Rufus Aceae gave a frustrated sigh as he stared out at the assembled crowd; his yellow eyes gleaming in the artificially lit night. He was supposed to blend into the crowd of wealthy citizens enjoying a fundraiser arty for some big-shot politician at some little-known zoo. The purpose for his appearance was to firstly gather information on the guests. Many of the people who he knew would attend the event had dealings with either his family’s business, their competitors, or were in the process of trying to stop their businesses, and it never hurt to know who they favored more. Once this was done, he and his hired help were to cause a bit of “fun” at the end and make off with the donation box. If everything went well he might even share a little of the money with the help. Maybe. If said help would actually showed up on time.

Wishing to keep his hands busy, Rufus began to pull at the cuff of his black suit and check his tiger-stone cufflinks absent-mindedly. The tell-tale sound of anxious laughter told him he was spotted, causing him to turn and smirk at two of the younger female guests. Businessmen’s daughters, he assumed; most likely looking for a future with a rich, attractive husband.  After all, he told himself cynically, why else would they be dressed in such revealing clothes?  The taller of the two girls blushed at his mischievous smirk only to whisper to her friend about talking with him, only to be pulled towards the bar by her companion. Obviously handsome and mysterious was not the smaller one’s type.

 Rufus knew he was handsome, he knew this for a fact. He took great pride in this “normal” guise of his, and if trying to look perfect was vain then so what? It made people want him in their circles, which made his jobs easier. And once he was done he knew they would willingly let him leave for fear of comparison. However, all of this would be moving much more quickly if that blasted help of his would simply show up and all the scheduled events happened at their correct time!

A low growl escaped his lips as he ran a hand through his thick, blond-orange hair. At last he noticed movement from a nearby shadow followed by a middle-aged man in a rented tuxedo walking towards him.  Rufus frowned slightly at the man; his partner that night.

There was nothing special about the man, or at least not that Rufus cared to see. A hired man meant solely to help with the distraction then get arrested while he got away. Deep down the man knew this too, but hope for the reward and street credit caused him to overlook the truth.

“Sorry, got a bit side-tracked,” the man commented as he noticed Rufus’ sudden frown. Rufus could tell by the stench of the man’s breath what had him side-tracked, but decided not to respond to that.  Instead he asked, “Did you place the all of the machines on the walls of the cages?”

“Yes…they’re explosives, right? I know that that will cause a commotion, but won’t that just hurt the animals too?” the man asked concerned. Rufus wanted to roll his eyes. He thought human criminals were above caring about fluffy animals. This would be a concern he brought up with the man’s employer. But then again, Rufus had no plans to seriously hurt the animals either if at all.

“Don’t worry. What you put on the walls was not explosives but something better. Now the show’s about to start so get into position,” Rufus ordered as he pushed the man ahead. Right then the hopeful politician hosting the event, a middle-aged woman who had a few too many drinks, tried to get everyone’s attention in order to announce how much money was raised.

As the speaker told the amount, all of the lights flickered before failing for two seconds; blinding the normal guests. Once the lights returned, they were followed by a gasp from the crowd.  The gasp was because the box filled with donations suddenly vanished, but most believed it was due to Rufus’ machines. The machines both agitated all of the animals with loud frequencies, but also held the added bonus of allowing the animals to walk through the walls to their cages temporarily.

“It worked!  Look at ‘em run!” the hired help hooted as he turned around to look at Rufus. A moment of confusion, then anger, passed over him as he realized that both Rufus and the box were gone, but a small part of him was still happy knowing that word of his work with the notorious Rufus Aceae would get around. The older man could finally feel like he was moving up in his line of work.

 

Rufus scowled as he rushed to where the box originally sat, determined to figure out what happened. If everything had gone correctly, then he would be half-way home with a smile as he thought over his success and the police’s bafflement tomorrow. But things did not go correctly.

Someone else stole his prize, and he wanted to know who.

As he knelt at the spot, he noticed no signs which a human would see, but with his superior eyes he could scarcely make out what looked like a foot print. He grimaced as he noticed the size of it and how it only showed the ball of the foot. Either it was someone who was abnormally quick and agile with a love for extremely high heels, which he viewed as unlikely, or it was someone like him.

Following the direction of the print, he raced to a shadowed area where he thought he saw a cat’s eye. But when he reached the spot the other was gone, replaced by the faint smell of jasmine flowers. He swore to himself, only to then decide that it was too late to do anything now. Oh, but he would! But first he needed to get home where he was already late for another event he dreaded.

After a quick glance to make sure no one paid him any attention, he pulled out a small, framed mirror and angled it so light reflected off it. Rufus smiled when an image of an old library came into view. Home, he thought as he closed his eyes. He then became sucked from the zoo and its world into the mirror.

2: chapter 2

In a land between lands and a time between times was where Rufus and those like him lived. The ancestral houses where gigantic, in most cases almost the size of small villages and worked like villages to keep the estates running. All of them were beautiful and shimmering, many made from materials and designs in ways which brought all famous buildings to shame, but some of the higher-ranked clans were even more so. Rufus’ clan was only moderately-ranked, but every now and again visiting neighbors or new help would get lost in the expansive estate and surrounding territory.

Rufus opened his eyes to find a scene exactly like the one from the mirror. The scene was an old library, filled with books from centuries collected by his family. His family mainly only used the room for the mirror which took them to the human world, but Rufus had always found refuge in the aura of knowledge the books gave. Near him stood an old plush chair he usually would sit in, and deciding to relax before joining his family, he sat in it. Before he could get too relaxed, however, a voice behind him called out, “You had better get out of that monkey suit and downstairs fast. Father is tiring of entertaining the guests which came specifically to see you.”

The voice darkened with annoyance belonged to Rufus’ older brother Aster. Smiling slightly, Rufus obeyed the other’s order and began acting as if undressing. As he did this, his formal black suit and human skin vanished only to be replaced with a red, oriental style shirt, black pants, tiger-like fur, and matching ears, tail, and claws. A patch of human-like hair remained atop his head and down the back, a much darker orange than in his human form and a bit less curly. Once done, Rufus looked in a mirror to inspect his now tiger-like appearance and fix his fur.

Most girls who saw him usually thought he was a fallen angel. The men he worked with saw him as a devil. The men were closer. What he really was, was a Rakshasa. He and those like him were a race which resembled men or women, but with feline-like appendages. People who had heard of them had preached that they were demons or evil spirits. The fact that his kind turned monstrous as they aged most likely did not help this. But rumors and legions tend to come from truths, and the truth was that his race lived in a land separate from mankind’s yet tended to enjoy messing with it. 

“Stop cleaning and come on,” his brother growled as he pulled Rufus away from the mirror by the shirt’s collar. Rufus frowned but followed. Aster was his full-blood brother, his elder, and a good bit tougher; someone who he had to respect even if he fancied himself better when dealing with society.

“What’s the rush?  If I’m to meet with the guests shouldn’t I look my best?” Rufus asked cockily in an attempt to lighten his brother’s usually stern mood.

“If I had time for you to look your best, I’d tell you to bathe off all of that human stench,” Aster retorted, wrinkling his nose due to the smell into a face Rufus instantly smiled at. The smile left, however, when Aster continued to complain, “And I told you a hundred times before that you were not allowed to miss this meeting! Remember, you were supposed to pick a wife tonight?”

Rufus scowled at this. Sure, he understood that it was only good for his clan, and that it was expected of him to have a wife by now. He even understood that thanks to his jobs outside the family business he had more than enough money to support a wife and a kid or two. But the truth was that he really did not want one of those creatures.

Since spending more time with humans, he had come to the conclusion that his race’s females and their roles were a bit inferior compared to their human counterpart. After all, what was the fun of taking care of a creature who was only expected to have babies and be seen in public with him? Even worse, most of the females of his race he had met seemed perfectly fine with their mate treating them with less love than their children and only slightly more than the furniture they slept on! He knew other males growing up who saw nothing wrong with this, but to him the whole situation simply seemed boring.

Aster must have grown tired of Rufus’ silent brooding, because he sighed then decided to continue, “Look Rufus, I know that you have never been one to look at our female kind, but people will begin to talk if you go much longer without even a fiancé. Now I realize you have some sort of infatuation with humans and plenty of males take in human concubines, but even they have to have a proper mate or two for appearances.”

“‘Mate or two’ huh? Then why don’t you tell father you wish to marry the poor creature and in his surprise let me run away?” Rufus asked snidely as they neared the parlor.

Aster laughed slightly at this as they stopped outside the door and said, “Nice try, brother, but these girls are for you to pick through. Besides, if you ran away who do you think father would send after you?”

With this said, Aster opened the door and lead Rufus into the room. Despite their father’s wealth, the elder believed in practicality over showing off; something he oddly liked to show in his rooms’ designs. Their father sat comfortably in his favorite chair with a smile on his lips; but eyes which glared angrily at Rufus. Across from him in his own chair sat their guest, an older male with a lion’s mane filled with silver and white hairs. Rufus could not force himself to look more at the elder’s head, however. It was common for bizarre growth spurts to happen as their kind aged, and this Rakshasa had gained an extra face onto his singular head. Gods, Rufus could only hope that he somehow died before reaching an age where he needed to worry about such things!

On the couch next to the guest sat three figures, most likely the daughters he brought to be picked over. The figures were dressed in thick cloths making it impossible to fully see them and hoods pulled low to cover their faces. The tallest wore gold, the middle blue, and the smallest black.

Seeing the opposite loveseat open, Rufus and Aster went towards it and sat. As they sat their father asked, “Mr. Lowe has waited long Rufus, where were you?”

“My apologizes, sirs. I was off on personal business and lost track of time,” Rufus answered as he looked towards this Mr. Lowe; only to then instead look down at the other’s body. The glint of a mechanical arm caught his interest; signaling the guest as one who followed the Lion type’s role of a warrior. It was an older model, however, and well tarnished telling him that the other had little care for the role now.

Mr. Lowe sneered at this and said, “A thief’s business. I’ve heard the rumors of this boy. So what did you steal, something worth making your future father-in-law and mate wait hopefully?”

Subconsciously, Rufus tugged at the studded diamond in his left ear; smiling as he noticed the guest stare hungrily at the stone. At last he replied, “I assure you, sir, not all treasures come gleaming. For someone like me who deals in information, a good bit of knowledge can be as valuable as a whole chest of glimmering stones. But that is beside the point. You speak as if it is all decided and I cannot back out. I’ll assume this is the case. So, Raksashi, please show yourselves so I can choose.”

The three girls stood, but their father motioned them to do no more. Rufus frowned at this and looked to the elders. His father then explained, “Before meeting tonight, I had told Lowe about my sons’ abilities; especially of your ability to read minds. So our guest decided that with such abilities you should have no trouble choosing a mate without seeing their bodies.”

“After all, for one who loves knowledge so much, what does it matter how they look?” the lion sneered into a goblet of wine offered to him by a servant.

Rufus grimaced again at feeling cheated, but kept his complaints to himself. Instead he focused on each girl; trying to get a sense of who they were by looking into their minds. He looked into the golden-clad one first, only to find that she was proud and did not think much of him. If that was the case then he would not think much of her. With the second, all he found was that she wanted to see him without his clothes and a sense that she was the dullest of the three available. He quickly decided not to choose her, knowing that he would most likely be bored with her all too soon. At last he turned his attention to the third girl and focused on her. As he looked, all he found was…nothing. No opinions, only silence mixed with a bit of anticipation. He looked up at the girl to see it was the smaller one in black.

He knew he was forced to pick from the three, and a mystery like her certainly seemed more interesting than the others. At last he said, “Remove your hood, little one in black.”

She looked first to her father, only to then see him smile relieved. After watching him nod, she removed the hood and looked at Rufus.

The girl was shorter than him, about by one and a half heads, but then she also looked at most perhaps 16. Her complexion was dark, and she kept her long, pitch-black hair neatly tied behind her head in an assortment of mini braids kept in a ponytail. Her clear, green eyes popped out at him the most. She was certainly not human, he could tell by the ears, whiskers, and tail, but she certainly was not a full-bred. Perhaps she was a mishap with a human concubine; a child before the mother was fixed which her father could not throw into servitude for some issue of attachment.

Slowly, Rufus left his seat to get a better look at his new future-mate. As he reached her he asked, “What is your name, little dark one?”

She looked at him closely, only to then whisper back, “Samara.”

3: chapter 3

“That two-faced cheater! I should have known something was wrong when she showed up covered head to tail,” his father growled towards Rufus. After Rufus’ choosing, his father had quickly dismissed the guests and took his son away for a private talk.

“I’m a bit surprised you feel this way about her. I mean, with Hosta and-,” Rufus began only to be cut short by his father snapping, “Don’t compare your brother to the rest of the mutts.  With his abilities any self-respecting Rakshasa like his late father-in-law would love him for a son!”

Rufus knew this was the truth. It was not uncommon for their kind to have human lovers, especially if they worked often in the human world. With this, it would also happen where said lover would bring forth a child before time to fix him or her. This was no exception for his father, and caused the conception and birth of his younger brother Hosta. Usually these children would be shipped away as servants or to a brothel as a future employee shortly after their weaning, but by that time Hosta already began to hone his mental ability to make anyone infatuated with him. Whether their father fell victim to this skill, saw potential in this, or wished to remember the human concubine which bore the child is unknown, but needless to say he raised the youngest son as if he was of pureblood like the other two. So then the question, why was this “Samara” kept?

“It’s a matter of tradition. Everyone knows that a Rakshasa’s first mate is to be to a full bred Raksashi! But now we have been tricked and since I gave my word we can’t get out of it,” the elder growled while rubbing a sore on his neck. Rufus grimaced when he noticed his father was most likely growing a second head.

At last Rufus sighed and said, “As you said, what is done is done, so I might as well learn to like others seeing me as taboo. Now if you would please, I’ve had a long evening and would really like to retire for the night.”

His father stared at him for a moment; the same yellow eyes they shared watching him. After a moment the elder nodded his great head and allowed his son to leave.

Before anything else could get in his way, Rufus whisked himself off towards his apartment in the great house. In truth, he was too tired to play nice with the others, but that was due more from annoyance-based tiredness. First to lose his prize to another Rakshasa, then to be forced to pick a mate only to be cheated into one that was against his father’s blessing or his wanting. Lastly, he was annoyed with himself, for he was still the one who chose her; stopping his anger towards the old lion.

His annoyance left him for bewilderment as he opened the door leading into his apartment to find Samara sitting on the living room floor. He could not help the blush that appeared as she began to rise from her place on the floor, and only hoped that his orange fur hid at least most of it.

Gone was the black cloaks she wore only minutes ago, showing only what she had underneath. Around her neck, wrists, and ankles jingled polished brass hoops; which was not the problem. What made him blush was her very short dress which almost looked more like a slip than a true outfit. To make it worse, the color of the dress matched her completion perfectly; causing him to at first think that she was naked.

“The servants brought me here and took my cloak,” She informed him in a very quiet and uncomfortable voice. The look of fear and embarrassment disfigured her soft facial features.

“I see. Your father did seem rushed to have you stay here with me,” Rufus replied as he grabbed one of his spare jackets to wrap around her. It was not that she looked unattractive, but Rufus felt it was wrong since they had just met. He would need to buy her more modest clothes tomorrow, he decided.

“You don’t like how I look?” the girl asked anxiously. Rufus grimaced to himself and nodded; silently swearing at her father. It was common for their females to lack a good education; especially in lower-income families like hers. Some fathers would only go so far as to ‘teach’ their daughters to only behave how their mate enjoyed. Obviously, her father had believed in that idea. Rufus made another mental note to try teaching her more of the ways of the world in his spare time. After all, at this rate she was barely fit for a concubine’s position, let alone the role of a first mate.

All of that would have to wait for the moment, however, since he was too tired to deal with it. Instead he said, “I don’t have a spare bedroom yet, so I suppose you can sleep in my bed tonight and I will stay out here.”

“Are you sure?” Samara asked politely, but Rufus could not help but notice the relief in her face. It made him wonder what her family told her their first night of engagement would be like.

“Yes, I have a bit more work to do before I can retire and may be up late anyways. And you must have had a long day with traveling and being picked for all this. Just make yourself comfortable and have a nice sleep,” Rufus answered dismissively while heading towards his bookshelf. It was not a total lie, there was always topics he wished to learn more about, and it would keep his mind off the girl. Several seconds later, he heard the girl walk to the bedroom and close the door as he grabbed a book at random. He told himself he’d go to sleep after a couple of chapters. He did not fall asleep at all.

 

“Flora, I want you to take her shopping later today,” Rufus dictated to his youngest half-sister while he and Samara joined several of his family members for breakfast.

“Is there something wrong with her clothes?” the other girl asked, cocking her pale-orange head. She was younger, only fourteen-years-old and had gained a bit of an attitude problem since starting puberty. As she studied Samara, she gave the slightly older girl a curious yet defensive look.

“Flora, either take her shopping or give her some of our sisters’ spare clothes. Just until her father sends her her own things. If you make me ask Lilac or one of our other siblings I swear you will regret it,” Rufus requested as he dropped his food to rub a tired eye. Gods, he could use a nap and his sister’s unneeded aggressiveness in front of a new female was giving him a headache.

“Alright brother, but I simply don’t see why you don’t take her yourself,” Flora yielded as she signaled a servant to take her plate.

“Thanks,” Rufus muttered politely. Part of him figured he would be doing every male a favor by knocking his sister’s ego down a little, but then their father would complain. The elder may care about traditions of marriage, but he also believed in the idea that a strong-willed female could only have the best of children. He only hoped for Flora’s sake that her future mate would feel the same way.

Before he could say anything more, a servant walked over to him and said that Aster needed him for a business errand. Rufus smiled at this chance to leave and said, “Looks like I can’t help her buy clothes after all. Now while I slave away over some job for our brother, you two play nice and go spend my hard-earned money. I’ll eagerly wait to see what you buy her when I return.”

4: chapter 4

Aster was patiently waiting for Rufus in the old study; a large, cluttered room which served as his favorite room to conduct business when it pertained to the human world. And as the eldest son and heir to their family’s organization, business had been coming more and more frequently. His family had run multiple crime syndicates for several generations, in some cases without the humans even realizing this was the case. Their human-world-territory had started small like other families, but currently included most of the eastern coast of some country called the United States. His father was the one who expanded it to this size and made his presence as ultimate head known to the human godfathers. It was a great prestige for their clan, but made it almost impossible for one Rakshasa to control alone. He honestly could not wait for the elder to fully retire so that he could begin running the business his way and delegate roles.

“You summoned me?”  Rufus called out from the doorway, making Aster look up.

“Did you just wake up? You look like hell,” Aster commented as he rose to greet his brother; straightening his sleek, pitch-black business suit in the process.

“You look lovely too. No, I never actually fell asleep,” Rufus admitted as he flopped into a chair across the desk from Aster.

“I would have thought you’d be slower than starting last night,” Aster commented teasingly as he also sat back down.

“Thinking the worse of me now? No, I couldn’t sleep with some stranger in my apartment, let alone my bed! So I spent the night distracting myself,” Rufus answered with a growl.

“I said it before and I’ll say it again. We really need to work on getting you over this displeasure of being with a Raksashi,” Aster replied with a slight amount of concern underlining the tease.

“Then instead of throwing useless ones at me find me one which I would like! Now save your enjoyment of Raksashi for your mate and tell me what you want me for,” Rufus growled out more than said. It was not that he hated these playful conversations, but he really did not have that much energy for it.

“I have a job in the human world which I want you to do,” Aster answered as he took a letter from the desk. After watching Rufus grab it he continued, “That human who you tend to hire through has been concerning me. I want you to go and remind him that he works for me; not himself.”

“You’ve never had me play messenger before,” Rufus commented.

“True, but you were the one who hired him so it is your problem to clean up. Push comes to shove, just find a way to get rid of him,” Aster ordered, his brother’s bad mood starting to get to him.

Rufus looked as if about to say something snide, but thought better of it. Instead he gave a nod and stood up. A moment later he was in his human guise and headed towards the mirror in the library next door.

 

Rufus’ trip to visit the human scum he worked with was not long, but the fact that Aster was correct did not help anything. Was there no longer honor among outlaws anymore? He could not help but think about this as he followed the next task of finding a way to dispose of the walking corpse. The fastest course would be to simply rip out the human’s throat while they were sitting alone, but he was never one for such a messy tactic. An idea then came to him as he peered more into the human’s mental calendar.

While the human’s main job was in dealing with the lower-ranked workers, he also had a habit of finding out about events for the upper members. As Rufus looked deeper, a smile came to him while the idea finalized.

“All the ‘crime lords’ and their trusted employees are hosting a party I see,” Rufus commented.

“You know it’s really annoying how you do that. But yes, what of it?” the man asked as he poked at the lunch he ordered up to his office. He had worked with Rufus enough by now to no longer become too startled by the other’s ability.

“I was thinking that it might be good for my brother - the next big boss - to also go. I’d be there too, of course,” Rufus replied, looking at the man as if he was a cat and the human a fat mouse.

The man paled at the look, suddenly feeling like said mouse, only to respond, “I don’t think that would be necessary. No need to put yourselves trough any trouble.”

“It’d be no trouble at all! After all, I always tell him he should make himself more personable with the normal workers. Now, I already have the time and date so we shall see you then.  Keep up the good work until then,” Rufus assured as he stood up and walked to the door, smirking as he heard the man give a stuttered goodbye.

Once saying his goodbyes, he left for a secluded room without anyone else to return to his own world. As he left for his home, Rufus felt rather pleased with himself. Now he just needed to convince Aster that the idea was just as good as he felt it was.

5: chapter 5

“A party. I agree that making a public example of him is a good idea, but you want me to go to a party? With all of those…people?” Aster asked as he listened to the end of Rufus’ report. It was obvious from his body language that Aster wished to simply brush off the idea, but he listened nonetheless.

“Well…yes! A public execution would be better than a private one, especially when whoever replacing him would most likely be present also. Just think of it as insurance. Besides, it might be good to show these guys how ruthless their next boss will be. After all, since father no longer comes to the human world and you dislike going there for some unknown reason, the human bosses may soon think of rioting against us. So it’s high time to put them back in their places,” Rufus reasoned as he happily ate a snack from an assortment brought up by a servant for Aster. Aster growled a little at both this and his brother’s reasoning, realizing that there was something to what was said.

“When is the party?” Aster asked.

“Next week Thursday. In the evening,” Rufus answered as he helped himself more to the food tray.

Aster could not stop but growling more at the date. At last he said, “I had plans that night with Lilac. There was this play in the Great City she saw a poster for which caught her eye and I wished to surprise her.”

“They’re always acting out plays in the Great City, take her to one another time. Besides, this is the kind of event which calls for couples, so why not use it as your date night. That is, assuming that I was not going to be your date,” Rufus replied cheek-fully. Lilac was Aster’s mate, a sweet Raksashi who due to having a panther for a mother and a tiger for a father resembled a tabby cat. Like tabbies generally are, Lilac was a clever and tactful female who knew how to get out of situations for the better while being seen as doing absolutely nothing unexpected of her gender. Since taking over more of the family business and running their clan’s territory, Aster had been made more aware of his ignoring her and had decided to try setting up ‘date nights’ to make up for it. They both knew that she would take a party in the human world for their night together, but only if she was able to spend the entire time by her mate’s side.

“I could bring her, but then who would you go with?” Aster asked in an implying way thinking of some way to make his brother suffer for making arrangements for someone else’s time.

“You know me, forever a lover of solitude,” Rufus commented as he leaned back in his chair and looked contently at the now empty snack tray.

“I wonder if you’re new mate knows how to make a human guise? If so, then we could double date for this party,” Aster commented with a much too pleased smile as his own plan formed.

Rufus sat up more and frowned before complaining, “I don’t think that’s a very good idea. I mean, you know how simple-minded most half-breeds are, and I doubt her father would have approved of her learning how to make even a basic guise. I would not be too surprised to hear that she does not even know what a human girl looks like!”

“Then let her look through some of those magazines you like to buy. And besides, I would think that someone like you who takes so much care in his looks could teach a bag of bricks to look like a girl; let alone your mate. So I suppose you should get started,” Aster answered finitely.

Seeing that the topic was no longer up for discussion, Rufus stood and left for his apartment; thinking of how he was supposed to explain all of this to the girl. Much to his unfortunate luck, Samara was sitting on the living room floor waiting for his return patiently as she stared at the items clustered around the room.

“Did Flora take you shopping?” Rufus inquired upon seeing her still in the clothes from the day before.

“Yes,” she answered happily then frowned and continued, “Are you alright? You look upset.”

“A long couple of days,” was all Rufus could say on the topic. He smiled despite himself, finding the girl’s concern slightly endearing. With this he headed towards a crate on the floor, pulled out several magazines from it, and continued, “My brother Aster has invited us to a party in the human world. Due to this, you will need to be able to make a human guise. I don’t know how familiar you are with human females, so you can look through these to help you get some ideas for your own look.”

Samara eagerly took the magazines and smiled up at him. As she did so she said, “Thank you for helping me. You know, you remind me slightly of my big brother. The two of you are both so kind to me.”

“I see,” was all Rufus could think to say. His mind was pulling at thoughts, but he seemed unable to grasp any of them. Instead, he gave out a yawn and continued, “Well, I think I’m going to take a nap before dinner. Let me know when the servant calls for us.”

With this he left for his bedroom, leaving the girl to flip through the magazines and stare at the pictures of different kinds of human women in different clothes and positions.

6: chapter 6

A bit to Rufus’ surprise, after his nap Samara told him that she already knew how to make a human guise. She claimed that this ‘kind brother’ of hers taught her, but she failed to explain more. Needless to say, it meant that Rufus could focus more on his other new side project of finding out who it was that beat him to the donation box on the night of the last party. It was for his pride as both a Rakshasa and a professional thief that anyone caught stealing from him should be put to justice. Even if the property in question was not his to begin with.  His curiosity of meeting the bold individual had nothing to do with it; or at least that is what he told himself when he decided on the task.

As he expected and feared, the only clue from the night he could recall was the smell of jasmine perfume; which failed to identify anyone, let alone the other Rakshasa. He hoped that he’d be able to learn more at the upcoming party; knowing that some of the guests from the previous engagement would be at this one too. The days passed and soon the time for the party came, and for the two couples to get ready.

For the party, both Aster and Rufus decided to have their guises wear well-tailored, black suits; Aster’s with dark purple highlights and Rufus’ with brilliant red highlights. They had decided to not be too flashy, but to still look sophisticated and intimidating. Rufus smoothed out his slightly curled hair in the mirror then looked over to Aster; smiling at the fact that in human form they looked even less like siblings. While Rufus kept his same slight frame and fur color for his short hair, Aster accentuated his muscular frame and added more blond colors into his hair so that it looked closer to their father’s old guise. Aster, for some reason Rufus never understood, also liked to give himself glasses, which hid the yellow eyes they kept similar and possessed a scruffy goatee. On numerous times Rufus had wished to simply shave it off when they were together in these forms, but he also knew from peering into Lilac’s mind why his brother always formed it and the muscles.

Aster’s mate Lilac wore an ankle length dress the color of her namesake with a smoky gray purse, shoes, and loose-knit shawl. Her long, chocolate-brown hair was artfully kept to the side in a cascade of curls which were adorned with miniature freshwater pearls of varying colors. She smiled sweetly as she walked up to Aster’s side to take his hands; feeling that he completed her guise. Aster kissed her forehead as a way to compliment her on her look, then joined the others in watching Samara. It was time for her to take on her guise.

While Samara had told them that she knew how to make a guise, she had decided not to show it to Rufus or the others; making him wonder if she indeed knew how to or not. To his surprise, she knew how to make one, and a very skillful one at that! For her guise, she kept the same, dark complexion from her fur for her hair, but added more brown to it for her skin; giving her a look of someone from India. Her dress was knee-length made from stiff, blood-red silk in a Chinese style. Gold threads decorated the dress with tigers and lilies, and matched the pair of gold silk slippers for her feet and her small hoop earrings. She wore no make-up, causing her youthfulness to almost glow from her face. Her long, curly hair was then freed from their normal mess of miniature braids and pushed behind her into a bun kept in place with a ruby-red ribbon.

Like Lilac to Aster, she smiled to Rufus in search of praise; the tell-tale freckles from where whiskers should be moved up as dimples appeared. Her bright green eyes practically begged for a compliment as she looked at her fiancé. After taking all of this in, Rufus finally complimented, “I see you were not lying about being able to make a perfect guise. I can’t remember the last time I saw such a lovely human girl.”

“Well, I believe we have a party to go to,” Aster declared, breaking the scene and giving Rufus a pleased smile. With this the four of them looked into the mirror on the study’s wall, the image of the party’s location appearing from Rufus and Aster’s mind. Once shown, they entered.

 

The party had already begun when the four of them arrived, causing quite a stir when people saw them enter the building’s front door with the last of the normal guests. Sure, word had somewhat gotten around of Rufus’ decision to come, but no one thought Aster would go along with the idea. Soon the important individuals began to fight for the chance to talk with Aster, acting as if he was a long lost friend, only to obediently leave when he dismissed them. This was fine for Rufus, who took the opportunity to walk around and seep information from the other guests’ minds. Hindrance with this came, however, in that Samara joined him on his rounds.  He could not blame her, acknowledging that it would be awkward for the girl to simply stand by herself, surrounded by strangers, but he could quickly pick up how people talked about them. Especially about how familiar the young girl acted with him.

“You should have made your guise look older,” Rufus whispered to the girl.

“I was not aware that my age was a problem,” Samara answered clueless. It was common for Raksashi to marry at younger ages than their male counterparts, with the normal age being sixteen. But while he knew she was that age she still looked younger than that, and now as a human looked around fourteen; with twelve as the lowest and seventeen at the absolute oldest.

“It is. Humans…aren’t a fan of older men mating with girls as young as you…or at least not in this place at this time,” Rufus explained, only to grimace as he watched someone he knew walk towards them.

“Rufus!  We heard that you and your brother might be coming!  And who is this young girl with you?” the curious, middle-aged man asked, he and his wife staring at her like she was Rufus’ weak spot. Samara stayed silent as the couple greeted them, hiding slightly behind Rufus’ back and thinking of what the other had just told her.

Rufus paused for a moment to think of a response while sipping from a glass he grabbed earlier, only to pause more and pale as Samara asked, “Big brother, are these friends of yours?”

“Big brother? But you look nothing alike!” the wife commented in a shrill voice as she scrutinized Samara for any resemblance.

“Step sister. My old man married her mother a while back, and we’ve been fairly close since then,” Rufus answered, a story forming to explain this. He then continued, “She heard Aster and me talking about this party and she begged us to bring her with.”

“Ah, I see. That’s very kind of you,” the man answered.

A bit relieved, Rufus turned to Samara and said, “Over there is the refreshment buffet. Why don’t you go there and help yourself while I talk more with these folks?  I’ll meet with you there shortly.”

Samara nodded at this and soon left, leaving Rufus to casually talk with the other guests until they found someone else to annoy. This took a little time, but eventually they began to occupy themselves with other guests as Rufus walked around the rest of the people. This worked out well for Rufus, who by now was wondering when Aster would announce the night’s main festivity.

His question to this was not answered for almost an hour later when guests were starting to think of leaving. At that point, Aster focused his own powers into his speech and shouted, “Everyone stop! I have something to show all of you!”

All Rakshasa were able to obtain a mental ability, such as Rufus’ mindreading, with most of their kind rarely meeting another with the same ability. Aster’s ability was one which made anyone with a weaker will do anything he commanded. So between the suddenness of this call mixed with his powers, naturally everyone in the room abruptly stopped their private conversations and actions to stare at him. Aster smiled to himself as he watched everyone look at him expectantly, stoking his ginger blond goatee subconsciously. He then continued, “While I myself am only a guest here, I feel that I must thank all of you for coming and the hard work done for me and my father. The majority of you are a great asset, and I wish to keep it that way.”

The entirety of the crowd applauded at this, though some were confused by where this was heading. Aster used the applause time to signal for the man he and Rufus discussed to be brought out. Once out so everyone could see him Aster went on, “However, like most things there is always a weak link. Someone who tries to up heave the works of the others, and so forth. And this man is that link. Now, it has come to my attention that he and some others of you have been talking of some treasonous ideas against me and my family. So, in order to prove your loyalty, every trustworthy and honorable man and woman who works for me must follow my simple command…kill him.”

After giving this command, Aster stepped back to a safe distance by Lilac and watched as the fat man was beaten to death by the suddenly frenzied mob. As this happened, both Rufus and Aster smiled as they watched the mob destroy the man, only to then turn to one another. Once Aster felt Lilac grab his arm uncomfortably, he signaled to Rufus and they left to re-group and head for home.   

7: chapter 7

“Well, that was a fun night,” Rufus commented as he and Samara entered his apartment and carefully slipped from his guise as if it was an important coat.

“Why did those people do that?” Samara asked as she also carefully took off her guise. She had never seen anything like the event, nor was she all too familiar with different Rakshasa’s abilities.

“They were relying on their primal fears - with a little help of Aster’s ability no doubt. As it is, it should be a while before any of them think to act against us now,” Rufus answered with a satisfied smile.

“It’s monstrous…” Samara commented as she slowly sat down in her favorite place in the living room and hugged herself.

“That’s humanity for you. But also us I suppose. If you take what our ancestors wrote down as truths, then that kind of stuff is our purpose for living.”

“But why? It’s so horrible, I would think that doing so would make them more likely to act against us. Or at least try their hardest to get away from us.”

“If one cannot be both loved and feared, then it is better to be feared than loved, for the fear will last longer. Or, at least, that’s what some old, dead human wrote. And actually I’d agree with the guy with that and other topics. As for the running away notion, there is little they could go where they would not run into another of our kind.”

“If it’s better to be feared, then why are you so nice to me?”

Rufus paused at this to look at her. Part of him wanted to comment that he did not see her as a threat, but he had also listened to his sisters ideally talk about how most Raksashi wished for a mate to say he loved her; much like what Samara currently wished for. His mind did not dwell on this too long, however, and instead thought back to the party. So instead he commented, “You did very well at the party tonight. Where did you learn to make a guise again? I doubt your father would have taught you.”

“He did not…my big brother taught me,” Samara answered.

“Your brother? I don’t think you ever told me his name. I’m assuming he’d be a lower ranked son,” Rufus asked. Part of him was curious about her past, but he was also curious about how several of the guests found her familiar.

“Rames is his name,” Samara answered bluntly and gave a face with such sorrow that Rufus found himself unable to ask her more or to look deeper into her mind for the answers.  Instead, he found himself patting her on the head and wishing her a good night before heading into his bedroom to change clothes.

 

Samara’s sorrow seemed to continue through the night into breakfast; concerning Rufus and the other family members to no end. Towards the end of breakfast, Aster had grown tired of her sullenness and asked, “Poor dear, what has Rufus done to upset you so much?”

“Oh, I’m not upset, but thank you for your concern. Just thinking I suppose,” Samara answered politely.

“You have been quiet since last night. If you are not upset than you must be in great thought,” Rufus commented.

The only answer he received was her bowing her head and more silence. The others seated at the table looked at them for a moment, only for it to be broken when Lilac placed a hand on Aster's and said, “Dear, it just occurred to me that it has been several weeks since Samara met with her kin. Perhaps today you could give Rufus some time off so that he can escort her to her past home for a visit? After all, it would be good for them to talk more with her family for organizing their marriage.”

Rufus could not help but cringe at the idea of the actual marriage, and at the idea of having to meet her two-faced father again. But Samara did perk up slightly at the idea and Aster beamed at his mate for the good advice. Seeing that there was no point in trying to argue, Rufus and his mate soon finished breakfast, changed their clothes, and left for her family’s ancestral home. 

 

Her clan’s ancestral estate was on the other side of the Great City, and even with the fast travel service it was still close to noon by the time the couple finally reached the old house.  Rufus had to admit to himself that it was smaller than his, and a tad bit run down; reminding him of the rumors that their family had been touched by very hard times. He tried to push his natural curiosity aside, and instead asked, “Well, we should be going in. You ready?”

She nodded her head, so the two walked up to the old doors and knocked. Shortly afterwards, a young maid answered the door and upon hearing their reason for the unexpected visit had Samara whisked away to be with her sisters and then escorted Rufus to meet with the patriarch. The room where he was to meet the elder was in the study, which was much smaller than he was used to with a large wooden desk which took up most of the floor. There he was told to wait while she fetched her master.

After several minutes of awkward standing, for there was only one chair and the desk was too crowded to sit on, the old lion entered the room. As he entered the elder said, “I was not expecting any guests today. So what gives me this honor?”

“I thought it would be best for Samara to meet with her kin. After all, she is still young and can be prone to homesickness,” Rufus answered before asking, “There was also a question I wanted to ask.”

“It sounds as if she is growing on you. Good! I for one cannot wait for the wedding of you two and the marriage of our families,” The lion responded happily. Rufus frowned slightly at this, going on edge due to the family part. It was common for clans to strengthen bonds through marriage, but he personally saw the diplomacy of it as, while not pointless, still annoying. He was then taken from his thoughts when the elder asked, “So when have you planned for when the wedding is to happen?”

“Hmm, I don’t know yet. The custom in my family is to let the female plan her wedding. After all, the wedding day is supposed to be the female’s best day of her life,” Rufus answered.  The idea was a very new custom in his family, started by his father’s third and current wife, then continued on by his brothers. As it was, Rufus did not need his abilities to see that the other found the idea too progressive.

“A female’s best day should be when she gives her mate a son,” he snorted in disgust at Rufus’ answer.

“And what if she is destined to give birth to multiple sons?” Rufus asked playfully.

“Then the gods had destined her to have many best days!” the lion scowled with one head while the other continued to look disgusted. The look of the two faces combined first accomplished Rufus to grimace for a moment, only to be replaced as he realized a way to get back to his question.

“You must care greatly for your sons then. I, for one, would love to meet with my future in-laws,” Rufus requested.

“My sons?  I have only one, named Rames. Sadly, however, he is not here at the moment. Then you already met my other two unmarried daughters of course,” the elder answered.

“Of course,” Rufus replied, only to then change the topic. If this elder had only one son, then the easier it would be for him to figure out why the guests found Samara so familiar. He simply had to find this son. Occasionally, Rufus would ask about this Rames, but the more he asked the more resistant the father became. After some time, Rufus realized that they were running out of conversation and decided that it was time to leave.

Once he left the small study, he began his search for Samara. To his fortune he found her quickly; sitting alone near the courtyard’s fountain. Feeling playful after the boring conversations with the elder, he quietly walked behind her and asked, “What’s this, we come all the way here so that you can be with your sisters; yet I find you sitting alone?”

“One can only take so much of their half-siblings,” Samara answered bluntly after recovering from the initial shock of his arrival. She then continued, “You were with father a long time.  I’m both surprised and happy, since you seemed displeased at the thought of visiting with him.”

“You’re quite perceptive. That’s good, it keeps you from being boring,” Rufus praised.

The comment earned a pleased smile from Samara, followed by her responding, “You just reminded me of my brother again.”

“You’re brother Rames, correct? I was displeased to discover that he was not here,” Rufus replied as he and Samara began on their way home.

“As was I, but…my brother is often busy with his work,” Samara sadly agreed.

“I was never told, but what does your brother do? Is he in the family business?” Rufus asked curiously. He knew that her family was mainly just old money, but had in the past made said money through mercenary work and weapon trading.

“Rames works with his interests, and he has many of those. But he is successful. He obtained my dowry along with several of my sisters’ all by himself. He’s very clever like that,” Samara boasted.

Rufus thought some more about this. It was obvious from how she was acting that she did not know what Rames did; which meant he could throw his hand at anything. And if that was the case, than what was to stop Rames from having thievery as an interest? At last he mutely nodded and they continued home in silence; stopping at a shop on the way when he realized they would miss dinner. It looked as if his next task was to find the missed brother and possible thief. 

8: chapter 8

“Made it back home in one piece I see. Did your mate enjoy the visit with her family?” Aster asked as Rufus walked into the study. He had left Samara in their apartment in favor to see his brother, and more importantly to ask him an important question he thought of on the way home. He lounged on his favorite couch and replied, “You seem fond of her, how about you marry her instead?”

“You know I wouldn’t do that to Lilac. Besides, she’s much too young for me,” Aster answered bluntly, only to then sigh and decide to get it over with by asking, “Now what has you upset?”

“How much do you or Father know about her family?” Rufus asked.

“Not much. What I mainly know is that they were old money now pretty much dried up. Father most likely just felt sorry for their patriarch when he agreed for you to marry one of the daughters. I’m actually a bit surprised about Father agreeing, based on how different his and Father’s views seem to be on practically everything. And also too many daughters for a patriarch if you ask me! From what I found out shortly after your engagement, the male has had over ten children - accepted and not - with his wives and concubines; of which he has sired only one son.” 

“One son who’s always away doing some random jobs unrelated to whatever his father does.”

“One son who for all anyone knows may not even exist,” Aster answered, only to then comment, “If you think about it, he sounds almost like another brother I know. Speaking of brothers, Hosta was here. He heard about your engagement and was curious about when you and your mate are planning the marriage.”

“Of course he did. He most likely just wanted to ask if we wanted his little daughter to play flower girl,” Rufus complained as he picked up a picture of Aster, Hosta, and himself. Hosta may have been Rufus’ younger by four years he had also been happily married for almost five years. Since Hosta was told that he could not inherit due to his pedigree or time of birth, their father had allowed him to marry when he fell in love. They simply saw it as luck that shortly after that his mate’s father died and left a goodly amount of the estate to him and his only brother-in-law. Their luck only then seemed to continue when the brother-in-law vanished in disgrace shortly after the death; later leaving the entire estate to Hosta and his mate Blossom. Needless to say, he and Blossom had spent no time in showing their gratitude for their fortune in life by bringing about a young daughter with another on the way. Or twins, if their father’s ability was to be trusted.

“The girl is close to the right age; assuming you actually marry before she comes of marriageable age herself. Besides, if I remember correctly you still owe him a favor from when he took the blame for you setting fire to the west stairway.”

“I thought we all agreed that it was an accident?”

“Accident or not, he still gets upset when reminded about being punished in your place. Besides, a favor is a favor.”

“Right. Well, then, speaking of favors I want some time off.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to do a favor for the public by looking for this supposed missing brother.”

“A ‘favor for the public?’ Why not just say you’re doing it for Samara...you are doing this for the girl…right?”

“Who said I was? But yes, I think if I did bring him back in only one or two pieces she would be happy.”

“One or two?”

“Well I know nothing of this character, so who is to say he didn’t pick a fight with the wrong Rakshasa?”

“And by wrong Rakshasa you mean you. Fine, take the time off, but how long are you planning on being gone?”

“Don’t know, hopefully it won’t take more than a couple weeks. Besides, what will you do without me here?”

“I managed two years without you originally. I think I can manage alright for two weeks. But you are to report back to me in fifteen days from now whether you find him or not, understand?”

“Of course! And one more thing. I’m not sure how much I’ll be away from home during that time, so could you or Lilac keep an eye on Samara for me?”

“And now I’m dreading agreeing. Please tell me you’re not just running away? Because I really do not want to have to search two worlds for you!”

“I promise, I’ll be back to work in fifteen days! Thanks again, I owe you one!”  Rufus answered happily before he rushed off back to his apartment to prepare for the hunt.

As usual, Samara was waiting in the main room, occupying her time with a book Rufus recently found for her to read as she waited for him. She was tired from the long day, and assumed that Rufus was also since he had been so quiet most of the travel. Due to this, she was surprised to find him rushing into the rooms with such energy, only to then start packing a bag; completely ignoring her in the process. Moments later, he had a small duffle bag packed and was walking out of the door; leaving Samara alone and confused.

Curious as to what had just happened, she followed Rufus to the library only to be stopped from entering by Aster. Upon seeing the girl, Aster asked, “Going to see your fiancé off?”

“Where is he going ‘off’ to?” Samara asked. Since moving into the new estate, she had learned that Rufus left for the human world often, but he never packed a bag when leaving for that world.

“I’m not really sure, I doubt he even knows, but if we don’t hurry than he will leave without us seeing him off,” Aster answered, only to then push her into the library and walk in after her.

Rufus was already in his guise and double checking that he had everything when they entered the room, startling him as he checked for his small mirror; the only way for their kind to return home.  When he recovered slightly from the surprise, he asked, “What are you doing here Samara?”

“I was curious. Then Aster told me that you were going away and that we should see you off,” Samara answered truthfully.

“Yes, so safe travels brother. I’ll expect you when you said and not a minute later,” Aster continued in a bored tone. Rufus scowled at the tone, but stayed silent as he looked at the two of them. At last he said, “Then I guess I’ll be going. Be a good girl Samara and mind my stuff while I’m gone. Aster…stay the same, okay.”

“See you soon,” Samara replied and waved as Rufus faced the mirror and vanished into a different world. Once he was gone, she dropped her smile and slowly left the room when Aster motioned her towards the door. From there she went back to their apartment and sat down; wondering what she should do now, how long until Rufus returned, and if he would bring her something from that strange world she visited only the day before. 

9: chapter 9

Rufus lounged near a wall as he looked out at the crowded mess of drunken and hyper young humans. With a name to use, it became much easier to track down this Rames character. It seemed so easy, in fact, that Rufus became confident that the other was simply a novice to any trade which disapproved of using any bit of discretion. Due to this, Rufus easily discovered that the other was planning to come to another event in the human world and decided to come himself and finally meet him.

It was not the kind of party he expected, however, being held in an average-looking dance club in the middle of a city instead of the typical, high-end events he usually indulged in. And judging by the large amount of theater jewelry worn, there was not too much wealth to be easily taken. There was, however, one girl dancing who wore expensive jewelry and spending money far too freely. She reminded him slightly of one of the younger heiresses he would see at his high-society parties. She most likely was, being of collage age and looking for ‘normal person’ fun, which only made him certain of one thing: If anything in the club was a target for theft, she was it. Deciding on this, he continued to watch her dance for several more songs before making his move. As he watched her, however, he noticed something far more interesting and irritating for focus on.

The song ended and so did her dancing, with her walking towards a table. By the table stood a man who held a brightly colored drink for her. Rufus recognized the man immediately due to the orange hair, yellow eyes, freckles, and charming aura rolling off him. The man looked and acted exactly like him, down to the clothes he wore to the club, and Rufus was not pleased to see this.

Following his current rage, Rufus stomped up to the girl and his look-alike, only to then grab onto the man’s wrist roughly. Upon seeing the identical men, the girl laughed and said, “Wow, I didn’t know you had a twin! I’ve always wanted to do twins!”

“We’re not twins, you’ve just drunk too much alcohol and probably some drugs. And now if you’ll excuse us,” Rufus replied before he dragged the other away. At first the other complained and tried to shake him off, using exactly the same voice as Rufus, but eventually allowed himself to be taken to the alley outside via a back door. Once outside and alone, Rufus pushed the other against the building and asked, “So I’m assuming you’re Rames. But how do you look just like me?”

“To your questions: Yes, I am called Rames, and I look like for a very important reason! I wanted to make sure that you saw and recognized me,” Rames answered with a smirk.

Rufus scrunched up his face in confusion at this, only to then grimace as the pieces went together. This Rames was smarter than he gave credit, and obviously had planned for them to meet. That explained why everything was moving so easily. Rames then pushed Rufus from these thought by asking playfully, “And now that you have me what are you going to do with me?”

“For starters I’m going to take back what’s mine; every last dollar. Then,” Rufus paused here to punch Rames in the stomach and allowed the man to fall to the ground before continuing, “I’ve never even heard of a Rakshasa who can use someone else’s guise, but I want you out of mine!”

“For the first part…can’t, I just spent the last of it on that human’s drink. For the second part, fine,”  After saying this he acted as if removing his current guise, only to replace it by an almost exact replica of the guise Samara used at the party; down to the intricate ways the girl's hair fell. A smirk came to the usually calm face of the girl when Rames saw Rufus’ shocked face. Rames then continued, “By the way, how have you been treating my little sister?”

Rufus growled at this, only to then say, “Either you’ve been following me for a while or you have a wonderful imagination. So which is it?”

“Why not a mixture of both. After all, I was the one who taught her how to make this guise. Or better yet, you tell me Mr. Mind-reader,” The Rames-Samara asked coyly as she stepped away from both Rufus and the wall. Rufus did not want to admit it, but seeing this fake Samara act so different – so grown up - made his skin heat up.

“Who are you really?” Rufus asked quietly. He could not explain it, maybe it was the use of the female’s guise, but much of his rage was replaced by a mixture of different and new emotions.

“If I tell you will you let me off the hook?” Rames asked, switching to a childish-playfulness.

“You’re very good at playing a little girl, but you’re much to bold to act as Samara,” Rufus commented instead.

“Yes, our father did a horrible job of making her submissive. It only shows how strong her character was to begin with that his teachings did not cause her to break like with other half-breeds. But that’s beside the point. Why wouldn’t I be able to act like a girl? After all, that is what I am,” Rames huffed. With this said, she carefully glanced around to ensure that Rufus was the only other viewer, then began to remove the current guise.

Instead of a new, human guise or a fellow Rakshasa standing in front of him, now stood a Raksashi. She was relatively tall for a female, standing the same height as Rufus. Her fur was the same, pale gold color as her lion father, but with hints of brown stripes most likely from her mother’s pelt. The hair on her head was cropped short and messy, similar to how some males kept theirs, and allowed the green eyes she shared with Samara to sparkle as if they were gems placed on desert sand.

She stood in front of Rufus proudly, flaunty her looks in the skimpy tank top and denim mini-skirt she wore; all of this completely confusing Rufus and causing him to blush. He had seen many females in the form of his father’s concubines and other ones pushed in front of him in hopes of a marriage, but he had never met one like her. And this simply made his instincts tell him not to lose sight of her.

“You like what you see, right? And you thought I wasn’t a female,” Rames answered condescendingly as she struck another pose for him.

“But…I was told that you were a male…,” Rufus began confused as he desperately tried to put the pieces together.

“Of course you were, that’s because no one alive but you and me knows. Honestly, you think that stick in the mud father of mine would let a female wander around the human world as a boy? He’d die of what he sees as embarrassing! Now comes my question,” Rames began while moving closer once again to Rufus. Once she was right next to him she asked, “What shall I do now that you know my secret?”

A pale scent of jasmine perfume filled Rufus’ nose, causing Rufus to lose himself and kiss her. Their kiss was nothing like with the females he had been ordered to experiment with by his Father; and he enjoyed this new feeling extensively. After a moment to get over her own surprise, Rames kissed back just as excitedly; ending with her leaning on him and Rufus against a building. They both smiled once they ended the kiss to breathe.

“Funny, I didn’t think you’d be such a good kisser. I wonder how you are if we continue?” Rames asked coyly.

“Rames,” Rufus began only to instead gasp upon feeling her continue kissing and feeling several sensitive areas. She then looked back up at him and said, “Don’t call me Rames, that’s just the name my father stuck me with and I find it horribly ugly for a girl like me.”

“Then what am I supposed to call you?” Rufus pouted and forced the other’s face closer to his. She pouted back to him, only to then smirk and say, “I’ll tell you if you stay with me for the rest of the night.”

“Deal,” Rufus agreed eagerly, only to kiss her again and feel her ass. The noise of a group of people walking past brought him back to his senses, causing him to stop and say, “But not here where anyone can see us.”

“Afraid of spectators? And here I was told you were the bold type. But don’t worry, I know where we can go have some privacy,” Rames replied, only to then pull out a small mirror from between her breasts. Seconds later the two of them were gone into the mirror.

10: Chapter 10

Rufus was not completely sure what had happened that night, but when he awoke the next morning he was in a small, rundown hotel room upon a bed with tossed, soiled sheets. Once realizing that he was mostly naked and smelled of Raksashi, he quickly remembered the events from that night. Of how Rames brought him to this place where they mated for most of the night before both passing out a handful of hours ago. But then where was Rames of whatever she called herself?

As if hearing the mental question, Rames appeared in the small hallway from the bathroom, naked herself and smiling happily at him. She then walked up to the bed and flopped onto it next to him. She kissed Rufus’ thigh slightly as a greeting, then commented, “You slept in. You must not do this kind of stuff that often.”

“Good morning to you too. So where are we exactly?” Rufus asked as he placed a hand firmly on her head; forcing her to stay bowed with her head down near his groin.

“Still in the human world. I’ve found that it’s easier to stay in simple places and be seen as poorer than make people see me as rich and interesting. But I assure you there’s more to me than this room.”

“I see, that’s very conservative of you. Now you have an important question for me, correct?”

“Reading into my mind now? And here I would have thought that after last night you’d trust me more.”

“Father’s often tell their sons never to trust a Raksashi, but you’d know that if you were telling the truth about your father not knowing your true sex. Something I still find hard to believe.”

“Yes, yes, I remember him saying something about that. But then again I usually ignored his teachings. Usually, I will admit some of it was interesting.”

“I just realized, you have yet to tell me your real name.”

“That’s a bit out of the blue. What, do you need a name in order to hold trust with someone?”

“Perhaps.”

“I can’t tell you my name and ask a question in the same breath.”

“Then ask your question first.”

“Alright,” She then moved her head from his hand and sat straight up, looking deeply into Rufus’ eyes. She continued, “From what I’ve heard, you prefer the human world to our ancestral home.”

“That’s a statement, not a question, but yes.”

“You dislike our traditions and Raksashi, except for me of course.”

“I wouldn’t call it fair to say I dislike all Raksashi. But yes, of all the ones I’ve met so far I like you the best.”

“So then you feel trapped with the idea of marrying Samara.”

“What are you skirting around?”

“I understand the feeling of being trapped due to tradition and obligation too. And I’d be willing to bet that’s why you enjoy this human world as much as I do. Among these humans is the only time those truly like us can feel free. So why don’t we just stay here, together? We can start a new clan, in a new territory, and with our own, new rules and traditions. You must admit that it sounds better than marrying a Raksashi you don’t care for and living in your brother’s shadow your whole life.”

Rufus paused at this, unsure what to make of the offer.  She was right about his feelings of entrapment at times, and he felt that he had finally found a Raksashi with that special attitude which he could love. A month ago, before his forced betrothal, he would have jumped at the offer. But things had changed since then.

The main change was with Samara, and the knowledge of what would happen to her if he stopped their engagement made him pause. Their world was not kind to Raksashi which were unwanted by their mates; especially half-bred ones. The most she could hope for would be that his father or either of his brothers would show her mercy and keep her as a concubine or servant. The worst would be sending her back to her father, who would either throw her out in disgrace or send her into prostitution. Rufus may not have loved Samara the way he currently loved Rames, but that failed to mean he wanted to hurt the younger girl.

Rames saw the pause as a rejection, only to then scowl and say, “The least you could do is give me a blunt answer.”

“It’s not that I hate the idea, but I can’t just leave Samara like that. She always talks of how great you are to her, and you should know what we would being condemning her to if we did.”

Rames seemed to think of this for a moment, a frown forming due to the idea. Something made the frown change to a smile, however, followed by her explaining, “That’s true, the poor dear always was my favorite sister. So why don’t we have her come with us? After all, I would think that we could all get along famously. And starting with help may prove useful.”

Rufus had to admit that the idea held some merit, but he still found himself having to shake himself out of the idea. He started to wonder if there was something wrong with him. Everything he could wish for was suddenly thrown in front of him, he would normally be eagerly taking it, but he cautions. He simply failed to believe that there was no catch. His head was still fuzzy and too pleased from the sex to make such an important decision, he decided. Besides, he had started on this adventure to hurt Rames in retaliation of the theft; not to start a relationship!

Rames watched him closely as he thought this out, the smile morphing to an annoyed pout. At last, in an attempt to lighten the mood, Rufus laughed and said, “I feel like you’re trying to entrap me with this sudden proposal! Let me have some time to myself to think this through more, alright?”

“What’s to think about? You either love me or you don’t. You want to marry me or you do not. Yes or no!”

“But it’s not a simple ‘yes or no.’”

Rames growled at this, only to then push herself onto Rufus and retort, “No answer means ‘no’ you idiot!”

Rufus looked at her surprised as she then drew back her hand only to scratch at Rufus’ face.  His surprise was soon replaced by anger, causing him to equally growl and push her roughly off the bed and onto the floor.

11: chapter 11

Rames growled threateningly as she slowly got off of the floor; her tail twitched in anticipation for a fight. Rufus was slightly shocked to see the aggressiveness of the Raksashi, something usually broken out of their kind, and quickly switched to prepare for an attack. She pounced at him, pushed him off the bed, and caused them to roll one over another on the floor in attempts to gain dominance.

At last Rufus gained the upper hand and pinned her down by the shoulders. He then hissed at her, “Stop with this foolishness! There is no reason for us to fight.”

“Well too bad for you, that only makes one of us,” Rames replied before kneeing him in the groin. The sudden attack to the sensitive place caused a yelp to come from Rufus and for Rames to roughly push him off. She then continued, “Besides, whoever said that in a fight a Raksashi must fight fair?”

“They’re not supposed to fight at all,” Rufus rebutted angrily as he rolled over in an attempt to watch for another attack.

Rames simply sighed at this and squatted down near him. She then smiled slightly and said, “I do love you Rufus, and I can see that you do have feelings for me despite the fact that I can beat you up. So, apologize and say you’ll stay with me for the rest of our days and all will be forgiven.”

“You were raised as a male, so you should know that I’ve been taught not to back down.”

Rames frowned again at this, only to stand up and deliver a kick to Rufus’s head with enough strength to make him bite his tongue and almost fall unconscious. She then demanded, “I will give you one last chance, choose me or else!”

“You’d make one bitch of a mate,” Rufus replied after spitting bloody saliva at her feet. She growled at this and kicked him one last time, sending him across the room. Rufus was stopped by the dresser, which he hit hard enough to make him feel even fainter. He groaned as Rames casually walked up to him. She frowned as she watched him try to focus on her face instead of faint.

“You never told me your name,” He mumbled out despite the growing realization that he was not going to stay conscious much longer.

“Not that you deserve to know, but I call myself Rachilla. I’m telling you this since we will see each other again, I can assure it.”

 

Rufus awoke with a start when a shrill shriek came from the hotel room’s door. Groggily, he looked to the door to find a middle-aged woman who he assumed was a house-keeper for the hotel. Shakily, he got to his feet and looked down at himself; only to realize why the woman was so horrified. Rames … or Rachilla … had left him as he fell, naked and in his normal tiger-like form. Shit.

In her shock the woman fled, and Rufus could only assume that she left to tell someone. Figuring that he had at most five minutes, he bit back his headache and quickly dressed in his clothes from the day before, to then try to make his guise. Only his head was throbbing too much to focus and caused him to almost faint again.

He could hear voices coming closer, telling him he was running out of time. Frantically, he looked to the window to see that he was on the second floor facing an alley. Seeing no other choice, he forced the window to open and jumped out to land onto the hard ground. As soon as he touched the ground, he ducked away from the window; close to the building. Luck was with him in that the alley was deserted, but he did not know for how long.

The voices from the room soon left, telling him he was at least safe that way. Feeling that the best course was to go home and recover his wounds and ego, he felt for his mirror only to realize that his mirror was not in its special pocket. He knew it was impossible for it to fall out, which meant that Rachilla must have taken it before she left. Looking for a new option, he looked towards the entrance of the alley to see a park across the street. It was still relatively early, and seeing it as a reasonable temporary shelter, he pushed himself away from the wall and rushed towards the park.

It did not take him long to reach the safety of the park and find a relatively secluded place, but by that time his head felt as if about to splinter apart and his body as if he finished a marathon. He knew that he most likely had some head injury from his fight, but he had other issues to work out before he could worry over that.

As he rested against a tree, he tried to make a list of what to do to get home. First, he needed to see to what extent his injury was, and hopefully recover enough to make his guise.  Then he needed to contact another Rakshasa; preferably Aster or someone lower-ranked who would loan him one of the special mirrors. He did not get farther than that, however, for after all of his energy he fainted.

12: chapter 12

Rufus awoke to find it the middle of the day. His hiding place was still deserted, but several places nearby were now occupied with scattered humans recreating. Once again he tried to change into his guise, only to stop when his head began to hurt too much with no success. Frustrated, he swore and rolled into a plot of tall grass and shrubs when a human woman walked towards his place to sit under the tree he was at only moments before.

A slight growl escaped him, only for him to quickly quiet as the woman started and looked intently at his hiding place. Once again believing that she was alone, she smiled and re-settled against the tree. For fear of gaining her attention again, Rufus simply settled himself in the underbrush and watched her.

The woman was young, looking to be in her early twenties, with long, platinum blond hair dyed black in the front ends, all tied into a pony tail. She was thin, and due to her hair, pale skin, and loose clothing held a wispy appearance. Once settled, she pulled out a sketch book and pencil to then begin to draw. She stayed in the shaded place for what felt like forever, making no sound herself and constantly looking forward or down.

Rufus could not see what she was drawing, which after several hours of waiting made him curious. Following this curiosity, he slowly and silently moved from his hiding place and crept to the tree; trying his best to stay in her blind spot. She looked up and around only once when Rufus accidently broke a twig, only to return to her drawing when no other sound followed; much to Rufus’ pleasure. By that time, Rufus had made it to the safety of the other side of the tree and took the opportunity to see her work.

He waited a moment to make sure that the woman was properly distracted before he leaned to the side to peek at the paper. The sketch was beautiful, consisting of the landscape of the nearby hill. A top the hill were the same maple trees, the leaves set into a brilliant red thanks to the stub of a colored pencil. Their red served as the only color to the sketch, and blurred slightly with the different shades of gray. While the sketch lacked the different colors found in nature, the woman had captured all of the other details so perfectly that Rufus felt he could walk into the scene. The amazement felt by the picture lead to deceiving him, however, for it caused him to take in a breath close to the artist’s ear.

Upon hearing the breath, she dropped her pencil, slammed the sketchbook shut, and stood up to stare angrily at the intruder. Her face then changed to shock as she fell over when she saw that the other was not human.

“Um…sorry for disturbing you. You’re an amazing artist,” Rufus began as he picked up the sketchbook, pencils, and awkwardly offered a hand to the woman. It was an unspoken rule that their kind were not to associate with humans while in their true form. Yet now that the woman saw him, what else was he to do? The woman stared at Rufus’ outstretched hand fearfully, only to then slowly reach for her satchel I the grass nearby and to get to her feet. Once standing, she bolted down to the sidewalk towards the stand of maples she had just sketched.

Rufus scowled to himself and looked firmly at the sketchbook. She had been frightened of him, and would most likely tell someone. And while he wanted the word to reach his family so he could get home, he did not want the word to come from National Media. He toyed with the idea of catching up to her to knock her out, hoping that she would think that he was imaginary, and even began to walk towards the trees. His walking then grew into a run when his ears picked up the sound of a female scream.

It did not take him long to reach the location in the trees where the scream came from. There he found the woman from before, desperately trying to defend her satchel from one of two men. The second man then sneered and grabbed her roughly by the hair, causing her to lose grip on the satchel as her hands instinctually tried to free her hair and another shriek to escape her lips. One the grip was loosened, the other casually took the satchel and began to rummage through it. The men laughed at their prey’s distress, and Rufus growled from his place by a tree.

The man holding the satchel heard the growl and turned to face Rufus. Rufus took the opportunity to step out of his area towards the men, continuing to growl and glare at them like annoying insects. While he cared about the woman seeing him, he cared little for the men who he was going to beat anyways.

By now all three humans saw him and stared at him like a wild animal never seen before. Following the prompt from the look, he squatted lower then rushed at the closest man. Once there he extended the claws on his hands and slashed at him. The first man began to stumble, so Rufus helped him down by knocking him into the other man. The momentum caused both the men to fall hard onto the ground and against a tree. The impact was enough to cause the first man to faint. Rufus then walked up to the men and said, “Leave her and me alone and I’ll let you two live. Deal?”

The second man nodded eagerly, only to earn a kick to the stomach by Rufus; knocking him out. Rufus then turned to the woman, who still stared at him with a scared face. Slowly, he walked up to her and tried to be as non-intimidating as possible. As he did this he said, “It’s alright, I don’t want to hurt you. I just want to make sure you don’t tell anyone about all of this.”

“No one would believe this…,” the woman answered.

“Oh, so you can talk,” Rufus commented slightly surprised. Since watching her this was the first time she spoke a word. She was still watching him intently, as if trying to decide if he was in fact real or not.

A sudden wave of dizziness returned to him, causing him to sit down with a sigh as he tenderly rubbed his still sore head with both hands. A moment after this he looked up when the woman commented, “You’re beautiful.”

“I know,” Rufus weakly answered.

“You’re injured?”

“I know that too,” Rufus scowled as he looked down, the embarrassment from what caused his injury still too fresh in his mind. His mind was then taken from these thoughts when the woman stood up, offered a hand and said, “Well, then I guess you should come to my place so we can look at it.”

“I highly doubt you’d know how to treat me.”

“True…but I got plenty ice and pain killers which could probably help. And other first aid stuff if needed too.”

Rufus stared hard at her hand. Based on his past experiences with humans, they never did anything which failed to benefit them in the end. So then what was she after? He tried to read the answer from her mind, but even the slightest attempt caused a greater wave of pain to arrive and for the girl to look worried. At last he said, “What happened to you being afraid of me?”

“Well you’re injured and just said you don’t want to hurt me, so at the moment you seem to me like an injured puppy than a threat,” She answered with a slight smile upon seeing Rufus pout.

“I’m not a puppy,” Rufus replied bluntly.

“Whatever, my car’s about a block away, then a ten minute drive. You want to come?”

Rufus thought a moment to this question, thinking of how it compared to the previous night when he followed a different girl someplace. The promise of a relief to the pain in his head won out, however, and finally he agreed by taking hold of her hand. Several minutes later, he found himself being lead into a small apartment where he promptly fainted moments later.

13: Chapter 13

Rufus awoke the next morning to find himself laying on a lumpy love seat covered by an old quilt. He remembered following the woman inside her apartment, where she gave him some medication which took away the headache and made him sleepy. But besides that he remembered nothing. His thoughts were pulled from trying to remember facts by the smell of bacon.

Curious, he untangled himself from the quilt and made his way to what appeared to be the kitchen. The room was cramped with what he assumed to be the normal appliances, leaving a narrow alley from the entrance to a small table and chairs beneath the one window. The room was an off-white, decorated with various colorful jars and knick-knacks which made the room feel both homey and more cluttered. Standing in front of the oven was the woman from before, happily at work cooking the bacon. She then looked to the doorway at Rufus and smiled before she gestured him to the table. Obediently, he walked around her to the table and sat down. After a moment of idly staring out the window, she walked up to the table and placed two plates filled with toast, eggs, and bacon atop it. She then gave him a proper good morning and began eating her meal.

Rufus followed suit slowly, mainly just eating the bacon and nibbling at the toast, and soon the two of them were finished. Once done, she asked, “How are you feeling?”

“My head still hurts a little. What did you give me last night?”

“Just some pain killers, you know, over the counter stuff.”

“I really don’t,” Rufus replied with honesty. Rakshasas of his standing did not go out to buy medications, but would have either a doctor bring it to them or send a servant. He had heard of these “over-the-counter remedies” through his time in the human world before, but his knowledge of it was still very limited. Not feeling up to explaining this, he instead stood up to stretch. Besides for his head, he felt more or less fine, and could only hope that the trend would continue.

“I think I take it back. You’re not like a puppy, but more like a child in need of bed-time.”

Rufus glared at her for the new comparison, only to instead scowl. He was a guest here and had little idea of where ‘here’ exactly was. Nothing good would come to him if he annoyed her too much. Instead he decided to change the subject by asking, “Can I have more of that medicine-stuff?”

She gave him a kind smile and stood, only to then lead him to an equally small and cluttered bathroom. There she handed him a couple of pills and a glass of water, both of which Rufus obediently took before looking around more. At last he commented, “You must be what they call poor.”

The woman gave him a shocked look, only to then say, “It’s not that obvious. And even if it is, you shouldn’t bluntly call someone that after just meeting them.”

“But it’s true, which means maybe I shouldn’t stay here. The last thing I need is you to sell word about my existence to some show or something.”

“You’re not good at reading characters, are you? Besides, I told you yesterday that no one would believe me.”

Rufus gave her a disbelieving look but held back the comment. Instead he tried to read the reason from her mind, but to only gain a sharp pain to the front of his head. So, instead, he asked, “And what makes you say that? You think that I’m not news worthy enough for this world?”

“No, a tiger-person who saves a stranger from two thugs would definitely be newsworthy. You would probably get your own super hero series or something! But society had already deemed me a nut case, and no one listens to crazy people.”

“Crazy, huh, and why exactly are you crazy?”

The woman paused here for a moment, a look of obvious dislike for the subject on her face. At last she answered, “The world is not perfect, and there are some powerful people out there who would rather ruin someone else’s name with lies than let that person reveal the ugly truth about them.”

Rufus was silent on this for a moment, only to slowly nod his head. It was his kind’s business to know the evils of man, so he could not find the idea too hard to believe. Instead he yawned, earning a sympathetic smile from the woman. She then commented, “You really must not be used to pain killers, I never get sleepy that quick from them now.”

With this said the two walked back to the living room where Rufus quickly curled up in a ball on the loveseat and under the quilt. It had been a long time since he felt sick or injured in any way, and even if by a stranger it still felt good to have someone look after him. He was taken from these thoughts when the woman asked, “I forgot to ask yesterday, but what should I call you?”

“My name is Rufus, from the Aceae family. And what is your name?”

“Me?  My friends call me Eve. Now since you look about to pass out, I’ll let you sleep while I get some work done.”

14: Chpater 14

As Rufus soon learned, the woman called Eve worked a lot. When she was not at home helping him recover from his head injury, she was either at her job or out sketching landscapes or objects. He was surprised when he asked and was told that she did not sell her art, and even more so in how she saw the wonderful works as nothing but doodles. His interest in the ‘doodles’ only grew when he sneaked a look at her sketchbook to see carefully made pictures of himself staring back at him.

Soon his time at the house grew to one week, and he began to grow anxious. Several times a day he would test his abilities, only to become frustrated. At the end of one week he could remake his guise, only for it to appear much rougher than his usual one. But his mind reading ability had yet to return! Along with this was the fact that the time Aster gave him was up, and he still had to find a way home.

Eve came home from her job as Rufus physically vented his frustration, her surprise causing her to drop a canvas bag and for Rufus to notice her. Silently, Rufus looked between her and the bag, only to then pick the bag up and hand it back. Evasively he asked, “You went shopping after work?”

“I had to, we were out of food,” Eve answered. Rufus nodded in thought only to look into the bag of cheap-looking products. He was not too tired of her hospitality, he was actually quite content staying with her, but he had noticed the trend of food quality decreasing of late. An idea then came to him, causing him to remove a signet ring from his finger and his studded diamond earrings.

He then forced them into her hands and said, “There should be a pawn shop nearby. Sell these and use it to buy food and other things you need.”

She looked at the three items in her hand, only to look back at him and say, “But I can’t sell your things!”

“Why not? If you weren’t feeding me you could buy yourself better food. Think of it as payment for your hospitality.”

"I appreciate the thought, but I don’t know. I’m not very good at dealing with those kinds of people. You can look like a normal human now, I’ve seen it, so why don’t you sell them yourself?”

“I don’t think so,” Rufus answered, trying to think of a reason why not. While he could make the guise, he truly did not feel up to going out in public. Part of the issue was vanity and the other practicality. The guise was unstable, and the last thing he wanted was to have it break while he was surrounded by humans. But he did not need his abilities to read the pleas on Eve’s face. He did not want to worry her, so instead he bottled up his concerns, nodded his head, and said he would go after supper.

She smiled happily at this and gave him a hug, causing Rufus to blush slightly before also smiling. After this she left for the kitchen to prepare the simple meal of pasta and red sauce.  Once Rufus was finished idly picking at the meatless dish, he carefully made the guise and walked out of the building for the streets.

A problem arose, however, in that Rufus had never explored much of the surrounding area. Through Eve he learned the name of the city, and found himself lucky that he knew the city due to his work. But he had never been in this part of the city before meeting her and had spent much of that time cooped up inside her apartment. Due to this, finding a pawn store became an issue and by the time he succeeded it was already closed.

He growled to himself in displeasure at this, only to stop and glare at several passer-bys who looked his way. Eve had looked so hopeful at the idea of extra money and supplies, and Rufus felt that he could not face her without anything. The woman looked to him like a savior, and while he did not completely understand why, he did not want that image tarnished.  The idea of looking for another pawn store came to mind, but what was to say he would find another one before it closed too? As he thought of this he aimlessly watched the people pass, only to recognize a couple of men belonging to a gang their family controlled. A new idea came to him, he simply needed to hope Eve would not ask for details and pray that his father and Aster would forgive him.

 

It was a quiet night as the two men walked into a small office; locking the door behind them. Casually, the first turned on the overhead light, only for both to give out a surprised noise when they saw a tiger-like man sitting in front of a small chest. Rufus looked up at them, only to comment, “Who told you you could get a new safe?”

Instead of a verbal response, the second pulled out a gun and fired; only to miss Rufus by a thin margin. Rufus was not happy to be shot at, causing him to growl then rush the man.  Several moments later and several more missed shots, one man was unconscious and the other was pinned by Rufus who ordered him to open the safe. Once the safe was open, Rufus took the money and knocked the man out.

With the money in hand, he carefully remade his guise, biting back at the dull pain due to the constant mental stress of making it, and rushed out of the building via the window fire escape. He then began on his way back to Eve’s home, only to stop along the way to buy more groceries. After the long walk and the series of events, Rufus was happy to see the small apartment and Eve. Likewise Eve, who was starting to worry due to the lateness of his return, was happy to see him.

Once inside, he helped unload the several bags of groceries he bought, smiling as Eve looked overjoyed at the fresh produce, meats, and delicacies Rufus bought. After this she continued, “All of this must have cost a fortune.  You must have got every cent you could out of those pawn guys!”

Rufus coughed slightly at this before replying, “Well, one of my uncles owns a small shop like that in my world so I know how to talk to them.”  It was not a lie per say since his mother’s younger brother did own a store, but at the same time he did not want to endanger her with the truth.

She seemed to buy the reason, only to then pour him a glass from the wine he bought and toast the success. Rufus followed suit, and in no time they drained the bottle and left for the bedroom.

15: Chapter 15

Aster was displeased. As his brother had requested, he and Lilac looked out for Samara and everything seemed fine. He spent much of the time busy with his own work, and in what felt like no time the two weeks he gave Rufus were over. But come the morning of the fifteenth day, Rufus was nowhere to be seen. He knew that Rufus was many things, but a promise breaker was not one of them. So then where was he?

Soon the fifteenth day passed followed by many more, causing Aster to become concerned. Following this feeling, he asked their father to use his ability to track Rufus’s life signal; but all the elder could tell from his place was that Rufus was somewhere in the human world. Then one morning a fellow Rakshasa who worked for him said that two of their humans were attacked and robbed by a cat-like man with yellow eyes.

Aster growled when he heard this and demanded to know where the theft had occurred. Once given the name of the city, he ordered a servant to deliver a message to Lilac and his father, quickly dressed in his guise, and left for the human world.

It did not take him long to find the men who were stolen from and for his fears to turn to reality. As he expected, the thief fitted Rufus’ description perfectly. But why would Rufus steal from his own family? And in his true form no less! Something was going on, and Aster felt sure that he would feel uneasy until the truth was laid out. But then came the issue of how to actually track his brother.

The fact that Rufus hit only a small office instead of the bigger office several miles away told him that his brother was somewhere in the general area and could not travel far from it. This information narrowed the area to search down somewhat, yet left plenty of hiding places for the other. His uneasiness grew when he realized that Rufus attacking in his true form instead of simply demanding the money as a human superior may mean that he could not form his guise; which would endanger his brother and force him deeper into hiding. Except for the money. That little bit of information meant that either he was hiding with the help of a human or he was desperate enough to use it himself. Both ideas meant that someone must have seen him at some point; he simply needed to find out who.   

With enough of a plan to work with formed, Aster turned to the small group of underlings and said, “Tell every gang member and thug in this city that if they can lead me to this tiger-man I will make it worth their while. At the same time keep a look-out for my brother and tell me if you see him.”

With this said, Aster left the room and building, deciding to also search the streets. He always told Rufus that if he was forced to look for the later he would make Rufus regret it. And he saw now as a good time to show it was not empty threats.

 

Rufus awoke the next morning to find himself in Eve’s bedroom and a numb pain in his head. It was the first time he had been in her bedroom, and was slightly surprised to find himself there. He then felt something nuzzle next to him, reminding him of what happened that night. Common sense was telling him that he should leave immediately, that things were moving in a direction away from simple friends. But lying with Eve at that moment was the most peaceful time he had in a long time.

“Morning,” Eve greeted as she slowly unwound herself from Rufus and stretched. She then smiled, slumped back on the bed, and commented, “So then I guess this means we really did it last night.”

“It would seem so. You were pretty drunk last night, so…I’m sorry if you regret that,” Rufus replied, already feeling the blush come to his cheeks.

She looked at him confused, only to then ask, “And regret what? Having sex with one of the greatest guys I’ve ever met?”

Rufus could not help but blush more at this, only to finally respond, “That or, you know, doing it with someone who isn’t human.”

Eve leaned onto him and thought for a moment. After the moment she left the bed, shrugged on her bathrobe and smiled at Rufus as she said, “I’m kind of hungry. What do you want for breakfast?”

“Chicken,” Rufus replied even though he knew it would not be the case. Eve laughed and smiled as she left, only for Rufus to then frown. He disliked the fact that she avoided an answer, and was confused slightly as to why it bothered him. He doubted that it was due to the sex, since those feelings of closeness, happiness, and protectiveness were much stronger than when he mated with Rachilla. Which meant it was most likely something which he was not ready to admit.

Wanting a true answer to his questions, he followed her to the kitchen and tried to use his mind-reading ability. After a few moments his head began to ache too much to continue, but he smiled when he realized he read something. It was not a thought, but her feelings of comfort and happiness. The fact that she was happy that morning relieved him greatly, but also concerned him. He enjoyed the idea that she might feel the same way as him, but it would also make things more complicated when it was time for him to go home.

“Why are you just standing there and looking at me? Come and sit down before your food gets cold,” Eve ordered as she placed two plates on the table. Rufus could not help but smile at this and sit at his place. Instead of chicken she made omelets, with plenty of meat mixed into Rufus’ to appease him. The two ate in silence and continued on with the cleaning up as if nothing awkward happened recently.

After cleaning the dishes, Eve sat down with Rufus on the couch and leaned on him with a sigh. Slightly concerned, he asked if she was alright. She laughed at this and answered, “I’m fine, really. I’m starting to think that maybe I should ask if you’re alright.”

“I think so…it’s just a bit confusing. I really never meant to have these feelings for you. But I do, and now I don’t want it to stop,” Rufus answered honestly.

Eve frowned slightly at this and commented, “You sound like you’re thinking of leaving soon.”

“I’ve been getting better…I can almost read minds again and I’m physically healed from my fight.”

“You could stay, I won’t kick you out.”

“I can’t just stay here and take advantage of you forever.”

“You could get a job, then you wouldn’t be taking advantage of me and we could stay together,” Eve replied hopefully.

Rufus thought the idea over some more. He already worked a lot in the human world, so he could always visit with her; but visiting was not the same as staying. And as much as staying intrigued him, he knew there were still issues with the idea. Not to mention there were several things he failed to tell her. Instead he asked, “Why aren’t you bothered you that I’m different, that I’m not human? You’re the first human I’ve ever met who has been alright with that fact from the beginning.”

“How many humans have seen you like this?” Eve asked, causing Rufus to sigh and guiltily answer, “A few. My father had a human concubine for a little while, and on occasion some of our neighbors’ human workers.”

“So then I’m the first normal person you’ve shown this side to?”

“We’re taught at an early age not to show this form to humans. That human fear what is new to them and their knowledge of us could affect my world’s economy…or something like that.”

“Then why do you come here if it’s so dangerous for you to be found out?”

“It’s what we do, what we’ve always done. Members of my society come here to bring chaos and pain, reap the rewards, and bring it home.”

“You know what I think?”

“What?”

“I think that you’re too good for all of that,” Eve answered before giving Rufus a quick kiss on the cheek and continuing, “I don’t have work today and I don’t feel like sketching, so would you like to go for a walk with me?”

Rufus dumbly nodded before he also stood and formed his guise. He smiled back at her as she grabbed a jacket and held the door open. His eyes blinked as they adjusted to the light, only to then look to his hand as Eve took hold of it and lead him down to the sidewalk. It was a peaceful, perfect walk, one which he loved every minute of, and made him wish he could forget everything said moments beforehand and agree to stay with her forever.

16: Chapter 16

Rufus knew that he needed to leave Eve for his own home sooner or later, but had decided to put off the action. Soon two days had passed since their talk, and life for him fluctuated between bliss and obligation-based torment. These days ended, however, when a single knock came to the door on the third morning. The knock woke them up, and tiredly Eve answered the door to find two well-dressed men standing on her stoop. They both looked similar to Rufus, Eve decided, as if they were related to his human disguise. But Rufus had never talked much about his family so she was not sure if that was even possible. The younger man with glasses seemed to glare down at her while the older one constantly rubbed his neck as if in pain.

“Can I help you?” She asked, suddenly awake and subconsciously closing her bathrobe tighter around herself.

“We’re looking for a certain person. A man about twenty-four-years-old with light orange hair, yellow eyes, and freckles,” the younger man answered the girl; looking at her unimpressed.

“Is that so,” Eve replied warily.

“Several neighbors have told our men that such a man has been staying here. Along with a more…interesting person,” The younger of the men continued, refusing to simply ask his question.

“Well…according to my landowner I am able to have friends over for the night as long as we keep quiet,” Eve retorted defensively as she began to close the door between them.

The elder looked into the apartment as they talked, only to then push the door open, walk in, and order, “Rufus, get out here now!”

Upon hearing the order, Rufus slinked into the room like a child about to be scolded; his guise only half on making him look quite odd to the men and adorable to Eve. After watching the younger man walk into the apartment and Eve close the door, Rufus commented, “You know, Aster, you always said that you would be the one to chase me down. Not that you’d include Father.”

“I included myself when I was informed that you ran away to be with a human female,” the elder answered.

“Father?” Eve asked as she looked the three over.

“Yes. Eve, these are my Father and older brother, Aster. Father, Aster, this is Eve. I was injured a while back and she took me in,” Rufus answered.

“And by ‘take in’ you must mean more than simply in a friendly manner. After all, she reeks of you,” Aster commented as he looked her up and down and scrunched up his nose; making Eve feel even more self-conscious.

“One thing lead to another,” Rufus weakly defended as he dropped the guise and walked over to separate Eve from the others males.

“And does stealing from me fall into the ‘another’ category?” his father asked as he too looked Eve over, only to finally frown and look down.

“Rufus didn’t steal anything…you got all of that money for food from selling your jewelry, right?” Eve protested.

“It seems that he has not been truthful with you my dear,” the elder commented patiently, causing Eve to look from him to Rufus confused.

“I really wouldn’t call it stealing. I swear I was going to replace it all from my personal savings as soon as I was able to get home and access it,” Rufus replied in his defense; earning everyone’s attention even more so.

“And when were you planning on coming home to do that? After all, it has only been what, a week since you promised to return. Didn’t you even consider how your mate would react to your tardiness? Lilac has more important things to do than scare away a child’s feelings of abandonment!” Aster snarled back.

“I didn’t mean to make anyone worry or take up anyone’s time. I just kind of got injured and had my mirror taken.”

“How could someone take your mirror? I thought you were supposed to be some kind of great thief?!” Aster accused.

“I think we should at least let him explain himself. The more little bits I hear the more confusing it seems,” the elder ordered.

“I second that,” Eve added, only to then lead the others to sit in the suddenly cramped living area.

Once everyone was seated and looking at him, Rufus began, “As promised I began my private mission by looking for this Rames character and was able to meet with him, only to find out that he doesn’t really exist. ‘Rames’ is actually a Raksasha called Rachilla with the ability to take other guises. She…got the better of me during our confrontation, and we had a disagreement the morning after which lead to a physical fight.”

“So then you were beaten up by a female and let me guess, she took your mirror?” Aster asked slightly disappointed in his brother yet laughing on the inside at how ridiculous the entire story sounded.

“She is one very tough creature. And it makes perfect sense for an ex-fighter like her father to teach a believed son to fight. Anyways, she gave me a head injury and left me in this world. Later that day, Eve found me and took me in. As you can see, she doesn’t exactly live in luxury and I thought it would be nice if I repaid her kindness with some extra money and fresh supplies,” Rufus concluded and looked to the others to see if they understood.

The listeners were silent for a moment, only for the father to finally say, “And now we are at the present, and time for you to come home.”

Rufus frowned at this, only to look at Eve for her feelings on the matter. She looked disappointed with the idea of Rufus leaving, only to finally comment, “I have to admit it’ll be weird if you leave now after everything…but are you planning on ever returning? Or is this really the end of it?”

“I’m afraid, child, that you will not need to worry about that,” the father answered, giving her a sympathetic look.

“Father,” Rufus began only for his father to continue, “Don’t look at me that way son, you were the one who chose to mate with her without thinking of the consequences. And now it would be best for everyone if you followed tradition and brought her home with us.”

“Father, you don’t mean,” Rufus pleaded.

“I do, so I suggest the girl to pack a bag and for you to think of a way to explain this to both her and your wife,” the elder answered before standing up and leaving the room in favor of the outdoor stoop.

“We always knew you would be the black sheep of the family. Just…who knew you’d show that by following Father’s past,” Aster commented only to also leave Rufus and Eve alone.

Once the couple was left alone Eve asked, “Why do they sound like I’m going with you guys?”

“Well, because they realize it would be best for the majority if you did,” Rufus explained dumbly.

“And why did they say you have a wife?” Eve asked, starting to realize how little she actually knew about the guest she loved.

“She’s not my wife. She’s a fiancé I have, but I see her more like a little sister at the moment.”

“But she’s still your fiancé! Why didn’t you tell me that you have one before all this?”

Rufus gulped, realizing that he was in trouble, before responding, “Because…part of me wanted to believe that I would not need to tell you. But now it’s too late for that and I guess you two will just have to learn to play nice.”

“You can’t honestly expect me to just walk home with you and happily live with you and your future wife!”

Rufus looked at her with a bit of confusion, thinking of explaining to her that it was not as big an issue in his world. He then realized that it would not make things better and stayed quiet as Eve continued, “And I…I can’t just change my way of life and drop everything because your dad-,”

“Father can sense life, and I think he believes that you are pregnant!” Rufus broke in, shocking Eve into silence. In her shock, she slowly sat on the couch in thought; frowning. Not liking her look, Rufus slowly knelt down to her and asked, “Please come with me? It’s the only way we can be sure of the child being alright. You keep saying yourself how bad humans are to those different from them. Imagine what raising a creature who does not even look human will be like in this world.”

“I-I need time to think about all this. Alone,” She answered only to stand up and leave the room in favor of her bedroom.

“Eve?”

“Leave me alone and go back to your fiancé,” she responded only to shut the door on him. Rufus frowned at this, but left her alone to join his family outside on the stoop.

“I take it your little talk did not go too well,” Aster commented upon seeing his brother’s sad face.

“She said she needed to be alone and think. And that she dislikes the idea of being in a relationship with me while I’m technically with Samara,” Rufus answered.

“It is to be expected. Women in this world and land expect different things from their mates. But hopefully for her sake she will come around. Leave her to think for a little bit and collect her next week. If she still does not wish to go, you can always ask Aster to convince her if you don't want to use force,” their father reasoned. The sons nodded mutely. With this Aster and his Father pulled out their mirrors and angled them so that the three went home together.

17: Chapter 17

“Welcome home Father, husband, Rufus,” Lilac greeted as she and Samara met the masters of the estate outside of the library.

“Thank you,” the three replied, only for the head to leave for his own business as Aster happily greeted his wife. Rufus stared mutely at this for a moment, pang coming from wishing to be once again with Eve. He then gave a surprised noise when Samara rushed the few feet to hug him.

“I’m very glad you decided to come back,” she said with a large smile. Upon hearing this, Rufus gave a small smile, patted her on the head, and said, “Of course I would come back! I just wasn’t planning on being gone so long.”

“She really missed you,” Aster commented to his brother, making Rufus feel guilty and decide he would need to buy her something to apologize with.

“Well, how about a late breakfast, or would you prefer to rest?” Lilac asked the two males.

“Breakfast would be wonderful since those two took me away before my morning meal,” Rufus answered only for the four to head towards the dining room. There Rufus found himself retelling his story for the others, this time omitting certain facts upon seeing Samara’s slightly upset face when talking of Eve. He also decided to not tell her Rames’ secret, for simplicity’s sake as he reasoned. At the end of the story Lilac gave Aster a puzzled look, only for him to promise his mate a full story later.

After this the couples went their separate ways to continue as if everything was normal; with the exception of Rufus who felt more like relaxing than working and Samara who refused to leave his side. Due to this and least he forgot, he took her to the small market in their family’s territory and bought her a ruby encrusted set of earrings and necklace as an apology for leaving her for so long. 

The next day, the relaxing was over with both Aster and their Father agreeing that he needed to work on his self-defense and catch-up on his work. With all of this, Rufus found little time to think of a way to convince Eve to join him in his world. Soon a little over one week had past, and Rufus found himself on a task in the city Eve lived in. Seeing a chance to visit with her, he quickly finished his task and rushed to her apartment; regardless of who may be watching him.

As he walked up to her door he sensed that something was wrong. The door was opened slightly, signaling that someone was inside, but he remembered that Eve always kept her door firmly shut even when home. Cautiously, he walked inside to find the air filled with a deadly quiet. Worried, Rufus called out a hello to see if anyone would answer, only to have a thud from the bedroom reply.

Concerned, he rushed to the room and flung open the door to find a sight for his horror. Lying on the floor was Eve, her arms and chest bloody from cuts and punctures; her eyes wide open and dulled by pain. Standing over her was Aster, his claws bloody and looking at his work pleased. After realizing the audience, Aster looked to Rufus and gave an eerie smile.

“Hello, Rufus, I was unsure if I wanted you to see this,” Aster commented without a hint of remorse.

“Aster…but, what are you doing here? And Eve!” Rufus began to ask only to then run the few steps to Eve who suddenly gave a sudden jerk; pushing Aster aside in the process. Aster frowned as he watched Rufus’ concern for the human, only to then wipe the blood off of his hands onto the pants of his expensive-looking suit.

Rufus looked up at this confused as Aster answered, “I decided it would be best for you if she was gone. Now you can focus on having a real mate.”

“Does Father know you are here? He would never give you permission to do this!” Rufus asked, only to look down and reposition Eve to try to prevent some of her pain. He could tell that the wounds were serious, and that if she did not receive professional attention soon she would parish.

“It was his idea. Now stop moping,” Aster answered only to walk up to Rufus and Eve and stomp on the human’s chest. A bit of revenge-based pleasure from Aster popped into Rufus’ head, setting off a new alarm.

Following this alarm, Rufus pushed the other off Eve and said, “You’re not Aster…Get away from her you bitch!”

The other looked at Rufus surprised, only to remove the male guise and show the invader to be Rachilla. At last she asked, “Bitch? Is that a name you call someone trying to help you?”

“Help me? You’d better help yourself by getting away from her before I rip out your throat!” Rufus ordered.

Rachilla frowned more at this and looked as if about to say something, only to think better of it upon seeing Rufus’ enraged face. Instead she looked at Eve once more and shrugged her shoulder before stating, “Fine, I was finished here anyways. Until we meet again, Rufus.”

With this Rachilla pulled out her mirror and vanished, allowing Rufus to lower his guard and give all his attention to Eve. Believing that her best chance at survival was with a doctor in his world, he carefully cradled her in one arm and said, “Don’t worry Eve. Once I take you home I’ll have a doctor called for help. Just hang on a little longer!”

Desperately he tried to fish his mirror out of his breast pocket, only to pause when Eve shakily held her hand up to his arm. He looked down at her as she panted heavily and said, “I want to stay…I like it here. It’s not perfect but…I love it.”

“Eve, if I don’t take you right now you’ll die,” Rufus tried to reason as emotion caught in his throat.

“You’re too good. Please stay…with me…here. Please,” Eve pleaded, losing the strength to hold his arm and letting herself lie limp on him.

“Eve…please. I don’t-I don’t want to lose you. I love you!”

“I love you too…so-so stay here with me…,” with this said Eve lost consciousness. Concerned, Rufus tried to re-awaken her, only to achieve no sign. He tried to check her vitals like he had read in books, but he could not feel anything. Fearing the worst, he tried to sense some sort of mental life in her, only to also fail. At last he came to the conclusion that she was dead, and allowed himself to cry.

18: Chapter 18

“Rufus, what took you so long to finish that simple task and come home? Don’t tell me you-!” Aster began upon hearing Rufus return home and storm into the library. It was well past supper-time and he had expected Rufus home hours ago. The sight of his younger brother covered in human blood and with a tired, agonized face caused him to hold his tongue from yelling more. Instead he quietly asked, “Did something happen to your human friend?”

Rufus mutely nodded and took the chair Aster offered, and then listened as Aster ordered a servant to bring a bottle of wine and a wash cloth. Once washed slightly and a glass of wine in his body, Rufus answered, “I went to see if I could change Eve’s mind, but when I got there that bitch Rachilla was there. She-she killed her! For no reason other than that she could.  That bitch’s day are numbered. I’ll hunt her down and-!”

“And get beat up again,” Aster cut in then continued, “Rufus, I understand you’re upset, but think rationally for once. Will getting revenge for this human female fix anything?”

“She wasn’t just some human Aster. I loved her and she loved me!” Rufus angrily retorted as he stood up to loom over his sitting brother.

“Enough that she was going to come stay with you?” Aster asked calmly.

Rufus paused at this and frowned as he remember her last words. At last he answered, “She told me she loved me. But that she also did not want to leave her world forever.”

Slowly, Aster stood and took hold of Rufus’ shoulders while commenting, “If that is the case, then honor her memory and her wish by not dwelling on this. I may not have known her, but I doubt she would have wanted you to look so heartbroken and act so stupid simply because you two cannot be together.”

Rufus glared at Aster for a moment, only to then move himself away from him and sulk out the doors. From there he headed towards his apartment; where he locked himself into the bedroom.

 

Samara was confused. She thought that since Rufus returned everything would be fine, but then after a short trip Rufus began to act different. He had locked himself away for the entire night, and then the next day when her mate unlocked the door he was dressed in black and ordered her to dress likewise. Along with this, Rufus ate very little that day and acted as if in mourning. But Rufus had never told her of any friends who could have died, and the fact that no one else mourned told her it was not a family member. So then why was Rufus suddenly so sullen?

Samara pondered on this the next day as she ate lunch with her future sister-in-laws Lilac and Blossom. Blossom, as she quickly learned, was married to Rufus’ younger brother Hosta and helped maintain the neighboring territory. Blossom was a little younger than Lilac, and also a bit more carefree. She also seemed a tad vain, as seen in how she clothed herself in a rich silk yukata of many colors to compliment her calico appearance and make her swollen belly less noticeable. Towards the end of lunch, Blossom looked over to Samara and asked, “What’s wrong, Sweetheart? Here Lilac has been telling me how wonderful a little sister-in-law you will be, but you have nothing to add with it.”

“I will admit, she is normally soft-spoken, but your sullenness is a bit worrying,” Lilac agreed as she looked cautiously at the youngest lunch guest.

“Sorry, I’m afraid Rufus’ mood may be affecting me. I simply wish I knew why he is so sad,” Samara answered.

“Why, what is wrong with Rufus?” Blossom asked, not hearing anything new about him in some time.

“He returned from a long trip to the human world recently and has acted dazed since then. Then the other day he returned from a day-trip and has been in mourning since. I just don’t understand any of it,” Samara explained; growing more puzzled as she tried to think over logical reasons.

“He made a new friend in the human world, and according to Aster she was killed recently,” Lilac continued, filling in several gaps of information which Samara had not heard before.

“A ‘girl’ friend? And here I was under the assumption that Rufus did not care about females; human or not,” Blossom commented surprised; a slight chuckle escaping her lips.

“You mean that woman Rufus talked about? The one who took care of him? She sounded nice but like she was a stranger,” Samara replied in thought.

“If she was a stranger then why the mourning? Obviously he kept it quiet to spare your feelings,” Blossom criticized.

“Do your mates do that to you,” Samara asked curiously.

“Aster and I have a very open conversation channel and know each other’s secrets. It is one of the reasons we get along so well,” Lilac answered.

“Hosta and I live such small lives compared to your mates that there isn’t room for secrecy,” Blossom replied.

“Don’t think too harshly of Rufus, dear. He knows that it would be bad to upset you too much and most likely thought that telling you about that human would do so. In his own way, he was most likely trying to protect you,” Lilac tried to console upon seeing the anxious face on the younger girl.

“I love the man like a brother, but you must admit that it is a bit sad that he’s trying to protect her from himself,” Blossom butted in, only to be kicked in the shin by Lilac. The two elders then looked to Samara, who was in thought.

“Is his feelings for this human why he is in that world mourning right now?” Samara asked.

Lilac slowly nodded and answered, “From the bits I’ve overheard, Rufus has decided to pay and set up her funeral. That’s what he is most likely doing now.”

“I don’t think I like this human woman,” Samara concluded finitely. The others nodded slowly, only for Lilac to decide upon changing the subject.

Soon lunch ended and the three Raksashi went on their separate ways, leaving Samara alone to think. She knew it was common for Rakshasa with Rufus’ status to have more than one mate, and this second was apparently dead. So why did she still feel jealous over such a thing? After a bit she felt slightly foolish for the emotion and felt sure that when Rufus returned he would be back to normal. With this in mind she eagerly awaited his return, only to find her fiancé acting even odder when he walked into the apartment.

“Rufus…did something happen today?” Samara asked as Rufus silently walked into the rooms with an annoyed look on his face.

“That bitch never ceases to amaze me with how low she will sink,” was the only answer she received.

“Who?” Samara asked tentatively, slightly worried by Rufus’ mood.

“Rachilla. She’s a Raksashi that killed…my friend…and now she decided to steal the body before the funeral!”  Rufus growled, looking as if ready to start a fight.

“Who’s Rachilla?”

“She’s the one who started all of this, remember?!”

“But…I thought you said my big brother Rames beat you up?” Samara asked, only to then pout at Rufus as she realized for the second time that day that Rufus kept something from her. Rufus realized this too, causing him to begin, “It’s a bit complicated and I’m not sure how to explain it all right now.”

“Then I will have someone more articulate explain things to me,” Samara pouted angrily only to then storm out of the rooms in order to find Lilac or Aster. Rufus watched confused as this happened, only to then comment, “What has her acting so weird?”

19: Chapter 19

“Tell me Rufus, in the human world isn’t there a children’s story where the main character’s nose grows with each lie until he becomes caught by it?” Aster asked his brother the next morning as they sat in the study. Aster had told Rufus to meet him after breakfast, but so far Rufus could not figure out why.

“I believe so - Pinnoglio or something like it,” Rufus answered as he idly played with a rubber band ball he found on the desk.

“Really? And here I thought it was called ‘Rufus’,” Aster replied with a smirk to match Rufus’ annoyed glare.

“I never lied to anyone, I just don’t see a need to always tell everyone everything,” Rufus defended indignantly.

“Which is pretty much the same as lying; hence why you are currently stuck with an annoyed fiancé.”

“Well if you’re so smart then tell me what to do?”

“Personally? I’d apologize, reveal all my secrets, and hurry up and marry her before all of this stalling and drama causes her to get the half-breed sickness. However, since this is you we’re talking about…how good are you at begging for forgiveness and how much money do you feel like spending?”

“Despite how it might look right now I am still a male. And no self-respecting male begs forgiveness from their female. So I guess she’ll just have to learn to put up with me keeping secrets once we’re married.”

The sudden announcement of Rufus agreeing to the idea of marriage caused Aster to drop his pen, newspaper, and stare at the other shocked. Aster stared intently at his brother, checking for any sign of illness, only to then say, “So then, you are going to take this marriage business seriously now? No more putting it off, running away, complaining about wanting a strong Raksashi that you will want instead?”

“I’ve met that ‘strong Raksashi that I would want’ and she not only beat me up but also killed the one who if I could I would have married. Even if that bitch were to get on her knees and beg me to run off with her again I would not! So with those two out of the question it simply leaves Samara as my only wife for the foreseeable future.”

Aster paused at this, only to then comment, “So you’re putting your own feeling of love aside to marry out of obligation. I must admit that I never thought I’d see the day. But I do have a word of advice for you.”

“Yes?”

“Be patient. As much as we’d all love you two to marry soon, if the two of you go into it disliking each other than you’ll both be miserable until one of you dies. But she is still young and you have avoided her partially for that reason, correct? Maybe if you tried to know her before the marriage then it would not be so unbearable.”

“That’s how you’ve felt from the beginning, isn’t it?”

“Perhaps. You’re the mind reader so you tell me.”

“So why quietly force us together before and wait until now to tell me so bluntly?”

“Because apparently words do speak louder than action at times,” Aster answered with a slight smile. He then sighed, dropped the smile, and continued, “Now if you don’t mind some of us have real work to do, so go finish your romances somewhere else.”

Rufus smiled back at this as he stood up and left the room for the hallway. Feeling up for some un-forced together time with Samara, he asked a servant to fetch her for him.

 

Samara was confused as to why Rufus wanted to take her to the market so suddenly, and her annoyance towards him the night before did not help. To her surprise, however, Rufus was no longer moping like only several hours before. True, he still seemed depressed and his smiles far from true, but she could tell that he was indeed trying. At last she asked, “Was there anything special you needed?”

“Me, no, but it has occurred to me that I have blindly forgotten to buy you something. Now come this way, yes, this shop should have exactly what you need,” Rufus answered as he dragged her into a jewelry shop. She recognized the place from the last time he took her shopping, only this time Rufus seemed to focus more on wedding bands than the random accessories like before.

“Come here Samara and try this one on,” Rufus ordered the girl. She went to him, only to then find herself trying on ring after ring in different styles and designs. After the fourth failed ring, she noticed one which caught her eye. Rufus noticed this too and quickly told the shopkeeper to bring it out. The band itself was a simple pale gold with vines etched around it. A smoothly cut diamond which sparkled like a star lived in the center; cut to look almost like a little flower. Surrounding the diamond were chips of emerald formed and attached to the band to look like leaves.

“The girl has a good eye. That piece just came in from a friend of mine who runs one of the best shops in the Central City. It is a one of a kind work of art,” the shop-keeper boasted with even more flattery than for the other bands.

“It is certainly unique, not something I would have thought you would like,” Rufus admitted as Samara admired the ring.

“Why are you buying me a wedding band so suddenly?” Samara asked as she came out of her thoughts.

“Well, you are supposed to be my fiancé and someday my wife. I suppose it just took until now to realize that that really was the case. And I should make the most of it,” he answered with a laugh. The smile and laugh left, however, when Samara asked, “What about those other females you talked about?”

Rufus looked down and paused for a moment before he said, “Eve…would have wanted me to be happy, and I would not be happy with Rachilla.”

“Will you be happy with me?”

“Perhaps. We’ll never know if we both don’t try. Now I’ll need the ring back. And don’t worry, I’ll return it safely when you are my wife. In the mean time you may pick out a different one for the engagement ring.”

Samara smiled at this and happily did so, and soon found one to work as the engagement ring. With both rings selected and fitted, they left the store for home. She smiled broadly as she looked at the second ring upon her finger, the first nestled safely in a box in Rufus’ pocket. After a bit more thought she decided that perhaps she could tolerate Rufus’ thinking of this Eve-human; especially if the memories made him change his outlook on their relationship more like that afternoon.

20: chapter 20

“Rufus it is wonderful that you plan to focus on your marriage! And such a lovely engagement ring, too,” Lilac commented during that evening’s supper.

“I hope someday to have a pretty ring like that,” Flora, Rufus and Aster’s younger half-sister commented as she also stared at the shiny object upon Samara’s finger.

“I’m sure you will when you’re old enough to marry,” Aster laughed amused before continuing with his dinner.

“This one is nice, but I like the one he bought for the wedding ring more. Sadly, he said that I need to wait for our marriage to get it,” Samara answered innocently.

“That is to be expected, my dear,” Lilac laughed good-naturedly before also continuing with her meal.

“So then do you know when will your wedding will be?” Flora asked, unwilling to let the topic die or change to something which would bore her.

“Not yet,” Samara answered honestly.

“When would you like the wedding?” Rufus asked Samara. The girl looked down in thought for a moment, only to finally look up and say, “Well…I’ve always thought that a spring wedding would be nice, with lots of new flowers surrounding the area. But of course father told me-,”

“Forget what your father told you. In our family the female is given some choices with her own marriage,” Rufus broke in.

“Oh yes, I remember being so excited when I learned that I could take a large role in the preparations of my own wedding; instead of simply trusting some strangers as to what I would like,” Lilac agreed, smiling slightly at the memories of the past event.

“Since we’re still on the topic, I was hoping that you would take her dress shopping tomorrow. I’ve been told that the groom is not supposed to see her in the dress before the day,” Rufus requested only for Lilac to happily agree.

“Most likely for the best, I wanted to ask something of you tomorrow any ways,” Aster declared. With this the group quieted as they finished their meals.

 

“So what did you want to see me about?” Rufus asked as he entered the library. The next morning had begun with Lilac taking Samara to look for dresses, waking him up early in the process. Aster, who had always awoken earlier than Rufus, ignored the other’s yawn and signaled him to his usual seat.

“Father and I overheard something from a different family who borders our human world territory. And because of it we need to ask something from you,” Aster answered seriously.

Rufus flushed slightly as he realized what Aster must have heard. He then defended, “There is a dangerous Raksashi out there. I just figured that it would be best for everyone if we tracked her down.”

“And revenge and stubbornness have nothing to do with this?” Aster asked in a way saying that he refused to believe it. He then continued, “Dammit Rufus, and I was beginning to think that you were getting past this! Worse yet I hear that you’re filling out missing person’s reports on cadavers.”

“The dead don’t just get up and walk away, and they wouldn’t let me file a missing item claim on a decease person.”

“Rufus, you are making mistakes! You practically gave away yourself with those reports, and by not allowing contact with them the last few days the police have looked into you. They have realized who ‘Rufus A’ really is and want to catch you now. They now have your name, your picture, and a warrant for arrest for countless thefts. Due to our opponents- who you so stupidly consoled with- they talked the police into looking at you as a murder subject on top of all that!”

Rufus calmly stared at Aster’s desk as he listened to this. At last he commented, “I don’t see why you are so angry. It’s not like I’m the first Rakshasa to ever be wanted by humans and I doubt I’ll be the last.”

“No, just the first one I can think of to practically ask for it. Needless to say, we don’t want you to go back there and mess anything else up; so I need your mirror.”

Rufus stared up at Aster as if he had been slapped. Subconsciously, he clutched at the mirror through the pocket’s fabric. At last he asked, “You’re kidding right? I still have stuff I need to do!”

“No, you don’t. What you need to do is stop obsessing about that woman and focus on continuing your life with Samara,” Aster answered calmly yet firmly.

“But I can’t! Why can’t you understand, I can’t put this behind me until she’s put to rest. It’s like she’s possessing me or something,” Rufus replied, pleading the other for reason.

“I understand Rufus, which is why it would be best for you to stay here. You have no idea how happy I was yesterday to hear that you wished to move on, but now you act as if stuck in place again. All of this and watching it change you is frightening me; if you want to know the truth. And father and I think your ability to sneak off to the human world will only make things worse.”

Rufus glared at his brother for several seconds, only to reluctantly remove the mirror from its pocket and slide it on the table. After this he commented, “You know this won’t stop me if I really want to go.”

“And we won’t stop you,” their father answered as he walked into the study. When he did not receive the mirror on time, he grew restless and decided to check on his sons.

“You won’t?” Rufus asked, his confusion replaced his anger.

“Since you first ran off as a young cub, I’ve always told you never to do that again. But this time I’ll make an exception. If you’re appeasing the past’s memories is worth so much to you then go. Neither I nor Aster will stop you, or look for you ever again. But the moment you leave this world without this mirror and my approval you will be disowned and never welcomed back. So I would think well before letting your emotions sway you,” the elder ordered.

Rufus stared shocked at his father, then Aster. He then asked, “This is all absolutely ridiculous. So then what, I’m your prisoner now? You’ll be hiring a warden for me next I expect.”

“If it means saving you from your own foolishness than yes,” the elder answered bluntly before grabbing hold of Rufus’ shoulders and continuing, “Because I’d rather try to help you through a pain I know well and risk the loss, than simply lose you forever without the fight.”

Rufus growled at this and pushed himself away from his father. Still growling, he left the room and stormed off to his own apartment to brood in his anger.

“He’s in a lot of pain,” Aster commented after Rufus was long gone. Tentatively he asked, “Father, are we sure that full-blood Rakshasa can’t gain the illness?”

“The illness is caused by a half-breed’s two sides, human and Rakshasa, fighting for dominance; usually triggered by great emotional distress. Your brother has suffered such distress, but there is no human side to fight. This is not the illness, but simply a Rakshasa in grief fighting with himself because of it. An unstoppable fight until he is able to overcome his pain; or until he allows it to consume him.”

Aster grimaced as he commented, “And until then he will make everyone else around him miserable. After all, misery loves company.”

“True. However, it would be a shame if any of his anger was turned to that little fiancé of his.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that, as of last night she was happily planning her wedding with Lilac. Rufus may be in pain, but it seems that even he does not want to continue by using Samara to recreate our mother’s death,” Aster commented in hopes of relieving his father’s worry; only to frown at the elder’s far-away face.

Rufus’ love and despair for Eve had reminded the elder of his last human concubine and Hosta’s mother. Following custom, he kidnapped her after discovering her pregnancy, but things failed to go well after that. She could not cope with the sudden changes, and shortly after giving birth killed herself. He was affected by her death similar to Rufus’ with Eve, and took out his pain on anyone who came close to him; including the other females he mated with. It was not until his first wife died from one of his temper tantrums that he realized how much the others had suffered needlessly from his pain and finally allowed himself to move on. Nevertheless, the events caused him to think more about his customs and to change much of his opinions of females and several customs, and for the mention of the “Year of Sorrow” to become a taboo topic in the house.

“Sorry,” Aster apologized after a long pause from his father; knowing that it was uncalled for to drudge up more of the past than needed. Slowly, the elder nodded his head, rubbed his neck, and replied, “Keep an eye on him for me. We both know he’d rather argue with you than me.” 

21: chapter 21

Samara happily walked into Rufus’ and her apartment, carrying several bags with her. Seeing Rufus sitting on the couch, she softly placed her bags down, sneaked up behind him, and surprise-greeted him. Rufus jumped slightly at the surprise, only to then turn around and growl at her. Startled by the growl, she quickly stepped back and smiled tentatively.

“Sorry…I didn’t mean to scare you,” Samara commented.

Rufus sighed annoyed, only to then look at the bags and ask, “How was your time shopping?”

Samara smiled again, this time relaxed, and answered, “It was fun. I got to try on a lot of dresses and found a really pretty one which reminds me of the ring I really liked. The tailor said I can pick it up later once the alterations are finished. We then had lunch and bought some other things. Did you finish your task already?”

Rufus frowned at the reminder of Aster’s ‘task’ for him and looked down, only to finally change the subject by asking, “Yes, it was quick. It sounds like you had a busy day. What do you say we see if dinner is ready?”

Samara agreed to this and happily walked by Rufus’ side to the dining hall. There they waited while the servants set the table for them and for their other common dinner-mates to arrive. Aster and Lilac arrived at the same time as the meal. As Lilac sat she commented towards Rufus, “I’m glad to see you’re here with us.”

“Yes, it would be a problem if you ran off again,” Aster agreed as he cut into his steak to then inspect the meat. As he did so, he kept an eye towards Rufus to see what the other’s reaction would be.

Rufus growled slightly at this before commenting, “Why should it cause you a problem if I ran off? After all, you already said you wouldn’t go looking for me.”

“Oh, don’t talk like that! Especially not after such a nice day preparing for yours and Samara’s wedding,” Lilac scowled. Rufus scowled back at her and told her to talk about that with Aster. Lilac simply gave a confused look towards her mate; not knowing what Rufus’ daily task was or why he would be in such a bad mood.

Samara looked up from her plate to Rufus and asked, “Do you no longer want to get married to me?”

Rufus did not need his powers to see the anxiety inside her, nor the concern in Lilacs; causing him to feel bad for creating their worries. At last he said, “That’s not what I meant, Samara. I just…I have a lot on my mind right now and am not in the mood for Aster’s teasing nature.”

“My nature? You’re the one always giving me a headache with your incessant teasing,” Aster complained.

Rufus ignored to acknowledge this, however, and instead continued explaining to Samara, “Aster is always being mean to me; ever since I was a little cub he would tease me and pick fights with me.Even now he isn’t happy unless he can order me around. And when he realizes that he can’t boss me around like a normal brother nor use his abilities on me he does the unthinkable of getting our father mixed up in all of it! Honestly, sometimes he is simply incorrigible.”

Aster simply growled through all of this until the end, to then comment, “Perhaps that’s because, again, you are the only one who can give me a headache simply by showing your face.”

“The two of you do tease each other a lot. It must be normal for brothers,” Samara commented.

“For those two at least. But it is simply how they show they care for each other. They are still like the little cubs Rufus mentioned, if you think about it,” Lilac laughed out in reply. The two males looked at her confused for the comment, only for them to complain in unison about the comparison.With this said, the group decided to continue on with their meal and a new topic.

 

  Rufus did not run off, which pleased Aster and their father, but for many days after their argument Rufus seemed to suddenly grow annoyed whenever he saw either of them. When he thought he was alone, his attitude would then change to more sorrowful. He tried his best to hide these feelings from Samara, however, especially after seeing how much it would worry her.

Days passed and the wedding became more and more planned. A day was set in spring, much to Samara’s pleasure, and the closer the day came the more excited she became. Her excitement and the planning gave his mid other notions to work with, causing somewhat of a positive effect on Rufus and his attitude, but as the wedding day came closer he seemed to grow tenser.

Soon winter was over and one week was to the date of the wedding. Per tradition, family guests from both sides began to arrive to the Ra estate. Not since Aster’s wedding six years prior had the estate been so busy, and everything had been done to make the rooms and grounds as perfect as possible. Everything seemed so busy, and everyone wanted to talk to the future couple and re-acquaint themselves with the other family members. Even so, up to the night before the wedding Samara seemed more eager to find a certain guest than to talk with the rest.

22: chapter 22

“You know, one would think that you should be happier today. I mean, in only a few short hours you’ll be married to such a sweet female,” Aster commented as he leisurely strolled towards his study with Rufus beside him. Marriages always seemed to encompass so much time, that their current short walk after breakfast was the first break they had to talk alone as brothers in several days.

“I think I might have rushed into this. I mean…I’m not even sure how I think about her and it still feels like I simply pushed this whole mess forward to try getting over…her,” Rufus answered honestly. Just the idea of marriage made him feel ill, and it seemed wrong since he was still fairly sure that he did not ‘love’ Samara; or at least not like a male was supposed to love his mate. She was still too young, too curious about the world and the things around her. She was like her namesake, a little seed meant to spiral down to the ground and grow into the promise of something large and beautiful. And he wanted to nurture her like one of those seeds into a respectable woman. He could do that as her husband, but it seemed that everyone, including himself, expected something different from that.

 Aster simply gave him a confused look before saying, “You must really be nervous – you’re not even biting back at me. Look, most males get nervous about this stuff; females too. And in case you forgot, you did push yourself into getting the marriage started to get over that human.”

Rufus stopped at this, only to then ask, “Do you think that was right of me? Or do you think I should have waited to know Samara more?”

 Aster also stopped and answered, “I don’t know. I’ve never gone through this kind of stuff you feel, but I doubt you’re the first to do so.”

Rufus looked as if about to continue the conversation, but he stopped when he heard someone call for him from behind. Turning around, he found his father and his younger brother Hosta walking towards them. Despite his whirling emotions, Rufus could not help but smile at them; Hosta simply had that effect on others.

 “Hello Father, Hosta, were you looking for us for something?” Rufus asked.

 “You two left breakfast so quickly that I could not talk to Aster.  Then it appeared that Hosta wanted to talk to you Rufus, so we decided to look together,” Father answered.

 “If that’s the case than I’ll leave with you Father while my brothers talk,” Aster replied only to then leave down the hallway with their father.

 Once they were gone, Rufus sighed and asked, “Okay, Hosta, what did you want?”

“Blossom and I were wondering about the wedding’s schedule. More importantly, we were wondering if we could borrow the photographer for a few moments before or after the ceremony,” Hosta explained more than asked.

“You want to take a picture of your family, right?”

“Yes, I mean, since Blossom just gave birth we want to have a picture of the five of us. And I would bet Father would like a picture of his little grandsons,” Hosta agreed excitedly, only to then continue talking about his family. Rufus had to admit that his brother played the role of young father rather well as Hosta happily described them and their little accomplishments in detail; even though Rufus had seen his new nephews only that morning before breakfast, before Lilac shooed him and several others out of the old nursery so that Blossom could feed them in peace. For as much respect Rakshasa gave males, females outnumbered them almost three to one; causing male births much celebration. Along with that, twins were fairly rare; causing Blossom’s recent birth to twin males to be almost unheard of and gaining her countless congratulations from the other wedding guests.Hosta’s change in the conversation from the wedding was a welcomes one for Rufus, but ended when a household servant sent Rufus to get ready.

 

“You look so beautiful, Samara, I like your dress almost more than I did mine,” Blossom commented as Samara and Lilac walked in front of her in their gowns for the ceremony; Samara as the bride and Lilac as the matron of honor.

“Thank you,” Samara replied politely as she gave her dress a turn then sat down so that her hair could be fashioned to look like waves of black silk with tiny flower-shaped gemstones sewn in.

Lilac sat down next to her sister-in-laws and commented, “It feels almost silly with you being the least dressed up of the three of us.”

Blossom looked down at her green robe-styled dress for a moment, only to then respond, “I know I usually dress-up, but I would just look sillier if I did right now. I mean, I still have a lot of extra weight from the pregnancy so I would look fat. And it would be a shame if a fancy dress got ruined by accident by my little cubs.”

Lilac simply laughed well naturedly and commented, “Oh, Blossom, you really are a vain thing! And I hope you know that you still look nice in your outfit; despite being rather plan for your normal wardrobe.”

"I never really liked wearing formal clothes like this before, but I do like this one. I hope Rufus likes it too,” Samara commented.

"I’m sure he will, dear. Honestly, if you want to talk about a vain creature talk about Rufus,” Blossom replied, only to then leave the small group when one of her sons began to demand more food.

Once Blossom left, a moment of quiet came as a couple of specially hired servants fixed Samara and Lilac’s hair. Lilac could sense tension in the quiet, however, and once the hair was done she gave Samara a hug and asked, “You seem so sad for a bride. Is something the matter?”

Samara paused for a moment to then answer, “I’m not sad. I’m excited for the day to finally be here, and I’m glad that it’s with someone like Rufus. I guess…I’m a little disappointed that my brother could not come. I understand that Rufus does not seem to like him, but I would have liked to see him today. I think I would feel a little more confident about all of this if he was here to support me.”

Lilac gave Samara a comforting smile and another hug before saying, “You never know, there is still time before the ceremony. But we should focus now on getting you ready before your father comes to get you to the altar.”

Samara smiled more at this and commented, “You know something, I think you would be a good mama. You and Aster should work on that.”

Lilac could not help but laugh at that and respond, “Aster is still much too busy with transitioning to his father’s place as clan leader and a crime syndicate boss, but soon. I can feel it.  It has to stay our secret for now though, alright?”

Samara happily nodded to this before blurting out a congratulations and this time hugging Lilac. The hug was broken moments later by a knock on the door and a servant entering to tell them that it was time to go to the ceremony. Samara gave a broad smile to this as they unwove their arms, and then walked out the door. 

23: chapter 23

“I don’t understand why we need to wait here for the females to come,” Rufus sighed as he waited for the ceremony to begin. There was still several minutes before the wedding was to start, and most of the guests continued to mill about as if they had all the time in the world; all of this to Rufus’ displeasure since he simply wanted the event over.

 “I doubt she got cold feet and ran off. That’s more your style,” Aster consoled.

“Ouch, more teasing for me. You really are not planning on being nice to me today, are you,” Rufus replied with a cautious grin.

 “Well, got to keep you on your toes somehow. Now just relax and they’ll be here soon enough.”

Rufus tried to take the advice, causing him to lean against a nearby wall and stare into the crowd. It was a pleasant day for a wedding, with warm weather, plenty of sun, and all of the trees in the courtyard which acted like a park for the clan’s territory in full bloom. He looked at all of this when he noticed someone under a far jasmine tree stare at him. The person was a female, covered in a hood and standing in the shadow of the tree, but still obviously human. No one seemed to notice her, not even those sitting close to her. But Rufus saw her and recognized her instantly. It was Eve.

 But how could it be Eve? He had watched her die, and she would never willingly come anywhere in his world. Even if by chance she miraculously survived her wounds and found herself in his land, how would she have sought him out? But, there she was, the same physical type, the same kind mind, and roughly the correct size for one who would be as pregnant as her if Rachilla had never entered her dwelling.

She noticed his staring, and he thought he saw a smile from beneath the hood. He wanted to rush up to her, to see if it really was Eve, but before he could Aster grabbed at him and commented, “Well, let’s get this started. The females just got here and the priest is waiting.”

Reluctantly Rufus followed him to his place up front, and looked to the back as the music started. The crowd suddenly quieted down and turned in their seats to watch the procession begin. After what felt like forever, Samara reached the front and smiled happily at Rufus from behind her veil. He returned the smile and complimented her and the dress, then turned his attention to the priest as the ceremony continued.

For all the long amounts of waiting, the ceremony got underway fairly quickly and soon reached the vows. Slowly and purposefully, they exchanged the pre-written vows. But when it came to saying the ‘I do’s, Rufus paused and searched the crowd once again for Eve. Upon spotting her and sensing her displeasure, Rufus could not stop himself from leaving the front to chase her down.

Aster noticed Rufus’ body tense, causing him to grab his brother’s arm when the younger ran past. He shook Rufus slightly and said, “What do you think you are doing? I’m not about to let you leave your bride at the alter.”

“I’m not running off! I just need to check on someone. I’ll be back in two minutes, please!”  Rufus ordered, growing frantic when he saw Eve turn away from him.

“Check on who?” Aster asked, as he looked in the direction Rufus stared in.

“Eve. She’s there, right there,” Rufus whispered and pointed.

“Eve is dead, remember. You must be mistaken, or over-stressed, or simply mad,” Aster replied obstinately. Rufus, however, refused to believe that and instead used his free arm to punch Aster in the stomach.

The impact was enough to cause Aster to release his grip, allowing Rufus to free himself. Rufus then commanded, “If that’s true then give me a couple minutes to make sure,” before running off into the confused crowd.

24: chapter 24

By the time Rufus reached the crowd, the possible Eve had left the park. It did not take him long, however, to find her at the gates looking confused.

“Eve?” Rufus asked as a way to announce his presence.

His voice startled her, only to then look at him with wide eyes and step away from him. She then whispered back, “Rufus.”

Rufus smiled at her relieved as he walked forward to hug her, only to have his feelings turn to bafflement when she stepped away again. Deciding to change tactics, he asked, “Eve, how did you get here? Did Rachilla take you here? And how are you still alive, I-I watched you die!”

She simply looked down for a moment, seeming unsure how to answer the questions. At last she looked as if about to answer, only to silence herself again upon hearing distanced voices call out for Rufus to return to the ceremony. Instead of answering the questions she commented, “They’re looking for you. You should return before you worry that little bride of yours more.”

Rufus frowned at the uncharacteristic bitterness in Eve’s voice. At last he said, “Forget about them for now. I need to know how you got here. And if you’re alright…both of you.”

Eve smiled sadly at this and hugged herself as Rufus walked closer to her. She then commented, “She really is lucky to have someone kind like you; there really are not enough people like that. I hope you stay that way; for both of your sakes.”

She turned to leave after saying this, headed towards the road which would lead her out of the Aceae-family territory. Startled, Rufus called out, “No, please! Stay here, with me.”

She gave him a wry smile at this, only to reply, “You were correct about living in a beautiful place, and you are a dear to me. But I simply can’t see sharing someone like you. And as much as I would love to, I don’t think it would be fair to take you from that girl. And who knows, perhaps after a while of growing up you might love her too. No, I’ll find my way home, and stay there.”

Rufus gave out a pleading whine, only to sigh when she started off again. He then called out, “Then go, before someone else sees you. I’ll be sure that everyone is too busy to search for you!”

She turned around one last time to thank him, only to then turn towards the road again and walk a bit. As she reached the road, she vanished from sight.

 

"Where the hell did you run off to?!” Aster yelled out as he slapped Rufus across the face. Aster and several other males had formed a group to search the area for the missing groom, and he was not pleased to need to do so. Rufus saw this as obvious, and decided against baiting his brother further. Instead, he lowered his injured cheek to hide it in a shadow, then replied, “Sorry brother. I thought I…there was a trick of the eyes and I suppose I fell for it.”

"A trick of the eyes which looked like a human?” Aster snorted.

"A human? You know as well as I do that humans are not allowed at our ceremonies. Why, even the few serving humans were sent away before the bridal party arrived,” An older male from a neighboring territory proclaimed in a disgusted matter. The other members of the group nodded in agreement with this. Everyone knew that it was bad luck for a human to watch their ceremonies.

Feeling an explanation which would save face form, Rufus continued, “I thought I saw a human in back watching the ceremony, then run off, so I wished to make sure. My wedding is a bit odd already due to my mate’s pedigree; no point tempting the gods goodwill more.”

He looked around the crowd to see if they believed him, only to receive nods of understanding from all but Aster. Aster, who had much more experience with Rufus’ stories than the others, simply gave his brother a look requesting a complete story later.

“So then there really was no human?” A younger male Rufus recalled as one of his many distant cousins asked.

“No, it was a trick of the eyes. Now let’s get back to the wedding. The others must be worried,” Rufus reassured as he herded the group back to the courtyard where the wedding was held.

25: chapter 25

“I should have known better than to allow that flaky son of yours to even look at my daughters. Now look at this mess; I will never be able to marry her off now!” Samara’s old lion of a father roared at Rufus’ father. A glare and a short order to shut up was all the Aceae patriarch replied with. Even so, it was enough to make those around the fathers’ inch away.

“Shut up? How can I stay quiet while you and that spawn of yours insult me and my clan?! I did you a favor and-,” the lion continued outraged, only to stop when Samara squeaked out, “Father?”

Her father spun around to face his youngest daughter, ready to yell at her for interrupting him. He had enough tact, however, to bite back his remark upon seeing her clinging to Lilac’s embrace; tears staining her face’s dark fur. At last he asked, “What is it, I’m busy.”

"Then please conduct your business in a quieter manner. All you are doing otherwise is frightening the poor dear and making my in-laws wish to wring your neck for no reason. Rufus and Samara will still be married,” Lilac answered for Samara, using all the grace and tact she could muster in front of the older male.

“Yes, please quiet down. Especially if these outbursts are simply going to make the children cry more,” Blossom piped in casually as she tried to shush her three children and pointed towards Samara.

The last remark only seemed to anger the lion more, causing him to respond first to Lilac, “I may be old, but not senile enough to listen to your petty delusions,” he then pushed his faces towards Blossom’s and continued, “Nor am I at your command, house cat.”

As if on cue, both Hosta and his father stepped in to separate Lowe from Blossom. Hosta was the smallest of the three sons, but he was also an excellent scrap-fighter; especially when he or his family was threatened. And his father could be truly frightening when he was angered. His father then raised his voice and proclaimed, “Rufus and Samara will marry today, whether you like it or not. Even if it means tying them and the priest together it will happen. Then I will collect her dowry and finally be able to cut my ties from your worthless trade agreements, your indecent yelling, and your two-faced antics. Understood?”

Everyone nodded dumbly at this, causing him to give a curt nod. He then ordered, “Everyone back to your places. I see the group coming back with Rufus.”

Making way, the group sent to collect the groom returned with Rufus looking slightly embarrassed the entire time it took to reach the front. He gave an even more embarrassed look when Samara stared at him; her face still a mess. At last he lamely commented, “It seems I made you cry; that’s not very good of me. I apologize. And I also apologize to our guests, for wasting their time with that intermission. Now, shall we continue?”

“I didn’t know if you were going to come back,” Samara replied with a hiccup. Rufus gave a helpless smile at this, only to then use the handkerchief in his tuxedo’s pocket to wipe off her face. Once done, he turned to the priest and requested for them to pick up where they left off. The priest agreed to this, and minutes later the two of them were proclaimed husband and wife.

           

After the wedding came the feast, which all of the wedding guests and lesser clan members attended. Rufus noticed that the food was not a gourmet as what was ordered at Aster and Lilac’s wedding, nor were the feasting guests as excited as at Hosta and Blossom’s wedding, but he allowed himself to enjoy the moment. The meat was cooked the way he enjoyed it, and the blood red wine from Hosta’s estate was well enjoyed by everyone. He had heard about the argument between his and Samara’s father and assumed that was why Lowe left after the ceremony in a huff; not that Rufus minded. Nor did he mind that practically everyone there now knew the story he gave fore why he ran off.

Soon the night was well upon them and Aster came to Rufus to comment, “Shouldn’t you be taking Samara to bed soon? You know that there is always a few who will raise a fuss if you don’t consummate the wedding before dawn.”

The comment was enough for Rufus to quickly sober up and spit out his wine. He began as if to make a smart comment, but held his tongue when he noticed they were being listened to. Instead he replied, “I suppose I did not notice how late it was. We’ll be retiring then.”

He grinned as he left the circle of males in order to escort Samara to their apartments, only to frown when he was certain they were alone. Seeing Eve earlier that day and getting something like a blessing for the marriage out of her made him feel better about the idea. He had already resigned himself to marry Samara, but had never put too much thought into the actual mating which came with it. He knew that he did not lust for her, and to make thing worse he was not all that sure about taking the girl’s virginity.

As casual as he could, Rufus walked into his apartment with Samara then locked the door. He sighed as he turned to Samara, and grimaced inwardly as he saw her expectant look.  Growing anxious in the silence, Samara asked, “I-is it alright if I change out of my gown?”

“Go ahead,” Rufus replied as he watched her leave for the bedroom. As she left he decided to read her mind to see what she thought of the idea of mating. He remembered their first night in the same apartment, where she seemed so scared of the idea. That opinion was slightly different now. While there was still some anxiety for the idea, it seemed more of the normal kind for doing something new. But she also seemed more comfortable with the idea now. So now what was supposed to do?

“Rufus?” Samara called out from the bedroom. Obediently, he walked into the room to look at her sitting on the bed. He sat next to her, but did not move to take his clothes off. Instead, he asked bluntly, “Do you want to do this?”

“We’re married…it’s expected of us.”

“But do you want to? No one ever said that we need to mate every chance we get.”

“You don’t want to mate with me, do you,” Samara concluding as she looked down disappointed.

Rufus paused, sighed, and then moved a strand of her now unbraided hair behind her before answering, “You’re still so young. So young that I simply want to protect you. But we are married. And I only want to mate with you if you absolutely want to.”

Samara frowned at this, and Rufus could tell that she thought he rejected her. At last she looked at him and said, “I love you Rufus. You’re always so kind to me. And I know that I'm younger than you. But for once can't you see me as the woman that I am? Please?”

Rufus could not help but smile at this before kissing her on the noise. He then commented, “Alright. Tonight I will grant your wish and treat you as the full-grown Raksashi you are.  Tomorrow…we’ll see.”

26: Chapter 26

“Good morning Rufus, Samara, we figured that you would still be in bed,” Aster commented as Rufus and Samara walked into the dining room. Several wedding guests stayed at the estate that night and morning, but the residents knew that by that evening all the guests would be gone. Rufus returned the greeting as he sat at his spot, Samara nodding mutely as she sat next to him. Ignoring the looks and questions from the guests, the two broke their fast quietly until the guests grew tired of being ignored.

Once they were finished, Rufus, Samara, and their close family went to a separate room to open the gifts and cards. There were mainly all the normal items and congratulations, that they almost overlooked a simple card which smelled faintly of jasmine.

As soon as Samara lifted up the simple envelope and smelled the scent, she smiled larger than earlier with the other gifts. She then happily opened the envelope to begin reading. Once she was finished, she looked up to Rufus confused. Seeing her confusion, Aster asked, “What does it say?”

“I’m not sure…I think it is wishing us well but…,” Samara answered as she tried to figure out what the letter was getting to. Curious himself now, Rufus swiped the letter from her and read to himself:

            Dear sister and Rufus,

Congratulations on your wedding. It is a shame that I was unable to talk more with you two, so I will make this quick. Rufus I still love you, and each day that passes simply causes me to be more and more upset by not having you by my side. But I have plan for this. Since you refuse to join me in the human world, I will currently leave you to play until the time comes to destroy the happiness of the Aceae family. In the mean time I will create my own territory with your successor as its future head. That is all for now.

As an older sibling’s side note, do take care of my sister. We both know that there is not much she can do in her role of married mate, but that is not her fault and should not be held against her.

            Yours forever

 

“Well?” Aster asked curious about the letter like the rest. Slowly, Rufus scanned the crowd to see that the others were equally curious. At last he answered, “Samara’s brother wished to congratulate us on our marriage, along with telling us of her plans for the future. Something says all of this could have been said yesterday…if I had not been so distracted.”

“I suppose that is a god way to put it,” Hosta commented cheerfully.

 “So then her ‘brother’ really was here yesterday?” Aster asked Rufus directly.

 “I did not think so, or at least I did not see her. But we only accepted cards and gifts yesterday; correct?” Rufus answered.

“I don’t understand, why would big brother come here and leave without as much as saying hello?” Samara asked, the question causing her to frown and grab the letter to re-read it.

“Perhaps your brother did not come in person, but instead sent a messenger,” Lilac theorized as she casually took the letter for herself and Aster to read. They read in silence for a moment followed by Aster commenting, “I think her sending some kind of messenger is most likely accurate. But I must admit I do not like these plans spoken of.”

"And what exactly are these plans?” Their father asked displeased at being left out of the information.

“I’ll tell you later when we are alone. Along with discuss several precautions we should make for the future,” Aster replied.

“Rufus, what did you do to big brother to make him angry with everyone? And what is that that talk of “love” and “Successor”? All of this makes absolutely no sense!”  Samara burst out annoyed at Rufus; feeling that he was once again hiding important things from her.

Rufus simply blinked at the uncharacteristic way Samara was acting only to turn indignant and answer, “I did absolutely nothing to your ‘big brother’! It’s not my fault that she has a silly notion of being in love with me, nor did I do anything to merit her hating my entire clan. She’s simply crazy and does not want to see reason.”

“As an old saying goes, there’s no greater strength than a woman in love,” their father commented in thought.

“No, you did something. You must have broken big brother’s heart; it only makes sense,” Samara persuaded.     

“Maybe if you acted less like yourself than she would not have fallen for you,” Aster chided.

“And what would you two know about broken hearts?” Rufus asked.

“Plenty from watching you,” Samara answered, causing several of the others to laugh. Aster then commented, “Well Rufus, it appears that you succeeded in rooting your little Samara.  Too bad you decided to use yourself as the fertilizer.”

Rufus grimaced slightly at the comparison, only to then reply, “”Well, at least it means she won’t be boring. But I’ll admit that at the moment I prefer she acted like her normal self.”

Samara’s face changed from the annoyed look to a pleased one thanks to a pretty little smile which formed. She then replied, “Thank you for the compliment,” before kissing Rufus’ cheek. He once again blinked in confusion, but decided to let it go. If love gave a female strength, then he was not sure he wanted to know what annoyance-based anger gave them.