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The whine that floated almost piteously through the air was nearly enough to break him there, but Zetsumei merely pinned his ears back at the sound, his resolve firm. And yet, his memory took him back to just before she had fallen asleep, the sweet weight of her head warming his paws while he had gazed at her so fondly. Love or not, he didn't like seeing how upset she was--upset because of him. Why had this happened? Maybe his father had been right all this time--maybe venturing out to be with others only made problems.

"...I understand." The words felt wooden, resting awkwardly on his normally cheerful disposition, but it was the best he could do. For a moment, Zetsumei merely bowed his head at her approach. "You don't..." A sigh escaped him, and he wordlessly shook his head. "You have nothing to apologize for. I..." He trailed off hesitantly, unsure of what to say. What if she found out that she was...What if he had been wrong? She was approaching, and he straightened, but made no sign to move. The danger of the mallet was still present--but he couldn't honestly say he wouldn't deserve it. But perhaps he truly hadn't expected her to swing.

His body jolted, eyes flaring wide as instincts screamed for him to move...but Zetsumei fought against himself, forcing himself to stand and take the blow, hoping that it would smash the shame straight out of his body. Yet it never fell. An hushed exhalation of air forced itself from his lungs, and he stood quite still before beginning to speak in a low, almost urgent tone.

"If things turn out...turn out badly, I beseech you, find me. I'll not have you stand and suffer alone, not when I am to blame. Break me, do what you will with me--but know that I will not allow you to go through it alone."

It was impossible to see her clearly behind the enormous girth of the mallet, but he could hear her speak his name, could hear the uncertainty within her voice. And then, the barrier between them fell, the ground rumbling its disapproval before it opened up to accept the heavy weight of the weapon. Wordlessly, he allowed her to approach, his own eyes mirroring his regret for having upset her. She had every right to be angry, of course--but when she pressed herself against his chest, a weary sigh drifted from him before he dropped his head to nuzzle the top of her head.

"I'm so sorry." He said quietly to her, listening to her speak. "I'm...Things got out of hand." Zetsumei felt feeble, leaning against Buttercup as though to ease his own pain. "I don't understand what's happened...but...I will keep my promises to you." A softer version of his rumbling purr came forth again, trying to reassure her that everything would be all right. "...Thank you." He shifted faintly, quietly staring over her head at nothing in particular. "...For believing me."

Zetsumei wondered faintly if he had made a mistake, gaining her trust like this. To think of what he had just done only hours before...It was unthinkable. What if it happened again? The kitsu shook his head, long, dark hair flying until he seemed to settle once more, content to simply stay close to Buttercup.

Zetsumei still blamed himself for what had happened--it had been he who had started things, not her. But even so, to know that she no longer seemed to be angry was enough to have a wave of relief sweep over him. "No?" He questioned softly, a ghost of his former, crooked smile twitching across his muzzle. "I shouldn't have, either way, but I'm glad to hear it."

Faintly, he wondered if this was the Buttercup underneath her hard shell, or if it was the powder still. He still stuck fast to his theory that it was the reason they'd gotten so loopy. Either way, he enjoyed this gentler side, lowering his head once again to affectionately nudge at one of her ears.

With a contented sort of sound, Zetsumei curled a little closer around her, his tails falling across her own, musing over the softness of the appendages. Her question caught him completely aback, however, and he almost looked startled, his eyes widening and his ears pricking up as though they couldn't believe what they'd just heard.

"Angry?" He repeated, then laughed aloud, dropping his head to nuzzle at one of her cheeks. "No, no...because I think I feel the same way. About you, of course." Zetsumei added, shaking his head. "...I know it happened rather fast...but..." He trailed off, trying to come to terms with himself, "...I do care for you, Buttercup. I enjoy being with you...and, granted, you're beautiful."

Her affection was enough to make his heart swell slightly, his neck arching with pride as he felt as though he'd finally done something right. His own hesitation was slipping away with her reassurances--she did care for him, he could see this. And why shouldn't he care for her, in return? His mind offered feeble protests, but they were not enough to smother what his instincts told him; he too, had feelings for Buttercup.

A crooked smile splayed itself across his muzzle, and Zetsumei lowered his head to gently nibble at one of her ears. He himself had never experienced true affection: his father had never offered any, and solitude had kept him apart from other kitsusagi for too long. The n** made him chuckle a little, gently nudging at her neck while his tails twitched with pleasure.

"Beautiful." Zetsumei reassured, eyes widening faintly at the lick. He couldn't beat down another grin, however, and returned the favor to one of her cheeks. "Mm, true..." His mood grew more solem as he was whisked away into thought, staring quietly off into the distance. "Something's happened...yet, I feel no longing to put everything back to normal."

The male leaned against her gently, a contented sigh huffing its way out of him. What more could he want, truly?

It was almost ironic for him, to say in the least: Buttercup had been one of the first kitsusagi that he'd come across, but already, she'd come to be very dear to him. Another n** earned a rumbling purr of a laugh deep in his chest, and Zetsumei gave her an affectionate nudge. Whether these feelings had been born of natural circumstances, he found that he no longer cared. All that mattered was that they were happy.

As Buttercup unexpectedly fell back and away from him, Zetsumei tilted his head with surprise, a crooked grin settling itself on his muzzle. She looked adorable, with her paws curled up and the pink powder now shimmering in her hair. He tossed his head playfully at the bat to his hair, his posture transforming into something sneaky as he proceeded to skulk in a circle around her. "Don't think you're running away now." Zetsumei teased lightly as he dipped his head down to nuzzle at her nose.

With his tails giving a few flicks of amusement, the male flopped down by her side, his head resting on her chest. Another rumble of a purr drifted from him, and she might have been able to feel his lower jaw vibrating with his tender affection. He was proceeding slowly, it seemed, not wanting to make a mistake and do something too rash. He pawed gently at her, nuzzling a little closer, all while waiting carefully for any sign of signal that told him to back off.