Hatred.
Raw, unyielding spite was all that Blitzo. An emotion he was all too familiar with. An emotion he tried to improve how he handled it for those he cared for. Not well, but he was trying...
However, currently...
Oh, it was all too justified.
This cretin would feel his full wrath as he dragged him toward the back exit meant for the workers. He was barely able to notice that his daughter was hot on his heels, her agitation evident as Naruto took Stolas into his care.
A portion of him could see this and understood why she was miffed. However, all he could see was red, and all he could hear was the thumping of his heart in his chest as his adrenaline surged. And being on the edge honed his instincts. Something was amiss.
Drawing his pistol, Blitzo subconsciously held out his hand to halt Loony's advance. She took a defensive stance along with him, her gaze pivoting as she scanned the room. A hard thumping caused her ears to perk before she growled. "You hear that?"
"Someone's looking for an ass kicking..." Blitzo snarled, nodding as the rhythmic thumping caught his attention.
However, his gaze sharpened as a loud crack drew his attention. The back door entrance was kicked in, and much to his confusion, Moxxie rolled in, rifle in hand, as he scanned the perimeter before noticing them. "Sir? We've got a problem!"
"No shit, dumbass! We handled that over a minute ago! What the fuck are you doing here?" Blitzo coarsely snapped as Moxxie rushed inside, relaxing his guard as his employee rushed toward him.
"I was on outside observation to ensure there was no intrusion! What happened? And where's Mille?" Moxxie stated, rapidly scanning the scene for information before turning to Blitzo.
"What? Why were you on recon here? And what do you mean, where's Millie? Don't tell me you were following me?!" Blitzo snarled before his eyes narrowed as a single thought came to mind.
"Sir, I know you would and will have done the same when I bring Millie here." Moxxie deadpanned.
"Wait, you plan on taking Millie here?" Blitzo responded incredulously before shaking his head. "Never mind that shit! I'll deal with it later! Explain why you two are here!"
"Well, Millie and I are here because Naruto hired us to stand guard. He felt something was off! So I've been scoping outside for anything suspicious while Millie infiltrated their staff!" Moxxie claimed, his worry evident when he saw Millie wasn't present.
"He what?!" Loona snapped, smacking Moxxie to the ground before hauling him up by his collar. "He knew about this? And he didn't say anything?!"
"And where the fuck is Millie? This bastard infiltrated as a cook, so how did she miss him?! She's a professional! You expect me to believe this cock outsmarted her?" Blitzo glowered, yanking the tied imp and hosting him to illustrate his point.
"I don't know! That's what I want to know! She went silent before I heard the gunshots and came to investigate!" Moxxie, much to Loona's surprise, slapped her wrists with enough force to release him as he looked around. "And what is with that damn thumping?"
Another crack caused the three to jump. Each slid into a defensive position before they all focused on a door they had missed in the premises. A closet door that shattered with another crack, and a tied and bound Millie, her mouth muffled by tape, fell through.
"Millie!" Moxxie scampered toward his wife to assist with her predicament.
"You jumped my employee, too? Oh, I'm gonna enjoy having fun with you." Blitzo snarled, lifting the assassin and staring spitefully at the terrified assassin.
"Mmm!" Millie's response was muffled, shaking her head as Moxxie pulled the tape off her mouth. "No! He wasn't the one who caught me off guard. I barely got a glimpse of the guy who stuffed me in there!"
"What I can say is he was rough 'n' rugged! If I didn't know better, I think he was a real country boy!"
[ X ]
"That was a close one. The idiot shouldn't have taken that shot. He didn't take in his target's surroundings." A rugged imp slipped off his disguise, tossing it into the garbage of the alley.
It was a little too close for comfort. He made the call to pull out of there in the nick of time. He recognized that the threat level had escalated dramatically. The fool he hired to assist him made a poor judgment call and paid the price.
Taking the shot before one Sin was a risk. Before two was insanity. Before two Sins and the Embodiment of Death and the daughter of Lucifer...
"Idiot had it coming. Told him to call it off." The imp shrugged as he adjusted his stark, cowboy hat, and he proceeded to slink out of the alley and into a crowded street seamlessly.
The imp known as Striker kept a careful eye on his surroundings. Didn't want to be caught off guard if they came after him faster than anticipated. He knew his partner would sell him out.
Incompetent rookie. He wouldn't have hired him, but with the bounty on the prince's head, others were bound to take the contract.
At least the fake wouldn't lose his commission over a bad decision.
Strike was a professional. He was allowed to do this kind of work. He typically wasn't caught. It was why he tended to work alone...
The familiar ringtone of his phone caught his attention. Withdrawing it from his coat pocket, he scanned the screen that read Moneybag.
"Perfect timing," Strike muttered before he answered the call and held it to his ear. "I need cover. The rookie you hired nearly jeopardized the job."
"Need a place to disappear for a while."
[ X ]
Stolas exhaled, absently taking in the VIP room he had been rushed to. His care was the priority, and he was in Azmodeus's staff's hands and Fizzaroli as he took him to a private room.
That said, all the leading VIP talent had been taken here for safety from the Queen Bee herself to seductive Verosika, her bodyguard, and the former's boyfriend caught between his job and personal life. Asmodeus even made sure Luci's little girl and her precious girlfriend were taken care of.
"Don't worry about me. Do your job and take care of her. I will be fine." Beelzebub trailed her clawed finger along Vortex's cheek before giving him a peck on his muzzle. "I'm a big girl and can more than take care of myself. However, later tonight, I'll need your assistance. Kay?"
"Talk about a pep talk..." Vaggie muttered to a nodding Charlie as Vortex visibly perked up, standing at attention and taking his position firmly beside Verosika.
Verosika looked up from filing her nails and glanced over toward Vortex before shaking her head. "How long is this going to take? I've got a party to attend soon."
"Oh, hun, that party will be fine without you. The spite they have for our dear Blitzy-boy is enough to sustain them for centuries." Fizzarolli laughed.
"Huh? You're another one of his exes? Join the club." Verosika raised her brow before offering a seat beside her.
"Oh, as much as I appreciate the offer, darling, I can't. We were never a couple, but in many ways, you could say I was the first, and I have more than enough disdain to sustain me." Fizzarolli waved his robotic hand, declining the offer while in the exact moment gesturing toward the burns on his upper half.
"Oh..." Verosika paled and felt queasy upon closer inspection of Fizzarolli.
Stolas frowned but said nothing. He was well aware that his Blitzy had made an unfathomable amount of enemies over the years with his antics and attitude. It was those antics that brought Blitzo back into his life after such a long time they spent apart...
Discovering his Blitzy with the Grimoire he had inherited from his father in hand, attempting to escape the manner... Ah, such a lovely night that was.
"I swear there isn't another demon he hasn't scorned," Naruto grumbled as the door to the VIP lounge opened and the hell fox stepped into the room, unopposed by the head of security guarding the door.
"Is everything okay? Are you?" Charlie greeted Naruto with unease and worry.
"Everything has calmed outside. Suspect has been apprehended. You are free to leave whenever you wish." Naruto stated, his tone addressing everyone in the room, not just Charlie.
Charlie scowled at Naruto's indirect answer. She knew if he had returned everything had been handled. She was more worried about him... Or more in particular, upon seeing his demeanor, how he was feeling...
If he was anything like her father, she knew he was simply putting on an act.
"About time," Verosika scoffed as she rose from her stool at the bar before glowering at being interrupted.
"Hold on. The only demon who can give that call is Lord Asmodeus." Fizzarolli scowled, glaring heatedly at Naruto for a moment.
However, Naruto simply raised his brow. Fizz looked confused for a moment before everyone in the room gave him the same questioning gaze, including the head of security. Fizz only blinked before laughing away his nervousness. "Ahaha... Fair enough. Forgot who I was talking to."
"You wouldn't be the first, hun," Bee snorted, walking toward Naruto before placing her hand on her hip. "Kept everything calm while you were doing your thing. He's all warm for you."
"Thanks," Naruto gave Bee a soft smile after Beelzebub gestured her head toward Stolas.
Stolas loomed in the darkness at the back, head held low as he seemed lost in his own world. Likely, dwelling on all of the lovely thoughts plaguing his mind.
Naruto exhaled, making his way toward the Goetic Prince.
"Waiti, Naruto..." Charlie called for Naruto only to be intercepted by Queen Bee.
"Come, girl. Best to leave him be for now. He's got a lot of work ahead of him. Allow me to see you home. Don't want Luci darling to be worried about you." Bee ran interference.
"I know you are worried, but this is his world... We can talk about it later at the hotel with him, okay?" Vaggie insisted, gently placing her hand on Charlie's bicep and lightly pulling her away.
Charlie hesitated but relented after a moment, giving one last worried glance before she was guided out of the room, following after Verosika and Vortex.
The only two left in the lounge were Naruto and Stolas as the former approached the depressed prince.
"I see you've stopped taking those pills," Naruto addressed Stolas as he slid into the cozy table the prince had taken in the back.
"They were affecting my judgement," Stolas simply stated in a sullen tone.
It had been some time since they last spoke, but Stolas was far from surprised that Naruto was aware of his habits. It was his job to know.
"Yeah, severely if this is anything to go by." Naruto's features remained relaxed, but his tone reflected a sour hint of judgment.
"I know I've made my mistakes. That they continue to pile on and make my situation worse. I am more than willing to face those consequences." Stolas responded, looking up wearily toward Naruto, expecting judgment.
"Hey now, that's not my department. You're gonna have to face him when all this laundry gets exposed. Now, if you need someone in your corner for when that time comes..." Naruto shook his head before he offered a light smile.
Stolas frowned, staring across the table at Naruto. His gaze held a hint of distrust as he gazed upon the Hell Fox, whom he had only met briefly on a few occasions, typically in his father's presence.
Yet, just like the last time the two of them had spoken, Stolas's piercing gaze could not reveal a sense of insincerity from the demon.
He was genuine as he had been every time they had met.
"Why?" Stolas's question was straightforward.
And all it did was cause Naruto to chuckle and shake his head. "Oh, the reasons are endless. And while I can't say my dislike for the current regime and state of Hell doesn't play a factor... It's because ever since the last time we spoke, I've known you were different. A kind of difference that this world desperately needs."
"But first, we need to clean up your mess to have a chance of making that happen."
[ X ]
"See you later, girly. Take care." The voice of Beelzebub resonated as the Sin strolled away from the hotel.
"Have a wonderful night," Charlie waved goodbye, her face bright red from embarrassment and indignation.
Something that her partner immediately recognized was off with her.
"She's just worried," Vaggie responded with a light frown.
Charlie frowned before sighing. Queen Bee had been a significant part of her childhood when she and Naruto were a couple. She often dropped in and looked after her alongside Naruto...
"I'm not a kid anymore. I don't need someone to ensure I'm safe every time something dangerous happens around me." Charlie glowered, indignant, but her expression softened.
As Vaggie gave Charlie a reproachful glance as they entered the hotel, Charlie couldn't help but reminisce. It had been such a long time since she had seen Bee. They had hardly interacted over the years after...
Bee and Naruto went their separate ways.
"Welcome back!" Alastor's voice resounded through the hotel, greeting Charlie and Vaggie as they stepped inside. "I do hope you had a lovely night out! Made some special memories and had a moment of wanton desire."
"Uh, it wasn't like that..." Charlie flushed, embarrassed by the insinuation.
Moments like that were supposed to be tender and private...
"Yeah, that clearly didn't happen." A familiar, gruff voice, one that did not belong to someone from the hotel.
"Why are you here?" Vaggie raised her brow as she noticed Loona sitting in the lounge, still in her dinner dress, feet propped up on the bar.
"Ah, yes! Our guest here arrived a short while ago, causing quite the stir with our effeminate fellow." Alastor waved his hand in Loona's direction before crossing his arms behind his back.
"That makes sense." Charlie sighed, understanding that Angel Dust would be upset seeing his hard work in helping find an outfit for Loona go to waste.
"Oh, of course it does! All that work with the top designer in town tonight! And for what?! There should have been fireworks tonight! Fuck my life!" Angel Dust screamed off in the distance, followed by the sound of a crash.
"I'll take care of him. You deal with her." Vaggie raised her brow before sighing, shaking her head while muttering as she went to assess the damage Angel was causing. "Didn't think he was that invested..."
"Good luck." Charlie waved, giving her a thankful expression and smile before she turned her focus onto Loona. Cautiously approaching the hellhound, sharpening her claws with a nail file, she forced a smile as she greeted her. "Hello again. How are you?"
"I think you know the answer to that dumb fucking question." Loona abrasively responded, her agitation evident.
Charlie recoiled. Loona didn't even look up or acknowledge her. If she hadn't responded, it would have seemed Loona didn't know she was even there.
"I guess that is fair. Tonight was a wonderful night." Charlie gave Loona a sincere look of understanding. "Waiting here for him to get some answers, too, huh?"
"Yup. Or to strangle him. Not sure which yet." Loona responded with a shrug.
"That seems a little... harsh." Charlie grimaced, reaching across her chest and nervously rubbing her arm.
"He knew something was going to happen and didn't say anything about it. I think I deserve a few answers." Loona snarled, the file in her grip snapping. Then, with a deep breath, she reached down and pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.
"Ah, um, smoking isn't allowed..." Charlie started before scowling as Loona ignored her, lit a cigarette, and took a drag from it, gesturing toward the bar. "...in the hotel. We have designated bar for that. Or the balconies."
"Yeah, well, I parked here, so deal with it. Besides, Dad says I'm calmer after I smoke." Loona rolled her eyes and finally acknowledged Charlie by glancing up at her in annoyance.
"I'm aware it has calming effects..." Charlie wearily responded as she walked across and sat on one of the lounge chairs across from the couch, where Loona had parked herself.
She was upset, and throughout the day, Loona had a temper and constant and violent mood swings. And seeing how she treated her one coworker, she didn't want her to flip on her like that.
"Look, I understand. In your position, I'd be mad as well about that, regardless of reasoning. I'm upset enough as a bystander by the circumstance, let alone that tidbit of information." Charlie spoke in a reproachful tone with an understanding expression before smiling. "But I will tell you this... In all my time around Naruto, I've never seen him set anything up so elaborate for a date."
Loona's muzzle snarled, but she said nothing. Her ears perked in attentiveness after taking another drag, her annoyed expression softening as she continued to listen to Charlie.
"In the past, back when he and Aunt Bee used to date, I don't recall him ever purposefully going out of his way to set a day like this up. In fact, they tried the most normal, mundane things, like babysitting me, taking me out to Loo Loo Land, and so on. I remember dad asking about what they did, and Naruto responded, wandering through the city." Charlie furrowed her brow, shaking her head. "The only time I can think of anything similar was when he used to talk about... When he was alive, and what he used to do with his wife."
"Queen Bee? Just taking a walk throughout the city?" Loona raised her brow.
It was well known that Beelzebub was the life of any party she attended. It was why she ran her own joint that emphasized excessive gluttony...
...And somehow her dad had been kicked out of that bar before...
"And I would do it again. That demon is exceptional, and it has always been a displeasure of mine that we weren't compatible." Both Charlie and Loona went rigid as Beelzebub's voice resonated through the hotel.
Their attention shifted to the middle of the hotel lobby, where Queen Bee, looking around at the hotel, gave slight nods at what she was seeing. "Hm, not too bad a place you've taken over here, girl. Good start so far. And praise to your decorator. They've done a nice job with the place."
"Thank you! It is an honor to receive praise from one such as yourself." Alastor appeared before Bee and took a gracious bow.
"Ah, I was wondering what happened to the radio demon. It's been a while since you've been on the radar. Somehow, I'm not surprised you became a host here." Bee gave a short smirk, but it was replaced with a cruel, twisted smile as she met Alastor's gaze. "Just know, darling, if anything happens to her, you'll answer to me before Luci or Naruto gets their hands on you. Do we have an understanding?"
"Ohoho, exciting." Alastor's grin only seemed to widen.
"Eh, I thought you had other business to attend to?" Charlie shrank as Bee had stepped foot on the premises.
"And what are you doing here?" Loona scowled upon seeing the larger-than-life Sin before her.
"The answers to those questions are one and the same. My business is here, with you." Queen Bee smirked as she approached the two, her attention firmly on Loona.
"Me? What, trying to smooth things over for him?" Loona's muzzle snarled as she stared at Beezlebub.
"Might want to keep that attitude in check. I bite back." Bee stepped before them, hand on her hip as Loona recoiled. "All I came here to do was give you a message, the same one that our little girl here was trying to do in a gentler, kinder fashion."
"And what message would that be?" Loona responded, her head standing on end as Bee's expression turned feral.
"You don't know how damn lucky you are." Bee viciously snarled as she revealed her demonic form briefly.
"Wait, wait, wait! Don't do anything rash!" Charlie jumped out of her seat, stepping quickly in between them.
"I do not plan on it. I'm just making my point." Bee, returning to her typical state, allowed her piercing gaze to bore into Loona. "Since he's busy, allow me to explain. The reason he didn't tell you was obvious. He wanted you to enjoy your night without the burden of that knowledge. To absorb the lust and desire as it was meant to be. He wanted to ensure the date went exactly as you dreamed it to..."
"Which makes it all the unfortunate that a fool like that had the balls to take a shot like that." Bee snarled, rolling her eyes before refocusing her gaze on Loona. "Let me ask you a question that will make you reconsider your misdirected anger... What demon in their right mind would try to assassinate the Goetic Prince in the presence of two Sins and the Embodiment of Death, who I remind you, has returned to the public's eye and been making waves with his little demonstration the other day?"
Loona, while still tense from Bee's sudden and brief transformation from before, furrowed her brow. Digesting everything she had to say, Loona growled. "No one with half a brain cell."
"Precisely!" Bee snapped her fingers, a smug sense of satisfaction on her features. "For all those reasons, he never thought someone would take that risk in the middle of Ozzie's. So, darling, if you want to take out your anger on somebody..."
"Go join your daddy and lash out at that idiot who interrupted the wonderful night we were having."
[ X ]
"Aaahhh!"
The scream echoed through Naruto's ears as he stepped into I.M.P. headquarters, exiting his tear between reality.
Naruto didn't even blink. He simply turned his attention to Moxxie, ignoring that Millie was carrying a load of tools into Blitzo's office with a gleeful expression. "Guess he's been taking his stress out."
"Nah, he's letting Loona take care of her frustrations right now. We got the information we were looking for an hour ago. We were just waiting for you to return before we make our move." Moxxie grinned before wincing upon hearing Loona's raised voice.
"You dumb piece of shit! Ruin my life, would you!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Loony, take a break and let me take over and show you how it's done. You don't target those first! No, you leave them for last so they understand the true meaning of suffering!" Blitzo loudly instructed, painting a vivid enough picture that Naruto and Moxxie could see what the two were doing without being in the room.
"Oh..." Naruto blinked several times before grimacing. "Yeah, she's gotta work on her anger issues..."
"Don't I know it." Moxxie glowered, having been on the wrong end of Loona's random and wild mood swings before sighing. "From what we gathered... Yeah, you were right. His wife hired the assassin."
"Unsurprising. That woman is a menace... Along with the rest of that family." Naruto gnashed his teeth, having a disdain for the woman.
The few times he had ever met her... He shivered.
That woman was a piece of work.
"And we learned that he was working with another assassin hired for the job. One who goes by the name Striker." Moxxie frowned, jabbing his thumb at the desk and all the files on it. "I haven't been able to find anything on him? You know him?"
"Yeah, I know of 'em. Good at his job." Naruto scowled, furrowing his brow.
Striker being hired for the job didn't come as a surprise. He was the perfect hire for the job.
"Uh... You know your portal is still open?" Moxxie asked, pointing behind Naruto.
"Give him a moment. He's being dramatic." Naruto shook his head as, through his tear, the Goetic Prince stepped through, a stern expression adorned on his features.
"Oh..." Moxxie blinked before frowning. "Wait, why did you bring him here?"
"Because we have work to do." Stolas strode forward and into the office where Blitzo was having his fun. "Enough. What is this accomplishing?"
"What are you doing here?" Blitzo, doused in blood while wielding a cat-o'-nine, stared dumbfounded by Stolas's entrance. "Wait, better yet, who are you to tell me how to do my job?"
"The one who allowed you to have this job in the first place." Stolas frowned, looking down on Blitzo with a serious expression. "And it is about time I take over and ensure this operation is being run correctly and legitimately. I can't allow you to run about as wildly as you have been before, when you have already been flirting with the legality of the laws. Even as demons, we have standards to abide by."
"Are you serious?" Blitzo blinked several times before shrinking at the sharp glare Stolas was giving him. "Fuck, you are..."
"This isn't gonna be fun, is it?"