A/N: Hey guys! It's been a while, ne? This chapter took a lot of work and may be a little confusing but I'll explain it later on. I cant believe I got as many requests that I did for one. Thanks everyone who reviewed and added this story to their Favorites or Alerts. Makes me very happy. Well guys enjoy. Just a little warning though. This chapter has some dark elements and a evil little girl. But that's just spoilers so if you can master that then read on and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Pet Shop of Horrors or Kingdom Hearts 2. God knows I don't earn squat from this.
Malice Alice
"My child, my beautiful little girl, she's gone," sobbed the woman in the corner.
"Mommy?" A small child peeked within the room, wary and cautious yet yearning to run and draw the woman to her arms. To heal her, make her stop crying.
To make the rain stop.
"Mommy." The child tried again, this time taking a step closer.
SMACK!
"You devil! Give her back to me!" the woman screamed.
"M-Mom-" Another slap silenced the girl and the woman grabbed hold of her fair hair, screaming and scratching the poor girl.
At last, the butler's arms arrived and pulled her away while a maid began tending to her wounds. With each drag, the woman screamed, "Devil child! Devil child! Child of a Whore!"
……………………………
" 'Welcome to Count M Petshop. We have a wide selections of animals to choose from. Birds, cats, lizards, dogs - what you want is what we have.' Yeah, along with half animals and half humans," Naruto muttered beneath his breath.
"Half what?"
"Agh!" Naruto jumped and toppled over his chair, facing a reddish brunette with large blue eyes he straightened and composed himself, righting his chair and sitting on it.
"Hey Kairi," he muttered.
"Good morning to you too, grumpy head," Kairi frowned, crossing her arms. "Didn't mean to scare you."
"I know, I'm sorry. It's not you… Trouble, problems, you know?" Naruto gave himself a mental slap for how idiotic he sounded.
"Oh. Okay then. So why are you talking about half humans and half animals? Do you have a report to do on legends for History? Or is it something else?"
Sometimes he thought God hated him. Why else give him a nosy girl to be his companion. Hell, the two barely knew what the other's favorite color were. Mere acquaintances, that's who they were to each other.
"Yeah, something like that," Naruto answered and hid away the brochure Count M had given him.
"If you feel insecure about your position, read the guidelines. It will tell you all you need to know and more. Come back tomorrow at four o'clock for teatime okay?"
Placing his head on his hands, Naruto gave a groan. 'What have I gotten myself into?'
Throughout the day, Naruto tried to figure out an alternate plan, one that could get him the money he needed and keep his home. But no matter how many times he looked through the newspaper, he didn't found a job that gave him the same deal.
So basically, he was both stuck and screwed.
After school, Naruto made his way out, unconsciously pass the old manor where the kendo club practiced. It was still early, yet he could see someone sitting on the porch, already garbed in the uniform and a fake wooden sword leaning against the wall next to him.
"Uzumaki," the older boy greeted silently.
"Leonhart," Naruto replied, respect applied to his otherwise tone.
"You here for practice?"
He shook his head. "No. I quit, remember?"
"Huh. What a shame." Standing up, Leonhart picked up his sword and waved. "See you around."
"You too," Naruto replied but he was already gone.
…………………………
When Naruto arrived at the shop, he saw Count M already had a costumer.
He recognized her; she was the twin sister of Kairi. Nami-something. But since their parents were divorced, they didn't see much of each other, going to different schools and all.
According to rumors that is.
Not like Naruto spent time listening concerning his annoyance and her fucked up family. Wasn't any of his business and he had enough problems. So, to avoid a forced conversation he rather not have, Naruto stood to the side next to the wall, away from view.
Wished he could block out the sounds as well.
"But you must have a bird of that description. You have everything else!" the blonde girl said.
Count M managed to keep a straight face with concern etched on his features. "Miss Naminé, I can assure you. We have no birds who can mimic the voice of the deceased."
Naruto raised his eyebrows. It was official. This was one fucked up family. Better get away while he still can. Naruto walked past them towards the back doors as fast as he could without looking like a fool.
"Unfortunately, God hated him.
"Ah! Mr. Uzumaki! You're just in time for tea. Let me prepare it." With that, Count M fled the girl.
"But Count!" Naminé protested.
"I am sorry, Miss Naminé. I'm really am. But I must feed Mr. Uzumaki first. He needs to be well fed if he's to tend to the animals. Come, Mr. Uzumaki."
Having no choice, Naruto allowed himself to be taken and sat down on one of the side couches, the smell of the burning incense cooling his anger a bit.
"You're welcome to join us, Miss Naminé," the count offered and he disappear beneath a curtain.
Naminé huffed and sat down on the opposite couch, throwing her purse to the side. "Stupid M!" she muttered. "I know he has a bird like that. He has everything!" Suddenly, as though she had just realized it, she jumped forward in front of Naruto. "You're the Caretaker right? Do you know if he has one? A bird who can mimic a dead person perfectly?" she asked with false sweetness.
Pushing her away, Naruto grunted, "Don't know. It's my first day."
"Well, do you at least have a key?" she persisted.
"No. Even if I did, I care more for the bird than for you."
Her nose wrinkled distastefully at his comment, but at least she sat back and stayed quiet. That was more than he could ask for.
"Here you go everyone." Count M set the table between them, pouring tea into two cups and placed sugary treats besides them. Pouring his own cup of tea, Count M sat in a comfy chair and took a sip.
"Ahhh… Nothing's better than a nice cup of tea among friends," he sighed contently.
Naruto made no reply and reached for his cup, taking a drink. The blends of roses, chamomile, and honey filled his mouth, almost making him choke at the assault. He gave a cough and swallowed, coughing again.
The count gave him a knowing look, even as he fussed over him. "Are you alright, Mr. Uzumaki?" he asked.
"…fine. Just fine." Putting his cup down, Naruto stood up. "I should go to work now."
"Alright then. Here's the keys to all the doors," Count M gave him a ring filled with keys that were labeled. Naruto took them and gave a nod. Then, without giving Naminé a glance, he walked towards the back, unlocked the door, and went inside, closing the door behind him.
He cough again for the incense burned thickly here. Blinking his sudden watery eyes, Naruto
Made his way to the first door. He opened it with the correct key and went inside.
Splash!
The room was a poolroom, with a large tank engraved in the middle. Low candles burned on small tables that stood at each point of the square pool. On the side, fish buckets sat ready, some still moving with gaping mouths. Rolling up his sleeves, Naruto grabbed one bucket and hauled it over to the edge of the pool.
A girl peeked over the edge, watching him with colorless eyes. Blue-black hair swayed in the water that surrounded her, as did a lavender scaled fish tail. Peeking from her hair were also fins in the form of ears.
Naruto almost gave a start, but managed to hold onto the bucket. ' "We have everything," huh?' he thought bitterly. Kneeling beside the edge with the bucket in his lap, Naruto grabbed a live fish, looking at her.
"Do I throw it in or do I kill it, then give it to you?" he asked her, then smacked himself with the fish for his foolishness. "Right, I forgot. Mermaids don't talk. What do I do now?"
A hand reached out and grabbed the fish. The mermaid was now half out of the water, with her tail still inside. Quietly, she began to tear the flesh away, chewing. Naruto watched her in mute fascination, then grabbed another fish from the bucket.
"Is there more of you?" he asked, then held the wriggling fish above the water, preparing to drop it. But then a hand reached out and grabbed it. In shock and surprise, Naruto let go and jumped back. The hand stayed there, above the water, as the body of a man rose.
He, too, had colorless eyes, but his were harder and they glared at the blonde youth before him. Unlike the girl, his hair was dark, with a tint of brown. His tail, however, was the same with slightly darker purple scales, swishing behind him.
Getting up, Naruto held the bucket out to him. "Sorry. I'm new to this. Never fed a mermaid before. Never seen one before either."
In response, the merman splashed away, swimming to the side and beginning to eat the fish. Naruto watched him go, frowning. A tug of shirt made him turn to the side to see the female there.
Sighing, Naruto gave her another fish. "Is he always this much of a dick?" he asked.
She only smiled.
………………………………...
Naruto sat there by the pool, feeding the mermaids (though the male one ate his from afar, glaring at him while he ate). Soon, the fish in all the buckets were gone and Naruto left the room, locking it behind him. Then, he went to the next room, which was further down the hallway, the door a strange wooden structure with vines overlapping.
Warily, Naruto searched for the key and unlocked it, walking inside. At first, Naruto thought he had walked into the scene in Alice in Wonderland where Alice met the Rabbit and the Mad hatter. A table had been prepared, complete with tea cups and a steaming teapot, smaller plates with forks and spoons were set in a fancy manner known to the rich. Naruto narrowed his eyes. He didn't like such formal dining, hated it in fact. It was the only thing he didn't miss about his dad.
Shaking his head to shield his thoughts from going to that direction, Naruto looked around to see if the Count had left he required food around like he did with the mermaids. But there was nothing.
That was puzzling and Naruto checked again. But he still found no food and nothing to indicate where it was stored. Slowly, cautiously, Naruto walked closer to the table.
The entire scenery seemed peaceful, but Naruto's instinct told him something was wrong. What were the animals?
As he reached the table, Naruto saw that the chairs had engravings on them : Papa Bear, Mama Bear, Baby Bear, and Alice. He frowned at the names as the dread grew. Wait, wasn't it Goldilocks the girl in that story? Naruto questioned and moved to circle the table. This just kept getting puzzling and more puzzling.
"Look-a-here, Look-a-here! D-D has brought us something to give us cheer!"
Naruto stiffened, straining to hear more. But as soon as the voice finished that one line, it vanished and there was no chi or aura to indicate a person had been there. Except for a voice that had sounded feminine and throaty that gave an odd seductive thrill down his spine. His sword arm tingled for a weapon to defend himself, but he had nothing to use. Might as well be naked.
The leaves rustled but the voice came from the opposite side. "Yummy, scrumptious, he looks good enough to eat; let's pour his blood into our cups using his heartbeat. Where's the fire, where's the spit or do we eat him raw? Not to offend but I don't like my meals to get caught in my jaws."
To this, a different voice, more masculine and deep, replied, "Malice Alice, Malice Alice, should we quench your thirst? Offend us again and we shall make your heart burst!"
"Quiet dear. I think he can hear us," a quieter voice told the second. "Look how beautiful and ugly he is; his hair reminds me of pus!"
Naruto gritted his teeth, appalled by what she had said. Not that he apparently cared but still. Being judged by unseen animals isn't likely to brightened anyone's day.
He swallowed and braced his legs apart in a ready stance. Despite their insults, it sounded like they wanted to eat him. He might not have a sword but he sure as hell will not go down without a fight.
"Look-e Mommee! He wants to play! Can I enjoy him before his doomsday?" a final voice was a child's, happy and energetic.
Now that was creepy.
"Go ahead; we'll eat him soon enough. However, if he hurts you, we'll remove his guts," warned the male voice.
With a happy shriek, something broke away from the trees and flew in his direction, landing on the chair marked "Baby Bear." Naruto widened his eyes as he looked at what must be the most beautiful bird in the world. It had a short, pointy beak and a small head with large, red eyes. But its feathers glowed red and gold under the bright lights that might have resembled a sun. He couldn't believe that this bird and three others that were possibly like it were planning to eat him.
Suddenly, the small firebird flashed and before him, now sitting in the chair, was a little boy dressed in red and gold kimonos that were so long that they completely hid his feet. His eyes were red, yet his hair was a mass of gold.
He gave an adorable smile and chirped, "Hello nii-chan! Do you want to play with me in the sand?" he asked, pointing to a covered box behind the tables, hidden by the trees' shadows.
Wanting to prolong his demise, Naruto nodded and carefully followed the bird, warily watching the trees for other movement. He sat down inside the box of sand and tried to pay attention to both the baby bird/boy while keeping a eye for his parents and that other one.
The one they had called "Malice Alice."
……………………………
"Please M! I'm begging!" pleaded the silver haired girl who was now kneeling on the floor before the count, unshed tears filling her blue eyes and making them shine.
Count M frowned and rubbed his temples. Damn, but this girl was persistent. Were all the women of the Genova family like this? He knew Kairi wasn't but that was about it. He suppose it came from the men and were rubbed off on the women.
Yeah, that made sense.
"No Naminé, I mean it this time. We have no bird that contains what you desire. Perhaps something else can-"
"Nothing will make her smile again unless she hears her voice," Naminé said in a whisper. "And I don't mean from a home video. I mean something close to real life. She cant keep living like this. I can keep living like this. Please M. I don't care about the price. As long as it makes her smile, even for a little while."
Count M sighed and drew Naminé to her feet and off the floor. "Does that woman means that much to you, even after all she has done?" he asked her quietly.
She bend her head and unconsciously rubbed her right arm, where underneath the cashmere laid a new bruise. She nodded and said, "Yes."
"Well then," the count stood and pulled on her uninjured arm, "I believe it is time I get you acquainted with Malice Alice."
……………………………
"…eight….nine…ten! Ready or not, here I come!" Naruto moved around, looking into the trees first, knowing where the firebird would hide itself. But also knowing a child's frustration at being found too early, he skimmed his eyes over the little boy and walked away from that particular tree.
The games have been going on for at least thirty minutes, having made small detailed castles in the sand before changing into a game of tag until finally playing hide-n-go seek. It had been strangely fun and Naruto could find himself liking the little guy. Too bad the situation wasn't different.
"How sweet. The boy's a real treat!" praised the one he thought to be the boy's mother.
"Damn, my hunger is ebbing," complained the male and possibly the father. "I no longer have the craving."
Naruto tried to show his relief at their change of hearts. After all, there was that last one and she hasn't spoken.
Finally, he professed his defeat to which the bird flew out and changed to tackle him with a hug.
"Mommee! Mommee! He's so fine! Can we please not let him die?" the boy now asked his mother.
"Oh please. Enough with all this barf. D-D gave him to us so let us-"
"Just a moment, Malice Alice."
Naruto turned to see the Count come in, Naminé right beside him. His face betrayed no emotion, yet he eyed the girl intently. Exactly what had she done to get her way? He wouldn't be surprised if it was of sexual nature but looking at Count M, he just couldn't see it.
Oh well, desperate people did desperate things and Naminé did looked desperate.
Count M extended his arm, revealing that he wore a leather glove. "Come out, my kawaii Malice Alice."
The trees actually swayed as a strong wind moved them. Feathers of dark colors of purple and blue, fell like rain over them. Through the mass, Naruto could make a bird-like shape flying within and landing on the gloved hand.
This was no bird. It had a long neck that ended in a narrow-shaped head that opened into jaws, not a beak. It's limits grew feathered wings that were black that fell into purple feathered legs that ended in claws and finally it had a long, feathered tail that had a streak of purple into an ocean of blue.
"Malice Alice had been chosen; lucky for her. Who's the unfortunate to perish under her curse?" Two more birds broke from the trees and flashed to the Count's side. Two more birds, firebirds like their son, fluttered to a stop on the ground beside him.
"Don't say things like that. You'll scare the costumer away," Count M scolded. He turned to the girl next to him. "Now Malice, will you please change for me?" The monster squawked and burst into a heap of feathers. When they all landed, a strange, black skinned girl wearing a small dress that stuck to her form. She had short, red hair and startling blue eyes.
Naminé gasped and began to shake hard. "T-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-t-that's," she stammered.
Count M reached to place an arm around Malice Alice's shoulders. "Nope, this is not who you think it is. This is my priceless bird, a very rare breed found only in the remote parts of North Korea. She can mimic the voices of the dead and even has the ability to act out the part. It is even believed that the soul takes residence within its body. So you might tell that parting with this beauty with be a very high cost. Tell me, Naminé, can you handle her?"
Wordlessly, Naminé held out her arm. Malice Alice looked at it, cocking her head. "Hmm, hmm, let us see. Should I choose or let her be?" she asked herself, her facing taking on a thoughtful expression. The silence that followed was long and filled with tension until suddenly one of the firebirds changed in a male individual and smacked her on the head.
"Choose damn you! We don't have all day. Choose now or you'll regret it if you stay!" he growled in warning, looking like a older and fiercer version of the little boy.
"Ma, Ma, you'll a real bother, Wok. To tell you the truth, I don't really give a fuck," Malice Alice said, rubbing her head. "But since you so kindly asked, D-D, and simply because you are the best. Maybe I'll say yes."
"Wheee!! Malice Alice, you're the best!" Count M drew the girl into a embrace. "Thank you very much!"
Naruto could feel a trickle of sweat trail down the back of his head. He's acting as though Naminé had already bought her. Damn con-artist. Naruto thought, moving forward towards the Count. "Hey Count. About the food for these birds-"
"Oh Mr. Uzumaki! Why are you here?" the Count asked as though he just saw him there then. "I thought I said this place was off limits."
"You what?" the boy repeated. "You ass! You didn't say a damn thing!"
"Oh, I didn't? Whoopsie! Thank goodness I came in time!" the count sighed in relief.
"That bastard…" Naruto gripped his fists and nearly rose them, but stopped himself from showing anymore emotion than was necessary. Cool down, cool down. Stay calm. Finally, he just muttered, "Whatever," and left the room to go to the next.
Stupid count.
……………………………
"Good morning, Naruto!"
"Fuck off, Kairi," he grumbled, turning the next page. Damn, it's not this one either. Ever since the Count sold that bird monster to Naminé, Naruto has gotten a feeling of dread. Especially since he had a personal experience what the Count's animals can do. After he left, Naruto feed some other animals, normal ones like dogs and parrots, but when he checked on the first two doors, the keys didn't work anymore. If that wasn't suspicious, the Count then tried to play dumb by saying he didn't know what he was talking about.
He moved his chair to the side, just as a heavy book landed on the table where his head used to be. "You're such a bastard Naruto. All I said was hello," Kairi scolded him and lightly tapped him with the book this time.
"And I told you not to bother me. Now go away, I'm busy," he grumbled, and turned back to the book.
"Hey, why are you looking at ancient myths for?" Kairi took the book away from him.
"Kai-ri," Naruto growled angrily. "Did you just wake up to annoy me today?"
"Not really. I'm really just wondering what you're doing. You're so quiet sometimes," she said, flipping through the pages.
Naruto gritted his teeth. Finally he sighed. "By the way, how's your twin, Naminé?" he asked. "Seen her lately?"
Kairi looked at him with a start. "You know my sister?" she asked. "Since when?"
Since she came to my boss asking for a fucked up bird. "Just a few days ago. She seemed a little down. Is she okay?" she asked.
"She's fine, last I heard. She lives with my stepmother so we don't talk often." Kairi put down the book, its pages flipping back to a particular page with a very familiar picture. "Why do you ask? You have a crush or something?"
Naruto didn't answer. His eyes were locked onto the creature on the page. "Very rare… North Korea… able to mimic the dead….' he read and the dread rose.
He was right. That thing was no bird. Hell, it only fit in that category because it had feathers. Naruto stood and began to ran from the class, dragging Kairi behind him.
"Hey! What at you- Class isn't-"
"Shut up!" He took her out and forced her in front of him. "Just shut up and show me where you sister lives."
"Okay Naruto. I think you seriously have a prob-"
Naruto grabbed her shoulders and forced her to look at him. "Kairi, God may smite me if I'm lying, but I think your sister is in trouble and if we don't hurry, it'll be too late."
"What happened? What did you do to Naminé?" Kairi demanded, furiously and beginning to struggle as he continued to drag her along.
"Not me. Him," Naruto growled. Damn it, M! What the hell were thinking!
"The Croan - a demon flyer that plays with the wishes of the living. Can mimic the dead and absorbs the soul into its body for full possession. However, the beast is very crafty and cruel, and demands many sacrifices. Known for its love of gore and blood."
……………………………
Ten minutes later, Naruto and Kairi exited the cab they had hailed. He stopped at the sight of a very familiar person and threw more than enough bills to the driver, before stomping towards the person who stood by the door.
"Good morning, Mr. Uzumaki! School let out early today?" Count M asked. He blinked at the sight of Kairi. "Ah! Kairi. It's been while."
"Count! What are you doing here?" Kairi went up to hug him.
Naruto didn't comment. There was something wrong; his blood was raising, his heart thumping. Slowly, in a trance, Naruto entered the house.
It was a large townhouse, with many windows, antique drawer, and ancient doors. Everything was priceless and matched the current fashion.
Ba-dump!
Naruto walked past all this, his eyes skimming past the bloodied bodies on the floor. By their dress, he recognized them to be the servants and the butler. Otherwise, he doubted their own mothers would have recognized them.
Ba-dump!
He made his way to the staircase in the middle, the steps glistening red in the sunlight. Avoiding t he puddles, Naruto climbed them to the second floor, where he heard soft singing and quiet whimpers from a room.
Ba-dump!
"Mother, mother, why does it hurts?
When you touch me, my skin seems to burst.
Look how red it became.
You should be ashamed.
When I'm through with you, you'll resemble but a pile of goo!"
Ba-dump!
Naruto felt it, a hot rush of feeling he usually got when he was in danger or in a fight. That hidden instinct that drew him to animals filled him, controlled him, made him calm and ready. He pushed open the door, revealing the hell within.
Ba-dump-mp-mp-mp-mp-mp-mp-mp!
The beast had surely taken her time. There were four bodies, each mangled and torn, only each one looked older after another, like in stages, as though she killed them one day and the next another one. He recognized more servants but the fourth one was different, an older woman with fashionable clothes. Her tangled blonde hair hid her face and her hands were missing some fingers. She the one who looked most recent and tortured the worst.
Naruto turned from them, feeling nothing towards their deaths. They're human, they deserved it. He felt no surprise by that sudden thought. It felt natural saying that, as though it were the truth. He walked further in, looking around the apparent bedroom. Finally, his cold eyes singled out who he came for.
"Ahhh…."
She was bruised and bloodied, but otherwise unhurt. Her hair had been stained a hellish red and her clothes were in rags, barely able to keep her decent.
Coming forward, he said to her, "You were willing to cause all this, for a stupid bird?"
Her lips moved, but no words formed. Instead, she sobbed into her hands, the sound bringing a distant memory from the human spirit to the mind of the now occupying monster.
A small, petite woman laid into a fetal position, sobbing, her small shoulders shaking. Blood and forming bruises were around her face, her wrists black from being tied.
A small boy of six watched on helpless, his condition no better than hers. Still, he tried to offer comfort but that only served to make her cry harder.
"I'm so sorry, Naruto," she cried. "Please forgive your mother. Please forgive me."
"Malice Alice, come out. Appear before me," he said, the words spewing out in a angry tone.
Laughter could be heard, the high pitched giggles of a little girl. "Dai Yoko, Dai Yoko calls me out. Be quiet, you don't need to shout." Malice Alice appeared in between him and Naminé, a pleased smile on her face.
"My name is Naruto, Malice. Get it right," he growled.
Malice giggled and tapped to the side so she faced him. "So, Naru-Naru, why the face? Are you said because your girlfriend is in disgrace?" she asked, then poked the body of the dead rich woman with the toe of her boot. "This one was happy to see me; she smiled for a day. However, D-D said no showing and now she had to pay. She deserved every blow that she gave to her." Here she pointed at Naminé. "But I avenged her so don't be a cur. Did you come to scold me, or did you come to play? Or did you come to take her out and throw her away?"
"Neither. Count M is waiting outside. It's time to go back," he held up his hand.
Malice looked at Naminé. "What about her? Naru-Naru's being a cur. She is my master or did you forget? Seeing how you ran away, maybe you did, I'll bet!"
"No, Malice Alice. She's not your master anymore." Count M entered, carrying Kairi over his shoulder. "Remember? Once she showed you to someone, the contract is nullified. Now listen to your Caretaker."
Malice Alice looked at both men, and then she turned to Naminé and said, "Bye bye, little master. Hope you like your freedom from the bastard. Alright, alright. I'll go. Only because D-D and Naru-Naru told me so!" She changed and landed on Naruto's shoulders where she changed back, taking his dark side with her.
He blinked suddenly as the feeling and pressure was gone. "What are we going to do with the bodies?" she asked the Count, wincing as Malice Alice began to nip at his hair.
"Oh, I'll think of something. Don't worry about it, Naruto. In the meantime, could you possibly return Malice back to the shop for me?" the count asked.
Shrugging, Naruto held the girl's legs that were draped over his shoulders. "Fine but don't hurt either of them. Kairi had nothing to with it and Naminé, well you could say Naminé learned her lesson." he said and left.
Smiling, Count M watched the boy left. "Oh I wont, don't worry," he whispered and looked at Naminé. Only his right eye wasn't blue anymore. It was black.
……………………………
"You see, Naruto? There was nothing wrong with my sister. You scared me for nothing," Kairi scolded him the next day. From what he says, the count had done something to her to alter her memory. Thank goodness because he didn't want to explain yesterday's massacre.
"Yeah. False alarm, I guess." But what was that pressure? he asked himself, remembering the feeling and the lack of humanity it had brought. He turned the page and skimmed down the D's until he found what he sought.
"Dai Yoko- A large tailed demon fox. Maximum tails - nine. Lowest - one. Known as the Devil's Caretaker. Keeps other demons from running lose and sometimes acts like executioner. Also see Devil, Satan."
Hmph. Sound like what the count had him do. This new job of his. A caretaker. And what had Malice Alice called him? D-D. D. Devil.
Sighing, Naruto laid back on his chair. Yep. God hates me.
……………………………
"Well?" Count M asked the woman. She had changed again, only this time to her true form. Her skin was still black but with a lighter tone. Her hair was a dark purple and her eyes were a deep gray. She had striped legging and a dress that came to mid-thighs, tattered yet decent enough.
"Hmm…" She swung her legs childishly while taking on a thoughtful expression. "The Dai Yoko? I liked him a lot. But he should be careful cause I think he's hot." She jumped into the count's arms, toppling over into the couch.
"Malice Alice, Malice Alice, you are such a whore," a red furred fox purred, dropping her arms around the count's shoulders. "However, if that's your honest thoughts about him then maybe I should have a go?"
"Not now, Kyuubi. You'll have a turn." Count M patted her head. "After all, the nightmare is just beginning. Our dear Caretaker has lots more to do."
Outside, the bells rang, signaling a costumer who came into the tearoom. "Are you Count M?" the man asked.
The count smiled, the red fox who was curled around his shoulders mimicking his motion. A strange bird-like monster squawked nearby. "Yes, I am," he said. "Welcome to my petshop where your dreams, and nightmares, come true."
A/N: Oh my freaking lord did this chapter take a long time. And doing the rhyming sequence for Malice Alice and the rest was hard. But it's all worth it when my readers enjoyed it. Until next time folks and hope this chapter met your expectations. Toodles!
