Now that was a LOOONG hiatus. I'm really really sorry for that, guys. There was graduation requirements, and then graduation of course, and a few summer vacation commitments I really have to take care of first.

But at least I'm back now! Yay! Haha. Now here's the next chapter. Enjoy reading!

Crimson.

What once were silver has now turned into crimson—the hair, the ears, and even the tail.

"Youko," my voice cracked, "what's this?"

He put both hands on my shoulders. "Can't you see? I'm just granting your wish."

"And how is this…" my mouth slowly opened into a big 'O' as I realized his point. "So I'm guessing I'd have to drink that red liquid everytime I go out of my room?"

He nodded, smiling. "You weren't so slow as I thought," he muttered.

"Now what was that supposed to mean?" I frowned at him.

He laughed. "You're too cute when you get pissed. Anyway, as you can see, the potion will instantly turn you into a crimson kitsune...well, physically. However—"

I sighed loudly, cutting him off. "I knew there'd be a twist."

Youko smirked as he continued, "However, the effect would only last for twelve hours."

My eyes widened. "Seriously?"

"Everything has its own limits. I'd be spoiling you too much if I let you out for longer than that, ain't I? So you'd better be back in your room before those twelve hours are over."

I rolled my eyes. "You're sounding more like a father to me."

He chuckled. "Do I?

"Uh-huh…"

"Well, I'm just being cautious. Who knows what could happen? You seem to be the gullible type."

"Whatever. You should learn not to be too controlling sometimes."

He shook his head. "I like things to be in order, so I won't get into a lot of trouble-which, in your case, is very likely without my guidance."

"How could you say that? You've only known me for days!"

Youko smirked. "That's what you thought. Why would I buy you if I don't know you enough?"

I frowned, thinking of some kind of insult to throw back at him.

"By the way, I highly advise that you only use the potion during daytime," Youko handed me the bottle back.

"And why's that?"

"The effect of the potion will wear off once moonlight hits you."

"Weird."

"But convenient, don't you think?" He leaned into me and spoke in a low voice. "I could have you all for myself the whole night."

"What the heck?" I jerked back as he tried to move closer, making me hit the full-length mirror behind me, tipping it over. It could've crashed into me if Youko didn't catch it in time.

There was a moment of silence as he shook his head. "That could've killed you, you know," he turned his head to face me.

"I could've escaped," my voice was still a bit shaky because of the shock of the near-death experience.

Youko raised an eyebrow. "Yeah right, you could, but even if that happens, which I highly doubt would, still…" he set the big mirror as it was before.

"Still…?" I prompted, clenching my fists. I don't think I could put up with another insult.

He turned back to me, frowning. "Do you know how expensive that mirror is?" he exclaimed.

I stared. So he's more concerned about the mirror. "So you actually bought it?"

"Uh, well, no…" he looked away, slightly blushing. "But... but it's one of the most beautiful things I stole that I chose to put in this castle! It's practically worshipped from where I got it!"

I looked at it again. Its shining golden frame has intricate carvings on it, and the glass seems like those types that can't break easily. "Still, Youko, it's just a mirror," I smirked, picking up the dressing gown I wore when we went down here. "Besides, if it's that valuable, why put it in a place like this?"

"Why you little…" he muttered. "And where do you think you're going?"

"What do you think?" I smiled at him as I started for the stairs. "I'll make the most of my twelve hours of freedom."

"Huh, that's right. Because you should remember that you could only drink the potion once a day, Yana."

I stopped in my tracks. "O-once a day only?" I repeated.

"Yes," he walked towards me. "Too much of anything would cause you harm."

I sighed. "This potion has way too many conditions."

"You just complain a lot. Now, come," he gently grabbed my arm as we went back upstairs and outside the wooden door entrance, where Kurosagi and Shirosagi were waiting.

Now I'm having a bad feeling about this. And Youko, who was smiling down at me, is just about to confirm it.

"You know what to do," Youko said to the twins, who immediately took me from his grasp and linked arms with me.

"What's the meaning of this?" I asked him.

He grinned. "I'll meet you in the banquet hall, Yana-chan. My men are expecting to see my fiancée."

The twin bunnies led me back to my room to dress me up in a gold and brown cocktail dress. (1) It's pretty simple, but I have to say it's really cute. A faint floral pattern covered most of the dress, starting from the chest down to the knee-length pleated skirt. Ruffles and ribbons accent the dress. There were even crisscrossed straps above the neck. However, the sleeves, which completely cover my shoulders, just have to be made of itchy fabric.

"What's with these sleeves?" I tried scratching my shoulders.

"That's to cover up the mark Youko gave you," Kurosagi said.

I stayed quiet for a moment, and then blushed when I realized what that 'mark' is, "B-but… there's none…"

Shirosagi held up a finger to her lips. "That's exactly the point. It's a ruse. He can't call you his fiancée without that mark, so we have to pretend you have one."

I sighed. "You mean we have to lie again?"

The twins looked at each other before Kurosagi answered me, "If that's how you put it."

"He already cheated my real appearance by making the potion. Now he's also trying to deceive his subordinates even more?" I said.

"Well," Shirosagi started brushing my hair, "we're just taking orders, Yana-sama. Who knows what's going on in Master Youko's wild imagination?"

Now I had to laugh with them at that. Youko is strange after all. Based on the stuff I've read about him, it's something I never thought he would be.

Youko met me in the entrance to the banquet hall. He looked dashing in black, and I think my heart started skipping a beat when he smiled. I actually blushed when he took my hand and kissed it.

"Let's go, shall we?" he smiled again.

Suddenly I found myself at a loss for words. "Y-yes," I stammered.

The room literally fell silent when we walked in. All eyes are on us—well, on the new face, I guess, which happens to be me—which made me really uncomfortable. My palms are starting to get sweaty.

I secretly wished something would happen to divert everyone's attention. But then I had to take that back. I realized it won't be likely, because I could be tripping over these pumps the twins made me wear. Then I'd get more unwanted attention.

Getting noticed is nice, but not in this way. It's just nerve-wrecking. Too much attention isn't something I fancy, especially not from guys. And this room is just full of them. Or I should say male weird-looking creatures. I think they're different kinds of animal demons—bat, wolf, snake, you name it. There were a lot of them, so I didn't bother to count. My eyes stayed glued to the floor most of the time anyway.

These guys must be Youko's subordinates. You could see how they made way for us as we walked across the hall.

Youko led me to a huge platform in the center of the room. He smiled at me before turning to them, "Gentlemen, it is an honor for me to introduce this beautiful lady beside me. Behold, the soon-to-be mistress of this castle-Yana, my fiancée."

There was wild applause and hoots from Youko's men. I blushed even harder.

Youko raised a hand as a signal for them to quiet down. They did so, but they were all smiling and staring at me. I gulped.

Youko went on telling them some things he made up about me (or maybe that's how I see it, for I don't really remember anything about the 'me' in this world) while I looked around the room—surveying, but not looking straight at anyone's eyes.

Until someone caught my attention.

He's leaning by the window with his arms crossed. He wasn't smiling. He seems to be scowling. At me. I don't know why, but suddenly I felt chills running up and down my back. It was like his stare pierces through me… in a terrifying way.

I looked away and instead focused on what Youko was saying, but I just couldn't shake off the weight of his stare.

And so I gripped Youko's hand, hoping he'd notice.

I'm really hoping to post three more chapters this summer. Wish me luck! :D

EDIT:

(1)I put up a link at my profile, under the MEDIA category. I can't find a dress up game that has both nice dress options and fox ears and tail. Hehe. So basically this is what Yana-chan looks like in the dress, as well as being a crimson kitsune... well, just imagine she has crimson fox ears and tail there. xDD

So there you go! I hope you all liked it. Now, review time! Haha. :D