Disclaimer: Oh dear, how I wish I owned MTNN…. But I don't

The bet: part two

Day one

"Neuro! Put me down!!!!!" Yako screamed from the ceiling. "I didn't ask you over just so you could torture me. Remember, the party? I need to-"

She fell with a thud, face flat on the (thank god) fluffy cream carpet below. As she lifted her head up, she felt a clawed hand latch itself onto her head, and smashed her face into the ground once more. Yako spluttered when he put his foot on her back squishing what little air she had left in her, out. He bent from the waist, and brought his face slowly to her ear.

"Slaves do not order around their masters." He whispered. Yako shivered as his warm breath encircled her ear, and then her face. "But, since you SO sincerely asked for my cooperation, I will comply."

He lifted his claw and foot away from her aching body. She got up, rubbing her head, and then cracking her back. As Neuro turned away from her, she lightly touched her ear and face. Neuro's voice drew her away from her thoughtful daze.

"So, dirt pile, what do have in mind today on the lesson plan for me to become more human-like?" He questioned.

Yako turned to him, and made a point to crack her back once again. She looked at him, with a mock- serious expression.

"The first part of being a human, is to understand- or in your case- recognize- someone's emotions" Yako explained.

"I know what your pathetic race's emotions are, dishrag." Neuro scoffed "Sadness, happiness, and anger are the basic ones. Sadness can be shown through tears (most commonly), happiness through your 'smiles', and anger through violence."

As Neuro explained the last "basic" emotion, he smiled sadistically. Yako paused.

"Yes, but do you know how to convince someone that that's how you're actually feeling? Neuro, you don't even fool me out there in public… you can tell, you have no emotion. You need to be able to at least act them out at the party." Yako lectured, "Since you seem to identify most with it, how about we practice your anger first. Show me your anger"

Neuro practically snorted (although that would not be fitting for a demon of his stature) as he lifted himself up from the couch gracefully. Yako could just imagine him flipping his hair back with the back of his hand, and preening his feathers.

"And--- go" Yako said. "Vocalize, or visualize"

"Yes, yes" Neuro replied.

Neuro closed his eyes briefly, and lowered his eyebrows. Yako would laugh if she weren't trying to be professional. But when Neuro opened his eyes, she felt the blood fall from her face, and her stomach sink. It was that same glare that he gave her when she had "quit". She almost lost it. Until she realized that wasn't true anger.

She looked at him, and sighed.

"No, Neuro. That's not anger," She said.

Neuro just blinked at her.

"I can tell. It's that same look, from that time…. It's…. disappointment" she said, almost sadly.

Neuro looked slightly appalled.

"Well then, show me" he said. "Teach by example, sensei~"

Yako glared.

"Fine"

Yako took a deep breath, and thought back, back to all those people who died because of greed, and cowardice. Her father….

Neuro was almost surprised by her expression. Instead of obvious anger, there was a certain glint in her eyes that would make Neuro re-consider her daily torture. Her eyebrows dropped, slopping down from her temple to just above her eyes. The usually warm eyes turned hot with fury. Even her body language showed her loathing feeling. Her legs were at a strong stance, and she looked immovable.

She closed her eyes after a few moments, and returned to normal, although the fire remained in her eyes.

"So you see, it's not just the face that needs a mask, but your whole body." She explained calmly.

"How could your body have a mask, Slave?" He said doubtfully, as he turned around to walk into the dining room.

He had never seen his slave look like that. Even the great puzzle eater needed to recover from that. But, with her eyes and words running through his memory, he understood her lesson.

Neuro left through the window, without a word, everything running through his mind once again.

"What are you doing, Neuro?" Yako said, following him "We're not done---"

Yako stopped, realizing that he wasn't there. She shrugged, and sat down, knowing he'd be back the next day.

Day two

"Ready, Neuro!" Yako said cheerfully "Day two of your training will involve-"

"If it's about emotions, I think I understand your unnecessary lesson." He interrupted from his spot on the couch "There must be something else."

"Well, there is how you look…" Yako stopped at the look he gave her.

"I look fine, you slouch." He said, proudly "In hell, many complimented me on my well kept feathers…"

"Neuro, you do not look normal" Yako said calmly (and bravely), as she looked at her wristwatch "Since it's too late to go shopping for clothing, let's just settle on your hair."

Neuro looked skeptical.

"Oh, come on…" Yako said, grabbing his hand, and pulling him into the bathroom.

When she let go of his hand, he flexed it, in hopes of getting rid of the tingling feeling that was creeping slowly up his arm. All of a sudden, he felt small hands on his head.

"Neuro, do you have to have these clips on your hair?" She asked hesitantly.

"If there's an instant where I'll need extra power, yes." Neuro sighed. "But, for only a night, I might be able to accept your stupid, illogical, demand."

Yako smiled to herself, and started to remove the clips, slowly. Neuro made no move to slap her, or anything, so she continued. When they were all out, she took out a new hairbrush, knowing that Neuro would not let her touch his hair with a used one. She began to brush his silky hair slowly, and ran her hand through it to try and see what she was working with.

Neuro watched as Yako gently picked up his black/ purple bangs, and brushed through them also. When she was done, his hair was even shinier. She walked in front of him, and stared at him for a long time. Neuro stared back, blank face in place.

"Marveling at my beauty, Slave 1?" He stated. "Or have you just fallen in love?"

Yako rolled her eyes, but Neuro could see the faintest color of pink flower upon her face.

"I think we should put your hair up for the party." She said at last.

He watched her walk behind him, and as she pulled out a hair band from a nearby drawer. He raised an eyebrow.

"It's not used, don't panic" She answered his un-asked question.

He allowed her to pull his hair back into a high pony- tail, and secure it. She went back in front of him, and stared at him again. She went back, and tied in a low one, and she repeated the stare. She smiled, and said:

"High pony-tail it is, then!"

Neuro sighed, and got up.

"Next lesson for the day is dancing." She said, walking into the hallway.

Neuro pocketed his trinkets, and followed her out, noticing the nice breeze against his neck.

"So, I heard at the party," Yako continued, "That there's going to be a waltz, and then just some 'now' dances. I'm not very good at the 'now' dances, but their pretty much just hoping up and down."

Neuro nodded.

"I know the demon waltz," he spoke up.

"Show me," Yako said simply, walking up to him, holding out her hands.

Neuro smiled sadistically, and his eyes glowed. He grabbed her right hand, and thumped his hand to her waist. He led her along a fast paced dance that mostly involved violent turns, and dips. At the very end, Neuro actually threw her into the air, and caught her. After her vision had cleared, Yako realized that Neuro had her in his arms, and was staring at her like she was a perplexing mystery.

He seemed to snap out of it, and let her down quickly.

"Ok, well, that's not how ours is, but let me show you," she said, flushed.

She took his hand into hers, and she was surprised by how big his hand was, compared to hers. She focused again, and placed Neuro's hand back on her waist, but at a softer touch. She clicked a remote that started the music.

"I'll lead this time, but this is what your suppose to do," Yako said, smiling.

The dance started slow, and Yako lead him around her living room floor that she had cleared after moving the furniture to the side. Neuro stopped, and Yako knew he wanted to lead.

Neuro's lead was powerful, and proud, like he was showing off his partner whom he was also proud of. They danced for a while, and as the music stopped, they continued, Yako telling him if he was doing something wrong, and Neuro saying that human's dances were stupid.

"Neuro, it's late, and I haveta go to bed…" Yako complained.

Neuro could tell by the way she was slurring her words, and by the way she leaned against him that she really was almost asleep. He dragged her (gently) up the stairs, and threw her onto her bed. Despite the abuse, she was asleep fast.

He glared at her, and hit her arm.

"Stupid amoeba," He muttered.

He decided to tuck her in, as a reward for not being totally idiotic that day, and noticed how she glomped to his arm. He was about to bite his restraint, when she tugged him down towards her. He felt her warm lips on his cold forehead, a wet, but not entirely horrible feeling. She let his arm, and head go, with a thump, as she turned to face him.

"Good night, daddy," She mumbled, eyes closed.

Neuro decided to save the punishment for later, as he rubbed his head. He slipped outside, nearly being seen by the slave's mother, and blended into the shadows.

Mrs. Katsuragi smiled as she watched a tall shadow dissipate among the other shadows. She slid her keys into the gold lock, and walked into her dark, and quite home.

Sorry it took so long! I don't really have an excuse this time…. But I'll try harder next time to make it consistent! I really hope you guys liked it puppy dog eyes Please R & R, for the sake of my sanity!!!!

~Lionwhizk