There was a shocked silence after the crack rang through the air…
Even Kit hardly believed the sharp pain in her cheek or the feel of blood on her skin…
As if unable to believe it, she touched the cuts gently, looking at her claws to see her own crimson blood on them…
"What the hell was that for!?"
Hellboy's angry shout seemed to jolt her out of her stupor, and she looked up to see him punch Tenma across the face.
"Ya had no right to hit her like that!!"
"Red…"
The red-skinned demon turned to her, looking more worried than anything.
"Ya okay, kid?"
Still a little stunned, she touched her cheek, wincing.
"Ow…"
"Don't touch it. Ya'll make it worse."
He would've stopped her if Tenma hadn't tried to swipe at him.
But something grabbed his wrist, and there was hiss before he was thrown back.
Kit's eyes were swirling to midnight blue, and her fangs were lengthened.
"Don't you dare try to hurt them."
Her hair was already a few shades darker, and Hellboy put a hand on her shoulder worriedly.
"Kid…"
She looked back, and there wasn't anger in her eyes anymore.
It was fear…
"R-Red…I can't stop…"
Now THAT had never happened before…
"Kid-!"
Her 'paws' started glowing a dark black, and Liz moved forward to help.
"Kit!"
Abe tried to help, but Kit hissed in pain.
"Get away!"
Putting her 'paws' on her head, she cried out.
'Someone's in my head! GET OUT!'
'No chance, princess…You are my new vessel…'
"GET OUT!!" She screamed, falling to her knees as tears escaped her.
"Kid, are ya alright?"
Kasai stepped forward, and Hellboy noted that his eyes seemed to be glowing.
He touched her forehead, and she shuddered before she seemed to return to normal.
Seeming wobbly, she fell over, and Kasai caught her.
She was too dazed to move or protest, but Hellboy almost growled when the man moved to pick her up.
"I'll take care of her."
Lifting her up into his hand, he turned to see Mitsukai running up.
"Is she alright?"
The angel stopped when she saw the still-bleeding claw marks on her daughters skin, and her husband rising from the ground.
"…Take her to her room. We'll discuss what happened until you come back."
Hellboy nodded, giving Tenma another growl before walking off.
Even the white Pegasus horse snorted, stomping her hoof angrily at the cat demon.
Going through the halls and up the stairs, he felt her stir again.
"…R-Red?"
"Yer gonna be okay, kid…"
"…Something's wrong, Red…"
"What?" He asked, opening the door to her room.
"…I think…he's in my head somewhere…"
Hellboy seemed to glare at the wall as he set her down on the bed.
"What do ya mean?"
"…I wasn't doing it, Red…he was…"
"Who's 'he'?" The red-skinned demon growled.
"…The one whose been messing with my dreams…making me sick…"
She was burning up again, and her breathing was getting deeper.
"Calm down, kid."
Closing her eyes, she nodded.
With a sigh, he turned to head out the door.
"…It'll be okay, kid…I promise…"
--
The night sky was riddled with stars, and the many strange animals, like the winged horses and savage dragon-dogs, were fast asleep.
The large window in Kit's room showed the pasture, and managed to blow open with a slight breeze.
She was curled up under her covers, still breathing deeply, her skin still hot.
A dark figure crept in like shadow, moving stealthily to her bedside.
If she was in better condition, she would've noticed the presence.
A long claw traced the slight marks left from the cuts on her cheek, and she twitched away.
The shadow smirked, and his claw went down to her collar bone.
Managing to move the strap of her shirt out of the way, he relished in her scent.
It was like cherry blossoms and vanilla, but the scent was soft at first.
The cat-girl seemed to whimper in her sleep, and she shifted away from him ever so slightly.
'It seems she can sense me somewhat…'
The look on his face would've been considered sadistic or obsessed, perhaps both, as his claw moved, drawing blood.
He made a symbol on her skin, and he leaned down to lick up a ruby tear that had escaped her skin.
Her skin shuddered, and her fever seemed to rise.
He felt hot in his own skin, and his fangs moved over the pulsing vein in her neck.
There was a hiss, as if from pain, and her claws unsheathed themselves.
Feeling pleasure at making her react so, even in her sleep, he pressed his fangs against her skin.
Her claws dug into the sheets, and one hand tried to go up to her neck.
He moved back, watching until she settled.
'She's an angel in a demon's skin…and she'll be mine.'
Moving to the window, he looked back at her through the starlight.
'Whether she likes it or not…'