"Who are you? Why did you call me?"
A snarl entered the ears sending shivers down their spine.
"I? A powerful Demon king called something small and insignificant like you?" A voice boomed in disgust before growling as the pair stared at the other with apprehension. Unsure of why or how they had ended up meeting the other. Anger filled the demon at the uninvited guest who just stared with vacant but sad eyes, eyes that left him angry to the point of wanting to tear the face to shreds.
"You must have... I didn't... I wouldn't have come if your heart hadn't wished for it" the voice replied weakly as if their energy was depleting rapidly as they stood, feet almost touching the ground as they were suspended in the air. Feeling weightless from enduring what they felt was a dream. Why had they arrived in this place?
Surely it was not wise to disturb the demon who would attack anyone without warning? Especially since it's mind was disturbed and altered to the point it contained a complete heart, only containing a primal instinct to gain power without knowing why or how it became the way it was.
"You must be delusional with the idea that I would want a worthless pest standing before me" the demon spat, eyes narrowing at the voice who felt faint.
"And yet... you wanted someone-" the voice felt their form fade without warning shocking the demon enough to raise his head from it's throne.
"Wanted someone?!" he bellowed "You dare- Where have you gone mortal?!" the demon looked around in pure anger, his sharp vines moved in various parts of the room only to see nor feel any presence wandering around. Huffing heavily the demon narrowed his eyes.
"Who dares to assume something so false! Why would I want anyone disturbing me?" the demon snarled while bristling, restless from the impromptu words of the visitor.
"And yet... you wanted me to help you with something" the faint voice said before a part of the wall was impaled creating a large hole, growling loudly the demon cursed the voice before sending his minions to locate the person who appeared.
Gasping awake Hara opened her eyes, worry filled her now anxious form, looking at her paws she felt a sense of ease knowing that she was still a fox. What had happened when she was unconscious? When she had vomited blood after saving V by dragging his form into the abandoned bed shop, despite knowing that she couldn't use her human form due to the limitations she created from the contract.
Pain and worry filled her mind before feeling a faint touch on her upper back, looking up with flopped ears she saw V watching her with unreadable eyes leaving her wondering what was wrong. Sighing V stroked her softly and in an absentminded manner that left her wondering more.
"I..." V looked at his hands which contained the rings and markings of his contracts, it pained him to admit what he was feeling and yet it felt as if a weight was slowly falling off his shoulders by being honest about his emotions.
"You had me worried" Hara's eyes went wide in surprise. Not believing what she was hearing as he would only use actions to display his mood with her, this time he was opening up vocally leaving her more stunned to the point of silence.
Seeing her response, V looked away feeling embarrassed by opening up so freely while using his other hand to cover his mouth. His wavy hair moved almost covering his face but failed to hide some of the pink located on the tips of his ears.
"S-Say something! I-It's mortifying enough that I am allowing myself to speak in this manner" V stuttered slightly growing more uncomfortable from the silence. Seeing this, Hara's eyes softened before she nuzzled his hand softly catching his attention, looking at her from the corner of his eye he went still from staring at her eyes.
"I'm just glad you're okay V, you really had me worried when we were attacked by that suit of armour" Hara admitted causing V's heart to skip from her words. Especially since the worry was mutual and not just one sided like he had assumed.
"So, what happened when I was out?" Hara asked softly, looking at him with curious eyes, V however tensed up leaving the fox to blink allowing him to see her confused expression.
"Give us the girl!" the hoard screamed in anger, echoing in his ears once again causing a shudder to run down his spine.
Part of him had wanted to ignore what had happened, knowing that it was best to put the past behind him and yet. Just seeing her vulnerable form being cornered by what looked like half-starved demons who were after her blood causing an instinctual urge to keep her safe to rise up from within him, despite the never-ending questions that were forming within his mind now that she was awake.
"We all have our secrets" V's mind reminded him leaving a sigh to leave his lips. Patting her head softly he leaned back on the couch, feeling some stress leave him from this known fact. She was awake, she was safe for now.
"Nothing eventful, just hunting demons while taking down a few roots" V replied smoothly, feeling bitter from lying to the fox. Blinking Hara looked up him with narrowed eyes causing him to feel a chill to run down his spine, it was almost as if she could see past his lie leaving him feeling more than just guilty.
In a way, it almost reminded him of being caught out lying by his mother. The stern, judgemental eyes that appeared to look as if they were staring into his soul. Swallowing faintly V stroked the side of her neck.
"We were just recuperating until it was time to leave-" On cue Nero appeared from the door to V's relief.
"Hey looks who's awake" Nero greeted warmly at Hara who smiled softly at him. "You really had us worried" Nero added leaving her feeling a sense of guilt.
"I'm sorry" she looked down slowly at her front paws meekly, an action that made V want nothing more than to stop her from feeling upset and guilty. It was not her fault, in the end it was his foolish folly for not realising his actions had created more unnecessary errors, unneeded pain that could have been avoided.
"I hope I wasn't dragging everyone down" blinking Nero scratched the back of his head.
"You weren't, but your health did worry us a lot" Nero admitted causing V to bristle, hoping that the boy would not tell her what happened. Concerned Hara turned to look at Nero.
"How bad was it bad?" Hara asked looking concerned as she stood up on V's lap and faced Nero properly, clenching his jaw, Nero looked at V who had the expression that hinted he did not want her to know, seeing this Nero sighed heavily causing her to look at V who was still on edge but not as bad as when she was not looking at him.
"You were asleep for a while, making us wonder if you were ever going to wake up" Nero replied causing V to relax slightly. Blinking Hara observed the pair.
"You know I can just peek into your minds right? So stop beating behind the bush and tell me!" Hara said sternly, a frown now forming on her face despite being a fox.
Paler than usual V tensed up feeling his heart plummet from having to explain what took place, seeing Nero becoming uncomfortable, Nero eyed the sitting male with worried eyes.
"Demons were coming after you when you were unconscious, apparently your blood was attracting them" Nero explained to V's dismay, to their surprise silence filled the room before a loud defeated sigh entered their ears.
"Should have predicted that would happen" she muttered to herself before sitting on her hind legs.
"Why were they after you?" Nero asked as Griffon now appeared, masking his curiosity as he stood beside V.
"Yeah! They acted like starved dogs who hadn't eaten in a long time, almost as if they were possessed or something" Griffon added while V remained silent. Mauling on their comments Hara looked up with grave eyes.
"My blood is tainted, it's a long story but all I can tell you is that my blood has the attributes of a Venus flytrap. It smells nice but if you take it without my consent or if I don't give it willingly, the person or demon will die" Hara explained shocking the group.
"Your blood can do all that?" Nero asked in alarm now feeling uncomfortable from the information.
"It's a way of protecting me from harm, a thing one of my ancestors made sure of since we were being hunted by some bad people. One cruel woman sold her soul just to become a demon in order to get what she did not deserve" Hara looked up with a heavy sigh before shaking her head.
"Envy... one of the most destructive feelings in the world and this event happened many, many years before I was even born" Hara added with a frown.
"That's bloody messed up" Griffon muttered, reminding himself of her warning look when he tried to curse last time.
"Took the words out of my mouth" she said wryly, spotting V looking at her with mixed emotions she soon felt his concern for her growing earning him a soft yet grateful smile.
"Are they still after you?" V asked carefully as she nuzzled his hand lightly.
"One is dead, that's for sure and she is never coming back a third time" she said with a cold smile, remembering how she watched the demoness screaming as someone killed her. Who she would never tell as it was revenge best served cold for plaguing her family for far too long. Sadly some of her minions were still alive but were hiding in the shadows, knowing that they would be next if they tried their luck. Only it still did not leave the fox at ease.
"I'm sure that's a story for another time" Nero added as he leaned against the wall. Nodding with a thoughtful look Hara gave a silent agreement.
"How are you feeling though? No more urges to vomit blood?" Griffon asked earning him a sly smirk before yelping as V smacked him with his cane without looking at the avian. Grumbling Griffon rolled his eyes.
"Don't test me, I might just do that to put a target on your back" Hara warned with a teasing smirk.
"Oh you ungrateful little-!" Griffon muttered darkly "next time I'll just let the demons finish you off" he added before flying towards the jukebox. Settling down he frowned angrily earning him a sad smile.
"I'll hold you to it" she said with mirth before settling down on V's lap.
"Phantom says he hopes that you're not getting soft on him" she remarked earning her a loud stream of curses from the avian, as a result, laughter filled the room allowing the mood to lighten up to her relief.
The last thing she wanted was pity or concern directed at her, especially since she wouldn't be sticking around for long. The less attachments the better.
"And a good thing too" Phantom muttered darkly earning her a wry smirk.
"You'll miss the group and you know it, you prideful arachnid" she added mentally to the spider who glowered in her mind.
"As if I would miss a bunch like this group! D-Do not assume something so ludicrous!" Phantom bellowed only to see her roll her eyes playfully.
"If this is how Vergil behaves usually, then I can see where you get your prickly yet prideful behaviour from. And don't worry, I have a big brother who's often prideful but soft. It's endearing" Hara said before feeling what would be a blush form on Phantom's face.
"Th-the nerve of you mortal! If you were not masquerading as a fox I would have burned you!" Phantom stammered as she smiled kindly at him before mentally nuzzling him earning her a shiver from the touch.
"Please, you like me Mr. Tsundere" Hara replied, her mind now thinking to what Vergil would have been like as a child, the thought made her almost coo to Phantom's disgust.
"Otherwise why have you stuck around for so long?" she added adding more to his disgust.
"Do not mind the fact that I want to throw up from hearing your words" He muttered to her amusement.
"Wouldn't be the first time I heard you retching in my ears" she retorted playfully leaving more angry.
"Insufferable-!"
"What?" Hara challenged sternly causing Phantom to tense up, smirking slightly she turned her head causing white hair to move quickly "that's what I thought" Her red eyes glistening from mirth. Twitching in anger Phantom huffed before turning his head in order to avoid her seeing his face, exhaling through her nose she patted his head slightly causing his body to tense.
"Don't worry my prickly little friend, I'm not going to get rid of you. I like you too much to want to do that to you" she added with a wink knowing he would glare at her from the corner of his eyes.
"We shall see" he murmured leaving a hum to exit her lips.
"Hara?" Hara blinked from hearing Nero's voice, blinking rapidly she looked at the group to see them now go silent.
"Something up?" she asked politely while watching the group looking at each other and then at her.
"Yeah you zoned out you furry pest-OW!" Griffon yelped as V smacked him with his cane, a glare formed on his face warning the bird to behave.
"Oh sorry" Hara chuckled "Was just chatting with Phantom" She added causing worry to etch itself on V's face, Griffon also sharing the same worry looked at V.
"Don't worry, it's wasn't anything bad" Hara nuzzled V's arm despite feeling uncertainty emanating from V.
"Who's Phantom?" Nero asked causing Hara to blink, tilting her head she smiled softly with her eyes.
"My familiar" Hara replied earning her a perplexed look from Nero.
"How can a fox have a familiar?" Nico asked startling Nero enough to look back, seeing her peek over his shoulder he ranted at Nico about interrupting causing Hara to chuckle to herself.
"That dear Nico is one of my many secrets" Hara winked pausing the pair from their argument.
"Yesh! Ya'll do love your secrets" she hinted to V who was still looking at Hara who's tail moved slowly but in a cute manner.
"Can't tell you everything I'm afraid, it's the rules when doing a job or visiting a place temporarily" Hara added with a sad smile. Pursing her lips Nico observed the fox.
"What does that mean? You're not from around here?" Nico asked startling Nero.
"Not really, I'm just here on a job. Once it's done I have to leave altogether, so it's better that less of my influence is around to create any lasting problems" Hara added before resting her paws on V's legs before laying her head down.
"Should have guessed you're not an ordinary fox" Nico made a face at Nero who was looking at Hara with a blank look. V meanwhile tensed up from the news.
"You're just going to up and leave? Just like that?" Griffon asked in disbelief as he hoped closer towards Hara and V. Looking up Hara sighed.
"This isn't my time period or my home, I can only stay for brief moments before I have to do another job. Besides it's not like you'll remember me much. Think of this as one of the many fleeting moments you'll gain in your life"
"Bullshit!" Nero yelled startling Hara enough to bristle. "Do you really think that it won't affect us? That it's okay to just up and leave whenever you feel like it?" Nero's hands shook as they clenched beside his sides. Just the thought of losing someone, of having someone abandon him once they got what they wanted hit Nero deeply. How could she be so nonchalant about this? So cold?
"That's not okay! You can't just do that and expect us to be happy about it. You hear me?!" Nero added, growing more frustrated with how calm Hara was being about the whole thing. Did she not care about what they thought? Of how much this would upset the group? How little did she think of herself to have such a low opinion like that? It's... not fair!
"Is that what you think?" Hara asked darkly before looking at him with cold eyes, startled Nero recoiled from the cold tone she projected.
"Think of me as a fixer, do you know how thankless my job is and yet I still do it? All I am is just a reminder of a bitter event that takes place, try being scorned and hated for being who you are. Not that I need to tell you that since you've had some experience Nero" Hara said shortly causing his face to go red and pale from her words.
"Whenever I appear it means something bad has happened and I need to fix it, sometimes I have to be the 'bad person' to even fix the balance. Not that I want to be but it's better to be hated than allow more pain and destruction to form. All because of stupid mistakes people have made. I am here not knowing why or how this world has gotten to how it's become. I know nothing about any of you and yet here I am helping. I don't want any thanks or recognition. To me, that's counterproductive. I just want to help and I'm not going to stop my job" Hara added before leaping off of V's lap. V meanwhile went still, unable to move as he watched her leave the trailer.
"Hara wait!" Nero groaned as he was unable to stop her leaving.
"I need a break, let me be please" Hara yelled causing a curse to leave Nero's lips. Hitting the side of the door with his fist Nero crumbled a bit before his shoulders drooped in frustrations.
"Damn it!" he hissed between his teeth.
"Man, hate to be in the fox's shoes. That's no way to live, especially with that kind of thought" Nico shook her head before sighing heavily, walking to her work station she grabbed her helmet and began working filling the room with noise. Nero eyed her weakly before turning to face V who's hands were clenched on top of his lap.
"S-Sorry" Nero's words alerted V that he was still in the room, quickly clearing emotions from his face the poet looked up at Nero.
"I guess I took it too far" Nero added before leaning against the side of the door.
"I never expected she would live that kind of life… sheesh what a pain in the ass that kind of life would be" Griffon muttered as his feathers drooped slightly.
"I'll say, I never thought I would have something in common, and with a fox of all things" Nero commented causing a wry bitter smile to form on V's face.
"Nor I" V mused softly.
"I'm going to look for her" V said as he got up, a sense of worry continued to gnaw at his mind over where the fox was. Was she alright? He hoped that no demons were chasing after her considering her health seemed okay.
"Yeah… just, just tell her I'm sorry" Nero mumbled weakly earning him a terse nod from V. Grabbing his cane he left the trailer in order to locate their small companion.
What felt like hours had passed and still no sign of the fox which left V on edge. Shadow looked round with her ears tuning more than ever to locate their missing ally while Griffon was searching around in the sky.
"How does one even lose a small fox of all things?" Griffon yelled in the sky as V gripped his book tightly in one hand. Despite wanting to read it in order to calm his nerves, fear of missing anything over took his mind. Startling him that he was even allowing himself to feel any emotions to begin with, why had he gotten so attached to the fox of all things. Clearly she wasn't a normal fox, she had clarified it herself and yet part of him didn't care. Dare he admit he was fond of the fox?
There was something about her that allowed him to want to open up, to care and protect the fox. Something that he desired during the years as Vergil. To be loved and protected. Something in a way Hara had done for him despite her small stature. Yes she couldn't do much from what he had seen, but it mattered little since there were many things one could do to help.
"Besides it's not like you'll remember me much. Think of this as one of the many fleeting moments you'll gain in your life" V's jaw clenched tightly from her words. Call him selfish but forgetting her felt like an impossible task. If anything, it made him want her to stay more than ever.
"You're not from around here?"
"It's not like I have a home to go to in this area, once my time is done, I have to leave for the next job" Hara's words echoed in his mind.
"But it's no way to live" V's frustration grew from the words. "Just moving from one place to another, doesn't it get tiring?" V's mind went to the loneliness it would cause just from doing this type of job. Looking at his hands his heart thumped dully in his chest and his eyes started to sting surprising him.
"Hey Shakespeare, you're… crying?!" Griffon's wings beated sharply as his eyes grew wide in shock. Startled V placed a hand to his face which felt wet to his confusion, looking up he saw a dark sky with few light clouds blocking the stars.
"I…" V looked down as his hand faintly, his bottom lip was being gnawed as he tried not to shiver
"I need to find her" V murmured as his feet started to run forwards.
"That's what we've been trying to do V, but we can't seem to find her" Griffon retorted as Shadow followed after the pair. "V! V you've got to calm down-"
"How can I calm down when she's out there… alone?" V went still, his shrill tone startled him enough to go still. Disbelief filled his mind at how he had lost control of his emotions again. Just what was she doing to him that allowed him to sink this low?
A sharp pain filled his chest causing the poet to cringe, placing a hand to his chest he groaned before getting up on shaky legs, ignoring the familiars who were trying to get his attention.
"I… need to find her fast" V's mind once again went to the lonely fox. His mind soon filling in the blanks as to why he was attached to her. She was just like him- alone and forsaken for who she was.
Moving to the right he allowed his body to lead him to where she could be, there wasn't much time. He had to find her before other demons would. Not that he wanted to leave her with Phantom but the last thing he wanted was the spider to turn his back and allow her to die. He would never forgive himself if anything happened to her.
Only he could only watch in disbelief as he approached an area filled with familiar black vines that had shot up from the earth. In the center of the vines was a lone white object that had been pierced through a vine, unmoving nor awake.