Anna and the Peach (Part 2)

The halls of the nearly empty school are dark and a little eerie. After grabbing our shoes, we head outside and begin the walk to my house.
I can't help but think my old school was closer but I'm glad this new one was still within walking distance. 

I grab Anna's hand and pull her along for a while. "Come on slow poke.”

Anna seems a little surprised by the touch, but she doesn't pull away or say anything. She follows, looking a little more at ease around me.

I let her go and we fall into a steady walking pace. 

She smiles a little and looks up with a hand at her chin. “I guess it's good that we have parents who care about us, even if it can be a little overwhelming at times.”

"Yeah, it's a treat." I shake my head adding only a hint of sarcasm. "I miss her, but it's probably lucky Ma isn't home. She's not a fan of having people over, that aren't family anyways. Although, I think she might like you.”

Anna chuckles at the thought of my mom's reaction to her. "She wouldn't be afraid of me?”

"Definitely not. Even with the wings and horns she'd probably just find you adorable. Just hopefully not cute enough to eat…” My voice trails off “Err, forget I said that last bit. So, how about your family... any siblings or is it just you and your folks?” The hint of desperation infiltrates my change in topic.

Anna laughs a little and shrugs. "No, it's just me and my mom. She's the only family I have. Probably why she's always been very overprotective of me. She was always worried about what would happen if people found out my secret."
She glances over, her expression softening. "I'm sorry if I'm being too forward, but I've never had anyone to talk to about this before. You're the first person I've ever told about my succubus side, and it's a little bit liberating."

"No need to be sorry, I asked. I'm glad you're feeling comfortable. I know what it's like to have secrets…” I can't hide the guilt in my voice. She's been so honest while I skirt the truth.
"Come on, my house is still a pretty fair walk, we should probably get going.”

Anna seems to pick up on the change in tone and her face fills with concern. "Are you okay? You seem a little troubled."

"Wha– Me? Nooo. I'm. I'm fine.” I smile, a little awkwardly. Dismissing the topic with a wave and over the top laugh. I try to walk ahead, the awkward silence quickly gnawing at my nerves.

"This is just the first time I've had a friend over. Well, not first of course, but let's just say, it's been a while." I increase my pace a little. "So, just you and your mom huh? We have a big family but it's rare for everyone to be home at the same time. Right now, it's just me, my dad and my little brother Aki."

Anna smiles back, but it's clear she can tell there is more to the story than I let on. She decides to drop it for now and follow my change in subject. She catches up and walks beside me, her hand brushing against mine. 

"Oh, you have a big family? How many siblings do you have?" she asks.

"Four. Three older, my sister Violet is 27 and two older brothers Akatsuno and Aoiha are 23 and 22. And then my little brother Aki, he's just starting grade three. Ma had a big family too, so we get aunts, uncles and cousins visiting all the time. The house can get pretty chaotic around the holidays.”

Anna laughs a little at the thought of the big family's dynamic. “Sounds like a lot of noise. I can't imagine having to deal with that many people all the time. It must be hard to have a conversation with anyone.”

"Ehh, it can be. You get used to it though. It'd feel weird if there wasn't someone starting a fight, ya'know? Uh ... but don't worry, I'm sure you'll be perfectly safe." I laugh nervously as we continue walking and chatting. 
"You know, it's nice to have someone my own age to talk to for once. I help out the sports clubs but I don't stick around long enough to connect with anyone let alone talk about family.”

Anna smiles, feeling a little more comfortable now. She looks glad to have found someone who understands her and doesn't judge her. "Yeah, I feel the same way. I've never really had any friends my age. I've always been so worried that someone would find out my secret and I'd have to leave. It's nice to be able to talk to someone without having to hide."

"You mean... like you can let down your guard and just... be you. That does sound nice..." My voice trails off. Anna's words have a lot of meaning, but I just can't bring myself to speak of my own struggles. I feel like she'd understand if I told her, but I just can't bring myself to admit to it yet.

"So other than 'life energy' any dietary needs? Dad's probably cookin' up a storm already so I should let him know if there's something to avoid or add."

Anna seems a little surprised by the question, but she doesn't let it show on her face. She shakes her head and smiles. “No, I'm a normal human in that regard. I eat just like anyone else. My favorites are crispy fried chicken and anything pumpkin spice."

"Mom did her best on her own, and in spite of hiding the truth about my succubus side she always made sure I ate healthy and got plenty of exercise. I think she just wanted me to have a normal childhood."

I laugh a little at the thought, it's refreshing. "I can understand that. My dad has always made sure we had a 'normal' childhood too, even if everything else is as far from normal as it gets.” I feel the wistful smile tug at the corner of my lips. “For what it's worth I think your mom's done a great job. I would never have guessed you were anything but normal, if a little quiet, and I'm sure she's proud of you.”

"Thanks,” Anna's whisper of a response is lost in a gust of wind as we round another corner.

***

We continue our walk in relative silence. I point out a corner store where we can grab some snacks on the way to school tomorrow. After a while longer and the buildings thin out. Eventually we reach a huge set of wooden gates at the bottom of a long set of stairs leading up to a shrine. A decorative wall encircles the parameter of the hill.

Anna looks up at the shrine with a look of awe. She seems to be taking in the scenery, but she also seems a little nervous. She whispers as I lead her through the open gates.
"This is your family's home? It's so big. I can't imagine what it would be like to live here.”

"Oh yeah, I guess the estate is pretty big, I guess I never really noticed." I shrug off her amazement. “I think the city still owns the land technically, and my family runs the shrine which takes up most of the property. My folks live just down the hill. Let's go.” 

We step through the gate and I lead her down and around the hill. The grounds are well kept, and the breeze teases the senses with the smells of freshly trimmed grass and incense. At the back of the shrine, we see a big U-shaped house built around a little garden. A large peach tree occupies much of the space.

Anna follows, looking around with awe as she takes in the scenery. She seems a little surprised by the layout of the house, but she doesn't say anything until she notices the peach tree and her eyes light up. "That's a beautiful tree. Is it yours?"

"I think it was my grandfather's or maybe his father's; the one I'm named after." I gesture at the ribbons and paper seals decorating the branches then place my hand on the trunk gently. "There's a long story about it but Ma said as long as the tree is here, we will be too." 

After a melancholic sigh I turn, "Come on, let's get to my room before–”

"Momo-CHAAAAN!" 

I cringe at the sound of my dad's voice.

Anna's eyes widen as she hears the outlandish cry. She looks over at you, her face showing a mixture of concern and curiosity. She whispers, "Is that your dad? Is he going to be okay with me being here?”

"Oh, don't worry about him. I think he's going to be more than ok." I attempt to give a reassuring smile before adding in a rushed whisper, "May want to watch your skirt." 

The door slides open with a ‘Crash’ and my father, unceremoniously tumbles out. His appearance neatly personifies the words "little old man" (with an emphasis on little); a horseshoe of short grey hair tops a head that barely reaches my shoulder. He wears a traditional black and white robe. Adding to his theatrical appearance are a sharp gray mustache and matching beard that wouldn't look amiss on the face of a villain from a Saturday morning cartoon.

Anna's eyes widen and she jumps in surprise as dad comes rushing out of the door. She looks over at me, clearly dumbfounded, her face showing a mixture of amusement and concern. She can't help but hold back a laugh at his animated gestures and over-the-top voice.

"Oh Momo-chan, you were so late, and I was beginning to worry. But, who is this little cutie? Did you bring home a friend? That's fantastic." His face runs the gambit from worry, to surprise to intrigue as he takes an over enthusiastic step forward rubbing his hands together.

"Dad, this is Anna Kryneli. Anna, this is my dad, Oniyama Kimio. And you would've known I'd be late if you'd join us in the twentieth century and get a cellphone already." 
I stand between the two of them, my eyes narrowed and brow twitching, trying to give Anna some breathing room from dads overexuberance; however, he slips by me and rapidly advances on Anna.

Anna's eyes widen in surprise as your dad suddenly lunges at her. She stumbles back a bit, trying to get away from him, but she's too slow.

He offers a hand to Anna, as his other slips dangerously close to the hem of her skirt,
"Anna my dear, what a pleasure to–". 

She closes her eyes letting out a startled cry, as she braces herself expecting the worst.

"Hey!" I shout, spinning around. I smash my forearm into his chest, the impact lifts him off his feet. 
"DON'T.” I slam him to the ground.
"Scare." I stand and raise an elbow. 
"Anna!"

Anna opens her eyes and looks at you, her expression a mix of shock and relief.

I growl through gritted teeth as I attempt to drop an elbow onto my father's ribs. However, before I make contact he's already standing behind us, a pleased smile and narrowed eyes. My elbow impacts the stone walkway with a 'thud'.

He strokes his beard and chuckles, "Apologies. I forget my manners. Welcome to our home Anna. I hope you'll be friends with our little peach." He walks calmly back to the house. "You girls have fun. Dinner is at six thirty." 

I groan as I finally release my breath and stand up, rubbing my aching elbow, "I forget how tricky he is,” I turn to a shaken Anna, “Ah jeez. S-sorry. You ok?”

Anna's heart is pounding in her chest, and she's still a little shaken from the encounter. She looks up at me, her eyes wide with disbelief. She whispers, her voice shaking. "I... I'm fine, but what just happened? Your dad is... he's a bit intense, isn't he?”

"Yeah, that's a nice way to put it." I dust myself off after the little scuffle.
"I'd say he's just an old creep with more skill than tact.” I say, rubbing my temples. 

I give Anna's hand an apologetic squeeze. "Sorry, I should've given you more warning. Would you believe he's the easy parent?" I lead her into the house, which is remarkably normal.

Anna laughs a little at the thought of your dad being the easy parent. She shakes her head and follows me through the house, looking around in awe. She can't help but notice how normal it is compared to what she was expecting. "I can't even imagine what your mom must be like then.”

"She's... What's the word you used, intense? Well she can be max level intense, especially when hangry. Probably why dad's such a good cook. But I also remember her being tender and loving when I was little. She's always putting us kids first. I wish she'd visit more often but there are a lot of people depending on her." My voice dips into melancholy for a moment. 

"Hey, what's your Ma like? I mean, when she's not an overprotective succubus?”

Anna smiles at the thought of her mom being an overprotective succubus. She laughs a little and shakes her head. "Oh, she's definitely overprotective. She's always making sure I'm safe and that I'm taking care of myself. I can tell she's struggling to give me my own space now that I'm in high school. I don't know, she's always worried about me and wants me to be the best I can be, but she hid my succubus side so long I'm only starting to learn what my other half can do. But she's also really sweet and loving, and she'd do anything for me. She's my best friend and my biggest supporter.”

"They sound a lot alike. Guess it's another thing we have in common." I chuckle as I lead her through the house. Eventually reaching the door at the far end of the house's curve.