FS
FS
FS
Days passed. She knew not how many.
Rosetta was starting to get worried.
"You'll find another," the young kitsune softly rumbled. "Someone that isn't stupid to realize what a mate you'd be."
Sora still looked out on the mountain path, motionless. "He wasn't stupid," she murmured, lightly petting her friend's fuzzy ear. "Just human."
It hurt that he left, but at least this time he'll remember her and hopefully will look fondly on the image he had drawn of her. Maybe even visit. She sighed and shook her head. No. He won't. Because if he ever returned, she wasn't letting him go and he made it clear that that was not what he wanted. She had hoped to win him over, make him hers before anyone else could but she had been thinking like a kitsune.
Humans were a little different; she knew that now.
"...Humans," the male voice casually sneered from behind them, causing their tails to straighten, "so fickle and simpleminded."
Sora pursed her lips. "I wondered when you'd show up."
Rosetta frowned. Who was the male with the cream colored tails propping him up as he sat?
"Whatever made you think so," he murmured like silk, "Sora-chan?"
"I'm not stupid, Yuri-san. You're here for me." Her eyes narrowed. "I didn't think you'd follow me to America."
Yuri looked at his claws. "Still with the formal address. How long have we known each other? 115? 117 years?"
"Prey on some other female kitsune," Sora bitterly murmured. "Let's go, Rosetta."
"Ah, ok..."
They started walking away.
"Once, you wanted me to prey on you," half his mouth tilted upward. "What changed, I wonder?"
The fur along Sora's tails bristled. "Once, when I was a kit. But I found out you are fickle," she shot over her shoulder, "simpleminded."
He looked down at her, his violet eyes sharp. "Did you not smell the other scent on your human?"
"...Of course I did," she acknowledged.
But how did he know?
Her eyes then narrowed. Yuri was an earth kitsune...She had a feeling it had been Yuri that had injured Leon, hence why she did not want to leave him alone to hunt or let him step out of the shelter of her charmed den. Her frown relaxed a little. But Leon was no longer in any danger. Perhaps...it was for the best that he had left. Maybe she had been foolish to think she could protect him.
The other part of her scoffed.
She was strong and her marking him would have given him some of her fortifications. But her dreams of her and Leon were highly unlikely to occur now that he was gone. The scent that had been on Leon was most definitely a female human, not related to him. The female scent had hovered over him far denser than a casual acquaintance. It had just been her arrogance that she thought she could sway him to her instead. Another one of her miscalculations. Another instance of her kitsune instincts getting in the way of how humans were.
"Sora..." Rosetta had a bad feeling about this.
"Go back to your den," Sora half smiled in reassurance. "I'll see you soon."
The younger fox left.
"Now then," Yuri lowered himself from sitting high up, "will you come back to Japan quietly or will you make it difficult?"
Initially, she was tired of running from Yuri. She had been set on just going back and giving him litters of kits like he wanted her to do. It was instinct to procreate, but the part of her that made her more than a mortal fox longed for something other than a strong mate. Indignation fueled her at the quick imagined life with Yuri her mind supplied her.
Sora flexed her fingers, elongating her nails. "Difficult," she murmured with an extension of her claws.
Yuri quickly raised some earth to block the slicing winds she sent his way. "Wind against earth, as well as five tails against seven...I believe we know the outcome of this battle, Sora-chan."
"Nothing is set!"
She jumped up, her five tails pointing like her claws. He shook his head. She will never learn, the strong headed idiot. He grinned. But it was what made her desirable, this trait of hers. The idea of making such a strong willed female submit was the thrill of a lifetime. His seven tails swished with the anticipation.
They clashed, wind and rock flying in the air.
FS
Leon stood in the shower, feeling the water hit his back.
It was warmer than he thought it would be.
"I heated it myself," she smiled as she slipped into the pool with him.
He quickly averted his eyes. He did not think she would be joining him. He heard the water lightly part as she came closer to him. By the size of the ripples, he could tell she was very close.
"I can bathe myself."
"And risk further injury?"
He shrugged off the hand that was on his shoulder. Almost immediately, he gritted his teeth.
"You shouldn't move so sharply," she quietly chided him. She put the wash cloth against his skin and he flinched. She tutted. "I barely touched you." She turned his head towards her gently. "I will be careful," she softly cooed, "Trust me."
His eyes closed as he relaxed, her claws lightly massaging his scalp as she took her time washing his hair.
"You forgot how to use a shower or something?"
His eyes quickly opened upon the sound of the bathroom door. He could see her silhouette through the shower curtain. That memory...that was nearly four months ago. This was his life now, not some strange, otherworldly encounter. Quite honestly, he sometimes wondered if it even happened.
"I swear you take longer than a girl," May grumbled as she put toothpaste on her brush. "At this rate I'll be late."
He watched the water go down the drain. "...You can join me."
She paused in brushing her teeth. "Nah." She spat out and then rinsed. "Shower's 'Me Time.' A Jacuzzi, on the other hand..." she grinned as she eyed his shadow through the curtain. "You won't even have to ask."
He knew that about her. Why did he even ask?
"See ya stud. Don't forget, you're in charge of dinner tonight."
"For that, it'll be Orient Express."
"You better not Oswald," she growled.
He half smirked. She hated that place more than cheap chocolate.
FS
Work was uneventful.
He was practically done with his projects already. With a bit of a sigh, he punched out and gathered his coat and laptop bag. I'm in charge of dinner. He could always get some Thai or stir fry, but he was not really in the mood for either of those two tonight. He beeped his car and got in, carelessly tossing his coat and bag on the passenger seat. He pulled out of the parking structure, quickly halting as a stray animal ran by.
"Dogs," he muttered. Sometimes, they were too fearless.
Once it was clear, he turned onto the street and headed for downtown. There were plenty of restaurants that way; he was certain he would find something to tickle both of their fancy over there.
He withheld the urge to look at his watch for the umphteenth time.
The couple in front couldn't seem to decide whether to eat in or take out. It wasn't that hard of a decision. If they had the time to eat in, then do it. If they did not have time, then take out.
Simple. As. That.
He raised his voice a little. "The rest of us would like to order."
The man looked sheepish. The woman blinked at him and then frowned.
"Mind your own business."
Then, they turned back around. He wanted to strangle something. They took a couple more minutes. His cell rang and with a sharp, "Hello?" he answered it.
"What crawled up your ass?"
"May. Is this important?"
"Not really, just wanted to see what the hold up was. You're usually home before I am."
"Ah, excuse me," he heard the cashier up front say, "you're up."
Leon looked at the counter. The space was indeed clear.
"I'm up." He then hung up the phone. "I'll have two of the Cajun shrimp plates to go."
"That'll be $21.89."
He pulled out his wallet and he let out a curse as some change slipped out. He bent down to grab the coins, pausing when he noticed a hand stretched out to him.
"Here's your quarter."
He looked at the dark brown haired woman. He lightly frowned and then took the coin.
"Thank you."
She gave him a nod and then continued on to the bathroom.
"Sir?"
He looked back at the cashier, handing him the money.
He tapped his steering wheel as he waited at the light.
He seemed to be catching all the reds. He turned on the radio, letting the low saxophone calm him. The light turned green and he started pulling forward to make the left turn. He frowned as he felt a slight rumbling. His eyes widened as the street suddenly heaved and then sort of bounced him back up, overturning the car. Cars honked and metal crashed as others were caught in the mess. His brain rattled in his head as he hit the top of the car when it was flipped. He groaned as he tried to regain his sense of self.
"What the...?"
He felt for his seat belt. His car was overturned, which could lead to gas leakage depending on the damage. He felt the release button and quickly pushed it down. It would not work. A bit frantic, he pushed again and again. He smelled the gas. He grunted as he pulled at the belt, trying to slip out of it. His heart raced as he pushed himself to go faster, faster...
He soon felt immense, burning heat melting his skin. He opened his mouth in extreme agony...
:Go back.:
"That'll be $21.89."
Leon slowly blinked at the smiley cashier. "Ah. Yes. I apologize."
He had the strange feeling that he had done this already. But he was quick to shrug it off. Deja Vu was not an uncommon occurrence. He bit back a curse as some coins fell out of his wallet. He bent down to grab them, silently upset at himself for being so careless.
A dark brown haired woman walked by him and straight into the bathroom.
Leon sighed as he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel.
He should have known it would be so busy downtown, especially at this hour. But at the very least, he had his smooth jazz to cut through the dullness of waiting. The left light turned green. He turned the car and made the turn.
He arrived at the loft without too much trouble.
He grabbed the take out bag, straightened up and closed the car door with his foot. A sharp bark caught his attention, making him turn around. A dog? No, the tail is poofy like - His eyes widened as multiple tails appeared behind the cream colored fox. The creature gave him a malicious grin before jumping up with his teeth bared.
Leon didn't even have time to scream as the fox ripped out his throat...
:Not even that? *sigh* Back.:
"...1.89."
Leon stood in a daze in front of the cashier.
"Ah sir? Are you alright?"
He slightly shook his head. "What was the price?"
"$21.89."
He reached inside his coat pocket, getting his wallet out. He usually didn't daydream in public. Something surely must be off with him. His fingers shook a little, making the coins in his wallet fall out. He cursed in his head. What is wrong with me?
He bent down to pick up the coins.
No one walked by him.
FS
Leon could see May's head over the couch. "I have food."
"Took you long enough."
"And you said I have something up my ass."
May sipped from her wine glass. "Cause you do." She stood up to stand in front of him. "What's wrong, Leon?"
He looked at her left hand, seeing her wedding ring. "Work."
She sighed to herself. That was all he would ever say. She removed her hand in favor of getting some food. They sat down at the table. Leon re-poured her glass and then poured some for himself.
"I think you should go to the gallery."
He paused in chewing. "That's not necessary."
She rolled her eyes. "If there was ever a guy in need of a change in pace, it's you."
She got up to get something. He felt her squeeze his shoulder as she passed him. He closed his eyes for a moment before going back to eating.
"I will consider it."
It was well past midnight, but he could not sleep.
He lifted May's arm from around his torso and slipped out of her loose hold. He grabbed his sleep pants from the floor and then went down the spiral staircase. The stairs led straight to the bedroom while the living room area, dining, kitchen, and bathroom were all downstairs. The bedroom used to be some sort of small attic until the new owners of the building renovated the place.
He went to the coffee table where the wine bottle was and poured himself a good amount. The moonlight caught his gaze and he went to the large window, admiring the nearly full moon. He really had nothing to complain about his life. It was relatively stable, he had someone, and they were comfortable.
He downed the glass.
There was something bothering him. It was on the edge of his conscious mind, warning him with red flags but for the life of him, he did not know what it was. He turned his head a little, seeing his desk. Various tubes of paint and papers were stacked neatly to the side. He found himself walking towards it and his fingers, almost automatically, reached under the desk, lightly grazing the hidden key. The key was in his palm. He eyed the locked chest next to the desk. Then, he gritted his teeth, tightly clenching the key. Not anymore. That part of his life was over with. He couldn't be jumping back and forth between them. He was going to have to do something about this.
He slipped the key back under the desk.
FS
Leon sighed as he opened the loft door.
Work had been long and tedious. All he wanted to do was fall onto his bed and slowly submit to unconsciousness. He moved slowly down the hallway and was about to push the bedroom door when it opened itself. He felt the breeze that had opened it. The windows were all closed.
He stepped in decisively and halted soon after.
"Took you a while," her tails swished in the air as she did a crossword puzzle. "I thought I would have to hunt you down in one of those metal towers."
He slowly blinked. "Is that my shirt?"
She smiled. "Yes it is." She rolled onto her back, the low collar of his black dress shirt showing her slender neck. "Want it?" she purred, her lashes languidly brushing her cheeks, "Then come and take it."
His laptop bag slid off of his shoulder. "I intend to."
He pounced on her, his hands getting everywhere. He relished her throaty mewls and her delicate claws scratching his back. Her tails came around him, stroking his face and arms lovingly.
"Now?" she moaned with impatience, her hands already unbuckling his belt.
He gave her a lidded look. "Now."
*Brur! Brur! Brur! Bru-!*
He slammed his hand hard on the travel sized alarm clock, nearly breaking it.
Damned dreams...
He rubbed his face hard. The last time he had dreams of her was about three months ago. Two nights ago, it had been just them talking. Then the next night, there had been some touching. This time...well, it had been very different. He frowned as the passion of the dream still lingered in his veins. They are getting more vivid for some reason. He looked up at the hotel ceiling, narrowing his eyes. It has been over six months since he met her and yet he could not fully be rid of her. She has been plaguing me with these...notions and will not relent. He nodded to himself. Yes, she was kitsune. She is obviously doing this to me through some sort of magic.
If he had known that she would stoop so low, he would have been more specific with his bet.
Then, though, he loudly sighed in defeat. She would not do such a thing. Her word was her honor. To even consider that she would have backed out of it would be an insult. Though, technically, my win was solely that I would leave her den. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Why was he even considering this?
Going to the bathroom he put the shower on cold in the hope that the chill will knock some sense into him.
FS
The gallery had a decent number of people.
Leon grabbed a champagne glass as the server walked by.
"So the Great Leon Oswald makes an appearance."
He turned to see a short older man standing behind him. It was not typical for him to come to his gallery showings.
"There was a change in plans."
The older man hummed as he looked at a piece. "You say painting is merely your hobby?"
"Yes," Leon took a sip of his glass, "when the desire to do so strikes me."
"Well, your muse must stay for long stretches of time," he laughed. "You have over 20 pieces here, from what your agent told me."
28. But Leon was not inclined to tell him the exact number. "Some are merely sketches, Mr. Kenneth."
Mr. Kenneth stroked his grey beard, looking at the sketch titled, 'The Pool,' with a woman bathing with her back to the viewer, her surroundings some sort of natural body of water found out in the wild.
"You met someone."
"Pardon?"
Mr. Kenneth grinned. "I was once a young man myself. Most of these depictions," he looked at another of a young woman brushing her hair in front of a mirror, her kimono half hanging open to reveal her shoulder, "are painted with a lot of feeling." Leon opened his mouth to refute, but the man held a hand up, "Don't you try to feed me some line about this simply being 'models.' I know it is the same woman," his grin widened, "You merely changed her hair, but it is the same figure with the same sweet face." He tapped the corner of his eye. "I'm old, not blind."
Leon's hand clenched around the glass, but portrayed nothing on his face. "Excuse me."
"Go ahead," Mr. Kenneth chuckled.
The nerve of him. Busybodies like him really made Leon reluctant to do art galleries. It truly was a hobby but he did take some enjoyment in being able to just let his mind create an image and let his hand bring it to life. He eyed one of the paintings. This time, however, he had been nearly feverish in his hobby. It was like the images would not leave his head until they were out on the canvas. He spent weeks doing them, sometimes getting very little sleep until it was completed. A part of him still felt like the works did not do justice to the images in his head but he had to stop at some point or else risk losing his sanity.
Leon turned to avoid a couple but mistimed his dodge, bumping into a young woman.
"Oh I am so sorry," she said with a fluster, "I wasn't paying attention."
He stared hard at petite woman. "...Rosetta?"
Her normally bright mint eyes were slightly dulled, but still stood out against her black hair. "L-Leon!" Her face paled considerably. "You weren't supposed to be here. I triple checked with your agent."
His breath quickened in realization. "...She's here."
He started to look around. At this point, he didn't give a damn about how frantic he looked. What painting would she be at? A couple came to mind, but one title stood out the most. He knew where she would be; he wasn't certain how he was going to explain that painting without revealing anything.
Then, though, he realized that he wanted her to know.
"Leon, this is not a good idea, especially -" She stepped back as a group of people got in her way. "Get back here!"
A woman with dark brown hair stood stock still in front of a painting titled Completion.
It depicted a woman in a soft lavender kimono, her slender fingers on the swell of a very pregnant belly. Another set of hands was rubbing the belly, the strong arms of a figure behind the woman embracing her as his face was mostly in her hair, his eyes closed as if in peaceful contentment. The faces were not clear but she could almost see him and her in that painting, enjoying their first pregnancy together. Tears built up rapidly. She let the wetness go down her cheeks. It most likely wasn't them but she couldn't help what she felt.
"It was one of my last paintings," a voice rumbled out behind her.
She felt her very blood stop. "Leon." She turned around, forgetting about her wet cheeks. "You weren't supposed to be here."
"Neither are you."
"I have to go." She darted down the hallway leading to the exit.
Leon followed close behind. "Six months away and you're leaving already?"
He put a heavy hand on the door, not letting her slip out. She turned to face him, quickly finding out that she shouldn't have. He was close. So close. Her breath was shaky. He could feel it ghost his face. He leaned in a little, taking a better look at the figure that danced in his consciousness. She nearly broke when she felt him wipe her tears off.
"I went back," he murmured, "but you were not there."
Her lips parted in shock. "You - You came back?" She fisted his shirt. "When?" His head tilted closer. She held her breath, letting it all out when he merely rested his forehead against hers. Then, he coughed up blood. "Leon?!" Her eyes widened as he slumped onto her. A cream tail came out of him and went to its owner. "Yuri!"
"Hm. Didn't get all the way through."
"You bastard," she cried.
How did he know that Leon was here? He had come only when she was within range of Leon. Yuri must be following closer than I thought. She cradled Leon in her arms. He was still coughing up blood. I need to find Rosetta. For both of their sakes. She put him down carefully, placing a hand on his cheek.
"It'll be ok."
Leon tried to keep her with him, but she slipped from his grip. The two foxes were fighting.
His vision blurred and his eyes closed without his permission...
:Back!:
"...Rosetta?"
The fox blinked at Leon as she gathered herself. I just bumped into him.
"If you are here, then..."
Rosetta's eyes widened. "Yes, she's here." She grabbed his sleeve. "No, you can't go looking for her. Yuri's-"
Leon's eyes narrowed dangerous. "Watch me."
"Leon, don't be stupid-!" she lowly growled as he easily slipped from her grip.
He found Sora standing by the painting Completion.
She had a tissue out, trying not to cry harder than she already was.
"I could not sleep," he quietly murmured as he came directly behind her, "until this was done."
"Leon!"
He looked at that sweet face marred with tears. "You should have been there," he bitterly muttered.
Her brows furrowed. "Where?"
"The mountain."
"You came back?" She quickly grasped his arms. "When? Tell me!"
"Two months and -" Blood split past his lips, making him gag.
A cream tail was poking out of his abdomen.
"Went through the whole way," Yuri amusedly noted.
:Back. Again. *Sigh*:
"She's here, isn't she?"
"Leon, you'll die if you -" his sleeve ripped completely off. Rosetta fisted the material with frustration. "Stupid son of a dog turd! Get back here!"
"You should have been in your den."
Leon put his hand against Sora's cheek. She felt the cold metal of his wedding band. She bit her bottom lip, trying to will herself not to cry. It was a lot easier than she thought it would be, especially when a new thought came to her.
"Then you shouldn't have left," she snipped.
He shook his head, making her head move with him. "I couldn't stay."
"I am so tired of that excuse," she darkly murmured under her breath.
"...This is the first time I told you that."
Her eyes widened fractionally, but then relaxed. "Your actions told me that."
She shrugged his head off of her forehead, turning around to open the door. He grunted as she easily used her strength to overcome his.
"That is not what you meant," he persisted.
"Leon, please. Don't follow me!"
"Why? What are you afraid of?"
"Don't give me that attitude. I'm afraid for you."
She continued walking away. They were together for far too long. She needed to find Rosetta before something happened. Rosetta... She whirled around, intent to ask him how he knew she was here when a shadow came up behind him. Her face paled.
"Leon!"
She turned them around. The tail went partly into her side as her own red tails tried to grab the cream tail but she wasn't strong enough. It still pierced his torso but not as deeply as other times. Then, other cream tails came around her, flinging her off of him. She cried out as her wound was agitated. In a desperate move, she flung scorching air to move Yuri, but she had not been fast enough.
A tail had dug into Leon's gut before her wind pushed Yuri away.
"No," she bemoaned, gritting her fangs as her running made blood come out faster. Her knees hit the ground hard as she hovered over Leon's bleeding form. "No no no..."
"So that is what your disguise is," purred a male voice standing above her, "I didn't think it would be so plain, Sora-chan."
"Get away!" she bared her canines at him, her tails out and pointed threateningly should he come any closer.
"Now Sora-chan, is that any way to greet your mate?"
Leon tried to open his eyes, but he was losing consciousness fast. Mate? Was she already taken?
"I'm not yours," she half growled, "Don't you dare refer to me as such."
Yuri continued to wipe the blood from his tail with a cloth. "Your friend may have interfered, but we both know you lost that fight." He carelessly threw the cloth on the ground and stepped on it. "You are supposed to come back to Japan with me."
"Never."
He faintly sighed. "So much drama."
Quicker than Leon could see, Yuri rushed to them. Sora had seen, but her tails had not been enough to push him away. The slicing wind she created with her tails cut into the concrete. Yuri had anticipated the move, neatly twisting and avoiding most of the wind. Only a cut on his forearm was on him. She hissed at him, swiping her claws at him. The earth rumbled beneath her, making her jump into the air to avoid getting sucked into it. She had fallen for that trick before - it had cost her tail.
She let out a gasp as she realized her mistake. Her jumping left Leon open.
"No!"
She threw an air barrier around Leon. Yuri quickly used his tails to alter his path, the cracked concrete morphing into a diagonal platform for him to push against for speed. She let out a choked gasp as his tail wrapped around her neck.
"Hm. Fighting with four tails is more difficult." Yuri lifted her up to eye level, amused that she was trying to claw herself free. "Shall I take another tail to prove my win?"
The air barrier died down. Leon groaned as he heard the last part from Yuri. Four tails? He was certain she had five...He looked up with bleary eyes, blinking several times. There were only four, though he could see the stub of where the fifth one had been. Anger filled him. She had worked hard for that fifth tail.
"Release...her."
Yuri tilted his head curiously. "He's trying to stand up. How amusing."
Without much effort, he batted Leon further away with the platform he had raised. She stopped clawing to stretch a hand out. A small breeze cushioned his landing. Yuri pushed her to the ground, making all the air in her come out.
"Now then..."
Earth bonds came around her. He tugged at her blouse, exposing her shoulder. Her eyes widened. She thrashed around, trying to break free. If he marks me, not even going back will erase that!
"Sora!"
"Rosetta!"
Yuri turned his head to see the young fox by the bleeding human. "You again..."
He lifted his hand. They could feel the earth begin to rumble. Rosetta looked at Sora and then at Leon, passed out on the ground. She had planned to take Sora this time, but it was too dangerous a risk with Yuri there. Please let this work! She put her hand on Leon's shoulder.
:Back!:
The shrapnel of earth froze before hitting them.
Rosetta let out a sigh as the flow of events backtracked. She made sure to keep her hand on Leon's shoulder.
:Stop!:
It was the dead of night. She grunted as she dragged Leon over to a dark area. Sweat began to collect along her temples.
:Go.:
Time moved regularly. She wiped her forehead and then put her hands over his injury.
"Back," she whispered.
Slowly, the wound closed itself.
FS
Leon groaned as he fisted his stomach.
"Now that I have you here," came Rosetta's dry voice. "Will you please listen?"
"Rosetta. Where are we?" His eyes narrowed.
"We are in a hotel room. That's all I'm going to tell you at the moment. Now," She uncrossed her legs and scooted the chair closer to the bed. "There are some things we need to talk about because, quite frankly, your mortal soul can't take dying so many times especially within the same day."
"What - "
"Ah-ah. I am talking. You are listening." She folded her lightly clawed hands, not in disguise. "Or else I'm leaving and to heck if you die." She closed her eyes and then sighed. "Sorry. I do care if you die." Her digits ran through her short hair. "You are just so 'tunnel vision'. It's really testing my patience."
He waited but only because of his confusion rather than obedience.
"What do you remember?"
He lightly frowned. "About what?"
"About your life, what you were doing before waking up on this bed...Anything."
He had gotten ready for the gallery. Drove here, unpacked. He looked around. It wasn't the hotel room he checked into, but it was similar. Then he was in the gallery...his eyes strayed to Rosetta. His eyes widened as he recalled who he bumped into.
"Where's Sora?"
"She's fine. Now what else do you- " she pushed him back down on the bed when he made to get up. "Your stupid 'tunnel vision'! Just wait ok! You can afford to right now!"
"She cannot," he gritted his teeth as Rosetta's tails kept him down, "she's fighting another fox -"
"Named Yuri," Rosetta cut in, "who is an earth kitsune and a more than casual acquaintance of Sora's."
"I do not care for him," he coldly spat out, "other than keeping her away from him."
"You should since A) he keeps killing you and B) he wants Sora for his mate. And let me tell you, once a kitsune takes a mate, they are bound to each other for life. For many, many centuries for better or worse."
He was silent.
Rosetta sighed and eased her grip just a little, but not enough for Leon to escape."At one time, they had considered becoming mates, but then Sora had doubts." Rosetta folded her hands over her lap. "Instincts, more like, but we survive by them. I met her near the mountain that is now one of her dens."
"One of?"
"We tend to have multiple. One for keeping food, some for hunting shelters," Rosetta looked away for a moment, "a mating den or two..." she cleared her throat and then looked back at him, "and then, of course, one for the family."
"The mountain we met," he slowly asked as he thought, "was that -"
"Her mating den." She suddenly found some lint on her pants. "When we are ready to find a mate, we partake in the mating season. Once the season for the year is done, we seal off that den for the next year and live somewhere else."
That was why the entrance to her den was gone. He let out a long breath. When he could not find it, he had made the assumption that she no longer lived in that mountain. He shook his head, chuckling to himself. What a fool he was, to be still thinking about all of this. This was not the behavior of a man putting the past away.
"You said that this Yuri keeps killing me...humans only die once."
Rosetta chuckled to herself. "That is thanks to me." She sat forward with a serious expression. "This is a secret Leon. You must swear to keep it before I tell you."
"I swear."
Her nose twitched a little as she scented the truth. "I believe you." Her face relaxed. "There are elements that a kitsune is born being able to commune with. Water, fire, earth, air...the typical ones that humans understand as 'elements'. For us, time is an element. You can move it, feel it, temporarily manipulate it."
"You control time."
"More or less. However, even though the mind may not know that time has been manipulated, your soul does." Her eyes stared unblinkingly. "Every time Yuri has killed you, your soul remembers it. It is why your stomach is still sore or why you may flinch when something similar happens to you that had already occurred. It could damage you, dying so many times. I do not know the limits of a soul, whether it be human or kitsune."
"...How many times have I died?"
"13 times that I know of."
"I need to speak with Sora."
"You can't."
"Why not?"
"Besides the possibility of Yuri killing you," she dryly threw in, "let's look at something more important." She scooted much closer, leveling her gaze on him. "After leaving Sora's den, you had returned. Why?"
"How did you know th-"
"Time kitsune," she waved off, "Why?" She brought her forefinger up to his face. "Answer truthfully."
He looked at the clawed digit and then closed his eyes. He was ok in his current life. May understood him, was there for him, and they took care of each other as best as they could. He didn't have to ask for more.
However...
He couldn't stop thinking about Sora. He'd recall the way she groomed her hair and tails, then the special attention she'd give him to groom his hair long after he was well enough to do so. Her eyes always had this spark of life whenever he caught sight of her or how her tails curled in humor and curiosity. He couldn't think of having met someone so vivid and happy before. Then he had squashed that spark when he left her...he still couldn't forgive himself for that. But he was human. She was something from mythology. None of this could be real.
She couldn't be for him. He was ordinary.
"Sora...is more."
It took him a while to understand that he craved more. She weighed his answer, sniffed him, looked at his body language before making her decision.
"When exactly did you come back?"
"What about Yuri? You said he is after me."
Rosetta gave him a fanged grin. "Let me worry about Yuri."
Leon stared at her silently, realizing what was about to happen should he answer Rosetta truthfully. Was this what he wanted? There would be no turning back this time. His eyes opened, looking up at the ceiling as he accepted what he had long suspected. She is love. To deny love was to not have air in his lungs. He was so tired of not breathing.
"Where do I find her?"
She smiled and told him.
FS
FS
FS
AN: I really didn't like the second half of this original chapter and the meet up really needs its own chapter.
