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My Secret Girlfriend

(Is a Goddess)

Part 5

The sound of rustling, silvery susuki grass filled the rolling hills in the autumn afternoon. Soon, the sun peeked from a cloud, turning the feathery plumes into a rich gold stretching for acres, seemingly infinite. The soft footsteps of a fox, dressed in a red and white robe glided through the field, hands outstretched as she let the soft tips of the waving grass graze her open palms. Eyes closed, she took in the sounds and scents surrounding her, relishing in the peace and tranquility. Stopping, she took a deep breath, her white, red-tipped ear flicked as an errant flower brushed the soft fur inside.

"Kami, I give thanks to all you have given this earth," she whispered before clapping her hands.

She sat on the hillside and gazed upon the silvery and golden ocean ahead, her white, red-tipped tail lazily flopping behind her.

"Rei-sama, come back to the shrine," a voice in her head beckoned.

"If I must," she sighed, ruefully, perturbed by the interruption of her peaceful afternoon.

Appearing through a tori gate, Rei gracefully made her way to the main shrine. The entrance was flanked by a pair of fox statues, red bibbs around their necks and scrolls in their mouths. The grounds were large with a pagoda in the center, the main shrine hall just to the north. It was set in a forest near the fields she just was.

"You beckoned me, Yuto-sama?" she asked, bowing towards a male fox, dressed similarly to her, with the same markings. However, this fox had four tails in contrast to her one.

"Rei-sama, it has come to my attention that you have been sidestepping your duties to the mortals," he said in a grave tone.

"Apologies, Yuto-sama. I will try harder," she replied, dutifully.

"I have observed your behavior regarding mortals. I am afraid that despite your excellent results with the harvests, you have been less than enthusiastic about the prayers from the mortals," Yuto said, reprimanding her.

"I have taken their prayers into consideration and have found them not to be worthy to be fulfilled. Is it not decided by us to take each into consideration the sincerity of each prayer? I have seen they hold little to no merit," she respectfully argued.

"Be that as it may, you take too many liberties with the decision making. Few of your prayers have been answered. You spend your time in the fields or the forests instead of the shrine. I will ask that you spend more time answering the mortals' prayers without your cavalier and capricious attitude. If not, I will make sure that a goddess of your ilk will be relegated to running messages with the kitsune," he said, laying down the law.

"My apologies, Yuto-sama. I will do better," she said, defeated with a tinge of heat in her voice.

Rei sat under a large wisteria tree, the hanging flowers, a canopy of vibrancy that sat across from the pagoda. She watched the mortals ruefully, giving the shrine keepers a pass if only because of their duties.

"We are gods. We have power over the mortals. Why must we cater to this rabble. If I had my way, I would let them perish and have nature reclaim rightfully what Kami made. The spirits of the wilderness can rejoice once more without having to worry about the mortals' senseless wars and cruelty," she muttered bitterly.

Rei watched the shrine maidens, bobtail cats, tend to the maintenance of the grounds. Despite her pessimism about mortals, she couldn't help to at least acknowledge their service.

"At least the caretakers are worthy of our blessings. They do have some merit in their service," she sighed, her head resting in her hand.

Just as she spoke, there was a small commotion. A party of mortals, akitas, entered the shrine grounds. By their dress, they were obviously nobles, the clan that protected the lands. Rei held them in high contempt. They were lofty, holding themselves to a higher status above others and waging war under the title of "Samurai."

The loftiest, a middle-aged male stood with his head held high as a maiden bowed, welcoming the visitors. Rei approached the party, trying to find reason to drive them off, but the party treated the grounds and the caretakers with the utmost respect. She stood as a young lord, seemingly just two decades old, approached the tree she was standing under. He stopped and gazed in her direction, as he was captivated by the beauty of the tree.

"I have never seen such a thing of beauty. I must be seeing nothing short of divinity, itself," he said in awe.

Knowing the mortal couldn't hear her, she answered rhetorically, "why yes, this tree represents love and long life. It is a supplemental symbol of Inari's fertility."

"Truly, the wisteria is a thing of beauty, however, I speak of yourself, my lady," he said.

Rei was caught off guard. Her countenance changed as her face flushed from the flattery that she could tell was sincere and from the fact that he was able to see her so clearly. Regaining her composure, she addressed the young lord.

"Fool, I have no patience for mortals," she sneered, turning away.

"Have I done something to offend you?" he asked.

She turned to face him, but had no answer. Rei tried to see any malice within him, something to give her reason to force him away, but failed to see any. Still, she wished him gone, so she decided to test his fortitude.

"No, you have not. However, you dare treat with a god and that is a punishable offense," she said as she began to shift her form.

Before the young lord stood a large white fox in a feral form. Orbs of foxfire floated menacingly around her as she glared at the dog.

"Witness my true form. Do you not find it terrible to behold? Do I still seem a thing of beauty?"

The akita, surprised by the sudden transformation, fell to the ground and bowed.

"I find you truly majestic to behold. I bow down not out of fear but of reverence. I feel blessed to see you in your true form," he said, voice shaking from the nervousness he felt.

"Stand up and face me," she demanded.

Her countenance softened, but her form remained. The young lord held her curiosity and she now viewed him with less contempt.

"If you say these words out of truth and not insincere flattery, I invite you to approach me. If I see your heart falter, I shall consume you, regardless of your station in life. Your clan will not be able to protect you from a god's wrath," she warned.

The lord approached and stood before the fox. He gazed into her eyes as the orbs of foxfire floated around him. The two stood there, in each other's gazes as they observed each other.

Soon, as if being awoken from a dream, the young lord heard the voice of his father call to him.

"I must go. I would like to visit soon," he said in awe.

"If you must, I cannot stop you," she replied, irritated by his presumption she would like to meet him once again.

"I hope to see you soon!" he bowed and rejoined his family.

Rei shifted back to her mortal appearance and watched the family go into the shrine. Soon, she heard his prayer to see her again.

"Fool," she sighed and clapped her hands to answer.

---

Several days passed and Rei did her duty to answer the prayers at the shrine. Once the visitors were done for the day, she decided to head into the forest surrounding the grounds. One spot was her favorite, where a stream from the mountains formed a small pool in a clearing. A red maple grew near a rocky outcropping that, resembed a crane about to take flight. Blue hydrangeas grew almost wild providing an otherworldly glow in low light. It was as close to heaven as Rei would want on earth.

As she walked through the trees, her ear perked up to hear a melody being played on a flute. She was surprised that a mortal was this deep in the forest as there were no paths in this part. For a moment, she had hoped it was the young lord and not some intruder of her favorite spot.

The music stopped as she approached, the wind picking up as if applauding. The birds sang before the flute answered. Staying at the tree line, she saw it was indeed the young lord. The fox-goddess stood, watching him play the instrument. She noticed he seemed to be not so much practicing it, but using it to commune with nature.

Soon, the performance was over and the lord closed his eyes and began to meditate. Rei silently walked over and sat beside the akita who sat in internal focus. She sat silently and closed her eyes as she waited for him to finish.

The wind blew and the birds sang as the sun began to lower in the late afternoon sky. The young lord slowly opened his eyes and saw the goddess sitting next to him. She sat motionless as he beheld her beauty up close. He breathed in shallow breaths so as not to disturb the fox. Her hair and fur were pure white with crimson tips, a detail he found alluring. Curiosity got the better of the dog and he slowly reached over to ever so gently touch the tips of her fur.

"You would do well not to touch that which is not yours so freely," she spoke, opening one eye.

The lord jumped at the sudden scolding, immediately bowing his head in apology.

"Forgive me, my goddess. I was suddenly subject to an ill-judged whim. I meant no disrespect."

Standing up, she addressed him, "your artistry is impeccable, however, you seem to have forgotten your manners in that pursuit."

"My apologies for any ill-mannered actions I may have done. May I ask to what you are referring?"

"Your name, you have never introduced yourself."

"My clan is Akahira. My given name is Nobu," he answered.

"I am known as Rei," she replied.

"Nobu, is it?" she continued. "Trust. You seem to be very trusting, considering I could have devoured you whole. Yet, you still continued with your flattery," looking to him for an answer.

"I did not speak to flatter; I spoke how I felt. You are a beautiful fox and despite your seeming disdain for me, I have somehow garnered your attention."

"Yes, for a fool that holds no instinct for self-preservation," she responded.

Nobu laughed, "I guess a fool I am. A giant fox-goddess threatens to devour me and I respond by remarking how majestic she is."

The akita sat and admired the scenery as the sun began to set.

"It is a wondrous thing. Of course, you have seen it many times before me and long after I will be gone. It is a fleeting thing for mortals as myself. We have to cherish the natural wonders before our time comes. I never tire of it."

Rei sat in thought as the words sank in. Here she had thought mortals as wasteful beings, but here was one taking the time from his short life to admire the same beauty she did.

"I always thought of this small glade as a hideaway. I never would have guessed that it would be discovered by mortals. What to do now? My own is no longer," she lamented.

"My apologies, if it suits you, I can leave and never return. My memory of this place will remain as inspiration," he said, standing up.

Nobu bowed, then turned to go. Rei called out to the dog.

"It would not bode well for my conscience if I simply expelled you from that which you cherish. You may stay. You may also visit as often as you shall like. If I am here, I suppose your company would not be unwanted."

"Thank you Rei-sama. I must go, however. My duties at our estate must not be neglected," he smiled as he bowed.

"Farewell, Rei-sama. I hope to see you soon," he said as he disappeared into the forest.

Rei stood, her head held high, her countenance unchanged as she watched him depart. However, for a brief few seconds, her tail began to slowly wag.

---

In the weeks that followed, the air began to grow colder and the visits to the hidden glade were less. One particular day, the pair were meditating by the water as leaves fell beside them. A perfectly shaped red maple leaf sat on top of Nobu's head, his ear flicking in response. Rei opened one eye as he struggled to concentrate on his focus. She sighed, and plucked the offending leaf before studying it for a moment. She looked at the lord and placed the leaf back on his head, sitting it so as not to disturb his ears. Rei began giggling to herself at the light-hearted joke as Nobu opened his eyes.

He noticed her giggling and smiled.

"You have such a wonderful laugh and your smile is quite delightful," he remarked.

"Do not get used to it, lest the tree shed itself completely for my amusement," she responded, standing up to stretch in the cold air.

She stood watching the water flow into the pool, relishing the time before winter set in.

"Yuki-sama will come to visit soon, covering the land in white," she said, her tail lazily flipping about.

"Yes, I am afraid I will have trouble finding a plausible reason to return here. I will certainly long for your company. I am sure with the shrine visits, you will be too busy tending to your duties as well."

"That certainly will be the case. I will have to admit, I enjoy your company, if ever so reluctantly," she joked.

"I have brought you a gift to remember me by until the Spring comes," he said, reaching for a gilded box he had brought with him.

Opening the box, Rei examined the contents, a black comb gilded with a mother of pearl and abalone sakura sat inside.

"It is exquisite. Thank you, but I have nothing to give you in return," she rescinded.

"I would not ask a god to give a gift to a mere mortal as myself. Your friendship is my gift," he answered.

Thinking for a moment, she took the comb and brushed her tail, fluffing it out.

She then took the lord's hand and placed it on her tail, his face blushing as he felt the softness and lush volume of her fur in his fingers. He was careful not to grab, but relished the experience.

"Remember this on the coldest nights; how warm my tail is, the tail of a goddess. This moment is my gift to you," she smiled at him.

Gently pulling his hand away, she motioned him to hold it out. She then took the fur gathered in the comb, whisps of white and red and placed it in the center of his palm, closing it and pushing it to his chest.

"This will help you remember," she said, holding her head up, nobley.

"I expect to see you at the shrine when the new year comes, Nobu-sama," she said, turning to leave.

"I promise I will!"

Several months passed as winter set in. Rei and Nobu were both busy tending their respective duties during this time. In their off times, they had thought about each other at length. Even though neither one was aware of it, a bond was slowly growing between them. It was deeper than friendship, but was new to them all the same.

The Akahira clan came to visit the shrine and Nobu kept his eyes open for Rei. Although his countenance was stoic, deep inside he longed to see the fox-goddess, even for a brief second. Not a single night went by that he did not feel the fur between his fingers, remembering that evening in detail. He kept the sacred relic safe in a small box, placed in a closet alcove.

The shrine was crowded and he wondered if she would actually appear. Granted, the goddess was seemingly only visible to him, but since she was busy, he may not see her at all.

The clan went into the main shrine and made their prayers to the gods. Nobu added his wish to see her along with the usual prayers for prosperity for the village.

As he turned to leave, he felt a hand squeeze his, ever so briefly. He looked to his left and saw Rei, smiling.

"The first day of Spring," she said before disappearing into the crowd.

"What is it, Nobu-sama?" an elder akita, his mother asked.

"Nothing, I saw a spirit of good fortune, oka-sama."

---

The winter was particularly long. The snowfall was particularly unusual in its volume, however, spring came and Nobu waited for Rei at the glade. Life was returning to the countryside and he wanted to watch it with the goddess. Soon, the fox appeared, walking through the forest towards him.

They stood, awkwardly, at first, gazing at each other. They eventually smiled before Nobu finally approached the goddess.

"It has been too long a winter. I have longed for your company and I am glad for this day," he said.

"I would like to dismiss your longing with a turn of wit, but that would be disingenuous, for I have longed for your company, as well."

They sat together for some time watching the birds and small animals enjoy the warmer weather. Before he knew what hit him, Nobu fell asleep.

When he awoke, he felt the soft stroking of his ears. As he further gained consciousness, he realized his head was resting in the lap of the fox-goddess. Physical contact was rare in his world, and he especially felt it a blessing to be so close to a divine being.

"So you have finally awoken, Nobu-sama."

"Forgive me, I will get up," he said trying to stand.

"There is no need. Sit here, I do not mind if you do not as well," she said, encouraging him to stay put.

"Both of our lives are filled with duty and stringent rules. Take some time to unwind and refresh; it does well for both of us. There is no one here but us," she spoke softly.

She moved her tail towards the akita who began stroking the soft fur.

"You have been using my gift."

"Every day, yes. I have been thinking of you with every stroke of the brush."

They sat in silence once more before Nobu brokered a question.

"I hope to ask, why would a goddess such as yourself spend time with a mortal as me?"

"The truth of the matter is, I do not care for mortals. I will not go into the details as to why. Suffice it to say, you surprised me by being able to see me at the shrine, despite my effort to conceal my appearance," she began explaining.

"You have been particularly persistent in pursuit of my attention, so as troublesome as you have proven, I decided to give you a chance," she continued.

"Would you have truly eaten me if I had earned your ire," he asked.

Rei chuckled softly, "no, I would not have. Quite the contrary, I would have put more effort into making myself disappear from sight. You would have never seen or heard from me again. I would have been a fair memory for as long as you would have lived."

"I am grateful it has not come to that," he said, continuing to stroke the fox's tail.

"As am I."

Staying later than usual, the sunlight faded and Rei illuminated the glade with her orbs of foxfire, casting an otherworldly glow. They continued chatting as the nocturnal creatures stirred.

"I must go, though my heart wants to stay," Nobu spoke.

"The glade will be here, as will I," she replied.

"Konbanwa, Rei-sama," he said, turning to go.

"Wait, Nobu-sama!" she called out.

Turning back around, he was surprised when the fox-goddess ran over to him and embraced him. She was scared, it took all her courage to break down this barrier. She had never held anyone in her arms before. As he held her, he felt her shaking. It was unfamiliar to both of them. They had never held another. They had never expressed themselves. They were mortal and divine. None of it mattered as tears ran down Rei's cheek. She pulled her head back and looked up into Nobu's brown eyes with her red ones. She then pushed her head back into his chest as he stroked her ears.

She finally pulled back and smiled through her tears at the young lord. For the first time in her life, she felt truly happy. She lived long and it was with a mortal she had finally found happiness.

"I await your return," she said before heading through the forest back to the shrine.

---

By late spring, Rei and Nobu met when they could. He visited the shrine often and she would accompany him as he prayed. His clan noticed his long excursions, but since he still attended his duties and training, they said nothing, since he was getting to know the lands they were to protect.

Rei and Nobu's visits together weren't limited to the glade or the shrine. Time was spent in the susuki fields as they chased each other in the long grass.

"I am a samurai, I will catch you!" Nobu shouted, laughing as Rei ran downhill, looking over her shoulder at her pursuer.

"I am a goddess, you shall never..." she yelped as she tripped and rolled several feet, laughing.

Nobu caught up with the fox and crouched over her, smiling in victory.

"I have caught you!" he said, proudly.

"Yes you have!" she giggled.

Caught up in the moment, they gazed into each others' eyes as they had many times before. However, both could feel something different. Rei touched his cheek tenderly as her eyes danced between his. Nobu reached down and embraced her in a kiss. As their lips parted, they looked into each others' eyes once more before tenderly kissing once again.

The grass rustled in the breeze around them, swaying, bowing in one direction as the couple kissed passionately, out of sight from passersby.

Rei held Nobu's cheeks as she fervently kissed her lover. She couldn't get enough as their tongues danced, awkwardly at first, but soon learning. She moaned and whined in her newfound pleasure with Nobu. This wasn't what a goddess was supposed to do with a mortal, but she didn't care.

Eventually, the couple broke away from each other. Neither could believe what was happening. It was clear now... they were in love.

The fox and the akita spent the rest of the day on the hillside making out before heading back to their respective homes. It would be two weeks before they could meet again.

When the time came for them to meet again, Rei sensed something changed about Nobu. He appeared to be troubled, distracted by something.

"Nobu-sama, you do not seem yourself," she remarked, tilting her head in curiosity.

He did not answer right away, instead, he took a moment to observe as much detail about her as he could.

"A rival clan is staking claim to our border lands. My father has disputed the claim and has declared war," he responded.

Rei was stunned. It was not something she had wanted and was something she had always held against mortals.

"You do not have to go!" she protested.

"I must. It is my duty. I am honor-bound to fight for my clan. If I do not fight, I will bring shame to the Akahira clan," he responded.

"I am a goddess under the great Inari. I will restore your honor, if that's what has you worried," she countered.

"It is more than just honor. If this clan is victorious, it will not bode well for the people for the lands they claim. They are not a just clan and will subjugate those under them. There are good families in those lands, farmers who raise crops and their children. I cannot stand by as this clan tramples them underfoot. They should not have to fight a war when all they want to do is live. I would give my life to ensure they do not have to."

"I cannot lose you. I do not know what I would do if you..." she trailed off at the very thought, not able to continue her thought.

Rei was suddenly confronted with the reality she had never considered. Her world view was now changed as someone she truly loved was to possibly face his mortality. With all her power, she felt helpless to stop him. He was not doing this for such an abstract concept of honor; he was helping those who needed it the most, families with innocent children who still had their lives ahead of them. Tears began to run down her cheeks at the thought of all those lives lost.

Nobu walked over to Rei and embraced her. Being in his arms brought her comfort. She tried to push any ill thoughts from her head and enjoy the moment. Afterall, he was still here in front of her, in her arms.

Nevertheless, the thought of losing him crept back into her mind. She decided that if he was never to come back, then they should at least become complete as a couple.

She pushed him away and walked to the pond. Nobu went to follow her before she stopped him.

"Do not come any closer," she said, drying her tears.

Rei took in a deep breath and began lowering her robes, exposing her shoulders. She turned her head to see the akita watching, captivated.

"Do you like what you see?"

"I do!"

She turned to face him as she held the clothing against her breasts as they rose and fell as she breathed. Rei gave the akita a vulnerable look and he walked over. She looked away, not quite sure what she was getting herself into. He touched her cheek, drawing her face back towards him as he looked into her eyes.

"Rei-sama, I love you," he said before leaning in for a kiss, embracing her in his arms.

She met his kiss with her own, feeling comfort in being with him. She pressed her body into his own as she desperately wanted to share herself with her lover.

"I love you, too, Nobu-sama."

Rei stepped back and let her robe fall to the ground, her body exposed to Nobu for the first time. Nobu took in every detail before disrobing, himself. The couple, one, a goddess, the other, a mortal, now stood in front of each other naked for the first time.

Nobu lowered Rei to the ground as she let her lover take charge. She felt happy as she gave in to the akita. Their bodies were now as one, time no longer mattered as they gave each other their ultimate love.

It felt natural, it felt right as they made love on the side of the pond. The sound of their joy echoed for themselves to hear. Rei wrapped herself around Nobu, attempting to bring him as close to her as possible. She could not get enough and was hungry for his love.

Soon, Nobu gave in, flooding the fox-goddess with his essence as she felt everything a fertility goddess, a woman, a lover should feel.

The couple laid in each others' arms, not a care in the world beyond themselves. He dozed as she stroked his ears, trying not to think about the worst that could happen.

Instead, she tried to imagine the two of them starting a life together, no obligations to duty or honor. They would raise their pups and live simply off of the land. The thought brought a tear to her eye, knowing it could never happen.

Soon, Nobu stirred. He looked up at the fox-goddess and smiled. She smiled back, tears beginning to run down her face. The akita reached up and wiped them off.

The couple embraced once more.

---

"That message is for Inari," Rei said as she placed a scroll into the mouth of a kitsune. The smaller fox ran off, disappearing through a tori gate.

"I have noticed a change in your overall demeanor, Rei-sama. Your attitude towards the mortals has softened. Does this change have anything to do with the young Akahira lord?" Yuto mused as he walked the grounds with Rei.

"It is my duty to serve the mortals. Perhaps my outlook has changed towards one individual, but I still regard the mortals as a whole inherently flawed."

"Perhaps. However, I cannot help but think your answer would have been more disdainful a year ago. It seems this particular mortal has won a place in your heart, has he not?" he asked, smiling.

"My heart is my own to share with whom I deem fit. It is true that we share a bond, however..." she paused, feeling something deeply disturbing.

A wind blew through the grounds, Yuto also giving notice.

"That does not bode well," he replied.

"It comes from the land the Akahira clan has been engaging in battle," she added.

The fox-goddess became anxious, knowing it could only mean one thing.

"I must leave here, something is wrong," she said, pacing, trying to decide which tori gate would take her closest to the battlefield.

"I know what you are thinking, Rei-sama. It will do you no good. Wait until the clan's host returns."

Rei waited for the return of the clan's army. Several days later she witnessed them proceed to the graveyard by the mountainside. She followed and witnessed the family take the body of Nobu, felled in battle, being placed on top of the funeral pyre. A monk chanted a sutra as the fire consumed his body.

Rei stood, watching in shock that his life was so brief. Her time with him was less than a year, but it had impacted her to her core. She had never been so happy before meeting him and vowed to give mortals a second chance. Soon, the fire died out and the body of Nobu Akahira was no more.

Later that evening when the funeral was over, she walked over to his grave and lit incense.

"Nobu-sama, you have taught me much in our brief time together. You have shown me what it is to truly love and I will always carry that with me until my end. I will never forget you. May you find eternal peace," tears rolled down her cheeks as she prayed.

She walked back to the shrine, feeling empty. She had never felt grief before and was unfamiliar with its strangeness. Rei wandered over to Yuto for guidance.

"Yuto-sama, may I have your guidance?" she asked, bowing her head.

"Of course, Rei-sama, is it the young lord, Akahira that dwells with you?"

"It is. I have never felt this way before, least of all with a mortal. We are gods and are blessed with immortality. It seems such a strange curse to make such a short life and to end it abruptly. Nobu-sama made me realize feelings I never experienced and for it, I am sickened with an emptiness in my heart. I wish to see him once more, to spend a brief moment would fill me with such joy."

"And what would you do when that moment ends. Would you keep hoping for another visit, lest his soul know no rest?"

"That is how I feel, Yuto-sama. I know I could go to the afterlife, but I would forfeit much to do so. I simply wish the pain to ease."

"For that, I cannot counsel you. Grief itself is a strange blessing. It is the outcome of love and to deny it is to deny the love you once have. Over time, it will ease. You will never forget him, however long you live. Hold a special place for him in your heart and continue to utilize the love he has awoken to help others in need or those you deem worthy. This will give his life meaning."

"My thanks to you, Yuto-sama. Your words bring me comfort," she bowed before turning to go.

Rei went back to the glade and sat by the water. The moon reflected in the pool as her memories replayed in her mind.

"I can never forget you, Nobu," she sobbed.

A familiar voice echoed in her head. She looked around to see who it might be, but saw no one. Her vision faded to black as the voice continued to echo.

"Rei, Rei! Are you alright?"

"Huh?"

Rei's eyes opened and to her surprise, Wes was next to her on the bed, stroking her hair.

"I'm sorry to wake you. You were crying and I thought you were having a nightmare," he sat, concerned.

Looking around, she realized she was back in Wes' apartment. She felt strange at first, but started to regain her bearings.

"Ah, no, not really a nightmare. More like, a memory being revisited," she reassured the rabbit.

"Ok, I hope everything is ok."

She looked into the rabbit's eyes and reminded herself, she still had someone to share her life with, even if it was ever so brief. She renewed her resolve to make the most of their time together.

"Yes, everything is ok. I'm sorry if I worried you," she said, pushing her face to his chest, listening to his heartbeat as he stroked her ears, falling back asleep.