Beneath the Crimson Moon

[Nightsangel]

(Closed to The Archer.)

The half moon in the sky was like a bright beacon , as the dark haired vixen left the club for the night. She was humming to herself as the night had gone rather well for once. Not one male had said something vulgar to her, in fact pleasantly for a change, she had simply danced her routine and then had exited the stage with a minimum of fuss. Not even any of her rivals had said anything to her, normally they all commented that she was too pale, too thin to be a sufficient dancer, to please the men, much to their surprise normally most of the men hounded after her. Sivi knew that was because of her unnaturally lusty appearance, her curse of being a vampire. She tried to keep it low-key…but that didn’t always work. For now though she was simply happy to leave the club, well paid and on her way home.

However, muchly unknown to the dark beauty, her happy moment was to be short lived. As she bustled her way through the thickly packed crowds, a figure garbed in dark clothing was stalking her, keeping hidden as he knew by training that if she was alerted to his scent, she would either run or attack. He was a vampire hunter, well renowned in his line of work, he had killed many of her kind. As she moved by a jewelry cart, he slipped into a dark alleyway and shimmied up the drain pipe to follow the vampiress. Through his observations as he trailed her, he saw a small orange fluff ball meet up with his prey. It hopped on the woman’s shoulder and nuzzled into it settling there. A groan escaped him as he said softly “Seems like she has a familiar…I’ll have to…send out a lure to get rid of that damn beast….”

He then flipped open the cloak he wore and pulled out a potion, he then dropped the potion into the very dark alley he had just exited from, the scent was a lure for any beast or familiar owned by a dark creature, it assembled itself into the very scent the creature was to lure it there thinking that they’d find a mate. Content, he turned to watch the progress of his plan and was rewarded when the kitsune’s nose twitched softly.

“I smell something mistress..” Serenity said as her tails twitched in the air.

“What do you smell Serenity?” Sivienna asked a little irritated as her smooth night was starting to look bumpy. “Why do you have to worry about it? Were almost home!”

“But Mistress Sivi! It smells like a male kistune!” The young kistune said, her nose turned pointedly towards behind them.

“There can’t be…your kind just don’t show themselves out in open public!” The vixen said in an exasperated voice.

“But its not out in the open!” Serenity said as she bounded off the vampiress’s shoulder and towards the scent.

“Ugh…” Sivienna said grumpily as she turned on her clicked heel to head for a row of nice looking apartment buildings. Hers was one of the ones on the second floor and right now all she wanted was to go home and to bed. Moving towards the entranceway, she didn’t see in the keen darkness the hand that reached for, it was too late. The hand had her mouth covered and was dragging her towards the more secluded part of town.

His stench was horrible….as she was dragged past nice little quaint shops, she soon saw herself in the more shady part of town., she saw boarded up buildings that looked in a great state of decay pass by her, she tried to bite at her captor’s hand but his grip was too strong…almost inhuman. A frown passed her lips as she thought “Could he be a vampire hunter…but how? Why didn’t I notice him before now….”

Her thoughts were scattered as she was shoved roughly into a stinking pile of garbage, a gruff voice said “Get up filth…its time for you to ay for your sins…”

Sivienna spit out a fish bone as her eyes adjusted to the dimness of the alleyway he had dragged her into. She could smell life here, an alley cat and rats…and perhaps maybe one or two homeless bums…but she knew they had all scattered when he had tossed her in here. They didn’t want trouble….in a growling voice she murmurs “Filth? Gee you hunters and your holier then thou attitude….you’re the filth for merciless slaughtering innocent vampires who do nothing more then survive! Not all of us are merciless…”

Her words were cut off as the slayer kicked her in the stomach cutting off her speech. He then grinned as he murmurs “Time to chop up that pretty little face of yours!” He then moved to her to swift for her to escape and begin to draw a bladed silver dagger against her pale white skin, blood slowly trickled from the wound, he then laughed as he begin to get more vicious, trailing the dagger deeper into Sivienna’s body as he moved lower and lower…

Pain…it was like a prickly flower blossoming in Sivienna‘s stomach…however, despite it, she knew she could beat out this bastard. He was simply human, he had not known the pain she had at her father‘s hands, gritting her teeth, she got up and winced letting out a little muffled screech as the dagger cut deeply into her stomach, her vision blurred once…twice and she could‘ve sworn that the slayer dug the dagger sharply into her right leg, groaning she said in an unsteady voice “D…d…damn…you!” She then moved on instinct, the smell of his blood too strong for her to fight…she was injured…and regeneration alone would not help her…the blood would help speed along the healing and she needed it…and this man was no innocent…so there was nothing for her to feel guilty about….

The dark haired slayer with his black eyes was too busy torturing Sivienna that he did not notice her quick movement, before he could draw his sword, she had his fangs in his neck. He let out a little “URG….” before his strangled cry fell silent as Sivienna drained his life away. Once she was done with this, she smiled in satisfaction and said curtly “Now that…” She thought her problem was over…but it wasn’t, out of the darkness, in that filthy garbage strewn alleyway, came a hulking figure much bigger and stronger looking then the slayer she had just drank from. Her vision was blurry so she couldn’t see who it was, but soon the figure was close and grabbing for her. As she was caught in yet another vice like grip, she was too woozy this time to struggle. She felt a hand roaming over her lush body, as if searching for something. A hoarse and washed out voice came into her ear saying plainly “Where’s your money lady? Gimme it and no one gets hurt!”

[The Archer]

Seth had stretched out in a tree in one of the squares after sunset, letting his thick fur keep him warm. After the stifling heat of the Fallien day and the brutal cold of its night, the relatively constant temperate temperature of Radasanth felt like a lover's caress. He enjoyed the night, he was part of it, with his inky fur and lycan heritage. Sleep, however, wasn't coming to him this night. On his return to Radasanth, he'd tested himself to see if he was safe to be around his lover and her kits.

Leaving Ki, Ryo and Chiyo had been almost as hard as leaving his family in Salvar, his parents and five sisters, but it had been less necessary. Or so he thought. He'd just wanted to leave the kits with their mother instead of seeing her off to war...a war he hadn't even participated in. Now he found that he had failed his own test...and he didn't want to fail again with precious lives on the line.

He wanted to go back, to explain and say good bye, but he knew that the journey would be easy and the parting heart-wrenching. He couldn't do it...and he was sure that she'd already moved on. He sighed heavily, his green and black eyes shining sadly in the light of the half-full moon.

"Seth?" A voice, soft as a whispering wind and sweet as a summer berry floated up to him from the cobblestone street, and the werefox glanced down to see a pair of silver eyes staring at him from the middle of a snow-white face. It was Ai, a kitsune whose life he'd helped save from a demon spirit in Akashima. The last time he'd seen her, she'd been helping Ki with the twins. Her nine tails barely peeked out from beneath her long kimono, and she stood there pensively, looking up at him.

He dropped down to approach her, and was shocked once more at how much taller he stood than the slender kitsune; she only came up to the middle of his chest.

"Ai? How are Ki and the twins? Did they think..." his tail swished apprehensively and his ears flicked back and forth. It might be best if they thought him dead, but he couldn't bear letting Ki live with that sort of pain.

"Oh, Seth..." the way Ai's face contorted, it meant a different thing altogether, and even more painful for Seth than the separation had been previously.

"I...I see. I see." He nodded softly, the movement making his muzzle bobble up and down in the dim light. His ears drooped and his tail deflated. "I was gone too long."

"I'm so sorry, Seth."

He shook his head. "Don't....don't be, Ai. It's just...I wasn't expecting...but I should...I should have known. And it's for the best, anyway... yes...for the best... how did you find me?"

The kitsune went up to her friend, taking one of his big, black hands in her small, slender white ones. "I knew that you'd come back, and when you did, you'd be in Radasanth. I just needed to find you."

He gave her a weak smile that didn't touch his eyes. "Thank you, Ai. It means a lot that you'd find me and tell me. Give them my regards, won't you?"

She shook her head. "I want to stay with you, Seth. You're alone, I'm alone, Ki has her kits. You came and saved my life, Seth. Share your burden with me."

He shook his head as well, vehemently. "I can't let you do that, Ai. I'm dangerous. You haven't seen me at the start of each waning and waxing phase. I'm a monster, Ai. I can't put you at risk."

"I'm hardly at risk. I'm staying with you, Seth. Whether you want me to or not, I'll follow you wherever you go."

The werefox sighed. He didn't know how to explain it to her, he just needed to get her somewhere better for the night. "We'll talk about this in the morning, Ai. But for now...do you have a place to stay?"

She pointed a tiny paw towards the rougher district of town. "Over that way. Are we leaving in the morning?"

"Maybe."

The two vulpines walked through the streets, ignoring the bustle and stillness alternately. Ai quivered at a scent in the air that Seth couldn't quite catch, but nonetheless kept her direction.

Only a few minutes later, Seth heard the sounds of a scuffle, and could smell blood and hear a death rattle. Despite his claims of being a monster, Seth couldn't just leave someone in trouble, especially not a woman. He wouldn't.

"Stay close, Ai."

He padded his way to the mouth of an alley, where his keen eyes picked out a burly man holding up a bleeding woman for her money. He felt the fur on his ruff rise and his tail expand with anger; it wasn't sportsmanlike to attack a woman unless she attacked you first...and judging from the lack of blood on his hands, he'd attacked her after she'd been injured.

"Hey!" He snarled, getting the assailant's attention. "That's no way to treat a lady." His bass voice rumbled ominously off the alley walls.

The man smirked. He was taller and broader than Seth, and couldn't see him clearly in the darkness of the overhang at the head of the alley. "Who's going to stop me, kid? You?"

Seth stepped forward so that the moonlight shone off of his coarse fur and illuminated his eyes; one green as life and the other black as damnation. His teeth were bared, each of them a gleaming white dagger, ready to rend flesh from bone. "If you want to make me," was the growled response.

"Holy sh*t!" The man dropped Sivi, instead turning his knife on Seth. The lycan stood between him and his escape, and he charged, trying to make the other man balk and let him run.

Seth wasn't feeling so merciful, though, and slammed his fist into the other man's stomach, then let him get up.

A fight ensued, brief but vicious, and ended with the knife plunging into Seth's right forearm and the fox's teeth ripping into the mugger's shoulder before he managed to rip away and run down the street.

"Damnit!" He hadn't meant to bite. Now he'd have to seek the man out and kill him before he became as much a monster as Seth already was. But the fight was over, and the woman was still there.

Crouching by her, Seth let his eyes travel over the exquisite form, not lustfully, but trying to assess for damage.

"Are you all right, miss?"

[Nightsangel]

Of all the filthy rotten…… Sivienna’s mind trailed off as the mugger’s large and filthy hand was abruptly pulled from her body. Confusion filled her pretty heart shaped face as she looked around the inky darkness for the person who she assumed was her rescuer, she couldn’t see him, her blood was still working on healing her words, but she could smell something…and it smelled like wolf…no fox…similar to her own Serenity’s scent…but not quite the same thing.

Shaking her head to clear it, she listened to the young man speak…she was finally aware enough to realize that their was two people standing in front of her…one a kistune…but difference in appearance from her own. The other a were fox…now that she could see more clearly she recognized the features. Smiling lightly she murmurs in a slurred voice “I…I’m fine…just had a nasty accident…thank you sir…for rescuing me.” She then moved away from the horrible smell of the garbage and closer to the entrance of the alleyway where the two stood

“What were you two doing here though? It doesn’t look like your exact area for a date?” She then frowns and says softly “Forgive me, where are my manners. I’m Sivienna Mizami…and who might you both be?”

Her wounds continued to heal after she had asked this question…furthermore, she was also wondering just what became of her kistune Serenity. The girl had wandered off after an unknown scent, and from Sivienna’s perspective she was pretty sure that scent had been a lure of the vampire slayer she had killed. Sighing as she looked at the two she murmurs” Why don’t you walk with me. I can offer you both a drink, I live a little ways back. Plus it would be wrong of me not to offer you both something. You did save my life.” She smiled then at the were fox, her smile bright and luminous in the soft night sky as she waited for their reply.

[The Archer]

"I'm Seth Ad'huast," he said by way of introduction before gesturing to the mythril-white kitsune beside him. "And this is my good friend Ai. We were out walking when we heard a scuffle...and, well...my muzzle's far too big to expect to keep it out of trouble."

He followed Sivienna, keeping Ai close to him in the meantime. He had no doubts that she could take care of herself, but there was just something in him that made him need to protect. And now there were two people to protect. It gave him something to do, something to worry about other than the need to find the man he had bitten and kill him before the moon changed three times.

He'd sworn, very early on after he'd first transformed, that he would never make another such as he.

The pale and beautiful woman moved forward with barely any trace of her injury, making Seth cock his head. He'd been sure it was her blood he'd smelled...and yet she wasn't bleeding. What was she?

Curiosity piqued, he tried staying closer, still keeping an eye on Ai. He could see her tails twitching as she smelled something, a male calling her or any female by scent. She wasn't in estrus, though, and she had chosen to stick with Seth, at least, for now. So, hard as it was, she resisted.

[Nightsangel]

The moon’s shifting rays showed that the night was lengthening…it was probably nearing dusk from the way the blue lights twinkled against the inky midnight blackness. Normally Sivienna would have found this amusing, would have sat down to view this pretty scene as she let her injuries heal. But, as of right now she had two guests to see to. She had been raised a lady, the fine so called daughter of House Mizami, her mother would have seen to it that both Seth and Ai had been given lovely well furnished guest rooms. Her father on the other hand…would probably have wanted them gone, since they weren’t of vampire origin.

A sigh escapes her full red lips, as she leads her two companions through the quiet Radasanth streets. It had been bustling when Sivienna had left the club, but now it was silent. The pretty shops all closed for the night. She knew that the two anthros could smell something strange about her, it was an obvious fact from her pale skin, to her unearthly beauty that she was different. Its only a matter of time before they realize that my wounds are nearly fully healed….do they know of vampires? Sivienna’s mind mulled this out as they passed the glitzy club where she had worked for the night, two of the dancers were just leaving with customers. There high pitched laughter could be heard as the two ‘couples’ disappeared into their own separate carriages.

Soon though Sivienna passed the same alleyway where her own kistune had disappeared, a heavy sigh escapes her as she murmurs to Seth and Ai “Excuse me…I need to fetch my pet….” She then hurried into the alleyway and looked amidst the musty old gray garbage cans for the orange tail of her kistune. Cupping her hands to her mouth she shouts “SERENITY? YOU AROUND HERE? IF YOU ARE ANSWER!” Silence greeted her for a few minutes before some rustling could be heard.

“I’m here Mistress Sivi…damn it all. You were right…there was nothing there except a sutra that smelled like a male kistune’s scent….”

Sivienna smirks as she bends down to pick up her familiar and says chidingly “I told you so. You should have listened to me!”

As the two exit out of the dark alleyway, Serenity’s tails twitch in disgust as she murmurs “Ugh tussle ag…”

Sivi quickly cut her pet off as she murmurs “Hi Seth…Ai…this is my pet kistune; Serenity. Serenity meet Seth and Ai.” She could feel tiny beads of sweat falling down her neck at her kistune’s near revelation of who she was. Hopefully Serenity would get the hint and not give anymore away.

The kistune’s two tails twitched slightly at her mistress’s rudeness, but she had heard what Sivi had said. Wrinkling her nose cutely she chirps “Its nice to meet you both! Sivienna’s apartment isn’t far! We can rest up there and offer you two food for the night.”

Sivienna nods as she murmurs “It’d be only fair…since you did rescue me Seth. “She then smiles and motions at a pretty tan building that they had stopped in front of. “We’re here….just let me get the door open and then we can head to my apartment…”

[The Archer]

Bunny approved

Seth was following along, not really paying so much attention to the flow of conversation as he was to the sounds and scents of the night or to just how much his wounds itched as they healed. Within a few hours, at least, it would be like he'd never had them at all. Healing was just unnecessarily uncomfortable.

He was vaguely aware of them stopping for some reason, but he looked along the street. It seemed so serene, so peaceful, as though the escapade in the alley had gone unnoticed. The results of it wouldn't, though, and he'd soon be a man wanted for murder. He had to figure out a way to convince Ai that it wasn't safe to be around him, despite the fact that he longed for some company, any company, especially company that could remind him of the family he'd had.

His thoughts were interrupted as the moon-white kitsune gave a shrill cry of pleasure and plucked the bright orange Serenity from her mistress's arms. He couldn't help grinning as the delicate white nine-tails cuddle and fawn over the little two-tails as though she were a baby. It was incredibly cute, how her tail-tips twitched with excitement as she played with the smaller kitsune, and only with a nudge did he remind Ai that they were being invited in.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Mizami," he said, keeping alive the little streak of humanity he had in a few formal mannerisms.

[Nightsangel]

(Bunny approved.)

Fishing through her satchel for her key, the dark vixen soon came up with a simple silver key ring. A dolphin was attached to it a long with two silver key. Grabbing one that had little teeth engraved into the silver, she moved it to to the lock that opened the front door of her building. Opening the lock, she swung the door open and led Ai and Seth to her apartment.

As they traveled down the dimly lit corridor, Sivienna answered Seth's formal manners with her own. "It isn't a problem Seth. Your welcome to stay as long as you like!"

Serenity meanwhile was snuggled happily in Ai's arms. She had giggled and yipped at the older kistune as the young female had coddled her. For now she was content in staying with the young nine tails. Her mistress treated her with respect, but it had been a long time since she'd be around one of her own kind. Looking up at Ai she asks "How long have you traveled with Seth?"

"Oh...not long. I lived with him and some other kitsune for a while, but he's been off to war recently, and we just met back up tonight. But I'll go with him the rest of the way, wherever that is." Ai gave the little kitsune a tiny smile. "He did save my life once, after all." The white furred kistune said with a gentle smile on her face.

Serenity's two tails swished lightly as she said softly "Oh...then your Seth must be a gentleman." She then nuzzled Ai's arm lightly, hoping that the female would get her reference to Seth resecting her mistress.

Sivienna meanwhile had opened her apartment door and walked in. A frown came onto her pale face as she said in an embarrassed tone. "Forgive the mess. I normally don't get many visitors..." After saying this she begin to pick up the discarded clothes. Tossing them into a laundry hamper she says cordially "Go on relax.." She motions to the soft couch, which currently has a few articles of clothing on it. Moving to pick those up she murmurs "If you need anything just ask me."

She then tossed the remaining clothes in the hamper, before she moved to sit on the matching chair to the sofa. Settling in she asks "What brought you to Radasanth? Myself I work at a local club here." She then waited for Seth to answer, hoping that her simple questions would make him more comfortable with her, she still had to figure out a way to thank him for saving her life from that thief. She hoped that he himself would say something to save her the trouble of thinking something up.

[The Archer]

Seth held in a grin as he crossed the threshold of Sivienna's apartment. It was a war zone! Things were scattered everywhere, particularly clothing. For now, it seemed that the Simple Street Clothes Platoon was holding its own against the onslaught of the Satanically Sultry Dance Dress Army, but only by just barely. Off in the corner, he saw two shoes crossed over each other. It looked like Sargent Sneaker was engaged in a death match with Corporal Four-Inch Stiletto Heel, from the Purple Shoe division.

It reminded him of the state of his oldest sister's apartment whenever he went to see his nephews. There'd been three of them, the last time he'd seen her. A five year old, a three year old, and a one year old. She'd said she was going to keep trying until she got a little girl, but Seth, then Al, hadn't been around to see the day his little niece was born. Just like he wouldn't be around to watch Chiyo and Ryo grow up from the tiny kits that felt like emperors on his broad shoulders into teenagers that would resent everything he tried to tell them.

The thought killed his mirth as he sat down, careful to keep his wound out of contact with the couch. It was many times more comfortable than the tree branch that the vulpine archer had thought to spend the night, but somehow he doubted that the night would see him rest at all, let alone well.

Ai, still cuddling Serenity, looked over at him as he sat, noting the drooping ears and heavy expression, the way his thick fur seemed to hang heavily around his muscular body, as though the weight of it were too great for him to bear. Whatever he had been through, he looked defeated. She could feel a strange, mournful yearning twist in her stomach, and more than anything, she longed to go over and comfort him.

She watched him look up again as their hostess started talking, his bright green eye focusing sharply despite his great weariness, and she saw his ears twitching as she asked about his reasons for being in Radasanth.

"Me? I...uh...well..." Seth shook his head, letting his ruff re-settle. A few days ago, he'd thought he had a purpose in Corone, but now...now he knew better.

"I recently went off to war in Fallien. Before that, I was living with a kitsune and her kits...Ai came in later. Well...the war is over, and I decided to come back...but I needed to know something about myself. I'm a lycanthrope, infected by the bite of a fox in one of my traps, and as such, am subject to the shifting humors of the Lady Luna, up above. In this stage of the moon, I'm normal, almost human, even if I look like a beast. But during the full and new moons I shift, becoming fully fox and fully human respectively. I'm well behaved during both of those transitions, but during the shift back to this form, I go into an uncontrollable blood rage. I enter the same rage when threatened badly during battle."

He sighed. While the admission he'd just given was difficult, what he was about to say next was even worse.

"I came back and was told that the family I left behind had moved on. And I think that is for the best. While I...I yearn more than anything to watch the snows fall every winter with the woman I thought was my mate...to hold her son's hands steady while teaching him how to shoot a bow...to wipe the tears from her little girl's eyes the first time her little heart gets broken...to have a kit of my own and watch him grow into someone proud and strong...as much as I want that...I'm not safe. I couldn't live with myself if something happened one night and I wound up hurting any of them."

Once more, his fur laid flat, making him seem old, weak, and tired. He looked down, and his eyes lost their sparkle and became waxy. It was such a harsh blow to a man who had wanted a family and a normal life beyond anything else, and he was still reeling from both the realization and the news that he was now obsolete in the home of the family he'd chosen. He had no place, no purpose.

"I...guess I'll stay in Radasanth a few more days and then head into Concordia. If I go deep enough, maybe no one will find me. I do'nt want to risk infecting anyone else...I already have to find and kill the man that I bit tonight. It will not be a pleasant task...but I'd rather not risk him infecting more people. It's a rough phase, the first few months, and while I was all right out in the woods, that man smelled thoroughly of the city. He'd be dangerous...my fault, my mess...and I get to clean it up. I can't very well do anything else to help anyone."

A melancholy smile touched his razor-thin black lips as his ears turned out. "Something of a...final contribution."

[Nightsangel]

Listening to Seth's tale, Sivienna bit her lip lightly. If he could be honest with her and tell her that he was a werefox...,then she could do the same for him. Waiting patiently for Seth to finish his tale, the dark vixen nodded and replied softly "I see...so I'm guessing..you won't be able to see the kit you were interested in? That is a sad tale." Pursing her lips as her eyes fell on her shoe corner. She knew she needed to pick up those four inch stilettos, the way they were weighing down on her sneakers and flats was just unappealling.

I'm stalling from the inevitable.. the dark vixen thought as she looked away from her cluttered shoe corner. Her eyes then fell briefly on Ai and Serenity. The way the two kistunes were cuddled together was adorable. The dark vampire beauty made a mental note that she needed to try and find Serenity a companion. {I] I"m still stalling. It would be better if I just told Seth what I am. I can worry about the consequences later...[/I]

Clearing her throat, Sivienna adjusted her position on the chair. Sinking into the cozy softness, she stalls for a few more minutes before she says in a soft voice "Thank you for telling me your tale Seth. It is sad...that you can't be with the kistune that you love. It sucks when what you are prevents you from accomplishing dreams that your heart desires. I...' closing her eyes she let the familiar scents of her apartment comfort her as she continued " am a vampire. I need to live off the blood of the living..but!" she noticed Ai's yelp of fear as the nine tailed female drew Serenity closer, ignoring this she finished "I won't harm you or Ai. I only drink from the blood of evil humans..or from hunters who hunt me."

She then lapsed into silence. Turning to stare at a cluttered mess of bras and shirts. She studied this cluttered array and sighed. It was easier to imagine her bras strangling the soft fabrics of her shirts. Pressuring them to give in and let her undergarments lay on top of her submissive shirts.

Laughing a bit at this she thinks God...I really need to clean this place up. I use it more as a storage house for my things..then an actual living space.. She then turned back to her guests, a nervous smile was on her full lips as she murmurs "If you wish to leave Seth, your welcome to. But if your not afraid of me, then your welcome to stay here as long as your needed."

Serenity meanwhile cuddled into Ai's lap and whispered softly "Trust me...my mistress what harm you or your freind Ai! Please stay!" Her gentle brown eyes were pleading, each of her two tails wrapping cutely around Ai's arms as she used her cuteness as a bargaining plea for Ai to persuade Seth and her to stay.

[The Archer]

"I'm not afraid, miss Mizami." Surprise had never crossed the werefox's features; he had smelled the touch of death that hung faintly around her like perfume, he had smelled the blood on her breath. He actually had wondered at Ai's yelp. Hadn't she caught it, too?

"After all...we few monsters trying to do our best have to try to stick together, mustn't we? Since you've been kind enough to offer your hospitality, and since little Serenity seems to be tail-tied to Ai, we will impose on you for a little while more."

A soft chuckle escaped him as his black eye focused on the spectacle of the little two-tails coiled around Ai's slender arms. They looked almost like a mother and child at bed-time, with the child begging for just one more story. Or my favorite, 'can we play another game, Ma? Just one more game.'

The last time he'd seen Ryo and Chiyo, they'd only had two tails, but Ki had said that they'd grow very fast. He wondered how old they seemed now, what all had happened, but he knew he'd forget eventually, or let go of them somehow. He had to. It was just hard to stop living in the past when he didn't have much of a future.

He looked once more around the apartment, noting its scarce but plush furniture, its rugs, the limited amount of space, and he wondered how anyone survived like that. He knew that he would have gone stir-crazy if he'd only had a few hundred square feet. He'd build a cabin out in Concordia and have miles and miles to roam. He'd hunt and fish all the year round, survive off of his own skills and the munificence of Corone's rich land. Best of all, no one would ever find him. He supposed he'd survive the loneliness somehow.

He'd done it thus far after all, hadn't he?

Conversation had lagged while he let his attention wander, so he turned back to his hostess.

"What's life like in the big city, miss Mizami? I've been a country boy all my life, and can't see how people live so...close together."

[Nightsangel]

Relief flooded the night vixen's heart as she heard Seth say he would say. She grinned at his little joke as well. Smiling as she heard his tale, she leaned forward, her hands moving to rest on her knees. In a warm voice she replied "City life is interesting Seth. There are many sights to see, such as the shops. I'm sure you noticed the various stores on the walk to my apartment," a smile lit Sivi's lips as she said happily 'my favorite store is the jewelry shop. They have the most exquisite necklaces and earrings. Some are made from rubies, other emeralds," giggling she murmured "I'm sure I have a few I bought somewhere in here. I could show you if you want?"

Seth's ears twitched a little bit as he struggled for what he was supposed to say. "Umm...I...ah..."

Fortunately, he had Ai there, who stood up, nodding. "I'd like that."

Sivienna clapped her hands as she rose from the plush leather chair she was sitting in. Moving to grab Ai's hand she exclaimed happily "Great!" She ignored Serenity who leapt from Ai's lap, and led the nine tailed kitsune to a very messy dresser. Crammed on top of it was various assorted goods. One was a very old jewelry box that had an engraving of a rose on it, some other things were a figurine of an exotic dancer, her belly bare and her body encased in a thin silken halter outfit that showed off her curves and her tantalizing smile. Sivienna remembered when she had received each gift, the jewelry box had been her mother's, and the dancer had been from a particular sweet co worker. It had been thanks to Sivienna, for rescuing her from a particularly aggressive customer.

Smiling, Sivienna reached for the jewelry box and pulled it open, inside, their was a war going on. Her rings seemed to be vying for space with her bracelets, her necklaces seemed to be trying to top her earrings. all in all it was tangled mess. Sighing as the night beauty begin to sort through the assortment, she ground her teeth as her hands got snagged a few times by the jewels of one very big golden ring.

Cursing as her hands kept getting snagged as she untangled the mess, she finally pulled out a golden, sparkling necklace. The jewel on it was a very finely carved topaz, the blue shimmering against the golden hue that made up the delicate necklace's chain. Smiling as she showed the gorgeous jewelry to Ai she stated "I got this on a deal. I advertised this necklace so that other customers would come to the shop keep's store, and in return he let me buy this necklace on discount. It is lovely." the vampiress then carefully placed the pretty necklace back into the mess that was her jewelry box. Snapping the lid with a firm CLICK she then turned to Seth and said softly "It is getting late," noting that the sun had disappeared and was being replaced with soft blue rays of moonlight she whispered "We might as well get some rest." she then moved to pick up Serenity who appeared annoyed. Petting her pet to soothe her she murmured "You guys can sleep on the couch, it pulls out into a bed."

She then carried Serenity to her own bed and without another word, fell on top of it. Pulling the mess of tangled sheets up over her slim body she whispered "Good night Serenity." She then called out as Serenity snuggled in next to her "Good night you two. Sweet dreams!"

[The Archer]

Seth hadn't quite planned on staying the night, but since he and Ai had been invited, he pulled out the bed. Strangely enough for a couchbed, it was rather comfortable, soft enough to sink slightly into it and lacking the thin mattress that let the supports dig into your back and sides.

Ai put out the lights, then laid down on the other side, not far from him. She looked at the vague outline of the coal-black figure, watching the faint lights from the street reflect in his still open eyes. She couldn't help but feel her stomach twist slightly within her. She'd brought him bad news, and now because of her, he was awake and agonizing over it.

He must be feeling so very alone...and his resolve to go by himself into the woods...

"Seth?"

The dark head turned, but the little bits of light remained in his eyes. They were sad eyes, and everything about his scent told of a long weariness and a settling depression. It made her want to hold him close and never let go. Just because he'd lost two families so far in his life didn't mean that he'd lost everything. She couldn't let it.

"You're not alone, Seth. I'm with you."

He shook his head, looking at the moon-white kitsune that lay next to him. She was beautiful, and her big silver eyes begged him to accept her, hold her, keep her and protect her. He just couldn't let himself do it. He cared for Ai, and wanted nothing more than to keep the last person from his old life that wanted him safe from harm. And that meant he had to leave her behind.

"I can't, Ai. I -" He was interrupted as she put a delicate hand over his muzzle and gently licked his face.

"I trust you, Seth. You can't give up. There are people that still need you. I still need you. Don't worry about the changes that happen to you, I know about them and I'll make sure to stay out of your way, but please...don't send me away."

He reached over to her, cupping her silky soft cheek in his rough hand. He felt an intense longing to hold her as her hand reached to cup his, and was surprised when she, instead, curled up against him, wrapping her tails snugly around him.

"I'll stay with you...and we'll both be fine."

Despite the fact that he wanted to save her by sending her away, he couldn't deny her. The earnest plea and his own loneliness had changed his mind.

The two vulpines fell asleep pressed against each other, the lycanthrope holding the kitsune so closely they looked like the embodiment of yin and yang.

[Nightsangel]

Sunlight filtered in slightly through a crack that had appeared within the tightly closed curtains. Normally Sivienna would sleep for hours on your average day, she had nothing planned and normally she'd just sit and stare as her shoes tried to strangle her socks; or when her clothes tried to drag her coats down from the rack she hung them on. For now though, the night vixen was sleeping snugly.

She felt like a pea that was gently wrapped cozily by its pod. Making a little cooing sound, Sivi then rolled over and nudged a ball of fluff to the floor. A soft CLUNK could be heard as a two tailed kitsune was uncourteously elbowed to the ground.

Unrolling her two bushy tails, Serenity looked up at her mistress. Annoyance was in her normally gentle brown eyes. Moving silently, her little paws squished the plush carpet gently as she made her way towards the large window. A purple-red curtain made from silk was hanging tightly closed across the window's large glass pane. Knowing how much her mistress hated to be jarred from her own gentle sleep, Serenity did Sivi the same favor that she had done her kistune.

Using her small teeth, Serenity latched onto the pull cord that pushed the curtains open. Moving her paws serenely across the squishy carpet, she watched as sunlight poured like a cheery rainbow from the freshly opened curtain. With what could be called a grin on her cute face she barked "Rise and shine mistress!"

An even louder CLUNK could be heard as blankets and all, Sivienna Mizami toppled from her lush and comfortable bed. Throwing the comforter over her busty frame, a sleepy voice cursed "Close those curtains damn it!"

Serenity let out a little whimper that sounded closer to a laugh. In a soft bark she cooed "Aww is the little vampire tired?" she then pranced her way over hte mess that was her home. Moving to nuzzle her mistress she whispered "Then maybe next time think! Don't wake up your pet that is snuggled next to you!"

Sivienna groaned, without a word she pulled her pet underneath her tent comforter. Moving to snuggle Serenity into her arms she moaned "I understand!" she then moved with the blanket still over her, she was going to head back to bed. Yawning as she clumsily groped her way back towards her bed, she wondered just when Seth and Ai were going to rise from their own beauty sleep.

However, because she was still like a walking zombie, she DID NOT see where she had gone. As bumped into a solid piece of wood. She groaned, moving to tilt her soft blankt up a notch, she soon saw the horredous mess that she called her living room. Seeing the two vulpines sleeping tenderly, she sighed and smiled. She could see how much Ai, loved Seth.

Turning to tiptoe quietly towards a chair she thought I hope Seth lets Ai make him happy...it really looks like she is head over heels for him.

[The Archer]

Seth was actually up and about, securing his quiver to his hip and stringing his bow. He was planning on going out hunting for the man he'd bitten; hopefully he'd find the place that the man smelled like and make the kill quick and quiet. If his own illness had been true to form, then his target would be healthy until the moon changed its phase. He didn't have that long.

Ai hadn't been eager to let him go, but the travel and searching of the days and nights before had exhausted the dainty kitsune and he'd managed to untangle himself from the mass of her tails without fully waking her, and she'd gone back to sleep once he'd wrapped a blanket around her to keep her warm.

His ears twitched at the commotion that came from the other room, and he looked anxiously at Ai, hoping that sleep still held her securely enough that she wouldn't wake as the vampiress and her pet had a morning scuffle. To his relief, she pulled the blanket up to her chin and slept on.

Seth stretched out, testing the arm that had been wounded the previous night. It worked perfectly, with only the barest hint of pain, just like he'd expected. Had he still been an ordinary man, he'd be in agony and expecting infection right now. A lycanthrope's regenerative system was one of the blessings that went along with his curse.

His head turned sharply as a muffled thunk sounded from the low coffee table as an unaware Sivienna trudged into the room, half asleep. It was pretty funny, seeing a grown woman trudge around her house under her blanket like his niece had done when she was a toddler, but right now, he watched Ai closely as she stirred.

Go back to sleep...go back to sleep...

The white kitsune's ears twitched, a sure sign that she was waking up, rather than going back to sleep as she should. He watched her as her big silver eyes opened and her nose twitched, searching for his scent, which only lingered on the bed. He couldn't help but watch as those eyes turned toward him, traveled up his chest and locked with his own, and the subtle hurt in them stung him more sharply than any of her words ever could.

"You were going to leave?" She hadn't realized that Sivienna's collision with the furniture had been what woke her, so her words were soft, like a gentle wind whispering through the new spring leaves.

He leaned down to nuzzle and reassure her. "I have to look for the man I bit, remember? I'd hardly want to unleash another fox on the unsuspecting populace of Radasanth."

He tugged the blankets more securely around her as she settled back, disappointed, but accepting of the answer. That gave him the chance to look up at their newly awakened hostess and acknowledge her.

"Good morning, Miss Mizami. I hope you slept well."

[Nightsangel]

Where am I? I thought I was heading back to my bed, but...I heard my guests voice. peeking her head out from under the soft blanket, Sivienna's eyes were met with a fully alert and aware Seth. Ai was apparently asleep before the young vampire had entered the room. Blushing a bit in embarrassment, Sivienna wrapped her blanket around her like a cocoon. Looking at Ai, she smiled sheepishly and sleepily said "Sorry for waking you Ai."

The nine tailed kistune smiled warmly as she said gently "Its fine Miss Mizami."

Sivienna smiled happily, her guests were the kindest people. Turning to grin at Seth she replied "I am doing well Seth. Albeit still extremely sleepy, but well."

Serenity whimpered a bit, with Sivienna holding her like she was the cutest plushie, she had managed to get herself tangled up in the comfy blanket. Seeing only purple was not a pleasant sight for the young kistune. Barking and whacking her mistress with her tail, the kistune yelped in a muffled voice "Let me out of here mistress! Your squishing me!"

Yawning, Sivienna's eyes closed briefly, she still wanted to go back to bed. Still wanted to have the wonderful dream she was having. All her problems had been solved, she had found and punished her father. She had taken care of her half-sister and had showed her the way to be a good girl. Basically her family, her life, it was all happy. But no, Serenity had to ruin that for her. Hearing her pet's voice she groaned before opening a space in her blanket cocoon.

Seeing this Serenity leapt out with her fur ruffled up by the static from the blanket. Prancing on her paws, the kistune begin to go about fixing her fur with her tongue.

Giggling a little bit at Serenity's show, Sivienna then turned to her guests. In a sleep-slurred voice she suggested "We might as well get ready for the day, I know you want to look for that thug you bit Seth. So it'd be best to get an early start!" She then went over to a clothing pile, pulling through a halter top, a very short blue mini skirt, and a very nice formal silk gown, she pulled out a pair of leather pants, and a matching baby green tank top. Moving to the bath room, she shut the door gently.

Inside it was all very simple, a sink that right now was dripping water was located by a water porcelain toilet. Next to the toilet was her tub, which was lined with bathing oils and body moisteners. Grinning as she went about her daily ritual of dressing she thought They make a nice couple. They are like yin and yang, Ai seems to take care of Seth...and Seth protects Ai. I hope everything goes well for them...

[The Archer]

Ai looked at Seth once again, still reproving him for the fact that he was just going to leave her like that after she'd finally found him, but then she turned around to perform some perfunctory grooming, and Seth turned around, giving her some privacy. An awkward silence passed between them as she remained conspicuously silent and he tried to avoid the war going on among Sivienna's clothes.

"I'm sorry, Ai."

He heard cloth rustle as she readjusted her kimono and stood. "You're good at leaving people behind."

His ears pricked up and he turned around to face her, looking into her eyes. "What do you mean?"

"You left your birth family behind and never talked about them, you left Ki, her kits, and me behind, and now you'd leave me behind again."

His ears twitched irritably. "I left my family because they drove me away, since I am a monster. I left all of you behind to protect you, and can't go back because I am a monster. And I was going to leave you behind today because I have spawned a monster and I don't want anything to get out of hand. Don't you understand, Ai? I can't stay with people, be with people, do anything for anyone because it's too dangerous. I'm too dangerous."

She put a hand on his shoulder, turning him around. "You are not too dangerous for me, Seth Ad'huast, and I am staying with you. I am not as helpless as I look, and no matter what you say, you will not leave me in the dust, another person to wonder where the hell you've gone, what you're doing, and when or if you'll return."

Seth's ears twitched in surprise. He was doing his best to make sure that no one else suffered for what he did and was, and she was accusing him of just wantonly abandoning everyone he'd ever held dear? And what was with the new determination? She was a different Ai than he'd last known, and that confused him. And she was willing to fight him tooth and nail to be by his side no matter what.

He shook his head. He'd never been very good at arguing with women, because he'd never really had to be. "Let's...talk about it after I've taken care of this guy. Okay?"

[Nightsangel]

It didn't' take long for Sivienna to dress in her clothing. As she put on some eye shadow to accent her lavender eyes, she then shook out her long purple ponytail. Pleased with the way her hair bounced right back into place she thought [I] Good, with this done, I can begin my day.[I] A smile graced her lip as she turned to shut off the water that dripped from her fountain. She then entered her living/ sleeping area as she heard Seth and Ai talking.

From what she could hear through the thin crack, she realized that what they were talking about was serious. Frowning as her heart skipped a bit, Sivienna moved to enclose herself in her bathroom once more. Walking quietly, she moved to sit her butt down on the toilet as she murmured quietly "Just what could be wrong? I, know that Seth bit that man yesterday. He saved me by doing that, but could his bite carry a curse like mine? If so, then Ai has nothing to worry about. All Seth has to do is take care of his victim, then the worry will be done and over with...."

However, Sivienna sighed as she clasped her hands gently around her knees. If Seth was a hero, then he'd want to do it alone, he would not want to get any woman he cared about involved in any which way. This reminded Sivienna of a story she had heard from one of her co-workers. She had told Sivienna that she had found herself in trouble, a group of men had surrounded her and they were leering at her. Their goal had been to gang rape the exotic dancer. But, their goal had gone unanswered, the woman's boyfriend had rescued her. Shooing her away from the scene as he pummeled her would-be assailants to a bloody pulp.

Resting her head on her knees, her head was turned towards her bathroom door. She was listening for Ai's and Seth's conversation to be over, she did not want to interrupt them while they were discussing private matters. Soon though, the sound of small feet could be heard. As she heard the door being nudged gently, she sighed. In a soft voice she called "Al right Serenity, I'm coming out."

The sound of a small bark could be heard, before the kistune chirped "A bout time mistress!"

Shaking her head, Sivienna pushed her bathroom door open. Walking once more into her messy apartment, she softly asked "Seth, if you wish for help. I could assist you in hunting down the man you bit. If, he left a blood trail, I could easily follow it...."