Hozuki's Shadow--Hozuki x reader (Hoozuki no Reitetsu)

Chapter 4

"People are weird, don't you think?"

Perhaps that question would have seemed strange or out of the blue to another person, but to (F/N), it was a perfectly normal transition from the thoughts going through her head.

"Everyone is strange in their own way," Hozuki reasoned. "What brought this on?"

"Oh, I was just thinking about things," she said, kicking a stray pebble off the well-kept path through Heaven. "King Enma has changed quite a bit lately. I don't think I've ever seen him so enthusiastic about work."

"Yes, well...some people are very easy to manipulate."

(F/N) tilted her head to the side. What did he mean by that? What exactly had he done to the Great King?

Well I suppose it doesn't matter, she reasoned. As long as it gets King Enma to work properly...

But still, what could he have done to get someone as lazy as the King to work? Come to think of it, though, that's not the only strange thing he's done recently. He's been a lot more short-tempered, and I still don't understand why Hozuki-kun and I both had to go to Heaven during our lunch break. Is there something I'm missing? There is, isn't there? I wonder if—

"Watch out!"

(F/N) came back to the present just in time to feel Hozuki grab her hand, and pull her back into his chest. It took her a moment to realize what had happened—she'd tripped over a rock.

That's strange. I didn't even notice I was falling.

"Honestly," Hozuki sighed. "You need to be more alert."

"I'm sorry."

"You say that every time. What I'd like to see is some improvement in your behavior."

With that, she stepped away from him, and they continued down the path towards Hakutaku's pharmacy. (F/N) tried to keep from drifting off—she really did—but before long, her mind was racing again, and she came to a sudden realization that made her gasp.

"Hey, Hozuki-kun?"

"Yes?"

"You didn't get King Enma to work by threatening his grandson, did you?"

"Just what kind of person do you think I am?"

"Well, you did once threaten a child with a syringe, so forgive me for having my doubts."

A few minutes of bickering later, they reached the pharmacy. When they arrived, Momotaro was already outside, scrubbing at a stubborn stain on the window. It took him a moment to notice them, and when he did, his face lit up.

"Ah, Hozuki-sama, what do you—"

He paused, and (F/N) felt Hozuki's hand leave hers. She looked down, confused. Had he been holding it the whole time? That was odd.

"Momotaro-san," Hozuki said, snapping her out of her thoughts, "I came for the oni influenza cure. If you wouldn't mind..."

"Of course. Just a minute."

They headed to the door, but (F/N) paused, glancing back at the peaceful rabbit-dotted fields.

"Hey, Hozuki," she said, "you don't mind if I wait outside, do you?"

"Of course not," Hozuki answered. "Just make sure not to wander off. I don't want you falling into the Yourou Falls."

"Don't worry! I won't!"

With that, (F/N) settled herself in the lush grass. She turned to a nearby rabbit, holding out a hand, and after a few hesitant sniffs, it settled in her lap. She giggled, burying her fingers in its fur.

It's so soft! She thought to herself. Why is rabbit fur so soft, anyway? I think Hozuki-kun said something about that once...

Before long, she'd drifted off again, one thought leading to another until, for some reason, she was thinking about the mechanics of train engines. She was just about to move onto the ethicalities of coal mining when she heard someone call her name, and looked up to meet a pair of pale grey eyes.

"Oh, Hakutaku-sama!"

"There you are, (F/N)-chan, I was about to check for a pulse!" He grinned, and stood up. (F/N) tried to follow him with her gaze, only to find something heavy weighing her head down.

A rabbit?

She frowned, and glanced down to find her lap was full of them. When had they gotten there? She hadn't been paying attention.

"Looks like you're as popular as ever," Hakutaku commented, flashing a smile. "What a pity, and here I thought maybe I could finally take you out on a date."

"Maybe another time. I'm kind of busy right now." She gently picked up a rabbit, and stroked the top of its head. "What time is it?"

"Huh? It's about two o'clock. Why?"

"Oh, no! My break's almost over! Crap, if Hozuki-kun finds out I've lost track of time again, he's really gonna be mad..."

She hurried to heard all the rabbits off her lap, muttering apologies to them, and promising to visit again later. Then, as she was brushing the fur off, Hakutaku held out a hand.

"Need some help?"

"Thanks."

She took it, but just as he pulled her to her feet, a fist came flying out of nowhere, and punched him in the face.

"Ah!" When (F/N) caught sight of the assailant, her face brightened. "Hozuki-kun! You're back!"

"Just in time," he muttered, letting out a breath. "What have I told you about talking to strange men?"

"I'm not a child, anymore, Hozuki-kun, and I think your age-old advice of 'punch him in the face' leaves something to be desired."

"On the contrary, I think's perfectly adequate—in this situation, at least. Now, come. We still have a lot of inspections to finish before dinnertime."

"Right!"

And with that, they returned to Hell, leaving Hakutaku alone in a steaming pile of rubble.

~o0o~

"IhatehimIhatehimIhatehimIhatehim—"

"I know already, Hakutaku-sama. Now can you please give me some help? We're running behind with all these orders."

Hakutaku heaved a sigh, and slumped further in his chair, making no move to get up or do anything productive.

"Honestly," he muttered, puffing out his cheeks in a pout, "what right does that demon bastard have to punch me in the face, and then run off and keep that cute girl all to himself!"

"Well she is his assistant," Momotaro pointed out.

"The two of them are so annoying together!" Hakutaku continued. "Whenever (F/N)-chan is involved, I get hit twice as often! Do you remember the last time they were here? She insulted him, and for some reason, I'm the one that got hit! And even though she's normally so sweet and charming, whenever he's around, she dotes on him and completely ignores me!"

"I think you're overreacting," Momotaro muttered, pouring a spoonful of herbal concoction into a jar. "There is something strange about their relationship, though. You know, when they were walking up here, I saw them holding hands."

"You see! He even gets to hold hands with her—"

For a moment, Hakutaku froze. Then a thin, slippery smile spread across his face.

"Ah, I see...

"This could prove to be quite...interesting..."

Author's Note: Hello! Thank you so much for reading! If you liked this chapter, please remember to vote. Thanks!

-Marguerite Partello