They're well into this curse by now and have settled into a routine of stowing Maya away like a pet they're not allowed to keep... Up next is Kaoruko's turn, and she might be just as mischevious as the fox spirit herself~

Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.

Chapter 9. To Relax

When Claudine wakes the next morning, there's a slight soreness in her back. As her consciousness gradually rouses itself, she realizes it's a somewhat familiar ache. When she finally has sense enough, she recognizes Maya's arms around her, and her nails digging lightly into her back.

And normally, Claudine probably wouldn't have minded it at all, even when she was sporting longer, sharper claws. But when they've been pressed in like this all night, it starts sending little shockwaves of pain shooting through her.

It's early morning, just before her alarm, so she takes her time in moving away from the sleeping Maya. She flinches more than once, muscles aching slightly, but she still makes sure to remove Maya's arms gently and place them down on the bed in a comfortable position. She can tell Maya is worn out from last night, because her ears don't even flick this morning as Claudine leaves her.

But as she's tucking Maya into bed, she's satisfied to only count five tails left.

And again it's the usual process of bringing back breakfast for her, going to classes, bringing back lunch, returning to school for afternoon classes, staying after for extra training, bringing Maya back supper, and then completing her assignments, bathing, and dancing with her before bed.

Presently, as they dance, Claudine goes over the moves they have been practicing so far this week, ignoring the aches in her back as she does so. Her muscles had been a bit sore during classes today too, but she'd pushed the pain away and refused to allow it to hinder her performance. Even now, she moves with vigor as she and Maya dance.

"Hold on," Claudine stops her. "The angle is a bit different here. Try it like this." She demonstrates a shift in her weight, and Maya follows perfectly. Claudine huffs a bit. "Leave it to Tendo Maya to get it perfect on the first try."

Maya chuckles.

"Only because I have such a skilled teacher."

"Mechante…"

They continue dancing, as they've still got about half an hour before curfew when Kaoruko should be coming.

Maya and Claudine dance around the room and go over various routines. But Maya does recall how Claudine had overworked herself yesterday, and she wants to be more mindful of her partner tonight. She plans to call their lessons off a bit earlier this evening, perhaps after one more spin.

Maya takes the lead from her casually, chuckling as Claudine huffs, but lets her have it. Extending her arm, Maya lets Claudine step out across the room while keeping hold of her hand. And then, with a tug, she pulls her back in in one swift motion, locking her arm tightly around Claudine's back and bringing her close with a bit of vigor. It's an ending they've done countless times together before, one they were both acquainted with as naturally as breathing air.

But this time, Maya notices a faint gasp on Claudine's part, something her keen ears pick up on right away. And as she holds Claudine close against her chest, Maya's sharpened senses can also detect faint jolts of discomfort shooting through her. She feels it in her veins as well as in the fur of her tails, a heightened awareness thanks to Tamamo-no-Mae. Startled, Maya helps her straighten up right away.

"Claudine? Is something the matter?"

Claudine shakes her head, but eases away from her a little.

"It's nothing. My back's just been a bit sore today, that's all."

"My apologies." Maya quickly releases her firm hold on Claudine's back, though she still keeps ahold of her hand. Her ears droop dejectedly. Claudine pouts.

"Oh, don't give me that. It isn't your fault my back hurts, you know."

Maya could always detect when she was lying, but now that she has Tamamo-no-Mae, it's all the more obvious. She can sense the way Claudine's body temperature rises a bit, and hear the way her pulse picks up. Maya's chest tightens.

"But it is, isn't it? Was it because of-?" She looks down at her hands - her claws - and then back to her partner. Claudine shakes her head vigorously.

"That's not it!" she huffs, but Maya knows she's lying.

"I'm sorry. Perhaps I should sleep on the floor tonight-"

"Hey." Claudine grabs both of Maya's hands, claws and all, and squeezes them. "No guest of mine who's possessed is going to be sleeping on the floor, do you hear me?"

"But-"

"This is my room, so I make the rules," Claudine declares. Then her eyes soften, and a smile forms on her lips. "I'm fine, Maya. Really. It isn't your fault."

Maya's throat feels tight all of a sudden. She can't help but pull Claudine close into a soft hug. Claudine returns the embrace, patting through Maya's hair softly.

"We're halfway through this," she murmurs. "Then you'll be able to hold me as tightly as you want again."

Maya's heart aches at her words, and she almost wants to cry. Slowly, she brings Claudine to the bed and sits with her, still keeping both arms around her. She rubs her hands up and down her back in apology, pressing her palms in to massage her sore muscles. In turn, Claudine pats her back as well, for reassurance more than anything.

They remain like this for a while, and even Tamamo-no-Mae is quiet, as she understands Maya's earnest desire to ensure her beloved partner is all right. Claudine hardly even feels the aches in her back anymore, and before long, Maya doesn't sense the waves of pain coming off of her anymore either. Easing back, Maya leaves her with a soft kiss to the cheek just as a rapid knocking comes at the door, followed by a snide voice.

"So sorry to interrupt whatever might be going on in there, but it's time to get moving," Kaoruko calls softly.

Claudine huffs as she lets Maya go.

"That girl has no tact whatsoever…"

Maya chuckles softly and starts getting to her feet.

"Allow me to accompany her before she becomes too impatient."

Claudine nods.

"Have fun. But not too much fun."

"Hm? What could that mean?"

"Nothing…"

Maya's ears flick as she detects Claudine's pulse thumping quicker, and a bit of heat wafting off of her again. She can decipher right away that she's feeling a bit jealous. Maya has no idea what is in store for her tonight, but now she's all the more curious.

Even so, just to reassure Claudine, Maya bends down to kiss the top of her head.

"Please get some rest. I will return before you know it."

"Just get going already."

"As you wish."

As Claudine pulls her legs up onto the bed to start getting situated, Maya puts on her indoor slippers and heads to the door, where she can hear Kaoruko tapping her foot impatiently. When Maya opens it, Kaoruko heaves a dramatic sigh.

"Finally! What took you so long? Were you and Kuro-han really engaged in something that complicated?"

"Not at all." Maya closes the door so Claudine won't get anymore flustered than she already is at Kaoruko's comment. Tamamo-no-Mae rumbles with interest, already taking a liking to Kaoruko's mischievous personality. Kaoruko gives her a once-over, grimacing a bit as she does so.

"I just can't get used to the ears and tails," she mumbles. "It really is as though you're wearing a costume, only they move… This whole situation is quite preposterous."

"The same could be said for our ReLives and revues."

"I suppose you have a point. Anyway, let's get going. I want to see one of those disappear for myself." Kaoruko offers her hand, and Maya blinks curiously. Kaoruko elaborates. "So you don't go running off. If I lose sight of you, I'll never hear the end of it."

So Maya humors her and accepts her hand.

In the hallways, Kaoruko isn't quite as stealthy as Karen or Hikari tried to be, nor is she as tactful as Mahiru or Futaba. Instead, she's a bit jumpy and hesitant to turn each corner, constantly mumbling to herself about having to babysit instead of getting her beauty sleep.

Both Maya and Tamamo-no-Mae find it immensely amusing, and have to hold back many bouts of chuckles. She doesn't bother to tell Kaoruko that she could easily hear if anyone were coming, because Kaoruko is trying her hardest in her own way to make this work.

After a few minutes, it becomes clear that their destination is within the dorms tonight, and Maya has a theory long before Kaoruko brings them to a halt.

"Ah, here we are! And we've arrived undetected, thanks to my superior lookout skills."

They have arrived at none other than the communal bath and changing rooms. Now Maya understands Claudine's slight jealousy. With a smug sigh, Kaoruko releases Maya's hand and saunters forward.

"Our objective tonight is to relax. I'm certain even Tamamo-no-Mae-han can appreciate the benefits of good grooming, yes?"

Maya feels an accepting energy from the fox.

"It would seem she is content with this idea."

"Excellent. Then let's get started. After you, Tendo-han."

Maya dips her head as she passes Kaoruko and heads into the changing rooms. They turn on just one light and stand farthest from the entrance to be safe, then begin to disrobe.

Maya can feel Kaoruko's eyes wandering, mainly because she's just so curious about the tails. Maya picks up a large towel, and once Kaoruko is ready and has hers, they head into the baths together.

Maya can see perfectly fine, but for Kaoruko's safety in traversing the slick tile barefoot, she takes hold of her hand again until they can flick on a light switch. The large, empty bathroom area and washing stations open up before them.

"Ah~" Kaoruko sighs. "Isn't this quite nice? Having the place all to ourselves when we shouldn't even be here~"

Her saying it out loud gives the fox all the more pleasure, and her tails swish. Maya herself has to admit it's a bit exciting to be having a midnight bath.

"I don't think I've ever see this place completely empty," she murmurs.

"Right? Maybe we should do this more often~"

"I would have to advise against it."

"Poo, you're no fun. No matter, let's at least enjoy it for tonight then." Kaoruko sashays over to a washing station and takes a seat on one of the stools to start lathering shampoo in her hair. Maya follows suit, starting with the length of her hair rather than the top, just so she won't aggravate the fox's ears. Kaoruko eyes her curiously.

"I've been wondering…" she mumbles. "Tendo-han, Tamamo-no-Mae-han didn't transform your ears into her own, yes? You still have yours, and she just added her own elsewhere." Kaoruko points to the top of Maya's head. "So then, which set of ears does the listening?"

Maya pauses in her lathering for a moment.

"I hadn't fully considered that before… But it seems the majority of sound is picked up by Tamamo-no-Mae's ears. My own seem to be at rest for the time being."

"I see…" Kaoruko gives herself a shake. "How strange… And you can really move those tails, hm?"

"At times," Maya answers. "Sometimes I can move them, and sometimes it's Tamamo-no-Mae who will."

"This is all so complicated… my head hurts."

"I suppose it is difficult for an outside party to understand," Maya says. "But for me, it all makes perfect sense, even if it's confusing at times."

Kaoruko just gives her an incredulous look, but quickly changes the subject.

"Anyway, are you finished with your hair? I'll do the rest."

"Eh? That won't be-"

"Oh, please. You can't possibly wash all of that fur by yourself. Do you want to anger Tamamo-no-Mae-han by letting her get fleas?"

"Hanayagi-san, I don't think-"

"Just be quiet. I'm doing it."

Kaoruko gets up to stand behind her, using a bit of leftover shampoo to start massaging Maya's head. Maya stiffens a little bit, and the fox shies away from Kaoruko's touch, ears flattening. But when Kaoruko's fingers do eventually touch the base of her ears, she does so lightly. Slowly, Maya's fox ears lift back up again, and she closes her eyes with a sigh. Kaoruko smirks.

"See? I'm an expert at this. I learned from Futaba-han, after all."

"Indeed…" Maya murmurs. "You are quite good, Hanayagi-san."

Kaoruko hums smugly. She washes Maya's hair and ears for a moment longer, then fills a pail with warm water before rinsing her off. She then gets to scrubbing Maya's back for her, though it's a bit difficult with the tails constantly swaying in her face. Kaoruko has to keep spitting fur away from her lips, so Maya moves all five tails as far to her front as possible, holding onto as many of them as she can to keep out of her classmate's way.

As Kaoruko washes her down, Maya can't help but make a comment.

"Hanayagi-san, I wasn't aware that you were so skilled at this."

"Of course I am!" Kaoruko whines. "Just because Futaba-han is always doing it for me doesn't mean I never do it back, you know."

"Of course."

"Now then, give me those tails."

"We'll be in your care."

In spite of the fact that Tamamo-no-Mae likes Kaoruko's mischievous energy, she is a bit hesitant to give her tails to her. But Maya encourages the fox to trust her, and she soon relents.

Kaoruko cleans off each of her five tails with care, probably as thoughtfully as Claudine did. But of course Maya is a bit biased toward her partner, so she'll always prefer her.

And yet Kaoruko is certainly a very close second, which admittedly surprises her a bit. She always lathers the soap and runs her hands through the fur in the correct direction, and uses perfectly warm water to rinse. Maya feels the fox's satisfaction and relaxation as strongly as she feels her own.

Kaoruko tends to each tail, then takes Maya's towel and runs it over them to get off any excess fur to wash down the drain. When she's completely finished, she puts her hands on her hips with an accomplished hum.

"That should do. I'm exhausted…"

Maya chuckles, turning back to catch her eye.

"Hanayagi-san, both Tamamo-no-Mae and I offer our gratitude."

"That's fine. Just don't tell anyone else about this or else they'll make me wash their backs for them too…"

"Very well. It may be our little secret."

"Good. Then let's go soak for a bit, shall we?"

Leaving her towel on her stool, Kaoruko spins around and heads to the large heated bath, tying her hair into a messy bun on the way. Maya follows more slowly, taking time to gather her hair up as well and tie it. She can only hope all the loose fur has come off her tails already, because if the girls found any in their bath the next morning, there would surely be chaos. Just to be certain, Maya runs her hand across each of the tails, and is satisfied to find no fur shed.

Slowly, she steps in beside Kaoruko, who had already submerged herself and gotten to sighing in bliss. As Maya sits beside her, she has to admit there is a very different feeling about bathing at night. The water soaks into her tails as she leans back against them a bit. Kaoruko's already closed her eyes and sunk down up to her chin.

"Huaaaah, this is so nice~ No one running around causing a ruckus or making us feel pressured to get out…"

"I agree," Maya says. "However, there is a much bigger risk of getting into trouble if we get caught at this hour."

"Oh, you're right. Well if anyone comes in, just hold your breath and duck. And make sure all the tails go with you. I'll cover you as best I can."

"I appreciate it very much."

"So how has it been, having to sleep all day and be cooped up? I'll bet you're slowly losing your mind not being able to dance."

"Sometimes it does feel that way," Maya admits. "However, Saijou-san does an excellent job in teaching me what I've missed each evening."

"That's good. I'm sure you've noticed that Kuro-han has been a bit more stressed out than the rest of us lately. Please do take care of her."

Maya puts a hand to her chest and dips forward.

"But of course."

The two of them soak for a while longer in the warm water, quietly discussing the current lectures or whatever else Maya has been missing. Finally, Kaoruko begins to yawn and deems it time to get out.

"While this has been quite fun, beauty sleep is imperative for girls like us."

"Of course."

They leave the bath, and not a single piece of fur is left behind.

After drying off and getting dressed, they dry their hair and tails manually, as the hair dryers would make far too much noise at this hour. After making sure everything is tidied up and that there's no trace they were here, they head back out into the hallway.

And just as they turn off the changing room light, there's a sudden poof of dust. Kaoruko yelps softly and quickly covers her mouth.

"Kya! It really disappeared!"

"Yes." Maya looks back to find only four tails left now. "That means Tamamo-no-Mae was more than happy with tonight's adventure. As you said, hygiene is crucial for all living things, and she is definitely a fox who values it."

"Well I'm glad," Kaoruko says with another yawn. "Now let's hope she values sleeping as well…"

"Without a doubt."

By now, the late hour and the heat of the warm bath has made Kaoruko groggy, so Maya does the honors of taking her hand to guide her back through the hallways to her door. When they arrive, Kaoruko can't even keep her eyes open any longer. Maya gives her a nudge.

"Hanayagi-san? We've arrived."

"Hm? That's nice…"

Maya chuckles, squeezing her hand.

"Thank you very much for tonight. Relaxing is a very valuable lesson as well."

"If only the world could understand that." Kaoruko slumps against her door, fumbling for the handle. "Goodnight, Tendo-han, Tamamo-no-Mae-han."

"Goodnight, Hanayagi-san."

"Mm… Futaba-haaaaan, I'm coming into your bed…"

"Haaah…?"

Maya watches Kaoruko stumble in, waking her roommate in the process as she heads toward Futaba, and then the door closes behind her.

Maya wastes no more time in returning to her own temporary roommate. When she enters, she finds Claudine lying half-asleep on her back, blinking up at the canopy of her bed. As Maya walks in, Claudine turns her head, pouting slightly.

"It's about time."

Maya removes her slippers and joins her on the bed right away, curling her arms around Claudine.

"I suppose I was gone a bit longer tonight. I apologize if you were worried."

"Not really… I just couldn't sleep, thinking about what Kaoruko might be doing, messing around with you…"

Maya has to physically restrain herself from making a tease about her being jealous; she wants Claudine to relax now, not get more riled up.

"Believe it or not, Hanayagi-san was quite skilled with tending to Tamamo-no-Mae's ears and tails." She specifically mentions the fox's name so Claudine won't have to know how much Kaoruko touched her as well. Claudine turns onto her side to move closer to Maya and huffs.

"That's good… and the tails?"

"Only four remain."

Claudine makes a satisfied grunt. As she cuddles up closer, Maya is more mindful of her nails than usual, keeping her grip on Claudine's back loose and only using her palms. But Claudine gives another huff.

"You smell nice."

"Thank you very much."

"I'm cold, so hug me tighter."

It's just impossible for Maya to deny that request.

"Very well." She pulls Claudine in tighter, and Claudine wraps both arms around her, nuzzling against her neck. Maya can tell she really hadn't slept, as she'd been too flustered letting Maya bathe with Kaoruko alone at night.

"I assure you," Maya coos. "No infidelities were committed."

"Like I care…" she mumbles. But Maya can detect the relief in her pulse. She kisses Claudine's forehead.

"Only a few nights to go," she murmurs. "And Tamamo-no-Mae will be satisfied enough to leave me."

"Tomorrow night is Junna's turn…" Claudine mumbles, fading off. "Then Nana… and…"

She doesn't finish, because sleep takes her.

Maya cards through her hair, thinking it quite precious how Claudine was only able to fall asleep now that she knew Maya was back with her, and no longer needed to be jealous of her spending a night-bath alone with someone else.

Maya can't stop smiling just to know Claudine thinks of her like that. She's known it for some time of course, but rarely does Claudine ever display such a cute side of herself like this.

Maya senses the fox settling as a stillness comes over her mind. With a sigh, Maya takes care with her claws, curling them into Claudine's nightgown instead of her back, then closes her eyes.

Her dreams tonight are of foxes playing in a wide, clear stream.

A/N: Right away I knew Kaoruko had to have the bath chapter due to the scene of her and Maya in the anime. She's the person Maya is arguably closest to of the group, second of course only to Claudine, so a more intimate setting fit for the two of them. Plus, I can't see Kaoruko being good at teaching any other sort of lesson other than laid-back relaxation.

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