The following day was monumental for Izumi: it was the first day at his new job. To him, it was a little ironic that the thorn in his side was the same person who ended his years of part-time strife. At the least he was glad that their agreement didn’t end with this, but he didn’t know what other excuse he could come up with to spend time with Wraith. Though, an accidental meeting would occur soon enough.

Due to Wraith's lack of control, Izumi had to be a bit modest with his clothing and wearing a jacket in the summer was beyond uncomfortable. A man with straight jet black hair, glasses, and disheveled clothing approached his new desk with a wide welcoming grin. “Hey! You’re the new guy right? Mitsue? Mitsue Izumi?”

“Y-yea that’s me.” Izumi was still in the midst of familiarizing himself with the corner when he arrived, so he was a bit reluctant, only paying him an ear since he’s new.

“Pleasure to meet you!” The medium height man forced him into a handshake. “Name’s Takeda Jun, but you can call me Jun if you want!”

“Takeda is alright.”

“Ssss ouchhhhhh, is it ‘cuz you don’t know me? Come on, you’ll get to! After all, we’re partners now!”

“Uhhh, partners?”

“Yep! Sometimes we run in pairs around here, there should be a note somewhere on your desk about it. Only the big guys are allowed to work alone. We can switch off on photography and writing, Izumi is fine?”

“Mitsue.” He shut off his overbearing friendliness, searching for the letter. Unfortunately it was what Takeda relayed: they were partners.

“Mitsue, Mitsue, got it. I can show you around if you’d like?”

“Sure.” Izumi annoyingly smiled, Wraith really starting to leave his mark albeit accidentally.

Takeda enthusiastically gave Izumi a tour of the company’s building, as small as it was. There were a few different divisions and each didn’t have many workers, most seeming to drown in paperwork, but there was a good air at the least. Generally they all seemed to be enjoying themselves, even through the stress of it all, and it gave a familial bond between them all, relieving some of the tension Izumi had felt. Even Takeda, who had got under his skin a bit to begin with, started to grow on him quickly, coming to realize that it’s just his personality to be so expressive from vocal influxes to an overuse of hand gestures and exaggerated facial expressions. The thought of Wraith meeting Takeda leaked into his mind and he chuckled, knowing that Wraith would probably snap in a matter of seconds.

Ahh...there I go thinking about him again...I wonder what happened with him and the others. I hope everything is alright…

Although he had his concerns, he let Wraith be, figuring he was too busy to tend to his worries.

For the next few days, Takeda helped him become comfortable with how the company was managed, doing minor things such as file assortment and the like, until he finally came to him with a proposition. The two were already in Takeda’s car at this point, Izumi in the passenger seat while Takeda drove to the supposed article-worthy location.

“I saw your profile, you did that article on Hodaira, right?” Takeda was surprisingly a safe driver, keeping his eyes on the road as he spoke.

“Yea, what about it?”

“Well, this is another one of those haunted places or at least the rumors say, most people think they’re baseless though since the town is just empty.”

“Like a historical landmark?”

“Yep! I think it could be more than that though, but it wouldn’t hurt to check out, even if we’re wrong. Honestly even if it was we could do a piece on that, just talk about it in a tourist sense and try and make it fancy.”

Izumi pictured the words in his head, thinking of how he would feel reading it as an average day person. Tourist spot isn’t necessarily a bad idea, but it would require a lot of work to paint an interesting image, Takeda was right. Still, with the recent release of Izumi’s article on Hodaira, it would be an overkill. “That’d be kinda boring though, and I would rather not repeat topics.”

“We’re already on our way over there though! Come on~~~”

“I didn’t say no, I mean you’re right, you already have me in the car so we might as well. We can talk about it later I guess, we’ll see when we get there if it’s worth it.”

“Yessss!!!!! You’re the best Mitsue!”

I wouldn’t go that far but sure, Izumi sighed, gazing out the window.

The closer they got to the town, the more weary Izumi grew, a churn tossing in his stomach. Something didn’t feel right, and it wasn’t Takeda’s fault, that much he knew. What made him worry was the fact that Takeda was innocently naive, so the idea of going blindly into an abandoned town wasn’t the brightest, he now realized. To make matters worse, the ruby around his neck slowly glowed in a pulse, which was a first, and he had know idea what it meant. Wraith never mentioned that being a possibility, only hoping it didn’t mean something dire. It set his heart a bit more at ease knowing he could use the bloodstone to protect the both of them if needed, or he could at least try to call Wraith or the others, but that was a last resort. Whatever was occurring on their side, he wished to leave them to it for now. Progressively, the sky grew dark with clouds and Izumi soon struggled to see in the distance as the village creeped into view.

“I thought you said it was abandoned?”

“It is.”

“You don’t-?” He stopped. If Takeda couldn’t see it then….

“Turn around.”

“What? We’re almost there though!”

“Just trust me, turn around. Whatever is there is probably a waste of time.”

“Ok but we’re less than five minutes off, it wouldn’t even take us that long to look around.”

“Takeda I’m just saying it would be a much better use of our time to just not go and figure something else out. We can do some random piece on one of the other cities we passed by, just not this one.”

“I don’t know what’s up with you but we’re way over the point of turning back, come on, just two seconds!”

Sinking into the car seat, Izumi suppressed his rebuttals, knowing that it would lead to nothing with Takeda’s stubbornness.

How did people even come to this town? Did the spirits just ignore them? There’s no way, Wraith tells me all the time how most spirits, especially non-affiliated ones, just eat whatever. Maybe they’re in a specter’s group then? I know Wraith’s territory is close by, could be his, then again I have no clue the exact borders of it, let alone why they would just be out here doing nothing. Ughhh...I should call him...no, I’ll wait. What if I’m being dramatic and it’s just some big birds or something?

While lost in his thoughts, they arrived in the not-so abandoned city which most definitely contained spirits and not big birds. They all had their sights on the pair, watching them from the moment they drove in, to parking, to when Takeda left the car, Izumi rushing out and trying even harder to convince him at this point through the spirits’ ogling.

This has to be one of those spirit towns that Wraith told me about!!!! They’re all just staring ahhhhhhHHHHH!!!!!!!

“See. Nothing! Go back in the car. As a matter of fact, I can drive.”

“What! We didn’t even look around!”

“Yes we did! We saw how empty it is, very nice, now get back in the car!”

“But-”

“Takeda! Now!”

“No!”

The spirits began to mumble and gesture to one another, Izumi unable to make out what they’re saying, but their hungry looks were words enough.

“Takeda-”

“You are acting so weird, you know that?”

Takeda pushed up his glasses and moved past, Izumi frantically following him.

“I PROMISE you that we would be so much better off going home. I will actually pay you money to go home right now.”

“We would get paid if we get a good piece written! Why are you so against it all of a sudden?”

“I was against it to begin with!! Listen-”

Their patience growing thin in exchange for famine, several spirits began to surround the pair, their mumbles turning into shouts.

“Oi, can that kid see us?”

“Why does it matter?”

“I bet the glasses guy tastes like shit.”

“Is that a bloodstone?”

“Who cares!”

“I do what the fuck?! If some spirit or specter got dibs on him we could be toast!”

“What kind of specter would give a bloodstone to a human? Not even I would!”

“Hey, I wanted the pretty boy!”

“Then fight me for it yea?”

“First come first serve dickhead!!”

“Doesn’t he smell like that one specter?”

“Shove it, you’re making bullshit up to scare us.”

Takeda waved a hand in front of Izumi’s face. “What are you looking at bro? Seeing ghosts?”

YES! “Takeda I swear to-”

A long piece of black furred fabric Izumi knew all too well panned into his vision, wedging between the two of them as it descended. No sooner had it emerged did Takeda fall unconscious, thudding to the floor, and the jewel around Izumi’s neck answered his unspoken request as it glowed, creating a translucent magical barrier to protect the pair who couldn’t defend themselves. Relief washed over Izumi, although he figured he would end up reprimanded later for his lack of communication, similarly to the event with Fuhiro, yet for now Wraith didn’t seem to care. He didn’t stop to analyze the situation, or try to verbally shoo away the spirits, not even shooting a glance or reassuring smile towards Izumi. Instead, when he had fallen from the sky, he already appeared to be overly prepared to fight, regardless of the actual situation. Whether the spirits meant no harm or not, Wraith didn’t care. All that mattered to him was what he believed and what he saw. Sleeves already merged with skin to form his well-known claws, he quickly disappeared into the crowd of spirits. Discourse turned into shrieks as the specter tore through them without a sliver of hesitation. By now, Izumi had grown accustomed to the sight of blood and light fading from one’s eyes, so he wasn’t disgusted or repulsed; not even queasy. Strangely, he was more concerned than anything else. Concerned for Wraith, who he saw flashes of glimpses of from time to time, but it was all he needed to know something was on his mind. When he fought the spirits in Hodaira, and even before that in the forsaken office building, Izumi quickly learned Wraith’s taste for the theatrical. He knew no matter what, none could stand even close to equal to him, regardless of numbers, so he prolonged their deaths, using several methods of attacks to make the act more enjoyable and worth his time. Yet now, his single desire and intention was clear: to kill. There was no thought of how. Their bodies lifeless on the floor was his only aim. This was evident enough, as all he utilized was his demonic strength that outmatched that of any known human, animal, or machine. With ease the specter mutilated every opponent, if one could even call them opponents. They were more victims. Victims to his immeasurable rage that surpassed that of the instances with Ianthe and Faelan.

A dark shroud concealed his featureless face, save for his eyes which lacked white, now being dyed onyx, which Izumi had only seen when they first encountered Faelan. The source of this outburst of hostility was unknown to the helpless observer, who couldn’t at the least throw darts in the dark. His only guess was whatever Wraith was doing before had pushed him over the edge, or perhaps he was just that vexed with Izumi’s decision to delay calling him. Each spirit that attempted to retaliate, and even those who tried to flee, were felled in a matter of seconds; a beastly black claw cleaving through and rendering them a puzzle of limbs in the pool of blood below that quickly grew in size and volume, circling around the centered pair of humans. Their once vast numbers shriveled in size in what felt like mere moments, the specter only slowing when the last victim had stood. Catching its thwarted attempt to escape, the talons drowned their pleas for pity, sinking into their chest and cheek to muffle its screams with gurgles as he leisurely slashed tore open the torso, disconnecting the organs to allow them to tumble out of their own volition, finishing the deed by tearing off the feeble spirit’s head as though to scorn its helplessness by prolonging the torture. Wraith tossed the body into the mass around him, only adding to the already strewn piles of dismantled spirits which once called this town home. And there, Wraith had remained motionless. His featureless visage remained low, static amongst the pile of equally inanimate corpses, only moving slightly to gaze at the ichor that dripped from his claws, juxtaposing their color. Slowly, the blackened shadow lifted from his countenance once he settled, not even bothering to delicately maneuver around the corpses, grinding them further into the pool instead as he walked to Izumi, who didn’t shift his eyes from Wraith for a second. Stopping before him, Izumi could finally see the extent of the massacre. It was draped across him in every way: staining his face, arms, shirt, pants, anywhere and everywhere, only adding to the deepening red of his clothing. Though, strangely, he didn’t seem as furious as before, his eyes seeming more...woeful? The barrier dispelled, stone resting against Izumi and its glow fading once more. Izumi twisted and twirled the gem in his hands, unsure how to even begin speaking to Wraith, who luckily initiated.

“Are you alright?”

“M-mhm…” Izumi looked around him. Somehow, not a drop of blood entered their circle, likely due to the barrier created by the ruby.

“Who’s that?” Wraith gestured with his head, his talons still leaking.

“A c-coworker, his name’s Takeda.” Immediately, Izumi tried to explain himself, believing Wraith was still possibly displeased with him, “He suggested coming over here for a story and I only realized there were spirits here when-”

“I’m not mad.”

“W-really?”

“Of course not. You had no way of knowing. You’re fine, right? That’s all I care about.” The sleeves finally retracted, his human arms remerging. Wraith removed his mantle, draping it over Izumi’s shoulders as he knelt over to get a closer look at Izumi.

Briefly, he believed the sadness in Wraith’s gaze was a mistake on his part, but now, he knew, finally remembering something Wraith once told him when they had first met long ago, and something Lavina once said. Wraith was unbelievably possessive, going to great lengths to safeguard whatever belonged to him. This included people. Lavina once said that Wraith would turn over a town for her, and more for him, and the root of his sorrow and anger became apparent. He was just worried. The thought of losing Izumi frightened him beyond what he’d ever admit, and steadily, Izumi’s emotions changed for the worse. Suddenly, the stains of scarlet across him became a twisted symbol of affection, quivering his heart and flushing his cheeks, seeing how close Wraith got.

“I-I’m fine!!”

“You sure?”

“Y-yep!!!!!”

Wraith didn’t know what made him so flustered, but he paid it no mind, summoning his pipe turned demon hound, which held Takeda in its teeth by his shirt. Sweeping Izumi off his feet, Wraith carried his bride, treading across the corpse piles, the hound following behind.

“A-ah-!” Izumi tried to squirm, his weak heart unable to sustain hugging him so close at the moment.

“Stop moving, I don’t want you to touch the ground, it’s dirty.”

“So are you!” He tried to find any excuse to make distance between the two.

“You’re not touching me and I would suggest you don’t. Why do you think I gave you my robe?”

“Ok well let me ride the dog or something!”

“No.”

Defeated, Izumi pouted and childishly crossed his arms, trying to smother his blaring inappropriate thoughts.

“....”

“....You liking work?” Wraith tried to make small talk to fill the deafening silence aside from the sound of crunching bones and splatters as he walked through.

“Y-yea…”

“That’s good to hear.”

“....”

“....”

“....What happened when I left?” Izumi asked.

“When Neio came in? It’s...a long story, I don’t wanna worry you.”

“That only makes me more worried, just tell me.”

Wraith glanced at Izumi, looking away instantly upon seeing his adorable rose cheeks tucked in his arms. “Um-, some unaffiliated spirits started attacking recently.”

“The house?”

“No, they can’t get to the house. The territory. It’s not out of the norm per se, but it doesn’t happen often either. Now, its been happening nearly every day and quite frankly it's exhausting. Faelan and the others have been helping of course, which makes less work on our part, and the number isn’t enough to constitute using just any of my followers, it’s just tiring. My day has usually just been wake up, basically spend the whole day fighting and figuring out the cause of this random influx, and then going to bed. Then today, the bloodstone called me so I rushed over.”

“It...called you..?”

“I told you, it can sense danger. It’ll call someone to try and help you if the danger is great enough, usually me.”

Wraith set Izumi down beside the car, removing Takeda from his pet’s mouth and situating him in the passenger seat delicately in an attempt to not transfer any blood, while Izumi only stared, his thoughts running wild with the image: his loose shirt rolled to his elbow’s and the spots of red all over that surprisingly complimented the teal well.

How do you even make blood look hot??!

Lifting his head from the car, Wraith turned back to Izumi, who jumped in his skin. “You think you can drive home?”

“Y-yea! I think..? I haven’t driven in awhile since I always take the train, but I think I can do it.”

“Uh-huh?” Wraith became increasingly suspicious of Izumi’s peculiar bashfulness, so to gauge him a bit better, he drew closer, studying his expression which fluctuated in color.

“W-what..!?”

“....You’re acting weird.”

“No I’m not!”

“Yes you are.”

“What’s up? Something on your mind?”

“No!” Nothing aside from the fact that I can’t believe I fantasized car sex two seconds ago but yea I’m great!! “Can you go?!!”

“Alright alright, I was just checking.” The towering fiendish canine nuzzled against its master, Wraith petting under its jaw. “When are you free by the way? I wanna show you this place I found.”

...Like a date…? “Um-.....this weekend? I should be.”

“Then I’ll come by in the morning and pick you up.”

He wanted to ruffle his hair, but with his gore ridden hands, he decided not to, waving a farewell instead as he vanished into thin air with his pet, leaving the corpses as they were. It was a bit concerning to Izumi that he didn’t cover his tracks, then he remembered that no one could see it anyways, so it didn’t really matter. Still...a date? Even though he didn’t word it as such, the intention was clear, since they never casually went to locations without a predefined purpose. And truthfully, he was thrilled at the prospect, happily weighing the gleaming stone in his palm, letting his smile and fluff take over.