Owari No Seraph / Seraph of the End

The Taming of the Demon, Chapter 6: Life and Death

….…

"Alright," said Yu, looking around the apartment. The residue from his giving of his blood to a hungover Asuramaru wasn't everywhere, but it was close. "Now. What to do with your stuff…not only your pajamas, but your futon is soaked. It'll all have to go to the cleaners."

"But won't that be a giveaway? This 'cover' thing you're always talking about? I mean, all that blood…" asked Asuramaru nervously. They were both busy rolling up both futon and pajamas into separate plastic bags to be carried to the cleaners. The demon was still wearing the bath towel, hitched high up over his chest. It covered him, but Yu couldn't help noticing that, for a guy, Asuramaru sure had a terrific ass…

He wrenched his gaze away. "No, it'll be alright." He grunted and stuffed the futon in; bits and pieces of dried blood crackled off onto the floor. Some vacuuming will definitely be in order, he thought. "This is a men's quarter, Maru. The cleaners are used to way more embarrassing things than blood." Of course, they'll get that, too. But it can't be helped. Guess I'll take that hit, too.

….

The couch in the other room proved to be too short to sleep on comfortably. "Okay, I know what we'll do. Look." Yu went and turned the covers down on his bed. "I'll show you. This bed's big enough for us both. You sleep on that side, and I'll sleep on this one. You've got your own blanket—thank God we didn't get anything on that—and I've got mine."

"Er…are you sure about this?"

"Of course. Done it lots of times." With other guys.

And you are another guy.

Sort of?

"Now, come on." The whole cleaning process had taken a good part of the day; Yu had called in sick. "I'm exhausted. All that took a lot out of m—uh, I mean, uh, I need some rest. Your stuff should be ready tomorrow morning."

…..

"So," said Guren, hesitantly. He and Krul Tepes were walking along the corridor deep within the hidden complex, back to where his division of the soldiers of Moon Demon Company resided. Perhaps the Queen's mind needed to be taken off…matters…for a bit. "Your brother appears to be in the physical world now. I didn't think that was possible." That was the whole point of the demons attached to cursed weapons trying to take over the bodies of those to whom they were bonded; if they could have materialized in this realm to begin with, they'd have done so, without the trouble of going through mortals.

Krul sighed. "It didn't used to be possible. Apparently, it is now. I should have figured it would be Ashura who'd be the first. He always was a bit accident-prone. We have to find out how this happened. General," she turned to him, "I want you to get your people ready. Have them ready to go at the first opportunity. If these reports are even halfway true, my brother, the Accident Waiting to Happen AND your former Private Seraph Ground Zero may need…well, let's just say some hasty relocation. Not only for their sake, but also for the sake of the base and possibly the entire countryside several miles in every direction."

He saluted. Finally. Something he could actually do something about!

That night, lying next to Yu in his bed, Asuramaru went over the previous day's events. It hadn't been so bad. At least, he guessed it hadn't been. A lot of it was a blur. Too bad nobody had died.

But now he found his mind racing from one unpleasant subject to another. He worried, lying there in the dark. What if he never got back to the spirit plane? What if he was doomed to wander this mortal world forever? He hadn't lied to Yu; he did have family. Krul Tepes was his sister, but they had no relationship he could exploit. In fact, should he show up at her door, she'd probably laugh and slam it in his face.

Was he doomed to wander this enormous pile of shit called a world, forever? Homeless? The thought chilled him, and he shivered. A homeless demon.

Worse, he could be mortal now. He might age, grow old and die here, still homeless. He could see himself, aged and infirm, fawningly grateful for the smallest charity of others just for his basic needs, hobbling to some pile of garbage bags he called his "bed," hoping for just one more night…or perhaps hoping this night would be his last. He felt a tear coursing down the corner of his face at the thought. Surely, surely not. But…

Back on the astral plane, where he was master, he'd been alone, but he'd been used to it, or so he thought. But now…

Now he was discovering that it was one thing to be alone when you're all by yourself, and there were no others around, and when you were accustomed to that condition. But it was another thing altogether to be alone in a world of people who weren't.

He tried to keep from seeing that picture of himself, growing old and alone, watching the humans laughing, playing, and having a good time with their friends…and he, himself, facing his days and nights alone. It would be like a child looking in on a bakery, licking his lips…but knowing the delicious food inside was forever beyond his reach.

Was this what humans called loneliness? If so, it really sucked.

I'm having what the humans call a pity party, he told himself, trying to change his train of thought. And I'm doing a really marvelous job of it.

He plucked at and fondled the gold hairpin Yu had given him. It really was marvelous workmanship, and solid gold, too. Too bad it was only a loaner.

He glanced over at Yu lying on his side of the bed, his bare back turned to him. Asuramaru turned, softly, and lay with his head propped on one arm, watching. He was sorely tempted to wake Yu up and share his concerns with him, just to have someone to talk to. But even as the thought crossed his mind, he immediately dismissed it. No, the crazy human would probably just laugh at him, order him to shut up, and go back to his slumber.

Without really thinking about it, he shifted over a little closer, until he was right alongside him. It really was a very soft bed, a futon over a mattress. He shivered slightly; he was still a little cold. It was no doubt warmer up under Yu's blanket.

Ever so slowly he slid under the blanket, fully expecting Yu to wake up at any moment and demand an explanation. He rehearsed his lies: it was cold, his blanket must have a hole in it, he could clearly feel a draft, he thought he felt a bug…none of which really convinced him, but maybe if he told them with enough sincerity…

Come to think of it, why was he doing this, anyway?

He lay, face up, now underneath both blankets, on Yu's bed, one hand across his chest, the other arm behind his head, thinking. This was better. A lot better, in fact. He'd removed a barrier, however minor, between him and the crazy human, and Yu's mere presence—crazy or not—seemed to sooth his thoughts. Yes, much better. He didn't feel quite so, so alone anymore, like this.

His demon senses could feel Yu's nearness. His preternatural sense of hearing could sense the rhythm of Yu's steady breathing: in and out, in and out. He found that relaxing.

And, hm.

He turned over, facing Yu's back, drawing closer to him. The human still didn't wake up, and Asuramaru was hyperalert for any signs of his awakening. But the human seemed to be in deep sleep. Asuramaru wondered what he was dreaming about. He ran his finger along Yu's arm; the human did not awaken.

He pressed up against Yu as much as he dared. Hm, yes, very warm indeed. And he could sense the flow of Yu's delicious blood just beneath the surface of his skin. He knew that, due to the curse, he couldn't partake of any of it without Yu's permission…but…was there maybe something else he could do, to increase this wonderful sensation? As long as he didn't actually try to hurt Yu…

Making as little motion as possible, the demon carefully took off his pajama top and pressed his naked chest up against Yu's bare back. Greatly daring, he ever so slllooowwly slipped his hand underneath Yu's arm and put his arm around him, as carefully as he could, drawing them closer…

Aahhhhh….yessss. This was nice. This was reeeeeal nice. He rested his face up against Yu's shoulder, lightly rubbing his cheek up against the crazy human, eyes closed in ecstasy; yes, very nice, indeed. He could feel Yu's wonderful skin pressed up against his own, feel Yu's breathing, feel the ever so slight thrumming vibration of his blood just beneath his skin, the steady ka-thump, ka-thump of his heart. So very nice. He dared enough to lick Yu's shoulder, as lightly as he could. The taste was almost as good as the blood beneath it. Such wonderful sensations.

And suddenly, a sleeping Yu's hand grasped Asuramaru's own, his fingers closing around the demon's hand. Asuramaru started, thinking the human was awake, but his senses informed him of just the opposite. He relaxed; this was …very nice, too. He returned the gesture, closing his fingers around Yu's. Yes, most pleasant, indeed. Idly, he wondered what it would be like if the both of them were totally naked. That would be even better. Feeling Yu spooned up against him… Skin on lovely skin…

He pulled himself in as close as he dared, resting his cheek on Yu's shoulder, on that wonderful skin, not daring to pull in too close, lest he awaken Yu, and he felt Yu's desire rising. Oh, this was delightful. Finally, some feelings, some desire. Not exactly lustful desire, but desire, nonetheless. And…now that he examined it, yeah, a bit of lust in there, lust that was rising, too. That made it even better. A little sexual lust…soooo good. He hadn't felt this good in such a looong time…

The feelings of desire rose. No doubt Yu was dreaming of some intimate encounter he'd had, probably with that stuck-up princess Sayuri, and Asuramaru was feeling his desire for her, as he dreamed. He luxuriated in the feeling, like a plant in the warm sunshine.

Then, with a start, he realized it wasn't Yu's desire he was feeling. It was his own. And, to his horror, he realized it wasn't just his desire that was rising…

As rapidly as he could without waking his human host, he withdrew and rolled over to his side of the bed. Covered himself up as thoroughly and completely as he could.

He found himself shivering, even though he was warm enough.

...

The next day: they were once again in the base's commissary. Asuramaru had finally mastered chopsticks, and was discovering sushi for the first time. "Delicious," he said, between mouthfuls. "I had no idea humans had things like this."

"I guess we primitive humans do come up with some good dishes every once in a while."

Asuramaru frowned. "You don't have to be so sarcastic about it. I was trying to pay you a compliment."

Yu sighed. "I'm sorry. I guess that did came off a bit…never mind." He saw Asuramaru eyeing him strangely. "What is it?"

"Nothing. Just…" I know I've been a real bitch lately.

Maybe I need to make some changes.

"Nothing." Last night, he'd come very, very close to doing something he'd never done before, with anyone, at least not consciously, and it both scared and intrigued him at the same time. He wanted so desperately to ask Yu about it—but instead he applied himself to his food, popping a rice ball into his mouth. "Say." He indicated with his chin, "Isn't that your old girlfriend, over there?" Sure enough, Yu could see Sayuri Hanayori looking their way. Rather suspiciously, he thought.

"We're just friends."

Asuramaru smiled a naughty smile. "But you weren't always 'just friends,' were you?"

He frowned. "Wehad a relationship. I mean, we…went together for a while."

"And of course," teased the demon, "that's as far as it went, I'm suuuurre!"

"Well, of course!"

"Then who do you love?" He rested his chin on his interlaced fingers. 'You may as well admit it, you know. I'm a demon, remember? Emotions are my specialty. I can sense them." He grinned, looking at Yu's chest. "There's sure something going on in there!"

"I don't know what you're talk-*" But at that exact moment, Yu was saved by the chiming of his cell. "Ah, gotta take this." The demon stuck his tongue out at him: This is not over, you know.

It was Ansen. "Captain, I need you to come to my office. Your friend Mikaela just got back with some bad news."

"Bad news, sir?" Asuramaru looked up. Anything involving bad news always interested him.

"Yes. This line isn't secure, so get up here pronto. We've got some plans to make."

"Yes, sir. I'll be there in," he consulted his watch, "five minutes." He closed his comm, and turned to Asuramaru, who was watching him with an uplifted eyebrow. "Gotta go, duty calls. Will you be okay here, by yourself?"

"Of course I will." Truth was, the demon was a trifle nervous being out without Yu. But that's stupid. He'd rather die than admit such a thing. I don't need any human's help. Especially a crazy human.

Yu noticed. "Maybe I have time to get you back to the room…"

"No, just go on. I heard you say, 'five minutes.' I'll just wait here." He saw Yu's expression of concern, concern for him, and not just for what he might do. It made him feel…a little odd, inside. He'd never seen that look in anyone's eyes before, at least not directed at him. "I'll be fine. I won't kill anyone or drain anybody's blood or possess anyone's body or anything. I promise. Now go on. I'll be here when you come back."

….

Ansen's office: Mikaela was waiting, seated, dressed in his usual white vampire's outfit. Vampires traditionally wore white clothing, not only as an indication of identity, but also because it deflected the sun's rays better, and one thing the old legends about vampires had gotten right: vampires and solar radiation didn't get along very well. His uniform was dusty; evidently, he'd come straight from the field. "Yes, General?" said Yu, saluting smartly.

"At ease," said the general, returning Yu's salute. "And have a seat. We've just gotten word of a Purifier battalion less than thirty klicks from here. Word is," and here he nodded to Mika, "that they intend to attack in three days. That in itself might not be so bad, but…they have the Apocalypse virus."

Yu's face paled. Most of the base's compliment was out on patrol, and while the base itself was as well defended as any place on Earth, he knew the Purifiers wouldn't attack unless they felt they had a very good chance of getting through those defenses, somehow. Overwhelming numbers was their usual tactic, but rumor had it that they'd managed to acquire samples of the original Apocalypse virus itself, and had somehow changed it into something even more lethal, something that affected vampires as well as humans. Yu knew they were just crazy enough to launch a doomsday virus right into the base itself, even if it would kill them, too, since they considered the humans inside to be "consorting" with the "unholy" vampires. No price was too great to keep them from doing as much damage as they could, and it was in keeping with their mentality that they would take great delight in seeing the humans (and vampires) within the base vomit blood and die first, even if it meant they were next in line. Sometimes Yu wondered if suicidal sadism wasn't a requirement for being a Purifier. "Whatever the cost," Ansen was saying, "We must hold this base until reinforcements arrive." Mika and Yu looked at each other. They didn't have to have to read Ansen's unspoken words: "If they arrive at all."

It was a glum Yu that left Ansen's office. He'd hoped that Mika would be able to join him back in the commissary, but was also glad he couldn't. Mika would be sure to recognize his guest, and things could only go downhill from there. He'd best get Asuramaru back to the room…

He turned a corner, and came face to face with a horrified Sayuri. "Yu," she began, "Please, please tell me it isn't so!"

"What isn't so?" He already knew it had to involve Asuramaru. Leave the demon alone for five minutes and the entire world was in danger.

"You…and…that demon…"

He sighed. "Well, yes. It seems I managed to bring him over into the physical plane. I'm trying to find a way to send him back…look, don't tell anyone about this, okay? I mean, it would only cause mass confusion, and possibly worse than that. After all, I did steal the sword, and I'm sure the brass wouldn't appreciate that, even though everything that followed was an acci-*"

Her face was more pale than he'd ever seen it. "No, not that! He said…he said…" And she told him just what the demon had said…

Earlier: While Yu was in the meeting, Asuramaru sampled some of the other dishes. Then he became aware of a presence to his side. Looking up, he saw that Sayuri princess herself standing right by him. The one who'd given Yu that solid gold hairpin, the one that was a family heirloom, no less. The one who'd been in a relationship with him. Oh, yes, that one. How had she gotten so close without him sensing her?

"I know you," she began, hesitantly. "I know who you are. I thought you looked familiar! You're Asuramaru, the demon, aren't you?"

"Yes," he said, calmly. That had been their plan: if accosted, simply tell the truth. A lie would be too easily found out. "Yes, I am." What of it?

"Oh, God. Please tell me Yu isn't fooling around with demons again!"

"Well, I hope not!" Asuramaru exploded. Somehow, that phrase just set him off. Then he thought. He could have a little fun with this human. After all, she had no business breaking into their lives. She was history to Yu, he'd said so himself. And if, by some chance, she was trying to change that, well, he knew a good way to fix that. "I mean," he said, turning away from her slightly, careful to control his face and voice, "I mean, what with all we've meant to each other, all these years, I'd hate to think he'd just, just throw all that away for the sake of an afternoon's dalliance!" He put just the right inflection, the right nuance of hurt into the last words. He stole a glance at the human.

It was really hilarious. First, her face turned red. Then it turned pale. Then it turned red again, like an old style traffic light. She put her hands to her mouth and made a strangled sound as she rushed off. He noticed the rest of the people in the commissary looking on. Sayuri's comments had been loud enough to attract their attention.

Now: Yu was livid. "That…that…I don't know what to call him. Damn him! Look, Sayuri, not a word of that was true, okay? We don't…I mean, we aren't…oh, hell, you know what I mean!" He rushed past her. It would be all over the base by now.

A furious Yu slammed back into the commissary, his expression enough to kill any lesser being all by itself, looking around the commissary. People were staring; Sayuri's concerned questions and Asuramaru's calm answers had been just loud enough to carry in the confined space. Already there was a hubbub, people were beginning to stare. "Okay," Yu said in a savage whisper, "Wanna tell me what that was all about?"

"What what was all about?" The demon was picking nonchalantly at his orange chicken.

"You know perfectly well 'what.' Don't try to act innocent with me! Why did you—oh, what am I saying?" He laid his head on his elbows. "I know exactly why you did it. You just wanted to fuck with her head, and fuck with me at the same time."

At his words, and the way he said them, it seemed like something just dropped inside Asuramaru. Almost like something had died. "Believe me," he said, heatedly, "the last thing I want to do, is fuck with you. But if that's what you're so concerned about, then by all means, let me help you out." He stood up and addressed the servicemen and women in the cafeteria. "Hey, everyone! Listen up! Yu and I…we are not fucking! Understand? We do not fuck!" He swiveled around, while a stunned Yu stared, pale, open-mouthed. "When we go to bed each night, holding each other so very close," he hugged himself, rolling his eyes histrionically, "cuddling up the way we do, we do not fmMMPHH!" Asuramaru might or might not have had greater physical strength, but Yu had the advantage of surprise and leverage. He dragged the struggling demon out of the mess hall and back to his room.

Once there, he practically threw him across the room. "What," he demanded, "are you doing?!" Then he reconsidered. "On second thought, don't bother telling me!" Asuramaru had opened his mouth. "Shut it! I don't want to hear from you for the rest of the day! Just…just go into the next room! Keep the hell away from me!"

Asuramaru was stunned by the force of Yu's anger. "But, it was just a j-*"

"I don't care! I've had enough of you! Get out of my sight!" And he stormed into the main living room and threw himself into a chair, his face redefining the word "stormy."

Asuramaru found himself feeling embarrassed for the first time in centuries. The human had been kind to him—true, he was responsible for his being here, but still—and he'd gone and publicly embarrassed him. Deliberately.

Why had he done that?

Due to the nature of the order, he couldn't enter the room where Yu was sitting, but he stood at the doorway. "Would it help," he began, "if I said-*"

"Just shuttup! I'm tired of you! I do everything I can to make life easier for you, to protect you, and all you do is whine and complain, and now this!" He got up and rounded on the demon. "I actually dared to think of you as a person! A real person! Not human, I knew that, but, but a person, nonetheless! But I was wrong! All you are is a collection of spite and malice in human form!" Asuramaru drew back, shocked at the sheer force of the human's anger. His senses were showing Yu as being a volcano of anger.

"I, I'm sorry, I didn't-*"

"You did, too! Don't give me that! I…" He turned away, literally shaking with anger. "Look, just…go away. Don't talk to me anymore tonight. I'm…" He headed back towards the couch, slammed himself down into it, leaving one very shocked demon behind him.

Bedtime: Asuramaru quietly donned his pink pajamas, lay down on his futon by Yu's bed, and waited. Yu would have to come in shortly; this was his bed, after all. Perhaps then they could talk.

Asuramaru was surprised beyond measure at how remorseful Yu's words, and, more importantly, Yu's anger had made him. He'd intended it as a joke—well, sort of—but Yu had been so incensed by it…and Asuramaru was coming to realize just how much the human's good will meant to him. It actually hurt, to think that Yu might still be so angry at him.

Maybe what was a harmless joke for a demon wasn't so harmless with humans.

And maybe his sense of humor just plain needed some work.

Yu had gone out of his way to make the Black Demon comfortable the whole time he'd been here, going to extremes. He'd shown him every imaginable kindness. He'd bought him clothes, food—even going so far as to offer him that delicious, delicious blood—provided him with shelter, protected him from not only the brass at the base but also from whatever other hostile elements there were, taken him wherever he'd wanted to go, even indulged his whims…at one time, Asuramaru would have considered that his just due. After all, the human was responsible for bringing him over, wasn't he?

But…

Well, anyway, Yu would come in to bed shortly, and then he could tell him he was sorry.

Yu did not come to bed that night.

…..

Morning: Asuramaru blinked at the sunlight pouring in through the window. He hadn't slept a wink the night before, waiting for Yu to come in. That hadn't happened.

He got dressed and went to the door to the suite's living room. No Yu. Where could he be? Come on, Yu! I'm sorry! I said I was sorry! Yu couldn't know what it took for the Black Demon to admit something like that. Come on, where are you?

I'm starting to get worried, here!

It was only a joke! I didn't realize you'd feel that strongly about it! And yet, he told himself, really, in a way, he had.

It had just been a spur of the moment thing, just tweak that slut Sayuri's nose a little…and what would have been the harm?

But what followed…he was now coming to recognize that his response, there in the cafeteria, his little "announcement," had been, maybe, just maybe, a little over the top. Why? Why had he done it? Why really? Had it really been "just" a joke?

Could there have been a touch of jealousy there?

But now the joke was on Asuramaru. Yu, come on! Won't you at least let me say I'm sorry?

Won't you?

"I actually thought of you as a person! A real person!" he'd said. "Not human, I knew that, but, but a person, nonetheless! But I was wrong! All you are is a collection of spite and malice in human form!" He'd said that. Could he have been right?

Was that all there was to him?

There was a human expression: "You are what you eat." For more centuries than he could remember, Asuramaru had feasted on humanity's darkest emotions. Could it be, that, in all that time, he'd changed? That he'd become the very thing Yu accused him of being?

Did he really want to be that?

And why was he even asking himself that question?

And so Asuramaru, a Black Demon, considered one of the most powerful and dangerous of all demons, sat on edge of the bed where Yu should have been last night, feeling utterly miserable for the first time in his entire life. What now? What could he do? How could he make things better?

Simple truth: he couldn't.

The only person in the entire universe who'd ever shown him any genuine kindness whatsoever wanted nothing to do with him anymore. He'd driven Yu away. "All you are is a collection of spite and malice in human form!" He'd actually said that, meaning every word. Those words had hurt, primarily because Asuramaru was coming to believe they just might be true.

What do you do, when the truth about you hurts so bad? How far and how fast do you have to run to get away from yourself?

He sat there on the bed, his chest actually hurting. Was this what humans called heartache? It certainly fit the description.

He pulled out the hairpin, the solid gold hairpin Yu had bought back to give to Sayuri. He'd bought it back because it meant something to her, and she was coming to mean something to him. So the pin meant a lot to him, a reminder of a past relationship. Now that his attention was drawn to it, Asuramaru's senses could tell there were some very positive emotions still attached to the pin: emotions of love. It still had a lot of sentimental value to Yu.

And he'd given it to Asuramaru, to use as his very own. Even if it was just a loan, still, it said something that he'd loan the Black Demon something of such value to him.

He remembered the other night, when he'd slept in the same bed with Yu, how good it had felt, how comforting the human's presence had been. Well, he'd never feel that again. He pulled up Yu's body pillow, clutched it to him, along with the gold hairpin. He could smell, very faintly, a whisper of Yu's scent on the pillow, the faintest trace of his emotions, and it reminded him of that night, his arm around Yu, holding him close, their fingers intertwined. How so very good it had felt. A tear trickled down his face. No, this can't be happening. I'm a demon. I can't feel this way.

But he did.

He'd never have that again. He'd killed whatever relationship they might've once had, all in a moment of thoughtlessness. Just a thoughtless prank…that had completely torpedoed both their lives.

Now it had to be common knowledge that Yu had stolen the sword from its locked case. Now it was all over the base that he'd managed, somehow, to conjure up the demon within the blade. And now, because of his thoughtless joke, everybody was convinced they were engaged in some sort of physical, sexual relationship.

Demons who attached themselves to mortals through cursed weapons were considered allies, in an uneasy sort of way. But demons not officially attached to human soldiers were, at best, extremely suspect. They might even be considered enemies, since demons, as a rule, didn't make friends. What would happen to Yu?

He would certainly be, at the very least, prosecuted for the theft of the cursed weapon, a major crime in itself. But if the upper echelons decided Asuramaru was an enemy—and they very well could—then that meant Yu had consorted with an enemy. He could be court-martialed.

He might even be executed.

That last thought sent a chill throughout Asuramaru's whole body. His breath stopped. Yu, killed? All because of what Asuramaru had considered a harmless joke?

Asuramaru had just thought he'd been miserable before. Now he clutched Yu's pillow to him, the only reminder of the happiness he'd felt, the only thing in this world or any other, left to remind him of the human who'd genuinely tried to befriend him, and cried, great heaving sobs of sorrow. I'm sorry, Yu! I didn't mean it that way! I'm so sorry!

But there was no one there. No Yu. No friend.

He looked across the room. There, still in its upright stand, was the sword. With a thought, he summoned the weapon to him, not letting go of the pillow. He drew the blade from its sheath. The temper line ran the entire length of the blade. He knew it was very sharp.

He lay down upon his futon, a gift from his only friend, the only friend he'd ever have, the friend he'd driven away, still holding the precious pillow. And the sword. Yes, it was very very sharp.

It would only sting a little.

….

"It's blown, Mika! Totally blown! That little guy…!" Yu held his head in his hands. "What was he thinking?" A disheveled Yu had met Mika at the commissary. Of course, by that time, Mika had heard all about the incident. Yu had the strongest drink he could think of in front of him; Mika had a bulb of blood. Blood had to be served in bulbs, with attached straws, to the humans' vampire allies, since exposure to the air made it coagulate. Mika had become a vampire because Yu had offered him his blood, back when the Vampire Wars were still raging. Mika had been driven nearly insane by his bloodlust, but had restrained himself until Yu had willingly offered himself to his friend, unwilling to see him suffer so. Yu had always felt a little guilty for the part he'd played in Mika's turning, but Mika had brushed it off. ("I'm glad it was you, Yu." To Yu's raised eyebrow, he'd said, "If it had been anyone else, I probably would have killed them.")

"Okay, Yu, hold on. Just hold on." Mika put out a calming hand on Yu's. "Now tell me everything, from the start to the finish." He'd heard the rumors, of course…it would be virtually impossible to find someone who hadn't, by this time, but he knew better than to go on rumors.

Haltingly, with stops and starts and moans, Yu related the entire sordid affair. Yu had gotten to the point where he was telling Mika about the demon's first bowel movement, and Mika chuckled. "I would have loved to've seen that."

Yu frowned. "It really wasn't all that funny. I mean, poor little guy. He was a vampire before he was a demon, right? Do vampires do number two?" Mika shook his head. "So that means he's never taken a dump. I'd've freaked completely out. All things considered, I think he handled it pretty well." He didn't notice Mika's eyes narrowing at him. Yu's automatic defense of the demon had told him more than Yu had intended.

"Well, anyway," he said, "You somehow managed to bring Asuramaru, a Black Demon…into the physical world? I didn't know that was possible."

Yu knocked back a huge gulp of his vodka and orange juice. He'd need it, for when Command summoned him to account for his actions. "I didn't know it was, either. I have no idea how it happened. I intended to send some things over there, not bring him here."

"Why'd you do it? I don't mean bring him over. I mean, why even bother with him at all? After all, he did his best to possess you, break you, turn you against your friends."

Yu sighed, nursing his drink. "I don't know. Maybe guilt? I mean, back when I was trying to bond with him, I told him I'd be his friend if he'd give me the power to save you. And he said, 'you mean, you'll love me?' And, yeah, I know demons despise love and other positive emotions, and, yeah, I know we both knew I was lying through my teeth, but…Mika, for just a second there…just for a second…it was like he looked hopeful. Hopeful, maybe, that he'd found a friend.

"I…I kept remembering that. It bothered me."

Mika was silent for a moment. Then, "Sooo…now what? The entire base is in an uproar. Everybody's assuming the worst: that this is some sort of an invasion from the demon realm. And, worse: it somehow involves you. People are saying you've been physically seduced by the demon, and you've conspired to open some sort of, of, I don't know, some sort of gateway or portal for more. That's balderdash, and Command knows it—at least, I hope they do—but it's all over the place. I spoke with Sayuri, asked her to keep it quiet until I could talk to you, but rumors are still spreading. What will you do now?"

"I…I don't know." He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "I mean, what can I do? I'm responsible for the little twerp. He's here because of me. He didn't break any rules, I did. I can't just, just turn him over to the brass. They'll lock him up for longer than forever. And right now, as far as I know, he's vulnerable. I…there's been no evidence of him having any of his old powers, besides that dream stuff…."

"None that you saw."

"Right, none that I saw. It's true he's made my life a living hell ever since he materialized here…"

"So why can't you just turn him over? Tell the brass what happened? Worst they could charge you with then, would be theft. You might even argue against that, somehow. Dream influence or something. Just turn him over. Problem solved."

Yu looked more miserable that Mika had ever seen him. "I, I can't, Mika. Yeah, he's a demon. Yeah, he's made life hell for me. But, but…I, I don't know. It's like I feel…I don't know. Something. Maybe guilt. Maybe I just feel responsible, I don't know. I don't want to see anything bad happen to him, in spite of everything."

"Why not?" Another sip of blood.

"I'm honestly not sure why. Maybe, maybe I had hoped to be…his friend."

Mika reached over and again laid his hand on Yu's, the one not occupied by his drink. "Yu…he's a demon. He's not human. His soul is different. He doesn't have what it takes to be a friend."

"People once said the same thing about vampires, Mika. Soulless predators. And now look." He pointed towards a table on the far side of the room, where a white-cloaked vampire was laughing and joking with two human friends, a man and a woman. "We have vampire allies. You should know; you were one of the first."

"Yeah, but I was once human. Vampires were once human. We can remember what it's like. Demons can't. That's what makes them demons, Yu."

Yu looked so miserable, Mika wanted to just reach over and hold him. "I know, Mika. But, somehow, it doesn't matter. I promised to be his friend, regardless, so, so I guess, really, no matter what happens to me, I guess I'll just have to suck it up and take what's coming to m-*" Suddenly, his eyes went wide, pupils dilating, and his drink crashed to the floor. But before it had even hit the ground, he'd literally exploded out of his chair, and raced for the door. Even Mika's vampire speed couldn't keep up.

Yu reached his quarters, and smashed his way through the door without even bothering to unlock it, a panting Mika right behind him. He ran into the bedroom…

…where a very still Asuramaru lay, on his futon, clutching Yu's pillow, the sword in one hand, an ever-expanding pool of blood beneath him.

….

"Sayuri? Mika here. Can you come to room 171-B? Like, ASAP?"

"Of course, Mika. But's what's wrong?" 171-B was way off the beaten path.

"I'll have to tell you when you get here. Just get here, and don't let anybody know you're coming, or where, okay?"

That was astounding. But Sayuri knew Mika wouldn't make such a request unless it was very important. Something told her it somehow involved Yu.

171-B was on the lowest level of the base, in an area used mostly for storage. The architects who'd originally planned out the base had, however, made allowances for additional suites, in case the base was needed to house civilians, during the vampire-human wars. It had never been used.

She arrived at the designated door. Mika was standing just outside, in his usual white hooded garment. He was leaning up against the wall by the door, arms crossed, waiting for her. "Okay, I'm here. What's so important?"

He relayed the story Yu had told him to her, up to Asuramaru's prank on her. Her face, by turns, grew pale, then red, then fearful. "So he is consorting with demons again! But how'd he get that demon here, to the physical plane?"

"Even he doesn't know that. I've asked around, as discreetly as I could, but got nowhere. Anyway, reason I called you here is, I'm gonna need some help."

"Help? Doing what?"

"Once Asuramaru's presence becomes known here, Command is gonna come down on them both like a ton of bricks. I…I can only think of one option for him."

"You mean, turn that thing over? What's the problem? Get rid of it. Tell Command it influenced him in his dreams or something. Problem solved."

"No. Problem anything but solved." He looked down at the floor. "I didn't tell you the rest of the story. I figured, you know, picture, thousand words, etc." He made to open the door.

"But what could be so complic-* And she gasped.

Because the opened door revealed a makeshift hospital bed, with plastic bags of blood hanging from a rack. But what drew Sayuri's attention was the occupant of that makeshift bed.

Or rather, occupants. Asuramaru was lying in the bed, wrist heavily bandaged, blood and other fluids from the bags flowing into his arm via a complex set of syringes. He appeared to be either sleeping or unconscious.

Yu was lying next to him, on the same bed, his arm around the Black Demon, holding him close, also asleep. Asuramaru's arm, the one with the tubes attached to it, was resting on Yu's chest, as far as the tubes tied to it would let it go, and Yu's hand was clasped over his. Both of them looked to be perfectly at peace. Asuramaru was even smiling, a little. "Now you see," said Mika.

"They…they…"

"Yeah. I don't think either of them—certainly not Yu—realized it until we…found Asuramaru in Yu's room, his arm sliced open. He nearly succeeded, Sayuri. Apparently, he's mortal, or at least, he thinks he is. Yu hasn't left his side since. I suggested to him that he needed to get some rest, and he said, yeah, that might be a good idea. He was three-quarters asleep at the time. I turned to open the door for him, turned back, and saw…this." He gestured at the sleeping pair. "I think we can sorta fill in the blanks, don't you?"

"He…he's in love with him. With Asuramaru. But that's…Mika, demons can't love! They hate emotions like that!"

Mika gestured, pointing to the expression on the sleeping demon's face. "That's not an expression of disgust on his face, Sayuri. And…and we found him clinging to Yu's pillow. He's not acting like your typical demon."

Her expression hardened. "And maybe all that's just that: an act."

Mika sighed and closed the door. "If so, it's one damn good act."

Sayuri took her time processing this. This…was wholly unexpected. She really hadn't believed Asuramaru's earlier statements, not really. They had been shocking, but, on the basic level, she'd just simply not believed them. Like somebody jumping out and saying, "Boo!" More startling than scary.

But now…seeing her friend holding Asuramaru so…there was no other word for it…so lovingly brought it home to her. It was real. It was happening.

Her friend was in love with a Black Demon. The fact that Asuramaru was male made no difference to her.

But a demon!

That…was a little different.

She turned to Mika. "So…what do you have in mind?"

He shook his head. "Only thing I can come up with is, they have to leave. Get out of here. There's a Protectorate enclave one hundred thirty miles to the east-*"

"Wait," she broke in, "There's another option."

…..

Asuramaru slowly came to a kind of painful, aching consciousness. He was aware that he was somewhere warm, and whatever he was lying in was soft. But there was some sort of rough cloth or something pressed up against his right side. A very soothing scent reached his nostrils…a very familiar scent. One he thought he'd never again experience.

He opened his eyes. Yu, in full, albeit bedraggled, uniform, was lying right next to him, his arm around him, asleep. What? "Y-Yu?" So strengthless was he that he could barely hear his own voice.

But Yu heard, and came instantly awake. "Maru? Are you okay?" He moved away, slightly, giving the demon a bit more room, looking him in the eyes. "How do you feel?"

"Like shit." He could barely draw a breath. "Actually, feeling like shit would be an improvement, right now. I…Yu…I'm sorry for what I did. I didn't realize it would hurt you the way it did. Or, no, I guess, really, I did, but, but…"

"Sh." He pressed his fingers up against the demon's lips. "Don't worry about it, okay? That doesn't matter anymore."

"But it does." Asuramaru tried to shift, but was too weak. "I just wanna say I'm sorry for hurting you the way I did." I truly am.

For the first time in my entire life, I'm actually sorry for hurting someone. "Can…will you forgive me?"

"Maru, don't even start. Of course, I forgive you. I…can't not forgive you."

Asuramaru looked up at him in surprise. "But why? I've been nothing but trouble for you ever since-*"

"I'm not really sure why. But, but, I just know…I care. Okay? I mean, right now, I don't know myself what I'm feeling, but…"

Asuramaru's gaze fell down to Yu's chest, where his hand still lay. "But I know. Yu, you can't be falling in love with me! I'm a demon! You, you shouldn't even be seen with me!"

"If all the reports are right, there's something in me that's worse than any demon. Something nobody fully understands, even yet. You might not wanna be seen with me."

Asuramaru smiled and shifted his arm over Yu, pulling in closer. "I'll risk it." He hitched as close as he could, resting his head on Yu's chest. Then he noticed something. There was an odd bulge in Yu's dress uniform's jacket pocket. Something about it made Asuramaru's demon senses tingle. "What's that in your pocket?"

"Hum? Oh, uh, this?" And he fished out a small box from within. Asuramaru knew Yu never carried anything there; it interrupted the lay of his uniform jacket. "Uh, I, uh…found this the other day, down at the, uh, well. I, uh, well, you know…it made me think of you. I guess it seemed like something you'd like. I just never found the opportunity to, to give it to you."

"To me? You bought something to give to me? Yu…nobody's ever bought anything for me. Ever." And Yu opened the box…

Inside was a pendant on a gold chain. It was a pentagram made of white gold, with a small, very red ruby at its center. "I mean, you know, the ruby, color of blood-* And Asuramaru kissed him. On the mouth. A surprisingly long, luscious kiss.

They broke apart. "I'm sorry," said Asuramaru, shamefacedly. "I-*"

"I'm not," said Yu. And Yu kissed him. It took them a longer while to break apart this time. "I…I guess that's what you were feeling, earlier, in the commissary, with me too stupid to realize it…"

But Asuramaru just laid his head on Yu's chest, reaching as far across as the makeshift IV would let him. "Stop insulting the one I love. Otherwise…" Yu couldn't see it, but Asuramaru grinned, lopsidedly. "Well, I am still a demon, you know." Then he sobered. "But what will we do now? I've pretty much made a mess of things here…"

"You're coming with us," said a new, but very familiar voice from the doorway. They both looked up to see the man Yu had known as Lieutenant Colonel Guren Ichinose standing in the door. Except Yu noticed he was wearing two General's stars now.

"S-sir?" It had been a long time.

"Captain." Guren inclined his head. "I understand things have…become a bit complicated here." Yu and Asuramaru could see Shiho Kimizuki, now sporting Captain's bars, behind him in the hallway, his traditional scowl on his face, with Mika standing by. "And," he gestured with his chin towards his stars. "As I'm sure you've noticed, there've been a few changes on my end, too. From necessity, which I'll make clear to you as we go."

"But we are going. You, Captain, are being transferred." He handed Yu a letter. "Orders from the Rose Throne itself." Yu felt Asuramaru start, slightly, in his arms at the mention of the monarch of the Western State. Medics entered the room, unhooking Asuramaru's IV bags from the makeshift racks and getting them ready for transport. "You both are needed." He raised an eyebrow at their startled expressions. Too much was happening too soon. "It's a matter of life and death." He turned back to the door, leaving the medics to complete their task. But just before he did, he said one last thing, something that sent a chill down Yu's spine.

"Of the planet. And maybe the universe, itself."

The End

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