Once Upon a Time - Borusara

Chapter 23: Beauty and the Beast Part 5

Warning. This is no longer in Disney territory. It hasn't been for a while but, I... I made this darker than I thought I did. I promise it still has a happy ending, (the darker something is, the more satisfying it is when you finally see the light) but... Maybe I'll rewrite it... I should probably rewrite it... Let me know your thoughts.

Momoshiki opened his eyes to birds chirping, the sun blinding him. "...What have you done this time?"

There's no one to free you out here. You're trapped, Momoshiki.

"Hmm," he mused, tugging at the secure bind on his arms. "I see... Quite the job you've done here, boy."

To Boruto's horror, he heard footsteps behind him. 

"But it seems as though your out of luck."

"What the-- Lefou! Hand me my rifle!" Kawaki's voice pierced his eardrums. 

"We found him! We found the beast!"

"Fellows, fellows," said Momoshiki, turning towards the unlikely pair. "I am no beast. Tell me, what rumors have you heard?"

Kawaki glared at him, readying his rifle. "Seems like you've got my woman," said Kawaki, putting one muscular leg up against the tree. "You've got her trapped in a castle... But why are you out here?"

"Hah," said Momoshiki, "surely you jest. I have done no such thing to my guest... If she is yours, I will happily give her back. But no one can get into the castle without my permission..."

"Then how did her old man get in yesterday?" 

"I just so happened to be by the entrance and stopped my guards from chasing after him. He did nothing but sputter and point, staring at me with a horrid look on his face."

"What's this about you choking her?" Kawaki asked, cocking his loaded gun.

"He must have been confused. I was merely instructing her on the proper way to tie a napkin around her neck."

"Sounds fishy, but you still didn't answer..." Kawaki pressed the barrel to his head, but Momoshiki still didn't flinch. "Now respond. Why are you tied up?"

"Hm. It seems as though I sleepwalked out here in the middle of the night. Quite a bad habit of mine... If you'd be willing to untie me, I'd happily take you to the castle, call off the onslaught of guards, and return her to you."

The barrel of the gun lowered slowly. Kawaki took a step towards him. "...I'll untie you, but any funny business, and I'll shoot a hole right through your head." He entrusted Metal with his gun, knelt down, and worked at the ropes on his wrists. The second they fell off, he stood to his feet. "Take me to her."

"But of course." 

Momoshiki skillfully disarmed Kawaki and slammed his head into the tree, knocking him out along with one of his teeth. Metal was so stunned that a simple chop to the back of the neck crumpled him to his knees.

"Hm. Well. That was easy," said Momoshiki, shaking his wrist loose. "I suppose I'll make my way back to the castle now." 

Boruto cursed himself. He screamed inside Momoshiki, attempting to claw out his own innards. But Momoshiki only continued striding forward. 

"I've already branded her with my mark... What else should I do? Oh! I know!"

Boruto felt the sides of his face widen into a sickening grin.

"You decided to put on quite the display of affection last night... Perhaps I should make it so she never wants to touch you again."

You wouldn't...