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Zohakuten wandered the twisting halls of the Infinity Castle with an unusual bounce in his step. The small demon had discovered a curious herb earlier that evening during one of his explorations. Catnip. He had only meant to test its rumored effects on demons out of idle curiosity. Now his head felt light and his limbs buzzed with restless energy that refused to settle. He did not feel like his usual composed self at all.
Everything seemed brighter and more interesting. The patterns on the walls shifted in ways that made him want to chase them. A soft giggle escaped him followed by another. His wooden clogs clicked rapidly against the floor as he broke into a sudden sprint. Zoomies overtook him without warning. He darted left then right then spun in a tight circle before racing forward again. His drum-like appendages rattled with the motion.
Kokushibo turned a corner at that exact moment. The Upper Rank One had been patrolling the corridors in his usual silent vigilance when the smaller demon nearly collided with him. Zohakuten skidded to a halt and stared up with wide eyes. His face held none of its typical ferocity. Instead it showed pure unguarded delight.
“Koku,” Zohakuten chirped. The nickname slipped out before he could stop it. He rocked on his heels then launched himself forward.
The taller demon caught him easily. Zohakuten pressed his forehead against Kokushibo’s chest in a firm headbutt. Then another. And another. Each one carried affectionate insistence as if he could transfer all his scrambled feelings through the contact. Kokushibo remained still at first. He observed the unusual behavior with his six eyes.
“You are not yourself,” Kokushibo stated. His voice stayed calm and even.
Zohakuten only headbutted him again. A happy rumble vibrated in his small chest. “Feels nice. Everything spins but good spin.”
He tried to dash off once more but Kokushibo lifted him clear off the ground without effort. Air jail. Zohakuten dangled there with his legs kicking lazily. The position should have annoyed him yet under the influence of the catnip it only made him laugh. He reached out with both arms and headbutted the air in Kokushibo’s direction as if the gesture could bridge the distance.
Kokushibo held him suspended for a long moment. He studied the flushed cheeks and the way Zohakuten’s eyes refused to focus properly. “Catnip. That explains the state you are in. How much did you consume?”
“Little bit,” Zohakuten admitted. He swung his feet and tried another headbutt toward his caregiver’s shoulder. “More than little bit maybe.”
A faint sigh left Kokushibo. He adjusted his grip so that Zohakuten rested more comfortably against his side rather than hanging fully in the air. The smaller demon immediately snuggled closer and delivered one more gentle headbutt to the junction of neck and shoulder. The zoomies seemed to ease for now but the affectionate demands remained strong.
“Come,” Kokushibo said. “We will find a quiet room until this passes. You will rest.”
Zohakuten did not argue. He allowed himself to be carried through the halls with his head tucked against the taller demon. Every few steps he gave another small headbutt as if to confirm that Kokushibo was still there. The Infinity Castle continued its endless shifting around them but for once the little demon paid it no mind. The world felt soft and safe and full of pleasant static.
Kokushibo kept his pace steady. He made certain to support Zohakuten fully. In this regressed state the smaller demon required care and patience. Kokushibo would provide both until the effects faded and his charge returned to his sharper self. For now he accepted the repeated headbutts and the quiet giggles that echoed softly down the corridor.