-Late autumn-

* "Be cautious of your surroundings, woman."

That was the last thing he had said to me. Actually, that was the last time I ever saw him. 'But why is he going in there?'With whatever courage I had left, I followed him.

He had disappeared so quickly. 'Where did he go?'I thought anxiously.

"Hey, beautiful" said a gruff voice from behind me. I felt my heart twist. "You seem lost, sweetheart."

As I turned around, it was hard to see him in the shadows. But I could tell that he was enormous from his moonlit silhouette. "N-no, I'm not lost." I almost squeaked.

"Is that right?" I heard him lick his lips as he approached closer. I suddenly lost my voice. My eyes were beginning to tear up and my body shook tremendously...

'Escape, you fool' someone told me in my subconscious. It was… his voice."I-I actually go h-home this way, s-sometimes" I stuttered. Then I turned and began to slowly walk away. "S-so, I'll just be leaving n-"

"You're not going anywhere" he said in a venomous voice.

"G-get away from me!" I shouted on impulse, positioning myself defensively. 'Are you insane?' my mind shouted. "Run!"

"You've got some fire in ya… I like that." Then he pushed me hard against the fence and brought his face roughly to mine.

"Ow! No, stop it!" I screamed. I brought my arms to my face protectively while trying to fight him off. 'He's too strong…'Suddenly, I felt the relief of his weight from me and the sound of something crashing into the fence across.

"Do you know who you're messing with, you bastard?" the man roared. Then he grunted in pain.

"Do not place a sole finger on this woman again." I cautiously opened my eyes and noticed the man was clear of the way. Then my eyes locked on the person standing calmly in front of me.

Furiously, the man got up and charged towards us. "Get out of my way, you piece of sh-" But then he was cut off unexpectedly. I was able to make out a swift motion of a kick towards the man's face, causing him to fly backwards and landing forcefully onto the ground. I heard the sickening sound of him spitting out blood and the clattering of a few of his teeth.

"Did I not make myself clear?" He went back into his poised stance. "If you attempt to even set your foul eyes on her once more, I will obliterate you."

With a final spit, the man slowly stood up. "Next time…" he warned. Then he limped away, vanishing into the night.

'…What's going on?'I thought as I fell to my legs. I held myself tightly as I began to shudder uncontrollably. Then the tears began to fall…

All of a sudden, he scooped me off of the ground, taking us out of the dark. "What were you thinking?" he said sternly, catching me off guard. I glanced up at him with miserable eyes but he continued forward. "Do you desire to be implicated under these circumstances?"

I suddenly felt angry. "W-who do you think you are?" But as soon as the dim lights of the streets illuminated his face, I was momentarily speechless.

"Do not involve yourself with my affairs, woman" he said harshly, still without looking at me.

"What business could you possibly have in a place like that?" I pressed.

He ignored my question. "I'm taking you to your residence."

I frowned. "I can do that myself." And in a second, he placed me on my feet and began to walk away. "W-wait!" I called after him. I took one step and stumbled forward. He was at my side in an instant, catching me by the elbow.

He sighed. "Stop making a fuss" Then he lifted me back into his arms. "Now, lead me to your home." I pouted for a long time before finally pointing in the direction of my apartment. 'He's so bossy!'I thought, annoyed and he began to walk again.

While we were heading to my place, I tried my best to ignore him. But every so often, I would find myself glancing up. He always wore the same expression, impassive and withdrawn. Yet, his eyes told me otherwise; they were so expressive and full of wonder. "I can sense you looking at me" he said. I flushed like a tomato. "Is there something you wish to say?"

I crossed my arms. "I have nothing to say to you" I grumbled, looking away. 'That was embarrassing…!'

"Strange human you are" he said before stopping in his footsteps.

"Wh-what is it?" I asked, suddenly nervous.

"You reside here, correct?"

We had reached it so quickly. But it only took one glance and I couldn't believe my eyes. "My apartment… how did you know?" He just looked at me. Then I glared at him with rising suspicions. "Are you stalking me?"

"Do you insist on being taken back to the alleyway and forced to crawl?" he threatened.

I panicked. "No! Please! I'm very thankful! Please, d-don't…" I felt like crying again. He closed his eyes and sighed heavily before walking up the many stairs.

The feeling of relief washed over me as my front door came into view. Then unexpectedly, he stopped and placed me on my feet. I turned to him with pleading eyes but he just looked away. I calculated the distance from the door. 'Just a few steps…'I thought. But the moment I walked forward, I knew I would probably lose my balance again.

And I did… but just as I expected too, he caught me. I bet he was trying to make me look like a fool, at least I felt like one... Even though I could feel his chest against my back and his hands on my hips, he held me firmly in place while making my heart race shamefully. *

Her face colored in many shades of red. "Y-you should stay the night" she offered after we settled into her household.

"That would be unnecessary."

"But, it's late!" she continued persistently. "I don't want you to walk in the dark and cold, alone."

"I am entirely capable." I looked at her with skepticism. "What is your purpose?"

She looked towards the floor, embarrassed. "It's the least I can do..."

I sighed. "Enough with the gratitude" I concluded. "I will stay for the night, if that is your wish." Her eyes were suddenly large and unblinking. "Or have you overlooked your decision?"

She shook her head, reddening once more. "No, please stay."

I opened my eyes and stared into the night. I repeated the evening in my mind continuously… before turning to the woman sleeping at my side.

I could not deny that I was enticed by her… By her innocent outlook, her pleading cries, her stubborn demeanour, her mindless intuition and her courageous virtue. It was all highly… contagious. 'You are impressive, woman.'

She slowly walked towards me with beddings in her hand. "They're for you."

I took them and positioned them on the living room floor. As I went beneath the sheets, she had not stirred once. Then she began to fidget with her fingers. "Is something the matter?

She looked down timidly. "I-if you don't mind, I'd like to sleep beside you for the night."

I looked up to her. "There is nothing to fear" I reassured.

Then her eyes met mine. "I'm not afraid" she said with certainty in her words.

Throughout the night, she had unconsciously eased her way towards me. She was fragrant and her skin was akin to velvet. I brushed away the strands that fell across her face. 'She never removes them…'I thought as a hairpin caught my eye. Then I touched it with my fingertips.

"Promise?"

I looked back to the woman who was still in a deep slumber. I felt my chest constrict as I placed my lips against the bareness of her head.

And at that very moment, I was convinced.

"See you soon" she said.