Chapter 16

Born To Touch Your Feelings

I was born from the sound of the strings
For someone to give everything
To be a song just for your feeling

She'd spent a year out on the road and ever since she reached this town her motorcycle had been acting funny so she pulled it into a repair place called Richman Auto parts and repair… it looked cheep and since Rain didn't want to draw funds out of her account she settled for this. As she walked in her sensitive nose was bombarded by the smells of oils, grease and transmission fluid. The place was small and empty save the sounds of a young man's voice mumbling random curses. She laughed shook her head and rung the tiny bell on the desk. A tall man entered the room he was easily two feet taller then her maybe a foot taller then Tsurai easy, he wore small black circular frame sunglasses over what Rain could tell was cobalt blue eyes he was thin but built with muscles Rain caught peeking from the blue coveralls and white under shirt which was blotched and blackened by oils and dirt from his job as was his face… his jaw was tight, strong and fitted to the intense look in his eyes and was covered by a scruffy red beard and mustache almost cut into a Vandyke style his dark red hair was gravity deifying and tied back in a low pony tail making Rain wonder just how long it was. She had noticed it just when he walked in besides the oils and things commonly used in a mechanic's shop there was something in the air that made her the very physical incarnation and lady of the flames and fire sweat. He was a demon Rain knew her body wouldn't be reacting this way to a human's sent. He smelt like sex to her but his sent was like ash and smoke and it made her crack a smile. He walked up to her and shook her hand… and for the first time in a long while she shivered his touch was hot and sent a tidal wave of fire down her spine as he griped her hand… it had been a year since she had been this attracted to a man and what was his name again? She looked up close through his black sunglasses into those shinning blue eyes in awe at their raw fiery glow… once again she shivered… oh damn if his hands were any lower they'd have to use that desk for something other then paperwork. His touch burned that had never happened before was this what Kurama felt at her hand, or Sosuke or Jin?

"What can I do for you babe?" his deep raspy voice forced it's way into her ears with little resistance, as he picked up her now burned hand in his callused one with a smirk and brought the palm to his lips.

"Everything…" She moaned weakly never taking her eyes from his. He chuckled letting her go.

"What was that?" he asked.

"Huh? Uh…Oh right," She blushed in embarrassment, "My bike…It's acting up…I don't know what to do bout it." She stated while nervously rubbing the back of her head with a bright smile. 'Real Smooth Rai…' came the wolf's voice.

"Alright babe what model is it?"

"It's a1957 Harley Panhead Chopper…" She tried surprising her Japanese ascent. He smiled showing his fangs and her knees almost gave out, it was taking every ounce of self control she had not to jump his bones.

"Alright lets go check it out yeah babe?" Rain laughed he sure liked throwing that 'Babe' word…

"Sure thing Slim…" She led him to her ride…

"Start this beauty up." He ordered. She did such and what came out was a sick cough… His face scrunched up with distaste.

"How long have you been on the road !?" He almost yelled making Rain growl at the young demon's challenge.

"A little over a year now." He nodded giving her a wired look.

"Looks like it." He replayed turning to her. He could smell her now and his eyes widened although he tried to hide it… she smelt like no woman he had ever met before… his body seemed to call out to her.

"Well can ya fix it Slim?"

"It's Zeek…Richmond Zeek and Yeah I can fix anything babe… look leave it here for a few days and I'll call you when it's ready."

"Alright Zeek-sa… I'll be at the Motel 6... Just ask for Rain M. Gunji.." she smiled to him and walked out of the shop.

"See ya then babe!" He called out behind her she waved her arm out not turning unaware that the hentai behind her was watching her every move.

-O-later

Close your eyes and I'll try to get in
To waken your heart like the sping
'cause I was born to touch your feelings

Rain walked out of her room's bathroom with a fluffy white towel drying her long rusty hair and pouring into a plastic cup of ice some golden liquid from a bottle that said Jack Daniels, she picked it up in her hand and sat on the bed, the radio played Love Bites and Rain laid her head on the head board, trying to clear her mind. Her body still ached for the man she had met hours ago, but was it right? She had been with Youko for so long and she still loved him, she still missed him and even though their bond had been broken she still needed him or at least his memory to cling to. Youko was dead… Rain still twitched at the thought, It had been a year since she had been touched, a year since she had let her fires burn with anyone else. …But Zeek, his aura made Rain sweat and every part of her body begged her to feel the friction of being pressed against his. She whimpered a little as images of his long hair being let down and clinging to his bare shoulders and muscled back by sweat, they were all sorts of pictures like that and Rain knew for sure that tonight the moon was new in it's cycle. Two things was for certain right now she wasn't sure why she felt this when it was not a full moon and She wanted and needed the freakishly tall Richmond Zeek…even if it was just for a night she would have him. She howled and laughed drinking her bourbon…maybe soon she wouldn't be sleeping alone.

"What do I do? Do I go for it or do I stick to the ghost of Youko? If I go after Zeek would I be being unfaithful to Youko?" She thought about this taking a sip of her drink and looking to the wall, the T.V. was off now Rain needed to think, still the radio was something Rain didn't need to be without. She took a sip of her glass, peering into it's golden fluids as if it would give her an answer. She liked America, it was wild, it was arrogant like herself, the humans were clueless to demons but that made it easy to move around. She liked California it was sunny and filled with sounds and music…the ocean spoke to her here as did the trees and the dirt under her feet. Still it wasn't like home and she took another drink catching herself thinking of them again.

Shippo- her son by every right, He was probably smiling and running to help out with her lands like the sometimes good boy he was, but he did have his own lands to care for.

Naruto- her son by right and law, He was probably fighting his emotions to train for the next time he saw her…if so.

Spark- Her second son, he was probably lazing about under some tree.

Snow- Her best friend and rival, She was running the bar and helping Naruto's training…or perhaps sparing with Kaden since it was daylight back home.

Kaden- Her friend, her teacher, That crazy vampire was beating the shit out of some poor fool.

Zel- her honored friend, She was pulling Dark away from a flock of pretty girls by his ears.

Cy- Her clock and friend was most likely laughing at Naruto who might be practicing pick up lines and getting smacked.

She decided to call at least drop a line…maybe even get some much needed advice. She dialed the number along with the collect call connection extension the Makai used.

"Hello…may I speak with Snow?" She stuttered nervously.

"No Rain. You may not but this is Zel. Where in blue blazes have you been you foolish kit! Do you know how worried sick everyone has been?! You could have at least dropped a line dang it! In Jesus name what were you thinking!?" The angel bit into the demon with everything she had.

"Zel, stop yelling, I need help…and I doubt I'll call again my sister."

"What did you get yourself in trouble?"

"Well, I guess you could say that." She chuckled.

"Let me guess, your being tried for rape?" Zel laughed.

"No…I think… I- I think that I'm in… I'm in over my head." she never even admitted to the others what she felt for Youko, She never even told him it was always just assumed that they knew each other's hearts. But Zel had caught what she said…funny thing about the angel, she was sharp as that ax she carried around all the time, you could never keep a thing from her.

"What was that Commander Gunji?"

"Well you see, I met this guy this morning…a fire bear I think. I want him Zel. I want him bad." She finally admitted making the six winged angel laugh.

"I've never known anything to stop you from anything you wanted Rai."

"But You-ko, my Youko?" Rain almost coughed out.

"Rai, he's gone….it's time to move on." Rain sighed.

"I'll give him a try then…but I miss Youko so much."

"I think you always will, but at least you have a chance to love again, you should take it. Listen to me. I know." The older woman laughed.

"Alright Wings…hey do me a favor, don't tell the others I called…I'm not coming home till I sort some things out…I'm sorry."

"Don't be, just come home when you can."

"Yes ma'am." She laughed hanging up the phone.

These were her sisters…. And she laughed at the thoughts not really caring that her vision was being blurred by the tears of homesickness. Just how were they doing? Rain didn't plan on returning to the bar, so she would never know… her boys were now old enough to be without her…. No she wouldn't return not until she found what she lost so many years ago on that night in the light of the full moon. Her fingertips touched her lips and she could still feel his lips crashing down on hers… and she cried out.

"WE WERE SOPOSED TO BE TOGETHER! YOU SAID YOU'D NEVER LEAVE ME!!!" her fist clinched tightly around the white sheets of her bed, "You promised me…now where are you now you damned fox…Can't you see? I still need you here…" And she cried herself to sleep with the lights on and the bottle bone dry.

Steal the time, take a song and be glad
Be free as the birds, don't be sad
Your time will come, I'll make you feel it
You're still young like the sun after rain
Follow the light it's not in vain
And you will see I'll touch your feelings

Rain woke up with the sun like always and poured coffee into her glass, Rubbing the last bit of sleep from her eyes she wondered what today would unfold. She could go check on her baby but that would mean seeing tall dark and a hansom and after last night she didn't think she was ready for it.

She glared at the empty bottle and through it away, looking at her things she realized she needed to visit the laundry room before it got crowded and she was forced to crack some heads.

Walking in she was hit by the smell of a very wet dream, her eyes found a tall bare chested man who took her breath away, he wore drawstring windbreaker pants, Rain smiled those were very easy to remove indeed.

"Fancy seeing you here Babe." He greeted not looking up from sorting his clothes. Rain chuckled.

"I could say the same Slim." She replied clearly amused.

He turned to her, smirking while leaning on a washer.

"What's it gonna take to get you to call me something besides Slim babe?" That lit a twinkle in the Fox's eye.

"I dunno Slim, Haven't seen enough of ya to call ya Big Bear." She smirked, making him smile and walk her way bending down he whispered close enough for her to feel his lips.

"What shall I try first?" Rain growled a shiver going down her spine her hand disobeying her to feel his hard muscled chest.

"Every thing." She gasped feeling him push her roughly to the washer and sit her on it, she could smell his vodka tainted breath as he bent in to capture lips that'd wanted the taste of him since the day before. She could taste smooth Russian liquor on his tongue and danced at the feel of exploration and the fire he sent with his touch on her skin. He smirked at her moans. Moving to nibble her neck.

"You will say my name Babe." He told her continuing his attentions. She smirked through already heavy breathing.

"Make me Slim." She challenged her hands exploring every muscle, every inch of burning skin. He smiled down at her kissing her lips.

"You Make me Rock Hard, Baby all night." He said in an unusual voice.

"Loves like a glove and it fits just right." She eyed him carefully. "Kiss?"

You've got your songs
They are everyday for awhile
Just the only way to feel all right
You've got your songs
They are everyday for awhile

Just the only way to feel all right

Her eyes opened with a growl at the alarm. She cursed loudly throwing it to the wall, whimpering as she laid her head back on her pillow.

"Damn! I gotta have him." She growled still lazing around, glaring at the clock it was around 2 in the morning. Getting up she through on a red shirt and some torn faded blue jeans, leaving. The air was humid and the street was wet with the rain that had graced the town while the fox slept and she walked loving the smell of the rain. At some point music entered her ears with a foreign sound, like that of an Indian celebration...the damp air was due, not from any rain, but from the sweat of the dancers as they moved to the music. The smell of alcohol hit her before she had even walked in. she could hear the sound of glasses touching and people laughing in pleasure, she smirked. Maybe this would be where she found her distraction. She wandered through walls of people, all gyrating to the sugar and spice rhythm of the music that floated like a thick cape around the place, the sent of strong alcohol and sweet tobacco defused about the room in a gray haze. She smirked moving her hips to the seducing beat as she trailed to the bar, she remembered in her dreams what was held in his kiss... she called for a glass of vodka and drank deep when it arrived in the palm of her hand. Her eyes wondered about the place smirking as she leaned agents the bar, not noticing when a smoke filled voice reached her ears.

"Hey Babe..." He greeted with a smirk, a cigarette hanging from his lips, as he set down his glass on the counter beside her.

"Hey yourself Slim." She returned his smirk looking him over, he was clean, his hair tied back on his shoulders clad in a black shirt that showed off his frame and torn to hell jeans, she took the cancer stick from him and put it to her lips taking a drag with a smirk and returned it to him, She could taste him on the cigarette, it was a small taste but so sweet, almost like maraschino cherries, she wondered what else this tall dark and handsome bear tasted like. He smirked, taking the last of his smoke stick and crushed it into an ash tray, downing the rest of his drink, he smirked, standing to his full hight and offered her a hand. Looking up she took it, only to be pulled roughly into his embrace, He smirked eyes twinkling with mischief as he looked down at her, a holding hers, the other slipping down her back.

"Dance with me?" His leather voice oozed into her ear. She smirked inhaling his sent, and the Russian alcohol on his breath. Her heart pounding agents the chest she was held to, and it felt good to have his arms around her, holding her this way. She chuckled.

You were born just to lose or to win
To be someone's chime in the wind
To live between your mind and feelings
Find your way, check it out
Learn each day
Follow the light, it's not in vain
And you will see I'll touch your feelings

"You don't give me much of a choice Slim." She said smugly, feeling the bear laugh agents her as the band played a different song, he pulled away still, holding his hand to hers. The music was the very sound of their energy as he growled lowly pulling her to him as the music took control of their bodies, and the heat in the room rose high to the rolling sand rhythm of the music, sweat covered them as hands slipped to touch, to feel, to grope a little more of their partner. Soon as if possessed, she had stolen his shirt from him, dropping the unneeded item to the floor below them, not noticing or even caring that some of the buttons on her shirt were gone, she wanted more and the more the music picked up the more she got, until eventually the music had stopped, the two breathing heavy, gasping for air. He smiled letting her go only to receive a guttural growl from the High Fist, who slipped the shirt around his neck and forced him down to meet her lips, she felt them form a smirk agents her own, as she figured out her questions mentally dancing for joy being caught up in his arms again, memorizing the taste of Richmond Zeek. She moaned agents his retaliating kiss, her hand going up to free his red mane, feeling him hold her flush agents him, growling low at the clothes she wore.

"If This is a dream, I'm gonna kick your ass." She whispered as he kissed down to her neck and chuckled, his beard tickling her. He stopped looking down at her face with a smile and a raised eyebrow.

"A dream Babe?" He asked with a smirk. She sunk her claws into his bare arms, Leaning up.

"Shut up and kiss me." He laughed obliging her. She smiled in pure bliss that she hadn't felt in so long. He chuckled, looking down at her.

"How about we get outta here Babe and I show you around this place." He smiled, letting some light in between them..

She smirked remembering she'd walked here.

"You thinking your luck is good tonight Slim?" She joked. He smirked and she went weak at the knees.

"Something like that Babe."He laughed his hand slipping south down her backside. She didn't jump and she normally would have broke one's hand for that...but she let him have his fun. He bent down to kiss her again.

"What do ya say?" He smirked, making Rain laugh and walk.

"Well, with Persuasion like that, how could I say no." He laughed walking her out to his motorcycle, a black 1960 Harley-Davidson Sportster, she smiled seeing it waxed and shining bright in the street lights, smiling over at him, she sat on the back, knowing if it was her baby he'd be in the back. Laughing he shook his head, taking his place.

"You really are something else Babe." He said kicking the bike on. Rain laughed her arms going around his waist making him flinch in surprise. She smiled, Leaning into his back.

"Oh am I?" She asked loving the smell that wrapped itself around her nose. He drove on through the dark streets finally bringing the steal horse to a halt, Rain let go getting off the bike and looking around. The place was calm and peaceful, she couldn't help but relax and comply when his index finger beckoned her to sit with him on the bike. Moving her hips she complied straddling the bike facing her new lover. His hands fell to her sides to pull her flush to his bigger form.

You've got your songs
They are everyday for awhile
Just the only way to feel all right

-O- A few months later.

Zeek was covered, from head to toe in red pain, he couldn't help but smile though, funny thing about the last few months, he hadn't slept a wink, what with his fiery fox and helping her build this casino of hers, but he was happy. How happy? Well how happy would you be getting laid every night and day?

He watched her polish the last of the huge sculpture she stood up on of a man, a fox eared man he didn't know.

"Who is this again Fox-babe?" He asked her, she had created it after all, she would know.

"His name...is Youko... he's a legend to all kitsune, a great hero, maybe even the greatest." She said with a smile, speaking in a dreamy way, her eyes far off in another time.

Zeek wasn't a stupid man, he heard it in her voice, she must have had some sort of history with him, it was written in the way she carved and formed the stone perfectly from memory, and it was in the way she said the man's name.

He'd spent nearly a year in her bed, and he knew nothing about her past...but he knew she cried at night and he would do his best to hold her and protect her from whatever it was she was running from.

"Oh." Zeek replied. "Hey later tonight you wanna go fishing?" He said knowing she loved the sport. Rain laughed.

"Yeah that'd be nice..." She told him going back to the statue. Zeek shook his head. When was she ever going to let him inside her head. When was she gonna be honest with him...he

-O- Months later

The casino was done, it was a lavish palace, built with elegance and beauty in mind, the inside furnished in redwood, gold, and jade. Wolf statues all in a howl lined up down the main entrance, one each side of a bright red carpet before a large red moon, painted above them. The fool was tiled red designs of her family crest, the symbol on her brow and of her rule.

It was huge, but to say so little would be a crime to ignore such a place. On the main floor had all the fun little gambles that humans and demons loved to throw money at...Rain's mouth watered at the thought, but that wasn't all, it had a gift shop massive in size with everything from kitsune key chains to stuff animals and t-shits and hats and things that had nothing really to do with foxes or gambling at all, she so fittingly named it Youko's stash... across from that was the sun god's feast, a restaurant who's chefs she'd known for years... above the main room was her office its one way window let her look down on her palace's patrons. But in the other levels of the building was a massive hotel filled with rooms for the wealthy or just plain big spenders...a place anyone would be a fool to pass up.

You've got your songs
They are everyday for awhile
Just the only way to feel all right

It was opening night and Rain walked down from their shared room, dressed for the occasion, slowly almost gliding down the stairs in a blood red dress that hugged her curves like a motorcycle on the road, a slit reaching up her right thigh, the back made to show her skin with no sleeves to speak of and the chest well lets just say Zeek would be happy.

Dressed just as finely Zeek watched her fire hair fall upon her shoulders as she smiled down at him, he looked her up and down as if his eyes could taste every inch of her.

He took her hand pulling her roughly to himself, his kisses paying homage to her and the dress. She moaned playing with the tail of his hair. She smiled, letting him relax her the way only he could. Tonight was big, she had spent a fortune building this place, and months furnishing it... Tonight oh tonight would make her rich beyond her dreams or put her into a finance grave...she had invested all of her money...all of it well at least all of what she could get out of Japan without her pack knowing. She still hadn't talked to any of them, she wanted to, but it was hard to muster up the courage... it had been a year, what the hell would she have told them anyways? But she was thrilled to return her lover's kisses with just as much gusto as he had gave, and she was happy to have him here with her, just like he had been since she had told him the plan. She sighed.

"Thank you Big Bear..." She said giving his hand a squeeze as they walked together, greeting guest and taking money in the quickly crowded room.

-o-

I was born from the sound of the strings
For someone to give everything
To be a song just for your feeling

Later on after things had calmed down, Zeek 's arms slipped behind Rain as she looked down on the people in that casino. His breath hot on her ear he danced to the sound of Scorpions moving her hips with his. Her hand resting on the back of his neck as she moved, loving the feel of his body heat asulting her back. She breathed in his sent as he kissed her shoulders, she was falling for this man...no doubt about it, it was in the way she couldn't sleep without his arms around her and the way she felt right now in the dim lights of her lavish office moving to the music, his hands treating her like a fine silk,his lips treating her like an expensive wine.

"I met a neko today." He whispered to her, taking her ear in his teeth, tightening his grip on her smaller body. Her eyes grew to the size of saucers. She thought she had smelt her... but she wasn't ready...and she pushed it aside. She gulped and played it cool.

"Oh really? Thats nice." She said her breathing trying to even out. He nodded still working on her ear.

"Yeah, She had a message for you Babe...She said. "I want my sister back." Rain, I think you need to tell me whats going on...its been over a year...I think I deserve that much." He said stopping and turning her around to look him in the eyes.

She shook her head walking to him, her arms fitting around him as she laid her head on him.

"I...I can't." She said almost crying. "I just can't...one day when we are one I will tell you everything...I'll tell you every truth that my heart holds...but not before." He nodded with a sigh picking her up and sitting her on her desk top.

"You know I love you...I've said it so much...say it to me...I need to hear you say it." He begged holding her hand.

She looked up in his eyes, she had heard him say those words so much and he knew that every time he meant it...he truly meant it. But she took away her hand and turned away.

She had never even told Youko...and she had loved him with everything...she still did. Oh but she felt so much for the bear before her...she didn't want to hurt him and she didn't want to lose him...but she had to be true to herself at lest in the subject of love.

"Tell me Rain...when we make love and you close your eyes...do you see him?" He asked his hand bringing her face back to look him in the eyes.

She couldn't look at him...she really couldn't but he forced her to and she couldn't help but cry. And She hated herself for it so she reached for her support pillar, fisting his dress shirt with both hands as she dug her face in it, leaving him with nothing more to do but smooth her hair.

"Damn it Richmond Zeek! Why must you ask of me what Is not mine to give!?" She cried. "You have my heart...do my words really mean so much...one day I will be able to give you my all...but now...right now Only in my dreams am I your mate...your love...let that be enough." He sighed kissing the top of her head.

"I will wait...but not forever."

I was born from the sound of the strings
For someone to give everything
To be a song just for your feeling

-o-

Thats it...thats all of it folks...and I'm working on the next chapter as we speak...so until then peace out.