I Got Reincarnated! - Kitsune Chronicles
~Extra Chapter~ Season's Greetings: Warm Winter
It was getting colder in Rimuru City, all the colorful leaves having fallen off the branches, leaving the trees bare as they went into hibernation for the upcoming winter, and the residences of the growing monster city prepared for the cold upcoming winter. Kayo had one of her windows to her office open, letting in the cool prewinter air in, stretched out on her couch in just a thin black tank top and denim jeans reading a magical textbook to try and relax. Munching on a cream covered biscuit stick, or Pocky, trying to understand the magic concepts in the book she was assigned to study by Dwargon's Chief Mage, Lady Jane or Granny Jane as the elderly woman insisted the Drwagon heir call her.
"Agh~ Why does magic got to be so complicated?" Kayo asked as she closed the book and set it on the coffee table, reaching for the box of pocky. Having created a new flavor of the treat from Persimmons, her kitsunes having quickly gathered more of the sweet fruits from around the forest for her after Benimaru got her hooked on them.
Just as she bit off the sweet tip, there was an annoying knock at her door.
'Evey time!' She thought in annoyance before sitting up. "Enter!" she called out around the stick she kept between her teeth, curious who it was this time and was a bit surprised to see Souka enter her office, properly, threw the door. The dragonewt coming in unsurely with a nervous blush on her face, looking around and avoiding looking at Kayo herself.
'Normally she just follows Souei into my office on their patrol. Is she looking for him?' She questioned while nibbling on her snack. "F-forgive me for the sudden intrusion Lord Kayo. I have something I think you must know... a-about Master Souei." she told the woman and was looking at the open window unsurely before Kayo closed it using the string skills Rimuru had given to her and Souei, mostly to keep her from getting bored, then for use in combat like the kijin did. "Okay, have a seat Souka. Don't worry, the room is sound proofed, but I'm sure you can attest to that yourself, right?" Kayo mussed as the girl bowed her head in shame, having tried to eavesdrop on the kitsune leader's office several times, somehow always getting caught or not able to overhear anything important. Kayo's office was open for just about anyone to come in, and she often had causal meetings with the Goblin leaders, or even just normal villagers sending her gifts of thanks for something she helped with.
"Y-yes, um... I apologize for not informing you of this sooner, Lord Kayo. After what you said about my feelings for him being... shallow. I thought a lot about what you said, and I tried to find flaws in Master Souei..." she started but looked nervous as her face started to turn red, Kayo noticing how her horns came out, meaning she was feeling a strong emotion. "Clam down Souka. Would you like some chilled juice?" Kayo offered, waving her tails so that a simple glass jug of some orange liquid and a glass. The kitsune used her tails to pour the juice before setting it close to the dragonewt who watched the fluffy black, white tipped appendages move with great dexterity.
"T-thank you." she said softly and took the glass, chills running threw her body as she remembered her experience in the kitchen, Shion having pined her down and force fed her the strange beverage that she had managed to make with just water. Gulping down her fear she quickly drank the juice, guzzling it down in hopes not to taste it but she could, being surprised by the cool and lightly sweet taste of it.
"T-this is really good!" She exclaimed happily, surprised as she looked at the kitsune leader who gave her a soft smile that made the girl blush, Souka quickly look down at the table in shame. "Of course, now what was it you wanted to say?" The kitsune woman asked as her tails refilled Souka's glass, making the dragonewt stiffen.
"Is something wrong?" Kayo asked worriedly, Souka was quiet before she just blurted it out. "M-master Souei, c-cheated on you with me!" She told the kitsune leader who stared at her with dull yellow eyes as she processed her words. The room dropping to rather frigid tempters so low Souka was starting to see her breath and feel rather sleepy. "I...I see. So, he did go through with it..." Kayo voiced dully, shoving away her emotions and hardening her heart at Souka's confession. Having been the one to suggest Souei break the naïve viewpoint of the princess or find happiness with the dragonewt girl instead of her.
"I'm sorry, Lord Kayo. I had no idea he would ever be unfaithful to you, and even to pose as you during it! Please! Punish me as you see fit! This is as much my fault as it is his!" the dragonewt cried and bowed to the obviously hurt woman before Kayo blinked at her words, her eyes returning to their normal golden luster.
"Souei... posed as me?" she questioned, tilting her head in confusion before slow realization of what Souka had really been talking about.
The draconian woman let out a whine, recalling the 'extra training' they had to undergo to pull of seduction. It almost felt like getting the talk from her father all over again but, Souei had touched her and made her feel strange. All threw out the training, while he did touch the others, he seemed to be touching her more intimately. It didn't help when he pulled her aside and... showed her how someone, man or woman, would use her regardless of what information she had or not, so long as they had her body to 'play' with.
Souka shivered and pressed her legs together uneasily, tears building in her eyes before she felt something soft touch her face. Snapping her eyes open she was surprised to see Kayo so close to her, wiping her tears with a soft light blue cloth and a sad smile.
"There, there, Souka. It wasn't your fault. I'm sorry you were hurt but, to tell you the truth... it wasn't Souei who did that to you." Kayo told her, worried that she had pushed her too far and too fast. Sitting next to her it seemed Souka hadn't realized the obvious, she looked at the kitsune in confusion as she had taken the cloth to wipe her eyes. Kayo then gently grabbed her chin and got really close, making the girl blush as she could taste the other woman's sweet breath as she looked into her familiar golden eyes.
"You're adorable~ all tied up, Souka~." Kayo spoke in Souei's voice, Souka's eyes widen as she looked at her in shock at what the kitsune had just done, it dawned on her and she looked at her lap in defeat. "H-he really is loyal to you, Lord Kayo." she voiced as she silently cried, making the kitsune feel bad as she held back from correcting her, at least in her opinion but so far, the ninja didn't seem interested in anyone else besides his mates.
Pulling out a special jacket that was blotches of white, grays and light blue, Winter camo, setting it on the girl's shoulders, quickly Souka felt the warmth from it, looking at the kind kitsune leader with tear filled eyes before she was gently poked in the nose by her finger.
"Boop~. Your dead." Kayo joked, making Souka laugh a little threw her tears.
~Later, Streets of Rimuru City~
After dealing with Souka, Kayo grabbed herself a large thermos, filled with a familiar sessional coffee flavor she managed to keep hidden away from a 'mysterious' coffee thief. Heading out for a walk through the city, both to inspect for any issues and to cool down. While Souka's sent wasn't very alluring, smelling a bit like moss and cat tail plants, it was apparently enough to almost trigger a heat spike in the Kitsune leader. Having slipped on some boots and a light black jacket so she didn't to look to out of place among on the goblins and Orc's wearing warm coats and scarves. The weather wasn't too chilly for the kitsune as she let out a single tail behind her, letting it contently swish and brush the paved stones of the well-constructed street. Sipping the hot beverage as a mental map appeared in her head to check current elevations of the city to come up with a strategy to deal with the massive snowfall that would be coming at any moment.
"Good morning, Lord Kayo. May I offer you a warm snack on a chilly day?" Called out a kind Orc woman, smiling as she held out a hot, already wrapped bun for the kitsune. Kayo focused on the orc and her offering; the snack had her chuckling in amusement, it was in the shape of a cute little fox with little ears and tails. "Thank you. I appreciate it." Kayo took in form her and took a careful bite, letting out a cute mew as a new savory taste invaded her mouth, her tail wagging in delight, bring a smile to the orc woman's face as the kitsune leader had eaten her offering instead of storing it away, as she would commonly do.
"Hmm~ Actually, can I buy a few of these please? I want to give some to my friends." Kayo asked, delighting the orc woman who nodded sweetly. Within a few minutes Kayo had a box of hot kitsune and slime shaped food inside a paper bag hanging off her arm, displaying the small shops name on it as advertisement. Of course, the Orc woman didn't have long before she had to make more, many others wanting to buy the same snack as one of their leaders.
Kayo greeted a few other residences of Tempest, only picking up some wool and knitting needles for later, making her way to the guard station, seeing her goblin friends receiving orders from Rimuru.
"So you'll need to both patrol and talk to people more every day. We will call it, Fire Awareness Campaign." Kayo overheard the slime, curious what he had planned besides just making people 'aware' of fire. 'I've already made sure most of the residents know what to do in case of a fire, and how to deal with the common ones.' Kayo mussed before she notices a tired Benimaru approach them, wearing a white sash across his chest that confused her.
"The campaign massicot, who specializes in this subject, is this guy!" Rimuru announced and presented Benimaru who tried not to yawn and look serious, probably still tired from the 'activities' last night, Kayo giggled with amusement and a small blush. "Well, you picked a really cute massicot, Rimuru-nee-san~." Kayo mussed as she got within range of them, Gobta being the first to notice the food. "Kayo! Did you bring that for us?" He asked, already drooling as he could smell the warm treats. "Of course, you guys are going to need the energy to carry out your duties, and not slack off. Right?" Kayo asked with a knowing smirk, looking at Gobta who laughed guilty but grinned along with one of the other goblin guards, who was in on the little secret. Kayo handed the bag over to Rigur who took out the box and made sure all they all got one of the delicious treats, but there being more than enough for them to enjoy a quick snack.
"Hmm~ so good~ so warm." Rigur praised as the other goblins eagerly ate the offering, Kayo picking one up and offering it to the dozy Benimaru. "You too, and some sweet coffee to perk you up." she gave him a soft smile before he took the fox shaped treat and the cup unsurely, giving it a test sip before happily drinking the rest of her sweet energy giving beverage. Kayo pouted a little at losing her favorite drink but couldn't help but smile as she watched him guzzle it all down.
"What brings you here, Kayo? Aren't you cold at all?" Rimuru called her attention as he looked at how the kitsune was dressed. "Nope. My fur has been thickening up, so the cold doesn't really get to me. I could just stroll around naked and be just fine." She joked, but Benimaru choaked on the last mouthful of the coffee, the goblins looked at her wide eyed in shock, and Rimuru froze when she had mentioned 'stroll around naked'.
"DON'T YOU DARE!" Rimuru scolded her quickly, as Kayo shifted into her fox form and sat down on the desk next to the slime... completely naked with a thick coat of extra fluffy black and white fur. "Oh~ I dare~. Don't be such a pervert slime ball, your naked in this form too." Kayo reasoned, poking the slime with her paw as he blushed at her teasing, learning that her fur had become much thicker and something else he wasn't going to tell her, just to have something to get back at her with for later.
"T-that makes sense. Are you doing a fire awareness campaign in your village too?" Rimuru asked as he saw Benimaru set down the mug next to Kayo and her tails slipped it away before she answered. "Hmm not really. Most everyone knows how to handle a fire and we still have a few fire and water kitsune that can spring into action should something break out. Did you already meet with the city fire captains? They're giving a lecture at the school today." Kayo asked, curious if he had paid any attention to the document, sent to him for his mutual approval.
"F-fire captains?" Rimuru questioned, confused by what she was talking about before she gave him a disappointed look. "You didn't read the document I sent you? About assembling a fire force back in spring?" Kayo poked the slime once more, shaking her head before retaking her humanoid form, startling the goblins who respectfully looked away, despite Kayo already being fully clothed. "You really need to start reading the documents I send you. All it boils down to is people being careful and knowing how to handle fires while they're still small. Have you not attended one of the fire education courses, Rimuru-nee-san?" Kayo asked as the slime was quiet, being a bit disappointed in himself but proud of Kayo for thinking so far ahead.
"No, but I would like to. I wanna see what kind of material you're teaching everyone. You guys carry on with the campaign to spread awareness of fire." Rimuru ordered as the goblins left to carry out their orders and do their patrols. "I don't think I like this." Benimaru spoke up, as he had let the sweet bean juice effect his body, understanding why Kayo liked it, and her comment about being naked had started him awake too, looking away from her to finally see the poster Rimuru had of him as the campaign mascot. Curious Kayo also took a look at it before bursting out laughing, holding her stomach when she saw it. It did not give the kijin much confidence to have his mate laughing so unrestrained at it.
"Huh? Why? What's so funny Kayo?" Rimuru asked, startled by the kitsune's sudden burst of laughter.
"I look like an arsonist." Benimaru pointed out gloomily as Kayo sucked in more air to calm down.
"Your shading is a little too realistic slime ball, why couldn't you have taken some artistic liberties? Not to mention 'Let's Burn' is not a really good slogan for a fire awareness campaign." Kayo pointed out, wiping a tear from her eyes before pulling out a drawing from her tails and showed them a much nicer version of Rimuru's poster, minus the lettering of course. Benimaru looked far more... seductive with the black and purple flame cupped in the palm of his hand, whips of fire wrapped around his clawed fingers and shining sharp fangs in his mouth making him look a bit more dangerous.
"Yashichi is a really talented artist, and Master Hakuro is pretty great with ink and a brush." Kayo praised the Dragonewt that was Gabiru's subordinate, before pulling out a rather well-done black ink painting of Benimaru from his left side, majestically holding the flame in his right as he stood upon a rock overlooking the forest as he looked up a beautifully detailed full moon. Benimaru and Rimuru admired both pictures before the slime realized something.
"Hey... why do you even have these?" The slime asked, suspecting something as the kitsune seemed startled at his question. Dawning on her that it was a little odd to have these pictures, so quickly she put them away back in her void space.
"They were... gifts?" Kayo suggested nervously as her tails twitched with her kind of lie, her face blushing a bright pink.
"Hey! Let's go check out that fire demonstration! That's going to loads of fun!" Kayo suggested and just picked up Rimuru suddenly, trying to get on to a different subject. "Do you have ones of Souei too?" Benimaru asked, half curious but also amused as he saw her face turn a dark red at his question, her fluffy ears lowered as she bit her lip, the crimson kijin chuckled at her reaction to being caught.
~Later, Healing Potions Research Lab~
Vesta was pouring over some complex and messy notes of Kayo's, curious about the thought process of the kitsune leader, fascinated by the medical knowledge she had, and a bit concerned by some of it. There was a sudden knock at the door that startled the man, not used to hearing the sound any more thanks to Gabiru.
"Come in." Vesta called out looking up from the notes and rubbing his eyes under his glasses tiredly.
"Hey Vesta, enjoying some light reading?" Kayo joked as she came in, seeing a large stack of books next to him while she was still carrying Rimuru who had wanted to check in with the researcher who gave them a tired smile. "Greetings Lord Rimuru. Lord Kayo, your notes are interesting, but your handwriting is abysmal." Vesta scolded as he presented the messily written notes inside one of the books, Kayo giving him a sheepish look.
"It's not as bad as outside, but it's pretty cold in here, too." Rimuru spoke up as he hopped out of Kayo's arms an onto Vesta's desk, curious as he spotted a small bush with familiar buds. "Yes, I'm studying its effects on the growth of Hipokute herbs as well as the Tempest Roses Lord Kayo has created." Vesta explained, setting down the notebook as Rimuru admired the plant curiously. Kayo going over to the coffee pot she had provided for the researcher as she carefully heated up some water, intending on treating Vesta to a special treat for putting up with the obnoxious Gabiru. "They seem to be doing pretty good despite the lack of light and how cold it is." The slime mentioned before the door slowly creaked open to show a rather sluggish Gabiru, holding the mutated potted grass. Kayo noticed and became a little concerned.
"How's it going for you, Gabiru?" Vesta asked, seeming too pleased to see the normally energetic dragonewt being so sluggish. "Yes... Vesta. It's growing... just fine." he reported, and Vesta nodded, taking the pot from Gabiru, but the dragonewt still held his arms out as he seemed half asleep. "Wait, when its winter do you dragonewts..." Rimuru trailed off as suddenly Gabiru became alert.
"What are you saying!? No matter what the season is, I am fully alert and aware when carrying... out... my duties... at...all...times..." he started saying but quickly that burst of energy made him even more tired.
"Well, the peace and quiet do make it easier to work." Vesta mussed, setting down the potted plant before Kayo offered him a hot mug filled with coffee. "Thank you, Lord Kayo. When you have time, I would like to ask you about running some tests at the hospital." He asked her and Kayo nodded. "Sure, hopefully we won't see many patients but there are always the reckless ones who still think a healing potion cures all." the kitsune mentioned sighing as she recalled the many times, she had been asked to explain why someone wasn't getting a healing potion for their illness or injury.
"Ah! Lord Kayo! I'm so sorry I took so long. I... got distracted." A cute green kitsune girl appeared in the doorway with one of Gabiru's subordinates by her side, Yashichi. "It's fine, Leaf. Do you have Gabiru's coat?" The kitsune leader asked as she noticed the green lizard was blushing and enjoying the special coat Kayo had made for the Dragonewts.
"Y-yes." Leaf responded shyly and handed over the light blue and black coat to Kayo before she set it on Gabiru's shoulders, confusing him for a moment and he sighed blissfully the warmth coat that was giving him, slowly making him feel like his old self.
"Kayo what are those coats for?" Rimuru asked, confused as Leaf spoke up excitedly. "Oh! Lord Kayo had these made so that all of us dragonewts could be nice and cozy during winter. There reversable too so they all have their own designs on one side and the uniforms on the other!" Leaf explained excitedly as Yashichi nodding excitedly next to her. "Yes! They even have a little Hipokute herb stitched onto the cuff! Lord Kayo is really thoughtful!" He excitedly proclaimed as he showed off his own coat that was mostly black but had a green leaf pattern inside for the smallest of Gabiru's subordinates.
"I'm sure you guys would have wanted to keep working during winter, regardless of your biology." Kayo mussed, smiling at the adorable couple. "Besides it's going to be a really cold winter and I would hate for any of you to become seriously ill if it can be avoided. You guys maybe banished but Abiru still asked me to make sure you're all taken care of." The kitsune told them and patted the little newt on the head.
"Lord Kayo! Don't try and steal my boyfriend!" Leaf begged, blushing as Kayo stopped only to laugh, making the green kitsune pout and hug the happly blushing lizard.
Vesta chuckled as he turned to Rimuru who was proud Kayo had been looking after everyone's health, having noticed Vesta's white lab coat even had a little Hipokute herb on the cuff too. "Be careful Lord Rimuru. Lord Kayo might steal more of your subordinates from you." The man joked as he sipped the fresh coffee, mentally already siding with the kitsune leader, mostly because she brewed great coffee.
"Huh!? What are you talking about Vesta?" The slime questioned as Vesta gave him and amused smile before Gabiru cried out loudly, hugging Kayo with tears in his eyes as he thanked her... but the kitsune didn't seem to be thrilled being picked up into the sudden hug.
~Afternoon, Kayo~
"Thanks for letting me take some of the wax, Apito. This will help me a lot with making a health product. Are you sure it's okay to take this much?" Kayo asked the large bee like creature but looked concerned as Apito happily agreed to let her take some of the wax from her hive. The fluffy black and yellow creature nodding as it rested on her right solder, watching the kitsune carefully remove what she wanted and store it away in her void space.
"Of course, Lord Kayo. We are at your service. Anything you need form us, just name it!" she responded cheerfully as her workers were already at work buzzing around the hive, making more wax and honey before winter could come. "Okay, please let me know if any of you are hungry. I can get you some nice flowers to feast on during winter should you need it." Kayo assured the creature and pet her head gently, making the little creature giggle before the kitsune exited the carefully constructed square hive that gave them protection from the elements and allowed Kayo to enter their hive with ease when collecting the honey orders.
A large beetle waiting for them outside on a stump, happily sipping some sweet sap from a tub that was a big as it was. Kayo gave a little smile at that and almost found it cute as the bug popped his head out after finishing the reward for his hard work.
"Bug! Bug!" Kayo's ears twitched as she heard a familiar voice, Apito tensed on the Kitsune's shoulder, startled as they booth looked to the source... the demon Lord Milim Nava running at them, eager to get another taste of sweet honey. Taking this as an attack the beetle flew into action to protect his sister and one of his Lords.
"Zegion! No!" Kayo called out, worried for the beetle who didn't stop his charge at the clearly more powerful opponent. Milim easily knocking him away, Apito giving a small cry as she took cover under Kayo's jacket, Milim still heading for them and drooling as she could smell the sweet golden goo.
"MILIMNAVA! You stop it right there, young lady!" Kayo commanded sternly as she held out her hand, palm forward towards Milim, who could have just blasted the kitsune woman away too, but didn't as she stopped right before her face meet with Kayo's hand. Slitted blue eyes looking up at Kayo in confusion as it sounded like the kitsune had combined her names into one. "Sissy! I just want a little taste of that yummy, sweet honey~. Just one little licky lick~ please!" Milim asked, ravenously as she licked her lips, drooling at the smell of the honey coming from Kayo and the hive behind her. Apito shaking violently under Kayo's jacket as she felt the Demon Lord's lust for her honey, and it was terrifying as she held on to the woman tightly, unintentionally making cuts into her skin that the kitsune ignored.
"No. You hurt one of Rimuru-nii-san's subordinates. That means no sweets for 3 days, apologize to Zegion. Right. Now." Kayo told her sternly as Shion had retrieved the injured beetle. "Lord Kayo is right Lady Milim. Lord Rimuru would very be disappointed with you for bulling the weak." the purple Kijin spoke up and set Zegion down on the stump where he had been enjoying his reward that no longer felt deserved. Kayo sighed and pulled out a spray bottle full of healing potion and sprayed a gentle mist over the injured insect from a short distance, wanting to make the spray effective before pulling away quickly to try and retrieve the scared bee from her jacket.
"Humph, that thing scares you sissy, why are you being nice to it. I can squish it right now for you if you want!" Milim suggested, scarring Zegion as the demon lord loomed over him with malice. Kayo quickly stepped between her and the beetle.
"Lady Milimnava, don't you dare! I want you to apologize for scaring them both, or you can say goodbye to a weeks' worth of sweets." Kayo threatened, not wanting to take away Milim's meals like Rimuru had threatened to do. Milim was confused at how Kayo addressed her, only to pout and think for a moment, she was part of secret club of sweet lovers, but Kayo caught on to that train of thought. "Also, all the activities with the Sweets Alliance with be postponed during your punishment so as not to tempt you and be punished further." She added and it made both Milim and Shion gasp in horror.
"L-Lady Kayo! Y-you wouldn't!" the purple kijin questioned as she was getting scared.
"N-no sweets for a week!? Kayo-nee-chan, please don't!" Milim begged, her blue eyes big and watery as she used the last trick she knew, the same one Shuna use on the kitsune to get her way. Kayo nearly lost her resolve, but her sense of responsibility kept her from giving in to that weakness, she had to protect the weak little insects from the demon lord. "Apologizing to them would be much easier than going without any sweets for TWO weeks." Kayo hissed, standing firm, Milim looked up at her in shock before bowing her head in thought.
The kitsune was nervous but wouldn't let Milim hurt the innocent bugs that where so helpful to her and Rimuru.
"I'm sorry." Milim muttered softly, making Kayo frown as she barely heard her.
"Don't say it to me. Say it to them. It's because of Apito's hard work that we even have any honey and hurting Zegion was unnecessary since you could have just dogged him." Kayo sternly scolded, carefully moving away for the two terrified insects as they were locked in Milim's gaze.
"I'm sorry for hurting and scaring you." she told the two weak little insects who were still scared but also shocked at the apology. Kayo sighed and pat Milim's head, knowing she couldn't push her for more. "Do you two forgive her?" the kitsune asked softly as the two looked confused but nodded, still shaking in fear of the drooling Demon Lord who looked up at the woman for her approval. "Can I have a lick of that honey now!?" Milim asked eagerly before Kayo gave her a frown.
"No sweets for the rest of the day. That's your punishment." Kayo told her seriously as the little girl looked at her in shock. "You need to learn consequences. You're not getting desserts for lunch or dinner, or even a snack. If you don't ask about having sweets, I will personally make a deliciously sweet breakfast for you." Kayo reasoned, but Milim still pouted.
"Okay sissy." She muttered and Kayo sighed as she guided the little demon lord away from the scared insects. "Good girl. Now let's get back to the village. It's nearly lunch time." Kayo reasoned, as she took the pink menace away, Shion followed the kitsune with admiration of her child handing skills. The two insects where still scared but also admiring Kayo for defending them, even when the beetle still scared her.
"We have to get stronger." Zegion voiced, a determination burning inside of him once they felt safe enough again, Apito nodding in agreement with him.
~Next Day, Late Morning, Kijin Sibling's Home~
"Agh~. I'm no good at this." Kayo groaned as she saw her knitting come undone, just after she had tried to make another row in her attempt to make a warm black scarf. Shuna giggling at Kayo's attempt to knit as she did her knitting swiftly and easily, making a simple cream-colored scarf. "Do you want me to show you again. I'm surprised your having trouble learning this." Shuna asked and Kayo set aside her pile of black yarn next to the balls of white yarn that was going to be part of her second attempt. "Yes, please. I'm not perfect or smart enough to know everything." Kayo reasoned and she came to sit besides Shuna and watched her knit, talking mostly so that the young girl didn't fall asleep while she was knitting. "You know a lot more than most Kayo." Shuna mussed as she leaned on the warm kitsune before Kayo shifted into her fox form, wrapping 3 of her tails around Shuna to be sure she was kept nice and warm.
"Hmm. If Lord Rimuru feels good in the summer, you feel really good during winter." Shuna giggled as she cuddled into the fox's incredibly smooth and plush fur. Stopping her knitting for a moment to enjoy the amazing feeling. Kayo watched in amusement, calmed with the young girl's scent of Sakura blossoms and thinking of her as a precious little sibling to protect kept her heat spike at bay. "Are you sure you don't want to add some heating ruins to your home? It would be quick and easy to do." Kayo offered; Shuna having told her how cold their home could get when the fire got to low.
"Hmm but then that would mean brother couldn't use you as his personal heater anymore." she teased knowingly, having found 'evidence' that the kitsune had been sleeping over some nights, it also didn't help that Kayo stiffened up at her teasing. "W-where we being too loud?" Kayo asked softly, blushing under her fur as she was unsure of the young girl had heard them and their 'activities'.
"Hmm~ It's not really the noise that gives you away. You clean brother's room before you leave, or I find your clothes under his bed." Shuna told her honestly, Kayo gave a nervous chuckle, usually having one article of clothing go missing when she slept over, regardless of any 'extra' fun that night. "I'll be sure to check under the bed before I leave then." Kayo mussed before her ears twitched as she heard familiar footsteps.
"Shuna, I'm going out to train." Benimaru called out to his sister, not knowing Kayo was with her as the scent of persimmons still lingered around their home, only the strong scent of honey was new, making the crimson Kijin peek into the room out of curiosity. "K-kayo!? Is that you? What are you doing here?" Benimaru asked, as he slid the sliding door open fully, shocked and worried as he saw a familiar black and white fox sitting next to his sister, its tails wrapped around Shuna but the Kayo's beautiful golden eyes looking up at him.
"I asked my cute little sister to help me with something, and I'm now being used as her personal heater to keep her company." Kayo told him with an assuring smile, Benimaru relaxing and smiling softly when she called Shuna her sister. "Why do you smell like honey?" He asked, confused as he came closer to sniff the kitsune who smelled so alluringly sweet to him even in her fox form, making him vaguely question his preferences before Kayo's voice snapped him out of it.
"I was in Apito's hive earlier collecting the honey and some wax, so it's lingering a bit on me." She reasoned before, stiffing as she felt the kijin's hands on her fluffy ears, gently stroking them just how she liked. Shuna could feel the kitsune shiver from the petting, making her giggle as she saw how much her brother was enjoying touching the kitsune's soft ears. Kayo's eyes closed slowly to soak in the relaxing attention of the kijin's rough hand on that delicate part of her body.
"Brother, don't you have some training to do?" Shuna asked him, snapping the two out of the soft bliss as Benimaru pulled back his hand with a blush. "R-right. I'll be back before dinner." He told her and quickly left with a relaxed smile and Kayo pouting a little as it had to end.
"S-sorry Shuna. Where we making you uncomfortable?" Kayo questioned worriedly, blushing a dark pink under her fur but the kijin princes giggled, continuing her knitting. "No, you two are adorable. I envy you and brother when you show affection like that. Even if you're in a different form." she admitted to the woman woefully, looking down at her knitting. "Brother would have just kept petting you and skipped training. Then you wouldn't have been able to surprise him with the scarfs you wanted to make him and Souei." Shuna mussed, as that was the reason Kayo had gotten the black and white colored yarn and had come to Shuna for help.
"That... was the plan but I didn't know I would find knitting so hard." Kayo softly whined, blushing as that was what she had told Shuna what she was intending to do, excluding the fact that the yarn was made up of her fur to give them a bit more durability and 'stake her claim' on them, to help with her heat spikes. "Would you like me to do it for you? As thanks for helping me so much, Kayo-nee-chan." Shuna suggested, she was already almost done with the scarf that she was making for Rimuru. Kayo having been very helpful in deciding on a gift and color for the slime leader. The Kitsune hesitated before giving a defeated sigh when she looked at her sad attempt after a few hours.
"All right, I guess the sentiment is the same. I don't want either of them getting cold or sick. No matter how cute they look all helpless." she pouted and lay on the floor; selfishly wishing Benimaru would pet her like that more.
"Kayo, do you cover your horns when you sleep as a kijin?" Shuna questioned after finished the scarf for the slime leader. "Hmm not really. Should I?" Kayo tilted her head in confusion, having mentally questioned why Shuna wore those cute slips over her horns at night, while Shion and the other Kijin didn't seem to do the same. "It helps prevent colds. Even if our horns don't have much feeling in them, we can still feel the cold threw them." Shuna tried to explain, having been confused when her father tried to tell her why she should cover her horns at night. Kayo noticed her confusion and made a mental note to question the Oni sprit, and maybe Hakuro about this information.
"Hmm, if you want Shuna, I think there will be more than enough wool to make me some, maybe even make Benimaru a pair too. He's been worried your drifting away from him, so a little gift might assure him that it's not true." Kayo gently suggested and Shuna looked at her in surprise before giving her a soft smile.
"That a good idea, Kayo-nee-chan." the kijin princess beamed, happy that Kayo was thinking of her brother.
~Later, Souei~
"What are those?" He asked the dragonewts sternly, confused by the odd splotchy white and gray jackets his students were wearing, even Souka.
"They are a gift form Lord Kayo. It's to keep us warm while carrying out our duties during winter. We can even flip them inside out if needed, Master Souei." Souka told him, blushing as she was enjoying the thoughtful gift the kitsune had given them. While she could work in the cold, her subordinates however tended to become drowsy when the temperatures dropped.
"It's unnecessary, with proper training you should be able to-Agh!" Souei was trying to say seriously before he received a sudden poke to his back that sent a small shock threw out his body. Pulling out a kuni he was going to counter his attacker before noticing it was just Kayo, his stiff body immediately relaxing but giving her an annoyed look.
The kitsune woman cradling a white knitted scarf to her chest, dressed in a black and gold padded kimono jacket Shuna made her wear over a cream-colored sweater.
"Does that mean you don't want this scarf?" Kayo asked, her golden eyes looking up at him pleadingly as she showed it to him. It was made to be a loop so the ends wouldn't get caught, it would comfortably wrap around his neck to keep him warm and allow him to keep up with his duties. The kijin looking a bit conflicted before he kneeled down to let her put the scarf around his neck, the warm scent of persimmons and honey reaching his nose as she held his face between her soft hands.
"See. Even if you can resist the cold, a little warmth in winter never hurts right?" Kayo reasoned and planted a kiss on Souei's horn, the warm sensation making the ninja shiver before he stood straight back up, hiding his blushing face in his new scarf. The dragonewts giving fond smiles, even Souka who was grateful for the kitsune woman's care and small mercy.
~Evening, Benimaru~
Opening the front door Benimaru was confused when a wave of fresh warmth greeted him from the cold, along with a sweet scent, knowing Shuna was not home yet it was odd for the place to feel warm with no one home. He closed his eyes to slowly inhale, delighting in the lingering scent of sweet persimmons, spice and another unfamiliar sweet smell before he heard an amused giggle.
His eyes snapped open immediately to see Kayo before him, her black, white tipped hair down in a loose ponytail making her white kijin horns stand out, while the shorter strands culled around her face freely, golden eyes sparkling even in the low light. Dressed in a crimson, black lined kimono, a dark blue sash tired around her to keep it closed, a bit of her plump tan chest exposed to his eyes as well as the high slit that exposed a bit of her thigh as she had noting over her bare legs, making his face turn a dark pink and his heart to jump up into his throat.
"Welcome Home, Benimaru~." Kayo greeted him with a soft smile that had the kijin breathless when she started to approach him. "Shuna's not back yet and I thought you might like a sweet little snack." the woman suggested, getting a bit worried as Benimaru seemed to not be breathing as he stared at her. "K-kayo!? W-why are you here?" he asked her and place his hand on her shoulders before quietly whispering. "Are you in heat?" he questioned but Kayo giggled, planted a kiss on his cheek, confusing him as he looked at her, seeing her give him a rather... playful look.
"No. I'm doing fine right now. I think I found some ways to help counter it, so I won't exhaust you and Souei again." Kayo admitted, blushing before it was her turn to be kissed, Benimaru plating one on her cheek in return, earning a cute mew from her.
"You said something about sweets?" He asked, feeling warm right to his soul, wrapping his arms around her, chin on her shoulder. Kayo wrapped her arms around him and stroked his hair tenderly. "I'm not the sweet. It's hot chocolate with marshmallows and honey cookies." she told him with an amused laugh. "Ah, that explains why you're in this from." Benimaru mussed, slowly pulling away from her to see her cute blushing face, knowing she loved that brown sweet stuff but couldn't have it as a kitsune.
"Shuna left a gift for you too. M-maybe you should see what it is?" Kayo suggested shyly, not wanting to trigger a heat spike, pulling away from him a little but not far enough to slip out of his reach. Benimaru looked at her in confusion before Souei appeared with two wrapped items in his hands. "Lady Shuna made both of them. Care to guess which one Kayo tried to make for you?" the ninja joked as Kayo tossed him a small glare. Benimaru chuckling as he slipped away from Kayo to see what his sister had made for him.
~After Dinner~
"This feels like a dream... it's so peaceful and warm." Benimaru voiced, smiling contently with a cup of Hot Chocolate in his hands, sitting out of the porch in the chilly night air, the cozy black and white scarf Kayo gifted him around his neck and Shuna's knitted caps on his horns. The moon and stars peeking out behind some clouds that lazily drifted across the sky. Souei hummed in agreement sipping his green tea, as he sat next to his crimson mate enjoying the perfect night. The Kijins having been blessed with sharing an intimate meal with their unofficial 'mistress', Shuna having convinced the woman to help and stay to have dinner with them. Even now Kayo was helping Shuna clean up as the other's had left to their rooms with knowing smiles. The two females' soft chatter making a soothing background noise.
"It won't be long before we wake up and face a new threat." the ninja mentioned seriously. Benimaru just chuckled at his joke. "Is there really someone dumb enough to attack us during winter?" he questioned and sipped his sweet drink; some white fluff was all that remained of the Rimuru shaped marshmallow.
"Kayo's siblings have asked me to come stay in their village." He told the red kijin as he looked at the ninja in confusion.
"In Kayo Village? Can't you do that already?" Benimaru asked as Souei looked into his tea. "Her brothers would toss me out if I stayed to long, even my clones." The ninja admitted with a displeased frown, he lowered his head into the scarf Kayo had gifted him mostly for the scent then the cold. Benimaru chuckled, having witnessed how easy it was for Kayo to pick up, and toss Souei some distance. "Kayo village is hardly open to anyone but those who know of it. It was designed to be a Kitsune stronghold rather than a village. Kitsune, Faries, Elves, Tyrants, Dryads, and a few human children live in the village. It's not as big as Rimuru City but... there is something hidden under the lake." Souei informed him before sipping his tea, Benimaru was interested in this little mystery.
"It's mostly just storage and a few spare rooms." Kayo spoke up as she and Shuna rejoined them, the woman still in her kijin from. "Why is it under the lake?" Souei asked, curious as he slid away from Benimaru to allow her to sit between them, Shuna sitting on the other side of her brother, both females having a cup of hot chocolate with them. "It's to preserve access crops and provide a safe place should a sudden disaster strike Tempest. It's good to be prepared, to protect those who rely on us or lack the strength to face whatever comes our way." Kayo reasoned, sipping her hot chocolate contently.
"But under the lake?" Souei questioned, confused how it was possible for anything to be built underwater, Kayo giving a soft chuckle. "There was no lake before we took residence there. We made it as part of the village defenses; with the help of some Orcs it was done very quickly. The castle... I have to admit was just a silly little whim of mine, but it still has its function as a stronghold. The foxes prefer denning in the Tyrant's roots any way, the Elves like it up in the branches and the fairies just love having their own little houses that can be put just about anywhere." the woman sheepishly admitted, taking a sip of her drink, Shuna giggling before she asked a question.
"Then, what about the children?" Shuna questioned with a sly smile, making Kayo nearly choak on her chocolate at the question, Souei rubbing her back as she coughed and Benimaru's face turning pink. "Oh my. I meant the human children, Kayo. My brother is not fit to be a father just yet, he still leaves his room a mess." She gently joked, poking her brother who didn't know what to say as Kayo managed to get composed again. "T-the children, well... most chose to stay with the kitsunes for now. A few have been adopted but there are a few who need a little bit more... attention is all I can say." Kayo admitted, looking tiredly into her cup as her mind was flooded with the information about the sick children in her care.
"Kayo you look tired, have you been getting any sleep?" Shuna questioned worriedly, Benimaru and Kayo stiffen and blush red, while Souei was looking away, calmly sipping his tea. "Y-yes, I'm just missing my usual coffee intake, that's all." the woman explained, using a half-truth as she glanced at Souei who ignored her gaze.
"You really should get more rest, if you're having trouble sleeping maybe a lullaby would help? Brother used to sing me to sleep on cold nights like this too." Shuna suggested as her brother was taking a drink and choaked, blushing dark red. "S-shuna!" he scolded his sister as Kayo blushed and Souei smirked but both mates seemed curious and eager. "Master Hakuro said you had a nice singing voice." Kayo softly admitted, leaning into the crimson kijin a little as he looked uncomfortable with his little secret. He had hoped it would have stay in the past.
"I-it was the only way to get Shuna to sleep after our mother passed." he told them, Shuna and Kayo looking at each other with worry. The kitsune woman could hear a soft melody, a woman's voice softly humming as it ecoes to her mind, having gotten a little peek at Benimaru's bittersweet memory. Bitting her lip, Kayo wasn't sure her idea would work, slipping her hand into the crimson kijin's to give him some comfort and hum the tune softly. Of course, the two siblings looked at her in shock, recognizing the tune to their mother's lullaby.
Benimaru swallowed nervously before the words left his lips.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are,
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
When the blazing sun is set,
And the grass with dew is wet,
Then you show your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
To the travelers in the dark
Thank you for your tiny spark,
They could not see where to go
If you did not twinkle so.
In the dark blue sky you keep,
And often through my curtains peep,
For you never shut your eye
Till the sun is in the sky.
As your bright and tiny spark
Guides the traveler in the dark,
Though I know not what you are,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
Benimaru finished the song, a few warm tears escaping his eyes and running down his cheeks as he tried to stop them from spilling out. Shuna having fallen asleep already with her head resting on his lap peacefully, and she wasn't the only one put to sleep by his singing. Souei had laid his head in Kayo's lap, she was gently stoking the ninja's kijin's hair making him close his eyes and relax to the point of making him snore lightly. Kayo herself was leaning against Benimaru, having closed her eyes but she hummed the melody with his singing. She stopped and slowly opened her eyes to look up at him, but he was looking away to not show her his weakness.
"Benimaru?" She softly called his name, gently squeezing his hand, her thumb caressing the back of his hand to comfort him. "I... I'm sorry. I must seem pathetic for... for this." he sighed and wiped the tears from his eyes with his free hand, trying not to wake Shuna. "No. It was a bittersweet memory of your mother, it makes you-" Kayo stopped herself, having been about to call him human, but it that wouldn't have held the same sentiment to the prideful Kijin.
'Compassionate.' The demon helpfully proposed, and Kayo smiled softly at the suggestion.
"A compassionate being, like Rimuru. You may see it as weakness but it's what drives you to be stronger, to protect Shuna and serve Rimuru." Kayo reasoned as Benimaru slowly looked at her, his red markings already looking like tear tracks to her, but she could still see the droplets tracing them down his cheeks. Removing her hand from Souei to gently wiped Benimaru's tears away, her hand feeling soft and warm stroking across his skin. The prideful kijin leaned into her touch as she cupped his face his crimson eyes looking into hers, slowly going wide as they saw nothing but compassion and devotion. Golden eyes, sparkling with a rainbow of colors twinkling in them... like little stars.
"Tu es mon étoile bien-aimée~." Kayo voiced softly, Benimaru could barely hear it as her lips and tongue moved to create the sweet sound, he didn't understand the words but the meaning... it felt like...
*SNORE*
Both of them jumped at the sudden loud noise but both looked down in Kayo's lap, surprised Souei was really deep asleep, another loud snore coming from his mouth a moment later making his two mates laugh softly in amusement.
"Should we put these two to bed?" Kayo asked him as she took on her kitsune form, her fluffy tails curing around the kijin's around her, Shuna hummed as she felt the soft warmth from the tail protect her from the cold, Benimaru shivered as he felt the soft fur wrap around him like a furry tentacle and Souei cuddled the tail that covered him like it was a toy. "He must have really worked hard to be this tired." Kayo mussed as she stroked the sleeping ninja's hair again, believing he was deep asleep judging from his loud snores.
Benimaru chuckled at how cute Souei was when deep asleep, having almost never gotten to see it for himself, even before the destruction of their village.
"It's getting colder, we should get them tucked in before they get sick. You take Shuna?" Kayo suggested, her breath turning white as it left her body. A part of her wanted to stay like this for a bit longer but the worry of them getting sick was creeping up on her.
Benimaru smiled softly and carefully picked up his sleeping sister, it was adorable to see her curled into his chest for warmth when Kayo's tail slipped away. Seeing his sister sleeping like the baby he remembered her as so long ago, had something inside him start to come to grow. "You can leave Souei in my-" He was about to tell the kitsune, only to hold back an amused chuckle at seeing Souei being cradled in Kayo's arms like a princess, his arms wrapped around her neck like the cuddle fiend he denied being.
"In your room? Don't wait up if I don't come back. He would have captured me in his sleep." Kayo joked softly as she found Souei adorable as he slept... even the snoring as it told her he was really getting some rest. They gave each other a nod and went to their destinations, Benimaru tucking his sister in and making sure her horns where cozy before Shuna muttered something in her sleep, he didn't catch it before he left her alone to have sweet dreams.
Passing his room, and out on the porch to retrieve the abandoned cups, taking them to the kitchen to clean before leaving the kitchen, something Shuna had happily hammered into him among other things. He was free to relax and sit out on the porch for a bit longer, looking up at the beautiful sky with a beaming full moon, a few stars able to twinkle beyond the clouds. The air around him getting colder without those he held dear around him, but the scarf seemed to ease him with its sweet spicy scent, looking up at the sky he felt something... odd, calling to him... a voice he didn't recognize.
Looking around the moon lit yard he saw no one and sensed no one that was not supposed to be there. It was quite with only the wind gently bringing in colder air as his breath was white as he exhaled a slow sigh. The sound of relaxed footfalls getting his attention as he turned to his returning mate.
"It's just the two of us now." Kayo mussed proudly. Having managed to slip out of Souei's hold by substituting herself for a body pillow from the summer festival, she came and sat down next to Benimaru again. All 7 tails out and wagging peacefully behind her before they curled around the crimson kijin who gently pet the soft tails as it felt much warmer being wrapped in her thick fur.
"If you're going to pet me, do it properly." Kayo scolded him with a pout, giving the kijin a glare as she tried not to blush with embarrassment. Benimaru only chuckled at her request before his hand reached up and gently started stroking her fluffy ears. "Nyan~. J-just like that~." Kayo softly breathed, pushing her head gently into his hand, nearly melting as she enjoyed his rough hands on her sensitive ears, her hands placed on his thigh to keep her from just flopping onto him or saddling his lap. The kijin enjoying the cute cat noises she made, her warmth was soothing as she got closer. Leaning on him with her face nuzzled into his chest, taking in his scent as her hands gently massaged his thigh like a kneading cat.
"Hmm Benimaru~." Kayo called his name sleepily, feeling her eyelids drop ever so slowly before something small and white appeared at the edge of her vision.
'What?' Kayo questioned lazily, as more appeared, flowing down from the sky.
"It's finally starting to snow." Benimaru voiced, noticing the small white flakes, stopping his petting for a moment to watch the snow fall with a sad smile. "Snow?" Kayo questioned, perking up as she looked at him and then at the falling white flakes. Golden eyes widening as she reached out a hand to catch one... only to have it quickly evaporated on her skin.
"Yeah, have you never seen snow before?" He joked, laughing at her cute reaction but quickly got confused when the kitsune woman walked into the yard... and just watched the flakes fall around her in wonder. "Kayo? Have you really never seen snow before?" he asked in complete shock, coming to stand beside her as she looked up at him, her eyes sparking with innocent childlike wonder.
"No. This is my first time seeing it." she admitted to a half truth. She had SEEN snow before in her last life but never in person, she was never able to reach out and touch it like she was now. A few small flakes survived as they rested on her hands, the woman's tails wagging with excitement as she carefully brought her hand close and looked at the beautiful shape nature had created. "So pretty~." she mussed softly, sad to see the shape melt on her heated skin, evaporate, and return to the clouds to become a new snowflake again.
'Life, Death, and Reincarnation. Just like Satoru and I.' Kayo mussed, thinking about the water cycle and how it could apply to just... Being.
"K-kayo why are you crying?" Benimaru questioned, the kitsune came out of her thoughts, blushing as she looked into his worried fiery eyes, the kijin's rough hands on her cheeks gently wiping away the tears that had spilled as she was deep in thought. "I-I'm fine, it's just really pretty~. I'm glad I could see it with you." she told him, not really lying as it felt a bit... romantic to be in Tempest's first snow fall with someone she had always cared deeply for.
Benimaru blushed as her hands slipped over his, smiling so adoringly at him, pulling him close as he bent down and she leaned up to meet his lips for a warm winter kiss, it was small and short but held so much. The two unaware of being watched or they didn't care as he picked up the blushing fox. Carrying her away in his arms as she laughed freely, giving the kijin another kiss on his lips as they got out of the cold, letting the small snowflakes have a chance of 'living' for just a bit longer.
Translation: You are my beloved star.