Weeks had past since Kaede's night out incident. She had gotten an earful from her father the next day, something that Kaede would remember for a while. It made her feel weak. Childish.

"Do you understand the severity of the situation, Kaede? We live in a city with killers, ghouls, monsters. You should have come home straight home, regardless whether the car was there to pick you up."

Kaede hated feeling sorry for herself, feeling apologetic about her circumstances. But more than that, Kaede felt confined. Confined to the limits of what was allowed to her, by her father.

That was why, when Kaede came home early one day, and saw her father having sex with some blonde, foreign woman in the living room, Kaede felt that it was time for her to not feel this childish anymore.

"I need my own personal apartment. I don't care where, just away from here. If you don't want this to spread like wildfire gossip, father, I implore you to do just that."


"I am in love with your place, it is so fricking cute, Kae-chan! I am definitely going to be staying over a ton!" Emiko's high-pitched, melodic voice echoed through the apartment that Kaede now lived in. The place was designed in a modern manner, reflecting Kaede's personal preferences, and was situated in a relatively safe area near Kamii.

Chuckling, Kaede responded. "You can stay over anytime that you'd like, Emiko".

Kaede had been feeling glum since moving, questioning her decision. Was it wise to leave Kyou behind, behind with that man. He's a just a child, and her father won't do anything to him. He is the heir to Iehiro's throne, after all.

Sensing her best friend's depleted tone, Emiko felt sad. Sad that she couldn't do more for her best friend. Shaking her head and lightly slapping her face, Emiko declared. "We are young, and we are gorgeous. What are we doing, sitting at home on a Saturday night? Let's go out and have some real fun!"


The young brunette wasn't sure what she was doing in a night club, sipping on a coke and whisky mix. Everything about the bright, colourful, glaring lights, and the questionable characters that Emiko and Kaede had encountered, screamed danger. This was the perfect scene for ghouls to inhabit, and the two young university students were the perfect pair of humans to eat.

At Emiko's insistence, the pair still came to the club. "It'll be fun, and we won't be eaten! This nightclub has been reported to have zero casualties, and isn't it our God-given mandate as young, pretty girls, to go out at least once in our academic careers!"

Taking another sip of her drink, Kaede sighed. Regardless of the danger, Kaede knew that clubbing wasn't her thing. She didn't find enjoyment grinding against strangers on the dance floor, as Emiko found at this current moment. Kaede did not particularly care to socialise and make new friends either. So instead, Kaede wandered around the club, until finally on the second floor, she found a seating area, with decent lighting.

Setting her drink down, Kaede pulled out a copy of War and Peace. Kaede was aware of how theatrical the entire mise-en-scène was. A girl in a tight, black, not so modest dress, sitting at a more secluded corner of a nightclub, reading a book.

A stranger sits down opposite Kaede. His presence is strong, and Kaede notices how a strong mahogany scent. Raising her vision, Kaede looks up at the stranger. He is tall, a few heads taller than her, which is surprising as Kaede isn't short. The stranger has crimson eyes, eyes red as blood. He is also strikingly pale, paler than Kaede could ever be.

The two held each other's gazes. Initially, Kaede was simply observing him as he was observing her, however, it soon evolved into an almost staring contest. A test to see who would back down first. The music was still beating in the background, the vibrations ringing Kaede's ears, however, an unexpected beat drop causes her to subconsciously break gaze with the stranger. Clearing her throat, Kaede spoke first.

"Can I help you?"

There is a slight pause, and then the white-haired stranger replies. "It isn't very often that people come to clubs to read," the voice is softer than Kaede anticipated.

Kaede's phone vibrated, and the brunette glanced down with her hazel eyes, reading the new text message. Emiko: I'm frickle-frackling with a stranger tonight. Don't worry, I'm fine. I'll text you in the morning. Kaede typed out a quick response, acknowledging Emiko's message, and telling her once again to not forget to call in the morning.

As this was happening, Kaede knew that the stranger's continued to stare at her, surveying her. Looking back at him, Kaede notes how attractive he is. She also realises how she hasn't been intimate with anyone since her first boyfriend broke up with her, over two years ago. Regardless, she blames the stranger's attractiveness for what followed.

One thing lead to another, and before Kaede realised, she was against a dark, brick wall, making out with the white-haired stranger. The stranger holds Kaede's wrist against the wall, essentially crushing her whilst pressing her mouth against his. His body was pressed firmly against her black dress, and Kaede smiles into the kiss. He tastes like mint. Pulling away, Kaede was out of breath as she spoke.

"My name is Kaede," taking another breath as the stranger now trailed harsh kisses across her neck, Kaede finished speaking. "Do you play shogi?"


On the walk to her apartment, about five blocks south, Kaede learned the strangers name. Tatara.

The walk was cold, colder than she had anticipated, and somehow, Tatara knew that. Whilst walking, he gently, but yet still quite firmly, took her hand. His large hands were warm, which to Kaede didn't make sense as he was wearing only a black shirt, and was as underdressed as she was. Pulling her long, wavy brown hair to one side, Kaede spoke in a soft voice, whilst turning to her partner. "Aren't you cold?"

The white haired kept his head straight, not turning, whilst responding. "No, I guess my body is more warm."

As they neared her complex, Kaede took the lead, gently tugging Tatara's pale hand towards the door of her apartment. She turned to face Tatara, who was keenly watching her with his crimson eyes, looking down at her lips, whilst licking his own. "Well, this is my home." Kaede's gentle voice echoed down the empty hall which was dimly lit.

"You live alone?" Kaede hummed in response, as she unlocked the door.

As soon as they entered, they were back at it again. Inside the apartment, Kaede straightened her back, looking up to Tatara, who had his arm around her in a firm grip. Kaede found Tatara's strength in his arms comforting. Likewise, she held him close, hugging him tightly. A kiss trailed down her neck, most definitely leaving markings on her skin. To Kaede, the gentle bites he was leaving was pleasant, not painful. With a gentle hand, Kaede raised Tatara's face to her one, giving him a soft kiss, into which he smiled into.

Pulling away, Tatara said in a low voice, "Guess we aren't going to play shogi?"


Chapter notes

hello! so this is really random, but i included shogi because of shikamaru from naruto, and it felt really natural and perfect to place into the plot of this story.

please leave a review, i'd really appreciate it! also, you can follow me on my tumblr if you'd like to get in touch with me :)

until next time,
s.