You're my Dog in Life and Death

Welcome to Hell

"Welcome to hell, sinner," A tired voice intoned. "If you have complaints, go fuck yourself, because no one gives a shit. Can I get your name?" 

A small, red skinned creature with black and white horns sat at a desk cluttered with papers. The glasses on his nose were crooked and taped together like they had been broken several times. 

"Nakahara Chuuya," 

"Nakahara... the demon mused, flipping through his disorganized files and papers.

"So I really died, huh?" Chuuya asked, taking a look around the small, dingy office before looking down at the demon, who was even shorter than he was. "I expected something different... by the way, who and what are you?"

"Name's Bael, I'm an imp. I'm one of many imps who run these orientation offices." He replied, finally pulling a large file from his desk. "Nakahara Chuuya, huh? So you died from getting your throat slit, correct?" Bael intoned, skimming through his file. 

"Yeah," Chuuya replied in a distracted voice, walking over to the boarded up window and trying to see outside. Some reddish light leaked in, but he couldn't see much else besides a filthy brick wall covered in profane graffiti. I expected to end up here, but it still seems so surreal. I'm in hell now...

"My, my, you sold your soul, didja? to the most sadistic overlord in hell?" The imp asked with a smirk, looking up from his papers. "Do you want me to call him up and let him know you're here now?"

"No, not yet," Chuuya quickly replied, feeling a pang of anxiety when he thought about his contract.  

"Then you're free to go. Oh, one more thing. You might want to find a mirror; you're a demon now, and your appearance has changed. NEXT!" 

Chuuya left the office in a daze, passing another sinner who had just arrived. He'd noticed that he now had claws, but Chuuya suddenly wondered if the changes to his appearance went farther. He felt his head for horns, but he didn't have any. Instead...

"What the fuck?" he muttered, feeling the soft, pointy ears on top of his head. What the hell do I look like now? Am I a fucking catboy? Chuuya thought, his heart rate rising again. He ran to the nearest bathroom and stared into the mirror, trying to process what he saw. It was a relief to find out that he didn't have cat ears; they were fox ears, which was slightly better in his opinion. He also had fangs, a tail, and paws instead of feet. Dazai won't let me hear the end of it... I really am a damn dog now, he thought with a sickening twist of his stomach. He was worried that he was going to throw up. Without any conscious decision, Chuuya sank to the floor and put his head in his hands.

Get it together, Chuuya! You always knew you'd end up in hell, so why are you such a nervous wreck? He scolded himself as he tried to calm his breathing. Finally, he got up and left the building without a word, his fox tail swishing anxiously as he walked. The sky was a deep red, and the narrow, dark streets were crowded with more sex clubs and booze shops than Chuuya had ever seen in his life, which was good, because damn, he needed a drink.

"Give me the the strongest drink you have," Chuuya growled at the bartender, sitting at the counter and trying to keep his ears from twitching. He hated that he looked like a damn fox now, but at least he didn't have snakes for hair like she did. She handed Chuuya a pink tinted cocktail, which he quickly downed. 

"Another," He demanded, already starting to feel the buzz in the back of his skull. Good. I want to get wasted tonight. He took his time on the second glass, staring moodily out the window as he tried to forget everything. His limbs felt delightfully heavy as his mind finally slowed down. Chuuya let out a sigh as he finished the last sip of his cocktail and laid his head down on the counter. The bartender pushed the tab towards Chuuya, who just pushed it back with a groan. 

"I don't have any money..."

"I figured not, you reek of the living world. Just died, didn't you? Don't worry, I'll still get my payment..." The bartender said in a sultry voice, leaning over the counter and trying to take Chuuya's hand. He swatted her away, stumbling backwards and knocking over his stool. The lights seemed far too bright, and everything was a double image. Chuuya struggled to stay on his feet, to get out of there, but his body wouldn't move. Damn it, did she add something to my drink? Chuuya thought as his legs gave out. A moment later, he felt the bartenders hands on him; heard the soft hiss of her snake hair as she dragged him over to a corner and pinned him down with her knees. Chuuya tried to fight back, but the damn drug had sapped all his strength, and the demon girl easily overpowered him.  

"You look like a lot of fun, fox boy~" she whispered, leaning in close and starting to undo his belt. At that very moment, the bell at the door rang, announcing a new customer. The bartender didn't look to see who it was, which turned out to be a mistake. 

"I'm looking for my dog; has anyone seen him?" A familiar voice called, causing silence to fall over the raucous bar. Chuuya heard the soft clip, clip, of hooves as the man approached, his black trench coat trailing behind him. The bartender let go of Chuuya and started to get up, but it was too late for her. Blood splattered everywhere as she was slashed in the back and tossed aside effortlessly by the demon who had just entered. Chuuya groaned, not sure if he was pleased or pissed at his old partners timely arrival. 

"It's been awhile, Chibi~" Dazai said, extending his hand. "Welcome to hell."