He woke with a start. Another odd dream sticking his legs uncomfortably together. It was a bit dark but the sun shining in from the patio gave him enough light to see. Sitting up blue eyes darted to and fro looking for the self-proclaimed demon. It was strange. Demons were said to be more noticeable in Japan, maybe a horn or two, black eyes, odd colored skin. But the one here… where ever it was, looked like everyone else he could have encountered. With a sigh and a wary brow, Yuki slowly peeled back the blankets to uncover his legs and the wet spot sitting in the middle of his crotch.
"So embarrassing." With another look around the room Yuki eased himself from the massive bed and made his way over to the bathroom. Chills ran up his foot and into his spine as his feet padded across the tile floor of the massive space. "How did he get..."
"Get what?"
He felt his unstretched spine creak as he turned suddenly giving him whiplash, he had to catch his head before it rolled off.
"Sorry. You okay?"
Yuki took a peek at the demon between shaking fingers.
He didn't look sorry.
"I'll... be okay."
" Okay then, well I got you some clothes. You should get ready, we'll be heading out in a little bit."
Yuki took the thick paper shopping bag feeling the slow rise of an eyebrow as he stared at the dark nail polish on the demons nails. It was an odd choice considering the simple jeans and bright colored hoodie the demon was wearing.
"Where are we going?"
"To meet a friend."
"Is he...?"
"You should know him... He's the one that sent me."
That wasn't what Yuki meant but it was good to know nonetheless. To be honest he didn't know who sent this demon, or why, or how. They sat there awkwardly, or at least Yuki was, the demon didn't seem to mind standing there and staring at him.
"You're special you know."
"S-special?" Yuki turned a little the unblinking stare making him nervous. Even more so considering the wet spot on the front of his pants.
"You'll understand later. I'm going to order breakfast, do you want anything specific?"
"No whatevers fine."
"Okay."
The door was closed quietly allowing Yuki the privacy he deserved. With a sigh Shini paced his way over to the black phone by the bed pulling out his yellow cased touch phone. Kirill was expecting an update and it would be better to send it now. Yuki had been sleeping off his wounds for quite a few days and it was setting back their plans. After three simple coded messages, Shini picked up the black corded phone and dialed one.
"Room Service." A male answered in chinese.
"Something light to eat, I'll be checking out in a bit."
"Right away."
He dropped the phone back onto the receiver checking his personal phone for any messages. Seeing none Shini shrugged waiting as he listened quietly to the light pittering of the shower. It was awkward talking to a human after so long. Most associations ended with the human dead, not taking a shower with him waiting for room service. But Kirill said Yuki was special, and Shini believed him. Not many humans had the determination or willpower to leave home in search of family. Very few humans even cared for their own blood relatives anymore.
But when Kirill sent him to Yuki, the boy held such a look in his eye... The scent of his soul brought forth a hunger... but Kirill said not to... so he wouldn't. Only Kirill would get the luxury of tasting something sooo sweet. Sighing the blonde demon rose to his feet to answer the door before roomservice thought to knock. She was startled, tipping the tray of croissants, scones, and biscuits into a crooked circle. Luckily the bottled juices remained undisturbed in its metal tin.
"Thank you." He took the tray and metal tin giving a small smile as he closed the door. He was just putting the tray on the bed when Yuki opened the bathroom door holding a towel to his albino locks, sporting the same yellow hoodie and dark jeans Shini threw on. Refreshed and cleaned Yuki refolded the towel and grabbed his bundle of old clothes from the floor and carried them into the bedroom.
"You look better." Shini stood and crossed the distance to meet him taking the bundle out of his arms.
"I feel better."
"No headaches? Aches or pains?" The demon carried the bundle to a garbage can hidden under the cabinet.
"No...why?"
"You were attacked. Sure it may have been a few days, but most side effects aren't known until days later."
"Oh." He stood there awkwardly as Shini did the unblinking stare again. Deep breaths Yuki, deep breaths. "Can I ask you question?"
"Sure." the demon backed away gesturing to the tray of pastries. "Go ahead and eat. Ask anything you want."
"You're Japanese right?" Yuki sat towards the edge of the bed leaning in to take a red speckled scone.
"Not entirely." The demon sat on the edge as well opposite the teen.
"Oh." Yuki ate thoughtfully. He didn't really understand. He couldn't bring himself to call the demon by name. It would be rude... well... no one with a Japanese heritage would ever name their kid Shini. Yet such a being stood before him. Or maybe because he was referring to the demon as human that he was so confused. The only reason he gave it to the cat was because he was looking down on his own luck. Seeing as it that the cat technically may have never existed... or died... he kinda felt bad for giving it such an unlucky name.
"What type of demon are you? You don't look like..." Yuki asked eyes glued to the floor.
"Well I guess youkai would be the most accurate." Shini looked to the bed for a moment eyeing the tray of pastries. Running a finger along the circle he picked a buttered croissant.
"Uhm... Is... that really your name?"
"Yes."
"Doesn't it bother you?"
"No."
"Oh..."
The bedding dipped as Shini rose up. "Ready to go?"
"I guess." Yuki rose too, eyeing the scones longingly. He didn't realize how hungry he was, food was so hard to come by when traveling to China. But it sat here now and he was going to leave it all behind. Shini must have seen the look on his face, because a second later he was holding a napkin out to him.
"Take another. There will be more food on the plane though. You'll be able to eat as much as you want then."
He didn't need to be told twice. He scooped another cranberry scone and cradled it gratefully. Taking one last look about the room, Yuki followed Shini to the door only to have a bottle of water pushed into his hands as well.
"Thanks."
The two made their way out and into a pale pink hallway. Their footfalls could barely be heard over the deep grey carpeting. But the moment they stepped into the elevator, the awkward silence was broken by the unmistakable sound of a violin concerto.
"Do I scare you?"
"A little." No point in lying about it. The scare was even worse being trapped in an elevator alone.
"I meant it when I said I wouldn't hurt you. I could get into a lot of trouble if anything happened to you." Shini rocked on his heels staring at a flourescent lightbulb above. "I was already scolded for what happened at the hospital."
"Sorry." He'd forgotten all about it. "I never said 'thank you.' I could have died, but you saved me, so... Thank you."
Shini smiled nodding to himself. "You're welcome Yuki."
"Sooo." Yuki paused as the doors opened into a vast foyer. It was mostly empty, even the lounge chairs and sofas. Shini didn't bother to check them out at the front desk, they just continued to the glass doors and into a waiting white taxi. Something was said in Chinese and before long the cabbie was moving.
"Yes?"
"Huh?" Yuki was reeling a little bit. He didn't know that Shini could speak Chinese.
"You were going to say something."
"Oh yeah... Uh... where are we going?" Yuki shuffled as the car pulled onto a highway.
"To meet up with Kirill and take a plane to the UK."
"UK?"
"United Kingdom... Its where the doctor will be."
"Oh." Yuki chewed his lips uncapping the bottled water and taking a few gulps. "Do you think he's okay? Dr. Nealson said that Ryou was dying... I mean... I came all this way to find him." Yuki sighed as his throat dried and tightened with unshed tears. "I want him to be okay."
"I don't know much but... I don't think Kirill wouldn't have gone through the trouble if he were dead. We needed something to convince you. We wouldn't have been able to get to you otherwise."
"Uh huh." Uncomfortable and unnerved Yuki scooched further towards his side of the door. He supposed this was the demons way of reassuring him, but it was creepy... Very creepy.
The car finally slowed to a stop, and Shini led the teen out and to the front doors of an airport stopping just before them. "Its really crowded in airports, and easy to get lost... Is it okay if I hold your hand?"
"Yeah I guess."
The albino stuffed the half eaten scone into his sweater pocket and took hold of the pale hand. It was warm surprisingly. No that wasn't surprising. When the demon had convinced him to leave the bathroom, he was as warm as any human could be. Hand in hand, the blonde demon lead them through simple crowds of families and business men and women. They stopped momentarily at a desk to receive an envelope, then they continued untouched through security, and through more crowds of people and luggages.
When they reached a second desk, the envelope was passed over to the attendant. She glanced at its contents, glancing back and forth between both Shini and Yuki, and whatever was inside.
"You're all clear." She handed the envelope back and Shini stuffed it into his sweater pocket.
"You ready?"
"For what?"
"The plane is just through there."
"Oh."
With a gentle smile Shini guided him down the long tunnel and turned a corner past some shelves of drinks and snacks.
"We're here." Shini waved his free hand around the luscious plane.
A creamy two inch carpet covered the floor, lounging chairs facing to and from the front of the plane each held a delicate green pillow. Small windows gave a view of a street like runway. A bed like couch sat at the far back waiting to be sat on with adjustable lighting that were currently dimmed. Yuki could feel his heart thumping with unbidden excitement. His first time on a plane, and it was all so much. Fingers tingling, he let go of Shini's hand and ventured a step forward.
"Kirill we're here."
"Obviously." The voice from nowhere was humorously sarcastic.
To Yuki though, he sounded a lot younger than what he thought would probably be an older man... or demon.
"Yuki?" Snapping to, said teen followed Shini further into the plane only to stop at the third row. "This is Kirill."
When Yuki got there, the first thing he realized was that he was looking into dark green eyes. Oddly bright and shimmering just like Shini's dark charcoal blue ones. Hair a reddish brown... auburn maybe... and a teenage face that he knew all too well. Yuki could feel his mouth drop open in surprise as 'Kirill' smiled and stood with an extended hand.
"I know you..." A chill ran through his spine as the other demon stepped closer.
"Long time no see."