Kakeru helped Emiko to the clearing. By his own insisting, he had carried the food and helped her along. He refused to let the beautiful, fragile girl beside him do anything. He knew it was probably a little sexist of him, but he wasn't pulling the 'I'm a male so I'm better and stronger and women can't do anything' card. But he looked at her and he saw her as a delicate treasure. He didn't really know why. She just struck a cord in him.

He helped her to sit in the long grass, next to a small stream that ran through the clearing. He knelt beside her, helping to spread the food out. He kept his gaze on the food, grateful for his chocolate hair covering his sight of her. Every now and then, her pale hands entered his vision, moving something, or delicately plucking some meat from the duck.

Kakeru ate sparingly, a bite here, a bite there, letting her eat her fill before trying to eat anything himself.

Emiko watched Kakeru curiously. She'd heard rumors about him that interested her. Everyone said he created things. Of course they also said he was a killer and other insane things. What interested her the most was that he created things. She finished taking a few choice pieces from the duck before licking the juices off her fingers. "Kakeru?" she asked softly "I heard something from the villagers.. and I was wondering if it was true"

Kakeru had watched her lick the meat juice from her fingers, his body tensing at the question. He knew the villagers said many strange things about him, some of them touching to close to home. He allowed himself a small smile "But of course, ask away, my dear" he only hoped it wasn't one of the worse ones.

"I heard you like to create things"

"You heard correct, my dear" he smiled, relieved that this had been the subject she had chosen "I have a small hut not far from here where I test my ideas. Would you like to see?" It was a generous offer since he never allowed anyone to see his hide out.

Emiko smiled, nodding twice. Kakeru rose from the ground and dusted himself off before offering a hand to her. She accepted gratefully and he pulled her to her feet gently. As before, he guided her at a leisurely pace towards his little hut.

He glanced at her from time to time. She seemed to be almost infatuated with the forest and the comfort it provided. Some of her joy must have seeped into him because he felt indescribably happy. It was better than the brief satisfaction that one of his experiments had succeeded. The thrill there had worn off a while back. It was good to know his projects worked, but then again, very few of them ever failed so it had become second nature. It was nothing compared to this thrill.

Only one thing could ruin this moment; his thirst. He heaved a sigh as his fangs began to lust for the blood he could sense. It was just beneath her creamy skin, so close he could almost taste it. He felt confused for a moment. He'd craved blood before, but it was never this strong. For now he could only ignore it.

From seemingly nowhere, the hut had appeared. He'd been so consumed by his thoughts that he hadn't seen it. Kakeru recovered in a millisecond, bowing and opening the sliding door to her.

Emiko stepped inside, her breath taken away by the models around her. She knelt by one model he'd created to try different irrigation. It was composed of a small box filled with dirt shaped to look like the fields. Water ran into it supported by small pitchers of water that were refilled each day. Emiko smiled up at Kakeru, who had closed the door and stood politely by it, a smile on his lips. "This is amazing" she said, looking back at it "This could really help us... especially with the drought. You should present it to the village elder" she encouraged.

"I made it especially because of the drought" he moved to her side, lightly accepting her compliment and considering the possibility. "Its designed to retain water in the pasture so that less water is needed" he was pleased that she'd enjoyed the model, and now, he was considering taking it to the elders to propose it.

Emiko looked at another model a few feet away. It was a small sack that was being held in the air by a small flame under it. "Whats this?"

Kakeru followed her gaze "Ah, a possible mode of transportation, if I could figure the rest of it out" he smiled. "And if not, perhaps it could be an entertaining toy for children to pass the time with"

One by one Emiko looked over the models in the room, giving high praise of all of them, even if she couldn't understand what they did. "So is this your job?" she asked as she examined the last of the models "You make things to help the village?"

Kakeru chuckled "No.. I help my parents on their fields. Though my father wishes me to help the blacksmith"

A small blush crossed Emiko's face as she imagined him in the forge. Shirtless, sweat coating his upper torso as his muscled arm wielded a hammer to help shape a sword. It was a tempting thought. But one that crossed her mind randomly. She had no idea why. She blushed more as his voice brought her back to reality. He had asked her if she was alright and was watching her in concern. Had she really zoned out that much? "I'm alright" she smiled.

Kakeru's garnet eyes still showing concern for her well being, but he accepted her reply. "The sun is setting. I dread the thought of saying goodbye, however you should get home. Come, I'll walk you back" he bowed politely, offering his hand "If you'll allow me"

She smiled and slipped her hand in his "Of course. And perhaps.. we could see each other tomorrow, if you aren't busy?" she asked, stepping outside. The setting sun had bathed the forest in a beautiful red light, tinted at times with gold. Emiko stood, drinking in the sight before her while Kakeru closed the door behind them.

Kakeru turned to look at the forest. It was on fire with the setting sun. But in his eyes, the girl watching it was more beautiful. Her gold hair glittered with the colors around her, as did the rest of her. He moved to her side, placing a gentle hand on her back. "Come, my dear. The forest will not remain on fire for long. And we must get you home before the colors fade."

She nodded, his words and the way he spoke always sounded like poetry. She listened to his every word eagerly, loving the way his calm voice spoke. He began to guide her down a small, narrow forest path, his hand still pressed against her back. "Who made this path?" she asked. She'd never noticed any sort of path leading to or from the village except for the main roads.

"I did" he replied simply."It was only ever made for one.." he continued "You see, you are the first person besides myself, to ever see my little workshop"

"Oh?" she looked up at him in surprise. Her gaze softened "I feel honored then, that you allowed me to see such a rare and wonderful sight"

He smiled and bowed his head "I must admit, it was a pleasant sight, seeing you look everything over." they emerged from the path behind a house. To be more exact, it was Kakeru's house. He ignored the back of the building and escorted Emiko around it.

"Your inventions are amazing" she smiled, committing to memory where the path was.

"Thank you" he looked around the village, realizing he didn't know where she lived "Perhaps you could do me the honor of pointing me in the right direction?" he requested. He followed the way she pointed. He kept the pace slow and calm, enjoying the fading light. His pace quickened ever so slightly so as to get her home before the sun was completely gone.

Finally at the door of her home, he took her hand, placing a gentle kiss on her knuckles. He raised his eyes to look into hers. Thus, needless to say, it startled him, when she leaned forward, pecking his lips lightly with her own.

He stood dumbstruck as she hurried inside, startled by the sudden kiss. And now, he wanted her blood more than ever.