Jinzha had not been forgotten, in fact Zhi Yu was simply biding his time and having someone from inside the Heavens monitor where the creature had been put. Knowing their intimate schedules and when there were less people around would help the Demon King get Jinzha out peacefully. There was no use in creating a scene. Doing such would just make things harder on Jiehong and potentially draw more attention to him, which the other did not ever want to be the root cause of. 

The trouble was, patience was not typically Zhi Yu’s strong suit, hence the constant watching and asking Bolin to update him for any news from his informant at every chance he got. It was one of the reasons he decided to venture out more often than he wanted to, in order to provide somewhat of a distraction from what he was sure the God must have been feeling. 

The idea that something had caused the God pain was horrific for Zhi Yu. He never wished to see the other in pain ever again. It hurt him to see him in pain. Unfortunately, acting too quickly and consequently causing problems to arise would also cause pain for Jiehong. So Zhi Yu forced himself to be patient as he waited for the perfect opportunity to come forth so he could save Jinzha. He also owed it to her for being so very good to his Jiehong. 

This opportunity finally came a couple of months after the incident in which Jinzha had been taken. Today was the day of another godforsaken festival. This was a negative, knowing the pain Jiehong suffered during such festivities, yet a positive as most of those in Heaven would be very much distracted on this day. He wasn’t even certain for which God this one was for, but a festival was every God's pride and joy, and as such it drew the attention away from Jinzha and any other prisoners held here. 

Devoid of the glinting garments and splendid ornamentation he usually wore, the Demon King instead donned simple black robes and plain leather gloves on his slender fingers. The adornments made his grey eyes stand out, the only colour different against the subtle black layers he wore. He flexed his fingers, before clenching them into a fist, angry that the Heavens had the gall to take away something his Highness valued, and he moved, shifting and stepping into what appeared to be a shadow of darkness. 

What happened next only he could tell you, not that he would be amenable to giving away his secrets. After the journey, he found himself once more stepping out of what appeared to be a shadow, from an overhanging ceiling and into the confines of a cell. He was in a cramped corner, the immediate smell of mould and rot wafting toward his nose. 

One could call it nothing but a cell; the metal bars were smaller and closer together than most, probably to ensure that no animal placed here could ever escape through the gaps. Animals are, after all, typically smaller than humans, though this was not the case for the hound as they were the size of a bear. Zhi Yu looked around the area, noting the slight damp smell and a hint of copper from what he was sure was old blood and spoils from others not lucky enough to get out alive. The smell of death and rot that he was first greeted with was also still present. A constant reminder of what had occurred in this cell, and perhaps the cells nearby. 

 The walls were plain stone, with a hint of moss and moisture on them. A window stood on the far back wall, those same rusty metal bars allowing a cool breeze to filter in. In the middle of the small cell lay Jinzha. The hound was curled up in a ball, fast asleep. Seeing how Zhi Yu hadn’t moved, the other hadn’t been alerted of his presence. He changed that, taking a small step forward toward the other. Sharp maroon eyes immediately levelled on him, teeth beginning to pull into a snarl. They stood their heckles raised. This was the case until Jinzha noticed who it was standing in the cell, allowing their body to relax.

“You could have warned me you were on your way,” Jinzha spoke, a husky almost distorted tone falling from her, and though the words were said out loud, her mouth never moved. “We do have the whole mind connection nonsense.”

“How about a ‘thank you for saving me?’” The other huffed and then questioned. “Hm? Jinzha?” He extended the name of the hound, a teasing lilt to his voice.

She huffed through her nose, turning her head away from the other. “Yes, yes, laugh it up. At least I get to be close to his Highness.” She spoke, giving it back as good as she got. 

If Demons could growl, then that was surely the sound that escaped Zhi Yu, eyes narrowing slightly at the hound as his hands clenched harder behind his back. He would never admit it, but he was jealous– jealous that he wasn’t the one able to enjoy the God’s company or presence, or be close to him in the same way as Jinzha could be. He knew this was ridiculous and that only the God had the right to choose who he allowed that close, but it did not stop the sting of want and jealousy that shot through him. 

“I mean… He is beautiful, and his thighs are just so plump and soft. I love resting my head against them…” Jinzha continued, knowing what her teasing must be doing to the other, but seeing it as payback for how long he had left her in this disgusting place. She knew he could’ve had her out immediately if he wished to. 

This time a grunt fell from the man’s lips as he moved more quickly than normal. He ended up behind her, crouched down as he took her muzzle into his hand, tilting her head to make her look at him. He gripped tightly. 

“Do not,” he said through gritted teeth “or else I will leave you here to never see his Highness again.” The demon tightened his grip even more. “Understand?”

She let out another huff of hot air, mentally face palming at the stupidity and jealousy of the other, before speaking. She felt his stern gaze upon her.  “Yes. I understand.” 

He released her muzzle before moving to walk around her in a circle, eyes tracing the length of the creature. “Are you hurt?” he questioned with a voice softer than before. His eyes practically burned into every inch of the hound, at least that is what the sensation felt like to her. 

“No. Well, not anymore, they did give me some whip lashings but I healed them. You know me, the whole saliva thing, although I still think it's gross. Does all the magic stuff have to use bodily fluids, ack… It's pretty cool though actually.” She was rambling. 

“Good,” he spoke neutrally, gesturing toward the bars that separated the two from the outside of the cell. “I am surprised you didn’t manage to break yourself out. The bars are rather rusted, after all.” He smirked. 

“I would if I could Zhi Yu. They happen to be made from Iron, which, as you know, I cannot touch.” She looked at him with an annoyed and haughty air. 

He raised a lofty brow, allowing a short burst of a huffed laugh to fall from his lips. “You still won’t go near them? I told you, you aren’t going to burn up or die. The last time, the arrow heads were coated in a poison… which lead to your injuries.” He had told her this time and time again, but she was adamant that he couldn’t possibly know that. How would he know which thing she had reacted to?

Just as the thought flitted through his mind she spoke once more. “How would you know that it was the poison? What if I am immune to the poison and it was in fact the iron!” Her tail flicked as she shifted her paws in an almost annoyed gesture. 

He smiled fondly, allowing a sharp canine to poke through. There was no use arguing with her on this subject, she never listened anyway, and they really had to leave before the festival ended. He gestured toward the shadow that he had teleported from before. 

“Let's go, shall we?” he murmured, gesturing for the other to move as he did. As she went his eyes followed her every move, calmer now that he knew she would be out of this godforsaken place and that was was unharmed. 

She bowed her head and walked forward, closing her eyes when she felt the weight of his palm on her head, as they both, once more, seemed to blend into the shadows.