One after another the demons fell to the devil. Ren swore up and down that this was Zero’s first time in a fighting situation. He was beside himself with shock. He just couldn’t believe it. What grand luck the boy had. What a natural he was turning out to be. But he was still merely an inexperienced boy. There had to be someone out there who could put him in his place.

Surely?

More men began to gather, each one wanting a chance to take down the devil who was undefeated. Coin was wagered and exchanged, the angel’s pockets growing heavier after each match.

None of it mattered to Zero. Though the man was clearly enjoying the spectacle he had managed to put together with ease, thriving on the steadily increasing frenzied state of the men around them, the boy wanted nothing to do with any of it. Zero didn’t like the crowds or the noise or the fighting or being the center of attention. All he wanted was to find something to quietly occupy his time, perhaps reading one of the books in Sakura’s old home or finding something to tinker around with. There was a clock on a shelf in the kitchen that no longer worked, and he was interested in taking it apart, examining its mechanical components, and putting it back together with the intention of hopefully getting it to accurately tell time again.

Just something simple to keep him busy until Ivy came back and returned with the piece of him that always went along with her every time they parted.

However, Ren was so good at talking him in circles that every time Zero attempted to get out of the next match, he quickly had him turning back around and into another fight.

Just like he always did.

The man stood on the sidelines, brimming with pride as another opponent fell to the boy. It was a huge accomplishment to be able to watch how the fruits of his labor had flourished and grown. What an absolute joy the boy was. How much Ren loved and adored him so. But still, there was guilt that nibbled at him. The devil was so used to getting his ass handed to him by the angel and demon on a regular basis that it was almost painful to see.

Almost.

But not today. Today, Zero was untouchable. A champion of the den. It was about time he put some victories under his belt, and this was the perfect time to do so. Build his confidence!

He watched the boy who oozed with disinterest.

Confidence!

That’s what they were building.

Ren looked over during the lull in the matches and saw a familiar face approaching. He stuck his arm high into the air despite the fact that he was already considerably taller than everyone there and waved it enthusiastically. “Alpha!” he yelled. “Are you here to challenge my boy?”

Yuki made his way to the angel, observing the men of his den as they yelled and cheered for the next opponent, neglecting their duties in exchange for an impromptu tournament. “What’s going on here?” the fox asked in a no-nonsense manner.

“Just a friendly sparring competition. Can you believe it’s my sweet little boy’s first time swinging a weapon? He’s a natural.”

“Where’s Sakura?”

“She’s birthing a baby.” He chuckled at the fox’s bewildered expression. “Oh, it’s not mine…” He turned back to the match. “Yet. That woman is still having too much fun playing hard to get. I really do like that about her, but sometimes that stubbornness of hers makes me want to bash my skull open. You probably don’t know what that’s like though, being alpha and all. I’m sure the women here fall all over themselves to flock to you, never give any push-back. What with you being so handsome and rich and powerful and all. You wouldn’t understand the struggle of a simple mountain boy like myself.” He smugly patted his nearly overflowing pants pocket, the abundance of coin within clinking noisily. “But all that’s about to change.”

The silver fox chose to ignore the man’s excessive rambling, turning his attention to the fight and watching as Zero took on another challenger. “Is that the other man? That small girl’s mate?”

“Sure is!” Ren smiled brightly down at him. “He’s really something, isn’t he? You want to fight him? Winner takes alpha?”

“No. I have no interest in fighting a boy.”

“That’s a shame. I was hoping you’d go out there and put him in his place. Don’t need his head getting too big. You know how they get at that age.”

Yuki was quiet, his eyes glancing over the giant sword on Ren’s back. “Have you fought, yet?”

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“Oh. Oh no. I couldn’t. I’m much too shy.” The angel turned back to watch the match.

Yuki grunted lightly. “Then why the ridiculous weapon?”

“Decorative. It’s all the rage in the cities. Everyone’s doing it.”

The fox narrowed his golden eyes, irritated with the angel’s constant flippant attitude. They did things a certain way in the den, ways that their ancestors had done before them, and this man was a mockery to the values that they held. “A man who can’t fight has no need to carry a weapon.”

“You may have a point there.” Ren’s attention was firmly on Zero, observing as the boy pushed back against his opponent. “Blades gonna break.”

The alpha watched the men fight, strike after strike, nothing unusual. “How do you know?”

The angel scowled, muttering to himself. “Damn kid isn’t even paying attention. Just out there daydreaming. The little shit.”

Zero was wondering what Ivy was doing. Was she done with the birth? Had it gone well? When would she be returning? He thought of the way she had looked at him that morning, so pure and beautiful. How he had wanted more, the same feelings he’d had before bubbling inside of him stronger and more urgent, demanding he fill that need by taking from her. Whether it was right or wrong, the devil still wasn’t sure. He was only sure of the fact that he wanted it.

Wanted her.

But she would have to wait for now.

As the other man’s katana came down on his, he felt something off with the hit and it pulled him quickly back to what was transpiring around him.

Nothing could ever just be easy.

The boy twisted his body away from the other blade as his snapped in half with an almost pathetic ting of the steel giving up. He avoided the other katana going into his shoulder as the fox demon leaned too far forward, not expecting the blade to break before putting too much force behind his own weapon. Zero released one of his hands from the hilt and raised his arm up before slamming his elbow into the back of the man’s neck, crushing him to the ground.

Zero straightened himself above his defeated opponent and looked at the broken blade with a forlorn sigh.

He really liked that katana.

Hopefully Ren would buy him a new one.

But until then, he would need his other weapon to finish fighting now.

He turned and began making his way to the angel but froze in his tracks only a few steps in. He could hear it above the noise in the arena, so very clear.

The song.

The melody that always sought him out.

But it wasn’t just calling.

It was in mourning.

And it seeped into him, becoming his.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Zero spun on his heels and swiftly moved one foot in front of the other as the broken blade tumbled from his hand and to the ground, abandoning it along with the spectators and those hopeful for a match.

If Ren still wanted a fight, then he’d have to do it himself.

It was no longer Zero’s problem.

The devil made his way towards the girl and opened his arms as she ran and flung herself around him. He enclosed tightly around her as her arms squeezed around his shoulders, legs around his waist, and her face burrowed against his neck. Ivy’s sorrow spilled against his skin, trickling into his soul, expressing everything without the need for words.

“It’ll be okay,” Zero whispered, the pain in his heart the same as hers. “Let’s go back.”

Whatever she needed, he would give.

Just as she had always done for him.

Ren watched Zero carry Ivy from the training grounds and groaned his discontent with the outcome. Everything had been going so well, and it was firmly on its way to getting better. There was no one who could even come close to competing with the devil, and he just knew that with a little more time and the right push in the right direction, that his ultimate goal of convincing Yuki to step into the ring would be a success.

And just like that, his boy would be alpha.

But now his entertainment was gone, his dreams shattered.

And the red-haired vixen was quickly approaching.

She was definitely not going to be happy with him.

This was going to be fun.

Sakura stormed through the crowd, her blazing aura forcing the men around to step away from the heat of her rage, and up to the angel, grabbing his ear and yanking him down to her level. “What the fuck are you doing?!” she snarled, fangs bared. “Do you realize how stupid this was? What if Zero… you know what?!”

He grabbed her hand and pried his ear from her grip. “It’s fine. Our little boy won. He’s a champion.” He patted his clinking pants pockets with his unoccupied hand. “And look what he’s done for us. We’re amongst the wealthy now. We’ll never have to worry again.”

“Are you fucking serious?!” the vixen spat, her anger increasing at the thought of the seemingly endless coin the man already possessed in his bag. “You really think you need all that?”

“Of course I do!” he snapped back. “Someone needs to feed you and you don’t come cheap. It’s about time that boy pulls his weight around here.” The man paused, his demeanor softening as his voice lowered. “You should have seen him, Sakura. No one could even come close to touching him. That sweet little thing is gonna be a real nightmare one day. Just you wait and see.”

She closed her eyes, pursing her lips and breathed deeply, slowly regaining her composure. “How many?”

Ren smiled, seeing the same pride within him growing in the woman, and worked his fingers into her clenched fist. “Sixteen. Then his blade snapped.”

She sighed and opened her eyes, emeralds glaring into sapphires. “That’s not good enough. He needs to do better.”

He nodded in agreement. “I know, but baby steps. Just let him have this for tonight. You can torment him tomorrow.”

The demon pulled her hand from the angel in disgust. “You coddle him too much. He’s never going to get anywhere with that lazy attitude of yours encouraging him.” She looked at Yuki next to the angel, and then checked where the sun was in the sky. “Close enough,” she determined. “You ready? We’ll walk instead of going to the pond.” She pointed at the dark-haired man, glaring. “I’m taking back my nice favor. You get nothing.” And she spun on her heels and stormed off.

“Why are you so mad? He did his best and he had fun! And we’re rich now! What more do you want?” Ren called after her retreating form. He turned to Yuki with a cheerful grin and smacked his back. “Don’t worry, I warmed her up for ya. You’re welcome. Go get her, Alpha!”