- The Heat-

Thank yooou, I'll say goodbye sooon,

Though it's the end of the woorld,

Don't blame yourself… now.

My custom alarm rang soundly next to me for the third time, and I still didn't feel like stopping it.

My apartment had a specific cold and gloomy feeling in it today, and I couldn't understand why, the thought of that woman last night, the image of her lingers on in my mind, and yet I do not know her, just her name, Yukata…

Bathing cloth?

Who would name a person bathing cloth… My alarm rang for the fourth time and I finally stepped out of bed onto cold wooden tiles and make my way to the kitchen for some coffee.

Opening the cabinet above the sink I touched the cup that she used for cocoa, the memory of her and our conversation last night came to me and a wave of isolation hit me.

I drew a ring around the top of the cup, it was still moist.

"Jesus," I muttered under my breath

…

When I got to my office building I was informed of a meeting between all the head city leaders about the arise in demons among the coast next to the Humans and how we can eliminate them.

When I got to the meeting I felt all eyes on me, I set down my binder and sat down in my usual chair, I faced right across the table, I knew who was sitting across from me, The Elemental Holder's leader.

Aneko Law.

I wore a black suit with no undershirt or bra … what can I say I like to be free.

"Is this going to become a thing now?" She asked through gritted teeth

"Mm, yes, I just felt like upsetting you, I find it humorous," I said laid back in my chair, my feet crossed at my ankles.

She sighed "Let's just get started," She said

I smiled and pushed myself forward; crossed my fingers and gave my full attention.

She opened the binder and spoke loudly across the table, I hate it when she does that, I'm blind, not deaf.

"The hysteria amongst the demons has grown significantly larger as test subjects are showing, the hysterical behavior disease has gained the power of infection," She said, there was a long pause I looked up from my hands and looked back down

"The infection has not evolved to be airborne, but scientists think it will head in that direction," She said, then I heard the binder close and I looked back up. "I purpose we strike the demons at the source to get this over with," She added; I heard her heels click back and forth, "Does anyone object?" She asked.

"I do," I added as I got up and put my hands in my pockets "That's an ignorant suggestion," I paused and tilted my head up "Even for you," I added

"Why is that," She asked with a more bitter tone now

"Though you might not like the Vampiric Duelist they are our main military defense when it comes to battle," I said shifting my weight side to side

"Yes, which makes them the perfect ammunition to use on the demons," She said, "They are good bait and aren't alive so they can't pass it on... although they can hold it so... more test subjects,"

"Ammunition?" I asked, my nose starting to flare "My woman and men are not to be used as subjects in your little game of chess, they are people with families," I paused to turn my head. "Not your ammunition or lab rats," I added

"Yes, and I don't have to see into the future to see how bad of an idea that is," The Time manipulator's leader said; he doesn't talk much most of the time; drifting through alternate realities looking for anomalies.

His name is Keiron "But Katana," He added as he set both hands on the table "What do you purpose if you are to go against Aneko?" He asked with no tone in his voice.

"I suggest we use the Humans," I said with feeling a big grin on my face.

"Well look who's using people as lab rats," The leader of the Homosapians said. His name is Declan.

"Now don't get your cojones (balls) in a twist, not use the humans in that way, no no no," I wagged my finger, "We use your bombs," I said turning my head around the room, "Declan," I added, "You have a warehouse of C4, Frags… etc., etc., right?" I asked

"Yes, but I'll have to check them some were damaged from the third war and could be defected, I wouldn't be certain," Declan said

The Folk Land leader is in charge of the more suburban humans and most of the airfields and boat docks, his name is Roman.

"Roman, do u think you can supply to jets for back up if we are to see through with this," I said

"Sure, but…" His voice trailed off "The Jets haven't been used in a while I'll need to run tests a- and get them in order," He said

"Then we're in agreement?" I said putting my hands back into my pockets.

There was a long pause before I heard a voice.

"Fine, but leave my elements out of it, and if I see any amount of a demon on my land we will duel," Aneko said I heard her heels click to my left, I felt her presence closer and closer until I felt her heat.

"See you on the battlefield," Aneko said in my ear with her hot breath.

"Sure," I said turning away, as I made my way to the door I said, "Next week the project will be finalized,".

...

I walked into the elevator and thought about Yukata again, the only reason why I pushed not to have the duellist in the front is that I don't want to see her get hurt… I don't know why I care, but I'm sticking with it.

I can't help but think about the time we had last night… I loved it.

. . . .

Comfortable, the air was pleasurable.

This woman's loft is big, modern but sleek, and has a homey feeling.

The door opens to a softwood floor, the countertops another marble - probably just as expensive as the last- the floor elevated a step to a living room, but I was clinging to the door in awe of the site, I took off my shoes at the door… I feel

Poor.

Just looking, and I haven't even gone in yet.

I haven't felt lesser-than in a hot minute… and I don't miss the feeling.

Demi crossed the loft to the kitchen which stood on the left, she leaned on the island in the middle and looked at me confused.

"Come in, you're very much welcome," She said as she opened her fridge.

I stepped in and felt a wave of scent similar to what she wore.

She looked up from the fridge with milk in her hands; she shut the door with her foot and walked to the counter.

"You want cocoa and not coffee?" She said with her back to me.

"Yes… I know it's odd as an adult to want cocoa rather than coffee," I said pulling out a high seat at the island.

"Yes… a little… Do you just not like coffee?" she asked turning on the stove

"Uh… I've had my fair share of coffee, cocoa has a far more superior taste in my opinion," I said smiling very brightly.

"Mh," a few seconds passed, I didn't mind the silence, it was enjoyable, she broke the silence again.

"Do you want your cocoa with milk or just water," She said gripping the milk

"Uh yes," I said, moments passed and I found myself staring at her ass, I quickly avert my gaze and stare at the ceiling… she turned around to find me.

She took a deep breath and had a confused face, "here you go, one hot cocoa"

I tilted my head down slowly and smiled, "Yes, it's - it's - it's, you - you - you, the - the - um, the - the cocoa is like - pre - um - pretty," I looked down and back up at her and smiled

"Erm…" She stepped closer "cocoa," she said as she held out the cup.

"Thank you," I took the cup and blew on it.

We sat in quiet again.

.

.

.

The silence was awkward this time, she broke first again

"So… you stutter?" She asked taking another sip of her coffee

"Uh… yes, when I just can't think straight or when I get nervous, that's when it happens… mostly,"

"Mm… does this affect your work?" She asked taking another sip

"No, I usually just kill in my line of work, and I don't talk to the dead," I said, I took a sip of very hot cocoa that burned its way down my throat, I covered my pain with a delightful smile.

More silence, damn this woman likes to not talk, I broke the silence this time.

"Damn… this cocoa is a little on the burning side don't you think?" I asked feeling the heated smoke on my face.

"It tastes good does it not?" She said taking another sip

"Yes," I said with a small smile

"Yukata, It's really late... and I don't want you to get into any trouble, so you'd best get going," She said setting down her coffee.

"Oh... ok I will see you another time then," I said as I walked to the door.

"Yes, most likely very soon," She said as I closed the door.

I walked down an identical hallway, to the elevator and what did she mean by that, very soon... I would love to see her again... and I still didn't get her name... "FUCK," I shouted in the elevator.