The Demons of Shadow Moon

Part 119 - What now?

Sunlight streamed through the high, arched windows of the castle kitchen, casting warm, golden light on the stone walls. The scent of baking pastries and simmering stew filled the air, mixing with the faint tang of herbs hanging from the ceiling. 

Luna and Yukine sat at the large wooden table with Yachel, Aki, and Atomu, waiting for Yurio to return with more healing potions.

"You're lucky you didn't get hurt slamming into the water like that," Echo commented as she stood at the stove, stirring a pot. Her back was turned to the group, but she was listening closely.

"Yeah, for real. You could of like died from that," Atomu added, his voice strained as he walked in with Aki, both of them carrying an absurdly large pile of towels. The towels wobbled in their arms, threatening to topple over.

Yukine's eyes narrowed.

"Luna was drowning!! What choice did I have?!" Yukine snapped back defensively.

"Jesus!! I said, get SOME towels, not all of them!!" Echo yelled, eyes wide to see the mountain of towels they had brought down. 

Aki dropped the pile onto the table, nearly burying Luna beneath it. 

"WHAT, YOU WANT EM' TO CATCH A COLD?!!" His voice was loud and protective.

"I'm not risking my little sister getting sick after all she's been through this week!!" He ruffled Luna's hair playfully as he spoke.

Luna's eyes peeked out awkwardly from the pile.

"I was gonna take a shower anyway," she muttered, her face flushed from embarrassment.

"Erm..... could I have a towel..??" Yukine, sitting across from her, raised his hand.

"Here," Luna removed some of the towels and gave them to Yukine.

"Thanks," he returned, accepting them as Atomu approached Echo.

"Echooo, can I help cook too?? I've been practising!!" His excitement was palpable as he clung to the stove's edge, eager to show off.

"Touch anything, and I'll slap you," Echo returned, without eye contact.

Atomu froze, his shoulders slumping in defeat. 

"I already tried offering..." Yachel added with an awkward smile, glancing at Yukine, who was now fluffing his hair into a mess.

"Uh...." Yukine let out, hair becoming a mess from ruffling it with the towel.

Yachel tried not to laugh.

"Shut it," Yukine grumbled, his face reddening as he glanced at Luna, who was watching the interaction with amused eyes. She tried to hide her giggle behind her hand but failed.

Yukine's scowl softened when he saw her laughing, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. He didn't mind as much when it was her.

"So, we still going to the angel world?" Aki pulled up a chair by Luna.

Echo set the wooden spoon down with a soft clatter. 

"Either that or we confront the vampires," she returned.

"Do we really need to confront anyone?" Aki muttered, scratching his head and frowning.

"If we wait, Akira might get in more trouble... or the vampires could make their attack!" Luna said, her voice soft but urgent.

"And in any case, Akira certainly won't be warning Sapphire himself. The most effort I could get out of him was chasing after me," Yukine rolled his eyes.