AN: Again, I just want to point out that I'm playing fast and loose with FB timelines (and the Kagura dance). I hope that you enjoy this chapter anyways!

After school the next day, Yuki made the journey to the shrine again. He'd realized the last time he was there that Kagome believed his appointments were the only reason he'd visit. Her eyes had shown only confusion at his presence, as if she expected to be remembered only twice a week, and her shoulders had rolled forward protectively. The reaction was instinctive, showing that-though she'd told him she wanted to be friends-she didn't seem to think he wanted the same thing. So, he was going to surprise her again. He was going to make certain she knew that he valued her as more than a vessel for her powers.

Climbing up the numerous stairs to the shrine, Yuki looked around for the resident priestess. Instead of hanging lanterns (thank goodness, when she'd sent the ladder rocking he'd nearly had a heart attack) Kagome was…in a tree? With one leg swinging idly, she was staring up through the branches and humming absently. Approaching, Yuki dearly hoped he didn't scare her so much she fell. If it came down to it, he wasn't sure he could catch her before turning into a rat and being squished. She had managed to fray the curse some, but he certainly didn't want to tempt fate.

Raising his eyes to her comfortable form, he had to smile. Her position looked a bit uncomfortable, but at the same time, somehow completely at ease. With her brown pants and chartreuse top, long hair blowing in the breeze and dainty bare feet, Kagome resembled nothing more than a spirit of the woods. It was a peaceful picture and made his yearning for her grow.

Clearing his throat, he quietly drew her attention. Sleepy blue eyes blinked at him before widening when she realized whom she was seeing. Scrambling up, Kagome perched on the large tree limb and smiled shyly down at him.

"Yuki? What-uh-what are you doing back so soon?" she stammered, apparently embarrassed to have been caught lounging in trees.

Grinning, he tipped his head to the side. "I know you're probably taking a break from the preparations for the festival, but I wondered if you wouldn't mind company for a while?"

Once again, confusion flickered in her gaze, making him internally frown. Hadn't anyone ever come to just spend time with her? She rarely spoke of her past, but she sometimes let things slip that let him know that she'd been hurt by more than her friends' deaths all those months ago. Something had wounded her to her soul, and she was only now beginning to heal from it.

"I was taking a break, but I can squeeze in a quick treatment, if you want," she offered.

"I appreciate the offer," he countered, "but I came to see my friend, not my doctor."

That had a surprised, pleased smile breaking across her face. Laughing, she motioned to the tree.

"Well then, come on up. If you can, city boy," she challenged.

Arching a brow, Yuki eyed the tree and then the branch she was on. "I've never climbed a tree, Miss Higurashi. However, I must warn you that rats are excellent climbers."

She laughed again and watched as he scurried up the tree to the large limb she'd chosen. Her face was illuminated with happiness, completely justifying his small bit of showing-off. Scooting over, she made room for him to sit and then covered her mouth to stop her amusement.

"You weren't kidding. I was wondering if the lack of tail would hinder you."

Chuckling, he looked up, spotting the collage of greenery the tree's limbs and leaves created. It was lovely in a way only nature could be and-sitting inside the tree-Yuki felt like he was a part of that.

"It is much harder without it," he admitted, "but not so much that I cannot adjust. What made you decide to relax up here?"

Kagome rolled her shoulders in a way that might have been a shrug, were it sharper. "The Goshinboku is very special to me. I come here sometimes when I need to think, or if I'm having a bad day. It's known as one of the Trees of Ages, so it's been around for a long time. That's comforting, I think."

Seeing her duck her head, as if nervous about sharing that, Yuki hummed his agreement. There was something about the tree that radiated tranquility.

"So, which was it today?"

Glancing to him out of the corner of her eyes, she replied, "A bit of both, I suppose. Do you ever have one of those days where everything seems to go just a bit wrong? Not completely, but enough that when one thing's fixed something else is broken and it's just a constant game of catch-up? That was my day. I guess I just wanted to recharge my batteries."

"I'm on the student council," he told her, "and sometimes it feels like I'm playing nanny to the entirety of the student population."

Her shoulders slid into a more natural position as she smiled. There was a shrewd gleam in her eyes, however, making him arch a brow.

"I bet it's the girl population that's especially bothersome, huh?" she teased.

"I'm not sure how to answer that," he admitted, "as-despite my male uniform-I'm often mistaken for a female. And sometimes, it isn't a mistake. I don't know which is worse."

Her eyes widened and then her brows furrowed. "You're pretty, Yuki, but you definitely don't look like a girl," she said, bewildered.

That had him blushing at the knowledge that she not only thought he was attractive, but also found him attractive in a masculine way. As a male. It was an important distinction.

"I…thank you," he replied, "but I'm afraid there are quite a few of my peers that have expressed wishes of seeing me in a dress."

Kagome wrinkled her nose, offense for him flashing in her expression. "That's messed up. I'm assuming from what you've said you aren't into guys?"

His glare spoke volumes, making her hold up her hands in surrender.

"I was just checking! Don't give me the evil eye!" she chuckled. "So, what if you had a girlfriend? Think that would help keep them off your back?"

He cut his gaze back to her, but she'd averted hers to watch her swinging feet. Longing for her pulled at his heart so fiercely then that it felt like a physical ache. Swallowing it down, he looked at their hands that had landed side-by-side on the limb. They weren't touching, but all it would take would be a subtle shift and they would be. That tiny centimeter of space was both too close and miles across.

"I hesitate to date anyone until I can actually embrace her without turning into a rodent, Miss Higurashi," he sighed.

One side of her mouth pulled up as she turned her attention back to him. "I can understand that. You're a really cute rodent, though. Too cute to be a rat…maybe a large mouse? It was only the knowledge that you were sentient that kept me from cuddling you that first day," she said with a blush. "Looking back, I should really apologize for the-uh-petting."

Laughter bubbled in his gut and then spilled over at her adorable embarrassment and stammered apology. It caused her blush to darken, but he couldn't help it.

"I do keep my mind when I transform, but, I am a…mouse," he snorted. "As such, I'm rather fond of having my fur rubbed when I'm not panicked over the inconvenience of it. It's not the same as if you'd reached over and begun petting my hair."

Releasing a breath, she nodded gratefully. "Okay, good. So, no-go on getting a girlfriend until we throw this curse off. Have you tried ignoring them?"

Yuki huffed. "I don't think you grasp how persistent or loud they can be. There is even a group that's taken to forming a human barrier between me and the rest of the school. It's extremely off-putting."

Brows up, Kagome mulled that over and then frowned. "That's ridiculous. Why would they do that?"

Before he could answer, they heard someone calling for Kagome. Yuki watched as her expression went from frustrated to panicked as she jerked up her feet. At her frantic motion for him to do the same, he obeyed and stared at her in confusion. Rapidly shaking her head, Kagome put her finger to her mouth and indicated he should stay quiet. Then, she shocked him by shifting to lay on her stomach and shimmying further along the tree limb to be better hidden. The sight had him clenching his fists and biting his lip against a whimper. Those trousers framed her behind perfectly, especially as it wiggled with her movements.

"Kagome?" a male voice called again, snapping Yuki out of his fixation on said girl's posterior.

Peering through the foliage, Yuki saw a teen about his age looking around the shrine and holding a wrapped gift of some sort. Mrs. Higurashi met him outside, wiping her hands on her apron.

"Hojo, what are you doing here?"

The boy-Hojo-smiled at the older woman. "I'm here to see how Kagome is doing. I brought her a few things that might make her feel better! We miss her at school."

Mrs. Higurashi smiled, but it had an almost forced look to it as she made no move to accept the gift. "I'm afraid that it's very unlikely Kagome will be returning to public school, Hojo. She's doing very well being homeschooled and it's much more convenient."

Hojo wilted. "Is she home?"

"She's unavailable. I know that you're trying to help, but please, no more gifts. You two aren't dating and it isn't appropriate for her to accept such lavish things from a friend."

Yuki's eyes narrowed as Hojo's fingers tightened on the gift. Mrs. Higurashi didn't seem concerned, however.

"I've tried to ask her out," he said.

Not letting him get passed that, Mrs. Higurashi nodded. "I know, but some things aren't meant to be. If you want to see Kagome as a friend, you're welcome to come back when she's free. If not, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you not to return, Hojo."

Stiffly, the other male gave a wooden nod and turned to hurry away. Mrs. Higurashi sniffed once and then disappeared back into the house.

"Oh my God," Kagome moaned, pressing her face against the back of her knuckles.

"I take it this isn't the first conversation of that nature that's been had with him?" Yuki asked.

Groaning, Kagome carefully moved down the limb and perched at his side again. Her expression was a mixture of awkward and frustrated. He knew the feeling well.

"No. I've known Hojo for years, but he just won't get it through his head that I'm not interested in him. I used to have some girl friends that insisted we'd be the perfect couple and they'd shove me at him whenever he walked by. I used to wish the floor would open up every time. I mean-who does that? Who wants someone practically flung at them, right? And to make it worse, they'd accept dates on my behalf! Then, I'd feel bad thinking about him being stood up, so I'd show up to tell him I didn't want to go on a date with him. He'd end up thinking I was trying to cut the date short because I wasn't feeling well!"

Yuki's jaw dropped slightly as Kagome ranted, having never seen her so upset. Her eyes spat blue flames and her cheeks were rosy with her emotions as she growled her case against the former classmate. It was an impressive sight, especially with her powers snapping around her.

Her hands were gesticulating in aggravation to punctuate her words. Before he'd thought, he'd reached out and snagged the closest one to him. Immediately, Kagome stilled and stared at their joined hands. Determinedly ignoring the heat rising to his cheeks, Yuki curled his fingers around hers and brought the two to rest between them. That familiar awareness was alive with a cascade of Kagome, his desire for her tempered with a slowly-blossoming softer emotion.

Kagome shifted, her fingers twitching, but she didn't draw away. Instead, she slid a bit closer, until their arms were lightly touching. Heart pounding at the move, Yuki plucked up his courage and glanced to her face. A pretty pink painted her cheeks and a shy smile pulled at her mouth. She seemed content to sit there with him-just enjoying his company and the filling silence between them. Slowly, she began swinging her legs again, and this time Yuki let his do the same. It was innocent and comforting and Yuki discovered rather suddenly that he could very well come to adore this girl.

From inside the house, Mrs. Higurashi watched the two teens sitting in a tree. She smothered a laugh at Yuki's rather bold move, but her eyes were soft as she took in their reactions. It was obvious neither one of them was sure of what to do with the other, but it was equally obvious that they were together in the confusion. Sighing happily at the happiness on her daughter's face, she moved to start supper.

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The festival was amazing. Lanterns and candles lit the night as booths of all kinds were decorated in spectacular colors. Music constantly undulated throughout the grounds and people were in high spirits. It was almost as if positive emotions radiated from the land itself, rising up through people's shoes and inundating their bodies. Kyo had even caught a goldfish for a little girl when she'd nearly run into him, crying.

"That has to be in my top ten strangest things to see," Shigure muttered as Kyo shoved the fish at the girl and sprinted away.

"I concur."

"Yuki!"

Turning, both males spotted an older lady in a lovely kimono making her way to them. Yuki dipped his head respectfully when she made it.

"Mrs. Higurashi. This is my cousin, Shigure."

"Nice to meet you, Shigure," she greeted with a kind smile. "The dance is about to start. I thought you might want to watch?"

They followed her to an area with the perfect view of where Kagome would be dancing. When the girl emerged from the darkness to take her place, Yuki forgot how to breathe. She was dressed in an elaborate kimono more suited to an Imperial performance than a humble shrine dance. Her face was painted to perfection; deep kohl lining her eyes and making them seem otherworldly over her dark red lips while her hair was tamed into an intricate style on top of her head. As the light of the full moon bathed her in silver luminescence, Kagome was the picture of the Celestial Maiden come to bless mortals with the briefest glimpse of her.

"Damn," Shigure said on a breath.

Without looking, Yuki elbowed him harshly in the ribs. Grunting, Shigure rubbed his side, but didn't drop his eyes. As close as they were, they could see the nervous blush on her cheeks and the way she wouldn't turn her attention to the audience. Yuki took a breath with her, and silently willed encouragement to her. His brows shot up when her eyes abruptly snapped to his. Their gaze held until a high pipe note filled the air and Kagome seemed to become one with the dance.

The drums began a slow rhythm that had Kagome moving like a gentle breeze on a warm day, tentative, tentative in her first steps. Her nervousness was nowhere to be found as the beat ever-so-steadily increased and Kagome began undulating enticingly. The bells on her ankles tinkled with every precise move from her, deepening the trance-like effect she was lulling the audience into. Flowing as effortlessly as water through the dance, Kagome was Amenouzume herself, dancing to tempt Amaterasu out of her cave. The heady feel of her power only furthered that illusion.

Kyo found them at the height of the dance, his grumblings trailing off into wonder as he caught sight of the dancer. Yuki only peripherally took note of him, his mind focused on Kagome and the sensual power-the promise-in her dance. There was nothing scandalous about it, nothing lewd or…obvious, but in that moment, Kagome was more alluring than if she'd been naked and writhing. She was calling, dancing to please and draw out secret things; things hidden and lost. Yuki had to lock his knees to keep from going to her.

Her power coiled around her in pink tendrils before flowing out to the crowd bringing a rush of freedom and exhilaration. When one drifted his way, it swirled around him, sinking into his skin with a slow heat that hungered. Shuddering, he savored the feeling, and hoped she didn't do that again during the dance. He wasn't sure he could take it. Kagome spun and caught his eyes before her power flared again, beckoning to him. Fingers curling into fists, Yuki shook his head. Flicking her hand, she sent another tendril to him, this one soothing and inviting.

He wondered how people could be so spiritually blind that they didn't see any of it.

At the dramatic finish, the crowd erupted into cheers. Kagome shakily stood and bowed to them before her mother ushered her away.

"I've found the inspiration for my next book," Shigure declared as they drifted through the festival, all still a bit hung up on the dance. "If only she'd had a wardrobe malfunction like the original dance dictates."

Narrowing his eyes, Yuki slammed his fist into the back of the older man's head. As Shigure howled, Yuki tried to shake off how affected he'd been by the dance and traded looks with Kyo. If there was one thing they could agree on, it was that Shigure was the biggest pervert in Tokyo. He stubbornly didn't think about the idea of Kagome's kimono sliding open while she danced.

"She's a shrine maiden, jackass," Kyo scowled. "You'll have bad luck forever if you piss her off."

"Fallacy," an amused voice piped up.

Yuki turned to see Kagome approaching and noted that she'd changed into traditional priestess clothing. Her face was still flushed, but she'd wiped off most of the makeup and let down her hair. She was just as lovely and much more real. He wanted to bundle her away from his cousins-to hide her from the people he knew could hurt her. He also didn't like the way many of the males in the crowd were looking at her. She wasn't for them and he was hit with a strong need to prove it, to claim her as his. As she came even with his side, her shoulder just barely touched his. He wondered how he managed to restrain himself. Especially after that dance and Shigure's suggestive words.

"Although, I can craft a pretty wicked subjugation necklace." She eyed Shigure. "It works very well on dogs."

Kyo cackled as Shigure looked surprised. Yuki wondered how she'd known Shigure was the dog, but figured it had something to do with her powers.

"You looked like the Celestial Maiden," he told her softly, angling his body so that Shigure was half-blocked. "It was a beautiful dance. Beautiful and powerful."

Ducking her head, she was the picture of shy happiness; totally opposite of the temptress she'd been while dancing. "Thank you. I was really nervous, but the encouragement you sent helped."

He felt his jaw drop slightly. "You felt that?"

She grinned, peeking at him through her bangs "Of course. I'll always know your aura, Yuki. It's like hot chocolate on a cold day."

The moment was broken when Shigure clapped his hands. "I'm Yuki's cousin, Shigure, and that's Kyo. How long have you been putting up with this brat?"

Looking at him over Yuki's shoulder, she nodded a greeting to him and then to Kyo. "I'm Kagome. Why do you want to know?"

Yuki reluctantly shifted to allow Shigure back into the conversation. Still, he maneuvered himself so that his left side was slightly behind her right. Kagome slid her hands into the sleeves of her kimono and didn't move away.

"Because Yuki came home with amazing food the other day," Shigure stated. "We wanted to know what we had to do to make sure it was a regular occurrence."

Kyo snorted. "He bullied the bastard into taking him today because he's a pervert," he contradicted.

Kagome's brow ticked as her eyes narrowed on an innocent-looking Shigure. "Oh, really? Well, I've dealt with worse. You grope me and I'll break your jaw, got it?"

Yuki tensed. "Someone groped you?" he asked tightly, his eyes cutting to her sharply.

She rolled her shoulders. "Some people have a kink for the uniform."

Shigure grinned broadly while Kyo shoved his hands into his pockets.

"That's shit."

"I can take care of myself," Kagome assured him, but paused when Yuki touched her upper back, unable to restrain one more impulse.

"Miss Higurashi, did someone touch you tonight?"

Her eyes were bright as she leaned into him just a tad. "You'll note his swollen eye and the lump on his head. He made the mistake of doing it where Mama could see. She beat him with a broom," she snickered.

Imagining mellow, kind Mrs. Higurashi assaulting someone with a broom made Yuki's lips twitch. Relieved to hear that the situation had been handled-even if he was still peeved that it had happened at all-he nodded and let his muscles relax.

Tipping her head to the side, Kagome looked at Kyo. "You know, I can do something about that nasty thing hovering around you."

Blinking, he stared at her in bewilderment. "What?"

She jerked her chin towards his bracelet. "And it won't take my bones to do it. I'll even do it for free, since you're here with Yuki."

Clasping his wrist, Kyo gaped at her before her words penetrated. He then subjected them to a loud diatribe about Yuki's 'bastardness,' Shigure's perversion, and shrine maidens' supposed purity. Shigure was amused, but his gaze was calculating when he turned it on Kagome.

At the cat's tirade, Kagome was blatantly confused, looking up at Yuki in question. Realizing she had no idea that Kyo had taken her words to mean she thought that the two males were attending the festival as a date, he sighed.

"He's an idiot," he told her before scowling at the ginger. "She meant that she'd help you as a favor to me, Kyo. Not that we're dating."

Blushing, Kagome bit her lip in discomfort and Yuki suddenly realized that he was still touching her. Before he could drop his hand, she shifted ever so slightly closer. That brought him up short and made him wonder if she was actually drawing reassurance from him.

"What did you have in mind?" Shigure asked.

"Let's go to the dojo," Kagome suggested, waving across the courtyard for her mother to join them.

As the older woman nodded and motioned that she'd wait in the dojo, Yuki tried to subtly release Kagome. She glanced to him, but didn't say anything as she led the group into the small building. Her mother had taken up her usual place when Kagome had appointments. He bobbed his head in thanks to her, receiving a smile in return. Standing in the middle of the floor, Kagome reached out and caught Kyo's wrist-the one with his bracelet. He went utterly still as her fingers gave off a faintly pink glow.

"There is a vengeful spirit feeding off the other spirit attached to you," she stated with narrowed eyes. "I won't have something like that tormenting people."

Flaring her power, she sent it straight into the vengeance of the cat. Kyo swayed a moment until Kagome had burned away the last of the monster. Releasing him, she nodded once and then touched her head.

"You—" Kyo gasped, gripping his heart with one hand and his bracelet with the other.

"I purified that thing. Honestly, I'll have to check the wards again if it managed to get through them, piggyback or not," she mused. "That was one nasty possession. You've very strong to have survived both of them."

Shigure jerked when he realized she'd actually done something. "You mean, you destroyed the cat?" he asked in shock.

Wincing, she shook her head. "Ah, no. Just the mutated monster thing the cat's spirit of vengeance had become. Your curse is much more complicated than that," she said, almost as if in apology.

Yuki was staring at her in proud awe. Shigure's eyes were darting between Kagome, Yuki, and Kyo with a shrewdness that didn't bode well. Seeing that her mother had taken up a book and was happy to wait, Kagome knelt on the floor, Yuki taking a spot beside her. Shigure knelt across from her slowly.

"I didn't tell her anything," Yuki quickly informed them as Kyo tried to recover and Shigure tried to figure her out. "Miss Higurashi found me when I was transformed and recognized something supernatural about me. The rest, she learned on her own."

Shigure frowned. "Akito will have to be informed of an outsider knowing, Yuki. He won't stand for it."

"Akito?" Kagome asked when Yuki paled.

"The head bastard," Kyo growled, sinking to kneel as well. "He'll make sure you don't remember us."

For some reason, that made Kagome laugh. "I seriously doubt that."

Shigure sat forward. "It's not a joke. It's what happens every time. It won't hurt, but you and your family will have your memories of us removed."

Kagome's smile was suddenly full of razors as her blue eyes flashed pink fire. "I've no doubt that you have someone quite capable of erasing memories. However, if even a demon out of Hell itself couldn't take mine, nothing you throw at me will. And, if you think that I won't provide protection for my family, you are sorely mistaken, Mr. Sohma. I can try to unravel your curse gently and without trauma, or I can trigger its protective measures and utterly incinerate your soul. I can do that without even touching you."

Faster than lightning, she'd grabbed Shigure's collar and hauled him into her face with a strength her slight stature wouldn't suggest. "If you ever threaten me, my family, or my friends again, you'll be the first to experience it."

"Hey! Hey! Easy! I believe you! Let me go!"

The terrified ice that had seized Yuki relented at Shigure's surrender. He wouldn't have given in so easily if he were truly going to go to Akito. He wouldn't have even mentioned Akito. For whatever reason, Shigure had been using that as a test. He wanted to see what Kagome would do. As Kagome released him and the dog fixed his clothes, Kyo twisted his bracelet.

"Is it really gone?" he whispered.

Pink fire fading, Kagome gave an encouraging nod. "Go ahead, see for yourself."

With shaking hands, Kyo slid the bracelet off his wrist. Yuki held his breath, as he suspected Shigure did. However, when nothing happened, they gaped. Kyo was laughing through tears and stammering something that could have been gratitude.

Kagome smiled and then turned to Yuki, her expression guarded. "Is Akito the one you're bound to?"

Looking away, he gritted his teeth. "Yes. He's the deity of the zodiac."

"Ah, caught in the curse, but separate," she understood. "Well, you can break the curse yourselves, you know. Of course, when Kyo finds love and has that love returned it'll break across the board."

Blinking rapidly, they all straightened at that.

"What?" Kyo gasped.

Kagome shrugged. "Yep. I thought it was weird that the cat was included and feeling a bit of your curse when I purified that thing confirmed it. You're the lynch pin of the whole curse. Pull you out and it all unravels. Whoever originally cast it was brilliant. He had to have a separate animal, but one that wouldn't seem strange on the surface if it was connected. Thus, the cat."

Heart turning over, Yuki was swamped with a cascade of desire for her again. Eyes bright, he pushed the feeling away and glanced to the poleaxed Kyo.

"I suppose that means we'll be playing match-maker for you."

One corner of Shigure's mouth pulled up as he clapped his hands. "What about you, Kagome? You seeing anyone?"

"Don't drag her into this," Yuki glared before Kagome could answer.

"Why not? She's attractive, the appropriate age, and she already knows about the curse!" Shigure whined.

"Ah, please don't be offended, Kyo," Kagome stammered with a deep blush, "but I would respectfully decline."

Yuki could tell Kyo wasn't upset, but he was curious. That was almost worse.

"Not a cat person?"

Sadness flashed in her eyes before she smiled. "You remind me of my best friend. I wouldn't want a relationship to be haunted by someone else. So, friends I can do, but that's it, I'm afraid."

Mrs. Higurashi looked up from her book. "Yes, I've seen him around the festival tonight. He does act remarkably similar to Inuyasha, rest his soul. Perhaps it's his reincarnation."

Giggling, Kagome covered her mouth and the melancholy of the conversation fled. "Oh, wouldn't that be ironic? Sent back only to be possessed by a cat! If it's true, he's rolling in his grave. Miroku probably had something to do with it."

Seeing the confusion on the males' faces, Kagome took pity on them. "Inuyasha was half dog demon."

"Demons exist?" Kyo asked intently.

"Yep. And guess what? I'm their natural predator." She smirked. "Keep that in mind."

Yuki grinned.

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"So, you've been going to see her a couple of times a week and letting her try to unravel your curse?" Shigure asked incredulously when they finally made it home.

"Yes."

Kyo was rolling his beads between his fingers, as if he didn't know what to do with the bracelet now that he didn't need it. "Has she been able to do anything?"

"Yes."

The two waited and when there was nothing else forthcoming, they rolled their eyes.

"And?" Shigure drawled, waving his hand in a get-on-with-it move.

Releasing a breath, Yuki touched his chest. "She's been able to loosen it enough that it is only when I'm embraced by a female that I transform-not simply bumping torsos. It's more than that, though. I can feel the curse like a noose constantly, but Miss Higurashi has thinned the rope."

"She killed the damned zombie thing," Kyo muttered. "I'm willing to let her poke at me all she wants after that."

"Are you still going to Akito?" Yuki directed to Shigure.

Arching a brow, Shigure huffed. "You did hear her threaten to destroy my soul, right? I'm rather fond of it, thanks. But, did either of you notice the ripple Big-and-Nasty's purification caused?"

Tipping his head to the side, Yuki felt along the curse. "You're right; the dark cloud feels lighter, doesn't it?"

Kyo swallowed. "Then, maybe she was right about me being the key?"

"If there is one thing I've learned," Yuki stated definitively, "it's that Miss Higurashi is remarkably knowledgeable about the supernatural and is uncannily intuitive about it. If she says you're the key, then you're our ticket out, Kyo."

"No pressure or anything," Shigure laughed, receiving a rude gesture in return.

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Next chapter: Dragons!