Chapter Seventeen

The day in the Mari passed by quickly. Yuzuki showed Kurama the Final Gardens and the gardens that all the food was grown in. The Mari Forests were as impressive as Genkai's land, stretching as far as the eye could see and possibly further. The total population was only under ten thousand, and they lived around the entire area. There were various streams and lakes and even more than a few hot springs. This place was like a paradise. Kurama couldn't help to wonder about the history of this clan.

Unfortunately, though, the afternoon came quickly, and with it Yuzuki's inner recluse. She prepared to have food delivered to her daily, and that she could only be reached on her communication screen in her bedroom. Kurama requested the same. He didn't want to take the chance of some random yoko trying to have sex with him. Not to mention Yuzuki would be hurt if anything were to happen.

Aki explained to him that every room in every house in the Mari had optional soundproof barriers for privacy. Such a strange place… such strange people. Kurama was honestly wondering how all of this worked. How it always had worked. How these people lived so very peacefully without any sort of conflict.

Yuzuki and Kurama had an early dinner alone. Aki was training with the General in the West Garden of the manor, and Nobuyuki was out planning Yuzuki's coronation. So they were alone again.

As always, the female looked beautiful. She wore silk robes the color of her eyes, her long hair pinned in a messy style atop her head. Even without makeup she looked like a doll. Her pale, flawless skin looked so smooth and soft at the same time. Her eyes, with their soft stare. Her pale-pink lips-

"Kurama?"

He shook himself inwardly. Damn, he had zoned out. That wasn't something he was really used to. Why did he do that just now?

"I noticed that you will be excluding yourself from the celebration tonight," she continued, blowing off his stare. "If you get lonely in the next few days, you will have a communications screen to contact me."

"Lonely?" His eyebrows raised. "Do not worry. Like you, I've spent a fair time alone. Three days isn't anything I can't handle."

"All the same, you are welcome to use my private bath house."

"And how would I get there?"

"I will show you before the sun sets.

Later that night Kurama lay in his bed, which was much like the ones in Living World. He kept his arm over his eyes, willing himself to sleep. He didn't feel strange, which meant the flower hadn't bloomed yet. He hoped that maybe he would be spared from the effects. It was possible that his job was in jeopardy.

As he felt the familiar pull of sleep, his mind wandered to his strange past with the woman across the hall. Maybe he could remember why he hadn't killed Yuzuki all those years ago…

It had been a week since he'd captured the Mari princess. She didn't fight back against her restraints, didn't scream. She just cried, mostly. Seldomly she would mumble apologies or beg for the darkness to go away.

But as she lay asleep by the small fire he'd made, it didn't take long to realize that Yoko Kurama had fallen in love with her beauty. And her power.

Over the past week he'd thought about many things. Maybe instead of extracting her vocal chords she could just be his. They would be invincible together, really. Living exciting lives in riches. her power would be a huge advantage to him in the long run. Especially if he had the girl wrapped around his finger.

Soon he found himself lifting her, forcing her to sit up. Her sleepy, blank stare met his eyes.

"Kill me," she said. "Take what you want. Take the power you crave and kill me."

That was the most she'd said to him the entire time of being in his presence. "I am not going to kill you, princess," he replied, "but offer you a proposition."

She didn't look interested, but still Kurama continued: "Instead of killing you, I would like you to join me. Become a bandit with me and travel the Demon and Spirit Realms."

"I do not like you."

"As my lover, not just my comrade."

"Nor do I love you."

"We could do great things, Yuzuki. I can shower you with jewels and other fortunes. You can have anything you desire. And maybe you could learn to love me."

She closed her eyes. "No."

"But why?"

"I do not have to explain anything to you. Now kill me."

The redhead's eyes snapped open, strange anger building inside him. Yuzuki had rejected him? After he'd offered her everything she would ever want? Why? How?

He moved grab the remote on the corner of his bed, turning on his communications screen. He would ask her now. He would find out why she'd rejected him, and then he would make her pay.

When he was connected, however, her bed was empty. She wasn't in her room at all. Where on earth would she be?

When he began to get up, he noticed how hot his body felt. He also noticed the painful bulge in his sleeping pants. Ugh, the flower had blossomed.

And the body, soul, and lips of only one person was on his mind. Even if he was enraged, he could no longer deny that he wanted her. And he would have her. Even if he never got her again after the effects of the flower was gone, he would have her for the next three days.

See how good it feels to let go?

"Yuzuki."