Part 8: Lawful Demon-Spawn In Love

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Maki finally found Aya in his rooms. Shutting the door behind her, she gently picked the book out of his lap and replaced it with herself. She then wrapped an arm around his neck and balanced the book in her lap so that he could still read it if he chose.

With a sigh, he shut the book and tossed it to the side, content to sit in silence for a while. Finally, he said, I guess you just won't leave me alone, will you?

She shook her head against his shoulder.

Does it matter that I'm cursed?

I haven't even seen that form, she said, letting herself be distracted for a moment.

Aya sighed again, picked Maki up, and set her down again on his bed. He reappeared a moment later with a glass of water, which he upended over his head. His fox demon form was about a foot taller. His red hair stood out in sharp contrast with the nearly white skin and light fur, and his tails were tipped in the same color. His eyes were the same violet as well, but there was a golden sheen to them, and his hands were clawed, his clothes different, and his feet bare. He waited in silence for her judgment.

Startled, he looked at her.

This curse' of yours is nowhere near as significant as my mark. I'm Lucifer Morningstar's daughter, and very probably immortal. Does that bother you?

He swallowed. Not really.

This form is just as beautiful as your human one. I have no problems there. And although it is appearances that first attract attention, it's the soul that really matters. I don't care about your curse.

Thank you.

They stared at each other as the sun set and the light dimmed. Finally, Aya disappeared into the kitchen again and returned human. He sat on the bed next to Maki and simply held her. After a while, Maki leaned back to look up at him. Ran? We should get to sleep.

But neither moved.

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Aya felt a tug at himself, and pulled out the mirror. Hello again, Ruth said, smiling. Something important happened last night. What was it?

Instead of answering, he tilted the mirror so that Ruth could see Maki, still sleeping within the circle of his arm.

I see, Ruth smiled again, then faded from the mirror. He let it dissipate with a thoughtful expression.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Naoki grinned at Rin as he put in the call from the phone booth. It was disguised to look like it was from his cell phone and he was recording it as well. She grinned back at him.

"Hello?"

"Mission complete."

Persia sighed in relief. "Good. Then they're dead?"

"No."

"What?"

"We found them. That was the mission. Mr. Takatori?"

"Yes?"

"Nothng." He winked at Rin: all needed information gathered.

"Where are they?"

"The turning over of information was not included in the contract. Besides, if you knew that, you'd just send more assassins after them. Correct?"

"That's not your business."

"Of course it is. Or would you rather hire us to kill him?"

"Would you? How much?"

"Well, let's see. You want to hire us to kill four young men. They are Yohji Kudou, Mamoru Takatori (more commonly known as Omi Tsukiyono), Ken Hidaka, and Ran Fujimaya, who goes by his sister's name of Aya."

"Yes."

"And how would I recieve payment?"

"I'll write you a check that can't bounce."

"Would that be as Shuuichi Takatori or Persia of Kritiker?"

"Whichever one you prefer."

"I'll think about it. Goodbye." He hung up and extracted the tape, grinning again. "C'mon, love," he said. "Let's get this turned in."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Thank you, Mr. Sagura," the chief of police said, shaking Naoki's hand. "It was a pleasure doing business with you, as always."

"The same here. Being a legal assassin does have its perks."

The chief laughed. "I prefer to think of you as an undercover agent."

"If you like."

"I've got a new job for you," the other man said, turning serious. "Will you keep an eye on those four young men, and make sure they've quit for good? Any investigations into 'Himitsu' would be a bonus, of course."

"I really like that idea," Rin said softly.

"Then we'll accept."

"Thank you."