Chapter 5: Resistance as a Blessing
(Kunimitsu II's POV)
What the hell just happened to me?
As I'm currently driving this stolen car back to my client to collect his payment, my mind was just in an all-out rut. My tears of sympathy towards Colby just couldn't stop and I had to take my mask off as I stopped at a stoplight. I took the time to wipe them away and kept the silence golden as the light just turned green and I was on my way back once more. Although our inner animal spirits are constantly at odds with each other, our human souls are not. We desperately want to get to know each other more, but it seems impossible at this point. Regardless of this, I'm a woman who always knows what she wants and I am willing to do whatever I can to get it, no matter how futile the struggle may be.
Mother already told me that love is much more powerful than any God. I'm gonna make absolutely certain that it's even stronger than our animal spirits.
Several minutes later, at Mr. Vy's car garage…
"Kunimitsu!" The middle-aged Caucasian car enthusiast greeted me as I just placed the vehicle in park next to him. "I was so worried! That theft was my most massive one yet since moving here to Japan ten years ago."
"Probably means you should have these expensive cars under lock and key next time." I quoted professionally as I got out of the car and dusted myself off with one hand while holding my mask with the other. Mr. Vy bowed his head with shame.
"I suppose you're right. I love each and every last one of these cars as if they were my children. I have the money for a much more advanced security system and, of course, I have the money for you as well for your heroic deed as usual. Come with me to my office and I'll pay you handsomely." After that last word, I reluctantly did so and I couldn't help my grey eyes welling up in tears again when my mind focused on Colby again along the way. Fortunately, I never made a sound nor did a tear escape during that two minute walk towards his personal office within the back of his mansion.
By the time we got there and I took my seat before his mahogany wooded desk, that's when he noticed my moist eyes as he took his seat with his pen and checkbook between us. He showed utmost concern and I never cowered away.
"Kunimitsu, what's wrong? You look like you're about to cry." He started sweetly. That tone did make me smile a bit, but still…
"Sorry you had to see that." I apologized as I attempted to wipe my seemingly upcoming tears with a tissue that got from the table. "I have a confession to make: I couldn't do this mission alone."
"Oh?! It was too much for you, eh?"
"It's not the size of the items that I struggled with, but the speed. Despite my phantom ninja status, I can only run but so fast on my own two feet. Fortunately, when you called the police to help me out, their only K9 unit assisted me in catching up to them."
"They have only one K9?"
"It's all they'll ever need. His name his Colby Donahoe Johannsson. He's gained the spirit of the Midnight Wolf and can turn into it as his own free will, even thought it does act on its own sometimes."
"A human that turns into a wolf is a K9 at this police force?! Remarkable! So, why the water works in your eyes? Is everyone okay?" Mr. Vy focused on writing my payment down on the check as he asked that second to last question.
"I'm gaining some feelings for Colby and my inner kitsune refuses to get along with his wolf every time we meet. We have to reconcile their differences somehow and, so far, it's much more difficult than we both thought. It's mostly the wolf that's causing the most trouble for us."
"Aww, I'm so sorry to hear that. You are quite the beautiful young woman for someone like Colby. Is he handsome?"
"Absolutely." I blushed the deepest shade of pink upon my cheeks as I said this and, again, I didn't shy away from my client. "He's from the United States, like you, blonde hair in a mohawk and ponytail combination, a muscle capacity that matches King, the most impressive tribal tattoos I've ever seen on any person, and his eyes are so odd, but they don't scare me."
"How so?" Vy finished writing the check and handed it over to me, but I never looked at it. I just placed it away in a secret pocket on my ninja ensemble.
"His irises remain bright green, but his pupils are white and the sclera are black. He did confess to me that those eyes in particular are what steers many potential mates away from him."
"…but not you, apparently. And what does your legendary and famous Mother have to say about this?"
"She says that she's alright with this, but until our animal spirits can naturally get along, Colby and I are merely acquaintances." This made my grey haired client frown in disagreement. "It's for the best."
"I understand, but as a man who's now a widower, let me tell you a little secret on how to finally get the ball rolling between you two: Whenever this man is on your mind, simply call him and just talk. The sounds of your voices should comfort you for now and, hopefully, it'll add that same comfort towards your animal spirits. The more you do it, the better." I sat back with a surprised gleam in my eyes. I never thought of that and I already liked the sound of it. "Even if the call is only for just a few seconds, it'll still keep your thoughts about each other going at high strides. Take it from me. It'll work eventually. You just have to have patience."
"…" I remained silent after that was said as I took it all in for a moment. We never exchanged phone numbers, but I'm sure I can somehow so I can make this idea work. Until then, I'll have to make do with what I got now. After that was said, I nodded once in thanks before I placed on my mask, headed out of the house, and back to the Tekken Mansion for the rest of the day. I had to share this with Gon later on. I'll bet he would give me the same advice, despite being in a relationship with someone who's different from his own species.
(Colby's POV)
"Colby! Colby, are you alright, sugar?" Asked one of my favorite fellow officers named Deborah Caindor. Her sweet country voice already kept me smiling, but not this time as I was currently sulking in my roomy office. I was still in my Midnight Wolf form and I was in the 'lying at the master's feet' position with my head between my forelegs and my pointed ears drooping with sadness. I didn't want to flinch away from Kunimitsu II back there, but this wolf wasn't having it and that snarl before the snatch was enough of a sign for both of us. It seemed like I scared her away, just like with all of my previous dates before her. That's why I'm feeling pretty bad right now. I had to seclude myself from the rest of the force for a while. Seeing them through my office door's window was suffice for now, especially since Debbie's beautiful African American face was peeking through it with a look of worry. "C'mon out, honey. We'll talk about it."
I don't feel like it right now. I replied through my telepathy. This made her frown even more. Just leave me alone!
Outside of my office…
"Mm!" Debbie shook her head in defeat as Sheriff Zaituchi approached her and my door with just as much concern as the rest of the precinct was wrapping up for the day. "Ever since we got back here, he just won't budge, chief."
"The curse of the Cupid's Arrow plus the stubbornness of his Midnight Wolf is causing a whole lot more damage to his soul than I thought." My boss admitted. He's 100 percent correct there. Right now, I feel like a total wreck after what just happened. I was practically close to biting Kunimitsu. "It's something he'll have to try and fix himself."
"It's about that Kunimitsu woman, ain't it?" The sheriff nodded. "What's the situation with her again?"
"Her kitsune versus the Midnight Wolf. Every time they're in each other's sights, they both practically snarl at each other with hatred. According to legend, the kitsune fox and wolves in general naturally don't get along for so many reasons that I can't name right now because we'll be here all night. With that in mind, both of them are struggling to have just a single conversation. It's that bad."
"Aww, the poor things! They're both so young, too. I sure do hope they'll find someway around it because, personally, I think they already make a lovely couple and I ain't just sayin' that for my health, honeybun." Hearing that made me perk up a little bit with a small smile drawn upon my muzzle. My heart feels the same way, but with this damn wolf taking over my decisions, it's kinda hard to try to find a way around him. With that in mind, I finally stood up, turned back into my human self, and nearly startled my two coworkers as I opened my door after what seemed like an hour. "There he is! Overheard me, didn't ya, sweetheart?"
"Guilty." I admitted with humor and my small handsome smile, showing them both that I was feeling a little better. "You really think Kunimitsu II and I make a great couple?"
"It ain't no lie. I truly believe it, Colby-honey. I suggest you join in our bandwagon, too. You may not be able to see each other without growlin' at her, but you can at least call her and just hear her voice. I'm sure that won't bother that pet wolf ya have in your body there, sugar."
"Sounds like a plan, but we never exchanged phone numbers." Hearing that made them both frown with me, having my boss look like he was in brainstorming mode afterwards. "And at this rate, that's impossible."
"Not necessarily." Zaituchi disagreed, immediately gaining the attention from me and Debbie. "I'm sure I can pull a few strings here. I'm keeping my technique classified, but rest assured: You will receive a phone call from Kunimitsu II tonight."
"…wow." That's all I could say after that and I didn't hesitate to give my chief an embrace of thanks, making Debbie placed a hand on her heart with admiration.
(Kunimitsu II's POV)
"Why did I have a feeling that would happen?" Gon rhetorically asked after I just explained my whole situation with Colby. We were currently in a video call after I had just settled down in my bedroom for a moment, preparing for a shower later on. "Sheesh! I just can't catch a break, Steph!"
"I hear ya, Gon-sweetie." Stephanie's sweet voice called out from the distance as she just sat on the mutated dragon obstatricity hybrid's left side. "Apparently, you like him, but his Midnight Wolf is all negative about it."
"That's just sad." Gon frowned as he said this, but I remained determined in my grey eyes. "So, did ya tell your Mother?"
"Before I got back here, yes." I replied with honesty. "The same advice my client gave me was a repeat from her, but knowing that we never exchanged phone numbers, well…"
"That shouldn't stop ya. I'm sure we can all figure something out."
"I believe so, but right now, I need to take this shower. That car theft was a lot of work." I ended the phone call right then and there. I hated to sound ignorant towards him since I called him my new father figure, but at this rate, our animal spirits are making me feel a bit frustrated. An aromatherapy shower is just what I need to actually cooperate next time.
At about the first ten minutes of my shower…
"Huh?" I asked myself as I heard my phone ring on the shelf ahead of me after I had just finished washing my hair. I truly started to believe the benefits of having a waterproof smartphone and I flipped it open to see what that number was. I didn't recognize it, but I verbally told it to answer and it was automatically on speaker as I heard a voice I didn't expect:
"Kunimitsu II?" It was Sheriff Zaituchi. Usually, a thief like me would hang up right then and there, but this was a special case.
"This is her." I replied without hesitation as I was currently washing off my body with a soothing body wash that has the heavenly aroma of cedarwood and lavender.
"Yes! I finally got through. See, I've been trying to contact you since after the car theft earlier today. At first, I was doing it the hard way by means of a phone book, but then, I thought: 'Who the hell uses those nowadays?' So, I actually scanned through your recent client's phone call history and found this number like about ten times."
"He was worried about his cars." I replied with a bit of humor. "I guess I was too busy with the criminals at the time."
"Figures. Now, the main topic: I saw what happened between you and Colby back at the end of crime scene. You tried petting him and that wolf snarled with terror before snatching his head away from you."
"Then Colby ran off back to the station before the rest of you. What happened to him after that? Is he okay?"
"Glad you're actually concerned about him. That's what he was worried about by the time we got back. He was sulking in his personal office and was afraid he might have scared you off, like with all of previous dates before you."
"That little runaway did the opposite here, although my kitsune is still not fond of him just yet."
"Huh! Debbie was right! Well, in that case, since I've gotten your number now, how do you feel about having a chat with Colby?"
"…I'd like nothing better." I showed my best regal glare of compassion without blushing for once.
"Enough said. Hang on. I'll get him on the line."
(Colby's POV)
I had just settled into my bedroom for the night after a relaxing shower and was currently watching TV, dressed in nothing but a pair of baggy plaid pajama pants and just in total chill mode. It was about ten minutes until 8PM when I heard my cell phone vibrate on my nightstand to my right. At that moment, I was excited and Midnight was silent. I knew who it was and I didn't hesitate as I muted my TV and answered it while I still remained relaxed.
"Kuni?" I guessed.
"Colby?" She replied back. I knew it. That sheriff of mine has worked miracles before, but this was one for the record books. I stayed calm as the conversation continued.
"Yeah, it's me. Zaituchi finally figured it out. I thought it would take him all night."
"Same here. Turns out all he had to do was look back at my last client's call history."
"Enough said. So, what are doing at this time of night?"
"You first."
"Heh, heh." She went a little shy on me there. So far, so good in this conversation. "I'm just chillin' in my room after a refreshing shower."
"…I'm currently taking one." That made my grotesque eyes widen with shock as I sat up a bit against the backboard of my bed. It's only because not only did she say that without hesitation, but she also said it with, what sounded like, a seductive tone in that cute voice of hers. "I figured that got your attention."
"Are you really on your phone in the shower?!"
"Yeah. It's completely waterproof and I have it on a shelf before me right now on speaker." Damn! My mind was already imagining her beautiful naked body of a goddess she's got and I blushed at that thought. "I was hoping you were in your shower, too."
"Nah, but… whoa… You're naked during our very first phone call together."
"By accident, I assure you. I really wasn't expecting your boss to call me at this time. I was actually waiting for Gon to call back."
"Gon? That short yellow dinosaur?"
"Yes. He and I have connected since my Mother became ill a couple of years back. I called him my new father figure and he hasn't lost touch with me since."
"Aww, that's cute." Truly it was. I mean, I knew that dinosaur had so many connections all over the world, including with me and my family, but he really went up the ante with this one. "What? He kept the knowledge about me and wanted to hook us up?"
"Exactly, but when I told him about how difficult it actually was because of our opposing animal spirits, he was a little disappointed."
"Of course, we're both gonna try to change that together. I really wanna get to know you a lot more, Kunimitsu."
"Same here. There's just something about you that rattles my sixth sense and my kitsune doesn't like it, but I don't care. I'm a woman who knows exactly what she wants, no matter who opposes me."
"Mm! Amen to that."
"Do you think that, when the timing feels right, can I be the only one to hear how you acquired your wolf? It's got me all curious." I couldn't help but smile at that question. The tone of it was just mesmerizing to hear over the phone and even my inner wolf made a low growling moan in response to it. Fortunately, it was inaudible towards Kunimitsu II.
"Yeah, no problem. I should warn you ahead of time: It'll be a long story."
"I'll keep that in mind. How is your wolf now?"
"He's already asleep for the night. So far, the sound of your adorable voice doesn't seem to bother him." I blushed as I said this and it made her giggle. Damn! I… think I just got a major boner after that. I hope Midnight didn't feel it.
"Aww, you're so sweet. I really can't wait for this chance together. The next time you get a call about a theft in the works, call me after that. That will be our wide open opportunity to get a date in." Now, she's speaking my language! I kept my regal smile of hope while I nodded twice in agreement. "Let's see how our animal spirits will feel at that moment."
"Deal. One quick question before we hang up for the night and don't take this the wrong way: Have you… been around… before?" It was silent for the next two minutes after that question and I shivered a bit with my nerves going insane. Thirty seconds into the second minute later:
"…No, but I've already prepared myself just in case." Now it was my turn to be silent and I was stunned. I already got the gist of what she meant by that and my wide scary eyes couldn't be let down for a seemingly long time. "You'll know more about that after you tell me how you got that wolf, okay?"
"…" That was a trade I absolutely could NOT refuse. "…you got it. I'll even tell you my past escapades myself. How's that for a deal?"
"Perfect. Well, good night, Colby. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Good night…" I'm gonna say it now. See how she likes it: "…Cutie-Kuni." The response I got from her: Another adorable giggle before she officially hung up for the night. Heh, heh.
Something tells me that she liked it. Hell, she probably loved it, but I'll find out tomorrow. It'll be the best day in my life.
To be continued…