Darkness and light have constantly battled since the beginning of time. Worlds are formed and crushed beneath the feet of their creators, yet the ongoing need for good and evil have never been in question. However, sometimes a new element is thrown into the mixâ¦ the one thing that both sides want but only one can have.

Paradoxical in nature, the Guardian Heart Crystal is the one constant that both sides have always striven to attain. The crystalline stone has the power to create and destroy the known universe, yet can end all suffering and strife in the same breath. Some say the crystal has a mind of its ownâ¦ others say the gods are behind it all.

Each time the crystal has appeared, its guardians have always been ready to defend it from all who would use it selfishly. The identities of these guardians remain unchanged and they love with the same ferocity regardless of the world or time.

One girl stands in the center of these ancient guardians and is the object of their affections. She holds within her the power of the crystal itself. This is the bearer of the crystal and the source of its power. The lines often blur, and guarding the crystal slowly changes into guarding the priestess from the other guardians.

This is the wine from which the heart of darkness drinks. It is the opportunity to make the guardians of the crystal weak and susceptible to attack. The darkness craves the power of the crystal and also the girl as a man would crave a woman.

Within every one of these dimensions and realities, you will find a secret garden known as the Heart of Time. There, a statue of a young human priestess kneels. She is surrounded by an age-old magic that keeps her secret treasure hidden and well preserved. The maidenâs hands are outstretched as if waiting for something precious to be placed in them.

Legend says that she is waiting for the powerful stone known as The Guardian Heart Crystal to return to her.

Only the Guardians know of the true secrets behind the statue and how it came into existence. Before the five brothers drew their first breath their ancestors, Tadamichi, and his twin brother, Hyakuhei, protected the heart of time during its darkest history. For several eras, the twins protected the seal that kept the human world from overlapping within the demon realm. This task was sacred and the lives of the humans as well as demons had to be kept safe and secret from the other.

Unexpectedly, during their reign, a small band of humans accidentally crossed over into the demon world because of the sacred crystal. During a time of turmoil, its powers caused a rip in the seal that had separated the dimensions. Seeing the dangers, the leader of the human group and Tadamichi had quickly become allies, making a pact to close the rip in the seal and keep the two worlds locked away from each other forever.

But during that time, Hyakuhei and Tadamichi had both fallen in love with the daughter of the human leader.

Against Hyakuheiâs wishes, the rip had been repaired by Tadamichi and the girlâs father. The strength of the seal had been increased tenfold, separating the dangerous love triangle forever. Hyakuheiâs heart was shatteredâ¦ Even his own blood brother, Tadamichi had betrayed him by making sure he and the priestess were separated by eternity.

Love can turn into the most wicked of things once it is lost. Hyakuheiâs broken heart turned to malicious anger and jealousy causing a battle between the twin brothers, ending Tadamichiâs life and splitting their immortal souls. Those slivers of immortality created five new guardians to take guardianship over the seal and protect it from Hyakuhei, who had joined the demons within the evil realm.

Imprisoned within the darkness he had become, Hyakuhei cast out all thought of protecting the heart of timeâ¦ instead, he turned his energy toward banishing the seal completely. His long midnight locks, reaching past his knees and a face belonging only to the most seductive, belied the true evil hidden within his angelic appearance.

As the war begins between the forces of light and dark, a blinding blue light is emitted from the sanctified statue signaling that the young priestess has been reborn and the crystal has resurfaced on the other side.

As the guardians are drawn to her and become her protectors, the battle between good and evil truly begins. Hence the entrance into another world where darkness is dominant within the world of light.

This is one of their many epic adventuresâ¦

Chapter 1 "Secret Love"

Hyakuhei stood gazing at the heart of time knowing the priestess was still on the other side, in her world. His midnight hair flowed down his body like a dark shroud as his wings opened wide, creating a breeze across the soft grass. His perfect lips curved slightly into a knowing smile. A tainted glow formed across the ground surrounding the shrine, giving it an eerie appearance.

As if pulled by some unknown force, he glided closer to the maiden statue that stood with hands outstretched, as if asking him for something. His eyes became soft for only a moment, in memory of the young priestess the statue mimicked. So the guardians thought they could combine their powers and keep her from him?

With one angry wave of his hand, the glowing grass seemed to hiss as it shimmered with an ominous aura, and then hid the deception of the spell deep within its blades.

*****

"Damn it! Where the hell is Kyoko? She was supposed to have been back hours ago," Toya growled for the tenth time in the last thirty minutes. He ran an agitated hand through the silver highlights that mingled with his midnight hair as he looked out the open window in the direction of the shrine. Facing where no one could see, he let worry slip into his golden gaze.

Suki looked up from polishing her bayonet, one eyebrow twitching. "Toya, Kyoko is obviously not coming back tonight. Something mustâve come up so just give it up and give us a break." She turned back to Kamui who was sitting beside her, "Gees, does he ever shut up?"

Kamui smiled knowing better than to say anything out loud. His stardust eyes hid the truth behind Toyaâs complaining. Being the youngest guardian didnât make him naive. In human years, he was ageless, as was his brothers. He knew Toya only acted mad to cover up the fact that he was worried. Even he was starting to get worried. It wasnât like Kyoko to keep them waiting. The purple highlights in Kamuiâs hair shimmered as he raised his face to the window seeing the darkened sky.

"Kyoko had better be back in the morning, or I swear I'll go into her world and drag her back myself." Toya continued pacing. He couldn't stand it when Kyoko was away for this long. It had been days now, and he was getting angrier by the minuteâ¦ and worried. "Stupid girl," he clamped his mouth shut again when Suki cocked a warning eyebrow at him.

Shinbe's tall silent form stood against the wall where heâd been for the last hour. His bluish-gray trench coat gave a slight twitch with an agitated movement that he tried to hide. Heâd had enough of Toya's rant about Kyoko being late. His amethyst eyes closed in an attempt to keep himself from telling Toya to simply shut up. Knowing Toya probably wouldn't let anyone have any peace until Kyoko returned, Shinbe bit his tongue to keep from making his brotherâs temper worse.

The amethyst guardian tried to stay tranquil as always by meditating, following his monk-like teachings. The truth was his nerves were so raw that at the moment, even meditating wasnât working. Right now, Shinbe felt like he could strangle Toya and still smile about it while doing so. The plains of his calm face tightened and he lowered his head so his midnight blue hair would hide the evidence.

When Toya and the others started getting ready to sleep, Shinbe took a thick blanket from the pile in the corner of their little shelter and headed for solitude. He really just needed to get away from everyone, especially Toya. Shinbe hid well his jealousy for Toya, and the love Kyoko held for his sibling. Day after day, he stayed with the group, only to be near her, to protect herâ¦ even though her eyes were always on Toya.

Shinbe ground his teeth together painfully. He should be like his other two brothers, Kyou and Kotaro, and separate from the group to fight Hyakuhei on his own. But he knew he had to stay with the group to keep her safe. He was one of her guardians and she needed him. Even Kyou and Kotaro protected her from afar.

Yes, Shinbe knew he played the game well by hiding his attraction to Kyoko. He had practiced it for a long time, even groping other girlsâ¦ especially if Kyoko was within earshot or watching, so she would never find out his secret. They thought he loved all women, little did they know his heart belonged to only one, his priestess.

Usually he would pick Suki to grope, knowing she would hit him, and the pain would help steady his thoughts. He was such a coward when it came to telling Kyoko his true feelings.

Lately, it had been getting worse for him, harder for him to hide. Kyoko trusted him, smiled at him. She talked to him, often confiding her feelings to him when he caught her upset over Toyaâs immature ways. It all shattered him, little by little.

Without realizing where heâd walked to, Shinbe glanced up and sighed. He was in the gardens of the maiden shrine. Without even realizing it, heâd wanted to be closer to her. Kyoko would not come back through the time portal this late at nightâ¦ so why had he come?

Staring at the maiden shrine, his amethyst eyes glowed in the reflection of the moon. Shinbe decided this was as safe a place as anyâ¦ in a world full of demons anyway.

Spreading the blanket out in the soft grass, he paid no attention to the eerie glow of the area, subconsciously blaming the illumination on the moon light. Laying down he closed his eyes, waiting for the dreams he knew would soon come, just like they always did. They haunted him, making him want her to see him, not as a guardian or allyâ¦ but as a man.

*****

Kyoko groaned, resisting the urge to smack her forehead âInto A Brick Wall.' Her conscience started flipping out in her head, and she was just high enough to argue back with it. She hadn't meant to get drunk with Tasuki and his college friends. It had all been a big mistake, and all her fault. Sheâd gone to the Halloween party like sheâd promised, knowing she would never drink anything. NEVER! She never did.

She growled at herself, rolling her eyes. How was she to know that the huge bowl of fruit cocktail sitting beside the punch bowl had been soaking in alcohol for days? Sheâd thought it was supposed to taste like grapefruit and had eaten a lot of it before she felt the effects of the alcohol hit her.

Kyoko stumbled over her own feet, righting herself quickly before she had a chance to fall. "This sucks!" she yelled knowing no one could hear her. Now she was late and she knew she was going to be in a lot of trouble with Toya. Just thinking of him yelling at her was already giving her a headache.

âWelcome to hellâ¦ population one,â Kyoko mumbled to herself as she kicked a pebble.

Desperately, she hoped Toya would just wait until morning before coming to get her. Or better yet, see if she would show up with the daylight. As drunk as she was, she could hardly see straight, and she didn't want to fight with him. She didn't want to go home either. She silently groaned to herself. Her mother would lecture her for a week if she found out she was drunk, even if it had been an accident.

Kyoko tried hard to stay in a straight line as she walked. Finally, she spotted the maiden shrine in the clearing behind her house. Closing one eye so the maiden statue would come into better focus, she giggled, and then thought to herself, 'Oh God, now I know I'm drunk.' With a swaying shrug, she did the only thing she knew to do.

She walked into the shrine house, straight up to the maiden statue, and leaned against it, hoping to make it safely through to the other dimension in time to pass out.

*****

Shinbe was once again having a very erotic dream of Kyoko writhing under him, crying out his name over and over, screaming it as he pounded into her, staring down into her face and driving all thoughts of Toya from her.

He jerked awakeâ¦ his body broke out in a sweat. Breathing hard, he could still feel her under him, letting him love her and she had loved him back. Her cries were still ringing in his ears. His heart was still beating so fast, slamming against his ribs the same way he had been slamming into her.

Shinbe sat up. Clinching his hands, he raised them to cover his face. Unable to stop it from escaping him, he cried out into the silence, full of pain and hidden rage at the unfairness of it all. All he ever wanted was to love her, and it was slowly eating him alive.

Hearing a twig snap, Shinbe quickly pulled his hands down. His amethyst gaze scanned the area and came to rest on Kyoko's shocked features. His mind seemed to instantly go into slow motion.

'No, it couldn't beâ¦ not now, not here.' Her eyes were wide at hearing his cry, and her hand was over her mouth. 'Noâ¦ go away, please,â he mentally begged. 'You can't be here, not right now, itâs too dangerousâ¦ Iâm dangerous.'

Shinbe watched as she lowered her hand from her lips, a look of worry crossing her face. Then, he saw her sway as she made her way towards him. He wondered if she was even real, or if he was still dreaming.

Kyoko was still trying to make sure she was going in the right direction to get to the hut when she heard an almost inhuman cry coming from somewhere close to her. Her eyes focused as she tried to find the source of the sound. Her heart was still racing from the fright it had given her. Then she noticed Shinbe lying there on a blanket in the grass, all alone. The haunted cry had to have come from him.

She wanted to know what was wrong. Had someone been killed? That had to be it for such a sound to come from the always calm, cool, and friendly guardian. She tried to steady her legs as she made her way over to him.

Shinbe groaned as he watched Kyoko do the stupidest thing he had ever seen her do. She walked straight over to him and knelt down, reaching her hand out to touch his.

"Shinbe, what is it? Is someone hurt?"

He could hear the fear in her voice. She thought something was wrong. He almost laughed at the truth in that question, but thought better of it. She didn't know his secret. He was still safe, could still hide his heart from her.

Another wave of dizziness caught Kyoko unaware, and she couldn't keep her balance while kneeling beside him. She accidentally leaned too far forward and fell right into his lap. Stifling a giggle, she remembered something was wrong with him and opened her eyes again trying to concentrate. All this felt so much like a dream.

Kyoko suddenly noticed Shinbeâs chest was bare. Corded muscles were tensing, rippling, and stretching under her palms. She had never seen him with his shirt off before and was amazed. She blushed, knowing she shouldn't be thinking of him this way. He was her guardian and friend.

Trying to sober up, Kyoko shook her head, which didn't really help matters. She slowly lifted her gaze to his. He hadn't moved an inch and still hadn't told her what was wrong. Now she wished he would, because the look on his face was starting to alarm her.

Shinbe's body was shaking as he restrained himself from touching her. Something with more power than him seemed to be pushing him, demanding he reach out and take what he wanted more than breath. He would have been fine, but now she was here in his lap, staring into his eyes. Eyes he knew had to be full of pain, and she wanted to know what was wrong.

Something was definitely wrong with him and he couldnât stop what seemed to be spinning quickly out of his control.

"I can't take it anymore," his voice was ragged with the force of his emotion riding so high. With those words he was trying to warn her, trying to tell her to get away, to go back to the other side of the time portal where she would be safe. Not to come back until he could keep his secret in control, hiding it once again. All his senses screamed that something was wrong, but his mind couldnât fight this intense hunger.

Kyoko gasped, hearing his words laced with so much pain, and it saddened her. Everybody counted on him to be level headed, the glue that held the group together. Even she looked up to him and loved it when he was close and she could feel his calmness, his humor, and concern. But now it was the other way around. He was the one who needed comfort.

It must be all the fighting against demonsâ¦ Hyakuheiâ¦ his curse. Oh God, his curseâ¦ the dimensional void that would be an early death for him. The ultimate power Hyakuhei had given him, knowing it would one day destroy him. She hadn't forgotten. She just tried really hard not to think about it, but she knew what would happen if they didn't stop Hyakuhei.

Kyoko reached out to him, trying to make it better and to ease his mind. "It's alright, Shinbe. I'm here." The second her hand touched his face, he came to life.

All logic had ceased and Shinbe's ironclad control snapped. He grabbed her shoulders, and rolled until she was pinned underneath him. Leaning over her body, he had everything heâd ever wantedâ¦ Kyoko. Without another coherent thought, his lips crashed down swiftly, claiming hers possessively, blocking everything else out of his mind. Heâd held this feeling in check for far too long.

Shinbe acknowledged that he might have lost control of the situation a few exits back. Somewhere in the back of his mind, the thought crept in that she tasted like some kind of alcohol, and she smelled like it too. Controlling himself enough to raise up an inch, he gazed down at her, trying to tell if it was true. Searching her face, her eyes, and her flushed cheeks he jealously wondered who had gotten her drunk.

Kyoko knew that this wasn't really happening. No way was she staring up into the amethyst eyes of the very handsome Shinbe. No way was he staring down at her like he wanted her. Kyoko reasoned with herself that she was probably lying in the grass with her head still propped up on the maiden statue. Somewhere in this dream, she could even hear Hyakuhei laughing at her.

She could have sworn she remembered sliding down the maiden statue and falling asleep. She was probably right now passed out having a dream, and her drunken mind had picked Shinbe to join her, instead of Toya.

Kyoko barely shook her head, feeling giddy, and sighed the words, "Crazy dreams," as she stared into the passion-glazed eyes of Shinbe. Her lips still tingling from the force of the dream kiss.

Shinbe lowered his lips to hers again. Heâd heard enough. Kyoko thought she was dreaming. Shinbe only hoped she was right. But either way, he was unable to stop. He couldn't stop even if he tried and he licked at her lips. She parted them with a tiny whimperâ¦ a sound that only hardened him even more, if that was possible.

He broke out in a sweat trying to restrain himself as his guardian blood surfaced. He wanted to go slowly as he deepened the kiss, invading her, taking and giving within the heat of the kiss. He had always wanted to kiss her like this, forever it seemed.

The muscles in his arms flexed as he held himself above her, making love to her lips and beyond. His hands were impatient as they worked on ridding her of her clothes. Within only a few short minutes, she lay under him, completely naked. She hadn't fought it as he took her clothes from her. Why would she? It was a dreamâ¦ right?

Shinbe's breath stilled as he gazed down at her just as sheâd appeared within his dream only a few short minutes ago. She was his priestessâ¦ his secretâ¦ his love. He slid his body against hers, loving the feel of her silky skin, sharpening his pain and his need to have her, to make love to her.

âIt has to be a dream,â he tried to convince himself.

He dipped his head to nuzzle her neck, licking and kissing her skin, tasting her gently and forcibly. He showed her how much he loved her as he made his way down her body. This would be the only time he would see and taste all of her. Sharp heat shot through him as she arched against him, moaning when he drew her breast into his mouth, licking at it with his tongue, bringing her body to life.

More of his wishes were fulfilled as Shinbe trailed kisses down her taut belly and she writhed beneath him. His muscles jumped as she clutched him to her, trying to get even closer. Shinbe was as close to heaven as he would ever get, with her essence surrounding him. Inch by slow inch, he crawled back up and over her.

Settling between her legs, he shuddered with need when the heat of her opening warmed the throbbing head of his swollen manhood. He wanted her to see him as he drove inside her, even if this was a dream. His body hardened, tightened around hers.

"Open your eyes," he whispered. His voice was mesmerizing, a deliberate seduction, and as soon as she opened those amazing emerald eyes he thrust forward, swiftly burying himself to the hilt within her heat, wanting to save her the pain of her first time. An anguished cry tore from his throat as he felt her blood bond give way to him.

Her tightness grasped him hard within her silken heat, drawing him in even deeper. If it weren't for his stubborn self-control, he would have come out of his skin right then. He gritted his teeth in an effort to hold still, breathing hard as he watched her toss her head from side to side, lips soundlessly parting. Quickly, he claimed her lips before the cry could escape her.

Once he felt her calm down, he eased off of the kiss. Giving into the first slow, but hard, deep thrust, he was rewarded with her hips coming up to meet his as her own passion started to blaze. He inhaled her moans of ecstasy, savoring them as the cherished memories he knew they would become. Giving into the feeling of her wrapped around him, he let go of his restraint. He wanted to make love to her with all of him, holding nothing back.

Lacing his fingers through hers, he pulled her hands above her head and held them down against the soft blanket. Shinbe raised himself above her so he could watch her passionate expressions as he started a rhythm that quickly drove them both over the edge. Deep and fast strokes turned in to hard slow thrusts before pausing to strain against her, only to swiftly retreat then slam back into her again.

Shinbe could feel the many times that she reached her peak as spasms racked her body. He could feel them as she squeezed him even tighter. His whole body glistened in the moonlight from holding back his own release. It was killing him, until finally, he couldn't take it anymore, and knowing she was reaching her peak again, he set a pace that rocked them both.

Taking them both over the edge, he gave one final thrust, as deep as he could and held it, throwing back his head. The sound that was ripped from him was neither human nor immortal. It was pain and pleasure, the pentacle of both, as his seed shot into her bodyâ¦ deep, hot, and steady with his heartbeat.

Once the world was again standing still, Shinbe looked down at Kyoko just as a passion glazed smile appeared across her kiss swollen lips and her eyes slowly closed.

Already feeling the heartbreak of what heâd just done, Shinbe lowered his lips to hers and whispered the truth against them, "I love you."

*****

Sometime later, deep into the night, Shinbe awoke to find Kyoko dressed, but asleep next to him on the blanket within the shimmering grass.

Not wanting to wake her and face his sins just yet, he soundlessly carried the sleeping priestess, along with the pack she carried, within the walls of the hut where the rest of the group still slept.

Once he had her tucked into her usual spot between the wall and Suki, he slowly slid down the opposite wall, drawing his knees up to his chest, happier and more afraid than he had ever been in his life. But if he were going to die within the next couple hours, then he would die happy.

Shinbe closed his eyes wondering which would be worse, Kyoko remembering, or her not remembering. He knew he would never love another, for one had to have a heart in order to love, and he didn't have a heart. Heâd already given it away. Kyoko had carried his heart since the first day heâd laid eyes on her.

If he didn't die by Toya's daggers in the morning, he knew he would stay right where he was, secretly loving her, and hoping she would notice.

Chapter 2 "Morning Frights"

Shinbe jerked awake with a start when he heard Toyaâs shout. He felt all the muscles in his body cringe at the thought of becoming shish-kabob on Toyaâs twin daggers. Morbid fascination had him slowly opening his amethyst eyes to see what was going on.

"Shut up!â Kyoko yelled, throwing her hand up and casting the taming spell, then instantly grabbed her head in panic as the pain rocketed through her brain.

"What was that for?â Toya growled as he glared up at her from the floor.

"Oww,â her mouth made a little âoâ as she cringed again. âShhh,â She added hoping he would get the message.

Shinbe sighed, knowing Kyoko most likely had a hangover, and Toya wasnât helping the matter by being so loud. He was glad she could paralyze him, even if he did find it strange that the taming spell only worked on Toya. Sometimes he found himself jealous that she could put a spell on Toya at all. It also didnât help that Toya was the only one who could leap back and forward through time, following her into her home world. In Shinbeâs mind, it only brought those two even closer.

He silently wondered if she remembered last night considering how intoxicated she was. Shinbe closed his eyes, feeling his insides clench when Toya snapped at Kyoko for using the spell. So far, everything seemed normal. He reflected back again, trying to remember everything clearly. He found it strange that even for him, last night seemed almost like a dream.

He remembered just before bringing her into the hut, heâd used a shield spell on them to cover up any scent of their love making, if it had been noticeable. He opened his eyes again, knowing hiding wouldnât help if she remembered what happened. Then Shinbe forgot to breathe as he watched Toya lean close to Kyoko, sniffing her.

Toya crinkled his nose up at her, "Kyoko, do I smell alcohol on you?â He sat down in front of her when he heard her pained but guilty sigh. Her hands were still covering her face. "What the hell, Kyoko? Did you get drunk?â Toya couldnât keep his voice from going a little too high, and he clamped his mouth shut when she jerked her hands down and gave him a death glare.

"Toya, Iâm sorry. But if you donât get out of my face right now, Iâm gonna do something me and you are both going to regret," Kyokoâs eyes narrowed. She raised her hand as if to cast the Taming spell on him again, causing Toya to scoot back quickly and growl in annoyance.

Shinbe couldnât help but smirk as Kyoko put Toya in his place. He hid it behind a quick cough. Sometimes those two could be soâ¦ entertaining. Another cough caught his attention. Leaning over to look around Toya, he could see Kamui having the same problem of trying to hide his laughter.

'Damn, she can be really, really scary, sometimes,' Toya thought as he put his hands in his loose sleeves and turned his face to the side. "Fine, you can tell me later!" he peeked at her from the corner of his golden eyes, knowing he had said that a little too loud. Jumping up, he took off out the door, not wanting to stick around if she tried to âtameâ him again. It was a good thing that stupid spell didnât last long or he would be hurting.

Suki hadnât said a word as she watched Kyoko in wonder. When Toya finally left, she padded softly over to Kyoko. Bending down, she whispered, "Kyoko, Iâm going to go get you some fresh water, okay? You just lie back down and Iâll be right back." She placed her hand lightly on Kyokoâs shoulder shaking her head, wondering how their innocent Kyoko could have gotten drunk. Deciding sheâd wait to ask, she turned and left the hut to get her friend some water.

Kamui couldnât pass up the opportunity and grinned from ear to ear. âKyoko, I canât believe you went out drinking and didnât invite me.â His smile widened even more when Kyoko gave him a cross-eyed look. Sensing Kaen outside waiting on him, he left the hut to join his fiery friend.

Kyoko groaned as her head pounded. She should have asked Suki for help to look through her backpack. She knew she would have something in there for pain, and if she could just find it right now, she would probably take all of it. She saw a shadow fall across her and turned to see Shinbeâs amethyst gaze watching her.

Suddenly, images of him above her, making love to her lips and body coursed through her mind. It was a dreamâ¦ right? A drunken dream, yeahâ¦ she remembered now. Hangover or not, she couldnât help what she was thinking and felt the hot blush rise up to stain her cheeks. She was instantly thankful one of his guardian powers wasnât being able to read minds, like Kyou could.

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Defy Not The Heart

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