Here there people! Did you like my seventh chapter? How's my speedy update? You people don't seem to be reviewing much! Tsk, tsk, tsk! It shouldn't be hard to get a few reviews! Anyways, totally crazy about Xmas! Only one more week of educational stuff! Than nothin' but Xmas, Xmas, XMAS!!!!! Plus I'm totally freaked about the finals comin' up! One week after Winter Break! Urgh, not-ready-yet! I have 29 reviews RIGHT NOW, so whom ever is THIRTY-ITH reviewer will get a special thanks in next chapter!!! I MUST reach A LEAST 30! I really want to thank all the faithful reviewers who review often! You are VERY helpful, if any of you people out there want to be on this list, review each chapter or more than once! It shouldn't be that hard. Anyways, here are the special thanks:

Thank you Kaori!

Thank you Sweetlilbee!

Thank you Haloangelwolf496!

Thank you me/nambe!

Thank you authors that have put me on your favorite author/story list!

A BIG thanks to all the other reviewers who have reviewed this story!

There will be no conversation between the characters and I this chapter because I'm too lazy. Now, ON WITH THE SHOW!!!!

Chapter 8: A Little Snow Sprinkled with Fluff

Rhena trudged through the knee-deep snow while shutting her eyes. That headache really hurt! She was also feeling a little warm even though her body was shaking. She finally stopped walking, realizing that she no idea of where she was. Her feet were just inches from the edge of a tall cliff. There was a pretty array of purple, pink, orange, and golden yellow in the west. 'Uh oh!' Rhena started to panic, 'I don't know where I am, and it's starting to get dark!'

A sudden gust of cold air stirred her out of her thoughts. She shivered in response. 'Maybe I should of gotten more fur to wear.' Rhena thought with a frown as she looked down at her bare legs. She just couldn't see how those wolf demons could stand being in the cold like this and without pants! It started to snow again and little white flurries speckled her jet-black hair. Holding out her hand, she watched the snowflakes land and turn into water in the middle of her palm. It felt good on her heated skin.

Rhena felt tired, the high fever starting to take a toll on her tired body. Letting the soft white cushion her fall, she spread out her legs and arms full length. The cold was making her drowsy and her eyelids slide closed. Rhena felt the cold air brush against her bare skin and the snowflakes flit onto her face. She faintly heard the crunching of snow far away. 'Probably an animal.' She thought calmly. The crunching came closer and Rhena's heart started to race. It soon stopped a few feet away from her arms. Rhena's heart was beating loudly in her ears as she waited for the thing to go away. She hoped the thing couldn't hear heartbeats.

Hearing two soft thumps, she indicated the thing had kneeled. 'Wait…' Rhena thought, alarmed. 'Two knees, that means it walks on two legs. Damn! What if it's a demon looking for a meal? I'm dead!!!' She felt something warm on her legs and couldn't help the small smile on content that crept onto her face. The warmth stayed on her legs and she heard the rustle of clothes. Another source of warmth hovered above her head. Their warm breath brushing her face. Making up her mind, Rhena slowly and hesitantly opened her eyes.

Midnight blue eyes met emerald. She blinked once, twice in confusion. Rhena didn't know anyone with green eyes. Then she froze. It was a demon probably wanting to eat her. Rhena's heart pounded loudly in her ears as she waited for her fate. Then, she noticed something. The demon was practically on top of her! She blushed a pretty pink and averted her eyes out of embarrassment. Rhena heard a low rumble and saw that he was laughing. She was shocked, then pouted. This made the demon laugh even harder as he rolled off her. She sat up, a pout still adorning her face. "What's so funny?" The demon just kept on laughing, holding his stomach. While she waited for him to settle down, she studied his features.

He had red, auburn hair that was pulled into a low ponytail while his bangs covered his forehead. The ears were pointed in that way of an elf. Two glistening fangs poked out of his mouth as he laughed. She noted, that he wore no amour, but had a sword at his hip. His clothing seemed silky and flowed with his every movement. It came in various colors of green and had decorations of leaves and vines. A silver shimmering cloak on his shoulders looked as if it was thrown on in a rush. Something fluffy, no two somethings fluffy moved in between his legs. He had two tails! They were auburn red like his hair and twitched every once in a while. For Kami's sake, did everyone have tails around here?

"If you're done staring, I'd like to talk." He added with a chuckle. Rhena gave a small gasp of surprise as a blush spread across her cheeks. He held out a slightly clawed hand. Rhena looked confused at first, then slowly slid her hand in his. With a mighty jerk, he pulled Rhena up to her feet. She flew forward, surprised at the strength and found herself in the stranger's arms. Blushing furiously, she jumped out of his arms and brushed the remaining snow while trying to fight down her blush. Rhena cleared her throat to get his attention and held out her hand, "Nice to meet you. I'm Rhena." He took her hand and kissed the back of it like a gentleman, his tail swishing in anticipation, "Pleased to meet you as well. You may call me Kino." Rhena watched his lips touch her hand in a formal manner and felt the heat rising in her cheeks.

"My dear," Kino drawled out, his cockiness surfacing after. "If you blush any more, I'm afraid that your face will stay that color. Though, it fits you well." He continued, "What is a lovely thing like yourself doing out here in the cold? It's not safe here. There happens to be a rather strong demon lurking somewhere about these lands, you could be killed! And furthermore, wouldn't your parents worry? I'll escort you back to your village for safety." Rhena was steamed at Kino. How he dare he talk to her that way! Her stubbornness surfaced and jammed her fists on her hips, ready to give a mini lecture, "First off, why would a demon such as yourself care about a human? I don't even know you! And for you information, I wasn't feeling well and came out here to get some fresh air. As for my parents? They're too far away to worry about me; I doubt they even know what I'm doing. I already know about the dangerous demon, AND I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself, thank you very much!"

Rhena turned her tail, er, shoulder and defiantly crossed her arms. She heard him chuckle as he softly put and hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him. Rhena had a pout set on her face and turned her head, refusing to speak to him. A clawed finger hooked itself under her chin and directed her gaze to his. "I was merely worried about your safety." He explained softly. "Why?" Rhena softly back, her eyes swimming with confusion. "You are more than just a 'worthless human.' I sense large amount of power within you, but it seems untrained. Besides that fact, now that I look, you are wearing wolf demon clothes, are you not? That must mean that you are staying with them, are you not?" Rhena became embarrassed at the claim and the proximity of their faces as she averted her gaze.

Kino continued, ignoring the humility he was creating Rhena, "Now, back to the previous business, why are you not trained? One would think that if you are staying with demons, you should know how to fight. Haven't they taught you? It's dangerous to be around them without knowing such things. I will teach you. Now that this is settled, let's get you back, hm? I believe your caretaker will be worried about your absence at this time."

Rhena's head spun, all-too overwhelmed with the information. She luckily, caught the last few sentences, her eyes widened. "WH-WHAT?!?" She blurted out, completely unprepared for the statement about teaching her to fight, "You're…You're gonna teach me? But what if Ko-, er, my caretaker will object? Besides that, how on earth will you be able to teach me if you can't find me or I, you?" As much as she hated to admit it, Rhena was hoping that she could learn to fight. His guy could be her ticket! But, could she trust him? She only just met him, so would it be wise? Rhena snorted in her mind. Of course she could trust him, right? If he wanted to kill her, he would of done so already, right? Right???

Kino grinned with cockiness while he winked, "Of course my dear. You will be meeting me here when the sun is half way to the mid-day point, tomorrow. I will be waiting for you here on this cliff. If you don't come, I will personally retrieve you myself from wherever you may be." "Great, it looks like I have no choice. This'll be hard to explain to him." Rhena mumbled under breath.

A sudden motion from Kino brought Rhena out of 'La La Land.' He was bent sideways, his left arm at the back of her knees and the right arm pressed lightly against her back, close to her shoulders. Her mind barely had any time to register anything as he picked her up bridal style, quicker than the eye can see. "WH-WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DO…!" Her shout was cut into a small squeak as Kino jumped off the edge of the cliff. She instantly squinted her midnight blue eyes shut and buried her face into Kino's neck, er, shoulder. Her small petite hands hand a death grip on his clothes and her jet-black hair whipped wildly in the wind. 'Wow.' She thought idly, 'He's almost as fast as Koga!'

Kino finally slid to a stop, snow flying everywhere. He gently lowered Rhena to the ground, holding her hand and preventing her from leaving. Rhena got the message and turned to face Kino, her hand still in his. Kino looked directly into the female's eyes, "It was a pleasure meeting one such as lovely, charming, and beautiful as yourself, my dear Rhena." He slid a small wooden box beautifully painted and carved with leaves and vines into her left hand. Looking into her eyes once again, his face drew close to hers. Snatching her rosy, lush lips with his, he marveled the sensation feeling. Her lips were softer than he thought, and she tasted like the sweetest honey. His two tails wrapped around her body, creating warmth for the both of them. Reluctantly, he pulled away, wanting nothing more than to stay that way. Kino shook his to rid it of the haze that had formed. Flashing a charming smile towards Rhena, he reminded her, "Remember, the cliff tomorrow, be there." With that said, Kino sped of towards the East.

Rhena stood there for a few seconds, watching his figure disappear into the dark night. She caught her self as burst out, "WHAT AM I DOING??!" A light lit over Rhena's head, something g had just dawned on her, "He…HE JUST STOLE MY FIRST KISS!!!" Great, now her first kiss was taken. Although, it was more…ARGH! Rhena shook her head violently from side to side to rid her mind of the disturbing thought. 'Gotta focus, need-to-get-back-to-the-cave. Must focus.' She chanted in her head and headed back to the cave.

As soon as she set foot in the cave, a worried Ginta immediately greeted Rhena. "Where were Rhena? Koga practically went crazy with worry for you after it turned dark. He couldn't find you or even pick up your scent! Are you alright?" Before Rhena had a chance to answer, both Hakkaku and Koga ran up her. "Where were you? Why didn't you come back after it was dark?" Koga bombarded Rhena with question after question while Hakkaku talked quietly with Ginta. Rhena retorted in a slightly annoyed voice, "F Y I Koga, you allowed me to go outside the cave for a little fresh air. I had decided to take a short walk to rid myself of the headache created by you, and got lost for a little while. On the way back, it took a little longer than usual because I couldn't see too well in the dark, unlike you demons…" "Well, next time, I'm sending you with someone. From now on, you are not to go alone anywhere without guard, I can't risk you being taken!"

"WHAT!!?" Rhena yelled, enraged, "I'm not some baby! I'm not some item! I don't need a BABYSITTER and you don't OWN ME!! I'm not some weakling! I can take care of myself, thank you very much!" Koga set a hard glare her way and Rhena remembered something and immediately shut her mouth. If this keeps up, she wouldn't be able to slip out undetected! Then she wouldn't know how to fight, or even worse, Kino will come here and Koga will find all about it! "FINE!!!" Rhena yelled in Koga's face, steam pouring out her ears. She stomped her way to the back of the cave, near Koga's pelt, but not on it. No way was she gonna sleep on that thing after a fight with Koga. Forget that!

Rhena took out the beautifully decorated box Kino gave her. She pondered what could be inside it and wether she should open it or not. Rattling the box slightly, she lifted it up to her ear and listened. It sounded like fabric brushing against the wood. 'A cloth?' While her eyes drooped, Rhena traced the vines and leaves that decorated the box. Her eyes closed and Rhena fell into a light slumber. She shifted many times against the uncomfortable cave wall.

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Sooo, did you people like that chapter? I decided that Rhena needs more than just one suitor, so Kino is ONE of the MANY she will have. YAY!!! Plus, I'm trying to make this a little humorous, so many suitors will create MUCH CHAOS!!! YYYEEEEEESSSSSS!!!!! As a warning, in the next few chapters, I will be introducing MANY new characters, so try to keep up! I could probably put a character page after I introduce them, if you want… So, VOTE!

Question: Do you want me to have a character page/chapter later in the story when I've introduced a bunch of characters? VOTE!!! REVIEW!!!!! VOTE!!! REVIEW!!!!! VOTE!!! REVIEW!!!!! VOTE!!! REVIEW!!!!! VOTE!!! REVIEW!!!!! VOTE!!! REVIEW!!!!!

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