A/N This is a sequel to the story, "Chain of Souls" that my friend and I co-wrote. She, RosesnWater, made videos on YouTube, and I wrote the story based on those videos. That's how this story is co-written right now.

I don't own anything except an OC characters you see (Almira, Alexandra, Victor, etc.) All characters are owned by their respective companies; the plot was written between RosesnWater and I, so she partially owns the plot.

Devilgirl123: We'll find out now :D

RosesnWater: Aw, thanks :3 Oh yes; I never expected them to be best buddies.

thebigcrunchone9: Thanks :)

With Eyes Wide Shut
Chapter 3

Belle waited anxiously for Thrax to return for several hours. Finally, Almira trotted into the house. Belle patted her head absentmindedly, watching for Thrax to come in. As Almira sat down by the furniture, Francis sat next to her with a grin. The hyena nudged the smitten Meowth away with her hind foot. Though he looked a little discouraged, this didn't seem to dampen Francis's mood.

Finally, still looking a little upset, Thrax stepped inside, brushing his dreadlocks back with a sigh. "Hey, baby," He said, embracing and kissing his wife. "I didn't scare ya, did I?"

"I was more concerned than scared." She admitted. Taking a deep breath, she said, "I saw what the letter said. Before you start screaming, I was worried about what the letter said, and why it made you upset."

Thrax had looked angry when he heard that Belle read the letter, but when she supplied her reasons, his expression softened. He was touched that she was worried about him; hardly anyone worried about him in the past.

"I think I understand why it made you upset. You only heard bad things about your father, and he never offered to care for you. Am I right?"

"Yes." He nodded, not wanting to say any more.

"I had Ariel come visit today, and we both agree that you should go and meet your father; maybe even get to know him a little."

"Why the hell would I go meet an' get to know him, when he never wanted to know me?" Thrax turned away and crossed his arm, not unlike a spoiled child.

"Because I think you need to know more family than just your mother." Belle countered, moving around so she was facing the stubborn Daemon-human. "Besides, how bad could he be compared to Melissa? He was the one who sent the letter, saying he wanted to meet you, which is more than I can say for Melissa; I'm sure she would never do that if she was in your father's place."

Thrax shrugged in an "I-guess-that's-true" manner. Finally, he sighed, "Well…when ya put it that way…I suppose I could go. But only for a few days; I'm not movin' in with him."

"I'm glad." Belle smiled, hugging him and kissing his cheek. "I'd really miss you." She backed away with a mischievous expression. "And you do know I'm coming along as well?"

"Well-wait, what?" Thrax exclaimed in surprise. Then he glared sternly. "No, you ain't!"

"Yes, I am. I'm not staying here and worrying about you for who knows how long." She said stubbornly.

"Belle, sweetie, pureblood Daemons are dangerous, and-"

"You'll protect me. You've gotten me out of bigger trouble. And we'll bring the Pokemon along."

"What now?" Francis's ears perked up, but no one paid the Meowth any mind.

"Almira can come too. They'll be more protection."

Thrax groaned, running his claws through his hair. "Thrax, I'm going with you, whether you like it or not, and that's final." Belle said with an expression that dared her husband to argue further.

Finally, he sighed heavily, "All right. I guess we won't get anywhere arguin'."

"Smart man." She smiled, kissing his cheek. She stepped back, saying half to herself, "We'll probably have to pack a few things; who knows how far it is t-" She was interrupted when Thrax hugged her tightly. "Thrax?" She muttered in confusion.

"I just don't want anything to happen to you." He whispered, holding her head to his chest with his hand. "I don't know what I'd to if anything happened to you."

Belle relaxed; she understood that he was worried about her. She hugged him back. "I know. But I'll be fine."

"You don't know that. We don't know anything about Draconis."

"You'll protect me; you, Almira, and the Pokemon. I have faith in you all."

They stood there in silence until Thrax said, "You just seem to attract trouble."

Bell looked up at him with a grin. "You must be trouble then, hm?"

He laughed at that. "Yeah, I guess I am." He held her face in his hands and kissed her; she kissed back, wrapping her arms around his neck. After several seconds, Belle backed out of his arms. "All right, Casanova, I had better go tell Papa about the trip, so he can take care of the house and animals while we're gone."

"Hurry back." Thrax called after her with a charming grin.

She laughed as she opened the door to leave. "I'll try."

Before she left, Thrax yelled again, "An' you better tell him whose idea it was for you to come along."

"I will." She yelled back.

Belle's father, Maurice, lived on the other side of the village in a quiet cottage with only a nosy cat for company. When they visited, Thrax and Almira didn't like the cat, and the feeling was mutual.

When Belle had introduced Thrax to her father, Thrax had been a little uneasy; this was Belle's father, and no matter how old they were, fathers knew how to intimidate anyone their daughters had an interest in. But after relaying his life story, all the way up to him and Belle, Maurice decided to give the Daemon-human a chance. He eventually gave his blessing for Thrax to marry Belle, and soon became proud to call the Daemon-human his son, no matter what the villagers said. And Thrax was happy there was another person who wasn't afraid or disgusted of him.

Once Belle told him everything about the letter and convincing Thrax to meet his father, as well as allowing Belle to come along, Maurice sighed, "Well, Belle, I must admit, I agree with Thrax. This is a dangerous mission. You don't know a thing about this Daemon; he could be very dangerous."

"I've been in dangerous situations, and Thrax managed to save me. I have faith in him." Belle countered. "Besides, the Pokemon, and Almira, are coming along."

Maurice pinched the bridge of his nose before saying, "Well, I guess I can't argue any further. Just be safe, please?"

"Of course." She nodded. When she stood up, she became aware of Maurice staring at her with a solemn expression. "Is something wrong?"

He stood up and hugged her. "My little girl's all grown up. It seemed only yesterday you were sitting on your mother's lap as she read to you. Now you're grown up and married. What more could a man want? Except grandchildren, of course." He said with a smirk.

Belle's face reddened as she backed out of the hug. "Papa, please. Thrax and I've talked about it, and we're not exactly ready for children. We don't even know if we're able to have children."

"I know. But there's no harm in trying, right? I think you'd be an excellent mother."

She smiled softly. "You think so?"

"I know so. And don't worry about your house or animals; I'll take care of them."

"Thank you, Papa." Belle hugged him again before leaving for home.

After eating dinner, Belle, Thrax, and the Pokemon began to pack up for the journey. Once they were packed, they put their bags by the door where they were easily found. Thrax told everyone to get a good night's sleep, as they would be leaving bright and early.

As the Pokemon searched the house to say goodnight to Belle and Thrax, they found the couple's bedroom door shut, and Almira was lying in front of the door. They glanced at each other before Alexandra and Victor left the scene; Francis followed close behind after saying goodnight to Almira, who only grunted in reply. It was an unspoken rule that if Belle and Thrax were in their bedroom, the door was shut, and Almira was in front of the door—whether sitting, lying down, or asleep—that no one disturbed any of the mentioned.

The Pokemon slept in the barn, as they did every night. Belle had protested the first time they slept in the barn, insisting they slept in the house, but Alexandra assured her that they were comfortable in the straw with the chickens, horses, and goats. And they also pointed out that if something, or someone, were to try and harm the animals, the Pokemon would be the first to know and do something.

In the bedroom, Belle sighed softly in Thrax's warm arms. "I know you don't like it, but I'm glad you decided to go." She said.

"I guess I'm just stubborn, ain't I?" He asked with a smirk.

"Yes, you are." Belle immediately nodded, earning a chuckle from the Daemon-human. "While I was talking to Papa, he mentioned wanting grandchildren, again."

Thrax couldn't help rolling his eyes. He knew it was coming that Maurice wanted grandchildren, but Thrax wasn't sure he was ready to be a father as of late; he wasn't even sure if he would be a good father in the first place. "Maybe in a few years." He always said when Maurice brought up the subject. But the elderly man seemed to forget Thrax's statement every time.

"He said that I'd be a good mother," Belle continued.

"I'm sure you would be," Thrax answered. "I'm just not sure 'bout me bein' a father."

"I know. But you never know about things until you try. Besides, you can't be any worse than your mother, right?"

"Right as always, Belle." He kissed her forehead. "An' I think I'm right in sayin' that we'd better get to sleep; we've got a long ways to go."

Belle nodded and snuggled closer in his arms, falling asleep in a few minutes.

A/N Belle's pretty stubborn, huh? But when you're married to a stubborn man, you gotta be equally stubborn, if not more; or so that's how I think it :3 And Franky (still has a crush on Almira XD) is just in the background.

Foreshadowing at Maurice wanting grandchildren? Maybe...XD I ain't tellin'

I always like writing Thrax flirting with his girl :)