LITMIR.BIZ

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and we cannot find either of them,” his voice sounded even more aged than normal, and laced with sadness and a touch of defeat. He waited to hear the shrieks of pain that were soon to come from his young friend. When they didn’t come, he turned, just in time to see Kyoko going back into the hut.

      Kyoko sat on the floor next to Suki and put her arms around her friend, “It’s okay, Suki. Shinbe is fine.” She rocked her friend, “somehow… he came through the heart of time with Toya. He’s injured, but he’s going to be okay.”

      Suki stopped breathing for a moment, then with a gasp she pushed away, glaring at Kyoko as she wiped a hand across her eyes. “Shinbe… is not dead?” she continued to stare at Kyoko.

      Kyoko frowned, “No, he has a lot of injuries, but he’s not dead. I came back to let you know he is recovering.” She silently wondered why Toya hadn’t told them what happened.

      Kamui listened to Kyoko’s words and wondered at them. Now he knew why he couldn’t sense Shinbe… he wasn’t even in this world. He left the hut to find Kaen so they could call off the hunt. He wished his other brothers, Kotaro and Kyou, would show up and somehow help him fix whatever was going on. His thoughts turned back to Kyoko.

      â€œAs long as they are only hurting each other and not her,” Kamui whispered but the tightness in his chest still didn’t ease. If he had to… he would protect her all by himself.

      Suki stood up. “He, he’s been with you all night, Kyoko? We, we saw Toya with blood on his hands,” she stuttered and paused, anger building within and directed at Kyoko for keeping it a secret.

      Kyoko stood up, “Where is Toya anyway? When I get my hands on him, I’m going to…” Suki cut her off mid-sentence.

      â€œHe’s been with you all this time? Shinbe has been with you in your time?” Suki’s voice held a note of accusation, and Kyoko was dumbfounded. “You waited this long to come tell us. Didn’t you think we’d be worried about him?”

      Kyoko shook her head, “I’m sorry, Suki. I didn’t want to leave him until I knew he was…” She saw Suki’s face getting red and backed up.

      â€œAll night? Most of the morning we searched for him, fearing he was dead or lying injured somewhere! Now you come back all happy, telling me he’s with you!” She pointed an accusing finger at her friend. “You should have come sooner. You should have… ” She broke off, a sob leaving her body, relieved that Shinbe was okay.

      Kyoko put her arm around the girl to comfort her. “I’m sorry, Suki. I didn’t think. His injuries were pretty bad. I was afraid of leaving him until he woke up. I was so worried I was going to lose him.”

      Suki pushed away from Kyoko, her anger peaking once again at Kyoko’s words. “You… thought you were going to lose him?” she stared at Kyoko blinking back her tears. “Just what were they fighting about, Kyoko? Were they fighting over you?”

      Kyoko was startled by the question. She didn’t know how to answer. She couldn’t tell Suki that she had kissed Shinbe, and that Toya saw them. This was Suki, her friend who was secretly in love with Shinbe. Guilt washed over her. Was she betraying her friend? She looked down at the wooden floor, suddenly finding it very interesting.

      She wasn’t in love with Shinbe but she…. ‘Geez, what am I thinking?’ She balled her hands into fists, getting aggravated at herself for thinking about Shinbe that way, when the one that truly loved him was standing right in front of her. She had to know how Suki really felt.

      â€œSuki, are you in love with Shinbe?” she asked quickly, not meaning to evade the subject of why the two guardians had fought.

      Suki turned her back, her cheeks turning red at the question. Was she in love with him? She wondered. Yes, she had feelings for him. But in love, the way Kyoko had proposed? She shook her head. She would never love any man. Especially not Shinbe. That was just out of the question. Maybe she could love him if they were successful at killing Hyakuhei, and erasing Shinbe’s curse. But… no, she just couldn’t fall in love with him. She couldn’t deal with any more heartache.

      Confused by her own feelings, she turned back to Kyoko, “You’re avoiding the question, Kyoko! I asked if they were fighting over you?” Now she was the one avoiding a question, but it was one she honestly didn’t want to answer, or think about.

      Kyoko sighed, shrugging her shoulders, “I don’t know. Didn’t Toya tell you what happened?” She glanced toward the door wondering why he wasn’t there. “Where is Toya anyway? Is he alright?” Kyoko got a sudden chill, realizing Toya’s absence was what had kept them from not knowing what happened.

      Suki exploded, “What?!! Toya took off after we found him. His claws were covered in blood, Kyoko! He was… ” Suki was cut off as Sennin came into the hut.

      â€œWill ye stop your hollering, Suki?” he sat down on the mat and picked up a stick, poking at the fire in front of him. “Kyoko, come sit. And tell us what ye know.”

      Kyoko looked to Suki. She didn’t like her friend being angry with her. Why were they all fighting amongst each other all of a sudden? They had always stuck together and defended each other … something just wasn’t right. She sat down and began telling them what happened, from the time at the spring, to Shinbe’s appearance in her time.

      Of course, she didn’t tell them about the kiss, just that Toya was angry because she was in her underwear.

      â€œWell, that’s it really. He finally woke up right before I came here. He’s in really bad shape though.” she shook her head, looking down at her hands. “Grandfather says it’s going to take at least a couple days before he can get up and start moving around again.”

      Suki’s head snapped up, “What? He can’t stay in your time!” She instantly lowered her eyes, feeling strange again. Where had this jealousy come from all of a sudden?

      Sennin put his hand on Suki’s arm, “Calm down, ye wouldn’t want him to travel back if he is still injured.”

      Suki sighed, “But that’s too long. We can take care of him just as well here.” She didn’t like the fact that the group was split up.

      Sennin chuckled, “Ai, but to get him here, he would have to travel through the heart of time. The stress of doing something not allowed might be too much for his injuries.”

      Kyoko stood up, “I really hate to leave, but I only came back to let you know he’s okay. I better get back there before grandfather and Tama drive him crazy.” She picked up her backpack and smiled nervously as Kamui came back in the hut, their eyes locking.

      Kamui couldn’t help it as he pulled Kyoko into his arms and hugged her tight. He was in much better spirits now that he knew Toya hadn’t seriously hurt Shinbe. When Kyoko hadn’t come back, he had thought the worst.

      â€œI’ll keep my eyes on them from this side. You go bring our Shinbe back,” he smiled, love dancing in his multihued eyes. He had wanted to let her know that he wasn’t mad at her like Suki was.

      Kyoko smiled up at him as she handed him a box of chocolates, “Now don’t eat it all too fast. I don’t want you to get a tummy ache.” She ran her hand through the silky purple highlights in his hair and hugged him back. She was thankful at least one of them wasn’t holding this against her. Kamui had always had the softest heart.

      She whispered close to his ear so Suki wouldn’t hear, “If Toya comes back, tell him I need to see him.”

      Kamui nodded his head.

      Suki

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