Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Strange and Unexpected Beginnings ❯ Bitter Affections ( Chapter 11 )

 

 

Hey guys! Wow, can't believe I actually made it to chapter 11 so far! Normally I would have quit by now. *takes huge swig of soda* That's good stuff…Uh sorry, that's beyond the point. Anyway, for those who've hung around, especially those who've followed from the beginning…it's been a long, long trip (my bad, sorry *lol*). Don't know what else to say, but you guys are sooooo nice. I wish there was as much support at my school as on ff.net and mm.org! * hurls giant candy bars* *sets giant chocolate bunny on pedestal* Feast, feast, my friends! *giggles insanely*

 

 

Previously:

 

“ You seem to weaken me for some reason, but I think you know that. Brat.” He shoved her head sideways. She latched onto his arm.

“ Hehehe….but you love me. More than `them' right? Right?” Her grip tightened.

“ Urm… yeah, sure. Whatever you say.”

Natsumi held onto him tighter than ever, a wide smile on her lips. It made her look as adorably childish as ever. She lifted Youko from the bed with relative ease.

“ Let's move our asses. I'm starving!”

 

Chapter 11: Bitter Affections

 

 

“ Why do they keep staring at me like that?”

 

“ You're a good-lookin' piece of meat. Why wouldn't they stare?”

 

It was “free-time” for the bandits, and a grown- up kit and Kitanaru decided to hit the nearest bar with the best tasting booze. As a seventeen-year old vixen, Natsumi had seen herself as old enough to start indulging in such vices, and no one felt the need to interject. Why would a bunch of thieves want to play parent? It was none of their concern if she went out, got drunk, and got into some mess.

 

“ Yeah, I know I'm cute, but it still gets on my nerves. I don't like them staring at me like that… it makes me uncomfortable.”

 

“What would you have me do?” Kitanaru smirked. “Cut out their eyes?”

 

 

“If they wanna keep leering at me, then yes, that sounds like a fine idea.”

 

“ Whatever. Just ignore it for now, unless some bastard actually tries to cop a feel.. This I doubt since you have nothing to offer…” He motioned to her seemingly flat chest.

 

“ Shut up. I have to cover `em up, don't I?” Natsumi took a large gulp of beer. It was her third mug of the day, and yet she showed no signs of tipsiness or drunkenness. She set it down then changed her mind, picked it up again and took another swig before slamming it back down.

 

She burped lightly. “God that's good stuff.”

 

“ You're such a damn boozehound. How completely unladylike.”

 

“ I'm lady enough thank you.” She rested her head on her right arm. “ More ladylike than those damn whores. I can't believe that after all this bloody time, Youko still wants `em. Doesn't he ever get tired?”

 

“Is that bitter jealousy I hear?” Kitanaru stifled a laugh.

 

“ I have no clue what the hell you're talking about.”

 

“ I bet you really want to be one of Youko's “floozies.” He couldn't hold it back any longer. Natsumi scowled at his laughter.

 

Natsumi stood quickly. “ THAT'S NOT WHAT I SAID!”

 

The whole bar glanced briefly at her, and she sat down again.

 

“ Why would I want to walk around with my boobs exposed, just so I can have him jump me?! Please. I'm not that eager to explore…” She took another drink of beer. “Hey, bartender! Anotha' round now!”

 

` Anotha'….?”

 

“ I think you've had enough for now…”

 

“ I'll tell you when I've had enough! I feel fine, all right?! All right?!”

 

“ Fine, fine, you're alright. But we should go. I think you're starting to attract too many new “friends..”

 

An evil grin spread across Natsumi's face.

 

“ I'll just have to go play with `em, then, won't I?” Both thieves left the bar, looking behind their shoulders now and then to see if anyone was following. Their “friends” had also left the bar.

 

“ Heeey, baby! Looking for a good time?”

 

“ How's about we gives ya the ride of your life? You look like you're into the rough stuff, sweetie.”

 

Both looked like hybrids of a lizard and some sort of feline. Their green skin was coated by a thin fur (green mixed with grey and white), and their heads definitely looked like a lizard's, except for their bright yellow eyes, with the thinnest slit for a pupil. Those had more of the look of whatever feline ancestor had existed in their bloodline. Their hair was a grayish-black; one had a Mohawk and his brother had slightly longer hair tied in a lose ponytail. Both of them wore filthy gray fighter's outfits. The one with the pony tail carried a spear.

 

“ I promise you'll like it, cutie,” said the demon with the Mohawk as he licked his lips. He was curious to know what her body looked like under there.

 

“ Not interested. Why don't you go find someone else to “ride,” and get out of my goddamn face.” With these words, Natsumi moved on.

 

Both demons laughed mean-spiritedly.

 

“ Aww…don't be that way. Besides, what the hell can a woman do…?”

 

The one with a Mohawk jumped in front of her, and his brother grabbed her from behind, running a hand over her body. Kitanaru leaned back against a tree. He knew this situation was no big deal, he just had to keep an eye on her just in case, or Youko would skin him alive (If he was fortunate).

 

“ Feh. You should just loosen up, babe. Make it more fun for all of us.” His brother smirked. He sniffed her.

 

“ Mmm...You have a nice scent” The demon in front of her approached.

 

“ Heh. Kinda young if you ask me, but whatever---“ She kicked him in the neck, and elbowed his partner in the mouth, sending several teeth down his throat. When she was free she sent the demon parallel to her off with a “farewell” punch, and he landed head first in the ground.

 

He held his head in a weak attempt to stem the blood flow.

 

“ You…bitch!” He stood up again, she kicked him in the groin, and kneed him in the chin. He didn't get up again after that. His partner finally decided to attempt an attack while Natsumi's back was turned. He brought forth his double-ended spear, swinging as he charged.

 

“ You miserable whore!”

 

Natsumi stood where she was, back still turned away from her enemy, not blessing him with any recognition.

 

The demon smirked.

 

“Idiot … See you in hell!”

 

At the last moment before the spear found its target, Natsumi whirled around, sword drawn. It hit the demon's shoulder blade, causing it to burst open, a piñata of blood and tissue descending to the ground. He howled and cursed endlessly.

 

“ Heh. Piece of shit. Lucky I didn't feel like gutting ya for being such an ass- wipe.”

 

She smirked slightly.

 

“ Now take your bastard friend and get the hell out of here.” She walked away from the scene, leaving a speechless and severely injured demon behind. Kitanaru caught up to her when they were out of the sight of the demons.

 

“Good God, you're even as masochistic as our `great leader.'”

 

“ Ehehe. Well it's more fun to beat the hell out of them.”

 

“ Yup, almost a carbon -copy….” Kitanaru muttered to himself.

 

“ Hm? Carbon-copy of what?”

 

“ Nothing, it's nothing.”

 

“Well, whatever. Are we there yet?”

 

The camp had just barely come within their eyesight.

 

“ You know we're almost there! Stop asking that every time we go out!”

 

“ Hehehe…stop getting so pissed off every time we go out.”

 

They were back among the semi-organized throng, most of them already immersed in some of the evening activities, now that it was dusk. Natsumi swiped a meat bun and a bottle of wine from someone.

 

“Hey! Goddamn you!”

 

“Thief!” This received some chuckles.

 

Natsumi paid to mind to these outbursts as she weaved her way through the ruckus, snatching everything she wanted. She finally found a place on a dilapidated log near the fire. It had always been a favorite spot of hers.

 

“Excuse me. Gangway…Move it or lose it.” Finally grabbing a place on the log, she spotted a very juicy, very tempting pound of beef that appeared to have just finished roasting. Licking her fangs in anticipation, she let her arm roam across the fire to grab the delicious prize. Her hand brushed someone else's, however.

 

“We have the same tastes, I see.”

 

Youko smirked at her from across the fire. Natsumi's grip tightened, refusing to surrender the meat.

 

“ Damn shame,” She grinned. At the moment, Youko's hand rested on hers, but neither seemed to notice.

 

“I do hope you didn't want that `cause I ain't giving it up so easily.” It was now that she noticed their hands. A strange feeling passed over her, but it went by too quickly to ponder.

 

“ Tch. Guess we'll have to fight for it.”

 

“ You're on, if you can take it.” Their battle was interrupted by a female's voice calling Youko's name. A woman with hair a faint color of blue approached, taking a seat as close as possible to Youko. She wore a kimono the same color as her azure locks.

 

“ Hi lover,” She purred, her fangs exposed as she grinned, rubbing up against the object of her affections.

 

“ Heh…what took you, love?” He definitely wasn't opposed to the extra attention. She played with her tresses. Youko's hand retreated from Natsumi's.

 

“Well, I wanted to look my best,” she giggled, climbing into his lap. Natsumi's stomach turned. What a sickening scene...it was always sickening. It was just so idiotic the way the women fawned over Youko and the way he'd return it. With every… last… woman.

 

` It's his choice. Whatever…' She took a swig of the wine, and watched the pair French-kiss, both looking as if they were trying to devour one another's faces. Natsumi could only stare as it erupted into a make-out session, with both demons pawing at one another like there was no tomorrow. Natsumi curled up in the log, her chin now touching her knees. Oh brother.

 

“ God, if your tongues were any further down each other's throats you'd choke each other.”

 

The whore looked up, as if seeing Natsumi for the first time. She frowned at her.

 

“Instead of making those `cute' remarks, why don't you go put your tongue down someone's throat. You look like you need it.”

 

“ Because it's disgusting, and I'm not giving it away to every dumb fox that comes along. Hmph.” She turned her head away.

 

` What'd I do to deserve that? ` Youko thought to himself.

 

“ I bet you only say that, because nobody wants a chick who's flat-chested and big-mouthed. How unattractive. Everyone knows tits are in.” She rubbed her breasts against Youko for emphasis.

 

“ Ain't that right, baby?”

 

“ Ehh…yeah.” ` Damn straight' “ I suppose they're nice to have.”

 

Before the conversation could progress, several other members of the band joined them, unsurprisingly Kitanaru among them.

 

“ Oooh. What's this, a catfight?”

 

The others began cheering for a little “girl-on-girl action.”

 

“Let's get it oooon!”

 

“ How about just settling your differences with a nude mud-fight?”

 

There was a deafening outburst of cheers and jeers at this. Even Youko took his time protesting against the idea.

 

Natsumi scowled, a vein pulsing. “All of you go to hell.”

 

“Aw, don't be that way.”

 

“Give us a treat!”

 

“Be nice to us and we'll be nice to youuu….”

 

“NO! Knock it off!” Natsumi was completely embarrassed.

 

Instead of the jovial air, there was one of bitterness and disappointment now, but they got over it fairly quickly. Kitanaru, finding his own meal, took a seat to Natsumi's immediate left. He put a friendly arm around the vixen.

 

“ Aw, don't worry about it…I'll take good care of you.,” He said into her ear. “ You know you can always count on your sugar da—“

 

HE was rendered dazed and confused by a double assault by two angry kitsune.

 

“ Wheeeee….Faster mommy, faster!”

 

“Feh. Dumbass.” Natsumi turned away from Kitanaru to see the demoness clinging to Youko harder than ever.

 

` This is so stupid,' she thought to herself. `Get a fucking room. No one wants to see that.'

 

Having had her fill (in more ways than one), Natsumi rose.

 

“ Where are you going? The party's barely started,” Youko questioned.

 

“ It's the same damn thing every night. What's there to miss? I don't feel so hot, so I'm gonna go walk around or something. You've got her to keep you company, anyway.”

 

There was something faintly ominous in the way she addressed him, but he brushed it off. He turned back to his current company as Natsumi walked off into the forest, far from the bonfire.

 

* * *

 

Natsumi prowled the desolate forest area, looking for nothing in particular. It had been at least an hour or so since she left, and nightfall was here. She could already see the stars…she found this time of day relaxing. It was almost perfect.

 

“ Damn, why the hell does my head hurt so much? Kinda feel light-headed too..” She held her head, looking up again. The moonlight revealed something glimmering just ahead.

 

“ What's that?” She approached closely, to find a small body of water.

 

“ Ahhhh! A spring! Damn good timing, too.” She paused and took a long look around, sniffing at the air.

 

“ Thank the Gods, no one's aroooound.” She commented in a sing-song voice. She shed her clothes immediately.

 

 

“ Cannonbaaaall!” She dove underwater, briefly exploring the shallow depths of the spring. After a minute she emerged for air.

 

“Ahhh…God, this feels great! The crappy feeling's almost gone already!” She brushed sopping bangs from her eyes, feeling around until she found a partially submerged boulder to rest on. She leaned back against another, far larger one and closed her eyes, letting sleep take over for the time being. Her rest was disturbed by a rustling sound moving closer. Natsumi barely had time to conceal herself in the shadows before Youko appeared, having apparently dismissed the demoness for now. He whistled some unfamiliar tune as he stripped, still unaware of a second presence in the spring. Natsumi was too stunned to turn away from the sight before her.

 

“ O—O my Gods! That can't be real! It's too big! Far bigger than what they told me! No wonder he's the bloody leader!” She grasped her chest with one hand and covered her eyes with the other. It proved to be impossible to keep from sneaking a glance, however.

 

“ Eeeep.” She backed slowly toward the edge of the spring, though her eyes were still on Youko.

 

A sudden thought crossed her mind.

 

` Wait a minute…maybe…' She turned around, making no more effort to hide herself. The movements finally caught Youko's attention. He looked around suspiciously, moving back through the water as swiftly as possible, ready to kill any intruders. He bumped into something in the process. It was more like two `somethings.'

 

“….? Heh… you should have told me you'd be joining me, babe.” He smirked, turning around expecting to see the demoness from before but finding…

 

“ Eh? Natsumi, what the hell?!” He was face to face with two medium sized, plump breasts. He'd seen larger, but still…And they were only inches away from touching his chest…He snapped himself out of the stupor before things could get worse.

 

“ Hi…” She made no effort to cover herself. Kurama had no idea exactly how the hell he felt about this. It was a very good view, though…

 

` God damn it.'

 

“ Ur…hey. Nice to see you all, no I mean nice to see all of you…Damn it!”

 

It was wrong, wrong to look at her that way, not when he'd raised her for so long. It was like looking at a younger sister. But they weren't related…

 

Natsumi stared t him questioningly, wondering about the series of expressions crossing the kitsune's face.

 

“Something wrong? You seem tense. I could rub your back or something.”

 

“ No, no, nothing's the melon-er matter. But what brings you out here?”

 

Natsumi brushed some hair away and stretched.

 

` My God, how did such a small kit end up with that kind of rack? Oh God, it's happening again…'

 

 

“ Well, I was feeling ill, and though a nice spring might be a good idea. And it was.” She smiled. Youko would have lost it had it not been for his admirable amount of self-control and grace. Her smiles, although sort of childish were always pretty to him…it was something about the innocence that attracted him. It made her look especially beautiful now that she was older…and had filled out more...

 

“ I wanted to talk about something with you…” Her eyes were downcast, her head bent.

 

He bent slightly, and lifted her head. Her eyes turned so serious so quickly that it concerned him. Something about the way she stood there so innocently before him, hair soaked to the bone with that nervous, vulnerable expression sent a wave of pleasure through him. He was careful not to let this happen again. He backed away ever so slightly from her.

 

“You don't need my permission to speak your mind. However…I think this is a rather awkward place to do so. He turned to go back for his clothes.

 

“I'-I'm repulsive to you, aren't I? That's why you won't look at me.”

 

Youko stopped and turned to look at her again.

 

“ …Why would you say something like that, Tsumi-chan?”

 

“It's just that if one of those…women were here, you'd be all over her, and yet you don't seem to like what you see right now …”

 

“That's not true. I've never been disgusted by you.”

 

`If only you knew half of the things running through my mind right now…'

 

“ You've grown up to be a very attractive woman, in more ways than one of course.”:

 

“ Then why can't I be with you as well?”

 

“ Because that's only what you think you want. I know you; you want attention, that's all. Not a mate. Anyway, you're too young to understand what you're getting yourself into. You may have grown older, but you're still naïve about a lot of things. “

 

“I am not!” He silenced her by brushing his lips against her cheek He had to admit, it was so soft, and surprisingly smooth. The kit took care of herself. Natsumi was frozen to the spot. This felt awkward, strange, and…nice. She stifled an unexpected giggle that rose up when his lips tickled her cheek. Unfortunately, he pulled back after a few seconds.

 

“…”

 

“ Feeling better yet ? I can't have a depressed kit leading one of my groups on a raid.”

 

She did look far more relaxed than just moments before.

 

“…You might not want me, but I'm still the best right? None of those bitches could carry out a theft like me, right?”

 

“You know damn well they couldn't.”

 

A weak smile crossed her face. Something deep down still didn't feel quite right, but she dismissed it, thinking it was just nerves after that display of affection.

 

“We should go back before we're caught here and they get ideas….”

 

“….Yeah. You go on…I think I'll just go walk around some more…`night.”

 

“Good night.”

 

Youko kept watching until Natsumi was no longer within his range of sight. Then he glared down at the organ protruding from between his legs. The bastard was still stiff. He hoped to God Natsumi hadn't seen that.

 

“…Shit.”

 

“Good god, are you checking yourself out? I swear you'll be the first guy to rape himself.”

 

“You moron. How do you keep finding me?”

 

Kitanaru stripped and joined Youko.

 

“ Luck?”

 

“For who?”

 

“Hehe. Oh.” It seemed Kitanaru had just remembered something important.

 

“ Women hiding from some fun over there, take precaution and beware, but hideous and unsporting we are not, these willing men are way too hot!” Kitanaru grinned after the end of this little rhyme.

 

“ Guess there weren't any over there.”

 

“And what the hell was that? Have you been inhaling some kind of drug?”

 

“ I just felt like being creative. I think I should write.”

 

“ I think you should get help.”

 

“ Grouchy? Not enough beddin' for you yet?”

 

“ Bugger off.”

 

“ Heh. So there was more to that little scene than I thought.”

 

“ Were you eavesdropping?!”

 

“No, no, I just came by to take a tip and just happened to overhear a lover's argument.”

 

“ We're not lovers and exactly how much did you see…?” He was fully prepared to slaughter the boy if he was ogling the kit.

 

“ Relax. Pretty much nothing at all. From where I was standing, all I could see was your hairy back. “

 

“ …For your information, the only hair I have is on my head, you little imbecile.”

 

“ Relax, jeez. Though I'd expect you to be grouchy, because you just brushed off a hot woman, not to mention a hot one that...”

 

“That what?”

 

“ You haven't noticed it yet? How could you not? It's sooo obvious.”

 

“ Are you going to tell me what the hell you speak of?”

 

“ Feh, if she doesn't notice it herself, then why should you? Dense kitsune. She's obsessed with you.”

 

“ Is this what this conversation's about? You waste my time. She's just after my attention … so she's angry because I spend so much time with my…special friends.”

 

“ Dude, she wanted you to see her naked. I think it's a little more than that.”

 

“ Have you forgotten how painfully naive she is despite her front? She hasn't a clue about the real world… and why the hell am I talking about this with YOU?!”

 

“ …Because talking is the first step to a solution?” Kitanaru found himself dunked underwater.

 

“ Enough of this crap.” He had gone when Kitanaru emerged.

 

“ Geez…the man has issues.”

 

* * *

 

It had only been a few hours since the first signs of dawn appeared, so many of the bandits were still sleeping in. Very few were early risers unless there was something big in it for them. Their leader was one of the few who could, if the treasure was good enough, but at the moment he was still asleep in his bed. Two identical sisters lie on either side of him, their wine-colored hair cushioning their heads. After a while Youko's eyes finally opened, and he stumbled toward the exit to the tent, temporarily blinded by the sunlight. After a few moments of stretching, yawning and blinking, he dragged himself off toward the very spring he'd encountered Natsumi at. He emerged after a short while, a little more alert. The quiet of the camp was disrupted a little bit as some of the minority early risers woke up. Youko was on his way back to send the women off when he felt two hands cover his eyes.

 

 

“Heh. Guess who, scoundrel.”

 

“Mmmm...That sexy voice…is it you, Meiko? Or maybe Salya? I know, you're Sayaka? Tsunai?”

 

“…How many wenches do you know…?”

 

“ …Kirai? Iriko…? …Misuka?”

 

“Cut it out.” Youko found himself in a tight headlock, although he could see again. His attacker latched her legs around his hips. A guilty little pleasure wave forced its way through again.

 

“You know damn well who it is.” Natsumi slid off of him, her leg brushing his tail in the process.

 

“ Yeah, I know who it is.” He feigned disappointment.

 

“ Admit it. I'm better than your wildest dream.”

 

“…so she says. Do you come for a purpose or just to harass poor old me?”

 

“ Believe it or not, I came for a reason.” She stopped speaking as a noisy group of demons passed by, then continued when she saw them pass.

 

“ I kinda wanted to apologize for last night. I've been feeling really weird lately and I guess I must have taken it out on you. I didn't want you angry at me or anything, so just forget it happened, `kay?”

 

“Wait a minute. What do you mean “ feeling weird?” Are you ill?”

 

“ Nah, nah, nothing like that. I just feel out of it, that's all. Don't worry, you won't lose the best thief in your group.”

 

“ That's a relief. I've been sooo worried.”

 

“ Heh. I'm gonna go grab something, so I'll catch ya later!”

 

“Wait--!” She was already gone.

 

` Boy, when those hormones hit, they hit hard…'

 

* * *

 

Natsumi lie down on her bed, staring blankly up at the ceiling. She didn't have any really strong thoughts at the moment, save for those of the awkward conversations with Youko.

 

`I don't even get why I'm feeling this way. Maybe I am ill… Ehh…maybe I'll go talk to Kita-kun or something…' Can't sit around all day…

 

The said demon was lounging near the river, slumped against a tree in sort of a `drunken pose.' Natsumi pondered the best way to get his attention. She finally decided to pace back and forth over his midriff.

 

“Ouch! Hey, knock it off damn it!”

 

The trampling ceased.

 

“Next time just shake me or call me or something.”

 

“You sleep like a freakin' rock.”

 

“ Not my problem.” He leaned forward a little. “Whaddya want, anyway?”

 

She sat down beside him.

 

“ I just felt like talking, ok?” She rested her head against his shoulder, and he leaned back again.

 

“ Whatever then. But are ya really sure I'm the one you want to be with?” He nudged her playfully.

 

“ Ehhh….? What kind of crap are you bringing up now?”

 

“ …You'll figure it out yourself soon enough, although it's pretty damn clear now.”

 

“What is?”

 

“ Nevermind…” He muttered under his breath. “ Maybe she's acting this way because she's in heat? No way, is that it…? I dunno…hard to tell with this one…”

 

Natsumi stared at him as if she were speaking to a lunatic.

 

“Weirdo…”

 

He focused on her again. “ Hehe..Sorry. My bad, my bad.”

 

They sat there for a few minutes, staring out across the river.

 

“….”

 

“You seem like you have something on your mind. Care to share?”

 

`Though I bet I know what it is…'

 

“ Nah, it's nothing really. No worries.” She stood up.

 

“….? Well you don't have to leave right this instant. I don't need to get rid of you that badly.”

 

“ I know, I know. You'd never reject me, right…? Her eyes turned slightly cold for one unpleasant instant.

 

“…What the hell brought this on?”

 

“…Would you?”

 

“ Urm, no…? Are you feeling alright?”

 

` Yup, she's a jealous one all right. I can't believe he hasn't noticed this…if he doesn't notice soon, this will turn out badly.'

 

Natsumi's chipper expression returned.

 

“ Yeah, I'm fine…Catch you later!”

 

“ Hey, where ya going?!” No response.

 

“ Women…Sheesh.”

 

* * *

 

Daylight hours were already fading into nightfall. Natsumi had spent the majority of the day lounging around the camp, although she hadn't encountered Youko again. She hadn't felt like going anywhere this time. She loved the raids, but even she needed a break now and then. Strolling through random areas of the camp, she amused herself by observing the rowdiness all around.

 

` Don't these fools get tired of this?' Not paying too much attention to her surroundings, she inevitably collided with someone.

 

“ Oww! Why don't you watch where the hell you're going?”

 

It was one of the sisters Youko had been with that morning, obviously not satisfied with being discarded so quickly. She sat there as if expecting Natsumi to grovel and rush to help her up.

 

“…Sorry.” There was a distinctly apathetic tone in Natsumi's voice. She passed the woman.

 

“Excuse me, aren't you forgetting something?!” To Natsumi, the demoness acted as if being a whore was a position of power.

 

“ I'd have thought you bimbos at least had the brains to learn how to stand up. But I guess the bigger the boobs the smaller the brain.” She left the woman where she sat, pouting and fuming.

 

 

“ Hey y'all!” She greeted the inhabitants of the camp “ The iron-fist kit has arrived.” A chorus of boos and jeers answered her.

 

“ Feh. You may be a nice-looking kit, but you're not that great of a fighter. Guess it's that vanity streak you picked up.”

 

“ Bite me. I'm just as skilled, no more skilled than all you bums. Even that silver-haired bum.” She grinned.

 

The others jeered some more at this.

 

“Bullshit!”

 

“ You arrogant brat! He'd kill even you for saying such a thing.”

 

“ It's wrong to tell such lies without any sort of base.”

 

“ I love the way you fools react. Speaking of our dear friend, where is he?”

 

“You've been here long enough, take a guess.”

 

“ Mmm...Seems to have doubled his load lately.”

 

“Probably tryin' to break his own record.”

 

“ Let him starve, then. His loss, I guess.”

 

“ Guess he had an appetite for something else.”

 

Natsumi leaned back, draping her legs over the log in front of her and shutting her eyes.

 

“Don't you people have other crap to do?! It's always women women women! Why's it so fun to be with women all the time?!”

 

“She serious?”

 

“Looks it.”

 

“How can anyone be so clueless?”

 

“She's female, whaddya expect?”

 

Natsumi scowled. She stood up and walked back toward her tent. Once back there again, she collapsed on the bed, her closest friend at the moment. She burrowed into the covers, a bit comforting but still a little lonely all the same. As her dreams stopped occurring so often, so the nights she slept with Youko ended.

 

`I kinda miss it…' She fell into a deep sleep.

 

* * *

Several days passed where Natsumi never saw Youko but it wasn't a big deal. She had her own thefts to deal with. She'd even been made the leader of her own group, which despite all protest proved to be a wise decision. None of the men would admit her strength and skill in the `art.' They'd just returned from a robbery of a chateau within fifteen or twenty miles of the camp. The sun was just setting.

 

“ Ah, look at all this junk. We'll be rich!”

 

“ We are rich, dummy.”

 

“Not rich enough.”

 

“Ahh…these attacks always put me at peace…”

 

Natsumi spoke up. “Let's not forget who you owe your victory to,” She smirked. Everyone else groaned.

 

“ You're not that bad kid, but you've still got a hell of a way to go.”

 

“ If you ask me, women shouldn't even be involved in these activities. They should be back at camp fixing our meals and making love to us.'

 

Several others grunted in agreement. Natsumi rolled her eyes.

 

“ What fun is there in that? Besides, what's `making love?' exactly?”

 

They stared at each other.

 

“ No one's claimed you yet?”

 

“ She' a virgin. I'll be damned.”

 

They gathered around her.

 

“Hehe. Maybe we should go for some drinks and talk about it.”

 

“Back off. I thought of it first!”

 

“Sooo?!”

 

“I'll take care of ya, girlie.”

 

“Have you all forgotten what I've said about this issue before?” A new voice piped up. “Lay one hand on her and you'll lose parts of your body that you'll miss later on…”

 

The demons looked around in panic.

 

“ Y-ya heard him! Back away from the girl!” They didn't need to be told twice.

 

“We wasn't doin' nothin', boss!”

 

The speaker laughed. Kitanaru forced his way into the group.

 

“What'd you think of my imitation?” Everyone booed and made threats against him

 

“ Damn it, Kitanaru! Almost wet my pants…”

 

“ Get a life, will ya?”

 

“Heh…guess you all didn't like it so much…”

 

Natsumi wandered away from the group, bored of this silly talk. She wandered into the deeper parts of the forest, where it was slightly darker, and there was nothing round. By the time she did hear something, the sky had turned a darker shade of blue. Searching for the source of the noise, she came to a small clearing, far smaller than the one where the camp rested. There was Youko with a woman, and it was apparent he was very busy at the moment. She observed with shock and utter fascination as he pressed the woman up against a tree, his knee between her legs and her arms around his neck. Her breasts were pressed against his chest. Youko grabbed one of these, and Natsumi didn't understand why he was playing with it, but it made the woman moan. His lips collided with hers as the hand moved from her breast down to her rear and ultimately under the skimpy dark read mini-dress she wore. That was the only feature Natsumi noticed about the woman.

 

`Wow… I can do something like that.' Something about the scene before her eyes sent a shudder through her whole body. The two kept at it, faster and faster until they just stopped, resting in that position for several moments. It must have been then that Youko noticed Natsumi, for he dismissed the woman, who shot Natsumi a dirty look as she stalked off in the opposite direction. Natsumi ignored her.

 

“That was an interesting show…” Natsumi grinned.

 

“Were you watching the whole time?” He looked horrified at the thought.

 

“Eh, I only came in time to see you pushing her against the tree, and pawing at her.” She moved closer to him, until she stood in his shadow.

 

“”Kits should not witness such scenes.”

 

“Old jerks shouldn't treat young women like children.”

 

“ Sorry, ` little one,' I forgot you didn't like that.”

 

“…” Youko found himself in a penetrating gaze that lasted so long it made him uncomfortable.

 

“ What? Something on my face…”

 

“ …Mmm…I wonder…” Natsumi spotted a large rock close to Youko, and made use of it. She climbed on top, latching onto him in the process. Now her face was only a short few inches away from his.

 

“ I'm really not a child anymore….what's it take to make you see that? I can do all the things `they' do…”

 

Youko had an idea what Natsumi was getting at, but her next action forced the thoughts from his mind.

 

“ Why won't you look at me?” She moved forward quickly and threw her arms around his neck, forcing her own body on his. Two inexperienced lips found his own, as Natsumi tried to kiss him the way she'd seen that demoness kiss him.

 

` Ah…this is weird. But I like it…I think' She shocked Youko even further by the use of her tongue. She was clearly unlearned in this area. It took Youko several seconds to come to his senses and block out the urges. He shoved her back, a little more forcefully than he meant to. Natsumi slipped off the rock and fell roughly back onto the ground, her hair slightly askew, dirt caked on her clothes. There was a prolonged, nasty silence for a minute before he hastily held out a hand to help her up. Natsumi slapped it away with brutality that caught him off guard. He would never forget the look in Natsumi's eyes, for it was nothing like he'd ever seen before. It was a mixture of shock, hurt and anger… tears threatening to spill as she glared up at him.

 

“I see how it is…” Her voice sounded more like a choked sob if anything.

 

“ You could have just said something, so I'd leave you alone…” God, it hurt so much. The way he'd pushed her away. It wasn't fair. She pulled herself up, backing slowly away from him.

 

“Sorry I can't give you any joy like those bitches!” She turned and ran, as quickly and as far from Youko as possible.

 

“ W-Wait! Natsumi!” No response. He sighed heavily, unsure of what to do in light of these events. He dragged himself through the forest unenthusiastically.

 

` I didn't want to hurt her, but…this is going too far. I don't understand why she's behaving so oddly …' All he could think about was the expression on her face…he didn't want to see it again. That pain…a look of betrayal even, of confusion, and a possibly a little hate…The kit was so sensitive. He'd leave her to her thoughts for awhile before talking to her again. He walked dejectedly around the forest for the next hour or two until he found the way back to camp. There was a gloomy ambiance among the bandits when he returned. What appeared to be the entire group was gathered around the bonfire, all of them wearing grim expressions.

 

“What's the matter with you all?”

 

Kitanaru approached him. “It's the Hunters…they've been clearing out the area for the past week or two. I've only just heard about it today. There's a group of them, around fifteen, but I can't be sure. Most of the smaller bands anywhere near here have all been caught or executed. It's only a matter of time before they get to this camp…”

 

What a wonderful evening this was turning out to be.

 

“…Tell the others to gather what they can, the most valuable things…we'll leave in two hours.” He turned and walked off, but then stopped again.

 

“Did Natsumi come by here?”

 

“ Hmm, the kit? She must have found out something too, because I saw her leave the camp with her stuff.”

 

Youko walked back over to Kitanaru.

 

“What did you say?” He lifted Kitanaru from the ground.

 

“You let her leave?”

 

“Well, she said she felt she'd learned enough and that she was ready to leave. I didn't press it, since she's skilled enough to survive…”

 

Youko dropped him.

 

“You idiot.”

 

 

 

 

Ahh…Chapter 11 done! Yay! Bet you all didn't expect such a quick update, huh? ^.^ I'm surprised myself. I spent all day trying to get it up because my schedule's gonna get tight. Especially since my mom has given me a list of the new rules around the house, and my computer time's being reduced as a result. ( You should see the list…it crack me up) Chapter 12 will take a little longer but I'll move my ass! As always, read and review!

 

Youko: Why am I always the bad guy? *vein*

 

Me: Wake the hell up; you're a murderous, sleazy thief. You are a bad guy! ><;

See y'all next chapter!