Satsuei and Sekitan led Tora to a small block of flats a few streets away from where they had met. 

 

It was a smallish building with only a few spaces but the exterior looked rather fancy with a mixture of red brick at the bottom and dark wooden beams with white in between at the top. 

 

Satsuei flicked his tail. “I know what you're thinking and the answer is, I don't. Someone pays for me to stay here.” He said before Tora could open his mouth. “It's kinda complicated so let's just leave it at that, at least while we're out here.”

 

Tora nodded and followed the other two up the stairs and through a dark wooden door to Satsuei’s flat. 

 

The door led straight into a hallway with four doors leading off it and another at the end, this was the one that Satsuei walked through, leading Tora into a fair sized living room and flicking the light on. The furniture was minimal but comfortable looking, a two seater sofa and two armchairs, a tv, a coffee table and a couple of bookshelves that housed various odds and ends alongside a few books. 

 

“Take a seat.” Satsuei said, gesturing to the sofa and chairs. “Seki, would you mind making us something to drink please? I'll have the usual.” He added to Sekitan. 

 

“Sure thing.” Sekitan nodded. “What would you like Tora? Tea? Coffee? Juice?”

 

Tora's ears twitched as he considered the options before shyly replying. “Um, coffee please.” As he perched on the edge of one of the armchairs. “Milk and two sugars.”

 

“Righto.” The fiery haired teen strode off to the kitchen - first door on the left as you left the living room - and soon the clinking sounds of cups and spoons being moved could be heard. 

 

Satsuei settled himself on the side of the sofa closest to the chair that Tora had taken. He looked the pink haired teen up and down, taking in his appearance now that they had proper lighting to do so. 

 

Tora's pale blue ears were tipped with pink while the fluffy insides were white, his pink hair had some blue sections in it, including his mid length bangs that framed his face and his fringe which fell between his eyes and was swept slightly to the right, his bright blue eyes - over one of which he had a small cut - had vertically slit pupils just like a fox, aside from the dirt smudges the teens skin looked to be a healthy color and his navy jeans seemed to have protected his knees from any damage from his fall, though the same couldn't be said for his hands and arms which were covered in scrapes and Satsuei could see some bruises forming too. Then of course there was the three tails that Tora had now taken to tackling with a comb he had taken out of his bag. The outer two tails were half blue and half pink - with the blue facing outward on each - and the one in the middle was white, Satsuei found this rather interesting. 

 

“You wanna get a shower while you wait for your drink?” The leopard eared teen offered. “Then I can treat your wounds.”

 

Tora's ears pricked up. “You wouldn't mind?” 

 

“Heh, ‘course not.” Satsuei got to his feet again. “What kind of person would I be to not let a guy get cleaned up after dragging around? C’mon, bathrooms this way.”

 

The bathroom was on the same side as the kitchen, meaning the remaining two doors must lead to bedrooms. The bathroom itself was a decent size, white tiles covered most of the walls, with a wide strip of marbled blue ones near the ceiling and floor. The bath, with the shower situated above it was set into its own alcove, a wooden box was situated to the side of the baths alcove, this box was revealed to contain towels, toilet rolls and other bathroom items when Satsuei took two towels out for Tora to use and laid them on the box's lid. 

 

“Well, here's some towels, I'm guessing you have clothes in that bag?” He asked. 

 

Tora nodded in response. 

 

“Running away from home?”

 

“No.” Tora denied. “Trying to be more independent.”

 

Satsuei raised an eyebrow. “I'm guessing there's a story behind that statement.” 

 

The pink haired teen sighed. “My grandmother.” He said. “She was always getting at my mum, saying she always did everything for me and I'd never manage to live on my own ‘cause I'm too sheltered and I have my head in the clouds.” 

 

“Ah, pushy grandparents huh.”

 

Anger flickered in the others eyes. “But she didn't know what she was talking about, Mum was always teaching me, her and Aunty A! She just didn't like me ‘cause of these.” He waved his tails and pointed to his ears. “I'm kinda the first one in my family to be… Different.” His voice lowered as he continued. “Most of them just call me ‘it’ or ‘that thing’. I got tired of them all being like that so I left to prove grandmother wrong and get away from them.” He bit his lip. Then I ran into Hidoi and like you saw even my own kind don't like me.”

 

“Hidoi’s just a jerk.” Satsuei interjected with a huff.

 

Tora gave a wry smile. “Mum and Aunty A are the only ones who treat me like an actual person. Mum especially loves my tails.” A small laugh broke through the sad expression he had been wearing. “She always brushed them before I went to bed, usually put me right to sleep actually.” Suddenly, the fox tailed boy slapped a hand over his own mouth with wide eyes. “Uh, forget that last bit!” He cried. 

 

“Hm?” Satsuei clocked his head to the side, confused. 

 

“Never mind, thanks for the help and everything, I'd better get my shower now, I won't be long, byeee.” Tora said while grabbing the rose eyed teen by the shoulders and steering him out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.

 

In the hall Satsuei let out a chuckle. ‘Somethin tells me he didn't mean to say that.’ He thought to himself. “Just give me a shout if you need anything.” He called before turning and heading back towards the living room. 

 

Tora was leaning on the door still, with his head in his hands. ‘Why on Eranda did I say that?’ He groaned mentally. ‘Ugh! So embarrassing, I only met the guy half an hour ago!’ he shook his head and uncovered his bright red face. “Okay, c'mon shower time.” He wandered over to his bag and took out a change of clothes and his various shower products. Laying his clothes neatly next to the towels on the box, he began getting undressed. 

 

Once Tora was in the shower, he felt his body finally relax under the warm spray as he let out a happy sigh and closed his eyes. 

 

‘He'll never amount to anything if he stays here’ Tora's mind drifted back to the argument that had broken out before he had left home as he scrubbed the dirt from his skin. 

 

‘Tora is a clever boy Mother, he is just as capable as any other member of this family.’ His mother had replied to his grandmothers comment. 

 

‘Let the boy be would you!’ Aunt Anzen had chimed in. ‘We all know the real reason you're always on his back and I won't stand for it any longer. That boy has just as much right to live the way he wants as any other person his age.’

 

‘Have it your way then, but don't come crying to me when he's still lazing around here playing with paint in his thirties.’

 

‘It's called art mother. And many people have made a living out of it.’ Kayo had once again defended her son, now with tightened features. 

 

'Yes, well, I bet none of those people were one of those things were they?’

 

‘I knew it!’ Anzen had snapped. ‘Get out. Get out now! I won't listen to you belittle my nephew just because he's different. He's never put a foot wrong and all you do is bully him!’

 

‘That's because I see them for what they are, one day you'll see too, they don't belong here, none of them do.'

 

That was when Tora had left, leaving a letter for his Mother and Aunt on the kitchen table. 

 

“You're wrong.” Tora muttered. “And I'll prove it.” Having finished getting clean, the fox tailed teen turned off the shower and hopped out onto the soft blue mat at the side of the tub. He towelled off his tails and hair until they were no longer dripping and then set to work on his body. 

 

The change of clothes Tora chose was a white t-shirt, pale blue jacket and a pair of navy jeans with a paint splatter effect on them. 

 

Just after he'd finished dressing there was a knock on the door. 

 

“Hey Tora, you done in there? Your drinks ready.” Satsuei’s voice was slightly muffled by the door but Tora still flushed upon hearing it. 

 

“Uh yeah, I'll be out in a minute.” He replied hastily. 

 

“Okay, just chuck your other clothes in the laundry basket next to the door and I'll grab ‘em later.” 

 

Glancing toward the door, Tora spied a tall wicker basket with a lid, figuring that it was the basket in question he tossed his dirty clothes in, gave his hair and ears one last rub with the towel and added that to the basket then exited the bathroom. 

 

 

As he entered the living room again, Tora noticed there was now a burnt orange colored big cat sat next to Sekitan. It resembled a sabre toothed tiger - or at least what peaple believed them to have looked like - though it had a stripe of flames running from the back of its head down to the middle of its back. The teen nodded towards it politely and took a seat once more, picking up the cup of coffee that was next to him. 

 

“Oh yeah, I guess we should make the introductions huh.” Sekitan stated. “Tora, this is Atsui, my Setsuzoku. He's a Flame Sabre.” He patted cats head. “Atsui this is Tora, Hidoi’s latest target apparently.” 

 

“Pleasure to meet you Tora.” Atsui bowed his head in greeting. 

 

“Likewise, Atsui.” Tora smiled. 

 

“And this is Korihyo.” Satsuei joined in as he entered the room, followed by the snow leopard from earlier. “Though a lot of the time I shorten it to Kori.” 

 

“How are you feeling now, Tora?” The big cat asked. “That Hidoi is getting too big for his horns and for someone with an Oryx for a Setsuzoku that's saying something.” 

 

Tora laughed, he couldn't help it. “I'm fine now, thanks for asking.” He smiled at Korihyo who gave a satisfied nod and settled himself next to Satsuei with a stretch. 

 

“I suppose it's our turn.” The pink haired teen said, placing a hand on his kitsune companion. The fox turned and smiled at him encouragingly. Tora smiled back. “Well I'm Tora Hokori and this one is Sakubo, my kitsune setsuzoku. I also sometimes…” 

 

“Hey, hang on.” Satsuei cut in, holding a hand up for Tora to stop, which he did. “Hokori, I knew that name was familiar, like Anzen Hokori? The human that makes clothes and combat gear for Hozei-Zumi?”

 

Tora blushed and nodded. “Yeah, that's my aunt.” 

 

“That's so cool!” Sekitan said enthusiastically. 

 

“Yeah, Anzen's stuff is the best.” Satsuei agreed. 

 

Tora rubbed the back of his neck shyly and took a gulp of his coffee. “Well, uh like I was saying, I'm Tora and this is Sakubo, sometimes I call him Saku. He's really protective of me.”

 

“Heh, yeah don’t we know it, he was guarding the bathroom door, while you had your shower.” Sekitan informed him. 

 

“You were, Saku?” Tora questioned. 

 

The kitsune nodded, looking proud of himself, making the three teens chuckle. Then Tora found himself trying to stifle a yawn. 

 

“Hm, it is pretty late, we should probably get some sleep.” Satsuei pointed out. “C'mon, you can sleep in my bed Tora.”

 

“Oh, but…”

 

“Don't try to refuse.” Satsuei used his tail to cover Tora's mouth. “You're our guest and guests don't sleep on the floor. I have an air bed I can use, I'll be fine.” He lowered his tail. 

 

“Well, I guess if you're sure.”

 

“I am. So follow me.” He beckoned to the fox tailed teen as he walked down the hall after bidding goodnight to Sekitan. 

 

 

Satsuei’s room was the one closest to the front door and was decorated in pale blue with a snowscape mural feature wall. There was a white wooden wardrobe occupying the wall behind the door and a bookcase on the left wall, the right was taken up with a large double bed and a white bedside table and radiator, the wall opposite them was dominated by a wide window dressed with teal curtains and deep blue roller blinds. The floor was wooden but had a plush blue rug taking up most of it.

 

“Wow, nice room.” Tora murmured. 

 

“Heh, thanks.” Satsuei grinned. “Oh, I'll give you some privacy to change while I get the mattress.” 

 

It didn't take long for the three teens to get changed and settled in their respective beds and not long after that they were all asleep. 

 

Half an hour later though, Satsuei awoke to a strange whimpering noise. Sitting up and looking around, he saw that the source of the sound was none other than Tora. The young multi tailed boy was curled into a ball with his tails curled around him, trembling. He was asleep but definitely distressed. Sakubo was sat next to him, stroking the teens cheek with a paw. 

 

‘A nightmare?’ Satsuei wondered silently and moved closer to the bed. 

 

The kitsune bristled as he saw Satsuei shuffle closer. 

 

“Oh c'mon what am I gonna do? Eat him?!” The leopard attributed teen hissed. “I rescued the guy, remember?”

 

Sakubo relaxed a little but kept his eyes on the boy as he approached Tora. 

 

As Satsuei moved closer, he noticed that there was a silver handled brush on the bedside table and he remembered what Tora had told him earlier. 

 

‘Mum especially loves my tails, she always brushed them before I went to bed, usually put me right to sleep actually.’ 

 

Bingo. 

 

Picking up the brush, Satsuei gently lifted one of Tora's tails and carefully began running the brush through the soft fur. As soon as he started, the trembling stopped. Taking that as a good sign, Satsuei continued, brushing each tail in turn, all the while Sakubo's steady sapphire blue gaze never left him. 

 

Soon enough, the kitsune hozei-zumi was sleeping soundly, even Sakubo settled once Tora was properly asleep. With a soft smile and a chuckle, Satsuei himself lay back onto his mattress and closed his eyes to let sleep take him too…

 

‘Wait.’ A thought occured to him before he could drift off. ‘Why did that matter so much?’

 

 

The next morning Kiiro was not in a good mood. Hiroto had to leave for a bit and as he had already sent Dameda off to run the errand he had mentioned the day before, he had asked Kiiro to take the receptionist's position temporarily. 

 

“Hiro, you know I don't do people.” The cat-eared teen had protested.

 

“You're right, I do know that.” Hiroto had agreed. “But I also know that you're the only person I can ask because everyone else is already busy.” 

 

“Seriously?” Kiiro had been close to whining but had refrained lest anyone else hear.

 

“Yes, seriously.”

 

“What's this thing that you've got Dameda looking into anyway?” He had demanded with a huff.

 

“Nothing you need to concern yourself with.” The older hozei-zumi had responded.”Now I need to get going.” 

 

And that had been that. Hiroto had left without another word on the matter.

 

Now the blond teen sat behind the reception desk at Pride Place, arms folded with a scowl on his face and his tail swishing angrily behind him. 

 

“Damn Hiroto.” Kiiro grumbled.

 

“Now, now Kiiro.” Kage chided, springing onto the reception desk and sitting in front of the frustrated blond. “Hiroto trusts you to look after the place while he is out, that’s a big deal.”

 

 “I s’pose so.” Kiiro shrugged. “But still, he knows I ain't good with people, so he better not expect much.” He added, scowling at the intercom as if daring it to ring.

 

Then, at that exact moment. It did just that.

 

“Brilliant.” The teen said, sounding just about as unenthusiastic as one could.

 

“Be nice Kiiro.” Kage reminded him.

 

Kiiro shot him a look and picked up the receiver while taking a deep breath. “Welcome to Pride Place, you're speakin’ to Kiiro, please state your name and business.” He recited, almost perfectly, the words Dameda usually said when addressing a visitor.

 

“Can you just let us in please?” A hurried sounding voice came through the speaker. “I do have an appointment but I am kinda early, I can explain everything in a minute, we just need to get off the street.” 

 

Kiiro frowned. “The manager's out right now.” 

 

“Ugh, seriously?! We can just wait somewhere then. I'm not joking around here, it's important!” The person was clearly breathless but growing impatient.

 

Kiiro glanced down at the monitor on the intercom but all he could see was a mass of blue fabric. “Please stand back from the camera so I can see you.”

 

“Oh for the love of… oh uh Yuki, you're in front of the camera” 

 

“Oops, sorry.” A second voice said, this one male.

 

The camera cleared to reveal a person, seemingly no older than Kiiro, glaring into the camera. They had aqua hair with brown tips, green eyes with slit pupils and fair skin. As for additional features, two blue horns protruded from the top of their head and there were aqua scales running up their jawline and onto their pointed ears. 

 

“You're definitely one of us then.” Kiiro commented.

 

“Yeah no shit sherlock.” The other retorted. 

 

“Enkai, c'mon of course they'd wanna check.” Yuki piped up again.

 

“Huh, so your name's Enkai is it?” The blond picked up Hiroto’s appointment book and began searching through. “Who's the person with you?”

 

“My older brother.” Enkai answered stiffly, shooting a furtive glance into the street. “Look, can we come in now?”

 

“Let me see him first.” 

 

“No need.” The blue horned teen answered. 

 

Kiiro bristled. “That's not for you to…” 

 

“He's human.” Enkai sighed, cutting him off. “But he's different from the others.” 

 

“How so?”

 

“For crying out loud would you just…”

 

“Everything okay here?” Hiroto’s sudden appearance made not only Enkai and Yuki jump but Kiiro almost dropped the intercom receiver too.

 

“It would be if the dumbass in there would let us in instead of asking twenty freaking questions beforehand.” Enkai responded without thinking.

 

A loud “HEY!” From the speaker signalled that Kiiro had heard.

 

Yuki laughed a little.

 

“I told him I had an appointment, but I'm early.” Enkai explained. “Stuff happened at home and I just needed to get myself and Yuki somewhere safe.”

 

“I see, so that must mean you're Enkai Katsuye then.” Hiroto said, taking out a set of keys and pressing his fob to the sensor then holding the door open for the siblings.

 

Enkai nodded and stepped through the door with Yuki hurrying silently after.

 

“How did you know?” Enkai asked. “Wait, don't tell me you're…”

 

“Manager and Co-owner, Hiroto Mizubuki. At your service.” Hiroto smiled and gave a small bow. “Welcome to Pride Place.” He waved a hand at the space before them.

 

Enkai gazed around at the building, their green eyes finally landing on the blond behind the reception desk with their expression quickly changing to a scowl.

 

Hiroto spotted this immediately. “Ah, yes.” He said. “This charming young man is Kiiro Yonaka, he's a resident here but he's not much of a people person.” He told the two newcomers. “So I apologise for how he was with you.”

 

“I guess I can relate.” Enkai shrugged.

 

“Well, since you're already here, shall we get your appointment started?” Hiroto suggested.

 

“Oh, um sure. If you don't mind.” Enkai agreed.

 

“Of course not.” The tiger tailed man smiled. “Just follow me.” He turned and headed for the office that was situated a short ways down the hall.

 

“Hey! What about me?” Kiiro demanded.

 

Hiroto turned a stern look at the blond. “You will stay there and be as polite as possible if anyone else turns up.” He said. “Is that clear?”

 

Kiiro's ears flattened. “Crystal.” He muttered.

 

“What was that?” 

 

“Yes sir Mr Mizubuki!” 

 

“Better.”

 

Enkai and Yuki had to stifle laughter as they followed Hiroto into his office. 

 

Once Hiroto had shut the door, Kiiro sat down and rested his head on his arms. 

 

“Damn Hiroto.” He grumbled.