Daily Life of Monster Girls in Alabama

by GoatManofAnime

It's time for a MonMusu fanfiction that takes place in sweet home Alabama, nuff said.

83. Azure Heart

Chapter 77: Azure Heart

While that was going one, Caleb and the others finally arrived at the building where Tristan's family lived. It was a large two-story building just like the others in the facility save for large claw marks all over the walls of the building which Tristan explained is how they mark territory where they live. Each mark is from an individual hellhound so the more claw marks, the more Hellhounds in that territory, the more power they have.

"Welp, here we are chommies!", Tristan proudly stated.

"Whew, is it me or is it kinda hot around here?", Sharon expressed, fanning herself with her tongue out like a dog looking as though she could faint from the heat.

"And why does the ground around your home look like a miniature wasteland?", Drei points out seeing the crack dry ground around the property radiating heat.

"Heh, yeah we do prefer it a little more on the warmer side. So much that our bodies produce a lot of heat, especially during workouts, so naturally they had to reconstruct this building to dissipate it all using these tube things that connect to the ground.I don't fully understand it but at least it makes this feel like back home. Don't worry it's way cooler inside.", He explained as Caleb looks intrigued by pipes attached parallel to the building.

"Capillary action…", Caleb spoke, getting their attention, "The same principle in which fluid is dispersed like that of a root system, they also applied to building using what I'm guessing at aluminum steel piping running in parallel to dissipate heat while saving cost on cooling. Given the size of the building they'd had to compensate for thermal expansion somehow which is where ground comes in as a reservoir. Nice.", Caleb nods, impressed at the engineering involved.

Tristan and the others look at him stunned as he quickly realizes what he was doing.

"S-Sorry! Got a little too much in my head ther—"

"Wow, you're really smart aren't you?! I can see why you were tutoring these two now.", Tristan stated in amazement.

"Hey! I mean, you're not wrong but still HEY!", Sylvia stated.

"If we're done with the engineering lesson, I'd like to eat now.", Drei says, urging the others as Caleb gives her a dubious stare.

"Ha! You're right."

The continued up to the building entrance that had large red with a black paw print belonging to Amara. The door itself was twice as tall and wide as a normal door and weighted with solid steel plates, likely to compensate for the matriarch's size and strength. A normal person wouldn't even be able to open it and inch. Tristan grabs the handle, pushing the door open with relative ease.

Caleb walks inside, expecting to see a receptionist area where a landlord would be only to be greeted by a massive luxurious living room with burgundy colored walls, dark grayish-silver tiled floors, black and red diamond pattern Ralph Lauren area rug to compliment the large red oak circular coffee table, and a huge velvet red couch with a matching pillows and recliner chair. There was even a 70 inch smart TV hanging on the wall above an entertainment center for everyone to see. The furniture were noticeably bigger and sturdier looking than, even the end tables and lamps were made from high durable, fire retardant material to account for the resident's great strength. There was a huge crystal chandelier hanging above with a mural on the ceiling depicting an black and red visage of the guard dog of the underworld, Cerberus. In fact, there were numerous occultic folklore decorations, paintings, a large cape buffalo head with demonic red eyes mounted on the wall, and miniature demonic dog-like figures and masks placed in the room. There were two large glass China cabinets with, instead of plates, displayed weapons, teeth, claws, bones, armor, and other trophies of battle from fallen enemies in their homeland. A curving black staircase with red guard rails could be seen off to the side lined with several photos of the hellhound family on the wall.

Caleb and the others look around absolutely stunned. It was like they stepped inside a rich goth's wet dream.

"Un…holy…Discord…", Sharon utters in disbelief, taking in the surroundings.

'This is a…REALLY nice lobby.', Caleb half-jokingly thought with a strained smile.

"Yo! Auntie!? I brought our guests over!" Tristan called out to his aunt, catching them off guard.

"Boy, what do you mean GUEST?!", Amara's thunderous voice called out from the other room, startling Caleb, as her large footsteps could be heard approaching them. A door flies from the far end of the room before the large hellhound steps through, "It better not be another Pyrow girl like that one Pyrow you had over here last week who gave me fashion advice! I swear if so I will–"

Amara stops in the middle of her tirade upon seeing Caleb and the others. The young black man and company were more surprised to see the eight foot hellhound wearing a large pink cute apron with the words 'Love muffin' in black letter and noticeable blood stains here and there that oddly accentuates her curvaceous and massive breasts. Her previously angry expression immediately morphs into a warm, welcoming grin upon seeing the human man.

"Oh, it's you! Hey there sweetie!", Amara spoke in a sweet voice, completely contrasting her previous attitude, giving Sylvia and Sharon emotional whiplash.

For Caleb, Drei, and Tristan, however, this was just familiar territory. They were completely used to this type of motherly duality.

"Tristan! Why didn't you tell me my daughter's little savior was coming over?!", Amara demanded, sounding upset.

"Sorry, auntie, I ran into him in the courtyard and thought I'd bring him over.", Tristan shrugged, half-lying.

"Yeah, is…this a bad time? If so, we can just…" Caleb asked, starting to back away, not wanting to upset the large hellhound. Drei, however, stood behind him with a dark shadow and menacing green eyes displeased at the idea of turning away free food.

"No, no! It's no trouble at all, least of all for you! I'm just working on the food while a few of my daughters are picking up some drinks and other stuff from I.A. security office since they need to check EVERYTHING that comes in to make sure it is safe." Amara explained, rolling her eyes in slight annoyance at the facility's tedious procedures.

Caleb's eyes lit up again remembering why he was here, "Oh, well in that case…I'll try to be a good guest.", he says with a small sheepish grin as Amara smiles warmly.

"Hey, so, is this…REALLY your unit's living room?!", Sylvia's inquires, taking a step on the stairs, admiring the well-crafted rail.

"Your rent must be crazy! Right?! Still, I wish my living room was this nice!", Sharon added, feeling her hands on the smooth velvet couch.

"Unit? Rent?", Amara repeated, raising an eyebrow at their questions, "We own this building, sugar.", she answered casually, prompting incredulous looks from Caleb and the girls.

"WHAT?!", they blurted out, save for Drei, who was still surprised nonetheless.

"W-W-When you say THIS building…", Sylvia stammered in disbelief

"As in, the entire building is our house while we're here at I.A.", Tristan answered her as they still looked at him flabbergasted.

"N-No way…", Sharon uttered.

"Hehe, don't believe me? Tristan, give our guests a little tour of the place while I finish up in here.", Amara snarklily suggested before turning and going back to the kitchen.

"Welp, you heard the woman, chommies. Imma give y'all the deluxe Tristan tour, or 'Tristour' for short! Let's go!", Tristan stated, gesturing for them to follow.

"Wait, aren't we gonna take the stairs?", Sharon asks.

"Why? Elevator's right here.", Tristan replies, pressing a button on the wall prompting large elevator doors to open up as their jaws drop.

"Heh…of course…", Caleb mutters, shaking his head.

Not content to stand in the extravagant living room like slack-jawed simpletons, the group followed the male hellhound into the large elevator that probably fit TWO entire horses inside.

Unbeknownst to them, two emerged from hiding atop the staircase. It was the hellhound twins, Jenema and Kehema, that had been eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Here I thought Mom was just gonna yell at him again for bringing another slut home. This is wayyy better.", Jenema says with an amused smirk.

"How's about we let the others know a special guest is here for dinner? Hopefully he'll stay for dessert too.", Kehema suggested, licking her lips, as the human's delicious scent was still in her nose.

"You read my mind,sister."

…Witches village…

In the center of the village, many witches were gathered together awaiting an announcement from Venus. There was a small, circular wooden stage about three feet high, used by coven leaders for addressing large crowds. Both Scarlett and Hana could be seen, standing off to the side as the head witch readied her speech.

"I wonder what lady Venus is gonna tell us?", one of the witches muttered.

"Do you think she found where Moon was?"

"Hopefully she is ok…" one witch, asked.

"What's up with those devils anyway?", another berated.

"I don't know but the tall redhead one is afront to our teachings. I hope she leaves soon.", one witch scornfully spoke, looking Scarlett body up and down.

"I think that other one is nice. Did you see what she was wearing? It's so cute.' Mars said, earning skeptical looks from a couple witches.

"Attention!", Venus stated loudly.

All the witches quickly go dead silent, a few shushing each other as they listen to their elder.

"Glory be to Discord."

"By its will we obey", all the witches spoke in unison, their voices echoed the surroundings.

"Glory to the baphomet."

"Her wisdom and kindness guides us.", All the witches spoke in heartfelt unison as Scarlett and Hana look around at their stalwart obedience.

"Glory to the coven"

"Our sisters and brothers with love overflowing."

"Is this a coven or cult?", Scarlett whispers skeptically to Hana who immediately shushes her trying to listen.

"My coven sisters, so much has happened to us these past weeks and I am sure we're still trying to comprehend it all. The more recent incident with the Hellhounds is all but yet another test our coven shall overcome. However, that doesn't mean we need to do so alone. I imagine many of you are wondering who our guests here are?", Venus spoke, gesturing to Scarlett and Hana prompting the latter to happily wave, "They are a part of a group called the 'Chao Faction. A gathering of those born from the primordial Chaos and carry its essence to come together as equals and work to make it in this ever-changing world. Our coven has been asked to join such a gathering for the betterment of our coven." Venus expressed sincerely as the witches, whispering to each other, many unsure of the proposal.

"L-Lady Venus? Is this…truly a good idea?", a lavender haired witch cautiously asks.

"Yeah! What does Madame Fantina have to say about all this?!", Callista stated in clear opposition.

'Madame Fantina?' Scarlett thought, glancing over to Hana, who also wondereds who this madame is.

"Yeah, I'm not agreeing to go to any meeting with them if Madame Fantina didn't say we should!", another witch stated.

"Yeah! Besides, since when did devils EVER consider us equals. All they've done is cast out ancestors like garbage, leave them to rot, while threatening our brothers! They are no better than the Angels!"

"I can understand your concerns and fears but I can see that this young devil, Scarlett, is earnest about her conviction to help ALL Chaos-Born thrive. As for our Madame, remember, she did everything she could to give US all the best lives she could. Ignoring this opportunity because of past prejudice would be a heinous disrespect towards HER efforts. We owe it to Madame Fantina to show that her sacrifices are meaningful.", Venus emphatically spoke, her voice carrying a bit more weight considering the stress the baphomet was always under.

The witches murmur to each other, many still unsure about any of this, while some look to be considering a proposal. Scarlett and Hana look around, seeing the dubious looks and starting to doubt this would end well.

"U-um, Lady Venus?", Mars asks, raising her hand among the crowd of witches and getting everyone's attention, "I…I trust in your judgment and I actually would like to at least experience this 'Chaos-Faction'...

but I, and I'm sure my fellow sisters want to make sure we won't have to abandon our coven's values to join this faction.", Mars spoke, earning mixed reactions as Scarlett appeared taken aback a little.

"You won't.", Scarlett said, getting their attention, "The point of our group is the acceptance of every Chaos-Born, regardless of culture, creed, or affiliation. You're free to carry out your belief without the fear of anyone imposing theirs onto you and respecting your culture. I trust you'll do the same for the others."

"O-Of course!", Mars stated with an assured nod as several other witches looked at each other more intrigued at the idea.

"There you have it. So instead of letting this opportunity pass by, I suggest we seize it and grow the strength of our coven.", Venus vehemently spoke.

"Absurd! You think we really trust anything they say?! For all we know, this is some kind of trap to…to…well, I don't know but it CAN'T be good! Don't be taken in by their lies Lady Venus!", Callista fiercely stated as a few others voiced their agreement.

"I understand, my dear sisters. However, you need not worry. My ability to discern the truth at a mere glance has not wavered in the last couple centuries."

'C-Centuries?!', Scarlett and Hana thought with shocked and disbelief on their faces, 'How OLD is she?!'

"That being said…even if some of them DO have malicious intent towards a single one of my children. They WILL answer to me.", Venus spoke with an assured smile and a hint of venom as an intense aura spread throughout the area, sending fearful chills down everyone's spines. As if being within proximity of a fearsome and powerful beast that could maul them at the slightest provocation, "I would also advise you not to speak out of turn again Callista. Do not forget WHO is in command when the Madame is away.", Venus spoke with a wide smile juxtaposed by the razor sharp gaze of an authority figure.

Callista's face loses all color and her body trembles then she quickly bows her head, "U-Understood Lady Venus! Please forgive my foolishness! It will not happen again!"

"All is forgiven, Deary.", Venus expressed with a sweet tone and grin as the atmosphere returned to normal like nothing happened, shocking both Devils even more.

'What the hell is this lady?', Scarlett thought of looking at the witch with caution and trepidation.

"Now then, Ms. Scarlett, may you place your palms onto mine?", Venus requests, facing the redhead devil with both palms open outstretched.

"Oh, Y-Yes.", Scarlett replied, confused by the request but does so anyway as she lays her palms onto Venus'. The witch looks up at her with kind eyes as she notices how small and comforting the witch's hands were.

"As acting leader of the Fantina Coven, I, Venus, hereby accept your invitation into the Chaos-Faction. We look forward to working together."

Scarlett smiles back pleased at the outcome, "Thank you, I promise to work hard to help you settle in."

Mars then applauds followed by several more witches and Hana as well approving of their coven's new alliance.

"Alright then, I'll have a table set up for you and those who you'll select to attend the next meeting. Also, this Fantina is your Baphomet, correct? From what I know they usually lead the coven. Is she away somewhere?'

"Yes, she is currently unavailable to stay here long term because of personal reasons but she should be visiting again soon to check on the coven. I'll let you know if you wish to meet her.", Venus answers, leaving out as much more specific details as possible.

"That would be fantastic! I can't wait to meet her. I bet she'll be really surprised to know about our partnership.", Hana stated emphatically.

"Ohhh I'm sure she will be.", Venus replies exhaling at the thought of her goat leader shouting at the top of her lungs over her 'decision' but knows this is best to do for them.

"Hey, Ms. Hana? Would you like a proper tour of the village? Your friend can come too if she wants.", Mars offers the short blue demoness.

'What am I? Her plus ONE?!', Scarlett thought incredulously.

"Sure, we'd love to! Right, Scarlett?", Hana happily replies.

"Uh, Y-Yeah, of course!"

"Great! Let me show you where we grow some of our food.", Mars says, hopping on her broomstick that she conjures from thin air.

The redhead witch flies off with a few other witches joining while both devils enchanting their wings with flight magic to follow them. Callista and a few others scoff in displeasure at the circumstances yet knew they couldn't do much at this point.

Venus watches them leave with an amused expression at their youthful energy. At the same time, there was a nagging thought in the back of her mind. There was still one witch missing in the coven she needed to find.

…Back to Caleb…

While that was going on, Caleb and the girls were busy with their tour of Hellhound's home. Tristan showed the home's amenities from a huge home gym filled with expensive equipment where three of Amara's daughter's had been working out, surprised but happy to see Caleb even inviting him and the others to check out the large sauna, which they also had saying they about use it to cool of and they could join them. After rejecting their offer, Tristan then showed them a home movie theater with a huge projector along with a collection of Blu-ray movies. Mostly horror, war, action and a few comedies. Tristan quickly popped in his favorite movie, Adam Sandler's Happy Gilmore, just to play the clown scene prompting him, both devils, even Caleb to burst out laughing while Drei simply snack on some popcorn from a nearby cart.

Tristan continued on to show them a game room with a billiards table, darts, home basketball courts, and even a few arcade games like Soul Calibur and Mortal Kombat. A few more of his cousins were in here as well and invited the others, especially Caleb, to play pool. He again turns them down while Sylvia whoops Sharon's butt in Mortal Kombat and Drei grabs a couple bags of jerky hanging on a snack rack.

Tristan proceeds to show them the large balcony overlooking much of the facility and his bedroom, like his cousins, was essentially the size of a one-bedroom unit. He had a king size bed and his room had a gothic punk rock aesthetic with a few anime posters and a three screen gaming computer set-up and Apex Legends on display.

He finished up the tour by showing them the SECOND kitchen, the meat locker, all three bathrooms and showers, the second meat locker, the basement, the other meat locker, the laundry room, yet another meat locker, and a meeting room where ICEP agreed to take a third of their income.

All of this was enough to make Caleb's head spin as they were now taking a break from the tour in the game room where he, Drei, and Tristan sat on three large red bean bags in the corner. Sharon and Sylvia playing pool with a few of Tristan's cousins and chatting. They offered Caleb a chance to play but he turned them down wanting to rest from all the walking around.

"So, chommies, what do you think? Pretty nice setup we got here, right?", Tristan asks, smiling then takes a bite out of some jerky. Drei sat next to Caleb eating her jerky to curb her hunger before the REAL food was ready.

"I think 'pretty nice' is underselling it a bit. How can y'all afford to live like this? Uh, I-If you don't mind me asking. It's really none of my business.", Caleb emphasized, not wanting to come across as rude or nosy but still genuinely curious.

"Ahh, it's no big deal, man! We have nothing to hide. Anyway, you ever fire obsidian?", Tristan inquires as Drei's ears perk up looking in his direction.

"I've heard of obsidian but the FIRE kind is new to me."

"Basically, the stuff is really common where we're from, some spots are more concentrated than others. Our ancestors used it for just about everything. Hunting, crafting, religious rituals, hygiene line teeth and claw sharpening, shit they even bathed in the powder so much our skin and fur permanently turned the same color.", Tristan chuckled rubbing his dark gray arm, "On plus side? It makes our bodies basically fireproof."

"Ok but how does that explain how y'all can live like hellhound Elon?"

"You suck at getting to the point, Trist!", Alkina stated, leaning her back against the pool table with the stick in hand, "Answer the question, don't bore the man with a history lesson."

"I was GETTING to it, Kina! Not my fault you like interrupting us guys talking!", Tristan shot back.

"Boy whatever, anyway, chommie our mom and his mom territory sits right on top of a fuckin' mountain of fire obsidian. Lost story short, ICEP wanted to mine there, mom and aunty Nakama said 'fuck no' cuz it's our land and everything. Then our dad and his dad talked to them, well, HIS dad did most of the negotiation stuff blah blah blah ANYWAY now we give them a couple hundred pounds of the stuff every few months and they cut us a fatass check.", Alkina explained before lining up a shot then hitting ten in a quarter pocket much to her sister and Sharon's frustration.

"Yeah, well, she left out a bunch of details but THAT IS the gist of it.", Tristan begrudgingly admits.

"So, how much are those fire obsidian worth for a pound? Follow up, do you happen to have any power on you?", Drei inquires as Caleb shoots her a dubious look

"Actually ICEP pays by the ounce and it's about…890 U.S. dollars per ounce I think.", Tristan answered.

"Golly!", Caleb expressed in pure shock.

"Yeah, it used to be more but, you know, market shit."

"I think your ancestors bathed themselves with my paychecks.", Caleb uttered in disbelief.

"Ha! That's a good one, chommie!"

"I really wish I was joking…"

"So do you keep any more power here?" Drei once again asked, curious.

"If you mean the pure stuff from the rocks, then no, but our loose fur is coated in it. We shed the stuff constantly when we get wet. Think there's like 10 trash bags full right now waiting to get picked up by I.A. liminal goods guys. They pay like 300 bucks a bag for our wet fur, ain't that crazy?" Tristan answered with a chuckle, nudging Caleb's shoulder as Drei touched her chin, intrigued.

"It's 11 now, we just finished in the showers.", came the voice of one of Amara's daughters.

Caleb and a few others look to see Darana and Kalina, from earlier in the gym, walking in with towels slung over their shoulders. Both of them only wore tight black shorts with red and orange tank tops, respectively, that showed off their muscular but plump and sexy figures, forcing Caleb to avert his eyes, trying not to stare too much.

"Yeah, and guess who contributed to more than half that load?", Quipped the voice Kehema, one of the twins as she and Jenema strut into the room.

Unfortunately for Caleb, all THEY had on were the full body towels wrapped tightly around themselves. Fully accentuating their lean, hourglass shapes, perky D-cups and shapely thighs. Caleb jaw drops upon seeing them in disbelief.

"Shuddap! It's not my fault that damn conditioner from that Dollar general store is crap!", Darana barks at the twins.

"I mean, you still bought it so it kinda is. Pretty sure you're the type of person they include the instructions for.", Kalina casually replies wiping her forehead with the towel.

"Kehema! Jenema! Put some damn clothes on!", Jiraan said with mild annoyance.

"Whyyyy. It's not bothering anybody. Besides, home is one of the few places we can slip out of those tight restraints and feel free and natural. Amirite, Jen?", Kehema emphasized, bouncing her breasts in her hands.

"Yeah, besides I think our guests are enjoying the view.", Kehema says with a smirk as Caleb blushes then looks away in embarrassment, "Maybe he'd feel better if he got a little more comfortable too. ~How bout it chommie?~", She emphasized lifting up her towel a little to expose more of her thigh as Sharon and Sylvia looked at them in shock at their territory being threatened.

"N-No, thank you. I'm perfectly fine over here.", Caleb quickly rejects them, taking some deep breaths to stave off a panic attack.

"Hey! Enough of that, you two!", Darana says, bonking them both upside the head leaving small bumps, "Tuliza bata(Calm the fuck down) act like you never had company before."

"Ouuuch what the hell sis?", Jenema whined as she and Kehema rub the tops of their heads.

"Somebody's gotta keep y'all in line while Kreã pickin' up our baby sis. I'm oldest after her you know", Darana proudly stated shooting a smirk at Caleb.

"You were born six seconds before me. Sit your ass down, bitch!", Alkina barks then looks at Caleb with a smile, "Don't listen to her yappin' chommie. Now check this shot here!", She says, bending over the pool table lining up her shot, simultaneously giving a good view of her large, toned rear for Caleb.

'I'm going to die here, aren't I?', He thought with a stoney gaze, realizing how deep in the lion's den he was.

"Don't let them get to you, man." Tristan says, trying to cheer up the human, "They're just doing what headstrong hellhound girls do. At least from my experience growing up with nine older sisters. Sixteen if you count the first litter. All who like to walk around the territory almost or fully naked all the time."

"Yeesh, I can't even imagine what THAT'S like."

"Desensitizing to say the least. Especially when you're the only boy SURROUNDED by girls. Even though a lot of them are bigger and stronger than us males, and I love them all to death, sometimes a guy wants to hang out with other guys. I mean besides dad and his brother. Know what I mean?", Tristan says with a grin.

"I…yeah I can kinda understand that. So, you really don't have any other brothers…or male friends?", Caleb inquires, somehow finding that hard to believe.

"Nah, but not for a lack of trying on pop's or MY part though! Male hounds have become less common than females in recent years. I'd say the ratio now is like 30% male and most tend to stick to themselves, around females within their territory. So I didn't have many male friends where I lived. Thought I'd change that by coming here. Whaddya say, chommie?", Tristan says with a toothy grin at Caleb as the girls continue their pool game, talking and joking in their native Hellhound language. Darana could be seen scolding the twins, sending them to put clothes on.

"Why do y'all keep calling me that?", Caleb inquires, confused by that word since he heard it.

"What, 'chommie'? It means 'friend' where we come from."

"You…consider me a friend? You don't even know anything about me.", Caleb skeptically replies knowing how bad that sounded.

"Well, I can tell you've been through a lot. Still I would like us to be a chommie. Not JUST because of what you did for Kaiya, I want to be bro's.", Tristan assures with a smile, catching Caleb off guard, "Besides, we're not ALL assholes. Loud, abrasive, temperamental, clingy, and stubborn maybe, but that's mostly the female. Us males are pretty chill."

Caleb looks at the male hellhound sensing he genuinely meant every word, "Well, I guess–"

"I know you not over here talking shit Tristan.", Kalina says, standing over the two males, hands on her hips in a defiant pose, tail swaying.

"Whaaaaa? No, why would I possibly say anything bad about my lovely, energetic cousins with equally lovely personalities? I mean just look at those exquisite calves that could strangle a buffalo's neck, bro.", Tristan jokes in an over-the-top regal voice, making a picture frame with his hands towards her legs. Caleb snorts a chuckle into his first before clearing his throat.

"Whatever, idiot.", Kalina rolls her eyes then looks to Caleb with a smile, "So, this seat taken there, hero boy?"

"Yeah, Drei is righ–", Caleb stops himself looking at the large bean bags where the Karmaitachi SHOULD be but now was gone, "What the fu–anybody seen Drei?"

"She said something about 'gathering free material' and that she'll be back in a little bit.", Darana answered, starting up another billiards game with Jiraan while Sharon and the others continued theirs.

"Of course. I get the ONE sister who's a mad doctor first and a bodyguard second.", Caleb muttered in annoyance, deciding to scold the Karmaitachi later for leaving him here alone again.

"Sooo, is that a yes or…", Kalina asks, raising a slightly hopeful eyebrow.

"Oh! Sure, go ahead. It is yours anyway.", Caleb assured, choosing to bare with it.

"True, but I wanted ask you personally.", Kalina replies, squatting beside him before plopping down on the soft cushion. Stretching out her body, showing off her toned, sexy form and large breast; even catching Caleb looking before glancing away embarrassment which she found cute. She then looks at Caleb, "So, you like it here so far?"

"Yeah, it's a hella nice place you got. Er, no pun intended!"

"Haha! That's good to hear at least. Also good to see Tristan found a friend with his level of humor but twice as cute."

"Excuse me, bitch? I'm the funniest motherfucker alive. I am hilarious and you quote everything I say.", Tristan stated emphatically.

"Does that include the noises you made in the bathroom from the first time you ate Taco Bell?", Kalina raises an eyebrow as Caleb eyes widened with a smirk.

"Yeah, that boy turned from a Hellhound to a trumpet that day!", Alkina stated before making a trumpet with her hands tooting with gusto as her sisters, Sharon, Sylvia even burst out laughing.

"I swear halfway through it sounded like one of those human jazz concerts.", Jiraan added prompting another fit of laughter as Tristan just sits back, hands resting behind his head. Not really upset, even finding the story amusing as well.

"Yeah, Taco Bell will leave you stuck one way or another if you're not careful, trust me." Caleb told them, remembering he only EVER gets that stuff if he doesn't plan to leave the house for the weekend.

"Hehe, sounds like you're speaking from experience then. Speaking of, what is it you do for a living?", Kalina asks, shifting on her side to face him with a curious expression.

"Oh, I'm a mechanical engineer.", Caleb casually answers.

"Wait, really?", Tristan stated, raising up as the other girls looked at him intrigued as well, "So you, like, build stuff?"

"Technically, I design parts and systems used in jet propulsion and rocket engine testing. I'm not sure if you guys been to Huntsville West of here but they have all kinds of rockets, jets, and other aerospace stuff there.", Caleb explained before noticing Tristan and a few of his cousins staring at him with starry eyes of amazements as their imaginations ran rampant, "Uh, sorry if I'm boring you guys with work talk."

"Dude, are you kidding?! Your job sounds awesome!", Tristan emphatically stated.

"I mean, it's mostly a lot of meetings and spending hours to painstakingly design parts with specific dimensions, tolerances, and thermal properties the client wants. Then occasionally having to observe and record results on the fully built turbines. Nothing too exciting."

"It's still amazing you do that kind of work for a living! You're a lot smarter than I thought.", Sylvia stated from across the pool table then smirks, "I knew it was a good idea to get you as our tutor."

"I'll say! You're not just our little hero boy, you're a whole Rocket Man!", Sharon happily stated as Caleb blushes in embarrassment.

"Rocket Man? I like that. It's like that one song by that John guy. That's a good name for him.", Jiraan teases with a smile as Sharon eyes widen proceeding to scroll on her phone.

"Yeah, I like it too. Think I'll call you 'rocket man from now on.", Kalina says, giving him a seductive wink with her fiery eye.

"Please don't…", Caleb replies plainly.

"Ooh! I found it! That song by Elton John!", Sharon stated, holding her phone up.

"That's it!"

Sharon proceeds to play the song loudly for everyone to hear, adding to Caleb's embarrassment, while hellhounds and devils listen, some of them swaying their hips sensually to the beat. Even Tristan couldn't help vibing to it a bit. Sharon and Sylvia begin to sing along poorly and off key then joined by the other hellhound females.

"I'm a Rocket Man! Burning out these fuels out there alone!", they all sang in unison jokingly pointing towards Caleb who sighs lethargically being forced to endure the unwanted attention.

"Haha, we're just playing around man. Believe me it's wayyy crazier when you AREN'T here. They're actually on their best behavior right now.", Tristan assures as Sharon and Jiraan could be seen sitting atop the pool tables like seductive lounge singers while sounding like drunken sorority girls.

"Oddly enough, I believe you.", Caleb replies, getting a small chuckle from Kalina.

"You're so cute. So, rocket man, what else are you into?", Kalina asks, scooting a little closer with a warm grin, pushing her cleavage into full view with her red eyes focused on him. She then moved her hand to get his eyes to follow to her plump thighs. All the moves her mom taught her to get a male interested as she made her move while her siblings were distracted.

Caleb pretends not to notice and answers, "I enjoy anime, video games, reading, going to the park, stuff like that."

"Cool, you like dragon ball too?", Tristan excitedly asks.

"Yeah, I've been a huge fan since I was a kid. Ocean dub is still my favorite."

"Bro, really?! Mine too! Frieza's voice was way more intimidating!", Tristan stated as Caleb raised an intrigued eyebrow and Kalina looked at her cousin slightly annoyed.

"Yeah, that great Trist. So–"

"Ok, on three! Name your favorite character in the entire series. Don't even think about it, just say it! 3-2-1"

"Vegeta.", "Vegeta!", they both stated in unison as they looked at each other surprised.

"Ok cool.", Kalina remarks annoyed at being interrupted, then gives Caleb a smile sneakily sliding her hand toward him, "So, cutie–", she spoke before Caleb cuts her off.

"Sorry, hang on a sec. Ok, name your favorite NON-canon character in the whole series. 3-2-1.."

"Cooler!", "Cooler!", Both stated simultaneously, eyes widening in amazement.

"Obviously!", Caleb stated with a genuine grin.

"Duh, there's only ONE right answer man! Come on! That ass whoopin' he gave Goku was legendary!", Tristan excitedly stated.

"Umm…"

"Bro, TO THIS DAY that dropkick lives in my mind! That fight was a mix of flex and straight up disrespect! Like that Brock Samson scene where he kills a bunch of henchmen just whipping his Cadillac around!", Caleb emphatically stated, his attention focused entirely on Tristan as Kalina gives a confused look.

"Yooo! I know what you're talkin' about! You like Venture Brothers too?!", Tristan excitedly stated with starry red eyes.

"Hell yeah! Been watching like forever. You like it too?"

"Chommie, my uncle got me into it and ever since I've been hooked on it. Shit is funny as fuck and that man Brock Samson is a craaaazy! You know I've got all the seasons on Blu-ray."

"No way."

"Yeah man! You wanna watch on the big TV downstairs?", Tristan suggested, his tail wagging in excitement.

"Yep!", Caleb emphatically stated.

"What is happening right now?", Kalina asks, confused.

At that moment, Tristan gets a message on his phone, prompting him to check it then smile in satisfaction.

"Ohoho, guess what chommie. Jimena just got back with Dr. Pepper, perfect timing."

"Yessirrrr! What we waiting for?", Caleb happily stated, excited at getting to taste the new flavor, getting up from the bean bags.

"Hey, you guys leaving?", Alkina curiously asks as the others notice as well, "We weren't being THAT loud were we?"

"Nah, we were just gonna go watch Venture Brothers downstairs.", Tristan answers.

"What's a Venture Brother?", Sharon curiously

"Only one best show ever made is about to be enjoyed by the best DRINK ever made!", Caleb wholeheartedly stated, intriguing both Devils.

"You wanna join us?", Tristan jumps in.

"Sure! I suck at this game anyway.", Sharon happily replies dismissively letting her pool stick plop against the table.

"It's true, she hasn't got a single ball in more ways than one.", Sylvia slyly remarks as Sharon flips her the bird, "Anyway, I'm down too."

"Shit, count me in too. I was getting bored whooping her ass anyway.", Alkina cheekily spoke with a shrug as a few of her sisters lay down their pool sticks deciding to join in.

"Up yours!", Sharon stated bitterly, flipping off the hellhound.

"What was that? I don't speak Loser?"

"Alright, let's make this a Venture Bros. Party! GO TEAM VENTURE!", Tristan cheered holding out his two fingers in a V pose towards Caleb.

"G-Go team Venture!", Caleb stated trying to match the energy, touching his fingers to the Hellhound's. A small grin appeared on his face.

"Uhhh, did I miss something?", came the voice of Drei as they noticed her standing in the doorway, stuffing a couple small Ziploc bags full of fur in her pockets.

"Nah, you're just in time for the Venture Bros party! Let's goooo!", Tristan cheered as he and Caleb led the way prompting the girls to follow as well.

Drei was confused by shrugs choosing to, like many in her life lately, don't question just accept this was happening now.

"Haaa, did I just get cockblocked by cartoons?", Kalina bemoaned, following the others.

"Ahhh don't worry, sis, the day is still young. You got plenty more chances fumble.", Jiraan teases with a wide smirk.

"Fuck you, Jira."

.

.

.

…Later…

After getting a more thorough tour of the witch village, impressed at how mostly self-sufficient the young women and their creativity with basic to mid-level spells but still using technology supplied by I.A., Scarlett and Hana eventually had to leave, seeing as their business there was finished.

Both girls could now be seen walking down the sidewalk just a few blocks from the witches' building. Both of them carried small hand woven baskets full of peaches and apples, freshly picked as a parting gift.

"Mmm, these are the best peaches I've ever tasted.", Hana hummed blissfully, munching on the fuzzy fruit, "What a lovely bunch of women. Are all witches like this?"

"I don't know but at least we've confirmed they're willing to cooperate and work alongside us. Still, I almost find it hard to believe they were looked down upon as the weakest Chaos-Born; especially that one witch, Venus.", Scarlett replies examining a delicious, bright red apple still shocked at the amount of mana contained in such a petite body.

"I know. I can tell she's wayyy stronger than she looks. What does someone have to do to get that strong?", Hana ponders, imagining the older witch lady training in brutal conditions, "Good thing she's on our side."

"For now. I just hope I can keep the peace between the others, especially Tubala and the other new arrivals.", Scarlett admitted.

"Yeah she is kinda intense though given what she's been through it's not hard to blame her if it wasn't for Caleb we probably been put through that. Do you think we would be like that too?" Hana asked Scarlett

"Ah! Guten abben Scarlett!", Came a familiar voice calling out to them from behind.

They turn to see, to their surprise, Tubala approaching them with a casual grin on her face. Scarlett looks at her with mixed feelings.

"O-Oh, hello Ms. Tubala, didn't expect to run into you here. What are you up to?", Hana asks, choosing to spark up friendly conversation.

"I just wanted to get out and sample some of the pastries at a nearby shop where Maria and her gang like to frequent. They're cheesecake is absolutely scrumptious. What about you two? You both look like you're off to grandma's house with goodies.", Tubala teases with a hint of jeering grin.

"Actually…these are gifts from the witch's coven.", Scarlett informs her in a matter-of-fact tone.

Tubala's smile quickly fades as she looks at the red haired devils inquisitively, "Oh. Is that so? You actually visited them."

"Yes. I did say we would be including them in our meetings and others agreed as well.", Scarlett casually replies as Tubala simply stares at her while appearing to examine her words carefully.

"They grew these themselves, having their own trees, a farm, and they are delicious! Plus, many of them are really nice to us!",

"Well, it's to be expected. You both are above them. It's only natural they show you the proper respect.", Tubala says in a casual tone, surprising them both.

"Tubala, we are not bringing that way of thinking into our next meeting. You need to understand NO ONE is above anyone. We stand beside each regardless of our species, upbringing or abilities.", Scarlett vehemently expressed, not liking the black haired devils behavior.

"That's a nice sentiment but, unfortunately, as I'm sure you are aware, life doesn't work that way. No matter how you look at or what you choose to believe, you can't change the way the world works. And if you try, well, just look at what these filth have done, to the world we inhabit…to the US as a species."

"But WE can decide to be better! Human or liminal, as long as we're all trying to be better than we used to be…there's always opportunity to move forward.", Scarlett counters, trying to believe in her own words.

"Better? You mean like that human that tried to kill that hellhound last night. You call that 'trying to be better'?", Tubala shot back in disapproval.

Scarlett and Hana tense up, neither one of them wanting to let slip out what they now know about that human.

Scarlett takes a deep breath and calmly responds, "What happened last night was awful…but we still don't have all the facts. We can't pass judgment based on one foolish man's actions."

"Just one? What about that Caleb Bizzell you and your friends are fond of? Him, a human, could use mystic arts? You can't deny even HE is hiding something.", Tubala spoke with clear disdain as Scarlett was taken aback again, this time unsure of how to respond. Tubala takes a step towards Scarlett looking her dead in the eyes,

"You don't think that isn't more reason to be cautious? This experience proves we don't know what human men are capable of."

"E-Even so! We may not know who or…what Caleb-kun really is. I certainly know he has a good heart, I can sense whenever I'm near him!", Hana affirms, quickly coming to his defense as Scarlett looks at her in surprise.

"How long will that last?! When he returns to his true nature, and he WILL, then he'll show us what we already know about them! That when it comes down to it, when it's us or them, they will ALWAYS pick themselves when it matters most.", Tubala stated firmly gripping her fists.

Scarlett pauses a moment in thought before her phone goes off in her pocket followed by Hana's.

"Hey, I got a video message from Sharon.", Hana remarks, seeing the message on their group chat.

"Yeah, same here. Oh, looks like Sylvia sent some GPS directions too.", Scarlett confirms as Tubala looks to them both in confusion and slight annoyance at them now ignoring her.

Scarlett plays the video as Sharon and Sylvia could be seen on screen.

'Girls, girls, girls, get your asses! Amara's house is FUCKIN LIT IS FUCK! Come over here! We're about to have a party for Kaiya! They've got a whole ass theater a-and five FUCKIN' meat lockers!'

'Don't forget the game room!', came the voice of Sylvia.

'Yeah! The game room! Come over right now! We got most of her daughters and Tristan here!', Sylvia emphasized panning the camera around showing the female hellhounds waving or throwing up hand signs with obscene expressions as Tristan threw up a gang sign, 'Look, Caleb and Drei are here too! Say hi Caleb!'

'Please don't record me!'

'Caleb says 'Hi'. Get over here!', Sharon urged as the video ended.

All three devils exchange mixed expressions.

"I…guess they're over at Amara's place."

"Awesome! We finally get to see where Amara and her pack lives. And Caleb-kun is there too, apparently.", Hana expressed as Scarlett was both intrigued at the chance to finally visit the Hellhound's territory after all this time yet also question why Caleb, of all people, was suddenly there after last night's events.

Tubala had a similar question as to why in the name of Chaos THAT man was there even after how he behaved towards those dogs. Still, with him there, she found an opportunity in this to make up for last night's failure.

"Well, guess we're going to Amara's place. It'll be good to show we really care about her daughter's recovery at least.", Scarlett points out as Hana nods in agreement.

"I couldn't agree more!", Tubala stated emphatically with a smile, catching them off guard, "So what do the directions say?"

"Actually…I think it's best if you don't tag along Tubala.", Scarlett says.

Tubala's smile quickly vanishes as she looks at her confused, "Why? Am I not welcome?"

"Well, you and Amara had a heated discussion and, coupled with last night's incident, it's…just not the right time. You can apologize next meeting though.", Scarlett assures as the black haired devil looks at her incredulously.

"I simply want to show my support to them after a terrible injustice that was done to them. Besides, wouldn't it be best that me and her reconcile before meeting so our little disagreement doesn't take away from those witches welcome?" Tubula asked innocently

"Maybe but…I just think it's better this way. Besides, it says in the message Amara is specifically expecting Hana, Jocelyn and Heidi. I doubt she'll appreciate bringing a last minute guest.", Scarlett replies showing the texts on her phone.

"Oh, so that Caleb doesn't count as last minute?"

Scarlett looks at her surprised then says, "I…don't know the full story there but I'm sure we'll find out. By 'we' I mean myself and the others. It's nothing personal but I NEED you to stay away for now. Understand?", Scarlett emphasized in a more serious tone.

Tubala stares at the redhead devil down a moment, sensing she wasn't going to waver while holding back her spell casting hand. The black wavy haired inhales slowly then forces an understanding grin.

"Ok. If that's what you feel is best.", Tubala spoke, walking ahead of them with a nonchalant shrug.

"Tubala!", Hana called out, getting her attention as the blue devils floated her a peach surrounded in blue energy, "Don't feel too bad, you can make amends in the next meeting.", she says with an assuring grin.

Tubala takes the peach with a smile, "Danke. I'll be sure to."

Scarlett nods in approval, "Ok, let's go.", She says spreading her black bat-like wings prompting Hana to do the same.

A white magic seal appears making their wings glow with grayish white energy and they take off into the air following the Hana's GPS and leaving Tubala in the ground.

"See you later, Tubala!", Hana called out as they drew further away.

The black wavy haired devil watches them leaving with a displeased scowl on her face. She then looks at the peach in her hand, scoffing at the fruit grown by filthy witch trash. The fruit is engulfed in black malicious aura causing it to quickly rot away in her hand, devoured by rippling black miasma until only the pit remained and even that was consumed into nothingness. Her thoughts went to that human, Caleb, and what he was scheming being at the Hellhound's home then to Scarlett who DARED stand in her way and was too naive to see the truth.

'Yeah, see you later.', Tubala bitterly thought as her red eyes glow brightly.

…Elsewhere…

Venus could be seen flying on her broomstick searching the area. She came up empty in the area near her covens building so decided to venture a bit further.

'Ohhh, Moon, where are you? Hopefully she hasn't done anything foolish because of that broken heart of hers.' Venus thought as she flew through the sky looking for her missing witch. A white magic seal floated near the tip of the broom handle with little arrows pointed in four cardinal directions. It was a unique spell she crafted to assist in locating witches in her coven and functioned in a manner similar to a divining rod yet had a limited range of 100 meters.

She had been searching for nearly half an hour now and still no response from the tracker, adding to her fears. Whatsmore, she was getting dangerously close to Angel territory evident by the old bell tower nearby. Suddenly…

*Ping ping*

The down cardinal arrow slowly and repeatedly flashes green catching Venus' attention. She then quickly descends, carefully maneuvering through the autumn leaf covered branches as the flashes grew more rapid. She pops out below the treeline seeing a stone trail leading to the bell tower as a familiar figure walks down that trail wearing a navy blue witch hat. Venus also notices what looked like a human male walking beside her as motherly instinct took over. All the while the top tracker arrow repeatedly flashed, inciting her to proceed forward.

"Moon!", Venus calls out flying towards them, getting their attention.

"L-Lady Venus!"

Venus quickly hops off her broomstick and takes out her wand then quickly pulls Moon behind her, away from the strange man, wand ready, "Who are you?! What were you doing with her?! For your sake, you BETTER answer honestly Sonny!", Venus stated firmly, warning the human man as a blue ball of energy crackling with lightning appeared at the top of her wand.

"Whoa now! Easy ma'am, I assure you I was only escorting Ms. Moon here back to your coven. I'm Benjamin Beechfauz, District Manager of I.A. Social Services office and I was on my lunch break when I came across Ms. Moon here.", Beechfauz quickly explained, showing he wasn't a threat.

"I told you could call me 'Moon'." Moon said giving a cute pout which Venus noticed before Moon touched the older witches shoulder, "Lady Venus, it's ok."

Venus scans the human man for a moment then lowers her wand, canceling the spell, "Well mister… Bitchface? " Venus said, not quite sure why he has such a name.

Hearing that Benjamin takes a deep breath about correcting her only for Moon to beat him to it.

"It's actually 'Beechfauz', Lady Venus.", Moon corrects her as Beechfauz looks at the young witch, surprised but relieved to have another person who can say his last name right.

"What were you doing out here, Moon? We were very worried about you! You know this area is TOO close to where those Angels roost for us to be here especially alone!, Venus proceeded to chastise her.

"I-I know, Lady Venus, I-It's just…", Moon utters, finding it harder to get her words out now.

" , correct?" Benjamin asked Venus, who nodded before he continued, "If you don't mind me speaking frankly, I talked with Moon and it seems she's been struggling to adjust to life here after her previous…relationship. " Benjamin said, having a hint of disgust from using that word, 'relationship'. What she had with that man hardly fit the bill, "From my own experience, students in her shoes need a more positive outlet from such trauma. She feels at fault, even blaming herself, which simply isn't the case. I'm not OFFICIALLY trained to handle liminal therapy but I can schedule a counseling session for this Monday. If you'll allow it, that is."

Venus looks to the man quizzically then back at Moon, who wears a hope yet somewhat uncertain expression. She honestly knew that Moon was having a hard time already since Keith was banished(or rather executed) before her eyes. Despite her efforts to reach out and try comforting the poor, Moon just refused to budge or even want help. The girl's eyes and heart had been struck cold and dead since that day…but now…there was a twinkle of light in those eyes. It was being directed towards the man before her.

"I only want what is best for my coven and girls who reside within. I love every single one of these with all my heart and I'd do anything to see them happy. And clearly I failed one of them", Venus wholeheartedly admitted as Moon looks at her with guilt, "Moon? Can you forgive me?"

"T-There's nothing to forgive, Lady Venus! It was my…fault.", Moon pleads.

"No, from what I heard from Mr. Beechfauz, and see I need to do better for you girls. I want you to go to the counseling session, Moon. It's for the best."

Moon looks to her in surprise then at Beechfauz who gives her a patient smile. The navy blue witch takes a deep breath and with a small genuine grin and bow, "Understood, Lady Venus."

"Mr. Beechfauz? I would like to speak with the other witches in my coven about these counseling sessions as well."

"Sure, no problem! We can work with whoever you believe needs the help. That is why we're here and you, like any other liminal students, have access to other resources as well.", Beechfauz assures her, "I'll have my assistant send you the information and contacts needed for scheduling sessions. Apologies for not getting it in sooner, your coven is one of our newest residents and, well, things have been chaotic lately. Here's my contacts in the meantime.", he says, handing them each a green laminated business card with I.A. letter symbol design.

"It's no problem. Thank you sir. Come along now, Moon.", Venus replies, summoning her broom to hop on it in a seated position.

"O-Ok.", Moon said hesitantly, biting her lip as she didn't want to leave. She conjures her broom and hops on floating in the air about to leave…but not before turning to Beechfauz, "Thank you, Ben."

"No problem. It was a pleasure talking with you. See you again Monday.", Beechfauz says with a smile, his hand raised as they depart.

"Yeah. Bye for now!", Moon emphatically nods with a smile leaving Beechfauz alone.

He takes a deep breath and smiles before proceeding to head back to the office. He then takes out his phone dialing his assistant.

"Martha? Get me in touch with our therapists here at the facility that specialize in mana users and abuse scenarios that are available this Monday coming up…no, not the Bogeys this time. DOMESTIC abuse physical and emotional situations along with psychological manipulation is Doctor Hana or Doctor Michael available? Alright it will be on my desk, great also it's Beechfauz!"

Above him, both witches could be seen flying in the sky. Moon looks a Beechfauz's card with a warm grin then sliding into down into her chest area of her dress, patting it securely.

"So…Ben huh?", Venus says in a knowing tone and cheeky grin, "He seems kind. Handsome as well."

Moon cheeks flush pink in embarrassment and surprise, "Eh?! I-I guess so. I didn't really notice."

"Well, it's always good to take time out and have a closer look, sweety. At the same time, don't try to move too quickly or you'll hurt yourself. Understand sweety?", Venus warns the young witch wanting her to be as aware of what she's doing this time.

Moon looks at Venus intrinsically already pieced together the hidden meaning behind those words, "I…understand. I'll be…careful."

Venus nods in approval, "Good. Oh, by the way, you missed out on a lot so I should fill you in on a couple guests in our coven today."

"Guests? What kind?", Moon raises an eyebrow.

"The devilish kind.", Venus jokingly cackles in a witch's laugh as Moon looks at her confused.

.

.

…Back to Caleb…

'You get up. I SAID GET THE FUCK! What's your name?'

'Dean Ven–'

'YOUR NAME IS 'BITCH'! And I own you. YOU'RE PROPERTY!'

As the scene with Monarch from Venture brothers plays, Sylvia, Sharon and a few others burst out laughing, a couple nearly choking on their drinks.

Caleb takes a couple gulps of the vanilla Dr. Pepper felt a new level of bliss as the smooth, bubbly liquid and pleasant burn in the back of his throat was complemented by the sweet vanilla and DD pepper. It was, ironically enough, like drinking concentrated root beer float that's been brewed to maximum flavor.

'We have been using vanilla all wrong. This, THIS is where vanilla belongs, in this can, combined with humanity greatest achievement next to penicillin! Haaaa, this is phenomenal. Almost makes me forget…the position that I'm in.', Caleb thought with a pleased somewhat oblivious grin on his face, sitting on the couch with five Hellhound women, the twins, Kalina, Jannali, and Lowanna standing behind him with lustful gazes and enjoying his arousing scent. Further down from him, Tristan could be seen heartily chuckling at the TV screen along with his other cousins seated around the living room.

"Hahaha! That skinny goat beard man is hilarious!", Darana chuckles along with her sisters as she enjoyed the drink.

"Did he really just SELL that guy for a cigarette and he's not a smoker?!", Sharon laughed, finding herself in stitches already.

"That's the Monarch! Mans is wild as fuck sometimes!", Tristan chuckles, taking another sip of the drink humming in delight, "Yooo, this stuff is crazy good man! I can see why you love it so much!", Tristan expressed to Caleb.

"Glad to see you're now a believer. Not gonna lie this stuff sho'nough hit different.", Caleb affirms.

"Glad you like it.", Lowanna sweetly expressed looking down at him, "Thought it was weird that Trist ordered this outta the blue then practically BEGGED me to pick it up. He could've just told me it was for you AND that you'd be coming over.", She emphasized with a grin as Tristan gestures in annoyance with his hand to be quiet.

"Wait, really?", Caleb asks, surprised.

"Whaaaat? What are you talking about Lowa? You sound crazy.", Tristan brushes her off, popping another can then guzzling it down as Lowanna shoots him at glare.

"Either way!", Kehema stated, plopping on the couch next to Caleb, now changed into white short shorts and red checker pattern sleeveless top crossing. She held a can of vanilla DD pepper in hand, "~Can't deny somebody's got a good taste.~", She huskily asks, facing him, moving her hand behind him as Caleb pulls back a little slightly weirded out.

"You got a little sweet tooth don't ya, chommie? ~I sure do. And you smell and real good~", Jehmena remarks, now in similar attire to her twin but outfit colors are swapped, leaning against his other side with a hungry expression and laying her ample chest for him to see, "~You know, there is something way sweeter than that soda here.~"

"I highly doubt that.", Caleb plainly replies, almost offended by the insinuation to the both twin's slight surprise.

"Well, at least his priorities are straight.", Drei remarks from the other end of the large couch, drinking from her own can.

"Ohhh quiet y'all! This is the best part right here!", Tristan stated, pointing at the screen.

'Now give me your wallet!', spoke animated talking prison gorilla to the dark skin human on tv, 'THERE! HOW DOES THAT FEEL?!'

'How does what feel?'

'I JUST TOOK YOUR WALLET! STILL WANNA BE A SUPERVILLAIN?!'

'Well, I do now. You have my wallet.'

Tristan, Caleb, and several of the girls erupt in a laughing fit of laughter as the scene transitions.

"PAUSE IT PAUSE IT PLEASE HAVE MERCY!", Sharon begged, holding her stomach while laughing her butt off as Tristan paused the TV.

"Hahahaha! Damn, THAT MAN started a whole villain arc in TWO seconds!", Lowanna chuckles heartily.

"What was up with the gorilla dude's face!? He looked like Tristan when burritos from Taco Bell started to kick in!", Jannali laughs out loud prompting another fit of laughter from the girls and Caleb as Tristan scowls at the mention of that incident.

"Yooooo. Yo, I swear, if y'all keep on bringing that up, you about to have me on my nefarious shit, just like that man."

"NAH, CUZ, WHAT YOU DID TO THE UPSTAIRS BATHROOM WAS TRULY NEFARIOUS! THAT WAS DIABOLICAL! I NEVER KNEW WHAT PURE EVIL SOUNDED AND SMELLED LIKE BEFORE THAT DAY!", Darana stated pointing an accusatory finger at the male hellhound as laughter filled the room.

Tristan folds his arms, his scowl slowly fading losing to an amused smile, starting to chuckle at himself too.

Suddenly, knocking could be heard at the door.

"Hahaha I'll get it! Oh, Cerberus have mercy.", Jannali says, coming out of a laughing fit as she goes to answer the door.

Caleb could be seen coming out of his laughing fit as well, stomach a little sore, as both twins looked at him admiring how cute he looked with a smile.

"Heyyy msichanas(bitches) look who just arrived!"

Caleb turns his head, surprised to see Scarlett and the others walking inside, all looking around in shock and intrigued at the Hellhounds home. Scarlett then notices Caleb staring at her, also surprised to see him practically surrounded by Amara's daughters.

"Un. Holy. Shit. Are you sure this is the right place? I imagined something more uh…", Jocelyn expressed, looking around flabbergasted by how they lived compared to her.

"Not like this?", Heidi filled in the sentence, equally as stunned, examining the strange decorations.

"Hey guys! Over here!", Sharon waves at them energetically as does Sylvia more jokingly.

"Glad you guys could make it! Now we've got the founders of the faction and Rocket Man over!", Jimena emphatically stated, gesturing to Caleb as the Scarlett and the others look at him curiously.

"Please stop calling me that.", Caleb requested.

"Caleb-kun! You really are here!", Hana stated going up to him with a smile then looked at Drei, "Oh! Nice to see you too !"

"Nice of you to acknowledge my existence but I'm busy disassociating. Please don't interrupt.", Drei dryly remarks as Hana tilts her head confused.

"Come on, have a seat…wherever, pretty sure we got enough room. If not, we can bust out the bean bags!", Jannali urges them towards the couch as they each take their seats in different spots.

Scarlett happened to sit right next to Kehema, who, along with her sister, were sitting oddly close to Caleb. Not that she cared at all.

"You guys heard of this show called Venture Bros?!", Sharon questions, gesturing to the large TV as Scarlett and the others who look at her confused.

"Venture…brothers?", Heidi repeats.

"It's SOOO funny Hide! There's this one scene here with a talking gorilla–", Sylvia began to explain but was swiftly interrupted.

"Barghest nipe nguvu(Barghest give me strength), I know DAMN well you didn't track that meat blood through my nice floors!", Shouted an irritated Amara stepping into the room with heavy footstep, the scent of delicious smelling food permeating her body, as she examined the bloody paw prints left by her daughter, "Ghhh, great, it's from the venison too. Get the pine sol and clean this up Jannali!"

"Wha? I didn't even make the mess!", Jannali countered.

"Did I ask if you did?! I SAID to clean it up!", Amara barked.

"Tch, man come onnnn.", Jannali clicks her tongue whining, stomping off to the supply closet down the hall.

"Don't you click your tongue at me girl! You may be fully grown out there but not here. That goes for all y'all!", Amara gestured to her kids then saw Scarlett and the others and smiled warmly, "Hey there, Scarlett sweety. Glad you all could make it."

"Y-Yeah, thanks for inviting us over.", Scarlett shyly replies, still not used to the Hellhound mothers' jarring mood swings.

"Not a problem baby! You enjoy yourselves.", Amara happily assures then looks at Caleb, "Are you enjoying yourself sweetie? My babies aren't giving you too much trouble, right?",

"Oh, no, they're…nice and friendly.", Caleb replies as her daughters and Tristan look at him with surprised but pleased grins, Scarlett and the others appear surprised by the answer as well.

"Good. Darana, you and Kalina, come help me finish this venison! Kreã called a few minutes saying on her way back from the hospital with Kaiya!"

"Ok ma! Come on.", Kalina urges her sister, not wanting to disobey their mom.

"And turn off these lights! It's not night time yet!", Amara stated flipping off a nearby lamp, "Acting y'all pay rent in here. That's on me. Where the hell do you think the word 'parent' comes from!?"

"Alright we get it, mama.", Alkina replies

"You better get it! Shoot, don't need to follow behind y'all. I know I raised y'all better.", Amara says going back to the kitchen while muttering complaints about them.

"Yeesh, it's times like this I'm glad I don't have a mom like that.", Jocelyn spoke, getting their attention.

"Yeah, it can be a pain in the ass sometimes. Believe me.", Kehema replies.

"Honestly, they got off easy! Auntie's just been in a good mood since Kaiya's coming home. Otherwise, she'd tear their asses up with the mkanda(big belt).", Alkina remarks, and hands a few vanilla dd peppers to Jocelyn and Heidi.

"What's that?", Scarlett asks, accepting the drink as well.

"The big ass-whooping belt.", Jehmena says, raising a few devil eyebrows.

"Worst one is the one mom got with the holes in it that reduce wind resistance and little bumps on one end for maximum ass pain.", Jimena added to which her sisters wholeheartedly agreed.

"Oh, you mean like corporal punishment.", Hana says, now understanding, "Yeah I can relate. My mom would punish me when I was bad by casting spells that made it felt like I sat on a needle.", she said, making a few of them wince.

"Yeesh, all mein mutter did was berate me in front of the others in our clan, sometimes they'd join in. In a way, it was more like verbal spanking but just as brutal. Words hurt.", Heidi says recoiling at the memory.

"I mean, that's fucked up but we're not talking fancy magic punishments and verbal abuse. Our parents are old fashioned as fuck, you know what talkin' about?", Alkina says as her sisters, Tristan, Drei, even Caleb nods in agreement.

"Uh huh, feel you on that.", Caleb says, getting their attention.

"Yooo, your parents whooped your ass too man? I bet it was light compared to how we hellhounds are.", Tristan remarks with a raised eyebrow.

"Dude, I had old fashioned BLACK parents. I GUARANTEE you no the hell it wasn't!", Caleb stated catching several of them off guard.

"Haha! What, did they bend you over their knee or something?", Sharon asks in a saucy tone.

"Nah, I got the knee AND them hands!"

Tristan and several of the girls burst out laughing as Caleb chuckles while Scarlett looks at him intrigued.

"I got the HANDS, I got the BELT, I got the SWITCH, I got the EXTENSION CORD!", Caleb lifts off all butt whooping tools with his fingers, "I come from 'spare the rod, spoil the child' parents. I'm humble for a reason dammit!"

'Extension chord?', Scarlett and a few others raise an eyebrow.

'Switch?', Drei thought, imagining his parents spanking him with a gaming system that likely didn't exist yet.

"My dad would beat my ass with his rod while Mom just watched.", Jocelyn bitterly spoke as the others looked at her shocked which she picked up on, "Oh, no no, I don't mean his dick. I mean an ACTUAL rod made of metal or something. Yeah…that's what uhh my punishment consisted of.", she clarified as the others looked at her more dumbstruck.

"Girl what the fuck?!", Jimena stated as her sister voiced their befuddlement as well.

"Damn, and thought my dad sucked.", Sharon remarks.

"Yeah um…there's a HUGE difference between an ass whooping and a straight up beating.", Caleb points out.

"What that, Caleb-kun?", Hana inquires.

"Love. If there's no love for the kid, well, then it's just abuse.", Caleb replies as Scarlett and the others look at him in surprise, "Besides, whoppings wasn't always the answer in my house. Parents are CRAZY creative with their punishments sometimes."

"Yooo, you speaking the truth , chommie. My mom didn't spare NO rod on me when I acted up, neither did auntie. My dad's human so he left most of the corporal stuff to moms while HE came up with other kinds of punishments for me and my sisters. Shit, he might have inspired auntie and uncle a little.", Tristan casually remarks as Scarlett, Caleb, Drei and a few others look at him surprised.

"Is THAT where the 'no doors' punishment came from?!", Alkina stated, flabbergasted and annoyed.

"Wait wait, hold up, go back. You're dad's a human?", Scarlett asks Tristan.

"Yeah? And? Got a problem with that?", Tristan replies, raising an eyebrow at the demoness as Drei looks to her as well.

"N-No! I just…found it surprising. That's all.", Scarlett assures him.

"Good. I wasn't hiding it. In fact, I'm proud of it."

"As you should be.", Drei remarks as the others look at her, "Good to know I'm not the only hybrid here.", she says before taking a sip of her drink.

"Wait, so is your sister a hybrid too or did your mom–?", Hana inquires before Drei interjects.

"Same father, different mothers."

"Heyyy, just like us! I bet you dad ran outta names at one point too and started giving your siblings the same name as you, right? I'm like the THIRD Hana in my clan, in case you were curious.", Hana explains as Drei raises an eyebrow at her.

"No…I'm the one and ONLY Drei in my clan.", Drei responded.

"Ok, what the hell is going on in all y'all devil packs?", Jimena asks, a bit concerned looking around at their devil guests.

"A whole lot.", Jocelyn remarks plainly.

"Yeah, from what I know, don't your species have a low birth rate or something? How many pups did your packs have?"

"Well, before I was sent off, I know for sure he had 39 kids, including me, between 165 members." Hana explained, dropping the jaws of every non-devil and Scarlett in the room.

"Seriously?!", Kehema and Jehmena exclaimed simultaneously, making Caleb flinch and crush his can.

"Pfft, rookie numbers.", Heidi scoffs, unimpressed.

"Dang, ma and pops are gonna have to step up their game.", Tristan remarks.

"What about you, Scarlett? What kind of punishments did your pack get from your parents?", Alkina asks the redhead devil who visibly tenses in surprise.

"Oh, I um…"

"Hey, now that I think about it, I don't remember you mentioning anything about what clan you're from.", Sharon points out.

"Yeah that's…because…"

"Maybe she just wants to distance herself from them like some of us.", Jocelyn remarks, drinking from her can.

"Ok, Jocy, maybe you've had enough.", Heidi remarks, sliding the can from her hand before Jocelyn yanks it back.

"Bitch! This is SODA!"

"Ohh, your clan life was just as bad as ours huh, Scar?", Sylvia asks, ready to comfort her redhead friend.

"I-It's not that! It's…well…", Scarlett says, trying to think of some excuse or distraction to avoid answering. Fortunately, she got one.

"Guess who's baaaack!", Came a familiar voice of Amara's oldest daughter Kreã at the front door getting everyone's attention as Scarlett sighs in relief, "And look who I got! Fresh out the EMT and good enough to E.A.T !", Kreã happily stated, presenting a very embarrassed looking Kaiya.

"K-K-Kreã–?!", Kaiya stuttered but was swiftly interrupted but all her sisters hopped up from their seats proceeding to rush her.

"KAIYA!", All her sisters and Tristan shouted, before they each began hugging and nuzzling the smaller hellhound, practically smothering her, tails wagging excitedly as joyful barks filled the room. Kaiya squirms trying to get free, finding it harder to breathe.

Caleb and the others simply observed with mixed reactions before heavy footsteps could be heard quickly approaching them as Amara and her three other daughters entered the living room; Jannali quickly put away the Fabuloso and towel.

"KAIYA'S HERE?!", Amara shouted happily as the rest of her daughter's cave room so their mother could side. Amara grins from ear to ear upon seeing her youngest daughter, "OOOH, THERE'S MY BABY!"

'Oh no…not the Love Muffin apron!', Kaiya thought with a look of dreadful frown. She quickly scooped up off her feet and hugged tightly to her mother's chest, smothering her face with her large breasts. All the while, Caleb and the others are forced to awkwardly watch.

"Ok. Starting to notice a pattern here.", Drei remarks plainly, watching the oddly familiar sight before her.

"Wait! Aren't you the guy who saved her!? What are you doing here?!", Kreã stated, only just noticing Caleb.

"Hmm?", Kaiya muffled in her mom's embrace upon hearing that.

"I brought him over for dinner! Speaking of which, is the food done yet auntie? I'm starving.", Tristan asks, groaning a little.

"Oh right! Dinner's ready everybody!", Amara happily stated, holding a now limp and disoriented Kaiya in her arms.

"WOOOOOOOO!", her daughters cheered out loud, startling Caleb and the others into covering their ears.

"Woooo.", Drei joins in much less enthusiastically, finally getting to eat as Caleb side eyes her.

….

Moment later, the entire hellhound family and their guest convene in the huge dining room with similar decor and interior colors as the living room. They were all seen at a large, very sturdy mahogany table with reinforced well-crafted chairs similar to an old fashioned banquet hall.

Scarlett's eyes twitched and faces scrunched up as an enormous spread of various meats from seemingly every edible animal in existence cooked in every way from baked to sauteed to grilled and nothing else. Not a vegetable or fruit in sight. The smell of glazed, seasoned, and grilled tender meat and fat filled the air filling her nostril to the point of nausea. It didn't help her vegetarian spirit seeing her hellhound confidants and fellow devils, even Caleb and Drei, all happily scarfing down the animal flesh like savage warriors after a big battle.

She sighs, summoning a blue seal and bringing out the basket of apples the witches gave her from a small pocket dimension proceeding to eat one in silent defiance of the carnivores surrounding her.

"Hot damn! These are the best ribs I've ever had!", Sharon happily stated, her mouth stuffed with meat and sauce all over her mouth.

"Have you tried this roast chicken though?! I've never had chicken this moist!", Jocelyn stated, proceeding to chomp down on a leg.

"Even mein mutters cooking PALES in comparison! What is your secret, Amara?!", Heidi inquires, stuffing her mouth with seasoned grilled lamb while Hana stuffs herself with marinara turkey meatballs.

"HAHAHA! Sorry sweetie but that's a pack secret! Glad to see y'all love my cooking! Eat as much as you want!", Amara heartily chuckles, seated at the head of the table in a huge, war chief- style chair reinforced for maximum support and comfort.

"Look like Rocket Man's taking you up on that mom!", Darana chuckles, gesturing a half eaten drumsticks towards Caleb who was scarfing down venison but stops the moment they mention him.

Kaiya, who had been eating a couple of cape buffalo steaks, also stopped to reminded that he was here.

Caleb swallows the food then smiles in embarrassment, "It's…really, REALLY good ma'am."

"Well, I'm happy to hear that. Take some home if you want."

"Oh know Drei definitely will.", Caleb replies looking at Drei next to him, working on her THIRD cape buffalo steak plus two chicken breasts, "Where does that all go?"

"My karma.", Drei replies, taking a bite out of the chicken leg as he shakes his head in disbelief.

"Yooo, bro, you know what they say about small girls with big appetites.", Tristan smirks, nudging him with his elbow as several of the females around him glare at him.

"Bigger medical bills when you piss her off?", Caleb replies, getting chuckles from the girls.

"Damn I was just gonna say fast metabolism. You REALLY put the truth out there!"

"Like a Venture?", Caleb smirks.

Tristan smirks back knowingly proceeding to fist bump the human male, catching the attention of Scarlett and Kaiya who look at them curiously and a bit confused.

"Hehe, it's nice to see you two getting along now.", Kreã pointed out with a pleased giggle.

"Yeah, just the other day you were running away scared of u–OW!"jannali teases, prompting a glare from her mother before Kreã punches her in the arm.

"What she means is: we're glad you accepted our invitation and we're very grateful for what you did for our baby sister. In fact, Kaiya?"

Kaiya tenses up, bringing out her thoughts, "Y-Yes?!"

"Shouldn't you be thanking him?"

"Y-Yes! You're right. T-Thank you, Mr–"

"Hey, sis, can you speak up? You're mumbling again!", Alkina requested, prompting a chuckle from a few of the girls, adding to Kaiya's embarrassment.

"T-Thank you! For saving me!", She blurts out what Caleb thought was gratitude but there was something about her words he couldn't place. They didn't sound genuine at all. In fact, she sounded…regretful.

"Um, you're welcome but, honestly I just did what anybody would've done if they were in a similar situation.", Caleb replies as the short Hellhound messes with her thick bangs covering her eyes.

"I doubt that. Contrary to how we present ourselves, there are plenty of humans that still fear us. Understandable considering the reputation our kind have garnished thanks to uppity weaker packs that stain our names. Can't cut it back home so they run away to where inhabitants don't fight back as hard.", Amara expressed, disgusted at her fellow hounds, "I had to fight for what I have! Battling strong opponents just to keep whatever territory and resources we had! Lost most of my siblings along the way. Those hounds you met, letting common gangsters turn them into lap dogs. Hmph! Disgraceful. rather than carving a place for themselves. Hmph. They don't know what it MEANS to protect what you love!", Amara tiraded as Kaiya looked down wordless.

"Is..that right?", Caleb replies, a little taken aback.

"Sorry, auntie has a tendency to ramble when she gets passionate.", Tristan spoke reassuringly as Amara shot him a glare.

"She is just saying facts. It's the same for us Karmaitachi with just minor differences. You either fight for what you have or you lose it.", Drei added in a wistful tone.

"Yeah, it's a dog eat dog world out there. Er, no pun intended.", Sharon checks herself.

"It's fine, we're not even dogs sweetie, we're wolves.", Amara brushes off then looks to Caleb, "Point is, there are not a lot of humans that would help the way you did. So I'm very grateful to have met you."

"Well, I'm…grateful to OFFICIALLY meet you all. And enjoy an amazing meal", Caleb replies with a small grin getting a few chuckles.

"Oh! You know what? I've been meaning to ask, how did you do that thing last night?!", Kreã asks, getting the attention of her sisters and the devils.

"My…thing?"

"You know, that teleporting thing you did!", Alkina clarifies.

Caleb's eyes widened in slight panic. He already knew it would come up at some point but still wasn't ready, "Oh…I…there's a…good explanation for that. You see I…", Caleb tries to think of a way to explain it without mentioning Mirabelle at all.

"I did it!", Hana stated, getting everyone's attention as Scarlett and Caleb looked at her surprised, "I moved him using a spell I use for my pet turtle. I saw him panicking so decided to help, right Caleb-kun?", Hana lies while conjuring a blue magic seal smiling at him.

"Uhh, yeah! That's right! Hana showed it to me once. It's really cool but really freaky like some Dr. Who-type stuff.", Caleb plays along as Drei discreetly gives him thumbs up for his acting.

"Whoa, cool, so you can teleport people? Can you try that on me sometimes when I need to get away from a clingy full moon hook-up?", Tristan asks as a few of his cousins look at him disappointed.

"Sorry, it's a pretty costly spell. I can only do it once a day.", Hana shrugs with a smile.

"Well, guess you'll just be dealing with the consequences of your actions huh, Trist?", Jannali snidely remarks.

"You mean like you and Mr. Carodine's class? Not studying so your consequence is spending another couple months with him? Is that what you mean?", Tristan says with a smirk as Jannali goes into a mini-fit while the others chuckled.

Hana discreetly winks at Caleb who nods, continuing to enjoy his food.

All the while Scarlett looks at him skeptically, trying to understand him. Nothing he's done so far has made sense. The fact he chose to come here, being buddies with someone he had contempt up until today, now lying about his strange abilities? She needed answers. She just needed to know…why?

….hours later…

Even more time had passed since Caleb and Drei arrived at Amara's home. After a lovely dinner, leaving just about everyone stuffed. They decided to burn off some energy in the game room or go to the gym, which could apparently convert to a court, and play some basketball. Half went to basketball, including Amara, meaning whoever got her had an automatic advantage. The others including Caleb and Tristan chose gaming. They played Budakai Tenkaichi 3 on the game room tv, enjoying themselves and even getting the attention of Jocelyn, Hana, Drei and the other hellhounds who soon joined them. At the same time, her daughters took every chance they could to tease or flirt with him to which Kreã would reign them in whenever she sensed he was getting too uncomfortable. Despite that, they were all just talking, joking around, and enjoying themselves like regular people which Caleb couldn't help but appreciate.

The only one not really involved much was Kaiya, whom he barely saw since dinner. Apparently, she'd been in her bedroom 'resting' since the medicine from the hospital was still in her system. He figured she was trying to take it easy after yesterday.

Caleb could now be seen walking down the hall from the game room, making the excuse that he needed the bathroom but really he proceeded to the balcony to get some fresh air and time alone to recharge his social batteries. They were nearly drained at this by the very friendly but loud and talkative hellhounds.

"Yoooo, Kehema baby, I love you but you SUCK at this game!", Tristan's voice echoed down the hall as his cousins burst out laughing watching Drei utterly demolish her Gogeta with a Cell Jr. of all things. At the same time, the sound of basketball bouncing and shouts of victory from Amara's team could be heard on the other end of the floor.

He walked out to the balcony, shuts the sliding glass door completely silencing their voice to his surprise. It must've been soundproof glass. Whatever the reason, he takes a deep breath of fresh, clean air and sighs the tiredness out. He looks out over the balcony at the setting sun cascading its reddish-orange rays over the buildings letting know just HOW LONG he's been here.

'Hahhh, I thought they'd never let me go. Now to enjoy a little bit of quiet.', Caleb thought, closing his eyes with a wistful expression.

At that moment the sliding door opened, letting the sounds of the hellhound bombard his ears, much to his shock.

'I spoke too soon.', he thought with a tired gaze as he turned around expecting to see Tristan, one of his cousins, or one of the Devils but instead found Kaiya standing, appearing surprised.

"Ah! S-S-Sorry! I didn't think anyone else was up here! I-I'm–", the nervous hellhound apologized before noticing it was Caleb, "O-Oh, it's you. I-I'll just lea–"

"No no, it's fine. I was just getting some fresh air…and some quiet. I'm uh…guessing you had the same idea."

Kaiya goes silent at his words, knowing she couldn't deny it as she glances away before closing the door to silence the noise from her family, much to her relief, "S-Sorta, I just…like this spot. It's pleasantly calm… especially in the evening when I…can watch the sunset."

"Ah, cool…", Caleb simply replied, unsure how she could see the sunset or anything really with her black and red bangs covering her eyes completely, "Well, I won't stop you. It's your house."

Kaiya simply nods before stepping up next to him, putting some distance between them, looking out over the facility. She takes a deep breath and exhales slowly, probably closing her eyes. He couldn't tell. What he could tell since she arrived was her demeanor was much… different compared to her mother, her sisters, and even Tristan. She appeared more…aloof, distant, nervous even.

Silence befell the two as they just stood there a moment watching sunset, aware of each other's presence. Kaiya bit her lip, shifting a little as she took glances at Caleb, as his scent befuddled and…aroused her uncomfortably. She needed to distract herself.

"C-Can I…ask you something?"

"Uh, sure. What's on your mind?"

"W-Why…Why did you save me?", Kaiya asks, curiously looking down a the railing.

Caleb looks at her a bit surprised but answers, "Did…there have to be a reason other than not wanting to see you die?"

"I-I mean I thought you… h-hated us?" Kaiya asked him.

"I…I don't…hate y'all it's just…it's…I just knew I had to. I couldn't just stand there. An innocent girl I didn't know didn't deserve to die like that" Caleb said as he saw Kaiya facing him.

"Sorry but…I don't believe you.", Kaiya replies unconvinced, surprising Caleb, "I can tell…it's not the truth."

Caleb sighed in defeat, realizing he couldn't deny her accusation.

"Ok…you want the truth? You already know what happened on the Fourth of July right? That I was attacked by a hellhound?" Caleb asked as Kaiya meekly nodded, "Well, I'm sure you didn't hear how…somebody close to me, a female werewolf and my ward, tried to protect me from the hellhound leader. She was fatally wounded and nearly died in my arms that night. Heh…that was before I realized how much I really cared about her.", Caleb shakes his head in disappointment at his past self.

Kaiya listens, jaw slightly agape in surprise , "O-Oh…I didn't know…I'm sorry."

"It's fine. You couldn't have known. Nobody outside myself, Scarlett and her friends, and ICEP know and THEY made sure those details don't get out. So now everyone I meet keeps calling me a 'hero' and reminding me of an awful, awful experience I'd like to forget.", Caleb spoke coldly, honestly tired of the praise from strangers that treat his trauma like inspiration.

"So…that's why you saved me? Because I reminded you of her? Ah, I see, you didn't really care if I died.", Kaiya remarks, her voice hollow as her shoulders slump, realizing, like always, it wasn't about her at all. It was about his own conscience. He didn't see her that night. Nobody does.

Caleb was taken aback by her statement and wanted to deny it but…he couldn't. He had to imagine his now girlfriend just to make himself move.

"You're…right.", Caleb admitted, surprising Kaiya as her eyes perked up then slowly drooped down along with her tail before he continued, "I had my wards EpiPen in my pocket but…I hesitated to save you. A part of me, I'm very ashamed of, wanted to just do nothing and…let it happen. Tch, some hero right? Haaaa, I'm so fucked up.", Caleb leans against the railing looking down below, disgusted with himself.

"Well…if we're being honest…I wanted it to happen.", Kaiya sadly admitted much to Caleb's surprise as he turned to her, "It's not a spur of the moment either…I've been like this since I was a pup. I've always been the weird little runt of the litter compared to my normal, big, strong and confident sisters. Hellhounds culture is based on the biggest, meanest, and strongest pack with each representing the epitome of our species' virtues and values…then there's me.", Kaiya sadly spoke gesturing and her shorter, slightly chubbier body compared to her sisters.

Caleb looks at her then replies, "At least your family seems different."

"No they're not!", Kaiya stated catching him off guard as she caught herself, "S-sorry but you're wrong. Our pack follows those principles like any other. I'm not strong, loud, fast, smart, confident or as beautiful as any of my sisters or cousins. We don't even share much in common outside of our parents and foods. I'm just…wrong…in every way. I'm not just an outcast…I'm a stranger in my own family."

"So…why not just leave everything? They'd be better off anyway.", Kaiya lamented, staring down at the ground below then feeling a hand on her shoulder. She turns to see Caleb's stern expression but saddened eyes staring at her.

"You're wrong about that.", He spoke to her surprise, "I may not know too much about you or your family, but…I know love when I see it."

"Love?"

"The tears you mother, sisters, even Tristan shed for you were beyond real. Imagine a bunch of big, proud, strong hellhounds on their knees sobbing and begging for someone, anyone, to help them in front of dozens of people. At that moment, they could care less about their culture. They all love you more than anything. That much is apparent.", Caleb replies then glances away, "Some of us have siblings that really don't care if we die."

Kaiya looks at him shocked by what he said, finding it hard to imagine someone like her mother and sisters in such a state. All the while, the sun slowly disappears into the horizon as shadow slowly befell them.

"I've been where you are.", Caleb replies in a somber tone, "Trust me, that is not a line you want to cross. You never know who you're leaving behind. The only reason I'm even here telling you this is because of my uncle. He pulled me back even after I already crossed the line, even though he had every reason to leave me there. You know what he told me in the hospital when I asked why he saved me?"

"W-What?"

"It was within his power to save me, so he had to.", Caleb responded with a trembling smile before taking a deep breath, "I guess, in a way, he's the one who saved you, Scarlett and the others, and me. All I can do is try to be half the man he is."

Kaiya looks at him in fascination, seeing his true face for the first time. Her heart ached as guilt was upon her upon realizing what she would have done to her family. All because of…of…

"T-that's kind of you to say but…some of us don't have a choice. They'll always bring grief to their family, especially a freak like me.", Kaiya despondently spoke, covering her hand atop the bangs over her eyes.

"What are you talking about?"

"I've always been different ever since the day I was born. I was…born with a condition, a mutation as ICEP calls it. One that made my family a target by other hellhounds, besides our access to tons of fire obsidian. One where they needed to protect me because…I'm an abomination. A mistake of nature…wrong.", Kaiya lightly sobs, bad memories flashing before her of other hellhound pack girls bullying and harassing her as tears stream down her cheeks, "You want to see for yourself?!", she stated, facing him as her voice trembles.

"O-Ok.", Caleb responded.

Kaiya tenses up but takes a deep breath to mentally prepare. She moves her large canine hand under her long bangs then raises them up showing face and her tightly clenched eyes.

Caleb was confused, sure her face was less intimidating and more cute with little black freckles unlike her sister but she didn't look that different from them. That is, until she opened her eyes…

Immediately, instead of typical red flames, small, wispy azure blue flames spewed from the edges of her corneas, cutting through the evening shadows. She opened her fully as the blue flames grew intensely and revealed her sapphire gem-like pupils instead of red. At that moment, even the tufts of red fur began to lightly glow an ominous azure blue. He could see through her hoodie between her ample breasts.

Caleb stared at her dumbstruck and speechless as her azure flame eyes burned brightly. It was like he was entranced as only one word came to his mind.

"See? I knew it…", Kaiya somberly spoke, her eyes trembling and lip quivering seeing his reaction like so many before, "Don't you see now that I'm all wrong? That I'm a freak?! That I'M–"

"Beautiful.", Caleb utters plainly and without thinking.

Kaiya's eyes widened, caught off by those words. The same ones her mother and father would always comfort her with whenever she felt her life surrounded by shadow. It had gradually lost its brightness as she got older…until now as she stared back at the human male.

"W-What?"

Caleb flushes realizing what he said, "I-I mean! Ahem, sorry I…just spoke without thinking again. You're eyes…unique to say the least but that doesn't mean you're a freak."

"B-But they're…they're the wrong color! I'M wrong! I-I don't even act like my family! I'm just…", Kaiya attested, finding my reasons to hate herself

"Fine the way you are? Yes, you are.", Caleb finishes her sentence, much to her surprise, "Listen, if you want to do things your way it's YOUR choice. Be the hellhound YOU want to be."

"Hellhound I…? B-But what about my family? I don't want to disappoint them.", Kaiya replies putting her hand down, letting her bangs cover her eyes again and her fur returns to its normal red shade.

"I doubt you could. When it comes to their culture and you, there's no question who's more important.", Caleb assures before making a bold move, gently taking her large hand to her surprise, clasping it into both of his own. He looked at her in the…bangs and spoke, "Despite what you think of yourself, they all love you, especially Amara. You. ARE. Loved. Moving forward NEVER forget that. ", Caleb firmly assured.

Kaiya's cheek flushed a darker gray and her eyes widened, feeling a warmth in her chest and an odd tingle near her lower stomach the longer she looked into his chocolate brown eyes. Tears welled up in her eyes, horrified by what she nearly threw away before gently sobbing at her own selfishness.

Caleb cups her cheek and wipes away her tears, letting her get all her frustration out. He knew she needed it just like he once did.

As they stayed like that, unbeknownst to them, Scarlett had been listening in on their whole conversation. She wanted to talk with him alone about everything going on but stopped herself once she saw Kaiya enter.

She peaks around seeing him comforting the sobbing hellhound and clenches her fist to her aching chest. She quietly slinks away, leaving them alone. A part of her wanting someone like him to comfort HER like that.

'Why…why am I like this when I'm around him?', Scarlett sadly thought, hugging herself as she walked away.

…Elsewhere…

Much further away in a different apartment complex, Tubula was pacing in her shared room as she considered her next move.

"Hey, if you keep pacing around like one of those gluttony face druggies, I might need to tie your ass to the bed.", Beyla spoke annoyed by the demoness distracting her from her show called 'The Boys', "Why don't we do something we both will enjoy if you wanna work off that energy?", she seductively offered, lying on the couch in a provocative pose, spikey tail swaying.

"Silence! I need to think. Those fools…they gather all the worth of Chaos-Born and what do they do? Play pretend, acting like those vile humans wasting all our time and now letting those FILTHY lowborns in?!"

"Not wrong about the time wasting, why do I need to know the difference between two squares? A square is a square.", Beyla remarks, turning over in slight annoyance to smirks, "But I gotta the food and entertainment in this place is pretty great. Hey, since you failed at killing the hellhound why not try an easier target? Like a fairy."

"Is that some kind of joke?", Tubala says in a warning tone.

"No really, they're a pretty weak lot. They're like lollipops they take licks from everyone. Wonder how one would taste especially when they cum?"

"No, you idiot! That human, Caleb, got in the way! Raghh I can only imagine what he's up to with those fools and their dog friends! Then there's Scarlett, going along with it and choosing to be blind to what's happening! It's all so…SO…", Tubala fumes, black aura flaring around her body as her anger rises.

"Oh yeah, him. I definitely would love to get a taste of him, especially after his little Houdini trick. I wonder if that's how he pulls out. Probably have to grip him tighter", Beyla casually spoke with a toothy smirk.

"ENOUGH! It's very clear that change needs to be made in the faction for all our sake. It's time our fellow Chaos-Born had proper leadership!"

"So we get rid of all the redhead and the other headass bitches? Seems like a lot of work for a seemingly pointless reward."

"No. That would draw too much attention. There's only one we need to remove from the equation, Caleb Bizzell.",

"So you want me to bash his skull in? Maybe fuck his brains out? Possibly not even in that order?"

"No, I have a much better plan. By the time I'm done, his charm on my fellow Chaos-Born will be broken. They'll all see that we ARE superior.", Tubala emphatically stated, conjuring menacing black flames around her.

"Cool, cool, can you be superior about ten feet away. You're burning my snacks.", Beyla interrupts, fanning the black flames from her Cheetos to Tubala's annoyance, "Oh shiiiiiit, that baby has motherfuckin' laser eyes!", the manticore ecstatically shouts pointing at the tv as Tubala shakes her head in disappointment.

'Why didn't I choose the room with another devil instead of this idiotic pervert?', Tubala lamented internally.

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WN

WHERE MY CANDY AT, FAM?! Haha, just kidding. I already got some, her name's Vicky. Happy Halloween to every single one of y'all, hope it's as spooky as it is sticky. Really scrambled to get this one out on time. Life has been crazy on my end but I'm making it.

As usual, let me know what you thought of this chapter. I'm all ears. Me AND my awesome co-writer Sandshrewmaster along with our lovely beta readers love to hear your honest feedback and constructive criticism. That's the real this season.

Also, finally at 300 followers which means I can now do this. *Rips clothes off to reveal King Leonidas costume*

REMEMBER TO HUG YOUR PARENTS, DRINK WATER, SLEEP WELL, BE GLAD THOSE ASS WHOOPING DAY ARE(possibly) OVER, AND WE'LL SEE YOU ALL NEXT TIME!

THIS. IS. FANFIC! Peace FAM! *SPARTAN KICK*