Chapter 4
She giggled furiously and tried to hide it, but did a poor job of it. He found it cute that she tried so hard to keep up her serious act. He knew that deep down she was just as bad about dealing with things as he was, but he admired how easily she hid it. It was near impossible for him to play it off and act cool, and it was times like this he wished he were able to. He took her hand in his, and squeezed it tightly. "You know, you shouldn't try and cover up your emotions, you're cute when you giggle if I may be so bold as to say that."
She froze, for the moment unable to make her mind or her body to work. He said I was cute...he said my smile was cute...oh god, what's happening? Why can't I move? Her face became deep red, and her body trembled slightly, and slowly, very slowly, managed to move away from him. He turned to look at her, wondering why she became so quiet. "Katsumi, what's...wrong?" He noticed her face, how red it was, and how she had the most unusual smile on her face. She got up quickly and ran out of the living room and into her bedroom, screaming for him to stay where he was. He did as he was told, and remained seated, slightly worried about her. Meanwhile, she was sitting on the floor, in a corner, back against the wall and unable to keep herself from smiling, and unable to keep her heart from racing. Why is this happening? Why can't I stop feeling all gooey inside? He's good, but I didn't think he would be this formidable! Is this it? Is this love? She was growing frustrated, not knowing how to deal with this, and it annoyed her. She liked this feeling, but she didn't like the fact that it was out of control. "Calm down Katsumi...breath in...out with the bad, in with the good...calm." She reached over and punched the wall, her fist sinking into it a few centimeters and cracks spreading from the impact. She sighed and stood up, and went to change. She would get back at him for making these feelings swell inside her.
He waited, and waited, and waited some more. It had been almost half an hour now and she still hadn't returned from her room. "I could go make sure she is alright...but she would most likely scold me if I did." He sighed and stood up, walking around the room. He wasn't sure why he was really here, in her home. She told him he had to stay, but it was only her words, so why did he stay? Did he really have to listen to what she said and remain here? Did he really want to leave? There were so many questions running through his head that he couldn't think straight anymore. His head hurt, and his heart ached as well. It was all so much and so soon; the fact that he was here, practically living with her and falling in love with her as well despite her abuse made him wonder if he was even sane.
He moved the thoughts aside when he heard her door open. He turned around to look at her, wondering what took her so long, and found himself slightly speechless. She was standing before him, wearing a deep red dress, cut in a large V-shape across the chest, showing off her pale skin. There was a small rose embroidered on the lower edge of the dress, a lighter red with black and green beads. He couldn't stop staring at her. "Um...you...wear dresses?" She scoffed at him but went ahead and posed cutely. "Well I may be a tom-boy, but I'm still a woman. If you forget it I'll have to beat it into you, understand?" He nodded quickly and took her hand in an effort to make her forget about the current situation. "Well, shall we go?" He spoke softly, and smiled to her, looking more handsome than she remembered.
She looked down at his hand, and at hers, and at the fact that she was holding hands with him, and felt her face turn hot again. "Um...go, yeah sure I'm ready lets hit the road yeah all aboard!" She stopped, and took a quick deep breath to calm herself and then began to lead him outside. He looked to her and walked along, following her lead. "So, are we going to the mall then? Or do you wish to go elsewhere? Considering the time you took to make yourself look so mesmerizing, perhaps a mall is not best suited to show yourself off."
That question made her stop dead in her tracks. Sure she would let him see her in a dress, but the general public? That was a different matter entirely. Crap. I forgot about that little aspect. Sure I was gonna show him off to everyone at the mall, but if I'm in a dress, they'll all look at me too, and then Neesha will find out, and then she will expect me to wear this on a regular basis. Then she might make me wear makeup, and I'll never live it down! She shook her head and decided that for now, she would treat it as a date instead of a way to get back at him for that fit of uncontrollable emotion she went through in her room. "Well, I guess we can skip the mall and just walk and enjoy the sights if you'll just stop talking and come with me already!" She jerked his arm and began to walk again, wishing she could stop her face from blushing.
He followed her lead, not really having a choice as she held a death grip on his hand, and it seemed doubtful that she would let go. From the look of it, they didn't seem to be going anywhere in particular. They just walked around for an hour, ending up in almost the same place they started. He looked over to her house and wondered if she was lost but then felt her tug at his hand and they continued walking. "Um...Katsumi-san, may I ask where we are going? It doesn't appear that we are going anywhere at this moment." She stopped the both of them alone and under the branches of a Sakura tree. She gave his hand a squeeze, and turned around to look at him. "Does it really matter where we go? Isn't it fine just to be with me?" She looked into his eyes, her cheeks pink, and her eyes shining. He blushed, and looked down, rubbing his nose nervously. "Well, um no it doesn't matter where we go. I'm happy just being with you." She smiled and pressed herself against him, one hand in his, the other against his chest. This caused him to tense up and unable to react. "Um...Katsumi" he began, but she leaned forward, her face inches from his. He didn't know what she was planning, but was actually hoping she would kiss him. He could feel her breath against his skin, her scent upon him, her warmth as she leaned ever closer to his lips. Then it all went the opposite. Pulled back and dragged him along again. "Well, then stop complaining about where we are going and be happy it's with me!"
He was moving again, unable to do anything else, his mind too stuck on what could have happened to function properly. She's just toying with me, but maybe she does share feelings for me, maybe there is a chance all this teasing is just her way of dealing with her feelings. Maybe all I should do is give her a little push. He shook his head and got rid of that thought. There was no way he could come out and say it, he was too nervous to do that. He would wait, until he knew that for a fact, the time was right, and that his moment to tell her how he felt had arrived. Until then, he would do his best to make her happy in any other way.
They walked, Katsumi still leading him where she wanted to go, for a few more minutes, before they came to the place they met the night before. She stopped him, and they stood there for a moment, looking at the tree, and a soft smile spread across her face. She didn't know why, but for some reason, she became incredibly happy just by looking at this tree. Maybe it was because she met him here or the fact that he was here with her right now, perhaps thinking the same thing as she was. One day, I'll be able to tell him my feelings. One day, I'll be able to tell him that I love him. But until then, he will just have to remain my little plaything. She grinned wickedly for a moment, but that softened into a loving smile as she looked at the tree and to him.
He stood next to her, not looking at the tree but rather at her. He couldn't keep his eyes away from her, the way she looked in her dress, how her hair sparkled in the sunlight, and just how beautiful she was in general. He placed his hand in hers, holding onto her hand gently. "Katsumi, if its alright, I would like to walk with you like this, instead of always being the one being pulled along." She looked up to him, slightly surprised and was once again a light shade of red. "Oh...sorry Kurama-kun" she leaned against him, her fingers entwined in his "I didn't mean to be so forceful with you. I'm sorry about that." She smiled gently and looked ahead. Before them were the mall and the small shopping district, both seemed to be swarming with people and half-breeds.
She looked over to the crowded area and frowned slightly. She didn't want to be around so many people right now. She would rather go home and spend the rest of the day there with him. But then again, if she did do that, she may not be able to control herself in his presence, and if that happened, there was no telling of just how far she would go with him. She didn't know if she could stop with simple teasing, or a love confession. If she wasn't careful, she may slip and end up going all the way. She shook her head. It would be all right. She trusted him and she knew he would control himself and if possible herself as well from doing anything too rash. She looked to the tree and then began to speak softy. "Kurama-kun...do you want to go back home with me and just, spend the rest of the day there...with me?" She looked up and was shocked to see him shake his head, but his words made her forget her worries.
"No, not yet. If it is alright with you, I would like to sit here under the Sakura Tree and watch the cherry blossoms fall. The wind will be picking up soon, and I believe it will be quite beautiful to watch. Plus the company will make it even more memorable to witness, ne?" She blushed and looked away, nodding slightly. " I would...love to." With that, he led her under the tree, and sat down on the soft grass, his back against the trunk of the tree. She sat down next to him and rested not against the tree but more his body. Her head rested against his shoulder, but he moved his arm around her and she then rested against his side, blushing softly and watching the sky. Please...don't let this moment end, I beg you Fox God. Don't let him leave me. She gripped his shirt tightly not wanting him to leave her, not now, and not ever.
He was content now, sitting here with her under the tree that allowed him to meet her in the first place. Even though it had been only one night and a day, he felt so comfortable with her, and felt he could confide in her. It was as if he had known her for ages, and he knew this feeling was real, this beating in his chest and the happiness he felt when he was around her. His arm was around her shoulders, holding her against him, and his finger rubbed one of her long fox ears, and he smiled as he felt her twitch and giggle slightly. "Stop that it tickles" she said in between a fit of squirming and laughing, and he stopped. She nuzzled his side slowly and closed her eyes, making soft mewing noises. After a few moments she fell asleep, and he simply sat there with her, rubbing her arm every now and then to show here he was still there.
He closed his eyes and listened to the birds as they sang and felt the warmth of both the sun and Katsumi's body as she lay against him. She nuzzled closer against him at different times, and mumbled random things as she slept. He opened his eyes as he felt the wind pick up and shook her softly, wincing slightly as she dug her nails into his skin before actually waking. Little did he know that he was lucky, as if there had been any other circumstance, her nails would have injected a poison into the wound, and then all would be lost, but he was lucky, and all he received were claw marks. She opened her eyes and saw the many petals fall around them. "Its...perfect" she whispered softly. He couldn't think of any other word to describe it. He was glad for the unusual weather they had these days, it was almost always spring, but without the fear of the half-breeds going into heat, since that happened only during the actual spring.
He looked down to her, rubbing her ear slowly, causing it to twitch and for her to shiver. "Stop that...it tickles when you do that..." She actually enjoyed it when he did that, but she didn't want him to know, otherwise he wouldn't stop, and even though she wouldn't mind, she didn't want to giggle so much outside. "Alright, I will stop then." He looked to the blossoms and then back to her. "Well, I suppose we should return home. Well, to your home actually." She shook her head and smiled. "Nah, it's alright, it will be your home too...I mean, if you want it to be of course." She blushed and stood up quickly. "Well look at the time! Let's go let's go come on!" She grabbed his hand and pulled him up and began to lead him back to the house. Hoping he wouldn't say anything else about this or anything else period.
They reached the house quickly, Katsumi having nearly dragged Kurama back to her house. They went inside together, and she closed the door behind her, glad to be back home with him still with her. She wanted to spend some time alone with him, doing anything as long as he was with her. She really wanted to make him happy, and in the end, she was prepared to go to any length to do that. She watched him, and made a slight eeping noise as he turned and hugged her tightly, but she returned the hug, holding him tightly, making a sound almost like a purr. "I had a wonderful time with you Katsumi. I hope...that we can do these things again, for many times to come." She nodded and simply stood there in his arms, wishing she had the courage to tell him she loved him.
She giggled furiously and tried to hide it, but did a poor job of it. He found it cute that she tried so hard to keep up her serious act. He knew that deep down she was just as bad about dealing with things as he was, but he admired how easily she hid it. It was near impossible for him to play it off and act cool, and it was times like this he wished he were able to. He took her hand in his, and squeezed it tightly. "You know, you shouldn't try and cover up your emotions, you're cute when you giggle if I may be so bold as to say that."
She froze, for the moment unable to make her mind or her body to work. He said I was cute...he said my smile was cute...oh god, what's happening? Why can't I move? Her face became deep red, and her body trembled slightly, and slowly, very slowly, managed to move away from him. He turned to look at her, wondering why she became so quiet. "Katsumi, what's...wrong?" He noticed her face, how red it was, and how she had the most unusual smile on her face. She got up quickly and ran out of the living room and into her bedroom, screaming for him to stay where he was. He did as he was told, and remained seated, slightly worried about her. Meanwhile, she was sitting on the floor, in a corner, back against the wall and unable to keep herself from smiling, and unable to keep her heart from racing. Why is this happening? Why can't I stop feeling all gooey inside? He's good, but I didn't think he would be this formidable! Is this it? Is this love? She was growing frustrated, not knowing how to deal with this, and it annoyed her. She liked this feeling, but she didn't like the fact that it was out of control. "Calm down Katsumi...breath in...out with the bad, in with the good...calm." She reached over and punched the wall, her fist sinking into it a few centimeters and cracks spreading from the impact. She sighed and stood up, and went to change. She would get back at him for making these feelings swell inside her.
He waited, and waited, and waited some more. It had been almost half an hour now and she still hadn't returned from her room. "I could go make sure she is alright...but she would most likely scold me if I did." He sighed and stood up, walking around the room. He wasn't sure why he was really here, in her home. She told him he had to stay, but it was only her words, so why did he stay? Did he really have to listen to what she said and remain here? Did he really want to leave? There were so many questions running through his head that he couldn't think straight anymore. His head hurt, and his heart ached as well. It was all so much and so soon; the fact that he was here, practically living with her and falling in love with her as well despite her abuse made him wonder if he was even sane.
He moved the thoughts aside when he heard her door open. He turned around to look at her, wondering what took her so long, and found himself slightly speechless. She was standing before him, wearing a deep red dress, cut in a large V-shape across the chest, showing off her pale skin. There was a small rose embroidered on the lower edge of the dress, a lighter red with black and green beads. He couldn't stop staring at her. "Um...you...wear dresses?" She scoffed at him but went ahead and posed cutely. "Well I may be a tom-boy, but I'm still a woman. If you forget it I'll have to beat it into you, understand?" He nodded quickly and took her hand in an effort to make her forget about the current situation. "Well, shall we go?" He spoke softly, and smiled to her, looking more handsome than she remembered.
She looked down at his hand, and at hers, and at the fact that she was holding hands with him, and felt her face turn hot again. "Um...go, yeah sure I'm ready lets hit the road yeah all aboard!" She stopped, and took a quick deep breath to calm herself and then began to lead him outside. He looked to her and walked along, following her lead. "So, are we going to the mall then? Or do you wish to go elsewhere? Considering the time you took to make yourself look so mesmerizing, perhaps a mall is not best suited to show yourself off."
That question made her stop dead in her tracks. Sure she would let him see her in a dress, but the general public? That was a different matter entirely. Crap. I forgot about that little aspect. Sure I was gonna show him off to everyone at the mall, but if I'm in a dress, they'll all look at me too, and then Neesha will find out, and then she will expect me to wear this on a regular basis. Then she might make me wear makeup, and I'll never live it down! She shook her head and decided that for now, she would treat it as a date instead of a way to get back at him for that fit of uncontrollable emotion she went through in her room. "Well, I guess we can skip the mall and just walk and enjoy the sights if you'll just stop talking and come with me already!" She jerked his arm and began to walk again, wishing she could stop her face from blushing.
He followed her lead, not really having a choice as she held a death grip on his hand, and it seemed doubtful that she would let go. From the look of it, they didn't seem to be going anywhere in particular. They just walked around for an hour, ending up in almost the same place they started. He looked over to her house and wondered if she was lost but then felt her tug at his hand and they continued walking. "Um...Katsumi-san, may I ask where we are going? It doesn't appear that we are going anywhere at this moment." She stopped the both of them alone and under the branches of a Sakura tree. She gave his hand a squeeze, and turned around to look at him. "Does it really matter where we go? Isn't it fine just to be with me?" She looked into his eyes, her cheeks pink, and her eyes shining. He blushed, and looked down, rubbing his nose nervously. "Well, um no it doesn't matter where we go. I'm happy just being with you." She smiled and pressed herself against him, one hand in his, the other against his chest. This caused him to tense up and unable to react. "Um...Katsumi" he began, but she leaned forward, her face inches from his. He didn't know what she was planning, but was actually hoping she would kiss him. He could feel her breath against his skin, her scent upon him, her warmth as she leaned ever closer to his lips. Then it all went the opposite. Pulled back and dragged him along again. "Well, then stop complaining about where we are going and be happy it's with me!"
He was moving again, unable to do anything else, his mind too stuck on what could have happened to function properly. She's just toying with me, but maybe she does share feelings for me, maybe there is a chance all this teasing is just her way of dealing with her feelings. Maybe all I should do is give her a little push. He shook his head and got rid of that thought. There was no way he could come out and say it, he was too nervous to do that. He would wait, until he knew that for a fact, the time was right, and that his moment to tell her how he felt had arrived. Until then, he would do his best to make her happy in any other way.
They walked, Katsumi still leading him where she wanted to go, for a few more minutes, before they came to the place they met the night before. She stopped him, and they stood there for a moment, looking at the tree, and a soft smile spread across her face. She didn't know why, but for some reason, she became incredibly happy just by looking at this tree. Maybe it was because she met him here or the fact that he was here with her right now, perhaps thinking the same thing as she was. One day, I'll be able to tell him my feelings. One day, I'll be able to tell him that I love him. But until then, he will just have to remain my little plaything. She grinned wickedly for a moment, but that softened into a loving smile as she looked at the tree and to him.
He stood next to her, not looking at the tree but rather at her. He couldn't keep his eyes away from her, the way she looked in her dress, how her hair sparkled in the sunlight, and just how beautiful she was in general. He placed his hand in hers, holding onto her hand gently. "Katsumi, if its alright, I would like to walk with you like this, instead of always being the one being pulled along." She looked up to him, slightly surprised and was once again a light shade of red. "Oh...sorry Kurama-kun" she leaned against him, her fingers entwined in his "I didn't mean to be so forceful with you. I'm sorry about that." She smiled gently and looked ahead. Before them were the mall and the small shopping district, both seemed to be swarming with people and half-breeds.
She looked over to the crowded area and frowned slightly. She didn't want to be around so many people right now. She would rather go home and spend the rest of the day there with him. But then again, if she did do that, she may not be able to control herself in his presence, and if that happened, there was no telling of just how far she would go with him. She didn't know if she could stop with simple teasing, or a love confession. If she wasn't careful, she may slip and end up going all the way. She shook her head. It would be all right. She trusted him and she knew he would control himself and if possible herself as well from doing anything too rash. She looked to the tree and then began to speak softy. "Kurama-kun...do you want to go back home with me and just, spend the rest of the day there...with me?" She looked up and was shocked to see him shake his head, but his words made her forget her worries.
"No, not yet. If it is alright with you, I would like to sit here under the Sakura Tree and watch the cherry blossoms fall. The wind will be picking up soon, and I believe it will be quite beautiful to watch. Plus the company will make it even more memorable to witness, ne?" She blushed and looked away, nodding slightly. " I would...love to." With that, he led her under the tree, and sat down on the soft grass, his back against the trunk of the tree. She sat down next to him and rested not against the tree but more his body. Her head rested against his shoulder, but he moved his arm around her and she then rested against his side, blushing softly and watching the sky. Please...don't let this moment end, I beg you Fox God. Don't let him leave me. She gripped his shirt tightly not wanting him to leave her, not now, and not ever.
He was content now, sitting here with her under the tree that allowed him to meet her in the first place. Even though it had been only one night and a day, he felt so comfortable with her, and felt he could confide in her. It was as if he had known her for ages, and he knew this feeling was real, this beating in his chest and the happiness he felt when he was around her. His arm was around her shoulders, holding her against him, and his finger rubbed one of her long fox ears, and he smiled as he felt her twitch and giggle slightly. "Stop that it tickles" she said in between a fit of squirming and laughing, and he stopped. She nuzzled his side slowly and closed her eyes, making soft mewing noises. After a few moments she fell asleep, and he simply sat there with her, rubbing her arm every now and then to show here he was still there.
He closed his eyes and listened to the birds as they sang and felt the warmth of both the sun and Katsumi's body as she lay against him. She nuzzled closer against him at different times, and mumbled random things as she slept. He opened his eyes as he felt the wind pick up and shook her softly, wincing slightly as she dug her nails into his skin before actually waking. Little did he know that he was lucky, as if there had been any other circumstance, her nails would have injected a poison into the wound, and then all would be lost, but he was lucky, and all he received were claw marks. She opened her eyes and saw the many petals fall around them. "Its...perfect" she whispered softly. He couldn't think of any other word to describe it. He was glad for the unusual weather they had these days, it was almost always spring, but without the fear of the half-breeds going into heat, since that happened only during the actual spring.
He looked down to her, rubbing her ear slowly, causing it to twitch and for her to shiver. "Stop that...it tickles when you do that..." She actually enjoyed it when he did that, but she didn't want him to know, otherwise he wouldn't stop, and even though she wouldn't mind, she didn't want to giggle so much outside. "Alright, I will stop then." He looked to the blossoms and then back to her. "Well, I suppose we should return home. Well, to your home actually." She shook her head and smiled. "Nah, it's alright, it will be your home too...I mean, if you want it to be of course." She blushed and stood up quickly. "Well look at the time! Let's go let's go come on!" She grabbed his hand and pulled him up and began to lead him back to the house. Hoping he wouldn't say anything else about this or anything else period.
They reached the house quickly, Katsumi having nearly dragged Kurama back to her house. They went inside together, and she closed the door behind her, glad to be back home with him still with her. She wanted to spend some time alone with him, doing anything as long as he was with her. She really wanted to make him happy, and in the end, she was prepared to go to any length to do that. She watched him, and made a slight eeping noise as he turned and hugged her tightly, but she returned the hug, holding him tightly, making a sound almost like a purr. "I had a wonderful time with you Katsumi. I hope...that we can do these things again, for many times to come." She nodded and simply stood there in his arms, wishing she had the courage to tell him she loved him.