Hey there, haven't updated in a while. As usual, school work is what kept me busy. I really am very sorry.

Oh, and I really want to thank the ones reviewing this fic. The reviews totally inspire and encourage me to write at least a few words each day. xD Arigatou gozaimasu!

Anyway, here's an early Christmas gift from me to you. Hope you'll like it.

I smiled when I heard a knock on the door. At last, I'm finally awake. And that ridiculous dream involving Youko Kurama is finally over too… or so I thought.

When I opened my eyes though, I found myself still lying on the huge bed in the same room Youko locked me in a while ago. It seems like I fell asleep shortly after he left.

I sighed in frustration. I'm still stuck in this dream, in this strange world, in a different body—with a fictional character from the books getting ridiculously possessive over me. I cringed. I never thought Youko could be this creepy.

I was wrenched out of my thoughts when there was another knock. "Yana-sama, we've brought you dinner," a mature-sounding female voice spoke from outside the door.

I didn't answer, since I'm not actually sure if they're calling me.

After a moment of silence, another voice, which is a bit high-pitched than the first, spoke with alarm , "Are you alright, Yana-sama?"

It was then that I remembered Youko call me Yana before at the woods. "I-I'm fine, don't worry," I answered, hopping out of my bed and walking towards the door.

I heard them sigh in relief. The first voice, the mature one, spoke again, "May we come in, Yana-sama? We were sent by the Master."

"Do you mean Youko?" I asked.

"Yes," both of them replied.

"Hmm," I looked through the little hole, where I saw two girls with long bunny ears on their heads—one had white bunny ears, while the other one had black ears. The latter was holding a food tray, which had me convinced that they were telling the truth. So I turned the knob, only to find out it was locked from the outside.

Giggles resounded from the other side of the door. "The master gave us the key, Yana-sama," the one with the little voice said. I still didn't know which is which, since I've looked away from the hole. "Apparently, we're the only ones he entrusted it with."

I sighed. So it is true what those books say. When Youko wants something, he'll do necessary measures—and most often go beyond the extremes—just to protect it. But I know he's only like that with the treasures he keeps. I'm not quite sure if that's how he treats his women, too.

"Then if you guys have the key," I replied, "why didn't you just open this door in the first place?"

"It'd be disrespectful to walk in on you, isn't it?" the mature voice answered. "Who knows, you might be making preparations for this romantic night with the master."

I heard squeals of excitement from them. I grunted. Everyone in this castle must now see me as another one of Youko's women he gets to have in bed for a couple of nights.

"So may we come in now, Yana-sama?" the little voice prompted. "We're sure you're hungry from the long journey."

My stomach growled in agreement. "Uh yeah sure, I don't mind."

The next few seconds was a blur. Two flashes of movement came in so fast that the only things I saw clearly were the opening, closing, and locking of the door. In a matter of seconds, the two identical-faced girls, who turned out to be petite, stopped right before me.

And they just stared at me as if they've seen a ghost.

They stayed like that for a few moments until I waved my hand in front of their faces.

"Oh, we're sorry," they said at the same time, snapping back to reality.

"We forgot our manners," the one with black bunny ears, whom I recognized as the owner of the mature female voice, added before they curtsied.

I sweat dropped. "Please, you guys don't have to do that."

"But you are the master's chosen partner," the one with white bunny ears, the one with the high-pitched voice, answered.

"Yeah whatever," I muttered, mostly to myself.

"Anyway, allow us to introduce ourselves. I'm Shirosagi," the girl with white bunny ears smiled, and then motioned to her companion, "and this is my twin, Kurosagi. In accordance to Master Youko's instructions, we'll be your official maids."

"Nice to meet you then," I smiled. "I am Yu—oh, I mean Y-Yana. My name's Yana. But obviously you knew that already." I sweatdropped. I sounded dumb.

The two giggled. "You're pretty funny, Yana-sama," Kurosagi, the one holding a food tray, said as she led us to a kotatsu in the middle of the room where she set the tray down.

The twins kept staring at me the whole time I ate, as if they were watching a television show. People here get creepier by the minute.

I jumped when Kurosagi suddenly spoke, "It's no wonder Master doesn't want you out of this room."

I gulped. "So he's really serious about that?" I shook my head. "Cruel fox…" I muttered.

"Well, just look at you," Kurosagi continued. "You're tall, beautiful, and… wait. You're a silver kitsune, right?"

I nodded, "Yes, just like Youko."

"Wow," the bunny demons both exclaimed.

I blushed. "So," I tried to change the subject, "what would happen if I did get out of this room?"

Their eyes widened in horror. "Oh Yana-sama," Shirosagi said, "We strongly advise you to never consider that option until the Master allows you so."

I sighed. "Well it's not like I'd die if I step out of this room."

"You won't," Kurosagi said, "but my sister and I will be in huge trouble."

"Seriously?" my eyes widened. "Isn't that quite harsh, though?"

"True," Shirosagi agreed, "but that's how he is."

I sighed again. "Is this how it goes for the previous girls he had before?"

"No Yana-sama," Shirosagi said, "you're an exception, for he chose you to be his mate."

"You see Yana-sama," Kurosagi continued, "It is always big news whenever Master brings a girl home. He lets everyone see her by showing her around the castle. But this time, he didn't tell anyone else about you, especially the fact that you're a silver kitsune."

"And so that's how the huge curiosity to see you was built up outside," Shirosagi added. "You'd better be careful. They could be vicious."

We all gasped when we heard applause and a chuckle on one side of the room. I turned around and saw Youko standing beside the door and leaning against the wall. His eyes were closed as he listened to us talk. "Very well said, my little bunnies," he remarked.

"Y-you've scared us," I frowned.

He smirked at me, then turned towards the bunnies. "Has she finished?"

They nodded. Kurosagi nudged her sister and whispered, "Let's go."

Both of them cleared the table and quickly went outside, leaving Youko and I alone.

I remained quiet as I listened to my rapid heartbeat. I turned my back on him, for I couldn't look straight at his eyes. My heart started skipping a beat. I put a palm on my chest. Why do I feel like this?

I just stood there, frozen, listening to every step he took towards me. He reached me in a matter of seconds, pulling me in a tight embrace from behind.

"What's wrong, Yana-chan?" Youko whispered to my ear, sending chills down my spine. "What are you so nervous about?" He lowered his head to the level of mine. I gulped. Then I felt his hot tongue slowly run up my neck.

"Gah!" I pushed him with all my might. I succeeded, yet I lost my balance and fell on the floor. Before I could even move, he had already pinned my arms on my sides. "Get off me!" I shouted.

He smirked. "I didn't think you'd be so violent."

I frowned. "Get. Off."

He chuckled. "Alright, alright, I was just kidding." Then he pushed himself off me.

I turned on my side to sit up, but then Youko scooped me up in his arms and sat me on the bed.

"So how do you like it here?" he sat beside me.

"I can't even tell if I like this place one bit," I rolled my eyes. "Like, come on, am I really not allowed out of this room? What am I supposed to do all day, then? Sleep and wait for my food?"

"Well, you could do something else whenever I visit this room," Youko smirked.

My eyes widened in horror. "No. I won't. Never," I backed away from him.

He just laughed.

"Please Youko," I said, "Not now. I… need some time." Yes, time—time to wake up from this dream, that is.

"I understand," he replied, "But though I won't do anything yet, I'm still allowed to flirt with you, am I?"

"Well…"

"That's a rhetorical question," he smiled. "Now, go to sleep. It's getting late. Or would you like to have a bath first?" He pointed to a white door on the far left of the room. "That's the built-in bathroom. And that's where your clothes are," he pointed to a nearby wooden closet. "I'd call in Kurosagi to prepare the tub for you."

"Oh, no thanks… I think I could manage," I said, getting up from the bed and heading for the closet. I picked out a short-sleeved nightgown that ends just below my knees.

Once inside the bathroom, I made sure to lock the door before stripping down and taking a hot bath.

He was still there on the bed when I finished, his hands behind his head, looking straight at me. It was as if he'd been staring at the door all this time, waiting for me.

"Um, don't you have your own room?" I asked.

He smiled. "I'd like to stay here tonight. Besides, this is my castle. I could stay wherever I want, can I?" He patted the side of the bed. "Come."

I immediately shook my head .

He chuckled. "Don't worry. Like I said, I won't do anything."

Something in his eyes seem to show sincerity, and… hope? Hope of what? For me to believe him?

I shrugged. I'd get to know if he ever tries to make a move anyway.

I turned the lights off. I lay by Youko's side, and he immediately turned to face me. "Wait," I placed a huge pillow between us. "There. You're not allowed to go beyond this pillow, alright?"

I could see, by the faint light from the window behind me, Youko smile. He looks really handsome, even in the dark. If only he isn't a notorious pervert, I'd feel safe sleeping beside him.

He reached over to close my eyes. "Alright, but on one condition," he said.

I swatted his hand away to look at him. "What is it?"

Youko gave me a kiss on the cheek. "I'd get to give you a good night kiss each night."

I smiled. "Okay."

Right then, as I closed my eyes, I realized why I've been so hooked on Youko Kurama's legend.

It's because all along I secretly wished he was real.

And though I won't admit it before, I really wish this dream would last longer.

Well, holidays are coming up, and though there's still a ton of work left for us, I hope I'd be able to update sooner.

Please rate and review! I really appreciate it!

(Oh, and special thanks to my 'special friend' for promoting this on his page. Thanks so much!)