It takes Mori some time to come back from wherever he went. You sense his body heat and distinctive scent before you hear or see him. A small smile pulls at your lips; you could get used to this. "Her parents' house is over there, on the other side of the post office, close to the JA warehouse."

"Yes, I know." You frown and look over your shoulder; there's unusual tension in his voice. He's back in human form and has managed to get his hands on a white shirt and a pair of shorts. It's the first time you see him in plain, Western-style clothes, and a shirt isn't supposed to fit so well. "Come here on the bench with me, we need to talk."

You sit down, and his steady, unwavering gaze makes you fidget. He might be in human form, outside the dojo and without his kendo gear, but he is no less impressive. "I talked with... someone, and they confirmed that my plan is feasible. Hear me out, and then make your decision. If we want to go ahead, we need to set things into motion right away."

When he's done telling you his plan, you can only stare at him while your body turns first into ice, then goes up in flames. Terror and hope seize you at the same time, and you slowly slide from the bench to the ground; even sitting is too much effort right now. He has the good grace to keep away.

"That's... that's madness," you whisper. "But there's no turning back... nothing can be like before anyway... And I see how it could work. Still, Kanako will reject it. You saw her the other night, she'll never agree to..." You bite your lip hard.

"She doesn't really need to know all the details. For now. The point is, she would be freed from her parents' influence, the two of you would be together..."

"Really?" This time your voice is stronger. This is the key point. You can accept anything as long as this is guaranteed.

"Of course. I told you: what exists between the two of you is so powerful, it's sacred. Nothing should take you apart. And this plan will not, quite the opposite."

Inhaling deeply, you push yourself up and sit back on the bench to face him squarely. "OK, then. Let's do this."

His hand comes to rest on your wrist and squeezes it lightly. It's the first tender gesture of the entire night, and it's more rattling than anything else that has transpired until now. "Hmm, don't rush. I want you to think harder about it. Don't think only about her interests, yours are as important, and you'll be the one making the biggest... sacrifice."

You take in a shaky breath and shake your head. "It's fine, I get it. I can handle it. We need to come up with a good scenario and warn her ahead. But we have no way to reach her."

This time, he's the one smiling and to your annoyance, your heart somersaults a little. "Oh, but we do." He makes a small hand gesture, as if trying to catch someone's attention. You let out a small shriek of surprise when a raccoon shows up. You don't like those very much. "My friend Toshi here will bring her any message we want."

"I'm sorry, but Kanako chan will not open her window to a raccoon..." Another yelp when the small fellow transforms into a brown and adorable kitten with a short tail. "Ah, well, yeah, that can work."

"Toshi, bring this to Kanako san. You know where the Kijima house is, right?" The small cat meows and holds carefully a folded piece of paper between its jaws.

"Her room is on the second floor, but there's a cherry tree right next to it. You should be able to reach her window. From what I understand, she is locked inside..." Your voice breaks again at the idea of your beloved being kept prisoner in her childhood home. The pressure of Mori's hand on yours increases.

"Go now, Toshi. And come back to report what you've seen." The cat darts out and is swallowed by the forest and the night.

"What did you write on that paper? We haven't discussed any details yet."

"Only that we're on our way to help her, that we will be at her house tomorrow morning, and that whatever happens, she must trust me and follow my lead. Now, let's fill the gaps..."

An hour later, the moon has set and only starlight illuminates the shrine's grounds. It's barely enough for you to make out the dark shape of Toshi the racoon-cat approaching the bench. Whatever boost Mori gave you earlier has cleared your system. Your senses are back to normal; drowsy only a moment ago, seeing the cat puts you back on the edge, though, and any idea of sleep evaporates.

The animal ignores you, and jumps on Mori's shoulder. Your ears can't pick up any sound, but a bucket of ice water washes over you when Mori's mouth turns into a pinch, jaw tensed. He gives the smaller shifter a nod of thanks, and the little guy disappears into the forest after turning back into his raccoon form.

"Is she... Is it that bad?" It's only when he glances at his arm you realize you're gripping him so hard your knuckles are white. But he doesn't shrug you off.

"She seems unharmed but is in great distress. Toshi found her lying on the floor, sobbing, food left untouched by the door. He could give her the message, though. She calmed down when he shifted into a baby panda, and then a puppy dog. Seems like there are dozens of... stuffed animals in her room?" 

You can't help a smile at his astonishment. There's something about your fierce and fearless love's silly attachment to those things that has always warmed your heart. Toshi has obviously gone the extra mile to make her feel safe. How do you even thank a shape-shifting raccoon? With a large portion of ramen noodles? 

"She should get better now that she's aware help is on the way."

Your grip lessens into an awkward caress. "All thanks to you."

The light brush of his fingers on your neck catches you by surprise. "No. You're the one making this possible."

From warm, your skin now burns under his touch. Cheeks aflame with shame and heart galloping out of pure desire, you jump on your feet. All the naughty things you'd like to do with him while your beloved... 

"I should go home."

"We'll go by your house at dawn to pick up clothes, but stay here tonight."

You look around you, at the looming dark forest behind the shrine, and manage to quirk an eyebrow. "Where? On the grass? Inside the shrine? In your... lair?" Bubbles of nervous laughter are stuck in your throat. How many unseen eyes are watching, even as you speak? Animals, nameless creatures... god-like beings?

The whole situation is unreal, but what awaits you tomorrow and the next days is even more unsettling. Certainly, one night on your own would be for the best. If only you didn't crave a lover's touch - human or otherwise.

A tail grabs your waist and drag you to him, while two fingers press on your lips. "Such an insolent tongue... If I didn't love hearing you moan and beg for more so much, I think I'd gag you systematically to teach you a few things about respect," he growls, but there's humor dancing in his eyes that have turned golden again.

Combined with his lewd words, his half threat melts your core. Being pressed against his handsome and powerful human form sends sparkles along your spine, but his domineering personality is the bigger turn-on. In his true shape, he can't be denied. But he is more playful and less daunting when his normal state is kept at bay. It's not truly another person, but you are allowed more leeway with your instructor than with the forest spirit.

"I'll show you where I live, and you'll see for yourself that it's quite good enough for sleeping and other less restful activities." The tail keeps you by his side as he leads you back under the trees, behind the shrine. At first, you can't see anything special, but then you take a turn, and you stop in your tracks.