Disclaimer: if I could own CM, the only part of it that I would really want for keepers would be the font they use on the cover. Keep Mahiru and Mitsuru, keep Akira and Nozomu—I want the font, and that's it.

My first CM fic ever—please be kind. It's going to be humorous, and it's obviously going to be romantic…so bare with me. Expect rather slow updates…at least until after next Thursday (and maybe next Monday)—that's when all the obligatory stuff in my life ends and I'm left with the summer to myself.

Capture Me Care for Me:

Shirogane has gone missing, and it looks like the Moon Bandits may be the only ones able to locate the Emperor. And with things getting serious with Mitsuru and Mahiru, what will happen when a human suitor turns up? Three years after the series.

(Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki)

Chapter Six: Demon Within

Koku couldn't wait for Mahiru to return.

All through negotiations, he had been watching her speak—not really listening, just absorbing her presence. He could describe the exact way that her mouth moved when she spoke, how she bit the inner corner of her bottom lip while she was thinking. Koku could communicate with foreigners to explain the complex tapping of her right foot in the air when she was bored. He had analyzed her walk, her smile, her sigh, the way that her hair fell when she moved…

Needless to say, if Koku could paint, he could paint a better replica of Mahiru than Da Vinci could paint the Mona Lisa.

She had told him that she needed to step out and speak with her collogues about the situation of his troops. He hadn't registered the reason, torn over the meaning of the words. When Mahiru left, he didn't move for what seemed like hours. He breathed in her scent until it had completely left the air.

Losing that final tie to Mahiru, he checked the floor for a fallen piece of hair or even a fingernail crescent. Koku's search was proven negative, and so he waited.

And waited.

For days, he suffered in the vast emptiness of the unnamed chamber which did not contain Mahiru. He was starving, about to die of thirst—but remained in the same place, with a tiny ray of hope that his angel would return.

The door slid open.

"Mahiru?" he asked, voice rasping. Ah, to speak again!

"No. My name is Nozomu. I'm here to speak on the princess's behalf. Listen, human. Mahiru wants to be here. She's going to marry Mitsuru. Nothing's going to change that. It would put many points in your favor if you withdrew your troops and didn't harm anyone—Mahiru hates all sorts of conflict and bloodshed."

"You've got to be lying. If she hates conflict and bloodshed, why is she marrying a bloodthirsty demon?"

Nozomu's eyes flashed. "Bloodthirsty? Mitsuru? Ha!" he paused, looking at the floor. When his gaze returned to Koku, it was more…intense. Nozomu suddenly smiled at him, flashing two deadly-looking fangs.

Koku suddenly felt as if the walls were closing in on him. When had it gotten so warm in the chamber of his princess?

"No, Mitsuru's been avoiding conflicts lately. He doesn't like people that bother Mahiru. Now listen, human. He's been very understanding through this entire ordeal. He hasn't ripped off your head, and he hasn't set you on fire. Count yourself lucky, for now. However, if you continue to pursue Mahiru and you keep your troops in the capital, Mitsuru won't be as understanding."

Koku gulped.

Nozomu stood, bowing slightly. "I'll take my leave and allow you to think about that. The princess will be out for a few days, but when she returns, we'd all appreciate it if you had decided what to do. Please, feel free to accept our hospitality and remain here. I'll make sure myself that you get food and drink right away,"

Koku nodded.

"Good. Farewell, then."

Koku sighed.

Silly demon boy. All of those words for nothing. Koku was deaf to everything but the sound of the princess's voice.

(Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki)

Shirogane knew very well that there were people out looking for him. He had seen them, recognized his uncle's servants. The dog-boy had been there, along with the vampire. However…Shirogane had not seen the princess, and so he could think of no reason to reveal himself to his uncle's servants.

Meanwhile, he was perfectly content with Kirsa.

They had met several years before, while he was visiting his uncle in Kyoto. Shirogane had originally left the Moon Palace with the intention of visiting his first and only friend, but…somehow, his plans had changed.

Kirsa's home was so accepting, so warm, that he felt no need to return to his own home. She never tired of his stories of the Lunar Race, thinking that they were simply fairy tales. They had happy times together, far better than any that Shirogane could ever remember.

When the tengu landed in her backyard, those happy times ended.

Shirogane glared as Kirsa screamed in terror.

(Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki)

Mahiru paced back and forth in her room, wringing a handkerchief in her hands as she nervously awaited Nozomu's return. She hadn't bothered to change out of her gown yet, not realizing any more that she was wearing it.

It was a given fact that Koku wouldn't agree to withdraw simply. Mahiru couldn't see enough logic in him—in fact, she could only see blind headstrong lust behind his eyes, and it freaked her out.

When the door opened, she jumped. Nozomu smirked at her, ducking as she tried to throw her handkerchief at him. "Take it easy, Mahiru-chan. Koku's all taken care of for a couple of days, so let's go and find Shirogane."

Mahiru nodded. "Are you sure? He's not going to attack the people while we're gone?"

"Oboro can handle it," Nozomu said with a shrug. "Let's go, Mahiru. I've got a funny feeling that Mitsuru and Misoka are fighting again."

(Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki) (Tsuki)

end!

J/k! new chapter coming up! Forecast for the future: Mitsuru/Mahiru lemon (even if it's only implied), Shriogane's confessions, Koku's decision, and some spiffy fighting! Review, please!