Foxed
by kawaii-witch181
Chapter Three: YOU AGAIN?!
Several weeks had passed since my unusual encounter. Can you even consider it as destiny? Ha-ha. Funny. I don't consider it a bit like that. I didn't get my juicy apples that time! Such a pity!
But, anyways…I didn't dare come back to the forest. I'm just having safety measure, alright. I get this scary feeling…Okaaaaay…Maybe I'm just going paranoid…but oh well.
It's the fourth week by now. A month and a week. And, I finally decided to go now to the forest. You heard that right, I'm going there. Good thing, mother didn't ask me why I refused to gather our herbs and apples. I wonder if motherly instincts tell them what to do. They seem to know what their child wants to talk to or not.
Did I mention that Kei is now living with us? Mother agreed to have him under our care. Isn't it awesome? I get to have a little brother! How satisfying.
I'm on my way to the forest. Only a few more meters and I'll leave the village's compound. I heard a villager joked around.
"Don't wander so much, Katsumi-san!"
I shouted back, "I'm always careful, no worries!"
That's what I love about my village. Everyone treats you like you're a member of their family. Remember Kei? In a day, he even said he feels like he hadn't lost his family. See? I told you.
Dusk is already coming by. Yeah, I know. Yokais might be wondering about. To tell you the truth, I'm not that much afraid of yokai. They may look ugly and frightening sometimes but I believe they have their soft side, too. On the other hand, bandits are a different story. I have developed hatred for them. My long deceased father was brutally killed by them. I really don't know the whole story. Mother didn't tell me that much. Up until now, I can't have the courage to ask…Maybe because…my heart will be overcome by grief….and…I don't want that feeling…at least, not yet.
Deep in my thoughts, I didn't notice that I was nearing my destination. Rotten apples greeted my gaze. What a waste, those apples hadn't been eaten. When I arrived at the plantation bed where the herbs grew, I noticed them looking so healthy, like they were watered just a few hours back. Who could've done this? Not that I'm complaining, but it seems odd. I know, some villagers volunteered to do my daily routine (gathering herbs, watering them, taking care of them), but they only do so once a week. Hmm…and would you look at that. No weeds, not even a small single weed is present on the soil.
Seeing nothing to do, I turned around, deciding to go back home, my pinkish-white kimono getting the swaying movements of the wind. My hair was tied back into a very low ponytail, so it didn't bother my face much.
Upon my turning, I instantly froze at my spot. There, under the giant apple tree stood the one and only fox who previously occupied my thoughts. He was leaning on it, arms crossed on his chest, and eyes closed.
When did he get here?
My heart pounded again with nervousness this time.
I didn't even hear his coming.
Letting my gaze linger on him for a second, I tiptoed, attempting to go back to the village without being seen by him. I glanced again, not taking my eyes off this time. I saw his fox ears twitch, causing me to halt my movement.
Did he hear my movement of escape?!
I stopped, my heart hammering inside my chest so rapidly.
"Why did you stop?"
There, I hear his voice.
I turned my body around, facing him in a much better angle.
"Who wouldn't, with your ears twitching at my every step?!"
I felt like retorting, so I did. I didn't regret it. But, at this angle…I managed to absorb his features, closer this time. Those ears atop his head are still there, and I noticed, her also have a swishing light-brownish-white-tail behind him. He wore his kimono like last time, the haori draping over his shoulders. His eyes, now open awake, peered at me with their mesmerizing golden hue.
He still leaned on the tree, and flashed me a simper.
"Starting an argument, eh?"
That's right. What am I doing?! Conversing to a yokai like this? Like it's utterly normal. And..what happened to me? I don't…feel…frightened.
"Refused to talk again?"
"Shut up. I'm gathering my thoughts here,"
I stood my ground, still looking at him.
"Katsumi. Katsumi. Are you that aphonic in my presence?"
With his inhuman reflexes, he is already in front of me, cupping my chin in a teasing manner. This…This-!
"Damn fox, don't be so full of yourself! And don't act so close with me!"
I slapped his hand away. Wait…Rewind…
Did…Did he just say my name?!
"You…You.! Where did you get my name!?"
"I'm a fox. I've known it for a long time,"
What the-!
"Don't go circles with me. I'm asking where, not when!"
He simply smirked once again, fingering a lump of my hair.
"Going feisty now, are we?"
Uh-oh…now that he's up close…I got a better view of his facial features. Putting much thought on it, I can admit that he really is refinably good looking. His chiseled face and fascinating golden eyes. Oh my! I can feel the heat on my face rising up to degrees. My hormones are to blame!
A random thought suddenly crossed my mind..and I voiced it out.
"Did you…by any chance…umm…are you the one who watered my herbs here?"
That question turned him off guard, I literally saw him turn rigid. In a second, his back is turned to me, him facing the apple tree once again.
"W-What are you talking about? I won't do such a silly thing,"
That's what he said, stuttering at first. I raised a brow at his reaction and decided to take a peek at his side. What really surprised me is the tint of pinkish red on his cheeks. Wah!...Did….I just saw…him…blush? That…That…was a bit cute….Only a bit!
"Ohohoho! Is the great damn fox in front of me in denial?"
I had the urge to tease him. Ha! Payback time!
"I am NOT denying,"
He still refused to look at me.
"Yes, you are."
"No, I am not."
"Yes, you are."
"Shut up woman, or I'll bite that lips of yours."
Well…that really shut me up. I still want to keep my innocent first kiss, mind you.
"So…what if I took care…of your herbs?"
I heard him whisper. My eyes slightly widened. He really admitted it.
I…I really didn't expect that.
"Well…uh..thank you, I guess?"
That is all what my brain managed to develop.
"Che. Feisty woman,"
"The heck! I just thanked you! Hmp."
I decided to go back now to the village. I can't take him anymore. That damn fox! I just thanked him and what do I get? An insult! And INSULT of all things! Argh! May an apple knock him out.
Still, my body turned around. …Am I being controlled?! I seem to some things not in my own accord these days.
"Oi, damn fox. Make sure to not drown my herbs."
I know it's a bit low in volume, but it's obvious, with those ears of him, he can hear me kilometers away. Oh, the advantages of heightened hearing.
I turned my heel, resuming my walking.
There behind me, my eyes not seeing his actions, the fox's ears took a twitch. I hear him shout:
"I'm not a 'damn fox'! It's Fuji, feisty woman!"
"And I have my own, too! You just said it a while ago!"
If he doesn't want to call me by my name, then I won't call him by his name, too!
Out of my knowing, my simple living life took a very unexpected annoying turn at this very moment.
~End of Chapter
Prince of Tennis © Konomi Takeshi
A/N: I almost forgot about this fic. XD It didn't cross my mind that I have already uploaded this. Sorry for the delayed update~
And thanks to the reviewers! ^_^
MmmDerp:It depends on your view of a Sadistic Kitsune Fuji. Tell me more about it, perhaps?
SunnyDorangejuice: Thank you for the lovely review! Here's your awaited new chapter. ;D
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