A Light In The Heart Of Darkness

Kyou had scoffed, telling Toya the jewel was only a myth and impossible to find, even in the legends. Toya had ignored his retort, "The aura of she who protects the jewel will shine with holy light. Don’t you want to be free?"

A melancholy feeling settled over Kyou with the memory of his brother’s question. He would have given anything to free his brother from the life Hyakuhei had brought him into. The breeze came through the window blowing his long hair back from his face as if to tell him to go, as if Toya himself was telling him to go.

Gathering the surrounding darkness around his lethal body, Kyou emerged unnoticed among the crowd of unsuspecting youth, his intense gaze never leaving where the purest soft light was glowing.

*****

Kyoko giggled when she saw Suki wiggle her eyebrows behind Tasuki's back. Suki had definitely been hanging around Shinbe way too much lately. She crossed her eyes and stuck out her tongue making Suki almost double over in a fit of laughter then the look instantly vanished as Tasuki turned to see what Suki was laughing at.

This made Suki have to hold on to the wall to keep her knees from buckling as Kyoko just shrugged at Tasuki saying, “Who knows what’s gotten into her? She has never been normal.” She cocked an eyebrow adding, “I have to break her out of the loony bin at least once a week or she gets even worse and tries to gnaw through the trees in front of the dorm.”

Tasuki smirked as he leaned close to Kyoko’s ear as if to whisper but then said in a loud enough voice for Suki to hear, “Maybe on your way home tonight, you should take her back.”

Kyoko nodded happily then felt the hair on the back of her neck raise as if someone was watching her. Hoping it wasn’t Toya secretly following them, she tried to ignore it as she kept her attention on Suki and Tasuki.

Suki finally caught her breath enough to remind Kyoko they were having a slumber party in the padded room later tonight then asked Tasuki if he would like to join them. “We even got a straitjacket for the occasion.” She stuck out her tongue at both of them.

“Put that thing away before you hurt someone,” Kyoko retorted and was quickly rewarded when Suki’s jaw dropped.

As the line started moving, Kyoko glanced over her shoulder wondering who was watching her. She saw only the lights of the parking lot and a horde of people waiting to get in then frowned at her own paranoia. The uneasy feeling that someone was watching her refused to go away and it worried her. She remembered Kotaro’s warning about a stalker around campus and suddenly wished she had hinted to him just were they were going to be.

Suki grabbed her hand and pulled her along since she was holding up the line. Kyoko shrugged the creepy feeling off as they entered the building and her attention was drawn to the interior of the massive dance club.

Kyou had seen her turn as if sensing him and wondered at it. Her eyes had drifted very slowly across the very spot he was standing but he had known she could not see him in the shadows. Under the cloak of darkness he kept her within his sights as he entered the establishment.

His golden gaze moved over the room knowing there were more than just humans within the dimly lit spaces but they were low threats and not worth his attention.

Suki led them to an area close to the bar so they wouldn’t have to go too far to get drinks and still have a good view of the dance floor. The music was already cranking but not so loud that you had to yell just to be heard.

Kyoko was stunned at how nice the place was inside. She was starting to actually feel glad that she had let Suki bully her into coming. After all, there had to be more to life than studying, which was all she had done for over a week now. All the energy in the place was addictive and she smiled excitedly. It was one of those rare moments when she felt like anything could happen.

Instead of actual tables and chairs, the establishment had over stuffed sofas here and there with small glass tables to hold the drinks. Purples, blues and blacks were the main colors of the club, lending it a hint of mystery and magic with all the lights constantly switching colors creating a feeling of sensuous pandemonium. The club’s atmosphere was almost intoxicating.

Deep shadows lent privacy to those who sought it and Kyoko blushed, thinking of all the things that sometimes went on in the shadows… things she had yet to experience. Her mind reverted back to wondering what Kotaro was doing before she guiltily snapped her attention back to her friends.

Kyou took a seat in the darkest corner close to the intensely pure aura. Observing the group he could now see that the glow was coming from only one of them. His eyes softened for the first time in countless years, for only an instant as he watched her smile, taking in the grandeur of the club. It was like watching the sunrise and that was something he hadn’t done in a long time.

She was beautiful, with long flowing auburn hair off set by the silky white shirt she wore.

His gaze scanned her perfect body, taking in the exposed flesh at her waist and the short miniskirt followed by a pair of very shapely toned legs before lifting back to her neck… which was exposed. He followed the arch up to her face with a disapproving growl. She was turned at an angle and he found himself needing to see her eyes… the eyes were the mirror to the soul.

His instincts were reacting in ways he had never experienced before. This feeling he could not describe agitated him and somehow reminded him of his brother. He did not like the unknown.

He darkened the shadows around him as she turned, sweeping her gaze past him but he had seen them. The sight had almost taken the breath from his body. She had the eyes of emeralds shrouded in innocence… but he could also see the mischief and power hidden there.

Kyou clenched his fist so tight he could feel drops of blood forming where his sharp fingernails had punctured his flesh. Why was such innocence here, in a place like this? It should not be allowed. He felt a growl start deep within his chest and tried to suppress it.

If his hunch was correct and Hyakuhei made an appearance, then things could get very dangerous, very fast. Was she the one who held the Guardian Heart Crystal within her? His brother’s words came back to haunt him a second time.

“…brother, if we find it then we can be free of him…”

Blocking out the other sounds within the nightclub, Kyou directed all his senses to her so he could learn more and prepare himself. His haunted golden eyes nearly glowed as he dipped into the thoughts of the group sitting at her table. Listening to the thought of mortals was a vise he hadn’t used in a long time.

Tasuki offered to go get the first round of drinks since the bartender was his cousin. He wasn’t going to waste his one chance to impress Kyoko. He knew she thought of him as a friend but he wanted to be so much more, if only she would open her eyes and see the devotion he offered her. There would never be a man that could love her more than him. It just wasn’t possible.

Suki smiled at hearing he knew the bartender and asked Tasuki to get them all a Long Island iced tea. Tasuki gave a blushing wink to Kyoko, nodding and telling them he would be right back. He took off to retrieve the girls’ drinks as quickly as possible.

Kyoko’s eyes rounded as she stared at Suki. “Long Island iced tea? But we are...” Suki waved a dismissive hand to shush her.

“Come on Kyoko. Live a little! Finals are over and besides… we’ve drank before,” Suki tried to lighten Kyoko up by grinning and rolling her eyes. Hoping to change the subject she added, “I have to admit Kyoko that in that outfit and your curves… you do not look underage.” She laughed out loud at the startled look on Kyoko’s face.

Kyoko looked at Suki skeptically. “Twice, Suki. I have drunk twice, and I barely remember either time… and I don’t need to dress like this to prove I am of age.” Kyoko blushed at what she could remember from the last time her birthday had rolled around. Because of Suki, she didn’t remember much about her own birthday party.

She remembered the giant bowl of fruit Suki had handed her with such an innocent smile. She had known Kyoko’s weakness for fruit and played on it. Kyoko had eaten almost the whole bowl not even realizing it had been soaked in alcohol.

‘She’s going to get me in trouble again… I just know it!’ Kyoko silently whined to herself and mentally slumped in defeat. The others had only joked about that night, something about Kyoko forgetting how to walk… or talk!

Suki smirked, shrugging her shoulders, “So this makes the third time.” She smiled happily at Tasuki as he brought the drinks back, eagerly grabbing one for herself.

Kyoko bit her lips then mumbled something about ‘three strikes and you are out’ but turned and smiled at Tasuki anyway. There was such a thing as peer pressure after all and being the sucker that she was, she gave in.

“Three Long Island iced teas as requested.” Tasuki sat down between the girls and took a sip of his drink. He felt the heat suddenly rise within the room because the drink was so strong. Glancing past Kyoko he looked at his cousin behind the bar. The mischievous grin on his cousin’s face let him know the drinks were stronger than normal.

Tasuki shook his head and looked back at the girls. “To finals, may we pass them all with flying colors,” he offered as a toast. Then looking into Kyoko’s eyes added, “And may we never lose touch with one another, no matter what.”

Kyoko blushed and smiled shyly as she took her drink from his outstretched hand. Hastily taking a sip, her eyes widened when she decided she actually liked the flavor. “If you can’t beat them, might as well join them,” she winked at Suki good-naturedly.

She plunked a straw into the drink and within the next ten minutes of laughing and cutting up, the Long Island iced tea disappeared. Color bloomed in Kyoko’s cheeks as the effects of the alcohol slowly began to flow through her body.

Tasuki, having drunk his just as fast as Kyoko, now felt more at ease and a little bolder as he asked the girls if they wanted to dance. His eyes darkened attractively as he took Kyoko’s hand and led her onto the dance floor with Suki holding Kyoko’s other hand.

He just knew this night was going to be the best night of his college days and he would never forget a single moment of it.

Not but a few feet away, Kyou watched the young man named Tasuki reach out and take the green-eyed girl’s hand and felt the need to rip the offending fingers from the young man daring to touch her. The man’s innocent feelings for the girl could be read clearly in his eyes and thoughts, but he still did not trust him.

Kyou had seen it play out many times watching the nightlife. A young man giving the girl drinks and then taking advantage of her naivety. His eyes tinted crimson as he watched the boy lead the girls onto the dance floor. Kyou felt the need to take the auburn haired girl and hide her from any who would harm her or want to possess her.

He wondered off handedly at his own possessiveness toward the girl. If she was the one who held the Guardian Heart Crystal, then what should he do? One thing Kyou knew for sure… before he would let Hyakuhei have her, he would first kill her with his own bare hands.

If the legend was true and Hyakuhei got his hands on the power of the Guardian Heart Crystal, there would be no stopping him.

*****

Kamui sat invisible, on top of one of the huge speakers in front of the DJ as he watched the dance floor where Kyoko and Suki were dancing with a young man. He cocked an eyebrow when he noticed just who this guy was. A very secret smile tilted his lips seeing the amethyst hue that clung to the boy.

His attention reverted back to the other man that was stalking the priestess. He had already tried to stop the attraction once when Kyoko was still in line but the oldest guardian was just as stubborn as always. The vibes Kyou was giving off were heavy and slightly tainted.

“Kyou, what are you thinking?” Kamui wondered aloud knowing he couldn’t be heard or seen. Watching Kyou watch Kyoko he recognized fate when he saw it. Fate had always drawn the guardians toward their priestess… no matter what world or lifetime.