As Koya slowly drove himself home, he could hear Tuto's Kitsune pounding against his spirit wall but he refused him entry. He wasn't ready for it, especially not since that kiss he just shared with Belicia. He would not let Tuto ruin it. He was sure Tuto knew he had kissed her and that was what had him so incensed.

Koya got it that kissing her hadn't been fair either but when faced with the odds Tuto would have done the same. He had no regrets.

In fact he felt like he was floating on a cloud right now. He kissed girls before, plenty of them but never had he been as moved as he was when he kissed Belicia.

Her innocent passion darkened her eyes to the color of pure maple syrup. Golden amber eyes dripping with desire. He'd have never guessed she hadn't ever been kissed, but it made it all the more sweet.

He had no idea how he was ever going to fall asleep tonight and once getting home he made his way to the kitchen for a night cap. A calming herbal tea would be just the thing. As he prepared a hot brew he thought of Belicia and couldn't get her amazed expression out of his mind. He would rush right back to her if he could.

He heard his parents car pulling into the garage and he waited. They entered through the side door and smiled when they saw him there in the kitchen.

"Son, are you having a drink?"

"No, some herbal tea to help me sleep."

His dad raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is it that unforgettable?"

Koya smiled. "Yeah, she is."

"Ahhh. Mrs. Kenchasi, did you hear that?"

His mother's laugh was angelic. "Of course you old sly fox. It is the same way I enchanted you," she reminded him.

"Oh? Do give me the details, wife."

"Go to bed Mr. Kenchasi. If you don't know the details by now, if I say them again, it won't help," she quipped with a wink.

"Bahhhh, someday I will get it out of you," he jested with her.

Koya shook his head. They always went on like that. "I'm going to bed now."

"Goodnight son," his parents both said at the same time.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Koya made his way to his downstairs basement room. He had the entire floor. There was a tiny kitchenette and a full bathroom. He had a door that led to a nice patio, and anything else he needed. He stomped down stairs, went in and closed the door behind him. He flicked on a TV for some noise and went about preparing for a shower. He was finally feeling drowsy and a hot shower would complete the day.

Before getting in the steaming bath he sent his Kitsune to Belicia. He couldn't help himself. He felt the awakening of her womanhood, and heard the thoughts she was entertaining. Her thoughts were completely absorbed in him.

Tuto was nowhere to be seen within his Kitsune and he was happy for that. He would settle with Tuto soon. For now he just wanted to go to bed and dream of a girl with amber eyes.

He fell into a fitful sleep, tossing and turning with strange dreams in which he was running after a beautiful girl but she was suddenly snatched from his vision, screaming for him to help her. He would search but not be able to find her. All of this caused him to awake before daylight. He paced around his room as long as he could and with a settled thought he texted Ava.

Koya: "I'll pick Belicia up for school
this morning."

Ava: "Really? She's not going to
like that."

Koya: "Why?"

Ava: "You know she doesn't
like surprises right?"

Koya: "Yeah. Alright, see you
in second period then."

Ava: "Yup. But, you could meet her
outside after ROTC.
Just sayin'."

Koya: "Sounds good Av."

Ava: "Alright bye."

Koya: "Ty ttyl. "

She was right. He would meet Belicia after ROTC, and walk her to their first period.

He went upstairs and his mother was busily making breakfast.

"Good morning son. Did you sleep well?"

"I suppose," he said distractedly.

"Ah, you tossed and turned didn't you?"

Koya shrugged but shot a knowing grin her way. Nothing got past her. He sat down to fruit, scrambled eggs and toasted muffins and barely took two bites when there was a knock at the kitchen door.

He looked up to find DJ staring through the window. Koya waved him in.

"Mmm, something smells good in here," he smiled as he came in.

"Good DJ. You sit. There is enough for you," Mrs. Kenchasi told him.

"Heck yes ma'am!"

She smiled and made him a plate. He wolfed it down like he hadn't eaten in days. But Mrs. Kenchasi knew all boys were like that, and it made her happy to be able to feed them well.

"What's up DJ," Koya asked between bites of food.

"Nothin. I just thought I'd grab a ride to school."

"Sure. Where's Lindy? Do we need to pick her up?"

"Yeah if it's cool with you."

"Koya chuckled. "Yeah there's room for her."

"Awesome."

They got up from the table and Koya kissed his mom on the cheek. "We're leaving mom."

"Okay son. Have a good day. And you too DJ."

"Thank you Mrs. Kenchasi. And thank you for breakfast."

"You're welcome."

They loaded up in Koya's car and took off. DJ texted Lindy and told her they were on their way to pick her up.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

When Belicia left ROTC Koya was leaning against the wall by the door. When she saw him she stopped and gave him a wave.

He smiled at her and she melted.

He pushed off and walked over to her, pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "How did you sleep last night?"

"Fine. Ava came back and spent the night.

His eyebrows rose. "Oh?"

Belicia nodded.

They walked off together and headed to the school. Ava must have been there when he texted her this morning then. Halfway through the parking lot Koya saw Tuto. He was talking to Desiree.

"Well I see Tuto and Desiree are talking again," Belicia murmured.

"Let's hope they work things out," Koya breathed.

As they got closer they realized the talking between Desiree and Tuto was arguing. Desiree looked up and saw them, immediately stomping over.

She pointed her finger at Belicia. "You dirty whore, I ought to smash your face in."

"Really?" Belicia smarted right back. "Bring it Desiree. I'll happily whip your ass right here and now!"

"Tuto!" Koya yelled. "Control your skank!"

Tuto flew over there and his face was red with fury. "Watch what you say Koya boya!"

"I sure as hell won't watch what I say, maybe you should watch what you say," he looked at Desiree. "Did he tell you he showed up at Belicia's house last night, Desiree? Why don't you ask him about that instead of blaming everything on her?"

Desiree swung around and lit into Tuto. "Is that true Tuto?"

"Desiree-,"

"No! Why? For what reason did you go to Bel's house?" She shouted tearfully.

"Desiree, he's lying like hell! Why would I go there?"

"Good question Tuto," she asked. Why would you," she turned back to Bel. "Did you invite him over Bel?" She asked suggestively.

"Oh right Desiree, I invited Tuto over to my house. This is ridiculous. I'm going to class."

Belicia began to walk off and Koya follwed her when she was jerked back by her hair.

She yelled and grabbed her hair, as Desiree slammed her to the ground and jumped on top of her but Belicia was ready. She reached up and grabbed Desiree by the ears and twisted.

Desiree screamed and slapped at her face but Belicia brought her leg up and wrapped it around Desiree, twisted her body and threw Desiree to the ground. Koya ran up, grabbing Belicia and pulling her out of Desiree's reach.

He helped her to her feet and she brushed herself off while Desiree stalked back to her.

"You may think this is over but it will never be over Belicia Brooks. I've been on to you the entire year and I know you like to play both ends of the stick. You're as fake as the day is long."

"That's fine with me Desiree Dunn, I'm tired of your rude ass shit, so just say when." Belicia flipped her off as she walked away and Koya followed her while Tuto ran up to Desiree. She stalked away from him ignoring his pleas to talk.

Tuto turned watching Koya's back as he and Bel reached the door and went inside. His Kitsune raced around inside his mind, yapping for release but he didn't dare allow himself the luxury of succumbing to it's pull.

As much as he hated it, he'd have to keep the truth hidden. At least for now. He had to fight this fight without the help of Kitsune magic. His entire lineage depended on it.

His family had no choice while they resided as human in the earthly realm. Everything they did had to be done as human. He kicked up a rock in the parking lot and headed for class.

Koya would soon feel the wrath of Tuto, he vowed silently.