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no6secretsanta · 4 years

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Snakes and Mice

{To: @moyarambles

From: @happykawaiicinnamonroll

Hope this satisfies your fantasy needs!}

Snakes love to eat meat from small animals. Mice are no exception.

Nezumi too had the feeling that he attracted all kinds of snakes. However most of them were human and usually annoying and sketchy. But he had no choice. His job as an adventurer acquires him to deal with many different people. Some he can stand and others he cannot.

The only thing he could do was keeping his mouth shut and do the "quest". After all he didn't want to end up as their prey.

However he would be lying if he said he hadn't killed the one or another client. And even more so if he called himself a saint.

Nezumi was a thief, fast and clever.

"Snakes" were his enemies.

It was a sunny day but there was no light in the dark and foggy forest Nezumi was in.

The trees there were at least five times taller than him. They overshadowed everything with their crowns made out of leaves and bird's nests.

Even with his oil lamp he could barely make out anything because of the thick fog. Nezumi had to depend on his other four senses.

He was rather slow as he made his way through the wood, highly cautious towards his surroundings.

Not even the rotten smell in his nose threw Nezumi off. Many people, mostly careless ones, died in that forest. That place was cursed.

However he had a job to do. Also it wasn't like this was his first time here. Although it probably was his longest stay.

One more hour and he would hit the 24 hours, a whole day.

Nezumi had not expected to be in that dark place for that long. He really needed to get out soon before his oil and nutrients were all gone.

Finally he could feel something wet underneath his boots and a light breeze grazing his cheeks. Behind his scarf his lips curled upwards into a smirk. At long last he had reached it.

The so called heart of Dunkelwald was right in front of him.

The man was on high alert as he recalled all the stories -- rumours, really -- he heard about that place.

How it had swallowed people and they were never to be seen again. Or if they did leave not without a curse.

Nezumi also heard of rare creatures living there. Some dangerous others shy. One in particular was on his mind. A blood red snake which tasted delicious when cooked and also made the eater turn into whatever they wanted.

Inukashi had ordered him to get one and he would not let him down.

He was not going to leave this cursed forest without it.

It looked like luck was on his side after enduring in that dark place for so long.

A small red line wrapped around something white. If it weren't for the bright colours Nezumi might not have spotted it. The light was too dim. He had to step closer to see better. His heart felt a tiny stab over the sight of a snake choking a mouse. In a quick movement he picked them both up.

After casting a spell to paralyze the two animals he put them in his bag. To his relief the mouse had moved. It was still alive. The snake didn't kill it.

However Nezumi did not notice that there was something strange about the mouse. Not yet.

He was too busy rummaging through his bag. Once his hand grabbed a certain tiny round object he pulled it out. It was a teleport orb or rather an escape orb. This item allows you to leave a so called "dungeon" and lets you appear on the very spot you have entered.

Nezumi was about to use the orb when he heard something. A quiet rustle on his left. As carefully as possible he turned to that direction. His lips curled upwards into a grin when he saw the source of the noise.

"Oh hello. Did you want to join your friend?"

The creature, a red snake stared at the man. Or more like glared.

"Oh pardon me. Of course you would want to be with your child." Right after saying that Nezumi cast another spell. But this time he chose one to make the snake fall asleep.

At the beginning he seemed to have the worst luck. Now he had not captured one but two snakes. Inukashi will be thrilled.

Nezumi put the big snake into his bag. After looking around he took out the orb and used it to leave the forest in the blink of an eye.

~~~

Once home he took out the animals from his bag. To his relief the snakes were still unmoving. However the mouse had woken up and was now looking at Nezumi. Its eyes were red contradicting its white fur. Upon closer inspection in a better light he realised that the snake on the rodent was actually a scar.

If it hadn't been for the real red snake attacking him and him capturing it he would had been forced to go back to Dunkelwald.

"And there I thought I would get some extra cash," Nezumi remarked in his mind. For some reason he couldn't keep his eyes of the mouse. He even snorted because the mouse was branded with the image of its enemy. It was too ironic.

All of a sudden the man began to talk to the rodent, "You know. I could sell you too. Bet you would fetch a nice price."

The albino animal flinched over his words. It seemed to understand him.

"Do not fret," Nezumi continued, "I won't sell you." He then let out a whistle.

Before the mouse knew it it was surrounded by its own kind. Three pairs of eyes stared at it in curiousity.

As the mice were getting acquainted the adventurer made a light meal for himself and even prepared a plate with some cookies for his furry friends. The four rodents devoured their food with eagerness while Nezumi ate his in peace.

After they were all done the man washed the dirty dishes in a hurry. He then turned to the mice with a smile. "I gotta go again. Have fun."

With that said he left, but not without taking the red snake with him. His quest would only be fulfilled if he gave it to Inukashi. And that's what he was doing.

Normally red snakes were no longer than 25 centimetres. However this specimen was 37 centimetres long according to the tape measure from Inukashi.

"I knew I could count on you," he stated. "Although you took longer than usual it was worth the wait."

Nezumi rolled his eyes. "I was in the deepest part of Dunkelwald. What did you expect?"

"You're right. Just last month a boy around your age got swallowed by the forest," Inukashi told the other as he watched the snake wake up. He then quickly cast another sleeping spell on it.

"Oh. Its missing an eye."

The adventurer clicked his tongue. A missing eye meant less money. At least the eyes weren't the most expensive part of the red snake but they still landed a decent price.

"How much are you willing to pay?"

"Let's see... The snake is longer than usual... However it is missing an eye..."

Inukashi stared at the creature for a little while longer. He opened its mouth to look inside before he spoke up again, "40 silver coins. 37 for the length, 2 for the teeth and 1 for the eye."

Nezumi smirked. "Deal."

~~~

At long last the man could fall into his bed and get some much deserved sleep. Dunkelwald had not allowed him to rest even for a little. That's why he was planning to recharge the energy he had spent on getting through that dark place. No one could stop him.

His mice jumped onto the bed next to Nezumi's head. All except one.

The albino with the odd scar stared at the human. Its red eyes were glowing a little in the dark.

Patting on a free spot between the rodents, Nezumi invited the lone mouse to join them.

A moment later it hopped down on the very place and curled into a ball.

The adventurer watched the mice until he fell asleep.

Nine hours later Nezumi woke up to a rustling sound. He was quick to leave his bed and walk to the source of the sound. His eyes grew wide in surprise when he saw a boy around his age rummage through his cupboard. "What the hell..." The stranger turned around to Nezumi upon hearing something. When he saw the other his face coloured pink.

"I-I can explain," he stuttered out.

"Oh yeah? Well I can't remember having invited someone over." Nezumi walked up to the intruder and grabbed him by his white hair. "So what are you doing in my home, wearing my pants?"

As he stared at the boy he began to realise something. First, the other was an albino. Second, there was a red scar running from his cheek to his chest and perhaps further down. The scar was

like a snake. Similar to the snake Nezumi had caught and sold. But it was also like the scar the mouse had. If not the same scar.

"...Are you the mouse?"

As an answer he got a simple nod. The poor boy was too afraid to speak after he had gotten yelled at.

Nezumi was shocked. It was then that he remembered how the red snake had been missing an eye. Which brought him to the conclusion that the former mouse might have eaten it. "This can't be happening," he mumbled.

If only he had known that his trip to Dunkelwald would get him into this mess.

"Uhm... Sir?" the boy called out.

Nezumi groaned. "What is it?"

"...Can I talk?"

He had only asked for permission to talk. But it made the adventurer recall how the mouse had understood him. It or rather he had reacted to his words. Normally an animal turned human shouldn't be able to speak with such ease right?

"Fine." Crossing his arms, Nezumi looked at the stranger. His grey pierced through the latter and made him gulp.

"Thank you Sir. Also I'm sorry for uhm taking your pants without permission? It's just I don't have any clothes on me at the moment."

Another odd thing. The boy knew of the importance of being dressed. Nezumi wondered if the mouse possessed a high IQ. Or at least a higher one than normal mice.

"You could have asked."

"But you were deep asleep and I didn't want to wake you," he retorted.

The adventurer clicked his tongue. "How courteous of you."

Finally he let go of the albino's soft hair. "Now let's get you some clothes."

The boy smiled at him. "Thank you Sir."

Nezumi shook his head. It gave him an odd feeling to be called Sir. "Just call me Nezumi please."

"Alright. Nezumi." A hand got stretched out towards the adventurer. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Shion."

"Shion..." His lips curled upwards into a small grin. "So you have a name? I was afraid I had to name you. Well that certainly saves trouble." He did not take Shion's hand.

The boy let out a sigh, something Nezumi didn't dare do. "Can we just get some clothes for me please?"

"Of course my majesty."

A blanket got drapped over Shion's shoulders.

"But for now you stay here and tell me your sizes in clothing."

He was given a smile of gratitude in return before the boy told him his sizes.

Nezumi nodded afterwards. "I see." He then grabbed Shion by his wrist and dragged him to his bed. To the adventurer's surprise and relief the other didn't resist. Not even when he made him sit down on the ground and tied his arms to the bed frame.

Shion just blinked, a confused expression crossing his face. "Uhm... Nezumi?" he called out in a rather soft voice. "What are you doing?"

"Making sure you won't do anything stupid while I'm away," the adventurer replied. "See you later. My mice will watch you."

~~~

Around an hour later, Nezumi returned with four huge bags. With a loud thud they landed in front of Shion.

"I see you behaved. Good," the adventurer remarked.

The albino grimaced a little as he gazed up at the other. "Not that I had much of choice." He turned his head to look at his tied wrists. Although the rope used to make him immobile appeared to be ordinary it wasn't. There was a strong spell casted on it plus the material was a rare one too.

Shion hadn't even tried to escape because he knew it would be pointless and harm him. So he hadn't risked it.

"Well then. I brought you some clothes as promised," Nezumi pointed out as he removed the magic rope. "You owe me. Big."

The albino nodded his head in reply. "Thank you." He then looked through the clothes. Nezumi had even been so kind to get him two pairs of shoes. However there was one thing missing.

"Uhm... Nezumi?"

"Yes?" The man went back to the other after he had given the mice a big cookie.

Shion took a deep breath. "There is... No underwear."

"So? We can buy some later," Nezumi retorted. "Or would you had prefered to wear some already worn underwear?"

Now that he had mentioned it did the albino notice that all the clothing wasn't new. But they still seemed to be in good condition. Another thing which made it clear to Shion that those are second hand are the smells of them. Some of them smelled like fabric softener the rest didn't.

"Oh..." He frowned.

Nezumi studied the other with a smirk. "So what will it be? Will you stay here, tied against bed pole or will you go shopping with me?"

The albino was quiet as he contemplated his options. "... I'll go with you."

After they had bought some underwear for Shion they went to Inukashi. The adventurer hoped that he might be of some help.

"Good timing! I have a brand-new quest for you-- Oh." The moment his gaze fell on the albino he went quiet. But a moment later he cracked a joke. "We're not buying humans. Try the slavery a few stands farther."

Nezumi rolled his eyes. "No thanks. I actually wanted to know more about the snake I sold you."

"The red snake? I used it for some potions. They've been really popular. So much so that they're sold out," Inukashi told him. "Did you need one? I'm afraid I haven't kept a spare one for you. Next time okay?"

"That's not it either." Nezumi then shoved Shion in front of him. "Remember how the snake had been missing an eye? I suspect he ate it."

The salesman looked at the individual presented to him. "Now that you mention it, his scar reminds me of the snake."

Inukashi put his chin in his hand. "How interesting."

"Uhm..." Shion got a little uncomfortable from the staring. As if he was a statue in a museum. Only made to be gazed at.

Nezumi wrapped an arm around the smaller male. "Yes. You see..."

He then told Inukashi how he had met the other and that he had been a mouse before turning human.

"...I see. So that's how it is." The salesman was sitting cross-legged on a chair, one hand on his left knee.

"And now you're trying to figure out what to do? How to turn him back?"

"No!" Shion shouted all of a sudden. His sudden yell startled the two other men.

Inukashi gawked at the albino as if he had grown two heads all of a sudden. "You can talk? And understand us?"

"I can."

"But you're a mouse! Well, you were," the salesman retorted.

For some reason a dark expression crossed the other's pale face. "I know. You see--"

"Hold up!" Nezumi demanded. "I think I understand now." He then locked eyes with Shion. Cold grey met hot red.

"You had actually been human before but got turned into a mouse. Is that correct?"

The albino nodded after a while. "That's right."

"So... We don't need to turn him back? Just leave it as is?" Inukashi concluded.

Nezumi's lips curled upwards into a half-grin. "That's how it is now."

It was then decided that Shion stayed with his "saviour".

~~~

Four months passed in which Nezumi got used to living with someone else besides his mice.

During this time he learned a lot about the other.

Shion was a light sleeper but rarely moved. He didn't snore either.

Often times Nezumi would catch him staring off into the distance, looking out of the window every chance he got.

It appeared to him that the albino was longing for something or someone. Probably his old life.

However Shion did not complain about his new situation. In fact he was grateful to Nezumi for giving him this opportunity.

As it had turned out his new roommate was a pretty skilled archer and could use a type of magic he had never seen before (although Shion rarely casted spells). Once the adventurer had discovered this he had started taking him on quests are letting him do a few alone even.

They both profited from each other. But that didn't change the fact they barely knew anything. Four months just weren't enough.

After a tough quest Nezumi was in the underground market while the albino rested at home.

He was talking to Inukashi when someone called out to him. "Nezumi? Is that you?"

The adventurer turned around at that.

"Oh hey Safu!"

In front of him stood a girl who was dressed as a typical witch. Her spells were average but what really stood out were her potions, ailments and similar things. Sometimes she made some for Inukashi.

Safu gave the salesman a decent filled bag before she looked at the other man again. "How about we have some dinner and talk? Food's on me."

"I can't possibly let a lady pay for me," Nezumi retorted, denying her offer. "Let's just pay for our own meals."

"So just like always. Boo." Her expression changed into a sulking one. However there was something else. Something gloomy.

The adventurer would question her about it later. If she was ready to talk about it. He didn't want to force her.

Shaking his head, Nezumi then offered, "How about I let you choose the place?"

In an instant Safu's face brightened up. "I was hoping you'd say that." She then grabbed the other by his arm and dragged him away.

Soon enough the two sat in a café. Apart from them were only three other people.

Once they had sat down a woman walked up to the two individuals. The name written on her apron was the same as the café's so it was safe to assume that she was the owner.

"Hello Safu. I see you're not alone her today." She gave them a welcoming smile.

Safu mimicked her expression. "This is Nezumi. He's a good acquaintance of mine. Nezumi meet Karan."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Nezumi. Just call me Karan. And yes this café belongs to me." She was smiling yet the adventurer didn't miss the bitter note in it. Same with his company. There was something sad and ... longing in their eyes.

Nezumi nodded. "The pleasure is mine Karan."

After Karan had taken their orders and left the man leaned closer to Safu.

"So, what happened? Something is definitely up."

He frowned at her. Even if they weren't friends per se he still cared for her to a certain extent. And if he could help her he would. Although it depended on what Nezumi had to do and which price to pay.

Safu let out a deep sigh.

"Guess I can't fool you huh?"

She played with her pendant as she thought about her next words.

"...This necklace was a present from my childhood friend. He... He disappeared a few months ago."

It was then that he remembered Inukashi mentioning it before. A boy who wasn't able to leave Dunkelwald.

"My condolences."

Nezumi knew these words weren't enough but he had to say something.

His company shook her head. "I just wish he's safe wherever he is... Although it's naive and stupid."

The adventurer was about to open his mouth but closed it when Karan returned to their table.

"Here you go."

Food and drinks were set in front of the two.

"Thank you Karan!" Safu smiled at her.

However the woman noticed that something was wrong with the younger female. "Why the long face Safu? Is Nezumi rude to you? Do I have to kick him out?"

"No, it's alright," she reassured the older one, "I just told Nezumi about Shion."

Shion. Just like his roommate! How odd.

"...Is he your relative?" Nezumi asked her.

Karan nodded with a smile.

"He's my son."

She was happy about the fact that the adventurer had used present tense and not past tense. It made her feel better, if only a little.

"I hope you too enjoy the meal. Also don't worry about the bill. It's on the house."

As soon as the woman had left he turned to Safu. "You little… You schemed this."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." The girl chuckled.

Nezumi rolled his eyes. "You're impossible."

He was about to take a bite from his cake when the door to the café got opened in a quick and rather violent way.

"Everest is under attack!" a man shouted which made the adventurer freeze.

After all he had told him bad news about the very village he lived in.

Even though he would've loved to try Karan's pastries he had to abandon it.

Safu was right behind him as they raced to Everest.

Hundreds of monsters were harming the village with its inhabitants. Half of the place was engulfed in flames and destroyed beyond compare.

It was a sight Nezumi would never forget and always revive in his nightmares.

He did his best to keep the monsters at bay and keep the villagers as safe as possible in such a dire situation.

All of a sudden the flames had surrounded him, Safu and a couple others in a full circle. They had no way to escape because of the high and thick wall of fire.

Nezumi and others casted various spells to the best of their abilities to fight it and the monsters.

But they grew weaker with every use of magic.

Things seemed hopeless.

All of a sudden Shion stood before him. However something was different about him.

"Shion?" Safu called his name.

There was a flash of light which blinded everyone.

Nezumi could make out some fluffy tails behind the albino before they disappeared with the light. Most of the monsters had gone knocked down from that attack.

After fighting of the remaining enemies it was over.

Shion then turned around to the adventurer and smiled at him. A moment later he collapsed.

#happykawaiicinnamonroll #moyarambles #no6 #no. 6 #no 6 #no.6

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no6secretsanta · 4 years

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2019 fic guide

This is a guide to all the No. 6 Secret Santa fics that were posted in 2019. If you’re looking for a specific theme or mood among the fics, look no further than this list to find it!

MASTER FIC LIST

Nezushi

Full canon arc: hi-im-secretly-satan for lostemotion, “On The Morrow He Will Leave Me”

Novel-verse, West Block: Pigeonsimba for Celebrian, “Snowflakes And Starlight”

West Block: Paintedpainting for Glorifiedscapegoat, “Those Soft Nights”

West Block: Origami10 for Gyrthil

Reunion fic: Taka-taco for Sillydragpoes, “Until The Day Comes”

Reunion fic: Akikonatsuko for Origami10

Reunion fic: Whims-of-insane-fandoms for moist_wet_juicy, “The Rain Brought You To Me Again”

Post-canon (incl. reunion): Tea-for-you for Crowmunculus, “Love Love Love”

Post-canon: Curiousscarletteyes for ArdentKnight, “Rings and Snowfall”

Post-canon: Sillydragpoes for Mariaashby64

Post-canon: Ardentknight for Minimirai

Post-canon: Aoicanvas for Prometheanastronaut, “After The Credits Roll”

Post-canon: Aowyn for hi-im-secretly-satan, “The Taste Of Salt” ✩ podfic ✩ (original fic by hi-im-secretly-satan)

Post-canon: Glorifiedscapegoat for Happykawaiicinnamonroll, “Bittersweet Awakening”

Post-canon: Crowmunculus for Bucket-of-nope, “If Not For All Time”

Canon divergence (Safu lives), post-canon: Iwatch-theworld for Flat-san, “Warming Up”

Canon divergence (Safu lives), post-canon: Secretagentfan for Iwatch-theworld, “Apples and Elbow Room”

Alternate universe, first meeting: Glorifiedscapegoat for Cruria

Alternate universe, first meeting: Fairysdarkestnight for Aoicanvas, “Drawn To You”

Alternate universe, first meeting: Happykawaiicinnamonroll for moyarambles, “Snakes and Mice”

Not Nezushi-centric

Aowyn for Secretagentfan, “Watching The World” ✩ podfic ✩ (original fic by Secretagentfan) - focuses on Safu’s relationship to Shion, includes Nezushi at the end

Scratcho-mcdatcho for Tea-for-you, “Homeword Bound” - focuses on Karan’s relationship with Shion and Nezumi, includes Reunion

------

BY TOPIC

Additional characters

Safu: Aowyn for Secretagentfan, “Watching The World” ✩ podfic ✩ (original fic by Secretagentfan)

Safu: Secretagentfan for Iwatch-theworld, “Apples and Elbow Room”

Safu & Inukashi: Iwatch-theworld for Flat-san, “Warming Up”

Safu & Inukashi: Fairysdarkestnight for Aoicanvas, “Drawn To You”

Safu & Inukashi: Happykawaiicinnamonroll for moyarambles, “Snakes and Mice”

Inukashi: Glorifiedscapegoat for Cruria

Inukashi: Tea-for-you for Crowmunculus, “Love Love Love”

Karan: Sillydragpoes for Mariaashby64

Karan: Scratcho-mcdatcho for Tea-for-you, “Homeword Bound”

Fluff

Curiousscarletteyes for ArdentKnight, “Rings and Snowfall” (engagement, marriage proposal, pre-slash)

Iwatch-theworld for Flat-san, “Warming Up”

Taka-taco for Sillydragpoes, “Until The Day Comes”

Sillydragpoes for Mariaashby64

Whims-of-insane-fandoms for moist_wet_juicy, “The Rain Brought You To Me Again”

Ardentknight for minimirai

Glorifiedscapegoat for Happykawaiicinnamonroll, “Bittersweet Awakening”

Angst

hi-im-secretly-satan for lostemotion, “On The Morrow He Will Leave Me”

Akikonatsuko for Origami10 (angst with a happy ending)

Tea-for-you for Crowmunculus, “Love Love Love” (hurt/comfort)

Aoicanvas for Prometheanastronaut, “After The Credits Roll” (hurt/comfort)

Aowyn for hi-im-secretly-satan, “The Taste Of Salt” ✩ podfic ✩ (original fic by hi-im-secretly-satan) (hurt/comfort)

Happykawaiicinnamonroll for moyarambles, “Snakes and Mice” (ambiguous ending)

Crowmunculus for Bucket-of-nope, “If Not For All Time” (ambiguous, character study)

Smut Tea-for-you for Crowmunculus, “Love Love Love”

Humour Secretagentfan for Iwatch-theworld, “Apples and Elbow Room”

Winter/Christmas

Pigeonsimba for Celebrian, “Snowflakes And Starlight” (winter theme)

Iwatch-theworld for Flat-san, “Warming Up” (winter theme)

Ardentknight for Minimirai (winter holiday)

Curiousscarletteyes for ArdentKnight, “Rings and Snowfall” (Christmas Eve)

Fairysdarkestnight for Aoicanvas, “Drawn To You” (12 days of Christmas countdown)

Sillydragpoes for Mariaashby64 (Christmas)

Akikonatsuko for Origami10 (Christmas)

Origami10 for Gyrthil (features A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens)

(Found) family

Iwatch-theworld for Flat-san, “Warming Up”

Sillydragpoes for Mariaashby64

Scratcho-mcdatcho for Tea-for-you, “Homeword Bound”

Ardentknight for Minimirai

Alternate Universe

Glorifiedscapegoat for Cruria (steampunk/fantasy, mechanic Nezumi, prince Shion)

Fairysdarkestnight for Aoicanvas, “Drawn To You” (college AU)

Happykawaiicinnamonroll for moyarambles, “Snakes and Mice” (fantasy AU where Nezumi is a poacher and Shion is cursed)

#no6 #no.6 #no. 6 #no 6 #no6secretsanta #nezushi #nezumi #shion

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