-a night of shadows, tears and waiting; part b-
(read a first, neh?)

“Well. She was being pretty bitchy with you. I don’t blame you for getting a little irritated,” Rae responded with a small smile, taking in the man’s facial expression. I don’t know why Kits is so mad at him, but I really doubt he deserves all the bitching Kitsune and Malba both have been doing... “I mean uh, I don’t know the whole story and all, so I’m going to mind my own business, but yeah. I’m sorry Kits and Mals have been kind of nasty with you,” she added, her aqua eyes briefly moving to focus on Malba and Kitsune. “Not only did Kits bite your head off, but Mals has been pretty... Uh... Bitchy with ya too, neh?” she added, giving the spiky haired demon a sympathetic look.

“I get why they’re pissed. As for Malba... He... Malba’s just scared and taking it out on me. I get that. It’s not really his fault... He’s... Well. He has some uh, issues with keeping control,” Ryuuji stated with a shrug, his red gaze moving to the sleeping darkness elemental.

Issues... Yeah, I’d say some definite issues, Rae thought, an image of the sprite and his angry red eyes briefly flashing through her mind. “Yeah, I know. He uh, well. He’s tried to kill me twice within the last two days, so yeah. I know he’s got some issues,” she responded softly, a small frown forming on her lips. Not that I think it’s his fault... He’s... I don’t know. Something isn’t right...

“Only twice?” Ryuuji replied, shooting the girl a teasing smirk.

Rae rolled her eyes, a small grin briefly forming on her lips. “Yeah, only twice. I know it’s tempting to kill the dumb human, so I’m pretty proud of the guy for managing to control his homicidal urge to burn me to ashes,” she stated dryly, shaking her head a bit.

“Seriously though... Don’t blame him for that, okay? He...” Ryuuji trailed off, lowering his gaze to the white comforter covering Druuvbin. “He... Just don’t take it personally. It’s not that he really wants to hurt you. Trust me. Malba... Malba’s got some... Some things that he’s not telling you...” the demon trailed off once again, a thoughtful expression playing on his pale face. “He wouldn’t really hurt you. He’s afraid he will, but I know he won’t. Just...Don’t be afraid of him, okay?”

“I’m not. I’m not afraid of him. Afraid for him maybe, but not of him. I know he’s not telling me things and... Something’s not right... It’s not his fault. I know it’s not,” Rae replied softly, a small sigh escaping her lips. I’m... I’m not afraid of him. That look he gets in his eyes after he realizes what he’s doing.... When he gets control, he looks so... Guilt filled and really... For a moment, when she had looked into those dark blue eyes after the sprite had threatened to kill Xzai... She had seen such a sad, tired look lurking in his eyes... Whatever it is that makes him get so... I know he hates it, I know he doesn’t want to do it...

“It’s not his fault at all,” Ryuuji commented quietly, a frown on his split purple lips. “Malba isn’t nearly the jerk he wants everyone to think he is. Right now he’s fighting to keep himself in control, and it’s really hard for him. I think he’s been venting a little on me. It’s not that he really hates me or anything. He’s just completely freaked out and it’s easier for him to get angry,” the demon commented evenly, moving to inattentively run a hand through Druuvbin’s long, dark blue hair. “That’s the main reason he’s so angry with me. Well, he’s mad at me anyway, but I think it’s more the fact that Druu’s so sick. It really freaks him out.”

Rae frowned, turning her attention once again to the sleeping darkness sprite, contemplating Ryuuji’s words. Fighting to keep control? Mals... What’s wrong with you? Something... Something’s wrong, isn’t it? And that thing Kaine said... About... the girl’s thoughts trailed off and she moved to rub at her temple. She didn’t know what to think. I’m always brain fried, but even more so right now... This has been such a stressful, crappy day and I... I can’t even think straight... The girl was drained mentally and physically, worried and... Well. Really, really worried. About Druuvbin, Malba, Kitsune, Kopaka, Yuki, Kouji and... Just... Everything. Way too much stress...

“I know it’s not his fault,” she repeated softly, watching the darkness sprite’s sleeping face. Tense and uneasy, a frown on his lips... I know it’s not your fault, Mals...

“It’s hard for him. Seeing Druu like this. It’s hard for all of us of course, but... Malba has known Druu for a really long time and...” the red eyed demon paused, a somewhat frustrated expression briefly playing on his pale face. He remained silent for a moment, as if trying to decide what to say. “He... Well, let’s just say Druu has helped Mals out with some things over the years. And even though most of the time Malba acts like a cold, bratty jerk, he really cares about Druuvbin. He doesn’t handle it very well when Druu has an ‘attack.’ He has trouble handling things anyway, so...” Ryuuji once again let his sentence trail off, closing his visible eye for a few moments. “I’m saying too much, so I’m going to shut up before Malba wakes up and gets pissed,” he added with a small bitter smile, shaking his head.

Druu has helped Malba out with ‘some things’... Wonder what the heck that means... Ugh. Secretive, secretive assassins... Rae turned her gaze to Druuvbin, contemplating Ryuuji’s statement. I could tell Malba was freaked by the way he didn’t even want to leave the room to change clothes and let Kitsune fix his wound up...

“He’s known Druu since he was seventeen. That’s a really long time. Malba’s nine hundred and twenty two years old, so... Yeah. It must be a pretty scary thought, thinking of losing someone he’s known for so long... It... Yeah...” she stated softly, moving to take hold of Druuvbin’s cool hand. “Hell it freaks me out completely and I’ve only known him for three years. I can’t imagine life without Druu...” She really couldn’t. Life without Druuvbin? Without ever hearing him laugh, without ever seeing him smile... Without ever talking with him and...

“Yeah. Malba’s terrified of that. So... I guess I probably shouldn’t have gotten angry with him when he started in on me. I just... I don’t know,” the demon sighed, a wry smile forming on his lips. “I guess I’m kind of freaked out too. I haven’t seen Druu for a long time, and... Heh. Now I may never get to talk to him again. I guess I’m just stressed out,” he admitted, running a hand along the water sprite’s cheek. “Na lanei sa... Druu. Jiaane shia. Danat?” he then muttered quietly, his red gaze focused on the psychic’s pallid face.

...Hm, I guess he’s having a little trouble keeping up the whole confident ‘Druu’s going to be fine’ thing... the girl noted, taking in the look of uncertainty flickering across his pale face. “I think everyone’s freaked out. Everyone’s stressed and stuff. I mean hell, Kopaka snapped at you and Malba. Kopaka? I’ve rarely even seen the guy frown, so yeah. Obviously everyone’s freaked out and it’s kind of hard to keep your emotions in check when things are all fucked up. So... Don’t worry about snapping at Mals and Kits. They’ll get over it,” she commented firmly, a small smile forming on her lips. Rae honestly didn’t blame the guy for getting a little irritated with Kitsune and Malba. Anyway, all he did was take up for himself.

“Oh I know. I just shouldn’t act like an immature brat. You know, like Malba,” Ryuuji replied with a teasing smile, his smooth voice holding an amused tone.

The girl laughed a bit at that, glancing at Malba. “Well, you know... The Tinkerbell comment was pretty good. That was funny, actually,” Rae admitted with a small smile on her lips. At the time the purple haired demon said it, she had been afraid that Malba would catch the room on fire or something, but looking back on it... It was pretty damn amusing. Malba can relate to Tinkerbell... Heh...

“That was pretty good, wasn’t it?” the demon responded, the smirk on his lips slightly widening.

“Heh, yes. It was.”

“I still shouldn’t have said it,” Ryuuji added dryly, taking a deep breath. “I... I know how messed up Malba is right now. Not only is he hurt but he’s... Well. Anyway, I just shouldn’t have said it. And I probably shouldn’t have told Kitsune to ‘shut the fuck up’ either,” he added, his smirk fading.

“Oh I think she’ll get over it. And she did start it after all,” Rae replied, giving the man a small reassuring smile. “Don’t start angsting over that,” she then said, meeting the demon’s red gaze. He’s actually guilting over that? Geez... He really worries too much or something... It wasn’t as if the man had started any of it anyway.

“Angsting? I don’t angst. I have a short fuse and I’m trigger-happy, but I don’t –‘angst,’-” Ryuuji remarked, his smooth voice holding a tone of amusement. “And yes, technically Kitsune did start it, but... Well. I don’t really blame her. I know why she’s mad,” he added, shrugging his shoulders. “I understand why she’s mad.”

“Oh? Well... Any chance you’re going to tell me why she’s mad?” Rae questioned, an almost teasing tone in her voice. I know there’s no way in hell he’ll tell me. Heh... After all, I am just a lowly human.

“Hm? Well. It’s not that she hates me or that we don’t get along. She’s mad at me because she... Well. It takes Kitsune a long time to start trusting someone. After all the years she spent in Xzutai as the ‘blood fox,’ she had learned to trust no one. So now, it’s hard for her to let her guard down,” he stated calmly, his red gaze moving to the sleeping ice/fox demon leaning against the couch.

“So she doesn’t trust you? Is that it?” Rae inquired, taking in the man’s words. It was definitely true that Kitsune had trust issues... It took her forever to start trusting me... I’m kind of surprised she does trust me, actually... the girl thought, a small smile briefly forming on her lips at the memory of the woman actually telling her: --“I trust you.”--

“No. That’s not it. It’s exactly the opposite. Kitsune had finally learned to trust me and then I turned around and disappeared. I said I could handle something that I couldn’t and I did something that Druuvbin warned me not to do. So... She’s pissed. She trusted me and I let her down. So, now she’s mad,” Ryuuji stated with a small wry smile, shaking his head a bit. “She was afraid to trust me. Then when she finally let her guard down, I fucked up.”

Rae frowned, her aqua eyes locked on the demon, taking in his facial expression. A look of regret, a wry smile... Why would she be afraid to trust Ryuuji? He seems pretty nice... So... “That’s not really fair though. It’s not like you meant to disappear, right? And... Er, why would she be afraid to trust you? You don’t seem exactly untrustworthy,” she stated, raising an eyebrow. I still don’t think Kits should get so mad with the guy for all of this... He’s obviously sorry, and he obviously didn’t mean to vanish. It’s not like he was off on vacation or something... Rae really didn’t quite get it. There had to be more to it than that, right?

“I don’t seem untrustworthy? Well. I suppose appearances can be deceiving. I’m not exactly a nice guy. I used to be a real callous bastard,” the demon stated evenly, turning his gaze down to the psychic resting in his arms, a frown forming on his light purple lips.

“Callous?” Rae blinked, a disbelieving tone in her voice. I kind of have a hard time believing that... “Er... No offense, but you seem like a nice guy to me. Are you sure you’re not exaggerating? A -‘callous bastard?’-”

A bitter smile formed on the man’s lips at the girl’s words and he ran a hand gently over Druuvbin’s pale forehead. “Yeah. A real callous bastard. I guess Druu didn’t tell you much about me, right?” he questioned, not looking away from the unconscious water elemental.

“Uh, no. He didn’t tell me much at all. You know how secretive everyone is. It took him awhile to even tell me your name,” she replied, a small smile forming on her lips. No one tells me anything. Er, well. They’ve finally told me some now, but yeah. She had definitely been kept out of the loop for the most part in regards to Ryuuji. Well, and a lot of other things. Especially Ryuuji though. I still don’t even know what he does and where he was all this time. A shadow? Hm...

“So that would mean he hasn’t told you how he met me,” the demon stated flatly, continuing to gently run his hand over the psychic’s forehead, brushing strands of blue away from his closed eyes.

“No. He didn’t tell me,” she responded, raising an eyebrow. “Uh... So... How did you meet him? Or is that a secret?” the girl questioned, glancing down to Druuvbin, to his pale face and trembling lips...

“Around twelve years ago, I had just been stationed to a medical research and development center in Tevrra. It was tedious, a mindless job assigned to me. All I had to do was oversee the ‘imprisoned subjects,’ nothing more, nothing less. To put it simply, I just had to see to it that the prison floors of the facility ran smoothly,” Ryuuji commented evenly, his tone holding no real emotion. “I was in the Tevrran military, obviously. I would have much rather been anywhere but there, a stuffy research center. I was annoyed that I had been given such a mindless task. I preferred combat of course,” he added calmly, his gaze never moving from Druuvbin.

Rae’s eyes widened at the man’s statement, her eyebrow rising. “Uh... You, uh you’re a Tevrran? Like Kaine?” she inquired, glancing at the man unsurely. Prison floors? Imprisoned subjects? Uh... Okay, she didn’t know what the hell to think of that.

“Yes. I’m Tevrran, but unlike Kaine, I wasn’t a Hunter. Hunters are elite. I was just an average officer, nothing that important. Technically the position assigned to me was an honor, to overrun a prison-unit of one of the largest research centers of Tevrra. I was annoyed. I didn’t want to be stuck in a building watching after a bunch of captives,” he replied, his tone flat, holding little emotion. He then let out a small sigh, shaking his head. “I was bored. I didn’t particularly care about anyone or anything. Honestly, I think I liked combat because of the possibility that I could die. It wasn’t that I was exactly suicidal, I was just terribly bored. Completely bored. I didn’t give a damn. About Tevrra, about our world period. It could have been blown to hell and I wouldn’t have cared at all,” Ryuuji went on to say, moving his hand from Druuvbin’s forehead to instead gently caress the man’s cheek.

The pink haired girl sat in silence for a moment, unsure of how to respond to such a statement. She... Well. She really wasn’t sure what to say. So... He, well... “Well, obviously you’ve changed. So what happened?” Rae finally questioned, watching the demon carefully, taking in his troubled expression.

“For thousands of years, I just... Kind of drifted through life, apathetic to it all. My father was in the military, my grandfather, my uncle and so on. You know how that goes. It was expected of me to also, of course, be in the Tevrran military. So I was. Did everything I was told, didn’t care. I’ve seen a lot of things and done a lot of things I’m not proud of now, but... At the time I didn’t care. When I look back on it now... I wonder how I could have been so... Cold,” he admitted quietly, a frown on his light purple lips. “I was cold and apathetic to everything and everyone.”

“Again I say, you’ve changed, obviously. I don’t know how you were back then, but you seem like a nice guy now,” Rae stated quietly, a small frown forming on her lips as well. So... Where is this going? How did he meet Druu?

“I’ve changed. I don’t know that I’m a ‘nice guy’ but I’m not completely void of feeling like I used to be,” he replied, lightly shrugging his shoulders. “Anyway. So I of course did my job, even though I was annoyed by the task. Making sure the prisoners were transported to the medical research floor and back, making sure everything was kept in order, everyone kept in line. Basically I sat and did nothing for the most part. Ordered my subordinates around, that’s about it. I would transport a few prisoners myself when I got particularly bored, but other than that...” Ryuuji trailed off, a small sigh escaping him. “I was so numb to it all.”

“So... Uh these prisoners? Who were they? Why were they being held and sent to the ‘medical research floor’ or whatever?” the girl questioned uneasily, nervously chewing her sore lower lip. That sounds bad...

“I didn’t know why they were being held or what was being done to them. I didn’t know and I didn’t care. It was my job and I did it. I never asked questions because I honestly didn’t care,” the purple haired demon replied evenly, briefly looking up, meeting Rae’s eyes. “I know that sounds terrible, but it’s the truth.”

The girl remained silent for a moment, carefully studying Ryuuji’s face, taking in his expression. That look... He’s ashamed. Ashamed of the person he used to be... “Okay. Well... What made you start caring?” she inquired, keeping her voice level. I don’t want him to think I’m freaked out by all of this. Even though it is a bit... Er. Well. So he used to have issues... Who doesn’t have issues, neh?

“You’re taking this pretty calmly,” Ryuuji stated wryly, a small smile briefly forming on his lips.

“Well, yeah. So you used to be a jerk. Heh. And Kitsune used to be a ruthless assassin for her father and er, well. I don’t exactly know about Druu, Mals and Kopaka, but you’ve all got past issues, right? I’m getting used to just kind of, you know, not freaking out over stuff,” she replied with a smirk, shrugging her shoulders. I mean hello, you guys all kill people for a living, I got over that, so... Yeah... “Heh. Continue with the story, neh?”

“It didn’t bother me. When the prisoners would curse at me, scream, get angry, fight, cry, none of it bothered me. I didn’t care what they called me, didn’t care if they screamed or cried. I didn’t care. Yet... There was one prisoner who was different,” Ryuuji stated with a small smile, his red eye focusing once again on Druuvbin’s pallid face.

Wait... You mean... Rae’s thoughts trailed off and she raised an eyebrow, her gaze moving to Druuvbin as well.

“A prisoner brought in a few months after I was first stationed there, who unlike the others, was always so friendly. Polite. Always called me Ryuuji-san, even though I hadn’t told him my name,” he commented quietly, a bitter smile on his lips. “I didn’t understand. It bothered me. Why didn’t he hate me like everyone else? It actually... Well, it pissed me off,” Ryuuji admitted dryly, shaking his head.

“Druu-chan? Druuvbin was a prisoner at a Tevrran research base?” Rae inquired, her eyes widening. She kept her gaze locked on the water elemental, biting her lip in thought. Polite and friendly... That’s got to be Druu. He... He was a prisoner? What the hell?

“Yeah. He was.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“—eenom! This is your last chance. Open the door!”

...Nmgh? What? Veenom groggily cracked open a green eye, startled from her deep, dreamless sleep. What the heck... The poison demon moved to sit up, raising a hand to her aching head as she tried to get her bearings. She moved her bleary, blurred gaze to glance about the darkened main room of her small apartment, taking in the sparse dingy bleakness, the barren space drenched in shadow... Did I hear... Hadn’t she heard a voice? What...

Her muddled contemplations were abruptly cut off as a loud noise issued from the warped entrance of the tiny apartment, the wooden door slamming open with such force it banged loudly into the wall.

Oh no... Oh no... I’m such an IDIOT... the woman tightly closed her eyes for a moment as her sleep-fogged thoughts swiftly cleared, dread quickly flooding her tired, aching body. I am so dead... After all of the commotion of getting attacked by a weird monster demon bug thing, then fighting that dumb human and then almost getting strangled by that jerk Kaine... She had completely and totally forgotten why she had been in the stupid Kainitif forest to begin with.... Oh this is so bad. I’m so dead. So dead...

“Well, well. Judging by that look on your face, I’m going to assume you still don’t have my money, isn’t that right?” a voice calmly questioned and Veenom let out a shuddering sigh, slowly opening her eyes.

“I, um...” the green haired poison demon moved to sit up further, scooting a few inches back on the small cot. “I, um...” Veenom raised her gaze to the tall man standing in shadow in the open doorway, taking in his shoulder length dark-green hair and his angry black eyes, his dark pants and long sleeved rust colored top. Even in the dim lighting of the apartment there was no mistaking the man.... “Um... Kyoutasa, I um...” Oh this is so bad... How could I forget? Ugh... Kyoutasa Yuuhei. Her ‘landlord’ among other things... More like my personal tormenter. Stupid jerk...

“What, nothing to say? How many days has this made, Veenom? Hm? You know how patient of a man I am, but even being the nice guy I am.... I can only stand for so much,” the tall, well built man stated, his tone deceptively calm. The demon casually strode into the dark apartment, his black eyes glancing about the sparsely decorated main room. “I give you such a nice apartment and look at what you do with it. But I guess it’s to be expected, letting trash like you rent out my property,” he added with a distasteful frown.

Veenom fought down the urge to snap back at the snide comment, taking in a deep breath. Just... Stay calm. The last thing I need is to piss off Kyoutasa Yuuhei of all people... The young woman nervously cleared her throat, moving her hand away from her throbbing head. She slowly moved to the edge of the narrow, rickety bed, meeting the man’s angry gaze. “I.... Kyoutasa, I know I said I’d have the money, but...” the poison demon trailed off nervously, a wave of anxiety flooding her. She... She really was having such a bad day... How could I have forgotten? I’m such an idiot...

The dark eyed man let out an irritated sigh, stepping closer to the cot, his facial expression clearly showing his anger. “So. Not only do you not have my money, but you couldn’t even manage to bring me a few measly humans to compensate for your lack of funds. How expected,” he stated flatly, crossing his muscular arms about his toned chest. “Did you honestly expect for me to just let this slide, hm?” he went on to question, a hint of dark amusement entering his deep voice. “Well?”

Damn it... First that bug thing, then the rooster, then Kaine, and now Kyoutasa... This isn’t fair.... The poison demon took in a deep shaky breath, tightly clenching her fists around the thin, off-white sheet still partially covering her lean body. I can’t believe I forgot... What is wrong with me? Maybe that rooster really did give me a concussion or something... All that she had been able to think about after waking up mud covered and aching, bloody and dizzy... All she had really wanted was to take a bath and sleep for a week. Maybe even two weeks. Of course then Kaine had to complicate matters further with his... Weirdness and the whole ‘be her best friend’ thing... Yeah, whatever that means... Yet... In all the distractions the day had brought, she... It had completely slipped her mind.

I should have just knocked rooster and ashtray girl out to start with. If I had done that... Veenom clenched her fists tighter, glancing about the darkened apartment. Kyoutasa was already pissed that I was late on the rent payment and now...

It really sucked, having the guy for a landlord. Really. Not only was the demon one of the main Gahlreyian Market guys in charge of selling slaves, but... He’s a total jerk.... A jerk who owned more than half of all the rental property in the city of Laineka. An influential man who... Ugh. Stupid big-city Xzutai freak... It figured Kyoutasa would be able to make a good living for himself in a primitive, crappy little town like Laineka. Plus he’s all connected to the Xzutai underground crime syndicates...

“Well? Did you suddenly develop a case of deafness? Answer me. Do you have my money or not?” the muscular demon broke into the woman’s thoughts and she let out a frustrated sigh, moving a hand to gingerly touch her aching head. I so don’t need this... Okay so true, she had kind of... Well, she was five days late on the rent. It wasn’t like she hadn’t tried to get the money...

“Kyoutasa, just um, let me explain, okay? And why exactly does a big shot or whatever like you find it necessary to harass me in the middle of the night? It’s not like I pay you that much anyway,” Veenom stated, raising an eyebrow as she glanced about her apartment. It wasn’t exactly a high dollar penthouse or anything....

A meager two room apartment, the main room holding a small cot and an old, faded brown couch in one corner. On the opposite side of the petite room sat a small scratched wooden table, along with a wobbly, half broken wooden chair. Other than that? Not so much... Faded white walls and an ancient wooden floor... A shabby, cramped closet and a just as tiny bathroom...Geh and my bathroom is like, smaller than a coffin or something... The bathtub leaks and... Ugh. There isn’t even a stupid kitchen... Well, there’s really no need for a kitchen, I guess. I never have enough money to eat anyway... the poison demon’s thoughts trailed off as the dark-green haired man let out a dry laugh, stepping even closer to the cot. That’s probably bad...

“The money isn’t the point, Veenom. If I were to be lax on collecting even from my lower class apartments, what would people think? I have a reputation to uphold after all. And in all honesty? I rather enjoy ‘harassing’ trash like you,” he responded evenly, his black eyes focused on the woman, a small dark smirk forming on his thin lips. “Besides, are you implying this isn’t a wonderful first rate apartment? It’s better than what a little tainted girl from Huisto deserves. You should be on your hands and knees thanking me for allowing trash like you to even live in this fine town,” Kyoutasa added, his smirk widening. He then moved to grab Veenom’s wrist, jerking her from the cot, tossing her to the hard wooden floor. “Thank me.”

The green haired poison demon bit down a yelp as she solidly hit the wooden floor with a resounding thump, pain shooting through her worn, aching body. Tainted... Tainted... I... “Don’t... Don’t call me that! I’m... I’m not tainted!” she snapped irately, turning her gaze to the man, her green eyes flashing with anger. How dare the man burst into her apartment in the middle of the night, wake her up and jerk her from her own damn bed? I’m... I’m not tainted! I... As much as the woman hated to admit it, that remark stung. Quite badly. “Take that back!” Oh... I probably shouldn’t be yelling at him though... I’m already in enough trouble... Like so much trouble...

Kyoutasa laughed at the young demon’s anger, amusement flickering across his pale features. “Take it back? I only speak the truth. You are a Huistonion outcast. No one wants tainted little disgraces like you polluting our city, but I’m a generous man. So I allowed you to stay. On the condition that you pay double the normal cost for this fine apartment,” he remarked calmly, a cold edge to his words. “Of course you lived up to my expectations of being a true, tainted little piece of trash. How many times does this make now that you haven’t had my money? Hm?” he went on to question, his tone growing icy, his dark eyes locked on the poison demon’s face. “Well?”

Veenom took in a deep breath, her fists clenching. So... So he may have a point about the outcast thing. It still... It... The green haired woman moved to stand from her sitting position on the hard wooden floor, biting her lip as a wave of dizziness passed over her. She fell back to the floor, moving a hand to gingerly touch a large cut on her face. Ngh. Damn, that rooster really hits hard... Her cut marred face still throbbed, her head still ached... Not to mention my neck.... She... Veenom really just wanted to sleep. Was that too much to ask for? A few hours of sleep? I... The demon attempted to stand once more, only to have Kyoutasa firmly shove her back down to the scratched floor with his booted foot. “Ow! Jerk!” she snapped, fighting down the urge to yelp once more. That really hurts...

“Stay down there. Now, answer my question. Do you have my money or not? You promised you’d either bring the money or at least three humans to me by the end of the day. It’s almost one am. So, again I ask you. Where. Is. My. Money?” the dark-green haired demon questioned coldly, moving to crouch down next to the young woman, menacingly grabbing her face. He tightened his grip, forcing her to lock eyes with him. “Well?”

“I was going to get it to you but something happened, okay? I got... I, I got attacked and I didn’t get a chance to find you any humans, okay?” Veenom replied angrily, shoving the man’s hand away. “And don’t touch me, stupid gross freak!” she added, her voice rising. It’s not like I didn’t want to pay! God! “I can get you the money. I’ll get it to you today, I promise! All I have to do is get a few humans, I can do that. Just let me sleep a little first, okay?” she questioned, weariness bleeding into her angry tone. Honestly, at the moment... She just... Veenom was beyond dizzy, her head pounding, the room spinning and... She just wanted to go back to sleep. And like, never wake up...

I almost passed out taking a stupid bath and I... I barely got this stupid nightshirt on and I... I just want to sleep... That’s all I want... She didn’t want to listen to this jerk call her tainted, didn’t want to deal with life at all at the moment. She just... Wanted to go back to sleep. It didn’t hurt when sleeping... It was calm and black, it... “Can I just get some sleep first? Please?” she inquired again, her tone softening, her green gaze locking on the worn wooden floor.

“Do you honestly think I care what the circumstances are? I don’t care if you were ‘attacked.’ I’m sure you deserved it, whatever happened. You will get me my money. That’s right, you damn well will. By sunrise. I don’t care what you have to do. You can ‘sleep’ after I have my money,” the man responded darkly, again taking hold of the young woman’s face, digging his thumb into the large gash running along her cheek. “Oh and don’t worry. Even if these do scar? It won’t matter. You’re ugly anyway,” he added with a cold smile, his black eyes scanning over the deep cuts marring the poison demon’s face.

What? What?! “I may be a lot of things, but I’m not ugly! Asshole!” she snapped in response, her eye twitching as pain shot through her face, thanks to Kyoutasa’s thumb jabbing harshly into the large cut on her right cheek. Ow, ow, ow... Not that Veenom was going to give the jerk the satisfaction of showing any pain. Stupid jerk... “And how the hell am I supposed to find you humans in the middle of the night? Can’t it wait until morning?” the green haired woman then questioned, her tone agitated and weary. This really is so unfair...

Kyoutasa frowned at the young demon’s words, a spark of irritation washing over his pale face. “You really just aren’t getting it, are you? I guess I’m going to have to be a little blunter,” he commented thoughtfully, loosening his grip on the girl’s face. He then stood, his black gaze focusing on the open doorway leading into the dark apartment building hallway. “Oi. Feranil. Want to play with her for a little while?” he inquired loudly, a small smirk forming on his thin lips.

Play... Play? Play with me? What? Veenom’s eyes widened, an uneasy shudder coursing involuntarily through her aching body. Why do I get the feeling I’m about to get hurt even worse? Ugh... Who was the man even talking to? Feranil? What kind of lame name is... That... the green haired demon’s thoughts trailed off as an extremely large, heavily built man stepped into the open entryway, his muscular build completely filling the narrow doorway. Veenom felt her heart skip a beat as she realized she recognized that wild, spiked white hair and those large, burly arms... Oh no... It figures. It so figures. Of course Kyoutasa would have the very same guy that had been totally harassing her before the whole Kainitif forest disaster as one of his big thug goons.... This is just completely not my day. Or night. Whatever, she thought uneasily, taking in the large man, his sleeveless purple muscle shirt and his baggy dark jeans. Muscles and... Ugh, I am so in trouble...

“Hey! No one gets to play with me, okay? I’ll get you your stupid money! So just call off your pet gorilla,” Veenom bit out heatedly, forcing her tone not to reveal the fear creeping into her very bones. Honestly, she was starting to get freaked out. There’s no way I can fight this guy. Especially seems how I don’t have a weapon or... I don’t even have any poison. I can’t believe I actually threw it away when the rooster said ‘no poison.’ Ugh... Like an idiot she had thrown her last pouch full of poisons into the damn Kainitif forest... And my blood obviously isn’t strong enough... Hell. She could hardly knock out lowly humans with it. So, a huge ugly demon freak like this guy? No way. I’m screwed...

“I really get to play with her?” the white haired man questioned hopefully, his voice gruff, a rather lecherous grin spreading across his large lips. “I get to, right, boss?” he added, stepping further into the room, his amber colored eyes locked on the poison demon.

Veenom raised an eyebrow as the man came closer, noting his bruised, swollen face. Looks like he tried to ‘play’ with the wrong person or something... the woman thought with a bit of dark satisfaction, taking in the large demon’s crooked nose and scraped forehead. It looks like somebody slammed him in the face with a... Train or something...

“Well, can I play?”

“Yeah, go ahead. Just don’t kill her. I still want my money,” Kyoutasa replied with a shrug of his shoulders, moving to take a few steps toward the open doorway. “Bring me what you owe by sunrise. I’ll be at the Imperial Market. We’re having a big auction starting at sunrise. So I’m putting in a little ‘overtime’ to make sure everything goes well,” he went on to say, briefly turning to give the green haired poison demon a dark smirk. “Have fun playing with Feranil. Don’t get carried away, Fera.” With that said the tall man moved to exit the room, a dark grin still firmly in place on his lips.

“Wait! Hey!” Veenom responded shakily, her gaze nervously flickering back and forth between Feranil and Kyoutasa, anxiety flooding her. Not that she wanted to show it of course, but... “Um... You, uh, you can’t let him hurt me, you know!” she snapped, her voice loud, her fists clenching tightly. How am I getting out of this? Oh, this... Ugh. I so hate Laineka...

“Oh, and why is that?” Kyoutasa inquired calmly, turning to once again meet the girl’s eyes, moving to lean casually against the doorframe with his arms crossed about his chest. “I’d love to hear this.”

“I... Um...” the poison demon faltered, hurriedly trying to come up with a reason, any reason, a... A... “Because, because I work for Aevik Kaine, you know! He, um, he’ll get pissed if you hurt me. And he, um, he’ll totally beat you up and strangle you!” she exclaimed on a whim, scooting back on the wooden floor as the large white haired demon stepped closer. “I mean it! Kaine will so hurt you,” she added, forcing a confident tone into her voice. Not that Veenom believed a word she was saying. Kaine couldn’t care less I’m sure. But... Everyone Knows Kaine, maybe Kyoutasa is scared of him. Enough to leave me alone anyway... Not a real high probability, but at this point she was getting desperate. I just wanted to sleep...

“Oh, is that right? The Letrum Venator? Why would The Letrum Venator want tainted trash working for him?” the dark-green haired demon inquired, amusement tinting his deep voice. “You expect me to believe that?” he added, a cold laugh escaping his lips.

“Heh. The Letrum Venator. That’s funny,” Feranil commented, an entertained look appearing on his swollen, bruised face. “Ya expect anyone to buy that? How sad.”

Veenom let out a small irritated groan, closing her eyes for a moment. They don’t even believe me. “Yeah well, I do work for him. I’ve even been to the base. I know where it is! That ‘top secret’ place no one knows about? Well I know. I’ve been there and I DO work for Kaine, you big jerks,” the young demon bit out, opening her eyes to angrily glare at Kyoutasa. Stupid jerk... “He doesn’t exactly pay me, but I still work for him,” she then added, a sigh escaping her lips. You’d think he’d at least pay me a little... Though he did say I could buy a new outfit, so that’s cool...

“Well, that’s interesting. And if you’re really telling the truth? You are even stupider than I thought. To work for that guy? He’ll kill you once you fulfill your purpose. He is the Letrum Venator, after all. Only a fool would involve themselves with that cold, unfeeling bastard,” Kyoutasa replied evenly, a small frown forming on his lips. “It’s disgusting that the Gahlyerian royals have gotten so cozy with those damn Tevrrans. And to let Aevik Kaine of all people enter this city? Foolish,” he went on to say, a dark tint to his deep voice, a spark of anger appearing in his black eyes...

Veenom raised an eyebrow at the demon’s comment, a frown forming on her lips as well. Everyone calls him that... What does that even mean? And so what if he kills me? As long as I get my revenge, I really don’t care... “Yeah, whatever. All I know is that I work for the uh, ‘Letrum Venator,’ whatever that means, and that he’ll be so beyond pissed if you lay a finger on me. Get it?” she snapped, forcing her weary body to move, slowly standing from her sitting position on the cold hardwood floor. The poison demon stumbled but remained standing, despite the massive wave of dizziness swiftly enveloping her. “I’ll get you the money, or some humans or something but you’re not going to touch me,” the demon stated firmly, gingerly moving a hand to touch the throbbing gash on her cheek. “So just... Get out.”

Feranil and Kyoutasa exchanged a quick look and then both turned their gaze to the young poison demon, both wearing identical expressions on their faces. Amusement. “The Letrum Venator, ‘whatever that means?’ Hm. I suppose you really are an idiot, Veenom,” the dark-green haired demon commented with a laugh, shaking his head. “Whatever that means. Hah...”

“Kaine is the ‘Death Hunter’ for Tevrra, fool. Ya do know what a death hunter is, right?” Feranil inquired with a wide grin forming on his fat, swollen lips, his gruff tone entertained. “Or are ya really that stupid?” he then questioned, taking a step closer to the green haired young woman.

Death... Hunter? What the heck is that? Okay, so knowing what it meant had so not cleared up anything for her. Veenom really... Well, she had never heard of a ‘death hunter.’ Well, how am I supposed to know? I’m not from stupid Tevrra... “I, uh... Well...” she trailed off, a small blush forming on her pale, cut marred cheeks. All I know is Kaine hates being called that... Other than that? She hadn’t a clue. Which was kind of embarrassing. Ugh...

“Hahah. You don’t know? That’s funny,” the large white haired man laughed in response, crossing his massive arms about his chest, an amused tone in his rough voice. “She actually doesn’t know what Kaine is. And she ‘works’ for him. Hah...” the man trailed off, shaking his head as he again laughed. “Fool.”

“Well. I’m sure you’ll find out soon enough, Veenom. Now. Not that this isn’t amusing, but I really must go. There’s so much to get prepared for the big auction. As I said before, it starts at sunrise and runs all day. Isn’t that exciting? So, I really must go. Though I’m sure that Fera won’t mind staying to chat with you, if you’d like,” Kyoutasa stated calmly with a cold smile, moving to stand from his casual leaning position on the doorjamb. He turned, taking a step out into the hallway. “Have fun,” the demon commented lightly, his tone calm and cold as he again turned his gaze to the poison demon.

“What? Hey! I’ll tell Kaine! I Swear I will!” Veenom bit out, a hint of anxiety leaking into her angry tone. Come on! If Kaine is so bad and freaky, shouldn’t they be afraid that he really will get mad? I mean, he won’t because he doesn’t care, but... They don’t know that... She... She really didn’t want to ‘play’ or ‘chat’ with the big freakish gorilla guy. At all. Please just leave me alone...

“So tell him. Who cares?” Feranil questioned with a grin, roughly grabbing hold of the girl’s left wrist, pulling her closer. “I want to play.”

“No!” the poison demon snapped angrily as she attempted to pull away from the burly man, only... To no avail, of course. Damn it...

“Stay still!” the white haired demon responded heatedly, tightening his grip on the girl’s arm, so much so that a loud crack resounded from her wrist. “Ow! Stupid asshole!” Veenom yelped, pain quickly flooding her arm. He broke my wrist! Asshole! God... First my face gets broken, then I get strangled, and now this... Her thoughts trailed off and she let out an angry growl, moving to kick Feranil solidly in the shin, jerking away from the man. “Keep your hands off, freak!”

“Bitch!” he snapped in response, moving to punch the young woman, his fist directly connecting with her right eye. With a small pained groan Veenom fell back, crashing into the cot behind her. The rickety bed collapsed and over turned, sending the poison demon sprawling to the wood floor. She bit back a yelp as her injured wrist smacked the floor, tears of pain forming in her green eyes. Ow... Ow... Damn it...

“Now, isn’t this fun?” Feranil inquired darkly, a wide sneer on his lips. “It’s a fun game, make the tainted outcast cry. It’s a good game, isn’t it, boss?” he added with a gruff laugh, turning his gaze to the dark-green haired man standing in the hallway, right next to the open doorway.

“Hm, yes it is. However I believe you might be getting carried away. I don’t want my property damaged,” Kyoutasa responded evenly, his black gaze moving to focus on the overturned cot, a small sigh escaping his lips. “Now see what you’ve done, Veenom? That bed was included with this fine apartment. I suppose you’ll have to pay for that as well. That’ll be an extra twenty kaits. Or an extra human, however you decide to pay,” he stated, dark amusement tinting his deep voice. “Now, Feranil, I know you want to play more, but I believe you may be waking our other tenants with all of this noise. Perhaps you can play with her more when she fails to bring what she owes. Again,” he commented, his gaze locking on the green haired woman still lying on the floor, clutching her wrist... “Because we know you will fail, isn’t that right? You tainted little outcast. A tainted little girl from Huisto. You Huisto demons. Weak little lapdogs for those humans. It’s pathetic,” he then added coldly, his voice dark, vicious even.

That... That isn’t fair... I... More than her wrist, more than her head or her face or neck... Those words stung worse than any physical pain ever could. It... Bekat, I... I... It was such a rush of bitter emotions, and honestly... She had grown rather used to not feeling a whole hell of a lot. So... It... How dare he? Bekat, I... “It isn’t my fault! I can’t help it that I’m tainted, you stupid asshole! It’s... They... They killed my sister and they... Those humans made me weak! I would be strong if it weren’t for them! I wouldn’t be tainted! I hate those stupid humans and I... It isn’t...” Veenom trailed off as she realized what she was saying, realized that her voice was shaking and... And... The girl moved to rub at her eyes, wiping the tears away. Shut up, stupid. He’s just trying to get to you...

“Excuses. You Huistonion demons... You let those humans control you like cattle. Humans. Mere humans controlling demons? You let yourself be tainted. Don’t make excuses,” Kyoutasa snapped in response, crossing his toned arms. “You are weak because you let those humans make you weak,” he added, a cold sneer on his lips.

“I was a child! I didn’t LET them do anything, you stupid asshole!” Veenom screamed angrily, rage and pain in her green eyes. She knew the man was baiting her, knew that he... He was just trying to... I... Bekat... They killed Bekat and they... They... I hate you, Druuvbin. If only you had... the poison demon’s thoughts trailed off and she lowered her head to the cold hardwood floor, tightly closing her eyes. I...God my head hurts... She just... She really just wanted to sleep....

“A child? No excuse. Now. Bring me what you owe by sunrise, or Fera will have all the fun he wants to have with you. And you know, he can get so carried away. So, until sunrise, Veenom,” Kyoutasa commented lightly, a dark smile on his lips as he turned, walking further into the dim hallway.

“I can’t wait,” Feranil stated, a lecherous tone in his gruff voice. With that statement he turned, moving to exit the small apartment as well. “I’ll be playing with ya later, Veenom,” he called from the hallway and then slammed the door, the small apartment shuddering from the force.

“Stupid... Assholes...” Veenom muttered softly, shutting her eyes tighter, fighting the tears threatening to spill from her closed eyelids. How... How was she supposed to muster the strength to go out and find four humans or eighty kaits by sunrise? It... It was impossible... It... I can’t do it... I... Her head ached terribly, her face stung, her wrist... Her neck... She... The demon was tired and.... I’m... I’m tainted. That’s right, I am. Those stupid humans... You still didn’t have the right to say all that, you big jerk. Even if it is true. Kyoutasa really knew how to push her buttons, to...

With a small groan, the green haired young woman slowly pulled herself up into a sitting position, running a hand over her eyes. She... If I don’t get him the money or four humans... He’ll have me killed just for the hell of it. Even if I try to get out now... The man was well connected. Various crime syndicates and... Why does he... It’s not like I... This isn’t exactly a high class apartment... Why doesn’t he just evict me? He... Though, honestly, Veenom knew exactly why the demon enjoyed taunting and harassing her so much... Because I’m from Huisto... After all, demons from Huisto? Generally? Were despised. I... It... It isn’t my fault... I...

Veenom slowly opened her eyes, focusing on her broken left wrist. Even in the dim, windowless lighting of the small room, she could clearly see the odd angle her wrist was twisted in, her hand set in an awkward direction. Great... That’ll take a good week to heal... At least... Not to mention it hurt. A lot. She took in a deep breath and then quickly twisted her hand back into the correct position, biting down a yelp of pain. White hot pain... Ow...

Another tear slipped from her eye and she growled, moving to angrily wipe it away. Stupid little baby. Stop crying. It was embarrassing. Crying like a child. I’m twenty three years old. Not six...Not... Six... The thought only quickened her tears. The green haired demon lowered her head, tears dripping from her cheeks, falling to the wooden floor. I...

She really needed to be getting dressed, not sitting on the stupid floor in her stupid old funky grey nightshirt... She... I guess I could... Try to find some humans in Kainitif. There’s a lot of human bandits in Kainitif... Ugh, and ugly monster demon things... Of course once she found the humans? Veenom wasn’t quite sure how she was going to apprehend them... No weapon and no poisons... I guess I’ll have to use my blood... Well. At least she already had cuts all over her face... All I’ll have to do is like jab my finger in this nasty cut on my cheek. That’ll bleed enough to... Oh, but I’ll have to cut the humans first to mix my blood with theirs...Ugh... the demon’s thoughts trailed off and she groaned, moving to gently touch her throbbing wrist. Not to mention carrying them to the Imperial Market... This isn’t going to be easy... But how the hell am I going to find eighty kaits otherwise? I could try to mug someone or something gross like that. Ugh... This... Either way this is going to be hard...

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(next page, neh.)