-Chapter 9-

Rosa rushed through the brush growling at herself for being so late.

'Why am I always getting into fights with that jerkface' She thought as she stopped by a large hollowed out tree.

Rosa dug her arm into its depths and pulled out a bundle of clothing... lavender robes

The truth was Tye was from a different clan... and he didn't know that she was a rogue demon... better yet a rogue kitsune.

other than Youko those were basically unheard of.

Rosa ducked into the nearby bush and changed quickly hiding her weapon and pulling her hair into a high ponytail

She knelled by the edge of a nearby stream.

' I have to try and wash off some of this muck... damn fire butt had to be so obnoxious' Rosa thought as she scrubbed her face clean

looking at herself in the reflection she could barely recognize herself. There was the woman her mother wanted... her clan wanted.... but that she couldn't truly be.

... why was she trying to pretend for Tye?

Rosa sighed inwardly as she thought about her deceitful behavior - if Tye ever found out she was the infamous fire-kit he would taunt her and pass her by just like the rest of her unforgiving race.

The truth was she liked him.... she really liked him.

Tye was the only demon outside her family that made her feel wanted... and to be honest she didn't feel like her family wanted her all the time either...

she hadn't seen them in over 2 years and the search parties had stopped.

maybe because they thought she was dead... or maybe because they realized her disappearance was a blessing in disguise.

Rosa shook her head at these thoughts - she didn't know the answer and to be honest she really didn't want the opportunity to find out.

Rosa turned suddenly to the rustling of branches, she felt her cheeks burn red when she realized who it was.

Out stepped a tall kitsune. His short light brown hair was decorated by two dark chocolate fox ears along with a matching tail. He wore dark green robes - which were traditional for kitsunes. The evergreen color of his clothing complimented his pastel green eyes which shone brightly through the forest.

The man looked towards Rosa and smiled softly.

"I see you came," The man stepped towards the small fox demon as Rosa tried to become composed

"yes...sorry I am late I got caught up with some... chores. How are you Tye?"

Tye stepped closer to the young fox demon and took her hands in his, Rosa blushed a deeper shade of scarlet and turned away from this gesture

"I am much better now that I get to see you - you look more radiant then ever... have you been getting my letters - I left them as you instructed, in the large oak tree."

Rosa nodded eagerly at this question and pulled out the letter she had received from Youko earlier.

"Yes of course - I apologize for the inconvenience but I fear that my clan would disapprove since your clan is not a part of our social circle."

Rosa was good.

very good... at lying

Even though she did not fit in her clan socially, she did know the inner and outer workings of their allies - she knew which clans were very social, and which ones were more solitary... and Tye's clan just so happened to be one of the most unsociable

he would never figure out what clan she was from - or question her judgment on the matter.

Rosa kept all details about her clan out of equation... if he found out where she was from - surely Tye would do his research and realize that the well known rebellious fire fox princess had "disappeared" only a few years earlier...thankfully the handsome kitsune didn't know the princess's name.

Tye nodded in understanding

"Yes I do realize that- please don't be upset about the secrecy... It's actually rather thrilling," Rosa smirked internally to this comment - she agreed.

"Of course, how have you been Tye? Have you been to the city lately?"

She knew he hadn't - The truth was she had met Tye while she was in the city about 6 months ago running "errands"

Youko had insisted she drop off some artifacts to a friend of his in the city while he was on a large raid with the rest of his crew.... and he made her dress in the traditional robes of the kitsunes - so she wouldn't cause attention.

Youko told her the errands paid for her "rent", but she knew he secretly enjoyed tormenting her by making her dress like a normal kitsune

'damn older brother' Rosa thought to herself as she waited for Tye's response.

"No, I have been busy with other things... my father is teaching me his trade and is pushing me to find a mate,"

Rosa's felt her heart flutter at these words.

"Oh?" Rosa asked rather innocently hoping this would press Tye to give further details.

"Yes and..." Tye leaned in closer pulling Rosa's face upward staring at her intently with his lime green eyes... his lips only a breath away from her own

"It has been very difficult to do so when all I can think about is you," Rosa felt her body quiver at this declaration and she pulled away from the taller kitsune, turning her back to the man.

Tye frowned.

It was what Rosa wanted to hear - but she knew that Tye couldn't be with her - who was she kidding.

"Did I say something wrong?" Tye asked worried he had offended the young girl.

Rosa turned around, her arms crossed over her small frame.

"No... no of course not. It's just you... should really focus on your... duties," Tye had a stern look upon his features as he stepped closer to the small demon.

"I am - Rosa... I was wondering if you would.... well - to be frank I am rather taken with you and - I was wondering if you would wait for me,"

Rosa ruffled her brow in confusing at the question.

"Wait?"

"Yes..." Tye stepped closer.

"Wait for me to become a part of society... perhaps I can change our social circle and.... we could be together... publically, Rosa - I can't imagine choosing someone else," Rosa's eyes widened at this inquiry.

he wanted her - and not just in secret... possibly as his mate.

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Youko grumbled to himself as he stared out the window towards the sun.

It was slowly disappearing beneath the horizon... Rosa had been gone since early that afternoon.

He hated her being gone this long - especially when he knew she was probably doing something very foolish.

meeting Tye.

Kuroune watched his partner from a distance - he was stewing over that child being late - again.

"Has it not crossed your mind that maybe this "boy" is a good thing... perhaps he is actually smitten with her. If he is a kitsune then you know Rosa must recognize that she has to act properly,"

Youko chuckled at this and shook his head at his friend's judgment.

" Honestly Kuroune I believe you would say anything to get one extra second with my sister not in tow... you know she has been quite an asset lately - she's even saved your hide a few times if I remember correctly." Kuroune grumbled at this

Damn kitsune.

The two demons turned to the sound of rattling as Rosa disarmed herself, placing her weapon on the table beside her.

"I see you are waiting up for me... why am I not surprised" Rosa stated with a sigh as she watched her brother roll his eyes.

"You know I don't like it when I don't know where you are Rosalina - frolicking around with this "boy" that I know nothing about, how can you expect me NOT to worry," Rosa groaned in agitation from her brother's rant.

"You treat me like a child Youko"

"You ARE a child"

Rosa huffed stomped past her brother in aggravation.

' he is never going to change....damn you Youko Kurama'

"Well you just think about that the next time I save your butt brother"

Rosa heard her brother chuckle at her statement as she ascended the stairs.

' boys' Rosa thought as she entered her room that Youko had instructed she stay in a little over a year ago.

she plopped down onto her bed and stared at the ceiling dreamily, a large goofy smile on her face

'...Tye.'