"What's past is prologue." –The Tempest
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Of Impulse and Fey
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The Viola estate was not as grand as its name, but it was still home. The mansion was made of brick in a terracotta red color with a trim of rich cream. The curtains were drawn back behind large open windows allowing the moon and strangers to peek inside my living space. Baby vines began to creep up the walls in between the bushels of heliotrope and moonflower. Tall maple trees surrounded the home for privacy, but I always felt that sense of security one does when snuggled into a blanket. Not quite, cut off from the world, but far enough away to breathe. As I drove in the wide "U" shaped driveway, the towering three stories greeted you with intimidating warmth, just like that of the great big, scary looking hound next to me that really only wanted to play and to be loved.
My butler, Kanzaki Reito, stood patiently at the door. My parents had insisted that I bring him with me to my new home, but he and I knew that I was going to anyway. It was a lonely road to the top as they say, and between the array of women and work related stresses, he had been my sole confidant. He never once judged my actions, unless of course one counted the two bad apples I had the misfortune of bedding in prior years. Still, I am sure he was just as content coming along with me as I was to bring him, but we never acknowledge that. It was only a silent whisper of gratitude between us.
With his dark hair, mysterious light brown eyes, poetic mouth, and tall lean muscular build, he could be seen as the Japanese version of Adonis. Now that I looked at him, I realized that he is quite handsome, even though we have no desire for each other. We met several years ago when I had decided to take work against my parents' wishes. Being the reckless youth that I was, I had begun working at the Nine Tails Pleasure Service as a call girl for solely female clientele. I can still remember the long and tedious nights, the routine check-ups, whispering sweet nothings, and the scent of various perfumes that gave me headaches. Reito had been a lower level manager at the time, which boils down to him being my boss.
About six months into the job, I had become very popular. Constantly rotating between appointments, drinking had become my anchor. Six months, became nine, and nine became a year and the job only escalated to woeful heights. One night after a call, I stumbled back to the office in a drunken stupor trying to get the keys back to my car to drive home. Reito flatly refused my request. Furious, I rushed forward too quickly for my stomach and annoyingly vomited all over the tacky pink tiles. He helped me get cleaned up, set me up in one of the private rooms, and left a bottle of fizzy water and tablets of aspirin for the morning. That was how our friendship commenced.
Nearing the end of my second year, I had a list of regulars and cut down on my drinking. Reito taught me how to spread out my appointments into more manageable timetables, and gave me a much-deserved raise. Things were looking up, until one of my regulars became too possessive. She convinced herself that we were in love and tried to talk me into an honest relationship and leaving the company entirely. The woman tried for weeks interrupting my other client's appointments. Finally, I told her to never make pencil me in again, because that was what they were, appointments. The same evening I sent her away, she returned with a baseball bat. Swinging wildly at anything she thought would draw my attention, the woman nearly hit me. Launching into action, Reito and I doubled- teamed the ex-client and successfully pinned her to the ground.
When the police finally arrived to drive her away, He and I made the decision to retire and let bygones be bygones. I left to become a careful person, to simmer down and allow myself to take the path my parents wanted for me. He left for similar reasons. I offered him a position in the household as butler and he accepted, and that was how we ended up here together.
"Ma'am, I see that we now have a new addition to the family." Reito called out with a small smile, undoubtedly surprised at the "new addition's" size when she stepped out of the car. "That's right. Reito, could you please help me with the bags? They're a bit heavy to carry all at once." He had already come down the steps toward the car offering a helping hand. "Need you ask woman?" Reito smarmily replied. He and I dropped the honorifics as soon as we moved separately from my parents. Playful banter was our specialty. The oversized wolf had been sniffing around the bushes while Reito and I climbed up the steps. Her big blue- black tail began swishing lazily in delight when she came to sniff at my hidden bed of honeysuckle. You are more than welcome to do your business out front, but please do not kill my plants! I mentally pleaded the wolf as if she could hear my thoughts.
Kanzaki and I finished placing all of the dog supplies in their decidedly proper places whilst the dog was still outside. She seemed very nervous about entering the house. If I didn't know any better, I would say that she was adorably shy. Her sharp green eyes searched mine for support. Moving to a new place always feels off to those moving in. I walked over to pet her murmuring, "It's alright to be a little frightened. This house is bigger than the pet shop after all, but I am sure you will come to like it. Come, shall we give you a tour of the inside?" After a few more minutes of coaxing, she padded inside.
The estate was a lot more to take in on the inside I suspect. One look around with her big head had her backpedaling for the door. Before doing anything else, she moved on over to sniff at Reito, familiarizing herself with something much simpler than the blueprint of rooms and hallways. During the tour, I reminisced on how I had fallen in love with the place as soon as I laid eyes on it. I busied myself on the restoration and the renovation once I had purchased it. Featuring a grand staircase, four working fireplaces with period mantles, chestnut wainscoting and paneling, coffered and beamed ceilings, and French limestone flooring I suppose you could think of it like a grand cottage.
Still, the back yard was my favorite. I was lucky to acquire two acres of land and I reveled in the broad stretch of lawn. Lush green grass and beds of vegetation stretched for miles. To the left of the yard was a pool house complete with an indoor pool where Reito and I spent our mornings exercising. The garage was located further back behind the pool house divided by a paved driveway that led to the front of the house. "What do you think?" I asked the dog. Her tail wagged happily in response. Reito had been standing outside with me when he suggested that we name her. "Blacky," I responded playfully. Reito cringed. "Shizuru, please, we need a good name." I pouted. "Fine then, not 'Blacky'," I huffed, "Reito, you know I've never had a pet before. How in the world am I supposed to name this great, big lump of wolf?"
She growled a little, not taking the insult too lightly.
Reito's eyes nearly popped cleanly out of their sockets. "Did the… did the dog just understand 'great, big lump of wolf'?" I looked down at her. "Yes, I suppose she did."
Naming something is easier said than done. "Ugh, Reito, I have to go to work in the morning. I do not have time to name this dog right now." I said tiredly scrubbing my hands over my face, which is not something I normally indulged in. "Shizuru, if not now, then when? You and I both know that if she is not named now she will never be named. Have a heart Viola, she can't always be called 'hound' or 'dog' or 'wolf'."
"Why can't we stick with something simple like 'wolf'?"
"Shizuru, I would not like to be named 'butler' or 'human' for the rest of my life! She is now your companion and thus apart of this family. She needs a name!"
"Alright, alright, but couldn't you keep looking through the baby names book? I really have to turn in soon."
"No, this is a dual effort. You and I have to agree on a name before we take her to the vet."
"What, says who?"
"Says the person you trust with your life."
"…Fine," I snarled moodily, staring blankly into the baby- naming booklet that Reito conveniently had. We continued to diligently fire names back and forth at each other for another two hours. When we finally agreed on a few names, we tried them on the beast, and she would then look back at us with indifference. "I think you should take a half day tomorrow."
Her bed was placed in my room for the time being. I thought that leaving her in a room of her own too soon would spook her, at least for the first few days. Although, I would be lying if I said that I did not look forward to fulfilling one of my childhood fantasies of sleeping with a cuddly dog. I may be the embodiment of sophistication but I allow my childish antics to see daylight from time to time.
Getting ready for bed, I noticed that the night air was a bit cool. My body temperature usually runs cold so I figured I should dress a little warmer than usual for the night. Undressing, I settled for one of my favorite vintage nightgowns, a beautiful American made 1940's bias cut nightgown in ivory. Never was there a time I didn't feel like a movie star when I put it on. It did not register in my mind fast enough that the hound had gone sudden quiet when she had been making a ruckus snooping about the room a few seconds earlier.
When I finally clamored into bed and turned off the lights, I patted the space next to me compassionately. Essentially this was to signal the pup to climb in with me, but instead she looked at me with open embarrassment. If dogs could blush… "Come into bed, if you don't like sleeping with me you can sleep in your own room tomorrow." I stated patting the space again. I did nothing to hide my amusement as she continued to stare at me across the room, but I did take care to hide my disgruntlement. Really, those eyes should not belong to any animal. They are unlike any other dog's I have seen before. Those eyes are as expressive as mine, a human! I thought as her emerald orbs glowed eerily in the dark.
Reluctantly she started toward me as quietly as she could and placed her massive jaws onto the bed. She stared at me deeply, eyes asking for assurance. I obligingly patted the bed once more. With much grace and deft, she leapt onto the bed and immediately curled away from me. Frowning in the dark, I wondered if I should leave her where she was or coerce her into cuddling with me. I did not want this dog to chomp out bits out of my arms if she found herself too uncomfortable. Well, here goes nothing. Steeling myself, I brought my arm around the beast and drew her firmly into my chest from the edge of the bed where she precariously placed herself.
I held my breath for a few beats, waiting for any incoming nerve ending signals of pain. When there was none, I relaxed and, so it seemed, did she. Once we settled in companionably, something odd popped in my head. "I thought dogs did that circle thing in the movies," I said thoughtfully. Huffing, the wolf stood on the bed and circled around three times before settling beside me again. Speechless, I simply scooted closer to the hound as we settled beside each other. Maybe she was getting comfortable before doing the circle thing, yes, that's it. Of course she didn't understand that. "…I think I must be truly exhausted," I mumbled still shaking my head at the incredulity. A few moments later though, my thoughts immediately fled as I held onto the warm furry beast, I honestly could not think of another time I slept so soundly and warm.
As the human female slept, she itched to transform. This form was tolerable at best when she was able to roam free and run, however so far she had only been able to sit in a cage.
She. Hated. Cages
Too long had she stayed in this form that she began to adopt more characteristics of a domesticated canine and nearly losing sight of her initial goal. This human female seemed like she will be very useful in the near future. A contented sigh breezed past her ears causing them to twitch and a warm firm body snuggled closer against her back. Staying in this form a little while longer could not hurt when the human female seemed so comfortable.
I awoke promptly at six o'clock, as was my custom. Stretching my arms over head, I realized that it had been a very long time since I slept so blissfully. Sitting up, I saw that the wolf was already up and was sitting patiently by the closed door. I figured she needed the facilities, so I obligingly opened the door and walked her down to the back porch.
As we walked down the hall, I tried to scramble up the remnants of the dreams that I'm sure I had. I could never remember my dreams. No matter how I vivid I was sure they were, my nighttime imagination was always illusive. Who would have known that the "great and powerful" Shizuru had trouble dreaming? It isn't entirely uncommon for a person not being able to recall their dreams either, but my parents looked at me like I was a freak of nature, and if I am not mistaken, a bit disappointed as well. As a result, it made me a little sad at not having control over something that was a part of me. Nonetheless, this time was no different and I sighed rather depressingly as I slid the backdoor open for the dog.
Reito had finished preparing breakfast when we reached the door and followed us outside. As we watched the hound, I felt something emerging from the depths of my sleepy mind. "Reito, what about 'Natsuki'?" I asked unexpectedly. He gave me a quick sideways glance before answering. "Where did you come up with that? That's a boy's name," he drawled. I remained quiet in my thoughts for a couple moments, my mood suddenly pensive.
"It just came out of the blue. I honestly have no idea, but each time I look at her. . . Don't you think she is a little too strong for a girl name anyway?"
"I suppose you're right," he answered shifting to lean on his other leg. "Well, have you tried it yet? Does she like it?"
"Nope, so let's see if we can make it stick this time. Come Natsuki, it is time for breakfast!"
The beast, already heading back, whipped her head up so fast at her new name I thought she would have whiplash! She started wagging her tail wildly before racing up to where we were standing on the back porch. It must have been the happiest swishing of her tail that I had seen so far. Natsuki then trot up the steps and Reito and I could not help but pat her head in contented relief. Finally, she has a name. I felt rather satisfied at finding a suitable name all by myself. Together an odd, yet happy family; I don't remember the last time I felt so pleasantly whole. Not since I moved out of the house and a few months later my parents vanished into thin air. Thinking about them again made me stiffen. The familiar medicine ball of worry sank heavy in my stomach.
Even after a full-scale investigation, they were never found, and I always wondered if it would have been easier for me to part with them if at least their bodies were recovered. It was hard to mourn for them when all I had were empty coffins containing air and memories. They were good people, my parents. Heaven knows just how much I miss them.
As we began to troop into the house Reito turned and muttered, "You could have put on your robe before we stepped outside. You know how she gets when there is a chance to see any cubic centimeter more of your skin." He spat with such utter loathing that I was afraid the steps would melt. Of course I knew who he was talking about. She was the second bad apple I had the misfortune of making an acquaintance with in the form of my next- door neighbor. Marguerite.
She threw down her binoculars angrily. How dare Shizuru-chan buy a dog without her permission! Dogs were stupid and ugly and slobbery. They cared for nothing more than attention and love; attention and love that was already reserved for her and her alone. She couldn't ignore the fact that dogs were known for being loyal to a fault though. Tossing her teal hair over her shoulder with a huff, Tomoe Marguerite bent over to retrieve her cracked binoculars. Casting a quick glance at the broken glass lenses, she tossed her binoculars again, this time into the trash bin, with disgust.
"I need to pay my dear Shizuru a visit," she seethed. She wasn't terribly livid since it gave her a reason to visit her goddess, but she wasn't too happy about the drooling canine either. "I would need to bring this pooch a gift." She swore under her breath, formalities were such a drag. What in the world could she give a do-. . . Oh well that was an idea. Meat, she could gift it meat; dogs like that, specifically poisoned meat. Yes, then she could comfort an inconsolable Shizuru- chan with sex and more sex. Unfortunately, she'd have to wait until her beloved had gotten considerably attached though.
She could bide her time. She would do anything to worm her way back into Shizuru's life, her butler be damned. "This is going to be good. Thank you, worthless mutt for volunteering your life as tribute to my unwavering cause," she said with a smirk.
A/N: Phew! As promised, here is the end of the next update. I noticed there were a few errors with formatting on the previous chapter, but if no one is confused then I'm just gonna leave it as is. For those who miss the old story, I'm sorry but the old chapters are gone now. I found that I have bettered the story and have grown in my voice as a writer I hope you will understand. Thank you again for being so patient with me. (Side note: I guess people don't come back to their stories often because I was assaulted with "welcome backs". I am very glad to be one of the few writers with such an amazing audience.) Oki doki, next update is in T- 2 weeks. Have an awesome weekend!