FINDING MY WAY HOME

Hey everyone. Hope you guys are enjoying this, despite the slow updates. I’m pulling a lot of extra hours at work with a huge computer upgrade. Life’s going to be crazy for a couple more months yet.

I’ve found myself trying to rush this because I don’t have much time to write, now I’m afraid I might be over compensating and it’s going too slow. Oh well, either way I’m glad you’re hanging with me. Please keep those great reviews coming. I’ve gotten some great ideas from a few of you. I’ll try to incorporate some of them in soon. Thanks for the reviews and enjoy the update. SFM

CHAPTER 5

A few steps later, I’m staring up at a light purple sky. I have just a moment to think it looks oddly beautiful when I feel a strange tingling in my blood. It doesn’t bother me at first, because it is similar to the feeling I have when I sit in the garden and make the plants sing. That’s when I notice the alien looking plants all around me are singing in joy. It’s my spirit energy they are responding to, but I’m not doing anything to raise it.

I give Hiei a nervous look when I realize my energy is spiking higher than I’ve ever felt. “Hiei, what’s happening?”

I’m even more alarmed when Hiei takes a step back, but his words are calm and reassuring. “It’s alright Kurama. Close your eyes, relax and feel yourself absorb Makai’s natural energy.”

Trusting him, I start to close my eyes, but not before I notice my hands. My hands seem bigger, and I’d swear my nails are growing like claws. Squeezing my eyes shut, I try to tell myself the demon energy around me is making my eyes play tricks on me. “Hiei, I feel really weird. Something’s happening to me.”

I focus on Hiei’s calm voice as the strange feelings continue. “It’ll be fine Kurama. The energy in Makai is calling to your demon soul.”

My apprehension is growing. “I’m scared Hiei.”

I’m surprised to hear humor in Hiei’s response. “Do you remember when you looked in the mirror the first time after you lost your memory? You didn’t see what you expected, did you? Think Fox, what color were you expecting your hair to be?”

Remembering how surprised I was that day to see that I had red hair, I nod. “I thought my hair would be silver and I wondered where my ears and tail were? Hiei, do I have a tail?”

Now there was pure pleasure in Hiei’s voice. “Open your eyes my fox, and see what a beautiful creature you are.”

Before I open my eyes, it flashes through my mind that I feel normal again. Not just because my energy is stabilizing, but because for the first time since losing my memory I really feel like myself… who ever that may end up being. Opening my eyes, I take in the sky and trees around me. Looking at Hiei I see a satisfied smirk on his lips.

Looking down I see long clawed fingers. Spilling over my shoulders is the long silver hair I’d expected to see that first day. Quickly reaching up I feel the ears I’ve been missing. “My ears! Ooo, and my tail!”

At Hiei’s sudden burst of laughter, I realize I must look really silly spinning around trying to see my tail. When I freeze, Hiei smirks at me. “Welcome home Fox.”

My smile must be huge, because despite my embarrassment, I’m deliriously happy. “Holy shit Hiei, I can’t believe this is really me, yet deep down, I know this is the real me.”

Walking up to me, Hiei reached out to pull my face down to his for a kiss, a kiss I willingly accept. When he released me, his ruby gaze holds mine. “This is indeed your true self, but the human has also become part of the real you. Now let’s take a run and have a little fun.”

In the blink of an eye Hiei was gone. With a wicked grin, I suddenly understand what he’d meant by fun. Sniffing the wind, I take off after him. Much like they do in our Ningen home, the Makai plants reach for me and sing out their happiness. It doesn’t take long to understand their song is telling me everything about my surroundings, including Hiei’s whereabouts.

Chasing Hiei through Makai is the most fun I have had since I woke up without my memory. During our chase, I’d almost catch him, only to have him slip through my fingers. Regardless of how much fun I was having, after an hour or more, my competitive nature kicked in and I started plotting how to trap him. Using the plants, I tried scanning the area ahead of Hiei.

Suddenly, the plant’s song changes. Where the song had given me a happy feeling a moment ago, it is now making me anxious. It only takes a moment for me to realize what the plants are trying to tell me. Suddenly, the game is over, and I race even faster after Hiei. “HIEI!”

He must have heard me and turned back because a few seconds later, as I leapt over a fallen tree, we collided. Tumbling to the ground, we rolled several times before landing with Hiei on top of me. Without thinking, I throw my arms around him. “Hiei! Are you alright? They didn’t hurt you did they?”

I don’t know if it was my imagination, but Hiei seemed to hug me tight for a moment before releasing me. “What are you talking about Fox? There’s no one here but us.”

I sat up, forcing Hiei to sit back on his heals. This leaves him straddled across my lap. “No Hiei, not a someone. I meant that field of flowery plants. They could have killed you.”

Hiei frowned at me. “Usually I don’t doubt your knowledge of plants Kurama, but how do you know that? Are you starting to remember?”

Sadly, I shake my head. “Unfortunately, no. The plants told me. They were helping me track you when they told me those plants were going to kill you.”

Just as I pointed at the plants, a bird swooped down to the flowers, as if trying to snap up a bug. What it snapped at wasn’t a bug though but a part of one of the plants. The bird screamed briefly when several of the plants snatched it from the air, tore it apart and devoured it. Horrified, I threw my arms around Hiei again. “Hiei, they could have killed you. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you. I’d be all alone.”

This time there was no doubt. Hiei wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. “You’ll never lose me Kurama. Even if I had run into that field, the moment they attacked I would have burned every one of them to the ground.”

Hiei’s hands stroking my hair and back feel so good, and for the first time I’m not nervous to be in his arms. Enjoying the attention I’d been missing, I turn my face into his neck. Hiei briefly stiffens as I nuzzle his neck. I feel guilty that he probably hesitates because of the uncertainty I’ve been showing. I suddenly realize that in this form I feel none of the uncertainty I’d felt as a human. Right now I want his affection. In fact I need him on a primal level.

Turning my head, I nibble along his jaw. Hiei must have felt the same because his hand grabs the back of my head and his lips claim mine in a passionate kiss. I briefly take note of the pent up passion in his kiss before giving in to my own. Minutes or hours could have passed but neither of us seem to care. When one of Hiei’s knees pushes between my thighs to rub my growing erection I tear my lips from his and moan. “Gods Hiei, yes! That feels so good.”

When Hiei suddenly freezes above me, I moan in disappointment. “Damn it Hiei, don’t stop. I’m so horny.”

Feeling him pull away and lift himself off me, I open my eyes. I’m surprised to see regret in his eyes “Hiei? What’s wrong? It sure felt like you wanted to fuck a minute ago. In case you didn’t notice, the hard-on I’m sporting says I’m more than willing.”

His ruby eyes harden, but any anger he might be feeling doesn’t appear in his words. “When we become lovers again Kurama, we will make love. Regardless of the kind of sex we have, rough or tender, we have always made love. We never just fuck.”

Sitting up, I sigh in disappointment. “Damn. If I’m not getting laid, then I need a drink.”

Climbing to my feet, I start looking around. Going to the right, around the deadly flowers, I start walking. I don’t go more than a few steps before Hiei calls out. “If you want a drink Kurama, we need to go this way. There’s a small town about an hours walk from here.”

Turning his back on me, Hiei walked off. Realizing the fun mood from earlier is gone, I shrug and take off. As I run past him, I call out. “Then you’d better run Hiei, because I’m thirsty.”

In seconds, Hiei is running beside me. We aren’t playing like before, nor are we racing. Just a nice, silent run, giving us both time to think. So many things about me feel different here than in the human world, and it’s confusing. My connection to the plant life here is more powerful and much more natural. My spirit energy is definitely stronger here. I feel different too, stronger, more confident and just more free.

More concerning though is my growing attraction to Hiei. When I first woke in his arms without my memory, the human me was terrified that I was intimately involved with another man. Instinct made me feel like it was morally wrong to be in such a relationship. Within hours of knowing him though I could feel the connection between us. The more time we spent together, it became easier to see why I had been attracted to him.

Here in Makai, in this demon form, I have no inhibitions about being with another male. In fact, I have been physically and sexually aware of Hiei and the attraction I feel for him since the moment I changed forms and caught his scent. So much so, that just a few minutes ago I lay willing in his arms and almost begged him for sex.

There in lies the problem. To Hiei we are mated and in love, therefore sex for the sake of sating our lust is out. That brings me to the bigger problem in my pants. I’m horny! Well, let’s just see what happens when I get a few drinks in that sexy demon. If I can’t loosen the belts on his pants, I may just have to find someone more willing. Unlike Hiei, I don’t have any qualms about having sex just to sate my lust.

Paying attention to where we are, I see we have made our way into a group of mountains. Their rocky faces are a beautiful red. There are huge red boulders forming spectacular rock sculptures. “Hiei, the mountains are beautiful. Where are we?”

Hiei smirked as he replied. “I wondered when you would notice. It’s called Red Rock Canyon for obvious reasons. It’s one of your favorite places. This view is nothing compared to the view from the den you have hidden deeper in the canyon. Depending on how late we stay here, we’ll go there either tonight or in the morning.”

I can see buildings ahead of us, so we must be at the town Hiei mentioned. As we reach the main street through the small town, we slow to a walk. There is a stone walkway connecting several of the buildings and I realize they are shops. Excitedly, I hurry ahead to see what they had to offer. Hiei lingers just behind me as I wander through clothing stores and small art gallery before spotting a jewelry store.

When I turn to grin at Hiei, showing my eagerness to see inside, he has an odd look on his face and moves up beside me. Hurrying inside, everything seems to twinkle and shine. I was so excited to point things out to Hiei that I barely noticed that the jeweler greeted us by name. “Hiei, look at that. No, this one, I like it more. Oh, isn’t that stunning?”

Honing in on a silver armband inlaid with sparkling jewels, I can’t resist touching it. Slipping it up my arm, I’m afraid it will be too small. When it slides into place perfectly over my bicep I grin at Hiei. “Oh Hiei, it’s gorgeous.”

Not waiting for Hiei to respond, I slip it back off, return it to it’s display and continue looking around the shop. The armband by far is the most beautiful thing in the shop, but something else catches my eye. In the back of the store, in a small display case is a ruby pendant. I don’t know what drew me to it, it wasn’t nearly as spectacular as the armband.

Not exactly sure why, I discretely ran my fingers through my hair. Without a thought, I slip a seed from it’s hiding place and drop it beside the display case. A few days ago Hiei had tried to teach me about the seeds that were hidden in my hair, but I didn’t understand why I kept them there, until now.

I took a moment to compliment the jeweler on his work before making one last pass around the shop. I don’t know what made me do it, but as I approached the case, I fed my energy to the seed, instructing it to take the ruby pendant and slip it in my pocket.

Turning to smile and wave at the jeweler, I headed out the door. Hiei’s hand on my arm stopped me. Nervously, I watch as Hiei turns and hands the jeweler a card. “My mate decided he liked the pendant that was on the glass case. Send that card with your bill to Alaric. As you know, it will be paid promptly. Don’t forget to add a fee for any inconvenience.”

The jeweler didn’t even bother to look down at the card as he bowed deeply to Hiei. “Yes of course Lord Hiei. As always, thank you for your patronage.”

Taking my arm, Hiei led me from the store. “Hn. I wondered if you’d be able to resist pilfering something. Guess your instincts didn’t disappear with your memory.”

Stunned, I turned on Hiei. I had so many questions, I didn’t know where to start. “Instinct? Since when do I have an instinct to steal? I didn’t even know I was going to take it until I did it. And how did you know I did it? I’m sure I was careful that neither of you saw me. Oh, and what the hell was that Lord Hiei stuff?”

With an annoying smirk on his face, Hiei silently waited for me to finish. “As a Youko you’re naturally attracted to pretty, shiny things, especially if they’re valuable. A long time ago you were known as Makai’s greatest thief. The moment your eyes landed on that pendant, I knew it would be that. The shop keeper of course saw nothing, but knows from past experience that I always pay for what you take. As to the title of Lord, it is mine as heir to a Makai king and future ruler of one of the three largest territories in Makai.”

Realizing I was gaping at him, I snapped my mouth shut. Even though I remembered Shiori mentioning him being heir to a Makai king, I was still speechless. Hiei just grunted. “I thought you wanted a drink. Put your pretty bobble on and let’s go.”

Slipping the pendant from my pocket, I examined it a moment, wondering why it attracted me when there were many more beautiful and expensive pieces in that shop. When it doesn’t give me any answers, I quickly fasten it around my neck. Seeing Hiei half way down the street, I run after him. “Hiei, if he didn’t see me take it, why did you rat me out and pay for it?”

Hiei shrugged. “First, you’re not a thief any more. Your human morals don’t allow you to be. Second, I’m going to be a Makai king. The people have to trust me, therefore, when you get the urge to slip something in your pocket, I keep you honest. It’s a little game we play.”

I couldn’t help but give a laugh. “You must be rich then if that’s the kind of things I like to take.”

It was Hiei’s turn to laugh. “Wait until you see your den Fox. You are far richer than I ever will be. Now let’s get that drink.”

Though I was dying to know what he meant, Hiei pointed to a building bearing the name ‘Red Rock Retreat’. Taking a closer look, I see it has a sprawling entrance with signs for a bar, a restaurant and an inn. There were also signs offering services from massages, manicures and facials, to prostitutes with fetish specialties. Even from outside, it was apparent the retreat had plenty of patrons that appeared to be both demon and human. “Hiei, somehow this isn’t what I expected to find in the demon world.”

Hiei’s lip curled as if what he said was distasteful to him. “No, it’s not Kurama. The couple that own this is a female demon and a human male. He brought the idea from the Ningenkai and they’re making a killing off wealthy demons who find it distasteful to travel to the human world for such amenities as well as humans visiting here who want luxury with a twist, as well as a taste of home.”

Nodding, I follow Hiei into the bar area. It’s rather large, and divided by a large bar separating a game and pool hall from a dance floor. There are tables scattered throughout the entire bar. Uncomfortable being in such close proximity to so many strange demons for the first time, I stay close to Hiei. He seems to be heading for a table as far away as possible from all the action in both sides of the bar. The problem is, it’s already occupied.

Not sure of his intentions, I just watch as Hiei stands at the edge of the table. There is a scowl on his face as he growls. “Get out!”

I’m stunned as the nervous occupants of the table grab their drinks and do his bidding. “Yes sir, Lord Hiei.”

Taking the seat opposite him I can’t help but scold him. “Hiei! That was rude. There are several empty tables. You didn’t need to steal theirs.”

Hiei shrugged. “This is where I like to sit. Our backs are to the wall and we can see the entrance and both sides of the bar from here.”

Realizing he meant if from a safety standpoint, I relent. Before I can reply a demon with blue hair and yellow skin appears next to us. In one hand he has a rag to wipe the table, in the other he’s balancing two drinks. “Welcome back you two. Haven’t seen you for a while. Hiei, I have your usual. Kurama, I’ve got a new drink for you to try. It has those spring berries you told me about from the east ridge. I hope you like it.”

The man didn’t even wait for us to answer before rushing off. Seeing the question in my eyes Hiei grunts. “That’s Trey, the bartender.”

Nodding, I look around. There was a scuffle going on at one of the pool tables, but out of nowhere a large demon wearing a jacket that said SECURETY broke it up. Turning to look a the dancers, I realize there is a live band playing. Unlike most of the patrons, the band members all look human. They have a good beat, and without realizing it my feet start tapping to it.

Even if Hiei and I are stuck with each other for the moment, that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun. I turn to look at Hiei and sigh. Suspecting the scowl on his face means he probably won’t be open to the idea of dancing, I pick up my drink and hold it out to him in a toast. “Here’s to a new adventure.”

Seeing the smirk he gave me as our glasses touch gives me hope. Watching him down his drink gives me even more hope, especially when a waiter refilled his glass the moment he sat it down. Taking a sip of my own drink, I watch Hiei reach for his again. With a little luck, and probably a lot of alcohol, we’ll be dancing soon. This time when Hiei’s glass is empty the man he called Trey returned. As he refilled Hiei’s glass he looks at me. “So Kurama, what do you think of my new drink? I’m thinking of calling it the ‘Fruity Fox’.”

Hiei’s laugh was so spontaneous I’m surprised he didn’t spit his drink all over us. I gave him a quick glare, and he quickly tried to cover with a cough. Turning to Trey, I give him a smile. “Actually, it’s delicious. The berries enhance the flavor of the liquor perfectly without being overly sweet. I’m not so sure about the name though. I think perhaps the ‘Flirty Fox’ would appeal to more of your patrons.”

The man was so excited, he hopped up and down, calling out as he rushed off. “Kurama, that’s brilliant! Joyelle! Joyelle! Wait till you hear…”

Now that Trey was gone, Hiei couldn’t contain himself anymore and laughed. “Aw, come on Fox. Trey would just love to brag to everyone that the great Yoko Kurama is his inspiration for the ‘Fruity Fox’.

My look must have been murderous because Hiei suddenly stopped laughing and bit his lip. “Hiei, I’m not sure what kind of man or demon or whatever, that I or this Yoko guy used to be, but this one is damn sure not going to be immortalized in a drink called the ‘Fruity Fox’!”

Affectionately, Hiei smiled. “You’re right Kurama. The ‘Flirty Fox’ is definitely more appropriate for you.”

Not yet in the mood to forgive him for teasing me, I huffed and turned to watch the dancers again. A moment later Hiei’s hand covered mine. “Damn you’re beautiful when you pout. Come on, let’s get out of here.”

I almost relented when he called me beautiful in that deep, sexy voice of his. Guess it’s time to see if pouting will get me my way. “Not so fast Hiei. I want to dance.”

Apparently a few drinks and a pretty pout weren’t enough to get Hiei on the dance floor. Hiei growled, snatching his hand away like I’d bit him. “I don’t dance Fox.”

Hearing no chance for compromise in his voice, I rise from my seat. “Oh well, your loss. I gave you first dibs, but since you’ve declined, I’ll just find another dance partner.”

Walking away, I can physically feel Hiei’s anger. Must be another demon thing. Refusing to look back, I silently pray that he’ll calm down before I return.