A week passed by relatively quickly.
Kurei lazed on the wooden flooring of the shrine, falling in and out of slumber. The days have been flying by relatively quickly. The fox demon usually spent his days in the shrine, and when he could, he left for the world of yōkai, enjoying the company of pale, voluptuous ayakashi that entertained him with sake from time to time.
"I brewed some tea Master Kurei", the twin tailed feline ayakashi said, settling the tea set for two onto the wooden floor.
He kneeled down, pressing down onto the lid of the small ceramic Teapot as he tipped the pot, allowing the piping hot tea to fill up the two small teacups from the spout.
"I have poured the tea, master. I will take a sip after you", he retreated back to an upright position.
A short silence trickled by, only the cold breeze cooling down the tea.
Kurei slowly opened his eyes after a short while, staring blankly at the wooden ceiling before sitting up lazily.
"Much appreciation", Kurei whispered, taking a teacup between his slender fingers, and taking a sip. He let his yōkai form unveil, all of his silver nine tails out in the open, for the shrine was absolutely empty once the new year passed. It's not like anyone can see a yōkai as well to begin with.
So, Kurei simply enjoyed his afternoon tea in silence.
---
Haruka walked up the slope, towards the shrine, her fingers clutching the brown bag that was the soft, furry scarf that the strange male with animal ears lent her nearly a week ago. The faint scent of Sakura incense still remained even though she washed it.
She wondered if he was still in the shrine a week later, because she didn't know of any ways or means to contact the said guy. But just to try her luck, she went ahead with it, and left for the shrine. It wasn't far from her place anyway.
By then all the snow had already melted, but Haruka was dressed in her winter uniform since it was still rather chilly. She had also realised after running way that day, she totally forgot to request for blessings from the shrine, as well make an offering for her new year's wish.
'Killing two birds with one stone I suppose.' She thought to herself.
As she closed the distance towards the shrine, she began to feel slightly hopeless, for the shrine was nearly empty. Maybe about one or two people, and so far, no sign of the said male.
By the time she step foot into the shrine, she believed that she was the only one currently on the plot of land.
Haruka decided to wander deeper to shrine, this time, curiously got the better of her instead of focusing on what she mainly came for.
And boy, was she in for a surprise.
Her wandering eyes ended up on a familiar looking male, the weird one with animal ears, but this time, nine silver, flamboyant-looking tails surrounded the male.
He was sitting calmly, sipping from a small teacup rather daintily with his eyes lowered. For a moment, anyone could have mistaken that he was about to fall asleep.
Though in a strange and different form, it was definitely the male that she was searching for.
But he's a...!
Upon realising what he was, her hand cupped her lips, to prevent herself from screaming or producing any type of noise. This was the first time she's seen a yōkai. Though admittedly, he was extremely breathtaking.
Somehow she didn't feel fear as intense as she thought she would, but she was confused on what she wanted to do next.
As she was about to turn and leave, she did so way too quickly and ended up tripping on her own feet!
How clumsy!
She shut her eyes in reflex, ready to hit the ground.
Only she didn't.
Kurei stared at her, as his arms curled around the waist of the human girl. From afar, it could have be mistaken as if he swept the mortal girl off her feet.
Kurei watched the girl flinch for a split second, before realising that she didn't hit the ground, and slowly opening her eyes.
She looked and felt so fragile. Kurei could just break her into pieces if he wanted to. But he just simply stared down at her, his expression cold, but curious.
Haruka slowly opened her eyes, realising that she didn't hit the ground. Instead, she found herself shifting her gaze to the male who caught her in his arms.
He stared at her with such cold, distant eyes, his platinum hair shifting along with the direction of the soft Breeze, his golden eyes glowing underneath the shadows of his hair. He looked absolutely ethereal. For a moment it felt that the ears on him fitted perfectly, and she nearly forgot that he was a yōkai.
The both of them stared at each other for what it seemed like a long while before Kurei slipped the human girl off his arms gently, having her land on her feet.
Kurei still couldn't comprehend. He could crush the petite girl with his own two hands mercilessly—he was nearly tempted to, but he simply just helped her stand up.
"Thank you.. again"
Kurei barely heard the mortal managing out a squeak.
Before the fox demon could reply, a soft voice from back in the shrine drifted into his ears.
"Hypnotise her. She should not remember what she just saw."
It was his twin tailed cat ayakashi had sent his message through the breeze where only he could hear.
Kurei's gaze flickered to his ayakashi's presence, realising that he transformed into his feline forme, perched high on one of the tree's branches, staring down at Kurei silently.
Kurei switched his attention back to the mortal girl, standing before him, as if expecting him to say something.
Instead, the demon's fingers crept around the girl's chin, tilting her head up to look right into his eyes.
He closed in on her.