A/N: Hey guys! Here's an update for you! I hope you enjoy it! If you want, you can follow me on my blog on tumblr: thewheezingwyvern . I also have a Ko-fi account set up as well (which you are by no means required to donate to) but if you guys would like to support me, you can find me there as wheezingwyvern ! Anyways, this chapter took longer than what I want because I got robbed and my laptop was stolen. Which meant I lost a lot of my WIPs. But here we are! With a new chapter update! Carry on, loves!

"Are you going to follow me literally everywhere?" I asked with a groan.

The hallway was empty aside from the two of us and yet the Dark Elf Reject tailed me like a shadow. It was damned annoying and unnerving. Yomi alone was enough to get under my skin but to have one of his lapdogs trailing me was something that I found very rattling. The demon gave me a sour look, his lip curling in loathing at me.

"Believe me, I am no happier about this than you are."

I scowled, "But seriously...everywhere?"

Ryoto bared his teeth at me in a vicious sneer, "Why am I not surprised that the weak minded human can't comprehend her situation?"

Gritting my teeth, I squared up with him, glaring up into his luminous golden eyes. He easily towered over me but I didn't back down. He had his orders and I took down two of his team mates in their attempt to kidnap me and I felt confident that I could hold my own against him.

"I comprehend just fine." I clenched my fists.

The smirk that grew on his face was nearly feral, "Do you? Do you really?"

One of his large hands suddenly seized my throat and I was slammed roughly against the wall. A grunt escaped past my lips and Ryoto crowded into my personal space, his fingers flexing dangerously over my windpipe. I snarled at him when I realized I could still breathe but I did not lash out.

"You have your orders from Yomi-"

"Lord Yomi." He corrected sharply.

"To keep me from any harm. Pretty sure that includes you attacking me."

I glared into his eye, intentionally not adding the "lord" to the title just to get under his skin. But Ryoto was not angry, if anything he seemed positively delighted. A hoarse laugh poured from his throat, a sound that made me shudder and tense up.

"What a funny little human you are." he flexed his hand but did not put enough pressure on me to cause pain, "Do you really think that you will stay in his good graces forever? Do you really think you will be warned first when he's decided that you have outlived your usefulness?"

My eyes widened in shock.

"It will happen, you insect. And when it does, I am personally going to volunteer to rip your throat out myself."

I lashed out then but Ryoto had already moved backwards, dodging my attack with ease. His grin could almost be described as devilish. But the word "devilish" made it sound like some smutty romance novel bullshit, you know the word they use to describe the man as dark, dangerous, flirtatious but also sexy? But devilish was too mild to describe. That grin held a promise. A promise that he absolutely would line up to kill me the moment the opportunity presented itself.

"Touch me and I will kill you." I promised lowly.

"You really don't get it...you are more in over your head than you know."

"I think I have a pretty good idea."

Ryoto scoffed, "No you don't. If you did, you would be a lot more scared."

"Oh then why don't you clue in the poor human, Enlightened One?"

The demon let his energy ooze off of him in waves. Powerful waves that made me realize that this entire time he was toying with me. Back in the throne room he had been toying with me, holding in his true strength because I was to be kept alive. It occurred to me that the only reason I killed his partners was because they had underestimated just how much I was capable of. Ryoto would not make that same mistake.

"Not only are you outclassed," He purred to me, "but you are in a castle filled with demons that draw satisfaction from eating humans."

My heart bottomed out. I was trapped in a castle of demons that saw me as food. This was so much worse than I had initially thought. The Dungeons and Dragons Wannabe was basking in my discomfort. Was reveling in the fear that was plainly written on my face. He slammed a hand against the wall by my head, pushing his intimidating presence into my personal space yet again.

"Now there's a look that suits you..." he drew closer, his raw power nearly swallowing me whole, "Raw fear. Don't forget your place, human, for the rest of us certainly won't."

"You will step away from her now."

The relief that washed over me must have been apparent for Ryoto flashed me a smirk, "As King Yomi's advisor commands."

The demon stepped back as ordered but folded an arm in front of his stomach and bowed, mockingly. I didn't waste anytime in scurrying closer to Kurama. The fox in question kept his cold gaze fixed upon my "guardian" to be sure he didn't cause any trouble. Silence. Ryoto maintained his cocky smirk and leaned himself back against the stonewall, folding his arms across his chest.

"You may leave now." Kurama told him coolly.

He shook his silver head, "No can do, Fox boy. I have my orders from Yomi to watch after her to make sure no one tries anything. We tend to be a...hungry people here."

"And yet I find you accosting her in the hallway."

I could sight of two pairs of fangs on his top jaw that I had somehow missed before, "No harm in making sure she understands just what kind of situation she is in. I was doing her a favor."

"I see. I'm glad that is the case. I would hate to think of the possible punishment that would come your way if Yomi thought you were disobeying him."

Ryoto narrowed his eyes very slightly but his smirk stayed in place, "Yes, my lord is most unforgiving to those who are not loyal to him. You are smart to understand that, Foxy."

I dared not open my mouth. I didn't know what was safe for me to say in this interaction. The level of politics I had just been plunged into was far over my head and skill to deal with. So I kept my silence and let Kurama handle the situation.

"Indeed."

The smile on the Dark Elf's face widened, "I'll wait out here for you love birds to finish."

I wanted to punch him so hard he went flying through the wall, which I sadly lacked the strength to do. But it was clear that this demon wanted to push my buttons, get under my skin and I decided that I wasn't going to give him that satisfaction. I said nothing and turned back to Kurama, gesturing my head to the door that he had come out of. He walked with me and we went into his quarters without another word to my shadow. When the door closed behind us, I sighed.

It was more colorful than I had anticipated. When I had first thought of Demon World, I had thought of a desolate place with lots of lava and just awful heat. Probably old christian influences from my old life. But even then, given how the throne room looked I had not really expected to see the rest of the castle look so...sleek and even stylish. It was almost like the throne room was a space deliberately made intimidating for the purposes of impressing visitors but the rest was made to be welcoming for potential allies.

I sat down on the bed. My fingertips smoothed over the sheets, the fabric soft and satisfying to the touch. It wasn't like any of the bedding fabric that we had topside in the Human world. But it was clearly made for comfort, designed to help keep warm but also breathable so it didn't become too hot. The colors were vibrant, a teal and gold with splashes of white accents. The walls were arched upwards with well molded pillars and across from the bed was a fireplace, burning brightly and table crafted of a supple wood that almost seemed to have flecks of red color that caught the light. The table was where Kurama seated himself.

"Do you think he can hear us out there?" I asked quietly.

"It is hard to say. Possibly."

I blinked when Kurama began to write on a sheet of paper, no longer talking to me. Bemused, I watched as he continued to write, wanting to say something but also finding myself curious. When he finished he gestured for me to come over to the table with him, which I obliged.

"Even if he can't hear us, Yomi most assuredly can." Kurama had written.

I paled, taking the pen from him before replying, "How is that possible? He could be on the otherside of the castle!"

Kurama took the pen back before speaking aloud, "Are you doing well?"

He cast me a look that told me to play along so I nodded, "As well as can be expected for a girl who was kidnapped to Demon World. Your people really know how to treat a lady, don't they?"

Kurama showed me the paper, "Yomi is said to have increased his hearing. The word is that he can hear anything that happens within these walls and some even say within his kingdom. It is best to be cautious."

I nodded and began writing my response. The fox continued speaking, "It is...something of a charm of ours."

"Well I'm glad you lost some of this charm when we first met. I might have been in trouble then!" I laughed awkwardly before lifting up the paper to show him my written answer, "Fair enough. Why am I here? Really? Is Yomi planning to use me as leverage against you?"

"You are in trouble now. Make sure to keep your head down and try not to be unruly while we are here."

He kept his voice cool and clipped but I could tell he was furious. This whole situation has upset him and it honestly had me upset too. The one time I was behaving myself? I got dragged into trouble anyways, which was really not fair.

"Understood."

Kurama showed me his next message, "Yes. Yomi wants me here for more than one month to advise him. And he has threatened my human family as well to try and guarantee my compliance. You should step carefully for Yomi's influence may not be enough to protect you. There are some that despise my presence here and would go to great lengths to get me out of the way."

"For what it is worth, I am sorry you got involved Midori."

I began writing immediately before I replied, "It's not your fault. Once this all got underway, I really don't think much could have changed it, you know? I'll get by. I always do."

"Shachi. Well if I'm stuck here, I might as well try to get what information I can. Don't worry, I'll be careful."

I looked at Kurama and watched as he bobbed his head in the affirmative, "Very well. We must conclude this meeting for now but we will speak later."

"I would hate to involve you further but I might need whatever help you can provide. Be safe. We'll talk later" He scribbled down.

"Ok. You be careful too."

Kurama took the paper and tossed it into the burning fire place, the white paper curling in on itself as the embers caught hold. I waited for it to completely burn before exiting the room. I didn't think the D&D Reject would try to come in but I wanted to be on the safe side.

"See you, Kurama." I said as I stepped out the door.

Ryoto was waiting for me out in the hall, the smirk still firmly in place, "Did the little human have fun with her fox?"

I rolled my eyes at him, "Anyone ever tell you that you are a real treat to be around?"

"Yes but it is normally in more...pleasurable company."

"Hmmm, you must have been paying them a lot of money then."

"That mouth is going to get you in trouble here." His eyes were sharp.

I shrugged, "Wouldn't be the first time it has."

He snorted in derision, "Hardly surprising. Now if you're done running your mouth, I have things to do today."

"And if I say that I don't care and I'm not going?"

"Then I would be forced to say: 'Then I will haul you over my shoulder and drag you there. Restrain you if I have to.'" Ryoto's golden eyes flashed, "Would you like to be trussed up like a pig around demons that would love to take a bite out of you?"

My heart skipped a beat in my chest and I swallowed hard, "Fine. Lead the way."

"I knew you'd see it my way."

xxxxxx

The first place he stopped was in a wing of the castle, high in the tower. It was a sprawling room with a large round table, the walls filled with holes housing scrolls and texts but it definitely did not give off the feel of a library. The walls were filled with panels that were meant for projections it seemed. To the far right there was an arching doorway that lead out onto a landing that overlooked Demon World.

Curiosity got the better of me and I found myself drifting outside to look out over the sprawling landscape. It was covered in a dense forest and it was surprisingly fragrant. There was a floral scent that hung in the air that almost reminded me of jasmine flowers. Hiei had said back in the cave with the battle against Sensui that it had a rotten wind. But the air was shockingly fresh. I took a deep breath in, savoring this slight moment of peace. If I closed my eyes, I could pretend that I was back at Genkai's compound, smelling the forest breeze that would drift in through the open doors.

"Oh you brought me a snack, Ryoto." drawled a gravelly but feminine voice.

I snapped my eyes open to be face to face with yet another demon. Her eyes were almost completely round, like a birds and I found myself screeching in shock. Ungracefully, I stumbled backwards, falling flat on my back. She laughed at me and grinned down at me. Subtly pointed teeth gleamed down at me from the frame of naturally bright red lips. An impressive set of wings seemed to bloom from her back, feathered in colors of brown and black with white tips.

Owlish eyes studied me hungrily, chestnut brown irises gleaming in the light. Sharp talons drummed against the banister as she sized me up, the flesh up to her elbows a rough yellow like a birds. Her feet looked the same and they flexed around the rail as she kept herself perched there. Gracefully, she hopped down, tilting her head to the side as she stepped forward. Her face was very elongated with a sharp chin and a high forehead that smoothly transitioned to a mop of wild brown hair.

"Manami." Ryoto greeted and chuckled down at me as I sat myself up, "Unfortunately this human is not for any meals. She is to be kept from harm, Yomi's orders."

The bird demon clucked her tongue in disappointment, "Well, if our King has ordered it I will obey...even if she does look tasty."

'Harpy…' I thought to myself, 'She looks like a damn Harpy.'

I was beginning to wonder if I was living someone's D&D campaign somewhere and if I was, I had some very strong words for the dungeon master! Ryoto stepped around me like I were a piece of discarded trash that he didn't want to bother with. I huffed and climbed to my feet, cheeks flushed in embarrassment in how I had fallen over like that.

"Did you get it?"

Manami nodded, "I did. Not an easy run, by the way."

The bird demon was not clothed since she was almost entirely covered in feathers but around her hips was a wrap with a large pouch attached to it. A taloned hand slipped inside and pulled out a round disk, one that I quickly could tell was meant for the technology in this room or perhaps elsewhere. Seeing the odd mix of technology but also fantasy like setting was almost jarring but it seemed to strangely work.

"Good work." Ryoto pocketed the disk before pulling out a scroll and handing it to her, "This is your next assignment."

The bird demon didn't wait to read, she tore it open then, her eyes raking over the words scribbled on it. She was silent for several moments before shoving the paper into her pouch, nodding firmly. A crooked smirk unraveled on her mouth then.

"You really like to pick the tough ones, don't you? Alright, consider it done." Suddenly she snapped her gaze back to me and she approached with a snicker, "What is it, girlie? You look so small and afraid. Afraid I'm going to eat you up?"

I had two options: I could keep my head low and act as small as she thinks I feel or I could be a sassy little shit. It probably goes without saying which one I picked.

"No, I'm just wondering if you could drag his ass with you so I don't have to deal with his overwhelming 'charm' anymore." I jerked my head to Ryoto.

Manami blinked before laughing raucously, "You know what? For a squishy human, you are recklessly stupid." She pinched my cheeks between her talons playfully, "It's adorable. Are you supposed to be the one to keep her out of trouble, Ryoto?"

"Sadly, yes."

"Hah! You've got your work cut out for you!"

I finally swatted her hands away from me in annoyance, "My cheeks are probably tender enough without you having to pulverize them, thanks."

Ms. Harpy drew her face in really close to mine, licking her lips, "I'm sure there's plenty about you that's tender...Sure you don't want to offer me a bite, Squishy?"

I had a moment where I was afraid. And then my mouth started running before my brain could catch up.

"You know, you're all feathered like some of the birds we would cook back home. Maybe you'll give me a bite of you first?"

Silence. Oppressive silence fell over the three of us and I felt the horror set in within me as my brain realized what the hell I just said. My eyes glanced to Ryoto who was staring at me as if I had grown a second head before I looked back to Manami. She blinked a few more times before falling into another fit of laughter.

"Oh it's going to be wonderful having you around, Squishy. I might get a bite out of you yet."

She smiled widely at me before turning around to step back outside. With a great leap, she leapt over the bannister, her wings snapping outwards to take flight. Soon she was flying off over the forest, heading to whatever her next mission was. I stood there, feeling a bit shaken by how close to death I probably just came.

"You really like to flirt with danger, girl. You're lucky, I think she likes you."

"That's me…" I choked out, "the classic flirt. Just can't keep away from that danger there!"

He narrowed his eyes at me, "You didn't even think before you said that to her, did you?"

"Not in the least. Welcome to babysitting me."

Ryoto grumbled and pinched the bridge of his nose, "I'm beginning to think that killing you would be a mercy."

"For you or for me?"

"Both."

Xxxxxx

"I'm starting to think that you are just coming up with shit to do so you can drag me around and make my life miserable."

After the Harpy Incident, Ryoto had dragged me along to visit the kitchens. He claimed he was hungry but I was skeptical. He mostly chatted with the cooks and the maids of the castle. For a demon who was such a treat to be around, he seemed to be pretty well liked. He was well received in the kitchens. In the laundry area. In the gardens. Even the soldiers seemed to like him when we went outside to the training grounds. Thankfully Shachi was not present for that last visit.

And yet each of these visits, aside from the tower with Manami, seemed to have no particular importance attached. He didn't give them anything. He didn't receive anything and there was no mention of any kind of assignment. In fact there was barely any castle gossip for me to listen in on. And over all they seemed to largely ignore me after he introduced me as a guest of Yomi.

Ryoto snorted ahead of me, "Please, you aren't that special. Just because I have to babysit you doesn't mean everything I do revolves around you."

I arched a skeptical brow at him, "Oh? I thought you said you had things to do today but other than the tower with Manami nothing afterwards seemed that important."

Elf boy stopped ahead of me before turning to face me, a crooked smirk greeting me, "Oh? Is it really that surprising to you that people have friends?"

"When it comes to someone as 'charming' as you, yes."

He glared, "And you would know all about charm, wouldn't you, human scum?"

I tossed my hair over my shoulder, "More than you."

Ryoto dragged me closer to him by the arm, "You are a really slow learner, aren't you?"

I narrowed my eyes, "It's day one, Yomi hasn't exhausted my uses that quickly so don't even try that intimidation tactic."

"Learn to watch your tongue." he growled to me before a wicked smile curled across his mouth, "Don't think restraining you is off the table yet. In fact I think I would find it very satisfying...seeing you restrained like the animal you are. Like all of your kind is."

I leaned back so he wasn't so close to my face but then furrowed my brows, "My kind…? Do you...hate ALL humans?"

Striking golden eyes hardened, "Many of us do."

"...Why?" I breathed out, staring up at him.

Ryoto shoved me away then, "None of your business, is why. Don't bother pressing. You won't find many human sympathizers here."

"I'd imagine not since I seem to be a menu item for half of them." I retorted dryly, straightening my clothes primly.

"Even the ones who don't want a taste still won't care. That's not just in Yomi's territory but everywhere. I'd watch your step, girlie."

Warily I eyed him but said nothing else. He set off again without paying me any mind. An oppressive silence blanketed the both of us as my mind raced. Why did so many demons hate humans? Had this been going on for years? Was it because of things like what Sensui discovered where humans were torturing demons just for sport? It was despicable but didn't they do similar things to us? My mind buzzed with all of the possibilities until I was jerked out of my train of thought.

"Your room...princess." He curled his lip at the last word, throwing his hand out in rough gesture towards the door that was to be mine.

I glared but said nothing and brushed past him. When I opened the door, his strong hand wrapped around my arm once again, giving me a warning squeeze. I paused and looked back with a sour expression. Ryoto didn't pull on me but his eyes bore into mine with an intimidating intensity.

"Lock your door behind you and do not leave for the rest of the night." Ryoto said darkly, "If you leave this room or fail to lock the door, I will not be responsible for what happens to you."

I swallowed, "But how am I supposed to know it's you at the door when you come to get me?"

"Trust me, if I want in, a locked door won't stop me." my heart clenched, "But it will pretty much keep everyone else out. Do not open it for anyone. Unless you want to be strung up and bled out."

I couldn't stop the widening of my eyes. The expression he had was severe. Before we visited Kurama's room he had been TRYING to intimidate me out of some wicked glee. But here he was one hundred percent serious with no ulterior motive other than to keep me safe per his orders. I swallowed hard and nodded mutely.

"Good."

He let go of me then and I fled inside of the room I had been given for my stay here. Dutifully, I closed and locked the door behind me, leaning against it as I tried to collect myself. This was the world I had landed myself into. I had never felt so hunted in my life. Exhaustion gripped at me then and I found myself collapsing onto my bed, not even paying any mind to how my room looked. I was asleep within minutes.

"I'm starting to believe I didn't need to test you at all. You have a gift for getting yourself into trouble." Came Yumiko's voice.

I jerked and looked around to find myself seated cross legged in Genkai's temple, rain gushing outside the open doors. Candles illuminated the stone pillars and statues, casting haunting shadows onto the floor. Incense curled upwards in wispy spirals to float around the temple. The peaceful air made it almost feel like I was back in the Human World.

"Am I dreaming?" I asked in confusion.

"Of course. Although I'm sure you wish that this was real."

She tilted her head, long waves of silken gold tumbling over her shoulder. Yumiko smiled at me, her lips curling softly at the corners. But her eyes. Her eyes were like a savage blue sky, ready to swallow me whole.

"So...do you mean that you didn't arrange this?" I leaned forward with my elbows on my legs, "My kidnapping to Demon World?"

"No. This was not something I had anticipated either." Yumiko looked thoughtful, "I knew it was a possibility but its chances had been small. This was a last minute decision by Yomi."

"You're not going to call him 'King Yomi'?"

"No one is my king." she snapped at me, "I do not bow to self proclaimed rulers of Demon World."

I looked down, studying the whorls of wood, "So...I hate to ask you this but what do I do? Is there any way out of this?"

"No, for now you are stuck. Perhaps this is for the better. You can learn a lot here. Grow a lot here if you are smart." blue eyes sized me up, "A challenge for you, maybe, but I'm sure you'll adjust."

I ignored her barb, "Why are you here? I didn't know you can communicate through dreams like this."

"Believe me, it is not my favorite way of communication and I find it very strenuous." The demon rose to her feet and walked over to the open door, watching the rain gush from the sky, "But this was an unexpected development and I needed to communicate with you. And unfortunately that pesky hearing of Yomi's makes it impossible to visit through astral projection or in person."

"So what is your message?" I asked, leaning on the other door.

"You can't tell anyone about me or what you are preparing for."

"I don't even fully know what I'm preparing for!"

"Shut up and listen. At this stage...if any of them find out, it will ruin everything."Yumiko twisted to lean against the opened screen, staring at me intently. I stared back at her, as if the answer to all of this mystery would be hidden within the depths of her eyes, "I know we don't like each other. In fact I still hate you. But please trust me on this. As long as you are here, things are in a precarious balance and I will do what I can to help but you have to trust me. For once I will not do anything against you because you have enough demons out for your blood here. Or they soon will be."

"What can I do?" I asked nervously.

"Do not give out your trust lightly. Things are not as they seem here for the ones you may think you can trust are the sneakiest of the bunch. And some who you think you could not trust a day in your life are going to surprise you. You have a lot of enemies but you can also find allies here."

Slowly I nodded, my mind racing through who I had met already. It was probably too soon to figure out who could be who but I could at least start looking at the possibilities. Already everything was overwhelming but I figured if I made it this far, I could keep going. However there was one question that burned brightly in my mind.

"Hey Yumiko...why do a lot of demons hate humans?"

Something glinted in her eyes that I did not quite recognize, "Oh? Why do you care?"

I paused, "I...I don't know."

She sniffed in disdain at me, "Typical. Well it doesn't matter anyways. You will learn a lot of things in Demon World, now off with you."

Genkai's temple started to melt away. The ground beneath me faded and I was drifting off into the black embrace of sleep. It was calm, it was quiet and it made me feel like for just a moment that everything was ok. But before I drifted off, I had one last thought to run through my mind:

Why DID I care?