Four

"All the while, Juugo was so surprised that the beast submerged itself"

The sun was shining through the arch window in the bathroom, gently playing with Juugo's skin as the steaming water lapped away the sweat and other liquids from last night. He replayed the event over and over in his mind, still remembering how soft and fragile his Noriko felt under him. He remembered how his fingers pressed and rubbed against her smooth skin, how her lips were so small yet voluptuous as he kissed them, the pleasure in her light eyes as he loved her. He wondered how the demon within him could take her so forcibly and callously without breaking her. Juugo sunk deeper into the water, till it barely touched his chin. He hated hurting her, yet couldn't find the heart to leave her-she deserved so much better. A bitter thought of another man taking her away made him growl. He'd kill that bastard if he ever touched her. A sudden wave of anger pulsed through Juugo's veins; his hands began to tremble violently as his heart's pace quickened. The dark tendrils were travelling across his skin, enveloping him.

"I'd kill him if he even looked at her" he said gruffly, as this unknown person fueled his anger. Noriko belonged to him and anyone that dared to take her away would feel his wrath.

"No one can have her but me" the beast within him was talking now-the dark tendrils had wrapped around his eyes.

Noriko was outside near the front entrance of the house, feeding breadcrumbs to small birds. The season had shifted from a rebirthing spring to a hot summer; the trees were feeding off of the sun's light greedily, giving the forest a vibrant and refreshing green glow. The wind's breeze lightly played with Noriko's hair, as the birds continued to eat from her hands. Juugo found her and waited at the boundaries of the front entrance, pondering over his approach. He could grab her and take her right then and there on the summer grass. He could take her into his arms and cleanse her in the bathtub. He could lye her on the bed. There were so many things he wanted to do but had such limited time to do so. Noriko felt the heavy glare burning into her back-she knew he was there. The birds felt the danger and flew away instantaneously. Just when Juugo was going to snatch Noriko, he heard footsteps coming from the trees. Noriko heard them as well and stared at the thick green bushes, just as a person fell through landing by her knees, his face smudged in the ground. Noriko stared surprised, as the stranger lifted himself.

"Oh gosh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to barge in, or scare you" the stranger apologized as he smiled and ruffled his pale blonde hair with a scarred hand. All the while, Juugo was so surprised that the beast submerged itself. Noriko smiled politely,

"Its alright". The stranger bared his sea blue eyes, taking in the beauty before him. A small blush colored his cheeks, as his smile grew nervously.

"The names Jurou"

Jurou was a rogue ninja, wandering from place to place not particularly in search for adventure. His village had been long gone and as a lone survivor of his clan he felt it his responsibility to live out his life to the fullest in every way possible. Noriko never imagined meeting another human, other than Juugo, so she welcomed Jurou into her home. The beast was not fond of the intrusion-even Juugo was irritated. He hated how Noriko was compassionate and warm to the stranger, whom she only known for a few hours. And he loathed how the stranger was looking at her with such temptation. Juugo was so frustrated that he wasn't sure containing himself in the confines of a room would be much help restraining the demon eager to take over. And he was having second thoughts of letting it do as it pleases.