Disclaimer: See chapter 1. Reviews are welcomed, please don't flame.
Chapter 3: Bent but not Broken
'I'm not going to argue with you, Red. Everything's set.'
As he picked her up, he noted that she had been crying. Not sure if it was she felt his displeasure or the fact that she was wore out by the running. He carried her up the ramp to the porch and into his lair. Moving quietly and sure footed, he took her to his bedroom. The room had a dusty, musty smell of not being inhabited for a very long, but it'll serve for now. Tomorrow, he'll clean and air the place, tonight or what's left of it, sleep.
His plans for the red haired vixen can wait.
o0o0o0o0o
Kaiya awoke to find herself snuggled under silken sheets and in a very large bed, in a room that had no windows. Her second discovery was the fact she was quite naked under the sheets. 'Typical Yoko,' she thought as she looked around for her clothes as she took stock of the room.
The room could be describe as a lover's nest feel to it with its mirrors, hanging candle sconces and sliding doors. Sliding out of bed, she looked for her clothes or at least a robe. Frowning she found none. The scent of the burning candles eased the tension out of her muscles as they took away the mustiness of the room.
'Just what is Yoko up to?' she asked herself as she searched the room. The closets were empty. She sighed, thinking she would have to use the sheet for clothing when she found the door to an underground hot springs.
'Hmmm... maybe a bath would be nice. I feel so dusty and sweaty from all that running,' she thought as she slipped down the cave tunnel.
By the springs she found a towel, a sleeping robe and a tray of food waiting for her by some scented candles that were lit.
The hot water was heaven. She found everything she needed to clean herself. While she was just soaking, she let out her spirit awareness to check on where Yoko was at. She frowned. 'That can't be right? Where is he? He didn't just go off and leave me here alone. I'm going to kill him,' she thought doing a low burn.
She couldn't find Yoko. She couldn't sense his aura at all. She did discover that a small animal was sharing the cave system but that's it.
Suddenly, she didn't feel hungry or wanting to relax in the hot springs anymore. She quickly left, pulling the robe around her as she began searching the palace.
o0o0o0o0o
High on a ledge by the waterfall looking down at the palace, the silver fox rested his head on his fore paws. Five tails fanned out behind him. He was amused that the girl was quick to try to find him with her spirit. She would have a hard time finding him in this form.
/Yoko. You should've left a note or something. / Kurama admonished again.
Yoko shrugged. 'She has to learn who's dominate in this relationship and it is us, Red.'
/Agreed, but she has no clue where she is./
o0o0o0o0o
Kaiya searched the palace and sighed. It was lovely and clearly a bachelor pad out of the Feudal Era. It was lovely in its simplistic design but it was freaking her out. She was all alone here.
Candles burned in all the rooms taking the dusty unused feel out of the air and replacing it with a jasmine and spice aroma. Finding the kitchen, she found that Yoko had a well stocked pantry. So he had been planning to bring her here all along.
She was thankful now that she had Kenshin and Kuzama to watch over and teach the classes at the dojo. Sano can take care of himself and Kenshin wouldn't let anything happen to him.
She sighed, wondering why she allowed Kurama and Yoko to talk her into this little vacation.
She wandered outside to sit for a time by the lake and the waterfall. She found a small grassy spot that just right for two lovers to lay. She smiled. Trust Yoko to design this place. Wonder who he brought here?
Looking up, she found herself looking into the red eyes of the animal she sensed. So it was a fox she had felt. Well, if it doesn't bother her, she most definitely won't bother it.
"Hello there. You haven't seen Yoko or Kurama have you?"
The fox glared at her, then left.
o0o0o0o0o
Yoko watched in his fox form as she sat for a couple of hours watching the water fall. The light from the lamp weeds growing around the lake reflected off the bubbling waters. He was impressed that she didn't try to leave or explore the cavern further. She was waiting for him to return to her.
/We know Kaiya, Yoko. She isn't the hysterical type. She'll probably tie our tails into a knot if she gets a chance./
The fox continued to rest on his ledge, not moving. Time was measured in the sound of water falling over rock. No real sunlight penetrated the cavern. the only light was the flowers and some luminous moss. He was a patient fox as well as cunning. The vixen will come to heel.
o0o0o0o0o
Kaiya knew she was getting hungry but the mere thought of eating made her ill. Slowly, she stood, wrapping the robe around her tighter as she made her way into the palace.
She made herself a cup of tea, pondering why Yoko had left her here. He had promised they would be staying in the Makai for several days. He wanted her with him. Why didn't he leave a note or something?
Feeling tired again, she moved to what could be described as a living room. The furnishing were simple but elegant in design. Huge pillows replaced sofa and chairs. A low table for reading was pushed against one wall. One wall was nothing but bookcases filled with scrolls, books and various knickknacks. Of course, there were two doors but no windows.
o0o0o0o0o
Yoko stepped into the palace in his human form. The punishment he had devised for her had not quite done what he had hoped for. He had forgotten she was used to being alone. Kitsunes were highly sexual creatures and although they didn't run in packs, they did run in family groups, but Kaiya had come late into her blood. Solitude and shunning should've told her that he wasn't pleased with her but she took the past two days quietly and gracefully. However, instead, it had fueled her anger.
He noticed that she had placed a plate of food for the fox she had seen on the ledge with water. He gave a slight smile. He hadn't reverted to his true fox form in years.
He found her in the living area sitting comfortable on the floor with several pillows against her back, reading something she had found in the bookcase. Yoko recognized it to be one of Kuronue's journals of their exploits.
She looked up as he had entered the room. She had known almost instantly, he had arrived. Putting the book down, she started to stand, tightening her robe around her. Yoko gave her a half leer and half smile as he strolled across the room.
The next thing Kaiya knew she was slammed against the wall, with Yoko pressing his long lean body against hers. His hand on her throat and a knee between her legs.
"Now little vixen," Yoko purred, rubbing his hips into her thigh, "You will listen. When I tell you not to do something and give you logical reasons why, you will obey me."
Her hands pushed on his chest as her eyes flashed from lavender to gold. Her red hair escaping her usual ponytail to cascade down her shoulder. She just looked at him in confusion. The damn vixen wasn't going to submit to him.
She made a slight whimper sound from her throat as his hand moved away. "So tell me, little vixen. Was the prank worth it?" he purred watching her trying to get him off her
She gave him a beautiful smile, "Hell yes."
o0o0o0o0o
Far from the Yoko's well concealed lair in a metal jungle of buildings, a lone figure stood facing a sheet of glass staring down at the pavement below.
'So Kurama has taken an interest in a human for a possible mate. How interesting. How predictable. Kurama, you disappoint me. But the girl would make a better target then the mother for my plans.'
o0o0o0o0o
Thanks RR for the review.
Well guess who? Until next time. -- GF