Come by Night

Chapter Ten - A White Fox in the Woods

*Kitsunenitsumamareru - to be bewitched by a fox, to be confused

"Hotaru! Wake up!" I am shoved, stomped, and kicked by a foot. "Hotaru!"

I blink awake. Sunlight presses too bright against the screen. How late is it? I hold my hand to my forehead and groan. Everything spins when I try to sit up. I slump back down, dizzy. What is wrong with me? Am I sick?

Natsumi digs her toes painfully into my side. "You lazy wretch! Get up! My friend Mika is coming today. This house is a wreck! Yoshiro!" She calls out. "Do something with your cow of a sister!" Natsumi stalks off, shouting. "YOSHIRO!"

That's right. I was with Isamu. He carried me into his palace, and there we made love all night. He was holding me, and it felt good. We laughed and spoke in between our vigorous sessions, and I was happy. It was so real that I am half-convinced it's no dream. I am going to ask him when we meet again.

I don't care that he is a Demon Fox. Is it wrong that I like it? If it is all a fever dream, I will be disappointed. Will he admit it when I confront him? I accept him. I just need Isamu to be honest with me. I will be his gladly if he'll do that for me.

I manage to get up, but I am lagging. Yoshiro begs me to please get myself together while I'm trying to do exactly that. I roll my eyes. Yes, big brother, we mustn't upset her imperial majesty. I giggle at the thought. My brother scampers away, his eyes full of the type of concern that people have for someone who's gone mad. This makes me laugh harder.

What has gotten into me? I go about my tasks, annoyed at the bother. I just want to sleep all day. Natsumi is annoyed with my slow progress. I serenely ignore her attempts to pick at me. I won't be here much longer to kick around. This knowledge fills me with strength. In spite of the heat and my summer illness, I smile, humming to myself.

Natsumi scowls. I think she's suspicious something has happened. I say nothing. Isamu is my secret and I guard him jealously in my heart. Soon it doesn't matter when Mika arrives. She and Natsumi have known one another since they've been girls. They are the only two who can stand one another.

They immediately set to gossiping, fanning themselves incessantly to ward off the stifling heat. Meanwhile I bow and serve, and stay out of the way. I ignore their vile chatter and wonder if Isamu is really a kitsune. I can't tell dreams from waking anymore. I feel for him as I never have for anyone, not even Shouta. Does that make me a bad woman?

I no longer care. Shouta never made me feel the way my Fox Lover does! Appetites have awoken in me that can no longer be denied! I need the promise of what Isamu is offering me. I crave him. We will give ourselves to one another completely and I will see my love reflected in his beautiful eyes... just like last night. That was the moment I let myself go. When I saw Isamu's vulnerability, I surrendered my heart to him.

"Oh, speaking of odd things happening around here lately, did you hear? One of the townsmen claims he saw a white fox in the woods, out near that old shrine. Some of the young men are going after it."

"Want to go watch, Mika? Maybe I can get a handsome youth to give me such a fine pelt!" Both women cackle.

I am choked by fear. I feel like I might vomit or pass out.

"What's wrong with her?"

"I don't know. The summer heat must be getting to her. She's worse than usual."

"Better watch it, Natsumi! Your sister-in-law might have been bewitched by a fox!" They cackle again like two old geese.

The older woman's words set me to trembling. Kitsunenitsumamareru is a serious charge! I am afraid for myself, but more so for Isamu. Me, they will exorcise; him they will destroy. I must warn my lover! My imagination conjures images of him dead! My heart breaks and I force myself to calm down.

I now know I do not have much time. When next  Isamu comes, I am leaving with him. I can't stand it here a moment longer! We must go far away to his realm. Otherwise, we are both doomed.