Warning: I will be making use of fanon/canon/lore from Inuyasha (not really including Yashahime because I haven't watched it) ((but also maybe just general fanon/supernatural creature lore?)), because it will help me explain what's going on with Iruma a little bit.

TW: Queasiness and feelings of loss due to abruptly understanding one's own mortality compared to those around you.

Blood Entwined, Crossed Between Distant Moons
xXx-xXx-crimson-xXx-xXx

Iruma rushed outside after Agares had dismissed him, his blood turning far too warm again as he made his way to a small patch to hide. It wasn't that he didn't want to be caught or helped- he just… he needed a moment to himself.

He dizzily stumbled through the brush and smiled weakly as he settled down against a tree, in a small nook of bushes that did just enough to hide him.

He sighed in relief as he leaned back against a tree and held a hand to his chest.

Iruma consciously took in a deep breath before exhaling slowly, repeating the process for a few minutes until some of the dizziness went away. He curled his knees close to his chest and hugged them with a stressed frown, "...Ali-san?"

His faithful companion slipped out of the ring in his small form and did a quick look-over of his master. "Iru-boy, you've really gotta pace yourself."

Iruma smiled awkwardly, "I… yeah, I've realized that." His cheeks were flushed from Magic, and Ali found himself sighing softly as he made himself comfortable in the air.

Ali had no desire to admonish the boy any more than necessary, since he could tell when Iruma was sincere about the situation he was in. Besides, it wasn't as if he hadn't noted how surprised Iruma was by the turn of events as it was anyhow. "So?" Iruma perked up a little at his voice as he waved a lazy hand, "What sort of bond did you end up in with those two?"

Iruma's face scrunched up oddly in thought, both due to focusing on that aspect, as well as feeling rather… put off by the whole thing. It'd been the most unique situation yet, and his stomach turned a little, making Iruma lurch and cover his mouth at the thought of it.

Something churning black and formless rumbling earth-

Iruma swallowed harshly with a gasp, breathing thinly as he tried to reign in his muddled understanding. "I'm… I'm not sure yet."

Ali had reacted to Iruma's physical reaction and frowned to himself. He sighed in resignation before pressing a hand against his master's forehead, "Don't worry about it for now. You'll understand it when the time comes."

Iruma nodded as his queasiness faded into his stomach simply hurting. He could deal with the discomfort as he settled back against the tree and closed his eyes in an attempt to relax.

A number of thoughts drifted in and out of mind, including part of the reason why he'd wanted to talk. "Ali-san… do you think… if it ever comes to me and Azz-kun… or any of the others… uh…" His present flush deepened a little as he opened his eyes to look at his companion, "If you think I'm afraid, or if I feel I'm not ready yet and don't know how to get myself to say no… Do you think you could bring out that other side of myself? My uh…" He scratched his cheek bashfully, "My pseudo-Wicked Phase… so I can say no, and mean it?"

Ali blinked, "To defend yourself?" Iruma nodded, a little helpless at the situation, but knowing full-well that he could be easily caught up in feelings and realize what he didn't want when it was too late. Ali hummed and crossed his arms in thought, "How sensitive do you want me to be about this?" Iruma hummed with a confused tilt of his head, "Like…" Ali waved his arms haphazardly, "Do you want me to activate it by my own discretion without asking you first?"

Iruma contemplated for a moment before nodding, "Yeah. I know I'm not always the best at realizing my own limits… and I know I'll want to please others over my own wellbeing."

Ali's chest ached a little, at how the situation had turned out as it had. Iruma had been dragged into this with zero education, and though he'd been studying diligently… It was his own personality that was the biggest hurdle. Still. It pleased him to know that Iruma was actually asking for help with this.

Ali gave Iruma thumbs up, "Sure thing, Iru-boy!"

Iruma smiled at him, glad that he had the assurance that if all else failed, Ali had his back to keep him from getting in too deep.

There was a rustling as Ali quickly returned to the Ring of Gluttony as Sabnock happened to look around and spot him, "Ah, there you are, My Rival."

Iruma blinked as he looked at his fellow Misfit, "Sabnock-kun. Were you looking for me?"

Sabnock gave him a soft smirk, "You've been gone for a while, and your army's getting anxious."

Iruma paused. They… they couldn't sense him out?

Sabnock hummed with a thoughtful hand on his chin, "Eliza told them to let you be for a bit, but well…"

Iruma felt his blood drain a little as he sighed. "Ah…" They were probably really worried about him by now. He took a moment to brace himself as he got ready to shift before Sabnock lifted him into the crook of his arm. "Uah!" Iruma glanced at his friend, and Sabnock gave him a raised eyebrow.

"You're not feeling well, am I right?" Iruma's body felt abnormally warm in his hold, and he couldn't help but feel a growing concern. It wasn't that Balam-sensei hadn't mentioned some of the effects Iruma was suffering from taking in their blood. It just made him worried about whether or not he could handle all of them.

Iruma squirmed a little at his question, "I'm… not perfectly fine, but I think I'm okay."

Sabnock hummed at his admission. He supposed that would have to do for now, as he made his way towards Royal One. "Whose blood was it this time?"

Iruma grimaced, "A-aah, it was Gaap-kun through Agares-kun."

Sabnock couldn't hide his surprise before clamping down on it with a frown. He supposed that was a good enough method of dealing with things as he understood them, but still…

Sabnock exhaled tiredly, "It is not out of malice that I am choosing to wait until everyone else has returned your favour."

Iruma blinked, "What do you mean?"

Sabnock hummed, "I once came across a phrase that seems to have originated from another region… But it went something along the lines of 'The first being last, and the last being first' or some such. I was the one who convinced all of the others to take in your blood after taking some for myself. It is only right that I suffer the consequences of my actions to the fullest."

Iruma frowned in concern and disapproval, "But Sabnock-"

Sabnock raised a hand and gave him a smirk, "A True Demon King takes responsibility for his blunders, My Rival."

Iruma was taken aback for a moment before he abruptly found himself laughing, "Ah, I see." He grinned at his friend, "Then I look forward to whatever it is you've chosen in regards to our pact, and that the time of waiting comes to an end soon." He raised his knuckle in a fistbump, and Sabnock returned it lightly with a smirk.

"Of course, Iruma." Relief flooded Sabnock's chest for the first time in a while as he realized Iruma had never held his actions against him.

Truly, he couldn't ask for a more merciful and better Rival than this.

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It was a good few hours after Iruma's normal bedtime that he finally reached the end of his book. It'd been thrilling, the final clash between the hanyou dog demon, the modern day high school girl and their allies, against the terrible hanyou spider demon. Their melancholic separation and heartwarming reunion-

Iruma stared at the handwritten note on the final page of the book he was reading with his heart in his throat as he absorbed the implications of it. A Feudal Fairy Tale had been rather insightful in regards to the difficulties faced between humans, half demons, and pureblood demons, and their ability (or inability) to coexist.

However, it was this final page that made him pause, that made his throat close up and his stomach turn.

'This fairy tale is based on true events during the Sengoku Jidai, before the boundary of the Netherworld was cut off from the Human World to prevent further hostility between humanity and demon-kind.'

The story implied so many things. So so many things he'd barely begun to wonder and grasp about those around him. The people he'd come to love and love him in return.

The most prevalent to him in that moment, was that human lives… his life, was so… so short in comparison to theirs.

Iruma held his hands to his chest as tears blurred his vision, a small sharp inhalation as painful warmth bloomed in his nose and cheeks. He… he really shouldn't cry over this. This wasn't the biggest deal, now was it..?

But he'd never thought to ask. To wonder about just how long those around him could live. Had lived.

How many centuries had his adoptive grandfather seen? He'd pegged Opera, Balam, and Kalego to be anywhere between twenty seven and thirty five years old due to comparing them to his parent's ages…

But that was with his human understanding. Were they already a few centuries young? Were the students in Babyls truly still practically infants in comparison to their teachers..? How long did young demons stay in school before they were deemed old enough and knowledgeable enough to survive in the world..?

Iruma gripped the sides of the book and forced himself to close it, sobbing silently as he understood that his lifespan would be a mere moment compared to his classmate's potential lifespans. He set the book aside while he buried his face into his elbow, biting his lip as he tried to keep himself from crying out.

He had never been loved by or loved anyone before this. It was a harsh realization, to realize that even though he'd always wanted to make his parents happy… his relationship with them had always been so horribly superficial. It had been entirely forced, because in society it was expected and demanded for children to love their parents.

But… his had never loved him. If they had, they never would have made him work for their selfish comfort, let alone sell his soul.

What should have been the worst day of his short fourteen years had become his greatest blessing in life. He had food, shelter, and a found family who loved him for simply being in their lives. He'd learned so much about interacting with others, about himself, and about being loved, that it was sometimes overwhelming when he had a moment too long to himself to process it.

And now he had to face the fact that he was so terribly human.

A human, who would begin to grow old, slow down, and die before they'd hit their first century. It would be a blessing for him to make it to old age, but even in the Human Realm, the human lifespan was tricky. There were averages, and his environment growing up didn't put him in a positive place. He could get lucky, but the overall dangers that existed in the Netherworld would never stop being a threat.

He let out a small wail as he pulled his legs to his chest and buried his face into his knees.

What would happen now..? Now that his classmates and Ameri-san had all taken in his blood, and he had returned some of it. Would they feel the effects of his impending death? Would dying hurt them? Break them..?

He curled tighter into himself as his thoughts twisted and turned endlessly.

No matter what the future held, he'd never want to bring agonizing grief to his classmates, as inevitable as it was… because how in the world could he overcome his own nature? His own state of being..?

Morning came both far too quickly, and agonizingly slow as his grief petered in and out, until he felt completely listless, blank, and utterly gray.

When Opera opened the door to bring Iruma his morning cup of Hell Grey Tea, they had not been prepared to see him so haggard and empty. Iruma looked more than exhausted with pale skin, with stains of long-dried tears on his face having left their marks along his over-sensitive cheeks. Opera's ears lowered, their heart dropping as they barely managed to keep their senses about them enough to not drop their tray in surprise at their charge's state. "...Iruma-sama?"

Iruma shifted his eyes to them, but didn't have the voice to respond.

Opera moved closer to him before placing the tray down onto Iruma's side table, and settled down on the side of their young Master's bed. They took a moment to observe the teen up close, and certainly, Iruma looked a mess.

But he was theirs, and they would not allow this behavior to last. It was their duty to ensure their Master's wellbeing.

Opera shifted and maneuvered themselves next to their charge, before coaxing the boy into their chest. Iruma was far too stiff at first, to the point that they could almost hear (and certainly feel) the boy's joints and muscles creak as he forced himself to unwind into their hold. Opera pulled him close, their tail flicking in agitated concern as Iruma buried himself into their chest with an inaudible sigh as he closed his eyes.

It took a moment for them to notice, but when they met Sullivan's gaze, they exchanged a silent look of understanding as Sullivan stepped out and closed the door.

Iruma would not be going to school today, it was more than clear to them both he was in no mental state to do so.

But what had caused this soul-deep grief in their young charge?

Opera rubbed Iruma's back in comfort, not entirely sure of how to handle the present situation. "What's wrong, Iruma-sama?"

It took a few breaths for Iruma to respond, his voice raspy and dry from his emotional upheaval. "Opera-san… how many… centuries… or decades have you lived?"

Opera blinked, not quite understanding where this question had come from, but respectfully pondering it all the same. They liked to keep their age a secret, even though they were only a year older than Kalego and Shichirou, and thus, quite easy to guess if Iruma'd simply asked one of them. But Iruma was with them at the moment, so it was their duty to at least give some sort of answer. "I have seen at least one century, though Sullivan-sama has lived for many more than myself."

Iruma was far too silent for too long before Opera felt him laugh breathlessly with little sound. It wasn't a good laugh, as he could practically feel the bitterness in Iruma's frame as he shook slightly, "I'm just… a baby to you, aren't I?" Iruma's voice was so… afflicted. Bitter and aching as he continued, "I'm not an adult back home, but I've already lived a good fifth of my lifespan, if I'm even lucky enough to reach one hundred years old."

Opera's eyes widened at that information, before they realized just how different their charge was from his peers.

Iruma was only just beginning to enjoy his youth- his child years as a fledgling boy in this world… and yet, he was a mere few steps away from being considered an adult? They wished, for a mere moment, that they had been able to sink their claws into Iruma's parents. For stealing away his formative human years with hard work, starvation, and instability.

No wonder he'd cried during his demonic rights, when everyone had thanked him for being born. His own genetic donors hadn't even bothered to celebrate their child's birth, and thus, the child hadn't seen the value of informing anyone of such a wonderful day.

Opera pulled Iruma closer and ran their hand through his hair, thinking over what they knew of even their own biology, and how it could affect another through bonding. "Iruma-sama… I know it is quite selfish of me to say this, and perhaps, it will not bring you the comfort that I hope for… But perhaps it is a blessing in disguise that your classmates ingested your blood and chose you."

Iruma sniffed before he pulled back slightly to look up at them, "...Huh?"

Opera's eyes softened as they tried to defeat Iruma's pain, "You are aware that Blood is involved in very specific settings. Be they for adoption, becoming a Security Devil, and marriage, yes?" Iruma nodded slowly as Opera continued. "While not all of your classmates have chosen their preferred path just yet, and though some have perhaps even made mistakes along the way, they have all chosen you. They have thrown in their lot, the potential blessing of their life with you. It is not that they are surrendering their own years, but they are adding upon your own."

Iruma's eyes slowly widened as he felt a little breathless at that revelation, "Wh-what do you mean?"

Opera hummed gently before they shifted and picked up the slightly cooled cup of tea and handed it to their charge to drink. Iruma took his tea automatically, and after a cautious sip, took a moment to collect his thoughts as he drank half the cup while waiting with anticipation.

"What I mean is, is that when two demons choose to be life partners, they exchange blood. The one with the longer lifespan blesses the other with that same potential elongated lifespan. Of course, sometimes a mate is lost along with the blessing, but it is part of the benefits of taking a partner to grow one's bloodline. Sometimes senses are enhanced, or a sickly demon will gain a stronger constitution."

Iruma's eyes had brightened, slowly returning to their bright blue instead of the dulled blue-gray they'd been earlier.

Yet, Iruma couldn't help but puzzle a frown, "But there's more to it than exchanging blood, right?"

Opera couldn't help the sardonic smirk that crossed their lips before going blank, "Yes. When it comes to the romantic aspect of blood exchange, the truth is, is that it also involves marking one another through pain of the flesh during union."

Iruma felt himself flush slightly before he hesitantly asked, "Y-you mean through s-"

"Through bite markings."

Iruma gaped at them before letting out a relieved sigh, "Oh."

Opera nodded, "There is the outward show of exchanging blood, but it is much like you've already been doing with your classmates thus far. Taking in fresh blood directly is what cements it."

Iruma pursed his lips, puzzled, "So does it still work if I wasn't there?"

Opera raised an eyebrow, "Did you not give Asmodeus your blood yourself after being pierced through?"

Iruma paused, "Uh, yeah. Why?"

"Well, then it's merely a matter of time before you take in his blood for yourself and finish what's begun. At least, enough for it to count."

Iruma's eyes widened as he quietly inhaled with realization.

Certainly, there were probably more conditions to fulfill, because now that he had a moment, he did recall that there was a specific preferred method of mate-marking that proved that a bond had been made complete between partners.

He busied himself with taking another sip of his tea as he forced himself to swallow the now familiar and soothing liquid as his thoughts ran amok once more.

Ameri had chosen him, and they'd mutually exchanged fresh blood. Jazz had adopted him as his brother yesterday as well.

But he'd taken in Asmodeus's blood when-

Iruma felt his eyes grow heavy with the need to sleep as his thoughts abruptly halted with far too much to process on no sleep. Iruma's survival sense kicked in as his newfound Magic snapped in his veins and sent him into a deep, dreamless slumber after the emotional ringer he'd put himself through.

He'd have to apologize for worrying the others by missing school again.

But that was a problem he could resolve later, after he woke up.

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A/N: A bit of a short chapter, but I was having a lot of trouble with it and how I wanted things to go. I also will be working a LOT the next couple of weeks, and I didn't want to leave this hanging.

Please let me know if you enjoyed it!