Chapter 11 "Dangerous Memories" Toya’s heart thumped hard in his chest as her scent became stronger. He sped up wanting to see for himself that she was all right. Kyoko felt better now that she was back with the others but where was Toya and what did Kyou mean when he said he’d saved her? Something had told her not to ask Kyou but now she wished she had. "We were headed for Sennin’s like Toya told us to but now that Kyoko is back, what should we do? Just wait on him to catch up with us?” Shinbe asked Suki while he watched Kyoko, thinking it was strange that she was acting as if nothing had happen. Even Kamui was staying next to Kaen, instead of Kyoko because he didn’t understand either. Kyoko stopped walking. Turning back to them, she crossed her arms against her chest and gave them her best ‘what the hell’ look. "Okay you guys, come on. What am I missing? I feel like your hiding something from me." They were all watching her but then she noticed their gaze was drawn past her

Chapter 13 "Raging Hearts" Kyoko snuggled into Toya's strong arms, placing her cheek against his chest listening to his heartbeat as she watched Kyou turn to walk away from them. Kyou looked at peace to her so she didn’t feel guilty. He’d let her glimpse into his heart, the heart of a very kind and gentle guardian. He didn’t want to hurt Toya anymore then she did and that was enough. Toya also watched his brother as he walked away and he couldn’t feel any hatred at all. That is until he looked down and saw Kyoko was watching Kyou leave with an almost loving look on her face. With a soft growl, Toya gently shook her in his arms and felt better when her gaze drifted back to him. "Are you alright Kyoko?" His voice was husky with the emotion in him still high after the day’s events. Kyoko's eyes locked with his intense golden gaze. She could feel the love radiating off him. Reaching up, she cupped his cheek and smiled when he turned slightly to place a soft kiss in the center of

Chapter 15 “Calm Anger"   Toya came from his crouched position standing to his full height. His true form now shuttered with anger. Through the eyes of the snake demon, he had confirmed his suspicions. Memories flooded him with the sight of his rival from the past. "So, Kotaro is near her as always." Toya's eyes shimmered with the color of blood before calm once again over took him. He stared down into the city. "Just who else has come to keep you from me, my Kyoko?" His voice was smooth, belying the emotions that rattled his body. Somewhere within… Toya knew he wasn't free to think for himself. He could only catch whispers of his true thoughts here and there. The true him seemed to be drowning in the sea of evil that his soul had become host to. To calm his raging anger, an image slashed its way through his mind. He caught a picture of himself, reaching out and tucking a stray, auburn lock of Kyoko’s hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering against her creamy cheek fo

Chapter 17 "Haunted" Kyoko glanced up when Kyou laid the phone on the nightstand and turned without saying a word, walking into the next room. Now that her momentary embarrassment was gone, she looked around the room wondering what the phone call had been about. Sliding from the bed, she hurried to get dressed, intending to go ask Kyou exactly what was wrong. She could tell the phone call wasn't a good one even if his expression hadn't changed. His aura had turned a couple shades darker. More like dangerously dark, and she wanted to know why. The one thing that worried her was the fact that he was trying to hide it from her. Kyou lifted the lid and reached into the display case housing both his swords and the twin daggers. His smooth fingertips skimmed over the cold surface of the daggers blades wondering at the power that seemed to crackle around them. With a narrowing of his eyes, he found himself reaching across them and taking his own powerful sword and sliding it into the s

Chapter 19 "Twisted Hope" Kyou flew through the night with the speed he’d gained from the bonding with Kyoko. He knew anything could be happening to her even in a short amount of time. "Kyoko, please be safe," He silently begged to the wind as he felt himself drawing closer to the one he was destined to protect. Kyoko awakened in a panic and struggled to stand, frantically searching for Toya but he was gone. Feeling the pain in her chest, she looked down at the blood trailing from the wound. The crimson color ran all the way down her leg in memory of Toya's betrayal. She looked back up among the trees, feeling like her world was tilting from everything that’d happen. "No, he didn't want to do this. I could tell he didn't," her voice was stern as if she was trying to convince someone that what she was saying was true. "I have to find him and make sure he’s all right." Her bottom lip began to tremble with a weak smile as the full force of what just happened dawned on her. "He's al