Mari was standing in the kitchen making herself a cup of tea when her bedroom door opened. She opened her mouth to say something but shut it when Denji walked out, eyes still closed. He wasn't even really awake yet as he shuffled toward the bathroom. In his half asleep state, he did not center himself in the open doorway and hit the door frame midway headbutting the jamb.

"Ow, dammit," he muttered, scooting over the two steps necessary to enter the bathroom without hurting himself again.

She bit her lower lip, stifling her laugh into a snort. Humming to herself, she poured the hot water over her chamomile tea bag while he did whatever he was doing in there. Gazing into her cup, she dunked the tea bag up and down, more to keep her hands busy rather than to brew the tea faster.

Denji exited the bathroom with his mouth open wide in a yawn and his hand under his t-shirt scratching his belly. He opened one bleary eye halfway as he looked her way, but she doubted he could actually see her in detail but only the vague shape of something in the kitchen.

"Hey," he said, walking over.

"Hey," she responded, watching him come around the end of the counter to join her where she stood by the sink. "What are you doing up?"

"Had to take a piss," he mumbled, placing his hip against the counter to lean on it. "Why are you awake?"

"I just woke up. Probably because I passed out way too early." She tossed the tea bag into the trash. "I'm hoping this will help me get back to sleep. Want a cup?"

"No thanks. It's still dark. What time is it?"

"The middle of the night. Go back to bed," she said, nudging him lightly in the side with her elbow.

"Come with me."

"Not yet."

Denji took her by the hand, tugging her into his arms. He kissed her forehead, hugging her close. When he nuzzled into her neck, her fingers slid into his wild tangled hair. His lips grazed her skin below her ear making her shiver and chuckle.

"I can help you get back to sleep," he whispered in her ear, nipping her ear lobe.

"Oh, I'm sure," she murmured, cupping the back of his head when he placed a kiss in the hollow behind her ear lobe. "But I don't think sleeping is on your mind right now."

Denji stood up straight, his lips hovering over hers while he gazed down at her. "Is that bad?"

"No. Not at all." When he pressed his lips to hers, a stab of pain sliced through the fresh cut on her lower lip causing her to wrench away. The lingering sting made her sharply inhale with a hiss. "Ugh, dammit."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you." He took her face between his hands, tilting it upward to get a good look at the wound on her lip. "I'm so sorry. I forgot."

"Don't apologize. And you didn't hurt me. It just stung a little. I'm okay," she assured him. She tapped the other half of her mouth away from the injury. "Kiss me right here."

With a smile, Denji dipped his head to obediently giver her an offset kiss catching only half of her mouth with his lips. Raising his head, he looked down at her again with his big golden brown eyes.

The sweet and loyal eyes of a golden retriever. Goddammit! How can I think of him as a dog? But he likes that, she reminded herself. Lifting her hand above his head, she patted him for a job well done.

"Good puppy. Good boy," she praised him.

Denji smiled broadly revealing his exceptionally straight teeth with pronounced canines.

"You really do like it, don't you?" Mari asked as if reconfirming his predilections to herself to alleviate her own squeamish hang up.

"I do," he replied in a breathy whisper. "Pet me and tell me I'm a good boy again."

Mari patted his head, running her hand down the back of his head and neck. He closed his eyes, issuing a small whimper.

"Denji, you are very, very good boy."

He opened his eyes to meet hers.

"You should drink your tea before it gets cold," he suggested.

"Tea?" She was momentarily hopelessly confused, her eyebrows drawing together questioningly. Then she remembered she had brewed herself a cup of chamomile tea to induce drowsiness. "Oh, my tea."

Mari edged away from him to open the utensil drawer to retrieve a spoon. She removed the lid from the honey jar to dip in the spoon. On the way to the tea cup, the honey began to drip from the bottom of the spoon so she used her other finger to catch it. Before she could poke her finger into her mouth, Denji caught her hand and brought it to his to suck the honey off her finger.

"You know, you're really not making getting back to sleep any easier for me," she said, clinking the spoon on the sides of her cup noisily as she stirred.

Denji followed her to the couch, sitting down beside her. He pulled her legs into his lap, noting all of the perfectly round bruises on her calves and shins caused by the suckers of the Octopus Devil's tentacles. The purple circles that had appeared while she slept covered her arms from her wrists to her elbows as well. He lightly dragged his fingers across her legs over the marks.

"Does it hurt?" he asked, glancing over her arms then at her face.

She shook her head while sipping her tea. "No. Not at all actually. It's just where the blood was drawn to the skin by the suction. Kinda like a hickey."

Denji's face instantly pinched into an expression of rage tempered only by the disgust he felt. "Please don't say that."

"Sorry. Horrible analogy."

Mari quickly lifted the cup back to her lips to avoid saying anything else dumb. Her eyes peeked over the rim to watch his face slowly relax back into a neutral expression as he stroked her legs with a featherlight, almost ticklish touch. When she leaned over to place the cup on the table, she noticed the photo there. Picking it up, she studied the person in the slightly blurry picture. Denji had mentioned this was the body the Blood Devil now inhabited, and he would be searching for this person.

"So this is the new Power?" she asked.

"Yep. The new incarnation of the Blood Devil. The Power I knew is no longer there," he corrected her, his fingertips drifting over her thighs above her knees as if to distract her.

"Was it the Blood Devil or the girl who's body he inhabited that you were really friends with?" Mari was genuinely wondering about that herself. She watched Denji turn his eyes to the ceiling, considering her question carefully.

"You know, I never really thought about it. I'm honestly not sure. Both maybe. Pieces of each personality possibly. I don't know," he sighed, quickly tiring of trying to find an answer. "I suppose it doesn't actually matter. All of those memories are gone. I have to find this guy. I have to find him and make him remember. I promised Power. I swore we'd be friends again. Just like before."

Mari pulled her legs out of his lap when his fingertips slid further up her thighs under the hem of her shirt. She placed the picture on the table then stood up in front of him. Holding out her hand, she waited for him to take it. Once his hand was secured inside of hers, she led him to the bedroom without saying a word.

"What are you - " He began asking but his words were cut off by a finger laid across his lips.

"Right now, what we both need is to cuddle up and hold each other."

"I agree."

Mari got into the bed, holding up the sheet and patting the mattress for him to lay down beside her. He slid in beside her and she tucked the sheet around his back. Pulling him into her arms, she nestled his head under her chin, her breasts acting as a pillow for him.

"I think we should start looking for a new place to live," she said, her arms enclosing his shoulders she would swear had widened a bit. "We need one big apartment for all of us."

"Maybe a small house?" Denji suggested, tilting his chin upward to glance at her. "If Power comes to live with us, we will need at least three bedrooms."

"Uhm, yeah. At least three bedrooms."

It had never occurred to her that their family might be growing in such an unexpected way so soon. This new Power would most likely be just like the old one in most ways, even personality wise which means their new roommate and family member would be quite the handful. Power had always been childish, selfish, and impulsive. At least Denji had mostly grown out of giving in to his every impetuous whim whether in word or deed. Mostly.

"And a yard. For the dogs. Or a dog park nearby." Denji sat up so he could make eye contact with her. "Should we go to a real estate office tomorrow?"

"I will go after I talk to the principal at Nayuta's school." She returned his ear to ear grin.

"That would be great," he said excitedly.

When his head lowered to hers, Mari inhaled quickly and held her breath, preparing for the twinge of pain from her split lip. But the pain never came. His lips pressed against the uninjured half of her mouth and her cheek. She opened her mouth and exhaled when his lips touched her jaw.

Denji rolled over onto his back, hooking his arm around her shoulders to pull her into his side. Mari lay her head on his chest over his heart which was still beating quite fast. The heart of a Devil - Pochita; and what made him become Chainsaw Man. She sighed and turned her head to kiss the smooth skin under her cheek before cuddling back into him to listen to his heart. The rapid beat gradually slowed into a nice steady rhythm that assisted her with drifting off to sleep in his arms.

~\'/~

Denji glanced back at the podium after walking past it to get to his desk. He would miss seeing Mari there during sixth period. He enjoyed being able catch glimpses of her throughout the day even if it was just in passing in the hall. Taking his seat, he noticed Yoshida's desk was surprisingly empty. He had thought it extremely odd his friend had not met him at the gate like usual.

After the bell rang, as the homeroom teacher was taking his place at the podium to call roll, Yoshida strolled in. Despite being late, he appeared calm as always, unhurried, not flustered one bit. His lips were curled in that impish little smile like he had just heard a big, juicy secret.

"Sorry, had a club meeting this morning," he offered his excuse to the visibly annoyed teacher as he walked by.

"Club activities are for after school, Mr. Yoshida," the teacher reminded him, glaring at the tardy and completely unconcerned student as continued on to his desk.

"What's up with you, man? Where were you?" Denji asked, turning around in his seat to talk to him.

"Aww, you missed me. I'm flattered," Yoshida returned sounding sarcastic as always despite his flat tone. That tone seemed to be a special talent of his. "How is Mari this morning? Was I too rough on her?"

"She's a little sore, but she's fine. She's tougher than you think," he shot back defensively.

"I have to admit I was actually surprised how well she could take a hit. She never once cried or asked me to stop. I have developed a modicum of respect for her. I kinda like her," he said, his mouth shifting a little further upwards.

"Hey, she's my girlfriend, dude," he reminded his friend.

"Not like that, you idiot. But anyway, I have something important to tell you." He leaned forward as if to divulge his secret. "Akoku said he heard there is a Devil hiding in one of the storage houses by the train depot, and we're going to check it out after school. You want to go with us? That Fiend you're looking for might be there."

"Yeah, of course I want to go."

"All right then. Text your wife and let her know you're going."

"My wife? What the hell? I just told you - "

"Yes, I know," Yoshida sighed, rolling his eyes. "She's your girlfriend, but one day she will be your wife." He waved a hand at Denji as if shooing him. "Come on. Hurry up. I know you're going to text her and tell her not to worry."

Denji glared at Yoshida who was grinning at him with that annoying, arrogant smirk. He pulled out his phone to send the text that he would not be coming straight home after school.

"That's a good, Denji," he teased his friend as he typed.

"You know she's going to worry anyway, right?"

"Yep."

~\'/~

An ear splitting screech made all of them wince when Seigi Akoku pushed the giant steel door along the rusted track the small distance required to allow them to gain entrance to the warehouse. Despite only having one eye, he was the first one in to look around to survey for threats and see what they were up against.

Denji cast a glance at Higashiyama, Kobeni's little brother, who stood to his left. The kid looked like a male version her except with short hair which he styled with hairpins similar to his big sister who had used a lot of pins as well. It looked like he might be paying his way own through college by being a Devil Hunter since Big Sis had quit Public Safety to work at the family's hamburger joint. Unlike his sister, he seemed calm and confident. The only hint he was nervous was the sweat above his upper lip and the white knuckles of the hand grasping the handle of the katana sheathed at his side.

Yoshida stood in front of Denji with his arms crossed waiting for the go ahead from Akoku to come inside. He boredly picked at his nails.

"All clear!" yelled Seigi from inside without reappearing.

Yoshida entered followed by Higashiyama. Denji did not move forward, but instead he stood still looking over the building. Something was weird here. Off. Just not right. Perhaps it was just paranoia born from the memory of being killed in a warehouse much like this one. That was the day Pochita saved him while he lay dead in the dumpster to be disposed of like the garbage that formed his coffin. How could he forget that Makima found him in that same warehouse too? It was both the end of his life and the beginning of another one.

"You coming?" Yoshida asked, poking his head back out of the opening between rusty doors.

"Yeah." With one last glance around, Denji went inside.

"It's dark in here, Seigi," whined Higashiyama, his voice quivering.

Denji could hear the resemblance to Kobeni, but at least little brother Higashiyama was not completely histrionic.

"Ah, here we go," Yoshida declared upon finding the power box on a nearby wall.

There was a loud click when he threw the switch then a hum and popping as the lights began to flicker on. The dark space was flooded with sickly yellow illumination that deepened the shadows in the corners. Wooden crates were stacked in uneven rows and gathered in mismatched groupings around the building.

Suddenly there was squeaking of a multitude of vermin and the scratching of their tiny claws on the concrete floor as hundreds of rats frightened by the light ran for their lives. Shockingly, the rats were not running for cover; they were running toward the four humans who had invaded their home.

"I thought you said you didn't see anything?" Yoshida questioned Akoku who was backing away from the incoming wave of rats steadily approaching him.

"I didn't think rats counted. I didn't see anything out of the ordinary," he shot back in self-defense, stomping at one that got too close making it scream before dying.

The rats started to gather together, piling on top of each other.

"Does this look ordinary to you?!" demanded Higashiyama, but strangely his voice sounded even and not as high pitched this time. He actually sounded angry.

The rat pile continued to grow, becoming taller and taller until the writhing furry tower stood as tall as Akoku. The bottom of the mountain of rats split into two columns to resemble legs. A separation began at the sides forming arm-like appendages. Several rats ran up to the middle of the 'shoulders' to make a squirming, fuzzy head.

"A rat devil? Really?" muttered Yoshida. "So where is the devil controlling them?"

"Looking for me?" inquired a female voice.

A semi-human female barely five feet tall stepped from behind a stack of crates to Yoshida's left as if answering his call. The round edges of fury ears showed through her dry frizzy brown hair that was cut in a chin length bob. Her eyes were like those of the rats she controlled; black, no sclera, and shiny as if covered with a sheen of oil. She had a long, almost pointed nose. Thin colorless lips looked like a straight line cut into her face. She was dressed in what appeared to be a cape formed from skinned rats. Some parts of her fur coat even had the tails attached. Her feet were bare and filthy, the overgrown toenails like talons - or more like rat claws.

"Why are you here? We weren't bothering anyone. I brought my babies here to have a better home, a safer home, than in the sewers. And here you assholes come disturbing our blissful peace," she accused, her lips peeling back to reveal her oversized front teeth.

"Well, I don't have to ask if you're the Rat Devil," Yoshida stated, his lips dropping on one side to form a crooked smirk.

The woman screamed in fury, stamping her feet and stirring up dust. She flung her hands forward and the rat man surged forward to grab Yoshida who effortlessly hopped backwards to get out of the way.

"There is no way in hell I'm letting that touch me," he said, dodging a squirming fist by leaning to the side.

The creature was big and repulsive but slow and lumbering with awkward, imprecise movements.

Akoku punched the back of the creature, skewering some of the rats with his brass knuckles. Pulling his fist back, he sent the shrieking, dying rats flying in all directions before throwing another punch into the mass. The dead or mortally wounded rats remained on the floor but the ones who could still move ran back to reform the singular creature.

Higashiyama attacked next to aid his friend and fellow club member. However, the rats avoided the blade he stabbed at them by separating and forming holes for it pass through leaving them unharmed. They had learned to avoid the weapons aimed at them and were doing the same to Akoku's fists. Rats ran from the feet of the hideous writhing, furry monster to cover their feet and calves, biting them dozens of times and making them scream in pain and repulsion. They kicked and slapped at their legs to rid themselves of the vicious rats while the large combined creature turned his attention to Denji.

"Tch, this is a pointless waste of time. He's not here," Denji muttered irritably. "I'm ending this. I'm ready to go home."

Denji reached inside his shirt for the pull string. Yoshida grabbed his arm to stop him before he pulled.

"Don't bother. You didn't come here for a fight. I'll take care of this. Your girlfriend gave me an idea for something I want to try out." Centering himself in front of the 'rat man' and the woman shielding herself with it, said a single word. "Ink."

A black amorphous cloud surrounded the creature. Confused and afraid, the rats started to shriek at the top of their little lungs and disperse to escape the blinding ink cloud surrounding them. Four tentacles shot through the black screen seizing the woman by all four limbs. A fifth appeared twisting around her neck. All five worked in tandem to lift her off the floor. After jerking her neck to break it, the woman's limbs were torn off with a nausea inducing crack of bone followed by an equally gut wrenching rip of flesh. The tentacles immediately released the viciously severed limbs to drop with a squelch into the blood surrounding her torso.

No longer controlled by the Devil, the creature melted away into a stampede of individual rats that scampered away to hide.

Akoku and Higashiyama, both spattered with blood and their pants from below their knees ripped to shreds, stood panting for air standing on either side of the disgusting bloody mess between them.

"Oh, God," Higashiyama moaned, staggering a few steps forward to drop onto his knees behind a stack of crates to empty his stomach to make the dirty floor dirtier.

"I'm not even going to ask how Mari gave you the idea for something so damn cruel and gross. I'm off," Denji announced, pivoting on his heel to head for the door.

"What the hell? Are you serious right now?!" Akoku bellowed as Denji walked away. "What the hell did you come for? You were totally useless."

"I came here today in search of something. And that most definitely was not it. Later!" Denji raised a hand in farewell as he moved through the doors.

Dammit! What a complete waste of my time, he seethed. I hope Mari's day was better and less disappointing than mine.

~\'/~

Mari's day had it's ups and downs. On the upside, the tutoring gig also came with a part time paying job in the cafeteria. The downside came in that there were no apartments or even a duplex available in their price range for the number of people they would need it for and the amenities they required. She feared it might be impossible to check every box on their list. The agent assured her there was the perfect home out there somewhere and new listings came in every day. She had no doubt their dream home was out there somewhere; the major obstacle would be the price. She left her phone number for him to call her just in case a miracle happened.

Mari and Nayuta stood at the corner waiting to cross the street. The dogs sat at their feet panting after their romp in the park. The dogs completely surrounded them like a furry protective wall while patiently waiting for the light to change.

Mari could feel the tension in Cream Puff's body before she stood up. Her tail was stiff, the hairs along her back standing up. Then her tail started to slowly wag before she gave a low chuff. Her ancestry as a hunting dog showed in the way the alert dog's snout pointed across the street and her eyes were latched onto the person who had gained her attention.

Denji and Yoshida were walking toward the apartment building. Yoshida was splattered with blood, his jacket flung over his shoulder. Denji followed along behind, his head hanging down.

"Damn," Mari muttered with the disappointment Denji was obviously feeling.

"They didn't find him," Nayuta said, speaking Mari's own thoughts out loud. "Big Bro looks so disappointed. He'll be so sad won't he?"

"That means we will have to cheer him up."

"I don't know if we can."

"I don't either," Mari sighed in agreement.

Nayuta raised her nose into the air like one of the dog's who were sniffing after picking up the scent of the blood on Yoshida. Her nose wrinkled, and her face collapsed into an expression of disgust.

"Ew, that stinks," she said in a nasally voice due to holding her nose.

"Well, they obviously found something they didn't want to find. Let's go," Mari said when the melody from the crossing light began to play.

The two men were already in the building and up the stairs when they trotted across the street. Mari assisted Nayuta with getting the dogs into their apartment and unleashing them. Denji and Yoshida must be in her apartment. She grabbed one of Denji's sweatshirts out of his drawers for Yoshida.

"I'll come over to help with dinner as soon as I get the dogs settled," Nayuta told Mari before she could say anything.

Mari entered the apartment to see Denji sitting on the couch, his head hanging forward dejectedly. Yoshida appeared at the end of the short entrance hall so close to her it made her jump. He was drying his face and hair with one of her white towels.

"No luck huh?" she asked, expecting to be berated for stating the obvious.

He surprised her by only shaking his head. The water that had dripped from his face while washing it had made the blood spots on his t-shirt run and expand like some kind of morbid tie dye design.

"Here. I brought this for you." She extended the sweatshirt to him.

"Thanks." He took the black sweatshirt and returned to the bathroom.

Mari went to Denji, sitting beside him. She picked up one of his hands laying limply on his thighs holding it between hers.

"You'll find him soon. And when you do, you'll make a friend out of him again," she added, placing her other hand on his chin to lift up his head and turn it so he would face her. He looked so sad it made her want to cry. "Hey, you just found out about him being back. Give yourself some time. He's probably looking for you too you know."

"No. Probably not," he murmured, his fingers tightening around her hand. "He won't remember me. I've got to make him remember."

"I know." She reached out to stroke his head, petting him in the way he liked it to comfort him. "What do you feel like eating for dinner? I can make ramen or spaghetti."

"I don't know." He pulled his hand out of hers, running his fingers through his hair which pushed away her hand. He lay his head back on the couch to stare at the ceiling. "I don't care. Cook whatever you want. I'm not really hungry anyway."

"Oh, o-okay," she stammered, feeling the sting of rejection along with a little bit of shock. She knew he was upset but she never expected to be pushed away, blatantly dismissed.

Standing up, Mari went to the kitchen. For a minute, she stood at the sink, staring into it. When Yoshida exited the bathroom, she turned on the water to wash her hands.

"Are you staying for dinner?" she asked when he took a seat on one of the stools.

"Is it okay if I do?" he asked, startlingly polite.

"Of course." She turned to pick up the big pot to begin filling it with water.

"I'm going to help him find the Blood Devil," Yoshida declared for reasons she could not fathom.

Why did he think she cared if he helped or not? Maybe somewhere along the way Denji had become more than an assignment to him and had become a close friend.

"Thank you," she said wanting to break the expectant silence. She could tell he wanted her to say something, but she had no idea how to respond other than to express gratitude.

"Mari, I - "

Whatever he was going to say next was cut off by the door chiming when Nayuta entered. There was also a loud meow as Meowy announced his presence. The cat padded around the corner into the kitchen to greet Mari by pushing against her legs. When she did not immediately bend down to pet him, he pawed her calf and meowed again requesting an acknowledgement of his presence. Preferably with pets.

Since it would take a bit to fill the huge cooking pot with enough water to boil the pasta, Mari bent down to pet the demanding kitty. She chuckled lightly when he closed his eyes and pushed his head into her hand after she stroked him a few times.

"Sweet kitty," she murmured, running her hand down his back.

"Meow," he agreed, opening his eyes and sashaying away.

"What are we having?" Nayuta asked, removing her white flowered apron from its hook beside Mari's pink one.

"Spaghetti and meatballs. Want to make the meatballs?" Mari asked, assisting Nayuta by tying the apron strings around her waist in a bow.

"Sure. With ground pork and beef?" Nayuta verified, opening the refrigerator door.

"Yep. That's how my mama made 'em."

"Do you miss your mama?"

Mari stared into the pot as she took it to the stove. She had to ask herself how she felt about her mother. It had been a while since any thoughts of either of her parents had crossed her mind.

She recalled how her mother used to combine the meat with her bare hands, squishing it between her fingers. It was Mari's job to put in the egg, the bread crumbs, and the herbs. Her mother would continue to combine the ingredients, kneading them through her fingers while they talked about Mari's day at school, a cookie recipe she wanted to try, the crazy names of nail polish colors, or any of a dozen meaningless things. Everyone one of those seemingly pointless conversations were so important in memory. There was an ache in her chest, a hollowness, caused by the memory. But there was also a warmth that kept it from hurting too much.

"I miss my mama very much," she admitted. "Do you miss yours?"

"I can't remember her. I can't remember much of anything about my life before..." She paused, glimpsing up at Mari. "Do you think Denji was friends with the Blood Devil himself who was inside that woman's body?"

"I do. I think that Devil was his friend all along. He seems to have this special effect on some Devils. Pochita loved him after all. Loved him enough to give his life for him. Then you came along. You're more special than you can imagine."

A blush tinted Nayuta's cheeks but she pretended not to hear the compliment as she continued squeezing the ground meat to mix them together. Mari cracked the egg into the bowl, and she kept mixing despite the extra sliminess.

"Do we frighten you, Mari? What we are?" Nayuta added, her big eyes blinking while waiting for an answer.

Mari smiled down at her, running her hand over the girls smooth black hair. She shook her head.

"I love you. You're a very important member of my new family. You know that right?"

Without saying a word, Nayuta slid her arms around Mari's waist and squeezed, all the while making sure to hold her hands away from the woman's body since they were covered in raw meat and egg.

Mari inhaled sharply because the girl prevented her from taking a full breath her hug was so powerful. She put her arms around the child's shoulders to return the embrace - but not quite so forcefully.

Mari glanced at Yoshida who was watching them. He appeared intrigued, fascinated, as if he were watching some sort of documentary unfold right before his eyes. Just as quickly as Nayuta had hugged her, she let go and returned to her task of making the meatballs by adding the basil and oregano leaves Mari had chopped up.

With a furtive glimpse at Yoshida whose eyes followed her, Mari turned to open the fridge to get the chilled tea. Pouring a glass for their guest and Denji, she slid them across the counter to him which finally drew his seemingly depthless eyes away from her. Without having to say a word, he picked up the glasses and stood up to take one to his friend still sitting on the couch.

So he can be obedient too, she thought which brought a malicious little smile to her lips. She wouldn't dare say that to him out loud. He would bear the statement in silence, perhaps with a smirk even. But then he would probably take out his annoyed offense on her during their next training session.

At dinner, Mari and Nayuta sat at the counter while Yoshida and Denji sat at the low table behind them. The two men were silent while they ate but the women chatted about the upcoming slumber party and tea party scheduled for the following day. Mari believed she was more excited anticipating the events than Nayuta. But that was okay. At least the child was beginning to openly express more and more honest emotions.

Around ten o'clock, they finally bid good bye to their guest. Nayuta went to their apartment to take a bath and sleep with her canine companions. Meowy and Denji stayed with Mari.

"Can we take a shower? Together?" he asked, pulling her into his arms.

"Yeah." She embraced him as tightly as she possibly could, her arms under his and around his torso.

Meowy weaved in and out between their legs as they stood there hugging. When they did not bend down to share the love with him, he decided to move and go to the couch where he hopped up to find that perfect spot to sleep.

Mari took Denji by the hand, leading him to the bathroom. She unbuttoned his shirt, her eyes flickering from his face to her fingers. Her palms glided across his chest and under his shirt to push it over his shoulders and down his arms to fall to the floor. When her hands went to his belt, his hands went to her face to cup it.

"I heard what you said to Nayuta."

Her fingers stopped moving before they unbuttoned his uniform pants. Her eyes met his which were centered on her face.

"We are a family. Aren't we?" he asked.

"We are," she confirmed, pushing her lips upward in an attempt to smile at him.

"You're not afraid of us?"

Although she knew he head heard the answer earlier, she shook her head, placing her hands over his to keep them against her jaw and cheeks. Her eyes slowly closed when he leaned forward to kiss her forehead.

"I promise to take care of you. To protect you. You're going to be my wife after all. Even Yoshida knows that," he said, smiling down at her.

Mari giggled self-consciously. Her belly fluttered uncertainly. She was not sure what to say, then she remembered she had something to tell him.

"Oh, I have good news. I will actually have a part time paying job at Nayuta's school," she informed him proudly, patting his bare chest on either side of the pull string.

"Oh, yeah? Doing what?" He unzipped his pants and let them drop around his ankles.

"I will be working in the cafeteria between study halls. They needed someone and since I'll be there anyway with nothing to do for a few hours, it just made sense."

"So you're going to be a lunch lady? Gonna wear the hair net and everything?" he teased her, sliding his hand over her fluffy, curly head.

"Yes, I'll be wearing the hair net," she sighed. "It's regulations after all. Food safety you know."

"You'll still be the sexiest lunch lady I've ever seen." He kissed her reddened cheek.

Mari pushed up on her tiptoes to kiss him back on the lips. When his arms went around her, pulling her close, she pressed her lips harder to his. She could feel his hands between her breasts undoing the pearl buttons on her shirt. Reaching behind her, she unzipped her skirt to remove it.

Once they were naked, they stood looking at each other, gazing into each other's eyes. There was hope in his eyes along with the sadness and disappointment. The happiness that shone through was amplified by the hope of a better life for all of them.

She liked seeing him happy because he deserved it. He made her happy. Beyond happy. Joy. He made her feel pure joy. She never expected to have so much love and a whole new family when this unique man came into her life.

Denji picked her up, placing her on the edge of the sink. With his arms around her waist and her legs secured around his hips, he pushed into her. Her mouth dropped open and she emitted a little moan then a sigh. Her eyes never moved away from his which made the experience feel as if they were truly becoming one.

"Are you mine?" he asked her in a whisper, his fingers pressing into her skin as he pulled his hips back.

"Yes. Forever and always," she added, her fingertips touching his cheeks.

Denji made love to her, slowly and tenderly while maintaining eye contact to strengthen their emotional bond along with their physical connection. It was like nothing he had ever experienced before. He had always thought sex was nothing but a physical act, something that felt really good for a moment then was over and done until the next time. But with her he learned the connection could last, remaining even when they were apart. Sex only made it stronger.

"Denji," she gasped, leaning forward to press her forehead against his collarbone while his hips moved faster.

"No, no, no, no," he murmured, pulling her back by the shoulders. He held her face between his hands, tilting it upward. "Open your eyes. Look at me."

Mari opened her eyes to his see brown irises drilling into her blue ones as if he wanted to pierce her soul and become a permanent part of her. She opened her mouth, moaning his name.

"Oh, that's it," he murmured, brushing his thumbs across her cheeks as he bounced her up and down with each of his movements inside of her.

Mari struggled to keep her eyes open as he wanted. Her half open eyes kept him in focus, concentrating on the man who was making love to her, sharing his heart and his life with her. She caught her her bottom lip between her teeth, suppressing her cry of pleasure into a extended groan rolling from her chest up her throat.

"Open your mouth. Let me know how it feels," he murmured, leaning forward to hold her a little closer. Her breasts slid up and down his chest, drawing that suppressed cry from her.

"Mmmm, my God, Denji!" she exclaimed, arching her back to push her hips forward.

"You know how ironic that is right?"

The irony had not been lost on her that she was shouting out the name of God while a half Devil hybrid was making love to her. But he made it feel it so damn good it could be described as nothing less than a heavenly experience. At the same time, him pointing it out was a little bit of a mood killer.

"Shut up and fuck me. Now is not the time to be all smart and shit," she remarked, grasping his shoulders.

"Oooh, so dirty," he teased her, kissing her lips briefly. "I think I like it."

As if to prove his excitement, his hips sped up, going faster and harder. Her fingernails sank into the thick muscles on the rounded part of the top of his arms. She came first, leaving her a writhing, shaking, moaning mass in his arms. Her spasming muscles included those on the inside, squeezing him and pulling him along with her to that physical paradise.

"Oh, my God," he panted, leaning forward and pressing his forehead to mirror behind her while she clung to him.

Mari giggled but did not say a word. She did not want to ruin the lovely atmosphere brought on by their glorious lovemaking, the tranquility that wrapped around them like a warm, comforting blanket.

Denji easily lifted her, taking her to the shower. Turning his own back to the water, he gritted his teeth to bear the icy blast while shielding her to only endure the occasional sprinkle of cold water bouncing off his shoulders.

"Why did you do that?" she asked rubbing his chest and arms while his entire body trembled. "You should have waited for the water to warm up."

"It's okay. I'll be warm as long as you're near me."

"You are almost too much sometimes," she giggled, reaching behind him to grab the liquid soap.

Since they forgot a washcloth, she squeezed it into her hand which she used to rub it into a lather over the bumpy "chicken skin" on his chest. As she continued to massage the soap over his skin, the now hot water made the chill bumps disappear. Once he returned the favor of soaping her up which included giving her an impromptu and enjoyable shoulder massage, they dried off and went to her bedroom.

Not bothering with clothes, they curled up in bed together. Denji was the big spoon to her little spoon, cuddling her close with an arm around her waist and the other under her head and neck as a pillow.

"I love you, Mari," Denji said, kissing the back of her neck.

"I love you too, Denji," she returned, holding his forearm laying across her belly with both of her hands.

"I mean, I really, really love you. I've thought I've loved women before but it was never like this. It's weird," he murmured, pressing his nose into her hair, the curls tickling his cheeks. "And a little bit scary."

"Yeah. Love is like that. Maybe that's why they refer to it as falling when you first start developing feelings for someone. It's surprising. Unexpected." She snorted lightly from an suppressing a sarcastic chuckle. "Often an accident. And almost always frightening."

"Why do so many people do it?" he asked, quite seriously.

"Because on rare, beautiful occasions, they find something like we have." She brought his hand to her mouth to kiss the back of it. "It's wonderful, isn't it?"

"It is," he agreed wholeheartedly.

"Good night, my future husband."

Denji could not stop the amused chuckle from bubbling up and out of his mouth. He snuggled closer to her, nuzzling his face into her hair.

"Good night, my future wife."