𝐒𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐌𝐁!

I know nothing about you, and yet we are expected to spend our lives together.

We both know this is about money, why pretend otherwise?

I know neither of us want this, but lets try and make the best of it.

Do not think this ring on my finger means you have my heart.

Just because we're married doesn't mean I'm going to share your bed.

If I drink enough, maybe I can forget I don't want to be here.

This is politics, not love.

If I am to be married against my will, I at least am going to be a sight no one will forget.

My freedom is a small price to pay for my people's safety.

At least in front of others, let us pretend we're in love.

I won't hold you to a promise your parents made for you.

I cannot love you, but perhaps we can be friends.

Are we simply commodities to be traded for peace and power?

Perhaps love will come in time.

They were forced to marry me, I can hardly admit I've fallen in love with them.

Is lineage and money all that matters? Whatever happened to romance?

I did not want this either, I won't tell anyone if you wish to run.

I'm not asking for love, just for them to be kind.

Smile. Everyone is watching.

The ceremony is over. You can stop pretending now.

I'll sleep in my office, you may have the bed.

It's not too late to run.

Do you think in another life, we could have chosen each other?

❛ ⸻ gaze  once  again  drops  to  the  wound,   wondering  whether  he  really  was  fine  or  if  he  was  merely  displaying  an  act  for  the  sake  of  male  pride.     however,   concerns  dwindles  following  the  next  set  of  words  that  leave  his  mouth.     slowly,   very  slowly,   peach  lifts  eyes,   one  brow  arched.     mouth  curls  into  a  small  smirk.

❝     easy  there,   romeo.     ❞          hands  on  hips,   shoulders  lower  and  ease  with  a  far  more  relaxed  exhale.     a  quiet  huff  of  laughter  eventually  finds  her.          ❝     i'm  beginning  to  think  you're  going  to  be  just  fine…   but  i  am  curious  as  to  what  exactly  did  that  to  you  ?     a  bear  ??     ❞

"What? You don't like it?"

Calcifer's shoulders slumped. He was actually so proud of how those spaghetti pops came out. The way the spaghetti curled and coiled around its frozen spherical shape made for such a pretty design, especially with that fresh pop of green from the basil scattered around. And the sauce! All that work he put in over the stove... He'd taste tested it every step of the way! It was savory, garlicy, and with just the right amount of sweetness to cut out the acidity. Was there too much basil? Or was it the earthy taste of the mushrooms that muddied up the flavours?

He just didn't understand where he went wrong.

"He doesn't seem bad though, maybe a bit emotionally constipated. But way different from the rumors..... Well except for being a perv that's true." UGH she couldn't look away no matter how hard she tried. Curse her nosy nature.

".... Oh no I forgot I lent him my homework to copy!!" She panics as she turns to Keiko. "I'm gonna try and get it back! If the teachers ask you can just tell them my guardian called me." It wasn't uncommon she'd get sent home some days cause the caretaker was making her come home to take care of a sick kid. "I'm so sorry about this class president!!" And there she goes. For someone so small she could run surprisingly well.

“Uh..okay?” Keiko could hardly get a word in as she rushed off..definitely a unique one. Actually rushing to go and see Yusuke and not to run from him. Regardless of what she said, the two of them were definitely close to some degree, they’re definitely going to get a new girl in the group thank heavens.

“Soo what’s this case ya got for me anyway??” Yusuke asked as he kept his bag held over his shoulder. Botan floats along to tell him that she’s going to teach him trade secrets when it came down to evil spirit possession.

“Hmmm, you definitely don’t look like the type to stupid shinto chants or even use tags for that matter..sooo.” She dug into the pocket within her kimono sleeve and pulls out a single white glove.

Yusuke’s walking..looking at the glove.. “So..what I spin and do the moon walk?” Yusuke asked.

    Her gut was right about him not taking a chance to escape. He must've found some kind of peace with her around. She had read so many books where the monsters were calmed or soothed by their loved ones - platonic or romantic. It was cheesy in her mind, yet she had some confidence that it could be true in the real world. And it was, surprisingly. Taking her time down the steps, she moved close to Yusuke and laid a hand along his neck, thumb brushing against his fur. He was so warm ... but so tense.

    " ... there's another monster out there. I'm not sure if it's the one who ... did this to you," she muttered softly to him. "I'm afraid that I won't sleep tonight ... "

    There was an old wive's tale about werewolves. Or creatures like them, anyway: the farther the howl, the closer they were to you. That was what she was afraid of. Glancing to the staircase, she turned back to look at him, still wearing a soft smile.

    " ... if any of them come here, you'll be here to protect me, right?" She asked him.

Then once Yuri presented her question, he sat down and give her a thumbs up. OH!! He’s been able to communicate with her a little better now. Slowly but surely he’s learning the ropes of his own body. Now slowly standing onto his hind legs. He was truly impressive, standing over seven feet tall. He’d pace himself towards the staircase and sniffs around..there weren’t signs of any of the other beasts coming near them..so for now she’s safe. 

He remembered Yuri spoke of her nerves that would prevent her from sleeping tonight. AGH, perfect excuse for him to be a pervert if he was still human. He would have definitely suggested a way to tire her out..however, the wolf then found his way back towards her and sat down. He’d tap his own lap for her and make gestures of laying down then point at himself and growl, turning back at the exit of their little basement before he’d make smaller barks. ‘You try t’ sleep and I’ll protect you.’ Were the words he’d hope to convey to her. That does it..he’s definitely looking into ASL once this is over.

“I’m no rat..but..if this’ll help me win the next competition next month then squeak. Yer wanna look into Shen’s Jade Pavillion. What looks like a fancy restaurant..and it probably is but I’ll bet my Intercontinental Championship 86 replica belt that it’s tied to the chinese triads. The Tianjin goons love hangin’ around chinatown considerin’ they got their asses handed t’ ‘em back on their home turf back in the day.” Yusuke’s practically spilling stories upon stories towards her.

Once Naoto settled in with the locations, she got to work—which, in this case, was taking care of the usual things before bed. After everything was taken care of, she made her way to the guest bedroom. True to his word, Puu was sitting there on the bed, looking at him with those doe-shaped eyes. Holding him in her arms, Naoto couldn’t help but wonder if Tatsumi would be interested in making Puu shaped stuffed animals. He seemed to fit the ‘cute’ criteria at any rate.

“Long day tomorrow,” she said, setting him down on the side of the bed and turning off the lights.

While today was an adventure, tomorrow is already shaping to be even more hectic. He recaps in his mind that they’ve found out this old man was assumed dead beccause of the time that’s went on since his mysterious disappearance, the girls who had died were all seen alive by street security, each of them last seen getting into a black sedan which made the police assume they’ve been abducted by yakuza which puts the old man in the clear from being a suspect, and now their plans were to follow up on the investigation by questioning the mothers of those victims over 15 years ago. It’s going to be hard on them but if Yusuke’s to bring justice to the girl who just died the night prior then he needs to do his job.

Meanwhile the moment the star detective fell asleep she was placed into a dream. She was running, trying to escape the school. Humiliated and violated, she did all she could to separate herself from the halls until a loud bang was heard. It stopped the girl in her tracks, causing her to look down at her abdomen, and she saw a wound as her blood pooled out of her abdomen and ran down her legs before a thud was heard. 

That thud was the body of the girl collapsing after suffering a gunshot. The only thing that could be heard now were other footsteps through the dark hallways. “NO! NO! NO! You stupid bitch!!! LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO!!” The voice came from a man, he was angry, anxious but overall in dread because he had to put down one of his favorite toys. “FUCK!!! They can’t find your body…they won’t find your body.” The man said.

The girl’s final gaze was left on the floor, weakly watching her blood continue to leave her body and she heard the ramblings of the old man. Then slowly she felt her body being turned, only to see the face of that man from the files: Kenjiwara Nowura. She’d feel herself being elevated from the ground, kept in his arms as she’s being taken back into that room where it happened. They would descend slowly down some stairs until darkness finally took over.

Worrying about his own skin.. Now that he mention it Yusuke does notice that their enemies were getting tougher as long as the battle wages. Soo much soo that they’ve even gotten a few shots in, but not too much as he’s able to counter with a powerful. “That’d be three..it’s friggin’ hard t’ handle demons when yer tryin’ not t’ wreck the city.” And they must know that, they knew the two cared about the environment too much than risk certain destruction. 

                                       ❝ One question... If I am not ALLOWED in your room... and I am not allowed downstairs... What am I supposed to EAT ?.ᐟˎˊ˗ I REFUSE to eat animals that is UNDER ME .ᐟˎˊ˗ I am not some fledgling .ᐟˎˊ˗ And I can't bring dead people around the place .ᐟˎˊ˗ ❞ Even with her shouts, she grabs his arm, ready to be taken to the car.

                                       ❝ My dad likes driving, but I have never had any use for a car. I just fly everywhere. ❞ What Amber is trying to say is that she has little experience with motor vehicles ; thus, fingers shake with curious excitement around his arm. They remind her of roller coasters. ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦

They stepped into his car, a family car ironic for the man who has no family. But an SUV is just what the doctor ordered, as it’s a car that has space for certain items he finds on cases and this time around..it’s going to house a cute vampire. Yusuke stepped towards the passenger’s spot and held the door open for her. “Alright Amber Alert, after you.”

The stranger scoffs and hurriedly leaves. He wasn't going to risk getting mixed up with the Yakuza for a kid. "Bleeeh get outta here you big weirdo or Oji-san's gonna getcha!!"She sticks out her tongue from the safety behind Tsuru's leg.

“Oji-..san..” It’s official..he’s not that spry kid anymore..now to children HE’S THE OLD MAN. Gosh, how did things flip on him soo quick? Now he’s stuck on a baby mission. There was a stoic look on his face but he did offer his hand towards her, an he will protect her. “C’mon kiddo, let’s get ya back home..but it’s important ya tell your mom about this..and if he’s always been a problem-” Hmmm, now he’s thinking of what he could do to ensure her safety..even if it’s a little.

He could let her wear a Seiryu clan pin..oh wait no. A yakuza pin on a child?? That’s ridiculous..and considering she’s walking home alone, it must mean her mother is far too busy during these hours of the day. He’s seen the two interact and he could tell that Tania absolutely loves her daughter. Ugh, he’s not even sure why he’s soo invested in helping the kid.

"Oh, yer fine, apparently this year for allergies is killer." She shakes her head to pay it no mind, but she couldn't help but wonder in the back of her mind. Did a part of him recognize her?

"It's nice to meetchu Mister Koichi! Don't mind mama she's just shy she's not very good with boys." Kiku please stop you're embarrassing your mother in front of your father!!! "Kiku I don't get shy."

Allergies..were a killer. Hmm, she must be right. “That a doctor’s opinion? Or maybe ya know people in the same boat.” His words were playful, the littler blonde definitely had more to say..and it’s mostly stray shots towards her mom. This must be why his own mother kept him away from her friends most of the time when he was her age. He must have been just as much of a chatterbox. Though he does remember him knowing her female friends from work. 

“Tania right?? Don’t worry about it. I’m really outta practice myself. I had someone I like but there was an accident..hit my head soo hard the doc said, so much that most of my memory of us t’gether are jus’ jumbled up.” Considering Kiku spoke about her mother being bad around ‘boys’, it’s probably safe to assume that the father wasn’t in the picture.

"Gyagh!" She yelps as she falls flat to the ground, nearly crushed under the weight of the beast on top of her. "Gh..... What the hell—EW!!!" Gross!! Was he licking her? Oh it was so cold and slimey!!

He continued to give her kisses as his tail wags excitedly behind him. There were even a few barks that were let out…however, his body tenses and he’s began to growl once more as he looked onto the door, another scent approaching..not one he particularly care for soo in his feral state he recognized it as an enemy.

It was in fact Mr Kamiya who began knocking against her door. Within this run down complex Mr Kamiya was one of their not-so-favorite neighbors however, there were still living a sort of harmonious life, he certainly wouldn’t be anyone Yusuke would kill..but in this state..he was more than ready to rip his throat out with his canines.

The one she was hunting was clearly unsettling in appearance.

"Don't worry you'll find out that I'm a hard worker. Now what'd ya got??" His eyes of course, wander toward her cleavage however this time it was merely because he's following her hand. The last thing he needed was her pulling out a quick concealed weapon and killing him on the spot.. she was an assassin after all. He's been with order long enough to know how they operate in certain circles.

The hardest thing Yusuke had to do for the day was peel himself away from his teacher, after finally indulging in that kiss..and having his hands all over her body..only to tell him to stop here and now..granted it was for both thei safety..moreso for her own, so he completely understood… “Get back t’ our apartments..I’d be lucky if I made it through lunch…” He confesses..but knowing that she feels the same way..gives him the strength needed to endure sufferings.