InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Surreptitious Love Affair ❯ What goes on in the Night ( Chapter 3 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

 
 
Chapter 3: What goes on in the Night
 
 
They spent the better part of the day to get some archery practice and Kaede couldn't be more proud. Kagome had excelled greatly and was improving rather rapidly. Archery wasn't a hard sport but it took great determination, patience, and skill, which Kagome had plenty of. Kaede had a lot of confidence in her and she would continue to teach Kagome until she no longer needed an instructor and could manage on her own.
The sun, as they saw dipped slowly on the horizon, signaling that evening was appending and the evening meal would soon be announced. Kaede gathered Kagome's bow and arrows and proceeded to head in for the duration of the approaching night. While the nurse headed right for Kagome's room, Kagome herself wandered into the vast and brimming library. The library settled in the west wing of the main floor and was one of the largest rooms in the mansion. She took it upon herself to read a lengthy novel while waiting. She wandered through the oak bookcases until she came upon a book that was unfamiliar to her. She pulled it out and read aloud,
War and Romance: Tales of the Feudal Era”. She read many books about the Feudal Era but she's never crossed this one before. All the books she read were non-fiction, mostly about Japan and the many wars and turmoil it's faced. This one was also non-fiction and it looked aged, most likely from many readings over the years. She made her way over to a comfortable sofa and began to indulge herself into the mysterious pages. She was so immersed that she didn't heed the bell that signified the beginning of supper. It was about 5 minutes afterwards that Kagome was pulled out of her trance by some light tapping by Kaede.
 
“Miss Kagome, the bell for the evening meal rang 5 minutes ago. Your parents are impatiently waiting for you.”
 
With realization sinking in, Kagome hastily shot up and ran out of there, leaving the book behind. Kaede noticed this and grabbed the book and followed Kagome at her own pace, stuffing the book into her outfit.
Approaching the entrance of the dining hall, she slowed down and appeared in her comport behavior as she was in her parent's view.
 
“I see you finally joined us, daughter. Care to explain your 5 minute absence?” Her father demanded, sitting at the head of the 20 foot table.
 
Kagome sat herself at her usual place, about 10 feet away from her father on his left side and across from her mother, who was evenly spaced away.
“I was in the library, catching up on my reading. I have to be knowledgeable now don't I?” She answered, her vividly atrabilious tone of voice dominating her usual winsome and mellifluous intonation.
 
Her father just looked vapidly at her but said something anyway, “Yes. I expect you to be intelligent and strong because I will not allow you to appear puerile and foolish in front of your mother and I, or else risk getting disciplined very severely.”
 
“Yes, sir. I haven't let you down and I see no reason now why that should happen.”
 
“Daughter, did you scold Haya severely for her inexcusable actions to my garden?” Her mother asked.
Kagome always hesitated when her mother reached this topic. She was very skilled at concealing the truth but always managed to reply with an answer that her parents accepted.
“Absolutely, mother. I punished her rather fiercely this time so that she won't ever disobey or putter around again.”
 
“Good. She's so worthless and ignorant that the East Garden would have looked like a jungle: An under watered and dullish jungle. I would be the laughing stock of the entire Flower community and I can't risk my reputation for having a beautiful garden going down the drain.”
 
There she goes again, ranting on about her reputation and how it would ruin her image. I don't give a damn about her or her glory and fame! Caring about the workers that work hard labor and long hours should receive the credit is something she never even mentions. Father, on the other hand, cares more about his impression in public and expects me to not embarrass him, or else receives bad notions from the company and the rivaling companies. Every time I did something that threatened his status and power, he would, rather rigorously, physically beat me until I could no longer stand. I have had so many bruises and gashes on my body that if people saw me, I would look like a homeless child in rags. Kaede has nursed me back to health after the beatings occurred and would spend sleepless hours until I was well again. No doubt Kaede would be furious during those times and blamed herself for not stopping my father, which she certainly could not interfere with, for receiving ineluctable punishment herself. He's used knives, daggers, spears and even a shotgun or pistol when it was worse. I managed to survive his countless beatings and I will continue to endure him as long as I have my will-power and strengths.
 
By that time, the main course was now being served. Mother was always in charge of the meals and would instruct the chefs to prepare whatever she felt like having. Father would put up no argument and would vapidly consume whatever was presented. The meal tonight was French, consisting of a meat and many vegetables with accompanying sauces. Mother always drank wine at supper and would refuse any other beverage, as father also did. Kagome however, stayed far away from wine as possible and choose either milk or perhaps champagne once in a blue moon.
Kaede stood at the entrance as she watched the family silently consume their meal. Her meal didn't come until after the family was finished. Mother would periodically start a conversation that would either include her daily searches or compliments that she received. Father would just nod and continue with the meal. Kagome just sat and ate silently, like she usual did.
 
After the entire course, followed by desert, Father would excuse himself and left the dining room first, because of his position as the paterfamilias. Mother would then leave and Kagome was always the last. After leaving the dining room, Kaede handed her the book she was previously reading. Kagome thanked her for it and headed up to her room where she would remain until all occupants of the house were asleep and sneak out at 12:30 a.m.
 
 
On nights which she was supposed to meet Inuyasha, Kagome never slept, no matter how much her body demanded it. She usually occupied herself mostly by planning on what she wanted to do or talk about. The subject of tonight, however, would not be simple. The truth of the matter was that she didn't know what to say or how to say it. She knew that he would be astonished, not to mention infuriated. Whenever she told Inuyasha about something that included herself and her parents that seriously bothered her, he would always manage to soothe her after he got his choler out.
Ever since he came to work for her family 6 years ago, Kagome somehow knew that he was different. Despite her being at 10 years while he was at 13 years, she felt something tugging at her. At first she thought it was just an infatuation, because he was so good looking, even at 13. But as they both grew older, she realized that it wasn't an infatuation, but something more.
 
When he first came here to serve my family, I didn't know what to think. Being 10 years old, I didn't know what love was. It was just after I arrived from my 5 year schooling in Tokyo and I began to settle back in. Obviously my parents decided to hire more demons to better serve the family and I thought that we had enough already. My parents told me that there were always never too much demons to work for us. Again, I found myself loathing them for such a statement.
I was walking with Kaede to the library to continue my studies which my parents insisted upon my return. They wanted me to lucubrate even more, even though I had gone through 5 years of intense, straining, and continuous work already. At 10 years I had the intelligence and maturity of an adult but that didn't stop them from cramming more knowledge into me. Kaede never drove me hard because of already existing pressure and she always motivated me to keep going. Although she didn't agree with my parents' reasoning for it, she also insisted that you can never learn too much so I kept up and managed to pull through.
Anyway, we were continuing our trip to the library and we passed the main foyer where my father and newly acquired hands were currently standing. I saw five new faces. I came to a stop when I saw a silver haired boy standing closest to where we were. Kaede and I weren't seen by my father, thank God, because he would have surely reprimanded us, due to the fact that he always wanted to be alone when instructing new workers. I continued to stare at the boy, who couldn't have looked much older than me. I was fascinated by him because I've never seen anyone like him before. Kaede warned me we should move on, or lest be caught. Apparently, our movement caught his eye, as he turned his head swiftly and caught my stare for a brief time. It was the first time I saw his eyes. I couldn't help but gasp at the color of them. Never before have I seen such a deep gold color for a demon. He held his gaze a few moments longer before he abruptly snapped his head back to face my father. At that point, Kaede pulled us back to our original path. After that first encounter, I knew I wouldn't be able to get his eyes or him for that matter, out of my mind.
 
She rubbed her eyes, trying to stay awake. She already changed into her night attire, a baggy t-shirt with pajama bottoms, complete with pink fuzzy slippers. She paced around her room trying to organize what lied ahead of her. She knew she couldn't think straight at the moment so she decided to try and read her newly acquired book. It helped somewhat but it didn't ease her tension enough. Kaede somehow knew to pop in at that exact moment when Kagome threw her book on her bed and wanted to talk to Kaede.
 
“I will never manage to think how you can suddenly appear right when I need you!”
 
“You can say I have a sixth sense. I knew that you were up at this hour and I sensed your insecurity.” Kaede said as she softly closed the door behind her. Unlike the workers, Kaede had a room a few doors down from Kagome's. Her parents thought that their daughter's nurse would be better off sleeping on the same floor as them.
 
Kagome sat on the edge of her bed, nervously twisting a strand of her hair. “Oh Kaede, I am never this nervous when I'm about to see Inuyasha. Usually I'm ecstatic and thrilled but not tonight. Tonight I have to tell him my inevitable and unexpected engagement to a total stranger. I know he's always been there for me and won't stop consoling me until I'm happy again, but somehow I fear this news will bring about something new and strange…”
 
Kaede moved next to her and looked her right in the eye. “Child, it's natural to be feeling what you're feeling now. Telling someone that you love with all your heart that you're engaged to another, is something that you can't avoid, no matter how hard you try.”
 
Kagome looked surprised at Kaede's revelation but knew that it was true. Kaede was old, but she was wise and not one to be fooled easily. “How am I supposed to do this, Kaede? I want things to remain the same between us, but because of this, I don't know if it will.” Kagome then looked down at her feet, sounding more depressed and baffled than before.
 
She looked up when she felt a hand on her shoulder. What she said next was of complete and total astonishment. “I can't promise that things will be the same after tonight, but what this old woman is telling you, is to come out and tell him how you really feel. I have a feeling that your love will be returned. If you really love him, then I'm sure that everything will be alright.”
 
Just at that moment, an alarm sounded in her room, signaling that it was 12:25, five minutes before their meeting. Kaede smiled warmly and stood up. “Go, child. Go and be with who you really want to be with. Have the courage to tell him, have the strength to face forward.”
Kagome stood up and looked the door, now with a light in her eyes, barely noticeable in the almost darkness of her room. She breathed in and out slowly, walked to her door but stopped when she had her hand on the doorknob.
“I may not always be courageous and daring…but I know that if I have support, I can face what ever threatens my sense of security and confidence. Knowing that you have my back, I can do it!” She explained while still facing the door, unmoving. Without another word, she slipped into the darkness of the hallway and silently closed the door.
 
 
She tiptoed through the hallways and down the long staircase. There were always a few security guards on the premises at this hour but were shadowed by the pitch black of the night, hidden, silent as the grave. She kept walking through the house, looking this way and that to make sure it was clear, until she came upon a door, the door that led to the underground cellar where the wines were kept safely until they properly aged. She knew her house like the back of her hand so she didn't bother to carry any source of light, so she opened the door, stopping when it creaked a little, but opened it far enough to where she could fit and shut it.
 
This is where she needed light. Because of the intensity of the darkness to a point where she couldn't see her hand, she maneuvered her hand until she hit a wall and flipped a switch. Suddenly, the cellar was bright enough. Luckily, she didn't move from the spot where she entered, or else she would have surely tumbled 40 feet until she hit pavement. She began her descent. When she reached the bottom step, she was surrounded by wine and wine barrels. Remembering, she shut off the light switch and got by with the little light that permeated through the miniature cellar windows. She quickly maneuvered herself until she came to a room. This room is where her parent's most prized and special stash of wine was kept from all view and her father had the only key. Luckily, she had her own way of getting in: an exact replica of the key, which, unknown by her father, was made secretly. She pulled out her key from her pocket and unlocked the steel door.
 
Kagome quickly got in and hid behind the door, to make sure that no one, except Inuyasha, ever saw or heard her. She looked down at her watch, when she pressed a little glow-in-the-dark button to illuminate it. Exactly 12:30. She breathed a sigh of relief, knowing she made it on time. Now all she had to do was wait quietly.
 
Rules were that any worker caught out of bed this late at night was going to be to be objurgated and chastised by Mr. Higurashi the following morning. Punishment was either starvation and/or extra labor. Luckily, whenever they met, Inuyasha never got caught and was fortunate, though Kagome always worried over his safety and didn't want to see what could be.
 
A few minutes went by and all was silent. Then there was the sudden sound of footsteps and rapid breathing. The cellar was big and any and all sounds echoed at a high pitch. Kagome held her breath and prayed that it was Inuyasha and not some security guard that heard a noise from above. The cellar spooked her at night and not knowing who it was made her frightened even more. The footsteps and breathing came closer and her heart pounded but she stood behind the door and maintained her silence. She was sweating and becoming more fearful until the footsteps stopped, but the breathing remained. The steel door appeared to be closed to the eye at night but with a light and little focus you could see it cracked a bit. Being inside, she had the advantage of peeking through the door window without being seen from the outside. She slowly glanced through, making sure that she moved slowly and silently as possible. She looked but was disappointed and relieved that whatever made the approach was out of sight.
 
Pressing her luck, she opened the door a little to glance beyond it. Kagome still heard the breathing but it didn't sound as rapid as before. She still didn't want to make a sound, even if it was Inuyasha, she didn't want to test that theory. Realizing that it was already 12:35, she made the risky move and opened the door and quickly moved to the wall joining the door. Hearing the door made the footsteps reappear and move from behind a wine barrel that was closet to the room. Kagome silently gasped but with a little help from one of the cellar windows, she saw a sliver of silver and what looked like dog ears in the dark, she found her voice again.
 
“Oh my God Inuyasha, You scared the hell out of me! I thought you were a security guard.” She proclaimed, leaning against the wall, trying to calm her beating heart.
 
Inuyasha moved closer until he was a few feet away from her. “Sorry, Kagome, the damn security guards were the problem. Kaede warned me about the increase of protection around here so she escorted me until I reached the cellar door. Fortunately, we didn't get caught.”
 
“Thank God…” She stood upright again and walked the remaining distance between them. She then rested her head against his chest and sighed. “I don't want to see you caught. I would never be able to forgive myself.”
 
Inuyasha immediately wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to him. “I've never been caught before. What makes you think that I would?” He asked. He felt the tenseness in her and started to rub her back with one hand. She started to relax some.
 
“I don't doubt you, but I can't help it. You can get in big trouble with my father and that wouldn't sit well with me. I care about you too much to let you get hurt.” She knew that she had to reveal her love for him tonight but would that be before or after she drops the bomb? Due to the stress and fatigue she's been through, a few silent tears managed to run down her face.
 
Inuyasha sensed her tears and automatically knew that something was wrong. He knew that she cried often when she was in terrible pain, especially when her father beat her, but silent crying equals something critical. He gently pushed her into the wall and continued his soothing motions on her bare arms. Her hands replaced her head on his chest and finally found some level of relaxation.
 
Kagome kept her eyes closed, not wanting to face for what she was about to announce. She knew that Inuyasha could sense and smell her depression, anxiety, fear, and mental stress and would ask her until he got some answers. He was always pushy but never did he force her physically. She calmed herself before she said anything. She clamped onto his shirt before beginning.
 
“I know you want me to explain my behavior. It's just that I've never felt this way before and it's difficult for me…” This was the part where Kagome dreaded. She wanted more than anything to stay with him and love him like he deserved, but the news of the engagement was holding her back. She pressed forward anyway. “My father…summoned me today to tell me that…there's a function between my father's company and Takada Inc. I wasn't fazed at that but the next thing he said….” At every pause, she took a sharp, stuttering intake of breath, inching closer. The more she said, the more small drops of tears came.
“…The next thing he said….was that I…. I….I'm possible engaged….to Takada's son…in order... to benefit…from the amount of money that'll they'll gain!” After that, she let loose as many tears as she could cry. She couldn't bear looking into Inuyasha's face after that. So all she could do was wail in his chest and pray to God that everything would be okay after.
 
After she said “engaged”, Inuyasha suddenly felt a huge amount of rage and infuriation build within him. He clearly understood why she acted so scared. Watching her get married in order to receive an enormous financial gain, was something he couldn't do, and watching her cry in his arms made him realize that she was more than likely being forced against her will.
`I can't bear to see her like this. Crying because of something that her father unsympathetically and unknowingly did is something that I have to watch daily and yet, unable to do anything about it! That son of a bitch doesn't even care about her, only the money! How dare he do this to her! 6 years she's cried because of him and she can't stop him! Forcing her to marry someone against her will is one thing that will be ever boiling with hatred for that bastard!'
He pulled her into a passionate embrace, meant for sympathy and comfort. Kagome just buried her face further into him, knowing that he'll stay there all night if necessary. This is one of things that she could count on him for: always being there for her when she needed him the most.
 
My first incident when I first came to him was two weeks after his arrival…and the first signs of falling for him. Father, Mother, and I just came back from a social gathering and Father was always irascible. Because of a little mistake that barely embarrassed him, he dragged me to the living room, where Mother just followed us and proceeded to watch. This was also my first beating and how I got to know what I couldn't do in public.
My father shoved me to the ground first. He yelled something about embarrassing him and kicked me in my ribs very hard, and then something about punishment and kicked me twice as hard which sent me into the coffee table where I severely bruised my left arm. He wasn't done yet. He came and stood over me and then pulled me up by my hair up to his eye level. He was 6'4 and I was just 4'2 so he was 2 feet taller than I was. I whimpered in pain and pleaded several times to let me go but this just angered him more and just slapped me hard to get me to shut up. I couldn't remember all that he said to me that day, but I do recall something about punishment like this for every time you embarrass him or mother. Mother wouldn't interfere at all. Not because she felt sympathy for me and wouldn't stop him or risk getting beaten herself, but because she didn't care. Every time she watched my father abuse me, she watched amusingly, not caring for what father did to me. She had this winsome smile that sent chills down my spine and for the first time I realized that my mother didn't even love me at all. I was here because it was accidental. After his reprimanding speech, he threw me clear across the room and left without another word.
Kaede heard the commotion and ran to my side to see how injured I was. Despite my pain and shock to what just happened, I just bolted, leaving a yelling Kaede behind and ran with no particular destination in mind, tears streaming down my face. I ran and ran until I was outside in the garden. I had to rest because my ribs were getting intensely sore and being a 10 year old I couldn't take much pain. I found a spot underneath a tree, the same tree I sit under today. I just lied on the grass on my back and cradled my bruised left arm. I could hear footsteps under the grass but I just turned the other way, not wanting to face anyone right at the time. I was facing the tree; my eyes shut, and tried not to cry in front of whoever was coming. I felt a gentle shaking on my shoulder. I just moved out of their reach, telling them to leave me alone but obviously they wouldn't leave.
I finally had enough and weakly sat up and came face to face with the silver haired boy with the golden eyes. He asked me if I was okay and if there was anything that he could do. Something in his voice told me that he was trying to make me feel better and wanted to help, so I just sprang onto him and cried yet again. He caught the both of us and wrapped his arms around me. He tried patting my back but it did little to suppress my oncoming tears. Then I felt him rubbing up and down my back and that instantly brought me to a slight sniffling. I just hugged him and he rocked back and forth to further soothe me. No one else soothed me like that, not even Kaede could do it the way he did. For the first time in my life, I had someone else, aside from Kaede that I could turn to.
 
 
Inuyasha continued to hold Kagome tightly, wanting to ease her pain. Rubbing her back and just as always, brought her down to a level in which she could talk.
 
“You mean to tell me that he's FORCING you to marry some pompous rich kid and your father would receive more money than he already has?!” He asked after sometime of nothing but the sound of Kagome's crying. He knew he had to keep it down or else being caught for sure.
Kagome just nodded into his chest. “I was so angry within him that I didn't cry until realization hit me. And the reason I cried was because…my heart belongs to someone else, someone that comforts me, someone that cares for me…”
When Inuyasha heard those words, he suddenly froze. `…Someone that comforts and cares for her? Could she referring to me?' He wondered. He looked down at the girl in his arms. She was still crying but only weakly. She continued at a tone in which he could barely hear, even with his acute hearing.
 
“I thought it a crush at first, but the more time I spent with him; the more I grew to love him. At such a young age, I didn't even know what love was, until something inside told me that I was hopelessly in love with him. I wouldn't deny it, because I knew in my heart that it was true.”
 
Demons weren't as stupid as humans thought they were, in fact, they might be smarter. And Inuyasha, being half of an Inu Demon, was no exception. He was quickly realizing that she was most likely talking about him. It took him a long time to loosen up around her since their first hug 6 years ago. It was also true that the more time he spent with her, the more he opened up and came to like her, but as a friend at first. As they grew into adults, he started to feel more than just friendship. Sure, they shared hugs and only kissed twice, but only on the cheeks. He sometimes wondered what it would feel like to kiss her directly on the lips. He couldn't take any more suspense, so he asked her,
“Who are you talking about, Kagome?”
 
Kagome, for the first time in a while, looked up at him and did something she's wanted to do for so long. She raised her right hand and cupped his left cheek. She saw the stunned look in his eyes but only smiled.
“The only person that I want to be with: you, Inuyasha. I always wanted you, ever since that day you approached me and asked if I was okay.” She started to rub her forefinger softly against him.
He continued to hold her, while feeling the new sensation on his face. While continuing to gaze at her, he unknowingly moved his left hand to hold her hand on his face. All this time, her feelings were hidden, just as his were starting to bubble to the surface. He thought that no one could love him, but he was proved wrong. Someone did love him and she was in his arms.
 
“…I love you. I will love you and only you until the day I die. I know I've said it before, but my heart will belong to you: forever, Inuyasha.” No longer had tears of pain come down but tears of joy and relief, relief that the truth was now in the light. Kagome couldn't see as well as Inuyasha, but she could clearly see his glowing eyes: Eyes that burned with fire…and love.
 
To say Inuyasha was speechless was an understatement. He couldn't believe the words that just sprouted from Kagome's mouth. She loved him. Him! And he possessed her heart. Now if he could gather the right words, he would say something along similar lines, but when it came to his emotions, he lacked experience. So, hoping he won't embarrass himself, he gave it his best shot.
 
“Kagome…I…had no idea. To tell you the truth, I can honestly say I have felt something of similarity towards you. I'm not very good at showing how I feel, this you know. Holding and embracing you is how I get my emotions out without actually telling you.” He still held her hand while pulling her closer and hugged her waist.
“I thought that you would only like me as a friend, someone who you could talk to about your troubles and find comfort with, but as we grew, I came to face that I actually developed deeper feelings for you. I didn't want to believe it because I knew that no human could and never would, love a demon, let alone a half-demon. This is something that I thought I would never express…” He paused as he removed her hand and continued to hold her delicate hand. Inuyasha then cupped her face, pulling her closer to his own.
“I…I…I love you, too, Kagome. Please allow my heart to always be yours, also.”
 
Kagome was now silently crying as she answered him by closing the distance between them and for the first time, kissed him on the lips. Inuyasha kissed back and without embarrassment for the first time tonight, gently and lovingly, continued. Both were lost as they experienced their first, passionate kiss. Kagome clung on to his shirt, trying to feel as much as possible. She wanted to stay like this forever, never letting go of him. But, she knew that they had to pull away for breath eventually, and they would now share as many loving movements like this for as long as they could. Inuyasha didn't want to let go either, apparently. His hand moved to the back of her head to pull her as close as possible even though they were as close as they could possibly be.
After about 10 minutes of deep kissing, they finally broke apart, regaining air.
 
“Does that answer your question?” She asked, while he swept some fresh tears from her face. He only nodded. She leaned into his touch, finding a new comfort zone. They then pressed their foreheads together; both praying that this newly discovered love will remain secret. Kagome was the first to break the silence,
“I want to stay this way forever, but I have to go. Otherwise, we might be discovered and we can't have that, now that we know how we feel for each other. Sorry, but I have to leave.” As she reluctantly pulled away and started for the cellar door, Inuyasha suddenly grabbed hold of her wrist to stop. She looked back to see the longing in his gaze.
She walked back to kiss him briefly. “Kagome, we can't always meet here. We need to find another secret location.”
“I know. I have to ask Kaede if she can find another spot, she's good at that. I'll let you know as soon as Kaede finds something. I don't want to be apart from you either; Inuyasha, but we have no other choice.”
“Just promise me that whenever your father gets to you, don't. I hate to see you shed tears of pain and knowing that your father caused them makes me want to kill him! Promise that whenever I'm not around; just take care of yourself, okay? Promise me that, please.” He pleaded. Now that she knew his love for her, he started his concerns and pleadings. He was shy before but now, they kicked in immediately.
She gave him a reassuring hug. “I promise. For you, I will promise that.” She looked up to give him a longing kiss before her departure. Inuyasha kissed her back, with such force, such power, it overwhelmed her. She pulled back again and this time, Inuyasha made an attempt to not stop her, although just barely. Their hands were still connected, but slowly separated as Kagome made her way to the upper floor.
 
After closing the cellar door, she checked her watch: 1:03 a.m. It seemed longer to her while she started to walk back to her beloved bed to finally sleep a good night. No doubt Kaede would be waiting for her return. Indeed, as she turned down the hallway, Kaede waited patiently outside her open door. She gave off a questioning stare and Kagome nodded her head. The old nurse smiled warmly as she knew that it happened. As it was late at night, they would talk about it in the morning. Kaede hugged and kissed the girl goodnight and shut her bedroom door before proceeding to her own quarters for the remainder of the evening.