SHADOWS AND TOUCHES

Raizen sat on his throne, his fingers lightly tracing the edges of the armrest. His crimson eyes were half-closed as he listened to the whispers of the world. The artifact… so close, yet so far.

He was no fool. He knew he couldn't allow Leyla and Naru to give up their search. They were the key. They were the ones who would find what he needed.

And then… then it would be his.

He raised his hand, and from the darkness, a figure took shape. A slender man with shadowed features knelt before him. His long hair was silver-blue, and his eyes were void of whites—completely black.

— "You are going to the palace." Raizen's voice was quiet, yet it carried the weight of command. "Disguise yourself, spy, listen. Do not interfere. Just bring me what I need."

— "As you wish, my lord." The figure bowed before dissolving into mist and vanishing.

---

Meanwhile, Leyla and Naru had returned to the palace. Her steps were slower than usual, her shoulder burning with pain.

— "Maybe I should rest a little before we continue..." she murmured, clutching the injured spot.

— "Fine, but under one condition." Naru grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the room. "Let me help you."

When they entered, Leyla sighed and began removing her shirt, leaving her in only a black bra.

Naru stood beside the bed, arms crossed over his chest, his gaze trailing down her body.

— "You know, I didn't think this day could get any better, but..." he started with a grin.

— "Don't even start." Leyla rolled her eyes, trying to reach her shoulder.

— "Come on, sit down." He pulled her onto the bed and sat behind her, already holding a small container of ointment. "Let the expert do his job."

He started massaging her shoulder gently, but then his gaze wandered again to her chest.

— "You know, it's hard not to notice—"

— "Don't even finish that sentence!" she shouted, blushing.

— "What? I was just going to say that you should go without a shirt more often. For medical purposes, of course."

Leyla groaned in frustration while he smirked, continuing to rub the ointment onto her shoulder.

But in his eyes, there was desire.

So close.

So untouchable.

Because he might have been the prince of the yokai world… but he would never take anything that wasn't given to him.

When he finished the massage, Naru hesitated. His hands were still on her shoulders, but he couldn't help but notice how she relaxed more with each touch. However, knowing they still had time for exploration made him snap out of it.

— "Come on, we should go. We don't want to be the last ones to explore these halls."

Leyla simply nodded, getting up from the bed, and he couldn't help but let his gaze drop to her backside as she moved. He froze for a moment but quickly turned away, giving her space to change.

A few moments later, Leyla stepped out of the bathroom, but...

She was not the same Leyla he knew.

Instead of her usual clothes, she was now dressed in tight black jeans, with so many pockets they looked like they could store an entire world. The jeans hugged her figure perfectly—especially her hips.

On top, she wore a black short-sleeved shirt that fit her flawlessly. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, with soft waves cascading down her back. Her whole posture resembled a detective from a movie—strict, but breathtakingly beautiful.

Naru stood there, completely stunned, his lips twitching, his eyes narrowing as he absorbed every detail.

— "Hello? Earth to Naru, can you move?" Leyla smirked, while his gaze lingered a bit too long on her backside.

Naru quickly swallowed, trying to suppress his smile.

— "I have to admit, no detective in any movie compares to you. Maybe you should become one?"

Leyla arched an eyebrow sarcastically.

— "Oh, now you say that? Just as I'm ready for action?"

— "I need to rest so I can keep up with you," he said, pretending to be serious as he took a few steps closer to her. "What's next on the list?"

— "Exploration!"

Naru responded with obvious excitement, but deep inside, he felt something much more than that. Suddenly, everything seemed... different. Every curve, every movement of hers made his heart race.

He began teasing her, saying:

— "I don't know, you have this... unstoppable police look. Maybe I should just follow your lead, what do you think?"

Leyla simply nodded sarcastically and walked past him.

— "Just make sure you don't think I'm your action partner."

Naru grinned.

— "Actually, with you, I wouldn't mind being an action partner. I think I'd feel safer."

— "Safe?" she pressed a hand against his chest. "I'm dangerous."

— "I never doubted that," he laughed.

Naru remained standing in the same spot, eyes locked on Leyla as she walked away. He couldn't stop absorbing the sight in front of him, completely fascinated.

— "Seriously, Leyla, dressed like this, you could start a war between yokai clans."

Leyla rolled her eyes and took a few steps toward the door. Then, without warning, she suddenly turned around and smacked his backside with her palm.

A loud "SMACK!" echoed through the room.

Naru froze. His eyes widened in shock as he instinctively placed a hand over the affected area.

— "You... You just..."

He turned to her, looking unsure whether to be angry or amused. Leyla stood with a confident smirk, arms crossed over her chest.

— "Let's go, prince. And yes, I just did that."

Naru shook his head in disbelief and took a deep breath.

— "Do you even realize what you just did? I'm a prince! Who dares to hit a prince on—"

— "Right here." — she interrupted with a grin and winked at him.

Naru took a step closer, narrowing his eyes.

— "Alright. Alright. Remember this, because I will get you back. Maybe even tonight."

Leyla smirked.

— "I'd love to see you try, Your Highness."

He only laughed and shook his head, but a spark of challenge flickered in his eyes.

They headed toward the main hall of the palace, but as soon as they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. Every yokai present, every being in elegant silk robes and traditional garments, suddenly turned their gaze toward Leyla.

But it wasn't disgust.

It was admiration.

Her tight black outfit, which fit her perfectly, made her stand out against the delicate, flowing fabrics worn by the others. Her ponytail only emphasized her sharp, determined presence.

— "I think I just started a fashion revolution," she muttered under her breath, noticing how some of the female yokai were discreetly whispering and analyzing her outfit.

Naru leaned in closer and whispered:

"Just so you know, some of them are now considering declaring you the new trendsetter of yokai fashion. You might see court ladies in leather jackets and jeans by tomorrow."

Leyla laughed, but then she noticed something else—the male yokai were watching her with perhaps a little too much interest.

Naru noticed it at the same moment, and his face darkened instantly.

"Okay, that's enough staring. We're heading out on our search before I have to start gouging out eyes."

He gently took her hand and led her forward, ignoring the whispers and gazes that followed them.