Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Shinwa ❯ 3 ( Chapter 3 )

Notes: ack! Man, life can get hectic. Between computer crashes, Purple Haze martinis and/or Apple martinis, the world has become quite hazy and very fun lovin'. Give it up for Summer! However, things are back in semi-full effect and this story was starting to pull at my brain a lot, so I figured I should update before I questioned my sanity levels. (Is it bad to talk to yourself in public?) And no, I don't endorse heavy drinking- it leads to loss of brain cells, hideous judgment calls and bad liver tissue. You should see some of the people at the bars… oy.

Moving on…

Shinwa- chapter 3

Daisuke woke to a wide-eyed Ken with a finger to his lips. Sitting up abruptly, he looked around as the dark haired man pulled out a rather wicked looking knife and motioned to the door. Someone was definitely outside. And said person was also trying to get in. Looking to Ken, Daisuke shifted slowly off the bed and down to the floor at the warrior's direction. He could hear a few mumbled curses outside the room. Even with the curtains drawn, the pair was able to see. It took Dai a moment to figure out why, but he finally realized the glow from Ken's skin gave the room a pale illumination. He hissed as he looked at his own hands- they were shining as well. He would have to ask Ken about that later.

"Get down, and stay down," the warrior whispered- hair brushing against Daisuke's cheek, breath tickling the curve of his ear. "Don't move until I say so, got it?"

In his still half-asleep state the other man nodded dumbly, not sure his voice would work properly given all the sexual stimuli from Ken. Curling into a ball, he laid one cheek against the floor, forgetting for a few moments about the possibilities of violence, bugs, or even sudden death. Ken was becoming more and more tactile. Daisuke could almost feel the warrior's tongue against his skin like wet silk.

When the door opened a high, clear, female voice rang through the room. "Shit! Dammit, Rika- why do all of these doors stick so much? Go get the janitor so we can fix this one, ok?" The voice danced across the air- slicing through space as if made of pure crystalline laughter and light. It felt comfortable, familiar almost.

For a split second, Dai saw recognition flash across Ken's face. In the next moment a barrage of images skittered across his brain. Glimpses of pink and auburn, soft touches and gentle smiles, an empty space full of promise as it lay in wait for its owners to fill its shelves with books and trinkets… In the few moments it took his head to clear, Daisuke shook the visions away and whispered quietly.

Ken did a double take at his companion. How could he have known? Seconds later his brain caught up, and after reminding him that he was barely awake, he recalled Daisuke's ability to catch flashes from other people. "Yes," he agreed softly, "that's Mimi." The warmth in the cinnamon eyes beside him almost made his face soften. Almost. There were too many coincidences for Ken's liking. He stood and waited for the girl to see him.

Movements of cleaning coming naturally, the slender young woman swept through the room lost in thought and oblivious to its occupants until she pulled the curtains- sunlight streaming in, revealing a tall dark haired man only inches away. Before she could let out a shriek, Mimi had the sense to cover her mouth with one hand. It had been a while, but certain people were impossible to forget. When she finally lowered her hand, she knew her mouth was hanging open in shock. "Ken," she whispered. "What are you doing here?"

Smirking at the question he gestured to the man crouching on the floor behind him. He took a small amount of delight as her shock registered further as the possibilities flickered through her mind. It took a moment before she realized what he was doing and turned to look at him once more- this time making a face at him.

"Bastard," she muttered. "Since when do you guard the rich and famous?"

Tilting his head to one side, Daisuke decided it was time to throw in his two cents. "Since some demons tried to kill me. Well, at separate times, so I guess that would make them assassination attempts. I'm Motomiya Daisuke, which I guess you knew. Ken saved my life a bunch of times and we're hiding out here to keep your friends out of danger. And Sora misses you a whole lot, by the way." His words trailed off as he held out his hand. When she eyed the appendage, but refused physical contact a memory bell rang. "I know you're not touch sensitive, but it must be touchy something to be a compliment to Sora. And did I say she misses you?"

"Yes," Mimi replied. "And I'm not touch anything. Not anymore." Biting her bottom lip she turned to leave as nostalgia swelled in her throat, blossomed in her eyes and threatened to spill over. "It was good to see you, Ken. And a pleasure to meet you, Motomiya-san. I'll leave you alone now. Please do me a favor and don't mention this to Sora."

Watching the retreating figure, the Child of Air frowned and moved to cut her off. A quick rush in the current of the room and Ken blocked her path. Blinking wide eyes, Mimi paused. He had never moved like that before. However, he had also never threatened her, so she took that to mean he would let her pass. When he drew a blade from thin air she paused again.

"How long have you worked here, Mimi?" Ken's voice was smooth, cold, hard.

Thinking for a moment she edged away from the weapon he held with practiced ease. "Since a month or two after I left. Why?" Caution etched into the air. Her nervousness made her eyes dart to the corners of the room- inspecting the shadows. It was tempting to hit Ken with everything she had. But things seemed to be different.

Barely covering his surprise, the warrior sheathed his weapon back in the air. "Interesting."

Behind Mimi, Daisuke rolled his fiery eyes towards the heavens. "Jesus, Ken. Why don't you just say what you're thinking instead of playing Captain oh-so-fucking-Macho? You think your kitsune friend lead us here. Just fucking say it, all right?" Shaking his head, the darker man turned back to the room and decided to make himself comfortable on the bed. When he looked up he found two sets of bewildered eyes watching him. Giving a sheepish smile, he added, "That is what you were thinking, right?" Even a blind man could have seen the fear sliding through the twilight eyes. "It would take some serious mojo to do that, wouldn't it?"

As he tucked away his shock, Ken nodded, expression grim. "Yes, it would take a lot of power. That is exactly what I was thinking. Don't do that again." A quick glance at Mimi revealed an extensive history. "That's quite the wig you've got on there." His words cut off as he felt something pushing at his mind, shoving him aside.

"I don't have time for this," Mimi snapped. "Get out of my way, Ken." As she tried to move past him, Ken pulled his sword and leveled the blade at her jugular.

"I don't think so, Mimi," he hissed. He motioned to a chair beside the bed. "Take a seat. Stay a while." When she obeyed he frowned again. "Now, we're going to play a little game, Miss Mimi. I'm going to ask you some questions, and you're going to answer them. Don't lie to me either, because believe me- I will know if you're lying. And if you do lie it's going to cost you." Finishing his little speech he began to twirl a gutting knife in his left hand and gave her his best smile. "You want to play, Mimi?"

Fear filled her throat, blocking her concentration. Mimi was completely unable to even access her power. This was not fair! Ken was supposed to protect her. Granted, she had walked out on Sora, but they all had to know she would return one day. Hopefully, she could be forgiven. There were things she had to deal with first… The shine in Ken's eyes told her there was no getting out of this. She couldn't simply walk away this time. Her voice came in a ragged whisper. "What do you want to know?"

"Ken!" Daisuke shattered the tension in one second. "Stop being such an asshole! You're scaring Mimi and you're not going to accomplish anything by acting like a fucking retard." When the pale man opened his mouth to protest, Dai pointed a finger at him. "Don't. I don't want to hear your excuses. Just because you think it's too coincidental that she's here doesn't mean you can be such a damn baby all the time. So shut the hell up until you can learn to play nice."

"Will you stop that?!" Ken's voice shook with anger. No one violated his privacy like that. Simply because he was attracted to Daisuke, he was not going to let him waltz through his thoughts so easily.

"Only if you stop fucking broadcasting. I swear, Ken, every time you think something I can hear it. I can hear your breathing, I can hear your heartbeat and it's tripping me out so why don't you try to tone it down before you accuse me of doing anything, all right your highness?" Chest heaving, Daisuke blinked back hot tears. First he was glowing, now he could hear Ken's every thought and breath. Ken's entire being was threatening to overwhelm him if he stayed where he was. "I need to go for a walk." That being said, he fled from the room, leaving Ken and Mimi to stare out the door. A few seconds later they both followed.

***

The group gathered around Sora. With the power of their circle broken, they moved closer to the woman who lay curled on the floor. To her immediate left there was a small puddle- almost like moonlight it reflected the ghostly faces surrounding it. The piece from Ken's altar had melted, then boiled in Sora's hands making her scream. Her eyes had closed when they began the ritual and had not re-opened since.

Reaching out a tentative hand, Koushiro gently prodded at the woman's shoulder. When her head lolled to one side as she gasped the group prepared to rush forward. Soft chestnut eyes opened finally and there was a collective sigh of relief.

"Welcome back to the waking world," Koushiro smiled. "We thought you might have been gone for good."

Too weak to really speak, the auburn haired woman shook her head and tried to sit up. Four pairs of hands helped her rise and remain steady. Coughing she shook loose the last bits of magic that had paralyzed her vocal chords. "No, I came back. Couldn't leave all of you here alone. Goddess knows what would happen to the shop."

As the group tittered, Jyou knelt by her side. "So what did you see? Or do you need help processing," he gestured to Yamato who stood with Taichi, both ready to help if needed. They could pull the experience from Sora's mind, process it, and then relay the information back to the others.

Again, Sora shook her head. "I can do it," she rasped. "I'm strong enough." When the power had taken her in such a rush it had taken a few seconds to control. Once her mind quieted down she caught a familiar emotional signature in the spectral distance. Violence, bitterness, and a true sense of power caught her attention quickly. Despite their cloaking skills, Ken and Daisuke were no match for the group. Even they could not hide from their call. However, when she approached in her astral form… something had cast her out.

As she coughed again a flicker of memory darted through her mind. Jumping from neuron to neuron it remained elusive until she focused. It was something so familiar. A feeling, a being she had nearly forgotten- all the pain it had caused having receded to the back of Sora's mind.

Pink. The memory was pink.

"Mimi," she whispered. Before anyone could ask questions Sora felt her eyes overflow as she began to cry.

***

Daisuke had walked for several blocks and was still trying to walk off the stress. Nothing seemed to be helping. The fact that he knew he had two shadows following him was not making things any easier. He could hear the whisper of Ken's thoughts behind him, though he knew the other man was trying his best to keep silent. Everything was so confusing. He felt so lost. Twenty-four hours before he had awoken to a normal life. Single, fairly messy apartment, enough money to be happy, a successful business that meant he had a steady job… Cinnamon eyes clouded as he mulled over his life. Strange, he had failed to notice it before. But he had always felt as if something were missing. Closing his eyes against the warm sting of tears- so familiar to him now- Dai crumpled to the sidewalk.

"No," he whispered. "It's not… I can't do this. It's too much. He can't be. He just can't…" Despite his best wishes, Daisuke knew he was in over his head. Ken was what had been missing. Even as he felt the sidhe trailing behind him in the shadows, he knew he would never be complete unless he was beside the shining one forever. Crying in the midst of pedestrian traffic, Dai looked up when a pair of feet stopped in front of him.

"Are you okay, kiddo?" Mimi crouched beside the weeping man keeping watch for Ken out of the corner of her eye.

"Don't call me that," he scowled. "I'm only a few years younger than you. And besides, I'm not a kid." Swiping at his nose Daisuke gave the pink haired woman a tiny smile. "We should get moving before we attract any unwanted attention."

As they stood and wandered into a nearby herbal shop, Mimi frowned. "Is it really that bad? The things chasing you, I mean."

Studying the bottles on the shelves he felt drained. "Yeah," he replied softly. "It's that bad. I'm so lucky Ken was there…" Words trailing away he shook his head against looming tears. Seconds later he heard the bell on the door, felt the shining presence and it's according smile. Wait… smile?

Stepping through the doorway, Ken felt as though he had walked back in time. It had literally been years since he had dared venture into any herbalist shop for fear of exactly what he was trying to protect Daisuke from. Daisuke… With the thought he almost felt the walls around him draw a collective breath. He warned me too. All those years ago, this is what he was trying to tell me… A watery laugh escaped Ken's mouth as he shook his head. Masking his emotions before anyone noticed he cautiously stepped up behind the redhead. "We shouldn't have come here," the warrior said quietly.

Turning his head, Daisuke glanced at his traveling companion. "Too much nostalgia, eh? Look, Ken, I know you're worried about him. We won't stay long. I just want to meet him." Startled violet eyes burned his skin as a strong hand gripped his arm. Smiling gently, Dai answered the unasked question. "Because he was part of your life."

Ken blinked the sharp pain in his eyes away as quickly as he could. No. This was not possible. How could he get past his defenses so easily? More importantly, how could Ken have let himself forget that warning? Eyes raising, he let his gaze follow the bronzed figure. Wine colored hair touched with soft gleams of copper from the lighting. Luminous in his way, the man wound his way through the shelves. Watching as he reached up to take a glass decanter from one shelf, Ken felt something click into place. A soft gasp came from his mouth. How could he have missed this before?

"Because you were too busy feeling and thinking other things," a voice came from behind Ken. A small, elderly man gave him a pat on the back- his eyes shining with that gentle acceptance of life that comes only from years of toil. "You were so caught up in that initial meeting that you would not have seen it at all, were it not for this chance reunion." This generated a warm smile that made the man's eyes sparkle. "It's good to see you once again, Ken."

Biting a trembling lip, the warrior nodded, unable to speak. No wonder so many things had attracted him to Daisuke. Whether either of them liked it or not, it seemed they were bound. Violet eyes straying back to watch the redhead Ken felt his carefully constructed walls crumbling, breaking. Fear being so foreign to him at that point, he had no idea how to categorize the burning ache in his chest. It brought tears to his eyes, fire to his veins. He had fought for so long to control all of the feelings brewing inside him. This was the beginning of something big, something that even with all of his power he could not overcome. "I'm so scared," he whispered, turning to the old man. "Help me, Gennai."

***

Once Gennai had closed up for the night he brought his three guests upstairs to his small living quarters. The first thing Daisuke noticed upon entering was the utter minimalism of the apartment. Secondly, he stared in awe as he watched the old man's face gradually began to shift- chin becoming clearly pointed, eyes smaller, nose elongated. After a few moments the man smiled again and bowed to his visitors.

"Welcome. I am Gennai of the kitsune, and as you are friends of Ken whom I share a blood bond with you are welcome to anything here." Standing upright he motioned for the three guests to follow him. They shuffled into a small kitchen area and sat at the painted wooden table when it was indicated that they should. Grinning as he watched the two strangers pick at the chipping blue paint. "I say there's nothing like a good cup of tea after a long day of work."

The thread of formality cut, Daisuke slumped in his chair. A moment later he looked up, eyes bright. "So, you're a kitsune, huh? Bound with Ken?" He leaned forward and added in a conspirational tone, "What was he like back in the day?"

A dark look passed on the kitsune's face. "You should not be asking such questions, whether in jest or not. Though, I would be more than willing to believe that Ken has shared secrets with you. He can hide nothing in that respect." When Ken coughed the old man's face lightened again.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Daisuke blinked, eyes full of curiosity. Sighing, he thought of something else to inquire about. "Perhaps you can tell me about his brother then. It seems he's after me for some reason."

Mimi's head shot up from her intense study of the table. "Ken has a brother?"

Gennai and Ken exchanged glances briefly before the shape-shifter stepped forward and blew a handful of powder onto the woman's face. Her eyes closed and she relaxed into sleep. "She won't remember," the kitsune said. "They rarely do. Even the ones of magic such as her."

Eyes darting towards the magic pair standing close by, Dai felt his panic level skyrocket. "You're not going to dust me too, are you?" When the pair shook their heads in unison, relief flooded him. "So, tell me about- Osamu, was it? The Child of Water?"

Turning to Ken, the elder raised an eyebrow. "It seems you've revealed a lot more to him than I had suspected. How much does he know?"

Very quietly, Ken and Daisuke told Gennai about the events of the past twenty-four hours. As each spoke they glanced at one another- all swift blushes and gentle smiles. Simply by watching them anyone could see what was happening. But it was equally clear that they were both fighting with it. They struggled to stay away from one another, yet they could not deny that something existed that pulled them back every time. True to the prediction made by the kitsune years beforehand. Tea was poured swiftly; refilling cups several times before the complete story was done. Daisuke and Ken fumbled around a few times. Awkward descriptions came here or there concerning how much they had revealed to each other in such a brief time.

When the flow of words ceased the trio stopped a moment to reflect. Running a hand through his hair out of habit, Dai glanced at the sleeping woman they had all forgotten about. "You said she has power," he said softly, as if speaking to loud would rouse her from her magical slumber. "What is it? What does she do?"

Rubbing at tired twilight eyes, Ken yawned before answering. "Just as Sora is a touch sensitive, Mimi's gift is similar. She's what the group deemed a 'borrower'. With her ability she can slip into the mind of another, experience the world as they see it, travel with them even."

He nodded before Ken even finished speaking. Flickers of memory danced in his mind. "That's why she left, isn't it? She couldn't control the energy." Shaking his head sadly, Daisuke mourned for Sora. No wonder the subject of love was such a tender one with the auburn haired shopkeeper. Dueling with power that was out of control on her own took a lot of effort, but dealing with it for two people had to be staggering. It was such a shame because they really were in love too. He sighed and looked up at the kitsune again. "So, what of Osamu? And Ryo? Why do you think they're after me?"

"I've already figured that part out," Ken replied, bitterly. Tearing his eyes away from the scene he stood, all grace and fluid movement, and walked out of the room before anyone could protest.

Gennai merely laid a hand on Daisuke's arm and shook his head when the younger man moved to pursue the matter. "He needs some time to process all of this. When he is ready, he'll return." As he saw the hurt swimming in the soft cinnamon eyes, he added, "It's very difficult for him. This is a tricky situation you find yourselves in, Daisuke. Though Ken protects the others out of sheer necessity, he is watching over you for something more. There is a greater purpose to all of this."

At these words the redhead frowned. "Would you mind telling me what it is? I've tried to read Ken, but he just won't let me in. I know it's hard and I wish he would believe that I don't want to hurt him." He sighed again and stood, badly needing to stretch his legs. "Ken is…" He shook his head. "I can't even put into words what he is. I wish I could, but right now I'm too terrified to think straight."

The elder merely nodded. Standing he gestured towards the doorway leading to the rest of the apartment. It was time for them to sleep, to dream of answers the waking world could not provide. After showing Daisuke to his room, the kitsune stopped. "Daisuke," he called softly, causing the young man to look up. "If you are still unsure, then think on this matter. How is it, do you think, that Ken came to be in that particular bar, on that particular day to save you?"

Dai gave a sad smile. "And how is it that I can hear his thoughts? Feel his heartbeat as if it were my own?"

The shape-shifter nodded. "How indeed. Oyasumi, Daisuke-san." Then he closed the door, leaving the other man to think and wonder. When Ken stepped out of the shadows, Gennai was not entirely surprised. "Good evening, Ken. You should be able to find your old room. Everything is just as you left it except, of course, for your weapons."

The Child of Air gave a tight smile. "You know I left some things behind on purpose, Gennai."

"Hai. I know." Pausing in his shuffling for a moment he glanced at the warrior. Noticing how the violet eyes scanned over the surface of the door, the way those eyes filled with affection, the innate sadness wrought around his entire being. "Perhaps your career of merely watching him should come to an end." That said, he bid the startled fey good night and shuffled away.

Standing outside Daisuke's room, Ken touched the door, feeling how delicate it was, watching the way his glowing skin seemed to float through the air. He could feel the presence in the room. It called to something deep within him, just as it always had. Alone in the darkness, Ken let the other presence filter through him- nearly caressing him. Fighting against everything he felt, he wondered which was worse: the fact that he was becoming so addicted to this presence or that he even needed to be in the first place.

Placing one hand on the doorknob he whispered to himself, "Perhaps it's time." Then he opened the door.

***

"He's getting weaker," one of them sneered. "The more time he spends with our bounty, the weaker he grows. We should take him. We could take him…" Suggestion lingered in the tone.

"No," came the flat reply. A cough made him look up, all sharp movements.

He coughed blood into his hand. "Dammit that little fucker was a good shot. This is taking forever to heal." Ryo coughed again.

"Yes, it seems we've underestimated our absent fey. An unfortunate oversight. It will not happen again, I can assure you." Cold eyes studied the Child of Earth. Ice covered the gaze like crystals and wrapped in a tight fist around the heart. For a brief moment the arctic chill dissipated. "Are you all right?"

Ryo looked up at his companion. "I'll be fine." A sultry smile worked across his mouth. "Now come to bed, Osamu. We can worry about them later." Caramel arms wrapped around a perfect alabaster neck, flushed lips brushed against an ear. "Please?" Skilled hands dipped lower, lower still…

"Not right now," he pushed his companion away. Turning a cold shoulder to the offered pout he set his jaw. "I have work to do, you know. Minor deities and demons to contact. The work doesn't do itself. If I want that disgusting little tripe of a brother dead then I need to get in gear." Looking back at his display of mirrors, pools, and monitors he frowned. "I just wish I could find where that little bastard hid." He slammed a fist into one monitor letting its screen shatter around his hand. For a Child of Water, he was reaching an extremely dangerous level of violence. Soon he would be beyond any control.

From his position on the floor, Ryo maintained his pout. "Just don't underestimate them again. You know what happens if you do." His head reeled as Osamu backhanded him, leaving his right cheek stinging.

"Haven't I already said I won't make any more mistakes?! I won't underestimate Ken again. You know I won't," the words dripped with poison, ice.

"Don't forget about Daisuke," the Child of Earth spoke up. "I know you think he's worthless, but let me remind you that we wouldn't have been paid so much to bring him in if he was of no value. There's a reason for everything, Osamu. I would think that of anything else your experience might have taught you that would be it." Challenge gleamed in his eyes and his trigger finger was itching for a reason to go.

"Are you questioning me, Ryo?" He took a step forward. "Perhaps I should have let my brother gut you, or maybe let his new playmate shoot you full of holes." Grabbing the Child of Earth's shining face he hissed, "Or maybe I should just do it myself." A low roar filled the room- the sound of swirling waves.

Kicking at his captor, Ryo called his own power. A rumble overpowered the sound of water making the very walls shake. Things between them always began this way. "You know we cannot survive without one another, Osamu. Earth and Water- we need each other. We thrive with each other."

Ryo's words were cut off when Osamu grabbed his shoulders and ran him into the wall. Vertebrae cracked with the force of impact. "Is that so, Ryo? We thrive together?" The Child of Water pressed his opponent against the wall harder.

"Osamu..." The name was whispered.

"Yes, Ryo?" Two twilight eyebrows rose.

"Shut up and fuck me."

Lost in each other they never noticed the flare of power the blossomed across all of the screens. Kissing and clawing at one another they fell together in the most primal of dances. Passion thickened the air as the light expanded and then vanished as if it had never existed in the first place.

***

Though he heard no noise, Daisuke's head snapped up. Someone was in the room with him. He knew that much. Standing in front of the window, he had been observing the full moon as it shone over the city. Silver light streamed in, flowing around his own bronze glow. The colors fit so well together. Their power offset and combined in a glittering pattern. Just like…

"Hello, Ken," Dai whispered. "What do you want?"

Swallowing around the nervousness he felt collecting in his throat, the sidhe stepped forward. Never, in all his years of life had Ken had to face anything like this. "I need to talk to you, Daisuke. It's important."

Spinning around, he glared at the Child of Air with narrowed cinnamon eyes. Thinking he would be rebellious he decided to test Ken's limits. In a maneuver born of defiant nature he stepped forward leaving little space to separate him from the luminous figure before him. So beautiful... He could barely stifle a gasp as electricity swelled between them. "About what?"

Feelings he never thought possible coursed through him. Trembling against an immense surge of desire he swept one shining hand through the scant amount of space between he and Daisuke. "This. Whatever this is that exists between us. I can't… I mean, I don't…" For some reason his hands, normally so graceful, would not stop shaking. When Daisuke took them in his own he sighed at the connection. "I don't understand," Ken whispered.

Emotions were running rampant through Daisuke's mind- both Ken's and his own. They leaned closer to one another, foreheads brushing. Every time they touched it felt as if the night around them was sighing, gasping. "I don't know either," he finally replied. Deciding to be extremely bold he took a breath. "But I'd like to help you find out what it is." He looked up into glowing violet eyes. "I would do anything for you, Ken, if you'd let me," Dai whispered. "Please, let me…"

Falling into eyes of fire and spice, Ken felt his head tilting. Magnetism on every level sang along his nerves. Every sensation made the force between them flare. Shaking so much he could barely stand, Ken whispered, "Yes…"

When their lips met the power between them bloomed, then exploded in a wave that crashed over Tokyo.

…Mimi sat bolt upright in the bed she had been sleeping in. Thoughts of Sora filling her dreams, she felt a deep longing to return to her love…

…Gennai merely looked up from his book, the tea on the table beside him suddenly forgotten. He smiled to himself on a job well done…

…Lovers all over Tokyo came together in such a way that could only be described as genuine magic. Taichi and Yamato held each other tightly, Jyou and Koushiro smiled as they slept, Miyako and Hikari wound themselves around each other- all as Daisuke and Ken deepened their kiss, letting the last shreds of pretense fall away…

…And in the darkness, the demons waited…

to be continued

***

all right, I know the chapters keep getting shorter, and I know this one took forever & it isn't very good… but I'm trying, really I am… more soon, I promise!