About damn time isn't it. Sorry, got caught up with Lucifer and my newest story "The Last Guardian" that came out recently that you all should read.

Thank you for the supports! And enjoy the read.

Everyday Life with Supernatural Girls

Chapter VII

||Dawn||

One night since his near-mugged experience, Issei still couldn't get the woman in black kimono out from his head. Her two tails still swung around as if insulting him. Her feline black ears flicked, taunting him; knowing they were well beyond his reach.

'One day.' He thought, bitterly. 'One day I'll pet them. One day.'

And, "You'll do."? What was that supposed to mean? Why did she have to be so mysterious? Issei didn't like mysteries. He's not a detective. More of a defective maybe.

His Overseer apparently was. Early in the morning, when Issei made a casual note that he met another Supernatural that happened to have the same ears as Shirone, the Fallen Angel suddenly stopped chewing his bacons and stared at Issei as if he had grown an extra head.

"Another Nekoshou?" Azazel had asked. Issei was about to make a witty reply when he realized Azazel was being serious.

Issei quietly settled his chopsticks on the table. "Yeah. She has black ears and black tails, two of them."

"Were you harmed, boy?"

Issei shook his head, then paused. "…Well... not physically…" He didn't like excuses and he wouldn't make any to cover his unmanliness. "I thought I was being mugged, but she left without taking anything. It's weird."

Noting Yasaka and Kunou's look of concern eased his feelings a bit. It's nice to know there's someone who's worried for him aside from his parents.

Azazel nodded solemnly. "You didn't play the hero. Good. Don't forget you're their Caretaker now, boy, and you're under my supervision. You're not the person who fills the papers and search for a new candidate if something happens to you."

"Gee, thanks."

"Kunou doesn't want a new Caretaker!"

"See what I mean?" Smirking, the Fallen Angel chuckled briefly, taking a sip of his recently brewed coffee. A sigh of delight passed his tobacco-stained lips before Azazel continued, "Where did you meet her."

"…At the same place where I met Shirone. Shopping district." Who was presently sleeping in her room. Their room. "It's an alley by a seafood restaurant near my workplace."

"Time?"

"Around nine at night… I don't think she stayed there, though." Issei's couldn't say if he liked Azazel being this grave and grim, but he understood his reasoning. If a 'Stray' Supernatural harmed a human, even so much of a nick, that would leave a bad taste in their mouth and even cause a massive dent in the entire cohabitation progress.

Especially this early, a backtrack was perhaps the worst outcome.

"You told the girl about this?"

"This is the first time I talked about this. I went straight to sleep last night. Why?"

"Sleep it off did ya?" Azazel smirked, but the smirk faded away too soon for Issei to be annoyed by. "That cat you met might be her sister. Might." He emphasized, "Your choice to tell her or not."

Being weighed like that, Issei froze. His friends often said he's wiser than he looked, but that didn't mean he enjoyed making choices. More so when the choice had this amount of weight.

"Thank you for the meal Yasaka-san. See you Kunou." Nodding at Issei and then wiping his mouth with a handkerchief, the Overseer stood up and left his unfinished meal, grabbed his coat at the hanger by the door, and left the house briskly as if he's late for work.

Seeing Azazel storming out like that did cause uneasiness, and not just at him as Issei glanced at the other girls, when then Kunou aptly said, "A busy uncle Z is no fun."

"…What do you think Yasaka-san? Should I tell her?"

"We don't know if she's her sister… but, I think you should, Ise-san. If she is he sister... I think Shirone would like to know."

Yasaka said so with a smile, a gentle one. A supportive smile that told him she had yet to know Shirone's feeling towards her sister. At that, he could only reply with a weary smile, and thanked her quietly.

The two Kitsunes tidied the table as he continued the rest of his breakfast. As he finished the last bit, the girl in his mind stepped down the stairs. Her white hair an adorable mess, and her soft little yawn didn't go by unnoticed.

"Nekonee~ morning!"

"...Good morning Kunou..."

The two would say it to one another as if it was scripted. Kunou would have more energy as she eagerly hugged the Nekoshou, and Shirone would look both troubled at happy at the same time. This small scene in the morning never failed to lift his spirits, except for this morning.

"...Good morning, Ise-san."

"Morning." Issei replied with a nod.

Eyes half-opened, Shirone strutted to the dining table to join him. Her meal was readied at the same time as everyone else, and wasn't as hot, but that was how she liked it best. She had a sensitive tongue, he recalled.

Her mom told her not to bother a person while they're eating, hence why Kunou tittered away next to her mother in the kitchenette, at the time washing the dishes and the pans.

After saying her grace, she began to eat as Issei watched her, unintentionally studying her actions. She knew how to use chopsticks, rather well in fact. She must had been taught before, most likely by her family. Her sister perhaps. She hadn't been living on the road since she was born, and Issei thanked the gods quietly for it.

Then his mind wandered to her sister. Her potential sister, that is. He tried figuring out whatever reason she had to abandon such a nice girl like Shirone. It was clear to him that Shirone loved her sister. She wouldn't sob as hard if she didn't. Maybe. He didn't have any siblings to confirm it, and Motohama always complained about his little sister, 'but Motohama is... well, Motohama. And Shirone is Shirone.'

What kind of a cruel sister would ditch her? She couldn't possibly deserve it. It had only been a few days, but Shirone was anything but a nuisance.

Then again, he had never lived on the streets. But then again, 'Shirone's your sister, dammit.'

Watching her eat, he supposed he could postpone breaking the news to her. She deserved to know, but it was still morning, and he didn't want hers to start with a potentially shocking news.

"...Ise-san..." His thought spilled and flowed away as she spoke to him in a quiet, reserved voice.

He blinked a few times. "Yes?"

Issei only realized he had been gawking at her for some time the moment Shirone shriveled, turning her face slightly to hide her luminescent blush.

"...Please don't stare at me... it's... it's embarrassing..."

"M-my bad!

Break

"You sure it's her, boss? What if she's just another Nekomata."

"We'll still have to catch her regardless you dolt." Azazel bickered as his three of his underlings had a round of contained laughter. "Even if she isn't, letting her walk around without a Caresitter is dangerous. It'll dent my paycheck."

His four assistants looked at him with silent disappointment.

It only took him a sentence to shut them down; "And all of yours."

"So what's the plan? Trap her?" His mauve suited subordinate spoke up eagerly, nearly as eager as his next compatriot who was dressed rather... proactively. He still wondered how on earth those buttons could hold still. No doubt that boy would very like to meet her.

"Trapping her seems to be the most effective and safest way."

"Tut, tut... nothing is more dangerous than a cornered animal?" The gothic Lolita of a Fallen Angel, Mittelt, said as condescendingly as she could. "Isn't that a rudimental fact? Are you only mature in appearance?"

Before she could end it with her usual 'demeaning laughter', Kalawarner retorted simply. "Beat it shortie."

"I AM NOT. SHORT!"

"You're right. You're short and flat."

"WHY YOU!"

As their umpteenth quarrel started, Dohnaseek stood idly as he simply immersed himself in the amusement. Azazel would hardly be surprised if this man started a bet over the two, or gathered an audience so he could bet.

Sometimes, Azazel wondered if this was the retribution of his sins. They seemed to never tire out of giving him reasons to visit a pub or a sake shack after his work was done.

"Knock it off! Both of you!" thankfully, not all of his subordinates were children who picked fights at the smallest of things. Thanks to Raynare, he didn't have to strain his voice this time by speaking mildly louder than he usually was to get their attention.

...Or so he thought.

"And who are you to order us around?" Mittelt shot back, narrowing her eyes at the rookie of the group.

"Brat's got a point." Kalawarner stated with the same amount of bitterness. "She might be dullheaded but you're the greenie."

"What did you say to me?!"

Raynare could only gnaw on her lower lip and sunk to her seat, unable to retort, all while Dohnaseek smirking like a fool.

"That's enough. All of you." Azazel grumbled, and suddenly, their meeting room was silent. He had hoped they could control themselves better, but he knew they weren't heading anywhere close. "She might be the greenie but she's more maturity than the two of you added altogether, so shut it."

The girls awkwardly eased to their seat, eyes glancing on their laps in shame.

"All of you are working together for as long as it need to get all of you to cooperate with one another. You're all here are in the same position, including you, Dohnaseek." Azazel could see his eldest underling grumbling, but what needed to be done needed to be done. "Right now, it's like seeing a dysfunctional family."

"Wonder who's the smallest daughter."

"That's enough, Kalawarner. And you too, Mittelt." Azazel reminded her faster than Mittelt could rev up her barrage of complaints. They both hung their head in shame. "You're all here for the same thing; to be an Overseer and lead your own band of misfits. You know what they say about leading and following. You don't want to hear me yapping on and on about it, do you?"

Replied with nothing less than a submissive silence, Azazel continued. "Good. We have a supernatural-cat on the loose roaming this city, and we will make an effective plan that we wil have her caught within the next few days. By then, we'll have a toast afterwards and blow out our paychecks. Is that clear?"

"YES SIR!"

'At least they still listen." As his subordinates worked their gears, four heads with one goal in mind, Azazel chuckled at his own thought 'Most of the times at least.'

Break

Issei absently watched as the snows kept on piling, plummeting the small backyard within its soft white sheets, burying Kunou's numerous snow-soldiers and her self-proclaimed fort. The Kitsune was upset. Understandable. He was upset when the waves swept away his sandboobs.

But he wasn't pondering to relive his childhood memories. He was steeling himself to be the bearer of the news. Shirone was lazing on the couch, cozily wrapped with a thick blanket and armed with a sweater to fend the cold. The girl seemed to be dozing off as per usual, and Kunou was attempting to keep her from sleeping, as per usual.

They had eaten, and they had played a quick game of cards. Their daily routine as long as they weren't allowed to leave the house. He found it rather cruel as they seemed like prisoners, but changes need time. People needs time to get used to them.

Now he was straying off his track to another track. Shaking his head and propping himself off the seat of the dining table, Issei made himself resolute.

In the kitchen, at the time placing the plates, Yasaka looked at him with a knowing look, as if asking if he was going to tell Shirone about her sister. Issei gave her a nod, and she gave him an encouraging smile. Just what he needed.

Taking his steps leisurely, Issei sat at the couch, next to Shirone whose sight to the TV was blocked by Kunou's tail until she gently moved the orange brush.

'Step one, approach. Done.' Issei mused as he absently watched Kunou's show. 'Step two, bring up the subject smoothly.' Since it was an important and sensitive matter, he should be gentle without beating around the bush. The question, however, was; '...How does one be smooth.'

'Dammit Issei, man up you coward.' Again, steeling his nerves, Issei was about to speak. The words were in his throat, waiting to make their entrance. But Shirone giggled, and his resolve wilted. She was smiling. She was enjoying herself. Could she smile once he told her? Did he want to risk it?

In truth, no. He wouldn't. But that would mean going against his better judgement.

Issei took a deep breath.

"Shirone," he called, and the Nekoshou flicked her feline ears at him before turning her head to look at him. Her hazel eyes were bright despite the loitering sleepiness. "can we... talk for a moment?"

She seemed to take note of the uneasiness hinted in his tone as her expression turned to one of concern. The girl sat up, crossed her legs while still holding onto the blanket.

"Yes? What's wrong Ise-san?"

He opened his mouth again, but the words didn't come out again. Frustrated, Issei cursed himself for his wishy-washiness. "Ah, okay..." he said as he sighed, "Some nights ago... well, two nights ago, actually. You... mentioned your sister."

"Oh... Okay..." Seeing her frown forming was like a punch in the gut. Her lowering her feline ears was punch number two. Clearly it wasn't a topic she'd like to discuss at the time.

"Well... I was, wondering, if... if your sister has white hair like yours."

"...No..." Shirone muttered. "Onee-sama has father's black hair..."

'Shit.' Issei gulped. Even though her family would be mentioned sooner or later and the mood would turn somber, he didn't expect it to be this soon. "...Okay. So... are her tails black too?"

Shirone nodded, at first sourly, but then her eyes sparked at him with curiosity. "Tails? How did you know she has more than one?"

"I think. I might have met your sister... last night... Did your sister wear a uh... a... a kimono?"

"You met her?!" Despite the surprise in her voice and eyes, her voice was still quiet. "Where?"

"At... more or less, the same place where I met you."

When her eyes began to water, Issei felt guilt gnawing from the inside.

"Did she say anything...?"

Issei shook his head. "Not much."

"...Did... did she mention me...?"

He carefully considered his words. Tell her the harsh truth or curve it a little? Issei chose for the latter. She had been hurt enough.

"I don't think she knows me... or if you're with me, Shirone-chan. She only said 'you'll do' and then she left."

The way she looked at him nearly made him choke on tears himself. She was confused, completely unsure why she was left behind, wondering if she was the only one who missed.

Issei wished he could tell her something, but he didn't want to resort to lie or tell things he didn't know himself.

She pressed her lips together, attempting to hold back her sniffles. Issei looked around for help, but Kunou was already with her mother, unsure of what to do, and Yasaka was telling Kunou that everything will be alright.

"Don't worry, Shirone-chan. Azazel is looking for her right now. He'll find her. I'm sure of it. I know we're not your family by blood, but you are our family." Gently, he stroked her head, feeling her fleecy white threads. "If there's anything I can do to make you feel better?"

Then, in between her choked sobs, she managed, "...I want to see Nee-sama again..."

Break

The snows didn't stop piling as evening fell. From sunset to moonrise, it poured and poured and poured. Like white powders falling from the heavens. He remembered getting excited when it snowed. Now, Issei found himself lamenting the journey to his workplace on the coming days. How he wished he was a child again. Playing with little care.

Back then, he never cared much. His friends would say mean things about him, but he didn't care. He just... played. They eventually played together again. Maybe he didn't understand the notion of holding a grudge, or maybe he was just that dim. Nonetheless, he seemed to have fewer trouble when he was a bratty kid.

But now that he was a young adult, troubles just looked as if they were here to stay. And then the responsibilities that kept piling. Like snows. Nonetheless, Issei was determined. He might not be the brightest student in his class, or the handsomest, but he would never run from his responsibilities.

And the happiness of the Supernaturals living with him was one.

Shirone came to his mind. Her and her rumpled face, and the tears that fell off her small chin. She was asleep in her bedroom at the moment. That could at least put her misery on pause.

"Yasaka-san, do you know anything I can do?" He said out loud. His words turning into white mists. "I can't think of anything."

"You've done what you could, Ise-san." Yasaka assured. Standing next to him, watching the whites flowing down. "She... might not have her sister here... but you're here for her. That's very kind of you."

"Thanks." That drew out a brief smile from him. "I still wish there's something else. If I could've done more. I don't have a brother or a sister, but I think she loves her very much. Maybe I should try helping Azazel with the search..."

Yasaka listened quietly, a frown on her light lips. She too, wanted to help. But she too, knew just as much as him.

"You've done your part as a Caretaker, Ise-san. Let Azazel-san do his."

"...Yeah... I guess you're right. I hope you didn't give him free food for nothing." They shared a warm chuckle together.

She brought her eyes to him as Issei spoke to her again, now looking at her. "Do you have a little sister, Yasaka-san?"

"I'm an only child, Ise-san..." She said apologetically.

"Same like me, huh..." Issei muttered, looking outside the glass pane. "If we have one, what do you think can make us leave them? Shirone's a nice girl. There has to be a reason why her sister left her. But what is it?"

Yasaka could see it clearly. His frustration and sadness, his empathy for someone who he had only known for a few days. The young Caretaker who's willing to give his all for people who were seen as an abnormality. He didn't just say those words to comfort Shirone, he meant it. They're his family.

"I don't know, Ise-san. But I know that you are very caring." Unconsciously, Yasaka voiced her admiration. "You'll make a wonderful brother."

"Th-thanks, Yasaka-san." Not used to compliments, especially one from a gorgeous woman like her, Issei could only stammer as he felt his cheeks getting warmer. "You're uh... you're a wonderful mother."

"Thank you." She smiled, finding it a bit funny how he thought he should reply a compliment with one.

"MOOOM! Can Kunou drink this juice?!" They both turned around, eyes latched on the little girl by the refrigerator, flailing a orange juicebox in her hand. "She thinks it's almost empty!"

"That's Ise-san's, dear. You should ask him instead."

Kunou flattened her ears briefly, but they sprang up as she looked at him hopefully. "Can she?"

For a moment, Issei smiled, before his smile turned into a sly smirk. "Almost empty?! Well, then you better share it with me!"

"Whaaa?" Kunou visibly recoiled, before she jolted with surprise as Issei marched towards her, fully-intended to snatch her box of orange juice. She attempted to flee but to no avail, Issei caught her. Her and the juicebox, as she could only feebly cry "Nooo!" in despair.

They laughed afterwards, and Kunou giggled louder and squealed as Issei picked her up, lifting her to sit on top of his shoulders.

Watching the two fooling around, Yasaka smiled fondly. If she ever has a husband, she wished for it to be someone who is caring and kind. Someone who her daughter enjoy being around with. Someone who can make her daughter laugh that merrily and make her smile every time he comes home. The same way Issei did.

Somebody who is willing to help those in need. Someone who she admired.

Someone like her Caretaker.

Yasaka felt hotness filled her chest as realization finally dawned upon her. It didn't fall one her like the snows did. It wasn't slow and disappear once it touched her skin. It crashed like a wave that swept her off her feet and reeled her in deeper into its depth.

The hotness soon kissed her cheeks, bringing up its hidden rosiness and flushed her eyes open.

Break

Another snowy night. Another cold, silent night, accompanied only by a single ball of flame. The red ember floated, remaining untouched as the white powders poured and poured.

This back alley didn't do well in being a temporary shelter either. The cold still bit, pricking her skin, and the walls failed to fend the winter wind. But beggars can't be choosers, and runaways aren't much different.

Shifting, she hugged her legs, and bowed her head to her knees.

The warmth of her sigh bounced against her chest. She's a runaway, not a criminal. If she had to stoop that low and steal from the humans, then it meant she agreed they're living a better life. And if she did stoop that low... what would happen to her?

Kuroka glanced up at her conjured orb of flame. It was flickering, flashing as its light touched her face, caressing her for the last times before it died away. Not a billow of smoke was left.

'Perfect. Right what I needed.'

She ran out of juice.

She blamed it all on the cursed season. The cold that bit deep into her bones, the freezing wind that made her felt as if she was kissed by sandpaper, the lumping snow that made walking a battle. Most of all, its color.

Everywhere she looked, all she saw was her sister's hair.

At least she could rest knowing her sister was faring better than her. She couldn't stand seeing her own sister rummaging for scraps anymore.

Tucked in that house, with a bratty vixen and the Kyuubi. And the boy.

She wrapped herself tighter, pulling her kimono close as her breath came out in misty white vapor. Gods it was freezing... cold that it started to feel as if it was burning. Even breathing started to hurt. The minutes promised to pass slowly, yet they keep gnawing on her body heat. The snows knew no mercy.

...She should had taken that boy's burgers. At least then she would just be cold right now, and not both cold and hungry. Took his wallet too since he offered it.

...Who was she kidding. He's her sister's sitter now, or caretaker. Whatever it was.

Too tired to think. Too cold to care. Eyelashes felt like rocks weighing down her eyelids. But knowing her sister was in that home, tucked in with warmth, well-fed, was more than enough for her.

Shirone's fine.

At least... she could tell their mother that much when she sees them again.

Every fiber in her body jolted as she felt something was thrown over her. A woven fabric that clasped her as it draped over her. A trench coat. Grey like a dove's feather. Her breathing became severed. She was practically panting as she tried to open her eyes.

"We're in a back alley. Behind the Gremory's warehouse."

It must be hailing... she couldn't see anything but a silhouette of a tall person. A man, most likely.

"She's cold. No, not her personality. The lass is ill, Azazel. Hasn't moved since I found her. Her garment might play a part in that."

She should run... Get up and run. 'Get up goddammit!'

"Doubt she'll run. Doesn't like she's able to stand either. What, do you want to gamble on that?" She heard him say. His voice was gruff and heavy. Experienced. "...Is it me, or Nekomatas are this pale in general?'

'...Bastard.'

"Right away. I still get the bonus right?"

"Just bring her there for heaven's sake... Bring her there and wait for the others and me." Grumpily, Azazel shut off the call. Dohnaseek would had been a perfect associate if not for his japes and gambling attitude. That bonus won't last long, Azazel knew.

Nonetheless, he didn't expect they would find her this soon.

Tinkering with his cellphone, Azazel contacted a number.

"Raynare. Dohnaseek found her already. Tell the two numbskulls and head back." He paused as she replied with the standard affirmative. His mind was already elsewhere though. "...And grab a pack of beer if you can, thank you very much."

"Yes I know you don't drink. But I do."

Shoving the phone in his trouser' pocket, Azazel stared at the city's skyline as he took a drag of his cigarette. The wind swept the gray smokes as they swirled. Idly, he glanced down the edge of the building, seeing the lights of the shopping districts far down below. The residential area at the far left. The glitter of the frozen river.

It was such a peaceful city. Will the peace remain after his 'species' are allowed to walk around outside he didn't know, but he could at least hope. Hope, and do his part.

With a huff, Azazel flicked the remainder of the cigarette. The filter vaporized into a puff of black smokes. As the city's Overseer, he wouldn't want to litter the city would he?

"Right."

His twelve wings of blackest feathers spread open. The chill gnawed on them fast enough to make him wanting to arrive in that place sooner. It was late, they sky was dark and midnight was only an hour away. The boy and his girls might already be in their dream world wonderland for all he knew, but they should hear the news.

And, hopefully, spare him a hot cup of cocoa.

To be continued...