The Key

Unexpected Events

Kurama was starting to really wonder about this strange new scent he could smell around the temple. It was around too often to be threat. An enemy wouldn't be so careless, unless it was trying to lure someone into a trap. The problem was, it would have to be well thought out, and no matter how good it was, the persistence wouldn't be necessary. That in itself made it a possible ally. But nothing was ever certain.

He had noticed Riane spending a lot of time outside of the temple. What's more, he often smelled of this scent when she returned. Kurama rarely saw her, but the last meeting they had, it was all he could smell. They had stopped trailing her in the temple, and she never went walking around the city anymore. They could tell she didn't particularly like winter, but after her attack, she only went to the temple. Some nights she would drive, but never leave the car.

He didn't know why, but the thought of Riane around another demon didn't sit too well with him. After all of this thinking, he decided he would confront her about it. He wasn't sure if she really understood what it meant to be mated to a demon, and he didn't want her getting involved in something she would regret. Besides, he had no idea who this demon was, or how possessive he would be with her. But if she was with him quite often, he would have to start getting into it, and making sure she knew what she was up against.

Walking out of her room, he went down the hall towards Riane's room. She was in the for night, and hoping that she wasn't sleeping. He didn't want to cause a problem with her, but he didn't want her to be tagged onto a demon without fully realizing what she was getting into. He wasn't even sure how he would begin this conversation with her, but he knew that it was necessary. There was no way approach the subject without being stern. He sighed, knocking lightly on her door, ready to get it over with.

...

Riane had been spending a lot of her time with Takashi. She liked the demon, he had a way of pulling out the real her from the inside. She trusted him, and he had been the best teacher she had when it came to learning about her powers. In the short time she spent with him, she gained much more power than when she was with the others. She was pretty sure at this point, she could give Yusuke a good run for his money. She wasn't stupid enough to try it, but she knew she could give him a good fight by now.

She could even sense Takashi at times while she was at school, and that made her really proud. None of the others could, or else she was sure he'd be attacked by Hiei by now. She didn't tell the others about him, mostly because they didn't ask. She liked that they mostly stayed out of her business, it gave her some time to herself.

She attended all the meetings still, and then asked Takashi about what was going on. He wasn't much help, he didn't know anything around. His only purpose was to watch her and make sure nothing happened to her. She smiled at his answer, but at times, she wished he could be more helpful. She sighed though, knowing that she couldn't really ask for more. He kept her company, and listening to everything she said, always making her laugh when she felt upset. It was nice to feel appreciated and not so much like a weapon.

Even now, the two of them sat by the lake while the moon was high. They had been here for hours, not speaking for the most part. She leaned her head on his shoulder, tentatively at first, but when he put his head on top of hers, she felt more at ease. He had the smell of the forest on him, and she found herself very attracted to him.

"Did you know that in all my years, the stars and the moon are the only thing that are permanent in my life?" he asked her in a low voice.

"Really?" she was surprised at that.

"Yeah. People come and go, buildings, trees. But the stars, and it's master have always been there for me."

"I don't know what to say to that..."