24. I Had Too Defend, Her

Tomoe yawned and moved slightly, His bed wasn't that comfortable for some reason.. Huh. He opened his eyes and blinked in shock. Another yawn took him over as he sat up on the fluffy couch he was sitting on.

He had fallen asleep last night.

The fox moaned and lifted himself up, stretching his body in all the right angles, Just like a feline. His tail whipped about as his ears twitched at the smell of something sweet filling his sences. He blinked and walked towards the kitchen.

When he walked in he was shocked to see Mikage. His hair was pulled into a small pony tail; making Tomoe feel strange. Plus he was wearing his mother's old, 'Born in Paris' Apron. It was pink with frills..

"Wha.." Tomoe choked out and tried not to loose all sense of control. He would have laughed it if wasn't so early in the morning.

His father turned around and smiled, " TOMOEEE!" He cheered and skipped up to his annoyed and slightly amused Teen.

The man held up a blob that was white.. Tomoe backed away from it slightly and the man smiled, " I'm making Sasamochi!"

The fox paused, His dad wanted him to eat, 'That?' He sighed and smiled with force, " Thanks." He muttered before he opened the fridge and popped the lid off the orange juice. Mikage sent him a , 'Dont' You dare look' and Tomoe moaned. He grabbed a glass and poured him some instead of drinking out of the cartin.

Mikage smiled again and started wrapping a bunch of blobs. The fox rolled his eyes as he titled the glass to his lips; thats when he almost did a spit take when Nanami wobbled in.

She was still in her PJ's: Short shorts; a tank top and Knee high socks. Her hair was in a messy bun and she was wearing a choker necklace to cover Tomoe's materpiece. The fox blinked and slowly swallowed his juice.

It wasn't her oufit that made him choke, it was the choker. It was something that he and his father had bought for her when they were sixteen; it amazed him she still had it. she looked at him and yawned loudly.

Then she picked up an apple and bit into it vicously. Tomow arched his brow as she chopped on it. The noise was irritating..

He turned around and snorted, "Pig." He muttered and swallowed some more juice. Thats when he felt the apple make contact with his head; he blinked and turned to look at the girl in surprise.

She was smirking and holding a cream pastry, " You want this one next, Fox?"

Tomeo glared at her; She knew he hated being called by his speices. Kurama did that and it ticked him off. He growled and furrowed his brow when Nanami started to laugh at him, He grabbed the patry out of her hand.

Mikage looked up from his Sasamochi and smiled as Tomoe took a bite of the food and then smeared the cream all over Nanami's face. The blond god laughed.. They always were doing childish things like this; but he wasn't blind. He smirked as Tomoe gasped when Nanami threw coco powder in his hair.

The fox growled and tried to get the chocolate powder out of his white hair. Nanami laughed and licked some cream off her face. She then washed the rest off as Tomoe wiped the chocolate out of his hair.

The man smiled as Tomoe looked at the clock and cursed, ' Ah Crap, " He looked at Mikage and sighed, " School. See you when we get back?"

Mikage smiled and nodded as he pulled the foxes and girls bento's out of the fridge. He handed it to them and Tomoe ran out of the kitchen to get ready for school. Nanami ran out to and the god laughed, Just like when they were little...

Mikage turned to grab a rag t wipe up his mess and then paused when he saw a rag that was stained.. With..

Blood?

Tomoe buttoned up his shirt quickly and paused when he looked at his hair. He sighed and fixed it and then brushed his teeth. He ran his tongue over his teeth and then yelped when his kanine cut it.

He spit out some blood into the sink and then dragged a hand through his hair. He was a yoaki and he even knew that his teeth hurt; how much did it hurt Nanami? He swallowed and tried to stop the bleeding in his mouth. The fox fixed it and walked out the door.

His day had started out fine and actually good. His dad was there, Nanami seemed fine and now he was actually going to get to school on time. He grabbed his school jacket and shrugged it on.

Then he unbuttoned the top buttons to his shirt. He didn't know but he felt strangled by it. It was like a collar and since Tome had a foxes blood it was highly annoying. Plus,

Who would want to choke because of their shirt?

He fixed it and sighed when they both walked out the door. The walk to school wasn't long but it did have its lengh.

Tomoe was pretty sure his day would be fine.. But then again. Life is cruel and things happen..

Kurama snarled his lip and Mizuki scoffed as Tomoe walked towards them at school. He titled his head in confusion and tried to find the person they were looking at.

"What?" He muttered trying to let them know he was there.

Mizuki jerked his head towards him and sighed heavily, " There's new kid; and let me tell you. He's a touble maker."

Kurama nodded, " He already tried to pick a fight with me and then he went for my brother Jiro."

The fox paused. Someone went for Jiro? Pfft, That person must of wanted to die; but then again. Tomoe knew how to fight too; not that he was proud of it. He had learned when he got bullied in his younger years, he looked around and Mizuki pointed out the new kid.

Tomoe looked and then rolled his eyes, He knew by the looks of the kid that he was trouble. The guy had black hair and bright blure eyes. He was tall but not tallaer then Tomoe himself. He was laughing and flirting with a bunch of girls. Nanami was beside Tomoe and had walked to her class.

He saw the knew guy check her body out and Tomoe felt his fox-fire surge through his veins. It burned his hands and he tried not to growl. The guy was acting like he owned the school! Tomoe grunted and folded his arms as Kurama shook his head.

" He thinks fighting is the next big thing."

Tomoe rolled his eyes, Sadly the idiot walked up to them and smiled.

"Hello demons!"

Tomoe snarled his lip and crossed his arms in hatred, ' Excuse me?"

The boy bowed and then snickered, " Names Masashi!" He thrust out a hand and smirked, The fox snarled at the gesture and stepped back. Mizuki hid behind him and Kurama stepped in front of them.

"Look. Leave us alone." He spat out a little to violet for Kurama.

Masashi smiled, " Your Brother was fun to fight." He paused, " That sassy girl? The one that walked by.. She was pretty hot." He smirked as Tomoe ground his teeth and tried not to choke the idiot. Nanami was an innocent girl!
He wouldn't let perverts like this idiot get close to her! Tomoe growled and the man glared at him with intensity. Kurama swallowed and stepped in front of them,

"Tomoe. We have class."

The fox nodded until Masashi smirked and looked at him, " Your my next target; Squirt."

Tomoe eyes widened and he lunged forward, His sharp claws came out until Mizuki and Kurama pulled him back. How did that idiot know?!
Tomoe used to be picked on for his height and how he couldn't speak English. Girls thought it was adorable but the boys in his class beat him around. When Tomoe got old enough he got into trouble when he started to beat the crap out of his oppressers.

Kurama winced as Tomoe started to relax, " How did.. He.." He paused when Mizuki looked at him sternly.

"Thats wasn't smart Tomoe -kun. You need to control your anger..." He sighed.

Mizuki knew Tomoe had become good at controlling his anger but some things still got him going. One was Nanami. She was all their friend but Nanami had always been closest to Tomoe. Lately they had been a bit more close in a physical sense. Mizuki clucked his tongue and sighed.

"We have class, Tomoe-kun, calm down so we can go."

Tomoe breathed out and tried to calm himself down. He had wanted to have a nice day, with no one to annoy him. He had plently to be happy about, his father and the safety of his friends. He was still a bit on edge after he bit Nanami and gave her hickey.

He paused and tried to calm himself down. He thought about the other night and his tongue ran over his lips; wetting them as he thought. His eye sglassed over and Kurama looked at him confused. He waved his hand in front of his face and Tomoe looked a them in shock.

He tried to recompse himself and breathed.

To think that last night had him thinking so hard.. He paused when Kurama started to chuckle and Mizuki shook his head.

"You rlicking you lips like you want to devour something.." Kurama smirked and coughed out, 'Nanami' Into his hand.

Tomoe glared at him and crossed his arms. His ears flattened and he grabbed his school bag, " Lets go to class."

Mizuki started to laugh as Kurama shook his head.

"Your disgraceful Tomoe-kun." Mizuki chuckled as Tomoe glared at him.

Stupid, Idiotic Pain in the butts. He ground his teeth as they laughed and patted his back. They didn't understand him at all, he was just thinking about how he hurt her..

And how she tasted..

His eyes slitted ferally and he licked his lips again. This time his teeth bared slightly. He quickly shook his head in confusion and his face burned in embarrassment. He hoped no one saw that..

What... Why did his body just do that? What was going on with him? He didn't feel that well... He blushed for a reason and then shook it off. Weird..

He groaned when the school bell went off and he caught up with Mizuki and Kurama. The looked at him confused and all he did was yawn. He did sleep on a couch, that wasn't a good thing for him... The only thing that made him happy was that his father was home and he didn't have to be alone anymore.

All three demons swore when the school bell went off and they ran towards there class. Hoping that their evil teacher didn't bring her ruler...

After School

Tomoe maoned and cursed as he walked. Nanami left him at school! The idiot went to an ice-cream shop with her friends with Kei and Ami; which meant he was stuck walking home all alone.

He growled and looked at his phone. His father said he would be waiting at home and Gwen gave Nanami permission to leave Tomoe to walk all alone. The kitsune sighed..

Maybe it was for the best; He didn't want to be around her right now. He knew that sounded cruel but he used to have at least some time to himself; Plus his hormones were out of wack after being touched on the ears so many times.

The fox sighed and slowled his steps; he was okay with just sight seeing, Its not like his dad was going to leave again; at least not for a while.

Tomoe sighed let the wind whip through his hair. He sighed in relaxtion and paused. Kurama had asked what Nanami tasted like...

Strawberries..

The fox blinked and then put a hand over his mouth in shock. What did he just think?! He swallowed and tried to change his thoughts. Lately he had been out of it, but then again.. The only reason he did so was because Nanami liked to touch his ears and on occasion tail.

"Stupid, Idiot." Tomoe muttered as he stuffed his hands in his pockets and sighed. He was so tired, that couch made his back hurt all day. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Maybe he could visit..

Her..

Tomoe walked past the old black, iron gate and paused when he smelt death; he hadn't visited here in a long time but..

His fett carried him to a tombstone in the cemetery. He knelt down and wiped away some dead flowers. He was surprised when he saw fresh one and a small tugged at his lips. His dad must have visited.

The fox sat down and stared at the cold stone and the beauitful carvings of fox-fire.

Tomoe titled his head to the side and swallowed, Why had he come here? Maybe it was because of the lonelyness he had went through lately. His father would have to go again.. He knew he would have to.

His job had to be that way; but Tomoe had grown to not care. Or at least thats what he said. When he was little he ran here, When his father said he would be gone for a week. The little kitsune had choked up and took off to the one place he knew he didn't feel alone.

His mothers grave.

Tomoe traced his mother's name with his finger, 'Elisa Mikage... He bit his lip and swallowed the held up tears. All these years he had held them in, His mother always said not to cry for her; bu the had cried..

At the hospital; when she was breathing her last and then died with him in her arms. He choked and covered his mouth in pain. His father had to ply him away and rock him back and forth.

But the images were still there; the gross images of blood and natted hair. The sound of crashing metal and breaking metal; and his mother's screams...

Tomoe sucked in his breath and winced, " Hey Mom." He swallowed, " Um.. I'm visiting." He whispered and sat down, " I know its been a while.. But some things came up and I had to help a friend. Rememeber that Nanami girl you never got to meet?"

He looked at the grave and grimaced when it became blurry; he tried to stop the tears as he swiped his hands over his eyes, " W-well.. Her father was beating her, So dad and me took her in. " His hand dropped from his mouth and he looked at the grave,

"Mom? "He muttered slightly. His ears flopped and his heart ached and tore about in his chest. The fox didn't knwo why but he wanted her to know about something. His father knew.. So why not at least tell her?

Even if she didn't hear him and she was long gone.

"We kissed." Tomoe whimpered as tears spilled out of his eyes. He didn't know why; he hadn't cried for so long. Not for this anyway.. He choked and put a hand on her stone. It was cold to the touch and it reminded him of her body.

"I'm so sorry." Tomoe winced out, " I wanted you to be here." He chewed his lip. He was a Yoaki. They didn't have feelings or hurts, but right now he felt like the last person around.

He stared at the grave and swallowed as he stood, He wiped at his eyes and breathed out. He had to stop this. It was killing him slowly. His heart ached and his head spun. He wished she was still there with him and his father.

The fox swallowed and picked up his school bag; he started to walk out of the cemetery. He left quickly so he could breath..

Tomoe didn't understand; he hardly even cried at her funeral, in fact he felt like a dead person. He wouldn't go see her body in the casket and now? He regretted it.. That was the last time he could have seen her and now he had lost his chance.

The fox wiped at his eyes and sighed slightly, his breath pulled out his body in a long stream. He whimpered lightly. He had to pull himelf together. Something else was bothering him and that was the location where Nanami's father was.

He rolled his eyes, that old man. He hadn't come back since Tomoe's father pointed a gun at the mans head.

Thats when something made Tomoe's ears twitch, " Huh, So.. You were a Momma's boy huh?"

The kistune turned and glared when he saw Masashi with a stupid smirk on his face. He was walking out of the cemetary with a smirk on his face, " The grave said Elisa Mikage. Your Tomoe Mikage so I expect thats your mother in the.." He paused, " The cold, Dark, Ground?"

The other boy was holding beautiful flowers in his hand and Tomoe knew where they came from.

Those flowers where from his mother's grave.

Tomoe felt something snap; his heart burst with anger as his teeth abred and his eyes slitted, " PUT THOSE BACK!" He snapped out; his voice venomness.

Masashi only smiled and plucked the petals off the flowers, The petals floated to the ground and Tomoe felt his stomach turn. The flowers were a bright purple like the foxes eyes... It had a yellow center and it reminded Tomoe of his mother's lite blond hair.

"Sorry, No can do.. She's dead. She doesn't need them."

Tomoe cursed, " YOU SICK-" He broke his own sentence off as he lunged forward and made sure his claws stratched the other teen across the face. The boy alone winced and looked at him.

"Thats all?" He smirked as he Threw a punch toward Tomoe. The fox dodged in shock but sadly he was kicked in the shin. The fox grimaced as his school bag fell to the ground. Then the boy held up something that Tomoe coudn't loose.

It was a picture of his mother, Again it was sitting on her grave for memories. The boy looked at it and smiled, " This looks so sweet." He dropped it and the glass shattered.

Tomoe cringed as it hit the ground, his hands wrug as his eyes closed. His teeth ground as the boy pulled out a lighter and prepared to burn his mother's picture. Thats when the fox lunged forward and kicked the boy in the stomach.

The teen gasped out and fell to the ground as Tomoe grabbed the picture and put it in his pocket.

"You should never fight a demon." Tome muttered; the wind whipped through his hair and he made his way away from the idiot in front of him. He wasn't going to fight a human. He could hurt them easily, he knew. He got into fights before; bloody ones.

That's when Masashi growled and Tomoe felt his blood run cold.

Humans didn't growl..

Masashi grabbed his ankle and pulled him down to the ground, Tomoe's stomach hit the concrete, knocking the air out of him. He looked behind him at Masashi and blinked in shock.

The teen had sharp teeth and evil claws petruding out of his hands.

Tomoe gasped and kicked the teen in the face, The heel of his shoe cracked against his jaw and Masashi only smiled. He dug his claws into Tomoe's ankle and the fox yelped.

" Fox-fire!" Tomoe screamed in his last resort. The fox appeared before him and flaoted near his head,

"Yes Master?"

Tomoe growled and looked at Masashi, " What do you think!?"

The fire zoomed towards Masashi and Tomoe found he could reach the demon. His hand grabbed his arm and burned harshly. The other demon screamed as Tomoe's fire zoomed and burned his arms and legs.

Tomoe tried to stand but his ankle was bleeding with a disgusting feeling. The other demon stopped screaming and glared at the fox. The kitsune growled and let his ears flatten on his head.

Masashi laughed as he lunged forward again. Tomoe let his feet come in contact with the teens abdomen and he flipped him with ease. The fox wobbled up just in time to feel the other demon punch him in the jaw. Tomoe glared at him as blood came off his lip.

Then Tomoe smirked and licked the blood off; he spit it out to the side and then let his fox-fire dance around him.

"Like I said. ' Tomoe ground his teeth, " Don't fight a demon!" He snarled out and kicked the other demon. Masashi laughed and literally pinned Tomoe down and started to punch him.

"STUPID HIGH-GRADE DEMON!" Masashi swore out, " DIE!"

They were both bleeding and everytime Tomoe was hit his vision grew blurry. He started to feel sick as the air slipped out of his lungs. Thats when a familiar voice reached his fox ears.

"TOMOE!"

The fox blinked as he saw a swish of feathers and scales. He blinked when he saw the other dmeon on the ground, bleeding and screaming as he held his leg. Tomoe gripped at the cold stone walkway, his vision going in and out.

Mizuki came into view and Kurama kneeled down, he had a water bottle and poured some of it on a cloth. He pressed it to Tomoe's cut lip and then winced.

"Tomoe-kun?" Mizuki pouted and felt the foxes head, ' Are you going to live? If not can I have your fan collection?"

Kurama rolled his eyes and shoved the snake out of the way, " This is no time to joke."

He turned to Tomoe and grabbed his clawed hand. He helped boost him up and Mizuki stood on the other side of him. The fox chewed his lip and nearly screamed when he felt pressure on his ankle.

"Ow." He muttered out in pain. Mizuki knelt down and touched the area where Tomoe was cut. A healing spell went into his skin and Tomoe bared his teeth in pain. He gasped out as the spell seaped in and sealed his skin.

Kurama shook his head to side, " We have to get you home."

Tomeo shook his head, "NO!" He swore out and winced. Mikage couldn't see him this! He would be so disappionted of him; he couldn't take that right now! His mother's grave was just violated.

"Your going home!" Kurama gave him a stern, 'I'm Older, Your listening' Look.

Tomoe swore but winced as they all started to walk forward. Masashi had already called someone and he was waiting for a car. They three teens hobbled towards Tomoe's house.

The fox grew dizzy a few times and they had to stop him from toppeling over and crashing into the pavement head first. His wounds were no joke. He could still bleed to death... Maybe that's why he was so dizzy? his body was tripping over itself and his head was hurting. His ears pinned as he hissed..

Oh man.. He hoped he made it..

Kurama helped Tomoe up the steps to his house as Mizuki knocked on the door. They only waited a few minutes before Mikage walked out smiling and wearing a pink apron. They only paused for a second and titled their heads to the side.

They stopped and Kurama pushed past the man. He helped Tomoe sit down, The fox hissed in pain as Mikage gasped.

"What happened?" He screamed as he ran up to his son and started to check his wounds. He dabbed at Tomoe's lip with a wet cloth. Tomoe hissed out again and gripped his father's hand in pain. The god sweeped for hair out of Tomoe's eyes and started to pat his head.

Kurama made a disgusted look, 'Another demon picked a fight."

Mikage looked at Tomoe who wasn't looking at him, " Tomoe.. You got into a fight this bad?"

The fox looked at him and whimpered, His leg was killing him and his hands were burning, Tomoe breathed out and opened his mouth, " He violated moms grave."

Mikage looked at him sternly, " Do you expect me to say, Oh well that makes it okay? TOMOE!" He swore and Tomoe cringed away. Kurama and Mizuki winced and looked at each other. This was rare so they bowed and excused themselves.

When they left Tomoe looked at Mikage and pulled out his mother's gravesite picture, " I managed to save it." He chewed his lip and hugged himself as Mikage held the photo in his hands. He looked at his shaking son and sighed.

"Pain level?" He asked quietly.

Tomoe swallowed and winced as Mikage pressed the wet cloth to his face, " Um.. Five?" He muttered and then winced as his ribs contracted.

The god sighed and started to look at his leg, He looked at the cuts and clucked his tongue, " It was a clawed demon. " He dipped warm water on Tomoe's leg and the fox cursed and swore out in pain. He gripped the chair he was sitting in and whimpered loudly.

"I didn't mean for this to happen. " Tomoe whimpered out slowly. Mikage looked at his son and winced as he saw his eyes glass over. He knew were that led to.. Tears; and Tomoe wasn't one to cry to often.

"Hey, Its okay now. You protected your mothers honor; but.. Don't you ever do this again." He ground his teeth and helped Tomoe up. They walked to the kitchen and Mikage sat him down. He grabbed some ace bandages and wrapped them securely around the foxes ankle.

It had been a long time since Tomoe had gotten into a fight; it scared him to think that his son could be this violent; but then again. He wasn't, He knew he wasn't...

Tomeo looked at his father and winced. He had just gotten home and now he had to see this. The foxes blood dripped onto the floor and he swore out in pain. It hurt..

But he knew that if he hadn't of fought back?

He would have died... And he was pretty sure that Mikage knew it too; because...

His father wasn't screaming at him like he usually did.

Mikage sighed and placed a perfect Sasamochi in front of Tomoe. The fox blinked and stared at it in surprise, Wasn't this a blob that morning? He picked it up and let it stretched as his moth closed over it; it melted onhis tongue and he hummed in satisfaction.

He looked at his father and winced as he moved his ankle, He was a yokai. It would feel better in the morning. He took another bite and winced when his father looked at his Mother's picture. He had told the teen that he would return the photo in the morning which only relaxed Tomoe a bit.

He wasn't going to school in the morning but he was okay with that; that place didn't really suit him anyway. He sighed as his father started to clean off the floor from blood.

He looked at Tomoe and smiled lightly," How are you feeling?"

The fox winced as he turned in his chair. He laid his head on the back of the chair and sighed," Sorry.. I know I shouldn't fi-

"You had to." Mikage said quickly and then sighed, " If you didn't fight back? I'm afraid you would be in the hospital.

Tomoe looked at him and nodded slowly, his was surprised his father would say that; but then again, his father wasn't stupid. He smiled slightly, The house was warm now that his father was home.

He sighed slightly as he started to relax, Thats when his father poked Tomoe shoulder. The fox looked at him and then went pale when his father threw a rag down in front of him, It was stained with blood and Tomoe felt his stomach tie in knots.

Oh crap.

That was the rag that had Nanami's blood on it; from the other night when he bit her. His teeth bared and he out a hand over his mouth in embarrassment at the memory. He still couldn't believe he hurt her; He caused her pain because his yoaki passions slipped out.

Mikage gave him a knowing look and he leaned on the counter, his arms crossed. He untied his apron and placed it up so that it didn't get dirty; then and he sighed and dusted his hands off. He gave his teen a stern look and Tomoe looked down at the kitchen's tile floor in shock and embarrassment.

"Why does this wrag have blood it it?" He almost frowned but A smirk played on his features.

Tomoe went pale.. " Um.."

Well, He WAS relaxed, Until his father asked that...

Uh Oh! XD! I'm going to give you Masashi's Bio!

Masashi, is a low grade demon with a strong hate towards high grade demons. This is mostly because his parents are no longer with him and he is a delinquent by choice. Truthfully he is a smart person with a soft heart and no romantic sense. He is a loner and doesn't think life is worth living, He harms others to get rid on his pain and then he also harms himself when he's alone. He picks fights to show the world his goal.

That Low-grade demons can do things just as well as high-grade ones. He just needs to learn there's lines that shouldn't be crossed..