New chapter! Yay! I never thought I'd be able to post this on time because... well, I kind of procrastinated. And well, it was a very eventful week. xD

I just want to thank everyone who voted in the poll! You guys made me see the obvious result. Haha. But thanks, really. I never would've decided right if it weren't for you guys though.

So, here you go. Enjoy reading!

I felt a gentle kiss on my forehead. At first I thought it was my mother finally waking me up for real, but then I heard a familiar male voice call my name, "Yana."

I opened my eyes and saw an unhappy Youko Kurama. "Good morning," I smiled warily. His frown stayed, and for a moment I thought I had morning breath. I moved back a bit. "Is something wrong?"

"I'm not a pillow, Yana," he nodded towards his outstretched arm that I didn't know I'm lying on.

"Oh," I sat up immediately. "Sorry about that."

Sitting up as well, Kurama grunted as he stretched his arms. "My whole body's really sore from sleeping on the floor." He then looked at me, "Massage me, will you?"

I hesitated, searching his expression for a sign that he was just kidding. "Why should I?"

"Because I said so. Besides, you should be nice to your fiancée," he turned his back on me. "Now do it."

I sighed. "I don't have a choice, do I?" Sitting on my legs, I started massaging his shoulders, working my way down his lower back.

As my hands traveled up his back again, I can't help but smile. No wonder a lot of girls desire Kurama. He's wise, good-looking, and has a body to die for. I shook my head. That sounded perverted.

It's just weird how everything I touch in this dream feels so real. It makes me wonder if I'm really dreaming, or I somehow traveled into another world. Like in those movies where people travel back to the past.

Ugh. That's unlikely. I'm just imagining things. I really have a tendency to think that the stuff I watch and read could be real.

Come to think of it, maybe that's why I'm in this situation after all. I've been reading too much on Youko Kurama books again lately. And also about kitsune mythology. And just recently I've been interested in Demon World. Maybe this 'dream' is a collection of all the things I've been so focused on reading these past few weeks.

"You're really good at this," I heard Kurama mumble, wrenching me out of my musings. He moaned as I massaged his lower back again.

"I used to give my mom massages," I replied. My mom works long hours in the office. In the nights she arrives home weary, I'd offer to give her a massage. Both of us find that hitting the spa is just a waste.

"Mmhmm," Kurama didn't seem that interested, though.

Once I finished, I stretched my arms. "You know Kurama, you could've just moved to the bed. I'm sure you woke up sometime last night, since you said you were uncomfortable with sleeping on the floor. People are bound to wake up when something bothers them as they sleep."

"Well, I would've done that if it weren't for you hugging me so tightly," he glanced sideways at me, smirking.

"W-what?" I think my cheeks just turned pink.

"You didn't know?" he cooed. "You were clinging to me as if your life depended on it."

The thought of Kurama getting overexcited by the fact that I was sleeping so close to him just gave me the shivers. Instinctively, I backed away. Just what the heck could he have possibly done while I'm unconscious?

He laughed. "Don't worry; I didn't take advantage of you. I just hugged you back," he smirked. "Besides, it'd be better if you're awake so I could hear your scr—"

Three quick knocks on the door interrupted him. I sighed in relief. The twin bunnies couldn't have arrived at a better time.

"River."

Kurama had me test out my powers again, now that I've got basic knowledge about the types of water kitsune. Using a nearby lake as testing ground, he made me focus my energy into my hands as I touched the water. I was able to make small ripples moving rapidly throughout half of the lake. Based on the results, he concluded that I am a river kitsune.

"Keep at it and you might be able to produce waves," the fox said, sounding pleased.

"Kurama?" I looked up at him.

"Yes?"

"I was just curious of what I could do at this rate if I were an ocean kitsune," I hesitated.

"Well," he seemed thoughtful for a while, "maybe a small whirlpool."

"Wow," I immediately stopped what I was doing, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "Does that mean that oceans are stronger than the rivers?"

Kurama chuckled as he pat my head. "Let's not speak generally, my dear. It all still depends on how much you've mastered your abilities."

I nodded. "I see…"

He sat beside me. "Ocean kitsune are too violent and boisterous anyway," he smiled, lightly touching my nose. "I like calm ones like you better."

I smiled back, failing to suppress the blush creeping up my cheeks. "Me too."

He suddenly looked surprised. "Did you just say you like me too?"

I frowned in confusion. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Kurama narrowed his eyes at me, but I just stared back. He sighed a moment later, seeing no change in my expression. "Oh well, let's just continue."

Days passed by, and little by little, I was able to improve on manipulating water at my will, all thanks to my dedicated teacher. Our daily training still includes sparring at the battle arena, which Kurama likes to call 'physical training'. We haven't trained with weapons yet, since Kurama says I still have to work on my speed.

Our set starting time for training is supposedly early in the morning, so we could finish before night-time. However, being a late riser, I was often made to do physical training first things first before breakfast as punishment. Kurama says I've stored up enough energy for a sparring session if I was able to sleep that long.

Because of this, I get to drink the potion late in the morning, meaning it would take longer to wear off. So I'm safe to eat dinner at the dining hall along with his comrades. This gave me a chance to get more acquainted with the other guys, though I still kept my distance from Yomi. It's not just because of Kurama's warnings, but I also get this ominous feeling when he's around.

Tonight, however, I have to eat dinner in my bedroom. I happened to wake up early this morning, and so Kurama sent me to my bedroom an hour before I turn back to a silver kitsune. We usually eat dinner together, but tonight he was at a meeting with some of his comrades.

I picked up a book from the stack that the fox had brought in yesterday. After training for half of the day, as long as both of us still have energy, we'd have study sessions in my bedroom. We'd read up on what other things I could do with my powers. It's like researching in the traditional way.

Kurama came in the room an hour later. Kurosagi and Shirosagi were with him to get my plate and prepare his bath. I just came out of the bathroom in a nightgown, proceeding to the dresser to brush my hair.

He saw the open book on the bed. "You've studied without me?"

"I'm not done yet. Besides, I figured you'd already be tired once you came back."

"I see. We need to talk though, so don't go to sleep yet," he said before entering the bathroom. He sounded downcast.

Shrugging it off, I started reading again as I waited. I got too absorbed with the new chapter that I didn't realize he had finished, not until he snatched the book from under my nose. He threw it to where the other books are, and it landed on top of the stack with a soft thud.

Kurama lay on the bed, propping his head on his hand as he spoke to me, "We're going on a raid tomorrow."

I lay down as well, facing him. "So does that mean there's no training tomorrow?"

"Of course not," he said sternly.

I frowned. "I'll train by myself, then?"

"Well, no," he looked away, hesitating. "Actually, Yomi will take my place as your trainer tomorrow."

My eyes widened. "No way."

"It's only temporary, anyway," his eyes focused on me again. "Trust me, if I have a choice, I won't let him take over. I'd much rather pick Kuronue, but I need the bat demon for the raid tomorrow. Yomi will be the only one left who's skilled enough to train you."

I sighed. "I understand."

He leaned in to kiss my forehead. "Don't worry, I'll come back as soon as I can. Just be careful, alright?" he smiled.

"Sure," I murmured.

Kurama fell asleep fast. But I got too restless that I was barely able to catch some sleep. I only managed to doze off once he sprinkled some kind of sleeping pollen over me before he left early in the morning.

I woke up a few hours later, the sun already high up in the sky. Kurosagi and Shirosagi were just entering the room with my breakfast. Both of them don't look like their cheerful selves either.

"Good morning, Yana-sama," Kurosagi put the food tray on the bed. "Better eat quickly; Yomi-sama's already waiting for you downstairs."

"Can't I just call in sick?" I said before taking a bite of the bread.

"Sadly, no. It'd be too suspicious," Shirosagi walked over to the bed, having picked out a cotton t-shirt and cropped pants from the closet. It was one of the training outfits Kurama lets me wear. Aside from covering the shoulder where the 'mark' is supposed to be, it also allows me to move about easily. Not to mention relieving me of worries if I kick too high.

I took my time eating, dressing up, and finally drinking the potion. It's really amazing to see my hair, ears, and tail change color. It's like the crimson would slowly creep up and replace what once were silver.

Pulling my hair back into a ponytail, I made my way towards the stairs, my heart thumping loudly.

True enough, he was waiting for me. But I didn't expect that he'd be at the top of the staircase already.

"I-I thought you were downstairs," I said.

"I was getting a bit impatient, Yana-chan," he grinned. "So, let's get started, shall we?"

Unlike Kurama, Yomi let me pick what we should train first. To be safe, I chose water manipulation training, since I'm not that much confident with a sparring session with him.

We went to the lake near the castle, where Kurama and I usually train. The twin bunnies were following close behind. I felt relieved. I guess Kurama told them to keep an eye out for Yomi.

To be honest, this was the first time I'd get to spend a day without Kurama since his last heist. It was a fresh change, considering how we almost never get separated these past few days. But I'd much rather get stuck with Kurama all day than spend half of it training with Yomi.

Just the other day, I was able to make waves, and so I decided to practice it again when Yomi asked me what Kurama had been teaching lately. He watched with that same mischievous glint in his eyes that night I first saw him. He inched closer, making me feel nervous. I wished I could push him away.

Unexpectedly, the waves suddenly grew large and crashed towards our direction. Yomi got soaked from head to toe, but surprisingly I wasn't even a little bit wet. I wonder if it's part of my abilities.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry!" I apologized.

However, instead of getting mad like Kurama, Yomi suddenly started laughing his head off.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"Amazing, Yana-chan. I didn't see that one coming," he applauded. "You defended yourself well. If I hadn't let my guard down though, I would've avoided that."

I raised an eyebrow. "Yomi-san, are you implying I couldn't hit you that easily?"

He smirked. "I wouldn't mind if you try."

And so commenced a series of wasting of water. My right hand produced the waves in the lake, while the other lifts up some waves and directs it towards Yomi. However, Yomi was able to dodge all of them. Well, almost. My last attack almost got him, though.

But then I felt a sudden pain sear up my legs. As I fell on my knees, I looked up at Yomi, who was grinning. Was he doing this?

"Don't worry, it's nothing harmful. I figured you're just wasting your energy when we haven't even gotten to your physical training. I bet it would be very interesting," Yomi walked towards me and held out a hand. "Come on, let's take a break."

I guess he was right with wasting my energy. But I shook my head stubbornly, breathing heavily. "I want to train some more."

Yomi chuckled. "Don't get me into trouble, little girl. Master Youko would be mad if I overworked you," he said the word 'master' with such distaste.

Hesitatingly, I took his hand and let him pull me up to my feet. Wrong move. His face got too close to mine. I blinked. "Um, thanks," I said, pulling away from his grasp and hurrying over to the twin bunnies.

As I looked back at him, he smirked again at me. "Anytime, Yana-chan."

My real reason for choosing to do the water manipulation training first is because I have assumed that Kurama would be home by the time we finished lunch. But boy, I was wrong.

And now I'm standing in the middle of the battle arena with Yomi just a few meters away from me. Shirosagi and Kurosagi aren't allowed inside, because they would only get in the way of training. I think that's reasonable, considering how I was sent flying towards a wall not just once during training. But I secretly wished that today's an exception.

I sighed. Maybe I should stop judging this man before me. Come to think of it, he hasn't even done anything dangerous to me ever since we met. Maybe the ominous feeling I sense from Yomi was just influenced with Kurama's hatred. I sighed again. It's time to settle this to find out if I really have to watch out from this guy.

"So, have you started training with weapons?" Yomi started, interrupting my thoughts.

I shook my head. "Kurama says we can't unless I manage to move faster."

Yomi raised an eyebrow. "He must be a very strict teacher."

I giggled. "Yeah, it's like he's a different person whenever we train." I paused. I think I just betrayed the fox. "Well," I smiled quite uneasily, "enough with the chit-chat. Let's get this over with."

"Fine," he put an arm on his waist. "I propose a game. The first one to get pinned loses, and the loser would then have to do what the winner asks for. As simple as that. Are you okay with it though, Yana-chan?"

My heart was pounding in my chest. Yomi's bigger than me. I could lose easily. Who knows what he'd ask for? I wanted to say no, but apparently my mouth is faster than my will. "Sure."

He smirked. "Alright then."

"As long as it doesn't involve anything against the other's will."

"Yana-chan, then there won't be any fun with that," he said. Then without another word, he ran towards me.

Fear. That was all I felt during the whole training.

He was different from Kurama.

He has no set attack pattern. He would just lunge at me and close the distance between us with a direct hit. I could barely even dodge him. By the time we took a break, I was almost out of breath, my stomach and legs already aching. I didn't want to continue, but that would be like putting Kurama to shame as my trainer.

Yomi announced that we'd resume the training. Summoning up all my remaining strength, I stood up to face Yomi once again.

This time he let me attack first. This is my chance.

I ran towards him, smiling. Expecting a direct hit, Yomi seemed to wait until I get nearer. Probably to simply shove me away.

But just a few moments before I collide with him, I crouched down to do a leg sweep to knock him out of balance. As Yomi lay on the floor, I immediately pressed down on his shoulders and smiled. "I win."

Yomi chuckled. "Now I can see why Youko sees you as a nice catch."

"Um, okay?" I stood up, dusting myself off. "Thank you for today," I bowed to show my gratitude and then quickly turned to walk away. I have a feeling I don't have much time left before the crimson changes back to silver.

A cold shiver ran down my spine as I felt Yomi's arms suddenly wrap around me. "Where are you going? You aren't in a rush, are you? Just stay for a few more moments. "

"Actually I am in a rush," my voice shook.

His arms only gripped me tighter. I could now feel his breath on my neck. "Why are you so nervous?"

I gasped as his hands slowly slid down my waist. "Let me go!" I jabbed at his stomach with my elbows, and he immediately released me.

He laughed as he saw me glaring at him. "I was just messing with you."

"Well it's not funny," I walked away as I heard the twin bunnies knock at the arena's door. I hope I get back to my room before it's too late.

"Yana-sama," I heard Shirosagi behind the door, "Master Youko is here."

I felt a huge wave of relief and happiness fall upon me. Hurrying towards the metal door, I heard Yomi call after me. I turned around to see him walking closer. "I'm sorry for what happened."

I nodded slowly. "Just... don't do that again, okay?"

He nodded once, and I have a feeling he didn't really mean it. "As the winner of the game, what would you like me to do then?" he asked.

"I'll have to think about it," I opened the door. "Again, thank you for being my temporary trainer." And then, not wasting a single second, I ran with the bunnies towards my room.

There you go guys! Putting the final touches became easy because I was inspired by the person sitting beside me as I edited.

Anyways, please review! I really appreciate them. Let me know what you guys think. We're starting to get further in the story, so I'd just like to know how I've been doing. xD

So, until next week!