Story: The Maiden, the Fox, and the Demon (all chapters)

The Maiden, the Fox, and the Demon

Chapter One: Dawn

            The sun dips below the horizon, leaving only a faint glow in the western sky. From among the trees, it’s almost as if there’s great fire just beyond the horizon, and to escape it, I must flee further into the forest. From the opposite direction the moon has risen, huge and full, already beginning to tint the world in the blue-white of an autumn twilight.

            As the light diminishes rapidly, the forest is alit with the pure moonlight, illuminating the world in a magic luminance. Several meters ahead of me, a young girl slows her hurried walk, afraid of tripping on an unseen hazard in the darkness. I likewise slow my pace, matching hers, as any good hunter will, my footsteps still soundless in the still night air.

            The night wears on and we head even deeper into the forest. The light from the moon is now the only illumination, and even that is obscured by the dense canopy, that only becomes denser the further into the forest we go. My eyes stay on her back, the pitch black of her uniform easily visible to me even in the low light. From here, I can even count the threads in her top. Her tea-colored hair, ruffled by a whisper-gentle breeze now and again, flutters delicately. A slight sheen of sweat covers the back of her neck, and I see a single drop run beneath her sailor collar and she shivers. I watch as goosebumps rise on her neck. With these eyes of mine, how is it then that I fail to notice something so critically important?

            She’s stopped dead in her tracks, and despite my slow pace, I’m closing the distance between us far too rapidly. I’m now hardly more than three meters from her, and should she turn around, I will surely be spotted… and that is unacceptable.

I halt abruptly, going as still as a statue in a moment.

Under my bare foot a long dead, dry branch snaps. In the silence of the deep forest, it echoes off the trees like a klaxon.

My eye twitches in annoyance at my own carelessness, and my breathing ceases as she whips her head around to look behind her.

With no other option, I cease to be.

Well, not entirely cease, per say, but to anyone looking upon the place where I stand, it would seem so. Such is the Kitsune’s gift of illusion; to show that which is not, and to hide that which is.

Safely hidden, I stand up straight, bow, and beg her forgiveness in but the barest whisper; I hate to deceive her, even if I want nothing more than the best for her.

            “Anno… hello? Is someone there?” She calls out softly, her voice trembling as much as her small, frail body.

I suppress the immediate urge to rush to her, scoop her in my arms and soothe her. My hands clench into fists, my long, sharp nails digging into my palms.

Stay stay stay stay stay…

I command myself mentally, using all my willpower to stop for running to her and assuaging her fear.

With no reply, she seems to hunch down, and look about furtively.

Damn it! She’s terrified. I should have been more firm, I should have been more honest. I want to be with you! I go with you everywhere else, why would you not let me accompany you now?!

“Inari…” She squeaks my name so softly, her hands clasped to her chest.

“Megu-chan…” I whisper automatically, my desperation plain even to my own ears.

Seconds pass as years, minutes as centuries, each one whittling my willpower away.

After 90 seconds, she turns around once more and resumes her pilgrimage. Her steps are faltering and hesitant, and she’s shivering.

I curse myself and my selfishness once more: if only I hadn’t been distracted by my own desires…!

            It takes a long time, an hour at least, for us to finish the trek. I’ve taken great care to make sure nothing else happens to frighten her, even going so far as to mask the presence of birds and raccoons as they move through the nearly pitch black trees.

            She stops again, suddenly, but with my failure still raw, I’m paying strict attention and stop along with her, silently.

            It seems we’ve arrived at a tiny Shinto shrine, nothing more than an offering altar and a single, worn and slightly rotting torri. I’m quite surprised by this turn of events. I hadn’t known that she knew of this shrine. It’s a bit embarrassing, really… after all, this is my shrine.

“So that’s why you wouldn’t let me have the botamochi you made today…” I mutter to myself, a bit put out. At least I could have had tea with them back at the apartment…

I sigh quietly. So troublesome…

I creep closer, taking greater care to stay quiet as I approach where she sits, in perfect seiza, before the altar, reciting Shinto prayers.

“Osuitsume-sama, please bless the forest and protect our humble village.”

I can’t help but smile; she really is a good girl. To think she would come all the way out to this old shrine to ask for a blessing from one such as I.

I feel my cheeks heat up a little.

Of course I would bless the forest, and even the village, if it’s you who asks, Megu-chan…

I sink back against a tree, being sure to keep quiet and that I’m on the side opposite Megu-chan and the shrine. Her voice is whisper quiet, but I can hear her clearly from where I am. She has a very soft, feminine voice, though it’s a bit low for a Japanese girl. It’s more beautiful than the most elegant music to my ears, though. If it’s because it’s Megu-chan, or because of what she is to me, I’m not sure and don’t much care; I could sit here and happily listen to her chant prayers for years.

Minutes pass, and her offering ceremony comes to a close.

She sets the botamochi on a thin sheet of rice paper, then stands, claps her hands together and bows.

A moment of pause and then she turns around and begins her walk home.

I see none of it, of course, being behind my tree as I am, but I hear every movement.

Ah, even her footfalls are pleasing to my ears… the uneven steps, the scuffing sounds as she nearly trips over something in the darkness.

You didn’t even bring a flashlight, did you?

I sigh. For someone as smart as you are, Megu-chan, you sure are a forgetful person.

I wait until she’s far enough that her chances of detecting me are well neigh zero, then stand and cross quickly to the shrine.

… those botamochi look delicious… a nibble right now wouldn’t be too bad, right?

A muffled thump and a small “Kyaaa!” informs me that Megu-chan has, finally, tripped over something.

No time to eat, I guess. I fold the paper around the botamochi taking an extra moment to ensure that none will fall out, and stride briskly towards my floundering Megu-chan. She is within sight in moments, and with a whispered incantation and a tiny expenditure of Ki, the world, for Megu-chan anyway, grows a bit brighter.

Not like daylight mind you, but enough that she can see by and avoid hurting herself.

She pauses and looks around, surprised. Then, in typical shrine maiden fashion, immediately claps her hands together, and bows towards the moon, thanking the Lunar Goddesses.

I’m a tiny bit irked, since they didn’t do a thing, but I guess it can’t be helped.

We resume walking, but at a brisk pace, much more to my liking than the laborious slog to the shrine.

It’s odd, though… the forest seems less familiar than it should… colder, somehow, and darker. There’s a definite reddish tinge to the light.

My neck and back muscles tighten in wariness and I recognize the aura of danger. I pick up my pace, moving closer to Megu-chan. I’m within a dozen meters now, and I can clearly make out that she’s shivering… violently.

“Auuu… it’s cold…” she whimpers to herself, wrapping her arms around her body and rubbing her arms, despite the long sleeves of the winter uniform. After a few moments, it’s cold enough for Megu-chan’s breath to leave a wisp of haze in the air. It’s far too cold for the beginning of autumn. That means… it’s getting closer.

            I move closer still, within a meter of her, impossibly risky. I use the entirety of my stealth, and become as her shadow, moving seamlessly with the wavering shadows and the whispering wind. I whisper another incantation, speaking as quickly as I dare least I mangle the words, and place a ward of concealment and protect upon Megu-chan. I wait with bated breath,

My body tenses involuntarily. It’s here, then.

Come! I command silently, and from the shadows of the forest, four black foxes appear, moving with unearthly speed and grace. They rush to Megu-chan’s side, as silent as the shadows they are borne of.

One scampers ahead, much smaller than the rest, and emerges from the foliage directly ahead of her, whimpering pitifully, and looking at Megu-chan with large, reproachful eyes.

Even I would be stopped for a moment by such a cute thing.

Megu-chan being Megu-chan, falls to her knees immediately and holds out her arms into which the fox leaps without hesitation.

“You poor thing!” She coos, clutching the fox close to her. “All alone on such a cold night… come with me, we can keep each other warm.” She says cheerfully, and the fox mews agreement.

Keep her warm, and safe. I order, and I feel a silent bow of assent.

‘It will be done as you say, master.’

And that’s when it finds us; an Oni.

It’s not a powerful Oni, not by any means. A typical ogre, if there is such a thing in this day and age. However, it’s not its power or type that has me on edge; its attention is fixed completely on Megu-chan.

It wants what every demon, spirit, and kami does.

Megu-chan’s blood.

            It’s ahead of her though, and I rush ahead, moving the braches of the forest as a gentle breeze.

Hurry. I urge the fox cradled in Megu-chan’s arms, and I feel another nod of understanding.

I’m not sure how it’s done, but Megu-chan does increase her pace, whilst cooing to the tiny fox pup in her arms.

            I stand before the incorporeal ogre, its form nothing more than a transparent wisp… for the moment. It stops a dozen feet from me, staring. Its eyes flash bright red in the darkness.

I smile, showing my fangs, and snarl.

I plant my feet wide apart, one further back than the other.

I don’t think I can be clearer than this; my stance states things as they are.

“If you want her, you’ll have to go through me.” I state silently, fixing the ogre with the coldest of stares.

Megu-chan’s footfalls fade further into the distance, but she’s still far too close for my comfort…

Without warning, the ogre’s form solidifies into a dark-skinned, hulking shape, vaguely human, but with a physiology far beyond that of even the most muscular humans.

It fixes me with eyes that glow crimson, like blood shining in the moonlight. In its left hand is a massive, rough-hewn sword seemingly made from rock, the edge saw-toothed and jagged, glinting like obsidian in the moonlight. It raises the weapon above its head.

‘Master!’

Three of the foxes rush to my side, their hackles up and fangs bared.

The sword comes down, aiming for a blow to split me down the middle.

Sadly for the ogre, I’m long gone from where I once was, and the serrated edge of the weapon bites deeply into the soft loam with a sharp crack.

A full three or four meters away, still surrounded by my black-furred servants, I crouch in the lower braches of a Japanese pine.

“Humph.”

If only I had a talisman to purify it… this would be over in but a moment, against something this weak. As it is though…

Go! I command my foxes, and they leap from the tree and fall upon the ogre.

My servants are as fast as the wind, and as fierce as a raging fire; the ogre is immensely strong, but slow and dumb. Within a few minutes it is backing away from the bite of their fangs and burn of their claws.

I accompany them, using my own claws to spill the brute’s foul blood. As weak as this thing is, I’ll admit it’s quite resilient… surprisingly so, even.

It’s time to stop fooling around. Megu-chan is far away now, in no danger… so let’s finish this. The words flow like water as I whisper them, carefully wording my incantation to make sure that this demon will never cause me trouble ever again. It takes a full minute, the ancient words complex and limited, before I can finish my spell and banish the demon. With a final word, and the release of some of my power, the ogre is returned to its incorporeal form, turning into a massive, billowing cloud of black mist. From the deepest parts of the forest, a sudden burst of wind encircles the deathly miasma, dragging it from the sacred grounds and expelling it from my lands. A moment of silence ensues, neither the cicadas nor crickets making a sound. And then, as though I’ve removed cotton from my ears, they resume their midnight symphony.

My servants, unscathed, return to the base of the tree and look to me with expectant eyes.

I nod to them, conveying my praise wordlessly. They’ve done well tonight.

They bow their heads, and then fade into shadows, returning to their spirit forms.

I let out an exhausted sigh; that was a lot of trouble… and in the interim, I’ve lost track of Megu-chan.

I curse quietly as I realize that by now Megu-chan should be nearly home. To leave her unprotected that long…!

‘Osuitsume-sama, please do not worry for the girl; she is safe and warm, as you asked of me, and I believe we are nearly to her home.’

Oh, that’s right… Tsuna is with her, isn’t she? I release a relieved sigh, grateful that despite my failing to stay with her, Megu-chan is safe.

Quickly, then.

Rather than use the ground, I leap from my current tree to another, moving from branch to branch with as much speed as I dare. After all, not only would it hurt, but smacking face-first into a tree is quite embarrassing… especially considering the ones to see it would be my servants. Yes, it would be best to be careful…

Moving more quickly through the trees than I ever could on the ground, I reach the limit of the forest quickly. The line of trees that marks the edge of the forest ends abruptly, terminating in what one could call a park, though the image is ruined by the concrete and steel of the city that begins just beyond a short dozen yards of grass.

I drop out of the tree, landing lightly, my golden eyes piercing the darkness in search of two sets of most important items: my shoes and socks. Not only are they part of my uniform, but it’s sloppy to leave something like that out here. A few moments pass with not a sign of them, and I’m starting to get anxious and irritated; I know I left them here, dammit! Stop hiding, I don’t have time to play around!

Ok, I did not just mentally address inanimate objects…

‘Master, we have brought you what you desire.’

Two of my black-furred servants emerge from the forest, my socks and shoes dangling from their mouths.

The apparel is dropped at my feet and hurried but them on, then stand and bounce on my feet to make sure they shoes are on snugly.

‘Master, your ears and tail.’

A gentle reminder from Nagi, the eldest of my servants, makes me aware of the black-furred fox ears poking through my hair, and the white-tipped tail waving habitually behind me, causing my black skirt to flutter to and fro. Ah yes… those aren’t normal things to have, are they? Best to correct that, then, before someone sees me.

I shake my head my fox ears disappear in a wave of black hair, and my tail simply vanishes. My appearance more acceptable, I take off at a light jog, wondering just how close Megu-chan is to the dorms and if I can beat her there. There’s really no need for such concern… about who beats who where, we live in different buildings after all, but still… I have to make sure she’s home, safe and sound. At the entrance to Megu-chan’s building I pause, casting a glance through the glass doors to the deserted lobby. Is she back yet, I wonder? Surely she’s here by now, safely tucked away in her room…

“Inari-chan?”

From behind me, a soft, lilting voice cute in the extreme and laced with curiosity and confusion. 

My body seizes reflexively: caught red-handed.

I turn around and put on my best “cool” air, trying to seem nonchalant.

“Oh, Megu-chan. Konban wa.” I greet her smoothly, my hands going behind my back causally.

If I don’t mention it, maybe she’ll overlook…

“Konban wa. Inari-chan, what are you doing up so late? I told you to go to bed early so you’ll do well on your midterms.” She gently scolds me, her cheeks puffing out cutely. Honestly, worrying about something like that…

“I couldn’t sleep, so I wanted to see if you were still up.” I explain smoothly, then continue after a small pause, “and it looks like you are.”

I smile at her mischievously, locking her eyes with my own as I reach forward.

“Ah…” she makes a soft noise as my hand brushes over the top of her head. I pull the leaf from her hair and hold in front of her nose.

“Out for a stroll? And with a new friend, too.” I tease, bending down to her height and moving my face very close to hers.

“Waaah!” She cries softly, her eyes wide and staring.

Ah… she’s really pretty… her lips look soft…

I pull back before I can do something very stupid and cock my head to the side in an ‘Ok, let’s hear it’ kind of way and raise an eyebrow.

Megu-chan doesn’t immediately answer my unspoken question; she’s too busy being flustered and blushing beet red. Unable to form a coherent sentence, Megu-chan opts for looking down and away as she stammers out her explanation.

“Um, I was just, you know, out for a walk in the woods, and well, this little fox came out of the bushes and he looks so cold and hungry and I didn’t see the mama fox, so I just picked him up and…”

She pauses in her rambling and peeks shyly up at me.

Oops. I think I might have laughed out loud…

“Inari-chan! You’re laughing at me? Mou!” She whines, her face an impossible mixture of outrage, embarrassment and exasperation.

By now I’m really laughing, not only at her expression and explanation, but also at the little in-joke that she’s calling Tsuna a ‘he’, and it’s agitating the little fox quite a bit. I can even see her tail trying futilely to wag in protest, pressed against Megu-chan’s amble bust.

Megu-chan seems really upset now, though, and I manage to contain my mirth, though only just.

“I’m sorry Megu-chan,” I gasp, my eyes tearing up with unrestrained amusement, “it’s just that only you –ahahaha -would pick up a random wild animal and bring it back to a dorm –hahaha -that doesn’t allow any pets!”

Silence from Megu-chan. Did I say something bad…?
I wipe my eyes and look at her closely; she seems very disheartened.

“Megu-chan? I’m sorry. Did I say something bad?” I ask, bending down again to peer upwards at her downcast face.

She shakes her head slightly, her gaze fixed on the fox pup in her arms.

“No, you didn’t say anything bad, Inari-chan… I just… forgot that the dorm doesn’t allow pets…”

Her voice is strained, as if she might cry. I feel my own eyes water in an empathic response; seeing Megu-chan sad makes me sad as well… gah, that’s just too cliché…

I say nothing, foreseeing a very difficult situation that I didn’t anticipate: Megu-chan wants to keep Tsuna. That’s… a bit troublesome…

Letting a mortal, even a shrine maiden from a long line of devote priests, keep something like Tsuna…

I grimace at the thought. Yes, that could be… quite troublesome…

But if I say ‘Let the fox go’ now, she’ll… probably cry.

And that’s simply not allowable.

‘Osuitsume-sama…’ Tsuna begins, but seems to stop herself mid-sentence; we’ve had the same thought. I’m a third year, and the third years’ dorm allows small pets…

I sigh and straighten my posture, putting my hand on my hips and carefully composing a defeated face.

“I guess it can’t be helped, then.”

I grab her hand and tow her towards the other side of the student housing campus.

“Wah… Inari-chan?!” She yelps softly, her voice full of surprise, but follows as I pull her along.

My stride is quite a bit longer than hers, due to our differences in height, but she hurries along with me as I explain myself.

“Since you can’t have pets, and I can, isn’t the solution obvious?” I ask, giving her a cool glance and small smile.

Her face shows only confusion for a few moments, but as she understands my insinuation her face lights up like festival fireworks.

“Really?!” she asks with the excited voice of child who has just learned that yes, she’s getting exactly what she wants for her birthday.

“Really.” I confirm, unable to keep the smile in my heart from forming on my lips.

And so, ten minutes later after walking her back to the second years’ dorm, and assuring her that the fox would be taken care of, and wishing Megu-chan goodnight I’m left alone in my apartment.

Well… not alone.

I sigh pointedly, and glance at the little fox pup sitting obediently in front of the door.

“You might as well take a human form when it’s just us two.” I remark, perhaps a bit flippantly, but I’m tired and this is going to be very troublesome for the foreseeable future… though since this situation ensured Megu-chan’s safety it’s well worth it, I will admit. I turn away from her and enter the kitchen, my agenda to acquire a snack and something to drink; I’m famished.

‘As you wish, Osuitsume-sama.’

There is no puff of smoke or bright light to signal Tsuna’s change from fox to human, but as I reenter the living room, food and drink in hand, I’m greeted with a very cute, very naked, girl sitting composedly on my couch.

Needless to say I’m a bit surprised and I might have yelped. Loudly.

“Gah!?”

“Osuitsume-sama? Is something wrong?” She asks innocently, her hands in her lap, her posture prim and proper. Sadly, such a position leaves nearly nothing to the imagination, and before I can help it I’m appreciating her… feminine assets. She’s bigger than I am, even larger than Megu-chan… damn it, why do I have to be the one with a normal chest?! So unfair…!

I close my eyes a moment and gather my wits. It’s not good to be staring like that, even if it’s Tsuna… and even if she is nice to stare at.

That was a bit… unexpected, but not unreasonable. After all, I didn’t really tell her to do anything other than take a human form, did I?

My composure regained I step to the couch, about to sit, but think better of it and simply set my food and drink on the coffee table. It’s not going to be easy to eat and drool over such a sight at the same time…

“Wait here.” I say, and duck into my room. She’s a bit smaller than I am height-wise, but her chest should make up for that… as frustrating as that is. Though I really don’t know about her waist… she looks pretty tiny, and she’s never worn modern clothing before…

“Tsuna, come here.” I call to her, and within a moment she’s standing at the door… still nude.

“What do you require of me, Osuitsume-sama?” She asks, her voice properly subservient.

I make sure to keep my eyes on her face, even though our differences in height make the gesture just that: a gesture.

”Here, put this on.” I mutter, handing her one of my larger t-shirts. Without a word she takes it and, after a moment of study, pulls it over her head.

“Is this ok?” She asks with her arms at her sides, her face innocent.

I nod, once, and then cross to my dresser and rummage though it for a suitable pair of underwear.

I pull out the smallest ones I have, pale pink with a smiling Hello Kitty on the front and toss it towards her wordlessly.

Another moment and I’ve procured socks for her as well, but that still leaves the matter of her lower half…

I look to her to ask if she’d like shorts or pants, but stop short: she’s standing there holding the panties I threw her with a peculiar expression; a mix between rapture and curiosity.

As I’m watching, I barely hear her whisper “Kawaii…”

And that does it. I start laughing, quickly getting to the point where I’m glad I’m already on the floor so I don’t have far to fall.

Ah, that’s just too cute, Tsuna… really, that’s not even fair.

I’m soon wiping tears of mirth from my eyes as I ask her what she would like to wear.

Of course, without knowledge of such things, I guess it would be hard choice, and it’s left up to me with a “Whatever you think is best, Osuistume-sama.”

And so a couple minutes and a very embarrassing lesson on how to put on panties later, I’ve got her as completely clothed as I can in a t-shirt, sweat shorts, underwear and socks. The bra will just have to wait until tomorrow… she’s at least two cups larger than I am.

Don’t be jealous, don’t be jealous…

            Sleep is a funny thing. You go into it one way, and come out of it another.

For example, I went to sleep with Tsuna on one side of the bed, and me on the other. And yet, when I woke up…

            Mufh?! Geez, why is it so hard to breath? And what’s this… Oh, warm and soft… I guess I can stand the lack of oxygen if it’s like this…

… eh? Wait… something’s off, here…

Why does this feel like… oh crap…

Just to be sure that I really am where I think I am, I open one eye. Complete darkness.

Yep… I’ve really done it. I sigh, wishing that… well, that I didn’t do things like this. I mean, I was unconscious, even! Mou!

“Osuitsume-sama…?”

Tsuna’s sleepy voice brings me back to reality from my self-berating. Moments pass and nothing happens, save for a very slight shift of Tsuna’s body. And then…

Soft hands, on my head, and her fingers gently detangling my absurdly long hair.

“Osuitsume-sama…” She whispers gently, her hands delicately playing with my hair.

“Why are you… there?” She asks, her voice holding nothing but curiosity.

“Anno… it’s warm and soft?” I venture, my voice muffled by the swelling of her breasts on either side of my face. I pull my face out of the gulf that is her cleavage, and grin sheepishly; I can’t help it. I really do love breasts…

She giggles, from what I’ve said or because my breath is tickling her I’ve no idea, but her chest bounces lusciously. It’s… mesmerizing. I hope I’m not staring too much… or drooling…

“Osuitsume-sama, someone is at the door.”

“Uwah?” I yelp gracelessly, my consciousness abruptly, and jarringly, brought back from my mammary-induced heaven.

Very faintly, from beyond the bedroom, standing outside the door to my apartment, I can hear something very familiar…

“Inari-chan! WAKE UP!!”

My eyes go wide, all remnants of sleep gone with a spike of adrenaline. Megu-chan?! This early, on a Tuesday?! Wait… Tuesday? I’m late for school… and my midterms?!! She’s gonna kill me!!

“Crap!”

And among various other expletives, many of which would earn me a smack with Megu-chan’s paper fan were she to hear such words pass my lips, I manage to stumble out of bed, ascertain which way is up, and miraculously stagger my way to the door amid a very painful, very disorienting head-rush. My hand is on the knob, ready to open the door when an errant, trivial thought makes it way through the panicked haze that is my brain: how am I going to explain Tsuna to Megu-chan? Moreover, why is it so damn cold in here? I swear, at this sort of temperature my nipples are going to poke right through my shirt-

Wait a sec. What shirt?

… why am I wearing less clothing than I went to bed in?

The surprise is enough to send me into a stupor. Is this what it’s like to have a stroke?

After a moment of investigation into this most curious of matters, I conclude that I’m not wearing less clothing, my clothing has merely shifted. That is to say, my shirt is bunched around my neck and my pants and underwear are askew. Huh, no wonder it was hard to walk…

A quick readjustment later and the temperature is a tad more reasonable, at least on my more sensitive areas. And the pounding at the door seems to have ceased, for the moment, but that won’t last; it’s Megu-chan after all. She’s nothing if not… tenacious. Satisfied with my appearance, I once more reach for the door knob, but am besieged by a nagging feeling as my hand touches the cold metal of the knob. I’m forgetting something really important…

“Osuitsume-sama, would you like me to get the door for you?” Tsuna asks subserviently from mere inches behind me.

Oh yeah… that.

How to explain an adorable, well-endowed, scantily clad girl in my room? I don’t think even I could talk my way out of that one…

“Tsuna, take your fox form!”

“INARI~!”

“Now!”

She’s so cute when she’s confused, and I’d love to able to tease her like she deserves for being so adorable, but right now I’m too worried about whether or not I’m going to live through the five minutes after I open that door…

I’m not panicking, I’m not panicking… ok, I’m panicking, but there’s a really good reason…!

“As you wish, Osuitsume-sama.”

And, with not a sound, a sight nor any kind of warning, in front of my feet sits an adorable black-furred fox pup exactly where Tsuna was not a moment before.

It’ll have to do…

Fumbling only a little, I open the door… to a nearly-rabid Megu-chan.

“YOU’RE GONNA BE LATE!!!”

Oh… wow… she’s really mad… Also, I think my ears are ringing…

“Eh heh heh, ohaiyou, Megu-chan…” I greet her sheepishly and smile my best ‘let’s calm Megu--chan down so she doesn’t eviscerate me’ smile.

She stares at me for a moment, whether in surprise that I’ve got the nerve to show my face or something else entirely, I’m not sure. After that short moment, though, she looks to the side and pouts ever so cutely, puffing her cheeks and… is she blushing?

Furthermore, am I drooling at the sight of her blushing? I hastily regain my composure, clearing my throat pointedly with a small ‘ahem’.

A silent, possibly awkward moment passes before she pushes past me into my apartment, and I’m given a quick up-down once over.

“Mou, I woke you up? You’re not even dressed!” She complains, her voice rife with displeasure and her arms crossed over her chest. She plants herself right in the middle of my living room, and positively glowers at me with a look that would probably outright kill a lesser being.

As it is, I’m only moderately mortified as I close the door and scratch the back of my head with embarrassment.

“Well you see, this morning there was a little trouble getting out of bed…” I begin, but trail off laughing nervously; probably not a good idea to mention how I woke up this morning is it? All those pesky explanations and revelations, you know? Best to keep it simple…

Before I can think of anything suitable to say, though, she sighs with exasperation and then steps lightly over to me takes my hand, gently. She seems oblivious for a moment, her are eyes closed even and she has a blissful expression upon her delicate, angel-like face… she seems absorbed in thought, so much so that I’m not even sure she’s aware of her actions.

I feel my face soften in a kind of silent awe; she really is beautiful.

Ah… my chest… hurts. There’s nothing wrong with it, but… it really hurts.

Megumi’s… heart-breaking... beauty…

“I was worried, you know.” She says, her eyes closed and expression pensive, “When you weren’t waiting for me at the station, I got really scared.”

“Megu-chan…” I whisper her name softly, and of its own accord my hand cups her cheek.

I can’t help but smile; she really is so wonderful.

“I’m sorry, Megu-chan.”

I wish I could tell her more, tell her everything, but as with so many times before I squash the urge.

Seconds of silence tick by, and my thoughts are filled with her. My precious, precious Megumi. Before I can form any coherent thought, I’m already leaning towards her, my lips parting automatically. I’m inches from her now… a second from her soft, pale pink lips…

“Come on, we’re going to be late.” She says suddenly, and turns from me briskly, pulling me with her into my bedroom without a second glance at me. She looks at my uniform, carelessly discarded the night before on the floor, and gives me an exasperated look. I shrug automatically, my thoughts far from this time and place.

The throws it to me and with the parting words of “Hurry up.”, she returns to the living room.

Moments later I can here her cooing at, I assume, Tsuna.

I sigh and feel suddenly very, very tired. I stand there, unmoving, my thoughts containing only her, for a long time. Something wet slides down my check, but I ignore it, as I always do.

“Megumi…” Her name crosses my lips with bated breath.

From the living room, again, she calls to me. “Inari~! Hurry!!”

Even with such a petulant tone, I can’t help but smile.

… … … … …

            To be honest, there are few things I have patience for in this world. Call it an ironic personality, since after living as long as I have you’d think I’d be used to waiting. But, even if you say that, it really doesn’t change the fact that I hate sitting around doing nothing.

As you might guess from that line of thought, I’m taking my midterms right now.

Or, should I say, I’m sitting here waiting for everyone else to take their midterms. I was done like thirty minutes ago.

And after staring at the ceiling for the last twenty minutes, I’m getting bored. Like really bored.

Maybe some fire would liven things up…

“Time! Pencils down.” Obana-sensei shouts, her voice a godsend for my dwindling patience, and my classmates. After all, I doubt they’d enjoy being set on fire…

Our tests are collected, and then we’re dismissed for lunch.

Or, that’s what I’m assuming happened, but I wasn’t there to be sure, because the second sensei said ‘time’ I was out of my seat and out the door. I make it up the stairs and out to the roof before the bell even rings. A new record!

I burst through the door, scattering a few pigeons who take flight with fear at my rancorous entrance. The sun is shining and the sky is a perfect, cloudless blue. It’s unseasonably warm for early autumn, even for southern Japan. It really is a great day to have lunch outside!

… now, if only I had some lunch to eat, that would pretty much make my day.

Oh well, nothing to be done about it now, I guess. I’m not quite hungry enough to eat the school’s food, so… I’ll just sit here next to the door. I sigh, again. Seems to be my modus operandi for the day, considering how much I’ve done so today…

My thoughts drift towards Megu-chan, but I squash them before I can dwell on her. It’s pointless, I’ve known that for a long time now; not only is she oblivious as to how I feel about her, but someone like me can’t get involved with a human…

And, even beyond that, there are complications… hell, I don’t even know if she likes girls! I mean, she hasn’t had a boyfriend, but she’s never had a girlfriend, either…! Damn it, why does this have to be so difficult?! Also, is it just me or is it just too ironic, and more than a little ridiculous, that a kami would be stressing over something like this?

I’m practically throwing a fit, but at this point I don’t even care. It’s not like anyone is around…

A high-pitched giggle interrupts my thoughts.

“Those are some funny faces you’re making there.”

That voice… a girl’s voice… it’s coming from above me… on top of the access door?!

I look upwards, but due to the sun I only see a silhouette… but even so she’s definitely wearing a uniform. And… what is this aura I’m sensing from her? It’s cold and dark, tinged with blood, hate, and pure malice.

My eyes go wide as I realize what she is: a demon.