by shaking his head to clear the dirty thoughts that threatened to take over. Using his better judgment, he leaned toward Suki. "Donât you think we should stop him before it goes too far?" He whispered honestly feeling like a voyeur. "I mean, once the spell wears off and Kyoko is back to normal, sheâs gonna be angry if she isnât still in one piece.â Shinbe knew Suki would catch the double meaning.
Suki blushed as she glanced over at him. âYeah, Iâm just glad he stopped her before she did that to me." She grinned.
Shinbe cocked an eyebrow, wondering what the hell he had missed.
Kamui, who had been silently watching in astonishment, heard Suki's remark. He couldnât help it⦠the thought of Kyoko getting Suki in a lip-lock like that. It sent him into a fit of laughter that he tried to keep quiet but couldnât.
Shinbe and Suki snickered as Kamui laughed his fool head off but then Suki glanced back at Toya seeing how his body was already starting to move in a seductive rhythm against Kyokoâs. She knew they had to intervene somehow.
Toya was in heaven, taking all from the kiss that he could. He took the kiss even deeper as his passion began to flame. The need to make Kyoko his sizzled within his guardian blood. He gave a low growl as his hand gripped the back of her head. His fingers splayed through her hair as he pulled her farther into the now demanding kiss.
The way she was sitting on him with her legs on each side of him, he could feel her heat against his rising need. Toya put his other arm lower on her back as he ground himself up against her. The sensation was making him lose control. He was oblivious to everything except his need to have all of her.
The stimulating smell of desire she was giving off let him know she was ready to become his⦠forever. All he needed was to be inside her⦠deep inside her.
Shinbe and Suki realized it had gone far enough and they could tell neither was in control anymore. Shinbe stood and Suki rose beside him, their smiles now gone. Both too scared to approach. It wasnât funny anymore.
"Toya, please stop this at once. Remember⦠Kyoko is under a spell and doesnât know what she is doing. Toya!â Shinbe called out, hoping he wasnât too late. He took a quick step back when Toya's head snapped up.
Toyaâs eyes turned silver then tinted red as he growled, sending a warning for them to back off.
Shinbe took a step in front of Suki protectively. âThatâs not Toya,â He hissed as he gripped his staff so hard that his knuckles turned white. He needed to find a way to snap Toya out of his present state-of-mind before things went too far.
âIâm not scared of Toya's demon side,â Kamui frowned and started for them with every intention of taking Kyoko from his brother. He was stopped short when Suki grabbed one arm and Shinbe grabbed his other.
âNo, Kamui!â They cried in unison.
Sukiâs heart was beating fast out of fear for both her friends. âDamn Hyakuhei and his curses!â She tried once more to make him understand. "Toya, she will hate you if you take her while she doesnât know what sheâs doing. Please try to get yourself back under control.â she hardened her voice, âYou have to let her go."
Toyaâs gaze turned on Suki angrily as the words slowly reached through the haze of desire and penetrated into his subconscious. The dangerous color receded from his eyes, turning them back to liquid gold. He reluctantly returned his attention to Kyoko with a shattered heart. He almost lost it again when she pressed herself downward, searing heat across his rock hard erection.
Kyokoâs eyes were glazed over with unrestrained passion and he could smell the scent of her need. Toyaâs gaze softened in understanding. She was waiting on him to make love to her. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.
It was all he could do to not grab her up and leave with her. But with all the willpower he had left in him, he understood the truth of Sukiâs words. Kyoko would hate him. Heâd already kissed her against her will, and now this? Toya gently pushed her off him and stood up; closing his eyes to the rejected look she was now giving him.
Kyoko didnât understand why he was leaving her. She reached out to grip his shirt, wanting him to stay. It felt like her world would shatter if he left her. "Toya, please, I love you." Her eyes misted as she tried to get him to look at her. She whispered in a confused voice, âDonât leave me.â
Toya had frozen in place, unable to pull away from her hand. He tried to remind himself that she would have said the same thing to Hyakuhei had he not broken the barrier before she disappeared into that void. His claws dug into the palms of his hands drawing blood and he tried to focus on the pain to help stabilize his willpower.
Suki came up behind Kyoko and holding on to her, she looked at Toya. "Maybe you should go away for a little while until the spell wears off and you are both under control again.â She nodded her head toward the trees, hoping he would listen for once.
Toya hung his head⦠his dark hair barely hiding the need in his eyes from everyone watching. God, he wanted to claim her, wanted to mark her right there and then⦠but Suki was right, Kyoko wasnât herself right now. Sheâd only hate him for it later and he didnât want that. He gritted his teeth with his restraint. If he ever took Kyoko for his own, heâd never give her back. She would be his⦠for life.
Suki gasped at the look on Toyaâs face when he finally raised his head up to look at Kyoko. It was a look of enlightenment and barely suppressed hunger⦠the silver within his eyes matched the silver highlights that streaked his ebony hair.
He stepped forward, his eyes only for Kyoko as he leaned down, gently kissing her on the lips before whispering the words, "Iâm sorry," against them. Then with all the self-control he held within his body, he turned and disappeared into the forest.
Suki sighed as Kyoko started crying. Her small body trembled as she whimpered. She placed her hand on Kyoko's shoulder and looked over at Shinbe not knowing what to do. Her own bottom lip trembled when she noticed Shinbeâs back was now turned to them and his shoulders were tense.
Kamui had also become very quiet; no longer thinking it was funny. There was too much truth behind this situation and it was breaking his heart.
*****
Kyou inhaled the air that had only a moment ago held the stench of his enemyâs spawn. The scent had quickly changed as the sun returned and he could smell the priestess. Her scent drifted to him, carried by the breeze but he could also detect the unmistakable scent of her tears. Following the bittersweet scent, he searched for her.
He did not want anyone upsetting her and for some reason, the thought of her crying made his anger surface. What had she befallen to bring tears to her emerald eyes? His calm face showed no emotion but his protective instinct surfaced as he flew in the direction Kyokoâs scent was coming from.
Toya hadnât gone far when he felt someone approaching. He gave an angry hiss⦠his unease mounting. Kyouâs scent grew steadily closer. It was unhurried and calm as it passed over him, moving in Kyoko's direction. With a snarl, Toya turned and raced back to where heâd left Kyoko and the others.
Within only a few fleeting seconds, Kyou gazed coldly down at the group from a height where he would not be detected. The woman-child was on her knees crying while the demon slayer was laying a hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her. Shinbe and Kamui seemed calm and only stood by watching them from a distance.
He could smell Toyaâs lingering sent but couldnât see him anywhere. He could also smell Toya's desire still hanging thick in the air.
Surely, his stupid brother had not tried to harm the girl. Kyou silently willed Kyoko to look up at him, sending the thought into her mind as he gazed down at her quietly, no emotion showing on the outside. His heart beat faster when she raised a tear-streaked face to meet his gaze.
Kyou