Raising The Stakes

~Two~

 (I believe I had a plan for this story but I didn't write it down and now I've forgot so enjoy this filler chapter while I figure it out again.)

 Long red nails gently graze down the side of Komaeda's face, that sickeningly-sweet smile burning a hole in his brain.

  "So, my darling Nagito. . ," The woman coos, "You come back reeking of a human but not of death," She jerks his chin up roughly, "You talked to it and let it live, didn't you? Why?"

   ". . .I saw no human, Master. I would have brought you it's head if I did." He answers dully. 

  "Hmm. . .And why don't I believe you, I wonder?"

   She digs a claw into his cheek, piercing the skin, making him cry out in pain. 

   'Hinata Hajime is interesting to me. A human so powerful, so fearless. . .So full of Hope. . .I won't give him up so easily.'

   "I only tell the truth, Master. I would never dare even dream of lying to someone as beautiful and wonderful as you," He answers, "Or Master Shirogane." He tacks on as an afterthought. 

   "Mmm. . .Somehow I still don't believe you," She flashes him a malicious smirk, "You need to be punished," She unhooks the first button of his shirt and quickly begins making her way down, "You need to taste even more Despair it seems."

   Komaeda's eyes widen, chills running up and down his spine. "O-Oh, Master, please, I really don't want-"

   "Hush," She orders, grabbing the gag off of the table and fitting it inside his mouth, "Toys should be seen and not heard."

   He shivers violently, trying to scramble away from her but before he can, she grabs his wrists and holds them together, mumbling a quick spell that binds his wrists together. 

   "Now then," She purrs, "Let's see what else you have hiding."

-

   Hinata sighs loudly, watching his drink fizzle, listening to the sounds of merriment and laughter going on all around him in the tavern. 

   "You seem down, Hinata." Owari observes, wiping down the counter right in front of him.

   Hinata raises an eyebrow. "Really? Oh, well, I'm sorry if I'm bringing down the mood in here, I can just go-"

   "No, no, you don't gotta go, bud. That's not what I meant. I just wanted to know what's depressing ya. Top up your drink?"

   "Sure," He responds, letting his friend fill his glass mug back up to the brim, "And nothing much, honestly. Well, nothing too important."

   "Ah. Another unsuccessful hunt, huh?"

   Hinata's eyes narrow. "You speak as if I have a lot of unsuccessful hunts, Owari. And it's not unsuccessful, it's just been one day. . .I have plenty of time to track down whatever Tanaka-san sensed," He explains, "Yes, I haven't found anything yet but I will soon. . .This particular creature is more powerful than the usual ones that slither around here."

   He frowns, absentmindedly swirling his finger in his drink. Why didn't he mention Komaeda? Why'd he just lie like that? . . .Well, to be fair, Owari isn't precisely involved in the hunting affairs of this town-that's more Koizumi, her wife Pekoyama, and Pekoyama's adoptive brother Kuzuryu. But still, did he really need to hide Komaeda from them?

   I mean, he's going to die in the end by his blade anyways, after he gets him to lead him to the powerful presence. Maybe he just didn't want to appear weak in front of one of the strongest women in the village.