What Hurts the Most
Chapter Three
By Kellyq
Johan's tail twitched again. "Is that a challenge, Mr. Yuki?"
Jaden stepped back when Johan turned and he saw that the cat demon was serious about wanting to fight. "No! I'm not going to fight you! That's not what I'm here for," Jaden tried to reason. "I just want to understand what happened!"
"He was poisoned. What -"
Jaden growled. "No! That's not what I meant. I'm talking about you. From what I heard, you were really kind -"
Before Jaden could finish, Johan changed into his demont form and lunged at the dog demon. Jaden yelped and jumped back. Johan swung at him again, but Jaden kept his distance from the angry cat demon.
"Damnit, fight me!" Johan yelled.
"I said no! I'm not going to disrespect my brother," Jaden barked. "I just want to talk to you," he said dodging every time Johan tried to claw him. "You were sweet and respectful -"
Johan stopped his actions and chuckled darkly. "And you want to know where that all went, right?" Jaden yelped again when Johan advanced toward him. The cat demon changed into his human form and in one swift motion, Jaden was pinned to the nearby tree. Johan leaned close to Jaden's ear. "That part of me died when he left me," he hissed softly.
"I understand now," Jaden murmured. He felt a pang for Johan. "You feel that Judai betrayed you before he died -" he started to say. Jaden ducked when Johan brought his fist forward. Forgive me, Judai for what I'm going to do to your mate. Jaden inched closer to the outstretched arm and bit. Johan cried out in shock and pain as Jaden yanked his hands free. Now! The dog demon pulled back and slipped passed from Johan's grip. Jaden then grabbed the cat demon's shoulders and turned him around. "I just want to talk to you -!"
"What is there to talk about?" Johan shot back trying to strike at Jaden. The dog demon dodged. "He's gone! Never coming back - now leave me alone!"
"I know how you feel, Johan," Jaden tried to soothe. He calmly dodged the cat demon strikes that were now getting sloppy.
Johan's yellowish - red possessed eyes widened with shock.
Judai pulled Johan close and rubbed the back of his head. "Why didn't you tell me that's how you felt? I Don't know how you feel unless you tell me."
Johan let out a cry of pain and frustration as he tried to raise his arm to hit Jaden. The dog demon stepped back as Johan staggered for a moment. He dropped to his knees, shaking. Jaden blinked a few times. He wasn't expecting Johan to give up so easily on fighting.
W-why...? Why did he leave me?" by now the white cat demon was in tears.
Jaden looked sympathetically at the sad demon and he tried to reach out for Johan.
"Don't touch me!" Johan shouted, feeling Jaden inching closer. "Just stay away from me!" with that, Johan went into his demon form and took off running.
"You're brave," came Atticus' voice. Jaden turned his head and looked down at Yusuke's son. "Mama told me that after his mate went to sleep, he became mean and unhappy ..."
"He's still hurt from what happened to Judai," Jaden said, staring back where Johan had stood moments ago.
"Well, I need to get going before I get in trouble! Bye!" Atticus said, turning to run.
"Bye ..." Jaden muttered.
The fox kit turned when he heard the depression in Jaden's voice. "Hey! I know," Atticus said, getting an idea. "Why don't you come over! You can meet mama and papa!"
"Sure. Why not," Jaden muttered again. He turned and followed the fox kit.
It didn't take long for the two to come to what looked like a large Oak tree with a door. Atticus bounded forward and stopped at the door.
"You better stay here," the fox kit suggested. "If you come in now, mama will be mad at me."
Jaden just shrugged and sat down to wait for Atticus to come back. He sat there for a few minutes and allowing his body to fall back. He stared at the sky and saw a shooting star.
"I wish that I could talk to Johan," he murmured.
"So, it is true," came a voice. Jaden turned to see a brown wolf demon standing there. "Kaiser said that you've come back."
The dog demon stared closely at the wolf demon. "Fubuki-kun?" the older demon nodded his head. Jaden's face lit up and he jumped to his feet and ran to his friend.
Fubuki hugged his friend before leading Jaden inside. The inside of the tree was actually livable. Everything was polished, and a small hole off to the side was modified to make a window.
"I don't wanna take a bath, mama!"
Jaden and Fubuki turned to see Yusuke struggling with Atticus. The brown haired dog demon stared at Yusuke for a moment. He, Kaiser corrected. Atticus' mother is a he. Jaden couldn't help but smile at the sight as Fubuki helped his mate with a squirming Atticus.
"No!" the fox kit hollered. "Jaden, help me! I don't wanna take a bath!"
Jaden couldn't help but laugh. "I would, but this is out of my hands. If your parents say you need one, then you need one."
Atticus huffed. "Fine! See if I ever play with you again!"
"Oh, come on," Jaden said, with mock hurt in his voice. "Don't be like this. We can play after you take a bath. How does that sound?"
Atticus tapped his chin. "Sure!"
"I'll take him by the riverside," Fubuki offered, taking his son out of Yusuke's arm.
Jaden saw the flicker of love and compassion in their eyes, and he wondered if Johan had had that type of thing with his brother. If that's the case, Jaden thought with frown. I'll help him feel that way again!
To Be continued ...
