Raging Hearts. Amy Blankenship

her as he leaned forward. Kyoko bit her bottom lip. What was going on here? Toya had never acted like this before. Just then she caught him looking down at her lips with a determined gaze and she suddenly forgot how to breathe.

      He didn’t want her to stay on this side of the heart of time. He wanted her to pick him over that stupid Tasuki guy but so far, she wasn’t willing to do it. He backed her up to the wall, making it to where she couldn’t avoid him. It was plain and simple… He didn’t want her going out with Tasuki. His gaze dropped to her lips, remembering the kiss she’d given him while under the spell. He wondered if she’d kiss him like that without the pull of a spell.

      Without any thought to the consequences, Toya dipped his head and captured her lips in a hungry kiss, trying to show her he didn’t want her to stay here, but to come back with him. Since he couldn’t seem to tell her with words, he pressed his body against hers making her gasp.

      Toya took the chance and deepened the already demanding kiss, tasting the sweetness he knew was there. His body felt like it was on fire as he sought out every hidden spot he could find. The sudden need to drive himself into her surfaced within his guardian blood, trying to take over his mind. Pressing his thigh between her legs, his body rocked with the kiss, setting a rhythm that was taking his breath away.

      Sensations jolted throughout Kyoko’s body and she knew she had to stop this… right now, or things would go too far. She pushed with all her might against his chest hoping he wouldn’t fight her this time.

      Releasing her with a growl, Toya stepped back, breathing hard and struggling with his loss of control. "Kyoko, I just want you to come back with me.” His softly spoken words were filled with the pain of rejection. His bangs had fallen down boyishly in front of his eyes, hiding all emotion from her.

      She slipped behind the door of her closet and grabbed a shirt, putting it on quickly. When she stepped back out, Toya had vanished. Kyoko sighed then jumped when she heard her mother knock on her bedroom door.

      "Kyoko, Tasuki’s here. I told him to wait, that you’d be down in a moment, okay?" Her mother's soft voice reached her. Kyoko took one last look at the window then back at the mirror. Reaching up, she touched her fingers to her lips still feeling the tingling from such a heated kiss. With a defeated sigh, she closed the closet door and went downstairs. Not finding Tasuki in the house, she walked to the door and found him standing outside.

      Toya watched Tasuki and Kyoko greet each other. Still in the tree, he reached over… grabbed a good size twig and threw it at Tasuki, hitting him in the back of the head.

      â€œOuch,” Tasuki jerked then touched the back of his head, looking around in confusion. Not finding any more flying objects, he glanced back at Kyoko. "Are you ready? I thought we would catch a movie then get something to eat."

      Kyoko nodded and took his hand, leading him away from the house before Toya decided to throw something that might actually hurt her friend.

      *****

      Later that evening, Tasuki walked Kyoko home. They were laughing and having a great time when they made it to her front door. "Tasuki, I can’t thank you enough. I had a wonderful time today." She smiled up at him, seeing how happy he was. She had really enjoyed herself.

      Tasuki stepped closer to her, closing the distance until they were nearly touching with each breath. "Kyoko, may I kiss you goodnight?" He asked in a soft voice somehow knowing she was going to disappear again.

      Kyoko glanced around warily, hoping no one was watching. She nodded to Tasuki thinking to herself, ‘why not… everyone else has kissed me, why not let Tasuki since he was the sweetest one of them all.’

      She raised her face to him and closed her eyes waiting. Feeling his lips glide across her cheek in an innocent kiss she quickly opened her eyes to see him blushing as he thanked her and turned to leave. Kyoko stood there thinking how funny things work out. The one person she gave permission to kiss her didn’t even give her a real kiss. She giggled to herself as she turned to go back into the house.

      She felt better about everything that’d happen in the last two days. She even felt like she could face the group again, so she started packing a bag to take back with her. She had promised Suki that she would bring some goodies back to them.

      Besides, Toya was right. She shouldn’t be so selfish as to make them all wait for her. She stuffed in as much as the bag could carry and wrote a note telling her family she had gone back to the other world and would return as soon as she could. They would understand… they always did.

      *****

      After kissing Kyoko, Toya had gone back to the camp where the others were waiting, deciding he wasn’t going to worry anymore. He wasn’t going to let it bother him that she was out with that Tasuki person. He could care less. He paced angrily back and forth beside the fire they’d built for the night.

      Kamui eyed Toya warily, still rubbing his head where Toya had hit him only moments ago. All he’d done was ask if Kyoko was all right… Toya didn’t have to hit him. Suki looked over at Shinbe and shrugged as Shinbe somehow got up the nerve to ask. "Toya, did she happen to say when she was coming back?"

      Toya turned and narrowed his eyes at Shinbe. "How the hell should I know? She’s not exactly talking to me right now and as far as I’m concerned, I don’t care what she does.” He continued pacing back and forth.

      Shinbe grinned. "Yeah, we can tell you don’t care by the way you’re wearing a path through the camp with all your pacing.”

      "Shut up," Was Toya’s response, knowing he wasn’t fooling anyone… not even himself. If he knew she wouldn’t reject him, he’d just tell her how he felt about her. Right now, what was really bothering him was the fact that he might lose her completely. That was scarier than anything else could ever be.

      He stopped pacing seeing evidence of the path Shinbe had just pointed out and sighed. He’d never really said it out loud before or even in his mind but Kyoko was under his skin now and it was driving him crazy. Toya took off at a fast pace to check the shrine and see if she was back yet.

      *****

      Kyoko came from the time portal so quickly that the heaviness of her backpack threw her off balance. Right before she fell, a hand reached out and steadied her. Kyoko blinked up at Kyou who stood there glowing in the moonlight, regal as any prince. Why did he keep showing up like this?

      Taking a step back from him, she gulped nervously. "Kyou, what are you doing here?" This thing with people sneaking up on her was starting to get out of control.

      Kyou watched the emotions flickering across her face seeing wonder and a trace of fear in her eyes. He knew she feared him and he didn’t mind as long as it was only a slight fear, for he would not hurt her. He would slowly show her that.

      Without turning his head from her, he glanced from her to the maiden statue then back. “Why did you go home knowing the guardian heart crystal is still here?" His tone was soft.

      Kyoko bit her lip. She really didn’t want anyone to know. "I… I was… embarrassed." For some reason, she just couldn’t lie to him while staring into those golden eyes.

      "It is good that you do not lie to me, priestess." Kyou’s voice was almost seductive sounding and Kyoko felt like it was trying to draw her to him. How did he know she was thinking about lying to him? She knew he wouldn’t hurt her. "You should never feel the need to lie to me. After all, am I not one of your guardians?"

      â€™There he goes again,’ she thought. ‘It’s like he’s reading my mind.’ Her eyes widened a little as she watched him. She tried not to think about it but the memory just popped in there. The kiss they’d shared while under the love spell. Kyoko couldn’t look away from his gaze as she remembered the way he tasted and the way he held her with his thigh between her legs.

      She felt