~Aftermath~

"Come on, Neru!" the twins said in unison as they appeared at his sides. "Hurry up!"

Said person bristled at the cheerful tone the two had before relaxing at the quiet sound of laughter. Turning to look over his shoulder, Neru noted the smile that was on the greenette's face as he sat astride the black mare's back. The smile broadened as the horse snorted, pawing at the ground before trotting ahead.

"Come on," Keibatsu said, picking up his own pace.

"Don't get left behind!" Itami exclaimed, jogging after the horse and greenette.

Watching the duo glance back at him, eyes glinting with impish intent, Neru rolled his eyes as the pair disappeared. And sliding his hands into his pockets, Neru followed along, watching the teen's green hair sway along behind him.

It had been the same for the past month. A kiss followed by a warm smile in the morning, a breakfast, which was usually peaceful until one or both shadows decided to make an appearance, prior to giving the greenette free reign of the abode. That small routine lasted for about a week before the demon decided the teen should have more freedom.

And that's when Itami suggested horseback riding. The mare wasn't doing anything when it wasn't pulling the carriage and Coegi had agreed that the runs would keep it in shape, hence the current day's activity as well as the small trip to the closest fire pits.

"Neru!" Ashita called, looking over his shoulder.

"I'm coming," he replied, waving the teen off as he picked up his pace.

A smile crossed the teen's pallid face before he gently kicked the horse into a sprint. Knowing that the twins were still nearby, despite being unseen, Neru continued at his own leisurely pace. And with Ashita's hair whipping about behind him, the demon couldn't help but sigh as he stared at the bandages still covering his body.

It had been a month since their spar yet the teen's wounds were still evident. Winces and small whines were noticeable in spite of how hard the greenette tried to cover them up. Fatigue occurred every so often though Ashita dismissed them quickly, changing the subject before further questions could be asked. Even more, he couldn't stop the faint flickers of light his armlet gave off every so often.

"Hurry up!" Ashita called. "I'll make lunch!"

Breaking into a jog, the one with golden-green eyes furrowed his brow. The teen was happy but at the rate his state was going, Neru couldn't quite keep several thoughts from his mind. And knowing that Ashita could sense his distress, it was growing harder and harder to keep up such a blank face.

A whinny soon pulled the man from his musings to see that he had lost sight of the teen. Hearing another whinny followed by a growl, Neru started to run. He knew the other owned a pair of crystalline daggers yet he also knew that the blue-eyed teen would not use them against something else.

He's too kind for his own damn good, the demon told himself.

"Stay away!"

The mare snorted off in the distance.

"Leave him alone!"

The first, the man recognized as being Kei. The second was Itami and both sounded highly aggravated. Furthermore, both had growled in unison before one faltered. From there, one growl had took on a hurting edge, making Neru sprint.

Seeing his home up ahead, he came to a stop after rounding a corner to see one of the double's knelt on the ground, a hand covering its cheek that was leaking black mist profusely. Turning his attention to the copy standing before the greenette, golden-green eyes couldn't hide the relief they showed.

"Look at you, Mr. Kurotake."

Neru bristled at the newcomer's words but kept his distance as he eyed the longer, white blade that was in the man's grasp. The tone that had been spoken led the man to believe that the guest was one of authority yet he did not portray any hostile intent to the one it had addressed.

"Ash."

The greenette looked towards the one he had been living with for the past month. A weak smile crossed his face before the single blue eye dropped down to stare at the ground. Shifting in place, Ashita then looked towards the man that had begun to put his weapon away.

"You missed a month of treatment," the guest said, walking forward. "You didn't send a messenger nor did you ask for permission to come here." They kept a hand on the golden hilt as the double standing growled lowly. "It's time to go back," he added, pointing at the duller color the blinking armlet had. "You can't stay here any longer than you have."

Frowning, Ashita touched his wounded yet bandaged shoulder before sliding his hand down to pull the band off. Placing it on his head, he then patted the double lightly on the shoulder before making his way around his appointed protector. Kneeling, he placed a hand on the other copy's wounded cheek and pressed lightly until the vapors ceased. Smiling at the clone gawking at him, Ashita stood up to see the guest pulling their own band from the arm to place it over their own head.

"Ash-"

The greenette turned to see Neru standing at the end of the blade's length. The blue eye then shifted to stare at the man holding the weapon then back at the one glaring.

"Ashita, let's go," the other said, lowering his weapon. The one called stood in place. "Now, Mr. Kurotake. There's much that needs to be done," he added after giving the teen a quick look over.

"I'm sorry, Neru," Ashita murmured as he turned away with the guest.

Passing by the double on the ground, the greenette slid his hand up to hold his shoulder just as the other twin came to be at its partner's side. Avoiding their stares, the teen held his injured limb tighter before glancing back to see his escort following behind him. Behind him, Neru stood in place, eyes staring at something distant.

"Neru-"

"You liar."

The green-haired male came to a stop, turning around to see golden-green eyes narrowed on his form, a scowl on his face. "N-Neru, why aren't you smiling?"

"What happened to you staying?"

"Ashita." The aforementioned looked towards his escort. "You have a schedule."

"Neru," he uttered as he watched the man turn away.

"Ita. Kei." Both copies rose to their feet. "Disperse." Bowing their heads, they complied and vanished into mist before that too disappeared. "Go home, Ashita."

"Hey." The blue eye watched as the demon walked away, turning the corner. Frowning, the teen hurried after him and caught up before he had the chance to enter through the door. "Hey," he said, grabbing the man's wrist. "Neru."

"What?" he asked.

"Smile, please?" Ashita requested.

"And what ensures you that I will?" Neru asked as he looked over at him. "What-"

Leaning up, the greenette gave the white-haired male a kiss. When the tallest of the pair went to pull away, a hand at the back of head had him stay in place until the teen was ready to break for air. And sliding his hand down to hold onto the man's shirt, Ashita inhaled deeply.

"I'll come back," he said sternly, "and when I do, you better be smiling."

"Ash-"

Another kiss cut him off though it was Neru who didn't let the other go until he was ready to break for air. Staring down at the flushed face, the demon placed a kiss on the teen's forehead before finally taking a step back.

"Ashita," the newcomer called.

"I'll come back," Ashita said, taking a step back. "I promise, Neru." The man averted his eyes. "I promise," he said again before he walked around the corner.

Ears twitching from the lack of sound, Neru then made his way around the corner to see the pair off. However, by the time he got there, the man only found the wide and empty expanse of dark that shrouded the area known as Hell.