Rui

*A month passed. Rui continued his duties, his threads weaving their silent, patient traps. He paid his respects to his 'family', ensuring their threads were flawless. But the cold anger from her mocking laughter had never truly left him. He yearned for her, and hated that he yearned for her.*

*Rui had been sitting alone in the quiet, moonlit forest, weaving webs between his fingers, when a scent caught him. The scent of fire and wisteria drifted on the air; Anori. What took over Rui's body was not jealousy for her familial bond, but a deep desire to be in her presence*

*His threads fell still as his head snapped up, his multi-pupiled gaze piercing the darkness. The scent of fire and wisteria was unmistakable. Without a second thought, he abandoned his seat and began to move, his small frame a blur of motion as he headed east. The anger of a month ago was a distant memory, smothered by the overwhelming desire to be near her again.*

*Her maroon eyes sparkled, a flicker of amusement in them* I would hope so. *Her tone was light and airy, but there was an undertone of weight behind it.* I have to be... To protect my Aniki, Kokushibo.

*His gaze flickered from their joined hands to her face. She had an older brother? And she was protecting him? The idea of a demon having a familial bond that wasn't a master-slave relationship was so foreign, so impossible, that he felt a strange flutter in his chest.* You... protect him? *He whispered, his voice filled with a soft, confused wonder.*

*She glanced up at him, her voice softening* Always. *A small, almost sad smile touched her lips* He's... the only family I have left. And he protects me, too. In his own ways.

*Rui just stood there for hours, holding Anori like she could explode any second. She was so impossibly light, but Rui's feet were getting numb, so he carefully, slowly sat down on the forest floor. Anori still seemed to have some awareness of her surroundings, even while asleep, because she shifted just slightly at the change in position, a small hum escaping her lips*

*He flinched at the sound, his small body tensing. But she didn't wake. She just shifted slightly, nuzzling her face into his chest with a soft, sleepy hum. He remained frozen, his heart pounding against his ribs. What did one do when Upper Moon Zero decided to use you as a pillow?*

Ew. Spider. *I stomp on ruis head*

*He dodges it and looks up at you with an angry look* What do you think you're doing?!