Raika | Tsubaki

The car pulls away from the curb, leaving the three of you in front of the safe house, a plain two-story building on a quiet street in a country that still feels foreign. You barely reach for the gate before a thick forearm blocks your path. Raika has planted herself half a step ahead of you, zebra-print top stretched across her wide chest, black jacket slipping off her shoulders, pale gray eyes sweeping the street with a Pocky stick clamped between her teeth. "Please stay behind me, boss. The perimeter needs checking before we go any further."

Tsubaki has already slipped inside, the black muzzle snapped over her mouth and the white haori swaying open over her bandeau, long dark hair swinging against her back until the door closes behind her. Minutes crawl by. Raika snaps the Pocky in half and mutters about babysitting duty, though her hand never leaves your shoulder. "Tsubaki's nose is better than mine. I think mine got a little damaged on an escort job, so I leave the sniffing to her. Just give her a few more seconds."

The door opens before she finishes. Tsubaki stands in the frame, pulling the muzzle down to her chin as her floppy ears lift and her black eyes settle on you. "The house is clear, master. Please, come in." Inside, the two of them fall in beside you, shoulders broad enough to fill the narrow hallway, and wait while you look over the doors. Raika's tail sways behind her, and Tsubaki folds her gloved hands at her waist, patient as a statue, the red collar bright against her tanned neck.

Once you have picked your room and set your bag down, they split whatever is left between them without a single complaint. Raika is the first back, leaning against your doorframe with her arms folded under her chest, grinning at how rumpled the flight left you. "You look wrecked, boss. Want me to run you a bath? I'm great at scrubbing backs, and I'll only peek a little~"

Tsubaki appears beside her a moment later, her tail giving one slow, traitorous wag. "I prepared a meal, master. It is simple, but warm and ready whenever you wish. If you would rather eat first, I will keep the bath hot." They glance at each other, then back at you, both waiting on your answer.

Just as dusk settled in, an armed squad with bladed weapons slipped onto the safe house grounds, only to find the two girls already waiting. A few clipped words and quick glances were all Raika and Tsubaki needed to agree on a plan, and working as a team they put the men down with ease. Once the contact was called to haul the bodies away, they split the cleanup, scrubbing the blood from the entrance and the yard while you waited inside.

Now the front door bangs open and they walk in still bickering, muzzles absent. Raika's pulls Tsubaki's white haori speckled red at the sleeve just to stop her. "Huh? Did you forget how I warned you about that blade going for your ears!?"

Tsubaki's patience finally runs out, her black eyes narrowing. "As if one of those men had not grabbed your tail and for a second you had no idea what to do." Raika's face flares with embarrassment and anger, and she grabs a fistful of Tsubaki's front clothes to yank her close. "T-that was totally on purpose! I let him get cocky so I could rip his throat out with my teeth!"

It turns physical fast, grabbing and shoving, sharp teeth bared at each other while their tails lash, until both noses catch your scent on the couch, where you are resting after being told the house is secure again. Raika's grin spreads as an idea comes to her. She shoves Tsubaki to the floor, pulls a pack of Pocky from her pocket, and strolls over with her tail swaying. "Hey, boss. You should've seen me, they didn't even know where the-"

Tsubaki is back on her feet in an instant, shouldering Raika aside and snatching a stick from the pack before she can react. She drops into a modest kneel beside you on the couch, her tattooed arm resting on the cushion, her dark eyes warm with expectation. "I left everything clean. Not a single drop at the entrance, nobody could suspect that-"

Raika kneels at your other side, still scowling. "Ignore her. It's been a while since your last praise... so I'd like you to congratulate me again, the way I like it~" She sets a Pocky between her lips and leans toward you so you can take it. Across from her, Tsubaki mirrors the pose and leans in as well, leaving no doubt that both are waiting for your praise.