If the World had Balance

13

Yū woke up. He felt a soft breath against his chest; he looked down, and noticed Shinoa, resting her head on his chest, and sleeping, innocently.

He smiled for a second. He was always grateful to whatever saved him from all those nobles and progenitors. And even more so, when Shinoa would be saved. He loved the rest of the group like his family, that was correct, yet he couldn't help but treat Shinoa differently.

He enjoyed it when she'd tease him, granted, not sexually. Sure he was about 17 now, but he couldn't control himself any longer; her figure was just so tempting to him. He bit down on his lip, and rested his chin on her head, a hand on her waist.

"I love you, my small queen." He murmured, he placed a soft kiss on her forehead, and relaxed, allowing the girl to enjoy her rest.

Though, little did he know, Shinoa was currently blushing like a mad man.

—

The tents were a good call to carry. Shinoa had managed to catch a cold, and wasn't able to continue; her sweet little legs could barely stand the humid heat of the hill, let alone the chilly breeze of the town.

Shinoa cursed herself; she was sure that she'd ask Yū what he meant by "I love you, my small queen."

For once, she didn't mind being called small.

Yū, was quite similar. However, he wasn't worried about Shinoa, he was worried about the group's safety. He had woken up early that day due to another nightmare.

—

Yū, she isn't worth it—

"Like hell she isn't! Shinoa has been there for me more than anybody!"

Her presence weakens you; you need to lose her to get the power you so desire, foolish human.

"I don't desire the power for my self, Asuramaru. I desire the power for her. For my family. My new family."

Hmph. I admire your boldness.

—

Shinoa was sipping on the last bowl of soup they had. It had a sour accent, since it was made with river water, and occasionally she'd bite down on dust, and cough in displeasure. Funnily enough, the members of the group were all in their tents. This hill was a prime spot; large oak trees surrounded them, the sun was given them a few shafts of light, and the wind was quite nice. The humidity however, was killing them.

Before Shinoa could complain, the flap to her tent flew open, and a silhouette bent down, entering.

"Hey, Shinoa."

That voice. It was Yu's. But what was it about his voice that made her heart leap? Was it the concern? No, he always had that, maybe the grogginess in his morning voice. Whatever it was, drove her crazy.

"Come to take advantage of your small queen?" Shinoa snickered; she somehow found the strength to tease him, even in her current state.

"You've got half of it right; sweet cheeks." He chuckled, he moved towards her, and bent down beside her. "My small queen."

"You flatter me, Yū-chan~" Shinoa cooed, her voice teasing him further.

"You're lucky you're sick, Shinoa. If you weren't; today would be the day, that you stopped calling me a cherry boy. Yū smirked. He took the paper bowl from her, and placed it behind him. He rested his head on her shoulder, and laid beside her sleeping bag, on the cold hard floor. "Tell me a story, Shinoa."

"You're awfully weird today, pervert. If Mitsuba saw us, she'd die— Oh my! Are you really okay with cheating on Kimizuki-kun?"

"Of course. He can't take all nine inches, so I'd figured I'd try you."

God damn this boy was different today. He was awfully assertive, and it slightly turned Shinoa on— no, scratch that, it completely turned her on.

"Well... Uh. I do have a story." Shinoa bit her lip. "I'll start it. So there was this boy, and he transferred to my school about a few years ago. And he was always driving me crazy, he would annoy me, bully me, hurt me, and he never noticed how much he really affected me." Shinoa chuckled, stroking Yu's hair like she was his mother. "So, I went all out, and got Guren, himself, to scold him, and the boy began caring about me. He apologized, and he really looked like a little tsun-tsun—"

"You're terrible at making stories." Yū sighed into her shoulder. He inhaled deeply with his nose, and waited. He analyzed her scent. She still smelled perfect. His little periwinkle. And only his. "I have one. It always has a different ending when I tell this story to people."

"Go on."

"So, a boy, was in the forest; and he was lost. His friends were off fishing, but he decided to trail back to their hill. Once he entered his tent, he saw," Yū sat up, looking into Shinoa's cocoa eyes. "A little princess. And the princess teased him— for being a coward, and not following any of her sexual hints. And of course, this princess was the girl he loved."

Shinoa's eyes widened slightly.

"So, he told the princess, that he loved her— and would never touch her sexually, even if it came down to it. But the princess continued to tease him. So he had enough. He asked her one question." Yū paused.

"What was it?" Shinoa asked, her voice sweet and low.

"Shinoa, do you love me?"