Kaito moved cautiously beside him, his eyes wide with curiosity and nervousness. It was Kaito’s first time outside the castle for about ten years, his first experience with the world beyond the walls that had protected him for so long after an assasination attempt that was thwarted. Akihiko watched him out of the corner of his eye, unable to suppress a small smile.. There was something endearing about the way he navigated the crowded market, his steps tentative and his expression a mix of awe and apprehension,  the chaotic energy of the market. Every step he took seemed tentative, as if the ground itself might betray him.

Akihiko needed to relax, he was tensed up after the argument he had with Saito that morning about the presence of humans and a conflict that seemed to never escalate or get better.

The way Kaito’s large, golden eyes darted from one stall to the next, taking in the colourful displays, the unfamiliar faces, and the strange mix of smells, was almost childlike. It was as if he were seeing the world for the first time, and in many ways, he was.

As they walked, Akihiko couldn’t help but notice the way people reacted to Kaito. The market’s usual hustle and bustle seemed to slow as they passed, heads turning to follow Kaito with varying expressions. Some looked on with curiosity, intrigued by the presence of the person next to Akihiko, that had to be his elusive half human brother.

Without thinking, Akihiko stepped closer to Kaito, his hand sliding onto his brother’s shoulder. The merchant quickly averted his eyes, pretending to busy himself with his wares, but Akihiko’s grip on Kaito’s shoulder tightened as they moved on.

As they strolled through the market, the air thick with the scents of spices, fresh produce, and the unmistakable tang of raw meat, Akihiko’s gaze wandered from stall to stall. The market was a chaotic symphony of noise and colour, the vibrant energy of the crowd almost intoxicating. But then, something caught his eye—a small, nondescript shop tucked away in a shadowed corner, almost hidden from view.

The shop’s window was dimly lit, the glass fogged with age and grime. But behind the glass, illuminated by the weak, flickering light of a single lantern, was a display that made Akihiko pause. His sharp eyes took in the sight of thick, marbled cuts of meat, each piece meticulously arranged and glistening with a freshness that betrayed its source. The meat was pale, almost too pale, with a texture that was disturbingly familiar. It was human flesh, expertly butchered and prepared for sale.

One yokai merchant, a large, bear-like creature with thick fur and a snout, let his gaze linger on Kaito a little too long. Akihiko noticed the way the merchant’s eyes flicked from Kaito’s skin to the cuts of meat hanging from the stall beside him. A slow, unsettling smile spread across the merchant’s face. But then, another thought wormed its way into Akihiko’s mind, one that was as dark as it was alluring. He glanced down at Kaito, his eyes tracing the smooth, pale skin of his brother’s neck, the delicate curve of his collarbone. How soft would Kaito’s flesh be? Would it yield easily under his claws, warm blood welling up to stain that perfect skin with deep crimson?

“You know, Kaito,” Akihiko said casually, as if they were discussing the weather, “I’ve heard that human flesh was once considered a delicacy here. Father banned it from the palace for you, of course, but I’ve never actually tried it.”

He expected a dry remark or an exasperated look from Kaito, but instead, Kaito went still. Akihiko noticed the shift immediately—Kaito’s breath caught, and his face turned pale, as if he’d just been told something horrific.

When Kaito turned to him, his eyes were wide with something that took Akihiko completely off guard—fear. “Do you even hear yourself, Akihiko?” Kaito’s voice trembled, not with anger, but with a deep, unsettling fear. “You talk about humans as if they’re just animals… something to be consumed!”

Akihiko blinked, confused and a little alarmed. It was just a joke, wasn’t it? But the intensity in Kaito’s eyes made him realise that Kaito didn’t see it that way. The air between them felt suddenly heavy, the casual atmosphere shattered.

Kaito’s hands moved to his face, brushing over his skin as if he were checking for something. Akihiko couldn’t quite understand the gesture, but the fear in Kaito’s eyes made his stomach drop. Kaito wasn’t just upset—he was terrified. 

“You… you wouldn’t actually…” Kaito’s voice faltered, the words sticking in his throat. Akihiko could see the panic building, the sheer horror at the idea that he might be viewed as less than a person. “You’re not planning to—”

“Planning to what, Kaito? Eat you?” Akihiko tried to force a smile, to make light of it, but the moment Kaito flinched, unease began to settle in his gut. It was just a joke, wasn’t it? But then, an intrusive thought slithered into his mind: Would Kaito's flesh be as tender, as succulent as the guards say human flesh is? The notion was morbid, almost grotesque, but it gnawed at him, persistent and unbidden. His tongue flicked over his lips, saliva pooling in his mouth, a reaction to the mental imagery that was oh so tantalising.

Akihiko caught himself, horrified at the direction his thoughts had taken. Struggling to regain control, he pushed the macabre curiosity aside, forcing his mind back to sanity.

 “I’d never hurt you, Kaito,” Akihiko said, his voice softening as he tried to reach out, desperate to undo the damage his words—and now, his thoughts—had done. He needed to pull Kaito back from whatever edge he was teetering on. “You know that, right? It was just a joke. Come, lets look at the rest of the market..”

—

"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" Akihiko’s self-reproach reverberated through the quiet of his empty room. The moonlight filtered softly through the shoji, casting a cool, silvery light that danced on the small copper mirror across the room, its surface reflecting faint, distorted shapes. The serene glow of the moon did little to soothe the turmoil inside him.

He buried his face in the plush doona, the fabric’s warmth contrasting sharply with the icy chill of his thoughts. What had possessed him to speak so harshly to Kaito? While he was annoyed at Saito, why did he take it out on him?  The vivid recollection of his words—the implied threat, the unthinkable notion of consuming him—made his stomach churn with a mix of revulsion and guilt.

Yet, even as he tried to push away these terrifying thoughts, he couldn’t help but imagine, with an unsettling fascination, what Kaito’s flesh might feel like under his touch. Would it be as warm and yielding as he imagined,  would his claws easily prick that skin, slicing cleanly and smoothly or or would it resist. Akihiko pictured the scene in vivid detail—Kaito stretched and trembling, the soft curve of his flesh yielding beneath his claws. He could almost feel the blush of the blood, mingling with the fabric of his fantasies. He grappled with the disturbing sensation of being drawn to these dark thoughts even as he was repulsed by them. Pushing these thoughts out of his mind he mentally recollected himself, deciding to attempt to make amends the very next day. 

He knew the perfect thing.