Duality (DxD) (Part 1)

Ch 115 - A Fox Owner

Jins eyes slowly flickered as he felt a gentle stroke of his cold, wet fur. It was still cold, raining and windy, his fur was still drenched in the water of the rain and mud. But there was something warm about the hand that gently stroked him, even in the cold. Opening his eyes he looked at the person stroking him. He looked at Konekos sad face as she stopped stroking him. Standing up above Jin.

Koneko: You've been waiting here haven't you?

Jin looked up at her, but couldn't say anything. He didn't know what to say as he only gently nodded his head looking up at her. Wearing a wet jumper and shorts. Drenched in the rain the same as him.

Koneko: Have you... Have you been waiting here for me?

Jin could only gently nod as he looked at Konekos' sad eyes. Neither of them could tell if the other was crying or if it was just the rain. They could only look at each other in the cold of today's atmosphere. Reflecting on what they both felt.

Koneko: {He's been waiting for me. Even in the rain, he's been waiting for me. He... he kept on coming back to me and waited.} Turn into your human form. You can transform, right?

Jin nodded as he glowed a blue light. Slowly transforming as he leant back against the tree. His hair, face and clothes were all covered in dirt and mud, similar to how he looked in his fox form. He was soaked and dirty, a sorry state to look at. Koneko could only look at him and see in his face how hurt he was. How much he regretted what happened between them.

Koneko: If you regret what you did that much, why not start with an apology?

Jin: I... I can't. If I told you who I was. That I was a person. I never... I never would have had the opportunity to spend time with you. The time I did have with you wouldn't have been possible if I told you who I was. I wouldn't have been able to see your warm smile, feel your warm touch or relax with you as I did. I wouldn't have gotten so close to you. That time was special to me so I can't apologise for hiding my identity. I... I can only apologise that I hurt you so much. For that... I'm... I'm so sorry Koneko.

Jin said as he couldn't look Koneko in her eyes. He never really wanted to hurt anyone close to him. Even if they hurt him, he never wanted to hurt them. For Sona, he just didn't want to be hurt again, he distanced himself until he was sure he wouldn't get hurt again. Jin never wanted to hurt Koneko and that much was obvious to her.

Koneko: Your real name is Jin?

Jin: It is.

Koneko: You... You took advantage of me and what you did was wrong.

Jin: I know.

Jin said as he held his head down like a wounded animal. Because this all hurt. He didn't know what to say to fix any of this. He was going to lose someone he was close to and someone he really cared about. Someone who was gentle and smiled around him even though she didn't do that with anyone else. He had hurt an already damaged person, and Jin personally knew what that felt like.

But as much as he thought he had lost, he wasn't the only one who was understanding of the other's feelings. As Koneko walked over to Jin and sat down on his wet trouser legs. Placing her head against Jin's head, her wet hair against his.

Koneko: You... You were hurting too, weren't you? Because you really care for me, don't you?

Koneko could feel the slow and gentle nod as their heads were against each other. Konekos small hand gently caressed Jin's hair around his ear, as if she was stroking him when he was in his fox form. Maybe she would have normally blushed while doing this, but she was so close to Jin, she cared for him. She couldn't say it, not now. But she only wanted to make him feel better after leaving him for so long. Knowing that he really cared for her.

Koneko: I hurt you too not coming sooner. You waited and waited but I never came. When I wished you were an actual person, I didn't think you would... be an actual person. I needed time to think. A long time to think.

Jin knew something like this needed thought. To her, he was only a fox. But she was a fox she too cared deeply for. He was always there, he was not once late or expressed any displeasure being with her. He was peaceful and listened to her. He was affectionate and caring. For a lot of reasons she wished he was a person rather than an animal. But now he was someone, she didn't know what to do about it. Her thoughts about him being a person could happen, but she never thought they could.

Koneko: Jin, I too care for you. Because even if you were deceiving me, you really cared for me. I confided in you and you cared about me. I normally need no one's help, I normally don't want it. But thinking over it, I'm still happy you cared for me. I'm happy you're an actual person.

Koneko gently put her nose against Jins. Showing her affection for him. Because even if Jin had deceived her, she was only angry at the moment of the reveal. They really cared for each other and they knew that.

Koneko: Jin, I care for you. But you hid who you were from me. Friends don't hide who they are from each other. So... you can't be my friend.

Jin's heart felt an immense pain and Koneko could tell Jin was extremely hurt hearing that. She noticed the slight change in his breathing and the beat of his heart. But quickly she added to what she said. Because that wasn't everything. She wasn't leaving Jin. Stroking the side of his head and caressing his ear like she would do to him in his fox form. Making sure he was at peace.

Koneko: But as I said, I care for you Jin. I liked that I smiled around you and could feel peace around you. You've offered me something no one else could. So Jin, if you stay with me, continuing to meet me under this tree, if you listen to me and truly show you care for me. We can be something to each other. Because despite how different you look from how I imagined, that doesn't change the thoughts and feelings I have for you. That doesn't change the reason I wanted you to be a person. You are someone I care for, so while we can't be friends, if you prove yourself we can be something. {Maybe... something... something closer.}

Koneko said as there was silence besides the heavy rains and wind. Konekos head was against Jins as they stayed like that. For now, there wouldn't be a smile from Koneko, but she would display her affection in the way Jin did.

Jin: {I... I'm so glad it's raining.}

Jin thought but Koneko could tell. The small tears coming from his eyes knowing he hasn't lost her. Gently Koneko hugged Jin. Because if Koneko had realised anything, it was that Jin was hurt, not just now, but a hurt past. Not exactly like her, but she could feel it. The same cracks on her heart were on Jins. Trauma had affected them differently, but they shared it. 

For now, Koneko couldn't be the one being held, for now, she had to continue holding Jin.

Koneko: Now turn into your fox form. We're both dirty, wet and cold. I know a place.

Jin glowed a gentle blue as he turned into his fox form. But he wouldn't hide it anymore as he had his 9 tails revealed. As Koneko picked him up and held her close to her face. In a gentle hug.

Koneko: {A Kitsune. How couldn't have I seen that?} You look much better with 9 tails and I'm glad you're not hiding anything anymore.

Koneko said as she watched Jin's tails gently wag. A small crack of a smile appeared on her face as she walked away with Jin in her arms. Walking through Kuoh and to an apartment complex.

Knocking on the door of a place she knew.