(I hope you all are enjoying a less doormatted version of the protagonist. And as far as all the disclaimers go I'm pretty sure we all know I don't own this story.)
CHAPTER ONE: MIYABI
"Uh-mm-um! The...the Kitsune guy!"
I'm practically pleading, and though I quickly come to my senses, it's already too late.
Miyabi seemed to be trying to determine whether or not I had just insulted him, "The Kitsune guy, you say?"
"What?! Oh-wai-no, um... Forget what I just said, and…"
An odd kind of smile tugged at the corners of his lips, "Too late."
He cocked his head a full-on sneer distorting his beautiful features, "Besides… I knew you'd choose me."
The fox man thing, named Miyabi, put his hands around my waist and pulled me toward him.
He then ran his long fingers along the back of my neck, teasing me like the jerk he is.
I wanted to cry out in rage and sock him but instead my body did something quite unexpected, "Nn..."
Miyabi almost seemed to pur as he said, "You have good taste, Snow."
His warm breath tingled against my skin, "That sweet blood of yours must truly be something."
If possible he pulled me even closer against him, "But, for now..."
His wet lips touched the spot where his fingers just were and just like when we first met my body started reacting in ways that terrified me, "S-stop..."
his voice suddenly sounded soft and reassuring, "Do not resist. I'm going to mark you to show we have an agreement."
A very slight pain pricks the back of my neck for a split second, and I realize that he just bit me!
WTH?!
Miyabi gently held me tight, and then he snapped his fingers.
The second he does, blue flames appeared out of seemingly nowhere and swallowed up the demons all around us.
If Miyabi wasn't holding me as tightly as he was, I probably would've run screaming back into the shrine.
"F-fire?!"
He glanced at me sternly, "Kistunebi. Foxfire."
I was stunned by the beauty of it wondering if it was cold to the touch unlike normal flames, "Kitsunebi...?!"
Apparently it wasn't released it was still painful to be consumed by it.
The demons all shrieked in pain as the flames quickly consumed them.
"Perfect timing, Miyabi!"
I couldn't understand what had Shinra so worked up and apparently neither could Chikage, "Shinra, don't run into this recklessly."
Kyoga feigned confused shock, "What? But that's just what Shinra does."
"Kyo! You're such a jerk!"
If my own situation wasn't so insanely distressing I might've actually laughed.
Yukinojo's sudden urgent voice startled us both, "Shinra, in front of you!"
Miyabi's Foxfire had somehow missed one, "Outta my way!"
Suddenly, Shinra was back to being cocky, "This is gonna be too easy!"
The guys take care of the remaining demon in one stroke, right before my eyes.
"This is unreal..." I mumbled. "They're so strong..."
Miyabi gave me a look that suggested he thought I was being stupid again, "Of course. Who did you think we were?"
His smile becomes somewhat playful, his eyes narrowing slightly, "Ordinarily, we wouldn't even be near peons like them."
(Peons…!? But those Ayakashi were really strong, and there were so many of them...)
Suddenly, Miyabi was encircling his arms around me again, drawing me close, "Now, where were we...?"
He brought his lips to my neck again, where I had felt a sting moments earlier.
A playful sneer tugged at his lips again, "We've dealt with the peons. What do you say we start enjoying ourselves?"
I wanted to scream not just at him but all of them, "Wha-what the hell is wrong with you?!"
(Wait a second... What did he do to my neck anyway?!)
I struggled out of Miyabi's arms and pushed through the rest of them to the nearest window, "Out of the way!"
Standing shivering before the window, I glanced at my reflection in the glass.
There was a red mark on the back of my neck that I could swear I had never seen before!
(If this turns out to be a hickey he is so dead!)
I whirled on him and I was just about to tell him what I thought about his zero personality when he opened his own mouth to once again insult me.
"You're an ignorant girl. This is when you're supposed to stay quiet and give your body to your man."
I was so taken aback by his stupid arrogant comment that all I could do at first was sputter in disbelief.
"W-wha-What the hell is wrong with you?! I absolutely will not be giving you my body!"
His unbelievably irritating smirk widened as I said this to him.
"Don't you know? Protesting just keeps me interested." Miyabi looked me over from head to toe as though I were already his most prized possession, "you pass in the looks department. And your body… Well, it's the kind I like anyway." He tilted his head to the side as his lips slipped into a seductive grin, "Now all that's left is discovering our compatibility when making love."
I flinched at this last statement and made a silent agreement with God that should I make it out of this stupid ridiculous nightmare I would never have sex.
As he moved forward, I took a step back, finding myself pressed up against the deck.
Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice from the other side of the sliding doors, "Miss Snow? Is everything all right?"
I felt a pinch of relief as my eyes caught sight of the familiar face of the temple's caretaker, "S-Samon!"
(Thank the gods…! If anyone can chase these creeps away, it's Samon.)
Samon's eyes opened wide in astonishment as he looked out at the garden, "What..."
I tried to plead with him, "H-help me! These weirdos have been popping up everywhere and now they show up here-"
"Good lord..."
A look of intense disappointment shimmers in Samon's eyes.
(Okay! Now, these guys will have to leave our home, and-)
However, when he glances back up at each of them he looks more amused than anything else, "...Did all of you do this?"
The youngest of the group was the first to react needless to say in a panic, "What? Samon, no. Please, just hear us out!"
Miyabi was the second to react snide as usual, "It wasn't me."
This of course threw Shinra into a fit of rage, "Hey, that's not fair! Who was it that set the place on fire at the first chance?!"
The man with long black wings finally spoke, "but you were the one who kept saying things like 'good timing' and started the attack."
Shinra's eyes went wide as though he had trouble remembering this and then suddenly did, "He-"
The wolf man named Kyoga apparently found this all very amusing, "And eagerly bashing away at them!"
"Wai-"
The man Who had introduced himself as Yukinojo also spoke up against the youngest member of their group, "Well… I cannot deny it."
Now Shinra appeared to be both embarrassed and annoyed, "What? Even Yuki..."
Samon's eyes slid to the face of the poor Shinra, "I see. So it was Shinra after all."
Poor Shinra could no longer take this deranged banter that was clearly geared towards him, "After all?! Don't talk like this is all MY doing!" Shinra's expression of anger softened to something slightly less seething, "this is just a misunderstanding! Samon, you don't trust me?!"
Samon, completely unphased merely glances about the yard and then turns back to Shinra, "Of course I trust you. So, tell me honestly. What happened?" His lips slowly slipped into a soft smile, "Are you the one who defeated the Ayakashi and made a mess of the garden?"
Shinra said nothing, at first, and just gaped at him. But then, with a heavy sigh, "...Yes."
The wolf aka Kyoga, gave a derisive bark of laughter, "That was fast!"
The snow Spirit aka Yukinojo, chuckled and then winked at me, "I thought he'd be a little more stubborn."
The man with black wings aka Chikage, rolled his eyes and shook his head as though he were greatly disappointed, "When you tell a lie, you really should stick to it."
Miyabi gave a smirk that almost seemed sinister, "It's not in our little oni's nature, though, is it?"
Clearly having had enough, Shinra Snarled and clenched his fists, "Miyabi, you little...!"
I, on the other hand, was beyond phased by everything that had taken place and all that was now unfolding.
(What? What? Wait...WHAT?! Why are they all acting like they're best friends...?! Including Samon?!)
I started to feel dizzy with everything that had happened. However, the moment my legs started to give out from under me, that arrogant Kitsune guy reached out his hand and held me up.
"T-thank you..." I was too tired to say much else than that.
"You do not need to thank me, I was just helping my woman."
The look in his eyes as he said this made me feel even more tired.
I blinked at him a couple times and irritation, "Your woman? Excuse me?!"
The jerk cocked his head and smirked at me, "Don't tell me you forgot about our agreement?"
(Meaning...) I thought for a moment... (Well hell, the thing about me giving him my body for his protection...?!)
He then glanced me over and suddenly he appeared concerned, well sort of, "The peons poisoned you." He flicked his eyes to my Temple's caretaker, "Samon, an antidote."
Samon nodded and then graced me with apologetic eyes, "I'm on it. Sorry, Miss Snow."
He then turned to me in Miyabi's arms and drew something in the air with his fingers, casting a spell.
I suddenly felt myself relax, as though the fever were being drained from my body.
I blinked at him, still struggling to understand what was happening, "How...?"
Samon chuckled softly, "Healing. You could say it's my specialty."
He then launched into a short explanation, "House spirits like us zashiki-warashi exist to bring happiness to their house."
"Zashiki-warashi...?"
(That one's a Kitsune, and everyone else... None of them were human. Even Samon...? The kind priest of our shrine...)
I was beginning to get a headache.
I don't know why but I felt very betrayed and alone. I narrowed my eyes at him, "I trusted you!"
"And why do you think he's betrayed you?"
I turn to the voice to find Shinra giving me a look I couldn't quite place.
I glanced back at Samon feeling suddenly that I may have overreacted.
He looked down, a look of hurt in his eyes, "Snow, I am sorry. I could not tell you. For a lot of reasons…"
"Reasons. Yours and theirs..."
Miyabi sighed and rolled his eyes, "Because we're Ayakashi, obviously."
He suddenly pulls me back by the shoulder and restrains me in his arms, separating me from Samon.
At this point I had had more than enough of this...insanity!
"Let me go! I'm thankful, really. You saved me, but..."
Miyabi narrowed his eyes at me and said in a low growl, "Are you saying you're breaking your promise?" He then smiled in a less than friendly way, "We'll, not that it matters. You already have a mark that says you're mine."
I gasped, suddenly feeling sick, "You don't mean...?!"
I brought my hand slowly to the spot that still stung as though a bee had bit me...
(The mark he's been talking about... It's this?)
"Erase this...! NOW!"
The jerk blinked at me feigning confusion, "But why?"
"Because! For one thing, it looks like a hickey…!"
Miyabi's lips fell back into that arrogant smile of his, "Sorry, but I cannot erase it. And besides, I wouldn't even if I could."
I was beginning to lose my last nerve with this guy, "Why?!" I practically shrieked.
His eyes narrowed again this time making him seem very serious, "This can protect you from other evil Ayakashi."
I opened my mouth to protest but he stopped me by continuing, "It's like we said before. You have special blood running through your veins. And you must understand now that there are bad guys who are after it. Right?"
"Yes! But-"
This was becoming awkward but only because he was making me feel like a total fool!
Yukinojo places a careful hand on my shoulder, "Miss Snow. Please try to understand, that this mark has the power to protect you from low level Ayakashi."
I found this really hard to believe, "Let me get this straight. You're telling me a hickey can do all that?!"
Shinra cleared his throat, "If it wasn't for that "hickey, you'd be a goner..."
"Gobbled right up," added Kyoga.
"Still, it is possible for stronger Ayakashi to replace it with their own mark," said the seemingly all knowing Chikage.
"It's not just that."
My skin prickled as I felt Miyabi's breath caress me when he spoke but I stifled the urge to shiver.
He then nuzzled his face into the crook of my neck and I could feel that his arrogant smile was back, "I just don't like it when low-level Ayakashi try to touch what's mine."
(this guy really thinks of me as 'his'...? What a joke!)
I suddenly wanted to throw up...
I turned on him and the narrowed my eyes and what I hoped was a convincing glare, "I am my own person! And I don't belong to anyone! So stop saying that I belong to you!"
At first he didn't say anything he just blinked at me a couple times, but then, "What's this... You defy me?"
"That's exactly what I'm talking about… I have to protect myself!"
The snow spirit spoke in a low warning tone with slightly downcast eyes, "Unfortunately, Miss Snow, that is not possible." He then looks me straight in the eyes, "I believe you understand after seeing the Ayakashi that were just here..." his eyes suddenly took on a look of disgust, "...but they were very, very low ranking Ayakashi. We would never have touched them under normal circumstances."
Yukinojo's eyes went slightly downcast again, "Even so, there isn't anything you can do, even if it's only Ayakashi like them."
I was beginning to feel as helpless as they were making me out to be...
Apparently Shinra could sense this for his next words were kind and careful, "We're not blaming you. What'd be surprising is if there was a human who was a match for an Ayakashi."
"A human cannot win against an Ayakashi. That's just the way of the world."
Chikage's eyes seemed almost kind as he said this.
Kyoga sounded almost bored as he spoke, "In other words, being protected by us is your only option."
Miyabi nodded, "And don't forget, you and I made an agreement."
His mouth opened slightly as his smile widened, "So, you can fight it all you want, but remember that this is the fate you chose."
(The fate… I chose? No…but, under the circumstances, what else could I have done…?)
I stumbled around for a snappy come back but the truth was I didn't have one.
(And anyway, now that those bad guys are gone, do I really still need to be protected? Is my blood really that important?)
Miyabi suddenly seemed irritated, "You think you don't need my protection?"
"How-"
Did he just read my mind?!
His eyes narrowed making him seem if possible, even more irritated with me, "Even if Nishiki, an evil snake demon from the hebi clan, is after you?"
"Nishiki...?"
"Yes. He has come to the human world, in search of you as well." He released my eyes from his gaze and looked away before continuing, "For the present, dealing with him is our mission."
"Mission? So, once it's over..."
I felt a sudden grip of hope, but of course, that hope was slashed to pieces by Miyabi's next words.
"I shall come to take you, of course. So you will wait for me."
(To take me?! Of all the arrogant...!)
Deeply angered, I try to pull away from his arms, but he won't let me go. And he pulls my waist closer.
"Don't be afraid. We'll finish off Nishiki before long."
He must've missed took my anger for fear because his arms around me became more gentle.
"And when that day arrives, come to me gratefully as my bride."
I could no longer take this insanity and finally snapped, "Bride?! You honestly think I would marry you?!"
Miyabi, of course, was completely unfazed by my outburst, "Naturally. We are, after all, going to have a child."
His next words made my stomach lurch.
"I'll make you glad you were born a woman."
Thank god for Yukinojo Who decided to step in at that very moment, "Miyabi, that kind of arrogance is going to turn Snow off, you know."
The Kitsune looked completely dumbfounded by this statement, "Me? Turn off a girl? Is that even possible?"
Shinra gave a bark of laughter, "Stupidly confident as always!"
Kyoga joined in with his own laughter, "Tell me about it! With all that power and good looks, everyone in the Mononoke world is in love with him!"
(Well hell!)
(As a matter of fact, I really don't like the way he's been touching me…!)
And, of course, the arrogant sneer was back in place, "Nonsense. The fact that women desire me is just the way things are. It's not bragging."
Even Shinra was taken aback by this height of arrogance, "Wow, what a jerk."
While Kyoga appeared unimpressed, "It's true, though."
Miyabi's sneer widened, "Compared to me, you're like a child."
His words practically came out as a purr.
"A child...?! You're nothing but an arrogant jerk!"
He, of course, went right on talking as though I had said nothing, "Your face is alright, and I like your body. Plus, I'm going to make you my wife. You should be grateful."
"I'm not the least bit grateful, you prick! I'm so the opposite of grateful...!"
He continued to ignore me, "Protecting you won't be especially hard, either…"
I felt like screaming at the top of my lungs!
"Why the hell would I want to marry somebody who doesn't even listen to me?!"
But again he seemed to not hear me.
"It's not a very interesting mission. So I might need a little entertainment."
(Just how arrogant can someone be?!)
He grinned at me mischievously.
"Ten days is all I need to get a girl like you to fall for me."
"Excuse me…! But I will not be falling for anyone, least of all you!"
"You'll be lusting for me from inside your bed."
The fact that he could say this with a straight face made me feel even more sick than before.
"I cannot wait to hear what sounds you make."
WHAT?!
(Oh. My. God! This guy has a screw loose... No, scratch that, he is a total perv!)
Miyabi looked me over seductively, "If you want, I can take you to your very peak of pleasure… Right here, right now."
I wanted to scream at him that I didn't need his pleasure, but of course I was so pissed off that it came out instead as, "I-I don't know pleasure!"
I could've died from embarrassment right then and there.
Shinra looked stunned, "You what?"
Kyoga mirrored his shock, "You don't?"
Miyabi, however, seemed greatly amused by this, "Oh, I see... So you've never been with a man."
"Th-that's not-"
I stumbled for the words to correct this, but I couldn't find any.
(Well hell! How am I supposed to fix this mess?!)
"That explains it. I had a feeling you weren't used to being with men."
"Yeah well this is none of your business! Any of yours!"
And once again he was amused with my flustered behavior, "In any case, I look forward to the passing of the next 10 days."
Shinra shook his head with a heavy sigh and placed his hands on his hips, "Ay-yay-yay, here we go again. Kitsune are so ill-natured. You all aaaalways want to play."
Miyabi smirked, "A little oni like you could never understand about grown-up playtime."
Shinra went into immediate defensive mode, "Don't call me little oni!"
I couldn't believe how arrogant he was and not just towards me but towards his supposed friends as well!
"I will never, ever like you!"
I proclaim this, of course, without thinking, interrupting their conversation.
"...What?"
Miyabi's look of shock was ludicrous. I might've found it funny if I wasn't so entirely disgusted by him.
Now that I finally had his attention I may as well finish what I set out to say, "I'm a human! So there's no way I am marrying you, a demon!"
his eyes widened, if possible, into further shock but I decided I should ignore him this time and continued, "My dream has always been to make a family and live an ordinary, peaceful life together!"
I couldn't believe it, he actually listened to every word I just said!
Or so I thought...
"Hmph. You have a lot to look forward to. I'm very good with my hands."
(Oh. My. God. Does this guy have a one track mind or what?!)
He smiled meaningfully and brought his lips to my ear... ...and then softly nibbled my earlobes.
?!
My body went completely rigid.
He chuckled softly into my ear before slowly pulling away to look me in the eyes, "That reaction… You don't feel it yet."
He tilted his head slightly and smiled arrogantly again, "I will have to keep touching you. Your body will learn to feel it."
"Wai... Qu-quit touching my ears!"
I could hear the quiver in my voice, and I felt completely betrayed by it! I hated this guy, and yet...
His arrogant smile was back in place once again, "Anyway, it's about time you call your future husband by name. Don't you think?"
"I think not!"
Shinra, once again, glanced at us in amusement, "Awww, does it bother you that she hasn't said your name out loud?"
Of course, Miyabi did not look bothered by this at all, in fact he still looked amused, "Hmph! All she's called me is things like, 'you' and 'Kitsune guy'."
He tilted his head in innocence again, "Tell you what. I'll even let you give me a nickname."
"Oh yeah? Well how does jerk sound?"
I tried to struggle free but, again, he wouldn't let me go, "And anyway, you're not my 'future husband'! I'm not going to marry you!"
He still was unfazed and just continue to smile. What a jerk!
"Miyabi."
I groaned in frustration.
"What's wrong? Is your brain ill-equipped for remembering names?"
Great! Now he's reduced himself to insulting me!
"FINE! Fine! Miyabi!"
"That's right. I love submissive girls."
(I cannot take this anymore… Everything has to be about him with this guy!)
Samon finally spoke up, seeming to have had enough as well, "Miyabi, haven't you teased Snow enough for tonight?"
he then turned his though to lead them away but then said, "Now come, your rooms are this way."
Kyoga gave a deep heavy sigh of relief, "We can finally relax..."
Chikage looked about ready to fall asleep right where he stood, "What A long day. I can't wait to go to sleep."
Shinra, however, seemed fairly unsatisfied with the night's events, "Not nearly enough action for me."
Yukinojo seemed quite perplexed by such a childish comment, "Any more and you'll have to answer to Samon's glare."
"W-wait! Samon!"
I could not believe this was happening!
He turned back around, a glint of confusion in his eyes, "Yes?"
"What do you mean, their rooms? They're not...!"
Miyabi, however, was the one who answered, "We will be staying here to guard you?" Without letting go he began to lead me back inside and as he did so he glanced around what would be his new home for the next 10 days, "I could get used to this place. It's nice to live in a shrine."
Kyoga chuckled and then yawned, "No kidding. I'm going to sleep like a baby tonight."
The snow spirit yawned as well and then graced me with apologetic eyes, "Well, Snow, i'm afraid we're going to be a nuisance for you a little while longer."
I was beginning to wonder if Yukinojo was the only one with a normal personality, or at least what passed for normal.
I stumbled over my words again as I tried to come up with a response, "No... um...!"
(I have to live with these people...?!)
(No...! H-how can this be happening?! Why do my parents have to be gone at a time like this?)
Unsure of my future, all I could do was watch as they all went inside.
The next morning
(*sigh* I came to work an hour earlier than usual so that I wouldn't have to see or be seen by those weirdos that were now living at my shrine.)
I let out another long deep sigh.
"They're still going to be there when I get home though."
I've always liked work, but it was beginning to look like this was going to be the only place I would find peace anymore.
Suddenly, I heard a high-pitched voice of one of the patrons coming from the back of the library.
"Oh my God, look at him! Is he a celebrity?!"
Followed by another female patron squeal.
"Excuse me, hi! Can I shake your hand?!"
My own curiosity had been peaked. So, I went to see who it was they were all talking about. Then once I got there, I'd rather wished I hadn't. It was Miyabi...at least I think it was. The man they were all gathered around had short cropped hair no ears or tail and they weren't wrong, he was gorgeous. All arrogance aside, this fact was hard to deny.
"Sure, sure. Thanks," he smiled as he allowed the woman to take his hand.
It suddenly dawned on me that last night was more than just an elaborate nightmare it was real he was really here at my place of work!
"This is not happening..."
"Miss Snow? What is it? What's with that stupid look on your face?"
"S-stupid?!"
Of course, he's back to the insults again...
"You know this gorgeous guy?!"
I'd been so distracted by the fact that he was here that I didn't even notice one of my coworkers was in the group of women surrounding him.
"Hey, do you come here a lot?"
Miyabi smiled and winked at me, "I do this is where the love of my life is."
(Stupid Miyabi...!)
My coworker, Ikumi, blinked in shock and then suddenly seemed to realize who he was talking about, "Love of...? He doesn't mean…"
"Miss Snow, of course. That girl is my..."
"Miyabi, wait! Wh-what are you saying?!"
"Why are you acting so surprised?"
His smirk deepened at my look of anger.
"You should be poised with the confidence befitting my fiancé."
"Fiancé," squeaked Ikumi.
(Wha...?!)
I groaned feeling utterly defeated.
(Well hell, I cannot believe he actually said it and in front of all those women.)
TO BE CONTINUED...
...
