#and when they set a fire a lot of tiny newts would scurry out in fear

[agalychnisspranneusroseus]

You know how Newtopia is covered in sea motifs? How its king wears a coral crown? How Marcy's clothes always have some kind of seashell or wave design? How predominantly blue everything about Newtopia is? It would lead you to believe newts are associated with water and the sea, right? Frogs are seen in swamps and woodsy areas, while toads seem to live in a dryer, rockier terrain, but surely newts are all water, right?

No. As paradoxical as it may seem, newts are associated with fire.

[bunny-wk-fanfic]

Personal Indulgence 2

A little something that I’ve written a good while back and have been holding onto for whatever reason. I hope everyone enjoys this!

The 1920’s were, well, they were roaring. Only, Kagome never thought she would get to experience them first hand. Not that she had anything against experiencing new things, or new times, she would rather be able to do so while not on the run. She was still lost on how she got to be in the beginning of the 20th century, and with the Shikon was still in her possession after all, she was quick to learn that there were many that knew of its existence. A whole magical community of witches, wizards, and magical beings.

Sadly, there was at current a rise of a wizard that was set on world domination, somehow word of the Shikon got to him and so she was on the run. It was a lot harder to fight against evil using magic when most of the world stopped believing in it at large. Again, if she weren’t on the run, she would have enjoyed her travels. Across China and Hong Kong, India, Egypt, Turkey, across Europe, and now on a ship to America. Sadly, she didn’t stay anywhere long enough to enjoy the sights and cultures. The magical community had impressive means of travel to catch up with her.

“Kirara?” her steps were only slightly muffled against the thin carpet, arms wrapped tight around herself as her gaze flickered over every corner. “Kirara, this isn’t funny!” her hushed tones still rang loudly in her ears.

While it wouldn’t be that odd to see a cat on the ship, even in this age, one with two tails would be quick to gain attention. And there was the fact that she was still getting used to sensing witches and wizards. What with their damn ‘notice me not muggle’ spells and charms.

“Kira-!” she paused when she heard a faint mew from further up ahead. Holding still, even her breath, she waited until she heard it again before rushing towards where she thought the source could be. Another downfall about witches and wizards, the moment she sent out her abilities to sense and search, they became aware of her themselves. Not directly knowing who or what was going on, but they immediately went on edge. “Kirara!”

Turning a corner, she spotted the Nekomata sitting facing a corner while looking up at a fire extinguisher. “Kirara, you scared me running off like that.” her brows furrowed when Kirara gave her a quick glance only to return her gaze to the fire extinguisher with a softer mew. “Did you find something?”

Approaching the corner herself, Kagome began to examine the brass container, giving Kirara an absent scratch behind her ears. It took a few moments, but she quickly saw what had attracted Kirara’s attention. “Oh! Hello there.”

The little critter was a mix of twig and praying mantis, green in color with spindly limbs that ended in fine points. It made the lightest of noises as it peeked out from behind the extinguisher, tiny eyes turning between her and Kirara.

“You look lost, do you need some help?” she raised a hand, holding it within the critter’s reach. “Come on, I’m not going to hurt you. And neither is my friend here.” head tipping to the side, she watched as it chirped and chittered before slowly climbing into her hand.

It’s limbs, ones that could be called hands, wrapped around her thumb as it tipped it’s head up to look up at her. “Well then, let’s get you back where you belong, huh?” raising her hand up to her shoulder, she waited a few moments before she felt it tuck itself behind her ear under her hair. With her hands free, Kirara was able to jump up and rest securely in her hold. “Well, let’s see if we can get there first.”

With slow steps, Kagome began walking back down the hall. Every so often she would pause or stop when she heard a squeaky little chirp, a pat to her neck, or gentle tug to some hair. There were few other passengers awake at this time, but the ones that were, were drawn to Kirara more than herself. Thankfully, all she needed to do was twist her tails around each one another to make it look more look like a single fluffy tail.

That, and it wouldn’t look good to appear as if she were talking to herself. “Are we getting close?” no sooner had she asked the critter, did Kirara once again take off running. “Kirara-! Seriously… we’re supposed to be lying low.” with a sigh, she picked up her skirts and took off after her.

How she missed the sneakers of her past, sturdy shoes that were perfect for running in. And lighter, if not shorter, skirts. Kagome managed to keep her sights on the whipping tails of Kirara. Following her down the corridors, Kagome was hoping that her friend wasn’t discovered, nor that word about her got back to this supposed dark wizard.

Turning the last corner, her body tipped forward when she came to a sudden stop. Wide eyes blinked at spotting Kirara purring under the obvious affection being given to her by a strange man. Now normally, she wouldn’t care, what with how kind and patient Kirara was. But both of her tails were visible.

“...Kirara?” fingers tightening in the heavy material of her skirt, she froze when the man looked up and spotted her.

Pale eyes stared up at her as she stared back, taking in the whole appearance of this man. Blue coat, mustard vest, gray pants, brown shoes, bowtie… strawberry blond hair that curled over his brow. He appeared lanky, and would mostly like tower over her own height.

Turning her gaze back down to Kirara, she bit down on her lip unsure of what to do in this situation. He obviously wasn’t surprised with Kirara’s appearance, meaning he was most likely a wizard.

“Pickett!” the suddenness of the call from the man had Kagome looking back up to him, flinching when he was suddenly approaching her and obviously reaching out towards her while holding Kirara. “Oh, I’m sorry. You… you have my friend there.”

“...and you have mine.” her voice trembled a bit, emotions surging forth and making it hard for her to process the situation.

His gaze dropped from her shoulder to Kirara, said Nekomata purring softly as she stared up at Kagome.

“Again, I apologize. I’ve just never seen a Nekomata before. They’re very rare.” he gently offered her Kirara back.

Offering a small smile, Kagome returned the favor, using her hand as a sort of platform for the critter to climb up on. “I’ve never seen one of your friends before either. A curious little one that seemed very eager to return to you.” a quiet giggle escaped her at the apparent happy chirps it gave off as it returned to the man.

“He’s a Bowtruckle.” the man offered with a smile as said Bowtruckle was quick to scurry up his arm and slip into a breast pocket of his jacket. “Thank you for bringing him back.”

Smiling, Kagome hugged Kirara a little closer to her. “Happy too.”

Hearing voices from behind, Kagome quickly looked over her shoulder in worry, a hand petting down Kirara’s back. She wasn’t going to take anymore chances, as her markings did garner too much unwanted attention, she quickly muttered the activation for the illusion that Shippo had given her to hide Kirara’s demonic heritage while using just the smallest part of her power.

Newt’s eyes widened slightly at the markings disappeared as the woman continued to pet along the Nekomata’s back, small glittering sparks trailing behind until the markings were gone. With the creature twining it’s own tails to make it look more like a single, if not more fluffier, tail, it looked like a normal cat. Just in time too, as two crewmen turned the corner and onto the corridor they were currently standing in.

“Oh! Is everything alright?” the younger of the two looked between them as the two paused.

“Ah, yes. Trouble sleeping is all.” the young woman offered easily, a tired smile lightening her face slightly as she continued to pet a low purring Nekomata.

The two men nodded, the older looking down at the cat. “Best to keep pets in your compartment.”

Blue eyes looked down at what now appeared to be a dozing cat. “Ah. I didn’t know how long my stroll would be, and I didn’t want her causing a fuss at being alone and disturbing others.”

Dark eyes narrowed but the older man nodded. “Alright. Just don’t let it out of your sight. And use your carrier from now on.” he tipped his hat a bit, as did the younger man, before the two of them bid their farewells and continued on their way.

Newt watched the woman, noting how her ease seemed to disappear when she was left alone with him which he found utterly odd. Was she possibly afraid to be alone with him? For what reason? It wasn’t like he could report her for smuggling dangerous magical creatures when he was doing the same, more or less.

Her eyes darted at the far ends of the corridor, feet shuffling as she bit down on her lower lip. “Well, I hope you have a pleasant evening.” she gave a quick bow of her head and was preparing to turn and make her obvious way back to her cabin.

But Newt did something he was not known for when it came to others, he reached out to stop her. “Wait!”

The fear in her eyes when she turned back to him shocked him. Now, he may not be like his brother, but he recognized fear from those he saved after they’ve been hunted down. Letting go, he raised his hands and took a step back. “I’m sorry! I just, I would like to know more about your friend. If- if that’s alright with you?”

At this point, the Nekomata peeked a wide red eye and stared at him. There was a level of intelligence there that surprised even him. The second eye opened and both were pinned on him, and he knew that he was being tested, the exactness on the how was lost to him. After what felt like forever, a quiet mew sounded in the air that was followed by a low purring as the Nekomata moved to nuzzle and cuddle beneath the woman’s chin.

“Well, Kirara seems to like you. So I guess I can trust you, for now.” lips were pursed as her posture eased a little, but she was still on alert.

Offering a smile, Newt bobbed his head. She didn’t know how telling her words were, but he knew he would have to take it slow. “I’m glad. I’m Newt Scamander.”

Blue eyes blinking wide, which he just realized seemed oddly out of place with the rest of her Asian characteristics, twinkled slightly as her lips twitched. “Newt Scamander?”

“Yes?” he didn’t know what she found amusing, but could only assume that it had to do with the fact that she obviously came from the far East.

“It… it sounds… adorable. It suits you.” her cheeks took on a light rosy hue as she smiled more freely at him before she face him completely. “Kagome Higurashi.”

Testing her name, he smiled at her giggles when she corrected him, watching her head bob when he finally got it correct. “If would like, I have somewhere safe for your friend to be themselves.” he indicated the direction back to his own tiny cabin.

The slight narrowing of his eyes was expected, the time it took before she finally agreed as well. “Try anything funny…” the threat hung in the air would have been amusing coming from such a small woman, but the large red eyes that were also pinned on him let him know that he wouldn’t have to contend with just the tiny woman.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” at the honesty in his tone, she once again relaxed and fell in step next to him, eager to share his own friends with this young woman and to see how she would react to them all. Hopefully, he would gain a friend with the woman that was a fellow kindred spirit when it came to understanding magical creatures.