AN: Okay, here are my excuses:
I lacked sleep so I couldn't be bothered to even go on my laptop to type.
I owe someone a piece of art so I've been rushing it while trying to catch up in class. (I missed lessons due to personal reasons and teachers don't slow down just for one person.)
The last one… When you get to the bottom of this chapter I'll tell you.
I'm sorry for the super late update...
Since I went through an ethical lesson this month, might as well show what I've learnt. (Teacher, you proud? XD)
Disclaimer: I don't own Beelzebub, whatever written here is purely entertainment for fans.
Warning: PoV may hop here and there
He don't have time for this! There is only a limited time for him to complete those paper works before any more demon can cause a ruckus because there is no 'order' from the king. Serious, what kind of self-respecting king jumps in at a chance of a fight? The demon kind that's what. Furuichi leave the explaining to Alaindelon about why Oga is chosen to be Beel's father, leaving discreetly around the time when Oga curl up in dejection. Blaming himself for going all out in the fight, "…You had to go all out didn't you…". Furuichi don't see point of him doing that though, who would have known Alaindelon had been observing the fight. Certainly not me…
"Furuichi-kun." The silverette is on his way back from the convenience store when someone called out his name. A tall male with neck-length brown hair greeted him with his hand up and a laid-back smile on him face.
"Natsume-senpai?"
"Yo! What are you doing out this late?" he come to a stop in front of Furuichi.
"Running an errand for my sister, she's preparing for a marathon. And I happen to be on my way so…" Although Furuichi is sure that it is not the normal marathon that everyone has in mind. Not if the stack of DVDs have anything to say about it.
"I see, well. I happen to be heading that way too, mind if I join you?"
"Sure."
Natsume Shintaro, a carefree and easy-going 'underling' to Hajime Kanzaki, One of the Tohoshinki. Despite being a delinquent, he rarely participates in fights and prefers to stay out of them. According to what Furuichi has found, he is a very capable fighter on a much higher level than Kanzaki, even though he pretends not to be.
A person who is similar in mind as me. Furuichi can tell that Natsume was the type to watch than get involve with whatever is happening, from his tone, he seem to find happenings in Ishiyama amusing. He would twist fights according to his script without the others knowing, all for his amusement. But he isn't entirely heartless so Furuichi does not see him as a threat - yet.
It isn't entirely bad hanging out with him though. The slow pace that Natsume lived, suited Furuichi just fine if he wanted to relax. Dew used to be the one who would slow him down from the never ending responsibilities but with how seldom his visits are, Furuichi cannot waste the opportunities to train. By the time they were finish, Dew had to go back for his duties. As for how he'd met Natsume that is a story before Beel became the problem of Oga's life.
Another hour of waiting for Oga as he deals with the delinquents. He should come up with a planner for Oga if this going to be a frequent occurrence. Furuichi feel an annoyance that frequently appear when Dew visited in casual mode, frankly having one 'Dew' is enough, add another is overkill.
Judging from the calls for help, there is still some time before Oga is done. He leave the gate area and walk towards the principal's personal garden. He made it a personal reason to help maintain the garden since, to be honest, this place lack plantations. And those that Oga planted in the ground does not count, Furuichi prefer real plants instead ones with hands and legs. (AN: You guys know what I mean right?)
Reaching the field, what he did not expect was the scenery of flowers; Blue bells, Lily of the Valley and Lavenders, was Natsume sitting at the top of the stairs next to the field, staring sleepily at the field that the Principal and he had put much of their effort into, looking like he would fall asleep any moment.
Furuichi ignores him in favour of sitting under the tree in the middle of the field, the tree is as old as the school, maybe even older, and most of the delinquents know not to come near here. Furuichi choose Blue bell and Lily of the Valley flowers for a reason. (They are both poisonous. Only when consumed, but they don't need to know that.) No matter how strong a person/demon is, a well-planned poison attempt can even kill the strongest demon, provided the poison is strong. There is no reason to use potent ones when they are only human. Furuichi take serious care about his personal things.
"Not what'd you expect from the 'Prince' of delinquents but it seem to suit you." Furuichi didn't react to the statement but he let Natsume know that he's listening, it's only polite to do that after all. "Delicate yet dangerous. Definitely not anyone would want to mess with." Furuichi have half a mind believe that his senpai is talking about him and not the flowers, with how he is staring at him on the stairs.
"I like the flowers you choose." Lavender for calmness, Blue bell for gratitude and Lily of the valley for humility.
For the brunette, the rumours regarding the silverette is intriguing. From what he'd heard, Furuichi Takayuki is a 'weak' person who wouldn't hold a fight and he supposedly have a bodyguard who will go after anyone who mess with him. Natsume didn't think Oga look like a follower or bodyguard. A minority of them, ones who actually go after Furuichi when Oga isn't there, had a different rumour though.
Furuichi may be stronger than Oga.
That is what sealed Natsume interests in the silverette, not that Oga isn't interesting as well, the mystery behind that specific rumour is baseless and yet when he ask and search around nothing came up. Nothing suggesting about his strengths, Natsume believe that there must be something besides Oga that is keeping Furuichi in Ishiyama. A protector is not enough to gain the respect of the delinquents and yet the silverette managed to do that in a minority of the delinquents. What Natsume was really interested in was that 'untouchable' part of his title. Looking at him now, he certainly have that aura that says untouchable but…
"Thanks for the compliment."
"You're welcome." Natsume smile down at his junior, who isn't afraid to stare into his eyes. His smile widens at the fearless move, people tell him his smile is uncomfortable or annoying but he confront him straight on without exposing his thoughts. How interesting…
"The name's Natsume Shintaro."
"Furuichi Takayuki."
"Nice to meet you, hope we can chat again." The brunette stand up and left the area.
After that meeting, Furuichi and Natsume have an occasional conversation regarding the power holders in Ishiyama and maybe about random things. He'd make a good competition if he wants to play mind games with. Looks like he have to careful of what he does in front of his senpai from now on until he can be sure he is trustworthy.
"Furuichi-kun, are you okay? You look stressed."
"Just thinking about my academics." He skilfully avoided the question with a likely answer.
"I wouldn't get your hopes up, Ishiyama isn't well known for it. Make a person wonder what's an honour student like you doing there." Furuichi keep silent about the topic.
They go their own separate at a crossroad. After passing the snacks over to Honoka, and whatever needs to be done, he went back to the torture that is known as paperwork. Working in the dead of the night, his phone vibrated. Who would call me at this hour? He check the caller's number.
"…" Figures he's the only one who'd do that…
He flip his phone open, his finger hesitates over the answer button. If he answer it then his work will have to be on hold and he intend to finish at least one box of paperwork tonight, but if he is calling at this time of the night it may be urgent. But he is also known to call him for no apparent reason sometimes… Decisions, decision…
He continues to stare at the screen that is displaying the name of the caller. With his choice made, he close his phone leaving it to vibrate, he take out a piece of blank paper and starts writing.
Oga is NOT happy this morning. Beel is irritated, so that means higher chance of being electrocuted meaning Oga has to keep at least 2 meters from his silver-hair friend and deprive himself of a person to rant to. He blame Furuichi for not answering his phone call last night, Beel kept him up all night and the person who is supposed to have all the answers is not even helping.
"If it helps, I'll treat you to croquettes after school and I've put in more meat in your lunchbox today." Said Furuichi who is walking in front of him.
Oga glare at his friend who have turned his face to meet his eyes with a nonchalant stare. "If it wouldn't wake the little nuisance, I'd punch you." Oga growled, dragging himself to follow Furuichi to class.
"I'm going." Oga announce out of the blue, Furuichi calmly looks over to Oga his hand stops writing from his university question book. "I'm going to find a bastard stronger and more brutal than me."
"Not even in your dreams Oga." The brunette ignore him and storms out of the class demanding that 'bastard' to come out. And then shouting are heard, follow by a large beam of electricity. Furuichi make a note at the side to help pay for the reparation of the school, the poor principal must be stressed out.
The sound of the door sliding open attracted all the delinquents in the class, even more so that it's a 'blonde beauty' entering their classroom.
"Morning Hilda, what brings you here?" People starts to gather to see her.
"Good morning Furuichi-sa…n. I received an express delivery from the demon world and have brought it immediately to give to the young master and you." She holds out the box for him to see, on top of it are letters. Needless to say Furuichi knows what's in the box. Taking a quick read of the letter, he place it in the book as a bookmark and keep it in his bag. Before Hilda can even ask.
"Oga went to search for someone strong."
"Hmph! That man has a hard time giving up." Furuichi only smile in reply.
"Well, he is stubborn after all."
"Hey, girly… How'd you like to go a round with me?" obviously someone wants to die…
"Who the hell are you?" Hilda didn't take that flirting lightly, using her parasol, she hurl Good Night Shimokawa out of the window. Furuichi dodged by bowing down. She took out anyone who is in her way when exiting the classroom in search for Oga, every delinquent in the class run in fear of the demon. Furuichi and Hilda walk through the cloud of dust flying everywhere.
"Oga Tatsumi, so that's where you are."
"What the hell is this all about?" he growled at Hilda. "You've finally decided to take him and leave?" Oga grab Beel from his back and try to push him into Hilda's arms. Beel isn't happy, he struggled in the attempt. His tears charging up.
"Wait a second! Don't cry!" Oga shout in fear, preparing for the onslaught of voltage.
Furuichi took out the item from the box and waves it in front of his little brother. Realising what is in his big brother's hand, Beel eye's gleamed. Furuichi continues to shake it in front of Beel reminiscing of the time he used to play with Beel and offered to hold the baby for a while. Beel cried out in joy and Oga finally relaxed once he knows he isn't going to be electrocuted.
Laughter rings through the great hall as lightning flashed and thunder roared in the sky.
"My pitiful ones! I will scramble you good. Destruction! Total annilation!" The demon king shouts as he scramble the mahjong pieces on the table.
"He's kind of annoying…" The skeleton with a cloak comments.
"Why does he only rants during our games?" This time a snake with a cloak complains.
"Oh, my bad. I ain't slept for a week, so I'm kinda hopped up, ya know?" He hold up his hand to show that he's sorry. "I'm real sorry everybody! But you'll forgive me 'cause I'm the Great Demon Lord!" then he threatens them with his position.
"Great Demon Lord." His messenger calls out which he replies with a "Yo, wazzap."
"How's the child rearing going? My son looking like he'll destroy humanity? He moves to take the 5 nails piece after placing one of his to the table. Looking half interested in the topic.
"Well, for the time being, this man has become Lord Beelze's father." The old man/demon holds out a picture of Oga grinning in happiness after a fight to the Demon king.
"He's got a pretty barbaric face there. Unlike my Halo." He comment upon seeing the picture but returns to his game when he realised that he has won.
"Great Demon Lord…"
"What is it now? Can't you see I'm busy trying to rub it in their face?"
You have a letter from Prince Halo as well."
"Really? Let me see!" He snatch the letter out of the hand and tear it open."
"Geez, he threatening his old man. Have he no compassion? Very good! The human world didn't dull him at all. Oh, yes… My son's favourite toy." His takes out a shaker with a bear print on it. "I totally forgot to hand it over. Can you send it DeadEx? Or my son will nag at me again."
"Of course Great Demon Lord." The demon take the toy from his King's hand and hand over another thing.
"Hm? What this?"
"A game that Prince Halo request me to give it to you if you complete his request immediately."
"I knew there's a reason I love my son!"
The three of them, or four of them if you count beel himself, walk down the hallways in search of someone. Beel keeps shaking his toy near Oga's ear.
"It sure makes an awful racket."
"What nonsense. It's a lovely sound that pleases the Master. Anyway, have you found someone stronger and more brutal than you?"
"No, not yet" And Furuichi thinks it isn't going to happen soon.
"Isn't there some Great Demon Lord that rules this god-forsaken place?" She offered, she'd preferred anyone but Oga.
"That's it! If you're talking about the Lord of a school, then you mean the Principal!"
"I suppose you could think of it that way…" Furuichi has seen the Principal and he doesn't think it will be good for the old man's heart if Oga barge into his office.
"I dunno what the guy is like, but if he's the Principal of the worst school in the country, he's gotta be strong! I'm sure Baby Beel will take to him!" No, if he's strong we wouldn't running about skipping classes and having fights. Furuichi stayed silent.
They have arrive in front of the Principal's office. Oga stand in front of the door with his hand on the knob. "Here I go Furuichi…" Turning the knob, he push the door open.
Looking in the room, it seem to be the only room in the school that is furnished properly and damage-less. The old man raise he head in shock that someone has entered his office. Oga blinked in surprised.
"You're the Principal?" he sweat dropped. The Principal is shaking in fear.
The existent of the silverette calms the man a little, since they have been 'bonding' through gardening in the school yard.
Leaving the office in disappointment, Beel stomach calls in hunger on the way back to class. Unused to the feeling of hunger, Beel cried as soon as he feels the discomfort. Catching Oga off guard, electrocuting him and blasting a hole in the school with the nearby students send flying.
"What is it now?"
Looking down at Beel in her arms, "The Master is hungry. I believe I prepared lunch for him." Staring straight at Oga she asked, "Where is it?"
"It was in the classroom you destroyed!" Finally cool down enough to move his muscle.
"You left it there?" She seem surprised but she only sighed knowing that this was initially her fault that Beel lunch is destroyed. "The Master prefers the milk from the nine-headed King Hydra who took the lives of 6.6 million residents of the Demon World." So in the end, Dew still managed to piss of the dragon…
"Yeah, we don't have that."
"The closest thing in the human world would be…"
Hilda simply push all the students fighting for the bread to one side and bought the milk from the stall. Oga vaguely remembers Furuichi buying something like that for Beel on the first day he brought the baby to school.
Hilda hands over the carton to Beel and he stare at it happily. Furuichi look over to the crowd then at the vending machine, he walk away from the group and take out his wallet.
As soon as one of the student gotten the last bread he make a run for it. The rest chasing after, and they knock the milk carton right out of Beel's small hands and step on it, making the milk undrinkable. Oga cried out in exclamation.
Beel was about to cry and Oga back away on instinct but knowing that it's useless until Furuichi returned. With a new packet of milk from the vending machine and handed the carton to Beel. Oga have never been more relief that day that Furuichi is there to help him. Hilda smile at the resourcefulness of Furuichi, thinking why he can't be Beel's human father instead.
Furuichi stretch his arm above him taking in the fresh air in the park. Hilda has taken Oga back home to tell him the duties and importance of being Beel's father. Oga tried to grab him as well but one look to Hilda and she manage to get him of Furuichi's back. Furuichi reminds himself to get something for her.
Adjusting his spectacles he sit on a bench and started reading. Just when he is getting to the good part he hear a child crying, his brother (read: mother) instinct made him look for the source of the sound. There next to the sand pit is a boy with a bear cap crying, his knees scraped. A girl next to him try to calm him down first before using the wet tissue to clean it.
"What do we have here?" catching the attention of the two. "That looks painful," he squat down in front of the sniffing boy. "And you still can stay up. What a brave boy." Furuichi smile at him and pat the boy's head. Trying to act brave and impress like boys his age, he tried to stop his next episode of crying. Furuichi signalled the astonish girl next to him to start cleaning his knee before the child focus on the pain again while Furuichi distract him.
When the wound is clean of dirt and sand, Furuichi take out a bottle, "Since you're so brave let me show you a magic that can make the pain go away." The boy eye's shine at the prospect of magic, the girl stood to the side and let Furuichi handle it. Furuichi squeeze some of the liquid onto his hand.
Furuichi place his hand on top of the boy's knee. "Mending Healing, Mending Healing, this pain is the wound that I'm healing." As he said this, he spread the cooling liquid on the wound. When he take away his hand, the wound is completely healed. Good thing I brought the medicine. Since that day he got caught by Honoka, Furuichi tried to keep the medicine from Hell stocked, it heals small wounds instantly and it's one of those rare one where side effects doesn't occur. It's really useful if he wants to do long training hours.
The boy is looking at him in awe, the pain really did go away. The girl move forward to pick him up.
"Thank you for your help. H-how did you do it?"
"No problem. It's just some of my homemade medicine, it heals small cuts instantly. We can't have him cry till his throat sore." Furuichi pat the boy's head again. "It must be hard for you to look after your little brother, but in the end it's worth it." He said with pride in his tone, thinking about his own younger siblings.
"Eh, you don't think I'm his mother?"
"Do you want me to?" Frankly, even if he didn't recognize her he could tell she is too young to have her own child. Wouldn't that be a shock?
"Wha-? No! It's just that people keep thinking I'm Kouta's mother and judging me. It's frustrating that they don't get it even though I tried to explain."
"That just means he looks like you doesn't it?" He offered kindly, sometime demons commented on how he doesn't look like the rest of the family with his silver hair really made him feel left out.
"I guess that's true…" The girl blushed, blaming herself for even thinking it's troublesome when he puts it like that.
Furuichi turns to leave but the boy, named Kouta, grabs onto his jacket. He turned back to face the two. "You don't mind if I play with your little brother for a while don't you."
Furuichi played with Kouta for the rest of the afternoon and exchanged different methods of teaching their siblings, even though it's more like him coaching her. Apparently she was trying to have a park debut but still haven't have the courage to start anything yet. She talked to him about a lot of situation and Furuichi offer some solutions. This is what Furuichi felt like a 'normal' life.
"Oh, it's getting this late. Thanks for helping with my problems. When you dressed like that I thought wouldn't be knowledgeable about these kind of things.
"Don't judge a book by its cover I say." He smile at the compliment. "If you ever need any more counselling I'll be glad to help." He jokingly added.
"Really? Thank you." Furuichi thought she would reject the offer since she didn't seem to want her identity to be exposed to anyone. "Alright then, here's my number. What should I add to your contact?" Better to play along.
"Aoi Kunie" A fake name huh… "What should I add into yours?"
If that's the case…
"Yuki" Furuichi grinned, "Nice to meet you Aoi-san" He holds out his hand.
AN: Here is the second omake that I intended to include in the previous chapter. This will explain what happen to Alaindelon since one of you asked. I have this in my head when I was writing the fifth chapter but then in a rush to update I forgot to include it in chapter 6. This occur when Furuichi come back home after buying the snacks.
"I'm home!" The silverette greeted but the reply he gets have him rush to the living room.
In there, Alaindelon is sitting seiza style and bowing to his family. "Please think of me as your new son. From now on we will be living together, please take care of me."
Furuichi sweat-dropped at the sentence. Just what did Hilda and he research about to use that kind of greeting every time they visit a person's place? He will need to teach Hilda the acceptable way of doing things here. 'Do not destroy properties' being high in the list. But first, he need to ease his parent's minds.
"I see you've met Alaindelon."
"W-wha…?" Honoka's gasping prevents her from forming a perfect sentence. Both his blood parent froze on their spots.
"Ah, Furuichi-dono I was just introducing-…!" Furuichi flash his brightest smile, 'One more word and I will kill you…'
Alaindelon immediately shut up, despite knowing Furuichi is human and not afraid of getting hit (AN: he doesn't even mind getting hit by Oga), for some reason he obeyed. Not because of anything Furuichi said, the silverette haven't even addressed him since he entered the house, and yet he felt the need to keep his mouth shut. The aura Furuichi let out is too carefully hidden for humans to notice but for a trained dimensional transfer demon who learned to recognize high level demons, he feel the full brunt of Furuichi's menacing aura.
"He's one of the friends who helped me when I was… oversea." No use hiding it now might as well just go along with it, too bad he couldn't introduce Dew properly as a friend too. His family is still sensitive to the 'kidnapping'. "He needed some place to stay so I invited him since we have a spare room. You don't mind right?"
"N-no of course not! So this is your friend. My name is Serin, Takayuki's mother, nice to meet you."
"M-my name is Honoka, his younger sister."
"Furuichi Tadashi. Why is he wearing only sweatshirts with shorts?" Doubt could be heard in his tone, the man's appearance is enough to cause suspicion. The silverette really think that his blood father is a trustworthy person when it comes to protecting his family, the dimensional transfer demon practically radiate suspicious.
With Furuichi quick thinking, an excuse easily flowed out of his mouth. "When he arrived at the airport his luggage went missing and all his possession is in there including his wallet and passport. On the way here he fell into an uncovered sewer drain so he also doesn't have a clean outfit. The sweatshirt and short is the only thing I have currently that's big enough for him, his size isn't something easy to find you know." He emphasize on the frustrating tone at the end of the sentence to make it believable.
With his family approval and a set of rules for Alaindelon, Furuichi silently ordered Alaindelon to follow him. The half-demon plops down on his sofa with his arms crossed and let out a sigh, the demon stand in front of him as if waiting for an instruction. This silence is maintained for a while.
"Just as I have expected, Furuichi-dono really is an amazing person." Furuichi broke out of his trance and looked up to the demon.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean when I first saw you, I thought you have a lot of potential. Then Hilda-san also mentioned to treat you with respect and looking at how you handled the situation. You really are a person deserving of respect." Alanidelon smile… Then seem to move closer. Sebastian jumps out from under the sofa and onto Furuichi's lap, glaring and preparing to attack the man who dare to get close to his person without his permission. Upon seeing the black cat, the transfer demon backed away. Furuichi merely patted Sebastian's head in gratitude, he didn't want to hit Alaindelon for invading his bubble.
"Did Hilda-san said anything else?"
"Nothing I can remember."
"I see…" Furuichi stroke Sebastian's fur, looking like an antagonist waiting for the arrival of the protagonist. "Since you have a background now, we wouldn't want my family to notice that you're not human." Holding up his fingers to his mouth to think.
"How can I help Furuichi-dono?"
"How about you help out with household chores? You are going to live here, it's only reasonable you clean it as well. You're excused if Hilda ask for you."
"Of course Furuichi-dono! I gladly accept this responsibility." Alaindelon saluted.
Serin have never had a more helpful assistance when she's cleaning. Furuichi and Honoka finds him useful when they needed a distraction. Even Tadashi have to admit the man is really helpful in the house.
AN: From an episode, Alaindelon seem to be afraid of cats. Correct me if I'm wrong. I want to know if is it just me or is it canon.
AN: About the flowers, I only roughly search information about their meanings so if there seem to something wrong please excuse it/tell me. Hilda ignores Furuichi a lot in the story is because she is afraid that she will slip and call him Halo again so until she is confident that she will not slip, she is going to ignore the silverette. I got it wrong about where Beel gets his milk from but good thing I found the right excuse.
Just in case I going to get scolded, I'll say it first. I never said Furuichi is stronger than Oga, it's only an assumption made by the delinquents. So Oga fans, no flaming please.
To suntan140:
Thanks for your concern, I've been getting better. I happy you like that part. With how much effort and time Oga seem to put into Furuichi they just assume they are together since Furuichi also tolerates Oga. Thanks for reviewing.
To Jarjaxle:
I see, thanks for explain. :3 I don't know about the hilarious part but I'll try. Really? I think her reaction should be more surprised but I guess I'll just have to make it up when she found out about Dew. Thanks for reviewing.
To chacra:
First of all thanks for that sweet review, it really made my day and kept me going. :) I'm happy you like it, I may not be happy with the chapter but I had fun writing that chapter. Thanks for reviewing.
To Devlin Dracul: (This is going to be one long reply so be prepared)
You're too kind, I still have a lot to learn. :) Well, he did grow up in a harsh environment people are force to learn and mature faster you know. I know right, Furuichi's family just seem to be able to fix damages and go on vacations without even explaining what happen. (I personally think he's actually rich so he IS rich in my fic) With how much effort and time Oga seem to put into Furuichi they just assume they are together since Furuichi also tolerates Oga. Too bad I don't know how to draw couples yet ;D How do you like the omake this time?
I know Misaki calls Furuichi Takachin but, I can't remember where, the 'chin' part was actually some sort of insult. Maybe it's just friendly nickname for Furuichi but since Misaki in my fic thinks they are dating she swtich to Taka-chan. Hope that explains things.
I'm sooooo sorry! I'll try to update at least once a month, the most 2 months. You review gave me ideas so maybe the next chapter will be faster?
Thank you for your kind words either way, I can tell you really like my story. It means a lot of a writer. Thanks for the (2) reviews.
To javagirl:
I try :) I like that pairing as well, but we'll keep it to the hint level only 'kay? Thanks for reviewing.
To hawa-chan:
Don't be. He choose to keep quiet about the situation because interfering would be to disobey the Demon King's order plus he didn't want to overload Oga. Thanks for reviewing.
AN: For the last reason, I wanted to draw Furuichi when he met Aoi and when Nene saw him hitting the delinquents... but then my art club wants us to draw profiles of our OC and write a paragraph from their point of view, I can't multi-task... *Dies* I'll give you guys the link when I finish it. Can't believe I improved in 2 months...
PS. There's a poll on my profile for this fic, feel free to vote for the content of this story.