Chapter 10

After hearing his command, Cinderella appeared at Otogi's side in less than 5 seconds just as Belle entered the room. She closed the door behind her and strode closer to the two of them. "It seems that the vicious Beast is on his way."

"Yes," The ravenette replied as she saw him stroke the boy's cheek. "I figured as much. Have your wounds healed?"

"I am a demon," The silverette replied to her with a calm smile, "I heal quickly." Belle sighed and nodded to him. Silence spread across the room when the ravenette didn't want to say anything. She had the thought that it might upset him, and knowing that he was happy to see that Otogi was alright, she didn't want to ruin the moment. But she was afraid, afraid of what Beast would do once he saw her or the others.

The two of them heard a moan as Otogi turned his head, his eyes slowly fluttering open. "What happened?" He asked while placing a hand over his head, his fingers slowly grazing across the bandage he had.

"You're awake."

The boy turned the opposite way to see Cinderella smiling at him, causing him to smile as well. "Domine," Was the only thing Cinderella could say at the moment as he helped the blonde sit up. "What happened to Beast?"

At that moment, Cinderella's smile faded as he pulled away and headed towards the door, slamming it behind him. Otogi tilted his head while raising an eyebrow. "Did I say something?"

"It's about what happened." Belle spoke up, having Otogi realize that she was there the whole time. "What do you mean?"

"Remember when you blacked out after that tree fell?" The boy's eyes widened when the memory of Cinderella's distraught face flashed through his mind before it went blank. He looked down, playing with his fingers. "Is that so?"

"After that, he thought that he couldn't protect you." Belle explained. "He still feels that way, even though he knows that you're alright."

Otogi was about to speak until a loud roar interrupted him. Both of them jerked their heads towards the window and Belle stood up. "He's nearby." She said.

Rapunzel and Goldilocks sat in silence, not looking at one another, until that same roar interrupted their thoughts. Rapunzel jumped to her feet, jerking her head towards the door. "He's here." She was about to take another step until Goldilocks grabbed her arm, her bangs shielding her eyes. Rapunzel raised an eyebrow as the blonde pulled her closer. "What's up with you?"

"I-It's nothing." Goldilocks let go, only for Rapunzel to be curious at what she was planning. She turned away from the door to face the blonde. "Is something wrong?"

"No. Nothing at all."

"I can tell you're lying."

Goldilocks froze on the spot as Rapunzel gave her a look. "Come on. I promise I won't laugh." The blonde stayed silent for a moment and sat on the bed. "I'm scared."

"About?"

"About what will happen to you if I'm not there." Rapunzel tilted her head and raised an eyebrow as she sat in a nearby chair. Goldilocks turned away and stayed silent, having the other blonde become irritated. "I don't get why you're so scared. Can you be specific?"

"Well." Goldilocks started to speak. "A long time ago, I used to have feelings for. . ." She gulped. "The queen."

"Wait time out. You mean the queen of Marchen demons?" The blonde nodded before continuing. "But, after she died, I thought that I should have died with her. After all, I was one of the people she trusted most, and I failed to protect her. I didn't feel like living anymore. That is, until I met you."

"That reminds me," Rapunzel interrupted, placing a finger over her mouth to stop her. "When we first met, why did you act the way you've always been acting?"

"There's a reason for that," Goldilocks replied. "The reason why I act that way, is because I don't want to lose you. I'm the kind of person who falls in love at first sight, and I was afraid that if I fell in love with you, then you would die like the queen. I want to be around you so I always know you're safe and not dead."

"W-What are you saying?" The blonde stared at her with tears forming in her eyes. "What I'm saying is that I love you." She pulled the shocked princess into a hug, this time, not letting her go.

Rapunzel was now indeed confused on the girl's actions. She didn't believe her words, but at the same time, she did. At first, she thought that Goldilocks was faking the whole thing and wanted to be next to her. Then again, if she was faking, it would be hard for her not to smile or grin. Rapunzel has never seen her like this, so maybe she wasn't faking.

"You're not joking about this, are you?"

Goldilocks pulled back and gave her a look as though she was crazy. "Of course I'm not. Why would you think that?"

"Because it's not like you. You don't behave like this." Another roar interrupted them and both heads snapped towards the door. "We'll talk later." Rapunzel pulled away and headed into the hallway, making her way towards the front entrance of the castle. Goldilocks sprinted after her and slammed the door. She knew what Beast was capable of, and she was afraid of what he might do to Rapunzel.

"What's going on?"

She barely saw Sorimachi enter the hallway with a confused look, with Hatsushiba hiding behind him. "Beast is on his way to the castle." Just when she said that, Hatsushiba whimpered and scurried back into the room. "You coming?" The blonde asked him. Sorimachi nodded in return before following her.

"Yuma wait!"

Sorimachi stopped when his beloved hugged him from behind. He watched as Goldilocks disappeared down the hallway, into the darkness and out of sight. Hatsushiba was afraid, there was no denying that, and he also knew why she was afraid. It was rare for her to be be afraid. Sure she was very concerned when things like this happen, but for her to be afraid and probably traumatized is a side that no one has seen. "Hiyori-"

"No." She tightened her grip so he wouldn't break free. "Don't leave. Please."

"Hiyori listen." He forced her to let go. "I would leave this to the demons, but after what happened earlier, I think they might be killed. And if that happens, Beast will come after us next." He cups one of her cheeks with eyes filled with worry. "I'd hate for something to happen to you. That's my worst nightmare."

She stared back at him with the same look, but with tears. A part of her knows that he's right, but the other part of her thinks that her beloved his insane. Either way, she doesn't want him killed. After their first encounter, she knows what the beast is capable of, and in her opinion, might be the strongest Marchen Demon out of all of them(well besides the king). "But Yuma-"

He cuts her off by slamming his lips onto hers to stop her protest. He placed a hand on the back of her head so she wouldn't break the kiss if she wanted to. Hatsushiba gripped his shoulders, wanting him to let go, but he gripped her hair in return as a sign of no. She let out a moan of discomfort, and he pulled away for air, followed by a string of saliva. "I'll come back. Promise."

Footsteps were heard behind them as they saw Cinderella head towards the front gate. "I take it you heard?" Sorimachi nodded as the silverette turned to the brunette. From the look in her eyes he already knew she was frightened, and most importantly, not want Sorimachi to die on her. He smiled. "Hatsushiba-san. Do you mind taking care of Domine with Belle for me?"

Her eyes widened before turning to Sorimachi, who nodded in return. "I'll be back." He gave the girl a quick kiss before disappearing down the hallway. Cinderella patted her on the shoulder before going after him. Hatsushiba saw him turn the corner, and she ran the other way towards Otogi.

Me: Wow. This took a LONG while to write. I really couldn't think of continuing this because of dirty talk, teasing, yaoi, grades, teachers, school, being an otaku, fangirling, watching anime, role-play, and much more what I do with my life. Maybe I'll ask my friends to help me with the next chapter since they fucking love this series. Anyway, until next time(which hopefully won't be that long), I'll check you guys later.