Her eyes widened with terror, and the world silenced itself. All I could hear was the unsteady beating from Sora's heart, and I still don't know what would have happened if instead, I had apologized and comforted her. Her hands instantly went to her cheek, in continuous dread when she didn't feel a cut, which was easily conveyed through her melodramatic panic.

It was unbearably easy to tell she was feeling a heavy amount of emotions. The Fox let out a muffled shriek after a few moments, but I was able to hush the shout with a spell. Her faulty lenses were an incredible nuisance to her overall beauty which.. forget I said that, it's irrelevant. Anyway, her frail facade only increased as beads of water threatened to trace down her cheeks which were perfectly undamaged from my attack.

I had no intention of harming her, I couldn't, and I've definitely tried- as you can see.

"Calm down," I said with an unwillingly stern tone. Honestly, it came out wrong, I did sought to offer solace sometime.. maybe someday.

She slid back began hugging her legs again, placing her head on her knees, but this time she began rocking back and forth. Despite obvious attempts to stop, the idiotic Fox shuddered without signs of a halt.

"Sora.." I coaxed softly. Her breathing steadied.

The others were still asleep, and if they woke up to see a traumatic Fox, they'd all.. Heck, I don't even know what those fools would do.

The Fox gulped. "W-Why..?" she stuttered.

"I didn't think you'd get so scared, I was just trying to prove a point,"

In response, she clenched her fist before asserting, "You can't just t-toy with my emotions like that,"

It was cute how she thought I could be phased. Though, now wasn't the time to flash back something sketchy because I, for once in my life, felt sympathy for someone. On that note, I responded kindly.

"I understand. Is there anything I can..?" I trailed off, hoping I wouldn't admit I wanted to help her.

"I'm fine, but I want an explanation,"

It's not that I wanted to kill her, really. I was trying to help her, she's not herself. Sure, she's a vessel, but she doesn't have to act like a mindless cask. If she just embraced whatever was meddling in that amnesic head of hers, everything could be alright. At least, that's what I hope.

I held back a grin as I knelt down beside her. "I can tell you're tired, so I'll say it shortly. I can't hurt you in any way because of the contract," I choked back my pride and continued, "I'm sorry I scared you."

Sora fell forward and drifted off on my shoulder. She had freckles as well, but you could barely notice them unless you inched closer to her then reasonable.

My dear Fox, you're admirable, but you're such a pain to me..

❀✿

Sᴏʀᴀ

I had an awful night, I didn't sleep a bit. Maybe it was nightmare, I'm not sure, and I don't want to reflect on it. I woke up with a sniffle, and the smell of ash, the light of dawn piercing my sights, and the rough trunk of the tree against my backside.

Today was a new day. It was the day after my wedding, and I was thankful for all that had happened. You might hear those exact words from a happy bride, I'm sure of that.

When I was finally wide awake, I saw Hibiki looming above me. Same glare that he'd usually give, making me seem further beneath him then the height difference made it seem.

"You're loud when you snore,"

I rubbed my eyes and looked around the clearing. Tomoe wasn't around, but neither was Haruka. One of the rapiers that was casually sheathed on his side was lodged into a log that was probably supposed to be used as firewood. Well, I have no knowledge on swords, but that can't be healthy for the blade.

"Stop ignoring. That's my job," Hibiki complained.

I steadily stood, feeling ages older then I was with every movement. I guess that's just what a lack of sleep does. My thoughts were interrupted by Hibiki, hanging upside down from the branch, his cloak draping over him and his hair becoming even more untidy then it was.

"Oi,"

I wrinkled my nose, "Don't say that, Tomoe says that too much,"

He copied my gesture in response.

As I dusted off my dress, I curiously eyed him as he seemed to shift from hanging on the branch to the ground with perplexing ease. I, on the other hand, would have probably fallen.. I'm not very graceful.

"So.. did you sleep well?"

I chuckled, but it came out as more of a giggle. "Yeah, did you?"

"I don't sleep. my mind has the scary capability of being dark and demented,"

"You're afraid of your dreams?"

"Yes," he said quietly, "It's shocking how you were able to translate that from my response,"

"I know," I beamed.

Hibiki was a pretty unfathomable person, but her was auspicious in my sights. And sure, we've only known each other for a day, but I was probably as curious as he was with reactions people give. It's obvious he's interested, with the way he's been scrutinizing everyone in the group. Well, maybe everyone has been genuinely suspicious. Haruka, who I still don't believe is a robot, monitors us like test subjects and Tomoe's been... himself. Speak of the devil, Hibiki observed as I stood there, deep in thought. Too noticeable, I should have told him.

"You're going to ask where the others are," he declared suavely.

I tucked my hair behind my ear and said, "I was, but not immediately,"

Trying to read my mind, I see. Just like when we first met, and I was gawking at his appearances, asking myself who he was. Was I really such an open book to him? After first brushing shoulders with Hibiki, sauntered over to the sword wedged into the bark of the firewood, and tugged at the handle, staggering backwards when it finally endured my force.

Tomoe's swords.. there's so much I could say about his precious swords. I could start with how he always held his swords closer to his heart then anything else. I clearly recall a moment where I was visiting the palace one day with my Father, and Tomoe and I were to run off so I could be given a tour or whatnot. I had a crush on Tomoe once upon a time, before we had met face-to-face. But the memory, in short terms, ended up with me falling in the pond in the gardens while learning how to wield a sword, and I had fallen in holding one of his rapiers. He then ran into the slough, and looked at me with the most dashing gaze that he'd give to the fans, a gaze which held the most honeyed compassion that could sway a cluster. He was not looking at me. I did not learn until seconds after that, he was giving all the affection to the damned swords.

A name was embedded on them both. What was it.. Kasai? I don't remember that detail very well. It all has something to do with fire. Tomoe's been secretly training to.. enough about him, the topic dulls my mind every second.

Hibiki was surveying me again. I squinted back at him.

"Oh Fox, if only you knew the things I could learn if I could just have access to that head of yours,"

"Why don't you just strike forth?" I said thoughtlessly.

"Ah, you're growing smarter by the minute. Yesterday you were asking the stupidest questions and today you're asking the correct ones. Well, amnesic Fox, you already know I.." he paused, his expression changing drastically.

Moody bastard. Amused with me one second, then somber the next. Wait, that didn't seem right. Somber?

"..Forget it," he mumbled promptly. "The others went to scout for a nearby settlement for some clues on Kaosu. And, I suppose they mentioned breakfast. There's a manor one and a half miles to the east, I'm sure they'll report back any second now,"

"Why didn't you tell them about that?"

"I wanted you to wake up without feeling ruffled,"

"You didn't do a very good job at that," I countered scornfully.

"Excuse me for an attempt at compassion then. Now, what are you planning to do with that sword?"

My irritation got to me when I joked, "I'll swing at you, miraculous devil!" I hoped he didn't actually take it as a literal phrase.

My comment ticked off something inside of him. I could have sworn that I boosted his ego right then and there.

Hibiki had a cold blooded expression, but hidden grin was revealed as he licked his fangs with delight. Chatoyant, scarlet eyes glared into my own, barely leashed passive-aggression in their depths.

"Aren't you frightened?" he inquired in an too-confident tone, wreathed in that continuously roguish smile, "Most are so terrified of who I am, they rush to obey the moment I speak,"

"I didn't even really know who 'Akki Shadou' was before we met,"

"You're just forgetful and naive, and you surely know it,"

"Whatever,"

"Tch," he muttered as I effortlessly jammed the sword back into the log.

We glared at each other for a moment or two after that. I didn't think I'd have a problem working with him in a party of four, on a quest to defeat whatnot. Before I could question my importance on defeating some kind of beast, Haruka and Tomoe emerged from the woods, with an uninterested expression plastered on both of their faces.

Tomoe instantaneously bolted for his sword and sheathed it, a hint of worry wiped off his face. He placed both hands on the handles of his swords. Dual-wielding seemed extravagant and skillful, but mostly boisterous, in my opinion.

"Is that sword your muse or something?" Hibiki barked.

Tomoe and Hibiki began arguing then, but I didn't care enough to listen in.

Haruka kept her stance, seemingly scanning Hibiki and myself. I pondered if I could become acquainted with her, so I skid to the side and I pulled the crimson ribbon out of her hair, that was messily placed. It was certainly Tomoe's, but it resembled the kind that you'd wrap around a present rather then a piece of silk that a nobleman would own. Tomoe obviously gave it to her.

"Do you know how to tie your hair?" I quietly asked.

Her hair was slick and straight, but it was as disheveled as Hibiki's with a ribbon. She reacted by tilting her glance. That's probably a no. I wrapped the ribbon around her wrist, tying it into a neat bow.

She was awestruck as she said, "Thank you," in an equivalently hushed tone.

I'll give it a day or two before I call her my friend. If she's really an android, the concept could be weird to her. Oh, but what did I know? I had only learned the day before about the 'legendary demon lord'.

I know of the Factory in Evarthil, that produces Synths. I know that in the far, far north, a Demonic Empire exists. I've learned these basic things in class, but I've never actually payed attention to details. My entire life consisted of repetitive tasks like practicing on my ocarina or helping out at the market, and I haven't given myself time to think about anything before this lifestyle. It gave me no time to think, and I don't want to start to contemplate on why.

I realize I'm a fox, but.. I can't just let it all out. Not after what I've locked away inside me. Before it all, I was still me, but I gave up what abilities I had to live an ordinary life.

One thing is clear to me, from before the change. Yokai aren't safe. I wasn't safe. And my mother surely wasn't either.

Hibiki interrupted my thoughts for the third time today, now waving a hand in front of my eyes. "You've been lost in thought for a while, the other two already wandered off toward the manor I mentioned earlier,"

"Oh, alright,"

He sighed before leaning towards me. "Can you pleaaaase take off those dull-witted lenses?"

I repeated the sigh, and carefully removed my contacts. Hibiki's smirk slowly reappeared.

"Oh, dear Fox, I should have known you have heterochromia. You have lovely eyes," he said rapturously, "One as blue as a sapphire, and the other as golden as a medallion. It only adds on to your exotic looks," he teased.

"Whatever!" I spat at him, only barely hiding my reddened face. I then hastily ran ahead, following where Tomoe and Haruka emerged from.

This was surely the beginning of a friendship.

Hopefully.