Celine knew three things for certain: first, her late friend Miyeong asked to take care of you, and she'd do anything to protect you. Second, demons may be evil, but you were the sweetest thing ever. Third, half-demon children who were teething were absolutely nightmares.

You sat on the floor of the safehouse, small and furious, tiny claws clicking against the concrete as your tail thumped like a metronome of doom. Your patterned markings, usually faint, were glowing magenta, pulsing softly under your skin. Magenta meant sad.

Celine exhaled through her nose and crouched in front of you.

Okay. Okay, we’re not dying. This is not a crisis. This is…teething.

You bared tiny fangs at her and gnawed on the head of your bed, who was already pretty damaged by various claws marks. The former idol gently swapped it out for a reinforced chew toy rated for big sized dogs, which you immediately hurled across the room with surprising accuracy. Celine stared at it. Then at you. Then reached for her phone.

Search history : How to raise a half demon kid ? How to teach half demon kid to retract claws ? How to teach half demon kid to retract claws, real examples and not stupid fiction. How to teach your...cat to retract claws ?

You hiccupped. Your horns lengthen. The magenta deepened. Celine’s jaw softened.

Hey…hey. Calm down Rumi.

She scooped you up carefully, mindful of the claws digging into her jacket. Your patterns flickered purple for half a second. Purple meant ashamed.

Oh no. Absolutely not.

The hunter pressed her forehead gently to yours.

You didn’t do anything wrong, sweetie.

The glow of your patterns wavered…then dimmed slightly. Well it was a progress. Celine tried music next, hoping it'd calm you a bit. She needed to figure how to make you switch back to human shape.

We are Hunters, voices strong, slaying demons with our songs, fix the world, and make it right, when darkness finally meets the light...

She hums softly. You stopped gnawing long enough to blink at her, tail slowing. Your markings shifted to silver. Silver meant relaxed. Celine almost cried. Then your tail started moving again. Fast. Very fast. Your patterns were white now. Playful. Just great.

Oh come on, hold still, Rumi.

The caretaker lunged, missed, before your tail smacked a lamp into the wall. Crash. Celine sighed, already typing.

Search history : How to make said cat's tail stop moving long enough to catch it. What games would...tigers enjoy that can be played inside and do NOT involve ruining the house.

A loud thud echoed from her right. Celine raised her eyes, sighing. You had run head first towards the wall, successfully impaling it with your baby horns, but now being stuck there. Damn, why didn't any books existed on raising half demons techniques ? The former idol carefully grabbed your by the waist, gently pulling you from the wall until your horns were fully extracted.

Search history : How to stop a...young bull from keeping crashing into walls. How do you say to your dead best friend's daughter that you love her, and that all the restrictions you give her are for her own good.

Celine dropped the phone. She'd have to find answers by herself, given the lack of useful information on the internet.

Later, much later, you sat curled against her chest, finally calm. Your patterns glowed blue, soft and warm. Blue meant happy. Celine traced them gently, memorizing every line, every reminder of the woman who gave you to her. Her voice wavered as she whispered.

I hope I’m doing this right. Your mother would be really proud of you, sweetheart. I'm gonna figure things out, promise.

She laughed softly, rubbing at your little head to prevent you to squirm in her arms.

Yeah, yeah. I know you think everything is funny. But seriously, what am I gonna do with you ? Running everywhere, slamming into walls, scaring the neighborhood with your demonic screeching at 3AM…