I'm back you guys! I don't really have much to say in this author's note, so I'll get started! Sorry I'm later than usual since refocusing, by the way. The disclaimer is already in enough chapters to know I don't own the two animes this story is made from.
Enjoy ~nya!
Everyone was absolutely horrified and shocked. This was more than just unnatural. Nothing they knew of could make such a huge hole, and in a brick wall no less. Ran, Yoru, and Su went out the castle doors while Amu and Ikuto followed the trail of blood outside. Ikuto carried Amu on his back as he jumped over the destroyed bricks and ran beside the crimson-painted grass. Soon enough, all five ended up where the former lord lay. Ikuto set his mistress down to look upon the scene. Blood pooled around his lifeless body, his leg clearly bitten off. The villagers were also quick to gather. But unlike the shock Amu and her servants felt, they broke out into hysteria.
"The Hellhound is real," a young woman shrieked.
Another villager wailed, "Please forgive us, oh Great Hellhound!"
"We beg your forgiveness!"
The whole night almost seemed unreal. Amu sat in a cozy chair in the main dining room staring into the bustling flames of the fireplace. Listening to the embers crackling, she attempted to reexamine the situation. First, the Hellhound terrorizing the village was uncovered to be a mere illusion. However, after seeing Unarimura-san's mutilated corpse, the myth seemed to be morphing into fact. Well, it's not as if I don't believe in demons, the pinkette thought, glancing quickly over at her butler, and then looking back at the fire. Her other three hopeless but loyal servants gathered close to her, also trying to assess what they saw.
"Maybe it's true…" Su mumbled. "What if…what if Unarimura-san was only trying to…to reinforce the legend more than his rule…?" As a bolt of lightning boomed from outside, the greenish-blonde snapped out of her little trance and waved her arms frantically. "I-I-I mean it's just a thought."
Amu sighed and said, "You are free to speak your mind, Su." Su blushed a little and bowed. Neither the servants nor Amu would admit it, but the pink-haired heiress treated her staff much better than any other upperclassmen they ever heard of.
"One thing is certain," Ikuto interjected, "Unarimura's killer certainly wasn't of the human species."
Amu sat in her temporary bed, her nightgown smoothed out over her small frame. Ikuto was cleaning the dirt off of her dress and hanging it up as usual. She couldn't help but stare at her butler as he did his job. Times certainly changed since the first day they first met and formed their contract. The pinkette unconsciously touched her bare neck, her delicate fingers gently grazing the mark. She was so caught in her thoughts that she didn't notice the shiver that shot up Ikuto's spine from the contact to their link. Ikuto had to swallow thickly without notice and turned to Amu with his usual Cheshire grin.
"You seem to be deep in your thoughts, my lady," he smoothly commented, laying his hands on her shoulders. "Is something troubling you?"
"I was thinking about this case," Amu replied. "I recall you saying Unarimura-san's assailant wasn't of the human species. Do you believe the bumbling red-haired grim reaper is behind this?"
Ikuto let out a low chuckle and touched his forehead to Amu's. "You have certainly grown in the time we've been together." His azure eyes stared into her honey eyes, almost drowning in the sweet color. "It almost makes me want to hide you away from the world to retain the girl I first met." The moment soon ended as he stood straight up. "But then I'd have no one to be so proud of and admire." Ikuto laid Amu down in her bed and laid the covers over her. "Get your rest, mistress. Tomorrow I feel will be an interesting day."
Before the young butler could shut the door, Amu smirked and said, "I hope to see you get rattled again. I'm interested to see your little problem with dogs."
Ikuto turned to the young mistress and bowed. "If it's you, I wouldn't want it any other way."
"Who's my good boy~?" Utau cooed to the figure sitting across the room from her. She motioned it forward with her hands and it bounded towards her, tackling her to the bed. It nestled itself comfortably on top of her and licked her bare neck. The blonde giggled softly. "H-hey, that tickles!" She continued to giggle and ruffle her pet's hair. Her pet let out what seemed to be a bark and nuzzled every inch of any skin Utau had exposed as she laughed in delight.
Unbeknownst to either of them, two particular servants were snooping where they weren't supposed to and saw most of the whole event. However, neither of them had the chance to see the mysterious person's face before they ran far away from that room.
Ran stood against the wall the next morning, unable to forget the little spectacle she saw the night before. She thought Utau was the beautiful and innocent angel sent to tame a rude beast of a master. But it seems even she had a side of her that she didn't show to the public. Su saw the same thing she did and she didn't seem as flustered as she was. The gardener stiffened when Utau strode into the room, holding a tray of tea. The blonde either didn't recognize the slight tension in the room or pretended not to as she smiled gently and served the tea.
"This is the least I can do for you after everything that's happened," Utau said, "After what we have all seen, I'm sure you're less than pleased you even came here."
"Ran, are you okay ~nya?" Yoru questioned, noticing the normally peppy pinkette's unusually edgy demeanor.
Ran jumped a bit and shook her head. "I'm fine; perfectly fine! I, um, think I'm catching a cold f-from all the rain lately! Better not let you catch it! See you!" She bounded out the door, just hoping to get far away from the castle and Utau. Once she finally managed to stop her legs, she looked around, completely lost. She guessed she could turn right back since she ran in a straight line. She sighed and sat down on a dead log, for once enjoying some silence to just think.
"Ran!" two echoing voices hollered out, breaking the silence. Said girl looked up to see Su and Yoru running toward her.
Ikuto served Amu her favorite strawberry cheesecake for lunch and tied the napkin around her neck. Before she could pick up her fork, a gloved hand swiftly snatched it away. Amu looked up to see Ikuto holding the fork and cutting a perfect piece of cheesecake with it.
"Say 'ah' Amu-koi," he playfully commanded, holding the fork close to his lady's lips. She blushed and forced back a pout as she opened her mouth and bite the creamy dessert off the fork.
"I can eat quite well on my own, Ikuto," the pinkette growled, almost stabbing into her treat after her butler handed her fork back.
He only smirked and replied, "That doesn't mean I'll stop attending to your every need, even if you may not want me to."
"I wouldn't want it any other way…" she mumbled under her breath. She gently cradled her tea cup and picked it up to her lips. But a thought struck her before she took a sip. Amu glanced toward Ikuto and set the cup down. "I want you to go looking for those three fools." She imitated Ikuto's smirk and added, "And give me some entertainment while you're at it."
The blue-haired servant only bowed and said, "Your wish is my command, my lady."
"What are you doing out here?" Ran asked her friends, confused as to why they came out so far.
"We were worried about you ~desu," Su responded, giving Ran a hug.
"We stick together no matter what, remember ~nya?" Yoru inquired, saying in his own way that he was worried just as much as Su.
"We should all go back," Ran suggested with a sweet smile.
"That's a good idea ~nya." But when the chef looked around, "Um…which way is back…?"
After an hour of debating, the three chose a direction to walk in and began their journey back to the mansion. The foggy hillside created an eerie atmosphere, causing the trio to huddle a little closer together. Su ran up ahead, believing she saw a silhouette of a house, but screamed in terror at what she came face to face with. Ran and Yoru ran up to her and followed her finger to where she was pointing, and gasped. It was a mass grave of severed limbs, mostly arms and legs.
"W-w-what is this?" Ran asked, her whole body shaking.
"H-how should I-I know ~nya…?" Yoru was also shaking in his boots. He looked about ready to hurl. But then, something shiny caught his eye. He looked over at the leg giving off the shine. The thing gleaming was a pure silver buckle attached to what looked like a very expensive shoe. Yoru recognized it after a moment of contemplation. "Look ~nya!" He pointed to what caught his attention. "That's Unarimura-san's leg!"
"It is ~desu!" Su confirmed.
"We have to go back and tell Amu-sama!" Ran said. "She should know about something as big as this!"
Before they could make any further moments, a terrifying howl broke through the silent air. The trio panicked and hid behind a huge boulder, waiting to see the source of the howl. Slowly, from the depths of the fog, a lone figure walked toward the piles of severed limbs. It wasn't any dog, like the three had expected; but it was a man with light purple hair and a somewhat scrawny physique. Although he seemed human, anyone could tell how animalistic he acted. He sniffed and pawed at the arms and legs like they were some new kind of toy, placing them in new locations like they were a way to mark his territory.
"So…it wasn't a demon that k-killed Unarimura-san ~nya?" Yoru whispered, curious for some kind of explanation.
"I don't know ~desu," Su answered, "but what I want to know is…why is he naked…?" She tried so hard to look away but her eyes were betraying her.
Ran studied the man, mostly above his shoulders, a little closer. She could have sworn she saw someone like him before. She just couldn't place where. Just as she was about to give up, the thought hit her. She saw him before! He was the one Utau was with the other night! "Oh heavens!" the dark pink-haired girl exclaimed, accidentally stepping out of her hiding spot.
As soon as sky blue eyes stared directly at her, she knew she was in for something very unpleasant. The man snarled at Ran, getting down on all fours. Right before their very eyes, lilac fur began to cover his whole body as he grew larger. He transformed into a giant demonic dog that appeared ready to rip something to shreds. The dog lunged right at Ran, jaw open wide to devour her whole. The young woman tried her best to run away, but fell back, landing in the dirt, completely defenseless. A scream ripped through the air, the terrified girl squeezing her eyes shut, not ready to die. However, just as she was about to be eaten, everything seemed to stop. Ran opened one eye and looked at what was happening. Ikuto stood in front of her, his hand on the dog's nose like he was just a normal puppy. Ran wasted no time getting up and running back to her friends.
"You seem to be trained," the butler commented, his trademark smirk in place, "But I believe a little more is needed for a disobedient pup like yourself."
"Ikuto," a voice behind the trio called, "I send you out her for a simple job and I catch you scampering about with a dog." Amu glared at the bluenette, straightening her posture to appear intimidating. "Hurry up so we can leave."
"Of course, my lady," Ikuto said and leapt up onto the dog's back. He began to scratch the sweet spot on the back of his neck. The large dog whimpered in pure delight. That lasted until Ikuto stopped and jumped on the dog's back, crushing him to the ground and creating a giant hole in the ground. Ran, Yoru, and Su ran over to the hole, staring down into its dark depths.
"Is he…is he dead?" Ran questioned, a little scared at hearing the answer.
Amu sighed and walked over to the hole. "That is very doubtful," she bluntly replied. "Ikuto!" she yelled, "Get up here right now!"
A rumble shook the earth, making everyone but Amu assume an earthquake was hitting at the worst of times. The three were extremely surprised when the hollow hole turned into a gushing geyser (A/N Not one word about this). Hot water shot out with Ikuto standing at the top, holding the dog in his human form. Ikuto jumped down in front of his mistress, dropping the mutt not so gently to the ground. The butler bowed on one knee in front of Amu, silently apologizing for getting her dress wet.
"Kiseki!" Utau's voice rang out as she rushed toward the lilac-haired man. The man grinned wide and ran to her, still on all fours, then licked her face. "I was so worried about you!" She looked up at everyone's shocked expressions and giggled awkwardly. "I'm so sorry for the trouble Kiseki has caused you. You see, I rescued this sweet little guy about six months ago. But once Unarimura-sama found out I was caring for him, he decided to fabricate the Hellhound curse you have come to know. In truth, Kiseki frightened my lord most." She gently ran her fingers though her pet's hair as he snuggled close to her. "So please Hinamori-sama; take Kiseki in! I know it's a lot to ask, but I believe you can help him. Please." The blonde bowed her head, practically begging.
"As charming as the offer sounds," Ikuto began, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "we must sadly decli–"
"We accept the offer," Amu said, cutting Ikuto's refusal off. She may not be a demon, but she acknowledged her sadistic side, having a special reason to accept Utau's proposal. "This is an order, Ikuto. I plan to have much amusement in the future." She couldn't resist smirking up at him, which was returned with a discreet glare.
After that matter was settled, Amu began to plan the orders for the new resort's construction. Ikuto discovering a hot spring deep in the earth was extremely helpful. It was to be a resort after all; and that included hot, soothing bathes. It was also a plus because the villagers saw the spring as a sign that the curse had been miraculously lifted. Unfortunately, there was one down side. She refused to test out the water because she knew how perverted Ikuto could be, saying he was serving her as she bathed when he just wanted to see her naked, with or without steam in the way. The pinkette was actually hoping to relax a while before returning home, but she knew Ikuto would try something if she did.
The sun began to set as everyone finished packing and setting their things in the carriage. Kiseki jumped into the wagon, barking happily as he stared at Ikuto, trying to impress him by being obedient. Ran and Su stayed on the far end of the carriage, as far away as possible from the naked man. Yoru avoided eye contact with Kiseki as much as possible, not being a dog—especially demon dog—person either.
Ikuto helped Amu into the carriage before turning to Utau with a glare. "You certainly have a talent for taming lesser beings," he commented. He didn't allow her to say anything back as her sat in the front of the carriage and commanded to horses to start trotting. The three servants in the back waved goodbye to Utau and the townspeople.
"Goodbye ~desu!"
"Come by the Hinamori manor anytime ~nya! We can repay you for your kindness!"
"Hope to see you soon!"
Utau waved goodbye, a blissful smile gracing her face. However, her inner thoughts did not match her exterior. Sooner than you may think, she thought to herself. To think her plan was that simple to carry out. Amu Hinamori had no idea what was coming for her. Or maybe she did since the day she decided to form a contract with a demon.
Well, there it is! Progress has been slowing down because I have two big things for school due some time from now.
Anyway, I'm sorry about that little scene between Ikuto and Kiseki (which would be the scene when Sebastian was "training" Pluto). I couldn't really come up with anything good to describe the scene that would make Ikuto look awkward, for the lack of a better word. But I didn't want to stop to think. I wanted to get this chapter done so you could enjoy it.
So, just as planned, I hope to update I'm No Damsel soon. Please review down below. A review button gets lonely too, you know.
Until then, Kitten is signing out!
