Well isn't this a big surprise? Me updating in a week? With a double length chapter? I do believe that the apocalypse has come early. All joking aside I found some extra time this week to tool around with Tao and before I knew it I had successfully created a double length chapter that should satisfy those who want comedy, romance, and drama all in the same place at the same time. But as usual I have begun to ramble on so please, I hope you enjoy this next chapter of Tao and the Art of Love. Please review but most of all please have a good time!
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Chapter 9: Growing Pains
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~REBEL 9: START~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Would I like to what?"
"I asked if you would care to join me for a little mission Kagimaru, a gathering of some of the local herbs and plant life for an old friend of mine."
"Sure, I guess I-"
"Tao is coming too!"
If one were to ask Kagimaru he would say that the past few weeks had been rather interesting to say the least.
It all began with a bang when Tao came back to the infirmary hours after storming out, her heavy paw slamming the door with an ear shattering smash and her eyes landing upon a very interesting scene. Torakaka, lost in her incredibly uncharacteristic gushing, had grabbed hold of Kagimaru despite his injuries and had pressed him face first into her chest, being completely unaware of his pleas for breath as well as his sense of decency. Later she would blame her over exuberance on the extra strong catnip bath she had taken earlier, or perhaps it was the oddly flavored fish that she ate for breakfast. In any case Kagimaru was quickly losing oxygen and permanent bone structure the longer Tora embraced him. However in the midst of her crushing grip Kagimaru found a slight second to turn, his back now facing Tora as he gasped for air.
At first Kagimaru was thankful that he had been able to turn around in Tora's grasp, his face no longer drowning in Tora's jacketed cleavage and thus allowing him a considerable amount of breathing room despite her iron grip around his chest. However, the moment the door was thrown open to the huffing and puffing Tao, Kagimaru felt a red hot flush flood his cheeks as his mind was engulfed in the turmoil of hope over despair. Either Tao would save him from potential suffocation and worsening injuries or she would murder him for the easily mistakable position that he was in.
In a blur of tan Kagimaru found himself in a completely different yet eerily similar situation he had been just a few moments ago, buried face first into a very soft and warm jacket while a pair of arms wrapped around him tightly. Sure enough, Tao had not only embraced Kagimaru and began to apologize for being, as she put it, a 'meanie' but Tao had been caught up in her apologies that she neglected to tear the still gushing Tora off of Kagimaru first. While Tora's arms continued to crush Kagimaru's sore ribs from behind Tao buried his head into her jacket, his face falling directly in line with her chest as she enthusiastically asked for forgiveness. It was only a matter of time before Kagimaru felt darkness begin to leak into his vision, his consciousness leaving him as the grip of sleep enveloped his entirety.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Spatial Rend Roar of Time~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Much later Kagimaru awoke with a jolt, his entire body jumping back to the world of the living as he cast a quick glance around. It was easy to deduce that nightfall had come to pass; the room was a deep inky black showing that even in the very depths of Kagatsuchi the cycle of day and night continued to rule above one and all. Yet, it was the second thing he felt that would affect much more of his situation than the time of day. What he felt was a weight, a heavy and warm object that was laying across his body in a rather haphazard and sprawled way. It only took a few minutes and a purring snore that told the tale of what was on him, it was Taokaka no doubt about it.
Kagimaru chuckled warmly amidst the shadows of the room, his head shaking slightly as he gently reached out for the slumbering Kaka. With a light touch Kagimaru felt the thick fabric of Tao's jacket, the slightly ragged material giving way to the gentle press of Kagimaru's fingers. Beneath the coat Kagimaru could feel Tao's body, her otherwise unnatural biology prompting her internal workings to produce heat at a much higher rate than a normal human being. It was something that had first confused Kagimaru, a hug from Tao routinely causing him to over heat from her warmth prompting him to ask Litchi about the cause.
After being given information about Kaka biology by Dr. Litchi, Kagimaru had come to understand and expect the heat that radiated from Tao, her temperature normally rising to levels that Kagimaru would believe to be a severe illness. Yet, in a way Kagimaru could understand Tao's radiance, her energy and personality easily reflecting this unique phenomenon. A solar flare personified and given cat ears and a tail, it was enough to cause a warm smile and a soft chuckle from the still wounded man.
It was this innocent Kaka that he had fought the monster Arakune to defend; this was the warm little spark in his life that he had met only on a wonderful and incredibly lucky chance. This insane, naive, ridiculous, beautiful, and utterly enthralling girl had definitely caught his attention and, as Dr. Litchi had joked with him not too long ago, his heart as well. His smile brightened and heat flooded from his chest to his face, a blush burning bright in the shadows of the night as he gently started to cradle the energetic Tao closer...
"Nya..." the soft voice startled Kagimaru, his hand pulling away from Tao as if she were made of molten steel. As Kagimaru removed his limb Tao started to move, her gleaming crimson eyes never once opening as she pulled the rest of her body onto the bed, her lithe yet slothful movements moving her into a much more comfortable configuration. This preferred position was beside Kagimaru, both of her arms draped over Kagimaru as she curled in close to his body, her purring snore returning as a brilliant grin broke out across her face. For a slight moment Kagimaru felt at peace, a small smile spreading across his lips as Tao snuggled in closer to his warmth.
"Nya...if Heart Guy wanted to touch Tao's boobies...Heart Guy could have asked..."
Kagimaru's eyes shot wide open while Tao's remained closed, a sleepy grin beaming from beneath her coat as Tao returned to her soft purring snore. This left Kagimaru alone in the room with silence, his hand tingling as it remembered the sensation of touching Tao in the dark...the soft, supple, jacket-covered body of Tao. Even in the dark Kagimaru's face flushed with hot embarrassment as he lay back down and strived for sleep once more.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Spatial Rend Roar of Time~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For the following six days Kagimaru remained bedridden, his muscles and energy returning to him with a sloth like speed. For some mysterious reason his body acted as if it were missing something, as if there was a deficiency of some nutrient that allowed him to regenerate his stamina with the incredible speed it had from before. Yet, despite this handicap Kagimaru was not depressed about his condition, in fact there were many times when he forgot he was still recovering from his injuries and exhaustion.
It should also go without saying that most of this distraction was due to Taokaka, her effervescent personality and cheerful conversation pulling Kagimaru from whatever loneliness he could possibly have as he recovered. Taokakas constant pounces and near need to be in contact with Kagimaru also meant that Kagimaru rarely went lonely while he recovered. It was quite common for Tao to wake Kagimaru in the morning with a rather powerful surprise pounce, her grinning face nearly pressing against his own as she grinningly greeted, "Good morning Heart Guy!" This would be followed by Kagimaru's cough and stutter, his lungs attempting to pull in enough air to reciprocate the greeting.
After this Tao and Kagimaru would talk, Tao going on and on about what they were going to do when Kagimaru could get up and move normally again while Kagimaru would simply nod and listen along. Every so often Tora would show up, regarding Kagimaru apologetically when she remembered her unintentionally overzealous actions upon their first meeting. However, the air of formality and guilt would clear and all three would talk in earnest, Tao constantly fidgeting and moving while Kagimaru and Tora calmly sat and spoke.
When she could stand the calm no longer Tao would take off like a shot, rushing out of the room in an attempt to expend her energy by running around the Kaka village and Kagatsuchi. These trips would usually end up with Tao returning bearing two armfuls of steamed meat buns and an interesting story or two, one of which prompting Kagimaru to give Tao money to pay for their meat buns the next time she retrieved the food. After their impromptu meal Tao would find a comfy spot to curl up, most of the time that spot being next to Kagimaru, and take one of her patented cat naps. It would be about this time that Tora would leave and Kagimaru would let his own exhaustion sink in, his head falling back onto his pillow and falling into a deep sleep that he would not wake from until the next morning.
Those days were always calm and peaceful, no worries about something hunting the Kaka, no thoughts of fights or fugitives, there was only peace for Kagimaru and Taokaka...well as much peace as one could have with Taokaka around...
Yet as all things pass with time Kagimaru gradually regained his strength, his body rebuilding nearly all of his lost energy within a two week period allowing him to finally leave the improvised infirmary room. Though while he was mostly healed there was little difference when it came to Tao's adherence to him. It seemed as if she was becoming possessive of the blue eyed brunette, her desire to be in his presence almost as attractive as the thought of food to the young Kaka.
At times it would become a bit ridiculous and confusing to Kagimaru, Tao's insistence to stick next to him stretching beyond normal concern over whether or not he had fully recovered from his injuries. She would hang around with him while they ate, when he went for a walk, she would even insist one being around when his wounds were examined, watching with a surprisingly attentive eye especially when the large scar like wound on his back was exposed. There was little Kagimaru could do about this particular presence either, unlike before there was no longer the buffer of Dr. Litchi to protect his medical modesty. In fact, Litchi had vanished the day of Kagimaru's awakening leaving only a confused and distraught Linuah that knew of his condition from Litchi's notes and the basics of treating him. Due to this there wasn't anyone to stop Tao when Kagimaru went for a check up with the young doctor's apprentice.
Tao had also placed a level of protectiveness around Kagimaru that, while a bit flattering, wore on Kagimaru's nerves more often than not. The most extreme of which being when Kagimaru was wrestling with the Kaka kittens on a random visit to the Kaka village, the smallest members of the Kaka clan clambering all over him in an attempt to tackle him to the ground. For quite some time the kittens tried to beat the older and stronger Kagimaru, their combined strength almost winning out against the laughing man.
Yet, before the little kittens could finally topple the azure eyed man a sudden force slammed into Kagimaru from the side, his entire body flailing wildly before landing on the ground with a sudden thud. When Kagimaru looked again there was Tao, her bright smiling face almost touching his own and all of the little Kaka kittens scattered around from the sheer power of the impact. Tao had claimed that she was only playing with the kittens and Kagimaru but as she nuzzled up next to him and silently refused to let him get up to play the game again, Kagimaru began to wonder.
It was only a few weeks later that things took a radical turn between the two...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Spatial Rend Roar of Time~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Yes Tao, I'm sure that I'm fine," Kagimaru said with a sigh, his forcibly calm tone attempting to hide his growing irritation. With his palm covering his eyes and his fingers massaging his temples it was easy to read Kagimaru's current state of mind, easy for everyone except Taokaka of course. "Are you sure Heart Guy?" Tao asked, walking as closely to him as she could, "that bad guy really hit Heart Guy hard, nya!" Kagimaru resisted the instinct to touch the fresh wound on his cheek, the sore red mark reminding him of the unusually strong musculature of the criminal they had faced that late afternoon, "Yes, I am completely sure Tao." Despite his words Tao continued to stare at Kagimaru, her eyes glued to his face, completely clueless as to how Kagimaru had gotten the wound in the first place.
Kagimaru on the other hand remembered the battle vividly, especially the part when Tao was so focused on Kagimaru that she didn't see the bounty sneak up behind her with their fist cocked and ready. It was a quick decision by Kagimaru that let Tao get away with an unmarred skull but he was rewarded with a sore and bloody mouth as well as an overly concerned Kaka on his back. With a sigh he remembered the large bounty that they had gathered, the coins clinking against one another in his pocket as they walked back to the Kaka village; at least they had something to show for their fight.
"Well, well," a sudden voice spoke, a soft smoothness ringing a bell with both of the returning warriors, "it's quite a surprise running into you two out here." Calmly approaching them was Torakaka, the mature and intelligent mentor of Tao greeting the pair with a smile and a relaxed wave of her paw. Kagimaru returned the wave with a relieved smile, his joy at seeing Tora stemming from the novelty of a different personality to react with. Tao on the other hand grinned brightly, jumping up with her arms in the air as she enthusiastically shouted, "Torakaka!" With a graceful leap Tao pounced upon Tora, hugging her tightly as she spoke, "long time no see, meow!"
Tora giggled softly and returned Tao's embrace, "It's good to see you too Tao, how have you been?" "Tao's been real good," Tao said energetically, switching her embrace from Tora to one of Kagimaru's arms, "ever since Heart Guy got better we've been getting lots of meow-ny for the village!" Casting a glance to Kagimaru Tora could see the exasperation in his eyes as well as the bruise on his cheek, his emotions pressing close to the surface of her skin. Tora knew of Tao's recent attachment to Kagimaru, even if the Elder hadn't told her of the young Kaka's sudden change in behavior then she had experienced it when she had visited Kagimaru in the makeshift infirmary.
"Hello Kagimaru," Tora said with a smile, "How have you been feeling?" Kagimaru shrugged his shoulders with a nervous smile, part of his mind registering Tao's sudden nuzzling of his arm while the rest of his cognitive functions attempted to make decent conversation, "Thanks to the Elder and Linuah I'm back to being at 100% percent. Thank you again for visiting, it definitely helped seeing a friendly face." With a not so subtle tug on his arm Tao stared up at Kagimaru, her glowing scarlet eyes peering up at him almost begging for recognition. Glancing down for a moment a drop of sweat rolled down Kagimaru's forehead, his one free hand gently patting the top of Tao's head, "And I also had Tao with me every day so I'm sure that helped out plenty." Tao's eyes suddenly closed with a pleased grin, her head leaning on his arm while Kagimaru turned back to face Tora.
"Tora," Kagimaru began, his tone suddenly becoming deeply somber, "have you heard anything about Dr. Litchi?" In a way Tora knew this question was going to come up sooner or later but that didn't stop it from surprising her. Shortly after Kagimaru had been settled in the infirmary and Tora shook off the last few effects of her catnip craze the Elder asked Tora and a few other Kaka to find the Doctor, her sudden and hasty departure worrying the Elder as well as Kagimaru. Slowly registering the question Tora shook her head, her tone becoming one of condolence as she remembered the long chase that hunted the voluptuous doctor, "I'm sorry Kagimaru but we haven't. Some of our best trackers followed her trail to the underground where you fought Arakune but there was some disturbance that covered her tracks from going any further."
With her part spoken Tora watched as Tao looked back up at Kagimaru, her quizzical stare and flattened ears demonstrating her concern for the cerulean eyed man. In return Kagimaru simply smiled at Tao, gently patting her head as he returned Tora's comment with a slow nod, "Alright...thank you Tora." For a while the atmosphere was tense, a thick cloud of mystery and guilt hanging over the trio like an errant raincloud. However the atmosphere was broken by a sudden nudge by Tao, her bright smile slicing through the cloud as she spoke, "We'll find Boobie Lady Heart Guy, Tao knows that someone with as big and fluffy boobies as Boobie Lady can't get lost for long, nya!"
Kagimaru suddenly snorted, a laugh coming out with such force and surprise that he couldn't open his mouth in time. In response of this Tao's grin seemed to brighten, her arms holding tighter to the arm she had exclaimed, "See, Heart Guy is smiling already! Tao told mew!" Just as the little Kaka fluff ball had said Kagimaru was now smiling, an amused grin spreading across his lightly tinted cheeks. "Thanks Tao," Kagimaru said with his new smile, his one free arm pulling the young and admittedly sometimes annoying Kaka closer.
It was common knowledge to the entire Kaka village that as unobservant as Tao was, Tora was clever and intelligent. Tora had strength of mind and will that many compared to Jubei of the six heroes while her natural intelligence gave her a sharp insight into the world and the people who walked it. Because of this innate skill Tora had a rather handy ability to read peoples emotions and intentions like a book, her insight more than once providing her and her comrades with safe travel and winning strategies. However, this time Tora's skill was quickly put to another use, something she determined would play out rather interestingly.
"Ah yes," Tora suddenly spoke up, "Kagimaru, I have a question for you." Kagimaru's sight turned to Tora, a questioning aura surrounding him as he released the slightly blushing Tao with a nod, "Alright, what is it?" "I was wondering if you would like to go on a mission with me," Tora said with a calm smile, her abilities easily picking up Kagimaru confusion and Tao's sudden focus in attention. "Would I like to what?" Kagimaru asked his eyebrow quirked and a confused tone in his voice. Tora couldn't help but chuckle, "I asked if you would care to join me for a little mission Kagimaru, a gathering of some of the local herbs and plant life for an old friend of mine."
While Kagimaru considered the mission carefully Tao appeared almost apprehensive, a slightly worried look on her face as her tail swished nervously behind her, "Sure, I guess I-" Suddenly Tao interrupted Kagimaru, one of her paws shooting up to catch everyone's attention, "Tao is coming too!" Tora raised and eyebrow, looking at the younger Kaka member with a curious gaze, "Are you sure Tao? It is very slow and careful work, you have to be very precise and it is very tedious." For a moment Tao seemed to reconsider, the concept of work, boring work at that, almost making her double back on her statement. However, it only took a glance to her side before she curled her free paw into a determined fist, "Tao doesn't know what those words mean but Tao is ready for anything nya!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Roar of Time~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So what is it that we are looking for?" Kagimaru asked with confusion, his wrists already deep within the foliage on the far edge of the Kaka village landscape. The area was very close to the edge of the seither forest, a short trek into the saturated woods potentially causing serious problems for those not resistant to its harmful effects. It had taken the group only a short time to reach the area where Tora had specified, her instinct and sense of smell drawing them to the area where she said the particular plants they were searching for grew. "We are looking for some very specific leaves, they will be growing on shrubs very close to the ground with a particular scent," Tora said, her voice showing her concentration as she knelt next to a small cluster of emerald shrubs, "It will smell a bit like medicine and the leaves will look very oily. Also look out for buds too, they should be rare around this time of year but they are a much appreciated bonus."
"Nya...this is reaaaaallllllyyyy boring," Tao muttered, her voice rising above both Toras and Kagimarus in volume and insistence, "Why do we have to do this a-nya-way?" Kagimaru shook his head as he plucked off a leaf, its oily emerald surface gleaming in the low light, "Tora needed help so we promised to lend a hand, remember Tao?" Tao sighed, her boredom apparent in her over enthused moan as she slumped over a large clump of cool underbrush, "But this is REEEEEEAAAAALLLLYYY boring!" Kagimaru groaned quietly, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose as he calmly tried to sort through his shrub for desirable leaves, "We just have to deal with it for now Tao, we'll do something interesting later."
This satiating of Tao's energetic side was nothing new but Tao had been more bored and irritating than usual since they began their impromptu mission. At first it was simple things, innocent tics in her actions and behavior that clearly indicated her quiet frustration at the lack of energy being expended. Even during the short walk to their destination was punctuated by Tao's pulling of Kagimaru's arm, urging him to move faster and keep up with her slight hopping steps. However, the bouncing energy that Tao exhibited had only grown worse as time went on, the irritating insistence driving Kagimaru almost insane from Tao's constant movement. Perhaps he could finally understand why Dr. Litchi always claimed that Tao was a bigger handful than she appeared.
Suddenly Tao was up like a shot, her interest piqued as she spoke, "Nya? Does that mean Heart Guy will play with Tao later?" Kagimaru nodded all too quickly, his own malleable patience beginning to run paper thin, "Yes Tao, we'll spar later today, I promise." "Yay!" Tao called, her overabundant joy causing her to leap upon Kagimaru without even thinking about it. Like a coiled snake Tao reared back and let her form fly, her arms spread wide as she leapt towards the broad back of Kagimaru. Yet, due to her sudden leap Tao landed flat against Kagimaru's back, the full weight of the young Kaka driving Kagimaru's entire body lurching forward. With an ungraceful tumble Kagimaru quickly found his face buried into the shrub he was only moments ago examining.
With a sputtering cough Kagimaru pushed himself up from the foliage, his sudden movement throwing Tao off of his back into a surprised sprawl. Kagimaru emitted an aggravated groan before he went about scraping off the dirt and branches that had attached to his face, his skin slowly being cleared as Tora watched the interaction with interest. "Tao!" Kagimaru shouted, the uncharacteristic raising of his voice accentuating the frantic cleaning he was giving his face, "I said we'd spar later, not right now!" Tao was quick to roll into a crawling position, her arms and legs moving her around Kagimaru until she was by his side, "Tao is sorry Heart Guy, nya! Tao didn't mean too..."
Kagimaru drew one hand from his forehead to his chin, clearing a large swath of gunk from his face before clenching it tightly into a fist. A few seconds later he released his gripped fist, instead gritting his teeth as he sighed, "It's...alright Tao." Instantly Tao brightened, her arms wrapping around Kagimaru with a relieved giggle, "That's good, nya! Heart Guy should watch out and not fall like that anymore, he worried meow!"
Before Tao could react Kagimaru broke free of her loose embrace, his body quickly hopping to his feet before he began to walk away from the two Kaka warriors. "Heart Guy?" Tao asked with sudden concern, quickly moving to her feet as she started to follow, "Where are mew going?" Instantly Kagimaru had turned around, a single palm held up towards Tao in a stopping motion, "I'm going to go check around for more plants that we need." "Tao will go-" Tao cheerfully began but was cut short by Kagimaru, his clipped voice just a hair below a growling shout, "I'll check for it myself Tao, you stay here with Tora and try to get as many leaves as you can alright?"
For a moment it appeared as if Tao would protest, her ears perked up as she opened her mouth to speak. However one glance into Kagimaru's eyes cut her short, completely freezing her voice in her throat with the sharp look he sent her. His eyes were pulled tight into a simmering glare, the normally warm cerulean of his iris turning as cold as arctic ice from his frustrated anger. With her voice gone Tao simply nodded, her head bowing away from Kagimaru's gaze as her tail waved in a slow, saddened metronome. Seeing Tao's hurt response Kagimaru quickly turned his eyes from Tao only to find Tora staring directly at him, her impassive stare and Tao's reaction setting off an unsettling feeling within Kagimaru's gut. With a sharp shake of his head Kagimaru threw the sensation off, instead turning away and stalking off further into the dense plant life. In seconds Kagimaru's retreating back was nothing but a shadow in the forest and Tao was standing sullenly, her eyes still cast towards the ground as her ears lay against her head with sadness
Slowly Tao turned around to face Tora, her eyes never meeting the older Kaka as she settled down into a small patch of foliage nearby, lazily combing through the vibrant green shrubs for leaves which she would never pick. Instead, Tao's vivid crimson eyes were blank, her focus seeming to have escaped her to a place thousands of miles away. She mechanically swept the foliage around her feet, clawing bit by bit but never once seeing the oily emerald leaves or the small green buds, only a blank stare reaching far into the invisible distance. "Tao," a sudden voice spoke up, the smooth and enticing voice of Tora swiftly pulling Tao back from her temporary stupor, "are you alright Tao?"
Tao nodded slowly, a surprisingly fragile smile spreading across her features as she turned to face the concerned Tora, "Nya, Tao is fine Tora! You shouldn't worry so much...nya." Tora's look was obviously skeptical, a single eyebrow raised and her arms crossed with her tail twitched with concerned curiosity. Yet, while it was quite easy to see Tora's disbelief Tao, ever ignorant to subtlety, turned around to poke into the short shrubbery once again. Seeing as her first tactic failed to work Tora crouched behind Tao with a sigh, two of her paws pressing onto either of Tao's shoulders and pulling back with a gentle jerk. The sudden change of balance sent the younger Kaka tumbling back, Tao's lonely ravine broken by the surprise embrace.
In moments Tora and Tao were both on the ground, Tao with her back to Tora's chest as the elder Kaka wrapped Tao in a comforting embrace. One of Tora's limbs stretched from shoulder to shoulder across Tao's chest while the other bent upwards, Tora's own massive paw gently resting on the top of Tao's hooded head. "Mew?" Tao questioned, surprised evident in her face and voice as she spoke, "What's this?" Tora chuckled softly and hugged Tao tighter, "You don't remember Tao?" Tora laughed softly and much to Tao's surprise Tora began to purr, her body rumbling with a low vibration, a soothing sound that seemed to cloak Tao senses just as Tora's arms had draped over her body, "When you were a lot younger and I took care of you, I used to hold you like this when you cried..."
Tao could feel it, the heat, the comfort, the small joy that it brought her to be held so close in comforting arms. She could remember when the white haired scary man had frightened her, when she dropped her most tasty tapioca out in the forest, even when she had lost her mother...this calm embrace gave her a sense of loving peace. With a soft sigh Tao nodded, purring in chorus with Tora as she snuggled deeper into the embrace, "Tao remembers..." Tora chuckled softly, her head resting aside Tao's as she spoke, "What is the matter Tao?" Tao hesitated for a moment, her body stiffening slightly in the elder Kaka's grip. However, another soothing purr set the Kaka at ease, relaxing her as she spoke, "H...Heart-Guy hates meow."
"Hm?" Tora questioned, her arms squeezing Tao with gentle reassurance, "And what makes you say that?" "He...He yelled at Tao..." Tao muttered, the distinct beginnings of a sniffle accompanying her voice, "And now he hates Tao...Tao doesn't want him to go away." Tora sighed softly, her body gradually beginning to rock from side to side, her hypnotic and soothing purr rising in her chest as Tao sniffled more and more, "I don't think he hates you Tao, Kagimaru seems too nice to hate a sweet Kaka like you." Tao sniffled slightly, nuzzling into Tora's embrace for reassurance, "R-Really?" Tora nodded, a small smile breaking the shadow of her hood as she continued her thoughts, "Of course Tao, meow. I think Heart Guy really cares for Tao he just, well..."
At this moment Tora began to feel slightly awkward, her soothing purr skipping a beat as she attempted to think of the best way to say it, "Tao, have you been spending extra time with Kagimaru?" Tao smiled instantly, despite her stream of sniffles the hyper Tao grinned like an idiot, "Yep! Tao has been sticking around Heart Guy like a bad itch, nya!" Tora couldn't stop herself from releasing an amused if a bit awkward smile, Tao's simplistic and blunt view of the world glaring as ever as Tora spoke, "Don't you think Kagimaru can take care of himself? He might be annoyed at you being around and worrying so much about him every second of the day."
Suddenly Tao grew very quiet, not even a single breath escaping from the Kaka warrior as Tora continued to rock and purr in comfort. Despite the silence Tora continued her dance, relaxing Tao until finally the full truth began to bubble from Tao's oddly nervous voice, "Tao...doesn't want anything bad to happen to Heart Guy...ever again and...Tao is scared that something will, meow...so Tao will do anything to keep Heart Guy around Tao forever." Tora giggled softly as she gave her response, "So why don't you tell Kagimaru that?" Despite Tao's reputation for her shameless attitude toward many things, from food to clothing, she was quick to resemble a blood red Christmas tree bulb, her face burning brightly in the darkness of her hood as she stuttered, "N-Nya?"
Tora giggled again, gently rubbing the top of Tao's head as she purred that same soothing song, "You heard me Tao; tell Kagimaru exactly what you just told me." "Meow," Tao whined, her tail twitching as her face continued to heat with a cherry flush, "Heart Guy is so mad at Tao...besides; Heart Guy already knows Tao wants to be around Heart Guy forever!" "Hm," Tora purred curiously, the tone of Tora's voice slightly worrying Tao, "When did you tell Kagimaru that Tao?" Tao hesitated for a few moments before she nervously and loudly laughed, her mind replaying the scene before her fight with Fu as she quickly responded, "Oh Tao doesn't remember meow, Tao just remembers she did!"
Tora raised an eyebrow but said nothing more on the subject, instead turning the direction of the conversation with a clever gleam in her crimson stare, "So when you told Kagimaru this...how did Kagimaru take it?" Tao mentally breathed a sigh of relief as she replied, warmth spreading from her chest and a smile lifting her cheeks as she remembered Kagimaru's words, "Heart Guy said would do anything to stay by Tao's side forever too, nya!" The spark in Toras eye became a low flame, mischief rising up as she smirked, "That's not what I meant Tao...I meant did Kagimaru mean it as friends or as mates?"
The sudden implications to Tao came as fast as lightening, thoughts buzzing into the Kaka's head quicker than she could process them...then again, that wasn't much of a difference from before. However there was one thing that stuck in Tao's mind, a single hovering thought that made its way from Tao's sputtering mouth, "A-As meow-ates?" "Um hm," Tora continued, "Maybe Kagimaru thought Tao meant mates instead of friends and that is what he was talking about...unless Tao only wants to be friends with Kagimaru?" "Nya, Tao didn't say that!" Tao suddenly spoke up, her eyes opening wide as she clamped a paw over her mouth. "Oh?" Tora spoke, her ear twitching at the urgency which Tao denied, "So is that what Tao wants to ask Kagimaru?"
Tora had long ago heard from the Elder about Tao's proclamation over Kagimaru, her junior guardian willing to fight through Fukaka, hell, and high water to keep the azure eyed brunette by her side even sealing the deal with a kiss that she pretended to forget...but that didn't stop Tora from having a little fun with her little 'sister' and the younger Kaka's obvious inexperience at this sort of thing. Tao quickly stammered, her uncharacteristic nervousness clashing with her typical loud voice, "B-but what if Torakaka is wrong? Meow, what if Tao asks Heart Guy and he is mean to Tao or doesn't want to see Tao again or-" Tora's paw gently pressed over Tao's mouth stopping Tao's rant, the smooth voice of Tora paving over every doubt that still rung with a new layer of thought, "But what if I'm right?"
If smoke could come from a persons ears Tao would easily be confused with a choo-choo train, Tao's face turning even darker as even more possible outcomes flooded her mind. Eventually Tora removed her paw, Tao's rapidly overloaded mind screeching to a halt as she shouted, "Nya, Tao is soooo confused!" Tora grinned and gently stroked the top of Tao's head with her hefty paw, the loving touch calming down Tao from the edge of her mental break with a few gentle pets and soothing purrs, "Why don't you give it a try Tao? You said it yourself that he said that he liked you and that he wants to be around you." Tao seemed as if she was about to talk once more but Tora cut her off, her grinning teeth gleaming as she released her final blow, "Besides, Kagimaru defeated Arak- I mean the Black Squiggly to save you Tao. I think that means he likes you a lot more than just a friend."
Tao's face seemed to burn with heat, her tail writhing and twitching at the thoughts in her head. Yet, despite the embarrassment it couldn't stop the bright grin on Tao's face. Her million watt smile seemed to shatter the shadow of her hood; the pearly white fangs spread so wide her eyes closed from the force. Tao could only begin to imagine it, Kagimaru holding Tao's paw, kissing Tao...being mates. Tao's face, if at all possible grew even redder, her grin nearly splitting her head in half with its width. Tora's own thoughts were rather amused, Tao's excitement seeming to radiate off the blond Kaka and infect Tora with a sense of anticipation. Tora certainly had one interesting result to turn in to the Elder; after all it was the Elders idea for this little mission...
With a sudden shock both Kaka were torn from their thoughts, a masculine voice screaming out from the depths of the forest, "OH MY GOD!"
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Well I think that was a pretty interesting chapter, what about you? As I said in the last chapter Torakaka always seemed to have this little mischievous streak to her that I just had to exploit in this story. Other than that I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please, if you have the time send a review my way and let me know how I'm doing. The next chapter might not happen nearly as quickly as this one did simply because I'm hitting crunch time around here but trust me when I say that Tao is NOT dead. Thank you and have a good night!