Pieces of the puzzle

TOH

With that in mind, he wanted to leave, because he was already considering a future with Ibuki Sumire. One of the things he first learned about her was her desire for a peaceful life. He wants to be the one to grant that wish of hers.

Now the situation is different.

'I truly have to betray Lucifer. All the clues point to Sumire being the one, and deep down I know too. I don't even need that last piece of evidence to confirm it anymore.'

It can only be Sumire.

Koichi's gaze fell on Ibuki in his arms. "You know when she is with you, she actually seems like a normal girl."

Toh raised his eyebrow. "This conversation again? I told you already that she is a normal girl."

"And, those words don't sound as convincing as before. You also noticed it, haven't you? Don't you keep running into her in jobs?"

Indeed, he can no longer say with conviction that Ibuki Sumire is a normal girl. But, can he try to make that impossibility a reality? 

"If she is the one, I can see why. She is the strongest member of the underworld right now. Moreover, they say there is something special about her blood-"

Toh frowned and quickly interjected. "Something special about her blood?"

Koichi seemed startled at his reaction but his friend nodded. "They say that because of this special factor in her blood, anyone who gets together with her will end up with a child with special powers that nobody else has."

"So, you're saying there are many people in the underworld who think of her as a breeding tool?" Toh asked.

Koichi raised his hand in surrender. "I can sense your rage already, just remember that I am only passing the message along."

Toh exhales deeply. He really is quick to get angry when it's about her. 

"Tell me everything you know."

 ...….

Even after Koichi left, it took him an extremely long time to process the information. Now it makes sense why she received drug immunity training from such a young age. Aki knew about these rumors, and knew there would be occasions where he wouldn't be able to protect her. 

It explains everything, from his overbearing training to his overprotectiveness.

'From that brief moment I met him, I could tell that he cared about Sumire. So, his actions didn't make much sense.'

Sumire always says there is no meaning to Aki's actions and that he shouldn't overthink. However, Toh knew that she didn't really think that way. Sumire has a far better understanding of Aki than most people. If he was really someone who acted the way she said, she wouldn't have remained by his side for so long.

Aki too, seems to understand Sumire far better than the girl's closest friends.

Toh's gaze fell towards the drawer where he kept the guest pass Sumire obtained for him to visit her in the Holy knights headquarters. 

'I think Aki-san was the one who cleared your checks, because normally the system flags those who belong in different organisations as a security warning.'

Recalling the words Sumire said when she gave him the pass, Toh exhales deeply. 'I shouldn't overthink it, but now I have a reason for Aki's behaviour towards Sumire. I wonder if that man knows about my association with Lucifer.'

Toh shakes his head and turns to Sumire as he shakes her awake.

"Mmmm, Toh?"

"Hi beautiful, sorry for waking you. But, we need to have a chat."

Sumire nodded and sat up.

The sight was rather alluring. He takes his phone out. "Can I take a photo beautiful?"

"Mmm? Okay."

She really is beautiful. Toh edged closer, and Sumire took the initiative to kiss him.

"Ha, what's gotten into you beautiful?"

"Mm, it was nice."

'She is so unlike other females.' Toh caressed her bottom lip, as he starts to explain what happened earlier. He watched as her gaze slowly dimmed and she growled.

"She touched you? You went on top of her?"

"Only to knock her out---" Toh paused, seeing how angry she was. "I apologize, I shouldn't have done that."

"Your mine."

Toh blinked at her sudden possessiveness.

"Mine, mine." Sumire repeated as she trailed kisses down his neck.

"Sumire..."

What was it the lord said about hanyou females? Right, 'They are needy little creatures. There is a time during the month where they must feed excessively. During these times their cravings can get dangerous not only for the one they are feeding from but those in their surroundings.'

From the corner of his eye Toh could see the damage from Sumire's aura leaking out. 'A bit of burned furniture shouldn't be too bad, I have been meaning to replace the things in here to suit Sumire's tastes more anyway.'

Toh caresses her back, leading to Sumire biting him. Sumire is clumsy at this, but the sensation of having her lips on his feels too good.

'Toh, I-I-'

Hearing her voice in his mind, he chuckled.

'If I knew you were going to attack me beautiful, I would have prepared myself.'

'Err, you don't mind? I don't really get it, but I'm extremely hungry.'

From her reaction, this seems to be the first time this has happened.

'I don't mind, has this not happened before?'

'I've had cravings this bad before, but the thought of drinking disgusted me before. I didn't like the idea of feeding in general, but to feed for a long period? Even worse.'

'So, what did you do?'

'At first I tried feeding from Aki-san, but it just seemed really weird. So, after doing research. It seems fighting a lot of people is enough to satisfy my hunger.'

So, that must be the reason why Aki sent her on so many jobs even if went against him being extremely protective over him.

How many people did she have to fight to satisfy her craving?

How many times did she have to lose herself to bloodlust, just so she wouldn't harm the people she cares about?

'I already knew, her lifestyle isn't normal. But, now I am learning she has endured far more than I thought.'

How much more does this girl have to suffer?