Koya stepped forward and to Belicia's horror the two of them began circling each other.

"Guys, guys. Please," Belicia held her hands up trying to stop the chaos.

"...Stay out of this Bel."

"What? Wait, who said that?"

"...I did Bel. But you are hearing it in your mind."

"Oh my God, what the hell?"

"...That's right Belicia you can hear us, get used to it. Being connected to us is- was always your destiny..." Tuto's Kitsune boldly announced.

"No, no, no! Koya stop this. Your parents. Don't do this. Think of them," Belicia pleaded. And me, think of me.

"...Hahahahahah, yeah Koya boya, think of them and back the fuck down. I won't be challenged. Bel rightfully belongs to me."

"Uhh no, Tuto. I have news for you. Belicia was never yours and never will be. Best you leave and go find Desiree. She'll lick your wounds for you." Koya spoke the words aloud, forbidding Tuto from communicating through thoughts.

"Stop! Both of you!" Belicia grabbed her head. This is crazy. I can't, no I won't!"

"If you really did care about Belicia, Tuto, you would leave. We can handle this later. Like adults."

Tuto's Kitsune growled with barely suppressed hostility.

Koya felt his Kitsune fighting to the surface but he could not allow that to happen. It wasn't the right time. He saw Belicia's complete confusion and felt her fear.

He came to a stop between her and Tuto.

Tuto stopped too.

"You should have never come here Tuto, but I knew you wouldn't fight fair. You have trespassed because you were not invited. Now tell Belicia good night and leave before something worse happens."

Tuto bristled. "Fine. But this is far from over Koya boya. Good night Bel," Tuto turned and left, closing the front door quietly behind him.

Koya turned to Belicia. "You were never meant to be in the middle of our situation, Belicia. I'm sorry. He should have apologized but Tuto has a mean streak running through him."

Belicia blinked her eyes. "What is going on Koya? You need to start talking now," She stomped her tiny foot and the action brought a smile to Koya's lips.

Belicia meant her words but the sight of his smiling lips, lips that had touched hers only moments earlier, made all rational thought flee and she stood there looking at him, as a new desire rose up in her.

With one thought, Koya knew he could erase all her questions, but it was a little late for that now. He was loath to see Belicia so hurt, and he walked up to her. "Close your eyes Belicia."

Like an unbidden energy she could not fight, she did as he said, closing her eyes. Koya placed a finger on each of her eyelids and she was immediately relaxed. When she opened her eyes he took her arm and led her toward the sliding glass doors to the poolside where their parents sat and had drinks while they talked.

Koya felt the loss of their kiss immediately.

Wiping her memory of what had happened between him and Tuto also had the unfortunate effect of her losing the shared moments they had upstairs. In her room.

But it was for the best.

Koya stepped outside with her and her mom smiled. "Did you two have a good visit with Tuto?" She asked.

Belicias brows dropped to a frown.

"Oh of course Mrs. Brooks," Koya answered. "But Belicia has told me she is tired so I was just going to tell my parents I was going to head home now."

"Oh, I see Koya. Bel, are you feeling okay?" Her mom stood up and pressed her hand to her daughter's forehead. "No fever."

Mr. And Mrs. Kenchasi stood up. "Your leaving son?"

He nodded. "Belicia has had a long day and I am pretty tired too. If you don't mind."

"No son of course not. Just escort Ms. Brooks to her room before you go so we can continue discussing our plans."

"Yes sir," Koya nodded.

"Oh thank you Koya, you are such the gentleman," Belicia's mother told him.

"You're welcome," he bowed a little.

Belicia was thankful. She felt like a million pounds of sand was weighing her down though. Tuto had his nerve, coming over like a lost puppy looking for a bone. She still couldn't believe he had just shown up like that.

Koya gave her a look.

She yawned and turned back inside heading for the stairs. Koya followed her up and once back in her room she turned to him. He placed a finger on her lips. "Don't say it, because tomorrow you may feel differently."

She nodded. Koya bent, brought her chin up and kissed her softly. He felt her hands against his chest and grabbed them pressing them to his heart.

Belicia felt the steady pounding of his heart against his chest and melted into him slipping her arms around his waist. She stood there, looking up into his mysterious hazel colored eyes and he bent and kissed her again. This time his passion ignited and his loin filled with pulsing desire.

He slipped his tongue against her lips and they parted slightly. "Kiss me back Belicia," he whispered against her hair.

"I don't know how Koya," she whispered innocently.

He groaned, slipping his hand to her delicate chin.

"Like this," he said against her lips.

His lips pressed into hers and as he nipped her bottom lip his tongue delved in to chase hers in abandoned. She followed his lead and turned her head. She playfully bit his lip and held it between her teeth, loving the sound of his ragged breathing.

Koya's hands roamed up through her hair and he kissed her deeply, loving the catch in her breath and the slight moan that escaped her. He could not help himself, but knew he had to pull away from her. At least, he thought, I got my kiss back. Even better than the other one! She would not forget him. He was going to make sure of it.

"I have to go now, Belicia. Will you be okay?"

She nodded, her eyes full of wonder.

He gave her a peck on the cheek. "Sweet dreams."

She watched him turn and leave.

She heard him take the steps down two at a time. When the door closed behind him she sighed and closed her bedroom door. She got undressed and slipped into her pajamas and crawled into bed. On a second thought she grabbed her phone and pulled up Ava's number.

Ava answered on the second ring.

"Bel!"

"Ava! Oh. My. God."

"What!"

"You can't say a single word Ava, promise me."

"Okay, okayyy already, what happened?"

"Koya kissed me," she whispered.

"Wait- what? Please, let me hear that again!"

Belicia giggled. "Koya. Kissed. Me," she repeated, loving the sound of being able to say that.

"Are you kidding me Bel?"

"No Ava! He kissed me! I can't believe it either, I'm, I don't know what I am! Can you come back over?"

"On my way!"

Belicia hung up and drew her knees up to her chest. The smile on her face was comical. She knew that because she could feel it. And she could still feel his lips caressing hers. It was a wondrous feeling and she finally understood what all the fuss was about.

Her mind was satiated with Koya. Fully enchanted. There was so much more to him than she had first realized. How had she not seen it? She heard her mom let Ava in and heard her stomp up the stairs.

She burst through Belicia's door and jumped in the bed beside her.

"Let me look at you Bel, I want to see if you look different. After waiting till almost your senior year to be kissed, you should look like you're floating!"

Belicia laughed. "I'm sorry I've been so grouchy the last few days."

"Trust me I understand, I think you've been crushing on Koya, and it sounds like he's been crushing on you too."

"I had no idea," Belicia rolled her eyes.

Ava laughed. "So, how about that party this weekend. Want to change your mind?"

"Possibly," Belicia paused thoughtfully. "We'll see," she answered. " I don't want to overwhelm Koya but if he asks me again I might."

"Wait- he asked you already once?"

"Yeah kind of, but I said no, kind of," she admitted.

Ava shook her head. "I swear Bel, what am I going to do with you?"

Belicia shrugged. "I don't know, Ava, I'm sorry, I just never have time for socializing."

"Well I think it's time you made time," Ava smiled at her. "Let's go down and make some popcorn or something."

Belicia nodded and they headed downstairs to the kitchen.