New Home Life
[Word Count: 1993]
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March 16th, 1988
Continuing his life as a Devil Hunter, Leo remained committed to his promise to Kishibe. The details of his betrayal remained concealed from the public, known only to a select few. On the surface, Leo still appeared as a renowned and respected Devil Hunter, his exploits celebrated in newspapers and magazines. Official orders for his detainment were in effect, but there were only two individuals capable enough to apprehend him—his mentor, Kishibe, and the mysterious Makima.
Despite his suspended Devil Hunting license, Leo's presence loomed large in the public eye. Dubbed the strongest Devil Hunter by numerous news outlets, he became a symbol of hope in a time when Devil Hunters were facing constant danger and death. The trauma of the Gun Devil's attack and the subsequent fires that ravaged Japan lingered in people's minds, leaving them fearful of a potential return. They needed someone to inspire them, and Leo unwittingly assumed that role. Public Safety was powerless to restrain him; his influence had grown too vast.
Yet, with Leo's sudden disappearance, the frequency of devil attacks skyrocketed. Other Devil Hunters were ill-prepared, resulting in a staggering loss of lives. Pressured by the government to suppress fear and maintain order, news publications resorted to concealing the true extent of the attacks, manipulating the numbers to minimize panic. It was a delicate balance between fulfilling their civic duty and preventing widespread chaos.
Imagine their collective relief and joy when Leo reemerged, single-handedly reducing the number of devil attacks within a matter of days. The masses celebrated his return, viewing him as a messiah in the world of Devil Hunting. The most wanted fugitive was back, restoring a sense of hope and security.
Little was known about Leo, and his enigmatic nature only fueled the public's intrigue. Media outlets vied for interviews and sought answers from him, but their attempts were met with indifference or an intimidating glare that deterred even the most persistent journalists. Leo remained aloof, evading their inquiries with a simple response: "Away." He was a force unto himself, pursuing his own agenda, and even Kishibe had little power to control or restrain him. The deal they had struck compelled Leo to fulfill his duties, but it also granted him the freedom to act on his own terms.
Speaking on his own terms, Leo quietly made his way to the apartment that he and Ai would be calling home. Deep down, Leo had his heart set on a house, envisioning a spacious sanctuary for their growing family. However, practicality prevailed, as Ichigo and Ai expressed concerns about affordability. "How can they say they can't afford it? I have more than enough!" he grumbled to himself, frustrated by the limitations imposed by their financial situation.
While Leo did possess the financial means to purchase a house, the lack of legitimate proof hindered his efforts. Most of his wealth was derived from the illegal activities of the Yakuza, leaving him without the necessary receipts to substantiate his wealth. Even if he were to buy a house, the absence of legitimate financial records would undoubtedly raise red flags and attract unwanted attention.
Leo despised these restrictions, tempted to defy the system and purchase an extravagant house solely to make a statement. However, he knew the consequences such an action would entail, potentially inviting unwanted scrutiny and putting Ai and their family at risk.
Reluctantly, he abandoned the idea and instead focused on negotiating for a better apartment than the one initially suggested. Armed with old paycheck receipts from his previous life as a Devil Hunter, Leo skillfully argued his case, leveraging these legitimate documents to secure more suitable living space for their family.
Considering suggesting his own apartment as an option, Leo swiftly dismissed the notion. The potential risks associated with others knowing its location outweighed the convenience it offered. Renting an entirely new apartment provided a fresh start and a higher level of security.
As Leo turned the doorknob and entered their new apartment, the sound of Ichigo's voice lecturing Ai about her idol career greeted his ears. He slipped off his shoes and, now sporting a pair of Crocs, made his way toward the room where everyone had gathered.
.
"As the one responsible for supervising you, my agency would be done for," Ichigo lectured sternly, his voice filled with authority. "We'd all go down to hell together."
"What's wrong with hell?" Leo's voice interrupted from behind Ichigo as he casually entered the room. "If you overlook the abundance of devils, it's actually quite pleasant."
Ichigo shot Leo a glare, his tone dripping with annoyance. "You. Shut up," he retorted, turning to face Leo with a snide attitude. "You don't get much say in this."
"Leo!" Ai's voice filled with excitement as she greeted him.
In her loving arms, Ai cradled the youngest twin, Aqua Tsukumo. The little toddler possessed golden blonde hair and beautifully matching blue eyes, a perfect blend of Leo's genes with the distinct touch of Ai's six-pointed eyes appearing on Aqua's right eye. However, there was an intriguing quirk about this little one—Aqua seemed to have an inexplicable disdain for Leo. Every time his gaze fell upon his father, a childish glare would follow, much to his amusement.
The reason behind Aqua's dislike for Leo remained a mystery. After all, one couldn't simply ask a baby why they harbored such feelings.
Today was no exception to their usual interactions. As soon as Aqua caught sight of Leo, the familiar glare emerged. Leo couldn't help but smirk at the sight, gradually making his way over to his son to pick him up. Ai happily offered Aqua as soon as he was within reach.
Lifting Aqua by his armpits, Leo held him high over his head, playfully raising him until Aqua's head almost grazed the ceiling. The sight brought a giggle from Ai, her eyes filled with affection.
"Miss me, tot?" Leo teasingly questioned, his smirk widening. Aqua, being the mature baby that he was, stuck his tongue out at Leo, earning adorable coos and exclamations of delight from Ai. "He loves me," he remarked, amusement dancing in his eyes.
In truth, Aqua did not "love" Leo, nor care for him in any sense. But regardless of Aqua's feelings, Leo cared for him deeply, showering him with affection and care. Even if Aqua never reciprocated those feelings, Leo cherished every moment with his little one. He would rather have a baby who disliked him than a baby who was no longer alive.
Speaking of babies, it was time for the other twin to make their presence known. From a nearby crib, the cries of Ruby Tsukumo, the older twin by a technicality, echoed in the room. Unlike Aqua, Ruby didn't harbor any grievances toward Leo, gazing at him with innocent curiosity, even though his appearance occasionally startled the little one. Once again, Leo's genes asserted their dominance, with Ruby possessing blond hair and distinctive red eyes. The origin of those eyes remained a mystery, but her left eye showcased Ai's distinctive six-pointed star.
Upon hearing Ruby's cries, Ai rose from her seat and walked over to her. "Coming," she reassured, her maternal instincts kicking in.
As the events unfolded, Ichigo's impatience grew evident as he tapped his foot on the ground. He needed to ensure that Ai fully grasped the potential risks that having babies posed to her career as an idol. He understood the significance of maintaining an image in the idol industry, where success hinged on availability. If the world were to discover that Ai was not only pregnant but also had children, her popularity would undoubtedly plummet. And that was without even considering the additional factor of her engagement.
Feeling his frustration rise, Ichigo applied pressure to his temple, hoping that Ai would soon be able to soothe Ruby's cries and join them in their discussion. There were important matters that needed to be addressed, and the sense of urgency grew stronger with each passing moment.
"Let's get back on track," Ichigo raised his voice, causing Ruby to startle. "Ai, you're returning to work today. We need to discuss your upcoming activities."
"First on the agenda is tonight's live music program. It will be broadcasted nationwide. Can you handle it?" Ichigo asked.
Ai responded with unwavering confidence, "Of course~"
"While Ai is busy with her work," Ichigo turned his attention to Miyako, "Leo and my wife will take care of the children."
"Ehhh," Leo complained with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I can handle the little tots just fine on my own."
"You're a devil hunter!" Ichigo scolded, frustration evident in his tone. "You're always on the move, answering calls left and right."
"Pshh," Leo blew out a breath, exuding an air of confidence. "I can ignore a few calls to take care of my kids," he proudly declared.
"Uh, no you can't," Ichigo retorted, along with the rest of the group, except for Ruby and Ai, who wore sweatdrops. They couldn't help but find Leo's casual disregard for people's lives somewhat concerning.
As if on cue, Leo's phone began to ring in his pocket. Retrieving it, he glanced at the caller ID, confirming it to be a devil alert. "Huh, speak of the devil," he remarked playfully before returning the phone to his pocket.
"Answer it," Ichigo demanded, his tone firm.
"Hmm?"
"Answer. The. Call," Ichigo emphasized.
"Why?"
"Answer it!" Ichigo's voice rang out with impatience.
With a click of his tongue, Leo retrieved his phone once again, as Ai erupted into fits of laughter in the background. "Hello?" he begrudgingly answered.
Leo's reaction to the phone call indicated his displeasure with whatever the person on the other end was saying. "Ehhh, Yokohama? That's hella far," he grumbled.
Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Leo ended the call when the person on the other end hung up. Placing his phone back in his pocket, Leo stood there with one hand in his pocket and the other cradling Aqua.
"What are you waiting for!?" Ichigo yelled impatiently. "Go!"
Letting out a sigh, Leo reluctantly handed Aqua over to Miyako, while Ai's laughter continued to fill the room.
"Stupid Ichigo," Leo muttered under his breath, his brows furrowed, as he made his way out of the room, his posture slouched, resembling that of a moody teenager.
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Aqua watched the TV screen intently, taking advantage of the few minutes before Ai's performance started. With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he managed to change the channel to the news, his curiosity piqued.
The news helicopter's camera captured the aftermath of a devastating devil attack in Yokohama. The cityscape resembled a chaotic battlefield, with buildings toppled like uprooted trees and debris scattered everywhere. The streets were stained with blood and strewn with lifeless bodies, while cars were thrown about like discarded toys. The news broadcast provided a grim depiction of the recent carnage caused by the devil's rampage.
Zooming out, the camera revealed the massive carcass of the Whale Devil lying on the shore. Its mangled body bore the scars of countless wounds, its formidable arsenal of guts spilling from various openings. Standing nonchalantly over the carcass was none other than Aqua's father, Leo, the renowned and purportedly strongest devil hunter. He held a knife in his hand, his gaze fixed upon the nearby sea. If Aqua had tuned in immediately, he would have witnessed the one-sided beatdown his father gave the Whale Devil.
It was both terrifying and awe-inspiring to witness Leo's efficiency in dispatching devils as if it were a mundane task for him.
Scattered around the lifeless body of the Whale Devil were the remains of various other devil creatures, their twisted forms unrecognizable. Their disfigured bodies bore witness to the brutal and ferocious encounters they had faced.
The most shocking aspect of the news broadcast, however, was Leo's demeanor. Despite the relentless battles he had just engaged in, he appeared entirely unfazed. There was no hint of exhaustion or exertion on his face—only boredom. Aqua couldn't help but be amazed by his father's strength, but this newfound revelation only fueled his curiosity further.
And amidst all the chaos, one burning question echoed in Aqua's mind...
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Why would his father order the death of his former self, Gorou Amamiya?