Rose Petals Fall
Chapter 1
It was a time slightly after the present, but slightly before the future. It was a time of forgetting and remembering. It was during this time that two people, two beings of this world, found each other, and sparked a deep running love that would outlast both time, diversity, and judgment of others. It was the story, of a woman named Katsumi, and a man named Kurama. Though both may not have always know it, they were destined to be together, both in mind, body, and spirit.
It was a sunny afternoon, though despite the sunny outlook, the wind still blew cold across the streets of Omaha. It was just that time when the children were carefree and enjoying themselves with friends and family. It was about this time that Katsumi and her friends had ended their day of prowling the mall. The term 'prowl' was also rather fitting, as the most unique trait of Katsumi was her addition of both nine distinct foxtails, and a set of long fox ears. During this time, humans and animals lived as one, a unique bond established, creating such creatures as werewolves, centaurs, fish men, and even these elegant beings such as Katsumi, the nine- tailed fox.
It was also this time that another person had decided to begin the prowl. Though many would simply walk the sidewalks and pathways laid out to reach that place, he took a more scenic route among the many cherry blossom trees that now inhabited Omaha. A strange occurrence indeed, the topographical changes that have taken place all over the world. Seasons have become almost the same in every country, and the Japanese culture has spread worldwide via Otakus and simply people that embraced the foundations of their ethics. Their culture was studied and copied in many places, the ethics of their own goals added, and then presented to the culture. Samurai were revitalized, replacing the need of police in many situations, martial arts took off like a storm across the nations, many leagues being formed and many new styles created. Even ninja, people always held with a mystical view, began to become more and more common as their practices were opened to those that wanted to become one.
The man stopped near the end of the tree line. He enjoyed watching others, humans and monsters alike, though he rather liked the term 'half-breeds' over the term 'monster' any day. His name was Kurama, and he was the human form of the fox demon Youko. He wore his usual white clothing, a gi of sorts, with ornate blue trimming around the cuffs and collar. He had vivid red hair, though unique hair colors and styles were natural these days with the introduction of new coloring gels and the like. His was natural, a vivid red, like that of a rose. It was of no coincidence that he loved plants, roses and trees alike. It was where he got his strength, his abilities, and his passion. It was from the beauty of natural plant life that he was who he was.
He looked downward, eyeing both Katsumi and her friends. It was almost in an instant, that he lost a sense of what was happening around him. There was an odd beating in his chest, his heart, almost screaming to get out. His face was flushed, a soft pink and a light sweat on his brow. What is this feeling inside of me? Why do I suddenly feel so light headed and full of fear? Is it her? Has she charmed me in some sort of way? He shook his head, and pinched his cheek, trying to snap himself out of this awkward feeling. It was very unlike him to express many emotions or act in any sort of comical manner, so this behavior struck him as odd. By the time he had regained himself, she had already passed under him, not noticing the man in the tree, the man ogling her with such an amusing behavior.
It was now a small time later. Kurama had spent the time in that same tree, unable to move, his thoughts swarming his mind, recalling her image, her voice as she spoke lightly to her friends. It struck him odd that out of the group; she was the only one with animal features. All the rest seemed to be normal humans, and usually that was highly irregular indeed. Perhaps she charmed them as well, maybe she is a seductress, gaining friends through magic and spells, and perhaps I was lucky enough to not fall for her spell. This continued in his mind for some time, but it did not change that somehow, his heart was still yearning for that feeling again. That emotion that made a man do things no one would think of doing, that emotion that made women giddy with excitement and blush for hours on end. He wanted to feel it again, that emotion called 'love'
By the time he came to his senses, it was already dark, and the full moon was high. He sighed softly and hopped from the tree, landing softly on the pavement below. He stood up and stretched, yawning quietly. He was numb from sitting for the past several hours in an awkward position, and his senses were dulled from all the emotional stimulation he was putting on himself. He didn't notice that there was a woman standing behind him, a tall slender woman, with nine foxtails, and a set of long fox ears. She was wearing red baggy pants with black stripes, and a black baggy shirt. Her hair was a soft silver color, the moonlight making her hair sparkle in places.
"Excuse me, watch where you're going." Her tone was that of annoyance, but it retained a gentle beauty to it nonetheless. He turned and looked to her, not being able to see her properly due to the lack of much light. Despite the fact that the moon was full, he didn't gain any heightened senses as most fox demons did. It was do to his human blood that it was negated. He bowed slightly. "I am sorry; it was rude of me to jump out like that. Forgive me Miss...um...may I ask your name?" He looked up to her, smiling softly. She turned her head away, making a slight huffing noise as she did, clearly annoyed by him. She didn't like people very much, though her friends were an exception. Most people ridiculed her because it took her so long to get her nine-tails, but she took it. The fact that she had finally received her ninth tail caused a slight ego to form in her, and it showed itself now. "Well, I forgive you, for now, but you have to earn the right to know the name of the great and powerful Katsumi" He blinked slightly and was just about to tell her that she had just told him, but thought better of it and simply nodded to her. He didn't wish to upset her anymore than he had already done and decided to play along and try to appease to her. "Well, may I ask you what you wish me to do then miss?" He bowed again slightly, and this seemed to make her slightly happy. She took a step closer to him, and took his chin in her hand, lifting him back to a standing position. He then noticed that she was the one from before, the woman with the large group of friends. His face reddened once again, and his heartbeat increased as well. "Well, its dark out and I'm all alone, I need someone to keep me safe form all the sex maniacs that prowl the streets. Can you be my bodyguard? Please? I'm so weak and fragile, I don't know what I would do to defend myself." The truth was, she could handle herself very well in hostile situations, but she didn't want to bother with it all. So she decided she would have some fun and let a man protect her, who knows, maybe he was the one she was looking for in life.
He nodded slowly, and managed to remove his chin from her grasp, her touch was soft, and it made his face so very red. She has placed a spell on me, I am sure of it, there is no other explanation as to why I am acting like this, I cant be falling in love with someone I have never met before can I? She must have charmed me that must be it. He smiled to her again, rather nervously, but managed to not make a fool of himself. "So, then I am to escort you to your home? I would be honored to do so." He bowed as he said this, and the entire thing made a smile appear on her face. She was amused as to how quickly he submitted to her request. But then again, it wasn't that hard making men do what you wanted them to, all you had to do was play to their weakness, and she knew men were loaded with weaknesses.
She pointed behind him and spoke in a soft feminine voice, this voice more for play than anything. "I live a few blocks down in that direction, and I forgot how late it was. I wouldn't ask you this if it was brighter, but I'm a little scared of the dark..." she looked to him with scared eyes, her hands holding on to the cloth of his shirt desperately. "Please don't leave me here all alone alright? I don't want to be alone." Even to him it all seemed a bit too dramatic for a woman of her attitude, but the gentleman, and the voice in his heart, told him to play along. He smiled softly and held her shoulders tightly. "Don't worry, I will keep you safe from harm, come, let's get you home, alright?" He turned and began to guide her in the direction she had pointed. His response to her plea made a small smile form on her lips. Oh he's so easy to manipulate, this guy is a looker too. Not a bad catch Katsumi, and maybe this ones the man you've been looking for, the one that will finally steal your heart and make you his girl! She smiled at this thought. He did look good, the soft expressions, and the red hair was a nice touch as well. He looked like a giant red rose. She placed her arm around his, and snuggled close to him in a cutesy manner, trying to look helpless. "So...can I ask you what you're doing here in Omaha?" She looked up to him, smiling softly, trying to talk with him as much as she could. In truth, she was actually quite the romantic, already she was starting to like him. Her ego was more of a defense than anything, she didn't want to let just anyone into her heart, they had to earn that right yes, but it was an easy right to get, it was more the execution than anything that made her swoon for a guy. She also found it cute the way he was blushing simply by having her latch onto him. Oh god he so cute, oh I hope he's the one I really do! Ouu and he smells good too. "Well, I'm not really here for myself I suppose, I'm more here for someone else. Not to bore you, but the truth is, I was told, that I would find the woman of my dreams here, the one that I would fall for in an instant, and give my life to protect if the situation would arise." He shrugged slightly, and smiled at her warmly, leaning against her slightly as well. "And so here I am, and fate has brought me to you it seems." "Well, that's good to know, who knows, maybe you will find her right under your nose, ne?" What he had said was beginning to make her blush. His smile didn't help much either. He was just so cute and handsome! Her arm wrapped around his tighter, her hand sliding lower, towards his own. She stopped herself, not wanting to go too far with this. Besides, I don't even know if I'm the one he's looking for or vice versa. I'm just going on my emotion, and I know how badly following your heart is. She sighed and leaned her head against his arm, wishing she lived further away. They were perhaps a few minutes from her house, a small, empty house. "Um...miss, may I ask why you chose me of all people to be your bodyguard for the evening? After all, you don't even know my name, let alone if I'm to be trusted." She smiled softly, nuzzling his shoulder as she leaned against him. "Well, the fact that you asked that in the first place is good enough for me. If you weren't to be trusted, well, I would have to claw you to bits wouldn't I?" He smiled and managed a nervous chuckle. "Yes, I suppose you would wouldn't you." She smiled and made a soft giggle, which she suppressed quickly. "Yeah, I would. Oh...I'm home again." She looked to her right, the small house, built to resemble the ones she had seen on her trip to Okinawa a few years ago. He looked as well and nodded slightly. "Yes, it seems I did my duty as your bodyguard, so I suppose, I must take my leave of you." His voice was sad; he didn't wish to leave her side. It seemed too soon to him. It was as if a moment had passed and he was being forced to leave her side. He didn't wish to be rude and ask if he could come inside her house, it would be impolite and no doubt taken the wrong way. But, she then began to tug him forward, moving them both towards her house. "Um...well, maybe you can come with me and stay a while? I don't mind, I don't get company that often, and you must be tired." She hoped silently that he would accept her offer, she didn't want to leave him so soon. She pulled him up the steps onto the hardwood flooring that served as her porch. She looked to him, her face glowing under the lights of her house, showing him what she looked like, soft pale skin, and deep blood red eyes. "By the way, my name is Kirara Katasuma Katsumi, but please, call me Katsumi." She smiled softly, "what's your name?" He was unable to speak for a moment, taken by her eyes. He found them to be mesmerizing, her eyes the color of roses. Red was his favorite color, it was a color that symbolized both him and romance. "My name is Youko Kurama. I'm very pleased to meet you, Miss Katsumi." She was taken aback at the mention of his name. No, it can't be, he can't be him can he? He died 15 years ago...he can't be THE Kurama. She put the thought away for now and led him in. He followed her and found himself eventually in the living room. A small T.V set in one corner, a large mat and a table in the center. Ornate screens represented the walls, and it made him feel as if he were indeed in Japan. He was a bit timid around the mass of swords that were on display, no doubt she was adept in all of them, and made a note not to anger her during his stay here. He was told to wait there for her and so he did as he was told. As he waited he looked from weapon to weapon, wondering why a simple glove was set within all the different katanas and bokens, but he didn't wish to ask her this and pushed the thought aside.
She was busy in the kitchen, her tails flicking back and forth eagerly. Her face was flushed, but if it was from the heat of the kitchen or the fact that she had a guest was uncertain. My, my, my, my, my...to think that I would be able to bring him here this easily, I know men are easily persuaded, but I figured he would put up at least some challengeï¼oh well, I think I'll have some fun with him and see what happens. She giggled softly to herself, not having had this much fun in ages. Men were fun to toy with, and being seductive was her nature, what was the point of living if you didn't enjoy yourself after all? She would see just how far she would be able to go with him, and see if indeed he would be the one meant just for her.
A few minutes had passed, and Kurama began to worry about the constant fits of giggling that were spilling from the kitchen. He stood up quickly and walked to the hallway. "Miss Katsumi, are you alright?" A moment passed and the giggling subsided. "Fine, I'm just fine. Don't you worry about it." She stuck her head out and smiled to him softly. "Now you get back in there and sit!" She pointed to the living room and he obeyed, moving back to his seat and waiting patiently. In a few more moments she appeared in the doorway holding a tray of sake and some rice balls. And odd mix, but he didn't mind. As long as she would keep him company it didn't matter if they did eat or not, he just wished to be in the same room as she was.
She walked to the table and smiled slightly, sitting down across from him and placing the tray in the center of the table. She handed him a bottle and placed one next to her, then handed him a pair of rice balls and gave herself two as well. She then looked up to him, her warming smile still placed upon her face as she looked to him. "I hope this is alright for now, I didn't expect anyone to help me home, and so I didn't have anything planned for dinner." He smiled and nodded to her. "Oh no, this is quite alright, I have to admit I didn't have any actual plans on eating tonight to begin with, you see, for the time being, I am without a place of residence, so I have been, roughing it, so to speak." She nodded to this, understanding what he meant having been in that situation before. "Well then, you had best eat up then, oh, and you WILL NOT be sleeping outside you hear me? You will sleep here tonight, and that's final!" She looked to him, her voice slightly raised, but her face still innocent, a look that screamed out 'talk back and die' as he looked at her, nodding slowly. "If...that is your wish."
The time they spent eating passed slowly and in silence for a while after her outburst. They had both finished their food, and were nursing their bottles of sake. She wasn't the least bit affected by alcohol, but at times she enjoyed acting the part of one who was, but for now she refrained from doing it. "So, tell me Kurama-kun, do you have a girl in your life?" Her expression was serious, her lips sipping on the sake slowly, but her eyes glinted with intent. The question caused him to gag on his drink slightly but he managed not to die from drowning. He looked up to her and felt his face redden slightly. "Well, no, not really. I mean, I have had many women fall for me, but I have never felt the same way towards them. I suppose, I'm just waiting for the right person for me. What about you, have you had a man in your life?" She blinked, not expecting him to ask her so quickly, but she was prepared. She sighed slightly and sipped her drink again. "Well, I have had some...encounters during the spring, but never have I gone steady with anyone, mostly I just had one for the mating season and then I never saw them again, usually because I killed them."
He choked again on his drink, the mention of death during mating bringing him back to reality about her. He had forgotten that she was an animal spirit, and during the spring her kind went into heat, and mated. It was usually violent, and death was not uncommon at all. He hoped that she wouldn't choose him to be her mate, he had plans for life, and spring would arrive in a few months, and his plans lasted longer than a few months. He looked to her, seeing her wicked smile and glaring eyes, slightly taken by them. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and looked down. "So you have mated many times before I presume? Funny, I have never found myself to have such urges during any springs. I wonder why that is?" She looked to him, leaning forward on her elbows and smiling sweetly. "Well, my lovely Kurama, you're not an animal spirit. You may have been one during your previous life, but your more human than animal, and I doubt you go through the things we do. But that doesn't mean you can't have sex now does it?" Her smile widened slightly, her body moving over the table slightly as she did.
He moved away from the table slowly, not sure what she was planning, but not sure he wanted to know either. "Um...well...yes, I suppose. Mating and sex are two different things, but I would prefer that I do such acts with the woman that I was meant for." He began to blush greatly, the fact that she was now over the table and slowly making her way across the floor towards him only made it all worse. She was crawling on all fours like a cat, or in this case, a nine-tailed fox, and he couldn't help but find it a little appealing to him. "Well, how do you know I am not that woman you are meant for hmm?" She neared him, having cornered him and now beginning to move ever closer, her hands moving across the floor and onto him. Her hands moved up his legs, then onto his chest, pushing him down onto the floor. She had pinned him down, eyeing him, like a fox eyes its prey.
He didn't fully understand what was happening, but he slowly began to not care. True he did have some feelings for her, but this was way too fast for him. He didn't want do something like this, not now, not here. The one it was with was all right, but the time and place were wrong, it didn't seem right to him. "Miss Katsumi, please..." he muttered, barely able to speak as she hovered over him, her face drawing closer to him. "Aww, what's wrong Kurama-kun, don't tell me you're afraid of me." She giggled softly, and leaned down closer; nuzzling his neck playfully and then, she simply sat up and hopped off, standing up quickly and holding her hand out to him. "Well, I think its time you got yourself cleaned up. I'll go and make you a bath."
He simply stared at her, unable to move or think for a few moments. He then managed to take her hand slowly and stand up. With that he saw her turn and walk down the hall, leaving him alone in the living room again. He rubbed his neck slowly, still feeling her against his skin, not sure if it was real or not. She was so soft...so warm...I don't know if I would have been able to stop myself if she continued. He managed to sit down and leaned against the wall as he waited for her to call him. He didn't understand how he got into this situation. Here he was, in a woman's house, eating her food, about to take a bath, preparing to sleep here, and not to mention almost seduced by her as well. "It's all too much for me." He mumbled softly to himself.
Chapter 1
It was a time slightly after the present, but slightly before the future. It was a time of forgetting and remembering. It was during this time that two people, two beings of this world, found each other, and sparked a deep running love that would outlast both time, diversity, and judgment of others. It was the story, of a woman named Katsumi, and a man named Kurama. Though both may not have always know it, they were destined to be together, both in mind, body, and spirit.
It was a sunny afternoon, though despite the sunny outlook, the wind still blew cold across the streets of Omaha. It was just that time when the children were carefree and enjoying themselves with friends and family. It was about this time that Katsumi and her friends had ended their day of prowling the mall. The term 'prowl' was also rather fitting, as the most unique trait of Katsumi was her addition of both nine distinct foxtails, and a set of long fox ears. During this time, humans and animals lived as one, a unique bond established, creating such creatures as werewolves, centaurs, fish men, and even these elegant beings such as Katsumi, the nine- tailed fox.
It was also this time that another person had decided to begin the prowl. Though many would simply walk the sidewalks and pathways laid out to reach that place, he took a more scenic route among the many cherry blossom trees that now inhabited Omaha. A strange occurrence indeed, the topographical changes that have taken place all over the world. Seasons have become almost the same in every country, and the Japanese culture has spread worldwide via Otakus and simply people that embraced the foundations of their ethics. Their culture was studied and copied in many places, the ethics of their own goals added, and then presented to the culture. Samurai were revitalized, replacing the need of police in many situations, martial arts took off like a storm across the nations, many leagues being formed and many new styles created. Even ninja, people always held with a mystical view, began to become more and more common as their practices were opened to those that wanted to become one.
The man stopped near the end of the tree line. He enjoyed watching others, humans and monsters alike, though he rather liked the term 'half-breeds' over the term 'monster' any day. His name was Kurama, and he was the human form of the fox demon Youko. He wore his usual white clothing, a gi of sorts, with ornate blue trimming around the cuffs and collar. He had vivid red hair, though unique hair colors and styles were natural these days with the introduction of new coloring gels and the like. His was natural, a vivid red, like that of a rose. It was of no coincidence that he loved plants, roses and trees alike. It was where he got his strength, his abilities, and his passion. It was from the beauty of natural plant life that he was who he was.
He looked downward, eyeing both Katsumi and her friends. It was almost in an instant, that he lost a sense of what was happening around him. There was an odd beating in his chest, his heart, almost screaming to get out. His face was flushed, a soft pink and a light sweat on his brow. What is this feeling inside of me? Why do I suddenly feel so light headed and full of fear? Is it her? Has she charmed me in some sort of way? He shook his head, and pinched his cheek, trying to snap himself out of this awkward feeling. It was very unlike him to express many emotions or act in any sort of comical manner, so this behavior struck him as odd. By the time he had regained himself, she had already passed under him, not noticing the man in the tree, the man ogling her with such an amusing behavior.
It was now a small time later. Kurama had spent the time in that same tree, unable to move, his thoughts swarming his mind, recalling her image, her voice as she spoke lightly to her friends. It struck him odd that out of the group; she was the only one with animal features. All the rest seemed to be normal humans, and usually that was highly irregular indeed. Perhaps she charmed them as well, maybe she is a seductress, gaining friends through magic and spells, and perhaps I was lucky enough to not fall for her spell. This continued in his mind for some time, but it did not change that somehow, his heart was still yearning for that feeling again. That emotion that made a man do things no one would think of doing, that emotion that made women giddy with excitement and blush for hours on end. He wanted to feel it again, that emotion called 'love'
By the time he came to his senses, it was already dark, and the full moon was high. He sighed softly and hopped from the tree, landing softly on the pavement below. He stood up and stretched, yawning quietly. He was numb from sitting for the past several hours in an awkward position, and his senses were dulled from all the emotional stimulation he was putting on himself. He didn't notice that there was a woman standing behind him, a tall slender woman, with nine foxtails, and a set of long fox ears. She was wearing red baggy pants with black stripes, and a black baggy shirt. Her hair was a soft silver color, the moonlight making her hair sparkle in places.
"Excuse me, watch where you're going." Her tone was that of annoyance, but it retained a gentle beauty to it nonetheless. He turned and looked to her, not being able to see her properly due to the lack of much light. Despite the fact that the moon was full, he didn't gain any heightened senses as most fox demons did. It was do to his human blood that it was negated. He bowed slightly. "I am sorry; it was rude of me to jump out like that. Forgive me Miss...um...may I ask your name?" He looked up to her, smiling softly. She turned her head away, making a slight huffing noise as she did, clearly annoyed by him. She didn't like people very much, though her friends were an exception. Most people ridiculed her because it took her so long to get her nine-tails, but she took it. The fact that she had finally received her ninth tail caused a slight ego to form in her, and it showed itself now. "Well, I forgive you, for now, but you have to earn the right to know the name of the great and powerful Katsumi" He blinked slightly and was just about to tell her that she had just told him, but thought better of it and simply nodded to her. He didn't wish to upset her anymore than he had already done and decided to play along and try to appease to her. "Well, may I ask you what you wish me to do then miss?" He bowed again slightly, and this seemed to make her slightly happy. She took a step closer to him, and took his chin in her hand, lifting him back to a standing position. He then noticed that she was the one from before, the woman with the large group of friends. His face reddened once again, and his heartbeat increased as well. "Well, its dark out and I'm all alone, I need someone to keep me safe form all the sex maniacs that prowl the streets. Can you be my bodyguard? Please? I'm so weak and fragile, I don't know what I would do to defend myself." The truth was, she could handle herself very well in hostile situations, but she didn't want to bother with it all. So she decided she would have some fun and let a man protect her, who knows, maybe he was the one she was looking for in life.
He nodded slowly, and managed to remove his chin from her grasp, her touch was soft, and it made his face so very red. She has placed a spell on me, I am sure of it, there is no other explanation as to why I am acting like this, I cant be falling in love with someone I have never met before can I? She must have charmed me that must be it. He smiled to her again, rather nervously, but managed to not make a fool of himself. "So, then I am to escort you to your home? I would be honored to do so." He bowed as he said this, and the entire thing made a smile appear on her face. She was amused as to how quickly he submitted to her request. But then again, it wasn't that hard making men do what you wanted them to, all you had to do was play to their weakness, and she knew men were loaded with weaknesses.
She pointed behind him and spoke in a soft feminine voice, this voice more for play than anything. "I live a few blocks down in that direction, and I forgot how late it was. I wouldn't ask you this if it was brighter, but I'm a little scared of the dark..." she looked to him with scared eyes, her hands holding on to the cloth of his shirt desperately. "Please don't leave me here all alone alright? I don't want to be alone." Even to him it all seemed a bit too dramatic for a woman of her attitude, but the gentleman, and the voice in his heart, told him to play along. He smiled softly and held her shoulders tightly. "Don't worry, I will keep you safe from harm, come, let's get you home, alright?" He turned and began to guide her in the direction she had pointed. His response to her plea made a small smile form on her lips. Oh he's so easy to manipulate, this guy is a looker too. Not a bad catch Katsumi, and maybe this ones the man you've been looking for, the one that will finally steal your heart and make you his girl! She smiled at this thought. He did look good, the soft expressions, and the red hair was a nice touch as well. He looked like a giant red rose. She placed her arm around his, and snuggled close to him in a cutesy manner, trying to look helpless. "So...can I ask you what you're doing here in Omaha?" She looked up to him, smiling softly, trying to talk with him as much as she could. In truth, she was actually quite the romantic, already she was starting to like him. Her ego was more of a defense than anything, she didn't want to let just anyone into her heart, they had to earn that right yes, but it was an easy right to get, it was more the execution than anything that made her swoon for a guy. She also found it cute the way he was blushing simply by having her latch onto him. Oh god he so cute, oh I hope he's the one I really do! Ouu and he smells good too. "Well, I'm not really here for myself I suppose, I'm more here for someone else. Not to bore you, but the truth is, I was told, that I would find the woman of my dreams here, the one that I would fall for in an instant, and give my life to protect if the situation would arise." He shrugged slightly, and smiled at her warmly, leaning against her slightly as well. "And so here I am, and fate has brought me to you it seems." "Well, that's good to know, who knows, maybe you will find her right under your nose, ne?" What he had said was beginning to make her blush. His smile didn't help much either. He was just so cute and handsome! Her arm wrapped around his tighter, her hand sliding lower, towards his own. She stopped herself, not wanting to go too far with this. Besides, I don't even know if I'm the one he's looking for or vice versa. I'm just going on my emotion, and I know how badly following your heart is. She sighed and leaned her head against his arm, wishing she lived further away. They were perhaps a few minutes from her house, a small, empty house. "Um...miss, may I ask why you chose me of all people to be your bodyguard for the evening? After all, you don't even know my name, let alone if I'm to be trusted." She smiled softly, nuzzling his shoulder as she leaned against him. "Well, the fact that you asked that in the first place is good enough for me. If you weren't to be trusted, well, I would have to claw you to bits wouldn't I?" He smiled and managed a nervous chuckle. "Yes, I suppose you would wouldn't you." She smiled and made a soft giggle, which she suppressed quickly. "Yeah, I would. Oh...I'm home again." She looked to her right, the small house, built to resemble the ones she had seen on her trip to Okinawa a few years ago. He looked as well and nodded slightly. "Yes, it seems I did my duty as your bodyguard, so I suppose, I must take my leave of you." His voice was sad; he didn't wish to leave her side. It seemed too soon to him. It was as if a moment had passed and he was being forced to leave her side. He didn't wish to be rude and ask if he could come inside her house, it would be impolite and no doubt taken the wrong way. But, she then began to tug him forward, moving them both towards her house. "Um...well, maybe you can come with me and stay a while? I don't mind, I don't get company that often, and you must be tired." She hoped silently that he would accept her offer, she didn't want to leave him so soon. She pulled him up the steps onto the hardwood flooring that served as her porch. She looked to him, her face glowing under the lights of her house, showing him what she looked like, soft pale skin, and deep blood red eyes. "By the way, my name is Kirara Katasuma Katsumi, but please, call me Katsumi." She smiled softly, "what's your name?" He was unable to speak for a moment, taken by her eyes. He found them to be mesmerizing, her eyes the color of roses. Red was his favorite color, it was a color that symbolized both him and romance. "My name is Youko Kurama. I'm very pleased to meet you, Miss Katsumi." She was taken aback at the mention of his name. No, it can't be, he can't be him can he? He died 15 years ago...he can't be THE Kurama. She put the thought away for now and led him in. He followed her and found himself eventually in the living room. A small T.V set in one corner, a large mat and a table in the center. Ornate screens represented the walls, and it made him feel as if he were indeed in Japan. He was a bit timid around the mass of swords that were on display, no doubt she was adept in all of them, and made a note not to anger her during his stay here. He was told to wait there for her and so he did as he was told. As he waited he looked from weapon to weapon, wondering why a simple glove was set within all the different katanas and bokens, but he didn't wish to ask her this and pushed the thought aside.
She was busy in the kitchen, her tails flicking back and forth eagerly. Her face was flushed, but if it was from the heat of the kitchen or the fact that she had a guest was uncertain. My, my, my, my, my...to think that I would be able to bring him here this easily, I know men are easily persuaded, but I figured he would put up at least some challengeï¼oh well, I think I'll have some fun with him and see what happens. She giggled softly to herself, not having had this much fun in ages. Men were fun to toy with, and being seductive was her nature, what was the point of living if you didn't enjoy yourself after all? She would see just how far she would be able to go with him, and see if indeed he would be the one meant just for her.
A few minutes had passed, and Kurama began to worry about the constant fits of giggling that were spilling from the kitchen. He stood up quickly and walked to the hallway. "Miss Katsumi, are you alright?" A moment passed and the giggling subsided. "Fine, I'm just fine. Don't you worry about it." She stuck her head out and smiled to him softly. "Now you get back in there and sit!" She pointed to the living room and he obeyed, moving back to his seat and waiting patiently. In a few more moments she appeared in the doorway holding a tray of sake and some rice balls. And odd mix, but he didn't mind. As long as she would keep him company it didn't matter if they did eat or not, he just wished to be in the same room as she was.
She walked to the table and smiled slightly, sitting down across from him and placing the tray in the center of the table. She handed him a bottle and placed one next to her, then handed him a pair of rice balls and gave herself two as well. She then looked up to him, her warming smile still placed upon her face as she looked to him. "I hope this is alright for now, I didn't expect anyone to help me home, and so I didn't have anything planned for dinner." He smiled and nodded to her. "Oh no, this is quite alright, I have to admit I didn't have any actual plans on eating tonight to begin with, you see, for the time being, I am without a place of residence, so I have been, roughing it, so to speak." She nodded to this, understanding what he meant having been in that situation before. "Well then, you had best eat up then, oh, and you WILL NOT be sleeping outside you hear me? You will sleep here tonight, and that's final!" She looked to him, her voice slightly raised, but her face still innocent, a look that screamed out 'talk back and die' as he looked at her, nodding slowly. "If...that is your wish."
The time they spent eating passed slowly and in silence for a while after her outburst. They had both finished their food, and were nursing their bottles of sake. She wasn't the least bit affected by alcohol, but at times she enjoyed acting the part of one who was, but for now she refrained from doing it. "So, tell me Kurama-kun, do you have a girl in your life?" Her expression was serious, her lips sipping on the sake slowly, but her eyes glinted with intent. The question caused him to gag on his drink slightly but he managed not to die from drowning. He looked up to her and felt his face redden slightly. "Well, no, not really. I mean, I have had many women fall for me, but I have never felt the same way towards them. I suppose, I'm just waiting for the right person for me. What about you, have you had a man in your life?" She blinked, not expecting him to ask her so quickly, but she was prepared. She sighed slightly and sipped her drink again. "Well, I have had some...encounters during the spring, but never have I gone steady with anyone, mostly I just had one for the mating season and then I never saw them again, usually because I killed them."
He choked again on his drink, the mention of death during mating bringing him back to reality about her. He had forgotten that she was an animal spirit, and during the spring her kind went into heat, and mated. It was usually violent, and death was not uncommon at all. He hoped that she wouldn't choose him to be her mate, he had plans for life, and spring would arrive in a few months, and his plans lasted longer than a few months. He looked to her, seeing her wicked smile and glaring eyes, slightly taken by them. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and looked down. "So you have mated many times before I presume? Funny, I have never found myself to have such urges during any springs. I wonder why that is?" She looked to him, leaning forward on her elbows and smiling sweetly. "Well, my lovely Kurama, you're not an animal spirit. You may have been one during your previous life, but your more human than animal, and I doubt you go through the things we do. But that doesn't mean you can't have sex now does it?" Her smile widened slightly, her body moving over the table slightly as she did.
He moved away from the table slowly, not sure what she was planning, but not sure he wanted to know either. "Um...well...yes, I suppose. Mating and sex are two different things, but I would prefer that I do such acts with the woman that I was meant for." He began to blush greatly, the fact that she was now over the table and slowly making her way across the floor towards him only made it all worse. She was crawling on all fours like a cat, or in this case, a nine-tailed fox, and he couldn't help but find it a little appealing to him. "Well, how do you know I am not that woman you are meant for hmm?" She neared him, having cornered him and now beginning to move ever closer, her hands moving across the floor and onto him. Her hands moved up his legs, then onto his chest, pushing him down onto the floor. She had pinned him down, eyeing him, like a fox eyes its prey.
He didn't fully understand what was happening, but he slowly began to not care. True he did have some feelings for her, but this was way too fast for him. He didn't want do something like this, not now, not here. The one it was with was all right, but the time and place were wrong, it didn't seem right to him. "Miss Katsumi, please..." he muttered, barely able to speak as she hovered over him, her face drawing closer to him. "Aww, what's wrong Kurama-kun, don't tell me you're afraid of me." She giggled softly, and leaned down closer; nuzzling his neck playfully and then, she simply sat up and hopped off, standing up quickly and holding her hand out to him. "Well, I think its time you got yourself cleaned up. I'll go and make you a bath."
He simply stared at her, unable to move or think for a few moments. He then managed to take her hand slowly and stand up. With that he saw her turn and walk down the hall, leaving him alone in the living room again. He rubbed his neck slowly, still feeling her against his skin, not sure if it was real or not. She was so soft...so warm...I don't know if I would have been able to stop myself if she continued. He managed to sit down and leaned against the wall as he waited for her to call him. He didn't understand how he got into this situation. Here he was, in a woman's house, eating her food, about to take a bath, preparing to sleep here, and not to mention almost seduced by her as well. "It's all too much for me." He mumbled softly to himself.