Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters besides Cian and Zane. This story is rated M for bad language, citrus flavoring, and violence. If any or all of these elements offend you, do not read this story.

CHAPTER SIX: BLOODY KISSES

Kurama opened his eyes and groaned. He was curled in a tight ball on the bathroom rug, clutching his churning stomach. He sat up slowly, noticing the ache in his muscles from sleeping in such an uncomfortable position all night. He picked up the house phone and dialed his work number.

"Good morning Julia. I'm afraid that I won't be able to come in to work for the next week. I'm ill." He didn't wait for response, he just hung up the phone and sank the floor with a sigh. He managed to force himself to stand and made himself mint tea to settle his stomach. He also forced a large vitamin supplement down his throat. Part of him knew it'd be the only form of nutrition he'd have for the next week.

He shuffled from the kitchen to the bathroom as he went through the normal motions of getting ready for the day's activities. He showered and wrapped himself in the black silk robe that was his favorite. He heard his own cry of surprise echo in the air when he gazed at his reflection in the mirror. His hair was streaked with silver highlights and his eyes were a strange mix of gold and green. His nails were a far cry from the length they took in his demon form, but they were longer than he'd ever allowed them in his human form. He touched the top of his head to make sure ears wouldn't spring out at any moment. He closed his eyes. "It's just part of the process," he repeated a few times before clipping his hair back. There was too much silver to consider hiding it all.

He dressed and decided that a distraction was just what he needed. He walked the many miles from his home to the small town where he did most of his shopping. The town was bustling, normal, comforting. Soccer moms were doing their grocery shopping. High school students were skipping school in the local café and a few police officers could be seen milling around the streets. It was a normal day.

The fox walked downtown and entered the bookstore. He was a frequent patron. He gave the clerk a small smile before moving to the back of the store where many of the rare and often overlooked books had been hidden away. He ran his fingers over worn leather binding, examining authors from Shakespeare to Poe.

Strong arms wrapped around his waist and he felt the muscular body press against his. Kurama didn't look away from the selection of books. "Stop playing games Kuro. You've never had the ability to disappear and reappear at will, which leads me to believe I'm being haunted by you. I don't know what you've been led to believe, but I've done nothing worthy of such a punishment."

"You betrayed me."

"It's a bit hard to betray a mate when the mate in question is dead and has never given any signs of being alive in the past." Kurama plucked a book out of the selection and examined it. "Third edition. Damn, I want the second."

"Focus fox."

"I'm not going to focus on a figment of my imagination. Even if you are there in spirit, then it's completely ludicrous that you'd decide to haunt me of all people. Why not haunt those who ended your life?"

"You killed them all, remember? Besides, I'm not haunting you." He pressed against the warm body of the fox, pressing him against the bookshelf. "Ghosts can't do that."

"Further proof that I'm going out of my mind. How about we make a deal then? If you're alive and well as you claim, then you'll be there when I turn around." Kurama turned around and was met with the sight of a man he'd thought was dead, who should be dead by all rights.

Kuronue pressed him back against the bookshelf with hands on either side of his waist. "You look pale."

Kurama hit him then, so hard that the echo of the blow caused the clerk to turn around and stare at them before busying himself at the other end of the store. Kurama bared his teeth and growled at the bat in the most menacing way he could. Kuronue stepped back and leaned against the opposite bookshelf. "I don't know who the hell you think you're dealing with Kuronue, but this game you're playing does not work to your advantage."

"I wasn't playing a game," Kuronue said. "Last night I was protecting you from harming yourself. The reason I didn't stay was because your fire demon has his spies watching your home."

Kurama hit him again, this time with enough force to knock Kuronue to his knees. "Who do you think you are?!"

"Your mate." Kuronue wiped his bleeding lip and gazed at the blood that stained his hand with a sort of detached amusement.

"I don't know who you think I am, but if you remember correctly, I only take one mate at a time." He glared when he saw the bat open his mouth to protest. "None of the men I took to my bed in my last life were my mates. You were the only. That no title no longer applies to you. I belong to another."

Kuronue stood up and locked gazes with the fox. "I won't give up my claim on you."

Kurama couldn't help the snarl that ripped from his throat. "You have none!"

"Really?" Kuro titled his head so that Kurama could see the rose that decorated the side of his neck starting just below the ear. "I do believe you still hold mine as well."

Kurama's cheeks burned with fury. "What is it about me that screams that I'm enough of a whore to take two mates? You are the second demon in my lifetime to pull this trick. I refuse to take more than one mate."

Kuronue moved forward and secured Kurama's head between his hands, forcing their eyes to remain locked. "My little fox… You were marked against your will with the ice demon. It gave you room to reject him as your mate. You and I were mated willingly, as were you and your fire demon." He traced the line of Kurama's jaw. "When you want to know what's happening to you, little fox, come find me. If it is games you wish, then it is games you shall get."

Kuronue moved forward and pressed his lips against the fox's in a searing kiss. Kurama resisted at first, struggled. His eyes slipped closed against his will and he found himself pulling his former mate closer, opening his mouth to him. When the tongue delved in to his mouth, he came to his senses once again. He gripped the ponytail and used the leverage to pull the face away from his. "Touch me again and I'll castrate you."

AUTHOR'S CORNER:

This chapter will definitely be the shortest one I'll have in this story. It just seemed like such a good place to leave off. Anyways, the next chapter will be up tomorrow. Please review and I hoped you enjoyed it despite the length.