Since I already had this typed up on my computer, I figured I might as well add it. It is a bit longer than the first chapter (not really chapters here, but I'll refer to them as such to simplify things), but that is because this is the first actual... well, story. I guess you could consider the first chapter an introduction of sorts. Anyways, I had fun writing this, and its one of the few things I've actually been satisfied with in a while.

Disclaimer: The following characters are the property of Mineko Ohkami.

Say My Name Softly

I was quietly cleaning up the house one afternoon while you napped in the bedroom. Now that I think about it, I was probably humming, occasionally wigging my butt in the way that never failed to draw a few small giggles from you. I always was rather silly for a demon, but it seems you brought the fool out in me.

I think I had just finished stoking the fire when I heard some soft noises coming from the bedroom. I paused my whole being and listened closely. A few more of the mysterious sounds reached my attentive ears; it almost sounded like somebody was whispering. I felt my excitement soar at the thought of you finally speaking. You seemed to be a silent and withdrawn person by nature, and I could tell just by looking into your eyes that you were afraid to talk, so I hadn't bothered you about talking at all.

My curiosity encouraged my feet to softly pad to the bedroom door so I could look through the crack in the doorway. I usually left the door slightly ajar to reassure you of my presence, but that day I was truly thankful that it had come to bear a more useful purpose.

Once my eyes had adequately adjusted to the darkness of the room, I noticed that you were sitting up and, oddly enough, positioned so that you were facing the headboard instead of the doorway. I carefully watched as you gripped the top of the headboard until your knuckles turned white and you placed your forehead against the cool wood. Worry skittered across my heart and a rushed blur of thoughts flashed through my mind. Were you ill? Did you just awake from a nightmare? Were you in pain? Were you having a breakdown?

My fears were assuaged as your knuckles and shoulders simultaneously relaxed and a deep sigh of frustration rushed out from your beautiful lips. You then took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled it as you pulled away from the headboard and sat up in a relaxed stance. That's when I heard those mysterious sounds again, only this time they were much more clear and I finally knew where they were coming from.

"Uh…ruh…" You spoke in the shakiest, most unsure voice I have ever heard. And that's when I realized that there was something I had been wrong about. Sure you were a quiet creature by nature, but it should have occurred to me how odd it was that you never spoke. I had merely assumed that you chose not to speak because of your characteristic shyness around me.

I suddenly felt utterly stupid; I had made yet another foolish assumption. I was good at that, even though you probably don't remember. Of course you had lost the ability, and probably the courage, to speak. After your ordeal, it made complete and total sense. Yet, I never did ask you about it after this incident to clear up things. It is most likely that you made the decision to cease talking for reasons that only you could know.

What happened next is something I will never forget. My heart must have skipped a few beats because one moment it felt motionless and the next it was rapidly beating against my chest. I had begun to think I had imagined the word you had uttered, but then, as if you had read my mind, you spoke once again.

"Rrr… rrraaaa… mmm. Rrraaamm." You seemed to cheer up considerably after that. In fact, you looked excited, an emotion I had never seen you display before.

And while you flopped onto your back, a content expression settling across your face and a small smile gracing your lips, my heart clenched up tightly with an emotion I hadn't felt in ages.

All you had done was said my name, your first word, but that was all it took. I was completely falling for you and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

The review button says, "Feed me! Rawr!"