Chapter 41: I'm Going to Pamper Him to His Heart's Content
990 AD - Land of the Kitsunes
Senko wakes up and does something that she's been doing every day for the last several hundred years, checking the name on the Dark One's Dagger. Today she notices there is a new name on the Dagger, meaning another one of Nakano's descendants had died and the Curse has been passed on. Senko weeps.
The name on the Dagger reads "Nakano Kuroto"
1000 AD - The Enchanted Forest
Nakano Kuroto goes to leave his work in the fields to head back to his little hut when another worker asks him for more help. Nakano reluctantly agrees and heads back into the field. He feels a Darkness surrounding him…
Land of the Kitsunes
Lady Sora, Senko, and another kitsune, Shiro observe Nakano
"Harboring such Darkness can bring one's world to ruin" Sora said "but before that happens, we must attempt to save the young sir"
"Please, send me" Senko said
"Why you?" Shiro asked
"His poor heart is very troubled" Senko said "but I can help free him"
"Alright" Sora said "I shall grant you permission then"
"Thank you" Senko said "Just wait and see. I'm going to pamper him to his heart's content!"
The Enchanted Forest
Nakano finally arrived home and opens the door to his hut to see a young fox girl cooking something
"Hi, welcome home" Senko said "oh my, you must have had a terribly long day. I'm glad you here, I've prepared you a nutritious dinner"
"Why is there a little girl in my hut?" Nakano thinks "and more important, what's up with the fluffy ears and tail? Maybe she lives nearby?"
"Poor thing you must be so exhausted" Senko said and she notices the Darkness surrounding him. Most people, even magicians couldn't see it, but with her unique connection to it, she's able to see what no one else can "oh no, this is even worse than I thought. Hey, aren't you going to eat your dinner now? It's nice and hot, you've had such a long hard day at work, you must be starving. Shall I make you a plate?"
"Whoa" Nakano exclaimed "I can't eat at a time like this. Who the heck are you, and what are you doing in my apartment?"
"That's fine" Senko said, turning on the waterworks "I only put my heart and soul into this meal… but that's okay… I will discard it for you"
"No… you win, I'll eat it!" Nakano said, unable to let her work go to waste… and a hot meal after a long day at work does sound nice…
"Excellent" Senko said and she serves dinner for both of them
"Thank you for the meal" Nakano said
"Eat up!" Senko said as she watches him eat "how is it? Good, right?"
"It is" Nakano said
"I'm glad" Senko said as she starts eating. She notices Nakano's mood improves as he eats and the Darkness around him seems to disappear
"I don't want to be rude or anything… but can you tell me who you are?" Nakano asked
"Yes, of course" Senko said "I go by the name of Senko and I'm an 800 hundred year old kitsune"
"You're 800 years old… but you look like a little kid" Nakano said
"Is something the matter?" Senko asked
"To be honest… I'm still not quite sure why you came here" Nakano said
"… I couldn't stand to see you looking worn down, so I decided to help you" Senko said, deciding it was not the time to tell him about the Darkness
"Look, it's not like I don't appreciate it, I just don't get why you chose me" Nakano said
"Listen to me carefully" Senko said "if you must know the truth… you're just the type of young man I prefer"
"Are you kidding me?!" Nakano exclaimed and Senko knew she successfully distracted him from trying to uncover the real reason… but she feels a little bad deceiving him, so give him a kernel of truth
"Perhaps it's because I feel indebted to your family" Senko said "Look, I just want to pamper you for a little bit… is that so bad?"
"No" Nakano said as they finish dinner. When they are done, Senko grabs the dishes to wash them "I'll take those"
"No, I've got it" Senko said "you just sit there and focus on relaxing" and when she returns from doing the dishes she asks "Now why don't you tell me some other ways you'd like to be pampered?"
"I guess I don't really know" Nakano said
"There must be something" Senko said
"Well maybe… would it be okay to touch your tail?" Nakano asked
"Say what now?!" Senko exclaimed
"It's fine, never mind, sorry" Nakano said
"Well… if it will make you happy…" Senko said "… this is truly a strange request"
"Although one I've heard before…" Senko thought, remembering the original Nakano. He pets her tail for a bit
"Do you feel better now?" Senko asked, despite already knowing he should, with the Darkness seeming to have gone back to its dormant state for a bit
"Probably better than I have since Father died" Nakano said
"When his Father died was when the Darkness entered him… so this must be working if it's the best he's felt since taking on the Darkness" Senko thought to himself
"That's wonderful" Senko said "it pleases me to see you so happy"
"I feel horrible that you've done so much for me tonight, but I haven't done one single thing for you" Nakano said and Senko laughs
"That's so cute" Senko said "there was only one thing I wanted tonight and that was to see your smile"
"And to see the Darkness retreat" Senko thought
"Is that really enough though?" Nakano asked "a little girl like you shouldn't have to help out a grown man like me"
"You're so funny" Senko said "need I remind you I'm 800 years old, so you're the little one. I did these things for you tonight because I felt like it, so please stop worrying so much. I'm here to take care of you"