Hashira Loving Demon

Twelve - Experiment

I felt a hand on my forehead, and then a cloth wiping my face. It went all over my body.

"Mmm, I wish I had a better sensation of this. You can have your hands on me any day, Beautiful." I said.

I opened my eyes to see Aoi leaning over me, and frowning.

"What in the world!?"

I sat up and jumped back. Then I wiped my face and groaned. What have I just done?

"Uh, sorry, Miss Aoi. I thought you were Shino." I said.

"Clearly. Lady Shinobu is tending to Lord Tomioka."

"Lord Tomioka? Isn't it going a bit far to give a demon that title?" I asked.

"You're going to have to be updated by Lady Shinobu. You have been out for three days, Lord Mura."

"Three days!? What the hell?"

How could three days have passed? I turned and jumped from the bed. My legs were a little shaky, but I forced them to work for me.

"Please, Lord Mura. Lady Shinobu has asked us to keep you in bed, resting."

"There's no time for that. I need to find Shino." I said.

I stumbled from the room and down the hallway. Miss Aoi chased me, and I realized I didn't know where I was going.

"Where did they take Tomioka?" I asked.

"Please, Lord Mura. Come back to your room, you need rest. Lady Shinobu will be angry with you." She said.

"A consequence I'll face later. Where is Tomioka?"

"Come this way." She said.

She grabbed my arm and pulled me along down the hallway and led me to a room. She stopped outside and bowed then turned and walked away.

"Thank you, Miss Aoi." I said.

I slid the door open, and found Shino leaning over Tomioka, staring at him. She was leaning close to his face, and I could only guess that she was examining the mark on his cheek.

She turned her head and saw me and quickly sat back. She smiled and waved to me.

"Mura, it's good to see that you're awake." She said.

"Yeah, now what's going on here? What have I missed?" I asked.

"Well, I gave Tomioka the serum, and he's been in and out of consciousness. These marks on his skin haven't disappeared, so I think my serum has failed." She said.

My legs were still shaking, so I pulled up a chair, and sat beside her. I grabbed her hand and I was able to relax.

I still didn't want her to see how weak I was and so I forced my legs to remain still.

"Well, what's he like when he's conscious?" I asked.

"The same as he always has been. He doesn't answer my questions, and all he does is stare."

"He's pretty creepy when he does that." I said.

She turned to me and started examining my body. She lifted my shirt and my arms, then my neck.

"Shino, if you want me naked, just go ahead and say it." I said.

"Mura please. I'm worried about you. You've been out for three days, and you are acting like there's nothing wrong. You're hiding your true symptoms from me, aren't you?"

"I'm fine, Dear. Don't worry about me."

Beside us, Tomioka groaned, and Shino jumped up to examine him. I watched as his eyes opened, and he looked around the room. His gaze landed on Shino, and he stared at her. I clenched my jaw, and balled my fist.