#barking snarling gnashing my teeth

[vonabel]

hockey player!katsuki bites and tugs at his jersey the same way jeremy swayman does, u can't change my mind

[frogspawned]

never gonna be over ghilan'nain. she's an amoral artist using the flesh as her chosen medium. she's piloting her dead wife's torso centaur style. which is such a tasty glimpse of the madness of her grief. my god. ghilan'nain was the most sensitive of the evanuris, and she couldn't make halla now. she's been imprisoned for millennia in a blighted palace, trickling horrors from a wound in the veil, a wound of curiosity and arrogance, watching her family all become mortal and perish one by one as their archdemons die. so she took the mortification of flesh literally. she is a workaholic who denies her own grief and buries herself in her great work: crafting godawful little freaks in the name of science. the world she lived in is gone entirely, and none but she and elgar'nan and their jailer remember it, and she doesn't miss it, and she doesn't want to go back. andruil raised her up to godhood (delusional) because she was so good at making fucked up guys for her to kill. but the mother of halla couldn't make the halla now, and she still uses their iconography as her symbol. the 'void' armor drove andruil mad, and ghilan'nain kept it and experimented with it and put it in her own body and in her family's bodies and their dragons and their enemies and their subjects and seeded it into the earth to grow her strange bitter fruits, a labor of love. the evanuris' bodies were made from lyrium, the blood of titans; the blight's song is the screams of the titans they killed to make their lyrium bodies, which she then blighted! on purpose! wounds seeping into wounds. it's what got them locked away, why they murdered mythal, but it is pure creation, possibility, it is so easy to mould, and she used it to graft her body onto andruil's headless legless corpse and elgar'nan -- her forever roommate last of her kin god of tyranny -- is so very tender with her. and he is so so so very tender with her. she has a mouth in one eye. sometimes she is a big head in the clouds. she didn't need to do the torso thing at all because she can inexplicably float. she's gonna use me for parts.

[kiame-sama]

Humans Are Extinct (Yandere!TWST x Fem!Reader) Monster AU pt 15

(Painting done by @Sugar-sprinkles Thank you again for the fan art, I love it!)

Warnings; nightmares, comfort after nightmares, communal grooming, blood for the blood gods attitude, grudges, breakfast, let him cook, new technology, Dragon, Vampire Bat, Raiju, Cervitaur, Hellcat, Shinigami, Gnoll,

~~~~~~~~

The pleasant electric purple sky swirled above you, rolling with fluffy clouds of shadows bathed in pastels. Green fireflies surrounding you as you lay back on a vast blanket in some forgotten field that faced the setting sun at a wonderful angle to view. Delicate glass flowers swayed, the surface of the glass moving organically as if they were fluid.

Around you countless colors gleamed in the gentle light and warm rays of the red sun set. A soft warm breeze skated across your skin despite the fading light and lowering temperature heralding the arrival of night. Stars dotted in the darkening sky and you noticed the various colors they all seemed to have. Beautiful poisonous purples, handsome prideful golds, rosey blood reds, pearly selfish whites, royal electric greens, intelligent underworld blues, cunning clueless maroons. They danced and moved above you the same way the fireflies leaped around and hummed.

You know better than to be alone.

What?

Where's Malleus?

He didn't seem to be lying with you, or any of the hoard for that matter. Actually, where was everyone? You were well and truly alone in a field. This isn't your home. None of this is familiar.

The stars faded away suddenly, one by one flickering out of sight as the light of the sun faded to darkness. The woods on the edge of the field seemed so much closer now, whispering and moving shadows among the trees with glowing eyes that stared.

Only the light of the fireflies remained, eyes glowing a reflective green in the dark. A snarling growl splits the air followed by a howl from behind you. All around there is barks and flashes of teeth in the dark.

They drew closer as the fireflies dimmed. Your heart seizing as the light seemed to keep them at bay.

'Wait!'

Your voice was soundless as you tried to call to the fireflies to stay, trying to scream but unable to.

'Come back!'

The lights dimmed further as the Wolves circled round and gnashed their teeth. The largest and more scar covered one lunged as the fireflies went out.

All you heard was Grim crying out your name.

~•§•~

Eyes snapped open as you startled awake, a familiar pair of green eyes observing as you awoke. Malleus was watching you with a worried gaze in the dark room, his thin brows drawn together in concern as you somewhat struggled upon waking. You had been sharing a blanket with the Dragon when you fell asleep, so naturally it was the Dragon who woke you.

"You're safe, my Child of Man. It was just a dream."

You didn't realize you were crying until he used his thumb to wipe away your tears. In your chest, your heart beat frantically as you tried to understand where you were and what happened. Slowly you realized that you were safe in the nest with Malleus by your side. Lilia sat awake and watched you with a concerned gaze, his eyes fixed on how disoriented you were.

"Just a dream."

As you calmed somewhat from your fear, you were still disoriented from your nightmare and another almost irrational concern overcame you.

"Why do you never call me by my name?"

"What?"

"My name. You never say my name. Why do you hate it?"

"I don't-"

"Then why?"

Malleus seemed caught off guard by your sudden sensitivity to his usual way of addressing you, trying to calm you once more. When you didn't calm down and only teared up again he worriedly pulled you close to him, laying his wing over you and holding you against his chest. His tail curled over your side and held you close to the Dragon.

"I apologize, my- (Y/n). I didn't know it upset you."

His dark lips pressed against your forehead and the Dragon held you in place against his chest, "I won't call you 'Child of Man' again. I will only call you by your name."

"So you don't hate my name?"

"No. I don't hate your name."

Though Malleus was vaguely concerned how upset you were over what- to him- was an irrational worry of yours, he was content to soothe you. Whatever you had been dreaming about clearly upset you to your core and it fueled your almost hazed perception from interrupted rest. The Dragon was a decent enough source of comfort to you and it helped pull you back into the realm of sleep.

As you lay in his arms and slowly calmed, your eyes started to close again as your heart soothed to a soft lull in your chest. Malleus used his own magic to pull you faster into the arms of pleasant dreams, but you still mumbled out your concerns to the bemused Dragon.

"You don't hate me, right?"

"I don't think I could ever hate you, (Y/n)."

"And you won't leave me to those Wolves?"

"What Wolves?"

"The ones in my sleep... The ones that chase me when the fireflies go out."

Malleus paused, vaguely upset that you had clearly been having nightmares. It hurt him to know the Poachers that attacked you stalked you in your sleep. He could remove them from life, but to remove them from your dreams would be harder. Luckily for you, Malleus was adept at manipulating dreams.

"I won't let them get you. I promise."

You hummed, mostly back into that in-between state of awareness, your mind slowly slipping off into slumber. A faint green light met your eyelids as you fully succumbed back into rest, dreams now of a far more peaceful nature. The great Dragon remained by your side, in your dreams and out of them as he marveled at the soft feel of your figure laying in his embrace.

His greatest treasure.

"Malleus."

"Yes, Lilia?"

"You asked why I wasn't displeased you chose a short lived creature as your desired mate. That is because she doesn't have to live such a short life if you are willing to extend it. So long as you protect her, she can live as long as you do, and never succumb to age."

"How?"

"Let me teach you a valuable lesson, as it had been taught to me by your grandmother. Only a dragon can truly perfect it, but it means neither of us have to live in worry of her age taking her away."

~•§•~

You woke again with the usual hoard among you, Malleus still holding his position next to you and your nightmare long forgotten. It seemed to you that he was being more protective than usual and you worried for your own peace. The Dragon's behavior towards you was much more stringent due to your injury and your repeated exacerbation of that injury. He was now ensuring you healed, going as far as insisting on accompanying you, Silver, and Ortho for the day to make certain you didn't stand without help.

Luckily, you weren't going to classes today because it was the day the various representatives and scientists arrived to evaluate your wellbeing. The threat of being taken from your established norm in this world of madness unsettled you. Honestly, you had worked hard to create a sense of normalcy quite quickly given the circumstances and still you had very little time to relax without threat. Maybe today would be a good test of the bonds you had made.

Truth was, you were angry and upset and just trying to survive in a world built against you. Cater was a damned idiot for revealing you were at NRC and you paid the price for his lack of awareness and discretion. Leona threatened you and you knew even then that you didn't stand a genuine chance if you lashed out. You held your anger in well but you wanted to yell and snap at the tactless men around you that invited themselves into your space.

Even with all that rage, the brush with the Poachers taught you something important. As it was right now, you didn't stand a chance on your own in this world of beasts. In the beginning it felt like the Dragon took you in far too quickly, the rest in the Hoard following suit. The more time you spend among them the more you began to realize everyone in this world acted this way. This was normal to them. The strongest chose who they wanted and the others just had to accept it.

If there was a chance you could escape this world, it would be where you fell into it in the first place. You couldn't tell any of the monster men, however. Knowing what could await the Humans back in your world if the monsters ever knew how to get to them, it was better to try and slip away without any of them knowing. You figured your way home was probably linked to the Hall of Mirrors. The Hall of Mirrors was only in Night Raven College, however. If you got taken away, you would never have the chance to return home.

Malleus swore to help you relax before you were to meet the monsters that no doubt wanted to study you like a lab-rat. If Idia was right, one of them wanted to kill you as well. Your only chance in this world was to ensure the monsters that were fond of you stayed fond of you. That didn't seem too difficult a task, but that meant you needed to ensure you kept your temper contained so that safety net did not abandon you. On top of your health and safety, there was the health and safety of Grim. He needed your protection and you needed the protection of the monster men.

At least you made considerably strong allies. Two of the strongest in the world were enamored by you- one seeming more parental in his affections than the other- their associated allies would follow suit. You could bargain for more personal space later, for now you simply needed to cement yourself in place and keep those representatives from trying to take you. By all means, you were fighting for your chance to return to your true home and the simple chance to live where you could mostly trust those around you.

As the sun rose, the warm scent of breakfast foods caught your attention. No doubt the only other one capable of cooking- Papa Hades- was already up and making a meal to feed the many who seemed to now permanently live in your dorm with you. It was a relief to not have to be the one cooking and you were fairly content with allowing the Shinigami to cook for you.

Grim had moved from his usual spot atop Silver's back and had managed to squeeze into your arms, cuddled close to you. Maybe he also had a bad dream and sought out comfort from the one he saw as a parent. It was odd to you to have more information about the Hellcat, yet no actual answers to the questions you still held onto. If anything, at least you knew what Grim was and you were willing to bring him with you if you ever found a way back to your home. There was no way you would leave the kit alone in such a dangerous world.

Lilia was next to rouse as he stretched his wings, limbs extended as he yawned and his pink tongue flashed across his bat-nose. When he saw you were awake as well, he smiled and crawled through the nest to your side. He was quick to flop down next to you and gently lay a wing over your body. There was something comforting about the loose affectionate hold as the Vampire Bat hummed contently.

"Morning, (Y/n)."

The Bat almost purred his greeting, clearly happy to have any interaction with you. You absently reached up a hand, petting the soft hair of the Bat as he smiled and cuddled closer. He leaned into your touch as if your petting was akin to a massage.

"Aww, grooming me back? That's so sweet of you, (Y/n)."

"What?"

"Keeheehee, nothing, (Y/n). Be careful who you pet, some may take it as grooming, some may take it as flirting."

You almost wanted to stop petting the Bat when he said this, wondering which way he took the gentle affection. Given the fact he told you and gave warning, you figured he was in the grooming category. Especially when you recalled that he was always keen to participate in communal grooming with the other Hoard members.

"Is petting a part of grooming to you?"

"Yes, most take petting as grooming, which is a very social behavior. It's a good way you can show others you care about them. Be careful though, Harpies can take preening as a sign of romantic intentions. Both Silver and Sebek are quite fond of it, as is Malleus. I, clearly, like it a lot."

"So, you're saying I should pet the others in the Hoard to show them I'm thankful for them?"

"It certainly wouldn't be amiss. I'm sure Malleus would appreciate it quite a bit, he is fond of you, after all."

You turned from Lilia to Malleus who was still in deep sleep next to you. It seems unwise to startle the Dragon, but a very persistent part of you encouraged and pushed you to reach your hand up to rest atop the Dragon's head. When he didn't immediately wake at your touch you slowly began to pet his silky black hair, a soft almost purring noise slowly coming from Malleus as he began to rouse. One green eye opened to observe you gently petting his hair and the slightest of smiles pulled at the corner of his lips.

"Good morning, my (Y/n). Hopefully your sleep was more pleasant this time around?"

"No more nightmares, at least."

"Good. Were you waiting long for me to wake?"

"No, I woke up a bit ago. I think Silver and Sebek are still asleep though."

Malleus glanced to the other side of the nest, where Silver slept atop a pile of pillows, Sebek leaning his back up against the Cervitaur. Grim woke to your soft voices, yawning and stretching out his little paws and wings with a light purr. Almost as soon as he opened his eyes, you could hear his stomach growling.

"Hooman, is it breakfast time yet?"

"Yes, I think it is. Smells like it is, at least."

This made the little Hellcat stand up quickly, his tail lashing in excitement as he pulled at your fingers to try and get you up as well. Your laugh in response to his behavior woke the other occupants of the nest. Silver seemed somewhat groggy, but got up quickly as did Sebek.

"Do you want to dress first, or eat breakfast first, (Y/n)?"

"I want to get dressed first, maybe I can wear some of those clothes Vil, Rook, and professor Divus made for me."

"Alright."

The Reindeer Cervitaur dismounted from the nest, standing with his back in line with the edge of the nest so you could crawl onto him. Before you could move and potentially stress your injury, a black tail wrapped around you and lifted you from the bed. Lilia had already hopped off and dug through the now full dressers for an outfit for you. You somewhat didn't know if you could trust what the Vampire Bat chose for you, but the simple pants and flowy shirt seemed decent enough.

The solitude of your bathroom was a nice change from the herd of monster men, but once you had taken care of your morning routine and dressed, Silver carried you downstairs. Naturally, the rest of the Hoard followed suit as you all went to the waiting kitchen.

You were somewhat surprised to see the kitchen had been upgraded as well, noticing a few new electronics you had asked Idia to put together for you. Where there had once been a shabby industrial kitchen, you now saw upgraded ovens, stove-tops, fridges and even a self revolving pantry. What interested you the most was what looked like a large deep-fryer that seemed to be able to clean itself and remove the thick unheated oil without needing to be touched. The things you could now make with that fryer called to you and you resolved to spend a day cooking fried comfort food when your leg healed.

Provided you could stay in Night Raven College.

"Good morning, Little One."

The large and old Shinigami greeted you with a gentle smile, setting the- clearly new- table with plates, bowls, cups, and silverware. He had already placed the large bowls of food in the center of the table. At the head was a large chair- suitable to his own large form- and one large chair at the right hand side where Idia already sat. To the left of the large chair was a chair much more suited to you. Attached to it with its own small table, seemed to be a high-chair for Grim.

Ruggie was already present and whooping excitedly, cackling as he hopped in place to see past Ortho who was trying to stop the Gnoll from immediately digging in. You smiled and Silver helped you dismount, pulling the chair out for you to settle down at the taller than normal table before putting Grim in the high-chair next to you. Idia noticed the way you examined the table and smiled almost shyly at you.

"Don't worry, the table can be automatically adjusted for height. Just press the side buttons at the head of the table to make it shorter or taller. Figured you should have an actual place to sit and eat instead of that little scrub table you had before. I got a few of those things you wanted made and all hooked up. They should work properly, but tell me if they don't so I can tweak them."

"Thank you, Idia. Honestly, I'm amazed you got them done so quickly."

"Why? My main spec is technomancy, after all."

"Just impressed, is all."

A faint pink seemed to take over Idia's flame hair as the gems on his cheeks also burned a light magenta. His smile became an almost drunk grin as he showed off those sharp teeth of his, clearly pleased by your light praise.

"Well, if that's impressive, just wait till you see the heated blanket I've been working on for you. That'll really knock your socks off."

"I'm looking forward to it!"

Ortho sighed and let Ruggie rush forward to the food as he took his seat next to Idia at the table, serving his own plate. The Hoard and Papa Hades also sat down at the table, Malleus making a clear show of sitting next to you and Grim. Everyone seemed content to eat and lightly chat together, you switching between eating your food and getting more food for Grim.

"He will likely need a lot of food to grow properly," Papa Hades started, observing you and Grim with a gentle smile, "he is still very young. I am happy to lend aid where it is needed, if you would allow it. Seeing as you have many who eat among you at any time, it would be best to keep the cupboards well stocked."

"Careful," you warned with a happy smile, "I might take you up on that offer and you'll wind up feeding all of Night Raven College. I mean, you'll certainly be feeding me, Grim, and Ruggie, but I know a few others who would happily dig in if offered."

"I wouldn't offer if I didn't expect several more mouths to feed. Worry not, my kin and I hold a good portion of the wealth of Twisted Wonderland. It is not too burdensome to feed the many young that live here."

You smiled at this and Ruggie barked his agreement, still shoveling food into his mouth. Grim was purring and pulled your hand to him so you could continue feeding him, effectively ending the conversation as you let the small beast feast.

When everyone had finished eating, Ortho and Idia started clearing the table, leaving you and the others present to talk about the events that would take place. It was stressful, but you knew the conversation needed to be had, especially if you were going to catch the representative who hired the poachers.

"You will meet them in a panel type setting around lunchtime, your guards, the professors, and Headmage Crowley will be there. I will keep my presence concealed until I am needed should there be any threats from the representatives or scientists. Young Idia suggests you pushback against any representative who attempts to pressure you into speaking to them alone or accepting their judgement. If this traitor is as temperamental as we believe, they will reveal themselves quickly with any aggression or denial from you. Are you comfortable handling this?"

"So I just have to be a petulant brat to anyone who tries to speak for me instead of to me?"

"That is the idea."

"I can do that, I think."

The large Shinigami nodded, but it was Malleus who spoke next. His voice a deep rumble in his chest as he turned to you with an almost worried gaze.

"(Y/n), I know you likely don't want to hear this, but you need to know. The representative in question will likely be killed once others learn what they have done to threaten you. Depending on where they live, they may be in violation of laws previously put in place to protect Humans."

Your frowned at this, but not for the reason they believed. If anything, you wanted something awful to happen to whoever it was that hired the poachers to kill you. The poachers stabbed you, attacked you and Grim, on top of threatening to kill the both of you. There was no love lost in your heart for the orchestrator of this violence against you and your kit.

"You seem to think I'm going to just forgive them after everything they've done?"

"Well, given how you forgave Cater-"

"I haven't forgiven Cater in the slightest. Just because I didn't want him to be thrown into the forest does not mean I forgave his short sighted actions. The circumstances with Cater are different. I fully believe Cater genuinely didn't know and is just stupid, not thinking about lasting consequences despite general logic speaking to the contrary. He is not forgiven, I just didn't want to see him hurt on my behalf. This poacher wannabe, however, is not someone I care to protect. No, I want this fucker's blood to stain the floor."

Malleus seemed surprised at your anger towards this mystery monster, but he didn't really blame you for your anger. If anything, the only two out of your tablemates who did not seem particularly shocked at your aggression and rage were Lilia and Papa Hades.

"This... seems out of character for you, (Y/n), are you sure you're feeling well?"

"I personally feel just fine. What I don't feel fine with is the fact that this butt-hurt waste of space knowingly dared to put Grim- My Boy- in direct danger to line their own pockets. That I can't forgive or forget. I'll even do it myself if you all refuse to. I don't care what their social standing is or how hard I have to try to kill them, target my boy and forfeit your life. I feel the same for any poachers who are looking to kill or otherwise use me for their own gain. Neither Grim nor I are pets, trophies, or playthings. Anyone who thinks we are needs a reality check."

It was then Lilia spoke up, setting down his flute of tomato-juice next to his plate. His voice was almost giddy in comparison to your own less than amused tone.

"Don't be so surprised, Malleus. I've told you and others before how Humans are about their young. Even the nicest Humans would be out for blood if you dare harm their young. Little Grimmy is (Y/n)'s boy, her kit, and I would expect her to hate anyone that threatens him."

The Bat almost seemed to exchange words silently with the Dragon after his statement, Malleus conceeding with a nod.

"Alright. But let one of us handle them, okay? I understand you are angry, but you have no weapons to your name and I am unsure you have any weapon training. If we need to kill them due to violence towards you, I would rather it be done quickly and without harm to you. Is that amenable?"

"Fine, but after this, one of you is teaching me how to wield a sword or a dagger."

[randomwriteronline]

"Strange colors, this one," the female said. "Earth?"

"Sonics," the other replied proudly. "Very rare. Usually their element kills them before they can turn."

The Toa's head lolled about, quiet, his silvery Hau hung low; he did not respond when his possible buyer grasped his forehead and pulled it up to check his eyes - which he did not open.

"Blind?"

"Ah, no, no, he sees well! But we've had to knock the fighting out of him and now he's a little shy," the Stone Skakdi cackled. "Not that it was difficult. He's perfect cannon fodder, no will to complain, no thoughts of his own. Or he could make a good cabin boy for you or some other slave-like thing... Truly, you've just got to choose."

Xekul grinned sharply, her tone appreciative: "Not bad for his price."

A panicked sound arose from behind her: one of her sailors was rushing towards them, grabbing her arm, trying to pull her grip off of the near catatonic being.

"You won't fool me!" he was snarling, spine snapping like a whip, teeth bared, "Keep your cursed deals off our ship!"

She yanked herself out of his grasp with barely any effort; the smaller Skakdi tripped on his own feet as he was thrown forward, and she snarled: "What's gotten into you now?"

"He's cursed!" the male insisted, "They all are! All De-Toa, all of them!"

His eyes gleamed terribly as he set them on the being limply awaiting whatever demise the Skakdi would decide for him.

"They're harbingers of ruin - they're Mata Nui's own personal sirens, made to drag us all into the bottomless abyss," the spindly male hissed. His fingers curled tighter around his captain's arm, so tight he almost crushed her murky green armor. "He'll doom the ship the moment he gets on it! He'll guide us straight to Karzhani itself!"

"Bit unruly, this sailor of yours," the slave trader cackled nervously.

"Bit more than usual," Xekul agreed with a low growl.

The Ice Skakdi trembled harshly, gnashing his teeth together as he suddenly shrieked: "We need to kill him! It's the only way to save ourselves! We need to kill him now!"

Immediately the other male perked up, spine curving to make him seem larger as he barked: "Hey, hey! No touching the merchandise!"

"Then we'll need to kill you too!" the sailor howled back, cutlass all of a sudden in hand, the terrible strength of desperation lunging his pitiful frame forward to grasp the salesman's throat between his claws and plunge the blade right into his eye over and over and over and over and--

He gave a frightening yowl when his captain's fingers grasped skull, sunk into his sockets, and yanked him back to send him flying. His body hit the ground with a large clattering thunk and shrank into a pained curled position reminiscent of a boiled shrimp's posture.

A powerful shiver wrecked him. He clasped his head within his mangy hands as his superior's feet approached him.

"He's singing," he whined softly, sounding horribly in pain: "He's singing, singing to me, burrowing and writhing inside my brain like a worm... Captain, captain, he's singing, singing!... The siren, he's singing, singing, he'll drag us to our doom singing, singing... Captain, help me, help me, kill him, kill him! Kill him! He's singing, sing--"

Xekul crushed his head with a stomp: his body stiffened, jerked about, and finally stilled.

She kicked it into the waters.

"We'll need another cabin lad," she sneered.

The Stone trader swallowed air, claws still around his throat from the previous attempt at his life: "I think," he wheezed, "I think I could give you a discount."

The female twisted her lip in a mirthless grin: "Much appreciated."

-

They kept the Toa down, in chains, below deck.

First was the quartermaster. He accused the first mate to be whistling something shrill and malevolent in his ear on the second day; he claimed to still hear it on the fourth day; he stabbed the female in the throat on the fifth. They reduced him to molten scrap for his offense, but by the time they were done there was nothing else to do for her, and Xekul ordered both bodies thrown overboard.

Second was a powder monkey. He began claiming the ammunition buzzed loudly in his ear, telling him to blow the hull; he was struck by convulsions whenever he stepped too close to the walls, vibrating at the same tempo as the blasted humming he swore had wormed into his brain; at last he blew up a fuse (accidentally or not, it could not be cleared) and took off a chunk of the ship and several gunners with himself. Xekul ordered his remains be scrapped off and dumped as chum, to catch some of the provisions he'd cost them.

Third was a sailor promoted to boatswain. He started stalking around the deck, turning his head left and right, barking orders more and more nervously and constantly looking around with a strange sort of fear in his eyes; he told of conspiracies of mutiny to his captain, enacting death sentences and banishments and imprisonments on her behalf, until the crew was so meager than they could not waste men by leaving them to the sharks anymore, becoming more paranoid by the day ever since; in the end, foaming through his jaws, screaming about a damned sound driving him insane, he slaughtered his way through most of the remaining sailors. Xekul had to break his neck to stop his infernal howling, and had to join her fearful males in throwing the dead into the ocean, as there were barely enough to handle half the corpses by themselves.

Fourth was one of the lads in the brig. It had to be, though they did not know who. By the time they went down to free them in exchange for work, they had managed to kill one another until the only one alive below deck - by sole virtue of being kept in a different cell - was the catatonic Toa.

Mere days before the third week, he was Xekul's only company.

Her claws were clutched to the helm tight, as though she feared someone might have lurched from the fog to rip it away from her as she steered cautiously.

She'd disposed of her last maddened sailor moments earlier.

He'd been singing too loud, too close to her ear.

The singing hadn't stopped.

It went on at a good distance from her, clear as day; a Bruiser song about a tower that never ends, always in construction, never to be finished, visible from a mio away in every direction, casting a shadow so impossibly long and wide that it made night fall during the day.

Each day we add a brick, and each day we lay the spackle; each day we work to finish, but the roof is never ready.

Each day we fix a wall, and each day the floor is done; each day we work to finish, but the roof is never ready.

It was a repetitive melody, sung in a dreadful monotone.

It was driving her mad.

It was completely silent.

She whipped her head around, to watch her back, tool unsheathed, limb ready to pounce, to kill: nobody. But she would have sworn there had been someone with her, a new voice, repeating the dull lyrics in a dull voice, just right behind her, right next to her.

It was completely silent.

Xekul tightened her grip on the weapon. The song continued from the empty space before her, as flat and nauseating in its spiral structure as it had always been, sinking into her head like a slow screwdriver digging deeper, and deeper, and deeper... She stared into nothingness and awaited another move as her vision swam.

It was completely silent.

Now the voice was tearing itself in two, duplicating, cloning itself through mitosis: all of a sudden there were three, and then a small group, slowly growing louder while never increasing their individual volume. The Skakdi violently jerked away from the helm as one of them suddenly came too close to her arm, so close she could have felt the breath on her armor if it had come from a mouth.

It was completely silent.

They kept multiplying. New voices kept adding up, taking over the area all around her, pushing her back, back, back, into the wall, into the corner, into the ground, pressing against her as if the room was caving in, crushed by an outside force; once she was completely curled up their pitch rose slowly, higher and higher and higher until the words were only shrieks sinking into her like scalding needles, and she screamed to cover them until her throat ripped apart.

It was completely silent.

A hand opened the door with a click.

Xekul did not see the being, at first, because the noise had covered her field of vision with a thick layer of electric grey snow flickering at terrible speeds.

She felt fingers sit carefully over her head as she convulsed in a state of complete hysteria - fingers light and quiet, pressing barely enough to take her out of the auditory torture, to let her begin to make out the vaguest shape in the static surrounding her. From them came something... Something like a liquid extension, of the heavy consistency of syrup: it dug into her skull and thoughts, curling around them far too quickly, leaving them behind when they did not find what they wanted. She hacked and spat in an attempt to stop them, but her body did not cooperate.

Then, something inside her brain gave a loud click: and it was all over.

"Thank you, madam," a voice said, sucking the thousand screaming litanies back into itself.

Her tremors quelled slowly, her eyes reaccustomed themselves to the world that had been encased in painful white noise. Xekul opened her mouth and heaved: the tension that had kept her jaws shut so hard her teeth had almost cracked was finally gone.

Something in her head felt different. Like a piece was missing... No: like a piece had been nudged, pulled out, and then placed back in. Like someone had put a bookmark amongst her memories.

Vaguely she recognized the figure now changing course at the helm. She recognized the black armor, the gun metal... The silver mask.

Her voice snarled out of her without words.

The Toa replied to her surprised, hateful gaze with pale yellow eyes.

He hummed in tone with a Skakdi's sailor song while she remained still temporarily paralyzed, unfurling from who knows where a tube-like tool, never tearing his gaze away from hers.

He set a tempo by hitting his weapon on the floor.

"Captain, my captain, we're off to a good start!" he sang.

Then the staff struck harder against the metal; the sound pierced her head like a bullet, and Xekul blacked out.

[thecampjuicebox]

How would Astarion, Gale, Karlach, and Wyll each react to being woken up by a commotion that turns out to be Durge Tav (who he/she has begun to fall for) clawing at themself, slamming themself into rocks and trees, and stumbling back from anyone who tries to approach them, all while crying and snarling to the skies, "If my 'father' demands a murder this night, then let ME be the victim! I'll not hurt him/her!"

yes yes yes yes angst angst angst angst

Astarion

A strange commotion stirs Astarion from his tent, the vampire spawn squinting in the darkness to attempt to make out the sound. In the distance, he notices a thrashing figure. Loud thuds and slaps ring out into the night sky with concerning ferocity. As he steps closer, he can faintly make out the face of the individual, and his eyes widen. It's Tav. Blood trickles from a large gash along their hairline and they blink through the crimson fluid. Nails claw at the exposed skin of their cheeks and neck and once they spot Astarion, they stumble backward toward the tree line, bumping into an tall oak just at the front. Astarion reaches out for them, crouching low to seem much less threatening to the clearly out of sorts Tav.

"Get away from me!" They hiss, eyes squeezed shut as they bang their fists against their skull. "Darling, it's me.." Astarion says firmly, stepping ever closer. Tav throws their head back, nearly falling to the ground as they cry out into the air "If my 'father' demands a murder this night, then let ME be the victim! I will not hurt him!" With a heavy sigh, the vampire spawn grasps Tav's arm, restraining them against the nearest tree, wrists pressed firmly above their head. His eyes fix on theirs, drool foaming at the corners of their mouth, teeth gnashing at the air in front of their face. Astarion doesn't flinch. Doesn't move. He simply presses his body to theirs, soft words trickle from his lips like honey into their pointed ear. "It's alright, my love. I'm here. You're safe."

Karlach

Loud bangs and shrieks catch Karlach's attention as she rests against a rock just outside of camp. She stands swiftly, nearly losing her balance from her own speed. Careful eyes scan her surroundings and she notices one person missing from camp. Tav. Panic settles into her nerves as her feet move from a brisk walk to a full sprint, hands cupping the sides of her mouth to shout. "Tav?! Tav where are you?!" Karlach arrives at a clearing, Tav pressed up against a tree. Their chest heaves, spittle and blood coating their chin in a thick layer. Their attention turns to the Tiefling now. Pain glows in their eyes, their body doubling over as they reach up to grasp at the sides of their head, hair tangling around their bloody fingers.

"Gods, Soldier.. You look like hell." Karlach offers a friendly smile through her worry and she approaches Tav slowly, hands at her sides. Another loud yelp rumbles from Tav's raw throat as they throw themselves back against the tree, repeatedly bashing the back of their head against the bark. "Woah woah woah! Easy, Tav.. I'm here. I'm right here." Tears well up in Karlach's eyes at the sight of her lover in so much.. Agony. "If my 'father' demands a murder this night, then let ME be the victim! I will not hurt her!" Their body thrashes to the ground, back bowing off of the dirt, nails clawing at the sides of their face. Karlach lowers herself beside them and closes her eyes. Tears fall down the sides of her face and onto her ears in hot streams. One hand reaches down, taking Tav's in hers, their fingers carefully intertwining. "It's going to be okay, Soldier."

Wyll

The loud clink of sword against stone rings through the night air, almost loud enough to cover a blood curdling scream from the distance. Wyll whips around quickly, ears perking up at the sound. "What in the nine hells..?" Sheathing his sword, he tiptoes toward the sound, eyes scanning his surroundings carefully. One hand stays firmly on the hilt. As he rounds the corner into a clearing in the trees, he notices Tav standing in front of a tall boulder, forehead repeatedly smashing against the abrasive surface. "Tav, my love.. Is everything alright?" he approaches the figure with caution, hand still grasping at the hilt of his sword as a final option.

Tav's eyes roll back in their head as they roll over onto their back on the boulder. They lean forward, quickly throwing themselves back a moment later, skull cracking against the stone. "Tav stop!' Wyll shouts, hands flying out to grasp Tav by the shoulders, yanking them away from the boulder and throwing them on the ground. Tav screams and kicks, spits and cries, head throw back into the dirt as they yell loudly "If my 'father' demands a murder this night, then let ME be the victim! I'll not hurt him!" Wyll drops to his knees and lifts Tav into his arms, cradling their writhing body close to his chest. "Shh.. We'll get you help, my love. You'll survive this.. I promise you."

Gale

Sparkling purple weave illuminates the inside of Gale's tent as a makeshift light, a mage hand carefully turning the pages of a dusty tome sat on the floor. Gale's fingers work tirelessly at a a knot in his boot lace when he hears a loud crash on the opposite side of camp, heavy footsteps following soon after that eventually disappear into the woods. He jumps to his feet, bumping his head on a lantern hanging from the main support beam of his tent. "Gods damned it." he spits, rubbing his head as he exits the tent to check his surroundings. He notices various items around Tav's bedroll disturbed. At the foot of the bedroll, a puddle of blood, footprints trailing it in the direction of the woods. Panic settles in his chest.

He follows the trail of crimson into the woods with caution. Leaves rustle to his ride, Tav falling out of a bush into the path in front of him. A loud cry escapes their lips as they writhe on the ground at Gale's feet. "By gods, what has happened to you?" Blood pours from Tav's nose and ears, twigs and leaves sticking out of their clothes and hair. They claw at the dirt beneath them and shriek "If my 'father' demands a murder this night, then let ME be the victim! I'll not hurt him!" Gale quirks an eyebrow. "My love, what in the hells are you talking about?" Gale reaches a hand out to smooth Tav's hair away from their eyes and they lunge forward, snapping at him with bared teeth. He stumbles backward, crossing his arms over his chest. "You've found yourself in quite the predicament, haven't you?" He shakes his head slowly and takes a seat on a nearby rock, placing his hands on his knees. "I suppose I'll wait with you until this passes. It will pass. You'll be alright."

[canineadversary]

uhh,, wrote a little something trying to get back into writing teehee :33 therian related so posting it here !!

kinda tw sh under the cut but like in an animal way ?

My howls are heard as human tongue, unintelligible to me as I tilt my head and try again. Words come out that I do not mean to speak; the animal is confused. I bark and whine in distress, but syllables come tumbling from my mouth, unwanted. I stomp my claws and gnash my teeth. Dull teeth clack in response, soft skin digging into the ground. The animal is angry. Snarling and growling, foreign noises rise from my throat, screaming and yelling that mean nothing to me. I desire to sink my teeth into the nearest fragile flesh, and all I can find is my own unfamiliar being. My canines tear into the soft skin, tearing pieces away as sweet blood flows down my alien arm. The animal is pleased, lapping up the unknown blood with ease as its slick tongue slides against the wound. I stare at the arm, my mouth tinged with iron, wondering when I will finally be the animal I am meant to be.

[cupiditas-and-ao3]

Kinks-Your-Tober Day 6

Seems right up the monster fucker alley

“You reek of desperation, witch. What is it that makes a witch so desperate that she would apologize to the monster she created, but not desperate enough to offer a cure?” 

“I am not desperate,” Circe barked back at the beast that held her. 

Pride. Always pride. 

This close to Scylla’s face she could see the lashes that collected ocean spray like beaded diamonds, the eyes that looked like tide pools, the lips that had thinned and pulled away to bare her teeth. Circe wondered if Scylla knew there was a star of orange and pink in her eyes, like a starfish on the wall of a pool, next to a splash of anemone purple. Circe had never loved a fisherman. 

The beasts were licking at her feet, tasting the salt and blood and fear off of her, nicking her with their fangs sharpened with magic and time and death. She was painfully aware of how long Scylla’s nails were, thin needle claws that dug into her shoulder and spine where she’d wrapped them around. Of the scaled tentacles that served as legs behind her. Six monstrous heads at her waist, twelve legs of scaled tentacles, and one terrible and beautiful sea nymph at the center of it. 

“Then you have come to be devoured,” Scylla held her above one of the heads that began gnashing, that drolled and lunged for her feet. Circe tucked her feet up, pulled them as far as she could from those jaws of black death. 

Its teeth pulled at her calf and she screamed with the pain. 

“I come to bargain,” she cried. “Please.” 

Pride was always so foolish an endeavor. 

Scylla snapped her long fingers and the beast resumed growling sulkily on the cave floor, reaching for any beast or fish that happened too close to the edges of the cave. She heard the cries of a dolphin as it was snatched and torn. As another head joined in the carnage. As the splatter of innards and blubber and flesh decorated the walls and was washed away by a fierce wave. As the spine was snapped between two heads, now three heads, now swallowed in pieces by all six. 

Circe swallowed down bile. 

“Bargain, witch?” Scylla’s voice was just as cruel as the sounds of the feasting beasts. “You have nothing for me.” 

“I have something,” Circe said cryptically. 

She was buying time. 

Scylla waited. Waited for the explanation, for what the witch who cursed her could possibly have if she did not have a cure. When it did not come she barked impatiently and one of her beasts threw a chunk of raw flesh. The monster caught it with one hand and chewed, blood dripping down her pale seafoam green chin and matting in her kelp-like hair. Circe shuddered and looked away from the display as the grain of the muscle tore under Scylla’s nails. 

“What do you wish to bargain for, witch?” The barking voice was made sloppy with chewing and saliva and blood. 

“A man will sail past you,” Circe began. Scylla snorted. Spat a wad of gristle and blood onto the ground where it was eaten greedily. “He must live.” 

Scylla seemed to contemplate it. Seemed to be deciding. 

“You aim to take another man from me, after all?” 

Her voice was, for a brief moment, not the barking of a new howling pup. It was the lyrical song of a naiads, it was what she had once been. Circe was captivated. 

She had never loved a fisherman. 

“He is not yours to be taken from you,” she began and then that snarling was back. 

“He is my right! He will sail past me and I will devour him and everyone on his ship as is my right! As is my only right after you have made me this,” Circe was thrust so close to Scylla’s face that she could see nothing. Nothing but blurs of color that were the entire world of the ocean. Like opening her eyes underwater and looking up at the sky. 

“He is,” Circe admitted. She hated that she was shaking. Hated that she could hear the beasts lapping the blood from her still bleeding calf off the ground where it dripped. 

“Then you take him from me,” Scylla’s voice was a warning growl. 

“I bargain for his life, and the lives of his crew. His life is promised to another before he sails before you,” Circe chose her words so carefully. 

Scylla thought. Chewed it over like a sauce she’d dipped her bleeding chunk of meat in. She set Circe down in the circle of gore and beasts and ran her long urchin-like spines that served as nails through her hair. 

“So you are respecting the claim someone else lays to a man?” barking laughter rang between her words. “I suppose even a witch can change. What do you expect me to do? Let him sail as if I am not there?” 

A claw pulled Circe’s jaw so she was craning her neck to look in Scylla’s fearsome eyes instead of at the beasts circling her like constrictors. 

“I am not that kind,” Scylla growled. 

“Not to ignore them. To only attack once. Take what you are owed, but take it once. Whoever they escape with lives to see their next trial.” 

“And what do you give me in this bargain?” 

Scylla’s nail pierced Circe’s jaw. Blood trickled and the beasts lapped at it. 

“Myself. For any vengeance you can meet while they sail.” 

That stopped her. It stopped everyone. It stopped the gulls crying in a distance, it stopped the shriek of the wind and the crash of the wives, it stopped the barking and gnashing of the beasts, it stopped Circe’s heart. It stopped Scylla. She didn’t even blink, so frozen by the offer. 

“You think you are enough to trade for an entire ship?” 

Pride. Always pride. 

“I think your rage is enough.” 

A beast at her hip lunged, teeth wrapping around Circe’s midsection and slamming her into the wall. Ignoring that it slammed its own face into the wall. Ignoring that the rocks took a sacrifice of the beast’s blood. 

“What do you know of my rage?” Screamed through the entire sea. 

Even Zeus would have heard it. 

Even Hades. 

Even the Furies. 

“What do you know of ‘enough’?” Those nails ripped into Circe’s hair, pinning her to look at Scylla, pinning her to watch the rage and destruction and sorrow and death on the monstrous face. 

“Show me,” she taunted. 

Pride. Always pride. 

“Witch,” Scylla tore the dress from Circe in one motion, claws caught in the neckline ripping the fabric away easier than the flesh she had earlier torn. 

The teeth sank into Circe’s stomach, into her hips, into her thighs. A gaping maw that drew a waterfall of blood as the others fought over the puddle pooling under her feet. She couldn’t feel her legs. She’d heal. Even a minor goddess would heal. If she wasn’t swallowed whole. 

She was buying herself time. 

Scylla hadn’t agreed to the terms yet. But hadn’t she? 

“I was beautiful,” the almost lovely voice barked. “I was loved . I didn’t want Glaucus’ attention. I didn’t want your attention. But you gave it to me. I was happy ,” her voice broke like waves on the jagged rocks below. 

The scaled tentacles were twining around Circe’s arms now, spreading them apart like she was waiting for a spear to the chest or the embrace of a lover. And wasn’t she? 

“You couldn’t just fucking leave me alone,” Scylla hissed. “I just wanted to be left alone.” 

She couldn’t apologize. Couldn’t breathe. Blood was filling the bottom of her lungs, she felt it as easily as she felt her eyes blinking. And then the mouth was releasing her and more scaled tentacles were moving. They wrapped around her legs and spread them until she was spread eagle against the wall. The scales tore at her, the edges as razor sharp as the teeth, but they didn’t puncture deep into her organs. They didn’t sever nerves and sinew. They threatened.  

And she healed. It was slow, she could feel the nerves and muscle and veins reconnecting themselves. Scylla didn’t mean to kill her. Perhaps torture. 

The shreds of her dress, wine dark and blood stained, fell into the pool of her blood where the beasts snarling tore at it. Her skin replenished, knit back together over wounds still healing. Skin healed so quickly when it wanted to. 

“You think that the gods would allow me to heal if a hero decided I was to be slain?” Scylla hissed. Her face, the face that was once a nymph, was so terribly close. She smelled of the rotting things on the surface of the sea, sickly sweet and salt and brine. Circe wanted to gag. 

Scyla’s kiss did not make the urge dissipate. 

Her kiss was all teeth. Razors and needles in a mouth that had been built for sin before it had been corrupted for things far worse. Circe’s lips bled as her mouth opened. She didn’t know why or what she hoped to accomplish. But then her tongue tasted raw meat and her own blood and her lips screamed with pain. 

Tentacles were tearing the inside of her thighs with their scales, bruising her wrists with their constriction. New ones, there were so many more than the four used to restrain her, pressed heavy razor blade weight along her chest. A slice over a breast as one slid down her chest. A slash over her freshly healed hip. A dig into the curve of her soft stomach, the rolls where the meat and fat over her ribs turned to hills and valleys. 

Circe had dreamed about being in the nymph’s arms. It had haunted her since she’d used that gods’ damned potion. She imagined that ocean wave laughter as she held the nymph in her arms, she imagined the way she would bounce like waves, the way she would caress and brush and kiss and soothe. 

This was anything but that. 

This was rough. This was sharp. This was harsh cracks and barks of words meant to wound and touches meant to torture. It was anything but what Circe had dreamed of. 

And something in the back of her mind nagged that it was just what she deserved. She created this. She should suffer its consequences. 

The kiss broke with a wail of pain and fury and the tip of a tentacle, so sharply ridged and so painful, thrust into Circe’s core. She screamed. Of course she screamed. And she bled. But the blood only served to lubricate the tentacle’s way further inside of her channel, delving and twisting and diving. She screamed and sobbed as the tentacle twisted further into her, curling and stroking and pulling blood and pleasure from her depths. As much as it hurt, being filled felt good . Being punished felt good . Being in Scylla’s embrace felt good .

“You bargained, witch, do not give me anything less than what you offered. I want my vengeance,” the nymph growled, her teeth scraping the edges of Circe’s throat. “I want my rage.” 

So Circe screamed. She screamed and wailed and sobbed as she knew Scylla must have when she’d discovered the trick placed upon her. But she didn’t pull away. She thrust her breasts into the painful ridges of scales and into the punishing squeeze of sinewed tentacles. She clenched around the tentacle inside her, around the second when it joined, and she cried with relief and pain and embarrassment as she came around the intrusion. 

“Did you enjoy that, witch? Did you derive pleasure from the abomination you created?” Scylla scorned. Her tentacles dove again, holding Circe’s bleeding and ravaged pussy open for more exploration, more vengeance. Scylla’s tentacles curled and stroked, slicing at a spot that made Circe see stars. 

She’d never loved a fisherman. 

As Circe felt her body tensing, felt the touch of the world unraveling, Scylla pulled her tentacles from the spot deep within her core. And Circe whimpered. She begged with her motions, with the thrust of her hips, with the bounce of her breasts. She cried and begged and needed. And she looked down and saw a tentacle, different than the others, sliding up the bloodied edge of her thigh. 

This was not scaled. Was shorter than the others, had been hidden under Scylla’s twelve scaled tentacles. It was slimy, coated in a substance that soothed the wounds on Circe’s thigh as it explored. And when it slid inside of her sorely abused pusy she let out a moan that would rattle Olympus. 

It kept going, slicking over the wounds that the scales had torn inside of her, sliding at such a slow and measured pace that Circe almost wondered if it wasn’t deliberate. When she opened her eyes, eyes she hadn’t known she’d shut, Scylla’s head was thrown back. She was panting, her hands stroking over her own breasts and tentacles. The beasts were lying on their sides, panting and writing as if in masturbatory pleasure. And there was the single scale-less tentacle, pressing between her spread thighs from between what could have almost passed for Scylla’s mass of legs. It was thick, far thicker than anything Circe would have tried to take on her own. But after the stretch and abuse of the tentacles, this girth was nothing. Until it hit the wall of her cervix. 

Circe shrieked, eyes watering as the tip of the member hit the wall at the back of her pussy, the thin layer separating her womb from the channel that had already been pushed beyond the limits of the human capacity for pleasure. But the intrusion didn’t halt. Circe willed her eyes open, watched the writhing of Scylla’s tentacles and beasts intensify. Watched the monster’s hands running over herself. Listened to a whimpering moan echo through the cavern. And felt the push of the appendage deeper inside of her. 

“What-” she slurred, pain and exhaustion too much for her brain now. 

“Gonna use you good, witch. You offered me vengeance. You offered me rage. You offered me your body. And I am going,” she cut off abruptly with a trembling moan as the appendage pierced through to the narrower part of the channel, into Circe’s womb. “I am going to use it for. All. It. Is Worth. ” 

The appendage thrust and Circe heard someone screaming before she realized it was her. That her throat was raw and tortured. And then Scylla’s tongue, the slimy and blood tasting tongue, was licking behind her teeth, was choking her and making her gag. And then something moved inside of her. 

A bulge slid through the appendage - through the ovipositor, as Circe realized what it was - and into her hole. The bulge, the egg , was deposited deep into her womb. Where children embryos would have taken root and grown and matured into children had she ever been so inclined. But she hadn’t. And now Scylla was laying eggs inside of her. She moaned, gutteraly, as Scylla released her mouth and leaned back to watch. They watched together as the ovipositor thrust into Circe, as the bulge ran its course through Scylla, into Circe, and then into her stomach. The whining twitching beasts lapped at Circe’s thighs, at her clit, at her hole around the ovipositor, at her ass. 

And it felt good. It felt good to have all of the wet slithering tongues on her. To be prodded into. To be full. So deliciously full. And then when she thought that she was so full nothing that Scylla would stop, when her stomach was distended enough that she could no longer feel the member latched inside of her womb, she let out a final trembling orgasm and fell limp in Scylla’s hold. 

And then another egg slid into her. She screamed. She looked up. She looked into Scylla’s eyes which were once again so close to her. 

“You said I had you while they sailed. They haven’t even reached the cliff yet. You are still mine, witch.”

[hazbinextgeneration]

Demon Bride Ch10 All In A Name P3

(WARNINGS AND DISCLAIMERS!!! EVERYONE in this story is in their early 20s-30s! This story will contain mentions of past abuse and death! I'll be keeping it as SFW. Some backstories have been slightly altered for this particular story, and some characters cannonically dead or harmed is alive and well. I own nothing.

Credit to @flanelltees​ for the designs I based the demons off to look more demon-like with tails and pointed ears.

This story will be sfw, but there will be some blood, implied death, fighting, some gore mentioned, and a few other things that will be made aware by warnings. Pay attention to warnings at the top of any chapters just under the summery please.)

Once in the mountain villages it was a custom that once a year on the night of the new year's first moon, an unlucky young lady would be selected and left for the demons to become one of the unlucky few who married such a husband. In exchange for this offering the demons would protect the villages and leave the humans in peace. Until one day a powerful warrior drove the demons away freeing the humans of them. Now 2,000 years later, it's become a tradition that once a year, a new young lady would be picked and wait for her future husband to retrieve her from a shrine in the mountains. And now the lucky tradition would fall upon Y/n L/n. It would be her own turn to take on the tradition and not have to worry about demons. After all that part of the old tradition was just fake, made up by paranoid ancestors. Everyone knew demons didn't exist.

...Right?

(WARNINGS!!!:  Some cussing, Mentioning of reader's fractured leg, death/implied death, fighting which will include some wounds and mentioning of wounds and a demon's hand being cut off.  )  

First Part Here:

https://at.tumblr.com/hazbinextgeneration/demon-bride-ch-1-thus-it-begins/dibtpmvn5d42

Last Part Here:

https://www.tumblr.com/hazbinextgeneration/713597692878766080/demon-bride-ch9-all-in-a-name-p2?source=share

Next Part Here:

https://www.tumblr.com/hazbinextgeneration/716769330504876033/demon-bride-ch11-interluding?source=share

Quiet night. Unholy night of beasts. Feasting their sights upon the stray women who dare stay out at night when the full moon rises, lighting the pathway for the beasts to claim their prey. Gnashing teeth, snarling fangs waiting to take a bite into innocent flesh where the terrible claws miss. Waiting to snatch you away down into their dark abyss never to return.

The bark of trees felt rough against the palm of grey skin, perfect to blending into shadows and walking along the darkness of the cursed trees that beckoned any unknowing traveler further into their branches. A light step. Another light step. Light enough to not be heard by anyone my dear. A quiet mouse amongst the darkness a contrast to the many others in the surroundings. Many preferred brute force by tooth and nail, fang and claw to drag off their unwilling prey in the name of twisted love they've come to claim or give. Ears perked just now hearing the far off wails that sounded like some sick love sick beasts. A whoop of triumph from the lungs of some lucky beasts who was able to stake a claim on some poor soul that accepted their twisted gift of love. Dark black claws dug into the harsh bark of the thick plant that would otherwise not feel the pain it would usually cause another living thing. An aura of annoyance flooding forth from the source of the claws, and the darkness only received a scoff, as blue eyes as dangerous as the bottomless ocean looked up towards the sky, towards the source of the happy wails from far into the trees' abyss of darkness.

"Tch. Dam fools. They act like dogs in heat! The lot of them!" A voice. As rough as it was envious. The idiots. No brains at all. Now all that celebrating would do was attract others towards him in wanting to fight him for the claimed prize he just received. He knew that was the case entirely because many a shadowy beasts was already flocking towards that noise. "They have no dam senses to them!"

Fools. All of them fools. They should've quietly snuck away when they had the chance. But then again he couldn't expect any of them to be close to the intelligence he held. Whatever. He wasn't out here to watch the rabid fighting of fools, as entertaining as it was to watch others rip either apart. No. He had something else long thought over he wanted to be done with. And it all started with the wind. And the air filling his lungs. And a sweet scent that wafted within both.

Huh....That was different. Not one he was often met with, but one he was familiar with.

One he liked very much.

But why would one such as this be this close to the forbidden areas?...Unless someone carried it with them. Either way it was something that had gained his attention, and even if it was nothing, there might be fun had in seeing why this was there. And so light steps approached the direction of the scent, back against the few remaining lights of the setting sun. Step after step as the scent grew stronger and the forest less dense around him which was the more interesting part to it. It was the more confusing part of all about it really. After all-

"No peaches should be this dam close."

He recognized that scent now. It was one he often craved and made his mouth water, but one thing he could barely have as it was out of bounds of the forest line. Often he could catch the faintest of their scent from further down the mountain where he was sure a plethora of them grew, but he could never see for himself. But sometimes on rare occasions he worked hard enough to please his master, he would be rewarded with the succulent fruits of his labor. The soft fruit being devoured within seconds before being missed again. Perhaps it was someone else who had gotten their claws on them? If so he'd cut them down and take what he wanted as a prize for disobeying the one law no one shall disobey without permission from the Master. And he would rectify it. Then maybe he'd be rewarded with more fruits for his loyalty. The thought excited him. Maybe this night wouldn't be such a dull fest after all. The scent lead until the tree line forbiddily broke and it left him standing there cloaked in darkness as the last few rays of sunset left the world, and saw nothing. After just a moment of standing against the wind he cursed himself for being stupid enough to even entertain the goose chase that was this night. He cursed this night, and his luck and the stupid hope of rewards. He would've turned around and disappeared back into the shadows if it weren't for one thing that made him pause in his actions.

A ghost in the night.

A white shining in the dark up the pathway that lead away which lead the sweet scent of fruit with it. Odd. What was that? He hadn't see something like that before. Not around here and especially not at night, but there was visibly something there. Alive and moving within the moonlight. Well, well. Now what was this he wondered? His curiosity got the better of him. After all he did have nothing better to do than to follow from the shadows and get close enough to see what exactly this strange new oddity was. And the end result was what surprised him the most. The white movable object was indeed a living being, not a ghost or figment of the light like he suspected. But...it was not an animal either which was what both confused him more. It was a woman. No older than him, maybe by just a year or two in her early twenties, judging by how young and beautiful her form looked. This was...intriguing. And quite the interest. It was-..

"Human."

This was not a topic lost on him. He heard many tales of the humans from his Master's engagements with them and Douma's countless rambles (that often gave him headaches-) and he had even seen one although rarely if ever. Master's wife was human. Their child was human. He sometimes saw them when the Master made mandatory meetings or surprise inspections. The woman was...Kind. He was indifferent about the Master's choice in mate, as he didn't know her enough to have an opinion other than she was a lovely woman in appearance. And sometimes if he walked near the edge of the forest at the right time, he'd see humans traveling along the roads but he could never get this close or ever saw a sight stranger than a long young human woman walking by herself at night, especially tonight of all nights. Unless she-... No. It couldn't be. A-...

"An offering?"

A tempting. Young offering of scents that caught his interest and tempted him enough to follow. Yes. A nice offering for a nice night. Oh how the tides have turned in his interest. He began following this 'ghost in the night' half out of interest to the sweet and half out of boredom as there has really been nothing interesting happening tonight that Akaza wasn't able to (annoyingly) handle himself by getting there before he did. And he wouldn't be judged surely if he was just checking out this seemingly random traveler walking about at night none the less. It was highly stranger and maybe even suspicious, so he set off silently following the lost looking human woman wondering the paths. He only assumed she was lost as she shivered against the night's wind and dug her hands harder against the strap of your bag. Every so often she'd whip her head around wide eyed and looked directly at him, but because he was cloaked in darkness so well she never saw him, and only shook her head and continued walking on. It amused him slightly that she couldn't blatantly see him looking right dead at her, but what was to be expected from a human?....He had to admit though.

She WAS cute.

Soft looking skin. Neatly dressed clothes. Pretty f/c hair. And gentle looking f/c eyes. And a simple look that all humans seemed to have. Or at least what he's heard of.

Akaza spoke often of a woman's beauty seriously and showed great disgust towards some specific colleges of theirs who agreed with his statement but in a perverted way. Honestly he couldn't be bothered to think about such things too much. That foolish thinking would only hold him back! Hender his training! And such a thing would make him look pathetically weak!! And he HATED being weak. Plus women were annoying! That was a literal fact! Every YEAR he had to break up countless fights, taking up so much of his time, and waste his time when the same thing happened all over again two seconds later once his back was turned! The women he helped weren't even grateful just fleeing or getting angry that he dared interrupt a fight over HER and sometimes attacked himself. Ugh! Nothing about them was 'cute'. Especially that Daki woman! She had her brother practically wrapped around her finger, when they weren't arguing that is, and she was as bratty and vain as they come! And Susamaru- OH! Don't get him started on that piece of work! She was always so annoying just throwing her toy balls everywhere trailed by Yahaba who did nothing to stop her! And girls always made men go nuts! Lose all sense of thought! No. No. He was always better off without them. The only one he sort of liked was Nakime because she was serious and non nonsense like his Sensei. Other than that, he could care less about them!!

....But on the other hand-

The Master's wife was...gentle. Kind. Softer than anyone else he's ever met. She was...quite a contrast to the Master in both looks and personality, and he'd be lying if he didn't say he wasn't once envious of him for having a beautiful wife like her. Ever since the Master met and married his wife a few years back he had been more...lenient. Not very much, but it that woman's impact certainly saved himself from a few harsher punishments he would've received otherwise if she hadn't impacted the Master's life. So whatever impact she had on him, it made a noticeable difference (sometimes).  So maybe human women had some kind of talent he wasn't aware of. However this human woman seemed quite pathetic.

At one point she passed by a fork in the road and went deeper into the mountain until she stopped sometime in the early night and looked lost. Well what was he expecting? Humans had zero night vision. But at one point she pulled out what he assumed to be a map and looked over it. At least she had enough smarts to do that. The wind was still blowing however, and it wasn't long until the map was blown from her hands, into the woods, and like an idiot!! She ran right after it. Into the forest.

The forest filled with demons hunting for a mate desperately. The forest no one was allowed in. The forest which HE was supposed to make sure no one entered.

.......Oh Crap-

Ohcrapohcrapohcrapohcrap-

OH CRAP!!

"Shit!"

He was going to be in SO much trouble!! He'd be punished worse than the time he accidentally sliced his Sensei's ponytail off!! She wasn't supposed to be in here! Stupid humans! Ok. Remain calm. No matter. All he had to do was literally grab and toss her back out before anyone knew! Yeah! Easy peasy. No one would even know, and he'd avoid being in any trouble! He'd even scare her just to make sure she didn't get any ideas of coming back! It would be as easy as hunting a blind deer! Nothing he couldn't handle! After all it was just one simple human.

....Oh how his problems loved to get bigger.

Because he didn't find her at all. Not at first at least. He followed her scent but he couldn't pinpoint her exactly which was starting to get him worried. Maybe he HAD been just seeing things from being overworked or bored to death. That was until he heard a scream. A very loud, high pitched, woman's scream! That had him snapping his head up against the wind in the direction of where it echoed out from, which was followed by a second just as scared shriek just moments later. Which could only mean one thing and he was dreading it-

"SHIT!!"

Some idiot HAD ended up finding that human! If she wasn't tossed out of here, it'd be his head! He was thankful for the extra speed training his sensei made him do, strengthening his legs and lungs in order to handle more speed and get to places faster. He still had a long way to go before he matched the speed of someone like Akaza, but it should be enough to get done what he needed to get done. And then he ended up smelling it again. That unmistakable sweet scent of fruit. That must've been the human because he only smelt this fruit when he was watching the human anyways. The wind and branches creaked past his black body darting between the grabbing branches and wind that howled with laughter seeming to taunt him for his blunder. Made him snarl and grit his fangs harder. Dammit! He followed that sweet scent until he skidded to a stop, a small cloud of dirt falling up from his feet sliding into place in the black dirt, came to a small cluster of dark trees only to find..nothing. Not a soul. But the scent was all over the small place, along with one other which smelt foul. Another male. And he could see an imprint in the dirt, as if something large fell from someplace high above. Dammit! Was the human attacked by an ambush? He wasn't sure. All that he knew was that she got away because the sweet scent was faintly head off into the west direction, and the foul smell followed, which obviously indicated a chase was given. Ah! F his life! This was going to be a long night! But none the less he growled and just ended up sprinting again after them. Dam human! Dam season! DAM ALL OF THIS!!! He was about ready to cut someone in half!! The wind was blowing away most of the already faint peach scent but he was lucky enough to be graced with yet another girly shriek of terror from just up ahead. Good. That was close. REAL CLOSE!! If fact, it was so close, he could hear a voice already-

"Stupid woman! SHUT UP!," a man's voice bellowed out, "Are you trying to alert others!? Dammit! You'll be a terrible mother."

Dark tree past dark tree. Weaving past darkness and limbs and lungs heavy with air whirled around by the wind. The vision appeared of a small innocent white ghost of the night and a sin daring to attempt to snuff it out for it's own needs. The trees couldn't hide that from him. Adrenaline pumping. Viens bunching up as a black tsuka of a katanna was grabbed, burnt to the touch as the rumbling of thunder was parting the whirling, taunting, laughing wind to make way for an electrical storm that bubbled through his blood vessels and gave the needed power to metal to become the lightning strike that shook the scene before him.

"Stop struggling! It's futile! There's no escape-"

SHING!!

A metal sound. A shine of silver in the dark. A dash of shadow. And a strike of thunder.

It all happened too fast and too dark for her mind to comprehend what happened. All that she knew was that one moment she were pinned against a tree and the next dropped to the ground like a rock, landing with a loud thud. A loud inhuman half screech half animal cry pierced the air and crimson liquid splattered across the dark. The cry echoed across the darkness, and was cut short when a powerful foot kicked out and struck the handless demon in the chest, knocking him back. And his form went flying back into the darkness only to be swallowed again and disappear, the red trailing after him, the only sounds to be heard was broken branches and then a loud thud and then the silence resumed once more.

"Dam idiots."

He stood there. Snarling. Staring off in the direction of the body he had just kicked away. Wasn't enough to kill, he could've easily crushed his chest on the spot but chose not too. For many reasons. He was here to retrieve not instigate a fight. He'd be in more trouble if he just started a fight, and he didn't need more trouble. He just needed to fix this situation before anyone else found out about a human woman stupidly bumbling her way in here especially when he was watching her! That wouldn't do him any good. If that insect knew what was good for him, he'd tuck his tail between his legs and run. After all, he was merciful enough to let him off with a warning. He could regenerate his hand easily and he doubted that kick did any real harm, maybe he'd be sore from falling back but he'd be-

Another shriek rang out from behind him. Causing him to snap his attention back to the thing he came here for.

In a flash her body reacted, scrambling away from the severed hand that just laid limply and crawling back on her hands and feet clumsily until her back hit a tree, breathing heavily. Ah right. He supposed that would've scared someone like her who never saw combat. Simple minded creatures, weren't they? He just rolled his eyes and turned his body to her, but the movement made the human freeze...before she slowly looked over and up at him, and she froze jaw dropping open. Hey now. He didn't think he was that horrendous looking! By demon standards, he was drop dead handsome! But then it clicked that she wasn't looking at his face, it was the long sword he still had unsheathed. A small slap sound came from her when her hand slapped over her mouth. Was she afraid he'd cut her down as well? That was ridiculous. He'd be more trouble if she was killed by him verses if he just tossed her out! Like he suspected. Simple minded. Let's just get this over with.

In a small rapid session his fangs clacked together enough to get her to look at him. "Hey! Get the hell up!"

He thought he made himself loud and clear, anyone else would perfectly understand what he just said. But instead she gave him the same looked he'd give the Master if he was in trouble. Pale. Terrified. Jaw dropped. And f/c eyes wide in terror at what she was seeing. Oh come now. He knew he was intimidating, but he hasn't even made a move to harm her! Although..her...Her face was actually kinda cute now that he was able to see it up close. Soft skinned. Pretty eyes reflective at him. It didn't have any demonic features like extra eyes or horns. And her f/c hair falling down her legs framing her face in a nice contrast to the white bridal gown she wor-

....Oh..Oh! ...OH!!

Like a flash of lightning in a storm, it all flashed across his mind now. Oh. A...bride. A human bride. It was a human offering. Oh. ...Well this was awkward. There hadn't been one of these since the mountain drought two hundred years ago. Back then, the humans thought sending a young lady in 'sacrifice' would cause some divine intervention from the demons to end the drought. Spoiler alert!! It did indeed NOT do that, and instead the poor human ended up getting taken by Douma to join his cult. No one ever heard anything about her since, and the drought continued on for another five years until mother nature sorted itself out. Of course this was before he was a part of the Twelve Kizuki so he actually never seen a 'Demon Bride' other than the Master's wife, so this situation was..Rather surprising to him.

The both of them stared at each other for a moment, before he opened his mouth revealing a mouthful of fangs and she flinched before he clattered them together in a rapid session to make the same clattering noise as before, before his face changed to look like he was straining his cheeks and a small shrill-grunt sound left his mouth.

"Get the hell up! Tell me why you're here!", he demanded and tilted his head expectantly at her terrified form. She still said nothing and it annoyed him. Great! Was she that scared?...Or maybe- Don't tell him you didn't understand what he just said! He grunted and rolled his eyes. "Not fluent in that, huh?" he spoke in human making her blink. "Figures you wouldn't be." He scoffed with another eye roll before bringing up his sword to inspect. And he scowled at the blood on it. It would have to be cleaned and polished later. "Disgusting pigs!" He harshly gave the blade one harsh shake to knock what droplet he could off, twirled it around with a wrist movement and aimed the blade to be returned to the sheath covered by his cloak. "So did I cut you or what?" She could only let her bottom lip quiver in response as she made some kind of squeak noise making him sigh in annoyance. "You gonna make me repeat myself? You humans are pathetic." She finally seemed to regain some sense as he scowled at her. "Hey, Human! Did I cut you or what!?'' She flinched pulling her hands to herself before frantically shaking her head no making him snort. "Good. Didn't think I did anyways, my skills are too precise for that."

She didn't answer. Instead doing something that made him pause. So taking a shaking hand, she pulled it back and slapped herself across the cheek making him just stare at her. By gods. Had she really HAD gone crazy!?

"The hell? Did that weakling hit your head too hard or something!?"

She hissed hand rubbing her sore cheek. "....This h-h-has got to b-b-be a n-nightmare..." She spoke barely above a whisper, but he still heard her voice.

"Tch. Unless you ran into Enmu, I highly doubt we're in one," he bluntly answered which made her flinch and look at him again. "But I've been trailing you this entire time so I know we didn't. Which begs the question." She yelped as he suddenly squatted and pushed his face into hers making it to where she were forced to stare into his angry scowl. "Who the hell are you!? You're not one of the humans brought in from the train! And you don't belong to Douma, you don't have his scent on you." His tail gave an annoyed thrash behind him. "So are you a trespasser or what!?"

"NO!!", she suddenly blurted out in fear. "I-I WAS JUST F-F-FOLLOWING THE MAP IS AL-ALL!!"

A thick brow rose higher, but he hummed. Yes..he had seen her with a map. "You were just following the map?" He asked again and terrified, she nodded making him hum again. "And then let me guess. You accidentally got lost on your way through here?"

She nodded again. "Y-YES!! That's r-r-right! I was!"

"Well why the hell were you not paying attention!? Any human should know once they're sent in that they need to be on the look out for scum like that!" He gestured at the ground like it should've been obvious. It was totally obvious for any bride to be thrusted in here that she should be careful for weaklings like the one he just trashed!! Didn't she even think of that!? She didn't answer and it made him growl before reaching up a hand to rub at his temples. Humans...This is why he never interacted with them outside of the Master's family. "Doesn't matter." The hand moved and he bore back into you. "I only spared your life because I wanted answers, otherwise I would have left you for whatever fucking scum to claim."

Screw this night AND this job! But...he wasn't sure what to do about this situation now. Now he knew she weren't a trespasser perse if she were sent to be an offering. Should he still throw her out? Can he throw her out while she was an offering? Was she allowed in here now or should he still toss her out? This situation was too new and complicated for him to figure out...He'd take her to Kyogai. Yes. Kyogai was the record keeper. If there was any laws for this kind of situation then he would definitely know about it! BUT-..If he was going through all this trouble to save an offering then he was going to make this worth his time! And right now he was very interested in that strong sweet smell, and her dowry. All brides these days had one to impress males if they wished to court instead.

"So before I leave your sorry ass, let me see your dowry."

Silence continued on. He stared at her expectantly. She stared at him silently wide eyed. Nothing answered them both except for the wind and creaking branches. ....And then he scowled.

"W-What-"

"Your dowry! Let me see your dowry! What do you have to offer me!?," he practically shouted at her face before giving a grunt of annoyance pointing at her bag. "In there! Gods above! Do I have to repeat everything to you!?"

She slowly rose a brow at him. "You want the-...A return payment?"

"Dowry! Payment! Offering! What ever the hell you people call it! Just give it to me! I know every human in your situation has one to give if they travel through here!"

"I-...I-I have no money." He seemed to exhale annoyed at her response. "B-B-But I ha-have these!"

He watched intently as her hands reached over, trembling harder, to her bag and he watched every moment intently. She reached to her bag, and pulled the top flap back with one hand, in an instant the sweet-sugary scent he'd been following this whole time intensified and she nearly flinched when you saw the way his eyes enlarged like a cat's when they saw a mouse. Instead she ever so slowly reached into the bag and pulled out a peice of cloth tied with a knot at the top, shaped lumpy with some visibly round objects. It was brought up to the monster held out, and his gaze was fully focused on it. He knew EXACTLY what was in that cloth before she even answered him again. His mouth instantly watered and his tongue flicked the inside of his fangs.

Peaches.

"H-Here. F-For you." She forced herself to smile.

He gave just the tiniest glance at her smile before he reacted in his own desires, her arm froze as the cloth was instantly snatched from herr hand and soon found itself within his claws, who didn't waste any time shredding through the cloth instead of just undoing the knot leaving the shreds to slowly float to the ground from his hands and inside amongst the shredded cloth in his hands was three small pieces of fruit. The small heart shaped pieces were cute looking in contrast to the clawed hands that held them, a pretty pink that faded to a yellow-tan color near the bottom. Not a blemish on them. Perfect. Sweet. And a delicacy to the tongue. He hadn't had them in so long...he couldn't even remember the last time he had one! He seemed almost in a trance as he stared at the perfect round things, savoring the sight just a bit longer to remember this moment by, before he could no longer resist the temptations. She flinched as a few peach juice droplets splashed against your hands and blinked. He had revealed his mouthful of fangs and bit through half of one peach with one bite, some pieces of the fruit falling to the ground. He exhaled slowly through his nose and his shoulders visibly relaxed. One more bite made the rest of the fruit disappear into his mouth like he was terribly hungry, then the second one followed the same fate as the first, gone in under a minute in two bites. It was by the third one that he even bothered to look at her again after all this time, where she had remained unmoving too. Was she still scared of him? Or was she waiting to see if he'd pick her for his own mate? Psh. Yeah right. As if he'd do that-...

Hm. On second thought. Maybe there was perks to having a human around-

After a moment he bothered to hum, arm reaching up to wipe at his mouth before he stood. "Not really a good dowry. Dam pathetic really." The last peach was tossed up and down in one hand. "The bare fucking minimum of expectations." Blue eyes carefully rolled over her form studying. She wasn't the worst looking. Infact it was an upgrade from most women he'd seen. ..Eh. She wasn't like the Master's wife, but her body looked strong and sturdy, and his senses indicated she was young and healthy. Early twenties tops....She might make a good servant. He hummed and then nodded. He'd check in with Kyogai first and make his choice from there. "But lucky for you, I'm feeling generous tonight. Hmph! You should be thankful!"

"S-So...Y-You're not going to hurt me?"

"If I wanted to hurt you, I would've struck you down the moment you stepped passed the tree line! Now stand up! We're leaving!"

She blinked.... "Leaving?"

He gestured at the dark. "Would you like me to leave you lost, alone, and in the dead of night where others are sure to find you?" He paused at what he said himself, because he hummed and turned his head upwards. She screamed quite a few times. Surely someone would've heard her, in fact someone might be coming towards them this moment. "With how much you stupidly screamed, I don't doubt others are already on their way here now." He growled with a scowl. "The bastards. Fighting like rats over a scrap of meat."

"N-NO!" He looked back to her as she forced herself on wobbling feet to stand before him. "I-I don't want to stay here! P-Please show me the way."

He seemed pleased with her answer because he huffed and one side of his mouth curled up in a smile. "That's more like it. If you're gonna be around me you need to step up your think-"

He didn't get to finish that sentence. In fact...He didn't get to even stand when a large hunk of branch flew past at lightning speed, and slammed right into the his side with a sickening crack sound. Wind flew past her from the sheer force of the throw, and the black robed demon was sent flying to the right and into a heap several yards away from where he initially stood. She stood frozen for a moment, the sight being too fast to comprehend what exactly had just happened. Then a horribly familiar voice spoke.

"Hands off the female! She's MY claim!!"

Her head snapped around, and she again shrieked as the insect-eyed demon has returned, hands fully intact and fangs bared towards the sight of another one of his kind as she stumbled back, eyes wide. A creaking sound was herd somewhere behind her followed by a loud thud and a deeper growl that reverberated off the wind and trees as a hiss sound escaped a black mass pushing themselves off the ground with many bone cracks and hissing noises until dangerously blue eyes cut through the dark right at the other.

"Dammed fools! You dare attack one of the Twelve Kizuki!?"

"I couldn't give a dam who you are! I staked my claim first! By law she's mine!"

And with that, he charged. She shrieked and ducked, arms coming to shield her head from the upcoming lunge but a black mass lunged faster, knocking the first one back into the trees as the two monsters rolled off. Something snapped within him. Perhaps it was all the pent up annoyance and anger at being challenged despite his rank. A whirlwind of claws and teeth they became. Crashing through tree branches, cutting one another, biting, each drawing blood from the other but he was stronger! He was faster!

He was superior!

So it wasn't very long that his opponent laid defeated. Silenced. Dead.

It wasn't a very long battle. Lasting under ten minutes. His wounds would heal within an hour or two. And he couldn't be in trouble for this, right? Surely he couldn't. Someone dared to challenge a Twelve Kizuki to battle and lost. Happened sometimes. And he had a right to fight since he insisted on fighting over the woman he still had unfinished business with. So he shouldn't be punished harshly for this. Although the fight was over, that did not stop his rage. For when he returned to claim what he had fought over, it was gone.

A piercing raged wail went through the night.

He couldn't believe this!! Did another one claim her while he was busy?! No. no. Couldn't have. He would've heard her shriek again. So that pathetic human must've taken the distraction and ran when he wasn't looking! DAMMIT!! And not only that-...

HIS LAST PEACH HAD BEEN CRUSHED IN THE FIGHT BEFORE HE COULD EVEN EAT IT!!!

He was angry! He was very, VERY ANGRY!! And he had to spend the rest of that night scrambling around trying to find this human, distracting him from his usual duties, and the scent going cold amongst the wind and other scents in the dam place! But now he was going to get in (maybe) trouble and won't get anything out of it.

....Oh so he thought.

One day went by.  Absolutely nothing. He was bitter, angry, and could do nothing but go back to do his own duties. Hopefully no one would notice or care about what happened. Everyone seemed too busy to pay him any mind anyways. Too busy struck by love-syndrome to really ever pay attention to himself. Which what he preferred anyways? It was best to leave him alone during these times anyways.

Two days go by and most of the bitterness had faded away, but he was still annoyed, stewing in the leftover bitterness that was attained from yesterday. Although an unexpected event happened, and it all happened as he was traveling along the Eastern tree line mindlessly. A very strong, and very important presence. Calling to him.

STRUM!

A forced pushed the back of his mind making him stumble in his step from how sudden it was. Like a mental rock was suddenly thrown on his shoulders, and it's weight made him lurch forward in real life, stumbling and throwing his arms out to catch himself against a tree. A feeling deep inside like something pulling his soul into a different box was tugging at his mind and it made him blink in confusion for a moment.

"What the fu-"

STRUM!!

His mind was pulled into a calling. It was like his conscious became thinned, light as air, and as nimble as a snake slithering through the lines of connection between himself and the bonds the Master's blood allowed them all to have. If he had one way of describing it, he would say it felt and looked like a tree rooted into their minds, different branches that were never the same but still connected to the same trunk in the end sharing the same deepened roots. The mind thread slithered ever closer to the thing that pulled and pulled and pulled him until he felt himself connecting to two others before him in this web of connections. He was thrown for a loop for a moment, but he quickly understood where he was and why he was here. One of the Twelve Kizuki wished him here, and the one responsible for bringing him here was just above him sitting silently. Upper Moon Five, Nakime, the one responsible for all transportation within this hivemind of threads. He reached out to that small thread sending a questioning thought for why she brought him here on such short notice. In return a thrum of an instrument vibrated within the wave lengths in return, and a mental arrow pointed to the third presence with them. And he followed her pointing. Who could it be who called him? Sensei Kokushibo? It wasn't the Master. The presence wasn't intimidating to him in the least.

"Kaigaku. I'm glad you answered my calling."

Kyogai!? What the hell could that lower moon want with him!? Especially now!? "What do you want!? I'm busy!"

He thought he heard Kyogai mentally sigh."I have something to ask you concerning some events which occurred last night."

"WHAT!?"

"Last night two intruders broke into my home."

"And? It's not my fault most of your staff are girls! You deal with your own territory and don't cry to me about not being able to do your job! If you want me to scare some dam idiots into submission, you can wait until I'm done!"

"You not doing your job is precisely my point! One of the dam insects claimed they were chasing a human bride through the woods!" The anger in the other presence fell silent. What did Kyogai just say? Human bride? In his home? "It's YOUR job to patrol the east side of the mountain and make sure no strangers enter or any demons leave the forest to that side of the mountain! Clearly you aren't doing your job good enough!"

There was silence for a few seconds as the younger presence thought on what he said. "You have the human?"

"I have no human!  DO. YOUR. DAM. JOB!! NEXT TIME SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS I'M REPORTING YOUR MESS UP TO KOKUSHIBO AND THE MASTER!! DO NOT LET SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN AGAIN! CONSIDER THIS YOUR ONLY WARNING!! Nakime, I am done with this message."

"NO! WAI-"

STRUM!!

The connection of the two wavelengths were cut off with a harsh strum of a bawa string, like a knife through hot butter, and there was a slight pain from the severed connection. He was thrown forward fast and with a gasp of air, was released from the wavelengths harshly without warning, ended up colliding face first into the tree he previously grabbed and slid down it to his knees coughing from the air knocked from his lungs. But he allowed the sweet silence to cascade over his body as he breathed. And there was silence. ....before a growl escaped his throat and bark splintered under his fingernails as blue eyes narrowed.

"Kyogai."

That was how he found himself in front of the infamous mansion throwing open the front door and making the sound spook any servant that was close enough to see his angered form stomp his way inside. This wasn't his first time here. Not by a longshot. He'd seek shelter here many a times before since it was so close to where he patrolled so it was very convenient for him, so much so that the older demon who ruled this home had been kind enough to give him his own room whenever he dropped by. Those whom saw him instantly bowed as his form stomped past them all one footfall after another.

"Lord Kaigaku. Good afternoon to you," one woman greeted with a bow but he ignored her in favor of stomping forward.

Further and further into the mansion he went, many servants bowing to the young lord but he paid them no attention. The scents around here all mixed with various different demons, but mostly Kyogai's. Kyogai was much more powerful compared to them all, so of course most of everything in here smelt of him. There was also the faint smell of blood. ...So Kyogai wasn't lying about intruders walking into his home. Which only made him more suspicious. Nothing really seemed out of place until he turned one corner in the mansion and paused.

"Found you."

And he stomped towards the smell. The very familiar smell he remembered from two nights ago. The very one he'd been trying to find these last two days was here, and he sure as hell wasn't letting her get off that easily. He quickened his pace speed walking through hallway after hallway ignoring the sudden bowing demons or any demons that were thrown his way, after one thing in particular. It got stronger and stronger and he was eventually able to pinpoint it to one room behind one door in particular. Heavy and quick footsteps went right up to the sliding door, his hand reaching out to grab it hard enough that some claw marks were  left behind by his claws and in one fluid, powerful motion he threw the door back hard enough to made a loud slam echo through the halls.

SLAM!!

There was a loud gasp, almost shriek at the sudden door open, and a woman whipped her head to him. F/c eyes met blue and he let a growl come out of his throat.

"It's about dam time I fucking found you."

**********************************************************************

You leaned back in the chair blissfully unaware of the approaching footsteps stomping their way towards your room. It had been a little while since Eri had left and left you just sitting there with nothing to do but keep your hurt leg submerged in the cold bucket of water. There was literally nothing you could do to keep yourself entertained other than to day dream of everything you wanted to do once you got out of here with your newfound freedom. Maybe that's why you didn't hear the stomping coming straight towards your room-

STOMP. STOMP. STOMP. STOMP-

Or the door being grabbed hard enough to leave claw indents in them.

SLAM!!

Making you gasp and whip your head to the thundering storm looming in the doorway only to meet blue eyes.

"It's about dam time I fucking found you."

You almost shrieked upon first laying eyes upon the demon who just barged into your room. Mostly because the entrance he gave scared you but you nearly shrieked again when the menacing form stepped in. Until you paused...and just stared at him. The demon didn't look much older than yourself, wearing a scowl on his face but not a dangerous scowl that said 'I'm going to murder you'. It was more of a really, really annoyed scowl like the ones Sanemi used to wear. Still made you nervous, but not to the point where you felt in danger. You watched with wide eyes as he stomped until he stood directly in front of you with that scowl of his, staring you down. His black cloaks looked torn and dirtied on him and here and there was small dirt smudged on his gray skin.

Wait a second. You knew this demon, but where did you see him?

You jumped as a black claw was suddenly pointed at your face. "Do you know how foolish you made me look defending you from that dam parasite!? I could have been killed for all you knew and you had the gall to leave without seeing if I died!!"

Oh right. He was the one who initially saved you from that first demon! You'd forgotten him up until this point. In the light he was a lot less intimidating.

"I should've left you to be made into someone's housewife than waste my time wi-"

"Are you alright?''

He paused. You stared at him concerned. He just stared back at you blankly for a moment. "...What?"He shook his head. "Of course I'm-"

He froze when your hand just grabbed his own and yanked. And he leaned forward, the surprising action catching him off guard. Especially when he felt something soft reached up and touch his face. And he just stood there as you squinted your eyes at him. One hand on his cheek, the other firmly around his left wrist as you took the chance to look over him. Despite his dirtied and ragged looking clothes, he seemed to be completely fine other than being angry, but you'd seen scarier. From Sanemi no less. Your eyes wondered over him and seemed satisfied to not see any damage to his body, so you released his wrist and face despite him staying stunned leaned over.

"I'm glad you're ok. That sounded like a bad fight you got into, and I'm sorry you had to go through that for my sake." Just apologize now and get it over with. You didn't want to owe anyone anything after you left here, including apologies, and he did have a point as much as you'd hate to admit it. He did spare you from that vulgar insect-eyed demon you first ran into and got in the way when it lunged back at you. Just remain calm. Everything would be fine if you just remained calm. It was then you bowed while still sitting in the chair which hindered your movement, but you did still bow to the best of your abilities. "I thank you for all the help and kindness you've shown me, and I apologize again for running off. I was scared and lucky to be alive." You then looked back up to his face. "And I'm not lying when I say I do hope you're ok. I'd hate for anyone else to get hurt because of me." And you were genuine with what you said. "Are you sure you're alright?"

The demon above you just-....Dumbfoundedly stared down at you. As if he lost all ability to think and act for himself. And ever patient you just continued to stare back silently at him. In total silence. Until you smiled to break the awkward silent tension and that small gesture finally seemed to snap him out of it because he blinked...before scowling and ripping his body away from you.

He opened his mouth and pointed at you...before closing his mouth and just growling before turning his head away. "I'm fine! Like I would allow myself to be hurt by someone beneath me! And you should be grateful to me! I could've left you to be taken by predators!"

You chose to not argue with him and honestly you didn't have the energy to deal with another Sanemi-like tantrum on top of your leg being hurt. If a small compromise of your pride meant peace, then it'd be better in the long run. Although you were not planning on seeing this demon again so soon.

"Whatever you say, but what are you doing here?" He turned slightly and cocked a thick brow at your question, a hum escaping his throat. "I wasn't expecting to ever see you again no offense, so why are you here now?"

He stared at you like you were dumb before scowling harder. "Are you dense!? I came here for you, Moron!"

Your brow rose now. "Me? Now why would you want to find me?"

"Because I need to toss you out! THAT'S WHY!!" A hand pointed a thumb behind his shoulder with a small growl from his throat. "If you hadn't come in here, I wouldn't be at risk for being punished! Who knows what'll happen to me if I don't make you leave!! Now get up!" He demanded with a 'come on' gesture. "You've plagued my existence long enough!" You...did not get up and only stared at him. "Well what are you waiting for!? I said GET UP!!"

"I can't."

"Why not!?"

"My leg was injured. That's why!" You frowned and gestured to your leg which still was dunked in the bucket of cold water. "I can't even stand let alone walk! Exactly how do you expect me to follow you out of here?"

He looked down at your leg, blinking as it just seemed to dawn on him that indeed your leg was in an awkward position. "What the hell- What are you doing sticking your leg in a fucking pail of water?"

"Trying to get the swelling to go down. The water's ice cold!," you deadpanned back at him he seemed to be annoyed again as he looked from your leg back to your face. "What? It's not my fault. One of those stupid monsters hurt me!"

"OH FOR FUCKS SAKE!!" At this point he threw his arms up looking both defeated and frustrated. "FINE!! Then I'll just take you to the human settlements Douma runs! One of them must have a healer! I am NOT getting in trouble for someone else harming a human!"

"I don't think that's a good ide-AH!!"

He didn't give you any warnings with two black sleeved arms just shoved themselves behind your back and under your knees before you were just roughly lifted up into a bridal style position in his arms. The bucket of water nearly spilling over from your sudden lift off via the demon who held you in his arms frustrated. On instinct your hands latched onto the front of his blackened robes which made him look down at you for a moment, taking in your wide eyed stare back up at him..Before he just wrenched his look away and turn you both around towards the door.

"W-WAIT!! I don't think this is a good idea! You could get in trouble more!"

He scoffed with an eye roll. "Oh, please. Who would stop me?"

"KAIGAKU!!!"

Your head snapped back to the still open door and the demon bristled. Muscles going rigid as an 'Oh crap-' expression flashed across his face, and then the footsteps, hurried and heavy came running down the hallway.

THUDTHUDTHUDTHUDTHUDTHUD-

Something big, heavy, and furious came running down the hallway and both you and the demon only watched as the floor shook under his feet. No escape as the thing came closer and closer- Until a giant clawed hand slammed harshly onto the doorframe making the demon holding you flinch and stumble a couple steps back as the looming form of Kyogai pushed his way into the doorway and stood above both of you much taller. You were confused looking between the now paled face of the demon holding you, and the furious look in Kyogai's blue and red eyes narrowed at the younger demon, breathing heavily from running all the way to here. You could only sit there awkwardly looking between the two demons staring each other down...Until your brow rose, and you decided to speak up.

"Kyogai?"

In an instant, his eyes snapped to you, and he blinked seeming to notice you finally, and froze. His blue eyes stared at your equally confused face, before they slowly roamed over across to where your hands gripped the black haired demon's front, then to said demon's arms holding you. Blue eyes widened for a second, but only a second, because instantly they narrowed into slits, a growl you hadn't heard him give before escaping his throat, and ever so slowly he pointed a hand right. At. The. Demon holding you.

"Put. Her. Back. Now."

The demon holding you stayed frozen in place for a moment longer before finally scowling back and pulling you closer to him. "Fuck off!"

"What are you even planning on doing with her!?," Kyogai demanded throwing up his hands, "She has no use to you!"

"I'm not getting in trouble because Little Miss Lost decided to wonder in and get herself hurt!!"

"HEY!" You scowled back at him but he ignored you staring down the taller demon with another growl.

"Wha- WHAT WAS YOUR PLAN ON FIXING THIS!? Dumping her outside the Eastern Tree Line!? She can't even walk! You'll end up killing her leaving her for dead, you dim witted beetle!"

He growled baring his fangs back. "That's why I was taking her to Douma's settlements!! He has one or two human healers so they ought to know how to fix her! And Douma's good at handling new human pets, so it'd be the perfect place for her!" Kyogai's face immediately twisted to one of horror as you shot him a look. "If I deliver her to a human settlement, then I won't be in trouble if she's with her own kind! Douma's always up for taking in more humans anyways.''

"Excuse me!," you yelled at him.

"W H A T!?"

The home shook. Literally. The entire mansion shook, lurched a bit from it's master's rage built into it making the demon holding you wobble and nearly drop you from how much he stumbled and you increased your grip on him yelping at the home's groaning creaks. As if the entire mansion was alive with his anger.

THUD!!

Kyogai slammed a single foot down leaning forward all of a sudden and got into the face of the younger demon who half paused half scowled at the older demon. "Now you listen to me you dam tantrum throwing insect! She is not even FIT for travel even if you carried her with the speed and grace of a swan! It was your own fault that this all happened in the first place! Maybe if you did your job and actually pay attention these things wouldn't have happened! Now would they!? This is why you haven't become an Upper Moon yet because Kokushibo still has to teach you the basics of the duties!!"

"How dare you speak to me that way!? IM A HIGHER RANK THAN YOU!!!''

"You're only a higher rank because of your strength and speed, and because Kokushibo has taken you on as his student so the Master was generous enough to grant you a position within the Twelve Kizuki! Otherwise you wouldn't even have the pleasure of being able to argue with me right now!" The younger demon flinched when a clawed finger roughly jabbed his chest. "AND LIKE HELL I'M ALLOWING DOUMA ANYWHERE NEAR HERE!!! THAT PERVERTED EMPTY SHELL OF A MAN CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING BUT HIS OWN PERVERTED DESIRES AND I'LL NOT SUBJECT MY WOMEN STAFF OR THAT HUMAN TO ANY OF IT!!!"

"THAT'S WHY I SAID I'M TAKING HER TO DOUMA, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!! YOUR 'PRECIOUS STAFF' SHOULD BE PROTECTED IF THAT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER-"

"DAM YOU!! GIVE ME THE HUMAN!!" You squealed out as two larger hands hooked from under your body and again you found yourself being lifted into the arms of a demon, Kyogai to be in fact. He lifted you up and out of the smaller demon's hands. You blinked and looked up at him.

"HEY!! You have no claim to her!!," the black haired demon shouted back pointing at you.

"Oh! And I suppose you have?"

"YES!! Of matter of fact I do! Since she gave me her dowry!!" He huffed proud of himself and crossed his arms, and for once Kyogai went silent. Allowing this new demon to smugly turn his head.

"....What?"

"Yes! That girl-" He pointed at you. "-gave me her dowry which means she was interested in me! And I accepted, so obviously I DO get the final say in her! So I demand as a higher up and as my claim you hand her over to me!!"

You face palmed and Kyogai continued to stare at him silently before looking to you obviously for answers. After a moment you dared to look at him, and sighed.

"It's a misunderstanding," you cleared up. "Because first of all, and for the last time, I AM NOT A BRIDE!! I never was a bride before, I'm NOBODY'S bride now, and I never WILL be someone's bride!" You practically shouted into the air, frustrated at the constant bad hand life's always dealt you. And then you pointed at the smug jerk's face as he blinked. "Second of all, the only reason I'm here is because I got lost and then chased by some simple minded men who couldn't treat women with respect! That 'dowry' I gave you wasn't even a dowry! I just thought you wanted a payment in return for rescuing me from that beast!! And even then, I'm not going anywhere I don't know! I'm staying here and waiting for a doctor to come see me!!"

The black haired demon continued to stare at you for a long moment as you frowned back at him. "....So you're not interested in me? I thought it was pretty obvious."

Kyogai looked like he wanted to lash into him again but you stopped him before he could. "I never even got your name. What's your name?"

The black haired demon regarded you for a moment before huffing. "Kaigaku. Lower Moon one of the Twelve Kizuki. It'd do you good to remember it."

You nodded calmly. "Well, Kaigaku, I'm glad to meet you, but you're looking a little ragged. You should rest and have someone fix your clothes."

Kyogai perked up seeming to catch onto what you were doing because he was quick to calm himself. "She is right, Kaigaku. You look stressed and dirtied. You should rest and allow my staff to look over you."

He looked about ready to protest but you smiled and stopped him. "A member of the Twelve Kizuki needs to look presentable. It wouldn't be proper to allow yourself to fall into disarray, how'd that make you look to the others?"

To your surprise, Kaigaku actually hummed and looked as if he was actually considering it before he grunted. "Fine. But don't think I'm doing it because you asked. It's only deserving I get a break for everything I've done."

Kyogai's eyelid twitched, but managed to retain his rage. "Of course. Please, allow me." You yelped when all of a sudden you were hiked up to be cradled within one arm as his other, now free arm, went to one of the drums on his legs tapping it twice.

BUM! BUM!

Two seconds passed and a moment later there was footsteps and a random demon woman stopped in the doorway before bowing to the taller demon. "You called me, Lord Kyogai?" Wow. They were fast around here.

"Yes. Prepare the mens' bath for Lord Kaigaku, and send someone to address his garments. Tell the cook to prepare him a meal and have Ami prepare his room for his stay with us."

"And have Eri look him over as well."

Everyone looked at you as you stared at Kaigaku and pointed. "I don't like it that he got into a fight because of me, and I don't want him hurt. So just in case have Eri look him over."

"..I don't need a second opinion on my own body! I know my limits and strengths! I would know if I was injured!"

"Yes. But it would make me feel better, and I mean it when I said I don't want anyone hurt over me." You reached out and grabbed his hand making him freeze as you stared at him sadly. "...Please?"

...He opened his mouth- ....And closed it before yanking his hand away. "Fine! But I'll only do it as a part of the luxery I'm entitled too! Not for anyone worry especially a woman's!"

"Then I shall send Eri to look you over once you've settled. Mayla! Escort Kaigaku to the baths and carry out my other orders."

Mayla. (Was that her name?) She only simply bowed deeper before leaning back up. "As you wish, My Lord. Lord Kaigaku, please follow me."

"I've been here before I know where it is!," he mumbled but started off after Mayla as she turned and began to walk off but not before shoot Kyogai a look. "I expect to be informed on what the hell's happened in between my time last seeing the human."

"Oh you will be." Kyogai narrowed his eyes back. Wait until he heard about the Master already knowing about this. That ought to get this brat to shut up. He held eye contact and watched until Kaigaku (reluctantly) disappeared out of the door following Mayla and his footsteps disappeared, before he finally allowed his body to relaxed and he slowly looked back down to you still in his arms. "Are you alright? He didn't harm you did he?"

"Um...No. B-But could you put me back down? T-This is kind of awkward."

He blinked....and his face lit up a pink. "UH!! R-Right! Y-Yes! W-What was I thinking!? Apologies!" He was quick to set you back down gently in the chair before plopping your hurt leg back into the bucket with a small splash sound. Quickly retracting his hands away from your body afterwards. "H-Here! I-Is this better?"

You nodded. "Yes. Much better thank you." Your head tilted back towards the door. "But who was that just now?"

"That mess was one of my colleges. Lower Moon One of the Twelve Kizuki although if you ask me he does not deserve the generous rank!....But how do you know him is what I would like to know!?"

You shrugged. "I ran into him by accident when I first came in here. He saved me from an attacker-" Kyogai's brows rose in surprise at that. "-but then he ate all the food I had left for doing so. He called it a 'dowry' but at the time I just thought he wanted some payment in return for saving me. I guess that was yet another misunderstanding wasn't it?"

"Kaigaku expressed interest in a dowry? From a woman?.....Kaigaku!?" he blinked.

"Oh. Is that...bad?"

"I am...Unsure." Kyogai then mumbled and reached a hand to rub his temples with a sigh. "I see I have yet another thing to fix around here. I don't get paid enough for this."

"Oh...Well, Kyogai." He jumped when he felt you reach out and grab his hand in thanks blinking from under his thanks. "Thank you again for saving me! You're a real life saver. Was Eri able to treat you yet?"

His brain froze for a second, before with his cheeks pink he pulled his hand away and held it up. "UH! N-Not yet! I-I'm afraid she was interrupted by Kaigaku's presence!"

You blinked. "Oh. Well return to her and let her finish up healing you."

"YES!! I-I will! I-I return her to assist you as soon as possible," he slowly backed away and out of the room, "Please remain here and call one of the s-servants to help you." A hand grabbed the door and slid it shut quickly. "I-I'll make sure to have a word with Kaigaku. D-Don't worry."

You rose a brow at the sudden exit and even more so at the hurried footsteps retreating from the door. What the world just happened?

[echantedtoon]

Demon Bride Ch10 All In A Name P3

(Warnings: Some cussing, Mentioning of reader's fractured leg, death/implied death, fighting which will include some wounds and mentioning of wounds and a demon's hand being cut off.)

Quiet night. Unholy night of beasts. Feasting their sights upon the stray women who dare stay out at night when the full moon rises, lighting the pathway for the beasts to claim their prey. Gnashing teeth, snarling fangs waiting to take a bite into innocent flesh where the terrible claws miss. Waiting to snatch you away down into their dark abyss never to return.

The bark of trees felt rough against the palm of grey skin, perfect to blending into shadows and walking along the darkness of the cursed trees that beckoned any unknowing traveler further into their branches. A light step. Another light step. Light enough to not be heard by anyone my dear. A quiet mouse amongst the darkness a contrast to the many others in the surroundings. Many preferred brute force by tooth and nail, fang and claw to drag off their unwilling prey in the name of twisted love they've come to claim or give. Ears perked just now hearing the far off wails that sounded like some sick love sick beasts. A whoop of triumph from the lungs of some lucky beasts who was able to stake a claim on some poor soul that accepted their twisted gift of love. Dark black claws dug into the harsh bark of the thick plant that would otherwise not feel the pain it would usually cause another living thing. An aura of annoyance flooding forth from the source of the claws, and the darkness only received a scoff, as blue eyes as dangerous as the bottomless ocean looked up towards the sky, towards the source of the happy wails from far into the trees' abyss of darkness.

"Tch. Dam fools. They act like dogs in heat! The lot of them!" A voice. As rough as it was envious. The idiots. No brains at all. Now all that celebrating would do was attract others towards him in wanting to fight him for the claimed prize he just received. He knew that was the case entirely because many a shadowy beasts was already flocking towards that noise. "They have no dam senses to them!"

Fools. All of them fools. They should've quietly snuck away when they had the chance. But then again he couldn't expect any of them to be close to the intelligence he held. Whatever. He wasn't out here to watch the rabid fighting of fools, as entertaining as it was to watch others rip either apart. No. He had something else long thought over he wanted to be done with. And it all started with the wind. And the air filling his lungs. And a sweet scent that wafted within both.

Huh....That was different. Not one he was often met with, but one he was familiar with.

One he liked very much.

But why would one such as this be this close to the forbidden areas?...Unless someone carried it with them. Either way it was something that had gained his attention, and even if it was nothing, there might be fun had in seeing why this was there. And so light steps approached the direction of the scent, back against the few remaining lights of the setting sun. Step after step as the scent grew stronger and the forest less dense around him which was the more interesting part to it. It was the more confusing part of all about it really. After all-

"No peaches should be this dam close."

He recognized that scent now. It was one he often craved and made his mouth water, but one thing he could barely have as it was out of bounds of the forest line. Often he could catch the faintest of their scent from further down the mountain where he was sure a plethora of them grew, but he could never see for himself. But sometimes on rare occasions he worked hard enough to please his master, he would be rewarded with the succulent fruits of his labor. The soft fruit being devoured within seconds before being missed again. Perhaps it was someone else who had gotten their claws on them? If so he'd cut them down and take what he wanted as a prize for disobeying the one law no one shall disobey without permission from the Master. And he would rectify it. Then maybe he'd be rewarded with more fruits for his loyalty. The thought excited him. Maybe this night wouldn't be such a dull fest after all. The scent lead until the tree line forbiddily broke and it left him standing there cloaked in darkness as the last few rays of sunset left the world, and saw nothing. After just a moment of standing against the wind he cursed himself for being stupid enough to even entertain the goose chase that was this night. He cursed this night, and his luck and the stupid hope of rewards. He would've turned around and disappeared back into the shadows if it weren't for one thing that made him pause in his actions.

A ghost in the night.

A white shining in the dark up the pathway that lead away which lead the sweet scent of fruit with it. Odd. What was that? He hadn't see something like that before. Not around here and especially not at night, but there was visibly something there. Alive and moving within the moonlight. Well, well. Now what was this he wondered? His curiosity got the better of him. After all he did have nothing better to do than to follow from the shadows and get close enough to see what exactly this strange new oddity was. And the end result was what surprised him the most. The white movable object was indeed a living being, not a ghost or figment of the light like he suspected. But...it was not an animal either which was what both confused him more. It was a woman. No older than him, maybe by just a year or two in her early twenties, judging by how young and beautiful her form looked. This was...intriguing. And quite the interest. It was-..

"Human."

This was not a topic lost on him. He heard many tales of the humans from his Master's engagements with them and Douma's countless rambles (that often gave him headaches-) and he had even seen one although rarely if ever. Master's wife was human. Their child was human. He sometimes saw them when the Master made mandatory meetings or surprise inspections. The woman was...Kind. He was indifferent about the Master's choice in mate, as he didn't know her enough to have an opinion other than she was a lovely woman in appearance. And sometimes if he walked near the edge of the forest at the right time, he'd see humans traveling along the roads but he could never get this close or ever saw a sight stranger than a long young human woman walking by herself at night, especially tonight of all nights. Unless she-... No. It couldn't be. A-...

"An offering?"

A tempting. Young offering of scents that caught his interest and tempted him enough to follow. Yes. A nice offering for a nice night. Oh how the tides have turned in his interest. He began following this 'ghost in the night' half out of interest to the sweet and half out of boredom as there has really been nothing interesting happening tonight that Akaza wasn't able to (annoyingly) handle himself by getting there before he did. And he wouldn't be judged surely if he was just checking out this seemingly random traveler walking about at night none the less. It was highly stranger and maybe even suspicious, so he set off silently following the lost looking human woman wondering the paths. He only assumed she was lost as she shivered against the night's wind and dug her hands harder against the strap of your bag. Every so often she'd whip her head around wide eyed and looked directly at him, but because he was cloaked in darkness so well she never saw him, and only shook her head and continued walking on. It amused him slightly that she couldn't blatantly see him looking right dead at her, but what was to be expected from a human?....He had to admit though.

She WAS cute.

Soft looking skin. Neatly dressed clothes. Pretty f/c hair. And gentle looking f/c eyes. And a simple look that all humans seemed to have. Or at least what he's heard of.

Akaza spoke often of a woman's beauty seriously and showed great disgust towards some specific colleges of theirs who agreed with his statement but in a perverted way. Honestly he couldn't be bothered to think about such things too much. That foolish thinking would only hold him back! Hender his training! And such a thing would make him look pathetically weak!! And he HATED being weak. Plus women were annoying! That was a literal fact! Every YEAR he had to break up countless fights, taking up so much of his time, and waste his time when the same thing happened all over again two seconds later once his back was turned! The women he helped weren't even grateful just fleeing or getting angry that he dared interrupt a fight over HER and sometimes attacked himself. Ugh! Nothing about them was 'cute'. Especially that Daki woman! She had her brother practically wrapped around her finger, when they weren't arguing that is, and she was as bratty and vain as they come! And Susamaru- OH! Don't get him started on that piece of work! She was always so annoying just throwing her toy balls everywhere trailed by Yahaba who did nothing to stop her! And girls always made men go nuts! Lose all sense of thought! No. No. He was always better off without them. The only one he sort of liked was Nakime because she was serious and non nonsense like his Sensei. Other than that, he could care less about them!!

....But on the other hand-

The Master's wife was...gentle. Kind. Softer than anyone else he's ever met. She was...quite a contrast to the Master in both looks and personality, and he'd be lying if he didn't say he wasn't once envious of him for having a beautiful wife like her. Ever since the Master met and married his wife a few years back he had been more...lenient. Not very much, but it that woman's impact certainly saved himself from a few harsher punishments he would've received otherwise if she hadn't impacted the Master's life. So whatever impact she had on him, it made a noticeable difference (sometimes).  So maybe human women had some kind of talent he wasn't aware of. However this human woman seemed quite pathetic.

At one point she passed by a fork in the road and went deeper into the mountain until she stopped sometime in the early night and looked lost. Well what was he expecting? Humans had zero night vision. But at one point she pulled out what he assumed to be a map and looked over it. At least she had enough smarts to do that. The wind was still blowing however, and it wasn't long until the map was blown from her hands, into the woods, and like an idiot!! She ran right after it. Into the forest.

The forest filled with demons hunting for a mate desperately. The forest no one was allowed in. The forest which HE was supposed to make sure no one entered.

.......Oh Crap-

Ohcrapohcrapohcrapohcrap-

OH CRAP!!

"Shit!"

He was going to be in SO much trouble!! He'd be punished worse than the time he accidentally sliced his Sensei's ponytail off!! She wasn't supposed to be in here! Stupid humans! Ok. Remain calm. No matter. All he had to do was literally grab and toss her back out before anyone knew! Yeah! Easy peasy. No one would even know, and he'd avoid being in any trouble! He'd even scare her just to make sure she didn't get any ideas of coming back! It would be as easy as hunting a blind deer! Nothing he couldn't handle! After all it was just one simple human. 

....Oh how his problems loved to get bigger.

Because he didn't find her at all. Not at first at least. He followed her scent but he couldn't pinpoint her exactly which was starting to get him worried. Maybe he HAD been just seeing things from being overworked or bored to death. That was until he heard a scream. A very loud, high pitched, woman's scream! That had him snapping his head up against the wind in the direction of where it echoed out from, which was followed by a second just as scared shriek just moments later. Which could only mean one thing and he was dreading it-

"SHIT!!" 

Some idiot HAD ended up finding that human! If she wasn't tossed out of here, it'd be his head! He was thankful for the extra speed training his sensei made him do, strengthening his legs and lungs in order to handle more speed and get to places faster. He still had a long way to go before he matched the speed of someone like Akaza, but it should be enough to get done what he needed to get done. And then he ended up smelling it again. That unmistakable sweet scent of fruit. That must've been the human because he only smelt this fruit when he was watching the human anyways. The wind and branches creaked past his black body darting between the grabbing branches and wind that howled with laughter seeming to taunt him for his blunder. Made him snarl and grit his fangs harder. Dammit! He followed that sweet scent until he skidded to a stop, a small cloud of dirt falling up from his feet sliding into place in the black dirt, came to a small cluster of dark trees only to find..nothing. Not a soul. But the scent was all over the small place, along with one other which smelt foul. Another male. And he could see an imprint in the dirt, as if something large fell from someplace high above. Dammit! Was the human attacked by an ambush? He wasn't sure. All that he knew was that she got away because the sweet scent was faintly head off into the west direction, and the foul smell followed, which obviously indicated a chase was given. Ah! F his life! This was going to be a long night! But none the less he growled and just ended up sprinting again after them. Dam human! Dam season! DAM ALL OF THIS!!! He was about ready to cut someone in half!! The wind was blowing away most of the already faint peach scent but he was lucky enough to be graced with yet another girly shriek of terror from just up ahead. Good. That was close. REAL CLOSE!! If fact, it was so close, he could hear a voice already-

"Stupid woman! SHUT UP!," a man's voice bellowed out, "Are you trying to alert others!? Dammit! You'll be a terrible mother."

Dark tree past dark tree. Weaving past darkness and limbs and lungs heavy with air whirled around by the wind. The vision appeared of a small innocent white ghost of the night and a sin daring to attempt to snuff it out for it's own needs. The trees couldn't hide that from him. Adrenaline pumping. Viens bunching up as a black tsuka of a katanna was grabbed, burnt to the touch as the rumbling of thunder was parting the whirling, taunting, laughing wind to make way for an electrical storm that bubbled through his blood vessels and gave the needed power to metal to become the lightning strike that shook the scene before him.

"Stop struggling! It's futile! There's no escape-"

SHING!!

A metal sound. A shine of silver in the dark. A dash of shadow. And a strike of thunder.

It all happened too fast and too dark for her mind to comprehend what happened. All that she knew was that one moment she were pinned against a tree and the next dropped to the ground like a rock, landing with a loud thud. A loud inhuman half screech half animal cry pierced the air and crimson liquid splattered across the dark. The cry echoed across the darkness, and was cut short when a powerful foot kicked out and struck the handless demon in the chest, knocking him back. And his form went flying back into the darkness only to be swallowed again and disappear, the red trailing after him, the only sounds to be heard was broken branches and then a loud thud and then the silence resumed once more.

"Dam idiots."

He stood there. Snarling. Staring off in the direction of the body he had just kicked away. Wasn't enough to kill, he could've easily crushed his chest on the spot but chose not too. For many reasons. He was here to retrieve not instigate a fight. He'd be in more trouble if he just started a fight, and he didn't need more trouble. He just needed to fix this situation before anyone else found out about a human woman stupidly bumbling her way in here especially when he was watching her! That wouldn't do him any good. If that insect knew what was good for him, he'd tuck his tail between his legs and run. After all, he was merciful enough to let him off with a warning. He could regenerate his hand easily and he doubted that kick did any real harm, maybe he'd be sore from falling back but he'd be-

Another shriek rang out from behind him. Causing him to snap his attention back to the thing he came here for.

In a flash her body reacted, scrambling away from the severed hand that just laid limply and crawling back on her hands and feet clumsily until her back hit a tree, breathing heavily. Ah right. He supposed that would've scared someone like her who never saw combat. Simple minded creatures, weren't they? He just rolled his eyes and turned his body to her, but the movement made the human freeze...before she slowly looked over and up at him, and she froze jaw dropping open. Hey now. He didn't think he was that horrendous looking! By demon standards, he was drop dead handsome! But then it clicked that she wasn't looking at his face, it was the long sword he still had unsheathed. A small slap sound came from her when her hand slapped over her mouth. Was she afraid he'd cut her down as well? That was ridiculous. He'd be more trouble if she was killed by him verses if he just tossed her out! Like he suspected. Simple minded. Let's just get this over with.

In a small rapid session his fangs clacked together enough to get her to look at him. "Hey! Get the hell up!" 

He thought he made himself loud and clear, anyone else would perfectly understand what he just said. But instead she gave him the same looked he'd give the Master if he was in trouble. Pale. Terrified. Jaw dropped. And f/c eyes wide in terror at what she was seeing. Oh come now. He knew he was intimidating, but he hasn't even made a move to harm her! Although..her...Her face was actually kinda cute now that he was able to see it up close. Soft skinned. Pretty eyes reflective at him. It didn't have any demonic features like extra eyes or horns. And her f/c hair falling down her legs framing her face in a nice contrast to the white bridal gown she wor-

....Oh..Oh! ...OH!!

Like a flash of lightning in a storm, it all flashed across his mind now. Oh. A...bride. A human bride. It was a human offering. Oh. ...Well this was awkward. There hadn't been one of these since the mountain drought two hundred years ago. Back then, the humans thought sending a young lady in 'sacrifice' would cause some divine intervention from the demons to end the drought. Spoiler alert!! It did indeed NOT do that, and instead the poor human ended up getting taken by Douma to join his cult. No one ever heard anything about her since, and the drought continued on for another five years until mother nature sorted itself out. Of course this was before he was a part of the Twelve Kizuki so he actually never seen a 'Demon Bride' other than the Master's wife, so this situation was..Rather surprising to him.

The both of them stared at each other for a moment, before he opened his mouth revealing a mouthful of fangs and she flinched before he clattered them together in a rapid session to make the same clattering noise as before, before his face changed to look like he was straining his cheeks and a small shrill-grunt sound left his mouth.

"Get the hell up! Tell me why you're here!", he demanded and tilted his head expectantly at her terrified form. She still said nothing and it annoyed him. Great! Was she that scared?...Or maybe- Don't tell him you didn't understand what he just said! He grunted and rolled his eyes. "Not fluent in that, huh?" he spoke in human making her blink. "Figures you wouldn't be." He scoffed with another eye roll before bringing up his sword to inspect. And he scowled at the blood on it. It would have to be cleaned and polished later. "Disgusting pigs!" He harshly gave the blade one harsh shake to knock what droplet he could off, twirled it around with a wrist movement and aimed the blade to be returned to the sheath covered by his cloak. "So did I cut you or what?" She could only let her bottom lip quiver in response as she made some kind of squeak noise making him sigh in annoyance. "You gonna make me repeat myself? You humans are pathetic." She finally seemed to regain some sense as he scowled at her. "Hey, Human! Did I cut you or what!?'' She flinched pulling her hands to herself before frantically shaking her head no making him snort. "Good. Didn't think I did anyways, my skills are too precise for that." 

 She didn't answer. Instead doing something that made him pause. So taking a shaking hand, she pulled it back and slapped herself across the cheek making him just stare at her. By gods. Had she really HAD gone crazy!?

"The hell? Did that weakling hit your head too hard or something!?"

She hissed hand rubbing her sore cheek. "....This h-h-has got to b-b-be a n-nightmare..." She spoke barely above a whisper, but he still heard her voice.

"Tch. Unless you ran into Enmu, I highly doubt we're in one," he bluntly answered which made her flinch and look at him again. "But I've been trailing you this entire time so I know we didn't. Which begs the question." She yelped as he suddenly squatted and pushed his face into hers making it to where she were forced to stare into his angry scowl. "Who the hell are you!? You're not one of the humans brought in from the train! And you don't belong to Douma, you don't have his scent on you." His tail gave an annoyed thrash behind him. "So are you a trespasser or what!?"

"NO!!", she suddenly blurted out in fear. "I-I WAS JUST F-F-FOLLOWING THE MAP IS AL-ALL!!"

A thick brow rose higher, but he hummed. Yes..he had seen her with a map. "You were just following the map?" He asked again and terrified, she nodded making him hum again. "And then let me guess. You accidentally got lost on your way through here?"

She nodded again. "Y-YES!! That's r-r-right! I was!"

"Well why the hell were you not paying attention!? Any human should know once they're sent in that they need to be on the look out for scum like that!" He gestured at the ground like it should've been obvious. It was totally obvious for any bride to be thrusted in here that she should be careful for weaklings like the one he just trashed!! Didn't she even think of that!? She didn't answer and it made him growl before reaching up a hand to rub at his temples. Humans...This is why he never interacted with them outside of the Master's family. "Doesn't matter." The hand moved and he bore back into you. "I only spared your life because I wanted answers, otherwise I would have left you for whatever fucking scum to claim." 

Screw this night AND this job! But...he wasn't sure what to do about this situation now. Now he knew she weren't a trespasser perse if she were sent to be an offering. Should he still throw her out? Can he throw her out while she was an offering? Was she allowed in here now or should he still toss her out? This situation was too new and complicated for him to figure out...He'd take her to Kyogai. Yes. Kyogai was the record keeper. If there was any laws for this kind of situation then he would definitely know about it! BUT-..If he was going through all this trouble to save an offering then he was going to make this worth his time! And right now he was very interested in that strong sweet smell, and her dowry. All brides these days had one to impress males if they wished to court instead. 

"So before I leave your sorry ass, let me see your dowry."

Silence continued on. He stared at her expectantly. She stared at him silently wide eyed. Nothing answered them both except for the wind and creaking branches. ....And then he scowled.

"W-What-"

"Your dowry! Let me see your dowry! What do you have to offer me!?," he practically shouted at her face before giving a grunt of annoyance pointing at her bag. "In there! Gods above! Do I have to repeat everything to you!?"

She slowly rose a brow at him. "You want the-...A return payment?"

"Dowry! Payment! Offering! What ever the hell you people call it! Just give it to me! I know every human in your situation has one to give if they travel through here!"

"I-...I-I have no money." He seemed to exhale annoyed at her response. "B-B-But I ha-have these!"

He watched intently as her hands reached over, trembling harder, to her bag and he watched every moment intently. She reached to her bag, and pulled the top flap back with one hand, in an instant the sweet-sugary scent he'd been following this whole time intensified and she nearly flinched when you saw the way his eyes enlarged like a cat's when they saw a mouse. Instead she ever so slowly reached into the bag and pulled out a peice of cloth tied with a knot at the top, shaped lumpy with some visibly round objects. It was brought up to the monster held out, and his gaze was fully focused on it. He knew EXACTLY what was in that cloth before she even answered him again. His mouth instantly watered and his tongue flicked the inside of his fangs.

Peaches.

"H-Here. F-For you." She forced herself to smile. 

He gave just the tiniest glance at her smile before he reacted in his own desires, her arm froze as the cloth was instantly snatched from herr hand and soon found itself within his claws, who didn't waste any time shredding through the cloth instead of just undoing the knot leaving the shreds to slowly float to the ground from his hands and inside amongst the shredded cloth in his hands was three small pieces of fruit. The small heart shaped pieces were cute looking in contrast to the clawed hands that held them, a pretty pink that faded to a yellow-tan color near the bottom. Not a blemish on them. Perfect. Sweet. And a delicacy to the tongue. He hadn't had them in so long...he couldn't even remember the last time he had one! He seemed almost in a trance as he stared at the perfect round things, savoring the sight just a bit longer to remember this moment by, before he could no longer resist the temptations. She flinched as a few peach juice droplets splashed against your hands and blinked. He had revealed his mouthful of fangs and bit through half of one peach with one bite, some pieces of the fruit falling to the ground. He exhaled slowly through his nose and his shoulders visibly relaxed. One more bite made the rest of the fruit disappear into his mouth like he was terribly hungry, then the second one followed the same fate as the first, gone in under a minute in two bites. It was by the third one that he even bothered to look at her again after all this time, where she had remained unmoving too. Was she still scared of him? Or was she waiting to see if he'd pick her for his own mate? Psh. Yeah right. As if he'd do that-...

Hm. On second thought. Maybe there was perks to having a human around-

After a moment he bothered to hum, arm reaching up to wipe at his mouth before he stood. "Not really a good dowry. Dam pathetic really." The last peach was tossed up and down in one hand. "The bare fucking minimum of expectations." Blue eyes carefully rolled over her form studying. She wasn't the worst looking. Infact it was an upgrade from most women he'd seen. ..Eh. She wasn't like the Master's wife, but her body looked strong and sturdy, and his senses indicated she was young and healthy. Early twenties tops....She might make a good servant. He hummed and then nodded. He'd check in with Kyogai first and make his choice from there. "But lucky for you, I'm feeling generous tonight. Hmph! You should be thankful!"

"S-So...Y-You're not going to hurt me?"

"If I wanted to hurt you, I would've struck you down the moment you stepped passed the tree line! Now stand up! We're leaving!"

She blinked.... "Leaving?"

He gestured at the dark. "Would you like me to leave you lost, alone, and in the dead of night where others are sure to find you?" He paused at what he said himself, because he hummed and turned his head upwards. She screamed quite a few times. Surely someone would've heard her, in fact someone might be coming towards them this moment. "With how much you stupidly screamed, I don't doubt others are already on their way here now." He growled with a scowl. "The bastards. Fighting like rats over a scrap of meat."

"N-NO!" He looked back to her as she forced herself on wobbling feet to stand before him. "I-I don't want to stay here! P-Please show me the way."

He seemed pleased with her answer because he huffed and one side of his mouth curled up in a smile. "That's more like it. If you're gonna be around me you need to step up your think-"

He didn't get to finish that sentence. In fact...He didn't get to even stand when a large hunk of branch flew past at lightning speed, and slammed right into the his side with a sickening crack sound. Wind flew past her from the sheer force of the throw, and the black robed demon was sent flying to the right and into a heap several yards away from where he initially stood. She stood frozen for a moment, the sight being too fast to comprehend what exactly had just happened. Then a horribly familiar voice spoke.

"Hands off the female! She's MY claim!!"

Her head snapped around, and she again shrieked as the insect-eyed demon has returned, hands fully intact and fangs bared towards the sight of another one of his kind as she stumbled back, eyes wide. A creaking sound was herd somewhere behind her followed by a loud thud and a deeper growl that reverberated off the wind and trees as a hiss sound escaped a black mass pushing themselves off the ground with many bone cracks and hissing noises until dangerously blue eyes cut through the dark right at the other.

"Dammed fools! You dare attack one of the Twelve Kizuki!?"

"I couldn't give a dam who you are! I staked my claim first! By law she's mine!"

And with that, he charged. She shrieked and ducked, arms coming to shield her head from the upcoming lunge but a black mass lunged faster, knocking the first one back into the trees as the two monsters rolled off. Something snapped within him. Perhaps it was all the pent up annoyance and anger at being challenged despite his rank. A whirlwind of claws and teeth they became. Crashing through tree branches, cutting one another, biting, each drawing blood from the other but he was stronger! He was faster!

He was superior! 

So it wasn't very long that his opponent laid defeated. Silenced. Dead.

It wasn't a very long battle. Lasting under ten minutes. His wounds would heal within an hour or two. And he couldn't be in trouble for this, right? Surely he couldn't. Someone dared to challenge a Twelve Kizuki to battle and lost. Happened sometimes. And he had a right to fight since he insisted on fighting over the woman he still had unfinished business with. So he shouldn't be punished harshly for this. Although the fight was over, that did not stop his rage. For when he returned to claim what he had fought over, it was gone.

A piercing raged wail went through the night. 

He couldn't believe this!! Did another one claim her while he was busy?! No. no. Couldn't have. He would've heard her shriek again. So that pathetic human must've taken the distraction and ran when he wasn't looking! DAMMIT!! And not only that-...

HIS LAST PEACH HAD BEEN CRUSHED IN THE FIGHT BEFORE HE COULD EVEN EAT IT!!!

He was angry! He was very, VERY ANGRY!! And he had to spend the rest of that night scrambling around trying to find this human, distracting him from his usual duties, and the scent going cold amongst the wind and other scents in the dam place! But now he was going to get in (maybe) trouble and won't get anything out of it.

....Oh so he thought.

One day went by.  Absolutely nothing. He was bitter, angry, and could do nothing but go back to do his own duties. Hopefully no one would notice or care about what happened. Everyone seemed too busy to pay him any mind anyways. Too busy struck by love-syndrome to really ever pay attention to himself. Which what he preferred anyways? It was best to leave him alone during these times anyways. 

Two days go by and most of the bitterness had faded away, but he was still annoyed, stewing in the leftover bitterness that was attained from yesterday. Although an unexpected event happened, and it all happened as he was traveling along the Eastern tree line mindlessly. A very strong, and very important presence. Calling to him. 

STRUM!

A forced pushed the back of his mind making him stumble in his step from how sudden it was. Like a mental rock was suddenly thrown on his shoulders, and it's weight made him lurch forward in real life, stumbling and throwing his arms out to catch himself against a tree. A feeling deep inside like something pulling his soul into a different box was tugging at his mind and it made him blink in confusion for a moment. 

"What the fu-"

STRUM!!

His mind was pulled into a calling. It was like his conscious became thinned, light as air, and as nimble as a snake slithering through the lines of connection between himself and the bonds the Master's blood allowed them all to have. If he had one way of describing it, he would say it felt and looked like a tree rooted into their minds, different branches that were never the same but still connected to the same trunk in the end sharing the same deepened roots. The mind thread slithered ever closer to the thing that pulled and pulled and pulled him until he felt himself connecting to two others before him in this web of connections. He was thrown for a loop for a moment, but he quickly understood where he was and why he was here. One of the Twelve Kizuki wished him here, and the one responsible for bringing him here was just above him sitting silently. Upper Moon Five, Nakime, the one responsible for all transportation within this hivemind of threads. He reached out to that small thread sending a questioning thought for why she brought him here on such short notice. In return a thrum of an instrument vibrated within the wave lengths in return, and a mental arrow pointed to the third presence with them. And he followed her pointing. Who could it be who called him? Sensei Kokushibo? It wasn't the Master. The presence wasn't intimidating to him in the least. 

"Kaigaku. I'm glad you answered my calling."

Kyogai!? What the hell could that lower moon want with him!? Especially now!? "What do you want!? I'm busy!"

He thought he heard Kyogai mentally sigh."I have something to ask you concerning some events which occurred last night."

"WHAT!?"

"Last night two intruders broke into my home."

"And? It's not my fault most of your staff are girls! You deal with your own territory and don't cry to me about not being able to do your job! If you want me to scare some dam idiots into submission, you can wait until I'm done!"

"You not doing your job is precisely my point! One of the dam insects claimed they were chasing a human bride through the woods!" The anger in the other presence fell silent. What did Kyogai just say? Human bride? In his home? "It's YOUR job to patrol the east side of the mountain and make sure no strangers enter or any demons leave the forest to that side of the mountain! Clearly you aren't doing your job good enough!"

There was silence for a few seconds as the younger presence thought on what he said. "You have the human?"

"I have no human! DO. YOUR. DAM. JOB!! NEXT TIME SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS I'M REPORTING YOUR MESS UP TO KOKUSHIBO AND THE MASTER!! DO NOT LET SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN AGAIN! CONSIDER THIS YOUR ONLY WARNING!! Nakime, I am done with this message."

"NO! WAI-"

STRUM!!

The connection of the two wavelengths were cut off with a harsh strum of a bawa string, like a knife through hot butter, and there was a slight pain from the severed connection. He was thrown forward fast and with a gasp of air, was released from the wavelengths harshly without warning, ended up colliding face first into the tree he previously grabbed and slid down it to his knees coughing from the air knocked from his lungs. But he allowed the sweet silence to cascade over his body as he breathed. And there was silence. ....before a growl escaped his throat and bark splintered under his fingernails as blue eyes narrowed. 

"Kyogai."

That was how he found himself in front of the infamous mansion throwing open the front door and making the sound spook any servant that was close enough to see his angered form stomp his way inside. This wasn't his first time here. Not by a longshot. He'd seek shelter here many a times before since it was so close to where he patrolled so it was very convenient for him, so much so that the older demon who ruled this home had been kind enough to give him his own room whenever he dropped by. Those whom saw him instantly bowed as his form stomped past them all one footfall after another.

"Lord Kaigaku. Good afternoon to you," one woman greeted with a bow but he ignored her in favor of stomping forward.

Further and further into the mansion he went, many servants bowing to the young lord but he paid them no attention. The scents around here all mixed with various different demons, but mostly Kyogai's. Kyogai was much more powerful compared to them all, so of course most of everything in here smelt of him. There was also the faint smell of blood. ...So Kyogai wasn't lying about intruders walking into his home. Which only made him more suspicious. Nothing really seemed out of place until he turned one corner in the mansion and paused.

"Found you."

And he stomped towards the smell. The very familiar smell he remembered from two nights ago. The very one he'd been trying to find these last two days was here, and he sure as hell wasn't letting her get off that easily. He quickened his pace speed walking through hallway after hallway ignoring the sudden bowing demons or any demons that were thrown his way, after one thing in particular. It got stronger and stronger and he was eventually able to pinpoint it to one room behind one door in particular. Heavy and quick footsteps went right up to the sliding door, his hand reaching out to grab it hard enough that some claw marks were  left behind by his claws and in one fluid, powerful motion he threw the door back hard enough to made a loud slam echo through the halls.

SLAM!!

There was a loud gasp, almost shriek at the sudden door open, and a woman whipped her head to him. F/c eyes met blue and he let a growl come out of his throat. 

"It's about dam time I fucking found you."

**********************************************************************

You leaned back in the chair blissfully unaware of the approaching footsteps stomping their way towards your room. It had been a little while since Eri had left and left you just sitting there with nothing to do but keep your hurt leg submerged in the cold bucket of water. There was literally nothing you could do to keep yourself entertained other than to day dream of everything you wanted to do once you got out of here with your newfound freedom. Maybe that's why you didn't hear the stomping coming straight towards your room-

STOMP. STOMP. STOMP. STOMP-

Or the door being grabbed hard enough to leave claw indents in them.

SLAM!!

Making you gasp and whip your head to the thundering storm looming in the doorway only to meet blue eyes.

"It's about dam time I fucking found you."

You almost shrieked upon first laying eyes upon the demon who just barged into your room. Mostly because the entrance he gave scared you but you nearly shrieked again when the menacing form stepped in. Until you paused...and just stared at him. The demon didn't look much older than yourself, wearing a scowl on his face but not a dangerous scowl that said 'I'm going to murder you'. It was more of a really, really annoyed scowl like the ones Sanemi used to wear. Still made you nervous, but not to the point where you felt in danger. You watched with wide eyes as he stomped until he stood directly in front of you with that scowl of his, staring you down. His black cloaks looked torn and dirtied on him and here and there was small dirt smudged on his gray skin. 

Wait a second. You knew this demon, but where did you see him?

You jumped as a black claw was suddenly pointed at your face. "Do you know how foolish you made me look defending you from that dam parasite!? I could have been killed for all you knew and you had the gall to leave without seeing if I died!!"

Oh right. He was the one who initially saved you from that first demon! You'd forgotten him up until this point. In the light he was a lot less intimidating. 

 "I should've left you to be made into someone's housewife than waste my time wi-"

"Are you alright?''

He paused. You stared at him concerned. He just stared back at you blankly for a moment. "...What?"He shook his head. "Of course I'm-"

He froze when your hand just grabbed his own and yanked. And he leaned forward, the surprising action catching him off guard. Especially when he felt something soft reached up and touch his face. And he just stood there as you squinted your eyes at him. One hand on his cheek, the other firmly around his left wrist as you took the chance to look over him. Despite his dirtied and ragged looking clothes, he seemed to be completely fine other than being angry, but you'd seen scarier. From Sanemi no less. Your eyes wondered over him and seemed satisfied to not see any damage to his body, so you released his wrist and face despite him staying stunned leaned over. 

"I'm glad you're ok. That sounded like a bad fight you got into, and I'm sorry you had to go through that for my sake." Just apologize now and get it over with. You didn't want to owe anyone anything after you left here, including apologies, and he did have a point as much as you'd hate to admit it. He did spare you from that vulgar insect-eyed demon you first ran into and got in the way when it lunged back at you. Just remain calm. Everything would be fine if you just remained calm. It was then you bowed while still sitting in the chair which hindered your movement, but you did still bow to the best of your abilities. "I thank you for all the help and kindness you've shown me, and I apologize again for running off. I was scared and lucky to be alive." You then looked back up to his face. "And I'm not lying when I say I do hope you're ok. I'd hate for anyone else to get hurt because of me." And you were genuine with what you said. "Are you sure you're alright?"

The demon above you just-....Dumbfoundedly stared down at you. As if he lost all ability to think and act for himself. And ever patient you just continued to stare back silently at him. In total silence. Until you smiled to break the awkward silent tension and that small gesture finally seemed to snap him out of it because he blinked...before scowling and ripping his body away from you.

He opened his mouth and pointed at you...before closing his mouth and just growling before turning his head away. "I'm fine! Like I would allow myself to be hurt by someone beneath me! And you should be grateful to me! I could've left you to be taken by predators!"

You chose to not argue with him and honestly you didn't have the energy to deal with another Sanemi-like tantrum on top of your leg being hurt. If a small compromise of your pride meant peace, then it'd be better in the long run. Although you were not planning on seeing this demon again so soon.

"Whatever you say, but what are you doing here?" He turned slightly and cocked a thick brow at your question, a hum escaping his throat. "I wasn't expecting to ever see you again no offense, so why are you here now?"

He stared at you like you were dumb before scowling harder. "Are you dense!? I came here for you, Moron!"

Your brow rose now. "Me? Now why would you want to find me?"

"Because I need to toss you out! THAT'S WHY!!" A hand pointed a thumb behind his shoulder with a small growl from his throat. "If you hadn't come in here, I wouldn't be at risk for being punished! Who knows what'll happen to me if I don't make you leave!! Now get up!" He demanded with a 'come on' gesture. "You've plagued my existence long enough!" You...did not get up and only stared at him. "Well what are you waiting for!? I said GET UP!!"

"I can't."

"Why not!?"

"My leg was injured. That's why!" You frowned and gestured to your leg which still was dunked in the bucket of cold water. "I can't even stand let alone walk! Exactly how do you expect me to follow you out of here?"

He looked down at your leg, blinking as it just seemed to dawn on him that indeed your leg was in an awkward position. "What the hell- What are you doing sticking your leg in a fucking pail of water?"

"Trying to get the swelling to go down. The water's ice cold!," you deadpanned back at him he seemed to be annoyed again as he looked from your leg back to your face. "What? It's not my fault. One of those stupid monsters hurt me!"

"OH FOR FUCKS SAKE!!" At this point he threw his arms up looking both defeated and frustrated. "FINE!! Then I'll just take you to the human settlements Douma runs! One of them must have a healer! I am NOT getting in trouble for someone else harming a human!"

"I don't think that's a good ide-AH!!"

He didn't give you any warnings with two black sleeved arms just shoved themselves behind your back and under your knees before you were just roughly lifted up into a bridal style position in his arms. The bucket of water nearly spilling over from your sudden lift off via the demon who held you in his arms frustrated. On instinct your hands latched onto the front of his blackened robes which made him look down at you for a moment, taking in your wide eyed stare back up at him..Before he just wrenched his look away and turn you both around towards the door. 

"W-WAIT!! I don't think this is a good idea! You could get in trouble more!"

He scoffed with an eye roll. "Oh, please. Who would stop me?"

"KAIGAKU!!!"

Your head snapped back to the still open door and the demon bristled. Muscles going rigid as an 'Oh crap-' expression flashed across his face, and then the footsteps, hurried and heavy came running down the hallway.

THUDTHUDTHUDTHUDTHUDTHUD-

Something big, heavy, and furious came running down the hallway and both you and the demon only watched as the floor shook under his feet. No escape as the thing came closer and closer- Until a giant clawed hand slammed harshly onto the doorframe making the demon holding you flinch and stumble a couple steps back as the looming form of Kyogai pushed his way into the doorway and stood above both of you much taller. You were confused looking between the now paled face of the demon holding you, and the furious look in Kyogai's blue and red eyes narrowed at the younger demon, breathing heavily from running all the way to here. You could only sit there awkwardly looking between the two demons staring each other down...Until your brow rose, and you decided to speak up.

"Kyogai?"

In an instant, his eyes snapped to you, and he blinked seeming to notice you finally, and froze. His blue eyes stared at your equally confused face, before they slowly roamed over across to where your hands gripped the black haired demon's front, then to said demon's arms holding you. Blue eyes widened for a second, but only a second, because instantly they narrowed into slits, a growl you hadn't heard him give before escaping his throat, and ever so slowly he pointed a hand right. At. The. Demon holding you.

"Put. Her. Back. Now."

The demon holding you stayed frozen in place for a moment longer before finally scowling back and pulling you closer to him. "Fuck off!"

"What are you even planning on doing with her!?," Kyogai demanded throwing up his hands, "She has no use to you!"

"I'm not getting in trouble because Little Miss Lost decided to wonder in and get herself hurt!!"

"HEY!" You scowled back at him but he ignored you staring down the taller demon with another growl.

"Wha- WHAT WAS YOUR PLAN ON FIXING THIS!? Dumping her outside the Eastern Tree Line!? She can't even walk! You'll end up killing her leaving her for dead, you dim witted beetle!"

He growled baring his fangs back. "That's why I was taking her to Douma's settlements!! He has one or two human healers so they ought to know how to fix her! And Douma's good at handling new human pets, so it'd be the perfect place for her!" Kyogai's face immediately twisted to one of horror as you shot him a look. "If I deliver her to a human settlement, then I won't be in trouble if she's with her own kind! Douma's always up for taking in more humans anyways.''

"Excuse me!," you yelled at him.

"W H A T!?"

The home shook. Literally. The entire mansion shook, lurched a bit from it's master's rage built into it making the demon holding you wobble and nearly drop you from how much he stumbled and you increased your grip on him yelping at the home's groaning creaks. As if the entire mansion was alive with his anger.

THUD!!

Kyogai slammed a single foot down leaning forward all of a sudden and got into the face of the younger demon who half paused half scowled at the older demon. "Now you listen to me you dam tantrum throwing insect! She is not even FIT for travel even if you carried her with the speed and grace of a swan! It was your own fault that this all happened in the first place! Maybe if you did your job and actually pay attention these things wouldn't have happened! Now would they!? This is why you haven't become an Upper Moon yet because Kokushibo still has to teach you the basics of the duties!!"

"How dare you speak to me that way!? IM A HIGHER RANK THAN YOU!!!''

"You're only a higher rank because of your strength and speed, and because Kokushibo has taken you on as his student so the Master was generous enough to grant you a position within the Twelve Kizuki! Otherwise you wouldn't even have the pleasure of being able to argue with me right now!" The younger demon flinched when a clawed finger roughly jabbed his chest. "AND LIKE HELL I'M ALLOWING DOUMA ANYWHERE NEAR HERE!!! THAT PERVERTED EMPTY SHELL OF A MAN CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING BUT HIS OWN PERVERTED DESIRES AND I'LL NOT SUBJECT MY WOMEN STAFF OR THAT HUMAN TO ANY OF IT!!!"

"THAT'S WHY I SAID I'M TAKING HER TO DOUMA, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!! YOUR 'PRECIOUS STAFF' SHOULD BE PROTECTED IF THAT MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER-"

"DAM YOU!! GIVE ME THE HUMAN!!" You squealed out as two larger hands hooked from under your body and again you found yourself being lifted into the arms of a demon, Kyogai to be in fact. He lifted you up and out of the smaller demon's hands. You blinked and looked up at him.

"HEY!! You have no claim to her!!," the black haired demon shouted back pointing at you.

"Oh! And I suppose you have?"

"YES!! Of matter of fact I do!��Since she gave me her dowry!!" He huffed proud of himself and crossed his arms, and for once Kyogai went silent. Allowing this new demon to smugly turn his head. 

"....What?"

"Yes! That girl-" He pointed at you. "-gave me her dowry which means she was interested in me! And I accepted, so obviously I DO get the final say in her! So I demand as a higher up and as my claim you hand her over to me!!"

You face palmed and Kyogai continued to stare at him silently before looking to you obviously for answers. After a moment you dared to look at him, and sighed.

"It's a misunderstanding," you cleared up. "Because first of all, and for the last time, I AM NOT A BRIDE!! I never was a bride before, I'm NOBODY'S bride now, and I never WILL be someone's bride!" You practically shouted into the air, frustrated at the constant bad hand life's always dealt you. And then you pointed at the smug jerk's face as he blinked. "Second of all, the only reason I'm here is because I got lost and then chased by some simple minded men who couldn't treat women with respect! That 'dowry' I gave you wasn't even a dowry! I just thought you wanted a payment in return for rescuing me from that beast!! And even then, I'm not going anywhere I don't know! I'm staying here and waiting for a doctor to come see me!!"

The black haired demon continued to stare at you for a long moment as you frowned back at him. "....So you're not interested in me? I thought it was pretty obvious."

Kyogai looked like he wanted to lash into him again but you stopped him before he could. "I never even got your name. What's your name?"

The black haired demon regarded you for a moment before huffing. "Kaigaku. Lower Moon one of the Twelve Kizuki. It'd do you good to remember it."

You nodded calmly. "Well, Kaigaku, I'm glad to meet you, but you're looking a little ragged. You should rest and have someone fix your clothes."

Kyogai perked up seeming to catch onto what you were doing because he was quick to calm himself. "She is right, Kaigaku. You look stressed and dirtied. You should rest and allow my staff to look over you."

He looked about ready to protest but you smiled and stopped him. "A member of the Twelve Kizuki needs to look presentable. It wouldn't be proper to allow yourself to fall into disarray, how'd that make you look to the others?"

To your surprise, Kaigaku actually hummed and looked as if he was actually considering it before he grunted. "Fine. But don't think I'm doing it because you asked. It's only deserving I get a break for everything I've done."

Kyogai's eyelid twitched, but managed to retain his rage. "Of course. Please, allow me." You yelped when all of a sudden you were hiked up to be cradled within one arm as his other, now free arm, went to one of the drums on his legs tapping it twice.

BUM! BUM!

Two seconds passed and a moment later there was footsteps and a random demon woman stopped in the doorway before bowing to the taller demon. "You called me, Lord Kyogai?" Wow. They were fast around here.

"Yes. Prepare the mens' bath for Lord Kaigaku, and send someone to address his garments. Tell the cook to prepare him a meal and have Ami prepare his room for his stay with us."

"And have Eri look him over as well."

Everyone looked at you as you stared at Kaigaku and pointed. "I don't like it that he got into a fight because of me, and I don't want him hurt. So just in case have Eri look him over."

"..I don't need a second opinion on my own body! I know my limits and strengths! I would know if I was injured!"

"Yes. But it would make me feel better, and I mean it when I said I don't want anyone hurt over me." You reached out and grabbed his hand making him freeze as you stared at him sadly. "...Please?"

...He opened his mouth- ....And closed it before yanking his hand away. "Fine! But I'll only do it as a part of the luxery I'm entitled too! Not for anyone worry especially a woman's!"

"Then I shall send Eri to look you over once you've settled. Mayla! Escort Kaigaku to the baths and carry out my other orders."

Mayla. (Was that her name?) She only simply bowed deeper before leaning back up. "As you wish, My Lord. Lord Kaigaku, please follow me."

"I've been here before I know where it is!," he mumbled but started off after Mayla as she turned and began to walk off but not before shoot Kyogai a look. "I expect to be informed on what the hell's happened in between my time last seeing the human."

"Oh you will be." Kyogai narrowed his eyes back. Wait until he heard about the Master already knowing about this. That ought to get this brat to shut up. He held eye contact and watched until Kaigaku (reluctantly) disappeared out of the door following Mayla and his footsteps disappeared, before he finally allowed his body to relaxed and he slowly looked back down to you still in his arms. "Are you alright? He didn't harm you did he?"

"Um...No. B-But could you put me back down? T-This is kind of awkward."

He blinked....and his face lit up a pink. "UH!! R-Right! Y-Yes! W-What was I thinking!? Apologies!" He was quick to set you back down gently in the chair before plopping your hurt leg back into the bucket with a small splash sound. Quickly retracting his hands away from your body afterwards. "H-Here! I-Is this better?"

You nodded. "Yes. Much better thank you." Your head tilted back towards the door. "But who was that just now?"

"That mess was one of my colleges. Lower Moon One of the Twelve Kizuki although if you ask me he does not deserve the generous rank!....But how do you know him is what I would like to know!?"

You shrugged. "I ran into him by accident when I first came in here. He saved me from an attacker-" Kyogai's brows rose in surprise at that. "-but then he ate all the food I had left for doing so. He called it a 'dowry' but at the time I just thought he wanted some payment in return for saving me. I guess that was yet another misunderstanding wasn't it?"

"Kaigaku expressed interest in a dowry? From a woman?.....Kaigaku!?" he blinked. 

"Oh. Is that...bad?"

"I am...Unsure." Kyogai then mumbled and reached a hand to rub his temples with a sigh. "I see I have yet another thing to fix around here. I don't get paid enough for this."

"Oh...Well, Kyogai." He jumped when he felt you reach out and grab his hand in thanks blinking from under his thanks. "Thank you again for saving me! You're a real life saver. Was Eri able to treat you yet?"

His brain froze for a second, before with his cheeks pink he pulled his hand away and held it up. "UH! N-Not yet! I-I'm afraid she was interrupted by Kaigaku's presence!" 

You blinked. "Oh. Well return to her and let her finish up healing you."

"YES!! I-I will! I-I return her to assist you as soon as possible," he slowly backed away and out of the room, "Please remain here and call one of the s-servants to help you." A hand grabbed the door and slid it shut quickly. "I-I'll make sure to have a word with Kaigaku. D-Don't worry."

You rose a brow at the sudden exit and even more so at the hurried footsteps retreating from the door. What the world just happened?

[haikyuuwaifu]

3. Touya Todoroki

Genre: Humor, Fluff

Warnings: Name calling, Swearing, Mentions of children figthing

MASTERLIST

Ryosuki Bakugo let out an annoyed huff, his little arms crossing over his little chest. Next to him, Daisuke Todoroki shot him a glare, sticking his little pink tongue out. Ryo flipped the other boy the finger, pulling his lower eyelid down. Before Daisuke could retaliate, the teacher's door slammed open. Ryo let out a breath of relief at the sight of his father. Behind him, he noticed a man covered in the same markings his Papa Shinsou had, piquing his curiosity. Daisuke tried to shrink in his seat, unable to miss the glare his father sent him. Their teacher came trailing after Daisuke’s father, a frown on her face. “Thank you both for coming in.” She began taking a seat behind her desk. “There was another incident during recess, and as much as we’ve tried to resolve the issues internally, today; both boys put their hands on one another.” She began, giving Ryosuki and Daisuke a stare. Both boys flushed sheepishly, as their fathers faces hardened. “Who started the damn fight?” Bakugo barked, eyeing the other little boy. Touya let out a scoff crossing his arms. “It was probably your kid. Must be poor home training.” He supplied, giving Katsuki a look. The blonde sneered, standing up to his full height. “You wanna run that by me again mother fucker?” He snarled, as Touya stood up to meet him. “I didn’t fucking stutter fuckface.” Touya snarled, causing Katsuki to gnash his teeth. Both little boys quickly left their seats to hide behind their teacher’s desk. 

An hour later found both Bakugo’s sitting on a bench outside the school building. Katsuki was sporting a black eye and a bruised lip. On the other bench, Touya looked no better, his nose covered in dry blood and one eye swollen shut. Daisuke and Ryosuki said nothing, both too afraid to speak. Ryo knew as soon as his mother showed up he and his father would be in for it. Katsuki winced as he saw his ex-girlfriend’s car pull into the front of the school. Putting the car in park, the driver side door was flung open, and Katsuki was met with a face filled with absolute rage. “Katsuki Bakugo, what the absolute- Suki earmuffs baby,” She side shouted, marching over toward the two. The little boy covered his ears, watching as Daisuke had done the same. “What the absolute fuck is wrong with you? You’re a grown ass man!” She hissed, reaching out to smack him with her bag. “How could you go and get into a fucking fight in front of you son? In front of his teacher!” Bakugo let out a wince as he tried to cover himself. “Ow!” He shouted, trying to dodge. “It wasn’t all my fault you shitty woman!” The blonde barked, as he dodged Y/n’s blows. “I don’t care who’s fault it was. You are too old to be fighting another fucking parent.” She snarled, eyes blazing. 

“And you!” She barked, pointing at Touya. “You should know better than to put your hands on another parent, let alone in front of your fucking son.” Touya winced, his cheeks tinting pink. “You two should be ashamed of yourselves!” She screamed, throwing her bag on the floor. “I can’t believe the two of you have children if you’re going to fucking act like this!” Behind her, Daisuke spotted his grandfather’s SUV. Enji Todoroki stepped out of the driver's side, his face set in stone. “I can’t believe the two of you have the fucking nerve.” Y/n hissed, as the fathers and their sons watched Enji approach. “Y/n?” Enji hummed, causing the woman to twist her head in his direction. “Enji!” She smiled, giving him a friendly wave. “I didn’t know your son went to school here.” The man quipped, pulling Y/n’s attention away from the group she had been previously yelling at. “Yep. This is the school your grandson goes to?” Enji nodded, motioning toward Daisuke. “That’s him right there, and my oldest Touya.” Y/n turned, giving the older Todoroki a glare. “This is my son Ryosuki and his father Katsuki. The two men decided they were going to get into a fist fight in the classroom.” Y/n huffed as Enji rolled his eyes. “I’ll head inside and see what I can do to mend the damage. You get your boy home.” Enji supplied, as Y/n gave him a friendly hug. “I’ll drop by in the morning with a breakfast basket.” Enji looked over at his son and his grandson. “Take him home and get him ready for bed. If I’m back before then, the three of us are going to have a talk.” Enji hissed, causing Daisuke to fold into himself. Touya said nothing, moving to stand. Y/n had reached over to get her bag, but Daisuke was faster. Reaching up he handed her the bag and bowed lowly. “I’m sorry ma’am.” Y/n only smiled ruffling the little boy's hair. Motioning toward Katsuki and Ryo, she nodded toward the car. “I’ll see you at work tomorrow, Enji.” She called behind her as she followed her family to the car. When the woman was out of hearing distance, Daisuke whispered; “Ryo’s mama is scary as fuck pop.” Touya could only grunt in agreement as the two made their way to the car.

In the comfort of their home, Katsuki sat quietly as the mother of his child and his husband gave him a verbal lashing. “It doesn’t matter who started the fight Suki, they’re children.” Shinsou sighed, taking a sip of his wine. “I can’t believe you got into a fight with another parent.” Bakugo let out a long sigh, leaning his head back against his chair. “I hate how fucking right you two are.” He griped, ignoring the way his two favorite people shared a smile. Ryo had been put to bed after a stern talking to from his mother. “Because you got into that fight, you don’t even know what started between the two boys.” Y/n scoffed, rolling her eyes. Katsuki gave her the finger and Shinsou snorted. “Was he hot though?” The purple haired man whispered loudly, giving Y/n a wink. “So fucking hot.” The woman supplied, both friends laughing as Bakugo moved to throw his napkin at them. In the Todoroki home, Touya was trying not to chug his liquor as his father gave his husband the play by play of the fight itself. Oboro let out ugly wheezes as he laughed and laughed. “You and the other boy's father will be volunteering at the school carnival this weekend to make up for the fight.” Enji supplied, taking a swig of his whiskey. Touya could only grunt his agreeance unwilling to give his father a verbal response. “Daisuke will apologize to the other boy tomorrow as well. He was the one who started it.” Touya gave his father a curious look, as Oboro poured the trio another round. “He told me before bedtime that he had said something to Ryosuki about his mother. He won’t tell me what it was, but from what I understand it wasn’t very nice.” “It’s crazy that Y/n’s son goes to school with our little Daisuke.” Oboro hummed, taking a bite of the dessert he’d made earlier. “Who the hell is Y/n?” Touya grunted, reaching out to take a piece. “She works at the company with me. From what I understand, she’s not married to the father of her child.” Enji supplied, taking another drink. “She’s one of the best employees we have and I consider her a friend. You will apologize to the boy's father as well.” Touya could only give his father the finger, as he downed the rest of his drink.

The next morning, Daisuke entered the classroom ready to apologize. Daisuke was surprised to see Ryosuki by the door. The other child was holding a bento, his cheeks red. “I’m sorry I hit you.” Ryo mumbled, holding out the bento box. “I’m sorry I said really mean things about your mom.” Daisuke whispered, holding the box gingerly. “I don’t have one, so I was just jealous.” He supplied, moving to hang up his backpack. Their teacher watched on the sidelines, ensuring everything was well. “It’s okay. So long as you didn’t really mean it.” Ryo supplied shrugging. “Your mom is really scary.” Daisuke giggled, causing the other boy to grin. “She is right! It’s so cool! She made lunch for you today though, because she shows love with food or something; I don’t know I stopped listening after she said cookies.” The boy huffed, causing their teacher to giggle. “BUT she said that my dad and your dad are gonna help at the carnival this weekend!” Daisuke looked contemplative, before voicing his thought. “Is your mom gonna be there?” Ryo gave him a nod, eyes filled with curiosity. “Would…do you think I can meet your mom?” Daisuke mumbled sheepishly, looking down at his shoes. “Course you can!” Ryo shouted, patting the other boys back. “We can even share! I have two dads but I’ve always wanted a brother.” Daisuke’s face broke out into a grin. “My dad says brothers are lame, but I think it’s because he’s lame.” The boy whispered. Their teachers heart was melting, as she made a note to update Y/n.

That weekend found the Bakugo family, grandparents included, attending the school carnival. Mitsuki laughed for days after she found out about her son getting into a fight with another parent. Masaru only sighed, as he, Y/n, and Shinsou voiced their annoyance in low whispers. “Daisuke’s really excited to meet you mama. He says you’re really scary, but he’s really sorry for saying bad things about you.” Ryo grunted, giving his moms hand a squeeze. Y/n only smiled, sharing a look with Hitoshi. Katsuki had left earlier to help with the carnival set up. Both friends knew the blonde would be at his wits end by the time they showed up. On the playground, Bakugo took a long swig from his water bottle, wiping the sweat dripping down his face. Next to him Touya had finished his water, crushing the plastic container. Both men had yet to vocalize an apology, neither one wanting to cave first. After a few more minutes of tense silence Touya finally spoke. “I’m...I’m sorry for what Daisuke said about your girlfriend.” Touya mumbled, unwilling to look the other man in the eye. Katsuki blinked owlishly, before snorting. “Y/n’s not my girlfriend dumbass. She’s my best friend. I’m actually married, to a man by the way, she and I just share a child together.” The blonde man replied, taking in the surrounding area. He could see the rest of Touya’s siblings scattered about. He noticed his parents at the gymnasium entrance, and glared at the sight of his childhood neighbors curly green hair. Touya watched Bakugo’s face change to absolute annoyance, and he found his curiosity peaked. “That’s fuckface Deku. We grew up together and he’s always had some weird fascination with Y/n.” The blonde supplied, watching the other man like a hawk. 

“What does it matter to you if some other guy is interested in your ex?” Touya questioned, as he tried to locate his own son. “Suki doesn’t like him, and it’s not just because I don’t like him.” Katsuki answered, settling his hands on his hips. “The kid’s got a thing about people, and if he doesn’t like them of his own accord, then I’m gonna trust his fucking judgement.” Before Touya could say anything more, Ryosuki and Daisuke had come barreling toward the two. “Dad! Look!” Daisuke crowed, showing his father his kimono. It was nice, decked out in his favorite colors and a few of his favorite characters. It fit the boy well. “Miss Y/n brought it for me!” He mumbled, a small smile on his face. Ryo had taken his best friends hand before looking his father in the eye. “I told Ma we wanted to match for the carnival.” Touya looked over at Katsuki, but the man’s eyes were still on the other side of the carnival. “Y/n loves kids. She’s not gonna say no when it comes to cute shit like that.” Katsuki supplied looking down at the two boys. “You look great buddy.” Touya supplied, patting his son’s head. “Your tattoos are really neat!” Ryosuki shouted, eyeing the one on Touya’s arm. “You like tattoos little man?” Katsuki only snorted, rolling his eyes. “Kid loves tattoos. It was one of the first things he noticed about my husband, and he was still a toddler at the time.” “Grandpa Sho does papa’s tattoos and a lot of mama’s tattoos all the time! He said he would teach me when I’m big like dad.” Ryo supplied, gripping Touya’s arm. Touya took in the boys words, his brain trying to connect where he’d heard the name “Sho” from. Giving the other man a bone, Katsuki decided to help him out.

“My father-in-law is Shouta Aizawa.” The blonde grinned, as Touya’s eyes widened. “Holy shit.” “Holy shit is right.” A voice stated, bringing everyone’s attention behind them. “Gramps!” Ryo shouted, making a beeline for the other man. Daisuke followed along a bit hesitant. Next to Shouta, Daisuke saw a tall blonde man, his hair in a high ponytail. “Hey hey hey little listener!” Hizashi smiled holding out his hand. “Hi!” Daisuke mumbled his cheeks pink. “We’re really good friends with your grandpa Oboro.” Hizashi supplied, as Shouta scoffed. “He’s an idiot.” Daisuke could only giggle, before nodding. “That’s what nana Rei says all the time.” Touya and Katsuki watched on, their squabble mostly forgotten. An hour later, Katsuki and Touya were sitting at a table they had reserved for their family. The boys were playing games with Touya’s brothers, while Fuyumi and Masaru were talking recipes. Mitsuki and Enji were currently engaged in a battle of wits, and Oboro, Shouta, and Hizashi were talking amongst themselves catching up. Touya and Katsuki had been talking. They’d found at that the two men actually had a lot in common. Katsuki’s husband found it hilarious and refused to let the blonde forget it. Touya could understand why the two got on. “I still can’t believe your dad is one of the greatest tattoo artists of all time.” Touya sighed, taking another swig of his beer. Shinsou could only shrug, running his fingers through his hair. “He’s always been just my dad. The same way Mitsuki has always been Katsuki’s mom even though she’s a fashion designer, and Enji has always been your dad and he’s a media mogul.” The other man could only grunt, his eyes scanning the area. 

“If that fuck stick goes anywhere near Y/n I’ll break his arms.” Katsuki grumbled, taking another swig. By this point, Touya understood the man he had been bitching about was Izuku Midoriya. Shinsou had explained that Izuku had asked Y/n on multiple occasions and simply wouldn’t take no for an answer. Moving to stand, Touya let out a long sigh. “I’m going to stretch my legs and make sure my brothers aren’t teaching our children anything too terrible.” Katsuki only snorted, smiling a little. “Nothing could be worse than Denki Kaminari.” he called after him, settling into his husband’s arms. “You like him.” Shinsou teased, as Katsuki scoffed. “He’s alright.” Shinsou only rolled his eyes. “He’ll be good for her.” The man admonished as Katsuki watched Touya move through the carnival stalls. “They’ll be good for each other.” Touya made his way through the crowds and the people, his hands stuffed in his pockets. “I’ve told you repeatedly, I’m not interesting Midoriya, and if you keep asking I won’t be held liable for the fucking foot I’m going to shove up your ass.” Y/n snarled, gripping her bag. Izuku only smiled, moving a step closer. “It’s been years of playing this game Y/n. Just give in already.” He supplied, inching his face closer to hers. What he wasn’t expecting however, was a tattooed hand to come into his view, shoving his face out of the way. “She said fuck off right?” Touya hummed, taking a step in front of Y/n. “This isn’t any of your business Todoroki-san.” Izuku supplied, his lips in a tight smile. Touya could only shrug. “I’m making it my business now. Your stepfather is Yagi Toshinori right? A big partner for one of the companies my father does business with.” Touya asked, looking down at the other man. “What does that have to do with anything?” Izuku hissed glaring up at Touya. “If you don’t fuck off and leave her alone, I’ll get him involved. While it’s not the usual way I’d handle a creep like you; I figured I’d take the more diplomatic approach this time.” He supplied giving the man a grin. 

Izuku could only snarl, turning to walk away. When he was gone, Touya turned around to see that Y/n digging around in her bag. “You alright sweetheart?” The man questioned, reaching out to touch her arm. “I’m fine. I was looking for something when he showed up.” She mumbled digging through her purse. Pulling out a small polaroid, she shouted in victory. “Their teacher gave me this, from the day after the fight!” She stated, giving the polaroid to the man. It was a picture of Daisuke and Ryosuki, smiling big and food stuck to their lips. “She said they’re practically brothers now. It’s so cute.” Y/n cooed, reaching in to take in the photo. Touya could smell whatever scent she was wearing and he felt his mouth water. “Can I,” He began rather hesitantly. He was going to stop himself when he looked up to see Katsuki making provocative motions toward him and Y/n. Y/n followed Touya’s line of sight and scoffed in embarrassment. “He’s such a fucking idiot.” She mumbled, causing the man beside her to laugh. “He’s just trying to help a friend.” Touya supplied, looking her up and down. “I’d really like to take you out.” Y/n gave him a look of consideration before nodding. “I’ll allow it, but no more fights.” She supplied, looping her arm through his own. “You can start by winning me a prize.” She winked, causing Touya to laugh. “Whatever you want sweetheart.”

A year later, Katsuki would take the credit by louding proclaiming that if he hadn’t whooped his best friends ass then he and Y/n wouldn’t even be getting married. Ryosuki and Daisuke were happy to be brothers and were excited to find out they would be having a baby sister months after the honeymoon.

also: Katsuki absolutely adores Y/n and Touya’s daughter to pieces and spoils her more than anyone <3

[swiftsalad]

HE'S SO AGGGGGGHHGHGRRRRRRR GRRRRR BARK BARK BARK *snarling and gnashing my teeth*

[o-wyrmlight]

A dog that snarls with no regard For what approaches in the yard's A dog that's been kicked down to shit; A dog approaching its last wit. A broken clock's right twice a day Because the time will pass away. Like the clock, the dog's twice right Snarling blindly in the night: "One day," she says, "there'll be a gun, A knife they have to stab someone. It won't be me, my teeth are sharp. I've had to train beyond my bark." So with glinting eyes and gnashing teeth, Heedless to what lays beneath, She growls and snarls to save her life Dreaming of her paradise. Does she revel in the taste of blood? She lives in squalor among the mud. Her mangy coat, her rabid eyes Always keen for some surprise. How many ribs beneath thick fur Exist beneath what's hanging there? Who chilled the blood within her veins? Who made her trust develop stains? How do I fix a broken clock? How do I help this dog to walk?

[underfiends]

Tweety Bird

I told you there'd be more of these guys. Have another blurb of Ramal from the D&D campaign that @peppermintpinklemonade is DMing. There's just a small cameo of @hannrenn's little guy, but they're there. Couple triggers in this, so be careful and enjoy!

I’m making camp when the sound starts up: a steady chirp, high pitched and three in a row. My hands pause the familiar motions of starting a fire, ears straining to hear it sound again. There’s nothing for a while, just the silence of the forest. The hoot of an owl, but that’s not what I’m waiting for.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

I swivel my head, trying to locate where it’s coming from. The sound is odd, echoing strangely. It isn’t a voice, or the squeak of a rusty cart wheel. It could be a monster of some sort, and in that case I need to be ready for when it attacks. I slowly put away the shard of flint I’d been about to use. I gather up my belongings into the small sack I’ve been using for the past few months. The bottom is beginning to strain; I need to replace it soon.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

I whip around, teeth bared in a snarl, claws out and ready to swipe at anything that lumbers out of the dark. It really is dark, even with my natural ability to see everything in a brighter light. The shadows of the trees shift and stretch, yawning out towards me. Their bare branches reach out for me like grasping fingers. They curl towards my armour, and I feel a sharp sting where black touches leather. I scramble back, nearly falling over as I trip over my feet in my haste.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

Something is wrong, so very wrong. This isn’t right. The trees are sharp, dark, dangerous things, reaching for me, trying to get their branches caught in my clothes and pull me towards them. Towards the ever growing black that makes up their trunks, a horrible gnashing of teeth made of bark. The world starts to spin, panic nearly blinding me. My breath comes in short, quick gasps, and a haze settles over my mind.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

I pull on the warm magic in my bones, summoning a sword made of obsidian and rivers of magma. The red glow should light up the area around me, allowing me to see what it is I’m fighting. This must be some sort of magical darkness, and if I could just see where it’s coming from I can dispel it. My hand closes over nothing. Ice settles in my veins; I don’t need to look down to see that there is no longsword in my palm, no magic rushing to my fingertips at my command. I feel cold, so very cold. There is no hot breath in my ear, no warm touches dancing over my arms and shoulders.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

She’s abandoned me.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

My patron, my companion; the one who promised to be mine as I was hers. She’s gone. She left me, just like-

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

“SHUT UP!” I roar into the trees, fighting back the sting of tears. I feel choked, breathless, constricted, constrained. My claws dig into the skin of my palms.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

This time, I clench my teeth until I hear something crack. I don’t feel the pain, everything far too muffled and distant. My eyes dart among the darkness as it closes in. Black ink spills out between the trees and swallows them up, dripping towards me. The thick liquid pools around me until I have nowhere to go, my frantic scrambling useless when a step in any direction would mean a step right into the waiting pool.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

A hand lashes out of the darkness and I cry out in fear, flinching back; back right into the ink. My foot sinks right down to the knee, bringing me crashing down onto the only free bit of ground. More hands dart out in front of me, reaching for me. Sharp fingers stretch and strain as I lean back, barely an inch from my face. One of them grabs onto my wrist, sending shards of ice through the point of contact. As I try to pull away, another hand grasps onto my other wrist. A hand grabs my shoulder, and another latches onto the collar of my shirt. They grasp and they hurt, and they start to pull me towards the trees. The ink around my foot trails as I’m slowly dragged through the dirt towards the shadows. A scream tears from my throat as I thrash, throwing myself any way I can, and yet still the hands pull.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

Something grabs onto the leg still submerged in the ink. In a blink, I’m ripped from the hands’ grasp, their nails tearing into my skin. And then I’m falling, thrown away from the safe ground, down into the black inky void. I can’t see anything; the dark far too oppressive. Wind whistles past, whipping my hair all around and tearing at my dress.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

Impact with something hard and solid forces the breath from my lungs. I lay there, wheezing, staring up into a dimly lit ceiling of gold decorated with crystal chandeliers. A hand reaches for me and I flinch back, scrambling to my feet and looking around. I’m in a giant ballroom, surrounded by people in masquerade masks and fine clothes. The floor is sparkling marble, and the walls and ceiling are shining gold. There are round tables scattered about, draped with white tablecloths. Everyone is dancing.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

A hand takes mine, and another settles on my hip. I turn to see a man of portly presence, tall and well built. His upper face hidden by a violet mask with light pink gems, a perfectly trimmed brown goatee framing grinning lips. My free hand settles on his shoulder. I stare into his green eyes and feel sick. I smile back at him.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

He spins us right as a fast song begins. It’s one meant for one of the man’s clubs, not a ballroom. The people around us continue to sway in slow circles as we spin and step around them. He pulls me in close, until I can smell his rosey perfume and the pink fur of his collar tickles my nose. When he lets me pull back, he has his teeth bared. The sharp white needles send a spike of fear down my spine.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

He leans in close, until his nose is pressed against mine. We are only spinning now, like a child’s top. His eyes are staring into mine. They’re green, so green. Green is all I can see, that vibrant green that makes bile rise in my throat and makes my lungs clench around the gaping nothingness in my chest. There is a necklace around my throat, something made of crystal and covering all of my throat and upper chest. It’s like a hand around my throat, squeezing. All of the air is sucked out of the room, and still all I see is green.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

Quick as a snake, he pulls back and spins me. I turn into that child’s top, spinning round and round. The world melts, music warping and warbling into laughter and screams. The gold spins and warms. It gets hotter and hotter until it's dripping down and down, turning nearly red from the heat. I plant my feet to stop the spinning, and the room is on fire. The man is gone, and so are the dancers. I look behind me, see those white tablecloths charred to black as the flames rise higher and higher, licking up the walls and dancing across the crystal chandeliers.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

I turn back around. There are figures in the flames. They are the ones screaming. I stumble back, and they lurch forward. Their screams rise, turning into howls and snarls. They reach towards me, faces long and mouths gaping as the flames melt the skin from their bones. Once again, I turn, this time to run, and slam right into the waiting arms of a corpse.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

Its skin is blackened and peeling, clothes and hair long burned off, all distinguishing features lost to the fire. Its fingers are nothing but bone, grasping my face. I grab one of the hands, bare my teeth in a snarl, and surge forward to bite down on the burnt digits. A crunch and a crack, and warm blood fills my mouth. I rip and tear into flesh, spilling more and more red over the marble floor. I swallow it down, gulping greedily and snapping the bones that get in my way.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

There’s a gasp and a gurgle. I freeze, the blood settling in my stomach like a rock and turning to ash in my mouth. The skin under my hands is pale, smeared with blood, but free of even a single speck of soot. My heart pounds harder, nearly bursting from my chest. I can feel the ice moving sluggishly through my veins as my eyes are drawn up. I stare into the terrified face of a child. White-blonde hair frames a familiar face.

Chirp-

I shoot up, then crash to the ground as restraints tangle around my arms and legs. I thrash around in a blind panic, ripping and tearing fabric shackles to pieces. I scramble against the hardwood floors, wide eyes darting around and panting breaths making far too much noise in the quiet room. I see walls painted a soft brown, and a maple side table with an unlit oil lamp on it. There’s a bed in front of me, black sheets tossed about and scattered on the floor in shredded strips. The room is a light grey, the light of dawn trying to stream in through the curtains that are drawn over the windows.

There is a pause as I stand there heaving, then a far too familiar twittering chirp. My breath stutters, mind going blank in panic. It came from outside.

I throw the curtains back, hissing and recoiling as light assaults my eyes. Blinking away the spots, I squint through it and desperately search for what’s making those noises. There, just outside the window of my room at Magnus’s tavern, is a tree whose leaves are still growing back from the winter that has just let up. Sitting among the branches is a small brown and grey bird.

I sigh and run a hand over my face, then press the heels of my palms against my eyes. I take a moment to breathe, then draw the curtains back over the windows and start the process of cleaning up my mess. It was just a stupid dream. It was nothing, only my mind playing tricks on me. And as I leave my room to go find new sheets, slamming the door in the process, I lock away the lingering images of green eyes and white-blonde hair.

[gnc-tits]

not to hashtag vent but i struggled alllll throughout school growing up but bcoz i got good grades i always got by meanwhile no one thought to pull this kid aside and ask what was wrong and now i just have no idea what i need ever lol

[bucksfucks]

caught | ransom drysdale

SUMMARY || ransom fucks you, his assistant, on the kitchen counter, not phased as his parents catch him in the act.

PAIRING || ransom drysdale x reader

WORD COUNT || 1,449 words

WARNINGS || hate sex, degradation, mocking, name calling, unprotected sex, fingering, public sex, slight daddy kink, size kink, breeding kink if you squint — 18+ ONLY//MINORS DNI

     "Only the help calls me Hugh." Ransom growled as you rolled your eyes, completely unfazed and fed up with his snobbiness too-good-for-everyone-else behaviour as you hit send on the email before tucking your phone in your back pocket. 

    "When you stop treating me like it, maybe then I'll refer to you as Ransom. Until then, you're Hugh," you bit back, eyes locked with his as you saw the way his jaw clenched and eyes grew darker. 

    He didn't answer, standing there, towering over you as he cast his eyes over your figure. Your heart was racing in your chest, throwing itself against your ribcage as you tried to keep your breathing as steady as you could. 

    Ransom was a man capable of dark things, very dark things. 

    You knew you should be scared, but in the moment, telling him off felt better than you could've ever imagined. You'd played this moment in your head over and over each time he treated you as disposable. 

    "If that's what you want," Ransom's voice was low and hoarse as he grabbed your bicep with his large hand. "Then that's what you'll get." 

    He pulled you into his body, a small squeak leaving your lips as he held you against him. His grip was tight enough to keep you stationary, but not tight enough to hurt you. 

    A mix of whiskey and oak consumed your senses, a distinctly Ransom scent as you craned your head to look up at him. 

    "Ransom wha—"

    You didn't get a chance to finish your sentence as Ransom quickly whisked you around, pinning you harshly against one of the thick wooden doors of his office. You hissed at the sensation, biting your lip as he pressed himself against you. 

    "If you wanted me to fuck you this badly, all you had to do was ask, baby." He chuckled darkly, lips hovering close to your ear as his words sent a shiver cascading down your spine. Oh how much you hated him, but not enough to stop him from fucking you. 

    "Who says I wanna fuck you?" You spat back through grit teeth as you felt the familiar throbbing between your legs. 

    He cocked his head to the side, giving you a mocking pout. 

    "Don't play stupid with me now, I see the way you look at me. Bet you wish my fingers were filling that tight pussy of yours, or better yet, my cock, hmm?" 

    You had to bite back a snarl at his words. You hated, absolutely despised when Ransom was right, and in this case? It was irrefutable. 

    He laughed at your silence, pinning you with his thigh in between your thighs as you gasped softly. 

    "That's right, baby. Don't fight it anymore, let Daddy show you just how good he can make you feel." He purred as you shot him a glare, your last attempt at trying to hold your ground, but when he moved you over his thigh, your façade fell. 

    "Fuck," it was a soft moan as the word fell from your mouth, Ransom's calloused fingers forcing your jaw up before he engulfed your lips in a needy, desperate kiss that left you breathless. 

    "Out of all my assistants, you have the best ass, baby." He barks with a wild smirk, grabbing at the supple flesh before kneading it. You scoff, pulling him down by his collar hoping you'd rip a button or two from the expensive garment. 

    "Guess we'll find out if you have the biggest dick out of all of my ex-boyfriends," you say through gnashed teeth before Ransom is throwing you over his shoulder with the first surface he can find in mind. 

    "You're nothing but a little brat." Ransom spits harshly, setting you down gentler than expected onto the kitchen counter before standing between your legs. Despite the height the counter gives you, you're barely at eye-level with him. 

    "I learned from the best," you smirk, Ransom's fingers already between your thighs, slipping under your panties until you're gasping and throwing your head back. 

    "Not so fuckin' mouthy now, are we." He growls, finding your clit before rolling it between his index finger and thumb. You hate how good Ransom is at this, barely knowing your body and already causing you to melt. 

    "But you're already dripping wet." His voice is a low rumble as he slips one finger inside of you, the shirt you were wearing is haphazardly ripped from your body, bra thrown somewhere into the sink as Ransom bites at the top of your breast. 

    Another finger is added, the lewd wet sound of your slick against his fingers fills the air around you work ridding him of the cable-knit sweater he was wearing. The same sweater you gifted him for Christmas. 

    He's toned and looks like he was sculpted by Greek Gods and you want to roll your eyes because of course Ransom would be the spitting image of absolute perfection. 

   ��You don't have anything else on your mind other than Ransom as clothes are discarded and you're lying against the cool marble of the countertops, Ransom's boxers disappearing down his legs before he's smirking down at you. 

    "Bigger than your ex's, I know baby, you don't have to tell me." His remark is snide and you want to ridicule him, but yet again, Ransom is right. 

    "But don't worry baby, you'll be able to take it, I know you will," he nearly cooes as he has you sitting upright on the counter again, hands on your ass as he moved you forward until you're forced to wrap your legs around his waist. 

    "You gonna keep stalling or fuck me like you promised?" You smirk, cocking your head to the side as you steady yourself with your hands on his broad shoulders. He drops his head as a deep laugh runs through him. 

    "If that's what you wanted, all you had to do was ask," your mouth snaps shut as he slides into you, stretching you open as you bite your lip and hold him close to you. He groans as he bottoms out, hot breath fanning over yours and mixing with your uneven breaths. 

    "God—such a tight pussy," he grunts, shallowly rocking his hips against yours as he sinks even deeper into you and you know you're done for. Ransom could do and say whatever and you'd give it to him. 

    His thrusts are harsh and sudden, knocking the air from your lungs as your nails sink crescents into his pale skin; your mark on him he'll remember tomorrow. 

    The sound of slapping skin, your moans, and Ransom's grunts can be heard echoing through the house. The house where his family slept, the house where his family ate off of this very counter. 

    "Grippin' my cock so well, baby. Love this pussy." Ransom smirks, his eyebrows tight together as your eyes fall shut, submitting to the way his cock is driving against your g-spot with each thrust. 

    "Ransom fucking Drysdale! Are you fucking kidding me?!" A shrill voice causes your eyes to snap open as you're met with none other than Linda and Richard standing at the entrance of the kitchen where Ransom is butt-fucking-naked still deep inside of you. 

    You're mortified, absolutely terrified, but Ransom doesn't stop fucking you. No, Ransom looks over his shoulder, a shit-eating grin on his face as he drives his cock deeper inside of you. 

    "Are you gonna stand there and watch or what?" He barks, "get the fuck outta here!" He yells, turning back to you with mischief glimmering in his eyes while his fingers dig into the skin of your hips. 

    You're cowering, hiding behind his body trying not to cum right in front of his fucking parents. They scamper away soon after, muttering and mumbling all sorts of profanities directed at their son as he clenches his jaw. 

    "I can feel how much you need to cum, baby. Don't try and hold back, make a mess all over Daddy's cock." His words are the catalyst that send you over the edge, walls fluttering around his cock before he's sinking his teeth into your shoulder. 

    He cums with a grunt, cock twitching and spasming inside of you until he's painted you full of his cum. Ransom stays inside of you, catching his breath as you feel your heart still racing in your chest. 

    "Your parents are gonna fire me," you mumble, still not believing that happened. Ransom laughs, full and loud as it bounces off the kitchen walls. 

    "I don't give a shit, you're comin' home with me anyways. I'm stealing you away as mine." Ransom smirks, sinister smirk on his face. "You're mine now, baby." 

[its-kall-the-clown]

7 or 33 with wukong and mk because i need that angst juice to fill me up

*Pours your a cup of dark bitter angst* don't worry fam. You came to the right place. ☕🤡

I went with number 7. Enjoy!

Could be read as an unofficially part two to THIS or could be read as a stand-alone.

prompt list

What Lies in the shadows

Rating: PG

Warnings: vomit mentioned and panic attacks but it's all mild.

“You’re a terrible liar.”

MK is shoved to the floor landing on his but. His mentor stood over him, a dark expression cast across his face like a shadow across the sidewalk. Hard and unyielding.

"I asked if you could handle this!" They bellow descending on them like a tiger. Rage and claws and disapproving snarls that shred MK'd heart and stick to his ribcage.

"I c-can!!" MK backs away scooting back in his butt as the monkey king prowls forward a cruel laugh on his lips.

"Liar! Don't lie to me!" He barks out another scoff.

"You can't handle this, you can't even train with me without messing up!" He growls fangs showing and making MK's stomach curl.

“How can I expect you to become my successor when you can get the simplest things right?” he rips the staff out of Mk’s hand, taking away his last defence against the raging Monkey King.

“You are unworthy!” he hissed out between gnashed teeth and MK felt the tears pool at his eyes, cascading down his cheeks plopping onto the training grounds uselessly. They turn on MK, casting him in his long shadow.

“I made a mistake picking you as my successor.”

No….please no.

The final blow of words was worse than any pain MK had ever endured. He reaches forward trying to catch the fading light that was slipping through his fingers. He was being abandoned again, and this time it was his fault.

He wasn’t enough. He was never going to be enough.

The shadows wrap around him, bind him to his fate of being nothing but a disappointment and failure. He's swaddled in it and it drags him under.

He tosses and turns as the shadows become hands, gripping and pulling him apart under their uncaring touch. They grab his clothes, muffle his voice and pursue him till he's overtaken by the shadows' hands.

He sits up with a gasp.

His nightmare fresh in his mind and the phantom hands still grabbing at his wrist and throat. He's dashing to the bathroom. He's gonna puke up all the shadows that forced their way down his throat and into his stomach.

Hes correct when he throws up, but instead of shadows and swirling doubt its just regular puke.

Exhausted MK leans against the side of the toilet and let's out a groan. He's so tired. He's burning up and just...so tired.

He had been having nightmares like this all week. It's why he insisted he train even while it was raining, he wanted to be stronger. Better.

Less likely to be abandoned...

"MK? Baby? You alright?"

The door to the bathroom opens and Tang enters slowly. Mk looks up at them and his lip wobbles.

He burst into tears as soon as he's embraced. Shattering like snowfall under a warm touch.

"Shhh it's okay. It's okay. Oh goodness, you're burning up." Tang pressed a hand to MKs forehead and frowns. MK leans into it the cool touch so refreshing against his skin. A little whimper escapes his throat when Tang pulls away.

"Your fever got worse….stay here. I'm gonna get Pigsy and see what he says." Tang tried to stand up but MK grabs the front of his sleep shirt tightly.

"Don't go! Don't leave me!!" He begs between shaking sobs. Tnag gives him a pitiful look.

"I'm just going to get-"

"No!!" Mk claws more desperately against his dad's chest. He couldn't be abandoned not like this. His brain slowly cooking under his fever making it impossible to tell what was real and what wasn't

"Okay, o-okay I'm not leaving you." Tang shifts so MK can crawl into his lap like a lost puppy. Tang runs his fingers through MKs sweaty hair soothing him for a bit before calling out.

"Pigsy! Bathroom, please. Now!" He calls and MK can't even be bothered at how his ears ring from the echoing against the tile.

Pigsy is there he's not sure how he got there but a hand is pressed to his forehead again.

"Hospital?"

"Hospital." The demon grunts with an affirming nod. Even though it's not outwardly displayed MK can see the worry swirling in his eyes. Hushed whispers are exchanged from his parents, something about keys and coats.

"Come here" Pigsy's it holding MK now and MK whimpers into their neck. He's big now, he must have shifted into his larger form to make it easier to carry him.

MK liked when Pigsy was big. There was just so much more of him and more Pigsy was always better. It meant bigger hugs, it meant his dadsy could hold him again like when he was younger.

And it meant he could protect him.

"Dadsy!!" He cries clinging to them, his body easily supported by the larger demon.

"It's okay, I got you. You're okay buddy." He hears Pigsy snuff into his hair and he is being lifted and moved now.

A constant hand rubs the back of his head and MK leans into it. His body is supported by thick stocky arms.

He's safe now. He's not being left behind.

He closes his eyes and rests his head against his dadsy's chest.

He's confident that if he has dreams again they won't be of disappointed glares but of warm embraces of his dad's.