A young woman walked home happily, whistling an aimless 
tune.  She was young and pretty, with long luxurious black hair 
falling past her shoulders.  Her business suit seemed almost out 
of place on her voluptuous frame, but it served to add to, not 
detract from, her air of sexuality.  
	It was very foolish of her to be walking through the dark 
alley late at night.  For that was where _they_ hunted.
	Huge, bulbous eyes scanned for prey below, easily 
penetrating the dark in search of prey.  A single tentacle 
adjusted its grip on the side of the building, preparing for 
action.  It had spotted the young woman below and twitched in 
anticipation.
	Although she didn't quite understand it, the woman grew very 
nervous as she walked by below, chilled by some nameless dread she 
couldn't quite place.  Her whistling grew more erratic as she 
nervously looked behind her, only to rise in volume as she tried 
to fill the opressive silence.
	Stilleto heels clicked faster as she speeded up, not quite 
running.  Suddenly, a bit of water splattered onto a garbage can 
lid behind her, causing her to whirl around.  There was only the 
light at the end of the alley.
	She laughed nervously, berating herself for being a coward.  
Turning back around, she continued her walk, deliberately walking 
slower than normal.  There's nothing to be afraid of, she thought.
	And then she heard it.  A gutteral, chiping sort of sound 
seemed to come from all around her, sending chills up her spine. 
	"Chtorrrr…"
	"EEK!" she screamed, panicing.  Her too tall shoes were 
quickly left behind as she ran through the darkness, trying to 
escape.  Her breath came in ragged gasps as she ran down the 
alley, knowing that if she could just get into the street, she'd 
be safe.
	Then in plopped down in front of her, blocking her way.  She 
almost skidded to a halt, but her legs were swiftly jerked from 
beneath her by a tentacle.  She hit the ground hard, knocking 
the breath from her.
	The creature gurgled happily to itself, slime dripping in 
anticipation.  Four thick, powerful tentacles each grabbed an arm 
or leg and picked her up, spread-eagled in mid air.  It studied 
her carefully with one huge eye the size of her head, then the 
other.
	The woman whimpered slightly under it's scrutiny, too afraid 
to scream.  An involuntary shudder passed through her as a smaller 
tentacle caressed her face, leaving a clear, slimy goo across her 
cheeks as the tip touched her lips gently.  She clamped her jaws 
shut, but her eyes remained wide and frightened.
	The tentacle roamed further down, lightly encircling one 
breast as the beast explored its prey.  It blinked in surprise 
when the highly sensitive skin of its appendage encountered cloth 
instead of the smooth flesh of its captive.  
	The tip darted in the neck of her blouse, worming its way 
down under shirt and bra, between her breasts, and emerged just 
above her skirt.  It pulled with inhuman strength, easily ripping 
away the thin material even as it cut into the soft, tender flesh 
of the girl.
	The creature paused to study its results, clicking softly.  
Apparently it liked what it saw, as another tentacle began a slow, 
steady journey down the waistband of her skirt and panties, 
forcing the elastic back, causing the young woman's skin to 
shudder at the very vileness of it as it…
	"Akane!  What are you doing with that octopus?  You know 
that's for dinner!" 
	Hands jerked involuntarily in surprise, sending the half-
dressed doll flying across the room, unnoticed as Akane spun, 
trying to hide the afformentioned octopus behind her back.
	"Kasumi!  I didn't…!" 10 year old Akane spluttered, highly 
embarrassed as Kasumi waved her finger at her.
	"Enough.  You know you're not supposed to be playing with 
your food.  No sushi for you tonight.  Now, give me the octopus 
and go to your room.  Father will have words with you later."
	Akane hung her head in shame as she handed over the illicit 
mollusc and walked away.
	Kasumi shook her head as she watched her youngest sister go.  
"Honestly, I don't know what gets into her at times."