Gekko no Senshi (Moonlight Warrior)

A/N: I know I've disappeared for a while, I apologize. Here's my 'best' chapter, according to my beta Kiera Vincent. Girl, thanks for your help! :) Read on!

Chapter 19

Rihan kept silent as he was walking Tomoe home. Tomoe wondered if she should say something but at the same time his presence eased her. Or you could say, her presence eased him. This time they were not using Omukade.

"Rihan-san, I wanted to know, why did you get angry over Rikuo not looking after me?" she said as she braced herself for poking on the same thing again, knowing that he might get upset again. What surprised her was that even though she saw a hint of anger in his eyes, he didn't snap at her.

"I need to make sure that you'll be protected before I take off," he answered.

"Where are you going?" she asked, peeking up to him. He gave her a small smile. She blushed. Not sure he could really see it 'cause it was really dark.

"A Nurarihyon never tells where he's off to," he said in a matter-of-fact way, ending it with a smirk.

"Hmm," she stomped and walked a little faster.

"You're not happy," he said suddenly concerned. She ignored him for a few seconds then she said, abruptly stopping and turning around to face him. He stood a good few inches above her with an amused look on his face.

"That's because I don't understand what was all the fuss about if you're not going to say where you're going," she hissed. He took a step back.

"I don't have to tell you where I'm going," he said, with a slight quiver in his voice. He didn't understand himself why was he feeling like this…

She bore her eyes into his, her eyes becoming bluer. For a millisecond, Rihan thought he felt the presence of the 'Moonlight warrior.'

"Whatever don't tell me, but let me tell you, I can take care of myself, I don't need you or your brother or your family taking care of me, I'm a big girl so leave me alone," she said turning around and walking away.

"Oh so if you're such a big girl, why don't you go and take care of that youkai army by yourself! Heck, why don't you go to your daddy and tell him about your dealings with strongest youkai yakuza family in the whole country!"

Her eyes grew as big as saucers for no one has ever talked back to her like this. Her aura suddenly changed. They were a few feet apart from each other; her body slightly turned towards him. Rihan noticed this change but continued,

"I was going to risk my life to go and investigate for you but NO, you have to be an ungrateful little spoil!"

Her blood boiled inside as she heaved in anger. The temperature had dropped a few degrees. Nobody has ever called her out like this, not ever her father; not even her dear mother when they where training. She was used to giving orders not receiving shit from somebody else and this didn't bode well with her.

Tomoe, she was stunned by the voice that woke up inside her. Please, he's not ready to know who you really are… I know what you're thinking, don't do it!

Who the hell are you? Tomoe mentally rolled her eyes, as she couldn't believe she was talking to herself…

I'm the soul that kept you from dying that fateful night, it said. Tomoe's eyes widened.

You what?

Rihan saw the uncertainty in her eyes. He chose this moment to get a little closer to her. He knew he had fucked up and he needed to make things right. When she felt his presence coming closer, she forgot all about her 'soul' and took a few steps back.

"Get away from me, Rihan," she hissed as her voice became more velvety. Her hair that was in a high bun fell down into long, dark tresses. Her skin became paler and her eyes even brighter.

Rihan gasped, this can't be… she can't be…

Tomoe, her inner voice urged, I beg you to stop… listen to me, he will know soon but if you show him who you are he will not go and do his job. Keep calm…

Her inner voice was right and she decided to listen to her. She lowered her head. Rihan noticed that the aura was gone; he took a few steps forward, approaching her.

"Tomoe I'm sorry, I was rude," he said softly. She can't really be a youkai, can she? She wouldn't be asking for help if she couldn't handle it herself… I guess…

"No, don't apologize. I'm the one who started it, I'm sorry," she said, still not looking up. That's when she realized that the reason she was mad was because she was worried about him. She knew he could handle himself, she's never seen him in battle but if he's anything as good as Rikuo then he'd be fine. Besides all the youki display earlier, it was much stronger than his brother's. She felt disappointed that he wouldn't share the information with her, but then again he was doing it to help her, she should just accept it and let it be… though knowing herself, this is very hard.

She shook her head and said, "Rihan, I'm going way above my anger, I shouldn't have overreacted like that…"

Rihan attentively walked towards her. He puts his hands on her shoulder, making her shudder. Electricity ran from his hands all the way down her spine and back up again. It was infuriatingly delicious. The effect he had on her made her irrational; a thirst that needed to be quenched…

She looks up to him and inhales sharply. He works his hands down to her waist and pulls her closer to him. He looks down to her; she puts hands on his left cheek, caressing it. Her touch felt like firecrackers, incandescent and delicate, like wishing for rain when standing on a dessert. Something inside cried in delight as the broken pieces of his heart started mending back together.

Without any warning, he leans down and kisses her. Her body flared up like 20 billion bottle rockets. She places her hand on his erect hair and he moans in delight. He smirks in his kiss. She leans back examining his face. Her body was limp and her head spun. Holding her in his arms felt more right than he had felt in a long time. Not only was she perfect, he didn't want to let go of her, ever… He finally found perfection, again…

When he thought it was all gone. He couldn't believe his eyes as he stared down at the most beautiful creature. His mind went on overdrive as he leaned down again, attentively. She took charge as she scoops up and places her lips on his. It was hungrier this time. She held on to his yukata as she dug herself into his hot cavern. She never wanted anything more. Kissing him felt so right.

Seemed like forever after they parted. She heaved as she tried to regain her breath. Rihan placed a hand on her cheek and caressed it. She was so beautiful he couldn't get enough. He finally got to kiss her and she let him; she wanted him too. She wanted to stay in his arms.

Rihan cleared his throat, "So, uhm, your… a parents, uhm… are not home," he stuttered. He had never felt more elated and awkward at the same time. She chuckled.

"Yes, they are not home," she smiled. Uhh Tomoe, you naughty, naughty girl!

"I… I don't think you should be alone," he said looking away.

Is he blushing? Who knew Rihan could be so cute when he's being awkward?

Tomoe backed away, turned around and started walking towards her house, which was already in view. As she opened the gate, Rihan hesitated. She turned around and said,

"Rihan, it's not like I can stop you from coming in," she smirked.

True. "Are you smirking at me, Tomoe-chan? Aren't you the naughty one…" he smirked.

"I've learnt from the best," she said as she walked into the kitchen from the back door. She rarely used the front door. Most of the time she walked in from the side, all the way to the back garden and then open the back doors that led inside the house. For some reason, she always felt a pang in her chest as she passed the bed of yamabuki flowers.

Rihan felt it too. It can't be a coincidence that she has a yamabuki garden in her backyard. Are the fates trying to test me or tell me something?

She went into the kitchen, turned on the kettle for tea. She opened a cupboard, took out 2 teacups and 2 dessert plates. Rihan leaned on the open wall just staring at her majestically moving around the kitchen in awe. From a corner she grabbed this wooden box and took out two round things that looked like pastries.

"Inoue-sama went to America a couple of years ago to visit some friends and she learned how to do this, they're called cupcakes and they go excellent with tea," she explained after seeing his quizzical face. "They sell these here."

"I've never seen it," he looked at the round pastry with some type of white mush on the top.

"Oh c'mon Rihan, this is your town, you should know!"

"How the hell am I suppose to know everything?" he whined. She chuckled. He definitely is cute when he's being awkward…

"Do you find me amusing, Tomoe-chan?" he grinned evilly. Tomoe just smiled back and said nothing. He suddenly grabs her and starts tickling her. She was squirming, holding her laugh till she couldn't take it anymore, breaking into a hysterical laughter. It was tough to fight his big frame. He was a few inches taller and much more built than her. His arms felt heavenly and she didn't want to leave. Her laugh was music to his ears. When he ceased tickling her, they maintained a position where he was holding her from behind. She stopped laughing the moment she felt his nose on the nape of her neck, working its way up to the divisor line where her neck meets her jaw. Her inhale becomes sharp and ragged as he kisses her ear. Her body implodes into tiny little pieces, making her head spin. She felt the heavens inside her mind unlocking as her heart soared in contentment. Every corner of her body tingled as he breathed into her.

"Rihan…" her mouth felt dry.

"Hmm?" he answered as he continued nibbling on her ear. Her breathing became ragged again.

"Please… stop… I can't take it," she begged.

"Hmm…" he answered again as he smelled her hair. The scent of kerria flowers…

"You're intoxicating," he continued. She gulped. Her mind was running amok with indecent and indecorous thoughts. She gathered all the strength that she had, going against her mind and said,

"Rihan, we can't do this."

He let out a sigh, "I know."

Just then the kettle sings making them both jump and laugh like idiots. After they wiped their tears, Tomoe served some tea. They ate their cupcakes in silence.

"Ok, I think I like this thing," Rihan said as he licked the remnant of whip cream from his fingers. Tomoe bit her bottom lip thinking that she ought to be the one doing that. When she finally understood what she just thought, her eyes grew as big as saucers and she shook her head mercilessly; all the time while Rihan was watching her.

"There, I haven't called you monkey face in a while and now you go making monkey faces again… you make it hard not to tease you!"

Tomoe lowered her head in embarrassment, for her stupid mind and her indecent thoughts. What are you doing to me, Nura Rihan!

"Ok, so it's late… I think you ought to go to bed," Rihan added, blushing. She gave him a quizzical look.

"Rihan, it's Friday, I don't have school tomorrow," she said.

"Oh, ok well… hmm, what you wanna do?" he looked away.

"We could watch a movie," she suggested.

"Ok, sounds good…"

They walked over to the TV area; she kneeled as she sorted out the DVD's. After they both agreed on one, she set it up and sat on the couch with Rihan holding her from behind. It took a lot of her strength to concentrate on the movie, the same for Rihan. The long school day, all the emotions, arguments and the meal took a toll on Tomoe, for she fell asleep mid-movie. Rihan chuckled as he stared at her angelical sleeping face. He tried to get himself into a more comfortable position, waited for the movie to be done, turned off the TV set using the control and closed his eyes, falling asleep, with Tomoe in his arms.