Okay I've returned to this, and the second half of chapter 16 is FINALLY here! Picks up where the beach chapter left off, glad to see you guys enjoyed it. Well it's officially settled, Lala and Kimihito will be the next pairing I do for Monster Musume. Sorry to those who wanted an OC and Lala one, but sadly the poll wasn't in it's favor. Both options were very tempting but I gotta go with what you guys want. Now heads up this story will be ending at about 20 or 21 chapters depending if I do the second epilogue I've been thinking of. I know it's probably not what you all want to hear, but I do want to do my MonMusu stories one at a time. So I'm sorry about that to those of you who wanted it to be much longer, but I don't know if I can do it justice. When the time comes and if there's enough support for it to go longer, I'll seriously consider expanding it more or making a sequel that's directly off of Web of Hearts. But before i do i will start the LalaxKimihito story that i promised. All chapters from here on will be longer, so that might make up for it. Well not much else to say except the usual. Sorry for the very long delay once more, but that's the trade-off for longer chapters. Hopefully it improves because I was also delayed due to the holiday. This is a much needed chapter though, hope you enjoy. It has a surprising emotional moment for someone who's not in the couple. Expect the next around Christmas or near New Year's at the latest. Also a slight language warning, I guess towards the end but it was necessary. This is my longest chapter yet, but won't be the longest for very long!. Drop a review, let us begin.
"Are you sure Rachnee? We can always do this another time if you wish?"
"No it's fine Honey, I'm feeling alot better now."
After Rachnera's slight emotional breakdown and recovery, Kurusu had simply decided to stay at her side the rest of the trip. As much as she would insist that he go swimming or hang out with the others as well, Kurusu knew his time should be better spent comforting her until they go home. He knows that there Rachnee would be more comfortable and recover from her outburst better. But he also doesn't want to spoil this trip for the others, Smith would have his head if he called it in early, so he compromised by staying back with Rachnee while the rest went about their outing.
Smith however would never dream of doing such a thing, and made that clear when passing by him still being wrapped up by Rachnera. "Kimihito if you want to end the vacation for her that's fine, we can do this some other time. If you or her want to go home just tell us, it's putting me on edge for this." She tried telling him gently but firmly as well, to make sure he actually understood that. He merely nodded before saying "I understand just fine Smith, and we'll leave in a little bit. Go and enjoy yourselves, it's alright. I'm here for her."
Smith looked back at him and then to Rachnera, who currently was laying down with her front half still holding on to him. The Arachne finally spoke up after she got her torso up from him, making sure her face was fine and tear free. "Really Smith go on ahead. I'll be fine, I have Honey with me. I'd hate to ruin our little outing." Smith's replied in an instant to comfort the girl.
"Rachnera you wouldn't be ruining anything, this trip was yours and His. You have the say to whether you wish to go home, so just tell me or Kurusu if that's what you want. None of us want to feel as if we're forcing you to stay." The spider girl could hear the bit of emotion that Smith allowed into her voice while still keeping herself in check, and Rachnera mentioned it.
"I'm okay Smith, none of you are forcing me at all. But are you ok?" She asked with a raised eyebrow and Smith froze for a second before acting as if nothing had changed. "I'm perfectly fine Rachnera, I'm just concerned whether or not this... assgnment is in danger, and since You are that assignment, I care about what happens to you as much as Kurusu does." Smith finished as smoothly as she could, but Rachnera could see right through it, even in her state of emotional recovering. "You know you really suck at lying. And I really don't like liars. Just say what's on your mind Smith." Rachnera stated a bit bluntly and Kuroko backed up a bit at that.
"I'm not sure what you-" but this time Kurusu cut the government agent off. "We can both see it Smith, just tell us already. We want to know why your so involved in our case." Smith visibly backed off from the pair, who both crossed their arms and waited. Had Smith been fully clothed she might've bailed, but she was at a standstill because in a two piece guarding the very people interrogating her now. She was trapped, and knew there wasn't any way she was getting out of this without an explanation for her interest in their case. Smith sighed and began to tell the pair.
"It's the idea of how you two are, not only as a host and homebody but as a couple. You two peaked my interest when I first assigned you two with each other, which by the way Rachnera you played smoothly." Said girl reddened in the face as her secret was out and Kurusu frowned at Smith once more. "I'll ask about that later, but what got you so interested in us?" Smith went in further, telling the two her own little secrets and hopes.
"I saw how much of an ideal host you appeared to be Kimihito, and I saw how happy Rachnera was when I talked with you two. As you can tell her race isn't as welcomed to the program and the general public as others are. Granted they all face their troubles, but Rachnera's faces it the worst out of them. I saw that her demeanor was so different from others of her kind who I've seen get rejected or run away from their hosts. She wanted to stay with you, and so I had a thought that things might go good for once for her species."
The host turned to face Rachnera and he could see in her face that her species did indeed have it the worst, it didn't take much to notice that. He recalls their shopping experience and even how other liminal and host families avoided her like she was dangerous. And he knew she was the farthest thing from that, even with her hmp lewd assaults every now and then. But compared to what she did when they first moved in together it was tame, and he was able to welcome it freely since they were a couple. He hated that she had been so gloomy that day because of being treated like that. how she didn't want to really go out anywhere because she would always be stared at by everyone. He gave her hand a squeeze as Smith went on.
"I began monitoring your behaviors, checking on you two without just barging in like I do my other hosts. I gave you both my trust and some faith, and it seems to have been for the better. You and she got closer, you even managed to convince her to want to go out when most Arachne stay inside because aside most being homebodies, they're looked at and even down upon in some instances by both humans and other extra-species. It's something that brings a good amount of despair to me and my work. I know that even if I weren't employed in the program, that I'd be fighting for equal treatment for liminals of all shapes and sizes." Smith stopped to catch her breath and Rachnee as well as Kurusu were impressed by her declaration, her utter sense of duty and rightness.
Given Smith's usually relaxed and lazy way of doing things or shuffling her work around they didn't really know how to take this new revelation of dedication she actually has for her job. But before they could say anything Smith's face softened a bit, and she continued in a less firm voice though the sincerity was still there.
"But its actually changed since I put her with you in your own lonely situation. And yeah I could tell you were lonely Kurusu, it wasn't hard to spot. But what I saw just saw a few minutes ago and just now is proof that I made the best decision I could for you two. So that's why I'm so invested in you two aside from my job as a coordinator, maybe even more so. Your both happy with one another, and...that makes me happy as well. I enjoy seeing you two together. It...it makes me feel like I'm actually doing something with my job, that it's not in vain or a waste." Smith finished her confession with a bit of emotion in her voice, and the couple could detect it plain as day.
Even the other members of the MON team who pretended to be unaware of the conversation happening about 5 meters away could detect something was off with her. Tio noticed it the most because of her larger size and ears, meaning greater hearing. Manako was able to read lips easily, and found herself a bit depressed at Smith's earlier words as well. She and the rest have been on the team and in the program long enough to know just how things are for certain species, both bad and good. She also knew that while Smith appeared lackluster in her visible work ethic, she was actually very compassionate about her work. She may have hated the amounts of paperwork that came with it, but she very much cared for extra species as a whole.
Tio looked to the monoeye for a signal on how or if they should do anything but the one eyed girl gives a slight shake of her head. "Not yet." she mouths and Tio sighed as she reluctantly accepts the decision. Normally she would've been all over the three confessing things and such, but since both Zombina and Doppel were still unaware of the recent events they decided to keep it private. They could talk with them and Smith later, right now they would let the couple and their boss be. This was between them.
Kurusu and Rachnera were at a loss for words as they saw Smith with her face bowed a bit, and he decided to speak up first. "That's very...big of you Smith, deciding to take that chance, and I'm finding myself a bit flattered and thankful for what you did. I mean I was already very thankful for you introducing me to Rachnera but this, this is more than that. I see now why your so involved with us, and I'm sorry If I've overstepped anything very personal. I know that must've been quite a strain-" but Smith smirked very lightly as she regained her composure.
"Oh don't stress yourself over little old me Honey. You've still got her to deal with, I'm fine. Just be sure your making the right choice here, and that goes for you too Rachnera. Don't be afraid to say whether you want to stay today or just head home. The team and I won't mind, I promise." Smith told the girl and she saw Rachnera's face soften ever so slightly. Still awaiting her answer Smith was mildly pleased to hear the girl still wished to stay, that she was recovering better than the Coordinator would've thought.
"I'm fine Smith, go enjoy the day. We can head back in a while. I'll spend some time with Honey here. You can relax, not that you don't already you slacker." Rachnera told the agent as sincerely as she could, but could resist a small amount of snark at the end.
Smith resisted the urge to roll her eyes and bowed her head the the Arachne. "Thank you, and that goes for both of you. Keep whatever you two have nice and strong, things will only get better because of it." Kurusu and Rachnera nodded as Smith then began walking towards the shoreline where Tio was subtly edging towards as Zombina squirted and shot her dual water guns at Doppel, who wasn't appreciating the carefree accuracy she was hit with. It resulted in the dark skinned girl shifting into a larger and more muscular version of Tio and chasing the living dead girl around as she laughed without a care, dodging and weaving from her larger teammate. Manako was still by her own umbrella watching the others but chosing not to join them just yet. She would be just fine where she was, still trying to absorb some sun for her relatively pale skin to adapt to. But alas it wasn't going so well since it was slow work waiting for any change in skin to see, but she still has a couple more hours to soak in some rays.
Further back Rachnera and Kurusu were watching the display with somewhat amused expressions, but they were more focused on each other at the moment. Rachnera placed her head on top of his and wrapped her arms around his chest from behind, her chest pressing up against his back. Had the others been closer or Kurusu been at home with her he would've felt mildly embarrassed by the gesture since they were out in public, but since she wasn't in that state of mind along with being covered up, he actually felt peaceful by her doing it. He took her hands in his own as she sat just behind him, watching the water recede and flow forward from the ocean.
Despite her little incident, Rachnera was beginning to feel better the longer she held onto Kurusu. He had that calming effect about him, not to mention the kindness he gave to her was very rare for her to experience. Most of her life she's been looked at with nothing but fear or disgust not only from humans, but liminals as well. She knew she didn't deserve that, but it wasn't like she could just change how people saw her. But what she was able to take sweet comfort and happiness in was there was one person who only saw her as a normal person, and dammed sure treated her far better than one. It was quite overwhelming for her in the beginning, she hadn't known how to react appropriately to his personality.
All she could do was think of how happy she felt and all the lewd things she wished to do with him, hell she still wishes to do with him. But she gradually lessened to both get control over herself and to not push him away with her persistence. She grew to know Kimihito better, his own quirks that he had before she met him, and possibly even some he began to develop after meeting her and becoming more comfortable around. She was brought from her musings when he spoke to her, asking another concern filled question.
"Are you doing alright Rachnee?"
She didn't raise her chin from his head as she replied "I am, but you being here is a big help for me. Thank you Honey, for that." He accepted that, and began to lightly trace the outline of her gauntleted hands and forearms. She felt better that he was doing such a trivial and little act, but to her it was a gesture that meant more to her. She began to feel his fingers carelessly rub her sharp knuckles and the joints in her hands, and that creeping unease if her sharpness compared to his soft form made itself more know to her once again. She closed her eyes and kept her breathing steady as she held herself in control, not wanting to accidentally move and cut his hands up because she couldn't resist the urge to hold onto him.
In truth she yearned to actually hold him, much like the day of their first shopping trip. That had been the first time she felt that fear of harming him, but reassurance from him that he was perfectly fine made her less afraid of contact that was mutual to them. She had no fear of tying him up and teasing him with her body, but her hands was another thing. The same went for him being the one to initiate such contact, it was certainly welcome but she still had her guard up if it involved her hands. Her face was a little blank to anyone who was watching her, but inside she was thinking about things almost a bit obsessively. She held her breathe when one of his hands went to intertwine with her own and she hesitated to return the light grip. Kurusu turned to face her with his face full of understanding, and he spoke low to her then.
"Rachnee, it's okay for you to hold my hands. I'm not afraid of touching you, or you touching me...In that way. Cause you know, the others...prohibited. And even if something did happen, I wouldn't hate you or think of you any less for it. I know you try so hard to hold back from hurting me, so if it did happen it would be just an accident.." He ended his little speech with a chuckle, trying to brighten her mood with that small dose of humor at the end. It got the desired effect when she lightly laughed as well and a smile worked it's way back onto her face, bringing her to focus more on him than she already has been.
"Your right Honey, I do take a lot of care to not hurt you, and I'm glad you noticed that. I like that very much about you, that you do take the time to learn and understand me. Again I thank you for being there for me." Rachnera told him as she hugged him carefully, with him returning the embrace. However she wasn't finished.
"Oh, and don't worry, when that's not illegal you and I are going to have soooo much fun for how wonderful you've been to me." She whispers lewdly into his ear as she pulls him in closer, her smile returning more and more she thinks about when that time finally comes.
Perhaps she should think about that more, focus on the good while not ignoring the bad, but merely accepting and moving past it. Her mood was brightening a bit, so she decided to think happy (lewd) thoughts of her and Kurusu to herself, all while he still sat next to her with one arm wrapped around her waist. He surprised her when he chuckled out in response to her last promise.
"And I'll be there waiting to enjoy it with you." He said to her, flashing her a warm smile that she returns and let herself relax a bit more. After all this was their trip, why not enjoy it?
...
It was getting dark outside for the group, Kurusu had started a small fire pit just after they all finished a lengthy and intense game of volleyball. Now while they were all farther back from most of the beach goers and also the nets that were already being used by them, Rachnera had the idea to fold two of the umbrellas up and she fashioned a net with her silk to tie between them. She received compliments from the Mon team as well as the humans of their little group. While she wasn't actually partaking in it because of her sharp hands, she was content with acting as referee while Zombina and Doppel acted as team captains. However she was surprised when the next round came and Smith and Kurusu were the next team captains, and the others were as well. After that things got quite competitive between both of the teams, all to Rachnee's amusement from the sidelines.
Needless to say both of their humans were very good at the sport as a whole, though Kuroko's thinness helped her move faster to save more serves. The game went on a tie for nearly 10 minutes before manako has missed a crucial save and cost Kurusu's team the game. While none of them and least of all him were angry with her, the poor girl was nearly in tears but she was comforted by everyone else. Tio helped especially with it because of the sweet aura about her that could make anyone happy.
After that Kurusu had the idea that everyone was starting to get hungry, and so began brining out the food supplies they brought for both lunch and dinner if they stayed long enough. His cooking didn't differ much just because he wasn't at home, everything was delicious. Kurusu waved off all the compliments on his cooking by merely saying he was just doing what he could, bit he did give a semi proud smile at all of them enjoying his grub. Over dinner they all shared pleasant and casual conversation, teasing from Zombina to Kurusu and Rachnera, Doppel shapeshifting into different forms to imitate, Tio giving off a calming aura about her. Manako was seeming to slowly get over her natural shyness, Smith was very content with how things were going. Rachnera was feeling great as well, all signs of her earlier depressing mood gone. The day was going to end on a good note, it seemed.
And yet like all good things, some force, some indescribable and inescapable thing decides to come and end it.
After dinner on the beach was finished, the trash picked up and properly disposed of, everyone lent a hand in packing away the beach stuff. It was starting to get past dusk and into the true night, when a small trio of people leaving the beach spotted the Mon team and their gracious guests exiting the beach front. Kurusu and the others didn't notice them until one of the men sneered to his buddy "Well look at that, the whole freakshows been at the beach with us and we didn't even know."
His friend who spoke a bit louder to grab all of their attention replied "Most of them are freaks but I don't know, that red heads kinda hot, but the stiches look weird. The normal chick with the shades has nice legs too." The mentioned pair turned and faced the trio of men with looks of disgust on their faces, and ignored them as they followed everyone else who were doing their best to also not give attention to the men. However the only male in the group stopped when he heard the third snicker to both his buddies "That spider chicks got a nice set of tits, but those legs make me wanna squash her under my boot. Its gross, why the hell would anyone wanna bang that?."
Kurusu and Rachnera both slowed their pace and outright stopped as the others went a few feet before they realized the couple wasn't with them anymore. Kurusu turned and began walking towards the men with his fists clenched, Rachnera was still in her spot with a frown growing on her face the longer she stared at the three men. Her six ruby red eyes were narrowing at their remarks, both the two about Smith and Zombina as well as the last one regarding herself. But she focuses on her honey when he stopped in front of the three assholes and spoke. "Apologize. Now." He growled out and the three smirked at him, the one who insulted his girlfriend replied first.
"Aww did we hurt somebody's feelings? Don't tell me you actually like one of those monsters, that's disgusting dude. What's wrong with you?" Kurusu pushed the guy roughly on the shoulder, making him step back 2 feet. "What the hell's wrong with you three?! You call them monsters and yet act like ones yourselves by treating them like they're not people! And yeah, I am with one of them! The Arachne over there is my girlfriend, and she's one of the most decent people I've ever met! She acts more like a good person than you do!" Kurusu damn near shouted at him before the man angrily got ready to fight. Smith and her team tensed, especially since she was the only one who legally could do something. The law unfortunately went both ways, even for Mon. They couldn't interfere, but she and Kurusu could. Her hands automatically reach for her taxer which isn't actually on her due to her beach attire and she curses, when things escalated.
"Look you fucking weirdo, they aren't people! And as for your little "girlfriend" over there, I know you sure as hell haven't fucked her since eight legged freaks eat the guy aft-" but he didn't even finish his sentence before his face met with Kurusu's fist, breaking his nose and knocking him down to the ground. His buddies were on Kurusu in an instant, and one managed to land a blow to his jaw which made Kurusu grunt in pain as he brought his hands up to defend himself. He backed up and held his arms ready to throw another blow when the other guy who catcalled Smith helped the guy Kimihito punched back up.
Wiping blood away from his nose he angrily yelled out a threat to Kurusu. "Son of a bitch! That's it! Your gonna get it!" He finished as he and his buddies all rushed at Kimihito at once, only to feel something wrapping around them.
In an instant the three xenophobes found themselves tied up and bound very tight by webs, and were dragged over to a lamp post on the street nearest the beach line. The world spun as they were hung upside down without care or hesitation, and looked up to see the spider woman looking over them with a scary expression. Her eyes screamed murder and they all began to panic as she slowly lowered herself down to their height, just like a spider in a horror movie would.
The leader of the trio began to stutter. "Y-you can't harm me or my friends! It's against the laws and if I report-" but he was silenced when Rachnera grabbed onto his face tightly, but not cutting him like she would've wanted to. Her red eyes were wide with an intense glare of hatred, her pupils were small as the man stared into all six of hers with fear plain on his face.
"You really think your going to get that chance?" Rachnera snarled out at him and went on as he began to whimper under her malevolent and cold, sadistic gaze. She spoke with a voice that would freeze the veins of the most hot blooded man. "I've run from the law before, and would've escaped easily if someone hadn't taken me in and convinced me to stay. That person was the wonderful man your friends and you just tried to attack you disgusting little vermin! You hurt him, and I should show you three just how sharp my body can b-" but she was brought from her rage by one person calling her name.
"Rachnee stop! Don't!"
Rachnera turned her head and saw Kurusu was rushing over to her, and she loosened her grip on the one xenophobic assholes face ever so slightly to face her Honey. With a much sweeter and concerned voice she asked him "Are you alright? Did they hit you hard?" He shook his head and held one of his hands out for her to take.
"I'm fine Rachnee, don't worry. I had to stop you before you go too far, I don't want to live without you. Please just come down, Smith can deal with them. Please Rachnee?" He half begged, his eyes filled with sincerity and as much concern for her as she had for him being hit by these three. His voice reminds her of the shopping trip, when she almost went to far and he begged then for her to stop. Just like then and just like in their first time meeting each other, she finds herself loosing control and beginning to go too far. She returned her glare to the men and gave them a parting threat. "You revolting worms are lucky my boyfriend stopped me. If I ever see you three again...You won't be." Rachnee hissed at them and began to make her way towards Kurusu, her demeanor beginning to lighten slowly the closer she got to him.
As she neared him they took each other into a hug, and she pulled back first to look at his face. "Are you okay? I saw one of those bastards land a hit..." She asked with concern and her eyes but he gave a small smile and reassured his concerned girlfriend. "It doesn't hurt at all, barely felt a thing." He gave the man who hurt him a glare before nodding his head over to the large van they arrived to the beach in, parked about half a block away from the curb they were standing on. "C'mon, let's go home. They're not worth getting deported for." She nodded a little, although she still held her anger for the three, but she knew Kurusu was right. If she hurt them they would be split from each other, and that was something she would never let happen. She'd kidnap him and they would run away together before she would allow that to happen.
As Rachnera took her boyfriend's hand Smith stepped forward in her usual uniform and told the pair "Don't worry Rachnee-san, they'll be dealt with. You and Kurusu can head back to the truck, I'll join you in a moment." She told them with barely held anger and they were actually nervous to see Smith in such a state. They were confused as to how or when she got the time to put her work uniform back on, but decided to ignore it for the time being. The pair nodded and made their way over with Manako and Too following just behind them.
As the 4 left "Smith" or rather Doppel imitating Smith began to unshift to her natural form and looked at the three tied up men with Zombina joining her with the actual Kuroko Smith, whose face was a cold glare that made her teammates actually shiver with a hint of fear. They'd never seen her so serious, not even with the most dangerous missions they've been on so far, which means the three xenophobes were in for a real shocker.
With a voice dripping with enough venom to poison a slime, Smith spoke to the three.
"Now it's time to teach you three what happens when you break the law."