Before reading this story, it is necessary to read the first three chapters of Lost and Found, at least up until the point that Henri takes (infant) Iruma from Kalego.

This is a diverging take of events from that point onwards.

TW: Magical contracts, minimal blood.

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Henri moved with purpose as he made his way towards the location of the portal to the Human World. The small bundle in his arms was barely even sixty six minutes old, and yet, already torn from the warmth of the security those around their birth parent had prepared for them.

He flapped his wings, ignoring the growing tightness in his throat as he made his descent towards the offending break within their Borders.

He made short eye contact with one of his subordinates and stepped through.

The Human Realm was a desolate place for Mana-heavy individuals such as Demon-kind. Even with his own large pools to pull from, it felt as though the moisture had been sucked out of his skin and was cloying down his throat in one maddening instant.

Two blue-haired individuals stood on the other side of the portal with shadowed faces, with only their smirking teeth gleaming out of their indistinguishable faces.

"(Ah, so it's already been born? How nifty! What should we call it, hun?)"

Their Greed coiled like a rotting stench to Henri's nostrils, making him internally recoil at how disgusting it tasted in the back of his throat. (Merize never smelled like that- only the blooms around her, and-)

"(Hmm… how about.. Iruma!)"

The woman pouted at her mate, as Henri reminded himself to activate Translation so that they could communicate.

"Iruma? But isn't that a little-" The woman paused as she looked up at the imposing figure before her without a single ounce of fear or respect. "Ah. Well, give it here, we'll make sure to use this little abomination for all of its worth-"

Henri stepped back from reaching hands. The woman was not the child's parent, and Henri's stomach coiled in revulsion at the thought of her touch. "What do you want for him?"

The two paused before tilting their heads as the man spoke. "Want? Well, we just want to never have to work! That's what that thing was born to do- work so we won't ever have to!"

Henri gave Kalego a great deal more credit in that moment for his control. The Head of Border Patrol was well trained, yes, but these two before him could hardly even be considered human. They were as deplorable as those who had Returned to Origins.

Henri lifted his head slightly, "Riches to live a slovenly life, that's what you want?"

The two nodded in growing agitation.

Henri snorted silently through his nose. How pathetic. For all of the pain they'd brought to others, and it was just a pathetic get rich fast scheme. Henri flicked a finger and Magicked into existence a simple laid out contract for the purchase of.. What name had they declared? Ah yes. Iruma's Soul.

He was aware of some of what their initial contract laid out- so he knew what was truly being traded between the two Realms. Besides, it would be foolish to leave a half-demon in the Human Realm when he would most likely become a loose canon from a Wicked Phase. It just wouldn't do to leave him here.

The Humans brightened while he mused, before easily pricking their fingers and signing the contract with manic glee as they giggled between one another. "This was so simple!" "We should do this a few more times- see if we can get anymore Demons to buy our children-!"

Henri pulled back the completed Contract, placed his own signature, and flicked it out of existence. He snapped, Casting three simple Spells upon them: Monetization, Memory Erasure, and Infertility.

He then returned through the Portal as they celebrated between themselves, and swiftly directed a few of his agents to track down any Magical Artifacts the two Humans may have been in contact with to ensure that they could never attempt another Summoning.

Henri ignored the stares from his subordinates, aimed at the infant still tucked within his arms.

"Sir." He acknowledged the one who had spoken while on the phone. "The Superior would like to have an immediate meeting."

Henri's stomach dropped, but he nodded and didn't give away his fear.

He would stomach the result of his actions, just as he had the year before.

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The Superior's office was dark, with only a bright light to illuminate where he would stand trial before him, as sole judge and executioner. Henri couldn't help the trepidation that crawled up his throat as he stared ahead into the depth of shadow, while the source of his current predicament slept soundly in his arms.

"Could you truly not help yourself, Azazel Henri?"

He'd never seen the demon's face, but if there was anyone who had ever been second in line as the Demon King, Henri is sure that this particular individual would have taken that seat, even above the Three Greats, if he'd had such an Ambition.

Henri swallowed thickly, "The whelp, while half-human, is still half-demon. His demonic heritage is a threat to our Borders."

"As is his Humanity."

Henri breathed in slow and deep through his nose, "I will take responsibility for his heritage."

"As is to be expected with such a Contract."

Henri closed his eyes and bowed, "The Human's Memories were erased. The child shall be fostered under my care from now on."

"And the mother? What are we to do with them?"

Henri was silent for a long moment, "When they are capable, I shall return the whelp into their care."

A sense of angry pressure pressed against him, "And if they succumb to their Curses?"

Henri opened his eyes and raised them to where he thought his Superior's were. "Then I shall raise him into a proper demon as my proclaimed son."

The pressure intensified, and Magic crept and crawled throughout his Pathways. He stood still despite the desire to recoil and squirm away from the invasive Magic. "So it shall be. Dismissed, Azazel Henri."

Henri bowed stiffy, and stepped out of the dark meeting room of the highest position within Border Patrol.

He swallowed down bile, and stared into ice blue eyes that watched him curiously.

Henri took in a deep breath, "Let's go home… Iruma."

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It was fortunate that Henri already had supplies and protective measures in place for his daughter, Ameri. Baby-proofing a home took a great deal of work (as he'd learned the hard way), and not having to think about all of the immediate supplies he would need was a relieving plus. All he had to do was buy appropriately sized diapers, and a new container of formula and bottle for the newborn halfling.

He would worry about clothing and other amenities later- Ameri's hand-me-downs would do fine for now.

The babe scrunched his nose and shifted, before sniffling. He made little noise, which alarmed Henri, but he knew it was well past time for the child to feed since his birth.

Henri landed in the yard of his estate with his groceries in-hand, and hastened to the kitchen to prepare a bottle of formula.

The infant's Mana flailed weakly, crying out in ways he seemingly refused to with his voice, and Henri's Mana easily went to grasp it in parental familiarity.

The child wailed, as emotions flickered between them that could only be translated as fearstrangerno.

Henri paused in his step before setting his groceries on the counter. He stared down at the child, and took that moment to recall the fact that unlike with Ameri, he and the child shared no blood between one another, let alone the fact he was also a stranger to their parents.

Henri took in a deep tired breath as he stared ahead of himself listlessly.

He had purchased this child, and declared he would foster him.

Henri grit his teeth with a deep frown as he stayed still for a long moment, before exhaling and moving to lean against the kitchen counter.

He looked down at the sniffling bundle, as quiet tears slid down his purple-red face.

Henri summoned up his Will and his Magic, activated his Bloodline, and pushed himself to stand tall before pricking his finger on a fang. "As I have agreed, so shall I promise to raise you as my own, until that day comes that you shall be returned to your Kin."

He pressed his finger into the infant's mouth, and the toothless thing lapped at it in confusion before squinting his still developing eyes at the one holding him.

Henri pulled away his finger and rubbed it, sealing the small nick with a thoughtless healing spell.

He observed the child- no, Iruma, and slowly the infant calmed down enough for Henri to attempt feeding him Mana once more.

CareProtectNoFear

Iruma sniffled again before latching onto his Magic, allowing his strength and foreign presence past his weak Guard.

Henri felt relief in that moment as he connected to the one he would Foster as long as was needed of him.

He conjured a bassinet, somehow still too-big for Iruma's more dainty size, and made about preparing his first proper meal.

Henri just barely caught Ameri peeking around the corner with a curious gaze.

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If there had been one immediate fear Henri had conjured for himself, it was whether or not Ameri would accept Iruma's presence into their lives and home without becoming exceedingly jealous. There was a natural order to these kinds of life events, but Henri had simply… shown up with an unrelated baby.

Thankfully, Ameri took to him as if he were a fragile new toy. No matter how much extra time (or Mana) Henri had to give for his care, Ameri simply cuddled up next to him and watched with wide eyes.

Soon enough, as Henri made sure to adjust his hired help for Ameri and Iruma's care, while days turned into weeks, the half-human-demon child flourished.

Ice blue eyes cleared into Egyptian blue, while similarly blue hair sprouted on his head.

Henri had been startled by the scars on Iruma's back at first, but was quick to recall that Narnia had similar scars, and frowned in silent contemplation at its presence. He shrugged it off, ensured his hired help was aware of it so they wouldn't worry (because it seemed to cause Iruma no discomfort), and moved on.

Weeks turned into months, as he dressed the boy in Ameri's old clothes, before one day it struck him that he should probably purchase some new garments for the boy.

Iruma was not a temporary presence.

He could, quite possibly, be a permanent family member, and it was about time Henri acknowledged it.

He went to the store, and miserably, Merize's phantom distracted him with each item he touched.

It was why he left it to the nanny to shop.

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In one moment, they had felt their Bond with Kalego fall away along with their blood, and the next, they were breathless in the night with crushing grief.

Opera's eyes snapped open in the dark as they took in a sharp breath. Their eyes dizzyingly took in the room they were confined in, while noting the various Healing Magics and medical supplies that surrounded them. They had no idea where they were.

Their chest ached, and they could just barely focus on the calendar hanging on an opposing wall.

The air left their lungs as terror and rage filled them, while their eyes burned.

Somehow, seven months had passed since the day they'd given birth! Where was their child?!

WhereWhereWhere was their baby!?

Blood choked them as they screamed and howled, while thrashing in their bed-

And then, there was Nothing.

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A/N: I hope you enjoy the beginning of this new little tale, and look forward to the departing twists and turns it'll bring.

Please leave a review, I'd really appreciate it!