~Cifra~
Chapter Three
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Disclaimer: Digimon does not belong to me.
Warning: This story contains mature content, specifically sexual content. Please do not read unless you are 18 years or older. Thank you.
I want to personally thank and honor my most excellent reviewers: dx-1118, Guest, ApprenticeOfDaedalus, dbzgtfan2004, Erik, and dusk. Specifically dusk. Ha ha... you made me smile, man. I really wasn't lying, but it kind of was like I dropped off the face of the earth. But I'm back, at least for the time being, so this chapter is dedicated to all of you guys. I hope you enjoy it!
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"So what do you eat?" I asked the cat, walking down the street toward Shuuji no Ramen. "You haven't eaten all day. Aren't you hungry?"
Perched on my shoulder delicately, the black cat turned curious green eyes on me. Am I hungry? It asked, as if to clarify.
I gave him an encouraging smile. "Come on, you have to want something. I'll buy you anything you want, just tell me what you like to eat, alright?"
What I… he frowned, turning to glance at the ground, before lifting his eyes to look at my face again. I don't really eat food, he said slowly. I regain my energy by taking it from you. You are my Cifra.
I stopped walking, surprised. "You don't eat food?" I blurted. "And that is the second time you've mentioned taking energy from me. It's a little confusing. I thought you only did that if you have to fight, or if I'm being…" I sighed, a little distressed by the last part, "…being insubordinate."
Well, yes. But that is also how I regain energy. Humans eat food. It's…the closest I can compare the two. He shrugged casually.
"So basically, you've been starving all day?" I asked, astounded. "You did that…for me? Because it would drain me?"
He studied me, not speaking.
So I lifted my hands up, picked him up, and cradled him in my arms in front of me so that I could stare at him face to face. I gave him a grateful smile. "Thank you," I said gently. "That is very kind of you. I'm sorry that you had to wait all day."
His eyes twinkled with several emotions, as though he was amused by me, but also touched. You don't even know what I do when I drain you, he pointed out. It's very exhausting. How can you act so casual about something you haven't even experienced?
"I don't know," I shrugged. "But I've come to this conclusion after thinking about it all day: The fact that aliens have taken over my planet is rather upsetting to me. But since you guys are peaceful, and you need us to survive, I admit I can understand it a little better. Along with that, you seem to care a great deal about us, and want us to succeed as individuals, and as a race. And maybe it's just because I've been alone for so long, but I've really come to like having you around. It's fun. So I don't really care what it is you do to drain me, because I know that it's not going to kill me, and I trust you." I shrugged again, as if I couldn't even understand why I felt that way, but didn't really care. "So there you have it."
The Erus purred loudly in response. I am very lucky to have chosen you, he said cheerfully. But you needn't worry about me. I have been without a Cifra for over a hundred years now, so a few more hours is not going to kill me. Why don't you get yourself dinner and head home? I can wait until then.
"A hundred years!" I whistled, shaking my head. "But wouldn't that make you weaker?"
Yes, but do not fret. I am strong, and soon I will be much stronger.
"If you insist," I shrugged, and set him back on my shoulder. "But if it were me, even if I was immortal, I would be starving after a hundred years of not eating." I entered the ramen shop and took a seat at the counter. "Two bowls, please!" I called.
Jumping down to the seat beside me, the cat just watched me in silence as I ate my steaming bowls like I had never tasted food before in my life. Whether he was appalled, amused, or just interested, I didn't know. But it didn't really matter.
Halfway through my second bowl, a familiar voice spoke up from behind me. "Two ramen to go," she said casually. I whirled around in my chair, confirming instantly that it was Rika. Rika! Just seeing her filled me with excitement. She of course noticed me, and offered a polite smile. "Hello, Matsuda-san."
"Good ramen, right?" I asked, grinning. I hoped she didn't think I was following her or anything. I really wasn't! She wouldn't like that, and I knew better than anyone that upsetting Rika was not a good idea.
"Yes," she nodded. Then she blinked, her eyes falling upon the black cat that sat stoically on the chair beside me. Her eyes widened sharply. "You have a cat?" she asked, almost suspiciously.
Her reaction was odd, and I studied her face carefully to try and read why. Was she upset? Why? "Well I've been living alone in my apartment for so long, it seemed like the right time to get a pet," I shrugged.
"And what happened to your arm?" She asked accusingly, stepping closer and crossing her arms. "Who did that to you?"
"It was nothing," I laughed. It was a nervous laugh, and she heard it. Of course she did. "It was just a dog bite, but it's been taken care of."
Not satisfied, she glared at me harshly, and then turned away. After a minute, she turned back. "Well you were always doing stupid things and getting yourself into trouble," she snapped. "I'm not surprised. Just…take care of yourself."
"I will," I smiled. "And thanks. For caring, I mean. I was beginning to think we weren't even friends anymore."
Her back grew rigid for a second, but she exhaled slowly to force herself to relax. Her eyes were sad, and her face expressionless. "We aren't," she murmured.
I could tell she didn't mean it, though she wanted me to believe she did. It still cut me deeply to the heart. "That's too bad," I replied, my voice quiet. I would have said "I still love you" but I couldn't bring myself to do it. All I could think about was why? Why, Rika? If you don't want to cut me off, then why do you? Why?
Beside me, the cat stood up, stretching slightly. He hopped onto my shoulders, wrapping his tail almost protectively around my head, and then glared at Rika sharply. A low growl escaped from his mouth.
Rika shrank back instantly.
Wait…Rika? Shying away from a housecat? What?
Suddenly something clicked, as though all the pieces from the puzzle had finally been revealed. I gaped at her, astounded. "Rika…" I whispered. "You…have an Erus, don't you?"
The terror on her face was all the answer I needed. "I…I have to go," she blurted, turning and dashing out the door. She didn't wait to grab her food, didn't look back, just ran as fast as her legs could carry her.
I left some money on the table by my bowls—overpaid by 500 yen, but I didn't care—and dashed after her, the cat clinging quietly to my shoulders. "Wait! Rika, come back!" I called, distressed, looking for her in all directions. But she was gone.
With a heavy heart, I made my way home silently. All I could think about was how I'd blown it, scaring her like that and probably throwing away all chances of ever talking with her again. Why was she so afraid? It didn't make sense. It didn't seem like Erus were terrifying or anything, but then I didn't really know much about them. Rika wouldn't be scared of something like that anyway. So why did she run away like that?
Entering my apartment, I closed and locked the door, throwing myself down on the couch. The cat jumped down and seated himself on my lap, where he proceeding to rub his head comfortingly against my arm. I took it as an indication that he wanted to be pet, and scratched his head. Sighing, I gave him a heart-heavy glance. "I don't get it," I said tiredly.
He offered a gentle purr. What is your story with her? He asked.
I sighed, but for some reason, I liked the idea of talking about it. So I answered him. "We were friends growing up, and we dated in college. Then, right before we graduated, she broke up with me for no reason. She said we had grown our separate directions and needed to move on, and she couldn't be with me anymore. But we both got hired by the same company, and sometimes we run into each other. It's always stressful."
Why did you ask her if she has an Erus?
"I don't know, it just seemed like she did. They way she looked at you, I mean. Normally, nothing scares Rika, but she acted like you were a threat." I frowned. "Are you a threat to her?"
He didn't answer at first. When he did, he responded cautiously. It depends, he said slowly. She does indeed have an Erus, just as you think, and he is very possessive. It makes sense that she would be afraid, now that I know you used to be lovers.
"What do you mean? Are you saying that her Erus would fight me because he wants to keep Rika to himself?" I frowned. I didn't like the idea of her having an Erus that was a guy. Unless they were all masculine. Or did they even have genders?
No. I'm saying that her Erus would kill you, if he thought that you and her were getting too close. If that happened, then I would have to kill her. So she has two reasons to be afraid: The one she obviously still loves is in danger of being killed, and she is in danger of losing her life because of it. I feel sorry for her. He let out a sigh, disappointed. She must have broken up with you the day the Erus claimed her, fearing for your life. I am grateful she did so, for my sake.
"Rika….." I groaned, sighing. But I was growing angry. "How dare he….its not like Rika and I being together would mean that he couldn't be her Erus!"
True. But like I said, some of us are very territorial.
"Isn't there anything I can do?" I demanded. "Isn't there anything you can do?"
The cat stopped rubbing his head against my hand, pausing to look up at me seriously. Takato… much as I want to help you, there isn't anything I can do that would not affect your Rika negatively. I'm afraid it will be up to her to convince him.
"If he hasn't changed his mind yet, I doubt he ever will," I grumbled, and threw myself back so I was lying on the couch. The cat shifted so that he could sit on my chest. "Thank you, though."
For what?
"For caring."
Smiling, the cat walked forward and rubbed his head gently against my cheek. The same to you, Takato. He gave my cheek a lick, and the second his tongue touched my skin, a weird sensation of pleasure rippled down my spine for one brief moment. It made me shiver, surprised. I have waited until your day has ended in order to do this, he said. But I was only able to because I have spent so long without a Cifra that one more day was doable. After this, I may have to drain you more regularly, to keep my strength up.
"And this is why you need a Cifra?" I asked quietly. "So that you can drain them to build your magic?"
Yes. I do not eat food, like you do. As an Erus, what I need is a Cifra, someone I can cipher energy from.
"Will it…hurt?" I asked, starting to get worried. Was this okay? Should I resist? I had always trusted my instincts, and they had never let me down so far. In this case, I felt like I could trust him, somehow.
It will not hurt, he chuckled. On the contrary, you will find it… quite exhilarating. Since it is your first time, I will try not to drain you too much, but I should warn you, it has been over a hundred years since my last cipher. I might not be able to hold back.
I would have replied, but at that moment, he bent his head down and began to lick my jaw line. It sent waves of rippling pleasure down my spine every time his tongue touched my skin, and I found myself gasping in surprise from the feelings. I couldn't even comprehend what it felt like, or why it felt so good, but it just kept growing and growing the more he kept at it. It was like he was sending signals through my nerves, signals that told my brain that I was ecstasy.
And I was.
I couldn't stay lying still. Closing my eyes, I felt my back arch as the sensations grew, spreading all over my body. My skin tingled with energy, and my body began to grow warmer and warmer. As my pulse increased and my breathing became quicker, I had the vague realization that the Erus was effectively causing my body to create more energy. It sort of made sense, I guess.
Suddenly he stopped licking, and bit into my neck sharply. I cried out faintly in response, eyes snapping open in shock, but I quickly realized that he hadn't broken the skin with his teeth. He was trying to get my adrenaline going. "How are you….doing this?" I panted, glancing at him. I was surprised to see a strange aura glowing around him, and even more surprised to see that it was coming from me and seeping into him, like osmosis.
He smirked, an expression that somehow didn't look weird on his feline features. Magic, he replied calmly. I am increasing all of the bodily functions that create energy inside you, and then taking that energy into myself.
"But how does…why…." I had to close my eyes as he started licking my neck again, and the waves of ecstasy began to demand all of my attention. "Why does… it feel… so… good?" I shuddered as the pleasure rose sharply, and my back arched in response.
It is your nerves, telling you that. Nerves can interpret the magic in two ways, extreme pain, or extreme pleasure. We prefer you to experience the latter, as it tends to create greater results. Nipping and licking my neck, he started to purr as he sucked in more and more of the energy my body was building up. He began to knead my chest with his paws, like cats do when they're happy, and I almost didn't care that he was using his claws.
By then, I had lost the ability to speak. My brain wandered in the fog of extreme ecstasy, and I was no longer aware of what was happening. All I could think about was the tingling pleasure in my skin, the waves of euphoria that thrummed through my nerves over and over, and the increasing heat building inside me. It kept growing and growing, until I felt like I was going to explode, it was so incredible!
Finally, the sensations were too much for me to handle. I let out a gasping cry as the ecstasy overwhelmed me, and the pleasure exploded in my nerves with great force. I had never felt anything like it in my entire life.
What seemed like hours later, the pleasure-high began to die down, and exhaustion set in. It was so acute, that I lost the ability to move, and all I could do was lay there panting like I'd just run up a mountain for ten hours. My muscles trembled, and I was drenched with sweat, but I felt great.
I was probably going to sleep on the couch tonight.
How do you feel? The cat asked, seated on my chest and peering into my face with a look of concern. Are you alright?
I nodded, but the action made me dizzy, even though I was lying down. "Exhausted," I rasped out. Man, did I need a drink of water. "But I'm fine. That was…" I didn't have a word to describe it.
He rubbed his head against my chin, pleased. You held out for a long time before you stopped producing energy. It was very impressive. Thank you. I haven't felt this satisfied in a long time.
"I don't know how often I can go through that," I admitted, trying to even my breathing. "I might not even be able to get up and go to work in the morning!" As I struggled to stay awake, I noticed something strange about him. Was he…glowing? "You seem brighter," I pointed out.
He purred. I am energized, that's all. And I'm sorry it drained you so much, I did warn you. For your sake, I will try to hold off until the end of the day. But if I do need to fight, or if something should come up that requires it, then I will have to cipher energy from you at that time.
"Just try to give me some warning," I yawned, and my eyes closed against my will. Without the strength to open them again, I just let myself drift closer to unconsciousness. "Hey Erus?"
Yes, Takato.
"Can I give you a name? It's kind of frustrating to just call you Erus or cat."
You want to give me a name? It asked, sounding surprised. What would you call me?
"I don't know, I'd have to think about it. Probably something that fits your style…or your color."
You would name me after the color black?
"I don't know, I haven't decided yet," I yawned. "I'll tell you…in the… morning." I drifted to sleep without another thought.
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A little bit shorter this time, but that's okay. I know, it's a little bit crazy, maybe even a little creepy. But I have a weird sense of creativity I guess. Sorry for forgetting to update this story. It really is already completed on my computer. I wasn't lying. Thank you for being so patient with me.
~Rukatofan