Azabu, Tokyo. One of the few areas of the city that was a mix of old and new; the urban modernity of today with historical aspects of the past. An affluent neighborhood, snow-accentuated, cobbled streets gave way to elegant low-rise apartments and gleaming, high-rise residential buildings that overlooked the city below. It's also home to multiple embassies such as Russia, Austria, Germany, China, Switzerland, and South Korea.
"Hey, I remember that school," Kiyoni pointed out as she and Kurama glided through the air from building to building.
"What school?"
"That one. That's Tokyo International. My school competed against them a few times."
Tokyo International School. A student-driven facility catered to immigrant and foreign-born students living in Japan. An internationally-accredited institution, its mission is to nurture independent, open-minded thinkers into well-rounded contributing members of the global society.
The campus is quite colorful as it represents the multiple flag colors and countries students represent. There's the soccer court that also serves as a place for track and field activities and the pick-up and drop-off point for buses. Behind one end of the court is a playground area for the youngest students since the school is open for children from preschool to junior high. Next to the court is the school's gymnasium where sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton are played indoors. On the other side of the campus are two buildings, one that hosts classes from preschool to grade four and where Japanese is taught, and the other for grade five including advanced mathematics and more language classes such as Spanish, English, and more Japanese.
"Did your school ever win," Kurama questioned.
"I don't know. I didn't play."
Kurama laughed, "Someone's competitive."
"Is that so wrong?"
"Never so long as you have the winning strategy. Where are we going now?"
"There. To that building there."
The building in question is one of the tallest in the area. Motoazabu Hills Forest Tower. A goblet-shaped structure, its beauty is only enhanced by its snow-covered rooftop garden, a bare cherry blossom tree-adorned entrance gate, and an open space for relaxation, social interaction, and an opportunity to connect with nature. That open space is where the pair landed.
Kurama placed Kiyoni down and gave his lower body a good stretch, "Still sore."
"Oh, stop it," Kiyoni called for Shishi on the phone, "You deserved it. Shishi? Yeah. We're here. Eh...I think we're at the park?"
"Which one," Shishi queried.
"I don't know which one! Like, the one closest to the building. Like, I can see the building."
"Okay. If you're close to the building, just come inside. I'll let you in."
"Yyyyyeeeeahhhh. That's gonna be a bit complicated, buddy."
"What? Why?"
"You're gonna have to see for yourself."
Shishi sighed, "I'm on my way."
Kiyoni hung up, "Okay. He's on his way."
"Are you sure this is going to work," Kurama speculated, "If it was up to me, I would want as little to know as possible."
"Yes. Shishi may have my ass for this but…" Kiyoni exhaled, "next to Juri, I know I can fall back on Shishi."
"That holiday show said otherwise," Shuuichi opined.
About five to six minutes later, Shishi finally stepped out of his building on edge due to Kiyoni's nature over the phone. Donning a pair of perfectly-creased, black business slacks, matching Jimmy Choo snow boots, and a dark gray turtleneck sweater underneath a darkly-colored winter coat, he hurriedly searched and found Kiyoni standing alone in the park.
"Kiyoni," he called, "Kiyoni, what the hell? What's going on? I thought you were here with Shuuichi. Is everything okay?"
Kiyoni stood there, nervously acting like a kid who was about to be scolded by their parents. Burying her hands inside the pockets of her winter coat and looking down at her feet as she swung on the balls and heels of them, she disclosed, "I am here with Shuuichi. Except…"
"Except…?"
Kiyoni stretched out an arm and in a gesturing motion, summoned her companion. From the shadows of some nearby trees, Kurama stepped out a bit disheveled and with two scars on his face. He felt a little ashamed for even showing up but it didn't stop his resting bitch face from being front and center.
Shishi took two steps back completely stupefied by what he's seeing. There Kurama was. One of the most intimidating yokai known on the other side and he stood there not far from Kiyoni as if Kurama was the pokemon, Nine Tails, and Kiyoni was his trainer.
"What…" Shishi uttered, "What is he…? Why is he…?"
"Shishi…" Kiyoni gently assured, "I can explain. I need you to calm down."
"No...no… Kiyoni, you saw what happened to Risho. Risho is an asshole but still. Also, you heard about what happened in Kabukicho before. Kiyoni, it was him. He's behind all those slayings and attacks."
"I take responsibility for Kabukicho and your boss but everything else was not done by me," Kurama specified.
"Bullshit! Who else could've been? I saw you! I saw the blood on your hands! You were a murderer then and a murderer now! You even placed us in danger. That ends tonight, you destructive son-of-a-bitch," Shishi lunged for Kiyoni's arm, "Come on, Kiyoni. Let's go."
"Wait," Kiyoni argued, "Shishi...let go of me!"
"Kiyoni, are you crazy? Do you know who's behind you?"
"I'm fully aware. That's Shuuichi!"
If Shishi's mind wasn't already warped at the mere sight of Kurama, hearing what Kiyoni just said just may do it. Shishi stuck his fingers through his hair in total disbelief, "...What?! Have you gone blind now?! Did this...did this monster put you under some spell or something?! That is Kurama, Kiyoni! Hello! Silver hair? A freaking tail?!"
"Yes, that is Kurama. I can see that but he is also Shuuichi. Look, it's cold and it's late and we are very, very tired. Can we please go inside?"
Shishi glanced over at Kurama like a protective parent watching over their young child who's been bothered by a school bully. "Just this once," he warned, "Touch or break anything and I won't be afraid to raise hell."
"Your energy is impressive," Kurama professed, "but your existence is of no use or importance to me. Right now, all that matters is Kiyoni's safety and making it through the rest of the night."
Shishi narrowed his eyes, "We'll see about that."
Because Shishi was the lucky, pretty boy incubus with a super wealthy sugar mama, he lived in one of the building's penthouse condos. It was a three-bedroom, two-bathroom condo equipped with four balconies with the largest one used for outdoor dining. The two furthest balconies hosted outdoor gardens furnished by decorative ferns and poinsettias representative of the winter season. They will be replaced by seasonal plants come spring and summer. Shishi's personal balcony, attached to the master bedroom, is strictly used for his own benefit whether it's for sunbathing in the summer, outdoor reading, meditation, or his favorite, outdoor sex. Some of the women Shishi hooked up with loved it when they reached a (literal) death-defying orgasm.
Shishi had themes for just about every room in the condo. The living/dining area, which sat near the main balcony, had an upscale, modern Italian look and feel. A dining set fit for six included plush, armless chairs that provided extra comfort for the spine, all in a glossy, chocolate lacquer with chrome accents. The table came with an extender set and was also covered in a chocolate lacquer finish. There were no dining utensils so the only piece of table decor that was around was a wooden bowl filled with seasonal apples. The entire thing sat under a crystal star-shaped chandelier that added a fantastic accent to the horizon when looking over the city at night from the apartment entrance.
The neighboring living room was inspired by the upscale apartments of New York City, Manhattan in particular as insisted by Shishi's sugar mama. A velvet gray, three-piece sectional sofa, accentuated by black and gold decorative pillows, joined a matching ottoman in the front, a small, rounded, bookshelf table on the side, a small, glossy black table in front and over a black and silver throw rug, and a 65" flat screen sitting on a tv stand that matched the room table. The tv stand bookcase contained books on sexual activity including the Kama Sutra, ecchi and hentai manga, derivatives of the Kama Sutra, and romance novels from Europe and America. The selling point of the place was the 180-degree view of the city. Judging by the angle of the condo, Shishi could see such places as the Korean embassy, Azabuhikawa Shrine, Nishimachi International School, and Azabu sports field.
While Kurama meditated in an unfurnished bedroom, Shishi joined Kiyoni in the guest bedroom that was closest to the master bedroom where the theme for the former room was French. A queen-size bed adorned by a golden-framed canopy with lily-white curtains which blow in the wind so perfectly when the weather is compatible enough. Women like that when they want that romantic experience. White and gold pillows, whether solid or patterned, and a cloud-like, gold-trimmed comforter helped beautify the resting spot which made Kiyoni want to plop on the bed and stay there. The room also came with a vanity area as well as a full-sized mirror all framed in gold and accessorized by LED lighting in case partners want to record their sexual escapades. Add cream-colored walls and plush carpeting and the look was complete.
Kiyoni was sexually famished and physically exhausted at this point. To cope, Shishi handed her a thong left behind from one of his recent trysts. Kiyoni lapped up the juices left on the fabric, her only fix of the night.
"Okay, Kiyoni," Shishi rubbed the bridge of his nose, "Let's try this again. Now, what was that titan-sized favor you were asking of me?"
"That favor is in the other room. We just needed a place to crash for the night."
"And why did you need to hide here instead of your place?"
"It's...complicated."
"Okay, then how about this? You're saying Kurama, the man that's sitting in a room on the other side of this condo, the man that bulldozed his way through Kabukicho then went to go see you, and Shuuichi are the same person?"
"I'm having a hard time making it make sense myself," Kiyoni verified, "But it's true. They're the same. For your information, let's not talk about that…encounter, okay? I'm still pissed at him for that."
"Okay but how?! How in the fucking world were you able to swing him like that?"
"Swing him like what?"
"Kiyoni, you heard just about everyone at Aphrodisia talk about that...encounter or whatever. I mean, I'm surprised you're still standing. How did you manage to tame him?"
"You saw those two scars on his face, right," Kiyoni pulled out her blade, "Did you forget how I was raised?"
"Oh, yeah. That would make sense. But still...Kurama...Shuuichi...?"
"It's mind-boggling, I know," Kiyoni stated with little shame.
"Yeah but what the fuck," Shishi took down his ponytail so that he could run his fingers through his hair again, "This has been a shitty night."
"Shishi, you can't tell anyone about this. I'm freaking out. You're freaking out. The last thing I need is for all of Tokyo to freak out."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
Shishi knew he was in check by the way he huffed about it, "Damn. It's a good thing Aiko isn't here."
"Yeah. That bet would be so much sweeter, wouldn't it?"
"Kiyoni…" Shishi said shamefully.
"Shishi, miss me with that. Juri had already informed me of the bet before Aiko even thought about dropping the ball on me. I'm not phased by it at this point. I don't care because I already told her that if I'm going to sleep with Shuuichi, it'll be when the both of us are ready. Fuck that bet."
"Damn. So what are you going to do?"
"Sleep. Shishi, I just want to sleep. It has been a long...long night. Thanks for the pussy juice and lodging. Now, I just want to sleep. When the sun comes up, we'll leave. For now, sleep is on my mind."
"Alright," Shishi steps out, "Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
The condo was quiet with the sun scheduled to rise within the next two hours. Kiyoni was so tired that she didn't make time to change, leaving her to fall asleep in the same clothing she left her apartment in. For the last couple of hours, she slept peacefully and alone. That was until Kurama stepped in and gently joined her.
He laid beside Kiyoni caressing her cheek watching her as she rode the boat to dream town. He didn't even mind her snoring and she did snore.
"This is unusual. Even for you," Shuuichi observed.
"I want to protect her," Kurama whispered.
"While I understand and respect you for wanting to earn her trust, you're not going to be of any help without rest. Why are you interested in her now?"
"I'll rest the moment she's safe or when we make the switch. As far as my interest is concerned…I'm not sure at the moment. I know, for sure, you're a reason."
"Understandable but she is safe. Look where we are."
"Don't be naive. Shinobu made us who we are. He knows of Kiyoni. It's not going to take him long to figure out the connection between the three of us. Whether you or Kiyoni like it or not, she's a target. Until Shinobu is dealt with, Kiyoni will not be safe. Tell me, Shuuichi. Who's welfare do you value more? A man who has basically lied to you your entire life or a woman, whom you've known for a few months, who's only mistake was not telling you about a stupid bet?"
Shuuichi's anger peaked upon the thought of a wager placed against him. He didn't know what to be more upset about, the fact that a bet was made on him or the fact that Kiyoni didn't tell him about it. However, all of that did pale in comparison to the amount of lies Shinobu told Shuuichi. Just what was true? Was Shuuichi really kidnapped? Who was his mother? Is his mother still alive? Where is she? Why would Shinobu do so much?
"Shuuichi," Kurama suggested, "Rest. I'll be fine. You get some rest."
Shuuichi lamented, "Fine."
Sitting in silence with nothing but the sounds of Kiyoni's slumber, Kurama kept his eyes on her. He was superficially attracted to her and if he could protect her from Shinobu, it's guaranteed a romp in the sack. However, since he shares a body with a human, he's curious as to why said human is interested in the succubus beyond her good looks and charm. Perhaps he'll find out after sunrise.