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<<Prison Arc>>
<<Am I a Demon? | I am a Demon | In Arrogance We Fall | No Regrets | Mistakes Were Made | Even Though I Am a Demon>>
Having grown quiet and empty in the midst of spring, Byakko contemplates the short events that led to him ending up with Kumatetsu, and his current direction in life. And in his thoughts, he finally begins to understand what the true source of his empty life is, and thus he makes a decision that may just end up ruining everything.
Yu Yu Hakusho is © Yoshihiro Togashi & Shueisha.
The Boy & the Beast is © Studio Chizu.
Word Count: 4141
Am I a Demon?
Ah, joyous spring. The great saviour that rides in to banish winter for another year. It was a pleasantly warm day; perfect for training. And Kumatetsu was making use of every second as he practised his steps, going from sharp jabs to quick kicks, into a pair of cartwheels. His winter weight had all but vanished in the past few week, leaving him limber and light again. Well, sans the last remaining pounds of belly chub that just wouldn’t go away. Finishing his routine, the bear wiped swear from his brow for a quick little breather. “Hey Fatass!” he called to the house. “FATASS!”
“What?” came an agitated grumble.
“Come out here and join me. You could use the exercise and I need a training partner. Or just stick your gut out the door or window or something so I can use it as a punching bag” the bakemono said.
“Hrmph. Pass.”
“Come on! You’ve been moping about for a while, and the exercise will do you some good. It’s worked wonders for me” Kumatetsu boasted, ignoring his chubby tum as he hopped on the spot.
“I still refuse to believe you dumped so much weight so soon.”
“I don’t care if you believe it, cause I did tell ya I would lose it fast after winter’s gone. Now get out here!”
A long, beleaguered sigh rattled the house, which the bear tutted at as intentionally loud STOMPS pounded the floor. In an unnecessary amount of wasted time, the tiger finally extracted himself from the recently widened front door. For these warmer months he wore a light robe with the sash under his gut, which was exposed alongside his chest, while keeping done up to hide away his bulge. Well, it hid it when he was standing upright at least. “Is there a particular reason you need my help, specifically?” he grumbled.
“Yeah. No one else trains with me and you’re a big enough target, so put up your fists and spar with me” Kumatetsu explained, removing his shirt and casting it aside.
The demon had the blankest of stares as the bakemono hopped from foot to foot, as he had many months ago in his fight with Iozen. It was all so tedious for Byakko that he put more effort into rolling his eyes than raising his fists. “That’s it Fatass. Now come on, come at me” the bear requested.
Taking three steps forward, the tiger lazily moved his arm forward, his fist slowly crossing the air until it brushed against the idiot’s nose. “There. Are we done here?” he sighed.
“What the hell was that?” Kumatetsu complained, shoving the demon’s arm aside. “I told you to come at me, not scratch my nose!”
“I have better things to do” Byakko insisted, turning his back on the bear.
“Like what, huh? You’ve done nothing but read for weeks, and eat, and sleep! How is being lazy something “better” to do?” the bakemono demanded.
The demon rolled his head over his shoulder, his expression dull and lifeless. “Not humouring you is the better thing here” he answered, and went back inside.
“You… you…” Kumatetsu seethed as he furiously pulled at his hair. “YOU’RE SO DAMN IMPOSSIBLE!” he screamed.
“What’s impossible is for you to not throw a temper tantrum every time something doesn’t go your way. Maybe take a nap yourself and you’ll be less cranky” Byakko commented through the window.
“I’VE NAPPED ENOUGH! NOW GET YOUR FAT ASS BACK OUT HERE LARDO! I’M NOT DONE!”
“I am” the demon responded, and shut the window.
Byakko didn’t even smile as a string of incoherent words came out of that ghastly bear’s mouth. He assumed they were obscenities, but even ancient linguists would have a hard time deciphering the precise dialect. Sadly, he couldn’t even find the energy to laugh at that joke as he reclined on his pillow pile, which had grown flat from constant usage. Truthfully, he couldn’t understand it. So little even made him happy these days; even agitating the moron outside didn’t even do it for him anymore. Concerning yes, but at the same time, he found it hard to even care that it was concerning. Not even his extended imprisonment in Maze Castle had burned him out as Jutengai had. He always had something to keep going; the constant possibility that maybe the next day, there’d be someone to hunt and feed upon. To strip away their meat and to suck the marrow from their bones. Those were the good days.
But what did the infernal city even offer him? He had gone from one prison to another, but this was somehow worse! In Maze Castle he had his freedom, but here? He lived among the livestock, and he couldn’t even harvest a single one. No fattened pigs, or sturdy, muscular horses. No bovine, or that infuriating golden boar. Byakko’s frown twisted into disgust at the very thought of Iozen. No doubt, if given the chance he’d work for the losers in the Spirit World without a second thought, and he’d be so damn proud of the opportunity too. It was enough to make him want to spit in disgust. These bakemono, they were so damn pathetic. And yet, they held him at bay with swords they couldn’t even use! If only he had his powers, he’d destroy this entire damn city within the day. Why did Suzaku have to apply insult to injury like this? He had no powers but what was inherent to him, by only being able to- Wait, what was that? Cocking his head, his enhanced hearing picked up Kumatetsu, and an annoying, smug-sounding voice. “It’s that damn monkey” he noted.
Totoro, or whatever the hell his name was had been as much a regular as that pig with the idiotic religion had been. Ever since that dinner they felt, ugh, safe around him now. To think, they felt SAFE around a demon! They even attempted to converse with him as well, as if they were somehow EQUAL! Closing his eyes, Byakko listened in on what they were saying. “Sheesh, what’s got you so steamed?” the monkey said.
“It’s that damn idiot! I’m finally back into shape, and I’m trying to get Fatass to maybe try a little exercise too. He did the laziest punch I’ve ever seen, then he went back inside!” the dumbass bear complained.
“It’s probably for the best. You really don’t want to parade him outside and get him back into shape. It’d terrify everyone a lot more if he looked like what he did when he came here.”
“What the hell do I care about what the others think? I just want a worthwhile training partner, or at least a durable punching bag. I could punch his gut a hundred times, and… he’d probably complain the entire time.”
“Just train by yourself as you always do. Aren’t you used to that?”
“That’s not the damn point! He was good for a while, but now he’s moping again! All he does is sit in his little room and do nothing of value. Least he could do after all the pain he’s put me through is help me train.”
“As I keep saying Kumatetsu, maybe that’s for the best. The less of a threat he is the better in my book.”
“Please. He wasn’t a threat back then, and he’s definitely not one now.”
Byakko rolled his eyes as he focused back on himself, letting the idiots to their pointless conversation. Everything the bakemono did was so pointless. If they tried, they could without a doubt organize into an army and destroy the human world if they wanted too. The Demons would have if they could. They waste so much potential and energy on things like fighting that was purely ceremonial, and their insipid honour. Ugh, why bother with something like that? Though the monkey clearly had no honour, and far too loose lips. “Hrrrmmmgggg” the demon grumbled.
On reflection, it agitated him how dismissive that little cretin was. What the hell did he know about the hell he went through before and after arriving in this miserable dimension? Byakko could never forget the day he arrived. The day of the greatest insults.
“P-please Lord Suzaku, I can explain!” Byakko begged, falling to his knees.
The tiger kneeled before a tribunal of the boyishly handsome Suzaku, the smug cold snake of a man Seiryu, and the disgustingly gleeful expression of the stone creature Genbu. “SILENCE! I expected humans to get past Genbu, but you Byakko? Our expert hunter? You’ve brought shame on the Saint Beasts” Suzaku sneered.
Seiryu slithered forward, the icy man sporting the smuggest of smug expression. “Just as well I was there to deal with them, Lord Suzako” he smirked.
“Yes, we are grateful for your diligence Seiryu. But you, Byakko? You’ve disgraced us!” the thunder demon snarled.
The tiger clasped his hands together as he stared into the hateful eyes of his leader. “Please Lord Suzaku!”
“ENOUGH! Byakko, you are to be stripped of your title, your rank, your powers, and you are to be cast out!”
Byakko’s jaw hung hopelessly, his head doing the same as he lay on his hands and knees. “Please Lord, how could that even be possible? We’re trapped here!”
“I know that! But, there is a loophole” Suzaku explained, taking an ancient tome from Seiryu. “You will be banished, forced to wander the planes of existence with no hope of return. I care not for which world you may end up in, but that world will be your tomb. This will be your punishment for your failures!” the Lord of Maze Castle uttered, lightning crackling in his hands.
Bolts of red lightning arced through the air at the tiger, the waves not just striking him but digging into his very flesh. “LORD SUZAKU!” he wailed as streams of energy were ripped from him, his demonic powers burning away.
“BEGONE!” Suzaku declared, and Byakko evaporated in a cloud of smoke.
It was hard to remember what came in-between. All the demon could recall was that he was floating in eternal blackness, his senses failing him as he seemed to have become an anathema to nothing. There was also coldness, lots of coldness. And then he could feel warmth, his instincts guiding him towards it. Warmth became light, it became feeling, and through it, he became himself again. Then came the ground.
It was impossible to tell how far he had fallen, but it was enough to moderately hurt, and more than enough for his body to leave a large crater in the concrete. Byakko could sense voices as he came to, and he shakily rose from the impact site. His yellowed eyes blinked many times to restore his sight, and he could barely make out figures in the murk. “Where, am I?” he asked.
There was a hush, as if the blurs were too afraid to answer him. “I said WHERE AM I?!” he bellowed, the crater widening around him.
His vision returning, he found himself surrounded by unusual animal people. They all stared at him, while unmistakably backing away slowly as well. And then he could smell it: That wonderful, almost-forgotten scent of prey. They all looked so deliciously feeble, and Byakko couldn’t help but drool as he tried to pick out the weakest of the herd. Marching out of his crater, he eyed a scared-looking deer with clearly a lot to lose. “You look delicious” the tiger uttered with ravenous hunger.
Lunging at them, they somehow sprung away, leaving him to smash through the stall he was standing in front of. “COME HERE!” the demon roared, smashing other stalls in his haste.
Roaring like a feral beast, he lunged forwards, catching the deer bakemono and pinning him. Byakko’s excited breaths pounding the poor fellow, his white chest heaving as the thrill of prey was driving him wild. Slowly lowering his jaws, drool dripped onto his prey’s face, and they shut their eyes. THWACK! “GRRF!” Byakko grunted, his head suddenly aching.
Getting off his prey, the demon was suddenly met by at least a dozen more of these strange creatures, all wielding sheathed swords, and dubious amounts of armour. “Heh… heh heh HA HA HAAA! You think those miserable little tools of yours can harm me? Don’t you know who I am?!” Byakko boomed.
There was a lot of head-turning, and the occasional shrug among the armoured forces. “I AM BYAKKO YOU LITTLE FOOLS! I AM THE LEGENDARY WHITE TIGER AND SAINT BEAST OF MAZE CASTLE! AND I AM THE DEMON WHO WILL DEVOUR YOU!” he boasted.
The armed force seemed to back away nervously, forcing a sadistic smile onto the tiger’s face. “Heh, look at you cowards starting to flee. It’s twelve to one, and you still hesitate in fighting me. I don’t know what you are, but it’s clear how weak you are. I don’t even need to fight you, so I’ll let my pets do it for me” Byakko smirked as he ripped several strands of hair from his head.
Blowing on them, the plucked strands flittered on his breath, and then fell to the ground uselessly. The tiger was far less confident in himself as his beasts didn’t emerge, his heart sinking as reality struck him like a sheathed sword: “Suzaku stole my powers!”
The guard seemed to have renewed hope as they approached the tiger, who roared furiously and bared his sharp claws. “FINE! I will just tell you apart myself!”
Lunging into the group, they scattered, but weren’t fast enough as the demon’s claws tore through their armour, leaving deep cuts in the metal as he grabbed another by their helmeted head and began squeezing. It compacted around the wolf’s head, moulding to his shape as Byakko grinned sadistically. “YOU THINK YOU CAN STOP ME! I-” WHACK! “I… I…” Byakko stammered, before collapsing. And it was blackness again.
When he awoke, Byakko found himself chained in a cell. His movements were incredibly limited as numerous shackles bound him in place, pinning him like prized meat in a butcher’s shop. The tiger grunted as he struggled with the restraints, but they were unnaturally thick and bulky, as if they had been intended for someone larger than he was. Silently fuming, a shadow suddenly stretched out from the bars of the cell. Looking up, Byakko stared into the quiet, calm eyes of an old rabbit in an elaborate outfit. “Hello” he said politely.
“Where am I?” the tiger demanded.
“Well, judging by the looks of things, this is a prison cell” the lapin joked. “But I assume you mean the city? This is Jutengai, one of the largest bakemono cities in the world” he answered.
“Bakemono? Beasts?”
“Well yes, you can call us beasts, though we prefer bakemono. I happen to be the lord of Jutengai, for now. I’m working on my retirement you see? But enough of that, what is your name?”
Byakko was quiet as he judged the Lord cautiously. “Byakko” he answered carefully.
“A lovely name. After the mythological white tiger yes? Well of course you would be, judging by the state of your fur. So Byakko, where did you come from? Truth be told I had always thought demons to likewise be mythical, and yet, here you are” the rabbit remarked with amusement.
“How do you know I am a demon?” the demon asked.
“One of the guardsmen that avoided getting roughed up mentioned your boastings. I think he said something about you being a “Saint Beast”, was it?”
“It’s a title reserved for powerful demons, as given to the likes of Suzaku and Seiryu, and somehow Genbu too.”
“And who are they?” the Lord inquired, quite interested in all this.
The tiger held his tongue, opting for an unflinching glare instead. The less he spilled the better, and he was already a fool for divulging the names of the others. They who… banished him. Byakko’s gaze lowered, his brow furrowed as he contemplated this. “I must apologize, I suspect I am prying into private business” the lapin bakemono figured.
“Very private” Byakko nodded.
“Very interesting” the rabbit mused, rubbing his beard. “I must confess Byakko, your appearance and actions have put us both into quite a situation right now” he admitted.
“Hmm?”
“Well, I’m sure you realize that even for a city this size word spreads awfully fast. And, sufficed to say, some of the more outspoken bakemono are already ill-at-ease knowing there’s a demon around who almost devoured one of them. And then there was you roughing up the city guard. We needed a can opener to get Ori’s head out his helmet” the Lord gravely explained.
The demon’s smile widened, and he let out a sadistic laugh. “Oh, how terrible for him” he smirked.
“Well, as bad as it was, I dare say it’s not as bad as your fate” the rabbit warned.
Byakko’s smile faded, and he returned to his standard glaring. “My fate?” he scoffed.
“You’re considered quite dangerous Byakko, incredibly so. My people feel they won’t be able to sleep well knowing you’re around, so some have already begun crying out to have you executed” the bakemono explained.
The demon’s eyes widened, and his frown twisted into a furious snarl. “So what? They’re so scared and pitiful they think killing me will solve their weakness?!” he demanded. “Who are they? I’ll fight the naysayers myself and SHOW THEM how dangerous I can be”
“I think that would only exacerbate the issue, Byakko” the Lord mused. “However, I for one am not exactly at home to sweeping a problem under the rug in such a way, and I do not care for bloodshed in my city. Which is why I’m going to prove to my citizens how you aren’t as dangerous as you appear with a little arrangement between you and I.”
“You want to make a deal with a demon? Heh, you’ve already displayed more courage than the rest of your rotten kind. But what makes you think I’ll take it? What makes you think that the second I’m free, I won’t rampage again?” Byakko growled.
“Because the second our deal is broken, your life becomes forfeit here, given how many people want your head on a pike. I am trying to help you here Byakko, and it might do you well to listen to what I have to say” the rabbit insisted.
“Fine. But it better be worth my while rabbit” the tiger relented as he got as comfortable as he could.
“I should hope so, given the alternative is execution. This is why I propose you to undergo rehabilitation instead.”
“Rehabilitation? HA HA HAAA!! Are you trying to insult me now? Your offer is that I give up who and what I am? And then what, become something like you?! Don’t make me laugh!” Byakko, well, laughed.
“The alternative is death Byakko, which is not an avenue I consider acceptable for Jutengai, not anymore” the bakemono said with heavy guilt. “If you agree to this, you will be put into the care of one of the candidates vying for my position of Lord. He will look after you and attend to your needs, while you in turn will learn from our society, and hopefully nurture a softer and less violent nature. There will of course be rules associated with our arrangement.”
Moving on his knees, Byakko moved as close to the bars as possible, which was about a foot from where he had been before. “And if I refuse? Or if I break whatever rules you place?”
“You already know that answer Byakko. I will not rush you to a decision, but even I can only hold back public outcry for so long” the Lord warned.
“What are your rules?”
The rabbit paused, surprised by the quick response. “You will adhere to our arrangement of personal growth. You will not bring harm without genuine remorse to any person in my city or outside of it. You will follow your caretaker’s advice, and follow his instructions. If you break these rules or go back on our arrangement, then you will be charged for your crimes against due to your recent actions, and you will be executed” he explained.
“Sounds simple enough. And who is this caretaker? He better be strong, because I can’t stand weaklings!”
“He is perhaps one of the strongest bakemono in this city” the rabbit confided.
“Hmph, fine, I accept your arrangement! But know this rabbit, I’ll be biding my time until I can get my power back. And when I do, I will burn your city to the ground” Byakko warned.
“This city has quite a good fire brigade, so that might be a tall order” the Lord joked. “But, I will simply pray that it does not come to that. Once you’ve come to know this city and its people, I feel you will come to enjoy their company as much as I do.”
“Heh, fat chance of that” the demon spat.
And the rest was history. He had spent months with Kumatetsu, growing fat and soft, but never losing an ounce of his strength. He had fought with the idiot, argued with him, had sex with… him…. Byakko frowned, and tried to ignore the pounding in his chest. Though now that he remembered it, the boast about the idiot’s strength may have been stretching the truth a little. But, maybe that’s why he had lost so much fire? He wasn’t truly a demon anymore, at least, not completely. “It all makes sense now” he whispered, wide-eyed.
His demonic nature had been waning for some time, being replaced by insipid bakemono essence. He wasn’t just becoming like them, he was becoming one of them! How hadn’t he realised it before? It was blatantly obvious that one of his powers still functioned, and this world did have a strange energy to it. Could it be that all along he had been absorbing their weakness into him? Making him lazy? Making him soft and dispassionate? Making him enjoy reading? It made all too much sense now that the answer was clear: He was going native. He was growing too complacent in this lazy city, and that awakened his ancient, boiling blood. “They will pay for this” he promised, getting up.
Marching through the house and out of it, he eyed Kumatetsu sullenly boxing with the air. His blood pressure rose at the very sight of the bastard, and he knew what he had to do. The bear of course, only just noticed the tiger storming at him with his arm raised. “Hey Fatass, finally finished sulkWHOA!” he yelped, ducking under a punch. “WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!” he screamed, avoiding another strike.
“You wanted to fight with me, so FIGHT! Fight with a real demon” Byakko demanded.
The crimson bakemono had to use every ounce of energy and concentration to avoid the tiger’s strikes. They were a lot more forceful than usual, and even Kumatetsu could tell one strike was going to hurt a lot. “You’ve gone mad!” he exclaimed, the tip of his nose scraped by a fist.
“Perhaps, or perhaps I’ve realised something I had been forgetting, you empty-headed moron. I’ve grown too soft around your kind, and now, I will harden and sharpen myself. To bring back the demon I used to be” Byakko declared, letting loose a good right hook.
The bear’s face was smashed inwards, his nose bleeding as he grasped it. His eyes watered from the intense pain shooting through his muzzle, and he could very easily see just how serious Byakko was. “STOP DAMN IT!” he said in a nasally voice.
The demon scowled, one fist still raised. “Why? Isn’t this what you wanted? If you need an easier challenge, why not fight Iozen again?” he insultingly suggested.
“What the hell? You… you damn… what the hell is wrong with you? Becoming a demon again? Last I heard that’s all a rotten bastard like you ever was!” the bakemono seethed as he wiped away some blood.
“That’s right. You’re right idiot, for once. I AM a demon, and that’s how I’m staying. Now, ready for another fight, or will you run like a coward?” the demon demanded.
“Coward? MY NOSE IS BLEEDING YOU DAMN IDIOT!” the bear roared and went to get some ice.
“Pathetic” Byakko scoffed, noticing some blood on his fingers. Looking about cautiously, he licked at it, and a long-forgotten tingle ran up his spine. Oh yes, that was the stuff. That was what he had been missing for so long now. “I am a demon, and that’s how I’m staying. No more laxity, no more miserable, pointless pursuits. I will never be like them. NEVER!”
<<Am I a Demon? | I am a Demon | In Arrogance We Fall | No Regrets | Mistakes Were Made | Even Though I Am a Demon>>
Having grown quiet and empty in the midst of spring, Byakko contemplates the short events that led to him ending up with Kumatetsu, and his current direction in life. And in his thoughts, he finally begins to understand what the true source of his empty life is, and thus he makes a decision that may just end up ruining everything.
.:Rated general:.Yu Yu Hakusho is © Yoshihiro Togashi & Shueisha.
The Boy & the Beast is © Studio Chizu.
Word Count: 4141
If you enjoyed the story, feel free to comment and fave, I'd really appreciate it.Am I a Demon?
Ah, joyous spring. The great saviour that rides in to banish winter for another year. It was a pleasantly warm day; perfect for training. And Kumatetsu was making use of every second as he practised his steps, going from sharp jabs to quick kicks, into a pair of cartwheels. His winter weight had all but vanished in the past few week, leaving him limber and light again. Well, sans the last remaining pounds of belly chub that just wouldn’t go away. Finishing his routine, the bear wiped swear from his brow for a quick little breather. “Hey Fatass!” he called to the house. “FATASS!”
“What?” came an agitated grumble.
“Come out here and join me. You could use the exercise and I need a training partner. Or just stick your gut out the door or window or something so I can use it as a punching bag” the bakemono said.
“Hrmph. Pass.”
“Come on! You’ve been moping about for a while, and the exercise will do you some good. It’s worked wonders for me” Kumatetsu boasted, ignoring his chubby tum as he hopped on the spot.
“I still refuse to believe you dumped so much weight so soon.”
“I don’t care if you believe it, cause I did tell ya I would lose it fast after winter’s gone. Now get out here!”
A long, beleaguered sigh rattled the house, which the bear tutted at as intentionally loud STOMPS pounded the floor. In an unnecessary amount of wasted time, the tiger finally extracted himself from the recently widened front door. For these warmer months he wore a light robe with the sash under his gut, which was exposed alongside his chest, while keeping done up to hide away his bulge. Well, it hid it when he was standing upright at least. “Is there a particular reason you need my help, specifically?” he grumbled.
“Yeah. No one else trains with me and you’re a big enough target, so put up your fists and spar with me” Kumatetsu explained, removing his shirt and casting it aside.
The demon had the blankest of stares as the bakemono hopped from foot to foot, as he had many months ago in his fight with Iozen. It was all so tedious for Byakko that he put more effort into rolling his eyes than raising his fists. “That’s it Fatass. Now come on, come at me” the bear requested.
Taking three steps forward, the tiger lazily moved his arm forward, his fist slowly crossing the air until it brushed against the idiot’s nose. “There. Are we done here?” he sighed.
“What the hell was that?” Kumatetsu complained, shoving the demon’s arm aside. “I told you to come at me, not scratch my nose!”
“I have better things to do” Byakko insisted, turning his back on the bear.
“Like what, huh? You’ve done nothing but read for weeks, and eat, and sleep! How is being lazy something “better” to do?” the bakemono demanded.
The demon rolled his head over his shoulder, his expression dull and lifeless. “Not humouring you is the better thing here” he answered, and went back inside.
“You… you…” Kumatetsu seethed as he furiously pulled at his hair. “YOU’RE SO DAMN IMPOSSIBLE!” he screamed.
“What’s impossible is for you to not throw a temper tantrum every time something doesn’t go your way. Maybe take a nap yourself and you’ll be less cranky” Byakko commented through the window.
“I’VE NAPPED ENOUGH! NOW GET YOUR FAT ASS BACK OUT HERE LARDO! I’M NOT DONE!”
“I am” the demon responded, and shut the window.
Byakko didn’t even smile as a string of incoherent words came out of that ghastly bear’s mouth. He assumed they were obscenities, but even ancient linguists would have a hard time deciphering the precise dialect. Sadly, he couldn’t even find the energy to laugh at that joke as he reclined on his pillow pile, which had grown flat from constant usage. Truthfully, he couldn’t understand it. So little even made him happy these days; even agitating the moron outside didn’t even do it for him anymore. Concerning yes, but at the same time, he found it hard to even care that it was concerning. Not even his extended imprisonment in Maze Castle had burned him out as Jutengai had. He always had something to keep going; the constant possibility that maybe the next day, there’d be someone to hunt and feed upon. To strip away their meat and to suck the marrow from their bones. Those were the good days.
But what did the infernal city even offer him? He had gone from one prison to another, but this was somehow worse! In Maze Castle he had his freedom, but here? He lived among the livestock, and he couldn’t even harvest a single one. No fattened pigs, or sturdy, muscular horses. No bovine, or that infuriating golden boar. Byakko’s frown twisted into disgust at the very thought of Iozen. No doubt, if given the chance he’d work for the losers in the Spirit World without a second thought, and he’d be so damn proud of the opportunity too. It was enough to make him want to spit in disgust. These bakemono, they were so damn pathetic. And yet, they held him at bay with swords they couldn’t even use! If only he had his powers, he’d destroy this entire damn city within the day. Why did Suzaku have to apply insult to injury like this? He had no powers but what was inherent to him, by only being able to- Wait, what was that? Cocking his head, his enhanced hearing picked up Kumatetsu, and an annoying, smug-sounding voice. “It’s that damn monkey” he noted.
Totoro, or whatever the hell his name was had been as much a regular as that pig with the idiotic religion had been. Ever since that dinner they felt, ugh, safe around him now. To think, they felt SAFE around a demon! They even attempted to converse with him as well, as if they were somehow EQUAL! Closing his eyes, Byakko listened in on what they were saying. “Sheesh, what’s got you so steamed?” the monkey said.
“It’s that damn idiot! I’m finally back into shape, and I’m trying to get Fatass to maybe try a little exercise too. He did the laziest punch I’ve ever seen, then he went back inside!” the dumbass bear complained.
“It’s probably for the best. You really don’t want to parade him outside and get him back into shape. It’d terrify everyone a lot more if he looked like what he did when he came here.”
“What the hell do I care about what the others think? I just want a worthwhile training partner, or at least a durable punching bag. I could punch his gut a hundred times, and… he’d probably complain the entire time.”
“Just train by yourself as you always do. Aren’t you used to that?”
“That’s not the damn point! He was good for a while, but now he’s moping again! All he does is sit in his little room and do nothing of value. Least he could do after all the pain he’s put me through is help me train.”
“As I keep saying Kumatetsu, maybe that’s for the best. The less of a threat he is the better in my book.”
“Please. He wasn’t a threat back then, and he’s definitely not one now.”
Byakko rolled his eyes as he focused back on himself, letting the idiots to their pointless conversation. Everything the bakemono did was so pointless. If they tried, they could without a doubt organize into an army and destroy the human world if they wanted too. The Demons would have if they could. They waste so much potential and energy on things like fighting that was purely ceremonial, and their insipid honour. Ugh, why bother with something like that? Though the monkey clearly had no honour, and far too loose lips. “Hrrrmmmgggg” the demon grumbled.
On reflection, it agitated him how dismissive that little cretin was. What the hell did he know about the hell he went through before and after arriving in this miserable dimension? Byakko could never forget the day he arrived. The day of the greatest insults.
“P-please Lord Suzaku, I can explain!” Byakko begged, falling to his knees.
The tiger kneeled before a tribunal of the boyishly handsome Suzaku, the smug cold snake of a man Seiryu, and the disgustingly gleeful expression of the stone creature Genbu. “SILENCE! I expected humans to get past Genbu, but you Byakko? Our expert hunter? You’ve brought shame on the Saint Beasts” Suzaku sneered.
Seiryu slithered forward, the icy man sporting the smuggest of smug expression. “Just as well I was there to deal with them, Lord Suzako” he smirked.
“Yes, we are grateful for your diligence Seiryu. But you, Byakko? You’ve disgraced us!” the thunder demon snarled.
The tiger clasped his hands together as he stared into the hateful eyes of his leader. “Please Lord Suzaku!”
“ENOUGH! Byakko, you are to be stripped of your title, your rank, your powers, and you are to be cast out!”
Byakko’s jaw hung hopelessly, his head doing the same as he lay on his hands and knees. “Please Lord, how could that even be possible? We’re trapped here!”
“I know that! But, there is a loophole” Suzaku explained, taking an ancient tome from Seiryu. “You will be banished, forced to wander the planes of existence with no hope of return. I care not for which world you may end up in, but that world will be your tomb. This will be your punishment for your failures!” the Lord of Maze Castle uttered, lightning crackling in his hands.
Bolts of red lightning arced through the air at the tiger, the waves not just striking him but digging into his very flesh. “LORD SUZAKU!” he wailed as streams of energy were ripped from him, his demonic powers burning away.
“BEGONE!” Suzaku declared, and Byakko evaporated in a cloud of smoke.
It was hard to remember what came in-between. All the demon could recall was that he was floating in eternal blackness, his senses failing him as he seemed to have become an anathema to nothing. There was also coldness, lots of coldness. And then he could feel warmth, his instincts guiding him towards it. Warmth became light, it became feeling, and through it, he became himself again. Then came the ground.
It was impossible to tell how far he had fallen, but it was enough to moderately hurt, and more than enough for his body to leave a large crater in the concrete. Byakko could sense voices as he came to, and he shakily rose from the impact site. His yellowed eyes blinked many times to restore his sight, and he could barely make out figures in the murk. “Where, am I?” he asked.
There was a hush, as if the blurs were too afraid to answer him. “I said WHERE AM I?!” he bellowed, the crater widening around him.
His vision returning, he found himself surrounded by unusual animal people. They all stared at him, while unmistakably backing away slowly as well. And then he could smell it: That wonderful, almost-forgotten scent of prey. They all looked so deliciously feeble, and Byakko couldn’t help but drool as he tried to pick out the weakest of the herd. Marching out of his crater, he eyed a scared-looking deer with clearly a lot to lose. “You look delicious” the tiger uttered with ravenous hunger.
Lunging at them, they somehow sprung away, leaving him to smash through the stall he was standing in front of. “COME HERE!” the demon roared, smashing other stalls in his haste.
Roaring like a feral beast, he lunged forwards, catching the deer bakemono and pinning him. Byakko’s excited breaths pounding the poor fellow, his white chest heaving as the thrill of prey was driving him wild. Slowly lowering his jaws, drool dripped onto his prey’s face, and they shut their eyes. THWACK! “GRRF!” Byakko grunted, his head suddenly aching.
Getting off his prey, the demon was suddenly met by at least a dozen more of these strange creatures, all wielding sheathed swords, and dubious amounts of armour. “Heh… heh heh HA HA HAAA! You think those miserable little tools of yours can harm me? Don’t you know who I am?!” Byakko boomed.
There was a lot of head-turning, and the occasional shrug among the armoured forces. “I AM BYAKKO YOU LITTLE FOOLS! I AM THE LEGENDARY WHITE TIGER AND SAINT BEAST OF MAZE CASTLE! AND I AM THE DEMON WHO WILL DEVOUR YOU!” he boasted.
The armed force seemed to back away nervously, forcing a sadistic smile onto the tiger’s face. “Heh, look at you cowards starting to flee. It’s twelve to one, and you still hesitate in fighting me. I don’t know what you are, but it’s clear how weak you are. I don’t even need to fight you, so I’ll let my pets do it for me” Byakko smirked as he ripped several strands of hair from his head.
Blowing on them, the plucked strands flittered on his breath, and then fell to the ground uselessly. The tiger was far less confident in himself as his beasts didn’t emerge, his heart sinking as reality struck him like a sheathed sword: “Suzaku stole my powers!”
The guard seemed to have renewed hope as they approached the tiger, who roared furiously and bared his sharp claws. “FINE! I will just tell you apart myself!”
Lunging into the group, they scattered, but weren’t fast enough as the demon’s claws tore through their armour, leaving deep cuts in the metal as he grabbed another by their helmeted head and began squeezing. It compacted around the wolf’s head, moulding to his shape as Byakko grinned sadistically. “YOU THINK YOU CAN STOP ME! I-” WHACK! “I… I…” Byakko stammered, before collapsing. And it was blackness again.
When he awoke, Byakko found himself chained in a cell. His movements were incredibly limited as numerous shackles bound him in place, pinning him like prized meat in a butcher’s shop. The tiger grunted as he struggled with the restraints, but they were unnaturally thick and bulky, as if they had been intended for someone larger than he was. Silently fuming, a shadow suddenly stretched out from the bars of the cell. Looking up, Byakko stared into the quiet, calm eyes of an old rabbit in an elaborate outfit. “Hello” he said politely.
“Where am I?” the tiger demanded.
“Well, judging by the looks of things, this is a prison cell” the lapin joked. “But I assume you mean the city? This is Jutengai, one of the largest bakemono cities in the world” he answered.
“Bakemono? Beasts?”
“Well yes, you can call us beasts, though we prefer bakemono. I happen to be the lord of Jutengai, for now. I’m working on my retirement you see? But enough of that, what is your name?”
Byakko was quiet as he judged the Lord cautiously. “Byakko” he answered carefully.
“A lovely name. After the mythological white tiger yes? Well of course you would be, judging by the state of your fur. So Byakko, where did you come from? Truth be told I had always thought demons to likewise be mythical, and yet, here you are” the rabbit remarked with amusement.
“How do you know I am a demon?” the demon asked.
“One of the guardsmen that avoided getting roughed up mentioned your boastings. I think he said something about you being a “Saint Beast”, was it?”
“It’s a title reserved for powerful demons, as given to the likes of Suzaku and Seiryu, and somehow Genbu too.”
“And who are they?” the Lord inquired, quite interested in all this.
The tiger held his tongue, opting for an unflinching glare instead. The less he spilled the better, and he was already a fool for divulging the names of the others. They who… banished him. Byakko’s gaze lowered, his brow furrowed as he contemplated this. “I must apologize, I suspect I am prying into private business” the lapin bakemono figured.
“Very private” Byakko nodded.
“Very interesting” the rabbit mused, rubbing his beard. “I must confess Byakko, your appearance and actions have put us both into quite a situation right now” he admitted.
“Hmm?”
“Well, I’m sure you realize that even for a city this size word spreads awfully fast. And, sufficed to say, some of the more outspoken bakemono are already ill-at-ease knowing there’s a demon around who almost devoured one of them. And then there was you roughing up the city guard. We needed a can opener to get Ori’s head out his helmet” the Lord gravely explained.
The demon’s smile widened, and he let out a sadistic laugh. “Oh, how terrible for him” he smirked.
“Well, as bad as it was, I dare say it’s not as bad as your fate” the rabbit warned.
Byakko’s smile faded, and he returned to his standard glaring. “My fate?” he scoffed.
“You’re considered quite dangerous Byakko, incredibly so. My people feel they won’t be able to sleep well knowing you’re around, so some have already begun crying out to have you executed” the bakemono explained.
The demon’s eyes widened, and his frown twisted into a furious snarl. “So what? They’re so scared and pitiful they think killing me will solve their weakness?!” he demanded. “Who are they? I’ll fight the naysayers myself and SHOW THEM how dangerous I can be”
“I think that would only exacerbate the issue, Byakko” the Lord mused. “However, I for one am not exactly at home to sweeping a problem under the rug in such a way, and I do not care for bloodshed in my city. Which is why I’m going to prove to my citizens how you aren’t as dangerous as you appear with a little arrangement between you and I.”
“You want to make a deal with a demon? Heh, you’ve already displayed more courage than the rest of your rotten kind. But what makes you think I’ll take it? What makes you think that the second I’m free, I won’t rampage again?” Byakko growled.
“Because the second our deal is broken, your life becomes forfeit here, given how many people want your head on a pike. I am trying to help you here Byakko, and it might do you well to listen to what I have to say” the rabbit insisted.
“Fine. But it better be worth my while rabbit” the tiger relented as he got as comfortable as he could.
“I should hope so, given the alternative is execution. This is why I propose you to undergo rehabilitation instead.”
“Rehabilitation? HA HA HAAA!! Are you trying to insult me now? Your offer is that I give up who and what I am? And then what, become something like you?! Don’t make me laugh!” Byakko, well, laughed.
“The alternative is death Byakko, which is not an avenue I consider acceptable for Jutengai, not anymore” the bakemono said with heavy guilt. “If you agree to this, you will be put into the care of one of the candidates vying for my position of Lord. He will look after you and attend to your needs, while you in turn will learn from our society, and hopefully nurture a softer and less violent nature. There will of course be rules associated with our arrangement.”
Moving on his knees, Byakko moved as close to the bars as possible, which was about a foot from where he had been before. “And if I refuse? Or if I break whatever rules you place?”
“You already know that answer Byakko. I will not rush you to a decision, but even I can only hold back public outcry for so long” the Lord warned.
“What are your rules?”
The rabbit paused, surprised by the quick response. “You will adhere to our arrangement of personal growth. You will not bring harm without genuine remorse to any person in my city or outside of it. You will follow your caretaker’s advice, and follow his instructions. If you break these rules or go back on our arrangement, then you will be charged for your crimes against due to your recent actions, and you will be executed” he explained.
“Sounds simple enough. And who is this caretaker? He better be strong, because I can’t stand weaklings!”
“He is perhaps one of the strongest bakemono in this city” the rabbit confided.
“Hmph, fine, I accept your arrangement! But know this rabbit, I’ll be biding my time until I can get my power back. And when I do, I will burn your city to the ground” Byakko warned.
“This city has quite a good fire brigade, so that might be a tall order” the Lord joked. “But, I will simply pray that it does not come to that. Once you’ve come to know this city and its people, I feel you will come to enjoy their company as much as I do.”
“Heh, fat chance of that” the demon spat.
And the rest was history. He had spent months with Kumatetsu, growing fat and soft, but never losing an ounce of his strength. He had fought with the idiot, argued with him, had sex with… him…. Byakko frowned, and tried to ignore the pounding in his chest. Though now that he remembered it, the boast about the idiot’s strength may have been stretching the truth a little. But, maybe that’s why he had lost so much fire? He wasn’t truly a demon anymore, at least, not completely. “It all makes sense now” he whispered, wide-eyed.
His demonic nature had been waning for some time, being replaced by insipid bakemono essence. He wasn’t just becoming like them, he was becoming one of them! How hadn’t he realised it before? It was blatantly obvious that one of his powers still functioned, and this world did have a strange energy to it. Could it be that all along he had been absorbing their weakness into him? Making him lazy? Making him soft and dispassionate? Making him enjoy reading? It made all too much sense now that the answer was clear: He was going native. He was growing too complacent in this lazy city, and that awakened his ancient, boiling blood. “They will pay for this” he promised, getting up.
Marching through the house and out of it, he eyed Kumatetsu sullenly boxing with the air. His blood pressure rose at the very sight of the bastard, and he knew what he had to do. The bear of course, only just noticed the tiger storming at him with his arm raised. “Hey Fatass, finally finished sulkWHOA!” he yelped, ducking under a punch. “WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!” he screamed, avoiding another strike.
“You wanted to fight with me, so FIGHT! Fight with a real demon” Byakko demanded.
The crimson bakemono had to use every ounce of energy and concentration to avoid the tiger’s strikes. They were a lot more forceful than usual, and even Kumatetsu could tell one strike was going to hurt a lot. “You’ve gone mad!” he exclaimed, the tip of his nose scraped by a fist.
“Perhaps, or perhaps I’ve realised something I had been forgetting, you empty-headed moron. I’ve grown too soft around your kind, and now, I will harden and sharpen myself. To bring back the demon I used to be” Byakko declared, letting loose a good right hook.
The bear’s face was smashed inwards, his nose bleeding as he grasped it. His eyes watered from the intense pain shooting through his muzzle, and he could very easily see just how serious Byakko was. “STOP DAMN IT!” he said in a nasally voice.
The demon scowled, one fist still raised. “Why? Isn’t this what you wanted? If you need an easier challenge, why not fight Iozen again?” he insultingly suggested.
“What the hell? You… you damn… what the hell is wrong with you? Becoming a demon again? Last I heard that’s all a rotten bastard like you ever was!” the bakemono seethed as he wiped away some blood.
“That’s right. You’re right idiot, for once. I AM a demon, and that’s how I’m staying. Now, ready for another fight, or will you run like a coward?” the demon demanded.
“Coward? MY NOSE IS BLEEDING YOU DAMN IDIOT!” the bear roared and went to get some ice.
“Pathetic” Byakko scoffed, noticing some blood on his fingers. Looking about cautiously, he licked at it, and a long-forgotten tingle ran up his spine. Oh yes, that was the stuff. That was what he had been missing for so long now. “I am a demon, and that’s how I’m staying. No more laxity, no more miserable, pointless pursuits. I will never be like them. NEVER!”
Category Story / Fat Furs
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