Beauty and the Beast (DRAMAtical Murder fanfic) (Boyxboy)

Chapter 21

Alluka and I returned to his father shortly before usual dinner hours. Fuyu, however, took Alluka away to a side room after only a little while, leaving me alone with the very quiet fox.

He hasn't spoken since our return, but now his head lifts vaguely towards me.

"I intend to meet with the other clans tonight. The other heads have learned of my return, and there is much for us to discuss to settle our race back into stability."

"Why are you telling me that?"

"I've been told I have a bad habit of only giving half the necessary information, and not properly answering questions. I also would like for you to come with me. You've not yet met any of us outside of my brother and Hikaru. Besides... the twins can't assist me, and I'll need someone to be my eyes."

I don't want to go. The only time I've really seen other kitsune, they were all hooded and robed and gathered murmuring around a still-breathing corpse. That sight keeps haunting me. I don't want to embarrass myself either... Kitsune have the same sort of ritualistic, respectful cultural mannerisms as in Japan, and I don't want to look the fool in front of them. Especially individuals responsible for the whole race...

Still, I can't bring myself to say no to him. He's currently blinded, and I saw how he was last night. If he hasn't regained his eyes even after regaining so much muscle mass, he probably doesn't have much strength in those muscles. I don't say yes either though.

"Wouldn't that be the same thing?"

"Hm?"

"I'm not kitsune either."

"You know our tongue well enough to hold conversations, and a basic understanding of our culture. You also belong to me as my chosen. They have little room to argue about it, and I doubt they will. There are more important things to speak of than if you have furry ears or not."

"I think you're overestimating my knowledge of your... manners."

"There won't be any need for that. This is no formal meeting, as it would be back on the island. You will be seated with my own circle, and I will be separated from you during the talks. Just enjoy your dinner and learn a few names, and help me not walk into a table... That is all I can ask of you."

"Is it?"

"It is as much as I feel comfortable asking."

"You've... changed."

"Have I?"

"Before, you brought me to the island against my will and left me alone to fend for myself and figure things out. You didn't answer my questions and hardly seemed to be around, but now you're all considerate?"

"I am trying to fix my bad habits."

He probably can't see my expression, but I scowl at him anyways. I still know what my answer is, though. Regardless... of how willing to change he is. He still asked for my help. A heavy sigh leaves me, and I find my arms have crossed some bit ago.

"How long until then?"

"Hm... an hour, perhaps?"

"That doesn't sound confident."

"Hard to tell 'time' when you can't perceive light."

Right. I look around me, aware of the agitation in my stomach. This really sounds like the kind of awkwardness of meeting a partner's parents on short notice... except those parents aren't blood related, and are centuries older than you... and you don't actually love your partner.

A bad equation.

I look down at myself. I'm not really sure what's considered presentable to something like this, but it's probably not a yukata covered small muddy handprints.