I am going to get this done, I am determined to do so! So let's keep it rolling and get back to it!
Chapter 16: Demons and Mischief Part 3
"Vanitas… please can you stop… I'm trying to get my work done," Ventus sighed heavily.
Vanitas was floating in front of Ventus's desk in his room, poking and knocking over the various items that were covered the area. "But I'm bored. I thought you weren't going to do any of your boring homework. Didn't Mr Moon Guy say that you didn't have to do it?"
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean I just won't. I'll get behind otherwise."
"I don't see why that is a problem," Vanitas chuckled warranting a sneering from Ventus. "Oh Ventus! Such an angry little face you have. How adorable."
"Just quit it. I want to finish this," Ventus replied as he went back to reading his text book.
"But it's saturday! Isn't that usually a day that you go out and have fun?" Vanitas sighed as he went to push another pencil over the edge of the desk.
Before he could Ventus snatched up the pencil. "Yeah, but work comes first. Maybe later, though honestly with you around I think that would be a bad idea."
"What, me?" Vanitas asked in an over dramatic voice. He placed a hand over his chest and gasped, adding to the dramatics. "Why Ventus, we have been together for almost a week, I thought you would have more faith in me."
"Oh I do. I have faith that you are going to make my life a nightmare," Ventus grumbled.
"I think you need some fresh air," Vanitas said as he flew in close to Ventus's face. "I hate to see you all grumpy."
"I'm not going anywhere."
"That's what you say, but not what's going to happen," Vanitas laughed as he disappeared from sight.
Ventus's eyes widened. "Oh no, Vanitas! Don't you dare-"
Ventus's words were cut off as he felt himself lose control of his entire body. Then without his choice or control he felt and heard himself laugh. "Oh come on Venty-Wenty, this is fun. We are just going outside for some fresh air… for now at least."
"Please stop making me say things like that!" Ventus shouted in thought speak, having that be the only way he could speak when Vanitas took full control. "Give me back control."
"Hmmm… nah, not yet. I gotta get you out of the house first, then maybe I'll let you back in control," Vanitas said as he started moving and walking out to the room.
Ventus could only watch as Vanitas controlled his body to walk out of the house and towards the local park. When they got there, Ventus saw there were others in the park but not a whole lot at the time. But after a bit Vantias came to a stop and Ventus could feel the hold on his body loosen. Taking a chance Ventus pushed forward to gain back control of his own body, and much to his surprise it worked.
"We are going back now," Venuts thought to Vanitas as he turned to leave.
"Wait."
Ventus felt his body freeze up again. "Cut it out Vanitas!"
"No serious… there's something here."
"Huh?" Ventus said, letting it slip out verbally rather than in thoughts.
Vanitas appeared out in front of Ventus, staring off into the distance. "I sense another demon nearby."
"Another demon?" Ventus asked before quickly covering his mouth. His eyes darted around the area, but thankfully there were no people in hearing proximity.
"Yes… they are somewhere close by," Vanitas replied. Suddenly a smile appeared on his face. "We should go and find them."
Ventus backed up slightly, this time remembering to keep his thoughts in his mind just in case someone decided to come by. "Oh no way! I am not going to get another demon stuck to me!"
"Idiot, this demon is already tied to another human, so that wouldn't be possible. Besides, you are my host. My human. I wouldn't share you with another demon," Vanitas grumbled.
Ventus blinked a few times, trying to make sense of what Vanitas had just said. It almost sounded like what he said was him trying to care, but then again it almost sounded possessive. Either way Ventus was not sure what to make of it, but still was surprised at the reaction and response from Vanitas.
Vanitas blinked away from sight and Ventus felt his control gone again. "Now come on, we are going to go meet them."
"Wait! Vanitas stop it! Let me walk on my own!"
"I don't trust you enough to come along. They aren't that far anyway, just hiding in the forest area," Vanitas replied.
Ventus grumbled as he let Vanitas pull him along further. Eventually they entered the forest area and up ahead Ventus could see someone leaning against a tree. The closer he got, the more he started to recognize who it was.
"Riku?" Ventus asked, surprised that Vanitas had not taking control of his ability to speak.
He had known Riku before hand, but not all that much. Before Riku had up and vanished Ventus did have a few classes with him, but the two rarely talked. But from Ventus knew, Riku had always been the quiet type and usually kept to himself. Then he vanished one day and no know knew where he went, not even his parents. And now it was all starting to make sense to Ventus why he must have disappeared.
Riku turned his head and his eyes widened. "Ventus? What are you doing? I mean… ah…"
Vanitas reappeared and floated to the side of Ventus. "All right, show yourself. I know you're there."
"Hmph. Quite the young demon aren't you?" a deep voice replied, echoing into Ventus's head.
From behind Riku a dark form appeared. Ventus gasped and stumbled back at the sight. Floating behind Riku was a large monstrous beast with skin as dark as night and glowing eyes. The creature also had sharp fangs and long attentes that fell back behind it.
"So? Who cares if I am young?" Vanitas asked as he crossed his arms.
Ventus was still staring wide eyed at the monster, though no one else seemed phased by it. Then a moment later it turned to look at him and chuckled deeply. "Seems your human is terrified. Has it not seen your true form?"
"Wh-what are you talking about?" Ventus asked, his voice shaking slightly.
Vanitas laughed. "Every demon has their true demonic form. But we can make ourselves have human like bodies and appearances if we want to. I just like this form better. And I can assume you have a human-like form as well… whatever your name is."
"Ansem," the other demon answered before his form started to change. After a few seconds he now had the appearance of an adult man with tanned skin. He wore a strange outfit, and had similar features like Vanitas had. From the sharp teeth and nails, to the pointed ears and black in the eyes instead of having it be white. Though his eyes were a vibrant amber color opposed to Vanitas's red. And also the man had long silvery grey hair that only stuck out a little on the top and on the sides.
Ventus stared at Ansem a bit longer before his eyes finally moved back to Riku. He had been quiet for a bit and was staring between Ventus and Vanitas. He almost seemed at a loss for words, but he eventually spoke back up. "Um, Ventus, when did… don't tell me you entered the old house on Halloween."
"Uh sorry… But I kinda did get roped into doing it. I guess that's what happened to you last year?" Ventus asked as he finally stood back up.
"Yeah," Riku nodded simply. "My friends dared me to enter the house… then," RIku glanced up at Ansem. "I got him attached to me. And he has been causing me misery ever since."
Ansem laughed. "And it has been the most amusing thing I have experienced."
"Misery?" Vanitas asked inquisitively. "Just what have you been doing to do that?"
Riku huffed heavily. "Everywhere I go he tries to make something bad happen to everyone around me. Making it look like I've been cursed with bad luck or something. Which if you really look at it, I have!"
Vanitas looked at Ansem raising an eyebrow. "Really? I mean sure I wanna mess around with Ventus and maaaaaybe get him into some trouble. But I wouldn't want to make him an outcast by ruining every part of his life."
Ansem simply shrugged. "To each his own. Every demon has their choice and say in what they want to do. I just find entertaining in making Riku's life complete torture."
"You know I am right here!"
"I know that," Ansem said before laughing. "And that is one of the reasons I enjoy this. Your reactions are priceless."
"So um…" Ventus said quietly. "Is that why… you left home and school? Cause Ansem was making too much trouble? But you really haven't gone too far…"
"I've tried to leave," Riku said with a sigh. "Ansem stops me everytime, but letting me ditch school and leave home he was fine with."
"There is still so much more we can do here before we would go off anywhere. Seeing you watch your family and friends from afar is currently just the right amount of suffering for you," Ansem replied, giving a cold sneer.
Ventus immediately was glad that Vanitas was the demon that he was stuck with. He could only imagine what Riku had to go through each day with Ansem as his demon. He then started to wonder if Mr. Lune ever knew about Riku's situation. Though he started to feel maybe it wouldn't be such a good idea as he didn't know how Ansem would respond to it.
"So, you haven't found a way to get rid of a demon I guess?" Ventus decided to ask, half hoping that maybe Riku knew of a way.
Riku shook his head sadly. "No… I've tried, but couldn't find anything helpful."
"And even if you did find something, I would not let you get rid of me."
"Same here. You really would wanna get rid of me Venty-Wenty?" Vanitas asked as he wrapped his arms around Ventus. He chuckled childishly. "Come on, I know you enjoy having me around."
"Get off!" Ventus shouted as he tried to push Vanitas off of him. Eventually Vanitas did let go, though he was laughing quite a lot now. Ventus let out a long sigh afterwards. "I think I need to get back home soon… I still got some homework to do."
Riku nodded. "At least you can still go to school…"
"Well nothing really exciting has happened if you want to know," Ventus said, trying to make light of the situation.
"Yeah, and hey… maybe we can see each other again. Now that we know we both have… you know these guys…" Riku gestured to Vanitas then Ansem. "It honestly would be nice to talk about it with someone else."
"All right, I'll keep an eye out for you later then," Ventus said as he turned to leave.
When Ventus got back to his room he flopped down onto his bed. He let out a long sigh before burning his face into his pillow.
"So that was pretty fun."
"I mean I guess… it's good to know Riku didn't, you know… disappear or die because he entered cursed house."
Vanitas laughed. "You were worried that was going to happen to you? I can assure you that won't happen. We are just are going to stick together for the rest of your life."
Ventus sighed again. "Like I really want that…"
"Hey! I know what you are thinking, you want to try and see what Moon Man knows still! And to ask if he knows about Riku."
"Didn't you say you could read my thoughts? Should that be obvious?" Ventus retorted.
"Yeah yeah. But still, why bother? You should just enjoy the fact you got me around. Your life has definitely gotten a lot for fun."
"Whatever…" Ventus mumbled as he started to doze off. "I'm going to take a nap…"
He heard Vanitas say something else, but he already tuned out anything else that was being said. He just wanted to get some peaceful time to himself as he figured out what he could do to help Riku and himself.
And that wraps up another Demons chapter. What will next? Who knows?
