Kitsu looked anxious. "Yes, it is. Is there a problem?"
Kael glanced at her, noticing her nervousness. He quickly shook his head and said, "Oh, no. It's just... this is a lot better than I imagined. I wasn't expecting this when you said 'a cave.'"
The cave's entrance was enormous, decorated with leaves artfully arranged into the shape of a fox. Inside, a single large room held a weapon rack, a kitchen-like counter—not quite like a regular one but close—and a horizontal closet built into the wall. Kael thought the space was tiny yet ingeniously designed for a cave.
As his eyes wandered, they landed on her clothes. He couldn't help but wonder how she managed to find clothing in the middle of a forest.
Noticing his gaze, Kitsu spoke up. "I just gather leaves, cotton, and other materials, then shape them into dresses with magic."
Kael nodded, this time not surprised. He was slowly getting used to the idea of supernatural beings existing without humans having a clue.
"Kitsu," he said, "this place is really neat and cozy. But... how do you take a bath here? I don't see anything like that."
Kitsu flushed, hesitating. Would he think she was strange? She fidgeted before replying, "I use the hot spring outside."
Kael blinked in surprise. "A hot spring? How did that even appear here? As far as I know, there shouldn't be anything like that in this forest. My father has it checked regularly."
Looking even more embarrassed, Kitsu admitted, "I can conceal it with magic so humans can't see it."
Kael studied her thoughtfully. The girl standing before him was clearly far more powerful than she let on.
"So, what do we do now? Do we return, or…?"
Kitsu's tail wiggled with excitement as she gazed at him with hopeful eyes. "I thought we could use the hot spring together."
Kael froze, stunned by the suggestion. "Would it really be okay for you to take a bath with me? I'm... a man, you know?"
Kitsu turned crimson, her tail drooping. "I didn't think it through. I just wanted to relax with you after getting soaked yesterday. But... I guess you're right." Her ears drooped, and she looked dejected. He must think I'm a pervert, she thought.
Kael stepped closer, placing a hand gently on her head. She stopped breathing for a moment, startled by the intimacy. Tilting her chin up to meet his gaze, he asked softly, "Do you really want to take that bath with me?"
Her ears perked up, and her tail started wagging again. "Y-Yes, I do!"
Kael's heart skipped a beat at her adorable response. Sighing, he said, "I suppose we can do it—with our underwear on. That shouldn't be a problem."
Immediately, Kitsu dashed to her closet and grabbed a bra. She slipped it under her shirt and adjusted it.
Kael stared, dumbfounded. "Wait. You weren't wearing one until now?"
Kitsu turned to him with a mischievous grin. "I didn't think I'd run into a man in the middle of a forest. My bad!"
Kael groaned, regaining his composure. "Where's this hot spring of yours?"
Kitsu grabbed his hand and practically dragged him outside. He stumbled after her, thoughts swirling. Is this really happening? What do I do now? Am I falling for her? Is this... love?
They arrived at the spring, steam rising from the clear water. Without hesitation, Kitsu removed the shirt he had given her and jumped in, calling, "Come on! It's so relaxing, Kael!"
Kael blinked, not expecting her boldness. Slowly, he undressed, revealing a well-toned physique from years of martial arts training—a precaution his father insisted on for protection against the family's many enemies.
Kitsu's ears twitched, and her tail fluttered at the sight of his muscular form. As he slid into the water beside her, she instinctively hugged him, wrapping her tail around his leg.
Kael stiffened at first but eventually relaxed, wrapping his arms around her in return. For some inexplicable reason, she felt so safe, as if this was where she was meant to be all along.
Kitsu thought, Am I falling for him? What would our babies look like? Human? Kitsune? Vampire? She shook the thought away as Kael pulled her closer.
Kael's mind raced, her warmth pressing against him. What's happening between us? Is this normal? Is it okay for us to be this close?
His thoughts broke as he noticed Kitsu had dozed off in his arms. Smiling, he held her gently, her scent filling his senses as the water's warmth surrounded them.
They both felt at ease, together