#not to imply your writing sucks but i thought the smaller text said mom i love fish

[keichanz]

(Half)Demons

sorry this is a week late. I ended up moving last Monday on the 28th and since then I’ve literally had no time to sit down and write because I’ve been so busy unpacking, organizing, and making my new house habitable lol. I’ve been exhausted too so I didn’t want to write when I did have the time so that didn’t help matters. anyway, i know it’s November now, but I’m still gonna get the last few chapters out regardless. I really want to finish this series and i hope you guys still want to read it even though Halloween is over. ^^; Thanks for sticking around this long!

Spooktober Day 28: (Half)Demons

Izayoi frowned down at her phone as a soft growl of irritation welled in her throat. She’d gotten the first text fifteen minutes ago, but had ignored it since it was probably just Rin exclaiming her excitement for the twenty-seventh time about her and Kohaku’s matching costumes. Then the second one came in and figuring if she didn’t answer it now, her cousin would no doubt blow up her phone until she did, and so she’d resignedly pulled it out of her pocket. She hadn’t even had the darned thing for a full week yet and already Rin was taking full advantage. Jeez.

Rereading the text she’d just received, Izayoi found herself wishing that it had been Rin. Man, why did she have to be born first?

“What’s up?�� Raiden asked, stuffing his hands in his coat pockets and glancing at the device in her hand.

Heaving a sigh as her ears lowered on her head, the young half-demon stashed her phone in her jacket pocket and sent the dark-haired dog demon an apologetic grimace.

“My mom texted me,” she explained, wrinkling her nose. “I guess she’s working late today and can’t take Tai home so she asked me to pick him up at his school.”

Raiden’s eyebrows rose as he nodded in understanding. “I see,” he mumbled, his brow furrowing slightly. He’d been looking forward to walking her home, but now it seemed that wouldn’t be happening.

Izayoi detected the disappointment in his tone and felt even worse. She’d been looking forward to walking home with him too.

“Sorry, Raiden,” she murmured and offered an apologetic smile. “I really wanted to walk with you.”

Raiden sighed and then shrugged, the corners of his lips lifting slightly. “No biggie. The curse of being the older sibling, I guess. I’m glad I’m the only child.”

Then he grinned and Izayoi grinned back, glad he didn’t seem too upset about it.

“Yeah, rub it in, why don’t you?” she cheeked and he laughed, unrepentant. Rolling her eyes but not without a smile, Izayoi stepped a little closer and said, “Tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow,” Raiden promised with one of his easy grins, his eyes soft as he gazed down at the golden-eyed girl before him. He really did like her eyes...like buttercups in the sunshine...

Before she lost her nerve, Izayoi leaned up on her toes and brushed a light kiss across his cheek. Her face was red when she pulled away and backed up a step, but her smile was soft and genuine.

“See you tomorrow, Rai,” she murmured and had to giggle at the look on his face, like the cat that ate the canary. She truly admired how unashamed he was, his confidence a refreshing change after dealing with Daisuke’s arrogance for so long.

“Later, buttercup,” Raiden said as he started walking backwards. “I’ll text you.”

Beaming, Izayoi nodded and watched as her crush tipped her a two-fingered salute before turning around and walking off, his gait lazy and sure.

Izayoi sighed dreamily. God, she was hopeless.

Heaving a sigh, the young half-demon wrinkled her nose, rolled her eyes, then turned around and reluctantly headed toward her kid brother’s school, grumbling under her breath about the unfairness of being the older sibling.

Despite her unwillingness, however, she didn’t dawdle or take her time on the walk to the elementary school seven minutes away from her own. Both of her parents would have her hide if she intentionally left Tai alone for any length of time, and if her irresponsibility caused something to happen to her younger brother... Well, she could say bye-bye to her brand new phone, taking to Rai outside of school, and any social life whatsoever.

“My life sucks,” Izayoi grumbled as she walked through the school’s entrance gate. The busses had already left so now it was just various vehicles parked in the bus loop and parking from parents picking up their children.

Pausing before the double doors that led inside, Izayoi frowned as she scanned the front courtyard, searching for a flash of silver or her brother’s obnoxiously colored Spiderman backpack. When she didn’t spot – why wasn’t he out front like Mom said he would be? – she took a few sniffs of the air to see if she could catch his scent—and was not expecting to find a trail that led toward the left of the building.

Rolling her eyes – jeez, why didn’t he ever listen? – Izayoi sighed and trudged in that direction, grumbling under her breath about annoying little brothers and their habits of wandering off on their own. She rounded the corner and was just about to call out for him, but then she stopped short at the sight that greeted her and her jaw clicked shut as her ears pinned low on her head.

There was her younger brother alright, however he wasn’t alone. Several other kids were surrounding him, looking slightly older but not by much, and a few discreet sniffs of the air told her all of them were human. They were kicking around his backpack and laughing as Tai tried to get it back, taking advantage of his small stature.

Every protective instinct that Izayoi harbored instantly roared to life and she growled low as a scowl that her father would have been proud of twisted her features. Clenching her fists, Izayoi stormed forward, Big Sister Mode activated and ready to teach these little punks a lesson. Nobody messed with her little brother! Especially weak little humans that liked to bully those smaller than them.

“Hey, you brats!” Izayoi called out once she was near enough, watching as the human kids paused their bullying and turned to watch her approach. “What do you think you’re doing to my brother? Get lost!”

At the sight of his big sister, Tai’s eyes widened and he sniffled as hope bloomed in his chest. His big sis was here now! She’d make the mean kids ago away, he was sure of it!

The human kids, only a grade or two above Tai, all sneered at the half-breed coming toward them. They weren’t afraid of her!

“Go away, half-breed,” what appeared to be the oldest kid said, glaring at Izayoi as she came to a stop a little ways away, hands on her hips. “Can’t you see we’re busy?”

The other bullies chorused with a “Yeah!” and nodded their heads. One of them grabbed Tai’s bag before he could reach it and held it above his head, using the advantage of height.

Izayoi rolled her eyes and pinned the brat with a glower. “Please. The only thing I see is a bunch of annoying little brats bullying someone smaller than them. Too bad for you he happens to be my brother, and I’m the only one allowed to bully him. So do yourself a favor, give him back his bag, and beat it. You’re wasting my time.”

Unsurprisingly the punks did not heed her words and turned to face her instead. That was fine; their attention was off of Tai, which was what her intention was anyway. Tai dove for his bag, grabbed it, and then scrambled toward his big sister, hiding behind her legs. Izayoi didn’t spare him a glance.

The leader of the little group – Izayoi placed him to be about eight years old or so – sneered at her again, unimpressed.

“You’re a waste of time,” he snapped back, smirking when his lackey’s all snickered behind him. “My dad said that half-breeds are complete waste of space. That they’re infer—infear—that humans and demons are better than them. So you can’t tell me what to do!”

Izayoi snorted and crossed her arms, cocking a brow as she leaned her weight on one leg and jutted a hip to the side.

“Oh, really?” she drawled. “Well you’re dad’s an idiot because he clearly doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

“Says you!” one of the brats behind the kid piped up and tried to appear brave when Izayoi turned her golden glare his way. He paled slightly but continued in a less stronger voice, “M-my dad says that half-breeds are lowly a-and unnatural because they can’t do things that regular demons can do.”

The half-demon narrowed her eyes for a fleeting moment and then schooled her expression, looking unconcerned. Her right ear flicked as she gathered her thoughts, and then she shrugged, indifferent.

“Your dad’s an idiot too,” she said matter-of-factly and refrained from smirking at the offended look that crossed the brat’s face. “Or maybe they’re just lying to your faces about us. They’re probably just jealous, and I mean, really, I don’t blame them.”

And as she knew it would, the curiosity on each kid’s face was unmistakable and she refrained from grinning in triumph. She also wasn’t surprised to see the suspicion cross the older brat’s face and quickly prepared what she was going to say.

“Why would they be jealous of half-breeds?” he asked, his tone implying the thought was ludicrous.

Hook, line, sinker.

“Oh, you don’t know?” Izayoi asked in a falsely innocent tone, raising both of her eyebrows and ignoring Tai’s look of confusion he sent her. She shrugged and explained, “Sure, demons can do some stuff we can’t, but at least we can stay out in the sun longer than ten minutes at a time.”

The little brats all looked completely baffled and started whispering to each other; Izayoi’s ears easily picked up their quiet mutters of “for real?” and “no way, that can’t be true! ...Is it?”

She had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.

The older one still looked unconvinced, his face screwed up into a disbelieving pout. Izayoi met his stare head on and if her parents had been watching at that moment, it would have been obvious she picked up a trait or two from her Uncle Sess.

“Are you telling the truth?” the kid asked and crossed his arms. “How come we’ve never heard about this before?”

Izayoi scoffed. “What, like we’re just gonna go around sharing all our secrets? Please. And of course it’s true. Unlike your father, mine teaches us never to lie.”

Lie.

The brat still looked skeptical, so Izayoi tacked on, “We can eat garlic too, unlike demons. I love garlic bread.”

“Wait a minute,” one short kid in the back piped up, looking utterly puzzled. “Isn’t that vampires? They can’t go out in the sun or eat garlic, either.”

Izayoi stared at him blankly for a beat and then her mouth stretched into a big, fang-bearing smirk. She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t satisfied by how several of the kids backed away with wide eyes.

“Where do you think those rumors started from?” she stated, folding her arms across her chest and looking quite smug.

As the brats all gasped and looked at each other in astonishment, Izayoi continued, “So now you know that hanyous are clearly superior than humans and demons. Tai here was just choosing not to fight back because he’d probably hurt you scrawny little humans with his hanyou strength. Right, Tai?”

Playing along, Tai giggled and said, “Right!”

Nodding, Izayoi’s smirk abruptly faded and she pinned each little brat with a hard stare. “So now that we’ve established who here is inferior,” she said, purposely emphasizing that word as a snub toward the brat that couldn’t pronounce it, “I think you lot should beat it before I show you just how much better we hanyous are compared to you humans.”

When the kids hesitated, Izayoi shrugged and studied her claws with an air of indifference as she added absently, “Or, you know, I can always tell Principal Yuudai about you brats harassing my little brother. Isn’t he a bat demon? I’m sure he’d love to expand his legion of the undead—”

As one the kids all shrieked and booked it, abandoning their bullying and running away as fast as their little legs could carry them.

Izayoi scowled. “Good riddance,” she muttered then without sparing her brother a look she said, “C’mon, Tai, we need to go.”

Hitching her bag higher onto her shoulder, the older half-demon started walking away, ears flicking back when she heard light footsteps padding behind her. She slowed her pace so he could catch up and the two of them walked in silence as Izayoi led the way out the front gate.

Ears low on his head and biting his lip, Tai snuck a glance up at his older sister, big amber eyes shining with his gratitude.

“Izzy?” he said and his sister hummed in acknowledgment. “Thank you for coming to get me. And getting rid of those mean kids.”

And just like that, Izayoi’s uncaring front faded and she sighed before stopping in her tracks. Tai stopped too and looked hesitant as she knelt before him, a frown marring her features.

“You were supposed to be waiting by the front doors, Tai,” Izayoi stated, her tone chastising. “How did that even happen?”

When all her younger brother did was avert his gaze and look uncomfortable, she sighed again.

“Look, I’m not always gonna be around to shoo away the bad guys,” she explained, slightly exasperated. “You’re a half-demon, Tai. Those were humans. You can’t let them get away with bullying you just because they’re a little bigger.”

“I know,” Tai murmured, scuffing the toe of his shoe against the pavement.

Izayoi studied her sibling for a moment and then her expression softened and a little smile curled her lips upward.

“Hey,” she murmured and reached up to flick his ear. Tai peeked up at her and she said, “I’m your big sis. It’s my job to protect you, runt. But in exchange, I need you to do something for me too, okay?”

Curious, Tai lifted his head and nodded, his little ears perking up again.

Her smile widened. “The next time that happens, don’t let them get away with saying stuff like that. We’re half-demon’s, Tai. We should be proud of what we are, because we got the best of both worlds. Those brats probably really were jealous that we can do things they can’t. I bet you’re the fastest boy in gym class, right?”

Golden eyes identical to her own widened and a small smile appeared on his face as Tai nodded.

“See?” she said and poked his cheek. Tai giggled. “They only wish they could be as fast as you. So it’s not a bad thing to be a half-demon, Tai. I know Mom and Dad will tell you the same thing. We’re strong, we’re fast—what’s not to like?”

Beaming now, Tai nodded eagerly and then suddenly he launched himself at her, wrapping his tiny arms around her neck and hugging her for all he was worth.

“Thanks, Izzy,” Tai murmured into her shoulder as she automatically returned her kid brother’s embrace. “You’re my favorite big sister.”

“I’m your only big sister, squirt,” Izayoi laughed and tweaked his ear again. Gently pulling away, she grinned down at her brother and said, “Now let’s go. I’m sure Aunt Sango has some pumpkin spice hot chocolate waiting for us and if we’re lucky, some rice krispy treats.”

She hated pumpkin anything, but she knew her little brother loved it, something he inherited from their mother while she received more of their dad’s tastes.

Tai’s eyes widened and he looked hopeful as he asked, “With marshmallows?”

“Big marshmallows,” Izayoi assured and stood up, allowing her kid brother to take her hand. “Ready, Tai-Tai?”

Beaming at his big sister, Tai nodded eagerly and squeezed her hand.

“Ready, Izzy!”

“Good. Now let’s get some hot chocolate and rice krispy treats! And I dunno about you, but I really want a hot cup of ramen.”

[lyrebirdmoon]

So. Fun story. My dad nearly told my younger two siblings I was trying to go to therapy (despite me only having told my mom) and gave me enough of a panic attack(s) that I ran away for a bit, jumped a 6ft fence, and had my older sister and her girlfriend come get me despite the pandemic.

Long post. Sorry.

Background: I have only told my mom I wanted therapy implying I didn't want anyone else to know a week or so ago and gave her an abbreviated list of therapists to look at today because she hasn't said anything. My dad has been half panicking over a bunch of things and made a Plan for the family of exercise and learning throughout the summer because otherwise we are obviously just being lazy. My little brother and sister know I have a secret but not what it is, I've told them that much at least. My dad also wants me to walk the dog (which is very much not mine and they got while I was in college) alone or with my siblings, the plan was to go tomorrow with both my siblings. (I am both not a dog or heavy exercise person, and Gabby needs about an hour long jog/walk per day. No.)

So at dinner my dad has us watch a video about Covid and how it travels outside and inside (which I already have looked into and don't really need as I only go outside now to garden) and then has us report on it. I said something along the lines of not much to his thing of what did we learn, considering my little brother had already given him a near essay response and I was annoyed. Problem 1. Near the end of dinner I asked why he wanted me to walk the dog, so I could try to get out of it. He tells me it's so I will get exercise, go outside, and something about feeling better? (Warning sign #1) I state that walking the dog will just stress me out, which he didn't really care about, and then said I already go outside plenty due to gardening and exercise in my own way. He didn't care about that either and told me I would be walking the dog anyway. Problem 2. I tried getting back to the point of walking the dog will stress me out and make me feel bad and he basically told me to then stop feeling bad about. Warning sign #2. I told him it's not something I can control, it's like a subconscious thought/feeling. He then brought up extensilism, which I generally do not believe in or agree with, and the essence vs existence part, asking if I knew what it was. I gave my definition, which he disagreed with and told me I was wrong, to which I just conceded mostly and told him that's how I was taught it. This thankfully took him off the "walk the dog" path but we both just gave up after a little. Then he says something along the lines of "It's good you're getting help for your mental help." I don't remember what he said exactly because I snapped and said no as soon as I realized what he was saying. I just half-ran out the back door and hid in this weird side yard thing because I got hit with a very hard panic attack. I couldn't breathe and was gasping for air trying to use the five senses thing to calm down a bit.

I remember hearing the back door open and covering my mouth and nose so I wouldn't make any sound. Didn't really calm me down but gave me enough adrenaline to actually think a bit more. Then my mom sits down in a chair a good distance away and that doesn't help. So I forcefully calm myself down a bit more so I can ask her to leave, which doesn't work and I end up telling at her to leave me alone. She doesn't move and I force myself to wait a couple seconds before standing up and jumping the six foot wood fence behind me (it had a beam in the middle but was also fairly old, so I'm just glad it didn't break). I think my mom said something about getting off, but I was far too panicky gone by then. I was then in the front yard and hid under a tree that's out there. My mom comes out the front door and says she has to talk to me and I bolt again, this time over a smaller fence between the house and the lawyers office next door. She said something about me needing to stop running and she will restrain me, almost the worst thing she could have said. I run out the front gate and circle around the building to hide behind in this weird patio area. I stay there for a couple minuets trying to calm down some more and I hear the back door open again. So I sink down to the ground as fast as I can and half-crawl backwards to reach this creepy stairwell hoping that no one sees me.

This is when I start to panic plan. I knew I couldn’t stay, or everything would get worse. My sister is currently living with her girlfriend. I decided to call her and just beg for her to come get me. My phone was inside. 1st idea, use the open office across the alley to call. But I didn’t have her phone number memorized and didn’t think she would answer. 2nd idea, force myself to go back inside, grab my phone and some clothing and call her again. So I forced my emotions down a bit more, put on what I hoped was a more composed face and walked into the backyard. Where my my mom and dad were. My dad said something about talking things over and I just shut him down (to which he said something about me not being allowed to do that and needing to handle this like an adult, despite me being 18 and doing exactly what I needed to, distancing me from what was giving me a panic attack). I went inside and asked my younger siblings to just keep them away from me for awhile, nearly breaking down again, and fled to the basement where all my stuff was.

I called my sister and broke down asking her to come pick me up, and I love her so much because the most denial I got was “Okay, let me ask [her girlfriend].” She called me back about half a minute later and told me she was going to come, asked what was going on, and if I could get a mask. I just started stuffing things in my backpack and asked my little sister if she could grab me a mask and gloves. I had started to calm down for real more after that, but it also may have just been me forcing myself to so I didn’t upset my little brother and sister more. My mom had left to call my sister (she didn’t know my plans or that I had called) and got back before my sister arrived. My siblings and I suck out the back door maybe five minutes after that to wait outside. My sisters made me text my mom that I was leaving and it took about five more minutes for my sister and her girlfriend to show up and we just left.

We went to a (fairly large) park nearby and talked for about an hour. I was still panicked the entire time, watching the people walking by to see if my parents were going to show up, but I did calm down more away from the house. We left and got ice cream and because Covid I had to go home. My parents weren’t up (thankfully) and I fled to the basement again. I talked with my little siblings, who thankfully still don’t know “the secret” and panicked slightly every time I had to go upstairs. I am currently writing this at way to early in the morning in my hastily-but-not-shoddily constructed blanket fort eating part of my mom’s hidden stash of chocolate.

I have found out that 1. my mom did not mean to tell my dad and feels terrible about it. 2. My dad does not understand what he did, if the text “Hey Name, I am so sorry if I said something that hurt you. Please call me if there is anything I can do to help.” is any indication. 3. My mom and dad had enough of a fight after she came back that they are sleeping in separate rooms ( I have never seen this happen before, and while I feel awful they they fought, it makes me feel a bit better (towards my mom)). 4. My dad is apparently awful with therapy in general, according to my sister.

My trust in my mother has been broken, and that’s going to take some time. I have zero clue how broken my relationship is with my dad, but most of what needs to be fixed is kind of on him, so that’s going to be a ride and a half. And I am going to be going to therapy hopefully before the end of next week if I can help it. I am dreading tomorrow though, because I have no idea how I’m going to react when I see my mom or dad, mostly my dad. Or how they’re going to react.

If the possibly 0 people who read this have advice, I am open to hearing it.

(Panic path, because I think my explanation was confusing.)

(Seriously though, what did my mother think I was going to do? Either she wasn’t thinking, or I was way better than I thought hiding my panic attack(s).)