All bundled up together, the small group of humans huddled in the dark but safe recesses of the church bomb shelter. They had been there for a few hours with only the light of Tako's tail to give them any visual sense of their surroundings. Tensions ran high as they all wondered and fretted about the outcomes that may lay before them. Getting any peace of mind was hardly possible for any of them, but it was the parents in the room that were tortured the most.
The devilcat stayed in the center of all of them, bringing them any comfort he possibly could. He sensed for any trace of them and made sure to notify the group as soon as anything came to him. It appeared now, after so many hours, an answer was on its way, and a pleasant one at that.
The small animal flew up, in surprise at first which quickly turned to relieved happiness.
"They're here, Miko and Taro are approaching!"
"Taro!" his mother exclaimed as both she and her husband leaped to their feet. Only seconds after their reaction did the devilmen in question come into view. They descended the bulkhead doors as Taro instantly was welcomed by the loving arms of his parents. At first, the boy was taken off guard by the quick reaction, but very soon following it did he reciprocate their tight hug.
"Mom, Dad, I did it! I did it, I saved you both this time!" he narrowly cried in joy.
"Oh, dear we were so worried," his mother admitted.
"Yes, but we're so happy your safe," Noel added tenderly.
Miko watched the scene play out with a cozy feeling in her chest. Her spectating didn't last long, however, as she too found herself wrapped up in the caring hold of another. She gasped at the initial contact but immediately after she took it all in stride. She knew exactly who this was before she ever caught a glimpse or scent.
"Mayuta," Miko whispered.
"Miki, I'm so glad you're alright," the young man said with deep affection.
Miko couldn't hold down her sheepish yet genuine smile as she remained there in his grasp.
"You have no idea how happy I am that you're alright too," her voice was soft returning his gesture.
"Where's Akira?" his mother said swinging her head back and forth in search. The father reacted similarly with a nervous and wondering expression.
"He and Miki are not far behind, they should be here any moment," Miko said as she shifted her body to be nestled beside Kukun's.
"Well they better, I'm not too thrilled about staying down here too much longer," Gabi spoke up. Wamu and the rest of the gang appeared to agree as they all began to stand up impatiently.
"Don't worry, we won't be staying here another moment," Akira's voice echoed down the chamber. When he came into view, he strutted down the hallway with confidence holding up his posture. Miki followed him in tow, seeming somewhat unrested but any discomfort such as that melted away the moment she made eye contact with her family.
"Mom, Dad!" she called in joy. She sprinted into her family's hug, being incredibly relieved they were all okay.
"Oh, Miki dear we were so worried about you too," her mother said.
The devilman watched while holding onto a pleasant face. It always comforted him to see her happy.
"Akira!"
"Son!"
The male in question turned when he heard his own parents. They had nearly bowled him over as they coddled him into a loving squeeze. The action was so quick and startling that Akira nearly felt himself flinch, but even sooner than that he found himself embracing his parents full on.
"Mom, Dad, I'm so glad to see you're safe!" Akira exclaimed.
"Oh dear, we were so worried about you," Kaori whispered.
Within the teen, a wad of guilt began to tangle at his core. He hated making his own family fret for him like this. It wasn't something he was used to, having others worry for him. Besides Miki, there never seemed to be anyone else to fill that position, until now. It was comforting, but the thorny side-effects it came with irked him.
"I'm sorry, it's not right of me to make you guys feel like this…" Akira mumbled.
His parents pulled away from him slightly, just enough for them to look him in the eye. Their faces streamed with tears, identical to the ones that lined their son's cheeks. However, even through that they beamed at him.
"No, no son, don't be sorry," Rejiro began, keeping a hand on his boy's shoulder. "Akira we are so proud of you. You haven't grown up exactly into the man I thought you would, but you're growing into a great man, nonetheless. I couldn't have asked for a better son, and I'm so sorry I wasn't around enough to see you become who you are."
The devilman stood completely motionless. His wide wet eyes couldn't even blink, fearful for if he did everything before him might just disappear. He was completely dumbstruck, not able to move his mouth, much less say anything.
"Yes dear, we couldn't be more thankful for you," his mother cupped his face. Her touch made Akira wince, bringing him back to the reality of the moment. "I know we weren't very supportive at first, and we're sorry, but we were just so scared and shocked about you and everything else. We just want you to know how much we love you."
Steadily, Akira grabbed onto his mother's wrist and nestled into her hand. He could never express how soothing it was to have his own parents once again. It reminded him of being a child, of being human.
"Thank you, I love you guys too," he spoke in a hushed voice.
"We're very proud of you too, Akira," the sound of Noel's voice brought the young devilman to look up once more.
"Yes, we couldn't be more appreciative of keeping us all safe," Akiko added sweetly.
Still fumbling from his surprise Akira was able to manage a genuine nod. Despite the cold and dreary environment, he had never felt more welcome.
"This is all great, but how's about we get out of here before the rest of those monsters find us," Wamu drew everyone's attention back to the present. His gang rallied behind him without question, being the most visibility antsy of the bunch. Akira appreciated their impatience though, they had been waiting now for far too long, and it was high time they take off.
"Right," he tipped his head to them and turned to everyone else. "There's a second much larger base I directed the rest of my men too. We'll meet them there and you all will be able to rest easy. There's not a safer place on Earth," he announced.
He could hear the humans murmuring amongst themselves apprehensively.
"Where's this other base at?" Gabi questioned.
"A vast network of temples in China," the devilman answered factually.
Upon hearing that the group's small murmurs began to grow, both in sound and in concern.
"Wait you're taking us all the way to China?"
"But Japan is our home, we can't just abandon it."
"How long are we going to be staying there?"
The queries and grievances flew up at the commander all at once, faster than he could acknowledge them all.
"Settle down, everyone!" a loud yet sweet voice climbed above the others. It caught the attention of all who was around, especially of the commander. The teen athlete stepped forward coming to the devilman's side, supporting him with a tip of her head.
"I know this is a lot, believe me, it was for me too, but Akira has been doing nothing but try to do what's best for us. I trust this will be no different!"
An accepting sigh swept over the collection of humans. They didn't seem very eager about the proposition, but their approval was growing.
"We'll come with you son, wherever you see is best," his father rose to Akira's side. His mother was not far behind him. It appeared their example passed around the rest of the lot as Miki's family came to their feet.
"Us too," Akiko said as she walked hand in hand with her husband and boy.
"Well, ain't this just a sweet sentiment. Whatever will get us moving any faster is fine by me," Wamu spoke with a teasing hint.
Miki and Akira both wore thankful smiles as they glanced over everyone who was there. The commander made sure to also share a nod of understanding with Miko, who appeared just as ready as she'd ever been along with Kukun.
"Alright, we move out now. I'll signal for some of my men to help carry the rest of you guys out," he said turning around hand in hand with the witch.
"How are you going to do that?" the girl asked in a hush as they made their way out of the shelter.
"I have a connection to them through the Buddhist priests. There's already a few flyers on their way now," he answered.
Miki seemed surprised by the promptness of the response but nonetheless appreciative. When they walked out into the daylight the witch found herself unexpectedly bumping into the back of the devilman. He had stopped suddenly, this action immediately not settling well with Miki. She could sense the rigidness of his muscles and see the tightness of his fists. She could only imagine who or what must be standing before him. In a quick motion, she looked around only to be greeted by an underwhelming sight.
There were two young men standing hand in hand before them. Miki couldn't visually see any issue, but she could sense there was something different about at least one of them, and by Akira's reaction, she could tell there was a history.
"What are you doing here? I told you never to show your face around me again!" Akira barked.
Getting a better look, the witch realized she did in fact recognize one of the men before her. It was Moyuru Koda, the super high schooler. For such a time she, and many others believed him possibly dead with how long he had been missing. Yet here he was right before them, and Akira seemed none too pleased with it.
Koda held up a sour face, it was clear he had something he wanted to say, but it became entangled in his contempt. Instead, the other teen opened his mouth.
"Look, we don't want to cause you any trouble. I can't say I know what went on with you two in the past, but none of that matters now. We want to work with you and help each other," Junichi spoke.
The commander's face twisted further, "So what, that means nothing coming from you. Why doesn't Koda say that himself if it's so true?"
The devilman in question appeared ruffled by the outburst. He grimaced further, not once taking his intense eyes off the opposing male. The only thing to break his frustrated concentration was the light touch from his boyfriend, as he gently nudged his arm. Koda looked at him, allowing his face to soften almost instantly. Junichi silently implored him to go on, and with a long sigh Moyuru gave in.
"Look, it's no secret we all know where the world is heading, and I don't want to get caught up in any of that again. Junichi and the rest of the humans don't deserve any of it. I know I haven't done right before, but this time I actually have something to protect. If you want to save the humans, then I want to help you."
Akira's eyes narrowed further as if inspecting him like an insect. He stepped forward walking over to him with an intensity in his stare.
Koda held firm himself, but if one was to look upon him close enough, he was intimidated by the opposing devilman's presence. He could recall his strength, how easily he could tear through his flesh like paper, even in his demonic skin.
Akira scoffed as he, at last, pulled himself away and continued to walk past the once traitor. His body language was flippant and outwardly annoyed.
"If what you say is true then it's commendable. But as for me, I've learned long ago to be cautious about who I keep close…" his face turned mid-way to view the devilman out of the corner of his eye. "And unfortunately for you, I'm not desperate enough or dumb enough to take you in anymore."
He strutted on with a solid stride and an unflinching face. Miki stayed behind watching him for the time being and noticing the two teens he had dismissed. Koda's features turned cross in a snap.
"Yeah, well screw you! We don't need you anyway!" he yelled. Junichi cringed listening to the rash words of his lover.
Akira carried on as if nothing was said at all. There was nothing his opposer could say that would reach him now.
"Koda, please don't be so quick-tempered. If the war comes down to demons vs devilmen and the demons lose, keep in mind who's gonna be left in charge. You don't want to piss him off, even if he is being unreasonable."
Miki could hear the human scolding his partner under his breath. The witch's eyes glanced between them and her own lover as a frustrated face came over her.
"Come on Miki, we have to meet everyone over at the base. I got a lot of plans to start putting in motion," he called over his shoulder.
"Akira, I think we should give them a chance," she bluntly blurted.
As soon as the words passed by his ears the leader halted. He remained facing forward for many breathless moments before finally, he turned slightly with a befuddled look.
"You want me to take them in?"
The two males watched diligently as the minutes passed like hours between the other couple's stifling standoff. The girl kept on staring at the devilman with a strong yet somewhat pouting expression. Akira shot her a stern eye that soon mellowed into a resided acceptance. He sighed loud and clear as he turned his whole body around glowering at the teens in question.
"Why do you think I should?" he questioned her.
"I think it's clear from everything I've heard, that things aren't going the way they did before. Everyone else is getting a second chance, an opportunity to do better. Who's to say they're any different. We need as much help as we can get, and if they do turn out to be lying, they're surrounded by our entire army. We'll keep a close eye on them, but they deserve a chance like anybody else," Miki argued.
The commander took in what she was saying but reluctance still muddled his expression.
"We fight for the best in people, right Akira?" she softly reminded, walking closer to him.
At last, it seemed her final comment broke him down, even if begrudgingly. Another heavy breath escaped his lips and his shoulders slumped.
"Fine," he spun around to glare at them extensively. "You two can come, but if I get even the slightest wind that you intend to betray us, I will not hesitate to kill both of you, do you understand?"
The unnerving weight of that agreement rattled both the teen athletes, especially Koda. Even still his partner spoke up for them.
"We understand," Junichi respectfully tipped his head.
Moyuru appeared a little less quick to reply and because of that, he could feel the unbudging and cold stare of Akira piercing into him. Clearing his throat he made himself speak, even if his feelings were still mixed about it all.
"Yeah, I understand," Koda said with crossed arms and a huff in his tone. The devilman leader tapered his eyes, lingering on him just a touch longer before at last redirecting his sights forward.
"Good, now keep up. I got a lot to take care of and a little time to do it."
He began to walk on, casually removing his jacket and T-shirt in the process and allowing his wings to grow out of his back. Miki came to his side and without a word between them took his clothing helpfully as he knelt down to let her climb onto his back.
"Thank you, Akira, for giving them a chance," she murmured in his ear. He didn't appear all too convinced himself but still nodded to her graciously.
Suddenly, the sound of pattering wings sprung up from behind them, much to their unsurprise. The devilman hardly needed to look to know Tako had made it back to them with an update.
"Akira, everyone has been picked up and is now heading on their way to the main base," Tako announced merrily.
The leader smirked in pride, "Good, we best not keep them waiting. It's time we make some real waves in this war."