He began to tell his story, and surprisingly enough it started quite far back. But that made sense considering the father of Kuro and Dani had to be. . .old, maybe even older than the Overseer. Even though Kuro's calm voice subdued Aoba's panicking, he still listened with a wide eyed expression of disbelief. He stared into Kuro's eyes, trying to find some hint of a lie, but he never found one. The fallen angel didn't know how to feel about the situation. To think he and every angel up there was being lied to. . . For something that was supposedly just? How come God didn't trust them? They were all loving and devoted to him. . . But in the midst of his panic, another thought crossed his mind. It made him sigh and look down at his bowl.

He stirred the soup before continuing to eat. He didn't want it to get cold. All of the distractions would have caused that in no time. Aoba took another sip and glanced at his graying wings. 'As shocking as the news is. . . There's no reason for me to panic. I'm not- I've been cast down here, so. . . I should just focus on my own problems.' Despite his efforts, he really couldn't get over something like that. It was just too great of a detail to just 'let go'. "Wow. . ." He breathed out and then continued eating. Despite his outward panicking ceasing, his mind whirled and raced, now wondering what else he didn't know. Was there something about angels that he didn't know? Anything more about the demons? Aoba shook his head, slowing his thoughts. "That's. . . Wow." There wasn't much he could think to say at that moment.

So, in an effort to find his speech, he raised the bowl a little. ". . .The food is good." This earned a snort from Dani as he played with his utensil, gnawing on it and watching the fallen angel freak out. It was funny to watch. He didn't see the harm in telling the fallen angel. After all, he was fallen- meaning little hope that he'd be going back up to his pristine little home, at least that's what Dani thought.

- - - - - - - - -

Fenrir had similar thoughts to Aoba's going through his mind. He knew some of the older angels and wondered if they knew. He obviously wasn't there at the time of creation, but if he wasn't mistaken, some of them were. Counting suspecting angels, he realized the foolishness of that plan. If he went about asking for information, it would cause pandemonium and the need for answers. It would also raise suspicion towards him. Fenrir wasn't supposed to know this stuff. He wasn't even supposed to have the mirror he possessed. But. . . His parents didn't want the mirror. . . It was a somewhat depressing thought. And it also made him feel a little more guilty.

Fenrir got off his knees and sat in the bed. The mirror laid flat next to him. As he tried to gather his thoughts, the angel looked over at the mirror, now inspecting any changes in the fallen angel- besides his wings.

~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~

"I don't understand. . ." Aoba offered to clean up after they had got done eating. He stole the now bent utensil from Dani while he wasn't paying attention. He held the bowls in hand and walked to the kitchen. "If- your dad, is an angel. Or was one. . . How'd he end up dubbed as evil?" Aoba didn't disagree with that though. In his eyes, the things demons did were still less than pure no matter what his status was as an angel. He didn't voice this opinion though. Aoba was sure that was well known.

Aoba stays silent through the telling and it hurts Kuro to see that searching, that yearning in the angel's eyes. The demon can read the question behind that gaze, and while the ache of it is there, his lack of heart makes it nothing more than a dull pressure. It's at times like this that the lack of heart comes to the fore in Kuro's mind, wondering how he would feel right now if he had one, seeing such pain and longing in the eyes of one he cares about. Would he simply care about this angel? Would he feel more strongly, or differently towards the creature? He has no answer to these questions and as the tale ends and he waits for Aoba's response he lets his mind settle in the now, in the reality, rather than taking a trip through wonderland.

The angel's simple words covey far more than he could imagine. Being demons, the lost and disjointed thought processes are easy to spot. It's at times like this, in humans at least, that demons can easily find their way into the human's soul. Being so lost, the very foundations shaken beneath them, it is easy to slip in and provide that footing for them and sway their souls without them noticing. However, as Dani watches this happen, his own desire to slip in subverted by the fact that such an attempt would end up with his little brother doing far more than just chopping his wings off, his own mind runs wild wondering why Kuro himself isn't doing it.

Turning to look at the taller male his eyes go a little wide. 'What's wrong with you!? This is your chance! Move in, trap him with you. You're a demon aren't you, why don't you act?! You want him, I know you do, and you'll never get a chance like this again. . . .Kurotama. . . What. . . .?'

Kuro can feel the eyes on him but he remains focused on his meal now that Aoba is focusing on his own. He knows what Dani is thinking, and indeed, his very nature is doing battle with his conscious over the urge to slip in when the way is so easily traversed. It's open, it's there, and his whole being it telling him it's the right thing to do. However, he just. . . .Can't. Glancing up at the comment he smiles and nods before scooping up the last few bite. 'No, not this way. I don't want in that way. That way is cheating, and as any demon can tell you, slipping int hat way does not make a real bond. It's something that can be broken, and indeed, the soul corrupted will itself know the wrongness of it eventually. All it would take is one meeting with the old man and Aoba would know I was acting falsely, and I would lose him. . .'

Turning to look at the angel as he cleans up Kuro tilts his head to the side at the question as Dani laughs in the background. Waving at the smaller demon to shut up, which does little good, Kuro answers with a slightly puzzled tone. “I thought that would be obvious.” Grabbing up the now empty glasses he joins Aoba in the kitchen and begins filling the sink with soapy water. The dishes from the day are not too many, but it is time to get them all clean none the less. “God decides what's right and what's wrong, what's good and what's evil. Since Papa defied God and was labeled evil, he's done his best to fulfill what his father thinks of him.” He looks to Dani who is just now coming down from his laughing.

“While Dani and I are true half breeds and know that what we do is, how you say, wrong, demons of any other kind find it the natural order of things, since Lucifer tells them that's how things are suppose to be. To them, evil is right, so they are evil. Papa has never stopped trying to live up to his father's expectations, and since Yahweh labeled him evil, he is evil.” He shrugs, turning off the water. “God decided what was evil, so you'd have to ask him why he considers certain things evil.”

From the other room Dani calls out, “Oh, and by the way, not all the things you think of as evil are things He considers evil, that's just the propaganda you angels have developed over the years to cover things He considers neither good nor evil. Angels are really black and while, while demons know there is such a thing as shades of gray. He doesn't actually see that way, we know that much.”

Kuro nods in agreement. “Murder is evil, killing is not. He doesn't care who one has sex with, thought the church will try and tell you different, and I know several angels who agree with the church's views on it. Marriage is not some sacred thing for men and woman only, it is a pagan ritual that represents the bonding of souls and the sharing of life.” Shrugging he looks to Aoba. “Most of these issues are earth things heaven bound angels know nothing about, but on earth these are hot issues that the angels have discussed at length since Yahweh will not give them guidance on such things. . . .”

~*~*~*~*~

Fenrir continues watching silently and as more and more things pour out of the demon's mouth he finds him brain shutting down. 'There. . . There is nothing I can do for Aoba right now, and. . . And I can't think properly any more. . . .' With that final thought he wraps the mirror in it's cloth, the fabric effectively working like an off switch, and sets it on his bead side table. His thoughts have slowed to a very slow crawl and with nothing else that can help him this evening, he slips into bed and turns out the light, deciding that the best course of action is to sleep on it.

As Kuro walked beside him, Aoba started to clean the few dishes in the sink. He swatted Kuro's hands away, insisting he could do it himself. "Well, in my defense, I only wanted to make sure. . . Being told things like this does make you start to question. Not that I really need to." The last part he said sounded more like a reminder to himself. . . He kept a relatively calm look, keeping his eyes down on the dishes. He did however look over at Dani while he was laughing hysterically, but turned back to listen to Kuro. There was not anything he could say in response. The things he believed in had been tampered with. He wasn't sure what to believe at the moment, and for some reason he didn't want to believe in anything. Not what Kuro explained, not what he was taught- he just wanted a quiet, simple life where he didn't have to worry about a demon trying to murder him or have to feel guilty by the eyes that could have been watching him. But then again. . . Once an angel fell, did the angels above forget about them? He remembered reading about mirrors to see things on Earth, but he didn't know too much about it.

"Not all bad things are evil. But all evil things are bad. . . Well, I knew that." Aoba commented, moving on to dry the dishes he cleaned up. Hearing that marriage was just an option made his nose scrunch up. He was sure that one was true. It was a tradition that was upheld by all the angels. He never had a significant other to care much for who loved who. When he finished drying the dishes and putting them away, Aoba put a hand on his head. "Well, this was. . . Eventful." The fallen angel could almost feel the headache about to occur with all the new information and with all the racing thoughts. That, and it was late. For a brief moment, he went over everything they did for the day. They cared for the animals, planted seeds, got the animals back in and bathed. It was quite a busy day. . .

"As much as I'd love to stay and discuss more about. . .this. . . I'm tired. So, I'm going to go to bed." He gave a small smile, though the mix of emotions never left his blue eyes. He turned and yawned, walking up the steps. When he got to his room, he stripped out of his day clothes until he was left in his boxers. Aoba crawled under the blanket, folding his wings in the process. They didn't stay folded for long, as soon as he laid on his side, his wings stretched out behind him. For a moment, he stared out the window, rethinking everything that he said. But, with a final sigh he closed his eyes letting sleep take over.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Hmph. What a wasted opportunity." Dani stretched out on the couch. He had 'politely' waited for Aoba to leave before he spoke on the subject. At that moment, Aoba had been so vulnerable. . . He could practically taste the chance of tainting the angel even more. Of course, he cared more about himself and not being harmed more than Aoba's taint. "You could've at least let me do it. . ." He huffed but stood. If the toy was going to bed then he was going to go back to Mama cow. Sitting with his brother couldn't be entertaining.

After being swatted away Kuro stood to the side to finish his speech, watching Aoba work with a slight smile. It isn't until the angel turns to look at him that the tall demon can feel his face falling. The turbulence inside the smaller male seems so inviting and he has to fight the urge not to slip right in there and take what's seemingly being offered openly. He resists the temptation of becoming that stable force in the young angel's life, knowing it would lose him his ultimate prize. Instead his smile becomes fixed and he watches Aoba walk away before turning to the sink to finish the clean up, hanging up the wash cloth so it doesn't mold.

He does not respond to his big brother right away and it isn't until he's half way out the front door that Kuro speaks up. Dani pauses, the soft voice from behind him far more frightening that he's ever heard before. It is only one simple word, but it is enough to get Kuro's point across. “Don't. . .” There is no threat in his voice, no anger, no warning. It is a simple order, spoken in such a way that Dani actually turns back to look at his brother with wide almost terrified eyes. Kuro however is already settling on to the couch, his back to the room and a his bathrobe laid over him like a blanket. Beneath it he's already conjured some clothes to use until he can go shopping.

Dani stares for several minutes, beyond confused and frightened, trying desperately to try and figure out what it was that scared him so much. Unable to find his answer in Kuro's back he slumps and backs outside slowly, closing the doors softly. Once clear of the porch he takes to the sky and flutters to the barn. Entering through the open loft door he flutters down to his nest and settles in. He lays for a few hours, staring at the roof with a blank expression, his mind abuzz with questions. 'This is so frustrating. Normally I'd go to Himura and ask him about this. Kurotama has never sounded like that before, I'm sure of it! Or if he has, I wasn't around for it. . . .Not that I pay much attention to the little runt since he left home'

Dani rolls his eyes at himself before rolling on his side and continuing his musings. It isn't until a couple hours past midnight that he notices something odd. Hearing strange sounds coming from below he clears away some of the hay to look through the knot hole he found the night before which gives him a perfect view of the area beneath him. “Oi. . . .Mama. . . .What's up?” It takes a second to find her, but when he spots her laying on her side rather than standing his eyes go wide. “Uuuuhhhh. . . .That's not normal. . . .” Leaping out of his nest he lands in the middle of the pitch black barn and looks to the mother cow for a good long minute before moving in closer. “You're. . .Is it baby time!?” The soon-to-be mother cow looks at him and lets out a cow bellow before dropping her head back down.

As a breeder he knows that each animal is different when it comes to their birthing practices and what's normal for any given species. “Um, I don't know, are you suppose to be laying down?” He can feels a mix of panic and excitement rising. Since hell beast are not technically alive he's never seen the emergence of life before and he really wants everything to go right for his first time. Like a rocket he shoots out of the barn yelling loudly. “Kurotama, Aoba! Baby coming, it's coming now, she's all goopy and crap!” Kuro hears him before he even opens the door and is on his feet by the time Dani crashes in still speaking in a loud voice. “It's, the baby's coming! I've seen, I recognize, it's time!” Kuro nods, trusting his brother's judgment and grabs his shoulders firmly.

“Dani! Dani, go back out there, and just talk to her, calmly. We'll be right out, okay?” The smaller demon nods rapidly and shoots out the door just as Aoba reaches the bottom of the stairs. Kuro whips around with a broad, genuine smile and strides forward quickly. “Little Mouse, it's time! Mama's giving birth!” Taking Aoba's hand in his own he races out after Dani, moving slow enough that the still sleepy Aoba does not fall flat on his face. Once inside the barn Kuro snaps on some lamps for light and slides up beside Dani to look at Mama. She is on her feet, but by the yuck issuing from her Kuro has to agree, she's close.

Aoba was sound asleep. He had finally managed to ease his mind from the surprising news he had received and was relaxed. It seemed like mere minutes before he could hear a faint noise that grew louder and louder. He didn't quite register what was going on, but the sound of panic managed to get to him. He scrambled out of the bed, nearly tripping as his bed sheet caught his foot. Aoba slowed down a bit, tossed on a shirt and made his way down the steps. He yawned and rubbed his eyes noticing Dani shoot out the door.

"It's. . .time?" He stretched and focused a little more. Someone was giving birth? Who did they know- "O-Oh!" Aoba snapped to attention, following after the taller demon. He rushed outside, forgetting about pants and shoes. Going past the door he noticed it still tattered. "We should. . .probably get that fixed." It was more the sleep talking when he looked at the door, but he was focused enough to know what was going on.

Back in the barn, Dani landed right outside of Mama's gate and leaned over it. "It'll be alright Mama. Kuro and Aoba are coming. They'll know what to do." He wrinkled his nose, trying to figure out what to say to keep the cow calm. "Um, are you happy you're having a kid? Most parents like the idea of having kids and stuff. Maybe we'll even name the baby cow. Isn't it a calf? That's what they're called right-" By that time, Kuro and Aoba had hurried in. Dani moved out of their way and stood at the side with a clear view.

Aoba, by now, was a lot more awake than before, even more so after seeing the mama cow. "Definitely ready for the baby." With a soft chuckle, he opened the gate. "You picked the perfect time." He smiled and then looked at Kuro. "Alright Kuro, what do you want me to do? I can get a towel if you want." He assumed the hay under them would be fine for the time being. But they'd probably have to change the hay after she gave birth to the calf. The cow bellowed again and Dani looked at the two.

"Well? What are you supposed to do. . . Get the baby out?"

Aoba looked absolutely adorable in just a shirt and boxers, but Kuro was unable to take time to appreciate it in the excitement of the birth announcement. However, now that there is a moment to breath, the demon takes a moment to completely admire the young angel's state of dress before hopping over the gate and following him in. Mama cow decides to lie down again, the excitement having mellowed out, and Kuro marvels at all that weight she puts on his knees so easily. “Such a pretty heifer girl. . .” he murmurs, ignoring Dani's accompanying eye rolling. Moving around to her head he kneels and pats her forehead gently before turning to answer Dani's question.

“Most of the time Cows have no problem giving birth. We're here for moral support, and to help her if anything goes wrong.” Mama huffs and bumps her head into Kuro's chest, knocking him on to his backside.

The smaller demon giggles at this before firing off another question. “So, what can go wrong?”

Kuro however waves off the question and decides to answer Aoba's first. “For now, this is gonna be a hell of a mess, so a towel wouldn't do much good. Besides, she'll do a lot of the clean-up herself, we'll just have to change out the dirty hay later.” He chuckles. “You'll just have to resign yourself to getting filthy again, and right after that nice bath too.”

Dani whines. “But, but, what can go wrong?! Will they die like ours do, or is there something was can do to help!?”

Kuro glares at Dani, not wanting to think about the breeding failures in hell. “No, they don't have to die when there's a problem. Most births go normally, so let's just hope for the best, okay?” Dani pouts, but nods and goes back to watching Mama cow. The large lady sets her head in Kuro's lap and begins grunting. “I think it's pushing time.” Looking up at Aoba he asks, “So, you wanna cuddle the head, or would you like to move around back and tell me when you see hooves?”

"Figured as much. I just wanted to be sure." Aoba rolled up his sleeves and sighed. "Well, as long as I get a bath after I think I'll be fine." He smiled and nodded. Though, his attention turned to Dani as he began whining and getting riled up. He politely waited for Kuro to silence his older brother before speaking. "Dani, you getting all worked up like that will upset Mama. And if she's upset things can't go smoothly. We don't want that right?" Dani looked over at Aoba at first with a raised eyebrow due to the way he spoke to him. He sounded. . . A little more knowing and a lot less like he normally did. But his eyes widened at the mention of hurting Mama and Dani quickly shook his head. "Alright, so you have to be calm and patient. And if you want to help, when we say so you can help us get the clean hay in order to keep Mama and her baby from getting sick. Okay?"

Dani looked a little pensive at first, and a little confused as to why Aoba all of a sudden was talking to him like. . .like a child. Yet the cow was a little more important at the moment and she drew more of Dani's attention than the two helping her give birth- although he did eye them every now and then to see how they worked with her. Dani gave a nod before sitting and watching carefully and with wide, curious eyes.

Being asked which side he wanted to take, Aoba walked and sat down, waiting for the calf. "She looks comfortable as she is. I won't move her." He sat on his knees with his wings folded tight behind him. He had helped with childbirth only twice. Once technically. The first time, he was young and he was told to pass items to the doctor. The second had been a time they were short on staff thanks to a heavy battle between angels and demons and Aoba was the only one around that had some knowledge of the process. Hopefully, it was all the same in birthing.

Minutes passed before anything happened. Dani shuffled in place, but relaxed, not wanting to upset Mama. He was really excited to see it all take place. And seeing Aoba perk up a bit made him perk up as well. "Here we go. There's one leg. . . And the other! Everything is fine so far." He scooted back to give the calf more room.

Kuro chuckles at the look on Dani's face as he's talked to like a four year old, but refrains from saying anything. 'Dani truly is unpredictable, and I'd rather not upset him with teasing at the moment' He nods as Aoba take up position and as the minutes pass Kuro goes over all the births he's been to. 'Most have been beasts, but once or twice Papa was called for a birthing of one of his own experiments. That's the closest to a birth like this I've witnessed. The new demon breeds may be humanoid, but the process is much messier than it is with hellbeasts' He hums a little tune softly as they wait and the cow in his lap grunts every once in a while.

Dani practically jumps when he spots the hooves coming into sight and Kuro smiles at Aoba's announcement. Craning his neck so he can see better his smile quickly falters. 'Oh no. . . .' His eyes snap over to Dani and as calmly as possible he says, “Dani, take my place, and for the love of all things unholy, do not let your magic rise.” Dani stares for only a split second with wide eyes before moving as swiftly and calmly as possible off the fence and over to Kuro. They swap places flawlessly and in no time the taller demon is at the angel's side. “Shit.” he curses under his breath, followed by a long string of more swear words. He quickly composes himself and places a hand on Aoba's shoulder, prompting the angel to look at him.

“Aoba, it's coming out the wrong way. As you know, most things are born head first, and when they are not, that could kill them.” He points at the ends of the legs sticking out. “By their direction, it's backwards. You need to help it.” He bites his lip. “I would, but as you know, using one's magic is natural as breathing, and I don't trust myself not to use it. My magic would likely kill it at this stage of life.” Making sure he had Aoba's attention once more he explains what the angel has to do. “Grasp one leg in each hand just above the hoof. Don't worry about squeezing too hard, calves are sturdy. Hold on as hard as you can, and when it looks like he belly is shaking, pull with all your might. We gotta get it out as soon as possible! Don't worry about hurting it, you just have to get-it-out!”

Aoba's eyes slowly narrowed as the hooves came out more. Something. . . Something wasn't right. Before he could confirm his own suspicions, Kuro did that for him. In less than a minute, Kuro was at his side with Dani putting the cow's head on his lap. The fallen angel was still staring at the calf until Kuro tapped his shoulder. He looked up, still relatively calm despite the curses that had been said by the taller demon. As he explained what was wrong, Aoba's eyes widened in worry. Mainly because he was being thrown a huge responsibility and he was nowhere near prepared. Almost immediately, he calmed. Aoba took a deep breath and nodded. He had seen how some of the angel doctors worked under pressure, and he knew he couldn't get frantic. If he did that, the baby would surely die.

Dani was sitting on the other side, trying to get a glimpse of what was going on. Obviously something was wrong. And Kuro was entrusting the toy to do the dirty work? This raised his suspicions, but he was careful to leave his magic low, worried that he'd somehow make it worse if he did so. "Oi, Mama. . . You alright over here?" He looked down at the cow and received a short grunt. His brow furrowed but he gently pet Mama and looked over at the two. "What's going on?"

Aoba ignored Dani's question and heaved a sigh. "Well. . . This is. . .eventful." His fingers wrapped around the two legs protruding out. At first he was delicate because most babies required such, but after a second his hold became a little more firm. He gave a light tug, staring at the calf as it slowly came out. Everything had gone from calm to intense in the matter of seconds, and Aoba was trying not to crack under pressure. He was still worried and ebbed with fear, but he didn't let that show. What mattered was getting the calf out before anything bad could happen. As the stomach came to view, Aoba sat up more now prepared to pull. He watched, noticing the slightest movements. . . The wait was making him nervous, but that nervousness was replaced with a mild panic as soon as he found his queue.

He pulled on the calf's legs as hard as he could, with all fear that he'd break them, but with more fear that the calf would die. He pulled against the resistance and eventually managed to pull the entire calf out. Before he could dramatically collapse as a sign that all went well, he crawled over and quickly checked the baby over. Everything was still in place and with a happy sigh Aoba nodded. "It's- It's breathing. . ." Then, he examined the calf over and smiled. "He. He is breathing. And everything is fine." As if on queue, Mama sat up, moving away from Dani to get to her calf. Aoba wiped his hands off on his shirt and looked around. "Now- Now I suppose we need to get this hay cleaned up."

Happy, yet still shaken up by the experience, he held his hands together to stop the trembling. Aoba stood, brushing hay off him and then looked at the other two. Mama nudged the calf gently, who was slowly starting to move. The angel started to push the dirty hay towards the gate, using his foot.

The angel's body stiffens beneath his fingers, his eye widening. Kuro waits, trying to convey confidence and trust as best he can without saying a word, and after a moment he watches with interest as Aoba seems to forcibly calm himself down. He smiles softly, nodding. At Dani's question Kuro himself takes a breath and releases the angel so he can go to work. Standing up he takes half a step back and looks at his big brother. “Like I said, the baby is coming out the wrong way. If we don't get it out quick it will drown or choke to death on it's own umbilical cord.” He gaze drifts over to the straining mother. “Little Mouse is going to help her out since I can not. I trust he can do it, you just keep her calm.”

Dani nods solemnly. “Hush hush Mama, no need to worry. Fluffers over there's gonna help you, and your baby will be fine. . .” The cow huffs again and Dani keeps on mumbling to her.

For several long seconds Kuro watches the smaller demon. 'Under almost any other circumstance, I would be floored by this display. Dani, the mad man of massacres, sitting and cuddling a living creature of all things and practically praying for the health and well being of yet another living thing. It's just, not. . . .I would never have thought it possible' His gaze drifts over of Aoba. 'Maybe he's purifying us more than it seems. . . .' That thought drifts away quickly as Mama has a contraction and the little angel bares down, pulling with all his might.

Kuro steps back in as Dani's eyes go wide and he kneels down, holding out a hand just in case Aoba falls backwards. However, as the slime covered little critter plops out on tot he ground the angel shifts forward and immediately begins checking it over. A truly fond look comes over Kuro's face and Dani spares an instant to marvel at the gentle expression before once more craning his neck to see what's happening. Laughing lightly Kuro moves in closer to the little one. “A boy eh? Looks like we got ourselves a bull!” As if on cue Mama stands up and turns to start licking the little guy. For his part, the calf rests for a short time before trying to stand up.

Dani stands up and tries to move in for a closer look but Kuro steps between him and the newborn. Dani's magic flares angrily and his brother tightens his collar for an instant. “Dani, you use your magic ten times as much as I do, and if you forget for even an instant while near him, you could kill him. Do you want that? After you were so excited to see it?” His words are calm and soft, not wanting to rile Mama up, but they seems to get through to Dani and with a pout he moves to Kuro's side where he stops and stares at the little guy. With a slight smile the taller demon turns as Aoba speaks up and and exasperated expression comes to his face.

With a sigh Kuro moves over to the smaller male and once more grasps his shoulders. Leaning in he presses a kiss to Aoba's cheek and murmurs, “Good job, Little Mouse.” Squeezing his shoulders he tries to get Aoba to smile with a grin of his own. “Enjoy the moment Little Mouse! We don't have to always be working you know.” Slipping a hand across the angels shoulder just above the wings he holds the young angel to him as he turns to look at the calf now struggling to it's feet. Mama seems so intent on cleaning him that the feat is a bit harder than it should be. Kuro laughs at the sight, holding Aoba still in hopes that he would just take a moment to relax and enjoy what he's accomplished. The hand grasping Aoba's shoulder moves ever so slightly, rubbing the shoulder gently as an even further attempt to make him relax.

Aoba noticed the disheartened look on Dani after getting so excited about the baby. He smiled a little and looked over at him as a pile of dirty hay formed by the gate. "Don't worry Dani. Give him a week or two and you can get a little closer. And in two, you could probably pet him- if you're careful." This brought the small demon's hopes up once more. Two weeks was nothing when he had all the time in the world. Dani nodded and then watched as Kuro intercepted Aoba's work. The fallen angel smiled lightly. "Thank you." He turned and looked at the newest member of the barn and laughed softly. "What are you talking about? I am enjoying to moment."

Being told to stop working, he stuck his tongue at him playfully and stayed still to watch Mama and her baby. After a moment, Aoba sighed and his wings drooped slightly as he relaxed. It was a wonderful feeling to know he accomplished such a feat. He couldn't help but grin. 'I did it. . . I actually did it. Even when those medics said I couldn't. . . Ha!' He grinned wider, now in triumph. Why was he accomplishing so much more as a mortal surrounded by demons. . .more than as a pure blood angel. Something was definitely wrong about that. But he pushed the thought aside and continued watching as the calf tried to wobble into a standing position, only to slip back down when his mom cleaned him.

Dani eyed the two and then looked around at the other animals in the barn. "Any of these other animals giving birth yet?" He sniffed around, already sensing the answer was no. Aoba confirmed it when he walked out the gate and shook his head. "Hmph. . . So you gonna name it?" The fallen angel blinked and looked over to the calf.

"I didn't really think about that. . . I don't know. You want to name him Kuro? Dani?" He moved and leaned against the gate, letting his wings droop at his sides. He was tired. Being woken up at such a late hour- well early hour since it was past twelve, and having to unexpectedly help an animal through birth after all the hard work of the day before did put a toll on him. He yawned gently but remained still, watching Mama's focus on her baby.

“What I'm talking about is your insentient need to be doing, something.” He ruffles the angel's hair. “Sometimes it's better to just relax and enjoy. You helped save a baby's life! Take half a second to revel in that fact.” Squeezing Aoba's shoulder again Kuro chuckles softly. 'I know, you are happy when you're working, but as a mortal you have to learn that that is not good for your body Little Mouse. You don't have hundreds of angels to come take over if you get tired, just a couple of demons who may not be able to do the job' He doesn't say that spiel out loud, knowing that Aoba is far to tired to take it to heart at this point, however he smiles warmly as the angel seems to take his advice. For a short time at least.

His arm slides off the smaller male's shoulder when in no time he finds a reason to be on the move again. Kuro lets out an exaggerated sigh and hangs his head in defeat. 'Oh yes, let's keep not listening to the smartest guy around for a thousand miles, indeed!' Slipping out the gate behind the angel Kuro closes it behind him and turns to the excited Dani. “Just seen your first one now you want more? True demon nature here huh?” He chuckles as they move on to the issue of naming the little guy but before the over excited Dani can drop his idea for a name Kuro speaks up.

“The right to name a baby goes to the parents, and when that is not an option, it goes to the godfather.” He smiles and tilts his head. “That would be you Little Mouse. As the one who helped with the birth, and of course as owner of the animal, it's your job to name the little guy.” Watching Aoba droop over the gate Kuro slides up behind him and massages his shoulders gently. “You don't have to some up with a name tonight. In fact, I think you should wait. You're exhausted. C'mon, off you bed with you!” Dani pouts but says nothing as without warning Kuro scoops the angel up, careful not to hurt his wings, and begins heading for the house to put the smaller male to bed.

The small demon on the other hand watches as at last the calf finds it's way to it's feet and begins suckling for the first time. “Don't worry Mama, he'll get a name. Names are important. I like my name. Papa said he named me after someone really special. Someone who made it possible for passage between earth and hell easier, and who corrupted people en-mass. I think that's amazing. I've only ever gotten one at a time, it's a rare demon trait. Most demons can be charming, but not charismatic.” He rambles on, watching the little calf happily as Mama cleans it, chiming in every once in a while with her two cents.

Aoba only huffed at Kuro's notions. He could be still. He was being still! There was no point fighting it, Aoba was too tired to do that. Instead, he listened to the demons babble on. As Kuro spoke to Dani, he blinked and frowned up at his younger brother. He was going to growl, but he stopped himself and glanced back at the baby. Instead, he huffed and pouted.

Normally, the bit of news about naming the calf would have perked Aoba up at least a little. "Hmm. . ." He started, but Kuro interrupted his thought process. How was he supposed think of a name when Kuro get saying things. . . Then again, he couldn't think much of anything. "I'm not. . . Whoa!" His eyes opened a little more when he wasn't unexpectedly picked up. Aoba held onto Kuro, wrapping his arms around his neck and putting his head against him. With another yawn, he spoke as his eyes closed, "A little warning. . . Would be nice next time." He really didn't mind it considering it meant he didn't have to walk anywhere. His eyes opened a few times. Once he noticed he was outside, and the other he was in his room.

Man, Kuro was fast. . . He managed to get him to his room in seconds. He could have sworn he had been in the barn moments ago. When Kuro walked in, he would notice the bed sheet sprawled every which way from when Aoba scrambled out of bed. ". . .Wait! I'm not clean." Aoba looked a little more awake than before and squirmed out his grip and shuffled to the bathroom. He turned on the water, washing his hands. He remembered he wiped most of the stuff on his shirt so he took that off and tossed it to the side. Being sleepy, he didn't seem to mind walking past Kuro in just his undergarments. He yawned again, satisfied with the brief clean before climbing in bed and laying on his side to stretch his wings out some. He mumbled a good night to Kuro as he closed his eyes and felt himself falling to sleep.

“As you wish.” Kuro murmurs as he basks in the happy that comes from the simple gesture of Aoba's wrapping his arms around his neck. The already half asleep little angel feels almost weightless in Kuro's arms as he makes his way carefully inside and up to his room. All the while Kuro's mind is in chaos. 'He's so adorable. . . .Maybe Dani was right, maybe I should have taken him before that cute little face takes yet another's heart. . .Those angels have no idea what they were doing, banishing him, treating him like dirt. He's the hardest little worker. Almost too much of one. I swear, if I didn't stop him he would have spent the whole night cleaning up the mess. Well, at least as long as he could remain upright'

He sighs softly, looking around the room he gets ready to help Aoba out of his filthy clothes before putting him to bed. However, the angel seems to have other ideas. The demon remains silent, waiting, watching. Once Aoba is out of sight he drops into a crouch and hold his palms over his eyes, pressing down as if attempting to control his thoughts from the outside. 'He's mine, my Little Mouse. I got him kicked out, taken away from his family. Though I don't see the loss. His parents sound horrible. That is the angel way I suppose, but it's just wrong not to care at least as much as Papa does. I mean, he's an angel, and he loves, and he's suppose to be the worst and most evil thing ever! He's evil, yeah, and cruel. . . But he's a better parent than an angel parent. . . They haven’t even come to see him. To comfort him. . . .'

The sound of running water stops and Kuro quickly stands once more, his eyes on the door. A soft, if a bit lascivious, smile comes to his lips as the nearly naked angel walks right past him and climbs in bed. 'That's right, they haven't. I have. I care for him, and I don't even have a heart. I care for him so much I am giving up my own goals in life to keep him safe and happy, and I can't even love him as they should. They are the cruel ones. They are the heartless ones here' He chuckles softly as Aoba flops on his side, his wings stretched all the way out and relaxed. Kuro thinks vaguely that at some point soon he should at least make or buy something to go next to the bed so his wings don't have to hang like that.

As Aoba nods off Kuro slides in next to the bed and leans over the frail looking figure. “Good night, my Little Mouse. . . .” He murmurs softly and presses a feather light kiss to the boy's cheek. Shifting he carefully pulls up the covers sprawled this way and that across the bed and floor, slipping them carefully over Aoba's figure. Once he is sure the youth won't catch cold he takes a step back and just looks at him for a while. 'That's right. He is my Little Mouse. I may not possess him as I would wish to, but he is still my responsibility. He is mine, so far as he's willing to be. . .' After several silent minutes he finally leaves the room, closing the door softly.

Making his way slowly back to the barn he comes in to find Dani getting ready to go to sleep. Kuro says not a word to his older brother, instead focusing on getting his work done so he can get some sleep before sunrise. Dani pauses mid flight and hovers, watching as Kuro skirts carefully around the calf and thinks to himself that at least he's not the only one who can't touch the new baby. He once more is filled with feelings of worry for his younger sibling but as before, having no avenue to take to solve the feelings he just brushes them aside and with a huff, flies up to his nest. Kuro watches him out of the corner of his eyes until he flies up and he can't help but sigh as he realizes that Dani's not ignoring him as much as he'd like to pretend he is.

'Perceptive little brat. I'll. . . . I'll need to see Papa some time this week. Gotta let him know at least a bit of what's going on, and I'm sure Issho will have something to say about it all. I can't tell them about Dani, they'd take off my hide and come here to free him. . .I don't want them around Little Mouse. That would be. . .That would be bad. . .' The thought of Papa coming into contact with his little angel sends a shudder of dread through his system and he finishes his task quickly. Once all the filthy hay is removed and replaced with clean stuff Kuro gives Mama a pat and heads inside. There are only a couple hours he can grab before it's time to start the day, but he'll take them. 'I gotta head out before sunrise and water the crops, we forgot to do that and it'll be too late if I wait until the Little Mouse's day starts proper. Wanna water it before the sun so the soil can absorb it better. . . And the animals will want. . .' A low sigh slips out from between his lips as he falls asleep, his mind abuzz with tomorrow's tasks.

The sun rose but the angel did not. Ever since he had started working with the animals, he was up bright and early. Even when he had to fix up Kuro, he was always on time. Not today. Today, the sun rose and the fallen angel was still asleep. The rays of the sun flashed and instead of getting up, his wing lazily moved over to shade him from it, until he could cover his head with the sheet. He didn't move from the spot, still tired from the day before.

Dani wandered around the outside of the house, patrolling while Kuro was out. He sniffed around, not finding anything interesting or threatening to attack. When he passed the field, he looked over and called to Kuro. "Oi! Why is the toy still asleep! He's normally wide awake and doing work by now!" Dani frowned up a bit and started towards the house. He was curious. And his curiosity led him to wander closer to the house, flying up to find Aoba's window. "Want me to wake him up?" By that time, Aoba had heard the loud child like voice and ended up yawning and stretching out his body and wings. Dani blinked and swooped down to Kuro. "Oh. Never mind. He's awake now." The demon sniffed around and pouted. "There's nothing fun to kill."

Aoba blinked and slowly got up to start the day. Realizing how bright it was, Aoba scrambled to a standing position after pushing the covers from off himself. "Oh no, I slept in too long." Even with the urgency of the matter, Aoba yawned and got ready quite slowly. After managing to freshen up and get dressed he made his way down the steps to start the day. He wandered off into the kitchen, grabbing a glass of water. By the time he started to drink it, he realized he was in the house by himself.

". . . Where did those two go. . ?"

Kuro wakes up right on schedule and with a yawn is on his feet before he even realizes it. Shuffling over to the kitchen he gets a quick drink from the faucet before preparing a simple breakfast for Aoba and placing it in the fridge. 'Little Mouse needs to eat. . . .' He thinks sleepily, scratching his stomach. Heading outside he flexes his magic in the dark morning air, and looks towards the barn. 'I don't wanna leave the Little Mouse alone for long. . . .' Wandering over to the barn he tip toes past the sleeping animals and climbs up to where Dani lay curled in his nest. Waking him gently he giggles at the adorable childish protests but eventually the smaller demon opens his eyes.

“What choo want runt?” he murmurs, his voice thick with sleep.

Rolling his eyes Kuro tugs the reluctant demon to his feet. “Dani, I have a special job for you. It's for the angel,t he toy.” Dani perks up right away, almost all traces of sleep fleeing from his face. His little brother grins at this, but goes on. “I need to you guard the house while I work. Little Mouse won't be up for a while, I'm sure of it, and I can't leave him alone. It'll be up to you to keep the demons and anything else dangerous away.”

Dani nods enthusiastically and salutes with his fist over his lack of heart before diving over the edge of the loft and running out the cracked open barn door. Kuro chuckles before following more slowly, making his way towards the field. Dani patrols just as enthusiastically, at least for a while, and Kuro is confident his little fallen angel will be safe. Using a little bit of magic he draws water from the pump an scatters it over the field, careful not to leave any residual magic in the liquid so the seeds would be safe. After the watering is done he shuffles over to the coop, still exhausted, and lets the birds out of their shelters. As they scatter around his feet he smiles and shoos them out of his way.

'I'll wait on the rest until the Little Mouse is up. He's be devastated if he missed it' He concludes and head back to the field to pick some weeds while he waits. When he notices how many there are already he sighs and hangs his head. “Weeds, weeds, why are you the only plant so resilient?” As he begins weeding, the sun breaking the horizon at last, he notes Dani's restlessness. 'Well, that vigilance lasted longer than I thought it would' He is well through half of the field when at last Dani breaks the silence, announcing moments later that Aoba is awake.

With a smile Kuro stands and wipes off his hands on his pants, once more reminding himself that they simply must head to the store today and pick him up some new clothes. Once his pants are sufficiently filthy he heads to the house and heads in the back door. He smiles warmly as he spots Aoba and after slipping up to the sink and washing off all the filth he opens the fridge and pulls out the breakfast he made. “Good morning sunshine!” he says cheerily, handing over the plate before turning and pulling out the koolaid so he can pour the angel a glass. “Eat up, we got work to do!”

Aoba's blue eyes had returned to a more vibrant look as he leaned against the counter, drinking the water. Hearing Kuro, he looked up happily, almost like a happy puppy. He laughed a little as Kuro greeted him. Aoba sure didn't feel like sunshine. Instead, he felt more like the rising sun- close to being awake. "Oh, thank you." He took the plate and began eating at a slow pace, watching as Kuro poured the drink for him. "Thank you. Again. Ah, sorry I slept in." Hearing that they had work made Aoba subtly snap awake. They had work to do! Of course!

Aoba ate a little quicker and finished, setting the plate in the sink. He downed the drink and nodded. "Alright. I'm ready!" Aoba walked off by the door, slipping his boots on and walking out to start the day. He stretched again, basking in the morning sun, although he flinched when Dani flew over at full speed. Thankfully, he stopped abruptly, right in front of the angel. "Good morning Dani." He smiled and walked past to the barn. Just like every morning, Aoba and Kuro got through feeding the animals. He noticed the birds were already out, so he got the pigs fed. When Kuro got to the barn, the two herded out the sheep and cows.

"Oi! What about Mama and the baby? She's not carrying the baby anymore. You're not going to let her out?"

Aoba looked up as Dani hovered above, peeking at the calf as he wobbled around, getting better with his legs. "He was born a few hours ago, he's not ready to go outside. I don't want the other cows to accidentally trample the little guy." Speaking of the newborn, the birth flashed through his mind and he smiled a little in victory before looking in the stall. Kuro must have cleaned that up as well. He was lucky to have such hardworking help. Of course. . . Aoba was still unsure to why Kuro would do something so laborious instead of going off to do what he did for fun. Even with the growing attraction for the male- that Aoba promised himself never to speak of, he couldn't understand why Kuro would be so. . .kind. The thought was pushed to the back of his head for some later. . .much later day as Dani spoke up.

"Are you going to name it now?"

Aoba blinked and watched the calf. "Oh, I never thought of a name. . . I guess I can think of one now?" He leaned against the gate to the cows' stall and watched them, thinking of a name.

Kuro chuckles at the half asleep angel, watching as he almost picks his way through his meal. 'Like a sleepy teenager before school. It's adorable!' Humming softly he hands over the drink, propping himself against the counter to continue watching. The idea of work seems to spark something inside the little angel and without warning he's wide awake and bolting his food. He's about to warn Aoba not to eat so fast, but gives in when he realizes that the idea of work is something the smaller male fixates on with joy. 'Such a strange little creature. He simply loves working. Like me and my books. . That reminds me, I gotta hit up a library and find a shelf in this house to use. . .'

He follows the smaller male out, glaring at Dani as Aoba passes him only to pull the little demon into a hug before racing off after his Little Mouse. Dani is mystified, but like most odd things his little brother does he sets it aside as just a Kurotama unique thing. He knows what hugs are, but why in the world would Kuro show him affection? They fight, that's how they show their love. . . . While Aoba takes care of the pigs the larger demon does a lap around the animal field on the wing to check for stones that may harm the cow's hooves or any weeds that may not rest well in the grazer's stomachs. Finding none he lands at the barn in time to help the angel loose said beasts and guide them to their feeding grounds.

On his lap he noticed another gate, one leading off into the hills and in the back of his mind he wonders what it would take from them to be able to graze the small herd on the neighbor's property once in a while. The victory smile does not go unnoticed by the taller male and Kuro feels himself settling a bit. 'He seems to have gotten over the shock a bit. However he may just be repressing that. Angels are good at that I bet. . . I should talk to him about that after I see Pops' Closing the gate he wanders over to Aoba, pausing right next to him to look at Mama and the baby. “Actually, they would be fine in the field, normally. However after the difficult birth I may ask you to help me with a check-up later to make sure everything is in order. They should be able to go out tomorrow.”

~*~*~*~*~

Fenrir wakes bright and early, the shock from the night before having made his sleep quite fitful. It also keeps him from looking at the mirror for a food long time. He gets ready for the day, taking comfort in the routine activity, making it easy to ignore that gnawing hole in the pit of his stomach. However as he fixes the last knot in place he freezes, his mind racing. Finished with his morning rituals, all that's left is. . . .His eyes fall on the wrapped mirror on his side table. 'I can not prove nor disprove his words. E id a demon, hence he lies, but from all I have seen, he is an honest man. He has no reason to lie, but the evil do not always need a reason. He said himself that his father is evil, and evil begets evil no? Perhaps not. . . .No, he is evil, but, I will not discount his words without further proof'

With a sharp nod he walks over, picking the package up carefully. Making his way out of the house he tucks the mirror away, deciding to check it once he gets to work. Several of his neighbors greet him, like always, and he returns the salutations. The sun is settled on the horizon in the same place it is every day at this time. The familiarity almost seems, off somehow. Such a big thing happened just the night before, his perceptions of the world and it's order has been turned on it's head, but despite his inner turmoil the worlds go on, and pays no mind to the distress of one little arch angel. Once in his room he locks the door, still a half hour before his official work day starts, and settle behind his desk.

Pulling out the mirror he carefully sets it on the stacks of paper left on his desk from the night before, and for a good minute he just stares at it. He fights, he argues, he reasons, until at last with a sigh he opens the parcel. It takes only a few seconds for the image to clear and Aoba and Kuro to come into view. He hears what Aoba has to say about the baby getting trampled and with a start realizes he can see a cow and her calf near the top of the mirror. His brow furrows and almost on instinct he touches the edges of the mirror, rotating the view. He starts, but then relaxes. 'It moved because I wanted it to. I get it. My focus went to the cows, so it shifted. I wonder how far from Aoba I can look. . . .Probably not far. . .' He rotates the view again, listening as he gets a glimpse of Dani landing behind the other two.

It takes him a few seconds to realize that they are talking about the calf needing a name, and by the way they are speaking. . . .

~*~*~*~*~

Kuro reaches out and ruffles Dani's hair, earning him a growl. Looking back to Aoba he pats him gently but firmly on the back. “Don't rush yourself mister godfather. After your hard work helping him into the world last night I think you've earned a little reprieve from new experiences for at least half a day.” Rubbing Aoba's shoulder Kuro wanders off to grab up the grain for Mama for the day leaving Dani to wander around behind the angel impatiently. With a light huff he settles on the rail around the pen and begins rambling to Mama about how crazy his little brother is.

"Oh? They will?" Aoba looked a happy to hear that the cows wouldn't be so cooped up in the barn any more, even if they were getting special treatment. But, hearing that the calf would need a thorough check up, Aoba nodded. He was the only one that could do it after all, so he prepared to do such. Prepared as he was, Aoba realized Kuro said 'later', meaning he would have to wait for that opportunity. It didn't bother him though. There was still other things to do around the farm until that time. For the time being, he went about thinking of a baby name for the calf, until Kuro interrupted that idea. With Dani pacing back and forth it was kind of hard to think of a name, so he followed Kuro's advice and pushed the thoughts to the side.

What he didn't do, was take a break. Of course he wasn't going to do that. They had a whole days work to get to. But even as they worked, Kuro thought it would be a good idea to go shopping. That was one thing that piqued Aoba's interest other than work. "Oh, alright." He dusted himself off and looked towards the barn. "Should we be leaving the animals out while we're gone? I mean. . . I know Dani can take protect all of them. . . But," He spoke softer. "But what if he messes with the animals? Like the chickens?"

Dani overheard the fallen angel and growled. "You don't think I can handle watching the dumb farm? I've seen you guys do it all the time!" Aoba slipped behind Kuro as Dani frowned up at him, not wanting to be too close to his wrath. Aoba mumbled apologies as Dani moved closer. He couldn't say he didn't mean it, so instead he simply stayed quiet. Dani watched the frightened act and rolled his eyes wandering back to Mama, grumbling under his breath. Aoba blinked and glanced up at Kuro, slightly hoping that he would say something to calm the smaller demon down at least.

Hobbling back to the others with the portion of grain Kuro rolls his eyes at his brother before hopping into the pen. Once the food is down and Mama is munching he checks around for the afterbirth. Not seeing it he sighs and hops back out. 'That had better come out soon or she'll get an infection. And it can't have come out and gotten eaten yet or else there'd be a spot of nasty on the ground' Sliding up next to Aoba he follows the smaller male outside, setting to work along side him with a light smile. The sun begins tormenting him after about an hour though and he drags the angel back tot he barn. Dani is reclining on one of the top planks making of the gate of the pen and looks over as they enter.

“Ne, ne, Little mouse? My clothes are ruined. We should head to town for more, along with some supplies.” In the back of his mind he envisions sneaking off and picking up some small slats for his secret project. When Aoba agrees, the proceeds to insert his foot into his mouth with Dani he finds himself rolling his eyes again and patting the angel on the head. Whispering softly he says, “”Don't worry Little Mouse, he's not really mad. He's actually looking forward to his time alone with them, and he know better than to torment them. Promise. He may tease, but they will be no worse for wear.” Dani grunts, not disagreeing, but not agreeing either.

Slipping an arm around Aoba's waist Kuro leads the smaller male out of the barn and back into the accursed sunlight. Having kept the money on him at all times save for bathing he does not hesitate to scoop up the little angel and take off towards town. He holds the smaller creature close, his speed quite impressive even for him. 'I gotta get out of this sunlight. I'm going to start actually burning if I stay under it much longer Once in a little ways out of town he sets down behind a tall tree and makes them visible again. Holding Aoba for an extra few seconds he whispers, “Clothes store first. I need at least one layer between me and the sun, and my clothes are all but shredded at this point.”

He's not really exaggerating, his t-shirt full off holes, his coat at home, a lost cause, and his pants barely legal. With a smile he releases the fallen angel and lets him lead the way into town and to the shop. He is careful to keep to the shadows as often as possible, and to avoid dogs and small children as to not raise more of a ruckus than his outfit is apt to bring on it's own. They make their way there without incident, a few youths giving him the eye,an elderly couple crossing the street to avoid him, but otherwise nothing of note. Not to Kuro at least

Once inside the nice air conditioned interior he lets out a long sigh and starts browsing the racks for something acceptable. 'Man, half this stuff scream hick, and the rest is workable, but it's just that, requires work. . .Maybe in a week or two I can skip off to the big city for an hour and grab something that won't make me look like a hippie redneck' Despite all of his attacks on the clothes selection as he glances over at his angel he can't help but think that they suit him in a way. Kuro has always been more flashy, but the simple and calm fits the fallen one perfectly. “Oi, Little Mouse! Help me pick something out. . .” He stares at the T in his hand as he speaks, pretending that he wasn't just staring.