Chapter 7: A First Date Like No Other – Part 2

(Colby's POV)

The silence in this cruiser is all I need right now.

As I'm sitting here in the passenger seat with the golden saber toothed tiger statue in my lap after another successful mission with Kunimitsu II, I was having a literal game of tug of war happening within my mind. One side was telling me to go ahead and explain the true origins of my Midnight Wolf while the other side is against it at this point of our slow progressing relationship and I should wait until it's truly official between us. Whichever one fell in the pit between them was due to instantly become null and void and I should do what survives the battle. During that time, I kinda felt the constant tugs going back and forth and I felt a small minor headache in the process. I had to massage my forehead for relief and it only alleviated it every thirty seconds. Damn, this was a struggle that I dared not to share with my parents later on. Even my wolf growled inside of me as he felt this as well. Couldn't tell if this growl was an agreement or not, but either way, he's feeling my internal scuffle alongside me and it felt phenomenal to me.

I'm only hoping that Cutie-Kuni will help to ease it up even more. So far, her support is sufficient to say that our first date is off to a good start.

(Kunimitsu II's POV)

It only took Greg and I about three minutes to fill up the blood sample vial that was needed for Mr. Sai. After that was finished, the officer handed it to me and I kept it secured within a hidden pocket on my signature ensemble. Moments later, we headed back out to the police cruiser and I hid my grey eyes of sorrow with my mask and kept my partial frown of concern as I saw Colby was still within the car, but he appeared to be suffering from a headache. It's most likely the cause of the Midnight Wolf's existence that's bothering him and I just felt terrible about it. I'm sure it'll go away if he shares it with me later on. He's promised so many times, despite the pain. One thing's for sure: Whatever the origin is, I'll accept it with a handful of salt.

We both will.

"Kunimitsu." Zaituchi called out and I didn't even hesitate to approach the Japanese sheriff. "Just got off the phone with your client, Mr. Sai. We explained the entire situation that Colby shared with us and he's already extremely ecstatic about it. I must say that your business as a Freelance Thief combined with our services is really paying off. Now since the statue itself is too heavy for you, Colby will have to do the honors of carrying it while you give him the vial of blood. In other words, this'll be the first time you and Colby will be alone for a moment. Take your time now and keep your focus on the mission at hand. Understand?"

"Yes, sir." Of course, I was celebrating on the inside. This will indeed be our first time truly alone, even though it'll only be until we meet up with Mr. Sai. Maybe then, Colby will gather the strength to give me, at least, a small hint as to how he acquired the Midnight Wolf and why he feels so guilty about it.

(Colby's POV)

It only took us about five minutes to finally reach Mr. Sai's humble mansion and my headaches went away right at the complete stop. Kunimitsu and I looked at each other in silence for ten more seconds before we finally got out the police cruiser and, with the golden saber-toothed tiger statue in my hands, we both headed towards the massive house with courage in our hearts. During that time, Kunimitsu decided to ask me the question while we still had the chance:

"Can you tell me now?" It sounded so simple and cute, but with much more meaning than usual. I never made eye contact with her and neither did she towards me in return. We remained focused like we promised.

"…it's complicated." I finally replied with reluctance. She sighed with expectancy.

"I see." She didn't sound disappointed at all, too. That surprised me by the time we approached the wooden double doors and she volunteered to ring the doorbell. That's when we finally made eye contact. "Is that the only hint you'll give me for now?"

"Yeah. Trust me on this, Kunimitsu. That word is putting it nicely."

"And I believe you to the fullest." Right after that last word's syllable was spoken from Cutie-Kuni, the doors opened before us and it made us slightly smile as we saw Mr. Sai's own that was full of joy and praise as he spoke in his sweet elderly voice.

"Kunimitsu!" He started off with loads of happiness in his tone. I always wondered about how happy these clients felt after each successful mission and it's showing very well here. Her five-star rep is not an exaggeration after all. "It's so good to see you! I heard the whole thing from the sheriff. You must be Colby."

"Yes, sir." I replied politely with a nod. "K9 Colby Donahoe Johannsson at your service, Mr. Sai. I volunteered to kill the thief while Kunimitsu was only able to find the statue. As you can see, she couldn't carry it. It's pretty heavy." I handed over the impressive art piece to the humble owner and he held on to it like it was light as a feather as well, checking it for any nicks and cuts. "Rest assured; you won't be having anymore thefts here from now on."

"Oh, I believe you for sure, son! Thank you so much! Both of you! Kunimitsu, do you have his blood like I requested?"

"Right here." Kunimitsu replied as she carefully pulled out the vial from a secret pocket. Again, Saisuko was as careful as always while he placed his statue to the side on a table next to him.

"Excellent! This is just the proof I need to keep those thieves away from me." He then gently placed the vial in a special compartment within that same table the protected statue was currently resting on. "Now, Colby, I must ask you: Why call yourself a K9?"

"I… have the spirit of the Midnight Wolf within my soul." I replied with just a small hint of hesitation, which made Kunimitsu II look at me with apprehension as I continued. "I turn into it for maximum coverage towards the police department here."

"Ah, I see. And I also notice that you're not of this country."

"Yeah. My parents and I moved here from the United States. We've only been here for about three years now and we've got another two before we have to move back."

"Well, that's unfortunate. I'm sure you and your family will love it here if you give it a chance. We'd hate for you to leave."

"I know. I don't wanna leave either." I said that with a hint of compassion and made a sideglance towards Kuni II after that as well, which made her return her own regal glare of agreement within those beautiful grey eyes. "It depends on my parents' performances at their jobs here."

"Well, I sure do hope they'll do exceptionally well for your sake. Thank you both so much again for your services. Oh, and before I forget…" Mr. Sai paused as he pulled out a fully written check and handed it to Cutie-Kuni. "…here's my payment as promised. Spend it wisely now."

"Thank you, Saisuko." Kunimitsu replied as she took a good look at the check before she placed in away in another secret pocket within her impressive ninja ensemble. "You take care of yourself now."

"And you do the same. Both of you." The man then made a final nod toward us before he closed his double doors and we both faced each other completely for a moment.

"You really don't want to leave?" Kunimitsu asked me with utmost surprise. I nodded twice as I held her slender, fingerless gloved hands within my bare, strong ones.

"It's so much more than what I just mentioned." I paused for a moment as I bowed my head for literally five seconds before I continued: "Despite the struggle we're having together, your constant strong-willed spirit is slowly overshadowing your protesting kitsune every moment we're in each other's sights. You keep this up and I'm pretty sure our time spent together will go far beyond the remaining two years that my family and I have left here. I do get a bit homesick every once in a while, but I'll be alright." I then became bold as I slowly started to gently stroke Cutie-Kuni's left cheek with my adoring smile still in check. She never looked away, but she did slightly lean her head towards it for more comfort. "As soon as our first date starts tonight, everything about each other will become as clear as glass. I… trust you with all my heart, Kuni."

"…" Damn! She looks so mesmerizingly beautiful when she's in that stunned silence. She probably feels the exact same way about me and just didn't know how to express it at this point. It's all so brand new to her, like I said before, and all she could do for now was just absorb everything I told her like a sponge to water and hope that she won't accidently wring it out on the way home. I decided to become even more valiant and kiss her right hand like the gentleman was raised to be. I held her hand against my soft lips for another seemingly slow five seconds before I released her and walked back to the police cruiser with a casual brave smile upon my face. By the time I got in the passenger seat, Zaituchi didn't say a word. We both just looked at each other for three seconds, having him nod once with satisfaction afterwards, and we were on our way back to the station. During that time, I had to look in my side mirror to see Kunimitsu II still standing there, watching us leave.

Heh, heh, heh! I can already tell that this first date's gonna be fun.

(Kunimitsu II's POV)

What. Just. Happened?

Colby's really expressed himself to me in his most heartfelt and honest words I've ever heard from any man in my entire life and I took in every last one of them with all six of my senses. After I saw the police car turn the corner and was out of my sight, I had to feel the cheek he touched and look at the hand he kissed all at the same time to make sure that everything was real and it wasn't a dream. It's such a surreal sensation to me and I didn't know what to think of it. This was something I had to share with Mother right away. With that in mind, I slowly stopped my reverie and placed my fox mask back on before I made my usual leaps and bounds towards the nursing facility to make that brief visit before preparing for our date.

A few moments later…

"Such words for someone beyond his years." Mother quoted professionally after I just told her everything that happened. She was currently enjoying a light snack of grapes and crackers while having her blind eyes 'staring' at the wall before her as usual. I just shared the grapes as I was sitting next to her with my mask off. "And your kitsune never cowered?"

"It's like she disappeared completely as he spoke to me." I confessed. "He even kissed my hand before heading back to the station. His… parents have taught him well."

"Indeed. Speaking of, I still haven't told your Father about this development with Colby. And he shall never know anytime soon. It's only between us because I actually trust this man by your side. I'm guessing that this date will unveil everything about you both and maybe strike a few revelations along the way."

"That's the main premise of the date, yes. Is it safe to say that we're no longer acquaintances?" Mother had to pause her meal for a moment to take that question in. I looked at her with full observation for the next five minutes. During that time, I had to think that question through myself. He's already hoping for a possible future with me and he sensed my strong will to be the best woman I can be for my family, even though the occasional stresses of juggling my Freelance Thief occupation with caring for my sickly Mother can get to me sometimes. He never detected a single thought of me giving up and he knows we can make it through if we stay together. I… have to humbly agree with him. After those five minutes passed, Mother turned towards me with a heavenly smile on her red lips. I returned it, of course, even though she can't see me.

"I don't even know why I had to think about it." She replied with sincerity. That made my smile grow even more. "After Colby confessed those truthful words to you back there, having you two being called 'acquaintances' should be null and void at this rate. Still, you should take your time with him. You'll never know if those last two years here in Japan will indeed be his last and you'll never see each other again. Make the most of it while you both still have the chance. Spend as much time with him as possible and don't let anything hold you back. And I do mean anything! Understand?!" She scolded me a little bit there like she usually did when I was a little girl and had gotten into trouble numerous times. I bowed my head towards her in response and gave her kiss on the left cheek afterwards, telling her that I will follow those orders like an obedient child.

"Completely, Mother." I replied as I held her hands within mine like Colby did to me. "Among those confessions, I also promised to tell him why his childhood friend, JT, is sending such negative vibes within my very soul after I mentioned him. Do you think his reaction will be the total opposite of what transpired?"

"There's an even 50/50 chance. The truth hurts sometimes and it must be told regardless."

"Makes sense. Well, I better go and get ready for our date. I'll let him pick our destination." We then shared a loving embrace that already seemed like it would last forever. "I love you, Mother."

"And I love you more, Daughter. I will not wait up for you, either." That last statement made us both giggle with humor within the hug.

(Colby's POV)

"That's my boy!" My Dad cheered after I had just gotten home from work for the day. He was giving me congratulatory pats on my bare left shoulder with all the love in the world after I told him everything that happened. My Mom just walked in the living room with the same smile and she looked like she was this close to jumping up and down like a kid at Christmas. "Finally told her how you felt, eh?!"

"Yeah. And it felt amazing." I confessed with pride. "I even told her that, even though we've got less than two years left before we move back to Maine, I… actually love it here."

"…Colby!" Mom sang out playfully with a gleam of happiness. "Now, we know better. It's more than that. It's so good to see you bonding with the daughter of a legendary kunoichi of all people in this country. It's a shocker that she even has a heart at all."

"Just a little bit of it for now." I confessed without shame. Both of my parents nodded twice in understanding as I continued. "The only kind of love she's ever felt so far is from her family. That's completely different compared to what she's experiencing with me right now. She's totally inexperienced with this right now, but she's slowly gaining more and more every time we're together. Everything else will definitely bloom once our date starts. We're not gonna waste any time either; get straight to the important topics that brought us together in the first place."

"Oooh, are you sure about that, son?" Dad asked with concern. "Jumping right into the candid shark pool at the first leap?"

"It'll be worth it. I assure you. No matter what kind of sharks we release, we'll take in every sharp bite with all the bravery we can muster. Don't worry about us." I gave them both a loving embrace for a few seconds before I headed upstairs to start getting ready for my date. On the outside, I'm feeling cool, calm, and collected, but Midnight is just going insane with excitement. I softly chuckled at it and was already hoping he'd calm down by the time we get to our destination: Moonlight Hill.

It won't be an entirely full moon tonight, but it'll give us plenty to talk about.

(Kunimitsu II's POV)

By 6:45 PM, I finished my shower and had just gotten dressed in my Urban Ninja ensemble without the hoodie, the fingerless gloves, and the wraps around my legs this time. It was colored in purple with black and purple sneakers as I was currently styling my hair into my usual ponytail. As I did this, many 'what ifs' flowed through me like a river. The only one that stuck out at me the most was:

What if the revelation involving JT steers Colby away?

I never wanted that question in particular to cloud my judgement and it did for only a brief moment. Three minutes into that thought, I finished my hair and just stared at myself in the mirror of my vanity in total silence. All of these new sensations of love that I'm feeling is just so overwhelming to bear and I wonder how Mother and Father did it well enough to create me. I guess it is truly something I must figure out on my own.

After those peaceful seven minutes went by, my cell phone rang on the vanity top right next to my slender right hand. Well, it's finally time and I am ready.

"Are we ready, Colby?" I asked after I picked up my phone.

"Yeah." He replied with a casual tone in his handsome voice. "I'm waiting for you out front. You'll… have to carry the picnic basket when you see me." I giggled at that last statement as I made my way downstairs. By the time I was halfway down, I had to say it with a bit of humor:

"I figured, seeing that you refuse to use a car and everything."

"Heh-heh-heh-heh! Yeah…" We hung up after that and, as expected, I see Colby as the Midnight Wolf himself sitting like a very obedient dog at the bottom of the front steps of the mansion with that aforementioned basket before his massive paws. He looks adorable!

"Where exactly are we headed, then?" I asked him casually as I made my way downstairs and didn't waste a moment giving him loving pats between his triangular ears. Colby's smile never ceased.

A location I just recently discovered that'll give us all of the peace in the world, despite what we're gonna discuss later on: Moonlight Hill. Colby replied with his telepathy as I picked up the wicker basket that wasn't too heavy on the refreshments hidden under the blue and white checkered blanket. It was the perfect location for us to really be alone in complete reconciliation. I already prayed that the nearly-full moon tonight won't make him go berserk on me as I mounted on top of him and was ready to go, keeping that kung-fu grip on the basket as well. Don't worry. Midnight here won't go insane this time. Huh! He read my mind for once!

"I sure do hope not." I replied with a little humor as we were finally on our way to make things right for both of us in any way we can.

(Colby's POV)

With my impressive speed, we made it to Moonlight Hill within a matter of fifteen minutes. It was near the Tokyo city limits and had the most stunning view of Japan I've ever seen. When we made a complete stop at the stop of this grassy hill, I allowed Kuni to dismount off of me before I turned back into my human self, revealing that I was wearing a purple leather vest with baggy black jeans and purple sneakers. Seeing each other in our outfits literally made time seem to stop as we took the time to truly scan each other. I knew this was the outfit she wore when we first met, but it was without the hoodie and that wrap around one of her legs. Holy shit! She looks absolutely breathtaking without the hoodie and those shorts accentuated her figure perfectly. My mind was already trying to look at her from behind because of that factor, but I fought against it as she became brave for the first time by approaching me and slowly slid her soft, slender hands up my abs and stopped at my pecs, taking in every professional detail of the wolf tattoo on one of them. It felt phenomenal as we ended up peering deep into each other's eyes for a brief moment afterwards.

"You look amazing!" I breathlessly commented as my hands made a gentle grab of her love handles. She never resisted. "Safe to say that we're already off to an excellent start."

"Indeed." Kuni II agreed in a deeper tone of her cute voice for a moment. "Your sense of style matches mine perfectly and this tattoo work is just simply amazing. You know you'll have to tell me all about it."

"Sure, but what do think of the rest of me, huh?" Hearing that question made her raise an eyebrow with a seemingly sensual smirk that I couldn't dare to look away from, even with those awesome red stripes around her spectacular grey eyes. "I mean, obviously; Like Mother, like Daughter… you both look incredible."

"Aww, you're too sweet, Colby." We still maintained eye contact as she allowed a single hand of hers to stroke my heavily tribal tattooed arm with admiration. "You look fantastic yourself. It's no wonder that statue wasn't heavy to you."

"Why thank you." After those few moments of admiration went by, I finally volunteered to lay down the blanket and get the picnic started. I then pulled out our dinner, which were a couple of Bento boxes, two cans of green tea, and two shrimp eggrolls. We both faced the moon and the awesome view of the city as we started eating in silence for a while. Deep down, we were both thinking about how we should share our upcoming revelations in the best ways possible. Despite that gratifying start we had, we needed to keep it that way, no matter what. They say 'It isn't how you start. It's how you finish.' And I intend to keep our feelings alive after this.

(Kunimitsu II's POV)

Fifteen minutes have passed since we started eating in silence and the anticipation was boiling like lava at this rate within my soul. Despite the beautiful night we were currently facing, it was still due to be quite the crucial exchange once we finished the very last of our refreshments. That happened within another three minutes and we still remained silent for two more as we were just looking out towards the nearly full moon, the stars, and the city below us. One of us had to start something and Colby beat me to it before I could even open my mouth:

"I'm actually lucky to be alive right now." Hearing that from him in his deepest tone since meeting him made me look at him with the widest grey eyes I've ever done in my life, but I kept my mouth shut in order to allow him to continue. "I never shared this fact with my parents, though. I only told them that I somehow got the Midnight Wolf through my ninja studies. (Sigh) I hated lying to them."

"What exactly happened, then?" I asked him in my most concerning tone. Colby still avoided eye contact with me as he continued.

"It happened after the first three weeks of being a freshman in college. I never knew that someone was actually against me and it was truly someone anonymous. I found that factor out through my natural sixth sense that I used for the first time before I even got to studying ninjutsu. The only problem was that whoever it was… has actually been an enemy of mine for a very long time… since my childhood."

"…" My observing silence became music to our ears as I kept my moonlit glowing eyes on him at full attention.

"Anyway, I was enjoying a usual everyday lunch with some fellow classmates as usual that day. They had their own lunches while I decided to try the school's vegetable beef stew. Prior to sitting down at the table, one of the servers in the lunch line who served a generous bowlful of it appeared to be extremely tense and nervous. His hand with the ladle was shaking, but it wasn't enough to spill it on the way. I wondered why and I even asked him verbally. He just simply shook his head and silently told me to go on ahead and continue my usual routine. Several minutes later, I did so and the stew didn't feel or taste any different for a moment. It was delicious and I was on my way back for a second serving, but along the way, I looked down at my empty bowl and I saw it: Two strands of silver hair mixed in with some of the leftover broth. That's when it happened. You should've been there, Kuni. It was horrifying to witness to everyone in the cafeteria."

"I'll bet it was…" I was still in full observant mode in my silver grey eyes. "…before you explain to me what happened next, I'll have to ask:" That's when he finally looked at me with a regal glare of attentiveness in those incredible eyes. "Those hairs you found in the soup prior to the episode; were they supposed to be a part of a cruel prank?"

"That question echoed in my head while I was suffering during that moment. My stomach burned like fire, I was screaming at the very top of my lungs with extreme agony, and I was practically throwing up blood every few seconds. It was scary and I thought I was gonna die right then and there. I passed out after twenty of those horrifying minutes and…" Colby had to pause his story for a moment to cry with sadness with his hands covering up as much of his tears as possible. At that moment, I felt his pain instantly and gave him a few pats on his tattooed shoulder for comfort as I never looked away from him. "…I was presumed dead right then. I had been out for a whopping two hours, according to some witnesses. They had sent in paramedics and everything. The third hour passed and I don't really remember what happened after that. One thing's for sure: By the time I came to, I saw five doctors and seven nurses ripped to shreds in the hospital halls and I looked down at myself to see that I was completely naked and smothered in blood. Those doctors and nurses that survived stayed away from me as a precaution and I was wondering what the hell happened. Nobody answered for five whole minutes before that realization came through my mind like a hurricane: I had turned into the Midnight Wolf while my human soul was still pretty much dead and the wolf did all the damage in a ravaging rampage, like he hated those doctors. Since then, I refused to turn into the wolf again until after my college graduation. I only told this to Raj, JT, Bruce, and Keith after everything was all calm around me the next day. Like I said: I hated lying to my parents about it. I just… didn't want them to be worried." I never lost my supportive smile as I started to gently rub that same shoulder this time, making him feel at ease with his emotions.

"I understand." I reassured to him sweetly, making him smile even more. "So, I guess the fact that it could be a possible prank gone wrong on the bully's end is still a mystery for now."

"Yeah. Speaking of my friends, what's this negativity you're feeling from my best friend, JT? For a quick recap, you asked me if I've spoken to him lately and I told you that I did via text that morning before you called me during my family breakfast. He was happy to see that I was doing well here in Japan and he hopes to visit me someday because he misses me so much. So, why the negative vibes from him?" I dreaded this question after what he shared with me just now. I bowed my head with utmost shame after that and it was silent for a very slow five minutes. I even heard his wolf make a low growl during that time. It was a sign that he was truly at peace now. At the sixth minute, a single tear escaped from my left eye and I knew that Colby was surprised to see it drop onto one of my legs. That's when it was his turn to feel sympathy for me and he was prepared for my answer.

(Colby's POV)

It's been only three minutes since I asked Kunimitsu the question and the silence seemed longer than that, especially since I saw that tear fall onto one of her legs, making a ten-point landing right on to her visible thigh. I only kept my eye contact on her beautiful moonlit face, though. I felt her internal struggle of her bravery and fear trying to work together at the same time and I even jumped a bit at the fourth minute when I saw her break a sweat that time. I've got a bad feeling about this…

"…that incident that made you acquire the wolf…" Kuni II finally spoke, which made me pull off a regal gleam of anticipation on my face. "…JT is somehow connected to it." That didn't sound good and I got in her face a little more. That's when she finally opened her glowing grey eyes and, despite them still leaking tears of trepidation, she kept her game face on without looking away. "Colby, he did it. He's the one who made you into who you are now." That's when my silence never ceased as my eyes were at their widest with absolute skepticism! JT's my best friend! He would never hurt me! She tried reaching out to me for comfort from the hurtful veracity, but I jerked away in a heartbeat, making her leak out waterfalls of tears now. "I'm so sorry, Colby… but it's the truth. You may not have seen him actually pull off the stunt, but it was really the one and same JT that you've loved for most of your life."

"It can't be…" I whispered with all the horror in my heart. Midnight growled in agreement. "You're lying to me! JT's had my back for so many years! Why would he be that close to killing me?!"

"That you'll have to find out for yourself, see if he confesses." Damn! I just couldn't fathom this revelation. If he did, he would've said so during our text conversation. Is he good at keeping secrets just as well as me, too? We are that much like fraternal, but totally unrelated twins. This I had to get out of him eventually, but for now, I had to apologize to Cutie-Kuni for my actions towards her. I tried by means of an embrace, but she gently pushed me away and turned her back on me as she stood up. At that moment, I knew this would be it for us, but I tried something else to keep this date going:

"It took the tattoo artist 8 hours to get this work done." I said in a lighthearted and casual tone, almost making it have a hint of humor on the side as well. Kunimitsu turned back towards me slowly via a sideglance and holy shit! She just looks so majestic. I'm falling more and more in love with her at every passing second. My heart skipped a beat when she pulled off a small smile on her cute lips just seconds later. The waterworks were gone as well. "That's a long time to endure the occasional pain of the needle, but it was totally worth it."

"I see." Kuni II agreed casually as well before she mentally forgave me for everything and sat back down on the checkered blanket next to me, giving those said tattoos on my arm another soothing stroke that felt heavenly to me. "Before we continue on with that subject, do you accept the fate of your friend that I've given you?"

"Although I know that it just couldn't be true, yeah. And I'm hoping you'll forgive me for my rash reaction towards you earlier. Call this gentle massage you're giving me on my arm as a way of accepting it."

"And I thank you for that. Of course, I forgive you. As a sign of accepting your apology, I'll happily share with you how I prepared myself." Ooh, nice! Finally! She didn't wanna share it with me aloud, though. She pulled off a coy smirk before she got closer to my right ear and whispered it to me for the next thirty seconds. My reaction:

"…whoa…" I muttered with wide eyes. My wolf wanted to make a cat-calling howl right then and there, too. Fortunately, I silently told him not to and he remained silent as we continued. "And you're not ashamed of it, I see."

"This is one secret that I'll never tell anyone else." Kunimitsu admitted with pink cheeks of embarrassment on her cute face.

"Not even your Mother?"

"Not even her."

"Huh! No kidding!" It became silent again from there for a while. Practically everything we promised to share during this date had been said and just watching the moon and the stars was due to be the event that'll probably last until one of us decides to leave.

(Kunimitsu II's POV)

What a first date for us. It was practically an emotional roller coaster for us, especially after I gave Colby the revelation that he didn't want to believe for JT's sake. I felt the strong, inescapable magnetic brotherly bond between the two as he struggled to believe me and his reaction was completely understandable. As we were both just staring out into the beautiful view of the moon, stars, and the city limits below the hill, we both could actually hear both of our inner animals thinking extremely hard about everything that just transpired between us. Ten minutes of this peaceful silence later, my inner kitsune forced me to stand up once more and prepared to leave. Colby still remained silent as well as he saw this as an instant message to clean up our picnic for the night. He did so within a matter of only one full minute, looked over at me for an additional thirty seconds, and turned back in the opposite direction, but alas…

…we both never made another move for a moment.

Fortunately, it was only past another two minutes before I decided to make the move that someone of my dangerous caliber wouldn't even consider thinking about:

I slowly turned back towards him and made a casual walk towards Colby, placing a slender hand on his tattooed shoulder once more along the way and he slightly jumped upon that touch. He didn't expect that and that's how I wanted it. Seconds later, I stood before him, looked as deeply into his totally awesome eyes as I humanly could, and I don't know what this sensation was all of a sudden. My chest felt like there were millions of bats fluttering in a cave and my body seemed to be in a trance as I slowly wrapped my sleeveless arms around his neck and we slowly engulfed each other's mouths into a tantalizing, passionate, and tongue-tasting kiss that was so full of lust and love, especially since our moans sang out those notes in that manner as soon as our eyes were closed to take it all in. My hands ended up feeling all over his broad shoulders and back while his hands were down towards my hips, love handles, and I even slightly jumped at the feeling of one of his hands getting a strong, but gentle grip on my butt. I playfully returned the favor with both of mine seconds later. He felt so firm.

Damn! This is what it feels like to be truly in love. It feels so…

…magnificent!

I never, EVER want this to end!

To be continued…