Riko has been in the realm of the once thought to be mythical creatures known as kitsune. At first she thought it was all a crazy vivid dream, but after a year of living among them, she grew accustomed to their world. Now, the idea of fox ears and tail on an individual passing by was as natural as breathing.
And there was one kitsune in particular she had been keeping a curious eye on. Being a guest in the royal palace of this village, she had been getting close with all the personnel. But, there was one that she clung to the most, and wanted to get closer to: Akane.
Akane is the royal guard leader, the one that trains the troops and helps to keep the peace by patrolling the area. Of all the members of the guard that she has seen, Akane stood out, not just for being their leader, but from how built she was and the scars that decorated her body. There is a tear on her left ear, a reminder of the reality of her position.
As usual, Riko was up early before the sun had even risen, to go out to the training grounds. She sees Akane using a battered and beaten wooden dummy to train her sharp nails on. Swish after swish, her nails strike the dummy cleaning, causing etchings to grow deeper and deeper on its surface.
The muscles on her forearms bulged with each strike, and her long brown braided hair swooshed as she struck. When she reset her stance, her calves tightened, highlighting more of her muscles. And she was back at it again, striking the dummy even more fiercely.
Riko quietly crept up closer, licking her lips reflexively. She loved watching Akane train, and she loved that instead of wearing her full uniform, the yukata shirt was always hanging down around her waist with bandages wrapped around her breasts. She watches the sweat begin to roll down her bronze skin, glimmering under the now rising sun's light.
Akane's ears twitch, her tail stiffening, and she stops. Her attention turns to the human woman, who has been staring at her silently for far too long.
"What is it?" She gruffs out, resuming her training, this time, punching the dummy with clenched fists.
"I just wanted to watch you, as always. You're in great shape."
Akane huffs, continuing to focus on her training. Riko steps closer, attempting to close the distance between the two. As she nears closer and closer, Akane's ears twitch once more.
"You need to keep your distance."
"But, I can't see you as well from that far." Riko coyly whispers, knowing full well those sharp ears of her's could pick her voice up with ease. Akane flinches, ever so slightly, but doesn't miss a beat, continuing to pound away at the poor training dummy.
"There is not much to see. You have always seen this routine. I do not understand your fascination with it."
"It's not the training I'm interested in. It's you." Riko states without hesitation. The furs on Akane's ears and tail flicker up, and even though Riko is directly behind her, she can tell the towering woman before her is blushing furiously.
"Cease the nonsense and explain why you are bothering me."
"I just told you already, didn't I? I'm interested in you." She takes the opportunity to close the gap, her hand reaching out towards Akane's left shoulder. Akane whips around, grabbing Riko's wrist, firmly holding her in place. Riko grins, her eyes dancing with delight.
"I don't... understand your intentions. If you are attempting to distract me, it's too effective."
"Good! I want to be a nice distraction for you. You need a break." Akane gaffs, shaking her head.
"A foolish notion. I have no time to stop. What sleep I get is a luxury." Riko begins to move her other hand, attempting to reach for Akane's face, but it, too, is stopped within milliseconds.
And she was loving every second of it. She knew in prowess, she stood no chance over a kitsune that was as strong and intimidating as she was. Akane is truly one of a kind, no other kitsune looked or acted like her. So intimidating, so distant, and yet...
So easy to read.
Riko could see it in her eyes. If the eyes were the mirror to one's soul, then Akane's were an open book. Akane put on a tough front, and she definitely had the body for it. But deep down, she could see a personality that she kept hidden to the rest of the world, maybe even to herself. And Riko was determined to bring it out.
Akane releases her grasp on Riko, turning her attention back to the dummy. Akane began to use her legs, swiftly striking the dummy on its side. Splinters broke out, scattering to the floor. Riko attempts once more to reach out for Akane, and as her leg is in mid-swing, she lifts it high up, her foot high above her head, turning towards Riko, and she slams it downwards towards Riko. Riko freezes in place, her life flashing before her eyes.
Her leg stops mere inches away from the top of Riko's head, her face reading very clearly to her: she's irritated. She grits her teeth together, showing off her canine tooth, eyebrows furrowed.
"Enough. I am busy. Go bother someone else." Riko frowns, placing a hand on her toned calf. Her hand trails slightly downward, and it's surprisingly smooth. Akane's ears twitch slightly, her tail swishing behind her.
"Please, Akane? Just give me a moment of your time?" Riko takes hold of her leg, lowering it down to her shoulder, her head leaning against her calf. Akane's eyes widen, but they immediately narrow, and she crosses her arms over her chest.
"If I agree, will you allow me to train in peace?"
Akane should have never agreed to letting Riko have her way. She was now being dragged by the hand towards the bath house, uncertain of what the small human had in store for her. Riko takes them to an open hot spring that sits outside. The water is giving off steam that rolls up into the air. The water is a dark, deep blue-green, a bamboo wall surrounding it. Small rocks line the water, and a path of stones lead towards the springs.
Riko begins to untie her black obi sash, her white yukata becoming loose. She can feel Akane's eyes on her, and she is sure to let the yukata slip down and off her shoulders tantalizingly slowly. When it drops to her feet, she is bare naked, her light skin exposed for Akane.
She glances over her shoulder, catching Akane's eye, and she turns her head away, beginning to strip her clothes off. Her black and gold obi belt was first to go, joining the heap of fabric on the ground. With that gone, the yukata shirt she let dangle fell freely. Her tight, long black pants rolled right off her body, leaving her with only her underwear and the bandages wrapped around her breasts. She walked over to the hot spring, sitting at the edge, letting her legs drop into the water.
Riko swayed over, stepping into the water until it was at breast level, her nipples peeking out from the water's surface whenever she moved. Akane leaned back, holding herself up by her elbows, looking up at the open sky. Not a single cloud to be seen, the light blue sky was exposed to her.