A Light In The Heart Of Darkness. Amy Blankenship

as she thought of her own boyfriend, though she would never admit to such a title.

      Shinbe was just as crazy as either of the two Kyoko dated, if not more so.

      Returning her thoughts to the present, Suki stood up with a sly grin. “I’m going to talk the D.J. into playing my favorite song, be right back!” With that, she left the two alone to their own devices. Secretly, she hoped the time alone together would start a small flame burning between the two.

      Kyoko looked back at Tasuki feeling light headed and smiled guiltily. “I would love some tea… or maybe coffee would be even better. Though sometimes the caffeine buzz is almost as bad.” She smirked at her own joke, “If you don’t mind getting it while I go to the lady’s room.” She took Tasuki's out stretched hand and let him help her up.

      Kyoko blinked rapidly as things started to look a little fuzzy, and then giggled. “I’ll be right back!” She scanned the walls looking for the direction of the ladies room. Seeing it closer to the front door, she took off, hoping she didn’t look as wobbly as she felt. Maybe if she splashed some cold water on her face and didn’t drink any more alcohol tonight then she would be ok.

      Kyou’s body tensed as he watched the girl head straight toward the last place he wanted her to go, the entrance… and the enemy. His haunted golden eyes tinted pink and with an aggravated growl, his form vanished as if he had never been there.

      Kyoko’s haze-filled mind wondered why they had put the bathrooms all the way in the front near the door as she watched a hoard of people still coming into the nightclub. Some of the newcomers seemed to already be well into the partying stages, and the noise within the dance hall amplified.

      Yohji, one of the guys from campus, came stumbling in, not watching where he was going. His brother had already talked him into going to a couple of bars down the road earlier and they had just left the last one to try this one out. As he turned to call to his younger brother, Hitomi, he bumped into a soft, warm body.

      Hearing a feminine cry, Yohji instantly reached out and caught her with both arms. As his eyes lit on the face of the one he held, a feral grin spread across his lips. “Kyoko?”

      Once the room decided to stop spinning and was righted again, Kyoko looked up at the guy who had mowed her over, then played the hero all in one foul swoop. “Yohji… Hi…” Kyoko blushed when he held her closer to him and instantly tried to start wiggling her way free.

      â€˜Not good! Not good’ she chanted somewhere inside her head… she could hear the warning loud and clear.

      She had run into Yohji many times at school, and although he was a major player with the girls, being extremely good looking, and one of the popular jock types, she had always tried to avoid him. He was way too aggressive for her taste and she chose the stay clear of him and the group he hung with.

      â€œI’m alright now Yohji, so you can let me go,” she smiled, hiding her anxiety, trying to keep her cool and not start a scene.

      Yohji didn’t loosen his hold on her and gave a tainted smile at her unease. “Why would I let you go now that I finally have you in my arms, Kyoko?”

      His eyes were already full of lust as his face took on the look of a predator. He had been after her for a long time and she never would give him the time of day. Well now that her two bodyguards weren’t around to stop him, she wasn’t going to get away that easily.

      Hyakuhei viewed the scene happening mere feet from him with interest. He could see the guy perfectly but was only privy to the back of the female. ‘That girl…’ His eyes took on an eerie glow as he watched her. He could smell her nervousness and purity so much that it was overpowering to his senses.

      As for the guy that held her, his lust was so thick in the air, it could be tasted. Hyakuhei’s eyes narrowed as the need to kill the punk began to burn within his veins. He started forward only to find a shield of rainbow dust blocking his path. The soothing glitter settled as he leaned back against the wall once more narrowing his eyes suspiciously. She was protected by the immortal?

      He reached out and touched what was left of the barrier and let the soothing feeling wash over him. Such a calming affect would not suppress his evil intentions for long. “Little boys and their games,” he smirked as his midnight eyes returned to the girl.

      Her aura had caught him completely off guard. His gaze roamed her lovely body and her skin glowed like the dew on a flower before dawn’s first light. The need to touch her overwhelmed his senses as he took another unknown step toward her… this time ignoring the annoying immortal’s shield of protective glitter.

      Just as he was about to take the girl into his own arms, another wave of possessiveness hit him like a physical blow. The familiar aura caressed his senses, one that he hadn’t felt in decades. Taking one last look at the girl he had mentally claimed, his dark eyes softened briefly as he made his decision. He would have her… soon.

      A smile tilted his cunning lips at the new aura as he backed into the darkness out of sight. “So, my wayward Kyou has decided to join in the game… let us see what his intentions truly are.”

      ******

      Toya burst into the apartment he shared with Shinbe but when he didn’t see his friend he started instantly yelling. “Shinbe, where the hell are you?” His anger was high and for obvious reasons he had a very bad feeling about Kyoko’s safety, especially after Kotaro had informed him about the other missing girls… so many.

      Already his nerves were shot and if he didn’t lay eyes on Kyoko soon, he was going to break something. Then again, when he did lay eyes on her, she would be lucky if he let her out of his sight again… ever. If he had his way, he would permanently handcuff her to him for safekeeping.

      Shinbe stepped out of the bathroom buttoning his icy-blue shirt and looking like he was going out on the town. “I’m here, where’s the fire?” He sat down on the sofa and started putting his shoes on like he didn’t have a care in the world.

      Kotaro stood behind Toya waiting to see if Shinbe had any information on Kyoko’s whereabouts. Leaning against the kitchen counter, he watched as Toya towered over Shinbe.

      If Toya remembered what Shinbe had done for him in the past, he would probably show the guy more respect. Kotaro tilted his head at a funny angle rethinking that. ‘No he wouldn’t’, he corrected himself. Watching the boy’s temper spike would have been amusing if Kyoko wasn’t missing.

      â€œI’ve lost Kyoko and now I can’t find Suki either!” Toya twitched when Shinbe didn’t even look up at him.

      Shinbe's smug smile was definitely getting on Toya’s last nerve. If Shinbe weren’t already half brain dead from Suki always hitting him in the head, Toya would have added to the brain damage. But right now he wanted his friend conscious and answering his questions.

      Shinbe finished tying his shoes knowing Suki was going to hate him for this but he didn’t care. He would make it up to her. They always had fun when making up from a fight… he eyes glazed over at the pleasant thought. Making up would be fun…

      Hearing a dangerous growl Shinbe quickly snapped his attention back to his friend cocking an eyebrow calmly. “What?”

      â€œShinbe, damn it! I’m not fucking around! Where the hell are Suki and Kyoko?” Toya snapped, his golden eyes piercing his friend like a knife. If Shinbe didn’t answer him soon, he knew he was going to blow.

      Shinbe frowned in confusion when he noticed Kotaro leaning against the bar. Toya and the security guard did not even like each other, much less hang out together. His chest tightened. “I don’t know for sure, but Suki dumped me tonight saying she was going out with a friend, though she didn’t say who.”

      When Toya