Back to ze past

Zetsubou snorted slightly in his sleep and turned onto his side

---

Kietsu stared grumpilly at the two demons infront of him, the two had both woken him up with their silly games and Kietsu wasn't exactly a morning person.

Just because he loved the girl did not mean she could wake him up without good reason!

he laughed and hugged her tighter
"tell that to MY mother! no, you just naturally a wonderful person I think."

((hey LE!!))

Hotaru blushed lightly. "Thank you for the compliment."

(( hurgh? ))

(( Right...not that this isn't interesting...but I'm tired and bed beckons...GOODNIGHT Y'ALL!!! ))

mentaro hissed loudly and hid behind the tree once again, glaring at everyone.

---

Yuki sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He couldn't do this, not anymore.

"You are most welcome"

"So, ahh... I need to umm... DO the dishes..." Hotaru turned in his arms and went back to the bucket.

"Oh yeah! I'll help!" he said cheerfully

"Kaoru, my lord, I think its best if we stop these visits." Hotaru said, looking out the window as she sighed. "Naoki can still come and play but, the other townspeople are starting to talk, with me in the heart of it and you standing next to me. My children don't need that kind of gossip revolving around their mother. They hardly have any friends as it is because of their lack of father."

his face fell
"Oh! yeah... I understand. I'm sorry Hotaru if i have caused you any trouble.
I didn't think. please forgive me"

Hotaru smiled sadly and looked down at her hands. She couldn't eeven look back over her shoulder. "I'm sorry Koaru-dono, I really am."

"Its okay Hotaru, there's nothing for you to apologise for"

Kaoru reached out to pat her on the shoulder
but thought better of it and let his hand fall

"I-I think I'll go check on the children..."

"Theres no point for me to be around any more." Hotaru said. "I was employed as a wet nurse and that job was done more than two years ago. Nobles can't be friends with commoners, and demons with Humans."

"T-Thats not true!" said Kaoru suddenly "We can still be friends!!"
he stopped looking ashamed for his slight outburst

"Does the fact that I'm a demon bother you..."
he asked hesitantly

"Your a lord." Hotaru sighed. "I'm a simple wet nurse with Three children and No husband. Friendship is not heard of."

"What if i wasn't?" he asked "what if I gave it all up today?"

Hotaru looked at him. "Why are you offering to do that?"

"I..." Kaoru looked flustered "You're my best and only friend! I'd do anything for you!
I don't want to lose you..."

"Kaoru I-" Hotaru took a deep breath. "My children are the most important thing to me. No man could ever change that."

Kaoru looked sad
"I never meant to distract you from your children. I'm so sorry. I'll leave if its what you want."

"Your twisting my words!" Hotaru snapped. "Kaoru, because of our time and happiness together, the other villagers are calling us secret lovers and my children are paying the price. You never distracted me, No-one could ever do that. They are my world and no-one will enter that world. No-one."

Kaoru attempted a smile
"You will always have a place in my world Hotaru, if you want it."
he headed to the door
"I won't bother you again... if you ever need anything you know where to find me"

"Kaoru, you musten't have these feelings for me." Hotaru whsipered. "You mustn't."