Enchanted in the Moonlight: a Collection of Short Stories

Ocean Day with the Ayakashi

Ocean Day today and there's a huge celebration on the beach. I managed to get the guys to come with me, although begrudgingly. Samon made sure to pack lots of ice and water and a huge umbrella for Yukionojo. Everyone was dressed up in swim trunks and piled their tee shirts and shoes by the umbrella next to the rest of our things. We found a spot where there wasn't that many people and it was a short distance from the shore line.

"Did we really have to come here," Miyabe said as he's laid out on a towel. "My fair skin can't handle this, you know."

"If you stayed home, you woulda complained about how you missed out on that," Kyoga said as he points his thumb to a group of girls clad in skimpy bikinis. Some of them were looking this way and giggled when they saw Kyoga point them out. I suddenly feel self conscious as I sit under the umbrella in my one piece and clutch my knees to my chest to hide myself.

Miyabe props himself up on his elbows to see and smirks. "So, are you saying you're looking that way, too? Dirty wolf."

Chikage was standing a short distance from us and chuckled, looking up at the sky. "You two never give up, do you?"

"As if you wanted to come," Kyoga said matter-of-factly.

All Chikage did was shrug in response as he turned his gaze to the water.

Shinra had ran right to the water as soon as we finished setting up and emerged dripping wet. His hair was matted down, but he shook it up a bit as he walked our way. I noticed the girls were looking our way as they watched Shinra return, glistening in the sun. His toned body could attract any girl he wanted. "Hey, guys, you should go for a swim. It's so much cooler and feels really good!" A big grin on his face as it seems he's the only one enjoying himself. He sees my glances and raises his brows in concern.

"Hey, [___], are you okay? You're all scrunched up like you're scared to show off your cute swim suit."

"N-n-no, that's not it," I exclaim as I try to throw attention from myself. "I just need a little bit to... to get into the mood! That's all!"

Shinra laughed as he noticed that group of girls. "You are! Come on, it's really cute on you," he said and his face seemed a little redder just then. Is he blushing?

Chikage stood over me with a humph, arms crossed. "This was your idea," he said in a stern tone. The shadow he casted was ominous and I scrunch into a tighter ball in reaction. "If you were so concerned about your body image, you shoulda taken a little better of it." Ouch... That hurt and made me turn my gaze to the sand.

"Oh, come now, Chikage," Yukinojo's soft voice chimed in. "I agreed to come as well and you know how I hate the heat." He tilts his head with a smile. "Besides, when was the last time we all went out together for fun?"

"You call this fun?!" Chikage uncharacteristically waves his arms in the air. "I'm getting sand in my hair, it's hot as hell..."

"Drink some water," Samon said as he handed the tengu some ice water. "You'll feel better. And maybe you should join Shinra for a swim."

"Are you kidding me?" Miyabe chuckled. "That lil oni can't swim if his life depended on it."

"Say that again?!" Shinra yelled at the kitsune and things start getting heated. "Wanna race me then?"

"Feh," Miyabe said as he stood up and stretched. "As you wish, lil oni. Better prepare to eat my dust."

"As if," Shinra replied with a smirk and they run off to the water. A splash can be heard in the distance.

Kyoga sighed and shook his head. "Those two..." He'd been standing all this time, looking around and taking in the area. He then looks at me and frowns. "Why are you all scrunched up like that?"

I opened my mouth and sputtered sounds are the only thing that comes out. I think I look like a deer in headlights...

Kyoga looks at the group of girls that were looking at us now watching Chikage watch Shinra and Miyabe compete for fastest swimmer. "Oh, are you worried about how you look?" He smiled  as he grabbed my wrist. "Come on," he said as he pulled me up. I tried to resist but he's too strong. "You're as cute as ever in your bathing suit."

I blush and try to shake my head in disagreement.  "Th-that's not it!"

Yukinojo and Samon chuckle and I glare at them. "You're always so concerned about how you look," Yukinojo said with his sweet smile. "But you'll always be the prettiest girl on the beach."
My face got even hotter as my eyes widened at what I heard. "You're just saying that because of my powers..."

"No, he's not," Samon said. He got up and stood before me, moving a strand of hair out of my face and placing it behind my ear. His graze sent tingles down my ear and neck. "Of all the people here, I should know how beautiful a young woman you've become." I look into Samon's eyes and I see his earnest feelings. My pulse is racing between his simple gesture and the fact that Kyoga is still holding onto me. "You should believe in yourself more."

"He's right, you know," Kyoga said, leaning in close to my ear. His breath made me tremble. "You're so cute, I could eat you up right here." He had a wicked grin on his face and my heart was pounding on my chest.

"Kyo, I think [___] is gonna pass out from heat exhaustion if you keep that up," Yukinojo said as he fanned himself. "If I were in her position, I know I would with how close you're both being to her." He smiled at me and I felt like crawling into a hole right now. I'm practically sandwiched between two attractive guys and nowhere to go. No doubt those girls are wondering what made me so special to these guys. If only they knew...

Kyoga loosened his grip on my wrist and took my hand instead. Rubbing the back of his head, he let out a laugh and started walking towards the water. "Come on. Let's go cool off."

"B-but!" I tried to resist as I looked back at Samon and Yukinojo but they're no help at all.
Waving us goodbye, Yukinojo said  "Have a good swim!"

"Be careful and don't let Kyoga do anything crazy," Samon called back to us.

"Heh, I'll make sure she'll be safe," Kyoga called back as he led me to where the others are.

I'm so glad I got them to come out. Despite how embarrassed I feel, I feel so happy to spend time with them.