A/N: For better effect, please listen to Animal by XOV and or keep it on repeat throughout the chapter. It was my inspiration and, to me, perfectly describes Ayato and Emily's relationship. Prepare thy-selves.

Emily's apartment, 1:00am

"Emily!" Ayato cried as he burst through the front door, Hiko following closely behind. Ayato looked openly panicked as his sharp eyes darted around the room searching for her. He let out a breath when his gaze finally landed on her and he quickly pulled her into his arms, "I'm so sorry." he said into her hair before pushing her back gently to assess her well being, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." she told him and then frowned, catching sight of the blood hastily wiped away in the corner of his mouth, "What's this?" she asked reaching up to touch his face. He grabbed her hand quickly, stopping her from touching him.

"It's mine, don't worry." he told her. Emily pursed her lips, "If anything that makes me more worried. Did Tatara do this to you?"

"No." Ayato said leading her towards the couch, "No, it was the Ghoul from last year."

"What?"

"Yeah, he turned up at the base and threatened Tatara. Said he'd kill the King if we didn't leave you alone." Ayato told her, "Do you have any idea who this guy is?"

Emily shook her head, "No, I don't...Do you really think he has that kind of power?" Ayato leaned back against the couch and ran a hand through his messy hair,

"I've been thinking about it, or rather our first encounter. He almost killed me, right, but I don't think he wanted to. No one, not even Tatara and Eto, sensed him before he was right in front of us just like when he attacked me - if he has that kind of power, he could have easily killed me back then."

"You're saying that he purposely left you alive?" Emily asked, not sure if she was fully understanding what he was saying.

"Mm. That's not all; he knew everything, Emily. He knew I was here, about our relationship - he's the one who told me you'd been attacked and that it was by Tatara's order." Ayato told her.

"Tatara?" Emily shook her head, "Why would he want to kill me?"

"He doesn't, not yet anyway. The Ghoul that attacked you was Tatomi, he was one of Tatara's men but he's more like Rize - a binge eater. He lacks self control when it comes to food, er, humans. Or lacked anyway." Ayato told her, "He's dead now."

"I know." she said, "I thought Arima Kishou had killed him but apparently he was already dead when Arima arrived."

Ayato slid his blue eyes to her, "Arima?"

"Yeah, at the CCG headquarters when I was looking for information about Isao, he gave me a number to call if I was ever in danger. Turns out it was his number." Emily said. Ayato leaned forward again, "Why didn't you call me, or Uta or Yomo-san?"

"I don't know...I guess I wasn't really thinking straight." she confessed, "Do you think the guy who attacked you and threatened Tatara was the one who killed Tatomi?"

"He did have Tatomi's head so I think that's a pretty reasonable assumption." Ayato replied, "I'll keep digging into the identity of this guy but what I really want to know is why someone like Arima Kishou is going out of his way to look after you."

Emily shrugged, "I asked him but all he said was that he owed a debt to someone. He wouldn't say anything else about it."

"Weird." Ayato agreed, "Well, I shouldn't exactly be complaining if powerful guys like the CCG's Shinigami and that guy are watching out for you. I just wish you would have called me instead."

"I know, and I'm sorry." she said quietly. Ayato stood up, "It doesn't matter anymore, Tatara's given me strict orders to never let you out of my sight and I plan to follow them religiously." Emily smiled to herself as she watched him walk away. Ayato had changed so much from the angry, hate-filled boy to the strong, passionate man before her. She knew his views on humanity hadn't changed much in themselves, but he was far more tolerant of them. He was willing to trust Toshio despite being human, in the CCG and Emily's ex-boyfriend. He loved her so much he was willing to die to protect her. He even admitted he was glad Arima Kishou was keeping an eye on her, something he never would have done in the past.

She had fallen in love with the unpredictable, turbulent side of him, and her unconditional love for him had changed him. It was then, in that moment, she finally decided something.

Emily followed him to the bedroom he'd claimed at the far end of the apartment and knocked on the door.

"Yeah?" he called from inside. She opened it to find him staring out of the window.

"Ayato," she said suddenly nervous at what she was about to suggest, "You remember how you used to watch me when Aogiri kidnapped me?"

"Course." he replied easily. She swallowed the lump forming in her throat, "Well, seeing as though you're not going to let me out of your sight anymore...why don't you move into my room?"

He turned and stared at her with an unsure look on his face, "Are you sure you want to do that?"

She smiled warmly at him, "Yes, I'm sure. Besides, with Isao taking the other room, Hiko won't have to stay on the couch when he does sleep." Ayato smirked at her playfully, "Using convenience to keep me close, huh? I see right through your games." he teased. Emily rolled her eyes at him, "I'm going for a shower."

The warm water was as comforting as an old blanket, washing away the drama of hours ago. Emily knew she was protected by more people than she'd thought; Uta, Renji, Anteiku, Ayato and Hiko, Kaneki, Isao and Toshio, and now Arima Kishou and the unknown Ghoul who threatened Aogiri personally. She felt safer than she had ever felt before, more loved than she ever thought possible. She still felt guilty for what she'd put Toshio through, but it had been a heavy weight lifted off her shoulders and now she was free to be with Ayato, the man she truly loved with all her heart and soul. Sure Ayato was difficult some days, but she was prepared to face the troubled times with him. A human and Ghoul would never have an easy relationship but if, one day, they could show the world it could be done, maybe humans and Ghouls alike could see that it was possible to live side-by-side together.

Was this how her parents had felt? Knowing that their love was condemned by both sides and yet they still had hope. She was beginning to understand just how deeply they loved each other.

Ayato was stretched out on her bed when she finished showering and dressing. His eyes were closed but she doubted he was asleep. She sat carefully on the edge of the bed and combed her hair.

"Watermelon." he breathed, gently touching her back, "Who knew a fruit could smell so amazing."

"Is it really that strong?" she asked him recalling the conversation with Uta earlier. He'd said she smelled like watermelon too.

"It's nice though, actually it's more than that. It's comforting because I know it's you." he said whimsically. Emily chuckled quietly, "Is that how you knew it was me when Tatara brought me in?"

"Yeah. I couldn't believe it though." he told her, "When I saw what Jinei did to you and how Tatara treated you, it took every ounce of my strength not to retaliate. I didn't really understand why I felt like that back then but it was like...they were touching something only I was allowed to touch."

"You're so possessive." she teased him lightly. Ayato scoffed, "It's a good thing I am. I don't want anyone else putting their filthy hands on my woman."

"Just your filthy hands, then?" she joked. Ayato pulled her down onto her back and hovered above her, holding her hands either side of her head, "If that's what you want."

She reached up to kiss him gently, "I do..."

For the first time ever, Ayato smiled, really smiled and it was beautiful. His deep lapis eyes dropped to her neck as if he were considering something, but when he looked back up at her, they were determined.

"I'm only going to ask you this once," he said, his voice husky and low, "I want you Emily, I want you more than I've ever wanted anything before so much it scares me. And I know that now may not be the right time to do this but after what happened to you tonight..." He climbed off her and sat on the edge of the bed, his head lowered and hands clasped tightly between his knees. Emily frowned and sat up, curious as to what had got him so worked up. She could tell that whatever he wanted to say was difficult for him - Ayato had never been really good with feelings other than violence.

He sighed, "I thought you were dead. The entire way here I was going out of my mind thinking that you were beyond my reach again. That's why I left you in the first place - I was terrified of my own emotions towards you, emotions that came on so strong and so quickly. It was hard to breathe just being in the same room as you. It's why I said all those things I did; I never meant them, at least not towards you. My whole life has been one big black hole. I spent so much time hating the world and fighting just to survive and then you came back into my life with your kindness... You're like the sun to me, how can a supernova love you back? You were right in front of me and yet I could never, ever reach you."

"Ayato..."

"Let me finish." He said half turning to face her, "I know what you were about to say - I have you now and you're not going anywhere. But that's not entirely true is it? Either one of us could be killed tomorrow... I spent so long convincing myself that it was best to just cut you out of my life but I could never do it. I know now that I literally cannot live without you anymore. I love you, Emily, which is why I want you to be totally, completely sure about being with me. I'm not like you, I'm not a good person, your life will always be in danger around me and, it kills me to say this but, I can't always guarantee your safety. I could be the one who attacks you."

Emily brushed his soft hair out of his face gently and rested her hand on his cheek, "I know. I know you're dangerous and you don't think you're a good person but I love you, Ayato, every single side of you." she crawled into his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck, "I chose you, I will always choose you."

Without another word she kissed him gently, hoping that if her words didn't get through to him, this would.

Ayato relaxed slowly, his hands resting lighting on her hips like he was afraid to touch her. His entire body sighed at her touch and it was an amazing feeling for Emily - to be able to soothe him instantly like this.

She leaned her body closer to his, pushing him onto his back. She stopped kissing him and gazed down at the creature beneath her, brushing strands of his hair out of his face. The sight completely overwhelmed her; for the first time in her life she felt powerful. Here was this dangerous, cold-blooded killer, this incredibly strong creature, completely content to be lying underneath her. Ayato was like a wild animal and she had managed to tame him.

She'd be lying if she said it wasn't thrilling. She loved every ounce of him, but it was his violent, turbulent side that called to her like a long forgotten primal instinct. She had once read in a history book that back in the day of stone age man, women would seek strong partners; men able to provide protection and food. That instinct had evolved with modern humans to encompass other qualities deemed more important - intelligence, creativity, stability, ambition - but that need for raw power had been lost.

A sly smirk stretched across his lips showing his sharp, white teeth, his eyes glimmered with mischief and before she could question what he was thinking, he flipped them both over effortlessly, using his elbow beside her head to support most of his weight.

"I want to do something crazy." he whispered, licking his lips hungrily, "What d'you say? Wanna let loose?"

Emily bit her bottom lip - she knew what it was he was suggesting and it frightened her how much she wanted it too.

"Persuade me." the words had left her mouth as soon as she'd thought them. Ayato's eyes narrowed and his smirk became more feral, oh he liked her answer. He ducked down to kiss her again only there was none of the softness from earlier. He bit her lip, drawing blood instantly but it didn't hurt. He sat up again for a second and the sight of her blood staining his lips was paralyzing. He stared into her eyes as his tongue slowly dragged along his bottom lip, collecting the few drops of red. Emily swallowed the lump in her throat, Ayato was doing in on purpose and whether he realized it or not, his actions were doing crazy things to her body.

Smirking again, he lowered his head to her neck. "I'm going to make sure that everyone knows you're mine." A moan escaped her lips as he ran his tongue from her earlobe to her shoulder and back up.

"Make that sound for me again." he commanded, licking the shell of her ear. She moaned again, her hands knotting in his hair and holding him to her neck where he was sucking her flesh and biting.

Her eyes closed and her back arched, allowing the hand not holding him up to slip underneath. She and Toshio had messed around before but it was nothing like this - Ayato was on a whole other level.

2:00am

Ayato slid his hand up the smooth, warm skin of Emily's back and lifted her into his lap as he sat up. The quiet pants and moans she was making were driving him insane. He wanted to rip her clothes off and take her right then but tormenting her was far more appealing he realized.

He found the collar of her shirt and ripped it open; she straightened and shivered as the cool air touched her back, pushing her body closer to his. His mouth didn't leave her neck as he pulled the now ruined shirt off her and tossed it away.

She moaned again as his teeth sank into her soft flesh, her hands finding their way into his hair again - God he loved that. The taste of her blood burst into his mouth but for the first time in his life, the smell and taste of human blood didn't affect him like normal. He wasn't compelled by the need to eat, his hunger was of a different colour.

"Ayato..." his name breathed against his ear was pure ecstasy and he leaned back to make sure he wasn't hurting her too much. Emily's eyes were on his mouth, probably staring at her blood he hadn't licked up yet, and then she leaned forward, pressing her lips against his roughly.

The taste of her mouth mixed with her blood was like nothing Ayato had ever tasted before. He never wanted to taste anything else again except her. Her fingers left his hair, danced lightly down the sides of his face, his shoulders, biceps, ribs and came to rest at the hem of his shirt. He knew what she wanted. Giving her one last kiss, he grabbed the collar of his shirt and reefed it over his head before throwing it to the side with what was left of hers.

He'd been too absorbed in her taste, he had yet to take notice of her body but there she was, in shorts and a bra sitting atop his thighs, long burgundy hair still damp and sticking to her skin. His breathing hitched; she was beautiful, a goddess...and his. Red dusted her cheeks as he stared at her and she turned away from him, embarrassed. His eyes flicked to the bite marks and bruises forming on her neck; blue, purple and red against white, his marks of ownership.

His fingers itched to touch her, to claim every inch of her body as belonging to him and only him.

"Ayato," she whispered, "Stop staring." He blinked and pushed her down again, her hands rested against his abdomen, fingers brushing over the scar that had remained after a year.

His chest pressed against hers, her warmth seeping into his cool skin, her heart beat fluttering. He could stay like that forever, but pressing desires commanded him to take action. His hands glided up her sides and found her breasts. He kissed her lips, her chin, her neck, collarbone and grabbed the centre of her bra between his teeth. He didn't rip it off like he did her shirt, he figured she'd get shitty if he did that, so instead he just pulled it up. Emily's hands flew to her chest automatically to cover herself.

"What are you doing?" he asked quietly. Emily didn't answer him and looked away, a blush spreading on her cheeks. He grinned at her, kissed her cheek and slowly peeled her hands away. The flesh of her breasts was soft and warm as he massaged them gently, occasionally circling his tongue around her nipples. She whimpered every time he did, her back arching slightly, it made him feel more powerful than he had ever felt.

She wrapped her legs around his hips, once again her fingers locked in his hair and she pressed him closer to her. He grinned against her skin, liking the fact that she wanted him just as much as he wanted her. Take this, human trash, he sent the crude thought to Toshio, knowing that there was no way he could have ever made Emily feel like this.

His mind was quickly snatched away from her ex-boyfriend when Emily's nails raked down his spine. Oh fuck...he thought to himself, giving a low growl in response to her actions. His body ached with lust - he wanted, no needed to be inside her. Now.

Trailing his tongue down her stomach, he made quick work of the shorts and underwear she was wearing, using his left hand to lift the base of her spine up. Emily squirmed, trying to free herself from his strong hold but the look he gave her made her stop.

He held her thighs and dragged her down closer to him. Resting her legs on his shoulders, he kissed them gently at first. Her muscles tensed at his touch, goosebumps formed everywhere his lips touched.

His gaze slid to her face as he slowly bit down on her skin again; her eyes were closed, her mouth slightly parted, breathing hard. He bit harder, enjoying the way her brows furrowed and how she bit back her moan.

He stopped and just stared at her for a moment, searing this image of Emily into his mind forever. How could someone like her love someone like him? He shook his head, his sappy thoughts were ruining his mood. Quickly, he ducked his head down between her legs and inhaled her scent.

"Ayato..." Emily breathed again, her hands twitching above her pelvis, itching to cover herself. He glanced up, her eyes were on him and she looked slightly confused. He grinned at her and flicked his tongue out. One taste was enough to almost send him over the edge. One taste and he was salivating. Dear God, how could she taste so good?!

2:24am

Emily gasped and gripped the sheets as Ayato buried his face between her legs, his tongue moving in and out of her at a painfully slow pace as his thumb circled her clit. Her toes curled, legs tensed, her mind was a mess. She wanted him to break her, ruin her and build her up again, better, stronger.

Her neck hurt from where he'd bitten her, the taste of blood still lingered in her mouth but she didn't care. The tight feeling in her lower abdomen was starting to grow and consume her. She had lost all sense of the world and time, nothing mattered - not her friends, not the CCG, nothing. Only Ayato mattered in that moment.

She squirmed, wanting more than what he was giving her. His tongue moved to replace his thumb as one of his slender fingers penetrated her. She had been trying to control her voice as she didn't want Hiko to hear what was going on, but feeling part of Ayato inside her body caused her to moan louder than before. Ayato didn't seem to mind, in fact it felt as though he actually enjoyed it as he curled his finger against her walls, stretching her slightly until he could fit another finger in beside her.

Something warm and airy, like a feather, brushed against her legs, startling her and making her look down towards him. She was captivated by the vermilion, azure and violet colours of Ayato's wings shimmering.

"What is it?" Ayato asked, sensing her distraction.

"Your wings..." she replied and then added when she met his gaze, "And your kakugan. Are you okay?"

He blinked at her, "I'm fine." he replied obviously as bewildered as her at what his body was doing.

"Are you sure, we can stop if you-"

"The only thing I'm hungry for," he said moving up to kiss her, "Is you." She licked her lips, tasting herself and smiled at him. Her hands moved from her sides down to unbutton his jeans,

"Eat then." she told him. That was all he needed. His hands replaced hers and soon his clothes were on the floor with hers and he was pushing inside her. Emily bit her lip and dug her nails into his shoulders, whimpering at the pain it caused her. He waited just long enough for her to adjust to him and then slowly started thrusting against her.

Wrapping her legs tightly around him again, Emily clung to him, burying her face against his neck. His hair tickled her nose, his breath was hot and fast against her skin and his low grunts were like heaven in her ear. It was like nothing she'd ever felt before; balancing carelessly between pain and pleasure.

He began to move faster, his movements became stronger and more precise and she realized that though this was a first for him too, he was far better at it than she was. Ayato bit her neck again and Emily's body responded by stiffening, her moans grew louder and more frequent and before she knew it everything was supernovas and fireworks exploding inside her. She was acutely aware of his body heat, the sweat covering both of them, the smell of his hair and skin, the way his muscles contracted and relaxed with each movement. She wanted him to stop - her body had become way too sensitive - but she wanted him to keep going. He pushed through her orgasm, unaware of what was going on in her mind.

She felt Ayato harden even more inside her, his breathing became more erratic and she recognized what was about to happen to him, as it had just happened to her. His last two thrusts were stronger and deeper than before and then he stilled as warmth flooded her. Ayato's arms shook slightly from his weight as his entire body grew weak for a moment and then he slowly sat up, blew the strands of hair sticking to his forehead from sweat out of his face, and pulled out of her. Emily couldn't feel her feet, her body was heavy and her legs shook uncontrollably. She was sure that she would fall if she tried to stand. Ayato fell back down onto his stomach beside her and rested a heavy arm over her middle.

Neither said a word for a while as they listened to each other's breathing. Emily needed to use the bathroom and probably shower again, but she didn't have the strength or the want to move just yet.

"Oh shit..." Ayato said quietly, "You should see your neck." Emily reached up to touch where he had been biting and winced as pain shot down her shoulder.

"Sorry..." he said, "I got a little carried away."

She shook her head, it hurt now but she didn't care. "It's a good thing I'm under house arrest."

"Tch. The whole point was for people to see them and now you're very much taken." he complained playfully but then after a moment added, "Actually, now that I think about it, it's probably better if no one at Aogiri saw this."

Emily slapped his arm lightly, "Idiot."

SURPRISE! This chapter will be the only one of its kind until the sequel but I wanted to give you all a little something special for staying with me for so long throughout this story. To be honest, I had planned this from the start but it was a matter of finding the right time to put it in (pun pun pun) and finding the right song to match. Thankfully XOV came to the rescue!

Now some unhappy news - unfortunately Dances with Shadows is nearing its end with only two or so more chapters to go :(But there's no need to be sad as I have one more surprise for you all. A surprise that will be revealed in the very last chapter so please anticipate it!

Thank you, as always, for favouriting, following and reviewing (and please don't hesitate to do the latter! I love reading them and it makes me happy).