Team Adventure

Chapter 07

(Still Akato's POV)

"d-dad...??" I asked in a confused tone.

"*groan* uhh...huh...? ...... oh!" he exclaimed as he finally noticed me.

"Akato! What're you doing out here?" he asked in surprise.

"That's what I wanted to ask you!" I said with a hint of annoyance in my tone. I obviously wasn't that fond of my overly hyperactive human-and-peace-loving father. I mean come on! He's the demon king for crying out loud! Why would a demon king love humans and peace?! It doesn't make any sense! Anyway, for the time being I was more concerned as to what he was doing outside the kingdom without attending to his duties like a real king would be doing.

"So? What are you doing here?" I asked again.

"Oh me? Well.... You see my son...." His expression gradually turned serious. I started to suspect whether something had happened while I was away. I tilted my head with a raised brow.

".... The thing is...." He started.

"..... I WAS JUST TOO EXCITED TO SEE OUR NEW HUMAN FRIEND SO I SNUCK OUT OF THE KINGDOM WHILE NO ONE WAS LOOKING~! TEEHEH~!" he screamed out in glee.

"........say what?!" I said in a dark tone, I could literally see the dark aura emitting from myself!

"ahhahhaahaaha" laughed my father as if it was no big deal.

I saw Ryuu facepalming with a languid look on his face. Just then I remembered Haruka who was still lying on the ground with stars in her eyes. Ignoring my father's stupidity for now, I decided to help her up. I grabbed both her hands and lifted her up. It took a moment for her to gain her balance again, but once she did I let her go. She took a while to adapt to the situation before her, but a few moments later she looked like she was back to normal.

"u-uhh... what just happened to me....??? I think someone crashed into me or something...." She said while blinking rapidly. She then noticed my dad with his usual smug look. She examined him for a moment and then turned to me.

"who's this?" she asked pointing a finger at him.

"someone you reeeally don't wanna know" I said with a hint of guilt in my tone.

Ryuu tapped my shoulder indicating that I should introduce her to my father.

"awww come one! That wasn't very cute~!" squealed my father which creeped me out to no end!

I gave myself a sigh and decided to introduce him for whatever its worth.

"Haruka, this is my father, Cecil. He's the demon king, the ruler of hell." I said trying to make the introduction as short as possible.

I looked at Haruka to see her reaction and just as you would expect, she was in utter shock and confusion. Her eyes were wide open and so was her mouth, she looked like she couldn't find the words to speak. Well, that was to be expected I guess, I mean, who in their right mind would guess this happy-go-lucky idiot would be the demon king of all things.

(Haruka's POV)

As I heard the word "demon king" I felt chills go down my spine. I didn't think that I'd be meeting with him so soon. And to top it all he's that stupid Akato's father?! Well.... he does look a little nut-loose, like father like son I suppose..... but wait, if Akato's father is the demon king, then Akato must be.....

"A PRINCE?!" I exclaimed.

"That's right Haruka-sama. Akato-sama is the prince of this country.... or I guess you could say 'world'" said Ryuu with a look of pride on his face.

"Seriously?!..... This.... this stupid idiot is a prince?!" I said in disbelief.

"Hey! Watch what you're saying shortass!" Said Akato, obviously annoyed by my tone.

"What did you call me you sorry excuse for a prince?!" I barked back.

"I said that you were a shortas-" Akato stopped midway as he realised that his father was still there.

He turned to look at him and see how he was responding to our argument. The lord just stood there, staring at us blankly. Then suddenly, a smile crossed his face. He pounced at both me and Akato and wrapped his arms around our shoulders and pulled us closer to him.

"My! aren't you two getting along well! This makes me so happy! Akato my boy, you've grown so much!" He exclaimed in joy.

I slowly wriggled my way out of his grasp and made my way to Ryuu.

"What's he talking about?" I aksed.

"Oh that, well you see Haruka-sama, Akato has hated humans for as long as I can remember, so this is the first time he has ever gotten along with one so well" said Ryuu.

"I wouldn't really call that 'getting along' though" I said on the contrary.

"Well, it's better than killing you with one swing of his sword so...." Ryuu suggested.

"Say what?" I said, my face turning pale from a sudden feeling of fear creeping through me.

"That's what he would normally do if he came across a human" said Ryuu with a hint of guilt in his expression.

"I-I see....." I said not finding anything else that I could say to respond.

I looked at Akato and the lord. They seem so harmless at first glance, even though that's not my first impression of Akato, but still, I don't know a thing about him, or his past.... anything.... will I be alright? I wondered.

After a few moments of teasing Akato, the demon king, or rather, lord Cecil, let go of him and turned his attention back to me. His gaze was locked onto mine for a moment until it slowly went towards Chester and Timmy. The lord eyed them for a few seconds and turned back to me.

"Are these adorable little creatures yours my dear?" He asked in a polite manner. Too polite I would say, doesn't match his character.

"Y-yeah" I said.

"Mh...." he said examining my two cats thoroughly.

I eyed lord Cecil. What's going on in that demon head of his...?

"I see, are you very close to them?" He suddenly asked out of the blue.

"Y-yes" I replied.

"Mh.... good good" he said and stopped the conversation there.

"Well then everyone, let's not just wander about outside, let's go back to castle and have a nice talk over a cup of tea shall we?" Suggested the demon lord himself.

"Says you who snuck out yourself in the first place" said an annoyed Akato.

"Well it can't be helped now, I was just too excited to just wait around, teehee" said lord Cecil putting on that smug look once again. Like I thought, that character suits him better.

I gave myself a sigh.

"Well what are we waiting for, let's go!" I said trying not to sound too excited. It was a real adventure and all, I, who had prayed and dreamed all my life for one had finally got it in my grasp.... though the demons and hell part weren't expected, still, adventures are all about surprises aren't they? So I just thought I'd go with the flow for now.