Kyoko tried to smack his hand away but he would have none of that, so she yelled, "No, he didn't! Why?" This was starting to freak her out a little. What did Toya mean, âmark herâ anyway? She felt her skin start to crawl as she envisioned a vampire scene from some old black and white movie in her mind. Then the scene twisted into one of the newer movies where the vampire was sexy and⦠and she quickly deleted the thought.
Toya let go of her hair after not finding any marks but gazed at her very intensely, his heart still hammering hard in his chest. "I don't like this." He watched as she put her arms around herself as if she was cold. Toya growled softly, deep in the back of his throat as he stood in front of her, looking down into her emerald eyes.
"From now on, stay close to me." He watched her lips for a minute, not liking the fact that Kyou had kissed them when he hadn't. It was making him mad and the fact that it was making him mad, was making him madder. He inhaled her scent again; smelling his brother's disturbing presence and that wasnât making him happy either.
âKyoko, go take another bath,â Toya said a little harshly, stunning Kyoko and pricking her temper.
"I just took one!" Her emerald eyes shot sparks at him.
Toya smiled on the inside. He loved nothing better than to make her angry because she looked so cute when she was like that. But sniffing again, he informed her, "You stink!"
"Toya!" Kyoko yelled back as her hands fisted at her sides.
Toya felt his body get heavy and down he went. God, he hated it when she used that Taming spell against him. "Kyoko, stop that!" He glared up at her. âDamn it!â
âWell⦠you are rude! I do not stink!" Kyoko glared down at him wishing he were still standing so she could do it again.
Feeling the effects of the spell wearing off, Toya slowly got back up, hoping she wouldnât use the Taming spell again. "Kyoko, listen, please, take another bath. You don't smell it, but I can," He tried to explain but she cut him off.
"Toya!" Kyoko hissed as he once again hit the ground. He was lucky she wasnât kicking him.
He lay there for a minute as Kyoko glared down at him. Slowly, he looked up at her and whispered, "You smell like him." Then he stood up, his molten-silver eyes hidden under his dark bangs, causing the silver highlights to glisten in the sunlight. Didnât she understand that he couldnât stand the fact that she was wearing Kyouâs scent and not his own?
Toya turned and walked back into the woods, away from her⦠leaving her standing there confused. Heâd looked so sad when he had said it. Kyoko hung her head, feeling like the biggest jerk in the world, both worlds. She knew out of all of his siblings, the one he couldnât get along with was Kyou⦠even if they were both on the same side. They always fought when within seeing distance of each other.
"Oh Toya, I'm sorry." She whispered into the empty air heâd left behind. Turning back to the water, she stripped and went back in to wash Kyou's scent off her.
She smiled thinking⦠He doesn't like Kyouâs scent. Could it be that heâs jealous? She sighed rethinking it⦠Or is it just because he doesn't like Kyou? Remembering what happened earlier while she was alone, Kyoko hurried up and washed, not wanting to chance any more unwelcome visitors during her bath. Getting back out quickly, she dressed and started back for camp.
Kyoko stepped into the clearing where she knew Toya would be waiting for her, and he was. She really didnât want to be alone with him right now after the way things had went at the hot spring. She quickly scanned the area for Kamui but didnât see him.
"Toya, whereâs Kamui?â Kyoko asked nervously.
Toya had been waiting on her to get back, although heâd only made it back a couple of minutes before her because heâd been keeping an eye on her⦠making sure Kyou did not show back up to finish what heâd started.
He shrugged as if it didnât matter as he answered her question, "He went to visit Sennin. Heâll be back in the morning so we can head out then.â
He had really sent Kamui to the old man to ask if heâd gotten any more information on where the talismans could be found. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Toya knew it was just an excuse to be alone with Kyoko for a while⦠but he wouldnât tell her that.
Kyoko sighed as she sat down, closing her eyes and relaxing against the tree. Damn it, she was right back in the same position sheâd been avoiding when she took off for her walk. Trying to distract herself, the first thing that entered her mind was Kyou, his glowing golden eyes showing a flicker of emotion. It was the first time sheâd seen him show any emotion besides the expressionless face of boredom he carried or the anger of battle. And he had kissed her.
Why had he kissed her like that? And why hadnât she tried to stop him? It was like sheâd been unable to think, just able to feel. Though she was still very afraid of him, sheâd felt safe at the same time. After all, he was one of her guardians. He wouldnât hurt her⦠would he? It was her first kiss and one sheâd never forget. She glanced over at Toya and caught him staring at her again.
Toya had been watching the emotions flickering across her face and wondered what she was thinking about. She looked like she had a secret and then he noticed the slight blush cross her cheeks and he knew he was right. She was thinking about Kyou! He could hear the growl loud within his head. When she turned to look over at him, he glared at her. He turned and faced the other way, crossing his arms in front and leaving her to stare in confusion at his back.
Kyoko frowned then yelled at him. "Whatâd I do?â He twitched but didnât turn around or answer her. What was he mad about now? Suddenly, a chill went down her spine and her heart began to pound hard against her chest⦠Evil. Raising her face, she closed her eyes and felt darkness coming at them. It was evil all right, and it had a piece of the shattered guardian heart crystal within it.
Toya sensed Kyoko's heartbeat speed up and swung around to look at her. âKyoko, what is it?" His voice was now fueled with concern as he instantly forgot to be mad at her.
"A talisman, very strong and darkly tainted. Itâs moving fast⦠this way," She pointed to the left and they both jumped to their feet and started running in that direction. They hadnât gone far when they heard something crashing through the trees, coming straight towards them.
Toyaâs body was moving on its own accord, his forearms pulsing at his sides as if to draw his attention to the power that lay hidden there. With a flick of his wrist, the fire dagger slid from his flesh and he leapt in front of Kyoko, pushing her behind him with his other hand. He braced himself as the forest in front of them took on a life of its own. The trees and foliage crashed around them as a huge demon thundered towards them.
Kyoko swallowed the lump in her throat as she looked up at the demon. It was about ten times taller than either of them and very nasty looking. She could see the beautiful sky above it and wondered if she would ever get used to the fact that demons lived here. She shrank back when its hideous red eyes locked on her and Toya.
Toya sniffed the air, making a face. The thing smelt like it had been buried and left to rot for way to long before crawling out of its grave. Heâd bet his life Hyakuhei was controlling this thing because he hadnât felt this much power within a demon in a long time.