I could hear Kitty-Sue bustling around the apartment, but the tug of the warm water kept me from wondering what she was doing.
After almost falling asleep in the tub, I finally got out once the water chilled. As I stood up, Kitty-Sue came back into the bath. She dried me vigorously with a terry cloth towel.
We made our way back to the bedroom. Kitty-Sue had been very busy. All the dust was gone, the room smelled clean, and the sheets were fresh.
Kitty-Sue excused herself for a minute, and I heard the cycle of the tub reheating the water, followed by the sounds of her taking her own bath.
By the time she rejoined me, wearing nothing but the collar and a smile, I had made a decision.
She walked towards the bed, fully human except for the pointed ears, tail, and oval eyes. Her breasts made a seductive rhythm as she walked, and a hint of her scent wafted towards me. She climbed into bed, sitting beside me with her knees up and her arms wrapped around her knees. I felt the welcoming warmth of her body and caught myself staring at the hint of a nipple that showed as her breasts pushed against her thighs. She looked at me with a hunger that reminded me of Jorōgumo. Even with the collar, she could spin a web as dangerous as that woven by Jorōgumo.
I sent a command through the collar, forcing her into her fox form. She was surprised and let out a small yip. I pulled back the covers and slid wearily under them The fox tilted her head to question why I had transformed her.
I lay back on the bed, relaxing for the first time in (days, weeks?) months.
Kitty-Sue walked in a circle three or four times and settled in next to me, her tail covering her nose. She was soon breathing evenly and deeply.
A few minutes of worry about my situation were followed by a deep sleep. Tomorrow’s problems could wait for tomorrow.