Secrets: Ch. 6

I do not own MonMusu, M.G.E, or anything monstergirl related.

It did not take long for Kimihito to throw on some old work out clothes and drag his running shoes out of the closet. It had been so long since he had gone for a run that didn't involve pursuing or being pursued by one of his houseguests. He had almost considered going back down to Cerea and encouraging her to go on ahead; his previous night with Miia had left him drained in more ways than one.

The faintest smile followed by immense guilt and confusion followed all the memories of the previous night rushing back to his brain. When did all this start becoming so complicated? Did I start being more suggestive to the girls? Is the repeated neglect of their monstrous behavior catching up with them? Hell am I using a bad type of cologne?

He had finished tying his shoes and sat on the edge of his bed a moment, staring at the floorboards.

Miia. What had really happened last night, Kimihito kept wondering. He could not discern where his judgment ended and her willpower began. The decisions he made last night had not entirely come to fruition in their consequences, but it was easy to see they would be horrific ramifications if the word got out. Miia has the leverage now, thought Kimihito. She has enough to prove to everyone else that she and I are a thing. It's not that I completely despise the idea but I can't shake the feeling that I was set up…I know Miia would never hurt me intentionally. That's a fact.

Kimihito rose from the bed and made his way out the door and down the hall.

Miia never using stuff like incense or herbs to make it harder to judge a situation is an opinion. She's been known to do it before and like mother, like daughter to be honest.

Still aware of the early hours and his sleeping household, He touch the first steps leading down towards the foyer.

Miia had complete control of everything that occurred last night…that's where I lose the judgement part and Miia comes into play. She could have influenced me to do what she wanted, but that's heavily speculation.

He had reached the final step and was walking towards the front door.

Either way maybe this run will do me some good, and spending some time away from the house and with Cerea may just what I-

All the thoughts and color from Kimihito's head immediately went south as he opened the door to the front sidewalk. Down the stairs of the front led to the street where Cerea stood…or at least part of her. She was shuffling on her front hooves a little, her hands folded in front of her as her head was bowed low. It looked almost as if she was muttering to herself. Kimihito couldn't shake the feeling that something was definitely off about her. The feeling only got worse as he walked down the steps cautiously, enough to draw her attention but not enough to spook her.

She saw him coming down and her face went from beat red to nearly purple in an instant. This as well did nothing to aid Kimihito's nerves. He got to the second to last step before he would be on the street, keeping higher up on the stair so he would be eye level with her.

"Cerea?", he said hesitantly.

""Y-Y-YES M-MASTER?" She was fidgeting with her hair awfully hard, where one would wonder if she was attempting to rip it out of her head.

"You doing alright there?"

"O-OH YES. N-NOTHING THE M-MATTER."

"Ah. Right. Okay then."

The lack of belief Kimihito had for the well being of his Centaur housemate was putting him at great unease, but he nevertheless trudged down the stairs and entered the street. When he got a full look at Cerea from head to horse tail he saw exactly why Cerea looked like she was about to fall over.

"Cerea…what?"

"P-PARDON MASTER?"

"Cerea…what…what are you wearing?"

In hindsight it was perhaps rude of Kimihito to pose the question in such a way, but it had to be asked given the odd events that had prefaced his entering the street. It made sense why she had not been in full view of the stairs and hidden behind the streets retaining wall. She had on a rather modest running suit, as far as they go for horses, since he had only gained a mild appreciation of the fashion efforts of Centaurs. But this…

On the small of her back was a saddle. The very sight of it made Kimihito's heart read Catcher and the Rye and then attempt to assassinate his brain. It was a very comfortable looking one, like it had never been used. It was a light brown color with the seat back in a crisscross leather pattern, some odd English lettering on the left side. There was nothing Kimihito could think to say that wouldn't come out of his mouth as a small squeak.

"W-Won't you join me?" asked Cerea, her voice a mere whisper as she hands writhed together.

"I thought this was supposed to be a run, Cerea."

Cerea could not keep her hooves still for a moment, and her left hoof was counting out to an unknown number. "Well yes it's a run and I wanted to bring you but I thought how foolish it would be to invite you to a run and then not have you able to keep up so I thought it would be better than to embarrass you Master, soIthoughtmaybeitwouldbebetterifyourodealongandmymotherhadgivenmethissaddlefor-"

She had gone into an odd muttering and her head was bowed slowly lower the more she spoke. It had been one of the things about Cerea that Kimihito loved; she was incapable of taking herself at anything but the utmost seriousness. He walked up as she stood mumbling to herself, as she was oblivious to anything except her babbling. He reached up his forefinger and tapped her lightly on the temple. This immediately snapped her out of her rambling to look down at him, the red returning to her cheeks.

"Cerea...breathe." Kimihito smiled up at her, the blush coming on even harder while time seemed to stand still. His hand moved from her forehead to the side of her face in some attempt to calm her down. It worked somewhat, as Kimihito observed that her breathing had slowed, she was taking deeper breaths and had stopped muttering to herself.

"Okay.", Cerea breathily whispered. A small smile graced her face as Kimihito removed his hand from the warmth of her face, slowly walking around her front to her side to take a look at the saddle. A part of him could not help but acknowledge the bizarreness of this moment. Cerea has allowed him to ride her before, that was not the issue. The fact that she had been keeping this saddle available for his use (apparently) was just slightly off-putting.

"Cerea...would it sound weird if I have never used a saddle before?"

"OH! Master, um...of course it is not! It is perfectly reasonable, given the history of your nation that horses would be limited here, additionally the need for a steed in such a modern time is not entirely realistic." Cerea's official and stern demeanor had return to his relief. He had some struggle getting his foot high enough into the stirrup but got it there nevertheless. Cerea shuffled for a moment adjusting to his weight as he pulled himself up and over the saddle and got his other leg over enough to slide into the matching stirrup.

"It's funny, you know, I've never imagined riding in a saddle before..." He was taking a risk in sending Cerea to the upper echelons of embarrassment, but it was worth the joke. He leaned in towards Cerea upper back, craning his head to reach on of her long ears and whispered, "...you and I normally do it bareback anyway…."

The very instant he spoke he had learned to regret it. The very moment after he whispered his dirty tease to Cerea she had taken off in a mad dash down the street with Kimihito hanging on for dear life, laughing all the way down the street.

- A Few Miles Later -

Cerea had taken some time to cool down after Kimihito had whispered his bad come-on in her ear, and by the time she had finally slowed to a trout and slow walk they had easily gone 5 miles in a few moments and were now in the woods of the local park. It had been some time since they had come here, the last being when Miia and Papi rescued the girl from the tree. A police officer on a bike had seen them rushing by and was so taken aback by the scene that he didn't know whether to pursue them for speeding in a walking zone or call Ripley's Believe It Or Not for Fastest Woman in the World.

Either way Kimihito had barely clung to Cerea long enough for her to slow down to her now calmer pace. His laughter had died long ago and was focused on catching his breath after the first few leaps over cars. They were now walking on gravel paths through a wooded area, the crunch of rocks beneath them being the only sounds they made. It was Kimihito's fault for teasing Cerea, he knew that, and made the first move of amends.

"Cerea...I didn't mean to rile you up like that…", he spoke meekly. Cerea did not turn around or acknowledge him in any way. He stayed silent for a few moments, waiting for any kind of response. Cerea turned her head to the side, looking along the treeline for something. Kimihito spotted a break in the trees, and what looked like an plain dirt path through the woods away from the gravel path. Cerea began to turn towards it, taking them both down a shaded and cool path through the trees.

She had not spoken yet so Kimihito decided to test his luck once again. "Cerea...I-"

"Master...Kimihito...do not worry yourself." Kimihito stayed silent, waiting for Cerea to continue.

"I have learned that...these things are unavoidable. It is difficult for me to adjust to this kind of life."

Kimihito blinked a few times, a mild pang of worry settled into his heart, and his mouth moved faster than his brain could.

"Cerea what do you mean? Is there something wrong with the house? With the city? What can I do-"

She silenced him by reaching around with her left hand to grasp his. It was a quick move and she gave him a gentle squeeze to silence and calm him, while turning her head towards him with a gentle smile.

"No need to fret, Kimihito; I adore your country, your city and your home. Fear not." She turned around to walk forward, not letting go of his hand but sinking her fingers into his to better grasp his hand.

"It's the idea of closeness...with you. I have not quite adjusted to it, it is not normal for such levels of intimacy between centaur partners. You may know of how we are a warrior race, and from the tales from my mother you know...it is difficult to have intimacy with our male counterparts…"

Kimihito scooted forward on his saddle towards Cerea, returning the grip of Cerea's hand as a warm smile touched his lips.

"Coming here, being with you is...a change. A pleasant one. The idea of such emotions is something I only wondered at since I was a little girl.

It shouldn't be so hard, should it?", she continued after a pause, "I mean I am half human. I couldn't believe it when my mother told us all...I had grown to believe my father was a stalwart warrior, unbreakable. But to know…"

She pulled his hand around her, bringing it to rest on her taut stomach, the other hand joining in and holding him close to her.

"It made me so happy to find another connection with you...even with me...being me...I had this piece of me that was part of your kind."

Kimihito would be lying if he said his emotions hadn't taken him for a ride all over town as Cerea opened her heart to him. He did all he could to hold back a sniffle or two that threatened to interrupt Cerea's confession.

"After my mother told me about my heritage and we had out duel with her, she sent me the saddle." She looked back at him, not even flinching at how much closer he was since he scooted up in the saddle and then been pulled forward when she took his hand. His other took the advantage and wrapped around from the other side to join his other hand, being brought into the fold of Cerea's in a interlocked bundle of their hands intertwined with each other. She smiled back at him, before turning back to the path. They were coming up on a clearing ahead.

"She wanted me to have it when I thought the time was right. It was made for me by my mother and father…" She turned back to him again. "...my real father...for when I found a man I could call my Lord and Master."

The trees gave way to a large clearing. White flowers dotted the entire grassy field and in the center was a large bench made from a massive tree trunk. IT looked like it could easily sit three people on the main seat, with the backrest blending back into the rest of the tree trunk forming a second row of seating. Cerea approached the tree bench, walking slowly around it.

"Kimihito...This is a lot for anyone, I understand. Centaurs...carry many traditions...many rites. You've already passed the most difficult, in that we are compatible in combat. It is the hardest challenge a pair can endure to prove the worthiness of the warrior to their Lord. It means I am trusted to protect you against all possible threats."

She stopped just in front of the seat of the tree bench. Cerea shuffled nervously and released her hands from Kimihito's. His heart had been pumping a million miles a minute as Cerea spoke; his feelings were threatening to run rampant and he lose control of himself. The closeness of Cerea was as gentle as the breeze that rolled over the flowers and grass in the meadow they stood in, filling him with a peace he had scarcely felt since the girls had come to live with him.

"Kimihito, please, step there for me?" She motioned to the bench seat of the tree stump. He looked between the bench seat and Cerea, and after a moment of hesitation unsaddled one foot and swung it over to the bench, letting his other foot out of the stirrup once he got his proper footing. He stood there as Cerea turned around, letting her tail swish gently against him and turning to face him. She trotted slowly, her blush had returned but she remained committed to looking him in the eye, approaching him and extending her arms out to wrap around his neck. He in turn moved his hands around the small of her back. Gently moving one hand in a slow circle, applying just enough pressure to bring her closer and rub the spot where horse met human. She hummed happily, pulling him closer to her, the feel of her breasts on his chest sending an incredible warmth spreading through him.

"I do like the idea of this little rite though." She said as she cocked her head to the side and stared into his eyes. Kimihito was beginning to lose himself under the gaze of his centaur houseguest as she leaned in and nuzzled her nose to his, prompting a small giggle from the both of them as the sun shone brightly above them. "Kimihito?" asked Cerea, her eyes fluttering and heart beating slight and fast.

"Yes, Cerea?", replied Kimihito, the last vestige of willpower slowly leaving him in the warmth of their embrace.

She smiled at him, the warmth of his breath upon her bosom making her heart sing at their closeness.

"I want to tell you my confession of love." Kimihito felt his heart gripped by ice one minute, then as if someone had poured liquid magma into his chest. I figured this could happen, gods know I should have seen it coming. But two of them, on the same day? I'm going to die before I see thirty I swear.

"Kimihito...there is no other man I have ever met in my life that is more worthy of the position of my Master. You are now and will always be the reason I raise my blade and brandish my shield. You are the sky to my Earth, the stars in my Heaven. My bones shall bear your burden, hands protect your heart." She reached down to one of the hands on her lower back and brought hers and Kimihito's in rest in between the two of them, nestled in the bounty of her chest.

"I will live my days in your service, in your protection, in your stewardship. Your house will be plentiful with my toils, your hearth shall be ablaze with the fire of my passion."

She leaned in to hear ear and gave him a light kiss on the earlobe, sending shivers down his spine.

"This is the part that's meant only for you…~" she whispered into his ear. Now it was his turn to blush. Where had this strong Centaur come from and made away with the emotionally timid Cerea that had been living in his home?

"My body shall bear you fruit, the seat of your lap shall be filled with strong daughters. MY womb shall ache for your warmth, my bosom full with and bountiful for our young. I shall never reject you, I shall welcome you in my embrace whenever you call. I shall be your maiden, and your touch my greatest treasure." She shook for a moment, misty tears forming in her eyes.

"I shall make you covet my form above all others. You shall desire no other but me, such is my oath." She sniffled a bit, her ears twitching as she closed the gap and captured him in a full blown kiss. Kimihito could not shake the incredible warmth that now swelled inside of him, coupled with the shock of her confession. Did she just..SHE WANTS TO HAVE KIDS? Ohmygodohmygodohmygod….

He was in a full-blown mental panic one minute, then back to focusing on Cerea as he felt her tongue trace the outline of his lips. Dumbfounded, he cracked his mouth just enough for her tongue to slip inside. She tasted fresh, minty with a burst of flowers. She was like spring, the blossoming of life and the promise of a new world was within her. He could only stand there, his knees felt like they were in knots and his hands unconsciously found their way to her face, cupping either side and drawing her into him. Their tongues danced around each other, enjoying the closeness and wetness of their kiss.

It had felt like a few minutes of that timeless bliss until Cerea herself broke it off, pulling back with a slight moan and drawing her tongue back into her mouth. She had that same radiant smile on her face, now coupled with a small giggle at his likely goofy facial expression at the bliss of their kiss.

"Kimihito...I know the others are all competing for your affection, and that soon a decision will need to be made. I just wanted to shed myself of any doubt of my feelings, and present my heart to you as my ancestors have done with their beloved chosen champions." She nuzzled into his palms more, the first tear trailing down her face and being caught by his roaming thumb.

"It has been our heritage to proclaim our hearts and bodies for our masters since the first Centaur Gwen promised herself to the mythical King Arthur. Such has it been through the centuries, as it is now, as is with you.

"I do not expect this choice to be easy; no hero can make the easy choice. People may be harmed in the wake of your hearts' desire. I can only promise, though it may break mine, I will honor the choice of your heart, and remain your knight. Always."

"Cerea I-" He had wanted to speak, to tell her that she was mistaken, and that he could make that choice now, here is she wanted. But she had placed a gentle finger upon his lips, silencing him again. When he was still, she moved her hand to his cheek, gently caressing him in a loving touch.

"Kimihito...beloved...you are not prepared. I can see the turmoil in you, and these feelings you are feeling now are simply being influenced by my own. I understand this, it is difficult to separate the fact from fantasy, but I know that if you confessed to me now, in your own fashion, that it will be the most joyous moment of my life. Yet, my confession took time, it was through much discipline and self reflection that I came read to bear myself before you."

She began to back away, slowly, hesitantly, and keeping his eyes locked on hers.

"If you truly feel this way, and your heart burns for me as mine does for you, then come to me later, after you have had time to cool your scorched thoughts with the discipline that I know you are more than capable of. Until then, when you have prepared yourself...I am content to wait, knowing that you hold the truth of my soul in your hands."

Kimihito stood dumbfounded at this, the passion and control she had shown was completely opposite of everything she had come to be know by while living with him. It was all he could do but run to her and embrace her on now, giving in to his desire and rutting like beasts. Yet he too held back, the look of pleading in her eyes spoke volumes at how much it meant that he be true to his feelings like she was to hers. After a few moments of hesitation, and reigning in the beast of passion that nearly took him over, he relented, taking in a deep breath to calm himself.

"Okay...okay Cerea...I get it."

He hopped down off the stump walking over to her. She hesitated for only a moment, perhaps afraid he would betray himself and give into his primal urges, but he instead walked to her side, mounted back up and onto the saddle. He would not hurt her in that way, he would not simply take what he wanted without that same show of trust. She looked back at him over he shoulder, smiling once again and uttering a gentle "Thank you.", before turning and beginning to walk back toward the break in the woods toward the gravel path. She had just reached the edge of the clearing when she looked back towards the tree bench, then over to Kimihito.

"No matter what happens, know I will always treasure this moment, and what we have shared. Thank you, Kimihito."

She turned back towards the dirt path, silent and never looking back. Kimihito, taking a little initiative, scooted forward once again to be a little closer to her on the saddle, wrapping his arms around her and closing her in a warm hug as they trotted through the trees.

"Thank you, Cerea...I promise, your words reached me…"

She simply smiled, more misty tears forming in her eyes as she walked them back onto the gravel path, towards home.

Later -

The journey back had taken a little longer than the first time, partly because Cerea decided to obey modern civilian crosswalk laws. Even so, they relished in the company they shared with each other. They drew a few curious looks, as one would imagine when one sees a Centaur with a fully grown man riding behind and hugging the Centaur at the same time. Neither cared; their world was peaceful and perfect with just the two of them. The continued until at least, to each of their disappointment, they reached the same street with the stone stairs leading up to his house. He gave a final squeeze and dismounted, eliciting a sigh from Cerea as she walked around to her front. She leaned down and cupped his head in her hands, his own hands locking over hers and holding her there.

"Just one request, Kimihito...don't make this wait too long for me, whatever your decision may be."

He smiled back at her, kissing her thumb as ir rolled in gentle circles on his cheek. "Of course Cerea, you have my word."

She smiled back at him, then releasing his hands and face, began the walk up the stairs to the house. He smiled, looking back at the empty street and feeling the need to burn off some of his pent up energy.

"Cerea! I'm actually going to go on that run now...Let everyone know for me?"

She turned back, smiling at him and giggling at their "run" together.

"Of course! HAve a enjoyable and safe run, Master!" She winked at him, then turning to open the door and step inside the house.

"Oh man…", Kimihito said to himself. He leaned down to check his shoes, noticing one of them was untied, "These women are going to tear my heart out I swear." Satisfied that his show was securely tight, he stood back up.

In his face was the red, upside down face of Rachnee. She nearly made him scream out in fright, but not before a spot of webbing covered his mouth.

"Morn'n huneee~!" she called to him. Her hands groped sloppily at his face, planting a wet kiss on his forehead. OH GOD WHAT'S HAPPENED?! DID SHE SEE? DID SHE GET INTO ANY…

It was at that moment Kimihito smelled the faint freshness and fragrance of essential ground Colombian beans in a rich and craftful blend that could only come from one source…

FOLGERS! His mind screamed in despair and horror at the realization that Rachnee was drunk at eight in the morning. He tried to wiggle out of her grasp as she held a coffee cup in one hand (somehow she held it right side up) and a thread of he webbing in another. She pulled, and suddenly many previously invisible threads closed around him. In a flash, he was bound and gagged in a ball of soft, silky webbing that constricted but didn't bind too tightly.

"Sorrie Hunnniee," she slurred, the red of her face glowing brightly, "...bu' we need to taaaalk. Hold shtill now…" With that, a shot of webbing covered his eyes, and he saw no more.

To Be Continued -

I hope you kids are happy...dammit you're bleeding me dry here but fine. A continuation of my most popular series. Maybe be a gem and check out some of my other works. Maybe I'll actually update more often.

In all seriousness the reason this chapter came out soo late is because it took me a while to figure out the interaction with Cerea. I came to the decision to just roll with whatever I came up with instead of having a plan and it worked! Best laid plans and all…

Thank you to the 100+ people that still follow this story, and I feel like I know where I want this story to conclude now.

I will only say this...the end is not far off.

Let me know what you think, reviews are the best way to get me off my ass and write!

All my respect,

-Banis