This is MY story.
I wrote this to answer my husbands challage. He said why is it that I write short stories from someone elses idea. I gave it alot of thought, and finally wrote this. I knew I needed to write something that would capture and hold his attention, and when I asked him to read this first part, he really liked it.
So, this story is dedicated to my husband.
Our World as we know it
Prologue
My name is Phoenix: just Phoenix, no last name. I work for a special branch of the government; but as far as you’re concerned I do not exist. I have no birth certificate, no social security number, no bank account, and I’m sure my driver’s license and badge is just for show. Not that it matters, by the time you’ve noticed, I’ve disappeared or you’re dead.
The branch of the government I work for has no name. I don’t know how many of us there are, no one does. Personally, I only know six: My half-brother Lasako and his partner Serena, my best friend Logan and his partner Mina, my ex-partner Cassandra, and the girl who I am meeting today as my new partner Darigan. Some guy runs the whole operation in a dark corner of the Whitehouse, but even he doesn’t know us all.
Our branch investigates unnatural deaths. No, you will never hear about us on the news or in the papers. And no, it has nothing to do with aliens. We investigate the things you only hear whispered in shadows. The things you call urban legends. The stories you are told really happened to a friend of a friend of a friend’s mother’s father’s sister’s niece’s uncle’s friend’s brother’s aunt’s nephew. Stories so far fetched you roll your eyes.
We are well paid for our services. By ‘well’ I mean that anyone of us could retire after only a few years of service and live comfortably for the rest of our lives. The Company, as it is affectionately called, pays us weekly in unmarked, non-consecutively numbered bills, none larger then a 50. They also provide us cars, a lot of cars, and medical supplies. They have to. We don’t exists, so therefore cannot get insurance and cannot go to a hospital when we get hurt, and trust me we do get hurt. A lot. Every set of partners lives and works out of a fully furnished apartment; level of life style depends on your record. The better your record, the better you live. Darigan and I will be sharing a penthouse on Front Street, the best neighborhood in town. Darigan is a rookie and will be living off my record, just like Cassandra did. I hope Darigan works out better.
Don’t get me wrong, Cassandra was good at her job, she was just a psycho. She always got the job done; she just didn’t care who, what, or how many died in the process. The last job we worked together she had me laid up for a week because she just had to use her powers. Damn nearly killed me.
Yeah, I said powers. Cassandra, Logan, Darigan, and Serena all have holy powers. Lasako is a demon and I, myself, am a half-demon. The Company is full of people like us. Very few are regular humans. Mina is the only exception I know. Now don’t think you can spot us by appearance. I don’t have bat wings growing from my back or anything. Yes, I have claws and fangs, but I look human…enough. It’s the demons that don’t look human you have to watch out for. So why would a demon work with someone with holy power? Simple, they tell me to. It really is a good arrangement. One partner is the physical strength, while the other can dispel dark magic.
Don’t think we do all this bare handed; we can, but normally don’t. Lasako and I favor the sword, Logan the staff, Cassandra the bow, and Mina uses a giant boomerang. No one uses guns. Guns don’t work on demons, and they can be traced.Darigan will be here soon; I can hear her coming up the stairs. It has to be her, no one else comes this high up the building and I can hear her luggage dragging. I had better go.
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Chapter 1
Phoenix set the last of the plates out on the table as he listened to the sound of his new partner coming towards the door. This would be the first time he would meet her and all he knew was her name: Darigan. It was a nice name, happy and fitting for a smiling face. He wondered if she would live up to her name or not. Cassandra certainly had. Serious, cold, ‘I’ll only smile with my lips never my eyes’, Cassandra.
A light breeze rustled his long white hair through the open balcony doors. It was a nice spring day; a little over cast, but nice. This would be the test of their possible partnership. He had made her lunch. How she reacted to this gesture would show him if they could get along as partners. Canssandra had passed, but barely. The girl had just been too stiff and cold for his liking.
He heard Darigan stop outside the door. Phoenix stayed by the table as he waited for her to knock; he didn’t want to seem too anxious. He could smell her scent now. It was softly sweet and spicy, like spiced honey, though tainted slightly with what could only be nervousness. Cassandra had always worn a very heavy perfume that made his eye water if he got too close. Darigan’s scent, he could tell, was natural. There was a soft, tentative knock that brought him back. He took a deep breath and made for the door.
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Darigan gulped as she came to a stop outside the door. She nervously fidgeted with her hair, straightened her clothes, licked her lips, and took a deep breath. What was her new partner be like? She had been told that it was a ‘he’ and would be a demon, but nothing else. What did it mean that he was a demon? Was he going to be a monster? Will he have fangs, claws, wings, or tentacles? She took another deep breath; she was jumping to conclusions. Still a little nervous, she raised her hand and gave the fancy wooden door a tentative knock.
There was short pause, then the door swung inward to reveal a man of about 20. He had white hair longer then her own, with fluffy bangs. A pair of fuzzy white triangle dog-ears perched atop his head. Bright blue eyes with slight pupils looked down at her with a myriad of emotions she couldn’t place or reason. He wore black slacks, nice black shoes, and a button up red silk shirt. He rested one clawed hand on the door and the other was in his pocket. A soft greeting smile graced his lips.
"Darigan, I presume." He said softly, his voice was deep but gentle as if not to scare her. Could he sense her anxiousness? She could feel her cheeks heat up. "Please, come in." He stepped aside and gestured for her to enter with the hand he removed from his pocket. She nodded and entered, picking up her luggage as she did. He shut the door behind her and followed.
Darigan stopped short to take in her new home. The place was more or less one large, open room with a high ceiling. On the far left was the kitchen. The deep green counter tops looked nice with the cabinets of light colored wood. An island counter, with two stools next to it, stood away from the rest, being convenient to use from all angles of the space. To the right of the kitchen area was a pair of open white French doors leading to a balcony. Shear green curtains hung over the thresh hold and fluttered in the soft breeze. A small square wooden table was set before doors to catch the breeze. The table had several plates of food set out on it. Next on the left was a living room like area. A plush green leather couch sat behind a polished coffee table and facing a fancy entertainment center. A sixty-inch plasma TV sat attached to a DVD player, Playstation, and Gamecube inside a glass door covered shelf on the left. On the right was another set of shelves filled with games and movies. The floor was all hardwood, a polished to a bright shine. The walls of the room where all tinged green. Several tan doors lined the right wall, but where they lead Darigan could only guess.
"May I take your luggage?" The man asked, causing Darigan to jump. How had he moved beside her so quickly and quietly?
"Oh, thank you… umm… I wasn’t told your name." Darigan answered with a slight blush coloring her cheeks.
"Phoenix." He said with a smile as he easily lifted her two heavy bags, "I’ll show you to your room. Then we can have lunch." He stepped past her and headed for the doors on the right. He opened the closest one and walked in. She followed.
The room was a nice size. Unlike the main area, the floor was covered with a soft tan carpet. The walls were a darker green then the other room and the ceiling was a smooth cream. A large, wooden framed queen size bed sat against the right wall, covered in a dark green comforter with a blood red flower pattern. There was a fancy desk and black leather chair in the corner. It was devoid of anything but basic office supplies and a computer. Opposite the door was a dresser with a mirror perched atop it. Next to it was a window seat over looking the city and curtained in green and tan. A large bare bookshelf stood solemnly in the corner. A small bedside table was the only other furniture. Two doors stood on the left wall.
"That one is your walk-in closet," Phoenix said pointing to the farthest door, "And this one leads to the bathroom. We have to share, so always remember to lock both doors." He gave her a lighthearted smile and placed her bags on the bed. "Lunch is ready. Would you like to eat now or do you want to unpack first?"
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"Lunch is ready. Would you like to eat now or do you want to unpack first?" Phoenix asked. So far Darigan was doing well on his little test. She had greeted him courteously, if not a little shyly, and waited to be invited in before entering. Cassandra had walked straight in with little more then a curt hello. Darigan had blushed when she said she didn’t know his name. It was cute. Cassandra had never blushed. Now she was up to her second test. Would she appreciate his efforts to make her feel welcome or want to take care of her things first?
"Lunch would be good." She answered with a smile. This was looking good. He nodded to her and led the way back to the table. He had set out a lunch of sandwiches, only they would have to actually make the sandwiches themselves. The meat, cheese, bread, and vegetables were all laid out on separate plates. He had also put out the jars of mayonnaise and mustard, each with its own knife. A bowl of assorted fruit sat in the middle of it all.
He pulled out a chair for her. Darigan blushed again and sat. He smiled. Cassandra had defiantly sat in a different chair. He walked past her to the refrigerator.
"Would you like a soda or juice? My last partner liked wine if you prefer." He offered.
"Soda, please." She replied. He fished two sodas from the fridge and returned to the table. He held one out to her. Darigan took it with a grateful nod. He sat down opposite her and opened his own drink. In the silence that followed he studied the girl. She had long brown hair and bright smiling brown eyes. She did fit her name. Darigan had dressed herself in a casual but pretty blue sundress. To him she looked about 18, but he knew better then to follow that impression. Any one with holy power or demon blood aged much slower then a regular human. They also healed faster and with less scaring. She sat straight in her chair and fidgeted a little, obviously nervous. It brought him some comfort to see that she was acting as a guest in his home. To him, she was just that; a guest until she proved otherwise and that wouldn’t happen easily.
"What kind of bread would you like?" He asked. She had made no move to serve herself and he got the feeling she was waiting for him to initiate things.
"White please." She answered softly. He smiled and handed her two pieces of the requested bread. She was shy and he couldn’t help but find it mildly amusing. In a twisted sort of way she looked like Cassandra, but she was definitely different. Cassandra had started right in, and complained about having to make the sandwich herself. Darigan looked like she wouldn’t touch anything that wasn’t offered to her. "Go a head. Ladies first." He gestured to the food. Darigan blushed at being called a lady. She nodded and began to make herself a turkey and cheese sandwich.
"So, Darigan …" he began leaning onto the table and beginning to make his own sandwich, "How did you come to be in The Company?" It was supposed to be an icebreaker, but he regretted asking when her features darkened and a sad look filled her eyes.
"My family house burned down when I was 6. I was the only survivor. A guy in a black suit picked me up at the hospital and told me he knew who had done this and how I could get revenge. I found out sometime later that the fire was started by some inferno demon that had been taken care of only a week after the incident…." she trailed off.
"I’m sorry. I had no idea." He apologized. Despite the fact that he had just hit on a sensitive subject he still marveled at how the girl’s emotions played freely across her face.
"How about you?" she asked, brightening in both word and look as she turned the subject. He shrugged.
"My dad was in it. His first wife and he had my half-brother Lasako before she was killed. He was sent my mom as a new partner. A few years later I came along. My brother and I followed in our father’s foot steps." He answered, and then remembered something, "Oh and on that note. My brother, best friend, and their partners want to meet you tomorrow."
"Are they coming here?" She asked picking up an apple. She must have been starting to relax.
"Naw, we’re meeting them at a restaurant. Lasako is picking so it’ll probably be something fancy. Wine, dancing, and tiny little plates of food." He said with a smirk. She smiled back but seemed distracted. "Is something wrong?" She looked up from the table at his question.
"I…can’t find a knife to cut up my apple." She said meekly a slight blush creeping on to her cheeks again.
"Oh. That’s my fault. I don’t normally use knifes to cut things up." He took the apple from her hand and sliced it into several pieces with his claws. She blinked as he set it down in front of her.
"That’s useful." She chirped brightly. He raised an eyebrow. Her fear had faded fast; Cassandra had screamed. She took one of the slices and smiled brightly at him again, "So…what now?"
"I don’t know. What weapons do have training in?" He answered casually. Darigan put down her apple and began to list things off on her fingers.
"Let me see; Staff, bow and arrow, chain blade, steel fans, and swords." She paused for a moment, "Yeah, I think that’s all." Phoenix blinked at her. He had heard of being trained in more them one weapon before, but even he only had training in three: the staff, sword, and daggers. Was this girl only slightly trained in each? The mention of a sword got his attention more then anything else. Females weren’t trained with a blade except under special circumstances. Mina was an exception; of course just about everything about Mina was as such.
"A sword, really? That’s unusual." He asked his curiosity slip through.
"It was that or an extra math course. I hate math." She answered. Phoenix couldn’t help but laugh. He had to agree, for all the math he had used during his time on the job he would have happily given one or two courses up in exchange for more weapons training.
"So you feel up for sparing sometime?" He asked coolly, "I’m pretty handy with a sword myself.
"Any time." She challenged back.
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Phoenix groaned as he pulled the covers over his head. Of all the things he was, a morning person was not one of them. Sure he could get up early if work required it, but there was no work to do today. He couldn’t even begin to fathom a reason for waking up at 7 in the morning. His nose twitched. What was that smell? It made his mouth water. Where was it coming from? Slowly the wheels in his brain started to process what his nose was trying to tell him. Then it clicked. His eyes snapped open with realization. Breakfast. Hot, freshly cooked, breakfast. In a move much slower then his usual pace, Phoenix climbed from bed. Sleep he could catch up on, but it had been years sense he last had a hot, home cooked breakfast.
Darigan looked up when a bed rumpled Phoenix, who seemed completely unaware of the fact that he was only wearing a pair of red plaid boxers, appeared in the doorway to his room. She took note of his lean yet muscled body as he paused in the doorway to steady himself with both hands on the doorframe. His eyes were heavy lidded and his long hair, to her slight disgust, fell perfectly into place as he walked rather mechanically across the room.
For his part, Phoenix was obvious to everything that didn’t involve food. He had missed the fact that he was basically naked in front of a girl he barely knew and that she was only wearing a pair of loose green plaid pajama pants and a white spaghetti strap shirt. He sat down heavily in a chair as she placed a plate of scrambled eggs with cheese, hash browns, and sausage, along with a glass of orange juice and a cup of coffee before him. She also set a plate of toast and the butter and jelly out before seating herself before her own breakfast. Phoenix leaned heavily on a forearm and began to eat.
"Damn woman, you can cook." He muttered sleepily. Darigan smile as she took a sip of her coffee. She had always been a morning person, but from the looks of things her new partner was not. And she had had enough encounters with people like him to know that it was best to let them wake up on their own and keep her rise-and-shine attitude to herself.
Phoenix’s brain slowly brought the world into focus as food filled his stomach and fueled his consciousness. He couldn’t remember the last hot breakfast he had had at home. He looked up to see Darigan eating her breakfast in silence, though she didn’t seem to be sleepy in the least. The fact that she was still in her sleepwear dawned on him as well as the fact that her white shirt wasn’t leaving much to the imagination. He felt a chill, gulped, and looked down. Yep, he was just wearing boxers. God bless his foresight to wear those. Normally he didn’t wear anything, but the fear that he might forget about having a new partner in his sleepy state had made him too self-conscious. He looked up to see Darigan smiling as if she could read his mind and he felt his face heat up.
"I didn’t know how you liked your eggs so I made them like mine." She downed the last of her coffee and stood, "I got dibs on the first shower." With that she rose, put her plate into the sink, and headed for her room. Phoenix looked down at his plate, his face still felt hot. He sighed. In his stupor he had just inadvertently shown her more flesh then any other girl in his life, and this was just their first full day as partners. Great, just great. He ate the last of his food and looked around. His ears told him Darigan was as good as her word about the shower. Well at least she was distracted for the moment. He rose and cleaned the kitchen before heading to his room.
Phoenix’s room was much like Darigan’s only he had done it in red and gold and it had much more lived in feel. Why he made it so different from the rest of the house he wasn’t sure. He moved to his dresser and pulled out a pair of black sweatpants. He pulled them on, tied the drawstring, and looked into his mirror. He felt a little self-conscience going back out without a shirt, but he could still hear Darigan in the bathroom and he preferred to practice without a shirt. He stopped as he passed the bathroom door and gave it a quick rap.
" Darigan?"
"Almost done." She called back.
"Don’t rush. I just wanted to say thanks for breakfast and I’m going to go practice in the dojo if you need me."
"Ok and you’re welcome." He heard her pick up the hair dryer, "You never told me how you liked your eggs."
"Cooked." He answered lightly.
"Aren’t you going to shower?" She asked with a light laugh.
"Then go get sweaty?"
"Good point."
"Anyway, you know where to find me." He finished and walked out. He passed through the main room, noting that it still smelled nicely of breakfast, and into the door just past Darigan’s. The room was large and white. Weapons of all kinds hung from the walls and stood in stands. The floor was covered in blue workout mats. A second door lead into a long side room with a target on the far end for practicing long-range weapons.
Phoenix stretched his arms over his head and listened to shoulders pop then swiveled his head to do the same for his neck. He shrugged his shoulders and picked up his favorite sword, Zar’roc, from its stand. His father had given the blade to him when he had passed The Company entrance exam. It really wasn’t much to look at, but only at first glance. In Phoenix’s hands alone it transformed into a giant fang. He pulled the sword from its sheath and watched it transfigure without even a thought. He replaced the sheath in the stand and took a fighting stance in the middle of the room.
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Darigan stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped securely around her torso. She instinctively checked the room for someone she knew wouldn’t be there before pulling the towel off. She tossed it onto her bed and moved to her dresser. Phoenix had a nice idea about working out. Besides he still owed her a duel. She pulled on a pair of under wear, her green/blue halter-top, and a pair of black biking shorts. Next Darigan took a hair tie and pulled her brown tresses into high ponytail. Checking her appearance once more in the mirror, she left her room and headed for the dojo.
She opened the door carefully and quietly as not to disturb whatever Phoenix was doing or accidentally get into the line of any attack. What she saw made her breath catch. Phoenix was in the middle of the room spinning in what seemed an almost intimate dance of metal, skin, and hair. The blade flashed dangerously in the bright lights. His long hair swirled and seemed to tease the blade as it played just out of reach. Suddenly the demon came to a stop. His hair fell into place and the huge blade in his hand was held, point down, with one hand, the other held out for balance just an inch from the back edge of the blade. His legs were spread shoulder width apart and bent at the knees. Phoenix’s golden eyes focused on her with an intense stare so deep it sent a shiver down her spine. A long moment passed with out a word or movement from either.
"Did you need something?" Phoenix asked as he straightened up. Darigan blinked and shook her head to clear it. She looked away as her gaze fell on his slightly sweaty and very naked chest.
"Umm…Well…I…" she was blushing and she knew it, "You said something about sparing yesterday." Phoenix blinked once and then smiled.
"I did, didn’t I. Well, grab a sword." He gestured around the room at her many choices. Darigan looked around; there were katanas, broadswords, fancy swords with curved blades, daggers, and many more. But nothing that looked like it would stand up to the enormous sword slung over Phoenix’s shoulder. Phoenix must have noticed her distress because he walked over and sheathed his sword into a rather beat-up looking katana sheath, sending the logical portion of Darigan’s brain into a tale-spin. He pulled a broadsword off the wall. She smiled and followed suit. Darigan took a minute to get the feel of her sword, as did Phoenix, before the two took up fighting stances across the room from each other.
They stood poised for a moment, each sizing the others up. It came down to Phoenix’s speed, strength, and experience against Darigan’s fresh training, smaller size, and holy power. Both judged how much force to use; these where very real and very sharp weapons but neither wanted to hurt the other. Suddenly Darigan moved.
In a movement much faster then Phoenix would have attributed to her; Darigan crossed the room and took a swing at him. He ducked letting the swing go over his head before striking out at her. There was a clash of metal against metal as Darigan blocked with the flat of her sword. She used her other hand to help push. He definitely had the upper hand in the strength department and she could tell he was still holding back. They stayed like that for only a moment before jumping apart.
Again they stood still eyeing each other. Intense bright blue eyes focused on brown ones. It was Phoenix who made the first move this time. He leapt into the air, intent on bring his blade down on her head. Darigan again blocked just as she did last time. When Phoenix added pressure to force her down, Darigan swept his feet out from under him. The demon landed unceremoniously on his ass and quickly found their position reversed. With a sharp growl of surprise and frustration, Phoenix put his foot into her gut and flipped her over his head and off him.
Darigan landed with a soft thud on her stomach and her sword slid from her hand across the room. She was quick to get up but Phoenix was quicker to block her path. A cool smirk crossed his face. He had her trapped and he knew it. Darigan took a few steps in retreat then, to the demon’s great surprise, jumped and did a mid-air flip right over his head. She landed in a crouch with her hand on the hilt of her sword. Phoenix was quick to recover but Darigan had already anticipated his move and had rolled to her feet and away from his strike.
The two stood apart catching their breath. Phoenix now had a newfound respect for his new partner. She was holding her ground well. Now was the time to turn up the stakes. He rushed her. Darigan anticipated another strike from above and made to block. She wasn’t prepared for Phoenix to grab the hilt of her sword over her hand and drive her backward into the wall.
Darigan now found herself in a precarious position. Phoenix had her pressed to against the wall of the dojo; his body molded to hers to keep her from using her legs to push him away. The two swords were scissors at her throat. The slightest movement on Phoenix’s part and she would loose her head. She gulped.
Phoenix’s nose was only a few inches from her own and his heavy breathing warmed her face. His intense eyes stared into hers with something she couldn’t identify. He pressed against her more heavily, the sweat of their abs mingling where the skin touched. She could feel the pressure of his hard chest muscles against her breasts increased and decreased with each breath they took. He licked his lips and let his eyes roam over her.
"Well, well, well." He said in a voice that was almost husky and accentuated with his heavy breathing, "Looks like I’ve caught a pretty little girl. Whatever shall I do with her?" Darigan swallowed hard at the sound of his voice. He wouldn’t really… do anything… would he? She couldn’t read what was in his eyes and it made her edgy. Phoenix heard her heart rate go up and smiled slightly as he put his face kissably close to hers.
"I know." He said, not sounding at all as if he had just thought of it as he looked her straight in the eyes, "Make me lunch wench." Darigan’s jaw dropped and he began to laugh.
"Damn you!!!!" She hissed indignantly, "You scared me! Let me go!"
"Not until you agree to my terms." He teased. He had her pinned and was enjoying himself far too much.
"I hate you." She growled. Phoenix just smirked.
Phoenix let the hot water roll over his body as he enjoyed his morning shower. He couldn’t help but smile at himself for his little joke on Darigan. He didn’t know why, but teasing her just felt natural. She was so different from Cassandra. His former partner always seemed to bring a chill with her wherever she went. Darigan, on the other hand, brought warmth and sunshine when she entered a room.
He turned off the water, crouched down, and gave himself a good dog-like shake. He stepped out of the shower and took a towel from the rack. Running the towel through his long white hair he stepped into his room. The towel dropped on to the floor as he began to rummage through his closet for some clothes. He pulled on a pair of boxers, jeans, and a black shirt. He didn’t bother with shoes, he never wore them unless he was going somewhere or was trying to impress someone.
He stepped from his room to find Darigan dressed in khaki shorts and a green tank top. She was sitting on the couch eyes focused on the TV. He glanced at her hands to see her working furiously at the Game cube controller. Looking at the TV he saw she had put in Sonic Adventure Battle, one of his personal favorites. With a smile he volleyed over the back of the couch and landed beside her. She didn’t acknowledge him at all. He watched in silence as she raced through the large ring at the end of the level.
"You didn’t ask to play my games." He said sternly, but his smile betrayed him.
"Do you ever give up?" She asked looking at him in amused annoyance.
"Only if you let me play too." He said picking up the second controller. She smiled and hit the reset button.
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Phoenix set down his controller and stretched as he stood up. The pair had been playing video games most of the day. Darigan had shown him up in RPGs and adventure games, but he had her whipped in fighting and sport games. Darigan had made them spaghetti for lunch, but that was the only break they had taken. He would have happily continued to play if they where not expected to be at a restaurant across town in an hour and a half.
"So how should I dress?" Darigan asked as she too stood and stretched.
"Humm…" Phoenix rubbed the back of his head, "Lasako and Serena are picking, so something nice but not formal." He answered after a bit of thought he added, "Oh and nothing too short."
"You care how long my skirt is?" She asked in amusement. A slow smirk crossed his face.
"Let’s just call it a bit of friendly advice." He answered and disappeared into his room. Darigan shrugged and went into her own room. She opened her closet and walked in. The racks where full of clothes. Darigan frowned as she began to sort through the out fits. Something nice but not formal and nothing too short. The criteria seemed easy enough, but she still felt unsure. After ten minute she came up with a green dress that was nice and not too revealing, and black dress that showed a little skin but looked more formal, and a red dress that was about halfway between the other two.
She held each up to her body in front of her mirror, judging the pros and cons of each. The black one was shorter then she would have liked, but it was the best for a fancy restaurant. The green one was one of her favorites, but lacked the formalness of the other two. The red was nice, but she wasn’t sure if it would be elegant enough. She sighed in defeat. She had to pick one soon or she wouldn’t have time to finish getting ready. That left her with one option. She would ask for a second opinion. Taking the dresses with her, Dariga walked through the bathroom and knocked on Phoenix’s door.
"Phoenix, can I get your opinion on some dresses?" She called through the door.
"Sure. Come on in. I’m decent." He called back. Darigan opened the door to find Phoenix dressed much the same as he did yesterday only now he was wearing a light blue shirt. His shirt was only half buttoned and showed his white wife beater underneath. Darigan held up the dresses for him to see.
"Which one?" She asked. Phoenix put his chin in his hand and studied the dresses for a moment. His blue eyes flickered from one to the next seeming to judge each on its own merit for standards only he knew.
"I think any of them would look good on you. Pick the one you like best." He said turning his attention back to his shirt happy he had assured her in her choices.
"That doesn’t help me much. Which one would you like me to wear?" Darigan persisted. Phoenix stopped and looked at her. The one he thought she should wear? Well… the green one would look pretty with her dark hair, of course so would the red one, but the black one… no, not around Logan.
"The red one." He said finally. She nodded and headed out. Phoenix shook his head and looked at himself in the mirror. She wanted to know his opinion on a dress. That was new. He finished the last button and closed his eyes. His imagination dressed her in the little black dress. He shook his head to push the thought away; he had just met her yesterday. Checking to make sure he had everything buttoned or zipped once more he headed to living room.
Phoenix flopped down on the couch to wait. He had spent all of twenty minutes picking out clothes and getting dressed. If Darigan were like any other girl, she would probably spend most of the remaining hour or so before they had to leave getting ready. He flipped on the TV and began to surf for something to catch his interest. Every once in a while he would turn an ear to check Darigan’s progress.
Forty-five minutes later Darigan stepped from her room. She wore the red dress as Phoenix suggested. It was sleeveless, with a snug fit to the top of her body and loose skirt that ended four inches above her knees. It dipped low in front to show just a hint of cleavage. Her feet were dressed in red velvet pumps. Her long brown hair hung freely down her back. Phoenix blinked. She looked pretty good. He smiled and rose to his feet.
"Shall we, my lady?" He asked, a big grin on his face as he offered her his arm.
"Of course." She smiled and accepted the offering. He smiled and led her out the door, locking it behind them. They lived at the top of the building and were therefore the only doorway on the floor, the elevator didn’t even come this high. The only way down was the stairs. So needless to say Darigan was a little surprised when Phoenix turned and led her in the opposite direction, stopping right in front of a dead end wall.
"Uh…Phoenix," She asked, "Why are we standing in front of a wall? The stairs are the other way." He tilted his head towards her and smiled at her. Without a word he pressed his palm against part of the wall paneling. A soft glow came from underneath and then a door, that a moment before had been seamless, slide upwards revealing a hidden, and completely dark, elevator. He smiled and walked her in. As soon as their feet touched the floor, the inside light up with bright fluorescence and the door slide back into place behind them. Phoenix leaned against the wall as the elevator made its decent.
"Wouldn’t people notice us getting off?" Darigan asked, still a little dazed.
"This elevator only stops on the top floor and the second basement. It’s a level that only we should be able to access. If anyone is down there we’ll have to kill them." He spoke as if he where talking about the weather, "But don’t worry. There is no way to get there from the rest of the building, so it shouldn’t come to that." The elevator stopped and the door opened to a huge dark void. Phoenix stepped out without a word and Darigan followed.
"Lights." He commanded, and the darkness was flooded in a bright light. Darigan looked around to see a huge garage filled with every sort of car imaginable. Most were sporty and looked fast but there were a handful of trucks and other work vehicles. Darigan’s eyes roved over the many cars before her; blues, reds, yellows, blacks, and silver. All in pristine condition.
"See anything that strikes your fancy?" Phoenix asked, smiling at the look of amazement on her face.
"That one." She replied after a moment and pointed to a black convertible Vet. He smiled, nodded, and walked over to it. He took the handle of the passenger’s side and opened the door for her. She nodded her thanks and got in. Walking around he got into the driver’s side and started the car. He drove them from the parking spot and stopped. Phoenix gave her a sidelong smirk and revved the engine. She looked forward to see what looked like a solid concrete wall.
Darigan smirked back at him. It was just another illusion and he was trying to scare her. Well, she’d show him. Phoenix revved the engine again and brought down the top. He smiled at her again and gunned it. The car shot forward and Darigan had to hold down her skirt to preserve her modesty. Phoenix rested one arm on the car door as if driving at solid concrete was an everyday occurrence. The wall was approaching fast, but Darigan refused to let him scare her twice in the same day. Phoenix raised an eyebrow. At the last possible moment he turned the car sharply to the right, up a ramp, out a garage bay door, and on to the street. Darigan turned around just in time to see the door slide closed and an illusion of a shrub covered it.
"Phoenix: two. Darigan: Nothing." Phoenix smirked as he looked at the wide-eyed expression on her face.
"I can’t believe you drove strait at a solid wall!" Darigan yelled. Phoenix just pressed the gas and accelerated onto the freeway.
"What’s wrong Darigan? Don’t you trust me?" He asked the cool smile not leaving his lips.
"That’s twice today you could have killed me!"
"But I didn’t." He added then looked more serious, "And I won’t. Promise."
"Humph!" Darigan replied. Phoenix shrugged and swerved around a slower car. He continued to drive like a bat out hell for another fifteen minutes before pulling off the freeway and onto a road leading to a rich looking part of town. Soon after he pulled into the parking lot of a large building. Though, ‘building’ probably wasn’t the right word for it. The structure was really a large, glass globe on a fancy pillar of concrete some 30 stories up. A net of lights caged the globe. Phoenix parked and got out with Darigan following suit. They crossed the parking lot to the front of the building. Phoenix opened the door for her.
"You know you can be quiet the gentleman for someone who tried to kill me twice today." Darigan smirked at him.
"You’re welcome." He replied, following her in and taking her arm. Darigan noticed he had pinned his ears to hide them in his hair as they approached the mantra de.
"Do you have a reservation sir?" The snooty looking man with slicked back hair asked as he looked down his nose at them.
"Lasako." Phoenix answered.
"Ah, yes. Lasako, party of six, top floor privet garden table." The man’s demeanor took a sudden turn to a bright side. "Amy here will show you up." He gestured dramatically to a young blond woman who bowed and motioned them to follow. They stepped into a spacious elevator with a glass side. The lift jolted and they watched the ground fall away. A few minutes and some 35 stories later they stopped, the door opened, and Phoenix and Darigan exited leaving Amy to ride down alone.
The room they stepped into was indeed a garden, with a ceiling of domed glass to keep the weather out. The room was filled with flowers in full bloom and a large Koi pond off to one side and a stone dance floor on the other. A flagstone walkway lead to a long, white clothed covered table in the center of the room. Four people were already seated but turned their attention to the new partners as they entered.
"You must be Darigan." A man a bit taller and older then Phoenix but with the same long white hair and blue eyes stood as soon as they approached the table. He was dressed in khaki slacks, brown shoes, and white silk shirt. "I’m Lasako. It is a pleasure to meet you." He extended his hand to her. Darigan released Phoenix’s arm and took his hand. Lasako raised it to his lips and gave the back of her hand a quick kiss before releasing her. "May I introduce my partner Serena." He gestured to a cute girl of about 18 with raven hair and dark smiling eyes. She had on a cheery yellow dress. They too shook hands.
"I, My Lady, am Logan." A boy of about 20 said as he stood and also extended his hand to her. He had his short black hair in a little ponytail at the base of his neck and was dressed in a purple shirt and black slacks and shoes. Darigan saw a weary look pass over Phoenix’s face as she took Logan’s hand. He too raised it to his lips, but unlike Lasako he didn’t just brush his lips there. Instead he held her hand there for a long moment… that turned into a minute… and then two. Darigan began to try and take her hand back only to have him hold tighter and look up at her.
"Lady Darigan, I must say that being in your presence of your radiant beauty makes even the sun seem dim." Darigan felt her face get hot, "Will you bare my child?" Phoenix took this moment to hit Logan upside the head with his fist, knocking him to the floor.
"Ignore him." The girl who had been sitting next to him said as she stood. She had dark brown, almost black, hair and red/brown eyes and was dressed in a pretty pink. "I’m Mina and unfortunately, this lecher is my partner."
"Is he always like that?" Darigan asked as she took her hand.
"Yes." The others confirmed as one.
"Oh."
"He’s a good man in a fight though." Phoenix said pulling out a chair for her. Darigan sat with the rest of the group. "Oh, and Logan." He added as the man pulled himself off the floor, "Groping her would probably be unhealthy. She gave me a real run for my money with a sword this morning." Darigan blushed and the others raised an eyebrow at her.
"SHE gave YOU a run for your money with a SWORD." Serena said her eyes getting a little big. "But you’re the best. Only Lasako can come close" If it were possible Darigan got even redder.
"Aww, she blushes." Logan cooed, "Let me take you to the dance floor to cool off." He gave her a lecherous smile. Darigan beat both Phoenix and Mina to the punch, literally. . Logan was down for the second time and the evening hadn’t begun yet.
"I think she will do just fine." Lasako said in amusement
Chapter 2
Darigan made a desperate grab for her lost sword. Her hand wrapped around the hilt and she tried to pull up to block the coming strike. Unfortunately a bare foot came down on her hand, pinning it and the sword to the floor. Cold steel pressed against her throat. She raised her eyes to see Phoenix’s smirking face. Damn. That was the fifth time this week.
"So, What’s for lunch today, wench?" He was wearing one of his cocky smiles.
"Chicken Alfrado, but only if you don’t quit crushing my hand." She snorted. He released her and went to put away his sword.
"Just out of curiosity," Darigan said as she picked herself up and followed him, "Why do you always get me to cook for you when I loose?"
"Because just about the only thing I can make is instant Raman and you’re a great cook." He replied. Darigan felt a blush creep over her cheeks. "So what are you going to take as a prize on the off chance you ever beat me?"
"WHEN I beat you, I’m going to make you treat me to a nice dinner out or maybe a full day at a spa." She snorted. "I’m going to take a shower."
"Ok, you know we could always share." He teased. Darigan just flipped him off over her shoulder as she left the dojo.
Darigan stripped off her clothes as soon as she hit the bathroom. She knew Phoenix was only joking about the sharing thing and had a feeling he did it to get a rise out of her. Their relationship was very friendly and his teasing seemed unusually natural. She turned on the water and began to wash. The hot water felt good as it rolled over her skin and washed away the sweat. A day at the spa really was starting to sound good.
"Hey Darigan." Phoenix called through the door.
"Yeah?" She called back.
"Can you meet me in the living room when you get done?"
"Sure. Why?"
"You’ll see." Darigan didn’t bother to answer she knew he was already gone. So why would he want her to meet him in the living room? Normally he took a shower directly after her. She shrugged it off as he rinsed away the last of the soap and turned off the water. She would know soon enough.
Darigan stepped out of her room dressed in a black skirt and a button up light blue blouse. Phoenixa was seated on the couch facing the TV, which was off. He was still wearing his black sweatpants and no shirt. A single ear flickered in her direction before he turned to look at her. He gave her a cool smile and patted the seat of the couch next to him.
"Come have a seat." Darigan gave him a suspicious look. She had learned he wasn’t above pulling pranks on her. His overly happy grin always seemed to precede such events.
"What are you up to?" She asked as she made her way over to him.
"Nothing. Sit. Trust me."
"Isn’t that what you said just before you pulled your last prank on me?" She stood next to the couch eyeing him.
"I’m sorry. No tricks, Demon’s honor. Now just sit." Darigan narrowed her eyes but complied. Phoenix leaned over to the coffee table and pushed a manila folder towards her and motioned for her to take it.
"What’s this?"
"I thought you’d like to do the honors of opening the file to your first case." Darigan’s eyes widened and flipped open the file. She scanned the vague information.
"Well…" Phoenix prompted after a moment.
"It’s not very specific. Just says there’s a demon on a road outside of town that’s attacking passing cars and eating the people inside. Nothing else." She answered.
"That’s pretty normal. We’re going to have to gather the information we need on our own. Let me get washed and dressed and we’ll get going. Oh and I got you something." He reached behind the arm of the couch and pulled out a nicely wrapped present. Darigan took it with a quick glance to see if he had on his trickster smile. He didn’t. Carefully she removed the bow and paper, leaving her with a white box sitting in her lap. She glanced at him again before pulling off the lid. Inside she found folded green and black fabric. Darigan pulled it out to find it was it was a nice green T-shirt and a pair of black tight fitting pants. She turned a questioning look at her partner.
"It’s fire-rat fur." He answered her unasked question, "It may not look it but it will give you complete range of motion and is stronger than poor armor. Put it on, I’ve got my own outfit and it’s the best thing to work in." With that he stood and left the room.
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Darigan slid into passenger’s side seat of the silver Jag. She had done as Phoenix told her and dressed in the fire-rat fur outfit. He had dressed in a red shirt and black pants of the same material and style. He started the car and drove out, much more calmly then the first day.
"So where are we going?" Darigan asked, "The file said the attacks only happen at night, it’s just barely past lunch time."
"We’re going to see Chase. He’s my best informant. If there’s anything going on, he’ll know and have details." Phoenix answered. Darigan leaned back in her seat and watched the world go by. She had spent the better part of her life training for this, but Phoenix had already shown her, several times, that experience could over come training. She looked down at Phoenix’s sword and her bow and arrow set in her lap. "Relax. I’m not going to let anything happen to you." Phoenix reassured.
"I’m not nervous." She countered, a little too quickly.
"Yes, you are, I can smell it in your scent." He turned his head to look at her and smiled softly. "And you have the right to be. It’s your first case." He gave her a reassuring pat on the knee. "I promise, I won’t let anything happen to you." Darigan nodded and took a deep breath. Phoenix gave her another soft smile and returned his hand to the wheel. They drove in silence for several more minutes before he pulled into the parking lot of an out of the way dinner. Phoenix parked and got out, leaving Darigan to follow.
They entered as Phoenix again pinned his ears to hide them as they made their way to a back booth and took seats across from each other. A waitress walked up and asked if they wanted anything. They each ordered a cup of coffee. The waitress returned with their order quickly before turning her attention to costumes with more interest on spending money. They chatted lightly as they waited.
Fifteen minutes later and man dressed in jeans, running shoes, and a blue shirt walked in. His long black hair was pulled into a high ponytail and his pupil-less green eyes scanned the room. No one took any notice. Without a word that man crossed the room and slid into their booth next to Darigan. Now she could see that he had pointed ears like Lasako and fangs. He scanned Darigan with a look that made Phoenix growl.
"She’s nice. Much prettier then the last bitch." He replied without taking his eyes from Darigan, "What do you say you and I go have some fun sometime, babe?"
"Chase, have you got what we want or not?" Phoenix snapped.
"I definitely have what she wants. As for you, I don’t swing that way." Chase replied looking at Phoenix for the first time. Darigan went a very deep shade of red.
"Fuck you. Do you have information or not?" The white haired half demon ground out.
"You wouldn’t be that lucky and I always have information. What are you looking for?"
"There’s a Demon stalking a country road to the south of here."
"Yeah, I got information on that. How much are you paying?" Chase asked. Phoenix passed an envelope to him across the table. Chase picked it up the envelope and opened it. Darigan saw a large number of large bills. The demon closed the envelope and looked back at Phoenix.
"Well?" The half demon demand.
"It’s a cross-breed, half bat half mantis. The thing is fast as hell in the air and is really an only good a one strikes. Get it on the ground and avoid its first strike and you can take it easy. Its favorite attack is to hang upside down from a tree and grab the car as it passes. Damn patient thing too, can hang there for hours without moving a muscle. Low level, no human form."
"Good. Let’s go Darigan." Phoenix said getting up. Chase didn’t move.
"Excuse me." Darigan said trying to get him to move. Chase put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. Darigan’s heart leapt into her throat.
"You never did answer my question. You want to go have some fun?" His voice was low and sent a shiver down her spine. She tried to pull away only to have his grip tighten. Phoenix took this moment to intervene. In one smooth movement he pulled Chase away from her and held him off the floor.
"If I ever hear of you talking like that to Darigan again, I’m going to rip your head off wolf! You got that?" Phoenix’s voice was unlike anything Darigan had ever heard before. It was low and dangerous in a way that conveyed just how very serious he was. If this affected Chase, he hid it well. He pulled himself from Phoenix’s grasp and put his nose in the air.
"You wouldn’t dare half-breed. You need me and you know it. Catch you on the flip side, babe." With that he turned on his heels and walked out. Phoenix snorted and watched him leave. After a moment he motioned for Darigan to follow and headed for the car. They got in but Phoenix didn’t start the car.
"You ok Darigan? He didn’t hurt you did he?" His voice was gentle but still held an edge of anger.
"Yeah… yeah, I’m fine." She replied. Phoenix looked at her for a moment then started the car and headed back towards town. "Where are we going now?"
"Back to get a different car. I’m kind of fond of this one." He replied his voice and his faster then usual driving showing his anger.
"Phoenix… are you… ok?" She asked timidly, "I’ve never seen you…act that way before." Phoenix slumped a little and sighed.
"I’m sorry Darigan. But when you get to know Chase like I do…" he let the sentence trail off. She looked at him quizzically so he continued, "See, Chase isn’t the brightest crayon in the box, but he’s strong, has good connections, and is damn clever." He gave Darigan a quick sideways look, "He is the leader of a gang of wolf demons here in town. A few years back they started stirring up trouble. I was assigned to taking care of it. Chase himself wouldn’t have been a problem to eliminate, but his gang is super loyal and I couldn’t fight them all. Instead I started paying him as an informant. In return he keeps me well supplied with exclusive information and keeps his gang from causing any problems." Phoenix pulled into the garage bay and parked before speaking again. "Unfortunately he’s half right. I do need him. He is a very good informant. Chase knows what’s going on, where, and when at any given time on any given day. Hell, he knew where to meet us before you even knew that we had a case." He got out of the car and stopped to look at her in a way she had never seen before. It was full of seriousness and meaning, "But if he ever hurts you, I will personally rip his heart out and stuff it down his throat." Darigan nodded.
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Phoenix pulled to a stop on the side of the rode. He and Darigan had gotten Chinese for dinner and switched to a jeep with reinforced sides and a hard cover top. The light of day was slowly fading and the time for them to get to work was drawing near.
"You ready for this Darigan?" Phoenix asked as the last rays of light faded.
"As ready as I’ll ever be." She replied, taking a deep reassuring breath. He gave her shoulder a light squeeze.
"Then let’s go." He started the car and pulled onto the road. Darigan pulled an arrow from her quiver and notched it on the bow. Phoenix had his sword, Zar’roc, lay across his lap, ready to be drawn at a moment’s notice. The headlights shown down the deserted road before them. Phoenix’s ears twitched as he tried to pick out any sound that could give away the demon they knew was there. "Do you hear that?" Phoenix whispered.
"No. I don’t hear anything." Darigan whispered back.
"Exactly. Not even an insect is chirping. It’s like the world is holding its breath. It means we’re getting close." Phoenix took one hand off the wheel to grip the sheath of his sword. Darigan tightened her grip in her bow. Neither saw anything out of the ordinary.
Without any warning, there was a loud crunching sound all around them and the car was suddenly in the trees. The metal of the car crushed around them with loud snapping sounds. A pair of large, glowing, bug like red eyes looked through the windshield at them. Phoenix swore like sailor and lashed out with his sword. It went straight through the windshield and sliced a good chunk out of the demon’s face, blood spayed across the car. The creature gave an inhuman screech and dropped them to the ground. Without hesitation Phoenix grabbed Darigan by wrist and pulled her out of the car with him. They escaped just in time to see a huge mantis like claw impale the jeep.
Darigan looked up to see a huge green/brown monster. It was hanging upside down from a tree branch by four insect-like legs. Its head was mantis like but his had a distinctly fanged mouth like a vampire bat. Twin pairs of bat wings where half open on the back of its insect body. The blood red compound eyes glowed down at them mincingly.
Phoenix growled and brandished his sword. The monster clicked its jaws in response. Darigan gulped and re-notched her arrow. She remembered what Chase had said about its flying, if it took off they were in trouble. She stepped up to Phoenix’s shoulder and pulled back her bow.
The creature noticed her movement and struck out at her. Phoenix’s swung his sword out to meet the strike. The two met with a loud clang. Chase was right, the creature back down after a single strike and waited for the next opportunity of an opening.
"Shoot it Darigan." Phoenix whispered forcefully. Darigan narrowed her eyes and focused. She pulled the string taunt and with a twang she released the arrow. It shot through the air leaving a light blue glowing trail in its wake. The arrow met its target with and audible thud. There was a bright flashlight, causing the partners to shield their eyes. When the light cleared, the mantis-bat was gone, leaving only a pile of dust where it had once been.
Phoenix blinked. Had he seen right. With one arrow, she had destroyed the creature. Cassandra had never done that. He had always had to finish the job off or she had to use more then one arrow.
"Shit." He whispered as he sheathed his sword, "Remind me not to piss you off." Darigan blushed. They turned to the jeep. It was totaled…completely. Both sides where crushed and the windshield was completely shattered. The entire front of the vehicle was covered in a thick layer of blood. The wheels where all blown out from the fall and sticking away from the car at odd angles. Not to mention the fact that it had been impaled.
"So that was it?" Darigan asked, "I was expecting more of a battle."
"It was a low level demon," Phoenix replied with a shrug, "You can’t expect too much from them."
"So how do we get home? I don’t think that car is ever going to run again."
"It won’t. That’s why I didn’t want to take the jag. Don’t worry, someone will be by to clean up soon." He tied his sword to his waist and crouched down on the ground, "Well get on. We’ll go home the old fashioned way." Darigan strapped her bow and quiver to her back and climbed on. As soon as she was settled he leapt into the air. Darigan gave a surprised squeak and tightened her grip. Phoenix grinned.
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Phoenix was almost as a fast on his feet as he was behind the wheel. He flew through the air, leaping from building to building with ease. With out the late evening traffic of the city to get in the way, the pair had made it home in a much shorter time then if they had driven. They landed lightly on the balcony and the demon crouched down to let her off.
"That was so cool!" Darigan exclaimed as she slid to her feet.
"I’m glad you enjoyed it. We can go for a run anytime." Phoenix answered as he stood and headed for the French doors.
"Now what?" Darigan asked. Phoenix shrugged.
"Pick up where we left off and wait for our next case. If things get too dull we can pay Chase for some information and take a job for the hell of it."
"Oh." Darigan said as she dropped on to the couch, flipped on the TV, and began scanning the channels for something interesting.
"You ok?" Phoenix asked after a few minutes. "You’re being too quiet." Darigan shrugged but she was still frowning slightly, "Look if it’s about me only defending today instead of attacking the thing head on, I just wanted you to have the victory on your first case." He sounded so apologetic; Darigan had to smile at him.
"It’s not that." She reassured as he sat next to her and passed her a soda. His face twisted in concern, he could smell her distress and he didn’t like it. He put his hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes.
"What is it Darigan? What’s wrong? You know you can tell me." She nodded and took a deep breath.
"It’s just… just you said Chase knows everything that goes on in this city. And… I mean… he doesn’t know where we are…does he?" She asked, concern heavy in her voice. Phoenix raised an eyebrow in slight surprise. He leaned back into the couch and put his chin in his hand to think.
"Well… I guess he could. Never really thought about it. Why?"
"He won’t come here, will he?" Phoenix laughed, so that was what was bothering her. He couldn’t say he blamed the girl; the Company trained them in small groups of five people or less and all of the same sex. That’s where he and Logan had met. Darigan probably didn’t have any experience with guys outside himself, Logan, and Lasako; and Chase had come on rather strong.
"Even if he does, Chase ain’t that stupid." Phoenix reassured her with a firm hand on her shoulder, "Coming here would prove he knows we exist and then we’d have to kill him. And with Mina, Logan, Serena, and Lasako behind us, even his pack couldn’t do anything about it." Darigan smiled and nodded.
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Phoenix sat himself before the large stack of French Toast Darigan had made for breakfast. After his little mishap the first morning he had taken to sleeping in a T-shirt and pajama pants. This however didn’t make him anymore awake in the morning. Phoenix lazily poured syrup over the mound before cutting off a piece and beginning to eat. Glancing up he saw Darigan working her way through a much smaller stack in silence. He had grown use to, and appreciated, her morning silence. Thinking this early in the morning was likely to make him say something he’d live to regret.
Somehow, though, she looked different this morning. She was still wearing her usual sleep clothes. Her hair was still a little tousled from sleep. She didn’t look pale in anyway and her breathing sounded as it should. He tested the air. No, she did smell sick. She wasn’t even going into heat or having her monthly blood. What was different? Phoenix was about to ask when he saw her shift her weigh rather stiffly. So that was it, she was a little sore from yesterday from all her nervous tensing.
"You want to skip practice this morning? You look stiff." Phoenix stated as he took a final bit of his breakfast.
"Sure. Thanks." She answered picking up her plate and putting it in the sink. "I’m going to take a long hot shower." He nodded to her as he began to clean up the breakfast dishes. Phoenix flopped on to the couch and turned on the TV while he waited his turn in the shower. How had they fallen so easily into this routine? She was always up first and made him breakfast even though he had never asked her to. After they ate she would shower and he would clean up the dishes. When she had finished her shower it was his turn. Cassandra had never been like this; ever day with her was like a constant battle. He sighed. Why was he even thinking about that bitch?
Darigan hadn’t been kidding about her shower. She stayed in for nearly thirty minutes before Phoenix heard her get out. As he made his way towards his room to get ready he wondered if she had left him any hot water. Phoenix stopped outside the bathroom door.
"Ok Phoenix, you can have it. Sorry it took so long." Darigan called from inside. He opened to door and smiled to her as she disappeared through the door to her room dressed only in a towel. She looked more relaxed but he could still see the tension just under the skin. He turned on the water and made the quick decision to make this shower as short as possible lest there not be enough hot water.
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Phoenix stepped back into the living area to find Darigan watching TV. She was lying on her stomach on the couch not really looking like she was watching whatever was on. She had dressed in a green tank top and black pedal pushers. Every once in a while her hand would reach up and rub the back of her neck, shoulder, or upper back.
"You know you need to learn to relax when you work." He chuckled down at her from over the back of the couch.
"You delight in tormenting me don’t you?" She retorted turning her head to look up at him. Phoenix smiled and stuck out his tongue.
"Seriously though. You want me to rub your back for you?"
"Sure." She smiled her thanks. Phoenix walked around front. He took her arms and placed them over her head and pulled her hair off to one side. Casually he swung his leg over her so that he was kneeling while straddling her hips but not really sitting on her. He pulled her shirt taunt and held it in place with his knees before placing his hands on her lower back.
He began to work the muscles in firm but gentle circles, being mind full not to rip her shirt with his claw like nails. He smiled as she gave a ‘mmm’ of satisfaction and her pleasure scent started to rise. Phoenix worked his way up her back, feeling her relax under him as he worked. The longer he worked the stronger her scent grew. By the time he had made it to her shoulders his mind was starting to get a little fuzzy. The soft gratified sounds she was making weren’t helping things.
Phoenix tried to concentrate on his hands. The hands that where working on her shoulders. The shoulders connected with the graceful curve to her neck. Her neck… what did it taste like? Was it as good as her scent? Slowly he dipped his head and gave the skin a tentative lick. His body gave a slight shudder of delight and he lowered his head again. This time he was much bolder as he stared to caress the flesh with his lips, tongue, and teeth. His hands left her shoulders and, trailing his claws gently over her skin, ran up her arms. Cupping her hands in his larger ones he intertwined their fingers. With out realizing it, Phoenix left his kneeling position and let his legs slide back to mold to hers. He felt the blood in her veins speed up as he gently began to grind against her.
"Phoenix?" Her voice shattered the spell. It held hints of excitement and surprise mixed with confusion.
"Shit." He whispered and was gone.
Chapter 3
Darigan blinked. Phoenix had left, taking the warmth of his body and the heat he was creating with him. She sat up slowly and touched her neck. It was still moist and warm where his mouth had been. What just happened and where had he gone? She looked around the room. She hadn’t heard a door open or close so he hadn’t retreated to his room or any other room for that matter. But then where? He had bolted so fast she hadn’t had a chance to see.
Phoenix leaned heavily in the balcony railing. A swift breeze pulled at his hair, causing it to toss and twist in the wind. He was grateful for such a current. It made clearing his head easier. What just happened? What possessed him to do that? He licked his lips and found he could still taste her. A shudder ran down his spine. What was she going to think of him? He’d just told her not to worry about a jackass like Chase and then he had to go and…
"Phoenix?" Darigan’s voice asked. He tilted his head to see her standing in the doorway. She looked strangely surprised and confused. Her hand was rubbing gently at her neck. He quickly looked away, using his hair to hide his face.
"Darigan … I… I didn’t… I mean… what I’m trying to say is… I’m sorry." He stumbled. He felt her move to him and place a hand on his shoulder.
"It’s ok. No harm done." She said reassuringly. In one swift movement he had grabbed her hand away and turned to look her straight in the eyes.
"No. It’s not ok. I had no right to touch you like that!" He snapped. After a moment he slumped slightly and released her before turning back to look over the city. "Look, I want to make it up to you."
"You don’t have too…"
"I want to. How about dinner, somewhere nice, my treat." He replied firmly.
"If it will make you feel better…"
"It will." He said looking over his shoulder at her.
"Ok then."
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Phoenix pulled out Darigan’s chair for her and motioned for her to sit. He had been as good as his word. The restaurant was amazing. He had gotten a table very much like Lasako had done for them on her first day. It was completely private, set apart from the rest of the restaurant with velvet ropes and ‘reserved’ signs. Their table was set in a terrace garden complete with dance area and lit Koi pond. Darigan wore a form fitting black dress that ended six inches above her knee and spaghetti string straps that tied behind her head. Phoenix was dressed in black pants and sports jacket over a white silk shirt.
"This is very nice." Darigan said softly as he took his seat opposite her.
"I’m glad." He smiled, "I’d like to apologize again for my actions this morning."
"Phoenix, for the millionth time. It’s ok. I forgive you." Darigan said in exasperation. He had been apologizing all day and was starting to really get on her nerves. "Why are you so hung up on this?"
"I just don’t want you to think of me like I did my last partner." He replied softly.
"What do you mean?" Darigan asked. Phoenix pursed his lips as if to think while they waited for the waiter to finish filling their water glasses and giving them their menus. Once they were alone again he began.
"You’re my third partner so far Darigan. The first was Logan. We graduated together and I guess someone thought we made a pretty good team." He paused and made as if to study his menu, "About six months ago they split us up in favor of giving us each a rookie female partner. Logan got Mina and I got a girl by the name of Cassandra." He paused again and studied her.
"So…"
" Darigan, how much do you know about how the Company assigns partners?"
"Uh… nothing really."
"Well, The Company is very much a self sustaining entity. Staff wise anyway. Kids are born to parent that don’t exist so therefore they do not exist either. There are some exceptions, like you for example. But for the most part, children join the Company once they’re old enough. Anyway, that’s beside the point. Most of the time partners are assigned as male and female in hopes they will fall in love and have children. But it’s not a requirement. Like Logan’s parents went to the Company together. Lasako’s mom was an informant for my father before she died and he met my mother who was also an informant. Mina is a direct descendant of a race of demon exterminators that goes back to the feudal era, and so on."
"Anyway, Cassandra and I really didn’t get along. It wasn’t that she was bad at her job, really more of a personality conflict. She was always so stiff and cold, a very high and mighty sort of person. She wasn’t exactly emotionally stable either. But I had to put up with her. According to the Company two people have to be partners for a full year before you can put in for a new partner, unless there are extenuating circumstances." Darigan started to ask, "I’ll get to that. Somehow Cassandra got it in her head that ALL partners fall in love. So she kept… well… for example, once I got out of the shower to find her sprawled out on my bed dressed in only her unmentionables." He shook his head as if to clear it. "Those sort of things happened all the time. I was almost glad when she shot me."
"She SHOT you!" Darigan almost yelled.
"Yep," He said, patting his chest over his heart, "Just about an inch above my heart. It gave me an excuse to get rid of her and get you instead." She smiled, "I just remember how it made me feel when she did those sort of things to me and I didn’t want you to feel that way around me." He leaned close to her and smiled softly before adding in a voice just above a whisper, "I really like you Darigan. I don’t want you to leave me." He reached out a grasped her hand gently. Darigan felt her heart flutter.
"Phoenix…" She whispered as a blush crept lightly across her face. They stayed that way for a long time.
"Can I take your order?" The waiter interrupted. Phoenix gave a soft growl.
"I’ll have the Shrimp Linguine." He answered in annoyance as he pulled his hand away.
"The Chicken Spaghetti, please." Darigan said softly.
"Very good. And what wine?"
"Montepulciano d'Abruzzo."
"Very good sir." With that the waiter left. Darigan looked at him in surprise.
"What?"
"You know your wines. It just surprised me." Darigan confessed. Phoenix chuckled.
"Once you have enough dinners with Lasako, you will too."
The rest of the evening passed without event. The two talked about things in general, the earlier moments forgotten. After dinner, Phoenix took her hand and escorted her out on to the small dance floor. Four men with a violin, cello, bass, and viola appeared and began to play. He gave her a bright smile before taking her hand in his and placing his other hand on her hip. She smiled back and rested her hand on his forearm as they began to dance. They didn’t speak; there was really no need to. Each understood the other. Neither was sure how long they had been dancing when Kagome’s head dropped sleepily onto his shoulder.
"Darigan?" He asked softly. She muttered something incoherent in response. He wrapped an arm around her for support as he signaled the band to stop. They complied. Phoenix was very thankful he had paid for all this before hand, trying to do so with a sleeping girl would be very difficult. The band packed up as he picked Darigan up bridle style and headed back towards the main restaurant.
***********************************************************
Phoenix pushed Darigan’s door open with his foot and walked in. Darigan was curled in his arms, still soundly asleep. She hadn’t stirred since she fell asleep in his arms, not even when he had driven home, or unlocked the door to their home. Their home… when had he started thinking of it as such? He walked to her bed and lay her down. She curled into herself as he pulled away. He took a moment to take off her shoes before stepping back to think. He could wake her so she could change into sleep clothes or let her sleep as she was. She looked so peaceful, but she wouldn’t sleep well in that dress.
"Phoenix…" she muttered in her sleep. He blinked in surprise. She was dreaming about him. "Phoenix…don’t leave…me…"
"I’m here Darigan. I won’t leave you." He whispered back softly as he sat lightly on her bed.
"Stay…" she stirred and turned over.
"Stay where?"
"Stay…with me…"
"You’re a little too asleep for me to comply with that." He replied softly. Her face contorted slightly.
"Phoenix…sit…" He just blinked. Maybe he should wake her… Gently he took her shoulder and shook. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at him. "Phoenix? How did I get back here?"
"I carried you. Did you have a nice dream?"
"What are you talking about?" she asked as she tried to sit up on her bed.
"You called my name, told me not to leave, stay with you, and sit."
"Sit? Why would I tell you to sit?"
"Hell if I know. I woke you so you could change. Sleep well." He finished before leaving her.
************************************************************
The next week went by without event. The pair woke, had breakfast, practiced, crashed to watch TV or play video games, Darigan would make lunch, and they would go out for the afternoon. Dinner varies between eating out and Darigan cooking. The events of and reasons behind their ‘date’ faded into the past. Phoenix leaned back on the couch as he watched Darigan working intently on the newest Zelda game. She had gotten it the day it hit the shelves and had yet to play anything else.
His ear flickered at a sound just out side the door. It was a soft sound, far too soft for Darigan’s ears. He looked back over his shoulder to see a folder slide under the door. Phoenix stood and retrieved it. He flipped it over and scanned the contents.
"Oi, Darigan. We got work." He called. She paused her game and looked over at him with a pout.
"And I was about to beat the third boss too." She took a moment to save before looking back at him. "Do we have to see Chase?"
"Afraid so." He replied. Phoenix saw a look pass over her face. He frowned, stepped closed to her, and put a hand on her shoulder. "Don’t worry. I won’t let him even get close to you." He promised and gave her forehead a chaste kiss. She smiled and nodded.
***********************************************************
Darigan slid into the booth at the back of the diner and Phoenix sat next to her. The waitress quickly arrived with their coffee. It wasn’t long before Chase showed up. He stopped next to the table and looked over the situation.
"What the hell do you think you’re doing sitting next to my woman, dog-turd?"
"She isn’t your woman and she asked me to. Now sit down and let’s get to business." Chase narrowed his eyes at them before sliding into the seat opposite. "We need info on a highway man, he’s said to be attacking anyone who picks him up." Phoenix said as he slid the envelope across the table. Chase picked it up and examined the contents, the dark frown never leaving his face. He pursed his lips a pocketed the envelope.
"Yeah, it’s pretty simple. The guy is a support to be 1/6 turtle demon. He’s got a taste for human flesh that harkens back to the old days. Slow on his feet, but a very quick and accurate strike. And if he gets hold of you there will be hell to pay." With that he stood and walked out. They watched him go in silence before following.
The pair climbed into their gold Tahoe with out a word. Darigan fastened her seat belt as Phoenix started the car and proceeded to drive like a maniac. They stayed silent as the half-demon dodged car along the freeway heading to the northern part of the city.
"Phoenix…" Darigan asked softly.
"Yeah?"
"Do… do demons really eat humans?"
"Some do." He answered giving her a sideways look, "I’m not going to hurt you." He reassured softly.
"I know you won’t." She said with a smile, "But would Chase…" Phoenix shook his head and chuckled.
"No, Chase is interested in you as a woman not food. It’s usually only low level demons that do that now a days." Darigan visibly slumped. "However, don’t let your guard down around that wolf. He won’t eat you, but he isn’t above using you. I’ve seen many girls fall for him only to get their heart broken after he got what he wanted." Darigan nodded her understanding as they turned off the main road and onto a single lane highway.
"So what’s the plan?" Darigan asked.
"Well… we can’t make a scene. So we’ll need to actually pick him up. Unfortunately that will put us in a confined space. We’ll probably end up destroying another car. Also you need to unbuckle, I don’t want you pinned to your seat when he gets in." Darigan nodded and unfastened her seat belt.
"You promise not to drive like the hounds of hell are chasing us?"
"Promise." He smiled as he too unfastened his seat belt. The Phoenix gave her a bright smile before pushing the gas pedal all the way to the floor. Darigan squealed in protest and Phoenix howled with laughter. He relaxed his foot and the SUV slowed to a more reasonable speed. "Oops." He grinned looking for all the world like it was no mistake.
"I am so not making you breakfast tomorrow." Darigan pouted.
"Awww, Darigan." He gave her his best puppy eyes, "But you’re such a good cook. What will I do if I don’t have your delicious cooking to wake me up in the morning?"
"Humph. You should have thought of that before… hey is that him?" Darigan pointed out the front wind at a man a little ways down the road. His clothing was dull and well worn and he lacked any shoes. The man’s skin looked a strange, seeming to have a sickly green tint to it and he stood slightly hunch-backed. He had a thick-knotted black hair and reptilian facial features. He thumbed for a ride with over grown fingernails… that resembled Phoenix’s claws.
"I think so." Phoenix agreed as he pulled to a stop next to the man and rolled down the window. "Hello friend, you goin’ our way?"
"Sure… am." The man said very slowly.
"Well got in." Phoenix invited. The man nodded and went to the back door of the car. He took his time getting in, and settling.
"Thanks… for… the… lift." He said slowly, "I’m… really… just… looking… for… a bite… to eat."
"Can we drop you off somewhere?" Darigan asked kindly. The man leaned forward.
"What… was… that? I’m… a little… hard… of hearing?" He leaned closed to Darigan and cupped his ear as if to catch her words more clearly.
"I asked if we could drop you off any where?" Darigan said turning back slightly. In that instant the man grabbed her throat. Phoenix didn’t even hesitate and punched the guy in the head. The man reeled, but kept a tight grip on Darigan’s throat, his claws starting to dig into the flesh and draw blood. Phoenix hit him again, sending his head into the window with a sickening crack, spider webbing the glass and tenting it red. But still didn’t release Darigan. The young woman, for her part, was desperately clawing at his hand as her face started to turn blue. Suddenly her brow furrowed and she glowed soft blue. The turtle-man’s hand began to burn, smoking and sizzling. He finally let go with a yelp of pain.
Phoenix took the opening. In an instant he drew his sword and sliced the man vertically. Blood sprayed the back of the car, ruining the nice leather interior. Not that it particularly mattered. Phoenix had managed to not only slice the man, but most of the car in half. Darigan wasn’t sure how, but until this point her partner had managed to keep the car running straight and at an even speed. Now with the back axle cut in half, he pulled off the road rather ungracefully.
"You ok Darigan?" He asked instantly and leaned over to inspect her neck.
"Yeah, fine." She said reaching up and touched her neck. Wincing she pulled her hand away covered in blood. Phoenix frowned.
"Let’s get you home." He commanded. She nodded as they got out of the totaled car. Phoenix took a quick look around to make sure no one was around before sweeping Darigan up bridle style and leapt into the air.
*********************************************************
Phoenix landed on the balcony of their pent house with a grim look on his face. He gave the French doors a soft kick to open them. The half demon only stopped when he came to crouch and set Darigan down. He took a seat next to her and gently lifted her chin. The five puncture wounds at her throat where still bleeding. The hot liquid painted her neck and was soaking into her green fire-rat shirt.
"Hold still and trust me." He said firmly but gently. Before she could answer he dipped his head and licked her neck, gently drawing his tongue over the wounds. It stung a little at first but then turned soothing. The licking wasn’t like what he had done the other day; it was more…dog like. After a minute he pulled away and examined her throat again. "I think I got them all. You better go clean up."
"What did you do?" Darigan asked rubbing her now still slick but unhurt neck. She pulled her hand away to find it covered in blood and saliva.
"Healing saliva." He said getting up and heading for the kitchen.
"That’s useful." Darigan said as she headed for the shower. Phoenix watched as she disappeared into her room. He poured himself a glass of milk and downed it slowly. Concentrated on the taste of the milk instead of the taste of Darigan. The sound of the shower being turned on was only making things harder. Closing his eyes he could almost see the water running over her naked body. He sighed. He was going to need a shower himself now…a cold shower. He didn’t even notice that Darigan had gotten out of the shower until she called out to him.
"Phoenix…" she gasped weakly. He turned to find she holding on to the doorframe with one hand and holding her towel up with the other. Her face was flushed and she looked unhealthily pale. Her eyes seemed glazed and unseeing. "I don’t… I don’t feel… so good." Suddenly she fell. Phoenix rushed to her, and only managed to catch her before she hit floor thanks to his demon speed.
" Darigan!" he called to her as he settled her head in his lap. She was burning up and her scent was weak and sickly. How had she gotten sick so quickly? She had been fine just a few minutes ago. She opened her eyes weakly and gave a soft groan. Phoenix leaned close to her and sniffed. Poison. He could smell it coursing through her veins.
Chapter 4
Phoenix tucked the blankets up around Darigan. Her face was burning up but the rest of her body was freezing. She was shaking from head to toe and her eyes where staring up at the ceiling with out really seeing. He was at a loss. They had trained him to deal with many things during his time at the Company, but this was totally new to him. He wiped the sweat from her face with a cloth before reaching for his phone. He hit a button and put it to his ear. It rang once… twice…
"Hello." Logan’s voice answered.
"Logan, get everyone together and get over here now. Something is really wrong with Darigan and I have no idea what to do!" Phoenix was staring to panic. It wasn’t healthy for her to be this warm, but if he cooled her down the rest of her body would freeze. Logan must have sensed his distress.
"Ok Phoenix, we’ll be there as soon as we can." Phoenix dropped the phone to the floor without waiting for good-bye. Running a clawed hand through his hair and tried to calm down. He needed to cool her face. He jumped to his feet and rushed back to his own room. When her returned a moment later he was carrying a portable fan. He plugged it in and set it on her desk, pointing at her face. Next he retrieved a bowl of cool water and a washcloth. He wet the cloth and wiped her face, letting the water and wind do the work.
When the sound of someone knocking reached his ears he leapt up and rushed to the door. He opened it to find Logan, Mina, Serena, and Lasako standing there. Phoenix didn’t bother to invite them in, instead rushed back to Darigan without a word. The others exchanged looks and quickly followed. They found Phoenix sitting on the edge of Darigan’s bed slowly wiping her flushed face with a wet cloth. Lasako visibly winced at the smell of sickness.
"Move over and let me have a look." Logan said firmly. Phoenix obeyed. Logan may be a lecher but even he wouldn’t try anything under these circumstances. He ran a hand over her face, then pulled down the blankets just enough to touch her shoulder. He frowned deeply as he examined her eyes and mouth. Phoenix paced like a caged tiger as he worked. Lasako would have poked fun at his younger sibling, had the situation not been so grave. "I’ve no idea. Best I know, it’s some form of poison, but nothing I’ve ever seen." Logan announced after a long examination. Phoenix gave a growl of frustration and anger.
"Lasako, you know a lot about poison." Phoenix said turning to his brother.
"What are her symptoms?"
"Hot face, freezing body, she’s completely unresponsive since she collapsed." Phoenix was talking very fast and had yet to stop pacing.
"What preceded this illness?"
"We had a job. A 1/6 turtle demon highwayman. He got a hold of her neck and punctured the skin at her neck with his claws. I cleaned to wound myself. She took a shower to wash away the blood. Then she came out. Said she didn’t feel well and collapsed." Phoenix had taken to speaking in a half-sentences now. Lasako rested his chin in his hand as he thought.
"WELL!!!" Phoenix demanded after several minutes of silence.
"I’d say some form of demon poison, but it’s hard to tell much else. Perhaps it is a combination of some sort."
"That’s doesn’t help me damn it!!!" Phoenix growled. He was pacing faster now. Serena was taking her turn looking over the ailing girl. Mina had taken the job of wiping her face to try and cool her.
"Do you think Fricaya can help?" Serena asked, looking up from her work. Phoenix turned a questioning eye to his brother.
"No, I fear not. Fricaya heals wounds of the flesh, not poisoning of the blood." Lasako answered with a sad shake of his head. The room lapsed into a thick silence, except for Phoenix’s pacing and growling, as each tried to solve the mystery illness plaguing their newest member.
"CHASE!" Phoenix shouted so loudly and suddenly that it made them all jump, "That god damn son of a bitch didn’t tell us that damn turtle was poisonous!"
"Then perhaps we should pay your wolf informant a little visit." Lasako said coolly. "Mina, Serena, stay with Darigan. Logan, Phoenix let’s go."
********************************************************
Lasako had to forcibly wrench the keys from Phoenix’s grasp. He had ridden with his brother before, and doing so when he was this mad would probably be the death of them all. Lasako took the driver’s seat and Logan the passenger’s seat, leaving Phoenix to get in the back of the Durango. Phoenix fidgeted and cursed the whole way across town. As soon as they pulled up to the old wear house, the half demon jumped from the car with the others close on his heels.
Chase leaned back on his nice comfy sofa. The warehouse didn’t look like much from the outside, but inside it was furnished with the best money could buy. A good bit of that money came from being Phoenix’s informant, but a lot also came from… other places. But his reliability made Phoenix and his friends turn a blind eye to most of his actions. He glanced around. His close pack was all here. He had other smaller packs holed away all over the city, but this was his main one. It was late and most of his lackeys where curling up for the night. It was then that Chase’s happy little world came crashing down.
The doors to the warehouse came flying across the room. Standing in the doorway, foot still raised from kicking the doors in, was Phoenix. Lasako and Logan stood with him looking none too happy. In a flash Phoenix crossed the room, grabbed Chase by the throat and slammed him into the opposite wall. The pack was instantly on it feet growling in low threatening manner. With some agile leaps, Lasako and Logan took up defensive positions behind Phoenix and Chase. The pack backed down and waited for its leader’s orders.
"Why didn’t you tell me the turtle was poisonous!" Phoenix yelled. Chase was struggling to breathe at this point, scratching at Phoenix’s hand and kicking at the air.
"It was… only…1/6. I … didn’t think… it would…make a… difference." Chase choked out. Blood was starting leak from his neck where Phoenix’s claws punctured the skin. "What’s wrong… dog breath… not feeling… so good?" Phoenix growled and slammed Chase against the wall again, eliciting a whimper of pain and causing spider web cracks in the wall.
"No you dumbass." He growled back, " Darigan is the one who is sick." Chase looked mildly surprised and guilty. "Now I want to know what’s wrong, how to fix it, and I want to know NOW!"
"Can’t breath!" Chase protested. Phoenix growled and threw him down. Chase yelped as he bounced slightly. Phoenix ignored him, pulling out his sword and put it to Chase’s throat.
"Talk!"
"It’s part paralyzing toxin, part digestive toxin. The purpose is to keep the prey from running while starting the digestive process. But since it’s a demon poison and Darigan has holy powers, she should be able to fight it. There is no cure, the illness will just have to run its course." Chase coughed out, leaning as far away from the blade as he could manage. Phoenix suddenly reached down, grabbed Chase by the front of his shirt, and pulled him up face to face.
"You better pray to all the gods you know she make it through this. If she dies so do you. And it won’t be pretty." Chase nodded and gulped. Phoenix threw him against the wall again and turned to storm off. The pack closed ranks around the three intruders. Phoenix and Lasako both brandished their swords, Logan his staff.
"Stand down." Kouga ordered hoarsely. This pack didn’t have enough members to take on three members of the Agency and hope to come out alive, much less win. The pack members growled but parted to let them pass through.
***************************************************************
Darigan found herself in a world she couldn’t even describe. Swirls of black, purple, and blood red danced all around her. She felt like she was falling but there was no wind and the speed of her decent was increasing by the second. She tried to cry out, call for help, but the words where extinguished as soon as they passed her lips. The colors where staring to change. The black was fading to bright blue, the purple to violet, and the red to hot pink. They swirled and mingled until she felt the sight would make her sick. She tried to shut her eyes, but they wouldn’t cooperate. She tried to cover her ears as an unearthly roar screamed up around her.
Suddenly she came to a stop, everything went black, and all sound ceased. Kagome moved and found that she was submerged in black liquid up to the base of her neck. She could fell some sort of solid ground under her feet. The liquid was freezing. A searing wind rushed over her face as if someone had just opened an oven door. But it didn’t stop and seemed to be coming from all directions at once. She tried to duck under the liquid to relieve the burning, but found she could not. Nor could she raise her body from the solution. The combination of hot dry air and freezing fluid was making it hard to breathe.
Desperate to escape, she turned in place to look for a way out. It seemed that the blackness around her was endless. Tears started to form in her eyes, but the heated wind dried them before they could fall.
"Phoenix…" she whimpered, only to find she couldn’t hear her own voice. She turned in place again, her searching becoming more desperate. It felt like she had been here for an eternity. Then she saw it. Far away, a warm, safe, golden light. No more then a pinprick on the horizon. It seemed to call to her. Darigan moved towards it only to find the water seemed to be trying to stop her. It grew colder and seemed to be turning to gelatin. Darigan clenched her jaw and worked harder. There was something about that light that this horrible place was trying to keep from her. She would make it. She had too.
It seemed to take a lifetime to move one step closer to her light, her hope. But slowly, ever so slowly, she pushed towards it. Now she found herself only a few yards away. She coughed violently from heat, cold, and exhaustion. Looking up she saw where the light was coming from. It was a figure; humanoid in shape, standing perched on a small island of land. The light seemed to be coming from all around it and made looking straight into it very painful. Still she looked, squinting against the brightness to see. As if she had made some audible request the light suddenly faded around the figure to show it’s true form. It was Phoenix and he was smiling warmly down at her. He reached out to her. Darigan wanted to run to him, but the liquid had solidified to ice around her, holding her fast. The warm smile never wavered, instead he descend from his patch of land to go to her. The ice before him melted and parted as the Red Sea had done for Moses. She felt surprised when she could hear water moving and his footsteps across the dry ground. The hot wind died as he approached her as well. As he reached her, the ice holding her captive melted away to reveal her naked body.
"So… cold…" she whimpered softly. He stepped up and wrapped her in a warm embrace. The heat from his body was seeping into her frigid skin. He held her close as if she might disappear if he let go for even a second.
"Come back to me Darigan." He whispered to her. She felt herself nod into his chest and the world around them fade to nothing.
*************************************************************
Phoenix sat on the edge of her bed slowly wiping the sweat from her brow and trying to find way to warm her body. So far nothing had worked. She had been catatonic for three days now, not even blinking. Breathing seemed to the only thing she was capable of doing, and even then it was labored at best. They had been feeding her hot chicken broth, but she could only take a little at a time – no more then a spoonful. He hadn’t left her side since returning from Chase’s. The others had left and come back many times, but he had lost count. They often brought food, but couldn’t persuade him to take more then a few bites.
Late last night she started to move as if struggling against an unseen force. He knew, because he had been there. Sitting by her side, not sleeping until she woke. Serena and Mina had offered to stay with her while he slept, but even in his restless slumber he worried too much to make the sleep worthwhile. He wiped her face again. Her face was getting hotter and her body colder. Suddenly she coughed violently. He jumped in surprise.
"Darigan?" It sounded more like a plea then a question. She lay still and did not reply. Biting his lip he checked her pulse. It was still there, and to his surprise getting stronger. Her pulse hadn’t changed in days, always soft, slow, and steady.
"So…cold…" She whispered so softly had he not had demon hearing he would have missed it.
"Come back to me Darigan." He replied. Her head nodded and her eyes closed. He sat frozen, hovering over her. His eyes widened as he watched the flush drain from her face and color return to her shoulders. Her heartbeat became strong again and her breathing deepened. She turned away from him and groaned. He could have shouted with joy. She hadn’t moved in so long that he wasn’t sure she would ever do so again. Her eyes fluttered open again, but this time they were focused and alert.
"Phoenix…" She called weakly.
"I’m here." He said softly. She turned to look at him. Bright tears pooled in her eyes. She reached out a hand and touched his face as if she wasn’t sure he was real. Her fingers where still freezing and he cupped the tiny frail hand in his larger one to warm it.
"I thought I’d lost you." He whispered, more to himself then her. Tears started to make their way down her pretty face. "Shhh, Darigan. I’m here now." He said softly. She smiled softly before scooting closer and laying her head in his lap. He was a little surprised by the gesture, but just stroked her soft hair and spoke comforts to her as she nodded her head in agreement and sighed softly.
"I’m so cold and hungry." Her voice sounded strained for not being used. "What happened?"
"You got poisoned by that Turtle demon three days ago. You’ve been completely out of it. You had us all scared." He replied softly. "I’m going to make you some soup. Ok."
"Sure. Just not anything chicken." She replied lifting her head from his lap. He chuckled and got up. Phoenix looked back at her once more before exiting the room. When he returned he was carrying a tray of tomato soup, a small stack of crackers, and a glass of juice on a tray. He placed it before her as she sat up. Mina and Serena had dressed her in an over sized shirt while the boys were ‘visiting’ Chase.
"Do you need any help?" He asked. Darigan gave him a strange look and he smiled. Her face suddenly changed to one he had never seen before. "What?" He asked slightly concerned, "Are you ok?"
"Yeah," Darigan replied with a shake of her head.
"Ok." He replied still not convinced, "I’m going to run you a bath."
"Make sure the water is hot." Darigan said quickly.
"…Ok…" He replied, furrowing his brew at her strange behavior. He left the room for the bathroom, leaving the door open. Darigan worked on her soup and crackers as he ran steaming water. On a whim he tossed in some bubble bath. It was something Logan had recommended and had herbs to help with healing and relaxation. He had double-checked it with Serena to make sure it had no lecherous undertones. Phoenix watched as thick foam of pink bubbles rose to cover the crystal clear water. Darigan was just finishing up the last of her meal when he returned to her, bath towel in hand. He handed her the towel and gave her his back as she pulled off the shirt and replaced it with the towel.
"Ready." She announced softly. He turned back and helped her out of the bed. After being ice cold and catatonic for nearly three days, she was understandably stiff. He resisted the urge to pick her up and carry her. She needed to stretch her muscles if she wanted to get her strength back. He steadied her by holding her forearms. Slowly and carefully they made their way to the bathroom.
Darigan sat down carefully on the rim of the large bathtub and dipped her hand through the foam to test the water tempter. It was very warm, but not burning. She swung her legs around and dipped her feet in. Her chilled skin got goosebumps at the sudden warmth. Slowly she slid her legs deeper until the feet met solid ground only two and a half feet down. She glanced over her shoulder to find Phoenix sitting with his back to her, but his ears focused back. She carefully slid the towel off her body and let it drop to the ground before slipping the rest of the way into her bath.
(33)
Phoenix’s eyes opened wide when her heard the towel hit the floor. He had picked the bathing towel so she could keep it on. Why on earth would she take it off? He heard her shift and settle in the water. It really didn’t matter if she wore the towel or not. The water was covered in foam and his back was turned.
"Phoenix?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you feeling well?"
"You’re the one who’s sick. Why are you asking?"
"You look pale and tired."
"I’ve been taking care of you for three days."
"So what? Did you not eat or sleep the whole time?" Darigan teased. He didn’t answer. "Phoenix?"
"I was worried ok." It came out sharper then he intended. "Sorry."
"I’m glad to have you worry over me." She reassured. They lapsed into a comfortable silence. Just enjoying each other’s company. The sound of water-moving fill Inuyasha’s ears as Darigan shifted to lean over the edge of the tub and look at him. He shifted, not liking the fact he couldn’t tell what she was thinking.
"Phoenix?"
"Hummm?"
"Do… do you… do you like me?"
"Of course I like you. What kind of question is that?"
"No, I mean do you like me like me?" he turned fully around to look at her in surprise. Catching himself he turned back around a heavy blush on his cheeks. He hadn’t seen anything because of her position and the bubbles, but the knowledge that she was naked was enough. He really didn’t know how to answer her. Yes sounded like a good answer, but at the same time didn’t want to scare her. She was still sick he could smell it. What if she wasn’t in her right mind? Unsure he decided his best course was to turn her question back on her.
"Do you like me?" It was Darigan’s turn to fall silent.
"I’m…not sure." She replied softly.
"I’m not sure either." He agreed. "You’re a very sweet, pretty, girl and a great cook. But I don’t want to push you into something you’re not ready for. Especially now, with you sick and all."
"I understand. You’re sweet too. And I like your ears too." Phoenix blushed again.
Phoenix’s ears swiveled. He opened his eyes to meet the darkness. Why had he woken? He glanced at his clock to find it read 1:07 am. Fuck, he was only a couple hours into the first goodnight’s sleep he’d had in some time, what could have roused him at this ungodly hour? His ears twitched again, picking up on the faintest sound coming from the bathroom door. Sitting up in bed he looked. Darigan was standing in the doorway, one hand on the doorframe the other holding a blanket tightly around her. She looked pale and scared.
" Darigan …?" he asked sleepily.
"It’s so dark." She replied meekly. Phoenic blinked at her. She was afraid of the dark? Since when? She had been acting very strangely since she ‘woke’ from her sickness. First she had insisted on a hot bath, as if he would run a cold one with her body already icy. Then she had asked about how he felt towards her. Now she had come into his room in the dead of night because she was afraid of the dark. This was just weird.
Furrowing his brow, Phoenix got out of bed and crossed to her. As soon as he was only a few feet from her, she suddenly threw her arms around him and held on for dear life. A little surprised, he cautiously closed his arms around her. With out thinking about it he scooped her up bridle style and carried her to sit on his bed, setting her beside him.
"Darigan, are you feeling ok?" He asked carefully. He studied her face through the darkness for signs of a relapse. Her only replied was to shake her head. "What is it? You’re acting strange."
"I had a bad dream." Her voice sounded so small, as if she feared what he might say.
"It’s only a dream." He replied gently, placing a hand on her shoulder for reassurance. She shook her head again. "Do you want to talk about it?" She bit her lip and looked up at him.
"It… I fell. It was dark and then so bright and loud. Then… I… Landed in something… cold and wet. Everything was black and there was no sound. The… the air was so hot…" Phoenix blinked and realized this was while she was sick. "Then… there was this light…" she stopped and looked up at him.
"Go on." He urged.
"The ‘stuff’…it didn’t want me to go to the light…It was hard to move... But I wanted to go. So… I worked really hard to get there…the closer I got the colder the water got and the harder it was to move through." She paused again and bit her lip apprehensively. Phoenix gave her an encouraging look. "When… when I got there… the water turned to ice… so I couldn’t get any closer. And…and I looked up… and the light… was… the light was coming from you." She dropped her head and averted her eyes. Phoenix’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You melted the ice… and made me warm again…Then I woke up and there you where." Darigan finished softly, still not looking at him.
Phoenix was at a loss for what to say. It all fell into place now. The want for hot water rather then cold, the sudden fear of the dark and being alone there in, and her strange questions about feelings. Darigan was still looking away. Gently he picked her up, causing her to look at him in surprise. He laid her down on the bed and wrapped her in the blanket she still clung to. Then he slipped under the covers and drew as close to her as the separating comforters would allow. Gently he nuzzled her temple.
"I’ll always be right beside you." He whispered as he felt her shift into a more comfortable position and drift off to sleep.
************************************************************
Phoenix woke to the rousing smell of breakfast. Oh yeah, things where back to normal. Opening his sleepy eyes, he sat up. He remembered last night and blushed. It was an awfully bold move, even though it was completely innocent. Looking around he found her blanket abandoned on his bed. He sighed and the smell of chocolate chip pancakes and cake filled his senses. Chocolate? Cake? This early in the morning? Maybe she was still a little sick.
Phoenix dragged himself out of bed and into the main room. He stopped in the doorway and blinked a few times in surprise. Darigan was bustling about the kitchen hard at work. A large stack of pancakes sat at each place along with butter, syrup, and coffee. What surprised him however, was Darigan. She was usually quiet and composed in the morning. But she currently looked like she had eaten too many chocolate chips while making breakfast.
" Darigan?" He asked as he took his place at the table.
"What kinds of cookies do you like?"
"Umm… white chocolate macadamia nut. Why?"
"I’ll make you some ok?" She said brightly.
"Ok…" He replied a little unsure of what else to say.
A few hours later when the other arrived they happened upon a rather interesting scene. Phoenix was half-sitting half-leaning on the arm of the couch dressed in a crisp red shirt and loose black jeans. He was watching Darigan very intently. Darigan was in a yellow tank top and shorts working her heart out in the kitchen. She was currently icing a three-layer cake with chocolate frosting. Nearby were three different types of cookies and a sheet cake that had already been finished. The oven seemed to be on behind her and she was humming happily.
"Well, some one looks like they’re feeling better." Lasako drawled.
"How long has she been at this?" Logan asked eyeing all the sweets.
"No idea." Phoenix answered, "She already had one cake finished when I woke up along with all the chocolate chip pancakes I could eat and then some. The cookies appeared after that, then the second cake, now she working on another cake."
"Sounds like Darigan’s a stress cooker." Mina answered.
"Stress cooker?" Phoenix asked.
"She seeks to relieve stress by cooking." Serena answered, "Like when you get mad you practice fighting. Well, she cooks."
"She made you chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast." Logan whined, "Mina never makes me breakfast."
"I don’t see you bouncing out of bed to cook for me either." Mina retorted.
"Who could want to rise when there is such a beauty at my side?” Logan countered with a bright, lecherous grin.
"I have never shared a bed with you!" Mina snapped and hit him in the head. Unseen by the rest a light blush colored Phoenix’s face.
"I was speaking hypothetically." Logan protested as he nursed his head.
"Harumph!" was Minas only reply.
"Does she cook for you often little brother?" Lasako teased.
"Yes. Breakfast every morning and lunch if I best her in sword practice, some times dinner too. She is a very good cook." Phoenix answered without thinking. Logan and Lasako gave their respective partners a ‘why-can’t-you-do-that’ look.
"Hi everyone." Darigan chirped as she pulled the latest cake from the oven. "Phoenix told me how helpful you all were, so I made you all cake and cookies. There’s milk and ice cream in the ice box." Lasako, Serena, Logan, and Mina all smiled appreciation. Phoenix just sighed in relief; grateful that he didn’t have to eat it all by himself.
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