A/N:Apologies to anyone who was hoping for another Kurama chapter. Instead, we're going to step into the mind of a different character. Welcome to the twisted mind of Hide (pronounced He-day, just in case that wasn't clear). Just a heads up? This creeped me out to write, so just be prepared reading. He's not a good person.


She isn't really much to look at. If she'd been some great beauty, I think trying to woo her might have turned my stomach a bit less. Couple her looks with the fact that she's a filthy half-breed, and I'm starting to seriously question just how worth it this plan is. Does the old man even care about his mutt of a daughter enough for this to work? The rumors stated he spared no expense as far as her education was concerned, and she's always present at functions like these, so perhaps he cares just enough.

Taro Anno makes me sick. What kind of pure-blooded demon would knowingly and willingly marry a human? On top of that, he had a child with that whore. If he wasn't such a powerful force in the three worlds, no one would associate with him, of that I'm certain. Human-fuckers are disgusting. God forbid those who would willingly have spawn with them.

Shuddering, I take a steeling swig of my wine, crossing the ballroom floor. Thankfully, she's alone. That should make this much easier. The music is in full swing, the lights glittering from chandeliers, the mood perfect for making my move.

She doesn't look up when I approach, a vague frown on her face. When I clear my throat, she jumps, turning her big blue eyes on me. Something about them has me transfixed, and I find myself swallowing under her gaze. She looks timid, frightened almost, but that's not what has me enthralled. There's just the tiniest bit of light in her eyes, like she's looking for something. God, but I want to extinguish that light. It's almost a physical need to crush this woman with my own hands, and all because of the look on her face.

"Anno, right?" I ask, giving her a warm smile.

She nods, breaking eye contact as she bows low. Respectful, rehearsed, almost...sycophantic. The fear in her melts away into a mask of refinement, and I have to suppress a laugh. She must know exactly who I am. How...amusing.

"It's a pleasure to officially make your acquaintance. My name is Hideaki Sato." The practice of taking human last names was popularized by this girl's own father, another thing I find detestable. Certainly, it makes it easier to work with and subjugate humans, but just the thought of attaching that filthy surname to my own makes me nauseous.

"Likewise, Mr. Sato." She gives me a smile that's about as real as the breasts on the human woman who walks past, eyeing me in a way that makes me slightly sick. The admiration of lesser beings doesn't excite me in the least.

"Please," I tell her, keeping up my best winning smile. "It would bring me immense pleasure if you'd refer to me as Hide."

She nods, not a single chink in her armor as she says, "As you wish, sir."

Damn, she's been trained well. That kind of pisses me off. At the same time, I can feel a slight tingling across my skin at the thought that perhaps...this might be a challenge. "I've been meaning to introduce myself to you for some time," I tell her. "The timing never felt right, but perhaps now is my chance to get to know you a bit better?" I gesture to the dance floor, and she merely nods.

"That is acceptable, sir."

Like a fucking doll. Her responses, her actions, everything is word-perfect. How does she even live like this? It would drive me up the wall to have to answer everything the way she does.

I take her out onto the dance floor, settling a hand on her waist as she places one on my shoulder. She's so small, and I feel like I could break her in half if I so desired. While I'm certain I would enjoy her screams, that's not my goal. I'm in this for the long haul. Tonight is merely the first step toward my grand plan.

As the music starts, we glide, her long red hair and black as night dress swirling in sync with her body. She's light on her feet, but I notice she's barely applying pressure where our bodies are forced to meet. I smirk over her head so she can't see, chuckling lightly. Cheeky little bitch doesn't want to touch me, huh? The music picks up, and I spin her out and back in, thinking. How do I get her closer?

That ought to work. She's so completely oblivious to anything other than this little game she's playing that she doesn't even notice that I've moved us over just enough so when…

She stumbles, having been bumped into by the couple beside us, and doesn't have time to catch herself before falling against me. My arms come around her, and damn but she's small. If I squeeze just a little harder, she'll turn to dust.

"S-sorry!" she stammers, first to me as she pries herself away from me and then to the couple we interrupted who give her a cursory glance before beginning to dance again.

"Are you all right?" I ask her, all concern and careful demeanor. What is this smell that clings to her? I hadn't smelled it before, but upon having her so close, it catches my attention.

"I'm fine," she replies, that refined mask a distant memory at the fear in her eyes. "My sincerest apologies, sir." She bows again, keeping her head low, and I grimace. This absolute obeisance is getting a little old. Sure, I deserve to have her kowtowing before me, but it's not helping me woo her.

I've really got to touch her even more, don't I? Gritting my teeth for a moment, I turn on the charm full force as I place a hand under her chin, gently forcing her upright and locking eyes. "Come now, Miss Anno. There's no need for such formalities between friends. It was a simple mistake."

I'm rewarded for my efforts by a blush spreading across her cheeks. Her blue eyes are sparkling in the light, and it's a struggle to keep up my smile at the sight. This disgusting creature is really staring right at me. That's exactly what I wanted, and yet, it doesn't feel quite right, just yet.

"E-excuse me," she says, stepping away from my touch. She gives one last bow before disappearing into the crowd.

"Son of a bitch," I growl at her retreating form. Now, I'm angry. I will have that hideous mongrel eating out of my palm, I swear.

The next chance I get is at a dinner party held by a mutual acquaintance of her father's and mine. After a significant amount of rubbing elbows and general schmoozing, I notice she's avoiding me. Why, though? I'm certain I've done nothing to upset her. Very careful placement on my part has me closest to her when it's time for dinner, and I offer her my arm to escort her into the dining hall. She gives me a polite smile and a bow, which makes me wonder just how far I would have to push her to make her ignore me altogether. I'm curious. What angers a woman like this?

We sit down to eat, the person on her left making light conversation. Anno smiles and laughs in all the right places, clearly a master of manipulation, a real people-watcher. I wonder how it's possible she's had time to be so good at this. What does she do when she isn't busy being touted around by her father?

Not that it matters to me. My only goal is to force her to submit. Every new detail only serves to make that more and more enticing. I try to initiate conversation several times, but she doesn't engage with me, instead smiling dutifully, nodding, and saying exactly what she needs to. No more and no less. It's infuriating, but I keep my cool, giving her nothing but the most charming smiles that have brought scores of women to their knees. Once again, she proves immune as she casts her eyes away.

Once dinner is over, I casually follow her into the garden, pretending to admire the flowers as she disappears from sight. One, two, three seconds pass before I walk after her. I press on, frowning when she doesn't appear before me. How is it that I've reached the end of the garden and not found her?

"Permit me to ask," a voice says, making me jump, whirling around to see her standing behind me, hands folded politely in front of her. Her mane of red hair flows around her, falling to just below her waist, complemented tonight by a cream-colored dress. Blue eyes bore into me, and I catch my breath for a moment before regaining composure.

"Why are you following me?" she queries, her tone soft, neutral.

"I wanted to speak with you," I tell her, giving a sheepish smile. If the charm isn't working, maybe I just need to play a different card. "I was worried I'd done something to upset you."

"Not at all, sir," she replies.

"Ah, good." I take a step toward her, and she steps back, making my smile fall for a split second before I catch it. "I would have hated the idea of upsetting such a lovely young lady."

She narrows her eyes, saying, "I'm 200 years old. That's hardly young."

Two hundred? No, that was about right, wasn't it? And yet, Taro Anno had kept her hidden for large parts of her childhood. That much I can recall, although I'm not much older than her myself.

"Younger than I am," I reply. "Besides, you don't look a day over 150 to me."

She looks me over, and part of me thinks she might actually be seeing me for the first time. However, she doesn't respond to my words like I'd expected her to. The perfectly trained girl ought to have at least cracked a smile, but she doesn't. She just continues to look at me like she's trying to figure something out.

"That was a joke," I tell her, giving a weak smile. "You know, ha ha? Funny?"

She opens her mouth to speak when a sharp voice barks out, "Asaki!"

Suddenly, her back stiffens, the discerning look on her face replaced by one of perfect and utter complaisance as her father walks toward us. Watching her reaction, several pieces begin to click into place. A real smile slides across my face as she turns away from me, her head lowered so as not to meet Taro Anno's eyes.

"We're leaving," he barks at her.

"Yes, Father," she replies, her voice that same incredibly polite, servile tone she used with me the very first day.

"Sato," Taro says to me, his dark eyes like chunks of rock.

"Mr. Anno. A pleasure." I give him a bow that he returns with a nod of his head. Self-centered, conceited asshole. I can't wait until I can shit on his grave, his company in my hands, his daughter my personal bitch.

He turns his back on me, his daughter following without a word. Neither of them can see the grin on my face as I watch them leave. Once they're gone, I can't help but laugh. Amusement flows over me, and I can't stop, doubling over from the effort. When the feeling subsides, I wipe the tears of joy from my eyes, turning to look into the garden. Beside me is a cluster of flowering lilies, red, white, and stunning. With a smug smile, I pick one, snapping it off just before the bloom. I take in its scent with one deep inhale before crushing it in my fist.

I can't wait to make that smug bastard hurt by taking his precious daughter from him.

She spends more time alone than her father probably likes. Even now, as I sit down beside her, once again outside of a party, at the edge of a lake, this time at a home in Demon World, I'm sure she'd prefer to be alone. Too bad. She'll just have to get used to being alone with me.

This will be our third encounter. Normally by now, women I've pursued have begged for my attentions. She, however, remains deliciously distant as she sits on the shore of this massive lake, ignoring me. How impudent of her. I can't wait to break her.

"It's a lovely night," I say, looking up at the stars.

"It is," she replies, not looking my way.

"I've always found clear, warm nights like these are perfect for getting to know people better. Say, perhaps, by taking a walk with an interesting demon?"

She scoffs, and I raise an eyebrow, surprised. Have I hit a sore spot? How...intriguing.

"Or not."

At this, she levels a look at me, her bright blue eyes as cold as ice. "What do you want from me?"

"A smile would be nice," I tell her. "I'm sure you'd look much prettier with one." Gag. Major gag. Nothing could make this freak attractive to me other than the massive fortune she's heiress to.

"I'm not keen on playing games," she tells me, her voice flat, emotionless. This is new, and it intrigues me to no end. I've earned her ire by seeking her out. I think I like this reaction in her.

"Nor am I," I lie, my expression serious, controlled, perfectly schooled. She's not the only one who's been groomed to perfection. I too can switch facades at the drop of a hat.

"Then I would suggest you leave me be," she replies. "Before people start to talk about the head of Sato Corp and the filthy half-demon."

It's almost funny, hearing the words come from her lips. Filthy half-demon, indeed. "What if I told you I don't care what they say?" Another lie. I'm absolutely counting on the rumors spread by hanging around her. My trump card to force her father's hand if this doesn't work out as planned.

"Then you're a fool," she grumbles.

"Be that as it may, I seek only the companionship of another soul."

"Look elsewhere."

Listen here, you stupid bitch. Let me flirt with you, dammit! I can't imagine she garners the attention of a lot of men, as disgusting as she is, so she should be flattered I'm giving her the time of day. That, and the rest of her life, if this goes the way I intend it to. Thinking that, I have to suppress a shiver. A lifetime shackled to this pathetic thing. Maybe I'll have her killed once I get ahold of her father's company. No one would miss her.

"What if I don't want to?" I stare at her, forcing her gaze my way. Suffusing all the warmth I can into my eyes, she looks back, unflinching. There's not even a hint of faltering in her gaze, and I find myself agitated. I want to wring her thin, pale neck until it's purple with bruises. Maybe then her expression will change.

Suddenly, a chill trips up my spine, a new smell in the air. Hostile demons? Getting to my feet, I look around, Anno doing the same. An imp demon makes its way toward us, looking emaciated and hungry. It's almost as disgusting as the woman at my side, and I grit my teeth, uncertain how to respond. If it attacks, should I protect the half-breed? Ugh, but what if I get hurt doing so? If she gets hurt because I don't help her, that will put a hole in my suit, that's for certain. However, this shirt is brand new….

The little intruder launches itself at us, fangs bared, and just as I've decided that my shirt is more important than the half-bitch beside me, the demon is screaming in agony, engulfed in flames. It crumbles to ash in the span of two seconds, and Anno lowers her hand, a disdainful look on her face.

Smoke. What I had smelled on that very first night, coming off of her skin had been the scent of smoke. Asaki Anno is a fire demon. The daughter of a distasteful ice apparition uses fire. What in the three worlds?

As she stands there, that expression still on her face, she looks over at me, and I feel my stomach flip. That look, one of disgust and displeasure…. She's absolutely beautiful. When it falls away to one of concern, I blink, and it's like the spell is over. She's back to being a filthy half-breed, and I'm safe once more. What the fuck? I rake a hand through my hair, taking slow, deep breaths, trying to regain myself. What is wrong with me? This mutt, beautiful? I might need to get my head examined.

"Are you all right?" she asks me.

No, no I'm not. "Perfectly fine. That's a handy trick of yours."

"Don't tell anyone," she says, all traces of that unpleasant expression gone from her face, replaced once more by fear. "My father will kill me."

"Well, we can't have that happen," I reply. "I promise, Asaki, I won't tell him."

She nods, completely ignoring my use of her first name. Good. Better than I possibly could have planned it myself. "I'm going to go," she whispers, her voice soft.

"Have a good night, Asaki." I give her a smile that she returns with another nod, her expression distant, thoughts elsewhere. Once she's gone, I stare at the remains of the foolish demon who tried to attack us. A cautionary tale about playing with fire. Things have gotten much more interesting.

Fire. Every time my gaze drifts her way, all I can see is fire. It consumes, destroys, indiscriminately. What could be more beautiful than a greed that does nothing more than eat and eat and never tires, never fills? Even in a disgusting half-breed, it's not a bad feature. It might be her only redeeming one.

We're thrown together frequently and not by coincidence. I do everything I can to make my presence known, going out of my way to attend events that her father will be a part of, hoping he'll bring her along. Even when he doesn't, it isn't a total loss. It gives me a chance to get closer to him, let him see my own business acumen and that I would be a valuable asset to be more involved with. Our companies already work together in certain instances, but it doesn't hurt to cover all of my bases.

It's with this in mind one day, on my way back from a meeting, that I smell smoke. It's the middle of the day in Living World, and I'm not near any restaurants or residences. It couldn't be. Following my nose, I turn down a side street, eyes wide at the sight before me.

At first, I think the alley is awash with fire, but after a moment, it turns to blood. Blood and hair as dark a red as the stuff that pools at her feet. Her eyes are wide as she grips her arm, and I notice the darkness trickling down, past her fingers to add to the growing puddle around her. There are a few bodies strewn across the ground, and there's evidence of an explosion here.

"Asaki?" I say, walking slowly toward her. She jumps, colliding with the wall and slipping, falling to the ground. The blood splashes around her, and she's covered with the stuff. I continue to move forward, transfixed by the sight of the red liquid seeping into her clothing, still dripping from her wound.

"S-stay back," she stammers, her blue eyes huge and round, staring up at me, tears forming and falling.

I ignore her, crouching down, the blood getting onto my dress shoes. Reaching out, I grab her arm where she's bleeding, squeezing just a little. More blood flows out, and I squeeze harder.

"Hide." I freeze, looking up at her to find that her tears are streaming freely now, down her cheeks. "Hide, stop. It hurts."

I drop her arm slowly, her blood on my fingertips. She presses her fingers against her injury, and the blood stops oozing out, but it's still everywhere around her. Some of it has even colored her face. Reaching out, I slowly, so slowly, brush a tear from her eyes, marveling at the way it futilely tries to wash away the red everywhere.

She doesn't stop me, letting my hand rest on the side of her face as she closes her eyes, her breath hitching. When she opens them again, I can see that light there, flickering hard, struggling to hold on.

I stand, offering her my hand. She takes it, her fingers trembling as I pull her to her feet. As she looks up at me, covered in her own blood and the blood of the men she's killed, I find I can't look away.

She's so beautiful.


A/N: Thank goodness that's over. I was pretty excited to write this because someone told me it would help me better understand both Asaki and Hide. It sure did, and now I feel like I need to sterilize my brain. Why do I do this? x.x Anyway, I hope this helped you guys too. I wanted to show a slow descent into obsession, so if that's the vibe you got, I did a good job! If you got something else entirely, I'd be really curious to know what!

The next chapter will be very different, I swear. It's also the last of my break chapters and a really long one.

Thanks for reading, guys! Special thanks to 2, YukinaBlueRose, firemadein789, and bluerose921 for the reviews! See you next time!