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

Chapter 8

An hour into our trip, I became extremely bored, and began watching the fox carefully.

Of course, this did not go unnoticed, though he seemed to make a point of ignoring me for a good ten minutes before finally turning slightly in my direction.

"Is there something you need, Koujaku?"

"You said before that you hadn't decided on what to do with me."

"So you seek answers... For now, I'm debating whether to keep you to myself or give you to my son, who's mentally closer to your age."

"Why give me to him?"

"You don't seem to like me very much. Alluka has little experience with fighting or wars in general, which perhaps may invoke a much easier relationship between you two."

"You make it sound like the reason I dislike you is because you're a part of the war."

"Well I certainly don't know why you don't like me, do I?!"

I flinch as he snaps at me, turning back to his work. As thought, he seems overly frustrated today. Maybe something's bothering him. No, wait, he's probably just stressed over his brother. If he even feels anything towards him.

It's difficult to tell his emotions. You only notice his anger when he snaps, only see his exhaustion hidden deep in his eyes. He rarely mentions his family, his role in this world, himself. It was how he snapped just now that I had a tiny glimpse of how much stress he was under.

I almost felt bad about not attempting to be what I'm supposed to be. His mental support, as the cats have told me. It sounds wrong, though. Isn't that something a wife would do? I'm not a girl who's going to wait on somebody to come home and tell me all about their day.

This is all just too confusing.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I had to admit, kitsune had good taste. Just stepping off from the ship, you could see the traditional mansions and original statues. The very atmosphere seemed calm, as if the world was completely at peace. A gentle breeze stirred the leaves of the trees, carrying with it the faint sound of bells.

"Umm... Would you happen to be Koujaku, by chance?"

I snapped out of my reverie to see another kitsune, short in stature but with a feeling to him that warned against making him angry. His hair was a bright orange, which surprised me. His ears were a more russet color, blue eyes containing a soft laughter in them. His kimono, which honestly looked to be a woman's, was a light green, embroidered with brightly colored birds.

He made me feel shabby in the plain light blue of my own yukata, which was one of the few colors I rotated through since my arrival upon the main ship.

"Yes, that's me... And you are?"

He covered a small smile with his sleeve.

"Oh my, where are my manners today? I'm Hikaru, Kyoren's... ah, what do you call it.. brother-in-law? Anyway, I'll be your guide and counselor during your stay."

Huh. I hadn't expected to have a guide so soon. Wait, he said brother-in-law... so he's Kyoren's brother's... husband? Wait, the cats said kitsune don't marry. So what does that make him?

Movement out of the corner of my eye grabbed my attention. The fox was walking away, a group of impressive-looking male kitsune with him. Most likely his advisors or something. I looked back to Hikaru curiously. He seemed to understand, smiling again. Though this time, it seemed a little sad.

"He's going to visit Tori. His uncle."

"Ah."

"Follow me. I'll show you around before taking you to where you'll be staying. I think you'll enjoy your stay here, even if you don't like Kyoren."