If there was something else, he would've sensed it when his sphere exploded. He'd have to visit Amaterasu before he left for Mount Kailasa. He'd probably lose a limb or three, but she wouldn't kill him because he was Shiva's heir.
Regardless, he'd be going to Kyoto soon.
Suuuuuu…
.
|DxD|
.
A few moments earlier…
.
Deep in the forest of Kuoh, a man and a woman were holding each other intimately. His hands were on her cheeks, hers on his chest. They were hidden beneath the shade of the trees, and only a trace of sunlight was able to penetrate the canopy and illuminate their lips.
"..."
Shuri fought to keep steady breaths. It's been minutes since she stood with Igor like this. She could feel his soul travelling deep into her very being. Very soon, he'd reach her core.
While he was down there, he wouldn't be able to feel any intense sensations on his body. This meant…
*Pant*
…this meant for the time being, she could feel how it was like to…to kiss him.
*Flush~*
She had to control herself, but it was hard. Restraining herself was like asking a devout fan to restrain herself from jumping the most famous pop star in the west.
Here was Igor, completely vulnerable to her ministrations. Atleast for the next five or ten minutes, he wouldn't be able to defend himself against her. Best of all, he wouldn't remember.
She could…she could feel what his lips were like and experience the feeling of intimate contact.
"It's…only fair."
Since he dove deep into her soul, the least she could do is claim his body.
"..."
Her head tilted upwards slowly. The movement caused his mouth to near hers. Their foreheads were connected and soon, their lips would too. For a moment, Shuri's breath hitched. They were so close, not even a pencil's width apart.
"Some day, I hope you'll love me too."
It was a heartfelt wish. Shuri had no illusions if she were provided the opportunity with zero chance of consequence and enough time, she'd strip him down right here and lay with him on the forest floor.
It was a terrible thought and realisation to have, but she loved him to the point of obsession. No matter what, no matter how long it takes, she will have him.
For now however, she could only satisfy herself with this.
"I'm sorry, Dimori-kun…"
Her eyes closed as she leaned in. The distance between them was closed until finally…
Chuu~
…she claimed his mouth with hers. Her eyes were tightly shut, blissfully savouring his taste. The missing pieces fell in and everything felt so, so right.
Her hands gently grasped the back of his head and pulled him towards her, deepening the kiss between them. She stood on her tiptoes, eager to just…savour him while she could.
Yet…it wasn't complete. As much as she wanted to continue, what she desired the most was for him to reciprocate. Having him like this…it wasn't terrible, but it also wasn't fulfilling.
Still, she'd continue--
"?!?!"
Her eyes shot open. Igor's hands framing her face suddenly tightened. She'd wanted to pull back, but was rendered frozen when he suddenly returned her kiss.
"Mnng~"
She mewled both in surprise and pleasure. The feeling of him pressing against her was indescribable. This single moment was a thousand-times better than her one-sided contribution. She eagerly replied to his actions, her hands grabbing fistfuls of his hair.
She'd done it. He accepted her. He actually accepted her--
"No…"
As sudden as it came, the pleasant feeling of his mouth was replaced by the coldness of the forest.
"I can't do this. It isn't right."
Igor pulled away from her, a heavy frown sporting his face.
"I can't do this, Shuri."
"..."
The world collapsed…HER world collapsed. She heard his words, saw his expression, but she couldn't process it. Just a moment prior, she'd ascended to the high heavens. Now?
"W-why…?"
Her composure was on the verge of breaking. Tears clouded her vision, threatening to trail down her cheeks. She regretted it. She regretted ever kissing him.
"Shuri. What I feel for you is lust. I do not hold the love you wish for me to have for you. I…"
Disgust filled Igor's mind. It wasn't aimed at Shuri, but at himself. She was Baraquiel's old flame…and he kissed her.
"I can't in good conscience, accept you. I can't."
"..."
Shuri remained silent, but her tears said it all. It hurt. It truly, truly hurt. She'd fell from the stars right down to the cold earth. She'd expected to get rejected. It was a possibility she had to factor in, but she never thought it'd hurt this much.
"I…I love you…"
She raised her head expectantly.
"I love you, Dimori-kun."
She quickly took his hand and placed it on her chest.
"Feel my heart, Dimori-kun. Feel it! Feel my love for you. You should know how much I love you, right? Right?"
"..."
How could he not know? When he killed Amaterasu's fragment, he was truly and utterly made aware of everything she felt. The floodgates were opened and he swore he never expected she'd hold such deep feelings for him. They were deeper than what he initially felt to the point he thought he'd be overwhelmed.
For them to be this much…it didn't make sense. His own heart thrummed with budding affection when he realised. He could actually see a potential future, but he couldn't do it.
"Is it because of Baraquiel?"
Shuri tentatively asked. Her entire soul was laid bare before him. All her knowledge and secrets were there for his digging. She'd never betray him, never forsake him, and would always love him. This should've completely bypassed the ten-year requirement Aurelia told her of.
So…so…it could only be that man. That man must be preventing her from truly living her new life.
"Please tell me, Dimori-kun. Is it…because of…him?"
For a moment, Shuri's eyes darkened with immense hatred, but it was only for a moment.
"Shuri. You don't understand. I owe that man a lot. I will not spit on him by accepting your feelings."
Igor did spot Shuri's killing intent. No matter what, he would not let her disrespect hi--
"You're right. I don't understand. Because he's no longer my husband!"
"He's Akeno's father."
"YET HE ABANDO--"
GRUUUUU!
Chaotic red aura flamed around Igor. The pressure from his power alone sent her flying backwards. Only a tree stopped her flight path…
*CRACK!*
…though it was worse for wear.
"Don't you DARE say that, Shuri. His actions were less than desirable, but do not undermine his love for you and Akeno."
He glared at her with subtle rage. He's seen Baraquiel's efforts over the months. The man truly was doing his best to make up for his actions and has been the best father for Akeno thus far.
He gave Shuri her space and rarely bothered her, but it could not be denied he still loved her…and would do anything to earn back her trust.
SUUUUuuuuuuu…
He let the aura around him subside. He'd admit the storm of emotions he was feeling caused him to operate with less composure than usual.
So he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them once more.
"Look, Shuri…"
He regretted his earlier outburst. He knew he hurt her deeply with his actions, but that didn't mean he'd stop what he was about to say. Matters like this…it was best they were cleared and nipped in the bud before misunderstandings rose.
"I cannot take you as my woman. It isn't because of Aurelia nor is it because I still see you as your past self. It's because I do not want to be responsible for breaking a family. Akeno has her father. I do not wish to replace him. I respect the old man. I do not want to humiliate him nor bring shame upon his name."
Igor was solemn, but he wouldn't stop.
"I do not expect you to get back together with the old man, but please do not expect me to give you what you wish for. I can't do it."
.
AN
.
I don't know whether to salute or slap the nonsense out of him. He's got a perfect wife standing right in front of him, completely willing to be number two, and he rejects her because of her ex-husband who she had every right to divorce.
I get it. Baraquiel was his first teacher and taught him how to fight in the supernatural world, a world where martial arts mean nothing when your opponent has sixteen limbs, can fly, and can fart rainbows out of their arses.
But…come on man! Just bed the woman already for crying out loud. What kind of man denies dessert when it's right in front of him?