choice.â
âWhat do you mean he has no choice?â Suki demanded. âItâs against everything the Guardians stand for to take that privilege from anyone, much less their priestess. Besides, if Kyou did like Kyoko all along, then why didnât he say something before instead of stealing her away like a thief?â
Sennin smiled, âFor the same reasons our friend Shinbe has kept his silence.â
Suki felt her face heat up and turned away from her father. âWhy would Shinbe want to keep quiet about liking someone? Heâd never had a problem speaking his mind before⦠or keeping his hands to himself for that matter.â She cringed.
âPerhaps the reason Shinbe has kept his silence is due to the one thing that keeps any man quiet for the one they secretly adore⦠fear of rejection.â He cocked an eyebrow knowing he spoke the truth.
Suki stared at her father like heâd grown a second head. âYou mean Shinbe loves Kyoko⦠and never got up the guts to tell her?â The thought made Sukiâs chest hurt and eyesight go all watery.
Suki suddenly grabbed her head, rubbing the spot where Sennin had just brained her with her own bayonet.
âStop being daft girl,â Sennin muttered, placing the bayonet back on the floor of the hut. âYoung people and their obliviousness.â He paused in thought for a moment⦠secretly reminiscing about his own âobliviousâ moments with Sukiâs mother. âAh, the memories.â
*****
The talisman within the dream master blazed to life as it felt Hyakuhei and Kyoko both slip within the walls of sleep. This was when he gained enough freedom to gaze into both their souls and find things they had both forgotten or never had the power to remember, the other side of their souls.
The dream demonâs black eyes opened wide as he looked into that world and brought his victims into it. Even the protective barrier around the girl was not strong enough to keep him out.
*****
Dreams were a strange enigma indeed but when you awaken within a dream, you no longer know you are still lost within your own mind⦠thatâs just beyond strange. Kyoko came into that same haze, feeling like she was wrapped in a blanket of warmth. Resisting the urge to open her eyes, she snuggled closer.
Everything was so quiet except for the heartbeat that sounded so strong and calm pressed against her ear.
Her eyes shot open knowing she was not supposed to be sleeping with anyone. Kyokoâs startled gaze came in contact with a bare chest. She noticed the lean muscles underneath flawless skin and tendrils of long dark silky hair that lay in waves across his ribs. Her gaze curiously followed the ebony locks upward to the flawless face⦠Hyakuhei.
She bit her lower lip feeling a blush spread across her cheeks. What was she doing lying with him? Seeing his eyes were still closed, she quickly looked back down between them to make sure he was wearing pants. Thank god, other than his missing shirt they were both still dressed.
âItâs just Hyakuhei⦠he is my guardian⦠right?â She reminded herself stubbornly. Trying to remember how they got there⦠she drew a blank. As a matter of fact, she couldnât remember the last thing she had done and frowned softly as she glanced back up at him.
âThatâs right⦠I was falling and he saved me.â Her lips parted when her eyes locked with his, he was awake and staring quietly at her. Her hand was still pressed against his chest. She could feel the same heartbeat strong and steady that she had heard only moments before. Her attention lowered to his lips before reluctantly pulling her gaze away.
She slowly sat up, feeling his gaze follow her as she did so. Now that they were no longer touching, she wondered at the cold emptiness that rushed in to steal her warmth.
Hyakuhei watched her awaken and sensing no fear, he waited for her to rise. He craved this. He liked her conflicting scent⦠her purity clashing with his own evil aura. His dark eyes were drawn to the pink that now tinted her cheeks. It made him wonder what she was thinking. As he watched her take in the solitude of the cave, he could tell she did not like the confinement of its walls.
âWhere are we?â Kyoko turned away from him to look at the small opening of the cave and felt a slight fear seeing the cold darkness that lay beyond it. She took a hesitant step back wishing she could still hear his heartbeat and feel the security she had woken with.
Hyakuhei rose up behind her and wrapped his arms securely around her when he felt her fear spike. âDo not worry my pet. I brought you here to keep you safe from the demons who want the guardian heart crystal.â He nuzzled her hair with his cheek. âI will always protect you and keep you⦠safe.â his lips hinted in a secret smile that she couldnât see.
Kyoko closed her eyes and tilted her head to give into his soft caress as she nodded. That sounded like it was the right answer though she didnât remember the demons that had given chase. âOh, okay.â she whispered as she sank into his warmth.
"Kyoko, would you like to go outside? I would like to show you something." He slid his palm slowly down her arm until her small hand was within his.
Kyoko wondered why she felt so weak. âYes, sunshine⦠Thatâs what she needed to clear her head.â For some reason, she felt out of place but couldnât put her finger on the dilemma. She only nodded to Hyakuhei, trusting him to take her out of this dark beautiful dungeon.
Hyakuhei tightened his strong arm around Kyoko pressing her to his side and rose above the stone floor. In turn, he felt her wrap her arms around him, clinging to him so she wouldnât fall.
"I will not ever let you go Kyoko," He whispered in her ear as he touched her chin gently knowing she would not hear the double meaning within his words. Her face turned up to his and she loosened her hold. He glided out of the cave and then straight up but not too fast so he wouldnât frighten her. He landed on the soft ground in the sunlight.
Kyoko looked around at the leaves. The forest offered speckled shade to them and everything was so bright as her emerald eyes adjusted to the light. She let go and took a step out of the circle of his arms. What was she doing here? What was she missing? She glanced at Hyakuhei still feeling a little confused. Wasnât she looking for something she had lost?
"Kyoko, will you still help me find the fragments of the guardian heart crystal before the demons can use them to break through the portal?" He watched as her eyes lit up in understanding. He was glad she didnât yet remember her true guardians. The spell he had on her was strong and as long as nothing prompted the memory, the enchantment wouldnât confuse her.
Kyoko smiled. Yes, thatâs what she was here for. Looking for the talisman.
"Yes Hyakuhei. The shards. I almost forgot." She closed her eyes and tried to detect any of the crystals untainted energy nearby. After a moment, her eyes opened and she pointed. "About half a mile that way Hyakuhei and its alone." She smiled glad it wasnât inside a demon⦠well, not that she could tell.
She let him take her back into his strong arms as he lifted them off the ground and took them in the direction she indicated.
They found the fragment quickly and when he asked to hold it for her, she didnât think twice about giving it to him, although something gnawed at her memory. She sighed, closing her eyes again and instantly detected another fragment⦠but this time it wasnât alone. This time it was contaminated with darkness.
She reached behind her for her crossbow but her hand came up empty. She frowned wondering where she had left it as she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Kyoko, do not worry. I will keep you safe. Just tell me where it is." He knew she was looking for her weapon but that was a memory he also wanted her to forget. He knew the power behind the spirit darts and it was a power he did not