My world was black, but I could hear birds chirping, signalling that I should probably be waking up now...This I was used to, but my eyes opened to a situation that wasn't nearly as common.

I bit my lower lip as I stared at a resting, familiar face, I had tried to move my arms but found that both my arms and legs weren't responding. This intruder in my bed had long, black hair with wolf-like ears sticking out of the sides of her head, her amethyst eyes were presently shut, behind her smile were rows of sharp teeth that one wouldn't expect at first glance, her body was similar to that of a human woman, aside from the gills along the sides of her body, I could feel her pressed against me through her black nightgown, but around her stomach her similarity towards humans all but vanished...smooth fur covered her waist and stomach, wrapping around like a sash or skirt, but beyond that point were not legs, but eight tentacles, which were presently squeezing us together.

I tried my best to wiggle out of the Scylla's grasp, but the suction cups of her tentacles, along with the strength of the tentacles themselves, had held me in place, I could feel my cheeks growing warm as her breath tickled my neck. biting my lip, I debated whether or not I should wake her up, but eventually my morning side told me it was now or never, "Oi, Scilia?" I started, trying not to be loud enough to startle her, "Hey, wake up please."

Scilia, in response, shook a little mumbling as her eyes opened, her rectangular pupils redirecting themselves to my face as she slowly regained her consciousness. The sleepy Scylla slowly blinked, a smile coming to her tired face, "Hey Dear, good morning.~" she said in a strained voice, her eyes halfway open and a blush on her face.

Trying my hardest to forget our proximity, I smiled back, "Hey Scilia, good morning..." I started, hoping she'd catch on...After what felt like a minute she almost went back to sleep, causing me to take action, "W-Wait, you just woke up!" I stated in a panic.

Scilia yawned before puffing out her cheeks, a small frown on her face, "Yeah...After you woke me up..."

Resisting the urge to try and facepalm, I let out a sigh before doing my best attempt at a smile, "Scilia...What are you doing in my bed?" I asked, my voice strained from physical and mental exhaustion.

She blinked, pausing for a moment, "Hmm~...Oh yeah-" she started, a smile coming back to her face as she planted a fist against her open palm, "I couldn't sleep last night, so I made my way to your room and decided to cuddle with you and see if it'd help." she stated, a blush on her face.

Blinking, we stared at each other as silence befell us once again. Clearing my throat, I decided to ask the big question, "Uh, okay, but can you let me go now that it's morning? I kinda have stuff to do, like make breakfast..."

Scilia blinked and brought her left hand to her face, pressing her index finger to her cheek as though she was deep in thought about something. I soon found myself releasing a shocked gasp as she shrugged, wrapping her arms and tentacles around me tighter before drifting back into sleep, "Sorry Dear, i'm still tired~..." she muttered as she nuzzled my collar.

I sat there in silence, or moderate silence at least given Scilia's breathing, but that didn't change the fact that I was stuck staring up at the ceiling for the next hour or so...I blinked before releasing a sigh, "How did I get myself into this mess?" I asked, my voice strained from pressure being exerted on my slim frame.

::Begin Flashback!::

I let out a yawn as I sat up in my bed, greeted by the sound of birds chirping beyond the window, which was blocked by a black curtain. My day began like any other, I put on my glasses, brushed my teeth, brushed my hair, showered...You know, the basics.

As I completed my daily routine I let out the breathe I was holding as I stared into the mirror hung above my bed, staring back at me was a slim boy with pale skin, his long, brown hair was a dark shade and fell halfway down his back, his eyes matched his hair with almost the exact same color, they were unhindered by his bangs, which were pulled behind his ears and pressed down with the limbs of his rectangular glasses, despite his straight, feminine hair, his cheeks were obscured by bushy sideburns, he wore a white, baggy shirt with a reaper emblem over his skeletal frame, black, baggy pants, ant white socks.

I smiled a little at my reflection, which returned it in kind...This smile didn't last long, "Kuro-chan, get your ass down here!" a woman's voice, causing my eyes to go half-lidded as my small smile became a small frown.

Letting another sigh escape my lips I made the way to the door of my room and slowly descended the steps, eventually finding my mother in the room left of the stairs, the Kitchen, sitting at the table with breakfast ready, a coffee mug pressed to her lips.

I slowly approached the table, my mother was a tall woman with an athletic frame, her pale skin contrasted well with her long, black hair, her brown eyes were half closed, but that's how they typically were whether she was tired or not, she wore a black shirt under a red apron, a black skirt emerged from the apron, covering her down to her knees, aside from that she wore black boots that went up to her knees.

As I pulled up a chair she did her best to smile, due to the difficulty it was confirmed that she was tired, "Mornin'." she started, "Sleep well?"

I dryly chuckled, "As well as ever." I responded, doing my best to perk up, "But we both know i'm not a morning person." I stated, looking down at the pancakes on my plate, smiling a little as the warmth cheered me up, "Buut...I guess pancakes make up for it." I stated.

My mother chuckled, "You really are like your father...Don't tell me you're a tsundere too." she asked as she dug into her own food.

I frowned, "Yeah right, i'm surprised you even know what a tsundere is." I stated in a mild tone of disbelief, my eyes venturing to a newspaper layed off to the side. Blinking, my curiosity stated to raise, it was on a page about Liminals, "Hey...What are you reading?"

Mom paused for a moment before her eyes darted to the paper, "Oh, this?" she asked, "I got bored...Apparently that Inter-Species Exchange Program's being extended, now people can offer to take them in for awhile..." she stated in a bored sounding voice, but I could see a sparkle in her eyes. Mom may not be good at showing her feelings, but I knew that she loved other cultures, that was one of the reasons why she had gone to America before, and consequentially met my father...Who was no longer here...Point is that it wasn't shocking that she had taken an interest in Liminals, but i'd be lying if I said I wasn't at least a little bit interested...I mean, I had a friend who was hosting for an Orc, the two get along pretty well surprisingly...Then again they're both perverts so I guess I can see why.

I let out an unconscious sigh, *I need new friends...* I thought to myself as I recalled their mischief, which almost distracted me from the small lump under one of the pancakes. I blinked as I poked it before lifting the top one, I was expecting to find jam or jelly on the other side, but my eyes widened when they were greeted by a small, cat-shaped blob of dough, causing my eyes to sparkle, "S-So cute..." I whispered to myself, but I snapped out of it when I realized Mom was laughing.

Hastefully, I bit into the pancake and the blob of dough inside, revealing that the grape-flavored jam was inside it to whole time, all the while shooting a glare at my snickering mother.

With another sip of coffee she shot me a knowing grin, "Aw, what's wrong? Afraid to show you're cute side?" she asked in a teasing manner.

I growled, flailing my arms in the air, "I thought I asked you to quit doing that, what if a friend saw, my reputation would be ruined!" I barked, but she only chuckled in response, leaving me to simmer with my cheeks puffed out, "So are you actually considering letting a Liminal stay here?" I asked, getting back on topic, "I mean, I don't really have anything against it, and it's your house anyway..." I muttered.

Mom froze, staring at me, considering her next words carefully, "Well...It's a good thing that you're okay with it..." she stated hesitantly.

I blinked, letting her words sink in, a blank expression on my face, "...Come again?"

Mom looked away for a moment, "...I was going to tell you later...But I already volunteered for the program." she then looked back to me, "Within two days there'll be a third person living here, surprise."

With this a wave of awkward silence swept through the house, neither of us breaking eye contact.

::Flashback End!::

I Stared at the ceiling with a blank expression, "Oh yeah...That's how..." I started quietly, really hoping Mom doesn't find out this is happening. It didn't really explain why Scilia was doing something like this, but I figure that's a tale for another time.

Puffing out my cheeks in frustration, I slowly moved my right hand to her side, deciding to take drastic measures as I wriggled my fingers against her fur, provoking a response as her body started to shake. Slowly she started to giggle and then laugh uncontrollably, her tentacles squirming as I tickled her, "D-Dear! S-Stop that! Hahah!~" she managed to demand between bouts of laughter.

I shifted beneath her loosened gaze, "I'll stop once i'm free!" she gasped as I slid out from her side and onto the ground, landing on all fours like a cat as I let out a sigh of relief, "Geez, you know I don't like hugs..." I stated, rotating my shoulders as I shot a tired gaze at her.

She was sprawled out on the bed, laying above the blankets, had I not been used to this sight by now I might have had a nosebleed or averted my eyes, but I was an adult now, there were worse images out there...

Scilia groaned in a tired fashion as she rolled onto her front and propped her head up with the palms of her hands, her elbows against the bed and framing her breasts, which were of moderate size, likely B cups, "Ugh...You're no fun, Dear..." she stated in lax annoyance, her cheeks puffing up in frustration, "It's not like I do this all the time."

I tilted my head, searching my memory to confirm this...Honestly, I couldn't deny it, she didn't do this often, and I can't say I was completely against it...But it's like five in the morning...

I sighed, "True, but i'm not a morning person..." I stated, trying my best to give her a lighthearted smile, "We should really get you a plushy or something, maybe that'd help..." I stated, rubbing the back of my head.

Scilia smiled, "That'd be nice, but it wouldn't be as nice as cuddling with my Deary.~" she stated, narrowing her eyes as she shot me a mischievous grin that sent a chill down my spine.

I gulped, taking a step back as I watched her tentacles start to move, if I didn't diffuse the situation fast I knew what would happen. Laughing to myself nervously, I scratched the back of my head, "Hehe...About that..." I started, but as she blinked, waiting for me to continue, I heard her gasp as I took off as fast as I could, "Igottagodosomething!" I shouted as I jumped through the door frame, narrowly escaping a tentacle that had flew towards me.

"D-Deary! Wait!~" she shouted, it sounded rather cute but the consequences of returning to that room were frankly not worth it so early in the day...

Planting my forehead against the wall of the hallway, I let out a sigh of relief as I heard a snore from inside my room, implying that she managed to fall back to sleep. Slowly moving back to the door and looking inside, I could see that she had managed to fall asleep as she was crawling towards the door, allowing me to walk in, rubbing my forehead with my arm, *Thanks god that Scylla are typically heavy sleepers...* I thought to myself as I stood next to her.

I turned my head to the door, I wanted to leave so I could get everyone's breakfast ready...But...Turning my head back to Scilia, I felt bad about letting her sleep on the floor...

Sighing to myself I slowly crouched down next to her, "It's too early for this shit..." I whispered to myself as I flipped her onto her back and lifted her up, which was especially difficult given her mass compared to my lack of muscle. Struggling as I did, I slowly approached my bed and layed her on top of it, slowly pulling the covers over her body, also thanking that Scylla didn't need to stay in water all the time, otherwise I would have to carry her all the way to her room, which I frankly wouldn't be able to do. As I turned to leave I couldn't help but turn back towards her, observing the smile on her face as she snuggled a large pillow I had layed beside her, "Sweet dreams..." I whispered, giving a strained smile as I got into my daily routine.

::Later::

I sat at the table with Mother and another woman, I knew her as our Coordinator. She had a build that could only be compared to a wasp, having broad hips but her stomach was relatively thin, her white skin almost seemed to shine in the light, her short, blonde hair was held up in a small small ponytail by a black back of sorts with a clip shaped to resemble a black cat, it's green eyes replaced with literal emeralds, her green eyes seemed to glow through the sunglasses that she wore, and a tear-shaped birthmark was perfectly noticeable on her left cheek, she wore a black, business-type suit over a white dress-shirt, a red ties ran the length of her frame until it ended just above her bellybutton, her black pants and shoes were rather plain though.

she smiled, "Sorry for the surprise visit, but I don't have much time today, nor can I afford to slack off." she stated, locking her fingers together, "Ms. Kazuma, Mr. Kazuma, I came by to see how you two feel about Scilia now that you've had a week to adapt to life with her."

Mom blinked, a blank expression, "Weren't you supposed to do this five days after the day you dropped her off?" she asked in a deadpan manner, causing Ms. Hamano to flinch.

She scratched the back of her head as she looked away with a mischievous smile that could only be described as cat-like, "Well, my workload is rather expansive, especially when you're stuck with a slacker for a partner..." she stated, "Honestly, she's eating up MY free days..."

Mom nodded knowingly, "Ah, sounds rough." despite her empty tone she really was attempting to be sympathetic towards Hamano, "But in all honestly I don't have a problem, i've learned a lot about Scilia and Scylla in general, and she hasn't caused us any trouble." she admitted honestly.

I nodded, "She's cool, besides, she helps out around here." I stated with a shrug, not giving the full extent of my impressions of her.

Hamano nodded, still smiling, "I see..." she started, gazing at me, "Is that all you have to say about her?~" she asked teasingly.

Forming a neutral expression, I stared back at her, "If you're wondering if I broke that rule, no, I don't even know how that would work with a Scylla." I stated honestly, "Besides, you do realize my chances of getting with any girl at all are incredibly slim, same species or not, right?" I asked, using my right hand to highlight my frame and face as if to emphasize my lack of appeal.

Hamano hummed, "You're no fun, I was trying to tease you." she admitted with a wink, "But I still am required to ask, whether it's believable or not."

I chuckled, "What's with people and saying i'm no fun?" I asked quietly, realizing just how repetitive that phrase has been in my life, it was like a running gag or something.

Before anybody could answer this, we were interrupted by a yawn, which caused our heads to turn towards the stairs to see the source of it. Standing at the bottom of the flight was Scilia, who was leaning against the frame of the door, apparently having came down quietly enough for us to have not noticed seeing as she had changed into her actual clothes, which consisted of a brown jacket that was at least a size too big for her, a black, button-up shirt, and a black skirt that hid her fur, as well as the origin point of her tentacles, which were dragging her across the floor in a way one would assume a starfish uses to get around.

Hamano smiled at her kindly, "Ah, Scilia, perfect timing." she stated, clapping her hands together.

Scilia smiled as she slowly approached the table, taking a seat next to me and using her tentacles to pull my chair closer to hers, I bit my lower lip as I felt a tug as I was forcibly made to rub shoulders with her, making Hamano's eyebrow raise and my mother sigh, "Oh? for what?" she asked innocently, ignoring my attempts to escape her grasp.

Hamano chuckled, "Well, I was going to ask you if you like it here, but I think I got my answer."

Scilia's head rubbed against mine, "Ms. Kazuma is an amazing woman, she's really nice and talks to me about Japan and Liminals, and my Dear Kuroda is so considerate and nice to me, I love it here.~" she stated, getting a smile from my mother and a nervous chuckle from me.

The Coordinator grinned, "Good to hear, i'm glad your hosts are so accepting of you." she stated, shooting a gaze at me, likely recalling my initial reaction.

::Flashback Begin!::

I visibly flinched as the door opened, staring at this event from the bottom of the staircase. Mother had answered the door to reveal Hamano, who we had met a few days back, but the Scylla at her side was what surprised me.

Mother seemed to be taking this very well, I however was wide eyed for a moment until Hamano's locked onto mine as she gauged my reaction, her smile becoming a frown as I looked away. I didn't want to be rude, I thought I was relatively prepared for this, but not only was the Liminal that was staying here a girl, but one of the more intimidating species.

"Kuro-chan, stop being rude and get over here." Mother demanded, snapping me out of my thoughts as I hesitantly approached.

I stared at the Scylla's face, she stared at mine, her smile replaced with a nervous frown, "Uh...N-Nice to meet you..." I stammered, not sure how to best react.

::Flashback End::

I bit my lower lip as my gaze fell to the floor, disappointed by my initial self, *Yeah...I guess that was a pretty bad first impression.* I mentally hissed to myself. The first two days had been the worst, we were both rather difficult, but I decided to take initiative and get to know her...I think I made up for my initial reaction.

Hamano slowly stood up, "Well, seeing that you're happy here, I suppose my work's done for now." she stated with a stretch as she made for the door, but as she reached it, she turn her head a little, but didn't look over her shoulder, "But i'll be dropping by occasionally, just to make sure no rules get broken." I blinked, feeling that was directed at me, "Ciao.~"

And with that she was out the door, leaving us in relative silence...At least until Mom got up, "Well, I need to get to work." she started, her voice quiet, "I trust you two can watch the house?" she asked as she walked over to a chair with a jacket tied to it.

I tilted my head, "You ask that like we haven't been used to this for a week by now..."

Scilia nodded happily, "Don't worry, you can count on us Mei-Sama!~" she said excitedly, I could feel her tentacles wrap tighter around me, causing me to gulp.

With this she nodded as she tied her coat around her neck by her sleeves, wearing it like a cape, "Alright, i'll see you both later." she stated trustingly as she made her way out...

Leaving me and Scilia alone...

...I turned my head to see a mischievous smile on her face, one of her fangs standing out, "Now we're all alone Dear~..."

I blinked, turning my head towards the table to see my morning coffee sitting there, *Caffeine give me strength...* I pleaded as I reached for it between the tentacles and took a sip, submitting to the hug I was now trapped in, realizing that struggling was futile.

:::Chapter End!:::

Yay, first chapter! xD

Haven't been writing on Fanfiction in forever, but when I saw Monster Musume was an anime I just had to get back into the swing of things. xD

Anyway, this is mainly about OCs, but Darling-Kun still exists, rest assured. *Though I suppose that was fairly obvious given certain dialogue* Anyway, next chapter's still probably going to revolve around Scilia, there's still much that needs to be explained about her relationship with Kuroda after all, so I hope to see you all there. :3

I hope you enjoyed, have a great day. :3