3/14/2003

01:55 AM

Logfile from Yuurin.

 

Royal Elizabeth - Suite 501

The apartment is in the midst of a fairly extensive renovation, although it appears the bedroom, bathroom and most of the kitchen are in working order. A few personal belongings and furniture have been moved in but of the latter, most is current covered in dust sheets to keep it protected from the construction. The lingering smell of smoke permeates the air.

Higuchi is here.

Obvious exits:

Out

 

Kieran has more than one key to his own apartment and he's letting himself in to check on the Toshie, although he does rap on the door as he opens it. "Toshie? It's Kieran. You here? I just came to check on you and see if we could talk more." And look! He's fully clothed. Ain't that a treat.

 

Toshie has been busy while here, mostly in moving the furniture to the far reaches of the place so there is a rather large and empty spot in the middle. Barefoot, sockless, pants rolled to the knees, and hair pulled back in a rough ponytail, she is in the middle of the room, and upside down. Currently in the middle of a hand stand, she moves around in a circle, simple as anything, turning so that she can peer at Kieran as he enters. "Hai, I can talk." She has only seen him without his shirt once... and that one time when he was all crisp and his shirt was well... practically nonexistant.

 

Kieran is taking a moment to both boggle at the position and to admire her beauty, which he knows goes with an intelligent, quick mind. These are good things in Kieran's book and the fact that she is also a warrior of his goddess makes him feel a true affinity for the young woman. He just knows better than to hug and kiss without permission first. Rubbing at the back of his neck in remembrance, he gives her a slow smile, "Should I sit on the floor?"

 

Toshie walks right on over so that she is back onto her feet, flopping her hair back over her shoulder with a flick of her hand. Hands dust of on her thighs and she idly waves her hands about, "Sit wherever. It it's your place, right?" The look that follows is almost comical. Weird pretty-boy.

 

Kieran opts for the couch, pushed out of the way as it is. He's pulling out his cigarette case and lighter out of habit, before giving it a sighing look. "Smoking doesn't even feel the same. I coughed earlier for the first time in my smoking history. Damnit. Oh, Toshie dear, do not crush my cigarettes. Under normal circumstances I can use the lit cigarette as a means to draw fire outside of myself, besides, I can't get cancer. Or a couple of reasons. At least I hope that continues to be true." He's gazing longingly at the case then tucks it away again. "You had questions?"

 

"Don't you know anything about second-hand smoke? If I am to be around you, I'd really rather not pollute my lungs unnecessarily. So either find and herbal substitute or..." And Toshie twists her fingers into a fist. Crush. In the next breath though, a dimpled smile is showing, "Fire? I suppose that explains while you were looking a bit char-broiled. If you do things like that often, I will be a very busy Yin-type." She drops down right onto the floor to begin stretching, first to one leg, then to the other, and then flat to the floor. "Yes, questions. I will need to you do a couple of things for me though. I will need to call my parents and tell them that all is well, and somehow convince them to stop looking for me. Could you help me with that?"

 

Does Kieran look surprised at the way Toshie is speaking to him? Oh most decidedly. He's quite impressed and he's even chuckling that deep, rich laugh of his. He offers her the cigarette case. "They are herbal actually. Turkish. Without all the tar and rat poison. Quite potent and taste good. But see for yourself and if they don't meet your approval crush them all. You are an extraordinary woman, Yuurin. I think Nainokami might have sent you to keep me in line." And this amuses him greatly. "Your parents? I will do what I can, of course. What would you like me to do?"

 

Toshie straightens once more, only to turn to the side to do the splits, first one way and then the other. "I was about to suggest herbal. This is good that you actually have done some thinking into this." Her head turns to the side, finally looking back over to him. "She sent me to /you/? I am not here for you. I have done some thinking, and that never entered my mind. I was under the impression that... that we are partners of a sort? Or am I wrong. As for my parents, I'm not quite sure yet. Maybe talk to them as well. Say that you are to be my guardian, even if I really don't think I need one. I'm not sure they'll believe it, but it does not hurt to try."

 

Kieran is watching the display of her limberness. It's difficult not to be appreciative and impressed, beyond the measure of watching a beautiful woman doing those types of things with her body. He sighs, glancing away to look at the repairs in progress. Hormones without the mixture of heat is not something he wants to continue to feel anymore. Too vulnerable, too mortal, too human. Higuchi has no desire to be a mere human ever, ever again. "I didn't exactly mean it like that, Toshie. I was teasing. You do know how to keep me in line, that's for sure. I would hope that we could be partners, yes. As for your parents, I can have my agent call and say that you've been signed to a modeling contract and that he needs them to sign permission papers giving him guardianship. Do you think they would accept that. He can also provide them with a monetary advance for your 'pay'. However, to do this would mean that others would assume you were my lover. Though, how old are you?" Amber eyes flicker back to her, narrowing as he tries to gauge that fact for himself.

 

Toshie draws her legs back before her, wrapping arms about them as she peers at Kieran, chin resting in the groove between her knees. "Teasing?" She smirks, reaching around to take the band around her hair, pluck it loose and then fling it at him. "Modeling contract? Me?" She blinks for a few moments and then abruptly breaks out with her dimpled grin once more. "I suppose they would listen to that, although that might mean we'd both have to meet them. My family lives in the city. I'm twen...." Okay, she momentarily thought of lying there. "Seventeen?"

 

Meeting parents? Kieran blinks. "You want them to think we're lovers, Toshie? That is entirely up to you, of course. The rumors will be there anyway, regardless, but if you want me to go that far with your parents, I can try." Oh yes, such a hardship for this man. "You are also more than beautiful enough for a modeling contract in real, so if you'd like to have that sort of life, we can arrange it. Otherwise, I would be happy to cover all your expenses."

 

Toshie blinks right on back. "Oh! No, not like that. I mean... you don't have to lead them to think that because then they shove me in my bedroom so damn fast my head will spin. Just... you know, tell them about stuff, just not that." Yeah, there is a hint of another blush adorning her cheeks. "But they won't just accept a phone call or anything." She moves smoothly to her feet and then bounds over to land upon the couch beside him. "Oh, I don't know about actually modeling, but what I do know is that I will need money. You know, for clothes and things, and I want to resume my training in my disciplines so that requires coaching, and you know about all the basic necessities. If that modeling thing will get me money, then I'll do that."

 

Kieran is pulling out his wallet and handing it to her. "Take whatever you want from in there. I don't need it and I have more. You'll find my latest cell number on some card too. Keep it in case you ever get into trouble for a change. We'll have to make up a contract to make it look legitimate for our parents then, but that's easy enough. If you would like to make money, would could arrange only be photographed together. That draws a lot of attention and believe me my dear, you would garner such attention." He looks as if he's about to reach out to touch her face, but the hand falls away back to his lap. "Where's Shen?"

 

Toshie blinks at the wallet, taking it into her hands to flip through what is within it. Fingers pick at this and that before she is glancing back up to him, "I'm not being greedy, its just that living on the streets for the past couple of weeks put some things in perspective. Shen? She's...." Her gaze gets a brief far-away look, and then she smiles faintly, "She is tearing apart a shirt of yours, I think. Could be she is making a nest. I hope you don't mind?" And then she is blinking back over to him with a smile. And then a frown, "Why don't they like Nainokami?"

 

Kieran shakes his head, "No, if she wants it, she can have it. I can buy another. I have other clothes at Bastian's upstairs. I also do not think you are being greedy and I would prefer not to have you living on the streets. If you want to tell me why that is, I'd like to hear, but that is up to you to share. As for those that don't like Nainokami? I suppose you mean the Yang? I think it has to do a lot with the fact she seduced two of the Byakko seishi into her service. They have seen reverted back, which displeases her greatly. It also makes our goddess the target of their anger. Did this girl you befriend tell you anything about it? Also, would you describe her to me?"

 

Toshie wrinkles her nose. "Just silly things. Me and mom yelling at each other. I run away every so often to keep things lively, and get away. Just ended up being longer this time." She sighs, snuggling back into the covered couch, legs drawn up to her chest once more. "Oh... I didn't know that. I suppose I'd be awfully mad at that too. I can understand that, but hopefully they'll get over themselves." She frowns slightly, narrowing her gaze at Kieran for a moment, "She says that she annoys you guys, and she is Yang. If I tell you her name and who she is what are you going to do? She has been very nice to me. She listened when you all were too busy with your problems, and explained some things to me."

 

Kieran gives up and goes for the smoke. Needing something to do with himself that has to do with fire. Lighting up, he reaches for an ashtray on the coffee table, taking a hit from the cigarette first and letting the smoke go upwards out of her face. "I wouldn't do anything unless our goddess said she had to be dealt with, and Nainokami has been dealing with things on her own, Toshie. There is only one man I've here to fight with and I did, that's how I got injured. He attacked my mind and I wasn't prepared. I am able to heal myself, but Bastian was worried and brought you. Not that I can complain. It was much faster than my own ability. I still want to know who you're dealing with because I don't want to see you hurt. Many of them few us as enemies even without knowing our goals or wants or needs."

 

Toshie watches as he lights up, her lips actually twisting into something of a grin in amusement, but she doesn't object. "Her name is Anana, and I think she knew who you guys were. She didn't seem all that happy about it. She thought that I'd get hurt from you people as well. I tried to tell her that you seemed nice." She reaches over as if to give him a cuff on the shoulder. "Because you do seem nice. But if you can heal yourself, then I suppose I won't be doing that much for you..." Her lips draw into an almost perplexed line. "I bet I can do more. But I don't know what yet."

 

Kieran is coughing a little as he smokes, frowning deeply. Amber eyes - plain old amber eyes - gaze down at the hand on his shoulder and he smiles slightly again. "You did a lot for me, even if I do heal myself. You saved Ichijin - Sebastian's life and I'll be grateful for that. Which is why I kissed you. I'm sorry for not asking first, but it's not my usual way. I like to show my .... affection." The cigarette is regarded then smoked some more as the habit is comforting. "Anana. Did she say which god she served and what does she look like, Toshie? I've only met a few myself. I know others by sight, but not name." Up, up spirals the smoke. "You didn't realize you could heal, but Shen told you, yes? Then you don't know what else you can do or what gifts you have? Shen is a gift from the goddess, isn't he?"

 

Toshie blinks at him and then is blushing away again, "Well, you caught me off guard. It seems to be happening a lot and for once I could let out my frustration on someone. I can't very well yell at Shen, she doesn't yell back. You startled me, and even if I do know your innards pretty well now, it takes at least /two/ dates before I kiss, even if you are far too good-looking for your own good." Her gaze drifts away, "Anana, she is a little younger than me. Pink hair. I don't know who she belongs to, but she told me that she is good at defending herself, and being able to do things in a person's mind -which I find spooky as hell. I've got enough with a bird in my head without anyone else, but I don't think she'd ever do that to me." Eventually, she looks back to him, "Yes. Shen... is a /she/. She just arrived and was offered to me as a friend. I was very lonely at the time..."

 

"She, sorry. You have said that and I should have remembered.... Wait," Kieran turns to regard her intently a moment. "Pink hair? Damn girl, she's the Genbu who took away two of Nainokami's. She's one of the others I've fought against, though I didn't go seeking that. Nainokami was attacking her and another from that faction. I had wanted to watch, but he started after me with these ice shields. Oh Toshie, be careful of her. I don't want to lose you too to that one." Kieran really doesn't but he's not going to tell Toshie who to be friends with. For all he knows, his goddess could be behind hers and Anana's meeting. "As for kisses, does this mean you'd go out on a date with me?" There's a note of teasing to his deep voice as drops ashes into the tray. "Too good-looking for my own good? That's a new one on me. It pays the bills and let's me entertain myself. I know what it's like to be lonely and I try to avoid it whenever possible."

 

Toshie frowns just the slightest, her voice dropping, "She never told me that... but I never told her who I belonged to either." She begins to acquire an almost thoughtful look, looking more at the floor than anything as she thinks. Another sigh and she manages to sink further into the couch. "I understand," yeah, there is an almost dejected tone to her voice. She sighs again, combing her fingers back through her hair, only to play with the feather attached to one of her braids, stroking it idly. "I don't like being lonely at all." Gradually, amber-irised gaze lifts to meet his, "I'm glad that I am not alone in this. It has been very... odd. I am also happy that you are here and have given me these things. This is good, but you must understand that I think I will be relying on you for quite a few things, if that is okay? I'm not used to... things."

 

Kieran crushes out the cigarette and turns, holding out arms to her, "Come here if you want, Toshie. I won't let you be alone. If you'd like me to stay here with you, I will. Bastian and Reese are important to me now, but if you need me to be with you, I will. You are of my goddess and that makes you special." His voice is soft and low, a tone of reverence creeping into it as he regards her. The boy that Kieran was remembers the years in the hospital. The drugged up life, the abuse suffered without a word because he was only half there. His obsession kept him company then, but it's gone now and he's feeling that sense of what it truly was like. To be unloved and unwanted. It's scaring the hell out of him.

 

Toshie has invested quite a bit in Kieran already, investing in a hug hardly is nothing compared to the rest. The offer is barely made before she is crawling over to take him up on it, wrapping her arms about his shoulders, "I have Shen, and you, and there will be others." After a breath she continues, "No, I do not want to take you away from the others. That would be bad of me, and this place is fine. That is enough for me now. I swear I do not ask for much."

 

Kieran wraps his arms around Yuurin, leaning his cheek against her hair. He's cold and he can feel it, but having her there offers some comfort at least. She's one like him. He's envied this about Sebastian and Reese, he knows that now. "Hush, little one. Anything you ask of me you can have. Anything. I've more than enough to support us both. Material things are not an issue for me and you can have whatever you want. I mean that for any other things. You need only ask, Yuurin. I will keep saying this until you believe me."

 

Toshie leans against him, eyes squeezed shut, simply enjoying the feel of hugging another person close to her, but something beyond that she can feel that he is different as well. "Thank you," she whispers softly, giving him a peck on the cheek before pulling away once more. The girl drops back against the sofa, peering at him, "I think we might get along pretty well. And that is a very good thing. This... this is good. I'll also tell Shen to stop eyeing your hair as if it is a mouse to be attacked. She finds it quite a tempting target."

 

Kieran is bereft. "Shen likes my hair? For her nest? Would she settle for the stuff on my hair brush instead? I'm rather fond of what's in my head at the moment." He forces a smile to his lips, but he's finding it hard to keep up the pretense of pure pleasure. "Toshie?" He shifts on the couch, settling his gaze upon her. "When you healed me the other night, did you do anything else to me? Did you feel something different when you did it?"

 

"No, not for her nest, but to attack. I think she wants to tease you, actually. Shen is just funny like that. I suppose that is why she decided to shred up one of your shirts instead of anything else." Just be glad that Toshie didn't mention anything about bird droppings. At that last, she responds with a thoughtful smile. "Oh yes, it was different that time. Before, it was just me, but that time Shen helped me. I knew I didn't have enough power... uhm, enough chi, so she pulled it out of Sebastian and then gave it to me so I can heal you. It was quite amazing. There was still some left-over and I was awake all night, like I had just drank a lot of soda."

 

Kieran is shaking his head, pointing a thumb at himself, "No, I mean inside /me/. I'm not... I'm not working properly. I don't know how else to say it. My fire is missing and I don't know why. I can't understand why I'm so cold. I can still heal myself, but there is nothing of the warmth I should possess. I'm.... Damnit, Toshie, I'm scared."

 

Toshie blinks at him. "Oh... as in your power? I... I didn't mess you up or anything, did I?" Great, she just figures out how to do this sort of thing and then she goes and breaks the only other Nainokami onisenshi. That would just figure. She licks her lips, frowning, "I admit that I was only fixing what was wrong with your physical body, and not your... fire? I suppose I could try to see if there is anything? But I'm not sure it'll work."

 

Kieran sighs softly, "He attacked me up here, Toshie." There is a tap to his temple, indicating his mind. "I remember trying to burn him away up there. Trying to push him out with my heat and fire. To rid myself of his presence. But, after that I don't remember much and although I feel healthy, there is a part of me that's missing. I don't think you messed anything up my dear. I just wonder if you could go further? Can you do that?"

 

Toshie frowns for a moment, "I can rid you of your pain... and I can heal some of your wounds. If it is something that needs healing, then maybe? But I'm not sure I'm all that good at this yet, and I don't know the limit of what I can do. I can try?" She studies him quietly, eyes peering into his.

 

Kieran's voice is nothing above a whisper. "Please Yuurin. Anything you want of me I will give you, if you would just try. I can't stay like this. I can't. If I do, I'll die. I know this. I won't want to live anymore without my fire." Sound desperate? He is and he could never show this to Bastian or Reese, no matter how much he cares for and trusts them. "You must think me weak, but I promise you I am not. Not when I'm whole."

 

Toshie shakes her head slowly from side to side, "If Nainokami picked you too, you are not weak. Sit back. I'll try." She moves over as if to try to straddle his lap, shifting so that she is comfortable, "Where do you usually feel your fire at... your head? Your heart? Is there somewhere special or is it just allover?"

 

Kieran rests his hands on her hips, the pressure light, the touch merely for balance. His eyes slide shut and he breathes out before answering, "My heart is the origin and from there it fills my blood with its heat. That's what it has always felt like, but if somewhere in my head is a trigger of some sorts that was touched and burned, if I somehow fried the connection.. I'm not sure how else to think of it. Sebastian thought to see if he could bring out with shared passion, but it didn't help."

 

Toshie leans forward just the slightest, rubbing her hands together as if to warm them. While she does this, the bird makes her entrance, sailing in from the bedroom with the red remains of one of Kieran's shirts still tangled in her talons. She alites upon some bit of furniture near to them, watching with her raptor's gaze. "I'll feel your heart first... and then your head." Tongue pokes from between her lips as she concentrates, digging her hands under his shirt to press her warmed hands against his flesh. Eyes close as she concentrates, a glimmer of that white streaked with black showing through the fabric, trying to delve into the mechanics of his heart, seeing if something else is there that has been pushed away. Her touch is light, almost airy.

 

Kieran gives a start to the warm touch. People generally aren't warmer than he, so he's never felt the temperature difference in the years he's been an onisenshi. It takes some getting used to it seems. His breath quickens and he can feel the flow of her power through. There is an ache in his heart, the sense that all is whole but yet something is missing. A small ember of power is there, but nothing to fuel it. The chi that would otherwise flow throughout has been dampened, allowing just enough to keep the regenerative power working as self-preservation was the call when all was burned.

 

Toshie's dark eyebrows knit together with something of a frown. She concentrates more fully, and then opens her eyes. Her gaze flickers askance to Shen as if in silent communication with the bondbird, and then right on back to Kieran. Again, she concentrates, licking her lips as she does so before her hands remove. "I could..." But she is trailing off as she reaches for his forehead this time, just to make a check there as well. Again, the touch is light, trying to slip gently into his mind to see if there is anything there that needs attention as well.

 

What is there is really a shambles, but there is a part of it, far off inside, that will not be able to be touched. Not yet at least. Something has been nearly completely rendered, though fragments remain. What can be fixed is what would amount to a severe mental burn. The source of Kieran's chi it would seem. Not his fire, but the energy that fuels it constantly. Seems the man almost killed himself by getting Dylan out of his mind. Of course, setting oneself on fire is never a good thing.

 

Toshie is frowning even deeper this time at what she finds, gradually leaning forward so that her forehead rests atop her back of her hands as they press to Kieran's forehead. "This is... I don't know if I can," she murmurs, a tremble shivering over her body. "Fixing... mending the other things was different. This is something else. I'm new at this." The girl is licking her lips again, before pulling back to peer at Kieran, "I'm not sure, Kieran. I can try to at least bring some of it together. Maybe... and Shen seems to think we might be able to give you more chi, if I had another with a great amount to take it from."

 

Kieran opens his eyes to gaze back into hers, "I don't know who I would ask. There is Sebastian or Reese. Perhaps Aubrey, but I don't think she likes me much. There is also Malachai. I don't know how much chi any of them have. I cannot sense such things, Toshie." His hands slide up along her back, holding her against the trembling. "I don't want you to tax yourself. Not for me. Perhaps... perhaps given enough time I could heal it myself." With that lack of chi? Dream on fire boy.

 

"Shen says that I can channel the chi that she gathers, and give it to another. I don't quite understand it, but if she can drain another... and if that person has enough, she won't drain their permanent force, because that could kill," Tosh replies, softly, still considering. "I had drained Sebastian before, I'm not sure taking from him again so soon is good." Well, that is unless he got all cranky, then he'd have plenty to spare, but that's besides the point.

 

Kieran closes his eyes again, nodding slowly. "Then I suppose we wait. I didn't know you drained chi from Bastian. He didn't tell me he'd done that for me." Bad Ichijin! A frown brings Higuchi lips together tightly. "You think it can fix it then? What did you see, Toshie?" Hands begin to lightly stroke her back, the comfort of touch needed by the broken oni.

 

Toshie purses her lips, sitting back a little, "I really don't know. I told you, I'm new to this. But I can try? If I can fill you again, and you can do some of the repairs on your own, or I can help you... then maybe. But other than that." And she is shrugging her shoulders negligently. "I do want to help you."

 

Kieran hasn't open his eyes, although he does nod, "Do whatever you can or want to do, Toshie. I don't know how to do any of those things that you speak of. Severe injuries take me time to heal. I could try, if you wanted to give me your chi. Can you do that? Or you could try to heal. Or both. You're the guide in this. You and Shen." His amber gaze is upon her again. shadowed by the riotous fall of hair. "I'm afraid I'm completely in your hands at the moment."

 

Toshie resettles herself once more upon his lap, licking her lips for about the millionth time. She leans forward once more, pressing her hands to his forehead once more. Her touch is once more light, considering where it is going, "Tell me if anything feels wrong and I'll stop." Fragments. She examines them, muttering once more, "This'll take awhile. It isn't like just pulling together the other parts of you." Gently, she tries to draw some of them together.

 

The fragments float closer together, but it is as if they are a huge one thousand piece jigsaw puzzle and finding the starting point seems nigh impossible at the moment. Nothing wants to come together. There is, however, the faint touch of something - not right there. Something twisted and dark, beyond the comforting presence of Nainokami's own darkness. Kieran's brown furrows, beads of sweat forming on his brow. The more Toshie tries to help those fragments, the paler the oni beneath her will become.

 

Toshie is frowning as she does this, her head slowly shaking from side to side, but it is the piercing shriek of the falcon that abruptly causes her to stop and pull back, eyes wide. "Dammit," she curses, lips pulling into a fine line. "I should have known that I couldn't... Kieran? Are you okay?" Her hand moves away from his forehead to instead push under his chin as if to tilt his head to her.

 

Kieran tears have squeezed out beneath Kieran's tightly closed eyes. It takes a few moments for them to open again, their hue too bright. "No," he croaks. "What happened? That... that felt like I was being pierced right through the skull with a white hot light." Fingers grip Toshie's sides for a moment as he steadies himself.

 

Tears have squeezed out beneath Kieran's tightly closed eyes. It takes a few moments for them to open again, their hue too bright. "No," he croaks. "What happened? That... that felt like I was being pierced right through the skull with a white hot light." Fingers grip Toshie's sides for a moment as he steadies himself.

 

Toshie blinks down at him, staring in awe at his tears, her voice trembling, "Ohhhh, god. I'm sorry. I didn't know. I tried... and I didn't know." Amazing, she has hardly known the man but a couple of days and already he is effecting her. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." And then she is falling forward, wrapping her arms tight around him. "I won't do that again. I'm sorry."

 

"I..." But his arms come around her tightly and he holds her to him, sighing against her hair. "It's alright, Toshie. I'm sorry for putting you through this. He hurt my mind and I'll find a way to pay him back as soon as I can get things right again within me." Fingers brush over her hair, soft and slow. "Hush now, you've no need to be sorry. I owe you far too much." Briefly, he touches his lips to the top of her head.

 

Toshie isn't crying, but it is a very close thing. Instead, she is clinging to him, still  shivering. "I didn't mean to. I really didn't..." But it is actually his soothing fingers that manage to calm her enough to pull back, staring at him. "I'm sorry." Yeah, she still says it. "You'd better go on upstairs now, and get some rest. Maybe someone else can help you. But get some rest." She eases herself off of his lap, bare feet back on the ground.

 

Kieran rises to his feet, stretching up to his full height. A hand cups her cheek and he leans forward to place a kiss upon her forehead. "I think you can help me. We'll try again when I can get someone to  help, alright? I trust you, so stop telling me you're sorry. Of course you didn't mean to do anything that would hurt me. I would give you my life, Toshie. You belong to my goddess. You sleep as well and if you feel lonely, call me."