyle? An undercut…?

I did the best I could by touch, going slow so I didn't shave the entire back of my skull. When I was finished I rinsed the razor in the sink and cleaned up my mess.

When I looked up...it was to see a different person there. I pushed my fringe back, out of my face. The scar through my eyebrow stood out more.

I looked like a boy…

Sighing, I turned the water as cold as it would go and splashed it over my face. It was time for a fresh start. The hair was just part of that.

"Looks good like that."

I was amazed I stopped myself from jumping out of my skin. But I had picked up the scissors and was brandishing them at him like a makeshift weapon.

With humour in his tone he said, "Koenma is ready to see you now."

"Oh is he?" I rolled my eyes and set the scissors back down. I brushed past my uncle and took a seat in the only chair available.

He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. His muscles bulged, the tattoos moving as if they were trapped beneath his skin. He cocked his head at me, a question in his eyes.

"What?" I snapped.

"You need to pick one."

My lips turned into a thin line. I knew exactly what he was talking about. "I don't want either of them."

"Bullshit," he said.

"Okay, correction - I can't handle either of them."

He chuckled, "If anyone can it's you."

I just shook my head. The scales had already tipped in one of their favor. But I couldn't do it. It was like my heart had betrayed me. This might have been the universe's master plan, but I didn't want to play these games.

"That's not what's important right now," I said.

"You're right, good to know it hasn't gone to your head."

He pushed off from the wall and clapped a large hand onto my shoulder. "Come on kid, let's go."

I followed behind him at my leisure. I was in no rush to see the prince. I wanted some answers...but I had a feeling I wouldn't get what I wanted.

The trek to Takahiro's study took less time than I was hoping and then he was opening the door. I wasn't ready. What would he have to tell me? Why was he even here? What had he been doing with Ren?

Speaking of my ex-partner, he was there too. He'd claimed a seat by the fireplace, legs crossed and a sour look on his face. He was still pretty beat up. He'd healed most of the damage. Still...he was sporting a nice shiner and as I had expected some of the burns had scarred. His left cheek was a mess. I could see another burn scar peeking above the collar of his now clean shirt. There were probably others as well.

When he noticed me he quickly averted his eyes. Good...he should be ashamed of himself. He'd promised me..he'd promised he would stop this nonsense.

What had changed his mind?

"Yo!" Koenma waved. I wondered how annoying it was to talk around that pacifier he always had stuck in his gob.

"You called, your majesty," I said sarcastically, bowing at the waist.

"I'm here to tell you everything," he said. He chose to ignore my attitude. That was probably for the best.

I took a seat across from him and as far from Ren as I could manage. Koenma had taken up a spot behind Takahiro's large ornate wooden executive desk. He sat with his legs crossed and his hands steepled in front of him. He didn't look any different than the last time I'd seen him. He was wearing the same outfit even.

"Everything?" I asked, skeptic.

He nodded, "I'm overthrowing my father and claiming the throne of the Reikai."

"HUH?!"

"It's come to my attention that he's been involved in some...untoward behaviors."

"Like what?" I asked.

"That's neither here nor there...just know it was the reason for my secrecy."

I hadn't expected this at all. Who knew Koenma had a sack?

He cleared his throat and motioned to Ren, "Amano-san has been helping me...while keeping watch over you."

"For my protection...or for yours?"

"A little of both," he answered.

I heard Ren scoff from his corner and Koenma shot him a warning look. I ignored that for now.

"What does this mean in the long run?"

"A lot of things that won't affect you...but plenty that will." He stood from his chair and began to pace the room. "I just don't understand why he's been doing these things."

"Because he's a bastard." I stiffened. I hadn't even notice the old hag. She was sitting in a high-backed chair and it hid her well thanks to her height. "Don't expect him to go down without a fight."

"I'm aware of that Master Genkai," said Koenma.

She took a long puff off the pipe she was smoking and blew it in the prince's direction. His nose crinkled at the smell. "Hope you're not biting off more than you can chew," she said.

"I realize he has many allies...but I have plenty on my side as well. Including most of the SDF."

"What does any of this have to do with me?" I asked.

"Ah," he halted mid-pace, "This is where it might get confusing."

I rolled my eyes. Of course it was. "Just get on with it."

"I heard what you plan to do with Hitomi," he said.

I shot Ren an accusing look and he just shrugged. He had enough sense to look sheepish but I still wanted to punch him.

"She's already messed with the timeline to the point of chaos," Koenma continued. "And there will be - "

I shot to my feet before he could finish, "I'm going! It's the only way!"

He held his hands up and waved them frantically, "I wasn't going to say you couldn't!"

All the air went out of me like a loose balloon, "Okay." I sat back down.

"I was just going to say there will be some...conditions."

"Conditions?"

"First," he held up a finger, "You're not to change anything. Killing the dragon won't matter, as that already happens."

I nodded and he continued, "Second," he held up two fingers this time, "You have a limited amount of time to accomplish your goal."

"And if I don't?"

"I will have Hitomi bring you back with or without the dragon's heart."

"Fine," I said. "Anything else?"

"Third," three fingers, "You are never to go anywhere alone or tell anyone who you are or where you're from."

"That was six things total."

"Whatever," he said, "Those are the conditions."

"They're fair enough," I said.

"Now," he proceeded, "Hitomi said she made a deal that you were to bring Hiei."

"Yeah, that's changed."

"No it hasn't," he said.

"Excuse me?"

"I spoke to your sister an hour ago."

I was back on my feet and seething, "I'm bringing Yusuke!" So Hitomi hadn't given in as easily as I'd thought. I should have known.

"Yes, you'll be bringing him and Hiei."

I ran a hand through my hair only becoming more frustrated when I was reminded how short it was now. Hitomi had told me I could only take one. Koenma was an idiot!

"That's not how she said it would work!" I barked.

I hand clapping down on my shoulder forced me back into my chair. Takahiro had snuck up behind me and he was smiling down at me. "No worries," he said.

"No worries?! Have you gone mad too?!"

"I'll help her so she can send all three of you," he replied.

I gaped up at him, lost for words. He could do that?

"She just needs a little added power, that's all," he explained.

Oh yeah, that's all, I thought sarcastically. This just turned a bad day even worse. I didn't want Hiei to come. In fact, I wished I could just do the entire thing alone. I was about to voice this when Ren stood abruptly.

"I'll take Hiei's place. Kasumi doesn't want him to come," he said.

"Sit back down, idiot," snapped Genkai.

He ignored the old woman, "Please Koenma-sama. Let me help this one last time."

Last time? What did he mean by that?

"I can't do that Ren, I need you here."

Ren swore and looked as if he would continue pleading his case, but Koenma held up a hand. "I need as many allies as I can get right now. She will be fine with Yusuke and Hiei."

Ren glared at the prince, his fists clenched at his sides and jaw tight. He didn't say another word but he did stride out of the room, slamming the door behind him. So dramatic.

"Do I have any say in this?" I asked.

"No," Koenma answered. "Now that we have that covered…"

We didn't really, but there was no point in arguing. It wouldn't get me anywhere.

"Let's talk about the other elephant in the room," Koenma continued. "The thing that paid you a visit and nearly ended your life."

"What do you know about it?"

"Perhaps not as much as your uncle, but I can tell you where it came from."

He didn't even have to say it, I could tell just by looking at him. "A gift from your daddy dearest?"

Before Koenma could answer Takahiro took over, "It's name is Penance. Up until recently, it was locked in Purgatory."

"How'd it escape?" I asked.

"Your sister," answered Koenma.

"No...she wouldn't do that…" Would she?

"She didn't have a choice. She might hold the key, but my father controls when the door is opened."

"That's bullshit!" I shouted. If that was the case he might as well be controlling my sister. I wouldn't allow it!

"It is...which is why soon the key will be under my control."

"That's my sister you're talking about! She isn't some object you can use at your leisure!"

"I don't intend to. If things play out as they are supposed to, I will have Purgatory sealed permanently."

That took a lot of the wind out my sails, but I was still angry. Hadn't we been through enough, my sister and I? It was obvious we had no control over any of this. Things were spiraling further and further out of my grasp. How could I protect her like this?

"Fine, but what do we do about this...Penance?"

"It needs to be sealed back into Purgatory," Koenma replied.

"There's no way to kill it?" I asked.

"No, I'm afraid not," he said.

It was left unspoken that he would have to overthrow his father before that could happen. Hitomi was just a vessel for the key...she couldn't use it on her own. It had given her powers, sure, but it must come with a set of rules.

I would have to deal with Penance myself in the meantime.

"I will help you…" whispered through my mind.

Yes...because Chronos had her own agenda. If I died...she would die too. That was the loophole with the vessels. If Hitomi and I were old enough to have children things would be different, but there was no one left to pass the key and the god to. We were the last vessels.

Hideki had forced a prophecy to occur early by killing off our entire family. That was some insane dedication. Insane being the key word there.

"Is that all?" I asked. I was tired. I just wanted to sleep the rest of the day away.

"Uh...I guess so?" said Koenma. He looked to Takahiro and Genkai. The old lady just shrugged but my uncle frowned down at me. He was probably hoping I was going to ask more questions.

But I was too drained. My mind was full up already. I just wanted to rest and begin packing for my "trip" into the past. Everything else I would figure out on my own with time.

"Okay then...I guess you're dismissed."

I rolled my eyes. I didn't need him to tell me that. And he sure as hell wasn't my boss, so where did he get off anyway?

I hefted my weary body out of the uncomfortable chair in front of my uncle's desk. Without a backwards glance I left the room. After I shut the door I leaned against it and closed my eyes.

"I'm sorry."

I stiffened. How many people were going to sneak up on me today? My abilities hadn't fully returned and I was having a hard time sensing subtle energy signatures. Hiei's blatant display earlier had been easy to detect. But I would know his energy at any time...anywhere. He'd left a brand on me, physically and spiritually. We were connected in more ways than one...and that was what made this so very painful indeed.

"Don't be," I snapped at him.

Ren hadn't gone far after he'd left. He was only a few feet down the hall from me, leaning against the wall. I'd been so wrapped up in my own mind I hadn't even noticed him. I needed to get my shit together.

"But I am," he said.

I forgot that for now and asked, "What did you mean in there...that you wanted to help one last time?"

A sad smile crossed over his lips and then fell away. "Don't worry about it."

"What changed Ren? What happened in the Reikai?"

He swallowed and I watched his adam's apple work. Then he swallowed again, as if bile had risen up his throat. It seemed that whatever had happened it wasn't anything pleasant.

"Makoto's dead," he said.

I sucked in a sudden breath, "How?"

"Enma...she...she tried to help me. He executed her for siding with a traitor."

"Oh my god, Ren…"

"We were soulmates...but I never loved her Kasumi. Maybe in a different life…"

That didn't mean it hadn't hurt. I could tell just by looking at him that he blamed himself. I hadn't known her well...but I'd always respected her. It was a senseless reason for a life to be lost.

"I'm sorry," I said.

He just shook his head, eyes downcast. Him picking another fight with Hiei made sense now. Sometimes...physical pain clouded the emotional hurt. I knew that better than anyone. I got into fights, I drank, I smoked, I fucked - all to hide how I really felt.

"I am sorry...if I made things worse for you...concerning Hiei," he said.

I barked out a laugh with no humour to it, "Nothing will ever be good between the two of us. Don't worry about it."

"That's...kinda sad, isn't it?"

I just shrugged, unable to look him in the eye.

"I'm always going to love you, Kasumi."

I sighed, "Yeah, I know…"

. . .

Later, I was walking back to my room after stopping in the kitchens for something to eat. I'd eaten very little during my time here, just enough to keep me going. This time however I had devoured every leftover in the fridge. For dessert I chugged a beer and lit up a cigarette on my way out the door.

By the time I made it to the hallway leading to my room I was halfway through my smoke. Lucky that was the case, because I nearly turned around when I neared my door.

Hiei was leaning against the entrance to my bedroom. He reeked of hostility - arms crossed, eyes closed, one foot lifted and resting on the door. He was putting on a good show of looking casual, but his aura told me otherwise.

I ran a hand through my fringe, slicking back my hair. I would never get used to it being so short. It was always in my face now. I understood why Yusuke used so much gel to keep his in place.

I stopped in front of him, continuing to smoke, and just waited. He didn't move when he spoke, didn't even open his eyes. "Yusuke told me you plan to take him instead."

"He wasn't lying," I said.

His eyes flicked open. That red, even after all this time, was still shocking to the senses. I covered up my sharp intake of breath by taking another drag off my cigarette.

"Back to your old habits, I see," he said.

I had no reply for that so I just motioned for him to move away from my door. "I'd like to go to bed, if you don't mind."

He didn't budge. Big surprise. Instead he asked, "Why?"

"Why what?"

He growled, irritated with me. He lifted a hand to tug at his hair out of frustration. If he'd just learn how to use his fucking words instead of treating me like a mind reader we'd be kosher.

"Yusuke, why Yusuke?" he asked.

"I figured it was for the best." I took a final drag off my smoke before flicking it to the floor. I stubbed it out with the toe of my sneaker. "Doesn't matter anyway, you're both coming now. So don't get your panties in a twist."

He glared at me for that comment and before he could come up with some snarky comeback I asked, "Are you done acting like a territorial dog?"

His face twisted in rage, his fangs bared and eyes brimming with the promise of pain. His eyes flicked to the floor and I could tell he was counting to ten in his head. I'd give him credit, at least he was trying not to fly off the handle.

"I can still smell him on you," he said. "He's lucky to be alive."

"Last I checked you wanted nothing to do with me."

He wouldn't look at me and he didn't disagree. So I nodded, frowning. How could I take his words from the other night any other way? He didn't want this which meant he didn't want me. I wasn't going to beg or plead with him. I would never sink so low. This was meant to be one-sided and it would remain so until the day I died.

Which, in retrospect, wasn't so far off. At least I wouldn't have to suffer for long.

It grew silent and I sighed. I was weary from the day, my body needed to rest. If he didn't move soon I might just curl up on the floor and sleep there. It would be easier than arguing with him.

To my amazement, he pushed off from the door. With his hands shoved into the pockets of his cloak, he moved around me. I felt like piece of furniture that had gotten in his way.

To his back I said, "I'm leaving in two days. Be ready...if you still want to come."

I saw him nod and then he flickered away. I felt a lump form in my throat. I stood looking at where he'd last been longer than was necessary.

Shit...I was in so deep. I'd...never felt this way before.

And I knew I never would again.

Maybe in another life…

. . .

A/N: What is this? Another update so soon? *Pats self on back* Good job! With my husband home to help with the baby more I get more time to write, which makes me a happy wife/mom.

I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter (drama filled mess that it is) and please leave me a nice comment or two! Thanks for reading!