A/N: I apologize for another long delay in between chapters. Real life can really affect a person's writing. But it's alright. I hope to continue writing this and finish it within the next couple months. Sounds good right?
It seemed like hours that Chika lay there, trapped in the arms of Shiba. The man pressed against his back slept soundly, deep in his own dream world. Twice more he'd tried to free himself and failed, tired and exhausted, he gave up completely. He lay in silence with the sounds of breathing behind him. A shiver made its way through his body and Shiba subconsciously held him closer still. Chika groaned at the slight pain that coursed through his chest. He hated that wound more and more each day. It hindered him in so many ways. When he struggled and fought it caused him pain. Sometimes more than he could handle. But it couldn't heal properly either, due to his constant stressing of the wound. But no matter, he kept trying. Though at the moment he had to let his body rest.
Chika took in a careful, deep breath. As he did, he finally felt a slight relaxation in the arm wrapped over the top of him. He twisted just a little as if testing his luck. This time he felt no resistance and he carefully slid himself away from Shiba's sleeping form. He waited at the edge of the bed for a few minutes, his heart pounding in fear of being caught. It seemed that's all he felt now. Fear. Fear of getting caught. Fear of being in trouble and the consequences he would be given. He felt as if he were reduced back to that small, abandoned child he was just over ten years earlier. Chika took in another deep breath and stood from the bed, silently. He held his right hand over his chest to calm the rushed pounding in his heart. The zombie moved from the bed a few steps until he was sure Shiba was still asleep. Then, he quickly moved to the farthest corner of the room.
"Finally." Chika whispered to himself as he set a chair down and perched himself in it, his knees drawn up to his chest. He watched Shiba sleeping on the bed, willing him to sleep forever. Chika could handle that. He wished for it. Then he wouldn't be afraid of him anymore, or at the very least, afraid of him coming after Chika. The silver-haired boy sighed and leaned his forehead on his knees. All he wanted was to just get out of this room, his own personal hell on Earth. Chika couldn't help but wonder what he'd done to make him deserve this? Was his greed? Was that really such a crime? Wanting to change his life? Getting back to his human life? Making it better than when he was a kid? Why was that looked down on? Chika couldn't understand it. He wasn't greedy because he wanted money. No, not at all. He needed money to change his life. His and his family's lives. But all that didn't matter right now. He couldn't do anything for them in the situation he found himself in.
Once again Chika felt the weight of his horror pressing down his him. He felt more alone than he ever had before. Even with Shiba sleeping only a few yards away, it made no difference. No, that wasn't quite true. It did make a difference. Chika felt more alone. His best friend was gone. Gone and replaced with some unspeakable creature he no longer wished to know. If he could, Chika would never remember that man again. He tensed, hugging his knees tightly and pressed his forehead harder against his bare knees. An unruly sob threatened to take over his body and he fought desperately to push it back. He hated the man he was. He hated how vulnerable and unable to protect himself he was. It was pitiful. It was disgusting. It was who he was now, a shell of a broken doll. Nothing more. Small droplets touched his knees and slid down his shaking legs. His shoulders shook as the silent sob wracked his body.
Several minutes later the soft clicking of door locks seemed to fill the room. Chika pulled his head up and looked first to the bed to find Shiba still asleep, then to the door. He didn't bother to wipe his face, he didn't care what he looked like. It didn't matter anymore. Slowly the door opened and a slender man dressed in a white suit stepped inside. Chika recognized him instantly but didn't move or say anything. He just watched as he quietly closed the door, locking it behind him. Touhou moved quietly, with the grace of a silent wind. He scanned the room with his eyes noticing the shinigami on the bed. He walked over towards him and leaned over slightly, a sneer touching his lips. Chika tilted his head, watching him. He was confused by the behavior but didn't draw attention to himself. Touhou's fingers glowed for a few seconds and he stepped away from the bed straightening his jacket. He then turned exhaling loudly until he saw Chika. He smirked for a moment, then his lips curled into something gentler. He walked towards Chika, slowly at first. Then he suddenly burst forward pulling Chika from his chair and hugging him tightly.
Chika's eyes widened and he cried out in horrified surprise. "Touhou! What are you doing?" He tried immediately to escape this strange embrace. Touhou ignored him and continued to hug him tightly to his chest. Chika's heart pounded in his chest. His mind couldn't seem to comprehend what was happening. Chika tried to move but found his arms trapped within the circle of Touhou's larger, stronger ones. What was going on? Why was Touhou acting like this. Was it just some nasty trick to poke fun at the poor trapped monster?
"Don't worry. He won't wake up for a few minutes." Touhou spoke gently. He released Chika only to pull him close by the waist and hold his face with one hand. "Are you alright?" He asked. His voice and demeanor were everything Touhou had never used in the presence of Chika. It frightened him more than the Exorcism. He didn't answer and only tried to push him away. Something wasn't right and Chika knew it. He tried to struggle and get away but his weak body was no match for the strong and healthy man before him. "Chika…why do you struggle?" Touhou asked him, his voice as gentle as he could make it.
"Let me go, Touhou." Chika said and pushed against his chest. This time the man released him completely. Chika moved away from him, pressing himself against the wall. "I don't care what you think you're doing but isn't it enough?" He yelled suddenly.
"Chika I-" Touhou started, raising his hand towards him, then he groaned moving it to his forehead, holding it as if he had a sudden migraine.
"No!" Chika yelled again. "I don't know what kind of trick you are trying to play here, Touhou but I won't stand for it!" A sob broke its way into his words and tears spilled down his face anew. "The hell is the matter with you? Think you can just come in here and play these sick little games with me? Haven't I suffered enough?" Chika was sobbing fully now. His pent up emotions exploded on Touhou until he couldn't talk clearly anymore.
Touhou stood there in a daze, his face changing between different emotions. For a moment, the strange kind face took over again and gently took Chika's face in his hands and tilted his head so he could kiss the crown. Chika smacked his hands away, terrified of what Touhou was doing. It was so unlike the man that he could only think it was a trick. A reason to punish him.
"Stay away from me!" He shrieked. He fumbled backwards, hitting the wall and fell to the floor. He stared up at Touhou and shoved himself away along the floor. Never once letting his eyes leave Touhou's face.
"It's alright, Chika. I won't hurt you- ngh!" Touhou stepped towards him then staggered, holding both hands to his head. His shoulders heaved with great effort as he struggled to control the whirlwind going through his mind. He could feel Shito's emotions, stronger this time. Actually taking him over completely. He'd been wrong. The spell hadn't broken. Shito was stronger than him. In this instance, Shito was stronger than the Xu Fu's greatest Exorcist. The man struggled, his thoughts muddled and confused. He managed to stop himself from moving closer, but the distraction released the spell he'd used on Shiba.
The shinigami rose from the bed at the shrieks he'd heard and silently moved towards Touhou. Chika's eyes widened seeing him approach and he curled up against the wall, making himself as small as he possibly could. He held the thin Yukata closed about him staring wide eyes, terrified of what would happen next. Shiba moved quietly until he stood directly behind Touhou, his fierce anger penetrating the air around them.
"Touhou." Shiba said. His voice was full of deadly venom. Chika shrunk back further still although he had nowhere to go. Touhou however didn't react. Not to Shiba's voice behind him. He acted as though he didn't care he was there. Instead, he reached out towards the frightened, silver-haired boy in front of him. "Don't touch him!" Shiba yelled and grabbed the man's shoulder jerking him backward so hard he fell to the floor. "Never touch my Chika!" Shiba glared at him. He stepped towards the man and bent down over him, pulling him up by the collar. "Never."
Touhou glared back at him and shoved him back with a short burst of exorcism. "What has gotten into you, Shiba. Why in the hell would I touch that filthy mutt." Touhou picked himself up and flicked his cruel eyes towards Chika and sneered at him. He then flicked his gaze towards Shiba and scoffed. "You've over-reacted."
Shiba glared back at him standing in front of Chika, blocking him from Touhou's view. The Exorcists expression wavered just slightly for a moment. Almost too quickly to be noticed. "I know what I saw and heard. Don't try to deny it. What do you want with my Chika?" Shiba asked, straining to keep himself under control.
Touhou turned his back a moment then turned back around. "It's time to switch the hands. That is all. It merely just acted like the beaten little puppy it is." Touhou spoke even lower of Chika in an attempt to counter the emotions swirling in his head. He'd have to do something about that problem. It infuriated him that he'd lost control. It disgusted him that he'd even touched Chika this time. He had to suppress a shudder and the feeling of filth he could sense crawling across his skin. He'd burn the suit later. "Just trade the hands and I'll get out of your hair, alright?" Touhou spoke only to Shiba, glad that the mutt was shielded from his view. It made it easier to resist the feelings and desires circling within him.
Shiba regarded him a moment then held out his hand impatiently. "Fine, hand it over." He said. He snapped his fingers when Touhou hesitated. "Touhou, give it to me."
Touhou sighed and pulled the hand from his jacket and opened the towel for Shiba to take. The shinigami snatched it away then turned on his heel and stalked towards where Chika cowered against the wall. He looked down at him, still very angry, and held out the hand. "Chika. Switch. Now." He said each word in short clipped spurts.
Chika looked up at him then at the hand and nodded slowly, one shaking hand reaching towards him.
"If you dare think about using your katana you'll regret it for the rest of your existence." Shiba said as a side note.
Chika stopped then nodded again taking the hand offered to him and set it in his lap. He closed his thin fingers around the wrist of his right hand and gently pulled it free. He hesitated feeling the loss then slowly looked up at Shiba, silent as ever. Shiba's eyes narrowed just a little as he held out his open hand. Chika looked down and held the hand up for him to take, only holding on a micro-second as the hand was pulled from his grip. He then turned his face back down, and picked up Shito's hand holding it gently before attaching it to his arm. He felt the connection form through his arm and the tendons connecting until the hand became his. It moved the fingers slowly back and forth testing them then carefully held it against his cheek. He could feel the slight warmth that Shito always had. It became his only comfort as he heard the heated words of the two men near him. He didn't hear them, or the words they said. Not enough to understand what they were talking about. He didn't really care at the moment. Chika kept his mind focused on the one good thing he could, Shito. He focused on Shito's face and the rare smile he would give every now and then. He smiled ever so slightly, then gasped, realizing he'd shown a sign. He quickly pulled his legs up closer and huddled there, taking as much of the time as he could to himself.
Chika never realized when Touhou left. He didn't know how long Shiba stood and stared at him, arms folded across his chest. When he finally realized the room was silent around him he jerked his head up, instantly meeting the disapproving gaze of the shinigami. He shrunk back a little and blinked, swallowing. Shiba continued to stare at him a moment then stepped towards him quickly, gripping his arm hard and hauled him to his feet.
"Ah!" Chika cried out as his shoulder jerked, threatening to be pulled from its socket. "S-shiba what are you doing?" He asked, managing to quiet his voice, his feet found their balance beneath him.
Shiba looked at him, up and down then sneered in displeasure. His hand darted forward and ripped the Yukata clean away from Chika, leaving him suddenly naked. Chika gasped and tried to hide himself.
"What was that for?" He asked. His eyes extremely worried and his body tensed. He watched Shiba carefully as the remnants of his only covering fell to the floor.
Shiba glared then shook his head pulling Chika closer to him, kissing his lips harshly then pushed him towards the bathroom. "Take a shower. You look disgusting." The man said. He then turned away and moved towards the door. "Afterwards, you are required to eat. I don't care if you don't like it. You will eat whatever I bring for you. Is that understood?" Shiba turned and gave Chika the sort of glare that no one would defy.
"Y-yes sir." Chika said quietly.
"Good." Shiba said then smiled at him. "I'll be back shortly, my precious Chika." The shinigami opened the door and left locking it behind him.
Chika stood alone in the center of the room, shivering from the slight chill in the air. He waited several seconds then moved towards the bathroom where he was granted the small joy of a warm shower. He realized as he stepped inside that Shiba had said nothing of a new Yukata. He tensed under the stream for a moment then shook his head. He decided not to let it get to him. Chika was determined to enjoy what little he could. So he remained in the shower even beyond the point where his skin had wrinkled. It was the only joy he had. And he would relish it.
A/N: And here you are. Please review and let me know what you think? And how's that? Touhou's spell isn't broken like he thought. Oh the torture I've put that Exorcist through. *devious grin*