Handful of Cards

by BitterHathmor

Summary:

You're scanning the lists of current available adoptions from the Demon C.O.R.P.S. association that you assisted with fostering and rehabilitation various demons in order to get a better grasp on their lives. As you're scanning, you catch a sight of blue and felt yourself drawn; something about them made it difficult for you to look away.

Curious, you go to investigate and instead of one, now you're finding yourself hands full of four, even more...?

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KNY Pet Au involving the four Hantengu clones where you, the reader (Y/N), can either make it or break it for them to integrate them back into a life of normalcy. Think you're up to the challenge?

Notes:

Inspired by the works and AU made by @InvertedPhantasmagoria of their KNY Pet AU!

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Just to note that the demons have come from either rough patches or just bad situations, but anything related to violence/sexual nature/etc will not be written so Teen rating was just a precaution just incase! Probably some bad language and grumpiness. This isn't a reader x character fic either, as I'm horrible with that nor do I have any plans for this to be one. The Hantengus are more brothers than clones with one another in this one, and the other demons (Ie: Akaza, Gyutaro, and co. were apart of the organization at one point or another so they might pop up from time to time depending if they fit into the situation~)

Chapter 1: Sea of Blue

To start off this started as a whim, inspired by other's works and the fact that the Hantengu clones have me in a choke hold so wanted to sit down and trying my hand at writing. It's been awhile since I've written anything, this is also not beta read so throwing caution into the wind and hoping for the best. This is also my first reader insert fic so honestly new territory, I hope that it's worth a read in the end.

 

Sometimes art and scribbles might show up as I'm primarily an artist, but I can't guarantee how much they will show, nor how frequent I will be updating this, but I got a chunk of them drafted I might be able to keep it going. Demon Slayer is still relatively new to me so I'm learning so I apologize if mistakes are made in terms of characters, or if they seem a bit "OOC'.

 

Rating and tags may change as well depending as the story progresses, and warnings if required will be mentioned. At most it will be violence, trauma, or Karaku being Karaku will be the cause of the changes.

 

Regardless, I hope you enjoy~

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A heavy sigh left you as you leaned back in your chair, rubbing a hand over your face to wake yourself up from the stupor that settled in as you stared at your laptop for the last couple of hours. Working from home had its perks of course but when you were alone, well, aside from your cat lovingly deemed 'Chachamaru', it could certainly make the day drag on. It had been sometime since you last had company in your home, just something to fill the space and make it feel more lively.

 

You had been a part of the demon rehabilitation organization, or 'Demon C.O.R.P.S.' ( Collective Organized Rehabilitation Planning Services ) where you help give a demon a fighting chance to find a forever home instead of being stuck on the streets or worse, having their neck cut without much of a single thought. Demons had always fascinated you since you've been young, seeing them as a person rather than some feral animal that most considered them to be. From the way they acted to their appearances, it was borderline human, and you knew from first hand experience even that demons were only scared and did what they could to protect themselves, much like an injured wild animal would do. It was no different if a human was in the same situation and they were trying to save themselves from being killed.

 

Despite your feelings many saw them nothing more than a stray dog that were feral, ready to bite and snap their jaws around an unsuspecting child's throat. This only burned the inner fire that seemed to grow in you with each passing chance, doing everything in your power and giving it your best with each case you took on, and thankfully had success with each one, no matter the trauma or history that came with it. Your last case was a brother and sister duo, the sister mostly nonverbal aside from a few handful of words or an occasional hum, but the brother was very polite and offered to help, only wanting the best for he and his sister once they had realized that you weren't a threat. You acted as their temporary guardian, giving them shelter and allowed them to make a name for themselves after having been stuck in a house of shambles, any family members gone or deceased. Thankfully for your efforts, you were able to send them off to another volunteer who offered his home as a permanent place of refuge, looking to retire from volunteering and already had one permanent resident, one of which was mostly all bark and barely any bite as he served to be a fighting ring's chew toy for a period of time.

 

Genya was the demon's name and many did not have hopes for him, but it seemed it was meant to be when he found a place with Giyuu and Sameni, the later of which was stern and to the point but it helped Genya figure out how to sort out his anger issues relatively quickly. He seemed to take a liking to the siblings as well whenever you and Giyuu had a chance to let them have some time together, surprised by how mellowed out Genya ended up becoming. Discussion about Giyuu retiring from the organization and giving Genya a permanent home was becoming more to tuition, and with the way he perked up it was clear that he'd do well with the two instead of seeing them be rehomed somewhere else.

 

Looking to your wall you allowed yourself to smile; various photos and frames adorned the surface showing the other demons you had helped. Certainly some were more traumatized than the others but it had worked out in the end and you kept in contact with many of them. The duo was the last you had helped and it had been a few months since their departure which you told yourself you wanted to take a break so you could focus on other things and explore a few hobbies. They were an easy bunch but regardless of how well behaved they were, it was still certainly a lot of work to get them to find the confidence in themselves so they were no longer the hollow husk they often arrived in.

 

Checking the time you opened your web browser and entered in the organization page. Signing in took only a moment and you were greeted by the most recent updates, the latest being a raid on an underground fighting ring where they were able to retrieve a number of abused demons from it. The case was large enough to break local news and was still fairly recent, happening just earlier that week. Drugs and other narcotics were found along inside but the demons were a prized possession as they were the biggest source for gambling and bringing in money. Thankfully those who were involved were arrested and were pending charges, which many hoped meant it would put them away for a long time.

 

Clicking on the link you scrolled through, cheek on your palm as your eyes skimmed the contents. A number of demons were already pending or had been fostered out, though to who was classified. You had a general idea of who however, as they were the ones that invited you to get involved in the first place and you knew that those demons were in good hands. Each one had a small blurb of their information, general likes and dislikes and what they needed in terms of support. No children was usually a big one as the loud noises made most shy away or reactive. No animals as it could trigger instincts… no specified gender due to trauma… the list often went on but thankfully it seemed that most of these were minor, holding the standard common warnings.

 

The listing was coming to an end as the side bar got closer and closer to the bottom of the page when suddenly, your scrolling made you pause when your eyes caught sight of one. This one looked shy and from the photo alone was having a hard time allowing itself to be photographed, head bowed and thick hair obscuring part of their face. Their shoulders were hunched, face dirtied from what you could see and twin horns curled from their temple. Raven black locks hung around its face though concern gnawed at your stomach at the purple around their eyes and temple; were they hurt? Or was that normal? The skin looked like it was broken, cracked seams crossing the high arch of their cheekbones and across their temple, centered mainly on the forehead though there wasn't any other discoloration or blood to be found.

 

What captured your attention the most however was the wide blue eyes that screamed fear and your felt your stomach twist. A quick glance showed that this one was still available but as to why was left unsaid; surely there was more to this one instead of just being one that tugged on heart strings. A glance at the warnings showed a small hint; "anxious, very low self-esteem, and in need of assistance. Serious and dedicated fosters only at this time, please inquire at office for further information."

 

You right click the page and press print, snatching it from the tray once it had finished. Jotting down the information onto the paper you got up, though took a moment to reach over to scratch Chachamaru's chin who stirred, curled up in her bed on the corner of your desk. She yawned as she stretched out a paw and purred, her whiskers flaring as she blinked up at you sleepily.

 

"Time to check out a possible new foster Char, wish me luck." You murmured, giving her a gentle smile as you scratched at her ears before forcing yourself to pull away.

 

"Would be nice to have some life in this quiet home again, wouldn't it?"

-‐—---------------------------------

The trip to the facility was simple; it was off in the rural side of town, away from the bustling traffic and surrounded by thick trees to help provide shade which allowed some of the demons to venture out during the day if they wanted it though that alone was often rare. The gravel road crunched under your tires as you pulled into the lot, settling into a spot beside a few cars before shutting it off as you parked and withdrew the keys from the steering column. Most of the cars belonged to the rehabers and potentially a foster or two, and it was rare for this place to be busy even if they were doing a foster special; the screening process was rather intensive and long just for fostering; adopting was another process in itself and that was usually done at the foster's home where the demon felt secure.

 

The bell jingled as you stepped inside, the door closing softly behind you where you were greeted by the receptionist who smiled. "Ah hello Y/N! It's been awhile!" She leaned back in her seat, turning to face you as you returned the smile and gave a small wave as you approached the counter.

 

"It has been indeed. My curiosity was getting the best of me and I'm happy to see that most of the demons have been fostered out considering the intensity of this last raid."

 

The woman smiled further and nodded. "It's been a huge success, aside from a few stragglers that need more time to heal or work, I would say easily 70% has been placed somewhere for the time being. The fosters have been great to work with in getting most acclimated and even had a few official adoptions already as well!"

 

Nodding you leaned your elbows on the counter and prop your chin up with a palm. "I saw! Speaking of which, I was browsing the list and one caught my eye, can you tell me more about their status?" The woman blinked, giving you a curious look but nodded as she scooted her chair closer. Pulling out the piece of paper you unfolded it before offering it to her. "Can you tell me more about this one?" You ask as you passed it over, watching as her brows drew together when she caught sight of the photo.

 

Taking the paper from you she looked it over and her smile fell, growing a little sad. "Ah, this one… he's a bit of a special case. He isn't a single unit, but rather there's four total. He's the only one that's approachable out of the four of them so he has a chance of being fostered but they're still seeing if he can deal with being separated."

 

Your brows rise; four? It was rare to have a duo, let alone more then that but to have four was a feat in itself. There was no mention of the site about the other three but then again, the listing was quite specific about serious fosters and required to apply in person, so what more could there be to this?

 

"Is he still available?" You ask and watch as the woman typed away. Pulling up the records she took a moment to look over the file and gave you a nod. "He's still here. He was one of the handful that was pretty beaten up and it took a bit of work to separate them into separate holding rooms from what I heard." She gave you a sympathetic look and pressed the buzzer which would signal one of the rehabers to the front. "I can't see much from the file that I have access too, but I'm sure one of the guys would be more than happy to explain further to you considering your general success rate."

 

It didn't take long for one of them to arrive, which you recognized easily as Kyojuro Rengoku. His expression was bright as he gave you a wide smile upon seeing you as he approached. "Y/n! It's been some time since you've last graced us with your presence!" His voice boomed, making you wince but gave a slight nod as you shook his hand.

 

"Hello Rengoku, I hope you and the others are doing well?" He only beamed further and nodded, wisps of his hair swaying slightly. 

 

"Seijouru is doing great in his studies and Akaza is behaving considerably well! Stubborn still but the dojo is keeping him occupied and he's able to direct his frustrations to the dummies, even started to train seijouru on a few things!"

 

Rengoku was one of the few that you met when you first stepped into the demon fostering care system. He had started off as a foster himself before the interest grew and he wanted to help further and started to study as a care specialist. During his time he had helped a number of demons, big and small, find a place in their lives and get them somewhere they could live peacefully. Akaza was his last foster and for awhile you and the others had grown worried as it seemed that it wasn't going to work out and Akaza was going to push Rengoku to his limits. It seemed as though they were oil and water and just could never mix but eventually it seemed that over time, they found a way to get it to work for them. Though you knew better than to assume that Akaza was going to be a cheery, polite demon once realizing they were being given a new lease on life. He was quiet, kept to himself but often glowered at anyone that came near him.

 

"What brings you here?" Rengoku's voice snapped you out of your thoughts, voice chipper as he watched you retrieve the paper from the receptionist and offered it to him in turn.

 

"I was curious and saw this sad fellow. Can you tell me more about him, and the other three that seem to be apart of a packaged deal with him?" Your voice was teasing however and he let his brows furrow, but let out a faint laugh as his smile softened.

 

"Sure. They're apart of the troublesome group we're dealing with currently."

 

Motioning for you to follow he pulled out his badge and swiped the scanner, receiving a green light and a click as the doors unlocked. "Uzui 'adores' them, especially the eldest. He received five bites in a span of a second as we were working on separating them. Sedation wasn't kicking in and trying to muzzle him was a feat in itself, but it's good to see that even after such harsh conditions he still has such a fighting spirit!" His expression sobered a little and he sighed, shoulders slumping.

 

"I just hope it doesn't cause him to loose his chance."

 

You frown at him but stay quiet as he leads you down the sterile halls that held the holding rooms, most of which were empty. The rooms upfront were the greeting and screening rooms, allowing a demon and the foster to meet on neutral terms. The colors of the walls were warm and comforting, the floor soft with carpet and blankets for the demon's comfort and the windows were small to give a sense of privacy. Further, it led to the rooms that held the demons while they waited for the terms to be ironed out, or gave them a place to recover if they were unavailable for that time. Most of the demons that came through were involved in some form of illegal fighting ring or trafficking, though from time to time they were found as a stray on the streets.

 

Usually the demons you fostered were closer to the front, though you knew that the more serious cases were further back. You had been back here before in the past while assisting the other fosters with their demons or whenever you wanted to volunteer and help assist where you could. The rooms were different here, the doors solid with a single viewing pane of glass that allowed you to look in and the occupant to look out while there was one pane of glass on the wall to allow you to see further into the room. It was often one-way, allowing you to see and the demon to see a reflection, giving them a sense of peace while they settled. The rooms were often extra padded, especially if they were healing and on the outside, would have a white board that listed the basic demon's information and any notes that were needed. Underneath it, there was a slot for a chart that often gave medical history, behavior notes and photos, though those were mostly of injuries, noticeable features and things of that nature. In addition, there were various clips on the chart slot, each color signifying a particular warning; black was often meant as dangerous, green being approachable, red was caution and so forth, the list went on.

 

"I'll go over each one to give you a better idea of what we're currently dealing with." His smile returned as he nodded his head to the first door the two of you stopped by. Taking a glance you saw a blue and yellow clip (signifying that this one was nervous and it would be best to be on alert when approaching) and on the whiteboard listed the name, "Aizetsu" and general information such as gender, height and weight. Below it, there was '哀' which made you furrow your brow - what was that about?

 

"So as mentioned, there's four. We're assuming they're brothers, but they haven't told us much about themselves. The best way to associate them is with colors; each one has a feature about them that makes them stand out." You give him a quizzical look and he let out another laugh. "I'm sorry, I should have mentioned this before, they look like twins. From first glance you'd assume they were the same person but if you are able to look long enough you can pick up some minor features that make them different, but it is certainly easier to tell them apart by the colors of their eyes! Personality is another thing, but of course like anyone else you get to find out about that after you first meet them."

 

He turned away from you and grabbed the chart from the slot on the wall, flipping it open. It wasn't too thick but had a handful of pages already, along with the basic information of the demon inside. This one had a blue tab on the corner as well and you stood patiently as he skimmed the contents.

 

"This one is Aizetsu, the one you saw online. He's on the softer end due to his submissive and shy behavior, and more inclined to start crying then anything else. He had a few moments where he spat but it was in the beginning and he was certainly apologetic for it. His injuries are a bit extensive and we've tried to help but hes.. having a hard time eating sadly. He's learned a lot of self mutilation habits and probably was the other threes chew toy. The best way to remember him is associate him with the color blue."

 

You gave Jim a curious a look which he cleared his throat. "So these four, well, particular three, were fighters apart of the ring that was busted the other week. Much like Akaza and the others, they're fairly strong and were winners but they were shoved together in a single cell which didn't leave them much room to get away to redirect their anger or give them a chance to calm down. Thankfully they were in the cell when found but trying to wrangle them here was easier said than done."

 

Nodding you made your way to the door to look in through the small pane of glass that showed inside. Spotting the demon was simple enough against the warm cream colored walls, his form small and his head pressed into the corner. Normally demons kept their backs to the corner but this one showed his back freely, his knees tucked to his chest as he had his arms wrapped around them. Raven black hair fell down his back to mid back and you could just see the peak of horns from the matted mess.

 

"He's very quiet but nervous, and rejects food. Most likely gave it up to the others… if it wasn't for that most of his scars and injuries would be healed." Shaking his head Rengoku returned the chart to the slot and sighed, hands on his hips as he looked in as well. "So he's going to require some special care and work if he hasn't eaten in some time. Every time food is placed in he doesn't touch it, and now keeps his head in the corner most of the time, even outside of doing checks. If it makes him feel better, then who am I to tell him what to do?"

 

You two share a look and he patted your arm before motioning you to follow him as he made his way to the next room where there were a few more colored clips on the chart slot than the last, red and orange which meant he needed more time to warm up to someone before considering himself comfortable around them.

 

"This one is Karaku. His color is green and he’s a bit more willing to do things when you tell him to do something, but he's also a schemer. Nearly slipped his binds and made a run for it but we were able to get him back. He is however a bit touchy and doesn't recognize personal space so he becomes your own personal shadow if you allow it."

 

You peak inside and see a lean man inside, his skin tanned and his hair tumbled down his back, framing his face. It had a green tint to it and his focus shifted to you immediately, green eyes staring, unblinking. It was evident that he was alert, looking you over and allowing the faintest of smirks to tug on his lips as his eyes narrowed slightly. He had the same purplish blemish around his eyes and temple from the photo you had seen of Aizetsu but it didn't look like it hurt. He only wore pants which left his chest exposed, revealing the crisscross of scars adorning his chest and arms, most of them focused around his throat. He remained rooted in his spot in the room, not turning away nor approaching but he kept you in his line of sight.

 

"What's interesting about them is that they each have a mark on their tongues, signifying a particular emotion. Karaku's represents pleasure, Aizetsu's is sorrow, and the other two are joy and anger." You gave him a surprised look which he let out another booming laugh as you tow proceeded to the next room. This one too had clips on the slot, though there was a new color to it. Purple meant the demon was on the feral side and often required a bit more work to get them to break out of it and settle down. A glance to the whiteboard revealed that this one was called "Urogi", and had a scribbled warning of 'sharp' below it along with the kanji '喜'.

 

"This is Urogi. He's a bit of a special case… he's not like the other demons that we get normally."

 

Your curiosity got the best of you as you leaned over to peak inside where a gasp left your throat at the sight of talons that adorned the end of his limbs and wings that framed his back. Feathers were ratty and mangled and he idly plucked at some, unaware of your stare as he sat crouched in the corner, wings tilted away.

 

"His wings are misshapen which means that his wings were often a prime target during the fights. The healed incorrectly so once he passes through the screening and is able to recover, he'll be scheduled to get them removed."

 

Your expression must have caught his focus as Rengoku quickly let out another laugh as he held up his hands to placate you.

 

"They'll grow back, I promise! They can't heal with the amount of damage they went through so it would be best to get them surgically removed and allow them to regrow properly. That way they’re back to the glory that they were at before all of this.. If they tried to heal the way they are currently then it would be a lifetime of misery and agony, as one of them is clearly broken and had set improperly."

 

Relaxing you nodded as you peered back inside, taking a moment to marvel over him; certainly one of the more unique Demons you had seen despite his close resemblance of the other two.

 

"He's certainly nicer than Karaku but with his claws it's still a potential threat. He listens well and seems to be the one more inclined with Aizetsu so it would be good to keep them paired atleast. He's certainly a bit on the wild side, and due to his size it could be a potential risk but with the work I've done with him I don't really believe he's one to be worried about. He's more afraid of you then you are of him."

 

Turning away from the door he eyed the last door that was a little further away and sighed, brows drawing together. Unlike the others the blinds were pulled over the visible windows, blocking sight into and out of the room while there was red, purple and black pins by the chart. The whiteboard had a number of warnings as well, most of them screaming 'do not trust'.

 

"The last one is Sekido, Uzui's favorite. He certainly gave Gyutato a run for his money for being the most bitey demon to come into our facility, much to Uzui's displeasure. This one… I sadly don't have much hope for."

 

He gave you a sad sliver of a smile and approached the door, snatching the chart despite the sudden sharp rattle of the door when he approached. A muffled growl could be heard from the thick metal of the door which made your raise your brows in surprise; these doors were relatively thick and muffled most sounds so to hear it from there was impressive.

 

"He was the main fighter in the ring. It suited his anger and aggression and for us to even look him over we have to sedate him which as you can expect, it firmly cemented that we are very much friends.” 

 

Approaching the door you carefully pull the black blind back to peak inside and jumped when you met furious red, the owner glaring at you with blistering rage on his face. Lips curled to show teeth and he snarled, slamming the door which you quickly dropped the blind back into place and took a step back. A warm hand pressed on the small of your back to steady you and Rengoku gave you a comforting look.

“He’s going to require much more work, and even with our most dedicated of volunteers we don’t feel comfortable letting him out like the others. I can't say for certain, but time will tell us about his fate. It's been a long week of poking and prodding, and they haven't been together since we separated them as we don't want fighting to occur... so he might mellow out if he's able to get back to them. Out of them all at least, he looks to be the most healthiest which is promising but certainly makes it difficult since he's the most reactive. It certainly would not be expected of you if you find yourself wanting to foster one of them that you need to foster all of them."

Nodding you gave the door one last look and worried your lip. You didn't want to put distance between them because it was evidently clear that despite that they lashed out at one another, they cared enough to not maul each other to death so it must mean something... right? You felt your resolve forming like a heavy weight in the pit of your stomach and you took the chart from Rengoku's hands, clasping it firmly. They lasted that long in an environment where it was turned against them and even then, remained dedicated enough to ensure that each of them survived each day.

"May I have time to read over their charts and be able to form a general idea of assessment? I would like to assist where I can, and see if we can come up with a potential plan to get them sorted so they can finally experience life as it was meant to be."

Rengoku beamed and he let out another laugh that echoed through the halls, ignoring the bang that came from the door near you. "Of course. We'll gather their charts and see what can be done! Come, you can sit with me and Uzui, I'm sure he'd love to go the finer details of things with you, and be happy to know that we have another member on board with these four!"

 

A wide grin was on his face as he patted your back and helped gather the three other charts, tucking them under his arm as he led you back to the front. You clutched the red demon's chart close, feeling confident that you could make something work but time would certainly tell...

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Hopefully this is a good place to end the first chapter, and hopefully wasn't a wall of text to read.. it's a start none the less! Thank you for reading it if you made it to the end, and I'm excited to potentially do more with this! I have the next part roughly outlined at the start, so I'll have to poke at it a bit to get it more cohesive!

Chapter 2: Old Faces and Introductions

Summary:

You get to see some old faces and get to meet some new.

Efforts are made but at the end it starts to look promising.

The lounges and work spaces for the specialists and researchers were further in the back, away from the rooms so things didn't overlap. It was rare for a demon to come back here, unless they had proven themselves to be trusted and polite or were given special permission. Sometimes the demons that the researchers were fostering or had adopted came with them for errands or assistance if they had a demon that was particularly troublesome and they needed some extra strength. For others, demons ended up having a calming effect on others and made handling them a lot smoother especially when it came to those that were found on the streets or less than favorable situations.

 

The door unlocked with a beep as Rengoku swiped his badge and he pulled the handle, offering you to go first. Nodding your thanks he followed in after you and led you to his desk, which compared to some, was proper, neat and tidy. A few folders were to the side with names on each tab, in various thicknesses. Some of them you recognized as fostered demons while others were new, but you didn't pry as Rengoku offered his chair to you before leaning over to snag the chair from the next desk. Settling into it he set the folders on the desk with a hum and offered you a smile as he rested his palms on his stack of three and you set your folder on the desk next to them as you leaned forward, peaking over the privacy guard to see who else was in there.

 

Across from you you spotted a mop of silver, the owner hunched as he typed away at the computer. In the next desk beside him to his right, you could see wisps of raven-black hair just peaking over the edge. The owner straightened and blinked when he caught you looking, staring back at you for a moment before raising a hand in a slight wave. You returned the wave and shook your head fondly as you looked back at the folders as Rengoku opened one; Giyuu was a quiet one but he could be humorous when he chose to speak. He and Shinobu, another researcher who assisted in the medical side and treatment of demons, bickered from time to time but it seemed to be good fun for the most part. Other then that, he was a quiet and calming company to be with when he chose to be around people. It seemed he was by himself today, no sign of Sanemi which meant he was most likely keeping an eye on the trio back home.

 

"Uzui! We have a visitor!" Rengoku's voice broke out, echoing in the room which made the man in front of you jump and swear. Sitting up straighter the man glowered at him but soon caught sight of you and gave you a wide grin.

 

"Well well well, look at who came back! Was wondering when you'd grace yourself with your presence!" He leaned back in his seat, silver wisps framing his face as the chair groaned softly from the motion.

 

"What brings you here this time around? Did you see someone catch your eye, or are you missing us that badly?"

 

His voice was teasing and you shook your head before grabbing one of the charts, opening it to the front and held it up for him to see. His eyes flickered to it before going wide and he swore under his breath, pushing himself to his feet and came around to join the two of you.

 

"Are you seriously looking into fostering one of them?" His brows furrowed deeper as he spotted the other three charts and gave you an incredulous look. "Please tell me you're not being serious."

 

Your smile was sheepish as you dipped your head. "I was curious. I had seen," you turned to look over the charts and spotted the one with the blue mark on it. What was his name again...? "Aizetsu. I had seen him online and was curious about him, and Rengoku told me about the other three so... I am curious to know more." Shrugging you gave him another smile, but this one was a smaller than the last. Your eyes flickered to the man's arm where it was bandaged, mostly around his forearm and one on his bicep and winced.

 

"Was that from..?"

 

He looked down at his arm and grunted, running his fingers over the white coverings. "Sekido. He has a mean set of fangs on him, and that's saying a lot from someone that sees a certain someone's shark mouth on the daily." He shook his head, flexing his hand before dropping it back to his side.

 

"Speaking of which, Gyomei and I are going to try and wrangle him for an exam... so it'll be tense in the next hour or so. If you're planning to see him at all I would recommend trying it another day when we're not going to rile him up. None of us had any real luck with him, and Shinobu needs to give him a look over so she can start formulating a care plan with him if he pulls through."

 

Rengoku frowned as he crossed his arms over his chest, peering up at the other man. "How are you going to take him out? You two are strong, but Sanemi is off today so wouldn't it be better to wait until he's working to try anything with him?"

 

Giving a shrug, Uzui gave him a faint smirk as he leaned his arm on the divider. "Nah, we got some special backup today so I thought it'd be good to try it and see what happens. I’m pretty confident with our secret weapon that we can wrangle Sekido a bit and give him a proper look over. Bringing in a soothing demon might put them at risk so we’ll have to use some force to at least keep him down or let us tranq him so we can get a closer look.”

 

You blink and open your mouth to speak but something bumped into your shoulder, making you jump and twist around in your seat when you saw a thin arm reach over you for one of the charts. The owner's fingers were long and thin, boney at the knuckles and nails black as they nudged the folders a bit before grabbing the one with the red mark, flipping it open. Following up the path of the arm that was mostly hidden by a large hoodie, you relaxed when yellowed eyes glanced your way and the owner’s lips quirked, showing a row of sharp jagged teeth.

 

Gyutaro hovered over your shoulder as he raised another hand to scratch at his cheek, nails skimming over the surface but thankfully didn’t tear like they had done in the past as he furrowed his brow, a familiar scowl on his face which made some of his teeth peak out as he looked the photos over. His hair was tugged back into the familiar messy bun on the top of his head while the rest of it hung about his face as he let out a grunt and flipped the folder closed, pulling away as he stepped back. Dropping his hand, he muttered to himself as he made his way to the collection of pillows in the corner, flopping into them with a huff.

 

It was hard to see how he was doing by the clothing he wore, easily three sizes too big on him but he looked... better to say at least. He still looked tired with the rings under his eyes and dark splotches dotted across his grayed skin but he seemed happy enough as his eyes opened a slit to watch the three of you, waiting by for the command. It had been a hard case when he and his sister Daki had been brought in; living on the streets in less than favorable conditions. Daki seemed to be a bit better off than Gyutaro who was snarling and snapping teeth, acting as her personal guard dog but with enough work they eventually were able to put their trust into Uzui who brought them home to his three lovers who quickly rendered the sibling demons on approachable terms. With enough work and exposure, it seemed it was meant to be and the two of them had both become relatively proper demons... well, only if they liked you, otherwise they either ignored you or scared you off to leave them be. Daki was smitten with the attention and from what you knew Gyutaro often still grew nervous in certain situations, not used to being the center of attention save for when those were frustrated or were looking for a quick solution for their anger and wanting to take it out on them.

 

You had gotten to know Gyutaro more than Daki, as it was rare for her to come here. She preferred to stay with the others, away from this place which you couldn't blame her in the least, and Gyutaro seemed he'd rather get out and away from whatever plans the four had in mind as he was often the guinea pig for impromptu spa days or fussing. Give him some space and some quiet, and he'd come around. It seemed he liked you enough, not minding to share the space with you and occasionally mumbled time to time to ask you things, but his voice was raspy and it made him feel conscious about it so he often kept quiet. He didn't seem to mind the occasional pat on the arm or the hair ruffle Uzui gave him to show that he did well on that day, and even offered you a lazy smile whenever you gave him praise. 

 

He was certainly the most sprangly demon you've seen but despite his fearsome demeanor he behaved well when he wanted to and apparently was strong enough to tackle Sekido per Uzui's words.

 

Rengoku didn't seem convinced as he sighed but nodded. "Alright, but don't let your guard down even if you have him under control, or that fifth bite will quickly become a sixth and more, maybe even risk having a hand bitten off. It has… happened before." He grimaced at the thought, thick brows drawing together as he glanced away.

 

Uzui waved a hand as he rolled his eyes and peered down at you with a huff. "Anyways, what's the plan? I take it that Rengoku went over the specifications already for the four of them?"

 

You nod, "He let me see each one and gave a brief run down… so far, it seems that Aizetsu and Urogi might be the most approachable. Karaku is an option but he also has a caution mark on his chart, and of course Sekido is the most dangerous one out of the four. I wouldn’t want to risk it until you and the others know more about his condition and status as a demon… don’t want to antagonize him when he needs to focus on getting better or settling down."

 

"Correct. When they were found it was mentioned that Sekido was upfront at the bars but Karaku was close to him and both Urogi and Aizetsu were in the back. If you are being serious about this… then put your cards on those last two. Urogi has sharp claws but he's molting for the most part and at worst Aizetsu will spat at you then break into sobs afterwords." Uzui said with a shrug, propping his chin up with his palm. Your brows furrowed but nod as you grab a piece of paper from Rengoku’s desk to make notes. With the trauma of the fighting ring, it was to be expected that the four of them would be on various stages of alarm as their lives were suddenly turned upside down.

 

Hopefully things would turn out for the better…

 

You and Rengoku review the charts further as you took notes, eyes skimming each chart’s contents while Uzui returned to his desk to wait for Gyomei’s arrival. It was agreed upon that you’d try Aizetsu first since he seemed to be the most harmless of the two, then follow up with Urogi. With the fact that Aizetsu was refusing food you knew that it’d be pointless to try any meats, but hopefully that meant Urogi would be better in gaining your trust.

 

The doors leading to Aizetsu's room seemed to be daunting, which was a feeling you hadn't experienced since your first fostering attempt. Why was this one so perplexing…? 

 

A warm hand settles on your lower back and you look up to see Rengoku give you a gentle smile. "It'll take time but I feel confident that you can make a breakthrough with the two. Trust in yourself."

 

Nodding you sighed and steel yourself as the door unlocked with a beep from Rengoku's card and you stepped in, quiet as the demon in the far corner stiffened, head snapping up and staring at you with impossibly wide blue eyes. His cheeks were stained wet with tears and he clutched to his knees, body trembling visibly even from where you stood. You offered him what you hoped came off as a friendly smile and stepped inside, the door closing behind you. Rengoku remained by it in case the demon reacted negatively, watching through the glass pane on the door.

 

“Hey..” You hoped your voice was soft enough as the demon stared at you like a deer in the headlights, body stiff and small, dark blue-black hair sticking to his wet cheeks. “I’m a volunteer that helps with fostering demons like yourself when they’ve come from bad situations. I’m not here to cause any harm or hurt you, I just want to help out since you’re out of that bad situation.”

 

He lets out a wet hiccup, sniffing harshly as he blinks once. His pupils are wide, nearly swallowing the blue of his iris but he keeps his lips closed despite the evident shaking and muffled noises that leave his throat. You know if you approach any closer he would be prone to lashing out, despite the fact that he wasn’t turning to face you and kept his back to you. 

 

Looking around the room quietly you sigh; it was barren, not much in terms of a room aside from a place to hold them temporarily. Normally most don’t stay this long in these rooms but these four were a special case. Even then, rules were abided by; no furniture, otherwise it’d give them something to throw or lash out with. Mattresses were often hard to replace after a demon would rip them apart and scatter the parts about, so blankets were made due, though there was only a couple in the corner. This raid no doubt thinned their supply and the blankets often went home with the demon to give them something familiar instead of being thrusted into a new and unknown environment. So in the beginning these blankets were unfamiliar, often holding a sterile scent that made it harder for them to get attached to them.

 

Looking back at the blankets that seemed to be untouched it made you frown. It was hard to not take them and wrap them around his shoulders but you knew in order to gain his trust you had to take your time.

 

“Is there anything I can do to help you feel comfortable..? They say that you’re doing well, just need to be put in the right environment to recover fully. I could get you some food, it’ll be safe for you to eat since you have space and don’t have to worry about the other three trying to get it.”

 

He stared at you with brows drawn but he made no effort to relax or give any inkling that he wanted food or comfort. At least he gave you a sharp shake of the head; anything at this point to get you to leave it seemed.

 

Glancing back at Rengoku through the glass, he gave you a small smile and a shrug but remained rooted by the door. It was going to be slow progress with this one for sure with the fact that he didn't seem inclined to want anything. You'd have to think of a different way to approach this one... With a sigh you look back at the other demon who swallowed thickly, tongue peaking out to wet his lips and you just barely saw the dark mark that sat on top of it before it darted back into his mouth. Pushing yourself up you stiffen when a snarl rips out of his throat so suddenly, lips curled to show teeth but as quickly as it came he clamped his hands over his mouth in alarm as he muffled the sound and dipped his head shamefully, preparing for the worst.

Watching him for a moment you take your time to step back to the door, where it opens behind you and lets you out. Once in the hall Rengoku closes it gingerly and gives you a concerned look, brows furrowed as his lips were pulled into a thin line.

“He just got startled, that’s all. Wasn’t expecting me to move so soon no doubt.” You offer him a small smile on your lips which makes him relax and nod.

“He’s a sensitive one for sure, but I think he’d do well under your care once he relaxes in a quiet environment.”

 

“He doesn’t seem to have touched the blankets that are in there, but maybe if I bring some from my home it might suit him a bit better. Something that doesn’t smell… sterile and entirely clean.”

 

The man brightened and he nodded, smiling wide. “It’s a good idea to start. Little things can be big for some when they least expect it. It's worth a try nonetheless… do you want to try Urogi next, or would you rather call it for today?”

 

Your eyes linger to the next door and you let out a quiet hum. It would be worth trying, just to get the two of them used to you before you progress into the transferring process. It’d also help gauge and see where Urogi was at in terms of approach-ability and if he could in turn be beneficial for Aizetsu. Stepping forward Rengoku followed you to the door where you both peer inside, seeing the demon tucked into the same corner as before, eyes closed and head slightly bowed. Sharing a glance with Rengoku who raises his card to the scanner and the door beeps, allowing you inside.

 

The avian demon was staring now with narrowed slits, frame tucked into the corner that was far away from the door, enough to give him an optimal view of the entirety of the room. His broken mangled wings were tucked slightly, one folded to his side while the other was stretched out, drooping towards the ground as a collection of broken feathers were scattered here and there across the floor, evidence that at least he had been moving around somewhat during his time here. Some of the blankets were tossed about, others were ripped, scattered about the floor without much care.

 

Looking at him you couldn't tell what was grime or just natural skin with how scarred and dirty he was. His feathers and fur adorning his legs were ratty at best, in need of a good bath and the yellow scales of his hands and feet were dulled, while the once sharp claws adorning the edges were either broken or cracked.

 

His hair was greasy and snarled, haloing his face and twin horns peaked through the strands from his temples which like the other three, the skin seemed purpled. His eyes were dull, evident that whatever spirit he had in him was low; a dwindling flame about to go out. His pupils were in thin slits and never left your frame as you closed the door gingerly behind you to ensure he didn't escape; so far so good, he wasn't like the other who snarled at you through the door before you could even step in or the other that broke into sobs and tried to melt away in the corner to be out of your sights.

 

"Hey there.." you called out, offering the crouched demon a smile you hoped were reassuring. Lowering yourself down you sat, legs tucked close in case he decided to lunge for you, but hopefully this would convey to him that you were on the same page and wouldn't be standing over him like a threat.

 

"I hear your name is Urogi… nice to meet you. My name is Y/N, and I would like to help you feel better, if you'd allow it of course."

 

This didn't give you much of a reaction aside from a small shiver and the narrowing of his eyes just slight, unsure with your words. His long legs were tucked beneath him and his arms were tucked between them, long clawed fingers hanging loosely. One taloned foot curled on top of the other, whether it was a soothing gesture or just how he perched you weren’t sure.

 

"I heard what happened to you and the others… I'm very sorry that you four were exposed to such a thing." You kept your voice soft despite the visible fluffing of his feathers and you swallowed, licking your lips to wet them.

 

"I've helped other demons before, that were in similar situations like yours and gave them a safe space to recover, to heal and find a place they could call home. I foster, and with your permission I'd like to offer my assistance to you and your brothers, if you'd allow me to. I tried to speak to Aizetsu before coming here, but he was too afraid to say much."

 

Urogi blinked once, his pupils dilating just slightly as he tilted his head to the side, gauging you. His nose twitched, sniffing the air though he soon made a face and sneezed, rubbing his nose with a claw. You held back the smile that threatened to cross your face at the sound; for a large demon it was rather cute…

 

“You smell like a cat.” He muttered, lowering his hand back to hang between his legs, eyeing you. Your brows rose at the sound of his voice, not expecting it since Aizetsu had been so quiet and Urogi had not said a thing since you stepped in. You find yourself letting out a faint laugh, offering him a smile and a nod. 

 

“That’s because I do have one. She keeps me company when I work from home… I can show you photos of her, if you’d like.”

His eyes widened slightly and he tilted his head the other way, causing some of his greasy hair to fall over his shoulder. You make sure to move slowly as you withdrew your phone from your pocket, swiping it and opening it to your photos folder. You had a number of photos, ranging from the scenery around your home to the demons you’ve fostered and taken care of, to random things that caught your eye. You smile to yourself when you open your folder that you had of Chachamaru and open the first photo, though blinked when a shadow fell over you. Making sure to keep your head bowed you did glance up just enough to see two yellow taloned feet near you; when did he get up and approach?

Urogi lowered himself back into a crouched position beside you, knees to his chest as he tucked his arms to his legs, wings mantled slightly behind him, held gingerly to make sure they didn’t cause him any pain. His focus was on the phone, his pupils dilating slightly at the sight as he waited to be shown.

Shifting your focus back to the phone you swiped to the next one, letting him look then another. His eyes scanned the details as you flipped to the next one, allowing you to get a better look at his features. He had striking similarities to Aizetsu, and the other two, but upclose you could see that there was a slight difference in each one that made them unique. Aizetsu’s face was a little softer, rounder in his cheeks despite the thinness that clung to him and Urogi’s face was more angled; his nose came to a slight point and his jawline was sharp, which fit with his overall appearance and predator aspect that matched his talons.

 

Eventually he raised a hand and tapped the broken end of a claw against your screen, his head tilting the other way as he stared at the photo then turned to look at you, eyes wide.

 

“Do I get to meet her…?” He asked, unsure and you gave him a wide smile.

 

“Once we get you better, then I’m sure she’d be excited to meet you.”

 

Notes:

Truth be told, Tengen and Gyutaro were what got me into the series really. I knew a few of the characters before like Tanjiro, Nezuko, the given, and then Giyuu and that was about it. Then I saw Gyutaro and it was like 'well shit, gotta know more' and now I'm in that KNY hell haha

Aizetsu was a little OoC in this, almost on line with Hantengu but he'll mellow out eventually.

Also enjoy a scribble too. I might throw in some more as this story progresses of the other clones, but we'll see!

Thanks again for reading! ;v;

Chapter 3: Homebound for Two

Summary:

Getting them home is the easiest.

Notes:

Inspired by the works and AU made by @InvertedPhantasmagoria of their KNY Pet AU!

The next couple of days seemed to be going by quickly for you as you gathered up the necessary resources to handle two fragile demons. Setting up the two spare rooms and moving your stuff out one of them which you had made into an office and into your room was simple enough, and it gave them options when they arrived. With the fact that they had taken their aggression out on Aizetsu when housed together in the small cage you wanted to give them the option to settle in separately, but you also wouldn’t tell them no if they wanted to stay together. You brought in some blankets that were around the house so that way the other two could get used to the scents of your home, as well give them some sort of comfort while you filled out the paperwork and had things arranged. You liked soft things and after the number of fosters that you handled you realized that a little comfort could go a long way for them in the end.

It took a few more visits to get them used to you, Urogi seemed to be more interested in you and was asking about Chachamaru whenever you came by to check on him. He took the food that was offered and seemed to be holding it down, and thankfully the lively look in his eyes was returning as he perked whenever you stepped in through those doors. He still glared or scowled at the others, feathers bristling but his focus was quick to be redirected back to you whenever you pulled out your phone. As a caution Rengoku often assisted by staying by the door to observe, out of sight but nearby incase any of them were to lash out. The times when Rengoku wasn’t around, Tengen or Giyuu offered their assistance. It was clear they didn't like Sanemi but that was to be expected… not many did honestly. His demeanor was abrasive and he didn’t tolerate back talking so most demons kept their distance from him, though it seemed that Giyuu had a special knack of making the man listen and often shoved him down the hall when his temper was starting to get the best of him.

Checking on Aizetsu was thankfully easy going. After his initial spat he kept quiet every time you came to visit him and though refused to touch any bit of meat, no matter the bit of drool that seemed to drip on his chin whenever you brought it with you or the way he eyed it, body shaking hard. However it was evident that he was getting tired with each passing day, his body sagging just a bit more and more, his eyelids heavy and the purpling under his eyes seeming to get darker as he would eye you from his spot against the wall. His hair was matted and his body was thin, knees tucked to his chest as he had finally turned around to face you head on, versus before where he showed his back freely. Once he had rested and settled into the home, he was definitely going to get a bath and hopefully perk up from that but you knew that it would take some time to get to a point where he'd be comfortable sharing a space with you.

Despite this, you made sure to give him a couple more blankets to let him feel comfortable and despite the fact that they looked untouched each time you came by to check on him, you started to notice that there were minute shifts in the layout and organization. Some had an extra fold, another was shifted slightly the other direction, small things that would have been missed but you chose to ignore them for his sake.

While the first two seemed to be flourishing and given the okay to be sent out of here, Karaku and Sekido unfortunately needed a bit more time. At the surprise of no one it certainly took the efforts of Uzui, Gyomei and Gyutaro to subdue the red-eyed demon to get him pinned so Shinobu could administer a sedative that was strong enough to knock down at-least three lesser demons. X-rays showed that much of his bones were broken and had healed bad, and a number of internal injuries were considered high risk so the idea of moving him around and into a new environment with him being as high strung as he was wouldn’t be wise, so it was agreed that they’d allow him to rest here where if needed, medical attention could be given at a moment’s notice.

Karaku on the other hand was faring a bit better, but his attitude made him a risk and could easily agitate the other two into settling into your home so once they were settled you’d be open to take him home as well to let him adjust. Tensions would be low and it’d hopefully be a smoother process while he waited and adjusted to people in general. His injuries were still healing and his escaping tendencies were prevalent, nearly giving Sameni the slip before being tackled and dragged back to the room. His aggression was another factor and while he appeared docile he was quick to turn it on a dime and bare sharp teeth, snapping at the air whenever someone touched him or tried to get him to sit still for an exam. Further observation would be needed to ensure his proper temperament and a back-up plan if required, but despite the evident tension they held high hopes for him in the end.

---

Pulling into the parking lot you smiled to yourself as you parked. There were less cars at this time, only the volunteers and specialists that worked overnight were here at this hour as the organization was closed for the public, save for when it came to transportation. The sunlight burned most demon’s skins, so within the early hours of dusk and dawn were permitted for fosters and adopters to come and gather up their demons, or have special arrangements made so they could have them dropped off at home.

Giving your SUV one last look over to make sure it was comfortable and blankets were set out for the two, you get out and lock the car behind you as you approach the building. Stepping up to the door you pressed the buzzer, the air cool as you settled into your jacket as you rocked on your feet slowly. It took a moment before a returning buzz could be heard and a heavy click from the door signaled it becoming unlocked which you grabbed the handle and pulled it open, stepping inside where warmth seeped into your cold digits. Footsteps approached you across the tile and you smiled when Rengoku met you with another blazing smile, his hair framing his face as he held two charts under his arm.

“Welcome back Y/N! We got them mostly set for you, just need to gather them up and we’ll get you out of here.”

Motioning you to follow he grinned back at you. “Excited? I know they’ll do great under your care. We’ve informed them that they’re going to be going somewhere as a temporary place for recovery until we can figure out where to place them. Sekido and Karaku were told, though you can imagine how that went.” He chuckled, bright hair swaying as he shook his head as he ushered you into one of the front rooms that were for screening he set down the charts on the side table. Turning he opened a door to a small closet and pulled out a bin that had a secure lid on it and on the side there was a piece of tape with a scribble that showed ‘Aizetsu’ and ‘Urogi’ on the surface.

“Shinobu has gone through a daily plan and regiment to help them get back on the mend, especially with Aizetsu's malnutrition and shy nature. Urogi will still have to come in once he's on the mend to have surgery on his wings but for now best to keep the wrapped so they aren't jostled. Additional gauze are inside so you can change them, and if you ever need more just let us know." He gave you a wide grin and made sure the lids were secured. "Everything should be set for at-least two weeks, and then bring them back for a recheck so we can get a better gauge on their healing. Instructions and vitamins are inside, as well suggestions on how to help Aizetsu eat. Shinobu suggested to start off with a liquid diet to make sure he doesn't overeat or overwhelm his stomach then it can be a slow introduction to solids."

Patting the bin he turned to you with a grin.

"Any last questions?"

You shake your head as you take a seat and smile. "I don't believe so, but I'll be in touch in case something does arise."

Flashing you a blinding smile he nods and shows himself out, leaving the door partially open. You could hear him go down the hall and a door slide open shortly after, though despite his usual loud voice he was a little quiet so all you could hear was a faint murmuring. You weren't sure who he was getting first, but you waited patiently, your attention to the door. It wasn't long before the sounds of someone approaching made you sit up a little straighter as you leaned to try and get a glimpse.

Rengoku opened the door as wide as it would go and stepped back, effectively blocking the rest of the hall in case the other decided to ran. There was a faint click of nails on the tile as the owner stepped in, cautious as he looked into the room with curious but hesitant golden eyes that soon land on you which makes him perk. You swear you heard something akin to a chirp leave him as he steps further inside, body hunched as he approaches you with a wide grin but stops when there’s still some distance between you and him. Despite his warming up to you its clear that at times he’s still hesitant and shy, often watching you from the corner of his eyes when you come near.

"Chachamaru soon?" He asks which you let out a faint laugh and nod. "Soon. We'll get you and Aizetsu home first, then if you're up to it I will introduce you to her."

You smile further when you see some feathers fluff and he settles into his usual crouched position; knees to chest with wings angled slightly so they wouldn't hit the floor. They were a bit dirty still and in need of a wash, but with how delicate they were you know it had to wait until he was strong enough. You were unsure if they had discussed the idea of surgery and allowing them to regrow with him but you bit your tongue for now; in due time. It'd take some time to get to that point, but you knew in the end it would be good for his mental health to be able to fly again and not be in pain.

You were so focused on Urogi as you watched him look around the room quietly that you failed to realize that Rengoku had left and closed the door this time, the sound startling you out of your thoughts when it clicks open. This time however, Rengoku is speaking softly, a gentle smile on his face as he coaxes the other one in.

It takes a little bit of time but eventually a slim demon steps into the room which makes Urogi's bead snap up, staring at him with wide eyes. He pushes himself up to his feet, making you balk at the sheer height of him; he was certainly taller than the others but that was mainly due to the anatomy of his legs which were often bent at the ankle of his avian feet. He usually stood hunched with his arms tucked to his chest and shoulders tucked near his ears but this time he stood tall, revealing the scarring and bruises adorning his frame, to the slim waistline and sharp arch of his spine.

Fearful blue met gold and Urogi rushed forward in an instant, stumbling a little on his feet but crashed into the smaller demon that emitted a yelp as he took the force of his pounce. Thankfully Urogi was rather light despite the size of him, and Shinobu assured you that it was normal even if he was at full health which allowed the blue demon to hold them both up with relative ease.

You spare Rengoku a glance and smile as Aizetsu eventually relaxes against the others frame, arms carefully wrapping under his arms to hold onto his back as Urogi clutched him tightly, tussling dark hair as he rubbed his face into it with a happy hum. It was good to see them on good terms with one another, though the worry of them going at each other’s throats was still a possibility. If it had been Sekido no doubt that would have been the case… but you would tackle that when the time came. Urogi seemed happy to see the other who stood with his back slightly arched, and your worries about him potentially lashing out started to diminish as they held onto each other. Maybe it was just the situation that caused them to turn on one another, rather than hold any particular anger or hatred to each other.

Giving them some time to get adjusted you open the bin and root through it to see the full extent of what was about to fall into your hands. There were a number of pill containers that held either a yellow or blue dot to signify who they were going to, and instructions about how to handle changing out Urogi's bandages to the best route to introduce the new diet for Aizetsu, as well a list of any other possible ailments that could come up if something were to happen. Thankfully you some experience in picky eaters and injuries so taking care of these two didn't sound too complicated. Resealing the bin you glanced at Rengoku who stepped closer to take the bin for you while you clear your throat.

"If you two are ready, we can head home now."

They both look at you with wide eyes, as thought caught in something they shouldn't have been doing but they quickly relax when you and Rengoku both turn away to head to the door. They lingered after a moment before carefully following, no longer tangled in limbs but held onto each other's hands as you lead them through the building to the front.

Stepping outside you look back as the pair follow, Rengoku bringing up the rear with the bin cradled carefully between his hands so he didn't jostle the contents inside. With how damaged Urogi’s wings were there was no worry in him trying to get away, nor you doubted that Aizetsu would make a run for it with how tightly he was holding onto Urogi’s talon. They both paused as the wind tussled their hair and took a moment to look around, staring with wide eyes at the sight of the cars, trees and most of the night sky that was speckled with stars, an occasional cloud rolling by and blocking out the moon. The weather was getting colder, a sign that snow was to come and inwardly you were thankful that the four of them were in a safe place.

You doubted it but smiled as you made your way to the car, opening the trunk to the SUV where the rear seats had been laid down so Urogi could climb in, and there was space for Aizetsu to sit. They both eyed it with caution when they approached, but you allowed them to take their time as Rengoku set their bins in the front passenger seat. Taking one of the folded blankets you spread it out across the downed seats and pat it gently to add more to the padding that was already there.

"There's enough room for you both if you want to sit together, or you can sit here Urogi and Aizetsu can sit in the seat that's still up beside it."

It takes a moment before Urogi is the first to move and crawl into the SUV, hissing softly when wings brush against the ceiling which he's quick to lay out across his stomach as he looks around. Aizetsu is quick to climb in as well, not wanting to be left behind as he settled into a corner on the other side, hugging his legs to his chest but he was close enough that his foot could bump into Urogi's arm if needed for reassurance. They were used to being transported around, though this was different; it wasn't dark or dingy, and they weren't being shoved inside like cattle so it was a bit unnerving to be able to do things at their own pace.

Smiling you close the trunk and turn to Rengoku who was watching with a fond smile.

"Let us know when you're ready for the next one, there's no rush. Shinobu wants to get something set up for Sekido to help him settle in and get stronger, but the progress will depend on him."

Patting your shoulder he gives it a squeeze. "Call me or the others if you need a hand, even if it's early in the morning. Akaza still isn't keen on being around other demons, but he and Gyutaro can provide some muscle if required. I would even suggest the trio that's with Sameni and Giyuu but... maybe we'll save that for another time." His smile gentled and he pulled his hand away to let you go. "Best of luck."

You nod and give him a smile as you climb into the car, starting it. You could see the two jerk from the sudden roar of the engine as they look out through the windows curiously, watching as you pull out and make your way down the gravel drive to the main road, the building where they came from and held their two brothers growing smaller as your drove away.

As you drove you kept glancing at them in the rear view mirror, a small smile on your face as you adjust the heat to make sure they're warm. The ride was quiet, save for the occasional shuffling as they adjusted from time to time and the faint warble that seemed to come from the avian demon's throat whenever something caught his eye as he peaked over the edge to outside. There wasn't many on the road during this time so crossing through the town to your neighborhood took little time, the long stretch of buildings lessening the further you drove along the long winding road.

The sight of your home made them go quiet as you pull into your driveway, deciding to park outside tonight instead of going into the garage. The risk of being put into a confined space could be potentially triggering and you didn't want to put a bad taste in their mouth because of it. Putting it in park you turn the SUV off and turn to face them with a wide smile, the two of them staring at you with matching wide eyed expressions.

"Welcome home you two, this is where you'll be staying in the meantime as you recover. Soon Karaku and Sekido will be joining, but they need a little more monitoring to make sure they're healthy before they come here. It'll also give everyone time to get into some routine, so you two will get to settle and figure things out for them."

They stare at you unblinkingly as you unbuckle and step out, closing the door gingerly. Going around the front you grab the bins from the passenger seat so they were in hand as you press the button for the trunk, and it opened easily as the two turned to stare at you, gauging your next move.

"Come on then, let's get you two inside and into a room to settle in." You coaxed, stepping back to give them space. To your surprise Aizetsu was the first to slide out, his blue eyes impossibly wide as he scanned the new area. It was certainly much different then at the facility and the neighbors house was easily a block away, giving you a large space for a yard and thick trees. The sky was still visible and he shivered when the wind tussled his hair as he looked at Urogi who unfurled and crawled out as well.

"Once your wings are better there's space for you to fly around as well." You told him, his yellow eyes snapping to you.

"...really?" He whispered, his wings seeming to perk a bit. You smiled at him and nod as you close the trunk, making your way to the front door as they stood by the SUV. "It'll be a bit but once we're sure you can handle it, you'll be free to fly to your hearts content. The area is pretty secluded with a couple of neighbors, so as long as you behave and don't harass them then I don't see why not."

They didn't move for a moment before an excited giggle sort of sound left Urogi and he hurried after, stumbling at times as though he was a new born deer. Aizetsu was quick to grab his hand and follow as they made their way up onto your porch and looked into the home from the door, abit taken back by the sight of it as you held it open for them.

It was… certainly a jarring difference then the dank small cells they were shoved in under the fighting ring with the other demons. It looked warm and inviting and their noses could pick up the scent of a feline which made Urogi excited as he stepped into the home. While it had been a couple of months since you had company, they could no doubt still pick up Tanjiro's and Nezuko's scents as they moved further into the home, going to the living room first.

Setting the bin on the counter you close the door and watch them explore, leaning on each other for support as they kept a wide berth from furniture and other items as they slowly shuffle from one side of the room to the other.

"I have two rooms upstairs that you can pick from if you wish, or where ever you feel the most comfortable." They turn to you as you speak, quiet and focused.

"If you want to sleep down here then so be it, I understand. I'll show you around so you know where's what, I just ask that you keep the curtains closed during the day so you don't hurt yourself and to keep my room closed. I'll introduce you to Chachamaru soon, but I'd rather let you get settled in first before causing too much excitement."

Motioning them to follow you make your way to the kitchen which you hear them follow. "Food and the likes are in here. There's some meats set aside from you, for now I'd say allow me to set out the portions so you don't overeat since you two are still adjusting, but eventually you can get to the point of feeding yourself."

You pull the fridge open to show the packaged meats that were labeled with what type of meat they were and they blink, Urogi allowing a small bit of drool to drip from his chin. Closing it gently you give him a smile and motion them to follow which snaps him out of the state as he licks his lips to wipe it away.

"I can give you some in a moment, but let's continue to the rest of the house.'

They were quiet as they followed you throughout the home as you showed where each door and hall leads to. The curtains were drawn earlier as a precaution and you led them upstairs to the hallway once you had shown them the downstairs, ranging from the small bathroom, to the dining room and entryway to the garage. You showed them the back door as well that led to a deck to the backyard, awnings pulled out to provide enough shade during the day if they wanted to sit out and watch the trees.

Going up the stairs next, you motion to the hall that led to various doors adorning the left and right sides of the hall.

"The door at the end is mine, the right of it is a bathroom. These two doors are your rooms,"

Flipping on the lights revealed the rooms to be barren, save for some bedding tucked nearly into corners. There were twin mattresses on the floor, no frame needed as in your experience most demons felt comfortable sleeping on the floors so you made sure they could be comfortable with blankets and pillows.

"You can each have a room for now, or room together, just know that eventually both Sekido and Karaku will be joining you so I don't know how you'd want to do that. Whatever works, as long as you're happy about it. If you want to have separate rooms for now, then room together that's fine too, whatever you prefer and think is best."

You smile at them as they look between the two rooms then at each other, Aizetsu still clinging to Urogi's arm. The taller blinked at him before bumping his head to his which made him scrunch up his face and rub his temple, pouting at him but it didn't last long as he was dragged into the room to the right with Urogi.

They both immediately made a beeline for the mattresses and collapsed onto it with huffs, burrowing into the blankets there as their frames finally relaxed and went limp as they laid sprawled out across the surface.

Smiling you knock on the door frame to get their attention, a small laugh when Aizetsu raises his head to peer at you with his dark hair tussled and sticking up in parts after he had rubbed his head into the pillows. "Feel free to stay in there as long as you need… if you need anything I'll be downstairs to get your medication set up." You beam when you see Aizetsu  nod once and turn away, tugging blankets over themselves in heaps, eventually covering them both as they squirmed a bit to get comfortable.

There was no rush into anything, and you knew the first few days were always the hardest for someone to settle in. Closing the door halfway to give them some sense of privacy but enough to hear them just in case, you turn away and head back downstairs to the kitchen to get things set up for when they were ready.

---

 

And some art for a warm up sketch - gotta draw Sekido with teeths because he's the most feral but its also just trying to figure out their features and figuring out their details. Plan on exploring them a bit more, no Urogi this time since he got his own solo pic but I'll get to drawing more sketches :D

Notes:

A bit of a delay with this one! Had been slowly picking at it on and off, hit a bit of a block at the end of July and early August but slowly getting back into the swing of things. As expected, this is going to be a multichapter thing, though how many chapters per say is currently unknown as I'm not quite sure how to end it, let alone some gaps.

Going to give the two bois some time to settle in before bringing home the other chaos duo, as I had stuff written for them and want to revisit just a bit to iron their characters out abit.