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Two things happen at the same time; Firstly, Eiden opens his mouth to defend himself in front of the Yokai. Frankly, Kuya expected it. That's why he stands aside from this mess, wonders what the young Master might say. He is usually good at evading harm but well, he is also equally good at finding trouble. Kuya thinks he knows how this is going to turn out, these Yokai might be baring their teeth but he has no doubt that the young Master will find a way out, perhaps by offering his help to find the culprit.
Then it happens. The second thing.
One of the younger Yokai jumps forward even before the Old Monkey speaks and Kuya sees his fangs glittering in the light of the torches. Karu, bless him, moves too but is a bit slower and though he manages to soften the impact of the Yokai's attack, he can't push Eiden away in time. Eiden hits the ground, gasps for breath like a drowning man when the Yokai digs his claws into his shoulders.
“STOP!” Eiden screams. The Yokai doesn't listen, after all, the lamb can cry as much as it wants before the wolf tears it into shreds. Kuya, despite later claiming that he was not caught off guard, freezes. There is no time for negotiations, the circle of Yokai around Eiden closes, the youngster pushing him down growls when Karu tries to pull him off and finally, his claws scratch Eiden's chest. Blood sprays the green grass beneath, someone loudly growls at the smell of blood. Karu is pulled away, his golden eyes widened in fear.
Eiden chokes. It must be in shock, the wound is ugly looking but not that deep. His eyes are focused on the Yokai's teeth. He cries out: “I didn't do it!” and Kuya realizes he made a miscalculation. It doesn't matter if the human is the culprit or not, he will be dead by the time someone realizes that fact. He is a part of the Banquet now, served on a golden platter. Eiden must realize too because his eyes fill with tears. He still fights, weak as he is. Blood is now smeared across his cheeks, washed away only by the river of tears.
Kuya's seen Eiden cry before; he cries often, frankly speaking. Sometimes it's because Kuya edges him for hours, keeps his hands tied and ignores his pleading as he trusts into him, ever so slowly to bring Eiden to the edge of madness. There are times when he cries because Kuya is rough, taking him against the wall or bent over the table in quick and harsh trusts, he cries even more when Kuya is in the mood for love-making. His eyes are hazy then, his cries silent. He shakes when Kuya praises him, moans when he presses kisses against his forehead.
The point is, Kuya's seen Eiden's tears only at the peak of his pleasure. This is different. Eiden's eyes are filled with terror, he seems like he is on the edge of a panic attack judging by his quickened breathing. Kuya's seen this look in the eyes of animals close to their deaths, aware that nothing and no one can save them now. That look alone makes him shake in rage, so cold and burning that he barely registers that he is moving forward until he has his hand wrapped around the young Yokai's throat.
He squeezes it in a warning and the circle of Yokai around him grows silent. The young Yokai, too a fox, stares at him with scared eyes. “Ah,” he gasps and his body goes limp. “I didn't know that Master Kuya would prefer to take the first bite.”
That's not what Kuya wants at all. His fun is ruined, his instincts are screaming at him to turn this banquet into a bloodbath. There is a reason why Yokai respect and fear him, everyone knows very well what happens to those who dare to cross him.
The Old Monkey tries to save this disaster. The old fool, always speaking when he should keep his mouth shut. “Now, now,” he says. “There is no need to act violently. We forgot that it was Master Kuya who was slighted the most. The vile human dared to trick him.”
Kuya's eyes narrow. “You think that a pathetic human could ever trick me?” His ears twitch in annoyance. “Here I thought you didn't want this situation to escalate. Perhaps I was wrong.” Now, he bares his teeth as well. He is now showing just his fangs, giving the Old Monkey a full look of what might soon tear his throat. The old Yokai jumps back, giving Kuya a small smile to show him that he meant no offense. Kuya ignores him, his focus now on the fox in his grasp. The young male trembles like a leaf, the terror in his eyes now mirroring the look in Eiden's.
Speaking of which… Kuya glances at Eiden. “Can you stand up?” he asks. Eiden's head snaps towards him but he doesn't say a word. His palm is pressed against his chest, his robe is ruined and covered in blood.
“Young Master,” Kuya sighs but there is no malice in his voice. “When you speak, I expect you to answer.” Still nothing. Eiden looks completely out of it. “Perhaps it's my mistake. I'll correct it in a minute.” He lowers his tail and gently brushes Eiden's cheek with its tip. Eiden finally meets his eyes, silently crying.
“Now, don't say you can't use your nose?” he asks the young Yokai rather aggressively. “That's the basic thing for every fox to know.”
“I-I… am sorry?”
“...” Kuya narrows his eyes. “Then use it now!”
His expression changes. His smile is empty now and so are his eyes. This is when he is the most dangerous. The fool trapped by his hand sniffs the air, Kuya does him a favor by pushing him closer to Eiden until the new smell hits his nose and finally he understands. Eiden smells after the forest, like the flowers growing near Kuya's house. But most importantly, Kuya's scent is imprinted all over him, marking him as Kuya's. It's been widely known for centuries that Kuya had his number of partners but not once they were marked by him. By injuring Eiden, this fox touched something that belongs to Kuya only and so brought Kuya's wrath on himself.
Immediately, the young Yokai's ears flatten against his head. “I didn't mean it!” he cries out in distress. “I didn't know. Please. Please. I am sorry.”
Kuya lets go of him. He has a feeling that Eiden won't be able to stand on his own so he lifts him up and presses him against his chest. His little human is shaking, his tears are now soaking through the front of Kuya's outfit. It's annoying but Kuya is at fault here. “Now, now,” he tries to soothe him. “There is no need to cry, young Master.. We'll get you new clothes in a minute. How about we leave this boring Banquet behind, huh?”
Eiden nods. “Just…” He takes a deep breath. “Take me away.”
Judging by the tone of his voice, Kuya has a feeling that his young Master won't want to visit another gathering of Yokai in a long time. “Karu,” he calls out to the wolf. “We are going.”
“What about the culprit?” the Old Monkey asks when he finally gathers enough courage. “We were attacked!” Unfortunately for him, Kuya doesn't give a damn. After all, he was not directly impacted.
“Such a boring matter,” he sighs. Then he reaches into his pocket and puts his sunglasses on. They cover his eyes so it's hard to read him. “Do you expect me to do something about it?” Of course not. The Old Monkey shrinks away. Kuya then turns towards the fox on the ground.
“I am not finished with you.” The young Yokai visibly pales. Kuya offers him a sharp smile. Then covers Eiden's eyes. “Should I make you eat yourself or tear you into pieces?” He gives the other no time to answer and though Eiden in his arms can't see anything, he can hear the Yokai's screams and the sound of tearing flesh.