A/N: much apologies for not updating much sooner as you've heard I'm such a lazy as and haven't done anything since the summer started. But in my defense I was at camp so is that enough excuse? Ha Ha probably not.
Disclaimer: I don't own most of the characters used in the making of this fanfiction they belong to their rightful owners.
Ventus' POV...
I sighed as I glanced over the marks on my arm. They had been fading by the day now, but were still easily visible. My eyes drifted over to Vanitas' arm, he was talking to Sora about something, but I had stopped listening when it drifted into things I don't quite understand. I glanced over his bandages he'd done his best to cover up whatever was infecting his arm, but the blackish tint on the skin that wasn't covered higher on his upper arm made me worry slightly that it was spreading. I sighed again 'he told me not to worry, but it was bleeding yesterday' I worried to myself just as Vanitas noticed me staring. He moved his arm from my line of sight and waved his other hand in my face.
"Ventus, were you paying attention" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Oh, uh sorry I wasn't listening" I said sitting up. Vanitas sighed
"I guess you could go without knowing about all of it" he turned to Sora, who sighed as well and continued to speak with Vanitas.
"I can watch over them while you're gone, I doubt any stray demons would come by" Sora told him, but Vanitas just shook his head.
"The meat head heard me tell the cat to bring Ven and his brother here, and if by any chance he or that woman come here for him something bad could happen" Vanitas said hand drifting down to his arm "That guy has already made it worse…. and Ventus is my trump card. I can't leave him to possibly risk 'that' happening" I furrowed my brow what does he mean by 'that' I thought, but the conversation continued before I could ask.
"Terra wouldn't do that" Sora interjected, but trailed off, looking over to me "...would he?" I shrugged having no knowledge of what they meant.
"I don't know, I didn't even know I was remotely involved in any of this" I sighed.
"That doesn't matter right now. All that matters at this moment is whether or not I'm taking you with me, which I am, and how I'll keep you safe" Vanitas told me. I huffed unsatisfied with the lack of a complete explanation.
"I guess if it's still in this realm, it wouldn't stir up too much trouble and it'd be fine, but you know you're going into an area where contractors are treated like property so you'd have to protect him and we both know you can't do much with that arm. Without an issued contract you'll be in constant danger" Sora argued. Vanitas groaned, looking over to me then back at Sora.
"What if I went the other way" he asked and Sora fell silent.
"Fine I guess that will work" Sora finally agreed.
"Come on Ventus, we're going on a trip"
o.0.0.o
I shifted uncomfortably next to Vanitas adjusting the prop cat ears he'd placed on my head.
"Do I have to wear this?" I asked quietly as I walked next to him.
"If I brought you here without it people would know you're not even remotely a demon" he whispered in return looking around. "besides they like cats" he added ushering me through an ally. Still not thrilled with the idea I did as he had asked of me and stayed inconspicuous. After a few minutes of walking we came up to a dead end alleyway with a single shop at its end that read 'Simple sorcery'.
"Who exactly are we going to see?" I asked. Vanitas sighed, looking at the sign.
"I guess you could say they're friends of mine" he said before opening the door. Following Vanitas inside, I peeked past him as we walked down a hallway into the main store. "when we get in here, do as I do these two are very grabby and the wrong reaction might spike unwanted curiosity" he told me as he stopped at another entrance.
"Okay" I answered in return. Afterwards we walked into a room lit by fancy pink tinted light bulbs, making the room a dark pinkish color. The smell of spice stuck in the air and I sneezed at the thickness of it. looking up at Vanitas I saw a half smile creep across his face.
"Namine, Kairi are you here?" He called coming up to the service counter. I looked around the room, it was filled with bizarre and unusual products in jars and bags.
"Vanitas! Long time no see~. Oh and who's this new friend of yours?" hummed one of the two girls who came from the back room of the shop. "I'm Naminé by the way, this is Kairi" She motioned to herself, then the red haired girl next to her. I waved to them hesitantly before Vanitas stepped in front of me.
"This is Ventus, he's a friend of mine, but that doesn't matter at the moment"
Vanitas' POV…
I placed my arm on the table unwrapping the thick bandages on it to reveal my tinted black, blood glazed skin. Naminé gasped at the sight.
"oh my God Vanitas, what in the world happened to your arm" she examined the wound lightly poking at my hand and I winced clenching my teeth and gave a sideways glance at Ventus
"Its been purified then covered in blight, then re-purified" I said bluntly. Naminé frowned at Kairi.
"And you expect us to fix it? Why not just find yourself a human to trick into a contract like most" Kairi remarked and I grit my teeth slightly in annoyance.
"There's an obvious reason why I don't just randomly contract with anyone" I growled choosing my words carefully and being sure not to say anything that would get Ventus even more curious than I already knew he was. Naminé frowned at me and looked over to Ventus, I assumed she obviously knew what was up, Damned witches I inwardly cursed, knowing full well what she was possibly going to ask me. Naminé leaned closely to me cuffing her hand around my ear.
"Its because of him? I didn't think you the type to bring a possible contractor into a house of witches filled with demons" she whispered to me and I growled.
"You better not try and take him, he's mine and mine alone, try and take him, purification or not, I will rip your throats out" I hissed in her ear and she chuckled.
"Calm down, I won't" she ended the conversation and pulled Kairi to the side, before speaking with her briefly.
"Okay Vanitas, since we have nothing better to do, we'll help you Vanitas, but you'll have to run us a few errands" Kairi explained. I pulled my arm off the table holding my arm close, but careful not to touch it to any bare skin.
"What type of errands? I can't do much with a burden" I said.
"Nothing too big, we just need you to buy a few things for us" Naminé said pulling out a bag and a map. "Ventus can hold the stuff for you" she added winking at him. A warning growl vibrated in my throat as she did so and Ventus grabbed the materials seemingly oblivious to her charming.
"Naminé, what are you doing" I hissed quite enough so Ventus couldn't hear.
"Lighten up Vanitas, he looks so nervous. I just figured I'd charm him into a better attitude, give the boy something to do" she chuckled "No need to be so protective, I won't steal your boyfriend" she added causing a blush to flame across my cheeks.
"What!?" I choked leaning back. She ignored my confusion and left me to sputter slightly at my spot on the counter whilst she explained to Ventus what he was to do. Shaking my head, I glared at her and sighed these two never change I remarked remembering how much they've helped me. "do you have anything I could wrap my arm up in" I said, looking at the old blood soaked wrapping I'd used. Kairi followed my gaze to the old bandages and scowled.
"I'm surprised you're arm isn't worse, given how horrible these bandages look" she remarked, pulling out a first aid kit from under the counter. She popped open the box and pulled out some fresh bandages. "give me your arm, I'll bandage it up" she offered. Stretching my arm across the counter I let her wrap up my arm. I hissed at the familiar tightness around my wound.
"whatever you two are gonna do better work, I don't think I can go much longer without a cure. The blight only delayed the effects" I lowered my voice "I don't know how long I could hold off my true form if it's released with Ventus" I added as she finished and she put her hand on my shoulder in reassurance.
"don't worry Vanitas we won't let you down" she told me a small smile on her face. "now away with you, go run those errands" she said, ushering us away from the counter. I chuckled and lead Ventus out of the store.
o.0.0.o
The first place we had to go was the soul bank to take some souls for Naminé and Kairi. I growled as I pushed past the crowd holding Ventus' hand tightly. All these guys were, was filthy beggars who couldn't hunt for themselves and I knew they could smell the sweetness that was Ventus even though I'd covered him in my own scent before we'd arrived. Keeping him close, I pushed him past the crowd of lower class demons. Of course we'd have to come here, lets hope no one recognizes me, I hoped as we reached the pick up line.
"Hey Vanitas, that guy over there is staring at you" whispered Ventus. I followed his gaze and found a short demon in the corner of the room clad in casual clothing. His hair was curled and short and oddly familiar, especially once I saw the green and blue of his Heterochromian irises. He flinched as he noticed me looking at him and I narrowed my eyes. Panic was clear across his face and I immediately realized just exactly who it was.
"Aron, why don't you stop staring at me and get your ass over here and tell me why you're here?" I called hiding the subtle irritation I'd felt upon seeing him. Sheepishly, Aron crossed the floor between them a nervous grin on his face.
"Oh, ha ha. I d-didn't expect to see the second son of the King of the third province here, in a lowly soul bank for the beggars." he stammered bowing his head. I scoffed at his formality, letting a snarl rumble from my throat.
"And I didn't expect to see a dirty soul stealing cheat alive and in the half realm" I growled wanting to choke him. This was the dirty bastard that helped Ronheim kill my mother, or the second queen of the third demon province in "hell". He'd pleaded for forgiveness at that time and my elder brother had let him live never having a liking to humans- that of which my mother was- he didn't care even whilst temporarily king whilst our father mourned for her.
"Oh yes, ha ha. truly a mistake on my part, um, the council was never the same after Kosame died. it… it, uh, caused great strife between us and the exorcist guild and it wasn't of best outcomes." he said shrinking back. I rolled my eyes at him. He was just feigning his humbleness and remorse and I scowled at him.
"As if. I have a question to ask you Aron, why are you here, and why are you watching me" I snarled.
"Well who isn't watching," he glanced at Ventus who had seemingly just turned back to the line, but I was sure was listening. "A higher up appearing injured at a soul bank with a powerful contractor, heheh not to mention vulnerable, many people are watching." he chuckled letting his sly tone betray his helpless act.
"Well then Aron, why don't I just show them who they're messing with" I chuckled slyly grabbing him by the throat and bringing him closer so I could whisper in his ear. "I know you wouldn't have any intention of coming and confronting me face to face. Tell me who sent you, and where were they" I said in a low tone that only he could hear. He sputtered and hacked at my grip on his throat clawing at my hand so he could breathe. Reluctantly I loosened my grip so he could answer.
"It was VanHar and Waru, they're somewhere in . I-i swear they said they'd allow me back in the third and second provinces if I told them what you were up to" he wheezed kicking his legs in an attempt to shake my grip. Annoyed with him I released his throat and let him fall to the ground.
"hey, get off of me."
"Looks like the prince is losing his cool? No doubt the result of that arm of yours, no?" added another voice. This time it was a taller demon having much pinkish blonde locks he was leaning on Ventus' shoulder.
"Fraun" I hissed. Although he was right, it still annoyed me. My arm was making me slip on my self control, letting the more violent and less cooled demonic instincts take over, I would've never confronted Aron in front of Ventus had it been otherwise. The wound throbbed as if responding to my malice towards it, but I ignored it.
"Now before you do anything, do mind if you do try anything two things will happen. One, I'll take your precious contractor, and two, I'll cause a scene. It's bad enough we've got more eyes on us, but this is common here, no? All I need you to do is let Aron go to your brother and VanHar and come with me, and don't worry about those errands. I spoke with the witches before hand and they actually sent you here for me, I've got a physician who can help you with your arm." he explained. I glanced at Aron, I'd planned on scaring him out of going to them, but at the cost of Ventus, it wasn't worth it.
"Fine Fraun. Get out of here Aron next time you won't be as lucky" I spat and the small demon scrambled to his feet and ran into the midst of the people. Once he was gone, I turned to Fraun, his sly grin of triumph made me want to clock him right in the jaw, especially as he'd kept messing with Ventus whom was trying to get him off his shoulder.
"So tell me Vanitas, how'd you get such a delicious contractor to follow you?" he said, picking at Ventus' locks of blonde hair, but the boy slapped away his wandering hands swiftly and scooted closer to me only bringing that fuckface closer.
"None of your business Fraun. Lets just get out of this place and to wherever it is that you'd wanted to go." I growled and he just grinned a chuckle slipping from his mouth.
"Whatever you say your highness."