I'm back! Haha. Sort of. Well, it's been a long time since I've updated. Gomen... :((

So, here you go. Enjoy reading!

I woke up to the sun's rays on my face. Once my eyes adjusted to the bright surroundings, I realized I'm still in Demon world—if ever that really exists.

All I know is that I'm still not myself—that I'm still in a different body, and I'm still in the room Youko confined me in.

Youko…

I turned to his side of the bed. He wasn't there anymore, but the pillow I put between us last night was still in place.

"Y-Youko…?" I sat up. I could hear the sound of an open faucet from the bathroom.

"Good morning, Yana-sama!" I heard Kurosagi and Shirosagi greet cheerfully.

I gasped in surprise. "Do you really have to do that?" I asked the twin bunnies, who were just entering the room.

"I told you we should've knocked first," Shirosagi nudged her sister.

"Do you think I could knock with the food tray in my hands?" Kurosagi replied. "Besides, I remember I told you to knock first."

"Hmph," Shirosagi turned away from her and smiled at me instead. "So, Yana-sama, did you have a good time last night?"

I stared blankly at them. "What?"

"Oh, you know," Kurosagi placed the food tray on the bed and sat beside me, "are you finally Mrs. Youko?"

I blushed a deep red as I understood. "N-no! N-n-nothing h-happened, actually."

"Really?" Shirosagi, who has rushed by her sister's side, exclaimed.

The bathroom door suddenly opened and Youko finally went out, fortunately—or maybe not. He was drying his silver hair with a towel while he was… half-naked.

I had to look away, for I caught myself staring at him with my mouth open.

"Good morning, Yana-chan," he said. I had to admit he sounded sexy. I shook my head. What the heck am I thinking?

"G-good morning," I stuttered. I could feel myself get redder.

"I can't believe I took so long in the bathroom," he said. "I was expecting to see you still asleep, all alone."

Kurosagi nudged her twin. "That's our cue," she whispered, and they scampered out of the room.

"So," he continued, playing with my hair as he sat close to me," I've thought about your request."

"Request…?" I repeated. I kept looking away.

"You said you wanted to go out of this room."

I gasped. "So you mean you'd let me?" Absentmindedly, I turned to him, only to quickly regret it.

I don't know where to look. If I avoided his entrancing hazel eyes and looked down, I'd get to see his bare chest. I closed my eyes immediately.

He laughed at my reaction. "Well, on one condition though."

"You...sure love conditions, do you?" I asked with my eyes still closed.

"I won't be a great thief if I wasn't that clever, am I?"

"Oh please," I muttered.

He chuckled. "But I'll explain it later. In the meantime…"

My eyes opened wide in shock when I felt his lips against mine. My initial reaction should've been to push him away, but I just froze right then and there.

The kiss didn't last long, but it was enough to give me goose bumps and make my heart race. I blinked repeatedly at him as he pulled away and smirked. I gulped.

What...did he just do to me? And... why?

"We have a heist today, so I'll tell you all about the condition I arrived with when I get back," Youko added before standing up.

I couldn't move; I couldn't speak. I don't know what's up with me now. I know I should be mad at him for stealing my first kiss, but…I can't deny that I'm all giddy deep inside.

"Eat up," he said, "or else your breakfast will get cold." He winked at me. "Unless you wanted to check me out though…"

"N-n-n-no way!" I turned to my breakfast and started eating right away.

He chuckled. "I see. You're embarrassed because of the kiss. Just look at you blush."

My eyes widened. I almost choked from suddenly swallowing my food. "St-stop bringing that up, please."

He laughed, and from then on, he didn't say anything more. He just started dressing… slowly. It's as if he's doing it on purpose.

But hey, don't get me wrong, I wasn't watching him. I could only see him from my peripheral vision. I gulped. He's starting to remove the towel….

I turned away until I couldn't see any of him, and then continued eating.

"I suppose we'll be here right after dark," I heard Youko say after a few moments. He must've been finished. "So just wait until then. Also, I'd like to remind you that you're still not allowed to—"

"Yeah, I know, I know," I interrupted. "I won't leave this room, don't worry so much about it."

He sighed. "Well, that's good to know. Kurosagi and Shirosagi will come here to clean, bring you food, and prepare your bath. But if ever you need anything else, just call for them with this."

I looked at Youko, who was now standing by the door. He threw something at me. What I caught is a small black rectangle keychain with a rose-shaped button in the middle.

"The twins each have their own chokers with a sensor connected to it. They would come at a push of the button," he explained. "So, is there anything else that concerns you?"

"Um, none, I guess. Just… take care and be safe," I think I mostly mumbled the last part. I blushed again, realizing what I just said.

He smiled. "Don't worry; I wouldn't want to leave you alone in bed tonight."

"Youko Kurama!" I glared, but he just laughed as he left.

I became restless for the rest of the day.

I was too anxious and excited about what Youko has to say about my request.

And also… well um, it's because I… couldn't stop thinking about the kiss.

Whenever I'd remember it, I'd touch my lips and smile a silly-looking grin. Then I'd feel a warm rush overwhelm me, and my hair would stand on end as the image of him coming out of the bathroom—with only a towel to cover him from the waist down—would flash on my mind.

Other than that, the whole day was boring. There was nothing to do, no one to talk to… there wasn't even a single book to read. I really hope Youko would let me out of here. I couldn't bear to be idle for the next few days.

Time went by slowly, so I was really glad when I finally saw the moon outside. I couldn't be any happier when I looked out the window and saw Youko from afar. He was with a lot of men, probably his comrades. They all seem to be happy. I guess their heist was successful.

Then Youko suddenly looked up and caught sight of me. His expression changed into a serious one. I assumed he doesn't want me to look out the window, so I walked away from it.

It didn't take long before he burst into the room. He was carrying a long black hooded dressing gown. "Put this on then come with me," he ordered. His voice rung with an air of authority that prompted me to follow.

The dressing gown was long enough to cover my feet. Its hood, meanwhile, was too big for my head that it already covered my eyes. "Um, do I really have to wear this?" I asked him.

"That would be fine. They won't get to see you if you wear that," he said. "Now keep your tail from swaying. They can't see that too."

I looked behind me. My tail was hidden, for the dressing gown doesn't have any hole for it.

Youko then grabbed my arm and led me out of the room. Maybe I was just so bored with being locked up in my room, or the corridor was really beautiful. There were intricate illustrations of waves inscribed on the light blue walls, where different kinds of shells were engraved. Huge chandeliers here and there lit up our path.

I looked down as I felt the floor rippling under my feet. I smiled. It was like walking through water without getting my feet wet. This was Mizu Castle, after all.

Youko led me through doors, past a winding staircase, until we reached the end of the corridor, where there was a wooden sliding door. Behind it was a dim staircase lit by torches on the walls.

I gulped. "What's down there?"

He smirked at me. "Are you scared? Don't worry; it's not what it seems like."

"Huh?" I stared at him in confusion.

He didn't answer. Instead, he took my hand and led me downstairs. Surprisingly, the steps weren't cold, and the air around us was actually warm. When we got to the bottom of the staircase, I saw three stretchers on one side of the room, while a huge bookcase was on the other side. A long table with chemicals was on the far end of the room. There was an equally long wooden cabinet on top of it. Torches lit up the room.

"This is the infirmary," Youko said as he let go of my hand and walked towards the table.

Afraid of being alone in a strange room like this, I tagged along.

He opened the cabinet above the long table. Inside were two wide columns—one for medicines and one for first aid. Youko selected a small bottle from the medicine column and gave it to me.

"What is this for?" I examined the bottle filled with red liquid.

"You have to drink it of course," Youko rolled his eyes.

"And?"

"Just do it."

I opened the round lid, and a strong concentrated scent came from it. I covered my nose and stared at Youko. "Seriously?"

Youko nodded and smiled. "Just take a few sips."

The liquid was surprisingly sweet though. And in just a matter of seconds after I drank it, I felt a warm rush fill my whole body all of a sudden.

"Youko?" I stared at him in confusion and fear. "What's happening to me?"

He took the bottle from me. "Take off the dressing gown," he smiled assuringly.

With the hooded dressing gown off me, he led me to a full-length mirror nearby. I gasped.

"My ears and tail… why are they… in a different color now?"

Pretty short, but I hope you like it..

I'm pretty much in a tight schedule, and I realized I really have to squeeze this chapter update in. Hehe. xD