ZZZ:Through the Frosted Mirror

Ellen returned to her apartment, stepping inside and setting her things down. Before she could fully relax, a small voice called out to her.

"Ellen... I'm hungry."

Mira stood in the doorway, fidgeting slightly, her large eyes watching Ellen carefully. Ellen tilted her head, giving her a soft smile. "What kind of hungry? The kind where you want food, or the kind where you crave my blood?"

Mira hesitated, looking down at her feet. She mumbled something under her breath, her voice barely audible.

Ellen furrowed her brows. "Didn't catch that, kiddo. Speak up."

Mira's tiny hands gripped the hem of her hoodie as she barely whispered, "Blood."

Ellen exhaled softly and stepped forward, gently scooping Mira into her arms. She pressed the girl's head against her neck, holding her close. "You don't have to hesitate, Mira. I told you before—I'll do anything for you. You're my daughter. No matter what, you can always come to me when you need it."

Mira let out a shaky breath, her small fingers clutching Ellen's sleeve. She didn't bite immediately, only burying her face deeper against Ellen's shoulder.

"Take your time," Ellen murmured. "Start when you're ready."

Instead of biting, Mira nuzzled against her, her sharp teeth barely grazing Ellen's skin in hesitation. Ellen smiled at the affectionate gesture and, with Mira still in her arms, moved into the kitchen.

Balancing her daughter in one arm, she started preparing a meal for herself and Miyabi. Cooking with one hand was no issue—her experience as a maid had made her exceptionally skilled in multitasking. The meal didn't need to be extravagant, just enough to keep them full until dinner.

She decided on a simple but hearty meal: a stir-fry with thinly sliced beef, crisp vegetables, and a savory garlic-ginger sauce served over freshly steamed rice. On the side, she prepared a light miso soup with tofu and seaweed, ensuring there was something warm and comforting. For Mira, she set aside a small plate of soft, easy-to-eat foods—some lightly cooked fish and rice, just in case she wanted to eat later.

As Ellen worked, she barely felt the moment Mira finally bit into her neck. The sensation was no worse than a mosquito's bite, a soft pinch followed by a faint warmth as Mira drank slowly. Ellen instinctively began to rock her, her movements gentle, soothing.

She allowed her thoughts to wander, pausing at the idea of Mira drinking her blood as a form of nursing. It was strange—sharks didn't lactate like mammals did, yet here she was, providing sustenance in a way that felt eerily similar.

But she didn't mind.

Mira needed this. And if drinking her blood made her stronger, gave her what she needed to protect herself, then Ellen would provide for her without hesitation. She had already proven her strength against the Twin Marionettes, but there would always be more dangers in the future.

Ellen glanced down at the girl nestled against her. "You're going to need all the strength you can get, kid."

Mira only responded with a contented sigh, her grip on Ellen's shirt loosening as she continued to drink.

Ellen stood in the kitchen, focused on preparing lunch while holding Mira securely against her. The soft warmth of her daughter nestled against her chest was comforting, and she gently rocked her with the natural rhythm of her movements. The scent of food filled the room, the gentle clinking of utensils blending into the quiet moment they shared. Mira remained latched onto Ellen's neck, drinking slowly, her tiny frame rising and falling with each breath.

Unbeknownst to Ellen, the blood Mira was swallowing wasn't the usual crimson of human or Thiren blood. Instead, it was black, dark as ink, yet with the faintest hint of red shimmering within. It coursed down her throat in a slow, almost deliberate manner, as though it carried a will of its own. But rather than flowing directly into her stomach, something unnatural began to take place within her body.

The moment Ellen's blood entered Mira's system, it diverged from its expected path. Instead of simply nourishing her, it pulsed—alive, aware—veering off course and threading its way toward her heart. As it reached its destination, a silent transformation ignited at a molecular level.

The blackened blood slithered through Mira's veins like tendrils of living shadow, interweaving itself with her own essence. The DNA within her cells trembled and unraveled, only to reconstruct itself anew, merging with the foreign yet familiar properties of Ellen's Thiren lineage. The hybridization was seamless, an evolution in real-time as the changes took root within her body.

Her heart pulsed once, and the transformation deepened.

The blood thickened, strengthening her muscles, reinforcing her bones with an eerie resilience. Her already formidable physiology as an oni adapted further, growing denser, more efficient, yet retaining its small, delicate frame. Her Etheric pathways expanded, branching like unseen rivers, reinforcing her very core. The power inside her began to shift, subtle yet undeniable.

Externally, the changes were nearly invisible, but a few small details betrayed the magnitude of the event.

Her once vibrant eyes, the soft hues that reflected her innocence, darkened completely. Not just the irises, but the entirety of her eyes became pitch black, resembling an endless abyss that swallowed all light. The horns adorning her head shifted ever so slightly in hue, a creeping gradient darkening their edges as veins of inky black ran faintly beneath the surface, pulsating with the rhythm of her tiny heartbeat.

Despite the radical transformation occurring within her, Mira remained nestled in Ellen's arms, unbothered, still drinking, still trusting. The process wasn't painful; rather, it was as if she were merely evolving into something… more. Something stronger.

And just as naturally as it began, the process concluded.

Mira's darkened eyes flickered once before their usual color returned. The veins around her horns settled, though the tips now bore a permanent black hue, a quiet reminder of what had transpired. The bite mark on Ellen's neck healed instantaneously, vanishing without a trace, as though it had never existed.

Satisfied and full, Mira let out a soft breath, nuzzling deeper into Ellen's neck before drifting into a peaceful slumber. Ellen, none the wiser to the changes within her daughter, merely smiled, rubbing her cheek against Mira's small head before placing a light kiss on her crown. The warmth between them remained unchanged, a bond unwavering, even as Mira's very being had subtly evolved into something neither of them yet understood.

Outside the kitchen, the world remained the same, oblivious to the quiet shift that had just taken place.

Ellen continued cooking, her mind at peace, unaware of the silent power now coursing through the small, sleeping oni in her arms.

Ellen finished cooking and set both plates on the table, ensuring Miyabi's meal was warm and ready. Mira's portion was carefully stored in a container and placed in the fridge for later. Just as Ellen was about to sit, she heard the soft sound of footsteps approaching.

Miyabi walked into the kitchen, her hair slightly tousled from a light nap. The inviting aroma of Ellen's cooking had drawn her in, and she blinked sleepily before offering a small smile. Ellen noticed her arrival and immediately handed her a plate, their hands briefly brushing against each other.

"Here, eat up," Ellen said. "I'm going to put Mira to bed, then I'll join you."

Miyabi nodded, but instead of simply taking the plate, she stood on her tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss against Ellen's lips. The gentle exchange lingered for a moment before they slowly parted.

"Thanks for making lunch," Miyabi murmured, a faint blush dusting her cheeks.

Ellen smirked slightly. "Anytime."

Miyabi, satisfied, took her plate and made her way into the living room to eat. Meanwhile, Ellen carried the sleeping Mira to her room and gently set her down on the bed. The little oni barely stirred, curling deeper into the blankets. Sharkboo sat comfortably on its beanbag, observing the process with its usual curiosity.

Crouching down to its level, Ellen asked, "Can you keep an eye on her for me?"

Sharkboo beeped in response and gave a tiny but enthusiastic salute, making Ellen chuckle. She leaned forward and placed a small kiss on its forehead. The little bot responded with another soft beep, clearly pleased with the affection.

With Mira safely tucked in, Ellen returned to the kitchen, grabbed her plate, and joined Miyabi on the couch. The two ate in comfortable silence for a bit, enjoying each other's presence. Eventually, their conversation turned more relaxed, and Miyabi shifted slightly, her expression turning contemplative.

Ellen noticed her fidgeting and reached over, gently pulling Miyabi into her lap. The fox-eared woman let out a quiet breath, settling against her mate as Ellen wrapped an arm around her waist. Miyabi's warmth seeped into her, the steady thrum of her heartbeat noticeable against Ellen's chest.

"I think my heat is coming back," Miyabi admitted after a moment, swirling the remaining bits of food on her plate. "It was hard the past couple of days, but your friends visiting, plus Belle being around, made it even worse. It's been getting harder to hold back." Her ears twitched slightly as she glanced at Ellen. "Especially with Mira keeping me in check."

Ellen raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. "Sounds like you're jealous of all the people I've been bringing around."

Miyabi scoffed, though the slight pink on her cheeks betrayed her. "Maybe a little. But it's more that I'm possessive," she admitted, sighing. After a pause, she looked at Ellen more seriously. "So... just be ready, in case we have to mate again."

Ellen chuckled, setting her empty plate aside. "Noted."

Miyabi huffed softly, leaning further into Ellen's embrace, her tail curling around them both. Ellen kissed the top of her head, fingers gently tracing circles along her back, offering silent comfort. They both knew it was only a matter of time before her instincts became too strong to ignore.