Stepping inside, the demon leaned down, collecting Ashita's body before stepping out. He was relieved that Coegi had decided to wrap the teen's body. The material of the bandages ensured that the corpse wouldn't go stiff, making movement much easier though it left the greenette rather limp.
"Ashita…" the one with white hair murmured as he approached the front door.
He eyed the wooden barrier for a time, his own body rigid in comparison to the one in his arms. To knock was simple. To face the one that would open the door was not and the longer he stood there, the more uneasy he felt. The feeling was highly unwelcome and the longer he stood there, the quicker he wished for it to end.
As soon as that thought past through his head, his ears picked up on the sound of footsteps. His eyes then focused on his tail that had fell away from the door so it could hide itself once more. His body was too honest at times and, frankly, it sickened and astonished him.
"Coming," came a sleepy reply.
"Ms. Kurotake," Neru began prior to watching her gaze fall upon the one in his arms.
"You found him?" the woman asked softly, smiling creeping onto her tired face. "You found him!" She reached out to caress a cheek though she pulled it away as she beamed at the man. "You brought him home! Thank you so much!"
"Ms. Kurotake, I-"
"Ashita!" Lana chimed, looking down at her bundled brother. "Come on, Ash. It's time to wake up." Nothing. "It's your turn to make breakfast. Don't think because you were gone, you got out of the duty." Neru shifted uncomfortably. "Ash?"
"Ms. Kurotake, I-"
"Lana."
"Ms. Lana, can I place him in his bed, please?" Neru asked, doing his best to maintain the eye contact.
The blunette led the way, pushing the door open as the white-haired man walked by. She watched as he set her sibling down prior to walking over to sit on the bed when he didn't stir. In the growing light, green eyes noted the paler complexion.
"Lana…I…I'm sorry, but-"
"Ashita," the woman cooed, placing a hand gently on the greenette's cheek. She pulled away soon after as she felt how cold it was. "Ash?" Two of her fingers went to his neck, finding nothing. "Ash?" she called, panic in her voice. "A-Ash?" Her gaze then shot towards the man looking elsewhere. "He's sleeping, right?" Neru remained silent. "He's j-just sleeping…right?"
"Lana, I-"
"T-tell me he's sleeping, Neru."
"I'm…sorry, Ms. Kurotake."
Feeling water prick in the corners, she turned her attention to her sibling's still form.
"No, no, no, no, no…" she murmured, placing a hand on one pale cheek. Her fingers trembled as she rested her hand on his chest. "No…" As she pressed her hand down more, trying to find a sign of life, she felt the broken bones. "A-Ashita?" The man looked elsewhere again. "What did you do?" Lana cried angrily, face red. "What did you do to my brother?" Neru looked towards her. "What did you do to him, you demon!" The demon jumped at the outburst. "What did you do?" she cried.
"M-Ms. Kurotake, I-"
"No excuses!" she yelled. "What did you do to my little brother?"
"N-Nothing," Neru stammered, easing away.
"What did you do?" she yelled. "Tell me!" She slid off the bed and barred his way. "What happened to my brother? What have you done?!"
"I'm sorry," he murmured, eyes glued to his lap. "I-"
"Demon!" He flinched at the name. "That's what you are," she yelled, glaring at the man with tear-filled eyes. "Tell me what you did to him!"
"I…I'm sorry," Neru said quietly, glancing at the greenette as he reached out to stroke a pale cheek.
His hand was swatted away quickly, leaving him to look up at the woman. "Don't touch him!" Lana ordered. "You're not allowed to lay a finger on my brother!" Her thin frame trembled, leaving Neru to frown. "I don't know why he liked a demon like you!"
"Lana-"
"…you made him cry!"
"I'm sorry."
"You made him cry!" Lana wept. "His wrists looked chafed. He looked scared. He would hardly eat anything. He didn't smile as much... What did you do to my little brother?!"
"Lana…" Neru said, trailing off.
"You haven't changed your looks." He blinked before focusing on the woman. "I've noticed the tail, you know?" she questioned angrily. "The last time you were here and you led my brother to his room, I seen it. He didn't get that sick until you showed up! Ashita was fine and healthy and…and…"
"I'm sorry!"
"Just shut up!" Lana ordered, tears flowing freely with her face buried in her hands.
"L-"
"He was all I had left." She raised her head a bit. "And you took him from me! You took my little brother away from me over and over again in the past. This is your fault!" she screamed. "I want Ashita back!" Neru kept his head down as the woman got to her feet. "Give him back to me, demon!"
"I didn't take him," Neru said. "If I could give him back, I surely would have. I promise y-"
"How can I trust your words?" The white-haired man shifted uncomfortably. "Demons lie. You lie!" she shouted, standing before the man. "Give him back!"
"I c-"
The sound of a slap echoed against the walls. "I deserved that," he replied softly, keeping his eyes focused on the teen's body. I did…
As more tears streamed down her face, he stood up as the blunette went to slap him again.
He allowed it and, for the first time in a long time, he paid close attention to the pain it brought on.
"Demon!" she cried, pulling her wrist away quickly. "You killed my brother!"
The man grimaced. "His boyfriend did that."
"He…you both killed my brother!"
"Lana, I'm sorry," Neru said quietly, watching as the woman cried louder, her blue hair falling before her face. "I tried to find him-"
"You didn't try to find him quick enough!" she countered, rubbing her eyes. "You could've saved my brother, Neru! You killed my Ashita!" She pulled away when he eased forward. "He liked you! He liked you, you monster!"
"I'm sorry…"
"Stop apologizing! It won't bring him back to me!" Lana cried, moving to rest her head on the bedspread. She buried her face in the covers soon after, trying to find comfort she knew she couldn't. "You killed him."
"Lana, please, h-"
"Leave me alone," she ordered weakly. "Just go away."
"Please, l-"
"I said to go away, Kimura!" The woman raised her head to glare at him though it faltered once she hiccupped. "Please," she said, putting her head back down, "you've done enough."
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