Hi hi!
Before we jump into this, this has nothing to do with From Ash to Dust. I might give a nod to that story every now and then, but other then that wall break, no. This is a whole different story that I've been thinking of for a while.
With that said, this story's main setting is hell. If you don't like demons, demonology, satanic stuff and/or satanic-like symbols...
...Then why are you here?
Seriously, without really trying, a lot of my stories somehow end up having some sort of odd demon reference(s).
Anyway, this new Black butler fanfic takes place (ideally) BEFORE Ciel.
Also, the basic idea of this story is from "Sebastian X Demon!Reader His Princess", by "forevergotenandbra". At the time that I came up with this idea for a story, the person who wrote this (Shout out to the person, please don't sue me for using your idea in my own way) was either on hiatus or dropped the story for a bit, because it wasn't finished. So, with that said, I really liked the idea, but I wanted to change it up a little.
So yes, with that said, be sure to check out the story that gave me the original idea!
And now, hoping that the internet isn't mad with me for "stealing an idea"... ONWARDS!
Long ago, before creation, God tossed an angel from heaven. For the bad deeds this angel had done, he was casted out of perfection, never to return.
This angel fell into hell, and became the ultimate evil, the prince of all evils.
Satan.
With the Power the first devil still had, he formed and crafted the hellish fiery landscape he fell in, a sort of heavenly garbage, into his kingdom.
Hell.
Most don't know this, but hell is divided. In the middle was the blood-brick castle, where Satan himself resided. The farther out you go, the more people you see, as the tall houses become forgotten shacks.
There was Rift, named for the fact that the area was the drop off point into a place lower than hell, where most lower-class demons lived. There was Gehenna, where those who fucked up in life were sent for eternal punishment, being the hell that most people knew of. There was Limbo, where those who died of natural sin were sent to live without pain. Then, there was the capital of hell, which stood with no name. Not that it needed one, really.
Like on the surface, demons are divided as well. There were the succubus, creatures born from lust. There is Legion, the demon who was many. There were devils, the children of Satan, and the strongest types of demons. There are the simple everyday demons that lived out eternity in this hell, while there were also those wicked enough to be banned from both heaven and earth.
Though different, they all had one thing in common.
All of them are fallen.
All of them rally to Lucifer.
All of them await their revenge.
But, of those, there are some who aren't as…intense?
In a small part the hell known as Rift, near the ridge that separated "land" from abyss, a small "apartment" stood with others on the cliff that separated kingdom from desolate land.
In said apartment, a certain demon was slowly rising from bed, yawning. She stretched her arms, before slowly sliding off of the bed…
…Before falling back asleep on the floor.
Being a rather lethargic demon, she spent another good fifteen minutes on the floor, before rising, rubbing her eyes.
She pulled a hand through her long curly brown hair, pulling lightly on one of the red strands, slowly prying open her dark violet eyes, before yawning once again. She couldn't help but giggle when she made her cat ears twitch, the two triangles barely visible in her hair unless she was right in the sunlight.
She slowly walked over to her dresser, which was the only other thing in her lone dark red bedroom, before changing into a casual long sleeve V-neck black shirt, onyx shorts, and a pair of leather boots.
Finally, she looked herself over in a mirror, before smiling a dastardly smile, making fingers guns with her hands before shooting herself in the mirror, "Bang bang, bitch." She grinned, pulling the dark red hoodie from the mirror.
She then did what any other sane person would do.
…She used her hoodie as a pillow and prepared to take another nap on the floor.
That plan, of course, was interrupted at the sound of something banging on the door.
She groaned, before rising from the floor. She ripped the door open, leaning on it casually, not caring that there was a demon in heavy looking armor waiting on the other side, "What?" She groaned, rubbing her eyes, as she looked over the demon's long golden yellow tail. He seemed to be a lion demon.
And those guys only had one type of job down here.
The demon stiffened, only to sigh, "Are you…Lilim Akuhei?" He asked. Something about the way he held himself made it seem as if he already knew the answer.
She couldn't help but cringe at the sound of her "legal" first name, before forcing a laugh, gesturing to the empty living room and hallway behind her, "No one else lives here, my dude." She smiled, before doing a sort of mock bow, "I'd prefer Kuro, if you'd please. At your service…Sorry, who are you?"
"I was sent here of the official business of the royal guard." He said, bowing ever so politely to the rather crude girl.
"I Already knew THAT," She snickered, wondering how long it would take to break this guy, "I'd like a name, 'Mr. demon guard'."
Even with the helmet over his head, she could feel his composure slowly fade, "…Marax."
"Nice to meet ya, Mar."
"…Please don't call me that."
"Fine, Mar-Mar." Kuro said in a real innocent tone, giggling like a little girl.
The guard seemed to tense, as if he could see right through the façade, before unraveling what looked like a long scroll, the very sight making Kuro yawn, "As of this year, the records show us that you are now of age to attend the prince's 20,000th year party tonight. This party is the one where-."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know." Kuro cut him off, yawning, "The whole 'Choosing Ceremony' thing. Don't waste your time explaining."
The guard sighed, "Then you know why you must show up."
"Oh, I know why I need to go." Kuro sighed, rubbing the back of her head.
Kuro could practically feel the relief on Marax's face, "Does this mean that you'll attend?"
The poor guard lost all hope, when Kuro grinned, "Nope!" She cackled, before slamming the door on his face.
Once she was sure that the guard wasn't about to throw down her door, Kuro did what she normally did on days like these.
She plopped herself down on the couch.
Doing a little cat stretch, she sighed, eyes coming to a bit too close. Humans had the ten commandments, but Kuro had the golden rule:
"Thou shalt not give two shits about what bystanders think of thou lazy-ass habits."
Especially in the morning.
Or…Honestly, it was hard to know when it was morning when you live in a place akin to a red sun…
Eh, who's keeping count here, it's hell!
She jumped when another knock came to the door, feeling her non-existent heart beating out of her chest, before she rose, "Why does everyone decide to bother me in the damn morning!?" She groaned, before ripping open the door, "I don't want your damn girl scout- Oh." Kuro grinned, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly, as she looked over her bulky neighbor, "Hey, Vale."
The tiger demon, more formally known as Valefor, growled lightly. Aero blue eyes stared into her black soul, spiky blond hair holding some black as well as bits of grey. He wore his usual attire, a striped dark orange and charcoal tank top over his broad chest, with long eerie black jeans, and bare feet. His orange and black-striped tail flickered with annoyance, "I hate it when you call me Vale. Stop calling me Vale."
"Like I would care, Vale." Kuro yawned, before giving him a weary look, "Why you even here? You never come by, unless it's real serious."
"You don't have a choice."
"…I'm sorry, bro?"
"To go to the 'party' tonight." Valefor sighed, acting all irritated as he leaned on the wall, blowing some of his hair out of his face, "You really don't have a choice. You'll be forced to go whether you like it or not."
Kuro gave him a look, before breaking into another fit of laughter, "What are they gonna do?" She scoffed, before smirking, "Drag me to the damn ceremony by force?"
"Yes."
Kuro blinked, "…You're shitting me."
"Not in any way, shape or form, no." Valefor insisted, "I've seen it happen."
"What happens if you're on contract?"
"It's too late for you to try and use that excuse, they already know that you're here."
"And if I was up there for a bit?"
"We both know that you can't do that."
"…Damn." Kuro murmured, before groaning, "So, I really got no choice."
"That's what I've been trying to tell you." Valefor groaned, holding his head, his tail whipping from side to side with aggravation, before he finally sighed, "Look, whatever you decide to do, don't be an idiot and put your life on the line for something as stupid and trivial as this."
Kuro gave him a cheeky grin, "Will do. I've learned from the last time." She threw in, hoping that Valefor wouldn't get the hidden message.
To her surprise, he didn't seem to, as he nodded, "Good. It'll be a shame to lose a neighbor with your…Temperament."
"You know I don't understand big words!" Kuro yelled, as he closed the door to his apartment behind him, only to have her do the same.
Kuro groaned, holding her head, before plopping herself onto the couch, "…I had a morning of nothing but snooze planned…" Kuro groaned, before looking to the clock. She had a bit of time before she was forced to go to this stupid party.
She had wanted to take a nap till then, but thanks to the guard and Vale, that "I-woke-up-and-want-to-go-to-sleep" feeling was long gone. And if she had time to kill, she knew where she was going…
Right before she left, she went back into her bedroom, pulling open the drawer of her vanity. Inside was a single ring, with a band of silver, and a gem of red ruby.
Shoving it into her short's pocket, she patted it twice like a good-luck ritual, before going for the door, shoving her hands comfortably into her hoodie pockets.
Even if she did live in a more rural part of Rift, she had to admit, she could have done worse.
Such as the very place she'd decided to hang out till the time came.
It was a run-down place, once a popular bar, now a place where she got her jobs. A place known as "Roaring Fire", simply a hole in the wall now.
Kuro opened up the door, smirking from under her hood when the chatter stopped. She shoved her hands into her pockets, walking right down the center, right to the bar stools.
She took a seat on one of the nicer stools, swinging it from side to side, before grinning up at the demon behind the counter, "Think you can get me something a bit stronger than normal, Shax?"
The first thing you think when you see this is guy that he's, well…Damn sexy. He had what any other women would want, and what men would kill to have (you read that right, kill to HAVE). His rust red hair was up in its usual ponytail, his bangs sticking up in a pretty hot way, covering his copper-colored eyes holding a bit of mystery. Two fox ears perked from the two sides of his head, one bent downwards slightly, as if he were listening to the ground.
He dressed as any other professional, the white dress shirt, the black dress pants, the whole thing.
Shax sighed, giving Kuro a look, only to have her return it in a mocking way," Come on, I don't have all day."
Shax gave her a look, before nodding with understanding, "…You're of age?"
"No fuck." Kuro murmured, as he mixed the drink, "You know, I thought I'd be lucky this time around. I really did. Last year, the age was lifted, but this year, it's lowered! The hell!?"
"…The prince this year is…Different." Shax murmured, before sliding her the drink, "…The Crow prince, I've heard them call him. He's…Well…you'll have to meet him to find out."
Kuro nodded, taking a sip, before sighing, "You know, for being 19,000 years old, I don't feel a day over 19."
"That…Is not a good thing."
Kuro stuck her tongue out, her inner child showing through, before she took a larger sip, "Oh well, that's future me's problem."
"…Thinking like that…Could get you executed." Shax murmured, as he cleaned the counter top.
Kuro tilted her head, her grin filled with bloodlust, as she licked her pointed canines, "They'd have to catch me first."
"That wouldn't be too much of a task for them."
"Asshole." Kuro muttered, before looking around, "Hey, where's Abraxas?"
"Still on his contract," Shax murmured, before his eyes flickered up to give Kuro a knowing look, "At least, that is what he last told me."
"I'm amazed you still trust his word." Kuro snickered, throwing the contents down her throat, enjoying the sharp kick it held, "This is the same Abraxas that breathes lies, right?"
"It is one thing for him to lie to me," Shax murmured, "It is another to lie to me about something that matters. So, what if he is not here? Let him do as he wishes; no one can control him anyway."
Kuro shrugged, "True. Not that I'd care much either way. Between you and me, I'm a bit too…lethargic to do more than talk."
"I wasn't aware that you knew what that word meant."
"Shut up." She murmured, before holding out her glass, "Refill."
Shax bowed, taking the now empty glass, "Yes, my lord." He said, his dry tone as sarcastic as it could get, had it not been for the fact that he never spoke in any other way.
"Oh, shut up." Kuro growled back, only to grin, "It's 'yes, my lady'; you low life fox demon."
Shax shook his head, walking off, right as someone else sat down on her right. She didn't bother to glance up, her left hand stretching out her fingers, "Someone's here early. What happened this time, Zagan? Did your ugly mug get turned down again?"
Said demon was bald, with bitter-lemon yellow eyes and teeth that looked like they'd recently ripped someone's throat out. He wore his signature brown leather coat over his bare chest, along with jeans made up of the skin of others he's defeated over the years.
At least, that's what he likes to say. But, from what Kuro knew, the skin of a demon could be leather-like, but not denim-like.
Oh well.
But, for as threatening as he looked, he merely laughed, before slapping Kuro's back, "Like anyone would ever like your rotten face!"
Kuro laughed with him, punching right back, "I'm hoping for it."
Shax sighed, "You should have chosen a mate by now, Kuro. You know how dangerous this whole 'Choosing Ceremony' can be."
Kuro nodded, only to sigh, "But I don't want to be weight down by some male demon!" She whined.
Shax merely shrugged, "It's better than being chosen by a prince. Even if the chances are small."
Zagan grinned, "Yeah, no way you'd get chosen! Besides, we wouldn't let that happen!"
Kuro couldn't help but feel touched, only to shake her head, "What will you do? Break me out?" She asked, before yawning. A nap really did sound right about now.
"I don't see why not!" Zagan laughed loudly, pounding the counter top with a bit too much force, the action making Kuro jump a bit, alert, while Shax to stop wiping down a glass.
"Do you mind? Counters are, like everything else, very expensive." Shax murmured in a calm yet irritated tone.
Kuro laughed, rubbing the back of her head, "In the guy's defense, have you seen him? Dude's a walking beefcake. He could high five someone with too much force and turn their hand into a red stain."
Shax nodded, before sighing, "Poor Belial."
"His fault for taking Zagan's drink," Kuro shrugged, before chuckling, "Just imagine, 'Here lies Belial. Full of pride. Full of ignorance. Full of stupidity'."
"…You have a special type of humor." Shax murmured.
"True that."
"It's better I fight then she does." Zagan said in his defense, shaking a bit at the thought, "At least I know when to stop."
"You also know how to break everything in my bar." Shax countered, "She has the decency to take a conflict outside."
"Come on, Zagan's fights don't get that bad." Kuro defended.
"…His last fight cost me over ten thousand gold, and more than half of my customers." Shax murmured, before gesturing to the more-or-less empty bar.
"Don't give me that crap." Kuro murmured jokingly, letting loose a large burp, before giggling, "The punishment was hard enough. If I hadn't offered to step in and help, Zagan would still be working it off."
Kuro shivered at the memory: washing dishes for a month. Nothing worse than repetitive and boring work done over and over again.
Her worst nightmare.
"For the damage he caused, it was only fair." Shax explained, before staring daggers into Zagan, "It wasn't as bad as what I made Zagan do."
Zagan scowled, "You made me work my ass off!" He growled, taking a rather large swing of his drink, "Besides, why doesn't she get screwed for taking guys out and coming back in alone? Have you seen the back alleys?"
"I don't own the back alley, so whatever happens there is not my problem." Shax murmured, "You, on the other hand, have managed to break three tables, over ten chairs, and this is my fourth counter this month."
"Ouch." Kuro winced, elbowing Zagan, "Calm the fuck down."
"Not to mention the injuries that have happened in here because of you." Shax added on.
"Injures?" Zagan guffawed, "You know as well as I do that it could have been much worse. Just be happy I didn't get my hand on a demon's sword."
Kuro laughed lightly, "Hell forbid that crap. I'd rather not get all slashed up like a sack of meat." Kuro murmured, "Speaking of which, humans are the worse, you know?"
Shax nodded, "Agreed."
"I love how damn ignorant they are. They think that the only way to solve a problem is to summon something from the pits of hell to clean up whatever mess they decide to leave behind." Kuro laughed, drinking the rest, before grinning, "They're like children blaming each other."
"You make it sound as if demon children are any better. What is worse; a demon child or a human child?" Shax questioned, for once, giving her all of his attention for once.
Kuro scowled, "Human child all the way. Have you seen them? They're such brats. It's two of the things I hate most together, brats and humans, all mixed into the form of a child." Kuro concurred, "Don't even get me started on how they are when they're rich."
"Like you're any different half the time." Zagan said, half sneer half grin.
"Shut it." Kuro murmured, sticking her tongue out, looking goofy rather than threatening.
Zagan nodded, "Yep, it's clear, you'll always act like a fucking child." He snickered, throwing his boots up onto the counter, as he leaned back.
"Bite me."
"Maybe I will."
Kuro wrinkled her nose, "Damn, Shax, help me out here!" She said, her voice taking the tone of a whining child.
Shax sighed, before giving Zagan a look, "If you keep this up, I won't save you from her wrath. Also, get your filthy boots off of my counter."
Zagan sighed, throwing his boots off, as he rubbed his head, "If I can ask, Kuro; what'll you do if they choose you?" He yawned.
Kuro shrugged, "Well, honestly; I don't know yet. I don't care much to stay with the gossip with the devils, so, I don't know much about the Crow prince."
"How can you, like, not know of the Crow prince!?"
Kuro tuned to the new voice, giving the new girl a look over, "…I'm sorry, who are you?"
She had short blond hair, one eyes a deep red, the other blank black. Other than those eyes, she was quite a looker. Maybe, if she'd kept quiet, and if she had the same colored eyes, she might have had a chance to pick up some demon guy.
Maybe the tattoo of a snake slithering up her collar bone was a good clue, or the dark red low-cut dress, but it was obvious what kind of demon she was.
The succubus chuckled, "Andras. Not that you low-lives would know who I am. I'm not a filthy commoner like you…demons." She then made a face, before leaning on the counter like she owned the place, sending Shax a rather suggestive smirk, "These peasants…Could you get me a big girl drink, honey?"
Shax was silent as he handed her a drink, not trusting his tongue to say anything, ignoring the suggestive wink she sent him, "Anyway, you're lucky that I'd bother sticking around here with you casuals."
"You make it sound like I care," Kuro shrugged, "Nice snake, by the way; I didn't know that they had slut snakes." She murmured more to herself, which only Zagan seemed to hear if the smile on his face said anything, before giving her a pointed look, "But what kind of dirt do you have on this Crow prince?"
"He's only the best thing in hell!" She said, her sultry tone making it that more obvious what was going on in her head, "I mean, last year's prince was hot, but this guy is gorgeous!"
"…Last year? You mean…Ugh." Kuro murmured, not wanting to finish. News travels fast in the depths of hell, especially when the prince of the year was a viper demon. With that thought, no wonder this chick was into the whole "getting chosen" thing, "Dude's teeth didn't even fit into his mouth. I'd hate for my first kiss to be my last, with that constant stream of venom."
Andras hissed, her snake-like pupils narrowing, "Watch your mouth, kitty cat." She growled, shooting up from her spot at the bar.
"You had better watch your own, Ms. Hiss." Kuro mumbled, watching the succubus out, before looking over her cup, "Hey, Shax; refill."
"…You're lucky I think highly of you." Shax murmured, taking away her glass before setting another one in its place, inspecting the claw-like marks that Kuro had left in the glass with a frown.
"You just got done grilling us for destroying your bar." Zagan pointed out, a large burp leaving his mouth.
"She's slightly better than you. At least she has half the mind to drag the person outside for a fight." Shax muttered, before walking away to serve someone else within the bar.
"…Why the hell do you think that dame was around?" Zagan muttered into his cup, a rather dark expression on him. Yet another thing dangerous about the brute, he's unpredictable. Even with as many jobs she's done with the guy, Kuro still had a hard time reading him. He'd jump from angry to happy or crying to laughing in no time at all.
"Who knows?" Kuro admitted, taking in the bar she already knew too well, "I'll never understand what a life of mad screwing will get you; but hey, who cares? They're still around and they do stuff, I guess; so why complain?"
To this, Zagan simply shrugged, returning to a rather casual and tranquil state of nature, as Shax walked back around, "Could be worse; like being chosen by a prince."
Kuro then turned to Shax, who had gone back to cleaning up behind the bar, "What does this year's prince even look like? I keep hearing 'Crow prince this' and 'Crow prince that', what's so good about this guy!?"
Zagan shrugged, "I've only seen him once, and even then, it was just a quick glance. All I remember are wine-red eyes."
"He is known to be quite the looker," Shax threw out, looking as nonchalant as he normally did, "To both genders, if I may add."
"That's just…disturbing." Kuro groaned, nearly spitting back up her drink, "Nothing against the gays, but still."
"Well, what do you want in the special demon?" Shax asked, mildly interested.
"Someone who doesn't mind me napping whenever I want, waking up when I want, and being an all-around child." Kuro admitted.
"Thought you hated kids." Zagan teased.
"I don't like kids; I can't change the fact that I act like them at times." Kuro shrugged, before shaking her head, "Back to the prince, give me the details…You know, if you have any."
"I hear that he's one of those favored princes." Zagan snickered, one hand on his cup while the other kept a grip on his knife, "You know, one of those 'hell's most cherished and adored'. Quite the ego on this guy."
"Because chicks dig a guy with an ego bigger than his head." Kuro cackled darkly, before shooting Shax a wink, "if you know what I'm trying to say."
Shax scoffed slightly, not even bothering to look up at her, "Do not speak of such things."
"Sure thing, dad." Kuro grinned.
A few more silent moments passed on, before Kuro rose from her seat, throwing some cash onto the table, "Well, I best be off."
Shax gave the clock a look, "The ceremony is planned to start in half an hour."
"Yep."
"You don't have a dress."
"Agreed."
"It takes an hour to get from here to the castle."
"Wow, you really do know a hell of a lot." Kuro grinned, before walking out the door, bowing, "Till I have time to bother you two again, I'll see you fuckers later."
With one last yawn, she closed the door behind her, leaving the two to themselves.
Finally, Shax sighed, "…I worry for her."
"I don't see why," Zagan muttered, downing his drink, "You know just as well as I that she can hold her own."
"It's the pride and defiance that comes with that which makes me re-think." Shax muttered, about to go on, only to shake his head. She was a big girl; she knew what she was doing. As childish as she was, she knew how the world worked.
With that final thought, Shax moved to serve a customer who sat in a darker corner of the bar, "Zagan, I will not warn you twice; feet off the counter." He shouted over his shoulder.
"Damnit! To hell with you!"
"…"
"…Oh."
"Will you look at that. The Crow looks presentable."
The second of the two laughed where he stood, the dark powerful sound resonating through the empty dark red and black halls, "You're not jealous now, are we, Araneae?"
"Hardly. I'm just not use to you acting sophisticated." The first retorted, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, "Not that it would have mattered either way, you always were one of father's favorites."
"Don't be swift to forget it." Wine colored eyes closed as a cruel smile pulled across the mouth of the famed Crow prince.
"Not that I'll care either way," Araneae hissed, crossing his arms over his chest, as the two looked through the dark window, watching as the servants of the castle quickly put together the party, "You'll find a girl, be her mate, and I'll never have to deal with you again."
"You make it sound as if residing alongside someone like you is a reward." The Crow scowled, the dark shadow behind him growing bigger, as black feathers fell to the floor, "Not that it will matter; a few more hours, and I will be able to pick a girl of my choosing. You'll have to wait your turn, little spider."
With that, the Crow walked away, trailing his large shadow to cover him. Left behind, Araneae scowled, pushing his glasses up over steely golden eyes.
"Soon, you dirty Crow, soon…"
Amy: Hey, Crim.
Me: Yeh?
Amy: Where do you keep coming up with these guys?
Me: You'll have to explain a bit more.
Amy: *Points to Kuro* Do you even know how many OC's you've made at this point?
Me: Honestly?
Azazel: You're either always around here or slowly forgotten.
Me: Hey, you shush, I'm planning a sequel for you.
Azazel: R-really!?
Me: Yes, haven't we been over this? I'm pretty sure we've been over this.
Lilith: And yet, the people are still waiting on my sequel, not that I'm in any rush.
Kuro: Finally, someone that's not constantly in a hurry.
Erin: God, she can speak!
Kuro: I may be lazy, but yes, even I know how to open my mouth.
Amy: Well that's a new trait in your characters.
Me: Wanted to try something different.
Katrina: Hey, where have I heard that before?
Me: Shut up brainiac. Besides, Kuro is a cat demon. Cat's are lazy.
Miu: I f-for one thinks t-that she'll be a g-great addition!
Azazel: That's what you say about all of them.
Miu: W-we don't h-have many optimistic people here.
Lilith: Finally, something that comes out of your mouth that we can all agree on.
Amy: So, how does it feel to be an OC?
Kuro:...
Amy:...Hello?
Kuro:...
Lilith: Well, for someone so lethargic, she can also be rather rude.
Erin: True and same.
Lilith: Shut it, you.
Kuro:...Zzz...
Amy: Fucker, I'm about to slap some sense into this piece of-
Katrina: You half-minded cretin; she's asleep.
Amy:...Crim...What have you made?
Me: Honestly? I don't know yet.
We'll find out soon enough.
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, drop a review if you did, and I'll see you guys next chappy!
Till then, bai bai!
