Chapter 6
When the twi returned home after that, Shoto wearing a collar around his neck and still sedated… Yoarashi took his time to study up on how everything worked exactly.
And so Over the next few weeks, Shoto gradually got better. With the new food delivered, he began to eat more regularly as his wounds healed up nicely to only leave small scars. He’d nearly tripled in size too, fur getting longer as more muscle built and he drew stronger. It was satisfying to see him get better every day, though Shoto never seemed to forgive him for taking him to the vet. He hated the cone he had to wear, constantly pawing and scratching at it until he grew too big for it to fit. He knew better than to itch or bite the wounds by then though. He was the size of a normal dog by now, weighing in at around 40 pounds as his fur only got softer and healthier. Even his attitude seemed to change from grumpy and generally in dismay to a more.. calm, comprehension. Yoarashi no longer had to lock him up in the shower at night, the kitsune lying at the foot of his bed most nights if he didn’t insist on sleeping in bed with Yoarashi.
The killings had stopped, but Shoto often died tk sneaj our when Yoarashi wasn’t paying attention. He couldn’t blame him, the kitsune needed to feed… but Yoarashi had gotten his ball from the ruins. He owned Shoto with that ball in hand, the Huli Jing didn’t have a choice of where he went.. especially with that. He was bound to Yoarashi no matter where he went now, but he didn’t seem to mind. Things were different between them now that Shoto was stronger and relied on Yoarashi less.. but he seemed to not be willing to show his human form to him. kitsune apparently could shift to whatever they wished, but it usually abided by what the human who attached themselves to them wanted. There was nothing about how their transformation worked, but Shoto seemed to stick to his smallest form— though it was significantly better looking. It no longer was scrappy and thin, but had lush fur and a newfound muscle to it.
They’d gotten into a schedule after the last five weeks, Shoto staying home while Yoarashi went off to work. Shoto never minded, he’d stay back and remain home while everyone was gone. What Shoto did in that time, Yoarashi had no idea. He assumed he slept, but he knew he didn’t sneak out.
He’d learned after a bit of trial and error that after existing before the time of modern technology and existing in stone for a hundreds of years he had no idea how half the world worked. He knew that humans let their guard down during sex, but that was the extent of his knowledge. He didn’t know how to use the doorknobs in the apartment or turn on the lights— or open drawers for that sake. It was funny when Yoarashi watched the small fox try to maneuver a door open in the middle of the night or try to unlock the window lock. Yoarashi never let him figure it out, always ‘waking up’ before he got out.
Though when he came home that day, there was a child’s voice sounding from his bedroom. There was a small whimper and then a sudden scream, Yoarashi dropping his things and bursting into the room within a few seconds.
He slammed the door open so hard it left and indent in the wall, revealing the scene of Mimi pressed against the floor by a young man with half split hair. He had ears and three tails along with a loose robe— one of yoarashi’s bath robes— hanging over his shoulders.
Mimi broke into a laugh as Shoto suddenly jumped off of her, disappearing under the futon as he shifted into his usual form. The little girl frowned, giving a sound of dismay as her playmate disappeared. She stood up to reach under the bed, but looked up at Yoarashi a moment later.
“Why’d you scare him away!” She cried, frowning up at him. “That wasn’t very nice.. we were playing tag!”
Yoarashi stared in astonishment, jaw hanging loosely. “Why are you home alone, Mimi? Where’s mommy and daddy?”
Mimi smiled, “I fell asleep in the car, so they left me here to sleep and went to run errands… daddy woke me up before they left!” She said, walking over to Yoarashi and letting him pick her up in his arms.
“Oooh, okay. They’ve done that before… but why’d you come into uncle Ashi’s room?” He asked, Mimi shrugging her shoulders. “I woke up and came in to see if you were home.. but foxy was here instead!” She smiled, “he played with me! We played charades and hide and seek and tag and then you showed up! He’s my new best friend!” She giggled, wriggling out of yoarashi’s arms and moving to try and reach under the futon again. “But now he’s hiding… why’s he scared of you?”
Yoarashi gave a small chuckle, rubbing his neck. “I think Uncle ashi just surprised him. He was supposed to be out later tonight so he told Sho- I mean, foxy, that he wouldn’t be home till dark! But it’s not even sunset yet, so I think we’re both a little surprised!”
Mimi seemed to understand, giving a small huff as she gave up on trying to get Shoto out. Yoarashi could hear his claws scuffling against the hardwood again as the front door chimed with keys.
“Oh! Mommy and daddy are home, look at that!” Yoarashi said, ushering Mimi out of the room. He closed the door behind her, turning his attention to Shoto.
“Sho? Hey.. sorry, I was going to surprise you with some treats since I came back early. You gotta come out first though bud..” he sighed, lifting the futon up and reaching in for Shoto. He was greeted by a snap of small jaws though, Yoarashi giving a small frown as he jerked his hand away.
“Fine, fine. I’ll leave you be… just don’t hurt Mimi if you play with her again, okay?”
There was no reply from the fox under the bed, Yoarashi giving a sigh and setting his bag on the futon. He got the small bag of jerky and candies out for Shoto, setting them down along with his medication.. he was nearly done, though the cream for his scar was still in use. He only had this last dose of supplements before Koda said he should be good.
He sat down on the futon, it creaking underneath of him as he lowered his weight onto it. Shoto was acting weird today… it was concerning. He never would have his from Yoarashi.. nor revealed himself to a child like that. He didn’t even show his human form to Yoarashi, so why Mimi? Was she just more accepting of him? Maybe he could smell her innocence?
He sighed and opened the bag of jerky, letting the smell waft up to his nose. It was mildly spicy, shoto’s favorite. He’d learned that when he stole all of seiji’s stash of it from the kitchen… Yoarashi had to explain that he accidentally broke the drawer while trying to open it. Seiji had not been happy… but Yoarashi had found it hilarious.
“Sho…” he spoke up, sitting back up and dancing it over the side of the futon. “Come on out, I’ve got your favorite ~” he hummed half heartedly. The sound of claws against the floor sounded before it was snatched out of his hand, Shoto crouching down on the floor to eat it. Yoarashi sat up to look down at him, reaching down to scoop him up into his arms. The kitsune gave a sound of dismay, but resumed gnawing on the dried meet the moment Yoarashi laid back with him on his broad chest. The kitsune seemed to relax, finishing off the jerky before he sniffed his way to yoarashi’s face, looking for more.
Yoarashi gave a small huff, Shoto sitting down on his chest to look down at him. His large ears flopped forward as he looked down into his eyes, yoarashi’s solemn look fading into a soft smile.
“Hey, sho.” He said, lifting up to pet his head gently. He couldn’t help but forgive him, the fox was just so… precious. They’d both helped each other through rough times… Yoarashi was surprised he’d managed to take care of the thing for this long.
“You’ve gotta take the last of your medicine, y’know.. can’t go home unless you’re strong enough to survive out there on your own.” He sighed, almost saddened at the thought. Shoto seemed to laugh at this, settling himself to lie between his breasts. He stayed like that for a moment, eyes closed as a light started to shine from his fur. The weight on yoarashi’s chest increased until he was looking into the eyes of a human, plump cheeks with hands clasped beneath his chin.
There was a moment of silence as he yawned slightly, pointed ears showing through thick locks of half red and half white hair, he wore the same robe as earlier, though it rested loosely on his shoulders compared to then. It seemed like he was much more relaxed now.
“I do not wish to leave you, Yo-yoar… yo..ar..a…”
Inasa smiled, moving a hand up to brush the hair from his eyes. “Inasa.. but you can call me ashi if it’s better for you.”
Shoto furrowed his brows, shifting on his chest with a huff. “I never understood the meaning of names.” He muttered, looking of to the side nonchalantly. “Inasa.”
Hearing Shoto say his first name made Yoarashi’s heart flutter, his cheeks redden and his heart sound in his ears for a moment. He could feel the growing interest concealed within his jeans.. which was concerning, but Shoto… it was his job to have sex appeal.
“Shoto.” He replied, giving a soft smile still. He rubbed his cheek gently, Shoto giving an instinctive him.
“You’re much more gentle when I am not small, Inasa.” He commented, shifting on top of him. Yoarashi gave a small roll of his eyes, “I try my best… but it’s hard. I don’t know my own strength compared to yours in that form.”
He fell silent after that, Shoto simply staring blankly. He wasn’t sure what that meant, having to think it through a few times before he decided to give up. Yoarashi continued on though, looking down.
“How come you didn’t show me this one till today, though?”
“What do you mean?”
“Your.. uh, human-ish… form. What you are now. You weren’t scared of me, were you?” He asked, Shoto giving a small shrug. “No. When it comes to the concept of fear, you aren’t associated with it. You entering with your suddenness earlier scared me, but it’s to be expected. Every person in this town currently wants me dead.”
“That’s not true. I don’t want you dead.”
“Well… you’re different. You’re a human that was drawn to me in a time for crisis for both of us… I can smell what you want too. You humans have no idea how to conceal your emotions.”
“W-what?”
“You. Smell.” Shoto said, jutting a finger into his chest as he say up. “Currently, you’re rather calm for your growing arousal… I’ve smelled worse. The times you have sex with your hand the smell is much stronger.. especially after a few days of lacking to do the activity.”
Yoarashi’s face went beet red at that, his eyes widening. Shoto could smell that? What did it smell like? Was it good? Bad? Why did he even need to smell that kind of thing anyways? Was it normal for animals? A million questions ran through his head, heart starting to pick up.
“S-Sorry.. I can’t help it. It’s been awhile since I’ve been with anyone. It’s human anatomy.”
“I am aware. I am not stupid.” Shoto replied, looking down at him. “Your woman left you.. just like my human did.” He said, frowning softly. “I know your pain.”
Yoarashi gave a sad smile, nodding. “Yeah.. it hurts, doesn’t it?” He asked. Receiving a nod from the kitsune.
“It does. I haven’t felt a great pain… although the magic rocks were close.”
“Magic rocks?”
“The rocks that the woman shot out of the tube? The hot, circular ones?”
“I- oh. Those are gunshots, sho… those are called bullet wounds.” He said, frowning as he moved the robe around his shoulders to reveal a few of the scars. He ran a finger over them, Shoto giving a small sound of question.
“You… you humans like to touch.” He said, “humans… before, liked touching too.. though they were never as gentle as you, inasa.” Shoto frowned, yoarashi’s fingers running down his sides now to his waist. He gripped the soft flesh there, biting his lip.
“You cry in your sleep, inasa.”
Yoarashi’s attention was swayed from the kitsune’s body to its words, his brows furrowing. “What does that mean?”
“Humans.. so scent blind.” He sighed, “you cry in your sleep… whether it be about the woman who bewitched you or.. or me. Sh-Shoto.”
Yoarashi blushed deeply, starting ti knead the flesh bwteeen his fingers. “But.. when you cry for the woman.. it’s painful. I can smell it deep in your soul where she had left a dent in your heart.. but when you say the name you gave me..” Shoto leaned down to speak into his ear, Yoarashi having to close his eyes and bite his tongue to keep himself from breathing.
“You cry of lust, Inasa.”