heâs gone after Hyakuhei!â
Shinbeâs shoulders slumped in defeat. âI will go after Kamui, you go find Kyoko. Right now, Kamui needs the voice of reason and Iâm the best one for the job at the moment.â
Suki watched as they both took off in different directions as if forgetting all about her. She then noticed Kaen still beside her. âI guess we should head back to the hut and wait on them to return.â She shrugged knowing she would only slow Shinbe down if she tried to follow him.
She turned to walk away but noticed Kaen hadnât moved. Stepping back around in front of him her lips parted in awe.
Kaen had tears in his eyes as he stared off in the direction Kamui and Shinbe had gone.
*****
Hyakuhei entered the chambers of the cave he had been staying in. This was the perfect hiding place⦠deep within the ground while they searched for him above. His translucent black wings shook away the tension of the flight then retreated as if they had never been there.
He looked around the majestic beauty of the cave⦠this is where he would bring her. He was right under their noses and they didnât even know it. Hyakuhei sat down on the black fur robe he had spread out near the low burning fire to rethink his strategy.
Kyou had ruined his plans of capturing the priestess while she was alone in the gardens of The Heart of Time⦠but plans changed. Now that she was only with one of the guardians instead of all of them, it would not be so hard to steel her away. His eyes darkened with intent as he reached for the very thing that had let him know she had been alone near the maiden shrine.
Just like in the dream⦠the plan could have been the same. He could feel the dream demon inside him even when the other demons where silent. It was waiting for him to fall asleep. Hyakuhei closed his eyes remembering the nightmare demons he had overtook in the past. He had used their nightmares to torture others and make them experience their worst fears⦠now the deception was turned back on him tenfold.
Being able to share this torture with the priestess had turned this weakness into a weapon.
Hyakuhei held the mirror of souls within his angry fist. Seeing only his reflection peering back at him, he demanded to know the whereabouts of the missing priestess. The mirror only showed him the image of twisted branches and stormy weather. Why would Kyou take the priestess to a place that seemed covered in despair? He knew the possessed mirror could only tell the truth but at the same time⦠Hyakuhei knew it lied unknowingly.
He mentally called to several of his demonic servants to do his bidding ⦠sending them in search of her true hiding place since they were expendable. He knew Kyouâs fortress lie somewhere within the northern lands. The castle had disappeared from existence during the war between him and his brother Tadamichi. The demons he sent into that area would wreak havoc on villages and draw out the guardian lord.
He would allow Kyou to unknowingly lead him to the priestess he was shielding. As he peered into the tainted glass the reflection changed⦠but not by his control. Hyakuheiâs eyes hardened as a vision of multihued dust covered the looking glass in warning.
âSo⦠Kamui, what will you do?â he asked just as Kamui came into focus within the mirror. The boyâs eyes turned to look directly at him as if he knew he was being watched. âAre you looking for me? Be careful what you wish for⦠son.â Hyakuhei warned.
âNo father⦠It is you that should be careful,â Kamui hissed in retaliation.
âSo⦠you have given into the memories?â Hyakuhei held the glass closer to his face as the corners of his lips turned up in a dangerous hint of a smile. âKamui⦠if you really want to keep your priestess, then you should join me. Take your rightful place beside me and we will make her forget the other guardians together.â
Kamui stopped in midair knowing exactly what his father had meant. âI am nothing like you or your monsters. One day the demons you thrive on will turn on you father⦠you think it is you in control of them. You lie to yourself even when you are losing.â
They both could hear the echo of laughter as the dream master fought its restraints. Kamui knew its powers bordered on mystical and that was something that could not be controlled⦠even by Hyakuhei.
âYou belong to me⦠not them,â Hyakuhei hissed at the image. âThat is a truth even you cannot bury forever.â
âI will never betray my friends!â Kamui screamed as he broke the link between him and his father.
Hyakuhei tossed the mirror into the fire when it exploded from Kamuiâs anger. The fragments became like liquid silver and slithered over the burning wood. They gathered into a puddle and slowly formed back into the familiar shape, hardening into the enchanted mirror⦠as if it had never broken.
Hyakuhei lay back on the dark fur as traces of colorful glitter shimmered within the cave. âSo, your powers have grown. We shall see Kamui⦠we shall see.â
*****
Kyou leaned against the balcony, staring down into the hot springs that he had enclosed within the center of his castle. His eyes were still locked on his lost and found priestess. She looked happy for the moment and it dawned on him⦠she belonged here. He felt his blood begin to heat when Kyoko started disrobing. He watched her firm breast rise as she pulled her shirt over her head⦠his eyes began to glow liquid gold.
His knuckles turned white as his grip tightened on the banisters. He closed his eyes for a brief moment trying to press down the urge to go to her. When he opened them again, he nearly growled. What was she thinking? She was completely naked.
Kyou watched as she stepped into the warm water. She intrigued him with her innocence. Why did she have this effect on him when no other human did? None had ever turned his head but here he stood ⦠craving a human and only Kyoko would do. How could one be so pure and unconsciously seductive at the same time?
She was beauty incarnate all wrapped into one tiny human package. He growled low in his throat. What if one of the servants that lived within his castle walked in on her? She had unknowingly exposed herself to any of the men servants who happened by. Kyou sent a silent message to all within his castle to avoid the hot springs or they would suffer his anger as a result from disobeying. If he learned that any had spied on her prior⦠there would be no escape from his wrath.
She should not have come to the bathing room without his permission. Sure, it was true that the servants within his castle stayed hidden, for he did not like to see them unless he called for them. Still, he would have Kyokoâs body seen by no one but him. He would have to teach her to behave. A ghost of a smile chilled his lips as he watched.
Once Hiroki was finished with his bathing, the little boy wanted to help Kyoko wash her hair. So, Kyoko let him. She had to lower herself in the water up to her neck so he could reach the long auburn strands. The sensation of his small fingers rubbing her hair and scalp sent her into a very relaxed state. Hiraru soon joined them and Kyoko tried not to laugh as they argued over who was going to rinse.
Finally, Kyoko solved their argument by dunking under the water. When she came back up she was greeted with adorable whining noises. She giggled again and they smiled brightly before starting a splash war with one another. Kyoko moved to the other end of the spring and sat down on a rocky outcropping under the water to watch them.
Her mind was at ease for a short time as she listened to the echo of the childrenâs voices while they played within the water. Realizing what she was doing instead of staying focused on what was really going on, she quickly washed herself. When she turned around and started rinsing off Kyoko noted the twins getting out of the water.
The little boys had strange looks on their faces as if they were concentrating on something. Little did she know they were listening to Kyouâs silent command. She bit her lip when they