At first when Hikari snuck into Takashi room, she managed to leave early enough so that no one else in the castle was the wiser. Yet this morning was a Satuday. The day the castle and its inhabitants slept later than usual. Hikari woke herself up early to be cautious, but instead of sneaking off like she usually did, she stayed, waking him up.
She shocked him awake when her lips came to his. "Shouldn't you be off?" he asked between kisses.
"Everyone will sleep late today," she replied.
She kissed her mouth down to his neck, making him gasp. She did not use her teeth, which he liked. She was thorough though, but without leaving a mark. He did not want her biting him, even though she longed for him to bite her.
It was as if a rush of boldness finally surged through him. He rolled her over so that he was above, looking down. He kissed her along the neck the way she did to him. He brought his hand under the blanket. He rested his hand on her hip, daring to touch the skin left uncovered by her raised up shirt. She sighed, enjoying the feeling of his hand finally truly touching her.
"Bite," she rasped out in longing.
"You know I can't," he replied against her neck.
"You can, but you won't," she grumbled.
"One day," he soothed. "One day."
"I'd rather it be right now," she sighed in a voice that he knew meant giving in. He always said later, later, later.
He moved the hand on her hip boldly, making her feel a fire quickening in her veins. He stroked along her stomach gently. He kissed along her neck, shoulder, and face.
There was a sharp rasp on his bedroom door, making both of them jump then freeze. Hikari pushed him off of her as she rolled off the bed in one swift motion. It took him a moment to realize she was hiding herself away under his bed. She dared not even breathe in her hiding place around the dust bunnies stowed away with her. Thankfully he was not stupid enough to call after her.
Takashi climbed out of the bed, straightening himself out before he got to the door. He opened the door, saying, "ye-"
His voice cut off mid word. "Where is she?" Father's voice sounded. Hikari cringed at his tone, feeling sorry for Takashi being on the receiving end of it.
"Where's who?" Takashi fumbled for the lie and voiced it without really thinking. She could have kicked him for such a stupid lie.
"Get out here, now," he said, but not to Takashi. Hikari willed herself not to move, not to make even a sound. "I can sense you," he growled over at the direction of the bed.
She knew it was no use. Hikari came out from under the bed solemnly. She stood up, but did not look at either of them.
Father stared her down hard. "Your mother and I have just returned from the Human World. She's asked to see you."
Hikari said nothing, walking towards the door. When she realized Father had no intention to follow her out, nor Takashi, she panicked. She did not think it wise to leave Father alone with Takashi.
She turned back to Takashi, grabbing his hand firmly. "Come on," she said, tugging him along.
Her poor, dumbstruck boy was wise enough to follow her lead where he could not be tormented. She had learned well enough that he was much too sensitive to face Father's wrath unshielded. She would shield him and also use Mother as a shield against Father, too. He would never act against Mother if he could help it.
Hikari led Takashi at fast pace. She did not have to look back to know Father was behind Takashi as they rushed to her parents' rooms.
They went straight into their bedroom. Hikari stopped with Takashi halting behind her. She saw Mother sitting propped up on the bed. Uncle Kurama and Izo stood beside her on the bed while Kaze was content to be cuddling next to Mother. Hikari studied Mother, noticing how thin she looked, and just how tired. She felt two waves of guilt wash over. One for running off and bringing the sickness into the castle, and a second one for bringing Takashi into the room with her. Her mother was in no condition to be made to interfere with whatever Father wanted to have out with Takashi.
"Mother," Hikari whimpered. She let go of Takashi's hand without really thinking about it and rushed over to Mother's side. Uncle Kurama and Izo stepped aside to make room for her.
Mother shifted Kaze to one side and gave Hikari a one armed hug with the other the best she could. Hikari brought her head down to Mother's shoulder, whimpering into it.
"Ssh, ssh, my dear, sh," Mother said to her. "It's alright," she soothed. "We're all alright."
Hikari made herself speak. "I shouldn't have run off. I shouldn't have gotten sick, I shouldn't have- it's all my fault."
"It's not your fault. Just make sure you never run off like that again," Mother started off speaking softly, but then spoke firmly at the end.
Hikari pulled away, nodding her head without looking up at Mother. "I promise," Hikari whispered out.
"You are in trouble for the running off, and only that later on," Mother warned her.
Hikari knew to suspect that, even though she felt the guilt and illness were punishment enough. "Yes, Mother," she responded numbly. She felt like it was a small mercy. She wanted to be punished, understood the necessity of it.
Mother sighed sleepily. "Now," she started, "Kurama had told us something, your father and I when we arrived that... we were not expecting, um..." Hikari felt her pulse race, wondering what Mother was talking about. Mother glanced over at the bedroom door and frowned in puzzlement and annoyance. "Where did Takashi go?"
Hikari felt panic quell up within her. "No," she breathed. She ran from the room, beginning her panicked search for her father and Takashi.