Sorry for the long wait. I wish I could tell you this chapter will be long but it's actually relatively short. I will try and update more from now on. I'm weird in that school helps me update more because it's a working environment and this gives me an excuse to put off homework. Not the best of reasons but it works for me. Without further ado, enjoy the new chapter.

Chapter 6: Castle in the Distance

By the end of the week Keiko was a little depressed. She hadn't gotten much time to search and when she asked the villagers they were shifty around her. Many thought she was a kind girl but were worried about getting involved with Yusuke. They were also afraid of not giving Keiko the info she asked about in fear of bringing down the demon prince's rage. Most knew nothing anyways so Keiko saw no reason for Yusuke to stay. On the last day Yusuke was supposed to be in the area Keiko went to her clearing with Puu. She needed time away from the villagers glancing at her but she also wanted to try and see Yusuke again.

While sitting by the pond Keiko got the idea to look around. She headed to the opposite side of the pond and went into the woods. Keiko placed Puu on her head as she walked through the forest so that any demon could see him and hopefully wouldn't attack. She had never been to this part of the woods but the sun was shining through the trees so she could at least see where she was going. Just to be safe Keiko moved slowly and tread carefully. She saw a slight opening through the trees and when she reached it she stopped. She had realized that she was going slightly uphill but she was still surprised by what she saw. She was standing near the edge of a cliff that dropped a couple hundreds of feet. Looking out she saw trees and some mountains to her left with snow covered peaks. It was a beautiful view but there was the nagging feeling that something was off with it. She scanned the area trying to locate what was wrong when her eyes passed over a particular spot. Focusing on it she noticed a weird shape. Trying to get a closer look she moved a little closer to the edge of the cliff but not too close. 'There! If I look really closely I can see a black cone. What is it doing there? This constitutes as strange so I better tell Yusuke.' Keiko turned around and worked her way back to the clearing. She made sure to memorize the path so she could show Yusuke.

"Puu I need you to take me to Yusuke."
"Puu!" And with that Puu flew off into the woods making sure Keiko followed. Keiko had a little trouble keeping up but Puu usually made it easy for her. Through the forest they traveled and Keiko was really starting to tire. She had adrenalin and excitement running through her veins before but now she was just traveling. At one point she stopped for a short break to rest her legs but soon got back up and kept going with Puu's insistence. Puu was patient with her and constantly would land on branches and wait for her. She was about to suggest another break to the tiny creature but heard an excited "Puu!" before Puu flew faster and out of sight. She sped up and soon she could see Yusuke patting Puu's head. He then turned to her with a small smile before turning serious.

"What have you found? I assume that's why you've come to find me." Yusuke noticed she looked a little uncertain. "Don't worry. Just tell me what you found and I'll see what I think of it."

Keiko was happy to see him but at his first question she had doubted what she saw and if it was even relevant. At his assurance she relaxed. "I found something off the other side of my secret place. There seemed to be a black cone sticking out of the trees. It reminded me of the top of a castle but I've never heard of one being there before." Finishing she watched Yusuke for his reaction. Keiko wasn't disappointed. Yusuke had a grim look and seemed lost in thought. Then he asked her a question she expected.

"Can you take me there and point it out to me?"

"Sure but I have a question. You have better eyesight than me, right? So will you be able to see the possible castle better than me?"

"I'll see the cone better but as for the castle it depends on how well the place is covered. Speaking of questions, would it be alright if I carried you back to the clearing? It would be faster that way and we could save time. Plus you look like you could use the break from walking." Keiko found herself giving the affirmative but blushed when he picked her up bridal style. He started to run and Keiko turned towards him and hid her face frightened of crashing into a tree. She calmed down a little to realize she had her face pressed against his bare chest. He had a musky scent with an added woodsy smell. She found that she really liked the smell and pressed her face closer to get more of it.

Yusuke was having trouble concentrating. He hadn't thought anything of carrying Keiko but now he had other thoughts. She was so warm and he almost tripped on a root when she hid in his chest. He found the urge to protect this beautiful creature rise inside him. He never wanted to let her go. Not only that, his nose was finally back to normal after all that smoke and he could smell cinnamon mixed with something he couldn't place. It was delicious. He shifted his grip, tightening it in warning, before he jumped and landed right in the center of the clearing.

Keiko tightened her hold after he jumped afraid of the landing but was surprised to find that the impact was considerably light. Looking around and noticing where they were she moved out of his arms. Reluctantly Yusuke gently placed her upright before stepping away. "Lead the way," was all he said before they were off. Keiko was shocked that the run only took a few minutes but she should have guessed. He was a demon. Remembering her previous path, she led Yusuke to the cliff. Puu just flew behind them and Keiko wondered how he kept up. She assumed that he could fly pretty fast but she wasn't sure if he changed to phoenix form beforehand. Reaching the cliff she stopped and Yusuke followed suit. Even though she had left the village late morning, Keiko could see that it was late afternoon, almost evening. She had been out longer than she thought. The others would be worried again.

"Over there is where I saw it. It's a bit harder to see now because of the sun but I can still vaguely see it." Keiko pointed in the direction of the cone and Yusuke followed the direction, his eyes narrowing to block out the sun.

Yusuke spotted the cone but he was able to notice more. Around that area he could see a gap in the trees showing there was a clearing there. If the building filled up that clearing than it would be pretty big. Someone would need lots of money to have that built. There was also the smell a few humans down below them though it was very faint. Why would humans have such a hidden residence in the middle of a demon infested forest? It was suspicious and Yusuke had a feeling he wasn't going to like what he found. Yusuke sat down and thought about what he was going to do.

Keiko was watching his face the whole time but he gave nothing away. When he sat down she decided to join him. She was going to wait for him to speak first. She didn't want to disturb him while he was thinking but she wanted to ask what he had seen. She held back though and was rewarded for her patience when Yusuke leaned over and hugged her. Blushing she stuttered but he covered her mouth with his hand before she could get anything out.

"I need you to listen to me closely." Noting the grave voice she nodded. "I think you were right. There seems to be a castle down there. I'm going down there to investigate. I'm going to take Puu with me though he'll escort you to the village first to make sure you stay safe. I want you to stay in the village or even you house. I know it seems extreme but it's a safety precaution. Now depending on what's down there I might just come back with nothing. But, if I find the ice maiden or something else of interest then that will change what happens. Until you hear from me or Puu, you cannot leave the village. Remember that even though I'm strong I have enemies that are just as strong." He said the last sentence softly. He didn't mean to freak her out but he wanted to be careful. Keiko's eyes had gotten bigger as he spoke and he was worried about what she would say. He inwardly laughed. At least he knew she was listening.

Keiko couldn't believe what he was telling her. He wanted her to stay in her house! Well mostly the village but he still preferred her house. This worried her but it was nothing compared to his last statement. Was he thinking that an enemy of his was close by? He knew something she didn't but of course she had no idea what he could be hiding. She thought about asking him but she doubted he would answer. Something was going on that he was worried about. Who was this ice maiden that he was looking for? Now that she thought about it, who was this close friend of his if he's the prince. Noticing Yusuke watching her she decided on a question that he might answer.

"How long do you think it will be before you contact me and tell me I can leave the village again?"

Yusuke gave a small sigh of relief. He didn't know what he would do if she refused to do what he asked but he wanted to keep her safe no matter what it took. He was glad that she accepted his demands. "I'm not completely sure. This shouldn't take more than a day but unfortunately it really depends on what I find."

"Oh." She was so quiet he barely heard the small noise. He could tell she was worried and then he thought of his promise.

"Don't worry Keiko. I will come back. I promised, remember?" When she looked up at him, he gently grabbed her shoulders, leaned down, and kissed her.

Keiko was stunned at first but the started kissing back. He was a little rough with her but she didn't mind. She was in bliss. It was just her and Yusuke alone in the world. When Yusuke broke the kiss so they could breathe, Yusuke got Keiko up on her feet and steadied her so she wouldn't fall. Both teens were blushing but she smiled up at Yusuke.

"You better."

Yusuke gave her a cocky grin then jumped off the cliff. Keiko ran to the edge in a panic to see him disappear into the trees. Puu landed on her head and he didn't seem worried. Keiko flushed in anger. She shouted hoping Yusuke would hear her. "Jackass!" She might have imagined it but she thought she heard a laugh. Turning around she headed back to the village. With Yusuke gone her worry set in again. There seemed to be something bothering the demon prince. Keiko wasn't sure but is seemed like more than a rescue mission. Was something bigger going on? It was dusk by the time she got back to the village. 'The others must be flipping out right about now. They're going to kill me.' She bid Puu farewell and set off to face their wrath.

I hope you all enjoyed that so please review and tell me what you think! Honestly I would have updated this sooner but was dishearted by the reaction to my other story so don't leave me hanging!