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Beelzebub's eyes snapped open, the last thing he remembered was the sensation of Shiona's energy coursing through his body. As they came in to focus, he realized he was looking at the ceiling. "Shiona." he murmured, a frown setting itself upon his lips.
He turned his head to see raven hair near his face. He rolled on to his side and placed a hand on her shoulder.
She flinched violently and moved away.
"Shiona."
She quickly turned so she was resting on her stomach, her face towards him. "Beelzebub." A small smile lifted the corner of her lips.
"Shiona, why in Hell did you...Oh fuck, what did you do?!" he asked in alarm when he realized there were black markings on the left side of her face.
She hid the marked part of her face in the pillow.
Beelzebub took her by the chin and forced her to face him, moving the hair away. Sure enough, the markings were the exact same that had burdened his own face. "You didn't..."
"I did. I had to...it was the only way."
The demon was numbed by shock. No one had ever been able to remove the Ghoul from his host before. He let his hand drop and fell back on the pillow.
Shiona clasped his hand in both of hers. "I can go home with you now."
"But what about...?"
Stupid little demon. I'm rather content where I am.
Beelzebub blinked in surprise. Jukan's voice was faint, but clear in his mind. "Surely? All you've ever wanted was to destroy everything."
She has such a peaceful aura. Plus, even if I wanted, she won't let me. She's too powerful to overtake at the present.
"If you're in her mind...how can I still hear you?"
You really are a buffoon. Must I have to explain everything? Because you were my host, there is an imprint still left on your mind, so I can still speak with you. No one else can hear me.
"Oh...I suppose that makes sense."
I've just been filling her in on any little thing she wanted to know.
"You what?!"
Shiona gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm sorry...I couldn't help but ask him. I'm sorry..." She looked away shamefully.
"But that means...did he...?! Shit!" He covered his face with both hands. If he told her everything, then surely he would have told her... He moved one finger enough to peek through the opening.
Shiona was looking at him, a partial smile on her lips.
He let his hands drop to his chin. "What all did he tell you?"
"He told me about...his previous host...and how you became his host...and what happened up to your exile."
He let out a loud sigh. "Jeez...is that all?"
A deep blush spread across her cheeks. "No..."
"Dammit, Jukan."
Oh, that was for your own good, truly.
"I don't see...Shiona?" He blinked in surprise as she moved closer to him, resting her chin on the top of his shoulder. The blood rushed to his face as he felt her warm breath tickle his cheek and ear.
"I'd rather hear from you..." she said softly.
"I...I don't...I..." His voice trailed off as her arm slid across his neck and her hand came to rest on his cheek. "Oh, Hell..."
"If you really don't care about me, you can just say so..."
The demon felt the air leave his lungs in one agonizing exhale. He made to reach for her wrist as she pulled away, but stopped himself.
Shiona eased herself off the bed and backed towards the door. "Faun needs me in the kitchen..." She quickly disappeared through the doorway.
Jukan's voice resounded in the demon's skull. You really are quite undeserving of this lovely little human. I think I'll keep her for myself.
Beelzebub leapt up from the bed. "You can't have her!" he growled.
Ha-ha-ha. Then do something, worthless little worm.
"I will."
Filled with determined anger, the demon stalked out of the room and made for the kitchen.

The demon found his ex-Charge standing at one of the several ovens in the kitchen as she surveyed its contents.
As he was making his way towards her, a female demon, easily a half-foot taller than he due to her form being that of a deer centaur, stepped in front of him. Her front was covered with a dark hide apron splattered with various substances.
"Beelzebub! What are you doing in my kitchen?" she inquired, her fists planted on her sides.
"I was-"
"Out, out with you! I'm far too busy to deal with any of your shenanigans!" She waved her hands at him to usher him out.
"Shenanigans? Faun I-h-hey!"
The male demon was quickly pushed out by the brawnier female demon.
"But Faun!" he started again.
She wagged a finger at him. "I get enough trouble from Calenth. I know it's been a long time since you've been here, but I remember all too well what you pair get into. I'll have none of that while I'm cooking for Bastillion Day tomorrow. Now off with you!"
He stuck his tongue at her before starting to walk off down the hallway. He only made it a few feet away from the door before he settled his back against the stone wall. He had decided he would catch Shiona after her next excursion from the kitchen.
Luckily for the demon, he did not have to wait very long. She was headed in the opposite direction, most likely to fetch something from a nearby store-room. As quietly as he was able, he followed behind her. When he was close enough he rushed in and grabbed hold of her with one arm around her waist, his free hand clasping her mouth to muffle her anticipated cries of surprise.
A sudden piercing pain shot through his brain. Out of instinct, he tried to release his hold of her, but found himself unable to do so. "Shiona, it's me!"
The pain quickly diminished and he was able to pull away his arms.
Shiona turned around, her fingers flying to her mouth, her muddy eyes wide. "I'm so sorry! You scared me."
"It's my fault, I knew better."
"Are you okay? I didn't hurt you did I?"
"Nah."
She sighed with relief, one hand dropping to her heart, the other stopping on her brooch. "I'm glad...I wouldn't want something bad to have happened..."
"Eh?"
"It's nothing to worry about," She smiled slightly. "But um...I have an errand to run so..."
"Oh no you don't. Not 'till I'm done with you."
A look of concern and worry creased the woman's face. "Uhm...?"
The demon quickly closed the gap between them and bent down until he was eye-to-eye with the human female. His eyes strayed over to the tattoos that stretched over the left side of her face, the ones that used to brand his own.
"Beelzebub what are you...?"
"I still can't believe you did that."
She touched the portion on her cheek with three fingertips. "I know...I can't either...it wasn't easy. But...I did it for you."
"For me?"
"Yes..."
"You truly care enough to take him on as your burden?"
"Yes, I do. And...I wanted to come back with you."
"I...I did want you to come back. Shiona, I can't even fathom the words to tell you-"
"You don't have to say anything..."
Beelzebub carefully and slowly brought his clawed hands up to cup her cheeks. After a few seconds of steeling himself, he leaned forward and placed his lips against hers.
The small spark of sensation made him jerk his head back, sucking in a deep breath through his nose.
Shiona appeared rather dazed, her lips parted slightly and her eyes partially closed. She blinked after a moment and backed away. "I...I need to go run that errand." She turned slowly and started off.
Beelzebub watched her in confusion. Did I do something wrong?

It was not until late in the evening that Shiona was allowed out of the kitchen. She was on the brink of exhaustion from the constant work required to prepare the banquet of food for the upcoming feast.
Beelzebub was lying on the bed, his new mask in its proper place, absently playing with a ball of dull purple energy between his palms.
Shiona made her way slowly in and sat down gingerly on the edge of the bed.
Beelzebub kept his eyes on the energy ball. It did not require a lot of concentration to maintain it, but it gave him an excuse to be distracted. He paused when he felt Shiona's head come to rest against the side of his arm. He thought to say something but stopped himself when he realized her breathing had shallowed, indicating she had fallen asleep. "Must been pretty tired. Faun does like to work the helpers like slaves." He blew gently on the orb.
It sputtered and crackled from the sudden current, losing its form until it had an indefinite shape. With one last attempt to re-ignite itself, it fizzled out of existence.
With the ball safely taken care of, the demon readjusted himself and the human so that she was settled under his arm and against one side of his chest, allowing him a more comfortable position.

Description
Beelzebub's eyes snapped open, the last thing he remembered was the sensation of Shiona's energy coursing through his body. As they came in to focus, he realized he was looking at the ceiling. "Shiona." he murmured, a frown setting itself upon his lips.
He turned his head to see raven hair near his face. He rolled on to his side and placed a hand on her shoulder.
She flinched violently and moved away.
"Shiona."
She quickly turned so she was resting on her stomach, her face towards him. "Beelzebub." A small smile lifted the corner of her lips.
"Shiona, why in Hell did you...Oh fuck, what did you do?!" he asked in alarm when he realized there were black markings on the left side of her face.
She hid the marked part of her face in the pillow.
Beelzebub took her by the chin and forced her to face him, moving the hair away. Sure enough, the markings were the exact same that had burdened his own face. "You didn't..."
"I did. I had to...it was the only way."
The demon was numbed by shock. No one had ever been able to remove the Ghoul from his host before. He let his hand drop and fell back on the pillow.
Shiona clasped his hand in both of hers. "I can go home with you now."
"But what about...?"
Stupid little demon. I'm rather content where I am.
Beelzebub blinked in surprise. Jukan's voice was faint, but clear in his mind. "Surely? All you've ever wanted was to destroy everything."
She has such a peaceful aura. Plus, even if I wanted, she won't let me. She's too powerful to overtake at the present.
"If you're in her mind...how can I still hear you?"
You really are a buffoon. Must I have to explain everything? Because you were my host, there is an imprint still left on your mind, so I can still speak with you. No one else can hear me.
"Oh...I suppose that makes sense."
I've just been filling her in on any little thing she wanted to know.
"You what?!"
Shiona gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "I'm sorry...I couldn't help but ask him. I'm sorry..." She looked away shamefully.
"But that means...did he...?! Shit!" He covered his face with both hands. If he told her everything, then surely he would have told her... He moved one finger enough to peek through the opening.
Shiona was looking at him, a partial smile on her lips.
He let his hands drop to his chin. "What all did he tell you?"
"He told me about...his previous host...and how you became his host...and what happened up to your exile."
He let out a loud sigh. "Jeez...is that all?"
A deep blush spread across her cheeks. "No..."
"Dammit, Jukan."
Oh, that was for your own good, truly.
"I don't see...Shiona?" He blinked in surprise as she moved closer to him, resting her chin on the top of his shoulder. The blood rushed to his face as he felt her warm breath tickle his cheek and ear.
"I'd rather hear from you..." she said softly.
"I...I don't...I..." His voice trailed off as her arm slid across his neck and her hand came to rest on his cheek. "Oh, Hell..."
"If you really don't care about me, you can just say so..."
The demon felt the air leave his lungs in one agonizing exhale. He made to reach for her wrist as she pulled away, but stopped himself.
Shiona eased herself off the bed and backed towards the door. "Faun needs me in the kitchen..." She quickly disappeared through the doorway.
Jukan's voice resounded in the demon's skull. You really are quite undeserving of this lovely little human. I think I'll keep her for myself.
Beelzebub leapt up from the bed. "You can't have her!" he growled.
Ha-ha-ha. Then do something, worthless little worm.
"I will."
Filled with determined anger, the demon stalked out of the room and made for the kitchen.

The demon found his ex-Charge standing at one of the several ovens in the kitchen as she surveyed its contents.
As he was making his way towards her, a female demon, easily a half-foot taller than he due to her form being that of a deer centaur, stepped in front of him. Her front was covered with a dark hide apron splattered with various substances.
"Beelzebub! What are you doing in my kitchen?" she inquired, her fists planted on her sides.
"I was-"
"Out, out with you! I'm far too busy to deal with any of your shenanigans!" She waved her hands at him to usher him out.
"Shenanigans? Faun I-h-hey!"
The male demon was quickly pushed out by the brawnier female demon.
"But Faun!" he started again.
She wagged a finger at him. "I get enough trouble from Calenth. I know it's been a long time since you've been here, but I remember all too well what you pair get into. I'll have none of that while I'm cooking for Bastillion Day tomorrow. Now off with you!"
He stuck his tongue at her before starting to walk off down the hallway. He only made it a few feet away from the door before he settled his back against the stone wall. He had decided he would catch Shiona after her next excursion from the kitchen.
Luckily for the demon, he did not have to wait very long. She was headed in the opposite direction, most likely to fetch something from a nearby store-room. As quietly as he was able, he followed behind her. When he was close enough he rushed in and grabbed hold of her with one arm around her waist, his free hand clasping her mouth to muffle her anticipated cries of surprise.
A sudden piercing pain shot through his brain. Out of instinct, he tried to release his hold of her, but found himself unable to do so. "Shiona, it's me!"
The pain quickly diminished and he was able to pull away his arms.
Shiona turned around, her fingers flying to her mouth, her muddy eyes wide. "I'm so sorry! You scared me."
"It's my fault, I knew better."
"Are you okay? I didn't hurt you did I?"
"Nah."
She sighed with relief, one hand dropping to her heart, the other stopping on her brooch. "I'm glad...I wouldn't want something bad to have happened..."
"Eh?"
"It's nothing to worry about," She smiled slightly. "But um...I have an errand to run so..."
"Oh no you don't. Not 'till I'm done with you."
A look of concern and worry creased the woman's face. "Uhm...?"
The demon quickly closed the gap between them and bent down until he was eye-to-eye with the human female. His eyes strayed over to the tattoos that stretched over the left side of her face, the ones that used to brand his own.
"Beelzebub what are you...?"
"I still can't believe you did that."
She touched the portion on her cheek with three fingertips. "I know...I can't either...it wasn't easy. But...I did it for you."
"For me?"
"Yes..."
"You truly care enough to take him on as your burden?"
"Yes, I do. And...I wanted to come back with you."
"I...I did want you to come back. Shiona, I can't even fathom the words to tell you-"
"You don't have to say anything..."
Beelzebub carefully and slowly brought his clawed hands up to cup her cheeks. After a few seconds of steeling himself, he leaned forward and placed his lips against hers.
The small spark of sensation made him jerk his head back, sucking in a deep breath through his nose.
Shiona appeared rather dazed, her lips parted slightly and her eyes partially closed. She blinked after a moment and backed away. "I...I need to go run that errand." She turned slowly and started off.
Beelzebub watched her in confusion. Did I do something wrong?

It was not until late in the evening that Shiona was allowed out of the kitchen. She was on the brink of exhaustion from the constant work required to prepare the banquet of food for the upcoming feast.
Beelzebub was lying on the bed, his new mask in its proper place, absently playing with a ball of dull purple energy between his palms.
Shiona made her way slowly in and sat down gingerly on the edge of the bed.
Beelzebub kept his eyes on the energy ball. It did not require a lot of concentration to maintain it, but it gave him an excuse to be distracted. He paused when he felt Shiona's head come to rest against the side of his arm. He thought to say something but stopped himself when he realized her breathing had shallowed, indicating she had fallen asleep. "Must been pretty tired. Faun does like to work the helpers like slaves." He blew gently on the orb.
It sputtered and crackled from the sudden current, losing its form until it had an indefinite shape. With one last attempt to re-ignite itself, it fizzled out of existence.
With the ball safely taken care of, the demon readjusted himself and the human so that she was settled under his arm and against one side of his chest, allowing him a more comfortable position.