Eminence in shadow - Not Shadow

Confession.

Hums and murmurs of delight filled the room as everyone dug into the various snacks and treats arranged on the table - some using spoons, forks and even their hands to sample each.

Cid kagenou sat at the far end; on the master chair of the dining table, dressed in a casual loose fitting shirt and an equally loose knee level black trouser, leisurely chewing some meat with an impassive and pensive expression.

Alpha and Delta, both in equally casual dressing, sitting adjacent one another flashed him quick glances while leaning forward to grab whatever caught there attention and returning back to nibble in silence.

All the other shades were there as well; Gamma, Beta, Epsilon, Eta and Zeta all sitting adjacent and opposite one another – in equally casual attire as well – to enjoy the food fest, each digging into whatever striked and captured her fancy.

Gamma chewed the rolls silently with a fork, oddly using cutlery on something that a hand would have be more suitable for.

Beta leisure chewed on a sugary treat, lightly humming in delight while swaying her head to the side.

Epsilon and Eta; sitting adjacent one another, simply sampled some of the meat broth in a saucer with a spoon - apparently having their fill of the solid treats.

Zeta sat at the farest end of the table, her mind elsewhere, her comically bulging mouth chewing and churning on the meat.

Only Yukime sat secluded; sitting silently crossed legged in the parlour – a few feet from the dining table – her tail ruffling idly while she digged into a meal with a saucer and a fork, content on being on her own, away from the congregation.

Serene silence filled the room; the fan in the room being the only source of noise as everyone seemed content on just eating for the moment.

"So that is why i took on the identity of John Smith." Cid kagenou continued, speaking to no one in particular while picking on his salad.

"I hope ... i didn't hurt you too much ?" He asked, lifting his eyes to stare at Alpha in particular.

Alpha stared at him before averting her eyes with a wan smile, returning to her meal without a reply.

"You had our second in command worried for a bit." Gamma said with a laugh much to Alpha's annoyance.

"Ohh ..." Cid exclaimed with a smile, leaning forward to the table inquistively - his interest piqued.

"She relinquished her position as second in command." Eta chimed in, while taking a sip of the soup - not even bothered by the abashed look shot her way by Alpha.

"Gave control over to me." Gamma continued.

"And talked about chasing you down and having your babies." Delta chimed in with a snicker, throwing her under the bus.

She promptly shut up after Alpha flashed her a demonic – promising the seventh levels of hell – side-eye that glowed a burning red - shutting her up.

Cid abruptly burst out laughing with a clap, amused by their words and Alpha's reaction to it.

"Foolish but entertaining regardless." He admitted with a smile.

"So tell me .... what were you going to do after chasing down John smith ?" He asked Alpha with a smile, pointing his spoon at her.

They all – including Yukime – turned to face her, eager for her reply.

"Go for round two ?" Zeta teased with a quip.

"Straddle him ?" Epsilon offered.

"Seduce him, most likely." Beta offered with a grin.

Alpha kept quiet, gazing downwards with a shadow building over her eyes as they continued passing their thoughts back and forth.

"I was ... going to tell him that i love him." She forced out in a murmur, turning to face Cid directly.

The entire room fell silence, including Cid himself, everyone caught off guard by her abrupt confession.

He closed his eyes shut, leaned back to his chair with a sigh and subsequently crossed his arms in thought.

"What would he have said ?" Alpha timidly inquired.

"Foolishness ...." Cid answered, much to her chagrin; her expression wilting in pain and disappointment.

The entire room stayed silent, everyone digesting his reply and the pain associated with it.

"What would you have said ?" Yukime asked, talking for the first time while lifting and keeping her plate to the side.

All their eyes zoned in on him; all eager to listen to his – Cid kagenou's – input on the matter.

He sighed again, opening his eyes to stare at all the girls patiently waiting for his answer.

Finally he turned to meet Alpha's gaze with a glance, opening his mouth to give his reply.

"Cool ...." He simply answered with a smile.

Alpha froze, her eyes opening wide in shock as his smile widened further at her suprise.

It wasn't an affirmation or a rejection but it was definitely something.

"Cool .... ?" Zeta whispered, rolling the words experimentally on her tongue.

"Cool." He reaffirmed, turning to face them all with a serene smile.

"Cool." Alpha whispered; her eyes glistering in ambivalent joy as she repeated the word to herself.

"Care to elaborate ?" Eta asked.

"Nope." He answered, standing up to take his leave for the night.

"There's no need." He explained, keeping his eyes locked on Alpha - something she reciprocated - as he strode off for his retreat.

"Would it make a difference if i feel the same way ?" Gamma inquired just before he walked off, freezing him in place.

"Me too !" Delta hurriedly added.

"I think i feel the same way as well." Beta added.

"Same here." Epsilon chimed in.

Zeta simply scoffed humorously with a smile.

"Me too." Eta added.

Yukime shook lightly – laughing silently – as he held still with palm on the stair beam in silence.

"Cool ...." He answered again with another smile, before continuing onwards to his chambers, leaving them all to their thoughts.

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Welp, this is the final chapter and the conclusion to this story ;D.

Thank you so much for reading !!

Give me some suggestions and reviews for either a part two or another fiction entirely.