As the sun rose above the horizon, Deoken faded, going back to where he was before he appeared here. Miyana's head fell onto the sand no longer in her brother's lap. She returned to her 'little orangey' self. Feeling the sand beneath her head, she woke. She stood up and looked around, remembering that the night before had been a full moon. She sighed and walked to the Echizen household, her house. She climbed up the ladder only to see Ryoma and Ryoga sitting on her bed. Or rather, Ryoma was sleeping on her bed. It was a little after six.
"What happened? Where'd you go? Why is it a secret?" The questions spilled out of him before he could help himself.
"Out."
"Obviously. Why are you in a kimono?"
"I went out, because it's a secret."
"A secret that Oishi knows but we don't." He was trying to make her feel bad.
"Oishi found out. Ryoga just trust me, I will tell you in time. I just want to be comfortable with it first. Ok?"
"I'll just have to find out then."
"Good luck. You'd better wake Ryoma. I'll have to repeat all this." Ryoga picked Ryoma and dropped him on the ground.
"Hey that's not nice!"
"Doesn't matter," Ryoga said. Ryoma woke rubbing his head.
"Why do I feel like I fell down a bunch of stairs?"
"Ryoga dropped you to wake you up."
"Ryoga!" The two glared at each other. As they did Miyana snuck out of the room. Mrs. Echizen knew about Miyana's secret. She had prepared a big American breakfast of eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, and more. Miyana sat down. It was just the two of them in the kitchen.
"Long night?" Mrs. Echizen asked.
"Oishi found out." Miyana began to eat. The boys came downstairs and hide around the corner to eavesdrop.
"Ah, yes. I remember the boys mentioning that. They were quite upset that you have a secret that you won't tell them."
"I know."
"So how was he?"
"He's a little off, because I left home without saying goodbye but, other than that, he seems fine. Oh! I forgot to ask about Janita. He mentioned her briefly so they're still together. I just wish I could talk to her in person."
"Janita. That's the girl that's the same as you right."
"Yeah, just she's affected, or was, with the equinoxes."
"Was?"
"She's eighteen. That's when it becomes permanent."
"I see. So you've only got a few months left. Then you have no choice but to explain."
"I know. I will. I'll tell all of them. But, like I told Oishi; I want to tell them on my own time. When I am comfortable telling them."
"So Oishi is keeping it a secret then?"
"Yeah."
"He's a good kid. Speaking of good kids, how's Fuji treating you?" Miyana's face flushed.
"He's really nice. He's… a prince."
"Are you planning to tell him soon?"
"I don't know."
"Well, I don't think you should worry about it. Just go with the flow. What happens will, so just do what you feel is right."
"Thanks. Mum." Ryoma and Ryoga came around the corner arguing.
"Miyana where did you go?"
"Here."
"Last night!" Ryoma said.
"The beach."
"The beach?" Ryoga asked.
"Um… yeah."
"Why?"
"Why? It was deserted and peaceful. Why else?"
"You three cut it out. Boys eat your breakfast, school may be out for today but you still need your breakfast."
"Yes mum," the boys chorused. They stopped their questions. Miyana went upstairs. Fuji was sitting on her bed. She jumped in surprise.
"Fuji!" He stood up and walked up to her. He pushed the door shut, reaching over her shoulder. As he pushed the door shut she backed into the closed door to avoid colliding with him.
~Miyana's POV~
He was so close. You could feel his breath. He was leaning over you, for he was taller. He kissed you. Your face flushed. He pulled back and you could feel his breath on your lips. It was the first time he had kissed you.
"Miyana," he murmured. "Please. Don't scare me like that." His blue eyes were staring into yours. You were breathless, and couldn't look away. "Don't go off on your own again, please," Fuji said putting his forehead on your shoulder.
"I wasn't alone Fuji." He lifted his head.
"Who were you meeting?"
"My brother."
"Didn't your family abuse you?" he asked rubbing his hands up and down your arms.
"Not Deoken. He tried to help me. He fell in love with my best friend, Janita. Who's like me. He's like us, just without the tail and ears. He has the eyes though."
"Was that your secret? You were meeting your brother?"
"No, I… change. I'm not myself. I'm not comfortable with it yet." He pulled you into a hug.
"It's ok. Whatever it is, I'm here." He lifted you up and brought you to the bed. He sat down with you on his lap.
"Fuji, I change."
"I know, you said that."
"I change almost completely. My tail becomes different, longer and red. My ears, become more elegant looking and red. My eyes turn colors. My… my body changes. I'm just not comfortable showing anyone that yet. I know I only have a little over six months left but, I just can't." Fuji blinked.
"So if I understand you correctly, you become… older?"
"My actual age. Haven't you wondered why I look like I'm twelve when I'm seventeen?"
"Once or twice," Fuji admitted.
"In six months, I'll turn eighteen."
"And?"
"And I'll change permanently."
"Is that what you're afraid of? That I won't like you anymore, because you look different."
"Yes and no."
"No?"
"I'm afraid you'll like me for the wrong reasons."
"Miyana, I'll always like you for you and you should never doubt that." Your eyes watered. Why was he so nice to you? Why did he love you? You didn't feel like an outsider anymore. You felt loved. You hugged him and pressed your face into his chest. He smiled and wrapped his arms around you.
