The two traveling demons started to develop a reoccurring atmosphere every time they set out on the road.
Yama would start by detailing any plans he has. Scavenging, hunting, or just covering more distance. (Y/N) would nod along, not having many plans herself so whatever he wanted to do she followed.
He didn't have to tell her to be mindful of her surroundings, especially when it came to encountering other demons. The freeway was mostly devoid of anything but they did stumble across a pack of animalistic demons that looked like rodents. Due to their small statures compared to the two humanoid ones they mostly hissed and scampered off. Before they knew it they were finally coming off the freeway and walking onto a more secluded road. It was leading them into a small forest but in the distance were some small stores and a road stop with a flipped over tanker that blocked the whole road.
(Y/N) placed a hand on the tanker trailer when they got closer to it. She followed Yama around it and saw that the doors to the trailer were open. The dark space only held crates with an old company logo on them that had since faded away.
"Should be a road somewhere..." Yama muttered to himself, scanning his eyes over the area. He had since stopped looking at his notebook for directions and must be going off memory. (Y/N) looked at him and tried to see if she could help find whatever road he was searching for. But she had to cover her nose once again at the cigarette smoke coming from him. Where was he even finding cigarettes? He pulls them out of thin air. "You know those are bad for you."
"They're bad for humans. Not for me." He started walking again so she followed.
"You still have lungs." She stated.
"Is me smoking a problem for you?" The stick lit up as he inhaled and the smoke escaped through his nose when he exhaled.
She waved the smoke away. "I just hate the smell. I was around people who smoked growing up."
"How unfortunate." He blew out more smoke, not caring if she liked it or not. She glared and slowed down so that she was at least away from the cloud forming around him.
From a distance hidden away behind one of the shops were a pair of eyes that watched the two, unblinkingly. They stared at Yama wondering who he was and why he was with the girl. What business does he have with her? What's with the suave and uncaring persona as if he thinks he's better than everyone else? This man was already infuriating.
Then there was sweet (Y/N) who followed behind him like a lost lamb. So innocent and pure. She never failed to take their breath away.
Yama soon found the familiar dirt path he was looking for that led deeper into the forest. It was wide enough to where it was easily visible but the trees that loomed over them and the large shrubbery growing on the path made it hard to detect anything around. This realization made the girl unsure of even entering the forest. Did they have to? There wasn't any clearer road they could take instead?
When she tried asking her companion this he failed to answer. His eyes stayed focused on where he was going but he looked distracted. Lost in his thoughts again.
She nervously stuck closer to him while darting her eyes around the trees and shrubs. Anything could jump out at them and they wouldn't see it. The Elitists could ambush them and take her away just like that. Then she'll have to go back to all those screams and cries of pain. Possibly suffering under their control and having to see that mask again. She doesn't know how she got away the first time only to wake up in that mall with no memory of anything besides a few things. But she didn't want to go through all of that again and end up alone because she got separated from Yama.
Through her anxiety, she unknowingly got really close to Yama to the point they were touching arms.
He was taken out of his distraction and looked down at her who was anxiously keeping her eyes on the trees. Her hands were gripping the strap of the duffel and whenever he moved just an inch away from her she moved closer again to fill the tiny gap.
The little visibility the forest provides must be getting to her. She must be thinking of the Elitists again. Her literally shoving herself against him is proof enough that she doesn't want to separate.
She'll probably keep this up until they get to somewhere more spacious. He sighed and allowed her to remain like this.
Surprisingly it wasn't bothering him as much. Which was strange.
He's not a physical contact person, preferring to keep his space. Only getting close to others whenever he has to but he hasn't had to do anything of the sort for many years now. Two decades to be more specific.
Hasn't had to patch someone up, carry someone, talk to someone...
Not until she showed up.
He wasn't as uncomfortable with her as he thought he would be so far after not interacting with others like this for so long. Despite her worrying similarities to the once tyrant he worked for.
Besides that, she wasn't any different than others he knew. Yea her situation was alarming, to say the least, and the whole reason he's even allowed her to tag along in the first place but him just letting her be this pressed up against him because of her anxiety was... out of his character.
He decided to ignore this. He was thinking too hard about it. He just needs to focus on getting there, have a small chat, then leave. As quickly as possible.
Then he felt her fingers reach for his arm and move to hold onto him but they quickly pulled back along with her figure after realizing what she was doing. "So-Sorry!"
He looked down to see the spot she once was in vacant of her presence then up to her face that was flustered up in embarrassment. She didn't know what she was doing.
He didn't say anything and allowed the silence to continue over them. But a small feeling in the back of his head sort of missed the contact.
A glimpse of hope filled the girl when she saw an open field up ahead. Trees were further out which provided lots of space that made her feel more comfortable than the dense portions of the forest. They came upon a t-section in the road that Yama already planned to turn right on. (Y/N) leaned herself against a wooden fence that separated the dirt roads from the field. She couldn't see any structures from where they were. Just grass and trees.
"C'mon. We're not too far." He called, continuing on so she quickly caught up to him.
"Where exactly are we going?" If they're getting closer to his destination then is the person he's seeing in the forest or in a field? It seemed like a strange place to meet somebody.
"Just making a quick stop. I'm paying a visit." Was that all he was going to say? He went back to the quiet and distant demeanor he's been keeping.
Traveling this far over the course of several days just to pay a quick visit to someone?
(Y/N) held the duffel closer to her and continued her usual pace behind him to wherever he was taking them. One side of them was the field which was nice but the forest on the other side still gave her uneasiness.
She's never been this nervous about forests before. Maybe it's her circumstances but she just can't shake the bad feeling she was starting to get.
If only she knew she was right about those feelings. Something was lurking in the forests and his only focus was on her.
"Just look at her..." Xed's wide grey eyes followed her figure from high up in the trees. He was sprawled out across a branch with his legs hanging down but his arms folded under his head. He lay there watching her keep close to that blond guy who didn't acknowledge her presence once since they got off that freeway.
But he acknowledges her. He'll always acknowledge her. She was his favorite human-turned-demon after all. She'll love his company more than the company of that blond guy. They're the bestest of friends after all. Maybe even more if he chooses.
Besides what does that blond guy got that he doesn't?!
He barely talks to her while Xed talked to her all the time! They had such fun conversations even though she was silent and half awake for most of them but that's because he's learned that she was shy.
Then she ran away and hurt his feelings. Such a heartbreaker.
But she was alive and well which was great and all. Mother will be so happy to know that the girl has been found. She must be so worried about her precious little monster that her hair is falling out. He couldn't wait to see how happy Mother will be once he brings the girl home.
"Shall we intercept them now, sir?" An Elitist asked, hanging onto the tree with their multiple arms and watching the girl as well.
"No." Xed slowly shook his head, still entranced by her sight. "I wanna see where they're going first."