A/N: Edited 05/07/2023 or 07/05/2023

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Having Hinatsuru, Suma, and Makio around was intriguing. It's been about a week since you've had them and you've gotten used to their presence. They were quick learners too and, you didn't have to help them with cleaning anymore which was a plus for them. You wanted to give them choices even if the choice was as small as no longer needing help to bathe. They were still wary about food and the sleeping arrangements understandably but, they were doing okay. They were going to be okay you will make sure of that. They also engaged in conversations with you with caution but, were not fully afraid. This allowed you to ask a question that's been plaguing you since you got them.

"Hey, Hinatsuru was there anyone else in the house with you?" It was a question you were always scared to ask. That couple gave you the creeps and, the house was pretty big and, they just happened to have 3 demons in a shed outback? They had a pretty big basement and, all the windows were blacked out. You also noticed how they would make sure you weren't anywhere near the basement doors. Red flags. You looked over at Suma and Makio to see they had frozen and were biting their lips. "You can tell me if you want to. I promise you will not be in trouble either way." To show you were serious but, would allow them space and time to answer you went to the kitchen to prepare lunch for them. You had some raw chicken thighs and, they seemed to have liked them the last time you gave them the chicken. 

"There are three." You grabbed the giant bowl of chicken and placed it on the center of the table ushering for Makio and Suma to sit and eat. So, they had three more demons? What the hell did they do with them? 

"Thank you for telling me Hinatsuru." You gave her head pats since she always purred when she got them. "If any of you don't mind telling me, do you know what they would do with those three?" It was an uncomfortable silence again when Makio spoke up. 

"One of them...the oldest one is used for sexual pleasure, the other two are used for chores and...to take anger out on." You choked on your water widening your eyes at Makio. That's awful. You needed to get them out, consequences are damned. This was not White Knight Syndrome, demons are treated horribly, and if you can make a couple of their lives better so be it. 

"Do you know them? Or were you guys not allowed to interact?" You needed to know and asked this while petting Makio who smiled a bit at the petting.  

"Our husband Tengen and his best friend with his little brother." You stopped petting Makio and stared with a dropped jaw at Suma who looked like she didn't mean to say all of that. She looked extremely scared. She looked like she wanted to run away and hide.

"I didn't know you guys were together! I'm so glad I got you three." You continued petting Makio watching Suma deflate but, you frowned "No wonder they wouldn't get rid of the others, those assholes." You were thinking of what you can possibly do. On one hand, you can call someone and report them but, four times out of ten nothing would be done. On the other hand, you can just take them. Can't be hard. The lock on the basement wasn't really locked, it gave the illusion. Curse your trained eyes.

"They hurt them a lot. They kept us apart." You didn't like how Suma looked so you switched and started petting her thinking up what to do. You had an idea but, was it going to work? You don't think so... Nah, you were going to make it work.

"They don't have papers for none of them. Just took us from a slaughterhouse." You winced at that petting Suma and Hinatsuru simultaneously. Fuck, your heart. You were going back. 

"I'm still happy I was able to keep at least the three of you together." You didn't mention or even hint at what you were thinking because if it backfires there will be no disappointment. It would be nice to surprise them. You checked your watch humming pretending you remembered something "Damn, I forgot I was meeting up with Avery." You apologized mentally to them. "I won't be gone too long guys." Hopefully, you won't. "You guys can do whatever you want, no messes please." They nodded simultaneously and you gave them head rubs before going to grab your purse and put on some dirty dark clothing. Fuck it, if you were doing this you were doing it right. Also, you took two sleeping powders that worked in 5 minutes within consumption. You'll lose your job but, you knew this wouldn't hurt them. They just had to be drinking something.  

"Be safe." You turned to the three women waving before exiting and locking up the apartment. You either were going to be extremely lucky or going to hell. No in-between. You got in your SUV and for some reason decided to put down the seats. Something told you they weren't small. Not too small anyway. 

"I need a shot of liquid courage." You weren't a fan of alcohol so you had to pass. You drove the five minutes to the address and, this time took a back street and, parked behind instead of in the front. There was no one in the back and, their backyard had an opening about 8 feet wide. Perfect. You turned off your car and, made your way through the backyard silently. Sneaking around and having a habit of being quiet growing up was paying off. You paused at the basement door looking to see if it was locked and it in fact was not locked. You stood quietly listening and, to your chagrin you heard them out front. They sounded up high so, the couple was sitting outside. It was just the two of them anyway. Not wasting time you took the lock off and, slowly opened the basement door expecting a squeak. Besides the first squeak- which you paused at, it opened quietly. You slowly went down the steps closing the door behind you. 

"Who." You turned sharply to see someone scurrying into a corner. You paused not wanting to frighten them. It had to be one of the demons. If you weren't listening so hard you wouldn't have even heard them speak. You walked slowly to the corner you saw them go to. 

"I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to help." You moved until you were directly in front of them. They were covered with a blanket of some sort. It looked old, moth-bit, and dusty. "I know you have no reason to trust me. I understand. All, I want to do is help. I don't know if you know but, I'm the one who took Makio, Hinatsuru, and Suma to live with me. They were talking about you and, the other two." You know you needed patience but, you weren't sure how long they would stay on that patio. You waited as the lump seemed to pause before showing his head. He had blonde hair with bright red tips and, he looked like a child. 

"Y-you're not l-lying?" Poor thing was shivering. He was scared. So scared. It smelled like feces, pee, and musk down here. This was where he stayed and, used the bathroom as well. Oh my God. Can you overdose on sleeping medicine? Yes.

"I have no reason to lie. Please, I don't have much time, where are the other two so I can help them too?" He was about to answer when the indoor basement door opened scaring the shit out of both of you. You held a finger to your lips and, he nodded before you hid in a dark corner behind boxes. Fuck. FUCK. 

"Stay down there with your useless brother since you don't want to be good today." You winced at the sound of a body being thrown down the stairs with a thud. He threw the little demon's brother down the stairs. "You too. You were a good bitch today so, you'll eat later after round 2." You heard another body being thrown this one more solid than the other one. You waited with both hands on your mouth for the sound of the door being closed. Shit, shit. They were back inside you had to hurry. You were about to move when the little one spoke.

"Kyojuro!" You heard him crawl to his brother and, you peeked in between the box openings to observe. Oh, he definitely was his brother. They both were spitting images of each other. You winced once the lamp was turned on and you saw part of their scars. Cigarette burns, slashes. You thought demons were supposed to heal? He also had a messed-up eye. Shit. Their ribs were visible. Why weren't they healed?

"...It's okay. I wasn't good today. I deserve it. I will be good later. Better." He sounded exhausted. The other one seemed to be in genuine pain as he curled himself into a ball next to Kyoujuro. What was his name? "How do you feel Tengen?" Oh shit, that was their husband.

"My lower back and front hurt. I will be okay. They fed me today." No, no. Absolutely the fuck not. This was not okay. "At least that woman took the girls. I hope they're okay. She seemed nice." You were about to take them all back. 

"She's here! The woman!" They both looked at Senjuro like he was crazy so, you decided to come out. You winced at the way they both jumped and Senjuro was pointing excitedly at you. Oh no, the little boy was so easy to manipulate. This was no good. "See!" You stayed away from them a bit to stand up. You strained your ears shushing them to see if you could hear the couple but, wherever they were it wasn't near. 

"Yes, I'm the one who took your wive's Tengen. They're okay. Hinatsuru, Makio and Suma are okay. They like chicken surprisingly." You watched as Tengen's eyes widened astronomically at the sound of their names coming from you. You needed a quick way to get a little trust so you could take them out of here. "They are the ones who told me about you three. I want to take you all back with me so the six of you can be together. You have absolutely no reason to trust me but, I promise you will be treated so much better." You needed them to make a decision and a decision quickly. Senjuro was quick to agree and, so was Tengen. 

"Why are you doing this?" Kyoujuro was skeptical understandably. 

"Because you shouldn't have to be thrown down the stairs, there is no need to be bathed with a hose outside, there is no need to eat rotten food, it'll be okay just please let me help. You'll have your best friend and brother. Your best friend can be with his wives. Please Kyoujuro." His eyes widen at the sound of his name before biting his lip and nodding hesitantly. "Thank you for putting a little trust in me. I won't disappoint you." Hurriedly you helped all of them to their feet. You grabbed Senjuro wrapping him in the blanket to protect him. "It's a little bright outside so, I'm sorry about that." You went to the back door listening before opening it gently. You looked around straining your ears glad to hear them outside but, up again. You stepped outside ushering Tengen and Kyoujuro to come out. You knew it was a slow process but, as soon as they were outside you closed the basement door gently placing the lock back the way it was.

"Where..." You said nothing as you made your way to the hole in the fence listening to the grunts of Kyoujuro and Tengen. They were hurt more than anything. You opened the back door putting Senjuro in before helping Kyoujuro put Tengen in who gave a sigh of relief once off his legs. You hurriedly hoisted Kyoujuro making sure he was in and, closed the door. You rushed and, hopped into the driver's side and left the premises. You took the side streets back home as it was eerily silent. You decided to park in the parking garage near the entrance. You were just glad you didn't need to use the sleeping powder. Grabbing your stuff you picked up Senjuro and, ushered Kyoujuro and Tengen out. They were tired you can tell. 

"Hold on just a few minutes okay? We are going to take an elevator straight up, okay? And then go inside my home." You didn't want them to pass out and, Tengen looked to be in pain. Fucking bastards. You locked your car and, made your way inside hitting the elevator. You knew no one was around so the elevator was empty as you took it to your floor. Thankfully no one got on or off so it was straight to your floor. Once off the elevator, you sped walk to your door opening it, waiting for Tengen and Kyoujuro who hurried a bit when they saw you waiting. Once they were inside you closed the door locking it before sliding down it in relief. Your anxiety spiked and, now it went back down and up again causing you to feel excited, and a little giddy.

"Ugh." You looked to see Tengen was about to fall leaning forward.

"Both of you can sit." By the time you said the word sit, Tengen lay down on his side while Kyoujuro lay flat on his back. You heard the girls making noise poking their heads out.

"Welcome back, OH MY GOD TENGEN!" You watched as all three women forgot where they were and, ran to Tengen hugging him and, holding him tenderly while he looked like he expected to wake up any moment now. 

"I'm dreaming." You chuckled at that causing all of them to look at you in awe. 

"I'M SO SORRY WE DIDN'T, I" You laughed at their frantic state forcing Suma to stop her meltdown. They were staring at you now in surprised confusion.

"It's okay. It's very much okay. I wanted to...surprise you guys so that's why I said I was going out with a friend..." You scratched your nose "I'm sorry for lying to you. I will try not to do it again." It was deathly silent and, you looked up to see all of them staring at you with varying emotions. Oh, right, humans don't apologize or are typically nice. You must be strange to them. "Uh, you three can bathe him, okay? Be careful, he's hurt." Understanding flashed through their eyes as they helped him get up and, his eyes kept switching between you, them, and the whole apartment. You watched all the way until they made it to the bathroom.

"It's not a dream..." You looked down at Senjuro who was looking at you like you were his savior. In a way you were but, that look was making you uncomfortable. 

"No darling it is not a dream. None of you are going back. You guys can stay here." You looked over at Kyojuro who had not said a word this entire time but, he was staring at you rather intensely. Ah, so that's where Senjuro got his look from. It was full of hope, caution, happiness, and relief. Maybe a couple of other things you would have noticed if you didn't look away. All these intense looks were too much to be handling. 

"You said they are bathing?" You turned to Kyo who seemed to be scared to talk at first but, by seeing how the women were it seemed he felt a little safe. He kept looking at Senjuro though so you handed him to him and he seemed surprised. 

"You keep looking at him so here. He is your brother." You waited for him to grab Senjuro before answering his question. "Yes, a bath. It's really nice. You and your brother can take one together once the girls are done with Tengen." He continued to look at you nodding slowly. He turned away this time to take in his surroundings and, you were glad his intense look was no longer on you. You waited not moving from the floor until the girls and Tengen emerged and their eyes zoned in on you. You smiled turning to Kyoujuro. 

"You and Senjuro can go bathe. If you need help you can ask me or one of the girls if you're comfortable. It's okay if you don't want to. Take as long as you want." With that said you got up and, went to the spare bathroom to wash up a bit and change. You looked in the closet to grab a pair of pants and an oversized shirt for Tengen and some smaller-looking ones for Kyoujuro and Senjuro. Once you came out of the room Tengen was standing unsurely while his wives were trying to usher him to sit. Kyoujuro and Senjuro were nowhere around so that meant they were in the bathroom. Perfect.

"She is really nice! Tengen I promise!" Ah, they were trying to convince him that you're safe. You didn't want them to force him. 

"It's okay if he doesn't trust me." You smiled at all of them ignoring the way they all flinched before looking guilty "Do not look upset it is only natural to not trust any human. I wouldn't if I was you but, I want to prove I am a nice one. So, please sit with your wives while I get you something to eat." You turned away to get a bowl and put some beef and liver in it for him. He was pretty big so he needed a good helping of food. You squeezed the blood from the packet over it grimacing because now you needed to clean your hands thoroughly. You went to the living room where he was sitting on the floor with them and, you handed the bowl to him. He eyed the bowl but, couldn't stop himself from drooling. "It's okay. You can eat it. It's all for you." You nudged it into his hands and stepped back watching him take his first bite. You smiled. 

"Thank you, owner." You shook your head prompting curious looks.

"I don't like that you call me owner so here at home you can call me Y/N, outside I guess you have to call me owner but, not here." You gave a half smile turning back around to see Kyoujuro and Senjuro emerging from the bathroom naked. Right, they need clothes. "I got clothes for the two of you." You handed both of them shorts and a t-shirt grabbing their rags along with Tengen's to throw out. "You guys can sit with the others I'll bring you food." You went back to the kitchen to grab two medium-sized bowls and opened a large pack of chopped meat and, split it. You were going to have to buy some sort of supplements for them eventually but, that'll be for another day. You grabbed the two bowls and handed one to Kyoujuro and one to Senjuro who looked confused. "You both needed to eat, I know you're hungry." Very gently they grabbed their bowls and started eating slowly 

"Thank you Y/N." You smiled big at that petting Senjuro who whined loudly surprising you. His head followed your hand when you moved it so, you gave him a few more head rubs before turning to Kyoujuro to do the same. For someone so tense he folded immediately. You let him be after so he can finish eating and, he gave you such a look of want. It was a lot to take in. You turned to Tengen and grabbed the empty bowl giving him head rubs. 

"Such a good boy. Thank you for eating." You don't know why you said it but, he seemed to love it as he put his whole head into your hand with a content smile. You looked at the way Makio, Suma, and Hinatsuru looked on with glee so you would keep in mind to get them all used to your touching. No matter how human they look, or used to be they were demons. They were classified as pets everywhere you went in this city. "Senjuro you can bring yours and your brother's plate to me when you're done and, then I'll show you two your room. I'm going to assume Tengen can stay with his wives in their room." The three boys looked very uncomfortable and confused. It's like you were going to lie to them any moment now. 

"I thought we sleep here?" You shook your head when Kyoujuro looked towards the floor. 

"Tengen will sleep with his wives in their bedroom and you two can have another bedroom. It has its own bathroom as well that you two can use. I don't have toiletries or clothes for any of you yet but, we can figure that out later." You already knew where to buy some cheap clothing at already for them. You were brought back to the present to Senjurou crying. You jumped kneeling down confused trying to figure out what the hell you did. You were not prepared for the way he threw himself at you squeezing you and, saying thank you so much. It was...too much. You didn't have the heart to push him away. You gently brought your arms around him in a hug. Damn. You might be in over your head if they acted like this with such bare minimum hospitality but, you can make it. Might need to talk to Avery about all of this after all. 

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