Chapter 25
Still human, still in love
The fox and the vixen stayed in the cave, watching the fire grow dim. "Say, I just remembered, you should be able to turn into a full fox too." Youko interrupted the silence. Gabe looked confused, "A full…fox?"
"Oh, you know, like this!" he regressed to a full fox, sitting expectantly in front of her. She stared blankly. He set his paw on her foot, 'your turn.' he seemed to say. "I don't think I can. Or will. I can't get the hang of this fox thing." Her tail waved in a tired sort of way. Youko transformed back. "That's fine, I was just curious."
"The fire's going out!"
"So?" Her lips began to tremble. "I don't like the dark." She whispered.
"You should be able to see better in the dark than as a human." Silence; with every movement she made or every thought she had there seemed to be a proper fox-way to do it all. She didn't want to change, she was scared, and it wasn't fun anymore. The fire was only glowing embers now; it had grown cold again. She gave a shiver as the last ember went out. She could hear some low growling coming from Youko's direction. Her eyes went wide even though there was not much to see. She saw him leaning against a rock with his head resting. She realized he wasn't growling; he was snoring from the way his head was positioned. He was asleep. She heaved a great sigh. 'What a relief.'
A faint bluish glow caught her attention; she crawled toward it, wondering what it was. She was right in front of the faint blue glow, she sniffed it; it was a mushroom. 'A glow-in-the-dark mushroom, amazing!' she crawled around, looking for more. Before she knew it, she was walking down a tunnel lined with the glow-rooms. The tunnel opened into a cavern, filled with the glow-rooms. They looked like the stars in the sky, only much bigger. Comforted by the lights, Gabriel sat down in the center of the cavern and sang to her self.
When there's a shadow,
You reach for the sun.
When there is love,
Then you look for the one.
And for the promises there is the land.
And for the heavens are those who can fly.
If you really want to,
You can hear me say
Only if you want to
Will you find a way.
If you really want to
You can seize the day.
Only if you want to will you fly away.
When there's a journey,
You follow the star.
When there's and ocean,
You sail from afar.
And for the broken heart,
there is the sky.
And for tomorrow are those
Who can fly.
If you really want to,
You can hear me say
Only if you want to
Will you find a way.
If you really want to
You can seize the day.
Only if you want to will you fly away
Ooh go doe bay mwa
Ooh go doe bay mwa
Ah! Je voudrai voler
Comme un oiseau d'aile
Ah! Je voudrai voler
Comme un oiseau d'aile, d'aile
Ooh go doe bay mwa
Ooh go doe bay mwa
If you really want to,
You can hear me say
Only if you want to
Will you find a way.
If you really want to
You can seize the day.
Only if you want to will you fly away
If you really want to
You can seize the day
Only if you want to will you fly away
Only if…by Enya© not mine TT
Unknown to Gabriel, she was being watched halfway through her singing. Youko had stirred and wondered where she was, and followed her trail to the cavern. His ears swayed with her voice as she sang, if she couldn't fight, she could certainly sing. He realized something as she sang parts in another language; she was French, that being the reason for her very peculiar name, and the rich way she pronounced some words.
"You should sing more often," his voice cut through her thoughts; she jumped. "If you were to pursue a career in singing you would become very wealthy." She blushed in the dark. "If I ever was aware of any audience, I would lose what strength I have." She put shyly. He walked closer to her and offered her a hand. She stayed on the ground, staring at the dark floor. "Are you alright?" he asked, she shook her head feverishly. "What's wrong?"
"Shh. Listen…" she beckoned for him to kneel beside her. He obeyed, cocking his ears in the process. Trying to make as little sound as possible, he whispered to her, "What is it you hear?" she grasped a loose stone, stood up and hurled it forward as hard as she could. A satisfying smack of stone slapping flesh was heard, and a very loud 'Damn it!'
"Koronue, you rat! How long were you here?!" Youko caused the glow-rooms to shine brightly in his face. The bat shielded his eyes with one hand and nursed a large bump on his forehead with the other. "Not long actually," he responded smugly, "just long enough for her to detect me and hit me with that stone."
"Damn you!! You can't stand being left out can you? You have to break the rules!"
"I didn't see any harm in coming…"
"One, you've broken my trust; two, I thought you were tired; three, I'm going to kick your ass; four, go away!!"
"Oh, trying to put the moves on, eh?" Koronue winked at him, purposely exposing him to Gabriel. She blushed at this and the many words that I am not rating this story for that came out of the fox's mouth. Laughing his ass off, the bat finally went away. Youko sighed, "Sorry, Gabe, he can't help himself sometimes; lovable oaf." She nodded. "Want to know a secret?" she said tugging on his hand.
"What?"
She pulled him close and whispered in his ear, "I feel safer withyou."
"Really?" he whispered back.
"Really, really."
"Want to know a secret about me?"
"What?"
"You have to guess."
"What kind of secret is it?"
"I'll give you a hint." He kissed her cheek. She jumped back, touching her rosy face. She stumbled back from him, "You like me?" her voice was shaking. He nodded, taking a step toward her, "A lot, actually." She kept walking backwards until she met a wall. The glowing mushrooms framed her face, giving her features an ethereal glow. He was close enough to touch her now; she looked scared, yet intrigued. "How much do you like me?" she asked. The fox moved forward, taking her hands and raising her arms outward, measuring with them, "This much," he replied. "Do you… still feel safe with me?"
She slowly nodded, her eyes sparkling. "Will you let me…kiss you again?" he asked. No words came out of her mouth though her lips were moving; she managed to nod again. Youko slid one arm around her waist and his other hand held her chin. He leaned his forehead on hers, smiling gently. "Still feel safe?" She nodded. He kissed her cheek again, but in a spot dangerously close to her mouth. "Doyoufeel safe?" she asked him, her breath tickling his face. "Yes," he whispered. She chose this moment to plant a kiss directly on his lips, surprising him.
"Hey, you didn't ask to kiss me first," he teased, "That means I can kiss you again." But he did not kiss her right away, he teased her by running his lips along her jaw and back again. Before this could frustrate her, he kissed her mouth firmly. She squirmed in his arms, but he would not release her. He had a feeling she did not want to break away. Shaking, her lips were freed. She could not speak; only touch her lips with her fingertips. 'Beautiful,' she thought. He grasped the hand on her lips and kissed it. "Gabe?" he caught her gaze, "I think I love you."
"Oh,my," she was at a loss for words.
"Are you frightened?"
"Not frightened, excited." He caught her chin again; he could feel her heart thundering away. "Still feel safe?"
"From you? Yes, from myself, no." she breathed, clutching his arm with trembling hands. "I'm still human on the inside."
"Then I can help you by secluding you." He stepped back from her. "The tunnel leading away from the mouth of the waterfall will lead you out of the caves. The mushrooms will lead the way, I'll make sure of it. Take as long as you need getting out."
"You aren't going to leave me here-!" he came close enough to caress her cheek.
"You need it, I'm not abandoning you; I'm helping you. See you on the other side." He stepped back and melted into the darkness.
"Youko!" No response. She was alone.
the story is not over yet!! be patient, it won't come for a long time now, so quit asking! you make me feel like i suck at writing! TT