Chapter 14: Life with a Minotaur

The flight back to the Underworld was whittled away with minor chit-chat as Rose tried to gather an idea of what accommodations their new guest would need.

A bed.

Vegetables (apparently Taurus didn't eat meat...go figure).

Clothing.

The Chariot jolted as it touched down besides Charon's boat. Hades shuddered at the mess of souls seething around the hull. What was up with these things? Just pass on already!

"Welcome to the Underworld! The only pla-?!" Hades started, before realising his audience had already started making it's way to the gondola. Mildly affronted by the action, the Lord of the Underworld trailed after the pair of teens grumbling.

Rose skipped up to the skeleton cheerily. "Charon! I want to introduce you to the new resident!" she chirped happily, "This is Taurus."

How a skeleton makes a face of disdain, Hades would never know, but Charon did it. "Extra for the beast."

Taurus blinked before wrapping his hand around the dead man's neck vertebrae and hoisting Charon into the air. "Now that's just rude."

"Hey, Hey, HEY!" the flame haired god protested, getting between the Minotaur and the ferryman, "Charon's been with the business for an eternity, he can't be replaced!" He glared at the male angrily. "PUT. HIM. DOWN."

Taurus snorted before dropping the bony figure to the deck. "Whatever."

Rose giggled as she sat on one of the benches. Taurus was going to make quite the addition to the "family".

...

"Watch your step." The Minotaur held out his clawed hand and offered it to the teen graciously. Rose took it with a grin while Hades and Charon made twin faces of disgust.

This was a bad idea. Hades could feel it...he just couldn't place why. As the group walked toward the palace, Rose pointed out important landmarks. They walked by the Asphodel Fields and the Elysian Fields. The woman was practically glued to the Minotaur's side as she pointed out the different areas of the Underworld.

Hades hated it.

Finally making it up to the front door, the Lord of the Dead slid around the teens to get in to his home and maybe, he didn't know, sleep?

He got to the foyer before speaking up, "Well it was nice to meet you kid but it's time to hit the hay, no pun intended," his trademark grin showing true to form as he pulled the young woman to his side none to discreetly.

"Hades, where is he going to sleep?" Rose looked at the god, confused. "We need to set him up."

Hades sighed grumpily, he was going to need a grande espresso tomorrow morning... "He's your guest. You figure it out." Turning down the hallway, the god rubbed the back of his neck tiredly, thinking: Tequila, shower, bed. Tequila, shower, bed. Tequila, showe-

"Well, I'm not sure we have a room set up for anyone right now...and I reeeeally don't want to deal with grumpy minions... How about you sleep in my room?"

Snapping to attention, Hades made a u-turn in the hall and marched back to the teens. Rose looked completely unaware of what she had just implied while Taurus looked speechless. Seriously, what was she, five?!

Grabbing the male by a horn, Hades yanked Taurus over to him and gave Rose a large (and incredibly fake) grin. "On second thought, you must be exhausted, ya know? It's been such a long day for you and all that, why not go to bed and I get the guy set up."

Rose looked shocked at the sudden turn of events. Did she really not know? "Ah- It's fine, really! I'll just set him up in my room, it's no big deal." Nope. She had no clue. "Go to sleep Hades, I got this."

"Uh no. No, you don't." The god grabbed her head and spun her around so she was pointed in the direction of her bedroom. "Go. I expect you to take care of things before I wake up tomorrow."

"Right...ok. See you later..." And then, hesitantly, she walked away.

"G'Night!" Waving patronizingly, the god waited until the teen walked around the corner before turning to the boy caught in his grasp.

"That...was funny," Taurus smirked, causing the god to flare slightly. "Ow, OW! Hot, Hot. Hot!" The god sneered and let go of the now scorched horn.

"Cummon, lets get you set up. Faster that happens, faster Morpheus gets here." Finding a room with a couch, Hades pulled some blankets out of the air around them and handed them of to the Minotaur. "Don't wander around. There's worse than me around here." And with that comforting statement, Hades left Taurus to his own devices.

...

Waking up the next morning, Taurus was met with a giant puff of air. Opening an eye with a growl, he was quickly met with something that would not be intimidated. Recoiling quickly, the male fell over the back of the couch in his attempt to get away from...

Dark Heart.

"You're lucky," Rose called out from the door frame. "Heart's usually more of a pain when it comes with new people."

"Well...That's encouraging," the male said while looking at the giant wolf apprehensively.

Dark Heart cocked his head before looking at Rose in what could only be called exasperation. "You pick up the oddest people..."

"I think I have perfectly fine friends!" the girl said looking insulted.

Taurus's eyes widened before looking back and forth between the wolf and the girl. Hades walked into the room looking tired. "Wha happened?"

"He heard Dark Heart. I don't blame him for being freaked out really." Dark Heart glared at the shapeshifter before huffing and stalking out of the room.

Hades looked mildly perturbed. "He can do that? Why haven't I heard him?"

Grinning, she walked past him and down the hallway to the kitchen. "He doesn't like you."

"Right." Hades looked back at the male sitting confused on the couch.

"Welcome to Tartarus," the god smirked as he left the room. "Pick up your jaw and get some food."

AN: Hey Guys! Here is my Thanksgiving gift to you! If you are not American (At the moment) Well just know that it's a holiday.
Sorry about the wait...College+ Procrastination+ Qriters block = LOOOOONG wait...
I'll try to get another up by Christmas!
Thanks for your patience!
Love ~ Rose-Chan