A/N: Hello. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I know I enjoyed writing it...
I woke up when Shiro came in to take me down to eat.
We went downstairs and he sat me in a highchair, and he buckled me down so I wouldn't fall out. So uncomfortable...
He set some cereal in front of me and my eyes gleamed when I saw them. Yes. The third holiest cereal known to man. Honey nut Cheerios, complete with honey on top. The second holiest is Lucky Charms. The first... Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Yes. You heard me.
Those are the breakfast foods of God.
You may be lucky enough to learn the three holy dinner foods, and the holy desserts. Someday.
Yeah. You heard me. Lunch has no holy food, fools. Lunch is boring. Just sandwiches usually...
I blinked and realized... My cereal went soggy. No...
I sniffled and stared down at the now puffy circles. Why?...
Shiro peeked into the room from the small living room and raised an eyebrow at me. Then realized my Cheerios went soggy. Again. For the fourth time this week.
So I space out a lot, so what?
He came in and reached for the bowl of soggy cereal...
I hissed and he slowly pulled his hand away. I stopped.
...
...
...
He snatched the bowl away from my tray and ran to the sink. I screamed and flailed wildly. MY BABIES!
He drained the milk from the bowl, then dumped the soggy cereal in the garbage.
He slowly turned around to see my angry face and winced. He knew he was going to be in for hell when he tries to get me out of my seat... After I finish my breakfast.
He got me more cereal, and this time watched to make sure I ate it.
...
It's been two years. Two freaking years and six months since I was born into this world. And I've grown very attached to the kids. I also learn I still had blonde hair and blue eyes. Score! Must have gotten Satan's hair... Satan is blonde? Or maybe it mixed with Yuri's to make blonde...
Mephisto never came to see us.
I was kind of disappointed, but I occupied myself with cuddling with Coal, reading my manga... And learning to walk and crawl. I succeeded. I can almost reach the toilet myself... Luckily, I have my trusty stool, which I use to get to the toilet. No more diapers! I decided to keep quiet and not speak in front of any other humans. I'm saving it for a special occasion.
They talked all the time and would occasionally ask me why I won't speak. I just look at them and arch an eyebrow. Yukio has a larger vocabulary than Rin right now. Mini prodigy...
Today is a special day. Want to know why?
I'm going to draw a picture. It will most likely be the ugliest thing anyone will ever see, but I'm going to do it.
I grinned as I walked to the living room, seeing Rin sitting and coloring with crayons on the low, glass coffee table. As he does every day. I sat by him and watched for a bit. His drawing was just a blur of blue, red, pink and purple. After a while, he pushed a box of crayons and some paper towards me, then stared at me.
We do this every day. But most of the time, I skip out. My hands were always to shaky to draw with. But today, they were surprisingly steady. So, I opened the box of crayons and dumped them out.
I began the horrible thing that is my drawing.
I drew a fluffy blue dog with a red collar. I messed up a lot, but couldn't erase it since it's a crayon... But kept going. Eventually, I finished.
I picked it up and showed it to Rin.
"Whoa! Hoko, Is 'da for me?" Yes. He calls me Hoko. And the baby talk makes me want to faint. So cute...
I nodded and gave it to him, then started drawing again. This time, it was a brown dog with a blue collar. A bit better than the other drawing, but still crap.
I put that on the ground beside me, then started on the next.
A black cat with green eyes. Shiro would find it very suspicious if I drew two tails, so I stuck to one. And excluded the horns. I also drew it totally black, instead of gray, white and black.
I drew a few more pictures, then I was done.
I finished, and picked up my two drawings, then went off on my quest of giving them all drawings.
I found Izumi, standing on his toes while trying to sneak a cookie from the cookie jar on the counter. I snuck up behind him and waited for him to turn around. He succeeded and stood normally, then turned around.
He jumped when he saw me behind him, a knowing smirk on my face.
"H-Hoshiko-Chan! You scared me." He sighed, leaning against the counter. I grinned and held out a picture of a fluffy, light brown, horribly drawn bunny.
"Is that for me, Hoshiko-Chan?" He grinned and took it after I nodded. "Thank you." I flushed and took off, headed upstairs to look for someone else.
I saw Maruta, Naoya and Tadashi coming down the stairs and I gave Tadashi a picture of a poorly drawn red cat, gave a picture of a fluffy orange fox to Maruta, and a brown puppy to Naoya. After that, I walked upstairs. I don't feel like falling down stairs and dying. Again.
I wonder how old I am with all my years put together. Sixteen probably. How old was I in my last life again? Fourteen?
Seishiro was walking down the hallway towards the stairs, and I gave him his picture of a small dog with curly brown hair. He smiled and said, "Thank you, Hoshiko." I ran down the hallway again and peeked into a room with an open door, and grinned when I saw Shiro napping on his bed.
Lazy man.
I ran and jumped on the bed, landing right beside him. He woke up with a start, sitting up hurriedly.
"Wha- Hoshiko-Chan?" He raised an eyebrow at me, then noticed the picture I was holding out to him. It was a picture of a silver wolf with red eyes. He grinned and took it, studying the wolf.
"Hoshiko-Chan, since when were you this good at drawing?" I flushed then puffed my cheeks and crossed my arms. He just snickered and pat my head.
He's a good dad.
...
I glared at Shiro as he laughed at me. I had just lost my first baby tooth in this life, and he finds it funny I keep trying to put it back in. I don't want an empty gap in my mouth...
Anyway, it's been four years since I've been born into this world, and I have grown quite a bit. Sadly, Rin and Yukio are taller than me. Stupid shortness has followed me to this life.
Today, I'm going to try a summoning circle. I feel like Yukio is already stronger than me, even though he probably hasn't started training yet. I can't seem to remember when he started... Shiro and everyone but Naoya and I had left to go out to eat. I insisted I stay, but didn't tell them what I was going to try.
So, I locked myself in the room I was moved into. Shiro said I needed my privacy since I am a female... Which is true. I got myself a pencil and a lot of paper and sat on the floor. I used the bottom of a cup I already had up here to trace the circle, then started on the stars in the corners. I messed up, then erased the star, trying again. I finished all the stars in the corners, then started with the middle. I grinned in triumph as I finished it. I stood and held the paper.
I hope this works...
...
How do I use it to summon something again?
I bit my lip, trying to remember.
Something sparked my memory, and I remembered. They have to chant something, right?... But what do I chant? I can't repeat them, can I?
Me, being the lazy person I am, decided to just ask.
"Oi. Familiar demon thingy. How am I suppose to summon you?" Nothing. Well, fuck you too. "Come on~ Please? Just a little help?..."
Oh wait. I'm suppose to put my blood on it, right?
I slid my thumb over my lip, having bitten it earlier and drawn blood, and smeared in over the middle of the summoning circle.
And now, time to find a way to summon... something.
I sat on my knees and frowned. "Wasn't Shiemi able to summon Nee just by saying, 'Come on boy'? Please come out."
Nothing happened and I closed my eyes and clenched my fists, wrinkling the paper but not enough to rip it. I put the paper on the ground in front of me and bowed, my forehead touching the floor.
"Please! Help me... I need to get stronger. If I don't, I won't be able to protect the people I love..."
I heard something rustle, and something touch my head. The light pressure disappeared a second later. I raised my head, and my eyes met green ones. They were the color of a perfect emerald.
The large wolf sat there, easily my size when I stand straight. It's black fur smoothed down, almost as if it'd been brushed only seconds ago. It looked almost smug as it stared down at me.
"Oh..."
"Oh? That's all my summoner has to say to me?" It scoffed.
I squeaked and sat up straight, standing, only to find my knees weak and to fall back down again.
It's three tails swished across the floor behind it boredly. "Pathetic. I'm suppose to protect this? That blonde child had made it sound like you would be worthy of me."
My lips curled down into a frown. "Excuse me?"
It's head tilted. "You're excused."
I snarled and lunged at it. Nobody calls me pathetic. It's eyes widened a bit at my unexpected movement, and moved too late. We were thrown back by the force of my throw, me landing on top of it and pulling at it's fur, it snarling at me and trying to push me off with it's front paws.
"Take it back, asshole!"
"Such crude language. Learn some manners, brat!" He snapped at my arm, and I moved the limb in time to avoid it.
It took the chance to throw me off and pin me down, front paws pushing on my chest to keep me down. I grabbed handfuls of fur with both hands and pulled. It leaned down in front of my face and bared it's teeth.
"My, what sharp teeth you have." I mocked. It growled and got closer until our noses touched.
"Was that a Little Red Riding hood reference I hear?"
Shut up.
"You... Pass." It scoffed and got off me. I released it's fur in shock.
"I... Pass? Wait, this was all a test!?" I sat up, glaring at it.
"Of course. I wouldn't bring myself so low as to hurt a child." It snickered and sat back down. It seemed... Relaxed now.
"So... Are we suppose to introduce ourselves now? Tell each other our likes, dislikes and goals for the future now?" I mocked.
"You just copied Kakashi. Fool. You will never match his greatness."
I know.
It let out a small laugh. "If you wishto."
I scowled. "You go first."
It tilted it's head, then straightened up. "Alright. My name is Shi. I am male, so do not try to check." He glared."I like the blood of my enemies, cats, sweets, and people who do not try to rip my fur out." He shot me a nasty look. "I dislike people who do pull out my fur, foxes, holy things, and much more. My goal is to rip the boy who gave me this quest to shreds." He snarled.
"What do you mean by quest?" I asked.
"I was 'asked' to watch over a female brat who dares to summon me. It must be you, since I haven't been summoned in over three hundred years. And by asked, I mean threatened. Disgusting little thing."
Something sparked a memory in my mind. "Was it a boy, with black hair and blue eyes?" I leaned closer to him. He leaned back a bit.
"Yes. Why do you ask?" He had a glint of suspicion in his emerald eyes.
"Aha! So you're the one who he told me would watch over me!" I grinned.
"Hush, brat! There are people here, aren't there?"
"Naoya is here, but he went outside to clean windows."
He sighed and stood, walking over to me and putting a paw on my head, forcing me to lean down.
"What are you doi- Ow, ow, ow! Stop it~" I whined.
"Quiet." He snapped. I shut up and adjusted my sitting position so I was on my knees, leaning down willingly since it hurts when he pushes.
"He's sexy."
Did you just call a wolf/demon thing sexy?
"Yes. Yes I did. And demons can be very sexy. Sebastian Michaelis is proof of that. And Lucifer, and Mephisto."
Ew. Mephisto? Really?
"I'm part of you. I know what you think..."
That's creepy.
"Be quiet, brats."
Brats?
"He can hear us. Like Coal can. He's a demon, idiot."
I know that!
He snarled in warning and I shut up, Niku following my lead.
"Whatcha doin'?"
He ignored my question. "Have you ever gotten a tattoo?"
"Um... No?..."
"Then why is there writing on the back of your neck?"
Writing? I scowled. "What do you mean? What does it say?"
"Time."
"Time? Why would it say that?"
"Have you ever met a man named MephistoPheles?"
Oh shit.
I let out a squeak and pulled myself away, scrambling back.
He snarled and took a step forward. I scooched back.
"Tell me, brat."
"Yes! Now back off. You look scary." He stopped and sat, ears flicking.
"It seems you've been marked." His serious look disappeared and he laughed. "You poor child. Do you know what this means?" My face scrunched up in confusion. Isn't being marked a way for someone to claim somebody else?... Ew!
"Ack! Get it off me, Shi!" I put my hand on the back of my neck and started feeling around.
His aura turned deadly once more. "You're lucky I don't like people claiming what's mine." He snarled.
"Nobody owns me! I own myself." I glared. He glared back and I flopped onto my back, then rolled under my bed.
"...What are you doing?"
"Hiding from the world. Leave me alone to die."
"Lilo and Stitch reference."
I ignored her.
I stared at the wall that my bed is up against. I'm starting to hate this world.
Claws clinked on the hardwood floor, and after a second I felt something warm pressed against my whole back. Fur tickled at my neck and I had the urge to cuddle the black furball behind me. But I ignored it, since he'd kill me and I'm angry.
I closed my eyes and sighed.
Then I heard footsteps.
"Shit." I rolled around and pushed Shi out from under the bed, him sliding easily across the hardwood floor.
I ran to the summoning paper and picked it up, running back to the bed and sliding it under it. Shi caught on and rolled back under the bed. I jumped on the bed and pretended to be bored.
The door creaked open and Rin peeked his head in. He opened it more when he saw I was awake and came in, since he's too awesome to knock, and flopped on my twin sized bed beside me. I heard more little footsteps and Yukio came in, and laid down at the end of the bed.
We laid there for a while, until Rin broke the silence.
"You should've come, Hoko! It was fun. We went to the playground, and Tou-san pushed me on the swing!" He grinned.
I smiled and pat his head. I'm not going to talk in front of them just yet.
Yukio spoke up. "I got to climb the monkey bars." I hope Shiro held him up the whole time...
Rin perked up. "Let's build a fort!" He grinned and grabbed one of my pillows and got off the bed. He's going to go under the bed, isn't he?
I jumped off the bed and grabbed another pillow, then threw it at him.
Yukio's eyes widened.
Rin froze.
Then he started laughing and threw his pillow at me. I picked it up and threw it at Yukio. He fell off the bed from the force, then got up and launched it at me. I caught it and hit Rin with it.
It broke out into an all-out war. With only two pillows. How did we even do that?
Rin rolled under my bed for protection and I freaked out.
"Hey Hoko, why is there paper under your bed?" He rolled out, showing me the summoning circle. Smart Shi. must have unsummoned himself. I waved it off and took it from him, putting it on my desk.
I'll re-summon him tomorrow.
Wait a second... Rin can't even see demons! Stupid me.
...
Oh shoot.
I sniffled. I feel awful... My throat hurts, my nose is stuffy, I have chills, and everything is a blur.
I gently sat up and swung my legs off the bed, standing and walking towards the desk. I stumbled a few times, but made it. Shi will have to wait to be re-summoned. I opened a drawer and put the paper inside, then shut it.
I went to the door and opened it, stumbling out into the hallway. I took notice of the dark sky out my window before I left. When I arrived at Shiro's door, I opened it.
Shiro yawned and rolled over, opening his eyes and looking at me. "Hoshiko? What's wrong?" He furrowed his eyebrows.
I coughed and rubbed my eyes, hoping he'd catch on.
He sat up and swung his legs over the bed, stood, and walked to me. He picked my up and held me on his hip, walking out into the hallway.
I was asleep before we reached my room.
...
I stared up blankly at my ceiling.
"I hate life. Being sick sucks. Kill me."
Shi scoffed and put his paw on my face from his spot beside me on my bed. He's going to get fur all over my sheets...
"You'll be fine, brat."
"You're the brat." I snapped.
"Nice comeback, genius." If he could smirk, he probably would be.
I rolled over and tapped his nose with my finger. He made a weird sound that vaguely reminded me of the Uchiha 'hn'.
"Brat, your brother is coming."
"Which one?" I yawned.
"The blue haired one."
"Then you're fine." I rolled so I was facing the door.
He creaked open the door and peeked in. "Hoko?" He noticed me looking at him and yawned. "Tou-san said to check on you." He backed up and shut the door. Creepy...
"Well that was... Strange." Shi muttered.
"Can I hug you? You look warm."
"No. You might get me sick." His tails swished.
"But you're already exposed. Plus, you're a wolf. You can't get human illnesses."
He blinked. "Come to think of it, you never told me about yourself, did you?" I shook my head. "Then do it."
"Bossy. Fine. I'm Hoshiko. I hate people who annoy me, hate spiders, roaches, and bananas. I like ramen, vegetables, most animals, and my friends. My goals... To kick Satan in the butt after Rin defeats him." Yeah... I just pulled that out of my ass.
He scoffed. "Whatever, brat. Go wash up. Your breath smells."
My eyes widened. I hate bad breath. I jumped up, ignoring the wave of dizziness, and going to the door. I opened it, then shut it behind me. I headed towards the bathroom at the end of the hallway and entered.
I yawned and opened a cabinet at the bottom of the sink, grabbing a washcloth. I straightened up, and dropped the washcloth when I looked in the mirror.
"Oh shit."
"You need to wash your mouth out with soap, brat." The voice echoed in my head.
In the mirror, a pale girl with long black hair floated in the air right beside me, legs crossed and arms behind her head. She stared at me with her bright red eyes, grinning.
I bit my tongue to keep from screaming.
She's practically me in my last life, but with different hair and eyes.
"Aw, did I make you miss this old body? Poor you." She snickered.
"N...iku?"
"Took you long enough, brat."
I whipped my head to the side, seeing her at my side.
"Sadly, I'm still apart of you, brat. You can see me now for some reason, though. Nobody else has noticed me besides you. Hmm..."
"Is this how you've been viewing the world?"
"Duh. Did you think I would just stare out through your eyes? That's too boring."
"Oh... What do you mean by 'still apart of me'? Aren't you me? You said so earlier."
She scoffed. "I thought so. But now, I've got my own memories back. If someone unseals me, I'll be free to go."
I tilted my head. "Who can unseal you?"
She arched an eyebrow. "That should be obvious. An exorcist."
"How am I suppose to get an exorcist to unseal you? You'd be killed as soon as you got away."
"Why not make a deal with MephistoPheles? He's an exorcist." She cackled. "A deal with the devil. Sounds perfect for someone who was created by Satan!"
I scowled. "No. I'm not making a deal with him." Despite saying that, I knew I'd do it. It must be awful to be trapped.
And from the look on her face, she knew I'd do it too.
...
Shi looked at me strangely as I entered the room, closing the door softly behind me.
"Who's your friend, brat?"
Shoot.
"Got that right."
"Oh. The other brat." His ears twitched.
So cute and fluffy.
"I heard that."
"Get out of my head!" I snapped.
He tilted his head. "You were the one letting me in."
My eyebrows furrowed. "Okay... Then how do I keep you out?"
"Just think about how you don't want anyone else in your mind, then you should be fine. Except the brat beside you should be able to hear. She seems to be... Attached to you. Quite literally."
I don't want you in my minddddd!
He seems not to have heard it.
I grinned. Shi is a bitch.
He narrowed his eyes at me. "I have the feeling you just insulted me."
I whistled and got on the floor, rolling under the bed.
...
Shi warned me a little too late, and Shiro came in, seeing the wolf laying on my bed beside me.
"Hoshiko. Did you bring another demon in?" He sighed, taking notice of the tails. Hoshiko seems to have a habit of bringing demons in and befriending them. Come to think of it, he hasn't seen the Coal Tar around very much.
As if summoned, Coal floated into the room from behind him, going straight for my bed. I had introduced him to Shi a few days after I summoned him. It's been two years already, and I'm surprised that Shiro hadn't found out until now.
It was bound to happen.
"I'm starting to get use to this... I'm fine with it as long as none of them are a threat, but if they so much as scratch you, I'll exorcise them."
Yeah, he had to tell me about exorcists when he realized I wasn't going to stop seeing the demons as I grew up.
He started to shut the door, but stopped as if he just remembered something. "Tonight, there's a festival going on at an old shrine. Do you want to come?" I sat up and nodded vigorously.
He grinned. "Tonight is perfect for you to wear the kimono I bought you."
Shoot. I hate how it feels. It's uncomfortable, but beautiful. The white fabric and pink cherry blossoms scattering through a non-existant wind, and some black fabric making it look like darkness was creeping up the bottom of the kimono.
Shi grinned at me. "You're going to have such a nice time with that kimono tonight, pup." No I won't. I glared at him.
After the two years he's been with me, we've gotten as close as family. He even calls me pup. I bought him a blue colored bandana after I begged Shiro for it, and wrote Shi on the front. I mockingly wrote 'Hoshiko's' at the bottom of it.
It feels nice to have someone I can talk with. I'm keeping my voice for a special occasion.
...
We walked right down the street towards the festival, which was only right around the corner, my summoning circle tucked into my Obi.
I never leave home without Shi.
We arrived and my eyes went straight to a red haired plushie. Sasori. And all of the other Akatsuki. I love the person who's giving these away as prizes.
I almost fainted.
I grabbed Shiro's hand and started pulling him towards the booth. When we got there, he raised an eyebrow.
I pointed a finger at the plushie and he snickered. "Are you sure?" I nodded.
He paid the man, and picked up the gun on the counter. He aimed, and fired at the moving target. He hit it. Easily.
My eyes glinted as he told the man which plushie he wanted, and he handed it to me once he got it. I hugged him as a thank you, then grinned and hugged the plushie. Have I mentioned I'm an Akatsuki fangirl?
I hummed as I skipped, looking around the festival.
And I realized Shiro and the boys aren't beside me. My eyes widened and I turned around, looking for Shiro.
Maybe he's up at the shrine?
I headed for the stone steps that went up towards the shrine, bowed in front of the torii, and took my first step through the red gate. I turned around to check if Shiro was in sight, and when he wasn't, continued up to steps. I stumbled a few times, then got annoyed and took off my getas. I held them as I kept going towards the shrine.
When I got to the top, I realized Shiro wasn't up here, but my eyes caught sight of the two wolf pup statues on the ground on each side of the wooden steps going up to the offering alter. I put my shoes down by the one on the left, not bothering to wash my hands at the chozuya, since I don't believe any god other than the one who sent me here exists, then walked up the steps. Thank goodness the wood is sanded. I don't want splinters.
I bowed, then clapped my hands together twice. Is that how I'm suppose to do it? "Um, this is a Okami shrine, right?" No answer. "Err... I don't have an offering, and haven't bothered to clean up or ring the bell, but can I ask a favor? If you actually exist." Nothing. "I would like to ask you to please watch over Tou-san, Rin, Yukio, Niku and Shi, please. I'm sorry if I'm asking too much." I clapped my hands together twice, then bowed. No idea how I'm suppose to do this...
I turned around and walked down the steps, then turned to get my shoes. Only to find they're gone.
"Oi, who took my shoes?" I looked around, eyebrows furrowed.
I heard childish laughter and turned back up towards the shrine, seeing two wolf pups sitting behind my shoes. The one on the left is white with a small black tuft of fur on it's head, and the one on the right is black with a white tuft of fur on it's head. Both of their eyes are bright yellow. And both had two tails.
"Who are you to ask for prayers, demon child?" The black one laughed.
The white one snickered. "A demon praying for another demon, asking for something from another demon. How strange."
"Give them back, brats!" I snapped, taking a step forward.
"Oh, the scary child is getting closer, Aoi. Whatever should we do?" The black one grinned at the white one, Aoi, and let out another laugh.
"I say we run, Aki." Aoi and Aki both disappeared, the shoes disappearing with them.
I'm going to rip them to shreds. Or, better yet, Shi can. I reached into my obi and pulled out the summoning circle. "Shi, I need some help." I smirked.
Shi came out of the paper, small at first then growing larger as his body weaved around mine until he stood on the ground, tails curled around my waist.
"Aren't you suppose to be having fun, brat?" He looked up at me.
"I would be, but I lost Shiro, then these kids took my shoes." I scowled. Shi looked around, sniffing the air. His ears twitched, then he stood up straighter.
"Aki, Aoi, get out here now." Said pups appeared in front of Shi, my shoes appearing in front of me, them looking fearful.
"We're sorry, Shi! We we're just having fun!" They whined.
"You know these two, Shi?" I looked at him, arching an eyebrow.
He scoffed. "These are my nephews. Aki, Aoi, apologize to her." They looked about to protest. "Now."
They looked at me and bowed their heads. "We're sorry." At least they sound a bit sincere.
Shi looked them over, then nodded then approval. "Now, why are you guys here? You're suppose to be in Gehenna." He narrowed his eyes when they shuffled their paws, looking slightly guilty.
"It stinks there. There's always blood, and everyone is always mean to us." Aoi admitted.
Aki bared his teeth. "Yeah! We're done with being kicked around." He raised his head. "We're staying here."
"What about your mom?" Shi tilted his head, not bothering to scold them.
Aki and Aoi looked at each other. Then Aoi said, "She said she's fine with it, as long as we're careful." Shi raised an eyebrow at him. "And don't cause trouble." He admitted.
"And you are?"
"Causing trouble." They said in sync.
Shi sighed and turned away, starting to walk towards the stairs. I followed after him after I picked up my shoes.
"W-wait! Where are you going?" Aki came walking after us, tail drooping slightly. Aoi followed right behind him, tail down as well.
"Going to find Shiro." Shi said simply.
"We can help! What does he look like?" Aoi ran up to Shi, walking beside him.
"Silver hair, red eyes and glasses. He should have two boys with him." Shi flickered his tails, beckoning me to hurry up. He's lucky I love him.
"We saw him! He left a moment before she got here! Panicking and saying he needed to find 'Hoshiko'." Aki said, eyes lighting up like lanterns.
Yep. Definitely Shiro.
"Can you two find him?" Shi tilted his head a bit, not bothering to look at them.
They scoffed, and Aki said. "If we can't steal something or find something, then nobody can." Aki and Aoi grinned at each other.
Shi just twitched an ear, and they disappeared.
"Are they trustworthy?" I poked Shi in the side. He looked back at me.
"Yes. If they respect you. Also, you're walking in the middle of the path. That's reserved for god."
I jumped to the side.
I don't feel like going to hell for walking on god's path.
"Found him!" Aki appeared in front of Shi.
He scoffed. "Took you long enough." He's hard to impress... "Aoi is watching him?" Aki nodded. "Then hurry and lead the way." Aki ran down the steps, Shi running after him. I hurried after them, but kept stumbling. Shi waited at the bottom of the steps.
A while away from the bottom, I tripped and fell.
Why is it that I always die from falling down stairs?
Something that I didn't expect happened. Someone caught me, their hands wrapped around my waist. My savior. Please don't drop me.
I looked up, and my eyes narrowed at the person who caught me. He had a smirk on his face, forest green eyes meeting mine.
I swung my leg in between his and his eyebrow twitched.
"Just as feisty as you were six years ago, eh, Hoshi-Chan?" He gave me a pained look. I don't pity him. He deserved that. I 'hmphed' and crossed my arms, turning away.
"Or, do you now remember me?" He grinned, the pain look disappearing. He obviously knows I remember him.
Me, being the child I am at the moment, decided to use that to my advantage so I won't get punished as hard as I would as an adult.
"That sounded... Ehem."
Shut up.
He raised an eyebrow at me.
He obviously heard us.
"Thank you, captain obvious."
You're welcome Lieutenant Sarcasm. I heard her scoff echo through my mind.
"You seem to have a nasty spirit attached to you." He studied her at my side.
I couldn't hold back anymore. "You asshole! You said you'd visit 'soon'! How long was soon going to be?!" I snapped. Wait, why do I even care? His grin faded away and he turned serious.
"I was... Busy."
"I call bull."
"Language, pup." Shi came up the stairs, passing Mephisto and curling around me, his tails curling around my stomach protectively. He growled lightly at Mephisto.
Mephisto just grinned once more.
"You said you'd tell me what's going on when we met again, Hoshi-chan." He smirked.
Ah. I forgot about that...
"I will, if you tell me what this is." I turned and pulled the hair off my neck, showing him the mark.
"Oh. That." He laughed. Laughed.
"That's just to keep you safe for a bit. It only works once, though. If a demon should attack you, the seal should instantly kill it. But once it's used, it disappears."
"Oh." Then it's not so bad.
"Now, let's find somewhere to sit while you tell me about your... Story."
...
We sat on a bench that was up at the top near the shrine. Strangely, nobody was up here. Mephisto told me there's another shrine near here that was having the festival, not this one. I found it strange that the shrines were so close together.
And so, I told him my story. How I got here, how I came to love my new family, and even how I died.
He laughed when I told him I slipped on dog hair.
I hate myself.
"Hoshi-chan, let's go find Shiro." He stood and held out his hand. I looked at it skeptically, then reluctantly held it, using it to pull myself up. He didn't bother letting go as we went to find Shiro.
As we reached the bottom, I saw Aki and Aoi waiting at the steps, looking bored.
They perked up when they saw us, but glared at Mephisto when they saw Shi doing the same. Feisty little things. They seem to look up to Shi.
I kind of want to adopt them...
"Adopt those little demons? Pfft! They make my head hurt. Please don't."
They're cute, but they did steal my shoes...
"Hoshi-chan, where do you think Shiro could've went?" Mephisto looked down at me as we took the left step going down the stairs.
"He's Probably trying to find m-"
"Hoshiko-Chan?" We looked to the left of the steps and found Shiro holding both of the boys hands, looking at us with furrowed eyebrows.
Oh shoot. I've been caught.
"'Oh shoot' is right."
"Aha... Hi, Tou-San!" I grinned nervously.
Mephisto waved at Shiro.
"I'd ask why Mephisto is here, but I'm trying to get over the fact you're talking..." Shiro looked... Pale? Maybe it's because he lost me, and I'm speaking...
"Hoko can talk!" Rin grinned and ran to me, launching himself at me and hugging me. I managed to hold myself up somehow. I love this child...
I looked over at Yukio and saw him staring at Shi, a scared expression on his face as he held onto Shiro.
Strange... He never acted like that around Coal.
Probably because Coal looks like a cat...
And Shi is, well, an overgrown wolf demon.
I pat Rin on the back. "Yeah, I can talk, Rin-Chan." He made an annoyed sound at the attachment to his name.
I heard Yukio whisper, "Why is that by Hoko, Tou-San?..." Now the cats out of the bag, twice today. Or, the wolf's out of the bag.
Shiro's eyebrows furrowed, and he looked down at Yukio. "It's a nice one, Yukio." He seemed hesitant to say that.
"What's by Hoko, Tou-San?" Rin turned to look at him.
"Ah, he meant Mephisto." Shiro just ginned, sweating a bit. I'd sweat too if I lied to my son.
Mephisto made a sound in the back of his throat. "I am not a that." Does that even make sense? I don't think so. I looked towards the steps and realized the demon pups were gone.
I tugged my hand out of Mephisto's. "Tou-San, there's something I need to do really quick."
Shiro seemed reluctant, but nodded slowly. I freed myself from Rin's hold, put my shoes on the ground, bowed to the torii gate once more, then ran up the steps, forgetting to walk on the side. Shi made a whining sound behind me. I wonder why... Once I arrived at the top, I saw the two pups were curled up in front of the offering alter.
I walked up the steps, thankful once more that the wood was sanded, and sat on my knees in front of them. They opened their eyes and looked up at me.
"Do you guys grant wishes here?" I arched an eyebrow, my tone curious. Yes, I have a reason for asking this.
Aki's ears twitched. "If it's possible for us to make it come true. What, are you going to ask for another one?" He scrunched up his nose.
"Nah. I was curious." I stood and walked down the steps once more. They made a low whining sound behind me, but stopped quickly once I turned around.
"If you want... Me and Shi can come back to visit." Their eyes widened slightly, tails wagging slowly.
"I think... we'd like that." Aoi tilted his head towards me slightly in acknowledgement.
I grinned sheepishly. "Then it's a promise. You guys are welcome to visit the monastery anytime. It's right down the road, around the corner. You can't miss it." I didn't wait for an answer, running towards the stairs, but going down a bit slower.
I think I'll like having two new friends...
"I won't. They might steal your shoes again."
Hush.
A shorter chapter than the last, but whatever... I'll update whenever I can. I had fun writing Aki and Aoi. I even drew them. If you guys read my bio, you can find out the way to contact me at the bottom. I can send you the picture of them all if you want. Shi, Hoshiko, Mephisto, Amaimon and Kuro are in it too.
Also, if there was any confusion(probably), Aki is the black pup and Aoi is the white.