The days that followed were a blur. Emiko and I knew we couldn't stay in one place for long. Her enemies would find us again, and when they did, they would come with even more power.
And yet, the more time I spent with her, the more I realized there was no life without her. No future that mattered without her by my side.
One evening, as we sat together beneath the stars, I took her hand in mine.
"Emiko," I said softly. "You're not alone. Whatever happens, I'll be with you. I'll fight for you."
Her gaze softened, tears glimmering in her eyes as she gazed at me.
"Alex... you don't have to choose this. You don't have to choose me," she said, her voice breaking.
"I've already chosen," I replied, squeezing her hand. "And I always will."
In that moment, Emiko made a choice too. She leaned in and kissed me, and it felt like the world shifted around us—like we were no longer bound by the rules of the human world or the kitsune world.
We would face whatever came next, together.