"Darkness and Demands"

As they continued down the dark hallway, Mitsuba suddenly pulled away from Kou's side, his eyes gleaming in the faint light. "Pick me up," he demanded, his voice firm and commanding. Kou raised an eyebrow, taken aback by Mitsuba's request. "Pick you up?!" he repeated, a hint of amusement dancing in his voice. "You're the reason why I'm scared now! Pick me up and pay for it, my beautiful, gorgeous legs shouldn't have to be sore from your doings!" Mitsuba's face twisted into a pout, his pink hair jutting out in every direction. "You're not taking my demands seriously," he said, his voice rising. Kou chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "I think I am," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "But I'm not sure I understand the logic behind it. You hit me, and now you want me to pick you up?" Mitsuba's pout deepened, his eyes flashing with indignation. "You're not listening," he said, his voice tight with frustration. "I want you to pick me up because I'm scared, okay? I'm still scared from that whisper thingy, and I don't want to walk anymore. And I want you to carry me because it's your fault I'm scared." Kou's expression softened, and he took a step closer to Mitsuba. "Okay, okay," he said, his voice gentle. "I'll pick you up." Mitsuba's face lit up with a triumphant smile, and he held out his arms. Kou hesitated for a moment, then scooped Mitsuba up into his arms. Mitsuba let out a squeal of delight, his legs wrapping around Kou's waist as he buried his face in Kou's shoulder. As Kou walked, Mitsuba clinging to him, he couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement at the situation. He had never been one for carrying people around, but there was something about Mitsuba's demands that made him want to comply. Maybe it was the way Mitsuba's eyes sparkled with mischief, or the way his voice rose in indignation. Whatever it was, Kou found himself smiling as he walked, Mitsuba's weight surprisingly light in his arms. The darkness seemed to press in around them, but Kou didn't feel scared. With Mitsuba clinging to him, he felt a sense of companionship, a sense of responsibility. And as they moved through the darkness, Kou couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead, and how Mitsuba would react to it.