[-Chapter Nineteen-]

"By the way, happy birthday," Koto added.

"Birthday?" I mumbled.

"Oh come on—today is the one day you're actually allowed to be spoiled rotten." He gave a crooked grin. "What do you think I got all these pillows for?"

I scowled. "Because I have no real skin left on my back?" He laughed; it was so beautiful it almost took my breath away.

"You're just lucky it was your birthday, that's all I'm saying. I can't believe you're sixteen already! You're gonna be turning into dust in a few days!"

"Well with all this blood, it'd be more like mud."

"Nuance." Muffled voices came from outside the window. Koto's smile faded abruptly. "Did you know that it's the equinox today?"

"Equi—what?" He shrugged and I sighed. "Really, Koto, don't worry about me. I don't need you to talk nonsense to me to make me feel better." I pushed myself up on my hands and then flipped myself over. Three bedroom attendants rushed to my side at the motion. "I'm fine," I scowled at them. Their nervous jumps and nods made me almost regret the tone I had used. "Really, it doesn't even hurt anymore." A lie, but the women looked relieved and scurried away.

"They aren't supposed to leave without my permission." I snorted. "Did you know it's the equinox today?" he repeated.

"Koto, I already told you that I don't need you to—"

"Not for you," he corrected. I took a moment to study Koto—really study him, even though my eyes were having some difficulty focusing. I saw the vein pulsing in his neck, the way his hands were clenched tightly in the nice fabric of his robe. His shoulders were hunched together. He looked like an angry dog.

"Koto, what…"

"Good afternoon, Hikari." My head whirled around to the door of Makoto's bedroom—he gave up his bedroom for me?—and found Aku calmly gliding to my bedside. I snuck a glance at Makoto and sure enough, he was glaring at the Chen-Li agent with enough hatred for twenty men. If I listened closely, I could hear the harsh sound of his breathing. He terrified me, this new and angry Koto; I was used to easygoing smiles. "Just checking to make sure that you're still… alive."

"Of course." My heart was pounding, but I managed to keep my cool as I dipped my head in a slight nod. Nothing good enough to satisfy decorum, but just enough to prevent another "punishment" for rudeness.

"That is good news," Aku continued. "We wouldn't want you to have passed on before your time, would we? Especially not on your birthday."

"I know I wouldn't have."

"Hikari, could you possibly be suggesting that I would wish you harm? So," he continued breezily, "Sixteen. That's incredible. I never thought you would make it this far."

"And why wouldn't she?" Koto snarled.

Aku sneered at my lovely Koto. I wanted to jump out of the bed and throttle him for that. "We all know that our darling Hikari has a tendency to get herself in… ah… trouble…"

"Never any real danger, of course—thanks to the Chen-Li, I know I'm always safe," I snapped. He smiled at me and I felt the urge to rip him apart. "By the way, I like your eye. The look really works for you." Aku was sporting a large black eye, a massive bruise that covered almost the entire right half of his face. I wondered if that was from Makoto hitting him. I hope it hurts.

"I like yours as well."

"Mine?"

"Your scar, Hikari. A perfect teardrop that will never fade." He brought one finger to trace the line, from my right eye to my jawbone—following the path of a knife from a few nights earlier. I stayed frozen in place throughout the process, and Makoto stiffened at my side. "So sad, to always be crying. But that is what happens when you… ah… fall on nails."

I chose not to test the thinly veiled threat in his voice. I knew that he could have told the truth if he wanted to, but he was just trying to save face in the eyes of the town. Well, I'd let him have his face. He'd be getting much worse in the near future. "I suppose so."

"This visit has been fascinating. I will spread the good news to your parents, of course." He glided back out before I had a chance to respond. I could hear Makoto grinding his teeth.

"Koto, relax please."

"I really hate that man," he snarled.

A/N: Happy Holidays to all my dear readers! Seems like it might only be TigerStriper at this point, but I am *so* glad that you like the story! Don't worry about all the confusion-we're in a very much AU setting, so everything will be confusing for the next... 5 to 7 chapters. It does clear up eventually!

Until then... I'll just watch you and giggle ;) is that mean? Well I hope it doesn't drive you away! Keep reading! And thank you for your support (:

I know this is a shorter chapter... the next two are a little bit short but after that we should be good!