Nightbreed

Yunomi’s Story-Book Three

The two women looked at each other and grinned knowingly. They were still on the same wavelength. Yunomi grabbed her knife and they headed toward the door, mindspeaking their plan to Reaper and Kane as they went. The two Lords looked up from their beers to watch the women leave.
“Should we go with them?” Kane wondered.
“No, they know what they’re doing. If they need help, they’ll call.” Reaper got up and pulled two more beers out of the ice box. “Sandia’s a tough girl,” he said, handing a beer to Kane. “She did a lot of good work for me.”
Kane bristled for an instant, then realized his brother was being complimentary. “So you no longer claim her as your minion?” he asked.
Reaper looked mildly puzzled, as if he hadn’t thought about it. “She blamed me for Yunomi’s death,” he finally said. “I just...let her go. She was so angry...I didn’t know what to do with her.”
“Sandia and Yunomi were great friends,” Kane stated.
“Were?”
“Your Union confuses her. She thinks you are absorbing Yunomi somehow, that there is too much of you in her. That’s what they were talking about.”
“Well, they seem to have settled things enough to go hunting together. We can see them through the windows, let’s go look.”

Yunomi and Sandia had split up and gone around opposite ends of the block to cut off any escape route for the Goblin. Sandia approached the creature and drew its attention. “Hey, dude, what’s up? Checkin’ out the windows, eh? See anything good?”

Yunomi came up behind the Goblin and caught it in a choke hold, her knife pressed against its heart.
“Don’t wiggle too much, friend, my blade is very sharp. Let’s take a walk, okay?” The women herded the unlucky Goblin across the street and into an alley. Yunomi kept her knife close to their victim.
“Do you know who I am?” Sandia questioned.
“The minion of the Dark Lord,” quavered the Goblin.
“And who am I?” queried Yunomi.
“I don’t know, ma’am.”
“Why were you watching?” Yunomi took over the questioning. She pressed her knife tighter against the Goblin.
“I saw the Dark Lord with you two and the Fire Lord enter that building last night. I was curious, and thought the information would be worth something. Please, ma’am, I won’t tell, I won’t.”
“Won’t tell who? Who would you sell this knowledge to?”
“The Dark Lord’s business is of great interest to many beings.”
“A freelancer, then. What should we do with you?”
“Ask our Lord,” Sandia suggested.
Yunomi looked at her in surprise; Sandia shrugged. “It’s his business, let him deal with it.”

Yunomi mindspoke to Reaper, and momentarily he appeared before the terrified Goblin. “You have spied on me. Tell me what you saw,” he commanded, placing the palm of his hand on the Goblin’s forehead. “Tell me,” he repeated. The Goblin stared slack jawed, but Reaper seemed to be listening. Finally, he looked at Yunomi. “He told you the truth. I have an idea who would want this information. Do what you want with him, then return to me.” Reaper vanished.

Yunomi placed the point of her knife against the Goblin’s sternum, then shoved it hard and fast up into the creature’s heart. There was little blood; she wiped the blade clean on the victim’s clothing. Sandia watched silently. She and Yunomi had killed before for less reason, but her friends’ expression was disturbing. It sent chills down Sandia’s spine.
“You have a problem with this?” Yunomi had noticed Sandia’s unease. She shook her head. “Then let’s go.”

They vanished and re-appeared at the loft. Reaper and Kane greeted them. Yunomi went to Reaper and pressed her forehead to his; a feral smile fleetingly crossed his face. He caressed Yunomi’s face and then kissed her. “Good job,” Reaper said. “Yunomi and Kane cannot be discovered at this point. Hopefully we haven’t attracted anyone else’s attention.” Sandia turned away.
“Are you okay?” Kane put his arms around Sandia and mindspoke.
“They look like a pair of Raptors,” Sandia sent. “They’re reveling in death.”

Kane was silent. Sandia’s continuing anger confounded him. He had hoped that her love for him and her friendship with Yunomi would allow her to accept this alliance. Taking her by the arm, Kane led her into the front room, away from Reaper and Yunomi. He sat her down on the window bench and sat beside her.
“Sandia, listen,” he sent. “I have made peace with my brother. Yunomi and I are bonded, we would die for each other. They are my family. If you love me, you will hold your anger back and tolerate them. They can’t help what they are, the Dark Lord and his Lady. So get over your anger, or go home.”
Sandia stared at him. “You’re choosing them over me?” she said in disbelief.
“I’m not choosing anyone. It’s your choice. I love you, Sandia, but you have to understand this.”
“I understand, all right. If you love them so much, you can f*cking live with them. Don’t come back, Kane.” With that, Sandia stormed out of the loft, slamming the door.

Reaper and Yunomi were sitting on the futon, waiting patiently for Kane to return to the planning. “Uh, oh, that’s not good.” Yunomi got up and went to Kane. He was sitting on the bench looking stunned. Yunomi took his scarred face in her hands.
“Kane, she’ll get over it.”
“I’ve never spoken to her like that,” he sent, shaking his head.
“She loves you, she’ll get over it. In the meantime, there’s a spare futon here in the dojo.”
“Thank you, Lady. I need to take a walk. I’ll be back in a little while.”

Kane left, closing the door more quietly. His control is improving, Yunomi thought. “What’s up?” Reaper had come up behind Yunomi and put his arms around her.
“Sandia’s gone home and Kane is out burning something. He’ll be back, she won’t.”
“I thought you and Sandia settled things.”
“Her problem is with you, not me. If you really want her in on this, you’ll have to talk to her yourself.”
Reaper made an unpleasant noise. “She won’t believe anything I tell her.”
“That’s probably true, but the fact that you made the effort might sway her.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Kane will be staying here for a while.”
Reaper gave Yunomi a sly look. “So come and stay with me. He can have your place to himself.”
“That’s a good idea. I want to use your library anyway. But I want to be sure Kane is okay here.”
Reaper nuzzled Yunomi’s neck. “He’ll be fine. Come stay when we’re done tonight. You’ll be out of the sight of prying eyes there.”
Yunomi closed her eyes and smiled, running her hand down his back. “All right, okay, I’ll come with you. But not until Kane is comfortable here by himself. I don’t think he and Sandia have ever fought.”
“Really. Well, they’re missing one of the best parts of a relationship.”
Yunomi pinched him hard. “Oh, really? You want to start something now?”
Reaper caught her wrists and held them. “Yeah, but not a fight.” He bent to kiss her, but she easily broke free and danced away from him.
“We have work to do, Beloved,” she reminded him.
“I know,” he sighed. “Should we go look for Kane?”
“No, he’ll come back when he’s ready. We can work on a plan, though. Something besides going to Hell and kicking ass.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
Yunomi rolled her eyes and got a beer. “I feel like being devious, okay? Indulge me.” She sat at the table and took a drink.
Reaper sat next to her and eyed her seriously. “Yunomi, how do you feel about returning to Hell? Will you be all right with it? Carnivean won’t be happy to find you’re alive and wearing his tooth as a trophy.”
“Not to mention three of the Thirteen’s rings. Actually, I’m looking forward to it. I have a lot of unfinished business.”

Carnivean was holding a gathering of the remaining members of the Thirteen. It had been almost a year and a half since their ranks had been decimated by Kane and Yunomi, and he was starting to rebuild his elite group. Iuvart had been so displeased at the loss of the mace and the failure to recapture Kane that he had broken with Carnivean, banning him from the Realm of Light. Both Lords had uneasily assumed that Yunomi was dead, although there were only two witnesses left alive, and no trace of her body had ever been found.

Iuvart had a monument built to the two Seraphim who were killed, and withdrew from public view. Carnivean returned to Hell and laid low, wondering when Kane would re-appear and when the Dark Lord would come seeking vengeance for his woman’s death. In fact, Reaper had made very intense inquiries for the first few weeks, then seemed to lose interest. No one in Hell except Carnivean and the Seven, as they were now, knew what had happened, and they weren’t talking.
“My spies have reported to me,” Carnivean began. “It appears that the Dark Lord has abandoned his quest for vengeance and taken another whore. He has been seen in the company of a woman who may be related to him. They have a similar appearance and manner, but are known to have violent fights. We’re not sure how to use this information yet. A man who may be Kane has also been seen, traveling with one of the Dark Lord’s minions. He wears no mask, but his face is scarred.”
“I have more recent news,” one of the Seven volunteered. “A Goblin approached me, saying he had seen the Dark Lord and the Fire Lord together, in the company of two women. He was going to watch the building he saw them enter.”
“And..?” Carnivean asked.
The Demon looked sour. “My informant has disappeared. He may have been found out.”
“But he was sure he saw Kane? Did he describe him?”
“A big man with a scarred face. He seemed sure it was the Fire Lord.”
“In the company of his brother. That’s a bad sign. Did he know the women?”
“One was the Dark Lord’s minion. He didn’t know the other.”
“Probably his new whore. I wonder who she is. The first one caused us a great deal of trouble. We need to step up our rebuilding efforts. If the brothers are truly reunited, it could be very bad for us. I’ll send my spies back out, we need to know.”

Kane’s heavy footsteps sounded on the stairs outside Yunomi’s loft. “It’s me,” he sent.
“Come on in,” Yunomi answered as she got up to meet him. Kane bent his head to Yunomi’s for a private mindspeak, and Reaper felt a pang of jealousy watching the easy affection between them. They brought out the deeply buried gentleness and trust in each other. Reaper sometimes wished for a peaceful coexistence with Yunomi, but knew it wasn’t possible. They were too much alike now. He cleared his throat, reminding them that he was there.

Yunomi patted Kane’s cheek, and turned around. “What?” she asked, annoyed at the interruption.
“It’s getting late. We need to at least reach some sort of agreement.”

They all sat at the table, and Reaper spoke. “I had hoped that Sandia and Yunomi could go to Hell and scout it out. I exhausted a lot of my resources there trying to find out what happened to you two. Kane, you’re too recognizable. It won’t be long before one of Carnivean’s spies sees us together and reports it. Yunomi, they believe you’re dead, and you look a lot different now. How do you feel about returning to Hell alone?”
“No!” Kane rumbled in his ruined voice. Reaper and Yunomi turned toward him. Reaper had no idea that Kane could speak. Kane switched to mindspeak, having achieved the desired effect. “You can’t ask that of her, brother. She’s already died there once for you.”
“I’ll give her my own protective symbols. She won’t be recognized.”

Yunomi silenced them both with her answer. “I’ll go.” She put her hand on Kane’s. “It’s all right, I’m ready. My rebirth as the Storm Child has given me the strength I need. The only ones who need fear are the denizens of Hell.”
“Let me talk to Sandia first. She won’t let you go alone,” Kane sent.
“What if we spoke to her together?” Reaper asked. “I really want her to help us with this. She and Yunomi work so well as a team.”
Kane looked thoughtful. “That might work. Let’s wait a few days and let her calm down, though.”
“Well, that’s something, anyway. Nobody said this would be easy. I’ll meet you here in three days, then.” Reaper stood up and stretched, giving Yunomi a questioning look.

She got up and walked around to Kane, kissing him lightly on the cheek. “You know where everything is, make yourself at home. I’ll come by tomorrow.”
Kane nodded. Yunomi had settled things earlier in their private talk. She wanted to avert any jealous feelings Reaper might have.

Reaper and Yunomi arrived at his house, and went upstairs. Yunomi undressed and flopped on the bed, tired and upset over the situation with Sandia. Reaper sat on the foot of the bed and pulled off his boots, then turned and regarded Yunomi with a look she had learned meant trouble. She waited patiently for him to speak.
“You and Kane share something that we don’t,” he said at last, in a more thoughtful tone than she had expected.
“Beloved, please. We’ve been through this, and I’m tired.”
He ignored her, continuing. “There is gentleness and trust between you. I want that for us, too.”

Yunomi sighed and looked away. The curse of their Union was that there would be no trust between them. When Yunomi accepted Reaper unconditionally, she accepted his inability to trust. She knew he would never trust her completely, but that also meant she could not trust him. He would always put his own interests first.
Reaper knew what she was thinking, and put his hand on her leg. “We could at least share some tenderness.”
Yunomi looked at him sharply. “The last time you were truly gentle with me was the night you gave Kane his quest.”
A shocked look crossed Reaper’s face. He had completely forgotten. “Beloved, no! I only wish we could share some of what you and Kane have. When I see you with him, I want to feel that from you too.”
Yunomi could see the despair in his face. “Beloved, you know I can’t deny you anything. Come here and make love to me.” She took his hand and pulled him toward her. He stretched out on the bed next to her, and she brushed the hair from his face, then began kissing him lightly. “I could use some sweetness tonight, Beloved. Let’s be kind to one another.” She began unbuttoning his shirt as he nuzzled her neck and throat, then kissed her breasts. Yunomi sighed. It had been a long time since they had made love without wrestling and roughness.

She buried her hands in his long hair, massaging his scalp. Reaper rolled over onto his back, smiling blissfully. Yunomi continued to massage his temples, then moved to his neck and shoulders. She finished unbuttoning his shirt and pulled it off him. She worked on his shoulder and moved down his arm, finishing with his wrist and hand. By now, Reaper was almost totally relaxed. He still half expected her to do something awful to him, but refused to give in to mistrust. He had asked for gentleness, and she was obliging.

Yunomi moved to his other side and massaged that shoulder and arm. Feeling him so relaxed, she was tempted to play tricks on him, but controlled the impulse. It struck her that in the years they had been together, she had never given him a simple massage. Oh, she had used it to help him heal his injuries and broken bones, but never just for pleasure. Now she was working across his chest and down his stomach. He looked almost asleep, but she knew he was watching her through half closed eyes.

She unbuttoned his jeans and tugged them off, dropping them on the floor, then began working on his hips. He pushed one of her hands toward his maleness. “Oh, no,” she smiled. “Not yet. First I’m gonna make you feel good another way.” Yunomi massaged the thighs and calves of each long leg, releasing a lot of her own tension as she went. Remembering a little Reflexology from her Ninja training, she used it on his feet. Reaper growled deep in his throat, almost a purr.

“Okay, turn over,” she commanded. He opened his eyes a little, and looked at her. Seeing no mischief in her face, he rolled onto his stomach. Yunomi started again with his head, rubbing the muscles leading down to his neck. She admired his newest tattoo, a strange creation sending tendrils across his shoulder and up his neck. He never told her how he got his markings, only that they came from Hell. Stroking firmly, she kneaded his shoulders and back. When she got to his butt, she leaned over and kissed one cheek, then laughed. “Don’t say I never kissed your ass.” And a beautiful ass it is, she thought.

Reaper mumbled something into the pillow as she finished up on his legs. “Are you still with me?” she asked. He had not moved for some time. Slowly Reaper rolled over onto his back. He still regarded Yunomi through half closed eyes.
“I can’t move,” he mumbled.
“Sure you can,” she laughed. “You just don’t want to.” She caressed his face and kissed him lightly, gently biting his lips and tongue. She kissed and nibbled her way slowly across his neck, chest and stomach. When she got to the scar below his navel where she had bitten him badly once, he flinched just the tiniest bit, remembering her fury. Yunomi smiled to herself at that. His response to her scarring bite had left her with her own scarred lip. Now that was a fight, she remembered. “No fights tonight, Beloved, only sweetness.” She kissed the scar, then moved lower.

She went down on him slowly and teasingly, using her tiny bites and kisses to bring him to the edge. He had piled the pillows against the head board and was leaning back, enjoying her talent. She moved back up to kiss his mouth, and he caressed her intimately. Kneeling astride him, she guided him into her and rocked slowly back and forth. He pulled his knees up behind her and they kissed intensely, then sat back, still united, and caressed each other softly. They were both aware of Tantric concepts, but usually preferred their own rough ways. They stayed like this for a long time, gently kissing and petting one another. Each time they approached the edge, they pulled back, extending their bliss.

Finally, Reaper pulled Yunomi to him tightly. “I can’t take any more,” he whispered. She rolled onto her back, pulling him on top of her without losing contact. He began thrusting deeply, cradling her against him. Within seconds, they both reached ecstasy, growling and clinging to each other. Sleep overtook them, and they lay together, happily entangled.

Yunomi awoke late, lying sprawled across Reaper with her head on his chest. She sat up abruptly. “Oh shit! I promised to meet Kane!” She rolled out of bed and dressed quickly. Reaper was still sleeping soundly, and Yunomi bent over him. She whispered “Beloved, I have to go home. I’ll see you tonight.” He mumbled something and turned over without waking. Yunomi kissed him on his shoulder, then left for home.

As she climbed the stairs to her loft, Yunomi could hear the whumps of Kane punching the heavy bag. “Kane, I’m back,” she sent. Oh, man, I forgot what it was like to live with him, Yunomi thought, looking around the living area. The futon was still unfolded, the sheets twisted into a pile. On the table, three books lay open. One of her plates had been used as a rolling tray, and a cup as an ashtray. Another half full coffee cup was out, and the coffee pot was still on the stove. Shaking her head, Yunomi walked into the dojo, where Kane was beating the hell out of the heavy bag.
“Hi, Lady,” he sent.
“Hey, sweetie, sorry I’m late. How are you?”
“Good, I feel great.” He stopped punching and looked at Yunomi with his crooked smile. “Everything is going to be fine, I can feel it.”
“Stoner,” Yunomi teased. “What do you want to do today?”
Kane cocked his head at her. “I don’t know. Why?”
“It’s been a long while since we spent time together. Let’s go do something, just you and me.”
He grinned and ran his hands through his hair. “Okay, I’m kind of up for some destruction.”
“Sounds good. Let’s go out to the Gray Hills and break logs. I’ll teach you a spinning kick.”
“Cool. Teach me that flying kick you do too, okay?”

Yunomi changed into her workout gear-drawstring cotton pants, and athletic bra top. She went barefoot, as had become her habit. Kane was already in sweatpants and Nike’s, but threw on a tee-shirt. They traveled to Yunomi’s favorite place in the Gray Hills, a boulder studded canyon with plenty of large driftwood logs and a nice gravel beach along the river. She often came here to practice her martial arts, having become so strong with her rebirth that she couldn’t use her full strength on the heavy bag. She knew Kane couldn’t either, and out here he could burn things, too.

She and Kane started setting up driftwood logs between the boulders. Yunomi taught him the spinning kick and flying kick as she had promised, and they split wood late into the afternoon. Hot, covered with sweat and wood splinters, Yunomi decided to go for a swim. She pulled off her pants and dived into the river in her underwear. Usually she swam nude, but didn’t want to offend Kane. He sat on the beach watching her for a while, then pulled off his shoes and put his feet in the shallow water. Yunomi came out of the river and sat next to him.
“I’ve never seen you this near water. What’s up?”
“It’s hot. I’m not really afraid of water, I just don’t like it very much.”
“You said you could float,” she remembered. “How did you find out?”
“It was an accident, I assure you,” he laughed. “I fell into a pond when I was a kid, and nobody was around. I found when I quit fighting it, I could float. I just kind of floated to shallow water, and got out. But I never did like water after that, and being a Fire Lord reinforces the feeling.”
“You know, floating is the hard part. It would be easy for you to learn to swim.”
Kane looked dubious. “You can teach me?”
“Sure, if you trust me to.”
“It would probably be a good thing for me to know,” he mused. “Okay, I’ll try, but don’t expect too much.” He stood up and started to wade into the water.
“Hey, babe, you can’t wear clothes in the water, they’ll weigh you down,” Yunomi warned.

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Kanike

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