Owari No Seraph: The Taming of the Demon

Chapter 4: Comfort Zone

….

Is anybody really under the impression I write this for money? No? Okay, let's proceed then.

I normally don't like to post so soon, but the holidays are coming up, and I don't know when I'll be able to post again. So here's a little Easter present, a little early!

Asuramaru in the physical realm! Will either survive?

..

Chapter 4: Comfort Zone

Miles away, within a palace fortified within the deeper of the Earth's caverns, a slim figure on a rose colored throne accepted a sheaf of reports from the courier. "Is this all there is of it?"

"Yes, milady," said the white-suited vampire, bowing respectfully. "My group has checked and re-checked. Of course, you do know that, due to the very nature of the…problem, none of us can vouch for its absolute accuracy…"

"…and I also know what will happen to any who've knowingly falsified any part of these reports." The courier shuddered, slightly. "But that will be all for now. You may go." The hooded figure bowed again, turned, and left.

Krul Tepes glanced through the reports. Civilization had not yet been rebuilt enough to allow for long-range mass communication, at least not reliable communication, and any internet was still a dream. So until something better could be worked out…

And much of that "something better" was underway. In the ensuing years since the cessation of hostilities—major hostilities, at least—between vampires of the Western State and humans, much progress had been made. Working together, the knowledge the vampires had kept from before the End, combined with human ingenuity, plus the willingness to work together on both parties' sides, had produced some advances exceeding, in some cases, even the best of the Old World. Still, such progress was spotty, and largely limited to advances in weaponry, though the medical arts didn't lack far behind.

One thing they'd found out, Krul was discovering, were the reports, more gleanings of information regarding the humans' experimentation on their own kind. Krul Tepes shuddered to herself when she thought about some of the things they'd found…horrible things no human or vampire should even know of, let alone experiment with.

However, the new stack of folders contained information about something considerably worse, something that had been plaguing her dreams for nearly a year now. "Hm. General? Thoughts?"

Major General Guren Ichinosi took the folder from her and glanced over it. "It's growing. But so far, the rate has been steady. No acceleration; I'm calling that good news."

"Mm. Indeed. What of the new railguns?"

He glanced up. "They'll be ready within the week. However…" and here he glanced back at the report in his hand, "I seriously doubt they'll be any more effective than the last."

Krul Tepes paused a moment, stopping all movement. She wasn't even breathing. She was as still as a stone statue. Guren wondered whether that momentary hesitation was deliberate, for show, or whether or not she really was pausing in thought. "Still, they're all we've got," she said, finally. She took another folder from the stack. "You've seen the reports on the Eastern Empire. They've had no better success than we have." She waved at the folder in Guren's hand. "At this rate, given our mutual lack of success…

"…at this rate, I think it safe to say, the entire planet is in danger."

The next day: Asuramaru's gown had been returned, and the demon seemed to almost eject from his pink pajamas so he could slide back into it. So eager was he that Yu, holding his hand up over his eyes, had to remind him to go into the bathroom first. He was unaccountably nervous about seeing the demon's naked body. "And put on those panties we bought back there!" he added, as Asuramaru struggled to get into his dress. On the astral plane, he'd never had to actually dress before, and his preferred garment was a rather tight fit.

"No!"

"Fine. Some breeze will blow your skirt up and show the world and his wife everything you've got down there."

Pause. "How…how do I put them on?"

Yu sighed.

…..

Next day: They were just about to go out when Yu thought there was something peculiar about Asuramaru's expression. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. Shut up and leave me alone." But he was looking distinctly uncomfortable, holding his stomach.

"Maru, if you're going to make it in this world, you have to tell me if something's bothering you. Something physical," he amended, even as the demon's mouth opened to say something undoubtedly snarky. "Now, you look uncomfortable. Don't those panties fit you?" It had already been long decided that if Asuramaru insisted on wearing his signature dress, he'd have to wear, at least, something minimal underneath it.

"They…fit. Sort of. No, this is…something else."

"What?"

Asuramaru held his stomach. "It's a feeling of…of pressure, down here." He indicated his lower abdomen, an expression of pain on his face. "I've never, never experienced anything like that before. I think I may have caught one of your disgusting mortal diseases."

Yu laughed, much to the demon's annoyance. "Oh, Maru, that just means you have to go to the bathroom! That's all."

"'Go to the bathroom'? How will that help?"

"Er, that's a euphemism. Means you have to…get rid of some bodily waste. I thought something like this might happen." He led Asuramaru back into the small bathroom. "Here." He indicated the toilet seat. "Just sit there…no, no, no, lift up your skirt first—oh, and slide the panties down—yes, yes, I'll step out—and, y'know, just push. Push down with the muscles in your lower abdomen. When you get done, use this—" he showed him how to use the bidet—"and use this," he gestured towards the toilet tissue roll on the wall by it, "to, to, uh, wipe yourself clean. Then put the tissue you used into the toilet, and push that button, just like I showed you. It's really very simple. Now, I'll leave you to it." And he stepped out.

Time went by, and Yu was beginning to become concerned. What was the demon doing in there? But finally, Asuramaru came out, grumbling and rubbing his backside. "How do you mortals stand it? That hurt." He kept on rubbing his rump and grimacing.

"What hurt?"

"That horrid cleansing process! It took forever. Oh, and I don't think that 'toilet' of yours is very efficient. It's overflowing onto the floor."

Yu rushed into the bathroom. Asuramaru was telling the truth; the toilet was overflowing. "Ah!" He stepped over, his feet making ripples in the water on the floor, to the bowl. "Maru! You aren't supposed to use paper towels to wipe yourself! No wonder it hurt!" He came out. "You're not bleeding, are you?"

"How should I know? I can't see back there! I thought those stiffer paper things would work better. They seemed more durable."

"They certainly are! That's why you don't use them! You use the toilet tissue, what I pointed to! That's why it's called toilet tissue! Maru, why do you always have to be so, so…why do you always have to screw up so?!"

Asuramaru turned away, an expression on his face such as Yu had never seen. "Stop shouting at me! I've never…this is the first time I ever…" He turned away, putting his hands over his face. His shoulders shook.

"Aw, no," moaned Yu. He went up to the demon. Tears were running down Asuramaru's face. Somehow, to Yu, this was just fifteen different gradations of wrong. Asuramaru was one of the strongest, most powerful, most dangerous demons anyone knew of. What was going on here? "Come here." He reached out and enfolded the demon in his arms.

"No," Asuramaru struggled weakly, hands still on his face. "Stop. Don't touch me…leave me alone…" But the tears wouldn't stop, and they were getting in his nose. He sniffled.

"Come on, Maru, it's okay." He gently crushed him to his chest. He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped at the tears. He found himself talking, saying things he thought he'd never say to a being like Asuramaru, who, uncharacteristically enough, didn't seem to object too mightily to their closeness. "Look. I'm sorry I yelled at you. You're right, it was the first time for you, doing something like that. I probably would've done the same, in your, uh, feet. Don't worry, I'll clean it up. Okay?" And here he turned the Black Demon's face up to his. "It'll be alright. I promise." He gave him a brave smile.

Asuramaru actually smiled back, and his arms went around Yu. He rested his head on Yu's shoulder. Then they both froze. "Uh…" He pulled back.

"Right." Yu disengaged hastily. "Uh, that didn't happen, okay?"

"Right," said the blushing demon, "it never happened. Ever. In fact, I don't even know what we're talking about."

….

Asuramaru's temper came back as they shopped for the other supplies Yu needed, not all of them for his demonic guest. "I hope you aren't expecting me to carry any of those," he grumped, indicating a growing pile of groceries.

"No, they'll be delivered." Yu was actually glad Asuramaru was back to his old self. That other Asuramaru had…disturbed him a bit. He didn't quite know how to deal with it.

While they were out, he took the chance to glance at his companion. Asuramaru…Black series demon. Male? Well, yes. At least, he guessed so. But the way he moved, turned, and gesticulated, even his facial expressions and reactions…so—no other word for it-feminine. And when he'd held him…he'd smelled so great. And his body…so soft. Why was that?

Even his figure. He didn't have any breasts, of course (or did he? There was a sort of a swelling on his upper torso…), but he did have a slightly hourglass shaped upper body. And his legs…

"Why are you staring at me?"

"I…was wondering if we needed anything else for you." Good save, Yu. "Can you think of anything? Besides getting you home, of course."

The demon crossed his arms and turned up his nose. "How should I know? This is your world. You should know all about bodies like these. What else do you suppose I might require?"

"Hm. Well, I can't think of anything." The thought struck him, and he spoke before thinking about it. "What about entertainment?"

The demon looked puzzled, and a little ill at ease. "What about it?"

"What do you like to do? Besides torment mortals, possess bodies, and generally wreck havoc wherever you go, I mean?"

"Ha. Look who's talking. I couldn't outdo you on the best day of my immortal life. Well," Asuramaru struck a thoughtful pose. "I…confess I don't know. What sort of entertainment do you have here? I mean, here, in this base?" He looked around him. Several of the servicemen passing them had given Asuramaru some distinct looks of interest, and a couple had leered unashamedly at him, but so far, his cover as Yu's "cousin" had served to deflect anybody from making any passes at him. Asuramaru wasn't sure how to react to such in this apparently limited condition of his. Part of him was glad he didn't have to.

Protected by a human. Could his humiliation be more complete?

But, he told himself quickly, it wasn't a question of him being protected, not protected as such, he told himself. Really, he just didn't want to have to bother with such foolishness right now. He just had bigger worries. That was all. "What do you do, for entertainment?"

Yu rubbed his chin. "Hm. Tell the truth, not a lot. I've been on duty so long…well, I used to play chess, over in the rec center, with whoever was there."

"Chess?"

"Yes. You don't know about chess? Hm." His eyes turned into those of a crafty predator sizing up the prey. "I could teach you. It's not hard to learn. I'm sure it wouldn't be hard for a superior life form such as yourself."

"Good! I'd love to!"

The rec center was empty, surprisingly, and Yu set up the chess board, set the pieces out. He explained the rules, and what pieces were what. "I'm told, back in Medieval times, kings and noblemen used to play this to learn strategy. So, really, it ought to come second nature to you."

It did. Four defeats later, he hung his head. "Are you sure you've never played this game before?"

"No, but I'm sure glad I did! You ought to see the look on your face! Ha ha!" The demon was practically holding his sides.

"Yeah? Well, one more round." I'll wipe that smirk right off your face.

"Wait. Let's make this one…interesting."

He was instantly on guard. "Interesting…how?"

"Let's bet something."

"No way. You're drunk with success."

"Seriously. Let's bet something."

He shifted, uneasily. "Like what?" Asuramaru didn't really have anything to bet.

"If you win…I have to tell you something very private about me. But if I win…" the demon smiled a very discomforting smile, resting his chin on his fist, "You have to do what I say."

"Hell, no. You'd have me doing something perverted, embarrassing, or illegal. Or more probably, all three at once. No way."

"No, no. Just…you answer a question of mine. Truthfully. And completely."

Yu hesitated. "Just answer a question? What sort of question?"

Asuramaru smiled. "Play me and find out."

One defeat later: Okay, why, exactly, did I agree to this? "Alright. What's your question?"

"That girl's golden hairpin. How did you come by it?"

He shifted again, not meeting Asuramaru's gaze. "It…was a gift."

"Yes, you said that. A gift from who?"

"If you must know, it was a gift from Sayuri."

"That stuck-up little princess in your squad?"

"She's not stuck up and yes. From Moon Demon Company."

"Why would she give you a solid gold hairpin?"

He waved him off. "I answered your question. That's it."

"You didn't answer it completely yet. Why would she give you a solid gold hairpin?"

"It…" He was cleaning up the board, putting the pieces away. Then he sighed. "She…got into a tight fix, financially, once. She'd lost a lot of money on something, I don't even know what. And the only thing of value, enough value, she had was that hairpin. It…it was a family heirloom."

Asuramaru's eyes widened. "So you bought it from her?"

"No, she hocked it. I…found out about it, and bought it back from the dealer."

Asuramaru was puzzled. "How? You don't make that kind of money."

"How do you know how much money I make?"

"I heard you grumbling about it the other day. You don't make the kind of money to buy a solid gold anything. How did you buy it?"

"I…sold something of my own."

"Yeah? What?"

"A sword."

"A sword? Not a cursed sword, I hope!"

"No, just a regular sword. It was also a family heirloom."

"What family? You grew up in that awful orphanage."

"Not my family. Lieutenant Colonel Guren's."

Asuramaru gaped, surprise spreading over his features. "How…how did you come by his family sword?"

"He gave it to me."

"Gave it to you? Why?"

"That's a whole other story. I've answered your question. Now there."

"Not quite. You sold the sword, bought the hairpin…why? I mean, you've still got it. Did you buy it for yourself? It is gold. Good investment, maybe?"

He scowled. "Nothing like that. I bought it so I could give it back to her."

"So why didn't you?"

He sighed. "I tried. At first, she was astonished, then a bit angry that I'd gotten all up in her business. Then…well, we were kinda in a sort of a relationship then, and…"

"Yes? And?"

He sighed again. "She went and bought the sword back, and tried to give it to me. Well, to make a long story short, we ended up giving each other the item we'd bought for the other. She gave me the pin, and I gave her the sword."

"What? Why?"

Another scowl. "You wouldn't understand. It…it was kind of a memento of…what we meant to each other, what we were beginning to mean to each other. An exchange of gifts. Even though the sword didn't come from my family, I, I guess it came from the only family I had. So…"

Asuramaru rested his chin on his interlaced fingers, smiling nastily. "True love. How sweet."

"I told you you wouldn't understand."

Asuramaru's smile faded. "You might be surprised." He turned his head, as though looking off into the distance. Then he turned back, and actually put out a finger onto Yu's hand. "I had family, too, once. Long ago." Some other soldiers entered the rec room, laughing, and his frown returned. "It's getting too crowded in here. Let's go."

The fortress of Krul Tepes: "I think you might want to take a look at this." Guren handed her the recently-delivered folder.

"Why? What's in it-*oh, gods." Krul put her head in her hands, wearily. "How did this happen?"

"No idea. But I guess you recognize the person in that photo, don't you?"

Krul glanced again at the low-rez, long-range photo. "Yes. It's him. My brother. The Walking Disaster."

To be continued…