Here's chapter 7! Please remember that I'm not a professional translator or anything and my native language isn't English, so it might not be 100% perfect. I will post the final chapter and the epilogue tomorrow.
The next morning. The sky was cloudy, and the air felt heavy and cold. It looked like it was about to snow. After getting dressed, Rai and Konoe went downstairs. The devils were waiting in the living room again. When they noticed Rai’s presence, the four of them stopped talking and turned around.
"Yo! I know where Leaks is." Verg started talking to them.
"Rather than finding his exact whereabouts, it would be more correct to say that we sensed his presence, somewhere south of Ransen. "
Razel continued.
Konoe turned around to see Rai's expression.
"South of Ransen?" Konoe muttered.
There was a forest south of Ransen that stretched all the way to Karou. Konoe turned around and headed for the exit of the inn. Rai called to stop him.
"...hey, wait. Where are you going?"
"I know that location, I'm going." Konoe replied.
Rai sighed, knowing Konoe wouldn’t be able to stay calm in a place like that.
"And what will you do there, are you going to starve after endlessly wandering around?"
Konoe casted his eyes downward.
"The white cat is right, we know that Leaks is somewhere there but we don't know the precise location."
Verg replied, as if he was agreeing with Rai.
"Then, when will we know?" Konoe muttered while staring at the floor.
"Soon."
Froud, who had been silent until then, opened his mouth with a faint smile.
"You'll find out soon. The end is near. "
Konoe anxiously listened to Froud.
"It's finally time for my touching reunion with Leaks. Ah, I'm looking forward to it. Once I've defeated him and regained my strength, we’ll have to decide which one of us will eat you. "
Verg smiled and turned his gaze to Konoe, making Konoe's body shiver.
"Well, maybe we'll look around a little more. See you."
The demons summoned their respective flames and disappeared. Rai watched the flames disappear and let out a sigh. Konoe swished his tail from side to side.
"We have to go too..."
Rai could tell Konoe was in a hurry, wanting to learn more about his own curse and the curse placed on Rai.
"I told you earlier. Don't do anything reckless."
"But..." Konoe lowered his head after hearing Rai's words.
"Calm down. We'll have to wait for now. Besides, Leaks will definitely show up. He will let you know where he is." Rai told Konoe, who didn’t reply.
Would this battle with Leaks really be the last one? There was no time left, Froud’s words last night were serious. Would his heart be controlled by darkness before they could even meet Leaks? Rai hoped that they would make it in time. At least until the fight with Leaks, he hoped that he could stay sane. But could they really beat Leaks? Maybe even a Sanga and a Touga pair couldn’t beat him. Their abilities work the best together when they have a special kind of bond, but he wasn’t sure if him and Konoe were that close to each other.
Rai didn’t know the real meaning of a ‘bond’. Suddenly he felt a strong desire to talk to Konoe, he had something he really wanted to say, while his mind was still intact. Rai looked at the sky and narrowed his eyes.
"Come here."
Rai whispered, while grabbing Konoe’s arm, dragging him out of the inn. Rai climbed on top of the roof while Konoe looked at him, his eyes widening in surprise. Konoe followed him, after Rai urged him to come up.
Rai sat down on the edge of the roof and stared absentmindedly into the depths of the forest. Konoe's hometown should be somewhere in the southern part of the forest, and Setsura is located on the other side.
The wind was cold, but not unpleasant. They were still in heat, so it felt rather nice and cooling, Konoe sat next to him. The clouds had disappeared.
"Do you want to go back to Karou?" Rai asked Konoe.
"Your parents are already passed away, yet, you still want to go back there?"
He felt like Konoe was confused. Rai himself also didn’t know what he was even trying to talk about. What did he want to tell Konoe? His eyes narrowed for a moment, then he opened his mouth as he looked into the distance.
"Even if Setsura is destroyed, it doesn't matter to me. I have no memories of it, nothing."
Rai absentmindedly told him. Konoe sat still without moving or saying anything.
"...but there's something about it. I didn't like Karou either, but after all, it is not like I only have bad memories of it." Konoe replied.
Konoe sounded a bit distant. Rai was trying to search for the right words to say.
"...my parents died right in front of me." Rai replied.
Would Konoe laugh at him if he admitted he didn't just intend to say that?
"… eh?"
"They were killed by bandits who broke in. But it was almost like they weren't my parents, seeing their corpses, I felt nothing. I just wondered why they weren't moving."
Thinking back about it now, Rai didn’t understand what sadness was at the time. Covered in their dark red blood, he felt happy. Rai didn’t know what family warmth was or if it even existed.
"They say blood ties are stronger than anything else, but I don't really understand. Bonds, family warmth. I don't understand any of it..."
Rai said while looking at Konoe. Ah, what the hell was he even trying to ask Konoe. He didn’t know. He looked at Konoe.
"Do you understand it? Can you confirm that such a thing exists?"
Did he want Konoe to tell him that there was a bond between him and Rai? He never thought it was difficult to live alone, or to fight alone. Rai did have a disadvantage when he was fighting against pairs, that’s why he thought that Konoe could help him when they first met. But even then, it’s not like he couldn’t survive on his own.
If Rai lost his mind, Konoe would kill him. He just didn’t know when, it could even happen tomorrow. Was that the real meaning of a ‘bond’? The promise that Konoe would pierce his chest with his sword? When he remembered the promise, he felt a warm and fuzzy feeling in his chest.
Somehow, he felt relieved that he wasn’t alone right now. Was that alright? Even though he could kill Konoe anytime? Rai started feeling anxious.
That moment, something warm touched his shoulder, Konoe gently pressed his forehead against him, purring. For cats, that was a sign of affection.
"Do you understand? Maybe tomorrow, I will…" Rai told him.
He could kill him any moment.
"…I know" Konoe answered, while closing his eyes.
Rai could smell Konoe’s scent.
"…really."
Rai replied with a small sigh and then fell silent. If Konoe allowed this, then it should be fine, he told himself. It must be a bond that was truly unique to both of them. He felt the gentle touch of the cold winter breeze on his face.
Suddenly, he felt like hearing Konoe’s song again.
"...your song" Rai whispered.
"Sing me a song"
"…a song?" Konoe raised his face.
"Any song that isn’t used in battle is fine. Can you sing?"
He stared at Konoe, who was looking at him with a puzzled look on his face.
"…try it."
Konoe nodded and closed his eyes. After a short moment of silence, he could hear it. It wasn’t a song used in battle. It was a peaceful song that felt light, soft, and most importantly, warm.
"...your voice is mysterious. It touches the hearts of those who hear it."
Rai lowered his eyes and listened to the song. Konoe’s singing voice, it was all his. He could hear the voice riding on the wind and slowly disappearing, as if it was being sucked into the winter sky. He didn’t know something warm like this existed.
When they returned to the inn, Bardo was staring at the guest book at the reception desk. Rai immediately headed to the stairs, as usual.
"Just one second." Konoe stopped at the reception desk.
Without worrying about it, Rai started climbing the stairs. Either he had been outside in the cold weather for too long, or he was just tired, his body felt very warm. It was better to get some rest immediately. He entered the room, took off his gear and threw himself onto the bed without opening the window. The cool bed was comfortable. He crossed his arms and drifted off to sleep.
After he woke up, Konoe had not come back yet. He wondered what he was talking about with Bardo, but he couldn't be bothered. For a second, Rai thought about his past when he spent time with Bardo. Back then, he probably felt some kind of warmth when Bardo was taking care of him too. Suddenly, Rai felt a bit feverish. His right eye started hurting again.
Rai touched his eyepatch with his fingers and hit something in the room, creating a loud thud. He could feel all the hairs of his body standing up. A black mass was spreading throughout his body.
He had trouble breathing. Not now... It was still too early for this,
He could hear the sound of the door opening. Rai clenched his teeth. He felt uneasy when he heard the sound of someone approaching him.
"...is it painful?"
He felt relieved when he heard Konoe's voice, not someone else’s. This was Konoe's voice. His consciousness was still there, the darkness had not taken over yet. It should be fine now.
He groaned, as he felt the pain spread through his body. In that instant, he lost consciousness.
Rai grabbed Konoe's arm and pushed him down onto the bed. He looked at Konoe and scratched his skin with his nails. Red marks were visible on Konoe’s skin. Just like that, Rai grabbed Konoe’s neck.
"Let go...!"
Konoe struggled to free the hand from his neck. Rai looked down at Konoe and smiled. The tips of his fingers were red, covered in Konoe’s blood. He slowly started licking the blood off his fingers.
"It's a beautiful color." Rai muttered, enchantedly.
His prey was in front of him once more. If he opened its belly, he could see an even more beautiful shade of red. His mouth twisted. While thinking about this, the prey started struggling. Rai didn't dislike the sound of someone struggling, seconds away from their death.
"Rai."
Rai... That was his name. And what was in front of him wasn’t his prey, it was Konoe. His body suddenly felt numb, as he retracted the hand that was touching Konoe’s neck. What was he doing?
"Guh!"
He could hear Konoe coughing violently. Rai’s chest hurt. Konoe tried to catch his breath.
Rai looked down. After all, he shouldn't be by his side anymore. He couldn’t even keep his promises.
"I’m sorry. " He muttered.
"Does it hurt?"
He knew the wound itself wouldn’t be a problem, but he didn’t know what else to say to Konoe.
Wounds aren't the problem. I know that. But I don't know how to tell Konoe
"...it doesn't matter, if I lick it, it will heal just fine. " Konoe replied.
"You shouldn't be by my side. You..." Rai tried to tell him.
"Don’t say that." Konoe interrupted Rai's words.
"Don't even try. No matter what you tell me, my feelings won't change."
Rai looks back at Konoe. Konoe's was staring at him. He understood Konoe’s expression, he didn’t sense any anger. Why? Was there darkness in Konoe’s heart too? Rai had his own reasons for being like this.
"Why do you have to go that far? Your goal is to be freed from that curse, isn't it?"
"It's the same for you."
"I am an existence that must disappear eventually. Even if I am killed by this curse, nothing will change. Listen to me."
Rai turned his gaze to the closed window.
"Of course, this side of me, it’s not something I ever wanted."
Rai began to speak while trying to find the right words.
"I became aware of it was when I went hunting for the first time. I hunted to test the sword skills that I had learned. It was a small hare. I thought it was warm.”
Rai still remembered how warm it felt. Warm… It was a warmth he had never felt before. Since then, every time he went hunting, he looked for that warmth he craved so much.
Rai looked down at his hand. He felt like the palm of his hand was permanently stained red.
"When I touch the flesh and blood of other beings, my heart feels deeply satisfied."
Back then, hunting alone was enough to satisfy his desires. However, this slowly started changing. Ever since that creature gouged out his right eye, his desire started growing stronger. Rai touched his eyepatch with his fingertips. His right eye continued to ache.
"And now my desire is turning into insanity, it’s taking over my whole body. I've always tried to be strong, both physically and mentally, to fight back, but…"
Rai stopped talking for a moment.
"I wonder if all this time, I only wanted to become strong so I could feel the warmth of flesh and blood."
It was not something he ever admitted, and he tried to not think about it. He was fighting for that flesh and blood he craved so much.
Rai hated this, the only thing that brought him joy was taking other’s lives. He thought that it would be better if he just ended his own life while he was still sane, rather than waiting for what would happen in the future. Rai looked at Konoe.
"Therefore, there is no reason, no obligation, no need for you to stick to me. You should think about yourself."
Rai didn’t feel connected to anyone, he had to be alone all this time.
Konoe averted his gaze from Rai. He did not know what he was thinking. If Konoe only thought about himself, it would be natural that he left Rai behind. It didn’t matter, there were other Touga out there, like Asato.
At that moment, Konoe looked up. Rai felt that Konoe was looking straight into his eyes.
"I told you the other day." Konoe slowly began talking to him.
“Have you ever thought about my feelings? Have you ever thought about asking me? That's why I'll tell you.“
Konoe took a deep breath.
As Konoe said, he never really talked to him. Rai could mention that a lot of things happened recently and that they simply had no time to talk to each other. But it was different. Rai thought there was no need to talk, no need to understand each other.
"When you found out about my curse, you said it was fine. I was really happy."
With a smile on his lips, Konoe shut his mouth for a moment.
Rai remembers that time. It was true, he didn’t care about the curse. The ability of a Sanga was more impressive than that.
"People around me didn’t like hearing anything about curses, so when you didn’t let go of me, even if it’s because we’re Sanga and Touga, I was happy. "
Konoe squeezed his hand tightly, while Rai sat there quietly.
"Ever since my parents died, I have been alone. Sadness, anger, and other emotions. If you use all those things as a strength, you will be able to survive."
Rai understood his feelings at that moment.
"But when I met you, I was so happy I could stay by your side."
Rai could feel a gentle warmth, similar to Konoe’s song.
"I think you're really strong. I'm not trying to be strong to kill you. I think you've already given in to your desires and try to deal with those. That's why I respect you."
"Also, I was happy when you put the lamp in our room."
Was he talking about the glowing leaves Rai gave him?
"That's why I thought you helped me a lot. Not only when I was sick, but in many ways, you said you didn't care about my curse. Even if something could happen, I don’t want to leave you."
Konoe's gazed at Rai.
"At that time, I will kill you. I told you so. That's why I can't leave. I don't want to leave."
Konoe's clenched his fists tightly.
"This is all I'm thinking. How do you feel? Not because I'm going to kill you, I want to know your true feelings."
After saying that, Konoe took a deep breath. Rai looked down and averted his gaze from Konoe. Real feelings. He never thought of it before.
There was nothing in this world he really cared about before. He didn't care about his own feelings. He listened to his parents and did what was expected of him.
His desire for blood wasn’t exactly a feeling, more like a desire he couldn’t control. Feelings were something he never thought about. When he was tired he slept, when he was hungry he ate, when he was in heat he did what was necessary to suppress it. Those were all things he simply had to do.
His own feelings… He thought that it would be dangerous for Konoe to stay by his side. However, he wanted Konoe to be the one to kill him after losing his sanity. He just didn’t understand anymore.
Rai pulled Konoe's arm and pressed him down on the bed. Konoe's wide-open eyes stared at him. He didn't know what to say.
"...I don't understand it well."
"…what?" Konoe asked, confused.
"I shouldn't have any feelings for you, I know that, but-…"
Rai knew he shouldn’t be by his side. Nevertheless…
"...those are your genuine feelings, that’s why you can’t let go. ".
Konoe said quietly. Rai averted his gaze from Konoe. Such a thing…
"…I forgot"
"...?"
"Just now, I forgot that you were a Sanga."
Rai looked at Konoe again.
Konoe, the person in front of him. The only person he would ever look at like this.
"It's true that I wanted to have the ability of Sanga, it's the same for everyone, including my opponents."
"With your strength, I’m sure other Sanga also want to work together with you."
Konoe said. Rai shook his head slightly.
"I can't imagine a song other than yours."
Rai closed his eyes for a moment. Whenever he closed his eyes, he could always remember Konoe's song. It was a gentle song.
"...because you've only heard my songs."
Konoe said in a somewhat gentle voice. Rai looked at Konoe, why would he say that?
"No, if it's not your song, I don’t need it."
Rai’s chest hurt. It was painful. Expressing his feelings was incredibly difficult.
"If it's not you... it's useless."
Konoe looked at him. Konoe told him he wouldn’t leave Rai, but…
Rai held his breath. He looked at Konoe. He didn’t know what to do when Konoe’s hand reached out and touched his cheek.
"...ah."
Not knowing what to do, his back stiffened up.
Konoe's hand wrapped around his neck and he hugged Rai’s body. His forehead hit Konoe's shoulder. He gradually started feeling Konoe’s body temperature. Not just his body temperature, but also his heartbeat. Everything felt warm.
It made his own body feel hot. Rai moved and put his lips to Konoe's neck.
"..."
Konoe held his breath. Feeling like Konoe was rejecting his feelings, Rai pulled his body away from him. However, Konoe tried to stop him
"...don't you hate it?"
Konoe frowned at Rai's question. He didn’t understand why Rai was asking him that.
"This kind of thing, don't you hate it?" He asked again.
"Hated it? When?" Konoe seemed to be serious.
"During that time when we were in heat."
Rai thought about the time when he touched Konoe.
"...come to think of it, you said that anyone would do." Konoe replied.
"I didn't mean it like that."
Rai thought how he shouldn’t have said that back then.
"I said that if you want to do it, it's okay. No matter who the other person is."
"That is what I meant."
Rai answered. If the desire was there, it would be foolish to reject it. Rai suddenly realized that there’s something he desired for so long. He wanted warmth, but he refused to look for it. Maybe he was the one who was stupid. And now…
That time when he kissed Konoe, and what happened at the brothel, he wanted it. Konoe. He wanted Konoe.
"During that time at the brothel, you told me to think about another cat..." Konoe repeated.
Rai definitely said that, but Konoe was mistaken.
"Because I thought you didn't want me to touch you."
"...why would I hate being touched by you?"
"You said it was because of the incense." Rai replied.
Rai recalled what happened when Konoe bought the incense, he thought Konoe hated it when he kissed him back then.
"I never hated it, but... it was true that it was also caused by the incense." Konoe replied.
"Lying now isn’t going to solve anything."
"I'm not lying, I thought you were the one who hated it.”
Could it be that both of them misunderstood something? If there had been no misunderstanding, everything would have been easier. He didn’t realize. He had longed for Konoe's warmth for such a long time.
Rai looked at Konoe, whose face turned red. He gently started nibbling Konoe’s ear.
"...so you don't hate it?" Rai whispered, to confirm his feelings.
Rai thought about what he wanted. He wanted Konoe.
He sat up and locked his lips with Konoe. He licked his lips and teeth, it felt warm. While kissing him, he grabbed Konoe’s shoulder and pushed him down.
"ah…!"
The recoil separated their lips. Rai put his own lips on top of Konoe’s slightly opened mouth again.
The warmth and passion that was slowly building up in his body felt much stronger than the darkness that resided within him. He wanted to touch Konoe even more.
"…mhh"
Konoe, who found it difficult to breathe, groaned. However, he opened Konoe’s lips with his tongue, as if he didn’t allow him to resist. Their tongues touched each other. Konoe’s tongue touched the back of Rai’s tongue. Rai licked the inside of his upper jaw.
"…ah!"
A soft sound escaped from Konoe’s mouth. Rai changed the angle and continued kissing Konoe, going deeper and deeper. Their fangs touched each other, and he sucked on Konoe’s tongue.
Konoe's body also started feeling hotter. After Rai let go of him, Konoe stared at him.
"…ah…ah.."
Rai remembered the time when they were in heat and when Konoe bought the incense. Back then, they were trying to get rid of the hot feeling, but now it was different.
He took off Konoe’s shirt, exposing his chest. He touched it with his hands. Konoe gasped as the fingers touched his chest.
"…ah!"
Konoe's embarrassed voice made Rai want to tease him.
"Can you feel it?"
Konoe opened his eyes and tried to get up.
"Enough. Take your hands off."
Konoe’s movement only brought Rai’s hands closer to his body.
"...!"
As a Touga, his hands were used to holding a sword and had a rough texture. Konoe averted his gaze and tried to hold back his voice. Rai wanted to hear more of Konoe's voice and licked Konoe’s chest with the tip of his tongue, aiming for one of his nipples.
"…ah!" A soft voice escaped from Konoe's mouth.
His hand grabbed Rai's shoulder as if he was trying to resist.
"...no, stop, mh!"
"If you don't like it, I'll stop." Rai stopped, while looking at Konoe.
He didn’t think Konoe was being too honest, that was obvious. However, until now, both had not been honest with each other. Rai never thought he had to be. His thoughts… he never told anyone what he was thinking.
Rai continued teasing one of Konoe’s nipples with the tip of his tongue.
"…mm."
Konoe covered his mouth with his hand, trying to hide the sounds he was making.
While licking Konoe’s chest, Rai’s hand moved down. As he untied his belt and reached between his legs.
"Wait...mm, ah..."
Rai slipped his hand in Konoe’s underwear and wrapped his hand around Konoe’s member.
"..."
Konoe looked at him impatiently. While their bodies were getting even hotter. Konoe had become even harder after Rai directly touched his member. Konoe's hand pressed against Rai’s shoulder. He raised his face and sweetly bit into Konoe’s collarbone.
"…ah!"
A moan escaped from Konoe's mouth. As he gently stimulated Konoe’s member, his voice and movements also increased. Konoe couldn’t hold in his moans anymore. Rai wanted to hear more of that. He licked his collarbone and the nape of his neck, waiting to see how Konoe would react. He could smell Konoe’s scent as he was slowly getting more sweaty. It was a bit different than Konoe’s usual scent.
He could see that the tip of Konoe’s member had become wet, overflowing with precum. Rai moved his hand and started touching Konoe’s tight opening. It was not the first time he had touched this place, but it was different from that time. It felt a lot tighter now.
"…n-no!"
Konoe moved his body and tried to get away from him. Rai kissed Konoe’s ears.
"Are you scared?"
Konoe did not answer.
Rai licked the inside of Konoe’s ear. The ears were a cat's sensitive spot.
"Ah...!"
"Shut up" Rai smiled.
That was a bit of a lie because he wanted to hear Konoe’s voice. He started touching Konoe’s member again.
"Mhh ..."
When Konoe let out a sweet voice, Rai tried slipping his finger into the tight opening. Even though there was a bit of resistance, Konoe’s body was a bit more relaxed now. He gently stroked the inside with the tip of his finger. Konoe’s body trembled. His insides felt as narrow and tight as last time, it slowly started swallowing Rai’s fingers. He was pleased with Konoe’s reaction, he liked knowing what Konoe wanted. His body reacted, no matter where he touched him. He wanted to take things a little further now.
When Rai suddenly stopped moving, Konoe looked at him with wet eyes. Konoe moved his body and Rai removed his fingers.
"…what?"
"…shut up." Konoe glared at him.
He suddenly stood up and placed his hand on top of Rai's lower leg. When Konoe started touching his belt, Rai tried to stop him.
"What are you doing?"
"Shut up." Konoe got off the bed and started kneeling beteween Rai’s legs.
"Hey!"
"I'm telling you to shut up."
Konoe grabbed Rai’s member and took it out of his clothes. He could feel the cool air touching it. A shiver ran down his spine. He touched Konoe’s hair while he was staring at what he was trying to do.
"...shut up!"
Just like that, Konoe took Rai’s member into his mouth. His mouth felt warm and wet.
"Hey, stop it!"
His member was not yet fully erect, however, the pleasure that he felt was intense. He grabbed Konoe’s shoulders and tried to stop it, but Konoe swallowed it even deeper. He could feel his tongue moving. It felt a bit awkward, and Rai started losing his patience.
Konoe’s head slowly started moving up and down.
"...this stupid cat..."
His voice was hoarse, he never thought Konoe would do something like this.
"Mmm, mm..."
Konoe moaned while licking it. Rai closed his eyes, while Konoe was licking the tip. He softly touched Konoe’s hair and clenched his teeth. Rai opened his eyes when he felt a dull pain. It was not the sweet stimulation of a tongue, was it the feeling of Konoe’s fangs?
"…tch"
"…ah"
Konoe raised his face as if Rai’s voice surprised him. His saliva dripped down the corner of his mouth. Konoe’s expression was terribly sensational. His eyes, wet and his cheeks completely red.
Rai started feeling a bit frustrated, he wanted more. He grabbed Konoe’s shoulder and pushed him down onto the cold floor. Konoe stared at him with frightened eyes.
"…sorry" Rai closed his eyes.
"…it’s not like that."
Rai replied while taking off Konoe’s clothes.
He was craving for the warmth that melted his body and thoughts. He grabbed Konoe’s leg. Rai wanted to expose everything and make it all his own.
He also took off his own clothes.
"Wait a minute… "
He grabbed the base of Konoe’s tale to stop him from resisting. After that, he grabbed Konoe's waist, who had stopped moving already, and pressed his own member against Konoe’s opening.
"Ah!" Konoe raised his voice.
Rai furrowed his brow and pushed his body forward.
"...ah, ha...mh!"
It felt hot and cramped inside, right rather than narrow.
"Ah… ha.. uh, uh..." Konoe winced.
Was he in pain?
"…relax."
Rai whispered. However, Konoe shook his head left and right, keeping his eyes tightly closed. He wanted it fast, he was sure Konoe felt the same way. However, it was meaningless if it wasn’t pleasurable for both of them. Rai stopped and grabbed Konoe's tail. He brought the hooked part to his mouth and nibbled on it.
"…ah"
While nibbling on his tail, Rai touched Konoe’s member gently with his other hand.
"…"
Konoe tried to talk, but his breathing seemed terribly painful. Rai kissed him and asked him a question.
"Is it painful?"
Instead of answering, Konoe put his arms around Rai's neck. The clinging arms told Rai that he wanted more. Rai kissed him and started moving again.
"Ah… ah! "
While entangling their tongues, Rai started slowly moving. He could feel Konoe’s insides twitching around him. If Rai’s member swelled up even more, it might become painful for Konoe, but he couldn’t help it.
Konoe’s arm clung to his back. Rai's arm caressed Konoe's body, touching the mark on Konoe's arm. Then, Konoe moved his hand and touched the mark on Rai's chest. Every time Konoe moved, Rai could feel his insides wriggling. He slowly started moving around, searching for a spot that would make him feel even better.
"…ah …mn?"
Konoe let out a loud moan. Rai looked at Konoe and then pushed the same spot again.
"Ah.. ha …ah!"
Konoe turned away his face and clenched his teeth, trying to hold his breath.
"Don't try to hide it."
Rai gently licked the corner of Konoe's stiffened eyes.
"N-no…ah!"
Every time he moved, Konoe's body twitched.
"Show me everything, Konoe."
He whispered in his ear. That time, at the brothel, Rai’s name was called for the first time. And now, for the first time, he called Konoe by his name.
"Leave it all to me."
Rai looked at Konoe. Konoe's stared back at Rai. Rai pushed his hips forward again.
"... uh, ah, ah, ah..."
Konoe gasped, clinging to his neck and leaning his head against Rai’s shoulder.
"... uh Rai! ah! "
A chill ran down his spine when Konoe called his name, he didn’t know what to say. He started moving a bit faster.
Konoe's member rubbed against his belly. He bit and licked Konoe's ear, while pushing deep inside him. Breathing was getting more difficult. The feeling of wanting to end it and the feeling of wanting to stay connected. As he grabbed Konoe’s member, Konoe’s body trembled.
Was this a desire or something else, Rai didn’t know. He still wasn’t sure what a bond was or what love was. But in this moment, he realized he loved Konoe. He wanted to touch him, pushing deeper and deeper into his body.
"...ah, ha,... uh, ah...ah!"
A white liquid spilled on Rai’s hands and belly, Konoe’s body tightening with every spasm. Rai then came inside of Konoe’s body.
"...mmm, ...ah!"
He moaned, slowly rocking his hips, letting everything out. After that Rai took a deep breath. Rai entrusted his body to Konoe, their breathing overlapping.
He removed himself from Konoe’s body and looked at him. Konoe wrapped his arms around his neck and kissed Rai.
Konoe was looking at him. Rai never thought that he would be spending his time together with someone like this. Konoe stretched out his hand and his fingertips touched Rai’s right eye. Noticing what he was trying to do, Rai flinched a little. He didn’t mind though, he thought to himself. It would probably be fine.
Konoe used his other hand to slowly remove Rai’s eyepatch. Not knowing how to react, he tried to turn away from Konoe. However, Konoe grabbed his head with both of his hands and kissed his right eye.
Konoe’s warmth… His body stiffened. Konoe gently traced the scar with the tip of his tongue. It felt warm, the tip of his tongue and his breath. After letting go, Konoe looked at him.
"...thank you."
It was a quiet voice. Rai gently stroked Konoe's leg with his tail.
"...you don’t have to say that."
Rai grabbed his eyepatch and got up. He grabbed Konoe’s arm, throwing him onto the bed. He looked down at him and wrapped his body in a blanket.
"Sleep." Rai sat next to him and looked at Konoe.
"...ah?"
For some reason, Konoe sounded confused.
"Go to sleep"
"…ah, …yeah.”
Konoe curled up in bed. Rai suddenly started thinking about something.
"...where did you learn that?"
Konoe looks puzzled for a moment, then blushed.
"...no... I just came up with the idea and did it, it’s not like I learned it anywhere. "
Thinking about something and suddenly doing it, that sounded exactly like something Konoe would do. Konoe grabbed his blanket and tried to get out of bed, but Rai grabbed him by the arm and wrapped Konoe's body in the blanket again.
"Don’t think about anything right now, you stupid cat."
"…annoying."
"Only do that for me" Saying this, Rai turned away from Konoe.
"…eh?" Konoe asked him.
"Those kinds of thoughtless actions."
Konoe looked confused.
"What? "
"…no, never mind. "
Konoe looked down. For some reason Rai really wanted to tease Konoe. When Konoe turned around, he suddenly started licking his ears. It was just grooming, what cats do. Konoe noticed and cleared his throat. His ears, cheeks, the nape of his neck, Rai cleaned it all. When Rai touched his back with the tip of his tongue, Konoe let out a small moan.
"Mn..."
His back was not a place he was able to groom himself, so it was only natural for Konoe to react like this. He was touching an unfamiliar place. After that Rai licked the base of his tail. He could feel Konoe’s body getting hot.
"...hey...!"
As expected, Konoe raised his voice. Rai continued to lick towards the tip of the tail, which was a sensitive area.
"Stop it!"
Konoe turns around and glared at him. While chewing on the crooked part of Konoe's tail, Rai looked at Konoe.
"... you're doing it on purpose, aren't you?" Konoe complained.
"Sleep." Rai answered, while licking Konoe’s tail.
"You...!"
Konoe took a deep breath.
"...for you that is fine, you have a splendid tail."
After hearing Konoe's words, Rai stopped and looked at Konoe's tail. The tip is crooked but it was still a beautiful tail.
"That's a pretty strange attitude. Don't you like your own tail?"
No answer from Konoe. Rai started grooming Konoe's tail again.
"...I don't hate it." Rai muttered.
"Eh?"
Hearing Konoe's tone of voice, he bit his tail.
"Ah…!"
"Sleep."
"...you!"
Ignoring Konoe's tantrum, Rai began licking the back of Konoe’s thigh. Konoe tried to close his legs in a hurry.
"…mhh"
Rai puts his face between Konoe’s legs. He was going to lick every nook and cranny of his body. In the end, it was already morning when the two of them finally fell asleep that night.
-----------
A presence outside the window woke Rai up. He was not feeling too well. Next to him, Konoe was sleeping peacefully. He wondered if Konoe pretended to be asleep, but it would only be natural for him to be tired.
He got out of bed and opened the window. It was dim and cloudy outside, but the sky clearly looked different than usual. He could see the dim light of the moon of light. Normally, the moon of light had a round shape, but it seemed distorted now.
After getting dressed, Rai grabbed Konoe’s tail and pinched it lightly.
"...!" Konoe jumped up.
"How long have you been sleeping? Get up quickly."
Konoe, who was suddenly woken up, glared at Rai. Trying to get up, his tail became puffy. His clothes were scattered across the room and he seemed to try remembering what happened last night.
"...hey,"
Konoe looked upset. Rai looked out of the window again and the moon of light was getting smaller and smaller. It seemed like they had to hurry.
"Hey?"
Rai called out to Konoe. Konoe seemed to have calmed down a bit after finding his clothes.
"…what?"
Konoe answered while putting on his shoes. The tone of his voice was harsh and cold.
"What is up with that attitude?"
"...nothing really" That reaction was very like Konoe.
"Is it painful? Your body"
Konoe's body stiffened after hearing that. Rai folded his arms while looking at Konoe. From his cheeks to his ears, he could see that Konoe’s skin was turning a beautiful shade of red.
"Your face is red."
"You!" Konoe yelled at him.
But without saying any more, he sat down on the bed.
"There’s no need to be ashamed."
When he told Konoe that, he looked away and groaned.
"I’m not as bold as you. " Konoe sounded annoyed.
“At the end, you were moaning quite happily.”
"Shut up! Say no more!" Konoe let out a growl.
"It’s the truth, isn’t it?"
Konoe was at a loss for words. Rai continued teasing him.
"I wish you could have been that honest from the very beginning."
"…Don’t be ridiculous."
Even Konoe's displeased voice sounded good to Rai now. He looked at Konoe who continued putting his equipment on. When he looked out of the window, a voice could be heard from the roof. It seemed like the devils gathered there.
"Let’s go to the roof."
"…the roof?" Konoe asked Rai.
"The others also gathered there."
"Did something happen?"
"Let’s go, you’ll understand soon."
Rai quickly left the room after responding to Konoe’s question. After that, Konoe hurriedly followed.
He could see that the sky was wrapped in darkness while heading to the roof. Konoe also seemed to have grasped the situation.
After climbing the tree which lead to the roof, he noticed the devils and Bardo were there, only Asato was missing.
"What happened?" Konoe asked the devils.
"Look at that." Verg replied.
The Moon of Light, which should normally be shining brightly at this time of the day, was losing its light. The light was getting weaker... no, it was almost like the entire moon was beginning to fade. It looked much worse than when Rai saw it just a moment ago.
"It’s fading quickly." Konoe muttered anxiously, while the Moon of Light was fading.
"...I see. An eclipse." Razel muttered unfamiliar words.
"Shocked?" Bardo continued talking while he stood behind Konoe.
"Haven’t you ever heard of it? If I remember correctly... There was a story about the Moon of Darkness, which can usually not be seen during daytime, rising at the same time as the Sun of Light, followed by an eclipse."
"You seem to know a lot for just an innkeeper cat."
Glancing at Verg who was teasing him, Bardo continued talking.
"It's said that eclipses were common in the old world which the Two Canes inhabited. "
"It's a phenomenon that apparently hasn't happened in Shisa during the past 200 years, so it's no surprise that most of us don't remember it."
Bardo looked at the sky.
Come to think of it, Rai vaguely remembered that Bardo was familiar with such legendary stories. No, it was mostly about witchcraft. All arts involving demons were supposed to require knowledge of magic. Bardo was investigating a forbidden technique, that is why he knew.
"During an eclipse, magical powers also become stronger. If Leaks was really up to something, now would be the perfect time."
"Well, you know. Wasn't that a secret passed down in Meigi?"
Froud said something speculative, which Kaltz replied to. In the meantime, the Moon of Light was steadily vanishing.
"I wonder if it will completely disappear."
Verg muttered, while the moon of darkness started completely covering the moon of light.
"...it's about to begin, the eclipse."
The moment Bardo said this, a ring of flames surrounded the Moon of Darkness, which was covering the Moon of Light. It looked like a blood red ring. The Moon of Darkness started looking like a black hole.
Did it feel unnerving because this shouldn’t be happening? A small flame arose from the center of the Moon of Darkness. The flickering flame almost looked like someone’s soul.
Screams could be heard in the distance, everyone who looked up at the sky was frightened by the strange sight.
"Finally."
Rai heard a familiar voice. Above the roof, he saw that clown Firi, who was wearing a red costume. Rai clutched the hilt of his sword.
"The time has come." Firi smiled.
"…you!" Konoe groaned, but Firi didn’t care.
He held out his hand.
"Even if you’re upset, it's okay because we'll meet again soon."
"... we'll meet again soon?" Konoe asked.
"Yes. We will~."
Firi looked at Konoe and he smiled loosely. Then he put one hand on his chest and lowered his head.
"Come. It’s an invitation."
His fingertips pointed at the eclipse.
"Look, the two moons have become one. The Moon of Light and the Moon of Darkness, lamenting, weeping and melting. The skies languish into an endless lunar lament. Red moon, red moon, underneath that moon he be waiting for you, that person. "
Firi's exaggerated his movements and then disappeared.
That person, he couldn’t think of anyone but Leaks. After Firi disappeared all that was left was a red sky and a gaping hole. Suddenly he heard a melody, it was a song. It was very unsettling, a sinister melody.
“This song, it can't be…!”
Konoe looked at Rai. This song certainly sounded familiar. A wicked song that manipulated the bodies of the dead cats in the village. It was Leak’s song. At that moment, screams could be heard in the distance. They could see cats running away from something.
"M-monsters!"
Rai looked around and it certainly looked like a large group of cats were running away from something. But some of them were not normal, just like back then. Something was controlling the bodies of the cats that died in the forest.
No matter how powerful Leaks was, he was surprised that he could control so many of them.
"I have to stop that song..." Konoe muttered and clenched his fist.
"Where do you think that song came from?"
Konoe looked up at the sky and saw Verg. Next, Rai also stared at the sky. Bardo seemed to have noticed, too.
"...the moon? Are you saying the moon is singing..." Bardo’s voice was filled with despair.
"The magic that radiates from the eclipse moon is Leak’s magic. His song. Truly a terrifying magician, to use the moon to spread his song through Shisa. "
Kaltz said, while staring at the sky. Leak’s song is one that will end the world.
"Does that mean that Leaks wants to destroy us...?"
"It's a pointless question. You don't need to understand his motives or goals."
There are other things we must do.
"Now all we have to do is figure out how to locate him and kill him. "
Rai said while looking up at the moon.
"Hey white cat, don’t you think that will be difficult? How do we know where he is?"
Verg said while laughing.
"I wonder what all of this means…" Kaltz said.
"This song is a song of deep lamentation. And if Leaks is using the moon to boost the strength of the song, it means he's sending the signals from somewhere on the surface. Wouldn’t the Devil of Grief be able to sense where he is? Isn’t that what you’re trying to say, Kaltz?"
Razel said to Kaltz. who didn't respond and stared at the moon without moving. After a while, Kaltz finally opens his mouth.
"I can see it. It's somewhere south. This time I know the exact location."
Kaltz lowered his gaze and looked back at Rai and the others.
"Once we find him, we’ll pay our annual tributes to that bastard Leaks. "
Verg said with a smile on his lips.
Devils had the ability to move freely wherever they wanted. As long as they knew Leak’s location, it would be possible to go there. Rai wondered what to do next.
"…please take us too.” Konoe replied.
"Huh?" Verg frowned, displeased by Konoe's words.
"We'll fight Leaks too. Is it impossible for you to teleport while you're together with us?" Konoe said.
"Ugh, what a pain in the ass..." Verg said, looking displeased.
"There's no way it can't be done, right? Especially by someone who seems to be on par with Leaks." Rai muttered.
Verg's eyes widened, almost as if Rai tried to incite him.
"Obviously!! But transporting different creatures without rituals or magic circles without our full powers might be difficult. we can each probably only bring one other person."
"That’s fine, just take the two of us."
After observing them, Razel stepped up behind Rai and grabbed him by the shoulder.
"There is no more time. Kaltz, please guide us."
"Understood."
Kaltz’s whole body started emitting a dim, blue light. Next, Razel and Rai's bodies were enveloped in light that was the same color as Razel’s flame.
Rai was worried about leaving Konoe, but now he had no other choice. Along with a strange feeling, his vision distorted. Rai closed his eyes.
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