The Interview Part 2

A Tangled Web

"Well, I don't need an aura. I know you are an utter bastard based on personal experience." Yukio remarked dryly. "Admit it, you wanted Shura possessed by Lilith. Why would you do that to her?"

"Mr. Okumura, don't act all huffy and angry," Mephistio smirked. "Isn't that what you wanted, after all? To get closer to my wife? What is the issue you have now? Regrets?"

"Shura is not a game." Yukio snarled, grabbing Mephisto roughly by the neck. "And you don't take the relationship or marriage seriously. She is a chess piece you move at will."

"We're immortal, this is how we fight boredom."

With a snap of his finger, Mephisto sent Yukio sliding across the hall into a sandstone wall. 

"We explore our sexuality freely. She can do whatever she wants. As far as Lilith, I'd never want her to hurt Shura."

"You expect me to believe that." Yukio challenged. "It would be so fitting for you to merge your ex-demon wife with one of your current ones. Maybe that's why you separated Eve from Amaimon. If Shura doesn't work out, maybe it's Eve that loses her soul!"

"That is utter bullshit." Mephisto scoffed. "I'm trying to stop all of this."

"We'll see." He scoffed. "But for the record, I don't believe you."

As Yukio stomped away, Mephisto called after him. "You talk a big game, Okumura, but imagine if Lewin hadn't been there. Would you have taken advantage, I wonder?"

"No." Yukio hissed under his breath. "I'm not like you."

Yukio did indeed feel insanely guilty. The demoness had almost broken his will.

Hurting Shura again was unforgivable. He'd hurt her once, but never again!

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Shura took a long shower, resting her face against the cold, hard marble of her private bathroom. Today had been the most awkward day of her life. Was Yukio in love with her?

He was now a grown man. But such a thought was impossible. 

Shura's life was so complicated. Not only that, but she didn't feel the same way about him. Of course, Yukio had grown into a tall, strong and gorgeous hunk. He was now part of the Grigori, with skills on par with Paladin. He always crushed on her, but why hadn't he grown out of that? Married someone his own age? It was clear he'd gained a lot of experience out there in the world. The man was well-versed in a woman's body, and she got to see it firsthand. She blushed from embarrassment, remembering how he kissed her.

Was he a playboy like Shiro, notching his belt? Or did he actually care?

"Maybe he has very high standards." Mephisto entered the room, clearly reading her mind. "Nobody compares to you, Shura. He is the strongest exorcist in the Order, and you are the most talented woman that has ever wielded a sword."

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Remember, we have a contract." Mephisto snapped his fingers to remove his clothes. He hopped in the shower, reaching for a bar of soap. But you are allowed to have whatever love affairs you wish. Petra and Antoin wouldn't exist if our arrangement weren't functional."

"You picked out their fathers." Shura sighed. "Because you liked them too, the Spanish duke, the hot pool boy in the Azores."

"But we had fun." Mephisto sighed wistfully. "Admit it, Hachiro stole away your 20s, and I gave them back to you."

"Yes, you did," Shura conceded. "I liked our no-strings-attached arrangement, but this is different."

"Yukio would be all strings by nature," Mephisto conceded. "And I could not be involved. He is all about rules, and would want you all to himself."