Malignant
Chapter Nine
-Hanyō-
One year later…
Akito walked on that familiar road towards the demon queen's palace. Next to him was Kyo, whistling a happy tune, a stupid smile on his face.
"Will you knock it off?" the Uchiha asked grumpily, folding his arms into the sleeves of his black yukata. "You're beginning to grate on my nerves."
Kyo chuckled. "You said that an hour ago Akito. I think by now I'm grating on your nerves. Slowly, slowly grating until there's nooooooooooooooone left." He winked, ducking as the ebony haired demon took a swipe at him with his claws.
"God you're so annoying. And your son is going to turn out just like you, I know it." Akito gritted out.
"I hope he turns out to be like Satomi." The blonde man said. "I can already tell that he's good natured the way she is. He laughs all the time, and whenever he sees her face, he smiles."
Akito gave him a dubious look. "She is not good natured."
"You only say that because you don't know her the way I do." Kyo replied. "Besides, you have two boys, and I pray neither of them turn out to be like you. I already know your daughter will be like Natsumi, so I'm not too worried about her."
"My sons will be strong like me." Akito said confidently. Then he glanced over at the rolled up scroll in his friend's arms. "I still cannot believe you insisted on bringing that." he sighed.
The blonde demon scoffed. "Please, I am proud of my baby boy, and I just know Her Highness will love to see this picture of him." he smirked. "I bet you secretly wish you brought one of the triplets."
"It's only been a month Kyo. We haven't had time to have a picture made, what with Natsumi trying to heal, and then getting used to having three infants in the house. You only have one, so you don't know what it's like. And she will not allow me to let one of the nursemaids take care of them either. She insists on doing it ourselves."
He shrugged. "I'm just saying, you need to document these precious years, before they grow up and leave the house."
Akito shook his head as they entered the gates to Talia's estate. They were greeted once more by Hideaki, who led them in to the throne room. Talia was still in the form of a young girl, but this time she wore a golden kimono, one that complimented her hair wondrously. To her right stood a man they had not seen previously. He was obviously important, based on his clothing and body language. His hair was spiky and black on the bottom, the top white and framing a face that held stormy grey eyes that were alert and watching the two new demons intently. Hideaki bowed. "My Lady, Uchiha Akito and Kyo are here to see you." he announced, before going and standing on the left side of her throne.
"Your Majesty." Both demons bowed before her in greeting.
"Kyo! It seems just like yesterday that I saw you!" the queen beamed, practically shinning in all her glory. "I don't believe you have ever gotten a chance to meet my lieutenant, Ryū Kai." Talia gestured to the man beside her.
Kyo smiled at her. "No I have not my lady, though I have heard many things about him." He said, nodding to the other demon. "It is nice to meet you."
"Likewise, I'm sure." Kai said, returning the gesture.
Talia giggled, and then her golden gaze fell on Akito. "And what do you want Uchiha Akito?"
"I have come to announce the birth of my children, Majesty." Akito said politely. "Three, in fact. Natsumi sends her regards and apologies. She was needed to take care of them in my absence."
The queen blinked, and even Hideaki looked surprised. "Three?" Talia repeated. "In one birthing? That is…unheard of, even for demons."
"Yes my lady." The Uchiha said, his expression turning grim. "It was a very long and difficult process, and nearly killed her and the babies. But I am glad to say that she healed nicely, and they are each thriving."
"Because of your blood she healed I presume." The queen nodded, though Kai looked disgusted. "I should like to see these three little half breeds in the future. Triplets are a rare thing indeed."
The ebony haired man nodded. "Of course Madam. I will do so as soon as they are old enough to travel. I'm sure they would love to meet you." he smiled slightly.
"Half-bloods are not permitted in Her Highness' court." Hideaki snapped, baring his fangs at Akito. "Despite the fact these half-breeds are from a clan so noble as the Uchiha."
"Their filth would contaminate My Ladies' fair skin, and I will not have them near her." Kai spoke up, his gaze fierce and fangs bared as well.
Talia stood and cleared her throat. "Then I will travel to see them myself." She informed them, stepping down before stopping in front of Akito. "You will take me to your children Uchiha Akito, and then I wish to see Kyo's." she giggled, looking over to the other blonde.
Kyo smiled. "I brought a picture of him." he said, eagerly unrolling the scroll to reveal an infant with honey colored eyes, and a small tuft of what was clearly light pink hair. "His name is Sora." He told her proudly.
"Oh my!" the queen gasped, taking the painting and looking over it. "He is simply adorable! I must see him, maybe the cutest thing I have ever seen!"
"I know!" the blonde man beamed. "He looks so much like my lovely Satomi."
"Does he truly have pink hair?" she wondered.
Kyo nodded. "Yes, he does. It's not as dark as my mate's, but he's gonna rock it when he gets older."
Talia was overjoyed. She offered him back the painting before giving them both smiles. "My heart is soaring, it pleases me that you two have informed me of the births. I will pay visits in due time to your homes to see them."
"Your Highness." Hideaki grumbled.
"Oh hush Hideaki, you and Kai will both be accompanying me in our visits." Talia waved them off.
Kai frowned. "But my lady, it is not recommended we leave the safety of these walls. Especially not to see a bunch of half-blooded children."
"Did I ask for impertinence?!" Talia boomed, turning on them, now having the appearance of a grown woman. "You dare speak against my wishes?!"
"No Highness." Kai bowed his head. "You know my only wish is to keep you from harm."
"And are you insisting I cannot protect myself?" the queen asked, quirking a brow as she approached him, her golden eyes glowing.
He met her gaze. "I would never." He protested. "I simply worry. As each year passes the world becomes a crueler place, and I do not wish for you to become saddened by it. It has been a while since you last ventured out, after all."
Talia was suddenly young again, smiling brightly as she got on her tip toes to hold Kai's face in her small hand. "I know Kai. And I love you so dearly, but I wish to be out. Should I need to be protected you shall do your duty as you always have. Hideaki and you will keep me at peace."
"Yes my queen." He nodded, smiling slightly.
Hideaki sighed and nodded. "Forgive me Your Highness." He bowed. Talia turned back to face her guests.
"I have been informed, you may leave now. I will see you all in due time." She waved them off, returning to her throne.
"Good day my lady." Both Akito and Kyo bowed, turning to head back to their wives and children, whom they were eager to reunite with.
Four years later…
"Mommy!" a two year old boy yelled, tugging at Natsumi's kimono as she tried to move to go to the crying infant in the next room. He had deep green eyes and spiky black hair, looking a lot like Akito's father had when he was a boy. "Up please." He held both his arms up, clenching and unclenching his hands and giving her a pleading look.
Natsumi glanced down, trying not to sigh. "Remember Sano, last time you clawed Mommy and it hurt very, very bad. So be careful." She reprimanded before kneeling down and picking up her son, kissing his cheek.
He smiled, wrapping his arms around her neck as best he could before nuzzling into her flesh. "Yes mommy." He said. "Da baby is cwying." He pointed in the direction the noise was coming from, clearly wanting her to fix it.
"Yes, yes." Natsumi said, giving him a small smile. "I know, let's go get him."
She heard a loud bell, which was their front door, and tried not to groan. "Akito! Will you get that!" she yelled down the hall, but was only met with the loud thunder of running feet.
"We'll get it!" two boys shouted. They were about four, their hair as dark as the night, sticking out in odd angles since they had just been wrestling. Their eyes were the sharpest jade, focused on their task.
"Whoa! Whoa! I don't think so!" the pink haired woman shouted after them, but her arms were already filled, "You don't know who it is! You best not answer that door boys!"
One of them stopped, looking back at their mother from down the hall, but the other just laughed and slid in front of the door, thrusting it open. "Hello!" he declared, going wide eyed and stark pale white. He fell back, fear obvious on his features.
Someone stepped in, kneeling down in front of him. "Hello small one." A soft voice spoke, though despite its tone it sent waves of nausea through Natsumi. Blonde hair cascaded around the being who was dressed in a fairly common kimono, though it was still obvious of her status.
"Noriaki, did you answer the door despite what your mother said?" Akito's stern voice asked, and then the demon himself rounded the corner, pausing for a moment before resuming his gait. "My Lady." He said in surprise, bowing once he was behind his second oldest. "What a pleasant surprise." he straightened, his deep gaze shifting to Kai and Hideaki, who were standing back in the doorway, watching his child in slight interest and disgust.
"I'm sorry dad." Noriaki hurried out, getting up and hiding behind his father. The other boy, who looked almost exactly like the first, came up, attaching to his father's side. "Who is that father?"
"S-She was just a grown-up a few moments ago!" Noriaki cried out, burying his face in Akito's leg. Talia smiled sadly, before looking up at Akito, since she was now in the form she preferred.
"Please forgive me. I did not mean to startle him."
Akito nodded. "It is fine. He should not have disobeyed his mother." He said, squatting down so that he was eye level with his two oldest sons. "Boys, this is Talia, the Queen of the Demons." He said. "So you must address her formally, the way I taught you, understand?"
They both nodded. "Yes father."
He looked back at Talia. "Your Highness, this is my oldest son Kanamé," he put his hand on the second boy's head. "And my second oldest, Noriaki." He put his hand on the boy's head that had answered the door.
"Hello Your Majesty." They said together.
Talia squealed with excitement. "Oh my! They are so cute! Even for disgusting, filthy hanyō!" She kneeled down to their level and examined them herself, touching their faces. "May I see your fangs?" she asked.
Both boys did as she asked, opening their mouths to reveal sharp canines. Hideaki and Kai seemed even more on edge now that Talia was touching the children, hugging them tightly as if they were stuffed animals. "Are these the triplets?" she wondered, glancing up at Akito.
"Two of them." Akito smiled slightly. "My daughter is in the back with Itachi. She enjoys playing Go with him. I shall fetch her, if you wish."
"That is not necessary." Itachi's voice said as he walked towards them, holding a little girl in his arms. She looked exactly like her brothers, though her ebony hair fell down to the middle of her back. "Talia, it is nice to see you again." He greeted.
Talia looked over and smiled, walking in, with Hideaki and Kai following after her. "Hello Itachi, you hardly visit ever." The queen said, stopping before him and looking over the girl in his arms. Her eyes narrowed slightly and the girl shied away, burying her face in her great uncle's chest. The blonde ran her fingers through the dark locks, making a small sound that did not sound too good. "Your daughter is unusually beautiful Uchiha Akito."
"Akito." Natsumi interrupted from down the hall. "Excuse me Your Highness, but please make yourself at home. Itachi, will you show them to the living room while I speak with Akito?"
"Of course." Itachi said, turning and heading off. "This way please." He led the trio to the living room then, Noriaki and Kanamé following so that they could keep an eye on their sister.
Akito turned to his wife. "What is it dearest?" he asked, going over to her.
"Are you out of your mind?" she whispered harshly, keeping Sanosuke close to her. "What is she doing here?"
"She has come to see our children." He explained. "She said that she would when I first announced the triplet's birth…I just did not know it would take her this long to come."
Natsumi huffed, looking angry. "Well I thought she would at least have the decency to inform us of when she was coming."
Akito smirked. "Natsumi, she is the queen. She does whatever she wants."
Sanosuke gasped. "A queen is here?" he asked excitedly. "Where?" he began to wriggle as he tried to look for her.
The pink haired woman rolled her eyes, tightening her grip on Sanosuke. "Come on Sano, we have to get your brother before we go meet her." she said, walking off with a whining child.
Akito sighed and headed towards the living room, shocked at what he saw. Talia was sitting on one of the couches, with Hideaki beside her, both trying to hold in their laughter. Itachi was in his normal chair with the boys at his feet, while Izayoi, his daughter, was standing in front of a seated Kai, staring at him with wide, interested jade depths.
"What do you want?" Kai asked impatiently, frowning at the little girl.
She moved beside him, climbing up onto the couch and sitting on her legs as she moved closer to him. He scooted away, with her following until he reached the edge of the couch and was then cornered by her and the arm of the sofa. "Can I see your fangs?" she asked, her voice the sweetest sound he'd ever heard, though he would never admit it aloud, especially in front of Her Majesty.
He glanced at Talia, seeing her amused gaze, and knew that if he didn't humor the child he would get in trouble. So, silently, he opened his mouth and let his fangs grow out. The little girl's eyes widened and she leaned closer, holding his face with her small hands. "Whoa." She marveled, touching one of them. "Why are your eyes grey? Do you have any special powers? Do you want to play tea party with me in the garden?"
Kai moved his mouth away from her hands and closed it, letting his teeth return to normal. "I was born with grey eyes, I have many special powers, and not particularly, no." he answered.
"Izayoi, do not invade his personal space." Akito instructed, moving to sit down.
"Please?" she begged, ignoring her father's wishes. "I will love you forever." She promised, smiling brightly.
The white haired man's eyes widened slightly, for in that moment an odd sensation overcame him, though he couldn't put a name to it. But suddenly he did want to spend more time with the happy girl. "Very well." He replied, startling the adults in the room, since they knew of his aversion to half-demons.
"Yay!" she cheered, taking his hand and jumping off the couch. She started to pull him from the room, passing her mother on the way out. "I'm going to play tea party with my boyfriend Mommy!" she announced, disappearing out the door.
It was then that Talia burst into laughter, having to hold her sides. Hideaki was laughing as well, though not as hard. Kanamé and Noriaki frowned, glaring after their sister and the man she had taken with her. "Father." They announced.
"Iza is not safe with that man. You should do something." Noriaki scolded.
The blonde waved off the child. "Do not worry, Kai would not dare hurt her." she said, looking to Natsumi, her eyes widening as she fell silent when she locked gazes with the toddler on the human's hip.
"Two more?" she asked softly. She stood, walking over to them, not sparing the infant a second glance.
Sanosuke looked at her in childish awe, his mouth open and everything. He let go of his hold on his mother's neck, leaning forward a bit. "Hold please." He said, clenching his hands once more. Surprisingly enough, he did not seem intimidated in the least by the unnaturally strong aura the blonde gave off.
Talia smiled, reaching up and getting a good hold on him before Natsumi reluctantly let him go. The queen wasn't even irritated this human was slightly being defiant. The blonde stared at Sanosuke, practically glowing as she balanced him on her small hip. "Hello there, little one. My name is Talia. What's yours?"
"Sano." He said simply, reaching out and stroking her long golden locks. "Pretty…" he whispered, completely enchanted.
"His name is Sanosuke." Akito supplied for her. "He cannot pronounce the whole thing yet, and that is what his older siblings call him.
The queen nodded. "Sanosuke…" she said softly, leaning closer to his face. "Hello Sanosuke. You are very special."
He smiled brightly. "Dat's what mommy says." He said. "Are you da queen?" he asked curiously.
"I am." She nodded. "I am the queen of all demons."
Sanosuke looked confused then. "But…you look like a pwincess."
This seemed to make her smile brighten. "Thank you!" she giggled, snuggling him affectionately. "I do think of myself as a princess, but I am in fact the queen."
He giggled at the attention he was receiving from her, and wrapped his arms around her neck before laying his head on her shoulder, nuzzling her as he buried his face in her neck and hair. "I love you." he sighed, seeming perfectly content where he was.
The elder Uchihas watched in confused horror, since not only was Sanosuke not this open and affectionate with new people, but that he wasn't bothered by the older demon's power, nor her his naïve forwardness. Hideaki just didn't know what to think, but knew if he said anything his queen would berate him, and so he kept his mouth shut, though continued to watch the child in suspicion.
Talia held him closer, closing her eyes and taking in his scent. "I love you as well, little Sanosuke." she whispered so only he could hear.
The little boy cooed, beginning to stroke her hair while keeping his arms around her. He gasped and sat up suddenly, looking at Talia with wide deep green eyes. "Do you have a pwince?" he asked. "All pwincesses have one." He nodded as if he knew everything on the subject.
"I do not." Talia smiled. "At least not yet."
"Can I?"
Akito's eyes widened. "Sano." He scolded, not wanting his second youngest son to unknowingly overstep his bounds.
"We'll see." The queen spoke, ignoring Akito. "But first you must get older, because princes do not marry princesses when they are small boys." She chuckled.
"Your Highness." Hideaki stood, giving her a small glare. "Please stop your words, you are setting the boy's hopes far too high for his class."
Talia snuggled with Sanosuke before setting him down. "Perhaps. But perhaps not. Now I'm starving. It is custom for humans to feed their house guests, correct?"
Natsumi gave Talia a small glare but turned away before it could be noticed. "Sure." She handed Hayate, their infant, to her husband before disappearing into the kitchen. She was definitely not liking this visit at all.
"Kai, Kai, Kai, Kai, Kai." Izayoi sang his name, swaying as she poured him some tea from her very real china set. "Please have some tea husband. I prepared it just for you with special oranges." She beamed, offering him some small cakes.
The demon sighed, taking a cake from the plate. She was such a funny little girl. No matter how cold he tried to be to her, she continued to smile and make him want to be a proper gentleman. "Why thank you little wife. I do love it when you make tea." He took a small bite of his treat, keeping up their game.
"I made them special for you of course. I can't have you running off for some frilly little fox demon." She huffed, shaking her head as she sipped her own tea. "The little tarts flaunting off their nakedness and sex appeal. Being a floozy is not as attractive as a proper lady." She nodded.
His grey eyes widened. "Where did you hear that?" he asked. For despite the truth in her words, a child as young as she couldn't possibly know what they meant.
Izayoi blinked, looking down as if she'd been caught. "I heard my mommy say it to my father one time. Some lady came to our house to visit and she had a furry tail like a fox! She didn't wear any clothes! She just had fur over her…" she blushed slightly. "Her naughty areas." She whispered.
Kai smirked. "Yes, some demons do go around in their natural skins." He chuckled, reaching across the small table and tilting her chin up to look at him. "But you are right, proper ladies are more attractive, especially ones as pretty as you." He said, tapping her nose lightly with the tip of his finger before sitting back in his chair and taking another bite of his cake.
The ebony haired girl turned a dark red, fumbling with the china. The two looked up when the door slid open and Talia was in the doorway. "Kai! You'll never guess who's here! It's Mikoto!"
"Grandmother?" Izayoi blinked, standing and hurrying back to the house and past the queen, but not without bowing her respects. Kai rose as well, heading over, but was stopped by Talia, who shut the door.
"Enjoying the company of a cute little half-demon?" she wondered with a smirk, though it was not judgmental.
Kai crossed his arms in a huff. "She isn't that cute." He denied. "Besides, she amuses me."
"Is that so? Good to know." she nodded, tapping her chin in thought. "Because I was thinking of killing her. Too many new Uchihas I think."
His eyes widened. "But Majesty, she is just a child. And the only female. At least take one of the males…there are four, after all. And-" he stopped his protests when Talia began to laugh at him. "Now that is just cruel." He pouted, though the corner of his mouth turned up in a slight smile.
"Come on, let's go inside and visit with an old friend." She said, heading back into the house to see the elder demon. "Hello Mikoto." She said.
The dark haired woman bowed to the blonde. "Your Highness, so nice to see you. What luck I have to be able to see you and my grandson, along with all my great-grandchildren."
"Granma! Talia says I can be her pwince maybe!" Sanosuke said happily, bouncing around the two demoness' feet in his joy, stopping and gripping Mikoto's legs as he smiled up at her, laughing.
The demon went wide eyed and looked up at her queen, who was simply smiling, watching Sanosuke with complete adoration. "I'm actually glad you're here my queen, I was going to present my great-grandchildren with the precious stones of the Uchiha."
"Is that so?" Talia wondered, meeting Mikoto's dark gaze. "All five of them?"
"Yes Your Highness, I hope that is alright. I just want them to be protected and be able to fight for themselves, not a threat to you in any way." She explained.
The queen held her hand up to silence the explanation. "Mikoto, I have known you for years. Your judgment is one I can trust without hesitation."
Akito looked to his grandmother in confusion, rocking back and forth a bit to keep his infant son satisfied. "Grandmother, what are those? I do not believe I was ever told of them." he said.
"Of course not Akito." Mikoto smiled, "When my son was killed, the council decided against presenting them all to you. You were too irrational at the time, and would have used them for the wrong means, such as revenge on the human who now is your father-in-law." She said simply, though the distaste in her voice was obvious. But her warmth returned once more. "Not that the outcome was not wonderful." She chided the children who surrounded her.
"What are the stones Granma?" Sanosuke asked curiously.
Mikoto kneeled down, looking at all of them, but stop on Sanosuke. "Special stones that will give you power." She said, pulling out a pouch and then searching through it. She pulled out a chain that had a decent sized emerald on it. "This one is for you Sanosuke."
"What about me grandmother?!" Noriaki pushed Sanosuke aside, looking excited. Mikoto laughed and pulled out another similar necklace, only this one had a ruby.
"This one is for you Noriaki."
She took out a necklace with a black diamond and offered it to Kanamé, who took it with thanks. She gave Izayoi a sapphire and then stood, offering a blue topaz to Akito. "This one is for Hayate when he has grown more."
He took it from her carefully, putting it around his own neck until he could put it away. "What qualities do they possess?" he asked, since he could feel the magic emanating from each of the gems.
"They will find out in due time, though the color corresponds with the element it possess." She explained.
Akito nodded in understanding. "We were going to have dinner soon. Would you please stay and dine with us? Her Highness and her knights will be here as well."
"So long as it is alright with Her Majesty." Mikoto smiled, getting a nod from Talia.
"Of course Mikoto."
Sanosuke looked up at Talia and tugged lightly on her kimono to get her attention. Kai and Hideaki stiffened at the gesture, but did not move or say anything. "Will you please sit by me?" he asked.
The blonde looked down at the boy and nodded. "Sure." She smiled, taking his hand and walking with him towards the dining room. "Where do you want to sit?"
"There." He pointed to a seat on the other side of the table.
Talia let him pull her to the seat and 'help' her sit down before taking the chair beside her. "Perfect." She laughed. "I love this spot."
Izayoi ran up behind Kai, since he and Hideaki were in the doorway watching their queen suspiciously. "Do you want to sit by me Kai?! Huh?! Do you?"
He couldn't help the small smile that came to his face. "Of course I do." Kai said, gesturing for her to go and pick where she wanted to sit. She ran ahead and took the spot she normally did and pat the space beside her. Noriaki and Kanamé poked their heads in, glaring at the white haired demon.
"I don't like him." Noriaki hissed.
"Me either." Kanamé nodded, both sitting down across from their sister and glaring at Kai from over the table.
Everyone else entered the room then, taking their seats as they waited for Natsumi to serve them their dinner. Akito placed Hayate in a small crib they had in the dining room, where he would lay while they ate, since Natsumi would feed him in the privacy of their room later. Once his newborn was settled peacefully, he took his place at the head of the table, the seat to his right empty and awaiting its mistress.
"How was the journey here Highness?" Itachi asked conversationally. "The world has changed much since you last gazed upon it."
"It really has!" Talia smiled brightly. "So much in fact Hideaki convinced me to appear older so that I was not so harassed. Apparently, humans tend to kidnap children these days more so and do terrible things to them. I happened to scare the boy with my full power." She giggled, glancing at Noriaki, who simply blushed.
He huffed. "I wasn't that scared."
Sanosuke smiled. "I'm not scared of Talia!" he declared proudly.
"Of which amazes me." Natsumi sighed as she brought in the large platters of food, followed by the few servants she allowed them to have. They set everything down and she sat beside her husband, dismissing the help. "Well everything's ready." She gestured, looking exhausted. "Please help yourselves."
And they did so, most of the full demons grabbing as much meat as they could. Luckily, Natsumi knew to make the meat rarer than she normally would for her own children. Most of the meal was eaten in silence, with a bit of small talk among the women and children. When dinner was finished, Natsumi went to feed Hayate, allowing the servants to clean up the mess.
"Okay kids, you know the rules." Akito said. "It's time for you all to go and get ready for bed." he announced, earning groans from his offspring.
"But daddy! Kai is still here!" Izayoi protested.
"I don't care." The elder Uchiha said. "You know bedtime is always after dinner. If you stay up late you'll be cranky tomorrow. Now do as I say. You too Sanosuke."
The younger boy pouted, clinging to Talia's leg. "Only if Talia tucks me in and says night night." He said stubbornly.
Hideaki scoffed. "Her Majesty would never do something so trifling."
"Of course I will Sanosuke!" Talia squealed, wrapping her arms around the small boy, looking elated.
Sanosuke stuck his tongue out at the brunette haired demon, keeping his hold on the blonde woman. Akito rolled his eyes. "Very well. As long as all of you are in bed before your mother finishes with Hayate."
"I want Kai to tell me a bedtime story!" Izayoi pointed at the man beside her.
"Um…but…" Kai fumbled a bit, not knowing how to respond.
"As long as you go to sleep afterwards Izayoi. No second story." Akito said, leaning down and kissing his daughter on the forehead. "Alright?"
Izayoi beamed. "I'll just make sure it's a long one!" she declared, getting up and running off to her room to get ready. Kanamé and Noriaki grumbled, getting up as well and heading off to do their own nightly routine. Sanosuke followed soon and the servants brought out tea for the remaining guests.
Talia picked up her cup and sipped its contents. "That small girl is sure taken with you Kai."
"I don't know why." The white haired demon sighed, taking a sip of the warm liquid.
"I don't either." Hideaki said simply, stirring his own.
"Izayoi is a very good judge of character. Perhaps that is what draws her to you." Itachi smirked. "Or, as I suspect, she has a crush on you. It is a common thing among female children, and her human blood is not helping that in the least."
The blonde queen nodded, hiding her smile behind her sleeve. "She will get very beautiful, and I've never seen you take such…tender actions with a child, nonetheless a half-breed one." Talia pointed out. "Perchance you will take her as your bride?"
Before Kai could say anything in protest Akito sat his teacup down with unnecessary force, getting everyone's attention on him. "That I will not allow." He stated. "It has nothing to do with your character or age, mind you, but everything to do with your lifestyle. My daughter is a precious gift from above, and I will not have her exposed to the work that you do. Ever."
The other demon scoffed. "Please. I know that the life I lead is not attractive to most women. And I never said I wanted to take her as my bride in the first place. So you can relax where that subject is concerned."
"Well if I want the two to be married there isn't anything any of you can do about it." Talia said simply, rising from her seat, causing Kai and Hideaki to do the same. "Now if you don't mind, I have to tuck in a very cute little boy." she giggled, leaving the room.
"And I have a bedtime story to tell, apparently." Kai said, following after the queen.
Sanosuke smiled happily from his seat in the center of his bed when Talia entered. "Yay!" he giggled, getting up and bouncing on the mattress. "You came!"
"Now, now." Talia said in a soft tone, raising her hands in a placating manner. "You promised your father you would go to sleep after I tucked you in." She kneeled beside him, resting her hands on her legs. "So lie down and I will tuck you in."
"O'tay!" He nodded, pulling back his covers and plopping down onto his bed before lying down and looking up at her.
The blonde took the edge of the covers and pulled them to the perfect spot before leaning over and kissing his forehead. "Sleep well little Sanosuke. And do not fret, you and I will meet again. I promise you."
He yawned, sleep already beginning to overtake him. "Will it be a long time?" he asked, snuggling into his sheets.
"Yes." She nodded. "I do not leave my palace often. But we will, I promise."
"Kay." He said, reaching out to touch the tips of his pudgy fingers to the strands of golden hair that had fallen over her shoulder, towards him. "I pwomise to come see you when I'm big enough to pwotect you." he yawned once more, closing his heavy lids. "Night night Talia. I love you." he sighed, beginning to drift off.
"And I love you." She kissed his forehead once more before watching him fall to sleep. When she was sure he had drifted off, she stood and left the room, joining Akito and Hideaki in the living room.
"Uchiha Mikoto sends her regards my lady. She had to depart." Hideaki informed her.
Talia nodded. "Very well, where is Kai? We must be on our way."
"Probably still telling Iza her story." Akito said, rising from his seat. He walked down the hall to her room and poked his head in, going wide eyed at the sight before him. For there was his daughter, tucked in her bed, and completely asleep on the white haired demon next to her, holding him in a strong embrace for one so small, her head resting on his chest.
Kai gave the other man a helpless look, unsure of what to do. The Uchiha entered the room then and pried the younger girl's arms from him, laying her down and pulling the covers further over her as Kai made his escape. When he was finished with that, he left the room, joining the queen and her guards at the door, along with his wife and uncle.
"It was an honor to have you stop by the house my lady." Itachi bowed, along with the other Uchihas.
"Thank you for gracing us with your presence." Akito said.
"Yeah." Natsumi rolled her eyes. "Thanks." She huffed, walking off to go to bed.
Talia watched her leave, while Kai and Hideaki growled at the disrespectful woman. "Please apologize to your wife Uchiha Akito. I fear that it was ill-mannered of me to come unannounced. I do forget proper etiquette at times. And her dinner was positively divine, she is quite a human."
Akito smiled slightly. "Yes, she is." He said. "I will be sure to tell her, thank you. I wish your journey well."
"I shall come visit you soon Talia." Itachi said. "I grow restless, and feel a trip coming up in the near future."
"Wonderful Itachi." The queen grinned. "I look forward to your visits as always. Especially since Kai will be leaving my side for a few weeks."
The elder Uchiha frowned. "Is something amiss?" he inquired.
"Nothing I cannot handle." Kai said a bit stiffly, since he did not like to talk about his work, or have people even think that he would be unable to do his job properly.
"Rest assured Itachi, Kai is blessed by me after all. Aside from myself, he is the strongest demon alive." Talia bowed in gratitude before turning to leave, Hideaki following after her.
"Farewell." The white haired demon said, departing along with the other two. Once they were gone, Akito and Itachi went their separate ways, off to their bedrooms. When Akito entered his it was to see his wife already in bed, their youngest fast asleep in his crib next to her.
"My love, I am sorry for their intrusion." He said, stripping out of his clothes and climbing in to their bed. "But may I say that you did a fantastic job. Dinner was divine, as the queen herself even commented on it." he kissed her cheek.
Natsumi huffed, looking over at him. "Well it was absolutely rude of them to just come and expect me to bend over backwards for them. And she brought that psychopath with her to see my babies! And he was alone with Izayoi, he was probably going to kill her!"
He let out a sigh. "Dearest, he is not a psychopath. Yes, he does a lot of questionable things, but it is part of his job. Besides, I did not sense any killer intent coming off of him. Izayoi was probably the safest she's ever been while she was in his presence." He explained, blowing out the light and lying down. He pulled his wife against him, burying his face in the crook of her neck.
"But he's a bad demon! And he doesn't like humans, nonetheless the offspring between both. You told me that he…." She trailed off. "He killed his own family member because he infatuated himself with a human."
"Now we don't know the whole story." Akito said. "One thing you must learn about demons is that the true intentions of our actions are not always clear in some cases, while in others they are totally obvious." He explained.
Natsumi glared down at her husband, even though it was dark, knowing he could see it. "Oh, well that's helpful."
He sighed against her skin. "Do not worry, I doubt we will be seeing them for a long time, if ever. And with those stones my grandmother gave them, our children will be safe." He soothed. "Now let us get some rest before Hayate wakes up and wants to be fed again."
She sighed as well and closed her eyes, "Goodnight Akito." She said softly, changing their position so that it was she who was cuddled in his arms. "I just hope you're right."
