Enjoy!
I stirred, and opened my eyes, and nearly leaped out of my skin at the sight before me.
Ryuu Mattaki was sleeping infront of me, one of his hands placed ontop of my still paw-like hand.
Hours earlier...
I grew until I was nearly as tall as the forest trees.
My dog features came to settle, and my youkai blood began to feel normal.
Ryuu stared at me, wide-eyed.
Tears came to my eyes, and I turned away.
"Fukai-san?" He called to me.
I nodded, reffusing to look at him.
There was a moment of silence.
Then I heard the leaves under his feet shifting.
I winced. Then, I felt something on my paw, and looked down.
Ryuu had come to me, and touched my paw, staring at me in wonder.
I felt myself shaking. Ryuu stroked my paw gently.
"Are you scared of me?" Ryuu asked. "You could crush me in an instant, and you're scared of me?"
Tears of fear, and frustration spilled from my eyes.
I couldn't speak to him. Tell him why I was so upset.
"Suppose you want me to keep this a secret?" Ryuu asked. "Not that you need to ask me to."
I nodded very slowly, feeling a bribe coming on.
He was about to run his hand down my now poison-coated claws.
I pulled my paw away before he could.
"What's wrong?" Ryuu asked.
I reached over to a fallen tree, and touched it gently.
It burned up quickly with just that little bit of my poison.
Ryuu gave that tree a very thoughtful look.
"Calm yourself." Ryuu said. "You won't burn things as quickly if you can calm yourself."
I gave him a funny look, and started working to calm myself.
I touched another tree. It left a small burn mark, nothing more.
I looked at Ryuu. He was every bit as surprized as I was.
"What..." Ryuu's voice trailed off before he could finish his question.
He looked at me.
I laid down infront of him. He sat beside my paw.
"This is so...strange." Ryuu said.
I nodded in understanding, and yawned.
Ryuu gave a very small yawn in response to mine.
I rested my head, and fell asleep.
Present time...
I sat up. I still had some features that were working their way back into their normal form.
My clothes were torn to shreds. I used my free hand to pull my knees up to my chest.
Kazeji would be along soon with my clothes.
I looked around. Everything was as I left it. One burned up tree, and one tree with a burn on it.
Nothing was destroyed, otherwise.
"It...didn't come out?" I asked.
"Mori!"
I perked up to the sound of my brother's voice.
He came running within five minutes of calling out to me, and stopped short, noticing Ryuu.
I gave a nervous smirk. "M-Mattaki-san found out!" I said.
I heard Kazeji cuss under his breath.
"I thought he was watching me particularly closely." Kazeji said. "Suppose we've gotta either get him to clam up, or get rid of him."
I winced at that last part. "He's already sworn to secrecy." I said. "I didn't smell a lie, either."
Kazeji cast a cautious glance at Ryuu, who was still sleeping beside me.
"So, how long are you going to leave me bare...infront of another man?" I asked.
Kazeji's caution raised to a certain anger, as he handed me my clothes.
I quickly got dressed.
"Onii-chan, I like Mattaki-san." I said. "You've told me that he's cold, and cruel, but, I think he's a really good person. I want to let him keep my secret. It's not like it'll hurt us. What have we got to lose?"
"Normal lives. Nee-chan's sanity. Your time outside. Need I go on?" Kazeji asked.
I swallowed hard. "I understand." I said. "But, honestly, I don't think he'd ruin our lives. He's not that kind of person."
Ryuu began to stir. I looked at him, and smiled as he opened his eyes.
"Mattaki-san, ohayou!" I said.
He smiled slightly, and sat up. When he noticed Kazeji, his smile fell.
"Fukai." Ryuu said.
"Just keep it quiet." Kazeji practically growled. "By the way, if you hurt my sister, you can be sure that I will make you regret it!"
Ryuu nodded.
The day was just a little more difficult with Kazeji and Ryuu trying to help me.
I was quite happy when we returned to Tokyo a day early, due to one of Kazeji's friends falling ill.
Of course Hasume flipped when she found out.
But, I didn't stay for her entire rant. I had to be back in the Sengoku period, before Zuka went crazy looking for me...
I quite like this story. My first one was best, but, I like this one a lot! Please, review!
