Chapter 23 "Reclaiming" Shinbe stood behind the bar lost in thought about Toya. They’d once been best friends. He couldn’t remember how many times they’d saved each other in the past. They would have died for each other, but now… He missed the Toya he remembered… his brother. His shoulders slumped as his thoughts turned deeper within his soul. Toya had killed him without a second glance and if it hadn't been for Kyou reviving him, no. It was not Toya’s hand that had taken his life but the hand of demons. Shinbe closed his eyes trying to steady his thoughts. The club was still empty seeing as how they hadn't even opened the doors. He was so distracted by everything that’d happened within the last couple days, he couldn't even think straight. Kotaro leaned his back against the bar looking up at the steps that led to Kyoko when the sound of a glass shattering behind him nearly made him jump out of his skin. Turning quickly, he watched as Shinbe cocked an eyebrow at his hand as i
Raging Hearts The Guardian Heart Crystal Series Book Three Amy Blankenship Copyright © 2009 Amy Blankenship English Edition Published by Amy Blankenship Second Edition Published by TekTime All rights reserved. The Legend of the Heart of Time The worlds may change… but true legends never fade. Darkness and light have constantly battled since the beginning of time. Worlds are formed and crushed beneath the feet of their creators, yet the ongoing need for good and evil have never been in question. However, sometimes a new element is thrown into the mix… the one thing that both sides want but only one can have. Paradoxical in nature, the Guardian Heart Crystal is the one constant that both sides have always striven to attain. The crystalline stone has the power to create and destroy the known universe, yet can end all suffering and strife in the same breath. Some say the crystal has a mind of its own… others say the gods are behind it all.
Chapter 2 "Flame of Jealousy" Kyoko gritted her teeth, the tension between them was almost tangible and it was really starting to unnerve her. Toya sat on a branch in the tree near the fire and Kyoko sat at the fire by herself. They still hadn’t said a single word to each other and now he wouldn’t even look at her. She frowned feeling slightly insulted. Was kissing her really so bad? Toya sat in the tree sulking. He’d seen her frown. Had him kissing her been so bad? She hadn’t said a word to him about what he had done. He’d rather her yell at him or something but he didn’t know what to think about her not saying anything. Was she that mad at him? Should he apologize? His lips thinned in denial. He wouldn’t apologize for something he hadn’t meant to do. Should he just ignore it and act like it didn’t happen? At this point, he just wished everything would go back to the way it was, although he himself would not forget the kiss. Toya glanced back down at her wondering what she w
Chapter 3 ‘Wicked Kisses” The breeze was growing colder by the minute and Toya slowed down noticing an evil aura in the distance. Kyoko's blood ran cold as the unnatural feeling overwhelmed her. Toya leapt down from the high branches, coming to a skidding stop at the top of a hill. She slid to the ground as the others quickly appeared behind them looking into the distance. Kyoko watched as an ominous cloud loomed over the area. "I feel a talisman." She shook her head. "Not just one, there’s more," She said breathlessly. “The evil surrounding the fragments is stifling.” Suki walked up behind Kyoko, adjusting her weapon across her shoulder for easier access in case of battle. "I wonder if it’s Hyakuhei you’re sensing?" She glanced at Shinbe as he walked up beside them, his trench coat and long midnight-blue hair blowing in the wind that was now picking up. Toya’s eyes narrowed and change to molten silver. Sensing danger close to them, he glanced to the left and slung his
Chapter 4 "Dangerous Feelings" Kyoko glanced up hearing the voice in her mind telling her softly to do so. Her tears reflected the light like glittering diamonds as she watched Kyou floating above her and she sent him an adoring smile. Suki tensed up at Kyou’s deadly question and glared up at him. She shook her head, "It wasn’t any of the guardians that hurt her. It was your uncle Hyakuhei. He had a spell cast on her.” Suki squared her shoulders, angry with him for accusing them of hurting Kyoko. “We killed the demon who cast the spell so Kyoko will be alright within a couple of hours." She stepped in front of Kyoko, trying to block her friend from Kyou’s view. After Kyoko told her earlier about Kyou kissing her... Well, she didn’t want Kyoko getting any ideas right now. She would let her kiss Shinbe first if it came to that, so she blocked his view and folded her arms across her chest as if standing guard. Kyou smiled coldly at Suki but his eyes narrowed, which sent a warnin
Chapter 5 "Uninvited" Kyoko hurriedly dressed for school. Since she was back, she was definitely going today. She’d already missed so much and besides that, she missed her friends from this world. Brushing her auburn hair until it shown, Kyoko promised herself that she wouldn’t think about what happen in the other world and just enjoy today for what it was… normal. Dropping the brush back to the vanity, she went downstairs, coming into the dining room. Grandpa looked up in surprise, "Kyoko, your home? Are you going to school today? I already thought of a good excuse if you need it." He grinned at her. The family had gotten used to the fact that Kyoko was the priestess their ancestors had written about so long ago. The maiden shrine behind the house had belonged to their family as far back as they could trace it and they kept the secret safe. Kyoko groaned. "Thanks grandpa, but I want to go so just save it for next time okay?" She knew her grandpa was only trying to help but s
Chapter 6 "More Than Jealousy" Kyoko still felt like she was in a trance but the feelings she was having were so nice, she really didn’t mind. What was Kyou doing to her? It’s like… little by little he was building up to something much bigger, getting her ready for something. Either that or he was putting her in heat. Kyoko glanced down at her hand. They were holding hands? She followed the arm with her gaze up to the face of Toya. Toya was holding her hand? She smiled. Then thought lamely to herself, 'when did he show up?’ Shaking her head to clear away any remaining fuzz, she glanced at Toya in confusion. His eyes looked a bit softer than before… and worried. "Toya, what’s going on? Why do I feel like I’m coming out of a heavy fog or something?” When he didn’t respond, Kyoko pulled back on her hand so that Toya either had to let go or answer her question. Keeping his back to her, he let go of her hand and took another step but the next step faltered. "Kyoko, I think we shou
Chapter 7 "Bad Advice" Kyoko and Toya stepped inside Sennin’s hut to find everyone already there. Kamui walked to Kyoko looking her over and asking her if she was all right. Kyoko smiled reassuringly. "Yep, not a scratch." Kamui nodded, "Thanks to Kotaro." He put his arms around her neck, giving her an affectionate hug than smirked at Toya, who stood behind Kyoko, growling at Kamui for mentioning Kotaro's name. Toya grabbed Kamui by the arm and pulled him away from Kyoko to pop him on the side of the head. "Thanks to me, the demon is dead, idiot." He crossed his arms over his chest and stood beside Kyoko… a little closer to her than normal. Sennin gazed up at the group thinking to himself that there was something weird about the look on Toya’s face. The way he hovered over Kyoko as if guarding her from even the other guardians. He always had a sixth sense about these things. His old wrinkled face stared at the guardian trying to figure it out. Toya noted Sennin was staring