Disclaimer: Inuyasha is sooo not mine.
Chapter 8
ooooooooooooooooo
"Hiro?"
"Coming!" Hiro came running into his little brother's room, a stack of freshly laundered towels and a pair of pajamas in his hands. He lay the towels down on the foot of Akira's bed, grabbed the pajama shirt and turned to his brother. "I'm sorry I took so long, Akira. Are you okay?" He unbuttoned Akira's shirt and removed it gently.
Leaning forward, Akira nodded slowly. "Yes, I'm fine. I'm the one who should be apologizing, Hiro. I shouldn't have tried to feed myself." He allowed Hiro to slip his arms into the fresh pajama shirt.
Smiling, Hiro shook his head. "I think you're doing very well, under the circumstances."
Tear-filled green eyes blinked up at Hiro from behind wire-rim glasses. "But I'm so clumsy now, Hiro. I can't remember the last time I was unable to hold a spoonful of s-soup." Akira stuttered, then bowed his head and began to cry silently. "I'm sorry you've been forced to care for me! I didn't m-mean to be a b-burden!"
"Don't you dare say that!" Hiro cried and wrapped his arms around his brother, making sure he was careful with his head. "You're our baby brother! It's our job to look after you. After all, haven't we always looked after you?"
Akira hid his face against Hiro's neck. "That was only because our mother wanted nothing to do with me."
Hiro groaned silently. Damn that woman, he thought angrily, tightening his embrace. Aloud he said, "Don't think about it. She doesn't understand why you are the way you are. Besides, her opinion doesn't really count. It's the opinions of those that know you best that matter."
"Like yours, Yuki's and Kagome's?"
"Yes, exactly." Hiro smiled and kissed his brother's head.
The patient sighed and closed his eyes. "Where's Kagome? Why hasn't she come by to visit me? I miss her so much and I would like very much it if she came to see me."
"I don't know, Akira," Hiro replied, a little frown furrowing his brow. He was greatly disturbed by Kagome's absence. He'd thought that she and Yuki would have made up by now, but nearly six months had passed and Hiro had not heard a thing from her. "She might have gone on vacation," he said, at an attempt at lightness. "Heaven knows she needs it."
With a yawn, Akira agreed and lay back against the pillows. "Have you written to her?"
"I haven't yet," Hiro admitted, as he tucked his brother in. "I was waiting for her to write to me first, to let me know she was ready to talk. I didn't want to disturb her privacy." He shrugged and picked up the soup-stained shirt. "I guess she's not ready to talk yet. Now go to sleep, Akira. Get some rest."
Just outside the bedroom door, Yuki turned and walked quickly away. Overhearing his brothers' conversation about Kagome bothered him. He didn't want Hiro to start wondering why it was that Kagome, his best friend, had not contacted him by now. He'd hate to have to tell Hiro that nearly six months ago, he had logged on to Hiro's email account and blocked Kagome's emails after he'd intercepted a missive from her. In the email, she had inquired after all three of them, but Yuki wouldn't have that at any price. Letting her back into their lives would only make things worse. After all, it was her fault that his baby brother nearly died. At least, that's what he managed to convince himself to believe. Truth was, no one knew about Akira's condition until he was examined at the hospital.
He went into the living room and fixed himself a glass of whiskey and soda. Downing that, he poured another, only it was straight whiskey this time. If he was honest with Hiro, he'd break down and admit to blocking her emails. He couldn't even remember what her email address had been, and he sure as hell didn't have the heart to ask Hiro what it was, because then he'd be forced to come clean about what he'd done. Hell, if he was honest with himself, he would admit that he was biggest fool ever for pushing her away. After all the years he'd spent pursuing her, she had at last returned his affections and what did he do? He pushed her away. Bloody idiot. But even though he was a bloody idiot, he was not that big of an idiot. Like hell he would tell Hiro the truth. A Hiro that was sorely pissed off was not a pretty sight.
In his defense, Yuki felt that Kagome should have at least been honest with them, but truthfully, he never should have allowed his anger at her to overtake his senses the way he had. And he never should have yelled at her like that, not so soon after she'd been attacked. Even so, he knew he couldn't take anymore of her running off on her own, getting into messes that only got her into worse trouble. His heart couldn't stand that kind of stress, especially since he loved her so much.
Yuki walked to the window and stared disconsolately outside. It was dreary, rainy day; just the kind of day that Kagome loved. After taking a swig of his drink, Yuki pressed his forehead against the cool window pane and shut his eyes. A picture formed in his mind... a picture of a laughing, sweet-faced Kagome.
His heart ached at the mental image of her. It had been aching ever since he'd walked away from her that last day he'd seen her. Even though at the time his anger at her was foremost in his mind, his love for her remained as strong as ever. He'd fought his feelings every single day, until he'd foolishly convinced himself that he and his brothers were better off without her. Distancing themselves from her, shutting her out of their lives... it would be less painful in the long run should she end up doing something foolish and get herself killed. But his resolve had not lasted. He needed to see her again... and to apologize. Hopefully before it was too late, or worse! He might lose her to another man. That would be unbearable.
Just a month previously, he'd gone to her family shrine and found her mother working in the garden. Kagome's mom had been delighted to see him and had offered him some tea, to which he declined with thanks. He was looking for Kagome, he had told her, but she shook her head and informed him that Kagome was currently unavailable. She had gone on a mission.
"A mission? Oh, I see." His fragile feeling of hope was brutally squashed by the great sadness that weighed down on him. "Do you happen to know when she'll be back?"
Again, Kagome's mother shook her head. "I'm afraid I don't," she said with a rueful smile.
Yuki sighed. "I see. Well, did she at least tell you where she was being sent to?"
"Somewhere in Europe, I think. She did mention that it would be a long-term assignment. Oh yes, she also told me a couple of days ago that she's going on a two week R&R soon, but she won't be returning to Japan." She shook her head. "That's a shame, because I really miss her."
After thanking her for the information, Yuki made his way over to Kagome's house. It looked cold and unlived in and Yuki wondered just how long Kagome had been gone. Or would be gone.
A loud clap of thunder brought Yuki out of his reverie. He peered through the window and saw that the rain had begun to fall harder. Her face flashed again in front of his eyes and it looked exactly as it had on that last day when he had yelled at her. Those big brown eyes had been wide and confused and damn it, the look on her face... Just thinking about it now tore his heart to pieces. He cursed himself, for it wasn't until after it was all said and done that Hiro had pulled him aside and demanded to know why he'd shot his mouth off like a damned fool. Didn't he remember that Inuyasha had done the same to her several years previously?
But Yuki had forgotten. In the heat of the moment, he had completely forgotten and because of his lapse in memory, he had cruelly forced her to relive an old, hurtful memory.
'Kagome,' he thought, his heart aching more fiercely than it had before, 'where are you? Damn, I need you.'
oooooooooooooooooo
The deadline of the six months arrived and before Kagome knew it, the nine slayers that had been sent to her were finally fit for duty. A couple of weeks before they were due to leave, Kagome received their assignments and duly distributed them.
There was much excitement as they tore into their packets. Angela and Lauren squealed with joy and hugged each other tightly. "I can't believe we're going to the same unit!" Lauren cried, giving her friend a squeeze.
Stephen and Gareth were also assigned together in the same unit, while Cameron and Robert were being sent to separate squads. Gina, Jack and Gil, upon opening their packets, looked somewhat stunned at what they discovered.
"Where are you guys going?" Gareth asked curiously.
Jack shook his head with disbelief. "I'm... I'm staying here," he said with a shocked expression. "Plus, they made me a corporal."
"Wow, same here," Gina said with some confusion, then turned to Gil and asked where he was being sent.
Gil, expressing hardly any emotion as usual, glanced up from the papers in his hands. "I, too, am to remain here." His gaze shifted to Kagome. "Strange, that."
As the others crowded around him to get a look at his orders, Kagome looked away from his piercing gaze. Why must he stare at her so? Didn't he know how much he affected her? Of course he knew. He knew all too well. Hell, he could read her mind and bring her bubble teas out of the blue, just when she wanted one!
"Well done, Sergeant Marsten, Corporal Hunt, Corporal Salgado. I knew you had it in you. As for the rest of you, I have no doubt that you will rise quickly through the ranks. Just remember what you learned here and you will do just fine." She straightened and looked over at them. "I have been informed that all of us, starting tomorrow, will be given two week's R and R before you are sent off to your new posts. This means that after tomorrow, I will not be seeing you again. I want all of you to know that I'm exceedingly proud of what you have all accomplished. Now get out of here and get some sleep for tonight. Dismissed."
The nine slayers stood in a line, shoulder to shoulder, and gave her a perfectly executed and very solemn salute. The gesture touched Kagome deeply and she returned with a solemn salute of her own, after which the slayers took their leave.
ooo
That night while on patrol, Gil put a question to Kagome. At the moment they were quite alone as Hunt and Salgado had gone off to do the nightly check of the village church and cemetery.
"I was wondering-" he began, but stopped and dropped his gaze to the cobblestone path beneath their feet.
Curious at what he could possibly want to know that she was sure he knew already, Kagome glanced over at him. "Yes? You were wondering?"
"Well," he said with a careless shrug, "it's about our vacation. I was wondering what you were going to do for the next two weeks. I mean, you don't have to tell me because I know it's none of my business, but I was simply curious." He raised his eyes to meet hers, an almost expectant look in them.
"I honestly haven't thought about it," Kagome replied coolly and shifted her stance. Out of habit, her right hand came up and she fidgeted with the handle of her sword. "Now that you mention it, I will most likely remain here and help out."
Gil shook his head. "You're going to work on your time off?" he asked in disbelief.
She eyed him coolly. "What's wrong with that? I'd hate to leave Tom, Sam and Blake alone with our replacements, who won't be used to the surrounding areas and-"
"I have a much better idea, Kagome," Gil interrupted smoothly. "Why don't you come up to London with me? You can stay with me at my townhouse. I have a guest room so you won't have to get an overpriced room at some ridiculously expensive hotel. I'll even be your personal tour guide." His smile was enchanting, which forced Kagome to look away. "What do you say?"
"That I wouldn't want to be a bother," she replied, wishing that he would take a few steps back, preferably far enough so that the darkness hid that too-handsome face of his. "How about I stay for a few days in one of those expensive hotels and then come back here? It's not as if I can't afford it and besides, I'm sure you have friends you'd rather spend time with..." She trailed off.
Again he shook his head. "The only person in London that I have any wish to see is my mother but she just left on a trip to god-knows-where. This means I'll have no one to visit. I wish she could have remained in town long enough so you could meet her. You'd love her, Kagome. She's truly a magnificent creature."
Instead of backing away as she'd wished, Gil took a couple of steps closer and again she marveled at how tall he was. An errant memory flashed through her mind left Kagome thankful for the darkness, for it hid her flaming cheeks. It was of Gil, that day she had seen him jogging through the village without his shirt. His entire upper body had been covered with a fine sheen of sweat and his muscles rippled smoothly beneath his sun-kissed golden flesh. The sight had left Kagome incredibly weak in the knees. From that day on, she was firmly convinced that this man could not be human. How else could he make her feel the way she did if it wasn't some kind of enchantment?
"Is she an animal of some kind?" Kagome asked rather rudely, shoving the mouth-watering memory viciously from her mind. Really, this man was too sexy for his own good! "I thought only animals were ever referred to as 'magnificent creatures'."
Instead of being insulted or rebuking her for her callous comment, Gil merely chuckled. "That's true, but when you see her, I know you'll agree with me." His voice grew soft, almost dream-like. "She's the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."
Kagome eyed her companion with approval. She liked hearing sons talking that way of their mothers. "I'm sure she is," Kagome said softly. "I would love to meet her one day."
Gil grinned at her just as Gina and Jack came down the path towards them. "All clear," Jack said as they joined Kagome and Gil.
Acknowledging his words with a nod, Kagome began walking away from the churchyard and down the street, leaving the other three behind.
Gina grabbed hold of Gil's arm. "Well, don't keep us in suspense! What did she say? Did she say yes?"
"Yeah, sort of. She said she'd stay for only a few days and then come back here." Gil frowned. "I hate that she works so damned much. It has to be because of Yuki."
"You mean because she can't forget him."
Gil nodded and the three started off after Kagome. "I'm so sick of him, you have no idea. He's making her completely miserable, and all the while he's on the other side of the bloody planet!" He gritted his teeth in aggravation. "I just want to kick his sorry ass so bad!"
Jack patted Gil on the shoulder. "I know, man. But hey, look at it this way. She's going with you to London anyway, right? Then all you need to do is to get her to stay that extra week or so."
"Oh, I plan on it," Gil mused, a sly smile crossing his face. "That fool Yuki will regret that he ever let her go."
"Hey, Gil," Gina said, tugging at his arm, "do you know this Yuki guy or something? The way you talk about him makes me think that you've met him before."
Gil did not respond and instead, charged ahead in order to catch up with Kagome.
oooooooooo
It was late afternoon of the next day when Kagome found herself on the passenger side of Gil Marsten's sporty champagne-colored Jaguar. She could have kicked herself for agreeing to accompany him to London, but she'd never been to that famed metropolis and honestly, she was keen to go. Thoughts of seeing the Tower of London, Big Ben and the Thames River filled her head. Although she would never admit it to her gracious host, she was very eager to see as much as she could in the few days she allotted herself for the visit.
Without meaning to, she looked over at her companion, who stared absently out through the windshield as his long fingers tapped out a rhythm on the steering wheel. Once again she found that there was something very familiar about his facial features, something that she couldn't put her finger on.
"Am I that interesting to look at?" he asked suddenly, startling her. His blue eyes came to rest on her, their sapphire depths twinkling merrily.
She felt her face instantly turn a bright red and quite embarrassed, she turned away from him. He laughed heartily.
They sat for the remainder of the trip in silence, save the melodious notes of Mozart and later on, from Vivaldi's Four Seasons that streamed from the car speakers.
ooo
They arrived at his townhouse just after sunset. Other than the fact that it screamed money, it was a lovely two-story building on Park Lane, in the high-class district of Mayfair, that sat facing the extensive grounds of Hyde Park. They were greeted at the door by a solemn, yet very dignified man.
"Welcome home sir. Dinner will be ready soon," the solemn man murmured respectfully. He turned to Kagome and gave her a short bow. "Welcome, miss. Let me take your bags." Without another word, he took Kagome's suitcases and hefted them easily up the stairs.
Catching her eye, Gil motioned for them to follow the superior-looking butler up the stairs.
"Do you call him Jeeves or Bunter?" Kagome whispered to Gil.
Stifling a laugh, Gil turned an amused face to his guest. "Neither. Actually, he answers to the simple name of James. He's been with my mum and me for the past two decades. But it's funny you should bring up those two wonderful fictional characters. James is a lot like both Jeeves and Bunter, you know. He's always on the spot and always knows how to do things. It's marvelous, you know. I swear he knows everything. Once when I was a boy, mum lost her favorite nail polish so I decided to play detective in order to find it for her. At the moment I was very much into Dorothy L. Sayers, so naturally I had to play Lord Peter Wimsey and I demanded that James play the role of Bunter."
"And did he?"
"Oh yes, he did. He's always been a good sport, you know." Gil winked at Kagome just as James opened the door to what she supposed was her bedroom. "He slicked my hair back and even got me a monocle, although it took me awhile to learn how to keep the damned thing in place."
"Did you find the missing nail polish?"
"Yes, James did, damn it all. It had fallen behind some cupboard or other. Anyhow, I was very upset at being outdone by the butler, so he had the cook make my favorite foods for dinner that night in order to keep me from screaming bloody murder. I was rather livid, wasn't I, James?" Gil laughed heartily, and James nodded, cracking a smile. "And of course at dinner, mum was extremely dismayed to see a mountain of Mac and cheese, a huge pile of sausages and a white, two-tiered cake sprinkled all over with gum drops. James explained to mum the situation and in the interest of peace, she allowed me to eat as much as I wanted."
'What a spoiled brat,' Kagome thought to herself with some dismay. She shook her head. "What? No veggies?"
"Are you kidding me? James had to strike those off the menu just keep me from screaming the house down. I was still sore about him solving the nail polish mystery, you understand. But... I did agree to drink my milk. Milk goes well with cake, don't you know."
While James dutifully unpacked her bags, Gil showed Kagome around her room. It was large and spacious, complete with modern furniture and an elegantly done private bathroom. They withdrew once James had finished and left Kagome to freshen up. A half an hour later, she met up with Gil and they went into dinner together.
ooo
After dinner, Gil steered Kagome into the lounge and after depositing her to a large comfortable sofa, sat down in an armchair opposite her and waited as James came in and offered them an after-dinner drink, which they both accepted. As James noiselessly exited the room, Gil leaned over and offered Kagome a cigarette. She accepted it with murmured thanks and allowed him to light it for her.
"You have a lovely home," she commented politely as he lit his own cigarette.
"Thanks, but this isn't really a home," he told her, and lay down his lighter on the glass-topped coffee table between them. He glanced perfunctorily around the room. "It's just a house, you know. It would be well and truly considered a home if I had a wife and kids comfortably ensconced here. But I have neither, as you can see. Even when it was just my mum and me, it felt like just a house. Mum couldn't take it any longer and left the house to me. She took off to another part of London and I can't say I blame her. The memories, you know. Didn't want to be constantly reminded of my dad."
Hearing Gil opening up to her like this surprised Kagome greatly, but the surprise gave way to discomfiture at the mention of his father. She wondered if she should ask about Gil's dad. "Oh, I see. If you don't mind me asking, but what happened to your father? Did he die?"
"Die?" Gil's blue eyes came to rest on her and he chuckled. "Oh, heaven's no! The bastard took off on us a long time ago. Ran away to Japan or some other country out east, I think." He took a drag off his cigarette and exhaled slowly after a moment.
"I'm sorry," Kagome said consolingly. "When did he leave?"
"Oh, he didn't leave for good until I was twenty-one. Before he left, he kept making all these trips to Japan for business and whatnot. Once, I got brave and asked the blighter why he kept going over there, to which he replied, 'I finally found the one thing I've been looking for all my life.' Must be something really special, I told him, since you continually desert your wife and son for it so bloody often." Gil's voice was bitter as the words passed his lips. "And he wondered why I began my temporary life of crime. Well, what'd he expect? He only stayed around long enough to take a shit before he was off again. If there'd been a Loser Father of the Year award, it would go to him by default every bloody year. I doubt he ever loved mum and me."
Kagome put out her cigarette and watched as Gil's anger grew, then subsided. He shrugged again and inhaled.
"He told me that there was something over there that he needed to find and it was terribly important that he find it. He never told me exactly what was he was looking for. If he told me, I doubt I would have believed him, much less cared. I never did trust that slippery bastard." Tilting his head back, Gil's lips formed an 'O' and smoke streamed forth.
"I guess he must have found what he was searching for after all," Kagome said, breaking the silence. "Seeing as how he never returned, I mean."
Gil nodded slowly. "I think so too. We haven't seen him since he left. Mum got a divorce soon after his departure and we were relieved. I'm glad he's gone. I hope I never lay eyes on the bastard ever again." He looked at Kagome and grinned. "Don't look so shocked, my girl. I promise you that if I ever reproduce, I will never treat my offspring the way my father has treated me."
"Well, that's a relief," she said, reaching for her glass.
He laughed softly and leaned forward. "And I promise never to treat my future wife as he treated my mum, either," he said. The tone of his voice startled Kagome and she looked up at him sharply. He was staring at her oddly, his grey eyes dark with meaning.
A wave of heat rolled through her body and she jerked backwards, sans glass. "G-good. No need to repeat history," she stammered and got to her feet. "Well, I'm exhausted. Will you excuse me?"
Gil got to his feet too and nodded. "Of course. Shall I ring for-"
"No! I mean, please don't trouble yourself. I can find my own way to my room. Good night," she said hurriedly and made her escape.
Gil watched as she went, then sank back down into the depths of his armchair. He reached for his glass of brandy and knocked it back in one gulp. While he stared absently into the empty glass, he heard a soft, padding footstep behind him. "I suppose it would be too much for you to be my beloved Kagome come back to me?" he asked the owner of the footsteps.
"I'm afraid so," James murmured consolingly. "More brandy, sir?"
The distressed young man in the chair nodded and held out his glass. "Yes, if you please, James. Thank you." Gil sipped mournfully at his freshened glass. "Tell me, what do you think of her?" he casually asked of his manservant.
James was silent for a moment in contemplation. "She's a lovely young lady," he said at last while he busied himself about the room, tidying up. "I've read about her. Very powerful slayer, but it's not obvious just from looking at her. I'd say she was a good match for you, sir."
"Hmph." Gil stared into space. "A good match, huh? I have to catch her first. How on earth am I to do that, James?"
"If you wish, sir, you could ask your mother to... you know... fix it so the young lady returns your feelings."
Gil shook his head emphatically. "Absolutely not, James! You know she's not allowed to meddle like that. None of us are. Although," he added quietly and swirled his brandy around and around in his glass, "it is a rather tempting thought. But in all honesty, I couldn't do such a thing to her. What I want her to feel for me has to be real. It must be real. I will accept nothing less than that."
James stared down at his young master with a benign smile. "Very good sir. Forgive me for offering up such a ridiculous suggestion."
"No, it wasn't ridiculous, my good man. I know you only have my well-being at heart and I thank you for it. By the way, have you heard from mum since she took off on her trip?"
"Yes, sir. Lady Miranda is currently visiting her sister, Lady Marina, at her home in Tokyo." James bent down and picked up Kagome's glass. "But she said that she would return to London as soon as possible."
"That's because she and her sister can't be civil to each other for more than fifteen minutes at a stretch," Gil muttered unkindly, then groaned. "Oh good lord, why on earth must she visit that woman? I do firmly believe that woman is not altogether there, James." He tapped a fingertip against his forehead. "You know, mentally."
"I wouldn't know about that, sir," James murmured noncommittally.
"Liar. You know very well that she's a nutter. The hamster's dead but the wheel's still spinning, and so on. I'm surprised her kids didn't end up like- Oh, wait, I take that back. She has one normal child. Shame about the other two, though."
James eyed his master reproachfully. "You shouldn't speak so of your cousins, sir. They're nice young men-"
Blue eyes shot upwards and glared reproachfully at the butler. "You're wrong, James! Quite wrong! One of them is a fiend and you know full well which one it is! How a supposedly well-bred male could behave in such a disgusting, foul, uncouth manner is beyond my understanding. I believe there was a word back in the olden times that described him perfectly. What was it? Oh, yes! Blackguard! That's what he is. He's an animal, by god! No, wait! I shall even go so far as to say that the lowest beast in the animal kingdom is higher on the evolutionary ladder than he is! I hate him as much as I hate my father, and that's saying a lot, don't you think?"
The butler nodded. "Yes, sir."
Another groan was wrenched from Gil as he sank even deeper into his chair. "But even though he is on par with slug excrement," Gil grunted peevishly as he stared disconsolately into his brandy glass, "I hate to admit that he has one up on me." He looked up at his manservant and eyed him solemnly. "I still can't believe that a level-headed girl like Kagome ever fell in love with him."
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Yuki sneezed mightily and shook his head. His mother and aunt turned to look at him.
"My dear, someone is talking about you," Rini said with a gentle smile. She reached into one long, flowing sleeve and drew out a silk handkerchief. "Here you are, my love."
Taking the dainty fabric, Yuki blew his nose. "Thanks, mom," he murmured gratefully.
Rini… whose real name was Marina… nodded and turned her attention back to her identical twin sister, Miranda. The sisters were the loveliest and fairest of all the female elves in the realm and they were the daughters of one of the highest ranking nobles in the elven world. They were elegant and graceful, blessed with masses of shining golden hair, sparkling sapphire blue eyes and smooth, flawless alabaster skin that made them seem to glow from within.
"How is Akira?" asked Miranda, taking a sip of fragrant tea from a delicate china teacup decorated with pale pink sakura petals.
"Do not speak to me of him, Randa," Rini snapped, her blue eyes flashing with an anger that belied her lovely, innocent countenance.
At the sound of their mother's voice, Yuki and Hiro turned to look at their mother. Her attitude towards their younger brother did not surprise them, but it still saddened them, even after all these years. They were weary of her dismissal of Akira.
Miranda sighed and lowered her teacup. "Rini, stop it. I really wish you would stop treating him as though he were youkai filth. Start behaving as a mother should. Akira is a wonderful young elf with lovely manners. How he could turn out the way he did with his own mother hating him is beyond my comprehension."
Rini let loose an undignified snort. "How I could give birth to such a monster is also beyond my comprehension."
As with her nephews, Miranda was also fed up with her twin's attitude concerning her youngest child. She slammed the teacup she held down onto the small table between them. Piece of delicate china and tea flew everywhere, covering her lap, the table and the floor.
"Rini!" she exploded, jumping to her feet. "I said stop it! Despite of what you say, Akira is no monster. He's a generous, sweet-tempered elf who was denied a loving mother! I don't know how many times I told you to give him to me to raise-"
"What? And send my cursed child to live with my sister to infect her life? Nonsense! I do hope you will appreciate the fact that I spared you the trouble of having to care for such a-"
Goaded beyond words, Miranda leaned over and slapped her sister hard across the face. Rini's head snapped back around and she stared disbelievingly up at her sister, her large blue eyes filling with tears.
But Miranda's heart was not softened. "I do not feel in the least bit sorry for you, so save me your pathetic dramatics," she hissed and resumed her seat. With steady hands, she began gathering up the pieces of teacup. "Sometimes I cannot believe I actually shared a womb with you. You have no heart at all, Rini. It makes me sorry that we are sisters."
"You... you don't mean that!" Rini blubbered, and clutched at her chest. When Miranda gave her a dark look, she began to weep. "You're so cruel to me, Randa! I hate you! Yuki, come to mama!" She held out her arms to her eldest son and when he reached her, she grabbed him and wrapped her arms around him.
Miranda rolled her eyes. Hiro came over to her and began helping her gathering the shards of china. She smiled down at him. "Hiro, you're a wonderful young elf too. I'm sorry you have such a terrible mother," she said sweetly.
Hiro's cheeks flooded with color. "Aunt Miranda!" he gasped and ducked his dark head to hide his embarrassment. "Mom isn't a terrible mother. She's just-"
"Childish and cruel," Miranda finished briskly, dumping the china fragments on the table. "An elf should not be so, and especially not to an innocent elfling. It's despicable."
Rini managed to recover enough to pull her face away from her son's chest and send a scowl in her sister's direction. "Innocent? Did you ever see that boy's face when he... when he turns into that... that thing?"
This time is was Hiro who turned on Rini. He tossed the teacup shards on the table with the rest of the pile and rose to his full height. "That is enough, mother," he ground out angrily. "What happened to Akira was not his fault. He was born like that! Can't you just stop hating him?" Hiro yelled and stormed out of the room.
A heavy silence weighed down on the three remaining elves. At long last, after Miranda had managed to compose herself, she poured another cup of tea, took a sip, lay it back down and sighed. "Well, this has been quite a lovely visit. I must come back and see you all again soon." Another sip. "I shall go see Akira in a few minutes, but I must finish this lovely cup of tea. What flavor is it?" She directed her question at Yuki, who was still holding his sniffling mother and looking very uncomfortable.
"Orange and jasmine," he told her with some relief at the change of subject.
Miranda nodded and took yet another sip. "Quite lovely," she said appreciatively.
Rini dried her eyes and sat up. "I meant to ask you," she said, reaching for her own cup, "how is your son doing? Is he keeping on the right side of the law for a change?"
"Mom!" Yuki interjected, his fair face turning bright red. He glanced at his aunt with a horrified look on his face. "Aunt Miranda, I'm so sorry-"
A vapid smile appeared on Miranda's lovely face. "It's fine, my dear boy," Miranda said airily and waved a dismissive hand. "Gil is doing well and actually, he recently completed Slayer basic training."
"Wow, that's great," Yuki said with a smile. "Where's he been stationed?"
"He's stationed in England, which is a comfort to me. It's a dangerous job so I hear, and having him close to me makes me feel that much better. I'd rather have him living a life of luxury with me in London, but what can one do? This is the life he wanted." She smiled at her nephew. "Oh! By the way, I must mention this. It's rather exciting news, although I haven't told anyone. My dear Gil has fallen in love! Isn't that simply divine?"
"Simply," murmured Rini with a yawn. "Is the girl plain or ugly?"
Miranda refused to allow her sister's nasty reply to dampen her spirits. "Gil says she's absolutely the most wonderful girl in the world! I can't wait to meet the young lady. He says that she's quite lovely and graceful."
"Well," Rini said with a trace of malice, "let's hope he doesn't run her off. We all know about those criminal types. Besides- and I hate to say it- the poor boy isn't anywhere near as handsome as my Yuki." She turned and gazed adoringly at her eldest child. "There is no male on earth, elf or human that is as breathtakingly beautiful as my son. Don't you agree, Randa?"
"Oh yes, Rini. You are quite right. Yuki is the most exquisite male I have ever laid eyes on." Miranda paused and Yuki saw that she was shaking with fury. Glittering pools of icy blue rage settled on Rini. Through gritted teeth Miranda said, "But that is no excuse to insult my son. Gil may not have Yuki's devastating good-looks, but he, like Hiro and Akira, is a gentleman and worth any deserving female's time."
Rini's blue eyes widened innocently. "Why are you bringing Hiro into this?"
"Because, you foolish twit, I've noticed time and again that the only one of your children that you ever seem to take notice of is Yuki."
"You lie! I do too take notice of Hiro!" cried Rini petulantly.
Miranda sneered. "If you will pardon my language... bullshit," she bit out. She stood and after she had gathered her things, headed for the door. As she reached the sliding doors, she turned to glance back over her shoulder at Yuki, who had risen too. "I'm so sorry, my dear boy. I should have paid more attention to what my worthless sister was doing to the three of you. I wish I had taken the three of you from her and raised you myself. Rini does not deserve to be your mother." With that, she left the room.
She found Hiro pacing agitatedly outside, but he ceased once he saw his aunt.
"I apologize for my mother, Aunt Miranda," he said regretfully. "Yuki and I both hate it when she says those dreadful things about our brother."
Miranda nodded and took her nephew by the arm. "It's alright, Hiroshi. I know your mother's streak of cruelty all too well. Now then, take me to Akira, if you don't mind." She grinned brightly at him and he returned with a winsome smile of his own.
When they reached the house, he led her upstairs where Akira was lying in bed, reading. He looked up from his book, pushed his glasses up further on his nose and blinked up at his brother and the newcomer.
"Aunt Miranda!" he cried softly, a welcoming smile on his face.
Miranda, suddenly overwhelmed with emotion, rushed to him and enfolded him in a warm embrace. "How are you, my sweet elfling? I've missed you so much!"
"I've missed you too," he said against her neck. He held her for a moment then pulled away. "I'm alright. Recovering slowly. But enough about me. How are you and Gil?"
"We're fine, my love. He's a slayer now and stationed only two hours away from his doting mama." She laughed. "I'm glad he's so close. I'd hate to think of him traipsing all over the world, getting himself into dangerous situations."
Akira grinned. "Well, that's just part of the job, Aunt Miranda. But if he's got a good team with him, then you don't need to worry so."
"I'm afraid I'll always worry about my baby. That's what mothers do, don't they?" She smiled then grimaced when she realized the tactlessness of her remark. Akira's face fell and he looked away, but she scooped him up in her arms again. "After the "incident" with that human, I asked your mother if I could raise you, Akira. She didn't want me to, but I continued to pester her. Even though your father refused to let you go, thus denying me the chance to adopt you as my son, I would love it if you could look on me as your mother." She rocked him gently. "I've always loved you, you know. You could come live with me, if you wish."
Green eyes regarded her solemnly. "You... would have adopted me, Aunt Miranda? Really?"
She nodded, then leaned forward and kissed his forehead. "Really. Think about it, okay, darling? Aunt Miranda is feeling tired after having to deal with your troublesome mother. I swear that woman becomes more of a pain in the ass every time I see her."
Miranda stayed for a few more minutes longer then left, after telling Hiro that she would be back the following day for another visit after she got some rest and shopping done. He was agreeable to that and thanked her for raising his brother's spirits. She replied that it was all her pleasure to do so.
oooooooooooooooooooo
After three days of sightseeing, Gil decided to be brave and took Kagome out to a club he liked in Piccadilly. Everything was going swimmingly; Kagome even allowed him to drag her out onto the dance floor. But as the music got more energetic, so did Gil... and his hands. Gil was so carried away by the sensual, heavy beat that without thinking he pulled her to him, and allowed his hands to roam freely all over her body. He didn't realize that Kagome was struggling to free herself until she shoved his hands off of her and pushed her way through the crowd.
Thoroughly infuriated, Kagome raced out of the club and onto the crowded sidewalk. The memory of Gil's hands on her made her tremble and a little breathless. How dare he touch her like that! What the hell was he thinking?
"Wait! Kagome, wait a minute!" Gil was by her side in an instant. "Why did you run off?" he asked, sounding a little hurt.
Kagome turned on him angrily. "I think you know why," she spat.
Gil sighed. "Because I touched you?" She nodded and he did likewise. "I see." He led her to an outdoor café a little ways down the street and once they were seated and had placed orders for drinks, he spoke. "I'm sorry about that. Wanna a fag?"
Her gaze jerked up to his face. "Excuse me?" she asked, alarmed.
He grinned and held out his gold cigarette case. "You know, a cig, a ciggy, a cigarette, a smoke, a cancer stick, a-"
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," she retorted coldly and accepted one of his cigarettes. "Thank you."
His grin got wider as he lit her cigarette, then his own. "You certainly are a lively one, aren't you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You have plenty of spirit, spunk, pep-"
She glared furiously at him. "Look, enough with the adjectives, okay? Damn, that's annoying..."
The irritation on her face was too much for him and he let loose a hearty laugh. The look in her eyes grew dangerous and he ceased laughing. "I'm sorry, really I am. It's just that you make me laugh-"
"I can see that," she muttered in clipped tones.
Gil shook his head. "No, no, it's nothing like that at all. I'm not laughing at you, love. It's just that I'm not used to seeing a spark of life in you. Do you mind if I speak candidly?" he asked of her. She shook her head and he went on. "At work, you're so closed off from everybody. There's the occasional burst of anger, but even that is controlled. I've always longed to see you as you are naturally, not as a woman who holds her shield up high so that nothing and no one can see past it. Do you see what I mean? I just want to see the real you, not what you want the rest of us to see."
Kagome sat there, immobile. During his little speech, Gil had leaned forward, his grey eyes staring hard into hers and she had the uncomfortable feeling that he was trying to hypnotize her. Thankfully, their waitress arrived with their drinks and broke the spell. "I don't know what you're talking about," she informed him coolly and sipped at her ice cold beverage.
He stubbed out his cigarette, but continued to stare into her eyes. "Do I repulse you?" he asked suddenly.
She nearly choked on her gin and tonic. "What? Of course not," she managed to say. "Anyone can see that you're a very good looking guy."
Taking a drink from his glass, Gil sat back and regarded her with interest. "You think so? Well, thank you, Kagome." He was silent for a moment, lit another cigarette and then asked, "Are you a lesbian, then?"
This time, Kagome did choke on her drink. "What... the hell?" she gasped. "No! No, I'm not! Oh, for god's sake, what the hell kind of question is that?"
Relief flashed across his handsome face and he sent a charming smile her way. "Well, that's good to know. I just thought I should ask just in case you happened to be-" The moment was growing more awkward by the second and in desperation, he raised a hand and swept the back of his hand across his forehead. "Whew! Glad that's over, eh?"
"You're insane," she told him flatly. "Why are you asking me such weird questions? Damn, I never should have come to London with you. What the hell was I thinki-"
"Then you're in love with someone else."
Kagome ceased her rant and stared wide-eyed at him. "Excuse me?"
All in an instant his good humor and smiling face were gone, replaced by a grim, pained look. Gil took a strong pull of his drink and eyed her squarely. "This man that you constantly think about. He hurt you and yet you still love him. Why is that?"
"I fail to see how that is any of your business." She fumbled into her pants pocket and pulled out a crumpled pack of cigarettes. But Gil snatched it away and tossed it onto the ground before offering her one from his cigarette case.
"Let me just say," he said quietly, offering her his lighter, "that from the moment I saw you, you became my business."
She was disquieted by the look in his eyes and for a split second, she wished that her swords were there with her. "So you're saying that you're some kind of psycho stalker?"
Blushing furiously, he shook his head. "No, I'm not a stalker, nor am I a psycho." His smoky gaze regarded her for a moment. "I have to admit that it's a little embarrassing to explain, though."
"Let's hear it," she demanded coldly.
"As you wish." Gil leaned back in his chair and took a drag off his cigarette. "About five years ago, my mum sent me down to the corner store to buy her favorite fashion magazine for her. Anyway, on the way back to the house, I casually flipped through it just to see if any of the girls in there took my fancy. Well, one did take my fancy and that's not all she took." His eyes seemed to glow in his face. "The girl I saw was a lovely black-haired Japanese woman, surrounded by three rather extraordinarily handsome blokes. She was a demon slayer, the article said... but that was all I was able to absorb at that moment." He tapped ash from his cigarette onto the ground. "Since that day, I have never found anyone as beautiful as you, Kagome. I ran back to the store and bought my own copy so I could stare at you all day. Eventually, I was able to peel my eyes off you and actually read the article. But you really had me hooked from that day forward."
Twice in the space of an hour had this man managed to leave her unable to move or speak. "You mean... after all this time...?"
Smiling, Gil nodded. "Yep. I either have the world's biggest crush on you, or..."
"Or?" she prompted.
"Or else I'm hopelessly in love with you."
ooo
The ride back to his townhouse was silent. James admitted them and Kagome immediately went to bed, but not to sleep. When everyone in the house was asleep, Kagome crept down the stairs with her suitcases and snuck out of the house. She hailed a taxi and after dumping a wad of cash into the cabbie's hands, demanded that he take her back to Horningsham.
A week later, Gil returned, but when he tried to speak to her privately, she put him off, saying that she had paperwork to do and escaped to her office. Even though he made numerous attempts to talk to her, every single time she pushed him away.
Nearly a month passed and a new crop of poorly ranked slayers fresh from boot camp arrived. Unlike the previous group, this bunch came in, happy and eager to learn from the legendary Lieutenant Higurashi, but Kagome had a feeling that they failed purposely just to be able meet her. These kids were starry-eyed from the moment she appeared to welcome them to Horningsham. Unlike the first group, they hung onto every word that fell from her mouth.
This whole situation not only served to boost Kagome's wilting ego, but it also gave her an excuse to stay away from Gil Marsten. Or rather, stay away from him as much as she could. Gil, it turned out, had come to the decision to stick as close to Kagome as possible. In response to his persistence, Kagome allowed him near her, but always managed to have someone nearby, so that a private conversation could not occur between herself and her lengthy sergeant.
At first, Gil appeared to take her keeping him at arms' length well, but she began to get the feeling that it infuriated and frustrated him. He began to smoke heavily and his eyes, those normally bright and happy grey eyes, had darkened and fixed intently on her every time she came near him. All in all, it was rather an unsettling state of affairs. Kagome supposed that she could allow him five or ten minutes to speak his mind, but she didn't quite dare. After two disastrous and painful episodes that had torn her heart to shreds, she couldn't bring herself to allow a third man into her life, no matter how handsome or well-bred he was. Or how often and passionately he proclaimed his love for her.
And too, there was the matter of Hiro. She had written to him periodically, but all her letters went unanswered. With a heavy heart, she decided that he wanted nothing to do with her either, and therefore she needed to move on. It hurt terribly, knowing that the only person outside of her family that she trusted completely, wished to end their friendship. There was no one else to turn to with her troubles.
It took a few days before she actually stopped thinking about Hiro, but it helped that she heaped piles of paperwork on herself. Her sergeants and corporals were all forced to take the young slayers out at night while she manned the command post and worked.
Nearly a month had passed in this manner. Kagome itched to go on the hunt, but if she gave into the urge, she knew that Gil would find a way to be alone with her, and that she did not want. But the amount of work began to weigh on her and one morning, the slayers returned to find Kagome passed out on the floor of the station.
Seeing her still figure on the floor, Gil bulled his way through the crowd and made his way to her side. After checking her vital signs, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her away to her office and lay her down on the couch. After reassuring everyone that she would be alright, he shut the door behind him and knelt down beside her.
A moment later, her eyes fluttered open. They seemed to focus on his face then flew open wide. "Gil! What are you doing here?" she demanded, sitting straight up and pushing herself as far away from him as she could.
A large hand shot out and caught hold of her wrist. "We found you lying on the floor," he said quietly, his eyes dark with concern. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she snapped. She tried to jerk her arm out of his grip, but found that his hold on her was unbreakable. "Let go of me," she hissed.
He shook his dark blond head. "No. Not until you listen to me."
"Sure, I'll listen, but it better not be about anything personal. If that's the case, then you can just walk right back out of my office."
"You know damn well that what I have to say to you is personal," Gil growled, his voice shaking with emotion. "And what's more, you're going to stay right where you are and listen to every word I say. You can even struggle all you want, but you'll never break my hold on you. Got it?"
They glared at each other for a moment while Kagome tested his claim. To her surprise, she found that could not break his grip on her one bit. That's when she decided to lash out at him with her other arm. Her clenched fist would have landed perfectly against his jaw, except that he managed to dodge the blow. Dodged it so quickly, in fact, that his movements were a blur to her eyes.
"What the-?" She jerked back, completely startled.
Releasing her arm, Gil righted himself and rose, towering over her. "Forgive me. I never meant for you to see that," he said and turned to go.
"Wait!" she cried and jumped to her feet. But he was gone.
ooo
They did not speak again until a few weeks later. Kagome was on the hunt when she came across a young slayer who had managed to get separated from his group. She found him as he cowered by the trunk of a large oak tree, whimpering softly. When she asked him why he was scared, he told her that he could hear all kinds of creepy sounds, like the low growls of demons that were sniffing around looking for food.
Suddenly, a large demon leapt out from the underbrush and headed straight for them. The slayer lost his head. He shrieked in terror, ran towards Kagome and upon reaching her, wrapped his arms about her waist and pinned her left arm against her body, refusing to release her.
"Damn it, let go!" Kagome cried, twisting her body so she could reach him and throw him off. But the young man only held on tighter and sobbed hysterically against her back.
"Don't leave me!" he screamed, squeezing her body tighter. "Don't let me die!"
"Get off!" roared Kagome. She managed to get one of her swords loose just in time. The demon lunged at them and she swung at it, slicing it across the chest.
"I'm gonna die! Oh god, I'm gonna die!" the young man wailed, clutching on to Kagome with a death grip.
"You fool, if you don't get off me, we're both gonna die!" Kagome hissed at him, trying ineffectively to pry herself out of his arms. All the while, she was attempting to fend off the demon, which was now pretty pissed off due to the wound on its torso. And without a free hand to touch her earpiece in order to call for help, Kagome began to feel hopelessness creep up her spine.
Then a thought hit her. Gil! Now would be the perfect time to prove once and for all that he could read minds. Clearing her mind, she sent out the message, "Gil, help me!"
The demon swung at them. Kagome threw her weight back against the clinging boy. He was taken by surprise and they fell on the ground together, with her landing on top of him. She breathed a sigh of relief. They'd gotten out of the way just in time to miss a very nasty demise by razor-sharp claw. Her relief was momentary, however, for the creature reared up, its clawed paws poised to come down and shred them to ribbons. The slayer under her fainted and Kagome was finally able to grab her other sword just as the demon brought its claws down...
A dark object shot of from the black forest. It appeared in front of her as if by magic and in doing so, shielded her from the demon's sight. By the rays of milky moonlight, Kagome watched with amazement as the figure move at a blazing speed as moonlight caught glints of metal from the figure's sword at odd intervals. At last, the demon let loose a loud groan and toppled over onto the ground and moved no more. The figure turned and approached Kagome, who nearly let out a sob.
Gil sank down on one knee and reached out for her. "Are you alright?" he asked softly, his fingertips brushing lightly against her cheek.
"You heard me then?"
He stared at her for a moment then nodded. "Yes. Loud and clear. I would have come sooner, but I wanted you to call for my assistance. You very nearly waited too long," he told her reproachfully.
"Well, excuse me." Kagome was silent for a minute then asked, "Why didn't you tell me?"
His face was instantly guarded. "Tell you what?" he inquired innocently.
She sighed with exasperation. "You know what. That you're an elf."
"Am I, indeed? How did you come to that conclusion?"
"Oh please, credit me with some intelligence! I've only spent that last several years of my life with three of them! Besides, tell me what human has the ability to move as fast as you did just now?"
He looked down, then back up into her face. A slow, rueful grin lifted the corners of his mouth. "Alright, you've caught me... in more ways than one. Um, sorry, forget I said that. Yes, I am an elf; leastways, I'm only half elf. My mum is an elf. The other parental unit, a.k.a. my bastard father, is human. Great shame, that. Being human isn't all that great."
"Isn't it? I'm human too, you know. Anyway, I guess your gift is the ability to read minds. Am I right?"
Gil nodded. "Yep. Honestly, I was afraid to tell you that I was an elf because I enjoyed seeing the look on your face every time I showed up out of the blue with the things you needed at that moment." He chuckled softly. "You really are a very charming girl."
"Whatever. It was very disconcerting what you did." Kagome got up and brushed off the seat of her pants. "For the life of me, I couldn't figure out how you did it."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," Gil replied apologetically. He bent down, grabbed the unconscious boy off the ground and slung him over one broad shoulder. "But as I said, I kept the knowledge to myself mostly for my own amusement."
"Mostly?"
He nodded yet again. "Yes. I also kept quiet about my lineage because I didn't want you to confuse me with him."
It was Kagome's turn to be wary. "Him? What are you talking about?" She moved forward in an attempt to put some distance between them, but found herself being held back by one powerful hand.
"Yes, him. You know who he is. The blond elf you went about with. Yamadera Yuki."
"My, my," Kagome muttered sarcastically, "you even put his name in the correct order. Bravo."
Gil yanked her around to face him. "You're in love with him, aren't you? And don't bother to lie to me. I can read your thoughts as clearly as words on the pages of an open book." His gaze hardened. "Well? Are you still in love with him?"
Kagome snatched her arm out of his grasp. "Despite of what you've said before, my personal life is none of your business!" She turned and began to walk away.
But Gil wouldn't have that. He dropped the unconscious slayer unceremoniously on the ground and rushed after Kagome. Once he reached her, he grabbed her by the arms, swung her around to face him then crushed her to him, delivering a brutal kiss on her startled lips.
"I told you," he hissed against her mouth, "that I made you my business a long time ago." Without a thought, he wrenched her head back and began biting his way down her neck. Once he'd wrestled her to the ground, he got on top of her and pressed his body down on her much smaller one. "I've wanted you for so long," he whispered hotly in her ear. "Every time I saw you in a magazine or heard about you, I hoped against hope that you hadn't married him. And now that I have you, I have to make you mine. Don't you see that? Don't you see how right we are together? I love you, Kagome. I adore you." His large hands fumbled with her clothing, but they paused when he realized that she had long since stopped fighting.
When he raised his head to look down at her, his heart seemed to stop beating. Kagome lay there beneath him, eyes staring sightlessly above her at the night sky, her face devoid of emotion. Only her lips and chest moved, otherwise Gil would have believed her to be dead.
"Kagome?" He leaned down in order to hear her whispered words, but frowned when he discovered that the words sounded nothing more than gibberish. And still, she remained motionless on the ground. He tried to rouse her, to get her to respond to him, but she did neither and he began to grow frightened.
"Oh god, what have I done? Sweetheart? Kagome? Baby?" He shook her gently, all the while trying to get a glimpse into her mind. At last, he got through, but did not like what he saw. In her mind ran a stream of images, all consisting of black-haired male's face whose emotions ran the gamut of fervent passion to raging fury. Gil touched Kagome's head, but quickly snatched his hand back and moved quickly away. What he'd just seen go through her thoughts had left him extremely shaken.
Gil had caught a glimpse of a violent attack... from Kagome's point of view. He saw the black-haired man looming over her; he felt Kagome's body being pinned down... and he heard words, not unlike the one's he'd just whispered to her, had streamed from the man's mouth. Worst of all, he had felt her body being violated in the worst possible way. No wonder she hadn't wanted him to touch her! Kagome, that strong, independent young woman, had been raped.
With a trembling hand, he reached for his earpiece and called for help. Within moment, Sergeant Blair and his team were running through the woods towards them. Blair was visibly relieved to see Gil and explained that part of his team had gotten lost.
"That silly boy," Blair complained, "was supposed to bring up the rear, but I turn around later and he's gone. He'll be disciplined when we get him back to the station."
"Don't bother about that," Gil told him. "Relieve him of duty then send him back home to his mother where he belongs." He dropped down beside Kagome's body and scooped her up into his arms. "He nearly got Kag-, I mean, the Lieutenant killed because of his incompetence. You missed it, hearing him cry like a baby."
Blair instructed two other males in his squad to pick up the unconscious slayer then went over to where Gil stood holding Kagome. "Dear lord, is she alright? I mean, she didn't get hurt or anything?"
"No, no, she's fine. Just exhausted, is all." Gil nearly winced. He really hated to lie, but he couldn't let Blair know what exactly had gone on here. At least there were no witnesses to what he had almost tried to do to her. That would have been difficult to explain away, adding to his guilt over attacking her the way he did. "She had to fight doubly hard to keep the demon from taking a chunk out of 'em, because the fool there was clinging onto her body like a parasite. Look here Blair, I'm going to get her back home and into bed where she belongs."
"Alright, you do that. Meanwhile, I'll wait for this blighter to come round and then ask him what the bloody hell he was doing getting himself lost." Blair nodded at Gil, then he and his group moved away, disappearing once more into the forest.